Get several copies of the death certificate ... you will need them. I'm goping to assume the alcoholic brother will cause a stink ... good record keeping will head him off. Keep CAREFUL track of all your expenses (receipts for packing boxes, the rent, etc.) because you are entitled to reasonable payment from the estate for this. Include funeral expenses in this. Beware of fake bills: there is a slimy set of scammers that see an obituary and start sending invoices. Don't pay until you are certain it's legitimate. For the apartment, start by disposing of all immediately visible trash (look through papers for unpaid bills and such) and opened foodstuffs and toiletries. Unopened food and toiletries can be given to a food bank or charity (keep the receipt). Clothing can go to a charity: check ALL pockets and inside shoes and hats for cash and other items. The resale value of most used clothing is too small to bother with (unless he wore Armani). Take digital pictures of each area before you pack ... quickly inventory, pack and remove any high-value items to a safe place. Make a list of the contents of each box as you pack (the inventory) and put it in an envelope taped to the outside of the box. After that, work through each area, checking under drawers and drawer liners for stashed items. Remove drawers and look at the bottom (my gran was fond of taping envelopes of cash there). Look inside dressers when you remove drawers. If there is a solid bottom, things may be hidden there. As you clear areas, sort them into "keep" and "don't keep" or "trash" for broken things. Use a ladder and check the very back of shelves. Look behind and under appliances. At this point, give the other brother a chance to select any furniture (assuming it's not $$$ antiques) he wants, take what you want, then either have an estate sale or send the rest to charity. Keep track of the approximate value of any stuff (look in local consignment shops for similar things) so you can deduct it from the appropriate share. Then you can either have an estate sale or call a second-hand store (or two) to make a bid on the remaining contents. You might have to file your dad's taxes ... keep records. Look for life insurance policies After the taxes, the estate sale, etc. it's time to settle up. Repay yourself for your legtimate expenses, deduct any money or the valuue of any items

It sounds like you're making good progress, Krissie! I can't wait to see pictures. Donna

Just wondering what is happening with the paper train. Is it up and running again? If it is, I'd like to be added to the list. Let me know what the status is. I've been checking back and keeping my eyes open but haven't seen any further updates. It would be a shame if it got stalled at someone's house and never got back to Penny who was so generous to start it with her own supply. She deserves to get the paper back- especially since it was swapped a few times already and I'll bet there's lots of beautiful papers in there she doesn't have! If the person who has it now is having trouble getting the postage to send it on, I'd be willing to pay for it COD or postage due so there would be no cost to whoever has it now to get it back on track. If that's the case, email me and I'll send you my snail mail address so you can send it COD or postage due. I could have it swapped out and back in the mail to the next person in a few days. Let me know! Happy scrappin'! -Sarah

I'm sharing this in the hopes future readers don't feel too guilty about making poor food choices in a time of crisis. when news about Harvey dominated the airways, I promptly went to the store to stock up, I thought that being confined indoors would be a wonderful opportunity to try fancy, healthy recipes I had been wanted to try. I purchased accordingly. Harvey became the monster nobody expected and many, us included, lost all our refrigerated food. When hurricane moved a little away from us, We got busy cleaning for us and neighbors. At the end of each day, there has been little energy left for cooking. Pizzas, Doritos, donuts were welcome sustenance. I vow to get back on track, but went on a junk food regimen out of convenience. I can't imagine any (temporary) shelter focusing on perfect nutritious meals. in fact, in the lessons learned department, I will stock up on easy fast and likely junk food. Grab and go, baby, grab and go.