Thanks, Pesky but I don't want a bunch of random strangers running around my house. It worked for your Mom because the lady wasn't going to be there again and everything was being sold so it didn't matter. Items being sold from my house will be outside in the yard or Ebayed. Primarily the family is splitting things up so as much as possible remains within the family, as per Mama's wishes. She had nice pieces. Not really my taste but some pieces can be easily incorporated. I got the rug (not a word was said about it when DH said he wanted it). We won one painting that DH wanted but we have decided on a rotating art exchange, so even the paintings he didn't get will show up again. Plus there are plenty left to hopefully share with grands. Dad's paintings are his legacy. There is so much glass no one is really interested in. China? No thanks. We have our own sets that we don't use and who needs more? There is a crystal perfume bottle like hers on EBay for $99., Buy It Now. It hasn't sold and who knows how many times it has been listed. SIL and I stayed out of the fray completely and let the boys flip coins for things more than one wanted. After the siblings got what they wanted, we invited SIL to pick what she wanted from what was left. BIL and SIL are going home with a truck load this morning. I know this was a great family and SIL isn't a snake. She is a self confessed control freak who showed tremendous restraint this weekend. If she can't control everything but can respect the process, she seems good. I think the process we used worked. I'm learning more about who SIL is ( in her heart) and how to work with her. My own challenge is to work us through the initial bulldozing of any given situation without feeling flattened. This IS a wonderful family. On to deal with her annuity and a small life insurance claim. The house is bound by a two year lease. Houses in her area are going into bidding wars right now. We discussed the possibility of buying the tenants out of the lease and listing it for sale while the market is hot - AND before the next bubble bursts. I think we need to trust it will all work out the way it is supposed to work out. We don't need to decide that right now. We do need to follow the market down there and look toward a paint job to freshen up the outside.

She will also have the opportunity to choose a successor... You should exercise caution on comments like this since this like so many of the other comments made will vary from state to state, right down to the name of the position. Here, there is no successor appointment power unless specifically provided for in the Will and the position is called a "Personal Representative". Also a relative, especially children of the decedents are often appointed without a question since it's often the norm here. The number of co-executors (which can be male or female unless you want to specify exectrix, or executrices), co-personal representatives, administrator and other terms for the same position is a personal choice. It sounds like the major responsibilities will be to pay for final illness, file taxes, dispose of real and personal property and the like. You may want one or want more than one. One thing you need to keep in mind. YOU do not appoint the executor of your estate, you nominate someone or more than one and the Court is the one who approves it and appoints them. They have NO power until that court appointment. If you nominate someone and your relatives don't like it and have reasonable reason, they can go to court and challenge it. Also, you need to give the executor powers in your Will or the Court will have more involvement. Former Chief Justice Warren Burger made a mess out of his estate by giving his executors no power. You should also decide whether you wish them to be bonded and/or supervised. I assume she has a Will currently and is considering changing the nomination which will require something in writing and it's probably best to do a new Will if it's a simple one or at least a codicil. A notarized letter may be sufficient depending on your location, to convince a judge of desire and intent as long as others don't claim duress. There's advantages and disadvantages of having one or more than one. Depending on the amount of work involved, it's often nice to have someone share the work. Normally there's not a ton of decisions that an executor makes, but there can be, depending on the estate. There is no one right answer whether to have one or more than one. In my Will, I'm nominating two people, if they agree to serve, and giving the option that if one does not want to or doesn't qualify (or meet the requirements I lay out for them) the other has the option to serve individually or have another co-personal representative and I am nominating in order of preference a number of other people whom I trust to be cooperative enough to make it easier on the person. There's a lot of ways to avoid hassles. Name beneficiaries on bank accounts, certain properties can be as a trustee or in joint tenancy, living trusts, and more. Properties can be given away or sold, however that can be tricky in places two, because here, you can't give away large sums right before you die or the Courts will yank it back under the theory that you knew you were dying and tried to give it away to avoid taxes or the like. Another thought: You could have her put a power for you to appoint a co-exector to assist. But nothing stops you from having someone assist you with certain things. Just keep in mind that as an executor (or whatever name it's given) YOU are responsible to do it right and if someone wants to make trouble, they could so it's something to be cautioned about. How much squabbling would you honestly expect? Greed does different things to people. I've sure seen a lot of it in my own family. Good luck.

happilady...here is the link to the other pictures..They are still running on another thread.. The outside, I would have to post seperately. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0819051629720.html?35 dd50 > DH is in the Design Field (Art Director)..I am fortunate that he loves to build things.. he calls it 'Happy Therapy' !! mystybear> Thank you for the lovely compliments. zoey...I chose not to have the little 'shoe' moulding. DH was not happy with that decision, because he says it shows 'gaps' between the floor and the moulding. (only slightly)...I just didn't want them..from past experience. The floors are easier to clean, and the little moulding would always get beat up when using the vacuum..Just my thing! As far as the color..yes it's all the same. BM China White.

I have a grandson who will be 5 in February. He liked stickers when he was little, but it was usually a peel, stick all over the place and then run off kind of a thing. The peel, stick and done thing hasn’t changed. He was always more into building. He’s into Legos now, and there are all sorts of building kits on various levels that you can buy. You can spend a little or a lot depending on the kit. i didn’t know little kids could get into coding until another mom or grandmother on here mentioned it. For Christmas I got my grandson a little robot that had very good reviews. ‘Not sure how much you want to spend but check it out. https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Botley-Coding-Activity/dp/B077MRB975/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1544560861&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=Coding+robot+activity+set&psc=1