Learned of my step mother's death today.  Haven't seen her for many years.  Mixed emotions.  She made Dad happy and my sister unhappy.  There was shenaigans with Dad's will and obfuscation and roadbloaks that were probably unnecessary.  Loretta wasn't my kind of person.  In a way she was the antithesis of Mom yet she was vibrant, funny (often crudely), enthusiastic and loving.  I know she was in love with Dad and Dad wasn't an easy man to live with.  I think he was sometimes unkind to her because he could be.  She was a smart business woman and a great help with the airport.  I suspect that although the final say always remained with Dad she was the boss in day to day matters.  That was definitely true as Dad became ill and weak.  Sadly her last 10 years were in a fog of Alzeimhers disease.  A sad end to a sharp and savvy lady.

Her death means Dad's will comes into play.  What was once a possible inheritance of $750,000 each has dwindled to about $300,000.  Less now that the Australian dollar exceeds parity with the US.  But the timing is perfect.  We are nearing the end of preparing the house for sale.  Have the verandah to paint as well as one section of the living room (final coat today and tomorrow!) then it's ready.  Richard is building an aviary so that the flighted verandah birds may be moved allowing for the repainting.  Then we wash the outside of the house and de-cobweb and it's done.

I am torn between loving this house, this 10 acres and these surrounds and being ready for a change.  Was a bit depressed about the idea of moving.  Just all too much trouble and bother when we have everything just as we like it here - but then, this may be the best thing that could happen.  It will force Richard to re-engage (even building the bird aviary has made him more lively, less likely to sleep away the day).  With the inheritance we will have a bit more play with what we can afford to buy.  If we can get somewhere near the sea, all the better.  Richard can take up kayaking if he pleases (and I hope he pleases!) and I can get involved in whatever's too hand - yoga, art, horse stuff.  Anyway, that may or may not be in the future.  I definitely don't want to be too old and frail to move and suddenly find the quarry is in full swing with the 160 trucks a day past the front door along with the visual agony of watching the slow devouring of the mountain by heavy equipment.