Just Checking In...

For those of you worried about us, I thought I'd check in and let you all know how things went tonight. And after tomorrow, I'll be back to my regularly scheduled every other day-or-so posts.

Youngest went to school today as it was "game day" and he didn't want to miss out on the festivities.  Oldest didn't want to go as he was starting to feel sad, and I suspect a bit depressed, after staying up late finishing his memorial frame for his Dad's service. Then he found out I had errands to do, and of course he wanted to go to school, but only for a little while. 

I made the rounds, mailing requests for the autopsy reports, applying for social security, finally losing it in the craft store parking lot, and tearing my house apart for the last of the forms I needed for the Social Security office.  After about 2 hours of destroying the office looking for my original marriage certificate from the first marriage, it occurred to me the court house may not have given it back.  After a quick phone call, it was determined they indeed had it, however I now have to petition the court to get it back. 

On Tuesday. 

At the court house an hour away.

Lovely.

In reality, provided I can get there to do it, it will not delay the processing and the boys should be acquiring checks by mid January.

Around 1130, I picked Oldest up at school and dropped lunch off for Youngest.... a McDonald's number three, complete with fries, apple juice, and fork for proper bun removal.  ALL the kids were so jealous.  Oldest and I finished up the memorial frames, and scouted prospective locations for their goodbyes.  The sister called, I stood my ground regarding the boys scattering being private, and regarding the conduct at the service. She was pleasant and understood.

Around four the woman from the funeral home dropped off his ashes, gift wrapped even, two velvet pouches in a silver bag.  The boys and I discussed scattering them before the service, but I hesitated and thought we should do it tomorrow instead.  An hour later, the woman calls me back...

Me: "Hello?"
Her : "Hey, I have a horrible thing to tell you...."
Me: "Oh.  Did the hearts get switched or something?"
Her: "No. I gave you the wrong ashes."
Me: "Well what's the difference between their half of the ashes and the boys?"
Her: "Absolutely nothing.  But I gave you the WRONG ashes."
*ensue my fit of laughter here*
Me: "Well.  I am so glad I didn't spread these with the boys an hour ago."
Her: "I'm so glad you're laughing, becasue I'm about to throw up."

So, I arrive with "the package" at the funeral home and she drops the correct ashes at the house with Tony.  She knocks on the door, having no clue who she is, he quickly pieces it together when he sees the bag. 

The service was uneventful, which was ideal for the boys.  Oldest broke down during the video (which did include all three songs) and his cousin was there for him.  Youngest sat in the corner, hood up, zoning it all out.  They lasted almost to the end, at which time Oldest declared he was "too sad and bored".

Ten of us found ourselves at dinner, laughing at the table, lightening the mood.  (Of course, the incredible cherry flavored drink I selected helped out quite a bit.)  After dinner, the boys played the claw machine.  You know the claw one right?  You put $1 in and get nothing out, ever?  Yeah. 

They both won.

On their first try.

Both of them.

We hung their frames.

We talked about tomorrow.

And they took their newly won prizes to bed.