This creature is looking a bit scarier, but it is still ‘cute.’ I guess I am just terminally cute. I have always suspected this. It is only day two, so I will continue on my quest for the fear factor.

In other news, hubby and I are cleaning out a deceased uncle’s house. The man was seriously a hoarder. Some of the items found so far have included shelves of table legs. I sent 8 hours yesterday in the back bedroom going through boxes and the closet. There were clothes in that closet with at least an inch of dust on them and the tags still on. Under the layers of clothing (I folded into storage boxes mounds of shirts, skirts and slacks. 12 boxes so far.) there were boxes filled with old medical receipts. Dated the early 80s. There are several  more boxes of what looks to be similar papers. With normal people one would be able to just grab the boxes and toss, not in this case. Uncle had a habit of hiding money and important or valuable items in with meaningless ones. So we have to sift through each piece one at a time. Along with the boxes I packed up, I also loaded down 5 or 6 large garbage bags with trash. We are on our 5th 30 foot dumpster and the end is nowhere in sight.

Along with the trash, there are also treasures. So far a dozen assorted guns have been located. There must be more, because we have ammunition that fits several other sizes not yet located.

The aunt was also a collector. There are pieces of silver, eggshell porcelain, crystal, Depression-era colored glass and figurines. Here again, we have to separate the trash from the treasure. Next to a Lennox collectible can be a McDonald’s plastic toy or a figurine from the Dollar Store. My big problem with all this is finding a qualified appraiser. So if anyone knows where I can start in my area, any info would be very appreciated.

The aunt is still living, but is suffering from severe dementia. Since they had no children, and my MIL thinks my husband has all the answers, she volunteered him when Human Services came looking for responsible relatives. So he is now the aunt’s guardian and is responsible for all her affairs. Which includes getting the  best price for her possessions.

And just to make things a bit more interesting, I seem to be allergic to something in that house. If I spend more than a few hours there, I end up running a fever. Ah, what the tender-hearted do for their brownie points.