Thread 14 - TalkLair: “What The Hell Are We Supposed To Use, Man? Harsh Language?”

[Kucinghitam]

(Previous thread 13).

Summer should be well under way, but the chilly wind, grey clouds and pouring rain beg to differ. Looks like 2024 continues to be a washout - on the bright side, the Tories got washed out too! In the TalkLair, we remain hunkered down keeping cosy and warm. The hearth is glowing, the walls covered in dubious artwork, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

Oh gonners I'm so sorry! I wish I had better words but I don't. That's just bloody awful.

That's a bag o' shite, Gonners.

Oh @Gonners I am so sorry. Just awful

Oh Gonners, what a horrible thing for you. Do use this place to vent as needed.

So sorry, Gonners. I really wish there was something I could do.

Oh no! Gonners I'm so sorry. Have they put him on any of that medication that's supposed to slow the progress?

DH's mum had dementia - don't know what kind - when she died, but she was 97. His dad didn't, but was only 86 when he died. So far DH seems in good shape but who knows? My parents both hopped off the twig before they were the age I am now (74). My dad died of a heart attack at 58 and my mum died of cancer at 71. No history of Alzheimers in the family that I know of. Fingers crossed.

@SqueakyDinosaur - We have quite a nice house in a small seaside town and are not married. Would you like to move in? Sorry - black humour is my only friend!

Oh bugger. Sorry to hear that, Gonners.

I'm saddened to hear about Mr. G, Gonners

Oh @Gonners that’s awful, I’m so sorry.

That's the crappest news, Gonners, I feel for you.

I'm so sorry, @Gonners, that's rotten news. I hope that he keeps as well as possible for as long as possible - and that you do too.

Gonners being practical, assuming they still have 'capacity' might it be an idea to get married so you can be next of kin? Plus possible pension. If your other half's assets are left to you and exceed £325,000 you won't have to pay inheritance tax. Also, have you got Lasting Powers of Attorney(LPA)?

[I recommend everyone gets LPA set up even if they are young, in case someone needs to rake over control of your money and/or make decisions about your care if you can't - a client was knocked down and put into a coma in his 20s. From a wealthy family so he had assets. Plus he got high compensation as he needs constant care.

As he didn't have an LPA, he's dealt with by the Court of Protection which is a nightmare and requires annual reports, showing all income and expenditure on his needs, up to the anniversary of his accident every year, to check his parents aren't stealing his money. Ghastly for them. LPA avoid that.]

Yes, I have an LPA for him (being registered as and when needed) and we have long had mirror wills. We've idly discussed getting civil-partnered up (I have an aversion to marriage, preferring to Live In Sin, but even disregarding that ... well, who wants to be someone's THIRD wife, FFS!), but that would invalidate our wills and remaking them would require a solicitor to agree he has capacity. We could probably find one who would, and it would be hard to challenge (especially if we didn't change anything other than the date), but best not to mess with that.

I'm a little odd about Inheritance Tax, and think it's far from the worst tax in the world. Obviously it depends on personal circumstances, but £325k + 60% of the rest seems like a reasonable inheritance. Many years working in probate have perhaps soured my views on inherited wealth. Who knows what will happen about pensions? He has named me as his beneficiary on those, and the Québec ones may actually accept it - in which case, I'd be in clover! But in any event, despite having very little income of my own, finances are the least of my worries.

Most pensions these days accept a bidie-in as being the same as a spouse or civil partner for inheritance purposes.

It's hot!

Off today and it seemed like a perfect day for getting loads of laundry done and dried. Just got the second load on the line when the sky darkened and there was an almighty clap of thunder, then the rain started. I had my first experience of 'old woman shouts at clouds' but thankfully the rain was brief and now the laundry is wafting in a hot breeze.

I have had some good news - a publisher here in Maine has accepted my new manuscript so I will have a second book of poems out next April! I have been creatively dry for months so this is a delightful spur to getting round to writing some new stuff.

Fabulous - well done, Brit!

That's great, Brit, congratulations!

That’s great news @Britinme - well done you!

I also have washing on the line. It was cloudy as I was pegging out but it’s sunny and breezy now so lovely line dried towels will be mine!

Thanks guys - you can be sure I will share details here when the time comes! Lovely and sunny here too this morning, but I'm off to the swimming pool. I missed a couple of weeks when I had covid and only managed once last week, so this week I'm aiming for twice even though it means going two days after I get my hair done.

Lovely, clean, dry towels!

Three loads of washing done and dried. I feel like the Queen!

Sorry all, that chickweed information was intended for the Archers discussion, not for here, though Salisbury is such an excellent chap that you might enjoy him too if you click to see what I've edited out.

Most informative.

@Britinme excellent news about being published again. So chuffed for you!