Just like the ones in the Peanuts cartoons when adults are talking.

Auntie #5 called this morning to give me some "friendly" advice. I love her dearly but at this point, she needs to mind her own business. She was calling to tell me how to talk to Cindy and what to say to her!

"When you call her, act nice. Start with 'How are you?' Pretend you care!"

@#$! It really annoys me because she obviously has no idea what kind of interaction I've been having with Cindy. We talk about once a week, and I give her any updates I have. (She's the one who has been less open!) And I don't ask people how they're doing if I am not interested in their answers.

This aunt is all concerned that Cindy may drag on any estate business. Everyone just assumes she has a right to my dad's estate. I don't understand why. I am not going to make any assumptions until I get some answers from a lawyer. "Be nice to her even if she riles you up. At this point, you don't want to anger her!" "If she wants the car, just tell her she can use it." Yes...let's just give her a car that's not even paid off.

Give me a break.

My family is giving me the message loud and clear that for the sake of money, I should bend over backwards for this woman. Unless I really know it's not worth my time or money, I will focus on right vs. wrong before thinking about costs.

On the death certificate front, the agent told me aunt it would be ready any day now...I guess we shall see.

"The only reason why your aunt followed up with the agent again is because you called to see how she was doing!"

In Chinese culture, there is a way of communicating with people, and to me, it's kind of fake. Sometimes I have a hard time with saying things the Chinese way...but that's the way it is.