Tonight was kind of a blur, as I expected. I couldn’t tell you half of the names of the people that attended… well, maybe half. Okay, a little more than half. But, there were quite a few people there that I didn’t know or recognize until they introduced themselves to me.

It was an amazing turn out. And, I know a lot of people who couldn’t make it today that will be there tomorrow. I knew my dad was a well liked person, but I’ve never seen all his friends in one place… Astonishing.

It was a nice, casual affair with country music and a slide show that Angie put together with pictures she and I scavenged for. Blue jeans and t-shirts. I wore my B & M shirt proudly. I guess it was Max (the ‘M’) who smiled when he noticed.

The line of people waiting to get through the crowd to our family reached out the door! I had to start making my way backward through the line so I could get outside to have a cigarette! It took me over ten minutes, and I was abbreviating conversations. I’m not complaining… I’m impressed.

There were several blasts from the past. Several people that I figured had fallen off the face of the earth and have no idea how they were contacted. And, some people that I would of never guessed had known my father. There were several instances where I had people saying to each other, “Wow, what are you doing here?”

It was good.

Mom, Jeff, Angie and I headed back to the house. Mark and Teresa came over. And Elizabeth. And Kerry. And Judy. And Aron. And Shawn. And Tom and Paul. It was great to just ‘hang out’ with the old neighborhood.

Tomorrow might be a little harder, emotionally. I think the hardest thing is seeing other peoples reactions. A lot of people didn’t know that Dad had cancer. A lot of people knew Dad had cancer, but thought it “wasn’t that bad” or it wouldn’t be so quick. But, I saw my dad frequently, and was thankful to see him go when he did. It would of been miserable to see him hang on longer if he remained how he was the last couple of days.

Don’t get me wrong. I miss him already. But, I know he’s okay now.

Tomorrow is going to be one of those weird days where you wish it were apropriate to bring a camera. And, also one of those days that you wish would of occured for a totally different reason.

I’m sure I’m going to see a lot of people that I’ve not seen since I was knee high to my Dad.

Fredrick Nathan (Rick) Duncan was the second oldest of six children born to Fred J. and Shirley J. (Gulick) Duncan. He was born February 12, 1952 and raised in Tarnsey Lakes, MO. He and his wife Kay (Karen Van Dyke) lived a short time in Lake Lotawana, MO before taking permanent residence in Lee’s Summit, MO. There they raised three children together: Jeff (32) BC Canada, Sheila (29) Lee’s Summit and Angie (23) of the home.

Rick Duncan loved cars, including his ‘68 GTO. He involved his entire life in the automotive industry. Rick spent several years employed at B&M Auto Supply in Blue Springs, MO until the business closed its doors. Afterwards, he briefly worked for APA in Lee’s Summit before finding his final job at CarQuest in downtown Lee’s Summit.

Rick was a wonderful son, brother, father, husband and friend with a booming laugh and a knack for story-telling. His abilities to help others were appreciated greatly in life, and will be sorely missed.

Rick is preceded in his passing by his father Fred J. Duncan, uncle (Ezra “Buddy” Gulick, Jr.), and cousin (Craig L. Gulick). He leaves behind to grieve his wife of 35 years, his three children, his daughter-in-law (Vicki Parnell Duncan) and two grandchildren (Megan E. Duncan and Calum E. Duncan). His mother remains on this earth to mourn with his somber siblings: Pauletta Grantham of Independence MO, Dan Duncan and Darline Frazier of Grain Valley MO, Lisa (John) Tanner of Jenks OK, Karen (John) Benckeser of Lee’s Summit MO and Becky (Jerry) Baxter of Overland Park KS. Also feeling his absence are several brothers and sisters-in-laws, 8 nephews and 3 nieces, many extended family members and friends.

Doing the first round of paperwork for the loan shows that I’m going to qualify for a lot less than I was hoping for. And, I have to write a letter explaining why my credit history had some marks on it… uhm, maybe its because my boyfriend is a quad?! And, my bills were not important while he was in the hospital?! And, therefore, when I started paying them again, I was behind and it took a long time to catch up?! (Yeah, I think that I’ll word that a little differently…)

I don’t mind writing the letter, actually (I just don’t know exactly what they want to hear). My credit score is moving upward and onward, now. We’re on to bigger and better things, right?

Obviously, this loan amount limits my options more and more, though.

How come its so expensive to live in this county? Are there gold flakes in the water, or what? Why is it that I can pay _blank_ to rent a house in this county, but that’s not enough for a house payment?

And, why am I so ‘poor’? I have a job. That pays money. Regularly.

How does one keep the job they have now, and move an hour away? (By moving and getting a different job, you most probably get paid less – therefore making it harder to make the payment).

Anyhow, I’m looking south and east. Hopefully I’ll be able to pull something off that is still accessible for Tom. There are options. None that are saying, “Ooooh, me!!! Pick me!!” But, I’ve not gone to look at any in person yet.

I’m done complaining, momentarily. Please resume your regular blog surfing. Thank you.

Hm. Well, I didn’t run all over town to get my tax transcripts. I didn’t even bother with the scavenger hunt.

But! After I had truly decided to not mess with this whole ordeal, my mother calls me:

“You’ve got mail.”

“Oh really?”

“Three envelopes from the government. How do you get three tax returns?”

“Uhm, you don’t, Mom. Can you open one and tell me what it is?”

“Okay, its open. What am I looking at?”

“I have no idea. What does it look like? Is there a date on it anywhere?”

“Oh, this one says 2003.”

“Ah-ha!! Its my transcripts!!”

*insert little dance for joy*

Now, I must schedule an appointment. Yes, yes… *mock evil laughter* I will get my loan! I WILL.

So, being the numb skull that I am, I forgot where my aunt told me to go. So, I check it out online. Duh. As soon as I see the address I remembered. Anyhow, I look a little further into it, and it says you can get your transcripts for a ‘verifiable extreme hardship only‘ (which I’m pretty sure I do not qualify for).

I guess I’ll wake up and call them early in the morning. That way I’ll see if its worth dragging myself out of bed for.

On the plus side, I did see somewhere on the IRS site that the transcripts normally arrive in 10 business days. That’s not too horribly long, especially since I called them last Monday (I think).

And! And! I spoke to my landlord. He is okay with us hanging around longer, so we’re not officially booted on the first. He might even be able to spare us 3 months or so. Therefore, my stress level has dropped quite a bit because I know I will not be homeless come the 1st.

I’m still moving forward with looking at properties online. Lisa’s ex-husband’s wife is a real estate agent, and we’ve recruited her help. She’s found a couple of places I’m interested in for sure. I will not allow myself to go look at them until I know how much I can afford, though (well – unless someone twists my arm a little).

I’m really kinda getting excited about this whole process. I’ve wanted to buy a house for a long time, but its getting closer to my grasp.

I can almost feel the warmth of my own home in my heart. (Yeah yeah, a little overboard with the cheesiness there, huh? I’ll tone it down from now on.)

Hm – the parentheses fairy is on the loose again – watch out!!

Sorry.

I’ve forgotten to update about Tom’s pressure wounds. Now, I’m sure some of you are really glad for that. So, if you’re one of those people that ‘don’t wanna know’, avert your eyes.

And, actually, things are moving along splendidly.

The spot on his calf is covered by a bandaide now. It could be left uncovered, but my cats fur would invade. So, better safe than sorry.

Tom’s rear is looking very pretty too. (He he he!!) Its moving right along as well, although its still a little deeper yet. It’ll take a smidge longer yet.

Tom’s blister on his heel has popped, but I don’t believe its going to turn into a pressure sore. Hopefully it’ll heal up, and callus – then we won’t have this problem again. Tom actually went online and bought heel protectors. He’s attempting to ‘avert danger’ too.