Thanks for starting the thread, Molly, and for the ping. There is still a riff in my own family from a DIL. She sold all her dining room and living room furniture TWO YEARS BEFORE my mother died in anticipation of getting her furniture plus a bedroom suit that she said SHE wanted.
She's my SIL.
Today we get a new AC unit and furnace. This is the largest expense we have made on our home in 20 years, but it is sorely needed. Our furnace is 30 years old and every winter I wonder if it will last another season. A new one will be safer and will be much more energy efficient. Also, although I made it through last summer without AC, the basement gets so damp without it that I had some Christmas items damaged by mildew. Mr. Marple doesn't like to be hot, so a new AC should help him have a more enjoyable summer.