clean closets.

The laundromat. Goodwill. Lowe's. We saw it all this weekend.......

Ted's Mom graciously came down this weekend to help us get organized to be better prepared for getting the house ready for the baby. Ever since April, things that we were normally on top of (closets, drawers, laundry, etc.) went by the waste side. I'm slightly high energy/physcho when it comes to a clean house, but I never said anything about being "organized in the house". Our floors, bathrooms, stove...you name it are generally spic and span and we maintain a clutter free house however, enter at your own risk should you open up one of our many closets , drawers or take a peak in the basement. But actually now, I give you full permission and encourage you to go take a peak! (My Holiday decor is even organized by Season on shelves in the basement)



We took 2 SUV filled trips to Goodwill to drop off bags and bags of clothes, shoes (I finally said good-bye to the many pairs of shoes that have walked many miles in my lifetime), purses, electronics, linens, household stuff, etc. It was absolutely amazing at the stuff Ted and I collected since being married and moving to Cincinnati. Get this.....in our basement, we had approximately 15 moving boxes unopened. Mom Close and I went through every one of them and found almost nothing of value.



When I say almost nothing, of course I came across things of high emotional value- that made me both sad yet very happy. My Mother, as you know, loved pictures. Any major event in my life she would stock a photo album up with childhood to current pictures and hand write me a really sweet note about leaving off to College and if I ever get homesick to look through this album or after I was married she made this rather large photo book for me and I honestly forgot about it as it got lost in the move. The handwritten note she wrote now is so much more meaningful to me then it probably was when she gave it to me. It said she was passing on her love of pictures to me. The very first photo in the book was a picture of our Allen Park house and the front porch, where my Parents were killed, and the second picture was of my Mother holding me at the hospital at just two days old. In addition to these scrapbooks I keep finding with her handwritten notes to me, this particular album was really special and also quite ironic. She really was a special Mother who took the time to write her loved ones a note and fill an album of pictures that would leave endless smiles on their face.



Don't get me wrong, our weekend was not filled with just work......although the way my back feels today it sure feels that way. One of our greatest friends, Eric coaches the Men's Oakland University Soccer Team and they were playing a Cincinnati College Team. We checked out some of his game and could see him from across the field (sadly we did not get to spend time with him), and we did get to eat at two really nice restaurants. Saturday, we took Mom Close on the Kentucky side and went to one of our newest favorite, Chalk. It's a wine bar with excellent gourmet food. We started out with some Calamari and Polenta Fries....I went with the Trout, Ted ordered some Fish special and Mom Close ordered Duck sloppy joes. And don't even think we finished dinner without dessert. I am obssessed with their S'more dessert which is made from scratch in house and their mini cupcakes (look how cute!).





We thank Ted's Mom for coming down to Cincinnati on one of her last weekends before returning to work (we think she should retire!) to help us get organized. I feel very accomplished today as I sit on my porch, while Ted plays golf and I ponder what to buy for dinner tonight....I think I'm still full from dinner last night.




My Sister took Matt and Aydan to my parents lake this weekend. I was so excited they were going. I know it's not easy. My Aunt Kim and her three children joined them and they were able to spend time with Grandpa. I called this morning to see how things were going and all 6 of them were out to breakfast with Grandpa. This made me so happy. Before I let her go I said, "take pictures!". As she was hanging up I could here my Sister say, "Aydan, get next to Grandpa and smile....."

Mom & Dad~I'm so sorry (and angry) you are not here to share in these moments, but you're in our thoughts every step we take...

Love,

Melissa