Memories

This post has been a few weeks on-the-brain. It started with helping an old friend clean out her parents house. Her parents are moving and selling her childhood home. A home that, when we were growing up, she swore she would raise her children in. Funny how life changes things, isn't it?
Sitting in the attic sorting through linens, boxes, dishes, finding odds and ends of things saved by her mother, it was hard. emotional. overwhelming. I can't imagine ever trying to do something like that alone. Almost every piece holds a memory of an event, a funny afternoon, a story - even those that don't, then make you wonder why it was saved, what made it special.
I have helped with the cleaning out of my grandparents, a great aunt, my husbands' grandfather homes/apartments and it's never easy. No matter where the person is in their life - downsizing, moving to assisted living, moving in with family - it's never easy.
Watching those you care about have to go through it, makes it harder. I think it's the memories that make it difficult. It's not just 'stuff'. It's the painting that your mother had when you were a child that she always loved or the chair that rocked you to sleep when you were little or the dish that always held little red candy hearts  or the platter that always held the turkey - no matter what it is, the minute you see it you re-live that memory before then having to figure out what to do with that piece. keep it? sell it? donate it? give it away to family or friends?
There is something very final about cleaning out a house to sell. I don't think it's sad, just bittersweet - filled with mixed emotions that come with change and the story we tell ourselves about what is coming next.
I have moved a lot since I left home and while I tend to dread the packing and moving, (I'm not big on change for the most part) I have always moved to a better spot - bigger or smaller, more people or less people - it's always been a move to fit the situation and one I have never regretted.
Memories are tricky - some good, some bad. My Mum always tells me to remember the good times and try to let the others fade away. I certainly try! But I also know that all those memories are experiences and adventures that helped shape who I am and who I'm growing up to be. No, I don't think of myself as grown up yet. Still find it hard to believe some days that I'm married, have a house, a dog, a job, a car, etc. I feel like I was only 18 yesterday!!
I don't really know where to end this and looking back it seems a bit rambly but it's something that's been rattling around in my head for a while so I thought I would share. Sometimes stuff is just stuff. and sometimes stuff is memories - not the actual stuff at all.

Taking Some Time....

OFF!!! yes!! I just booked some 3-day weekends for the next few months and hope to use the time to get a few projects done around the house! Don't worry, I will spend some of that time being lazy ;-)

Currently, there are plans in the works for finishing-the-basement project and I've been working on a Closet Project which includes consolidating/combining my 2 closets. I have my main closet in the master and I also took over the closet in my study and filled it with clothes, shoes, art projects, house ppwrk, old taxes, etc, etc, etc. So far, I have been combining the clothes and shoes to get a better idea of what I have vs what I wear. It's staggering the amount of black skirts and skirts in general that I have and have not worn in years! The kind that are tried on in the morning rush but are never worn for a variety of reasons - too big, too small, too short, too worn out, needs repair, needs alteration, etc. I also have waaayyyy too many pair of summer slacks/khakis. Probably with all the same issues as the skirts!
Everything but what I love and wear will be leaving. I do not need 2 closets worth of clothing. Same goes for shoes and handbags. Make that totes. I have way more totes than handbags!
Then I will need to organize the art projects and supplies. Too bad you have to keep 7 years worth of financials.... those things take up so much room!!

I expanded my shoe organizer and put them all in one place. 

left side of study closet - used to be full, but now almost empty!

right side of closet is still full! 

Patriots Day - Boston Marathon

To say that yesterdays' events at the Boston Marathon were awful, doesn't begin to describe it and I wasn't there.
My first thought when I heard the news was worry and panic for family and friends who live and work in the area. Once I had touched base with everyone, the media had little to no new information except for numbers of injured runners and spectators going up and up. By the time I got home from work all the news stations were showing video and pictures.....
It may be naive to ask, but why? What was the person(s) hoping to accomplish by bombing runners in a marathon taking place on a Massachusetts Holiday - Patriots Day?
While I feel relief (and very thankful!) that everyone in my little world is ok, to all those who are not, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Thankful

While I usually think of being 'thankful' around Thanksgiving, I have been hit with the feeling a few times in the past weeks and it's made me stop and appreciate those moments when everything just seems so good - 'my cup runneth over'

Stretching the budget to cover not just what we have to do, but what we want to do!
finding the tree you want at home Depot 50% off and cramming 8 in the back of a Corolla
the birds that woke me up this morning,
a beautiful day, 
a warm cup of coffee,
for old friends that are more like family,
my brother in Texas who's finally feeling better
for husband's who work hard and stay home to take care of babies and dogs so wives can can have a girls day, 
for strange movies, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, facetime with grandparents,
for family and friends who love us no matter how far away we are. 
for unconditional love. It comes in all shapes and sizes and sometimes when you least expect it. 

Bottom Line? I feel very blessed and lucky to live the life I do and for all the people who are in it!

Baltimore & Rosie

Last weekend I spent 3 wonderful days in Baltimore with Kel, Kev and their daughter Rosie. It was a great trip! Rosie has grown SO much since I last saw her in December - she's now 10 months! Here are some photos from the weekend. I brought my big camera but it didn't see the light of day, so lucky for me, my new phone has a pretty good camera!

Enjoyed lunch out with the girls!

A TOTAL pro at rolling and squirming to get where she wants to go :-)

Mum - recognize the blanket? ;-)

Found an AWESOME deal at Home Depot and crammed 8 of those babies into a Corolla!

nap time is good..

but being UP is better!

lovin' her sweet potatoes

ever the perfect Hostess, Kel picked up gluten free brownies

which were delish! 

and cookies that didn't last long enough for a picture!!

we did some shopping - heelllooo VA outlets!

We did NOT plan this - which makes it all the funnier to me!

Kel's re-painted chandy - AWESOME, right?!

the weather was CRAZY beautiful, so we took several walks around the neighborhood

Rosie's favorite part was touching all the trees! 

 Thanks for an incredible weekend girlies!!! Can't wait to come back!!

Spring Yard Mess

I love spring - it's not my favorite season, but I do love when the snow melts and the flowers and trees start to bloom and the grass turns green. We aren't there yet. I wish we were and don't get me wrong, we are MUCH closer now that the snow is almost gone.... but the green hasn't started yet.

Reese doesn't mind the squishy yard! He loves having it all back !

Those twigs should be lilacs, and the daffodils are barely there!

My irises are coming in strong though!

I'm trying to prioritize the yard projects for this year.... we'll see how much gets done!

Reese vs TV Remote

Long overdue, but starting to catch-up on posts - still no laptop :-(

While we were in NC (Avi's wedding) and Reese was at home with our dog/house sitter.... 

our remote was left on the sofa and had a run-in with Reese's teeth.

 It honestly wasn't that bad on the outside but 

apparently the internal damage was bad enough that it was dead. 

 soooooo...... a few days later a new one arrived in the mail.

isn't it pretty? :-) it sits UP where it cannot be reached!

Good thing he's cute and keeps my feet warm!!

Happy Birthday!

Hey, I'm only a week late :-)
Happy Birthday to my Favorite Brother!