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Home ยป Blog ยป Daydreaming

Daydreaming

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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(me with my friend Kathleen, sitting in the kitchen on my birthday)

You all know I dream of the simple life.

Just last week, I was outside during the warm spell, and had a little memory hit me hard. Usually a smell can trigger that, but this time it was just the weather.

Summer time.

Playing outside, running up and down hills, hearing crickets and birds.

And the phone ringing.

Of course my mom would answer it…it was almost always for her anyways.

And then she would talk for a minute or two, and be done.

Sometimes, but rarely, she talked longer.

But then I was thinking about how little, by comparison to our lives, our parents were distracted by outside life. A couple channels on the TV, no cell phones, and one or two home phones that didn’t have call waiting, or caller ID, or answering machines, AND best of all,

were attached by a long, curly cord.

Meaning my mom could NOT cook dinner and chat on the phone.

Or drive a car, and chat on the phone.

Or tie shoes, and chat on the phone.

In other words, she was PRESENT, most of the day with little distraction.

I remind myself of this often.

Why could I not be brave enough to buy one of these now?

I want one.

Bad.

Do you know anyone who still uses a phone like this? A wall phone with a cord? No answering machine? Nothing else.

Tell me who.

Even if they’re 90.

I want to daydream about it some more.

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May 6, 2009 ยท 23 Comments

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  1. Unknown says

    May 6, 2009 at 7:21 am

    I do! And better yet it doesn’t even have a LONG chord! *grin*. Now, I must say, we DO have three chordless phones in the house but due to the fact that 1. I can never find them, 2. the battery runs out on me while I’m talking and 3. I am a terrible multi tasker so might as well be sitting by the wall phone anyway…. I almost always use the chorded wall phone.

    I don’t *like* talking on the phone. Very rarely do I initiate the call, only if someone is heavily on my heart or I need to book an appointment. And we don’t have call waiting or call display or voice mail or call forwaring or ANYTHING like that. We only just got a cell phone last November and the only reason was for safety’s sake when I am driving rural country roads with five kids in northern prairie winters. I live the simple life and I. Love. It.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    May 6, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    Pottery Barn used to have phones like that-I’m not sure if they still do but you can check.

    Reply
  3. Sarah - Kala says

    May 6, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    I have a phone behind me from AT&T. Big buttons and plain jane. It has a coiled cord and I use it at my desk. I can hear people better on it than on any other phone. I'm 39 – I remember those phones on the wall. They do keep conversations short when there's much to be done!

    Reply
  4. Kelli says

    May 6, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    My dad still has a phone on the wall with a cord that they use. These are some excellent thoughts…giving me something to think about.

    Reply
  5. Shannan Martin says

    May 6, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Agree, 100%. My mom and dad still have one of those phones (color: goldenrod!), but they moved it out to the shop. Even still, it fills me with nostalgia. I would be completely happy without an answering machine, and call waiting seems like the rudest invention to hit the earth. Caller ID is still necessary though, to fend off all of the people around me who do not feel like I do and would happily spend their lives with a phone permanently attached to their ear!

    Reply
  6. Suzanne says

    May 6, 2009 at 1:46 pm

    My mom and dad have a short coreded phone in thier kitchen. You have to sit down right under the phone. They have no answering machine, and no cell phone. You are so right about being present. My 4 year old hates when I talk on the phone. No wonder!

    Reply
  7. Francis says

    May 6, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    My parents only have corded phones although they have a few of them and my mom puts long extensions on the cord so she can carry it to her chair. ๐Ÿ˜‰ They do not have cell phones (neither do I) or an answering machine (I wish they did sometimes!). They really do live a ‘simple’ life which could also be called the frugal life.

    Reply
  8. Susan says

    May 6, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    When we moved into our house there was a cute new but made to look old pay phone that hung in the pantry, Short cord and all. We used it for a few months but then moved onto the cordless. We are so programmed to multi task that we didn’t know what to do when we were on the phone. I too somedays long for simplier times.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    May 6, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    My granny who is in her 70’s still has one just like it in her basement however upstairs they have cordless phones.

    Here is what blows my mind! I am 27 years old and I can remember only dialing the last 4 digits of a phone number in our small town in order to call my cousin. I can remember when they started making us use all 7 digits xxx-xxxx! Then along came the bag phone and how glorious that was and oh how I wanted one so bad. Now today we have no house phone and my husband and I both carry cell phones. I got to thinking one day that my children have no idea what house phones really are and they are growing up in an era when those were for the “old days” Makes me sad maybe I won’t upgrade my cellphone next month I will just get a house phone. I am really looking to simplify our lives.

    Great post!

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    May 6, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    Hello, this is my first comment here. It’s nice to “meet you”. Love your blog! I too love the old style phone. I got mine at Pottery Barn. It even rings like a vintage phone. Hopefully they still carry them.

    Blanca

    Reply
  11. Denise C. says

    May 6, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    My 90 year old Grandmother has one, maybe two. She never liked answering machines and caller id…and other tech savvy stuff. My parents wanted to get her a cell phone, and she said she does just fine without one. Ahhhhh such a simple life. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  12. valerie says

    May 6, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    I have a phone on a cord. Yes I really do. In my kitchen. And I like it that way. I have teenagers and the cordless phones always went missing. I fixed the problem and brought out the ole corded phone. It’s always right where it’s supposed to be. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  13. Lois Christensen says

    May 6, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    Okay, I’m embarrassed to say I have a phone that is “attached” to the wall. It’s my emergency phone, you know, when the power goes out and then those wonderful cordless phones no longer work? It is being used right now because my wonderful cordless phone decided to stop working after only a few months of owning it. Hubby is insisting on bringing it back to Walmart, even though we don’t have the receipt!!! So for now I’m stuck to the wall and can only go as far as a comfy chair here in the office area of our house. Enjoyed your blog, thanks for visiting mine!!!

    Reply
  14. meg duerksen says

    May 6, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    i just bought one of these!
    i loved it.
    my kids thought it was so weird. then sadly we figured out it wouldn’t work with our digital phone service!
    but it was a vintage phone.
    so…i am going to beg for a real wall phone like from pottery barn.
    for all the reason s you said.
    i see moms talking on their phones when they pick up their kids form school and i think “can’t you even hang up for the drive home?”
    but that just my opinion.
    i love your word PRESENT.

    Reply
  15. Jennifer Jo says

    May 7, 2009 at 2:26 am

    My mom and dad, though they now have a cordless phone, too (just recently purchased).

    You’re making me think—you got me when you pointed out how much I hated to have my mom on the phone. I still hate it when other people are on the phone. And I am on the phone SO much! Convictions, convictions…

    Reply
  16. Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com says

    May 7, 2009 at 6:25 am

    I have a phone with a cord. It’s in my bathroom. The people before us put it in (who knows why). Sometimes it’s the only phone in the house that actually works (when the cordless one’s are lsot or have run out of batteries). I hate to answer it because then I’m stuck.

    My grandmother had the coolest old phone that was cream with gold accents. And made the coolest clicking sound when you dialed it. I wish I had it!

    XOOX
    Jen

    Reply
  17. momto5minnies says

    May 7, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    I only have the phones that get lost in my house and that you have to page in order to find ๐Ÿ˜‰

    I really would like my summer to be simpler and SLOWER … sounds heavenly!

    Reply
  18. Molly Betsy @ Star Cottage says

    May 11, 2009 at 10:23 am

    Hey Sarah Thanks for stopping by my blog. You are my kinda gal. Love this post and your blog as well.
    I have a corded phone. And because I am the queen of cheep and free. I also use Majic Jack. ($20 a year) No joke! check it out if you haven’t heard of it. Anyways it’s hooked up to my computer, and I don’t talk long because I can’t get anything done or keep an eye on the kids if I’m on the phone. I try to do all my computing/blogging when everyone is asleep. And we do not have a TV so that is not a problem either. No video games. Yay! I like the simpler life and we strive to be even simpler everyday. I don’t have a blackberry I have a little notebook and a pocket calendar, it has worked for many years why change it. We do have a cell phone, but it’s for taveling as my family is 8 hours away in maine. So it’s nice to have that bit of security if we get stuck. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  19. Carole says

    May 17, 2009 at 4:00 am

    I have one of those phones and bought it at Pottery Barn also. Mine is red and I love it! Sort of long cord on it, and its in my kitchen.

    Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    May 24, 2009 at 1:06 am

    Hi there. I enjoyed reading some of your posts. :o) I can totally relate with you here as I DO have a phone with a cord. It is bright pink and I paid $5.00 at Wal-Mart I think. The best part is that I keep the ringer off and I only check the voicemail once a month. I have a cell phone and half the time it’s turned off too. You’ve got me ready to write a blog on this subject now. ๐Ÿ™‚ Anywhoo, loved your blog.

    Reply
  21. Elizabeth says

    June 18, 2009 at 6:55 am

    Hello! I'm new to your wonderful blog and so looking forward to reading more! And I want you to know that my husband, who is Swiss, still has a corded phone at his mother's house — in Switzerland. It's the only phone in their house and it's attached to the wall IN THE HALLWAY. And the cord isn't long. Amazing!

    Reply
  22. Maureen Prunty - jmprunty@sbcglobal.net says

    July 31, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Love your blog – I know we could be friends if we ever met!! I love my corded phone because I hear better on it. However, my beef is more with kids having cell phones – I hate that parents don't know who their kids are talking to because nobody calls the house phone anymore! What happened to Mom or Dad answering the phone and chatting with their kids' friends for a bit before handing the phone over.

    Reply
  23. Anonymous says

    December 28, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    I have one! I ordered it online from Target- it looks just like the ones Pottery Barn has/had?- comes in black, stainless, or white I believe. Hope this helps!

    Reply

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Welcome!

Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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