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Home ยป Blog ยป A Typical Day

A Typical Day

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Daily Life

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It’s sometimes nice to take pictures of nothing.  So I did.

Andrew reading to Patrick.

Our neighbor who I adore and want to keep as my own because she is so nice, and normal and polite and sweet, and is just ONE more girl around here, which makes everything…perfect.  Andrew and Clare are helping frosting 60 cupcakes for a party later that night.

I am getting Halloween costume magazines in the mail already! Sheez..hold on folks!  But this guy loves them. (He had a haircut the next day, just so you know.)

I picked out this for him.  Isn’t this the cutest thing ever?  He said no….

…his mind is set on this.  What????  Maybe it’s good we have lots of time before October rolls around to make a decision.

Abbey starts school next week and her uniform pleats were…now don’t panic girls!!…STICKING OUT in a terrible fashion!  I didn’t notice, but I know by now that everything with Abbey has to be just so…I don’t argue (well, not always), I have learned to just help her think of a solution.  I knew these Time-Life Old West books we had growing up were good for something other than looking at gory pictures of captured fugitives and Indian scalpings.

A box came that day from UPS and I had no idea what it was.  The kids all gathered around, and someone said “Maybe it’s a bomb!” and then when I saw a little bootie at the end of a chubby leg I spazzed out for the sake of the kids and screamed and ripped the box open and threw the shredded paper everywhere to make them laugh, which really just made more work for me in the end, but was worth it.  I forgot I had ordered…

…my old baby doll I had growing up.  I have been looking for her on Ebay and finally we meet again.  Well, it’s not the exact one, obviously, but it is her…Puddin’ by Madame Alexander.   Isn’t she beautiful?

Here is a little picture of Puddin’ and I one day when I stayed home sick (I am sure I was faking it) from school.  When we stayed home sick we stayed in bed-my mom was smart.  She was my favorite doll of all.  I know from the background you might be questioning what sort of house I lived in, but my Dad had just finished building the addition with his own hands, and my yellow and green (hugely) floral wallpaper had not been hung yet.

And one more picture:

Abbey making english muffin pizzas in the background and Andrew, my dear Andrew, acting silly.  Oh boy, this boy.  He is on his 4,568 question of the summer.  I answered them all, mostly with, “Hmmm, I don’t know”, but nonetheless, they were answered.

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August 17, 2011 ยท 23 Comments

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  1. Kelly says

    August 17, 2011 at 6:27 am

    I wanted a family of lawn gnomes last year for Halloween but my 2 and 4 year old daughters wouldn't oblige. My husband and I pulled it off pretty well though. ๐Ÿ™‚ And I love moments like what you described with the box opening. When I get really involved in a silly moment with my girls and make them laugh. And it just happens naturally.

    Reply
  2. Shawni says

    August 17, 2011 at 6:42 am

    I love this post. Everything about it. Especially the box opening. That is awesome that you did that.

    Reply
  3. Mel @ Coal Valley View says

    August 17, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    Hi from Australia,

    I'm new to Blog World. Just wanted you to know that I have stumbled onto your Blog and am enjoying reading your posts. I particularly love the fact you found a photo of yourself when you were little with your favourite dolly and then went to the trouble go finding a replica on ebay – That's something I would do and didn't think anyone else out there did.

    Congrats on a great Blog!

    Mel

    Reply
  4. knit one, knit two says

    August 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Don't laugh, but I already ordered and received the Kiddos Halloween costumes! You never know if they'll be a run on raggedy Ann and Andy costumes… ๐Ÿ˜‰ judging by the cuteness of that gnome costume an early order may be wise… ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  5. Pamela says

    August 17, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    the gnome costume is hilarious : ) great pics – thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. Ruth says

    August 17, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    Patrick holding that doll just made my heart melt. She will be a fun friend for your family.
    I once ordered a Betsy-Wetsy doll just like the one I had growing up. When she came she was in the frilliest nylon tricot outfit, not in gingham! I kept her around for a week or so but I really didn't feel the same way towards her as I did towards my original. So I sent her back.

    Reply
  7. Richella Parham says

    August 17, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    A typical day at your house looks like the perfect day for a kid to live. I love the way you've created a loving, structured environment for your kids. Children thrive when given right space in which to grow! Your family is absolutely beautiful, Sarah.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    August 17, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    I had that exact doll from Madame Alexander—only my mom gave me mine back on my 40th Bday—with duck-taped legs and crazy hair. She also gave me my Mandy doll with all the clothes intact!!!

    Reply
  9. Sarah says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    Such a cute post!

    Reply
  10. stephanie says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I love posts like this.

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    August 17, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    My nephew was the travelocity gnome a few Halloweens ago. He got a great reaction at the doors!

    Sorry, but I was a little creeped out by the doll–it looks like a real baby in that picture with you!

    Reply
  12. starnes family says

    August 17, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    That gnome is AWESOME.

    Catching up on your blog. I love to see a normal day in your life. Such a great family!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    August 17, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    Love that gnome outfit! You've got to work on that boy- I can see him in that!

    Reply
  14. Becky says

    August 17, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    My hubby made our son wear a lawn gnome costume last year, but he wasn't having the beard, which really just isn't the same:)

    Reply
  15. Raluca says

    August 17, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Yes, Sarah, you are right: that Halloween costume is the cutest possible! And the Madame Alexander doll is soooo sweet. I am browsing now Madame Alexander site – they have such wonderful dolls!!! Thanks for such a sweet and funny post, Sarah!

    Reply
  16. Jennie says

    August 17, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    I love this post! These everyday pictures are the ones I know we will love the most once our kiddos are grown. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  17. Meagan Kenney says

    August 17, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    I love pictures of nothing! When I was in Catholic school back in the day…my mom had my pleats sewn down about 1/5 of the way down…it helped them lay flatter. We did this because I attempted to iron them down once and burned a hole in that lovely polyester (my freshman year in high school!) Whoops!

    Reply
  18. Erin says

    August 17, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    It's good to know that Andrew is talking non-stop like Ellie. My girl never stops with the ideas and questions! On and on and on…. when I'm saying good-night to her I usually just slowly walk out of her room and she is in mid sentence because it never ends!

    Fun post of nothing BTW. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  19. Jen says

    August 17, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    I love, love, love (!!) that picture of Andrew reading to Patrick. I love pictures of every day life. Nothing staged. It proves that you are really who your writing says you are. And it also makes me feel better. I really can be the kind of mom I want to be because you are and your floor is just as much of a mess with kid stuff and toys all over as mine is. I love that one of the window bench seats is sticking up because some little darling put something away in a hurry and didn't make sure it laid down flat. Sometimes I forget that just because others lives look perfect and put together in the blog world, that they aren't as neat as tidy as they really look. And that it's okay for ME not to be that neat and tidy and perfect. Sometimes I need a reminder not to reach for that ridiculous ideal. Totally unintended on your part, I'm sure, but thank you nonetheless!

    Reply
  20. Mindy says

    August 17, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    I have that exact puddin' doll from my childhood, except she has the blue gingham dress. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  21. Sandy @ The Scoop on Balance says

    August 18, 2011 at 3:03 am

    I love all the natural light you get in your house. I had incredible windows when we lived in Florida. But my house in KY…not so much. Makes me want to take a sledge hammer to my walls and go, "oops!!! Looks like we should put a window there!"

    Reply
  22. Bridget says

    August 18, 2011 at 3:04 am

    i love to see those good ole pleats! and also love your halloween costume suggestion for Patrick. Although he and I are at very different points in our lives, my gnome costume from last year had rave reviews. If he opts out, maybe Abbey would be interested! (hehe)

    Reply
  23. Cath says

    August 18, 2011 at 7:19 am

    Saw the same gnome costume and chuckled outloud imagining both my boys dressed up as Gnomeo. And here's a laugh. While looking through costume magazines, Eliza saw Darth Vader and said, "Mom! Look! It's Dark Mater." How's that for a blending of generations? Loved your typical day. xo

    Reply

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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. 
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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. 
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Clip on bed lights save space. 
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A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
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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. 
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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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