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Home ยป Blog ยป Ordinary Days

Ordinary Days

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Ordinary Days

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 Andrew got a Cyco Cycle for his birthday.  I wasn’t sure about this weird thing-no handlebars?-but it is a hit.  Patrick can usually be found hitching a ride on back.

I am all-pooled out for the summer.  This little guy is not.

I could tell Sammy was really bugged that his food and water dishes were mismatched, so I bought him these.  Aren’t they cute?  I found them at TJ Maxx. 

Isaac after school, conquering homework.

On the kid’s first day back, Patrick made a “nest” for us and I read 10 books over and over again until I started to garble words in my semi-nap state.

I am reading Whistling In the Dark right now and it is SO good.  Really, really, really good.  Like stay up late with toothpicks in your eyes good.  

Andrew was staring at me hard the other day and then said this gem, really meaning to pay me a compliment.

“Mom you kind of do have a six-pack you know. Your forehead has one, with those lines.”

Oh, thank you dear boy.

Just what I needed in my old age.

A little pick-me-up.

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September 1, 2011 ยท 28 Comments

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  1. Ruth H. says

    September 1, 2011 at 5:33 am

    Ahhhhhh! I'm DYING over Andrew's compliment. That has to be the funniest thing I have heard all week! Once one of my children told me that it was okay if I snored, because "bears are nice."

    Reply
  2. valerie says

    September 1, 2011 at 5:51 am

    Emma-Kate patted my tummy this week and said, "awe mom…you've got another baby in your tummy.." with a big smile on her face. Not something you want to hear when you have 6 month old. And we were forced to be done swimming – our entire county shut down all the pools due to 47 reported cases of Cryptosporidium!! My daughter was one of them! YUK.

    Reply
  3. Cath says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:48 am

    I am laughing SO hard. If it's lines we're going for, I might have a six pack in a few other places too. You are a love to share that gem of a story with all of us. BTW, I think you look beautiful. xo

    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    September 1, 2011 at 10:35 am

    LOL! I was just thinking , what a lovely photo of you….I never even noticed your "6-pack". Hilarious.

    Reply
  5. Simply LKJ says

    September 1, 2011 at 11:33 am

    What is it they say, "kids say the darndest things"…too cute! I too could be a member of the six pack club!

    Reply
  6. {cindy} says

    September 1, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Loving that six pack compliment like everyone else…even though it was NOT the first thing I saw. I thought it was a great pic!!:)
    interesting looking bike
    we make nests too!!:)
    have a happy day

    Reply
  7. michelle @ this little light says

    September 1, 2011 at 11:54 am

    Oh my gosh, KIDS! Thank you for that laugh, but you're beautiful!

    Reply
  8. Colleen says

    September 1, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Sarah…you are looking so skinny!! Is it ok if I hate you a little? ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  9. Coffeebean's Dailies says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    I love your blog so much Sarah! I just love reading and seeing all about the kids and you and your life! Thank you. How darned cute that comment! Once, when my little (almost 13 now) Ali was about 3, said to me that I looked so much prettier without my glasses! It hit my vanity spot big time!

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    Hahaha! My friend told me she named each of her lines after her kids and the lines between her eyes were named after her husband!!! Too funny! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Ericka says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  12. Ericka says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Kids are so funny:) Just had to say that you are pretty.

    My little one likes to make cozy spots like that too:) Especially "houses" out of pillows and cushions.

    Have an awesome day!

    Reply
  13. Shawna says

    September 1, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    Oh my gosh, that comment from Andrew is hilarious!! Kids are just so brutally honest. Love that you posted a pic of yourself, you need to do it more often! You are beautiful, even with your six pack.

    Reply
  14. Unknown says

    September 1, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Oh my goodness that six-pack comment just made my day. Too funny!

    Reply
  15. Unknown says

    September 1, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Dying of laughter! Perhaps the funniest thing I have heard all year.

    Reply
  16. Erin says

    September 1, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    That is hilarious! We ALL have six packs!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ You look beautiful by the way. And that nest? Cutest thing ever.

    Reply
  17. Talia says

    September 1, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    Kids say the darndest things! I was thinking it was a lovely picture of you.

    Also, had to send you a thank you! You recommended "Ellis Island" a few weeks back. It is amazing. I can't put it down! It is my next selection for my book club. Thank you!

    PS: Have you read, "Cutting for Stone?" It is fantastic! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  18. The 1st of May says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    LOVE the Andrew-ism! I kinda have a six pack too!

    Patrick looks such like a little BOY in that goggles pic!

    Reply
  19. marlowe says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    I love ordinary days … and the extraordinary-ness of life ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  20. Happy Four says

    September 1, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    I subscribe to your posts..have since before Christmas when I made those yummy chocolate chip shortbread cookies for some friends. I read Whistling in the Dark a few years ago. I read ALOT and that book is still one of my faves! Enjoy.

    Reply
  21. Susan says

    September 1, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    That blue color looks beautiful on you! First thing I noticed were your eyes! Of course, I was laughing form Andrews comment!

    Reply
  22. Inspired By June says

    September 1, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    I just love you, Sarah! You're beautiful… inside and out ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  23. Ruthanne says

    September 2, 2011 at 12:13 am

    Kids say the darndest things! That's funny because I never would've noticed your six pack unless I read that. You are very pretty and I love your blog!

    Reply
  24. Susan says

    September 2, 2011 at 12:15 am

    That's hilarious! You're beautiful! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  25. Shannan Martin says

    September 2, 2011 at 1:05 am

    Thanks for the book recommendation! I'm always on the look-out. And my kids are bigtime nest-builders. (I think I remember this about yours??) So sweet.

    Reply
  26. Christine says

    September 2, 2011 at 1:42 am

    your book link didn't work for me ๐Ÿ™ love your blog…you're on my home page!!!

    Reply
  27. Nutmegger says

    September 3, 2011 at 2:35 am

    My sweet little three year old pointed to my forehead and said,"Mommy what are those lines on your face?" I think it is because my 12month old has yet to sleep through the night! Fifth babies are so spoiled! Love your blog.

    Reply
  28. Julie H says

    September 3, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    What an interesting trike. Going to check out that book and love the "six pack" comment lol

    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. 
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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