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Home ยป Blog ยป Ordinary Days

Ordinary Days

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Ordinary Days

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Abbey showing off her schedule in Spanish and Isaac being weird and annoying.

We changed some bedroom situations.  Did you and your siblings always switch bedrooms around?  My sisters and I did, and it was so much fun.

Abbey’s friend she first met in preschool, stopping over with a cake for Abbey’s birthday.  Isn’t that the sweetest thing?  She wrote a paper on Abbey’s friendship for an English class, and I could hardly read it without crying.

Abbey and Jeff ran into Dairy Queen to buy a cake for her birthday.  They came back with this surprise for me.  (You will only get it if you are passionate about Napoleon Dynamite.)  

When We Were Strangers, another amazing immigrant story. 

Pamintroduced me to this book and oh boy.  I want to suggest it for book club because there is a lot to talk about.  I liked that I knew nothing about the book before I began.  Anna Quindlen is such a good writer.  I had to copy a few quotes down because I don’t know how that woman puts mothering emotions into words so exact, but there is no doubt she just hits the nail on the head every time.

This is what we go out to as many Sundays as we can.  My mother-in-law and her food.  It is heaven for me to not have to cook for one night.  (OK, I have more than one night because we get pizza at least once a week.)  BUT this is always the best home made food, and as you can see, she makes double what she needs to every single time.  

LOVE!  I saw this at the grocery store and I stopped dead in my tracks and I swear just like in Tom and Jerry, there were hearts radiating from my eyes.  The micro fiber pad comes off so you can throw it in the wash AND the bottle is totally removable and refillable with whatever cleaner you want to use, so you are not tied down to buying all these expensive accessories all the time.  (I have mostly water and a teeny bit of Murphy’s Oil Soap in there now.)  It is called Rubbermaid Reveal and was on sale for 20 buckaroos.

Alleluia!  Something about that trigger gets them every time.

My sister-in-law heard there is some sort of pumpkin shortage.  She made her heavenly pumpkin bars the other weekend and had to go to three different stores before she found a can.  That scared the bee-jibbers out of me.  What’s autumn without pumpkin?  I had to stock up next time I went grocery shopping just for safety’s sake.  And they only had 2 cans left.  I took them both, I’m sorry.

A typical day after school.  Hungry kids always!  Paper everywhere always!

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September 14, 2011 ยท 47 Comments

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  1. Love is all you need says

    September 14, 2011 at 6:34 am

    I love your blog and I am so thankful for moms out there like you who give new mommies like me such great advice and set such an amazing example! Thanks for being wonderfully ordinary..

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    September 14, 2011 at 10:43 am

    so glad you liked the book! got a few more for you!! ๐Ÿ™‚ ordinary days are my favorite. which is why i'm kind of freaking about the puppy…my days will be far from ordinary for a while! what did I do?? I am SO buying that mop!

    Reply
  3. michelle @ this little light says

    September 14, 2011 at 11:03 am

    Isn't it crazy?! I've been buying my canned pumpkin in the summer these past few years because I can never find them early fall. What's fall without pumpkin bread?!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    September 14, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Oooh, this post is so full of wonderful, but honestly I have to start with the mop. I love mine! I mention it to so many people, they must think I work for Rubbermaid or something. Did you know you can get a big fluffy floor duster attachment for it, and extra bottles? Happy birthday to your beautiful girl, as well.

    Reply
  5. Marcia (123 blog) says

    September 14, 2011 at 11:35 am

    I love these posts of yours, Sarah.

    I think because they're glimpses into your life.

    Reply
  6. {cindy} says

    September 14, 2011 at 11:41 am

    I'm always in the mood for a good mopping tip!! Will look for that today at Target!!…and some pumpkin too I guess!:)
    Switching rooms is soooo much fun. Usually it's dad who gets stuck with all the grunt work right?
    Love the hungry kids and paper everywhere pic, so like that here too…and the open cabinets…drives me nuts!:)
    have a happy day sarah

    Reply
  7. Denise says

    September 14, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    This post is timely, I need to find a book to recommend for book club, the Anna Quindlen book sounds like a perfect choice. Also you might be interested in knowing that Ami McKay (The Birth House) author has a new book scheduled to come out in October.
    Happy Pumpkin hunting!

    Reply
  8. Emily says

    September 14, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    I love the ordinary, and seeing glimpses into your family's smaller moments.

    I read Every Last One over the summer. Wonderful and haunting.

    emily@remodelingthislife

    Reply
  9. Simply LKJ says

    September 14, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Love reading about ordinary days…very similar to ours, although we only have one at home now. Love a good book, and Anna Quindlen never disappoints! Hadn't heard about the pumpkin shortage…I will have to see if I can find some. It's not fall without it!! Love the mop too. I have one with different pads that can be washed, but it doesn't hold the cleaner…it is awkward to have to hold both a spray bottle and the mop!

    Reply
  10. Lisa@Pickles and Cheese says

    September 14, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    A great post today. I need a new book to read. And I would love one of those mops for my upstairs too and I love that you can use your own cleaner. Will search that out right after I run out and get me some cans of pumpkin!!

    Reply
  11. alanna rose says

    September 14, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    I added the books to my list…I've really enjoyed all of the others you've recommended, thanks!
    I heard the same pumpkin rumor last year and stocked up – I still have my big old cans of Meijer pumpkin in the pantry ๐Ÿ˜‰ maybe I should make some pumpkin goodness?

    Reply
  12. Erikita says

    September 14, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Why is one door missing off the kitchen cabinet behind Abbey?

    Reply
  13. stephanie says

    September 14, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    i hate pumpkin shortages. ๐Ÿ™ i couldn't find any at my store yesterday.

    p.s. loved abbey's dq cake. you guys are so funny.

    Reply
  14. Melissa says

    September 14, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Love the ordinary days posts! I have Anna Q.'s book on my list…love her. The LaFaundah cake is the bomb !! They had a pumpkin shortage last year too..what's up??

    Reply
  15. Lia says

    September 14, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Love the book suggestions. I can't remember if you mentioned Girl in Translation but it is a great immigrant story.

    Guess I gotta go search for canned pumpkin.

    Reply
  16. Hildie says

    September 14, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Thanks for the book recommendations! I always like Anna Quindlen when I read her, but then I forget to read anything else by her.

    There were the beginnings of a pumpkin shortage last year and I totally stocked up. I probably had two dozen cans. And I just checked and am down to TWO! YIKES!

    Reply
  17. chercard says

    September 14, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Your boys room looks just like my boys room with legos and lego creations EVERYWHERE! Any suggestions on where to store the creations?

    Reply
  18. Anonymous says

    September 14, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    I'm going to look for that mop today at Target, and i'm going to load up on the pumpkin:)

    Love ordinary days!

    Reply
  19. Erin says

    September 14, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    I love seeing your day to day Sarah! So fun that Abby has a close friend like that. I did too in High School and we are still so close!

    Reply
  20. Allison says

    September 14, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Don't know how far you are into Every Last One…but I found it so terribly sad:( Wouldn't recommend, although it is a good book, it was just too hard. Would love to hear your comments when done.

    Allison

    Reply
  21. Unknown says

    September 14, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    See how Abby is standing in the last picture? That's how I stand in the kitchen too! As does my mom and my three sisters. My husband and dad always make fun of us …. good to know we're not the only ones!

    Reply
  22. Grace in my Heart says

    September 14, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Love your "ordinary days" series. ๐Ÿ™‚ And that mop? I want it! Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  23. Terri Edwards says

    September 14, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    Looked at Target, can't find the mop. I NEED THAT MOP! Where should I go? The canned pumpkin shortage has been going on for a few years now, which is strange because the pumpkin patches I've seen are always overflowing with pumpkins??

    Reply
  24. Susan says

    September 14, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    So, who switched bedrooms?

    Reply
  25. Erika says

    September 14, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    The mop is only online at Target for $40. But I did find it here…

    http://www.meijer.com/s/rubbermaid-reveal-spray-mop-value-pack/_/R-189743;jsessionid=DB1AAF3B520B121E4A76775BCBF1949D.instance02?CAWELAID=931983631&cmpid=goobase#

    I'm curious which grocery store had it? HAVE TO HAVE THAT MOP!:)

    Reply
  26. Missy says

    September 14, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    I buy organic canned pumpkin by the case off of amazon when it goes really cheap!

    Reply
  27. Missy says

    September 14, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    Oh and I heart that cake- I was laughing soo hard.

    Reply
  28. Glorygarden@msn.com says

    September 14, 2011 at 9:18 pm

    The pumpkin thing is real. My harvest is quite disappointing this year. Too much rain, is what I'm thinking. The last picture made me laugh. I stand like a flamingo too! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  29. vera says

    September 14, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    1. Bedrooms… we just put the new baby's crib up in Henry's room and it TOTALLY freaked Henry out. That poor boy!!! He has NO idea what's coming!

    2. Thank you soooo much for telling me about the new gadget thingy cleaning stick, because I was JUST staring at my Swiffer Wet Jet, thinking that I used to love that thing, but got so tired of buying refills all the time, it's been just sitting there.

    3. Pumpkin! I am sooooo ready for pumpkin weather!!!!

    Reply
  30. vera says

    September 14, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    Oh wait one more…

    4. Hungry kids after school… does it drive you crazy? A little? Sometimes it doesn't, but sometimes it's 4pm and I'm making dinner soon and it just seems like no amount of food will tide them over until then. Help.

    Reply
  31. Meagan Kenney says

    September 14, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Pumpkin shortage!? Oh no! I am off to the grocery store, like….NOW! This happened 2 years ago as well and was the WORST!

    And while I am at the store buying them out of their pumpkin I will be throwing one of those Rubbermaid things in my carts as well. I have tried the Hoover Floormate, Swiffer, Shark….you name it-I do NOT like being tied down to certain solutions to clean with. My whole downstairs is tile, and with three kids…well…I am sure you know! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  32. Stephanie says

    September 15, 2011 at 12:08 am

    I loved seeing more everyday pictures of the kids and house. And that amazing mother in law- can I get one of those? Yum!

    Reply
  33. Jennifer J says

    September 15, 2011 at 12:09 am

    When I was young, we used to drive up roads in Michigan's thumb, and see canneries piled high with squash. I asked my parents, and they said they were being canned for pumpkin pie. Then I asked an uncle who lived near there, and he said the same thing. So don't stress too much about the pumpkin thing, but do consider squash.

    Reply
  34. LML says

    September 15, 2011 at 1:06 am

    I love reading your blog and I have found myself wondering lately how you made the decision as to which school to send your children to. Did you know where you wanted to send them from the start or did you hunt for a good school. Was your house in the vicinity of the school you chose or did you choose your house in order to be in the vicinity of the school. How did you go about selecting a small versus a large school? I am thinking about private school for my children and just wondering how you thought through this. I went to a semi-large Christian private school all my life and my kids are now in public school. Could you speak to possible differences between Catholic schools and other types of private schools and if there any benefits that you see in a Catholic-based education? Thanks!!!

    Reply
  35. meg duerksen says

    September 15, 2011 at 1:40 am

    i am hoarding pumpkin everywhere i find it.
    i did find organic pumpkin at target in the vegetable section….fyi.
    i LOVE that mop!!!
    i must find one.
    i didn't mop today because i just didn't want to deal with my mop!

    Reply
  36. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ says

    September 15, 2011 at 2:28 am

    Yopur mil's buffet looks amazing! How about a recipe sharing blog?? ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  37. happeningsofourhome says

    September 15, 2011 at 2:59 am

    Love reading about your ordinary days =)

    Reply
  38. Kristin says

    September 15, 2011 at 6:43 am

    Random comment, but I've had that mop for a long time now and jumped at it when I saw it and love it too! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  39. Lindsey says

    September 15, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    I stumbled across your blog a couple of months ago, and find it very encouraging and fun. ๐Ÿ™‚ I have to say I had no idea what to expect in "every last one" and found it so emotionally charging! loved the book though, but being a mom i hated it, too. you know?

    Reply
  40. Julie H says

    September 15, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    I listened to Every Last One in audio book form. I hadn't heard anything about it before hand and OH MAN was it shocking. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say anything more about it.

    Reply
  41. shansen20 says

    September 16, 2011 at 5:24 am

    I think you do a great job of putting mothering stuff into words so exact. Your blog is so helpful to me in my own journey of mothering.

    Reply
  42. Erika says

    September 16, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Hi Ladies, I thought I'd update on the mop. My local Home Depot says they have them in store!:)

    Reply
  43. Shannan Martin says

    September 18, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    1. Loved your budgeting post and I feel closer to you than ever, seeing all those Meijer bags lined up. ๐Ÿ™‚

    2. I have always and still do stand like Abbey in that last pic. I have no idea why. I thought (hoped) I would outgrow it as an adult. No such luck.

    3. I need that mop.

    4. Every Last One. I read it over a year ago and I loved it. It was not at all what I expected and I think I felt momentarily betrayed, but still.

    5. We always switched rooms, too. I wonder if my kids will when they get older?

    6. When's dinner tonight? Do you think your MIL would mind if the 5 of us showed up? Looks like there's plenty…

    Reply
  44. Jennyr says

    September 21, 2011 at 2:10 am

    I'm going to have to get a Rubbermaid Reveal! My kitchen floor is crying out for help!! I only hope that my small town grocery store will carry them too or I'll have to wait for a trip out of town to pick one up.

    Reply
  45. Karen says

    September 21, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    I have a mop like that from Target, not rubbermaid but close. Love your blog and your home, I think of it often as I am trying to neaten things up:)

    Reply
  46. Carla says

    September 25, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    I love your blog and all that you share! I wanted to share a quick tip w/ you. You can buy a neck pumpkin for approx $1.00, chop it up, remove skins, discard seeds and cook until soft/mushy. Let cool, freeze in freezer bags. I measure out 1cup & 2 cup bags and then I have it all year round. Hope you can try this sometime, maybe on a preschool day:)

    Reply
  47. Andrea says

    July 8, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    Hey Sarah. Not sure if you will even see this comment on a post from almost two years ago BUT…I just found out they discontinued the Reveal mop in May 2013. In case you can find and want to stock up on clothes. I am finally getting around to getting a new mop and thought I'd give the Reveal a try. Wonder why it is discontinued? Looks like a great product.

    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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