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Home ยป Blog ยป Ordinary Days

Ordinary Days

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Ordinary Days

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The pool has been used almost every day.

My pretty white hydrangeas I planted last year are in bloom and bigger than ever which makes me happy.

Found this treasure map in the back yard the other day.

A rare rainy day.

No belt-loop weapon storage.

This is me typing fast.  And don’t you think my hairstyle is Pinworthy?  Ha!  That’s about how it looks every single day. Cringe.  

My favorite house in my little town right now.  The bricks, the hydrangeas, the fence, the light pink geraniums in the flower boxes.  Neat as a pin.  LOVE it all.

 Patrick was mad at me the other morning.  He insisted on wearing his t-ball shirt, which was soaking wet in the washer.  I was leaving for the grocery store and he wanted to go but was being SO stubborn about finding a different shirt.  After several warnings–“You can either get a shirt on right now or stay at home”– he ran up to find one just as I was walking out the door.  When he came downstairs he was pouty and mad but had put a shirt on.  I said, “Great job.  I LOVE that shark shirt.  You look so nice!”  He said in a crabby voice, “I don’t like this shirt. You like sharks?  They’re mean you know.  They eat people.”   I was trying to change his mood and be all happy, and said, “Yes, I do like sharks!”  He said, giving me a ‘teenager’ look, “Well I guess you must like dying then!!!”, and stomped off to the car.  I had to silently chuckle instead of scold.  He is usually the most agreeable obedient loving little boy—and just like I knew, he was happy and nice 1 minute later…and forgot all about his shirt.   Four year olds are the best.

Matt and I took a drive to the river the other day.  Usually we would just bike there-boy do I miss my summer bike rides.  I think I’d pop the tires if I got on my bike now.  The sunsets are beautiful and I always wish I made an effort to go down and see more of them.  Summer is going so fast!

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June 26, 2012 ยท 22 Comments

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  1. Anonymous says

    June 26, 2012 at 5:17 am

    I must say, Sarah, that you live in the most beautiful town ever! I would die to ride my bike around and look at those gorgeous houses. Also, I DO like your hairstyle! I wish I could get mine to look as casually chic as that! Good luck with the next several weeks! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. vera says

    June 26, 2012 at 5:59 am

    Ha! I love how an ad for "Shark Wranglers" came up on the bottom of that post in my Reader. I am always self-conscious about taking more pictures of some kids than others, but I've decided that they just go through phases where they like/don't like being in front of the camera and/or are just too busy.

    Reply
  3. marlowe says

    June 26, 2012 at 6:17 am

    Oh, it looks like I play favorites too. But even when they are around, they're photo bombers anyway ๐Ÿ™‚

    We're getting there! Little bits at a time .. Even if it feels like a snails pace right now ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    June 26, 2012 at 7:06 am

    I am in love with that cute house…oh my! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  5. Magnolia Verandah says

    June 26, 2012 at 7:46 am

    I couldn't believe you received 100 comments for your last post. It is so nice that complete strangers have something lovely to say.
    Love to hear that your kids are so normal. Love weatherboard homes, they are just the nicest to renovate.

    Reply
  6. conveyableflow says

    June 26, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Hairstyle schmairstyle. I've been rocking the messy bun since high school and I'll probably never stop.
    Super cute Patrick story… those tiny voices and the things they say.

    Reply
  7. luvnmy10 says

    June 26, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    Ordinary days are my favorites!

    Reply
  8. Pam says

    June 26, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    oh how I miss my ordinary days! hope you're getting some rest!!

    Reply
  9. SuburbanWife says

    June 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Your youngest sounds just like my 6 year old boy. Is he ever stubborn when it comes to clothes! I always have to make it seem like it was his idea or how that shirt or shoes will make him run faster and faster… but it takes a lot of patience (which I lack most days) to have the persuasion powers.
    Glad to hear it's not just me ๐Ÿ™‚

    Beautiful town and you're right, summer's flying by in our neck of the woods too!

    RosieB

    Reply
  10. Simply LKJ says

    June 26, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    That story about Patrick's shirt and the subsequent conversation is priceless!! Gotta love 4 year olds.

    Reply
  11. Bridget says

    June 26, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    i love these posts. some of my favorite pictures from this one are the treasure map…so adorable. i also LOVE the weapon storage. something that i've totally seen around my house. and the shark story is hysterical. i love kids so darn much.

    Reply
  12. Taryn says

    June 26, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    I would love to know more about your pool. We're looking in to getting one. What size is it? Is is a lot of maintenance? What filter/chlorine do you use?

    Reply
  13. The {Prince} Family says

    June 26, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    ba ha ha HA thanks for the laugh today ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  14. Erin says

    June 26, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    I could kiss Patrick right now. I love four year olds too. And five and six and seven and eight year olds. I wish I could freeze time right now with my girls! Kole needs to be one year older.. then I'll want to freeze time with him too. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Darling houses in your neighborhood Sarah!

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    June 26, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    Patrick is looking so big! Hard to believe he's 4. Hope your getting some rest Sarah. My baby is 6 months now, and looking back I remember being sooooo tired those last weeks of pregnancy. Hang in there. Soon you'll have that sweet smelling baby to hold.

    Reply
  16. Meagan Kenney says

    June 26, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    I rode a bike when I was 8.5 months pregnant with my first. What was I THINKING!? I thought I was going to put my mother in law in the grave, she was so worried. I would be worried now too, I guess 8 years and a couple more kids later changed my opinion on the matter!

    You guys make me want a bubble pool. Don't think it would fir in our new backyard in Las Vegas though…. ๐Ÿ™

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    June 26, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    I love that little house!! I also love your computer area!

    Reply
  18. Rachel says

    June 27, 2012 at 5:43 am

    The messy bun look is totally in! And I LOVE that dreamy little house, too.

    Reply
  19. Shell in your Pocket says

    June 27, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Ordinary days are the best!

    sandy toe

    Reply
  20. Shelby says

    June 28, 2012 at 5:03 am

    Love all your posts! And I'm happy to hear that four year-olds are the best. Because so far, I am not a fan of two or three.

    Reply
  21. Happy Annie says

    June 28, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    I laughed so hard after reading the "shark" story. I can totally imagine my little son saying something like that. Once again, thank you for sharing your life with the rest of us! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  22. Team Tonagel says

    June 30, 2012 at 3:53 am

    Haha that story about Patrick made me laugh. My 3 year old told me just the other day "Mom, I don't love you and your are NOT pretty!" Ouch!

    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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