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  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
Home ยป Blog ยป Thinking, Playing, Reading

Thinking, Playing, Reading

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Thinking Playing Reading

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Thinking:  

Little Janey had surgery to correct her kidney reflux and this picture makes my heart hurt because oh boy, I didn’t know how hard the whole deal would be for all of us, especially her and especially her mom, because what mom’s heart doesn’t split in a thousand pieces when she has to comfort a child in pain?  We spent a night at the hospital-enough for me.  She woke up the next morning and said, “Mommy, get me out of here.”  She has been on the mend slowly and surely, but it has been more painful and longer than I expected-I guess I didn’t know what to expect because none of my children have had surgery.  She has a pretty nice “Madeline” scar to show for it all but has been such a little trooper. 

I am so grateful for her very experienced physician who I trusted completely, and also I kept telling myself while in the hospital that it one thing to be in the hospital for a good reason-to fix something so it works better-than for a reason like the little boy next door to us in the hospital receiving chemo treatments. Talk about worry and heartbreak and stress on part of the parents.  I can’t even imagine.

I am so grateful for wonderful family and friends that helped us out this last week.  

In addition, I am so thankful to all of you moms who gave me advice and shared their experience a year ago when I found that Janey had kidney reflux and asked on this blog for help-I received so many emails and it helped me so much decide what different courses of treatment we might be in for.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

Playing:

I was given this awesome play dough recipe that our preschool uses and we have had already made two batches.  It’s fun and easy and cheap to make, smells delicious and stays soft and mushy if you keep it in a tupperware container between uses.  We split this recipe before mixing in the Koolaid so that we get two “flavors”.  (That usually get mixed together nevertheless.)

Kool Aid Play Dough

3 1/2 cups of flour

1 cup salt

4 tsp cream of tartar

2 pkgs unsweetened Kool Aid

3 TBS cooking oil

2 cups water


Mix together with blender.  You can mix two Kool Aids of the same flavor with this one batch, or divide the dough and mix one packet with each half for two colors.


Reading:


Image result for younger next year

Younger Next Year for Women

I am in the middle of this book, recommended by my cousin, and love it.  It is SO motivating when it comes to eating right and exercising.

It explains the science behind aging-which to me is the really motivating part.  I have really been thinking about this all since I started eating better and exercising this year, and what a difference it has made in everything from my fitness capabilities to my skin.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone over the age of 40 (so maybe some of you might want to buy it for your parents :). It turned me from sort of majorly panicking about the process of aging (something about approaching 50 does that to you!), to thinking, “Heck I can totally take control of this process and keep right up there with my kids for a long long time.”

This book has taught me that SO much of what we witness when it comes to aging does NOT have to happen that way-so much of it is about pushing our body to “remake” itself through exercise and feeding it right.

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October 25, 2016 ยท 16 Comments

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  1. Taylor says

    October 25, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    Oh, I am so glad Janey is healing and the worst is behind you!

    I'm super interested in the aging book and I love health science. What is your biggest tip or take-away so far?

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    October 25, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    That so much of anti-aging is about exercising-50 mins/6 days a week, good hard exercise-strength training and aerobic, for the rest of your life…it is almost like tricking your body into thinking it needs that flight/fight still of the younger years and is sending the message to your body to stay young. There are chapters and chapters on this-I'm not sure my summary makes any sense but it is really interesting.

    Reply
  3. LCD says

    October 25, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    God bless your little Janey and thank you for the play dough recipe. This is why I love your blog. REAL LIFE and true love. I never would've known about waxing leaves in fall if it weren't for you ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks, Lisa Diller

    Reply
  4. Susan says

    October 26, 2016 at 2:06 pm

    Just put the book in my amazon cart. Continued prayers for Janey. I've read your blog for years now, and each time I see a post from you, I am encouraged by something you write. Thank you!
    Sue

    Reply
  5. Unknown says

    October 26, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    I am sorry that Janey needed to have surgery to correct her issue, but soon this will be a story to tell over time like we share broken bone stories! Have a great day!

    Reply
  6. Tara says

    October 27, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    So glad you are on the other end of surgery. My nine year old is in the hospital for an endoscopy every. single. 8 weeks. (since 22 months old) We are so used to IV's and waking up in recovery by now, it's just part of our life. But no matter how many times we go I always get weary from the pure exhaustion of emotions.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      October 30, 2016 at 12:51 am

      Tara I really thought so much about the moms who have to do this sort of think constantly-it really does take so much time and effort and emotional energy that is above and beyond just day to day life.

      Reply
  7. Angela S. says

    October 28, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    I could not believe it when I saw this post. My son is only a couple months younger than Janey and he had the same surgery Tuesday. We just came home yesterday. He had an extra tube on his kidney that re-routed the urine back up, so his kidney didn't drain completely. They also had to remove the lower half of his kidney as it had atrophied. I hope she is doing better soon!

    Reply
  8. Angela S. says

    October 28, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    I went back and read your earlier posts about the relax, I couldn't figure out how I had missed them. Henry only started having infections in February, no idea why he hadn't had them before. He was a stage 4. Did Janey have any trouble with her legs hurting after surgery?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      October 30, 2016 at 3:51 pm

      No but I rubbed her a lot the next couple nights, only because she was having bladder spasms and it helped relax her. We eventually were prescribed something for the bladder spasms but we only used it the night in the hospital and then the night after.

      Reply
    • Angela S. says

      November 3, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Just in case you check;) we went back to the Dr Tuesday and found out his leg pain is due to a pinched nerve. Apparently this happens because of the way they have to position them in order to reach the kidney. It is very, very slowly getting better but he still wakes up frequently during the night screaming in pain. He has trouble controlling his leg so he walks like he has polio. Glad Janey didn't have these complications!

      Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 3, 2016 at 6:42 pm

      Oh poor guy-on top of all the surgery pain, that is the last thing he needs-I hope he gets well soon!

      Reply
  9. Jody says

    October 29, 2016 at 7:02 am

    I am buying this book after I write this comment! I'm 45, mom to 9, and am feeling older than I should be feeling. So thank you for the rec! Before I was a stay at home mom – I was a pediatric oncology nurse. Kids are so resilient! It's terrible to have to go through anything health related- happy to hear you have a great doctor! Prayers for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery!

    Reply
  10. Susan says

    October 29, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Poor sweet Janey! I'm so sorry to hear of her surgery! Like most things in the life of a mom, it's always harder on us!!! I'll keep you all in my prayers!

    Reply
  11. missi says

    November 1, 2016 at 12:10 pm

    Prayers for Janey!!

    Reply
  12. cheledesma says

    November 2, 2016 at 5:59 am

    Poor Janey! Thinking and praying for your fast recovery.

    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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