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  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
  • Thinking, Playing, Reading
Home » Blog » Thinking, Playing, Reading

Thinking, Playing, Reading

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Thinking Playing Reading

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Thinking:

It has been 10 months since I was diagnosed and since that time I have protected myself even more from the outside world of news and social media and everything else-and I missed nothing and felt more connected to those around me than ever before.  My faith has grown tremendously, and I have little or no time or energy or interest in unnecessary distractions.  I would absolutely take a pass on the “gift” of cancer, but one thing I’ve noticed is that one is forced to see worldly things differently.  I try so much more than I ever did before to not waste time on things that distract me from what really counts.  (I think a short daily prayer reminder helps because we are inundated with distractions!)  And what really counts is faith, family and neighbors-“bloom where you are planted”.  Relationships.  The gifts that God gave us that He wants us to make good on.  Guarding our hearts and our minds so that if we find something that leads us in the direction of greed, or anger, or vanity or self pity, we avoid it.  Those deplete us of life, not fill us up and lead us to real joy and gratitude.

Playing:

Lori Dolls

These are the cutest (well-played with as you can tell) little dolls!  Very un-Barbie-like, thank the Lord.

Also my version of playing-I love baking and bought these things on Amazon to make baking for others more fun.  Wrapping up cookies or brownies or anything else in these little packages makes me happy!

Baker’s Twine-a set of multi-colored string

Baker’s Boxes with Scalloped Edges

Small Baker’s Bags (fits a personal amount of treats ie a few cookies)

Personalized Stamp(mine is very old but this is a similar stamp)

I bought the round tags at Michaels.

Reading:

Relentless Optimism: How a Commitment to Positive Thinking Changes Everything (Sports for the Soul Book 3) by [Donnelly, Darrin] 

Sports For The Soul-Relentless Optimism

We have been taking turns reading this book to Patrick and we ALL love it.  If you have a boy into sports it’s such a great message and not done in a hokey preachy way, but by great story-telling.

Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother by [Nazario, Sonia]

Enrique’s Journey

An incredible, unforgettable book.  I wanted to know more about the hardships, desires and struggles of immigrants and this is quite eye-opening and heart-breaking. (There is also a young adult version that I want my high school age son to read.) . How lucky we are to live in this country.

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September 5, 2018 · 9 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sandy says

    September 5, 2018 at 1:27 pm

    Good advice Sarah. I am learning with age to turn off the outside a good bit of my day so I can pay more attention to those around me.

    Reply
  2. Jen says

    September 5, 2018 at 2:34 pm

    I always love hearing the nuggets of wisdom you have for me!

    Reply
  3. Andrea says

    September 5, 2018 at 2:45 pm

    Sara, thank you so much for your insights and wisdom. And for continuing to post!! I don't often comment but I check everyday. I'm so glad your are healthy and back in the swing of things!!

    Reply
  4. S says

    September 7, 2018 at 2:37 am

    I am so thankful for your posts… I need to minimize "the noise". And those books look great!

    I bought very similar boxes but I love the twine and stamp – I need to buy those! I bought a lot of little brown bags on Amazon with windows last year and filled them with goodies for Christmas gifts. I bought larger boxes which I use for "giant cookies" for birthday gifts at work or for friends. I keep saying I want to do homemade vanilla – I better get going so it is ready!

    Reply
  5. Laura Lane says

    September 7, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    I'm coming to the end of my cancer treatments and surgeries. May God bless you, hold you close, and meet your every need day by day. You're right about how it can turn you inward, but sometimes I found it caused me to reach out in love (not touching) to other patients who needed prayer. Who knows if we're the only Jesus they see. If you'd like to "talk", my email is lauraofharvestlane@gmail.com and my blog is http://harvestlanecottage.com . God bless you and bring you complete healing in Jesus' name!

    Laura Lane
    Carthage, Missouri

    Reply
  6. Emily says

    September 7, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    I appreciate so much your perspective. You are grounded and genuine and choose goodness, and it is a blessing to learn from you. I’ve learned so many wonderful things from you pre-diagnosis, and I am thankful your post-diagnosis self is still typing away, teaching and reminding us about what is really important. Please keep sharing the things you are learning about life and family and God! Your words mean so much to so many.

    Reply
  7. Unknown says

    September 10, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    It's been so good to have you back!

    Reply
  8. Amanda says

    September 11, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    My boys read Enrique's Journey this summer. What a story! You and your boys should watch the movie Lion. It's on Netflix. So so so good!!

    Reply
  9. Unknown says

    September 11, 2018 at 8:07 pm

    “The gifts that God gave us He wants us to make good on”. Favorite inspiration from this post. I’ve become lazy and introverted as I’ve gotten older, I’ve just had an epiphany reading this today, that I’ve blocked out the negative, but also some good. I need to be a little vulnerable again, just within my circle of influence, and allow myself to bloom. I’ve become wilted a bit and had trouble figuring out why. Thank you❤️

    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. 🍃
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! 🏡
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. 
🍃
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! 
🍃
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. 
🍃
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! ☀️
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. 
🍃
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. 
🍃
Clip on bed lights save space. 
🍃
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
🍃
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. 
🍃
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. ☀️🌷🌱
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.
☀️
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. 
☀️
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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