It's 5:22am.
I just finished eating turkey sausage and a couple of Cuties.
I have three loads of laundry waiting until it's light enough outside so I can hang them -
Crock pot apple butter is in the making.
I started to shampoo the carpet - but it's still too dark for that -
so I thought I'd check in with all y'all.
I've been making a real effort to stay away from the computer - wanting to be fully present at home this week.
I kept my entire schedule clear this week, and stayed off the phone too.
The BoyChild was here.
: - )
Between the love of the BoyChild and my staying put all week - it truly has been one of the best weeks in my recent memory.
Now, that's not saying much - since I'm notorious for a bad memory - which does, I must admit - come in handy at times.
I hold no grudges - since I can never remember what it is that someone has done.
It was the most ordinary week ever - and sisters - can I just tell you this -
Ordinary is fabulous.
We went to the gym a few times - and he had gymnastics training on Thursday - but other than that -
we stayed put.
He even got homework done.
For real.
Whilst he was at school - I worked my fingers to the bones sewing.
I'm going to confess that I listened to Christmas music whilst I sewed, sang along loudly, and I may or may not have never been happier.
See this heating pad cover?
Over 15 years in the making my friends.
I bought that fabric when Aaron was born - planning on making a heating pad cover.
FIFTEEN YEARS later.
It's done.
I did tell you that 'Finish' was my word of 2012, right?
I started a little business called 'Coop Keeper Creations' and I'll be unveiling my aprons that I've sewn this week on Etsy - planning a big 'Cyber Monday' sale!
Remember when I talked about getting a job a week or so ago? I feel that I may have mis-communicated in some way why I wanted a job - trust me - it had nothing to do with fulfillment - or lack of things to do.
It was purely financial.
I'm completed filled full here at home - mentally and emotionally.
It dawned on me that I'm not even using the talents I have here at home to make a little extra cash - so I've been putting my hands to the spindle, so to speak.
I'm even starting to like the porch - I love looking through the kitchen window at it - it looks super cozy that way -
Glenco's making me a rustic 8' long wooden table for the porch out of a pile of old lumber we found in a dumpster this summer.
Fingers crossed it's done by Thanksgiving!
So I say - here's to a wonderful, ordinary, beauty full Monday.
Celebrate the ordinary.
Take time to notice how the light is changing at this time of year - and how it moves in your home.
Take time to be present in your home - giving your family your all.
Give yourself your all.
Make a nice dinner tonight.
Be nice.
Close the computer up - turn off the phone ringer -
breathe.
It might be the last chance you get til January.
Amen sista. I think ordinary is the most wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner here for 19 (all family)and I am trying VERY VERY hard not to fuss too much over my house.......I need to look in the mirror and say I'm going for the "lived in look", LOL! Have a wonderfuly week.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE ordinary! I LIVE for ordinary! It helps keep me sane!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you on opening up an Etsy shop of things you enjoy doing! I recently opened up an Etsy shop under GoneCountryCreations (how cool we have similar names stemming from our blogs!) featuring some handmade things that I've made over the years. Just hobbies that I enjoy doing and I thought the same thing... why not try and make a bit of money from something that I enjoy! I need to get crankin' though if I want some more items there for Cyber Monday! Sheesh... thanks for the reminder!
Will you post your Etsy link on your blog so we can all check it out and add it to our favorites? I love aprons and may just have to treat myself to one!
You just amaze me. I don't know where you find your energy! I LOVE Thanksgiving because it is such a laid back, just eat, give thanks, no gifts holiday.
ReplyDeleteThank You for that! I needed told to treat myself and today just might be the day.
ReplyDeletealso...that soft light from your kitchen window looking into your porch is certainly warming. I love lighting and comfy. You nailed it!
Enjoyed your post...looking forward to seeing Glenco's table and your Etsy store!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have your priorities straight! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteyup. the woman who makes my schedule needs to hear this. I am tired of running up and down the road. However, I wish I was running up the road to sit on our porch. I would sit in an apron and drink your joe.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think there is something wrong with me for not being ambitious, as in a high paying career. But I love being at home and having ordinary days. Even when I am working outside the home, home is where I want to be.
ReplyDeleteI love you, Jayme! Thank you for always making much of the things that are important...I mean REALLY important...in this life...family, home, living in the moment and counting our gifts. xoxo
ReplyDeleteAmen to all of that! Home is where we store up and get strong, then off we go out into the world... ready for anything!I started with garlands this weekend, then we brought down the trees from the attic, then the boxes but I am NOT going to decorate till next weekend! I don't apologize to anyone, it takes me longer to decorate than it used to so I have to start early. This year Thanksgiving is at out oldest daughter's house, freeing up some time for me to get a head start. This week's meals will include cornbread and beans.... and tonight dinner will be breakfast with biscuits, all so I have the makings for dressing/stuffing on Thanksgiving... and we're off and running!
ReplyDeleteLovely thoughts, Jayme....I am enjoying y time off in lovely Florida. Today we are hanging low in order to take in all our resort has to offer. Saw some old friends and that was very nice. Sometimes it's nice to just sit back and 'be'.
ReplyDeleteWonder full post! I love that young man's smile...it's a million dollar smile!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely thoughts of home.
Love this.
ReplyDeleteLove that pumpkin picture...and the last picture...although I'm not certain what it is...it surely is purty.
ReplyDeleteIs your etsy shop up? I just went to look and couldn't find you.
xo, Cheryl
Yes-Ordinary IS wonderful-although I sometimes wonder if I even know what ordinary is..being that my life is constantly shifting and changing. I did "retire" from working my job because I needed some "ordinary" in my life. You got it girl! You have your priorities straight and I hope you can manage the financial end of it so that you don't have to go back to work. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteGoodness but you're right with that last sentence. I feel like I'm girding up for battle about now, but I'm determined that I won't get caught up in the minutia.
ReplyDeleteand yes.... where are you hiding on etsy?
Grace
I'm with you. Every which way.
ReplyDeleteIt has been two years and 99 days exactly since I left the full time, work outside the home world. It has taken me until just a couple months ago to get really comfortable and accepting of the "ordinary" daily life around here. It took me a bit to get my routine established and to realize plain and simple, that I am a domestic kinda girl. Home is where my heart is.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any children and I get a lot of "looks" when I tell someone I don't work. It's almost as though the social norm is that I would have permission to be a housewife if I was raising children, otherwise they can't figure out what in heavens name I do all day at home.
I didn't mean to write a book for a comment. :) I've been chewing on some thoughts lately and they just jumped to the keyboard.
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
That is one good looking boy. Good Heavens.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!
~Kate
Lovely post!! Good luck on your new Etsy venture! I just launched my own about a month ago. I have Wednesday off from work and I'm so thrilled to be able to have the full day to compose myself before the onslaught! LOL
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I truly love staying home and just doing 'home' things. Kindred spirits we are.
ReplyDeletexo
Ordinary is good. I need an ordinary day.
ReplyDeleteUm....ordinary is NOT having all the stuff done by 5:22AM! ;)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE you pix of the boychild....you can see his humor and quietness in this pix.
Your husband makes tables? He's good....He's very very good!
Peace my new friend. Peace and quiet.
Julie
You turned a light on in my noggin. I have NOT been using my talents. Ordinary can be be so extraordinary!
ReplyDeleteHi Jayme, been following you for a while now, but never left a comment until today...and it's for a reason you probably won't anticipate! I L-O-V-E that fabric on your heating pad cover. SO cute! I was going to ask you where I could find it, because, honey, I could get so creative with a few yards of that...then I read on to where you said it was 15 years old...sigh...
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying your blog, thanks for putting it all out there, life's great, painful, fulfilling, frustrating, and lifting all at the same time. ~Vonnie, NH
Jayme,
ReplyDeleteI too am leaning toward simplicity, ordinary, plain...I am so frustrated by the hustle, bustle buy this, buy that attitude everyone has around the holidays. I am going to make all the gifts that I can even if it costs more to do it. At least the gifts will be personal and heartfelt instead of "just get me out of this store 'cause I am sick of shopping" purchased junk.
Wishing you all the blessings of Thanksgiving everyday!
Susan
i have the same 'bad memory' & while it does keep me from holding grudges i find it very hinder-some when it comes to a good argument. ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the latest endeavor off to check it....