Making My Home A Haven is important to me. Sharing homemaking skills. Recipes and food. Bible Studies. This is a treasure chest of goodies. So take a seat. Have a glass of tea and enjoy. You will learn all about who I am.
I was going to start the series with everyone else this week but due to being really laid up, I will be posting this weekend and officially starting on Monday. I am sorry for the delay.
Love And Hugs, Sarah
Declutter with Purpose! Join our Clean Out with Love Challenge!
Declutter with Purpose! Join our Clean Out with Love Challenge!
Feeling inspired to clean out your house as we head into a new year? Great! But we’re here to encourage you to declutter with purpose. Instead of simply getting rid of “stuff” from our homes, we’re going to focus on ways we can bless others. Let’s Clean Out with Love! Join our brand new 30-day challenge!
There are declutter challenges and printables all over the internet right now. After all, most of us have had a marvelous holiday season are we’re ready to settle down and get our homes organized!
I’m right there with you – and it was my search for helpful decluttering lists that inspired this Clean Out with Love Challenge.
October 4, 2010 by Courtney
https://womenlivingwell.org/2010/10/are-you-distracted-and-distant-or/
By Women Living Well And Good Morning Girls
From Sarah :
This post was written 9 years ago. The first year Courtney and Women Living Well/Good Morning Girls did Making Your Home A Haven. I was with them then. The title asks us a really great question.
Are we distracted and distant or are we really making our home a haven. ?
I’d have to admit, I am definitely distract and distant much of the time.
I always try to get off the computer when Danny walks through the room. I stop and wait . I look at him. Yet, I don’t always talk. I am so use to Danny not wanting to talk that I have slowly stopped asking him to much of the time. Then, when he finally does talk, I am not always full present. It’s been my way of coping.
Shutting down though is never good.
We all may need a slight break. A bit of quiet in our day.
I have been too quiet. It beats sounding bitter.
I know this has an effect on how it feels when Danny comes home. It’s often hard to be really happy to see him. I like my days when he is working. I know I can simply be me. There’s not tension. I am calmer. When Danny is home anymore, I am never really calm.
Too many months/years when he wasn’t in a good mood. When he would pick fights I couldn’t win. Even though he’s been better, I still wait for the other side to show up.
Our home always looks good on the surface. Or at least it almost always does.
I need to work on my mood when he gets home. I need to leave the tension behind.
“It is week 1 of the Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge. Here is this week’s challenge:Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. Do what makes sense for your family. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home.
What makes a home a haven? Is it having a home that looks like it popped out of Better Homes and Gardens with unbelievable decorating? Is it a home that has massive amounts of toys, food to feast on, video games stacked high and every movie imaginable to view? Is it a certain number of square feet, a separate bedroom for each child, or the neighborhood you live in?
No. It is not the things that we have or the things that we do not have that make our homes a haven. It’s you – my dear reader – you are the key to making the home a haven. “
From Courtney:
” Light a candle and begin praying over your home every time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye.”
Women Living Well/ Blog
Women Living Well And Good Morning Girls/ Facebook
https://womenlivingwell.org/2019/11/living-a-pray-filled-life-making-your-home-a-haven-week-3/
Making Your Home Haven Week 3
Living A Prayer Filled Life.
From Courtney:
” One way I fight off the enemy is by continuing to daily light my candle and each time the flicker of the candle catches my eye – I am reminded to pray. Another way I remind myself to pray is to set the alarm on my iPhone. When it goes off, I pause and pray for friends I have committed to pray for or concerns that I want to continually lay down at the Lord’s feet. Another solution to my wandering mind is to journal my prayers. For over 30 years, I have kept a prayer journal (I share those in my video above). Sometimes I write prayer lists and other times I write long letters to God. “
From Sarah :
Happy Friday !
I AM Thankful For Our New AC/ Furnace. I am very thankful for our house that we live in RENT FREE on private property connected to the park.
It’s a beautiful Fall Day (For Florida)
Heat on in the AM (For Danny)
AC on in the PM (For Sarah)
Windows opened as much as possible (For Baby Girl And Sarah)
Danny was off today. He had a routine doctor’s appointment.
No Trains in sight so we headed to a new place for breakfast.
Oh My Goodness was it good. A huge plate covered. Enough for 3 meals.
I ordered dinner to go.
No cooking today. YEAH.
Then we went shopping but was able to AVOID WALMART.
Have a good evening. Enjoy your weekend.
Make time for your spouse and your kids.
Family Time IS IMPORTANT.
Love And Hugs,
Sarah
Excuse me for the really bad photos but it was the easiest way to post them.
We have had a WEEK of Gloomy Weather. Dark And Dreary Weather. Damp.
This is Florida. We aren’t use to not having SUNSHINE most of the day. Every day.
Danny is home so the diffusers aren’t running as much. The candle is put up for now.
It’s amazing how much the sun shining really changes the look inside our home.
It’s so bright where I am sitting.
I am enjoying it.
Plus, it’s not a hot sun so it feels wonderful.
It’s is 72 degrees inside which feels great to me. Danny is in his computer room with his little heater on. It’s HOT in there. Really hot.
I AM THANKFUL that I am finally learning to keep my mouth SHUT (Most of the time.) when Danny runs his heater almost 24 hours a day. Yes, Even in the SUMMER.
A RAMBLE:
As long as HE leaves me alone when I turn the AC down a little more, I do my best to ignore his having the heat on when it’s in the 80’s outside. Plus, the electric bill comes out of his check and I never see it. (Yes, I know how much it is. )
It’s taken a long time for US to get to this point.
I remember years ago when Danny wanted the AC set between 80 -82 degrees. Until 4PM.
That wasn’t so bad WHEN I Was still working /Volunteering at the park and was getting home the same time he did. Except for walking into a hot house after being outside ALL DAY.
There were plenty of arguments when I was home all day. FIRST OFF: NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE THEIR HOUSE THAT HOT. I am HOT ALL THE TIME. I always have been.
Even before I went through MENOPAUSE. Now it’s worse.
At first I kept it around 78 as much as I could. 76 when I couldn’t.
Fans ran all day as well.
Then Menopause hit hard.
I honestly did my best to keep it at 76 during the day.
We really can’t afford a huge electric bill.
Yet, I couldn’t do it all the time. 74 degrees became the norm.
Even if I wanted to go LOWER (And I DO), our AC is 25 years old.
Hence, the furnace not working now. We have needed a new one for years.
Maybe now?????????
I have never been able to convince Danny that we would sleep better with the AC set at 68 or 70 degrees. Or LOWER.
I know I would.
It took me YEARS but I set it to 72 degrees at night now.
He seldom says anything. Mainly because he is sleeping better.LOL
RANT OVER.
I was so worried about Danny FREEZING last night that I overly compensated for it. (FURNACE NOT WORKING and FLORIDA got hit with a COLD SPELL). He panicked when he realized that the furnace wasn’t working. It was 70 in the house at the time. He was already COLD.
I got out the other 2 small heaters and had them going.
Then I turned on the OVEN. OH MAN DID IT GET HOT IN HERE.
78 degrees at the far in of the living room where the thermostat is.
SO the KITCHEN HAD TO BE A LOT HOTTER.
I tried to turn off the extra heaters but Danny said to leave them on.
He was afraid he would get cold.
Did he ever bundle UP?
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It never really got much colder outside.
To give Danny credit: I understand.
I fear the AC not working or the power going off and the AC not working.
AS IN IT SCARES ME TO DEATH.
I’d stay at the motel across from the park.
I am done going a day or more WITHOUT AC IN FLORIDA.
HURRICANES!
I SURVIVE! I AM ONE TOUGH COOKIE THEN.
From Sarah :
They are installing our NEW AC /FURNACE as I write this.
I love being a homemaker! Creating a peaceful, cozy place for my family to live and for guests to enjoy is something that comes almost naturally for me. But as much as I love it, I still have to fight the enemies of homemaking. What are the enemies of homemaking? The Daily Connoisseur recently discussed […]
How I Fight The Enemies of Homemaking — Come Home For Comfort
From Sarah:
This post was written on a Saturday.
Hopefully, most of you are off work and home with the family. or exploring somewhere with your loved ones.
Making Your Home A Haven takes advantage of weekends off and family times together.
Did any of you sleep in? How about a special family breakfast. I know it’s freezing in many parts of the US. Are you relaxing by the fireplace or did you get out and brave the weather?
Time for family togetherness no matter where you are and what you do.
Take time this weekend to enjoy each other. Family time is so important.
What are you THANKFUL for?
It’s a wonderful day here in Florida. 69 degrees inside our house right now. I am loving the cooler temps. The sun is shining (A little). At this point, I will take what I can get. It’s been gloomy all week. We never got any of the rain that we so badly need.
Yet, I am Very Thankful for the cooler weather.I know I sound like a broken record but SUMMER started in January (Without the extreme humidity) and only ended a few days ago. Not really sure if it has really ended but I will take whatever this is.
Danny is working in the Ranger Station so he will be home earlier today.
The furnace will be turned back on.
I am THANKFUL for my moods starting to change for the better. Or at least the way I handle things. (Most of the time).
A Small VENT:
It still makes me angry that Danny doesn’t realize that as cold as he always gets, I am just as hot . I really try to make sure he is comfortable and not freezing.
I just wish he would try and understand that when he gets cold when it is 74 -76 in the house ( with a DAMP Chill in the air) that I am hot. Or at least not cool. I like it when it’s 65- 68 in here. I can even handle it colder than that when I put on more clothes. I can’t take off more.
Danny can put on more clothes. He can wear SOCKS in the house. He has socks made for those with poor circulation. He won’t wear them. He won’t wear layers.
I AM THANKFUL we have windows ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE. So when the furnace is on, I have a window open.
My fan is usually running as well.
I AM THANKFUL FOR:
Most of the time , I can keep my mouth shut. Not even making facial gestures. Or at least trying not to make them.
I am even turning the furnace on before he comes home. Granted, right before I think he’s due.
Still working on NOT GRIMACING every time he calls me into his computer room.
It’s been an effort.
He won’t come out to me. His room his fill with junk. He calls me wanting to show me something….
His space heater is on. So is the furnace. THE ROOM IS ABOUT 80 degrees. If not worse.
It’s a blast of heat when I go in there.
I AM Thankful FOR :
The brief time I get with Danny when he gets home from the park. We have family time in the kitchen. I do my best to make the most of it.
Snacks if he’s hungry.
Iced tea waiting for him.
Baby Girls gets a treat. So does Vittles (the rabbit).
We talk about his day at Lake Kissimmee. Usually, I am already aware of what’s been going on. The radio keeps me informed.
I AM THANKFUL FOR :
Park life is busy right now. A new season has started.
Danny’s been extremely busy in the Ranger Station today. He’s sent a few texts to me but not many.
You can hear a lot going on when the radio is on. People driving up. The back door opening and closing . Guest talking.
Fortunately, he didn’t need my extra help this morning. I enjoyed a long walk around Rolling Meadows Ranch. I am thriving now.
Our winter season has started. Our “Yankee” ( I can say Yankee anytime because I am a Yankee myself.Lol) campground hosts and volunteers are starting to show up. Weekends are BUSY and the weekdays are getting there.
Over all, I love this time of year at the park. It’s exciting and fun. Busy just enjoyable.
As soon as it starts getting dark, I turn on my night lights and a few soft lamps. I love seeing the candle burning. The glow is wonderful.
I love the nights. I always have, I am anxious to start walking at night again. Not far.
Hoping Danny and I can start having bonfires again. It’s been way too long.
Memories Of Quiet Nights In The RV. I do miss it.
Baby Girl wants some attention. I need to get a few things done before Danny gets off in an hour or so.
Have a wonderful Saturday evening.
Love And Hugs,
Sarah
