As my blog name attests- I am a work at home Mom with a
simple plan- to keep the focus on home. What I mean by that is- I strive daily
to keep my “home” and all those who live here or visit top of mind. It isn’t
always easy- this home/family/work balance I have, but it is worth every minute
of planning and nurturing it takes.
I enjoy being a home maker.
I enjoy cooking, gardening, cleaning (most things),
decorating and being
downright domestic. It’s a part of who I am, just as much as running two small
businesses are, which I also enjoy immensely.
When I was a teenager, I dreamed of
having a Home. Not just a house, but a true home. One filled with lightness and
love and happiness and laughter. A home
filled with feelings. Good vibes if you will. And I am blessed to have that
home.
Two of the highest compliments I’ve ever received on my
homemaking skills were based on feelings these people felt while in our home.
The first came from a dear friend of my Mother in laws who
came to a family BBQ we were hosting. This fine lady stood in my kitchen
drinking tea and laughing when out of the blue she said something along the lines of - "You know, you and your
husband have something rare and beautiful here. You have a happy home and
family. You can feel it, see it in every little detail and every sparkling
room.” I couldn’t stop smiling as I
thanked her for such a compliment.
The next compliment I received about our home came from a
friend of my teenage daughters, who was here helping my daughter celebrate her
birthday. We were hosting a sleep-over pizza party and our home was bursting
with teenage girls! A fun time was had by all. I could tell by their faces,
laughter and animated conversations well into the night.
The next morning, the girls got up and one by one, slowly
gravitated to the den where my daughter and I were talking quietly. One girl,
long blond hair in a mass of tangled curls, was sitting in my office chair
happily eating a muffin when she said to me “I like it here Mrs. Linda”. “This
is what a home is supposed to look and feel like- all happy and comforting.” “This
is what a family is supposed to be.” I
wanted to hug her, but instead I smiled and invited her over anytime she could
come.
To these two people,
years apart in age and time of visits, it was all about the energy, the feeling of our home
and ultimately, me, the homemaker. These compliments mean that more often than
not, I’m doing my job as homemaker correctly. And that to me is a blessing.
Are you a homemaker at heart who may need to refocus your energy? Do you think your home may be lacking in positive energy?
You can change it!
Here are three quick tips to start you on your way:
- Check your own feelings. Moms and wives- you are the heartbeat of your home, so you will reap what you sow. I know this all too well. I was in a foul mood for a brief time on Saturday. I took my whole family down that stinky road with me until my funk moved on. Even though it was short lived, it dampened the mood and impacted the energy in our home for at least an hour afterwards.
- Respect your home. Tidy up a little each day, or at night when you get home from work. Make a list of chores and delegate as needed. Yes- a level of clutter is to be expected and accepted in everybody’s home- but don’t let it take over! Clutter frustrates and makes for bad energy.
- Love the home you have now. Not the home you dream of. A favorite life quote of mine comes from Sheryl Crowe’s song- Soak up the Sun: “It’s not having what you want; it’s wanting what you’ve got.” This goes for your home too. Whether you are renting a two bedroom condo or living in a 3 bedroom with a mortgage – this is what you have and you need to accept it, small bathrooms and all.
There are tons of remodeling projects we want to do to our mid-size
Ranch, but until we have the time and the money at the same time- I’m going to
love this home, just the way it is. And you will be welcomed into my less than
perfect home if ever our paths cross and hopefully, you will like what you
feel from the moment you step out of your car and long after you drive away.
Please share with me in comments: What room in your home has the most positive energy, or gives you the most joy when you enter?
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