Showing posts with label happy

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. 


Rainbow light #happyhome


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. 


Maya Angelou #home #quote


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. 



Our Home #welcome


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?

Happy Thanksgiving!

in , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, November 26, 2013

A Simple


MyWAHMPlan.com
Source

From Our Home To Yours. 



Things to remember to be Thankful For:


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And I am Thankful for you! 

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

November Finds Me- Many Things

in , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, November 14, 2013

Happy Friday Eve! This has been a growing sort of month for me and I wanted to share a little of it here with you in my monthly “feelings” post.


November finds me:

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I know some of you are thinking that these feelings aren’t news worthy, or maybe even post worthy since practically everybody who has an online account on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest are sharing their hearts out. You could be right- maybe this type of sharing is being done too much- but today, this is where my heart is because of recent interactions with friends, family, acquaintances and complete strangers.

1. I have so much to be thankful for that I couldn’t possibly list them all here, but today I am especially thankful for: My own car that runs anytime I need it. This week I’ve chatted with a lady who doesn’t own her own car (or her own home for that matter) and has to schedule her day around others to get around. Another lady, who is a stay at home Mom is a one car family, so she’s stuck at home all day- everyday while her husband goes to work.

2. I’m happy that my life is an amalgamation of domestic know -how and business savvy which allows me to continue being a work at home Mom.  I don’t earn a whole lot of money- but I save us a lot!  With the rising cost of childcare- I am so very happy I can be at home for my kids and family.  
Look at these startling stats:
In 31 states plus D.C., the cost of center-based care for an infant is higher than a year's tuition at a four-year public university.- The average annual cost for two children (an infant and a 4-year-old) in a childcare center ranged from about $10,000 in Mississippi to nearly $30,000 in Massachusetts! You can read the full report here

3. I’m peace with my age and stage in life. I’m officially a Tween! I’ve moved past having children and I’m nowhere near ready to be a Grandma- so I’m a tween right along with my tween. 

4. I’m hopeful for what next year will bring. We are on the cusp of good, good things.  I can feel it.

5. I am blessed with the ability to be me. I’ve gone throw some growing pains this year and my wonderful husband- my best friend for well over 20 years, has remained my constant and true biggest fan, as have my daughters. To be honest- this blog would not still be here if not for their unwavering support. Blogging is a creative endeavor with a whole lot of moving parts. Growing a blog is like gardening, it is never ending, but with each season you see fruits of your labor. Some seasons are sweeter and more bountiful than others.  


6. I am loved. And I know it. I am secure in it. If all the material things our society seems to covet fell away and I had to face my tomorrows with nothing but this love I have and those that bestow it, I would be A-Okay.  


So as we edge ever closer to the end of November, I ask you – how does November find you?

Fall, One of the Happiest Seasons of All

in , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, September 24, 2012

 
I simply adore this season for a host of reasons and I have passed on that love to my girls.

fall cooking baking fun
Courtesy Ms. T
 


The other morning it was a little chiller than normal and the front window was steamed up from our cat looking out. I hadn’t even noticed it as I got my oldest to the bus on time; but it was THE first thing my youngest noticed. She was so happy to see that steamed up window.  Why does that make you so happy I asked? Because she said “it means that baking season is here”! She is her mother’s daughter.
As if by some physic link my oldest texted my from the bus saying that the nice crisp morning made her think about my Apple Pie. Coincidence? I think not.
See it has been so ghastly hot this summer, here, there, everywhere! That I haven’t done much baking. I was loath to turn the oven on for the 2 minutes it takes to broil some sourdough crustini’s, but there was simply no way my family was doing without them.
We love fall here, not just for the baking, but for the cooking of favorite recipes and the seasonal activities- Fall Festivals, watching football games, going for nature walks on our property, driving down the Natchez Trace to look at the pretty leaves, raking up our own batch of pretty leaves, yard work and prep that is soothing in its traditions. Ever since my girls were little they have helped my ready our yard and porches for winter. This year will be no different. With one exception: they are bigger and filled with more stories and memories.
Fall is a busy, happy time here and I hope it is for you and yours. 
Do you love Fall as well? What is your favorite Fall activity? Share your love with us!


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