Tuesday 4...."Home Is Where The Heart Is"
Welcome to Tuesday 4, Toni Taddeo's once weekly questionnaire...
This week's topic is home!
1.What makes a house a home?
I have always liked this saying: 
2. How to you keep your house neat , tidy and clean? Do you find it difficult?
The older we get, it seems to be getting more difficult to keep our house as tidy and neat as I would like it to be. I don't have the strength and stamina I used to have, which comes with the territory of issues with the neck, back, and arms. Plus, the past year or so, since "Covid" came into our lives to separate us from kith and kin, I have not had the opportunity to do as much entertaining in our home as we used to do. So therefore I have gotten somewhat lazy and not as particular about housekeeping as before when I knew people would be coming. I know I have let some things go, and the longer I let them go, the harder it is to get back to them. I am hoping to have more energy in the fall months when the weather is not so hot and humid. That usually helps me to get back into a better routine. We do try to take care of the routine jobs of cleaning bathrooms, sweeping up the dust and sand that gets tracked in, and dusting the most obvious places on a regular basis. But I must admit that "out of sight, out of mind" on major dusting jobs. Until I know company's comin'...and then I power dust! LOL. And I am thankful that my hubby does help with the vacuuming and some other jobs as needed.
3.Are plants important in your home.. or collections.. or wall art? Is there a theme you like to create?
"Cherish your family for they are your treasure; A storehouse of riches...wealth beyond measure."
I guess the theme is family and family memories and treasures. We have inherited a lot of family "heirlooms" over the years, and they are all very special to us because of the memory of those loved ones who once enjoyed and cherished those items in their homes. Our home is filled with love and happy memories of times spent together with our loved ones and friends. What more can I say?
Plants? No...they do not survive in our house for long. I did have some lovely African Violets at our last house because I had a perfect window for them. But I gave them to my sweet daughter in love when we moved, and she is now enjoying them in her home, where she has the perfect window for them!
(This picture below was from my former home, when the African Violets lived with me! LOL
I think they are healthier looking at my DIL's house, but no picture to share)
4.What is a typical day/evening like in your home?
Since we are retired, a typical day could be most anything, but it is normally something like this:
We get up around 6 a.m., have our morning cup of coffee (hubby), and tea (me) while we check our emails, facebook, and blogs. Then we sit down together and have our morning devotions and Bible reading. Next comes breakfast. After breakfast we get dressed and usually head over to the place where we like to walk, weather permitting. Or, we may head to town and do some shopping. Or we may take a ride someplace different and walk there. Or we may do some yard work, when it isn't too hot. We are normally home before lunchtime, unless for some strange reason we decide to go out to lunch, but we don't do that very often during the week because we usually go out to lunch on Sunday after church with our church friends. When you are retired and on a very fixed income you have to balance things out and stick to the budget or you get into trouble. So we tend to be pretty disciplined about what we do and where we go.
After lunch you will most likely wake us up if you call between 12:30 and 1:30 or thereabouts, as we do like to lay down and take a nap. However, if you called, I would be so delighted to talk to you and never mind the nap. People are more important. But the nap is very beneficial and I actually look forward to it. Then when I wake up I feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever...folding laundry, a little housekeeping here and there, or watching something good on TV with hubby. Or reading a book or checking in on our bloggy friends/facebook, etc.
Around 3:30 or 4:00 I start working on supper. Our son who lives here at home usually gets home from work around 4:30 or 5:00. He has had a long, hot day, working at a golf course in the hot sun all day, so he is ready for a shower and supper and often times heads to bed pretty early as he gets up about 4 a.m. But he is always willing to wash the supper dishes and help with anything else we need help with (things we can't lift or reach in the shed, like my bins of holiday decorations, etc....) We enjoy visiting with him while we sit at the table together for supper, hearing about his day at work or other interesting topics he likes to talk about. I enjoy drying the dishes while he washes, as he is most talkative at that time and usually full of funny stuff he thinks about on his long drive home. He can be very entertaining and would make a good stand up comedian. LOL.
After supper hubby and I usually go take another walk before it gets dark. Then we settle in for the evening to read, watch TV, or do whatever else we can think of to do. Bedtime is normally by 9:30 p.m. We are "early to bed, early to rise, makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise" kind of people...but we are still waiting for that "wealthy" part of the equation. LOL. But we are wealthy in love and happiness...and that is what really matters.
Of course, these are just our normal days. Other days we may have Dr. appointments, church activities, or something out of the ordinary pop up. And Sunday is always reserved for Sunday School and Church and out to lunch and home to nap. LOL.
Most of all, God is the Head of our home.
I love this Bible verse:
And I've always loved this saying:
"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
Thank you, Annie, for making this weekly meme possible for us to do. It's always fun to see what everyone comes up with for answers!! Have a blessed week everyone!!
"There's no place like home....there's no place like home"
(Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz)
What a blessing to have your son there!
ReplyDeleteThe time-warp wife. I think that might be me too. 😊
Ha Ha....Not too sure what a "time-warp wife" would be...maybe we live in another time period? If so, where would YOU be? I'd be back in the late 1800's to early 1900's probably, as long as I could have electricity and indoor plumbing. Oh, and air conditioning. Not going back to living without that!! Unless I can move up north where they don't need it! LOL. Yes, we love having Scott here with us, even if he would love to move out and have his own place, but there just isn't enough money for that and working on his custom Camaro. And the right woman hasn't come along yet to snatch him away...so we are very thankful for his presence and help! God is good. He knows our needs. Have a blessed and happy day!
DeleteI am not sure which era I would be in, maybe caveman times. 😂
DeletePsst... I just said a prayer for Miss Right and Scott to find eachother. I think they are as rare as diamonds, more so even, and I pray for good people to find eachother.
That is so sweet of you to pray for Miss Right to come along. I've been praying for her for a long time. He doesn't feel like he can support a wife, and I told him not too many can support a wife anymore...that's why so many couples have to both support each other! That's just the way it is these days in order to survive, unfortunately. Thank you for your prayers. I still believe she is out there somewhere. Our other son didn't find his sweet Rose until he was in his 40's. So I know there is still hope.
DeleteThere is hope!
DeleteYes, while there is life, there is always hope!!! Thank you!
DeleteThere is no place like home, Pamela, and you have one of the most comfy, cozy ones I've ever seen. I love my home, too, and would rather be here than any place else, unless, of course, I get a chance to visit my family in NC, which we hope to do over Thanksgiving break. Prayers appreciated that this will be God's plan for us, too.
ReplyDeleteDanny sometimes stays up later than I do, but I usually hit the sack between 9:30 and 10:00. Being retired has such flexibility!
Blessings to you!
Oh, I DO hope you can make it over to NC for Thanksgiving! (funny, I thought they were in SC? Oh well, either place is wonderful, but still too far from you!) I know your grand-girls would be SO happy to have you there for dinner and a good visit, and to show you where they live and what they love to do there. I will be praying. Yes, being retired does have such flexibility, even though my hubby likes to stay "on schedule"...we still manage some spontaneity from time to time. LOL. Have a blessed day!
DeleteI enjoyed your answers, Pam! I get up at 6:00 and am in bed by 9:00 during the week. I don't nap though. If I nap, I won't sleep at night. I nap if I am sick. It is nice that you and Scott have that after-dinner clean-up time to talk. Love & hugs!!
ReplyDeleteWell, then good morning, if you are up! Although I just looked and it is now 7:15 a.m. and you are probably getting ready for work! It's good to have a routine, but fun to break out of the schedule once in a while. I guess because I am so much older than you (ha ha, one year or less) I need a nap more than you! I find that by 12:30 or 1:00 my eyes are going shut and I'd better go find a place to lay down or I might just fall down asleep wherever I am! LOL. But I really don't sleep that long...maybe 30 minutes at max. It recharges my batteries so I can keep going and going and going... Yes, Scott and I have a good time in the kitchen. He's a big help with mashing potatoes and other things too. However last night John mashed the potatoes while Scott was in the shower, and then John dried the dishes while I sat down and rested my back for a while. Some days are like that. But I was enjoying listening to them talking in the kitchen. I think I should let John help him more often. LOL. Love and HUgs to you too. I hope you have a good visit with friends at your house this week. I think you said tacos? Yum. I'll be right down!
DeleteAs i read your answers, i couldn’t help but think about how much we are alike. I read a quote shortly after we were married and it went like this, I keep my house clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy. That has been my motto. Yes, a nap is a daily pleasure by now.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha Ruth, I love that quote! I think a little dirt is healthy! It must be, because we are pretty healthy and trust me, this house is NOT spic and span, but it is comfy and homey and we are happy...so what more do we need? A housekeeper would be nice... Oh, so now that you are retired you have discovered the joy of napping too! Yes, just 15-30 minutes max is plenty, and then my batteries are recharged and I can keep going and going and going...LOL. Have a blessed day!
DeleteYour house looks like a lovely love filled home. The pictures of your home remind me of my MIL's house. She loved floral china (I am fortunate enough to have inherited it) and I am pretty sure she could have planted a popsicle stick and an African violet would spring up!
ReplyDeleteHa Ha about the African Violet! My mother loved to grow them and kept propagating more and more plants. I just don't have that kind of green thumb, but I did enjoy them while I had them. Now my DIL is enjoying them, and that makes me happy...life goes on and on and on. Oh, how lovely that you inherited your MIL's lovely china. Would love to see some pictures! The old fashioned patterns are so lovely and I find myself drawn to them much more than the newer modern designs. I guess I'm just an old fashioned girl. LOL. Thank you for visiting!! Have a blessed day!
DeleteHi Pa I enjoyed my visit here tonight! I love the verses you posted. I can't take a nap unless I am super tired. I am an night own and hubby is early to rise early to bed. But it works and we have been married 47 years! Have a great rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteHey, whatever works for you is what is the best formula! Every couple is different, and as long as they are happy, that's what matters! And 47 years is wonderful!! I hope you have a great rest of the week too, Susan!! God bless you always!
DeleteWhat a wonderful routine to your days, and oh I hear you about not being able to keep the house as spic and span as before. How wonderful that your son is so helpful! And so funny! Your home is decorated so lovely. It's always a joy to see the photos you share.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Holly! I'm so glad you understand about the 'spic and span' part. I always tell my guests to leave their white gloves at home please...and just come and be comfortable and have a good time. Our home is meant to be lived in. No, it isn't messy and untidy, but it just isn't perfect either. We live here. And yes, we are very thankful for our son's help when he is at home. He doesn't have much time to do other things because he works an hour away so has a long drive to and from, and is so tired by the end of the day he just wants to shower, eat, and get back to bed. But he does entertain us and help us and we are very very thankful. Keeps life interesting. Thank you for visiting. I hope you are having some "luck" in finding a new job. Been praying for you. Take care my friend. I love hearing from you.
DeleteI would imagine that washing dishes with your son is something to look forward to and a way to minister to him as well.
ReplyDeleteI find I can't do the entire house all in a day as I once did on a Saturday. I have to do an area or task a day and if I miss one and have to double up it is not so much fun.
I do like tidy and orderly though because I think it makes me feel better.
Thank you, Sandy. Yes it is a wonderful thing to look forward to, especially since our dishwasher went kaput and we opted not to replace it. We have more fun washing the dishes together. Of course if there is a big crowd, it would be nice to have a DW again, but I find that there are usually several willing hands to help out and many hands make light work! And yes, I can no longer do everything in one day like I did when I was working. I do bathrooms one day, dusting another, John does vacuuming as needed. I don't dust every room every time either...the main rooms that are visible get the most dusting...and the bedrooms as needed. I sure wouldn't mind having a housekeeper maybe even once a month to do the bigger jobs. Been thinking about that, if I could find the right person at a reasonable price. I know that would make me feel better! Have a blessed and wonderful day. I hope the family is all doing well.
DeleteOh man, I can SO identify with your #2! It's like, 'no-one comes over anyway; why should I care?'. Then, of course, I was sitting on the throne yesterday staring at the disgusting grout. Next thing you know, I'm on my hands and knees with the can of Scrubbing Bubbles and a toothbrush. My back's paying for it this morning. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI so LOVE hearing about your typical day ... learning more about the people I care for! As Tom's health is touch-and-go lately, a routine is largely out of the question. I'm usually in bed by 9, up at 5:30-6 with the pups. Tom's struggling with insomnia and has been sleeping til 10 or 11.
Just feeling blessed we're given another day.
I hope yours is lovely!
Oh dear, grout! I do hate grout! Therefore we no longer have any tile so we don't have to deal with grout! I grew up in Florida before AC, and the little tiles in the bathtub used to get mildewy in the grout, and I can remember using a toothbrush and whatever cleanser would work to scrub them. That was a job that I hated. But bathroom cleaning and the dusting were my chores that I had to do before I could go anywhere on a Saturday. That's probably why I don't like those jobs to this day! LOL. Oh, insomnia is bad. My hubby has bouts with that too, but also has meds to help conquer it, which don't always work. No fun. Yes, we are blessed to be given another day to live and love and enjoy. So very thankful. I hope yours is lovely too!!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your answers Pam. I got tickled reading the word (Supper) I say supper too! Girl, I only work PT and find it hard to keep things up at home. But like you, I try to keep up the main things. I honestly....do NOT like cleaning the house! LOL! My oldest daughter loves cleaning her house! I do keep things picked up though and I never go to bed with anything laying out in the way or dishes in the sink! I never leave my house that my bed isn't made. Just two main things that I feel my granny would roll over in her grave if she thought I didn't keep up those two things! LOL! Marty has always been so good to help out at home and he does the vacuuming, mopping and heavy duty things. When the family leaves after Sunday dinner we tidy up everything for the week and on Tuesdays I do the main house cleaning. DUSTING....Oh i need to do that now! Hugs and blessings to you. Cindy
ReplyDeleteI've always called it supper, I guess because that is what my mother called it. But we have Sunday Dinner! Please send your daughter down here if she loves to clean house. Oh, I see, she loves to clean HER house! LOL. She probably wouldn't love to clean mine, and neither do I. LOL. We do the best we can. It's not a big house, just has too much stuff in it! Lots of dust collectors. I'm starting to notice that more the older I get. LOL. Thank you for writing. No, I don't like to leave dishes in the sink either, and we do make the bed every day too. Have a happy day my friend.
DeletePam: you have more energy than I. Hubby can't sleep at night, so he sleeps in the day time. I try not to make a lot of noise because, once he gets wakened, he doesn't get back to sleep easily. Because of this, I don't feel I should make a lot of noise. I do try to spruce up the house when our son comes home and for Christmas. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHey, I really don't have much energy these days. I am forcing myself to keep trying, however, because I know once I give in to it, I may never get back up! LOL. But somedays I just have to take it easy and not stress myself over what I can and can't do. Today is one of those days. Peace and blessings to you and yours as well. (((hugs)))
DeletePam, you and John have created for yourselves a most loving and "homey" home, a place where you and your visitors can feel welcome and comfortable. I have been the recipient of your hospitality and you are so good at it. I enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Barbara! You are such a dear friend. I love how our paths have crossed, and I hope they will continue to do so. You are a blessing to me in so many ways. Thank you.
DeleteI like that saying for #1. I'm with you on #2, we had Adam, Gabby and James over just for a short visit a few times. Our daughter is coming in October so things will get done. That is so nice that you do devotions together. My husband is not into the Bible at all. I'm glad you walk each day. We don't nap. We go to bed around 11 pm. Enjoyed reading your answers.
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful your daughter is coming for a visit in October! I know you will enjoy having your family together. We didn't always do our devotions together, when we worked we were lucky to do them at all. But faith is something that is important to keep us living in the right direction. Even if your husband is not interested, many a godly woman has won her husband to the Lord by her own faith. Nothing is impossible with God. Well, speaking of walking, it is time for our evening walk, and the sun is shining after a little rain this afternoon, so I think we will go while the getting's good. Please take care and have a blessed rest of your day and weekend.
DeleteI loved reading about your day. I do think I am not as vigilant about having everything as perfect as I used to be house-wise.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have your son with you. I don't think I knew he lived there. That is a blessing. xo Diana
Thank you, Diana. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Some things just don't matter as much as they used to. The people are so much more important. yes, our youngest son lives with us. He works at a golf course over 50 miles away, so he commutes quite a distance, but he loves his job and he's also happy to be here. We are very thankful for his presence with us. But if a Miss Right ever came along and snatched him away, we'd be happy about that too. But until then, I'll be thankful for what we have. God knows what we all need. (((hugs))) to you today. My heart goes out to you and your family. I know all too well what you are going through. May God give you the grace and strength you need to keep moving forward, one day and one step at a time.
DeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I am so happy you could visit. Would love to share a cup of tea with you. (((hugs)))
DeleteAnother beautiful post my sweet friend. Love seeing your pretty teacups and all the nooks of your lovely home. So true...there's no place like home. I've HAD TO give up the perfectly spic and span clean....can't keep it up anymore, sadly. Things are surely not as clean as I would LIKE....but hey, that is life. ha ha LOL. We keep up with the MAIN CHORES and do good at that. I have so many knick-knacks and collections....it's impossible to keep up with the dusting alone, LOL. I DETEST GROUT, and cleaning baths. I do enjoy doing laundry, ha ha! I don't like putting it all away tho. I don't mind doing the kitchen and we do have a dishwasher which oh goodness does THAT EVER HELP SO VERY MUCH. Mr. Front Porch does the vacuam sweeping and I am so very greatful for that. Hope your week has been great, I've been thinking of you!! I will try to bring Tracie over to read Lily Grace's new post this evening! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh Hello Debbi!! I am SO happy you came to visit! I do wish you would come here for real and we could explore all these nooks and crannies and have a tea party together with our little friends Lily Grace and Tracie and AmyBelle and Tansy! We would have such a great time. My Barbie would also join us and some of our other friends here. Who cares if the house is clean or not? We'd be having too much fun to notice, right? What a lovely lovely thought. Maybe some day!!! Thank you for visiting. I do hope that you and Trace will go over and visit Lily Grace. She has had a couple of different adventures this past week to share! Thank you SO much for the joy she has brought into our lives! Who could have imagined it? God planned it, I do believe. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
DeleteA day at your house sounds absolutely wonderful. Sigh! I haven't been as neat as usual, due to my little injuries from my falls!! Oh well. It's okay. There hasn't been anybody coming in with a white glove on!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would love to follow you around as you participate in so many interesting groups and gatherings and singings and strummings, etc. When you are doing such interesting and meaningful things, who cares about a little dust here and there? You are going about "your Father's business". I do hope all your little injuries from falls are healing well by now, and that you will have NO more!! God bless you dear friend.
DeleteSweet Pamela, there really is no place like home. Enjoyed reading how you spend your day, you are blessed.
ReplyDeletethank you, Mary. "Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before..." Isn't that a song we used to sing? That's what makes our homes sweeter and more blessed, don't you agree? I know you do. Have a blessed day too my friend.
DeleteA house filled with family memories and treasures is our idea of "home" as well. I do admire the up-to-date decor of others, but I'd miss all our beloved hand-me-downs if we started from scratch. Thankfully my husband has a sentimental streak as well!
ReplyDeleteOH, I am so glad you understand and have the same "problem". It's a beloved problem to have..."hand me downs". Yes, my hubby feels the same way. I tell him he'd better because most of the "hand me downs" came from HIS side of the family! LOL. But I feel blessed and honored to have them. I hope you have a blessed weekend.
Delete