This Old House Just Became a Home

The evolution of man seemed to always include some type of dwelling. We went from living in a cave to possibly pitching a tent on a distant planet. 

Man (and woman) needs a place to call home. "Home is where the heart is" is a very familiar saying, but there is more truth to these words than meets the ear. 

Your home can be a simple efficiency apartment or a royal castle - and many stops in between. It is not the structure of the place - it is what you make it. 

It should symbolize protection, security and comfort. The feeling should be one of love and tranquility and always the feeling of happiness. 

Decorations can be elaborate and expensive or simple and home-made. A favorite chair, a well-loved and well-read book, and warm slippers - coming in with muscles tired by a full day - leaving once again refreshed and renewed. 

If you live where cold and snow are a part of the winter season, then you know the thrill of approaching your home and seeing the cheery light from the windows displaying endearing patterns on the pure white snow. Your hands and feet are numb and your cheeks are as rosy as that rose you held in your hand in the summer. 

You open the door, and the scent of dinner cooking in the kitchen meets you, or is it the memory of a campfire during the warm season with toasted marshmallows, broiled bacon, spicy hot dogs, and that inevitable cup of campfire coffee. 

You rush into the door and you are once again in an atmosphere you have created that welcomes you each and every time no matter the course of the day. Your hands and feet begin to tingle as the warmth rushes through your body and your ears and cheeks glow as blood returns and circulates. There is a sense of ease - whether you kick off your shoes or peel winter wear. You are tired but happy, cold but at peace, and you have an appetite that can be fixed with a seven-course meal or a grilled cheese sandwich. Humans are home-loving creations and your home reflects you - there are your favorite things that can be seen, touched and held if you feel the need. 

After a meal you sit down and you begin to feel drowsy - there is a whole world of difference in a natural tiredness that comes from peace and relaxation then the nervous exhaustion of a very competitive world. If you have a fireplace, whether wood, gas, or even make- believe, it represents tranquility and an acceptance of whatever life sends your way. 

Sitting near a fireplace, loved ones are more cherished, dreams are sweeter and ambitions more believable. Your mind searches the universe for plans that are possible, and hope surrounds them. You drift off to sleep, and your body repairs and replaces parts that are worn from everyday life and well-used. Your world becomes as natural as the trees in a forestland but as royal and sophisticated as a star-filled heaven.

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Tips for a Fresh Smelling Home

A fresh smelling home is a pleasant home to be in; it lifts spirits and can make you feel better even on rough days. Unfortunately, daily life can leave your home smelling not so fresh. Fried foods and pets are just a couple of things out of many that keep your home from smelling fresh and these smells can make a person irritable, so it is worth it to rid the odors and bring in the aromas. Here are a few tips to help you rid unwanted odors and get your home smelling fresh:

~ If it's not too cold outside, open the front and back door of your home to air out any stale air.

~ Soak a cotton ball with essential or aroma oil, perfume or vanilla and put it into your clean vacuum bag or canister. When you vacuum, it will release the scent.

~ Dab essential or aroma oil onto light bulbs; when they are turned on, the heat of the bulb will release the aroma.

~ If you have odors from cooking lingering, be sure to clean up the cooking mess as soon as possible; this will help the odors to dissipate sooner.

~ Candles nowadays can be richly scented. I like the ones in jars because you can simply remove the lid to release the aroma of the candle rather than burn it.

~ Car air fresheners aren't only for cars... hang them from lamp switches, kitchen cupboard knobs or other hangable places.

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Homemaking 101: Practice Makes Perfect

I recently paid a quarter for one of the most inspirational homemaking books I've yet to come across. Published in 1952 and written by Carolyn Coggins, it is called Successful Entertaining at Home. At first glance I thought this book was just a manual for teaching you how to host a successful dinner party, but at closer examination I saw that it was much more than that--it's "a complete party book and homemaker's manual all rolled into one."

I have yet to barely scratch the surface of this detailed, lively account of the way many homemakers may have run their households in the 1950's, but the whole concept of the book really took hold of my thoughts and made some useful distinctions in my mind that will forever guide me on my road to being a better, more creative homemaker.

The first chapter of the book is called "It all Depends on Your Point of View." I was intrigued by this concept, and read on to find idea after idea that would appeal even to the modern-day creative homemaker. The author suggests "...one advantage of being ‘seasoned' by money or travel is that you are no longer afraid to do what you already knew was sensible." What a concept! This idea could be applied to any area of homemaking. Do you really need a lot of money to have a warm, inviting home? The author, and I, too, would suggest that you don't. Of course most of us may never have the luxury of having money and then deciding we really didn't need it in the first place to improve the quality of our lives, but you do have the choice whether or not you will make the best of what you have and decide to turn your house into a home. No one is born the with the talent of being a creative homemaker. It's easy to be jealous of others who have talents you may desire, but the fact is that those people are just putting to use skills they have spent possibly many years mastering. You can't let this intimidate you into thinking you can't do it too (I'm still working on this one!).

Imagine what your life would be like if you spent more of your time and energy focused on learning new and better ways to run your household to save yourself time as well as money. And how about making your home a place where your family enjoys spending time together? These ideals do not require much money, but they do require your time and attention. Be open to new ideas, read books on topics that interest you, and share ideas with like-minded people. You'll be surprised at your new zest for life and the ideas that will start coming into your mind effortlessly. Don't let precious time slip away from you. The information is all around you if you just open yourself up to it.

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Baby's Development at Eleven Months

He is no longer a helpless baby as he will be expressing by moving around independently without you, exploring new things and sitting playing by himself. He is now able to do more for himself such as pick up his own bottle, take of his nappy, pick up his own toys, starting to feed himself, and help you to help him to get ready.

By now he will have his own words or meanings for different objects and people for example, ca may mean cat, nana may mean gran etc.. He is able to communicate more and will not get as frustrated with himself.

Now is the time to get him settled into a proper bedtime routine and sticking to it. Many parents let their baby follow a sleep on the sofa and then carry him up to bed DON'T do this. Take him up to bed at bed time read him a story or play him some music until he falls a sleep.

Encourage him to be independent by allowing him to do things for himself.

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Baby's Development at Ten Months

He will be walking around the furniture now and may even let go for a few seconds holding his balance as he does. He will also be trying to climb up onto things such as stairs or smaller furniture. He may also try and pick up objects while standing. He will not like lying on his back only at bed time.

He can now take steps while being held by the hands. Trying encouraging this as much as possible. If he is reluctant don't try to force him he will do it when he is ready.

Your baby should be on proper solids now eating most of the foods that you eat. Encourage him to eat plenty of healthy foods and only give him sweets as a treat.

Signs of your baby's personality should be emerging now. Little things like what he likes or dislikes. What his temper is like, whether he likes to be around people or not. You will also get an idea whether he is left or right handed as he will begin to use his stronger hand more often.

His curiosity is growing every day - opening draws to see what is in them, trying to put things together, picking up objects what he has not seen before.

He will be making more sounds now such as mama, dada, mimicking animal noises. Keep bringing new games into play and varying his stories and music so that you are fueling his imagination.

He is able to follow instructions now such as go to daddy, give mammy your bottle, and when someone leaves will wave good-bye.

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Baby's Development at Nine Months

Your baby will now be crawling all over the place. He is pulling himself up more using furniture and will be shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He will also be trying to climb onto things and may even manage but he will not be able to get back down.

Encourage him to walk by kneeling in front of him holding his hands and walking him towards you. Buy him a toy buggy he can sit in and move himself by walking this will give him more access to his world and will let him feel free (also good to keep him occupied while you are busy).

Now is the time to begin child proofing your home. A good place to start is with doors, sockets, a fire guard around the fire etc.. Baby's get into everything so putting any ornaments out of reach is also a good idea. AND never leave hot drinks where baby's can get to.

Your baby can now put things into holes (like putting toys into your VC). Give him a bucket and some blocks and watch him putting them in over and over again. Your baby is now looking for a playmate to pass his toys to be his playmate. Play pass the ball roll the ball a long the floor and ask him to pass it back to you. This is a good coordination skills he is now concentrating on the object at hand and is learning to share.

Your baby is now able to understand the word No but may not obey yet. The more you talk to him the more he will learn. Remember that baby's don't understand that you must get things done so while you are busy preparing dinner, driving, talk to him let him know that you are not ignoring him.

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Baby's Development at Eight Months

He is moving around more freely now. He will be shuffling on his bottom and may even be crawling. He will also be pulling himself up using furniture such as the sofa he may even trying moving around using the furniture as support.

He will now have mastered the art of throwing and once bored will throw the object away. If you pick it up and give it back to him he will keeping throwing it so that you will pick them up for him. He is will also be able to pick up things with his thumb and first and second fingers.

He is now able to manipulate the people around him. If he does something that makes you laugh and coo over him he will continue to do it. If he cries and you pick him up he will also continue to do this. Encourage his noises, movements but don't give into his demands.

He is able to let you know what he wants now and may even imitate noises such as brr for car etc.. He can also get your attention by saying ma ma, da da.

You should be reading him a variety of books now. By showing him the pictures and giving details you are helping him to learn what different objects are and even teaching him with his words.

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Baby's Development at Seven Months

Your baby may begin teething now although teething can start between 5 and 6 months and can even start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months. This will be the time when you are most aware of his teething and may even cause many sleepless nights. Although he may be teething it can take another three months for his first tooth to come through. Give him plenty of things to chew on, lambs leg bone is good for baby's to chew on.

If you like your baby down on his stomach he will try and pull himself up into a seating position. He will be rolling around more and will be able to roll from one end of the room to the other. He may also try to crawl now.

Your baby will be able to pick up heavy objects now such as small toys and will pass them from hand to hand. You will notice squeals of laughter as he learns to bang objects off things.

To encourage him place objects a little out of his reach and watch him trying to get it. If he cries help to relax him but don't give him the toy he will get at it in the end.

Your baby is use to playing the same games but try varying them. Try a few of these favorites, pat-a-cake, round around the garden, little piggy's (with his fingers). Trying singing to your baby too or trying different types of songs, he will let you know his favorite by moving and babbling to the music.

Your baby will enjoy being around different people and will relish in the attention that they give. But he will be unsettled when separated from you for a while. If you work and leave your baby with a sitter do not be surprised if he wakes during the night and cries for your attention, he does this for comfort so that he knows you are there when he wakes up once he gets use to his routine he will settle better.

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Baby's Development at Six Months

Your baby should now be eating (or at least trying) 3 small meals a day. This can be any thing from chips to mashed carrots and potatoes. Encourage your baby to eating little snacks also such as crisps rusks this will make up for what he doesn't eat at meal times. Although sweet foods is OK in moderation be careful he doesn't develop a sweet tooth or he may refuse to eat proper foods instead try him with bananas, and mashed fruit and veg. His drinking should now be a few bottles of milk and a few bottles of baby juice.

He will be able to sit up now without any support. His legs are stronger and will take steps when held up right. Now is a good time to get him a baby walker to encourage him to use his feet. If you lie him on his front he will attempt to lift himself and turn himself onto his back.

Playing will be the only thing on your baby's mind now. Playing-turn-games is a favorite with all baby's. Let him start and mimic his noises then in return make babbling and animal noises not only are you teaching him but you are making him laugh.

Attention seeking is second nature to him now. He picks up on all your reactions to the things that he does. If you leave the room and come back as soon as he begins to cry he will expect this all the time and for years to come.

His communication skills are soaring including squeals, babbles and may even repeat one syllable words like ma, ba, da. This is the age where you will hear his first word usually ma or da which will leave you fighting over which one of you he spoke to first.

Your baby's sleep pattern will have improved greatly this month spend less time sleeping during the day and more at night sleeping through the night more regularly.

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Baby's Development at Five Months

Your baby is now learning new tastes and not just with food. He is wanting to explore hi surroundings and will get frustrated when he can't grab at something. This is a great stage in your baby's development. He is stronger and is fully aware of those around him.

Your baby's sight is now fully complete and is now able to focus properly on an object allowing him to grab things first attempt.

Your baby is now exploring new tastes and will be getting into a lot of mess not to mention the kitchen floor. If bottle feeding alternate his drinks with baby juices.

He will have discovered his feet by now and will probably like the taste of his toes. (Don't worry all baby's suck their toes). Everything he sees now is an adventure to him. Give him different colour and shaped objects to play with.

Physically he can now hold is own head and will sit unsupported when rested against some pillows. He will now be trying to roll around the floor and if left long enough he might make it from one end of the room to the other. He can now support his full weight when held in a standing position.

Your baby will now let you know when he is not happy with something or apposite if he really likes something. If he doesn't like something he will show you by pushing the object away. But if your baby is happy she will show with big smiles and and lots of laughter.

Your baby will constantly be making babbling noises and will try to mimic what you are saying. He might even be able to say ma or da at this stage.

Your baby's sleep pattern should be quite constant now with a few short naps during the day and sleeping all through the night but don't worry if he tends to stir or awakes then let him settle himself or if he is finding it hard to settle soothe him by gently rocking him or singing him his favourite song.

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