Maytag, Messes & Meals

February 19, 2025February 18, 2025 RefreshHerLeave a comment

The podcast for this post has more details. You can listen here.

I have never built a home, yet I am a home builder. As a matter of fact, if you live in a home with at least one other person, you are a home-builder, too.

Every wise woman builds her house,

but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1

That verse reminds us that we are either building up or tearing down.

Recently I have had a couple of conversations about what is expected as far as the condition of our homes. Women have wondered,

“Does it really matter that my home is a mess?”
“How clean and orderly does a home really need to be?

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The Best Day At the Apple Orchard

August 23, 2024August 24, 2024 RefreshHer1 Comment

My girls and I have birthdays two weeks apart from one another, beginning with Alli on August 21. Two weeks later it’s my birthday, and two weeks later Whitney celebrates hers. For Alli’s celebration this week, she wanted to go to Skytop Apple Orchard in Flat rock, NC and she invited Dale and me to join her and her family. I was excited to go because I’d heard about this pretty orchard, but had never been.

The weather couldn’t have been any better! The temps were cool, and the sky clear with plenty of sunshine. We got there at 10:00. I wore a cotton “sweatshirt” and was glad for the long sleeves! It felt like a fall day, though I’m sure we still have plenty of warm days ahead. The cool temps allowed us to enjoy all the fun things they have to offer at Sky Top.

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Celebrations · Family life

Fond Memories, Fun Times and 40th celebration

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024 RefreshHer14 Comments

Many of you who read my posts here on RefreshHer have also followed my daughter, Whitney at Come Home for Comfort . Her content on her blog and in her personal life are always a joy. I’ve missed reading her posts, and I know you have, too, but we all have to know when to step back even from something we love so we can give greater attention to that which is a greater priority. I admire Whitney for that! I’m also super blessed to be a part of her life and have the opportunity to spend time with her and her husband, when he’s not working!

I had that blessing this week as my other daughter, Alli and I hosted a 40th birthday celebration this week in Pigeon Forge with just the three of us! Her birthday isn’t until September, but this was the best time for us to get away. We spent three nights and nearly four days together, chatting, laughing, eating, cooking, shopping, reminiscing and also making new memories! It was the BEST time!

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Family life · Marriage

People Are More Important than Things

February 2, 2024January 8, 2024 RefreshHer2 Comments

After a two-day trip away, my husband returned home. It was a snowy, wet night, and because the garage was full with two cars inside – mine and our daughter’s, he parked in the slushy driveway and stepped inside. His shoes dripped with the remains of the winter weather, so he stepped across the hardwood floor onto the dining room rug…the “pretty” rug meant for covering the floor, but not necessarily for wiping wet feet. I inwardly cringed, then asked,

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Family life

Your Home – the Best Hospital

September 15, 2023September 14, 2023 RefreshHerLeave a comment

No one plans to be sick. It hits us unexpectedly and it’s a lonely feeling because no one else understands exactly what you’re experiencing. It can be difficult to express what you need because sometimes YOU don’t even know what you need! However, I think we can make our home the best place to get well, with a few thoughtful expressions of love and care.

While being sick with the flu this week, I was so touched by my husband’s thoughtful gestures. It was a comfort to me, and I realized that not everyone has the gift of mercy and knows what to do to help someone feel better. If you need some ideas, here are some sweet tokens of care to make your home the BEST hospital…

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