Yesterday I did the hardest thing in the whole Organizing Challenge.
I emptied the little green dresser.
The little green dresser has always been a part of my life even though it's only lived at my house for nearly 12 years. It belonged to my Aunt Erna. She kept an assortment of crafting supplies and tools in it. It was in their apartment in Downey and then moved to the spare room in their Fresno house. I spent a lot of time with it just being in the background. For the majority of my life it sat just outside the bathroom door off of their second bedroom in their Fresno house. When it came to my house I put it where? Outside of the bathroom door in our master bedroom. It just seemed like it ought to be there.
It's not a fancy piece. It's very plain and utilitarian. It's '70's green. Aunt Erna also had a little step ladder she used as a stool at her breakfast bar in the same shade of green. You had to have known my Aunt Erna to understand that this little dresser was a bit out of character for her. She was a woman that liked pretty things. She worked hard in her younger years and purchased some beautiful things that now reside with me. I love things with family and history attached to them. I have a lovely swan head antique sofa from her home that I cherish. But what makes me cherish it even more is the photograph of her, her sister (my Grandma Mildred), and their mother (my Great-Grandma Rose) all sitting on that sofa. Oh, how I love those women! And I also have pictures of me sitting with Aunt Erna, Grandma Mildred, and my little brother on that antique sofa. One of my favorite pictures is of my daughter sitting on it as well. Back to the little green dresser.
I decided to begin the Challenge in our master bedroom. Two days ago I cleared off the antique desk and the old sewing cabinet. Yesterday I looked for the next smaller area to tackle. Clearing that dresser took all day. Why? Because that dresser had become the catch all for family things. All of my inherited linens were in two of the drawers. There was old jewelry and a few photographs in another drawer. As I sorted through the items it became clear to me that I didn't need to keep all of it anymore. I could let much of it go and still preserve my love for those people attached to the things I was going through.
I chose to keep only 7 of the handmade doilies and embroidered linens. I kept a bit more of the jewelry but not much more. And I'm satisfied it's "enough". By clearing out the drawers I quickly realized that this dresser could now be the place for the huge amount of family photographs and original documents I have. I'm the family historian and thankfully my small family trusts me to keep all this stuff that they aren't sure how to throw away. They know that it's safe somewhere. All the aforementioned stuff is scattered throughout my house. Now it will have a place altogether.
What a blessing!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
More "Before" Pctures
As I've been putting all this together for the challenge I've come down with a nasty cold that the rest of the family has had. I don't usually catch things. This time I REALLY caught it. The cold meds are making me a bit loopy. I rarely take anything for any reason and I don't drink alcohol or even coffee. A full dose of meds in me really does the job! I wanted to post the rest of the "before" pictures. It's embarrassing but the accountability is needed.
The kids are all excited about this challenge. I'm glad because I'm going to need their help in areas. And since their rooms are included in this they will benefit from the prizes if we actually win something.
But this isn't about winning a "prize". If we did that would be fun. This is about making a better home for us.
The decluttering is already overwhelming. So my new mantra is: "Just one box at a time!"
Even though I feel completely lousy my goal today is to get one box out to the trash, one box in to the schoolroom for the yard sale, and the magazines purged.
Master Bedroom
Dd's Bedroom
Ds's Bedroom
Guest/Sewing Room
Family Room/Computer Room
School Room
The kids are all excited about this challenge. I'm glad because I'm going to need their help in areas. And since their rooms are included in this they will benefit from the prizes if we actually win something.
But this isn't about winning a "prize". If we did that would be fun. This is about making a better home for us.
The decluttering is already overwhelming. So my new mantra is: "Just one box at a time!"
Even though I feel completely lousy my goal today is to get one box out to the trash, one box in to the schoolroom for the yard sale, and the magazines purged.
Master Bedroom
Dd's Bedroom
Ds's Bedroom
Guest/Sewing Room
Family Room/Computer Room
School Room
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Challenge Begins!
Today begins the 29 Day Organizing Challenge put on by Laura over at Organizing Junkie.
I'm still finishing up some of the planning for this challenge. Here's what I have so far:
Master Bedroom: This room has too many things that don't belong in the room. I tend to pile things around my nightstand thinking I'm going to read them or work on them at night. The pile needs clearing. I will be clearing at least 1/2 of the things out of the bookshelves. I will also clear the antique secretary desk under the window. The sewing cabinet will find another place in the house. The little green dresser will be repainted and re-purposed but will stay in the room. It currently holds antique linens that can go in a chest downstairs. There might also be some rearranging of the other furniture. Sorry, but the red wallpaper (which I LOATHE) will have to stay for now.
Downstairs Sewing/Guest Room: I haven't seen the top of my sewing table in 4 years. There are a lot of different things to cull. Then I will categorize and contain only the supplies I really use. A few months ago I moved all the boxes of fabric and yarn out to another room. As you'll see in one of the pictures those boxes are still problematic. I will be sending much of the fabric out to the yard sale tables.
Computer area/Family Room: This area will require a lot of creativity. It is one of the hubs of our house. I work on many things in the computer area. And those projects are not contained and it's much harder to work on them because they aren't organized. The Family Room is an ongoing cleanup project. There are some containment solutions that could be applied in this part of the room that would help tremendously.
Dining Room/Entry Area: This is the area that people see first. It's also the first place things get dumped in. There are no systems in place to organize the things that come in.
Downstairs Hall and Cupboard: This area is where we have all the currently used homeschooling supplies. It's a mess. I organized it last year but it didn't stay that way. The problem is two part: first, too much stuff and second, no way to contain what really needs to be there. As you can see in the picture there are tubs for each year of our 4 year plan but things are everywhere.
DD's Room: She will be handling this. And she's really excited about the changes. She will be trading out the larger bed for a twin daybed we have. She will also be going through all her things and culling heavily. Her doll collection will stay but be displayed better. The boxes in the top of her closet will be moved to the storage area. They are her "future life on my own" boxes.
DS's Room: He will have some help in getting this done. He needs more tubs to contain the projects. He will be getting the larger bed in dd's room. He's a typical boy with all sorts of treasures. I am going to require that he pare down the treasures and toys.
School Room: We don't really use this room in the way I intended. It is a converted garage and right now it's too cold to utilize. Plus, it's a catchall. The heaviest culling will be going on in this room. Most of what's in there we never use in our schooling. I bought most of it thinking, "oh, this might be nice to have." It's not being used, never will be used, and can be easily replaced if I decide I really need it again. The boxes in the corner contain our book collection. We recently repainted the library and those boxes will soon be gone and the books, after culling, returned to the library shelves.
Those are the plans.
I have always had a hard time loving this house. And because of that I've had little motivation to do much with it. We are now starting to make it ours. The painting has helped. We're taking it room by room. My dh is a very creative person and is good with color so I've let him do most of the deciding on exact colors. Luckily we like the same things:-) We've also ripped out almost all the carpet. That's a huge work in progress but by the time February is over the remaining bedrooms will be rid of the 40 year old carpet.
Here are some "before" photos:
Master Bedroom
Daughter's Room
Son's Room
Dining Room
Family Room
Now it's time to get to WORK!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Planning the Challenge
Now that I've taken on this huge THING I'd better make a plan. Because I know myself. If I don't figure out a game plan I'll find a way to quickly talk myself out of it.
I just love the perspective being 45 has brought me.
Today I will plot my course.
That's almost scarier to me than the actual day by day action that this will require!
The first thing I thought about was the need to stock up a bit on easy dinners. Menu planning is hard around here. Sometimes the days turn out very differently than planned. I've learned to utilize my plan by simple having all the ingredients and at least 3 simple dinners on the plan. I grew up eating what was put in front of you. Sometimes it was really boring. Other times it was really great. Nevertheless you ate what was there. Dh has a different attitude regarding food. Being the creative soul that he is his eating is often mood driven. He'll often say, "That just doesn't sound good right now." At 4 o'clock in the afternoon!!! For years this drove me nuts. I finally figured out to always have one of his simple favorite meals always available. I also learned to say, "Do you know how much time that particular thing you want takes to make?" We're both getting better about it.
Back to the task at hand.
Another part of this planning is that I have about 5-6 days being out of town to work in to the scenario. And another time consuming financial project to deliver.
Some people would say that taking on this challenge is unrealistic. Probably. But I'm tired of waiting for a huge chunk of time to become available to get started. That simply will never happen. That's one of the reason my home is in the state that it is! So, the buck stops here.
Yes, it will be a busy month but I can do busy for 1 month in order to get some peace and order back in my home. I can rest in March.
A familiar hymn is playing in my head right now.....
"Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven....."
This venture is going to require sacrifice. It's going to require me to not simply sit down at 7pm. Creative projects will need to be put on hold until March. But I think if I give myself a realistic stopping point each day it will help. And I also have to remember that the kids are probably going to want to take a break before each day is done but now is the time for teaching by example.
Cross the finish line each day before sitting down.
I just love the perspective being 45 has brought me.
Today I will plot my course.
That's almost scarier to me than the actual day by day action that this will require!
The first thing I thought about was the need to stock up a bit on easy dinners. Menu planning is hard around here. Sometimes the days turn out very differently than planned. I've learned to utilize my plan by simple having all the ingredients and at least 3 simple dinners on the plan. I grew up eating what was put in front of you. Sometimes it was really boring. Other times it was really great. Nevertheless you ate what was there. Dh has a different attitude regarding food. Being the creative soul that he is his eating is often mood driven. He'll often say, "That just doesn't sound good right now." At 4 o'clock in the afternoon!!! For years this drove me nuts. I finally figured out to always have one of his simple favorite meals always available. I also learned to say, "Do you know how much time that particular thing you want takes to make?" We're both getting better about it.
Back to the task at hand.
Another part of this planning is that I have about 5-6 days being out of town to work in to the scenario. And another time consuming financial project to deliver.
Some people would say that taking on this challenge is unrealistic. Probably. But I'm tired of waiting for a huge chunk of time to become available to get started. That simply will never happen. That's one of the reason my home is in the state that it is! So, the buck stops here.
Yes, it will be a busy month but I can do busy for 1 month in order to get some peace and order back in my home. I can rest in March.
A familiar hymn is playing in my head right now.....
"Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven....."
This venture is going to require sacrifice. It's going to require me to not simply sit down at 7pm. Creative projects will need to be put on hold until March. But I think if I give myself a realistic stopping point each day it will help. And I also have to remember that the kids are probably going to want to take a break before each day is done but now is the time for teaching by example.
Cross the finish line each day before sitting down.
Monday, January 30, 2012
The 29 Day Organizing Challenge
Begin date: February 1 End date: February 29
Details can be found over at orgjunkie/challenge
I am often inspired and intimidated at the same time by this idea.
Laura over at The Organizing Junkie has put out a call for entries in her new challenge. And although the whole idea kind of scares me to death I've decided to jump in and give it a go.
My house is BEYOND cluttered. I took the before pictures of several rooms this afternoon and I'm not sure I have the courage to post them. Every single room is way out of control. And it makes it hard to get anything done.
So I guess the only way to go from where I'm at is UP.
The challenge is a minimum of 1 room. My goal is to really tackle the entire house. My theory in setting such a huge goal is this: If I actually get the entire house done my life will be easier. If I only get 1/2 the house done my life will be easier. I've decided to hold at least 2 yard sales during the month. Whatever is left after each sale goes immediately to the thrift store for donation. We simply have too much stuff. And I'd like to see a little financial return on a good portion of it leaving.
Goodbye clutter! Hello peace!
Details can be found over at orgjunkie/challenge
I am often inspired and intimidated at the same time by this idea.
Laura over at The Organizing Junkie has put out a call for entries in her new challenge. And although the whole idea kind of scares me to death I've decided to jump in and give it a go.
My house is BEYOND cluttered. I took the before pictures of several rooms this afternoon and I'm not sure I have the courage to post them. Every single room is way out of control. And it makes it hard to get anything done.
So I guess the only way to go from where I'm at is UP.
The challenge is a minimum of 1 room. My goal is to really tackle the entire house. My theory in setting such a huge goal is this: If I actually get the entire house done my life will be easier. If I only get 1/2 the house done my life will be easier. I've decided to hold at least 2 yard sales during the month. Whatever is left after each sale goes immediately to the thrift store for donation. We simply have too much stuff. And I'd like to see a little financial return on a good portion of it leaving.
Goodbye clutter! Hello peace!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
When is busy bad if you're being/doing good?
I've been thinking a lot about this lately.
I have been looking for ways to cut down on my obligations and I've decided that I'm doomed. The doomed feeling came today when someone approached me (in the middle of the Bountiful Baskets delivery which I run) about being the precinct leader for our area of town. I laughed at her! I really had no right to laugh at her but I did it anyway. I've also recently been approached about being on the Planning and Zoning Commission for our town. And on the board of directors for our local library.
I have come to the conclusion that when you are semi-capable and don't pass the buck people remember that. And then when they see something that needs doing they call you.
As I've tried to come up with ways to cut down a bit I keep having this sneaking feeling that no matter what I do there will always be some worthy cause that presents itself in front of me. And it's nearly impossible to say no when I see that it REALLY needs doing.
But I have come up with one thing that will make a difference. That thing is to be super organized in my shopping trips to the grocery stores. Lately I've been spending more time than necessary doing this so this past week I challenged myself. My goal is to be in and out of a store in 15 minutes. I live in a very friendly place where you see lots of people you know at the store. That equals lots of time exercising the gift of the gab and not being home with my children. So to get around this I have decided to apply the "early bird gets the worm" theory. If I hit the stores early and only get what's on the list I can usually be in and out in the 15 minute time window.
Another thing I can do to slow my life down is to actually do something while I spend time with my husband and children in the evening. I know that sounds like it makes no sense. I like to crochet, knit, sew and embroider and rarely take the time to do those things. I have lots of supplies to work with just waiting for me to enjoy them but I seem to convince myself that I don't have time. Well, I decided to apply an idea I read about in a wonderful home management book titled, "Managers of Their Homes" by Teri Maxwell. She suggests that you actually schedule time for your productive hobbies. I've looked at my life at every possible angle and I've learned that there isn't really a time slot that I can reliably schedule this in during the day but I do have time at night that my hands are free. I'm not saying that I'm going to have the "go-go-go!" attitude regarding my hobbies but I've purposely put a project or two next to where I sit so that I actually remember to do something I really enjoy. These projects are very relaxing to me and productive at the same time. And they are a very frugal form of entertainment! Win-Win!
So, I've come to the conclusion that busy is not bad if you're being/doing good.
I have been looking for ways to cut down on my obligations and I've decided that I'm doomed. The doomed feeling came today when someone approached me (in the middle of the Bountiful Baskets delivery which I run) about being the precinct leader for our area of town. I laughed at her! I really had no right to laugh at her but I did it anyway. I've also recently been approached about being on the Planning and Zoning Commission for our town. And on the board of directors for our local library.
I have come to the conclusion that when you are semi-capable and don't pass the buck people remember that. And then when they see something that needs doing they call you.
As I've tried to come up with ways to cut down a bit I keep having this sneaking feeling that no matter what I do there will always be some worthy cause that presents itself in front of me. And it's nearly impossible to say no when I see that it REALLY needs doing.
But I have come up with one thing that will make a difference. That thing is to be super organized in my shopping trips to the grocery stores. Lately I've been spending more time than necessary doing this so this past week I challenged myself. My goal is to be in and out of a store in 15 minutes. I live in a very friendly place where you see lots of people you know at the store. That equals lots of time exercising the gift of the gab and not being home with my children. So to get around this I have decided to apply the "early bird gets the worm" theory. If I hit the stores early and only get what's on the list I can usually be in and out in the 15 minute time window.
Another thing I can do to slow my life down is to actually do something while I spend time with my husband and children in the evening. I know that sounds like it makes no sense. I like to crochet, knit, sew and embroider and rarely take the time to do those things. I have lots of supplies to work with just waiting for me to enjoy them but I seem to convince myself that I don't have time. Well, I decided to apply an idea I read about in a wonderful home management book titled, "Managers of Their Homes" by Teri Maxwell. She suggests that you actually schedule time for your productive hobbies. I've looked at my life at every possible angle and I've learned that there isn't really a time slot that I can reliably schedule this in during the day but I do have time at night that my hands are free. I'm not saying that I'm going to have the "go-go-go!" attitude regarding my hobbies but I've purposely put a project or two next to where I sit so that I actually remember to do something I really enjoy. These projects are very relaxing to me and productive at the same time. And they are a very frugal form of entertainment! Win-Win!
So, I've come to the conclusion that busy is not bad if you're being/doing good.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
"Change the World" with your spare change
I just found something that I couldn't keep quiet about.
I have been donating some of my free stuff from my Walgreens trips to the local food bank here and there.
Now I am really going to strive to do this weekly.
I found a wonderful little idea at a site called http://www.savingaddiction.com/
Did you know that the average home generates about $5.00 in change each week? The ladies over at Saving Addiction have a plan for you to use that spare change to help others. You set aside that money specifically to purchase items to donate. They encourage you to make this a weekly practice and see the difference that you can make with your own eyes. They donate monthly but I like to do it weekly.
I have been very encouraged by what I've been able to give lately. It's a wonderful thing and it's a very tangible way to give a little more.
I have been donating some of my free stuff from my Walgreens trips to the local food bank here and there.
Now I am really going to strive to do this weekly.
I found a wonderful little idea at a site called http://www.savingaddiction.com/
Did you know that the average home generates about $5.00 in change each week? The ladies over at Saving Addiction have a plan for you to use that spare change to help others. You set aside that money specifically to purchase items to donate. They encourage you to make this a weekly practice and see the difference that you can make with your own eyes. They donate monthly but I like to do it weekly.
I have been very encouraged by what I've been able to give lately. It's a wonderful thing and it's a very tangible way to give a little more.
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