Basement Week

The basement organization process is well underway!

This week I took out any of the garbage I could find.
Two bags, plus some bulky broken or useless things.

I've had boxes and bags full of giveaway items packed for almost three years sitting down there... and I loaded them into my car tonight. My car literally only has space for me in it. I might take a photo of it tomorrow before I leave and post it. Ha. It looks like I am moving. The funny thing is, I moved all of that stuff that I didn't need or want from my old apartment. I am going to be taking the items to an organization called Project Concern.

Here is what I will be donating:

Lots of women's clothing. Pants, blazers, shirts, jeans, sweaters, shoes
Kitchen Items: pots, pans, silverware, strainers, salad spinner, mixer, cooking utensils, and so on.
Curtains that my mom kindly washed that were still hanging in the house when I bought it.
Sit-up pillow with arms- it is made out of jean material. I almost want to keep it... I might keep it.

I went to take some "in progress" photos and my camera batteries failed me. I may just do a picture post at the end of this project to compare before and after.

Tips for Staying Organized During Difficult Times

I've been faced with some personal life challenges this month that have truly halted my organization progress. This made me ponder how people can stay organized during various intense life happenings which could include: new baby, sick loved one, loved one passed away, personal illness, financial loss, divorce... basically any major and potentially stressful life happening.

Here are a few tips for staying organized during difficult times:

1. Go easy on yourself.

Get done what you can. You may have a to-do list a mile long, however just checking a couple things off might be all you can deal with right now. This is ok.

2. Do smaller tasks that take less time

Trying to do it all, when what you really need is self care, can wear you down even more- making you less able to complete what you want to get done. Try breaking jobs down into smaller tasks. Devote brief segments of time per day to organization rather than several hours straight

3. Maintain your focus

While you may feel you can't handle another thing, and organizing has perhaps become less important- you really should not give up. Keep your goals in focus. While you may not be able to achieve them during times of emotional stress, it will help to list out objectives and review action plans. Stay steady.

Dining Room Dent

I've made a dent in the dining room.
Progress feels so good.

Here are examples of small efforts making a big impact:

Bookcase Before

Bookcase After

The bookcase did not need much change, just some adjustment. More was added to the shelves than removed, which is surprising. Some of the items on the dining room table found a home on the shelves.

Dining Table Before

Dining Table After

Dining Table Before

Dining Table After

 Ah. The dining room table. This is secretly my office space... And it's just hideous when I let it get out of control. This was actually not bad. Papers just needed to be filed or shredded, books needed to return to the shelf, and so on. Here is where I need a system in place, which in this case may just be setting up a schedule to be sure the table is properly cleared once a week, instead of once whenever it gets so intense that I feel crazy every time I look at it! :-)

Pinterest is Candy

My dining room is still a work in progress. It seems these week long assignments I gave myself are not working in my favor. I did however just pin some interesting things on Pinterest (imagine that... I fully understand the name Pinterest...) I also do sense slow progress in my overall organizational systems. I am being more mindful of how I do things, and continuing to make progress in smaller areas of each room.

My dining room is not a formal dining room. It is also my greenhouse and office. Yes, I eat, re-pot violets and succulents, and write out bills and type all at the same seat at the table. Sometimes I am on the sofa with the laptop, but paperwork tends to stay on the table... for months. From my vantage point right now, I can see my drinking glass, watering can, a vase, small piles of paper, a notebook, a binder, and so on. I recently introduced a bookshelf to the room, but could use double or triple the amount of storage.

Pinterest provided some good ideas- so check them out on the My Organized Dining Room board!

I like the file bench and file ottomon ideas the best. I can feel my creativity bubbling to the surface. Time to put thought into action!

Living Room Week

I have done some online shopping to find an entry bench for my living room. I do not have a foyer or mudroom, so some extra space to help extend our small front closet would be much appreciated.

I found the bench I want on www.hayneedle.com
This is a nice site for inexpensive furniture. I have yet to use it, but at least one purchase will be forthcoming.  This will be a ready to assemble piece, which typically means a lot of annoyance and frustration, but I am pretty handy. Time to commit to this choice and hope that I don't despise it.

I am a Kitchen Designer

It makes sense that I design kitchens since I love organizing.

Yesterday I found out that Roger Hazard of A & E's "Sell This House" and other home design show fame critiqued one of my kitchens! Check out his praise on his personal design blog via the link below:

Fantastic Words About Kate's Kitchen Design

Photo Credit: Custom Craft Cabinets and Custom Cupboards

 

Paperwork

There is one counter in my kitchen that is plagued by all of the mail, bills, magazines, receipts, little post-it notes, and clutter. I've been slowly adjusting that space to be more organized, and tonight I finally finished.

Typical Counter Mess. Mostly mail. Good Lord.

Aftermath of my Frenzy

So I had to solve the disorganized nature of this space. I purchased a Martha Stewart countertop organizer. It has a cute little drawer, which of course makes me slightly giddy. I also moved our shredder to this counter from the obviously awesome living room location where it has been rarely used. I don't like this object on the counter, but it is relatively pleasant in shape and color, so it is tolerable. I am going to see if we shred more often now, thus eliminating the ridiculous paper accumulation.

Last week I had a couple of evening appointments at work- my dining room adventures have been delayed. This means I need to catch up with my schedule if I am going to make my deadline of Labor Day weekend. This week is Living Room week, and well... I am certainly living in it.