Project Organization Continues

Image by Rae Whitlock via Flickr

As I continue on my journey for a re-organized and de-cluttered life, I wanted to share the following that seems to be working well:

• Jewelry.   I've tried boxes and organizers with compartments and while I can set them up beautifully, they never get put back in the proper space.   I saw a suggestion to hang your jewelry and I modified a bit.    I took two cork board squares (cheap! like $3 for 6 squares!) and hung them in my closet with that new tape by 3M that won't peel your paint.  (Wonderful Man is very particular about walls that he might have to repair!)   Using T-pins, I arranged necklaces and earrings across the two boards.   Ends up looking pretty cool, nicely arranged AND I now see all my pieces and actually am wearing things that I had forgotten I had.  And, because it is visible in the closet, I usually manage to get it hung back up!
• Magazines.  Okay - so I've told you I only read one, BUT I hang onto them forever because there's always an article or recipe I am going to copy.   Never Happens.   SO...I have gone through all copies and pulled out the pages I want.  I organized by subject (food, cleaning, etc.), used 3-hole punch and put them in a notebook for future reference.   Now, it took a while to go through at least 12 issues, BUT my plan is to mark the pages when I first read it, allow it to sit on my coffee table until the next issue arrives, and then pull the pages and file.  Good plan - let's see how I follow up!

And here's a couple of things I haven't tried but came across as I was going through my magazines:

• In the bathroom, store your disposables (cotton balls, swabs, etc.) in clear containers on vanity top.  This way you know how much you have left and when you are close to running out!   (Maybe I need to do this with Nail Clippers so I don't buy any more!)
• Hair tools (dryer, iron, spray):   These are awkward shapes to store especially if you are already short on storage space.   The suggestion was to get a tote bag with outside pockets.  Store the dryer inside, combs and sprays in outside pockets.  If it works with your decor, store on door knob or hook!

And here is something I want to do...if I can find the time and spot for it:

• When we travel or attend special events, I like to save the programs or ticket stubs or some momento of where I have been.  Truly, when I see these items the memory of the event comes right back to me.      The idea was that when I arrange the photos from the trip these will be nicely archived alongside.   HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!    Have I mentioned that in our family photo scrapbook Boy 2 does not mature past the age of 2 years!!!!   (And I only did that because he kept looking at me with a sad face asking  "Where am I?" every time he looked at the album.)   I will deal with photos someday.  BUT for these keepsakes you get a bulletin board, colorful push pins, and starting from the center out, build a collage of the printed items.   In front you have jars or boxes to hold any non-hangable items!!    I really want to do this and can see that I could maybe use the rest of my cork squares and then arrange in some geo formation!!  (Decorator sister is probably cringing at the thought of me arranging anything in any formation!!!)

So there you go.    For this week, I stayed on my run/walk schedule, organized several areas, still working on the employment issue.  And, first real estate contract accepted - now just need to get their house sold!     Happy Friday - have a great weekend!

Where to Find Inspiration

I was in the bookstore on Wednesday checking out a couple of resource books.   (Side note:  I can spend hours in a bookstore and never buy a thing - very cheap entertainment!!!)  Anyway, I made my way to the religious / inspiration section.  

 First observation was that the section had gotten smaller.  Hmmm, I had just noticed over in the business section that there were lots and lots of books about making more money and getting out of debt.   Kind of seems like maybe the focus is on the wrong thing!!!  

Second observation just floored me.  Under the word Inspirational there is none other than Kate Gosselin's book, "I Just Want You to Know".   Omg!   Wth!  and probably lots of other words!   Seriously!!!  Inspirational?????  Okay.  I'm not a reality TV person.   The whole Kate and 8 and whoever her husband was never really grabbed me.   I don't watch the Housewives shows, and I've heard there is something in New Jersey that people are upset about.   So maybe I am not the best judge of people who open their homes (and small children!) to television crews and paparazzi.  

SO.....

I took an informal poll of some good friends and asked them to ask people the following: Yes or No.  Do you think Kate Gosselin is inspirational?  This was done on the off chance that there really is something to this woman that I just haven't been able to see.    Not one person responded "Yes".

So I am comfortable in sharing my view of the situation.   This is a woman who with her husband profited greatly by parading her sextuplets (and their twin siblings) in front of TV land, followed with a play-by-play of her marriage self-destructing.    She is now divorced.   She makes television appearances away from her children (and then whines about it).    She and her children have designer clothes.    She lives on an estate, drives customized vehicles, and has live in help.   And during a painful few weeks on Dancing with the Stars (the pain was felt by the viewers - not Kate!) she constantly whined about how no one understood how hard her life was.   Hmmm.   I AM NOT FINDING ANYTHING TO BE INSPIRED BY.   I cannot imagine one thing this woman could put in a book that would inspire me in any way.

 Many, many women are divorced and have to raise multiple children on their own....without live in help!    Many women suffer far more than a self-inflicted media portrayal of their husbands infidelity.      When I think of the women who lost their husbands to war or disease, suddenly the financial provider for a family, and they pull it together and share their story - I am inspired.   When I hear of a woman who  finds the courage to leave an abusive situation - I am inspired.    But this??  This left me floored and speechless....but fired up for this blog.  And now, when I find a woman whose situation truly inspires me, I am going to tell you about it.   Just so that I can remind myself of where to look for inspiration.   I don't think its on the screen of the box that sits in the living room!

A Picture is Worth....

Tonight I am getting my picture taken.  This is not something I enjoy - in fact I hate having my picture taken because I am always wondering in the back of my mind how it will turn out.   Most never seem to look like me - or at least how I think I look.  Which is maybe the problem - its not the picture, its my mind!!

How we see ourselves and how others see us can be very different - both in the physical attributes as well as in our personality.   This is the age old issue of self-esteem, right?  Here's some good quotes.  (I have not searched out the responsible party  - just know that I am not the author!!)

To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.

Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true. 

I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ.

I spent most of my younger years trying to be someone I wasn't.    I read in the paper that someone sent a message to one of the Kardashian's that they were going to have head-to-toe plastic surgery to be just like her!  And the reason was to keep her husband.    Kardashian's response was to strongly discourage this and encourage the person to love herself for who she is and to find someone who would appreciate that.     (Interestingly I was surprised by the response as these people have seemed someone narcissistic to me - but it was a pleasant surprise!)

In my mature age (ha, ha!!) I have come to know that God created me as he did for a reason and I am very comfortable with who I am, but still not so much with the how I look.  I always seem to find fault there.  I believe I have a responsibility to use my gifts to the betterment of all, in some way, however big or small.   This doesn't mean that I am successful at it, I just recognize it.  

 I still am troubled with the picture, however, and I just wish that how I truly feel (happy and free!) will somehow come through in that brief snapshot that will now adorn my business cards.   The photographer I am using is wonderful!   If anyone can achieve this miracle, it would be her!  

 

Its the little things that add up!

Image via Wikipedia

So yesterday was one of those days!   Started with just every little thing irritating me.  The dogs ("MMA fighting to Dog 2 knocking down houseplant and eating socks).    The Boys:   Continued use of dining room as personal storage for whatever and just some general stuff!   Wonderful Man:  For watering the plant before Dog 2 knocked it down.  (Okay - I know that's not fair - but you can kind of see my irrational mindset!!)

So in order to stay busy, after some more business research, I determine that besides weekly grocery shopping I would clean out the Master Bath vanitiy.  Its full of clutter and things I can't even get to.   Oh Boy,   what a task!   I have another great site www.homeorganizeit.com that advised approaching this with several bins or boxes for sorting like items  (all hair accessories in one, all medicines in another, etc).  In this first step you really don't pitch anything unless its very obvious (like the empty bottle of shampoo!!)  Once space is empty, you clean and from there, you go back and pitch/give-away what is old or not needed, and then re-organize.   I was pleased with the method!   I managed to pitch quite a bit and here's an example of what was found:

• Tylenol with expiration date of 2007
• NINE - 9 - fingernail clippers!!!!  NINE  - do you hear me??? For a family of 4!!!!  
• 7 trial size bottles of shampoo, 5 trial size bottles of lotion, and at least 10 trial size toothpaste
• 4 full size bottles of lotion (I could never see them - kept thinking I was running out!!!!)  Good news is I am probably set for awhile.

I'm proud of my results.  I installed a slide out for under the vanity (recommended for stupidly designed spaces like vanities with no shelves!) and a stacking shelf for other side.   It provides much more usable space.    But I think this kind of provides additional evidence (not sure it was needed!) of why my life needs some re-working.  I know its small stuff, but how does a life get so chaotic that this kind of stupid excess exists?  And maybe because its little stuff ($2 clipper) we don't notice it.   So room by room, space by space, this is going to happen:  Separate, Clean, Purge and Re-organize.  When I'm done, I will be left with less things and an appreciation for making sure something is really needed before purchasing!

Monday Morning Musing

Image by BrianR via Flickr

As I sit here, I can hear the birds in the backyard.  Just a quiet little chirping; nature seems to have built in a time-controlled volume, so its like a cheerful good morning.   It puts me in the mind frame to start my week (and the strong coffee doesn't hurt either!)   Dogs 1 and 2 are playing at my feet.  Wonderful Man has left for his commute and the rest of the house remains silent.   I've come to view this as My Time.   An opportunity for writing and planning, followed with whatever run-walk plan is in store for the day.

On Friday I cleaned with some good results and some not so good!    A small box of baking soda costs $0.47.    With some lemon juice I found this to be an awesome cleaner for my sinks and shower floor (and all natural!) and I barely used any.  Beats the $3.50 for an abrasive liquid cleaner.     I had also read somewhere that lemon juice and cream of tartar is an effective grout cleaner as its a natural bleaching agent.   (Should have paid more attention to that last part!!)   Anyway, mixed some of this up and used with a toothbrush on some tile grout that was stained.  Yes, the stain is gone BUT now that area is definitely "bleached" a lighter shade from the remaining grout.   So now the dilemma:  Clean the rest of the floor, tub surround and shower this way (with a toothbrush!!) or go to tile store and get professional advice!!   I have to say, I think if you had WHITE tile and grout - this would probably work phenomenally - but really need to test in discrete area first!  

Update:  Dogs 1 and 2 have now turned into MMA fighters and are tearing around the house!!  Kind of distracting.

This week I plan to use my spare time in organizing a few rooms, continuing to remove the "things" that are just creating clutter.   First step is Master Bath.  I have a feeling as I look through cosmetics and toiletries, it could kind of be like cleaning out the refrigerator.  (Remember the ranch dressing from 2008!!)   

But my main focus this week is to outline what I see as career/business choices and determine the best course for pursuing.   I am working in real estate and may list a house this week!   As well, the mental image of me with my own business is still very strong.    I am struggling with the "meaning" part, the giving back; not that I don't want to - rather just the how.   So, while the bird chirp I will contemplate this for a few more minutes, pouring just one more cup of that Wonderful coffee before I move on.  (Update:  Dogs are taking a time out from their "match" so all is quiet again!)