Mission Organization

Don't you feel better now that you've cleaned those drawers out? I know I do!! The photos are next. I have some of my kids schoolwork and report cards, but I guess I've tossed some through the years. I will keep what I have, and they can toss it when they inherit it. I am gonna take the advice of that guy though and just work through one room at a time. It will take me months, but when I finish, I should have a clutter free life!

it does take time. before my surgery, I worked for many whole days and weeks cleaning out closets and drawers and cabinets (during the holidays!). I felt it had to be done so that I could come home from surgery and not worry about it. my closet was the main job!!! as much as I de-clutter (its an on-going process), I find that it is a process that you have to keep up with (say several times a year - hitting this room or that). but each time it gets easier and I have finally come up with some good organizational practices that work for me - in some rooms - but still working on others. the photos, for example, I have not tackled yet because it just seems too much. but you guys have inspired me. I'll figure that one out too.

DD, I've been going to the library and checking out books on de-cluttering and organizing. There are hundreds of books on the subject. Evidently it is a problem everyone has. :roll:

I've learned two things from all this reading:

1. Rome was not built in a day. You can't accumulate decades of stuff and expect to get rid of it in a weekend. It ain't gonna happen, so don't put unfair pressure on yourself to accomplish the unthinkable.

2. A lot of stuff is hard to throw away because of the emotional attachment you have to it: case in point, photographs. It's not just "stuff;" it's precious stuff. It's hard to let go to things that have meaning and memory. That's where I think the library books have come in handy. Authors are finally picking up on the WHYs of clutter and writing about how to deal with that. I think you have to clear your head before you clear your house. If you can let go in your mind, the rest follows suit. Slowly but surely.

So I say hit the stacks at the local library, see what you come up with and then plan the method of attack that suits you best.

great stuff mermy. especially the part about clearing your head first - this is so true! .. I have a "pretty" new book, "Change Your Home, Change Your Life". she says "your home is a reflection of your inner self. what does your home say about you?... every room can affect your life, etc." and goes on to give some good points on everything from color, light, music, flowers and fabric to clutter (the part I'm most concerned with). but I saw this book at publix and picked it up because I liked how it included the other things about how we make our home our own. I'm just getting into the book.

my next projects are: photos, books and mags, recipes, and a complete rehaul of my back porch (the most important "room" in the house).

it does take time. before my surgery, I worked for many whole days and weeks cleaning out closets and drawers and cabinets (during the holidays!). I felt it had to be done so that I could come home from surgery and not worry about it. my closet was the main job!!! as much as I de-clutter (its an on-going process), I find that it is a process that you have to keep up with (say several times a year - hitting this room or that). but each time it gets easier and I have finally come up with some good organizational practices that work for me - in some rooms - but still working on others. the photos, for example, I have not tackled yet because it just seems too much. but you guys have inspired me. I'll figure that one out too.



great stuff mermy. especially the part about clearing your head first - this is so true! .. I have a "pretty" new book, "Change Your Home, Change Your Life". she says "your home is a reflection of your inner self. what does your home say about you?... every room can affect your life, etc." and goes on to give some good points on everything from color, light, music, flowers and fabric to clutter (the part I'm most concerned with). but I saw this book at publix and picked it up because I liked how it included the other things about how we make our home our own. I'm just getting into the book.

my next projects are: photos, books and mags, recipes, and a complete rehaul of my back porch (the most important "room" in the house).

:clap_1: Toots!! I wanna look for that book.
I have cleaned the computer room today, like I said, and I threw away a bunch of crap. Still have a bunch of crap, but at least it's all organized and put away. I had to invent new storage spaces though. I have a lot of craft stuff, card making stuff, now beads and jewelry stuff, books, etc. that I WILL use, so I had to get that all organized. And don't even get me sttarted on all the wrapping paper and ribbon!! And I'm not just talkin' Christmas! Man, I didn't realize I had so dang much ribbon!
Anyhoo, it is a good feeling to get it all in order--I've still gotta tackle the photos. Loved the suggestions here. Then after that, on to the guest bedrooms, which are'nt really too bad, since no one ever goes in there.
Oh yeah, and mr. dd wants to paint the computer room...


p.s.--Jackson is standing here watching me type and says he likes the cat shakin' his "buttail"

:clap_1: Toots!! I wanna look for that book.
I have cleaned the computer room today, like I said, and I threw away a bunch of crap. Still have a bunch of crap, but at least it's all organized and put away. I had to invent new storage spaces though. I have a lot of craft stuff, card making stuff, now beads and jewelry stuff, books, etc. that I WILL use, so I had to get that all organized. And don't even get me sttarted on all the wrapping paper and ribbon!! And I'm not just talkin' Christmas! Man, I didn't realize I had so dang much ribbon!
Anyhoo, it is a good feeling to get it all in order--I've still gotta tackle the photos. Loved the suggestions here. Then after that, on to the guest bedrooms, which are'nt really too bad, since no one ever goes in there.
Oh yeah, and mr. dd wants to paint the computer room...


p.s.--Jackson is standing here watching me type and says he likes the cat shakin' his "buttail"

catbuttail!!!

you are well under way. good for you! this is a tip that you probably already use: use all kinds of containers for storing things. i.e., I use an umbrella stand for wrapping paper (an old umbrella stand/container that I was going to get rid of, but instead I put in my closet to hold rolls of paper), baskets for my art supplies, plastic storage containers for other art supplies (glitter, glue, etc), bowls, platters, ceramic vases and containers - placing them in closets and cabinets, or just out on a counter top or table, throughout the house - to hold certain items (assigned items!).

many of these "containers" could have gone to goodwill (along with my unironed clothing items) but I keep them if I can use them for storing or organizing.

Change your home, change your life, by Moll Anderson. I probably would have just never read past the first few pages if you wenches didn't light a fire under my booty... thanks!!! you made me remember it and pull it out. I've got it here and continuing to read.

catbuttail!!!

you are well under way. good for you! this is a tip that you probably already use: use all kinds of containers for storing things. i.e., I use an umbrella stand for wrapping paper (an old umbrella stand/container that I was going to get rid of, but instead I put in my closet to hold rolls of paper), baskets for my art supplies, plastic storage containers for other art supplies (glitter, glue, etc), bowls, platters, ceramic vases and containers - placing them in closets and cabinets, or just out on a counter top or table, throughout the house - to hold certain items (assigned items!).

many of these "containers" could have gone to goodwill (along with my unironed clothing items) but I keep them if I can use them for storing or organizing.

Change your home, change your life, by Moll Anderson. I probably would have just never read past the first few pages if you wenches didn't light a fire under my booty... thanks!!! you made me remember it and pull it out. I've got it here and continuing to read.

Yep, I've got some vases that I use to store paint brushes, pens, pencils, scissors, etc. I have an old chest with big drawers that I put a lot of stuff in. This room is certainly not "decorated", but pretty functional when we can wade through the crap, and now we can!:clap_1: I'll look for the book. I bet Mermy's seen it!

Yep, I've got some vases that I use to store paint brushes, pens, pencils, scissors, etc. I have an old chest with big drawers that I put a lot of stuff in. This room is certainly not "decorated", but pretty functional when we can wade through the crap, and now we can!:clap_1: I'll look for the book. I bet Mermy's seen it!

it's not a big book, looks like it will be easy to ready through, and pay special attention to the parts that relate most to what I want to do..

it's not a big book, looks like it will be easy to ready through, and pay special attention to the parts that relate most to what I want to do..

I'm on it.

Just move and start over.

Just move and start over.

Okay, here is a quest. Go to your junk drawer(s) and list the first ten items you see. I will go first....

chalk / 2 dog collars
birthday candles / rubber bands
tassel / American Flag fan
film / wood stain pen
3 hole punch / tape measure

Okay, here is a quest. Go to your junk drawer(s) and list the first ten items you see. I will go first....

chalk / 2 dog collars
birthday candles / rubber bands
tassel / American Flag fan
film / wood stain pen
3 hole punch / tape measure

Good one...

camo maglite, scissors, tape, sharpie, nail file, screwdriver/hammer combo, keychain that Dylan made me in preschool, wite-out, shell necklace, and a hair clippy

Okay, here is a quest. Go to your junk drawer(s) and list the first ten items you see. I will go first....

chalk / 2 dog collars
birthday candles / rubber bands
tassel / American Flag fan
film / wood stain pen
3 hole punch / tape measure

I'm not home, but through my supreme powers of visualization...
glue / tape measure
nails / hammer
dog tag / crayon
sandpaper / screwdriver
old warranty / batteries

Just move and start over.

OK, Sowal here I come.

Okay, here is a quest. Go to your junk drawer(s) and list the first ten items you see. I will go first....

An Etch a Sketch Pen
Soy Sauce/ Burpee seed packets
Cafe Rod Brackets
Island Mango Wax Potpourri
A Fall branch twig thingy my nephew made me
Nails, a flower screwdriver, a gardening tool holder (no tools)
Gardening glove (1) Batteries, all sizes. / A Cat Ball /

calculator, tape, ruler, glue, sharpie, gum, rollodex, contact case, screwdriver, sculpy bug from 7th gr. art class

batteries, coins, stapler, broken flashlight, thumb tacks, fabric glue, curtain hooks, pens,old lip balm,pinking shears....

batteries, coins, stapler, broken flashlight, thumb tacks, fabric glue, curtain hooks, pens,old lip balm,pinking shears....

I'm glad I'm not the only old MawMaw with some pinking shears!!

I'm glad I'm not the only old MawMaw with some pinking shears!!

i don't even remember why i bought them, i've had them so long....

i don't even remember why i bought them, i've had them so long....

My daughter teaches 1st grade and she uses them for things on her bulletin boards.

My daughter teaches 1st grade and she uses them for things on her bulletin boards.

i probably bought them for one of my "projects" that never panned out - i do that a lot.....