Project #1 Complete!

Amy's Desk Armoire BEFORE:





The first picture shows the contents of the drawer along the bottom of the armoire. The second picture is the smaller drawer, and the last picture depicts the chaos in it's entirety. It drove me nuts to the point that I didn't want to work there! I didn't have specific places for ALL of the crazy papers, etc. that I have coming in and going out so it just all got piled up and stuck here or there. I had systems, but not enough!


Amy's Desk Armoire After:



I decided to make all bins, containers, etc. that are visible coordinate! I used modge podge and some paper from a Halloween pack by My Mind's Eye. The magazine holders are just white cardboard (bought many years ago at Ikea) and I only covered the spines. I also made the spines of all of my notebooks coordinate and put new labels on them. The little box on the top shelf is a CD storage box and it holds all my stationary, greeting cards, etc.

These push pins were my inspiration for the colors and patterns (from Wal-Mart)...



The small drawer:



The larger bottom drawer:



And, my favorite part of all...



These are contact lists that I use on a daily basis. Before, I had to either go to that organization's notebook to get the list (IF it was returned to it's respective home the last time it was used) or I had to dig through all the piles to find the one I needed. I used my "Sir Crop-A-Dile" (as my husband calls it) and put large eyelets through the corners of each list then put a ring through the holes to hang them all together! LOVE LOVE LOVE that I thought of this!!!! They now have a home TOGETHER and will certainly be put back there each time! They hang on the inside of the right door of the armoire.

Reflection:

This project was actually much more difficult than I first anticipated. I was so excited when I decided to do this that I thought I would be totally motivated and be able to knock it out no problem. I quickly realized that it wasn't just one project. EACH little space, notebook, stack, drawer, folder and container had to be organized! The great thing about this was that I was able to do little bits at a time between household chores, baby's naps and errands. The not-so-great thing about this was that I HAD to make one large chunk of time to be able to make the finishing touches that, I NOW think, are the most important things. The "prettiness" is going to be what inspires me to KEEP this space organized. It wasn't easy to convince my husband that the "arts and craps" (so named by him) are a necessary part of this project and they actually benefit the greater good. However, I finally did, and we did our parts to get it done. His part, to supervise the children AND remove past years' files from the file drawer.

I think the only thing at this point that could make this space more perfect is having a chair nearby so I could just swing it around instead of having to carry one over from the kitchen. (Hint hint, wink wink, hon;-) Nonetheless, I LOVE IT!!!! I'm so happy with it and I will strive to keep it orderly! And, now...

Project #2: Attic
Completion Goal: February 15

This project is a HUGE one and, quite honestly, I don't even know that we'll be able to knock it out by the 15th, but I thought I'd give it a try. This project needs to be done so that I can begin the process of moving my "arts and craps" closet up stairs to the guest bedroom to essentially have a craft room. We need to make "homes" for items that accumulate that we need to give away, items to sell on ebay, items to store, etc. so that we can clean out the guest room closet and take those items directly to their "home" instead of just throwing them out in the attic. Wish us luck!

Physician Heal Thyself

What a low blow. I couldn't decide if I wanted to cry or scream. One night while watching the show Hoarders on A&E with my husband I declared that I thought it would be fun to help people get organized. I was astonished by his response, "Physician heal thyself!" HOW DARE HIM say such a thing to me! How could he possibly think that I am not organized? I pride myself highly on my organizational skills, and if, of all people, my own husband doesn't think I'm organized enough to show someone else how to be, then something's very wrong!

Most people that walk into my house probably think I'm rather organized, or at least they wouldn't think that I'm not. In most regards, I appear to have it together. I'm learning, however, that I intend to be organized. I have visions of systems, bins, labels and arrangements for almost everything in my house. However, those systems, bins, labels and arrangements are not all placed into being. I undoubtedly have a skewed view of my skills. Obvioulsy, it doesn't mean anything if I don't do it, but I consider myself "organized" because I think about it.

In my husband's defense (as well as my own), I later learned by intense interrogation that he was not implying that I am not organized, he just meant that I'm not organized enough to coach someone else on how to be. That certainly makes more sense, however, it's still disheartening to not be considered exceptionally organized. I really thought I was. I immediately blamed my lack of an impeccably organized home on a deficiency of time due to raising two children, caring for my husband, volunteering in various organizations, facebooking, two home-based business hobbies, ebay purchasing, crafting, etc.

I've pondered, deliberated, hemmed and hawed myself into blogging. I will systemize until I fully reveal the inner orderly me. I suspect that I will become more than just organized on this journey. My blog will be my accountability. My goal is to do this on a project by project basis. I will have a completion goal for each project, I will share any tidbits of helpful information that I find along the way, and I will share before and after pictures of each project.

With each piece, I shall find peace.

Project #1: My Desk Armoire
Completion Goal: Sunday, January 31st. (One Week)