Using Baskets to organize office supplies

Re-purposing a bookshelf in a closet is thinking outside the box.

This picture is actually looking into a closet.  I had a challenge with a client. Organize all these office supplies.  There was a small closet in the room and a bar across it and a couple of little shelves that had been left by a previous owner. There was no need for clothes for this office….and I wanted to utilize this space.

The client had  this bookshelf that wasn’t being used.  I did all the measurments before I had it moved into the room.  It was going to fit! I was So excited!

Now for the containers.  I wanted to use a clear plastic so that you could easily see what was in them.  I measured the shelf height and length to make sure I could get the most use out of the space…knowing I was buying the right size baskets or plastic boxes.

If you notice I have the lids off the boxes.  It would look very nice and neat to have them on, but would things get put back as easy if you had to lift a lid to do it?  This was a place that I could leave them open and easily accessible.  But….I did put the lid directly under the basket so that you don’t have to worry about losing them…and they are there if you want to use them.

Is the Organizing Fairy coming to Your House?

Excuses don’t get the work done but the Organizing Fairy can right?

(You can’t see a fairy’s face you know….they won’t come to visit if you see their face….don’t you know anything?  Duh? lol)

I know..I know…we all wish we had one (I do too some days….although I would much rather have a cooking & cleaning fairy). But unless we do have an organizing fairy…guess what? The job still needs to get done.  Unless you always want to be living in a messy zone.  So even though we can have a zillion excuses….we still need to find a way to get the job done.

I know…that is the yucky part right?  So the question now is..how?

The first Step is schedule the time to do it. Get out that calendar.

I know it would be wonderful if we could add 4 hours to each day in order to get more done….but unfortunately life doesn’t work that way.

Block out a couple hours in your schedule a few times a week.  If there is a way you can devote several hours to get started…that would be wonderful, but if not – do what you can.

Maybe turn off the reality show (DVR it!) and use that time if you work during the day.
It might have to be after the kids are in bed if you can’t get anything accomplished while they are up.
It might be that you need to bring in a babysitter for a few hours or have in in-law watch them.

It is all about priorities. If this is a priority to get done in your life, then you need to put it on as a priority in order to get it done.

Playroom Organizing – part 2

Do the Kids Help or Not?

When it comes to sorting and organizing – Getting through the toys and being able to discard them (donate or trash) are your kids going to be a help or a hinder?

You need to decide if you want your children to help sort and organize or not. There are pros and cons to both methods. You know your children best and know what will work for them.

Pros

*Teaches them the importance of organizing at an early age

*Teaches them others are not as fortunate.

*Teaches them that cleaning up and clearing out can feel good

Cons

*Tantrums over giving things up

*Not as productive – it will take longer to have the kids help you. So if on a limited time frame it could be a problem

*Giving in and keeping more than you should because your child decides they want to keep everything

My Thoughts on the Subject

Some children will not handle giving up their toys easily. They can sway you to keeping everything and accomplishing nothing. But….they also need to LEARN that they do have to give up things and it will help them later in life. So it is a balance. My suggestion for these kids is for you to do the bulk of the sorting before they get home. They do not necessarily need to see what you are donating or getting rid of. But I would leave several things that are broken or they have out grown and then sit down with them when they get home and have them help you sort those things. Teach them that they need to share with other children who have less. Teach them they

What worked for me

For my 4 older boys (now ages 17-26) I did all the toy sorting myself (without their help).  I get a bit driven when I am in my “organizing mode” and personally I just like to go go go…so I prefer to organize by myself at home. I can honest say that there was never a time that my boys missed something or were upset when they got home.  They were always happy to see things neat and in order. I think it was that same “relief” feeling we get when we walk into a space that has once been too cluttered and now is neat and organized.  They didn’t have problems with giving up their toys and liked that most of the things were donated to other kids.

Now with my  4 step kids (ages 9 – triplets and a 16 year old) I have had them help me.  I don’t know why the difference.  But they are very good at helping and do not have problems with giving things away.  They crack me up because they tell me their mom doesn’t want to get rid of any of their things at her house and they are the ones that want to get rid of some of the clutter over there. (they are learning!)

Which way works best for you and your children?

Spring Cleaning – Kitchen Storage containers

Spring Cleaning – Organizing those pesky plastic storage containers

I have to admit that even at my house these plastic storage containers end up messy.  I am usually good about putting them in their place…..but I have 7 other people in the house and although for the most part they do great…..there are times when that dishwasher is being emptied that it is easier to just “throw it in” instead of taking the time to stack it.

Here is the video that I did last year on organizing your plastics.  But the same with any organizing…it’s all about the maintenance.

Target Zone

Stay in your Target Zone

When you are trying to organize a room, what is one big stumbling block?  For many it is getting side tracked. You pick up a basketball that doesn’t belong in the kitchen and walk it out to the garage where it does belong. Then what happens? Let me tell you…..

You see what a mess the garage is and get over whelmed and think you need to work on it.  You pick up the new package of toilet paper that got left in the garage to take it up to the bathroom.  You get to the bathroom and screek because it is such a mess and the tub has a ring around it and the kids left the toothpaste on the floor without a lid on it. So you grab your supplies to clean the tub….and so on and so forth.  Well, forget ever getting back to that kitchen today….and so your kitchen has made no progress.   So what is the solution to organizing without “drifting”.  Stay in your Target Zone.

What is a Target Zone?

Your Target Zone is the area you are working in.  That room, or area or small space that you have designated “I’m going to organize THIS today”.  Once you leave your target zone you are open to anything and everything that grabs you and pulls you away from your mission.  When you are in “organizing mode” usually you are ready to go and your mind is in …”Let’s get this Done” gear.  So everywhere you look you see things that you need to work on.  We want to do it all Right Now.  But that isn’t possible.

How Do I stay in my Target Zone?

It is actually easier said than done when you are organizing. Like I said there are going to be items that do not belong in the space you are working.  What you need to do before you start is set up a box or a  bin.  You have your sorting cards to help you sort your piles, but for your “move to another room” card…you will need a box, or two.  Rather than taking that basketball to the garage, simply put it in the box that goes somewhere else.  Then you are not leaving your Target Zone.  It will help you tackle the space you are working on.  Focus is the key. You are focusing on one space right now.

Results of staying in your Target Zone

The main result is that you will have an organized space in the place you have targeted to accomplish that day.  But you will end up having a box or pile of other items that you have to find homes for.  Allow yourself time at the end of your organizing of your Target Zone to take that box and drop off the items in the rooms or places that they belong.  An easy thing to do it to leave that box sitting full of stuff and you have another mess.  I just had someone recently leave me a comment that she had a similar box that she cleared out of one room and stuck in her laundry room (I think). She ended up leaving it there for 2 years and was saying she had to go back and go through it.  My comment to her was that if she has not missed the items in that box for 2 years….it is time to get rid of the entire box.

Think Target Zone

Think Target Zone when you go to organize your next area.  Even make yourself a sign that says it.  STAY IN THE TARGET ZONE!  You can even make it a little game with yourself. When you are tempted to go take something to another place…say to yourself, “Oh, I can’t go out of my Target Zone!”, and stay put.  Just put that item in your “move to another room” box.

The 12 Step Program for the Surface Abuser

I love this desk, family work center. But what a desk CAN look like

The 12 Step Program for the Surface Abuser.

1) Admit that you have a problem.

2) Ask for help with your Surface Abuse problem. (Professional organizers are everywhere!)

3) Remove ALL surfaces in your home.  (Only kidding!)

4) Realize that this will take on going maintenance to maintain.

5) Visualize what you would LIKE this space to look like.

6) Start the process with one surface.

7) Get a black trash bag for trash and a White trash bag for donate.

8) Begin the Sorting process. Clear everything off your counter and clean it first.

9) Realize that clearing your counter will lead to some organizing in other areas of your house. (this is a Good thing)

10) Decide what to do with all the papers and clutter.

11) Plan daily to clear  off anything that might have accumulated in this “hot spot” zone and place it in the folders or cubbies you created.

12) Be sure to take before and after pictures so help remind yourself how you want to keep your new clear counter.

Disclosure: The above picture is not from my home (I WISH!) It was from a Parade of Homes model that boasted like the best family organizing center ever!!  But you can find these products at The Pottery Barn.

Organizing a New You! …but how do I start?

Organizing a New You….So what does that mean?   Organize your home, organize your schedule, your kids, your life? Does it seem like the impossible?  It can be done! But be careful not to bite off more than you can chew and end up in “it is too overwhelming and I don’t think I can do it” land.

Here is how to start.

Planning

1) Sit down with a pad of paper, pen, calendar and cup of coffee in a relaxed atmosphere.

2) Make a list of all the things you would like to organize.

3) Now number them in order of importance. (at least the top three areas that drive you the most CRAZY)

4) Put a date beside those top 3 of when you would like to have them completed by.

5) Block out at time on your calendar to start #1 on the list.

Supplies

Do not go out and buy a bunch of things to organize with. Until you know what you are going to end up with after your “sort” you don’t know what you will need. (unless you want to purchase some clear storage bins..but if you do be sure you have shelves to store them on and measure to be sure they will fit.

1) Black trash bags – trash

2) White trash bags – Donate  (separate colors so you don’t throw out your donate items in the trash)

3) Labels for boxes or bins (masking tape & sharpie marker will be fine)

4) Boxes for storage (my favorite are clear bins)

Sort

Make 5 signs for each of the piles you are going to make while sorting. Then for each item only give yourself 5-10 seconds to make your decision (no time to wander down memory lane). Be tough if you want to reclaim your space.

1) Keep – Love it, Use it, Can’t live without it.

2) Donate – Others would put to better use, doesn’t fit, don’t like it, don’t use it (use the white trash bags)

3) Storage – Holiday decorations, speciality items you use (camping, skiing)

4) Move – Items that need to be kept but don’t belong in this space.

5) Trash – Broken, un-donatable. Try to recycle if possible. Use the Black trash bag.

Tips

*It will seem messier before it gets better. Don’t get discouraged and keep going.

*This takes time, don’t think you will get an entire room done in 2 hours. Start with a small area.

* Once you have sorted your items you are ready to reorganize them in an orderly way.

Organizing Your Morning Kid Routine

My mornings with the kids are normally very calm and relaxed. They know their routine and I don’t have to yell and drag kids out of bed, force them to get their things done….stressing out myself and everyone else in the house. Why? Because we teach them to do things on their own. We don’t have to bribe them or pay them all kinds of money (they get $1.00 a month allowance, just to start teaching them about saving money – and guess what they are thrilled with that. They love take a few dollars and putting it in the bank).

The older 2 (16 & 17 years) get themselves up, get all their things done and are out the door usually before the 9 year old triplets are up. The older 2 have to be at school by 7:30 and usually walk the  one mile to school. Sometimes my older one drives them. The triplets have to be at school by 8:45am.

They wake up (usually on their own). Before they come downstairs they have already made their beds, done their 20 minutes of reading, brushed their teeth and gotten dressed for school.  They come down and now are able to get their own breakfast, pack their lunches (usually they do it the night before), get all their things together and put in their backpacks and are ready for school.  Then they have free time if there is still time before we leave for school.  No yelling, no running around like chickens with our heads cut off. I’m very proud of them.

They have been having fun playing Build-a-Bearville online and want to get all their things done so they can get on the computer.

I love independence in kids and I work on teaching it young.  I think it is only going to help them in life.  I have 3 grown sons and I know it has helped them that they are able to do things on their own.

I hear woman (and men) say all the time that they love their children so much they want to do everything for them. But in my opinion that isn’t a love that is beneficial to them, I see it as only stunting them in the future.  I have seen many a teenager, young adult and grown adult that had everything done for them…and guess what? They continue to expect that in other areas of their life. Their wives for instance or co-workers.

So how do you do it? Start young!  When they want to try something on their own, let them.

*Teach them to pick up their toys and make their beds. They don’t have to be perfect, but they will learn that they need to do it each morning.

*Have the cereal, bowls and cups at a level they can reach. Teach them to use the toaster safely so they can make their own toast.

*Have them lay out their clothes the night before so there are no “clothes meltdowns” and no big decisions when they might be groggy.

*Let them start helping with making their lunches when they are young and work them up to making it on their own.

*Make sure they either have an alarm set or you wake them up so they have plenty of time to get it all accomplished with some free time put in there for when they accomplish all their goals.

If you sleep until the last minute and everyone is racing around in the morning then everyone is stressed and it isn’t a good way to start the day.

WATCH FOR MY POST TOMORROW THAT A COUPLE OF YOU HAVE REQUESTED. HOW DO YOU GET YOUR CHILD TO HELP.

Craft Room Organization

I recently went to a Build-a-Bear and Stampin Up Sponsored workshop. It took place in Stampin’ Up Mindy Gray’s home.  We first watched the cutest DVD called Hal and Holly Moose.  Then after snacks and the movie, we went down to her craft room in the basement to make cards with the new Build-A-Bear accessories from Stampin’ Up.  The cards came out so cute…but can you guess what I liked loved the best? You bet ya..HER CRAFT ROOM!! It was completely AWESOME!! It was like my dream craft room from the apple green color on the walls with white accessories. I loved and have seen many of these ideas used before in books and magazines…but it was so nice seeing them in person.
Of course this video doesn’t do it justice, but enjoy!

Consultant Mindy Gray
E-mail – Stampwithmindy@yahoo.com
Web – MindyGray.stampinup.net

How To Start Organizing

It is a New Year, so I am going to start off with some good basics. Some of you have seen these on here before, but it never hurts repeating valuable information.

First off – Don’t try to tackle “my whole house”. Break it down. Think about one “hot spot” that is the first thing you want to take care of.  It may be the kitchen counter, or that table when you walk in the house that everyone dumbs things on.

If you try to do too much in too short of time you will become defeated when you can’t do it and I don’t want you to give up.

Step 1 – Pick Your Zone

Step 2 – Pick Your Time (write it in on your calendar)

Step 3 – Get supplies Ready

*Black trash bags – trash   *White Trash bags – donate   * Clean bins (my favorite), but sturdy boxes will do if you have them

Step 4 – Start the Sort – Take 10 seconds per item (no more…don’t walk down memory lane, just take first thoughts)

A) Keep – You LOVE it and USE it

B) Donate – It would be Usable for someone, but it doesn’t fit or you really don’t like it, or you are not using it.

C) Store – Holiday or speciality items (skiing equip, camping equip) that you use yearly

D) Move – Items that don’t belong in that space or room. They need to be moved to another room if you are keeping them

E) Trash – Recycle if possible.

It isn’t hard once you get started.  The mind set is the biggest obstacle in most cases. Don’t think…”its too much I can’t do it” . Instead think, “Wow…I have a mess, but it will feel GREAT when I get through it.”

Next Page »