Changes in Attitude...

Do you HAVE TO use an area in your home for the purpose it was designed?  If you don't ever have formal dinners in your dining room, could you morph that room into something you could use every day - an office, playroom, craft room, or homework nook?  Does it have to remain a formal dining room because the realtor, your floor plan, or a relative told you that is what the room was designed to be?

Eight years ago when I moved into my current home, I had a little baby and I was starting a new business.  I needed to be in the main part of the house and didn’t need much space, so our 1980’s wet bar was my office and my little guy’s art area.  Soon his art materials and our home schooling adventures took over my office space in the wet bar.  And my organizing business was growing to the point of me needing more than a work surface and a single cabinet.  The wet bar became an art/school area.  My office moved to (and has taken over- Hallelujah!) the spare bedroom. 

(Photo of our art/school supplies circa 2009- organized, containerized, and labeled)

Fast forward a few years and we are no longer home schooling.  The homework area has expanded to a small table in the corner of the dining room, the couch, or the computer desk – depending on kiddo’s mood and type of homework.  In turn, the wetbar, which stores art supplies and games, has really become a catch all for all sorts of – well – detritus. 

What’s an organizing Mama to do?

Find out next time!

It is time for you to get organized, manage your time, and set up systems in your home and office.  You deserve better efficiency and harmony. Shoot me an email at juliebavi@gmail.com, stalk me on twitter@juliebavi, and show me some Facebook love https://www.facebook.com/OrganizeWithJulie.  

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The Seriousness of Clutter.

You don't hear from me mid-week often, do you? Nope. So take note: This story out of Oregon has come to my attention today. It will never cease to amaze me that we are now living in a culture where we have so much excess it could be fatal. Thankfully in this house fire it appears that no one was hurt. Thank you, Clackamas County Fire Fighters for doing a great job and not letting this blaze get out of control. Whether you are suffering from issues with hoarding, CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome), or need to implement systems to keep your things in order -- I implore you to take action. Seek help if you need it. Please, take the necessary steps to corral your clutter. Follow this link to see the whole story: http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_041708_news_milwaukie_house_fire.7193ccff.html

I'll "see" you all on Sunday.

A rare mid-week post to share my joy...

On tackling the clutter which was my magazine basket. I could have sworn I just did this task, but here it sits again. This is where I started this morning. This is the "point of attack", if you will. Might I mention that my three and a half foot tall, 38 pound child can sit in this basket.

Surprisingly, It didn't take too long to weed out the non-essentials.

I bought this magazine when it first came out. And then got one two months later in my Christmas stocking. Why did I keep both? (For over THREE months?)

I didn't even remember having this. And I surely would not have looked in the mag basket for it. It is moving to the insurance file.

The packing from a toy. One of my son's books. Last winter's jacket that we offered to a friend (before Christmas!) and a brand new baby's first tooth brush for the same friend. (If ya still need them, let me know.) In the original picture you cannot even see a single part of this bag or the jacket. Note: none of these are magazines/catalogs. Why did they end up here?

This is hubby's stack. I think things go here straight from the mailbox and never get read. I could be wrong. I'm trying to decide if I should automatically recycle these or let him have a say. Will he really miss them? I will let him decide tonight. The recycle truck comes tomorrow.

And this? This is all the "trash". This is the reason the recycle guys will not be my friend after tomorrow. Toy catalogs from Christmas that I was sure I had already disposed of.... maybe there were more than I thought. I am SURE I threw out several after Christmas. Last season's (still wrapped in plastic) JCP big book. Home and clothing catalogs that have pretty things. I love the little inspirations, but I'm not sure I ordered from a single one. At the bottom of the picture is the stack of magazines... most of which have brilliant articles on organizing. I need to repeat these words to myself while in the checkout line "Save yourself, don't buy the magazine!" Magazine clutter is by far, one of my worst habits.

And this...

is the finished project. The current Big Book (unwrapped). A stack of unread Reader's Digest (thanks Papa) that I love to flip through. And some home catalogs of things that I actually plan to put into action! Now I can find my inspiration again. All is right with the world.

It's Kitchen Week!!!

Let’s mix things up a bit and start with the now famous

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF REAL CLEANING.

Set your timer for fifteen minutes because it’s time to… Tackle that plastic ware. That right folks, find the lids that match the containers. Find the containers that match the lids. Throw out the ones that are broken or have no mate. If you can’t freeze AND microwave in it - consider discarding it, donating it, or replacing it. If it is a take-out type container consider whether it is really serving a worthwhile purpose for you. (I say pitch it!) By keeping the few things that you do use and donating the unused you will free up an amazing amount of space in your kitchen.

Personally, I have fallen in love with the new Rubbermaid line with easy find lids. http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/category.jhtml?cat=HPCat280013

Oh, and the produce savers (which live in the fridge) really are working great! http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/category.jhtml?cat=HPCat280019

I get nothing for promoting those. I just like to share with you products that make life easier.

Since we’re already talking about the kitchen… Look at your counter tops. Are there appliances sitting out that are rarely used? The toaster that is used once a month. The waffle iron that only gets hot on special occasions. The coffee pot used only when company is in town. These are items that are robbing you of clear space in your kitchen and calm in your life. I just realized that my toaster was out creating counter clutter in my kitchen. It has been months since my son has had his beloved (yet sadly, milk-laden) toaster waffles… so why was this contraption still in my way? No reason other than it had just been overlooked.

I am by no means saying that if you use your toaster and coffee pot daily you should move them in and out of a cabinet/pantry for each use. Heaven forbid I deprive any one of their daily caffeine fix! But take the time to put lesser used items away. No cabinet space you say? How about the pantry, nearby closet, or laundry room shelf? Now we’ve got those wheels turning!

There has been a lot of buzz about office organization and about paperwork issues coming from you guys as of late. Should we continue in the kitchen next week or move on to the office?

Getting Things "To-Done"

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day celebrating with someone you love.

Lately, I’ve been spending time thinking about how to make the home a more efficient place. I turned my attention back to my own thoughts on zone organizing. I have a “To Do Zone” in my home, and I couldn’t think of a better way to explain this myself, so I’m quoting Helen Buttigieg of Neat fame.

Have a “To-Do” Zone

Most of us keep an on-going ‘to-do’ list but what about the materials that are required for many of those tasks, like the gift you still have to wrap or the library book you have to return? They often end up strewn about in different parts of the house. It makes it much easier if all the physical items you need to take action on are located in one place. Consider designating a bookcase, shelving unit or extra closet as your ‘to-do’ zone to act as a temporary holding tank for work still in progress.

© Copyright 2007 by Hellen Buttigieg, We Organize U. Reprinted with permission from the We Organize U Newsletter. Visit http://www.weorganizeu.com

My personal “To Do” zone is the wet bar area of our home. This area would be an otherwise unused space but, with the addition of a hutch, it has become the perfect spot for my office (and my pre-schooler’s art space). What area in your home are you under-using that would make the perfect space for your to do zone?

Next week I’ll fill you in on a very important new member of my “To Do Zone”.

And while we’re getting things done, are you ready to clean out some REAL clutter?

It’s time to take 15 minutes and….. Clutter Sweep the pile of catalogs and magazines that have been piling up. I just realized that my basket is full and many of the things lurking below the surface are from the Christmas Season. YIKES! That is not the gift that keeps on giving.

Obviously, catalogs that you have no intention of ordering from can hit the recycle bin. All stocked up on bedding and drapes? Say good-bye to the home catalog. (This is a general rule. You do not have to keep and peruse EVERY catalog that comes into your home. Those that are not useful to you can be tossed before they ever make it through the front door.)

Next, check “order by” dates and immediately toss the expired catalogs. Don’t worry, they will send you more.

Finally any magazines that you have already read may be tossed as well. You have read it; let it go. Magazines that you are keeping can be put onto your bookshelf while stored in a magazine butler for display, protection, and ease of access. If you are saving a magazine for one particular article/recipe, consider removing only the part you want and filing it away or putting it with your weekly menu.

Ah, now there’s breathing room for the new catalogs and magazines that will bombard your mailbox. Come on. You know it is just a matter of time.

Next week: The product that is changing my life.

Our first real blog!

Hello fellow organizing crusaders! If you've been following along with us over at http://www.organizewithjulie.com/ welcome to our new space. I was hoping that we could get some real conversations going now that you will have the ability to add comments without the hassle of e-mail. If you have not been following along up to this point. Welcome! I'm very glad you could join us. Comments, questions, suggestions, random quandaries of your own - are welcome here. This blog is primarily my weekly (give or take) musings about organizing. Mostly it is advice to help you find a better path toward less clutter and stress in your own life. Primarily, it's just plain fun. So this is the part where I "organize" my thoughts and plan our next steps together. I think for now I'll leave the previous posts up at organizewithjulie.com and just have a redirect to this site for any future posts. Sound good? Ok, I will "see" you all on Sunday night. Have a good weekend! ~J