Stop standing & staring into your closet...

I have done it WAY too many times and it is an awful feeling: can't find what to wear, tried on a dozen things, didn't like them, threw them in the floor, and became even more frustrated as the search continued on.... (not to mention the fact that our bedroom ends up looking like a tornado ran through it)

Set aside one day a week to get your outfits ready for the upcoming week. I do this on Sunday. I pick out my clothes for each day of the week, iron them, and hang them (in order) in a special section of my closet. I also do this for both of my children.

I have this awesome organizer in William's (my soon-to-be three year old) closet. Got it at Lowe's.


Wade's (my five month old) clothes are so little and usually don't need ironing, so I just put them in order and stack them in his bottom dresser drawer.

So, each morning all I have to do is pull out the clothes and get everyone dressed. This little task does take some time out of my Sunday afternoon, BUT I have never regretted getting our clothes prepared for the upcoming week. (I only do this for Monday-Friday. I do lay out our clothes for Sunday morning each Saturday night as well.)

Remember: Getting organized will most of the time cost you time upfront, but it usually ends up saving you some time down the road.

Photos!!

Photos are precious!! They are reminders of: sweet times together, how tiny your children were, school days, fun times with friends, memories of lost loved ones, vacations, and sometimes, how great you used to look ;) BUT, they can quickly become an unorganized mess. I would venture to say that most people print them, look at them, frame a couple, and then stick the majority of them in a drawer.

I am a scrapbooker, so I take TONS of pictures. I always get them all printed, but I rarely put them all in a scrapbook. I am ashamed to admit how far behind I am on my scraping, so obviously I have to store my mounds of photos until they get put in an album. I also have to store all the photos that I don't use (I NEVER throw a photo away). Creative Memories sells a great solution to this problem: the Power Sort Box. This box holds an amazing 2,400 photos (up to 5 x 7). It comes with 12 separate compartments and dividers that you can write on (use a pencil and you can even erase). I use this large box to store all of my photos that did not go into one of my scrapbooks. Here is what Creative Memories has to say about their product:

The Power™ Sort Box helps you organize your photos. Sort by theme, year,
friend or family member – it’s your choice! Power™ Sort is the solution to years
of scattered family memories. It allows you to get them organized, so that
eventually you can share them all safely in a Creative Memories album.

They also sell all Power Sort Mini Box. I use this box to hold all the photos I am currently working on putting into a scrapbook. It comes with three compartments and six dividers.

A cheaper way to organize your photos: Ziplock bags. Put your photos in them and label the outside with the event and the date. Store the bags in old labeled shoeboxes.

Another great idea is to have a "photo give away" box. Put leftover photos in here that you don't care to part with. When someone has a birthday or other special occasion, pull out a photo and stick it in their card/gift. People always love to get photographs.

Closets- Add a Top Shelf

I love CLOSETS!!! The more organized, the better. The thrill I get from organizing a closet and getting it to reach it's maximum capacity is insane. So, needless to say, this is my first of many posts about closets. And don't worry, your closet doesn't have to be HUGE in order for it to be fabulous - any size closet is workable.

My first closet tip- Put an additional shelf in the top of every closet in your house (about 12-18 inches from the ceiling). It is unbelievable how much storage space this will create for you. I use the top shelves in our closets for items we rarely use but don't want to store in the attic.

If you are a DIYer, purchase coated wire shelving at your local hardware store and install them yourself. For the rest of us, contact a local storage expert and arrange to have them installed (such as Container World- I highly recommend them).

I keep our crystal in the top of William's closet.

The top of my closet is used for our luggage.

Packed Lunches Just Got Easier

I don't particularly care for cafeteria food (except maybe the chicken rings, pizza, and rolls), so for the most part I bring my own lunch to school. This also helps save a little money and it is much healthier. BUT....it can be a hassle and sometimes it doesn't get done when I am running a few minutes behind. I read this tip years ago and it has worked really well for me.

Prepackage as much of your lunch as you can. Pre-bag your chips, cookies, snacks, etc. Keep this all in one large container in your pantry/frig. When you are ready to pack your lunch each morning, just grab your pre-bagged item and toss it into your lunch container. Of course, you can't make your sandwiches too far in advance, but only having to make that one item can save you some time. If you have storage space (an extra frig.), you could take it a bit further and assemble an entire weeks' lunch and store it...then add the sandwich the morning of.

Garage Sales

It's that time of year. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and Spring is in the air. That means...time for Spring cleaning. About this time every year I start itching to deep clean, declutter, and shop for new Spring outfits. A Garage Sale is the perfect way for me to satisfy all of these cravings.

So - most would probably agree that Garage Sales aren't really that fun. They require work: collecting items, advertising, pricing, setting up, getting up early, selling the items, and then cleaning up the mess. HOWEVER- a Garage Sale is a great way to get rid of your unused/unwanted items and make a little extra Spring spending money.

Here are some ways to keep your garage sale "in good order"...

• Keep a container labeled "Garage Sale" nearby all year. As you come across things in your house you don't want, toys that aren't played with, and clothes that have gone unworn- toss them in the container. My container typically turns into a mound, which signifies to me that it is time to have a sale. Keeping a pile going throughout the year makes preparing for a garage sale much less daunting.
  
• Organize your sale items by type (electronics, decorating items, clothing, baby supplies) and display your items in an attractive way - try not to make it look cluttered. Remember, you are trying to sale your "junk", so make it look nice and appealing.
  
• Combine infant clothing & small items into baggies and label the outside with the size and your asking price.

• Use color coded stickers instead of hand pricing all your items. You still have to put a sticker on each of your items, but it keeps you from having to manually write a price. Color coded stickers are also great for keeping up with your profit when multiple sellers are involved in your sale.



• Price to sell and be ready to bargain. Remember...it is a garage sale so you can't mark your items too high, BUT be sure to leave yourself plenty of room to bargain. Count on it - people are going to try to get you to come down off your asking price (but STAND firm on those items you know are valuable - like the lady today who asked me if I would take $5 for the brand new crib mattress...UM, NOOOOO!!!!!...I stood firm and she bought it for my original price).


• Towards the end of your sale, run a clearance. The last 30-45 minutes mark down your items. The object is to get rid of your stuff!


• Last, BUT MOST IMPORTANT...DO NOT let the clutter back into your house. Do something with your remaining items that day- DO NOT WAIT. Box it up and give it to Goodwill, donate it to a family in need, list it on Ebay immediately, or donate your clothing to a school or daycare. Whatever you do, DON'T let it back in your house. (If they are good items that you think would sell, you could place them back in your container for your next garage sale.)

Over all, I would classify our Garage Sale as a success. We got rid of a ton of stuff, gave a little away, hauled some off to Good-Will, and profited $300.00 for Spring Shopping. Not too shabby for a cold, rainy, holiday weekend.

Labels

I am a labeling fanatic. I truely believe, within the core of who I am, that labeling is the single most important thing in organization. You have got to get this part down!!

Here are some pointers on labeling:

• Label everything that doesn't get up and walk :) Seriously, you can't overdo it on the labels. When you label an item you give it a home, and when you give it a home you are more likely to put it back in that home when you are finished with it. Labels also prevent containers from becoming a "catch all " area (like that junk drawer you have...come on, you know you have one...everyone does).
  
• Inform your family members of your labels and teach them how to use them. With your labeling system in tack, your husband will be able to confidently find things and your children will always be able to find their favorite toys (and it makes clean up a breeze). Labels will help hold every in your family accountable.
  
• Select your labeling system and stick with it. You can use index cards and tape them to your items, you can use masking tape, you can use mailing labels, or you can use a labeling machine. Labeling machines come in a variety of sizes, styles, and price ranges. I use and recommend Brother P-Touch label machines. Use whatever you want, but stick with it!
  

• Be consistent with your labels. Use the same format, same size, same color font, and same color label (unless you are doing a color coded system) for everything. Consistency is pleasing to the eye and it will train your brain on what to look for.
  
• Make sure your labels are removeable. Chances are great that you will move things around eventually, so you want to be able to remove your labels with ease (and you certainly don't want to damage your items). P-Touch labels are very durable (I use them to label my kiddos' sippies & bottles and they withstand the dishwasher.), but they also come off beautifully.

Now...GET TO LABELING!!!

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This has nothing to do with organization, but it is FUN...here are some things I didn't do this week...

-I did not let my oldest child sleep in our bed almost every night this week because it is easier that way. That would be a very bad habit for me to instigate, so I am glad I didn't do it.

-I certainly did not sift through William's Easter eggs and eat the best pieces of chocolate that he had. That would be very selfish of me and it wouldn't be a good thing for me to do since I am still trying to lose my last 8 pounds of baby weight.

-I did not at all procrastinate for an entire week on going to the grocery store. That would be bad of me to neglect my family that way.

-I did not give my child cough medicine even though his cough was better, but just strictly because I didn't want to be woken up by a coughing child. That would not be an appropriate use of medication.

-I did not entertain the thoughts of stopping my "keep me calm medicine" in efforts to lose a few more pounds. I would never even consider taking such drastic measures, and putting my family in harms way, just to lose some weight.

-I didn't not only exercise 3 days this week. I climbed on that treadmill every single morning and ran my little heart out.

-I did not lose my car key again for the millionth time. And I certainly didn't find it in the bottom of a very dirty kitchen trash can. Because I keep up with everything.

Share with me. Leave a comment and let me know something you didn't do this week.

FLYing with Routines

Confessional- I rarely read a book, let alone finish one that I started...SO, if I recommend a book you know it must have REALLY inspired me.


Several years ago, a dear friend and mentor gave me Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley. In this book, Marla, who calls herself The FlyLady, gives simple steps on how to FLY out of CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). The FlyLady can help you create doable housekeeping routines and break down overwhelming chores- she wants to teach you how to FLY (Finally Love Yourself). She will show you how to take BABYSTEPS to create routines, declutter, tackle large chores, and, most importantly, how to bless your home and your family. Her philosophy- it all starts with shining your sink.


Great read!

Revisiting this book got me thinking about routines. Most people, no matter what your organization level, have some type of routine. By this, I mean that ONE thing that you have to do to make you feel "at peace in your world" - most of the time this is something that makes no sense to others, but when it's done it makes YOU feel better no matter what chaos is going on around you. I have a couple...The FlyLady got me hooked on a clean sink. If my sink is clean (free of dishes and water spots), no matter what mess may be scattered all over the rest of my house, I feel good. Another one- I like our couch cushions to be nicely arranged on the couch and the remotes to be in "their spot". The floor can be littered, but I feel good when the couch looks comfy and inviting.

What little routines do you have that make you feel better about your surroundings? Come on---share--I know you have one!!!

Getting On Your Level

Keeping yourself organized should NOT be stressful (that's not to say that getting yourself organized initially won't be- that can be very overwhelming!). It should not be something that bogs you down or overwhelms you, nor should it be more then you can manage (getting to that point may be more then you can manage alone, but that's a whole 'nother blog posting).

In order to keep your sanity and be able to maintain your orderliness, you have to decide what level of organization you are going to operate on. If you are stressed, you are on the wrong level and you need to reassess how you do things (this may mean you need to be more organized in your daily life or that you need to loosen up a bit). In other words...if you can't find what you need, when you need it - you are on the WRONG operating level OR if you spend your entire day chasing yourself trying to keep everything put up - you are on the WRONG operating level. Find what works for you. You need to be on a level of organization that helps you be productive and make the most of your day - not one that distracts you or keeps you running around like a chicken with your head cut off. The goal is to make your LIFE easier!!

The main thing to keep in mind is that everyone has his/her own idea as to what "togetherness" looks like. What is considered complete chaos for one person, makes perfect sense to another. What one person considers to be convenient, may be a hassle to someone else. So, don't feel inadequate when you walk into someone's house and they appear more "together" then you are AND don't be so quick to judge someone else based on the pile of papers on their counter. It may not be how you would run the show, but it's working for someone.

Everyone needs a level and a system to operate on. Find yours TODAY (and it has to be realistic for YOU)...and if you have one and it's working for you, don't stop!

In Good Order

Welcome!!

I am SO inexperienced when it comes to this whole blogging concept, but my passion for creating and maintaining order is far from a new concept to me. I'm pretty sure I was organizing in the womb- rearranging the placenta in order to maximize my space :) Some people call me OCD, some say I'm anal, some people find me annoying, some people find me to be inspiring, and probably lots of people think I am crazy, BUT I love my life. I believe that God has given me a gift and I like to think that I have chosen to use my gift to serve my family.

Whatever your level of organization is, whether you can't find your underwear or you organize it by color, I invite you to join in the fun. Maybe you desire to create more order in your life, maybe you need to maximize your space, maybe you're a pro at organizing and you just love new ideas, or maybe you just dream about getting it all together- whatever reason brought you here, I'm glad!!

Are you "In Good Order"?