Good Morning!
I'm realizing how spoiled I was with my first child - sleep wise, anyway. My son LOVES to sleep. Seriously - this kid thinks nothing of going to bed at 7pm because he's tired. He's always been a wonderful sleeper. He was sleeping through the night at 4 weeks and took multiple, long naps throughout the day until he was 2. He's always been a night owl, but he also loves his sleep.
And then comes my daughter. She is 6 months old, has yet to sleep through the night for a week straight, naps for 20 minutes here or there when she feels like it, and LOVES early mornings. Like this morning - and every other Saturday or Sunday morning - she was up around 6am. Now, you'd think she'd eat and go back to sleep. Nope, not my little early bird. She can drain 8 oz and look up at you with big blue eyes and a smile that says "What are we doing today?"
Luckily, she usually takes a little nap a few hours after waking up - just about the time that my little man is waking up and ready for breakfast.
And that's where we're sitting this morning. Jackson and I are enjoying a wonderful breakfast of baked french toast made from homemade bread. It's pretty damn good - and it's quiet, since only one child is awake. Funny how the noise exponentially increases with children.
The washing machine is also running, as weekends are filled with laundry. And later today I have to vacuum and bake some more bread. How do I know this? Because I do this every weekend. We've built a pretty solid routine of what happens on the weekends, and we like it that way. Both my son and I thrive on structure, and we both tend to get a little cranky if anything happens out of plan. But still, I'm sitting here, sipping my coffee, eating a delicious breakfast with my boy. My husband and daughter are sleeping and the house is peaceful. This is why I cherish my weekends - for these exact moments.
And it all starts at 6am with my daughter's light cries of hunger coming from the nursery. And I wake up thinking "God I'm tired, but today is going to be such a great day."
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Confessions of a Domestic Goddess Wannabe
Alright, I have a few things to get off my chest...
I found a quote recently that stated "People don't change, they just become a clearer version of who they really are." I have to admit that I have lived my entire life striving to become a better version of myself, trying to fit within niches that don't really pertain to me and never could. I've always tried to change little things about myself here and there.
Take for example a few incidents in 7th grade that still haunt me. It was homecoming week, and in my high school a Prince and Princess was crowned for every grade. I was absolutely positive that I was going to be crowned Princess (for those of you that went to high school with me and are currently chuckling, it's perfectly okay. I've accepted that this was a completely irrational thought and am laughing along with you.) So imagine my shock, horror and devastation when I was in fact, not crowned Princess. I actually went home and cried.
But here's the deal - I wasn't popular, or pretty, or anything really. I was just me but for some reason, I wasn't okay with that and was determined to become a beauty queen. Me, the girl that grew up riding ATVs and building tree forts and playing with bugs. Yes, for some reason I decided that I was a beauty queen. Yeah, right. Luckily, that whole phase didn't last long.
A few weeks after the crowning of royalty, there was a spelling competition. Well, I thought, if I can't be the prettiest and most popular, then I'll be the smartest. And wouldn't you know, I didn't even make it into the top ten. Again, a heartbreaking moment that justified crying - only this time it happened in class, with my head down on my desk. Give me a break - I was only 13.
Not only was I not pretty enough, but now I wasn't smart enough either...
So what do these little anecdotes about adolescence have to do with a blog about country living? Because I'm always working on accepting myself and being okay with who I am and what I can and can't do. It's been a lifelong lesson, one that I'm still being taught every day. Even now, in my efforts to be a self-sufficient working housewife, I've learned that I am just not the domestic goddess I'd like to be. And I have to be okay with that.
Confession #1: I have a black thumb.
That's right - I'm a serial killer of plants. They come into my house knowing that they will only leave in a trash can after a slow painful death. I've even killed a cactus before. Yes, a cactus. How, you ask? I believe it was too much water. Yep - go ahead, read that again to let it really sink in. It doesn't matter if they are house plants or vegetable gardens - if it's green, I do my best to make sure it dies. I either over-water or under-water, too much sun or not enough sun. I forget to remove dahlia bulbs from the ground before it frosts. And I'd rather let weeds overtake the garden instead of pulling them out. I know that people say gardening is a very relaxing hobby, but to me, it's just another thing that I have do, one that often gets pushed to the bottom of the list.
But I love fresh vegetables and we inherited a gorgeous perennial garden in our back yard, so I'll keep doing the bare minimum. And my husband is very handy with plants and the outdoors, so he keeps things alive for me. Still - if you give me a plant as a gift and don't see it 3 months later, don't take offense. And if you do see it 3 months later, please give me a high five.
Confession #2: I can't sew.
I've covered this a few times already. I was never able to figure out the sewing machine, so I purchased a little handheld sewing device. Still haven't attempted to use it. Why? Because I'm not a sew-my-own-curtains kind of person. I wanted to be, and I wish I was, but I tried it and after some long hard debate, I am now comfortable with stating that I cannot sew and therefore will never be making my own linens, curtains, Halloween costumes, etc. Instead I will buy them and will do so without shame or regret. Yes, I know it's easy, but that's not the problem. For me, sewing is a lot like chemistry. Teach it to me and I'll understand. Test me on it 5 minutes later and I'll fail. Leave me alone in a chemistry lab and only bad things will happen. So instead of putting myself through more frustrating trials of attempting to be something I'm not, I'd rather stand up proudly and say that I can't sew worth a damn. If nothing else, I have a much greater admiration for those that can and do.
Confession #3: Just because it can be made from scratch doesn't mean it should be.
I found something on Pinterest the other day about making your own stain for wood using vinegar and metal or something like that. My initial thought: Why? Wouldn't it be just as easy to go to the home improvement store and buy some stain? I mean, if there was even an apocalypse and I survived and in rebuilding I wanted to stain some wood, it's very handy information. But until then, I'll buy my stain, thank you.
I also don't can my own vegetables (see Confession #1 above). True, I've never actually tried. I know it's easy to do and something I am perfectly capable of. But when I add store-bought frozen vegetables to a dinner I'm making, I can't help but realize there was a reason that such processes were created and that housewives and families across America were ecstatic when frozen vegetables became main-stream. I mean, I can crawl around on the floor and pick up all the dirt by hand, but I have a vacuum for that (okay, not the best comparison, but you get my drift). I do buy fresh vegetables whenever possible and when the pricing is good, but when it's December in North Dakota and the average temp is below zero, there isn't going to be fresh corn in the produce section of the supermarket.
It's not just frozen vegetables, though. I also buy frozen biscuits, among other foods. Could I make the biscuits myself and freeze them? Absolutely! But I'm also a mother of two who works 40 hours a week while trying to keep an entire house in order. I'd rather spend a Sunday afternoon outside with my family than making enough biscuits to feed an army. It's a convenience thing, pure and simple, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Confession #4: I am too organized for my own good.
There's this saying for mothers who are expecting or who have infants - ask your friends and family for help and don't be afraid to accept their offers. Yeah, touchy subject for me. I have a lot of wonderful family and friends that are always willing to help. I, however, have a very hard time letting people help me. No, it's not pride. I'm a control freak (or as someone very gently put it, a problem-solver, and when things aren't in my control I can't anticipate problems to solve.) My own mother knows this side of me all too well, unfortunately. There have been some very tense conversations around dishes and laundry on some of her visits - specifically, that's she's not allowed to wash my laundry or dishes. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it is. It's not that I don't trust her - I don't trust anyone, really, because they don't do it the same way I do. I am a hard-grained creature of habit, and if something is out of place I get a little unfriendly about it. After all, my home is my castle and the one place where I feel I have the most control, so if you think you're going to come in and put a salad bowl in the wrong cupboard, you've got another thing coming.
I've tried to ease up on this, and it's something I'll continue working on. After all, the basis of it is that people are helping because they care about me, and I need to remember that.
So there you have it - my downfalls in the world of domestication. These are things I've learned about myself in the last year or so and have gone through a pretty lengthy process to accept. I can accept these downfalls, though, because I know they are only a part of me. While I can't necessarily grow my own food, I am an excellent cook, something that I will boast about and be proud of. I don't sew my own curtains, but I think I have very good decorating taste (thanks Mom). I am a little unstable when it comes to organizing, but I know where everything is in my home and it's (almost) always neat and tidy, which makes me happy. So there are silver linings to my deficiencies.
Judy Garland may have said it best: "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."
And in case you're wondering, I finally did become a beauty queen - if not in anyone else's eyes, at least in my own.
I found a quote recently that stated "People don't change, they just become a clearer version of who they really are." I have to admit that I have lived my entire life striving to become a better version of myself, trying to fit within niches that don't really pertain to me and never could. I've always tried to change little things about myself here and there.
Take for example a few incidents in 7th grade that still haunt me. It was homecoming week, and in my high school a Prince and Princess was crowned for every grade. I was absolutely positive that I was going to be crowned Princess (for those of you that went to high school with me and are currently chuckling, it's perfectly okay. I've accepted that this was a completely irrational thought and am laughing along with you.) So imagine my shock, horror and devastation when I was in fact, not crowned Princess. I actually went home and cried.
But here's the deal - I wasn't popular, or pretty, or anything really. I was just me but for some reason, I wasn't okay with that and was determined to become a beauty queen. Me, the girl that grew up riding ATVs and building tree forts and playing with bugs. Yes, for some reason I decided that I was a beauty queen. Yeah, right. Luckily, that whole phase didn't last long.
A few weeks after the crowning of royalty, there was a spelling competition. Well, I thought, if I can't be the prettiest and most popular, then I'll be the smartest. And wouldn't you know, I didn't even make it into the top ten. Again, a heartbreaking moment that justified crying - only this time it happened in class, with my head down on my desk. Give me a break - I was only 13.
Not only was I not pretty enough, but now I wasn't smart enough either...
So what do these little anecdotes about adolescence have to do with a blog about country living? Because I'm always working on accepting myself and being okay with who I am and what I can and can't do. It's been a lifelong lesson, one that I'm still being taught every day. Even now, in my efforts to be a self-sufficient working housewife, I've learned that I am just not the domestic goddess I'd like to be. And I have to be okay with that.
Confession #1: I have a black thumb.
That's right - I'm a serial killer of plants. They come into my house knowing that they will only leave in a trash can after a slow painful death. I've even killed a cactus before. Yes, a cactus. How, you ask? I believe it was too much water. Yep - go ahead, read that again to let it really sink in. It doesn't matter if they are house plants or vegetable gardens - if it's green, I do my best to make sure it dies. I either over-water or under-water, too much sun or not enough sun. I forget to remove dahlia bulbs from the ground before it frosts. And I'd rather let weeds overtake the garden instead of pulling them out. I know that people say gardening is a very relaxing hobby, but to me, it's just another thing that I have do, one that often gets pushed to the bottom of the list.
But I love fresh vegetables and we inherited a gorgeous perennial garden in our back yard, so I'll keep doing the bare minimum. And my husband is very handy with plants and the outdoors, so he keeps things alive for me. Still - if you give me a plant as a gift and don't see it 3 months later, don't take offense. And if you do see it 3 months later, please give me a high five.
Confession #2: I can't sew.
I've covered this a few times already. I was never able to figure out the sewing machine, so I purchased a little handheld sewing device. Still haven't attempted to use it. Why? Because I'm not a sew-my-own-curtains kind of person. I wanted to be, and I wish I was, but I tried it and after some long hard debate, I am now comfortable with stating that I cannot sew and therefore will never be making my own linens, curtains, Halloween costumes, etc. Instead I will buy them and will do so without shame or regret. Yes, I know it's easy, but that's not the problem. For me, sewing is a lot like chemistry. Teach it to me and I'll understand. Test me on it 5 minutes later and I'll fail. Leave me alone in a chemistry lab and only bad things will happen. So instead of putting myself through more frustrating trials of attempting to be something I'm not, I'd rather stand up proudly and say that I can't sew worth a damn. If nothing else, I have a much greater admiration for those that can and do.
Confession #3: Just because it can be made from scratch doesn't mean it should be.
I found something on Pinterest the other day about making your own stain for wood using vinegar and metal or something like that. My initial thought: Why? Wouldn't it be just as easy to go to the home improvement store and buy some stain? I mean, if there was even an apocalypse and I survived and in rebuilding I wanted to stain some wood, it's very handy information. But until then, I'll buy my stain, thank you.
I also don't can my own vegetables (see Confession #1 above). True, I've never actually tried. I know it's easy to do and something I am perfectly capable of. But when I add store-bought frozen vegetables to a dinner I'm making, I can't help but realize there was a reason that such processes were created and that housewives and families across America were ecstatic when frozen vegetables became main-stream. I mean, I can crawl around on the floor and pick up all the dirt by hand, but I have a vacuum for that (okay, not the best comparison, but you get my drift). I do buy fresh vegetables whenever possible and when the pricing is good, but when it's December in North Dakota and the average temp is below zero, there isn't going to be fresh corn in the produce section of the supermarket.
It's not just frozen vegetables, though. I also buy frozen biscuits, among other foods. Could I make the biscuits myself and freeze them? Absolutely! But I'm also a mother of two who works 40 hours a week while trying to keep an entire house in order. I'd rather spend a Sunday afternoon outside with my family than making enough biscuits to feed an army. It's a convenience thing, pure and simple, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Confession #4: I am too organized for my own good.
There's this saying for mothers who are expecting or who have infants - ask your friends and family for help and don't be afraid to accept their offers. Yeah, touchy subject for me. I have a lot of wonderful family and friends that are always willing to help. I, however, have a very hard time letting people help me. No, it's not pride. I'm a control freak (or as someone very gently put it, a problem-solver, and when things aren't in my control I can't anticipate problems to solve.) My own mother knows this side of me all too well, unfortunately. There have been some very tense conversations around dishes and laundry on some of her visits - specifically, that's she's not allowed to wash my laundry or dishes. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it is. It's not that I don't trust her - I don't trust anyone, really, because they don't do it the same way I do. I am a hard-grained creature of habit, and if something is out of place I get a little unfriendly about it. After all, my home is my castle and the one place where I feel I have the most control, so if you think you're going to come in and put a salad bowl in the wrong cupboard, you've got another thing coming.
I've tried to ease up on this, and it's something I'll continue working on. After all, the basis of it is that people are helping because they care about me, and I need to remember that.
So there you have it - my downfalls in the world of domestication. These are things I've learned about myself in the last year or so and have gone through a pretty lengthy process to accept. I can accept these downfalls, though, because I know they are only a part of me. While I can't necessarily grow my own food, I am an excellent cook, something that I will boast about and be proud of. I don't sew my own curtains, but I think I have very good decorating taste (thanks Mom). I am a little unstable when it comes to organizing, but I know where everything is in my home and it's (almost) always neat and tidy, which makes me happy. So there are silver linings to my deficiencies.
Judy Garland may have said it best: "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."
And in case you're wondering, I finally did become a beauty queen - if not in anyone else's eyes, at least in my own.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The Commercially Fried Chicken Debacle
Well, I did something last night that I shouldn't have. I thought long and hard about it and knew that I would probably regret it, but I did it anyway.
I brought home a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken - Extra Crispy - for dinner.
I know, I know. And the fam wasn't too impressed either (my husband didn't even eat). But, in my defense, I am 9 months pregnant and have been in bed for the last two days with Braxton-Hicks contractions, nausea and headaches. Due to those factors, I stand by my decision. Here was my thought process on the whole debacle:
I need to make dinner tonight, but we don't have any food. I haven't showered and I probably won't and a quick trip to the grocery store requires a lot more effort now than it used to. And then, we won't get home until about 6:00, and Jackson will be starving and cranky. And if I cook anything, we're looking at 6:30 or 7:00 before it's ready. So if I get out of bed now, that's a solid 3 hours of movement, which is the most that my body has done at one time in the last 2 days.
So, fast food it is then. Ugh. What do I want? Chicken. Yes, chicken sounds good. KFC. But what is that commercial I always stick my nose up at? That KFC commercial where the teenage boy thanks his mom for the wonderful dinner when she didn't lift a damn finger to cook it and they're all actually eating garbage? Yeah, I'm about to be that mom. Can I handle that? Can I swallow my pride and do the exact same thing?
Screw it. It's dinner. I make the decisions, and I'm not feeling well so that's what it is. Although, it would be fairly easy to make. I have potatoes and a very quick and handy mac & cheese recipe, and I even have frozen biscuits. All I would is chicken. Oh, and cheese. I forgot, we're out of cheese. I wonder what kind of breading I should use? I'd probably need to get something for that too. And how long does it take to bake chicken like that? Hmm.... so I know I could make this and it would taste better, be healthier and cost less than going to KFC. But then I'd need to go to the grocery store... (refer to the first paragraph and re-read, as I then proceeded to go over the entire conversation again in my head....)
Well, now that I've spent 20 minutes laying in bed thinking about dinner, I don't have any time to make it. KFC it is then. If they don't like it, they can find something else to make. I'll eat it.
So I pick up my son and pull into the KFC drive-thru and order a bucket of chicken. I have to wait. And traffic is horrible, so cars are lined up everywhere. And I hate traffic. And lots of people. And Jackson is very cranky and screaming in the back seat. And people are driving like idiots. And I realize I have officially become sheltered and could never live in a city with a population larger than 80,000. And I am happy about this fact.
Anyway, we get home and I throw a drumstick on a plate for Jackson. He proceeds to pick it up and bite off the end and I quickly realize that my 3-year-old doesn't know how to eat a chicken drumstick. This strikes a little bit of pride in me because any chicken he's ever had has been boneless, skinless, cubed and baked in some way. Score one for me.
My husband then enters the room, looks at the red bucket on the table, and asks what's for dinner. I point to the red bucket. He is confused. He asks again, what's for dinner, so I point to the bucket again (I am eating after all and trying to teach my son not to talk with his mouth full). He makes a face and walks away.
As I'm sitting there, biting into this chicken, I taste the grease, and it's gross. But, I keep eating because I'm hungry and 9 months pregnant. I didn't eat very much, and neither did Jackson. My husband didn't eat any of it and later that night, asked me again what I made for dinner. I reminded him and conceded that yes, it wasn't a real dinner and listed my reasonings for making the choice, then invited him (in a very polite way, of course) to cook dinner anytime he wishes.
I thought about this all night and realized a few things:
1) It will be a very very very long time before I buy KFC for dinner again. But, it does in a pinch.
2) I could make it, and it would be very easy. And so I will redeem myself with a baked chicken dinner this weekend (after we go to the store).
3) I have spoiled my family with home-cooking to the point where a bucket of chicken for supper is simply unacceptable. They would much rather eat my cooking. This little fact makes me extremely happy and makes me feel much appreciated.
4) I am not a horrible mother or wife for bringing home a bucket of KFC for dinner. I don't remember the last time I ate at KFC before then, and it will be a very long time before it happens again. But it will happen again, and I will not feel guilty and my family will either have to suck it up or learn how to cook.
5) I am a very good cook and my family showed their appreciation for this, even if they didn't intend to.
So tonight, breaded baked chicken, homemade mac & cheese and mashed potatoes - from actual potatoes and not a box. Take that KFC.
I brought home a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken - Extra Crispy - for dinner.
I know, I know. And the fam wasn't too impressed either (my husband didn't even eat). But, in my defense, I am 9 months pregnant and have been in bed for the last two days with Braxton-Hicks contractions, nausea and headaches. Due to those factors, I stand by my decision. Here was my thought process on the whole debacle:
I need to make dinner tonight, but we don't have any food. I haven't showered and I probably won't and a quick trip to the grocery store requires a lot more effort now than it used to. And then, we won't get home until about 6:00, and Jackson will be starving and cranky. And if I cook anything, we're looking at 6:30 or 7:00 before it's ready. So if I get out of bed now, that's a solid 3 hours of movement, which is the most that my body has done at one time in the last 2 days.
So, fast food it is then. Ugh. What do I want? Chicken. Yes, chicken sounds good. KFC. But what is that commercial I always stick my nose up at? That KFC commercial where the teenage boy thanks his mom for the wonderful dinner when she didn't lift a damn finger to cook it and they're all actually eating garbage? Yeah, I'm about to be that mom. Can I handle that? Can I swallow my pride and do the exact same thing?
Screw it. It's dinner. I make the decisions, and I'm not feeling well so that's what it is. Although, it would be fairly easy to make. I have potatoes and a very quick and handy mac & cheese recipe, and I even have frozen biscuits. All I would is chicken. Oh, and cheese. I forgot, we're out of cheese. I wonder what kind of breading I should use? I'd probably need to get something for that too. And how long does it take to bake chicken like that? Hmm.... so I know I could make this and it would taste better, be healthier and cost less than going to KFC. But then I'd need to go to the grocery store... (refer to the first paragraph and re-read, as I then proceeded to go over the entire conversation again in my head....)
Well, now that I've spent 20 minutes laying in bed thinking about dinner, I don't have any time to make it. KFC it is then. If they don't like it, they can find something else to make. I'll eat it.
So I pick up my son and pull into the KFC drive-thru and order a bucket of chicken. I have to wait. And traffic is horrible, so cars are lined up everywhere. And I hate traffic. And lots of people. And Jackson is very cranky and screaming in the back seat. And people are driving like idiots. And I realize I have officially become sheltered and could never live in a city with a population larger than 80,000. And I am happy about this fact.
Anyway, we get home and I throw a drumstick on a plate for Jackson. He proceeds to pick it up and bite off the end and I quickly realize that my 3-year-old doesn't know how to eat a chicken drumstick. This strikes a little bit of pride in me because any chicken he's ever had has been boneless, skinless, cubed and baked in some way. Score one for me.
My husband then enters the room, looks at the red bucket on the table, and asks what's for dinner. I point to the red bucket. He is confused. He asks again, what's for dinner, so I point to the bucket again (I am eating after all and trying to teach my son not to talk with his mouth full). He makes a face and walks away.
As I'm sitting there, biting into this chicken, I taste the grease, and it's gross. But, I keep eating because I'm hungry and 9 months pregnant. I didn't eat very much, and neither did Jackson. My husband didn't eat any of it and later that night, asked me again what I made for dinner. I reminded him and conceded that yes, it wasn't a real dinner and listed my reasonings for making the choice, then invited him (in a very polite way, of course) to cook dinner anytime he wishes.
I thought about this all night and realized a few things:
1) It will be a very very very long time before I buy KFC for dinner again. But, it does in a pinch.
2) I could make it, and it would be very easy. And so I will redeem myself with a baked chicken dinner this weekend (after we go to the store).
3) I have spoiled my family with home-cooking to the point where a bucket of chicken for supper is simply unacceptable. They would much rather eat my cooking. This little fact makes me extremely happy and makes me feel much appreciated.
4) I am not a horrible mother or wife for bringing home a bucket of KFC for dinner. I don't remember the last time I ate at KFC before then, and it will be a very long time before it happens again. But it will happen again, and I will not feel guilty and my family will either have to suck it up or learn how to cook.
5) I am a very good cook and my family showed their appreciation for this, even if they didn't intend to.
So tonight, breaded baked chicken, homemade mac & cheese and mashed potatoes - from actual potatoes and not a box. Take that KFC.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
A Dash of This and Then Some
It was brought to my attention that I haven't written a blog post in some time (you know who you are...) and unfortunately I am very guilty of this. I've had a lot of my mind, and what better place to lay it all out there than on a blog. This blog will be a recap and update of most of the posts I've had recently since there is just so much going on!
First, I need to vent about something that is a constant struggle. Yes, that's right, I'm talking about static cling (I know, First World Problem....). I've tried several things to get rid of static cling, but for some reason it just keeps on clinging. I use the Bounce Dryer Bar, and while it makes my clothes soft and smell great, it doesn't really do anything for static cling. This shouldn't surprise me as I was using dryer sheets before this amazing invention, and regardless of how many sheets I threw in there was still static cling. I did some research and found some tips and have tried them, but to no avail.
The first thing I tried was a ball of tinfoil. I found several posts online about how easy, cheap and effective it is for getting rid of static cling. Well, it sure didn't work for me. From what I read, it didn't matter what brand was used. All you had to do was crinkle up some tinfoil into a ball and throw it in the dryer. And the same ball could be reused in every load. I tried it in about 5 loads of all different fabrics, including towels, bedding and regular clothes. I even tested if the tinfoil had to be in a tight wad or loosely crumpled. Didn't matter. The static cling remained.
The next thing I triehttp://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4893420851954377642#editor/target=post;postID=7148313248345081857d was a tennis ball, which is something my mother-in-law uses as well. While it didn't seem to have an impact on static cling, it did help separate the clothing in the dryer, causing them to be less tangled and therefore dry quicker. Since they were drying quicker, I was able to cut down on the heat setting and run the dryer for shorter periods of time, thus saving energy. Making sure not to over-dry clothing was another tip I found online about fighting static cling. This did seem to help, although it didn't get rid of it altogether. I realized there simply wasn't a reason to use the hottest and longest dryer setting and that not only was it wasting energy, but it wasn't good for my clothing and fabrics, either. Regardless of static cling, I would suggest using a tennis ball in the dryer and also cutting down on the heat intensity and time frame for drying.
The last thing I tried was vinegar. I had a lot of hope for this one as vinegar is one of my go-to products for just about everything. Hey, if it can get rid of stains and soap scum, why can't it get rid of static cling? According to various internet sources, you're supposed to use it like fabric softener and add it to the washer so it can be used during the rinse cycle. Of course you don't need a lot - a few tablespoons at most. Since I don't have this feature on my washing machine, I followed the advice of one user and poured the vinegar into a Downy ball, then threw it into the wash. The good news is that my clothes didn't come out smelling like vinegar. The bad news is that the static cling persisted. Another idea down the lint trap.
Likewise with the vinegar, it was advised to add baking soda to the washing machine as well. The directions said to sprinkle in a few tablespoons directly into the washing machine. Well, I was already doing this and it hadn't done anything for the static cling. It does, however, help my whites shine a little brighter and also makes my clothes incredibly soft. It also helps with smells, especially for those fabrics that tend to get very dirty and smelly, like, say, sheets from the bed of a potty-training toddler. I also recommend using baking soda in the washing machine.
After trying all those, I surrendered (for now) to static cling. The good news is that the weather has changed and my clothesline is now set up outside. Also, it's not as dry as it was during the winter, so I don't have to fight with static cling for a few months now.
And now for an update on the bulk shopping experiment. I've had a membership to a bulk shopping store for about 3 months now. I now have shelving in the storage room in the basement. I've cleared out the pantry, although it's not organized (that is a kitchen wide project that will wait until I have time and enthusiasm). After the first shopping experience, I was concerned if it would be cost effective. I am happy to report that by the third shopping trip, the amount spent was cut in half. There are a few reasons for this. First, I've been doing price matching and I now understand what is cheaper and where. Second, I became very aware of what my family needs in bulk quantities. Cereal? Sure! We eat a lot more cereal now. That giant box of garlic bread? Not so much. It's frozen, so it will keep, but it's going to take us a long time to eat it all, and that's if we don't get sick of it. Our eating habits have also changed and the bulk shopping has allowed us to add a lot more fruits and vegetables to our diet. I always have the basics on hand, so I'm able to be more creative and feed my family actual homemade meals instead of relying on something from a box. All in all, the bulk shopping is turning out to be the right move for my family, and now that I know the layout of the store and the selection, I'm able to be more creative with new meal ideas.
Speaking of food, last weekend I made an amazing Cinnamon Applesauce bread. The recipe, which came from my new low-cholesterol cooking cook book, called for wheat flour and wheat germ, things I had never used before. I didn't have walnuts, so I substituted almonds. The bread turned out moist and full of flavor, just sweet enough but not sugary. The best part? It was homemade and I knew how healthy it was, even though it didn't taste "healthy." I've been cooking a lot more and paying a lot more attention to what goes into food. Due to cooking more, I'm eating out less during the week at work since there are always left overs. Also, instead of running to the vending machine for a bag of chips, I'm reaching for fruit or nuts or other healthy snacks. My next challenges? Making healthy homemade snacks that can be kept around the house - like cookies full of fiber that taste good or homemade granola bars. I'm also going to start making more vegetarian meals, which is an entirely new concept for me and my family. I made a lovely pasta casserole the other night that didn't involve any meat, only to realize that it was the very first vegetarian meal I'd made for my family. Even when I used to make Mac n' Cheese for Jackson, it usually had some form of meat in it or on the side. Once I realized that, I also realized that I was missing out on an vast majority of meals and that this would have to change. I'm still working on convincing my carnivorous caveman husband that meat doesn't need to be present to constitute a meal, but it's just upped the challenge for me. The day I can get him to eat - and enjoy - a vegetarian meal, I have won.
Lastly, I want to do a little self promotion. I am very appreciative of everyone that follows and reads my blog. It's such a wonderful creative outlet for me and the response I've gotten has been nothing but positive. Because of this, I was strongly encouraged to (finally!) publish a book. I've been a writing all my life and always dreamed of being a published author. Well, now I am, and it's been such a fantastic experience and I've gotten so much love and support that I'm going to continue writing and publishing.
If your interested, check me out on Amazon.com. The title of my book is "Beneath the Battered Oaks" and it's a digital book selling for $2.99. You can download it onto your Kindle, iPhone or iPad, Android device or your computer. It's my debut novel, but there will be plenty more to come - in fact, I plan to have at least one more book published and available by the end of the year.
Thanks Everyone!
First, I need to vent about something that is a constant struggle. Yes, that's right, I'm talking about static cling (I know, First World Problem....). I've tried several things to get rid of static cling, but for some reason it just keeps on clinging. I use the Bounce Dryer Bar, and while it makes my clothes soft and smell great, it doesn't really do anything for static cling. This shouldn't surprise me as I was using dryer sheets before this amazing invention, and regardless of how many sheets I threw in there was still static cling. I did some research and found some tips and have tried them, but to no avail.
The first thing I tried was a ball of tinfoil. I found several posts online about how easy, cheap and effective it is for getting rid of static cling. Well, it sure didn't work for me. From what I read, it didn't matter what brand was used. All you had to do was crinkle up some tinfoil into a ball and throw it in the dryer. And the same ball could be reused in every load. I tried it in about 5 loads of all different fabrics, including towels, bedding and regular clothes. I even tested if the tinfoil had to be in a tight wad or loosely crumpled. Didn't matter. The static cling remained.
The next thing I triehttp://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4893420851954377642#editor/target=post;postID=7148313248345081857d was a tennis ball, which is something my mother-in-law uses as well. While it didn't seem to have an impact on static cling, it did help separate the clothing in the dryer, causing them to be less tangled and therefore dry quicker. Since they were drying quicker, I was able to cut down on the heat setting and run the dryer for shorter periods of time, thus saving energy. Making sure not to over-dry clothing was another tip I found online about fighting static cling. This did seem to help, although it didn't get rid of it altogether. I realized there simply wasn't a reason to use the hottest and longest dryer setting and that not only was it wasting energy, but it wasn't good for my clothing and fabrics, either. Regardless of static cling, I would suggest using a tennis ball in the dryer and also cutting down on the heat intensity and time frame for drying.
The last thing I tried was vinegar. I had a lot of hope for this one as vinegar is one of my go-to products for just about everything. Hey, if it can get rid of stains and soap scum, why can't it get rid of static cling? According to various internet sources, you're supposed to use it like fabric softener and add it to the washer so it can be used during the rinse cycle. Of course you don't need a lot - a few tablespoons at most. Since I don't have this feature on my washing machine, I followed the advice of one user and poured the vinegar into a Downy ball, then threw it into the wash. The good news is that my clothes didn't come out smelling like vinegar. The bad news is that the static cling persisted. Another idea down the lint trap.
Likewise with the vinegar, it was advised to add baking soda to the washing machine as well. The directions said to sprinkle in a few tablespoons directly into the washing machine. Well, I was already doing this and it hadn't done anything for the static cling. It does, however, help my whites shine a little brighter and also makes my clothes incredibly soft. It also helps with smells, especially for those fabrics that tend to get very dirty and smelly, like, say, sheets from the bed of a potty-training toddler. I also recommend using baking soda in the washing machine.
After trying all those, I surrendered (for now) to static cling. The good news is that the weather has changed and my clothesline is now set up outside. Also, it's not as dry as it was during the winter, so I don't have to fight with static cling for a few months now.
And now for an update on the bulk shopping experiment. I've had a membership to a bulk shopping store for about 3 months now. I now have shelving in the storage room in the basement. I've cleared out the pantry, although it's not organized (that is a kitchen wide project that will wait until I have time and enthusiasm). After the first shopping experience, I was concerned if it would be cost effective. I am happy to report that by the third shopping trip, the amount spent was cut in half. There are a few reasons for this. First, I've been doing price matching and I now understand what is cheaper and where. Second, I became very aware of what my family needs in bulk quantities. Cereal? Sure! We eat a lot more cereal now. That giant box of garlic bread? Not so much. It's frozen, so it will keep, but it's going to take us a long time to eat it all, and that's if we don't get sick of it. Our eating habits have also changed and the bulk shopping has allowed us to add a lot more fruits and vegetables to our diet. I always have the basics on hand, so I'm able to be more creative and feed my family actual homemade meals instead of relying on something from a box. All in all, the bulk shopping is turning out to be the right move for my family, and now that I know the layout of the store and the selection, I'm able to be more creative with new meal ideas.
Speaking of food, last weekend I made an amazing Cinnamon Applesauce bread. The recipe, which came from my new low-cholesterol cooking cook book, called for wheat flour and wheat germ, things I had never used before. I didn't have walnuts, so I substituted almonds. The bread turned out moist and full of flavor, just sweet enough but not sugary. The best part? It was homemade and I knew how healthy it was, even though it didn't taste "healthy." I've been cooking a lot more and paying a lot more attention to what goes into food. Due to cooking more, I'm eating out less during the week at work since there are always left overs. Also, instead of running to the vending machine for a bag of chips, I'm reaching for fruit or nuts or other healthy snacks. My next challenges? Making healthy homemade snacks that can be kept around the house - like cookies full of fiber that taste good or homemade granola bars. I'm also going to start making more vegetarian meals, which is an entirely new concept for me and my family. I made a lovely pasta casserole the other night that didn't involve any meat, only to realize that it was the very first vegetarian meal I'd made for my family. Even when I used to make Mac n' Cheese for Jackson, it usually had some form of meat in it or on the side. Once I realized that, I also realized that I was missing out on an vast majority of meals and that this would have to change. I'm still working on convincing my carnivorous caveman husband that meat doesn't need to be present to constitute a meal, but it's just upped the challenge for me. The day I can get him to eat - and enjoy - a vegetarian meal, I have won.
Lastly, I want to do a little self promotion. I am very appreciative of everyone that follows and reads my blog. It's such a wonderful creative outlet for me and the response I've gotten has been nothing but positive. Because of this, I was strongly encouraged to (finally!) publish a book. I've been a writing all my life and always dreamed of being a published author. Well, now I am, and it's been such a fantastic experience and I've gotten so much love and support that I'm going to continue writing and publishing.
If your interested, check me out on Amazon.com. The title of my book is "Beneath the Battered Oaks" and it's a digital book selling for $2.99. You can download it onto your Kindle, iPhone or iPad, Android device or your computer. It's my debut novel, but there will be plenty more to come - in fact, I plan to have at least one more book published and available by the end of the year.
Thanks Everyone!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Food is Love
I've made some changes lately in the way I eat and the way I cook for my family. This has been a gradual change, brought on by a few key factors. I've become increasingly aware of what is in food and what impacts it has on a person's health. The off-shoot of this is that I don't want my kids growing up on processed foods and thinking it's normal. I grew up on vegetables from the garden, we ate the deer and other wildlife that was hunted, our beef came from purchasing a cow down the road, and there was always baked bread and other homemade goodies around the house. I cringe now when I see a commercial for pre-made and pre-shaped cookies that are being marketed as "homemade." Really? If you break down the word, I guess technically they are "made" in the "home" but it's far from the homemade foods that I remember. My children will know exactly what "homemade" really means and I will know what's in their food.
I love to cook. There is something about creating a masterpiece in the kitchen that not only looks good and tastes good, but is good for your family. Whether my family agrees to eat it or not is up for debate, but it doesn't take away that magical feeling. I would much rather create a complete meal with well-rounded and healthy ingredients instead of dumping contents from a box into a pan with some water. Granted, this is an option sometimes for those nights when I'm just too exhausted to cook, but with each night of cooking and each personal success, these nights are becoming fewer and fewer.
Also, a recent health discovery involving cholesterol has really brought our eating habits into focus. Growing up in the Midwest, I was raised on hot dishes (aka casseroles), red meat and potatoes. We ate a lit of chicken too, and the fish we ate was mostly Walleye that we caught ourselves. However, this diet doesn't bode well for cholesterol, something I realized after doing a little bit of research. And while I'm slowly incorporating more fruits and vegetables and less fats into my meals, I need to pick it up a notch. It's out with the frozen pizzas and in with the fish and vegetables.
The good news is that we don't have to cut out pizza all together, which is the favorite food of my son and husband. We just have to cut out the "frozen" part of the pizza. It's actually very feasible to make your own pizza dough and sauce. Add in some fresh vegetables, a little bit of cheese and whatever other toppings you want and you've got a pizza - one that is healthier and cheaper than their frozen cousins.
This is just one example of how an unhealthy and over-processed food can become healthy and still be delicious. Another one would be french toast, which leads me to breakfast this morning.
One of my favorite things to do is make a big breakfast on the weekends, usually Sunday. Again, this stems from my childhood. I can recall countless memories of sitting in the kitchen at Grandma and Grandpa's, all us cousins and aunts and uncles surrounding the table and kitchen island while my Grandma cooked homemade Swedish skinny pancakes on the same griddle my great grandmother used for the same purpose. It was heavenly.
This is why, anytime you are guest at my house in the morning, you can expect breakfast. And I'm not talking about frozen waffles. I'm talking breakfast, the kind of meal that greets everyone in the morning, bringing everyone together and filling tummies with wonderfully delicious food to prepare everyone for the amazing day ahead. This is what breakfast is all about.
Anyway, back to the french toast. Here is my take on french toast for breakfast:
I start with homemade bread. Why? Because it's cheap, easy, and I know what's in it. The best french toast is made from thick slices. The egg bathe I use is the standard - eggs, milk and vanilla extract. My husband likes the batter a little eggy, so I probably add less milk than other people. Instead of frying my french toast, I bake it. The main reason for this is less mess, less standing in front of a stove and less butter. I grab a large cookie sheet (or two, depending on the amount I want to make) and put 1-2 tablespoons of butter on the pan. I preheat the oven to 375F and put the pan in to melt the butter. It's extremely important to have this step - skipping it ensures your eggy bread will bake right into the pan, and instead of french toast slices you end up with some form of mutated french toast that is crumpled, scrunched and missing chunks. It doesn't take long for the butter to melt. Once it's melted, I use a spatula to spread the butter around. I then dip the bread into the egg bathe and lay it on the pan. Once all the slices are on the pan, I sprinkle the slices with brown sugar and cinnamon. I do this with each slice instead of adding it directly to the egg bathe to ensure that every slice gets a little love. Otherwise you end up with one piece covered in eggy cinnamon and nothing on the other poor neglected slices. I put them in the oven for about 10 minutes, then flip them, again adding cinnamon to the other side. I don't add anymore brown sugar because it gets a little too surgery and sweet then. And what to put on top? There are a variety of options! The favorite, of course, is syrup, but I'm not a huge fan of syrup because it's really all sugar, at least a majority of syrups are. Even the "sugar free" syrups are just made with a chemical based sugar substitute. I realize that this is the point of syrup and that there are a variety of real maple syrups out there, but why limit yourself to one topping? For example, this morning, we had a few handfuls of blueberries in the fridge that needed to be used, so I threw them in my handy little mini food processor and blended away. I stirred them once to make sure to get all the big chunks and added a few tablespoons of sugar. Once the french toast was baked through, I made sure to keep the brown sugared sides up on the plate and poured the blueberry sauce over them. Delicious.
See? Things like that - super simple. No recipe needed. Just conscience thought about what and how you're cooking. Instead of frying every slice of french toast in butter, it was baked in a total of 2 tablespoons. Instead of drowning the slices in sugary syrup, they were delicately drenched in a homemade blueberry sauce.
A little awareness and thinking goes a long way when cooking. For starters, I add more fruits and vegetables. It really is easy to do. We've been able to do this in part to shopping in bulk since you can buy 5 pound bags of frozen vegetables that have the same nutritional content as fresh ones (I advise to stay away from canned vegetables as they often contain some sort of preservative and a butt load of sodium). Instead of adding fats like butter and oil to add taste to food, use spices and herbs instead. Also, I try and make things from scratch as often as possible. It's cheap and doesn't take a lot of time.
If you're having a little trouble getting started, don't worry. Like I said, this has been an evolution in process for quite some time now. The first step is to pay attention. Read labels and think about what's in the food you're eating. Second, look for inspiration. Cook books and recipes are a great way to start the imagination. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. Third, always think "how could I make this," especially when in the grocery store. I often go to the frozen foods section and look at all the one-skillet meals that are in bags. I look at the ingredients, then instead of buying the meal in the bag I go buy the ingredients and make it myself. No, it won't taste the same, and that's kind of the point. By making it yourself and using better ingredients, it will taste the way food is supposed to instead of tasting like a salt and fat.
Ah, food. Some of my best memories are centered around food. Every family get together turns into a giant all-you-eat buffet of the best potluck dishes every created. And while at that time, mashed potatoes came from boxes and vegetables were in tin cans and you could microwave a meal in a cardboard tray, this wasn't what I grew up on. Therefore, my children shouldn't and won't either. Instead, they'll grow up in the kind of home where food and love are always guests at the same table.
I love to cook. There is something about creating a masterpiece in the kitchen that not only looks good and tastes good, but is good for your family. Whether my family agrees to eat it or not is up for debate, but it doesn't take away that magical feeling. I would much rather create a complete meal with well-rounded and healthy ingredients instead of dumping contents from a box into a pan with some water. Granted, this is an option sometimes for those nights when I'm just too exhausted to cook, but with each night of cooking and each personal success, these nights are becoming fewer and fewer.
Also, a recent health discovery involving cholesterol has really brought our eating habits into focus. Growing up in the Midwest, I was raised on hot dishes (aka casseroles), red meat and potatoes. We ate a lit of chicken too, and the fish we ate was mostly Walleye that we caught ourselves. However, this diet doesn't bode well for cholesterol, something I realized after doing a little bit of research. And while I'm slowly incorporating more fruits and vegetables and less fats into my meals, I need to pick it up a notch. It's out with the frozen pizzas and in with the fish and vegetables.
The good news is that we don't have to cut out pizza all together, which is the favorite food of my son and husband. We just have to cut out the "frozen" part of the pizza. It's actually very feasible to make your own pizza dough and sauce. Add in some fresh vegetables, a little bit of cheese and whatever other toppings you want and you've got a pizza - one that is healthier and cheaper than their frozen cousins.
This is just one example of how an unhealthy and over-processed food can become healthy and still be delicious. Another one would be french toast, which leads me to breakfast this morning.
One of my favorite things to do is make a big breakfast on the weekends, usually Sunday. Again, this stems from my childhood. I can recall countless memories of sitting in the kitchen at Grandma and Grandpa's, all us cousins and aunts and uncles surrounding the table and kitchen island while my Grandma cooked homemade Swedish skinny pancakes on the same griddle my great grandmother used for the same purpose. It was heavenly.
This is why, anytime you are guest at my house in the morning, you can expect breakfast. And I'm not talking about frozen waffles. I'm talking breakfast, the kind of meal that greets everyone in the morning, bringing everyone together and filling tummies with wonderfully delicious food to prepare everyone for the amazing day ahead. This is what breakfast is all about.
Anyway, back to the french toast. Here is my take on french toast for breakfast:
I start with homemade bread. Why? Because it's cheap, easy, and I know what's in it. The best french toast is made from thick slices. The egg bathe I use is the standard - eggs, milk and vanilla extract. My husband likes the batter a little eggy, so I probably add less milk than other people. Instead of frying my french toast, I bake it. The main reason for this is less mess, less standing in front of a stove and less butter. I grab a large cookie sheet (or two, depending on the amount I want to make) and put 1-2 tablespoons of butter on the pan. I preheat the oven to 375F and put the pan in to melt the butter. It's extremely important to have this step - skipping it ensures your eggy bread will bake right into the pan, and instead of french toast slices you end up with some form of mutated french toast that is crumpled, scrunched and missing chunks. It doesn't take long for the butter to melt. Once it's melted, I use a spatula to spread the butter around. I then dip the bread into the egg bathe and lay it on the pan. Once all the slices are on the pan, I sprinkle the slices with brown sugar and cinnamon. I do this with each slice instead of adding it directly to the egg bathe to ensure that every slice gets a little love. Otherwise you end up with one piece covered in eggy cinnamon and nothing on the other poor neglected slices. I put them in the oven for about 10 minutes, then flip them, again adding cinnamon to the other side. I don't add anymore brown sugar because it gets a little too surgery and sweet then. And what to put on top? There are a variety of options! The favorite, of course, is syrup, but I'm not a huge fan of syrup because it's really all sugar, at least a majority of syrups are. Even the "sugar free" syrups are just made with a chemical based sugar substitute. I realize that this is the point of syrup and that there are a variety of real maple syrups out there, but why limit yourself to one topping? For example, this morning, we had a few handfuls of blueberries in the fridge that needed to be used, so I threw them in my handy little mini food processor and blended away. I stirred them once to make sure to get all the big chunks and added a few tablespoons of sugar. Once the french toast was baked through, I made sure to keep the brown sugared sides up on the plate and poured the blueberry sauce over them. Delicious.
See? Things like that - super simple. No recipe needed. Just conscience thought about what and how you're cooking. Instead of frying every slice of french toast in butter, it was baked in a total of 2 tablespoons. Instead of drowning the slices in sugary syrup, they were delicately drenched in a homemade blueberry sauce.
A little awareness and thinking goes a long way when cooking. For starters, I add more fruits and vegetables. It really is easy to do. We've been able to do this in part to shopping in bulk since you can buy 5 pound bags of frozen vegetables that have the same nutritional content as fresh ones (I advise to stay away from canned vegetables as they often contain some sort of preservative and a butt load of sodium). Instead of adding fats like butter and oil to add taste to food, use spices and herbs instead. Also, I try and make things from scratch as often as possible. It's cheap and doesn't take a lot of time.
If you're having a little trouble getting started, don't worry. Like I said, this has been an evolution in process for quite some time now. The first step is to pay attention. Read labels and think about what's in the food you're eating. Second, look for inspiration. Cook books and recipes are a great way to start the imagination. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. Third, always think "how could I make this," especially when in the grocery store. I often go to the frozen foods section and look at all the one-skillet meals that are in bags. I look at the ingredients, then instead of buying the meal in the bag I go buy the ingredients and make it myself. No, it won't taste the same, and that's kind of the point. By making it yourself and using better ingredients, it will taste the way food is supposed to instead of tasting like a salt and fat.
Ah, food. Some of my best memories are centered around food. Every family get together turns into a giant all-you-eat buffet of the best potluck dishes every created. And while at that time, mashed potatoes came from boxes and vegetables were in tin cans and you could microwave a meal in a cardboard tray, this wasn't what I grew up on. Therefore, my children shouldn't and won't either. Instead, they'll grow up in the kind of home where food and love are always guests at the same table.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Irrational Nesting Paranoia
Ah Nesting. That time during pregnancy when every expectant mother turns into an organizing germaphobe. This phase of mental instability has never made my life seem more messy.
I had a bit of a breakdown yesterday and unfortunately due to hormones, it came out as anger instead of tears. Luckily, my husband and son understand and love me very much and hid accordingly until the moment passed. The good news is that I turned my frustration into action and checked quite a few things off my to-do list.
It started with my second foray into bulk shopping. I was very excited about this and couldn't wait to see how much money I saved - or didn't save. While I spent less that the first time (which I was hoping/expecting) and I know I saved compared to buying the same quantities in a grocery or department store, there were quite a few items that I intended to buy in bulk but that weren't available. Some of these items were there last time, so I was confused and annoyed that they were nowhere to be found this time. That is one downside to shopping at bulk stores since they don't always have the same products or stock all the time.
This only meant that I had another stop to make, which I attempted. My 2 1/2 year old had other ideas. I learned a valuable lesson that day: If your toddler behaves exceptionally well in one store and then asks to go home, don't push your luck and try go to a second store. The same behavior will not be exemplified. Just go home.
If there is one thing I completely dislike, it's coming back home with a list that's not checked off. And in this case, thanks to my son, I had quite the list. This time was especially irritating, as I had anticipated on buying most of the items at the bulk store.
After unloading the car, I then realized that I simply didn't have any room for all the bulk items I'd just purchased. I had anticipated on purchasing shelving and organizing the cellar in the basement and pantry in the kitchen before my next bulk shopping spree, but that didn't happen.
This is about the time when my hormones convinced me to become completely irrational. From this point on, everything in my house was messy and out of order, and to a person who is nesting, this is one of the worst feelings in the world. Yes, parts of my home were unorganized, but to me, it was a filthy mess, one I was forcing my child to live in. Therefore, I was a bad mother. Not only that, but by natural design I was also a bad wife and bad housekeeper. See how this irrational thing works? None of this is true, by the way, and I know this. But in my mind yesterday, these were my thoughts.
So instead of crumpling up into a ball and crying while clutching a bag of Dove chocolates, I went into action. I cleaned out the cellar in the basement (mostly) and got all the second-hand destined items in one pile. I finally called the Salvation Army and got information regarding pick-up. The excellent news is that they will come pick up your junk up to 30 miles out of town. All I need to do is call back on Monday and schedule an appointment for Monday - Friday. I think I'll be able to breathe easier and relax once that massive pile of junk is out of my house.
I still didn't have shelving to put in the cellar, so I couldn't organize to my full intent. But with a lot of junk out of there, at least I could walk around and see what kind of space I had. Part of me wanted to go back into town and buy some shelving units, but I wasn't about to have a repeat of that morning. So instead of putting it on my list and knowing that it may or may not get done, I went on this handy little website called Amazon.com and bought some. I ordered a few other things that had been on my list for a while, so I got free shipping, meaning I didn't spend anymore money than I would have if I'd gone back into town. The best part is that I saved my sanity, because now I know they are on their way and that in a few weeks I can really sort through things and become organized. And by that time, the massive junk pile in the basement will be gone as well.
Having a game plan with the bulk storage situation made me feel a lot better. Then it was time to focus on the nursery. The only number in my head for the last few days is 13 - 13 weeks away from my due date. 13 weeks to organize and decorate the nursery. 13 weeks to prepare for my maternity leave from work. 13 weeks. 13 weeks. And the paranoia starts in again.
There is so much that needs to be done in the nursery that I can't do right now - particularly repairing some spots on the walls and painting. I also want to wash everything and organize things, but I don't have a dresser yet. I still need to go buy one, and then have that painted too. And then I need a lamp. And curtains. And storage bins. And things to decorate the walls....
Again, I thought about going back into town and getting all these things, but I didn't for the same reasons as above. And seeing as how I want to buy used, I wasn't able to just hop on a website and buy them. So I did what I could - I prepped the room for painting buy moving things out that didn't need to be in there. That was about all I could do. But, I have a plan, and if I need to, I will bribe my friends and family with liquor and food to come get the painting done since my husband is incredibly busy traveling with work. And I'm impatient, and nesting, and therefore irrational.
The last part of my paranoia is that we're still remodeling our home. I've come to the realization that we will probably be in various construction projects in various parts of the house for the next 10 years or so, and I'm okay with that because it's worth it to get your dream home. It's just the mess that it creates and the constant cleaning up after that I have yet to get used to. This bothered me before, but I'm extremely aware of it now because of the nesting. For example, my husband does some work in the downstairs hall and I now have to dust the whole house. I would say "want to" because this is the honest feeling, but my irrationality turns it into "have to." At least now, my toddler can and is willing to help mommy clean the house. We just put on a little music and power clean - and he's quite handy with a mop for his small stout stature.
So that's what we're doing today because when you have Irrational Nesting Paranoia, the cleaning and organizing never stops. My home will be organized and clean to my satisfaction and nothing like construction or bulk shopping is going to get in my way. The one good thing about the mess - my living room and my son's room are littered with puzzles, crayons and Matchbox cars, some of which I helped contribute too. And I think that's the only thing keeping me from going completely insane right now - those moments when I take a break, relax and play games with my son. Because I have a million other things to do, but compared to playing with him, they are not even important and simply don't exist for a little bit. This is the the thing I need to remember most when my nesting hits and I feel it's the only thing that will get me through the next 13 weeks with sanity.
I had a bit of a breakdown yesterday and unfortunately due to hormones, it came out as anger instead of tears. Luckily, my husband and son understand and love me very much and hid accordingly until the moment passed. The good news is that I turned my frustration into action and checked quite a few things off my to-do list.
It started with my second foray into bulk shopping. I was very excited about this and couldn't wait to see how much money I saved - or didn't save. While I spent less that the first time (which I was hoping/expecting) and I know I saved compared to buying the same quantities in a grocery or department store, there were quite a few items that I intended to buy in bulk but that weren't available. Some of these items were there last time, so I was confused and annoyed that they were nowhere to be found this time. That is one downside to shopping at bulk stores since they don't always have the same products or stock all the time.
This only meant that I had another stop to make, which I attempted. My 2 1/2 year old had other ideas. I learned a valuable lesson that day: If your toddler behaves exceptionally well in one store and then asks to go home, don't push your luck and try go to a second store. The same behavior will not be exemplified. Just go home.
If there is one thing I completely dislike, it's coming back home with a list that's not checked off. And in this case, thanks to my son, I had quite the list. This time was especially irritating, as I had anticipated on buying most of the items at the bulk store.
After unloading the car, I then realized that I simply didn't have any room for all the bulk items I'd just purchased. I had anticipated on purchasing shelving and organizing the cellar in the basement and pantry in the kitchen before my next bulk shopping spree, but that didn't happen.
This is about the time when my hormones convinced me to become completely irrational. From this point on, everything in my house was messy and out of order, and to a person who is nesting, this is one of the worst feelings in the world. Yes, parts of my home were unorganized, but to me, it was a filthy mess, one I was forcing my child to live in. Therefore, I was a bad mother. Not only that, but by natural design I was also a bad wife and bad housekeeper. See how this irrational thing works? None of this is true, by the way, and I know this. But in my mind yesterday, these were my thoughts.
So instead of crumpling up into a ball and crying while clutching a bag of Dove chocolates, I went into action. I cleaned out the cellar in the basement (mostly) and got all the second-hand destined items in one pile. I finally called the Salvation Army and got information regarding pick-up. The excellent news is that they will come pick up your junk up to 30 miles out of town. All I need to do is call back on Monday and schedule an appointment for Monday - Friday. I think I'll be able to breathe easier and relax once that massive pile of junk is out of my house.
I still didn't have shelving to put in the cellar, so I couldn't organize to my full intent. But with a lot of junk out of there, at least I could walk around and see what kind of space I had. Part of me wanted to go back into town and buy some shelving units, but I wasn't about to have a repeat of that morning. So instead of putting it on my list and knowing that it may or may not get done, I went on this handy little website called Amazon.com and bought some. I ordered a few other things that had been on my list for a while, so I got free shipping, meaning I didn't spend anymore money than I would have if I'd gone back into town. The best part is that I saved my sanity, because now I know they are on their way and that in a few weeks I can really sort through things and become organized. And by that time, the massive junk pile in the basement will be gone as well.
Having a game plan with the bulk storage situation made me feel a lot better. Then it was time to focus on the nursery. The only number in my head for the last few days is 13 - 13 weeks away from my due date. 13 weeks to organize and decorate the nursery. 13 weeks to prepare for my maternity leave from work. 13 weeks. 13 weeks. And the paranoia starts in again.
There is so much that needs to be done in the nursery that I can't do right now - particularly repairing some spots on the walls and painting. I also want to wash everything and organize things, but I don't have a dresser yet. I still need to go buy one, and then have that painted too. And then I need a lamp. And curtains. And storage bins. And things to decorate the walls....
Again, I thought about going back into town and getting all these things, but I didn't for the same reasons as above. And seeing as how I want to buy used, I wasn't able to just hop on a website and buy them. So I did what I could - I prepped the room for painting buy moving things out that didn't need to be in there. That was about all I could do. But, I have a plan, and if I need to, I will bribe my friends and family with liquor and food to come get the painting done since my husband is incredibly busy traveling with work. And I'm impatient, and nesting, and therefore irrational.
The last part of my paranoia is that we're still remodeling our home. I've come to the realization that we will probably be in various construction projects in various parts of the house for the next 10 years or so, and I'm okay with that because it's worth it to get your dream home. It's just the mess that it creates and the constant cleaning up after that I have yet to get used to. This bothered me before, but I'm extremely aware of it now because of the nesting. For example, my husband does some work in the downstairs hall and I now have to dust the whole house. I would say "want to" because this is the honest feeling, but my irrationality turns it into "have to." At least now, my toddler can and is willing to help mommy clean the house. We just put on a little music and power clean - and he's quite handy with a mop for his small stout stature.
So that's what we're doing today because when you have Irrational Nesting Paranoia, the cleaning and organizing never stops. My home will be organized and clean to my satisfaction and nothing like construction or bulk shopping is going to get in my way. The one good thing about the mess - my living room and my son's room are littered with puzzles, crayons and Matchbox cars, some of which I helped contribute too. And I think that's the only thing keeping me from going completely insane right now - those moments when I take a break, relax and play games with my son. Because I have a million other things to do, but compared to playing with him, they are not even important and simply don't exist for a little bit. This is the the thing I need to remember most when my nesting hits and I feel it's the only thing that will get me through the next 13 weeks with sanity.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
The Junk Room That Was
Happy New Year everyone!
I was blessed with a long weekend and decided to make ample use of my time by cleaning and organizing, particularly the junk room. As my nesting as now seemed to hit full force, any bit of dirt or clutter irritates me to no end. This weekend was the perfect opportunity to give into some of my OCD tendencies by cleaning and organizing, since I would have not only the stamina but the time as well.
First, let's talk about the Junk Room. Everyone has one, whether it's a room, a closet or a drawer. You know, that dark hidden place in your home where all the odds and ends find their final resting place, never to be seen or heard of again. It's the room you put things so you simply don't have to look at them, the place that guests don't see and that is never shown nor talked about outside of the immediate family. Yes, that room.
Well, I'm going against that taboo and revealing our Junk Room to the world - but only because it is no longer a Junk Room. It is now an organized, labeled, spacious area that one might actually want to spend time in. The best part is that this transformation only took me one and a half days from start to finish, meaning that it doesn't actually take a lot of time. I also never lost steam or focus, even after a night's sleep, meaning that it also doesn't take a lot of concentration to do something like this. In short, if I can, then anyone can, and probably better than I did. I've chronicled my journey below with steps and tips that I discovered along the way.
BEFORE:
See, it's awful. Completely horrendous. Despicable. And now you know my dirty little secrets.
STEP 1: Clear the Room
With so much stuff, it was impossible to go through everything and make any sort of progress. For one, there was no space. For two, the room was dirty and needed a serious deep clean. For three, trying to sort and organize in the middle of chaos would not make the chaos go away. Instead, it would be very easy to get frustrated because you're only moving stuff around and not really taking inventory of what's there. By clearing out the room, you have the opportunity to move things into other rooms right away, thus instantly getting rid of some of the clutter. It's also easier to work with a blank slate once the room is cleared because you know exactly how much space you have and what needs to go into that space, making it much easier to put it away.
But you have to clear all of it - cabinets, drawers, closet, etc. I even emptied out the filing cabinet. There were a few exceptions to this in my case, particularly the gigantic "donate" pile that is ever present. There wasn't a need to sort through this (one should never do that - it's how clutter multiplies) and I knew it was going to stay in that room, so there was no sense in moving it out only to move it back in. The other exception was my husband's things, which already had designated and practical areas, so I left it and worked around it.
The biggest thing with this step is that you are simply clearing the room. You are not organizing yet, meaning you should not be going through things like paperwork and files to decide if you're going to keep it. Just get it out of the room. You'll have time to go through things and organize later. This can be very hard to resist, and I found myself doing this a couple times, but it will only sidetrack you and delay the progress.
You can start sorting, however, but very general sorting. Again, you're not organizing, so don't try to plan where things will go or how they will look in the room. The room isn't even empty yet, so it's like trying to decorate a home when the plans aren't drawn and the foundation isn't poured. You'll have time for more specific sorting and organizing, so don't waste your time with it now.
You will find garbage, though, so have a trash bag ready. And you'll also be able to make snap decisions on things to donate. If you already know that something is going to be donated or will live in another room of the house, don't be afraid to get it out of the rest of the clutter. Also, as you're digging through the piles of stuff, be prepared for what you might find, like mouse droppings, big scare spiders, an Ace of Base CD or even worse, cassette...
Take a few moments every once in a while to stand back and admire your progress. This will help keep you motivated as you might realize that you didn't have as much junk as you thought. Once the room is starting to clear out, it's not so scary after all.
Here are the pictures of what the room looked like after everything was cleared out - and temporarily in the downstairs living room.
STEP 2: Clean, Clean, Clean
Once everything is out of the room, grab a vacuum, some baking soda, and a bucket of hot soapy water. Then clean and clean and clean. There is no sense in putting things back into a dirty space. First, I vacuumed - everything. We're in the process of remodeling the basement (yes, still...) so everything was caked in dust and dirt. And it's a basement, so there were nasty cob webs in every corner. Then I wiped down every surface with warm soapy water. Since it's a basement, it tends to smell musty, so I added some natural scent to the water to give a fresh clean smell. Once I was done wiping down all the surfaces, I sprinkled an entire box of baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for about a half hour while I took a break and ate some lunch. Then I vacuumed again, and it smelled much better.
STEP 3: Begin Sorting
Now that you've got the room, you can really begin sorting things into piles. Again - you are not organizing yet, so don't try fit things into bins and spaces. Instead, create piles so you know exactly how much you have. This will also make it easier to decide what things should be grouped together.
Now is when you can finally go through everything, opening files and folders, tearing everything apart. Remember, the goal is to end up with less stuff back in the room than what you took out. Now is when you can take the time to decide what to do with your excess. Here are some guidelines and questions to ask yourself:
1. Do you need it?
A: This is a simply yes or no. There may be things that you never actually use, but still need (like instruction manuals and tax information). If the answer is no, then you can either toss it or donate it.
2. When was the last time you used it? When is the next time you'll use it?
A: These are for the items that are purchase with great intent, but are never actually used. If you find yourself thinking "Oh yeah, I remember this. I was going to do this with it" there should be an alarm going off. Statements like this breed clutter. If you meant to do something with it but haven't yet, then you're not going to. Don't argue, I'm right and you know it. Instead, it's just taking up space and should either be donated or tossed. The golden rule is that if you haven't used it in the last 6 months or year, then it needs to go. Likewise, if you can't think of a time in the near future (like 6 months) when you'll use something again, chance are you won't actually use it, so you might as well get rid of it. Of course, everyone can make their own exceptions to this rule.
3. Will someone else actually use it or is it trash?
A: This is kind of a cryptic message. I am all for donating and second hand and fully believe that one person's trash is another person's treasure. But I also know how "donate" piles can be an angry monster living in your basement (just look at finished pictures if you don't believe me). Is there really use for allowing something to take up space in your home, then hauling it to a second hand store only to have it be discarded there. Don't be afraid to throw things away.
As you'll probably also find a lot of outdated paperwork, it's also a good idea to have a paper shredder and box for recycling handy.
STEP 4: Organizing - with Bins!
You've sorted through all your things and decided what to keep. All of these things are now in neat little piles all over the room, allowing you to get a sense of the amount of space they will take up. Now - grab the bins and start putting things away.
Now would be a perfect time to go purchase storage containers if you haven't done so already. Even if you already have some containers, you may need more or different shapes. This is the most creative and fun part of the organizing process, so be creative when using storage containers. Not everything has to be put into plastic totes. Think outside the tote. When I search for storage, I look everywhere - candles, home decor, garage and outdoor sections, office organization, kitchen accessories and my favorite - dollar sections and second hand stores. I also go for all textures, shapes and colors - wicker, plastic, metal, white, black, bold and patterned. Have fun with it! And if you have an awesome storage container that just isn't the right color, then paint it or cover it with decorate paper (contact paper is awesome for this, by the way). It doesn't matter what your storage looks like because it can be changed. What matters is that it will work for your organizational needs, which is also why it's best to have a variety of shapes and sizes.
This is also the time to start thinking about how the room will be used. For example, our Junk Room was primarily a dumping ground, with the main area for dumping being right inside the door. Instead of trying to change this habit (because it simply wouldn't happen), I organized the room to avoid the clutter. I first moved the large black filing cabinet as it hindered the flow into the room and could be causing part of the dumping. After all, why go around the filing cabinet when I can simply dump stuff in front of it. However, I knew there needed to be containers in that area since it would still be a catch-all, and I needed a table to set those containers on. So I took an old dresser from the laundry room and put it at the entrance where the filing cabinet was. It's low enough to not hinder the flow and provides a great surface. Now not only did I have a surface for the catch-all baskets, I also had extra drawers and storage.
This is also the time to designate zones and areas for certain tasks, like office, bedding, games, photos, etc. You can then designate even further within these zones, like an area for mailing supplies within the office zone. A great way to establish zones is using large shallow trays (see office area below). Also, don't be afraid to put containers within containers. It sounds redundant, but so useful and very pretty.
The best thing is to keep moving and organizing until everything has found a home. You may find yourself moving things from one spot to another and back again, but this is all part of the process. Think of it like putting together a giant puzzle and you're just figuring out how all the pieces fit together.
STEP 5: Labels
It simply doesn't do any good for everything to have it's own place if you can't remember where that place is. This is where the wonderful world of labels come in. You don't have to be crafty to have pretty and sophisticated labels. Sure, you can make your own, or you can print some off the internet like I did.
There are also several ways to attach the labels, the most popular being twine or string. You can also use, things like label holders, key rings or double stick tape (which is what I used).
AFTER:
So much better! It's a room again! With a floor!!
The catch-all area right inside the door - now referred to as inboxes because it sounds way more organized. There are bins for papers and anything else that ends up here. There is also a magazine holder labeled "Jackson's Art" as he brings home art almost every day and previously it was scattered about the room. I knew it would end up in the catch-all area, so instead of putting it in the baskets only to move it to another spot, I put the designated spot within the catch-all area. NOTE: His art will eventually be put into a large binder with clear plastic sheets for protection. That way his art work can be on display with the rest of the photo albums.
Part of the office area (printer, a magazine holder with paper and the paper shredder are to the right). I used shallow baskets to corral all the other containers and designate the zone. See the pictures below for examples of placing containers within containers.
Just because things are hidden in cabinets and closet does not mean they cannot be organized. In the cabinets, I used more bins and baskets to contain like items, keeping things together. Labels on the outside send a reminder to what's hidden inside.
I tried to use the built-ins to my advantage, even though I'm not a big fan of these. There actually isn't a lot on the shelves - compared with before when there wasn't any place to put things. It ended up looking pretty bare and not very appealing, so the unused containers I had became decorations. They take up the visual space and add some color, making the space feel lived in and used instead of like a storage area.
The dresser now holds sheets, pillow cases and other fabrics that can all be in their own space and hidden away. Not only that, with such a large surface, there is room for the computer, the inboxes, and a free space in between.
The labels I used. There are also orange and blue ones. You can print them either with words or blank and write your own descriptions. Very easy to use!
One final note: you can always and should always organize. Don't wait for something. For example, we will be remodeling this room one day and replacing the paneling with actual walls, tearing out the built-ins and moving the closet. But we're not doing it today, and it may be a while before we get to that stage. Likewise, in 5 years, this might be a play room instead of a storage area for office supplies. But today, it's our storage area, so it needs to work for how we live right now. The beauty of organization is that it can always be reorganized. It allows a room to change with you, only in a much easier fashion. Not only can we find things now because everything has a place, we also gained an extra sleeping area that's perfect for a blow-up mattress. We gained a whole other room to our house, and as long as we keep it organized and use it efficiently, then it will always be an extra room in our house instead of being shut behind a door like it doesn't exist.
One more shot of before and after:
It is such a liberating feeling. Not only did I clean out some physical junk, but I also cleaned out some emotional and spiritual junk too. I got rid of this weight of things that had been holding me down. Now I can use my home the way I want to and the way my family needs to.
Happy New Year and Happy Organizing.
I was blessed with a long weekend and decided to make ample use of my time by cleaning and organizing, particularly the junk room. As my nesting as now seemed to hit full force, any bit of dirt or clutter irritates me to no end. This weekend was the perfect opportunity to give into some of my OCD tendencies by cleaning and organizing, since I would have not only the stamina but the time as well.
First, let's talk about the Junk Room. Everyone has one, whether it's a room, a closet or a drawer. You know, that dark hidden place in your home where all the odds and ends find their final resting place, never to be seen or heard of again. It's the room you put things so you simply don't have to look at them, the place that guests don't see and that is never shown nor talked about outside of the immediate family. Yes, that room.
Well, I'm going against that taboo and revealing our Junk Room to the world - but only because it is no longer a Junk Room. It is now an organized, labeled, spacious area that one might actually want to spend time in. The best part is that this transformation only took me one and a half days from start to finish, meaning that it doesn't actually take a lot of time. I also never lost steam or focus, even after a night's sleep, meaning that it also doesn't take a lot of concentration to do something like this. In short, if I can, then anyone can, and probably better than I did. I've chronicled my journey below with steps and tips that I discovered along the way.
BEFORE:
See, it's awful. Completely horrendous. Despicable. And now you know my dirty little secrets.
STEP 1: Clear the Room
With so much stuff, it was impossible to go through everything and make any sort of progress. For one, there was no space. For two, the room was dirty and needed a serious deep clean. For three, trying to sort and organize in the middle of chaos would not make the chaos go away. Instead, it would be very easy to get frustrated because you're only moving stuff around and not really taking inventory of what's there. By clearing out the room, you have the opportunity to move things into other rooms right away, thus instantly getting rid of some of the clutter. It's also easier to work with a blank slate once the room is cleared because you know exactly how much space you have and what needs to go into that space, making it much easier to put it away.
But you have to clear all of it - cabinets, drawers, closet, etc. I even emptied out the filing cabinet. There were a few exceptions to this in my case, particularly the gigantic "donate" pile that is ever present. There wasn't a need to sort through this (one should never do that - it's how clutter multiplies) and I knew it was going to stay in that room, so there was no sense in moving it out only to move it back in. The other exception was my husband's things, which already had designated and practical areas, so I left it and worked around it.
The biggest thing with this step is that you are simply clearing the room. You are not organizing yet, meaning you should not be going through things like paperwork and files to decide if you're going to keep it. Just get it out of the room. You'll have time to go through things and organize later. This can be very hard to resist, and I found myself doing this a couple times, but it will only sidetrack you and delay the progress.
You can start sorting, however, but very general sorting. Again, you're not organizing, so don't try to plan where things will go or how they will look in the room. The room isn't even empty yet, so it's like trying to decorate a home when the plans aren't drawn and the foundation isn't poured. You'll have time for more specific sorting and organizing, so don't waste your time with it now.
You will find garbage, though, so have a trash bag ready. And you'll also be able to make snap decisions on things to donate. If you already know that something is going to be donated or will live in another room of the house, don't be afraid to get it out of the rest of the clutter. Also, as you're digging through the piles of stuff, be prepared for what you might find, like mouse droppings, big scare spiders, an Ace of Base CD or even worse, cassette...
Take a few moments every once in a while to stand back and admire your progress. This will help keep you motivated as you might realize that you didn't have as much junk as you thought. Once the room is starting to clear out, it's not so scary after all.
Here are the pictures of what the room looked like after everything was cleared out - and temporarily in the downstairs living room.
STEP 2: Clean, Clean, Clean
Once everything is out of the room, grab a vacuum, some baking soda, and a bucket of hot soapy water. Then clean and clean and clean. There is no sense in putting things back into a dirty space. First, I vacuumed - everything. We're in the process of remodeling the basement (yes, still...) so everything was caked in dust and dirt. And it's a basement, so there were nasty cob webs in every corner. Then I wiped down every surface with warm soapy water. Since it's a basement, it tends to smell musty, so I added some natural scent to the water to give a fresh clean smell. Once I was done wiping down all the surfaces, I sprinkled an entire box of baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for about a half hour while I took a break and ate some lunch. Then I vacuumed again, and it smelled much better.
STEP 3: Begin Sorting
Now that you've got the room, you can really begin sorting things into piles. Again - you are not organizing yet, so don't try fit things into bins and spaces. Instead, create piles so you know exactly how much you have. This will also make it easier to decide what things should be grouped together.
Now is when you can finally go through everything, opening files and folders, tearing everything apart. Remember, the goal is to end up with less stuff back in the room than what you took out. Now is when you can take the time to decide what to do with your excess. Here are some guidelines and questions to ask yourself:
1. Do you need it?
A: This is a simply yes or no. There may be things that you never actually use, but still need (like instruction manuals and tax information). If the answer is no, then you can either toss it or donate it.
2. When was the last time you used it? When is the next time you'll use it?
A: These are for the items that are purchase with great intent, but are never actually used. If you find yourself thinking "Oh yeah, I remember this. I was going to do this with it" there should be an alarm going off. Statements like this breed clutter. If you meant to do something with it but haven't yet, then you're not going to. Don't argue, I'm right and you know it. Instead, it's just taking up space and should either be donated or tossed. The golden rule is that if you haven't used it in the last 6 months or year, then it needs to go. Likewise, if you can't think of a time in the near future (like 6 months) when you'll use something again, chance are you won't actually use it, so you might as well get rid of it. Of course, everyone can make their own exceptions to this rule.
3. Will someone else actually use it or is it trash?
A: This is kind of a cryptic message. I am all for donating and second hand and fully believe that one person's trash is another person's treasure. But I also know how "donate" piles can be an angry monster living in your basement (just look at finished pictures if you don't believe me). Is there really use for allowing something to take up space in your home, then hauling it to a second hand store only to have it be discarded there. Don't be afraid to throw things away.
As you'll probably also find a lot of outdated paperwork, it's also a good idea to have a paper shredder and box for recycling handy.
STEP 4: Organizing - with Bins!
You've sorted through all your things and decided what to keep. All of these things are now in neat little piles all over the room, allowing you to get a sense of the amount of space they will take up. Now - grab the bins and start putting things away.
Now would be a perfect time to go purchase storage containers if you haven't done so already. Even if you already have some containers, you may need more or different shapes. This is the most creative and fun part of the organizing process, so be creative when using storage containers. Not everything has to be put into plastic totes. Think outside the tote. When I search for storage, I look everywhere - candles, home decor, garage and outdoor sections, office organization, kitchen accessories and my favorite - dollar sections and second hand stores. I also go for all textures, shapes and colors - wicker, plastic, metal, white, black, bold and patterned. Have fun with it! And if you have an awesome storage container that just isn't the right color, then paint it or cover it with decorate paper (contact paper is awesome for this, by the way). It doesn't matter what your storage looks like because it can be changed. What matters is that it will work for your organizational needs, which is also why it's best to have a variety of shapes and sizes.
This is also the time to start thinking about how the room will be used. For example, our Junk Room was primarily a dumping ground, with the main area for dumping being right inside the door. Instead of trying to change this habit (because it simply wouldn't happen), I organized the room to avoid the clutter. I first moved the large black filing cabinet as it hindered the flow into the room and could be causing part of the dumping. After all, why go around the filing cabinet when I can simply dump stuff in front of it. However, I knew there needed to be containers in that area since it would still be a catch-all, and I needed a table to set those containers on. So I took an old dresser from the laundry room and put it at the entrance where the filing cabinet was. It's low enough to not hinder the flow and provides a great surface. Now not only did I have a surface for the catch-all baskets, I also had extra drawers and storage.
This is also the time to designate zones and areas for certain tasks, like office, bedding, games, photos, etc. You can then designate even further within these zones, like an area for mailing supplies within the office zone. A great way to establish zones is using large shallow trays (see office area below). Also, don't be afraid to put containers within containers. It sounds redundant, but so useful and very pretty.
The best thing is to keep moving and organizing until everything has found a home. You may find yourself moving things from one spot to another and back again, but this is all part of the process. Think of it like putting together a giant puzzle and you're just figuring out how all the pieces fit together.
STEP 5: Labels
It simply doesn't do any good for everything to have it's own place if you can't remember where that place is. This is where the wonderful world of labels come in. You don't have to be crafty to have pretty and sophisticated labels. Sure, you can make your own, or you can print some off the internet like I did.
There are also several ways to attach the labels, the most popular being twine or string. You can also use, things like label holders, key rings or double stick tape (which is what I used).
AFTER:
So much better! It's a room again! With a floor!!
The catch-all area right inside the door - now referred to as inboxes because it sounds way more organized. There are bins for papers and anything else that ends up here. There is also a magazine holder labeled "Jackson's Art" as he brings home art almost every day and previously it was scattered about the room. I knew it would end up in the catch-all area, so instead of putting it in the baskets only to move it to another spot, I put the designated spot within the catch-all area. NOTE: His art will eventually be put into a large binder with clear plastic sheets for protection. That way his art work can be on display with the rest of the photo albums.
Part of the office area (printer, a magazine holder with paper and the paper shredder are to the right). I used shallow baskets to corral all the other containers and designate the zone. See the pictures below for examples of placing containers within containers.
Just because things are hidden in cabinets and closet does not mean they cannot be organized. In the cabinets, I used more bins and baskets to contain like items, keeping things together. Labels on the outside send a reminder to what's hidden inside.
I tried to use the built-ins to my advantage, even though I'm not a big fan of these. There actually isn't a lot on the shelves - compared with before when there wasn't any place to put things. It ended up looking pretty bare and not very appealing, so the unused containers I had became decorations. They take up the visual space and add some color, making the space feel lived in and used instead of like a storage area.
The dresser now holds sheets, pillow cases and other fabrics that can all be in their own space and hidden away. Not only that, with such a large surface, there is room for the computer, the inboxes, and a free space in between.
The labels I used. There are also orange and blue ones. You can print them either with words or blank and write your own descriptions. Very easy to use!
One final note: you can always and should always organize. Don't wait for something. For example, we will be remodeling this room one day and replacing the paneling with actual walls, tearing out the built-ins and moving the closet. But we're not doing it today, and it may be a while before we get to that stage. Likewise, in 5 years, this might be a play room instead of a storage area for office supplies. But today, it's our storage area, so it needs to work for how we live right now. The beauty of organization is that it can always be reorganized. It allows a room to change with you, only in a much easier fashion. Not only can we find things now because everything has a place, we also gained an extra sleeping area that's perfect for a blow-up mattress. We gained a whole other room to our house, and as long as we keep it organized and use it efficiently, then it will always be an extra room in our house instead of being shut behind a door like it doesn't exist.
One more shot of before and after:
It is such a liberating feeling. Not only did I clean out some physical junk, but I also cleaned out some emotional and spiritual junk too. I got rid of this weight of things that had been holding me down. Now I can use my home the way I want to and the way my family needs to.
Happy New Year and Happy Organizing.
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