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Across the Fence:  Organization in the Home  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - May 22 2008 : 8:22:47 PM
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Oh my word. I am realizing how disorganized our household has been these past few years. Moving is a great way to sort your life out, though I know many find it disrupting. My goal is to make this move be beneficial- each box clearly marked and organized so there will be no surprises when we open them. Each box has the name of the room where it is supposed to go, it's contents listed, and whether it is fragile or not. When we are unloading we can make a pile of boxes in each room.
I am also finding a lot of unopened mail (mostly debts that I already know the sum of the situation) but I finally sat down, opened each one, kept the most current of each letter and filed them under the name of the debt/company. I am actually really pleased because now I have an even better handle on our financial position and I no longer fear that it will take a long time to qualify for a home loan! I know we can get this pile of bills under control in a year or less with exception to our 3 big bills- Student Loans for two and the birthing of Nora.
But the big thing that I am realizing is how important organization is in the every day. I think I would use less energy cleaning each week if my house was organized. I think Doug and I often don't properly finish tasks because it is too difficult to get things where they belong or they just don't have the space. Some of this is caused by mass over crowding of "Stuff" in our house. I am realizing that I don't need to have all my "pretties" out at one time and it would be fun to rotate things through so my house would always be slightly different.
I am also finding the house to be more restful as I am boxing up things that won't be needed from now until the move. We are also making do with less which means less dish washing for me! Yay!
I know I am rambling, but seriously consider appraising your house and wardrobe. Do you really need all those clothes? Are you hanging on to your "skinny" or "chubby" clothes just in case? How long is it going to take to fit back into those clothes again? And by then- won't you deserve a few new pair of jeans?
What about your pretties? Can they be rotated to keep the house fresh and the clutter down? How much paper work do you have hanging around that you don't need?
I love the direction our household direction is taking so I thought I would share! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2008 : 8:34:45 PM
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Alee,
I am notorious for "spring cleaning" I love the whole idea of it... I do it! swear by it... Box up everything that I am not using, or kids have out grown or whatever and take it to Jubilee Ministires (a local charity here).. I love the way the the house feels.. like there is room for "new"..
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
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Sagewood
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
South Carolina
106 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 04:53:13 AM
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(yay for you!) I found after going through two house fires, that we don't need near as much as we think we need. The old adage "less is more" really is true when it comes to 'stuff'. Things just seem to look 'cleaner' when there isn't so much stuff to see! Just like I love the Prim and the Country styles in a house, BUT..I don't do much because it's seems to be too much. GO figure. I like a semi sparce look, it just takes so much less time to clean and always looks fairly clean even if I haven't!
GOOD on ya Alee!
Rene'..I'm like you, I love spring cleaning..matter of fact I love it so much, I do it twice! Once in the spring, then again in the fall ..of course, that's Fall Cleaning though! :)
Sage,
The Hedgewife
Are you a Hedgewife?
http://hedgewife.blogspot.com/
Hiding in the broom closet.
http://sagewoodfarm.blogspot.com/
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handyam
True Blue Farmgirl
394 Posts
Ada Mae
Greensburg
KY.
USA
394 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 05:19:41 AM
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I would like to be more like Sage--less is more. I get a notion every now and then to do just that and box up some sit around stuff. Love the look for a while, but then find myself buying something new (or old) to fill the spot. There is a lot less work in cleaning with less fluff.
www.adasadorableaprons.blogspot.com
This is the day that the Lord has made. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 06:41:02 AM
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I had a bunch of little figurines and such that were sentimental, but when I left for two weeks to take care of my ailing grandfather, my dog got mad that she was left with my husband and she ate them. She literally ingested 2 of them and chewed and broke several others. I finally decided enough was enough. I have the memory of the item before it was destroyed- it is time to say good-bye to the chewed up statues. I have one left that is still in perfect shape- that one I will keep. The others got tossed. So not only am I deciding whether I need it, but I am also deciding if the memory is serving me better than the item itself. I love how this fees. I am so excited that I will know _exactly_ where everything is at when I unpack and I can get right back to my crafts!! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 07:25:00 AM
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We downsized majorly and are very happy. People come in and actually comment how peaceful my home is. It is VERY simple but I love it.
Paper clutter was my big problem. I bought a nice big organizer and put that right next to the shredder in the closet. Now no more paper issues. Shred, file or pay...easy!!
I don't collect a lot of things, never have really been a collector. I like it clean and plain. Iuse the same color throughout to make it look pretty.
Clothes- I keep one side for my stuff which is split into home and work clothes. Makes finding things easily. Hubby has a separate closet of his military stuff.
I wear a lot of black, turquoise, pink, white, jeans- that way everything is interchangeable.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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mommom
True Blue Farmgirl
854 Posts
Susan
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
USA
854 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 09:28:31 AM
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| I just feel so good when I know my things are orderly and organized. I've been spring cleaning now for a couple of weeks and when I find something I haven't used in what seems like forever, I give it to Goodwill. I don't do clutter. Never have. Never will. In fact, the one area in our lives that I haven't been pleased with is our filing system for paid bills, etc. I recently set up a whole filing system and I am so excited about it! I really don't know much about feng shui but I feel that my house may exhibit that quality. I think it's very peaceful in here. Country-primitive-second handed kind of peaceful. It works for us! Susan |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 09:35:16 AM
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After having boxes and newspaper all over my living room for a week and a half- I finally am able to see the carpet again! And able to give is a good vacuum! Yeesh! I am really enjoying this process! This morning sunlight was streaming in my windows and I saw all these lovely little "Nora Marks" on the windows. Grabbed my vinegar and water and cleaned! Now my windows are shiny- at least from the inside! The outside is another matter...
More boxes! More packing! More cleaning! I can't believe how time is flying by! Soon I will be living in Billings! How crazy!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 2:58:08 PM
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I just cleaned out the garage and hauled off 2 truck loads of "STUFF" I also like the sparce look. But the garage was a catch-all for things I didn't know what to do with......It is so refreshing to walk into the garage and see all the empty space!!!
I still have many boxes to go thru....Mostly Holiday decorations & I know there are some sentimental things that I don't want to get rid of, but alot of it can go. I have about 4 big totes, I would like to get that down to 2. Then I want to tackle my x-stitch stash......That will be a BIG job. But I never could stitch all the books and patterns I have. I see a move in my future so I am trying to be pro-active!!
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Sagewood
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
South Carolina
106 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 3:33:51 PM
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Well I tell you what Bridgette...you decide you want to toss any of that cross stitch stuff, you just let me know! LOLOL...that's one area I keep collecting in..but hey..I keep it organized!
Sage,
The Hedgewife
Are you a Hedgewife?
http://hedgewife.blogspot.com/
Hiding in the broom closet.
http://sagewoodfarm.blogspot.com/
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 5:37:35 PM
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Sage ,
LOL I keep it quite organized also, A complete 3 drawer filing cabinet plus another drawer!! Think I can get those stitched up in my lifetime!!LOL I highly doubt it I have been working on my current chart for over a year (Marjolein Bastin- 4 seasons)
I’ll let you know when I start clearing out.
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lavender gal
True Blue Farmgirl
64 Posts
grace
wantagh
ny
USA
64 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 08:28:30 AM
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It still blows my mind that our house has as much...uhm..."Disposables" as it does (aka trash). I mean, we have been on a budget for goodness sake! Where is it all coming from?!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 2:23:09 PM
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Oh Never fear! I am not throwing away craft times- though I guess I could put all that paper in my blender and make homemade paper....ugh! I better not walk down that path or Doug might actually decide I am crazy! He already looks askance to some of the things I keep for crafts and there have been time where I have shouted "Why are you throwing my X away?! I _need_ that!" LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Sagewood
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
South Carolina
106 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 2:33:38 PM
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(LOL) Sounds like my house! The hubby tossed out a pringles can one day and I bout had a fit. He likes pringles and buys a can every now and again. I'm ok with it, cuz I use the cans as candle molds. So I've got about 4 set aside now, waiting for the candles to be molden in them! (I guess 4 cans of pringles in the last year isn't too bad huh?)
Sage,
The Hedgewife
Are you a Hedgewife?
http://hedgewife.blogspot.com/
Hiding in the broom closet.
http://sagewoodfarm.blogspot.com/
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 3:25:37 PM
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LOL! The worst "crime" my husband has committed is throwing away a mason brand glass jar that some spaghetti sauce came in. I couldn't believe it. In fact I think I said "Are you crazy?" Sheesh! Doesn't he know glass jars have a gazillion uses around the house?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 5:02:52 PM
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now that my craft room and my bedroom are combined, i am feeling over run with art projects. they even seem to migrate to the unused side of the bed if i'm not careful, but i NEED all of that stuff. it's not a random collection, i have a plan for each piece, if i ever get around to using them.
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
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Sagewood
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
South Carolina
106 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Organization in the Home |
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Organization in the Home
