Suction + Fridge = Organization

Remember the lazy susan for the fridge? I love it and probably could use another one. I was flipping through an organizing magazine last week and found another great item for inside the fridge.

What do you do with random packets of condiments? I've used zip-loc bags that ultimately get shoved behind the butter in the butter container. I've put them in deli lunch meat containers that constantly get spilled and I find ketchup and soy sauce packets are all over the fridge. So, when I saw this idea I knew it was perfect for my fridge.

I'm certain there are other things I could put in the suction cup, can you think of any ideas?

Does clutter make you fat?

This evening I was reading through my 'blog roll'. I have a list of blogs that I have found over the last year that I try to read when I get a chance. Tonight I was going down my list and came to I'm an Organizing Junkie. She posted notes she took when Peter Walsh (he used to be on Clean House) was on Oprah. Since I don't watch Oprah, I didn't know that he was going to be on the show, however, I really like Walsh and how he helps desperately cluttered families.
Anyway, here is a quote from her website....

• Clutter and weight can be symptoms of an unresolved, underlying issue in your life. “Eating more and buying more is an attempt to fill the need for something more,” he says. “Until you get those underlying issues dealt with, all the rest is a waste of time.”

What do you think about this? I'm inclined to agree...based on personal experience. Now, do I think that skinny people can be disorganized? YES. Do I think that chubs can be organized? YES. But, I think that for us chubs, it is harder to lose weight if our homes are filled with clutter.

For the most part, if someone were to drop by, they wouldn't think that my home was cluttered. However, behind closed doors, you will find clutter. I long for organization and for the most part, I do a good job at organizing certain areas of my family life. Its the personal side that is not so organized, i.e. my bedroom.

Years ago I purchased a frame/corkboard that hung by my kitchen phone. I never added pictures to it. On one of my mom's visits (yes, it was that long ago....back when she lived in S. Fla) she taped photos to the outside, on the glass. It has remained that way for years. Last night I came up with an idea for this frame/corkboard. I printed the days of the week and put them in the picture frame area. I'm going to list the meals for the week, using either a dry erase marker or sharpie (rubbing alcohol gets rid of permament marker). In the past I've printed the list of meals and posted them on the fridge...which this method works, too....but figured I wasn't using the frame anyway.

All this to say....I'm trying to take small steps to organization.

When you get a chance, read Laura's post.

Pantry organization

Last week I organized my computer center, but that wasn't all that I organized. I also did a little organization in my pantry. On the bottom of the pantry I already had a plastic bin that was holding teas, individual flavoring packets for water, hot cocoa packets and Crystal Light. There also is a bin that holds baggies, plastic wrap, aluminum foil.

Well, after looking at this website, I decided to add to and label my bins.

To the Beverage Bin I added:

Empty water bottles

Can coozies

Disposable cups

To the Lunch Bin I added:

Napkins

Plastic utensils

Straws

A few sheets of jokes I printed out for the kids to add to their lunch to share with friends.

Then I labeled the bins...because I love to label! Have you organized anything lately?

It's been a while...

I know.

It's been busy around here.

Today I started working part time in the office. My friend, Kim, has been trying to convince me for a little while that I would like it and be good at it. I only worked 3 hours today, and I must admit, I did enjoy it. Of course, I'm well aware how quickly the 'newness' wears off...so I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.

Over the weekend Michael and I cleaned out our computer center. It was a 'hot mess' Really, it was....wanna see how it looked? I thought you would....I took before and after photos! I can actually find things without digging through piles and stacks. Again, I'm well aware how quickly the 'newness' wears off....so I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.

I started 2 bible studies last week. One with my accountability group, called Women of Worth. It is wonderful. My interest was peeked at the very beginning of the introduction. "Women often define themselves based on what is expected of them...This study will help you see who you are - not as the world sees you but as God sees you." Yep, I'm ready for this study.

The other bible study I started is at church on Sunday evenings while Hannah is in youth group. I must admit, the main reason I decided to take it was because I didn't have anything to do while Hannah was in youth for 2 hours. We live almost 15 miles from church, so in an attempt to save money on gas, I thought "why not take a class." Well, 'coincidentially' the women's class that was offered is called Conversation Peace. Well, what do you know....need help here too, so I'm ready for this study also!

lazy susan

Okay....Here is a great tip!

When I was organizing my kitchen when we first moved in I quickly realized that my lazy susan, filled with spices, wouldn't fit in any of my cabinets.


While I was doing a little 'blog surfing' I found this website full of fabulous ideas, minus the LDS info! (oops, did I type that?) One of the ideas was to add a lazy susan to your refrigerator. I went straight to the garage, dusted off my old lazy susan and loaded it up with items from the shelves in my fridge.


Enjoy!

Monday Musings

Okay....so we recycle, no big deal, right? When we lived in an apartment we didn't recycle...it was too much trouble. I admit it, if it's too much trouble with little or no immediate reward I'm usually not ready to jump on board. Since we moved into our house and the garbage service supplied us with a recycle bin and comes once a week to collect the recycle, I was ready and willing. The only snag to becoming a green friendly adult....boxes, cans, glasses and jugs sitting on my counter. It is Jacob's job to take out the recycle and trash...but it will pile up for days before he will take it out without me reminding him of his 'daily chore'. Well, not anymore!

I must confess, I have sort of become obsessed with reading other's blogs. I found this great blog about organizing and got the bug. I already love to label, love to read organizing books and magazines, and I love to buy containers...that's about as far as my organization goes. Don't get me wrong....I LOVE THE IDEA OF ORGANIZING; it's just putting all those good ideas into action that befuddles me.

So, on my quest to 'Just Do It', I purchased a bin at Wal-Mart today for $1.54. I added a tag with a green ribbon to my bin and Voila a recycle bin to sit on my counter. Jacob will be happy also, now he has a bin to take the recycle outside in.

I must admit....I retied the ribbon about 10 times before I was happy with the way it laid. When tying a knot, remember - right over left, left over right.