"The Monster" (aka: The Master Closet)

(A peek into my life outside crafts)

My bedroom closet maybe should have more appropriately been called "The Black Hole", as everything disappeared once it went in there. Its a walk-in and was scary to go into. It was a big mess of clothes that had fallen off hangers, junk I had taken out of my spare dresser to accommodate my new boy's clothes, hubby's collectables, childhood stuffies, and extras that didn't have a home. It had gotten to the point i didnt want to go in there, even to find an outfit because it was so scary, lol. It also doubled as a bedroom for our mixed-breed dog (chihuahua/pomeranian mix), which meant a collection of dust, dander, and dog fur building up on the floor...AND on my clothes. It was very frustrating to pick out the shirt i wanted to wear that day, only to find out i needed to spend the morning de-furring it.

I'd finally had enough. It was finally time to conquer "The Monster".

Like I did with my side of my bed, i tossed junk and the unwanted into the trash bin. I gathered like items (i.e. hubbys  hockey card collection, books, etc) and put them into cardboard storage boxes (Bankers Boxes). I picked up fur-laden clothes and put them in the wash basket to go into the wash when i do one, then i placed each box on the now cleared shelves. I can see the walls of my closet, the shelves are empty (except where the 6 boxes sit), and the clothes are hanging nicely on the racks. The only task i have left is to vacuum the floor and be rid of the fur, dust and dirt. Interestingly, it only took half a day to complete. I wish I had a picture of it before, but i may put one up of after.

My challenge of tidying and organizing my home is under way. Unfortunately I cannot continue until after Thanksgiving, but i welcome the break. Once the holiday is over, i can complete the bedroom and move to the next room...but which one, the bathroom...or the kitchen, with the impossible pantry? Lol. I have till Tuesday to decide lol.

Organization

Not really crafting related, but I found a great site that I think quite a few people have seen. It's called "A Bowl Full of Lemons". I'm biting at the bit wanting to get started with the ideas that that site has for organizing my home. I won't lie...it's a complete disaster. I've just had a baby 7 months ago, my husband's career is in the air, and my two kids have just started going back to school. With taking care of my baby, running errands every day and attending appointments and seminars with my husband, household chores have literally gone out the window.

While pinteresting (pinterest again lol) I came across this site that discussed organization. I saw the before and after pics of some rooms and I was flabbergasted. What a transformation! I want to do that!!! I want my home to look as neat and orderly as theirs. Well, I started...sorta. Yesterday, after finally putting away my laundry that'd been sitting there since Saturday, I decided today (Wednesday) I would start in one area and clean it (baby steps). I picked my side of the bed which was a terrible mess of junk, clutter and dust so thick I could make intricate art. I grabbed a wet cloth and wiped everything down on my nightstand, as I purged a number of things I was hanging on to, merely out of sentiment. I tossed papers, garbage, pens with no lids, lids with no pens, knick-knacks, and junk I REALLY didn't want, but didn't want to throw away because I was thinking it was a waste of money (no sense in keeping stuff I'm not going to use).

I dusted my book shelf and hung items I found (like a smudge fan I made), and "strategically" placed my besome in the corner on top of my bookshelf just for looks (hubby asked if that was my first car...I told him, ya, it gets better gas mileage, lol). I tossed junk and garbage out of the drawers in my nightstand and can actually see the bottom.

Unfortunately I had to stop for the night because my little guy had just finished eating (thanks to my dear hubby) and had to put him to bed. At least he can now sleep in a (sorta) cleaned corner of my room (where his pack n' play bed is).

Anyways, I urge people to look at this site. There's not one way you will not be inspired to clean and organize. Awesome site.