The Organization Challenge is Over.

It is time for the organization challenge to end, and for those of us who have entered, to do our final update. I have say I am not sure I will even qualify for the challenge anymore. I definitely was unable to accomplish the goals I set for myself. I am still struggling with my health. I really wanted to complete this challenge and finally have my stuff in order. I spoke with a friend the other day and she gave me some great advice. "Let it go" she said. I was holding on to the idea that I could still accomplish all that I have on my list, even though I am ill. And I was struggling with the fact that my list never got shorter, just longer. Thus the great advice form my friend. I need to learn to let things go and focus on the necessities. So with great resistance I had to let my ideals go for the office and come back to it and a later date.

The room however looks absolutely smashing. We had to clear out the room for new carpet so when we put it back together we only put back the necessities. I still have some boxes that I didn't go through that will be nicely stored in another closet and taken out one at a time for some sorting and filing. I did get rid of at least half of the things in the room prior to the carpet replacement, so I did accomplish a lot. And now the room will be ready for guests during the Christmas Holiday.

So its up to you Organizing Junkie to decide whether I actually accomplished my organization challenge or if I will have to enter again next time. I really appreciate the challenge and the push it gave me and I know that with better health I would have absolutely accomplished it all.

Before Pictures:again I am sorry for the sideways pictures

After Pictures:






Here are some questions answered.

1. My biggest challenge was my health. I really could not summon up the time and energy to perform the job as I would have liked, and I did not overcome it yet. I also had a problem with the papers. It is always a problem for me. I got rid of a lot but kept more then I wanted because I never know how long to keep things.(like health insurance payment records)
2. The biggest change I have to say was the realization that I really can spend time on projects in a normal day. I had a few days when I really did some great organizing and it made me realize that I could do this every week. I could accomplish a lot if I keep that in mind.
3. I threw away over three over flowing boxes of junk. Plus many other boxes. Then I re-organized my closet to fit some unfinished boxes in there nicely. And then I found new homes for the rest. Mainly another closet that is closer to the purpose of the items(games in the hall closet next to the play room).
4. There will be quite a few differences in my life. One being that when I have guests over for the holidays they will have room to sleep and call their own. Also clutter crowds me, this will give me less stress and more peace.
5. I wish I could say that I deserve to win because I did an awesome job, and left no stone unturned, however that is not the case. I did make a lot of head way and the room looks great, as do many other contestants, so I will trust Organizing Junkie to do the correct judging.
   

Grumpy Gus!!

We have our own Grumpy Gus at the house. It doesn't matter what we do for him. He is grumpy. He can watch a movie of his choice, and still he is grumpy. Who is our Grumpy Gus?

Blake

Note: posting this put a smile on his face, even if its short lived.

Six days Later and.....

Nothing to show for my organization challenge. I have done nothing. Not one little bit. I am still feeling ill and I have had absolutely no energy or physical ability to get to work in my area. In fact the rest of the house is a disaster. So here is my plan and hopefully I will be feeling good enough to accomplish it.

1. Get the rest of the house in order again. I have to do this. This is how I work. If the rest of my house is decent then I can focus on this room and I won't feel guilty.
   
2. I will not be clearing out this room entirely. One reason is that I don't want to move the desk, just to put it back again and also I just cannot afford to have the STUFF clog up the rest of my house. I have some room to move in here and I think that it will work out fine.
3. Okay, this is where I get lost. I don't know where to start. I know that a lot of my mess is papers lots and lots of papers, and this will take up most of my time, but how shall I do it. I need suggestions. Shall I tackle it first? Should I clean out the rest first? And can I finally get everything into files? I don't know what to do.
4. I will need to get rid of all the boxes and find places for the items.
5. Hopefully I will finally buy a filing cabinet and some other storage solutions for the closet. I want to pack this full, but in an orderly way.
   
6. Who can help me? Well, I will need the help of my husband. He will need to watch the kids and act like I have gone shopping. I will need either and hour a day, or sessions of three hours. I will also need his big strong muscles to move things for me. And I am sure that I will run into some things that I will need his advice on. It would be nice also if I was able to hire a babysitter a couple of times. I would love to find an Ethel, you know a partner in crime, so if I have any takers I would love to come to your house next.

Anyway this is my rough plan. I hope this illness of mine has not gotten in the way of my goal. Will 24 days be enough?

Halloween Fun!

Here are some Halloween pictures.
Sorry that the pictures are sideways

Organizing

I love to organize. It is something that gets me all excited and makes me happy. I love to read books about organizing and all the tips and tricks to get your life in order. I do not however have a completely organized home. One of the blogs that I have discovered recently is called I'm an Organizing Junkie and she is hosting a 30-day Organizational Challenge for the month of November. I have decided to take the challenge. I am not sure if I will be able to complete it because I have been feeling a little under the weather lately and am low on energy. I need something to motivate me though, I have had this project on my list for a while and I am hoping that this challenge will push it to action.


My 30-day project is my office. We moved into this house in April and this is the room that has never been fully unpacked. I am not too embarrassed of it though. I know the reasons it looks this way and if others have a problem with it- its their problem. I do however know how much better life will be with a de-junked, organized room. So here I go. Cross your fingers that I can finish it in one month. Here are the Before pics (and sorry that some are sideways I am having some computer issues at the moment.) By the way, I will be posting more on this project in the future so if you want to read more click the label: Organizing.