I know this blog is mainly about remodeling....but I guess I consider organization of the home part of our remodeling. :-) And goodness knows we have organized around here since we moved in. I talked a little about how we re-did 3 closets since we moved in. No one can really notice that remodeling, as it is behind closed doors. But, it has made such a difference in where and how we store things. My boys bedroom closets is one example.
Anyway, this weekend I decided to tackle all the loose paper around our schoolroom/library, and if you homeschool, you know how this paper can accumulate! I sorted through, filed and threw out so much stuff! I re-registered with my Church related school for next year and updated my attendance and grades. I even have notebooks set up for next years filing of paperwork, etc for each boy. It took about 2 hours of uninterrupted work, but it's accomplished and I feel so much better! It was such a job to tackle!
From there I began to pull curriculum that was from previous grades, to box up and wait to be used in the future. I also pulled curriculum to sell at a future used curriculum sale. I threw out completed workbooks, that I was saving for who knows what! My dh said, "Throw them out!" So, out they went. I created quite a bit of room on all my bookshelves through this process, and I was able to shelf our curriculum for next year.... Yeah! And now I have room for the two boxes of curriculum that are coming soon!
Finally, I moved on to another paper mess. We are in the process of adopting internationally, and I had all the paperwork in various places...file folders and piles in and around my desk. It wasn't very organized and I don't think anyone other than me could locate a single document if they needed it. And while we had 3 ring binders for housing this stuff, we were not using them..... So, I tackled this project as well. Every important paper is stored in clear sheet protectors. It looks so much better, and I was able to empty two huge file folders! Now, all the documents are in their place, and should we need to pull them for something, it's easily found. I love the feeling being organized gives me! (Yes, I know I'm probably weird...) :-)
We have an art closet in our homeschool room as well. It has 3 doors. One is for my curriculum manipulatives, like games, flashcards, etc. The other two are for craft supplies. They are a Mess!! The boys pull out art supplies and crafts to do any number of projects whenever they feel like it. And while I LOVE their spontaneity and creativity, the disaster they leave behind isn't much fun. Thankfully they are old enough to put their crafts away, but they kind of put it in any old place they can find. So, from time to time I have to clean that out as well. It's been a LONG time since I did that. I'm waiting to get up the energy.... lol!
Anyway, aside from the art closet the room looks much better....I have a friend, who has on her blog... "Tackle it Tuesday." That's what I felt like this weekend... even though it wasn't a Tuesday.... I sure did tackle a lot!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Finally! Pictures of $10 Bookcase
I was away for a few days...so I am finally able to post some pictures of the bookcase, and some cute things I found at Hobby Lobby, to decorate it with! I went into Hobby Lobby as one of my last stops last Wednesday evening. It was about 20 minutes before they closed. I came across some awesome accents for my boys room. Very unique, vintage with a scrapbook kind of a feel. So, I picked them up not even caring what they cost. (I can do this impulse thing, it isn't often, but when I see something I love, and it isn't real expensive, then I'll probably get it). Anyway, it wasn't until I got home that I noticed that every single item I bought was 50% off! WOW!!! It's funny because when the cashier told me the price I momentarily thought, that wasn't bad....but because they were closing I was in a hurry to get out of there. So...another great deal!
This one is my favorite baseball photo frame. Now if I could just snap a picture of my son diving to catch the ball like that! Maybe I could leave it in there and we could pretend it was him!! :o)
One final picture of the grouping and the bookcase. I want to add some books and of course the lamp...but I am happy with it for now. This room has become one of my favorite rooms in our house. I love to walk by in the morning and just admire our handiwork. (I know I'm probably weird). :o)
We also replaced the ceiling fan with one from our downstairs family room. It works so well up there. the only thing that is a problem is when it is one a high speed it rocks rather badly. It is definitely a balance issue and so we will have to research how to solve that problem. It did this even in the family room (though not to the degree). Here is a photo of the fan (before and after).
Now doesn't that look better?
Our next project that we are anticipating starting in a few weeks is the boys bathroom. It's currently painted a bright dark aqua blue and the cabinets are just a very worn oak. The light fixtures are round globes from the 80's and the sink faucets are also 80's. There is a linoleum in the bathroom that I don't care for, but I have seen dh replace linoleum before and it did not go well. So this one I may have to leave alone and just cover it up. I'm planning on painting the boys cabinets creamy white, which will be a lot of work. So, come along on the next project starting soon!
Here are a few photos of the bookcase and the accents I put on them. The space in the middle of the top of the bookcase is left for some lamp that I have yet to find. I decided since I found all this cool sport accent stuff, that I will not do the lamp in a sport motif.... too much.....and will just get it in a solid color to go along with the quilts. Doesn't the finish on the bookcase come awfully close to the finish on the headboard? That is hard to find...
Here are some closeups of the sports balls and picture frames. My kids photos are not in there yet....and it will probably take me several months to get that done.... lol!
This one is my favorite baseball photo frame. Now if I could just snap a picture of my son diving to catch the ball like that! Maybe I could leave it in there and we could pretend it was him!! :o)
One final picture of the grouping and the bookcase. I want to add some books and of course the lamp...but I am happy with it for now. This room has become one of my favorite rooms in our house. I love to walk by in the morning and just admire our handiwork. (I know I'm probably weird). :o)
We also replaced the ceiling fan with one from our downstairs family room. It works so well up there. the only thing that is a problem is when it is one a high speed it rocks rather badly. It is definitely a balance issue and so we will have to research how to solve that problem. It did this even in the family room (though not to the degree). Here is a photo of the fan (before and after).
Now doesn't that look better?
The final things for the room to finish it off... are pictures for the walls. I have a few, and I have some baseball jerseys to hang if I like the look.... I guess I'll get to those last finishes when I feel like it. Pulling the finishing touches together is not my forte, and so it rarely gets done. I am proud I was able to pull together what I did, and if those pictures go up, I'll be really impressed!
Our next project that we are anticipating starting in a few weeks is the boys bathroom. It's currently painted a bright dark aqua blue and the cabinets are just a very worn oak. The light fixtures are round globes from the 80's and the sink faucets are also 80's. There is a linoleum in the bathroom that I don't care for, but I have seen dh replace linoleum before and it did not go well. So this one I may have to leave alone and just cover it up. I'm planning on painting the boys cabinets creamy white, which will be a lot of work. So, come along on the next project starting soon!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Nightstand/Bookcase!
I had just posted to the ladies in my homeschool support group that I went yard saleing this weekend and it was a total bust.... not a nightstand or bookcase to be found. I went to a TON too! So, I intended to stop at the antique mall on Sunday afternoon and see what I could find. I had been visiting the antique mall, about 2x a week for the last 3 weeks. So, I wasn't optimistic. It's a large store with lots of vendors, and I typically start out walking the entire thing, row by row, right to left. As I am going I am looking at prices for things that I don't necessarily love. You know things, I could re-do to make work... $125, $85, $75 and one $65. I wanted to pay around $40 for a nightstand or bookcase. So, as I am walking around the store I am talking to the Lord.. "Lord, I will be patient as long as you want. You know I don't want to spend a lot of money on this, and I don't really want to settle on something I don't like and pay more for it. I've been checking every week.... here, goodwill, thrift stores..... please help me to find a nightstand or bookcase."
I was heading around to the very last row, at the back of the store. And there was a booth that was almost completely empty. The dealer of that booth had everything 50% off for 2 weeks, and he must not have been renewing his contract. Now everything was gone, except for the three bookcases he displayed things on! Two were not real wood, and were a little small, but one was just about perfect.... it looked to be the same finish wood as the boys beds and dressers (red/brown maple/very hard to find). It was just a little wider in depth than a bookcase, and had several layered shelves that I could use to display things on. It was high enough to still place a lamp on top, and just wide enough to fit nicely between the two beds. Really I couldn't ask for more....not even the price. $10.00!! I took the post it note and walked right up to the front, thinking as I was walking and looking at furniture still... "Jackie, what are you still looking for?? That piece is so obviously yours". :o) So, I'm thanking the Lord for His provision! I never get tired of seeing how He works in the big things and small....
P.S. When I gather some things to put on the bookcase, I'll snap a picture!
I was heading around to the very last row, at the back of the store. And there was a booth that was almost completely empty. The dealer of that booth had everything 50% off for 2 weeks, and he must not have been renewing his contract. Now everything was gone, except for the three bookcases he displayed things on! Two were not real wood, and were a little small, but one was just about perfect.... it looked to be the same finish wood as the boys beds and dressers (red/brown maple/very hard to find). It was just a little wider in depth than a bookcase, and had several layered shelves that I could use to display things on. It was high enough to still place a lamp on top, and just wide enough to fit nicely between the two beds. Really I couldn't ask for more....not even the price. $10.00!! I took the post it note and walked right up to the front, thinking as I was walking and looking at furniture still... "Jackie, what are you still looking for?? That piece is so obviously yours". :o) So, I'm thanking the Lord for His provision! I never get tired of seeing how He works in the big things and small....
P.S. When I gather some things to put on the bookcase, I'll snap a picture!
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