The Postpartum Patriot, with notes on organization

Last weekend was spent organizing. A lot! I took a long, hard look at our household and wrote down everything that "should go." I ran the list by Job, and he agreed, for the most part, that most of it was clutter. We gathered up most of the stuff and we dropped it off at the Goodwill donation trailer.
Thank you, Goodwill, for taking and agreeing to sift and sort through our discarded goods, and for throwing away, in whatever manner you see fit, our donated garbage. Thank you for hiring someone to sit at the trailer and simply wait for people to drop of unwanted stuff at their own convenience. You make our job easy. I see now why your merchandise is a bit more expensive, but I'm okay with that. On this Fourth of July weekend, I must admit that the conveniences that are available to us in this country are quite astounding.

ahem.The rest of the stuff is listed on Craigslist. Some has already been sold, and I'm guessing all of the rest will eventually be donated. Anyone want an Ergo infant insert (the old model, without the snaps)? I can send it to you, let me know :)

In the course of the week, though, we acquired a shopping sack full of nursing attire, and another one full of old VHS movies. Both were generously bestowed on us, and there are several "keepers" in the mix, for sure (a nursing cami and "Cocoon" on VHS-- yessss!). It's just funny... I think our home will always have an ominous bag or two of freebies here or there. Even despite our best efforts. I really think we have what it takes to start our own 2nd hand store. But I'm starting to sound very ungrateful; forgive me. I am so blessed to have generous friends who look out for us and share so willingly. Time to "pay it forward", eh?

So, I was debating as to whether or not I should post Before and After pics of my reorganization. You see, the problem is I have no "before" shots. I never take "Before" shots, mainly because I'm; a) humiliated at the horror of what it is that needs revamping and and b) well... there is no b. But I'm good at taking "After" shots, even if it leaves you with nothing to compare it to. Which leaves me in a lurch because you might be looking at these photos and thinking, "Um... I thought she said she organized?" Well, if that's the case, just know that I'm a work in progress, and whatever is in the pictures is much better than what it looked like previously. So yes, these are all "After" shots.

Before, this area under the kitchen sink was the home to a large spider and, at one time, a slug. The spider, albeit gross, at least I can understand. The slug? I have no idear how that happened. Gerrrross! It contained the compost bucket, and a disorderly array of cleaning products. Sponges and scrubbies were purchased at random, since I never could find them in the abyss. I must admit, I was inspired by Evlogia's charming (I never knew such an area could be charming?) under-sink arrangement. Mine lacks the wicker baskets, but I tried to use what I already owned. I removed everything from the cabinet, scrubbed the interior with soap and laid down some contact paper. Items were grouped together and placed in containers. I did put the compost bucket back in the space, but I'm not using it. I'm being a deviant Oregonian right now, forgive me. It's just that I have a steaming heap of unused, untouched compost, filled to the brim, outside already. Let' s just say I'm thankful we have nice neighbors, and I'm thankful we don't have an HOA.
This little corner of the kitchen excites me a great deal. I cleaned and removed our (okay... my) espresso machine and, since I don't use it on a daily basis, I placed it in an easily accessible cabinet in the kitchen. Now I can grab it when I want it, but it doesn't need to take up precious counter space. Then, I removed all of the coffee packages and placed them on the shelf above, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing, clutter-free coffee areaHere's the top of the refrigerator. We used to have several boxes stored up there as well. I am amazed the freezer didn't cave in under all of that weight. It was too much, especially when I realized those boxes have been unopened for YEARS, and the contents of which we didn't need at all. The box next to the blue binder contains our play dough stuff, and everything else is craft/ activity/ "homeschool" stuff :)

Seems like the mode of attack on most of these problem areas was simply emptying cabinets and drawers of all the unused crud, and then clearing surfaces areas of all of the often-used item and placing them in the drawers instead. Novel idea, I know. I hope you're taking notes, Martha Stewart. This sink counter top is now, virtually, cleared off! The alarm and the toothbrushes stay :) Feels much better, though. This room, although the smallest in the house, just makes me happy :)

My mom did this. She spent some time helping out by folding and bundling together all of my fabric scraps, and tying them up in a cute fashion. Thanks Mom!! Sorry for the weird angle on this picture. Now... to find the time to actually USE them... :) And to restrain from purchasing MORE. Lord have mercy.

There were some other areas that we worked on (the hall closet, the shed outside, etc.) but this is probably enough for now.

What did I learn? That I need to DEAL with messes quickly, before they start to build up and I mentally block them out of my vision. Now I try to tell myself more often: DEAL WITH IT, XK! "But I don't wanna...." I'll usually reply. Unfortunately, I talk back. I need a good smacking.

Now my buffet surface is cluttered with photo albums/ scrapbooking stuff. I organized our photos, and now I just need to place them in book/ album of some sort. Some of you are so talented at scrapbooking (Mimi! Marfa!). Yet I really drag my feet when it comes to it. Oh well. Gotta DEAL. I'm also finishing this dress. Just sleeves and buttons left to do. I'm excited!

Now, I'm off to go deal with all that needs to be dealt with! I hope you have a nice weekend. Happy Fourth! Eat some good, range-fed, spoon-fed, breastfed barbequed beef and be safe! Two of my previous chimichangos.