Sunday, May 2, 2010

Simplify 101

I can’t say another word without thanking all of you for your beautiful and kind words.  You had some amazing things to say, and I truly appreciate it.  Luckily, I was able to spend time with family this weekend.  Nothing like baseball games and projects to make someone move forward!

Someone sent me an e-mail the other day telling me that my organization posts are her favorite.  She couldn’t have chosen better words.  While I struggle with the best of ‘em to keep a clean home, I like to think I keep it fairly organized—on Sundays—between 8 and 10pm.  I thought I might start sharing some things that I do to keep things simple around here.  Some of you have been doing these “tricks” for years, but others may not have thought of them.  What’s the harm in sharing, right?

First up?  The entertainment spot.  We all have something that looks like this, don’t we?  Just a Girl and her Just a Husband LOVE LOVE LOVE movies.  Unfortunately, storing them was becoming a hazard.  Something had to be done.

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One of the best things I’ve ever done is get rid of all the DVD packaging from all of our movies and put them into books!  It took some convincing for my husband to be on board (as it always does), but he now realizes that I’m brilliant.

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We have a DVD book that we put all the kids’ movies in and a separate book for adult movies.  Now when we want to watch something, we’re not fumbling through a mess of movie sleeves.  We just go through our books.

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Of course, I have my own book for my chick-flick nights.  No scratches or smudged finger prints on these movies! FYI—we sold a ton of the DVD containers in a garage sale to a local photographer looking to put his CD proofs in a sleeve.

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Next?  My kids are in charge of cleaning their own bathroom, so I make sure to keep things as clear and concise as possible when it comes to directions and supplies.  I found this little basket thingy a while ago, and it houses all the little sponges, broom, etc. they need to get the job done.  My point?  When distributing chores for younger kids, don’t give them any excuses for not doing it right.  Supplies need to be readily available and easy for them to reach.  That means less work for you!

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Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard, “Mommy, I need a drink of water” when putting your children to sleep.  (Now put your hand down ‘cause you look a little silly sitting by yourself with your hand up in the air.)  I can’t TELL you how much easier it is simply to have little plastic cups on hand when my kids pull the ol’ “I need a drink” trick at the end of the day.  It may not seem like a big deal, but it made the world seem brighter to me. :)

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Lastly, I know this is not new for many of you, but it made a world of difference for me.  When it comes to project or home decor ideas, I have folders upon folders of them on my computer.  The problem is that I had so many that I was forgetting what I had.

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I pulled a no-brainer and simply started printing out my favorite ideas.  It is SO much easier to keep track of.  Plus, I can bring my book with me when I’m shopping for supplies.  I print out any directions that people give, and I highlight any features like measurements or brands that I know I’ll need to have on hand when shopping.  Hmm..can you tell what I’ve got on the brain right now?

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Well, I’m off to bed after a long weekend full of lots of work.  Wanna know what BIG project I worked on this weekend?  Head on over to Twitter.  I gave a sneak peak!

34 comments:

Rhyah-- said...

DVDs in a book? Brilliant! We have piles upon piles of DVDs. I think I'll be working on my husband to get him on board with this one. I'm out of ideas for "cute" storage for them. My bins runneth over!

Amy Kinser said...

I need to consider storing the cd cases somewhere and putting all of our movies in a notebook. It would be so much neater and it would be easier to transport if we wanted to take some with us. Thanks for the idea...

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

I have been meaning to get a DVD storage book for MONTHS. Our DVDs are an eye sore on the shelf. Great ideas!

Joanne Kennedy said...

Great ideas! Now can you come to my house and get me orginized please :)

Oh and I just read some of your posts I was behind on.

I'm so sorry to hear about the teacher and student at your school. How sad for everyone involved.

Also, cute lunches. I was thinking you could keep your lunches cold if you freeze the juice boxes. Then by the time it's lunch they will be thawed out and still cold and so will the lunch you sent.


Hugs,
Joanne

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Carrie said...

You know, I was thinking about the DVD book over the weekend! That's just too weird. Now I need to go out and by one! Or two...I love the idea of adult movies and kid movies.

I wish I were as organized as you. Our house just seems to stay a wreck. I can't get control of the paperwork, the kids school stuff, business stuff, blog stuff, craft stuff, etc. I've started making myself notebooks too. Then I got distracted. Guess I need to get back to it as we're moving in a couple of months and it would be WONDERFUL to move stuff like that in an organized manner!

Andrea said...

I saw a really nice piece of artwork made from empty CD sleeves,dang if I can remember where I saw it...anyway ,great ideas!!

Colette said...

I love the DVD idea. I can't even convince my husband to get rid of the extra sleeve that comes on Disney movies. It sure would save some space!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

Awesome blog! Just found your site and so glad I did. You are too funny and I have all our DVD's in a book too. I am a neat freak! Hope you have a fab week and I am your newest follower-not that you need anymore girl bc you got alot! LOL! Come and visit if you get the chance. I have a great giveaway going on. XO Jessica
http://kitchenbelleicious.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I'm right with you with the DVD's. It has made things alot easier when we are going to be on the road for a while or while waiting in the car for yet another hockey game and my peeps need some entertainment, they got those books of DVD's to choose from and I have some peace and quiet for at least 2 more minutes!

melo said...

we do the same thing w/our dvd's...only I pulled out my paper cutter, and sliced up the movie jacket" so that it fit where the dvd's go. that way we can always see at a glance what the movie is. so many dvd's are just plain silver.

**** April **** said...

I can't even begin to thank yo ufor posting this on the DVD storage. Why this didn't dawn on me is BEYOND me. I've done this with ALL of our over 300 CD's and it's a GOD SEND! I have all the little inserts from the CD's alphabetized in TWO cd storage boxes and our CD's are in a CD storage thing (it's a piece of electronic equipment -- and I do'nt speak that language) LOL... why I never thought of doign this with my DVDs... man.. major Ah ha! moment! Thanks for this!

Richella Parham said...

Chris, I'm so glad you're doing well after your difficult week. Bless you.

I think we all love your posts on organization because you make things seem so do-able. Part of it is your ability to write well; part of it is your photos illustrating your points; part of it is that your ideas are simple but brilliant.

THANK YOU for sharing! Please keep sharing--I for one really need these ideas!

Unknown said...

I love that your cleaning supplies are Shaklee. When my kids started to help in the bathrooms, they asked "aren't these cleaners toxic? are you trying to kill us?" But it didn't work, cause I use shaklee too.

Connie said...

I've just started to organize our bathroom cabinets with all the must haves. I have so many people who think I am over organized. I'm glad to see I'm not crazy and there is nothing wrong with having your kids take part in cleaning from an early age.

Mary Beth said...

thanks for the dvd case idea - just finished and its SO nice

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Great idea about the DVD's. Doesn't take up that much room. Thanks for sharing. Love & blessings from NC!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

That is brilliant what you did with your DVDS. Mine take up SO much room!

Amanda said...

We use those DVD books too. We were using individual ones and switched to one huge one. though I like your idea of keeping the chick flicks in a separate book!

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Wonderful ideas, thank you for sharing! I'm glad you are starting the healing process and had a nice weekend with family!
Thinking of you-
Kristin

AndreaLeigh said...

great ideas! i also put my dvds in binders. much less space that way.

Sarah said...

Ok - I officially love both of those ideas. The one for the dvds. Brilliant! Although I am sure my husband would need convincing, I am going to do it for all of my chick flicks and the kids movies.

I also like your binder idea. I've thought about doing that with all of the crafty stuff I want to do as well as all the cool home decor projects I've seen. I think I'm going to do it.

Robin Johnson said...

I've done the same thing for our DVD's. So much easier to work with and takes up half the space. Love it.

pam said...

I like the idea of printing your home ideas in a booklet, I have a booklet of ideas but not picture of around the house, smart and take it with you, I usually just take what I want it to look like not what my house already looks like. Thanks!

circlelinestudio said...

You blog never fails to make me smile. Your idea's are so "doable"...I'm forever having an "ah-ha" moment as I read your latest post. Thanks so much for the time and energy you dedicate to your blog!

connie
circlelinestudio

Melanie said...

I have never thought about the DVDs in a CD holder. Great idea. (we don't buy movies but I still like it)

I love to organize and it makes me happy. Loved your bathroom cabinet:)

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Just tonight my hubby was telling me we need a better system for our DVD storage. I've run the idea of putting the discs into books before and he hates the idea. I said it again tonight and he said no. He thinks they'll get all scratched. Pooh. I'm showing him your post though. I need to create some space and those darn things take up way too much room!

Wendy said...

I've been trying to get my hubby on board with the DVD book thing too...perhaps I'll show him your post and emphasize how your hubby thinks you are brilliant. ;-)

Hope things are getting better. Take care!

Sawdust Girl said...

Great organization ideas. I was surprised to see a picture of my hallway wainscoting in your book. That's so weird. My house is in someone's inspirations book. No way!

marie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
marie said...

Wow - smacking myself in the forehead, saying "now why didn't I think of that!?"

I LOVE your DVD storage idea!

Isela said...

I took the idea and put all my kids DVDs in a book. It is not as nice as yours, it is just single DVDs, 2 per page but it is less cluttered already! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Hi love the bento idea. May I ask where can you find a lunch bag that fits the container, and not have it tilt when they hold it so the food stays flat??

LeAnn said...

I lovel the idea of the DVD book.

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