Haven't forgotten about the blog...

I haven't forgotten about writing.  I have actually been trying to accomplish Mission: Organization as my "try something new" and it has been a couple week long process AND I AM STILL NOT DONE!!

Sure, we all try to organize so I know this is kind of old hat but I really stink at it.  I love being organized and I can't manage to get it right.  My something NEW is really trying hard to organize right the first time and to stick with it.

I always buy baskets, bins, etc. and then stare at them.  I am really taking my time making sure I get it right the first time by measuring and picking the right "organization tools."

So why such an interest in organizing...

We are living in a small apartment and a little mess can look like a huge mess and at some point we are going to move again.  I hate packing and moving and I want to be organized so that the next time I am better prepared.  I also have toys everywhere from my daughter and I am running out of room for them all.  My husband doesn't help - he is pack rat and has papers everywhere.  I want to cut down on the paper mess and stay on it.  This isn't easy for me either - I am a "piler."  I stack papers in little piles and plan to "get to them later."  I am still doing it as we speak and I seriously need to stop.  It drives me crazy.

So here is what I have done...

As for the paper mess, I am still in the process of coming up with an ideal system but got a great idea from Better Homes & Gardens magazine (www.bhg.com) - January 2012 issue.  I tried looking for the article online but couldn't find it.  The article is titled In-Box RX and it gives ideas for organizing papers.

Basically I bought a file system that I hung on the wall by our desk.  There are three folders - one that says Do Now, Do Later, and Pending.  I also bought a separate bin as an Inbox.  So far that is about as good as it gets.  I am actually using the Inbox right now for the shredder pile.  That is my husbands job and as you can tell, it is not getting done.  He has papers everywhere and I don't know what we need and what we don't at this point.  I can organize from here on out but the current mess is all him - I cleaned up most of mine.

My best accomplishment is the cabinet under my sink.  It is a corner cabinet and kind of awkward but I bought a large lazy susan from Bed, Bath & Beyond and put all the cleaning items and what not on it.  It is awesome!! I also bought a basket that hangs over the cabinet door and it holds plastic bags, aluminum foil, and garbage bags.

I also have done a lot of reorganizing of our pantry.  I bought cheap plastic bins at target that are made to store shoes and I put those on the shelves for snacks and opened bags of "whatever."

I have done a bunch of other little odd and ends too.  I need to organize my thoughts (SERIOUSLY) and will post more ideas on here.

I am also working on the closets and want to tackle the garage.

I would like to post pictures but I am not queen organizer so if my ideas aren't as pretty as what others see out there, please don't hate :-) It is working for us (so far and sort of) and I guess that is all that matters.