Organized

Organized...a word that has been used to describe me many times.  I've been thinking about this quite a bit over the last few months, because I'm constantly striving for organization in every area of my life.

Last weekend, I spoke at a leadership retreat for the local Jack-n-Jill club.  I encouraged them be organized in their approach to scrapbooking an upcoming Rites of Passage program.

Last night the kids and I huddled around the computer to view videos and pics on this website:  Disposophobia.com...they quickly saw my mother as having this tendency and I stressed that I am constantly on the rant about picking up because we can't let the clutter get out of control like this.

I was blessed with a consultation with the famous organizational consultant & fellow scrapbooker Aby Garvey and one of my tasks was to get our office/study whipped into shape.  Discussing this challenge with her, her giving me a completion date made me step up my game and propel me to the finsh line (the night before the deadline).

To me "Organization" is the pathway to completed projects, being creative, and the ability to enjoy life.  It's a daily effort to conquer clutter and keep disorganization at bay...it's an extreme time waster when certain areas of your life are dysfunctional.

Here are before and after pics of one of my project areas:

   This before shot shows a very underutilized wall.  I love the massive desk (a Sanford & Son find from the curb) and I always wanted a wall unit to go across the entire length of the wall.

Here's what I hooked up...the wall unit was a great (cheap) purchase from my office, it's solid wood and took my husband and I four hours to move it from downtown to home! I thought two units would fit side by side to span the wall, but they were 1 1/2 inches too big (although they probably would have squeezed in if we removed the floor trim).   ANY HOOO...this set-up works okay and the comfy seating is a plus.

This bookcase has made a huge difference in the level of clutter in multiple areas of my home...let me explain...from the top down.  Top left shelf holds my camera collection (mostly broken cameras...but a reflection of what we enjoy) and my canvas scrapbook page of a slave ancestor, Grandpap Stephen Tarpley (see the first chapter in my new book for details on that item).  The photo storage boxes actually hold film and other miscellaneous camera related stuff. 

Top Right shelf...my favorite scrapbook idea books and photography how-to books, yearbooks I've published and Russian dolls.

Middle shelf holds various reference books thematically grouped, academic, Biblical, vocabulary, parenting & cultures.

Bottom shelf holds, dictionary, vocabulary building reference books, books and magazines that I've been published in, rack of stylish file folders where I hold my business paperwork (for easy access), more parenting & homeschooling references that I go to often.

In the top left drawer (hanging files), my business files related to my scrapbook teaching and publication, Top Right drawer holds financial stuff and husband's files, bottom left drawer holds office supplies and right side holds camera bags and battery chargers.

This one cabinet freed up quite a bit of counter and table top spaces from other areas of the house.

I just need to top it off with a nice flowery paper craft item...feel free to show me some suggestions.

Here's the newly organized desk drawer too.

Comments

[Aby]

This is fabulous, Lisa! Thank you so much for sharing. Your office turned out beautifully!

[malieta]

I love organization also and you did a terrific job with your project. Thank you for sharing your photos of your family reunion, you did a terrific job hosting the event Lisa! Last but not least...your banner is terrific and so you!
Malieta:)

[Lise Richards]

I love to see before and after pictures - your project turned out very well. And I am so glad to have found your blog. I plan to visit often :-)

Thanks for sharing!

Lise