Clearing my mind

You may remember an earlier post that referenced my To-Do list that was created back in July. Since then it has been added to, but I'm also happy to report that many a job has been crossed off the 5-page list. As household maven, Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing." (She does still say that, doesn't she?)


Lately, I've been really struggling with some memory issues and worry that I might be going down the same path as my mother. Some say it's stress, some say it's juggling too much, some say it's menopause -- not ready to go there yet. Trying to be proactive, my plan has been to rid the house of clutter in hopes that this would alleviate some of the clutter in my brain. And at the very least, this full on effort at taking my house back would lead to better times once school starts and the schedule kicks into high gear.

The kitchen cupboards were number one on my list, followed by the bathroom cupboard. They've both received some attention over the years, but never have I devoted the time necessary to empty, purge, sort, measure and containerize. The pantry part of the kitchen was really an albatross around my neck. I don't have a pantry cupboard as such -- that was part of the problem too. It kept me from effecient shopping and meal planning and preparation. So I devoted probably the equivalent of a day - about 12 hours (spread over about 5 days) to complete the reorganization of the kitchen cupboards

This is Cupboard A. Should have taken the real before shot -- when the cupboards were filled willy nilly, but here's the scene post-emptying the cupboards.

This is Cupboard B. Ran out of space -- more stuff was on the dining room table.

The after-shot of Cupboard A - the dollar store bins made all the difference in the world. I already had the Tupperware labelled containers for the baking stuff, but they were in a smaller by the stove. They work much better in this cupboard across the way. This is Cupboard B - love these Rubbermaid tall containers. Got a great deal on them back in the spring at Costco and added two more when I made a trip to Target. And more dollar store bins labelled for dry goods. Love it!

What used to be the baking cupboard, now is the spice and condiment cupboard by the stove. Smaller things work much better in this space I've discovered. (A wee bit of irony here as I write a post about organizing, and I'm cranky about how this part of the post looks -- no symmetry.)

The bottom cupboards have had these wire racks in them for several years, but there was no rhyme or reason to what went in which drawer. The set of the drawers in the top shot needed some attention and a system for cereal. More bins helped with that as "like with like" is the mantra of the day. Drawers in the bottom shot hold cooking equipment - pots, bowls, baking stuff. A purge of the "tupperware cupboard" was all that was needed.

Then it was on to the bathroom -- again forgot to take one of the real before shots,but here's the stuff that came from the bowels of the vanity cupboard. No drawers and silly plumbing stuff have made this a sore spot. But a few measurements were taken, like went with like, and voila!

Other parts of the house have also been addressed -- assorted drawers and closets, the basement playroom, my office, the laundry room, but none have given me the satisfaction of these two jobs, and I must say, the kitchen, in particular.

I've taken this zeal and energy and done a huge purge/organize at school these last three days.

Feeling good about that. All steps that I think will ease us into the months ahead.