Computer Crashed!

Well, Monday night our computer crashed!  Thankfully, I have my laptop, so I can keep blogging!  LOL!!

So, I thought I'd take a little time to clear and de-clutter the computer desk area.

We have taken out the computer tower and this is what we're left with.  See the mess of cords?  Yikes!  I will be researching ways to keep cords organized...

But, after just a matter of minutes, I was left with this:

I started a book (to the left of the screen) to keep our passwords, popular websites/blogs, etc.  Usually, I just write these on a piece of paper, which only causes clutter!  I placed my Amish file tray on the top shelf by my "Believe" sign.  Now, I have a place for all those papers I print off because "I really need them!"

I'm proving it over and over to myself that I CAN organize and clean an area in just a few minutes!

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

Letter Art

About a week ago, Kayli and I went to JoAnne's Fabric store, because I need some inspiration for another craft!  Hee-hee!

Well, I spotted some letters made out of various materials and that reminded me of some of the 'letter' crafts I've seen on different blogs.  So...I bought the letter "E"...for "Ellingson", of course!

I painted both sides of the letter with Americana 'antique gold' craft paint.  

It took just 1 coat of paint!

After it dried, I traced the letter onto this scrapbook paper.

This picture doesn't really show the true colors.  Then, I went to town with Mod-Podge!  After the initial glueing, I added 2 coats to the top.  I let it dry completely, before adding this:

2

This felt flower is actually two different felt flower designs I put together on a whim!  They were just laying on the table beside the couch!

So, here is the finished product:

The new "letter" art for the "Ellingson" home!

The letter cost was $3.96, I think, at JoAnnes.  The paint was $1.39, but I hardly used any of it.  The scrapbook paper was on sale at JoAnnes for .16!  Yes, that's right!  So...total cost was approximately $4.25!  Not bad for a new decorating touch!

I'll post a picture when I decide exactly where it's going!  (I have an idea, but so do my children!  We'll have to see how wins!  But, not tonight...I'm going to bed...)

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

It's cleared off!!

Well, I didn't get it done this past weekend, but I made it my mission today!  Do you remember the embarrassing picture I shared showing my kitchen table?  Just in case you've forgotten (don't know how you could possibly forget!!), here it is:

Yep!  Pretty bad...and we couldn't even eat together as a family.  I still had Valentine's Day decor set out.  Very sad.  BUT...today is a new day!

See for yourself!

Isn't it pretty?  I really wanted something springy looking, but I seriously had nothing to put out!  So, after stopping at Kohl's, I found this pretty candle and cloth napkin.

Sooo pretty!  The pink bowl was an after-Valentine's Day sale.  And, of course, jelly beans are a must!  The little chick and bunny are salt & pepper shakers!

The candle is called "Mango Coconut Smoothie".  I spent a lot of time smelling candles and this is the one that came home with me!

Last fall, Courtney at Good Morning Girls, gave us a mission to light a candle every morning.  The candle is to remind us to pray for our family. 

So, there it is!  A clean, cleared off table for my family to be proud to sit at and eat together!  I'm proud of it, too...and it only took a few minutes.  Remember, I have been trying to see what I can get accomplished when I have only a few minutes!  Have YOU had any success with a few minutes???  I'd love to hear about it!

Organizing bit-by-bit!

Shari

Time Management

I have just purchased a book called: 

"Simplify your Time: Stop Running and Start Living!"

by Marcia Ramsland.  

Here are the 3 books she has written. 

I want all 3 of them!

 I haven't even finished reading her book, but have already put into practice some things that I've read.

Here is a tip Marcia gives:

Try and see what you can accomplish in 2 minutes!

Seriously!  So, I put on a pot of water to boil for supper.

...and decided to tackle my utensil holder.

 

There are a LOT of items that are never used in here.  It may not look bad to you, but it's overflowing!

After dumping everything out, here is what I saw:



All I can say is..."yuck"!  And, no...they're not bugs!  LOL!  Looked like Ramen Noodles to me.

Here is what I have kept, and now everything is handy and easy to get at.  Looks much nicer!

 And, all this before the water boiled!!

So, I decided to keep going and see what else I could accomplish in just a few minutes, or more than a few.

This small area is between our pantry and refrigerator. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:

We moved our toaster to this area...it was cluttering up another counter top (but I forgot to take pics of where it had been).  We put the peanut butter containers and cinnamon/sugar mixture in the cupboard above.  The small crock on top of the sugar container is where we keep the butter.

This is the counter where the toaster was kept...between the small crocks.  It always looked so cluttered (for 9 years!).  Oh, and did you see the crockpot?  Yep!  Supper is ready!  (I'm working on better menu planning)

This had been hanging above the sink...what in the world was I thinking?  I have no idea what I was going to do with these things.  So, I took them down.

I thought I had taken a 'before' pic of my island, but couldn't find it.  This is the first pic I took of it cleared off.  Then, I decided I didn't like it.

AFTER

Anybody ready for SPRING!!
I changed switched out the candy to this green Longaberger crock.  Who doesn't like candy?  Just wish it was chocolate!  The toothpicks had been in a gingerbread votive candleholder.  It was time to change that!  And, I love this little pitcher!

My next areas to tackle this weekend are:

How do you think we eat at this table?  We don't.  And, that is something else I am working at changing!  Bad habits are hard to break.

Oooohh...do you see the countertop on the left side of the picture?  I knew I had taken a BEFORE picture!  At least you can get a glimpse of it.

Here is the area I had decluttered a few weeks ago.  It so easily becomes a "hot spot".  I just need to add this area to my daily routine.

So, the next time I feel that I don't have 'time' to clean/organize/declutter, I will remind myself: 

I can do ANYTHING in 2 minutes, or any small amount of time!    

• Swish and swipe toilet
• wipe down toilet, sink and bathroom countertop
• put dishes in dishwasher
• throw a load of wash in washer
• change clothes from washer to dryer
• make bed (this takes LESS than 2 minutes!)
• spot wash the kitchen floor
• fill ice cube trays
• read my Bible
• Pray
• so many more things!

So, what can YOU accomplish in just a few minutes?  Feel free to share your pictures and ideas.

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari