Reflections on Home

Snapshots Into My Life

What I am seeing through my lens this week.

This may not be the prettiest picture, but it is the season of comfort food. I made a cornbread tamale pie. It was so good!

We have a great farmer's market in Toledo. I love the colors of the mums and the pumpkins!

I walked out of Michaels the other day and was amazed at how beautiful the sky was. The pinks, blues and yellows were unbelievable!

These two. They may not ever want to admit it, but they are buddies. They were keeping the neighborhood safe from UPS trucks, squirrels and blowing leaves.

10 Tips to Organizing a Catch-All Space

I have a closet next to my hall coat closet that has been a bit of a nuisance space since I moved in. It isn't terribly large, but a whole lot of stuff can fit inside. Stuff that clutters the shelves making it impossible to find what is inside. Every so often, I will straighten the shelves, but there is no method to the madness. I was tired of this valuable closet space being wasted because of a lack of organization.

I am sharing some tips that were helpful as I worked to make this non-useful space useful.

1. Plan Your Project

The first thing I needed to do was figure out what I wanted to use this closet for. In its messy state, it held kitchen appliances, tools, cleaning supplies, candles and candle holders, vases, dog food, light bulbs, etc. Because of the variety of things inside, it became my go-to spot when I couldn't find something. When something wasn't inside, I knew it must be really lost. :)

Because of the location, this closet was a good spot for my vacuum and steam mop, but there was no room because of the shelves. I also needed a good spot for extra paper towels. I listed out the things I wanted in the closet.

2. Stay Calm

These kinds of organizing projects can be daunting. I oftentimes think it is easier to live with the mess than tackling the job. I want a happy, organized home and not dread opening up the closet door. I can do this...and so can you!!

3. Empty the Space

The easiest way to organize a space is to clean everything out. Trying to organize around all the stuff is difficult. Seeing the empty space gives you a chance to see the potential.

4. Don't Get Overwhelmed

See all the stuff piling on the floor and tables? You may start to wonder where it all came from. It is okay. It always looks worse before it gets better. Take a deep breath and keep going!

5. Purge, purge, purge

In the past year or so, I have discovered the freedom of purging. If you don't use it or need it, get rid of it! Someone else might need that thing you had to have, but have never actually used.

6. Make Piles

Set aside the things that need new homes. Don't worry about putting them away yet. Keep focused on the task at hand.

Keep the items that will stay in the closet together. It will make it easier to put them back in.

7. Clean

Because of the empty space, you can clean it. Wipe down shelves, cover them with shelf liners if needed. You don't want to the backdrop of your organized space to be dirty. True confession...I was going to paint the inside of the closet, but it just didn't happen. Another project for another day.

8. Organize Your Space

There is no right or wrong way to do this. You will be using this space, so put items where it makes sense for you. You may need to tweak it after living with it for a few days.

After I cleaned everything out, I found out that I had more space than I thought. Some of the things I was going to move could actually stay where they were.

9. Find Permanent Homes for the Rest

A place for everything and everything in its place. Find permanent places for those leftover items. My pile went to several spots, including a cabinet in my garage, my craft room closet and my spare bedroom closet.

10. Do A Happy Dance!

As my 2-year-old niece says, "I did it!" It is such a great feeling when the project is done and looks great! Keep up with the organization and don't let it become out of hand. It may change as your needs change.

Good luck! Let me know what organizing projects you have on your list!

Learning to Breathe, Pt. 10 and a Challenge

October starts my favorite three months of the year. I love fall and the time leading up to Christmas. It makes my heart happy! I love decorating, making warm, feel good food, burning candles, etc. The list goes on and on.

October also starts the 31 Day Challenge. For those who don't know, it is a challenge to write every day in October. This is the third year I have participated. My first year I wrote about fall and actually wrote all 31 days. Last year, my attempt was a little half-hearted - Making a House Home Sweet Home. I only blogged 11 days. This year, my topic is similar to last year - Loving the Home You Have.

It is something I am passionate about. My house is a LONG way from being what I want it to be, but I love it.  Besides being anywhere with my family, there is no place else I would rather be. While I am waiting for my windfall of cash (I am not holding my breath), I am doing things that are allowing me to make it into the place I want it to be - comforting and inviting.

I hope you will join me on this challenge. I will include links to each day's post at the bottom of this post. I hope I can inspire and encourage you.

If you are participating in the 31 Day Challenge, let me know. I would love to visit your little spot on the internet.

Day 2 - Organizing a Catch-all Space
Day 3 - Snapshots Into My Life
Day 4 - Reflections on Home
Day 5 - Autumn Wreath Revamp
Day 11 - Reflections on Home
Day 12 - Spooktacular Hot Drink Station

Learning to Breathe, Pt 9

Ahhh...September. The start of all things fall. I am have been itching to put up my fall decorations, especially with the cooler weather we had here in NW Ohio last week. I started pulling some out yesterday even though it was hot and humid and will continue to be so for the at least the remainder of this week. Yuck!

August was crazy with traveling and general busyness, but September is looking a little less crazy which I am grateful for! Fall is one of my favorites time of year and I am looking forward to enjoying the change of seasons and welcoming cooler weather.

Over the past few months, I have slowly been meeting my neighbors, but last night I was invited to a little neighborhood BBQ. I had met most of the neighbors there briefly before, but this was a chance to actually get to know them a little bit better.

We sat outside and talked for several hours. It is probably one of the most relaxing evenings I have had in a while. To be honest, I was actually a little proud of myself for going over there alone and interacting with a group of virtual strangers. I don't do well in new environments and my introverted nature tends to shine through.

As I looked back at my enjoyable evening, I realized that it was truly a "learning to breathe" moment. I slowed down without any expectation. My phone was in my pocket, but I didn't pull it out once to look at the time or check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. I wasn't waiting anxiously to get home or worrying about what the next day would bring. I was invested in the moment.

We have already decided that our next get-together would be a soup party. I am looking forward to it!

Learning to Breathe, Pt. 8

The summer is rapidly coming to the a close. It always seems to fly by. Ads for back-to-school shopping are popping up everywhere. I loved shopping for school supplies. I don't know what it is about new pens and notebooks, but it makes me happy! And I know that fall is approaching!

This past weekend has brought some quiet reflection about life and the loss of life. Two people I went to high school with experienced great loss. One person had to put her dog to sleep. And while that may seem trivial to some, it is quite important to others. I am grateful for my Luna and I would be devastated if something happened to her. The other lost his one-year-old son unexpectedly. I can't even begin to imagine the grief his family is suffering. Both will look back at this weekend as life changing.

I know loss. I know that deep pain that doesn't go away. It becomes a part of who you are. Taking time to enjoy the moments we are given with the people we love is so important. This weekend, I am headed back up to WI to see my brother's family. It is an expensive trip - gas, tolls, kennel fees, eating out - that I am not really prepared to make. But I want to make those precious memories to hold in my heart. To savor the times when Brynley calls me Auntie Colleen in her sweet voice and holds my hand. To cuddle a tiny Addilyn because she will never be this small again.

I didn't expect my learning to breathe journey to take this route, but you never know what life will bring. Learning to breathe in the most difficult times is probably something that is never mastered, but it will make the happy moments sweeter.

Reflections on Goodness