Monday, January 12, 2015

Calm in the Chaos or Tidying the Untidyable


My friend, Mary, has been challenging herself to tidy one messy place at a time.  I was inspired by her and tackled my very own, personal, messy spot.  It is the table beside my chair where I live.  Now, I am not one to ever have a "model home" that looks like nobody lives there -- I have to have my "stuff" close at hand.  That doesn't mean it needs to look like a bomb went off or that the house had been ransacked.  So, here are my before and after photos.  I am almost ashamed to show them but...ok, here goes.



 What a mess -- mail, sewing stuff, opps- candy wrappers, cups, Bean drawing -- yep, a hot mess.

After the clearing up.  My coaster that my daughter made because I always have a cup or glass.  My current reading stack including a notebook to make notes in.  When I sit here and do family history searching, I am always making notes so a notepad is essential.  The little container with pens and pencils in it was a gift to my father while he was undergoing radiation treatments.  There was a older couple there with the husband going through treatments as well and the wife did ceramics and threw pottery.  After learning that my father was an artist, she did this little pencil holder for him.  I treasure it because it meant a lot to him.  I put it here because I am always looking for a pencil or pen and can never find one so I am trying to be organized.  Also, the phone and a pin cushion that opens and holds my rosary and some handmade lotion.

Rhonda from Down to Earth has posed a challenge to tidy up the pantry.  I have taken a "before" photo and will take an "after" when, and if, there ever is an "after".  There needs to be because some very clumsy person (me) spilled a whole bunch of flour in there and, even though I initially cleaned it up, I still keep finding it.  So, we will see what it looks like when I get done.  However, until there is an "after" nobody is seeing a photo of the "before".  I'm just sayin'.


3 comments:

Frugally challenged said...

Ah ha! The challenge has been accepted. Your little table looks delightful. I'm going to post again soon with the last drawer of the chest of drawers that I have been clearing but I think I'm going to try and post a "before" of my playroom before I start on it as that way I may shame myself into doing the job!

Boyett-Brinkley said...

Mary -- yes, I needed the nudge to get that table cleaned off. However, if I would take that challenge each day and tackle something I would be much better off. I do like the idea of being more minimal but getting rid of stuff is so difficult!

Penhallow Street said...

I love all the little side notes that go along with each item--and it all came together nicely.

I'm inspired, but am the worst procrastinator too ;) Someday

Update

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