Happy Columbus Day

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

In honor of Columbus Day, we had a special snack today.  Inspired of course by Pinterest.  The original idea is from here. This was easy and self explanatory - blue jello, skewer, orange slice, paper sail. I think the kids enjoyed it. Unfortunately, they had to go to school today.

31 days to a Better Desk/Office - Day 10

The reality is I cannot devote 30 minutes to clean up of this room every day.  I just don't have the time. So today is all about what can I do in 10 minutes.  I do have 10 minutes most days.


before 10 minute tidy

 I want to finish up my desk this week.  So I am concentrating on the desk top. Below is a picture of what I was able to clear AND put away. Well, the coupons made it back to my desk. But this is the general gist of what is left on my desk.


what left the desk

 Below is the after.  Progress is progress, right? I even found an umbrella which I needed desperately today. The sad part is that I didn't even know I owned an umbrella.

After 10 minute tidy

31 Days to a Better Desk/Office -Inspiration (Day 9)

Source: smilelikeyoumeanit.net via Katie on Pinterest

My ideal home office would look a lot more the like these. I  found this desk setup on Pinterest. I love the shelves above. I would like a large table top as well. Sometimes you got to dream.  Cleaning didn't happen today but dreaming did.  I really dislike the hutch part on my desk.  It makes me feel boxed in. 

This one above is from Do it Yourself Magazine Spring 2011.  I think I might be in love with this one.  I LUV the shelves.  I have a rather tall wall on which my desk sits against so I could add some tall shelves to this wall..

This desk setup is somewhat similar to the one above.  I love the legs on the desk and of course the shelves.  The picture is from Do It Yourself  Fall 2011

31 days to a Better Desk/Office - Day 8



Da FLOOR



Before Office Floor

The floor is driving me crazy in here. I just wanted to be able to vacuum.  I am tried of my puppy aka Hoover grabbing something and running away with it. 


Before Office Floor

 Sometimes creative moving solutions are called for.  I used a skateboard to get this very heavy laser printer out of the house. Sometimes you got to do what you have to do.

It isn't cleaned well.  Some of the stuff just ended up being put in the office chair or the comfy chair BUT it is off the floor and that is one less stress.



Office Floor After

EVEN HOUSEWORK DONE POORLY IS STILL DONE!

31 Days to a Better Desk/Office - Day 7

Welcome to the Piles! 

No, not those kind of piles literally. You know the homeless piles of stuff. As I moved stuff from the hutch on my desk, I wanted to find it a home immediately but unfortunately that wasn't possible for some of the stuff.  This decluttering process is messy. I also didn't want it to become another home for the piles.

Pictured above are some of the piles I created a few months ago. See what I mean about clutter relocation.  I have been ready to launch on this project for a while. 31 days just gave me the push I needed. They are contained in boxes and one kitchen chair. 

Pictured above is the miscellaneous software that I am not sure what needs to be done with. There are a lot music Cd's too.

I reclaimed my kitchen chair, hooray. I ended up with these boxes left. (1)Goodwill, (2)Memories aka Scrapbook, T(3)o File, and (4) Bill Box and the MISC software pile that I need my hubby to make a decision on are what is left. The cat is just bonus.

Missed the beginning of the series DAY 1.  Please check out what the other 31 Dayers are doing as well.

31 days to a Better Desk/Office -Day 6

Why is this office this way? I keep finding myself asking myself this.  I came across the article by Heather Cabot that really resonated with me.

"But as I plowed through the discarded receipts, old columns, lost business cards and books, I discovered that my trouble with organizing my desk and files was more about letting go and less about apathy. I realized that for me, somehow, allowing the clutter pile up was my own way of holding onto the past, creating an easy and physical barrier to moving forward and to accepting that I really am moving ahead with so many of my goals - both personal and professional. The problem with disorder is that while you may feel momentum in your life, you have trouble figuring out the benchmarks - namely because you can't remember where anything is (even though you tell your family you do). "     Heather Cabot - 3 Ways to Have  a Clean Desk

The first part of 2011 was difficult. I just didn't deal with things well. It was a whole litany of things and difficult situations. Things weren't exactly in control in this room but all those things added to my stress and feelings of being stuck.I just gave up in here. Now I have a milestone coming up, I need to make this right so I can launch to bigger and better things.

31 days to a Better Desk/Office - Day 5

The hutch has been cleaned out - Hallelujah!  I won't lie it has spurred other piles. A lot of stuff has been shredded, thrown out, and boxed up for Goodwill. It feels good.  Check out the before and after.



before



after

 It seems like I set the timer for 20 minutes but the project morphs into 40 minutes. Tomorrow I am going to tackle these piles.  Yes, there is a method to this madness.