Some quick fixes for the kitchen were needed, too!
Such as that horrible area no one likes to deal with--under the sink. Did I mention we had a water disaster? Or that the landlord wouldn't spend the money to fix it right the first THREE times it happened?? Or that she still hasn't fixed the warped wooden floor tiles that are now hidden with a rug????
If you look carefully you can see the old sink parts the not-really-a-plumber-repair-guy helpfully tossed into the mix as he thoughtfully ( I do mean that--it's not his fault!) put all the junk back.
The can recycling bin wasn't working and I quit drinking diet Dr. Pepper a few months ago so it really wasn't needed anymore. So, getting rid of it led to a general cleaning out of the whole area. I used Organizing Junkie's PROCESS again and soon had things back to nice, neat and orderly.
Two baskets to hold cleaning stuff, scrub brush, a few huge trash bags and bug spray. An unused waste basket to help with FUTURE water disasters (you position it so the U-shaped pipe is inside the waste basket.) A small tote for dirty dish towels and, MY VERY FAVORITE THING from this weekend..........
an almost FREE solution to the grocery bag problem: An empty Kleenex box repurposed as a bag dispenser and attached to the cabinet door with a few Command Poster Strips! Yeah!!! No more bags of bag of bags of bags!!! Found the nifty idea at Real Simple and at someone's blog I forgot to save to my delicious links so I could give them credit!!The other nifty idea is a TENSION ROD to hang trigger-spray bottles on! This is a SUPER idea from Apartment Therapy! Such a simple idea, but it frees up tons of space!! I only have two such bottles--one with vinegar and one with bleach, but I loved it so much I had to include it in my re-do.
Since we rent I can't install one of my other all-time-favorite organizers....
Photo credit: http://www.organizeit.com/sink-front-storage-tray-kit.asp
Pretty nice, I think!!Then I moved on to attack the dreaded kitchen tool drawer! Oh my! What a mess!! Mind you I have a crock (that my big brother made in high school art in 1974 and which I will never part with!) on the counter with my wooden spoons and a knife holder beside it, but I still have tons of kitchen tools--most of which I use all the time. I like having multiples of things like slotted spoons so I keep a few of each. But.....they were simply out of control!!
I rounded up all the unused little baskets I could find and then, after sorting, tossing etc., made a fast trip to Family Dollar for a few more baskets. (Total spent was under $2.00). BOUNDARIES! At last!! And, for the heavy things--stick on velcro strips for the under side of the basket and drawer "floor." (These make a WORLD of difference!)
Tomorrow I'll finish up with the kitchen and Friday we'll deal with the Master bedroom cum storage shed problem!
7 comments:
You are doing so well! When I get a free moment, I am going to read your organizing posts SLOWLY and try to do something similar here ... it's just too easy for things to pile up, and like you, my family of origin was not all that organized.
Re. the "Infamy" book - yes, I bet you'd appreciate it far more than I did since you're much more familiar with the era. My mom found it on her bookshelf and loaned it to me since we'd just visited Pearl Harbor. It was written around '82, so it's been around awhile. Its whole premise is that the US knew about the attack for several days prior to Dec. 7, but did nothing due to (as you said) wanting a good rationale for us to get into WWII. Yes, there were no doubt good reasons for that, but I couldn't stop thinking of the poor souls ('little guys') who paid for the decision with their lives. I'm sure the same type thing goes on today ...
On Organizing: I keep a number of organizing blogs in my Google Reader to find quick fixes to problems or just for general motivation. Org Junkie IS my favorite, but "Organizing is Fun" and "Organizing Your Way" as well as stalwarts like Martha Stewart and Real Simple are very motivational. Good luck--and DO post YOUR pictures to pass along the motivation to others.
On INFAMY: Sadly, I'm positive the same thing goes on today!
Wow what a difference under your sink! Such a good idea to put the pipe IN the trashcan and love the grocery bag dispenser! That is great!!!
I LOVE what you have done! Good job! I am going to have to try the tension rod idea. And velcro on the bottom of the little baskets - very smart!!
mykidsmom: Thanks, Julie! Miss you guys!
Wow! This is fantastic! Please link this up at the party in just a few days! I'd love for you to share that with everyone! What a great, cheap way to organize - AND look at the sink! It looks fantastic under there!
Becky B.
www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Becky: Will do! And thanks for your nice words and encouragement!
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