Saturday, July 12, 2008

Tackle it Tuesday


This is a first for me - I've never done a Tackle it Tuesday before. That doesn't mean I didn't need to! I finally have time to make some sense of my house again - working every morning and taking care of the grands in the afternoon has left me not only short of time, but very short of energy. I am constantly looking at what needs to be done, and feeling frustrated that I couldn't get to it.


So - now I'm retired. I have spent the last two weeks getting my little room in order. This room used to be Kev's bedroom, and when he flew from the nest for the last time (yes, Erma Bombeck was right - the revolving door is a fact of life), I made it my own.


But - when the grandkids came along, and I began caring for them, it also became their play room. Needless to say, it's a bit of a problem keeping it looking as I want it to.


Now for the before pictures! Kristen says she's never seen any part of my house look this bad. It's true. I just kept throwing stuff in here for the last month or two of working. The stuff I brought from my office landed here, too.




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It was simply overwhelming. It literally took me two weeks to get it all done. But tonight I am sitting here in my orderly room and feeling mighty good.

The first step was to go through every piece of paper that had been piling up. I had so much recycled paper by the end of that process that I could not believe it. Neither could the trash man, probably!

The kids' books and toys aren't used often enough to warrant their being the centerpiece of the room. Of course, Care Bear noticed it right away when she came over. I told her they were now in boxes in the closet, for them to use any time they wish.

All of the special things that were in my work office have found a new place on the bookshelf. (You can see them in their previous setting here).

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I got another bookcase to organize the phone, bills, library books, magazines that I hope to read someday soon, Bible, devotional books, diapers, wipes, etc. etc. etc.


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I got a new chair for the desk, which takes up much less room - and organized the desk, so that I don't always have to have the roll top pulled down

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I scrubbed the ridiculously dirty play table (which doesn't really fit well with my decor, but oh, well!), and put their coloring books and art paper in a basket behind the table.

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Here's another angle - the new t.v. my sweet DC got me - for no reason except that he loves me, and wanted to try out the new HD thing on a smaller set. I love it!

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The final piece - I needed someplace besides the floor in front of my chair for my laptop to live - I went to Hobby Lobby for their 30% off all their furniture sale - I picked up this little side table - probably not what it was designed for, but it works for me! You can see the computer on it in a previous picture. I also picked up that basket in the background for all my newly organized folders - -


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This is merely the first of many problem areas in my house that need eventual attention. I'm not sure I have the courage to show you all of them! Fortunately, the rest are not so obvious - the kind that when you open a door, things start rearranging themselves. OH, my!




36 comments:

Susie said...

Hi Dawn,
You did a great job organizing this room. I'm sure the girls will enjoy having a tidy room in which to play and Grammy will love relaxing here too!
xo

Barb said...

What a difference, Dawn. You did a great job of organizing that room so that it fills all the needs you have for it. Perfect!

I need a little table like that. Cameron's too big for his high chair any more and my dining room chairs have wheels on them. Time for a little people table, and honestly, I have no idea on earth where I'll put it. Sigh.

Oh well, for a few years there, in between the girls going away to school and the grandkids arriving, my house was perfect. Obviously, that was temporary. LOL

SentimentsbyDenise said...

This is amazing, Dawn!
Can you come to Indiana and organize my craft studio?

Hopefully, I won't wait until I retire to accomplish that task - because that's still a long ways off (*sad face!).

I'm so glad you're enjoying this time - you deserve it! Bless you!
Denise

Anonymous said...

excuse me I did not see a mess. a few things out of place maybe but a mess,no way is that to be concidered a mess. try living as a packrat and have a packrat as a spouce. Now we are talking mess!
(name withheld due to inbarassment!)

Jess said...

Much better. Bet you are much more relaxed with all that done and behind you.

Looks great!. Have a great week.

Sam said...

Hi Dawn!

You really turned that room around! It looks so comfy and warm! I'd love to sit in there and watch a movie! And the kiddie activity table is wonderful. It's so nice that there's such a great play space for your grandkids. They'll always remember that!

And I love all your tchotchkes, by the way! My shelves are full of little things I've collected over the years that I display.

Great work and a great room! :-)

Sammy

Deb said...

Wow, you did an awesome job! I wish I had a room like that for all of 'my' stuff. :) I love the little side table and your office things look wonderful in their new home. :)

Rita Loca said...

Please come help me pack!! LOL! I enjoyed seeing your chair and laptop. I can imagine you sitting there blogging!

nancygrayce said...

I'm impressed!

Linds said...

Perfect! What a great place to go and relax and enjoy some quiet, Dawn. That chair looks really comfy,and I can just imagine you curled up in it with a great book, or your laptop. And you can add a basket for your crochet or knitting projects you may decide to start too!

Gran said...

Wow, Dawn.... Your rooms look GREAT ! It really does make a difference after you retire and have a little more time on your hands. I know that the grandchildren will love being in the wonderful inviting room that you designed for spending that quality time together.

Have a day filled with lots of love,laughter and many blessings,
Angela

happyathome said...

Great job! What cracks me up is that you have evry angle taken with your pictures! Isn't it nice to be able to see a desk, and the floor also! Stop by my Tackle it Tuesday where I am tackling an outhouse, not a bathroom but an outhouse!
http://www.lifeislikechampagneblog.com/

Nell said...

Oh wow, you worked HARD! Good job.

PS
Mines up also.

Unknown said...

That's a lot of work, but worth it! The room looks great! Yay for the time and energy you now have to clean and organize. I'm sure that room is a lot more enjoyable to be in now. :-)

Unknown said...

Wow! VERY impressive. The room looks very inviting! Do you just love to walk by the door and see it waiting for you?

So, gonna clean out any more of your old sewing stuff?

groovyoldlady said...

I too, am impressed. Nice job.

Now, once VBS is over, I may join you in a spastic fit of cleaning and organizing!

Amy said...

I love the way that looks! I have a few areas in my house that need to be tackled too.

I believe that my biggest (and most time consuming issue) will be sorting thru all 5000+ of my son's baseball cards, getting them organized and in binders so that they're not in boxes, piles, and stacks all over his room

Carole Burant said...

Hi Dawn:-)

Oh wow, you certainly did do quite a clean up and decluttering in your little room, it looks wonderful! Isn't it amazing the sense of peace having a room all cleaned up can give you? lol I know when I redid my computer room and set up everything the way I wanted, as well as decluttering, it felt soooo good. Just take it a room at a time and before you know it, your whole house will be looking fresh:-) xoxo

Susan said...

What a good feeling of accomplishment you must have after such a good job done. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day, as they say :o)

The biggest shock about retirement is......you think you'll have all this extra "Free" time......sorry to tell you, but that's just another myth we've been fed!!!!I've been as busy, or busier in retirement than ever.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've been busy! It looks very neat and organized!

Nancy said...

LOVE IT... LOVE IT... LOVE IT! I know you feel so much better to check that off your list.

It looks like you sit in your recliner with your lap top, thats what I do too! It's so comfy and such a neat way to blog.

Keep it up Dawn, your on a roll now!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Wow, it looks great! I am glad you are finding time in your days to tackle what's been on your list.

BTW, I have passed on a Blog Award to you. Check my site for more details.

Unknown said...

Night and Day I tell ya. That looks great.

Coe said...

I love your new room. I think I need Kristen help with my blog.

Coe said...

This is Jessica's blog. http://furfurfer.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Dawn, Runaway Quilt was my very favorite of all the books in the series.

And the recipe for the laundry soap is on the link imbedded in my post.

Have fun!

Coe said...

Dawn,
You were right this is your 4th time with the Helsels. Sorry I guess after 2 hours I was not seeing well or I would of put you will someone else. Hopefully I will do better next time.
Coe

The Apron Queen said...

Great tackles! Give yourself a pat on the back! :)

For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen

Mary said...

Dawn,

You did a terrific job. Your little room is very cozy and inviting now.

I know about clutter. It seems every room in my house needs a thorough cleaning and I don't seem to have time to do it. Just working on the renovations and doing the necessary things for the last couple of months has put me way behind with things. I wonder if it will ever get done. *sigh*

Enjoyed my visit, as always. Take care and enjoy the girls.

Blessings,
Mary

Robin said...

Dawn - that looks great! Good job! It must feel so wonderful for you. I love your ideas and I think a room always looks more homey when there are kids things included.

Needled Mom said...

You inspire me, Dawn. I have a couple of those daunting areas that I know will take forever once I start. It encourages me to give it a go when you say it took you a couple of weeks. Everything looks great and I know that you must be so thrilled with yourself.

My sister retired this year and spent about 4 months purging every closet and cupboard at her house. She loved the feel when she was finished.

Simply Heart And Home said...

Dawn,

Simply beautiful!

Can you come to my house next Tuesday? :)

Gina

Anonymous said...

excellent blog the first time I'm here and I will come again

Coe said...

Dawn,
Katy has a blog. It is http://journeytothestarsco.blogspot.com. Thought you might want to check it out.
Coe

someone else said...

Good job!!

Lala's world said...

wow you're good at that..wanna come to my house next??!! hehe