The best 2 dollars and 49 cents I've ever spent...

There is just something about organization that makes my heart go pitter patter!

Back when Michael and I first got married he was in charge of paying the bills.  It just made sense for us.  There was no real discussion on the matter.  All our bills are paid online.  He was sitting at a desk all day in front of a computer.  I, on the other hand, was teaching, grading papers, having recess duty, and making bulletin boards.  However, we both switched jobs about the same time.  Michael went from sitting at a desk all day, to never being in front of a computer.  I went from running around and planning my day down to the minute (including when to pee!), to having a very laid back schedule and lots of free time.  Therefore, it was just natural for us to switch and make me the bill payer.  Since I was going to be doing my bill paying while at work, I needed a plan.  

This is what I came up with.  A fabulous binder!!! :)  I love binders.  I have them for many things--wedding planner binder (yes, I kept it!! There is valuable information in there), recipe binders, and much more.

I take this binder with me EVERY DAY!  It is literally my life line.

I make sure to get a binder that has the clear thing in the front and back.

I keep the current calendar in the front and the next month's calendar in the back.

I keep all my bills in it.

Then I write PD on it when it's paid.

I've also kept all the past calendars from when I started.

It comes in handy to check and see what I was doing the year before.

I also keep my two and a half page list 'o fun in there for easy reference.

I keep papers to use with Little Man or ideas I've come across that I'll want to use.

Plus, I keep my list of 100 dreams in there to read often.

Unfortunately, after using it for 2 years, my beloved binder has seen better days.

So after two faithful years, I gave up old pinky for a new guy.

I got it at Target for $2.49 and it was the best 2 dollars and 49 cents I've spent.  It keeps me sane.

There weren't any pink ones this time, so I had to go with purple.

This binder is especially helpful since we don't have an office.

Although, I'm pretty sure I'd use it even if we did have an office.  It makes everything so much easier.

Now getting Michael to shred the papers after they come out of the binder... that's another story! :)

Let's keep it real...

If you know me, then you know I'm all about keeping it real.  So that's what I'm going to do....

I've already told you how much I love organization.  I've already told you how my pastor's wife raved about my closet.  It's true.  My house is pretty organized.  My classroom was ridiculously organized.  However.

However.

There's one room in my house that has issues.  We are pretty short on storage around here.  We have a small laundry/storage/utility room.  We both love organization so it always starts out good.  Unfortunately, every six months we have to revisit the room and do a total revamp. It's so annoying.  Like I said, we start out good.   But there is just not enough space to keep it that way.  When I need art supplies, I pull them out and then have trouble getting it back to the right place.  We collect more things.  We rearrange things around the house and then other things need to be stored.  It's crazy.  I think we now might have it under control.

 But before I can show you the "new and improved" storage room, I am going to "keep it real" and show you how bad it got.

BEFORE:

Ok, so you see that huge photo collage looking thing?  I picked it up at a thrift/antique sale for $10.  I have grand plans for it--in my head!--but have no space to do the re-do.

 

I actually use most of the stuff on this shelf often, but there isn't room in our kitchen for it.  Oh, see that tray??  It's another project yet to be worked on.

Well, here's a little "leftover" organization from the last time we got it in order.  Also, a shovel, an old vacuum, an old lamp and some folding chairs and table.

 Oh dear--here's under our stairs.  All sorts of junk.  Plus, an exercise ball that I should be using.  Yeah.

 

Oh yes, we have an exersaucer.  No.  We don't have a child.  No.  I'm not pregnant.  We just collect random kids stuff for future children.  This picture is looking down.  You couldn't even see the floor.  Out. of. control!

 How about some Hooked on Phonics for that kid we don't have yet?

 UGH!  So we emptied the entire room--if you can call it a room--and got to work.  One of the first things we did is hang a shelf that we were storing.  I don't know why we didn't think of this earlier.

 

Thanks love!

 AFTER:

 

We couldn't even open the door before.  The coat tree was behind it.  Remember how I put those hooks up?  Well, we have too many coats so I had to still use the coat tree.  It got relocated and works much better.

I didn't really take any "before" pictures of this area.  The shelf was a mess and the dryer was stacked with children's books.  Now the shelf is orderly.  The tub on the dryer is for our fall decorations.  Once I take them down, it will be returned to my mother in laws basement.

 The folding chairs and table got relocated to the small area next to the furnace.  The stuff that was there either got thrown away or taken to my mother in laws.  Thank goodness for her basement!  We took a whole car load over.  Not to mention that my entire classroom is in totes in her basement.

 

You know you love it!:)

 

 This is the area behind the stairs.  Before you couldn't get to anything.  Now it's easily accessable.

 

This is the tools, cleaning supply, and outdoor stuff shelf.

 

 There's that shelf we hung.  The vase with the brown stuff will go back to it's place after fall decorations are down.

 

 Oops--I forgot my folder with my labels in it.  Even so you can see how great it is.

 

 

 

 The black bags are my scrapbook/craft stuff.  Someone gave me them.  They are nice, but I would really like a craft room instead.

 

Here's another view of under the stairs.

 

 If you move the step ladder away, it looks like this.

 

If you roll that white wire cart away, this is what you see.

Pure beauty!

I heart organization

I love me some organization.  Seriously.  I try to be as organized as possible, but it's sometimes hard in the small space we live in.  I do pretty well though. When my pastor's wife (and pastor) came over (also my best friend's parents), she said, "Do you live like this all the time, or did you just make that closet look like that today?"  No, I really do live like that.  I always got razzed about how clean my desk was when I was a teacher.  I like things in their place.  If my "space" is in chaos then my life is in chaos.  Anyway, all that to say........ OH MY WORD!!!  This chalkboard family organizer is my dream!  Bonus:  It's Michael's too!  He loves organization just as much as I do!

Check out all the details and more pictures here!  I'm in love!!!