Word of 2015 – Simplify – #2

If you saw a previous post  ‘Specials Words of 2015’ then you know that one of them is Simplify.

Here is the second project that I did that has simplified an area of my life (which in this case is the corner cabinet in the laundry room).

We use the corner cabinet as an extra pantry area, but it was difficult to keep track of what was stored in there.  For years (and I do mean YEARS) I had a piece of paper taped to the inside of the cabinet with a semi-running list of what was inside.  I knew there had to be a better way.

Last fall, I found a roll of cork sheeting (on Clearance after school started) and cut a piece to fit the inside of the door.  One problem was it didn’t like to lay flat and the second one was I realized I couldn’t nail it to the door, but tape and glue would not make it stay.  So, that came down and I still needed a solution.

 

A few weeks ago, Hand Husband asked if I needed anything from Amazon since he wanted me to order something for him (and then we would qualify for the free shipping).  That is when I remembered seeing the

Fancy-Fix A4 Sized Weekly Planner Blackboard Sticker Memo Removable Vinyl Chalkboard Wall Sticker   

and

SuperChalks White Liquid Chalk Marker Pen (4mm Regular Tip)

I realized the A4 size should fit (or would be easy to cut down) and I liked the idea of liquid chalk (I hate using regular chalk, especially in dry Nevada).

Once they arrived it took me about 5 minutes to have three of the Blackboard Stickers installed.  It was tricky to get the Liquid Chalk Marker Pen to work at first, but then it went on neatly and dried pretty quickly.

 

I also found an idea for a Pantry inventory sheet at Organized Home   Pantry Inventory

that used boxes and ‘/’ to show you have the item and ‘x’ to show when it was used to keep track of the inventory.  I thought that idea was brilliant!   (go check out the free printable at http://Organizedhome.com )

So, I will be taking everything out of the cupboard and writing it down on the sheets when they go back in.  Hopefully then we will be able to keep track of everything.

 

Now, to figure out how to do something similar with the regular pantry (which has bi-fold doors)…

How do you keep track of your pantry inventory?

Later – H

Word of 2015 – Simplify – #1

If you saw a previous post  ‘Specials Words of 2015’ then you know that one of them is Simplify.

Here is the first project that I did that has simplified an area of my life (which in this case is in our hall closet).

Inside our hall closet we had two baskets (on the shelf above my head) which contain the winter gloves, winter scarves, winter hats, gloves, rain poncho, baseball caps, etc.  Also, the flashlight is kept on that shelf or the one above, which I can’t reach (have I stated that Handy Husband is taller than me and can reach a lot farther up than me?).

 

This last summer I added one Command hook to the inside of the hall closet for our summer hats since they would get buried in the baskets (along with the gloves, etc).

 

 

 

 

The other day I bought an over the door multiple shoe organizer, but didn’t want it to be ‘over the door’.  I also bought a package of Command hooks.

 

After I hung the multiple shoe organizer up I loaded it with the light items that we would use the most (including the small flashlight).

It is now so easy to grab a pair of winter gloves when I am pulling my coat out of the closet.

Where do you keep your winter gloves, etc?

Later – H

2015 – Special words of the Year

Have you seen where some blogs have selected a special Word of the year.  Usually it is something they want to do (find Balance, Complete projects, etc).

Well, I was thinking about this the last few days and realized I need two special words for the year 2015.

Simplify – I don’t know about your life / household, but mine has been crazy (for many reasons) over the last few years.  There are many areas of my life I want to simplify (some I will share this year and others, maybe not).  So, over this year I will share what I am attempting and if it works.

Joy – I am to the point I want to find at least one glimmer of joy each day.  It is so hard to find something positive going on (especially if you listen to the news lately), but there are good things happening every day (and we just need to look for them).  So, I will try to share some of the good things I find.

Have you picked a special word for the year?

Later – H

 

Happy New Year!

In some ways I can’t believe it is already 2015.  Like someone pointed out the other day we were all concerned when it was going to be 2000 (would the computers still work, etc).  Oh, and I remember those days since I was working with a lot of people who were testing code and making changes to make sure that critical computer programs did continue to work.  I think we all gave a big sigh of relief when it was 2000 and it appeared everything was still working correctly.

So, do you have any grand plans for 2015?  I realized the other day that I want to make goals (some big and some small) to work on in 2015.  I am tired of resolutions and usually don’t remember what I had (mentally) signed myself up for in a few months (other than the obvious like get healthier).

I will post my goals soon and then plan on making monthly updates.  Maybe that will keep me accountable.

Later – H