tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85863923885062998122024-03-05T12:52:00.770-08:00Ideas from an OrganizerI love to organize things. Mostly other people's things. But I do it without fancy organizing systems and expensive hardware. I organize with things that would otherwise be thrown away.
My dream job would be to come to your home and organize the things that make you crazy. Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-72512736845056218392013-08-18T17:22:00.000-07:002013-08-18T17:22:38.308-07:00Repurposing Furniture: A Cool Idea for Towel Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About a year ago, a friend gave me an entertainment armoire. I thanked her profusely, put it in my daughter's bedroom, filled it with video games and other assorted kid junk, and called it a day. But it bothered me. It seemed like a waste of good storage to me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I drive my family crazy because I constantly rearrange the furniture. Why stop now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I emptied it out, moved all that junk to better homes, and dragged it into my bathroom. I have a nook in there into which I had always fantasized about building in shelves, but it's been years and that has not happened. But I liked this option even better. It fit perfectly!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPJuM4OiRdVbtfkU4O1GRIi_BUiFTHy4zvbSu88mYZMQ5B3QBbrvgu_gYesM79MYUaR5GI0Tv-2TTHLeSkdhrPK8O_y7DZzn7p2sCdkug3akxtXlO4JTaIGJDNPrZu6HfDcjvVxhRBO3r/s1600/towel+storage+armoire+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPJuM4OiRdVbtfkU4O1GRIi_BUiFTHy4zvbSu88mYZMQ5B3QBbrvgu_gYesM79MYUaR5GI0Tv-2TTHLeSkdhrPK8O_y7DZzn7p2sCdkug3akxtXlO4JTaIGJDNPrZu6HfDcjvVxhRBO3r/s1600/towel+storage+armoire+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the door section, I store bath towels and other often-used items. There are piles for towels for each member of the family. Because this is directly across from the tub, they are very easily accessible. (Note the repurposed baby wipes container. This one has neti pot supplies.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSmpTN6VXLrt03fODGvmviWE303lKyrR2ZjE9bcE00KI-UAOyQ6EcZw8rA3gZ4RZP3v8uBkcZoV6CKiemtG9CRKrgGq4-EAu9CyuwRjsN6MIv4tkExqtILY0i3uK4iNHllbyHW1wjsX7g/s1600/towel+cabinets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSmpTN6VXLrt03fODGvmviWE303lKyrR2ZjE9bcE00KI-UAOyQ6EcZw8rA3gZ4RZP3v8uBkcZoV6CKiemtG9CRKrgGq4-EAu9CyuwRjsN6MIv4tkExqtILY0i3uK4iNHllbyHW1wjsX7g/s1600/towel+cabinets.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the top drawer, I store hand towels, bath mats, and face cloths.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And The bottom drawer is perfect for toilet paper and extra baby wipes, which I am never without.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's rare that I have been so happy with a furniture repurpose, but with the proliferation of flat screen TVs, entertainment armoires are often available free or for cheap money. This is a great way to organize these items in your bathroom with something you may even already have in your home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading!</span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-11259847633354005712013-08-17T11:12:00.001-07:002013-08-18T16:58:49.174-07:00Taming the Pantry Closet<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today's post is about ideas for taming pantry closets, which can get out of control so very quickly. Where I live, many of the homes have a pantry closet and the end of the hallway that leads to the first-floor bathroom/laundry room. They usually have some wire shelving in them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but I feel like I never have enough space. And, as the adage goes, you will always expand immediately into any additional storage space. But there is <b>no such thing</b> as <i>too much </i>storage in a kitchen! So I have gone to great lengths to make the most of this closet space and ensure that everything is accessible (without having to remove the original wire shelving that came from the builder).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the very top shelf, I keep bags of chips, odd shaped items, and extras of items that are stored elsewhere, like cereal boxes. I arrange them so that I can see their labels through the wire shelf from underneath, as I am a shortie. And I hang chip clips from the front edge of that shelf so they do not take up valuable drawer space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use the next shelf, which is at eye level, for stacking canned goods. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, I put down thin foam padding that is sold in rolls in stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond. It keeps smaller things from falling through the wire grid and keeps stacked cans from tipping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have also inserted a rack that hangs from the bottom of the very top shelf. I use it for often-used items that don't play well with canned goods: Craisins, sunflower seeds, applesauce, pickles. It hangs so that it's halfway between the shelves and enables me to store one level of canned goods under it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxLH-JSbEqVytx3Gg4JqVKIrtfijCMFRi8yDYsJLCgrtnjtmtzopG41p_cAR4naggNzQuuXw0OSm9Whz1X7AShwGF3ZpZ41wm-Rl32yTnb4JvgG2_Sp4AimHMeQm6J5xn0E-1M0agJbBe/s1600/pantry+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxLH-JSbEqVytx3Gg4JqVKIrtfijCMFRi8yDYsJLCgrtnjtmtzopG41p_cAR4naggNzQuuXw0OSm9Whz1X7AShwGF3ZpZ41wm-Rl32yTnb4JvgG2_Sp4AimHMeQm6J5xn0E-1M0agJbBe/s1600/pantry+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below that shelf is "reused storage container central." I have two heavy plastic bins in which I store extra heavy items, like peanut butter, syrup, salad dressing, and other condiments. I can slide the bins out if I need to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use empty baby wipes containers to hold packets of sauce mixes and so on so they face out and I can flip through them easily. In the center, between the bins, I even have a low-cut heavy cardboard box that is perfect for storing larger packets of rice and noodle mixes, also upright and facing out for easy viewing. On the far left is another perfectly sized cardboard box (from a monster ramen purchase). It perfectly holds two rows of Kraft and Annie's macaroni and cheese , which my kids devour with alarming speed, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">about eight deep.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODHmZAlaUljgK7C7XsVLeyUsqPItvNGUGcgebp0jO2g6-8BI7tdzVEt4qmkHlv8UnzLO759WYIofDd6ERqZP0zJ_XzcUUykHFyH_P2Pilqy62uphdBqyM5IIMqW28Ofa4xqqiopAUoFBZ/s1600/pantry+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODHmZAlaUljgK7C7XsVLeyUsqPItvNGUGcgebp0jO2g6-8BI7tdzVEt4qmkHlv8UnzLO759WYIofDd6ERqZP0zJ_XzcUUykHFyH_P2Pilqy62uphdBqyM5IIMqW28Ofa4xqqiopAUoFBZ/s1600/pantry+3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The shelf below this contains a small set of storage drawers in the center. I keep bags of nuts, extra k-cups, stacked microwave popcorn packets, and so on in them. And on either side of the drawers are larger items, like pitchers and my rolling pin. In the narrow space on top of the storage drawers, I store stacked pizza pans and muffin tins. No wasted space!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKFSM23BmFfFTEFO1HjRmcLLJfKvjYMujaAoQG9sSMYUn16kUabGw0eDjR2YsU6PeiW59_st8K1ZgxEOB8U7D8ZZzRmBA2BXpqhGxY81SUnpGadN6TeASe4puD7ltYQKFsiLzwRL7e_64/s1600/pantry+closet+drawers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKFSM23BmFfFTEFO1HjRmcLLJfKvjYMujaAoQG9sSMYUn16kUabGw0eDjR2YsU6PeiW59_st8K1ZgxEOB8U7D8ZZzRmBA2BXpqhGxY81SUnpGadN6TeASe4puD7ltYQKFsiLzwRL7e_64/s1600/pantry+closet+drawers.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At floor level, I keep a set of rolling storage drawers in which I keep delicate items, like bags of noodles, open flour and sugar, and baking items. To the left there is a soda bottle storage unit, which stores nine bottles, up to two liters, on their sides, keeping them off the floor. On top of that rack, I keep extra sealed bags of flour and sugar. Again, no wasted space. To the right is a rolling storage wire rack. It has canisters of seldom-used sweetener, and lots of Pampered Chef baking tools. Between the rack and the drawers I maintain a large supply of paper shopping bags for transporting paper and cardboard recyclables to the transfer station. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is about six inches of space between the door and the front edge of the shelves. In that space, I have placed hooks on which I keep aprons, a fly swatter, and a wooden yardstick, which is THE VERY BEST THING for shooting out cat toys from under the bottom of the stove. :) I also store a floor cleaner there to keep it handy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite part is the door rack. You can buy these anywhere, and I store boxed items here: pasta, rice and rice mixes, hot chocolate, soup mix, and, of course, my collection of Crystal Light tubes! The rack extends nearly the entire height of the door and holds quite a bit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SHIWNLpyvuDyB3xaEzjsWiovs30t5xNnrEzZTJkU96_Tye47MbPf9bMZnU8v5NW6y1zO2uRUooWWVsCB5niVBwjKnxGeEzgqULrAww_GKOLeW-x4_8xcPNsEZRV0-hAzZ5U3gZp-PSTa/s1600/Crystal+Light+tubes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SHIWNLpyvuDyB3xaEzjsWiovs30t5xNnrEzZTJkU96_Tye47MbPf9bMZnU8v5NW6y1zO2uRUooWWVsCB5niVBwjKnxGeEzgqULrAww_GKOLeW-x4_8xcPNsEZRV0-hAzZ5U3gZp-PSTa/s1600/Crystal+Light+tubes.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great blog frustration! My photos keep rotating and I cannot get them to show properly. Sorry about that. I will try to correct it later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, that's the pantry. I hope you got at least one idea from it, even if it's purchasing a wooden yard stick!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-40593161968729769982013-08-12T07:01:00.002-07:002013-08-12T07:01:16.005-07:00Follow me!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you like this blog, or even if you don't like it but you read it, can you follow me? And please, make requests of anything you might like me to post about. I love requests!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patty</span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-49210258752749500162013-08-11T20:56:00.002-07:002013-08-11T20:56:40.115-07:00Organizing and Dealing with all that Mail!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post is about dealing with mail and paper, by special request.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could spend this post singing the praises of online bill pay and removing yourself from junk mail lists, but I will not. Let's instead focus on dealing with all the stuff that does end up in your mailbox. It can be a lot of paper. I have several tips I hope you find helpful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, an admission. I like paper bills. I always want proof in my hot little hand that I paid my bill or bought something new or went to the doctor. It just makes me feel more comfortable to have it available to me when I need it, which is more often than I ever thought. So they ask me with every new paper bill whether I would like to go paperless and I do not. Maybe some day I will change, but not now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's my drill:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The mail comes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I open the junk mail. Any generic "resident" junk goes into the paper recycling bin. IMMEDIATELY.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anything from the junk mail that is not generic, such as the form for a pre-approved credit card offer, goes directly into my shredder. IMMEDIATELY.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anything that is not junk mail I then open. I pay all my bills online, so I immediately recycle the envelope it came in, the envelope that came with it, and any inserts that I do not want.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This leaves me with a core of important mail, which I deal with once a week. It sits in a designated holding place until my once-a-week organization of paperwork.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I immediately recycle the phone book. (I cannot actually believe they still deliver them!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The key here is handling this immediately. If you put it off, it can become overwhelming in short order.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How Do I Manage Storage?</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do NOT have a neat desk scanner, although I supposed I could scan all my paper, but as I have said, I like this stuff as paper.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a small two-drawer file cabinet in my home office. In it I maintain a manila folder for each company to which I regularly make a payment. Each month, I put the most recent statement for each in the front of their folder. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I keep one years' worth in thia small file cabinet but 5 years' worth in the large five-drawer file cabinet in my closet. Anything older than that goes to the shredder (except tax returns, which I think I will keep forever).</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What about Paperwork for Purchases?</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I purchase something to use in my home (small electronics, household appliances, big ticket items that are not built in), I have a drawer in my 5-year file cabinet that is dedicated to these items. There is, once again, a manila folder for each: Sporting Goods, Audio Visual, Heating/Cooling, and so on. I keep the manual or booklet for each purchase with a copy of the sales receipt stapled to the cover. This is handy for insurance purposes should something ever happen so I can show what I own.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I purchase a home improvement, which is what I call anything that impacts the value of my house, I have a separate portable file for those. Each room in my house, along with the yard, has its own folder. Each time I improve something, I add it to these files. New appliances, new flooring, landscaping. Everything. Then, when I go to sell, I have a comprehensive record of everything I have done to the house to increase its value and what it cost.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One additional step for home improvements: when I paint, I ensure that I get an extra color chip and I ask the paint mixing person for two stickers (the ones that go on top of the can) instead of one. As soon as I get home, I immediately tape the paint chip to a piece if 8.5 x 11 paper, add the sticker, note the brand of paint and its finish, and record the name of the room in the house where the new paint is going. I slide that sheet into a sheet protector and maintain a notebook for all paint colors.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also do something similar for water filters and such. I keep a printout of the web site from which I buy my filters, along with the front label from the filter packaging itself, and the name of the filtering system it is for (I have several). That way, when and if I ever sell this house, the next occupant will know what's what. And besides, I can never remember from month to month anyway, so having it so handy in this little binder is great.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess that's it for now. More shining examples of my anal retentivity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-41922413777963343672013-08-11T20:16:00.003-07:002013-08-11T20:16:30.114-07:00Your Question Answered: Where to buy the suction cup soap holder<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Here is the link. Super cheap.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=16125318&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CJrQypT49rgCFRSVMgodg0AAvw"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=16125318&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CJrQypT49rgCFRSVMgodg0AAvw</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patty</span><br />
<br />Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-6631978653382545882013-08-11T16:10:00.003-07:002013-08-11T16:10:52.174-07:00Ideas for Organizing the Shower<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never been a fan of the organizers that hang over the shower head. They may work for others, but not me. Nor have I had much luck with those that work on vertical tension rods that fit in the corner of the shower. I am much more of a suction cup girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each member of my family gets their own shower suction cup storage bin for their own products. Each is responsible for letting me know what they are running out of before they run out. (nd when they do run out, they are responsible for recycling the container.) I drill a few extra larger holes in the bottom of each of these bins to ensure they don't get gunky and I pull them out once a month or so and blast them clean.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a quick look at my shower in tons of gory detail:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQClsbc0JCYdN3w96ojEZD3MfJBxYFrPE5BgIbRLLOjfthx8GdsTw534MyGYJ32UEqEDR9nXeovxNMAdkTV0fq71kzm0R2bsbqG_DimsU3HdwWB_Wwq4BEhx3b7V_oucKqOC843Wma5mhi/s1600/shower+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQClsbc0JCYdN3w96ojEZD3MfJBxYFrPE5BgIbRLLOjfthx8GdsTw534MyGYJ32UEqEDR9nXeovxNMAdkTV0fq71kzm0R2bsbqG_DimsU3HdwWB_Wwq4BEhx3b7V_oucKqOC843Wma5mhi/s1600/shower+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a single fog-free mirror for everyone to use, and there are places for everyone's razors and shaving gear:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KscCHk3rtN_rtnuBRPWNmWsWmPnLFm5bfpI0080Dbci1rzaDACHsue35_FgMvY9TC3BcidErW05VBnrmUwV-MeVN-Q8LRAYVSmzocT50Q7SL25onDBm0dMrq8PmRnHKE31nS9boYlE2d/s1600/shower+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KscCHk3rtN_rtnuBRPWNmWsWmPnLFm5bfpI0080Dbci1rzaDACHsue35_FgMvY9TC3BcidErW05VBnrmUwV-MeVN-Q8LRAYVSmzocT50Q7SL25onDBm0dMrq8PmRnHKE31nS9boYlE2d/s1600/shower+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are only four of us, but there are always five razors? We are working on that.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFbNGSEf3quzd4osX5n1etNNH7eNbcD-1PLnuwe8z7t5QThYJfduwTRdMuw6_M9egVoQOpCWra1ZWg6qvKr-zTbZo-mQRUERLH3XsRY2Hp9A9_K9FFP7H6DtmAJR8-eFKxy15g4EAmoqf/s1600/shower+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFbNGSEf3quzd4osX5n1etNNH7eNbcD-1PLnuwe8z7t5QThYJfduwTRdMuw6_M9egVoQOpCWra1ZWg6qvKr-zTbZo-mQRUERLH3XsRY2Hp9A9_K9FFP7H6DtmAJR8-eFKxy15g4EAmoqf/s1600/shower+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bar of soap sits in a well-vented suction holder so it does not get soft and nasty. And there are suction hooks for a shower poof, a shower comb, and foot scrubbing paraphernalia. Everything has a set place and it keeps everything neat and easy to clean. Nothing on the ledges, nothing on the edges. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKR9jA2WHdKQFE123J594_rl-s7_9d0Ss9sraFxA10FDsLs0hgoWxFonL0JLnZhtMZEMUKHwhx-OrMn1d0jVQAIGy-NMiNvXvuGnAXjmBqSkQZJaaQl1w0IH5gDnKXx3g6Dj3Zhs_V0n2/s1600/shower+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKR9jA2WHdKQFE123J594_rl-s7_9d0Ss9sraFxA10FDsLs0hgoWxFonL0JLnZhtMZEMUKHwhx-OrMn1d0jVQAIGy-NMiNvXvuGnAXjmBqSkQZJaaQl1w0IH5gDnKXx3g6Dj3Zhs_V0n2/s1600/shower+5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love how easy this is to maintain. Hope you find it helpful.</span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-24472629260024604082013-08-11T15:37:00.001-07:002013-08-11T15:38:31.000-07:00Where IS it?? Why Everyone Needs a Label Maker<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry for the lag between posts. Like sometimes gets ahead of me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post is dedicated to one of my pet peeves: cords, chargers, ear buds, and so on. Everywhere. And no one can seem to find what they want or need. And, of course, to the sheer joy of label makers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you have "the drawer" or "the box"? You know, the one that is full of mystery cords? When you pull out the camcorder or your mp3 player, are you living in terror for the day it needs to be charged because you have no idea where the cord is? If so, I have a solution to prevent this from this day forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, buy a label maker. I use a small Brother handheld. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8p2v6LJzJy-kmoLqoutypOmipx7vvZFKzZ8w231kmQ8hlIpG5IuaejLAW9vd4lQn3tgb_OlJ30zODAAKT-WBcwIroZamVyK_J-Brwt35f5nDXBzmpYjTyagbdjF3xlJpN_GSZbhK8CbgP/s1600/label+maker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8p2v6LJzJy-kmoLqoutypOmipx7vvZFKzZ8w231kmQ8hlIpG5IuaejLAW9vd4lQn3tgb_OlJ30zODAAKT-WBcwIroZamVyK_J-Brwt35f5nDXBzmpYjTyagbdjF3xlJpN_GSZbhK8CbgP/s1600/label+maker.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here is WHY I love it. Each time something new comes into this house, before the box even hits the floor, I break out the label maker. I hear a collective sigh from everyone in the house as anal-retentive Mom has to "do her thing," but no one complains when I know what every cord or accessory goes to. Here's what I do:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI0k1arwzyewj_P6W1gTE0OuTlhPL5Ke3ucScjsWId959wPQuE34eQuxnsqHiIl202-5xA3KlCQtK2CwcevleY6WLnaUf0npyUUXunVN-Jklz3eV5wNQbCDAPPrikUpmDuA_m2Y06Gb3F/s1600/cords+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI0k1arwzyewj_P6W1gTE0OuTlhPL5Ke3ucScjsWId959wPQuE34eQuxnsqHiIl202-5xA3KlCQtK2CwcevleY6WLnaUf0npyUUXunVN-Jklz3eV5wNQbCDAPPrikUpmDuA_m2Y06Gb3F/s1600/cords+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI2eMlzkBBVbMOxDYDmpGTvXsXJso9rqIJMJAjFap6Ee-4STZj5_c4VSYR6Nu1PwEoC7IRMv3JStGcaTbTI6aIPB0R0zS16BCBis4dnG-lpHsaUm7vxnT2itNLm4LZ6k46gzLL2H_2l3I/s1600/cords+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI2eMlzkBBVbMOxDYDmpGTvXsXJso9rqIJMJAjFap6Ee-4STZj5_c4VSYR6Nu1PwEoC7IRMv3JStGcaTbTI6aIPB0R0zS16BCBis4dnG-lpHsaUm7vxnT2itNLm4LZ6k46gzLL2H_2l3I/s1600/cords+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This way I know who belongs to what and what is what and never spend a half hour trying to find which charger goes with which item. And I never have to put someone else's potentially grody ear buds into my ears! As you might imagine, on Christmas morning I am ready with a trash bag, a cardboard recycling box, and my label maker, ready to go to town!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have used my trusty label maker for all kinds of other odd things. For example, when we first bought this house, I was dumbfounded by the number of light switches, and I could never remember which switch turned on which light. I labeled them for the first few months until I got the swing of it with a nice near label above each switch. (Let them laugh at me!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about when the power goes out? I live in a rural area and have a generator, but it powers only certain outlets in my house. Rather than trying to remember, I have labeled each of those outlets with a small PO (power outage) label in the top corner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then my single-serve Crystal Light packets, of course, come in boxes, which I recycle because they are bulky (and I rip the tops off). Besides, the printing on the tubes is tiny. My family goes through tons of them, so here's what I do:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQC_TmastaZMDMy1qiMy-l7Ctq1vOeM0LIHCHKEYIvukXzVLsAlgq9PwBuHJ0maVIUgAaYx2CE5V2B4DFDhto08We5mbvg5NLIm9LKH0ffcqa0PD8oEjMNBdu-6guEYjTtEp26dwygYl/s1600/Crystal+Light+tubes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQC_TmastaZMDMy1qiMy-l7Ctq1vOeM0LIHCHKEYIvukXzVLsAlgq9PwBuHJ0maVIUgAaYx2CE5V2B4DFDhto08We5mbvg5NLIm9LKH0ffcqa0PD8oEjMNBdu-6guEYjTtEp26dwygYl/s1600/Crystal+Light+tubes.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whenever I have an empty container from the pitcher-size Crystal Light or similar drinks, I move them from the cardboard boxes and into one of these and label the top. Then I just keep refilling them with new ones. It makes them easy to find, see, and store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I fear that I am scaring you with my anal retentivity at this point. But really, buy a label maker. And use it for labeling the plugs themselves for everything that is plugged in behind your entertainment center, for example. Then, when you need to unplug the cable box because it died again, you do not have to have someone wiggling the cords from the top to find the right one. You can just unplug the one that's labeled Cable Box. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope everyone had a good weekend. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-16405158668711233482013-08-06T17:43:00.004-07:002013-08-06T17:43:50.449-07:00Your Question Answered: Where to find under-shelf storage shelf for cutting boards<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I received a question regarding where I purchased the under-shelf cutting board storage hanger shown in this photo:</span><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk15yWJHaBe8mm6ZPWsKcogHcJsTDBOj9iwPJtcnkVek9dkv-GCtjMFR2TyQISAebqVtN-T726NbylJLxHwFpHpFIWXMq57bYZ2kveDfv1SnaM78C5tlBqk2W4Rh93a2qrB0Sq3W9InZyc/s1600/cabinet+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk15yWJHaBe8mm6ZPWsKcogHcJsTDBOj9iwPJtcnkVek9dkv-GCtjMFR2TyQISAebqVtN-T726NbylJLxHwFpHpFIWXMq57bYZ2kveDfv1SnaM78C5tlBqk2W4Rh93a2qrB0Sq3W9InZyc/s1600/cabinet+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/cabinetOrganizers/upperCabinets?productId=10000701"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/cabinetOrganizers/upperCabinets?productId=10000701</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's $9.99. There are tons of uses for it. </span></div>
Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-89044210244462669932013-08-06T07:11:00.000-07:002013-08-06T07:11:10.799-07:00A Few Quick Kitchen Cabinet Organization Hints<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been lax in posting over the past week: some personal issues have kept me otherwise occupied. But I aim to catch up! I thought I would share some hints for taming kitchen cabinets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, I am a huge water drinker. I cannot get enough water or seltzer with a bit of cranberry juice. But I am also a chronic spiller, so ALL of my cups have covers and straws, which can be a storage problem. Here's how I handle it:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F0kzS3vRIvCLNuZP_F2uNJunaLQarwkLHgwJn80blmbTvpiY4IvG2c5Py0QqJ1U6MQhDWcwVPdX-RPUBZrnkSXFNWGnzJqoDU6cSq-ASfV_DV3Zl40sHvwgzHSBRG2OAacaahU8h-JyQ/s1600/cabinet+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F0kzS3vRIvCLNuZP_F2uNJunaLQarwkLHgwJn80blmbTvpiY4IvG2c5Py0QqJ1U6MQhDWcwVPdX-RPUBZrnkSXFNWGnzJqoDU6cSq-ASfV_DV3Zl40sHvwgzHSBRG2OAacaahU8h-JyQ/s1600/cabinet+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My personal "sippy cups" are on the bottom shelf, with the covers stored on them. The air holes in their tops are sufficient to keep them from getting smelly if they are put away damp after their hand washing. I keep a baby wipe container bottom to the left, which holds all the straws for these assorted cups. They are easily accessible and right with the cups when I need them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the shelf above is another baby wipes container. (They are my most preferred reusable container.) This one houses snap-on covers for cans and covers for plastic cups (that I bring home from restaurants kids' meals). Those are so handy to have around, particularly in the summer time. I send them home with kid visitors all the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, water bottles are on the top shelf. Notice that several are open. DO NOT close the tops unless there is no trace of moisture in them, or they will mold and smell horrible. I try to keep them open all the time. Nothing worse than drinking from a bottle and noticing mold in it half way through your chug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now let's deal with glasses and coffee/tea cups and mugs. I store the most often used cups (my thermal travel mugs) within easiest reach on the bottom shelf. I keep their covers on them, upside down, to make them fit. Also, there's no searching for a cover when my eyes are still half closed in the morning. I keep the mugs that are less-often used on the top shelf. Note the extra rack. This doubles my mug storage space. It seems like a lot of mugs, but I keep them because they are heavily used when we have company. Otherwise I would follow my rule that if I have not used it in a year, I give it away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, the middle shelf has glassware. They are all matching style cups, but because they are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, I store them with every other one upside down. That way, I can fit many more glasses into the space.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5tapkGna30s84ZpMAJaJ034OgdP2YJOJJFDFApijXg1pu-ckxu7zrH9lfDg8FhiOwcJGn3ub2qlPZPyfTituIPoFLhx-vC5s2GCjVOP39WjdZH4Ii0ueG5iTnynIDrg69CqGCV3950ks/s1600/cabinet+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5tapkGna30s84ZpMAJaJ034OgdP2YJOJJFDFApijXg1pu-ckxu7zrH9lfDg8FhiOwcJGn3ub2qlPZPyfTituIPoFLhx-vC5s2GCjVOP39WjdZH4Ii0ueG5iTnynIDrg69CqGCV3950ks/s1600/cabinet+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />One more challenge for me was storing cutting boards. I struggled with this one for awhile until I found this wonderful storage rack. It hooks onto the shelf above it and makes use of the dead space above my plates. I highly recommend it, as I get very excited when I can store things in what was previously just dead space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may wonder why I have a sugar dispenser in this cabinet. It's because my Keurig is directly below I like to have it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This storage location accomplishes both of those.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />That's all for today. More to come soon. Thanks for reading, and please comment if my posts help you or if there are particular topics you would like me to write about. I LOVE comments, constructive or otherwise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-66130751037589261932013-07-31T09:13:00.003-07:002013-07-31T09:13:58.382-07:00Organizing the Dreaded "Coat Closet"<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our coat closet happens to be in my home office, where I spend a lot of time. And the last thing I want to stare at all day is a mess. So it's in my own best interest to keep this closet, which is traditionally a collector of random stuff, under control.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hate wasted space. I think everyone does. None of us feels like we have enough of it, so why let any of it go to waste? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The far left and right sides of most standard double-accordion-door closets are like dead space. You can hang things on a pole and shove them in there, but that's usually about it.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I could have purchased an expensive closet organization system, and I am sure it would be lovely. But I have better things to spend my money on, like shoes. And lattes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this blog is about organizing on the cheap. And that's what I do. I am more of a fan of shelf space than I am of pole space. You can hang a pole anywhere (but that's a blog for another day). So I went to the home of all cheap things, Wal-Mart, and purchased two things: a set of heavy duty plastic shelves that fit perfectly in the side of my closet, and a smaller set of what are usually used as shoe stackers.</span></div>
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This is the plastic shelving. I have Mom's toolbox on the top. Everyone knows no touchy. It has the tools I use all the time. Next shelf is vacuum cleaner attachments, rather than leaving them on the closet floor. Then a second toolbox that has household handy things: felt for the bottom of every leg on everything in my house, picture hanging hardware, screws and nails that I like, and so on. And the bottom holds my complete set of rachets and sockets in standard and metric. Having these handy makes me feel invincible. And that leaves plenty of space above for extra hangers.</div>
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On the right side of the closet is the shoe stacking system. Cheap and great for videos and DVDs. But wait, the DVDs are likely to fall all over the place, so I use old shoe boxes to stand them up in. That way I can use them like sliding trays. They can fit in there two deep, so the old wedding videos and so on can be relegated to the back.<br />
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Install a pole between your attic rafters and keep your off-season coats up there. Bring then down when you need them, so the closet does not get out of control full. And I purchased a set of Rubbermaid drawers, four high, so each family member has their own drawer for mittens and hats and scarves. That, also, is in the attic now until it's time to swap it out. For the summer, I have the plastic crate on the top shelf filled with baseball hats, rain ponchos, and travel packs.</div>
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Oh, guilty admission. The plastic bags on the top shelf hold the goodie bags for the birthday party that should have happened in May but still has not been scheduled...</div>
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More tomorrow. Thanks for reading.</div>
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Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-17699190883296533232013-07-30T07:31:00.002-07:002013-07-30T12:17:51.285-07:00This useful container can really help you organize!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the next few days, I will share some of the many uses I have found for this familiar container and others like it. Slide the plastic sleeve off and you have a fantastic covered container with a million uses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here my first one. If you have kids, this is indispensable. Fold in half and roll up a couple of activity book or coloring book pages, or even blank pieces of paper. Slide into the container. Fill the center with a set of crayons, markers, or colored pencils and an eraser. Keep in a cup holder or the glove box of your car. Use it to occupy the kids while at a doctor's appointment, waiting for a train, or in a restaurant to complement the crummy crayons they provide. If you have more than one child, label the canisters. Or, even better, have each child decorate their own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are also perfect for carrying back and forth to school filled with pencils, erasers, and other small items and stand up in a child's locker to they can find this stuff. They are also easy to store in a backpack and keep the little things from getting lost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More tomorrow! Please let me know what else you might be interested in organizing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patty</span></div>
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Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-19845711432993286892013-07-29T14:31:00.001-07:002013-08-01T09:37:46.936-07:00Ahhh, the Laundry Room...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are like me, you spend a lot of time in the laundry room. And if your house is anything like the houses in my town, you have a washer/dryer in your downstairs bathroom, inside what otherwise would be a magnificent closet. They are side by side on the floor, leaving you with just the space above them for all your "stuff." </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHmGpePMp20njq3cnlTcBFf72FrASRN8t_c4BwyhHFHBCSzI6kt5clsnD_NB33LqO_cXq0PtjAuHU7oVGuZcUhmDoh6tPY6wQCf_NPCisYAJn_Mm6hjYG_NwczUjkjL-zzRqgjdBPedX2/s1600/Laundry+storage+with+tags.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHmGpePMp20njq3cnlTcBFf72FrASRN8t_c4BwyhHFHBCSzI6kt5clsnD_NB33LqO_cXq0PtjAuHU7oVGuZcUhmDoh6tPY6wQCf_NPCisYAJn_Mm6hjYG_NwczUjkjL-zzRqgjdBPedX2/s1600/Laundry+storage+with+tags.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the walls to the left and right, I put up very cheap shelves you can get almost anywhere. They are intended to mount on doors, but they are perfect for this application and they hold a lot of the smaller stuff and keep it right in reach.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6p39pHAYOt91RxEiHczJYJ3I-DjaqVDSYr0aH9AdhQ0ToO5MyvZLC1OnV5h92hnB53ig8XxcsgvAhOSBpKalc8CwRa5mlrx3WDMGsZ8nMybm7scXt1eqHu-RoXRv-LZb9pR_ReaaVxpV/s1600/side+laundry+shelves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6p39pHAYOt91RxEiHczJYJ3I-DjaqVDSYr0aH9AdhQ0ToO5MyvZLC1OnV5h92hnB53ig8XxcsgvAhOSBpKalc8CwRa5mlrx3WDMGsZ8nMybm7scXt1eqHu-RoXRv-LZb9pR_ReaaVxpV/s1600/side+laundry+shelves.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Recommendation #2: Tension Rod.</b> Take the nasty old one out of your shower now (if you have one) and replace it with a new one. Take the old one and make it your laundry room's best friend. Keep it ready with hangers for those things that come out of the washer and should not be dried, like bathing suits, bras, underwear, and anything with Lycra. I keep a bunch of multipurpose hangers handy so I can hang these things to dry as soon as they come out of the wash. The bonus is that I can close the doors, too, so the whole world does not have to look at my handing sports bras, bras, and underwear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also keep the pant hangers with the clips from clothing purchases. They are great for when I wash area rugs and so on. I do not dry them, particularly if they have a rubber backing. I just hang them from the tension rod. This setup is so convenient. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other bonus is that setting up the shelves at only 12-18 inches deep leaves lots of space on the tops of the machines themselves for laundry baskets or spreading out clothes to treat and spray stains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Recommendation #3: Reuse Old Containers.</b> I LOVE the ones that dishwasher tabs come in, as well as baby wipe containers. Never buy the refills. Always get the containers. They are SOOOO usefel. The green one on its side is a dishwasher tabs container. I keep extra new sponges stored in it. And the baby wipes containers have travel tissues packages in them. Note the Little Mermaid can on the bottom. Its a coin can for all the money I find while I do the laundry!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And last, I keep a small stool in the bathroom. You may think it odd, but I sit on the stool to do my laundry. I get my stain removers and sort the laundry, switch the washer load to the dryer, and reload the washer all from a sitting position. It's much kinder to my back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"See" you tomorrow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patty</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-4744632999059059752013-07-28T16:43:00.003-07:002013-07-28T16:43:51.343-07:00Cleaning your granite-composite kitchen sink up after a latex painting job<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK. I could not resist just one more post today, probably because I have been painting all afternoon. I have a granite composite sink and it's a wee bit porous, which can make painting supply cleanup a nightmare. To make the job easy, here's my secret: vegetable oil. Before you start your hours of brush and roller rinsing, wipe down the entire interior of the sink with a generous portion of vegetable oil. First, it will make your sink look awesome. But more importantly, it will keep the paint from sticking in the tiny spaces in the granite composite. This works well for stainless sinks, too, like a charm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZNBnWhbDZpyv8DYrArtRyd7vhrpGdJD1HgN6Oyp0WWFUvq0VAW43DHWFqBow51G4YZatpngL35BUVoo_ACQaE1BHuMgHyxndjQXEpku1soA2BaDMZd4BHeEpaXfS8Kp6ICPE5xsi03Q/s1600/kitchen+sink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZNBnWhbDZpyv8DYrArtRyd7vhrpGdJD1HgN6Oyp0WWFUvq0VAW43DHWFqBow51G4YZatpngL35BUVoo_ACQaE1BHuMgHyxndjQXEpku1soA2BaDMZd4BHeEpaXfS8Kp6ICPE5xsi03Q/s640/kitchen+sink.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The paint just beads right off and rinses down the drain. Happy cleanup!</span>Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-43887553078436580772013-07-28T14:36:00.000-07:002013-07-28T15:36:18.511-07:00Tip to organize your bathroom drawers<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The drawers in your bathroom vanity can get out of control very, very quickly. A simple, inexpensive way to help keep them organized: use small wipes containers, either with or without covers. They are almost the same width as the standard vanity drawer. Label each cover for a different family member or for hair stuff or skin stuff. The containers I use are from flushable wipes, like Cottonelle wipes, or hemorrhoid wipes. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here are some pictures from my house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This one is a covered Cottonelle case for oral hygiene items that would otherwise get lost in the drawer. And, of course, Q-tips sells a perfect one that keeps the swabs need and clean in the drawer. It leaves just enough room for toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes in the back. And yes, those are my feet.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQbEvULiSyWZXLHKi6YS8jGWme5OVGyV_tvLHy0rU4mRyaESR-V69aQCf3i63Ll8hPaQO_fiTJjfFzMZFbcE00lqgA4SBK1Y6YDgQSk8dmmp18o9hp3vRAbu-3X-cpvr1U2DmLTVVg09g/s1600/bathroom+drawer+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQbEvULiSyWZXLHKi6YS8jGWme5OVGyV_tvLHy0rU4mRyaESR-V69aQCf3i63Ll8hPaQO_fiTJjfFzMZFbcE00lqgA4SBK1Y6YDgQSk8dmmp18o9hp3vRAbu-3X-cpvr1U2DmLTVVg09g/s1600/bathroom+drawer+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is also a Cottonelle case with a cover. It holds tampons, panty liners, and cleansing cloths in the drawer closest to the toilet. Very handy, and discrete, if that matters.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8hjpUanJLtT59VaQphpGtU03vo75ONSsOLxdMbiCGXBRUs705w-IDxBhtu-gVbsIw-CINc-ddrOBfCTERCof3Ed_ksVznizkTaZru0_RpCx-uBgFt4qi3b0EJSBDMay4CCL9O2PNbWuk/s1600/bathroom+drawer+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8hjpUanJLtT59VaQphpGtU03vo75ONSsOLxdMbiCGXBRUs705w-IDxBhtu-gVbsIw-CINc-ddrOBfCTERCof3Ed_ksVznizkTaZru0_RpCx-uBgFt4qi3b0EJSBDMay4CCL9O2PNbWuk/s1600/bathroom+drawer+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586392388506299812.post-72348669528814303512013-07-28T10:20:00.000-07:002013-07-28T15:39:47.438-07:00There's an organizer trapped in my body who needs to get out!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have longed to open up a business on the side to help people organize their stuff: closets, drawers, cabinets. On the cheap, too. I have so many ideas in my head. I thought this would be a good way to share them with people. And besides, I need to keep my day job. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I look forward to comments and thoughts from you. That is, if anyone reads this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK. Here's my first one. It's not so much aimed at organization as it is aimed at enabling you to drink coffee <em>while</em> you organize. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To keep your single-cup brewer alive and your constant companion for as long as possible, use a Brita pitcher. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I live in an area with </span><em style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">really</em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> hard water. I keep my brewer on my kitchen counter, like everyone else (except it's on a slide-out platform so I can get to the top of it easily). Right next to it I maintain a Brita pitcher of water (also black, so it looks like a set) and use only the filtered water in the brewer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9moYRkZpypD9HxHvfmzLaGeuZnYZgsdjj-ThEx1HGwYJrXvNxZ-rH6xuvzSijx2Ky56lY8r1qmoqhHv_kD8Rxbhd7JjEStjrXSOgeNso5R7hlo-81LFSt-eKxB5ksNW5zbuXcxL3Clx3X/s1600/keurig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9moYRkZpypD9HxHvfmzLaGeuZnYZgsdjj-ThEx1HGwYJrXvNxZ-rH6xuvzSijx2Ky56lY8r1qmoqhHv_kD8Rxbhd7JjEStjrXSOgeNso5R7hlo-81LFSt-eKxB5ksNW5zbuXcxL3Clx3X/s1600/keurig.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few other quick hints:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove the K-Cup right after you brew. It makes the brewer gunky if it sits too long.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Never turn the brewer off it is making any sound at all. Wait till it's all done.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And never let the water get too low. If the pump gets dry (insufficient water), your brewer can be toast.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK. That's it for now. Thanks for reading.</span><br />
<br />Patty Stephanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830195537105742846noreply@blogger.com0