So... I started cleaning out my junk drawers the other day. It was like therapy. Here's some of the fallout:
I finally decided that tape and scissors get a drawer all to themselves. It's disturbing to think of the hours of my life spent searching for these two items. The thing is that organization does not come naturally to me. Some people just look at a room and know what to do. Not me. I just start stuffing so I don't have to see any of the unpleasant stuff. And I hate waste. I keep things around thinking that I will find a use for them but often that ends up just being another thing to do! But I just keep repeating "A place for everything, everything in it's place."
I think I may have finally found a solution to the school paper problem as well. The last couple of years I used filing folders in a drawer and it was pretty much a nighmare. This year I have a clear bin for each of the boys and if there is anything at all that we don't want to throw in the recycling bin, we stick it in here. The bins are big enough to fit those big art projects that we don't want to hang but are not ready to throw out yet. I'm planning to go through these maybe once during the year and then again with the child at the end of the year, keeping only a couple things. In the meantime I don't have piles of papers laying around and it's making me SO happy.
Also trying to get better about taking all the school handouts with impt dates and info, writing what I need in my planner (no I don't use an electronic planner... yet. I just learned how to burn CDs people!) and then chucking those papers. Our school is getting much better at sending things electronically so that's helping too.
Lastly, I've started keeping a bag hanging in my laundry room for any random toys that we get from Happy Meals or birthday parties. Then I periodically give them to teachers for their treasure boxes at school. It's helping to keep the toy clutter down. :)
