Rejoicing at Home: Organizing with Gussy

Gussy of Gussy Sews has started a new (to me!)series on her gorgeous blog. She emails out a topic and sends us off on a cyber adventure to get down our interpretation. Sounded like fun to me!

The topic for this month is Organization. Oh boy. My husband would be rolling laughing if he knew I was writing about this. I'm not ~~a slob~~ too messy. My downfall comes in the clutter. THAT is a bad word around here.

Truth be told, I love organizing. Tools, labelers, baskets, and color coding really excite me. Ooo, and office supplies! Forgot about how much I loooove office supplies! I just about hyperventilate at the back to school sales.

When my first kiddo came along, the organized house took a hit. By the time the second one came, it was a t-total mess. That was when I discovered the world of blogs, actually. I always bought magazines with organizing info on the front cover. I picked up a particularly gorgeous one that led me to Penelope Loves Lists. This sweet blog has an adorable label that I fell in love with-to be a "Penelope," you love nice neat things. And I really do! I just had lost myself in the big C..

So, I needed to shake it up and get my house back. Next step was getting a book. (always my answer...). This book is fantastic, however. A life changer. For real.

Organizing From the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern.

This book changed my perspective on why there is the tendency to be cluttery (shudder), how to get it together, and how to keep it working.

Now, it isn't perfect. This book is on my reread list constantly. (do you have one of those?) But it really changed my approach. And the fact that I needed to approach it.

I dream of a well oiled machine around here. But as we say in the south: "It ain't gonna happen.". I don't want to freak out about it. I do try to clean up before hubs gets home. But kinda love the toys all over. Creativity happened!

One of the biggest tips I've taken away from the book is to revisit your system about every 30 days. Working out the kinks and staying focused on the system. My systems are always getting an inspection by me. Mostly when the kitchen table is piled high (again) when it should be filed away.

I love dreaming of the next project with this new ammo in my back pocket. I want a sewing space. I have a sewing space currently...but it's sad. I don't want to spend time there! So, I've already been thinking organizing before I even start. Big work table. (Got it. It's cluttered. Dang it.) Better ironing board. Table just for the machine. Wheely chair.

Then the fun! Paint colors.