We spent the weekend tackling the first of many organizational projects.
Top on the list: my closet. I found this shoe contraption at the hardware store. Like any “As seen on TV” product, it features a ridiculous “before” shot to illustrate just how well it will work:
Wait, did I say “ridiculous?” I mean “realistic.” Here’s the actual “before” shot of my closet.
The “after” was just as good as the box promised.
Next up, the closet downstairs.
I repurposed my old, smaller shoe organizer here, and that cleared the floor…for a moment at least. I later found Ava and her babies in the closet playing Hello Kitty Bingo by flashlight.
And finally, the dreaded pantry. This is the house catch-all–if you don’t know where to put it, put it in the pantry. As a result, it looks like this most of the time:
Two hours later, it was slightly better. In Bry’s words, “It’s a good start…”
Three areas down, 347 to go.
Smith Family Weblog 
Posted by Doug Smith on January 12, 2009 at 2:33 pm
A good definition of affluence is, “I have enough money to own lots more spaces and to pile more useless junk into them so that I can’t even use the spaces any more and I feel guilty about the whole thing.”
Posted by Jessica on January 12, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Rebecca, that first comment about the ridiculous photo and then your floor…oh man, pop came out my nose. I have been organizing like crazy. I might have to start a blog just to show my afters! Love you
Posted by Katie on January 12, 2009 at 4:29 pm
This is impressive progress for one weekend! And, you know I love you, but you have too many pairs of shoes.
Posted by Laura on January 12, 2009 at 7:40 pm
This is now funny in light of Katie’s comment:
I tried to comment earlier that I was so impressed! By the shoe collection primarily but also by the spectacular organization. We’re currently tackling our utility room… but the closets! I need to get to mine soon, too.
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on January 12, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I can’t decide if I should let you know that aside from a few stray pairs, this is my winter shoe collection…
Posted by karyl on January 12, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I have to agree with Jessica – when I saw your closet floor after seeing the packaging, I lost it! But, I congratulate you on your efforts – I filled up 5 boxes of stuff for the Goodwill on Saturday – just barely scratching the surface. If I can pull myself away from my sewing machine, I have much more to do. I did get up Sunday morning at 3AM a week ago Sunday (right after Jack and Macy left) and cleaned out the pantry. So I am making progress, too!
Posted by karyl on January 12, 2009 at 8:28 pm
PS: You have more shoes in your “winter collection” than I have in my entire collection!
Posted by karyl on January 12, 2009 at 8:29 pm
PPS – more than twice as many!
Posted by Nicky McElfresh on January 13, 2009 at 10:47 am
The closets and pantry look wonderful! I have two and a half weeks before Colin is out of daycare to clean, organize, and paint our condo. Here’s hoping it ends up looking as nice as your closets 😉