Keeping It Simple

This is how they looked three years ago . At that time we had had them up for a few years already.  Now a redo- this time done by the boys! They decided to take some of the shelves down and make the remaining ones more their own.  Paul was in charge and helped James and Mark hang the things they thought were important on the board.  That's it. Of course I had to go through all the toss offs and distribute them to grandchildren, goodwill, and recycle. Sadly, the books that have staying power are also the ones that are the most "loved". I passed them on to my daughters with directions to read them and love them and feel free to toss them when done. The boys are still in the process of purging- my 9yo wants to read a few favorites "just one more time!" before passing them on to his niece and nephews.  I'm okay with that. 

I love to organize- that does not mean that I am organized. I just love the idea. And, I love nifty little boxes, crates, files... Give me a Storables Store over Macy's any day of the week!! Anyway, I live in a house that is less than 1000 sq. ft. My idea of decor is more of a Better Shelves and Boxes theme than Better Homes and Gardens any day of the week. I have no pride when it comes to finding places to put things. I thought I'd try (just try- I tend to be flop at follow through) to post one of my organizational tools, gadgets or ideas each week. I may run out of ideas or I may forget to post, but I am going to try. This week I thought I'd share our Rain Gutter Shelves . Does everyone have those already? Years ago, when we installed them, my then preteen daughter walked in and gasped, "you've turned our room in to a library!". She was truly horrified. I was please as punch. It is hard to tell from the pic, but this area leading in to the kids' room ...