The Write Start

A Closet... Take Two

So I had the idea to mount beautiful, big, custom bulletin boards to the inside of the closet doors to use for organizing, inspiration, and scheduling. But, keeping with my resolution to truly do it myself, on the cheap, without asking my handy hubby for help, I racked my brain for an alternate idea.

It came to me in a flash one day: cup hooks!

All of about $1.99 at the hardware store, cup hooks were my solution. With the help of my tape measure, and a little pre-planning, I used them to "display" my extensive clipboard collection that had previously been scattered about the house. On the other door, I paired the cup hooks with tiny bulldog clips (a splurge at Staples, almost as affordable as the cup hooks) to arrange my daily 3 x 5 index card to-do lists, and date-specific invites and flyers, above our go-to family calender.

The clipboards are an amazing tool for organizing my busy brain. When I have a bunch of things going on at one time, I designate a clipboard for each project. I can scan the big picture all at once, and then pluck a clipboard off of the door when it's time to focus on one thing and get to work. Sometimes I use them to visually break down one project into its component parts. Clipping up the parts and pieces of a project helps me to connect-the-dots and makes the task less overwhelming by dividing into manageable, clipboard-sized bites. Or, like right now, when I clear the decks in between projects, I use the clipboards as inspiration boards. I gaze upon some of my favorite images and wait for the next wave of inspired busy-ness.

And the to-do lists... well, I can't believe it took me this long to figure out that arranging them in plain sight, by day of the week, is totally the way to go for me. It makes so. much. sense. Whew. Again, I can see the big picture all at once or pluck a list off and put it in my pocket on my way out the door.

My favorite thing about this system is that it has the refrigerator door effect. You know when you have that "What should I make for dinner?" moment and you open the fridge door and do a little window shopping for ideas? Well, these doors work the same way. When I have a "What work needs to be done now?" moment, or a "What can I possibly accomplish in ten minutes?" moment I gaze upon my doors until it all becomes clear to me. And, more often than not, it usually does.

Oh, and I even saved a spot for displaying one of my favorite recent drawings that Jack made. In case you didn't recognize us, It's me and Jack holding hands. And he labeled it "BFF" because, apparently, he considers us BFFs. Be still my heart. That boy sure does make me swoon. I love that this big picture fits right beside where I work (thanks to a couple cup hooks and bulldogs, of course). It's a great reminder about why I work and what's most important. And the perfect prompt to nudge me to wrap things up and close these doors for the day.

Which is what I'm about to do right now.... Thanks for coming along on my closet tour! Next post, let's get outside for a bit of fresh air!

A Closet of One's Own

It's taken me quite a while, but I've been working on clearing the decks (and my desk) after finishing a BIG project (more on that very soon).

For me it was no small task. Our shared office was displaced when we converted it into a nursery upon Gracie's arrival (can it be almost two years already?). My husband moved his desk to the basement, but I knew that solution wouldn't work for me. Although our "creative space" is down there (I've been upgrading that too, and I can't wait to share pics soon) I was reluctant to move my desk. I work in tiny pockets of time throughout the day. I need my stuff close to where the kids are so I can make the most of those precious pre-dawn, nap-time, or wee-hour moments.

So I took it upon myself to take over our utility closet, which is conveniently located in what would be called our family room if it was big enough to qualify as a family room. Mere steps away from both of my children's bedrooms, it is a particularly peaceful spot when Jack and Gracie are both asleep (as they are right now... shhh!). A home for the vacuum, toy spillover, various totes and luggage, and outgrown babygear, among other things, it had been left unfinished in the (neverending) construction chaos.

So, instead of launching a campaign to finish it, I followed Voltaire's sage advice: Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Unfinished is a look all its own, right? I emptied the closet, unscrewed the sheetrock that had been started and abandoned at some point, painted the studs (going right over nails and around exposed plumbing), and used scrap lumber to make mini between-the-studs shelves. I spruced up my file drawer by painting it white and "galvanized" the hardware by spray painting it silver, and then sanding off the shine. I made an old stool fit by sawing down the legs a bit. I sorted, purged, organized, and purged some more. I made sure the vacuum still had a home (to the left of my desk) and the toys and totes were still accessible (on the shelf above). The random nails became an ideal spot to hang little notes, a mini red wagon hanging from the wire shelving was instantly transformed into a display for my favorite wedding photo (eleven years this weekend!) with the help of one tiny magnet.

The best part? I can close the doors and make it disappear when work time is over (or when little hands decide that rummaging around in my paperwork is the activity of the moment).

Sparse, utilitarian, functional, and cheap, with a hint of cottage chic, it's a really good spot for me to focus on writing. Dare I say almost perfect, Mr. Voltaire?

Tune in tomorrow, and I'll show you how I tricked-out the inside of the closet doors.

Sensational

Remember this journal, perfect for pre-writers? Well, when I saw these mini-diaries on this inspiring site, I knew right away these would be an amazing next-step for emerging writers. What a wonder-ful way to encourage a daily journaling habit! Originally intended for the grown-up set to jot down daily life impressions, I think these would be equally appealing to children. For kids who are writing already, it's a low pressure way to record a few meaningful observations each day. And for children who are still learning to write, a parent can record their answers to the questions -- which are certainly the perfect prompts for teaching little ones to see (hear, feel..) the world like a writer.

And they are tiny, which is so very enticing for kids. I think big, blank pages can be a little intimidating for newbie-writers. Plus, tiny things can be tucked away in secret spots, like under pillows, inside a book, in a pocket. So fun.

Of course that super-cute handwriting-covered one on the top right is my favorite. Could you guess that? But I could probably be convinced to fall in love with the cherry-covered one as well. As in "Life is just a bowl of cherries." Which it is, isn't it?

I hope you are having a "bowl of cherries" kind of day. Thanks for stopping by! 

Fresh Squeezed

I can’t think of a better way to start the day than with fresh squeezed orange juice. We have a simple hand juicer (bought for about $5.00 at the grocery store) that I set out in the morning alongside a couple of oranges cut in half, and some glasses. Jack is in charge of twisting, turning, and squeezing the oranges, and then pouring the fresh juice into the glasses. Then he gets to enjoy the fruits of his labor. It’s a cheerful (and healthy) ritual that takes only a couple of extra minutes. The best part? All that work really wakes up his little hands, getting them ready to rise and shine for the big day ahead.

What's your favorite way to start the day? Please share!

Color Me Wild

 
 

 

Check out these awesome alphabet coloring pages (found via little lovely). Aren't they
too cool?