An Organized Closet is An Organized Mind

Every spring and fall I have to re-arrange, re-organize, and re-adjust my closet and drawers.  Living in the Northeast you have to have at least two sets of wardrobes.  Except for a few basics, you cannot wear the same clothes year round.  So unless you have a very large walk-in closet, there is a lot of packing away each season to make room for the current season of clothes.  I really don't have that many clothes compared to many people I know.  After I quit working a regular job every day I got rid of most of my work clothes, such as skirts, blouses and blazers.  And now that my boys are no longer living at home I have the upstairs guest room closet to store off season clothes in.  Having said all that, I still go through the twice a year routine of switching out the closet.  Of course, this is a perfect time to organize, throw away and donate.  Clean Sweep and Hoarding are two of my favorite shows.  There's just something about seeing a completely dirty and cluttered house or space being cleaned up, purged, organized and fixed up.  I'm of the mindset that there should be a place for everything and everything in it's place.  My only problem with this is that I am not a minimalist type of person.  I have a lot of stuff and collections.  My husband calls me an organized, clean, hoarder. 

Anyway, I got my closet and dresser drawers done for spring/summer.  We had two very cool and rainy days this week so it was a perfect inside project.  The timing was perfect because today is beautiful, hot and sunny and I'm wearing shorts and a tank top that were packed away in a Rubbermaid container.

This is where it starts.  I bring the two of these up from the storage closet in the basement.

Then I unpack it all, fold everything nice and neat in stacks, wash anything that looks dirty or too wrinkled, and sort out anything that no longer fits, is out of style, or I just don't wear and it goes into the Goodwill bag.

This is what I had for Goodwill when it was all done.  Got them dropped off today.  I always ask for a receipt so I can claim as a donation on our taxes.  Most everything is in excellent condition, but there just comes a point where I'm packing and unpacking some of the same things each season without ever putting it on.  Someone else may get some use out of it.

I also had two bags of garbage (smaller bags).  The garbage mostly came from my dresser drawers.  Old socks, underwear and "just junk that gets stuffed in a drawer because you don't know what else to do with it at the time but you're not sure you want to get rid of it" types of things.

I finally went through my hoarded stack of greeting cards.  For some reason I would save every birthday, mother's day, valentine's ,etc. card that I would get.  I broke down and went through each one. 

If there was something really special about it or something hand written inside by my kids, or husband, mom or dad, then I saved it.  Otherwise it went into the garbage bag.  Sometimes things are so hard for me to get rid of but there are very few occasions where I later miss it or wish I hadn't let it go.

Every time I watch "Hoarders" I think I should become a professional organizer.

Once I had my half of the walk in closet finished, I moved on to my dresser.  The off season t-shirts, pajamas and "stay home don't go in public" clothes are stored in boxes under my bed. 

 

There are four of them.  If I find I have too much to fit into these, then they go to the "garbage" bag or the "Goodwill" bag.

So here's the finished result of my closet for Spring .

The cubbies and the hanging bags are from Lowe's closet organizing section.  I love that section.  I'm always looking at Wal-Mart and Lowe's for any new organization container that I might be able to use.

The sweaters and shirts are grouped according to sleeveless, short sleeve or tank top, so this hanging shelf works great.  Then another one for casual shoes.  The good shoes and heels are stacked in plastic see-through shoe boxes.

I keep winter sweaters folded and stacked on the shelf and in the stacked boxes on the shelf are purses.  A lot of purses went in the Goodwill bag this time.  I hate switching purses.  I pretty much use one per season.  It's just too much trouble switching all that stuff around and then going through the trouble of re-organizing a different purse.  More of them could probably be donated, but I'll decide that in the Fall.

In these baskets are scarves on the left and hats and gloves on the right. 

Here's a peek at one of my dresser drawers.  The one with T-shirts.  I didn't figure I needed to show underwear and socks, but I will say I got rid of a lot of junk from those two drawers and now they are very neat and organized, too.

And again, sleeveless on the left, short sleeves in the middle and long sleeves on the right. 

Now my mind feels so clear and organized and it really motivates you to keep it that way once it's done.  I know, my OCD is showing.  And really, this is my dream closet.

(Photo by California Closets)

I would love this, with a bench and mirrors and a chandelier right in the middle.  And it would be about the size that  my bedroom is now.  But until then, my Closet By Nina will do just fine.

Happy Birthday, Dad

Happy 73rd Birthday, Dad.  It was a low-key birthday for my dad this year.  We'll save the big celebration for two more years.  Mom, Dad, Bob and I went to dinner last night at Luigi's, one of our nicest Italian restaurants in our little town.  It was also Prom night so it was very crowded.  But we really didn't mind.  Watching all those kids in ill fitted tuxes and dresses that are too long and tight was a fun show.  I suppose I looked that goofy when I was going to my Senior Prom 34 years ago!

Here's my dad and his baby girl (me).  Color coordinated even.

I wrote about my dad's 72nd birthday last year, so I thought I would just re-post as it all still holds true.  I should point out a couple of changes since last year.  My grandchildren have lost a great grandparent (Bob's mother Millie) and a great-great grandparent (My Grandma).  And now my Dad, Big G.G. has a blog of his own: http://roland-bechtel.blogspot.com/  Go take a look.  It's very political, opinionated, and conservative.  But regardless of your political leanings, it's very well written.  I'm always proud of you, Dad.

Originally written 5/17/09

Yesterday was my Dad's 72nd birthday. He's affectionately know as Big G.G. This nickname came about after my grandson's came into this world. They are lucky little boys in that they have several older generations of relatives; 6 grandparents, 5 great grandparents, and 2 great-great grandparents. We had to come up with different "names" for all of us to differentiate. Since they couldn't say "Grandma and Grandpa" for a few years, my Bob and I are just lovingly called "Bob" and "Nina" by our grandsons. And ever since they heard Bob's mother call him "Bobby", that is the new name given to him by the grandsons. We think it's so cute. Well, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa was just too much of a mouthful for the little guys, so their names were shortened to "Little G.G" for my mother, Great Grandma, and "Big G.G." for my dad, Great Grandpa.

My dad is the perfect father and grandfather. He loves to be around all his kids. We are all so lucky to have such an active, healthy, young father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He's always supportive, even at times that his support is not deserved; we're always loved unconditionally by him, even at times that we may not be that lovable; and he's always forgiving, even when we probably shouldn't be forgiven. I know my grandparents and mother would agree that he's also a wonderful son and husband

Dad is very intelligent, extremely successful and accomplished, and admired for his community volunteer work. I'm sure the whole family, though, would agree that his OCD (obsessive/compulsive disorder) and his ADD (attention deficit disorder) keep him from perfection. But I must say that these two traits seem to run in the family and we all must embrace these traits and make them work. We can't help it.


Happy Birthday, Big G.G. and I hope you're around for a long time.  Long enough to become Big G.G.G.

New Face Lift and Haircut

No, I didn't get a face lift, but my blog did.  This is what I've been working on for two days.  I wanted something with softer colors and not so crowded.  I still need to nip and tuck a little, but it's getting there.  I felt like the layout and background I had before was hard to read and I needed to work on getting my pictures more clear.  I hope everyone likes it.  I'm always open to suggestions.

Now comes the haircut.  Yes, my hair.  I mess around with my hair as much if not more than I mess around with my blog layout.  I also re-decorate and re-arrange my house a lot, too.  I assume this disorder is all related somehow.  Anyway, I usually keep my hair really short.  I like to have a simple style that always looks decent without a lot of work.  I get tired of it easily, though, so the only way I could change it much was to change the color.  I guess I just get bored looking at myself in the mirror.  So this was my hair almost two years ago at my son's wedding. 

Sorry this is so blurry.  I cropped from another picture.  But you get the idea.  Very short and heavily highlighted.

Then this was from last summer.  I decided to go a more natural color.  I think this is close to my real color without the gray.

Well, I got tired of it being so short, but I can't stand to let it grow out.  I compromised.  I let one side grown long and kept the other side short.  Asymmetrical and a little trendy.

Here's the long side, obviously.  And now the color is a more natural blond highlight, if there is such a thing.

This shot shows the short side a little better.

 

Now I feel like I have long hair without really having long hair.  Am I nuts, or what?  Anyway, this is the hairstyle for this month.  (Eye make-up would have helped a little!  Hate wearing make-up)  I hate to go  too outrageous or trendy because of my age, but I don't want to look like an old lady, either.

I've always been like this with my hair, changing cuts and colors.  When my son was in first grade they were supposed to draw a picture of their family.  My husband and my other son were very cute stick figures with brown hair scribbled on.  Mine was a nice enough stick figure, but he had every color in the rainbow scribbled on my head.  When I asked him why he did that, he said he couldn't remember which color it was.

I seem to be consistent with my always changing looks and colors, in everything I do.

A Mother's Weekend

For me, this past weekend was all about mothers.  Mother's to be, young mothers, old mothers, and grandmothers.  It was all covered.  The baby shower I gave my DIL Melissa was on Saturday and it went very well.  It was a very pink and chocolate day.  The only way it could have been more perfect is if the weather had cooperated.  It was freezing cold and rainy, so we could not use the deck at all.  No big deal, I guess.
I had finished the baby quilt on Thursday night.

I would have liked to hand quilt it, but I just didn't have the time.  Since it is a baby quilt I machine quilted myself.  Anything larger and I send out to be machine quilted.

I had finished knitting the hat and booties about a week or so ago.  I know I showed them already, but here they are again.

Melissa arrived here early Saturday morning and put together our door prize basket.  We had a diaper fund raffle for it.  For every dollar you put into the diaper fund you received a ticket to go into the drawing.  We then drew a number toward the end of the shower and my Aunt Nancy won the basket.

Mom and I spent a whole day making teddy bear lollipops to be given as favors.  I found the teddy bear mold and the makings at a party store.  Mom and I experimented a little, and by the final batch we were mixing it up with different color bows and feet and noses.  They were fun and easy to do.  I arranged them all in a candy dish filled with pink beads so all the sticks would stand up straight.  Each one was tied with a "It's a Girl" curling ribbon.

My DIL Diana gave me a pink hydrangea plant for Mother's Day the day she left for Spokane on Wednesday.  She knew it would match the colors for the shower and it was perfect for on my coffee table.

I had this teddy bear that I had made from an old rabbit fur jacket that I wore years ago.  I sat him next to the hydrangea. 

My mother was great in running errands for me.  Friday night she picked up the two flower arrangements so I could have the tables all set before Saturday morning.  The caterer arrived with the food by 11:30 Saturday morning.  Chicken and egg salad croissant sandwiches, spring salad and a vegetable tray with dip.  As is usual, you worry that there won't be enough food, and as is usual, we had more than enough.   Mom picked up the balloons and the cupcakes by 11:00 Saturday morning.  The tables looked great.

The punch is just Hawaiin punch with Sprite.  I also dipped all the strawberries in chocolate. 

 

I had blush and riesling wine in the decanters set up on the wine cabinet.  About a month ago I discovered a new wine at a local winery called "chocolate covered cherries"!  And that's exactly what it tastes like.  It's like a desert wine or a port.  Mmm! so good.  I set those bottles out with shot glasses.

The gifts Melissa received were all adorable and mostly pink of course.  Melissa looked beautiful in a long pink dress and pink and white vest.  I also wore a pink and white dress with a brown sweater.  No pictures of me, though.  I was too busy to stand still.

We had 25 guests and the day was a success and a lot of fun.  That should be the one, only and last baby shower I will ever have so I'm glad I got the chance to do it.  I have to say, though, that I was extremely exhausted by the time it was over and I still did not feel good.  But it was all worth it!

Baby Shower, Coming Up!

It's 7:00 pm. and I had to take a break.  I've been working for about 12 hours now, cleaning my house and setting the tables to get ready for tomorrow's baby shower.  It's been fun.  I just still don't feel well with this killer of a sinus/allergy/cold/whatever it is.  I'm taking decongestants and antihistamines, which helps to dry me up, but it makes my head so foggy.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing except when you have a lot to do and have to think a little. 
I've got the pink and brown chocolate teddy bear lollipops done and the chocolate dipped strawberries are finished.  The floral centerpieces are on the tables, the tablecloths are on, the plates, cups, napkins, and forks are set out.  I have to organize the activities now and wrap the little knit hat and booties.   DIL Melissa is coming early in the morning to help make up our door prize basket and help with any final touches.  I'm having the rest of the food catered, which I gave second thought to figuring I could save money doing it myself.  With the way I feel, though, I'm glad I stuck with the caterer.  It'll be a lunch of egg salad and chicken salad croissant sandwiches, spring salad, and vegetable tray with dip.  Cupcakes are being done by the bakery and balloon bunches are being made by the party store.  Mom is picking up the cupcakes and balloons in the morning for me. 
I'm excited for tomorrow.  I'll take pictures and hope to tell all about it on Sunday.
BTW, DIL Diana called me this morning.  She is back in Spokane with Brandon and she had her follow up testing this morning with a specialist to check on the possible spina bifida with their unborn son due in September.  She and Brandon were told everything looked fine and good, but they will do sonograms once a month now just to keep an eye.  They were much relieved and I felt pretty sure of this result after talking to many people about it, but just to have them relieved makes me feel much better. 
So all baby news is good again. 
OK, break over.  Going to finish up today's list, then take a hot bath with a glass of wine.  I know, I probably shouldn't drink wine with the allergy pills, but at this point how can it hurt?