Well, I'm still waiting on paint for my bookcase and step-stool from the barn sale....so I'll just write a few things that are on my mind today. I've been thinking alot about how wonderful it is to know that all things in life are overseen by my Heavenly Father. This quote is from a Max Lucado book I read along time ago, and I think it's an excellent view of life's circumstances:

"We live beneath the protective palm of a sovreign King who superintends every circumstance of our lives and delights in doing us good. Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of his love."

I've been feeling a little anxious recently about a few things going on personally right now, and I keep coming back to the knowledge that every aspect of my life is governed by a sovreign, loving God who knows me personally and knows my heart. There are things in life that seem so overwhelming, and yet every step of the path I'm on has already been directed and lit up before me by my Saviour. It is so comforting to me to know that I am safe in his grasp. That nothing can come my way, whether it is a trial or a dissapointment, or a change in plans and timing, that has not first passed through God's perfect, sovreign "filtration system" for my life. I love the promise found in Psalm 84:11- "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." I know that in the end God delights in giving good gifts to His children, and in His timing the big and the little "good things" are always far better than even what my wild imagination can cook up.
Just some heart thoughts for the day....may they bless your life as well!

My organizing continues! I've been working on the drawers in our apartment, since they always seem to be overflowing with way too much stuff....

First up was the bathroom, and I came up with some inexpensive fixes to the very tiny bathroom drawers...don't they know girls need lots of room for their stuff?? These drawer organizers were only $1 for the big one and the same for the set of 3 smaller ones at the dollar store. They snap together and fit perfectly inside the drawer. I separated my bobby pins and hair ties, and used the others for miscellaneous bathroom items that needed a home and found their way into this drawer! There's still plenty of space on the side and back for bigger things that don't need to be contained.

The other thing I did in the bathroom was get some of my cosmetics out of the "too small" drawer and put them in these ice cream dishes! I very rarely have ever used these dishes, and pretty as they are they deserved to be out in the open! They worked great especially for my makeup brushes, and they are a fun and unexpected addition to the countertop. You could definitely do this with any quirky or odd shaped containers you have lying around the house...it's a great way to organize all those little must-haves in the bathroom or for things like pens and pencils in the office!

The kitchen!! This room is by far the hardest for me to keep organized because there's never enough cabinet or drawer space for all the kitchen gadgets, pots and pans, utensils, and food! So I've gotten in the habit of putting things to work that otherwise would just sit useless on a shelf. I decided to dig out these plastic cereal bowls that we never use, and put them in one of my kitchen drawers to help keep track of all those little chip-clips and cookie cutters. It's really helped with keeping this drawers neater, and makes finding clips for the open bags of crackers and chips way easier! That's the goal =)

Next up....more domesticity, what do ya know! I found some great deals at the local barn sale, and will be giving them a new life, a la junking style. I'm very excited to break out some paint!

Organizing 101

Since it's Spring Cleaning time, I thought I would post some pictures of a few of my projects, and some helpful organzing tips that have been a great help to me in keeping everything in it's rightful place! My linen closet had been driving me crazy for weeks-every time I opened the door something would fall out!

This is an "after" picture of the closet, once I had put to use some of the organizing baskets, tubs, and other tools. I visited our local dollar store and found some awesome deals....

These tubs were $1 each and work great for collecting all the miscellaneous items that need a home, but always end up stuck on a shelf in the closet. I bought 3 of them, and assigned each one to a specific type of item- one has our cameras and other electronic devices in it; another has extra bathroom and toiletry type essentials in it; and the third one is storing small seasonal decorations on the top shelf, since they are used so infrequently.

Another great investment I made quite awhile ago was a label maker. I found this set of 4 shoebox size containers at Meijer for around $7-8, and have filled them with birthday cards, letters and correspondance, and other 'sentimental' items I can't part with. At least they're organized! Each one is labeled accordingly, and it looks great in the closet to have everything stacked neatly and boldly proclaiming their contents for all to see!

I've read over and over in magazines and books that being organized doesn't have to cost millions! This trunk was from Hobby Lobby a few years back for around $12, and not only does it look cool, it is perfect for storing odds and ends of all kinds. I first bought it to use as a sewing box in college, and now it's found a home in my linen closet! The size of it is also great for hiding all the other things on that shelf behind- a little strategic placement goes along way! The idea is perfect for any area in your home, for just about any use- CD's, mismatched socks, extra bathroom supplies, magazines, lunch snacks in the pantry-the list goes on and on!

Tune in next time....the bathroom and kitchen are next!