Shameful

   Things got out of hand. I lost my senses and let things happen that never should have happened.

I'm talking of course about my pantry, hall closet, coat closet, cabinets... any storage space in my home. Each space was looking like it could fill an entire episode of Hoarders. Something had to be done before critters started making my closets their homes, or worse, I'd lose my kids and never be able to find them in the mess!!
    I took before and after pictures, but I'm almost too embarrassed to post the befores!!

Here goes. Remember this is a judgement-free zone!
     
      Pantry. I was starting to buy duplicates of everything, because I didn't know what I had! Nothing had a place. Things were hidden.

    Hall closet. This is where all the bad things were sent for punishment. It's a scary place.

    If we had something we didn't know what to do with, it was tossed in here. And obviously, tossed is literal.

Shocked?? I know. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve this kind of treatment on a weekend.

I bought a shelf with boxes from Ikea to make a new home for the kids' toys and books. After I got it all put together, I filled it up. Rob and I rearranged the boys' room and hauled the shelf in. We are going to pick up bunk beds soon, and I can concentrate on finally getting the boys a decent bedroom! They were so excited about the new shelf and the temporary bed set-up, they both spent the last couple hrs of their evening playing in their beds! And then they threw their books all over their room. *sigh* Always a battle. 

BUT! After rearranging, discarding, finding new homes, etc I got the closet organized! I also rearranged everything in my kitchen cupboards and organized, discarded, found new homes for the things in my pantry. I spent 7 hours doing all of this. Let me say that again. Seven. Seven hours. While it looks nice now, it doesn't LOOK like a seven hour job!! I'm a little disappointed in that. But hey, I can finally say my house is pretty organized! Next project will be my bedroom closet, my bathroom cabinets, and the linen closet. 

Right now, with everything cleaned up, I have SO MUCH SPACE! I can't believe how much! My cute red cabinet in the living room is nearly empty. The hall closet has a whole shelf AND the floor with nothing on it! My pantry! Ah! Amazing! 

I found this adjustable door rack at Lowe's. It freed up so much shelf and cupboard space!! Not to mention with all my spices visible, I might be able to find the ones I need and not buy extras.

Let's hope I can keep everything the way it is now. (Can you tell I'm rolling my eyes?) My biggest problem is going to be getting used to the rearranged kitchen cupboards. Everything is in a more logical place, but it's going to take a few "Where did I put that?" moments before I can feel comfortable with it!