Nary a creative thought this weekend. Nope, not a one.
Thinking I might as well use this snowbound time for something productive, I was inspired by the Organizing Junkie herself to completely clean out my desk drawers.
Y'all, it was bad. I found coupons that had expired in 2004, and a free pizza award my son won in kindergarten. He's in the third grade now.
So I ruthlessly tossed whatever I could, emptied the drawers, VACUUMED THEM OUT (yes, it was that dirty, and I'm that bored), and then I neatly re-loaded them. Because Laura coaches us that before/after pictures are an important inspiration, I shall share them below. Because I know you must be riveted to find out what my, um, desk drawers look like, right? Trust me, after seven days snowbound, it's interesting.
I give you drawer #1, which was in the worst shape of them all, at first. It is now the drawer that is 100% off limits to anyone but ME. Okay, maybe Hubs, but only if he's very good.
Drawer #2 was formerly used to hold three-year-old Christmas cards and other vitally important trash. Now, it's the drawer that contains things the kids and I both might need:
Yes, I know that's a lot of Scotch tape. I tend to buy it in bulk. We may run out of milk, diapers and toilet paper, but oh my stars we will always have clear adhesive.
Drawer #3 is now for mailing supplies ONLY: stamps, envelopes and address labels. Anyone who breaks this rule will himself be packaged up and shipped away:
And there you go. I know your life is much richer with this knowledge.
Thanks to Laura for the inspiration!
I think I'm having drawer envy!
But, alas, the minute I took something out, I'm sure I'd be the first to toss it back in the wrong place. And, there, my friend, starts the whole crazy cycle. I'm sure it would take a week or less for me to reverse all your pictures.
Gayle
Posted by: Gayle | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 12:43 AM
Oh honey... that was too funny! I'm going to tackle a closet on Tuesday... Tackle it Tuesday! :o)
I hope you can get out soon.
Blessings,
Theresa
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Wow! Those look great! Wish mine did. ;) Ahh, some day.. some day...
=)
Posted by: proverbs31 | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 01:34 AM
Now you just need a labelmaker to label those spots! :)
Posted by: melissa | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 02:31 AM
Way to go. Very beautiful, very neat, very impressive.
Posted by: Michelle | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 03:15 AM
It's a pain to tidy things sometimes, but gee isn't the end result nice?!
Posted by: Tara | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 03:22 AM
Well, as I can see all that snow was worth it! Well thought, well done. That's what I'd call snow cleaning (saves you some spring cleaning!)
Posted by: Irene | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 04:43 AM
That's funny; I cleaned out my desk drawers yesterday, too.
I was working on a calligraphy project and cleaning and organizing seemed easier than the work, I suppose. I was hoping for inspiration, but it never came. But when I sit down at my drawing board next time, I will be able to find everything so when inspiration strikes, I'll be ready!
That's the theory, at least.
Posted by: kim from hiraeth | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 06:46 AM
Your drawers look great! I tackled our kitchen drawers a few months ago. They are back to looking like the before photos.
Please tell us--- how will you KEEP everything organized for more than 2 weeks ( or 2 days)??? I'm not being sarcastic- I'm serious.
Blessings, Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 07:39 AM
OK - step away from the cleaning supplies and no one will get hurt! LOL So, HOW many days has it been? ;)
Seriously though, good job! May actually tackle that job today along with my goal to go through each of the Viking's dressers to weed out too-small clothes.
Now you're MY inspiration! See how that works?! LOL
Posted by: Beth/Mom2TwoVikings | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 07:47 AM
Wow! I'm inspired. I have 3 junk drawers that are about to overtake my kitchen. I think I might tackle them today.
Posted by: dcrmom | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 07:49 AM
I likey!
Posted by: Liz | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 08:01 AM
I've been putting off cleaning off the junk drawers in my house for weeks. I started making 4 baby quilts instead. Maybe we need to be snowed in for a week...
Posted by: Tara | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Looks great! Hope you thaw out soon!
Posted by: Toni | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 08:44 AM
We use lots of tape, too, and bandaids. Around here a bandaid can make even a mosquito bite feel better. Do you recognize the sound of a 2 yr old using yards of tape at a time? ssskkkkiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Posted by: Myfriendconnie | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Wow - I've been trying to clean stuff out, too. But my clean drawers look like drawer #3's Before photo.
Posted by: Kathleen | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 09:06 AM
Any girl who has that much Scotch tape is my friend FOREVAH AND EVAH.
And I think you've inspired me to get some stuff done around here. But just not this weekend.
Crazy how much the motivation of before / after pics works, but it really, really, does.
Finally, you'll be happy to know that I'm having another decorating emergency, so A. and I are off to TJ Maxx and Home Goods.
Posted by: boomama | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 09:16 AM
Great job! I'm not sure if I'm inspired or envious or jealous or all three.
Posted by: Noillirac | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 09:44 AM
The tape made me laugh.
Priorities, people.
Posted by: Melanie | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Wow! Great job. I think I might have to tackle a drawer or two now. You're an inspiration!
Posted by: Lynne | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Laura will be so proud!
Posted by: Jane | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 11:20 AM
You did a great job! Can I borrow some tape?
Posted by: Kara | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 11:28 AM
I promise I am not a stalker. I am a new reader and I just read that you grew up in AR. I have some family in the Ft.Smith/Alma area. I am in OK(central) now but I grew up in a very small town in OK close to the AR border.
I love your organized drawers. I think most of us can use some good organization.
Posted by: Chandra | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 11:40 AM
I just love it! Those before and after pictures definitely gave this "junkie" a fix!
Well done Shannon!
Laura
Posted by: Laura | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 12:16 PM
I totally bought the Disney stamps too. But I refuse to use them, they are soo cute and all. That pretty much tells you a whole lot about what my desk drawers look like.
Posted by: maria | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Thing 1 just saw your tape stash and SMILED!! Yeah we go though about 4 rolls a WEEK here! So yeah - I get it.
Posted by: Heather | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Wow! I so need to do that. But my drawers aren't in as bad of shape as my closets. I gotta get on them. You've inspired me!
And OJ too. I just wish I could hire her though. I don't like to work that hard!
Posted by: Heather | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Well done! It feel sooooo good to get rid of the mess and actually know where you can find something!
Posted by: Lindsey | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 01:15 PM
I feel like I lost ten pounds just looking at your before and after shots!
Good job!
Posted by: In His Hands | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Ahem! And HOW were you able to have the uninterrupted time to do this fabulous project?
(cough, cough) Chili rocks! (cough, cough)
LOL! Excellent-looking drawers, btw. I think I may be inspired myself.
Posted by: chilihead | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Oh, for the love of all things sticky!!! I'm drooling over the tape drawer! I LOVE tape! Read my 6 weird things about me meme! LOL Your drawers look great, but I have to say, if my junk drawer looked like your before shots, I'd be happy, hehe. My junk drawer barely opens or closes. But with a baby and a toddler, I just can't get to it.
Posted by: qtpies7 | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 03:11 PM
I hear you. Although so far at 4:00pm on Sat the predicted "snow" we were told we would get is just rain, can you believe it?!
You should visit Janice at 5minutesformom, she does a "Tackle it Tuesday" with projects like this and the Organizing Junkie participates too I believe. She would love this...
Posted by: Kilikina | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Your drawers look so great! I have a couple I need to tend to,also...it feels good when something like that gets done!
Kim
Posted by: Kim | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 05:17 PM
woohoo!! Almost as gorgeous as my closet. Now I am so inspired I want to start on my junk drawer next.
AND at this moment, hubby is installing yet more shelves in the closet, he so much liked the one I put up the other day!
Posted by: owlhaven | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 05:44 PM
'oh my stars' is pretty much my favorite saying...and i love before and after pictures. Nice!
Posted by: Jenn | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 06:42 PM
I love the before and after pictures! What a great job you did!
Posted by: Tonya | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 09:09 PM
i'm coveting your scotch tape collection even now...
Posted by: HolyMama! | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 09:18 PM
oooh what a total THRILL! i just noticed your goooooorgeous sidebar button.
Posted by: HolyMama! | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 09:19 PM
Hey I loved your drawers! It is so fun to declutter and reorganize.
Posted by: luvs2bhsmama | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Impressive! My only problem if I did this is that my 18 month old would add things back to them (even w/ the childproof latches on the drawer, he still finds space to fit things in!) :)
Great Job!
Posted by: Amy | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Aaahh . . . well organized spaces like that just make me feel all warm and fuzzy and calm inside. :)
I have to ask -- is that a stack of event-appropriate cards in the back corner of the third drawer? So I'm not the only one who finds cards at Hallmark and says, "I dunno who this will be for -- but it's a great card and I must buy it!"
Posted by: katherine | Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 11:49 PM
I tackled my back-passage!
Posted by: misslionheart | Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 04:31 AM
What a great job! And, I must agree with Laura, before/after pictures truly are an inspiration! It looks so nice and neat! It makes me all sorts of happy! I know ~ I'm weird like that! :)
Posted by: Becky | Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 07:45 AM
You may have inspired me to tackle LLB's room...
LBC
Posted by: LadyBug Crossing | Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 08:15 AM
Laura is great....you did a great job!
Posted by: jen | Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 08:38 AM
I'm inspired! Where's my Hefty?
~Jody
Posted by: Jody | Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Ok, you've got me tempted there! They do look useful when in order!
Posted by: Irene | Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 05:28 PM
Can we hire you to come organize our drawers?
What if people provide incentives? Sun? Temps in the upper 60s? Palm trees? No ice?
Posted by: LeftCoastOnlooker | Monday, January 22, 2007 at 10:02 AM
I actually own the domain "whatsinyourdrawers.com" (not up yet)because I thought it would be fun to post pictures of peoples' junk drawers, lol. Weird, I know, but I know I have some weird things in mine...
Posted by: tammy | Monday, January 22, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Boyohboy did I need to see that. Thanks for sharing even your junk drawers with us. I am not alone.
Posted by: Heth | Monday, January 22, 2007 at 08:25 PM
Siiiggghhh ... I feel so normal now. Thank you for airing your dirty drawers and showing us the new and improved versions! It gives us all HOPE!
Posted by: GiBee | Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 02:24 PM