Clutter Control and Organizing Solutions

Have you looked around at all the self help books for organizing that are out there? I was a bit surprised when I looked last night because its been many years since I looked and back then I was in awe with Julie Morgenstern. She just took me away with her ability to focus on the reasons for having clutter and being disorganized, and at that time I certainly fit the bill for all the reasons. In fact, my problem areas are still the same reasons now that they were back then.

I love to read, and I’m kinda self-help junkie now and then and enjoy reading things like that. I am curious if others out there read books to help them in their organizing endeavors? Or am I in the majority. I have a shelf full, but honestly there are probably 50 different titles and they are all at my library and I think I might run back tomorrow and pick a few up to see what tips are out there now. Plus I love looking at all the clean perfect spaces, because while I am much more organized now than I was, I still suffer from clutter syndrome LOL.

So what was the best book on organizing you ever picked up and read? Please share!

I picked up a book at the library yesterday titled Practically Perfect in Every Way by Jennifer Niesslein. The sub title reads: My Misadventures Through the World of Self-Help and Back. I flipped through it in the library and before I had even gotten out of the aisle I had already read 5 pages. It’s hysterical.

I’m only about a quarter of the way through it, but I really like it. Essentially she took up self help books/seminars/etc. to benefit a variety of areas of her life. This is her adventures through that. She does quote Julie Morgenstern within the first 11 pages so she had me with that, since I happen to ♥ the lady! The book is a hilarious look at trying to be “perfect” - her voice is satirical, full of emotion and stories and just plain rocks. I love that she shares her life in such a raw, out there form and honestly - she knows how to tell a good story. If you want a good read, that is a bit funny and a little on the self help side (though I’m not sure how much you will walk away with, because I’m only a 1/4 of the way through.) - Practically Perfect In Every Way is a great book!

While dropping today, I decided to go with some blogs and categories I don’t usually use. I also spent time looking through “cheapest” not necessarily for advertising purposes, but because I was curious what blogs were considered the cheapest.

Rather quickly I discovered that the main reason most of these blogs are “cheapest” is because they are sitting there - abandoned. Some with posts as far back as August ‘08 and some more recent, but still far ago with a November ‘08 date. So why do people start blogs and then just abandon them?

It seems like such a waste. There have been so many times I have just been blog hopping and come across a great blog, and low and behold it has all these things I love and I go to bookmark it only to notice that the last post was several months back and there is no sign of life.

I really wish entrecard had a rule (as well as the blogosphere period LOL) that if you don’t update a blog for … let’s just say 6 months because that seriously gives you a large amount of time - that it gets deleted. Or removed from places that advertise for you, etc.

anyway, I was sad to see all the neglected blogs and was really surprised to go through my favorites and find that 7 of my favorite blogs haven’t been updated since before Thanksgiving. I miss you guys!! Post entries! LOL

Have a great Sunday folks!

I know I’m a little late, but things have been hectic and I forgot to post this. So, a very special thank you to my top droppers in the month of December. I have slowly been increasing my drops on this blog, so I am hoping to see a difference this month. Please feel free to leave comments and say hi anytime, and if you are struggling with something in your home, let me know. It makes it easier when I can answer a question or help with some problem area.

On to my top droppers:

Robin’s Nest:  Scrap out loud

1 Blog and 2 Sides

Camping and Outdoors Blog

Happy Family

Twerlermz’ Blog

My gypsygoods

Retro Yakking

The Junk Drawer

Stay in Love

Whatever Comes To My Mind

NewYorkChica

In The Life Of …Mne

The Daily Dish

GreenStew

Girls Are Made of Sugar & Spice And Everything Nice

Hip to be Mom

Being Bipolar

Why Be Normal

Celebriosity

Medical Technology Avenue

At Home In The Ozarks

Lucent Dusk

Nonfiction Lover

Simply Stamping

Cheaper By the Half Dozen

Thank you so much to those that keep coming back. I love getting to know you better and I have made some great friends!

The post that forgot to be posted. This is so weird, because I could swear I hit the publish button on this post, but here it is just sitting here - not posting and in draft format. I actually remember posting, and I was even going to wait and see it show up on the today.com category page in all it’s cute glory (because of the cute photo I included). How did it not go up? Well, even though it is several days late at this point, I did just find it and here it is:

I know that this blog is a clutter control blog, but most of you also know I am a crafter. After browsing blogs all weekend and then again this morning, I decided I wanted to offer you some cute ideas for Christmas that I have seen on others blogs. So, if you are still in need of a last minute Christmas gift idea, check out:

Crafting at the Creek who showed us the most adorable little terra cotta pot idea. I can see that same idea working for baked goods, mixes, crafts, toys and much more. It would even work for older children - jewelry, gift cards, etc. SO CUTE!

Family Fun (which is not a blog, but deserved a place) has a really cute idea for a No Sew Pillow that would take a couple of hours to make, perhaps less. They are cute and are the perfect gift for anyone. You can change out the fabric for the person you are doing it for. I’m making one for each of my kids but using two different fabrics (one with something they enjoy and one that is really soft).

Reflections on Life has some beautiful decorated notebooks that she made as teacher’s gifts, but could be adapted to fit anyone. They are absolutely gorgeous.

Deliciously Dirty is full of great ideas for things you might wish to make at home. They aren’t actual “crafts” though those of us who love to cook consider baking and cooking a craft or art. Talk about some serious chocolate going on at that page.

The Best of DIY has TONS of ideas for handmade last minute Christmas gifts. You can pretty much take your pick from what is offered and if you choose wisely, you will probably find something you can do in a day or so.