remodeling this life

I posted the other day about needing to get to work on simplifying the kitchen. I am not done yet. But I have made some huge progress. I am embarrassed to say that I forgot to take pics before I got started and I refused to mess everything up again just to make all of you happy.

My goals were to

Declutter the windowsill

Here is a pic from weeks and weeks ago. It wasn’t this bad when I got started yesterday but it wasn’t all that great either.

And this is after a good purge

Keep the countertop as clear as possible
I have eliminated everything from the counter except the coffeepot, the spoonrest by the stove, and my knife block. Not too shabby. Oh and for today, my crockpot was there but that is just because, well, we need to eat. It’s put away now

Make items used daily more readily accessible
This was really already done, but here is a pic of the stuff I use all the time in the kitchen – my Ikea utencil and knife magnet bar, my teakettle, my favorite pan, and my knife block.

organize the pantry

Also, in organizing the pantry, I got the task of putting all my baking stuff up high. That stuff is all in the canisters on the left on the top two shelves.
All the extras of our pastas and rices are way up high. Enough coffee for a small army in case there is a total disaster and hubby can’t leave the house for 5 years. Also enough peanut butter for said instance. As we move our way down that pantry shelf, the stuff on the bottom shelf is what is opened and used regularly and as those get finished, stuff will make it’s way to the lower shelf and we’ll restock the upper shelves.
along with that lovely upper cabinet I just shared the cabinet below it houses all of our canned goods. You should’ve seen Eli when he saw me get ready to do this project. It is his favorite place to climb in there and knock those cans out and make them roll all over the floor. He’s been very good so far though.

Don’t worry, nothing is alphabetized.
And now you see what happens when I, an underbuyer marry an overbuyer. A frugal one though! Hubs stocks up at sales!

I still have to organize my lazy susan full of spices and clean out the fridge. But I am so happy with the progress so far!

When I am feeling in a funk, like I just don’t want to do anything, I’m sad or overwhelmed, I find I need to do something quick to snap out of it. There are lots of things that I have found are quick easy ways to get myself out of a bad mood and settle right back into feeling happy and comfortable again, without spending a dime and often in 15 minutes or less.

Declutter - whether it’s a room, my whole house, or my car – a quick scramble through the house putting everything where it belongs, or just clearing off my desk or cleaning out my car can return me to a mellow place

Go for a walk - gather up the kids, dogs, whoever and get outside for some fresh air. It’ll do you some good and probably the kids and dogs too!

Rearrange a room – Add some freshness to your space by moving some things around – even just a new placement for a chair or table can make a room feel fresh and new and improve your spirits too.

Call a friend – there’s nothing like a good laugh or cry if necessary to pull me out of a funk. Sometimes just connecting with someone in that way can make me feel less isolated and back in great spirits

Decorate with flowers - preferrably you don’t have to climb your fence and cut them out of your neighbor’s garden to do this. Even if you do have to spend a dollar or two on clearance flowers at your supermarket – knock yourself out. Fresh flowers on your table are a sure way to brighten a dreary day.

Take a bath – even if just a 10-15 minute getaway at the end of the day, it’s a fabulous way to unwind, especially if paired with candles and a glass of wine.

Read a book or magazine – even if it’s one I’ve already read, the little escape flipping through the pages of a magazine mindlessly or diving into a favorite book is a sure way to release tension and leave me feeling ready to plug back in to the world.

What do you do to unwind and get out of a funk when you’re in one? I’d love to hear other ideas!

This was a fun week. I spent a lot of time being social, including 5 blissful hours last night at a friend’s house with a bunch of girlfriends just gabbing and laughing away without any kids or hubbys in sight. I needed it. It was a good week for me, in terms of getting myself back to a positive frame of mind and making sure to slow my pace a bit.

I read some great stuff along those same lines too – seems it may just be that time of year for soul searching and getting back to basics.

A post that really hit home for me this week was today at Being Frugal - What Women Wish Men Knew About Money. This has everything – feel good stuff, practical advice, and I read #4 to my hubby

Chatting at the Sky’s My Daily Bread was a nod-along for me too. “I realized there was really never such a thing as patient, sweet me and I had certainly never been amazing. At least not in the way I thought. It’s just now that I was married, there was someone always there to reflect the reality of my lack.” Good stuff.

Father Sez was Counting My Blessings Again and Again. The part about looking downward instead of upward really rang true for me.

Nutrition Fitness Life shares about her Me Time in the mornings. Her time to pray, organize or daydream. I think we all need a little of that each day!

And I couldn’t choose just one post from The Inspired Room so just go read everything she’s ever had to say. She’s fabulous!

I also discovered Young and Frugal this week and really have enjoyed those reads so check that out too!

Happy Weekend!