Question of the Day: What Summer Projects Are You Working On?

by Mandi on July 8, 2010

source: arellis

As I’ve mentioned before, getting organized isn’t something you just do one time and then sit back and forget it. As you acquire new things, as your children grow and as your circumstances change, your systems will need to be revamped as well.

If you’re anything like me, you may have an area you’re currently trying to organize, or a few that are on your upcoming project list.

Today, I want to know…

What organizing projects are you currently working on?

Are you tackling a whole room or trouble spot for the first time?

Are you reorganizing an area that’s gotten cluttered over time?

Are you brainstorming new ideas for a problem you’ve noticed with your current system?

I’ll share my answers in the comments, and I hope you will too!

Mandi Ehman at Organizing Your Way

Mandi Ehman

Right now, I’m working on a few projects:

1. Organizing our upcoming homeschool year.

2. Simplifying my workflow so that I’m not wasting time on things that don’t matter.

3. Streamlining our paperwork and recordkeeping with AboutOne.

4. Moving posts and setting up the new Life Your Way.

My house is fairly organized, although I’m guessing I’ll have to go through and “touch up” each room just because it tends to need that every few months.
Mandi Ehman

Right now, I’m working on a few projects:

1. Organizing our upcoming homeschool year.

2. Simplifying my workflow so that I’m not wasting time on things that don’t matter.

3. Streamlining our paperwork and recordkeeping with AboutOne.

4. Moving posts and setting up the new Life Your Way.

My house is fairly organized, although I’m guessing I’ll have to go through and “touch up” each room just because it tends to need that every few months.
http://littleredhen4.blogspot.com bekki

I am working on homeschool stuff and chores. Once those are in place the rest seems easy!
http://littleredhen4.blogspot.com bekki

I am working on homeschool stuff and chores. Once those are in place the rest seems easy!
http://www.penn-fam.blogspot.com Missy June

I’m experiencing a significant reorganization in our home, as I have recently become a single mother. Here are my current projects:

1. Daughter’s closet – remove items for storage and create more child accessible spaces.

2. Art Center – the desk in this location was removed when my spouse moved out and so we have placed a large storage chest here. I need to organize the markers, coloring books, blank paper, crayons, stickers, etc. that are piled here now. I’m looking for ideas on this!

3. Sort seasonal and too-small clothing for ebay and give-away piles. Okay, the sorting is done, now I need to photograph and prepare for resale.

4. My desk space has become cluttered and disfunctional. I need to tackle one drawer at a time, file and toss what doesn’t work.

That’s my starting list, anyway!
http://www.penn-fam.blogspot.com Missy June

I’m experiencing a significant reorganization in our home, as I have recently become a single mother. Here are my current projects:

1. Daughter’s closet – remove items for storage and create more child accessible spaces.

2. Art Center – the desk in this location was removed when my spouse moved out and so we have placed a large storage chest here. I need to organize the markers, coloring books, blank paper, crayons, stickers, etc. that are piled here now. I’m looking for ideas on this!

3. Sort seasonal and too-small clothing for ebay and give-away piles. Okay, the sorting is done, now I need to photograph and prepare for resale.

4. My desk space has become cluttered and disfunctional. I need to tackle one drawer at a time, file and toss what doesn’t work.

That’s my starting list, anyway!
Betsy

My big summer projects are
1) copying all the music cd’s to the computer – selling the hard copies of those we don’t want and storing the rest (without the cases)

2) taking all the old and disorganized computer back-up cd’s and putting them on a new hard-drive

3) creating an inventory of household items for insurance – complete with digitized pics, receipts and manuals

The one I should do, but don’t have the guts…
organize my 4 yr old’s toys. Whenever I try to think of solutions, I get stuck on Bonfire.
Betsy

My big summer projects are
1) copying all the music cd’s to the computer – selling the hard copies of those we don’t want and storing the rest (without the cases)

2) taking all the old and disorganized computer back-up cd’s and putting them on a new hard-drive

3) creating an inventory of household items for insurance – complete with digitized pics, receipts and manuals

The one I should do, but don’t have the guts…
organize my 4 yr old’s toys. Whenever I try to think of solutions, I get stuck on Bonfire.
http://www.pappelschnee.blogspot.com Pappelschnee

Are you tackling a whole room or trouble spot for the first time?
- I started decluttering my room and the rest of the flat step by step and finally “arrived” at my desk. There are a few more spots to come.

Are you reorganizing an area that’s gotten cluttered over time?
- Yes, I tried before but I never found a solution that works for me and my desk. Over the weeks it just became a clutter-space and then blind spot all over again.

Are you brainstorming new ideas for a problem you’ve noticed with your current system?
- I can’t get my desk to be a workspace I like to be in and stay focused at the same time. I’ll try to find a way now. Suggestions are welcome!
http://www.pappelschnee.blogspot.com Pappelschnee

Are you tackling a whole room or trouble spot for the first time?
- I started decluttering my room and the rest of the flat step by step and finally “arrived” at my desk. There are a few more spots to come.

Are you reorganizing an area that’s gotten cluttered over time?
- Yes, I tried before but I never found a solution that works for me and my desk. Over the weeks it just became a clutter-space and then blind spot all over again.

Are you brainstorming new ideas for a problem you’ve noticed with your current system?
- I can’t get my desk to be a workspace I like to be in and stay focused at the same time. I’ll try to find a way now. Suggestions are welcome!
http://www.AboutOne.com Beth

I’m working to get all my families health history into a centeral place (AboutOne).

And we are going to tackle the garage again. My big project is to find a way to keep the garending things from taking over on a weekly basis.
http://www.AboutOne.com Beth

I’m working to get all my families health history into a centeral place (AboutOne).

And we are going to tackle the garage again. My big project is to find a way to keep the garending things from taking over on a weekly basis.
http://quiltmom05.blogspot.com/ Kim

After reading one of Peter Walsh’s books, I am sorting through my personal kitchen drawer. All the junk is going in the trash.

Then I will be focusing on my quilting. Have several quilts that need to be finished and delivered to family.

After that, it will be time to set up for a garage sale the end of July. With the purging, I hope to get rid of even more.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..More groovy photos =-.
http://quiltmom05.blogspot.com/ Kim

After reading one of Peter Walsh’s books, I am sorting through my personal kitchen drawer. All the junk is going in the trash.

Then I will be focusing on my quilting. Have several quilts that need to be finished and delivered to family.

After that, it will be time to set up for a garage sale the end of July. With the purging, I hope to get rid of even more.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..More groovy photos =-.
Therese

Hi! DH just retired, and we are decluttering our home. Anything that does not support what we want to do with the rest of our lives has to go!
Next, I am working on baby quilts for my grandson, and a wedding signature quilt for my youngest son and wife.
Lastly, I am learning to golf! Just the driving range right now, but hopefully on the course before a year is out.
I love reading your blog and wish I had the support of other young mothers years ago.
Therese

Hi! DH just retired, and we are decluttering our home. Anything that does not support what we want to do with the rest of our lives has to go!
Next, I am working on baby quilts for my grandson, and a wedding signature quilt for my youngest son and wife.
Lastly, I am learning to golf! Just the driving range right now, but hopefully on the course before a year is out.
I love reading your blog and wish I had the support of other young mothers years ago.
FLO

I am working on the cellar. I have a contractor to give me replacement windows. I have another contractor to waterproof the room. I need to get him to give me a floor other than the concrete currently there and partial walls to cover the cinder block foundation. I’m working at getting an electrician to put in a dedicated line for the sump pump(to be installed), plus four more outlets and better lights for the cellar. Then, I’ll need my original contractor to haul home and assemble storage units. In the meantime, every day I work in the cellar going through 33 years of several times flooded trash. Oh, I also need the waterproofing guy to take down the ancient, nailed to the ceiling beams, storage made of two by fours and lengths of plywood? AND, if at all possible to haul away the debris we can’t put on the curb. Whew! I’m busy.
FLO

I am working on the cellar. I have a contractor to give me replacement windows. I have another contractor to waterproof the room. I need to get him to give me a floor other than the concrete currently there and partial walls to cover the cinder block foundation. I’m working at getting an electrician to put in a dedicated line for the sump pump(to be installed), plus four more outlets and better lights for the cellar. Then, I’ll need my original contractor to haul home and assemble storage units. In the meantime, every day I work in the cellar going through 33 years of several times flooded trash. Oh, I also need the waterproofing guy to take down the ancient, nailed to the ceiling beams, storage made of two by fours and lengths of plywood? AND, if at all possible to haul away the debris we can’t put on the curb. Whew! I’m busy.
http://www.mommymisadventures.com/ Michelle

For me, my summer projects are my daughter’s closet (need to sort out clothes, eek!) as well as the two downstairs closets. Both of the downstairs closets have been cluttered since we first moved into this house over two years ago and it is high time they got cleared out!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Is this a trend =-.
http://www.mommymisadventures.com/ Michelle

For me, my summer projects are my daughter’s closet (need to sort out clothes, eek!) as well as the two downstairs closets. Both of the downstairs closets have been cluttered since we first moved into this house over two years ago and it is high time they got cleared out!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Is this a trend =-.
http://angelcatsblog.blogspot.com/ Beckie

My one & only baby isstarting kindergarten in the fall, so my to big projects are:

1. Organize her room,sort clothes, etc.
2. I have 5 years of pictures of her ot sort na organize.

The picture organizing may not happen. Looking at any pics of her from under 2 years makes me really sad.

My main summer project is cramming in as much fun into this summer as humanly possible. So far we are havng a fabulous summer!
.-= Beckie´s last blog ..Randomness =-.
http://angelcatsblog.blogspot.com/ Beckie

My one & only baby isstarting kindergarten in the fall, so my to big projects are:

1. Organize her room,sort clothes, etc.
2. I have 5 years of pictures of her ot sort na organize.

The picture organizing may not happen. Looking at any pics of her from under 2 years makes me really sad.

My main summer project is cramming in as much fun into this summer as humanly possible. So far we are havng a fabulous summer!
.-= Beckie´s last blog ..Randomness =-.
http://www.cluttercounselor.blogspot.com Deanna

I am organizing my whole life!! I am moving to a different state, starting a new job, my kids are starting a new school, selling an old house, building a new one and covered in a sea of boxes!
http://www.cluttercounselor.blogspot.com Deanna

I am organizing my whole life!! I am moving to a different state, starting a new job, my kids are starting a new school, selling an old house, building a new one and covered in a sea of boxes!
Kimberly

My summer project: to declutter my “craft room” which is so packed with things (all”useful” and in good condition–no piles of newspaper here) that I cannot do any actual craft work in it. Each time I start this job my resolve ends up falling away. My emotions get inflamed at how I let things get this way, and I recriminate myself for wasting all this space and *time*, and worrying that I’ll always be this way with no real hope of change. Can anyone relate? If so, what helped you overcome this hurdle on the path to order?
Kimberly

My summer project: to declutter my “craft room” which is so packed with things (all”useful” and in good condition–no piles of newspaper here) that I cannot do any actual craft work in it. Each time I start this job my resolve ends up falling away. My emotions get inflamed at how I let things get this way, and I recriminate myself for wasting all this space and *time*, and worrying that I’ll always be this way with no real hope of change. Can anyone relate? If so, what helped you overcome this hurdle on the path to order?
Barbara

I started the summer with high hopes of accomplishing something, but here it is — summer half over and nothing to show for it. Work and my 1 yo need most of my attention! My #1 project was to clean out my closet, but I have taken things out and threw them back in at least 4 times. The last of which was to find a pair of sandals that were, of course, at the bottom of the pile!
Barbara

I started the summer with high hopes of accomplishing something, but here it is — summer half over and nothing to show for it. Work and my 1 yo need most of my attention! My #1 project was to clean out my closet, but I have taken things out and threw them back in at least 4 times. The last of which was to find a pair of sandals that were, of course, at the bottom of the pile!
http://www.montanawegners.blogspot.com/ Anna

A major problem that we have is that my husband needs a home office space. The hospital where he works is right outside our front door. More and more things are accumulating in our house. He doesn’t have an office at the hospital where he can work. (He has a space, but with a large window in a busy place, and people constantly interrupt.)

We’re rearranging our living space. It’s a fairly large living room area with a dining room area perpendicular.

We have a plan of what to do. Starting this weekend, we will move the bigger furniture, then I will move the smaller things, and rearrange as we have time. We’ll have 3 areas- 1)the home office with a desk and large bookcase as well as space for incubators, etc (Don’t ask), 2) a school area with a desk, small bookcase, and a small table and chairs, and 3) a sitting area with our couch, chairs, coffee table, and small bookcase.

I want to take everything off the shelves and wipe them down as we rearrange. (Things get dirty fast here.) I also need to figure out exactly where some of the miscellaneous things will go. I’m hoping to finish this by the middle of August.

After that I want to go through each of the other rooms and do a light reorganization. We just moved here in November, and now that we are settled in and know what’s working and what isn’t I can reorganize.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Coyote- the mighty hunter =-.
http://www.montanawegners.blogspot.com/ Anna

A major problem that we have is that my husband needs a home office space. The hospital where he works is right outside our front door. More and more things are accumulating in our house. He doesn’t have an office at the hospital where he can work. (He has a space, but with a large window in a busy place, and people constantly interrupt.)

We’re rearranging our living space. It’s a fairly large living room area with a dining room area perpendicular.

We have a plan of what to do. Starting this weekend, we will move the bigger furniture, then I will move the smaller things, and rearrange as we have time. We’ll have 3 areas- 1)the home office with a desk and large bookcase as well as space for incubators, etc (Don’t ask), 2) a school area with a desk, small bookcase, and a small table and chairs, and 3) a sitting area with our couch, chairs, coffee table, and small bookcase.

I want to take everything off the shelves and wipe them down as we rearrange. (Things get dirty fast here.) I also need to figure out exactly where some of the miscellaneous things will go. I’m hoping to finish this by the middle of August.

After that I want to go through each of the other rooms and do a light reorganization. We just moved here in November, and now that we are settled in and know what’s working and what isn’t I can reorganize.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Coyote- the mighty hunter =-.
http://www.coffeeonthetable.blogspot.com DeAnna

Are you tackling a whole room or trouble spot for the first time? Sort of – I have started to venture into the yard. I am a flower lover, but because of where we live, I have only had small containers of plants. Well, I am planning a large Veggie & cutting garden. Planning to get soil and ready and collecting information for springtime planting.

Are you reorganizing an area that’s gotten cluttered over time? Yes, my kitchen – I am about to start Super couponing so I will need my pantry to hold food…what am I going to do with all of dishes?

Are you brainstorming new ideas for a problem you’ve noticed with your current system? See answer above…I really need to plan this out…as I accumulated quite a bit over the last year or so.

Thanks for askin!
.-= DeAnna´s last blog ..Back to Reality =-.
http://www.coffeeonthetable.blogspot.com DeAnna

Are you tackling a whole room or trouble spot for the first time? Sort of – I have started to venture into the yard. I am a flower lover, but because of where we live, I have only had small containers of plants. Well, I am planning a large Veggie & cutting garden. Planning to get soil and ready and collecting information for springtime planting.

Are you reorganizing an area that’s gotten cluttered over time? Yes, my kitchen – I am about to start Super couponing so I will need my pantry to hold food…what am I going to do with all of dishes?

Are you brainstorming new ideas for a problem you’ve noticed with your current system? See answer above…I really need to plan this out…as I accumulated quite a bit over the last year or so.

Thanks for askin!
.-= DeAnna´s last blog ..Back to Reality =-.
Rose

I’m working on organising all my paperwork (I’m only 19 but seem to have a whole forest’s worth!), decluttering in general – I’ve listed nearly 200 books on Amazon to sell and have sold quite a few already, and getting organised for my next year at Uni which starts in mid September. I have other projects too but they’re not organising related

While I think of it does anyone have any ideas on how to store formal dresses? I have 2 floor length ones and a shorter one that I’ve worn a few times and will wear again so don’t want to get rid of, it’s just my wardrobe is a little short for them…
Rose

I’m working on organising all my paperwork (I’m only 19 but seem to have a whole forest’s worth!), decluttering in general – I’ve listed nearly 200 books on Amazon to sell and have sold quite a few already, and getting organised for my next year at Uni which starts in mid September. I have other projects too but they’re not organising related

While I think of it does anyone have any ideas on how to store formal dresses? I have 2 floor length ones and a shorter one that I’ve worn a few times and will wear again so don’t want to get rid of, it’s just my wardrobe is a little short for them…
http://herewegoajen.com HereWeGoAJen

We just moved, so I am reorganizing EVERYTHING. Mainly I am working on streamlining our schedule though, with a new giant whiteboard.
.-= HereWeGoAJen´s last blog ..Business =-.
http://herewegoajen.com HereWeGoAJen

We just moved, so I am reorganizing EVERYTHING. Mainly I am working on streamlining our schedule though, with a new giant whiteboard.
.-= HereWeGoAJen´s last blog ..Business =-.
http://internationalmomma.blogspot.com/ Stephanie Brown

My summer project is my kitchen…it has become overcrowded and cluttered i can’t stand it anymore! I am also working on my basement that again, has gotten away from me…that should be about my whole summer Can’t wait to be done!
.-= Stephanie Brown´s last blog ..Contentmentto be or not to beis that really the question =-.
http://internationalmomma.blogspot.com/ Stephanie Brown

My summer project is my kitchen…it has become overcrowded and cluttered i can’t stand it anymore! I am also working on my basement that again, has gotten away from me…that should be about my whole summer Can’t wait to be done!
.-= Stephanie Brown´s last blog ..Contentmentto be or not to beis that really the question =-.
http://3monthsforward.blogspot.com Laura

Our roomies finally moved out so its just my guy and I in my house finally! This summer is spent trying to organize it so it works for US. The main focus for me is the office, which is overly crammed with all sorts of stuff right now!
.-= Laura´s last blog ..July Money Challenge =-.
http://3monthsforward.blogspot.com Laura

Our roomies finally moved out so its just my guy and I in my house finally! This summer is spent trying to organize it so it works for US. The main focus for me is the office, which is overly crammed with all sorts of stuff right now!
.-= Laura´s last blog ..July Money Challenge =-.
Shannon

I have a few.
1. My office closet it really needs help that will be done this week.

2. Teh kids general toy clutter.

3. completing many ‘started’ but not done projects.

4. making some holiday gifts to get head start on things.

5. Redoing my bedroom, just new pillows for the bed spread and shams (if I ever get the above done).

6. Geting caught up on personal photo editing.
Shannon

I have a few.
1. My office closet it really needs help that will be done this week.

2. Teh kids general toy clutter.

3. completing many ‘started’ but not done projects.

4. making some holiday gifts to get head start on things.

5. Redoing my bedroom, just new pillows for the bed spread and shams (if I ever get the above done).

6. Geting caught up on personal photo editing.
http://www.prairiemama.blogspot.com Amber

Right now I am making my way through the entire house with a laundry basket, throwing in unused or unnecessary items as I go. They will be donated. Its just a general declutter, plus we are making room for a new baby.
http://www.prairiemama.blogspot.com Amber

Right now I am making my way through the entire house with a laundry basket, throwing in unused or unnecessary items as I go. They will be donated. Its just a general declutter, plus we are making room for a new baby.
Michelle

We just moved to a new house that is entirely different than our old one. None of my old systems seem to be working here. So in between painting, working, child-raising and general maintenance, I’m trying to find a way to use this new space to the fullest. To say it’s challenging is an understatement!
Michelle

We just moved to a new house that is entirely different than our old one. None of my old systems seem to be working here. So in between painting, working, child-raising and general maintenance, I’m trying to find a way to use this new space to the fullest. To say it’s challenging is an understatement!
http://www.abitoffreshair.blogspot.com katherine

Everything! We have our first babe coming in September and we live in an 875 sq. ft apartment. And we don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. I’m purging, having shelves built and organizing like crazy! Hello nesting?
.-= katherine´s last blog ..Summer has finally arrived =-.
http://www.abitoffreshair.blogspot.com katherine

Everything! We have our first babe coming in September and we live in an 875 sq. ft apartment. And we don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. I’m purging, having shelves built and organizing like crazy! Hello nesting?
.-= katherine´s last blog ..Summer has finally arrived =-.
http://maggieandjohn.wordpress.com Maggie

Our summer projects is really just one big project. We were gone for four weeks in May (you can read about our cross-Canada trip on my blog) and shortly (like 2 weeks) after we got back we moved into our new house. It is twice a big as our old townhouse and has about four or five times the yard space. So the summer project is just to unpack and get organized! Everything from buying furniture (we sit on camp chairs on the deck!) to furniture and decor for whole rooms (little one is sleeping in a playpen…) like bunk beds for the girls, couches for the living room, all the art and decor on the walls, rugs on the floors… But I also have those ongoing projects of sorting the girls clothes, editing and trimming the last few years of digital photos (especially of our trip!), catching up on banking and paperwork etc, and just relaxing and enjoying life in general. So it’s a relaxing summer of home org.
.-= Maggie´s last blog ..Hup Holland- =-.
http://maggieandjohn.wordpress.com Maggie

Our summer projects is really just one big project. We were gone for four weeks in May (you can read about our cross-Canada trip on my blog) and shortly (like 2 weeks) after we got back we moved into our new house. It is twice a big as our old townhouse and has about four or five times the yard space. So the summer project is just to unpack and get organized! Everything from buying furniture (we sit on camp chairs on the deck!) to furniture and decor for whole rooms (little one is sleeping in a playpen…) like bunk beds for the girls, couches for the living room, all the art and decor on the walls, rugs on the floors… But I also have those ongoing projects of sorting the girls clothes, editing and trimming the last few years of digital photos (especially of our trip!), catching up on banking and paperwork etc, and just relaxing and enjoying life in general. So it’s a relaxing summer of home org.
.-= Maggie´s last blog ..Hup Holland- =-.
Nick

I’m a senior in college and trying to declutter my room:

1. Eliminate/Donate/Freecycle anything extra in my room.
2. Scrapbook College memories and pictures
3. Scrapbook High School memories and pictures
4. Clean out our garage with my Dad to setup his woodshop.
5. Move my parents to paperless, online banking.
Nick

I’m a senior in college and trying to declutter my room:

1. Eliminate/Donate/Freecycle anything extra in my room.
2. Scrapbook College memories and pictures
3. Scrapbook High School memories and pictures
4. Clean out our garage with my Dad to setup his woodshop.
5. Move my parents to paperless, online banking.
melin

I have finally learned to tackle small bits at a time. I’m not very organized by nature but I love organization. =) The small sections has paid off!

What I am working on now:

Butlers Pantry in Kitchen.

Toddlers Room (A work in progress but I get that now)

Desk Drawers (Just finished the hutch)

Bills (So DH and I know what is what at any time, from rec’ving mail to being filed)

Organizing the books in the library/guest room (Became sanctuary for boxes etc.)
melin

I have finally learned to tackle small bits at a time. I’m not very organized by nature but I love organization. =) The small sections has paid off!

What I am working on now:

Butlers Pantry in Kitchen.

Toddlers Room (A work in progress but I get that now)

Desk Drawers (Just finished the hutch)

Bills (So DH and I know what is what at any time, from rec’ving mail to being filed)

Organizing the books in the library/guest room (Became sanctuary for boxes etc.)
josh

a great free mindmapping software is freemind.
Unfortunately, their site seems down, but here’s the project page (where you can d/l the newest version) and the wiki page:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeMind
josh

a great free mindmapping software is freemind.
Unfortunately, their site seems down, but here’s the project page (where you can d/l the newest version) and the wiki page:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeMind

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

There are definitely tons of mindmapping software — free and paid — worth
mentioning. I hope to do a round up of those in the future! (I use Popplet
on my iPad, and I love it!)

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

There are definitely tons of mindmapping software — free and paid — worth
mentioning. I hope to do a round up of those in the future! (I use Popplet
on my iPad, and I love it!)
Abra

I love mind maps! I have started to use them to organize my thoughts a lot more over the past year. Thanks for another GREAT printable!