2nd Best Investment for the Garage

A year ago we were busying buying new gadgets and gizmo's for the yard and house. And the garage was quickly becoming a death trap of random stuff all over the place. We knew we needed to get it into check and quickly. Enter the Rubbermaid Fast Track system. We found it at Home Depot and not only is it incredibly affordable compared to other options in the store, it is so versatile and easy to install! Mr. W installed 4 tracks and we had started to organize the garage within 3 hours. It's a year later and it's still awesome. We've added another Fast Track on the 3rd wall and more stuff is off the floor now. We still have more organizing to do with the garage, but this was most definitely a very large step in the (now clear to walk through) direction.

FYI--The total cost for everything you see here was roughly $400 including the red tool chest and 2 door cabinet for storing paint and supplies.

Oh, and why is this the 2nd best investment and not the first? Stay Tuned...

Making a list, no need to check twice

I was born to be a list-maker. I always have at least 4 lists going on at one time. A list at work on my computer. A handwritten list next to my computer. A list at home of groceries to buy. A list of home-oriented "to-do's" in the kitchen drawer. Lists. Lists. Lists. There is something actually gratifying about checking off the to-do list. A sense of accomplishment. A satisfaction knowing that you did something productive that day.

However lately, my struggle to maintain multiple, organized lists has been quite the daunting task. Specifically, I needed a way to constantly be in touch with all of my lists at once. And I also needed a way to share tasks with my husband when they apply to both of us. We have tried a series of different ways to make it work. And I finally think we have stumbled on the answer. http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

RTM (Remember the Milk) is a way to do all of the above things I have mentioned already doing and wanting to do. Except it's even better than I could have imagined. It syncs with my Blackberry Curve. It works offline. You can prioritize tasks, assign due dates for tasks, postpone tasks (God forbid) if you don't complete it by the designated time, etc.

I have a good feeling I have found the solution to all my needs wrapped up into one beautiful website. I can now breathe a large sigh of relief knowing all of my lists will always be at my fingertips waiting for each task to be diligently handled.

Tis the Season for Spring Cleaning

While I try to keep clutter and chaos to a minimum in the house, I do still look forward to Spring Cleaning. I love swapping out my boots for my sandals and putting away sweaters to make room for flowy skirts and tank tops. I also use this opportunity to take an inventory of what needs to be replenished, thrown away, donated, etc.

I came across this list in Blueprint magazine on 100 Reasons to get rid of something. Some of the my favorite reasons are:

• People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
• 80 percent of what we own we never use.
• Donate Cell phones: Care.org Send a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.
• dressforsuccess.org Give interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
• Booksforafrica.org Give everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.
• Nikereuseashoe.com Recycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
• Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.
• Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.
• Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky Yellow and White Pages volumes.

I hope this list inspires you to do a little spring cleaning and hopefully you can take some weight off your daily to-do or even your home.