Organizing, but nothing crafty going on here

I've been down with a stomach virus since Sunday night. Came out of nowhere... I couldn't do a thing on Monday, but today I was so stir crazy I had to do something. I didn't want to start a project I wasn't going to finish. I do that all to often. I haven't been inspired lately, and I guess I've just had way too much junk in my head to get me going on something I really want to do.

I've also been concentrating a little more on the cleaning and organizing side of my life. I usually do that around this time of year. I make sure I haven't put aside any stray bills. But more so than ever I think this year. We had a 401K meeting last week, and separately I've been trying to find ways to help my budget out for the past few months. I've done a real good job at cutting some things away, like reducing my phone and cable bills. My 401K was in good shape as it was and I only had to change one little thing. I was proud of myself for that. I really don't know much about that stuff. I just understand the concepts. But each year our company gives us this profit sharing bonus and I want to make sure I put it to good use and not splurge it on the wrong things. I've splurged 3 out of 10 times or so. Well, not this year, missy. I've got big plans and I will be debt free for the first time in about 20 years if things are what I think they will be.

So back to the organizing. While home today I actually filed the past few months of bills and receipts, and threw away all of those envelopes in the recycle. I put away loads of craft supplies I haven't touched in months. I actually saw the surface of my craft table and am now able to use my laptop there - or my sewing machine, when I am inspired to. I gathered an entire stack of magazines, that I subscribe to, that I have not even looked at, much less read. I sorted a pile of clothes that need to be altered, because I have lost weight!!! I love it!

I also love organizing. I've made lists of things I need to buy for the apartment such as groceries, utensils and so on, when I get my bonus. There are certain things I won't buy on an everyday basis, that I will buy when I have this extra money. I'll do the same for my craft supplies. I'll treat myself to a couple of things when I get Scott's school clothes in late Sept. He's used to the routine. We do the same every year. He's never complained. But we take care of the winter stuff in one fail swoop. Lists, lists, lists, from now until January. Cute healthier Halloween treats for all of the kids, Thanksgiving meal, Christmas decorating, parties and gifts, not to mention all of the birthdays I have from now until then. As soon as Labor Day gets here, that's it, time starts flying. Scott's first day of school is the day after Labor Day, Sept 4.

So all of that paper is out of my bedroom and into their folder. I have a wonderful stack of magazines to take to work and share with my friends then save, give away, clip or recycle - you never know. I now have a clean wicker mail basket, which I got at Target from Shabby Chic's Rachel Ashwell. The problem is that I pay my bills online and never match up the payments with the bills until the stuff is pouring out of the basket. No more of that! I have to be more diligent.

Next is the photographs. I am so glad I don't print out all of my shots anymore. I do print shots, just not of every shot I take. Only of what I want to give away, hang on my desk backboard at work, or frame. I love being able to put everything on CD. I think this is the best thing that has happened to an amateur photographer like myself. I have been doing this for the past, what, three years? I wish I had EVERYTHING on CD. Oh well, the rest of our lives will be now, at least until they invent something better. Almost all of my photos are organized. I have been given very old family photos and have to learn how to properly preserve them. I am rotating the new shots I print because I don't want 20 photo albums. One or two is fine so I take the shots out, put them in a photo box and add new photos. So I am constantly making room for new photo boxes, and adding CDs. And I will say again how much I love Flickr and Snapfish.