Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pantry Make-Over


BEFORE

You know those shows where they remodel a room or an entire house in a matter of 30 minutes, which is also the time it takes to air such shows. Well, inspired by such shows, I thought I'd make over our family's pantry as it was in desperate need of a make-over!

AFTER

Huge improvement, eh? Only, it took me A LOT longer than 30 minutes. It took me a month!! Yes, a month! Peter Walsh, professional organizer/designer, would be appalled! But, as my friend Deirdre pointed out, "Peter Walsh isn't doing laundry, dishes, and child rearing when he takes on such projects." So True! It doesn't really matter that it took me so long, the important thing is that it's done. Here are some of the highlights:
A little craft area for the kids. Charlie especially loves to work at the "craft center".
I re-purposed some flower pots to hold crayons. Another smaller pot holds pencils, pens, scissors, and rulers.
These spice packets used to be in a cardboard box. This is a much better home for them.
I love seeing the canned goods I have and don't have.
I found two bins like that above to house cookies, etc. and chips, etc. See the labels --love our label maker.
Craft and science activities are now neatly housed on the top shelf instead of thrown in the back of the pantry. I love that they are up high so that I can manage the kids' involvement in these sometimes messy (but fun) activities.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

That "Someday" is Now

My favorite movie of all time is When Harry Met Sally. Among the many great scences is this one where Sally looks to Harry for a shoulder to cry on when she learns her former boyfriend is getting married, while she still hasn't found the right guy:





I first saw this movie when I was 18, just after graduating from high school. Then, 40 was a long ways off (22 years to be exact). I've seen this gem of a movie almost every year of these 22. And for me, Sally's "Someday...!" is today. I'm happy to report I'm not sobbing in my bathrobe with a bad perm! So far it's been a great day in the sunshine at a lovely pool with my precious family.