Welcome to the first edition of Ask the Freak, your questions answered! A couple of months ago I was crazy enough to ask you to leave a question for me in order to be entered into a giveaway I was doing. I was expecting maybe 100 nice and simple questions….you know questions like what type of shampoo I use or maybe what type of cereal I eat every morning. Gulp, imagine my surprise when I was showered with 463 comments and all of them GOOD organizing questions that require a little a lot of thought of my behalf. So I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I tell you that I’ll only be answering a few questions at a time. I do intend to get to them all eventually though because even I want to know the answers to some of them!
Question #1 ~ Barb wanted to know how I became so determined to organize every single aspect of my life. Was I like this when I was young?
I got quite a few questions like this actually. I definitely don’t think I was a born organized type. When I was a teenager I can clearly remember not being able to find my dresser top as it was so cluttered with products! I truly believe that organizing is a skill anyone can learn though. I think it finally dawned on me how beneficial organizing was when we moved into our first home. It was small at 900 square feet and I quickly realized that I needed to get pretty creative if I wanted to keep us (four of us at the time) from living in constant chaos and tripping over one another and all our stuff. It started with us converting a closet in our dining room into a “computer room”. My hubbie thought I’d lost my marbles when I suggested it too. Now he fondly looks back on it as a “stroke of genius”. I wouldn’t go that far but it’s sweet he thinks so. I loved having our office in the dining room and I loved that I could close the doors when I was done and no one was the wiser. I had all our office supplies in there and all of our files. I miss it still even though we no longer live there. Anyway creating that closet unleashed a passion in me that to this day hasn’t grown old. Before I knew it I was adding extra shelves in the top of all our closets and my container buying frenzy slowly started taking over my life!
Question #2 ~ Janeen asked what the hardest room in my house is to keep organized and how I do it?
Well the hardest rooms hands down are my kids rooms and only because I let them have a say in how it is going to be done. It would be so easy for me just to go in and do it for them and make the decisions myself about what stays or what goes. Unfortunately it wouldn’t teach them anything so over time I’ve been slowly trying trying to introduce them to the PROCESS steps and empower them to make some of these decisions on their own. This is NOT easy for me to do and some days I just want to haul a big ole garbage bag in there so fast because I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE (okay maybe I have done this once or twice)! Other days I see them carry out one of the steps on their own and I rejoice.
Question #3 ~ How can I get through the Container Store without leaving a trail of drool behind me?
Definitely can’t be done, bring tissues 🙂
***********
I hope you have enjoyed this first installment and will join me again next week for Edition #2 of Ask the Freak!
Heather's Brain says
Well, I am so glad I found your little corner of the world. What a funny time I have had reading until this late hour!
I stopped by and wanted to invite you and all your readers to come on over and enter my give away for some super candles!
Once i get the room organized I immediately light a candle to set the mood! I love them so I am sharing with readers!!!
ChupieandJ'smama says
Oh very good first installment of “ask the Freak” (and not just because you used my question :D). The kids rooms would be hard. Mine are still small enough that I have to have most of the control, but I feel it slipping away with the older boy. I need to get him used to the “process” ASAP!
Debi says
Love that insight into “how a freak is born”!
And I’m glad you admitted to the garbage bag manner of dealing with your kids room…I have to admit I’ve done that once or twice myself. (But my youngest is truly a special case…he can’t get rid of anything! I tell you, you find not only the normal little boy treasures like rocks and shells, but also empty fruit cups and scores of rubber bands and used popsicle sticks. UGH. So he now has one big drawer under his bed where he is allowed to store his “crap”…when it’s full, he has to decide what to get rid of. Happy mommy and happy hoarder.)
momrn2 says
What a fun new feature this will be for sure!
I would have to agree that my kids room (or maybe their playroom) is the hardest to keep on top of!!!
Sandy says
Thoroughly enjoyed your “Ask the Freak” Laura! You’re on to something great here!
Sandy
Amber says
great idea! Can’t wait for the next one!
Susanne says
I don’t know how many times I’ve threatened youngest daughter with going into her room with a trash bag. In fact, just yesterday I think. ;v)
Monday Morning Power says
On topic………….
Great site, both content and visually….I will definitely keep my wife away from it….just kidding.
Off topic……….
I believe that by just being a part of “Priscilla Palmer’s Personal Development list” suggests that each of us post this list. You like me (Killeris at “Attitude, the Ultimate Power”) are on this list. If you have already posted it, THANK YOU. If you have not posted it, I am officially putting out a challenge that you add additional sites that fit the theme and post the entire list. This is my opinion only. If you disagree I respectfully understand. If you do agree with me this list can be found at: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html
Ter says
🙂
I would love to see a photo of your former closet office if you have one. I am always looking for new ideas. Currently, my computer desk is in a spare bedroom, but I don’t like being closed off from the rest of the household while I’m on the computer!
We don’t have a Container Store here, but if we did, I think I would have a heart attack. My husband hardly lets me down the container ailse at Walmart anymore! haha
Ginny says
Glad these started up!
The Mama Hood says
Love your blog you will definitely be added to my blog!!
http://themamahood.blogspot.com
Have a great day!
Mahalo!
Ter says
I thought of a question:
How do you not get overwhelmed when getting organized?
Barb @ A Chelsea Morning says
Your answer to my question will be a huge encouragement to people who find organization a challenge. Although I was a little OCD from as far back as I can remember, and definitely when I was a young girl, ANYONE can learn to be organized.
I totally agree with you about the kids’ rooms. That’s the biggest challenge I ever faced, for sure!
Jen @ JenuineJen says
Thanks for the new segment. I am looking forward to reading your next questions and answers.
Jen says
Very cute…I really enjoyed this….great idea…..and your not a freak.
Mom Chatter says
I enjoyed the first installment of “Ask the Freak.” Glad to hear that you weren’t always organized! I’m working hard to get organized these days… I’m a packrat and borderline hoarder, so it’s been a tough journey so far. Looking forward to your next installment! 🙂
Anonymous says
Try couponalbum.com to get office supplies with good discount..
Kristina says
Ok, I have a serious question for ya. What do you do when you have more books than storage space??? I have five, full sized bookshelves, plus two tall, narrow bookshelves, plus three half-sized bookshelves…and still I haven’t enough room! I’ve picked through my books and only kept the best, but as my two year old’s collection grows, I’m beginning to think I need to hang books from the ceiling! Are closets are full, so we can’t store them in shelves there. I don’t think I even have room for baskets!
Maybe I just need to get rid of a whole lot of STUFF in order to make more room for bookshelves! 🙂
Kristina
Dooley says
I have become known as the organizing sister of the five of us. I get a high from clean drawers and organized closets. I’m always asked to help switch seasonal clothes, or to make a room clean-up happen. At the same time, I can’t walk through my basement because it’s such a pit. Why help them when I cannot help myself?
Sarah says
It has been months since this post! Where are the other installments? 😉
I discovered your blog thru the Fall Ya’ll Bloggy Giveaways and am slowly working my way thru all your back-blogs. I love reading your stuff.