Saturday, September 24, 2011

52 Home Organization Projects - Week One




For my first project, I chose the area around my computer desk. I don't really have access to a camera to post picture, but I'm somewhat hesitant to post pics anyway ... because y'all might find out that I've snuck into this class and really should be in the class for the domesically inept.

On Friday, 9/23, I cleared off the top part of the desk. Well almost. There is a flat-screen monitor left over from when I had a desktop computer. The computer itself is friend, but the screen is still good...and we really have no othe place to put this and the other bits and pieces of equipment from various computers we've had over the years. Oh wait, DH has a spot...it's called the front porch. *sigh* But that's on my list too, so eventually it will all work out. Empty to partially-full cans of soda, a cup or two, an empty cup-o-ramen (my kids seem to think this is a drop off point for stuff that really should go to the kitchen, but they want to get back to whatever game system they're on before one of their siblings usurps them). There was a plastic wrapper and the little plastic tie-thingie that comes off a loaf of bread. So the monitor is still there, as is the little bread-tie. And I think I'm breathing a little easier now that most of the crap is gone.

The only thing now is that since the clutter is virtually gone, I can see the sorry state of the desk. It is one of those DIY desk kits from WalMart and the black finish on the top of the desk is wearing off, specially where my mouse arm rests. The strip covering the particle board on the sides has been long since stripped off. I've got to come up with a plan as to how to make the desk look better. I will at least come up with a plan for that this week and either complete it, or schedule it in for later.

One thing...this is a post-in-progress and will receive several updates before it is actually "done".

19 comments:

  1. Welcome! Keep up the great work, so glad you are participating!!

    Laura

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  2. I use a laptop and my hubby uses the desk top. What a mess! And no matter what I say or do he'll just never keep it clean.

    Some times we just have to let these things go and let them have their messy spaces.

    And i got my laptop so i don't have to sit in the mess or share a computer. I can live with it!

    I think i'm going to pop over to the 52 projects. I might even consider joining. Thanks for posting this!

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  3. Thanks so much for visiting, Laura. I'm tickled pink to have you here.

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  4. Omigosh, Jen, our families must be related or something! Despite the fact that we have 3 children, and /they/ have a PSIII, Xbox360 and a Wii (so they each have their own machine), they come to me and ask when I am going to be done on MY laptop! *lol*

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  5. Hi ~ Thank you for stopping by and following me at Tips for Saving. I'm now following you back. Keep in touch
    http://ourtipsforsaving.blogspot.com

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  6. Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. Many thanks and hugs for reading the sidebar about my Mom. I am sorry for the recent loss of your father, you must miss him. There is a saying - "An Angel doesn't have to be physical to touch you." I am certain that your father and grandfather reached out to you and touched you. If you felt them there, they wanted you to feel their presence. Many hugs and blessings to you, Maeve

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  7. Thanks for your kind words, Maeve. I appreciate your visit and follow.

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  8. Thanks for your visit, Rose, I love the tips and such on your blog.

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  9. Wow, can't wait for the update. New follower from MBC.

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  10. Thanks Jodi. I made strides with my first project, then backslid a litte, but determined to make it! I was just wondering if you have a resource for organic pesticides when you try to grow your own produce?

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  11. For the desk you want to spruce up, have you looked at the spray paints you can get (I know you can get them at WalMart, and Michael's, but I am sure any paint supply store, or even craft store would have them) that will adhere to all sorts of surfaces, including plastic? They even have some that provide a faux stone finish, which work well covering that type of wood they usually make the top of desks with. I have taken a small desk in the past, that had that layer of "fake wood grain" stuck on the top, peeled that off and used the faux stone spray. It worked because the stone spray effect covered the fact that it was not a smooth even surface. Anyway, just one idea that might be worth investigation.

    Best wishes.

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  12. Wow, Miranda, what a great idea! I'm going to look into that today. It would be like a brand-new desk for a couple of bucks. Thanks so much!!!

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  13. The desk is one of our trouble spots. Seems like every time I get it cleaned off, more stuff appears from nowhere. Right now, and not counting the stuff that belongs on the desk, I have a small stack of papers, a hair tie, and a Rapunzel wig. It's actually in pretty good shape right now since I just cleared it last week.

    Old computer equipment is hard to get rid of. We tend to think that it holds more value than it really does. I finally convinced myself to take one of our old flat panel monitors to Goodwill because I haven't used it in nearly a year. I also have an old broken computer that I need to take out for trash pickup, and for some reason I haven't managed to do that yet.

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  14. Ah the never ending cycle of clutter. We have this problem at our house too. It is my husband that leaves coke cans and such in a number of different places. I hope you get the desk to look like you want it to.

    Please stop by my blog i nominated you for an award.
    2 Boys On The Run

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  15. Your blog has reminded me--and inspired me--that I need to do something about my desk. It's accumulated way too much stuff and is looking rather cluttered. So thanks for the tips. Great post!

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  16. Hi,

    Found your site from mom bloggers club. New follower.

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  17. Returning the love! Thanks for your support! Following back from MBC!

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  18. Thanks for stopping by my blog and joining my followers. I returned the favour! Good luck with all you want to accomplish with your blog! :)

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