Slight change of plans

So the challenge is 40 days 40 projects, originally my plan was to do a project a day BUT with working full time and my kids constantly sick, weeknights have been tough and not allowing me to do the projects I had laid out.   It has been a little crazy around here, I found this picture on Google that pretty much says it all.

 Honestly, not being able to complete a project has been discouraging and I am scared I will give up which is something I don't want to do.....So I am slightly changing the project to 40 projects to be completed in 40 days, but not a project a day.  

I will still fill out my weekly list of 7 projects, the only difference is I will just give myself the whole week to complete my 7 projects.  I will post them as I finish them by project number not day number.

Project 7: Kids Bathroom Cabinet

Continuing on the bathroom sink mission, I tackled the kids bathroom sick.  It was a bit of a mess, no really system to the storage.

 Things were just put down there and when you needed something you dig around.

 My solution required the use of more bins from Dollar Tree and alphabet stickers to label.

For the counter I labeled the green for Xander and pink for Genna to hold the stuff they use everyday.

Under the sink I grouped together the supplies, cleaning products, kid supplies, wipes. We store our excess diaper supplies under here (wipes, ointment, etc).

 Cleaned up counter.  I love the bins for each kid, now daddy can always find the kids stuff when momma is busy ;-)

 Inspired,  I moved to the tub.  I  used a bin to hold all the bath soaps, creams and shampoo.  Since Genna requires a bunch of different soaps (girls) it was hard to fit them all on the rack in the tub and easily reach while bathing kids.  So with the new tub everything is now easily accessible. 

 The toys also got a tub.

I didn't take a picture of the bags but the project did produce one bag of trash.  

Project 6: Guest Bathroom Cabinet

This week I decided to tackle the areas we use a lot, bathroom cabinets.  They are the perfect quick project for this challenge, I can do them relatively quickly on a weeknight.  I hate to admit this but they were a mess and needed help.  

Again I don't have a before picture but I do have an after picture.  The major issue with the cabinets is everything is just put under the sink, no uniform way of storing stuff.  Solution, bins of different sizes to organize and store things neatly.  Again I used the fabulous bins from Dollar Tree (they are really rocking storage right now). 

I first I cleaned out the cabinets and purged.  Then I sorted and put all the First Aid, Sunscreen and Bug Spray in the red bin; soap, lotion and beauty supplies in hot pink bin and cleaning supplies in the light pink bin.  A plastic lid box I found in the garage was used to hold candles and air freshener.   I used a Sharpie to label each, I plan to make some pretty labels but for now this will have to do.

Project 5: Medicine Box

Today was another easy project but one that needed to be done.  I decided to clean and organize our medicine storage/box.  Being sick this week made me realize this was an area that needed attention.

So this is our medicine box, to be a licensed adoption home we are required to have a locked box for medicine. 

Yes Genna is now adopted so a lock isn't needed anymore but I like the security of knowing all my medicines are locked up where kids can't reach them.  Plus, we are still considering #3...

 So back to cleaning, my solution required the use of my favorite household item-Zipper Bags.  I love Zipper bags!

 First I took everything out of the box and sorted by type.  I should point out that I actually didn't throw anything away since I am always on top of expiration dates for medicines (we are always sick). 

 I broke everything down by category then placed them in the bags.  I labeled the bags with a Sharpie since there was a label already printed on the bag. 

 I used a plastic container to hold the medicine dispensers, pill cutter and such.

 I placed all the bags back in and the dispenser box on top.

 All locked up back on the counter.  I did print a label for the medicines, but I am not loving it.  I thought it would cover the metal holder but it didn't so I may create a new one.  

I am very happy with my clean and organized Medicine Box.  Best part is the whole project cost me nothing I just used stuff I already had at home.  Love it!

Other project: Junk Drawers

So this project was done before the 40 day challenge but I love it so much I had to share.  I cleaned out my kitchen junk drawers, believe it or not I had 2!  Sadly only one before picture to share.

BEFORE

Drawer organizers from Dollar Tree

AFTER

Organized drawers!  Now I can find things.

Drawer 2, now with a place to store all our chargers!

I love the drawers, if you have been to my house recently I am sure I showed them to you.   If not don't worry it will happen eventually.  I am weird like that.  :-P

Project 4: Kitchen Sink Cabinet

Ok so I forgot to get a before picture on the kitchen cabinet, I got all excited and started working then remembered.  To sum up, it was a mess, everything was just thrown under: bags, cleaning supplies, vases and random glass jars.  It was a huge mess.

First thing I did was pull everything out and throw away the empty bottles, paper, etc.  Then I pulled out all the glass stuff and sorted the donate stuff into a box.  

End result, one giant bag of trash and one box of donate.

I found some great boxes at the Dollar Tree, that I labeled based on the cleaning supplies.

Basically there is a box for dishes, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, spray bottles, Swiffer dusters and dusting supplies, air fresheners and carpet cleaner.  I also took a plastic basket (Dollar Tree) to hold all the grocery bags.  End result a nice and clean cabinet.  

I am so proud of the cabinet that I have been showing it to everyone who comes over.  I gushed about it to the babysitter, who I must say was pretty impressed.

Project 3.5: Mail Center

 I started the Mail Center Project a few weeks ago, but needed to finish it.   I have been seeing Mail Centers all over Pinterest and I knew it was the perfect solution to our mail/paper problem.

I found this awesome box by Greenroom at Target a while back in my favorite colors blue, lime green and brown.  It looks really nice on the kitchen bar.  It is pretty and inexpensive about $12.

I also found these pretty file folders also by Greenroom that coordinate with the colors in the box also at Target!  I had to buy two packs of 12 for about $8.

Next up was some pretty label templates I found on Pinterest that I printed on some left over labels I had a home, free is always awesome.

So I broke down the categories for the hanging files and file folders for each thing to be filed.  Here is how they broke down:

Anthony: Incoming Mail; To Pay

Lorri: Incoming Mail; To Pay; Medical

Xander: Sign & Return; Invites; School Papers

Genevieve: Sign & Return; Invites; School Papers

Calendar/Invites: Events; Activities; Arrow Training(Adoption Related)

To File: Abby (Dog); To File Household; Tax Documents; To Shred; Arrow Paperwork

Here is a look at the box put together, with stuff filed....

 I found this awesome calendar pad in the Dollar section at Target, I laminated one of the sheets and taped it to the top of the box so there is always a calendar on hand.

 Calendar on the box lid.

 I also created a label for the top and the outgoing mail box from Pinterest.

 I did create a box for outgoing mail to coordinate with the box, it is actually a drawer organizer I found at the Dollar store, it came with two small boxes so it was a deal.  

My finished Mail Center, I have great hopes it will clear up our paper piles and cut back on our clutter.  Now instead of mail going all over the house, papers being scattered they are all kept in one place and our plan is to clean it out on Sundays every week to keep it under control.