Often plans for the day are changed. Yesterday was just such a day about Winsome Cottage. Sir did some cleaning in preparation for the reorganization of the workshop, as the result of a "gift" of old cupboards for more storage. Whether for the cottage, the workshop, the utility room, or barn, The Mrs. urges everything must have a home. It has always been her desire and struggle regardless of the size of the home they have lived in. Sir said in the past he can find everything, it just takes a while. But with Sir's declining vision, it is necessary. The new cupboards, as well as the old, will have large labels now as to the contents. The Mrs. has suggested like items be stored together, near where it is likely to be used. Fortunately, help is forthcoming, as one Son will help Sir today. The Guys use the workshop, too, and have some of their tools there.
The idea of storing like items together, near where they are used, for organization and time management, is a long held truism and a must reccommended by professionals. But as is the case for Winsome Cottage, it is not always possible. For example, there were no closets when the cottage was originally built. Some time back, one 36 inches closet in the "master" bedroom, and one 60 inches in the second bedroom, were added. The Mrs. said they were not practically located. She had The Guys remove the one in the second bedroom (no load bearing wall there). She said the location obstructed the line of vision, was too small, and made the room appear even smaller than it was. Two, 45 inch closets were built, multiplying the storage space from one 60 inch closet to 90 inches total. The room does appear larger, and makes room for Sirs desks (more about them at another time). The Mrs. also had two hanging poles put in one, and upper shelves in the other for linens and blankets (alas, no linen storage existed either). When the workshop reorganization is complete, The Guys will build the doors for the closets. Now there is a 60 inch space in between the two closets allowing for room to slide in an old armoire from a friend. It holds the Grandchildren's toys, books and art supplies. When you open the armoire, all the crayons, pencils, papers, craft paints and other art supplies are stored, most in plastic containers. The Mrs. didn't pay extra for specialty containers here. She had family and friends buying the same deli meats and prepackaged foods for awhile, for the appropriate sized plastic containers she needed!
Meanwhile, The Mrs. has begun looking through the Christmas decorations. All the storage tubs are marked with what is inside. Each box inside is also labeled. The task at hand, is to decide which of the ornaments will be passed down or kept for the cottage. When sentiment gets involved, the task is always harder. The family has collected ornaments since the first Son was born. They were ceramic Peanuts characters, purchased because Sir always liked the Peanuts cartoons. Interestingly, in his senior year, the oldest Son played Charlie Brown in the Christmas play! Needless to say, he now has those. Since the storage tubs are on the porch, that's where the sorting is taking place. Every one walks through there between the cottage and workshop, stops to look and comment. The Mrs. says she is glad Winsome Cottage is off the road or traffic would stop thinking there was a yard sale. But she says, when all is said and done, Winsome Cottage will be beautiful. I am 83 years old, that will be an accomplishment.
No comments:
Post a Comment