You say “anal”, I say “organized” (let’s call the whole thing off).

My mom is moving out this weekend. I have a lot of mixed emotions about this. Among them is relief at the fact I’ll be able to get some parts of my home more organized, once we have the basement back. Ironically, it’s the fact that I am my mother’s daughter that I have such an appreciation and need for organization.

Our house is in pretty good shape, I’ll admit it. I have tried very hard to keep at least the kitchen and living room clear of extra stuff that would distract us in that space. We need at least one room that we can relax in without feeling like we should be installing shelving or building some sort of storage unit. My step-sister-in-law recently remarked to me that if she dropped in at our house, she’d bet it would be completely clean and tidy. I said that yeah, it would probably be tidy, if not totally dust-free and clean. Usually tidy, not always clean. There is a distinction, I’m sure you’ll agree.

A couple of months ago we got rid of our spare bed and turned the spare bedroom into an office for Graham. The only problem is, since there were very few places to throw random crap, Graham’s office became “Graham’s office/place to throw random crap”. My office has become the “home office/place to throw random crafty crap…and books”. It isn’t too out of control, but there are PILES of STUFF everywhere and I’ll be so very glad when these piles are moved into the basement, to their very own cupboards and shelves and corners.

Behold, many random piles of crafty crap, etcetera, which are not long for this world.

The bookcase. I LOVE this bookcase. I love square bookcases. This one is obviously from IKEA. See how there are lots of books just jammed in there on their sides? This was done simply to get them off the floor. Someday I’ll find the time to tuck them into the shelf where they belong. The trouble is, all the fiction books are doubled up on that shelf, so it’s a big job to put them in where they belong. For now I’ll just keep averting my eyes whenever I pass by the shelf. On top are several piles of proofs. These are inevitable in the office of an editor. Oh look! There’s the cute little hat I told you about last week. Nope, still haven’t given it to its recipient. Soon. On the far left is a stack of books I got on Friday at the Oshawa Public Library’s “HUGE! BOOK! SALE!” for about seven bucks. More on them later.

A big basket of crafty shit. Yes, I’ve taken to calling my wool, yarn, knitting needles, curtains which are begging to be hemmed, and other sewing implements crafty SHIT. At least it’s up off the floor. A girl’s gotta vacuum.

Let us pause to take in the wondrousness that is this little row of baskets containing, left to right, paper clips, elastic bands and binder clips. Yes, all are totally necessary to my job on a daily basis. So organized. So pretty. (I’m not sick, honest.) Behind them is a photograph of my cat, Phoebe, who died a few years ago.

Onto the horror of the modem/router/phone area. I don’t blame you if you just look away. Graham doesn’t know this yet, but I’m really hoping we can move some of this stuff into his office. ‘Cause he needs more random crap in there. At least the tape dispenser, hole punch and stapler are holding up their end of the deal.

Oh, look, another little basket of crap stuff to find a home for. (You might recognize the legs on that upside-down notebook from Tracey Clark‘s panel discussion at BlogHer. A belated thanks, Tracey!)

Recycling. Recycling. And more recycling. I’ve started reusing proofs that were printed one-sided, so as to reduce the amount of paper I go through.

GASP! You didn’t see those Martha Stewart magazines there in the corner, did you? Or the Christmas cards I bought a month ago? That there is Angella‘s swap package that’s gone out to her in British Columbia by the time this post goes live. Yes, it’s late. Yes, I feel guilty. Yes, that’s my name. But you already knew that.

Aaah, another moment of zen. I picked my step-brother Saul in our family’s Christmas gift exchange, and Graham picked my step-sister-in-law Adriana. I’m hoping to find some things for them, a little at a time, and use these handily labeled bags to keep track of it all. Just who the hell do I think I am? Hi Shakespeare!

My workspace this weekend. ‘Tis the season for overtime. And Twitter, but you already knew that, too.

Um, excuse me? That’s my seat.

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