The Bella ~ Mella: 5/1/10

I have a confession to make. Although our 1960's home is sorely lacking storage space, most of my home is well organized. (Just don't open the linen closet.)

However, I feel that my husband and daughter may be plotting an intervention regarding my cluttered desk and surrounding area.

Every inch is covered in cards, projects, pictures, a receipt or two or twenty, cd's and books. Oh and lots of "notes to myself."

If you have ever sent me a card, chances are it is at my fingertips as we "speak."

And to my slight embarrassment I am posting pictures of this train wreck because my goal is to get "my area" organized and looking good AND make my family PROUD.

When a guest walks into our front door, they enter a small foyer and then, most often, they make a right into our "keeping room" which is where "my area" is fully exposed. (To the left is a hallway leading to the living room.)

Now if "my area" were to be say, chic, stylish or even cute, then all would be well. BUT IS IS A WALL OF SHAMEful CLUTTER.

Here. I'll show you.

Broken desk drawer...it works but, apparently I am the only one who can open and close it without spilling its contents.

There is my new canvas from The Chubby Dove...can't wait to hang it somewhere on this wall.

The Walk to Emmaus (leaning against the file cabinet) is another special print by artist, Betty Shoopman. She is a friend of BHisGirl. (You can find Betty in the sidebar at BHisGirlblogspot.) Andrew was able to enjoy this print, as well as be covered often in the blue and gold prayer shawl from B.

I took the print from its home on another wall and am going to reorganize my walls, too.

Beach bag at the ready...

Bible resting on the computer brain...and wires, wires, wires

Just for those of you who like some details (like I do):

desk was a freebie in a brown stain which gave it an Early American look (which I really don't like); husband painted it and distressed it a few years ago; daughter says desk is "distressed" because it is so unorganized

chair was a great buy in the back room CLEARANCE section of Haverty's; just happened to already match the desk

cushion & pillow probably came from Marshall's
filing cabinet does not match but holds lots of stuff: teaching notes, school papers, gift wrap ribbon (b/c I can't throw it away)

cubby storage was an attempt to help corral more stuff
mirror over desk was a genuis move because it allows me to have "eyes in the back of my head"

(Link is to a Southern Living video on home offices)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid7049087001?bclid=7057255001&bctid=7244813001

So...my challenge to myself is to clean up the clutter and without spending any money, make "my area" chic, cute or charming...or, at the very least, unCLUTTERED.

Too bad I can't make that happen at the beach! (Have you tried grapefruit flavored Tic Tacs? Really good.)

Audra said she would help me with "my area." Maybe then my desk won't be in such "distress." She and I are working on becoming Beach Bums. We've got the magazines and the snacks!

The picture that is peeking above my coffee cup is of Andrew when he dressed like Woody for Halloween. Avery, his brother, was Buzz Lightyear.

I love this little pardner. I miss him terribly. We spent a lot of time together. I think of those times every day and I am so grateful that I had so much time with him.

One more morning...one day closer.

Bonus video: Tilt your head to the right.

Audra and I don't just read magazines and eat snacks at the beach, we also make serious documentary type videos. Watch. You'll see.
P.S. That's Audra's thumb.