The area just before you leave our house on work days looks something like this, most days:
Please disregard the scuffed wall and dirty floor – this is life and its not always pretty and clean, apparently.
Jeff had already left or his lunch box and water bottle would have been in that row, too. It’s all those things we don’t want to forget on our way out. That entire row of bags is mine and its for just one day, if you can believe it. I know it looks like I’m leaving for a week with all those bags. The bags from left to right: my “purse” contains wallet, planner, journal, camera, etc.; then we have my lunch bag packed with applesauce, leftover cooked carrots, hardboiled eggs and a slice of bread with cream cheese & green tomato apple jam; my “Artist’s Way” class bag containing snickerdoodles (treats for the last class), gifts for the teacher and my classmates, and my book; finally we have my knitting bag full of projects some nearing some completion, some just beginning, and of course the sock.
Many days this area has library books that need returning, empty canning jars and clean rags to be put in the garage, and much, much more. It just seems the easiest way for me to remember things and while it doesn’t always look neat, it is essential to keeping me from looking for things as I try to get out of the house on my way to work. It also keeps empty jars from filling up the kitchen counters.
I keep thinking I should put some kind of shelving unit there to help it look neater, but frankly a shelf in that space would just look too bulky, I think. We do have a coat rack on the wall next to the door, but its generally full of coats, scarves, and hats and I’m not sure it could handle the weight of a bag of library books on top of the outerwear. It’s a narrow space and if I ever find the perfect shelf, I’ll pick it up, but for now I’m content to just line up my bags and boxes next to the door. It makes the house look “lived in,” right?
Have a great Thanksgiving to everyone in the states and if you’re not have a great Thursday tomorrow! I am so thankful to each of you who stop by here.
I’m not sure if I’ll be back in this space before Monday as I want to enjoy a long weekend away from the computer, I think. One never knows what urges may strike.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
My parents have a record case in the hallway by the back door, so we always used to line up our school bags, lunches, etc. so we wouldn’t forget them. To this day Mom puts library books, purse, keys, briefcase, etc. there to grab on the way to the car. It really is a great way to remember everything.
I would love to have something like that in our house, but we don’t have a good place to put a shelf or table by the door. I end up throwing everything possible in my car ahead of time, so I’m not trying to remember everything while heading out the door with the baby.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, Kathie -
It is the same way in our home. It’s just my husband and me, but he is currently going to school full time (studying to be an electrical engineer) so his backpack full of school books is always by the front door. As for me, I work full time so I always have my purse, lunch box, jug of filtered water and items to return to the library waiting by the door for me.
Shelley
Ours is similar but includes two or three pairs of shoes,boots, etc. for each of six family members! lol!
Enjoy the holiday!
My launch pad looks similar in the mornings.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Jeff!
I was also going to say it sounds like a FlyLady ‘launch pad’. Have a great holiday-