Out With The Old & In With The New

The holidays are right around the corner. It is such a busy time for us. Most of our birthday’s are also during the holidays as well. This means that gifts pour in by the dozens. They seem to come from every direction.  I am thankful for the wonderful gifts but it is overwhelming trying to find a place to put everything. So each year about this time, I start thinking about a yard sale. I collect things throughout the year to sell and they stay in my attic until I gather enough stuff.  A few months before the yard sale, I try to go through each room again to see if there is anything that needs to go. I don't make a master list for all the rooms and a date to finish by which is unusual for me. I just go through each room as I have time or am in the mood. 



 As I shared my Treasure Under the Stairs with you, (here), I gathered a few more things for the sale. 

I am getting rid of some deviled egg containers, dish caddy, and some cake containers.

Next, I went to our bathroom sink. Wow, how things seem to pile up in a hurry.

 

I found two matching baskets in the attic and set to work. I pulled everything out and threw away things that were old or no good. I put the rest back in “his” and “hers” baskets. After about 10 minutes, everything was in place and looking good. 

I am getting rid of two baskets and a toilet paper holder. I am giving away some face wash and wipes to a friend in need along with some toddler tooth brushes.

Now, what else can I find for my yard sale?

Simplify Life One Step At A Time

Treasure Under The Stairs

There is a special place under the stairs that few people go. It used to be a place to put stuff that didn’t have a home. Now it is one of my favorite places. I use this tiny space to store extra dishes and kitchen appliances. Here is my hidden treasure. It sure does save time by having extra space to organize my kitchen stuff.

The top left shelf holds my coffee maker and cappuccino maker. 

 The next shelf holds my blender, steamer, and whatever that thing is called to melt chocolate.

The next shelf holds an oldie but goodie toaster, waffle maker, quesadilla maker, and my George Forman. Under that are crock pots, a chopper, and my daughter's easy bake oven.

 I keep my extra spices and holiday napkins in a bin under the shelf.

On the other side there are plastic holiday trays. 

Mixing and punch bowls

Cake and pie containers & extra dishes.

 

I keep my extra baking pans under the bottom shelf.

The three baskets on the right hold my extra utensils, cookie cutters, and space saver bags. I also keep my grocery bags to recycle here.

I just love my treasure under the stairs!


 Simplify Life One Step At A Time

 

Litter Box Cleaning Kit

I have been having litter box issues.  I have tried the fancy electric cat boxes only to find that they get stuck all of the time, they are hard to clean, and they are noisy.  I wanted to go back to the plain plastic cat box but they were too small. I have 4 cats and they go in and out of the house as they please.

 I was looking around the storage bin section of Wall-Mart when I came across an insert to one of their storage bins. It was as deep as a regular cat box but it was much bigger. It was sold separately from the bin itself.  The price tag was under $5 so I thought I would give it a try.  The kitties sure did like all of their added space. I liked that it was big enough and easier to clean.  Win! Win! 

New Cat Box

 

Then I came up with an organizational solution for the litter supplies so that I didn’t have to haul them back and forth to each cat box twice a day.   

I introduced my litter box cleaning kit on my Kitty Corner post (here). This is a system I have been using for a while and it works well for us. I have one stationed by the litter box inside and the one on the porch.

Inside

Porch (I need more Lysol)

 Litter Box Cleaning Kit Includes:

• A poop scoop with a dish to catch any litter still on the scoop so it doesn’t get in the box.

• A poop holding bin. (An up cycled coffee container). When the holding bin gets full, we take it to the trash. This is a big time saver.

• Plastic bags to change the poop holding bin. (An old tissue box holder works great)  I just recycle the bags I get from Publix.

• A little broom to clean small messes. (Dollar Tree)

• A can of disinfectant spray

 I just can’t tell you how well this works! Everything is right where I need it!

  Simplify Life One Step At A Time