6 Feet of Heaven

But we did have to go to that other place for a little while.



As you might recall, Saturday was the big day of emptying the spare room, other wise known as the abyss. Clear plan of action in hand, every last thing except for big furniture was dutifully moved out and into the dining room. And after much cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, and very few harsh words, we moved back in the things that were meant to stay, moved to better homes the things that were not, and threw out an amazing amount of stuff. Where does it all come from? We've only lived here 4 years. Do I have a hoarding disease?


I had actually forgotten that this is a huge room for an old house. I had forgotten how much work we did getting this room habitable in the first place. It once sported red checked wall paper and raised medalion paper on the ceiling. It had horrid cracks in the walls. It was hideous.

The new and improved arrangement has a small 'office' space. I even got a new book case that is dedicated to all my art books. I have never had my very own book case. I didn't even know I needed my very own book case. It even still has room for more books. Amazon here I come!

There is even a sitting area (also the guest bedroom). I love this little nest. It's great place to read, sketch, nap. The storage shelves are waiting for me to come up with a clever way to use a canvas painters drop cloth to hide all of the things I couldn't part with.

The 6 feet of heaven! This will become my metal clay studio. I have never had such a purpose designed work space. There's a small shipping station on wheels. My art market stuff fits nicely under the table. Heaps of storage!

I actually put a little thought into how I work. I deeply dislike rummaging through large containers of things. When I have to do that I end up leaving things laying around because I dislike even more having to pack everything away. I work in a very small space and spread out to each side. I like things close at hand. I don't like getting up to find something. It interupts my focus to do that. If I need it, I need it now.

The penny dropped. Put it all in shallow trays, just the things that are related to a particular task. Put it all right there within arms reach. Two shoe racks, two shelves bull dog clipped together, 16 plastic bins, 3 cookie sheets later and, voila! I am Ms Super Duper Organized. There is even empty storage space (Rest assured, Ms Hoarder will take care of that quick smart).

And I just have to give credit where credit is due. My sweetie spent all day Saturday into the evening and part of Sunday on this project. I really did not have the stamina, patience, or motivation to get this done on my own. I would have cried. I would have crawled into bed with a book. Thanks Petey!

And just in case you are wondering. Miss Alice has settled in nicely to the new digs. She did however mention that in her 18 months of living with us she was completely unaware of the existence of this sofa.