Holiday's Over, Time to Get Busy!!

I began the un-decorating process last night. I really don't like doing that, but I suppose no one does. Is there anyone reading this who actually likes taking down all the holiday decorations? If so, be sure to say so in a comment so we can all point at you and gasp!

How do you undress the tree and/or room? I like to be organized about it. I take down all the (fill in the blank) and put them together on a table, then find the right box(es) for each group and stow them. Some people take everything down at once, but that confuses the issue for me because you have to have all the storage boxes out at once. Too much clutter!

Last night I took down several groups of things and organized them on a card table. I didn't have the boxes inside because it was too cold to go get them. They are just on the deck, but I didn't feel like dragging them in and bringing the cold air with them. I'll do that today. I'm guessing that I have about half of the tree denuded. LOL! Isn't that a great word?? I also took down all the stockings and international Santas and have them in chairs, ready to box up. I should be able to finish it today.

I always have a mixed bag of emotions about this process. I enjoy looking at the decorations individually once more before the are closed up, sealed and stored for the next eleven months. There is also a little sadness at the process.

While I'm doing this, I'm usually pondering over the memories the ornaments inspire. That can be a mixed bag, too, but it is usually a nice process. Since I weeded out the collection this year there is not a lot that brings sad memories. I remember years that I bawled during the whole process because the memories that were attached to certain ornaments were just extremely difficult to deal with. It usually had to do with a family member who was no longer with us. I like having a "clean start," as I do this year.

When I finish the storage of the Christmas things, I have another huge task ahead of me. I've decided to do some furniture rearranging of pretty large proportions. I'm switching some furniture between the guest room and my office. I've been trying to work out a good layout that would be more functional, and a couple weeks ago it finally hit me. I measured the two room, all the furniture, made a computer model and began moving "mock furniture" around. When I realized what I could do, I was so excited. I knew I had to wait until after the holidays to get into it, and now I can!

I will wind up with all of my tools and work spaces for crafts and art in the office, and the guest room will double as a library. To do this, I have to take all the books out of two large barrister book cases and move them to the other room, then reload the books. I also have to unload all my tools from a jeweler's bench and move it into the office. All three pieces of furniture are H.E.A.V.Y. Thank goodness for furniture dollies!

I'm making a work table out of the plywood and folding table legs that I used for the garage sale. I'm cutting the plywood to the size I want, doubling it for strength. Once it is together, I will cover it with some sort of material (such as contact paper) or sand and paint it to provide a smooth surface and avoid getting splinters as I work there. It will be good to have a work surface for the photography and or other crafts and art I will be working on.

While I'm moving the furniture around I will have the books, tools, and any other loose stuff in the living room. Ick. I hate having a mess, especially right in front of the door, but it is the only logical thing to do. It will make the process easier if I don't have to jockey the heavy furniture around piles of books against a wall, because those piles always take up more room on the floor than they do in the shelves.

After all this is done, I'm going to build some selves in the office. I have a nook that is about three feet wide and a little over two feet deep. I have my file cabinets there with a TV on top. By building shelves in the top of that space, it will allow me to get rid of a cheap bookshelf that has my photo albums and free up another few feet of space.

Hmmm. I think I may be able to blog again in about March. LOL! No, I will not avoid blogging. I do tasks such as this at a reasonable pace these days. I don't care to physically overdo it, and perhaps hurt myself. I'll do a little at a time, and it will be alright.

Hmmmm, again. I think I'd better get out of bed and get busy!!

Life is beautiful!!!