I’ve been comfortable with the computer desk, even though it had too big a foot print and was at a bad height for my neck, those ponderous drawers held a lot of stuff, so I didn’t have to deal with the stuff very much. Now that DH moved the computer to an old computer desk that his lab was getting rid of, I am to design a paperwork system that takes up 1/6 of the space – I’m supposed to shred things now.
I need to get that book I read at my Mom in law’s house out of the library so I can see what schedule to de-clutter the paper work with, I don’t really know how long I need to keep stuff, so I keep it all.
This has brought a big preference clash of DH and mine into view: I like things out so I see them and don’t forget to do things about them. I am one of those people that experts tell will to make lists so that I really can file things away and have a clean desk. (The people who write the how to get organized books all seem to think the same way, accept for the Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker by Aby Garvey and Wendy Smedley. ) But I loose that list! (Unless it’s sticky notes) And the messy desk doesn’t bother me. At all. (OK, when paper piles get moved, or wires slide over them or I look at it much it bothers me) Risking that I’ll then forget to act on something does bother me A LOT.
As an intermediate step, I have tried open baskets for storage, because then the piles are contained. It seems that if I have to lift a lid, I don’t seem to put things away. It feels like I’m always working in the flying minute I have to put things away before I have to save K from herself. I’m afraid I’ll loose something important.
Afraid. Do I make good judgments out of fear? Is it true that I’m always frantic? Is filing really an unfair expectation?
That basket makes DH crazy. Baskets in general irritate him. The ragged top of the various height papers bothers him. I know that since we share this space, I’m probably going to have to give up my open basket (sob! But it works! I like it! the bills haven’t gotten lost since I started using it…!) We did promise God we’d honor each other. So I think what I want is a cabinet with doors – and shelves with open baskets behind it. So I can file things fast and furious, but DH won’t have to look at the ragged tops? Of course he will at tax time.
But I think I’m going to have to use a file box with colored folders instead, because they are cheaper right now, and the shelf on this new computer desk is so low, K can reach it. At least a file box lid would slow her down.
But it what if it also slows me down?
Why do I always seem to be doing filing and bills right before poison hour? Can I do bills at another time?
(Poison hour is Arsenic hour approximately from 5-6 PM, whatever you all call that hour before Daddy comes home when the children are acting whiny, everyone is hungry and you are trying to make dinner with your toddler clinging to your knee.)
That shredding stuff: I’m scared K will get into it. Can I outsource this one to B? Would M be able to do it safely? It even freaks me out.
Is this sort of negotiating why people put off organizing their houses?
We might get an expidite cubby shelf from Ikea, and he wouldn't mind open baskets if they get put away in their cubby.