This morning Rich and I woke up very early because Afton had to be at the church by 6:30am in order to catch her bus for camp. We left the house at 6:00am, which meant I was up at 5:30am (::::yawn::::I’m so not a morning person!) But we got her there on time (how could we not be on time with both Rich and Afton? Those two are exactly the same when it comes to promptness.) Her bus pulled out at 7:30am, and she was on her way.
:::sigh::::
I worry. You know, about the ride up there. It’s 6 hours from here to the camp. I just hope the bus driver had a good night’s sleep, concentrates on the road, and doesn’t have a txting addiction. I worry. What mother doesn’t? It will be a long week without her here, but I know she’s going to have a great time. We heard wonderful things about this particular Christian camp.
When we got home, I went back to bed. No surprise there. And I slept in way too long after that. I probably should have just stayed awake but the bed looked too tempting. It beckoned me. It did! That’s right. I’m blaming the bed.
So far it’s been a pretty lazy day on my part. There is really nothing scheduled except we will go to church at 5:30pm when Rich gets home. I’m slowly doing laundry, and inbetween tending to the kids’ needs I am also cleaning out my cluttered closet, something that I have been putting off for a long time. Blah…it’s no fun. I shouldn’t let it get so out of hand. And it always takes me FOREVER to finish because I always get distracted by the things I find. It’s like a trip down memory lane in there! I end up reading through old letters and cards, looking at old photos, and Heaven help me if I find an old journal…..I could be in there for hours reading through an old journal.
Yep, my closet is pretty awful, but it’s coming along. I would take before and after photos just for entertainment purposes….but, you all don’t want to see my messy closet, now, do you? For all I know, you might have some image of me being neat and clean and organized. I don’t want to ruin that for you, if so.
So instead, check out my clean and uncluttered office! Now, this I don’t mind sharing:
Ta Da! See? Even the floor shines! Yes, this room is mine. This is the only space in the house that is completely, 100% mine. I love this room. Love. Love. Love! I can be in this room for hours and hours and never get bored. I have a phone, a CD player/radio, plenty of books to read and a surplus of scrapbooking supplies…and my computer. Oh, and a bathroom. What else do I need …besides food? There’s even a couch to lie down on when I get tired……
Here is the left side of the room, which is mainly the “office” side, with my lovely computer in the corner there. So this is where I do all my blogging, paying bills, etc. See that big blank spot on the wall? Where the power outlet is? That’s where my flat screen tv is going to go! The couch faces that wall, so very soon Rich and I can go out here to watch movies. Or, I can put a cartoon DVD in for some of the little ones to keep them occupied while I do my scrapbooking. Or, I can just put in a movie for myself to enjoy while I’m scrapbooking. All sorts of options with that.
And this is the right side of the room, where I do all my scrapbooking projects — oh, and I love my new wrapping paper station. Do you see it over on the right? In the drawers you can find gift bags, tissue paper, a whole bunch of Scotch tape, scissors, ribbons, bows and boxes of various sizes. I just got this a few weeks ago from The Container Store — my most favorite store in the whole wide world!
My scrap paper and stamp file drawer
The file drawers are where I keep letter and theme stickers.
The other drawers contain my supplies, cutting tools and punches.
I have many idea books that I refer to.
Can you tell that scrapbooking is my #1 hobby? Sometimes I go away on scrapbooking retreats where all I do day and night is put my family’s photos into albums. I can seriously never get tired of doing this. I love the creative aspect of it, and I love creating a book that I know will last far after I’m gone…and will document our family’s memories from my point of view. I do a family book for each year, and I also do a book for each child’s life. Just so you know…I am waaaay behind. I am not current with the kids’ books, but I do my best. Finding the time is always a challenge. What I love about my room is that I can leave my projects out and don’t have to pack it up and put it away each time. That’s so helpful. When they are always out, I tend to work on them more as I find spare minutes during the day to get to them.
Here is a close-up of the photo collage above my work table. All these faces inspire me to scrapbook! Well, except the New Moon photo…that’s one is purely for my viewing pleasure 
So that is my office. The best part? The room isn’t even connected to the house! How’s that for privacy! It’s in our backyard. It is technically called a “casita” and was made for guests to stay…which is why there is a full bath in it.
Over the years, this room has been many things: A playroom for the kids (ended up getting way too messy and chaotic) and then it was a home for my brother-in-law for about a year, and then it was home for my friend, her husband and their 4 girls for about 6 weeks while their house was being built, and then it was a school room for homeschooling….and then, it became our throw-everything-that-we-don’t-know-where-else-to-put room. (I hated that room the most! What a cluttery, unorganized mess!) So finally, about a year ago….we turned it into my room…and it’s been beautiful and very much appreciated ever since! Every busy mama needs a space like this — a small little get-a-way that isn’t too far away. Just a place to have some quiet time, some “me” time…to recharge her batteries
Wow. I am more than a little jealous. If you ever make the switch from paper to fabric, you have an excellent sewing room already. You just need a big cutting island in the middle with built-in shelves underneath for more fabric storage (because there is never enough fabric storage!) and you’ll be good to go
This looks to be about two or three times the size of my sewing room. I’m not complaining though; in a 900 sq ft house with 5 children, a sewing room of my own is a true luxury.
I just followed your link from the QF-digest, in case you’re wondering where I popped up from
Wow! So jealous of your room! I looove it, it’s beautiful…I want one! LOL;)
I have a very tiny shoebox of a room for my scrapbooking and cardmaking so I am very envious of your gorgeous big room! Plus, it is super organized. Mine is clean for about 5 minutes before I become overwhelmed by its messiness again!
I just have to say that I am extremely jealous of your room.
I’m hoping to have my own done by christmas (minus the bath)that I will share with hubby.
We have 6 kids so I know what you mean about needing a place to craft without having to pack up.
NIIIIICCCCCEEEEE!!! Ok now that I’ve wiped the drool off my mouth…I want to say I love that room!! I really want it!! ha ha. It looks so inviting and so well organized. Lucky you, girl!!
One day….I hope to have my own little room.
You are right all us girls need one of these rooms.
Thanks for sharing.
seriously that room is amazing!!! i think we need a “tour” of your house. it looks awesome from the photos I’ve seen over the years. but that room is really super cool. i hope one day i have a room like that but instead of scrapbooking, I want a library. wall to wall and ceiling to floor books with one of those sliding ladders. that is my dream room
Not sure if I’ve commented on your blog before, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE “your” room and think that you should be a professional organizer (that is if you ever have the time with everything else you have going on). I’ll be your first client
Continue to enjoy your wonderful, gorgeous room.
Blessings!