Sick, Tired, and Busy

I plan to be back soon with some posts on J-topics that hopefully everyone will find interesting. But, in the meantime, I am sick with a head cold, tired, and just really busy. Today was spent reorganizing our home due to the adventures of one busy toddler. I finally tackled a project I had been putting off for a really long time. I'm an organized person, so I don't want to even admit how long this stack of unfilled papers has been moved from the dining room table where it would await filing to its hiding place on Shabbat, only to be put right back on the dining room table, but a woman could probably give birth to a child in the time frame I'm thinking of.

Today I tackled my desk, eliminating most of what was super-attractive a busy little one (for best results: I'd have to send the entire desk out the window, but that was not an option), and on top of that I dove into that infamous stack of papers and managed to sort through about two-thirds of the mess. G-d willing I will finish sorting and filing that stack by Shabbat and can tackle the more foreboding box of papers and stuff that has moved with me many, many miles. Truth be told, besides some papers I need to keep from a major transaction from years ago, I could probably burn everything in the box since I obviously haven't missed it!

I define myself as organized, and I really am. But, wow have I fallen behind recently. I can't even imagine life in a disorganized house. The thought sends chills down my spin.

The irony of today was discovering a small piece of paper that is soon to hit the trash bag entitled "Time to Clean Up Your Act? Follow These Clutter-Busting Rules for Real Results." Thought I'd share them with you:

Rule 1: When in doubt, throw it out. (Good advice, at least 1/3 of my stack could have been thrown out ages ago).
Rule 2: Use it or lose it.
Rule 3: Efficiency counts, so arrange and store things accordingly. (The system was pretty efficient until a cute toddler decided to climb from one place to another with the greatest of ease).
Rule 4: Handle each thing once, deciding then and there whether to keep or toss.
Rule 5: Recycle if possible. (I try!)
Rule 6: Pick a number and stick with it. If you need one old jar for pan drippings, toss the rest. If you need a few boxes for storage, pick the number you need and don't exceed it. (Done. Our home is too small for infinite storage).
Rule 7: Use a filing cabinet. (Here I can pat myself on the back. Not only do I have a filing cabinet, but I have a folder for every category I need!).
Rule 8: Do something now. Pick one place to start and finish. (It took getting sick to tackle the project. I think I will try to eliminate the impetus and just get started).
Rule 9: Find a place for everything you keep and put it there. (I may be one of the only people without a junk drawer in my kitchen or anywhere else).
Rule 10: Items displayed in the home have to pass a "function or form" test. If they don't have either, get rid of them. (Our home passes the little space test. So, this rule is followed quite well).
Rule 11: Don't do things "later." (Ok, ok, I got it already!)
Rule 12: Label things. (Passed with flying colors. Kitchen is labeled. Files in the file cabinet are labeled. I even labeled my husbands drawers so he knows where to find the things I organized for him).
Rule 13: If needed, call in a professional. (Will avoid this and just use the rules above).