Why "Ducks in a Row?"

What a funny name! I've been asked why I picked that name. Well, let me explain. The free dictionary online defines the phrase as "to organize things well." There, for those who don't know me, that is what I am daily striving for! I love organizing. There, I said it. I crave order and get a little crabby when things aren't in order. I'd rather organize my closet, than go shopping to fill it. I hardly buy anything without knowing exactly where it is going to go or buying a container to put it in. I don't know when this obsession started. Surely, there might be many of you stalkers out there reading this thinking that I'm not that organized, which is also true. It's something I strive for. I started reading Meckmom.com a couple years ago, and actually implemented several of the ideas. From there, it just grew. Throw in a move, a new house, a baby and now it has become a way of survival. My husband rolls his eyes when he sees that I've bought new bins - but secretly I think he loves going down to the basement and seeing them all in a row. He laughs that I buy things just so I have something to organize. He teases me that we have more Rubbermaid Bins than anyone on the block. But he loves that there is a place for everything and everything has a place!

So far, this blog has very little about my organizing habits. I think I might try to add a little bit of what works for us here and there. Take it for what it is worth - I've tried a lot of things, so when I find something that works, it usually has been really tested. My first must have: a label maker!! I bought mine for $30 at Costco and fell in love. I love that all my bins have a uniformed label. I love that the label has gone through the dishwasher and still stayed on! I love that I can pull it off without it leaving gooey stuff. The toys are labeled, the pantry is labeled, my piano music boxes are labeled, even the refrigerator is labeled. Now, my kids help me put away the groceries and know right where I would like them, and they can also get out things themselves and know where things should be. Now when we have friends over for a playdate, they can help clean up and know where things go - and also all the bins don't have to be dumped out just so they can find the cymbals ( a favorite toy). I love the label maker and Tom actually asked me if I could put a label on the baby trees he planted (It's a big deal when I've convinced Tom that what I'm doing, even if it is different than what he grew up with, is worthwhile).

So, ducks in a row - there, you have it!