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Re-purposing a Vera

March 6, 2012 by April

First of all – I am joining Simple Mom in Project Simplify.

I am looking forward to this decluttering process.  I’m so ready for my home to feel more spacious and not bogged down with a bunch of “I might need this someday stuff”.

On that note – for many years I have collected all nails, screws, and extra “fasteners” in a baby shoe box.  It has been my “go to” box for 15 years, with it I kept my hammer; those two things have been either in my bedroom or my office stuff for the same amount of time.  For several years I kept my screwdrivers (1 of each) in my silverware drawer for easy access.  Unfortunately my children got older and between them and my mom I couldn’t seem to hang onto my screwdrivers for anything – because everyone knew where I kept them, but they didn’t come back.  So, for Christmas I asked for tools- nothing fancy, just some basics.  I wasn’t concerned so much about a container as having my own stash of screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and drill.  My dad & son gave me a couple of their extras and mom pick out a pink tool bag, from her & dad, with some tools in it.  I had to smile at the pink tool bag – totally not what I would have picked :-).   So anyway, since Christmas the baby shoe box and hammer have been in my bedroom and the pink tool bag & drill have been sitting by my kitchen door.  It was annoying.  The tool bag was unorganizable and hung open all the time.

Today I accomplished a small task in the many projects floating around in my head.  I was working on cleaning out my sewing area so I can sew again.  In the process of making a container of all the projects labeled “I just need to do {supposedly little things}”, I decided to just sit down a do a couple of them.  I sat down with my first Vera Bradley, Stephanie bag.  I loved using this purse.  A dear friend gave it to me.  I wore it out, to the point of fabric worn through to the plastic tubing and discolored hardware.  {I was still happily using this purse until I was robbed while at the hospital with mom after her appendices burst, after that I felt like it was too conspicuous and a target when I carried it.  That has been almost two years ago and I still haven’t been able to give it up – it was the perfect purse and they discontinued that style :-(.}  Anyway, I sat down with seam ripper in hand and was going to at least salvage the zippers that were in excellent condition.  But I just could do it.  I set it down and went back to cleaning and organizing other areas.  Then I had a great idea! :-D

This is what I did:

Hardware before remnants
 My baby shoe box and all the various baggies that held the different sizes of screws, nails, bookshelf brackets, all the allen wrenches and other left over hardware from putting my numerous pieces of  purchased pre-made furniture together.
I think I have enough hardware to make my kitchen table when I get to that point. :-D  I even found the hardware I purchased for making Christine’s bed-that I didn’t end up making.
Tool bag before

Here is the empty pink tool bag (I forgot to take a picture with the stuff in it).  The three interior pockets you can see are the only pockets inside and the 3 exterior pockets were too short to actually put anything into, and they hung open so they were secure for little things.   This bag didn’t make sense to me.

First my baby shoe box.  {I have to admit – my son is 14 1/2 and the box is from a pair of shoes someone gave me for him before he was born.  It was so cute and has been the only semblance of crafting and DIY I’ve had at times.  It was hard to let it go, but once I decided to it felt really good!}  Anyway.  I took everything out of the multiple baggies and put them into individual containers.  This little box is about the same size as the shoe box, but it is taller.  The small plastic container on the right is from my straight pins — I need more, now I have multiple reasons for getting them, I need more containers that size so I can separate the sizes of nails, and so I can have snap-on lids for all of them.  The glass jar is just a small (pint size?) one – it holds all the brackets and bookshelf holder thingies.  There is another container with a snap lid on its side next to the jar and it is holding the bigger screws.
{Okay, here’s another dorky bunny trail – that gold box with a tiny bit of red ribbon showing is 20+ years old.  That box held the blue frosting flower from my high school graduation cake until last fall when I cleaned out that tote :-D.  I remember wanting to keep the flower and my mom thinking I was crazy, but she issued a challenge by asking, “What, are you going to keep it until your 20 year reunion?”.  I packed it away in that little box (which is musical [light activated] and still works too) and that gold box went into a wooden box given to all graduates by a local furniture store.  I am ashamed to say I thought, “Ha! I’ll show you, I’ll keep it for 20 years”.  No, not respectful thoughts at all.  I can honestly say I didn’t keep that disrespect, and I didn’t conscientiously keep it.  Funny though, when I found it last fall it was as if it had been the day previous, I remembered it all too clearly.  It was like the words were closed into that box and when I opened it, I could hear them.  Here’s a disturbing thought for you though — that blue frosting rose was still fine!!!  The color was a little less intense, but there was no mold.  Truly bothersome.} 
Enough trips down memory lane – good grief!  I didn’t even realize that cleaning these couple things had so much more unseen tucked away in them.  Wow, I believe we really are off to a new beginning – in more ways than one.
So, as I’m sure you’ve guessed – I used my lovely Vera Bradley as my new tool bag.  It can sit in my sewing area and make me happy.  :-D
Here is the side that has two pockets.  They hold the two different screwdriver handles and all their ends.  (I am the only one in the house with a pink screwdriver) The black & red one can be a ratchet as well.  The red stapler isn’t really mine, I’m just borrowing it for a couple projects while my dad isn’t home :-D.  As you can see the drill fits in here, with its charger and adapter too.  I have a pink hammer from the pink tool bag.  I’m choosing to keep my nice, light, wooden handled hammer in my office area.
This is the side that has the long zipper pocket on the outside.  I put all my wrenches and pliers in there handles down.  I put them handle down so I can see which one I’m grabbing the first time.  I just have it zipped up to the middle to hold them upright and accessible. You can also see my clamps on the left.

Here is the overall picture.  On the inside:  the charger and adapter just sit on the bottom.  The star wrench set, small connected sets of allen wrenches and hex wrenches are in the three open pockets.  In the inside zipper pocket are the sheet rock knife and another really big knife dad gave me for Christmas.

I have to say, I really like having my most favorite purse in the world in sight with my tools in it.  :-D

Here is a picture of this corner of my room.  Yes, it is dark. I love my dark brown walls.  In case you can tell – the bright green words on the left say ‘hardware’ and the bright green words at the bottom says ‘tool bag’.  This is the new home of my tools and hardware.  It is with my sewing stuff which just seems right.

If your still reading….  I just want to say, I had no idea that cleaning out and getting rid of some sentimental things would feel so good and right.

Spring Organization.

March 2, 2012 by April

Another party is coming & you are invited!

When:  starting March 26th
Where: starting at Organizing Made Fun
Why: to celebrate spring and organization

This is one you need time to prepare for so you can be prepared to participate, or just take really good notes :-D.  There are nine Organizing bloggers who are going to parade their organized homes:
Becky from Organizing Made Fun
Jen from Iheart Organizing
Anna from Ask Anna
DaNita from Delightful Order
Lesley from Goodbye House, Hello Home
Becky from Clean Mama
Toni from A Bowl Full of Lemons
Leanne from Organize and Decorate Everything
Laura from I’m an Organizing Junkie
Some of these blogs I have been reading for awhile and some are new to me.  I’m so happy to have the next three weeks to get to know these ladies.  
The parade starts on Monday, March 26th, at Organizing Made Fun.  On day #5, there will be an opportunity to link up your organized space.

I LOVE things organized and put away in their right place.  I can’t wait to see all the new ideas for my home.  Go to A Bowl Full of Lemons or Organizing Made Fun to get your button for sharing the invitation. 
Jeremiah 29:11

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I know I don't do social media well, so I do not have separate accounts for business & personal. This is my business Instagram feed. It's still me posting. Just not me strung out trying to keep up with two accounts. #limitsofanintrovert Thanks for being gracious & understanding! :-)

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April C Keller
The power is out. Now is when it’s REALLY conven The power is out. Now is when it’s REALLY convenient to read eBooks (& you have fully charged devices). The orange glow to the right is from the collection of candles I had handy. 
Super duper thankful for the gas fireplace!!! The temp was 43° earlier today, has dropped to 15° & supposed to continue dropping thru the night.
#thankfultonotreadbycandlelight
#gasfireplacesareawesome
#eveofchristmaseve2020 #decemberinwi
Dec 22, 2020 at 7:39am😍😍😍 No need to say Dec 22, 2020 at 7:39am😍😍😍
No need to say more.
#decembersunrise #wisconsin #wearegaininglightnow
December 21st is the shortest day of the year. As December 21st is the shortest day of the year. As a lifelong Alaskan my body & mind are very tuned to this date - we now gain daylight each day. Living WI has had many benefits & blessings - the least of which isn’t even how I will see the daylight before I get to work. 😍😍😍 I am not sad about this in the least!

I’m so thankful for this morning’s living/dining/kitchen views. I love the glow of Christmas lights & the way they immediately stop my thoughts in their tracks and cause me to remember to be thankful.
#christmas2020 #ak2co2wi #mondaymornings #thankful #blessed #christmaslights
😍😍😍 Como Park Conservatory = eye candy ev 😍😍😍 Como Park Conservatory = eye candy every time. {{sigh}}
We caught the sun low in the sky & it was simply beautiful! When we walked out it was the setting sun on the glass building & the flag blowing in a lazy breeze. #coldbutbeautiful #perfect 
#comoparkconservatory #midnovember #eyecandy #soulfilling #breathtaking #thankfulfortheopportunity #americanflaginthebreeze
Just a tiny note to share how much I am absolutely Just a tiny note to share how much I am absolutely LOVING the sunrise pink at 7am in mid-November! 😍😍😍
It’s a whole 25° & supposed to start snowing within the hour. (Do you see the neighbor’s pink window reflections?)
#happymonday #blessings #itsanewweek #wintersunrisebefore8
Hi guys! April’s daughter here. Due to an unkind Hi guys! April’s daughter here. Due to an unkind comment and a hard week behind the social media wall she deleted the post. After a good talk and encouragement I am here re-posting with permission. Remember that what’s seen on social media does not reflect what goes on behind the scenes. The intention of the post was to share a personal struggle and encourage others who may feel the same. A difference of opinion does not require a comment. 

The repost:

Are you an American? If so, voting is your civic duty. 
🇺🇸To not vote is the same as voting against your freedom.
🇺🇸To not vote is the same as voting against your right of citizenship. 
🇺🇸To not vote is the same as disregarding every American soldier and his/her family’s sacrifice for you. 
I promise – no matter what you think – YOU ARE NOT TOO BUSY to vote! This year especially, they have made it so easy (not interested in debating the right/wrongness of this, just stating fact) and it’s not as if the deadline has been a surprise date. If you choose to not vote, there is no excuse other than being lulled into apathy by the privilege you take for granted. Don’t be lazy.

For those who think I’m being too harsh – these are the things I had to remind myself of in the not so distant past as I was overwhelmed by figuring out the simple-yet-not-so-simple-process of how to register as a new resident, where to vote, and who to vote for. And then again today as anxiety joined me when I’d parked at my polling place & it was time to actually stand in line with all the others.

Side note, 2020 brought yet another first for me: I’ve never voted on a non-Alaskan ballot. Instead of boroughs & districts, I navigated counties & wards. 
Even so, the ballot looked the same. 😊 

And then I went for a beautiful country drive through harvested fields and looked at barns. Feeling thankful & blessed for the freedom and ability to do so.
A little crisp & foggy outside, but perfectly cozy A little crisp & foggy outside, but perfectly cozy inside.🍂🍁

#september2020 #fall #thankful
So...not exactly a surprise!😊 Take your own qu So...not exactly a surprise!😊

Take your own quiz at holleygerth.com/introvertquiz
 
You definitely should go check out more about The Powerful Purpose if Introverts by @holleygerth 
#introvertpurpose #introvert #godmadeuseachunique
🍂Fall is coming! 🍂 This change of the season 🍂Fall is coming! 🍂
This change of the seasons is the first one I’ve felt alert for since moving here 🍁🍂 & it’s all so pretty (the 5 trees I’ve seen starting to change)! But I’m not in the least ready for it, it’s the 1st time in 18 years I haven’t needed school supplies of some sort - for either of the kids (homeschooling) or myself (college). Now, I just get to enjoy all the school supplies simply because I love them!😊

The first pic is just for enjoyment because I know the majority if you can’t possibly understand what the 2nd & 3rd photos mean to me. 😊

As an introvert who has been transitioning from work-from-home to working-at-the-office-everyday, on a team & working on a variety of projects, I often feel as if I’m majorly failing at simply being nice. 

I’m too often in my head, processing all I’m trying to remember to do/get done & short of smiling in passing, there isn’t a ton of other interaction. BUT the 2nd photo is evidence of while not having more than a handful of non-work related conversations, I have a co-worker who knows me incredible well! On Tues, she brought me one Pantone color book & yesterday she brought me SEVEN more!😍 
I never dreamed I’d get to touch one of these little color charts in real-life, let alone have a set of them living at my desk!!! 

2020 will never be forgotten, for so many reasons. Big & small.
#seen&known #itsthelittlethings #littlethingsadduptobigthings #blessed #thankful
It’s no small secret I’m a hard-core introvert It’s no small secret I’m a hard-core introvert & not by just a little bit. Social distancing has always been my norm. I can’t say I’ve seen this as a blessing in life 🥴. 

Ironically, while 2020 has required so many social appreciators (extroverts) to stay at/work from home, life in 2020 has required me to learn how to work out of the home full-time. After working from home for the last 20 years, this has not been a small adjustment!

I have lived in WI for 8 months now, and I’m just starting to feel semi-human in daily life. I totally & completely underestimated the toll an unexpected 2nd large move, traveling over Christmas, wrapping up my senior year of college/degree, having my oldest graduate college, and working on a team of people out of the house full-time would have on me. #notenoughhourstorecovereachday

You will likely see me in this space more as I’m on the book launch team for The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, the latest book by @holleygerth. I’m really looking forward to learning how being an introvert can be a blessing & strength.

 #introvertpurpose #createdinhisimage #lovedasiam #nothingtoprove #introvert
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