Wait, What Happened to Summer?

I can't believe school starts in just a few short weeks!  I know, I know, many schools across the country have already gone back to school, but my reality is starting to sink in.  I've got a ton of work ahead of me to get my household back on track and ready for the school year, it's a big one for us.  June-Bug goes into middle school and O-Man starts kindergarten!  Tasha will be entering fourth grade and I will be going back to work.

When I started blogging, it was in the hopes of using this as a way to get myself, family and home in order for the time when I would go back to work.  I'm pleased to say the perfect job fell into my lap!  It actually happened almost two years ago and I have been increasing my hours based on my little guy's school schedule.  Plus, I only work when the kids are in school, so I have been off all summer.

After a summer away from home, we have a lot to get done.  While in away, I did get several projects done, including attempting to help my mom get a few places organized.  Sometimes the simplest tricks can be so helpful.

My mom has a ton of tools, several don't fit in the drawers and end up getting left out.  I stuck a few nails in the side of her work space and hung the tools!  Now they are out of the way, but right near by for when she needs them.

Mom's art space is connected to the bunk room where the kids sleep when we visit.  The games have been whittled down to this selection and kept under the sink, but they usually end up in a mess and the boxes fall open, resulting in no room for the towels and other things that fit when it is all put away nicely.  A simple shelf made out of scrap wood I found around her house should help.  This way instead of one big pile of games, the piles aren't too tall and much easier to put back.  Plus I labeled the shelf with a warning "put games back the way they belong on Grammy will get you in your sleep!"  Plus, there is room in the front to stack the towel when the kids aren't there.  Normally, I wouldn't want to block a space like that, but my nephew is only three and there once a week.  This way, if he opens the cabinet and sees towels, he won't get into the games.  His toys are kept elsewhere, so hopefully this solution will work!

Ok, now I'm inspired to go get a bit or organizing done in my own home.  What projects have you accomplished or plan on doing before school starts?