National Clean Off Your Desk Day

Did you spiff up your workspace today?

As I mentioned last week, I have a new desk arriving sometime later this month, but for now I'm still using one end of the kitchen island as my primary workspace or "desk." And since today is "National Clean Off Your Desk Day," I figured I'd tackle this "hot spot" of mine.

Because as you can see, it really needed it:

(Yikes, that's bad!)

Now I call it my "hot spot" (a la FlyLady) because it does attract clutter like crazy - but it's not usually quite so messy! But I was so busy this weekend - just so caught up in my daybook project - that I really let everything pile up ... random papers, store receipts, coupons, bills, notes, etc. etc.!

So the first thing I did was to clear EVERYTHING of this counter space ... and boy, that felt good! And it looked so nice and open, I took a good look and thought, "Well, this is how it will look once I get that desk!" (In theory anyway.) Next I scrubbed down the counterop - first with Method Lavender Cleaning Spray and then a damp, clean cloth. Once the surface was dry, I started sifting through all that stuff - sorting/tossing/and putting things back in place - a little neater than before.

Much better, I'd say!

And as you can see above, I did finally get my "daybook" spiral-bound today! First I made sure I had it all in the correct order, then I stacked the pages as neatly as I could:

Then it was off to the Copy Center at Staples where I paid five dollars and waited five minutes for a binding, and then I was out the door and on my way home with my brand new daybook!

I love how it looks beside (or on top of) my homekeeping binder!

Now, I will definitely do a thorough post on the daybook itself - and I hope to get that up by mid-week. (Maybe tomorrow before my "Teatime" post, but most likely early Wednesday.)

But before I go I want to tell you two more things ...

One, I still can't leave comments here for some odd reason, so I apologize that I have not responded to the questions and comments left over the past few days. If I can't get this issue cleared up in another day or two I will write up separate posts addressing those queries.

The other thing I wanted to mention was something I just learned today ... this week is Universal Letter-Writing Week! (Thanks to Dana at Save Snail Mail for the tip. :)) I think a week devoted to the practice of letter-writing is pretty fantastic ... I don't (hand)write my correspondence as often as I used to, but I love the whole idea and institution of letter-writing. (Especially as I absorb all these beautiful movies and tv shows set in a slower, more genteel past - aka, Little Women, Emma, Sense and Sensibility ... and Downton Abbey of course.)

I think I might add a trip to the post office this weekend to pick up some new stamps and I'll assess my correspondence needs. (I used to have a whole basket devoted to letter writing but these days it all gets stored in that wire basket you see above on my counter.) Winter is the perfect time to consider (perhaps reconsider) our correspondence habits - in fact, I have a special spot in my daybook for planning just that!

So, my friends, I'll let you go now ... our night is upon us and the boys are awaiting my attention. Thank you so much for stopping by ... have a wonderful night ... and I will see you all again very soon.

:)

Comments

[S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen]

I still love to write letters, and receiving them? Well, who doesn't adore getting something delightful in the mail? I just spent the best time rabbit trailing down the Save Snail Mail link into Art Mail - wow! What fun! Thanks Dawn, you always find the best stuff to share...

[bobbi @ revolution of love]

Wow, I visited this site because I heard you were a Downton Abbey lover but I'm sticking around because you make great posts! love this one. :-)

[Dawn]

Love all these comments! Thank you so much, ladies!

Maria, you are so sweet! My birthday is tomorrow (the 12th) and I will carry your kind wish in my heart! :)

Blessings, all ...
~ Dawn

[Marty]

*Can't wait to see your date book.
*After your Staples show and tell, i had to look up where the closest one is here - it will take me an hour, but I am so tempted.
* Alexandra Stoddard has a lovely little book called "Gift of a Letter: Giving the gift of Ourselves"

[Penny]

I cleaned my workspace as well - and then enjoyed a cuppa while catching up here... :)

My goal is to NOT go online until ALL of my daily to-dos are done. Consequently, I am online about 1/8 the time I have been recently - - time to pare down the chore list! lol

[Maria P]

I think today is your birthday if memory serves me correctly! Happy Birthday!

[Kristie]

Well, I'm tempted to say that I didn't clean yesterday because my desk is already clean (which it is)...but my in box isn't on my desktop, but next to it and that is a mess! Had it on the list for yesterday, but it got bumped to today. Looking forward to getting a look at your planner, you always do such interesting things!

[Caroline Haydu]

Love you pretty daybook! And, no, my desk didn't get cleaned off, it just got neglected :) So, maybe today?

[Amanda]

Funny because I just spent last night cleaning off my desk. Though God knows it still needs some work :)

Love the new blog look, it's so nice!

[Kim]

Universal Letter Writing Week, huh? That makes me think of the days of Pen Pals. I always looked so forward to getting a letter in the mail from my friend. Now we're friends on Facebook, but it's not the same.

[Teresa in Ohio]

Squeal, squeal, goosh, goosh---love love the binder and daybook!! Anxiously awaiting a looksee through. And hoping for a template to make one too.
I love your new web page. very nice
have a great day
teresa in ohio

[Lisa]

Well, I didn't know about National Clean Off Your Desk Day, but I did just that Saturday--does that count? :)

Your daybook looks nice!