First of all, good morning everyone! :) I have another File Crate question to answer, so without further ado ...
Today's question comes from Tanya:
Does your FCS sit out in the hub of things?? (cause I can't imagine that your house is less chaotic with 3 boys busy with projects!) I have a household notebook for static info (garbage schedule, school info) and a fridge calender so we don't miss appointments and the like but the stuff I *want* to get done stays in my brain or in a pile on the bedside table and doesn't get transferred to real life...this is where I know the FCS could really help me. I like the idea of a clipboard....think I'll have to incorporate that into my house. If you have any ideas on how to get the FCS from sitting quietly empty in the bedroom to actually being used, I'd love to hear them. :)
My FCS does sit out in the hub of things, Tanya. I think a big part of making it truly useful is to keep it close to where you "live" most. Think about where you are, physically, during most of the day - for most of us mums it's in or near the kitchen area. I can guarantee I would hardly use the FCS if I had to walk down to the bedroom each time I had something to file. I can just see the FCS gathering dust while lots of little piles of things "to be filed" pop up on my kitchen counters.
So my first piece of advice is to find a good location for your crate - somewhere convenient and accessible. For me that is our learning room - the room that sits between the kitchen and family room.
If you are having trouble designating - or finding - space for your crate, there are a few alternatives. You could use a portable file box (the kind you find at Staples, with a lid and a lock). You could get something more "decor" friendly - a wicker basket type of thing (something like this). Or you could get one of those rolling file carts - and just wheel the FCS in and out of your living environment as necessary. I've even seen pretty tote bags and patterned canvas bins made especially for hanging folder frames - not sure how many folders a bag would hold but it would certainly make for an attractive and portable system.
As for me and my FCS *smile* I use a clear plastic crate and muted earth toned folders. I added a piece of scrapbook paper to the front of the crate for a nice touch.
It's kind of bulky but it serves its purpose well enough. At some point I would like to switch to something more natural than plastic, but it needs to be roomy enough. I've talked with Bill about building something for me out of unfinished wood - maybe something with shelving or baskets underneath. He's great at woodworking and design.
Another idea for making better use of your crate space - and keeping your "planning tools" in order - is to store those tools in the back area of the crate, behind the hanging file folders. For instance, you can stand your homekeeping binder back there - as well as your calendar and clipboard etc.
Keeping things neat goes a long way in feeling comfortable with the file crate out in the open. I do try to keep the area as neat as possible and confine it to one corner rather than let things spread around. We all know how easy it is to let our work areas get messy! Start by having a place for everything and then devoting time each day to neatening your work area.
And for special events like dinner parties and other gatherings, I can just move it out of the room for a time. The bulk of my planning paraphernalia can be stashed in my tote bag and carried out of the room as well.
Before I go, here's a peek at my FCS corner ...
Tanya, I hope this post helped you envision some ways to get your FCS out where you can make the best use of it. If there is anything I can further clarify, please don't hesitate to ask!
Be back again soon, everyone - hope your Wednesday is off to a great start ... :)
