I'm just fine, thanks.  I have a little cold, well, actually, a  monster cold, but it's fine. 

How about those resolutions?  How you doin'?  I'm pleased to report, that while I'm not perfect in my resolutions, I'm making a solid effort and can say I'm fairly successful.  I do need to walk more, the cold is slowing me down considerably, and come up with a new vegetable recipe for this week.  Then I'm golden.  At least for now.

The other day I had the opportunty to talk to a reporter from our local paper, the subject was mudrooms.  Or rather, the lack of a mudroom in most of our houses.  I totally relate.  We have a tiny entry inside our back door that doesn't even come close to serving the purposes of today's mega mudrooms. 

How to cope?

If you're drowning in stuff by your door, the first thing is to declutter mercilessly.  Anything that doesn't absolutely have to be there right now needs to go.  Either store it somewhere else or get rid of it entirely. 

Use your space as wisely as possible. Use hooks instead of hangers, go vertical and take advantage of wall space.  Add shelving and boot trays to corral shoes that have to stay.  Take advantage of baskets and plastic dishpans to house mittens, hats, scarves, etc.

To keep it looking good, edit brutally, every day.   That's right, every day.  Why?  Because you want it to look good, you want to be able to find your things, you want to cut down on the morning frenzy.  Add this area to your daily routine, supervise your kids as they pick up and put away their things.  Sure it's hard, it's hard for me and I'm only picking up after myself.  But I really, really like what I get out of the effort.  Keys I always find, shoes where they belong and my choice of cute scarves.

That's how you live with a tiny entry. 

Even one this tiny.



Yeah.  I know.  Small.

Don't forget the swell mirror, nothing like checking yourself as you go out the door and giving yourself a great big smile.  You go!