tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68559872170930427162024-03-12T17:44:25.712-06:00Kara Reynolds WritesInformational website for Kara Reynolds, writer-type personKara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-48583537248900159972022-06-06T23:57:00.002-06:002022-06-06T23:57:45.610-06:00Storymakers Recap<p> One of my favorite posts to write every year! This one is a little late in coming, because ever since I got home from the <a href="http://storymakersguild.org/storymakers-conference" target="_blank">Storymakers Conference</a> I have been slammed with my kids' end-of-school activities and oh, yeah, finishing up that renovation so we can move in a couple weeks!</p><p>I realize I haven't mentioned anything about our move here, so let me sum up: in November we found out that my husband's position here in Laramie was being combined with that of his counterpart in Casper, and the role would be based out of Casper. And we decided that if we were going to have to move, it sure as heck wasn't going to be to Casper. So my husband interviewed for a new position in Tucson, AZ, which he got, and we're really excited about. HOWEVER, we were in the middle of a home renovation that we'd planned to stretch out over five years, and suddenly we only had six months in which to do it.</p><p>It's been a rough six months.</p><p>Going to Storymakers, however, was non-negotiable. Especially because with the move, it was the last time Taryn and I got to drive together. This year, both of her sisters came along, as did one of my friends here in Laramie. The car was packed, and it was fantastic to nerd out the whole way about writing with great friends.</p><p>We got to Provo on Thursday with enough time to meet the fantastic <a href="https://www.sarahallenbooks.com" target="_blank">Sarah Allen</a> for dinner at my favorite Korean restaurant, Koko Lunchbox. Then we had the opening social for the conference, where I got to do some recruiting for the <a href="http://storymakersguild.org/storymakers-guild/storymentors" target="_blank">Storymentors</a> program with my co-director, Rebecca Carlson.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kKtl_z8uEIW7ooGWv1YJIOFfXUKRlyE-CgjFs3_FvM01Lhvc2ep6UnK8BfsjH0HoHO2sSHMVwiuswQrh60P5UnWiQ7G1_BjSL5RSlqb5uDbJ0UNPvbB4G_eu3LVBzivrG3FgAL2oJm6gxRrmrGR1BAZFe6OOsINqxmf9KODDXWR2rUmZhgQklB3c/s3088/864A3C7D-98BA-4056-8EBF-7E9ED9E74CB7.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kKtl_z8uEIW7ooGWv1YJIOFfXUKRlyE-CgjFs3_FvM01Lhvc2ep6UnK8BfsjH0HoHO2sSHMVwiuswQrh60P5UnWiQ7G1_BjSL5RSlqb5uDbJ0UNPvbB4G_eu3LVBzivrG3FgAL2oJm6gxRrmrGR1BAZFe6OOsINqxmf9KODDXWR2rUmZhgQklB3c/s320/864A3C7D-98BA-4056-8EBF-7E9ED9E74CB7.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The conference classes were excellent as always. I'd volunteered to be a room host for 6 out of 12 sessions, which was fun. It was a lot less demanding than being a room moderator was last year, and it meant I got to go to some classes I might have otherwise missed. I also got to go to an intensive class taught by <a href="https://www.kendareblake.com" target="_blank">Kendare Blake</a>, whose Three Dark Crowns series is an absolute masterpiece. Her class was about using setting as a character in fiction, and she had us do a lot of workshopping exercises. I was brave enough to read one of my exercise out loud in front of the whole room of people. It was terrifying. But also fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went to the Whitney Awards gala for the first time as a guest and not an organizer, which was a fun experience. It was so weird not to know who was going to win! I found myself holding my breath each time they announced the winner. Though I did know in advance who the next Whitney Awards president was going to be--my bestie, Taryn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oMUqEvEco-VA2z49obhH1VneyWzUz0P_iNq4zsPlQGO7jpdZvP3I5C7ZkJ8VfjZ5nA8cik2efstoiTIJQatW8fknfGCz2mwVPWePh_RtQdC2xODXrd3tFxejsFWgHCpdPnqk36uvXnl0DtFIXg8YHXE-0BVkZ3NaDBYGtIkCXFS4gmOks24ugReJ/s1024/B66CE611-EDE1-4EAC-A7C4-767B8F9D142F_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oMUqEvEco-VA2z49obhH1VneyWzUz0P_iNq4zsPlQGO7jpdZvP3I5C7ZkJ8VfjZ5nA8cik2efstoiTIJQatW8fknfGCz2mwVPWePh_RtQdC2xODXrd3tFxejsFWgHCpdPnqk36uvXnl0DtFIXg8YHXE-0BVkZ3NaDBYGtIkCXFS4gmOks24ugReJ/s320/B66CE611-EDE1-4EAC-A7C4-767B8F9D142F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="203" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Three Whitneys presidents! me, Emily Inouye Huey, and Taryn Skipper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa_SWWzBFTlwMcLRHMll7_TD3kZQyfmADuJjq2-FDlDP4ZVc1b22qUYVygwWalMKsovcMiiuQpbLHZ_LA5UJILlPMh_Utk4DwZtUdEARpz6SNi-bF2h4gRQeOsrqOZnzlP8JmCK2QwutLDe8kvSEogjkU6McDD7E_o_0F5EY9UIubJl88ZxQAvcXI/s952/0415505C-243B-4901-AF27-E446F7BAC6FF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa_SWWzBFTlwMcLRHMll7_TD3kZQyfmADuJjq2-FDlDP4ZVc1b22qUYVygwWalMKsovcMiiuQpbLHZ_LA5UJILlPMh_Utk4DwZtUdEARpz6SNi-bF2h4gRQeOsrqOZnzlP8JmCK2QwutLDe8kvSEogjkU6McDD7E_o_0F5EY9UIubJl88ZxQAvcXI/s320/0415505C-243B-4901-AF27-E446F7BAC6FF.jpeg" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">me and Emily with Don Carey, tech wizard extraordinaire</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg792_qWh7R549c1VvJgFDI9IGquDByNgHjoimL0cNk44l0PDzch4LhyFVDb3VNpLfWBaSula7XD3HyaLBDU72hlfJ3janzMWA0KfQvAW1tqVw1ufkr8kUrzSwM9xsu4Ffx9DTMmHe_grLO6rPjois3YBANSKHU1HqwG4QEhKc0slt1zZq2p91-foIF/s4032/E1982326-6140-4918-9D69-C6E5DE1472F5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg792_qWh7R549c1VvJgFDI9IGquDByNgHjoimL0cNk44l0PDzch4LhyFVDb3VNpLfWBaSula7XD3HyaLBDU72hlfJ3janzMWA0KfQvAW1tqVw1ufkr8kUrzSwM9xsu4Ffx9DTMmHe_grLO6rPjois3YBANSKHU1HqwG4QEhKc0slt1zZq2p91-foIF/s320/E1982326-6140-4918-9D69-C6E5DE1472F5.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elisa McLean, me, Rebecca Carlson, and Sarah Allen, pointing at the cover of Sarah's book Breathing Underwater, which was a finalist in the Middle Grade category</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One highlight I absolutely have to mention is that Taryn won FIRST PLACE in her category in the conference's First Chapter contest!!!!! I pity the people sitting at my table when they announced it because I SCREAMED at the top of my lungs. Taryn has worked so hard on this book, and entered the contest multiple years, incorporating feedback each time. To not only place, but get <i>first</i> place was a testament to how freaking hard she's worked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Saturday after the conference I got to hang out with my sister, who drove all the way down from Salt Lake to spend a couple hours with me. She's pretty much the best. After she headed back, I went down to the hotel lobby to hang out with the rest of my writing group, many of whom either live in the Provo area or who were at the conference. Again, nerding out about writing is one of my favorite things to do, and we stayed up way too late doing it. But it was amazing to see everyone again.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4jAeaqo3Rx_O9zbBe06zgJoIDHNTt50EnqScG_G6Fefe2OvJOkyn8eX-XMzvTt3Ey-J1VcDt6ymXO5w_cK3j6Ky5eXk9_n_CvX5oOwNB7qf_8YyyKkQwU2Qt1Scgf9a5WqMy-L4oaB01DYot-6jz-_nUjCouYzLL1YsJPQaoWixZPbdFH0SgxGCx/s4032/B27FCF52-2184-4A80-BD23-789630CE2285.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4jAeaqo3Rx_O9zbBe06zgJoIDHNTt50EnqScG_G6Fefe2OvJOkyn8eX-XMzvTt3Ey-J1VcDt6ymXO5w_cK3j6Ky5eXk9_n_CvX5oOwNB7qf_8YyyKkQwU2Qt1Scgf9a5WqMy-L4oaB01DYot-6jz-_nUjCouYzLL1YsJPQaoWixZPbdFH0SgxGCx/s320/B27FCF52-2184-4A80-BD23-789630CE2285.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Missing Link Writers: Brandon, Kasey, me, Elisa, Leisha, Kim, Em, Julia, and Taryn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I arrived home, it was to a newly remodeled kitchen! Ryan and some friends worked their butts off for four days to get our kitchen updated and ready to sell. I don't get to enjoy it--too busy painting to cook! But it looks amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E4P4wibbul-AtbZsVBKiugIGBuCKz4zPW8uyhUKJTM1u-yWIYbo42I_Vlj2WuVN1H_2GdXaFYis3KePaELGeTsr9IIYi2H8pe8dJwpGI004qt7jTk_a7xCVeTYIsjvSd5wF54rTNjR8CkRzBrQKVmaepWcuKV9XUaBeK2AI_DnsVmVA-9qoTQytG/s3507/2AEB994D-4512-4B2B-B3DF-53DF057F4F8C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="3507" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E4P4wibbul-AtbZsVBKiugIGBuCKz4zPW8uyhUKJTM1u-yWIYbo42I_Vlj2WuVN1H_2GdXaFYis3KePaELGeTsr9IIYi2H8pe8dJwpGI004qt7jTk_a7xCVeTYIsjvSd5wF54rTNjR8CkRzBrQKVmaepWcuKV9XUaBeK2AI_DnsVmVA-9qoTQytG/s320/2AEB994D-4512-4B2B-B3DF-53DF057F4F8C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One last road trip photo with the McQueen sisters, in my fancy kitchen</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Storymakers is, as always, my happy place. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQUpI2SyPXlf9d8sgXXyyqya-Nw-u-1iR22SL1_08ox41ueQoodRjQIDgoUgd018rrcwK013ZBlnL33p52sWtiPmDpW76nS9y_e1XLojKD77OqG4Pm-dQILZN_-q5LXWmBsOt3SqsFrOMEDFjOGWnURA0qnEpcM9MSEk8mEVvSyATftGUa1E_INd8/s3088/D024593F-DB3E-496A-BFD9-A3A3A121702A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQUpI2SyPXlf9d8sgXXyyqya-Nw-u-1iR22SL1_08ox41ueQoodRjQIDgoUgd018rrcwK013ZBlnL33p52sWtiPmDpW76nS9y_e1XLojKD77OqG4Pm-dQILZN_-q5LXWmBsOt3SqsFrOMEDFjOGWnURA0qnEpcM9MSEk8mEVvSyATftGUa1E_INd8/s320/D024593F-DB3E-496A-BFD9-A3A3A121702A.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /> </div><br /> <p></p>Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-70579806232302416182022-04-29T22:11:00.000-06:002022-04-29T22:11:11.987-06:00Success!<p> I have started four books since the pandemic started, and I keep abandoning them to chase down new shiny ideas. I desperately want to type The End sometime this year, so I'm determined to stick with this book until it's finished. To help me with my goal, I participated in <a href="http://nanowrimo.org" target="_blank">Camp NaNoWriMo</a> this month, and I'm proud to say I met my goal of adding 20,000 words to my manuscript a day early!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cBB3lKSTW0Hn12zMmJogFJ6FPlNbG2SM11cpx95mRVYTP2-7dBCex0EsMlEplKndwUc-9TANoCEl2E-OgYr6cD2sCG-u_bsEH1RUWAZHRirYqYGNDkiTAmhP6xxQKkz7Gj0kduKVO-olhP5XEvuL2CFrzkeIF5vC_B0Txz3B35V3TL8FHPbYJsgq/s1157/150dpi_Camp-Nano_Updated_Winner-3_Flat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1157" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cBB3lKSTW0Hn12zMmJogFJ6FPlNbG2SM11cpx95mRVYTP2-7dBCex0EsMlEplKndwUc-9TANoCEl2E-OgYr6cD2sCG-u_bsEH1RUWAZHRirYqYGNDkiTAmhP6xxQKkz7Gj0kduKVO-olhP5XEvuL2CFrzkeIF5vC_B0Txz3B35V3TL8FHPbYJsgq/s320/150dpi_Camp-Nano_Updated_Winner-3_Flat.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though 20,000 words in a month may seem like nothing to some people, to me it feels really good to have made a goal instead of disappointing myself once again. Now I'm challenging myself to write another 20,000 words before we move (June 25th!), which may be a stretch as I'll be busy with the end-of-school events for my kids and the whole business of actually moving. But after my success this month, I'm excited to give it a try!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even more exciting: I'm leaving for <a href="https://storymakersguild.org/storymakers-conference" target="_blank">Storymakers</a> in less than 2 weeks! I can't wait to see all my writing pals, roadtrip with <a href="https://skipperbay.com" target="_blank">my bestie</a>, and learn more skills to improve my craft. It's going to be amazing!</div><br /><p><br /></p>Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-53979950342938631712022-01-23T20:02:00.002-07:002022-01-23T20:03:09.790-07:00New Routines<p>I have had a plan for years. The thought of someday being able to achieve this plan has given me hope. "If I can just make it to... then I'll be able to... and my life will be perfect." </p><p>As I mentioned in <a href="http://www.karareynoldswrites.com/2020/09/yet-another-plot-twist.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, I've been looking forward to having all three of my kids in school so I could have writing time during the day. I had August 2020 (when Amelia started kindergarten) circled on my mental calendar for years. But my kids did virtual school that semester, so I had to put daytime writing on hold.</p><p>January 2021. All three kids are back in in-person school. Writing is going awesomely.</p><p>February 2021. Sam breaks the TV and we decide to get him a paper route so he can work to pay it off. I now have to get up at 3:30am five days a week. I spend most days with brain fog. All my free time goes to planning the Whitney Awards gala.</p><p>May 2021. Whitney Awards are done, TV is paid off and paper route is over. Writing can resume.</p><p>June 2021. Kids are now home full-time during the day (thanks, whoever decided school would be off for three months straight!)</p><p>August 2021. Kids are back in school. Writing time during the day is now scheduled. I have word counts to make, time blocks to fill. And... writing is still not happening.</p><p>I've been frustrated for months because I just cannot seem to make writing during the day happen, not with any kind of consistency. If something comes up during the day, writing is the first thing to be tossed aside. If I can't make my word count, I feel worthless. I don't write at night anymore, because writing is meant to be done DURING THE DAY. That's what I've been looking forward to for years! I can't go back to writing at night!</p><p>On the other hand, I did write five books that way.</p><p>One of my friends tweeted the other day that all he did for writing that day was name a character. I happened to see the tweet at bedtime, and I thought, "Okay, I'll just get on for five minutes and plan a scene or decide on some character flaws." And before I knew it, I had a proper writing session that lasted over an hour.</p><p>I tried it again the next day. Same story. Bedtime, chores done, I got on just for five minutes, it turned into an hour. Nine pm is apparently when my brain wants to be creative. I've always been a night owl. I know this about myself. Yet I've spent the last year fighting it, then getting down on myself for not being able to create a new routine.</p><p>This week, I'm going back to my old habits. And I have to say, I'm really looking forward to my night writing sessions.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-19899172826968042232021-12-04T22:31:00.004-07:002021-12-04T22:31:51.906-07:00I got a job!<p>I love storytelling in all mediums, though books hold the most special place in my heart. Something I've realized about myself is that while I love few things, I love them deeply. My love of reading books grew into a love of writing them, and an interest in the publishing industry as well.</p><p>I had this idea for years that I would get some kind of job when my youngest child started school and I suddenly had more free time every day. Of course, my daughter started kindergarten in August 2020; I was doing online school for 3 kids, and slowly losing my mind. Getting a job got shunted down my priority list.</p><p>When school started again this fall, I decided to give more serious thought to the whole job thing. I decided not to get a job unless I would truly enjoy doing it, which is a privileged position to be in. I thought about what kinds of things I liked to do, and what I was already good at (because no one is going to hire someone for something they aren't good at when they haven't had a proper job in 10+ years, no matter how <a href="https://uugpgc.genetics.utah.edu" target="_blank">cool their master's degree is</a>). I really wanted a job in publishing, but so much of publishing is based out of New York City or other large cities--none of it is based out of Wyoming, that's for sure! So it would have to be something I could do remotely.</p><p>To make a long story short... (not one of my strengths, as my writing group will tell you) I am now working as an administrative assistant for <a href="https://www.litagentlaurarennert.com" target="_blank">Laura Rennert</a> at <a href="https://www.andreabrownlit.com" target="_blank">Andrea Brown Literary Agency</a>. It is pretty much the perfect job for me. My deep abiding love of spreadsheets and databases is married to my love of books and how they get made. I get to work in my pajamas, at my kitchen table, while my kids are in school. My boss is kind and considerate, on top of being a rockstar agent with amazing clients.</p><p>I am really grateful that I've landed where I have.</p>Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-48215675400724772292021-06-01T14:07:00.001-06:002021-06-01T14:07:40.870-06:00Storymakers Conference Recap<p>We humans missed out on a lot of things in 2020. For me, one of the things I missed the most was attending the <a href="https://ldstorymakersconference.com" target="_blank">Storymakers Conference</a>. The conference organizers did an amazing job with changing the format of the conference from a live, in-person experience to a virtual one, so I didn't miss out on the writing education. Indeed, it was one of my best years for learning and growing as a writer. But I missed my road trip with my bestie <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SkipperBay" target="_blank">Taryn Skipper</a> and I missed feeling the energy of hundreds of writers in the same place all trying to be their best.</p><p>I started my term as president of the <a href="http://www.whitneyawards.com" target="_blank">Whitney Awards</a> committee on June 15th, 2020, unsure that we'd be back in person for the conference in 2021. But we'd successfully held the awards virtually, so my committee forged on, dedicated to giving the authors the same great Whitney Awards experience they'd come to expect no matter what was in store for us in May 2021. </p><p>And then the vaccines came, and things got better, and it was determined that the conference would be a hybrid format, both virtual and in-person, from now on. It's an exciting change that opens up the Storymakers experience to many writers who otherwise would miss out. We figured out how to do a hybrid awards gala, which was a struggle because I'd only ever attended our virtual gala from the previous year! Having to put on an in-person gala without having been to one was a challenge, but well worth it.</p><p>One of the most rewarding parts of being on the conference committee was being involved in the strides our conference chairs made in improving the conference's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. They'd received feedback that it was an area in which the conference was lacking, and it was hurting attendees of color. So we worked on it, guided by <a href="https://drlashawn.com" target="_blank">Dr. LaShawn Williams</a>, who is absolutely amazing at helping people and organizations identify pain points and work to improve them. Is everything perfect now? No. But it's much better, and I hope it made people who have felt marginalized at the conference feel like they had a place again.</p><p>So... the conference itself! I'd gotten the second dose of the COVID vaccine before attending, which felt amazing. Taryn picked me up on Thursday, bright and early, this year with her sister Kim joining us on our trip. Kim and I were roommates in college, and we have the kind of friendship where it doesn't matter if we haven't talked in years, we can pick right back up where we left off. Hanging out with the McQueen sisters all weekend was a blast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVjDyBwYuVwCn6x8UvFXly43CBG6F7wdg8GwVs6ko9n4jfKcnq4EUbSTtMeRWG9vFTF3ekO0RWYeWRWGTkmBTU-8F7U6xuzCMPXmscHHQp7N6bSmAGw5dNIsSwg7vhGHfo4y1mFsfdBk/s2048/C9DB018B-DECD-4D1E-909B-EF05E6B6B974.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVjDyBwYuVwCn6x8UvFXly43CBG6F7wdg8GwVs6ko9n4jfKcnq4EUbSTtMeRWG9vFTF3ekO0RWYeWRWGTkmBTU-8F7U6xuzCMPXmscHHQp7N6bSmAGw5dNIsSwg7vhGHfo4y1mFsfdBk/s320/C9DB018B-DECD-4D1E-909B-EF05E6B6B974.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAfG2feySlgqcqNx5jJBoMTr1Q5OHwAP5fn-QcWHaVfLJegjCYL-ofDgdDnanWz2UMPS-OHqpwLGQSZqO6hyphenhyphenzhpZAaQS1YrIoMWTtuiwUzSQqBkrFdSh8yLyku_FGT_ZRoDEr4zQ6sgw/s2048/C40BE07B-4DC6-4351-9D47-03DB2A17C70E.jpeg" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAfG2feySlgqcqNx5jJBoMTr1Q5OHwAP5fn-QcWHaVfLJegjCYL-ofDgdDnanWz2UMPS-OHqpwLGQSZqO6hyphenhyphenzhpZAaQS1YrIoMWTtuiwUzSQqBkrFdSh8yLyku_FGT_ZRoDEr4zQ6sgw/s320/C40BE07B-4DC6-4351-9D47-03DB2A17C70E.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stashed our stuff in our hotel room Thursday afternoon when we arrived, then quickly split up to hang out with our respective local friends. My friend Bex took me to a Korean restaurant and we stuffed ourselves with amazing food before I had to rush back to the conference center for tech training. One of my additional roles at the conference was a session moderator, which meant I got to run the tech that allowed us to live stream and record the classes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Technology, as always, is not perfect, but we did our best to make this hybrid format work. As a session moderator, I was assigned to one room all day, so I got to listen to classes I might not have chosen to attend on my own. I loved getting to hear new things! Storymakers has such an amazing faculty every year. The instruction is top-notch. I'm excited to spend the next several weeks watching the recorded classes and (hopefully) leveling-up my writing game once again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday night was the Whitney Awards gala, which had kept me busy for months as we worked out all the details. Thanks to my committee, everything ran so smoothly that I even got to sit back and enjoy the gala after giving my speech. The absolute best part was watching the winners walk to the podium with tears in their eyes. I was touched by how much the awards meant to them. It made the hours of organizing absolutely worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9hx1ZEGProdhSgzjlpqndCXN_UIauVwGMK7nqSTGMu_7SDHCJYYcV6mAVFrBGSWsu96aOE_eP1tq3dQb0ldG0gDf6feQMXEO2CNJNlD70SBC2_CRQPpYCX_4L5UkXO5C9tG3Fn-Nyag/s2048/Whitneys-6091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9hx1ZEGProdhSgzjlpqndCXN_UIauVwGMK7nqSTGMu_7SDHCJYYcV6mAVFrBGSWsu96aOE_eP1tq3dQb0ldG0gDf6feQMXEO2CNJNlD70SBC2_CRQPpYCX_4L5UkXO5C9tG3Fn-Nyag/s320/Whitneys-6091.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9i9YxM2VDB8d2erQqbqXveU7IvhqK5471wgY8e2oZehr1uzMGMfWjaHNeCBOzjHY4HBFeIfQy8b4UWQYhZPfA-d2TDvpZQYzfElfQzaDtiNnEw8Cj6RflcPeE_5foSTsmy4OMQEgvtM/s2048/Whitneys-6093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9i9YxM2VDB8d2erQqbqXveU7IvhqK5471wgY8e2oZehr1uzMGMfWjaHNeCBOzjHY4HBFeIfQy8b4UWQYhZPfA-d2TDvpZQYzfElfQzaDtiNnEw8Cj6RflcPeE_5foSTsmy4OMQEgvtM/s320/Whitneys-6093.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my incredible committee (minus Emily Paxman, who lives in Canada and wasn't able to join us in person).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the gala some of the committee came back to our hotel room to hang out and decompress, which was so fun. We've been communicating over Slack and Zoom all year, so seeing these lovely people in person made me so happy. Definitely a conference highlight for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfwktShyKgCnKVepw3-kPzEYA5-W0as9grf-rHb2gtV9hL-ha6Ds4mauIAlp993iYhPFkvgAiLeVe6kbzKjcUR34NVX0AJldluMHBHWXzrfUAeD21fhly3OefAOoqHmQs1AoVD51g2mc/s2048/48FFBA99-BC0E-4EBF-9AA2-C04296DBD96B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfwktShyKgCnKVepw3-kPzEYA5-W0as9grf-rHb2gtV9hL-ha6Ds4mauIAlp993iYhPFkvgAiLeVe6kbzKjcUR34NVX0AJldluMHBHWXzrfUAeD21fhly3OefAOoqHmQs1AoVD51g2mc/s320/48FFBA99-BC0E-4EBF-9AA2-C04296DBD96B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had Martinellis and snacks, gotta eat fancy to match our fancy clothes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday was another busy day of moderating, though it was much less stressful without the gala hanging over my head! I was able to enjoy it much more. I had two critique sessions with a literary agent, and we had a great discussion about the market and how my work might fit into it. She requested more work from me, which was a nice win as I'd had to put writing and querying on hold to prepare for the gala and the conference. Time to get back to work on my own writing! I'm very excited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTGjbtiWNgn5v0UKnfNhTttSB9OeXC126XBsVghBKUAO6Si1nLAC9yQyHi5gylGi3UZeAiihssDVv3AoUUNpWNUmJoJiFshe0g1z4q841b6GFG_UHmb2Qk2WOtTJs_szkXNn6XCOIAOQ/s2048/3FAE2398-C3CB-473B-8170-26C017846B9C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTGjbtiWNgn5v0UKnfNhTttSB9OeXC126XBsVghBKUAO6Si1nLAC9yQyHi5gylGi3UZeAiihssDVv3AoUUNpWNUmJoJiFshe0g1z4q841b6GFG_UHmb2Qk2WOtTJs_szkXNn6XCOIAOQ/s320/3FAE2398-C3CB-473B-8170-26C017846B9C.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my happy place.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP7a9KKAi3I11mg21Esn98XX2gch3EE89-Y2EDQUm1iksndAylh2o32JdKnxetKJv-seFTSrHaDSkPbWKy2dNbCm4B5npS_vZU4R3csKT_MASyzrxCWwLVTttddLrwf3Pr4I6iI-KkMg/s2048/4C5BFEA9-C3A0-47AD-B245-577ABC16BC4D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP7a9KKAi3I11mg21Esn98XX2gch3EE89-Y2EDQUm1iksndAylh2o32JdKnxetKJv-seFTSrHaDSkPbWKy2dNbCm4B5npS_vZU4R3csKT_MASyzrxCWwLVTttddLrwf3Pr4I6iI-KkMg/s320/4C5BFEA9-C3A0-47AD-B245-577ABC16BC4D.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With Cindy Baldwin, the author of my 9yo's favorite book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Welcome-Cindy-Baldwin/dp/0062665901/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=beginners+welcome&qid=1621520585&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Beginners Welcome</a>. I asked him if he wanted me to take the book with me to get it signed and he wrinkled his nose and said, "Why would I let someone write in my book?" So I got a photo and some stickers instead!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCscl6e4Mm8rqh8Ok27fyuICDUUZ7pps6mtlwhyruzLYBNEWi5YfvGkdf_Wrh8OAv_7vtODOjc79Y7Vm4eeBHk8rnnMevaULTk53NVeffM_54jgPl2JMUnbPmZL-qUyeEgLqG2Fi8tzYc/s2048/60C59660-B3E1-40D9-A31A-EF278DC9EE90.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCscl6e4Mm8rqh8Ok27fyuICDUUZ7pps6mtlwhyruzLYBNEWi5YfvGkdf_Wrh8OAv_7vtODOjc79Y7Vm4eeBHk8rnnMevaULTk53NVeffM_54jgPl2JMUnbPmZL-qUyeEgLqG2Fi8tzYc/s320/60C59660-B3E1-40D9-A31A-EF278DC9EE90.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With Emily Inouye Huey and Stephanie Huang Porter, two of my favorite fellow conference committee members.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQqZBoKsDhvqI1Ixrt9YniDo9UJjT3OhKYpETrXKcfRT6sq2wueEpqjfd-ZKzqh62uvJWPbfY0dk7cZOdMCqSpFVj3bNxySZuYe_o7n8OLCbLu8Hb209AN9nFh0q55empqHbjveCzgMk/s2048/A9DAE5FA-932C-423A-908A-613A1B06622F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQqZBoKsDhvqI1Ixrt9YniDo9UJjT3OhKYpETrXKcfRT6sq2wueEpqjfd-ZKzqh62uvJWPbfY0dk7cZOdMCqSpFVj3bNxySZuYe_o7n8OLCbLu8Hb209AN9nFh0q55empqHbjveCzgMk/s320/A9DAE5FA-932C-423A-908A-613A1B06622F.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Probably the fanciest conference badge I'll ever have, highlighting the many hats I got to wear over the weekend. I've learned that I really like to be behind the scenes, so maybe I'll do it again in the future!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a Twitter pal tell me I should put my speech from the awards gala on my website, so here it is! Lucky thing I have to write my speeches/church talks out word for word, so I actually have the whole text.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTK-qYCP9P5TSQZ4dqdxCcjkq9pbNShXXa8Pz7kPOx7ROSaTXgK8rF5j7SFwvUgwlOqCx7R47SMZTLKbqoozSfw4GeR4maBo-GTb_ezaQbaCmMMAPWuMTXyD836Dail5zqwAhBlt6AFA/s2048/Whitneys-6107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTK-qYCP9P5TSQZ4dqdxCcjkq9pbNShXXa8Pz7kPOx7ROSaTXgK8rF5j7SFwvUgwlOqCx7R47SMZTLKbqoozSfw4GeR4maBo-GTb_ezaQbaCmMMAPWuMTXyD836Dail5zqwAhBlt6AFA/s320/Whitneys-6107.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wish I knew which part of the speech this was!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Hello everyone, both here in the conference center and joining us virtually over Zoom. Thank you so much for being with us tonight. I am thrilled to be here, in person, with so many of you. While the virtual conference last year was incredible, and a true testament to the innovative spirit of the conference organizers, there’s just something special about being surrounded by other writers and readers. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen your faces, especially the bottom halves. My name is Kara Reynolds, and I am the president of the committee that ran the Whitney Awards this year. It’s my privilege tonight to share a few thoughts with you before we present the winners of the 14th Annual Whitney Awards.<br /><br /><br />When I was in college, I worked at the happiest place on Earth. No, not Disney World; I worked at a pirate-themed bookstore! The best part of that job was a tie between the giant pirate ship that was built around the kids’ section and the employee discount.<br /><br /><br />One morning, before work, one of my friends who was recently off his mission called to tell me he had gotten engaged to a girl from his hometown. He wanted me to meet her, so we agreed to meet at the Institute when I got off work. Before I left to meet them, I used my amazing employee discount to buy the highly anticipated last book in a trilogy. It had only been out for a few days, and I figured after meeting my friend I would hang out on the couch at the Institute and read for a few hours. So picture a much younger me, walking into the Institute, clutching my new book to my chest. My friend and his fiancée stood up from the couch to greet me. And the first words out of the fiancée’s mouth were, “Oh, I just finished reading that! The ending was so sad!”<br /><br /><br />We were so close to being best friends. If only she hadn’t spoiled the ending….<br /><br /><br />I imagine, though, if she and my friend had stayed in our college town, I would eventually have forgiven her for spoiling my book and we would have become friends, as people who love stories tend to do.<br /><br /><br />Stories have the power to unite people. Do you remember last March when everyone was watching Tiger King on Netflix? Social media was nothing but conspiracy theories and Carole Baskin memes for weeks. It gave us a way to come together when we were all facing the possibility of not being physically together. I’m sure many of us introverted writer and reader types thought, a year ago, that social isolation wasn’t such a bad thing. Now, though, it’s never been so clear that we humans need connections with other humans. More than one member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles touched on this subject in their talks for General Conference this April. We were encouraged to watch out for each other’s loneliness, and to reach out to those who may be in need of contact. Elder Gary E. Stevenson said, “As you extend yourself with kindness, care, and compassion, even digitally, I promise that you will lift up arms that hang down and will heal hearts.” The 45 stories that were Whitney Awards finalists this year gave me an amazing opportunity to extend myself to connect with people in my life in ways that were much more meaningful than tiger jokes. Here are a couple examples:<br /><br /><br />When I was 8, I wanted to read “grown up books.” My grandmother gave me a book from Lillian Jackson Braun’s Cat Who cozy mystery series to read. She’s also the person who introduced me to Agatha Christie. In retrospect, maybe an 8-year-old shouldn’t have been reading so much murder, but I’ll always be grateful to my grandma for taking me seriously as a reader and encouraging me to try new books. So when I read an incredible mystery this year for the Whitney Awards, who do you think I called as soon as I finished the book? Being able to recommend a book to my grandma for once made me feel like that proud 8-year-old reading grown-up books all over again.<br /><br /><br />My children also love books, though one of my biggest struggles as a parent has been getting them to branch out and try new books instead of reading the same ones over and over. When we announced the finalists for this year’s Whitneys, I felt prompted to read the Middle Grade finalists with my kids, who are right in that target audience age range. We sat in the living room every night and read a few chapters. Every time we finished a book, we discussed what we did and didn’t like about it. My 9-year-old always hated whenever anything bad happened to a character (I won’t be recommending any murder books to him), which gave us the opportunity to talk about how good writing makes us care about characters and the things that happen to them. Being able to share two things I love, reading and writing, with my children, was one of my favorite experiences as the president of the Whitney Awards committee. <br /><br /><br />I could share so many more stories about the ways I was able to connect with other readers through the Whitney Awards. I’m sure you have your own stories about the ways these books have helped you draw closer to someone distant, or distracted you from your troubles for a few hours, or made you laugh, or made you think. The authors whose work was featured in the Whitney Awards have done all these things and more for their readers. In a time when we have all felt the need to be swept away from our trials, when we longed to connect with other people, the books in the Whitney Awards were a gift. Thank you to all the authors: nominees, finalists, and winners. Thank you for allowing me and everyone here to escape into your stories.<br /><br /><br />It takes more work behind the scenes to run the Whitney Awards than most people realize. Luckily for me, I had an amazing group of people to work with on my committee. I asked all of them to join the committee in May 2020, when we were still largely unaware of how much the pandemic was going to affect our lives. One of our committee members, Emily Paxman, couldn’t join us in-person tonight as she lives in Canada, which still has a very strict border crossing policy. I don’t think any of us would have guessed that would be the case a year ago! Even amidst the enormous trial of living through a pandemic, my committee members faithfully took on any task given to them, and helped the Whitneys run as smoothly as possible for the authors, judges, and readers. Their names are in your program, and you’ll see them tonight as our award presenters, but I’d still like to acknowledge Gina Denny, Taffy Lovell, Emily Paxman, Angie Taylor, Elisa McLean, Jamie McHenry, and Taryn Skipper. Their dedication to making the Whitney Awards a wonderful experience for all involved was nothing short of miraculous this year. Please join me in thanking them with a round of applause.<br /><br /><br />I have loved serving on the Whitney Awards committee for the past two years. I’ve gotten to know so many authors and readers and stories that I otherwise wouldn’t have met, which I enjoyed far more than my introvert self would have ever believed. One of my responsibilities as committee president is to select the president of the next committee and hand the reins over to them so the Awards can continue running smoothly. I’m very grateful to our next Whitney Awards committee president for agreeing to take on this role and continue the work. She’s already shown her dedication to the Whitneys and the Storymakers conference, and I’m so happy to have her take the lead for the 15th Annual Whitney Awards. Please join me in welcoming Emily Inouye Huey as the next Whitney Awards committee president.<br /><br /><br />And now it’s time to celebrate some truly amazing authors and stories. The first round of Whitney Awards judges read a total of 187 books, narrowing down each genre category to the top five. The Whitney Awards Academy then read these top five finalists, and cast their votes to determine the winners.<br /><br /><br />My local library does a promotion every Valentine’s Day where they wrap books in brown paper, so you can’t see the covers, and the librarians list out a few key elements of the book on the wrapping paper to entice readers to check it out. They call it “blind date with a book.” We wanted to help you get to know the Whitney Awards finalists, all of which were incredible books, so we asked the authors: what would a blind date with your book look like? It turns out they aren’t just good with words, they also make some pretty fantastic videos. Without any further ado from me, here are your 14th Annual Whitney Awards finalists.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRYQseKq7ff5Gpd4UB0axP4P52ezBZVXAxSTc7gPkqoczyckp4LPC8uGytqiytfEJv-bHEospK2j-BQQ99pZKG1ALL248Q3LgK8SwG7z2-6AclBVnuwP1UKPA7ncSISMG3uiuxUCMe38/s2048/2B769A6B-246E-4D31-86AE-75AD334906EF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRYQseKq7ff5Gpd4UB0axP4P52ezBZVXAxSTc7gPkqoczyckp4LPC8uGytqiytfEJv-bHEospK2j-BQQ99pZKG1ALL248Q3LgK8SwG7z2-6AclBVnuwP1UKPA7ncSISMG3uiuxUCMe38/s320/2B769A6B-246E-4D31-86AE-75AD334906EF.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Post-gala, exhausted and ready for bed!</div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-85085792846646201632020-09-03T22:40:00.003-06:002020-09-03T22:40:44.599-06:00Yet Another Plot Twist<p> A few years ago, during a long heart-to-heart with my husband, he asked me what I needed to become a better writer. I told him I needed time. Time to myself, to write more, instead of grabbing an hour of computer time after the kids were in bed and the dishes washed.</p><p>"August 2020," I said with confidence. "When Amelia starts kindergarten. I'll have eight hours a day by myself, and I'll be able to write so much more."</p><p>I had been counting down to my youngest child entering kindergarten pretty much ever since we decided we weren't having any more kids. All that time! I was going to accomplish so much!</p><p>Well, 2020 has changed everyone's plans, hasn't it? My daughter started kindergarten last month, as scheduled, but over Zoom, not as scheduled. Our district allowed parents to choose whether their children would attend school in-person or online, and I opted for online. Juggling 3 kids' Zoom schedules is not easy, to say the least. It is not a perfect solution, but it was the one I felt was best for us right now. We're all trying to do our best. It's okay if that doesn't look the same for everyone (unless you're refusing to wear a mask in public; you're not doing your best you're just an a-hole).</p><p>I'm not getting the extra hours of writing time that I've been dreaming of for years. And I'm sad about it. Some days are harder than others. Some days aren't so bad. I keep reminding myself that this won't last forever, and I will eventually get the time to myself that I need. I managed to write a bunch of books in the small space between the kids' bedtime and mine, and I'll continue to do so. For now. </p>Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-21646323075987213192020-06-24T21:28:00.002-06:002020-06-24T21:28:18.739-06:00What I'm doing latelySomeone shared something on Twitter recently that basically said, "We must not ever invent time travel, because if we did we'd have time travelers here trying to warn us about the mess that is 2020." And then someone replied that maybe the time travelers already came back and fixed things, which would mean that this timeline is actually the <i>improved</i> version. Both of those comments simultaneously made me laugh and cringe with fear. My current WIP is a time travel book, and one of the tenets of time travel in the book is that you can't mess with the past because the created paradoxes render it impossible to do so. But even my time travelers warn the people in the past to stock up on toilet paper in January 2020!<br />
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Anyhoo...<br />
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Something exciting that I'm currently working on is the <a href="https://whitneyawards.com/" target="_blank">14th Annual Whitney Awards</a>. I was on the committee last year, which I loved, even though our gala in May had to go virtual. I was asked to serve as the committee president this year, which is keeping me busy. But busy about books, and busy working with my awesome committee is a type of busy I love.<br />
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I mentioned in my last post that I was hoping to finish the first draft of my time travel WIP for April's Camp NaNoWriMo, and I'm happy to say that I accomplished that goal. Now I'm using all the awesome things I learned during this year's virtual Storymakers conference to finish the second draft during July's session of Camp NaNo. Hold me accountable!Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-16732837571203602312020-04-01T14:43:00.001-06:002020-04-01T14:43:53.420-06:00It's been... a yearI love the New Year. I love resolutions, even if I don't keep them, and I love feeling recharged and empowered to achieve my goals.<br />
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I started January 2020 feeling exactly that way. And then I got sick. And then a different kind of sick. I had corrective eye surgery, which was a YAY but took about a month before my eyes healed. The medicine I took for one of the sicks in January caused a different type of sick in February. My whole family had the flu. Then we all had a 24-hour stomach bug, one after the other. I started wondering if our new house was cursed.<br />
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But we started March healthy! I was so excited to shake off the funk and get back to work on my current book project. And then of course the pandemic made its way to the US. For now, everyone in our family is healthy, and I'm so grateful for that. Social distancing sucks (I just had to tell one of the neighborhood kids that my kids couldn't come out to play), as we all know. It's very important, and will hopefully pay off, but it's draining on the soul and creativity.<br />
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I have been making at least some progress on my book, however, and I think the first draft will finally be done at the end of April. I'm doing <a href="http://www.campnanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">Camp NaNoWriMo</a> for the extra accountability.<br />
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I hope you out there in the Internet are doing well, staying healthy, and are able to be creative in some way every day.Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-8894271975637112202019-12-11T14:33:00.000-07:002019-12-11T14:33:02.320-07:00NaNoWriMo InterviewI participated in an interview for NaNoWriMo's 20th Anniversary, talking about my experiences during my first NaNo. You can check it out here: <a href="https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/189480273099/20th-anniversary-interviews-part-2-writing-in">https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/189480273099/20th-anniversary-interviews-part-2-writing-in</a>Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-2969685727136935902019-09-28T22:54:00.000-06:002019-09-28T22:54:11.467-06:00Time to start something new!It took a lot of work, but I've finally finished outlining and plotting my time-travel novel. I've started writing the actual words--you can follow my progress <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%40Kara_reynolds7%20%23ahundredordie&src=typed_query&f=live" target="_blank">on Twitter</a>.<br />
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I have always wanted to write a time-travel book, but never felt like my skills were up to it. Now, with several books under my belt, I think it's time for the challenge. I hope my science women dynasty of inventors can come to life on the page the way it has in my head! Here's a brief summary of what I'm working with:<br />
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Maria Wallace hates science, which is unfortunate given she's the heir to the Wallace family dynasty, four generations of female inventors who have been pioneers in their respective fields. The only thing she likes about being a Wallace is the fame that comes from being a member of her family.<br />
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When a prominent historian claims that he has evidence that the original Wallace inventor faked her way into college, and therefore through her whole career, Maria is determined to clear her family's name. She steals her mother's time machine prototype and heads back in time to prove that her great-great-grandmother really was a genius. Using the time machine leaves it vulnerable on the return trip, however, and someone is waiting in the wings to take control of the machine. When Maria returns with the needed proof, she delivers the time machine right into the enemy's hands.Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-84997688246029122122019-08-16T20:20:00.000-06:002019-08-16T20:20:09.777-06:00UpdatesI am pretty much completely back to normal post-pneumonia, and that means it's time for a writerly-update on what I've been doing lately.<br />
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As you know, I love the Storymakers writing conference, and got to teach a class at the 2019 conference. For the 2020 conference, I am involved with Storymakers in a different capacity: I'm on the committee for the <a href="http://whitneyawards.com/about-whitney-awards/" target="_blank">2019 Whitney Awards</a>. The Whitney Awards are held in conjunction with the Storymakers conference, and they honor fiction writers who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am the judging coordinator, so I liaise with our volunteer judges and send them books as they are nominated. It's really fun, and of course my TBR pile has grown a ton since we started taking nominations! And speaking of nominations, we are taking them until October 31st! Anyone can nominate a book, so check out our nomination form <a href="http://whitneyawards.com/nominate-a-novel/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I have also started writing a short weekly feature for a local Facebook page. Writing on a deadline is a good exercise for my writing muscles. The feature is called A Slice of Laramie, and it appears Tuesday mornings on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsLaramie/" target="_blank">This Is Laramie's Facebook page</a>. It's fun to find the humor in small-town living. That must be why so many writers before me have done it!<br />
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Now that I'm not sick anymore I've started querying again. I appreciate all the good vibes you can spare on my behalf!Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-41073946249368428652019-07-27T21:43:00.001-06:002019-07-27T21:43:40.527-06:00Getting Sick is the WORSTThis has been an eventful summer for our family. We sold our home, and bought another fixer-upper about a mile closer to town. Our oldest son turned 10--having a kid who's a decade old is a sobering thought! We visited my parents at their home, where the younger 2 kids and I got the flu. It kind of ruined the end of our vacation. The kiddos got better, but for some reason my flu turned into pneumonia! I've been mostly out of commission for three weeks now. I'm starting to get some energy back, but doing normal things like going to the store wipes me out for hours. On top of that, we have boxes and chaos everywhere from the move. Disorganization is a big anxiety trigger for me, so I'm trying to ignore the mess and do what I can, a little at a time.<br />
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Being so sick means I've put querying GHOST GIRLS on hold for a little while. I'm hoping to get it back out there in August. I would appreciate all the good healing vibes you can send me!Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-58191842798522510572019-05-17T21:31:00.000-06:002019-05-17T21:31:04.995-06:00Storymakers Recap!Here's the tl;dr: I had a great time at <a href="http://ldstorymakersconference.com/" target="_blank">Storymakers 2019</a>.<br />
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My CP, <a href="https://skipperbay.com/" target="_blank">Taryn Skipper</a>, picked me up so we could road trip together. The weather had been sketchy all week, and I was afraid the highway would be closed, but it cooperated! We had about six hours in the car to talk about books and writing and our families, and just everything. Taryn and I have been friends for thirteen years, so a) we're old, and b) we have a lot to talk about.<br />
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One of my favorite things about Storymakers is the top-notch education it offers. There's a wide variety of classes, and people at all levels of ability can find something to help them improve. I took two psychology-type classes, two worldbuilding classes, and a handful of random others. For the most part, Taryn and I went to different classes so we could cover more ground and exchange notes afterwards. The highlight for me was teaching my Genetics 101 for Writers class. I was so afraid that no one would show up, but people did! My Powerpoint worked fine, even the embedded clip. I went over time, which I felt bad about, but in my defense the presentation was ten minutes short when I practiced it at home!<br />
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I had a query letter critique for my new book, and I was thrilled to hear from the literary agent I met with that my query letter was good to go and that he wanted to read the book! Even if nothing ends up coming from it, it was a nice confidence booster.<br />
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Taryn and I met up with some of our writing friends who weren't at the conference to do an escape room. That was a blast, and we DID escape, even though Taryn and I had melty brains from thinking about writing all day. The escape room was within walking distance of the conference hotel, so I think we'll definitely have to try another room next year.<br />
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Yes, I'm already planning next year. That's how great the weekend was!Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-66024875551896310932019-05-04T22:17:00.000-06:002019-05-04T22:17:13.986-06:00Storymakers is coming up FAST!I can barely contain myself every day that I wake up and am one day closer to leaving for the Storymakers conference.<br />
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It's gonna be amazing. I'm going to learn new things, see old friends, and hopefully not pass out from nervousness when I teach my class on incorporating genetics into fiction. Only 5 more sleeps until I leave!!!Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-41257842849101797892019-04-09T17:07:00.002-06:002019-04-09T17:07:37.897-06:00Tidying Up Tuesday: Ryan's Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are casually getting ready to sell our house, which has meant a mad rush to finish up the renovation. Ryan has been working his butt off to paint and put up trim in our bedrooms this week, but he took the time to go through his stuff before he did the reno in our bedroom.</div>
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Here are the before photos. You'll notice our walls were not completely painted when I took these:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF85YRpYWsAgEcWie7T3wdl-3rq3LUemWUzcBrLPIswtgCXa7hRb6dxP3wqYvQXAlXHeXK1MtktZ_kiXAjgBydw0PwUVU-CSvfppkjbrjBkiP68-jKYS1zICxOPBI4NdhYv8zDzPMoSP0/s1600/IMG_3451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF85YRpYWsAgEcWie7T3wdl-3rq3LUemWUzcBrLPIswtgCXa7hRb6dxP3wqYvQXAlXHeXK1MtktZ_kiXAjgBydw0PwUVU-CSvfppkjbrjBkiP68-jKYS1zICxOPBI4NdhYv8zDzPMoSP0/s320/IMG_3451.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Dresser</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96w3sBdaBYJHS1XRaJBb1QzRUrg4xavzBkOQrnoBSY29X9_30ANb__t3R4isd5rREr86THBf7A1hrvSgtJjpmtX-5fimP1_M7m2Fae3oqTNY_B8q_KSBwzFKNX_Ej5NADt_N8ZnegjLI/s1600/IMG_3452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96w3sBdaBYJHS1XRaJBb1QzRUrg4xavzBkOQrnoBSY29X9_30ANb__t3R4isd5rREr86THBf7A1hrvSgtJjpmtX-5fimP1_M7m2Fae3oqTNY_B8q_KSBwzFKNX_Ej5NADt_N8ZnegjLI/s320/IMG_3452.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Bedside table</div>
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Ryan had a lot of papers and random items on his side of the room that he had to go through. Here's his pile:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVld3oZ1lrhgY5gszPzxdwprTy2679GoIIxEo1vG8RNLnMQJEIv8UpTjrTcKKXhLED5ZguOmCe6OKzJXMfenNhZjM7zqiRgSuXL8ImvsjAky9-rbnk-6pwAwYGYf7HYjYFE8welOBNzwo/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVld3oZ1lrhgY5gszPzxdwprTy2679GoIIxEo1vG8RNLnMQJEIv8UpTjrTcKKXhLED5ZguOmCe6OKzJXMfenNhZjM7zqiRgSuXL8ImvsjAky9-rbnk-6pwAwYGYf7HYjYFE8welOBNzwo/s320/IMG_3691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It doesn't look like much, but once he started sorting it...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvv7M1AMuFZfkJddSolt4RcedhqjyzSBvnpx_8JagUxPQE9NU8NQ2bsD7uQJnna8hNxpacKH916wPVzF5ZN0XRruNn4hbfEnci7hpHWTHorFMys5lOJfIhfbGgRQjpmAfLKx2_RXgbN4/s1600/IMG_3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvv7M1AMuFZfkJddSolt4RcedhqjyzSBvnpx_8JagUxPQE9NU8NQ2bsD7uQJnna8hNxpacKH916wPVzF5ZN0XRruNn4hbfEnci7hpHWTHorFMys5lOJfIhfbGgRQjpmAfLKx2_RXgbN4/s320/IMG_3690.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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...it exploded!</div>
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We recycled a lot of things, and made storage plans for the others. I need to get him a photo album and some boxes for mementos, plus a paper tray like the one I have in my drawer.</div>
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After sorting, Ryan put the finishing touches on our room. And a few days later...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFdlsmAqFeoS4NxOFYD1Z4ZowZnE810U_dOHdmcUOY-ZNA79B7gkJNSEy3_zxjLd4zLQA1RsTvM-spifCFcyr7gUTuhJipFCGa6mruHWPmNByLUq6iYWnVy1BL22wk1zM6zN5k_SxTgo/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFdlsmAqFeoS4NxOFYD1Z4ZowZnE810U_dOHdmcUOY-ZNA79B7gkJNSEy3_zxjLd4zLQA1RsTvM-spifCFcyr7gUTuhJipFCGa6mruHWPmNByLUq6iYWnVy1BL22wk1zM6zN5k_SxTgo/s320/IMG_3693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The walls are all brown! And there's room for Ryan's table to face out, so he can use the drawer!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnC0MBTqsJxIuieMrnfylIMNIfwk7MH3V9pxmgbQJRNtddI7ZJlKrWHNQrEAvErIUwUP6coHzCVhhzD-w0o-6pqDBd2S8kdyy3u0SvKJ5rbYYHtoUy1kwJ1OeFAF8KASCzo91O5a90aQ/s1600/IMG_3694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnC0MBTqsJxIuieMrnfylIMNIfwk7MH3V9pxmgbQJRNtddI7ZJlKrWHNQrEAvErIUwUP6coHzCVhhzD-w0o-6pqDBd2S8kdyy3u0SvKJ5rbYYHtoUy1kwJ1OeFAF8KASCzo91O5a90aQ/s320/IMG_3694.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My next project is moving my clothes into the closet now that the bar is up.</div>
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My next project really should be the kitchen, but since Ryan will be tearing it apart for the renovation, I feel like maybe I'll just discard stuff and not worry too much about organizing it? I dunno...</div>
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Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-25397969102552813372019-04-03T21:52:00.003-06:002019-04-03T21:52:49.953-06:00Tidying Up Tuesday: My Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once again, my Tuesday got away from me and I had to do my tidying on Wednesday. It was time to tackle my side of the master bedroom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik96dNicild9QaiOnJtnZNHtHMXT7QlAH7DIvDLj0emJc_M7m4qQd-zwT_pMlKc4NK9CPVnWFDci8c3hVTii3R_EZQJzovZ9P0zvq164AIsiqo0z_hlBI10ajLHVVCjnpok3x3QiVotuE/s1600/IMG_3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik96dNicild9QaiOnJtnZNHtHMXT7QlAH7DIvDLj0emJc_M7m4qQd-zwT_pMlKc4NK9CPVnWFDci8c3hVTii3R_EZQJzovZ9P0zvq164AIsiqo0z_hlBI10ajLHVVCjnpok3x3QiVotuE/s320/IMG_3449.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My dresser, a catch-all spot for things I want to keep. The floor in front of my dresser is also a storage place.</div>
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The closet is just full of stuff piled up, as is the floor space between the closet and the table.</div>
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My bedside table is another catch-all spot. I'm sensing a theme here. And perhaps an explanation for why my room is so untidy.</div>
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Ryan was at work, and I knew he'd be busy with a renovation project when he got home, so I didn't bother with his stuff. Hopefully we'll get to it later this week.</div>
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You know the drill by now: I took all of my stuff out of the bedroom and piled it up in the living room. </div>
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When I was about halfway through I had convinced myself that it wasn't so bad; I didn't <i>really</i> have that much stuff, it was just unorganized. But by the time I'd gotten it all out to the living room it was clear that I just had a ton of stuff. That also happened to be unorganized.</div>
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I swept the floor and dusted after getting everything out. The closet had legit cobwebs in the corner. So gross. </div>
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After sorting and discarding, I put the things that I had a place for in their spots right away. The stuff I didn't know where to put got sorted in the living room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjFejo5B6sZPT7_RE0YYEu1p5jKYExtEU1jmxD6g5o_Ky7_pqAjL4eHZ8Zpeueonhyphenhyphen4pEWKfVNPDtsHJC-4IEvxXshExyXueGJ2G7GTqWJLUHMdtMJvV8xLlOkYjCnTpCvNYgbJwvoDs/s1600/IMG_E3668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjFejo5B6sZPT7_RE0YYEu1p5jKYExtEU1jmxD6g5o_Ky7_pqAjL4eHZ8Zpeueonhyphenhyphen4pEWKfVNPDtsHJC-4IEvxXshExyXueGJ2G7GTqWJLUHMdtMJvV8xLlOkYjCnTpCvNYgbJwvoDs/s320/IMG_E3668.JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
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The "keep, but where?" pile</div>
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My biggest priorities were to have an assigned spot for my purse, nothing in front of my dresser, and to get the printer out of the hallway into our bedroom.</div>
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Ta da! Room for the printer!</div>
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Look at that closet!</div>
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Nothing in front of the dresser! Those bags are on the side, they don't count. And the top of my dresser is so much tidier!</div>
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You might not be able to tell, but my purse is on the lower shelf of the table instead of on the floor in front of it. SUCCESS!</div>
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I am really happy with how tidy my side of the room is. If we weren't planning on moving out of this house soon, I would get some shelves for the closet to make it more manageable, but for now it is fine. Having the floor clear makes such a difference in navigating the room. I can't wait to help Ryan with his half!</div>
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<br />Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-47760821320690930822019-03-27T21:03:00.003-06:002019-03-27T21:03:55.463-06:00Tidying Up Tuesday: Amelia's RoomAnother late TUT post, but in my defense, I spent yesterday morning at the boys' school helping out with their Read-a-Thon. So Amelia's room had to wait until today.<br />
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The biggest issue with Amelia's room is of course that she is only 4, and it's hard for her to clean up by herself. My goal was to simplify her room as much as possible and make clear places for things to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkrmjyn8TTVTxiWSEFHVXUVNq4A5a8WPunIdmtf3Gyq3actr4h2fyCipLBJUXq3Mm-f_zEbCsd7PQQxHRKwBwdCBVh5oplTMrNP5OoJI3DAGbXxbJPM10RWn0S9VHnmxiqAuXuE614U0/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkrmjyn8TTVTxiWSEFHVXUVNq4A5a8WPunIdmtf3Gyq3actr4h2fyCipLBJUXq3Mm-f_zEbCsd7PQQxHRKwBwdCBVh5oplTMrNP5OoJI3DAGbXxbJPM10RWn0S9VHnmxiqAuXuE614U0/s320/IMG_3444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Her room isn't too messy in this "before" photo, but hopefully you can see that the farm and other toys (to the left of the play kitchen) are just sitting to the side, without a true assigned spot. The play kitchen food is another major issue in her room; it contributes to a lot of the mess simply because there is so much of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU6uzfcMLi2AaknE9OIGcTiLiVO2ddxFOUk6rsBapX_atv3Cj7Ppzq3OfBqECqGSxI2EDna9lJoDWe2-ZOQlZBfriUbDQUkoAvdNHkIyZSX7ZtGAoASZKtkSCOUZQcs98Lt-oAkHESPw/s1600/IMG_3653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU6uzfcMLi2AaknE9OIGcTiLiVO2ddxFOUk6rsBapX_atv3Cj7Ppzq3OfBqECqGSxI2EDna9lJoDWe2-ZOQlZBfriUbDQUkoAvdNHkIyZSX7ZtGAoASZKtkSCOUZQcs98Lt-oAkHESPw/s320/IMG_3653.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In this photo of the pile of toys, you might notice in the background the furniture from the boys' room. Ryan is putting up the trim this week, so we cleared everything out of their room and put it in the living room. It was a million times easier because the room had been KonMari'd and everything had an assigned space. We just moved the assigned spaces out to the living room. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWVePINk-FoT7orXYaRij2gLTXMVwoMoh8XrosJE-uzKEkuxAmmc7lE4DfPZ0T-kGHHu2Z99LxHDV8ViFz5MiH_P9o-qMEMORUoa8Jqh2CQJwzsS4Nm6x_y57P1YBmlTdf75Z3pfxb5o/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWVePINk-FoT7orXYaRij2gLTXMVwoMoh8XrosJE-uzKEkuxAmmc7lE4DfPZ0T-kGHHu2Z99LxHDV8ViFz5MiH_P9o-qMEMORUoa8Jqh2CQJwzsS4Nm6x_y57P1YBmlTdf75Z3pfxb5o/s320/IMG_3655.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The "keep" pile. Unsurprisingly, Amelia wanted to keep pretty much everything. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBZ09Qz1PM-_zy_Jzgx5dw1VG3qL2U2ByeCI3rTAm0CVAj-hQzRSE54DCvEl-1fWzOarqR-v7snZ5D-BHjUnkfsjPQX4ioa_tXV7RVdWn5Ri9B4EBQJnwr7bg10zNEzldW4pGuOXLiVw/s1600/IMG_3654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBZ09Qz1PM-_zy_Jzgx5dw1VG3qL2U2ByeCI3rTAm0CVAj-hQzRSE54DCvEl-1fWzOarqR-v7snZ5D-BHjUnkfsjPQX4ioa_tXV7RVdWn5Ri9B4EBQJnwr7bg10zNEzldW4pGuOXLiVw/s320/IMG_3654.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sorting through toys is hard work!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9ry0JfQ3RUedJ1c9cR0-udnbmF5KXQiWiRXaUVFiqJEx9Bn-KgNxHDSwqe2ntUOvf5_odgqkmV6ZwYZYWLxQCzK6-k-Ue1eW4oOAwUJBOAoxYFlBboHffIs-iPOY3EpTXFTjoyaGVFQ/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9ry0JfQ3RUedJ1c9cR0-udnbmF5KXQiWiRXaUVFiqJEx9Bn-KgNxHDSwqe2ntUOvf5_odgqkmV6ZwYZYWLxQCzK6-k-Ue1eW4oOAwUJBOAoxYFlBboHffIs-iPOY3EpTXFTjoyaGVFQ/s320/IMG_3656.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I wasn't 100% sure of how I wanted to organize everything, so I brought it all into Amelia's room and started grouping things into piles to see what might fit on the shelves. This is what that looked like when we took a break for lunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx60j-4b2NY5Lb4NA_MjlDpjb1ZcA11lNHeiWPEpAx6xxJB5ftBVw0J0NEpQfeXU9kczw9Ks3MNJmw6Z-bO3umxrkorzznWvJ_5oAAvkVnGmM3TK7UgjT487wynSjkapnK7X1uoucKFY4/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx60j-4b2NY5Lb4NA_MjlDpjb1ZcA11lNHeiWPEpAx6xxJB5ftBVw0J0NEpQfeXU9kczw9Ks3MNJmw6Z-bO3umxrkorzznWvJ_5oAAvkVnGmM3TK7UgjT487wynSjkapnK7X1uoucKFY4/s320/IMG_3658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finished product: the shelves have "figures" (My Little Ponies, farm animals, etc) in one cube, Barbies in another, a "random" cube, and dress-ups in the last cube. Two of the shelves have stuffed animals in bins.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG34OQSJ3bg-7lLBA_ftnRYvlcoGuu3EI06jHzLjufrOF-6sxSfKNLecE-Wl2_dzv4Ia55CjjhVIGXNQCJqDG9AurzPPsmBzPfiuHrUEZSK8dEVWVlr0cB0PLnGvhkH3yco5bCWOgRco/s1600/IMG_3659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG34OQSJ3bg-7lLBA_ftnRYvlcoGuu3EI06jHzLjufrOF-6sxSfKNLecE-Wl2_dzv4Ia55CjjhVIGXNQCJqDG9AurzPPsmBzPfiuHrUEZSK8dEVWVlr0cB0PLnGvhkH3yco5bCWOgRco/s320/IMG_3659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought small bins to contain the play kitchen food and accoutrements. That should make it easier to clean up. The baby dolls and accessories take up the rest of the space under the bed.</div>
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I love Dollar Store bins. They are perfect for storage. No expensive bins needed; cheapo ones work just fine!</div>
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Having Amelia's room so well organized will make it easy to move her into the living room when Ryan puts the trim up in her room. I better get cracking on our room! It's a disaster, to put it mildly.</div>
<br />Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-15250534357835344592019-03-20T21:19:00.000-06:002019-03-20T21:19:07.486-06:00Tidying Up Tuesday: The Boys' Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I did Tidying Up Tuesday on Wednesday this week. My sons were home from school on Spring Break, so I decided to tidy up their room with them today. A friend of mine asked if I was sure I wanted them around when I tidied their room. Her reasoning was that it is way easier to get rid of stuff when the kids aren't around, and she's not wrong! However, my experience with their clothes showed me that when the boys feel like they have ownership over the organization of their things, they are more likely to keep them organized.</div>
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I still snuck some stuff into the trash bag and giveaway pile when they weren't looking.</div>
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Here's some before photos:</div>
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The cubes are nice, but the stuff on top has gotten out of control. And inside those cubes? Chaos.</div>
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This art table takes up a lot of floor space, and is pretty redundant now that the craft table is organized and kept clear for drawing.</div>
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I made the boys pull everything out of their room. Benjy decided that we would sort the toys on the carpeted section of the living room, so it would be soft to sit on. All the toys went there. As they moved stuff to the living room, I dusted the cube shelves and swept the floor of their bedroom.</div>
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Sorting</div>
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I told the boys that they didn't have to feel obligated to keep something they didn't play with, regardless of who gave it to them. Benjy is much better at this than Sam is!</div>
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The final "keep" pile. They are showing their feelings about how much they now have to organize.</div>
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Figuring out where to put things.</div>
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I let the boys decide where they wanted the cubes to go, and they actually agreed that they wanted the same color cubes next to each other. It was a miracle that they were able to make that decision together and not turn it into an argument.</div>
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We labeled each shelf and each cube with its contents. The things that were once piled on top of the shelves are now in a laundry bin.</div>
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I asked both of the boys (separately) if they thought they'd be able to keep their room clean now, and both of them said yes. They have done a great job of keeping their drawers nice and the craft table clear, so I have confidence that they will be able to keep their room organized, too.</div>
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Next week: Amelia's room! But I am in charge of an assembly at the boys' school that day, so we will probably do Tidying Up Wednesday again.</div>
<br />Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-22862816091008974742019-03-12T15:40:00.001-06:002019-03-12T15:40:05.920-06:00Tidying Up Tuesday: Cupboards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You may recall from my post on <a href="http://www.karareynoldswrites.com/2019/01/tidying-up-tuesday-books.html" target="_blank">my books</a> that we have three sets of nice cupboards under our bookshelves.</div>
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They look nice on the outside, but on the inside...</div>
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This cupboard actually wasn't too bad, once I took the photo albums out and got them on the bookshelf.</div>
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As always, I took everything out of the cupboards and piled them up in the living room. I also included the three-drawer cart that was 2/3 of the way dealt with on <a href="http://www.karareynoldswrites.com/2019/02/tidying-up-tuesday-paper.html" target="_blank">paper day</a>, because it had a lot of things like paper clips and tape that I knew I'd be moving into the cupboards.</div>
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I also included this box that lives on top of our fridge that holds batteries and A LOT of random crap.</div>
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I wanted to get office supplies into this cupboard, because I can never find tape or batteries or paper clips when I want them. Pulling the heavy box down from on top of the fridge is also a pain. So after another trip to the dollar store, I had some handy bins for my office supplies.<br />
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This cupboard has tape, batteries, the stapler, envelopes, and light bulbs. I had five rolls of scotch tape because I could never remember if I had any in the random box, so I kept buying more. Now it's easy to see what I have!</div>
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The other two cupboards mostly held our games. I love board games, but no one else in our family does except Amelia. So I was really honest with myself about what games we would actually play in the future, and got rid of the rest. I even got rid of some of the Clue games in my collection (but not all of them, I'm not a monster).</div>
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Kids' games. The green bin is for games without a box, like Slamwich, and decks of cards.</div>
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"Grown-up" games. Stacking the games on their sides instead of on top of each other is AWESOME. So much easier to get out what you want without messing everything up.</div>
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This was a smaller project, as they go, but one that I felt really helped me get organized and stop resigning myself to clutter. It also directly addressed things that were frustrating me: the random box on top of the fridge, and never knowing when I was running low on office supplies.</div>
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My little helper fell asleep while I was cleaning up.</div>
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Next time: It's Spring Break next Tuesday, which means the boys will be home all day and can help do their room! It's going to be a nightmare, I will tell you that right now. It'll be an all day project, and at least one of us will cry (probably me).</div>
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Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-67780978604743300952019-03-05T14:35:00.000-07:002019-03-05T14:35:03.342-07:00Tidying Up Tuesday: The Bonus Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we bought our house, it had an unfinished storage room off the living room that we used as a catch-all room for stuff we wanted to keep but didn't really use. When Ryan re-did our living room, he finished off the bonus room, but kept it as a slightly distinct room from the living room with a pair of barn doors. We still used it as a catch-all room.</div>
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Remy's litter box, and a bunch of other random stuff</div>
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The kids' craft table, always a disaster</div>
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As I mentioned last week, as I did the sheets and towels I had Ryan move the black shelf into Amelia's room. That opened the space under the loft bed, so he moved the craft table into that space.</div>
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The stuff of nightmares</div>
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Remy's litter box is now on the opposite side of the room. Lucky we have a tolerant cat.</div>
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I straightened up our living room, and started moving things out of the bonus room into that space. I immediately made a pile for recycling, which was mostly Benjy's hundreds of discarded drawings. The kid goes through paper quickly.<br />
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Remy was excited that the top of the freezer was cleared off</div>
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So... many... crayons...</div>
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The craft table is the biggest issue in the bonus room, and the biggest issue with the craft table is that the kids leave their markers, crayons, papers, and everything else out instead of putting them away. But to be fair, a lot of the drawers of the craft table still had my stuff in them. It was time to clear everything out, sort it, and designate a final resting place for everything.</div>
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Crayons, markers, and colored pencils now have a labeled box (hooray for washi tape!). Honestly, when it came to sorting through all of those I was so tempted to just throw them all away and buy new art supplies. But instead I sharpened all the colored pencils and sorted through the dead markers. It took FOREVER because we don't have an electric pencil sharpener. We will as soon as I can get to Walmart, though.</div>
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The drawers are now labeled, too.</div>
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The finished space under the loft bed.</div>
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Amelia enjoying the fruits of my labors.</div>
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The only thing left to do is buy a small recycling bin for this room so Benjy can put his used papers directly in there. I think that will help him clean up after himself so the space never gets cluttered up again.</div>
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Next week: the living room cupboards<br />
<br />Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-6404769234452986562019-02-26T21:26:00.000-07:002019-02-26T21:26:22.512-07:00Tidying Up Tuesday: Sheets and Towels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While sheets and towels are not stored together at my house, I wish they were. Such is the rationale behind my decision to tidying these two categories together. </div>
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Our house doesn't have a linen closet, or anything that might do as one, so for now our towels are in a dresser in the hallway.</div>
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I took this photo before organizing the papers; it doesn't look like this anymore!</div>
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Our sheets are in two places: the kids sheets are in a set of plastic drawers in Amelia's closet, and everything else is in a cardboard box left over from our move. Which was three and a half years ago. Time for the sheets to find a permanent home.</div>
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The cardboard box gets moved around a lot; it's currently in our bonus room.</div>
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I pulled everything out and brought it to the living room. The dresser I left in place, obviously, because I wasn't going to move it by myself! Plus, it works well where it is.</div>
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Sorting through sheets. Turns out we have a ridiculous number of pillowcases, 90% of which did not have a sheet set to match.</div>
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Because I don't have a convenient central place to store sheets, I decided to split them up by the room they'd be used in. I bought under-the-bed sized plastic tubs for our room and the boys' room. Amelia has a loft bed, so I bought a taller tub that would fit on her closet shelf for her sheets. I also used a container I already had for guest sheets.</div>
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We have two sheet sets that fit our hide-a-bed. I also saved some of our pillowcases that were in good shape. The rest of the pillowcases went to Goodwill or the trash can.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisvWtAcP1RPur_c5-m-zHs6G3LBbBGpt8EQzq9Csfpt6HwyYvFmiqhSbM5-B-bmFEwSumy_Y-6V875x0lPn1HAqQDzmMTOENja7iZSBqgY57ySK0EbS_yvXhqsXKl7Uy7FX-cC3pLR9Y/s1600/IMG_3565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisvWtAcP1RPur_c5-m-zHs6G3LBbBGpt8EQzq9Csfpt6HwyYvFmiqhSbM5-B-bmFEwSumy_Y-6V875x0lPn1HAqQDzmMTOENja7iZSBqgY57ySK0EbS_yvXhqsXKl7Uy7FX-cC3pLR9Y/s320/IMG_3565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boys' sheets, ready to be hidden under their bed.</div>
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The towels are doing well in their dresser, so I decided to keep them there. I did rearrange them, however. I also got rid of a lot of the towels in our "dirty towels" drawer because there were so many of them. Those went to Ryan to use in his workshop. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODweXIhbLa8WedekHpkIz257_lBGyqdOZYAzEecAqwdLCnFs74DmvAs90UDZO0Gwtj4rxZoHuPQtnWsj9A6NKY5GC7PZk9wbxiHMqgluqRjpkkGme26ribxmeVLCQeYxekC9Gtj8L0yc/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODweXIhbLa8WedekHpkIz257_lBGyqdOZYAzEecAqwdLCnFs74DmvAs90UDZO0Gwtj4rxZoHuPQtnWsj9A6NKY5GC7PZk9wbxiHMqgluqRjpkkGme26ribxmeVLCQeYxekC9Gtj8L0yc/s320/IMG_3564.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So much nicer!</div>
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This project had a domino effect: I got the plastic drawer set out of Amelia's room, which meant I had room to move the cube shelf that was in the bonus room into her room (I'm going to use it to organize her toys). The plastic drawers went in the space where the cube shelf was, because I'm using it now to hold our extra couch cushion covers. All the stuff that was on the cube shelf is now strewn across our living room. Ryan moved the kids' craft table into the space where the cube shelf was, so... you get the picture. The tl;dr version: The bonus room is now next on my list.<br />
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Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-47441705082955149782019-02-23T23:52:00.000-07:002019-02-23T23:52:37.987-07:00In the Middle of Your StoryAs it happens, I do think about things besides tidying my house. 😂 My husband and I just got back from a three-day work conference. At the conference, one of the discussions we had was about hard times, and how we get through them. It used a book analogy, which of course resonated with me.<br />
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The people presenting talked about how inspiring it is to read stories of people who go through something really difficult and have amazing things happen to them as a result. They referred to that as the "turn the page" moment: we as readers get to turn the page and see the fabulous ending to their story. But what is it like for the people who are still in the middle of their story, when the page hasn't turned yet? How do you deal when you are still in the hard times, and you don't know if the happy ending will ever come?<br />
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I feel like that with <a href="http://www.karareynoldswrites.com/2018/09/plot-twist.html" target="_blank">my publication story</a>. One day (I hope), you'll turn the page on my story to read that I signed with a new agent, who sold my book, which is now in bookstores everywhere. But for now, I'm in the middle part, where things look bleak and I'm left wondering if I'll ever turn that final page. It's not a fun place to be, in all honesty. I'm sure many of you have felt that way during a trial, or maybe even feel that way right now about something you're going through.<br />
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I don't have any answers about how to get through the middle of your story with your head up and your heart full. I wish I did. Everyone has to get through that part in their own way. I wrote a post at Operation Awesome a few years ago about "<a href="https://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/2016/11/fight-good-fight-of-faith.html" target="_blank">fighting the good fight of faith</a>," and the attitude behind it that helped me. I reread it today. It was a good reminder to keep going. I don't know if I'll achieve my dreams if I keep going, but I do know that I never will if I stop.Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-39345099973532542652019-02-19T08:57:00.000-07:002019-02-19T08:57:07.778-07:00Tidying Up Tuesday: The Bathroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mom is in town, and she's been following my Tidying Up progress, so she offered to help me with a project while she was here. We decided to do the bathroom. Our home has two bathrooms, but one is being renovated, so we did the main bathroom. Fortunately, that's the one that's going to store all our things anyway.</div>
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Here are some before photos:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FxCkk90L8EBzqD2n69uMeRJcaUZE6oE6oRAtoVeWeWROSg27AKjmkxabVCxJ8kDJymTCvfaZvdyieUGScCEUhJtk8clFrrDZAexoPKM3lGiaBT2OIj_fAsJ9R5wvEY0M0NnDSdyFFKg/s1600/IMG_3442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FxCkk90L8EBzqD2n69uMeRJcaUZE6oE6oRAtoVeWeWROSg27AKjmkxabVCxJ8kDJymTCvfaZvdyieUGScCEUhJtk8clFrrDZAexoPKM3lGiaBT2OIj_fAsJ9R5wvEY0M0NnDSdyFFKg/s320/IMG_3442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We usually have stuff all over the counter, and on top of the shelf over the sink. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJH9QceJeIH0RQ1qnE7NS2gbFDCxZnFfPl-ae8TU5-ekarg2HsYkpDsyMvGZ4LJNwR-rtRzHACQd2uJ3ZLCs3u4lttpuxO1vIflwRVzpeeRHy7yr1_1SotalZyV5Q8PBHW0bty78Hp78/s1600/IMG_3443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJH9QceJeIH0RQ1qnE7NS2gbFDCxZnFfPl-ae8TU5-ekarg2HsYkpDsyMvGZ4LJNwR-rtRzHACQd2uJ3ZLCs3u4lttpuxO1vIflwRVzpeeRHy7yr1_1SotalZyV5Q8PBHW0bty78Hp78/s320/IMG_3443.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ryan hangs his pajamas from this extra towel rack</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5egNxGciI_CSGsBzLlV09aPTpJ_Eww-8N1gY8DqoknHpEy61KM2t1zgHn2l_0FWTC7or5z7IU-d5D6FeFMe0Gpr1RitniFL6wcHNahD1QXCWrnmc6HxGXWGwGVM1hNdpINu8zVj58Wko/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5egNxGciI_CSGsBzLlV09aPTpJ_Eww-8N1gY8DqoknHpEy61KM2t1zgHn2l_0FWTC7or5z7IU-d5D6FeFMe0Gpr1RitniFL6wcHNahD1QXCWrnmc6HxGXWGwGVM1hNdpINu8zVj58Wko/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I keep my cleaning supplies on top of the cabinet</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQTY8sU5Kgz_JiLD06MwwpkF5XWlvBpYrtY6mj_43-PfKFC9z03NLlcXKOkN1peXjZs0TeEyO7F0_wdzZHH_eqhoFw4Tel25tKDfjwQp0olMxGY6IFX1LWpfxchwWco1p-BAs7WmhcOc/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQTY8sU5Kgz_JiLD06MwwpkF5XWlvBpYrtY6mj_43-PfKFC9z03NLlcXKOkN1peXjZs0TeEyO7F0_wdzZHH_eqhoFw4Tel25tKDfjwQp0olMxGY6IFX1LWpfxchwWco1p-BAs7WmhcOc/s320/IMG_3550.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The medicine cabinet on the wall opposite the sink skeeves me out every time I open it. One of my goals was to not need the storage there anymore, so we can tear it down and hang a mirror in its place.</div>
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We pulled everything out. I kept forgetting about places we had things. This bathroom really does have a lot of storage space, unlike the rest of our house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLw1yvDdnTBuiFGlWx4d57irAG2q9ijkAqNCLXcty-RoG5OV1FE2xXrx2QK8pd19YxzDHbi6wbFUzbzjAmGC5Qydq5ohuh3o48eFLS68wPfkcRB6zkPNLlvOlwaCAEFGf1EQ0Y-soy8s/s1600/IMG_3551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLw1yvDdnTBuiFGlWx4d57irAG2q9ijkAqNCLXcty-RoG5OV1FE2xXrx2QK8pd19YxzDHbi6wbFUzbzjAmGC5Qydq5ohuh3o48eFLS68wPfkcRB6zkPNLlvOlwaCAEFGf1EQ0Y-soy8s/s320/IMG_3551.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My mom cleaned up every drawer as it was emptied, and helped me put contact paper down in the drawers and shelves that didn't have it yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ct-nGKAf1jqlnD7Oar9Z8XPPG3O0SKj2KOYpdASMy2kJsts61pBs5WR42uTX5Xx8YUiOgr5l-h9JTtaFApyBmtH7EEr2Xog5Q8SwY1t06qrL7S2UUY1ceYWB0kbMO9IoTZf2klgOW74/s1600/IMG_3552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ct-nGKAf1jqlnD7Oar9Z8XPPG3O0SKj2KOYpdASMy2kJsts61pBs5WR42uTX5Xx8YUiOgr5l-h9JTtaFApyBmtH7EEr2Xog5Q8SwY1t06qrL7S2UUY1ceYWB0kbMO9IoTZf2klgOW74/s320/IMG_3552.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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She wouldn't let me take a proper photo of her, but here she is cleaning out the space under the sink</div>
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Our cat was excited about the empty cupboards. I had to drag him out so I could put the contact paper down in his favorite hiding spot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkbWOh6yQcSdWBzuuvTPMkZpnrDB6kDbdX5mEdUU20Phbqzs0v6Lt_QcEaX518yas1IvsG5WwQkN_hnlpfYcY7joAaeifNbUq5OkUTDpIqTAno_FF3szSplSb6-pTPzU5XhwCBZhlygo/s1600/IMG_3554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkbWOh6yQcSdWBzuuvTPMkZpnrDB6kDbdX5mEdUU20Phbqzs0v6Lt_QcEaX518yas1IvsG5WwQkN_hnlpfYcY7joAaeifNbUq5OkUTDpIqTAno_FF3szSplSb6-pTPzU5XhwCBZhlygo/s320/IMG_3554.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We had several paint cans and other miscellaneous things under our sink, so those went out to Ryan's workshop. The cleaning supplies are now under the sink, including the toilet scrub brush and plunger! Not having them out next to the toilet makes a huge difference.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mr_-heOKgU7jte4Kvi6O5Xgn9g4B3UFYurIzqtodMlQddkQLbeedclPSsVsizXPGOsHyb6g3cYxej02hIuurQoLVTgH43K5auARMLcAt5G13Cgs64ip30aOc6XyaHbRPM5lTt6f9Sfc/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mr_-heOKgU7jte4Kvi6O5Xgn9g4B3UFYurIzqtodMlQddkQLbeedclPSsVsizXPGOsHyb6g3cYxej02hIuurQoLVTgH43K5auARMLcAt5G13Cgs64ip30aOc6XyaHbRPM5lTt6f9Sfc/s320/IMG_3555.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was able to get the medicine out of the creepy cabinet, with the help of several plastic bins from the dollar store. Our kids are old enough now to stay out of stuff like that, which is why I felt comfortable moving the cleaning supplies and the medicine from their former high-up homes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbyZBUUeGqagC01O4eTrku2ThcMPyAmeHj9oXPN06sUJbL01fiQ-wHsJvdbV2xU99vbv_EaWwLrTdDCEcECv0qe9HVuJSrUEWcAwcIDn5VkVVmQUwXVOujEfw24e5d78vXKiGTZtnb7A/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbyZBUUeGqagC01O4eTrku2ThcMPyAmeHj9oXPN06sUJbL01fiQ-wHsJvdbV2xU99vbv_EaWwLrTdDCEcECv0qe9HVuJSrUEWcAwcIDn5VkVVmQUwXVOujEfw24e5d78vXKiGTZtnb7A/s320/IMG_3556.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our travel bags and supplies are no longer strewn all over the drawer.<br />
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Even our toothpaste is off the counter and in a handy holder. The boys remembered to put it away without being told when they got ready for school this morning. They are doing a great job of staying on the tidy train.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpW9fkirUVbzMkDvsOpbYuq6mBucmw514rA_evRNtT_1cAAAoXYLNrTnNc2TRI6g8LhvLtoikSzx0bHlfa2Cp3mVFhFfbE7eSlKShOCW1zak6NLz_d_aVUXrVAPhWIhjkS3ISRRzKsRc/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpW9fkirUVbzMkDvsOpbYuq6mBucmw514rA_evRNtT_1cAAAoXYLNrTnNc2TRI6g8LhvLtoikSzx0bHlfa2Cp3mVFhFfbE7eSlKShOCW1zak6NLz_d_aVUXrVAPhWIhjkS3ISRRzKsRc/s320/IMG_3558.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Having my mom to help me was awesome. Tidying is much more fun with someone to talk to and bounce ideas off of!</div>
<br />Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-36159125586991436572019-02-12T21:38:00.000-07:002019-02-12T21:38:18.331-07:00Tidying Up Tuesday: Paper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been so excited to get to the papers stage of tidying up, mainly because this is how our papers are currently stored:</div>
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There are files in the long box with the hanging folders (the one with the apple sticker), two out of three of the plastic drawers, and papers in the accordion files stacked on top. I wanted to consolidate all the papers and get them off the dresser! </div>
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I pulled everything into the living room to start. Our safe has important papers, with a hanging folder for everyone, except Amelia because the safe only came with four folders. So I added one for her papers. Only took me four years.</div>
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I started with the accordion folders, and did mine first. My folder for some reason became the storage place for the receipts for our flex spending account. I threw all of those from before 2018 away. Pretty much everything else from that folder got recycled. Ryan's accordion folder was stuffed with informational handouts from the insurance we had from his previous job. In 2011. Into the recycling they went.</div>
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As I found papers I knew I'd want to keep, I made piles on the floor and labeled them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxI0Zok9Xjg7Xjt16RtE6WyUorMapsMrnGrp7mnLBECmFo1Zh5xBPHgoCK4bE51zajVBd7_tOZjfiPF-EAnxyWTgYgozml_E-FMtYmg2PgNTFROrI7Mt1xfSXE9KgLwrjwktf-2IyJdUg/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxI0Zok9Xjg7Xjt16RtE6WyUorMapsMrnGrp7mnLBECmFo1Zh5xBPHgoCK4bE51zajVBd7_tOZjfiPF-EAnxyWTgYgozml_E-FMtYmg2PgNTFROrI7Mt1xfSXE9KgLwrjwktf-2IyJdUg/s320/IMG_3545.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the plastic drawers I found just about every single piece of sheet music I've ever sung. Most got recycled. I used the Genius Scan app to save the keepers. My sister did her papers last week, and she suggested I use Genius Scan. The app allowed me to take a photo of each page of music and batch the whole song together in a PDF. Amazing! So much easier than scanning each individual sheet, plus the added bonus of batching the sheets together. If you're organizing papers soon, I highly recommend this app.</div>
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Then I went through the plastic tub with the hanging folders. I got rid of old tax documents, manuals, and receipts that were so faded I couldn't read them anymore. The tub went from this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdFSM-Zfd-5gdVX4agLjBhLsPCfzyytO0nn3bQweGfThLT2MqzYhdks7q8njkPRNlWGYZfkaOAStPT1xL8ZihsIC1eBI6hz6vqTXo0LDJGilHc6f-9xCKTMWkM0_WXmweTh-h-vNyI-Q/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdFSM-Zfd-5gdVX4agLjBhLsPCfzyytO0nn3bQweGfThLT2MqzYhdks7q8njkPRNlWGYZfkaOAStPT1xL8ZihsIC1eBI6hz6vqTXo0LDJGilHc6f-9xCKTMWkM0_WXmweTh-h-vNyI-Q/s320/IMG_3546.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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to this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtt2g_uWO0q8r1Qa4akCtvD8sJxwZB5719DfCa86paUVNzG_vxLeHSOTi5Genn_llakbcLRSoq1VZPviT3QptDPQzxNUrE0ilfteM08dFO5cKBQSZMNulFqZ3TXqZjJXaFXqZZsoxfG8/s1600/IMG_3547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtt2g_uWO0q8r1Qa4akCtvD8sJxwZB5719DfCa86paUVNzG_vxLeHSOTi5Genn_llakbcLRSoq1VZPviT3QptDPQzxNUrE0ilfteM08dFO5cKBQSZMNulFqZ3TXqZjJXaFXqZZsoxfG8/s320/IMG_3547.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Turns out we don't need such a large container for our hanging file folders. Once we decide where we're going to keep this, I may downgrade to a smaller one.</div>
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Finally, I decided on a new way to organize my "pending papers," or the ones I need to deal with instead of just save for when needed. Normally I keep them on my bedside table until they start falling off, at which point I remember that I need to deal with them. I bought a paper holder at the dollar store in my favorite color, and put it in the drawer of the bedside table.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw2Wl2dAnttzuprHUSujPJX0ro8DbdSyVsYf9Vv31re1VUDIyLat5kw5WzOTZgPv2FD_xHvXCC_Fv7z83D9Ag6pdgDDWacszMsnaZjDvOXXweBbeOoSS0qnGBNlKff1Fcg12VeL-cn3Q/s1600/IMG_3548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw2Wl2dAnttzuprHUSujPJX0ro8DbdSyVsYf9Vv31re1VUDIyLat5kw5WzOTZgPv2FD_xHvXCC_Fv7z83D9Ag6pdgDDWacszMsnaZjDvOXXweBbeOoSS0qnGBNlKff1Fcg12VeL-cn3Q/s320/IMG_3548.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I know, I know; the rest of the drawer is a mess. I'll deal with it when I do bedroom <i>komono!</i></div>
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Next up: I'll be out of town next Tuesday. My mom is coming to visit, and she said she'd help with the <i>komono,</i> so I guess it'll be Mom's Choice. She'll have a lot of options to choose from....Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6855987217093042716.post-85498728249461298222019-02-05T20:47:00.001-07:002019-02-05T20:47:56.839-07:00Tidying Up Tuesday: Kids' Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First, as I promised last week, here is the finished photo of the bookshelves after Ryan added the ones he wanted to keep.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAKSzq5OAO39dMOZ9e8UQCbM2iruUvWiRnt8gADrZzNKYdflZKtjMJoYisupGDSZ3sw-RPZNg1tXfDq5-FZYm40H5nBrPyxg04xMwG4NUepkHZSdpY01cH25QeLIpyXyFTNqzJOfKmy4/s1600/OUKC3017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAKSzq5OAO39dMOZ9e8UQCbM2iruUvWiRnt8gADrZzNKYdflZKtjMJoYisupGDSZ3sw-RPZNg1tXfDq5-FZYm40H5nBrPyxg04xMwG4NUepkHZSdpY01cH25QeLIpyXyFTNqzJOfKmy4/s320/OUKC3017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see the photo albums in the bottom left corner. I'm so happy those are out of the cupboard! Ryan's collection of Cottage Living magazines are on the bookshelves now, too, which freed up a lot of space on our kitchen island. I'm looking forward to filling that space when I do kitchen <i>komono</i> in a few weeks.</div>
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Also, highlight of my day: my sister texted me this afternoon as I was tidying up to tell me that she was going all KonMari on her clothes. She also did her books today. Two categories in one day! I was so impressed.</div>
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On to the kids' bookshelves!</div>
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I forgot to take a before photo of Amelia's bookshelf, probably because hers wasn't terribly messy. But here's a shot of the boys' shelves.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpauOo4xG6_SS3a9XO1HnHyItKajysMWC2SmTiq6k3PKCg72E2C-yAwF1q74ynup9gkUcBnsr6mjMd-UVV4xQpKiAsltbHzv7CxdcX4IjQ8iDaKsPdYlS3QljFpAfhCV8wz8_-p8tcdI/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpauOo4xG6_SS3a9XO1HnHyItKajysMWC2SmTiq6k3PKCg72E2C-yAwF1q74ynup9gkUcBnsr6mjMd-UVV4xQpKiAsltbHzv7CxdcX4IjQ8iDaKsPdYlS3QljFpAfhCV8wz8_-p8tcdI/s320/IMG_3440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sam uses the top of the bookshelf as a depository for all his random stuff. Actually, he uses ALL the shelves for his random stuff, as you can see from the photo. I took all of that off and piled it up for him to deal with when he got home from school.</div>
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Benjy stayed home from school today because he woke up with a fever, but it was one of those kid sicknesses where you give them an ibuprofen and thirty minutes later it's like nothing was ever wrong. So I decided Benjy was up to helping with the sorting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOyvPu6tKZEFxH04Z55QE482_8_DbFRw_T3sdk-Z6_gAgnNM98MRQs4DxaZpwNTSd_fF-aX0SsRxajS176Pct3Hr3MT_c5ce-beUByPoSrI_0b1LRfa7tSlgHJcRa5PPokMySx3Wu0lc/s1600/IMG_3531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOyvPu6tKZEFxH04Z55QE482_8_DbFRw_T3sdk-Z6_gAgnNM98MRQs4DxaZpwNTSd_fF-aX0SsRxajS176Pct3Hr3MT_c5ce-beUByPoSrI_0b1LRfa7tSlgHJcRa5PPokMySx3Wu0lc/s320/IMG_3531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My little helpers</div>
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I did the kids' books all together because I figured it was time to move a lot of the picture books over to Amelia's shelves. Unsurprisingly, Benjy and Amelia wanted to keep pretty much every single book. When they weren't looking, I pulled some of the more battered board books out of the keep pile. Amelia is outgrowing them, anyway. Benjy also identified some books he didn't want that I knew Sam would, so those went in their own pile for Sam to look through. He kept all but one or two of those (again, not a surprise).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ThzM5sGHOLO3De5LzfUBDUt17rbzQK7n1VNWpEuJ4L_NI6t4BKTomJjooQ6ERH2IsEarhhNXzc6VnrDkGAzWsb82vyRPVNj7Lu3-nepOEfiWIonIr1FFhgsrjtmkzleRnfEcvZkYbdA/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ThzM5sGHOLO3De5LzfUBDUt17rbzQK7n1VNWpEuJ4L_NI6t4BKTomJjooQ6ERH2IsEarhhNXzc6VnrDkGAzWsb82vyRPVNj7Lu3-nepOEfiWIonIr1FFhgsrjtmkzleRnfEcvZkYbdA/s320/IMG_3532.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Amelia's bookshelf: a lot more picture books, fewer board books (but still some)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvnx_60TK-EL_2H0iv-t1pnlD_6Rlg365IJt3ei_5gUY3ktiiHALDinZNQa7HtZNfTWs3XuMfMfqbel5EBZmrnGVGOZbbLaGs4AbhoFWTK7rjPry853Uk7XYXIQeGqndIj1E6MpA7DcM/s1600/IMG_3533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvnx_60TK-EL_2H0iv-t1pnlD_6Rlg365IJt3ei_5gUY3ktiiHALDinZNQa7HtZNfTWs3XuMfMfqbel5EBZmrnGVGOZbbLaGs4AbhoFWTK7rjPry853Uk7XYXIQeGqndIj1E6MpA7DcM/s320/IMG_3533.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The boys' bookshelf: No longer encumbered by non-book items! They even had room at the bottom for their composition notebooks full of their own comics.</div>
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Just like with the drawers, the kids were given a talking-to about expectations for how their bookshelves are to stay. Sam in particular was warned that the bookshelf is no longer a dumping ground for random things he wants to keep.</div>
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I think that having the kids help choose their books gives them some ownership over the project. I felt the same way about the drawers. Making Ben and Sam fold their own clothes and decide which clothes went where was really good for them. They are keeping their drawers neat. Hopefully they can do the same with their bookshelves.</div>
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Side note: I keep wanting to call them bookcases. I think that's a regional thing, because my grandma (who lives on the East Coast) referred to them as bookcases on the phone the other day. But no one out here ever says bookcases.</div>
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Next week: Paper. I am seriously so excited for this one.Kara Reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147342389371681730noreply@blogger.com0