The Komodo Dragon and a Giveaway...


WARNING:  There are very personal photos used in this post...turn away now if you are going to be offended...hmmm, still here...just remember, I warned you!

Over the years, I have had many nicknames. Bo, from my friend Wanda; Chi-Chi, from schoolmate Jeff Ayers; Whop and Dago (I'm Italian) from numerous other classmates; and Bebe, from my nephew and granddaughter.

My most recent nickname, however, has become the Komodo Dragon. This is my husband's name for me due to the organization method used by Marie Kondo.  He can't remember her last name, so he calls her Marie Komodo...I correct him and tell him it is Kondo, but he still says "Komodo".  I give up!
The "dragon" name is because I take everything to the next level...have I mentioned I'm a type "A" personality?  The hubster says that it is more like triple "A" as I have always been organized and like to keep things neat and tidy around the house.  He warns visitors to hold their glass because if they sit the glass down, I will empty it and put it in the dishwasher...okay, whatever...it HAS happened a couple of times...don't judge!

Unfortunately, that extreme tidiness never really extended to drawers and closets...out-of-sight, out-of-mind, right?!  Our drawers have always been sort of neat...I fold clothes right out of the dryer, put them away and own no clothes baskets.  When we updated our laundry room, I found hanging bags to place our dirty clothes in and use one large hamper for our dirty towels...keeping things neat and tidy.  Sorry, back to the closets and drawers...

With all the wild, crazy buzz recently about the KonMari method (don't understand it since this book has been around since 2012 and Martha Stewart has been touting organization and decluttering since the beginning of time), I decided to give our drawers another look...and found room for improvement.

While I have always folded our shirts into smaller sizes, our shorts were an issue.  And the way I stacked our clothing in the drawers was also a problem, which caused us to have to "rifle" through everything to find what we wanted to wear.  By placing the shirts differently in the drawer...
...refolding the shorts and rearranging a little bit, I found that we had room for everything, with room to spare.
When I rearranged my underwear drawer, I found that I don't own a full slip, a half slip or a pair of hose (guess I won't be able to use that life hack for vacuuming to find those priceless jewels I've dropped on the floor).

After seeing the drawers rearranged, the hubster liked it because he can now easily access more of this things.  The dragon name popped up because he brought home a new t-shirt he had received and I told him it couldn't go into the drawer until he got rid of another t-shirt...or 3.  He said, "there you go, taking it to the next level Komodo Dragon".  My thinking is that if I've gone to all the trouble to re-organize things, the least he could do is not shove more stuff in that drawer! :-)

On to the next area...the garage...wonder what name he will give me then! ;-)

To celebrate my newly found drawer space, I'm giving away a copy of Marie Kondo's book...enter the contest below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

34 comments

  1. I have had a very boring "nickname life" - the best I can come up with is that my grandparents called me "Lynnie"....the only people who could get away with that. : ) And how I wish they were still here to do it! I have a theory on why Marie Kondo is suddenly so "in"......she is currently the star of a new Netflix series in which she goes to people's homes and guides them through the tidying up process.....I guess it is kind of like a reality show?

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    1. Grandparents are special for all things indeed! My grandfather always called my youngest sister Tracy. Her name was Stacy, but no one ever corrected him. I've heard about her show but haven't been watching it. Just not interested at this point in time. I presume the show is similar to the nanny show they had. Have a great one! Hugs!

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  2. Del.......I am curious, are your clothes more wrinkled when you store them this way? I think I need her personally to guide me through this....lol

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    1. That's an interesting nickname. Mine are no more wrinkled than they would be if they were folded a different way. The only clothing I fold is my "everyday" things (what I wear around the house and workout clothing) and undies. I hang my nice things. Have a great one! Hugs!

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  3. Just found your blog and love it. I need to organize now.

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm glad you are here! I need to do more cleaning out and more organizing. I used to be much more than I am now...I need to get back to it! Hope you have a great one! Hugs!

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  4. Forgot, my nickname is Willow. Long story.

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    1. Cool nickname! Hopefully you will share it one day! Hugs!

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  5. We started folding and storing our t-shirts like that when our youngest went to work in retail. I swear that kids room looked like a tornado, but his drawers looked like something out of a magazine! I think I may own a half slip but I haven't seen panty hose since the 90's. I personally think they are torture chambers. I would love to give the book a try however I'm married to a man who hates to throw anything away in "case he needs it". Sigh. I can't wait to see your garage!

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    1. That is too funny...if they would do their rooms that would be such a good thing. I don't know if boys are girls are worse about keeping their rooms picked up. I've been folding this way for years but just never thought to turn them in a different direction to make them easier to grab out of the drawer. I hate hose and always have...you are right, they are torture! My husband is much the same way...we have 12 million bolts, nuts and screws! LOL He's told me to stay out...but I plan on working my way in! Hugs!

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  6. Without even knowing, I've been practicing some of that Komodo stuff too, lol. I've put t-shirts and pants away like that after packing suitcases over the years. You & I are cut from the same cloth, Benita insofar as being neatniks and threatening to take away glasses and plates from those who appear to be finished. It's a blessing and a curse to be so type A, but I rather like it. I'm in the midst of death cleaning (I know, sounds morbid, but it's promising to give me new life), and I can't wait to be finished. I will gladly place the MK book on my purge shelves should I win. :)
    I've had a few nicknames, but Reet is probably the most frequent one from the past.

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    1. My brain doesn't seem to function in chaos. I have to have things organized and neat. I make my bed every day, unless I'm changing the sheets and have to have things picked up every day and put away. I find it hard to leave dishes in the sink, etc. It truly is a blessing and a curse to be this way, but I will take it over the alternative. I like your nickname! Hugs!

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  7. I love your way of thinking (and doing) Benita....I have a saying I use that drives my family a little crazy. It is "touch it once" (TIO) which can be items in your home or social media. When the kids were younger and told to clean their room, they would pick something up and place it on the bed, etc. instead of putting it where it belonged, causing them to touch the item two or three times.
    When I would re-iterate my TIO to them, I usually got back an "I know! I know!" to which I would reply, "don't say I know I know, because you don't know."
    Needless to say, they have threatened to put that phrase on my tombstone. :)
    When I worked in an office, I was taught the principles of the Toyota Way, Kaizen, 5-S, etc....and yes that meant outlining everything on my desk so that if something was missing, the outline of the missing object, ie; stapler, in-box, looked like the yellow tape on the floor of a crime scene. Extreme? just a bit. So perhaps your Komodo book would show me the happy medium should I win it. :) I have been out of the work place for too long and have slipped back into my slovenly ways.
    My nickname? "Red"...probably because of my red hair and I, too am a type A personality.
    Great tips my friend. Underwear drawer, here I come.
    Kari @ Me and My Captain

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    1. Thank you so much Kari! I drive everyone around me nuts…when they visit here and when I visit there. I try not to be a “straightener”, but it just comes so naturally that I don’t know if I actually have any control over it. My kids would do some of those same things, but each evening, I would make them put their toys and belongings back where they were originally. I couldn’t stand stepping over toys in the floor and refused to pick up their dirty clothes. When I was in the workplace, I kept my desk almost completely cleaned off…I would do my work and put everything away, as much as I could, before I left every day. I think having things in their regular place helps us remember what is missing when we are putting thing back where they belong. LOL @underwear drawer. I enjoyed cleaning that out more than any of the other drawers. Hugs sweet friend!

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  8. hello there dear bean!
    you KNOW I would love Marie Komodo Kondo! LOL. minimalist that I am I read both of her books immediately! I have very few clothes but her same clothes rolling style works perfectly for travelling too! less wrinkles than folding flat. you travel so often you probably already were even doing that I bet.
    she is literally so full of joy. I just enjoy watching her. I don't get the channel her new show is on but I've seen her many times on the internet. I'm glad she's happily married and now has a little baby!
    you're a very cool Komodo. and that is the last time I'll use that nickname for you! ewww! gives me the shivers! XOXO

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    1. Hello sweet friend!! I hope you are doing well! Yes, I do know that you would love Marie Kondo! I am a clothing minimalist. I hate spending money on clothing and don't really wear even half of what is in my closet. I think I may have 8 pairs of shoes and am getting ready to narrow it down to around 4. I just don't wear them. I'm hoping to move to my kitchen cabinets next and start paring down all of those things. If you subscribe to Netflix, you can watch her show on the internet. I know absolutely nothing about her but am enjoying learning about how she thinks and works. Thank you so much! Yeah, the Komodo creeps me out also! :-) Love and hugs sweet friend!

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  9. Can't use pantyhose to sweep up your priceless jewels...bwahahahaha! Hey, not a thing wrong with being tidy. The Urban Farmer is always complaining that I put away things before he has a chance to use them. Can't wait for the garage organization episode! xoxo

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    1. LOL…I suppose the pantyhose have to serve some purpose! 😊 I have a very bad habit of putting things away before the hubster is finished with them and sometimes others, but I just like to keep things picked up and in place. No muss, no fuss…LOL The hubster has already told me “hands off”, but I think I may start working my way through it a little bit at a time. Love and hugs!

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  10. My middle daughter and I did Kondo to our houses a few years ago and recently our whole family and one friend decided to do Kondo all over again. I'm proud to say my drawers are all perfectly organized and have been since the first time I did the house over with her book. Her system is perfect for me even tho it may not be perfect for everyone.

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    1. I haven't read her book, but am planning on it to see what pearls I can use. I am also reading through her blog. The only thing I disagree with so far is "doing the entire house in one day". Not going to happen for anyone I don't think. I don't know who has time for that! I do agree that some of her ways may not be good for everyone, but I'm hoping to get back in line with some of the ways I've gotten away from! Hugs!

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  11. I'm new to your blog, but I am enjoying it so much. Love this new storage idea. I was called Tiki by an old classmate and Salty by an old boyfriend. LOL Sandy

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    1. Thank you so much Sandy! I'm so glad you are here and glad you are enjoying it! I love both of those nicknames...they are so cute!!! Have a great one! Hugs!

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  12. I am so in love with her method of folding! Even RH was impressed when I showed him my drawers--no joke intended there! He thinks he doesn't want his done that way but what I think is that he's going to come home some day and find his done and he'll be won over, I hope. It just makes such good horse sense, doesn't it?

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    1. LOL…It definitely does make sense! I didn’t even bother to ask the hubster, I just did it! 😊 He loved it and thanked me for straightening it out for him. I do like her folding and it makes the drawers so much easier when putting clean clothes back inside. Love and hugs sweet friend!

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  13. I am laughing...I had an aunt that if you even looked like you might put your coffee cup down for one 2nd...it was gone! She would grab it and carry it straight to the sink and wash it. We still laugh about it to this day and she has been gone for years. She also smoked...back in the day when they had the glass ashtrays. My papa told a story once that her friends would tell to please not wash the ashtray after they had smoked just one! LOL! Your shirts look neat lined up like that in the drawer. I have never thought about doing it that way. I don't guess I've ever had a nick name per say. Lots of people call me Cindy Lou though. Hugs and blessings to you. Cindy

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    1. I truly can't help it. It is like the glass/cup or dish is just calling my name, begging me to put it in the dishwasher...LOL Now that is one thing I won't touch unless I have to is an ashtray. The hubster smokes cigars and I just leave that mess for him. The bad thing is that he will let it get full before he empties it...drives me crazy...LOL. Cindy Lou...that's cute!! Love and hugs sweet friend!

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  14. Hi,
    Oh boy.. the garage. This shall be fun. :-)
    I read the book a few years ago. I did our drawers too. My boys love doing socks her way. You should have seen how we use to do socks. YIKES!
    Sam has learned to do the Ranger Roll in the Army.. very similar to her ideas. ;-)

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    1. Yeah, the hubster says the garage is just fine and that it doesn’t need my special touch…LOL I beg to differ with him! The military will definitely make you organized! Edward was in the Corp at A&M, so that helped him. He’s fallen away from some of it, but I’m going to retrain him…LOL Love and hugs!

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  15. I had never heard of the Kondo method until recently (and no I don't live under a log:) I LOVE to organize...and will organize everything if you let me!!! I don't know if I would like shorts/shirts folded this way since we hang all those up in the closet. Don't wrinkles set in with her method??? (I hate wrinkles!) I think I'm supposed to give you my nickname...it's CHERI. All my family, even grandkids, call me this....and my blog is cherischatter:) Thanks for the opportunity to win the book...I've been wanting to read it.

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    1. I had not either…I’ve always been organized and have read several other books about decluttering and organizing, so I didn’t really pay attention. I’m going to presume it is because of the Netflix series that has fueled her popularity. I’m not sure about the wrinkling since our dress clothes are hanging and it is all of our casual clothing that we fold in our drawer. How interesting on the nickname! And you are very welcome! Hugs!

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  16. My grandfather called me Suzie Q. Don't know why because it had nothing to do with my name. He died when I was very young so I was not able to ask him, but I have memories of him calling me that. My husband calls me Boo. Watched Marie's shows and have used some of her methods. I like the idea of using boxes in drawers to organize. Lots more to work on.

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    1. I love that Lynne! Too cute!! Since I have Netflix, I suppose I should give it a watch, but just haven't had enough interest to watch the show. I figure it is something of a reality show and I'm not big on those. I like the boxes in drawers also. Hugs!

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  17. I did the whole Marie Kondo thing a couple of years ago and for a while the house looked wonderful, there were even an empty drawer here, half a shelf empty there. But now everything is full again. Darn that love of shopping.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. LOL...yes, shopping does tend to get in the way...but if you put one in, take one out and then it won't get crowded. I have a problem doing that...when I buy something, I want to keep the old something as well...LOL Love and hugs!

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