The old doors were in pretty sorry shape.  They were chipped and cracking beyond repair.  They corners of the garage doors had funny angles that made the house look very 90’s too.  The picture below doesn’t look too horrible, but that’s because it was taken in the Summer and everything looks pretty with hanging baskets and flowers.  Trust me, the garage doors were past their prime.

The new doors were done by Premium Garage Doors and I couldn’t be happier.  We had the funny notches on the house cut out so the door corners are now at 90 degree angles.

Fun hardware was on my “must have” list.  I love it!  They had the option of magnetic hardware, so you didn’t have to put it permanently on the doors.  I opted for the permanent version because I was afraid my family would mess with me and change the hardware around, just to bug me.

We still need to paint the trim on the house, but the exterior is looking pretty good!

It’s garage door happiness, Friends!

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I couldn’t even get to my painting supplies. Once I moved the kids’ bikes and scooters out of the way I had to rummage through layers of paint cans, stored as low as possible on the very bottom shelf of my husband’s workbench.

Once we had the new shed built, I had my eye on this area.

 

After moving everything “yard and garden” out to the new garden shed, there was actually enough space for a shelf. We have a three car garage so we SHOULD be able to park 2 cars and still have room for storage. The problem is the bikes and scooters. (Last summer I got rid of my 5 – yes five- strollers!) We have 5 kids’ bikes, 3 adult bikes, and 6 scooters. I always have a house full of kids so we have plenty to go around. With the garden tools out and the bikes moved into the extra space, I dug out an old cedar shelf I had. It fit perfectly into the a little nook against the wall. Ta da!!!

 

I can finally find any paint color I’m looking for!

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Garage organization tops my list of chores I hate. Yardwork, laundry, scrubbing toilets, picking up dog poop… I’d take those jobs any day. Garage organization just hangs over my head. I know I need to get out there. I know what I need to do and how I need to do it, but I just hate it! Going to the dentist is more fun!

I really had to think about things when I bought the cake holder at the Goodwill and my husband said, “Where are you going to put that? Do you realize how much crap you have out in the garage? Seriously, do you think you might be a hoarder?”

The adorable, vintage, cake holder from Goodwill – $2.50!!!

Ok, I must defend myself here. I am SOOOOOO not a hoarder! Every time the big blue donation truck comes to the neighborhood I try to send a few bags. I love to get rid of things. Decrapification is one of my favorite hobbies. My problem is that I hate the garage.

So last Sunday, the day after the cake holder incident, I decided it was time to face my fear head on. I took everything off my shelves, two gorilla storage shelves and one small wooden shelf from IKEA. There really wasn’t that much on my shelves. I had just never really spent time organizing my things and the bins were a mish mash of containers. It didn’t look neat and tidy. I couldn’t even bring myself to take a “before” shot. It was just too horrible.

I made piles for Goodwill, new shed, garbage, and stuff to go back on the shelves.
Before long, I had organized bins.

With labels of course. All kindergarten teachers love to label things. It’s what we do.

I even have empty bins, ready for seasonal items.

Ahhh! As much as I dreaded it, I’m glad it’s done. Well, at least THAT part is done. I still have canning supplies, sports equipment, painting supplies, paint cans, and the whole bike/scooter/skateboard area to get to.

Here’s a sneak peak at Organizing the Garage-Part 2.

The thought of gingham in the garage ALMOST makes me want to start spending time out there. I said ALMOST.

Here are a few linky parties I’m joining!

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