Monday Makeover: The Train Case

As promised on Friday, we're introducing a new feature called Makeover Monday. Each week, we will take on a project. You never know what we'll be remaking, reorganizing, or reworking, so you don't want to miss it! Last week, I promised to transform the train case I featured in my Friday Find in order to make my life easier. I know you've been on the edge of your seats since, waiting impatiently, to see how I'll use it. Right?
                            
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Organization Dilemma

 I don't know about you, but there are times when our family has a hard time getting out the door without forgetting something. Someone is always running back in for tissues or snacks or hand sanitizer or lotion or lip balm or a hairband or SOMETHING. When he or she runs in for "just a minute", it always takes FOREVER. And then, we're running late, which I absolutely, positively HATE.

Organization Solution

  

For a while, I've been thinking about getting those frequently forgotten items together and putting them in our laundry room, so we can grab them BEFORE we head out of the door, saving us precious time later. Of course, I can't think of every single thing someone might have overlooked, but I can think of a lot of them! It's a good plan, but what will I store all this "stuff" in? I'm not a huge fan of plastic storage containers, especially if they're sitting out on my counter all the time. If I have to look at it every day, I'd rather look at something I love, and I'm crazy about this case.

Making It Happen

Now that I have a container in mind for my project, I need to get to work.  I just hope everything we need to keep in it fits! Being optimistic, I cleaned it inside and out. It really wasn't too bad. I didn't find any money (rats), but there was an old gift tag in it. "To: Herb  From: Jr. & Naomi" in neat, elegant handwriting. Makes me wonder who they were and what Herb's gift might have been.

Next, I gathered all the gear I need to stow ...

Yikes! That's a LOT of stuff! There's a first aid kit, sewing kit, pens, pencils, tissues, wet wipes, lip balm, lotion, umbrella, notepad, snacks, sunglasses, hair bands, flashlight, hand sanitizer, scissors, and the ipod cradle for the car. I have a feeling the next step is going to take a little time, some patience, and a lot of rearranging and puzzle-solving. Keep your fingers crossed because I'm not sure it'll all fit. I may end up looking for another container, and I really don't want to do that. I love this one. I really, really do! After lots and lots of thinking, placing, rearranging, I finally got it to work. Yes! Everything is in there! Every. Single. Thing!

The case now resides in the laundry room. We can grab things on our way out the door, and I really think it's going to make a difference in our departure times. Because it's always open, we're taking advantage of the mirror in the back. We won't be leaving with spinach stuck in our teeth anytime soon. *lol* Depending on the season and what activities we're doing, I'm sure its contents will change. During the summer, I'm sure it'll house sunscreen and bug spray. I'm so glad I spied this vintage case at Salvation Army, and I'm happy I've been able to find it a new purpose, new life, and a new home. A simple solution and project that'll make our lives less stressful.  I love it when a plan comes together. And now, I'm thinking about the A-Team ... lol.

Share you're organizing solutions! I'd love to see them. : )