Basement - Phase 1 Complete!

Today I worked muy mucho hard and I am pleased to announce that the unfinished side of the basement is now picked up and cleaned and organized! 

Well, I think I might want to find a different place for the costume bins - under the table is a bit too accessible. But the kids love it. They lego area is behind Owen there. Katharine made an ABC factory by putting the letters on the ground (I'm gonna pick those up too). Natalie got dressed up as a cowgirl - 

Riding her trusty stallion in the reading area. Reading area is right next to Katharine's kitchen. 

And some more work stations. 

And for the final reveal and the part I am most excited for - my art desk area!

This was Wesley's gift to me, and it is a gift that will keep on giving. I'm excited to work here! My art books were scattered in various places throughout the house, but now they're all here, and I can tape up pics of things I like for inspiration, plus I have all the supplies I've been gathering over the years here - canvases, paints, brushes, sketch pads, pencils, etc etc. Those were scattered in several places as well.  This desk is nice and big and can hold everything. It is also nicely blocking off the unfinished wall. I am gathering the frames (also in several different places here in the basement) and will keep the large ones to the right there on the floor. The other black table and desk are close to this art desk, and they will be work stations for whatever I want and kid art areas (they are not to use my desk, we'll see how well I'm able to enforce that!) And to continue the art inspiration, today I went to visit a lady in our ward, and this lady too had beautiful art on her living room walls. Turns out her grandpa was a painter - Melvin M. Fillerup.

Just more and more inspiration coming, making me feel like this really is something I can start finding and making time for. 

I didn't go on a ride or exercise at all today - my legs are very sore, prob from the weighted walking lunges I did yesterday! But I did a lot of housework and active rest today. It felt great. Basement - phase 1 is complete. Phase 2 will be to do deeper organizations of the Christmas stuff and holiday stuff and organize each bin we have and get the storage shelves better organized/functional.