One thing that helps me feel at peace at home is to have things organized. Now, I'm not saying that I'm always perfectly organized in every area, but I am working on it.
A few days ago I was talking to Son about needing a shelf of some kind at the back of the kitchen counter. It's an area I can't really use for anything and tends to seem piled up with this and that - appliances, cords, etc. While I was shopping I came across some coated wire locker shelves. They are 12 inches tall and about 10 inches wide and deep. You just unfold them and the legs lock into place. They can also be stacked, but two of them side by side fit my purpose perfectly.
I now have a place to put my crock pot, can opener, midget food processor, steamer, and food shredder/grinder. Since I have a power strip right there anyway, I can easily plug an appliance in when I need to use it without having to reach behind the shelves for the only outlet on that wall. There is room for smaller things to be on the shelves (midget processor, cords) and taller things to go underneath them (crock pot, steamer). The can opener lays on the shelf until it's called into action.
Being able to store these items at my fingertips is better for me than having them tucked away in some cabinet. See, I have hip problems which makes it difficult for me to reach into lower cabinets to find needed kitchen tools. Once down, it's hard for me to get back up again!
I realize all the "organization experts" in the world admonish you to either rid yourself of some belongings or hide them away. Well and good for people who never use things. However, I do use my kitchen gadgets - a lot! That's why I got them. They make my life easier, cost very little to operate, and are part of my kitchen furnishings. I enjoy seeing kitchen tools and gadgets out where they are used. A bare wall, counter, or shelf tells me the kitchen isn't visited very often. :-)
