Kitchen Clean Up

Some before and after photos:




I tossed all the expired food (and tea) and used an old utensil organizer to sort the tea.

tiny bit of progress and one set back

Progress: decanted spices into magnetic containers
Set back: balcony light fixture now needs to be replaced
Reaction: ugh

Starting Repairs

I replaced the bathroom light bulb and hung the tapestry above the couch. Check and check. They may have been the easiest items on the list, but at least I started it, right?

The Floors

The supplies:
Two Swiffer type things (one should probably go)
Broken Vacuum that sometimes works
The Results:
The smell of burning carpet. Clean. But whoa that vacuum is broken.

Chair-Sitting

Today, I sat for the recommended ten minutes in a place I don't usually sit. In my case, it was the armchair that faces the sofa aka the other side. It is for guests, not me. And it generally has a pile of purses or school papers on it anyway. So today I sat. And this is what I saw:

Earth Friendly Cleaning Products? Try Vinegar!

I love white vinegar. Love it. And thanks to the 'Queen,'I know now know how to clean most things with it. I use it along with dish soap to wash my greasy dishes, mix it with water to clean windows, dump it (along with baking soda) down the drains to prevent clogs, and put some in a spray bottle with some water for a general all purpose cleaner. The smell goes away quickly and the place is sparkling. Together with lemon juice and borax, I've been bleach/pricy name brand supplies free for a couple of years now and I love it.

PS The 'Queen' is Linda Cobb, who wrote "How the Queen Cleans Everything."

Week Zero: Before Photos

Time to Start "Curing"

There's some stuff that needs fixing...
1. replace bathroom lightbulb
2. repair closet door
3. repair and then hang screen doors

and then there's...
1. hang bulletin boards in kitchen
2. frame map above dining room table
3. hang tapestry above sofa (anyone else notice a theme here?)

but don't forget...
1. the oven is a mess
2. files need to go in file cabinet, not on floor
3. balcony needs to be less filled with old boxes

of course, in general...
1. clothes belong in closet (not on floor, and not on closet floor)
2. hall closet needs some order
3. the kitchen needs to be kosher again

Where is the Cure?

Hasn't been announced yet...hope it will be soon. I'm looking forward to this one. I've decided on the Deep Treatment. Plans include re-kashering my kitchen during week two, finding a solution to the office area during week five, and in general making my home a bit healthier. Which means finally throwing out all those boxes on the balcony and donating their contents. Painting and new balcony furniture will have to wait. Also, I'll have a small budget, so while I'll be able to get some new sheets and fresh flowers, I'm not planning to buying much else. The rest will have to come from what I already have. Good luck to me, right?