Pantry Spring Clean

It is hard to believe how fast the pantry can get so cluttered up with any and everything. I was able to toss two grocery bags of expired food. Yes now I love being able to see what is in the pantry and what I need to buy.

Linen Closet Spring Clean

This was actually fun to be able to do. I got rid of a lot of towels as you can see. I gave away most of the games being as no one plays them. The sheets sets are now all matched up. I also gave away a few sets of sheets that I disliked immensely. I added in the storage unit here and now the linen closet looks smashing!

Office Spring Clean

This is my office area with the before and afters. It is so much nicer having the desk cleared of junk that is not needed or really used that often. I can sit at the desk now and pay bills and organize stuff!

OK I am trying to figure out how to get pictures off of my older camera to post before and after pictures. I put in the good memory card but I guess it is to new for the camera. I will look for the older card in a bit. I was not going to do the kitchen counters today but with looking for a grinder part it was easier to do the counter tops today.
These are the after pictures that I just took tonight.

In the first picture there is my Scentsy purple warmer that matches my kitchen colors. I have the red radio in the corner and that can be moved outside in the spring. The black basket is holding the bread and bagels. I also have a white utensil holder. I did have the utensils in a drawer but as much as I use them it is easier to have them at hand.

The second picture is the oven/stove in case you did not know lol. I had stuff like candles on the stove top along with a pan that was clean and a dish rag. All clean now and I even ran the cleaning cycle on the oven last week. I can not get near oven cleaning products being as my asthma kicks in and if any gets on my skin I react with a bleeding rash.

The third picture is the other corner of the oven. This corner is easy to pile stuff up on for some reason. Now it is straightened up and looks pretty darn good to me. I have my two olive oils next to the stove being as they are a daily usage pretty much. I am thinking of just having the smaller jar of olive oil to use and just refill it when needed. The large jar is to tall to sit in the cupboard by the stove.
There is the fruit bowl with apples, bananas and oranges. I am trying to see how to get the fruit off of the counter tops. I might try and hang the fruit in a basket but not sure how much I like having fruit hanging around lol.
Then I have a bowl of onions which are usually a daily used item as well. The paper towels are on the counter but I am thinking I might like an under the counter holder for them. The could go under the counter next to the can opener.

OK here is my before of the center island. Yes that is for real. OK some of the stuff was just put there tonight but hey I needed a good before picture! There is the meat grinder that is missing its blade that has caused all heck to break out here at the Gray's house. On top of the meat grinder is a crystal bowl I am giving away at church. A few other things are going into a giveaway box as well. I will have the island cleared off tomorrow and will post pictures of it when I do.

OK I have to start with a happy picture. This one just makes me grin. I would love to hold that many kitties at one time. Oh can you imagine if you received this as a bouquet from your love?
I am still cleaning out stuff that is pure garbage. I am embarrassed at how much junk I accumulated in a short time. This is really insane. I have boxes and boxes of stuff that I am throwing away now. How so many sheets of paper can accumulate and take over a house amazes me.
I stayed home today with Megan being as she ended up having five grand mals. She didn't eat and has slept most of the day.... on my lap or next to me. I just now got to do some cleaning being as she is pretty rested now and not likely to jump up and run around.
Tomorrow I have to go to Target to get her prescription in the morning and I will check out any coupon deals at that time. I have to start paying off credit cards and get serious about it. Yea that was out of left field! I am going to start keeping track of every penny I spend starting in March with my paycheck. I have to get very frugal now and save all the money that I can.
So just to let you know and to keep me accountable I have goals for this week and for each week there after. By the end of this year I will be sticking to a budget, being accountable for my budget, walking five days a week, my house will be organized, I will have a cleaning schedule and stick to it, weekly menus will be planned, and the list goes on.
So you ask what are my goals for next week? My main goals are:

1. Taxes done and filed

2. Closet will be organized

3. Pantry will be organized

4. Bathroom will be organized

5. Desk will be organized

When I am done blogging I will take pictures of what I am dealing with right now. I have done a lot of work but there is still a lot more to do. It seems when I clean I make bigger messes in different areas. Yes that is a lot of things to get done but that is one thing a day and I plan on working my butt off this week. Oh and I have gave away and tossed three bags stuffed of clothing, tossed out around 8 Avon boxes of junk that is not worth giving away or papers that yes I did recycle!

So yes I am a pack rat on my way to being a hoarder but gave myself a good intervention. I will be working on the closet this weekend as well as the desk so I might get most of that done! OK I am going to go take care of Megan and try to find my camera. Yea when I am organized I wont have to look for it I will know where it is!

The full prices and items are as follows.

2 gallons of Lipton flavored teas @ $3.49 each. I paid $2.00 each.

Minute Brown rice $4.49.  I paid $3.79

4 Knorr new Home Style Stock $3.99 each  I paid .99 cents each!

Dannon Activia 4 pack $2.39. I paid .88 cents.

Kings Hawaiian Rolls $3.59. I paid just 1.50.

2 Oscar Mayer Turkey Breast $5.49 each. I paid $2.25 each.

2 Johnsonville Brats $4.49 each. I paid $1.75 each!

1 Johnsonville Chicken Sausage $4.99. I paid just $1.99.

1 Open Nature Sausage $4.49. I paid $1.24 for this pack.

Another great offer and blog from my friend!

http://www.confessionsofapsychotichousewife.com/2012/02/giveaway-hersheys-for-valentines-day.html