Junk drawer no more

[susandennis]

My Costco trip was timed perfectly. I swung by McDonald's and got coffee and a sausage biscuit. I got to Costco about 15 minutes before they opened. It was cool and cloudy so sitting in my car having breakfast was very comfortable. I entertained myself until the first rush had gotten in and then I went in, found what I wanted and got out - no muss, no fuss.

Plus, I realized that my New Zealand friends might get a kick out of seeing Costco so I put it on the list.

Then home to discover that CBS Sunday Morning was a compilation of reruns so I didn't need to waste that time. And decided to get to the kitchen even though the game was near starting.  I turned on my audiobook and dug in.

I did not even take time out for the obligatory before and after photos.  This incredible feat will have to go totally un-photo-documented.   I emptied out both drawers. Filled a big box with trash. One shoebox with stuff I want to keep but can go in the storage closet and another shoebox with stuff I don't want but someone might.  Then I put the rest back in the drawer and wow! I can see everything. I can find everything. Hallefuckingluuuuyah!

I use measuring spoons maybe once a year or less. I had 4 sets.  Seriously. WTF.

Then I cleaned out the freezer and the fridge. I reorganized both and wiped down the refrigerator shelves.

Then I took the one shoebox of stuff somebody might want to the free shelf in the garage and took the trash down to the dumpster.

I am proud. Maybe not Pride Parade Proud but my own accomplishment proud which is fine by me.  I tidied up the bathroom and bedroom and put out what I need for swimming tomorrow morning by the front door.  And now, I think I'll take the rest of the day off.

Comments

[fenchurche.livejournal.com]

The Costco thing for your New Zealand friends sounds like a great idea! I just checked and it doesn't look like they've got any stores there yet (although it looks like rumors have been abounding for about ten years now). I know Costco has only recently opened locations in Australia and my Australian friends can't get enough of it (and will drive quite a distance just to go to one).

And I'm laughing out loud at the measuring spoons thing... because I went through that during our recent move. I now only have two sets of measuring spoons (one American and one Australian... because yes, they're different!) and I knuckled under and kept three sets of measuring cups (two American and one Australian), but I actually do use those enough, I think, to justify it. BTW, the Australian ones work for British recipes as well (they've altered sizes from the old standard on cups and tablespoons and so forth to make them more compatible with metric).

[susandennis]

Plus, the New Zealand friends? He wants to shop tech gadget deals and she is fascinated by all shopping of any kind. Last time they were here, about 5 years ago, they really wanted to go to Walmart 'to see what all the chatter is about!' They were not at all disappointed. I'm so glad I thought of Costco before they got here instead of after they have gone!

She also loves JC Penneys and was so afraid they would all close before she got back here. I think she's safe this trip.

You cook Australian? The very concept of translating cooking measurements makes my brain hurt.

Part of the whole organization thing is that I have lived in this very condo now for 22 years. Before that, the longest I'd ever lived in one place after I left college was 2 years. I used to say that when the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom got too jumbled to find stuff, I'd just sell the place and move.

Your moving is a great organizational tool!

[tatjna.livejournal.com]

We have similar things to Costco here. What we lack is economies of scale that allow the ridiculous cost of shipping consumer goods to a remote island miles from anywhere to be offset.

Essentially, we can get the stuff but it costs loads more. If Costco can get us goods as cheap as you can get them in the US, then yay! Otherwise, meh.

[susandennis]

?? Meh? I think my visitors will enjoy seeing it. You can be meh, I won't make you go with us!

[tatjna.livejournal.com]

Hehe, I have no doubt they will, and it does sound like an interesting trip.

I was going 'meh' to the idea of having a Costco here.

[lookfar.livejournal.com]

So, I'm struck by the fact that you rarely use measuring spoons. Don't cook? Eat frozen things, or eat takeaway?

[susandennis]

I honestly don't cook much. I eat a lot of meat and potatoes and frozen stuff and then have a chef who cooks two weeks of meals a month for me. I never ever bake. When I do so rarely cook, I just eyeball it. I can kind of tell - enough - what a teaspoon is or a tablespoon...

[(Anonymous)]

How does the chef thing work? Do they come to your home and cook? Do they teach you as well? Are the 2 weeks of food all prepared that day Or over several days sorry so many questions I'm interested for myself :-)

[susandennis]

http://www.personalchef.com/ It depends.

In my case, Anita comes to my home once a month and cooks me about 14 meals that go into my freezer. It takes her from 9-3. She does not teach me.