Now, there are two disclaimers attached to this. Firstly, this isn't a joke. My kitchen really was this disorganized. Secondly, just because it's disorganized does not mean that it isn't clean. My dishes are washed thoroughly, and I am good about wiping down counter tops and stoves with handy little wipes. It's just behind the doors that things might get scary. But not any more!

I only show a before and after of two of my cabinets. I should have thought to show all of them. I happily found I had extra space when I had things organized. I also found items I could have been using had they been within my short, little reach. I am proud of the effort even though it took the majority of the day and am well aware that it is encouraging me to tackle my desk next.

Ironically, I threw out four telephone books before I did the "Before" video. We never use them except when a little kid comes over and needs to see above the dining table. Being mostly computer-inclined, I use the internet for my searches. Paul would never dream of opening a telephone book. I moved 4 books to the recycle bin and may find 5 is still too many. Moreover, I decided if I'd only ever used them once in 13 months, there was no reason for them to be on the bottom shelf. They were promoted to higher levels, and Paul can fetch them if we need them.

My cookbooks stayed on the shelf they were originally on because they are easy to reach. I don't stand them on end because only one of them is hardcover and I would like to keep them in decent shape as long as possible even though I know wear from usage is normal. Loose recipes are in a file until I come up with a clever way to organize them.

The Demel box was acquired in Vienna last year with a little chocolate cake in it. The box is so nice, I wanted to see it every time I opened the door. It was horrible to think I was just throwing things on top of it.

I stored the jars of herbs on the lower shelf so I don't have to climb under the cabinet when I want to give some to a guest. Then, I was able fill most of the cabinet with the layers from the dehydrator as well as my large jars. I also felt the need to dispose of some of the large jars. If they haven't been used in 13 months, they need to be recycled. In the leftover space, I piled my large trays that unfortunately fit nowhere else in my cabinets. I choose to leave the dehydrator on the top of the cabinet because it really is too big to fit elsewhere, and I never know when I need it. Currently, I am dehydrating a layer of basil from lunch as we had more than we needed for the dish we prepared.

We don't use our small vases very often and already have a large number of candles decorating the room. So, it was time to move those items higher as we won't get to them anytime soon. The glasses were too crammed on one shelf for me to access the them quickly. And most of the time the ones I wanted were all the way in the back. The Roly-Rocks glasses moved up a shelf and joined other drinkware. Why had I separated all those items to begin with? I also made space for additional Tupperware items above the original shelf with storage items. Again, why did I have them on two different sides of the room before?

Items I moved around before the video included moving pie and tart plates that are only used around holidays or for serving cornbread up and moving my small Vignelli bowls down so I can use them as small serving dishes and to serve desserts. (Remember the recommendations for losing weight that say use smaller dessert bowls? These are also great for serving dipping sauces.)

I disposed of a mug warmer advertising Allstate that we acquired at a race or something, a Rubbermaid bowl without a lid that someone left at our house, and a Nalgene bottle without a lid because the dishwasher ate it. I also moved the an nasal rinse (for allergies) to the downstairs bathroom cabinets. Originally, the saline was in the kitchen so hot water cold be heated and added to it, but if we don't use it every day, it doesn't have to be in the kitchen. Being in the cabinet in the half bath where there was room is appropriate.

I plan on keeping my cabinets in this condition. I hope my family feels the same way. Now. . .onto the next great plan!