Cleanup, cleanup, everybody clean up!

We have finally had some cooler days around here, which comes as a relief to humans, animals, and electric bill alike. I took the opportunity yesterday to clean out the garage.

I've never been one to fill up the garage with so much junk that you couldn't park two vehicles in there. But things just get....messy. Junky. Craptastic. So once a year or so I give it a good cleaning. (As opposed to my husband's coworker who mops hers each week.) I know you're just on the edge of your seat waiting to see what my garage looks like (lol) so without further ado, I present:

THE BIG GARAGE CLEANUP OF 2010


What you see here in this scintillating picture is the fact that for the first time in forever, we have a completely clear path to the car. Normally there are a few boxes to be recycled, and by the workbench in the back we always had a couple buckets in the way. No more, as they are now at the recycling center (#2 plastic, I was glad to see.) They were previous kitty litter buckets from years ago. We have 2 mop buckets--that should be plenty. Now we can open the back car door easily without a poor dog having to try and duck under the door to jump in the back seat.

Next we have the workbench. You know any flat surface is a clutter magnet, and this is no exception. Things have now been sorted and put in their proper places. This will take constant upkeep to maintain though. If you look closely you can see the legs of a metal frog statue I have. It's come apart in 3 pieces and instead of chucking it I'd really like to figure out how to fix it.

I swear I only very rarely use plastic bags. I will chance to say one a month or less. These come from my mom's house when she sends things over, and a large part of them came from the garage sale we had at my house last year. They are here by the steps just until I go to the grocery store later today and deposit them in their recycling bin. Underneath the bags are a couple bags of packing peanuts. Those will be taken to the UPS store next week as well, where they are glad to reuse them. Next to that are a couple things that are awaiting transport up to the attic.

I have to find a new home for these. What are they? Part of the empty tubs I have collected over the last couple of years from cleaning out things in my house I no longer need!

These boxes are allllll going to Goodwill, along with a few in my dining room, hopefully next week. Next to that you see a power washer, kitty cube, and old vacuum cleaner, all things that my husband has agreed will either be fixed by the end of the month or out of this house!

The side of the garage next to Mr. GV's truck. Bicycles, empty boxes from Mr. GV's work (that are used in weed prevention in our flower beds, a big project right now), a freezer bag, and a chandelier that will go to Goodwill if they will take it. Otherwise it will be leaving this house in some other method. Underneath the table you see a tub where we have our electronics and batteries to be recycled.

And there you have it. The floors have been swept as well and it just looks so much better, like someone actually CARES. Well, I do care. Just not enough to get out there in the summer when it is stinkin' HOT!