"Your kitchen is still appalling, but it is not quite so appalling"

Two people, 1.5 hours -- Elaine admitted today that the cleanup of my kitchen is not going as quickly as she anticipated. She had underestimated the astounding quantity of stuff cluttering my kitchen. We succeeded in clearing the stove and about half of the kitchen counters today.

Some of these things we uncovered are already packed and ready to go to charity, but others are stored in plastic bins on my balcony and on the kitchen table for further work. Essentially, we've mainly just SORTED the bits and pieces. We still need to find storage place for them -- or else dispose of them. The items in my cupboards are fairly well organized, but the cupboards are full. I must find find new homes for some of the items.

My hoarding behaviour in the kitchen concerns food, utensils, kitchen gadgets, and dishes. I have multiples of everything. Am I afraid of going without -- or just anxious to "be prepared"?

Food -- I buy entirely too much food, forget that I've purchased it, and then let it hang around too long. As a single person, I tend to avoid cooking. And when I do cook, I often refuse to eat the meal. I stock lots of canned, powdered, liquid and frozen meals. And many hang around until after their expiry dates.

Example of my excess purchases -- Elaine and I collected more than a dozen bags of cough drops in the kitchen alone. I probably have more upstairs. We collected a bushel-sized bin of cereals and almost a bushel of tea bags.

Bin of ready-to-eat foods collected from kitchen counters 

Purchases -- I purchased two packages of large bin liners for my green compost bin. I have liners, but I haven't been able to find them. Elaine wanted to know why I had bought two packages instead of just one. Years of habit and an underlying concern about getting caught without something, I suppose.

I know that I buy too much, but this is a difficult habit to break. Elaine suggested that I pair with a friend for weekly grocery shopping -- one who will see that I don't buy too much of anything. I am planning to with a friend without a car would be willing to take on that duty in exchange for a weekly ride to the grocery store.

Homework -- Elaine gave me a to-do list. She won't be back till Wednesday a.m. Thursday I will be on my own. I can't believe how lucky and blessed I am that she has been willing to help me so far.

My to-do list from Elaine

Reward for good work -- Elaine also brought me a treat this morning for brunch -- a lovely bowl of yogurt and fresh fruit. I now have space at my kitchen table to sit down and enjoy it!

Elaine's treat for me