Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets and The Horrors You Find There

Have you cleaned the tops of your kitchen cabinets recently? I’ve never lived in a home that had open space between the kitchen cabinet and the ceiling before so I wasn’t aware of the horrors that can be found there.

This past week as I thoroghly cleaned the kitchen I ventured to the top cabinets to pull down the vases I placed up there knowing full well that they would be dusty, but I never considered the platform on which they stood…I'm really short so I had to stand on the counter top to see the the layers and layers of dust- something I didn't do when placing the vases originally. 

It's hard to get a real feel of how dirty these really are. But this is what I like to call "kitchen dust" (includes layers of grease) you can't just lift it up with your favorite furniture dusting polish. This required a heavy duty scrub brush, a soap and water mix, then a bleach spray.

Finally, I would get a section clean at a time. You want to make sure you empty your cabinets before you spray them with anything. Unless of course you want to eat Pledge, bleach, and dish soap. 

I'm not a kitchen designer, but I'm pretty sure building a cabinet to sit two inches away from a wall and not at least covering the exposed area is a "no no". These gaps (there were three) disgusted me the most. I shoved my vacuum hose in and wished for the best because the rest can't be reached. Or at least I haven't figure out a way yet... 

At least I know for a fact that there aren't big creepy crawly things down there. But hello property managers, do you really want problems with mice? 

I pulled out the drawers as well and discovered past renters had left us gifts (that I promptly threw away). 

I'm so happy that I finished the kitchen cabinet cleaning project-that's a mouth full. I am hoping we buy our own home before I have to clean out another rented kitchen as intensely as I had to do last week. I seriously suggest however that if your cabinets don't touch the ceiling you go do some inspecting.

Atlas Shrugged and Turned Into A Work of Art

I did it! I managed to make a whole project in one day. We have so many projects just waiting to be finished around here. Most of them are waiting for me to run to the store to get spray paint or waiting for the weather to clear up so I can paint them outside. Finally, I managed to complete a project using only items that I already owned. I stole this book page canvas idea from a blog that I follow Jones Design Co. . She has some amazing ideas and sells a good bit of her work. Here’s my version of her book page canvas: 

This IKEA table was in our backyard. It's not shocking that it didn't withstand the snow and rain. It was ugly and I was determined to do something with it. 

 

After letting the table dry out for 24 hours and checking it for bugs, I painted it with a primer. 

We have too many books, but the only book I didn't mind trashing was a torn up copy of Atlas Shrugged. Too bad I couldn't think of this project when I was in high school and turned it in for the scholarship!

I originally began using my hot glue gun... 

I covered the edges first. 

Then, after burning myself several times I switched to my good friend, Elmer's glue. (I am so a future teacher) 

Almost finished... 

I printed out a big "B" and a little "b". Cut them out... 

Covered the back with more Elmer's glue.There is Jackson trying to help.

Then I glued them on. There would be more in between pictures, but Jackson took the camera and hid it. 

Added a mount piece that I had randomly in my "box of many things". 

And voila! A once boring hallway is now only sort of boring!

Our Cat Jackson and His Laziness

As requested (via facebook), here are some pictures of our cat Jackson... I'll tell you a little bit about him first! Jackson was rescued from our local Humane Society. He had been there for about five months just waiting for us to find him, Actually, our good friends knew we were on the hunt for a good fat cat and discovered him for us. He's clumsy. Jackson has a hip problem or a balance issue of some sort that makes him appear drunk most of the time. We love it! He's named after Adam's favorite character on Son's of Anarchy. I know I posted a ton of pictures, but he's just so cute!! I couldn't resist.

 

This is Jackson at the HS. He just curled up with me there. He weighed 10 lbs then... now he's skinny. So sad.

 

Jackson up close! (Trying to attack the camera)

He's always sleeping. 

Again, sleeping. 

He gets very jealous when I'm not focusing on him.

Jackson helping me with some spring cleaning. Yes, I cleaned the drawer when he got out.

Jackson "helping" me clean the office. He follows me everywhere...

Tried to take a picture of our living room and he hopped in. 

This is Jackson at the HS again. How cute. He wanted to come home with me.