The Kitchen

Day 4 Saturday

Along with my partner G and his mum we head over to the sister’s house. It occurred to me that I hadn't been here for over a year. I've always known it was bad but after the last time I thought maybe it wasn't too bad. I was happy not knowing the truth, happy in my ignorance. So the door opens and we step inside. I'm overwhelmed by the task ahead of us.

The mountains of 'stuff', clothes, toys, papers, food, wrappers, juice bottles, shoes, bags and just plain rubbish. It's the worst I've ever known it. As I look into the lounge, I can't make out the sofa, the table and chairs, the computer, any specific toys. It's all just one blur of belongings all mixed up with rubbish. It reminds me of the TV shows and I begin to wish a an army of people would come in a make it all disappear but I know that's not going to happen.

G's mum is gobsmacked. It's a far cry from her own immaculate home, but she doesn't say anything horrible. She accepts and understands why she's here. G suggests we start with the kitchen and it takes a couple of hours to remove everything into the garden. I lost count of the plastic plates and bowls in a variety of different characters: princesses, fairies, Dora, Fifi, Winnie the Pooh, Ben and Holly, Frozen and a whole lot more.

Plastic cutlery, in an assortment of characters as above and some free from magazines. Why do baby magazines do that? If people can afford those overpriced mags in the first place they can afford to buy some nice cutlery without having to rely on the giveaways. I'll come back to magazines. That's a whole different blog!

Plastic tubs and pots, some with lids, some with mould!

Out of date food, some by a few months, some by a few years (2015, 2014,2013 and 2012)

G fixes the oven door and G's mum cleans the oven inside and out. I'm outside with the sister trying to convince her that everything in the garden cannot go back in the kitchen. There just isn't space.

We throw out 10 bin bags of rubbish and manage to put back everything she wants to keep.

After 6 hours we leave exhausted and dejected. And no word of thanks from the sister.

A clear work surface finally!