Let's just come right out with it.
There couldn't be anyone in the whole internet less qualified to write this post than I am. My refrigerator is one of my most serious problem areas, and it's not just because that's where the Hershey's syrup lives.
Of all the areas of my house that spiral out of control, my refrigerator is almost certain to spiral the most vigorously.
But I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, and I thought I'd share my results so far.
A couple of weeks ago, I took everything out of my fridge, cleaned every possible surface and tossed out everything that was expired. And while it wasn't the most fun job, I can't even tell you how good I felt when it was all done. I celebrated with a giant swig of Hershey's syrup.
Oh, I'm kidding.
No, I'm not.
Anyway.
One of the things that overwhelms me most about managing my fridge is having a system for thawing 
meat. If I set the package directly on the shelf, I worry about bacteria, but it's a hassle (and wasteful) to seal it up in a fresh Ziploc bag every time.
So I've set out this glass dish (right) as a permanent solution. Any meat to be thawed goes directly in the glass dish. No more rearranging items to make a spot. The glass dish is always there. Fresh meat from the store can go directly in here too. Every few of days, I can toss the dish in the dishwasher--no more concerns about bacteria.
But before we get to the part where you share your links, let's pause for a moment to glory in the entire finished product. (Nope, no "before" picture, because I'm afraid y'all would have sent the health department to shut me down.)
Please notice the labels on the shelves. I really needed a label to tell me which shelf was for salad dressing, because the 18 bottles of salad dressing just weren't hint enough.
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1. Lady Why (Perfect Asparagus Everytime!)
2. We are THAT family (Men\'s Week)
3. Kerri (Toddler Bath Training)
4. The Diaper Diaries (travel tip)
5. Becky (Kids Chores)
6. For Cheap Sake (Sterilizing Baby Items)
7. Happy to be at Home (Homeschooling Conventions)
8. MG (Simple Budget Saving Tips)
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11. jen (brushing little teeth)
12. Land of Lovings - Book Bargains
13. Nicol (non gross bathmats)
14. col @ gigablonde (choosing how you respond to challenges)
15. everychapter (nursing)
16. Mom, Im Bored! (A Beachless Day At The Beach!)
17. Joy @ Five J\'s (Repelling Cockroaches in the Kitchen!)
18. Blue Castle (Tea Tree Oil)
19. Grocery Cart Challenge (save BIG on dryer sheets)
20. The Pumkin Patch (Clean, Shiny, Streak-free wood)
21. De\'Etta (book storage)
22. A Simple Walk (List Making)
23. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Learn to be a Happy Loser!)
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25. Daiquiri (Heal Cracked Heels)
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28. Smellyann (knit and crochet)
29. Mrs. N (Overcoming Postpartum Depression)
30. PENSIEVE (Discounts for ALL online shopping!)
31. Tara (Bricks Coupon Issues?)
32. Tina (Freezing Lunches)
33. Mandi (Organizing Kids\' Crafts)
34. Grace4Gayle (what to do with old board games)
35. Mother Hen (the cleanest laundry)
36. Marissa (Praying for Your Children)
37. Phyllis (read to feed)
38. Tara Thinks (Coloring online with the kids)
39. Dawn (Vegetable Garden)
40. Fussypants (Primer on Fashion- Clothing 101)
41. Simply A Musing Blog (little known kitchen tip?)
42. Life with Three (best pot luck recipe)
43. Joy @ Joy Of Desserts (Increase your traffic & Ice Cream Round Up)
44. Holly (How to stylishly display kids artwork)
45. Megan (smoother mornings)
46. Staci at Writing and Living (Dried out baby wipes and disinfectant wipes)
47. Kristen ( Cute Wallet makeover Tutorial)
48. MooBeeMa (kid-friendly breakfast)
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50. A Juggling Mum
51. Carrissa (Organizing your outdoor space for summer)
52. Many Little Blessings (Fun, Easy Learning Activities)
53. AmandaJean (Kid- Safe Internet Games)
54. Thrifty Jinxy (Extra $ from Surveys)
55. Shanda (dating my children)
56. Karla (fancy up your wallet)
57. Lynnae ( Why the Minimalist Lifestyle Works for Me)
58. Shanda (fixed link...dating my children)
59. Jenni ( How to properly plan for your yard sale )
60. Karla (keep kids math skills up through summer)
61. Christine (Blogging IS GOOD FOR YOU!)
62. Shanda(linked fixed for real this time...dating my children)
63. Margalit Light WW pizza dough
64. Amy (Curling Ribbon)
65. Lisa-BlessedwithGrace (My Cell Phone)
66. Melanie (One La Costa Mom) Make Bedwetting Easier on You
67. WorldsGreatestMommy (Summer Schedules)
68. Green Baby Guide (Living without a Car)
69. Alison @ Pennythoughts (Ideas to Reduce Food Waste)
70. Mamacita (fun Father\'s Day gifts)
71. P.S. He loves you...(in the beginning)
72. ~Amy - Zafu (finding the perfect bra/jeans)
73. Mrs. Organic (longer lasting cut flower arrangements)
74. sara l (baking soda love)
75. Daily Mish Mash (Best Teacher Gift)
76. Deb (kid friendly music players)
77. Donna @ Thirsty? (Quiet Time Tip)
78. Michelle at Scribbit (another boredom buster)
79. Motherhood For Dummies
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82. Greenstylemom (Scratched CD/DVDs)
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89. The Thrifty Blogger (Environmental Fun)
90. Briggie (mac-n-cheese)
91. Lee (grocery saving tips)
92. Mandy @ Biblical Homemaking (Healthy Chocolate!)
93. JanMary - N Ireland - IKEA
94. The Apron Queen **Easy Photo Editing**
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96. Stretch Mark Mama (HELP ME Make Veggies Fun)
97. Elizabeth (potato chip alternatives)
98. TX Poppet (GiveAway!)
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100. Just Pure Lovely (a daughter who reads me)
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102. Carol G,1st timer, Water for the grumpies
103. Peanut (Overwhelming Laundry)
104. Craft Projects
105. Living, loving, and learning...Vegas Style! (Summer Pantry Raids)
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107. Brenda (Pebble Jars)
108. Pure Life in Paradise (Less Time in the Kitchen)
109. Lisa (Teen Party Snack Ideas)
110. Organising Queen (inside MY fridge)
111. laane (works against spiders)
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113. Hadias (DIY T-shirt iron-ons)
114. Lyn @Frugal Weight Watcher (Healthy eating while saving time & $$$)
115. Beth@sportsmomma (Podrunner Intervals-update)
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120. Beth - Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
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122. Carlie (Shopping Organization)
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124. Colleen (Easy Father\'s Day Craft)
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127. Playful Professional (Simple & Heartful Father\'s Day Gift)
128. Jennifer (kid made watering bottle)
129. Mary (Day at the Beach)
130. Aubrey(easy summer meal)
131. Rebekah (baseball season lifesavers)
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133. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (recycling you coffee grounds)
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135. Judy (summer stuff for the kids)
136. Kim Priestap (getting my daughter to walk in her walker)
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138. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (free Home Depot Coupons)
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141. Erin K. (easy recipe for entertaining)
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143. Jeni (cutting bacon, recipe)
144. Michelle (GOOP recipe)
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146. Liisa (Email Bible Study) |
147. Fuschia (Scrapcards)
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155. Emily @ Little Home (eco-conscious cleaning supplies)
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158. April (Musing Mommy)
159. Penny Raine (free drawing) increasing income
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161. Kristin (feedin\' a gaggle of young\'uns)
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163. Anne Glamore (ID kids\' clothes & stuff)
164. Elena (Business of being born)
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166. Gretchen (Lunch is in the Freezer)
167. AllyJo (Collaging Memory Verses)
168. IfOnlyIHadSuperPowers (birthday freebies)
169. Amy@sonshinecottage(multipurpose game for preschoolers)
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171. Cyndi (pots and pans storage)
172. Alli (Easier Pill Taking)
173. Amy (Repurposing Boxes)
174. Beverly
175. Ann (parenting)
176. Luanne (weight loss)
177. Kim (Better than bacon)
178. slawebb (Ice on a stick)
179. Val (How to Say NO)
180. Katie (saving stained shirts)
181. Shannon (4 12 packs of coke for .9 cents!)
182. Erika(Conquering the Sock Monster!)
183. Maren (Easy kids spaghetti)
184. Candace @ A Garden of Blessings (homemade salad dressings)
185. Kristen M. (selling books on Amazon)
186. Minnesota Mama (Teach Your Kids To Make Your Coffee)
187. Joy of Frugal Living (key tray)
188. Family Focused Fun (Keep Mom Calm after Tantrums)
189. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (Getting paid to write!)
190. Julie the Accidental Pastor\'s Wife (Fold Less Laundry!)
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192. Linds @ This Abode (Compost)
193. Hollie @ Cheaper then Cheap (Hobbies)
194. Brianna @ Heart(h) Management (Wear that baby!)
195. Heather (fruit fly solution)
196. Stacey (crystal deo)
197. Veronica (Remove Build-Up From Hair)
198. Babychaser (Removing Baby Poop Stains)
199. KD @ A Bit Squirrelly (Friends, Freebies and Freedom!)
200. Stephanie (Reusing Consumable Books)
201. Amy Halleran (God\'s Modern Day Miracles)
202. Kisses of Sunshine: Quality & Affordable Household Items
203. Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise (My Attitude Adjustment)
204. Frills Fluff and Trucks (another organized fridge!)
205. Brea in Texas (really easy thrush and yeast infection fix)
206. Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet-Eating healthy on vacation
207. Alissa @ On-Purpose Living (Being Prepared)
208. April(shipping DVDs)
209. Crystal (summer school at home)
210. Michele @ Frugal Granola (Free Activities)
211. NerdMom(Scheduling)
212. Making Money Keeping Money(Contesting Mondays)
213. Nerd Family Food(Baby Food)
214. Anna (microwave cooking)
215. Kirstin: Library tips
216. Free 2 Be Frugal (crafts with kids)
217. Heather (chaperone a field trip ~ get in for FREE!)
218. S.B. (Treating for Pizza)
219. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Printing coupons!)
220. OrganicMania (Toilet Bowl Cleaning w/Kids)
221. Storm at All Things Cherished
222. GettysburgMom- WFMW Thank You
223. MemeGRL (wireless keyboard warning/solution)
224. Abbi@Proverbs31Living (Rest time = less grumpiness)
225. Jenn (Saving Money)
226. LaRee @ Broad Horizons (budgeting)
227. Kristine (making extra money)
228. Tara@Not So Perfect(Stockpiling Food)
229. Anne Glamore (ID kids\' clothes & stuff - use instead of # 169!)
230. Simple Mom (Use Del.icio.us as Your Recipe Box)
231. Sarah W. (pantry organization)
232. Mama Bear (CDN COUPON TIPS)
233. Susan (cleaning schedule &5 natural degreasers)
234. marigold (father\'s day)
235. Homemaker Barbi (Prescription History List)
236. Sarah (Have I told you about Shutterfly???)
237. Jack\'s Mommy (What to Do With Left-Overs)
238. anne - craigslist & insurance
239. emily (yummy summer supper)
240. Multitasking Mama (dinner bell)
241. Motherhood For Dummies - House Crafts & Decorations
242. GP in Montana
243. Ann Kroeker (delicious recipe using leftover spaghetti)
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245. A City on a Hill (cart return)
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247. Homeschool Distractions (car sickness)
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250. Colleen - Mommy Always Wins ("Green" wrapping)
251. Sonshine
252. Aimee (Oobleck)
253. Elizabeth (Peanut Butter Bread)
254. Leslie (quiet time)
255. Motherhood and Potatoes (Make A Cookbook)
256. Passionatehomemaking (simplifying by slowing down)
257. Julie Stiles Mills (lunchbox flatware)
258. Abby ({easier} 2x baked potatoes)
259. Marina Berryman (hungry men)
260. Laura@StorytellinMama (Helping kids simplify)
261. Franticallysimple (easy sewing project)
262. Christie @ Mommy24Monkeys
263. Coral (Making Cookies)
264. Amber - Bringing Good Home (FREE Curriculum)
265. Thrifty Mommy - inexpensive summer needs
266. 3cookieday (hooded towels)
267. Amyswandering (Big List of Frugal Sites)
268. Elizabeth @ Loving My Life (Meal Planning for a Month)
269. Marian (pre-school activity books)
270. Rhen @ YESTHEYAREALLMINE- poster ironing
271. Linda\'s Lunacy(Vacuum Cleaner Belts)
272. Ann\'Re @ Home (Homemade Cleaners)
273. Let\'s Explore (Kids\' Chore Bucket)
274. craftymom label everything
275. Joanna @ OneKrustyMama (crayons and xmas shopping)
276. Janelle (catching up on scrapbooking)
277. Megan @ Blessed in Love
278. Stephanie (Using homemade cleaners)
279. Megan @ BlessedInLove (teeth-brushing & handwashing
280. Amy (easy gourmet spaghetti sauce)
281. Amy at Prettybabies (discipline)
282. Rachel R. (monitoring TV time)
283. Texastanya (Get Generous)
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285. Melissa (Reusable Bags)
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288. Amanda (Snack Time)
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Where's the milk?
Posted by: Sheri | Friday, June 13, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Amazing! I think God wants me to turn my refrigerator into Science experiments. I now require glasses to check dates, forget to label what was put in there when, and only notice when some new cure for for disease begins growing on the items placed there.
As far as the freezer is concerned, I usually find treasures from 10 years ago, diligently thaw them in hopes that they are still edible, and throw them in the trash because sometimes the smell is really funky. Well, it was worth a try.
Retirement is WONDERFUL! Who cares any more! When what is thawed no longer is presentable on a plate, WAHOOOOO, I go out to the local cafeteria.
You are more than welcome to tackle my kitchen and freezer any time you choose. Any items still "in date" are yours for the taking. Please bring your label making machine.
Love your blog, you and yours, Gego
Posted by: Gego | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 10:59 PM