Be afraid...be very afraid. I've put it off long enough and I have to finally clean out the fridge. When I lived alone, it was so simple. I was the one who put it there, so I could keep track of what was going on. Since my son now lives with me, its a whole 'nother ball game.
It just takes on such a snowball effect. Start on cleaning the fridge and then before you know it, your sink is full of dirty dishes and then the floor needs mopping. Ever notice how leftovers......especially if they are nothing to write home about.....seem to multiply and then before you know it, you have something that should be labled bio-hazard. I have reached the point where I just throw away most things unless it can make another whole meal. Like roast beef leftovers. Those always seem to get used the next day....same goes for turkey dinner leftovers. But that lone porkchop? Give it to the dog and make him forever grateful to you. If you don't, guaranteed you'll forget about it and next time you see it, it will have morphed into something unrecognizable.
Somehow a jar of grape jelly got overturned in the back and the top wasn't screwed on. I know I didn't do that....but there it is. Oh the jar got righted again, but no one cleaned up what spilled. I have glass shelves so thankfully it didn't drip down onto more stuff....but it won't be fun scraping that up off the glass either. And a carton of juice with about one teaspoon left in it....what's up with that? A gallon of chocolate milk with about a half of cup left and its expired to boot. Leftovers.....pizza, biscuits, a hamburger....all just sitting on a plate, not even covered. Oh Lord...I didn't do any of these and I thought I taught him better than this.
Lots of salad dressing in the door and most of it is expired. Those are mine. I once read that you can use those about 3 months past the expiration dates with no problem....but the problem is in your brain. You've read the date and you KNOW its expired so you find it distasteful to put it in your mouth.....the thought of it almost makes you sick. So the damage is done and you can't use it.....even if it really IS ok......which I wouldn't chance.
After I get this all nice and clean I will be a total bitch about putting stuff back in there for a while. I hope he's prepared to deal with it because I'm in the mood to throw out things like a quarter cup of corn or green beans, not to mention that teaspoon of catsup left in the bottle or the 1,900 soy sauce packets from our local Chinese restaurant. Of course you DO realize that as soon as you throw out those soy sauce packets, you will need them.
So, I'm goin' in. I have donned my version of a haz-mat suit and I'm prepared for battle. At least I'm grateful that I no longer have to DEFROST a freezer. Oh what a nightmare THAT used to be. You all have a great Saturday now.
