The challenge deadline is here and now I have to show you the inside of my Mystery Cabinet.

The cupboard reaches from the floor to basically the ceiling.

BEFORE

This was what I found in the upper cabinet:  first aid supplies, 66 light-bulbs(!) and some toiletry items of my son's.

AFTER

I purchased this basket and placed all the light-bulbs inside.  The jar is a recycled frappuccino now being used for my son's toothbrushes and picks.

BEFORE

In this cupboard I found so many items that did not belong and multiples of others.  Some things discovered were 16 toothbrushes, 7 tubes of toothpaste, a wallet, toys, wooden flute from the Philippines, socks and 2 kinds of tape.

AFTER

The top shelf has towels for our guests to use.  The children's towels are not kept in here but are hanging on pegs on the wall.  The basket on the back of the second shelf now holds our first aid supplies, and of course, you can see our toothbrushes and toothpaste in their rightful places.

BEFORE

Showing all 3 shelves of the lower cabinet. 

The bottom basket holds their dirty laundry.

AFTER

This picture says it all.

Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie has asked the participants to answer the following questions.  I think these look harder than the actual cleaning and decluttering of my cabinet.

#1  What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?

The hardest part of the challenge for me was trying to figure out how to make everything look nice in the cupboard without having to remove much.  After all, I didn't want to throw 66 light-bulbs away!

# 2  Tell us what kind of changes/habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?

I purchased 3 baskets to hold like items together.  One basket for light bulbs, another for medical supplies and one for my daughter who has to share the bathroom with 4 brothers!  I took a few empty glass frappuccino jars for my two oldest sons to use for their toothbrushes, flossers (for cleaning braces), etc.

3. What did you do with the “stuff” you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?

I threw away some things, put items where they belonged, and put the extra toothpaste in my bathroom where we keep bulk bathroom items.

4. Now that you have completed the challenge, do you think having and keeping your space organized will make a difference in your life?

YES!  It was majorly bugging me seeing this cupboard in such a sad state.  It needed attention and this challenge helped me to focus on it and try to come up with a solution and not just do a tidy-up job.

6. Why do you think you should win the challenge?

Wow, this is a hard one!  Does - Because I braved a cupboard that hadn't been cleaned in who knows how long and is used by 4 boys and 1 girl count as a good enough reason?"