What's in YOUR junk drawer?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Come on, admit it, everybody has one. It’s the drawer where all the little stuff goes. The rubber bands, recipes from labeled products, your pets rabies tag(they don’t wear it because they live indoors). There’s the single AA battery, the erasers, tape, toothpicks, matches, etc. I have all of the above and more, more, more. Got to get it cleaned out because it’s getting hard to open and close.

So what do you keep in YOUR junk drawer?

P.S. If you are one of those that keeps the above items neatly sorted and arranged, it’s not a *junk * drawer!:stuck_out_tongue:

2

I have the drawer with me now. In order, as I remove them:

Two-inch paintbrush, green hightlighter, deceased uncle’s luggage tag, charting tape, empty cassette case, empty pill bottle, green sealing wax, box of binder clips, carpenter’s tape measure, draftsman’s pen, yellow highlighter, cabinet knob, another tape measure, jute twine, one-inch paintbrush, X-Acto knife, small calculator that doesn’t work, little paperweight, small toy bear, PEZ dispenser with head of Bart Simpson, black Sharpie, small pliers, hole punch, coil of wire, small electirc scissors (!), dressmaker’s scissors, dressmaker’s hem-marker-or-whatever-you-call-it, Philips screwdriver, broken toenail clippers, plastic bottle cap, ground lift, blue electrician’s tape, half-inch paintbrush, three camel’s-hair brushes (one broken). two small screwdrivers (one flat, one Philips), tiny box of screws for mending eyeglasses. dressmaker’s tape measure, another carpenter’s tape measure, seam ripper, drill bit, ANOTHER carpenter’s tape measure, small paper-scissors, small scissors for thinning dogs’ hair, two more camel’s hair brushes, cute li’l pen-on-a-neckchain, tire gauge, magnetic key box, dried-up White-Out, another X-Acto knife, two more toenail clippers, single-edge razor blade, little wrench, sock tuckers, tiny little penknife, another luggage tag, minuscule sewing kit, needle-nose pliers, cassette liner notes for Broadway Revival Cast production of ANYTHING GOES, dental floss, keychain, odds and ends of pencils and pens, and . . . that’s about it.

3

I have a toddler so mine has about 2 dozen AA batteries in it. Every darn toy needs 4 of those suckers! An assortment of pens, markers, candles and balloon weights. We also have tape, scissors, part of a chair (a very small part) some christmas light bulbs, a small squadron of screws, ribbon, lock de-icer, super glue, some rudimentary tools, various extra childproofing gadgetry, a light bulb, a stick-up, some outlet covers, goof-off and shelf pegs.

And I just emptied a lot of the crap out a few weeks ago!:eek:

4

Several power adapters cords for items I’ve probably long-since thrown away, but they look too important to toss themselves, old Gameboy game (Tetris), knock-off multitool from some long-dead dotcom startup (Octopod.com?), six of those little Allan wrenches you get with Ikea furniture, plastic spork (white), “Hi-Liter” pen (green), ticket stub (Harry Potter), book of matches (Barry’s Pub, Geelong Australia), carpet tacks (eleven, brass), shoelaces (27" black), M.U.S.C.L.E Thing toy (pink), 22. caliber bullet (Winchester, LR), plastic Honey Smacks frog whistle (yellow), soy sauce packet (Kikoman), assorted crumbs.

5

Let me just open it up and see…

Holy crap! It’s the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction!

6

hmmmmmmmm, let’s see…

(mind you, this isn’t my MAJOR junk drawer, this is just the one here at my desk)

a rubber flashlight (works), a post-it note with misc notes written on it re: various subjects, two hole puchers (plyer type-one has a nifty blue plastic thingy to catch the holes), a 1" paintbrush, top half of a page protector, a strip of reinforcements (15 left), used up color and black ink cartridges for my printer (1 ea), 3 pair of scissors, a stapler, a roll of 3M mailing tape, a cd my husband’s band released, a 1/2" stack of 8" x 4" paper I’m recycling as notepaper, a neat little square decorative metal thingy my mom used to keep on her dresser when I was a kid, a box of Tot Staples, a bent paper clip, two felt pads with adhesive backs, a 1 cent U.S. stamp (1999) with an American Kestrel on it (bird), a pack of typing correction film (you know, the kind you use with manual typewriters before internal correcting ribbons), a whole bunch of multicolored post it notes with misc stuff on them all stuck together and then stuck on a 5 x 7 legal page with all kinds of other seemingly important crap-at-the-time), a sheet of 9 small US flag stickers, a staple puller, and a thong with the logo of a band of some friends of mine in MS (never worn).

7

Good God, I didn’t think folks would care this much! I feel guilty for not going into more detail myself. Oh well, I had intended to clean it out anyway, I’ll give the gory parts later!

8

Well, I’ve got nothing else to do this afternoon…

Key ring, bank statement, Pikachu doll, 20 Movie stubs, Photos, aged packet of M&M’s, 7 years worth of student ID’s, band-aids, many (30+)receipts, restaurant cards, a single AAA battery, bone carving, a small frightened spider, about 5 dollars in loose change, old cheque book, calculator manual (opened once), sugar satchels, mobile phone connection pack, Toblerone, and probably some 6 year old (unopened) condoms lurking around [shudder]

9

Well, since this thread espouses total honesty, I’ll play.

Trudges to kitchen, takes out drawer, grabs can of beer and returns to office

Drawer contents: Large pair of scissors, not suitable for running, utility razor knife, temperature probe for microwave oven, Fiskars™ mini-snip, cork from long forgotten libation, marked ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’, 2 tsp. measuring cup for dispensing kid’s medicine, 3 boxes white tic-tac®, razor letter opener from trade show, 10’ measuring tape, old style church key from fire company bingo game, mini-razor knife, plastic dingus for determining pasta portions, electrical tape, Post-It™ notes, Brita® filters, a pencil with that funky fit over the dead end eraser, wicks and holders for those candles that use vegetable oil for fuel, mini brew coffee maker basket, large box of wooden safety matches, small solar-powered calculator, wafflemaker instruction book, rubbery things to help get tight lids off, birthday candles, coffee maker cleaner, cut plant life powder, small spiral bound note pads, pens, multi outlet expander, masking tape, night light w/o bulb, tin containing rubber bands bottle caps suction cups match books shelf clips nails outlet protectors pepper spring clips screws pens pencils paper clips tacks door bumpers sticky feet et and cetera.

10

A variety of thumbtacks, a barbie doll head, a pin with the school mascot on it, a bazillion pens, a compass, green masking tape, packing tape, my business cards, a book by Studs Terkel, a tangerine lollipop, a bunch of discipline referrals, my ancient calculator (from my high school years!), a bag of rubber bands, a couple of carving tools and new blades, pliers, a screw driver, a canvas stretcher thingy, a cellphone I just confiscated, a keyring with forty jillion keys on it, a tube of hand lotion, a couple of straws, a spoon, a can opener, a lighter, some ribbon, a lump of modeling clay, a tube of acrylic paint, a notepad, a lid to some sort of jar, a toy lizard, a sock, a heart shaped balloon, broken bits of something plastic, some angel hair fluff, chalk, white board markers, a wooden hand model, a couple of gum erasers, one of those stress release squeezy things, an unkind caricature of an unpopular teacher (hee hee, it’s pretty good), some prom pictures, a disposible camera, a few paint brushes, a file, a barbie leg, a remote control, three pennies, some of those Every Flavor Beans in vomit flavor that I can’t seem to get anybody to try, some camera lense parts, color pencils, a baggie of charcoal sticks, x-acto tools, pencil sharpner, some thread, crepe paper I don’t remember ever buying or using, and a partridge in a pear tree. Phew! Time to clean the junk drawer.

I swear my junk drawer at home is Martha-Stewart-tidy.

11

I said I would post my own detailed list, so here goes.

Hate letter to me from a supporter of Fred Phelps, bookmark from Amazon.com, , Campbell’s Soup labels, glasses(old prescription, for emergencies) in their case, opened package of balloons, hollow plastic egg, cheap “personalized” watch, small canvas bag, my cat’s latest health report from the vet, spiral bound notebook, owner’s manual for my blender, three rabies tags(current and expired) for my cats, first aid for pets manual, small first aid kit for humans, bread baking contest evaluation form and a letter encouraging me to participate in the 2004 contest, string, lens cleaner for glasses, Crime Watch report form, two recipes for vegetarian chili mix, recipe for cream raisin pie, paperclips, toothpicks, a bunch of those bag-tiers, wrist brace, three empty film holders, black magic marker, letter opener, cat comb, security service contract, food processor manual, opened packet of razor blades, deep fryer manual, tortellini recipe, four recipes from an Ebony magazine dated 1999, blender recipe drink guide, calculator manual, empty case for glasses, Garfield bookmark, small bag with old keys, ice scraper, pens, pencils and pencil sharpener, a “Celebrate Food Service Week” pin, a single jingle bell, suncatcher in the shape of an angel, straw and handi-wipes from KFC, wallet card calendar for 2000, variety of batteries, two tiny pieces of chalk, one eraser, small metal rod, security service decals, small zippered black pouch from Aspen(gift), postcard from Australia from my sister, and several more recipes from labels and boxes.

I took this opportunity to cull the drawer. I didn’t really try to sort what I’m keeping, just making this list was enough. Ah well, a task for another day. At least now the drawer closes!

12

Which one? I’ve got six junk ‘drawers’ plus about four (4) junk cupboards (not including the vast cupboard under the stairs). And they don’t include the ‘personal’ junk-repositories that we have in our own rooms.

And if you think I’m gonna go rooting around in them to give you an itemised account of their contents, you’ve got another thing coming!!

:wally

13

This was my response too Kambucta. I have far too much junk for one mere drawer. I can always tell what season it is from the layer of junk that seperates t shirts from jumpers (sweaters).

14

Well, in the “junk” drawer here at my desk I see[1]:

A booklet of Christmas songs, the instruction manual for my mobile phone (Nokia), a map of the city, an old phone (Alcatel), the old phone charger, a compact camera, a wad of small Post-it notes, an old (non-working) wrist-watch, a piece of wrapped candy, a brochure from my phone company, some big b/w photos from rock conserts, a pedestrian reflector, a pantyliner, a packet of Christmas present tags, a playing card (King of Clubs), a souvenir condom[2], two power cables, a small bottle of fake blood, a small rubber ball, a notebook, another playing card (back up), two rubber mice, a green silk ribbon, a medallion from the Coast Artillery’s 100 years jubilee, at least four keyrings, cat stickers, a cocktail pin with a Santa figure on it, a pair of ear plugs, a rubber band, a paper clip, three lighters, an old-fashioned hair clip, two mascaras (one blank, one brown), a match box, some old family photos (in colour), a set of Phantom stickers, an old birthday card, a used bus card, and an old Coke bottle top with the writing: “After dark” on the inside. Oh, and some throat candy (eucalyptus).

Then there’s the junk drawer in my bedside table, the three boxes of junk under the bed, the plastic box of junk next to the wardrobe, and assorted other junk repositories around the apartment.

[1] No way am I emptying it right now – we just got the living room looking like one, rather than a junkyard. But the above is what I can see without digging into the drawer.

[2] Handed out by the biggest worker’s union round here: “LO – protects you in all positions.”

15

Well, mine’s more of a junk bunker. 'Ang on a minute.

[wnereus stalks down a secret passage, noting with approval the glyphs written in blood that weren’t here last time he came, and beating down the occasional amorphous gibbering monstrosity that arrived from the distortions in spacetime caused by the bizarre angles of the fortress.]

Let’s see…I’ve got a few bloodstained sharp things…a few cadavers that need disposing of…some implements involved in summoning Shub Nigurrath (and gods, what a touchy harridan she is; I politely turn down one babysitting job and she consumes the souls of my entire staff…gonna throw that crap out soon)…I’ve got this big clockwork machine with like half a dozen fetuses encased in lucite within it; I can’t recall why I built it or what it does…a choir of severed heads (hm, needs tuning)…a wood chipper…a doll that’s in a different place every time I see it (maybe sell it on Ebay)…

It’s getting a bit cluttered.

16

The desk junk drawer: 2 printer catridges, packing tape, scotch tape, a hole punch, 800 pens, nail clippers, push pins, index cards, sewing needles, another printer cartridge, highlighters, measuring tape, sewing needles, thread, “Bartending for Dummies”, envelopes, safety pins, and the mattress supporter clips for my futon

By my bed junk drawer:valentines day cards i never sent out, season 1 of dawson’s creek on DVD, 800 more pens, 2 wendy’s keychains, a copy of “Dave’s Way: The Dave Thomas Story”, a copyof my position accountability, a koosh character, about 4 cell phone covers, 3 brushes, 13 AA batteries, a vibrator, a bag of hershey’s kisses, a picture of scott playing volleyball, and the car keys to my old car which my sister totalled 2 years ago

I also have a junk bin in the top of my closet, but going through that would take weeks…

17

You can tell a lot about a person from the contents of their ‘junk drawer’, I reckon…

Opens drawer

antique compass (granfather’s WW2 one), empty Zippo® lighter, bag of old British pennies, small picture frame (empty), ticket stub to Sydney Tower, 4 bottles aftershave (3 from S.O), 6 pairs of cufflinks (in boxes – 3 pairs currently used regularly), 1945 sixpence piece, 1 tie pin (not in current use), guide to range of Cokin® camera filters, camera Users Guide, current passport, SCUBA certification cards in wallet, handkerchief (blue), golf course score card (filled in), luggage label, instruction booklet for camera’s remote cable, pocket-sized ‘night sky-watching’ chart, 2 poppies (from Remembrance Day), YSL leather wallet, 4 ‘sample’ bottles of different aftershave moisturizers (5 sorts – all unused), 2 nailclippers, tube of vaseline lipscreen stuff, and 3 squash balls.

Hmmm, obviously male, well travelled, with interests in history and photography. Scientific background. Physically active. Probably middle-income bracket and takes care of appearance to at least a basic level…

Unused bank deposit book, film canister with key inside of unknown use, friend’s business card, 1 page of notepaper with various scribbles on one side, 2002 pocket calendar (never used), empty box for ring (jewelry), key to window latch, packet of picture hooks, shoelaces, Users Guide to house alarm, stereo cable (DIN plugs).

Quite likely not very well organized…

Pair of sunglasses, plastic toy pistol, takeaway menu (Thai), an interesting stripy stone, camcorder battery, key to dad’s house, suitcase padlock keys on keyring, old towelette (in packet), 4 gift cards (to me from S.O).

Obviously mature and responsible, currently in a serious relationship and an excellent chef. May have a teensy little interest in gadgets and gizmos…

2 tubes lubricant (different brands), garden hose attachment, Swiss Army Knife®, 5 packets of condoms (various types), dinosaur-shaped bath sponge, packet of cleaning cloths, small plastic funnel, whistle (sports type), roll of Elastoplast®, 1 AA battery, small office sign: “Meeting In Progress – Please Do Not Disturb”.

Some would say surprisingly inventive…

Disclaimer: Actual contents, although items listed in order most likely to be appreciated for their comical juxtaposition.

18

Our kitchen gadget junk drawer routine gets emptied into one of those medium sized gift bags with handles and placed in the pantry closet, so as to make room for the new crap that mysteriously appears overnight.

We have three other junque drawers:

Mine is office supplies which is constantly looted by said children for tape, tape and more tape. If they cannot find tape they will gladly take sticky notes, which now dot our interior like the pox.

Hubby’s consists of all his tools (that will fit) that he leaves around at the finish of the last job. That drawer has not be able to be opened in about a year. He has since, I am certain, replaced the drill I shoved in there to keep it away from the kids going after the dog.

Kids: about $9000 in coloring books and paper.