Hi Subclinical

WAY TO GO!!! staying indoors and undecorating.
Happy for you! You get to enjoy the tree for another week!
:D


I got my shower and am exhausted now.
Happy I was strict and limited my time gardening.
Used to be I could work like a horse all day long but not any more.

Hi Tillie,
glad you had fun in your garden!

I ran the dishwasher again, turned in my class proposals, and put away all the Christmas stuff from upstairs, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining porch, den, and kitchen.

I still have a tree, a train, and a few outdoor decorations (we have 8 inches of snow - I am not setting up a ladder in 8 inches of snow to get three bows and a wreath off the top of the garage.)

i told dh I would clean up the tree and train tomorrow. He said I can just do the train and keep the tree until Saturday! I love this Christmas tree. It is 11' tall and it has all of my ornaments on it at once, and it is just so pretty! January is so hard. It's really sweet of him to let me keep my tree.

He also brought my trash cans back when he plowed.

I put a few plastic ribbons I had saved into the trash can and recycled some paper items when I put everything away. I also found a cloth gift bag I can donate. It is wine bottle shaped and has an adult (not obscene) cartoon on it. I will never use it.

Just now 1:45pm

Went out and did some raking, some digging, some pulling out and some transplanting.
Also laid out the metal flower bed border but didn't dig it in and seat it.
I stopped when my back got tired & before it started screaming.
Came in and ate enchiladas & am resting up.
In a few I will get in the shower and clean me up.
Happy with all I got done and keep reminding myself that I still have plenty of time before Spring.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
Hope you got a good night's sleep and are all rested up today.
YEA! for pumpkin bread & muffins and tidying up the kitchen.
Happy you are paying close attention and are getting laundry done until the work actually begins.
Congratulations on the continuing weight loss.
Walking around the city sounds like a wonderful way to get in exercise.

Hi Subclinical
How wonderful to be snowed in and enjoying it!!!
Keep up this great job of resting and taking it easy as long as you can.


Looks like today will be sunny with no wind just like yesterday.
Planning to get out there soon as it warms up.
Want to transplant a small rose bush, a chrysanthemum and my lavender next.
I'm bunching my favorite plants close together in one small area and eliminating all the others.
This will be so much easier for me to care for them.
I will still allow the catnip to run wild at the other end since all the kitties in the area love it so much.
It sucks getting old and unable to do all the things we used to do.
But by minimizing my garden I will still be able to do some proper gardening.
Last summer it was too much for me and depressing to see it all looking a mess.

Tillie,
yay for a sparkly kitchen and plenty of enchiladas!

Tatoulia,
I hope you got a good night sleep. The pumpkin bread sounds yummy.

I got almost no Christmas decorations put away yesterday. I was lazy and spent too much time online and snacked on too many unhealthy things. I also didn't go up in the snow and get the trash cans.

It snowed and snowed all night so now my yard looks gorgeous - you can't even find the remaining post-construction piles, but my trash cans are probably buried in a drift up by the road. Dh will have to plow later, or stay home from work tomorrow.

We have a lovely pot of stew that I made yesterday and a loaf of bread and fruit, (and milk and eggs...) so we are settled in very nicely.

Things I did do yesterday were run the dishwasher and finish my class proposals for next year. The class proposals are due Tuesday, so I set them aside to sleep on, but I will probably send them in today.

I didn't set my alarm today, I just slept until I woke up, so I am feeling more rested.

Hello hello!

Very cold here in Boston I got up early for reflexology (Santa brought me a gift card). I then walked around the city some, came home, was reading when I fell sound asleep. Did mim's grocery shopping tonight and now I'm waiting for my homemade pumpkin bread to cool. I made a few muffins and one loaf. I forgot to put in the walnuts. The muffins are delicious.

I'm hoping the pumpkin loaf will cool soon. I'm tired. They did not start the work in my laundry room (I could've sworn I heard it bring worked on) and I did three loads tonight. Towels, pjs and a load of delicates.

I'm on the couch now, very tired, yet determined to not lay down. Recently I've fallen asleep on the couch three times.

On my way home tonight I stopped in a store and I'm definitely getting down to another size. I tried on stuff just for the experience. It's pretty sobering to have that many mirrors but honestly, it was good to see that I'm at a new improved size.

SubC I hope the new table works out for you. I just want you to have something useful. CM you are working hard and I'm impressed. Refresh my memory on the 80/20 rule? Because it sounds like something I need to employ. Immediately.

Tillie! I would love to stop by for dinner. Thank you for the description of what cleaning the kitchen entailed. Very good teminder. I have my dishwasher set to run right now. I should go do that. And I need to wipe down my counters. I've already wiped down my mixer and put it away. I still have some laundry to fold.

I'm fading fast. I'm so tired.

Kitchen is all clean.
Along with the usual dish washing, fridge wiping and counter/stove top wiping off I also...
Removed the stove rings and soaked them.
Opened/lifted up the stove top and wiped out underneath there.
Scrubbed the stove rings and put them back over the gas burners.
This pilotless electronic ignition gas stove is the easiest stove top I've ever had to clean.
Very little ever spills down the little holes around the burners, mostly just gets dusty under there.

If tomorrow is anywhere near as nice out as today was I am going out and working in the garden.
Not really work, it's actually playing. ;)

Well, the enchiladas are all made and should feed me for the next 4 or 5 days.
Still have to clean the kitchen.
Beautiful day today and I really wish I was out there working on the garden.
But, Oh Well...

((((HUGS)))) Subclinical

I just don't want you to hurt in any way physically or psychologically or emotionally.

I know you have made some hard choices and sacrifices during all your decluttering, home renovating, down sizing the children's things and organizing.

My philosophy is that we can keep those (limited number) items that are dear to us.

Good luck and best wishes with the new "improved" desk.

;D

I wanted to add also,
Tillie, you are really sweet to ask what dh us giving up and worry about wether I am being treated fairly, but you have to remember - I am the hoarder. I am Stephen. I am the person who, in our last house, literally filled our huge dining room waist to chin deep in boxes of papers and honestly I no longer have any idea what so that it was completely unusable and barely navigable, and actually dangerous to our children and so we had to close off a space that could have been used and enjoyed for so many things in our lives. I crowded his desk out of the room and he had to finish part of the basement to have room to work. We have been married 28 years. Sometimes I am amazed that he stayed. There really isn't any accommodation I could make that would make us even.

Well, if I don't like the new table, I suppose we can return it, although the shipping will be a bit much. Hopefully I will like it, because I picked it out. It looked good in the pictures and the complaints about the color in the comments section made it sound better, not worse. People said it was sturdy, light and easy to store. They did say the surfaced scratched too easily, so I may need a mat or blotter, or I may just let it get scratched. The current coffee table surface is dreadful.

The thing is that I look at the coffee table and think "here is where c spilled scalding hot cocoa at the Christmas party, those are m's teeth marksman the leg, this is the giant scratch from the snap on my pants when I launched myself off the steps and across the table like Superman...

I gave the table up once when I sent it off with my son. I really never expected it to survive past his first apartment. So I can do it again. It's just hard.

Dh actually suggested several other attractive tables that did not fold, some with storage, but in most of them, the storage would have interfered with tucking my legs underneath.

I think that having a folding table is a better thing, because being able to fold it up and put it away when I am not using it will keep the space in the new room more flexible. It also looks easier to carry to wherever I might want to work - by the fire in the winter, or on the back porch in summer.... and, I really want to learn to finish my tasks and clean things up and put them away. I don't want my little desk to become yet another surface where I pile unfinished projects. I'm trying to break that habit.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Hugs to your DH for keeping an eye on you.
So nice that the new low desk is working out so well.
WAY TO GO! working the ten minute tidy in the barn!
Amazing how much gets done in such a short amount of time every day or two.

Hi Tatoulia
WTG! for proper dieting and getting good results!
Hope you have some fun plans for this weekend.

Hi CriticalMass
Please take extra care of yourself.
Stay warm, eat properly and most of all get plenty of rest. (((hug)))
Best wishes fixing Beatrix's fur loss. Is that a common problem in some bunnies?
In cats they usually need vitamin supplements.
Hope your kitties have finally worked out their issues.
WAY TO GO! getting things donated and having the strength to not buy there too!
It was difficult for me to sort out and declutter my music CDs and vinyl records.
But was worth it with the space I gained and Youtube does a great job keeping songs so I don't need to.
Keep up the great job you have been doing decluttering and reorganizing your home.

Yesterday I woke up tired.
Went grocery shopping even though I just wanted to go back to bed.
Got home and put away my groceries and did some chores like cat stuff.
Sat down and ate and spent the rest of the day nodding off to sleep whenever I sat down again.
Plan for today is to make a large dish of enchiladas then clean the kitchen.
Steven has again blocked in the car with his truck.
If he would eliminate even just one derelict vehicle it would help prevent this.


Hello again Subclinical
((((HUGS))))
I totally understand the emotions involved with your coffee table.
I treasure using the one Steven's Grandparents bought years ago, the first they bought when setting up house together.
Steven's Grandmother was a dear beloved friend of mine.
What if you don't like the new one?
What if it's wobbly & unsteady and rickety?
What is he sacrificing in exchange for your sacrifice?

Wish we had more snow here.
Everybody stay safe & warm.

Hi CM!

How did the reordering go?

Did you get snow?

We have lots of lovely snow this morning and don't need to go anywhere until Monday! The county next door (county line is 5 miles from us) has a snow emergency in effect, so we aren't allowed to drive in that direction unless it's essential.

Dh and I had further conversation about the table this morning and while it did not go entirely well (there were tears on my part and apologies on his) the results are that he ordered me a pretty little Japanese folding table. It should be here by the end of next week. It does not have a drawer, but I can keep all my desks bits in a little box, basket, or caddy nearby.

Now, I need to steel myself to get rid of this coffee table. It will be really hard because I grew up with it, and while it is battered and scared, most of the marks are memories. OTOH, right now is probably the best time to pass it on, because that acrylic pour technique is popular and it would lend itself well to that, and so have hope of a new life. Still, this may take a while.

Hi from damp and chilly Kansas, where snow has arrived to the west and is predicted to reach our area later.

I guess I was overconfident about my illness. It's still not that bad, but I was out in the evenings last night and Wednesday night, and now I've had more symptoms. It's just the usual pattern of my respiratory crud, and I'm thankful I don't have any big plans. Roommate too is improving after the bad spell that lasted a long time. So likely we'll each spend the weekend taking it easy.

Thanks for the kind words about Heather bunny. Her successor (not replacement!) is Beatrix. Bea is a sweet and loving girl also. I've been treating her for fur loss around her ears, neck, and shoulders. She had a lovely coat until this summer - I thought she was just molting but then realized no new fur was coming in! I first tried Bag Balm on the bald patches and some regrowth occurred, then it kind of stalled out. Now I'm using coconut oil and seeing better results.

The cats may gradually, begrudgingly be starting each to concede that the other one could be tolerated under the same roof, but there are still hisses and the occasional snarling and chasing. But earlier this week I found girl kitty on roommate's bed with the dog and boy kitty on the dog bed on the floor beside. Hoping that's a good sign.

I did get the old CD holders and a few other items to the thrift store and did not buy anything else. At some point I want to go through the CDs and do the 80-20 rule purge or at least as close as I can come. Pretty sure I spend 80% of my listening time on 20% of the CDs. Nowadays with YouTube it's so easy to find just one or a few songs, or collections (I enjoyed several Christmas ones).

Today I will continue the reordering work begun yesterday. It will have future phases which involve taking stuff to storage when weather improves - and I'm gonna keep that 80-20 rule in mind there as well.

Goals include moving awkwardly placed shelving into a more stable and efficient configuration, replacing flimsy shelving units with the nice chrome ones on casters, putting loose items into clear tubs - smaller ones wherever possible; I'm getting older and tired of lugging the big ones. Fabric stash busting on quilts and doll clothes, stash busting and selling on other crafty things such as jewelry and steampunk.

Going through memorabilia and papers - that has come a long way over the years but is not out of the woods yet.

I'm not going to think about it too much just yet, but when the above goals are accomplished, there will be a need to reckon with the most difficult items. The sentimental such as stuffed animals. And those weird odds and ends I think most everyone has - the stumpers, I'll call them for lack of a better term. Things that I look at and go "I don't really have a sentimental attachment to this object, nor is it that useful, but for some crazy reason I can't bring myself to let go of it." Maybe if I've done the more straightforward goals, I'll have a momentum and a clearer head by the time I get to the stumpers!

Happy Friday with winter iced tea clinks!

Hello. Quick drive by. I remember watching the movie clutter. I remember it as a somewhat quiet movie and maybe a little sad. I don't remember it beyond the vague impressions.

I am late for work, as usual. I'm back to making good food choices and the holiday weight is coming off. Going in the right direction. Need to keep looking forward.

It would be so nice if the inconvenient parking motivated Stephen to get rid of a car or two. But I suppose that us wishful thinking.

Don't worry about me, dh is paying much closer attention now. He is also nagging me to make my regular check up appointment.

The new "desk" is much nicer. I have to confess that I have left it out with work on it, but that is because I worked until bedtime and had things to finish this morning. Dh is only here and awake for about an hour on Friday mornings, and part of that he is upstairs showering, etc. so i don't feel bad. I will clean it up after work today - before he gets home.

I skipped my "ten minute tidy" in the barn this morning because I was in a rush, but I am starting to see a difference.

Hi Subclinical
WTG! for eating well!!!
I just worry about you because you were so worn out and tired for so very long before you got help with that anemia.

WOOHOO!!!
For filling all the cans!

Bet grading papers at your low portable desk table made the task so much easier for you.

Last week the ground here was frozen but the last few days have been warm enough to thaw it out and that's what really motivated me to get the transplanting done today.
Soft unfrozen dirt not too wet not muddy at all.

When he returned today he again pulled in behind the car in the driveway and I immediately went out and had words with him.
He relocated the truck so tomorrow I can leave.

The front yard is divided in two.
It's a very large area.
The part out by the road is where he has 3 derelict vehicles parked.
The other half is inside the fenced area leading to the carport and garage.
There he has one derelict vehicle on the right side of the driveway.
Most of the driveway and all of the carport is totally hoarded.
So, there is really only room for one vehicle to park inside the fenced area, near the house.
He had to park the truck way out by the road behind the dead vehicles.
All the prime parking out there is occupied by derelict vehicles.
If he got rid of those he would have lots of very nice parking spaces.


Watched a movie on "tubi" tonight called "Clutter".
I really liked the message of the ending.

Hi CM,
sounds like you are making good progress on your space!

I am sorry about your bunny. I remember what a sad and difficult time that was.

Tillie, I hope your car is free! It is funny to read about your garden - my yard is frozen. I would need a pick axe to dig.

Don't worry about my "cold". It is just getting better slowly. All a doctor would do is treat the symptoms (which i'm Doing) or give me antibiotics - which at this point are most likely to cause a whole new set of problems.

Today I fought it with a banana, fresh eggs, a sweet potato, some broccoli, cornbread and molasses, almonds, an apple, and lots of hot tea. There may have been two candies that are probably on the unhealthy team.

I did not finish my grading, but I got enough done that I feel ok for tomorrow.

AND I got all six trash cans filled and up to the curb! But I am up late and should go to bed now!

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
(((HUGS)))
My kitties loved bunnies (a little too much) so I am sure our babies are all happily & gently playing together.

WAY TO GO! with all bedroom decluttering & sorting out.
Those slotted CD holders are a pain and take up more space than needed too.

GREAT job updating your computer!
I really hate Win 10 and it took a long time to delete or turn off all the BS it installed on my laptop.

Congratulations!!!! for your quilt being on the list!
Hope you are feeling totally better and do not catch any other virus.


Hi Subclinical
Please, please, please...
don't let this drag on much longer before seeing a doctor.

You are NOT a failure
WAY TO GO!!! having 3 full cans full!

You can start the bathroom project once you are feeling 100% and have no other obligations to fulfill.


Woke up early and wanted to go grocery shopping but he always parks the truck behind the car blocking me in.
He has been sleeping in till noonish and staying up until <3:00am>.
So anyways...
I hung out the laundry and lit the burn barrel.
Such a lovely day today that I went out and did a lot of gardening.
Transplanted a rose bush, some purple flowering plant and my hyacinth bulbs.
Pruned all the honeysuckle and a bit on the lilac bushes too.
Dug out some daffodil bulbs and iris rhizomes that don't bloom any more.
The cats all came out for a little while.

I honestly don't know how much he drug home yesterday, only saw the armful of bags he carried into the garage.
He has once again taken off to the thrift shops.
He took two small boxes (games/puzzles) so his excuse was he had to go to donate them.

So, I am watching for his return and if he blocks the car in again I will run out there and tear him a new one... >:/

Hi everybody! Motown, glad you popped in.

I'd planned to post Monday that I'd done three long overdue loads of laundry, the first step in being able to reach my wardrobe (after moving items directly in front of said wardrobe, LOL).

But as Monday progressed, so did a funny feeling in my throat. *Cue ominous horror movie soundtrack* By evening I didn't feel so great, but on Tuesday I was able to get to church for my holy hour and later the quilt guild's meeting where we got the quilt lineup settled for the bingo in March. Fun to see the one I made be officially put on the list! 😊 It's #17, I think, but that's okay. They have to sort and mix them up to make a variety - don't want, say, five predominantly blue quilts all together, etc.

Yesterday was a halfway or further back up to speed day. I finally did a long procrastinated task, namely figured out how to install my computer's Windows 7 updates that I'd put off when Microsoft started trying to sneak Windows 10 onto people's computers whether they wanted it or not.

I actually discovered someone had written a handy little utility program that you could set to do the nitpicky job of combing through the updates and not installing Win 10 ones. Ended up with 59 updates to Windows 7, haha. So glad to cross that task off my backlog list and know that I can update, at least till whenever they stop supporting Windows 7. I've had the laptop for nine years now! Can you tell I don't like change?

Today has been back to the original project of getting clothes put away and dealing with the stuff in front of the wardrobe. I got sidetracked but in a good way, changing out containers my CDs are in. They're now in small lidded tubs. Before they were in those slotted holders that don't keep the dust out, and are fiddly to put the CDs into. If I get far enough along, I will have an outing to rehome them later; if not, tomorrow.

I have gotten to the wardrobe and am done with my lunch so I am ready for the wrap-up. The decluttering won't be finished in my bedroom but I will have finally broken through the gridlock. And as we all know, working on areas we've not tackled in a long time leads to discoveries. Things that can be gotten rid of, things we wanted to use but couldn't get to, and a fresh look at the space which in turn leads to new plans and strategies.

Before I go, I just want to mark a memory. It's sad, but I need to acknowledge it. You may want to grab a tissue... It's exactly a year since my beautiful Heather bunny died after having found a raised piece of vinyl flooring I didn't realize was accessible, and ate enough to block her intestines. That day was the first of many very stressful events of 2018, and I pray 2019 will be a much better year for all of us. You, my friends, are making terrific progress. And I'm sure Heather and Tillie's cats and everybody's animals are playing at the rainbow bridge.

Oh dear Tillie.

At least he was gone for a long time, but how bad was the shopping? Did the dump load net you any reduction?

I'm glad you got some peace and quiet for your dollhouse.

Tatoulia, did your numbers straighten up?

I taught a full day yesterday and realized I am not fully recovered. My throat got sore again, my voice faded, and I was so tired. A friend came by to talk with me at lunch, and I didn't even have the energy to hold up my side of the conversation.

Meanwhile, I am already feeling like a failure because I only have three cans full to go up today, and I need to dedicate my morning to grading papers and getting lesson plans in order - work I meant to do over break when I was sick.

I haven't even tried to address the bathroom.

I have started a nice fire to take the chill off the room, and once I get dh's breakfast made and lunch packed, I will move my "desk" back in front of it.

OH Tatoulia
That is upsetting and frustrating.
Hope those evil numbers settled down and all lined up perfectly for you.

Well, he only took about one third of a truck load to the dump.
Then he was gone for hours, shopping.

Played with my dollhouse today.
It was enjoyable.
Washed some laundry this evening and have it ready to hang out in the morning.

Another hard day where my numbers aren't making sense. I am making such a mess of my spreadsheets. I'm upset.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
Your home sounds so lovely.
Good luck with your continued eating properly plans.
I'm sure the extra holiday weight will quickly melt away.


Hoping Steven will continue filling the truck with trash today.
Be nice if he has a full load before he takes it to the dump.

I'm running low on food, need fresh fruits & veggies.
But as usual, I don't want to go to the store.
Maybe tomorrow?
Have a bag with two things to donate and will drop that off when/if I go.

Have my doll house on the kitchen counter.
Want to play with it and do a little more decorating home improvement things.

Been monitoring the weather and tomorrow should be a nice day to hang out laundry.
So tonight I will get it all washed and ready to hang out when the sun is up.

Good morning! Just made a second pot of coffee and am running the dishwasher. I think the work has started downstairs.

Had a long day yesterday. But I walked to and from work so that was good. Having dinner with friends tonight. I need to plan carefully and before I get to restaurant in order to avoid overeating. I put on four pounds during the holidays and thankfully am heading back into the right direction.

Working from home. House is nice and clean and it appears to be beautiful and sunny.

After fifth grade ended, I put my school bag in the garage and a mouse made a nest in it! The mouse was there! Very cute.

I'm glad you were able to have a talk with Steven. I'm very impressed that you were able to get some answers. I do hope he gets to the dump.

SubC stay strong on the low table. It is helping you work and it is making your life easier.

Going to bed. Long day at office.

A little bit of positive news to tell...

Today Steven was removing some stuff from his truck
then he has been putting bags of trash from the garage into the truck.
He moves very slowly but something is so much better than nothing.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
Starting with the bathroom is a really good place.
Bathrooms are small and you can get the most satisfaction quickly.

That low desk table sounds perfect for you.
Right size, a drawer, light enough for you to move it where you want it...
I totally understand your feelings about those stereo wires draped about and the other eyesores.

It is kinda cute all the tiny places mice will build their nests.

Another dark cloudy morning but the big storm is supposed to be over except for a few scattered snow/rain showers.
Having finally gotten him to talk about the financial issues and garbage disposal plan now I sit and wait for him to actaully do things.

Then when/if that gets done I want him to do something about him always having to park behind the car blocking me in because three of the derelict vehicles are taking up all the other parking spots out there.

The carport roof is still hanging on at the left and right sides where it's still attached to support posts but the center is now only five feet above the ground.
So, I used to want to have him clean out the carport hoard so I could park the car under there but I have changed my mind. ;p lol

Tillie, I am glad you got your answers. I'm sorry it's so hard.

We had another conversation about my "desk" this morning. He still does not like it.

I held firm that I deserve a functional place to work. I pointed out many functional aspects of this room that I do not find aesthetically pleasing (the giant orange guitar amp, the old heavy iron music stand with pealing spray paint salvaged from a high school, the stereo wires running out in the open...)

I restated that it does not have to be this table - it has to be the same height, with a hard, durable surface, it has to be at least close to the same size, I have to be able to tuck my knees under it, it has to be light enough for me to move to where I want to work - (currently with my back to the woodstove), and it would be nice if it had a drawer (this one does) for scissors, tape, notepaper, pens and pencils, and a few folders.

I will be moving the table back to it's previous despised location in the den before I go to work today. (Moving the table around also ensures that it will not collect clutter - it is light enough for me to move with a few things in the drawer, but I cannot carry it flat and balanced enough even to keep one book on it.)

The mouse didn't actually chew the wood - it collected grass and leaves from the tractor (the deck is always dirty) and made a nice little home. Unfortunately, it did not remember to go outside to potty - so easy decision there. I did salvage my bin - dumped it, rinsed it off, and filled it with soapy water and bleach to soak. BUT I clearly cannot put an open bin back in the studio, because it is too inviting for mouses.

Tatoulia, nice job on the laundry and continuing to clear out! I am glad your cleaning fairies have you all sparkly again.

I have 12 more weeks of trash service, and I am thinking about deep cleaning one room a week. The worst room, not counting the basement, is our bathroom. So I should do it first.

Subclinical
With this "NEW" desk system set up he will soon see how well this is working out for you and that the low desk is empty & tidy except when you are busy working at it.

Make sure it never becomes a clutter fixture
just to show him he's wrong ;) LOL

Japanese people understand the value of a low table.

Happy the mouse didn't shred more than scrap wood.


Hi Tatoulia
YEA!!! for a clean home!
WTG! getting more laundry done!

I did finally get him to listen to what I was saying rather than just screaming out all his lame excuses for things that I was not even talking about.
It took quite a long time of me repeatedly saying "I'm not talking about that, listen to me."
Anyways, the car insurance payment is straightened out.
He had still been paying insurance on those derelict vehicles.
Now it's just my car & his truck.
He agreed that the truck should be emptied of his mobile hoard and filled with garbage and taken to the dump.
He said when he straightens out the online payment problems he's having with the bank's new system he will let me have all the info so I can monitor & handle the payments too.
He also answered my questions as to just what automatic payments are on the credit card.


These were my main questions and worries right now and he finally listened to me and answered my questions.

Hello, hello! SubC keep up the good work! You are doing a great job getting your paperwork done. You reminded me of something I had long forgotten. When I was in grad school, I used to sit on the floor and do all of my outlining on my then- coffee table. All of my outlining and I used the same mechanical pencil the entire four years. I never used my then-dining room table and I didn't have my mother's desk that I have now. And no one had personal computers.

Keep up the good work, SubC! You are doing a great job! (You need a pep talk, I'm here with the pep talk!)

Motown so glad to hear from you! I did check out that blog, now I've forgotten who suggested it, and I read the one about the soy sauce and boy that stopped me in my tracks. All I have to do is remember the terrible feeling of wasted money on excess stuff and I should be able to avoid buying stuff. Esp sale stuff.

Tillie I wish you could even have a conversation with him. This is a terrible time and I'm sending you strength.

Cleaning ladies did a great job. I gave them two pair of jeans and two tops, one still had the tags on it. I decided I wasn't going to wear it. So that's that.

Glad to have my house so clean. I got two loads of laundry done today. I am grateful to be on the right path and to have friends like you to keep me honest.

Oh my, I popped back and saw your other post and apparently stuck the mouse line in the middle of my thought.

Way to go Motown!

Three cheers for closet floors and bathroom countertops!

Do you clean while you watch cleaning shows? A lot of times I will put them on while i'm doing dishes or putting away laundry or sorting things out. Maybe they will help you get your bedroom all in order!

Tillie. I got dinner ready and I greated dh at the door with my argument for my desk. He is not convinced, but he is thinking about it.

I sorted through my basket and the extra pile on the shelf and the extra pile on the scullery counter and the box of stuff I just tossed into a box on the last day of school when I was sick, and my teacher bag and library/other books pile. I got a lot done with my new "desk" but there is still a pile of books and a big messy pile of grading to do on it, and he says his objection is that there will always be piles of things on it.

The mouse nest was in the studio barn in the bottom of a bin full of wood scraps "for crafts" now they are in the trash can.

But there won't. I pile things on my actual desk in the basement because I don't actually USE it for a desk. I just use it for a storing and stacking zone. My little table desk can't be used for storage, because I need to work on it. But I will have to show him.

Also, all these piles and more were on shelves and the couch in this room when he left for work this morning.

Also Subclinical
I meant to say
WAY TO GO!!!
for all that clearing you did out there.
Really hope the mice are not chewing up anything precious to make their nests.


Been dark out all day.
Haven't done anything even though I've been doing stuff all day.
Really want to discuss finances and car insurance and online banking and what we should do about the garbage with him but he is so mean and nasty even if I ask a simple question.

Hi Ya'll

Hi Subclinical
Since you prefer to use a low table for your "homework" STOP thinking it as a coffee table.
It is YOUR desk where you do all your desk type things.
I too prefer to sit at and work from the low "coffee table".
It works best for my back and the way I organize things around me to work with.

Set that low table where it is best for your work.
Best light, no cold drafts, the right atmosphere.

Tell your DH it is NOT a coffee table
it is YOUR desk.

Where is the mouse nest???
Good luck and best wishes exterminating.


Hi Tatoulia
YEA! for tasty cakes!
Good luck with the laundry.
Happy cleaning Fairy day. ;)

Hi Motown
I love seeing before & after pictures too.
WAY TO GO! for every single thing you have gotten done! :D

SubC I have read Dana White's blog for several years now and she is hilarious and SO relatable with her "slob-vision". I can't say that it has actually helped me in my efforts that much but it has certainly been entertaining and makes me feel like I am not the only one with similar issues.
I have missed you all and have only had time to read just the most recent few posts. Tillie I am so sorry all this is happening in your life. Uplifting thoughts and prayers directed your way.
This is a very short post just popping into say Hi and that I have missed you all.
I have done a little around in my house over the last couple weeks. Found out that my closet has a floor and my bathroom has a countertop! Also cleared and cleaned out one corner in my bedroom enough to access the television and hook up a dvd player and a Roku (to make it kinda like a smart tv) so I can get Netflix in there too. So now I am binge watching Tidying Up by Marie Kondo just as inspiration. I don't do it her way but just seeing befores and afters helps me.
Gotta run as my work day is coming to a close. Didn't accomplish near as much as I had hoped for this Monday but there's always tomorrow.

Take care y'all!

Tatoulia, I bet the little buddy cakes were yummy no matter how they looked.

I'm glad your cleaning fairies are coming today. Did you get your wash in?

Tillie, I am sorry for no pretty snow, but any moisture us good there, right? (Unlike my poor soggy yard)

I think your way and the blogger's way are much better for me.

Right now I need a pep talk. I need to do my grading, but I don't like working at desks or tables. I like to sit on the floor. What I really like is to sit at a coffee table and tuck my knees under it. Dh hates coffee tables, and ours was given to ds years ago. Then he moved to another street and it was returned to us and stored in the studio barn.

I have decided that I deserve to have a functional place to work even if it is not "normal". Dh and I can work out a compromise, but for now, it is going to be the coffee table.

So, I wasn't sure how long I could face the studio barn, and I decided I would just work until I dug out the coffee table (which I could see part of) and then wash it off, bring it into the house, and do my grading.

I have worked over two hours. The back of my car is full of recycling, and I filled two trash cans. I came back for a glass of water, a banana, and some nuts to keep my stamina up, but I could use some cheering.

I also got very discouraged because I found a mouse nest. So now I need to set some mouse traps.

"All" that is left to do to get the table is to clean off the 1/12 scale 3 story toy tree fort and bring it back to the basement, and to clear a single layer off the table and wash it.

Good morning everyone! So good that you are better, SubC. My goodness you had a productive morning!

We took the single layer cake to our neighbor last night. It came out really cute. I gave the less cute bundt cakes to BF, who ate one and gave the rest to his employees.

Cold here today. Waiting for my cleaning fairies. Would love to sneak in one more washing today.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
So happy you are feeling better!
WTG! all you did before 9:00am!!!

There are many different ways to declutter and tidy and get organized.
Nice thing is we can all pick and choose which methods work best for us.

I only use a bag for trash and one for donate and just put away "keepers" as soon as I decide it's a keeper.
Undecided as to where it goes I put it in/near the location where it should (?) go.
If I am going into town and only have one item to donate I take it and donate it.

I only pull everything out to sort & clean when it's a small area, like one drawer or one shelf at a time.
To pull out ALL clothing shoes & accessories like Marie Kondo method would drive me completely insane.
I much prefer to pull out all my socks then put them back before I pull out another category.
Honestly, I have personally seen when people have pulled everything out thinking they would get sorted and just get so overwhelmed they just walked away and never dealt with it, just re-stuffed it away out of sight later.

Anyways...
since we are all special and unique individuals
we need to evaluate all different methods and find the ones that best suit our needs and lifestyles. :)


By the time the storm reached here it was rain with a little snow mixed in so no snow covered landscape for me.

I am finally better. Still a trace of a cough, but I got up this morning, did yoga with dh, made his breakfast, packed his lunch, cleaned up the kitchen, did chores (including moving another wheelbarrow of wet cement mud and finding ten things that could either go in the trash or be otherwise removed from my barn), started a load of laundry, and realized it wasn't even 9:00.

Now I am making myself a nice cup of tea, after which I will go out to the studio barn and spend some time working on thing removal and organization.

I started reading a blog called "a slob comes clean" I like a lot of things about her approach. One thing she talks about is how the whole "pull everything out" method doesn't work for her - it just overwhelms her, and how the standard "sorting" and then cleaning up when you are done also doesn't work for her, because you are "done" but then you have all these piles.

I can identify with both of those things. The only "sorting" containers she uses are a trash can and a donate box. Everything else, she picks up once and puts exactly where it goes. This is a lot slower, because you are running all over your house, but when you are "done" you just put the donate box back in it's location - or in your car if it is full, put the trash can back where it goes (take the trash out if it is full) and you are actually done.

Also, at this point in my life i'm pretty sure spending 20 minutes wandering all over my house putting things away is better for me than spending twenty minutes sitting still sorting through a cupboard, box, or pile.

Although, there are still a lot of things that don't have a place to go, but I could just designate an area in my basement called "things that don't have a place to go" and then at a future date determine if they are important and if so make them a place.

She says that when deciding where to put something, she asks herself "if I were looking for one if these, where would I look?"

Hi Tatoulia
Sorry the bundt cakes didn't turn out.
I never made glaze before just butter cream or cream cheese icings.
My favorite is when something has a crumb topping.

Very happy the steel wool is working and the book is not needed.

Good luck squeezing in laundry loads before the construction begins.
Hope it doesn't go on longer than anticipated.

YEA!!! for cleaning fairies!!! :D

SubC that's a great combination! And that poor dear pregnant goat. You are so wonderful. You've done a lot and stop feeling like a slug. I thought you did a lot, esp while battling the cold!

I just finished decorating the cakes. The big one is cute. The mini bundts are pathetic. I just called the neighbor to say we have a card for him and we'll be over about nine. He was pretty excited. I do love him so. I could listen to him all day. He moved to Boston from the South in the 50s and boston wasn't integrated by anyone's measure and he tells me about the buildings that were whites only and I find him so fascinating. He could talk all day and I don't get tired of him at all. When I called him we talked for about ten minutes before I got to the part where we have a card for him.

Tillie my love I don't mean to put you last. The steel wool seems to be doing its job. I don't have the book there anymore.

Cleaner says she's coming at 2 tmr. I do prefer being first but such is life. I may run errands after she gets here.

I don't know the start date for our construction and I'm hoping to do two quick laundry loads tmr. I'm running dishwasher now as I used so many pots and pans while trying (and failing) to make a chocolate glaze then making buttercream for the single layer cake.

Hi Subclinical

No snow yet but the afternoon got to looking like it will.

Great combining goat time with barn sorting out.
Nice thing too is it is only a 10 minute challenge so it will not be overwhelming.
It is amazing how much visible progress can be made in just a few minutes.

You have NOT been a slug all week.
You have taken care of necessary things along with recovering from that nasty lingering virus.
So there ;p

Got my cookies all baked, wrapped & stowed away.
Cleaned the kitchen.
Made some dinner then cleaned the kitchen again.
That's it.
All I did today.
It was a good day.

Any snow yet Tillie?

Dd really didn't have that much to do. I identified a small amount of stuff that could be tossed out, and let her know that I do want the buckets of glaze she decides not to keep. Took about ten minutes. Then we hung out for another two hours while the guys worked.

Now dh is cooking dinner.

I feel like I have been such a slug the whole break.

I did have a "adding task to existing task" I meant to tell you guys about and forgot.

One of the goats is dried off because she's too far along in her pregnancy. But, because she's pregnant, she still gets extra grain, so for about ten minutes each morning, she is taking up the milking stand while I wait. I could use that time to fill water buckets or feed the rabbit or whatever to shorten total chore time, but instead, I have been using it to clean up in the barn. I'm starting near the door where most of the stuff has gotten "stashed" and asking my questions. I have an empty feed bag for trash. The things I am keeping, I am also asking myself if there is anywhere they could go besides in the barn, because it seems like everything in the barn ends up dirty and damp at some point. The roof leaks in spots, and the floor is dirt, and sometimes water actually rises up and covers parts of the floor, and during the day the big doors on the ends are usually open for ventillation, and mice, and free range chickens.....

I'm not sure I can manage five cans this week - i'm not really going to get started until tomorrow, and I still have papers to grade and lesson plans to do, and I go back to work on Tuesday. I thought I would get to start Friday afternoon. But I will try.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Let us know which cake/cakes turned out the cutest.
WTG! with the exercises! Nice that the down stair neighbor travels a lot.
How is the steel wool/heavy book mouse hole cover working?

Hi CriticalMass
If we ever get our hands on a Tardis I want us all to travel the Whoniverse together rather than declutter. ;D
I completely understand others not respecting our lifestyles, space and time.
So many times I have been told "well, you're not doing anything" and they think I should do whatever they want me to do when I'm actually very busy doing my own thing.
Happy the Barbie clothes turned out good and now you can enjoy making outfits to suit your own creative tastes.

Hi Subclinical
Yes, get that recycling bin and stuff it full every week! :D
DD's Great Uncle is a wonderful and loving person taking care of those he loves. (((HUG)))


Pretty good snow storm in the mountains but it's not coming down this way, yet.
Yesterday I stirred up a batch of chocolate chip pecan cookies but did not bake them.
My plan today is to bake them.
Most will be wrapped up and put in the freezer for future needs.
When I want a cookie I really don't want to resort to store bought ones.


Hi again Tatoulia
Have a wonderful day out with Mom and the Bundt cakes sound lovely :)

CM! WTG on finishing the Barbie clothes! I know what you mean about time-when I first started working at home, people would see it as my being "off work" that day. It drove my brother so nuts that I told him I no longer worked from home.

SubC your uncle sounds like a wise, compassionate person. I can only pray that I have that sort of grace when needed.

I was up late last night and here it is, almost noon and I'm having my first cup of coffee.

I will take mom out in a little while. I'm about to make chocolate glaze for the little bundt cakes. They are adorable. I will decorate with sprinkles rather than making a full buttercream and practicing my piping.

Hoping to get more done around the house today. Clutter issues. Cleaners come tmr, thank goodness.

Hi CM!
So glad the Barbie clothes are out of the way! Now, no more commissions! I never work on commission except for family. They know they get what they get or sometimes it doesn't work.

Tatoulia, the cake is a very sweet idea. How did it come out?

Tillie, i'm Glad talking to us helps you. I just wish we could help more.

My trash did finally get picked up, very late. I think it was just the holiday schedule and people having lots of extra trash this time of year. But I still have to call them because they forgot to leave me a recycling bin. It's not a big deal because it isn't going to hold all my recycling anyway, but I'm required to rent it for $1 a month, so I might as well have it and use it.

We had a really good time last night, but I didn't get to bed until almost midnight. Now I have slept late and need to get busy soon because dh made plans for us to go to dd1's house this afternoon. He is going to help dsil with some wiring, and I am going to help dd sort through some pottery equipment and supplies her great uncle gave her. He is at the end of his life, which is breaking my heart, and he is working on distributing things where he wants them to go so that his wife and daughters won't have as much to deal with (actually dh is his executor, because uncle didn't want his death to cause strife between his daughters and wife who is not their mother and he knows that dh is sensible, puts people over things, and loves all three.)

Anyway, he was a fairly good amateur potter and dd and I are the only ones who do much and my equipment is better - so he handed his on to her so she can set up a space to work in her basement instead of paying studio fees or driving out here.

...short story long, I'll let you know what I get done today.

Hi all - and belated Happy New Year.

I had thought I would post on New Year's Eve or Day, but my time got fragmented by this and that. I finished the Barbie clothes and got them to the gal and she liked them.

Keep on getting over those colds, Tillie and SubC! Hate it when they drag out.

I like the idea of pairing a second task with an established task. Want to brainstorm what things I do that would make workable pairings.

My room is still pretty bad. I even showed it to a friend of mine who also struggles with clutter. She and I have had our moments where I don't think she gets it that my intellectual and creative life, along with my bunnies, are my way of expressing my maternal side and using the best gifts God has given me. People with children and grandchildren often see long term single people as being okay to interrupt with trivial phone calls, etc.

This is a generalization, and so contains an error factor. But I do need to retrain a few people whom I've been more available to in the past; I still love them and we will have our chances to get together and whatnot, but when I have told someone repeatedly how much I've got going on and they forget by the next day, I get a little frustrated. I'm working on being tactful in how I communicate this when it happens, but I won't hesitate to take stronger measures such as voicemail!

Tillie, I wish the Doctor could get us all in the Tardis and bring us to help you. Maybe also drop off some of the hoard into a black hole on the return trip!

I have repetitive dreams about places full of "stuff" as I've probably mentioned in other posts. I get so sick of them. I can only imagine how much more intense and anxiety ridden your dreams must be.

I understand your worries, Tillie. I am sorry they keep you up at night. I'm pretty experienced in worrying too. I do hope that voicing them helps you. I know it helps me.

SubC what a disappointment regarding your trash service. I'm sure it is as Tillie described. I'll worry a bit bit I know that they will get someone out there.

I ran errands for my overseas friend today. It was pouring rain but I did okay driving; probably because I was alone and not having to worry about my mother.

I am baking a cake for my 85 year old neighbor?the one whose state ID we renewed in December. We will take to him tomorrow. I am making a single layer round cake and six mini-bundt cakes. Whichever comes out cutest will be for him. BF did not want me making him a full two layer cake in case he eats it all by himself. He has already arranged for someone to bring him a cake to bingo on Tuesday. I will bake tonight and frost tomorrow.

Got no walking in whatsoever so I did an exercise walking class on the television. It was surprisingly vigorous yet claims to be for the over 55 crowd. I think because it incorporates a lot of arm movements. Anyway I enjoyed it. My downstairs neighbor travels a lot so I'll be able to do this activity maybe on the days I work from home.

Hi Subclinical
Yeah, that was a hard autocorrect to figure out
But I thought it was supposed to be exhausting.
LOL :D

Oh My! that drainage project sounds perfectly awful.

I'm worrying that since this is your first scheduled trash pick up, the driver has forgotten to include you.
Make a call to the office and let them know and most always they will send a truck out right away to rectify the problem.

Having the right firing stilts is important.
Sure, others would work but the results might not be what you're after.
Sounds like a great compromise with DH buying them and you decluttering a few things out there.

Nathan would want to help me declutter but he is now living far away and also has his own life to take care of.
Nate is my "adopted" son who would do anything for me but I never want to take advantage of him in any way.
The main reason why I would want this place totally decluttered is because I will be giving him everything when I die.
He doesn't need or want to inherit a hoard especially since he himself is the child of a hoarder mother who he has not talked to since he turned 18 and got out of her house.

"Talking" writing about these worries on my mind is helping to calm my inner chaos.
Sometimes just getting it out there is good therapy.