Hello Tillie! Yup we had sunshine and I went for a very pleasant walk after work! Thank you for helping me try to reconcile those years where I let it all go. I appreciate that.

I wore my Allbirds during my walk.

Joan I am sorry that your situation is so awful and I know how hard you are working. While I can never comprehend your situation, you are frequently in my thoughts. I hope you will always post here and stick around. Standing by your side.

SubC tell me what flavor if ice cream you made! I'd love a scoop of strawberry.

Goodnight dear friends.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical

WAY TO GO! getting done all you got done.

Extremely elated to hear you are pursuing your passions!
I feel so bad for you when what you are passionate about always has to be put on the back burner.
GOOD LUCK and BEST WISHES!!!

YUM! home made ice cream.
I'm sure the goats have forgiven and forgotten by now.

WTG! DH, hurry and finish baseboards. ;)


Hi Tatoulia
Thank you for that evaluation of the shoes.
Pretty Summertime shoes must be comfortable enough for festivals and outdoor concerts and all the standing & walking involved.

They sure are cute, too bad they didn't pass a reality test.

YEA!!!!!!! :D finally you have sunshine!!! :D

Please release any bad feelings you have about the past.
It is in the past, leave it there.
I believe we are all put here on this Earth to learn.
We live, we learn.
((((HUG))))

It is frustrating that no-one has any grasp whatsoever of my situation.

I do not talk to anyone for exactly that reason.

The truth will come out someday. I can only hope that someone somewhere will get a clue about my work in this here lifetime.

Everyone will eventually acknowledge the work I am doing, but that is way down the road.

SubC! You are amazing! You do so much!

I love how the book is helping to direct your focus! That is terrific! I'm very pleased. You do so much in a day and I stand in awe of you. Farming, teaching, creating, ice cream.

I bet the flooring looks nice. You deserve a lovely space to live in.

Joan!

Hi! Glad you could post!
and see Tatoulia's photos - I am on an iPad also.

I slept most of the weekend. So tired! After I posted I stretched out with a new book and ended up taking a three hour nap. I did go out with dh and make some cheese on Sunday - after sleeping until almost ten (poor goats!). Also made some ice cream mix, which I froze today.

About half of the furniture is put back - dh is working on the baseboards.

I have been reading a book called "the renaissance soul" it is not about hoarding, but it is about managing your time and planning when you are pulled 100% in many many different directions. It is very me! I am trying to use it to improve the structure in my life.

The way this relates to the hoarding is that if I am passionate about x, I want all the things that go with x, and then I am also passionate about y, and z, and a, and b, and c, and pretty soon, there is no space to do any of those things and I am just curating materials and equipment.

So I am supposed to pick a few areas that are my focus "right now" and block out time for them each week, and I am actually chanting "no, no, no" out loud when I am tempted to get sidetracked by something that is not on my focus list. Like, I can't do the dishes until I finish my focus items - unless the dishes are actually in my way (so I did do them because one of my focus areas right now is "health" and one of my health goals for today was to make dinner so dh didn't get carry out again.)

So far, so good, but the start of everything is always the easy part.

Today I cleaned stalls, patched the fence, and froze the ice cream (farm)
And did yoga and made dinner (health)

Tillie based on what you've said today, I've decided to send the yellow shoes back. I tried them on today and they will not get the kind of use I expect out of my shoes. The color and style are good, great actually, but the comfort level is a bit off. They are too narrow for my feet. So I've started the return process. I do love them but I keep looking at my stuff and they won't get the kind of use that my gold flats from Anne Klein will get, and those are about a third of the cost. I can wear those all the way into office and back home. These will not be that flexible. Thank you for asking the tough questions.

I initiated the return. Goodbye, my little bits of sunshine!

We have actual sunshine today.

In my teen years, I preferred to fill the dishwasher rather than empty it because there wasn't enough room for stuff. Now when I empty my dishwasher, I pay attention.

Thank you for saying the kind things to me. The moths was a shameful time. I'd just try to sleep at BFs and ignore what was going on here. I've had too much stuff for a long time, but I let it become unlivable here. Still a work in progress. And I enjoy the progress now. So I understand about ignoring the physical world. When I'd clean brother's apt, I'd feel so superior, meanwhile, he had no idea what was going on here. By Christmas I'd get the living spaces cleared (to my untrained eye) but now the whole house is good. My now-trained eye needs to pull it together, still more to go.

Did I mention we have sunshine today??? Shocking. I'm have bedroom windows open.

When there is just TOO MUCH STUFF!
it's impossible to clean or put things away out of the way where they will stay clean.

When Steven had the entire inside of the house hideously hoarded I couldn't clean or put anything away because there was no place to put things and worst of all, I could not get to my dressers or reach anything.

I completely and totally zoned out.
Lived in my head.
Withdrew from life, was just a dead thing.

Yeah, the stuff was not mine, the hoarding was not my own personal issue
but I honestly understand what trying to function in a hoarded house does to a person's mind, spirit and emotions.

(((((HUGS)))))

Even squeaky clean neat & tidy homes that contain just the right amount of items get bugs, mold, rodents, leaks, holes and other issues.
But you can see the problem and fix it before things get dire.


Thanks Tatoulia
Sorry you had them too.
WAY TO GO!!!! folding and putting laundry away!

Your furniture is lovely and fits the building's era.
My furniture is a combination of things from here & there.
Great Grandma's (Selema) dresser, Beulah's dresser and coffee table, a few things from my Granma that belonged to her Mom or Great Aunts, rocking chair (glider) from neighbor friends and a few antique pieces I bought many decades ago.

Ugh the moths. Tillie I never told anyone but they got into my oriental rugs and I threw them out. I haven't seen a moth since. They did more than their fair share of damage here.

My vinyl rugs are lovely. They look nice and the cat vomit cleans up well. But the cat isn't to blame. I had so many opportunities to do things and I ignored them. I just would avoid certain spots in my home so I could pretend it wasn't happening.

My kitchen is tiny. I used to have so much stuff in there including my giant old microwave, which in turn was loaded LOADED with little ceramic things and bits and bobs. Now I have just Mrs Butterworth to preside over.

My furniture is a combination of things from my childhood, things I purchased as an adult and things I inherited when my friend died. I cannot wait to have my existing bookshelves built in and cabinets built below. Then they will be painted white. I'll try to make more panoramic pictures. The bedroom is fairly large and has a beautiful bow window. I have to relocate my tapestry, which is why I haven't taken a picture of it. I'll take. one of my dresser and post. My dresser used to be piled high with clothes, dirty and clean, and the chair was just a giant lump of stuff. Until you taught me to food and put away my stuff, the clean would get mixed with the dirty and then it would all fall to the floor. So gross.

I have a conference call in a few minutes. I'm so sorry about the moths, Tillie.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Joan
Sounds like you have an online shoe shopping addiction.
Collecting things can be a fun and exciting hobby as long as it doesn't negatively impact on our finances or living spaces.
Steven had an online shopping addiction for a while.
Every day there was always something being delivered to the house.
Fortunately, that has stopped.


Hi Tatoulia
Every day I am enjoying looking at your photos.
Noticed that the areas are long and narrow.
Your furniture selection and placement works very well.
The decorations are extremely lovely!

Sounds like you had a very busy and productive Sunday.
Lots of walking and enjoyable visiting too.

I like sweet potato but have never had it in a sandwich.
That all sounds so delicious!

Keep up this GREAT job of sorting out closets.
You are doing FANTASTIC! WTG!!!


I took yesterday off from dish washing so today I will do that.
Need Steven to mow the grass so I won't do any laundry because he needs to mow that little patch under my clothesline too.

Noticed an infestation of those tiny moths in his bedroom and they are migrating to the rest of the house now.
He seriously needs to declutter and vacuum in there.
I can't spray pesticide no matter how much I may want to.

Read that clothes moths like dirty fabrics and carpets.
The moth larva can't live on just clean fibers alone.
They need the soiled fabrics/fibers in order to get the necessary nutrients.

Today I plan to thoroughly vacuum my "NO CLUTTER" zones.

Those tree breezes look really nice! I'm have all the shoes I need for now, to get me to and from work, for special events and for the weekend. As it was, I felt guilty when BF bought me two pair of the tree skippers. With this weather pattern, I'm never going to be able to wear the white ones!

Im still getting rid of things from my bedroom closet. I feel strong and capable right now, and I need to keep going on that direction.

Thank you for looking at my pictures, Joan. I appreciate it.

Ooooh - somehow I got in. Yes, your house is exactly the kind of house I pictured. Very nice. Wish I could have a pet. No way I coukd care for one so far, just happy to get through my day. Watch TV, mostly.

Thanks for sharing!

(wool loungers, not lungers - although I may try lunging in them - )

FREE shoelaces! Oh my God! I didn't know there was a STORE as close as Boston.

I really mean my house is full of Allbirds. I can really get into collecting stuff. I wear wool runners outside (better support) and wool lungers inside. Have tried the tree runners, but not the tree skippers yet (although I plan to wear them soon, have a group of them here).

The website is quite a trip. I read about them last May (2018) in the Wall Street Journal. I was drooling over them on the website, and hit the "place order" button by accident. It was scary to order anything online - but now -

Don't look now, as of this weekend there is a whole new type of shoe, "tree breezers". Some sizes already sold out. I have no high tops, not into high tops. I had a bone spur removed last August and have very mild neuropsthy now on one little toe, so the shoes are a great boon.

Would LOVE to see your pictures, but entering that on my browser just gives me options for websites. Don't think I can get to the pictures without being on Instagram. which is a bridge too far for me. May be because I only have an iPad.

Hello Tillie. Hello CM and SubC and everyone else!

Joan!!!!!!! Allbirds!!!!! I like the slimmer one or skipper one/I now forget the name. So comfy!! I have in charcoal with white sole and chalk with white!!! Like little hammocks got my feet! Gentle little places to say, hey, tiny foot, how bout resting in a cloud!! Bf got the slipper ones and he was wearing them today! Together we look totes adorbs in our charcoal Allbirds!!! Welcome to the flock! We have a store here in Boston and they have things like extra shoelaces in different colors, for free! I got some blue ones for my white sneakers.

Joanie I've been posting some pictures of my house and my life if you have any interest in looking. (No obligation). But if you do, go to Instagram.com/susie.7010

You can post the address in your browser/no need to be in instagram. I can't tell who's looked at my photos so your anonymity won't be broken.

So excited to know that your feet are doing so well!!!

Allbirds!

You read my mind. I was just thinking of how my house is full of Allbirds. It seems that that is the direction my compulsive buying has taken.

I oredered NOTHING online until last May - and this May, I am still getting Allbirds. Only comfortable shoe with the support I need that I've ever found.

There are worse addictions to have. . .

Oh boy! You have a scarecrow! Great teamwork!

I bet you'll have a good night's sleep on the clean sheets, Tillie!!

I walked all over today-in my new sneakers. I went downtown to pick up something for a neighborhood child to give to her mother for Mother's Day, then on the way home I stopped to get my new batteries for my summer watches. I posted some more pictures and I thank TIllie and SubC for sharing in my life this way. You are under no obligation but I do feel closer to both of you, knowing I can share a few visuals from my life.

I visited mom twice, and I just brought her the rest of her groceries. I changed out of my sneakers and into my Allbirds (which are also sneakers). My feet are so comfy now. They were tired after walking all over today. I met with BF for s sandwich at a local shop and had a nice time with him.

I'm now tired. I showered and washed my hair after all of my errands and before I met BF for the sandwich. My sacdwich was sweat potato, spinach, tomatoes and other delicious stuff. I have them hold the avacado. It's made on a hearty whole grain bread and is just so tasty.

I'm going to do some relaxation before calling it an early night.

Good Morning Everybody
Not yet noon here.

Hi Tatoulia
Have a great day today whatever you get up to!

Scooter snuggled all night but when I was waking up this morning he started bringing his toys into the bed and was playful.
Sometime during the night the tuna and sardines in oil must have worked to move along all that dry grass straw.
Scooped the litter box and he had passed a small scarecrow.

Been busy!
Got a lot of things done already today.
The clothesline is full of laundry.
Tonight I will sleep on fresh clean line dried bed linens.
Needed to take some ibuprofen last night and this morning for some muscle soreness but otherwise the weeding caused no other issues.
Guess I'm just out of shape. ;p

Watch and wait! That's all you can do. Good plan thank give Steven a task. Did he take anything to the dump??? It's 11:24 and I had a beautiful night's sleep. I wish they could make my bed everyday!

Perfectly comfortable having them here. I was walking by as they were leaving so I popped in, set the alarm, and kept on going.

I have more errands today but it's a Mom day. I'm not sure if she'll have the strength to go out. I still have her groceries from yesterday and I'll know she'll want things like milk and fresh fruit so maybe I can combine my errands with her grocery shopping then just spend some time with her.

Coffee clinks!

Hello Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
Was hoping you would run by today and say
May the fourth be with you.
Happy Star Wars Day. (((hug)))

Hi Subclinical



Hi Tatoulia
Thank you :)

So you are comfortable having the ladies in in your absence.
You are doing GREAT!

Sleep well...


Since Steven is always driving off all the time anyways I asked him to pick up Scooter's tuna.
He bought the right kind, with oil not water and he also bought Scooter some sardines packed in oil.
Put a little of each in a bowl and Scooter lapped up all the oil and ate some of the fish.
He's not very hungry but he just couldn't resist the fishy oil.
Now I watch and wait.

Beautiful work, Tillie! The smaller flower beds are working perfectly for you!

I am tired and yes it's not even 8 PM. But, I just had a cup of coffee with BF while we watched the Derby. I still feel like showering and climbing into my professionally made bed.

It was fun leaving the house while the three ladies did their job. Much easier on me. I returned some clothes today and I'm glad. I have all my spring/summer outfits yet it's cold and rainy here.

I cannot imagine snow on July 4th. That must have felt very, very odd, Tillie.

I stopped at grocery store to buy bread and jam and cat food for mom but I ran out of time to get it to her. Now I'm out of steam.

Talk to you later, dear friends.

HELLO ANONY AND CM!!!

Good Afternoon

Hi Subclinical

Sounds like you get an A+ for will power with that huge yard sale going on.
Nothing frivolous came home with you! :D

WTG! Mr. Kitty defending your couch!

Hi Tatoulia
I was thinking you would wear them with a Summer dress to any festivals or concerts.

YEA! for DROPPING your Winter coats off to be stored!
I have to keep mine close at hand since it has snowed here on July 4th before.

Of course they all loved your gifts, you only give them the best. ;)

Did 2 loads of laundry then went out to weed the garden.
After weeding all the flower beds I watered them all well.
Came back in and ate lunch since it was 12:00 noon!
Have done 2 more loads of laundry, stuff like table cloths etc.
Now I am watching Netflix, beading and generally relaxing.

My garden flower beds were so easy and quick to weed.
I can live with this arrangement! :D

Tillie the yellow shoes will be more of when we are going to a neighborhood restaurant or symphony hall or somewhere in a car. My Allbirds are walking around the city shoes.

SubC I am proud of your very modest purchases and that you got things you'd thought about.

My fairies have come and gone. There were three of them. They loved the clothes. They immediately try on and it's sweet. I've dripped my suits off to my car and I've Atheneum my wool coats to the cleaners for summer storage. I'm now heading to return some things.

We will watch the derby tonight.

Tillie I hope your body doesn't pay too much of a price for the garden work.

Scooter! I love the tuna in oil idea. It makes me feel like I failed an IQ test. What a great way to get oil in the kitty.

I have just a moment so will write more later. Cleaners will be here in a few minutes so I want to be ready to dash out.

Tillie,

I missed your post. I hope scooter feels better. The tuna sounds like a good idea.

We put the couch back and Mr. kitty is holding it firmly in place.

Tatoulia, I am glad you ar feeling better.

I got feed and delivered the pot. I forgot it was the big yard sale day for that town, so traffic was awful. Also I bought some things. But I am doing better.

I gave the library a dollar for a bag, but then instead of filling it all the way for Justin, I just picked up three books for me and three for dh. Then I gave their bag back.

For my classroom, I bought a cart of a type that I have been searching for for two years. It is a little beat up, but serviceable and the wheels are good. Also a game new in the box for one of my classes.

For me, I bought a whisk slightly larger than my favorite small one, with a longer handle, an interesting dish to use as a slump mold, and a bread pan to hold my spices (i've had an eye out for that for a while).

Finally, I bought a little grater to use for clay, but I don't know if I will keep it or take it to school.

Including the library, I spent $5.

Good Morning Everyone
"Tea Clink!"

Hi Subclinical
That was a very busy day yesterday.

YEA!!! for the new flooring!
Things there can now start getting back to normal for you and Mr. Kitty.

Hoping today you get in plenty of rest time.
With all your rain so nice you have your new boots.


Hi Tatoulia
Glad you're feeling better this morning.
A stress headache. Maybe it's time to schedule another massage?

Do you think the new plastic bottle shoes have enough arch support for walking and standing at events this Summer?

Have a great relaxing day walking about. :)

Hello CriticalMass :)


Just going on 8:00am here.
44 degrees is a little too chilly yet this morning, waiting for the low 50s before I get outside weeding.
Jack came by with Butter Bean yesterday morning and then alone again in the evening.
I'm concerned about Scooter. He has been eating the tall dry grass while outside and has gotten himself extremely constipated.
I keep telling him to eat the fresh juicy green grass but he never listens.
Would also help if he would allow me to brush him so he wouldn't consume so much fur.
Thinking about buying him a can of tuna packed in oil to see if that helps.
Bought him some low calorie kibble since he has gotten very fat last few months, stress eating I think.
He is unnecessarily nervous and clingy all the time since my boy kitty passed.

Going to wash two loads of assorted laundry now while I wait for it to warm up outside.

Hello SubC and Tillie!

Coffee clinks!

SubC what a roller coaster of a day you had! I'm glad that your hard work is recognized and making a difference for the kids and parents alike. I do think there'll always be a kid that you worry about. I've learned that from my work with the neighborhood kids. I still have one that I believe in, even though he's done time for felony gun charges, has been shot at twice, has four bullet holes in him (and one remaining bullet). And yet I still believe in him. I once told him, while hugging him, that he makes it really hard to love him but I still do. And one of the police officers said to me, you know, that's the type of thing he'll think about while doing time. SubC, What you are doing is important, and you may be the only pleasant memory that some kids will ever have. We just don't know. So we try. And I'm so grateful that you are out there, doing this wonderful work.

I am much improved today. The Tylenol helped and I had a good night's sleep.

Tillie I would love to be working in a garden today! Let us know if Jack stops by! As soon as I get my window boxes up, I'll send pictures. I do need to weather to get its act together.

Thank you both for looking at my pictures. I appreciate it.

I'm thinking of stripping my bed but letting the cleaners put the new sheets on.

I have a few things to return today and I'm looking forward to getting a walk in. I did a lot of walking yesterday and even though I ended up with a headache, I enjoyed the walks.

Tatoulia,

I am enjoying the pictures also.

Yesterday was...long.

Three classes with various dogs visiting - accompanied by parents, one class where I had to give a lecture (the non academic kind), two students I had to meet with individually about significant problems - one was an assignment and he really listened, the other was a behavior issue and I don't feel like I got through at all, and I am really worried about this kid. One kid who just decided he wasn't going to participate yesterday, another one with spring fever. A parent who told me pulling her son out of his school and bringing him to us was the best decision they ever made. Two hours to load the kiln with tiny pieces of work for the spring art show at school next week. A visit from an adored former student, and a really great school play.

And I put that last mold in the dumpster.

The floor is done (except dh has to put in base boards and molding) it looks really good. My feet are very happy that they don't have to walk on subfloor any more.

Today - buy feed and deliver a piece of pottery to a customer who lives near the feed store, make cheese, date with dh, try to rest. The weather is going to be awful all day - rain, rain, rain.

Hello Everyone

Hi Tatoulia
Sorry you have that nasty headache and hope the Tylenol, water, Miss Kitty and a good night's sleep fix that.

Dishes will keep for now.

I have been enjoying the pictures.
You described things so well but a picture makes it real. :)

Plan for tomorrow morning is to get out and do some weeding in my flower beds.
The weeds are big enough now that I can easily grab them, about 2 or 3 inches tall.

That is a really good point, Tillie. I'll be sure that mom has a fresh muffin and s glass of milk!!!

I am envious of your sunshine. With the exception of Monday, when we had some glorious sunshine, it had been dreary here. Right now I have a terrible stress headache. Top of my head, more toward the left. Just awful. I'm drinking a lot of water and I am going to try to eat something. Nurse kitty is here and I just took a Tylenol.

I got a lot of good walking in today.

I've got lots to do here but I'm just going to have a bite to eat then go to bed. I'll save the dishes for the AM, telling myself that the sink misses them.

CM and SubC, sending you love and warm wishes!!!

Tillie at some point I'll post a pic of mom, and once I know you've seen it, I'll delete it. Just to preserve her privacy. I look ghastly in photos.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi CriticalMass
How's it going?
Did you get to your Dr. appointment?
((((HUG))))

Hi Subclinical

Hi Tatoulia
I think it will be fun putting things in pink baskets/boxes for your Mom.
Make sure to feed her a muffin before you start though. LOL ;D

One of those days where in the shade with a breeze blowing it feels chilly, but nice.
Out in the full sunshine it is hot.
Lilacs still retain their blooms and heavenly scent.

His pet squirrel!!!! With a thin tail, I bet. Oh my! Yes you did the right thing!

I bought more of the baskets for the bedroom. Four in total. I scooped out things for mom in pink.

Well back to work. It's fun knowing you can see my pictures, Tillie! Great fun for me.

Good Morning Everybody

Thank you Tatoulia for posting your pictures.
So nice to see kitties and your home.
The cats are all beautiful, so is your house.
WAY TO GO! for those two big bags of giveaways!

One Summer in Detroit while living with my Grandparents I was baby sitting a little boy who was telling me in secret that he had befriended a squirrel who would visit his upstairs bedroom window daily, where he would feed it.
But the way he described this squirrel really concerned me.
When I finally saw his new friend it was quite upsetting and I told my Granpa and Grandpa's neighbor friend who was an exterminator.
The city had been demolishing some ancient warehouses across the train tracks causing those huge city rats to escape into the neighborhoods.
Those rats were extremely intelligent.
The little boy was heartbroken but I believe he finally understood about diseases.


Chilly this morning but will soon warm up into the 70s.
Steven said he was making a dump run today.
Wish he would empty the truck hoard out of his truck and take a full truckload instead of only a third of a truckload.
The entire passenger side in the truck is completely hoarded up too, no room for passengers in there.

Really need to wash the outside of the house windows.
The afternoon sun really shows how dirty they are.
Haven't done that since early last Fall.
Maybe later, not today.
Just 9:00am here.
By the time I finish my tea I might know what I'll do today.

The squirrels in boston (and I suspect other cities) will come running if you make a little noise or bend down or have a wrapper of some sort. The white one came running toward me. I'd heard about the squirrel but had never actually seen it til that mild February day.

Just posted a Tigger picture. Those other ones were mom's cat, who does resemble our dear Tigger.

Thanks for playing this silly Instagram game.

TIGGER?
That must be Tigger because that's how I pictured him. :D

Happy Mom ate a hamburger.
Yes, the litter in a box/bin is needed since it gets snagged.

An albino squirrel!
He looks friendly.
The squirrels in my Grand parents neighborhood were friendly but I was not allowed to befriend them.
They had had Chipmunks tear up the inside of the cottage one year, made a terrible mess.
Can't play with the Chipmunks here either because they have bubonic plague.

Oh Tillie. That is so sweet about the rose bush and the kitty. Really dear.

I want to thank you for looking at the silly Instagram. I feel even closer to you. Thanks for your input on mom's bathroom shelves. If I can get the litter in a container on the bottom shelf, then we will lessen the risk of her walker tearing the bag open. It happens.

She was so sweet tonight and so happy. She'd gone downstairs for dinner and had enjoyed a hamburger.

I'm ready for bed. Just need to brush my teeth. And to stop reading decluttering sayings.

That's a good idea putting your Mom's stuff she doesn't use like curlers & sheets in boxes.
That will reduce the visual clutter.

So you got her a muffin for Justin Case she gets hungry and mean. :D

I know what you mean not wanting more storage just for more storage.
I have enough spaces to put things away between the times I am using or wearing them.
Before I decluttered the inside of the house and now the pump house there was no place for me to put away things.
My Great Grandmother's dresser was in the dining area and the rest of my clothes were in copier paper boxes because I could not access my other dresser.
All the garden supplies were hidden in the garage & carport clutter.
The vacuum never had a "home", was just moved around out of the way.
I didn't need more storage, I needed less clutter.

Steven still believes that he needs more storage space and more storage containers, that that would solve his STUFF problem.

My little girl kitty who passed in October loved to eat rose pedals.
That is why I transplanted a deep red rose bush as her marker in the garden.

So true. It's not the containers that are the problems, it's the stuff. Plus putting stuff in containers means you still have the stuff. I did my linen closet to make it pretty, and to further reduce. I couldn't have even imagined having that much space six years ago. I had to change my mindset. I don't want more storage to have more storage, I want it so that my things can breathe and be accessible.

I am keeping my coats. I will see what the Autumn brings. I've been wearing the pink one with a down vest just to help keep me warm.

One year I got sick of my down jacket. It was after the 2014-2015 winter. I wore it all the time. So I had it cleaned, and donated it with the scarf and mittens I used with it. And it felt terrific.

Some of those pictures are old ones that I'm posting. The roses were from Valentine's Day and I had to put them in the hallway because of the cat. I just thought it would be fun to post a few things for you.

BF called me and we met up at a coffee shop for a sandwich. I got a muffin for mom then dropped it off. She and kitty are doing well. I took a peek at her shelves and I know I can get a few baskets for her and make it pretty. I can do it so that it's pretty and functional for her. Her towels will stay where they are, but things like her hair curlers can go in a pretty pink basket and I can get something for the kitty litter. I couldn't find my measuring tape so I just took a look to see if there would be an opportunity add a basket or two and I could make it work. Essentially I'll be putting the stuff she doesn't use (hair curlers) but won't let me get rid of, in a pretty basket. This way the stuff can still collect dust but won't be so unsightly. I think she'd see this as a labor of love and I'll be careful not to get rid of anything else. We did a bunch of stuff after her flood. I'll put the extra sheets that she won't let me donate in another pretty basket. So easy stuff. I'm willing to spend $35 on the project. This is something that will make her feel good.

I took garbage out but I still need to change the cat's box. Thanks for saying she's pretty, Tillie. She's a classic beauty. She is never on the floor. Right now she's asleep on the chair next to my desk.

I wish I could see your cats!!! Especially outside, in the wild.

Miss Kitty must not spend much time down on the floor.
My baby boy who just passed was like that.
Always on the tables or dressers but not the kitchen counter because he discovered at a young age it could be dangerous.

The shoes are VERY pretty!
But not a beautiful as your cat. ;)

So many people just starting out decluttering have asked me what storage/organizing containers are the best to buy.
Many of them get extremely angry with me when I tell them to buy nothing.
Just use what you have on hand until you've decluttered most things, spaces and areas.


Steven believes if he could just get the right containers, boxes, cabinets and shelves he would magically be organized.
He has so many of these things mixed in with all the rest of the clutter.
Most of them are empty, some of them have an assortment of unrelated items just stuffed into them, no organization.
It's like he thinks the stuff will magically sort it's self out and line up all neatly on shelves.
But this is real life not the Disney movie "Sorcerer's Apprentice" from "Fantasia".

Hold off donating or gifting your still the "close enough" right size coats for a while.
You will know better what works for you by Autumn.

Right now I am so sick & tired of always having to wear my down jacket ALL the time that I would just toss it if I didn't know how much I will want it by Autumn.
Anyways, it's all washed and stored away and my lighter coat works for now.


I'm not really doing much of anything but really enjoying the day.
Sunny with a gentle breeze.

Tillie I'm thrilled your former neighbors called! I remember how much they meant to you. I hope you had a terrific visit with them!

I agree on buying the containers and other cute stuff. It's a recipe for disaster. I used to call the projects I started or thought I'd start, "boulevard of broken dreams." I've been very, very careful in this regard. I've focused energy on space not containers. Somehow when I saw that pink linen closet, I thought, I can do that. I can further reduce all the way down to that. And I did! And I'm happy with it. I literally own just the towels you see in the pictures, with the exception of one hand towel, one face cloth, and a bath towel, all of which were hanging in my bathroom. If we (yes WE) hadn't done six years of hard work, this wouldn't have worked. I know the linen closet will work for me. The open spaces are so pretty. As to mom's, I do want to do something similar but I need to think it through, assess her needs, etc. it won't look as airy as mine but I can make it livable FOR HER not for me, not for instagram. I just want it livable for her.

My cleaners just called, very apologetic. They are coming on Saturday. She mentioned the clothes and how much they want them. She said if not for her, for her friends, and if not for her friends, for her church. I like that. I like that a lot.

So the shoes, you would never, ever believe they are made from plastic. It feels like fabric. My feet are a tad wide. I'll keep you posted on them. They are washable, like my new tree sneakers. They look like they will be very airy but time will tell.


Let me tell you, my tree shoes from all birds are wonderful. Very cool and airy. BF actually got me two pair, one in charcoal and one in chalk. The white chalk ones will be exceptionally cute with summer skirts. I got the ones called Tree Skippers. BF got Tree Slippers. We are enjoying the comfort.

I'll talk more later. I'm running the dishwasher and think I'll run up to drycleaners. I'm going back and forth on wool coats and what to do and I'll be happiest to just get them out of the house. They are pretty coats and I don't know if they'll be too big next year. The pink one is too big, I bought it this year. The red one fits perfectly; it's a coat I think BF bought me got Valentine's Day one year. Very pretty. Red walker coat.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical
WAY TO GO! getting that unpleasant boy goat task done!

Happy the conversation was not an unpleasant one.

WOOHOO!!! for all the swimming you managed to get in!

Sorry those students wasted your time and theirs but hopefully they have learned a valuable lesson from this.


Hi Tatoulia
YEA! for new recycled bottle shoes!

This Summer when it's hot and muggy I really want to know if the shoes are cool enough, not making your feet all hot & sweaty.
They are very cute and ecological but are they too plasticky?

I would have let you have one of my fresh lemons if you had asked.
Always better than the plastic lemon, but the plastic lemon always comes in handy when we run out.

One issue I have with home decorating/organizing sites and videos is that they encourage people to run out and purchase organization items before the people are ready, have thought through to the end results and decluttered enough to know exactly what their real organization needs are.
There are so many people who now have some major clutter of unnecessary/unneeded expensive organizing containers that they feel that they can't just donate because they spent a lot of money on them.

Very relieved you are taking it slow and measuring twice. ;)


Was outside this morning when Steven yelled to me that my neighbor friend (who moved away) was on the phone for me.
We had a very nice conversation catching up on everything.
I got the stuff in the burn barrel burned and the 6 trees watered.
It didn't warm up as early as I thought it would so I haven't painted ceiling tiles.
Really have until the roof is repaired to get that done.
After Saturday it is supposed to warm back up with much higher lows over night.


Hi CriticalMass :)

My bright, sunshine-y Rothys shoes have arrived. They are lovely and just as I want them to be. Part of me things I should go up a size, but when I compare them with other pointy flats, they are the right size. I'm afraid if I go up a half size, I'll be tripping out of them.

They are very comfortable. Very cool looking. Made from bottles. Very pretty. I am happy!

I'm making lemon pasta. Regular pasta then in a bowl I out 1/2 c olive oil, about 5 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese, two healthy tbsp capers and juice if one lemon. I don't have an actual lemon here so I'm using the plastic lemon for juice. So there will be no lemon rind. As soon as my pasta is done I'll toss it in the oil mixture and I'm done.

Cleaners won't be here til 4:30 or five so if they bring me lunch I'll eat it tmr.

Tillie, I have thought about my organizing. I need to do more on my bedroom closet before I tackle mom's linen closet. Thank you for helping me slow down.

Okay I'll be back later.

SubC!!! You did so much already! And tough stuff too!!! WTG!!! And yay on the swimming goal! You are my hero!

At least National Geographic will enjoy their A.

TIllie I ate raspberries last night and they were so tasty. Good that the cats can enjoy the outhouse! Let us know how you Day is going!

It's so cold here that I'm rethinking taking my coats to the drycleaners til next week.

Well, conversation went well. Then I graded papers - two students think i'm too incompetent to use google. National Geographic gets an "A", student gets a warning and a do-over. Since my morning was on a downhill roll, I went ahead and took care of an unpleasant task with the boy goats. Now I am exhausted, but relieved of many things hanging over my head.

Need a shower!

Btw, did the math this morning, and I hit my swim distance goal for the school year on Tuesday without realizing it. Going to keep it up until school gets out though.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
Hoping you are getting enough rest and sleep.
If you were here I would see that you ate a fresh salad and sandwich too.

Hi Subclinical
Good plan for that old bucket.

Poor Mr. Kitty
Good that he has you to help him through this trying time.

Sorry that you have to deliver a message to the floor guy.
That kind of interaction is always stressful.
Ask Mr. Kitty for reassuring hugs.

WTG! for throwing out the 4 worn out molds!


Hi Tatoulia
I'm very happy you are pacing yourself.
Taking the time to simply think of things to declutter or reorganize for now.
When you do start to take action, you will have thoroughly thought through your plan and measured twice.


My plan for today is to light the burn barrel, water the trees and put a second coat of paint on the ceiling tiles.
Didn't paint them before because the wind was blowing sand around and the temperature dipped down too low.
Have no more fresh fruit in the house, ate the last of the bananas yesterday.
Maybe I'll go grocery shopping next week?
Cat's still have lots of their food stuff and litter.
Since they have been going outside with me every day the litter boxes are hardly used now.

Great work on determining which molds are too worn to be useful! Also I like your thought process on the cracked bucket. Very good planning, SubC!! Thanks for looking at my photos, SubC and Tillie. I appreciate it.

I hope the conversation with the floor guy goes okay. I too get really stressed out by those things.

Tillie I'm glad no damage to the plants. We are having an unpredictable spring but I'm still taking my wool coats to the cleaners and for storage til the Fall. I can always wear a vest or light down jacket under my spring coats.

While still waking up this AM I had more ideas for things to pass along. But I'm not ready to do it this AM. I'm taking Tillie's advice to stay positive and not over do.

I'll try to slip up to mom's today to measure twice. I took mom for a haircut yesterday and she looked so cute. Then BF and I dropped off some cat supplies on our way out last night.

Another overcast damp day.

Warm thoughts to CM

CM, I am glad to hear your news! Sorry you got lost in the hospital though. I hate those TVs everywhere. It seems like if society can get rid of all the payphones because we assume people have phones, we could get rid of all the public tv screeens because those phones have screens! And ear phones!

Tatoulia, your closet looks nice! Your whole place looks nice! I really like the drapes by your dining area, and I love how miss kitty adds herself to the photos. :)

Mr. kitty is very clingy lately because if the house and the stranger in the house. We have long snuggles every morning.

Yesterday I put four plaster molds from school in the dumpster because they are too worn. There is one more waiting, but I didn't want to make another trip up the stairs. All the molds still at school fit in their assigned space.

I started the end of the year bringing home of scrap clay buckets also. So far the total is 7. Because I started early, I am hoping that maybe I will get some of the buckets cleaned and returned to spend the summer at school instead of in my studio. At least one bucket has a cracked lid and will have to be thrown out, but I brought it home on purpose, I can take it back at the end of the month with my trash in it and toss it in the dumpster - it will take up the same amount of space as if I threw it in there empty.

Today I have to talk to the floor guy about something Dh says he needs to do differently. That is stressful.

Keeping my head above water. Barely.

Good Evening Everyone

OH! now I see a beautiful kitty sitting in a very nice & clean & tidy livingroom!

So good that the autopay transaction went smoothly.
No hassle or aggravation.

Last thing you ever want is to push yourself.
You always want to stop decluttering/organizing on a high note while you still feel positive.

Funny how easy it is to let go of things you don't even remember were there. ;)


Beautiful day today.
Spent most of it outside.
Watered flowers, lilacs, grass and apricot tree.
The freeze last night didn't seem to damage anything.

Had to come in this evening to wash dishes, clean the kitchen.
All done!

Now I'm sitting in my bed ready to watch Survivor and Amazing Race.

Just back from theatre with BF. Nice night. Now I'm still feeling really strong but instead will go to bed. I've done what I can for today. I'm going to work from home tomorrow. I'll have the cleaners in

I need to get to my car to drop off the goodwill stuff. And I think I have juice and other groceries in the car from Sunday. I can pick up some of those.

Tillie I also went through my little purse/wallet shelf in my closet. I pulled out a wristlet that I have never used (gift) and a wallet that I did use and is still in beautiful shape. I put those in the cleaner's pile. I'll never even know these things are gone. I forgot I had them.

I'm most grateful for my energy right now.

Oh! So my brother's rent typically increases starting in May and I am the one who sets up his auto pay for his rent. I went into the site earlier this week and I set it to take last year's amount on the 4th, just to be on the safe side. I called them today and introduced myself (I no longer know anyone in the office) and I said I needed to know his new rent amount so I can change it. And the woman said, do you know if he recertified? And I said, I'm no longer in touch with him but I need to update his amount for the auto pay and she looked it up and told me. His rent went up by $9. So he's all set for another year. I didn't want him to be in a spot where they aren't taking the $ out automatically. The woman didn't bat an eyelash when I said I am no longer in touch with him, she just asked for his address and name and she looked it up. That was a nice, easy exchange. It actually went just as I had anticipated it to go.

I'm going to go settle down. I'll send pictures of my bedroom once the ladies have made my bed. They make it look like a hotel bed. I try and try and you can always tell that I'm an amateur. I'll look through my pics now and see if there's any I can post.

Sweet dreams.