Good morning, all.
I'm looking forward to starting the new job today. I woke up early before the alarm went off.
Before I leave for work, I need to make sure all the food garbage is out of the house so the dogs don't get into it. I'll also do the breakfast dishes and get a load of jeans and towels ready to launder when I get home.
I'm trying to start establishing good habits, so that I get into a regular routine. That really helps me when I have days when I haven't slept well and don't think well in the morning. I can just go on automatic pilot to get things done.
Early bird LR was up before me. I am so glad you were able to get most of that storage area cleaned. Good work!
Have a great day!

Good morning, everyone!

diane: You said, "Knew right where the gutter holders were . . . ." Great!

Tatoulia: What you were saying reminds me of a type of thinking that I and many of my "cluttered" relatives have had. First, we've tended to assume that because we like something so much or have so much meaning attached to it, the next generation will feel the same. Therefore, we "should" save it for them, and we save it without really evening questioning our own thinking on the topic. My experience is that by the time we're ready to pass an item on to someone younger, that member of the younger generation often already has all their own furniture (dishes, whatever) in place and has no need or desire or room for more, or they like a style that's different from what the previous generation might like. It does pay to ask (and not just make assumptions). It also pays to be ready to lovingly accept whatever answer we are given . . . to learn to "let it go" if the answer we get is "Thanks, but no."

Me: One of my goals for today is to remove yet a few more items from my back patio area. Some of my other minimum goals are to work on bills and other financial paperwork, add to my gratitude list, and go through at least two boxes looking for items I can get rid of.

Hi to those of you who haven't been posting lately. I'm thinking about so many of you! Hugs to everybody.

Once again you amaze me Diane. LR I know that urge of thinking, if I fix it up I can use it. Recently while getting rid of stuff at my mother's house, there was something that my sister and I had gotten as kids. And mom commented that she wanted to have it fixed so she could give it to my sister. She's been saying this for probably fifteen years. And I pointed out that maybe my sister didn't even want it, she should ask her. So she did and my sister said she would like it as is. Another item at my mother's house was an antique lamp that she broke part of the glass shade. And she said it would be worth so much more if she could buy a replacement antique shade for it. And I pointed out, for what? She is not capable of finding a buyer, I don't have time, so why not just try to sell the base and see what happens.

The point I'm trying to make is, when I've been getting rid of stuff lately, and I'm struggling, I think two things: am I saving this for someone who may not even want it and am I planning to fix something, someday, so it will be worth more even though I have no intention of using or keeping it? That has helped me a lot when I am waffling. Maybe you can ask yourself these or other questions to help in your quest to reduce--I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Hello dear Tillie. You paint such a beautiful picture in my mind.

Goodnight everyone. Have been up since 5 and now it's 1:00 am. Time for sleep!

I worked most of day, then looked on Pinterest for over an hour at gardening things, such fun. Nellie was out working with me and now is napping close by, such a sweet girl. Helps me calm down just looking at her.
Yes Tillie my 80 year old neighbor is one in a million. He puts most men 50 year old to shame with the amount of work he does, I just adore him.
I layed out the metal roofing for the other side of the freezer room. Used asphalt on the side I stepped through because too difficult with angles for me to use metal. Since I already bought it though I might as well use it on the other side without angles. It is a dream to use, so easy, just laid it out and it fit perfectly, don't even have to rip off old roofing. Wind picked up so have to wait to continue installing, have to drill holes and use roof screws, they have a little rubber stopper under the head of screw to make weather tight. Still have to caulk pieces together too. Started putting gutters back up then decided I wanted to do it right this time, not just nail them up. Knew right where the gutter holders were, since I put them all together when organizing garage months ago. Was too hot to finish, will look better and less saggy with correct holders. Since I painted that area and has new roof, will look better to do it right.
Came inside, made a smoothie, did dishes, still a few to wash once these are put away, then plan to wipe counters. Looking forward to chat.

Tatoulia, I'm so glad your sister is willing and able to come help . . . and that you are growing closer in the process, no less. Diane: The roof is almost finished . . . wow! That's awesome! Karl, I've probably said it before, but yea for all the paper-related stuff you were able to toss. Hope you got the rain you were wanting, Tillie. Thanks for your encouragement. Barb, I'm looking forward to hearing how the new job goes for you. Bitsy: Thinking about you and your son. Roxie: Hi and hugs, wherever you are.

Mar: If you're out there anywhere and reading this, it would be great to hear from you. Been thinking about you!

Thanks to everybody who has been on chat lately, both on the "official" chats and during the daytime as well. I appreciate the help, the encouragement, the fun, and the friendship.

Me: It's been really hot here lately during the day, making it tricky to get outside and get work done on my outside storage shed without getting too overheated. Fortunately, I was able to get outside very, very early this morning and get some sweeping done on my front and back patios. I also got a lot of crud cleaned up from the bottom of the storage shed. (And I assure you, Tillie, I wore lots of "protective gear.") It's not "clean" yet, but it's better. I still have things that had been on the inside of it that I need to go through (will probably toss most of it). I've been waffling on a few items that "could be cleaned up and used . . . for something." I need to ask myself whether it's a good use of my time to do the extensive cleaning on those items that would be necessary. They are replaceable items, and I have so many other things I need to do. I think I'll once again use the "throw it out for practice" idea that diane has recently used on some of her things. Feels really good to continue to reduce the amount of stuff stored there.

Have a great Sunday, everyone.

Good work, Karl. That is very sweet about the letter from your grandmother, in its recycled envelope. Diane, I think it's terrific about the dog. Great companion. Wow you are so good at tackling tough jobs. I hope you find time to celebrate your accomplishments!

Had fun with friend yesterday. I am grateful that I was able to get rid of so much stuff before she came. I realize how tough it would be to have someone else weighing in on what to keep. I do know that even though everything is somewhere right now and not just on the floor in piles, I am going to have to go back for a Second Sweep. And I will need to clean out my storage area. It is costing me huge money that I do not have. My sister has been helping me. She lives in another state but doesn't mind driving here and going home on the same day. This makes me feel very good. We have never been close and this is bringing us together.

It is 5:30 here on the East Coast and I can't sleep.

Hi all, great you are enjoying your day, tat you are blessed to have a friend help you so much
Tillie you are so right, Nellie does make a grunt noise until I lay on lounger and she is between my feet. I feel so happy to have her here.
I almost have roof finished, I am so slow trying to figure out the difficult angles. Took Nellie for a little walk and talked so some nice neighbors a block away. He is 80 and she is my age. They are continually building, landscaping, fencing, just so great watching a guy 80, working so hard and getting so much done quickly. Sure wish he would work for me!!! He always says, nope, I am retired, as he works his butt off daily, such a nice man. They moved in a fixer upper 8 months ago and have already done so much. I want a man like that!!!!!
A man called yesterday and asked me to go on a date tonight at 5pm When I was up on roof this morning, he called and said he had to stay home with family tonight. He said he was really sorry but had to do what he had to do. Odd statement I thought. I was disappointed but not much, surprised myself how I have changed this year, with all the projects I do, men have lost importance in my life, especially since I never date, used to be really focused on men, drama from "this man will fix my life" to "he left I might as well die" No kidding, it was a roller coaster. will admit, having Nellie here helps, ok, did go to freezer and ate a bowl of ice cream and nuts and chocolate for dinner. It will be in 90's all week so really need to get out and finish watering. Thunderstorms, so have to finish where took gutters off. I appreciate all the support you give me and appreciate your posts, gives me a feeling of connection that was missing in my life.

Hello everyone. Glad to read everyone's posts. Congratulations all around! New job, difficult tasks, hard work, coping! Excellent work! You each inspire me.

For me, I have a family friend visiting from out of town. We have not seen her in probably 12 years! She and my mother worked together many years ago and she and I were friends since I was in my teens! And my brother was still in grade school. So she is making all of us very happy by being here. I admit to being exhausted. Right now she's up at my mom's and I'm enjoying catching up with all of you.

I feel like a fraud but I asked the friend for some help and she organized an entire coffee table and dining room table. She sorted different piles of paper and then filed them. I kid you not! No more paper piles. I didn't even check the garbage. Today she cleaned my kitchen (I thought I had cleaned it, but she scrubbed the outside of the cabinets and did some other stuff.) It is sparkling now. I feel like a fraud but she has a lot of energy (despite being in her 60s). She has made the comment that she'll be taking the house one room at a time. I sent kittycat to my boyfriend's house and i vacuumed the living room couch. Essentially, we are doing deep cleaning. I'm so happy. I'm not embarrassed and I'm not upset. Honestly if she had tried to come here nine months ago (before I decluttered and cleaned bedroom) I would have never let her in the house. And in the last few weeks I gave gotten rid of so much stuff, all with your words of encouragement. The friend has come at the right time. Beautiful. I have taken care of the tough emotional stuff (round one -- there will be more tough decisions to come) so they deep cleaning is great. I had no idea she would be willing to do this.

Oh I have a beautiful little oil painting of an owl on my desk (I painted it in fourth grade) and she couldn't get over it and even though I love it and its the only painting I have left, I gave it to her.
It hurts, but she earned it. I think I'll ask my boyfriend for my other childhood painting back. He will understand. Or maybe I won't ask for it back.

I hope I can deep clean for someone some day.

I am missing Roxie and hope we hear from her soon.

Thank you all for your posts. I stand right by your side.

Good morning :)

Been up since sunrise.
Got some stuff done, enjoyed my tea and made out my grocery shopping list.
Might get some rain today, fingers crossed.

Hi LR2014 :)
LoL :D I really like your self talk about what would happen if you tossed that stuff.
Very happy you went to visit with her. (((HUGS)))

Hi Barb :)
YEA!!! for taking the job! :D
Sounds like a great place to work.

Hi Diane :)
WAY TO GO!!! for all you accomplished! :D
Hi Nellie :)
Get Diane to relax more. Just make that sad doggy face, maybe whimper a little.
Get her to stop & take time to just "be in the moment", the here & now.
GOOD GIRL! :D

Time for me to put on my "go to town" dress, brush my hair and also make my bed.

Remember to find time for a little FUN today. :)

Hello all. I got up on roof early, finished placing all the roofing, still need to attach some. One side of pipe area is done, think I figured out the rest. I thought Nellie was coming this afternoon, but at 9am her dad arrived, and hollered up to me on roof. I was sooooooo happy to see her, gave her a big hug and visited with her for 15 minutes then back up on roof to get as much done as I could, at about noon, I quit. Have been hanging out with her since. She is a low maintenance dog, so just sleeps next to me, and teaches me to sit still and relax. I cleaned all the black stuff off my legs and arms, with paint thinner, took a shower, washed and curled hair when I got off roof, and have been slow moving since. I think I can finish the roof soon.
It will continue to be hot following week, today is only cool day, low 80's today.
Plan to do dishes, laundry, clean sheets on bed, finish watering later. Feels so good to sit still and enjoy Nellie. Good to read your plans today

I had a job interview this afternoon. I start back to work on Monday. I'll be working for someone I know, like, and respect and have worked for in the past. It will be 29 hours a week, 5 days a week. Right now, without a regular daily schedule to stick to, I procrastinate and waste a lot of time. I'll continue to get as much done as I can this weekend. Then I'll need to continue to declutter around my new schedule. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Hi, everybody. A little behind in reading your posts. Plan to catch up today when I get the chance to take more breaks.

I went yesterday to go visit that relative I mentioned on chat Sunday night. She seems to be in about the same condition as she was when I went about two weeks ago. Might mention more details in chat. Glad to see her.

Today I have been back at work on my back patio storage clean-out project. I got rid of two more boxes of papers this morning that I had stored in there. (I think it was two, anyway . . . I'm losing count.) I did other clean-out work there as well. I'll do more this afternoon after I go buy more cleaning supplies and after I do laundry.

I was waffling just a tiny bit a day or so ago about trashing one particular box of papers. I tried some self-talk: "The rest of your life is going to be totally ruined because you got rid of this box. Not only that, but the whole world will come to an end!" Acknowledging that both of those statements were totally ridiculous made it much easier for me to stop waffling and go trash the stuff. (Yea!)

Have a great Friday.

Good morning, all.
Yesterday i was having a really hard time staying focused and on task. Fortunately, Karl, Vi, Rj and others were on the Online Support Group. The 15 minute blocks with short breaks help so much! Thank you, friends for keeping me going. I got a lot accomplished.
Today I need to: clean out my refrigerator, do another load of laundry, put away the laundry I washed and dried yesterday, do the dishes including pet dishes and whatever got emptied from the refrigerator, vacuum, clean up the dog yard and the cat box.
Have a great day everyone.

Wow Tillie, you were a busy bee today. Congrats for getting all the cleaning done today, you must feel really good today!
I did water outside for awhile, now just sitting here, trying to talk myself into finishing the roof. Good thing I read your post tillie, when I am tired I do get injured, and work best in morning. So will just finish filling garbage cart tonight, and take it to the curb. Nellie dog is coming tomorrow for a week, so have to get all the roofing stuff cleaned up so her dad doesn't faint when he brings her over. Not sure what time he is bringing her.
Will be so nice to have a pooch again.
The government certified registered letter came today finally, my hand was shaking as I signed for it. It was less distressing than I thought it was going to be.
I finally called and made an appointment with my new doctor, first opening is Oct. 17. (my doctor is moving to Seattle next week) If I would have called a month ago, would have an appointment already with new doctor. Procrastination sucks, at least I finally did call. I got another jury summons, I mailed it back saying that I would be working that week and that I served in past 24 months, so will be excused.
Also mailed two other things. Thank goodness people on here talk about doing paper work, otherwise out of sight out of mind.
Tat, happy I can help by being your friend, I am always happy to support you and anyone that is actually trying to improve their life like you are. Helps me keep trying reading your accomplishments. People who just write all of the reasons they can not do anything, are a pain. If we surround ourselves with people who keep trying, and have improving, as a priority, sure does help us keep trying.

Diane your friendship was a big help to me last night--thank you. I am amazed by your strength and ingenuity. I know what you mean re the men being unkind. I am convinced that it takes less energy to be kind or to smile than it takes to be a jerk. I have never found the way to suffer the fools gladly, I'm afraid, I too feel badly when someone chooses to be a jerk rather than kind.

Bitsy, I am so sorry about your son. I hope the surgery will improve his condition. I'm glad you are getting the cat boxes changed. I know the kitties will love you even more.

Tillie, thank you for your support. You inspire me to live a better life.

Thank you all. Will write more later.

hello. Worked on roof most of the day. Really need to water outside, no rain for days and all this heat.
I did something today that I have wanted to do for months. There is a tool shed in back where I go up on garage roof, it has tipped over the years, then when heavy rains last winter it really tilted, I keep thinking it will fall over on garage, it is only a foot away and on higher ground, that is washing away. So jacked it up and put blocks under it so it is almost level, still need to do back side. It was easier to use the jack than I thought, it is a heavy wood shed. I had never used jack for a heavy thing, so procrastinated for months, now that I see how easy it is, no problem. Plan to finish roof tonight. I did put some braces on wood on roof that looked like it was about to fall. This is the most difficult section of roof, lots of angles, pipes etc. so taking lots of time to do.

Glad to read about all your getting things done.
I really miss seeing Roxie's posts.

My son lay there for six days with nothing but antibiotics, pain meds, and ice chips. All the time getting more and more bloated. Finally last night at 7:30 they took him for surgery and he got back to his room from recovery about 1:15 a.m. another long night at the hospital.
He felt a lot better afterwards but the surgery was more complicated than anticipated.
We will know more later today but probably 4 more days before he even comes home.
I am having trouble just getting myself together, back and forth to the hospital and up to his room. After I take a nap I plan to see if one of my grandkids will go to the store for me. I need kitty litter and a few other things. Then I will try to change the kitty litter and get it out to the trash. Trying to think about getting a company to help at the other house not happening for now.

Tat, I am so happy you posted what you did with the boxes, I have never been a box collector until recently, kept boxes that pressure washer, shop vac, freezer box, and dremel box, just in case they break and I need to return. I am sure I can get rid of them after reading your post, all I really need is receipt I suppose. Also want to thank you for posting about your feelings. I have felt bad since those two guys were here yesterday and had comments about my rotten roof. Really feel alone and sad and a bit overwhelmed. We will both feel better tomorrow probably.
I kept attempting to go back up on roof, but goop and felt are both black and the heat just is too much. It was only 88 today, but still too hot for me in direct sun. Still 87 at 5:34. Really want to glue, nail down the felt tonight so can do rest of roof since wind is picking up.
I started overeating because I was anxious, and not able to deal with heat, once I realized it, I said, what could you do even with heat? I have wanted to set 2 mouse traps for over a week, since your rat tillie. So I put peanut butter on and set one in garage and one in freezer room, no droppings, just do not want a surprise attack. While I was setting traps I got little spiders in my top, they had dinner on my belly and top guessed it------------- top in washing machine now. Put dishes in dish pan, will wash when done here. I feel so much better after reading your post Tat, such a loving post, and obvious you need to be as loving to yourself as you were to us. Hugs to you.

Hello everyone, I've been missing you all. Diane, I am continually impressed by your hard work and dedication. You are so brave! And industrious! I am so sorry about your injury--sounds so painful! I swear I am having sympathy pains! LR, good for you to work on such a tough, and dusty, project. Proper gear is a must. I know that sometimes I don't get started on something because I don't have the proper equipment--congratulations on getting out there and just doing. Based on my own projects, finding that I've been hoarding empty boxes ends up being a Godsend. Means I can just out them in the recycle bin! When cleaning out my kitchen cabinets, I came across scores of little boxes, some with only one or two items in them, others were completely empty. Jewelry boxes, gold foil boxes, Christmas boxes, old Lord and Taylor boxes, etc. I got rid of them all. Hard, but I don't believe I'm missing them. Tillie, so sorry about your continued problems with hoarder's stubbornness. Please take care of yourself--sorry about the fever and other health problems.

As for me, I am a little blue because someone is disappointing me and I fear I'll feel worse if I speak up.

About to mop the kitchen floor. It is filthy, hasn't been mopped in oh so long. All the counters are clean and clear, did not churn even one thing in kitchen. It either found a home or it left home to find its own way in the world. Bedroom just needs a quick dusting and vacuum. Library area is beautiful. Need to finish papers (oh how I hate them) and do living room. Feels good. I'm happy with myself.

Need to work in bathroom. Tub is a bit dirty. Going to soak in bleach before scrubbing. Kitty is asleep so no fear she'll get hurt or breath the fumes. Thank goodness for her. She is my little furry stress-reliever. Glad you had a little one sleeping with you, Tillie. They are so sweet.

Much love to you all. I will try not to be so sad.

Hi, thanks for the notes of encouragement LR and Tillie, glad you are feeling better.
Got up on roof early, very pleased with myself for cutting boards to fit 2 holes that I stepped through. Got all the cracks patched between boards, layed out and cut roofing felt. Have to spread the black jack goop on and put felt on it then nail it down, then can put roofing on., getting closer, just got too hot up there so came in for a smoothie and relaxation. Still have to figure out the logistics of the electric pipes, but will not stress about it until the rest of it is done. I got some good ideas this morning up there, so see I will be able to figure it out. Once the felt was layed out all flat and even, I saw my hard work paying off. I took off some metal crap connecting garage to walkway roofs. It was so ugly and a gutter that leaked, well as I was tugging a section came lose, I fell on my back and the metal hit me in the face, got a bloody nose and a cut under nose, and sore teeth. Big scare was my teeth, but not loose, thank goodness, just sore. It is cheaper to hire someone than get dental implants, is first thing that came to mind!!!

Good afternoon, everybody.

Tillie, I'm sorry you were sick yesterday. I "hear" what you are saying about the possible stress connection; stress often has that same effect on me. Glad you're taking it easy today. Hope you feel much, much better soon. FYI, Tillie, I realize I failed to add one thing to my "protective gear" yesterday: bug repellent. Don't usually have a mosquito issue in this particular location, so I didn't think about it until one of the little critters got me last night. So today, I'll remember to "don" the bug spray along with all the other stuff.

diane, I'm sorry that that guy wasn't willing to take the roofing job. I hope you find someone who will. I don't know much about metal roofs, either, except that (as Tillie or someone said) they certainly seem to last. Scary about the wasps. Glad you're OK. FYI, yesterday, when I was working on my storage room project (see below), I ran across one possible "toss" item that I started waffling about. It was still in decent condition, but it was outdated. I thought about your comments about tossing things "just for practice," and that helped me make up my mind to get rid of it. Thanks!

As I was telling people on the chat last night, I've spent time the last two days trying to clear things out of a small storage room that is on my back patio so some work can be done in that little room. Much of what I had stored there has been there for years, and I'm trying to get rid of as much of it as I can. I managed to dump several boxes of . . . empty boxes! That alone got rid of a lot of bulk. Some of the other boxes are full of no-longer-needed papers that I can now either toss or shred. Have one decent-sized shred pile started. The process of going through these things is boring and unpleasant (hot out there, also dusty), but I'll feel good when it's done.

Hope everyone has a good day. Thinking about you, Roxie, wherever you are. Hugs.

Hi Diane :)
Good luck with finding a handyman who is willing to help you get that roof on.
Fortunately for me the men I got to fix the septic system were willing to work here even with things being outdated, run down and clutter all piled up around the edges of the areas where they needed to work.
Hate, hate, hate those wasps!
Problem I have with regular bug spray is that it doesn't kill them fast enough and they will still fly at me trying to take revenge on me for spraying them.
From what I can make out from the weather satellite pictures, the cooling rain here is coming from the south/west.
You need a storm system coming from the north/west. Hoping you get one soon.
WAY TO GO! getting the daily tidying up tasks done. :D

For some unknown reason yesterday about noon I got really sick & even had a fever.
Laid down on the couch and Marty (the cat) snuggled on top of me. We slept for three hours.
Felt terrible the rest of the night but woke up this morning feeling fine but a bit weak.
Planning to forget about doing anything like cleaning around here today.
Think a lot of that had to do with extreme stress from trying to get him to do what he has to do to get this rat situation under control.
If I was strong enough to move that stuff I would but it's too big and heavy for me to manage.
TTYL :D

Tillie, I am so envious of your cool weather, 90 again today. I was up on roof and did get the osp 4x8 up on the roof and in place. It was so heavy and awkward to lift up on roof. I finally called a guy I know who had a guy working for him this week they both came over, I was planning to hire the helper. Well he said the wires from the electric pole were too low to roof and roof was dangerous to walk on so did not want to help me. I was bummed, but that is exactly why I do things myself. I have been told so many times that this old place is too difficult to work on because of how crooked everything is, how unstable blah blah blah. I tried to go back up but still too hot, and still bummed that it is so difficult to figure out how to do edges and round the electrical. I will do what I can, on roof, and what is left, will just tarp until I can find a handyman willing to do crap work.
I unrolled the roof felt to make sure all is well, there was a wasp nest and I was swarmed, couldnt find wasp spray so used another bug spray, seem to be hiding from me now.
Did I already post all of this? Sorry, just been going around in my mind all day. I had a wet towel on shoulders all day, just so damn hot here day after day. Lots of cold water. Good thing, since guys were coming over, I did dishes, cleaned clutter up on counters.
I am exhausted and frustrated, this too shall pass. I just want it to cool down so I can finish the dumb roof.

I got the boards home in a friends pickup, she talked me into getting expensive metal instead of roll roofing, so we got it all home, 94 degrees, I really got exhusted in heat, got metal up on roof, decided to paint wood underside before I put it up, just to preserve it a little more. Never worked with metal before so will have to read up and maybe have a guy put it on if it is too difficult. Worked on cleaning up more of the mess out there. Had a nice long visit with her, an honest conversation about some things that ended our friendship for quite a few months. Feel good about that (she is my hoarder friend). A neighbor was to come over at 6pm to give me roofing advice, but I am worn out from the heat so think I will call him and cancel.

diane, I'm glad you found those keys and that the RV started right away. Nice.

Tillie: I hope you do have fun today once you finish your general cleaning. As usual, I've forgotten to even think about putting fun into my day. I'll have to chew on that.

I made some progress this morning on my "dejunking" project that I wrote about earlier, but the progress has not been as fast as I'd hoped. (Sometimes things go more quickly than I think they will, but sometimes . . . like today . . . it's the other way around.) I felt a need to take extra caution with this work this morning in terms of gloves, dust masks, and so forth because of the type of stuff I'm sorting through and because of where it has been stored. That has slowed down the process a bit. I figure it's better to be safe and stay healthy, though (even if it means working a bit more slowly), so I'm OK with the slower-than-planned pace.

Glad to "see" those who got to come to the chat last night (especially those who joined us who are new).

Have a great day, everybody.

Good morning :)

Cool & overcast here.
Had a gentle rain during the night so I won't be watering as planned.
Need to do some general cleaning. Bathroom, sweeping, vacuuming, dusting.
Very depressed that he is not doing what needs to be done to keep the pack rats away from the house.
Anyways....
After I tidy up my No Clutter Zones I will find something fun to do.
When he gets home I will start pushing him again. I will not back down till this is done. :D

Thanks Tillie, I sat and quieted my mind and went directly to RV keys in a wooden box on shelf, odd place to put them. Started RV on first try, it is an amazing old RV, last used exactly 1 year ago, service receipt was in there from a year ago. 4x8 will not fit in there, darn. Some one stole the rack off the back or I could have put on that. Got up at 5am to get stuff done while cool, where did the time go. already 9am. I looked online at boards I need, very reasonably priced. Now have to find a pickup. thought of going and buying what I need and see if magically I will find a pickup man at the store, or just have purchase by door then find a pickup to just pick it up, so don't waste their time while I shop. Good you told me it is a priority or I would just leave tarp on it, cause this is difficult to do for me. I will check in with you LR.

I have a busy dejunking morning ahead (or at least that is my plan so far). Some of it will involve going outside and sorting some things on my back patio. I'm trying to get as much done as I can before things get hot. I plan to be in the chat room off and on this morning when I take breaks, starting at 6:30am Pacific Time. Have a great day, everyone. Hugs.

Well yesterday was hot but I took all the roofing off one section over the freezer room, I also removed all the crap board that had gotten wet and soggy and fallen through when I stepped on it. I covered the area with a tarp before storm rolled in, late afternoon. Today I got all the boards up there, got the tar paper and roofing on dollies, then just crashed energy wise. So I went out and watered all thirsty growing things. Really want to place the boards today so I can see what fits and what needs to be cut to fit, very crooked situation., at least the roofing won't be wavy once I get it on. I am debating if I should clean the area under the roof where stuff fell through, I swept chunks, want to take vacuum up and clean it more, when is good enough good enough? Indecision is exhausting.
Still have a sink full of dishes that must be done before chat, and after place boards really need a shower, that sounds good, it is dirty work. Guess I could take a shower and wait until tomorrow to continue up there. Hey, Sunday is a day of rest.

Happy Sunday morning.

Diane, congrats on finding alternatives to going to those sales! I like your wise comment about how life goes in cycles. Sometimes we may be able to get rid of lots of things, and sometimes there might be a lull. Sounds like you are keeping your goals in mind. You are moving forward. You continue to impress me tremendously (and inspire me) with all your progress! Sorry about the heat.

Vi, I'm so glad you are able to be back on here with us. I knew you'd be back once you got computer stuff set up again, but I certainly missed you in the meantime.

Barb, I would love to have seen a video of the moment when Frank Kitty finally returned. Great that you have so many livable areas that are in the maintenance phase. Looking forward to hearing more as things unfold regarding the repair and installation work.

Roxie, thinking about you! Lots of hugs.

Daisy: Looking forward to hearing how things end up going with whatever cleanup company you may end up choosing.

Tillie, your guidelines you have set for yourself about what and how much you decide to acquire and keep sound wonderful. Thanks for the examples you set for us and all your encouragement.

Me: I had a frustrating day yesterday. It was supposed to be (and it was) an unseasonably cool day here. I had plans to use it to get a lot of things done (details now aren't important) at various locations where I need to work. I ended up feeling under the weather (no pun intended) in the morning yesterday and just didn't feel "up to" any of it. I did get some things done at home (with the help of those on chat), but at a slow pace (and with a mid-day nap). For those who were able to be there on chat: thank you for your encouragement.

I got lots of sleep last night and feel much better today. I can't say that I got tons done today, but I did make some progress in one bedroom and got my to-shred bag taken to my first-Saturday-of-the-month shredding location. I also had a productive "decision-making" time with a sibling (regarding inherited stuff) that I'll probably talk about at the Sunday night chat. That felt good.

Going to try to get back to sleep soon. Hi and hugs to everybody.

Good evening, everybody.

Bitsy, I hope that by now your son is much improved. I hope you've been able to get some rest. Many hugs to you.

Karl, I'm glad your Internet is finally back up! I hope all of your weekend plans go well.

Tatoulia, I think you are displaying a lot of great attitudes about your stuff. On the one hand, you are keeping your goals in mind. Sounds like you are finding plenty of things that you are ready and willing to get rid of. In my opinion, you're right: no point in fretting over one six-square-inch item. Reminds me of something I was dealing with today. On the first Saturday of the month, there is a place near me that will shred a lot of stuff at a fairly low price. I went through a couple of boxes at the "last minute" this morning, trying to find more things I could throw into the shred pile. (Eliminated most of the contents of two boxes pretty quickly in the process. Yea!) One thing I ran across was a ticket stub to a Peter, Paul, and Mary concert I had the chance to go to. Would my life have come to an end if I'd gotten rid of that stub? Of course not. But it was "cool," and it's no bigger than a business card. I decided that it was a keeper.

I'll post more in a few minutes.

Thank you for the support, Tillie. I moved on to a different project--although I cleared out my kitchen cabinets and the counters, I still hadn't dealt with the lower cabinet (pots and pans) and was able to clear out two bags of extra cake and pie pans. Unbelievable little collection I'd gathered. That gave me room to put the crock pot away and it gave a home to my iron and clothes steamer.

I had a juice before starting that project. I then went to my brother's where I helped with his laundry and we ate a late lunch/early dinner. So thank you for the advice to move on and eat well.

As to the item causing me anxiety, it takes up six square inches of my life. It's staying. I've gotten rid of so many things lately and on the whole have been able to do without too much upset. If this little trinket is upsetting me, then I'll keep it for now.

I am using my silver, vintage dishes and beautiful crystal glasses and am pleased as punch. Thank you everyone for being there for me.

Karl, congratulations on your success today!

And Tillie, you are wonderful. Keep up the good work, everyone!!!

Feeling extreme anxiety. Started to dust and clean library area and realized I need to get rid if more stuff in order to keep what I want to keep. Made another bag of stuff but going back and forth on some other stuff. Might need to move on to something else but I feel very anxious I need my desire to live in a beautiful place to be stronger than my need to keep stuff.

Hello everyone! Glad to hear about everyone's progress. Sorry to hear of health problems -- I hope your son is doing better, Bitsy. I'm sure this is a scary and anxiety-filled time for you. Good work, Diane! On the progress on the freezer room, on not going to garage sales, etc. keep strong Tillie. And to everyone else, I wish you a wonderful, peaceful day. I did no work on house yesterday but on Wednesday I cleared off dresser completely, and washed all laundry that was piled up on it. Dresser looks really pretty. Now all I have to do is dust the other furniture and vacuum, and my bedroom is done. No clutter, no piles of books. (I had worked on bedroom and kept it up --except for dresser--about nine months before finding this group)

Hope LR and Vio and Karl are doing well. Glad to be part of your group--thank you for your support and inspiration. I hope I haven't left anyone out--unintentional. You are all important to me!

Thanks for your post Tillie, sounds like you know the best place to put the trap, wish you luck catching that critter. Your post made me think I should set some new mouse traps, could head inside when have thunder storms.
As I was peeling off the foam from my fingers today, skin went with it, just didn't want to use paint thinner, now can't with skin breaks, silly. So now I have bag balm and gloves on, good excuse to not do dishes. Ok, can wear rubber gloves.
Just no energy today, doing without sugar is a good plan for me, first day is hard, then after a day of chicken and vegetables, don't crave sugar, tomorrow will be better.
Today I got on craigs list and wrote addresses of garage sales around here. I all of a sudden had big urge to go, instead got on here and wrote previous post. Walked down to get mail, registered letter not there yet. By then, the urgency to shop was much less, stayed home all day, which was way better than shopping, since I still have too much crap. I did fill one grocery bag with things to toss, just because I need the practice, it felt liberating to toss a few things that could be donated. Also worked on donation bag. The difficult thing is I have reasons for much of stuff. I will just keep on keeping on.
I know life goes in cycles, and soon I will be eager to fill my trunk and donate. Actually I did fill a box with art and books yesterday that can be put in trunk. I threw an old vacuum that I had duct tape on hose, really old and did not shut off , had to plug and unplug to start stop. Still 92 degrees just so dang miserable, if I lived in the South I would expect heat, but not in Oregon for this many days in a row.

Hello Everybody :D

Been busy today doing stuff and visiting with my neighbor.

Hi Karl :)
Good luck getting in for your DL.
You will be missed in chat. :)

Hi Bitsy :)
Sorry to hear this :(
Wishing your son a speedy recovery (((HUGS)))

Hi Violet :)
WAY TO GO!!! :D
Fantastic job you are doing there!
Happy you are "back" here with us. :)

Hi Diane :)
Sorry Max won't be there. :(
Guess ice cream should only be in the freezer once in a while. I snack too when I am sleepy/tired and tend to grab the easy junk foods.
Happy the leaks are not in the garage & freezer room! :D
Saw new evidence of recent pack rat activity this morning, so this is not over with yet.
He placed the trap right where the first rat died and I think the other rat could smell death and that's why it didn't take the bait.
Told him he has to move the trap to a different location, the under the house crawl space entrance out back.

I have the evening all to myself tonight.
He is off working security at the rodeo tonight and tomorrow night.
Looking forward to the peace & quiet. :D

Missing all you who haven't posted lately.
Appreciate all you who have been posting.

Was wondering how the move went Vi, happy to hear new place is organized, way to go.
Tillie, that was one big boy in the trap, sure hope you are done with all pack rats!!!! (SS too)
This morning at 2:30am the thunder, lightning and heavy downpour woke me up. Started fretting about leaks so got up and checked everywhere, no leaks in freezer room or garage that I could see. My make shift roof over big deck was pretty entertaining. The leak between the trailer and add on big bedroom has started filling container I have in there, so will have to rethink roof patch in that area of roof. Weather man did not warn me of rain, so was surprised, finally got to sleep at 4:30-6:30. Decided to be nice to myself and just work in yard this morning, cut off all dead raspberry vines, cut start up trees with rotten leaves, pulled some weeds. Boss called and we talked for over 1/2 hour. Max is not coming now. Husband had an ER visit and hospital admission similar to your son bitsy, so will not be able to go on trip with her, so Max will stay with dad.
It was good to just sit and listen and be supportive, she has been so good to me.
Then organized some stuff, just so tired not sure how much I will get done today.
Tillie the continuous heat is not what we signed up for this summer. Hope you get rain, it really was nice even though it was in middle of the night.
Yesterday I overate, overate and overate. Big mistake I went to grocery outlet and bought some fruit and ice cream. When I have ice cream here, that is all I want to eat. Whats left is in freezer in freezer room, if it was inside, I would have already started on it. Sugar is so addictive to me. All the good food I have, and I just want ice cream. When I don't get enough sleep I seem to be anxious and think food will calm my nerves and medicate me, which it does for a short time, then remorse sets in, and here I am fogged over.
I sure appreciate this message board.
Roxie-----------you ok?

Bitsy, I really hope your son will be okay, I know how important you are to each other.

Hullo Everyone! and Hullo Tatoulia! I'm sorry I've been gone for so long, but I am back.
took me until yesterday to get my computer set back up after the move, mostly because I refused to touch my computer until after I had everything else unpacked and put in the right place. We only brought a third of our furniture, so many things are sorted and boxed still because I don't have places for them yet. Storage boxes and shelves are in the plan however, but they will have to wait until the more important furniture has been purchased
atm, I have all the rooms in the apartment clean and mostly organised, and have been working to keep them that way. Mister has been very supportive of my new habits, even if he grumbles that I am nearly constantly vacuuming. He did get me a brand new garbage can with pretty smelling trash bags, and a brand new swiffer wet jet which is great because most of the floors in the house are hardwood laminate of some sort. He's also been taking out the trash for me, which is super awesome, considering we pretty much have to take out the trash immediately or things get gross quick. Having a dishwasher is definitely a boon. It's so great to be able to stick the dishes in the dishwasher and then walk away for the day. I do still handwash things if the dishwasher is full and cleaning, or for the few things I have that can't be put in the dw. I'm trying to make sure that every day I have the laundry and dishes clean, and then I take care of unpacking and putting the rest of everything away
today I'm cleaning our bedroom and our bathroom. I'm also in the chat room all day if anyone wants to talk.

I'm glad most of you are still here and I can't wait to see you all on Sunday! I hope I get to see some of you before then :)

Drove my son to ER last nite. He had severe abdominal pain. We were in ER from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. They finally gave him something for pain and admitted him to the hospital. He has diverticulitis and they don't know yet if he will have to have surgery. I am so tired and worn out. He was my legs and I was his wheels. I will have to get back up there somehow this afternoon.