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.

how to get rid of pack rats

This is the best online article about these rats that I have found. Very interesting reading.
Eventhough it is written for Arizona residents the information applies to Nevada too except that here the pack rats eat different native plants.
I never use poison for rodents because I always worry about poisoning other creatures, always snap traps or humane traps for rodents.
The rat here was almost 20 inches from his nose to the end of his tail. Very healthy looking young male.
He would not have fit in my humane mouse trap.

LOL :D
I picture a dumpster with a spring loaded lid that snaps down. ;D

Yes, the never ending heat and high humidity day after endless day is really wearing us down.
Just wish all those rain clouds would bless me with a nice cleansing rain instead of just flying over me.

I hope there is only one pack rat (the one in trap), actually Steven is a pack rat, are there traps that big?
Never had this many days in a row of over 90 degrees. It is still over 90 at 6:30pm. Enough already, but forecast is for high 90's.

Hi :)

Thank you Tatoulia (((hugs)))

Thank you Diane (((hugs)))
YES! that foam insulation is amazing the way it GROWS & GROWS!
Good luck & best wishes getting it off your hands and dealing with the Government Man.

Thank you LR2014 (((hugs)))
WAY TO GO! scheduling in FUN! :D


Hope everybody is having a GREAT last day of July day.
A rat took the bait & is now deceased in the snap trap waiting for Mr Hoarder to come home and deal with it.
He needs disposable gloves and a biohazard baggie and then to spray the area with undiluted bleach.
He does have those red biohazard plastic bags and disposable gloves.
He also already had the big rat snap traps.
He has some of almost everything. :(
As far as me moving all the stuff away from the house walls, it is mostly all very big and heavy stuff with some lighter stuff mixed in.
I refuse to touch any of it because it is all full of big ugly nasty spiders. The kind of spiders you never want to tangle with, ever.
He needs to deal with it himself since he is a hoarder who does not want to change and anybody else touching his "stuff" would make him angry.
I am planning to use "peer pressure" to motivate him. The neighbors know, I told them. :D

Tillie, I missed you yesterday and feared you were ill, but add in the rats----double trouble. What are your options? Since it is truly a health hazard, could you hire someone to move all his crap if he does not move it tonight? Are you feeling well enough to do some of it yourself? I am so sorry to hear you are so stressed. I had a fantacy you were on a bus on ;your way up here to help me finish organizing, and driving your RV home so you would have a safe place. You are in my prayers daily, so much gratitude for all you do to help us.
The heat is really getting to me, yesterday was a lost cause after I spoke with the government man on phone, just sat and stared. I will receive a registered letter soon, and find out the $$ damage, just have to let it go and deal with it when letter comes.
This morning I woke up at 5am and decided to stay up so I could get watering done and the foam filler done before too hot. Was nervous and excited to use foam, had my gloves and everything ready to go. Shook foam for 1 minute then started to use it, well forgot to put gloves on and my hands are basically foam hands now. I have peeled some off but have to use paint thinner on some, really don't like nasty stuff on my hands, and gloves were right there. I made a royal mess out of the foam, did not realize it continued to expand for as long as it does, oh my, what a mess I made.
time flew by and by 11 was tired and hungry so here I sit with my smoothie reading about rats
!! I have been called a rat many times, but to think of real pack rats on your property must be so frightening.
RV is sitting here waiting for you, actually I should go start it and make sure all is ok before you get here!! Hugs to you Tillie

Good morning, everybody. Good to read your posts; I found a lot of good food for thought in so many of them.

Tillie, I'm so sorry to hear about this latest "discovery." I don't know anything about those critters, but obviously you do. You deserve a better situation than this. As for those physical problems, I hope you are feeling much, much better soon.

I spent most of my work time yesterday on one important paperwork project that needs to be finished (by today, if possible). I also got some laundry washed and did a tiny bit of cooking. Today I need to finish and deliver that paperwork project. I also plan to add to my gratitude list. I might or might not get much cleaning/decluttering done, depending on how long it takes me to finish my project.

Tillie, fun is already on my schedule. My out-of-state friends that I mentioned on chat earlier in the week are planning to be in town this evening. I am scheduled to get together with them and their kids for dinner tonight at a yummy nearby restaurant. Definitely something fun!

Hugs to everyone (and special hugs to you this morning, Tillie)!

Stay strong, Tillie. You are right, he is not. Stay strong. This must be very difficult.

Hi Everybody :)

Was quite sick for a while. Think it was an allergic reaction to the wildfire smoke and heat exhaustion.
Much better today :)
Also, I am very upset & on a rampage.
Been begging him for years to get all that "stuff" he has piled up against the house on the carport side and back yard side moved away from the house.
Well, now we have an infestation of DESERT PACK RATS living under the house! :(
I am NOT happy :(
He of course is reacting in his usual surly, angry with me, nasty, slamming doors way
and I am fighting right back.
When I informed him of this serious matter I used a calm, steady, not accusing tone of voice. Just stated the facts. He is the one who chose to make this ugly.
I will NOT back down.
These rats can do a LOT of damage, carry disease & fleas plus burrowing rodents in the High Sierra are known to carry Bubonic plague and the rule here is to keep away from them and their nesting areas.

Please wish me luck. (((HUGS)))

Quick note to say goodnight. I hope Tillie and Roxie are in good health. Hope everyone is well and keep up the good work! We are all in the right path!

Hi Ladies,
Tat so happy you are staying focused, that is still hard for me. You inspire me with your enthusiasm.
I will call the little room next to the garage, that is tacky but well insulated, "the freezer room" from now on. Went out to freezer room first thing, and all is frozen and happy in new freezer. Tillie you were so right, puts out enough heat to keep that room warmer than I thought. Could feel it when I opened door, gave me confidence pipes won't freeze out there this winter
So I shook the foam up yesterday to fill the cracks, holes etc. Then recleaned all areas, then could not find the foam. after looking for 15 minutes, decided to go costco, thinking I would find it on my return, nope. Truth is, I have never used the spray foam before, know it expands and hardens, and I am terrified to make a mistake, have it clog too soon, while trying to figure out next place to use it.
Realized, first time I do anything, I am anxious and fearful, so just procrastinate, thinking I will be more sure of myself when I gather more information. Well I have gathered information, time to act, maybe just needed to tell you that is why many things do not get done promptly, afraid to try.
Ok, there you have it. It did not cool down enough last night so had ac on first thing this morning, really have trouble with so many days in high 90's.
Hooray for smoothies, I ran out of supplies so used some chocolate protein drinks I bought months ago, and did not like, but so expensive kept, so used those, not enjoyable, will throw in garbage today. Cart is already pretty full, found lots to toss already.
I spent a couple hours in the freezer room putting up a paper towel holder, cleaning out 2 bins of stuff I had not gone through, rearranging shelves, and figuring out what I want in cupboards out there. I am so blessed to have dehoarded that room as far as I have so I can access everything, and just need to finsh labeling cabinets, shelves, so know where things are, I am making progress.
I have ac on in big bedroom that qualifies as hoarders paradise, piles everywhere, plan to do some major work in there after my current and only break so far today, I just realized, and have a smoothie first, then use timer to make it tolerable to work in there. So grateful for all of my fellow hoarders and Tillie.

Working from home today. Finding time to take breaks. Folding and sorting pile of clothes on dresser. Thanks to the inspiration I receive from all of you, have been able to put my mother's mink pillbox hat in the donation pile. I have fond memories of her wearing it and I wore it at Christmastime once. Now, it's time to let it go. It's received a lot of love from my family; time to move on.

Glad to hear of everyone's progress. Very impressed! Love reading your posts, love hearing about the different animals and pets and birds and wildlife.

Take care, and thank you. You really keep me going. I am focused and I feel terrific. And even when I feel bad, I take comfort in having friends here.

Yea for the loaded freezer, diane! Whoo-hoo!

Hi, everybody! I've been reading your posts, although I haven't posted much myself lately. I haven't been doing a great deal of decluttering the past few days, but I have made some good progress on some paperwork. That has felt good. I have joined in on the buddy-system chat/challenges the last couple of days and have gotten some things done through that.

Looking forward to reading more of everybody's updates! Hugs!

Hi all
Today I went to Costco and bought bags of frozen fruit and vegetables, as well as protein. Was fun to put in my new freezer.
It was 98 yesterday and 97 degrees today. Anything over 80 is too hot for me, so not so great today. Did have thunderstorm, but only a few drops of rain. Lightning did start more fires.
I found out yesterday that I owe a lump of money to goverment, not fun, but grateful I have the money to pay them. Got tarp out to put rotten roof in as I toss it off roof. Too hot so far, and chance of rain daily.
Tomorrow I will stay home all, with ac on, should be able to get some work done in here. Did clean toilet inside and outside and floor this morning. All the fires around here coated everything with smoke dust, as i clean I can see how much has landed on everything in a short time since last cleaned/dusted.

Hi all,
I didn't get much done today except go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned, stock up at the grocery store, and get gas. It rained again this afternoon, so I wasn't able to do anything outside.
Tillie: yes, Frank came home yesterday. He was so happy running around the house, playing in a paper sack and jumping out to surprise the dogs. I think he found the boarding place too confining and boring. The dogs were glad to see him, too and didn't mind his ambushes. They missed him.
I love hearing about your quail. At our old house, there was a huge evergreen in the yard behind ours. At dusk, many bats would fly out and catch moths and mosquitos that were attracted to the street lights. I would sit on the back porch and watch their silent ballet.
Daisy: the money you will spend getting your house cleaned up is an investment, both in the home and in your way of life. If you need to take out a loan and can pay it back on a schedule that will work for you, I say "go for it." I wish you all the best as you move forward.

Hi Daisy :)
Yes, that figure sounds right to me.
It all depends on the size of the home, how much stuff is needing to be removed and what the stuff consists of.
I do not know anything about the company you named so I can't comment on them.
But I do know that 5,000.00 for two days of professional clean out is a very good rate.

Good Luck and best wishes :)

called to have a company come help me.... Originally quoted me almost $11,000 to come for 4 days. I was able to arrange for them to come for 2 days and it will be $5,000. This is still way beyond what I can afford. Are these figures accurate? Has anyone had experience with these companies that are listed on the site? The one I called is Address Our Mess. Is it really worth the money? I am considering taking out a loan if it is. Thank you all for input.

Good to read your posts. All dishes are done finally, and put away, sinks have been scrubbed and sanitized. Counters mostly clean. Laundry caught up. cleaned up the stuff from painting.
It is too hot out, I can relate Tillie.
Ranner will go home at 5pm, will miss having him here. Then plan to spray ants with ant killer (outside only)
Plan to clean floors after he is gone, tonight or tomorrow am.
Still have not gone to store, will plan on going first thing tomorrow.
Plan to pay bills after this message.
Looked on pintrest for an hour for my fun today.
Looking at creative things people come up with brings me joy.
Speaking of----this morning I got out the tar paper, roll roofing, boards for repairing the roof that I stepped through. I saw the positive in hoarding--all supplies are here that I need to fix roof, and the positive of organizing, all were in the same place.
Tillie, yes I do plan to work in hoard rooms this week. I really want things where I can find them, and the ability to walk on floors in those rooms so I can get to items! Thanks for chat, great so many people are working on our hoarding issues.

Thanks Tillie for always being here for us all, and yes the fog will clear soon.

HI Everybody! :)

Been up & busy since the roosters were still crowing about the sunrise.
Just taking a lunch break now.
Did some reading about what may be causing my "brain fog" and it seems to be from withdrawl from all the sugar I usually consume but have been trying to be good about it lately.
So, this too shall pass, some day. :)

Wonderful to read all your posts! :D
It is hot, muggy/humid and overcast here today. Makes it hard to get motivated to do much of anything.

Oh well, I better get back to doing stuff around here.

TTYL :)

Hello everyone, took a vacation day today and went to a swearing in ceremony and am now waiting for my BF at a restaurant. Congratulations Barb on your cleaning and maintenance! What a terrific feeling this must be for you, and an inspiration and an aspiration for many of us!

I will work some more in kitchen tonight. I don't have much trash in house, just stuff, stuff, stuff. I take care of someone who is very sick and he was a trash hoarder. I cleaned out his place in a six week period, just taking out bags and bags of trash. Nothing salvageable. After working for almost three years, I had secured him new housing. He moved on May 19th. It took me six weeks, every night and both weekend days to throw out his apartment leading up to the move. Trash, flooding, wet clothes, smelly stuff, crumbs, rotten food, pizza boxes.... It was disgusting. I'm pleased to say he has kept up with the trash at the new place and is doing his laundry and dishes now. Now that I don't have his old apt to look at, I can see the hoarder in myself.

Thank you everyone! Let me know how you are!

Good morning, all.
The kids are finishing up mowing. I am sure that they will argue with me for not paying as much today, but they used my mower and my gas and did not trim or sweep afterward. I don't think I am being stingy. They may not want to mow again, but fair is fair.
I slept in a bit this morning. I got to the bank, but haven't been out to get Frank Kitty yet. The dogs and I miss him. Little Cranky Franky adds excitement to our lives.
We are going to have highs in the 70s all week. That means I need to take advantage of the cooler weather and get some work done outside. I have weeding and trimming and painting to do. The garden got neglected last week and little trees are trying to grow next to the foundation again. It would be perfect weather to clean out the garage, but I don't think I'm going to have time for that.
The first priority every day is to maintain the areas I have livable: the kitchen, entry, main bathroom, and part of the living room. The second priority is to continue to get areas ready for the plumber and floor installer.
The third priority is to work outside. Because I enjoy being outside much more than inside, especially when the weather is this nice, I will need to set a timer. Otherwise, I will just stay out there all day, neglecting to eat or get other things accomplished.
The kids are finished and I am signing off to go and get Frank.
Have a good day, everyone.

Just a quick note to say hello to everyone and to quickly answer Roxie's question....I am greatly supported by BF. He understands how overwhelmed I've been the last ten years taking care of very ill family member and my aging mother. He helps immensely with both of them and never criticizes my house. He has on a few occasions gotten on my case re mom's assisted living apt (she too loves her clutter) since she is now at the age where she falls a lot. Luckily my sister came down twice and cleaned out the clutter one day while mom was at lunch. Has made a huge difference. Now my sister is helping me with family ' treasures'. Feeling this support, although sporadic, (sister lives out of state) has been what has gotten the "bee in my bonnet" to finally admit I am a hoarder and to actively, for hours at a time, deal with it.

Right now have TWO kitchen counters clear AND clean, which is remarkable, since I mainly did fun stuff til 3 today and then took care of mom with some problems she was having.

Thank you all--I know we can do this! If I haven't acknowledged anyone specifically, it is my failing, not yours. I draw tremendous strength reading through all of your posts.

Sweet dreams-- praying for your sleep, Roxie.

Well, I browsed "stinking thinking" and saw lots of links. after all it is "the flavor of the day". positive thinking is a helpful tool. but NOT the only useful tool. I did find an interesting article.

Sorry this is so long but I keep trying to share ideas here and struggle with fear of finding any real help. because my thinking is so "all Wrong". maybe someone will read this and get some understanding from it .

Rethinking "Stinking Thinking"
From <http://counsellingresource.com/features/2012/02/01/stinking-thinking/>

"(odd how it's always easier to see others' negative thinking than our own)"

"In practice, CBT therapists run into a number of roadblocks. The first is that thoughts are now sorted into "good thoughts" and "bad thoughts." For a client struggling with low self-image, it may be an additional blow to be informed that he's infested with unworthy thoughts.

By providing a list of "bad" thoughts, Ellis also opens the door for a kind of mental rigidity in therapy. If a thought matches the definition of "stinking thinking" of one kind or another, then it is bad and false. However, as Joseph Heller once quipped, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you." There are cases when a thought will be both stinky and true..

Because stinking thinking sorts thoughts into good thoughts and bad thoughts, there is a risk that a therapist may use CBT to push an agenda other than the client's well-being..

Acceptance of all phenomena, both physical and mental, is one core concept in mindfulness-based therapy. So whether a thought is "stinky" or not, it's still a thought that needs to be noticed and accepted, not as true, or helpful, or useful, but simply as a real thought that's really happening right now. From a mindfulness perspective, what is resisted grows stronger, so resisting stinking thinking risks embedding those unhelpful thoughts more strongly in the mind..

By refusing to label a thought as good or bad, false or true, the client retains the ability to extract useful intuitions from even irrational, disturbing thoughts and emotions.

Yet like all tools, stinking thinking has both limitations and misuses. Mindfulness-based therapy offers a different viewpoint that illuminates the limitations and pitfalls of CBT and suggests new methods to move beyond them."

Not a lot has changed in the last 30 years since I worked as a "Psych Aide III" in a State Research Hospital (mental health institution). Behavior Therapy was popular then, too, but it was more Pavlovian back then (would you believe tokens and M and M's).

Hope you all enjoy chat tonite.

Hi everyone! Have been busy doing fun stuff today. Will try to join chat. In the meantime I hope everyone is well. I appreciate all of your support and encouragement! We can do this!

Hi Everybody :)

Been a bit scatter brained/in a fog the last few days.
Right now doing some of his laundry even though the rain clouds are gathering.
I don't really care if it rains on his laundry, it will eventually dry.
Got to sleep in this morning. Really needed to catch up on my sleep.
Looking forward to tonight's chat and catching up with you all. :D

TTYL :)

Good morning, everyone. Iced tea clinks, Roxie.

Been enjoying reading everybody's posts. Still having some physical issues of various sorts and haven't gotten a lot of cleaning or decluttering done the past few days. Spent much of yesterday out of town to go see a declining (and much-loved) older relative. Of all my "treasures," she's one of the best. (She has "our" issue, by the way.)

Plans for today include spending time with nearby family members, adding to my gratitude list, getting some exercise (walking), and doing several very small maintenance tasks. I will probably be at the chat, but I might show up later than usual.

Hugs.

Another day gone.
I spent most of the day online reading. I read every quote on the quote thread. I had to copy and save some of them. And I "had" to copy, save, and RE-FORMAT the Desiderata. Also I talked to myself and the computer and a book of short stories I am reading. and there was a box with "new" knock-down shelves in it, that was in the "living room", close to the "path". Shelves to get organized. Bought before some of the badder things happened. Never put together. Either one of the cats or my son has managed to tear the box open. I couldn't find the box tape so I made him buy more so he could tape the box back up...
3 steps back.
But
I did take most of my medicine including the generic Pravastatin horse-size pill.
I did pay the rest of this month's bills.
I did drive son to and from work, and around to do errands.
I did laugh out loud at least 3 times while reading and enjoyed some good music.
I may search my email in a few to see if my mathematician friend has sent anything.
I am feeling sleepy so maybe can sleep good tonite.
Tomorrow is another day.

Forgive me, Diane. Roxie has the helpful neighbor. I don't know where you live but many times big apt buildings or even office buildings have Jacks Of All Trades and they are generally interested in picking up some side work. The handyman at the building where I park my car has helped me with everything from fixing my dryer (he's a master electrician) to putting in a new side mirror on my car to moving an outlet in my bathroom. Just an idea.

Honestly Diane, nothing gets my blood boiling more than to get hit on when you're just trying to do business with the person. That angers me no end. We deserve better than this. Perhaps your helpful neighbor might know of a handyman.

Congratulations on your very hard work today. And thank you for being my friend. 19 years of junk here, and I'm getting it done. For the first time. Bless you all.

Hi Ladies,
Yes Tat, like everyone else, I am very impressed with all that you do daily and found time for loved ones.
Tillie thanks for suggestions.
Roxie, so happy you have your pills ready to take and have had two good days.
Today I worked on area I have been talking about. I scraped and sanded the wood. Had to say, it is old wood, never will look good, stop, clean up, fill the holes, then paint while still cool tomorrow morning.
That wall looks like crap now that steps look so good and shades are so nice and ugly umbrellas are no longer hiding that wall. It is the outside wall in entry way, that connects garage to insulated room. On other side of this wall is the freezer and hole in the cement floor that had broken pipes. When my friend brought over dog we looked at options. She and her deceased husband owned rentals and she helped with them, so she had some good insights. It is good enough now. Still debating whether to pressure wash before painting, then realized better to just finish it, maybe next year I will put real siding on it, so no sense trying to make it look better than I already have. It is old plywood they used as outside wall. Has many imperfections. Plan to paint in morning then work on cracked cement. I did email the guy that helped me with pipes last winter. He was interested in me romantically and does not want to help me since I was not interested in him. oh well
Plugged freezer in yesterday and it works great so now still need to go fill it up.
Yes Tillie I am lucky to have a grocery outlet in my town. They now have a bag of crumbled raspberries, blueberries and blackberries (2nds)
that is mostly raspberries, and makes the best smoothies. I had last smoothie today so may just go to that store and get more soymilk, instead of costco. We will see, if I paint tonight, could go first thing tomorrow and beat the heat
watered this morning
did 1/2 of dirty dishes, 2 loads laundry, hung out on line. I enjoyed my day, just didn't do as much as I would have liked. did not sleep well last night
Tonight, may do some painting, actually I worked most of the day starting at 6am, need to just relax, difficult when there is so much to do. In heat need to take breaks, drink cold water. I perhaps, ran on too long, thanks for being here with me in spirit

Roxie, congratulations on getting the medications sorted and congratulations on a few good days. I hope you continue to have good health. How nice of your neighbor to help with the yard. There really are wonderful people all around us. Hope all is going well, Diane. I don't quite understand your house/soil problems (I'm a city dweller) but I'm glad you are addressing them. Sending you positive thoughts and energy. Thank you all--I had a terrific day working on the kitchen and finding time to spend with my mother and my sweetheart. He is working today and tonight so I'm busily dealing with another cabinet and starting on another donation bag and another recycling bag. Decided to go through my juice glasses and am only keeping four out of a set of six. So good to find I can keep what I love, just not as much. Thank you all for helping me.

Roxie
you seem so amazing to me! thanks for posting

I am just trying to stay focused enough to pay a couple bills...

slainte! to y'all