Good morning, all.
It is raining here again today. That has been good for the gardens in this area. Sweet corn is ready to harvest. Raspberries are plump and juicy. With the abundance of fresh produce, I don't feel the need to cook meat.
I do hope we get a reprieve sometime this week. The lawn really needs mowing.
I wish I could send some of this rain to the southwest where it has been so dry.
Great chat session last night. It was good to hear from Millie again.
Tillie, I hope you were able to sleep last night and that the swelling in your toe has gone down and is less painful.
Only one loud firecracker went off last night at 10 and the critters and I were able to get restful sleep at last.
I have had my breakfast and coffee. I'll get some maintenance things done for an hour this morning---dishes, trash out, run the vacuum in the kitchen and main traffic areas, put away the laundry I did yesterday, and get another load ready to wash. Then I will shower and dress and go talk to my plumber. (I prefer face to face conversations to phone calls or email.)
If you have Home Advisor in your area, I would highly recommend it for checking references for contractors and handymen in your area. You do not have to pay a monthly fee and the comments are up to date.
Have a great day, everyone. I may check in this afternoon for a work session if I find myself procrastinating on the decluttering.




Ha

Legalistic is a good description LR of what we do to ourselves. Great you did 15 which could have been celebrated on its own, extra 5 met your goal, did it make you feel better and get the timer cops off your back?
Good plan Barb, nice to get a reliable plumber.
Roxie, that is a tough situation. Do you qualify for state assistance for a helper to come in and help you with tasks while recovering?
I watered some outdoor flowers and my delicious raspberries. This year they are doing really well, last 2 years, not very many berries. It feels like such a luxury to stand out there and eat fresh off vine. Today I started being critical of all the water I am using to water them, had to stop myself, and say I make up for not doing dishes or showers, good laugh. Hope put a smile on your face too.
Since we are expecting many hot days in a row, I worked all day on figuring out ways to make more shade on deck, now I really am looking like trailer trash, oops, look like a very creative person using things I already have to keep cool.
Almost seems like I wasted the time, but has to be ok. Thinking of LR posting we can never do all the potential projects we think we will do. As I hauled the shade stuff from storage shed to deck, I was reminded of the need to let some of it go. I am having trouble deciding, since days like today, I am glad I had all this stuff I took off fence months ago and found a use for it on deck. Went out to garage and tripped on stuff, still too much stuff, very apparent I still think in possible project mode. I get excited seeing some of my potential projects. If I would organize it so I could find it when actually need it, would make more sense. Now I am reminded of how much better things are and they will continue to improve. Got the indoor/outdoor carpet out of garage and plan to put it over deck I finished painting, will protect deck as well as hide parts that pressure washer ate. Speaking of eating, difficult to cook in the heat. Been drinking lots of cold water, really notice how much better I feel when I drink water. I put bottle in freezer for awhile, then it is nice and cold. I actually enjoy water now, used to drink diet soda, but like all my addictions, that is all I wanted to drink, so now rarely drink soda. This morning I filled some storage containers I washed yesterday, with rice and oats, more likely to use them when more accessible. Now am going to set timer and work on kitchen counters.

Good afternoon, everyone. The dogs and I are tired and grumpy after a week of nightly fireworks. Now that they are half price, we will have to endure at least another week.
I meant to mow today, but we had another thunderstorm which soaked everything. I'll need to wait until the grass dries out.
I got caught up on dishes and did a load of laundry.
This afternoon I am also crunching numbers to figure how much it is going to cost to have a plumber come in. A friend has given me the name of a good, reliable bonded plumber.
After paring down my champagne wish list to a more practical beer budget, here are the projects that need to be completed first:
1. Replace the toilet, plastic sink, and faucet in the guest bathroom. (The toilet began to leak over a year ago and I shut off the water. Plastic sinks are never really clean and you cannot use anything but Bar Keepers Friend and elbow grease on them.)
2. Replace the toilet, plastic sink, and faucet in the main bathroom.
The toilet is limping along but will give up any day now. Ditto on the sink.)
3. Replace the broken garbage disposal and faucet that sprays water out pinholes in the pot metal neck every time I turn it on. I paid a lot for this faucet a few years ago and will never buy Pfister again. Install a dishwasher. This will be my first dishwasher and I am excited about the possibility of finally having one after 40 years of living on my own without one.
I am not good at setting self-imposed deadlines and meeting them. There are no real consequences to procrastinating the time away. Talking to the plumber tomorrow and setting a date for him to come out will push me to get more cleaning and decluttering done. The kitchen is staying fairly clean, although I need to clear out the cabinet and drawer where the dishwasher will go. The bathrooms will need to be cleaned and the undersink cabinets cleaned out. I also need to keep the paths from the front door to those room clear.
These little improvements in my environment keep me going.

diane: Yea for clean dishes!! Yea for the "dishwasher"!!!!

Roxie: Glad to see your post that your blood pressure is improved. Many hugs to you as you recover.

Me: I eventually finished the goals I posted yesterday (some with the help of the wonderful people who came to the chat room yesterday).

One thing about myself that I at times find both amusing and frustrating is how legalistic I can be about some things, sometimes including the goals I set. For instance, yesterday I set a goal to do twenty minutes of paperwork (something that I really don't like to work on these days). Well, when I set my timer during the afternoon to actually work on it, I think I set the timer for just fifteen minutes. Later in the evening, when I went online to check my original posted goals, I saw that my goal had been twenty. (By this time, I was tired.) A lot of me wanted to just let the fifteen minutes count and be done with it. I suppose that would have been OK, but it "bugged me" that I'd posted twenty. On top of that, since paperwork is one of my biggest issues, I knew I really needed to get it done at some point. I ended up setting the timer for another five minutes (arrgh) and used the time to file some things.

Have a great Sunday, everybody!

all dishes are finally done

Saturday hello to you all.
Tillie, the visual of your bathroom is funny and tragic at the same time, so sorry.
LR and Dave so good to read your posts.
Last evening neighbors had par ties, and I started to feel left out. I got the loppers out and cut off all the branches that had started to die from bugs, chopping is what I do to get some anxiety out. This morning I watered outside some, finished painting deck section. Went to garage and found a dead mouse in trap with a few flies, put in garbage, vacuumed up droppings and fur. Pretty disgusting. Checked for droppings in other areas, none that I found, but suppose there are more. Haven't been out there much so need to set more traps.
My dishwasher appears to be broken----------actually I am the dishwasher and seem to find reasons to not do them day after day. Guess I will try again. Maybe check chat room and see if I can get motivated there.
this heat will be here for several days, so good time to work inside, doing it is another story.
Tillie so happy you said sometimes good enough is good enough, helped with the deck.
I will post when dishes are done, I really want a clean kitchen after seeing that dead mouse in garage. So happy people keep posting.

Happy fourth of July weekend!

diane: I like the thought of your doing the "happy dance" on your deck. Fun.

Dave: Haven't finished reading all the posts yet on "What's in your boxes?," but I've read some. I relate to the one-glove situation. I've recently turned up several gloves without partners. Then I found partners to the gloves. But just as I found their matches, I found more gloves without partners. My current count of gloves-without-partners is three. Stay tuned for the next episode of "As the World (of LR's clutter) Churns."

Tillie: Sorry about your bathroom situation! As for doing something fun and different, yesterday was my day for that. I got together with family and had a lot of fun. Today, it's back to work. (But at least I get to do my work alongside you all, and that makes it much more fun.)

Me: Some goals for the rest of the day: Spend fifteen minutes on dishes, put away laundry, spend twenty minutes on paperwork, add to my gratitude list, and clear some things off my back patio. I also need to unload some batteries from my vehicle before they get overheated.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy 4th to all of you. This morning took garbage bin to curb and started weeding to fill more of garbage cart. After 1 hour, I said, time to go finish painting deck. Sanded some of the area not done, then painted. The deck paint I had mixed was a bit lighter than I thought, a little disappointed, but happy a lot of it is done now. Just had my smoothie and taking a break. I have enjoyed being home today. Wore headphones with loud music on while painting, did do a few dance moves to music, happy dance, long time since happy dance done on my deck. Still have not done my dishes, about 4 days worth. Still 88 degrees, so in no hurry to go finish working on deck. Nice and cool in here today. Guess I could set timer and do 5 minutes of dishes.
Thinking of all of you with warm thoughts

Happy 4th of July to all.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your community.

Dave.

diane: I'm happy for your progress, but I'm so sorry that you fell and hurt yourself! Many hugs.

Tillie: I'm so excited for you that he agreed to let someone take that latest load of "stuff." Yea!

Me: Extra-cool weather here for this time of year. Got out and did some work out in that rural are this afternoon. On the way there, I stopped off by a charity thrift store and dropped off items I'd recently put aside for donation. It wasn't a big load, by any means, but some of it had been "churned" over a period of many years. Now it's gone. Yea! As I see it, every little bit that goes out the door is good.

Thanks tillie, wonderful you have so much fun with the beads and were able to unload a few 4X4s, (I guesssed and assume annie is delivering them!)
Well yes, painted all day from early am to afternoon, then came in to write a post on here, then-----------BOOM----thunder and lightning and, !!
I put the computer down and ran for the garage, got tarps and all the empty bins (I was whining about) and covered the deck and saved the days work. It is not all done, but all steps in front and to the yard are beautiful. Most of connecting deck and part of big deck are done. Had to put two coats on. I went out this morning to do more and started, you guessed it, scraping after a couple hours, said this is rediculous. Did do some painting then realized needed to water yard with these hot days, watered yard and plants, still some to do. Since it did not cool down as much as usual past two nights, pretty warm in here. Finally put window air conditioner in living room then put old one, that still works, just not as good, in big bedroom window. Now can work in there on hot days, is the plan. Nearly broke bones getting it in window. Felt really disgusted with the crap in there, and that I fell and hurt myself. Just the motivation I needed perhaps!! Although right now I need a break. Got pretty hot hauling those air conditioners, pretty darn difficult to lift up that high. I plan to take some time to wash dishes and clean kitchen when my weary body is rested enough. Thanks for all the support.

Pulling some weeds for Mrs Dave. Hopefully will do a better job than my role model Scooter might.

Tillie: I'm smiling thinking about the cats fighting over the box (and also smiling thinking of birds and little baby bunnies).

diane: I'm so glad you went to the lake and that you and your friend had a good time. Yea! Also, glad to hear about the deck progress.

Roxie: Thinking about you! Iced tea clinks to your coffee mug!

Me: Spent some time yesterday trying to get an outfit together that I could wear to services for my friend who passed away this past weekend. There was one type of service for her last night, and then the actual funeral will be tonight. (My intentions were to attend both services, and I wanted to have appropriate clothing for each.) Having worked on my closets and having done some other organizing and decluttering tasks recently helped me tremendously when it came to putting together appropriate outfits. Thanks for the help, inspiration, and encouragement you all give me to work on my "stuff."

Hello all. Did get the steps pressure washed last night, then did more scraping, had to stop myself.
This morning wanted to scrape but told myself it is good enough, tillie said so. stirred the deck paint and did some painting. Once I started, the desire to scrape finally left, and it was fun. Had to get ready for outing so only did a small amt. Took shower washed hair. Got blow up boat, oars, life cushions etc. out of garage, ready to go. Picked all the ripe raspberries for outing treat.
My friend drove her car and we went to the lake. We blew up the boat and enjoyed being out in lake, talked about all kinds of things. We had a nice lunch and went back out in boat, such fun. It was plenty warm out today. It is still 90 degrees at 7pm, so just sitting inside resting, still have to get boat out and dried off, and if any energy paint a little. Tomorrow plan to paint a lot of deck.
LR congrats on the closet.
Tillie you paint such great pictures of kitties playing with box. Thanks for getting me started on painting the deck. Until I actually started painting deck, could not accept that it was good enough. Now I am looking forward to taking things out on deck and sorting into bins, after deck is painted. Will be great to start seeing progress in hoard rooms.

Hi to diane, Tillie, Barb, Roxie, Vi, bitsy, Dave, and others who've been posting here recently. Roxie, I love what you said on The Gratitude List about bucket list versus gratitude list. That's a helpful thought. So good to hear from you.

I said it to some people during the daytime chat today, and I want to say it here. It's so nice to see so much more of my closet floor again. Got quite a bit out of there during the past week. Yea!

Hugs to all, and have a good evening.

So happy to hear from you Roxie, have been wondering if you had to go back to hospital, happy you are at home and willing to ask for help.
Well, at 6am I went out to check if deck is almost dry, well started scraping, 4 hours later I made myself stop. During the 4 hours, I wondered why I keep scraping. It is fun, productive avoidance of things that need to be done. So I decided to take a break, decided to measure decks,big deck 13x22', small 10'x8'',connecting deck 4'x21' no wonder it has taken so long, that is a lot of square feet. so then I realized, my priority was front steps, and never finished them. asked why. Because they are over cement with no where for water to drain.
Under steps is 20 years of dirt, spiders, leaves, garbage, so decided I must clean that crap out before I pressure wash. It filled a huge garbage bag and was disgusting, so here I am taking a break. I took pressure washer and hose out to front steps. Will go pressure wash after this break.

Roxie (((HUGS)))
Please call your friends.
Ask for all the help you need right now.
If I lived close to you and you did not ask me to do a few things for you I would be very upset.
I am sure your friends would be too.
Take care. Rest.
(((HUGS)))

Years ago I decided that I was not going to ever scrub pots & pans any more.
But I still get them clean.
I fill them with water to the "crusty" line, add one drop of dish soap.
Turn on the burner till it is almost boiling then turn down the heat and "simmer" the pot/pan a few minutes.
Turn off the heat and get back to it after it has cooled.
The simmering in soapy water has done almost all the scrubbing for me and I just need to do a little with a green scrubbie to remove the now loose remains.

To more easily clean a microwave with crusty baked on splatters...
Put a bowl of water in the microwave, heat it till it is boiling/steamy hot.
Leave it in the mocrowave with the door closed and the steam will loosen the gunk and make it easy to wipe out.
You may have to repeat this process a few times if the microwave is extra thick gunky.
A bit of lemon in the water doesn't do anything to clean the microwave but does help to make things smell fresh & lemony.
:)

Happy Monday morning, everyone.

Yesterday I did some of my posted goals but didn't do some of the others. I did run the dishwasher, work on bills, add to my gratitude list, get items together to donate, and I did make it to the chat. I didn't spend the hour on paperwork, nor did I spend time on my floors. (Perhaps I'll work on the floors this morning.) However, I did get other work done. For example, I put some things back into place that were out of place. I also did a lot (and I mean a whole lot) of scrubbing on a saucepan; I overheated some sauce while preparing my lunch yesterday, and I didn't think I'd ever finish getting the cooked-on sauce out of the bottom of that pan! Generally, I feel OK about my goals for yesterday. I need to keep in mind that setting goals gives me a good direction toward which to go, but I don't have to be a slave to the specifics of those goals. Life happens.

I haven't been consistent lately in posting goals on the message board, but I have been setting a lot of short goals during the day as I've worked with others during online support sessions. Sometimes, I get inspired by the particular goal that another person is planning to work on during that time, and I work on the same thing, too. (For instance, inspired by another person in the group, I got my microwave more clean this week.) One way or the other, with the support of the others in this group, I get a lot of help I need to move forward. Thanks, everyone.

Hugs to all.

Thank you, friends on the Sunday night chat line for helping me to understand that I needed to slow down and take time last week to grieve for my friend. Our families have known each other for generations. My generation went to school and lived near each other in a small, rural town.
I was brought up to buck up, don't show your feelings and keep on going. You helped remind me that is not a healthy way to live.
It is raining here again today. I wish I could some of it to you who are suffering from drought. This may be the rainiest June on record.
Today is a good day for laundry and general cleaning. After cleaning off the kitchen table, I need to look through some paperwork, pay some bills and reply to correspondence that needs attention.
I will pace myself today. What doesn't get done today will still be there to do tomorrow.

Happy Sunday, everyone.

Some of my goals for today: Run dishwasher, work for an hour on paperwork, pay some bills, be at tonight's chat, add to gratitude list, spend fifteen minutes finding items I can donate, and spend twenty minutes working on floors (sweeping/vacuuming).

Hugs to all. Looking forward to "seeing" those of you who can make it to the chat tonight.

I am trying not to be down on myself today for getting so little accomplished this week. I get discouraged by being so tied down to the house. I know my first priority needs to be cleaning and decluttering, but I get disgusted with myself for letting it get this bad.
Home should be a place you retreat to, not somewhere that you want to escape from.
I am going to a funeral this afternoon for a young man whose life was cut short way too soon. I suppose that is what started me in this dark mood.
I'll try to check in to the support group tonight. I need to get the week started on a positive note.
I had the first zucchini out of the garden for supper last night. :)
Hugs to all and hang in there.

Hi, love those wasps. they were really circling me this week. I removed all of their homes, they are not happy with me. In cold morning, while they are still snoozing, I grab nest with plastic bag inside out on my hand and quickly close bag and into garbage after knotting end.
Well it was obvious my OCD was in full force today. I started scraping the deck about 9am, went inside and it was already 3:30pm. It is like I can't quit until it is done, only thing is, it will never get done scraping it. I cleaned up all the crap, and told myself, no more scraping, time to pressure wash tomorrow am. Then call it good enough, wait until it dries and paint it with deck paint.
I made plans today with a friend to go to lake Tuesday when it will be over 90 degrees here. I realized, I would talk myself out of going if I did not make a plan with a friend, so I will go for sure now. Washed more than 1/2 of dirty dishes, dried, put away, now time for the rest to be washed.

wasps are definitely seeking new homes!a small nest has appeared at the top middle of the door frame between the front door and the storm door. Metal storm door out of square just enough so it doesn't shut tight and there is a small gap at the top.surprised they picked that spot because that door is opened several times every day but will have to buy wasp spray... I dont much like using bug spray but wasps nest on the door is even too much for me.
I have done a little work on the car but not nearly enough. pouring rain now. but will do some more after I pick up son from work and run errands.

Good evening, everyone.

Got out early this morning (very early) and did some outside work. Got laundry dried, put away, and got more laundry washed. With the help and encouragement of the others in the chat room today, I made progress on the clutter in one of my closets. (It was nice to run across a box of old pictures in there. I'll look forward to looking through them at a later time.) Despite progress, I was on a "downer" for a bit. I kept noticing how much stuff I have to go through, and I also was struggling with feeling "defective." Although I made good headway on some types of things, I did a lot of "churning" (as we call it) of some other types of things. I hadn't expected to do as much "churning" as I did at times today. Having the encouragement of those who came to the chat today helped my attitude/mood a lot. Another thing that helped was to remember and acknowledge that although I still have a lot of stuff to go through, (1) I have made a lot of progress over time in terms of not acquiring (and of not even wanting to acquire), and (2) I can let go of certain types of things much, much more easily than in the past. I also need to keep in mind that things didn't get this way overnight, and they won't get fixed overnight.

I know I wouldn't have even started on some of these tasks today if it hadn't been for the encouragement of the people who came to chat today. I also appreciate the encouragement of those of you who are posting here on the message board. A big thanks to everybody. Hugs.

Tillie, thank you so much for your kind words about my doctor visit, so true all of what you said. It is really time to change how I take care of myself. Today I said goodbye to Tanner, sad to have no dog to focus on, guess it is time to focus on my health!!! Raining on and off for past days, including today. Just paid all bills, that is a relief to have done. Worked on deck, vacuumed a little more now no dogs. Still have to do the dishes. Small tv finally in kitchen, will make it easier to do dishes and cook healthier food, nice distraction. I filled med minder with multi vit., vit. d, calcium, per doctors orders so can see if I took or not, since my excuse is, I forgot. will take fosamax (for bones) every Thursday am, wait 30 mins before eating or drinking, per doctor. I stopped before because it upset my stomach, she scared me into sticking with it and yesterday it really was not that bad.
The sunshine will return tomorrow, so will be better. Tuesday will be hot so will go to high lake where it will be cooler. Plan to put window air conditioner in window tomorrow,trying to figure out how to close off surrounding window opening. Last year used foam board, but opaque, so would like to get some plexiglass or something that I can see through. will wash things dogs have been on, pressure wash I a section of deck tomorrow. We will see if I get a burst of energy. It really was stressful having doctor appt. Wed., then company yesterday and today, silly it wears me out, but I am most comfortable here by myself. Oh yeah, want to clean car and rv out, and vacuum them. Lots to do and I just want to sit and do nothing!! Tomorrow weather will be better, and no dogs, so plan to get things done, at least some of the things on my list.

Wow, lots of great posts to read, thanks everyone. Doctor gave me a copy of bone scan, osteoporosis is "significantly increased" and I must take care of it. Vertebrae are extremely porous now. I agreed to start the medicine again, Vit. D and calcium, and stick with it this time. It was scary to see how bad my back is now. She suggested I start taking care of myself before it is too late. She is moving to Seattle in August and I will miss her terribly, she has been my doctor for many years. Now the search for another good doctor taking new medicare patients (I also have supplemental insurance) so most doctors will take me if they have openings for new patients.
I visited my friends mom today in nursing home. Gave her a foot massage, that she loved. She is 93 and has lived alone in her house until she broke her arm 3 weeks ago. Arm is black/blue from shoulder to fingertips from pooled blood. I plan to go back often to check on her and make sure she is getting the care she needs.
The guy came this morning to pick up the little dog I have had for a week, made sure things were acceptably neat and clean.
only one dog and he goes home tomorrow, then no more dogs scheduled. Plan to pressure wash some things when no dogs.
Still need to do dishes from yesterday and today. Cleaned bathroom counters this morning. Vacuumed living room, straightened up dog toys etc. Took both dogs for a walk this morning. Poop patrol daily in yard. So tonight or tomorrow will do dishes, pay all bills. Today Tanner went into the big bedroom and took a nap in the goat trail, he likes cozy tight spaces!!! I joined him for awhile, not nap, and organized some things. I realize I need to join the buddy 15 min. sessions to work on that room.
Rain has made more things look greener, nice color in yard. Thanks tillie for asking about doctor appt. She also said mouth is no longer infected, just a bone fragment working its way out.

Dave,
Re phone, laptop etc,
outside signal is much better. and I can see trees leaves plants flowers birds lizards squirrels dragonflies and often people and kids going by. i can hear frogs crickets wrens etc. hear or feel a breeze. see and feel the sun. which will soon be to hot and I will have to move the car to some shade

Bitsy, please don't ever apologize for feeling bad. Every single one of us has been there and from what I've seen far too often. If you want to talk and it makes you feel better please do. I'm very very very glad you are here with us. Just being here is better than being alone to deal all by yourself. If you feel like you can tackle some of the problem today please come over to chat and we can talk.

LR2014,
thanks for your detailed posts.it helps me to feel a tiny bit less hopeless.I have struggled so hard for so long to get by... to just keep going... to not give up... to make a little progress... to figure out why some things have always been so hard for me... and now even harder because of age and mobility issues. I feel like I have run out of time and energy... now I know from this site and things I've read that others have some of these problems. (an article about the Langley Brothers was one of the first hints that others were weird this way)...depression. counseling and meds minimally helpful. an image I had from when I was in a depression group was- that I was a vessel that cracked during firing and that the potter threw me in the shard bin- sorry...

It seems I've been neglecting posting here and I've missed much.
I spend a lot of time in the chat room these days working with some other wonderful people daily to get things done. It's been a big help to stay motivated and to keep up with accountability. I honestly think that if i didn't have people to talk to about this every day I'd have said screw it by now.
I've been off for the better part of the week and unable to do much more than stay awake, but yesterday I spent time on the boxes (!) and managed to get over half a trash bag of stuff out of them, freeing up three small boxes, and two zipper bags that previously had been filled with an assortment of stuff. Today I finished putting away yesterday's laundry and am about to put in today's laundry, start the other half of the dishes and finish cleaning my room ( I started that this morning.)
The apartment hunt is ongoing, but I have a list of places to call today. We have about 26 days until things start getting awkward.
Today my plan is to catch up with dailies until lunch and then after the kids are down for nap work at boxes until Mister comes home.

Also, I'm really glad to see you guys are doing well. Robin, I'm glad you're here and I hope I get to see you in a meeting, or maybe you can stop by chat as many of us are there throughout the day.

Dave,
there is no dining room table here. it is still at the other house

Robin,
search for Brooks Palmer's clutterbusting blog and read the June 25th entry. I think it might be an encouragement to you.

Wow! Great work! The stuffed drawers sound like my sock drawers. (I'm not looking to reopen sock discussions! :) ) I've been avoiding that issue at the moment by using a laundry basket on top of the chest of drawers! :)

Robin, glad you found us. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

Well, I didn't do yesterday's posted planned activities in exactly the way I'd originally envisioned them, but I'm still happy with what I did and how it went.

I did start off as planned with the two empty boxes (one labeled as trash), and I did start attacking overstuffed drawers. That much was "according to plan."

I had a chest of drawers that was getting very little real use because the top three drawers were pretty stuffed (one to overflowing), because the drawers had always been a bit hard to open, and because for a while (until recently) I'd had enough stuff on the closet floor in front of that chest of drawers that I couldn't even very comfortably access the drawers, anyhow. (When I'd gotten the drawers open at all, I'd been doing it by standing at the side instead of by standing in front of it. Didn't work very well that way.)

Yesterday, I pulled almost everything out of two of those drawers (and toward the end of the day, started attacking the third one). I found a few items that had been on my own (nonpublished) "missing items" list. Nice.

With the encouragement from our daytime chat buddies, I discarded a couple of items that at one time had had great sentimental value but that now just served the purpose of taking up space. (Those items were serving to remind me of a chapter of my life that needed to be closed). [I hear the trash truck taking those items away as I write this. No, I will not try to chase down the trash truck.] I also had photos stored in those drawers that were on the verge of getting bent and damaged, and those photos are now placed with my other photos. I also did away with some items (like an old, almost-never-used camera I once bought at a garage sale) whose corroded batteries had done damage to the device.

I found it mildly amusing that at first, I found about seven winter gloves, only two of which matched. (I guess I'm a winter glove hoarder.) For the past several years, winter would hit, and I wouldn't have winter gloves handy. I'd go out and buy some new, cheap ones (or if I just needed them for driving, I might wear a non-matching set I could manage to dredge up). After cleaning out most of those drawers yesterday, I now have about six or seven matching pairs of winter gloves of various colors and styles . . . and three more gloves that are still unmatched.

As for the drawers, two of the three are very usable now. The third one is on its way to being usable again. I might put some kind of wax or other treatment on the bottom of the drawers later to help them slide more easily, making them even more useful.

Another plus for this project is that I had several items lying around in that closet near the chest of drawers that in the past I would have kept inside those drawers, but they'd been "pushed out of their homes" by the other junk. After dejunking the drawers, I was able to put those items back into the chest of drawers, so now there is also less clutter surrounding the chest of drawers.

Happier me. Thanks to all of you for your help and support. Hugs. Iced tea clink to your coffee mug, Roxie.

A nebulizer sounds like something out of star trek!