Roxie, WAY TO GO! on getting the garbage out there! :D

Diane, no nail polish, just clipped and cleaned. :)
It was nicer last night and early morning. Glad you got some good rest. Hope we get back to normal temps after today.

Hi Karl :D

MayMay,
they are advertized separately but are the same company, same people.
;D

Maybe it would be possible to work for a generic cleanup company and just request not to be assigned to crime scenes?

So glad to sign on and read your posts, this is a tough project to do without support. Tillie, glad you have a relaxing day planned, it has been a tough week for you, and today will be so much fun for you, red white and blue nails? I watered this morning, then worked in big bedroom for over an hour, see some progress.
Was going to a friends tomorrow, not sure if I will, depends on weather, she doesn't like me to bring dog, and will probably be too hot here for my dog here, turn off AC when I am gone, due to old wiring.
I am more optimistic today, slept with fan on last night and did sleep more.
I need to be ok with moving slower in the heat. I have bagged stuff up, and need to start posting on July challenge, that is always a positive motivator. Thanks for posting on here, sure helps me when I feel so alone in this.

Thanks, Karl

MayMay, "my" cleanup company is predominantly a crime scene cleanup company that got sucked over into hoarding cleanup because he got so many calls for help. There are only two such companies in the whole state that I could find.

The owner/cleaner was my "consultant" and lead worker. I would guess if you work for any company that does biohazard cleanup, crime scenes would be included. Perhaps you'd rather fall into the professional organizer aspect of the whole picture? Or get education and license(s) to do hoarding therapy?

I hope everyone has something nice in mind for the 4th of July. I personally will lay low, play my video game, and try not to mind too much when all the fireworks and such go off. I don't mind early evening noises, but sometimes these folks don't know when to quit.

Yesterday, I did finally round up garbage and wheel it all down to the street, at about 1:00 a.m. I felt relief from my own nagging then.

Hey Tillie,

Oh really? :o

I always thought that he had the "Hoarding Clean-up" and the "Crime Scene Clean-up" separate from each other.

Good Morning :D

It cooled off over night and has been pleasant so far this morning.
Supposed to heat up again into the low 100s today.
Chance of thunderstorms this evening.

Today I am taking the day off for a much needed rest, physically and mentally.
Will give myself a manicure and pedicure. Watch some movies. Relax and eat proper meals.

Long Holiday weekend coming tomorrow.
Wishing you all fun and relaxation.
Remember, even while doing this work you still need to live and love. Eat, drink and be merry. :D

So, anybody have any plans for the Holiday?
I was given some sparklers but can't use them because there are NO outdoor fires allowed around here due to wildfires right now.

Stay cool, stay safe and be happy! :D

MayMay
Cory's company would also have you cleaning up crime scenes. :D

Roxie: Yes, feel free to share the song.

Hi Roxie,

I've never thought about that before; I never even knew that there was such a thing as a "Hoarding Clean-up Consultant". Sounds like a cool idea. :)

Did you meet with a "Hoarding Clean-up Consultant" before your clean-up?

I did look into working for cleaning companies near where I live, that are kind of like Cory's company, but all I could find were crime scene clean-up companies. The crime scene clean-up companies also clean-up hoarded houses. but if I worked for one, then I would also have to clean-up actual crime scenes too. And I don't think I would be able to cleanup an actual crime scene without totally freaking out. :(

What I'd really love to do is move to california and work for Cory. I think it would be awesome to work for him. :)

Since the western Unites States is having a record breaking heatwave
Just staying cool and hydrated is GREAT progress! :D

Everybody has been doing wonderful.
Decluttering items and sorting out emotions and thoughts. WTG!

Been watering plants and can't tell yet what may recover and what is totally dead.
The lilac hedge, mountain laurels, roses, lawn, honeysuckle, chrysanthemums, day lilies, wild currant and trees all show signs of damage but their roots may still be viable. :D
The cat mint (catnip) had left a lot of seeds so that may all reseed itself.
The iris & daffodils are risomes and bulbs so they may come back next Spring.
Time will tell. :D

Roxie,
If it were my photo album/scrap book I would ask the Son if he wanted them.
If he didn't want them or even just parts of them I would have a ceremony and let them go.
Leave painful memories in the past because they keep us from moving on into a healthier future.

Susan, fun to read how you are going about unloading the boxes of stuff. You are doing great.
Roxie, sounds like you are doing the best you can with the health issues. Tillie says to take photos of stuff you want to keep but don't want to keep---you know, in the case of the album, would it fit in your sons room so he could see it later? If it makes you feel bad, has to be somewhere else, or gone they say on here. I Do have trees, just normally cools off at night here, just not this week. The east side has a deck, so sun beats down most of the day, the west side has steps and cement patio then garage, so no tree there. Sun is really hot, guess could have roof there. I have done next to nothing today, and it is ok, still close to 100 out. one more really hot day then supposed to be 85 on Thursday.

SusanL, I'm doing a happy dance (well, in my mind at least; bod won't cooperate) for your adventures in trash hauling. How'd you find the folks, may I ask? I have a big old refrigerator sitting outside that has to go.

I think you plan of action is good and works for you, so keep it up and keep posting. This all seems to work best when we encourage one another, no matter what stage we are at.

LynnS, how is the hives situation and how are you doing? It's been a few days since you posted.

I so much want to respond to each of you individually but I am not sure I am up to it. When I awoke late today, I had a very hard time getting to "normal" (for me)... coughing, struggling to breath, unable to get up and move around more than a few steps at a time. It was hard and scary. The cats inside and out were perturbed by my lengthy "sits" as I worked to be able to feed and water them for the morning.

I am better now, calmer, able to breathe and sit here. And I brushed my teeth while I read and contemplated. I had four days in a row then blew off yesterday, so I'm starting again.

I went out the other day and mowed the front and side yards. When I parked the riding mower and turned it off, I heard loud mewing. I look inside the empty box from the dishwasher (big box) and found a lone, black kitten, maybe 7 days old. Eyes still closed. I had an idea it was one of the feral girls' kitten, but no idea which as neither had appeared pregnant. I presumed it was the Tortie. I held the kitten (how dear it was, curled up happy in my hands) and tried to call mama, to no avail. I dragged out a large cat carrier, put a clean cloth inside and deposited the kitten.

Later when I broke out the food (I drove to Petsmart and loaded up on cat food again), everyone came around. Much to my surprise it was the Tabby who acted like the mother. She was furious that I moved the kitten, grabbed it with her mouth, and tried so hard to jump back into that big box. I was afraid she'd maim the kitten doing so. I stepped inside and peeked out the door window. Mom settled down on the patio with baby and all was well. She has since moved the kitten elsewhere. I don't know if it is an only "child" or what, but it was big and healthy.

I have encountered something I would like feedback on if I may ask? I do not know what to do with a scrapbook and photo albums from my long-defunct marriage. That was all part of my life, and an important part, and it was part of my son's life. But the pain of the divorce is still with me, and I just don't know what to do with the leftovers, if you understand? Anyway, thanks for any thoughts on this type thing.

Dianne, I am happy to see you posting again. Just toss one thing today, and brush your teeth, again, and I'll be happy for you, okay? I totally get withdrawal as a response when you feel down...I do that, too. But don't totally withdraw from here, okay?

Diane, if there are no trees shading your trailer, could you possibly plant one or more that would eventually shade it? I think you can get free trees from that arbor day program. It would cut the heat buildup inside the trailer and you would not have to worry about roots impeding on the building, right? I have way too many trees on my property and wish I could distribute them to you all. I intentionally have some overgrowth for the wild things, but this is ridiculous.

MayMay, perhaps you can start as a hoarding cleanup consultant? I mean, someone could contact you who is contemplating taking that step, you could visit, get an idea of how much the hoard is, what needs to happen, and perhaps act as a facilitator on their behalf with local options, professional cleaners, etc? Could you get a job with an existing professional cleanup company to learn the ropes? You could right now make some simple business cards up to hand out as you go?

Tillie, I am relieved for you to have some cooling and most definitely the water. How is the garden going? Anything survive? I'd sure love to give you free reign on my property.

AnneW, you are doing wonderful work and I love reading your posts.

Karl, love your song. If I may, I'd love to pass it along to my pro cleaner. I think he'd get a kick out of it.

Today is the day I need to wheel my garbage bin to the street, so rounding up and depositing trash is my first goal, then wheeling the bin. It does not sound like much but the trip down to the street and back wears me out.

I've torn a page off my little calendar but I plan on keeping it so I can see my progress on the teeth brushing plan. My dentist ought to be delighted, as am I in the progress so far. It does feel good to sit here just brushed.

If I've missed anyone here, I apologize and will try my best to make up for it later. Hugs all around.

Thanks all for your encouragement! AnneW, yes I was super nervous thinking about having my first hauling experience. What would they think of me and my messy garage/house. Would they even agree to take this stuff. On and on. Well they were just as polite and kind as they could be. I did all that worrying for nothing :)

What helped me was to view this as only the first of several pickups, rather than "have to do it ALL PERFECTLY the first time". If it's just kind of a trial run, to see how it goes, then I don't have to have everything perfect. Thank goodness :)

So with that it mind, I just added 2-3 boxes of stuff to the pickup pile every day whether I felt like it or not. Reading what the rest of you have accomplished really helped my motivation on days when it would have been more pleasant to skip.

So every day one box from the worst part of the basement, one box from the other part of the basement, and if I had any energy left over, something from the rest of the house. I should add the rest of the house is not too bad because I've been working on the visible part for a long time. The basement ... ugh ... but now it's time, now I'm ready to deal with it.

Every box, every single item, that I get out of the house is progress. Slow and steady wins the race.

Thanks Anne, it did help to read what you wrote, it is all so confusing to me, am I being petty? etc., so you cleared up a few things, and yes, it is taking care of myself, not going along with what others think I should do, although I was feeling guilty, until I read your reply. I had the dad that spent money wildly on drinking with buddies, and mom who had to pinch pennies to keep us fed and clothed. I think I do have an abnormal fear of not having enough because that is what I grew up with, thus the hoarding, buying all the garage sale stuff etc. After I wrote that stuff, I realized that I lived in So. Calif, at the beach for 10- years, to try the fancy life, and now am very content in my trailer on land I own, that has a view, and going to a lake, don't really enjoy all the trips my friend wants to go on. She has lots of friends with money she can do that stuff with. Right now I feel most comfortable de-hoarding, later might be different. I know that 1 day a week by some water will make me feel rewarded, and that is enough for now. Without this group, I would be shopping for sure, since this whole friend thing is anxiety provoking, since I kept people away for a few years, and just letting them back in, takes a lot for me. Going on a trip and sharing a room is not in the least bit appealing. I would much rather pay someone to clean that pay for a motel room I don't want to be in. Now that I have more clarity on this, feel more relaxed, thank you so much. already 97 degrees, yikes

Diane -- You are doing so well !!! ...Resisting spending spree & being honest with your friend re: the $ stuff and allowing yourself time to clarify your feelings & change your mind. From what I just read in your post you are doing an EXCELLENT JOB of TAKING GREAT CARE of YOURSELF!!! Keep up the awesome work & Trust YOURSELF -- because I think you are right on re: the $ thing.
I am only now learning how to live beneath my (limited financial) means.
[I grew up in a family where "overspending to impress" others was the norm from one parent while "pinching pennies," self-sacrifice (to the extreme) was common practice from the other parent -- talk about mixed messages!]
It is SUCH a WELCOME RELIEF for me these days because now I actively practice just being me -- offering what I can to friends from my heart & without any strings. It sounds to me like that is what you are doing, too. I don't know if hearing it from someone else is helpful &/or validating, but I say Hooray, Diane, for being you!!! :D
Hope you stay cool & get some good (& well-deserved ;) REST!

SOOOO HAPPY YOU HAVE WATER Back, Tillie!!! What a relief! =) Way to hang in there during that terrible situation! (I want to call you "Triumphant Tillie" because you continually triumph over so many obstacles! -- and at the same time you consistently help so many of us here :) I know -- I'm a little silly -- But I have been thinking of you & so glad to see that the indoor plumbing is working properly again =)

Diane -- *** !YaY! *** for your courage, picnics with friends, & Lake Visits!!! You, too, are triumphant :) (but the alliteration doesn't work -- How about "Dynamite Diane" because you keep on "blowin' up" the clutter! ;) What do ya think?

Roxie -- Thinking of you! (Also, thinking of your happy teeth :) & mtn.laurel & hibiscus. Hope you are getting better sleep & know that you continue to inspire me with your wise words & clear focus on maintaining a clean decluttered home for yourself :) You deserve it!!!

Hugs to Dianne & MayMay :)

Great work Karl & Ali!

Billie & Kara -- How are you each doing?

SusanL -- I'm hoping to be organized enough by the end of this month (July) to schedule a big garbage pickup. Did you find it stressful leading up to date? Any tips of worked well for you?

Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

Susan, what a great thing you did for yourself, congrats on doing it now, and not later, weren't ready earlier, so just be grateful you were ready and it went well, so proud of you for taking action.
Tillie, so happy for you, heat is tough, and you got through this most difficult time without throwing his junk away and being locked up for murder and $125 is so inexpensive to have your comfort back, so happy for you.
It is already too hot, did go out and water this morning. was in garage for over 1/2 hour, throwing things away, and making myself focus on all the progress I have made. then hung some white fabric up outside to try to stop some sun heat from getting me today, supposed to be 101 degrees, which is hot in a trailer. Will run fan and air conditioner all day today so hopefully won't be too hot to sleep tonight. Yesterday was fun going to the lake, but place didn't cool off enough to sleep again last night, so today will leave AC on all day. Since this place is so old and wiring problems, afraid to leave AC on when gone or sleeping. I plan to do baby steps of work today. Did dishes. Now must tackle pile of papers and pay bills. Think only one is not paid, that got buried, but must find it and get rid of other pile. The camera I bought and took the hoard pictures with, does not work now after I charged it, did I wreck it or is it just a blessing so I don't look at pictures. I will take it back to Costco when it cools down and see what is wrong with it. (or with my tech skills) Without this group, I would be on a shopping binge right now. I had a discussion with my friend about the forbidden topic "money" yesterday. She inherited a bundle of $$$ and I told her my income is so low and savings has to last the rest of my life so not comfortable going to the coast and S.F. with her and paying 1/2. We discussed a percentage plan where she would calculate my % by comparing our two incomes, I don't know her income, she knows mine. We agreed on that then today I emailed and said I would rather pay 1/2 of things I really want to do and say no to things that are not in my price range, like trip to S.F. It was clear yesterday, that she can not give freely, and wants to keep a tally, so I said I would rather say no, than have a list of what she expects of me. I want to go shopping to avoid feeling the feelings of "less than" and the discomfort of saying no to her. I worked hard for all that I have, and she just lucked out and was given a huge inheritance, so part of me thinks if I had that I would be happy to take friends on trips and not keep score, confusing emotions. It felt so good to make a fancy lunch and really make her happy without any thought of being paid back. Too many feelings right now. Lack of sleep, and too hot, thus I rambled on about my confusion.

Susan,

Way TO GO! :D
How wonderful!!! :D

Had a trash hauler come today, they were so nice! Enormous pile of random stuff from the garage . . . just gone. Wish I'd done this so much earlier. At least it's done now. Thanks all for your stories and mutual encouragement, much appreciated.

Good Morning! :D

How is everyone today?
Picnic lunch at a lake with a friend sounds like such a lovely time!
Today I am going to wash some laundry.
So nice to be getting back to normal.

(((hugs))) and thank you all for being here.
Being able to tell my struggles here really kept me from going over the edge.

Stay cool and stay safe. :)

tough time sleeping last night in the heat---got up and made lunch for me and my friend. She dropped her dog off here and we went to 2 lakes, the third had mosquitos, so went back to second lake and ate the delicious lunch I prepared, with much anxiety. First time I have prepared food for anyone in years. Spent too much time, wanted everything perfect. All went well had some good laughs. We got back around 5pm and it was still 99 degrees, it is too hot for me.
Tillie, so happy you have water again, what a treat.

Last night after we were done with the regular chat, three of us did some buddy-system cleanup (pause the chat, start a timer, declutter for 15m, then return to report what we'd done, in real time). This was a repeat of what two of us had done on Tuesday. It seems to be good motivation!

Today I'm going to be out of the house all day, myself, but if others want to give it a shot, try visiting the chat room at about 7pm PDT / 8pm MDT / 9pm CDT / 10pm EDT (or post here to say what time you'll be on). See if you can find a buddy or two. Let us know how it works out!

Tuesday we've got the regular chat, so I expect I'll see you folks there.

What I am doing today......

Taking a shower & washing my hair! :D
Washing dishes & wiping up the kitchen! :D
Watering stuff in the yard, think I may be able to save some of it! :D
Running the evaporative cooler! :D
Washing the kitten, he really needs it! :D
Flushing the toilet without having to use a bucket to fill it! :D

Have a GREAT day peoples! :D

I LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Mike the plumber!!! :D
125.00 and I have WATER!!!!!!!!

Karl, I love your song idea! Let's mess around with that a bit as we get time. Love the verses you came up with.

MayMay, if you will start wearing more blue - like a nice cerulean or turquoise blue (not light blue) t-shirt or something - and choose that blue if you buy a pillow or decor, it will begin to open your throat chakra so you can speak your truth more easily. Each of us has our truth, and part of learning to love ourselves is learning to routinely speak on behalf of our needs and wants and opinions. I've learned that's the way children in healthy families are raised to act. For some of us, it's an acquired skill, but every time you do speak up the easier it gets.

The reason the doctor asks whether the baby doc can be there is because you do get a choice. Tell him politely with a smile, "Not today." You do not owe him a reason. If you're too quiet and he doesn't hear you, you can say more firmly, "I'd like to consult with you alone." The more you do it, the easier it becomes until someday you speak your opinions, desires, and needs routinely. Everybody else does; why should you continue to be silent as if you were some kind of second class human being?

There is a real actual plumber in my pumphouse right now!!!!! :D

He has found a problem in just less than 5 minutes! :D

Wow, it was great to sign on and see all the postings. I feel like I'm visiting old friends.

(((( ))))

Thanks Dianne,

I would talk to my primary care doctor about it, but whenever I go see him, he always has a "Baby Doctor" with him; and I don't really feel comfortable talking about my issues with depression while some stranger is sitting in the room listening to our conversation. Whenever I go see my doctor he'll always ask me if its okay that the "Baby Doctor" is with him. I always tell him yes even though I absolutely HATE it because I don't want to be rude. That is one of the reasons why I hate going to the doctor so much and why I never go.

I didn't know that ob/gyns prescribed anti-depressants. I always thought that they only focused on the "Hoohoo-shoot" area. Lol.

Considering the fact that seeing a psychiatrist is super expensive, I'm probably just going to suck it up and keep doing what I'm doing.

One of the things that really helps me deal with my depression is getting massages. I go and get a massage once a month and it helps a lot. :)

(((HUGS)))

Chat support is still going -- one idea that came up was to post some songs that would be appropriate to sing along with while cleaning. Maybe we'll have a new topic for that. But I wanted to post this separately, before going there...

What would you think if the clutter's so bad
That you can't catch a glimpse of the floor?
I could clean up if you'll lend me a hand;
I can't live with this trash any more.

I get by with a little help from my friends.
It's a sty without help from my friends.
Time will fly with some help from my friends.

got dishes done, and then realized I forgot to get a haircut, so out in the heat, 96 degrees and got a haircut. Started going through bag and bin of stuff, just too darn hot. See you at 5

I just did a quick skim of the Daily Chat posts & I am so very sorry I haven't been on here to offer replies to you Tillie, Dianne, & Diane. I am so saddened to read what you each individually have been going through.
My heart goes out to all 3 of you right now.
I will write more tomorrow(Mon) -- but please know that you are each in my thoughts & prayers right now.

* Sorry for just adding my last post after MayMay already did the total tallies!
I didn't want to post my stuff from the last few days until I finished dropping off the donation bags -- I dropped off 5 yesterday & the last 2 this afternoon!:)
Once I reached 500, I wanted to see if I could break 1,000 items out by tonight & I'm happy with myself that I did... But, I'm even more thrilled when I think about ALL that stuff no longer being in the house!!!

* Thanks for coming up with the challenge, Tillie, & everybody's ongoing posting -- you all reallly helped to keep me motivated (Big Hugs All the Way Around!)

* I'm going to try to tune in for the first hour of tonight's support group, but then I'll be off to bed -- have ac/heat annual tune-up scheduled for early tomorrow morning.

* I also plan to catch up on the last 3 days-worth of message board posts tomorrow :)
Big thanks to those of you who sent hugs & replies to my "I'm exhausted...This is so hard" message post last Thursday -- I read them before bed that night & they helped me to keep "moving through" Fri - today... Although, to keep my focus forward, I'm sorry to say I went m.i.a. here on the boards -- please forgive me...

CONGRATS to EVERYONE RE: ALL the HARD WORK & ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!

Hi Dianne,

I'm sorry to hear that your depression has gotten worse. :(

You mentioned in your post that you see a shrink and that she has you on meds. I was wondering... If you go see a shrink because you want to be put on meds for depression, would you have to also do all that "talk about your feelings" stuff too? Or could you just ask for the meds?

Because I've always had a problem with depression too; and I'm thinking about trying to get on some anti-depressants to see if they help with my depression. But I hate the idea of having to talk to some professional doctor about my feeling and problems. I'd much rather talk with people that I can trust and I know won't judge me. :)

Tillie I'm so sorry to hear about your cat, my sister would be totally devistated since she too is a cat lover.

Also sorry to hear about your garden.

I'm still dealing with breaking out in hives; I don't know what from, either some medication I've been taking for over a month now or just a combination of heat and allergies.

Hope things get better for you and all.
Hang in there.

Dianne, thanks for the response, yes it is painful, and being honest about it lessens the pain. Notice I am still on the computer, not rushing back to deal with emotional stuff in BB.
Sometimes it is good to rest, regroup, and then go for it. I have always just worked to exhaustion, so this is different. Ok Dianne, what would you like to get done today? I would like to go do the dishes, well like isn't the right word, I would like them done, not liking the doing part, but I am going to sign off now and go do them. Please let me know what will make you feel better today? We can check in later after our accomplishments? Hugs Dianne

Thanks for the update Dianne. I also tried to taper off antidepressants, it was ok for awhile, then had to go back on. Our brains need the medicine to allow enough neurotransmitters to be available to allow our brains to function normally. Other things I noticed, eating enough protein, not much sugar, some exercise, sleep, challenging negative thinking all work together to keep me positive. It is a daily effort to not go dark, we can do this, especially by not shopping and throwing things out daily. Sure appreciate you Dianne and your honesty.

I am so happy to read that everyone is posting all kinds of great stuff, and I really appreciate support, the pictures really took the wind out of my sails yesterday. Today, I hauled a lot of the tools and nails etc. out in to the garage that were cluttering the deck, and put them in the cabinets. Put an umbrella up over front steps, that is where the sun beats down in afternoon, hopefully will keep some of sun out. Supposed to be 96 today and 99 the next 2 days, which is hot in a trailer. Tomorrow I am going to the lake with my friend that helped me a few days ago. That will be so great and 20 degrees cooler at least.
So I went in the big bedroom today and started again in there. I hauled an old TV out, good will takes them to "part out" also have one in garage, so will haul them when cooler.
Then, took a clothes rack out to donate, that was hanging about 30 skirts, a few too many I thought!!! If there is a place to hang, I will fill it, so out it goes.
Sadly found more spider webs. After about 20
,minutes, I was overwhelmed, so remembered it is OK to work 15 minutes and take a break, so here I am to get encouragement.
I already feel better just reading things you wrote. Roxie, I am happy you found things you need to go through and get rid of so you can join us on July Challenge.
Tillie, I know you are an animal lover but pet skunks and snakes? Ok, just trying to make you smile, I know you have had some tough days, and your life is not easy, and want you to know that I am continuing to send you hugs and loving thoughts, you have helped me so much.
How are you doing today Dianne? Sure hope sharing your thoughts helps you keep going, only with all of us together, can we get some healing.
So happy you are opening up, hugs to you Dianne.
I think I will go back in BB (big bedroom) for 5 minutes at a time. See you all at 5pm today.

Tillie, I am relieved that there is some progress toward resolution of your most pressing issues (water and air conditioning) at last. You sound a bit better today. And skunks and snakes? I love all animals but still. Poor things are desperate for relief just like the humans, I guess.

I'm glad you got DH to haul the water and that he finally made the call to the plumber. I'll bet every service industry is jammed with calls right now with the heatwave going on in the Southwest. You'd think that would prompt me into making my own calls for AC estimates, no? Ha.

Diane, my dear, I am glad you took the pictures. It was important to me to take the before pictures because I, too, finally really SAW what a mess I'd made in my neglect and blindness. Sweets, you have made a LOT of progress, really. A lot. You can review your lists of things accomplished right here on these boards. Don't get discouraged.

Remember that every day you've been working to change things, and one day you'll be able to take "after" pictures and be very proud. And I don't think the work in the garage is avoidance... it's just another step in the progress to free yourself. Also needed. Sometimes folks have to work up to dealing with the harder work, and that's okay, too.

Dianne, I am concerned about you. If you are at a standstill or backsliding, we still want you here and to hear from you. You matter. We care. You are an important part of these boards and this community. What can we do to help right now? Just throw one thing away to today, okay? Oh, and brush your teeth. :D

Everyone else, how's your Sunday looking?

Yesterday, I actually got dishes done, brushed my teeth (three days in a row now), sorted through more mail, did some filing, unpacked another box and got rid of the paper filling in it, ran some garbage out, and had to spend a couple hours fiddling with a crashed computer. :(
I also discovered at least one cat is soiling on my piles of paper I've meant to sort through. Oy vey.

Good morning?
Still waiting for the plumber to call.
Today's high is predicted to reach 107.

A good indication of what kind of day it will be today... went to go out the back door, there was a skunk out there so stepped out the front door and just missed stepping on the snake sleeping on the door mat. :O

Did an online search for the symptoms of a nervous breakdown and saw a picture of myself.
I need sedation.

Diane, a new AC unit would probably cost less to run.

Dianne, my other cats are too feral to take anywhere, they freak out. :)

Roxie, everyone here is giving me the emotional support I so desperately need right now. :)

I will try to be in the group chat today but no promises.

Everybody, stay cool :)

Tillie, thanks for letting us know what is happening, I did find it funny that he waits until 6pm Sat to call, when it will be more expensive than if he would of called during the week. Happy to hear it is cool in your place. I might have to buy a better AC, mine is older and doesn't cool as good as a new one would, we will see. Usually cools down after sunset, not very cool yet, too hot to sleep, so here I sit, chatting with my friends that also are too hot to sleep.

Thank you all (((HUGS)))
It really helps just knowing I have such caring friends.

I got him to cart water over from the big house to fill the evaporative cooler and have the house cool even when it was 104 today.
I also had him fetch buckets of water for toilet flushing.

At 6:00pm Saturday evening he finally called a plumber. Got voice mail and is waiting for a call back.
Keep your fingers crossed.

It is very important that we have this site to share our thoughts, fears, struggles and regrets.
Here we are not alone. (((hugs)))