Been out in garage since 6am, got more done, only one area was so gross, had to go outside and come back to it. I have been painting walls as I go around cleaning walls and moving stuff to center, now have a couple of racks against clean painted walls and can put stuff on them. Garbage collected so now can start loading stuff in garbage cart for next pickup. The truck creeked as it picked up my 95 gallon cart full to the brim with books, pottery etc. that was not light weight.
Just chatted with an ex neighbor, that now lives at the coast, she was so supportive of the work I am doing. Still afraid to tell friends, thinking I may not keep working at it. I am feeling some guilt for throwing away so many things that someone might be able to use. Then thought I feel no guilt for stashing those things in the hoard pile where no one is using it, because the potential for use is still there, but when put in the garbage can, the potential is dead. In reality, this opens new possibilities.

Good luck on the inspection on Saturday! Remember to still do the 15 minutes increments each day, at minimum, so you can maintain and improve over time. That way you don't have to do marathon cleanings and feel panicky. And you'll have a nice environment in which to live. My impression of you is that you are very sociable, and being able to have folks over to visit is a big part of that. I'm a loner so it's easier for me to get messier and messier. No one to know.

(((Diane))) I hope he shows up and does some good, hard work for you. Never mind if it tomorrow (today?) or next week. The fact that you ASKED for help is, in my opinion, an immense step. You are doing just amazing work and I love hearing from you.

MayMay, you can do it! My sister-in-law is what I call a person who "travels light." I guess that is somewhat of a minimalist. She married into a pack rat family. But she balances my second brother out and their home is always nice. I nudge her to remember he has sentimental attachment to some things so give him a little slack. She does.

It's been a while since I've posted here -- so far I've kept the living room clean (inspection is tomorrow, Saturday), and I've been mostly working on the bathtub, which has accumulated some gunk that I guess is soap residue. I'll do some touch-up on the living room tonight (vacuum the floor again), and maybe focus on getting the kitchen into better shape before the landlords visit.

Yes, watch out for dog hoarding -- the "collection" can grow quickly if you have unspayed females, but I guess all three of yours are males, so that's not a risk.

If the Friday chat is going to happen, I won't be there this time; I've got a new contract and will be at work.

Love the name "snuggles".
My friends husband said he could come tomorrow, I said I was thinking next week, looks like a bomb went off in garage. I worked out there all day until dark, trying to make it safe in case he comes tomorrow. I vacuumed up mouse you know what, painted more unpainted areas, so it is brighter, got rid of dirty old books and junk, so much stuff, mostly from garage sales. Often 3 of the same book, which were never read. More filth than I expected. 95 gallon garbage cart totally full and ready for pickup in am, then can put more of garage junk in it.

I DO Kara! :D

Thanks Roxie! :D

Yes I am a total animal lover too. I love all of my fur-babies so much! I don't know what I'd do without them. :)

Thanks Tillie! :D

Diane,
CONGRATULATIONS on being able to get help! :D

OMG! I had no idea that Cory was on "The Today Show"! i can't believe I missed it! :(

BREAKING NEWS:

My newest fur-baby officially has a name. :D

I decided to name him Snuggles. :D

I decided to name him Snuggles because he loves to snuggle with people and other animals. He'll snuggle with me, my boyfriend, Matt and Cory...it's ADORABLE! :D

Thanks Tillie, this is the first day I have done nothing in 3&1/2 hours, just watched Cory on Today show then posted it on facebook and asked if anyone wanted to help me declutter, one friend actually said she thought of me this morning when she saw it on the Today show and would be happy to help and bring her husband, can you believe it? I asked for help, after seeing that Karl had done it, I thought, I wish I was that brave, then posting the Cory clip, gave me the opportunity to do it. I sure hope I have the balls to let them help, and let go of the shame.

Good morning :)
Another cool and quiet day here in northern Nevada.

Diane :)
You have been amazing to follow with all the things you find to do every day. :D

Hi MayMay,
You have been doing a wonderful job totalling up all the totals. :)

Cats have been fed and will do all their other chores in a minute.
Need to do a little bit of cooking today and then clean up the kitchen.
Maybe I will be inspired to find more things for the June Challenge. ;)
That has been soooo much fun! :D

Hope everybody has a great day!

Thanks Tillie! :D

My mom asked me that exact same question when I told her that I got another dog. Lol. :D

My mom thinks that 3 dogs is a lot of dogs. Unlike me, she's not that much of an animal lover.

Congratulations MayMay :)
Are you planning to be a dog hoarder? jk ;)

Diane WTG!!! :D
Again, you have done an amazing amount there!
Today I had the opportunity to sort through some stuff for the June Challenge.
Nice working here when the weather is comfortable. :)

Hi Tillie, so great you are enjoying cooler weather and can take it easy today since you did so much yesterday.
I worked lots of hours today, didn't get as much done as yesterday, but had a good day. Cleaned the door of the shed I cleaned out, I had plywood on floor and realized, don't need it in there, so moved everything, took plywood out, cleaned the whole floor it is so nice to see where everything is and only have yard stuff in there, and able to get to push mower with out the hassle, it is a miracle. I painted a platform that I am going to put foam and upholstry fabric (waterproof)_ for a dog perch in the yard. then went in the garage and finished off the pint of paint on ladder to loft and wall. Wall and ladder have never been painted so really soaks up the paint. Goat trail is expanding in garage, I actually made a trail through the middle and can now get to the window, the piles are shrinking, mostly easy to toss because mice have made themselves at home in the piles, so am tossing lots of stuff I wouldn't normally have been able to toss. Not willing to wash stuff anymore to donate, if it is dirty it is garbage.

BREAKING NEWS:

Matt and Cory just became BIG BROTHERS! :D

Today I became a mom to a bull dog puppy. :)

One of Cory and Matt's doggie friends, who is a bull dog, had a litter of puppies; and today I adopted one of the puppies. :D

It's a boy and I'm still thinking of possible names for him. :)

I'll post back when I have a name picked out. :)

Good morning :)

So peaceful, quiet and cool here this morning and the cats let me sleep in. :D

Hi Lynn :)

Hi Diane :)
How I envy you! Finding another entire bathroom, how wonderful! :D
WAY TO GO! WOOHOO! For fixing that leak, finding those shed parts and all the other tasks you completed.
Hope your head feels better today. I have had some heavy things fall down off his hoard onto me before & know how that can be very dangerous and painful. :(
You DID accomplish a lot! So take it easier today. :)

My plans for today are to take it easy.
Just some tidying up.
Plan to enjoy the cooler weather.

Wishing everybody a happy Wednesday. :D

forgot to report did dishes, cleaned counters, 1 load laundry, watered plants, had some trouble when throwing clothes away, anything that is 100% cotton, I think, I could cut it up and use it to clean with, then have to say, there will be plenty of other chances to cut up the hoard, just toss it. Garbage can is filling up nicely.
I found a dead mouse, cause of death: hoard crash. Speaking of---- a heavy, large wood cabinet door fell on my head today in garage, not sure why I put it on the top of a pile of clothes, but sure did hurt, did help throw things away cause I was so annoyed with the pile.
I did work too many hours today, but was so energized with fixing the toilet. Tomorrow I will take more breaks, I am beat now. Today I feel a sense of accomplishment, which is unusual for me, feels good.
Thanks for the comments of support and sharing my joy that things are moving in the right direction now, as are you.

Ok here is a secret----I have another bathroom that I had a new toilet put in over a year ago, but it leaked, as did the one I had taken out, it had a cracked tank. The new one is high quality and no obvious problem, just had to turn off water to it because it wet swelled floor under linoleum. So that bathroom became hoarder haven, since couldn't use it. Well today, I decided to take the junk out because it has a really good bathtub and really want a good soak for sore muscles. Cleaned sink and tub and floor, looks so inviting now for a good bath tonight. Well, then I thougt, I should make sure he tightened everything up correctly. Found a few loose connections, so thought, maybe the wax seal was faulty, better check, when I went for the floor bolt on wall side, guess what, not tightened at all, so yes, I fixed it, some weird stuff had grown in it since not used, cleaned really well then tried it out, works and it is such a joy to have a good toilet, the other one is a junky one. I was so excited at my good fortune!!!! Cant explain why a quality working toilet is such a joy, but made all this worth the trouble, such a better bathroom, not
dark like the other one.
To celebrate, I worked out in the walkway, moved a bunch of junk, got rid of lots, and found the connections parts for putting a shed together. Like everything, I bought 2 costco sheds, put one together, one I cleaned yesterday, and realized I want to sell other one after it sat in pieces for a few years, but I had lost the parts. Now I can sell the dang thing. I tell you, today has been such a great day, 2 unexpected joys. I am starting to think, this hard work is paying off. This site is so great for us who have not been able to declutter without support.

Hello All

Yesterday I went to Michigan City for that factory job. I also got the call for the cleaning job for an interview. As it turns out for the cleaning job if I were hired I would be working for no more than 20per week if any.

At the other job I would be able to work up to at least 36 hours but the hours would fluctuate due to schedule. It would be hard because it would be a 12hr shift. I told the interviewer that I'd prefer 1st shift because it would be 4am to 4pm.

Tillie and Roxie,
I read the other post and thank you.
I know I can never ask about the tablecloths and table runners that are packed away and will never be used by her without getting in a brutal defensive argument which is not worth it.

She avoids any images of hoarding or any living conditions as though its the boubonic plague. She will never see those images unless she walks upon an image on a billboard or something on a huge outdoor screen showing those images but will still avoid looking at the images.
It's as if the imgages will hurt/scare her somehow.
I'm guessing that she just may be way way too overwhelmed to even glance at the images/videos of others with a hoarding problem.

HI :D
Been busy here!
Washed, sanitized & refilled litter boxes.
Washed kitchen trash can.
Washed kitten's kennel where I store him over night.
3 loads of laundry.
Swept floors & porches. Cottonwood trees are shedding their cotton all over the place.
Swished & swiped & tidied up bathroom.
Washed off kitchen counter.
Fed cats, fresh water in their bowls.
Killed a big fat black widow spider on the outside wall. :(
Probably some other stuff but can't remember it right now. ;)

Yesterday the weather got extremely WEIRD!
Got up to 98 degrees then huge black clouds rolled in. Brought the winds and the temperature rapidly fell all the way down to 64 degrees! :O
Not here where I am but other areas close by got 3 inches of hail and some areas got so much rain so fast they flooded.
Not here but some areas got a LOT of lightening strikes and no rain, causing wildfires.
Was so fresh and cool outside that I went out and watered the trees at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Strange weather for sure! :O

The weather for the rest of the week is back to normal for this time of year. Not as hot. :D

Dianne,
WAY TO GO! Working on the scheduling for that work to get done! :D
Plan is still to rehome the kitten.
There is a limit to the number of cats we can happily have. The 5 older cats are VERY unhappy, my little grey tabby has even run away now. Haven't seen him for 4 days now. :(
I keep calling him and hoping he comes back. :(
Yes :D the dollhouse is a lot of fun and gives me a lot of pleasure. Such a thrill when I find something new to add to it. :D

Diane :)
WTG! on all your hard work! :D
Even more wonderful is that you quit when you felt done and did not keep pushing yourself to exhaustion! (((HUGS))) :D

HI Roxie :D

TTYL :)

Diane, Dianne, Tillie: good to read your updates. Dianne, I am proud of you for making those calls out. I need to make calls and am stalling.

All I accomplished yesterday was to take out one bag of garbage and to put away the dishes I washed the day before.

What a great day, stayed below 80 degrees today, has been in high 80's for a week, too hot and today was perfect. Met my boss for an outing to go to businesses today. we had such a great time and good visit, she is so great, positive, fun, healthy, and happy. Then I bought a few groceries since my street is going to be coated this week, so will be staying home, plus am dog sitting. Got home and went to work, got through a couple of bins of stuff, mostly books in one. then took a break. Washed two cabinets that came out of shed that belong in garage. washed several other things all in yard, that were in shed. when I felt done, I quit. then cut a bunch of dead flowers off, pulled some weeds, enjoyed the perfect weather. Tillie, hope you are doing ok in the heat today.

Good morning :)

Fed the cats
Gave them fresh water. Very important when it gets this hot to check their water bowls all the time.
101 degrees expected today.

My To-Dos for today...
water the rhubarb & roses
clean the bathroom
sweep floors & porches
wash floors
vacuum carpet

Then I plan to stay inside with the cooler on and keep cool this afternoon/evening. :)
Have a watermelon and grapes to eat since it's too hot for much else. :D

What are you doing to try to keep cool? :)

Sorry Anne :(
Missed you.

Sorry I missed out on rest of Sun.night group -- I was booted off...

I've been busy since I woke up.
Cats all squared away.
Kitchen all clean & tidy.
I am watching the neighbor's house and got the inside plants all watered.
Record breaking heat here, possible thunderstorms this afternoon.

Today both my red tea rose and Peace rose bloomed! :D

Kitten is napping so I have a little time to get online right now. Why oh Why do kittens love to run around on keyboards???

Did a little decorating in my doll house this morning. Found some fabric that makes very nice floor coverings.
I have been slowly working on this doll house for several years and it is really nice now.
I never go to any hobby shops that have doll house furnishings. Pick it up one piece at a time here & there, mostly from the thrift shop.
It is very difficult to find items the right size. This house is very very tiny. But I did manage to find a doll house that fits in my doll house. :D

Remember ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP chat tonight at 5:00pm PST.

Hi Kara :)
WAY TO GO! for not bringing home your beach combing finds! :D

Hi Dianne :)

KARL!!!!
Fantastic!!!!! WOOHOO!!! WAY TO GO!!!!
That is some well deserved ice cream!
HAPPY DANCE!!!!! :D

Hi MayMay :)

Hi Roxie :)

Karl, way to go!

Hi Anne W,

Well nothing too crazy has happened lately. :)

I've just been working at the bar and hanging out with firefighters and paramedics. I like to stay safe that way. ;)

I am definitely still enjoying my Smokin' Hot Bedroom. And I am still keeping it clean too. :D

Two came by this afternoon -- one of them being a repeat visitor from yesterday -- and this time we ended up with the living room completely done, ready to show off to the landlords. And it's going to STAY that way for the week remaining until the inspection!

Definitely going to finish off the premium ice cream tonight. I think I need it.

Hi everyone.

Anne W: No not yet. But I met up with a friend today (just to get me out the home)and we have planned to bury the little guy tomoz after church. I just could not do it on my own. I have printed off my own spiritual prayers which I would like to use (funeral). I am not functioning much at mo.

Me and friend went to the beach 9 mile away. I took photos of beachcombing things whilst my friend walked for half hour. Smuggy day. It was nice to get absorbed in the beachcombing stuff. AND..... none of it went through my front door. Not one stone or shell. Just got the photos. What an achievement.

Found a web page aimed at the assessors, giving them everything to assess claimants. It's 240 pages long !! The Mental Cognative part is P114. and consists of these: This definition would include the following circumstances:
 Where the claimant is taking any medication which impairs cognitive function to a
degree that causes impairment of mental function.
 Where there is evidence of an alcohol /drug dependency problem which has
resulted in impairment of mental function.
 Where there is evidence of a physical or sensory disability such as tinnitus or
Chronic Fatigue that may impact on mental function.
 Where there is evidence of learning disability.
 Where there is a previously unidentified mild or moderate mental function problem
identified during the LCW/LCWRA assessment.

Where does clinical depression fit in? After reading most of the the 10 pages, I'm exhausted mentally and physically. Need my bed.
I still need to write my negative stance on life. The actual questions are a positive view and I have to answer in a negatively. It makes me take a mental step backwards just to win my benefits.

I apologise for the downbeat of this entry. 3 months+ I have to do this for. I feel I should be in this support group. My hope is dying and so is my faith in myself.

WAY TO GO Roxie!!! :D

Good luck with your plans for today! :D

Good morning :D
Cats are all fed, litter boxes all scooped and kibble and water bowls are all filled.

Going to be another hot day. Yesterday the official high here was 102 degrees. :0

Have my grocery list all made out. I am all dressed and have lots of sunscreen on.
Waiting on him to get ready. He is busy playing games on his computer. =(

Hummm,
Just thought, I should buy some lemons today and make lots of lemonade. ;)

Everybody, try to make this Saturday a day of fun and adventure.

So yesterday I got the dishes done, and garbaged bagged, and plants watered. Now I have to finish yesterday's list.



wash the dishes in the sink
round up and take out all garbage
water the new plants I have yet to plant
bring in one of the two big boxes outside on my porch (one is a new cat tower, the other is new bushes I need to plant)
work on sorting papers while I watch tv tonight

Good morning :)

diane,
I used to leave the water running too until I started clipping a timer to me. Timer goes off & reminds me that I am doing something and need to get back to it. lol
Strange how the years can slip away from us too. Seems like only a few years ago but in reality it's been decades.
FANTASTIC!!! job you have been doing filling that big trash can.
Remember to take the time to relax and play. (((hugs)))

Hi Lynn :)

Anne W,
WAY TO GO! on getting that freezer/fridge so squeeky clean! :D
My lavender bloom is still hanging in there and the red looks like it will bloom by tomorrow.
I didn't plant any tomatoes this year but have one that self seeded from last year too. Don't know yet if it's an heirloom or a yellow cherry tomatoe. :D
Keep up with the FANTACTIC work you have been doing. :D

Hi MayMay,
I really love the June Challenge too. So motivational to toss stuff just so I can post it and watch my tally grow. ;D
We need to all brain storm for ideas for more challenges!

Kara,
I would really love for us to get together for a tea party.
Keep posting, we do notice when you are not around here. (((hugs)))

Karl,
So very very happy your friends came over and helped you.
I understand how tossing some things like that puts you out of your "comfort zone" but don't dwell on it.
Feel your emotions and logically talk yourself into trying to see the logic of not keeping every peper.
Eventually you will become more accustomed to the idea of letting go.
What could be the worst thing that could happen to you if you did not have an old out dated paper in your home?
Reading and working along with "Buried In Treasures" will help you with these uncomfortable feelings.
(((HUGS)))

Roxie & Kara -- How are you both feeling today?

Kara --
Were you able to lay your dear gerbil to rest?
(At some point I'll post in the mental health section about my "working through" process re: holding on to & releasing (only recently) items from past relationships & my beloved cat who passed away Nov. 2011)
Also -- How is your ART PROJECT coming along? :)

Dianne -- How are things going with you?

Karl & Diane -- See my comments for both of you under "June Challenge" :)

Diane -- I keep tryin to "catch up" to you re: June Challenge yet you are so speedy ;) Keep on with that FANTASTIC DRIVE of yours - it keeps me "diggin" on -- THANK YOU! }:~D
What are you doing for fun today?
I went out with a friend for frozen yogurt last night as my "reward" -- YuM :)

AnneL -- Thank you for the update post. Keep plugging away 2 or 5 minutes at a time. You are going to get there!

Billie -- How are things going with you?
Will you be at Sunday's Online Group?

MayMay -- Any recent antics ;) &/or adventures?
Are you still enjoying your Smokin' Hot Bedroom?

Tillie -- Are your tea roses still in bloom?
My hydrangea & butterfly bushes are blooming now in shades of white & raspberry, respectively.
Last summer I grew 5 heirloom tomato varietals - I absolutely love fresh tomatoes - but haven't had/made time this season to get more... Well, when I was weeding last week, I discovered 1 of the plants had self-seeded!!! Made my day -- discovering that little plant brought me such joy :) Hope you find some delicious watermelons when you grocery shop & enjoy your Saturday!

Hi, everybody else -- As Roxie & others wrote: please keep posting... I read 'em daily!

Four people came over to help. We made a full-out attack of most of the living room, and while I wasn't looking some of them did work in three other rooms as well. It looks so much better!

They talked me into discarding a lot of older paperwork that I'd intended to file away instead. I still have some misgivings about that.

Thanks Tillie! :D

The "June Challenge" was an awesome idea! :D

If I start an "In-Person" hoarders support group I definitely want to do something like the "June Challenge" in the support group. :)

I love reading what everyone has gotten rid of and then adding up all of the grand totals. :)

I say: "Ditto!" Good job to both of you's!!! ;)

I'll write more later, but here's my quick update: I spent an hour in the kitchen today -- emptied the freezer (didn't have much in there - just ground coffee & various gel packs) -- However, I had had a beer explode in there about a year ago -- so much for my quick "chill" idea! -- and it left a sticky mess which I then left until today!.

I scrubbed down that whole freezer, including the inside door ledges -- I even yielded a screwdriver & took out the base panel so I could clean underneath the grid. Got all of that stuff cleaned, dried, & back in place. Discarded the excess coffee & gel packs & started on fridge. I washed clean inside the door cubbies/shelves of the fridge & the top drawer (in which a different something sticky had spilled) -- Will finish inside of fridge tmrw. So far, I'm still maintaining other kitchen work.

More later.

Keep fightin' the good fight everyone! :)

Yea! Roxie and diane
Great Job! Keep up the good work!

Early start on the day. I watered all trees and shrubs last night and heard water running this morning, yep, left water running on a bush all night, sad to waste water, my intuition reminded me last night, and I waited until I forgot. Oh, well, another lesson to do it now.
This morning I pulled several bags out of garage onto patio and went through them all, mostly give away and throw away, wait until you see my list on June Challenge, some of it is embarassing that I ever bought this stuff, but oh well, your honesty is helping me see my junk more clearly, maybe this will help some one else, if nothing else, you can say you never got this bad!!!!!!!!!!!! It was fun sitting out on patio in the shade doing sorting, and then when sun moved in, I moved inside to relax. Feels so strange to take breaks and takes several minutes to relax, then really enjoy it. Thinking of next project, maybe dishes, that is always a challenge for me.
I was able to squish more stuff in garbage before they picked it up this morning, was so much fun to throw the maximum away the cart could handle. So happy I got the largest cart delivered 2 weeks ago. Some of the stuff I tossed today was bought in 1993 and still in original packages, and in bag with the receipt, that is a few years ago, didn't realize this had been going on that long, thought it was just the last 5 or 10 years that I bought stuff and just stashed it in garage. Now know it is 20 years worth of shopping I think should be gone in 2 months, no wonder it is taking so long. So grateful for all the comments, could not tackle the enormity of the hoard and filth without you, thanks so much.

YEA! Roxie :D

You CAN do this! :D