I did not get anything much done yesterday but make sure garbage was in the garbage, fed the cats two times and made sure they had fresh water.

Today I plan to:

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


I think I can get that done. I plan to get that done.

I was also thinking of the reason why she can't answer the question : Do you love your stuff more or me more? She wants the best of both worlds where she has both of us in her life or the second possible answer is that she may love her stuff more and doesn't want to admit it that she also loves us just the same.

Tille, thanks. I will look up those words too.

Do you and everyone else on here take positive comments to heart and see the brighter side of life too?

I always look for the brighter side of things too.
It's too hard to waste all that energy being negative all the time and way too exhausting.

For just asking or the comment of it being a sunny day outside, I see it as Yea! Sunshine to shoo away depression due to lack of sun and absorbe some vitamin D. Enjoy the weather time.

But you're right. She'll take that same line and see/say something very negative and assume that it'll rain again or something of that nature since she is a wet blanket anyway.

Tillie: Thanks for confirming my hunch. I've already tried the "move stuff somewhere else" strategy, but it's hard for me to explain why it doesn't work. This friend is hard to dialog with -- I'm not sure I ever got to the point of telling him my plans for having helpers come over today, because he kept interrupting with his own suggestions.

Lynn,
what I have observed is that they have a constantly running negative tape in their heads.
All thoughts/replies are negative.
They do not have any positive thoughts in their heads.
Say "lovely outside today" and they will reply with something negative like "the #*&@ birds are pooping on everything".
Their constantly running inner dialogue is nothing but negativity.
Nothing positive or happy or hopeful ever in their thinking.

They refuse to allow in anything positive.
They prefer being this way.

I prefer to look at the brighter side of life. To always look for the positive, beauty and humor in living.

Do a google search and read the definitions of
optimist and pessimist.

Pessimists like to be miserable because that justifies their pessimism.

I like to be optomistic and feel that I am a much happier and well rounded person for being so.

I may be late if I can join the chat this evening after I get back from the recertification class.

Tillie, and everyone I got a question
Does a stinker thinker such as my mother always take a positive comment and think of it as an insult?

Yesterday my mother texted me just after class had started and was wondering where the vacuum cleaner was. (it's a small hand held vacuum)

She bought resolve carpet cleaner to clean the kitchen carpet and also needed the vacuum.
I commented her on making an effort that she was going to clean the kitchen carpet and she thought I was insulting her.

I've read about stinker thinkers and was wondering if all stinker thinkers think positive comments are taken as negative insults.

She still has a lot of clutter in the kitchen so I'm not sure how she's going to clean the kitchen carpet.

Good morning :)
Got up super early today.
Fed the cats then went out to water trees & bushes before it got too hot.
Will be about 100 degrees here Saturday.

Taking a break right now then will eat breakfast and afterward clean cat litter boxes, wash & fill their water & kibble bowls.

Need to make a grocery shopping list for tomorrow. Haven't been to the store for 2 weeks.
Hope the watermelons are still good and affordable.

Also, need to find more stuff to toss because it's been fun and motivating reading all the challenge posts.

TGIF :D

Hi MayMay :)
You are doing fantastic! being our June Challenge Grand Totaller! :)

Hi Anne W :)
(((hugs))) hope you know how much we all appreciate you being here with us.

Hi Diane :)
WTG! on treating yourself to the frozen yogurt. You have really earned that treat! :D
Keep enjoying yourself this week, good self care and PLAY! ;D

Hi Lynn :)
Have fun at the recertification class.
Still keeping our fingers crossed that soon you will be hired. :D

Hi everybody else who has been reading. ;D

Karl,
Putting the stuff in bags in the garage is the WORST thing you could do.
That would make your clutter problem even bigger and impossible to ever tackle.
Please do NOT do that.
Handle the items, make those decisions keep/toss as you go.
Sincerely, Tillie

Hope your friends and you have a great success today! :D

I guess we're doing the Friday chat again? I should be able to make it, if I don't stay up all night. I might have to leave before it's over -- I've got a blood donation appointment.

My Wednesday plans ended up taking all day, with no cleaning done. Thursday I had nothing to interrupt me, but I never got started -- I should have gone and set the 15m timer. I'll be sure to do at least one session before going to bed, though.

Friday, I've got people coming over to help, including the one friend who turned out to have experience in home organizing. I hope this will work out -- right now, things look more cluttered than last weekend, because of the partially sorted piles.

One friend suggested that I shouldn't try to make any decisions at all about discarding or filing; just throw everything into bags or boxes and move them to the garage, and "go through them later" when I'm not under time pressure. I don't think this would help, though.

diane sounds like you did a lot! (pat on the back) The deserts was well worth it. :)

Today I went to doc for a follow-up for my knee and also asked him for another x-ray for my ankle.
He said that the stress fracture is healing well and as for my ankle, he said that there was a small line break probably like my old fracture from what I had 3 yrs ago. He highly suggested to go to physical thearapy to heal faster and also said that there really is no reason why not to bear all weight or 50% weight on the leg.

I also had to go to one of a two day class for my recertification today and will finish up tomorrow.
The classes for recertification are always in the evening. We got done early so we left early and will finish up tomorrow. :) Since my card expires tomorrow I had to get this class done or it would be expired.
Normally I would be in a one day class for about a couple of hours for a quick review, demo on the manaquines then take test and then get cards. Then don't come back for two years.
I could not kneel on the floor for compressions or any thing so I did what I needed to do on the table. One other had orthoscopic surgery and couldn't kneel on his left knee either. He was on crutches. Mostly everyone else there too is also there to recertify too and not there for the first time which makes time go by faster. YEAH!!
Can't wait to get the card and then not worry about it for another two years.

Hope everyone else is haveing a productive day and working hard to their goals. (:

I may not be able to chat tomorrow due to timing.
Keep up the great work everyone! :)

love the vinegar and baking soda drain cleaner this is the best site, helping each other by example

Got home and felt exhausted from heat, then read all of your posts and my heart filled up, no kidding, you all are so special to me now. I took my donations to the humane society thrift store today, it is 88 degrees, so not that much fun, and they didn't appreciate some of it, and here I thought I was giving them great stuff, good lesson to just throw away any questionable items, did hurt my baby feelings though. Then to store, bought soy milk and frozen berries, lots of fresh green vegetables, yams, apples, things I really like, and----dark cherry/chocolate frozen yogurt, the pint is almost gone. I rarely buy it because I eat it, but today it was my reward and I enjoyed every bite, and am looking forward to the rest of it in the near future.
I had lots of fun this morning, enjoying my yard, then enjoyed cashing some checks, lots of spending money, and nothing to buy!!

Thanks Anne W! :D

Diane -- Were you able to have fun & enjoy yourself today? Hope so -- you've been working so hard =)

How did today go for you, Roxie?

Did you get any good kitty love to encourage you on?
(The way I figure it -- If you fed the cats & put the food away back where it belongs, you took a step forward in your daily maintenance!)

I hope you are feeling even the tiniest bit better by this afternoon/eveing =)

Please know that your posts here are of BIG Benefit to me -- I thank you & just hope you are hanging in there today...

Thank you all for your ongoing encouragement (see my note under June Challenge;)
Today was all early morning work just to get it over with!!! 30 min. in kitchen plus another 60 min working in bits around other parts of house. Tillie -- I did the vinegar+b.soda w/ boiled water chaser (plus a few plunger pumps;) & cleared an old stopped up drain in the downstairs bathroom sink -- I've only been here 2 years, but I don't think drain had been tended to in over 20 years! (There was some rank stuff that started bubbling up -- but NOT any more :) LoL -- Plus I love watching the bubbling reaction -- reminds me of making the model volcano eruption as a kid!

Just a bit of appreciation here:
Tillie -- you continue to be a "Blazing Light" of inspiration for me. When I am hesitant to discard an item -- I now think "Amnesty!" thanks to you :D
And, if that still doesn't get me closer to a toss, I remind myself of how you continually work to maintain your tidy & organized spaces :)

And if I'm still struggling, I remind myself of all of the people on here who have improved their lives through deliberate small shifts in thinking & behavior:

MayMay -- your enthusiasm & humorous exploits ;) keep me groovin' -- need I say more!?!

Roxie -- your insightfulness, heartfelt feedback, & attentiveness to the multitude of message board threads & each of us here -along with your consistent thoughtfulness lets me know you genuinely care & you'll be lookin' out & won't let me just "slip through the cracks" on this journey :)

Diane -- your ongoing Herculian efforts (8+ Hrs/Day!!!) at reclaiming your home & yard, you steadfast perserverence, & your posts sharing your newfound enjoyment of the areas you've successfully cleared give me hope that I may get there if I'm willing to keep hard at work.

Dianne -- Your ability to take charge of the papers in your life while continuing to get rid of things AND while juggling time with adult children, grandchildren, pets with special needs, etc. amazes me.

Kara -- Your ability to reach out, to ask for what you need, to engage with people even when you don't feel 100% lets me know you are on the right road. Be gentle with yourself -- you are going to get there.

Janice -- so happy when I see you post... Glad the new med is such a help ...& I'm still thinking about your Iris Garden ;)

Lynn S -- You have such a depth of inner strength. I continue to watch you strive for your job despite set-backs and I have no doubt you will succeed! (As the daughter of a life-long hoarder, I can also really relate to the energy ties in the struggle with your mother. It sounds like you are working hard to take good care of yourself -- Keep it Up :)

I know there are others I haven't mentioned by name -- but I am truly impressed by all of you -- should I say all of us? -- & I've been delighted to see folks are finding success by enlisting assistance from partners, friends, etc.

Grateful for this forum -- it's making a HUGE positive difference!

Hi Kara,

Yes sadly there are not a lot of "In-Person" hoarders support groups out there. :(

Which is one of the reasons why I want to start an "In-Person" hoarders support group once I become a successful extreme cleaner. :)

Hi Kara :)
Yes one filled trash can does count! :)

Would yu please do just one long neglected task?
Please take care of the gerbil right away today.
Been too long sitting there as a sad reminder of your loss.

Right now decide how you are going to handle this.
Gather up whatever you may need to do this task.
Then please, please, please take care of it.

Afterward have a quiet time to remember the gerbil and all the pleasure it brought you.

It is not healthy for you physically, mentally or emotionally to keep it around any longer.

(((hugs))), Tillie

Does filling up 1 garbage bag count. 1 other in the hall. It is rubbish night but can't mentally throw them on to the street for the truck. Encouragement from others might help.

Still need to lay gerbil to rest! Still not done.
I can list all the things I still have to do but have not done. Maybe I should set up another thread for that?

Yeah Health issues:- Yes erm.... Depression leading me to feel numb and forgetful. I go to local support groups to get me out but there is none for hoarders.

I would love a kitten but there is no safety point here for one. They loved to investigate. If my home was tidy and clean I might consider a pet.

Painted my nails instead!!

Thanks for supporting. K

I'm not sure I can respond to everyone individually, but please know I'm reading everything and I care very much, okay?

Tillie, you are doing excellent work!

Diane, if you were my neighbor I'd hire you to do MY yard, which is in dire need of TLC.

Kara, I'm concerned. Are you having health issues?

Dianne, you did massive amounts of things yesterday. Just massive. The fact that you have garbage bags full of stuff to dump IS making progress, especially in light of all your errands and demands on your time. Steady on.

Today I plan on doing something, anything to kick start back into daily maintenance. I promise.

never tried to sew with kitty although I kind of know what you are saying, my dog still follows me everywhere, no biting though, duct tape on kitty might help----
yes, shade is nice
haven't had watermelon yet this year, good idea though, will get one tomorrow, no ice cream lately either
I blend frozen berries, soy milk, and protein powder in blender and it tastes like ice cream without the sugar and chemicals, so today I really missed having my drink, since I am out of soy milk and strawberries..
So good to have this support group.

Hi MayMay :)

Diane,
Have you ever tried to sew with a baby cat helping you every step of the way?
Oh Well.....

Nice that you have that shady spot to sit in. :D
Good plan on making a run to donate then to grocery shop.
Some ice cream sounds really good. How are the watermelons there? The 3 I have bought here have been crisp, juicy and sweet. ;D

Way too much Christmas stuff seems to be a very common thread in almost every home. Ornaments, paper, ribbon, doodads, etc.
So happy that I don't have any of that stuff.
Never decorate and don't do gifts. :)

WTG! on all you have done and keeping up with maintenance! :D



Dianne,BIG WAY TO GO! for eating healthy! :D
With your very busy schedule you have to take care of yourself since so many depend on you.
(((HUGS)))


Hi Kara :)
WAY TO GO! with keeping up with leads for help and all that other paperwork! :D

Hi everybody! :)

I'm glad everyone is doing well. :)

Today I got a really weird picture message from my ex-boyfriend. He looks so CREEPY in the photo. I don't know if he was trying to be sexy, but the photo turned out really CREEPY looking.

So right after I saw the picture message I immediately showed it to my boss and then sent the picture message to my boyfriend. After my boyfriend saw it, he came to the bar and we tried to come up with a message to send back to him. So we decided to send him a picture message of my boyfriend and my boss without their shirts on. Lol. :)

Tillie, Tillie, Tillie-----did you have fun today? Was it easy to alter dress? Sounds like
fun to me, visualizing your clean space to sew in!!
I woke up at 4:30am, saw it was light, so got up thinking it was 6 or 7. I worked on finishing the yard where the big aspen tree is, had to move a bunch of boards and metal things to make a flat area to put my chair. Was able to sit under the tree in the shade, looked up and enjoyed the leaves moving in the wind. It is 85 degrees, thus wanted a shady spot for this afternoon. It is a private area that is so sweet now without all the garbage stored there. Went out in the garage and put the 2 bags and one box of christmas stuff in loft, for fall giveaway. Not kidding, it filled almost the whole space, christmas stuff, that I never use, will be so nice to get rid of it, at least it is off the floor now, plenty more on floor. Today I hauled all the framed art out, that I forgot I had, too hot now but plan to dust cobwebs and dust off and donate tomorrow. Haven't been grocery shopping for 3 weeks, I think, so not much food here, so thought I would fill car tonight with donations and go before it gets hot tomorrow, donate stuff, and buy gallons of ice cream, kidding, sounds good on a hot day.
Got dishes caught up, cleaned inside of microwave.

Good morning :)

After a stressful begining to this week my plan for today was to sleep in, take things slower, do some fun stuff.

Well, wasn't allowed to sleep in, had to jump up and get moving right away.
Now that that is all over with I am going back to my plan of doing something fun today.
Want to alter a pretty summer dress that I want to wear but it's too big for me.
Have another dress that fits but is about 6 inches too long.

Hoping that that darned phone doesn't ring any more and that nobody else shows up in my driveway to annoy me with annoyances.

May you all have a pleasant and uncomplicated day too :D

Diane Diane Diane

This week you are to have lots of fun & rest.
Enjoy the outdoors.
Play in the dirt, outside.
Eat picnic lunches.

(((hugs)))

So happy to see all of the things you wrote, nice to have such a great group.
I did have some fun in the yard. Moved some rocks to make a trail and put bark mulch between them, put some holographic garden ribbon up around raspberries, which prevents birds from eating them before I get to them. Pulled some weeds and tree shoots. Repainted part of bathroom, then thought I would use the rest of paint in garage, was able to finish off the can, although it was a bit warm in garage. Moved some junk to get to the wall to paint, and found 2 more large bags of christmas docorations, they will go up with others to be donated in fall. Garbage can doesn't have much more room, pickup early Friday.
Kept thinking of what Tillie said, you can't organize a hoard. There is so much stuff in that garage, which will mostly have to go to garbage, no way to organize a hoard.
I did talk on the phone 3 times today, which made me feel great. Didn't get much done today, but did enjoy the day, hope you all have a great day tomorrow. Tomorrow I hope to focus on finding things to give away then do fun stuff outside.

Dianne,
I usually do my bathroom sink, kitchen sink and tub about every 4 months.
The bath tub drain has a metal cover that can be unscrewed to expose the area.
Using a pair of long tweezers I remove any hair that has gotten down in there.
My tub drain can hold 4 or 5 large soup spoons of baking soda. So that is what I do, just keep spooning baking soda down into the hole till it's all full.
With this task, either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar work.
Pour vinegar into the tub/sink and watch as it flows into the baking soda filled drain.
It foams & fizzes for a long time. When it slows down, several times I pour in some more vinegar & it gets fizzy again. Use as much vinegar as you want. Doesn't really take very much.
Leave it fizzing away in the drain for at least half an hour.
Either turn on the tap and run very hot water down the drain or boil a big pot on the stove and pour that down.

This cleans out the sticky soap scum that tends to build up and block the drains and also works on kitchen sinks that have had too much grease/oil down them.

With long neglected slow or blocked drains you may need to repeat the process before you get the best results.

I have never met a drain yet that I could not clear using this method. ;D

Doing this about 3 times a year keeps drains clear & fast draining.

Yesterday was pretty hectic -- I was trying to multi-task four or five ways, and ended up accidentally deleting two messages instead of sending them. I got a couple of 15-minute cleaning sessions done before taking the the evening off for fun.

I also got one phone call from a friend who's going to be in town and wants to meet up on Wednesday. We'll probably just go out to eat, but we might also spend time socializing at home... Fortunately, he's seen the mess before, so I won't feel obliged to keep him out.

It's time for the Tuesday online chat support, so I'll save the rest for a separate message.

HI :)

Happy to see you all.
Diane, Dianne, Roxie, Ann, Kara & those of you who read here but haven't replied today. :D

Been one of "those" days. :(
Rather not write out all the drama, just want to put it all behind me.
Anyways I still got a lot of what I wanted to accomplish accomplished.

Hot here today & will be hotter rest of the week.
Watered everything.
Did 4 loads of laundry. Stuff like table cloths & quilt other stuff I cover things with to keep the cat hair off.
Bath tub drain has been draining slow so removed the drain cover, dumped in baking soda and vinegar. Drains fast now.
Cleaned the bathroom.
My lavender tea rose bloomed today. Such a lovely color and wonderful scent.
Made a fried egg sandwich.
Creepy kitten is biting! Attacks me all the time & has my arms all sore & raw. :(
Tomorrow is trash pick up day. Planning to fill that wheelie bin full!.

Hoping that no matter what the world throws at you you just keep on keeping on. :D

The heat is getting to me. 104 YESTERDAY and similar all week.(WHINING)

I've made some progress... researching... for next Thursday's Book Discussion: THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe. (PATTING SELF ON BACK)

I've consolidated and filed the stuff from one of the five manilla bags which I sorted last week... I intend to tackle another of them today... so that the bags themselves don't clutter the relatively clear office counter much longer. (FEELING GOOD ABOUT THIS)

Jim and I have written a LIST of projects to remember to do during the next couple of weeks. Days go by without our thinking of them. 9TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THEM AFTER PUTTING THEM OFF TOO LONG.)

Enjoying everyone's posts on the BOARD. Thanks.

All I got done yesterday was putting away the clean dishes that were piled up to dry in my other sink.

Janice, way to go! You sound so enthusiastic and positive, which is wonderful.

Diane, thud, I'm napping after all that work I did reading what you've accomplished. :D

Dianne, how's things by you, gal? And Tillie?

Sorry if I left anyone out...mind of a sieve lately.

Hugs
Roxie

Here to report on all the fun I had today--------------there you have it. Total failure on taking the day to have fun. Got up at 6 and took coffee out to yard, then thought I should put something out in garage, then I realized the little loft had 15 years of dirt and clutter and thought I should go up there and analyze the situation. At 4pm I was done for the day, took all the junk down, swept up the big piles of dirt and debris and then vacuumed area, then put linoleum now, then put all the Christmas decorations up there. I donated some to thrift store last week and they said, no more until fall. My 95 gallon garbage can is almost full so bagged up all Christmas stuff to get out of way, and that was the perfect spot to put it after I cleaned, and can get to it easily in the fall to donate. I only took one short break to make a smoothie, then back to work. at 4 I sat on deck and enjoyed my view and yard, and called a close friend and had some belly laughs. Then I moved some stuff in yard, watered flowers, got out all the stuff to plant tomorrow. After that dirty filthy job today, will take tomorrow for a day in the yard, planting and just having a great time loving my life here on my own little slice of heaven, that I bought for myself, and is paid for. I feel so lucky to have found this group so that I can have the support to change the way I have been living. I am excited to have tomorrow off to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and the yard.
I have become very aware of my thinking, when I say, I will move that later or do that later, I change it and do it now. Such a simple concept, but never have thought this way, thus all the piles of "do it later stuff". Yeah, thanks to you all.

Janice! :D
What a wonderful post all so full of positive things! :D
Happy dancing here just to read it!!!D

Looking forward to you sipping lemonade out on your patio this summer.;)

You did fantastic! (((hugs)))

Hi Janice,

OMG! You don't know who Matt Paxton is?...

WOW! I'm in total shock! :o

Most people that know who Cory is, also know who Matt Paxton is too.

They're like the George Clooney and Brad Pitt of extreme cleaners. LOL. ;)

Hey Cory,
Kyle talks way to much in the support chat group.

JK ;)

Hi :)

Been running since my feet hit the ground at 6:00am.
Got caught up on a lot.

Roxie,
I use Murphy's oil soap on wood and have never had any problems.

Karl,
Keep up with the sorting and wishing you great success Friday with the organizing lady. :)

Lynn,
with this economy as it is now many people have that long of a commute. :( Sorry.
But I hope you get on there. :)

HI MayMay :D

Today I went for a long hour and a half drive to Integrity Trade company.

Wow, what a drive. After I got there I was stiff from sitting for so long.

I filled out an ap and explained why I was dismissed from working with Aztec.
Truthfully not knowing the reason why.

It was just a meet and greet type of meeting after filling out the application.

She said that there is a lot of work and not enough workers.
I hope that I can score an interview stating that I can start anytime, and on the app.

3hours driving on a highway is a long time round trip.

Hope everyone is ok and having a productive day.

Hi Roxie,

Woohoo! Another Anthony Bourdain fan. :)

I became a fan of his last week after watching the episode of his new show "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" on CNN, where he went to Libya. And now I am totally hooked on both of his tv shows: the one on the travel channel and the one on CNN. :)

Yesterday was pretty much a "day off" for me, which included watching one of the DVD movies I had not seen (Side Effects). That was a treat for me. And I think MayMay mentioned Anthony Bourdain. I got hooked watching that for awhile, too.

Karl, your group effort sounds great. Are you still planning another on Friday? You "thought aloud" about a better way to approach the situation. Perhaps if you share your thoughts we can input and help you along? Does the place look better in general or is that the problem still? I am proud of you for your many 15 minute efforts so far!

AnneL, you mentioned you kept five glasses cases and could justify two. Hmmmm. Proud of you for your many donation bags and all that is going out of the house!

Tillie, take a small break today and enjoy some nature if that helps? Today it is sunny and about 73 degrees and waking up to breezes blowing through the house was pure delight for me.

I aim to get the cat boxes switched out and the area in which they reside cleaned well. It'll be a big effort. I also need to put away clean dishes from the other day that are still in the sink.

I need to tackle wood furniture that is fly specked, really dirty. Any suggestions on cleaning good wood? I mean scrubbing well without harming it?