Ok, now I am actually going to get off my duff and get to work. This week I am going to clean my bathroom. I am thinking I don't need 37 lipsticks since I don't wear it anymore. Don't really need eye shadow or mascara since my eyelids droop too much to use it, lots to throw out. Old lotions etc. so much I can get rid of yippee. How do I get the mineral deposits off tub and toilet? Years of neglect, it isn't pretty. Did put in a new sink last year, so that looks good, the rest really needs help.

I enjoyed reading what everyone is up to, sorry Tillie you live with a pain in the neck, and weeding didn't help (attempt at humor) I feel like a stranger after missing yesterday. I wrote on my personal blog, a novel, to process all my thoughts, well some of them. Basically, rained and saw areas needed to be patched on trailer roof, so did that yesterday, and some in craft room. Today up at 5AM started working at 6AM, worked all day, but outside. Will do dishes, make soup and go through 2 bags of clothes this afternoon. I have been really motivated now that burns are healing,makes me really grateful for how good my health is most of the time. As the clutter decreases my energy increases, and I am happier. I am slowly letting friends back into my life. You never know, a repairman might even be allowed in one of these days or months is more like it. I have been consistently working for 7 or 8 weeks, the longest I have ever stayed motivated, ok, a few bad days, but I continue to have hope that I will live like I deserve this year. Not bringing anything home has helped so much, I felt hopeless stacking new stuff on old hoard. Every thing I have done and fixed has been with things I already had. Feels good to use some of my stuff before it rots and has to go to junk yard. Happpy to see so many interesting posts on here.

Roxie, I do already pay all my bills by computer, so my mail disorganization hasn't hurt my credit rating. I do it by hand, rather than automatic payment, since I'd still have to track it to make sure the money is in the bank in the first place.

Thank You Roxie :)

Unfortunately, I used to be the animal rescue.
Baby & injured birds, nursing kittens, rehoming abandoned pets, trapping & neutering feral cats.
Still have all my equipment.
My three cats were baby ferals and his two cats were abandoned pets.
But I had to quit because I am just always so tired any more.
Last night I sat him down and made him learn kitten care & he had to tend to the kitten while I got to sleep.
Hoping this will make him think twice before bringing home any more. ;)

Karl, I have shared your "mail problem," with stacks lying around all over the place.

One thing that works for me regarding bills is that I've set up online payment capabilities for many of them, and automatic payment abilities wherever possible. That really helped rebuild my credit ratings since I now am rarely if ever late in paying or failing to pay all together.

Roxie

Thanks for all the encouragement, boardies!

Tillie, if you go to petfinder dot com, you can search for local animal rescue groups. See if they can take mama and baby, especially since you're addressing the kitten's health issue. If mom is too feral, she can still be trapped and spayed and returned outdoors after the baby is weaned, or if the rescue group has bottle baby feeders. They could then tame and adopt out the baby. Many rescues have humane traps to borrow or rent, and many have low or no cost spay programs.

Karl, congrats on the mail work. It seems to me that you dedicating 15 minutes a day of cleaning and/or sorting is at least a way for you to start. Good for you. I know it helps me on my worst days.

Dianne, I'm so glad you are getting yourself the medical attention you need. It should help your continuing efforts to change your life and your home.

Today I feel like Pigpen. I just want to work on ancestry dot com. I ought to take things (already in the car) to the thrift store to donate, and ought to stop by the cat shelter, but that means taking a bat or shower first and all that. Makes me tired just thinking of it.

My TO-DOs for today?

I have a very bad head ache and stiff neck. Probably from the weeding I did yesterday combined with a lot of stress brought on by my hoarder's actions.

Under a building where he works is a momma cat and at least one kitten. The kitten came out and he picked it up. Tiny little thing, still nursing and has some sort of disease.
He brought him home.

He is in town at the Veterinarian with him.

I made it very clear that we have enough cats & he can't keep him and that he is putting the health of our cats at risk just bringing the kitten in.

:(

YEA! Roxie :D

That would be a really scary dream :(
It is common though for people to have these fears of things returning to their former condition. But the fear also helps to keep you motivated to prevent that from happening.

WAY TO GO! Karl And Dianne! :D

Very important to be able to read all that small print. :)

Best way to deal with mail...
Every day when you bring the mail in
take one minute to sort it out
toss all the junk mail immediately into the trash
have one spot to place all the real mail. This could be a basket or flower pot placed near where you do your bill paying.

This will keep the pile small enough to more easily deal with.

You could start doing this today with the new mail as you start to tackle the other piles of the older stuff. :)

After nearly a week of getting nothing done, I made a point to do 15 minutes of cleanup before going to bed tonight, sorting a stack of mail, some of it dating back to December. I got rid of the junk mail, and put all the bills in one place (I haven't yet decided how I'll deal with those when the time comes).

I found one envelope containing something I'd ordered a couple of weeks ago. I hadn't realized it had already arrived, and I've been watching the mailbox each day waiting for it. Life would sure be simpler if I were more organized from the start!

Way to go Roxie! Every little bit helps
Awesome job cleaning!

Tillie- Cory forgot to mail it last Fri due to busy schedule but mailed it today and will get it in a few days.

Went to interview today but it's really a employment agency when I got there I didn't know before hand. But still delayed due injury :(

One week down, two weeks to go and counting to walking
Hope everyone is doing well and keep cleaning a little bit at a time.

Good Day,

OMG,last night I had a nightmare that my house had gone back to its previous state. It's a pretty constant fear. I did clean a large mirror yesterday, and a few squares of the kitchen floor. Doing the floor all at once is too much for me. I gathered up and put into a large cardboard box the bits of corrugatd cardboard that I intend to recycle. The goal is to get the box into the car so I actually go to the recycle center.

Otherwise I'm not getting much done. The fine art of procrastinating.

Roxie

Good morning :)
Yesterday I was all ready to do lots of weeding and watering in my garden.
Before I even started out there I got a nasty spider bite on my ankle.
Was treating it when my neighbor came by to visit and she gave me an OTC benadryl to help.
Since I never take any drugs or drink alcohol my tolerance is very low.
That benadryl knocked me out for hours. :P
So, today I will once again attempt to water and weed.

Of course the cat stuff needs doing first.
Then I need to decide on menu choices and make a grocery shopping list for tomorrow morning.

I am still doing the not doing stuff to see if maybe that was enabling my hoarder. Hoping to see some success come about this week end.
Maybe if the wasps and spiders out there start biting him?

Wishing everyone a cheerful and productive day! :D

Dianne
WTG! :D
Isn't it nice that every morning we get a fresh new day? :)

YEA! WTG! Lynn :)
My book was mailed on Tuesday and I received it on Thursday.

Hey Karl :)
Hoping you had fun out with friends & pizza & games! :D

Diane,
Wonderful wonderful all you have gotten done! :D

Another great day. Tomorrow is garbage pickup and I hustled to fill up the garbage can/cart. It became easy when I went into a walkway that goes to back yard. Anything that mice had chewed or pooped on or lived in, is now in garbage. I had this Chico brand, fleece full length coat that I couldn't part with, but never wore. It had been chewed by mice, I assume, mice have rich tastes, think coat cost over $100, and now is in garbage. Good lesson on giving things to people and not rodents.
Went to doctor, wounds are healing, only a tiny problem, all will be well, so glad you encouraged me to go to doctor, prevented infection I am sure.
Rained yesterday and today so got to see where my deck roof leaks, not bad, will fix tomorrow.

Today I got another call for an interview. Yahooo! After I go to doc appt I go home and then get ready for interview a little latter.
Today I got my clothes ready for tomorrow for doc and then for the interview. Will take another shower tonight to be ready for big day for tomorrow. It's been in the 80s now and sunny.
I've been doing more research job hunting and still sending resumes in. Having things organized in my area really helps.
Lucky Bamboo plants really do bring luck. They are a die-hard plant that does well in indirect sunlight. I have two and love them because they are small and not too tall(yet).

Do hope all is doing well, with smiles; later

Sun-Wed: 4 days of no actual cleanup. :-(

Tuesday I attended the online chat support. When the discussion turned to gardening, I mentioned that I have a blue aloe (impulse purchase three years ago; bought with the idea that it can probably survive some amount of neglect). It's been looking rather crowded in its tiny 4 fl oz original container, so while we were chatting I cut open the original container and moved the plant to a larger plastic tub after cutting some holes along the bottom edge. I moved it from the inside window sill to outside, but the angle of the house and garage might be blocking most direct sunlight during the day.

Restless last night, and interrupted by two early morning phone calls (which I didn't accept). I'm about to go out to meet friends for pizza buffet. This evening I have a board games social meet. I'm not sure what I'll be able to get done during the afternoon.

Thanks Tillie,

Tillie about when did you get your book? I haven't recieved mine yet. He said that he'd send it out last week Fri and was hoping in a few days it would show up or so but not sure when it would come.

Been reading everyone's post and sounds like goals are being met. Awesome job everyone!
Keep up the good work.

Take care everyone

Good morning :)
Cool & cloudy here. Good day for me to get out and do some weeding.
First, do cat stuff.
TTYL :)

Something in the fridge was smelling really nasty.
When he came home from work I told him he had to do something about it.
As he was removing everything from his shelf stinky brown stuff started dripping all over the place.
He took it all out on the porch and started sorting through it.
Said that it had been fresh mushrooms once upon a time.
He had his shelf stuffed so full of food that the door had to be shoved hard to get it to shut.
He managed to part with a LOT of that spooky old food.
I washed & disinfected the fridge and the floor.

:D yea?

Lynn
Take care and let it heal well for you. :)

Diane! :D
Absolutely LOVED reading your post!
So many positive things happened in your day. :D
Everything you accomplished, especially having your friend in! :D

Make sure to keep that doctor appointment. She needs to see you to make sure that you are healing properly.

WTG! YEA! (((HUGS))) :D

Thanks for the well wishes. I woke up feeling so much better started in the craft room, and worked over an hour, and enjoyed it,I vacuumed in living room, did 4 days of dishes, finally. Feeling hopeful that burns will not be infected. So nice to have energy back to work on hoard and maintenance today. My friend came over and we talked in her car, then I said, OK you can come in for awhile, we took a tour of my accomplishments in the yard, she saw all that I did and how wonderful my yard is becoming, felt so good to see her appreciate my creativity. She was amazed at entryway, how clean and artsy it is, I was so proud of what I have accomplished and that I was able to let her see a little of my life. I then sat on deck and sorted screws and enjoyed my view and yard.
I want to cancel doctor appt. but think I should go since she was so insistent. Things are better and so grateful I have you gals to help me accomplish my goals.

When I was waiting to see doc I got a phone call for a job offer. I had to wait until I got home to reply to the call after I found out the news with my knee. The doc said that he wanted more X-Rays and from the results from the MRI he could see brusing on bone and from the new X-Rays he could see that I have a small stress-fracture like break on my knee bone. He just said to stay off of it for 3wks and see him again. But in 3wks I have to go to recertify for my Pro CPR that same week. I should be getting a knee brace to help.
I told the employer that had called me that I can't work for a few weeks due to my injury but I could call her back then for an interview later. Off my knee is the way to be now to heal faster.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Moving a bit slow this morning.
Late afternoon, early evening here the clouds rolled in and a beautiful cool breeze came up.
Decided to do some garden work. The cat mint (catnip) had grown 3 feet tall and was taking over the garden, smothering out other plants.
Even with 5 cats all screaming "NOOOOO!!!" I managed to pull out tons of the stuff.
Now my Day lilies can be seen again. :D
Need to do some more work out there, maybe later on today.
Off now to do some daily TO-DOs.
Like cat stuff.
Should get dressed & brush my hair too. lol

Talk to Ya'll later. :)

Good morning Roxie :)
WAY TO GO! on all you got done already and good luck with the rest of your plans today.
Sorry you are feeling punk. Try to find some little happiness today. :D

Good morning everybody :)

Diane,
keep putting on that silvadene cream ;)
WAY TO GO! for working even though I know it constantly really hurts.
Happy you are having a visitor over today, have fun. :D

Dianne,
Thank you.
So sorry you were sick from the stress. :(
But so happy that you got that big task over with and now have your A/C. :D
WAY TO GO! for making the doctor appointments!

Just checking in, and letting you know I am reading your updates. For me, having people over used to keep me accountable. For years no one has come over, so....Ms. Pigpen.

I got the plants out of the box, but still have to put them into the ground. Litterboxes are done. Today I need to pay bills and load the car with recyle/donation ite;ms.
Feeling punk.

Roxie

Happy to hear your bite healed so quickly Tillie. Love the idea of making list of to do things or you forget. I have burned soup, that I forgot I was cooking until I smelled smoke!! Today I enjoyed the day inspite of burn pain. I have been putting medicine on it, skin is peeling back and does hurt, not as bad as past two days. I am so thankful I saw doctor, I felt I had to because I couldn't report to you that I didn't go. Amazing how being accountable changes things. I plan to do dishes and cook something, just still not feeling great. Took storm window off and plan to clean it tonight. A non hoarder is coming over tomorrow for a short visit. My life is so much better because of this board and all of you. I have continued to talk to at least one person a day, a friend or neighbor, not the clerk at a store. Even though I have slowed down because of the burns, I have not stopped throwing things out, and appreciate so much that I don't go shopping to avoid the burn pain.

Was out enjoying my garden while doing some watering.
Roses, iris, daisys, honeysuckle, some pretty lacy purple things I don't know the name of and blue flax. :)

Then I was stung on my right wrist by a wasp. :(

Ran inside and treated the site with non sudsing ammonia.
Took the pain away immediately.
The site was swollen and red for an hour longer and then all that went away too. :D
Happy dance!

Hi SusanL :)
WAY TO GO! on the photos and birthday list! :)

GOOD LUCK with your long list. :D

Hi Roxie :)

I have to always keep a note too to remind myself of what I think needs doing or I will totally forget.
Then I have to use a timer to remind me that I am doing something because I tend to just wander off and forget and end up with water over flowing or something simmering too long on the stove. ;p lol

Diane hope your burn is healing ok. I'm SusanL because looks like there is an earlier Susan M.

For Mothers Day I was able to show my younger daughter a photo album with some pictures of ancestors because of a photo album sorting and purging project last month. Then instead of putting photos into "THE PILE" I could actually put them into an album for sharing.

Same daughter asked me for a list of family birthdays, the kind of task I would put off until the fabled Later. Instead I got right to it this morning. It's not the perfect list I would prefer, but that wasn't going to happen anyway. Good to have the updated list and not only for her.

I started a list of all the things I still have to sort. No cheating :) It's kind of a long list :)

Good luck everyone on your challenges and tasks today!

Today I have to change out the cat litterboxes and unload the dishwasher, and plant to poor plants I ordered and haven't gotten to yet.

Diane, I am thankful you are getting medical attention you need.

Dianne, is your heating/ac now working? I am grateful you had the courage to go ahead and get the worman in to do the work for you. Yeah!

Karl, keep posting.

Tillie, always glad to read your posts.

I have to resort to a written list by my computer or I "forget" things. I really am good at neglecting chores. :(

Roxie

Good morning :)

I am doing my laundry right now.
Have one load on the line & the other in the machine.
Then I will water the long flower bed full of wild yellow roses & rhubard and then the lilac hedge.
Last evening was so lovely outside that I went out and watered everything else. :D

There are about 50 iris blooms now. :)

This afternoon I plan to cook some food, divide it up and freeze it for fast & easy meals for me.

Then clean the kitchen.

What are ya'll up to today? :)

Diane I am so glad you went to the doctor.
Serious burns need extra careful care.
Heal well and fast now. :)
WTG! on buying food!
Take care and take it easy on yourself till you are better.

Got very little done today, did plant peas I bought a month ago, that are barely alive, we will see if they lift their little heads. I watered all the plants I have been neglecting. Winds pretty strong, roof still on deck. Duct tape works wonders. At 3pm I finally decided I have to call doctor to make an appt. tomorrow, when I described my burn, they told me to drive in immediately. 25 minutes later I was at doctors, then went to costco bought food, then to store to get prescription for cream. Doctor worried it will become infected so have to return to see her Thursday. I am exhausted and still in pain. Thank you for telling me to go to doctor, or I would have waited until it was infected. I am so grateful for this board and the encouragement. Dianne, I am amazed that you allowed a repairman in for all day. I have fixed everything myself because I am so ashamed, example: roof on deck. Tillie you have helped me so much, thanks. Sorry to hear you felt depressed today, and happy you enjoyed your flowers. Hugs

Dorothy Breininger has a new book just out. :)

http://www.dorothytheorganizer.com/

Diane,

WAY TO GO!!!!!!

I am so happy you got that done! :D

BIG BIG (((HUG)))

Now it is time to unwind and reward yourself for being strong.

A nice bath? Perhaps a foot soak? Some tea and cookie?
Do something nice for yourself. :D

YEA! Karl :D

I ended up being too busy with other things to do any of the cleanup I'd planned yesterday.

Today's somewhat busy, too, but I've got a few hours free so I'll find something I can get done in that time slot.

Tillie, I admire your courage and endurance in trying to truck on while living with a hoarder. It takes so much in guts and determination to do that. Hugs to you.

Dianne, dear, I truly hope you truck on and let the helpers who are there help you. If you are stressing, do something good for yourself. Sit outside for a few minutes. Take a nap if you need it. Remember that your body is telling you a lie if it is telling you that you cannot stand it. That's the old defenses trying to derail you. You are an enormously strong woman, so you can handle it. Hugs to you.

Kindredspirit, have you actually met with someone from the company who could check your place and give you an overview of their services and what they see needing to be done? I declined the first service because, frankly, he was illiterate in his emails. Now, I know he might have been fine but that bugged me. The second company was literate and I met with him. Yes, it took guts but he was very nice and easy to tolerate.

It took me YEARS to come to the point where I reached out. I kept telling myself I could do it. But reality finally kicked in that, no matter how much I wanted to handle it myself, I simply could not do it. And I kept reminding myself that cleanup folks do this for a living so they are USED TO seeing the hoards and dirt. In my personal experience they were nonjudgmental and simply got on with it. Of course, I helped by not being obstructive yet still standing my ground on a couple of items (my very small purse collection for one). Get out of your own way and let others help if you can. Get references if you feel you need it. Reach out to Cory for reassurance. That helped me a lot because my crew does not do deep cleaning and I was unsure if that was normal or abnormal. Reassurances from Cory let me proceed. I am SO GLAD that I did.

Keep us posted, okay?

Good morning,

Just sitting here drinking tea thinking about everything.
He was extremely nasty, mean and negative this whole weekend and I am now depressed.

Fortunately though, I was able to get him to help me with the parts that I can't do in getting the cooler up and running.
Now it won't get too hot in here.

My To-Dos for today...
try not to do anything that may be considered enabling him.
Take care of the cats. Food, water, etc. Planning to wash/sanitize litter boxes today.

Going to spend time outside enjoying all the flowers that are blooming. :D

Welcome Kindrid Spirit :)

Roxie posted in "Success Stories"
http://hoardingcleanup.com/message_board/?msgbrd=7&topic=2922
Hoping you read that post. :)

Glad you managed to get the sewer gas flushed out. We are on a septic too and had to have major repair work done not long ago.

Looking forward to reading more from you. :)

Dianne

BIG (((HUGS)))

This is a huge step in the right direction!
Getting the A/C repaired is going to help you so much.

I know this is stressful but when it is all over with you will have a much better environment to live and work in.

(((HUGS)))