Thanks Tillie, I like that you said :Spring is a magical time, I hadn't thought of it in those words, but they describe what I experienced today. It was so beautiful out, then big beautiful white fluffy clouds headed in from the west. Yesterday I forgot to quit before I got upset, and you are right I did not want to do it at all today, did paint some boards etc today. Your man can hire a housekeeper while you are working at the other house!!!!

Diane :)

So happy you took the day off along with me.
I know this is very difficult work you have been doing.
One thing Cory always says is to stop while you still have a positive attitude. Don't keep on working at a task till you are an emotional or physical wreck. Because then you will never want to start back at decluttering again.

Spring is such a magical season. All the foliage coming back to life is something we all need to get out and appreciate. :D

Tillie, it was fun reading about your yard, your weather is ahead of mine, still very little blooming in my yard, although I enjoy every bloom I see. It is so great you have a place to escape to this week. Today I had a vacation day with you. I worked outside all day, I know, must do inside stuff, but after yesterday, needed to have fun today. will rain tomorrow, and will be back at it, inside.

Good morning :)

How is everybody doing today?
This is funny, but I am having a hard time not doing some things around here and have to keep reminding myself not to do stuff. :D

Yes Diane, I can spend all the time I want at the big house, even the whole night.
But I would miss my 2 cats who sleep on each side of me and they would miss me too.

I washed my hair.
Still do all the cat related tasks.

Today I need to do a manicure. My nails are too long for my liking. :)

Still having scattered rain showers in the area. Wishing we would get more rain here, just been a few light sprinkles. :(

I have managed to start making the cleanest, tidiest hoard.
Starting slowly, will add to it daily.
Have put out some things but did not want them to get dirty or all covered with cat hair so I have the stuff in pretty pink plastic bags.

Some iris that someone gave me last Fall that I planted around my garden started blooming yesterday. Purple. :)
There are some wild yellow rose bushes that were here when I moved in that have started blooming too.
The bushes have very long branches covered with the worst thorns ever but the roses have the most wonderful scent! Smells like heaven out there. Unfortunately, it only blooms once a year and the blooms only last a day but there are hundreds of buds blooming day after day.

Today I am taking the time to stop and smell the roses. :D

Thanks Tillie,
It's hard to not to take anything to heart when you got a biting dog on your leg that never lets go to remind you of pain and misery everyday and be miserable. But true it is HER mental disorder, not mine.

You've been in my shoes in which I unfortunately still have to deal with. Sometimes I say or even ask her "did you ever wonder what life would be like if you ever thought positive thoughts for a while?" She either never had a response or gave a negative one to that.

But doc said to keep doing what I've been doing, stretch,flex, heat,ice, rest. Do what feels good.

At least when I think positive all the time I'm happy for the most part.
Hopefully when I can walk I will also volunteer at a hospital/clinic in which the volunteers don't wear "pink" jackets. I hate that color.


I've had an MRI before but wasn't quite so closed before. If I have to I will press the button to stop the test becasue of severe anxiety due to closed spaces. I may not be able to deal with it. I might be able to wear my night mask there to hinder my sight despite the loud noises the machine will be making.
I still hope I go in feet first rather than head first which will help. It's my right knee on the outside that I hit on sidewalk. I went in feet first when I broke my ankle before, after the two surgeries. (hardware in, then hardware out)

Tillie, my friend, you are so funny when you are on vacation!! Can you stay overnight at the palace? Might be nice to take a real vacation and stay there except to go home and take care of animals. What a great opportunity for you to relax in style. Thanks for all the support you give us. I had a tough day and feels good to know you care. I felt on edge and annoyed most of the day, didn't sleep enough last night. Did get stuff done, just felt distraught.

Today the toilet paper roll ran out.
I put on a new roll then placed the empty cardboard tube on the edge of the bath tub right beside the toilet.

Hey Lynn :)

I am happy you went to the doctor and are getting that MRI.

From what you have been describing, you really did a number on yourself & need more than time and rest to completely heal well.

The MRI attendants will be able to talk you through the procedure. They are real Pros at helping people overcome their fears and they are right there the whole time monitoring you.

Please don't allow her negativity to infect you. Remember that she is feeling miserable and wants everybody else to be miserable too because that makes her happy.
I really do understand. My mother was the most mean, nasty, negative, critical, abusive person I have ever met.
She decided at a very young age that she would be unhappy about everything, nothing could please her, ever. Except to make other people miserable.

You can decide to be happy and content in spite of her. Just don't take anything she says to heart. Repeat to yourself that you are a good, worthy and loving person.

Sincerely, Tillie (((hugs)))

Today I went to doc and schedueled an MRI for this week Fri and follow-up with doc the following Tues. Only bad thing is I'm very clausterphopic with the closed MIR. He said the only way my type of insurance would pay for an open is if I take the test and fail it.
STill such negativity from mom which doesn't help so I turn to here for positive words of any kind. I'm always seeking for positive attitude. My mom obvioulsy was raised with a very negative attitude towards life and accomplishments or anything that came her way.
I had a feeling I wasn't going to be happy with my mom taking me to doc but I didn't really have much choice due to the late time.
My sister should be able to take me to the other appointments because they are early in the morning. Mother is still defensive due to the "stuff" on the stairs which makes it hard for me to use. Any cheering up would help. Thanks.

Last night in chat it was decided that I would take this week off from cleaning.
Maybe my keeping the main areas of the house clean was in some ways enabeling my hoarder.

This works out well with the fact that today I also start baby sitting my friend's 3 cats and her big clean tidy house.
They have a hot tub, central air, a huge flat screen TV with satellite TV shows! :D

My plan is to go there before he gets home from work and watch TV with the cats until 9:00pm.
Maybe take a soak in the hot tub.

This way my hoarder can see what our home looks like when nobody is doing any of the daily tasks that are necessary to keep a house functional.
He will have no clean clothes to wear or clean dishes to eat from.

I hate doing this. I remember how I could not clean any more when he had totally filled the house with all his crap.
That made me so depressed that I gave up on life.

To make this experiment even more dramatic I am going to clutter up the areas with stuff.
The vacuum in front of the fridge, obstacles in the walkways. Counter piled high with cleaning products and all other stuff out and in his way from all the cupboards and cabinets.

I am planning to hang my clothes in the doorways. Put my shoes in the hall.
The chairs will all be piled high with the sheets and towels.

Wish me luck ;)

Dianne :)

WTG! for allowing workers in!
You have done GREAT by having the areas where they need to work cleared.
Sure, there is more decluttering to do but you know what all you have accomplished!
We are so proud of you and all you have done! :D

(((hugs)))

Diane :)

First things first BIG (((HUG))).

Now remember we are starting very slowly with the craft room.
You can stand in the doorway and just reach in and grab an item.
Decide keep, donate or toss. Put it in the right bin.
Breathe!
Walk away if you need to take a break.
Do something else.
When you have settled down enough to do one more item come back and repeat the process.

We do not want you to become overloaded with anxiety.
I want you to slowly get accustomed to the idea of working in this area.

You CAN do this!

Keep in mind how wonderful it is going to be to have your craft room all sorted, tidy and organized.
Think about all those wonderful fresh new craft projects you are going to be able to create in there. :D

(((HUGS)))

Great group last night, didn't sleep well knowing I had to do what I really didn't want to today. Got up at 6 and decided to get started. Took the bin from each room that wasn't finished and the two in front of the craft room. Put a pretty towel on living room floor and put stuff in piles of crafts, tools, gloves etc. Put things in garbage or give away black bags as I came to them. I started to feel overwhelmed so am taking a break. Stuff still on floor is bugging me, so will put it in proper areas. Now with empty bins can start making a move on the craft room hoard. One of the bins in front had mostly dirty clothes so will put them in washing machine. Friend just called and wants to come over to borrow saw. I didn't answer, don't want to be interrupted, now another thing I don't want to deal with. Guess I can put saw out and call her and say I am in the middle of pile and cant visit today. When I put off things I just feel worse, so need to call her. Do not want to deal with interruptions at all. Now I have to look for the saw, annoyed.

I didn't know about the fungus either. It is sad. How are you feeling about people coming in the house? I am still not there yet.

Susan so happy to read you cleaned drawer, that is so great, good for you, easier to find things now.
Tillie sorry to hear your man didn't get much if anything done, happy to hear you continued anyway. What are you making with beads? I make jewelry, or should I say, I did until the hoard took over, and I will make jewelry again.
I am so pleased, since cant do any big projects, started putting decorations up in my plain white areas. Have a framed, signed photo of 3 llamas smiling, so that is in entry way, along with a wonderful metal and wood chinese character and the word "hope", which I had taken down, when I had no hope, it is so great to see it now in a clean space. I have a metal flower an artist made that is a beautiful light green on petals and lavendar iris, hanging on wall next to washer and dryer, and best of all, a wonderful quilt/picture of an eagle flying over trees, that is over dryer, covering an ugly power box. It is so beautiful, and now can enjoy it. All art was buried treasures in the true sense!!!! I can hardly believe it is really happening. I just keep looking in amazement!!! Now I am happy I banged my foot, slowed down enough to do some decorating. Even though it is an old place, it is fresh and wonderful now. That one completed area really makes me want to keep going, it is still so amazing to me that I can actually change after all this time. All the rooms of hoard will get their turn, just celebrating all I have accomplished in a month plus.

Good morning :)

Welcome back home Cory :)
WTG! on getting stuff done!

KcLynne, YEA! :D for getting the kitchen in order and cooking!

Diane, as always you amaze and inspire me!
WTG! on getting so many areas tackled!!!
Sorry you hurt yourself. :(
But that toe is going to hurt any ways so may as well take your mind off it by doing things.
Heal fast. :)

Susan, GREAT job tackling that drawer! :D
It will be easier to see what can go from there the next time you declutter it.


Well, he did not do any decluttering yesterday. :(
Didn't mow the grass. Didn't start working on the cooler.
He played on his computer and in his stuff out back and with his guitar.

I did 2 loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned up cat vomit, scooped the litter boxes then played with stringing some beads.

Rain is predicted for today and tomorrow. Wind is blowing & it's rather cool outside.

My To-Dos for today...
cat stuff, as always
tidy kitchen
play in my room
watch movies
make popcorn
maybe even get dressed & brush my hair. lol JK ;)

Then at 5:00pm PST I will try to remember to get online for ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP. :D

Diane, ouch! Hope you have some antibiotic ointment and a bandaid for your toe. Keep up the good work, your determination and perseverence are incredibly inspiring.

Am sorting through the junk drawer in my kitchen. It's an archeological dig. Pitching about 1/3, I know I should let go of more but not ready yet.

Injured warrior fights on----Big toe nail peeeled back 1/2 way from hurrying and running in to sharp corner, cut under little toe, same foot--I still have one foot that doesnt hurt, so onward I go. It is another beautiful day here so am motivated to keep winning the hoarding battle inspite of pain and lack of sleep. I feel so blessed to have this site. I know it has helped me stay motivated and stop making excuses. I had to make a decision when I got up after my toe pain kept me awake on and off all night, and up at 6am, do I make my to do list and figure a way to do it on one foot, or do I just sit. I am so afraid of losing my motivation and momentum, I decided to write about it on here, and get started on tasks of the day, with plenty of breaks, foot elevation and online support group at 5. Thanks for changing my life!!!!!!

Cory, great you are home, laughed at your post about the hotel. It will be so great to sleep in your own bed, without excess noise. Thanks for checking in, will be fun to hear what you learned and how your talk went. Are you speaking in Oregon? See you tomorrow.

Tillie, looking forward to hearing all that he got done this weekend. Thanks for the comments about Molly, it is difficult to see her upset. Today was going to clean the entry way when I discovered so much filth, I always think I have dealt with the worst of it then another hoard reaveals itself. I moved all the junk out, washed and painted the whole area, looks so much better. The wind was brutal today, still got a lot done. Garbage is picked up on Friday and garbage can is almost full again, might have to take a dump run. I am tired of cleaning stuff to donate, so am now just throwing it away. It is still amazing to me how much more I have to do. I have worked lots of hours, and still have so many areas to clean. At least now I can come up the steps to a clean entry way and open the door to a clean area. No clothes hanging on deck or entryway now.

Maymay
I got an autism awareness ribbon with butterfly wings on my inner left forearm. It was my 5th one and hurt more in some spots than others, but really wasn't that bad. Some spots hurt more than others. Be careful, they are addictive.

I finally have my kitchen back in working order! Cleaned out the fridge yesterday, and today I made homemade breakfast burritos for the first time in like forever.

My exercise routine is on hold after my neck injury, and no swimming until the tat heals. So today the kids and I are doing a little sprucing up, and having a Buffy-thon.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I am back from my road trip so today is catch up day. First, need to wash the car as the front of it is covered in bugs from the drive through desert last night. Then I a have to go to the feed store to pick up some food for the goats and chickens. Have to do all my laundry from the trip so I have clothes to wear this week and take my suits to the dry cleaners. Last on my list, need to clean the back yard and fill all the animals water bowls and feeders.

Have a great day everyone and I hope I will be able to get on the support group tomorrow night!

Keep up all the great progress everyone and don't forget to enjoy some peaceful rest and relaxation time too :)

Good morning :)

I have no plans myself for today.
Hoping he can be motivated to do something more than play stupid computer games.
Not that all computer games are stupid but the ones he plans are mind numbingly stupid.

The evaporative cooler needs maintenance. The lawn needs mowing.
I would mow the grass but it's his mower and he has a big fit if I touch his stuff.
I don't have the strength to remove the panels from the cooler but if he would do that then I could get it all taken care of.

Maybe he will put his dirty clothes into his hamper?
Maybe he will fill all the trash cans for pick up this week?
Maybe he will declutter more from the carport or yard?
Maybe I am just optomistically dreaming? :D

The day is young and so full of promise and potential.

Diane
Makes me so very happy to hear how you are coming along! :D

That sunny yellow would make the kitchen sink area very welcoming and cheery.
I painted my kitchen area lavender.
He hates it but he doesn't spend time there like I do. ;)

Yes, too much stuff does tend to immobilize us.
It messes with our thinking and disrupts our peace of mind.
People say they just get used to all the clutter but in reality they just surrender to the chaos.

BYE! MayMay

Have a great time! :D

WOW!!!!! I can't believe this is finally happening!

I'm finally going to Hawaii. :)

I've been waiting for this trip for over a year now. :)

My parents have just arrived at my boyfriend's house. So I am getting ready to leave. :)

Since I am going on vacation, I'm not going to bring my iPad with me; which means that I'm going off the grid, as they say, and I won't be posting for 3 weeks. :)

I promise to tell you guys everything that happens in Hawaii when I get back. :)

I'll also let you guys know if I like the result of the clean-up that will be happening in my room while I'm gone. :)

I'm pretty sure that I will like the result of the clean-up because it is being led by the 3 men that know me the best; my boss, my boyfriend, and my boyfriend's best friend. :)

I just hope that they will stay out of my secret "Naughty Drawer" while I'm gone. ;)

Tillie, sounds like your day of rest paid off, you sure got alot done today. The blue sounds cheery. I want to paint the kitchen sunny yellow, over the sink, once I get other things done. When I started 5 weeks ago I rarely talked to anyone, now I chat on the phone daily and see at least one friend a week in person. I was feeling immobolized by stuff and didn't want to talk to anyone . Amazing how much fun I have been having laughing with friends and getting lots accomplished daily. I am so grateful that I found this site, and you gals.

Had a GREAT morning.
Got stuff watered.
Decided the cat's litter boxes needed a good scrubbing/sanitizing.

Decided that some pretty blue paint would look really nice on the end of a cupboard in the pantry. Got that all painted plus the visible underside of that cupboard too in less than 10 minutes.
Looks real good and brightens up the pantry a little. :D

Cleaned the bathroom.
Swept floors & porches & walkway.
Sprayed a rose bush because it had aphids.
Sprayed a few wasps building nests around the yard.
Pulled some weeds.
Ate lunch.
And did a bunch of other little stuff. :D

I also remembered to brush my teeth, wash my face, brush & braid my hair and get dressed. :)
The cats all got their breakfast of canned food, fresh water and my undivided attention.

YAY! I'm all packed for Hawaii! :)

Now off to go get my hair cut. :)

Thanks Tillie! :)

Good morning :)

Last evening I watered all but the lilacs and grass so today I will get them watered.

Need to tidy up in here.
Bathroom
sweep
vacuum
Maybe dust and as always, cat stuff.


We need to get the evaporative cooler all cleaned up & ready. It will get hot here very soon.
Right now we have afternoon highs up to 72 degrees. :D
Maybe he will move all the stuff he has piled up on and all around the unit tomorrow.

I find it amazing how quickly he can totally clutter up an area.

TGIF! :D

Bon Voyage! MayMay :)

Today I have to finish packing for my trip to Hawaii. :)

Then later on tonight my boyfriend is going to come over and pick me, Matt, and Cory up from my apartment and then take us back to his house where we will be spending the night. :)

And then tomorrow morning my parents are going to come and pick me up from my boyfriend's house and then we are going to head up to Michigan; because when we leave for Hawaii, we will be flying out of Detroit along with all of my relatives that will me going to Hawaii with us. :)

Matt and Cory will be staying with my boyfriend while I'm in Hawaii. :)

The reason that my boyfriend is picking me up from my apartment tonight, and my parents are picking me up from his house tomorrow, is because when I come back from Hawaii my boss, my boyfriend, my boyfriend's best friend, and all of the firefighters that will be cleaning my room don't want me to see it right away. They want me to wait until the day after I get back from Hawaii so that they can reveal it to me themselves. :)

Hey diane,

Thanks. :)

No I don't live with my parents. I'm just really close with them. :)

I actually share an apartment with some friends. :)

I have been thinking about that conference, sure would like to go to a conference, is there going to be one in Oregon this year.
Lucky gals, getting signed copies of book. Is it Buried in Treasures? That is the book I bought, no signed copy, but informs just as well!!! Maymay, you live with parents? That sounds interesting!! Sounds like you had a great party. I had a good day, got some things accomplished, so close to having deck ready to roof. Still have much to do, but am seeing progress. I have to clean at least one shelf in garage so stuff on deck can go to their real home. Now going dead mouse hunting, such fun and exciting days. Ok, mostly fun, not really that exciting, except reading what maymay is up to.

Hey Lynn,

Ok. I just got a little confused after reading his post; but then after I read your post I thought that maybe he wrote a book or something.

Because if he did write a book then I would definitely want to read it. Normally I hate reading books. But if Cory ever wrote one, then I would definitely read it. :)

I hope your knee feels better soon. :)

I don't know if he did but would sure be cool if he did. :) In his post he said Dr. T says hi, I don't know who the author is. I wish I could heal faster :(

Ok now I really want to know...
Did Cory write a book?

OMG!!!! :D

Thank You Thank You Thank You


XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I'm so confused right now.
Did Cory write a book or something?

THANK YOU CORY!!
I hope in a few days I can get the mail. I had strained my knee and can't drive yet, hands also bruised. Thank You Cory. :) I will hope to get some insight from the reading!

Tille and Lynne S,
Guess what I obtained for both of you today? And yes, they are autographed copies :)

Email me your addresses and I will ship them to you guys. Dr. T says hello!

OMG! My mom is a total PYRO!!!!!

I just walked into my parent's house a few minutes ago and smelled something burning. So I asked my mom what was burning. And she told me that she just finished burning some classified information in a "Lean Cuisine" tray.

WTF?! And I thought that I was the weirdo in the family!

My parents are so weird!!!!! LOL.

Now you guys know where I get my weirdness from. LOL. ;)

Thanks Tillie. :)

Hey Kclynne,

What did you get a tattoo of?

Did it hurt when you got it?

Because I'm thinking about getting a tattoo while I'm in Hawaii. :)

Been a couple of crazy hectic days around here. Worked out Tuesday, hurt my neck. Got my new tattoo, and went home to ice my neck. Yesterday went to have my hearing tested and then ended up in the ER because my neck was still bothering me. Luckily for me I just pulled a muscle at the base of my skull, but I've been feeling really good with the muscle relaxer they gave me. No swimming for about two weeks :-/

Today, with a little help, I tackled my kitchen. All that's left to do is wiping out the fridge, wash a few remaining dishes, mop the floor and then do a once over with bleach to sanitize everything. I can see my counters and floor again!!!

I worked hard for 2 hrs so now I'm relaxing, until I have a meeting at the school. Think ill dust and vacuum the living room and then call it a day and do more tomorrow.

My anxiety has gone down tremendously already. My boyfriend is pretty happy with my progress as well.

Good morning :)

Trying to decide what I want to do today.
The cats will be tended to.
Need to wash the drapes but will do those some other day.
Need to dust, again, but the breeze is blowing more dust around outside. Dusting in here is pointless today.

Think I will spend some time straightening my dressser & closet today.
It's not bad or cluttered but it could be a little more organized/tidy.

TTYL :)

Sounds like you had fun MayMay.
To each their own. :D

Right now it's around 3:30am where I live; and I just got home from my "going away" party. :)

I had so much fun at my "going away" party! :)

Over 50 people showed up. :)

And I got to meet all of the firefighters that will be helping with the clean-up of my room while I'm in Hawaii. :)

And let me just say that the clean-up of my room will seriously be THE SEXIEST CLEAN-UP EVER! ;)

And as an early "thank you" to all of the firefighters, I let them all do "body shots" off of me. :)

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!! :)

That was my first time I let a bunch of people do "body shots" off of me. :)

I LOST MY "BODY SHOT VIRGINITY" TO A BUNCH OF FIREFIGHTERS!!!!! :)

10 to be exact. ;)

We also did karaoke; which was a lot of fun too. :)

I sang 10 songs! And my boss, my boyfriend, and my boyfriend's best friend all sang The Lonely Island's song called "Dick In a Box" together. :)

IT WAS HILARIOUS!!!!! :)

And my boyfriend and I also sang a duet of Marvin Gaye's song "sexual healing". :)

I thought the song was fitting; considering the fact that my boyfriend is a paramedic. Lol. :)

All in all, it was a very fun and sexy party! LOL. ;)