Hi everybody! Just getting some stuff done before work. I cleaned up the kitchen and sorted my laundry.

The chicken turned out pretty good! I would do it a little differently next time but overall it was a success. I'll have to look at those Kraft things though for future chicken adventures.

LR - Not sure if there is a specific thread about things that work but it's a good idea.

I was thinking about starting a new topic, such as "Practical clutter-reducing and organizing ideas that have helped me: What ideas have helped you?"

If we have a thread like that going already, let me know so I don't duplicate it. Also, if you have a better idea for a way to phrase it, let me know.

Here is one example of an idea that has helped that I would put there. One author whose work I've read said that for some of us, we may own too much of one thing but not enough of another. As one example, she mentioned that some of us own far too few trash cans. I thought about it and realized she was right. I bought more trash cans to put in more places in my home years ago, and it helped me a lot. She also gave as an example that some people have lots of books laying around, yet no bookcase. I realized that was true for me, and I bought a bookcase. (Most of my books fit in that one bookcase, so that's good.) Simple ideas, but ones I'd never thought about for some reason until this author brought them up.

Thanks for all the encouragement, Tillie. Having a slow morning because nasty headache is back. (And, no, this time I did not spend time working outside yesterday.) Think it's just that allergy-time-of-year thing. Usually when I get these, they "calm down" by the time evening hits. I know I'd better be at the chat, or else! :)

Am working on dishes off and on, so at least I'm getting that much done.

Good morning everybody :)

HEY! Roxie! :D
YEA!!! WTG!!!
Fantastic! :D

Hi LR2014 :)
Great reading all your plans, accomplishments and struggles.
Sometimes just writing things down helps clear our minds and helps s focus. :)

Hello Kazzora :)
Without resources people have to do all the work by themselves and hopefully they can find some volunteers to help them.

Hi Dave :)
How's it going? How is Mrs. Dave? :D

HELLO everybody else :D
love to hear from you all just to know how you are.

Wind died down late last night then it rain a LOT.
Light breeze today but I do see some sunshine. :)
A warm 35 degrees at 8:30 am. :(
Lots of trees blooming so I have been sneezing/coughing/blowing my nose constantly.
Don't want to take any Benadryl because then I just keep falling over asleep.
Oh Well, :D
After I do the daily cat related tasks I think I will do some sewing projects or maybe do some decorating in the doll house or maybe I will read or maybe do all those things. :)
Tomorrow I must clean the house.
Everything has a thick layer of dust/dirt/sand on it from the blowing winds.

Sunday night chat (ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP) 5:00pm PST.
Be there or we will talk about you.
Just kidding ;D

Thanks for your help Dave & LR. I'll check it out. Have a Great Sunday everyone!

Not that this is all I plan to do for today, but the only specific goal I am posting for today is to work on the gratitude list that I started a few days ago on my computer.

Following up on my goals for today: I did spend at least an hour on the paperwork. Because of some things that came up, I did not do the outside work I'd planned. The "things that came up" did give me more insight, though, into some of my patterns that slow me down from accomplishing some of the tasks I wish to do. Being more clear on those patterns is helpful.

K., I'm new to this group as of about two weeks ago, so I'll let more experienced people comment on your Ohio question. I would like to make you aware, if you're not, of the Sunday night online chats. (Look at the "online support group" part of this interactive help site for times.) You might get some questions answered through that.

HEY! Cory :)

Did you feel that quake?
Hoping you all came through it alright. (((hugs)))

If you click on national resources above and then on Ohio, there are two companies listed.

Jess

Just a comment for next time on chicken. My son introduced me to something called Kraft Fresh Take. It's a preprepared coating - I think it is with the cheese in the cold section. I tried it once myself awhile back and it made the process of cooking chicken breasts pretty easy. It comes in a variety of flavors.

This is my first post. My dear friend is a hoarder and has much shame. Her only income is from the government so she has no money to pay for the services to help her. Does anyone know of any resources out there that can help her. She lives in Dayton, Ohio.

Hi to all. Glad you got your new washer, Roxie! Sounds like you've been doing a lot of work today! Whew! Sorry you'd had a flooding problem. I relate.

Jess, I "get" that idea of the unexpected change of plans sending things into a spin. Looking forward to hearing how your "cooking adventure" went.

Tillie, I hope you enjoy your day, whatever you do.

Lately, I've been trying to do a follow-up post in the evenings to report on my progress for the day, but I got too sleepy last night and hit the sack early. So as for my goals for yesterday: I did spend time on my floors and I did do at least the minimum I'd planned to do (and some more) on my paper organizing. But. I was having kind of a hard "internal day" yesterday. Was in kind of a darker, lousier mood about myself and my life than I have had the past week or so. Part of it might have been from not getting enough sleep the night before. I think that part of my "mood" stemmed from the uncomfortableness (understatement) of having some pending decisions to make about something I'd really rather not deal with. (Imagine someone with hoarding issues having problems with decision-making! Unheard of, right?)

I like that many of you are posting on the gratitude list thread. I read about the idea of posting three things a day for 21 days. Sounds like a good idea, but with my perfectionism issues, I've been hesitant to start posting there. I might miss a day, and then of course the world would come to an end, right? (Ha.) Well, I did decide yesterday afternoon (especially after having had such a "dark" afternoon) to start my own gratitude list on my computer. Working on that did help my perspective.

I'm glad today is a new day.

Goals for today:

I plan to spend at least a half an hour or so this afternoon working on actually making use of the papers I organized yesterday. sorting through some financial data for tax documentation purposes. (Fun, right?) I also plan to spend another half hour or so continuing to organize the paperwork itself (continuing yesterday's project, that is).

[Oops. I just realized that today was "shredding day" (see a previous Saturday post), and I missed it. Oh, well. There is always next Saturday.]

Although I have much inside that I could do and that needs to be done, I also have some outside things that need to be dealt with at some point. Today is a beautiful day, and I have cooped myself up inside too much during the past week. I think I will spend some time this afternoon doing some of that outside work. but I will try to remember to wear my dust mask this time, Roxie! I think my body and my mind can use some sunshine, some exercise, and a change of scenery.

OK, now I will try to get busy on my papers. Happy Saturday, everybody!

Good morning :)

Another cold windy day here today.
Scooter is feeling so much better now. Flying around the house terrorizing me & the other cats again.
Have no idea what I will do today but whatever it is I will be doing it inside.
Just read a very depressing article online about an elderly man in Dallas.
His house was so badly cluttered that it took firemen two days working with cadaver dogs to locate his body in there.
Good news is that his little dog Buddy was found alive and now lives with the man's friend.

If I was not here constantly keeping the clutter and cat population down, my Hoarder would be found like that someday.
So when I think about how bad a job I am doing with helping him with his clutter issues
I am actually doing a GREAT job. Harm reduction.

Well, off to get dressed and see what this Saturday holds for me. :)

I got thrown for a loop today when my husband messaged me asking me to drive his phone over to work since he forgot it.

Silly how one little thing can make my head spin. I'm back home now and he has his phone so all is well.

I really want to take a nice shower and paint my nails. Do some girly stuff. I'd like to try a new recipe for dinner tonight. My husband ate a couple of the chicken breasts I bought for the recipe so I was feeling like I couldn't do it or I'd have to go back to the store... I want to make myself try the recipe with what I have. Winging things is not my strong suit. It's hard for me to not follow things precisely. But I want to learn.

Good morning :)

WAY TO GO!!! :D
Everybody for making plans and getting stuff done! :D

Been having some health issues myself and been laying low waiting to feel better so not much other than cat care has been getting done here.
Finally got Mr. Hoarder to take Scooter to the Veterinarian yesterday. The Doctor gave him a big dose of worm medicine hoping that would cure his chronic runnyness.
Have some medicine here to give him to soothe his bowels but I have not been able to win the battle of dosing him.
Scooter also has some prescription food that he is supposed to eat but he still tries to steal the other cat's food.
Scooter is extremely fast and very sneaky and still quite feral. But every night he snuggles up close to me and purrs under the blankets. :)

WOW! It's Friday again already!
Have a great day :D

Looking forward to hearing more about how this latest set of leads pans out for you, Karl.

Some of my goals for today: Spending a minimum of one hour on the paper-organizing I've been working on the past few days.

Spending a minimum of fifteen minutes cleaning floors.

As with the last few days: taking time to "chill out," to relax.

I said I would take out time today to "chill out." I'm just now getting around to that, and for starters I'm doing it by reading your posts since this morning. Wow! So much I'd like to comment on! But I'm leaving in a bit for a family gathering (for today, that family gathering also counts toward "chilling out").

Met with the tax lady midday. Because my tax situation was really "different" this year, the "unknowns" were spooking me. But I got much better news (way better news) than I was expecting in terms of what I might owe, so... whew!!! Big relief.

I made some good progress this afternoon on getting some papers in order. Have a long way to go, but that's OK at the moment.

Yes, Jess, I hear you about the taxes. Once upon a time, I even avoided doing certain types of "extra jobs" just to keep my taxes simple... so I'd know I was "doing them right." Ugh!!! I actually like working with numbers, but dealing with them on income tax is another story altogether! OK, on to brighter topics!

One of the brightest topics: starting to get to know all of you!

diane - ((hugs!)) I am so glad to hear you made yourself something good to eat and remembered to take care of YOU. Spending some real time getting washed up, dolled up and pampered does me a world of good. Keep at it girl!

LR - I have never been one to get excited about doing taxes. Some people I know get really jazzed about the return but I sweat through the whole process. I worry that I'll somehow mess them up and get in trouble! But they must be done and it's such a great feeling when they are. Such relief. Keep at it! It's wonderful to read all of your progress. Oh and I got a good laugh when I saw you just figured out there are two Dian(n)es LOL I did the same thing when I started.

Dianne - ((hugs!)) I have been known to make a blanket fort from time to time too. I was very touched by your post talking about how your situation is decades in the making. If it helps at all I really believe it's not too late for you to find happiness and peace at home. When you post your progress or even your discouraging times you help me deal with my own struggle. I appreciate you very much.

Karl - Glad you're trucking along taking steps to find a new place. I know it hasn't been easy but I know you can do this. Stay persistant!

Dave - What a beautiful post. You said you wish you could reach out and touch our lives. You already do! :)

Darci - ((hugs!)) I hope you find your motivation soon! I look forward to seeing you tackle some new goals and get back to feeling empowered!

Roxie - Well done taking care of the washing machine repair/new purchase! You are getting things done! I too am ready for the new season.

Tillie - Did you reach into my head to write your post? hehe I loved it. So many truths all in one place. Also, getting a colorful WTG! from you just makes my day! Thank you for bringing so much to this community :)

Today I will be going to a few stores to check out washer and dryers for the new house. I've been researching online but I'd like to see some models in person. Thanks Roxie for the extra inspiration!

Hi Roxie :)
Sorry the washer died but so vety HAPPY you already have a new one on the way! :D
Thank you for getting the flash lights. (((hugs))

Good morning :)

Hi Jess :)
Yea!!! WTG!!! for making that appointment.
Now make sure to keep it. :)

Hi Diane :)
So wonderful to hear from you! :D
It is always great to take the time to do some personal maintenance.
That is something that I try to do especially when I am depressed because it does make me feel better about myself.

Hi LR2014 :)
I've been enjoying reading your posts.
Keep up the great work of getting stuff done! :D

Hi Dianne :)
There is a time when we all need to pull back, take time out, care for ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually.
This time out gives us a chance to see just how far we have actually come, not only in the cleaning but in the personal growth. :D

Hi Dave :)

Hi Karl :)

Hi Darci :)


My thoughts.....
Working on decluttering all by yourself is extremely difficult.
You not only have the physical task of moving out items to donation or the dump but you also have the task of making every single decision all by yourself as to what should be kept and what should by removed.
If it were easy for you to make these decisions you would not be in this overly cluttered condition in the first place.
Making these decisions is hard work, even for me when I go through my stuff and I am not prone to cluttering.
We all have that fear of "what if?"
What if I let this ___ go and some day in the far future I find that I need a ___ and now I don't have it.
Then there is the anger that I once did have a ___ but I got rid of it and now I must go out to the store, spend another .59 cents to get another one. Self blame for being so wasteful, for not doing the decluttering so very perfectly that I have failed.
For me personally, I feel that getting to live for two decades without a ___ cluttering up my life is time and money well spent.
Another pitfall is putting emotions onto objects.
Please believe me that just because it has a face painted or sewn onto it it is not alive. It has no feelings. Honestly. (((hugs)))
Another pitfall is "I spent good money for this___. I do not need or even like it, it does not work for me but I should keep it because I spent good money for this___."
The money was spent. The item does not add to your life but keeps taking away from your life every time you must now look at it, handle it, move it about or trip over it.
Our time and peace of mind is valuable, you can not put a price on it.
Then there is the guilt...
You feel guilty about letting go of things you spent money on, a gift someone gave you, things inherited.
You feel obliged to hang onto these things.
My mother was very fond of calling me "an ungrateful brat" whenever I declined an unwanted "gift". I got over it because I really didn't want these things.
I refuse to be the caretaker/guardian of the crap.
I have done a whole lot of soul searching during my life to know what I need and what I want and to be able to tell the difference between the two.
It is perfectly alright to let go of anything in your home that does not suit you and the lifestyle you are striving for.
Always keep in mind that you are the most important and valuable item in your home. (((hugs)))

Like yesterday, I am going to keep my goals for today somewhat general.

I plan to spend time organizing more of my financial papers for my tax filing. (I am not going to set a minimum or maximum amount of time for working on it today.) I also plan to review my goals for yesterday, reminding myself to take out time to "chill out."

Happy Thursday to all. I'll put my goals for today in a separate post.

As you know, I'm new here as of a week ago. I just figured out that we have a Diane and a Dianne!

It's one thing to read the "you can do this" encouragements. Those help. But hearing what many of you have shared about what you've accomplished over time, little bit by little bit and with the encouragement of one another, is a major factor in giving me extra inspiration during this short time I've been on here.

It's so easy for me to look at the undone tasks and not focus on what is done. Noticing the "undone" can be very discouraging. I get that "pull the sheets over my head" feeling, too.

I like what was shared about having one particular spot taken care of and then kept that way. (Kind of like the shine-your-sink concept, for those of you who know what I'm talking about there.) I do have some areas of my living space that are staying "OK," but I haven't really been thinking much about those spots. I need to pay more attention to appreciating the progress.

@Dianne... wow... we must be traveling on the same cosmic lhighways! Almost every time I feel de-motivated, de-flated, and wallowing in self pity/contempt, there you are putting my thoughts into actual words. Thank you for your courage to keep doing that!! Please know that your verbalization has been amazing medicine for me, and many others. :)

I wish that I could reach out in some way and touch each of your lives and guide you to a next step, but I can't do that.

It is my prayer that tomorrow, each one of you will see the right path, the right action for you and will be encouraged to take it. That you each will be able to walk in the light that you have and see and feel and know success.

I know that each of you can go far beyond where you are now and even beyond what you are able to dream now. My heart breaks to see your discouragement.

Dave

Just saw your post, Diane. It makes a world of difference for me already to have people like you all around for help and support! Many thanks.

Yes, Tillie, this month has gone by amazingly fast!

Jess, I'm sorry about the OCD stuff. Glad you were able to get the appointment! Yea! As I just mentioned on a post on another thread, OCD seems to run on one certain side of my family. I have my own share of OCD-type issues.

As for today, I have (as I've said) gone light when it comes to housekeeping tasks. Ran dishwasher and have done some of the laundry. I'm glad I reread my post from this morning... I need the reminder to take some mental breaks and do some writing, because this tax stuff really stresses me out. :(

Today I am realizing I can not do this alone. I have to be on this site to get back on track and not give up. Currently cooking soup, have not been eating enough again. Going to finish dishes today.
Clean sheets on bed. Shower, washed hair and curled it, trying to look better so can feel better. going to bring more wood in when rain stops.
Organized garden storage shed this morning before rain started. So grateful rain is here to keep me inside so have to deal with piles that have accumulated.

Okay, appointment set for April 4th. Until then I'm going to do some reading in my OCD books and try to stay focused on my techniques.

Thanks for being here guys :)

Hi everybody :) Sorry for not really being around. I'm fine and generally happy but I'm having some problems controlling my OCD lately. I've just been focusing on getting myself together.

Since I hurt my back I haven't been able to workout at all and I think that's one of the things that helps me stay in check. I've been struggling without that outlet.

I've been able to keep the apartment pretty clean and have not fallen back into creating a clutter room. Still all clear! I have, however been checking and rechecking. I've been putting off doing basic human things like going to the bathroom or sleeping because I'm trying to feel "right" first. Sigh. I'm tired and frustrated. I promise to make an appointment with my therapist when I'm done typing this. Avoiding dealing with it won't do me any good.

Good morning,
Really missing you all who haven't posted lately. :(
Winter is back here for a while so no playing outside again today.
Working on a quilt today. Basting the top, batting and backing together now.
Really miss having trash pick up service. Makes things difficult. lol
So very thankful I have burn barrels and am able to burn anything burnable.
This month has gone by so fast!
Have a wonderful Wednesday everybody. :D

I'm holding my housekeeping goals rather loosely today, given that yesterday afternoon I wasn't feeling well and might experience the same today. I do plan to continue working on organizing my financial papers, with a view toward my meeting tomorrow with the income tax lady. Since the taxes are stressful to me (especially this year, with a lot of unknowns involved for me at this point), I'm not going to make any other specific housekeeping goals for today (other than do some laundry and run the dishwasher). Rather, I'm going to try to take extra good care of myself. Among other things, that means taking breaks when I need to (including mental breaks), eating what I need to, doing some reading and writing (especially writing about my feelings), and above all reminding myself that life is about more than income tax!!!

Good idea, Roxie. Maybe I need to post my note inside my glasses. Nah, I'd miss it there, too. Ha. Hope your repair person finally shows!

Happy day to all.

Following up on my goals for today:

I got a satisfactory amount of "financial organizing" done. The most significant thing from that endeavor was getting some papers copied/organized that I will need for my Thursday appointment (the appointment to have my taxes looked at). I dropped those copies off today at that lady's office so that she could look some of them over before Thursday (if she wishes). Getting that much done felt very good.

I didn't get as much stuff "sent out the door" as I'd hoped, but I did get some. I started having some physical problems (a foot problem, for one thing) that slowed me down this afternoon, so I'm "OK" with what I did get done along those lines. I think I did the best I could for today. And I got a small section of my living room looking much better (and that wasn't even on my list).

Thank you all for the encouraging words. It really helps to hear the "rah, rah's" (especially while having to deal with the income tax blah-blah's).

Hope you all have had a good day.

Good morning :)

Hi LR2014 :)
WAY TO GO!
for getting stuff accomplished! :D

Hi Karl :)
WAY TO GO! for checking out that recycling center!
Get out there and check out the other rentals and keep/start checking other sources looking for leads.
GOOD LUCK! :D

Hi Roxie :)
Wishing you GREAT luck getting your washer fixed!
Hoping it is something very simple and that the repairman has any needed parts right there on his truck.
Hyacinth is my favorite flower scent, carnation is my second favorite. :)
WAY TO GO! getting stuff done and making plans for future tasks to accomplish! :D

Yesterday after I got some stuff done inside I went outside and watered and did some pruning.
It was so beautiful and got hot, 74 degrees.
Was planning to go back outside today but the winds are raging and a snow storm is brewing.
We have a saying here in Nevada...
"if you don't like the weather just wait five minutes, it will change." :D
Soooo, anyways...
Today I am going to do some ironing and sewing.
Fun inside stuff.
But first I will do the usual, every day, daily stuff.

Keep up all the great work you all have been doing. :)

I have one main goal for today, and that is to continue to work on getting some financial papers in order.

I will also make a short list of things that I can send out the door (to trash, to shredding, or elsewhere) and plan to spend at least 20 minutes actually sending those things on their way.

I usually like to make my goals more specific than this, but I'll leave it like this for today.

Oh. and if things go according to plan, I will probably be at the chat tonight.

Thanks, Roxie. I already had the dust mask in the vehicle the other day (and in a prominent place), but I didn't even think to put it on. That outdoor place where I was working has a gate with a lock on it. Maybe I can find some way to put my reminder note on or near that lock! Then I'll have to see the reminder note!