Hi all
Just a short note. Worked into the night yesterday, and up early this morning. Helper was a great support and helper today. We did way more than I thought possible today, car is packed and ready to go. Just have to put my coat on and head out. Just started pouring so thought I would get inspired by your posts, thanks for posting. I am tired and my back hurts and feel kind of numb from packing up donations I did not think we would get to today. So many decisions in a short time makes me feel tired and numb. When she is here, it is much easier to see things much more objectively. I would not go today but I have library things that are overdue, that people are waiting for, so feel responsible. Really want to just sit.

Hello again, everyone!

I've been meaning to post for days but just preoccupied with this or that. In between my crazy April Fool's post and now, I did get another little amount out of the storage unit. I condensed two "go through" file boxes of papers to one, and tossed stuff and the older boxes which were all crunched up and yucky. And some misc. small non-paper items along with them. Not a whole lot but something.

But then when I went to put stuff back in the unit, feeling so pleased, I had two neatly organized boxes of books fall down, which was quite annoying. And one of the plastic boxes holding books cracked when it hit the floor. Argh! Still, I didn't have a big hissy fit, just a little one, which for me is progress of another sort, learning not to get worked up. But I recognized it was definitely time to stop then. I'm getting closer to the point where things like the book boxes won't be so precariously stacked that they fall easily. That will be wonderful.

The emotional side of all of this, I see we've all been dealing with one way or another here lately. So good to see all the growth happening as we reassess and reorder our relationship with our "stuff."

I can certainly relate to that part where it gets down to a bunch of tiny miscellaneous items that are trivial yet difficult to be decisive about. I dread that, but I'm telling myself I will be able to deal with it when the time comes because by then I'll have had so much practice dealing with the large and medium stuff. I hope so!

I had been going to move to a storage unit closer to where I live. But I went on their website and discovered they want $10-20 more a month for their units. There are other companies not too far; I may look into that, but for now it seems to be okay if I'm just going to the place I have and clearing out stuff. Maybe by fall I'll be in a better position to do the big move/massive cleanout push.

We're forecasted to get a good amount of rain this weekend and I hope it materializes; the gardens really need it.

Good Morning Everybody :)
Would really love to hear how you're doing.
We miss you (((hugs)))

Hi Diane :)
WAY TO GO!!!
I understand how hard this is for you, agonizing over all these decisions. (((hugs)))
Hope having your helper there today makes everything easier for you. :)

Moving slower today. At 10:00am will start washing living room area furniture.
Need to wash dishes too, I let them pile up this week because I was too busy.
Then I need to wash the few knickknacks that I display in the living room and dining room areas.
Except for the windows and drapes these areas will be done!
Very cold and windy day with fresh snowfall in the mountains.
Tomorrow should be a better day to hang out laundry. Other than that I plan to take Friday off to rest up for the weekend. :)

AFK ;)

Wow Tillie you have been a busy gal, good you are getting it done.
I sorted all day, was finally able to donate lots of buttons and old costume jewelry, and other craft items, and lots of old crocheted stuff and all kinds of things. /Stuff all over the floor still trying to get it done. Helper will be here in the morning. I warned her that stuff is all over and I really need her help with decisions and organizing, she is fine with it. looks like the bomb that went off was a mega bomb. I really dislike that room. So much junk from 20 years just crammed in there. Have accomplished so much, I can see almost all of the floor will be available after tomorrow. My reward today was finding a little box of rocks in there and several coins, mostly 1994, ok, maybe more than 20 years of junk. Nothing of any real value, just excess beads, jewelry findings, ribbons etc. I would have to live well over 130 more years to use it.
Space is more valuable than all that junk so why is it so hard to let go of? Living in past dreams, let all of it go and create new dreams, easy to think, harder to do.

Hi :D

The hard part is all over and done with.
Dining area walls and ceiling are all washed.
Then I washed the furnishings with Murphy's oil soap as I moved them back into place.
Just finished eating and am resting now. 3:30pm
Tomorrow I will wash all the living room furnishings.
Then wash all knickknacks, vacuum and be done.
Next week I will clean the smaller more easily done areas.
Looking forward to getting back outside even if it is to pull weeds. :D

Hi Roxie :)
So true! I have learned so much from everybody here.
WAY TO GO!!
for hanging in there and getting the social security all dealt with!!! :D
My bedroom is never a lonely place because there is always at least one cat in it. ;D
I would love to hire some help, especially for yardwork, but he won't let me spend the money. :(
Hope the Dr. visit went well (((HUGS)))

Hi Diane :)
YEA!!! WTG!!!
for doing that daily maintenance type tuff!!! :D
I love those tiny rose bushes but have always had bad results keeping it alive.
Good luck with your sorting project tonight :D

Well...
got the living room walls & ceiling all finished washing up.
Then I went outside with all the cats.
The lilacs are blooming and it smells heavenly.
The rain we have been getting is light showers and doesn't water deeply.
So I watered everything real good.
Some iris are putting up flower stalks.
Spent 4 & a half hours outside, I needed that. :)
Tomorrow I will do the dining room area.
The place is already looking much better and it smells fresh and clean now too.

You all keep me motivated and accountable.
THANK YOU!

Sweet Dreams Ya'll ;)

Hi Everyone.
Good to hear from you Roxie, miss hearing from you, happy you doing OK. Yes, any room I let get cluttered feels lonely and sad, and I want to get out of there. I worked outside all day yesterday and this morning. I did get allllll the dishes done this morning, and dusting, and a little clean up before I went outside. I weeded, then burned lots of stuff, until wind picked up. working on filling the garbage can too. After some time off, I am finally ready to face sorting some stuff from craft room, being cloudy and sprinkling out helps me to accomplish stuff in here.
Tilly you helped me get some things done by telling us all you did yesterday, thanks.
So nice a electric guy wrapped my outside wires that were sparking in wind/rain storms. My lights didn't flicker or go out when it rained last night, and today lots of wind and no flickering. Feel so lucky it did not start a fire with my procrastination on getting wires fixed.
Last week I bought a little $2.50 rose plant at grocery store, it has brought me so much joy today. I rarely buy myself flowers so am grateful I did. For so cheap, I thought it would die, but today another rose bud is opening up.
ok back to work, does anyone really need 100's of spools of old thread, or 75 spools of ribbon? Ok probably have more than that. Old doilies someone crocheted, who knows who, they have to go. Lets see how much I am able to pack up tonight

Good Morning Everybody...
where ever you are ;)

Hi Diane :)
My Granma taught me how to Spring clean so I try to do it like she would.
Nice thing is that once you Spring clean, the rest of the year is just maintaining the house by doing little touch up jobs.

Moving a little slower today but still feeling alright.
Will start working at 9:00am, 20 minutes from now.
When I was younger I could easily do so much more each day but I can still get the job done if I break the task down into smaller sections.
Washing walls and ceilings is not an every year job, more like every two to three years.
I painted in here over ten years ago and washing the walls has helped the paint look good all these years. :)

Wishing you all a beautiful sunny day :)

Tillie, you really made some progress today, good for you. Nice you describe the process for us hoarders to learn what spring cleaning actually means!

Hi Diane :)
I can see all the struggles people face when they have hoarding tendencies and I would not wish that on anybody. (((HUGS)))
Hope you find a good way to do sorting outside where I know you would always rather be. :D

Well...
Got more than half of the living room walls and ceiling all washed and rinsed!
Done for today. 2:00pm
Sitting here looking at the contrast between the clean areas and dirty area is sure motivation to finish this ASAP!
The dining area is smaller and can be finished in one day, same with the kitchen.
The area by the back door, the hallway and bathroom are all easy areas too.
Will get to them after the main room is done.
Then I will go back through and use Murphy's oil soap, vacuum and generally wash everything.
The windows will wait till these lovely April showers are over with.
Now, time for a shower & shampoo. :)

Hi Tillie,
How is it going today? Back holding up ok? Will be nice to have a fresh living area,
I spent 2 hours resorting stuff this morning, then started hating it, so went for a long walk and really enjoyed all the flowers and trees blooming. Got home went back in there and hated it, so outside since then. After reading your post, I agree with sorting outside. I was going to do that today then thought it is supposed to rain tomorrow so said no. Now I am rethinking it, I hate being in here. I can put donations in vehicle and put tarp over the rest or things I can decide on I can put away, just really sick of it. Every room I have hated the last part deciding on smaller stuff, just want to put it in a box and hide it in the garage, garage too full, and will still have to deal with it. How about donating it all, feel a total lack of control when I think of just getting rid of the rest. Hoarding at its finest!!! Tillie so happy you don't hoard, it is a terrible thing to be stuck in, or live with as you well know.

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Diane :)
Enjoy the nicer weather and all the fresh growing plants. :)
How about taking a load of stuff to sort outside and sit out there while you sort it?
Could put a whole new perspective on the task. :)

O.K. Today's the day....
Have a hard back breaking task to undertake.
Since the living room, dining area and kitchen are just one combined room,
cooking, candle and incense burning along with living in a very dusty desert really take their toll on the walls and ceiling.
Soooo
today I will start washing walls and ceiling.
Planning to take my time, do it in sections, as much as my back will tolerate each day until it's all done.
Once I have done this I will be much happier and a whole lot less depressed about the condition of my home. :D
Looks like another overcast rainy day outside so I am stuck indoors anyway.

Wish me luck :)

Great to hear from you Roxie, I was thinking about you today, so was a treat to see your post. Yes very difficult things to deal with, wonderful you have a loving brother, so happy he has been there for you.
Tillie you are so wise and yes emotions are difficult for me. I have done nothing in craft room again today. I have been outside all day. I moved the rocks I had scattered all over to one area, messed up yard while washing rocks. For the first time I said, I have too many rocks, no more rock hounding for me. Yes it is so nice to have rooms that have no clutter, thanks for all of your support and advice. I told helper I would work 1 hour in morning on fabrics and in the evening while watching tv would sort buttons for donations. Well none have been done. Seems I either spend 12 hours straight or none at all, and thus the melt downs. That is why she suggested 1 hour daily. Just like when I studied for tests, I would wait until the last day and study all night. Thank goodness she comes weekly it is like I have to prepare for test weekly, not every 20 years. Started taking plastic off windows. My lilacs are really trying to open today. I gave them extra water yesterday to nudge them. Took a walk this morning, think lack of exercise gives me the blues. Plus giving away my stuff--------.
So happy we have this board and each other.

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Roxie :D
"CLINK!"
(((HUGS))) Those are very difficult things to finalize/legalize but I have found peace of mind after they were done.
Enjoy all the nature and animals and the morning coffees, try not to fret about the house since it is truly out of your hands to do much about it anyways.
WAY TO GO!!! for bill paying and making and keeping Dr. appointments! :D
(((HUGS)))

Hi Diane :)
In town yesterday I noticed all the lilacs were in full bloom.
Here where I live the lilacs are just now thinking about blooming.
When it comes to changing from a person who tends toward hoarding to a person who doesn't have an over abundance of stuff
it's really not about the stuff,
it's about the emotions and thought processes of the person.
That emotional rollercoaster you've been riding is to be expected.
Be kind to yourself, feel the emotions, work through them.
Keep looking at all you have accomplished and always keep the vision of the final results in front of you.
You are doing GREAT! :D (((HUGS)))

At the dollar store yesterday I bought some cleaning supplies.
My plan for this coming week is to start Spring Cleaning.
Last year dealing with his stupid leg and months of hospital & home nurses & physical therapists kept me from doing any kind of real cleaning, the way I like to do Spring Cleaning.
Planning to take my time, do a section a day.
So happy my house is so small. :D

Last night it rained very nicely here, so it's too wet to do anything outside.
Think today I will enjoy some beading. :)

Thanks so much Tillie, feel much better after reading your reply, I was feeling guilty, lost, sad, lethargic, so many things, went for a walk and read what you wrote, now feel calm. Thanks for telling me about your day, so happy you can get out and about now, so much better for you.
Showed RV tonight to a neighbor, he really wants it but it is small for a family of 4, I am pretty sure his wife will say no when she gets back from trip. Lilacs are about to bloom, yippee.

Hi Diane :)

(((HUGS)))
It is important that you take the time to process.
Different types of items will always take longer than another, easier category of items.
Craft stuff is always a hard one for most everybody because we have so much emotion/dreams/fantasies invested in it.
You have been doing such a FANTASTIC! job with all you have sorted through and made those million keep/donate decisions about.
This little rebellion of yours is in no way a set back or a failure, you just needed a little more time, and that is totally understandable. (((HUGS)))

Sprinkling a little off & on today.
Decided to go to the "Dollar Tree" dollar store around noon.
Then since I was out & about, decided to stop by other places and chat with friends.
Didn't do any chores today, maybe tomorrow.
8:00pm here now and I think I will get to bed early tonight to make up for all last night's excitement. :)

I miss you Tillie, was so good to get online and see your posts.
I had a meltdown when helper wanted to get rid of stuff I had sorted in keep pile. First time I was so rebellious. She said she was there to work, and I said lets just load car, pickup and your SUV, that will be enough. I had already donated 2 car fulls since she was last here. We are talking crafts here-----now that I have settled down, I see the importance of getting rid of much of what we were disagreeing about. I was terrified she would give up on me, but she will be back on Wednesday. I have done nothing since then, other than processing the dramatic changes in my life. I need the support of this group to make all of these changes

Scooter (the cat) and I got woke up last night about 1:30 by my big orange boy cat growling and hissing in the dining room area.
Found he had caught and killed a mouse and the albino girl kitty was trying to steal it from him. She wanted to eat it.
This was his first "kill" ever.
After I gave him lots & lots of "GOOD BOY"s and "WAY TO GO"s he was ready to leave the mouse where it lay and eat some cat treats.
Scooter was all excited because he never had a real mouse to play with before.
I allowed him to bat it all around until I had settled down enough to go back to sleep.
He had the most wonderful time. :D
Then I tossed the creature out the front door and washed my hands.

Checked all around for entryways but they are all still secure.
Thinking it may have come in through the door since I had it open yesterday while I was outside.
I have had snakes and lizards enter the house through the open door before.

Hi Everybody :)

Got up early this morning and went out and did some yard stuff.
Then did a load of laundry and a little bit of ironing.
Then I did some cooking and veggie prepping.
Cleaned the kitchen.
Then went out hunting for nesting wasps and sprayed them.
Was a busy and fun day. :D

Tomorrow I plan to do some early morning yard stuff and then some straightening of my gardening things stored in the pump house.
Then Take the whole afternoon off. :D

Good Morning Everybody :)

Good Morning Diane :)

Good Morning Tatoulia :)

Diane, you need to schedule in some fun.
Write on a slip of paper
"FUN"
and stick to it!
FANTASTIC! that you have done so much to make your home a safer and healthier place by removing so many trip hazards!
WTG!!! :D
(((HUGS)))

We all need to try keeping a proper balance between work, rest, and play to continue to function at our best.
(((HUGS)))

Getting ready to go into town, have my shopping list all written up.
There is a whole herd of tiny brown wrens, sparrows and green finches in my yard...
they are eating all the grass seeds that I so carefully planted on Monday. :(
Evil little birds. LOL ;D

Words to live by "I like having clean rooms". Diane and Tillie, you are precious friends.

Tillie and Tat----Hi, and thanks for your posts. Helper is coming tomorrow instead of today, hooray for that. I vacuumed this morning, took some stuff outside. Went to get weed sprayer, tripped, fell, decided to get all of that stuff out of walk way to donate. I called all thrift stores to have pick up, they are all booked for weeks, so guess I have to haul that junk tomorrow, helper said she will take a car load too. It finally happened, became ruthless with all the storage containers, racks, shelves. Still a bunch more but an amazing amount is outside to donate. Productive avoidance of craft room! Actually have made lots of progress in that room, no chance or having things falling on me now. Cleared some stuff off deck, 1 load of laundry, busy day. Nice weather and I am so focused on hoard, have not really had fun, try again to have fun tomorrow. I like having clean rooms. Tonight I have lots of dishes to wash, yep let them pile up, good thing I got rid of most of them, so dishes can not pile up like in the past. Tillie and Tat, I appreciate your kind words, although this evening I question if it will ever be finished. Have to focus on how wonderful most of the place is, rather than what is still left to do. Sure do appreciate this web site

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO!!! :D
Fantastic that you are maintaining your bedroom! :D
Sweet dreams waiting in there for you. (((hugs)))
Once the bathroom is cleaned it only takes a little daily tidying up to keep it nice with a quick weekly deeper cleaning.
WTG! for doing the taxes and adjusting your deductions.
Yes, Diane's posts have been extremely encouraging and uplifting. :D
Have a wonderful week.

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi Diane :)
Wonderful thinking you are doing as you sort and make decisions! :D
I too would have to look at what is in bins and boxes just to make sure something important didn't get stuffed in accidentally.
Fill your freezer with smoothie supplies and treat yourself with them.
They won't give you the sugar blues like the ice cream did. :D

Another beautiful day here.
Been wearing summer dresses since Monday afternoon! :D
Should do yard stuff but my body says "no" to that idea.
Next week I should be up to it and it won't be such back breaking work to do anyways.
Thinking about going in to town tomorrow.
All out of fresh fruit and veggies.
Today I will tidy up, sweep, vacuum, etc...
Making up a grocery list.
I hate it after grocery shopping, coming home to find that I forgot to get something important.
Then I make myself "do without" because I refuse to run back to the store just to pick up one thing.

---------------------------------

Money spent is called "Sunk Cost".
It is money gone and can not be recovered.
Many people fall into the trap of holding onto items, trying to recover the purchase price or the imagined price because they deem it a "collectable".
Many, many people have rooms filled floor to ceiling, expensive storage units, sheds and garages filled with items that they won't release until they can sell them for the price they feel the item is worth.
Unfortunately, nobody is ever willing to pay the original purchase price for anything second hand.
Items, any item, is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
The most they will ever recover is pennies on the dollars spent.
So they live with inaccessible rooms, pay dearly to store things for years and years, spending all their time and energy caring for and churning through the items
as the items get damaged from crushing, water, insects, mold, rodents and vandalism.
Also, I have witnessed many times, the hoarder then dies, leaving their family to have to dedicate months, even years to clear it all out and experience all the financial difficulties associated with it.

Diane!!! I feel alive and happy just reading your posts! Last weekend sounds wonderful! You are doing so well and you seem so happy-- your happiness is infectious-- I cannot stop smiling!

I did of my taxes last weekend. Not happy but nithing to be upset about. I changed my withholding a at work yesterday to reflect my diminishing deductions as time marches on.

Tillie I hope you are doing well -- I cleaned my bedroom last week and was so pleased ( let's not discuss the bathroom) and today I think I'll dust and vacuum bedroom so I can get back into the swing of weekly bedroom cleanings.

Hello to everyone-- yes Dave it's tax time!

hello
Tillie happy you are enjoying your cleaner yard
I worked all day in craft room. Even though I just took a carload to donate, I gathered up another car load last night and today. I missed the beautiful day, had a sugar hangover, ate way too much ice cream yesterday, groggy and depressed, no ice cream today. told helper we will have a very short time tomorrow, want to get outside, maybe go to river. Good news, found more polished petrified wood in craft room, did not have a memory of them, maybe because they were buried for many years, before I knew they were petrified wood. felt like my reward for working so hard. That is why it is difficult to just donate bins without looking in them first.
I told helper we will work longer next week. Donating is still going well, just want to get it done, so tell myself no, you have no interest in those projects, give them away, no day dreaming of what I could possibly create. Someone else will enjoy it. hundreds of dollars spent on this stuff, just can not think in those terms.

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Diane :)
YIPPEEE! Ice Cream! :D
Enjoy! You have earned it! :)
Your helper will know just how much you have done when she sees the receipt from the donation place. :D

The ibuprofen has started to work miracles on my poor old crippled body.
I have begun washing some laundry, have it sorted into 3 wash loads.
Taking it easier today but having a wonderful time appreciating looking at my improved yard. :D
Still more to do out there but it will get done, someday.

"CLINK!" to Roxie (((HUGS)))

TTYL :)

Hello all. Tillie I loved reading your post and thanks Dave for the add on laugh.
a time to cast off has come. This morning I finished filling the car and took to thrift store to donate got receipt for my helper.
She is coming here on Wednesday, yikes, I am just getting to the good stuff, afraid since she didn't see all I got rid of she will think we need to get rid of way more than I think. As before, I worry, get anxious, she gets here and like magic, I trust her opinions on most things, and we get way more done in 2 hours than I get done in 2 days. The wind is brutal here today.
So, since I donated a car full of craft stuff today, I went to the store and bought chocolate peanut butter and Keebler cones. I had two little ice cream cones when I got home. Such a treat, felt like a kid. In the past I was basically addicted to ice cream, so no longer have in the house, but think I will be fine with this if I don't buy more, just enjoy this tub.
Also bought several vegetables, bananas, apples, they don't look nearly as exciting as ice cream.
Hope to get 2nd wind and do more sorting tonight. Happy you had so much energy today Tillie.

Hi Dave :)
It was a treat watching the sunrise as I gathered up all my supplies and made my plan of attack.
As far as taxes go, we can always ask for an extension. ;D


Just now 1:00pm here, I ate lunch.
Got out there and spread fertilizer on the
trees, laurels, lilacs, honeysuckle, roses, rhubarb, and all the other plants out there.
Watered it in.
Then I raked the grass in front and the small patch under my clothes line out back.
Did some reseeding, watered the back lawn.
Will water the front later this afternoon.
Sprayed some round up, need to do lots more of that but the breeze picked up.
Can't spray weed killer when there is any kind of wind, it will travel and kill everything.
Replaced a little bit of fencing along the front by the laurels.
Was a perfect day for working out there and I was all done by 12:15 too. :D
Soon as I rest up a bit I will get showered & shampooed.
I am physically exhausted but it is a good feeling having all that done.


:D

Walmart has battery powered lanterns (If you can't sneak one out of the garage)!

Time machine needed!
If March is over, song addendum reads:
A time to pay income tax penalties! :)

Good Morning Everyone :)

Not even 5am here yet and I am wide awake and ready to do yard work.
But it's very dark out there!
Will have to wait for the sunrise. LOL :D

Hi Diane :)
Nice to have your company with tree wells and other yard stuff.
Hoping my lilac buds don't get burned again from a rogue freeze.
Your Friday outing sounds just WONDERFUL, all except for that little blood sucker.
So nice that the weather is pleasant and at any time you can take a break and get outside.
You are doing such a FANTASTIC amount of decluttering the past and making room for the present.
You are not giving up on old fantasies/dreams of all the things you would have done with those donated items.
What you are doing is clearing the way for all your new dreams and plans for the person who you are now. (((hugs)))

Ecclesiastes and also a song by The Byrds...
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Hello everyone, thanks for all of the posts, inspiring and thought provoking
Tillie I learned from you to make tree wells, and I joined you doing that this week, so nice having warmer weather, I agree with you, so happy you are getting yard ready. This is a first to have lilacs this early for me, with no threat of freezing, a few years with no lilacs from freeze.
Thanks Dave, I climbed my tree this week, you reminded me. I can actually see the top of Mt. Hood if I climb high enough, such fun
Friday I went on an outing with a friend to 40 acres she bought south of Paulina We found lots of nice jasper, we had sooooo much fun. It was perfect weather, no wind for a change and we took her new 4 runner off road and it was a wild ride, we toured her land as well and connecting BLM land. I felt so alive being out in nature. Yesterday was a hohum day, was worn out, did not get enough done. This morning at 4am a tic woke me up, biting the back of my neck at hairline. It was creepy and could not go back to sleep. Picked up the little fellow on Friday and he lived on me for a day and 1/2 without me knowing it, so creepy. So I got up and loaded up several bags of craft crap.
Back seat of car is full once again, and still not done in there. Now piles only lining walls, nothing in middle of room for first time in 20 years. Would be nice to just get rid of it but still going through most stuff, which is time consuming, but the switch is flipped for hours at a time, where I can let go of stuff that I "could" use and never will. Reach a point where it is too much for me and then went out in yard and really enjoyed being out, watering, washed my new rocks from outing, worked on junk on deck. I vacuumed RV again and then a couple came over and really liked it. He is a mechanic and really liked the engine Ford 460 I think he said, and only 21,800 miles, so hopefully they will figure out a way to pay for it. Yes, thanks Tillie, a canopy is just what I need to have overnighters. And yes, just have to keep unloading junk so I will be free to enjoy life. Thanks again for all of the support fellow worker bees.

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
YEA! Wishing you GREAT success on the taxes! :D

Hi Dave :)
March is over with for this year
but the good news is that we still have April. :D

Finally got the grass mowed late yesterday afternoon.
Then I did the edging along the walkway.
Soon as I finish drinking my tea I plan to head outside and get busy getting my tiny garden/yard area worked on and ready for Summertime.
That's my plan for this week, doing all the necessary things like raking, fixing tree wells, fertilizing, killing some weeds and generally making it all look as pretty as I can.
It is a sharp contrast to the rest of the property and I get a lot of compliments on my tiny garden oasis. :D
He hates it, thinks it is a waste of space where he could be dumping his stuff and I have to always be on the look out for stuff he tries to put there.
Last year it was a salad bar, a wooden bed frame and a contraption he said was a "trellis" but it really wasn't and it kept falling over.
He also strung electric wires attached to small lights. The wires were trip hazards and the lights never worked anyways plus they would always get wet when I watered or it rained.
I have outdoor garden type solar lights already.

Time to get going, another beautiful sunny day here. :D

TTYS :)

Oops! Never started. It's not march anymore is it?

Oops! Never started. It's not march anymore is it?

You got me, CM ! I sat here agape thinking what has she done.. Really so funny ! Without humor I would fall apart--many many thanks.

Hello to all. Will I actually finish the taxes I started in February? Ashamed of myself. But I will get them done before weekend is over!

LOLOLOL CriticalMass! :D
That is a good one!
Thank you :)
Hope things calm down there for you real soon.
Hang in there, your plans sound really good. :)

Hi Karl :)
WAY TO GO! GREAT job you did on your room! :D
Hope your computer issues aren't too bad and are easily fixed.
I have learned lot about computers from two guys on YouTube.
Their names are Haig Dickson and Lewis' Tech.
They might have something posted on their sites that could help.

Well, he is all nasty today.
Doesn't want to help me get the lawn mowed.
I need it mowed so I can rake it.
I need it raked before I can fertilize it.
Years ago he gave away my nice push mower and he won't let me use his ratty old gas mower, so I need his participation.
He never lets me use anything that is "his"
So, what can I do???

Another beautiful warm sunny day here in northern Nevada.
My dollar store Gladiolus are coming up.
The lilac bushes have lots of buds.
All the other stuff is starting to grow tall & leafy.

TTYS :D

Well, guess what. Today I just decided to hire an 18-wheeler and a bunch of guys to help, and I took the entire contents of my storage unit to the dump and swept it out and I am DONE.


APRIL FOOL!

But I did take 3 boxes to the DAV, LOL!

Glad everyone's been hanging in there and making what progress we can. Diane, you are again doing well dumping the guilt, which can weigh (I'm sure you'll appreciate this metaphor) like tons of rocks!

Tillie, so sorry about the loss of your friend. It takes time to heal from something like that.

It's been a crazy time still where I live. Too many things going on for me and for my roommate; we're both about to tear our hair out at times. In about a week and a half it may settle down. I sure hope so. I've had good days and bad days. I think that's a good idea to keep posting even if the day wasn't what we'd hoped for. It keeps us in touch. I've been fighting intermittent depression, and my ADD has been a pain in the butt too. I can't always find the words when I talk, I forget plans and events even an hour or two after they happen. Some of it though is just that there really is too much going on, and I am probably short on sleep.

Today, I got paid, went to pay bills including storage unit rent, and decided what the heck, I'll pull out a few things I've had in mind to get rid of from there. I brought one box with me and decided if I filled that, that was good enough. So the two extras were bonus! Plus I tossed some old ratty boxes in the dumpster on the way out.

I don't know for certain, but it could be that my plan to move to a closer storage place (eliminating lots of stuff in the process) could still work this spring. It all depends on money the most, and having helpers would be desirable as well.

Good Afternoon :)
April 1st already!

Hi Tatoulia :)
Thank you (((hugs)))

Could have easily laid in bed all day.
Today is really beautiful. Low 70s, gentle breeze, no clouds.
Have three loads of laundry out drying on the clothes line.
Got the kitchen all tidied up.
Spent a lot of time outside with the cats.
Right now the cats are all inside taking naps.
So much I would like to have accomplished this weekend but as usual, I doubt he will do anything.
We shall see...

Wishing you all days as pretty as this one is. :D

*bad feeling. (Correction to previous post)

My condolences, Tillie. Please take good care of yourself. Karl, I'm sorry your day was so frustrating. What a vadvfeelingvto have it call turn to mush.

Wishing you all a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is another day and I'll be thinking of each of you.

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Karl :)
(((HUGS)))
Hope things improve for you real soon.

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO!!!
10 pounds! WOW! Girl :D
Those one or two items added to the donation bag may not be as satisfying as doing lots, but this is the best way to keep from accumulating lots & lots more over time.
Keep up the GREAT work! :D

Hi Diane :)
Very happy you were out playing with the rocks :D
Hope you didn't injure yourself too badly.
At the rate you are working, this summer you should have so much free time to just get out and play.
Want you to get that cap for the truck so you can spend lots of time out and about.
There is a place near here that is far enough to need to be an over night trip but the hills there have garnets all washing out of the dirt.
You just walk around and pick them up.
Bet there are lots of places like that close to you. ;D

Have no idea what I might do today.
It's not like there aren't a million things needing doing.
The death of my dear childhood friend has hit me harder than I thought it could.
It feels like I am trying to run under water as I go through the day.

Grief must be allowed to follow it's course.
When we try to "just walk it off" we run into problems because we have not dealt with it properly.
I have lots of beautiful memories of our times spent together and will allow them to help mend my broken heart.

(((hugs)))

Diane you are amazing and inspiring!!! Congratulations! Wow! Well still dirty girl in terms of bathroom BUT cleaned, dusted, vacuumed bedroom and folded most of the clean laundry. No dishes in sink as I've been keeping up better.

I do know the feeling of getting rid of truckloads of stuff and still having too much. I try to keep a bag of donations going and I try to just say goodbye to things on a whim. Today while getting a scarf out of a drawer I saw a belt that goes to a skirt I no longer wear. I couldn't find the skirt (likely already donated) so I just put the belt in the bag. This isn't as satisfying ( or exhausting) as lots and lots but it's something.

I'm so glad to have everyone here. Shout-out to Roxie--wishing you good health and tasty iced tea!

Ps am keeping up with diet--slowly but surely--10 lbs down now. Realistically, 30-40 to go. I bet cleaning the bathroom would burn some calories!!

Hi to all. Tat you are so funny. Yes Tillie I do work too many hours. It is finally sunny so I set up my new to me, high speed rock sander and played with it this afternoon until I banged/smashed my finger. Glad I had safety glasses and gloves on. I worked from 7am-noon in craft room. finally got all cloth out of back closet and vacuumed then put a book case in there on one side and put the wool felting stuff I am keeping in there plus other supplies for that as well as some fleece I plan to sew. Even though I got rid of truck loads, there is still too much stuff. For now it is tucked in there and later I will start on other stuff in there. I have been out in the sun watering for the first time this year. Washed my lava bombs off that I organized last week in upper yard, just love them. I put big petrified wood next to steps that I sit on in morning for coffee, washed all of those off too. The things that bring me joy are changing for sure, or maybe with less stuff I can see what brings me joy. Thanks Tillie for your continued support over the years, it is finally happening. Tat, hope you are no longer a dirty girl by the end of the day. (kidding) ok, clean homle