Congratulations CM!!! You did it! So proud and pleased for you! Great work!!!!!

Will write more later. Have not read everything yet.

Love to you all.

Good morning!

I made good on my threat to sleep on the couch, and a wise decision it was. I'm all about being proactive with problems these days, and I've tried to apply that to this excessive/disturbing dream thing, but hadn't been having a lot of success. But last night I thought of some things I haven't done in awhile.

I put on my earbuds and went through my Rosary MP3 that has beautiful music and healing meditations. I do this everyday either in the daytime or at bedtime to get my daily Rosary in. Then I went further and found several of my favorite, most melodic and inspiring Josh Groban songs and just blissed out with those.

It was midnight after this and I turned out the light and got comfortable on the sofa. And slept. Kitty paid a visit at some point - a sack of cement with long fur on my feet. :) Now and then I had to
shift my carcass into different positions because with all the work I've been doing I would get stiff and sore. But the sofa makes it easy to find a new comfy position. When I get my own place someday, I'm thinking I might like a futon bed - there's something about that having a mattressy surface against my back and sides both that seems to work for me.

I slept till 10:00 a.m. today! A rainstorm had come in a day earlier than expected, so it was so dark I just kept right on sleeping. I wanted to tell my roommate to go ahead and open the living room blinds but I was so tired I just couldn't get the words out! And even when I was coming awake, I felt "glued" to the couch.

I hope I can get time to work with my own bed though and clear it off; Tillie, you are so correct about that. I read somewhere that if we have stuff in our beds or even beside them too much it's like it stays in our minds while we sleep. I had it so nice last year in preparation for the surgery recovery. This year, though, stuff to go through got piled on the bed. That's a hazard for me always with my ADD because the bed is the one place I can't miss seeing something I mean to do - so notes, correspondence, you name it, it ends up there. I need a secretary SO badly! ;) Seriously, if I won the lottery, hiring one would be on the high priority list of things to do.

I also need to do laundry. And finish decluttering the floor of the bedroom. Those tasks are for all practical purposes intermingled.

Cat sitting starts again on Wednesday. I must do some of these tasks in the interim. I'm going to need some of those clothes, for one thing. Monday is my best bet; I have

SubC glad your party went well. I think creative people understand about things like bringing your table service. I can sure relate about artistic confidence issues! Sometimes I think my life would've taken a completely different direction had I felt sure of myself in the visual arts early on. But there's still plenty of time. Anyway, keep building your confidence, and don't let the bumps in the road get you down. I think you are becoming more determined and you're going to hit your stride and run with it! :)

My quilt (the good one, not the one I was ripping up night before last) awaits my attention to be finished. I'll have to see if I can work on it during this upcoming round of cat sitting. I want to be sure my brain is fresh and able to focus calmly, because the next task is to precisely cut 4-1/2" squares that have an embroidery motif that must be centered. I don't want to slip with the cutter and have to embroider replacement squares. And then the squares and the sashing strips will need to be sewn together, and each of those rows must match my 4-patch rows. The heat is on!

Well, I've written my usual Russian novel; everyone have a good weekend! I have a lot of gratitude today, and that feels great.

Hi everyone,

And especially anony who I haven't seen in a while, and I hope your path gets smoother.

Super excited bouncy cheers for CM and the storage project! I know it will take some time to settle in, but wow! Good for you!

The party was last night and I did take my own travel mug and flatware. A lot of people brought their own mugs, and only one person even noticed my flatware - we were in line together and he started to hand me a spoon and I pulled mine out of my pocket and said "I travel with my own spoon." And he said "cool." There were real bowls for the soup, and I used two little paper plates (the desserts were on them). Very low stress.

The party was a fundraiser and I won two really nice prizes playing roulette. The best part is that they are service prizes (free firing) that will encourage me to put more time and effort into my pottery, which is a direction I really want to go in my life, but I lack confidence. so, here is the universe offering me more encouragement (if you make it, it will be fired!) anyway, the wheel was mostly stuff prizes (there was only one other service prize and it was a limited offer that went off after 2 wins) and I didn't win any.

So, lots of fun, no stuff, and a "this way" sign for my journey!

YEA!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!!!
Happy Dancing! :D
Ice water "Clink!" toast!
Been a long hard road but you did it CriticalMass!
(((((HUG)))))
I'm glad you had your surgery and it was a success. Hope the lonely and scary memories fade soon.
Maybe the next project should be clearing your bed so you can have a more relaxing place to sleep.

Hi Joan :)
Wishing you a better night of sleep tonight (((hugs)))

HELLO shout out to all you who we are missing ;D

Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you to celebrate with me the momentous occasion of having swept out and said goodbye to the old storage unit . . . let's Par-TAY!!! :D

I gave a big bundle of stuff to my mechanic - extra shelves, picture frames, household items. He said to just bring it all by whatever I didn't want, so I did. He has young adult kids who are setting up households and his wife can use a couple of sewing items like a thread spool holder that goes on the wall. I liked that holder but didn't think I should hang onto it (and it might get broken in the process of continued shifting and sorting in the new unit). But it's always nice to think of someone you know getting use out of a thing like that.

Anony, good to see you again. You're right, hoarding can manifest itself so many ways and in any socioeconomic class. The Collyer brothers, Homer and Langley, were wealthy recluses who hoarded a huge mansion in New York City - they had a bunch of pianos, an old car, and all manner of clutter. Tragically, they died in the hoarded house and weren't found for awhile. Their sad cautionary tale is well known. We have more resources now and support and I'm so thankful we do.

I've turned a corner in my journey, and there's still plenty of work to do. I think there's been a little emotional fallout from this finally becoming reality - nothing I can't handle, but some odd feelings. Also nightmares and annoying dreams again, not sure what all is causing them. Sleeping in the living room on the couch tonight hoping the change will break the pattern. Last night I got up and went in with the bunnies and ripped pieces from an unfinished old quilt (don't worry, it was nothing special - an amateurish thing from my teen years). It felt soothing to do a brainless task. When I felt relaxed enough I went back to bed and slept some. I am optimistic tonight will be better.

My bed still has clutter in it - that needs to be dealt with and I'm sure doing so will improve my sleep situation. So I'll tackle that, and other things that have gotten put on hold. Cat sitting will start again next week. It'll still be a rather disjointed month. And I am having some memories of my surgery - the lonely in the hospital part - that may be affecting my emotions as well. But as soon as I pass the date of the 1-year anniversary of it, I will feel like I "made it" and not feel sort of haunted by that dark cloud. I'm really grateful for the improvement it made in my health, it's just that sometimes when I recall how surreal and scary the experience was at times, it creeps me out a little.

Well, anyway, I'm rambling but I'm sure glad to be able to report how amazing this has all felt to get that storage unit settled! Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement! :) :) :)

Hi Tillie!

I saw my healer today. The session knocked me out. I was awake from about 12:30AM to about 5AM last night (early this morning). I am in the middle of adjusting some meds to help with a bunch of stuff. The usual.

Glad you had a good day!

Hi Anybody ;D

Slept GREAT last night and was ready to do some things around the house this morning.
Scrubbed & sanitized all 3 litter boxes.
Swept floors & porches, vacuumed carpet.
Then did a bunch of quick little tasks.
A little before 2:00pm a thunder storm rolled in.
Not much rain but it hailed too!
Still rain clouds covering the sun...
All in all it's been a good day. :D


I believe that Cory Chalmers has changed the captcha thingie to help get those SPAMMERS to quit.
Don't be afraid of it
just type in the words/letters and click on post.

Hi Everybody :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
Hope today was a good one for you.
Remember that it's your sister, not you.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Joan :)
I believe that it's important to our overall health and wellbeing that we remove or minimize contact with anybody who fills us with negative energy.

Hi Anonymoniker :)
I don't talk about it much but my house is basically a tear-down.
It should last the rest of my life, I hope.
But it's basically a piece of crap.
(((HUGS)))

Decided to go into town this morning.
Last time I did that I didn't go grocery shopping because the store parking lot was crammed with millions of people and that's just too much for me.
I was totally out of any fresh produce except for a piece of ginger root.
It wasn't hot out, YEA!
When I got home I had to lay down and take a nap because I was exhausted.
Then I couldn't wake up enough to do anything but finish putting away the shopping.
Soon as "Supernatural" is over I'm going to bed. :)

~Good Morning to all!!!~
A lot has been happening! Lots of what seems like wrenches thrown into my spokes, but im trying to see the overall patterns & work with it all.
Joan, i think im a little familiar with that. My friend whose Dad was a higher up in Air Force One spoke of things decades ago that just recently make more sense & i think may fit in to all that! Ive been putting more pieces together recently!
CM, i laughed so hard at your word 'mutinied' ha ha and your storage improvements sound awesome!!!
Tatoulia, i am so sorry that your sister took her own misery out on you! I cant imagine how she could be so mean to someone as kind & wonderful as you?! You certainly do not deserve that!
Tillie, Scooter panting sounds kinda scary? I have a kitty that often pants? I hadnt thought it could be stress? I am so amazed at how youve closed the door on your family, literally. That is what i keep thinking about but am afraid to really do. You are so strong & solid!
SubC, i am also going through that sadly sentimental feeling about my horribly dilapidated trailer, knowing i may have a decent building built, but sort of romantasizing it beyond all logic. I think your eccentric way of dealing with plastic is awesome!!!
Im a week off of my hormone replacement therapy, so in preparing for a possible crash, ive been really focused on doing things to feel good about! Im taking breaks throughout the day to do visualization meditations for healing, connectedness, clarity, guidance, etc., especially of the front part of my brain used for decision making! Im also more pushed for the 'high' that cleaning some of the inside of this trailer would give me. I want to be certain its hormonal & not my disgusting place, if depression does take over again....it was poverty before, so...?
I was at a friend's friend's house & they knew a guy on my street who has a house packed with gorgeous french antiques & refered to him as a hoarder...?!?...i was confused at first, then realized, even if its nice stuff, this guy is super poor & could sell even one room of antiques & hed still have a whole 3 story house packed with more, but he wont...hmmm....id never thought of him that way, but yep!
~♡~I love you all & appreciate you each so much!~♡~

~Good Morning to all!!!~
A lot has been happening! Lots of what seems like wrenches thrown into my spokes, but im trying to see the overall patterns & work with it all.
Joan, i think im a little familiar with that. My friend whose Dad was a higher up in Air Force One spoke of things decades ago that just recently make more sense & i think may fit in to all that! Ive been putting more pieces together recently!
CM, i laughed so hard at your word 'mutinied' ha ha and your storage improvements sound awesome!!!
Tatoulia, i am so sorry that your sister took her own misery out on you! I cant imagine how she could be so mean to someone as kind & wonderful as you?! You certainly do not deserve that!
Tillie, Scooter panting sounds kinda scary? I have a kitty that often pants? I hadnt thought it could be stress? I am so amazed at how youve closed the door on your family, literally. That is what i keep thinking about but am afraid to really do. You are so strong & solid!
SubC, i am also going through that sadly sentimental feeling about my horribly dilapidated trailer, knowing i may have a decent building built, but sort of romantasizing it beyond all logic. I think your eccentric way of dealing with plastic is awesome!!!
Im a week off of my hormone replacement therapy, so in preparing for a possible crash, ive been really focused on doing things to feel good about! Im taking breaks throughout the day to do visualization meditations for healing, connectedness, clarity, guidance, etc., especially of the front part of my brain used for decision making! Im also more pushed for the 'high' that cleaning some of the inside of this trailer would give me. I want to be certain its hormonal & not my disgusting place, if depression does take over again....it was poverty before, so...?
I was at a friend's friend's house & they knew a guy on my street who has a house packed with gorgeous french antiques & refered to him as a hoarder...?!?...i was confused at first, then realized, even if its nice stuff, this guy is super poor & could sell even one room of antiques & hed still have a whole 3 story house packed with more, but he wont...hmmm....id never thought of him that way, but yep!
~♡~I love you all & appreciate you each so much!~♡~

Hello everyone! Tillie, and Tat, I appreciate your thinking of me. Also thanks for the prayers, CM. SubC, thanks for the supportive intentions.

I have a need, at this point, to mention my work again - the work I pay to do, because it is saving my life, for one thing. It is not time yet for that work to come out of the closet, but more and more people will become aware of it in time. Generically I am referring to "energy work". Among the indigenous it has usually been called "shamanic". Those of you with more mystical inclinations will identify with it immediately.

There was a planetary grid shift on 12/21/2012 that affected all humans. It took us off of the treadmill, and initiated an evolutionary path for those of us that want to pursue it. Before that shift, try as we might, the door was closed. The veil was nearly impenetrable. Those of us who are old souls could sense the blockage, each in our own unique way, but the veil was more like a concrete wall. Now it is slowly lifting.

The primary consequence of this that has affected me, and many of you, involves family karma. Firstly, the whole system of karma can be tossed out by those of us who so choose. This was not possible until after the grid shift. Secondly, within the system of karma, true family lineages got tangled and sabotaged by evil forces. Thus, many of us are not with the families, or people, with whom we belong. In my own case, nothing was salvageable from my biological family of origin this time around. There are no members of my true family left alive in my biological lineage.

It is not easy to disentangle ourselves from these powerful DNA bonds that were instigated by dark humans and demons. The good news is that the demonic matrix is shattering. We are dissolving it. The planetary grids no longer support the propagation of evil via the the use of DNA as a weapon to subjugate, persecute, and steal from others what rightfully belongs to them.

If anyone out there understands what I am saying, I just want to add that I fully support everyone who is standing up for their own rights. It is easy to do that from a position of power. Those of us who have been disinherited did not have power - or health, or money, or other resources - in the old karmic system, which supports evil. We are just getting our feet on the ground in this time of change. It is almost a sure bet that anyone who was very successful in the old karmic system depended upon evil for self-advancement. Those black threads are coming unraveled now. Those who depended on that system are now finding themselves isolated, with their territory on our planet dwindling. And it's about time!

I admire those who have posted who have been struggling with family karma issues, and resisting those within their families who would stand in the way of constructive relationships. I think of Tat and her sister. I think of Anony and her sister. I think of Tillie, bravely turning around and closing the door on her persecutors. I applaud and support you all, and wish you all success in standing firm on your own ground. I, of all people, know that this is a difficult road. It helps to know that others are also engaging in similar battles to free the planet of familial sabotage. We will not tolerate the continuance of an abusive system that tyrannizes us to make room for the agenda of those who are only interested in self-gratification and self-advancement.

It is our time.

Congrats on your progress on your 100 day clean kitchen challenge!!! SubC I like the revised rules! Friendlier and more common-sense! Gearing toward success not failure is always the way to go.

Tillie glad to hear you have some enjoyable weather! I love to think about those little bunnies!

I slept after work tonight. Still trying to make sense of sister situation.

Had a lovely day today. :)
About sundown another thunder storm blew in.
Not a lot of rain but lots of thunder and lightning, still going on in the distance.

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi Joan :)
Great that you are doing yoga!
Wonderful that the weather was nice enough for you to have open windows and fresh air.

Hi CriticalMass :)
Whenever I have to rescue a baby cotton tail bunny, I hold it in my hands and enjoy the feel of it for a little longer than needed before releasing it in a safe location.
That soft warm sweetness of bunnies is very soothing to the soul. ;)

Hi Tatoulia :)
YEA! for being able to enjoy the rug-less space! :D
WAY TO GO! for all that maintaining you did! :D
And maintenance is very important.
Sometimes all we can ever get done is to maintain things like dishes and laundry and trash out.
The decluttering is hard work and you have been doing a FANTASTIC job working at it when you have had the time and energy. (((HUGS)))

Hi Subclinical :)
WAY TO GO! for eleven days of a clean kitchen!
So, did you bring your own cutlery to the ceramics studio?
Over the years I have noticed many people bringing their own chop sticks to restaurants and nobody thought it strange.

Hi Porter :)

Late last night the winds began to blow and then there was a lot of thunder and lightning flashes and then it began raining!
It was beautiful so I got out of bed to enjoy it.
Taking today off from life.
Going to make it an at-home "spa" day for myself.

Tatoulia, it sounds like you are making good progress, even if you feel like you are just maintaining today.

CM, I'm glad your bunny club is doing ok. And I am still very impressed with the storage move.

Joan, I think you are really brave to keep looking for your answers for so long!

Tillie, I'm glad you got a break from watering.

And hi to anony and porter, whatever they are up to.

I went back to the foodbank today. I brought home mint with roots from the garden to plant,and a 12 soup can sized flat of slightly damaged tomatoes and sweet potatoes they were going to toss. I made the sweet potatoes for dinner, and will use one tomato for dh lunch tomorrow. I might make a fresh salsa with the rest because it will get them cut up and ready to eat in the fridge quickly before they get any worse. The bad parts will be a treat for the chickens.

I put the mint in water and left it by the steps, but I planted the last two crepe myrtles I've had in a pot there, so it came out even?

Tonight will be the 11th day I've had my kitchen clean for the 100 day challenge. I've decided that instead of doing the 100 days and seeing how well I did - I'm just going to ignore the days I fall short and see how fast I can get to 100 successes.
So I will keep going when everyone else is done.

Tomorrow I go back to school (work) again. I am trying to adjust my schedule slowly so I can keep it together. This week I added back foodbank and I am going to start riding my exercise bike again on tu/th mornings. I also have an event I want to attend Thursday night. I think I will take my flatware in my purse. It's at a Ceramics studio - so everyone is eccentric.

All bedding clean and changed. Recycling and garbage are out. Need to identify at least one other thing to do today. I am just maintaining right now and want to see actual progress. I haven't dusted the bedroom in a few weeks and it shows. I also need to empty the dishwasher but that falls under maintenance.

I need to get some things together for consigning. The pieces I've taken so far have sold. I'm not making a ton of money but I am making some money. And it's stuff up and out of here.

I still need to get microwave out but that seems like a big task for tonight.

Today I am finishing up my laundry by washing a different comforter-the one I leave folded at the foot of my bed and pull up only in cases of extreme cold. I wish I were at Tillie's so I could hang it outside.

I am getting work done and enjoying the room without the rug. What a great feeling. I have a lot of mail to go through tonight for trash collection. I also have some boxes to break down in order to put with the recycling. I bought some things on line--perfume and makeup--stuff I use up not stuff I pile up.

I'll write more later. Hope everything is going well with your days!

Thank you for the support everyone! I am trying to process all of it and am getting there, with your help.

Joan, just know that we are thinking of you. I pray and hope and wish for peace and freedom from the biting. My heart is with you. Just getting a quick hello is a treat.

I am doing laundry today. Very busy work day, being first day back. Have a busy week ahead. Thank goodness I'm home today, working with dr kitty right by my side. She's curled up and sleeping.

Hi, over with the kitties, they're napping. Our bunny club met to discuss the plans for the future. I'd feared recent setbacks might stop us in our tracks, but there's still opportunity to move forward. So that's a relief. Got to see new foster bunnies, all very sweet. One big fellow I'd probably have taken home if I had room and money to adopt another bunny!

Tatoulia, so sorry you had to endure the drama with your sister. Hoping she can come to realize what a waste of time to not be positive in family interactions. Glad it went better with mom and brother.

I recommend kitty hugs as many as it takes to get to feeling better. My boy bunny is my 4 footed long eared psychiatrist. My girl bunny is assistant. The difference is simply that boy bunny allows me to pick him up for extended cuddles, whereas girl bunny squirms and nips - but loves to be petted on her own terms. In fact, if I stop too soon she'll just stay there with her head down waiting for me to start up again.

This day is a bit fragmented to do much on the storage. May drop off a few things at the new unit on my way home from the cats. Should wrap up everything from old unit mid-week.

SubC, I agree that we have a harder time with changes than non-hoarders. Probably we overthink things. I see nothing wrong with bringing your own table service - you can call it a "green" practice and I bet some people will even think it's an idea they might want to try.

Joan, will continue to pray for relief for you - keep on keeping your spirits up. Glad you checked in. Wonder how Porter and Anony are doing.

Thanks, Tat and Tillie, for the supportive messages. Also SubC.

Hello, Anony and CM.


There can be stretches of time when I don't post because I have nothing to say. I bite myself, watch TV, and do different practices to reduce the biting and stop biting. I don't do anything else most of the time. Stopping the biting has been my top priority for about 55 years.

I am resting today after yoga class yesterday. I hope everyone is doing well. It is nice here today, so I have some windows open. I am about to watch one of my favorite shows, Face the Nation with John Dickerson. I tell people I go to the "Church of John" on Sundays. It used to be the "Church of Bob" before Bob Schieffier retired, hah!

Hi Tatoulia :)

Happy your time with your Brother was good:)
Whenever negative thoughts about your sister's behavior pop up
just push them out with happy positive thoughts about you and your Mom's time together on this trip.
(((HUGS)))

Nope, I never before posted that 20/20 rule.
I hear it a LOT while I'm watching videos on Youtube by professional organizers.

I think this rule helps a lot with not keeping stuff for "Justin Case". ;P

Great work, CM! So proud of you with your new storage unit! I hope you are feeling good about yourself, having set a goal and worked so hard toward it! Sorry the time with kitties is fragmented.

SubC-I am so happy to hear that the new/old table is working out. I generally feel good when I make a change in my house but I've been working on letting me go for a longer period of time. So those days of feeling sick or wistful or anxious when getting rid of something are now in the past for me. But I remember them.

Tillie I like the 20/20 rule very much! If you've stayed it before, then this is the first time it has registered. Love it!

Ok I'm going to rest now. Good time with brother. After I took him for his haircut he wanted to stop by my BF's to grab a cup of coffee. I stayed in the car while they socialized. Afterward I took brother grocery shopping and dropped off some things my mother needed.

Still very upset over sister but trying not to be. Mom and I still had a nice trip together.

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi CriticalMass :)
WAY TO GO!!!!
for all the emptying of the old storage unit!
Great that you have also been able to sort out some stuff to give away rather than store in the new unit.
It's fine to keep those few sentimental holiday decorations.
All the other just random holiday decorations are OK to let go of because you can always find more when you have a bigger space to decorate.
There is a rule of thumb many organizers use to help make keep/toss decisions.
Do I use, need or love the item?
How hard would it be to replace this thing should I ever want it later?
The 20/20 rule...
Could I replace this item for under 20 dollars in 20 minutes.
Every year they create more holiday decorations so replacing them is rather cheap & easy.

I'm so glad your cousins were able to get a flight (((HUGS)))

Hi Subclinical :)
Thank you (((HUGS)))
I have a nice little pouch (Boy Scout) that has a spoon, fork & knife, all metal for camping.
I do not think it strange if you got your self something like this to use.
Eccentricity is a good thing. ;D
WTG! for not salvaging anything from that disposable lunch!
Change...
Change, even the smallest changes are extremely difficult for Steven.
I have come to believe that most all people who hoard also hate change.
When I make changes around here I do it slowly in phases to give him time to adjust to them.




Hi Tatoulia :)
Thank you (((HUGS)))
So sorry that you have all this nasty family drama in your life.
You deserve to be treated better than that (((HUGS)))
My whole family had always been mean and nasty to me so way back in the 1980s I disowned them all.
First I warned them that if they continued I would, they didn't stop so I have had no contact with them in any way ever since.
It was honestly the best thing I ever did for myself and have not regretted it once.
A couple of times over the years I have seen some of them standing out on the road in front of my house hoping I would allow them onto my property.
I just go inside and shut the door and wait till they leave.

Hi Anonymoniker, Joan And Porter :)


A lovely cool morning here and not expected to get hotter then 88 degrees today.
Today is the regularly scheduled watering day but I think I can now change that from every other day to every third day.
What a relief! And that frees up my time to do other things around here.
This Summer has been very hard on me and my garden and lots of things have been neglected since I was saving my energy to keep things watered.

Good morning!

Tillie, I am going to trust you and put my "coaster" in the burn barrel. I hope you feel better. I hate being sick or trapped inside on nice days!

Tatoulia, I'm sorry your trip ended up being more stress instead of a nice break. Hopefully this week will be calm and let you rest.

CM I am sure that you are going to find that the new storage unit is much better. But I completely understand the reaction to changes. Even good changes in your environment are stressful, and I think those of us who struggle with hoarding feel it more.

When dh put my great grandmother's table into the new breakfast nook and took the kitchen table away so that I couldn't keep eating/working in the old dark, cramped space, I was so unsettled I cried. I love having my "new" old table where I can enjoy it, and this space is just what I need - beautiful and full of light with views that make me happy.

I am used to it and enjoying it now, but the change made me feel like everything was shifting under my feet and swirling around me and it was a couple of weeks before I stopped pacing around the house like a cat in a new apartment.

I went to a picnic last night where a dear friend got an award. They fed us on paper plates with plastic cups and forks and I managed to clear my place and dh's and a friend's and throw everything away, but it was close. I almost stuck the forks in my purse. I hate plastic flatware so much.

I think I am going to start carrying real flatware in my purse so don't have to use disposables when I'm out. Do you think that is too weird? How old do you have to be to be "eccentric"?

Hi everyone,

These have been busy days and kind of strange ones. I was concerned for a different cousin in Florida instead of Texas, with the approach of Hurricane Irma. She has a young son with incurable cancer but stable at present, but they needed to get to NYC for his scans. They did manage to drive to Atlanta and get a flight from there.

And I just feel bad for everyone in both states and on islands or wherever the storms have been or may still go.

Closer to home, cat sitting has been different this time around because I have to fit it around the dog at home needing a potty break. Wish the two locations weren't across town from each other. I've been used to going to the cat place and spending the entire day - it's like a retreat, so quiet, a spacious house. This time it feels a bit rushed and fragmented, and with the storage unit on top of everything. But I do still get some nice time with the kitties or relaxing in a comfy chair.

Last night I went by the old storage unit and got most all the little stuff. Made decisions about some things that will be donated, some given to people I know, etc. It got dark and I needed to get home, so I didn't get completely finished but I don't have far to go. Mainly some holiday decorations to see what makes the cut or goes to charity.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I'd done a pretty good job of culling holiday stuff before I moved several years back (when the foreclosure happened). I've not been able to decorate for holidays much in the roommate situations - and if I'm going minimalist eventually I plan to be more scaled back on it anyway. Still, those few items that truly bring back childhood holiday memories without being overly elaborate are fine to keep.

So all is progressing well on that end. With the new unit it's reached the point where I need to sort and place more things on shelves before I block access to the shelves at the back. This feels more daunting than it will probably turn out to be.

I think there's some emotional shifting going on in my brain with all this - positive change yet any shakeup carries some feelings of uneasiness. I'll get through it, I know. And really, the new place is way better in terms of having a plan for where things will go. It will truly be storage rather than a dump pit.

As I may have mentioned before, I've got to concentrate on the home front as well, get some stuff from cluttering my areas here at the house just because I didn't want to have it far away. That stuff can now go over to the storage unit and still be accessible when I want it.

And I'll have nice fall weather in which to do all of this continued sorting and tossing, so things are on the upswing.

I'm so sorry you are feeling poorly, Tillie. I wish there were something I could do to help.

I am seeing brother today. I am still recovering from the trip. Both the heavy driving and the awfulness with sister. I wish I could press a re-do button.

Good Evening :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
I'm happy you made it home alright (((HUGS)))
Wonderful AAA was there rather quickly.
I know Kitty is happy now. ;)

Hi Subclinical :)
A lot of those silver waterproof linings on wrappers are cellulous and I successfully burn them in my burn barrel.
WAY TO GO!!!! for not settling on something that's not what you actually want!
Be patient and keep looking and eventually you will find the perfect stool.

Been sick since dark thirty last night.
Feeling a little better now but I'm tired.
Weather wise it has been a beautiful day here and I have wasted it. :(

Thank you for your support. It took a long time to get home. We had a flat tire but AAA came within an hour. It was raining and we were in the mountains, so mom and I just talked and had a lovely time. We made one last visit to sister who kept it together pretty well. The rest of the time She was nasty and mean and embarrassing and it was awful, but I always try again. Our friends have a beautiful house where mom and I stayed and she likes this particular friend quite a bit. Both she and her husband are so kind and wonderful.

Also stopped for a nice lunch in a little cafe with mom on the way home. So got home 4 hours later than planned but kitty didn't mention it.

Will reread everyone's posts later but quickly wanted to mention that is a great idea, CM to get the storage printout! Very creative idea! Brilliant! SubC good for you to say, don't need to make every wobbly, ugly thing into something that will work! Great progress! Tillie--glad you got some rain. Poor Scooter (poor Vet!).

Joan, I am standing right by your side. Anony i hope you are well.

Tillie, I'm so glad you got your rain! We have beautiful fall weather without rain finally, so it is all good!

I hope scooter is feeling better.

Our kitty was born feral and shortly after we got him he went out in a storm and was missing for a week. Now if there is a storm he follows us around the house if we are home.

Tatoulia, I'm sorry your trip was so hard. I hope you are home safely with your kitty now.

Joan I hope the vertigo improves!

CM, I am so excited about your move! I hope the storage manager gives you your printout and it helps!

My first week of classes was good, but stressful. There is so much trash at schools. Even with the recycling bins! I didn't even try to start the compost buckets this week. After being immersed in it for a few days I found myself unable to throw away the top of a coffee bag this week. It is brown paper laminated to a silver waterproof liner. So no recycle, no burn. But I thought it could go under a plant like a coaster. I kept a twist tie because it was a pretty color too.

On the other hand, I am doing much better in the thrift store. I've been looking for garden tools (which they almost never have) for my class and coming out empty handed a lot.

Yesterday I was looking at stools because dh wants a guitar stool. I found myself thinking "this would make a good guitar stool, but it is wobbly" and "this would make a good guitar stool but it is ugly." Instead of "this is wobbly, but I could fix it and it would make a good guitar stool" or "this is ugly, but I could paint it and it would make a good guitar stool". And I didn't buy any. This is a big shift!

Hi Everyone :)

IT'S RAINING!!! :D
Beautiful evening rain storm.

Hi CriticalMass :)
WAY TO GO!!!! for all your hard work moving the storage!
It won't take long before it's all sorted out and arranged in a way that you can start to manage it.
(((HUGS))) :D

Hi Joan :)
Take care and please check in with us whenever you are able to.
We worry about and miss people.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia :)
So sorry (((HUGS))) but at least you have your Mom there.

Been a busy day here.
Had morning watering to do and Scooter had a Vet appointment at 2:30 and Netflix put up season 7 of "The Walking Dead" and my internet went off line for hours.
AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!! >:(
When Scooter got home he was panting real hard and his heart rate was off the charts, took over an hour for him to settle down.
Being born feral he has a hard time being exposed to adventures outside of the yard.
He wanted to bite the Vet but he didn't when she said "none of that!" and pointed at him.
It's so cool and refreshing here now that we have had a nice bit of rain.
:)

Quick hello from my trip--
Thinking of you all. I've been up since 4:00 AM and have had coffee and breakfast. Not sure when we are leaving. My sister has been nasty to me and I cried all afternoon yesterday. It's been really tough. My mother is still happy to be here and has been a good friend and great comfort to me.

Take care, dear friends. It's going to be a long drive today and I'm not feeling at my best. But we will make it through.

Joan sending you much love. You too Tillie! And everyone else.

Looking forward to seeing kitty later on today, God willing.

Hi Tillie!

I hsven't even been able to keep up with reading the posts lately. My biting has been difficult, and I am going into my third week of vertigo. It's not really bad vertigo this time, but I have to be careful standing up and walking about, especially in the middle of the night. I see a great chiropractor weekly, but once the Atlas pulls off-center, it can be a while before it seats properly again.

I saw my healer today, now going to lay low and hope for the best. Take care, everyone.

Hi!

Tillie, taking a time out to see a movie sounds like a treat.

SubC, I am like you in that most things I wouldn't want to eat continuously for a week. My ex boyfriend back in the day made chili and was having it morning, noon, and night. About the 3rd time I went to his house for dinner and it was chili again, I mutinied! LOL!

But with the upright freezer at my roommate's house I can make things and mix up the order in which I eat the leftovers. So that will work great.

Storage unit update - offloaded into the new and gathered another load from the old yesterday. I was by myself so I didn't get as much. I was tired! There remains one miscellaneous "dregs" load and stuff that will be given away which may be one other load or may be able to fit in on top of the dregs load. Then all that will remain will be to sweep 'er out and tell the manager goodbye!

I'm going to ask the manager if she'll make me a printout of how long I've been there, amounts of rent and that I've always paid on time. This may help me in the future when it comes to renting a new place. You see, here, as probably in many places, I could probably squeak financially and afford a mid-level apartment, but no one will let me have a go because on paper I don't make 4x the monthly rent amount - yet I've been paying nearly as much when I factor in the storage unit.

Thanks to decluttering, I may fit into a more compact place (depending on whether I have to cage my bunnies or not). But I would prefer a little more square footage and especially location, location, location NOT in the ghetto.

Well, that's the future. Plenty to do now. I will need to go to the new storage place and arrange the books - I have almost blocked access to some shelves at the very back because of hustling in baskets of books quickly. This fix won't take long, and since it'll be so close to go over there, it's no big deal. I've designated areas for various categories - family stuff, books, kitchen stuff, craft stuff, etc. It'll truly be a storage area, rather than a pit to toss stuff in at random.

I feel SO blessed that this is finally happening! :) :) :)

Good Morning Everybody :)
Ice tea "clink!"
Planning to go into town today.
Don't need to water anything today.
Kitchen is clean, laundry is all done,
house is "good enough" as far as cleaning goes.
I am lonely and bored.
Going to see if the theatre is showing "IT" and if so I will go to the matinee showing.
It's only 63 degrees this morning, Summer is almost gone.
Later this afternoon it will be back up in to the high 90s.

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi CriticalMass :)
WOOHOO!!!
So happy. excited and also relieved that the storage shuffle is going so well!
Having all your stuff nearby could really change up your life.
(((HUGS)))
Have a wonderful time cat sitting.
Since my neighbor friends moved away I really miss baby sitting their kitties. :(
Sorry that the smoke is choking you out.
But that pink moon sounds incredible! :D

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Hi Porter :)
Hi Joan :)

Hi Subclinical :)
That's wonderful that your 2 DDs took some of their stuff to their homes! :D
That should give you a little more elbow room.
Thank you, yes that headache is all gone today.

Hi Tatoulia :)
Hope you are excited about your trip, I am. ;D

Need to do some watering this morning.
The kitchen needs some attention too today.
Going to be another hot & humid day but so far the wildfire smoke has been light.
Last night it was hard to fall asleep because the moonlight was too bright and I had the drape open for the air and two kitties were insisting on snuggling right up against me.
That usually means the coyotes are close by hunting.

Oh, forgot to answer - I don't take vitamin D, I am outside a lot.

I do take a b complex and iron, but often I forget. I'm working on doing better with that.

Tillie, I hope you feel better today!

CM, that is amazing that you might be done ahead of schedule! It has to feel good to see the new unit coming together. And to have all the space in your van back!

I hope your check up goes well.

I am a person who would make a big pot of something and eat it all week, but dh is not. He likes variety in his meals. He finds coming home to the same food the third night in a row depressing.

Which is funny, because he eats exactly the same breakfast every day.

I don't think I told you that dd1 did take a bin of her old toys with her when she came home for the wedding, and dd2 discovered that her new closet is huge and took almost all of her clothes and shoes back with her. Hopefully that will keep her from buying more clothes and shoes. She left her bride'smaid's dress, two semi-formats, and her ski pants.

Hi, time for another chat and update. SubC, glad to hear the wedding went well, and the start of school. Do you take Vitamin D when you get the SAD? I can sure tell in the winter if I skip mine.

Tatoulia, you've really been on a roll! Going great guns on getting rid of stuff plus all the prep for the trip. Hope you enjoy it. Kitty will miss you but hopefully all the nice provisions you're leaving will help it go smoothly for her.

I'm starting my first September round of cat sitting tomorrow for a week. Two toms and a little old lady cat who rules them with an iron paw, LOL! But they're all a delight to spend time with.

I've been amazed how quickly the storage unit move is going. Shelves are all at the new unit, and boxes and tubs and large items like vacuum cleaner are easy to deal with. One wall at the old unit is lined with things that I'll be giving away or considering giving away. More potential giveaways than I'd expected to still discover. And though I have until the 20th, I may be out of the old unit by the weekend.

Tomorrow I see the surgeon who repaired my abdomen last year, just for a checkup. I think all is in order; no issues that I can tell.

Having my own cookware nearby and reading you all's ideas for dishes to make is motivating. I've been wanting to come up with things I can make in quantity and freeze. Tillie, I'm a picky eater to the point where I have a blog on it (which I hope to resume posting on soon). But I can tweak recipes to my preferences fairly well.

We had a lot of haze in the air yesterday (from the wildfires in Colorado and Wyoming) and the sun set a beautiful watermelon red. Then I noticed that the Moon was pink! Tried to capture it with my tablet camera but the pinkishness didn't come through very well. It was sure unusual and pretty though.

Better get to sleep now so I'll be ready for the doctor and the kitties tomorrow! Night all!

Hi Everybody :)

WTG! Tatoulia
for getting the sweaters and fitting the wheel chair into the trunk!!!

Hi Subclinical :)
Happy your first day back was good.
WAY TO GO!!! for tossing those four little bags!

Have a medium size nagging headache all day but still treated the rogue little trees with defoliant, washed two loads of laundry and shampooed my hair.
Did some other miscellaneous stuff too.
This evening I saw a teeny tiny cotton tail bunny in my garden area. :D
It's funny how they "hide" by just standing very very still.
The ants I poisoned the other day have not come out all day but that has happened before with other pesticides I've used.
After a few days they are back as if nothing has happened.
Hoping this time they are gone for good.

Good luck Tatoulia!

The first day of school was good, but I am tired.

I need to plan simple food or leftovers from Mondays for Tuesday nights.

I threw the garbage from the week and the brunch in the dumpster when I got to school this morning - 3 plastic grocery bags able to be tied completely shut, and an 11oz chip bag.

No ins today but food.

Quarter after 8 and I'm showered and very tired. Had a good day at work then walked home. Went to drycleaner to get mom's sweaters, dropped them off then went to car with wheelchair. I did enough to get the wheelchair in the trunk. Then visited with BF now home and very, very tired. I will pack tomorrow.

Hope everyone is well and happy. Would love to hear about your days.

I was unstoppable yesterday--still up around 2 AM. But still so much to do. Like the trunk. Although it doesn't seem better in here, I still have to find a way to feel satisfied.

I'm already late for work. Have to get home tonight in time to get mom's clothes from drycleaner. I took all of sweaters there last winter when she was in hospital and just haven't had the funds to pick them up. Will get done tonight.

I'm not a vegetarian but I rarely eat meat.
Sometimes it just creeps me out.
Never any pork because I have a hard time digesting it for some reason.
Never have been a big fan of chicken and I hate fish, except for shrimp & lobster.
Yes, I am a picky eater but I have over come my life long anorexia. YEA! ME! :D
Don't have a crock pot/slow cooker since small electrical appliances creep me out.

All this talk about corn chowder has me really craving it now.
Have put down ingredients for it on my shopping list.
Since I only cook for myself I usually make a big batch and freeze it in small portions so I have ready made food all ready when I am.
Last week I had frijoles, avocado, lettuce, tomato, salsa and corn tortillas so I ate little tacos for every meal for three days until all the food was gone.
I do that a lot.

When Tatoulia says she's polishing silver it makes me think about my tarnished pieces that I need to get to.

WAY TO GO! Tatoulia for all the cleaning you did! :D

Subclinical
it is hard to decide what you want to eat and what you want with it.
We need to find some menus to read, the kind that tells you everything that will be served with the main course you order.
I am reminded of the menus Steven had when he was in hospital.
Those were prepared by a nutritionist too so they were very healthy.

YES Tillie allrecipes is awesome! SubC I suggest making turkey tetrazzini with the turkey (or chicken) on the side. Add more vegetables than just peas. I eat meat but get freaked out every so often so I have made the tetrazzini without meat in the past. It's an enjoyable meal for a Monday--make it on Sunday (all but the baking part) and put in fridge and bake on Monday. Absolutely delicious.

Making a corn chowder would also be a good meal--you could omit the bacon. Serve it with a wedge salad with a hard boiled egg and some blue cheese crumbles together with some nice hearty bread. You could have husband fry up some bacon to crumble over his chowder and over his wedge salad. That would be a terrific Wednesday night dinner, depending on your teaching/volunteer schedule. Or you could cook up a few shrimp to add to the salad or chowder.

I did get another garbage bag out. I vacuumed bedroom but did not dust. I also didn't vacuum the couches-that will have to wait. I polished some more silver and I cleaned a kitchen counter I've been ignoring. I did get my desk dusted.

I haven't done the bathroom yet. But it's late and I'm going to bed.

Goodnight and thank you for the great support today--thank you always but today I feel I've accomplished a lot and it's been great catching up!!

I still have to clean car trunk tomorrow.

You guys are sweet. It's not so much the recipes, it's choosing the menus. There are too many recipes everywhere! And I can never decide what goes with what.

I need somebody to say "make potato salad on Thursday" or "chicken, baked beans, corn bread, broccoli" When Tatoulia says "I'm washing my bedspread" and I think "man! When is the last time I washed my bedspread? I should do that."

Also, I don't have a crockpot, and I am a vegetarian, but dh is not. (Actually I'm a semi-pescatarian who really prefers not to eat actual fish, but shrimp and shellfish I'm ok about)

So, I cook a meat that can be served as a side dish/add in (like pork chops or hamburgers or baked chicken breasts) twice a week with a good vegetarian option, dh cooks seafood about half the time, and the other nights are totally vegetarian but he often has leftover meat.

Here is the place I always go when looking for a recipe.

ALLRECIPES

You can find crock pot recipes here too.

:D

Tatoulia
WAY TO GO!!!
you've done so much and especially WTG! for the rug being out!!!
Happy Dance!!! :D
Be careful with the coffee potion, it turns you into Wonder Woman.
;P

Hi Subclinical :)
My potato salad is like yours, full of veggies and considered a complete meal. :D
In the Winter I eat a lot of soups & stews and sandwiches that I put under the broiler.
The sandwiches are fun, using different kinds of breads, English muffins or bagels & fixins.
And the soups I make I big batches and then freeze it in smaller batches so I have it ready.
Since you get Winter SAD make eating properly easy so you don't skimp because that just makes SAD worse.
(((HUGS)))

SubC, i make a really good turkey tetrazzini I skip the mushrooms because I don't like them. Basically make a white sauce and add in grated Parmesan cheese (I grate it myself). I use Rachel Ray's recipe because I don't like cooking with soups. I also make a good pasta dish with smoked salmon and sundried tomatoes and pasta. I use the sundried tomatoes you find in the produce aisle and not the jarred ones in oil. Corn chowder is another good recipe. Just throwing these out for you--I also have a delicious chicken dish with apricots and prunes--so good with rice. When in doubt, I throw a turkey breast in the oven.

Of corse none of these are crock pot foods but I did find a good recipe for crockpot turkey breast that I will try.

That's so funny that I'm helping with your laundry!

Well I need to do some more here if I'm to feel any peace today. I just want to do a little more and maybe get dressed and take one more garbage bag out--once I fill one more garbage bag.

Hi everyone!

Tillie and Tatoulia, it sounds like you are doing well.

Tatoulia, maybe you should post what you cook - you keep reminding me to do my laundry. ;)

Seriously though, deciding what to cook is really hard for me. Our fall routine starts tomorrow and dh helped me plan the first three meals.

I am writing menus on index cards, so now I have those three cards, plus "pizza" (homemade) "potato salad" (I make a veggie filled one we eat as a meal), and the eggplant dish he liked last week paired with rice and pork.

He is going to try to help me add at least two new menus every week so that by the time the SAD kicks in, all I have to do is draw some cards and make a grocery list. He will either cook or take me out on Wednesdays. (I plan to start swimming after work on Wednesdays and Fridays in October)

Oh gosh--There could be a steady stream of clowns because the trunk is deep! So funny!

I have shredded all of brother's mail, have taken rug out back, all of my recycling and two bags of garbage. Now I'm trying to put house back together. Have changed out all of kitty's dishes because I worry about the dust from shredding papers. Her box has been changed and I've showered.

Going to run dishwasher now. I am plugging away but may crash soon. Going all day on two cups of coffee and three large glasses of seltzer water. Wil need to eat soon. But I'd like to vacuum bedroom and dust bedroom too. We shall see.

Tomorrow night will be focus on the trunk. So insane. I wish LR were here to enjoy the laugh!