I have done battle with the microwave. Not sure of the winner. I have my Warm Oatmeal Cookie hot chocolate. I also have a lightly burned throat.

I am busily not admitting to my depression, failures, lack of cleaning progress and the conflicts that is creating.

I experienced the eerie "someone's walking on your grave" feeling a little bit ago while washing dishes. I hope I was being prayed for and not cussed out!

I am thinking about some threads I have read in.

Wednesday afternoon I went to end of the ladder height in 2 mulberry trees and did some trimming. Wednesday night and this afternoon I managed to reduce a large mess to a compact pile of short sticks in the trash can. One round of spring yard waste out of the way in January! (I may or may not have been safer than last summer, the chain saw is broken so I only had a hand saw and pruners.)

I am wondering how long it takes for the dog to show symptoms.

I am wishing each of you a nice day in a few hours and shutting down.

No.
You might make the dog sick.

drive by question:
Inquiring minds want to know if it safe to lick dog's noses?

drive by question:
Inquiring minds want to know if it safe to lick dog's noses?

Hi to everybody. I've been having a "down" afternoon (mood-wise). A short while ago, I thought about just lying down for a while and "being bummed out." But then I thought about catching up some on some of the posts here. I'm glad I chose the latter.

I noticed there has been a lot of discussion of sharing the downs as well as the ups. I'm so glad that people in the past have done that here (shared both). If I read about how everybody was always happy and cheerful and "successful" all the time, I wouldn't really want to be here (on the message board). I would feel like I had to always put on an act, and I would feel like I was watching some scripted movie of some sort instead of interacting with real people dealing with real life. I would feel like something was wrong with me when I started slipping backwards and would probably feel hopeless again. Instead, I can more clearly see ups and downs as just a natural part of the process of changing.

Speaking of changes, it's been over a week now since I left my apartment and have been staying at my friends' house. On the amusing side of things, one challenge has been to get used to different appliances, including the microwave. Diane, I have turned more than a couple of servings of frozen veggies into "veggie jerky." I have yet to figure out how to work the settings on their microwave to make my veggies come out right. I thought that surely by today, I'd have it figured out. Instead, at lunch today I managed to create a small "veggie explosion" inside the microwave that had to be cleaned up. :(

Hugs to all. Jessica, I'm really glad you have joined us.

Was just clicking around on the website for a couple of minutes before leaving on some errands, and I saw . . .


Roxie!!!!!


Whoo-hoooooooo!!!!!!!! So great to "see" you!!!


(Hi to everybody else, too!)

Thanks to ALL of you for your "ears" and your postings! It is a privilege, indeed, to be one in this group. I find MYSELF in each of your posts .. buying multiples (in case), a warehouse vs. a home, saving the world (instead of my life), a lack of boundaries, no! lack of vintage dishes, the need to analyze every item I pick up ( re-any possible use? ; and then, who? what? where?). I frequently give up before I make the determination and the item stays where it is. Getting started is ALWAYS an issue. BITSY - I'm going to think of you as I NEVER GIVE UP! My best wishes to you all!

God bless you, Tillie

Good morning :)

Monday, again....
This weekend I sent a lot of stuff off to various donation spots.
Two large bags of blankets, linens and other household cloth items to the local animal shelter.
Two pair of my very old prescription eye glasses to The Lions for them to give to people who need glasses and can't afford them.
A large bag of assorted items to the charity thrift shop.
Then I sold 30 DVD movies to the local pawn shop.
I had gathered up a lot of other items to donate but the hoarder I live with freaked out and grabbed them all up to add to his hoard.
So even though I have released them from my possession, they are still here on the property, somewhere.
Oh Well...
This just makes me want to get rid of even more of my things, to compensate.
I am running out of things LOL :D

Yes, Dianne, yay you! Fantastic work!
Much love to everyone from your very tired friend Tatoulia.

Dianne,
I was talking to Cory and asked if I could make this and he said yes and transferred my introduction here. :)

loved the blue dish story. I donated lots of pottery last year, then went to a friends and she had bought many of them at thrift store and made yard art by gluing several together, very nice, one little old pink plate, hand painted, gold edge, was the one thing I saw that I regretted donating. I went through her house and searched for all my donations, saw many nice things and thought I should have made this art. Truth is she enjoyed my stuff way more than I did, and used it in a great way to be appreciated by many. As you say Tat, we have too much stuff and have to give away some good stuff, so there is room to live in our space.
I only got 1/2 of dishes washed and put away.
It was sunny today, and WARM, I was outside all day. Cleaned up some slimy leaves off rocks, and cleaned up some of the yard. So much easier this year since I started 2 years ago, cleaning up all the dead junk, and getting rid of yard junk.
Benny had a really good day, went on a long walk. Thanks for the kind words Dianne, I appreciate being acknowledged for my many hours lovingly encouraging Benny to enjoy life here. He usually is just left at kennel, and since he just cowers, could not be out with other dogs, so having my big yard and me home all the time has been so great for him. His parents are aware of how difficult he is and are thrilled he is with me. Roxie, you made me so happy reading that you are safe with brother. Tillie, so great you are back on here sharing your life.

I created "The Daily Chat" because I saw we all needed a safe place to talk to each other.
There are no requirements to be eligible to post here.
Just having some human contact is so very important.
Some weeks the only outside contact I have is right here in "The Daily Chat."
Also, we need to be understood and accepted and we can get that here.
So happy or sad, cleaning or not please keep "talking" here.

:)

Roxie, my heart leapt! Hello hello!

Finally, I'm back online. The story is too long to tell, but I've been away from home since July, either in a hospital or a nursing home. Now I am at my brother's home in Minnesota, still trying to recover. I've made good progress.

I have so many posts to read through to catch up. Just thought I'd let you know I'm still alive.

Love
Roxie

I'd like to second what Dianne said. Lack of progress shouldn't pose a hurdle--we are all here for the same reason! We have too much stuff. Also, Diane, I am continually amazed by your hard work and industry. And I just love hearing from you.

As to newcomers, I think I started here last May. And within a short time I was welcomed warmly. I think it was LR, but it could have been anyone--please remember, we all belong here. We have good days and bad days and great moments and unfortunate moments, just like our real-life friendships. From my perspective, nothing is a deal-breaker here. Each day gives us a new page. So please, the more the merrier! I look forward to reading and posting and sometimes I read more than I post.

And remember, We may see progress where you don't.

Okay off to cook.

Good morning, everyone! Great to read your posts. There is snow here and it's very pretty. Goingvto relax and wake up before starting my day.

OK I just had an important moment in my kitchen. And I probably won't describe it well. Background: I love vintage dishes and got rid of scads of them this summer (yay!). I use odd saucers and little plates as soap dishes (kitchen, bathroom, tub). I have a little stack of about twelve. As I was switching out the soap dish in kitchen this AM, I thought about a little blue dish that I hemmed and hawed over this summer before relegating it to the goodwill pile. Today, just now, I thought, oh I never thought to use the blue dish as a soap dish, I wish I still had it. Revelation: just because I finally found a use for it doesn't mean I need it. Therefore, I'm not going to spend my time ruing the day I let something go.

I knew this wouldn't sound as dramatic as it felt. But I can't explain it any better right now. So, I can further refine my thinking as I dig in to Level 2: finding a use or potential use is not going to be my guide. My question is, do I need it, now.

Thanks Dianne and Tat, so great reading your posts and reassuring me I am still welcome here in spite of doing very little cleaning. Thanks for asking about Max, he went home Sunday night. Benny came to visit on Monday, Benny would not leave his bed first day, each day a little better. Today he actually played fetch with toys I made him.
I got a cord of wood delivered and stacked it. Cleaned chimney really good today. Went to kitchen to dishes several times, and still have not even started them. I WILL wash dishes before bed time. (tonight) Grey all day, with a little rain.
LR congrats on move, I think of you every time I microwave vegetables, so good.
Tillie thanks for reminders on how to go about cleaning and organizing. See you all tomorrow

Diane! Bitsy! Glad to hear from you. I understand those "dry periods" on not getting anything done. Just glad you are here because I miss you. Diane do you still have Max? Have a great day, everyone! Hope to hear from you all and that includes you, Jessica! We are in this together!

hello everyone, good to read all of your posts
I have not posting because I have not been keeping up with maintenance and have been dealing with good old winter blahs
I can start over tomorrow and start making progress

Jessica K.,
thank you for posting. It helps me to feel so not all alone. everyone here is so supportive.
it is such a struggle usually for me to get started and get anything done. reading these posts helps.
never give up
never give up

Okay okay I wasn't going to admit but since I live in a city and walk everywhere, giving directions that include cut through this building/park here and walk, it's by where the old pharmacy once was etc etc so generally I would walk the person. Recently while going through piles of paper I found letters from a woman from Little Rock AK, whom I met one night and then walked her around the city, ran errands with her, then dropped her off at the hotel. Her exact question that led to this was, is there a grocery store nearby? But that was pleasant , and borne of a desire to make sure that visitors have a good time in my city. And not a chore. So I have walked a lot of people a lot of places. But I'm more discerning now. An English speaking family of four does not need or want my help as they each look at their smartphones for guidance. No need to step up and insist. But an exchange student from Uganda? Let's walk!


I love saving and rescuing things. Not animals because I have a cat and she is plenty. But I do want to save all the cats all the time. One thing I haven't talked about here is I mentor at-risk inner city youth-- or did you know that? When I took the remaining orientsl rugs to my sister's I brought one of the kids with me, but maybe I told everyone that. I too like rescuing people, old people, everyone, but I'm in "not taking in any new patients" mode right now. Taking care of the people who are precious to me (the youths in the city, mom, a few assorted elderly people, brother, one disabled person and that's it). Sometimes I resent it when I go to mom's and the people just expect me to do for them. If they have children or spouses or even paid help I won't. But if they need me, truly need someone, I am there. And I can tell the difference.

I also cook for shut ins, as I think you might know because I think I used the expression shit-ins once by mistake. So if Diane with one n is out there, this shit-in is for you. The trash hoarder whose house I cleaned and cleared before hisive lives in a beautiful place now and in fact, I am cooking for him at his house this weekend. I cooked for him at his house a couple of weeks back and it went okay.

Now none of this has anything to do with my career, I just do this as I walk through life.

Before I sign off,Dianne I think you are terrific. Absolutely terrific. Isn't that nice to know? You are loving and warm and welcoming. And your rescue of animals makes me happy. I think of your daughter reading to them. And i feel something palpable yet indescribable.

Dianne, thank you for saying such lovely things about me. I take them to heart and can only pray that you say as many nice things about yourself. Tillie, I thank you for your encouragement. Easily got another bag of things together today--cardigans that have seen a better day. welcome Jessica--glad to see you posting!!!

I would buy multiples of things on sale--not paper towels or other stuff that will be used--but Christmas stuff or Easter stuff or books or pots or this thing or that thing. This way, I could have at least one for me and be the hero and give away to someone. BTW Dianne, you have a fantastic memory. I say to myself all the time, like a mantra, I am not a warehouse. It feels great. And I note that my need to rescue the world is spilling over to other areas of my life. Before, if I saw someone who was getting directions, I would step in and add my two cents. If I saw someone who needed directions and I didn't know where it was, I would find someone to tell them. How obnoxious. If they already have someone helping them, who elected me mayor to step in and contribute? And isn't it okay to say "I don't know" once in a while? I still need to rescue people and help out and my generous spirit is intact, I just no longer have this crazy notion that the world is looking to me to have an extra Phillips head screwdriver on hand.

Tonight I am switching out purses to the new one that Santa (aka my sweetheart) brought me and I'm swapping out wallet too. Old wallet can be thrown out; old purse will be emptied completely, put in a fabric bag, and placed on shelf in bedroom. Old purse was a gift ftom BF probably 8 years ago and I've used it on and off for 8 years. I never fail to get a compliment on it.

Missing you all and sending you my love. Don't sell yourself short, Jessica. We need you here!

Dianne - Thanks for the kind and understanding encouragement ! I know there are millions(?) of "us" in varying degrees of "mess and distress". Yet, I feel quite isolated. Again - I am mystified at my OWN habits and behavior. Sharing IS progress.

I've only recently started "eavesdropping" on these chats. It has been comforting. Fear/Anxiety have stopped me from contributing ... much the way they've stopped me from actually making progress with my own SERIOUS situation. I don't understand why. You all seem relatively evolved in your progress. I feel like I'm trying to bail out a ship that sank a long time ago (Titanic !)

Mr. Hoarder, the hoarder I live with, justifies acquiring and keeping a LOT of stuff by saying
"maybe somebody will need this someday and I will have it and can give it to them".

Whenever he has tried to give something to someone they don't want or need it.

I think the "keeping it for others" is just an excuse for keeping it all for himself.

Bag of jammies already in the car, destined for Goodwill! Washed them so they are fresh.

I learned, over the summer, that I keep and buy stuff in case someone needs it and I must tell you I am forever cured of that. I will work on clothes with everyone's tips in mind. Tillie, it's funny that you mentioned empty spaces because now I like having shelf room and empty spots. It makes my home feel less crowded. I will work on closet including making decisions on next level of shoes and purses.

You know, I found the first level of dehoarding hard, and saved stuff so I could decide on second level, yet I'm not afraid and not anxious. I feel good and strong. Thanks to everyone here.

Congratulations on your new place LR! I don't know how u did it but way to go. your my hero.