Great reading all the posts on here. I had one pipe freeze so far, was able to warm it and get it going. Tonight will be most likely to freeze so will take a shower and wash hair today. I have to go out and get more wood and it is so cold with wind.
Didn't get enough sleep due to stoking fire and checking pipes, feel good that I am willing to do what it takes to keep pipes and fire going.
Max, dog sitting dog, his mom called today and we had a wonderful chat, she will come up next week to meet me and another gal for lunch. Other gal just lost her mom. We all work together in fall. It is supposed to snow alot through tomorrow, so I will do what I can to clear steps, bring wood in and more to deck, take garbage out for pickup. Threw out some expired food. Ok, off to bring in wood, garbage to street, and shower.

Good morning everybody! :D

Hi Diane :)
My bucket list is just stuff that I have wanted to do but haven't ever done yet.
I did all the BIG ones already but there are a lot of little ones still to get to. :)
Good luck finding the foods that don't agree with you.
WAY TO GO! doing things now rather than putting them off for later. :D

Hi Karl :)
My dentist doesn't care if I have a cold or flu.
He wears a mask and gloves while working and told me my dental health is too important to put off.
Sorry nobody was playing along with you at the game night. (((hugs)))

Hi Roxie :)
WAY TO GO! getting all cleaned up :D
Cats are great motivators to get us to the store when it's their food that's running low. ;D

Hi Mariana :)
I know there are others who read here but don't post.
That little counter to the right shows us just how mant times people come here and the numbers reflect more than just us regulars are here reading. :D
May May is not a hoarder. She is a fan of Cory Chalmers and all firefighters. She moved in with her boyfriend and we all wish her well in her new life. :D

Hi Dave :)
Yes, that's true. Some people want a magic wand cure and are dissapointed that we are not a bunch of wizards & fairy god mothers. ;)

Hi Cory :)
It is always a comfort to me to know that you are right there if I ever need your help. (((hugs)))

Woke up at 5:30 this morning, rolled over and slept in till 9:30! :D
Planning to take a shower and get dressed.
Today I have no plans and will do something fun like sewing or whatever after I scoop the litter boxes & sweep the floor.

Keep up the wonderful posts. All your writings give me hope. :)

My thoughts about the people who come by and then don't return....
I think they are people who are in the very begining of wanting to change.
They come here and we all give them emotional support, encouragement and tell them the way this change can happen.
They are not quite ready to change yet but what they heard here is in their thoughts.
Change first comes in our thinking and our thoughts.
My hope is that some day they will finally be ready to put their thoughts and plans into action. :)

Dave, thank YOU for all the practical advice and strategies you have shared. And for the courage you (and all the other regulars) have shown in sharing personal experiences and situations in the hope of helping and inspiring others-- please know that it does a world of good.
You are right in saying we can't feel guilt for "losing" some posters. ( I' m sure we all have enough guilt stored up already!). I do find myself wondering about a former poster called MayMay. She seemed so young and reckless from what she wrote. I do hope she has found some stability and happiness.
Well, back to lurking. (Is that what the kids call it?)

Marianna,
What a nice post. Thank you for making it.

Hi, Roxie. Your comment in your last post about reading old posts and wondering what has happened to posters who were here briefly and then gone really struck me. I have often wondered the same thing.
Some people are in such a desperate crisis mode when they discover this site that you wish you could really reach out to help with more than just encouraging words. Then, they no longer post and I am afraid it is a sign of things going from bad to worse with a sad outcome.
I don't post often but always follow the posts. I feel I almost know some of the "regulars." I am so encouraged and impressed by the spirit and strength shown by so many who constantly struggle to work toward a better life despite setbacks and infirmities . Thank you all so much!
Just know that there are probably many out there like me who follow your postings silently with admiration and draw strength and inspiration from your constant battles with so many obstacles. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the note Roxie, yes did sleep last night, feels so different. I understand putting off paper writing. Procrastination is a problem for most of us I would suppose. My Masters Thesis was not getting done so I planned a trip to Japan, had a deadline, and turned in thesis the day before I left, what a stressful month that was!! It wasn't because I was lazy, or too busy, just could not get my mind to focus until there was a looming deadline. As soon as I posted I was going to print off affirmation list, was going to get off computer, then thought that is procrastination, print it off now, only took a minute, most times I would have to put it on a to do list, silly. Going to practice today doing things when I think of them. This morning put last piece of wood in stove, and thought I will have to bring more wood in soon, then got up and did it. It was so cold out, thought I will have to come out soon and sweep, shovel snow, so remembered to do it now, got it swept off steps, so cold will go back out and do more later. Lot of new snow and wind blew mounds. Below zero next two nights, then will warm.
Tillie, was fun to read cabbage rolls were on your bucket list, never thought of food on a bucket list. I want to make a bucket list.
I have had terrible intestinal problems lately and feel I need to do something. I have never believed in food intolerance for me, but do have to consider it. Doctors say if there is a food you can't do without, is suspect, I always have backup peanut butter and eat it on and off all day, as well as other nuts. So for today, no nuts. Just to see. Bananas are another one to not eat today. I did not have coffee for the first time today in months or years. I love the ritual of grinding beans, making single cup with cone filter, but always have stomach discomfort an hour or two later. I am sick and tired of having stomach/intestinal problems, so just for today, I am only eating soup I made yesterday, no grains, coffee, nuts or dairy, typical allergens. It has been getting to the point of being afraid to eat because of the bloating and pain, and feeling foggy in the brain, and depressed. Probably not the place to describe my bloat, but if it is a food intolerance, could be affecting my ability to declutter, and maybe will apply to someone else on here.

Good morning :)
Have two loads of laundry out drying on the clothes line.
Next storm system will be here by tomorrow.
So nice to wake up to a clean kitchen and home made food in the fridge.
Will visit with neighbors today and hear all about their trip down south. :)
The cats are all pestering each other this morning. Some want to play and the others do not want to play. lol :D

Hi Roxie :)
Cabbage rolls have ground beef & rice and I put in a bit of spicy sausage in mine. Then they simmer in a tomatoe sauce.

Hi Karl :)
WTG! :D
Hope your BD was a pleasant one.

Hi Diane :)
Wishing you clear roads so you can get out today! :D

Hi Darci :)
Are the christmas decorations all boxed up now?

Hi Dianne :)
I like seeing if I can complete a task before the timer dings.
It amazes me that it takes less time than I thought it would to get something done.

Hi Dave :)
Hi SusanL :)

Off to get dressed now and see what I can find to do today. :)

WAY TO GO!
Love reading your posts Diane & Karl :)

Making rolled cabbage is hard. LOL
So many dishes & stuff to wash up too.
I ate one and it was good.
Not as good as the professional chefs made when I was working for Lucas productions but not bad for my first and last attempt at them. ;)
Now I can scratch this off my "bucket list".
There is a lot in the fridge, so I will be eating well this week. :D

I got all dishes done and put away, counters clean.
Took chicken off bones for soup, put in vegetables, made a nice big pot of soup. It tasted good, outside cooling, want to freeze some. Filled some containers with water, just in case water freezes.
Organized 2 more drawers. Swept snow off deck. Called friend I am supposed to visit tomorrow. Roads are icy, so will see how they are tomorrow, she was ok with me not going if too icy. I got some work done today even though I felt like #### all day. figured I could sit and feel crappy or get some things done while feeling crappy. Happy day is over now, and will sleep better tonight. Hope you all had a good day today.

Glad you are doing so well today Tillie. Nice hearing from you Dianne and Roxie.
Difficult day today. Snowing and cold. Did shovel steps, made a path to car and cleaned it off, cleared a path to wood pile.
Vacuumed. When I don't sleep I feel like ####, so just do what I can today then rest. Just read some stuff on Procrastinators Anonymous, interesting, sounds like a great place for people aren't addicted to shopping, just can't see to put stuff away, or apply for jobs etc.
Then went to Clutters anonymous, definitely applied to me. Loved their list of affirmations. I plan to print it off and see if I can incorporate them in to my thinking. Really hit home with me. Reading them made me really aware how negative my thinking has gotten when it gets cloudy/cold/short days. I have to take positive action or I am going to slide down a hill I don't want to go,

Good morning! :D
Got a lot of rest yesterday and a good night's sleep and am all back to normal now! :D

WAY TO GO!! everybody on all your accomplishments and plans! :D

People are returning early from their get-away so I went over and got the big house all up & ready for them.
They should arrive any time now.

Looking forward to making my rolled cabbage today.
Always enjoy eating that dish but have never made it myself before.

Is anybody going to the Tuesday night chat?

Hi Ho, Hi Ho it's off to work I go....;)

Woke up after 2 hours of sleep, slept 2 more hours of tossing and turning, worried about frozen pipes again, got up at 4:30am. Grateful I have this site to give me encouragement to keep going. Looked for health insurance information until I found it. Paid bills online. got fire going. Today I will finish all dishes and counters. Must finish insulation--afraid of being so cold and dealing with spiders. Need to fill containers with water just in case pipes freeze this week. fear is dreadful
ok, off computer and get to work

Tillie, feeling better? Hope you had a good day. I went to eye doctor today, had a good exam with old doctor. Did not buy glasses there, $456, will go to Costco and get them for closer to $200. It is going to be below 0 this week, and of course I haven't finished the entire pipe under trailer, so guess what I get to do tomorrow. Nothing like pressure to get me moving.
News flash: to show how much I dislike maintenance, I worked in bedroom for 3 hours this morning, anything to avoid maintenance. I went through drawers today, and emptied 3 bins. It was amazing to see what was in drawers, now all wool sox are together, all long underware in one drawer, wondered where those winter silks were hiding. I found all kinds of forgotten things, now similar items are actually folded and put in same area. Never folded before, sure can fit in easier, as well as see what I have. this was round one in these drawers, will go back and get rid of more another day. Washed bedding, will be fun to sleep in fresh bed, that I can actually walk around more easily.
Showered washed hair, ready for clean sheets. So happy I got the eye exam out of the way, it was so icy this morning, was afraid to drive, live on hill, but by 1:30 street was ok so off I went

Am determined to get the last of the Christmas decorations in the attic today.

Hi :)
Was planning to clean the house again today but am not feeling very well.
Decided I will do a bit of sort of bathroom wipe down & vacuum the carpet.
Then rest & get to feeling better.
I think it's just from stress. I am so very tired.

Have a great Monday everybody! :D

Good morning everybody! :D

What does a rodent know about predicting the weather?
I always know when winter is over is when the nasty biting stinging reddish brown ants emerge from their holes. No ants yet.

Just love, love, love to read all your accomplishments and what you are all up to.
Now I need to go locate a suitable tree to climb. :D

So many thoughts running around in my mind this morning.
Yesterday while wearing my Steri-Clean sweatshirt at the thrift shops I was asked so many questions from people that I have known for many years.
Heard many stories about how some relative of theirs hoards.
Heard confessions from people that they have too much stuff and the reason is "because I might need it some day".
Fear of poverty, fear of not being able to replace items should they be needed some day.
Fear. Please do not allow fear to control you and take up space in your homes and lives.
Yes, the unknown is spooky and the future is unknown territory, but you can and will survive it just fine without a hoard of "what if? stuff".
In my life experience I have found that during hard times and emergencies I can move faster and am better able to manage/cope if I travel light.
First thing to do when the s**t hits the fan is to jettison all excess.
Another reason to keep stuff is for a life they wish they had, but one they do not actually live.
Boxes filled with fancy expensive dinnerware and linens but they never have more than two people over for meals.
Nick-nacks & doo-dads to display some day but they would have to move and buy display cabinets to do that.
Clothes that are expensive but the wrong size or are too fancy to wear mucking out the hen house in.
Tools to build things with but they never do any woodwork or lapidary.
Craft materials that they some day may take an interest in making.
This is when you really must get honest with yourself and answer truthfully, will I really ever do this?
Are these things for a different life, one I don't actually live?


After I do my daily stuff around here I am off to the big house to water their house plants.
Then back home to find something to do while my hoarder plays around with his telephones and stuff.

Looking forward to chat tonight! :D
5:00pm PST.

You are probably better than reality TV for your neighbor!

:) :D :) :D

Hello everyone. So nice reading all of your posts. Dianne, Dave and Tillie, I really appreciate your kind words, and suggestions, gave me hope.
Today I noticed I felt like a prisoner, afraid to leave,fear of shopping again. So I said to have some fun. I got up on roof and went to the area that I never go to because it is the metal roof over the added on bedroom/bathroom. Have to put boards up on it to crawl because it isn't sturdy. I went up and swept all the juniper berries and junk off, it was really thick, had never cleaned it before, and have been here about 18 years. Got it all done then decided I needed some fun. I climbed the juniper tree over the roof. It is huge and I climbed almost to top. I have never been in that tree before, climbed the ones in side yard, but they are smaller. I smiled and giggled a little, 65 year old lady climbing a tall tree. Neighbor in back finally came out to see if I had lost it mentally!!!! As a kid, that was a way to have fun, lived out in country with no neighbors. Since I am hiding, thought this would be perfect. After chatting with my neighbor, who noticed I have been hiding, and reading your posts, I know I will return the calls to my friends in the morning. When I was in the tree I thought about maintenance, and compared it to dieting. When the dieting is going on and losing weight, motivated, then hard to maintain weight loss. Same when I was focused on throwing away tons of stuff and making living area ok, was motivated, and now have trouble maintaining it. I have dishes to catch up on and stuff to pick up in here. So greatful that we can discuss our hoarding, and feelings related to hoarding on here and be understood and encouraged to start over when we mess up.

Spent two hours packing Christmas decorations (yes I am still working on that). STILL not done because I spend too much time wrapping the fragile ones.

Had to replace my daughter's phone that she dropped in her cereal. Took that trip to the phone store and converted it into an op opportunity to restructure phone and data plans and cut expenses down by $35.00 a month.

Was supposed to bbq (we bbq in winter all the time)but was raining so took my daughter out to eat.

Tried to nap but impossible with my daughter's constant interruptions (makes me sooooooo mad that the few times I try to nap she wakes me up)

Spent a lot of time giving her rides and keeping the dogs pee pads clean. The snow was so deep they couldn't walk through it... they are little guys) and... the usual... cleaned both my bathrooms but wimped when it came to vacuuming and mopping the floors. Am so disappointed that I only spent two hours packing up Christmas decorations today and STILL not done. :(

I took out all my steri-lite boxes, looked in each and every one of them, and put labels on them. Threw away a bunch of stuff and vowed to toss more later. Whew. Long overdue. No more BOTU - Box of The Unknown.

I've got a project for my sister's 50th birthday to assemble some photos of her over the decades. She's had a rough go of it lately so wanted to do something especially nice for her. That's been my motivation when I didn't want to open yet another random box.

Thanks all for your inspiring stories - you are helping people you don't even know.

Mrs Dave loves the concept of "Scooter Mode".

LOL :D Scooter.
So easily distracted................

Great that you got some stuff out even if it was not from the target room.
Cory said that it helps to put on some music and stay focused working at the target task till the song or songs are over.
But....
I have seen how even the distraction of music carries you off in the wrong direction. ;D

One thing I have that Mrs. Dave doesn't is my "NO CLUTTER ZONES".
I was the one who removed all his stuff from inside the house, except his bedroom.
It took a very long time to bag & box it all up & move it to the carport, garage & his bedroom.
I worked slowly enough to allow him to adjust before I moved on to another area.
But eventually I reclaimed the inside of the house for humanity. :D

Dave, get off the computer and go declutter that living space! :D

Hi Tillie,

Amidst some of the stress yesterday, Mrs Dave found great humor in the comment that my attention span resembles that of one of your cats. What was its name?-I forgot.

She thought about that a bit and then hollered SQUIRREL! with great enthusiasm.

:) :)

( And I demonstrated that in my donations yesterday. In the middle of the afternoon she was stressed with something and took a break. I was also stressed with the living room, but then in frustration wanting to see me doing something, I went to the bedroom and pulled out a bunch of shirts and t shirts. (many refugees from prior cleanings which is why i wanted them out of the house so quickly.) Then I added some books and the box from the garage. That did nothing for the living room but it got some stuff out that I have tended to keep.

Today it gives me a framework for thinking patterns. I start in on "I'd wear that shirt if I still had it." and I think no I need to change the focus and say "there's a foot of room in the closet for all the stuff I've dragged in and the outbound spot is empty and I can wear something I like."

I am slowly getting changes in my head that I need to get changes with the stuff!!!

( and I am really sorry that you can't have the benefit of some of that in your own life instead of just seeing it happen in others.)

HI :)

Hello Dianne :)
WAY TO GO! getting that outside stuff done.
Happy birthday to Laura! :D
Wishing you lots of sunshine this weekend.

Hello Darco :D

Hello Diane :D
Please do not hide. :(
At the least give them a call back.
Make it a very FIRM rule that when you do buy something not necessary like food that you MUST then donate or toss something you already have that is similiar to what you just brought home.
Or since you still have too much stuff, you MUST now donate or toss at least two items.
ONE IN = ONE OUT! is the rule I follow to keep my possessions under control.
Makes me think VERY hard at the store knowing that I can have something, but only if I am willing to give up something else for it.

Hello Dave :D
WAY TO GO! on the donations! :D
Wishing Mrs. Dave good luck and best wishes that you can start to show her some positive progress. :D
Been such a long time since I saw any progress around here. :(


Today it looks like I might go into town.
Mr. Hoarder wants to go to the thrift shops to look for a wall phone to replace his malfunctioning one here.
So he will buy someone elses broken phone to replace his broken phone.
Logical, NOT!
I am quite happy with the phone here.
It does not ring and interupt my thoughts and has no dial tone so no reason for me to bother calling anyone. ;P
If I buy anything I will post it in the other thread.
Not going to bother to post whatever he may buy.
Most of the crap he buys I always wonder "what the #%&* is that thing anyway??? And why does he want it???"
Sunshine here today. Clear blue skies but very very cold.

Easy up on yourselves. You are the most critical and unforgiving on your own self.
This is the first day of February 2014. You all have a fresh new start on the rest of your lives. (((hugs)))

diane,

Perspective note, for what it's worth. I don't think there is anyone in my life other than a few immediate family members that would call me "to get together". Perhaps all the hard work you have been doing cleaning, ordering and preparing is drawing new opportunities into your life.

Hi All.

Hope you have a good day tomorrow.

Have been doing some thrift store buying most of the week. A combination of some objectives and opportunism. I think I have also exercised restraint in the process.

Made another trip to goodwill today with stuff, bags again. Not sure but think rough equivalent would be 5-6 copier paper boxes full. (Some of that came from an "outbound" box i uncovered Thursday in the garage.) The trip on Wed or Thur was probably 2-3 boxes equivalent. I don't usually go this soon again, but this time I was following Tillie's advice about getting it out quickly because there were some clothes and books I did not want to get back into. Outbound spot cleaned out again and hollering for more.

Mrs Dave disappointed because we did not meet a living room goal today, I hope that I will be able to get to that tomorrow. Difficult choices both today and tomorrow as part of that process. I am very pleased with brain process and progress I am making, but Mrs Dave must see much more physical item movement tomorrow.

Yesterday I finally went to the store, got enough groceries for a small village. Stopped at a thrift store, I am still an addict, bought some craft crap. Today I have been annoyed that I still get a high from the buy. Did some work outside, plenty cold with the wind. Reading about boxing up and giving away stuff, made me think, it is time for me to focus on unloading some more stuff. Two friends called and left messages, I have not returned calls, they want to get together, I just want to hide.

Thanks Dianne. Wow! You were on fire today. A little warmer weather and some sunshine after being cooped up and the burst of energy is nice :)
Wow, hats off to ya! I couldn't imagine letting go of lawn and garden stuff because that is so...well... usable! But if it is more than you could use yourself, well... then quite the logical choice.

@Tillie... totally understand about Cory being busy. He has such a huge heart and is so giving, comes as no surprise.

Hi :)

Right now Cory is very very busy and spread very thin.
He is working hard to get franchises set up of his specialized cleaning company and doing seminars to train social workers and other public workers in the best ways to deal with hoarding situations.
He has dedicated all his time to these worthy pursuits and any free time that he has right now he spends with his family.
So, right now we should do the very best we can here to help ourselves and each other and when Cory is not so very very busy I know he would love to spend more time here with us and have contests. :D

Also, am happy to report that I finally got around to donating the really nice lamp that just needed a new light kit (I will never get around to that project) and donated a book in trade for the prayer book I bought). This was to fulfill to make sure I keep up with the "one in?, one out" rule. When I was really in my purging "prime" I used to follow "one in, 10 out" but it will take me a bit to get back to that one!!

In the meantime, I will be scheduling a weekly pickup of 24 boxes to get the room ready for rental on March 1. When I keep those pickups scheduled in advance, the obligation to another person (the Good Samaritan mission pastor)helps keep me on track.

I am giving myself one day off a week until March 1.... have to be careful not to hit purging burn out.

TILLIEWhat are the chances of getting Cory to hold another biggest loser contest? I have a hat but would love to win a Tshirt or better.... a hoodie!

Yesterday my daughter and I took photos of and packed 10 boxes of donations. Not quite the four boxes a day I need to do, but progress none the less. I have a donation pickup scheduled for next Thursday and plan to have a total of 24 boxes ready to go by then.

In order to maximize the value of the donations, IRS regs require that the item be "good" or "like new condition". Because of this, I do take a bit extra time to clean up the items. Better I spend that time improving the donation value (hence less taxes) than acquiring :)

So here is my BIGGEST accomplishment. I had a set of books called "Nature's Children" that I had bought for Chris when she was little. I bought them as an investment since their was a whole set that contained scientific info that will still hold true for years to come (squirrels will still be mammels...). I read these books for Christina for years. I made payments on the books for years as well. I held onto them in hopes of reading them to my grandchildren. The books were small so the whole set only took up a 10 x 10 x 10" cube box. But, I let those go. Because who knows if and when my daughter will have children and if I will ever live close enough to read to her children. Holding onto to a wing and a prayer that I will have that in my life... need to let go of those future visions and hopes.