WAY TO GO!!!! Subclinical!

You are doing FANTASTIC!

OK, so you aren't counting some things but they are still decisions you've made, acted upon and they are no longer there!

To me it ALL counts as a plus because you are now minus them.

:D

4 soap molds, a bath puff, a bowl, a box of fragrances and colorants, and two more pairs of tights.

21.

Plus I put a couple of things from the soapmaking box into the recycling.

I don't really have a plan for the cookie molds either. I wanted to hang them in the new kitchen, but there are too many and I am no longer sure it will work.

I feel bad about buying the things, but I still want them.

I found a dress and an (unopened) pair of stockings to donate.

So I am back to 12.

I also found a bag of cardboard tubes, which I put in the recycling, but i'm not counting, and sent Dd home with six flower pots, which i'm also not counting since they were just lying around the yard. Yard looks a bit better though.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi Subclinical
That's GREAT that you all were able to easily walk down into the basement and were able to sleep on the mats!
I've been through 3 twisters here in 25 years.
First two I had no warning but the last one the TV had the emergency alert in time for me to know.
That last one hit me on the edges of it, ripped carport roofing off then went onto the airport where it threw a crop duster plane into a hangar, destroying the plane and hangar.

Very glad you experienced nothing more than that heavy rain. (((HUG)))

Looks to me like the only item you bought with no future plans for was the meditation bowl.
Maybe you will take up using it to meditate? ;)


Hi Tatoulia
Happy to hear you no longer feel the desire to stock up on things!
Especially living in a city where things are easily obtained.
I have a spare light bulb for the pantry because if the bulb goes out I would need a flash light to find anything in there.

Since I am down to "One in-One Out" for socks & underwear that makes it easier to not buy in multiples.
Except when I buy a package of panties that comes with 3-4-6 pair.
That's when I am getting desperately low. LOL ;)
Sometimes they are not made very well and all start to fall apart at the same time.

Good luck getting your flower boxes all set up.
Hoping Miss Kitty doesn't decide to play in them, mine would.


Slept in till 9:30am!
So quiet here, just the occasional Robin talking.
Taking it slow & easy this morning, no pressing chores to tend to today.
There are some dishes to wash after brunch.
Planning to just enjoy the day and not fret about anything.

Hello everyone! I'm up and have fed the downstairs cats. I just got out of the shower. It is a bit dark and looking like it will rain. I will walk, undeterred.

Tornado warnings used to scare me so much as a kid, when I lived in Illinois. I'd be all nervous and my stomach would be upset. We'd be in the basement and I'd be scared. I can still feel the type of beautiful weather that precedes a tornado watch/warning. There's something tinged in the air that I can feel. I'm so proud of you for having a clear path to get to the basement and you handled the water seepage so easily! Congratulations!

Tillie I hope all is going well with you. I did get my lightbulbs. We have the nice LED ones that the electric company gives away to businesses, so that the shop owner can in turn sell for a modest price (under a dollar). So closet light is working and I'll probably do my ceiling fan in bedroom once I'm changing my sheets. I'll want to clean the ceiling fan and I don't want dust in my bed. Since cleaners changed on Wednesday, I'll change my sheets this coming Wednesday.

My need to hoard lots of things is gone. I've eliminated buying multiples on a whim. Another thing I do now is if I'm buying something that normally and rationally is purchased in multiples (underwear, socks, etc). I now buy one, see if it works, and if so, buy more. That has eliminated lots of things that don't fit or don't work. Plus, going to the store more than once means I get more walks in!

I'm also taking my time in purchasing a new a/c. I know the one I want, I'm just waiting a bit. Trying to stop the feelings I used to have of urgency. It's helping a great deal.

Ok hopefully will get my flowers today. I'm not sure I'll want to drive if it starts to rain. But I do need time with mom so we shall see. Still early enough.

Wow, lots going on here yesterday.

CM, good for you for finding stuff for the yard sale! And organizing!

That is great that you shifted the logjam too. It always helps to come at things from a new angle.

Tatoulia, i'm Glad your are getting your laundry done. And so much walking! You sound like you are doing really well. I'm sorry you had to get sick to decide that you were just going to avoid being stressed. I hope you get into the habit so that you keep it up when you are better! Kitty cats, walks, flowers, and fluff and fold!

I hope you get your lightbulbs soon too. I don't know about you, but having lights out is hard for me.

Dd And sil we're camping this weekend and a really bad storm rolled in, so they packed up their tent and appeared at our house for dinner. (They had good with them and helped cook.

Last night we had a tornado warning, so we all just took blankets down to the basement. Fortunately there was no tornado here, but we just took our blankets down, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Walked right down dh path and slept on the exercise mats in dh shop and I wasn't stressed at all.

The rain was bad enough that water came into the basement - including the messy side of the basement, and I just dropped a couple of towels on the floor and ignored it.

Now for confession time. Yesterday I went to a pottery fair, and I saw some nice things and got lots of ideas and didn't buy anything. But then, I stopped at goodwill's half price day. I got a portable file box with a handle which doesn't count because i've been planning to get one for my classroom for our silk screens (I will even use some of my hanging folder stash to set it up) but I also got a giant rooster cookie cutter and a textured glass dish - which will both eventually go in my classroom, but I think they will stay in my workshop for a while first, so I have to count them. And two stoneware cookie molds for my already too large collection which is currently in the basement with nowhere to go, and a little brass meditation bowl, which I have no idea where it will go, but it was so cute and so cheap... so that is 5 and my net total is back down to ten.

Hi Tatoulia

So nice baby sitting sweet babies. :D

YEA! for light bulbs!
Steven has a huge amount of light bulbs but he never has the right ones that I need.

Looking forward to you having the flower boxes.
Having living plants, there is just something satisfying about it.


Way To Go! for walking!
Such an easy and enjoyable way to get exercise.

I haven't showered. I met up with BF and we went for a walk. A perfect evening out. I'll shower now. I just needed more of a walk. If I had brought my phone I may have kept walking even further but I didn't have it so I just came inside.

I bought new containers so I can make my window boxes. I'll get soil and plants tmr. I can't go another year without flowers. It's been two years now. When I first moved in, I would change them out three times a year. So I'll have to get them going. I'm hoping for some geraniums and some petunias. Don't have an idea of colors. Sometimes I have to see what's left.

Hello. I'm with my cat sitting cats. Someone's on my nap and it's just so sweet.

I did get downtown today but then BF was having an issue at one of his businesses so I needed to get there fast. I took the subway and was there very quickly. I've run some more errands this afternoon but still want to walk more. I'll see what the future holds.

I dropped off sheets and will pick up tmr. It's easiest for me to keep the laundry train moving. I am doing a load of pjs and underthings right now. I can hang them to dry in my bathroom.

I got the lightbulb changed in my bedroom closet and o gave to do the one I'm the ceiling fan above my bed. It's been out a long time.

Oh so hot and sunny today. I can't wait to shower. I am also having my own personal summer, so to speak and it is absolute misery. But no humidity here.

Cm great work in the storage! I'm sorry you have the hot sticky weather. That's when I used to get so disgusted with my house.

I have to keep pairing down my possessions. They are there, just waiting to be set free.

I will talk to you later. I have a cute cat hugging me and I can't stand it. I may shower and lay down for a bit. Will hopefully get up later and walk some. The walks are so good for me.

Hi CriticalMass

YEA!!!!
That storage is getting under control!!!
Glad you have been chipping away at that log jam and it's less intimidating and you feel motivated to get to it!

Yes, please keep working on setting up those Dr. appointments.

I hate how the mugginess makes us feel.
Worse feeling ever.

Keep up the great job you've been doing with tasks and all your obligations. ;D

Hi, you are all a bunch of busy bees, and I've been trying to be one as well.

Went to storage unit and got what I could find for church sale. Need to wipe dust off and price it. Missed today's morning drop off but they have more times Monday through Wednesday. I'm aiming for Monday. The lady I sit for has a gal from the senior place coming on Mondays now so I have the day open.

I'll also bite the bullet Monday and get the medical appointments set up. The one, I'll leave a vm for them to call me. The other one I had had to cancel and they didn't have a vm option; I think I'm going to have to have my primary care doc re-fax the order with a note explaining. Then the imaging place will call me.

When in Rome...

While I was at storage, I also did a small amount of rearranging, and small though it was, it got some like with like that had gotten separated, and the beginnings of opening up a logjam area. So that felt promising.

Weather here is very sticky and muggy - storms last night and a promise of more tonight. I was reaching my limit how long I could stand to be out in the humid heat. But I had done well in a small amount of time. It felt so good to come home and shower off the sweat and grubbiness! I hope there'll be some drier days before it gets too hot, so I can get more done over there. It's feeling less intimidating, so I want to roll with it.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi Subclinical
WAY TO GO!
You are doing FANTASTIC!

That messy pile in the basement is getting better.

Isn't it wonderful that we can visit each other's worlds through the magic of technology.
I really enjoy visiting your farm and critters. ;)

Your cousin sure has her hands full.
Best wishes to her.

Hi Tatoulia
Makes me smile thinking of you going about your day avoiding all and any pressures. ;)

Eating "simple" is a very good plan.
The closer to the farm, the better.
Food processing adds too many undesirables as it removes some natural benefits.


Tried to post this morning but the internet was acting too wonky.

Got up early and watered the garden and Apricot Tree.
Washed 2 loads of laundry, hung it out and already have it folded and put away.
Then been cooking...
Some sweet rolls and the meatloaf.

Still not done doing stuff but it's not hard laborious.

Hello everyone! Another stellar day here. I am going to quick shower then get started on my errands. I'd like to see my friend but the day is filling up quickly and I cannot have any pressures on me right now. So that said, I'm taking my laundry to be done by the fluff and fold service (sheets only) then I'll see what's next. I need to see progress. I also need to walk a minimum of 4 miles. I got 7 in yesterday. I need progress on my house, body and soul. I'm doing okay with eating as I'm keeping it simple.

Keep up the good work! SubC you may see the progress as slow (and God knows, it is a slow process) yet I see the shift in your thinking and mindset. And that is terrific! We all benefit from a new awareness and a new perspective.

Will do a quick hop in shower now.

Good morning, thank you for all the Encouragement!

Tatoulia, you are doing great! I really enjoy your instagram pictures. I realized I could make a bookmark and now I can stop by whenever I want.

I also love tillie's garden. Sometimes I feel like I live in mr. roger's land of make believe, with tillie's garden and tatoulia's city and CM's bunny rescue and quilting group right around the corner.

Dd1 came by last night. I showed her the basement and she was gently encouraging. She also brought me half a ream of white printer paper. I did not ask her why, I just said thank you.

I went down already this morning and found four plastic cups and another coffee filter to go in the donate box, so I am up to 15!

I told my mom that I think if I fill my suv all the way up six more times and take it away, the pile in the middle of the very messy side of the basement will be gone. But I don't know if I can do that.

My mom says my cousin headed home with her car stuffed full from her parents' house and that their garage is full of things "for the yard sale" my aunt is planning in the fall. We'll see how much creeps back....

The full car is because she decided to just start taking anything she was told "that is yours" or "we're saving that for you." I don't think she'll be keeping much of it.

Good Evening

Hi Subclinical
YEA!!! for planting cantaloupes!

Yes, things with faces are the hardest (((HUG)))
But they are not "alive", have no feelings to hurt and they do not love.

WAY TO GO! talking to your Mom and letting them go!

10 things is FANTASTIC!
Also, that you still have some of your empty space and the path clear.


Hi Tatoulia
sounds like a lovely time with your visiting friend.
Very glad you have been finding tasty food to eat that falls within your guidelines.

You are so kind to the cleaning ladies.
The price we can get for most jewelry is very small compared to what it costs to buy it new.
Basically we just get current scrap price by weight.
Since I had no one to gift it to I just sold mine at the pawn shop for scrap and it has felt so good just to be rid of it.

Your new linen blouses sound adorable.
Linen feels so good in the Summer but it gets wrinkly, but I don't care, it's supposed to wrinkle. ;)

Hello hello!

I took today off and it was wonderful. Sunny and cool. I walked down to meet a friend for lunch and he and I had a great time. I then stopped and to get a manicure and do other things. Was home by three and took a quick nap. Then I fed the downstairs cats and met my visiting friend. She's here from the Middle East. She had picked up roasted vegetables as well as some quinoa and chick peas and we had lovely salads in her hotel room. After leaving her I walked through the malls thoroughly then walked home. So I feel great.

SubC! Hearty congratulations on not taking the furniture and for finding some things to donate! Great job! That's interesting that things with faces pose a problem. I hadn't thought of that before and I get it.

BADGER Cm! We need you to be healthy! What a shame it is so difficult to get your appts scheduled.

Tillie I love hearing about your garden. If I close my eyes, I am there.

Today I was assessing my lightbulb situation. I have several that are burned out. I didn't realize that I'm out of lightbulbs so I'll have to get some tmr.

So my last three meals have been salads, and two of those salads had grilled shrimp. I'm feeling strong and healthy.

Today was garbage day and I did get kitty's box cleaned and changed. I haven't done much more around here but I've been keeping up really well. Our dryer vent is being fixed on Monday. I've decided to take my sheets to the laundromat for fluff and fold service. By the way, my new hamper is doing a solid job. It looks adorable and it is holding my laundry. I need to take more pictures around the house and post them on Instagram. It will help keep me moving and cleaning and clearing.

I shall see you all tomorrow. Tillie I loved hearing about your criteria for buying things. Since I have such trouble with heat, I have recently purchase an open weave linen sweater and two linen tops. The tops are casual, probably not for work but maybe on fridays. They have three quarter length sleeves and are essentially a polo shirt. One is medium blue and one is darker blue. I bought them based on the fact that they are linen and I'm tired of being miserable. I have washed them but not worn them and they are adorable.

I also should have photographed the two large bags for the cleaners. While they were here I wrestled with a few pieces of jewelry and decided that as nice as they are, I won't wear them again and that I'm not going to drive all over the place to consign them for what? A $10 check that they'll make me pick up instead of just mailing it? I know my ladies will get more than $10 enjoyment out of them. The one lady was again wearing my gold hoops with diamond chips. I think she wears them everyday. And they are so pretty on her.

So I'm getting there. One headband, one belt, one silk scarf at a time.

Good afternoon!

I love beeswax candles.

I cleared a bed and planted my little cantaloupe plants out.

Cooled off in the basement and found a doll and a tiny bear to get rid if (things with faces=hard!) I had to call my mom about the doll. She was plastic and made in Hong Kong, but my mom brought her back from Hawaii for me when I was six. We decided that I did not need to be guilted into keeping the doll just because my mom was guilted into buying it. (she left me with my grandparents - I had a great week!)

So, that is ten things.

Also, dh path is clear again and I kept part of my space.

Hi Subclinical

WTG! your DH!

You have been doing GREAT working on the basement!

Good luck and the best of wishes with your 50 items in June plan!
Three things a day should not be too hard especially when going through clothes.
If one day it's only one item added to the donate box I'm sure you will be able to make it up in another area on another day.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Got the 6 trees watered.
Later this evening when it's cooler I'll water lilac hedges.

Used up the last of my beeswax sheets today, rolled it all up into candles.
Put them in the fridge.

Since Steven was going off to the thrift shops, to drop off a donation he said, I asked him to go by Burger King and pick me up a hamburger, no cheese or bacon.
The other day I put a frozen package of hamburger from the freezer into the fridge to thaw out.
It's still rock hard today so my plan to make a meatloaf won't be happening today.

Tomorrow I will water the garden and grass again.

Good not quite morning anymore here. :)

Dh decided we should stay home because the weather is so nice. He is working in the woods clearing trees that fell across paths over the winter/spring.

I did not want to work outside because the grass was still wet, so I went back to the basement. Moved many things around, Nate a big mess, emptied a medium sized shelf that definitely must go. And found two books for the donate bin. Now it is after noon.

I am thinking about June - so far, two sweaters, two pairs of boots, two books, a picture frame, a shelf. I think some other things, but let's call it 8. I am going to try to get rid of 50 things in June. That is less than that three things a day for the rest of the month, and since I am going to finish my closet, it shouldn't be too hard, right?

Good Morning Anybody

Peaceful quiet cool morning here.
The Poppies look lovely blooming up through the catmint.
Think today I will water the lilac hedge and trees.
Since I stocked up on provisions yesterday it's nice not to have to go into town for at least an other week.

Hello Subclinical

YEA! for saying "no thank you" when offered the furniture piece!
WTG! for donating two sweaters.

A day at the museum and then Farmer's market sounds like a very pleasant day.


Buying clothing and linens and what-not at the thrift shop is basically guilt free.
The items are already made, then are now being recycled.
Any money spent on them goes to the charity thrift shop.

Large corporations and manufacturers can't count your purchase as a "vote" to make more of the same and manufacture more of the materials to make them, nor do they get your money.
Then have women and children slaving in dangerous working conditions to assemble them for a small pittance that barely keeps them alive.

Name brand manufacturers also find ways to sell their wares as "responsibly sourced and assembled by well paid and well treated workers, when they really aren't.
It's almost impossible to find the truth.

They only way I can feel alright with buying clothes, linens & etc. is when it is recycled through a charity thrift shop that's really a charity in my own community where I can see where my money goes.

Dh and I spent the day at the art museum. Then we stopped at the farmer's market, and now e us making dinner.

And I ran into two of "my" kids at the art museum. :)

Because the museum is air conditioned I wore long pants and a short sleeved sweater. I found two short sleeved/sleeveless sweaters for the donate bin while I was getting dressed.

I am trying very hard to only buy clothes in natural fibers, but sometimes I make exceptions at the thrift store or because I have to have a thing (like a green dress for my son's wedding) or for waterproofness, or because it was made from recycled bottles..... also, the environmental impact of cotton is so high....

My cousin sent a picture of a small piece of furniture that was my grandmother's that she is trying to remove from her parents' house, and I was able to very easily say "no thank you". Doesn't help my cousin, but good for me!

This is a list of the criteria that any of my clothing and linens I buy must meet.
Remember I shop for these items exclusively at thrift shops.

#1 must be the correct size

#1 must be cotton, linen, hemp, silk or a combination of cotton, linen, hemp or silk

#1 must the right style

#1 must be in very good condition, nothing sad looking

#2 color doesn't really matter too much but I don't buy brown cause it makes me look sickly

# 1 Since I am all sorted out and organized
if I buy something I must then let go of something I already own.
I have decided on a set number of specific items I'll own and store, like I can have 40 blouses/tops/flannel shirts even though I only currently own fewer, but never more.
So, I have to think about what I have that I would be willing to let go for the new item to come in.

Right now I need a few long sleeve Tshirt type tops since the ones I wore all last Winter finally wore out.
But I have plenty of heavy Winter socks, so no looking at socks.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi CriticalMass

BADGER
BADGER
BADGER

Good luck scheduling that routine but necessary medical stuff.
Don't give up. If they call back at an inconvenient time and you don't answer, they will try again and you try again too to reach an actual human.


When it comes to decluttering books, methods and other media
it's always "Take What Works For You
And Leave The Rest".
People aren't "one size fits all".


Got groceries today.
Filled 3 water bottles.
Scooter is happy I got another watermelon but he doesn't care for the cantaloupes.
Got Twinkles some soft kitty snax and some more cat food cans.
Got everything else that was on my list and NOTHING that I didn't have listed!!!
;D

Well, I tried calling both places. There's an hour of my life I'll never get back. I hate voicemail. One of them had the option to leave a message for them to call me back. But they'll wait until I don't have my calendar with me, or have my hands full, am on the potty, etc.

I envy all those other customers they were helping... everybody in town from the looks of it.

Basically everything Tillie said.

Especially to Tatoulia to take good care if herself and don't apologize for it! The Badger agrees.

SubC, your method of deciding what stays or goes is good too. I use anything and everything that works in terms of strategies, and set aside or discard what doesn't, or doesn't right now.

I need to make two phone calls to schedule routine medical stuff. I've been procrastinating. So I need the Badger myself.

Good Morning Everyone
Just a quick "How-Do" before I head off into town...

Hi CriticalMass
Summertime is a great time to eat lots of fresh fruits & vegetables.
A handful of nuts is wonderful to help stop cravings and give you a little energy boost.

Hi Tatoulia
Focus on what you need to focus on right now and stop being silly thinking we may not understand.
We understand. (((hug)))

Hi Subclinical
One Step At A Time and you will eventually get there.
OH! So excited about the Turkey nest!


OK, time to get moving while it's still cool.
I'll be back...

Tatoulia, right now is a time for you to be very focused on yourself. We want you to be taking good care of our friend Tatoulia.

Sometimes when you have been stressed and worried, the tired falls on you like a ton of bricks afterward. Just rest and focus on yourself. I'm really glad you set boundaries with your sister!

It's good to hear you are doing fun things and that your bf and cleaners are taking good care of you. I bet your car friend would be really happy if you borrowed her car sometime for a short little trip. It feels really good when you feel like you can repay someone who helped you. But I understand if you would not want the responsibility.

Poppies always make me think of the wizard of oz because one of my children was obsessed with that movie when they were kids.

Tillie, I think you had a typo in one of your posts. I'm sure you meant to say "Jack is now my cat."

Tillie and CM, thank you both for your thoughts on the basement and my article.

I am just at a hard point, knowing what I have to do and trying to accept it, but not fully there yet. And then there is so much doing - but when I started swimming laps, I could barely do an 800. And then I got up to two miles, and I swam the distance from my (childhood) home marina down the river and across the Chesapeake bay in one school year. So, 27,478 steps, one at a time.

The feeling of wanting that space to stay empty was new to me. Usually empty space just feels - empty.

I have tried to do the choosing what to keep approach - but I choose to keep too many things. I think they assume that you will choose the best thing and then the next, and at some point you will feel like you have enough or the remaining things will seem unappealing. But I just pick up each thing and think of a reason to keep it. So setting a standard the item must meet to stay would help, I think.

I am going to have to use the "house as a container method." And stop when my container is full. Of course, my container is probably going to be full like when I pick strawberries and I have to stop 7 times on the way back to the register to pick up the ones that fell off the top of the baskets, but even that is a start.

CM, nuts are a good snack. They give you protein and an energy boost.

You gave to feel safe before you can exercise, so I think talking to the staff is good. They should gave a plan in place that they can share with you.

It sounds like your dream might have been triggered by your friend moving and then you working on your bins. I think it is smart to take a break while you still want to do more - it will make it easier to get back to it.

Yesterday was a very busy day here! Dh mowed the fields in the morning - he almost mowed over a turkey nest, but the mother turkey spooked and alerted him, so he mowed around it. Then he took me for walk to see after he was done. We spooked her again, which I feel badly about, but I got to see that she had 9 eggs. Now we will stay away from there for a few weeks so she can hatch her poults. I may check on her with binoculars.

I also had the last baby goats of the season. A nice little boy and FINALLY a girl who is a keeper. They are very cute. So out of 8 babies I got one replacement doe. Not a great return, but no hard decisions at least.

And, dh took me to a minor league ballgame in another city. my dd2 met us there and we had a good time. I got home really late though.

Today it's supposed to rain all day. Dh says we are doing something downtown.

Sorry this is so long, but you guys posted a lot I wanted to respond to!

Off to work. I'm taking tmr off. I was originally taking off to spend with friend from MiddleEast but instead we are having dinner. So I'm still taking tmr off. Will meet different friend for lunch then go get bloodwork at hospital.

CM, I've always said that safety is a personal issue. You need to feel safe. For me, I can't use a restaurant bathroom if the bathroom is on a separate floor. I don't know who's lurking in the bathroom or who is waiting to go in behind me. And with the noisy restaurant being upstairs, no one will hear me scream. Yes this could happen in a restaurant where the bathrooms are on the same floor but there is less opportunity and less isolation. So I make my date go with me. When I was traveling home from a long drive from NY, the bathrooms were downstairs at the rest stop. So I kept BF on the phone with me. It was terribly embarrassing but I had to use the restroom and I was afraid. It's a funny thing, I know, but it's my personal sense of safety. I have two terrible stories along those lines and I was tangentially involved with both. So please, make no excuses and get the assurances that you need.

I was tired during my walk tonight. I needed a water. I had one but when I was feeding the cats downstairs, one took my water bottle cap and was so cute and then they were taking turns playing with them. I didn't have the heart to pick it up and wash it so I went for my walk without my bottle. I'll get it tomorrow night and wash it and reunite it with the bottle.

Please forgive me for not being more focused. I care about each of you. I'm just not focused. I hope I don't seem selfish.

Out for my walk right now. I'm sorry about your dreams about stuff, CM. I have them occasionally. I generally feel suffocated.
I'm just taking a quick rest so I can't really concentrate. I have been heartbroken about David Ortiz and I'm grateful he's here in Boston getting his care.

I know it's the final game for the Stanley Cup but walk I must. And I'm tired.

Hi all

Bit of a tireder day earlier for me. Trying to figure out if I did too much physically the previous two days, or it's just my whacko sleep cycle. I had another insane "stuff nightmare" - this one about a move and a million things to go through, pack, discard, whatever. There were friends in it. It may have been a vicarious "memory" of the time recently when my one friend was in the hospital and our other friend, her husband, and helpers cleaned out her apartment.

So I woke up and fed animals and then got so drowsy I took a nap from 11:00 to 2:00. Still felt kind of slow getting going. I was looking up some articles online and a couple of them were behind paywalls so I got motivated to come to the library to access them. On the way I did stop at the grocery (more about that in a minute).

One was in the Boston Globe and I was shocked to learn about the shooting of Red Sox player David Ortiz. I'm glad it wasn't fatal, and they're tracking down and arresting the perps.

SubC - I liked that "From Hoarder to Minimalist in 27,478 Insanely Hard Steps." Lots I can relate to in it. And as I was Googling the title, I see there are more sites and videos and such with the tags of going from hoarder to minimalist. Makes me feel like I'm not the only one and the idea isn't impossible or crazy. I was beginning to wonder if I should give up on the minimalist goal, but now I feel emboldened.

Your account of the basement path and the ladder and so on - and that need to acknowledge what we don't feel ready for - I get that, too. It seems to work to just acknowledge that we aren't ready for something but that we want to be ready. I think we'll get there.

The idea in the blog post about comparing things against the things you like the most:
When I was going to that local clutter club, the leader did suggest to make decisions based on what to keep rather than what to get rid of - it sounds more positive that way. I agree.

Tatoulia glad you got that reassurance from your doctor, and hope it gives you much peace.

Tillie, what is Jack's opinion on whether or not he's your cat? Have you asked him? LOL!

Poppies make me think of my maternal grandfather who fought in World War I and the poem "In Flanders Fields."

I got a few things at the grocery store on my way to the library. So that was good, because doing that is something I really struggle with motivation for. It's just too darn complicated! Between having a tight budget, wanting to resume my weight loss, living with difficult cooking conditions in this crowded house, being a picky eater, going through my summer appetite slump when nothing I do like even sounds good - you get the picture.

I ended up getting some nuts. I'm going nuts! LOL! Just something for protein nibbles. I got other items too, and I remembered a stash of canned goods at home that I need to bring forward now that the shelf is less crowded.

The way I changed my eating pattern to lose weight late 2016 after my surgery is something I'm trying to recapture - but it's not quite the same during regular ordinary life. Like the tiredness I felt earlier - nutritional needs may also be playing a part. That's why I thought of the nuts. It might rewire my brain from some of the carb habit. I'm not one of those Atkins or Paleo or Plant Based fanatics, nor do I intend to become one. But I'm okay with switching things up a little when I've been feeling so dissatisfied with the status quo - and no weight has been coming off.

I don't know if I mentioned this, but right when I might be able to start going to the YMCA to exercise again, in my town they've had two incidences of sex crimes. One was a worker abusing kids in the kids' program; he was arrested and of course fired. The other was a guy who molested two teenage girls and assaulted a third. The Y lets people in community programs like mental health organizations use the facilities, and they do an offender registry check - but if someone has never been convicted, they wouldn't be on the registry.

I want to go talk with someone about what steps they've implemented to keep people safe since these incidents. There were things mentioned in the news such as more security cameras, but I want to talk with someone. And of course I'll be very vigilant and ready to fight back if anyone bothers me. I know I'm more paranoid than most people, but it's okay, we all have different responses to that sort of thing.

Well, I better get home - may even go with roommate to walk the dog just to stretch my legs a bit.

It may be off and on rainy - today was the last of the cool nice days, so I feel sort of sad I didn't go to the storage unit, but also I was concerned if I went a third day in a row when I was tired, I might get burnt out. Hope I made the right call on that. If I can just get anything I can think of that I want to donate to the church sale, that's the main thing. Saturday is when they start accepting stuff.

P.P.S.

Jack is not my cat ;P

P.S.
The Poppies also remind me of my Grandmother.
Interesting how we have the same Granma memories. ;)

Hi Tatoulia

Hope you laid down on your freshly made bed and took a nap.

So nice you have someone to pass things along to.
All I have is Nate & his Mrs. and I know their lifestyle and what they do or do not want or need.
When they were here near Thanksgiving I gave them my HUGE ancient cast iron fry pan and I had made a bunch of rag rugs and had them choose all they wanted and they took 5.
Also gave them a bunch of Nintendo games, accessories and one game unit.


Your evening out sounds so nice!
You are fortunate to live in an area where you can do things like that.
When I lived in Reno I often went to various shows and programs.

Very decent of you to offer your sister the car and I am so RELIEVED that you didn't and won't offer cash money and longer. (((HUG)))

YEA! for your friend who is finally able to finance a car!
Bet she feels so good and proud of her achievement.

Please follow your doctor's orders and don't stress about your health.

The poppies remind me of my grandmother. I'm glad you and your cat, jack, were able to enjoy some Quality Time.

Cleaners did a great job and while they were here I wrestled with a few more things to put in their bags. Yes I had two bags for them. I was able to add a pair of earrings, two skirts and a necklace to the two overflowing bags. I also had a tiny bag of jewelry. I'm so grateful to have the ladies. It is much easier to clear out when I know how much they like my clothes. I'm really happy about it. They loved the white bedspread.

I had them change my sheets. Yes they were just changed on Saturday but I really wanted them to do that for me.

I don't feel like walking now. I feel like laying down. I have neighbor's cats to feed and I'll go feed them in a bit.

Last night I went to the Boston Pops. The first half was dedicated to the moon landing and we even had an astronaut in and she read a bit about space exploration. They also had our nations first Youth poet laureate and my goodness, she was strong, compelling, smart, talented and lovely. In the second half Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester from Glee) was belting out American Classics and she was funny, entertaining and lovely. I had wanted to go when I first heard about the program but I waited til the last minute to buy seats. Generally if I'm going alone I wait it out. And sure enough, on Monday there was an email and I was able to get a table seat for $20 vs the $96 price others had paid. I enjoyed my table mates immensely and I had tasty little roast beef and Boursin sandwiches and treated myself to a lemonade. Great night.


Im tired now. I'm not sure why. Spoke with dr yesterday and he was very clear that I shouldn't be stressed out about my health and he even sent me a text telling me not to stress about it. He's so sweet and such a good dr.

I'm proud of everyone's hard work.

OH. I heard from sister today who said she is depressed and I told her I know how it feels and to just fight it. She sent another email saying financial problems and that there's no light at the end of the tunnel. She sent another saying too many deaths (I'm pretty sure she's talking about celebrity deaths) and I told her I had noticed that she feels them deeply. I said, anytime you want to visit mom and me, just let us know. Then I found out she hasn't had a working car in a month. So I said, if you want my car, you can have it. Just transfer it into your name and take it. She was touched by the generous offer and said she'd get back to me. She won't, though. She can't make decisions. But I offered and I was sincere. I am no longer supporting people with my money, so I didn't ask what's wrong with her car or anything that would make her think I'd be offering any money. I just offered the car.

The woman who has been driving my car just got her own car. So I no longer have to worry about having a car here for her. And she was so sweet-took me for a ride in it the same day she got it, and said that if I get rid of my car, I can borrow hers anytime (very sweet but I won't-she is paying monthly on it).

So that's the news from here. I'm still tired

Good Morning Everybody
Still morning here...

Hi Tatoulia
Keep up the important work of self health and having fun times. :D

Hi Subclinical
Thanks for the explanation of 27,478 steps.

I always try to advise laying out similar items and deciding (rating them) which are the best and which are the least favorite.
It always helps to see what you are keeping as you let others go.
When we just focus on what is leaving we can sometimes start to feel deprived and then start to cling onto items that no longer serve us.

A nice clean tidy arrangement of all the "keepers" can help us feel confident with our cast-off decisions.

WAY TO GO! for finding some things to donate while organizing the basement!

Easy access through areas and ease in moving needed things through areas is very important.
That is something Steven has never accomplished here and it makes life more difficult than it needs to be and even dangerous.

Good luck figuring out an arrangement that allows you to keep that space and keep the walkway straight and clear. ;)


Went out early and watered flowers.
I have Poppies blooming in the catnip.
I did not plant Poppies. LOL

Jack was wanting extra pettings & lovins this morning at breakfast.

Planning to grocery shop tomorrow morning so today I hosed off the car.
Lots of tree stuff falls on it, it gets very dusty and birds poop on it. :P

Sorry I've been absent. Working on health and also doing some fun evening activities.

Yay for kitty making it to, and more importantly from, the vet! SubC I hope dh is feeling better. There was a lot to read from everyone. CM way to go in the storage unit!

I'll pop back in later. Cleaners couldn't make it in time on Monday and they are slated for today. I purposefully haven't made my bed.

CriticalMass, that is fantastic that you are feeling motivated to tackle your storage area!

I bet that as you keep shifting things into the clear bins, you find more stuff that can go. That is what is happening with me, I didn't set out to clean anything out of my basement, just to rearrange, but it seems like I am finding something every day to let go of.

I found a picture frame last night. I had to call my mom and get her to "say grace over it" as we put it, but she was fine with me letting it go. I'm going to see her in July, and I was fully prepared to take it with me and give it to her.

I found an essay online called "From Hoarder to Minimalist in 27,478 Insanely Hard Steps" (obviously she is mocking the "seven easy steps" "10 easy steps" etc self help articles, but also, it is true.) Her "cliff notes" version was "step 1, get rid of something....step 27,478, get rid of something."

One of the suggestions she makes in her essay is to actually lay out items in a row to measure the items you are judging against. Her particular measurement standards are not what i'm looking for, but I find the idea very helpful. My favorite dress was hanging in the laundry room drying this week, and every time I walked by it, I smiled. It is comfortable, it is machine washable, it has pockets, I love the colors, I love the print, I love the fabric, and dh says it looks good on me.

So I should wear this dress every day. ;)

But seriously, I should be judging everything else in my closet against this dress.

I shifted stuff around in the basement last night. I accidentally made a space that I like having as a space, but dh path is blocked again, (there is A clear path through the room, it is just not the specific arrow straight path in the specific location that is dh one request for this room) and if I move the furniture so that it is not interfering with the path, I will have to close up the space OR move the furniture out of the room, and I don't know where else it can go, and I am sad.

There is a reason for the path. If the path is not there, items such as the big ladder for putting up Christmas decorations cannot be moved from upstairs to the workshop without taking them outside, walking halfway around the house, and negotiating the exterior stairway into the basement. The outside steps can be icy, or covered in snow, and sometimes (often!) it rains.

I am also starting to come to grips with the idea that everything that is currently in the basement cannot stay in the basement unless I want to have a giant pile of stuff filling up half of a room forever. The rest of the house is full, so any item that comes upstairs is going to have to replace an item that is already here.

I KNOW this, but I am not ready to accept it.

Hi CriticalMass

Yeah, that's Twinkle's problem.
Something about his gums rejecting his teeth. (?)
His brother Marty developed the same problem.

WAY TO GO!
For digging into the storage unit!

That's sorta like getting your feet wet before you dive in.

See, you need to go through it and find if there are any other things you do not want people to find if you die. ;D

That's one of the things "The Gentle Art Of Swedish Cleaning" addresses.

Hi,

Lots of news

Yesterday I went to do an errand and stopped on the way home at my storage unit. I'd wanted to get my small stash of 4th of July fabric in hopes I could make some doll clothes with it. I also thought I'd just drop off those clear tubs but not get involved in a big project.

But when I got there I found myself going ahead and swapping out several of the opaque tubs for the nice new clear ones! It just sort of happened. Occasionally my ADD works in my favor that way.

And this morning I ended up going by there again, and stopping to get my glass beads, and doing some more putting stuff in nice tubs and stacking them neatly. This is seeming less intimidating, and quite satisfying.

It may be less fun when I get to the books, but I'm not to the books yet so I'm not going to worry about them.

I'll go back more this week and comb through for things to donate to the church sale. Maybe even some books, LOL!

One thing I found was kind of cringeworthy - I thought I'd already gone through most of the "If I die, I don't want anybody to find this." I knew I still had some journals but I thought I'd purged the ones about the darkest times and the most embarrassing secrets of my life, years ago before my hysterectomy surgery. But I found some that apparently slipped through the net, and I was like Hoo boy, glad I caught this, but it's not going to be fun going through it. I did go through some of it last night. There will be a shredding party. I am thinking of putting some of it in highly disguised form in one of my novels, it would make good character development if I can distance it emotionally and change details, etc. If I don't think I can, then it will just get shredded as is.

Glad Twinkles got some vet care - is he having that weird ailment where they reabsorb their teeth? My roommate's girl kitty has that. She is managing okay at the moment, but she had lost some weight last year. Hasn't put it all back on but looks better. She is the one more likely to do scarf and barf, and maybe that has something to do with her teeth.

The times we wish they could speak our language and tell us what they need... we would worry less.

I'm at the library and I'd better get home and put my girl bunny back in her cage and get the boy out for his run.

Hi Subclinical
Thank you
Yes, at 12 1/2 pounds he is boney.
He's gotten over the "going to the Vet" mood (snit) and come out from under the bed.
LOL ;D

YEA! for the filter and two pair of boots off to donation!
Very glad you won't be keeping around footwear that would hurt you.

Fresh donuts
such a tasty treat.

Bet it was so nice hiking by the stream. :)

Glad to hear the good news about twinkles! Mr. kitty is only a medium sized cat, so when I saw his weight loss, I was very worried. That would be almost 1/4 of my cat!

I'm glad Steven took him and will pay the vet bills too.

Dh and I had a nice time. I got donuts at the market, and we went for a hike near a stream on the way home. He told me about the hike and so I started to put on the hiking boots i've had since we were married, but haven't worn in years (usually I hike in sneakers) they were really stiff and I laughed about it, and he said "those are dead. Get rid of them." So I brought the "hand me up" boots my Dd gave me where she outgrew them in high school. They were ok, but they crowded my toes a little and would not have been good for all day. So, that is two pairs of hiking boots leaving.

Dh has gone to play golf with people from work, so I started back on my basement, and I found a replacement coffee filter that does not fit the coffee maker we have now. So that can go too.

Twinkles has returned from the Vet alive!

His mouth issues are back, something he inherited from his parents.
Has an August appointment to get dental work done.
Also received a steroid shot to help his mouth.
He also has pink eye so I have ointment for him.

He lost 2 1/4 pounds since he was last at the Vet.
Now he will feel like eating more food and gain back some weight.
He is a large cat and should weigh 14 to 16 pounds.

Good Morning

Hi Subclinical
Have fun at the market.


Think I should go to town some time this week.
Didn't go anywhere last week.
Running out of food now.

Been keeping busy doing lots of little things around here.

Steven finally agreed to take Twinkles to the doctor.
He has an appointment today at 11:20.
He's been losing weight and being extra whiney.
I would have taken him myself but whenever I do Steven gets angry about the bill I paid but when Steven takes them and pays the bill he doesn't B*%$! at me about it or say mean things to the cat.
So I make him schedule appointments & pay the bills. :p

Dh felt better yesterday evening and went out for some food and made dinner.

We aren't going to the shelf store today because today is going downtown to the market day.

Also he spent a lot of yesterday curled up on the couch surging the web and sketching and decided he is going to build his own custom stereo shelf out of mostly wood he already has in his shop, so I think he probably won't get interested in the other shelf again until after that is done.

Good Afternoon Everybody
So much to catch up on! :D

Hi Subclinical
WAY TO GO!
You have been making some great progress!
Organizing, straightening, recycling, rehoming, repurposing, finding space in new under used places and donating.

Hope your Dh just needs one day to get back on his feet. Be terrible if his week off was spent feeling punky.

Wishing you both the best time looking for the exactly perfect shelf.


Hi CriticalMass
WAY TO GO!!!!!
For all you got done with the laundry!!!! :D

Thinking about things is where it all begins.
First we think & brain storm for solutions then we can begin the work of putting our thoughts & plans into action.

Via Con Dios Chica ;)

Hi Tatoulia
YEA!!!! for cleaning ladies!!!
WOW! Just WOW! that the dresses are all & only the ones you currently wear!


Been very busy since early morning.
Feel very good about all I got done today.
Scrubbed & scoured the back porch, it was disgracefully filthy.
Had 2 loads of laundry on the line over night, brought it in and put it away this morning and then hung out 2 more wash loads I just did.
Been watering trees and doing a little yardwork too.
My coat is all clean and ready to put away until next Autumn.
Table cloths and couch quilt and some curtains and Scooter's quilt and blanket are all washed.

Well, dh woke up not feeling well this morning, so we stayed home.

More puttering.

I found a box of Dixie cups i'm going to take to my classroom, and an "antique" pretzel tin that went in the donate bin.

I discovered that the cool rolling bin I found that wouldn't actually roll under anything fits perfectly under the paper cutter table now that I stuck 1/2" blocks of wood under the table legs.

I talked to my cousin for an hour.

I'm hoping dh feels better tomorrow.