I may have started an important hoarding decision today. Can I do it. I think I can, but time will tell.

I have a huge collection of rubber ducks. Yep -- you read that right: rubber ducks. I do not plan on getting rid of all of them -- just the ones that don't have high significance.

I started (I started to write "collecting" but I need to be honest). . . I started hoarding them when my daughter married, and she and my little grandson moved from our house. He accidentally left his rubber duck in our bathroom, and I started buying and hoarding every rubber duck I could. And people gave me rubber ducks! I now have about 300, maybe more, rubber ducks if I count all of them.

By the way, he was 2 then; now, he is 26 now.

Well, I think I can do this. I want to get rid of all other than his rubber duck I stole, those that are gifts, and those that have actual significance. That will leave me with a manageable collection.

Any advice? I am not willing to get rid of all of them.

Tatoulia, thank you so much for your welcome! Good that you managed the mentally ill family member as you needed. Looks like a major victory worth repeating! I fall apart when I face such things and have been known to just avoid such family members. I guess I'm just not strong enough. Or is that an excuse?

Hi Tatoulia :)
Wonderful to read your post. :D
So happy that you put yourself and needs first.
Looking forward to participating in some mini challenges this month.

Together, we CAN do this! :D

Hello everyone! Great to read your posts! Welcome, Abi, great work! Speaking if great work, glad to hear from so many of you! Sorry to hear about your wrist, LR. I didn't issue a challenge this weekend because I'm busily writing an article for work and I had a 2;00 PM deadline. But I did makeup deadline and then enjoyed the rest of the day. This was the first Saturday in a long time where I set boundary with my mentally ill family member and I didn't see him til today. It felt great to take care of myself!

Today I did see him today but I didn't get upset when he started screaming at me. I just let it happen. Now I am shopping with mom.

This is a good month to start new. I will decide what to do and will issue mini weekend challenges and will see if I can get any company!

I have an idea for tonight--I inherited quite a bit of artwork recently. So I will challenge myself to hang three pieces tonight.

Good Morning Everybody :)

November 1st. already!

Hi AbiYah :)
You're welcome :)

Yesterday the cold breeze stopped and it warmed up into the 70s.
It was GEOUGEOUS outside!
My chrysanthemums and marigolds were completely covered with small yellow butterflies.
The cats had a great time out there. :D
Nate came by with his dog and we had a really nice visit.
No Trick-or-Treaters here so I get to keep all my candy.
Spent the evening and night watching monster/horror movies.
AND, I got that pepperoni pizza I was craving! :D
Today I have to get myself mentally prepared for that D.D.S. appointment I have tomorrow.

So, does anybody have any goals/plans for this fresh new month?
I plan to remove things from the kitchen cupboards/cabinets, clean the areas and neatly put the stuff back in them.
Also need to get up there and clean the ceiling fan.

TTYS :)

Thank you, Tillie, for your encouraging words!!

back up post

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :D

Remember this is when we do the time thing.
Set your clocks back one hour.

Hi Anonymoniker :)
WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL! :D
WAY TO GO!!!
You have been doing a FANTASTIC job creating your fresh new life.
(((hugs)))
Finding something rotted, broken and peed on makes it so much easier to decide to let it go. LOL :D

Hi LR2014 :)
Thank you. :)
WTG! for all that hard physical work you did! :D
So sorry to hear about your wrist. :(
That's a good plan you have for it so just keep babying it.
There will be time at a future date to do some challenges.
Hang in there. :)

Hi AbiYah :)
Welcome to the message board. :D
Your story is amazing at how much you have been doing.
WAY TO GO!!! :)
It will be a pleasure to follow your progress.
Keep up the GREAT motivation. :D

Woke up today with a headache, took an ibuprofen.
Looking at my bed I think my headache is because Scooter (the cat) decided all his toys were cold so he tucked them all around in my bed during the night.
LOL :D
The day is sunny with a brisk cold breeze.
Dishes and laundry were all caught up yesterday.
Since this is the only Holiday I celebrate I will just be playing all day today. :D
But as always, I will do all the cat related tasks.
Scoop litter boxes, fresh water and fill kibble bowls.
Then take care of any of their little cat related issues throughout the day.

Remember the kids will be out running around the streets. Drive slowly.
Have a safe and frightenly great Halloween! :D

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :D

Remember this is when we do the time thing.
Set your clocks back one hour.

Hi Anonymoniker :)
WONDERFUL! WONDERFUL! :D
WAY TO GO!!!
You have been doing a FANTASTIC job creating your fresh new life.
(((hugs)))
Finding something rotted, broken and peed on makes it so much easier to decide to let it go. LOL :D

Hi LR2014 :)
Thank you. :)
WTG! for all that hard physical work you did! :D
So sorry to hear about your wrist. :(
That's a good plan you have for it so just keep babying it.
There will be time at a future date to do some challenges.
Hang in there. :)

Hi AbiYah :)
Welcome to the message board. :D
Your story is amazing at how much you have been doing.
WAY TO GO!!! :)
It will be a pleasure to follow your progress.
Keep up the GREAT motivation. :D

Woke up today with a headache, took an ibuprofen.
Looking at my bed I think my headache is because Scooter (the cat) decided all his toys were cold so he tucked them all around in my bed during the night.
LOL :D
The day is sunny with a brisk cold breeze.
Dishes and laundry were all caught up yesterday.
Since this is the only Holiday I celebrate I will just be playing all day today. :D
But as always, I will do all the cat related tasks.
Scoop litter boxes, fresh water and fill kibble bowls.
Then take care of any of their little cat related issues throughout the day.

Remember the kids will be out running around the streets. Drive slowly.
Have a safe and frightenly great Halloween! :D

During the later years of the continued hoarding (meaning up to later-mid June this year), I started organizing my hoarded stuff. I bought plastic boxes I could see through but labeled them anyway. For example, I have a box of games, another of Chanukah stuff, another of Passover stuff, another of jigsaw puzzles, etc. These are all stored in the basement, brought upstairs then they are needed, and returned in their boxes to the basement when we are through with them. We've lived in this house since 2001, and we've had one water leak. These boxes are 18" tall, so they will withstand most leaks/floods we may have. We hope! :D Sheets and pillow cases: The sheets are matched and folded, then they are stored, with the other matching pillowcase, in the second pillowcase. These are in cabinets in the room where they will be needed. Makes it easy to make a bed! Much of the items needed in the guest rooms are also stored in those plastic bags I can use the vacuum cleaner to suck the air out of before they are placed in the cabinets. All the blankets are stored like this in both the guest rooms and the camper. The camper's dishes, flatware, and other items are washed and stored in this type of plastic bags, too, so that when they are needed, they are ready. Just be VERY, Very sure they are absolutely dry. After believing they are all dry, I still let them sit in the bags, in the house, open, for a few days, just to be sure. I keep them out of the sun so that no condensation has any chance to collect.

I am strongly recovering from my hoarding, so since later-mid June, when I retired, I have been getting rid of stuff. Over this week, I have been cleaning out a large closet where stuff just kept being stored -- much of it paper -- some loose papers, much in notebooks, much organized, much disorganized. As of this afternoon, many of the notebooks were alphabetized and put in place in their cabinets in the closet. I need to work on this more, but I am well on my way. There is a soft, pillowed place there for me to sit and peruse the information in the notebooks or just read a book, or I can lie down there and read. The lighting is great. I also did a little extra, because my stepson and his family arrived tonight for a weekend stay. They loved the renovations in the two guest rooms, because all the hoarded stuff up there was sent to Goodwill over the last few months. Gone! Outa here! I can confidently write that I accomplished a lot. It's a good feeling. There is much more to do, but I am encouraged. :)

Hi to all. (Happy Nevada Day, Tillie.)

I'd mentioned last week that I'd been under the weather. I tried to do a tiny bit of outdoor work on Wednesday, intentionally keeping it light in order to gradually get back into the swing of things physically. Well, Thursday I tried doing a lot of outdoor work before weekend rains hit. I enjoyed the work I did, but I realized soon afterwards that I really overdid it. Not only am I sore, but I also seem to have significantly overused my right wrist. Going to be alternately icing it and putting heat on it today and making only very limited use of it. Because of that, I suppose I won't be doing a big anti-clutter challenge with you this weekend, Tatoulia, but I'll be happy to cheer you on in case you decide to do one yourself.

My tentative plans for today are to take it easy physically, to do a little paperwork, and perhaps to read.

Karl, I hope you found your papers you were looking for! Anonymoniker, congrats on making such huge progress on getting rid of things! Whoo-hoo!!

Hugs to everyone!

Happy almost Hallowen to all!!!
Tillie, you are quite an aming woman, and a true inspiration!
My place has really been shifting in a good direction! The 'shop' trailer is now getting cleared out, and i carried so many loads out that i had to replace the steps cuz they got close to falling apart! I am so ready to toss all of it! While ive been clearing out junk for hauling away, my new sweetie-pie had been beautifying the yard and it has made such a huge difference!
I spent the day looking for my old Catwoman suit to wear for Halloween, but when i finally found all the parts of it, the elastic had dry rotted and itd been sprayed by cats(ironically! ha ha) and just isnt quite what it was. My boyfriend has a very flamboyant work costume, that i cant describe cuz of the anonymity thing, but he wants me to dress in one if his costumes as his character's wife! I think that might be fun!
Im amazed how much things are finally falling into place! Being happy with what my life now has happening in it has really helped me let go of old stuff...in more ways than one! Lots of Love to all of you on this fun holiday! ~☆♡☆~

second post

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Karl :)
Hope your plans work out and you have a wonderfully good time Saturday. :D

October 31st is "Nevada Day". The day the state joined the union.
Because it officially falls on the weekend, all state employees get today off work.
So, he is home for three full days.
I want to get a pepperoni "take&bake" pizza from Papa Murphy's.
Last time I had pizza was in March when he was in the hospital and I was staying at Nate's house in Reno to be nearby during his surgeries.
Good News to report! The owl has been sighted in the area. That gopher's days are now numbered! :D
I should really go to the pumpkin patch today.
There is always a corn field maze there.
This weekend there will be hay rides and other old fashion country type festivities too.
They sell local produce and honey and other locally generated things. :D

Please check in here when you all can.
I post all my posts twice just to be sure one gets here.

TTYS :)

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Karl :)
Hope your plans work out and you have a wonderfully good time Saturday. :D

October 31st is "Nevada Day". The day the state joined the union.
Because it officially falls on the weekend, all state employees get today off work.
So, he is home for three full days.
I want to get a pepperoni "take&bake" pizza from Papa Murphy's.
Last time I had pizza was in March when he was in the hospital and I was staying at Nate's house in Reno to be nearby during his surgeries.
Good News to report! The owl has been sighted in the area. That gopher's days are now numbered! :D
I should really go to the pumpkin patch today.
There is always a corn field maze there.
This weekend there will be hay rides and other old fashion country type festivities too.
They sell local produce and honey and other locally generated things. :D

Please check in here when you all can.
I post all my posts twice just to be sure one gets here.

TTYS :)

back up post

Hi :)
Good Morning, still morning here.
Another partially cloudy rainy day but there is a strong freezing wind blowing.
Since there is nowhere I need to go I will just stay inside all day.
Monday I have a D.D.S. appointment for a little preventative/restoration work.
I would like to go out to the pumpkin patch and pick a pumpkin, they are free there. :)
We'll see....
Plan to do "pick up" tasks. That's where I go around and finish tasks that were done "good enough" for now but could use a little more attention.

Anybody doing anything fun for Halloween?
All the little kids around here grew up and moved away years ago so I don't get any trick-or-treaters any more.
Since I still buy candy, just in case, I get something that I like to eat. :D

Hi :)
Good Morning, still morning here.
Another partially cloudy rainy day but there is a strong freezing wind blowing.
Since there is nowhere I need to go I will just stay inside all day.
Monday I have a D.D.S. appointment for a little preventative/restoration work.
I would like to go out to the pumpkin patch and pick a pumpkin, they are free there. :)
We'll see....
Plan to do "pick up" tasks. That's where I go around and finish tasks that were done "good enough" for now but could use a little more attention.

Anybody doing anything fun for Halloween?
All the little kids around here grew up and moved away years ago so I don't get any trick-or-treaters any more.
Since I still buy candy, just in case, I get something that I like to eat. :D

back up post

Good Morning! :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
You did a FANTASTIC! job with your challenge! :D
WAY TO GO!!!

Lazy day here today.
Been reading stuff on the interwebs.
There is lots I could be doing but all work and no play makes me sad.
AS a kid growing up I had the kind of parents that always thought that you should be doing chores and never just playing or reading or doing homework.
As an adult they thought that as soon as I got home from working 10 hours all day standing on my feet doing surgeries that I should completely clean the house.
Well, as of today my father has been dead 15 years and he can no longer put me down for being lazy.
What is the point of living if we can not enjoy life.
Anyways, today is cloudy, windy and cool with a fifty percent chance of rain.
I have a can of peanuts that I am going to turn into toffee coated peanuts.
Other than washing my hair I have no other plans, will just play it by ear. :D

Next week I would like to challenge myself to complete some things around here that were started but never completed.
With him being in the hospital and then home recuperating all Spring and Summer there is a lot I have just put off doing.

TTYS :)

Good Morning! :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
You did a FANTASTIC! job with your challenge! :D
WAY TO GO!!!

Lazy day here today.
Been reading stuff on the interwebs.
There is lots I could be doing but all work and no play makes me sad.
AS a kid growing up I had the kind of parents that always thought that you should be doing chores and never just playing or reading or doing homework.
As an adult they thought that as soon as I got home from working 10 hours all day standing on my feet doing surgeries that I should completely clean the house.
Well, as of today my father has been dead 15 years and he can no longer put me down for being lazy.
What is the point of living if we can not enjoy life.
Anyways, today is cloudy, windy and cool with a fifty percent chance of rain.
I have a can of peanuts that I am going to turn into toffee coated peanuts.
Other than washing my hair I have no other plans, will just play it by ear. :D

Next week I would like to challenge myself to complete some things around here that were started but never completed.
With him being in the hospital and then home recuperating all Spring and Summer there is a lot I have just put off doing.

TTYS :)

Hello everyone!

My post from yesterday didn't appear, but that's okay, I know how hard Cory is working to keep us together!

Karl, I hope you find the papers. I spend my life hunting for stuff.

My missing post gave you the final tally, which was 29 out of a challenge of 60. I am pleased and felt very good about getting rid of 29 things. My counting method was far from accurate-- for example, all the papers I shredded counted as one item (one big trash bag) but the pill bottles in the kitchen were counted separately. The bottom line is I got rid of 29 items, I enjoyed doing it and I feel satisfied. Next weekend will issue another challenge to myself--maybe put away X number of items?

Let me know if anyone wants to join in! I do feel good with a challenge other than "clean house" or "get rid of stuff"

Much love to all. Good work, Tillie. Always love to read your progress!

Back up post

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO!!!! :D
Fantastic progress!
Your post is very motivational/inspirational.
Challenges can be a LOT of fun. :D

Hi Karl :)
Wishing you luck finding those papers!
They were probably put in a safe place since they seem to be important.
I have faith they will turn up. ;)

Yesterday I got a lot of cleaning done in here and three loads of laundry.
Ate lunch, watched "The Walking Dead" episode I had downloaded to my Android then took a nap.
Woke up and brought in the laundry from the clothes line, folded & put it away.
Today I will try to rearrange some things in my room to try to keep my doll house safe from that wire eating cat.
AND......
there is a plague ridden varmint digging up my yard/garden!
Stupid gopher. :(
Hoping the Great Horned Owl returns to hunt here soon.
They love eating gophers. :D

TTYS :)

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO!!!! :D
Fantastic progress!
Your post is very motivational/inspirational.
Challenges can be a LOT of fun. :D

Hi Karl :)
Wishing you luck finding those papers!
They were probably put in a safe place since they seem to be important.
I have faith they will turn up. ;)

Yesterday I got a lot of cleaning done in here and three loads of laundry.
Ate lunch, watched "The Walking Dead" episode I had downloaded to my Android then took a nap.
Woke up and brought in the laundry from the clothes line, folded & put it away.
Today I will try to rearrange some things in my room to try to keep my doll house safe from that wire eating cat.
AND......
there is a plague ridden varmint digging up my yard/garden!
Stupid gopher. :(
Hoping the Great Horned Owl returns to hunt here soon.
They love eating gophers. :D

TTYS :)

Hello!

Sorry you are hunting for something Karl. I hope you find the paperwork. I spend half my life hunting for things, it seems. Be sure to keep us updated!

I know what you mean, Tillie. The cats are just too cute not to forgive instantly. It's getting colder here in the Northeast so naturally my little buddy is getting more and more cuddly!

The challenge went well--I disposed of 29 items total. Short of the goal, just shy of halfway, but that is 29 things I wouldn't have done anyway. So for that I am grateful. I didn't have a method to count--for example, I counted the shredded papers by the garbage bag, but counted the two empty pill bottles as two things. My challenge, my rules. So I am pleased even though my goal was 60 items. The point is, I did something. And tonight it has motivated me further. And next weekend I will issue that challenge or another one. I thought another goodie would be to put away X number of items per room.

In the meantime, I am thinking of you all. Many thanks to Cory for his tireless efforts to keep us together.

Good to see your post, LR! Glad you are making progress on the vehicle!

So far my challenge is going well. I'm so pleased with myself. I'm not done by any means but shredded a lot of papers, which equals one bag of trash. I will do more tonight. Some of the items are larger than others, but I am getting rid of ten per room. Haven't taken anything out of bedroom yet but so far: kitchen-7, hall-5, living room-9, bath-1. Pretty pleased. Remember I'm counting living room as two rooms do I need to rid myself of 20 items.

I am throwing out, giving away, shredding and recycling. It's not a matter if putting things away--in this challenge, it is disposal.

I'll write again with final results and would love another challenge next weekend. It can be the same or different-- throw out an idea and I'll join in!!!!

Back up post

Good Morning Everybody! :D

Hi Roxie :)
"Clink!"
Wishing I was nearby to fatten you up with lots of home cooking. (((HUGS)))
WTG! for all the hard work you have been doing trying to straighten out the bills!
Take care of yourself, hang in there, post when you can.
We all need you here. (((hugs)))

Hi Tatoulia :)
One little snuggle from a cat is all it takes for them all to be forgiven. ;)
WAY TO GO!
Even though it is proving to be challenging, you have kept with it.
Good luck on reaching your ten item per room goal! :D

Hi LR2014 :)
Feel better real soon. (((hugs)))
WTG!
For all that you have accomplished!
Anytime you are free to challenge just post about it here and we will join in with you. :D

Yesterday I accomplished all I could without any help.
He won't be helping today either.
He is too busy. He dumpster dived a bunch of cardboard boxes this past week and he is now taking stuff from the wet/ruined boxes and reboxing it.
Then he is restacking the filled dry boxes right back under the carport where next rain will get them all wet. :/
Forecast says chance of rain here by Tuesday.
I give up.....
Anyways, today I will clean the kitchen and do a few more small tasks then rest up.
Planning to do general house cleaning tomorrow when he goes back to work.

Wonderful to read all your posts this morning! :D

Good Morning Everybody! :D

Hi Roxie :)
"Clink!"
Wishing I was nearby to fatten you up with lots of home cooking. (((HUGS)))
WTG! for all the hard work you have been doing trying to straighten out the bills!
Take care of yourself, hang in there, post when you can.
We all need you here. (((hugs)))

Hi Tatoulia :)
One little snuggle from a cat is all it takes for them all to be forgiven. ;)
WAY TO GO!
Even though it is proving to be challenging, you have kept with it.
Good luck on reaching your ten item per room goal! :D

Hi LR2014 :)
Feel better real soon. (((hugs)))
WTG!
For all that you have accomplished!
Anytime you are free to challenge just post about it here and we will join in with you. :D

Yesterday I accomplished all I could without any help.
He won't be helping today either.
He is too busy. He dumpster dived a bunch of cardboard boxes this past week and he is now taking stuff from the wet/ruined boxes and reboxing it.
Then he is restacking the filled dry boxes right back under the carport where next rain will get them all wet. :/
Forecast says chance of rain here by Tuesday.
I give up.....
Anyways, today I will clean the kitchen and do a few more small tasks then rest up.
Planning to do general house cleaning tomorrow when he goes back to work.

Wonderful to read all your posts this morning! :D

Wow! This past week seemed like a long week to me. Not a bad week . . . just a long one. I made some good progress about a week ago on my vehicle cleanout project. (I still have a long way to go on that.) I have spent a lot of my time this past week working outdoors, and I haven't gotten much cleaning/decluttering done. I did get some paperwork organizing done yesterday.

I realized a few hours ago that I hadn't even checked the message board during most of the last week or so, and now I'm really behind on posts. Just in skimming what I've missed, I noticed your weekend challenge, Tatoulia. I came down sick Friday and probably won't get much of anything done this weekend besides paperwork. If you decide to do another one of these challenges on a future weekend, though, perhaps I will join you! Wishing you well as you continue to work on it!

Glad to hear that the spamming rate is going down. Yea! Thank you, Cory.

Hello everyone. Good to read your posts. Dear Tillie, you accomplish so much and you are such a support for me. I admire your strength and perseverance. Your dollhouse sounds lovely and on behalf of all cats who have eaten/chewed/played with your things, please accept ou r apologies. We're cats. Cannot help it.


Hello Roxie. Good progress on the bills. So sorry to hear about the weight loss--you certainly cannot afford to lose any weight and I hope you can get your weight going in the right direction.

As for me, I am accepting my own challenge and see that I have lots and lots to do. Difficult to find ten things in each room, even though there are lots of excesses everywhere. So far I can count about ten things in the entire place that I have disposed of. I counted all the paperwork and Mail on top of the washer/dryer as one thing, and I've shredded it and not just churned it. I started another bag to goodwill and I took out four bags of recyclables. I will continue on my quest tonight.

Hello to Anony, CM, LR, Diane, Bitsy, Karl, and all others--whether named or not, I read your posts and am standing by your side

secondary back up post

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Sorry that your friend has changed/moved on.
Have a FANTASTIC time milling your beans! :D
Actually, even the small/tiny XMas lights are too big for the doll house.
It's the smallest scale 1/24 inch size.
Thanks anyways. :D

Hi Tatoulia :)
That's a WONDERFUL challenge you have set for yourself! :D
Seems like it would make a nice difference and not be too overwhelming.
Good Luck! (((hugs)))

I have a list of things I want to accomplish outside today.
The weather is cold early in the morning. Later,cool and warming. And sometimes very nice and warm early afternoon.
But over night it is getting down to freezing and I need to water everything one last time then disconnect the hoses, insulate & cover the faucets.
There are a few windows that I need to cover with plastic.
The evaporative cooler needs to be drained and covered.
And I still need to replace the door insulation strips that Scooter removed.
I plan to wash and bleach the litter boxes outside.
The lawn needs one last mowing too.
I can't do some of these things because I am a puny old woman with weak hands.
So, wish me luck that he will help.

I have been posting and then copying my post and posting it again and it seems to be working getting through. :)

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Sorry that your friend has changed/moved on.
Have a FANTASTIC time milling your beans! :D
Actually, even the small/tiny XMas lights are too big for the doll house.
It's the smallest scale 1/24 inch size.
Thanks anyways. :D

Hi Tatoulia :)
That's a WONDERFUL challenge you have set for yourself! :D
Seems like it would make a nice difference and not be too overwhelming.
Good Luck! (((hugs)))

I have a list of things I want to accomplish outside today.
The weather is cold early in the morning. Later,cool and warming. And sometimes very nice and warm early afternoon.
But over night it is getting down to freezing and I need to water everything one last time then disconnect the hoses, insulate & cover the faucets.
There are a few windows that I need to cover with plastic.
The evaporative cooler needs to be drained and covered.
And I still need to replace the door insulation strips that Scooter removed.
I plan to wash and bleach the litter boxes outside.
The lawn needs one last mowing too.
I can't do some of these things because I am a puny old woman with weak hands.
So, wish me luck that he will help.

I have been posting and then copying my post and posting it again and it seems to be working getting through. :)

Hello everyone! I am disgusted with my self and my house so I've issued a challenge. I need to get rid of 10 items in each room by the end of the weekend. Living room counts as two rooms and hallway counts as one. Wish me luck! And let me know if you want to join--any increment will do--10 items whole house, 2 items each room etc.

....oh, my weekend plans are im volunteering all day tomorrow at the mesquite bean milling! We mill the beans into flour that is super healthy! Sweet & nutty flavor and actually reverses diabetes! Ill have to get up at 3am! Fun fun! ha ha :D

....oh, my weekend plans are im volunteering all day tomorrow at the mesquite bean milling! We mill the beans into flour that is super healthy! Sweet & nutty flavor and actually reverses diabetes! Ill have to get up at 3am! Fun fun! ha ha :D

Wow, Tillie? You have a Pink Floyd lunch box?! Cool!!! Im glad you are feeling better and have a fun project. That is great advice about finding something you can control when you feel out of control! I have loads of string lights, like the kind for Christmas decorating. I wonder if they would work? I wish i could give you a nice clean set of them for your doll house?
I feel a little sad cuz my good friend and i had to hash out some disagreements today, and we are sort of growing apart....she was suppose to help me with loads to the dump in her truck, but ive had to find someone else cuz shes never available...its ok...i know people grow apart...i was paying her far more than i shouldve been, or than anyone else would pay....she kind of took me for granted...its ok...life goes on! :D

Emergency back up post ;)

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi Anonymoniker :)
WONDERFUL and uplifting post! :D
Keep up this GREAT momentum and soon you will have a fresh clean home. :)

Hi Karl :)
WAY TO GO!!!
Fantastic job you did on the storage unit! :D
Your new system will really be great when you just want to quickly grab something.
WTG! :)

Yesterday morning while I was vacuuming I was thinking about what was bothering me and if there was anything that I could do to fix it.
Something that I have control over.
Well, last week I discovered that "Pookie" my blue eyed albino cat has eaten the tiny string sized electrical wires off my doll house.
Now the lights won't work any more.
This really depressed me :(
So, I got out my "Pink Floyd" lunch box of doll house supplies, checked out my extra electrical stuff and started rewiring.
Now all the lights except for the kitchen work again.
She totally destroyed that fixture, can't be repaired, need to find a replacement.
Looked online and they are EXPENSIVE and hard to find 1/24 scale. :(
Now I will search around to find something suitable to make a light fixture with.
Checked here at home and found nothing but will keep an eye out when I go out.
I am feeling so much happier today! :D

When we find ourselves stressing about things we can't change it's time to look for something that we can change.

Friday already!
Anybody have anything fun planned for the weekend? :)

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi Anonymoniker :)
WONDERFUL and uplifting post! :D
Keep up this GREAT momentum and soon you will have a fresh clean home. :)

Hi Karl :)
WAY TO GO!!!
Fantastic job you did on the storage unit! :D
Your new system will really be great when you just want to quickly grab something.
WTG! :)

Yesterday morning while I was vacuuming I was thinking about what was bothering me and if there was anything that I could do to fix it.
Something that I have control over.
Well, last week I discovered that "Pookie" my blue eyed albino cat has eaten the tiny string sized electrical wires off my doll house.
Now the lights won't work any more.
This really depressed me :(
So, I got out my "Pink Floyd" lunch box of doll house supplies, checked out my extra electrical stuff and started rewiring.
Now all the lights except for the kitchen work again.
She totally destroyed that fixture, can't be repaired, need to find a replacement.
Looked online and they are EXPENSIVE and hard to find 1/24 scale. :(
Now I will search around to find something suitable to make a light fixture with.
Checked here at home and found nothing but will keep an eye out when I go out.
I am feeling so much happier today! :D

When we find ourselves stressing about things we can't change it's time to look for something that we can change.

Friday already!
Anybody have anything fun planned for the weekend? :)

..oh yeah, i meant to put what im doing today...the electrician is coming for another load; another old water heater, old trailer skirting, old broken heaters, fans, partially rotten wooden pallets, old car and truck parts, swamp coolers, etc....yuck....but he is thrilled...and so am i!!!

Yesterday was an amazing day of accomplishment! My electrician friend came for 2 more loads of junk(treasures to him) while my new boyfriend cleaned and beautified the front/side yard(which part of that is healing a severe trauma i cant get into). The pile i had been working on for the dump on Friday, the electrician kept pulling stuff out of, so i kept having to add to it! ha ha Between my boyfriend gently confirming 'toss it. Junk is junk' and my electrician being like a kid in a candy store 'salvaging' some of the grossest stuff you can imagine, it was better therapy than i couldve ever hoped for!!! My place is actually becoming less overwhelming, and i can almost feel it being nice! I think a part of it for me is its become easier to let go, because i want to embrace my new life with my new boyfriend! The more i let go, the more freedom i feel!
I hope all of you realize you can do this and it could pick up momentum just around the next corner!

Good Morning Everybody :)

Over the summer I forgot just how cold 40 degrees really is.
There are a million different things I could do today.
Some stuff needs to be done soon but I just don't want to do it.
Would like to crawl back in bed and pull the covers over my head and wish the world away.
Need to find some way to get me out of this depressing funk, always feeling like something terrible is just about to happen.
Right now it's cold and cloudy outside but if the sun breaks through I will get out there.
The chrysanthemums and marigolds are all in bloom. :D
The house could stand a good tidying up so I will get busy doing that while I wait for the sunshine.

Missing you all (((hugs)))

second post ;)


I don't know what it is like to work on producing a television program but I do know what it is like to work on a movie production.
They are probably very similar.
The day starts at 4:00am.
While having breakfast the whole crew discusses the days plans, safety is always the first priority, trouble shoot any issues, makes sure to keep good PR going with any locals then do make up and wardrobe.
Natural light is very important and as soon as the sun is up the work begins.
At around noon there is a break for lunch.
An hour later we are all back to work and work until the sun is setting.
After work sometimes there are business dinners where the next days shooting and other important things are discussed.
We all try to be in bed asleep by 8:00pm because 4:00am tomorrow morning comes fast.

Thank you Cory for being here for us. :)

Second post to make sure at least one gets posted. :D

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Cory :)
Wonderful to know the spammers are on the run! :D

Hi Everyone :)
Cory spent a whole Saturday morning trying to set up a system that would allow us to post and keep spammers out.
He tried lots of different programs that did not work and had to settle on this one since it was the only one that functioned.
We all know that sometimes our posts didn't appear with the old system and it just seems to happen more right now.
So please be patient, post often to get through.
This is not the way it will be forever. :D

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Cory :)
Wonderful to know the spammers are on the run! :D

Hi Everyone :)
Cory spent a whole Saturday morning trying to set up a system that would allow us to post and keep spammers out.
He tried lots of different programs that did not work and had to settle on this one since it was the only one that functioned.
We all know that sometimes our posts didn't appear with the old system and it just seems to happen more right now.
So please be patient, post often to get through.
This is not the way it will be forever. :D

Sorry guys. I am approving everything that comes through, and that is clean. Not sure why some don't show up. Good news is, the spammers are going away.

Well, I made a post this morning
the message said it was received and pending approval
guess it got sucked up into oblivion.

It was a good day here, sort of sunny and cloudy, sorta cool and warm.
Had to get out another blanket for the bed because it gets below 60 now at night.

Hang in there everybody. :)

Wow, Critical Mass, i really like your view on honoring the family member's death by breaking the hoarding cycle! That is a beautiful way to see it!
Congratulations on getting your storage unit reduced! And what a great idea to put that spammer to work helping! ha ha Ive seen that same spam all over the internet!
Im actually getting down near the end of my yard junk, especially after having some taken yesterday, unexpectedly! Im now having to start planning what building to approach next...in some ways that feels scary, but it also means im accomplishing my goals!!! YIPEEEE!!!
Tillie, i keep trying to think how you could get some compromise happening with your boyfriend. My parents bickered over my Dad's junk for years. Their sistuation was much simpler, tho. My Mom's complaint was seeing his stuff piled up on the garage porch out her kitchen window. I repeatedly suggested they put a wood fence type partition across it and have my artist sister paint it or grow flower vines in front of it, which would have allowed each of them to win, but for them i think the bickering over it was somehow preferable. Tillie, your situation seems much more challenging. I hope he comes around. You seem to be a wonderful woman and very deserving of a nice space!
~Happy de-hoarding to all!!! :D :D :D

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
FANTASTIC!!! WAY TO GO!!! :D
With the non-shopping! :D
That's GREAT that the laundry is done!
Hoping you got the one little task accomplished and feel GREAT for having done it. (((hugs)))

Hi Anonymoniker :)
GREAT that the electrician took most of that dump load! :D
Purging is really a good way to also purge all and any negative emotions laying around the home.
Letting go of all the physical things holding you in a frozen state frees up your inner space allowing you to grow. (((hugs)))

Hi Critical Mass :)
WOOHOO! WAY TO GO!!!
Even without your minions you have accomplished a LOT! :D
That is a wonderful way to honor the memory of your relative by decluttering in their name and memory. (((HUGS)))

Hi Cory :)
That's GREAT news that this is helping to discourage the idiot spammers! :D
Good Luck with the production. ;)

Thank You! :D

Still a little drizzly here, partial cloudiness too.
Good day to find stuff to do inside.
The cats are mad at me because they placed an order for warm and sunny, not cool and wet days.
Time for me to get dressed, scoop litter boxes and then I should vacuum and think about what else I am willing to do. :D

TTYS :)

Hello everyone again!

I miss the days when I was reading the posts daily. Hope to soon be doing that again. Sounds like everyone's doing well though, and that Cory's got the spammers on the run. Go Cory! Too bad they have so much extra time on their hands, isn't it. I'd like to put 'em to work helping me in my storage unit and if they made any snarky comment or rolled their eyes I'd go all Judge Judy on them: "SHHHH!!" Hee hee!

Anyway, it's fall, that fun transition time, too much to do whether it's activities or winterizing or whatnot. But - I have done some good in the storage unit! Woohoo! Two sessions now. I really still need those minions but I have been able to do some good on my own. The weather got windy here, and may rain this week. But I did do some.

There was a death in my family and I don't know when the funeral will be or whether I will get to go. I have agoraphobia and can't drive myself on highways and the cousin who usually takes me is out of state. So we'll just have to see how that all plays out. The relative who died was a hoarder and I figure even if I don't make it to her funeral, I'm honoring her memory by breaking the cycle, making positive changes, and encouraging others in their efforts to do the same.