Veteran's Day

Good Morning :)

Bought groceries yesterday so no need to leave home for the next week. :D
Have great plans for today...
Soon as the sun is up the cats & I are going outside.
We will light the burn barrel and do some gardening.
We've been looking forward to a day just like this for a very long time. :D

Great to hear about all you did today, Tillie. I hope to have another 2 hour session cleaning very soon. I bet if I just put the music on I'll find the will! Because of my progress this week I felt energized by all you accomplished!

Very tired all day. Napped after work then went over to mom's just to check in. She and her cat are doing great. Glad to hear Marty had some nice time outside!

I am going to shower and climb into bed.

i am doubling and tripling my efforts to be kind, understanding and gracious.

Marty you did it!

Being worn out today I doubt I will find the strength to dance and clean. I will be climbing under a blanket as soon a day my work is done. And tomorrow is another day.

I knew the deal going in/someone would win and someone would lose. And so now I look around and say, the world will be a better place so long as I am kind and understanding.

Glad you have sunshine, Tillie. We had a nice morning sun but now appears to be cloudy.

Thanks Tillie! I definitely noticed the improvement when I walked in the house after work. I can also see what else needs to be done which is good! Hope to have another energy spurt very very soon.

I am sore from all the dancing and cleaning last night! Great feeling.

Hope all went well at the vet. I'm getting ready to go to friend's house to watch the results come in.

WAY TO GO!!!!!! Tatoulia! :D
That's FANTASTIC!!!
Time to do "The Happy Dance" for you! :D
WOW! you did sooooo much!
Make sure to take the time to enjoy the fruits of your labors.
(((HUGS)))

Marty goes back to the Vet today and I hope she says he is all better now.
His ear looks all wrinkly now, maybe it will look better some day.
If the Vet says he is all done there I will finally be able to let him go outside again.
This week is supposed to be dry and warm in the afternoons.
He really misses going outside.

After Marty's doctor appointment at 3:00pm we will swing by the polling place and vote.
This community is so small that there is never a wait to vote.
Just walk in, sign in, get the card for the machine, vote and we're done.
And we get the sticker to prove we voted. :D

Finished up strong with cleaning bathroom sink and vanity and toilet bowl. Going to put vacuum away, shower and call it a night.

Tillie I enjoyed reading about your garage sale and other activities. I take Marty is doing well?

Cat dishes. Not car dishes. You'd think by now my phone would understand I'm always talking about cats.

Well something overcame me tonight and....

Shampooed and vacuumed rug
vacuumed Oriental rug
dusted living room, desk, dining table and chairs, side tables
Swept
Cleaned bathtub
Polished some silver
Shredded, shredded, shredded (Ollie North would be so proud)


Pretty pleased. All done in the last two hours.

Need to put furniture back, rinse out tub one more time, put out all clean car dishes

Still lots to do but I'm happy.

We had early voting this year and so I voted probably ten days ago. Didn't have the fun and fanfare of the usual voting day but it was just around the corner, a beautiful day and why not. and still over an hour wait!

Hope everyone is well. No idea what got into me today but so happy to get so much done. Special thanks to streaming on Pandora and Stevie Wonder.

Don't forget about voting while you are out tomorrow. (Unless you have already shown us all up and voted early by mail!! :) )

Elk meat and raw honey sounds like frontier living. I'll starve if the trucks stop.

HI Everybody :D

Hi Tatoulia :)

HI Anonymoniker :)
Hang in there (((HUGS)))

HI CriticalMass :)
I sure do know about what you mean about that fast paced rat race and insane traffic.
I'm sure that when the time comes you will be ready to get back out there. (((HUGS)))

Well...
The two day yard sale went FANTASTIC!!!
We sold so much more than I ever expected to.
Sold most ALL the big heavy stuff and lots & lots of smaller stuff.
When we cleaned up this afternoon there was hardly anything left to put away.
Visited with neighbors from all around the area and friends from town.
I was given 2 pounds of local raw honey by the local bee keeper and a pound of elk meat from a local hunter. :D
I am filthy and sore/achy and exhausted.
Over the years we have had about 7 or 8 yard sales together and we have it down to a science now so this final one before they move turned out to be the best one ever.
Time to take a shower now but 5:00pm is too early for bed yet, hope I can stay awake a little longer, ;)

Hi all,

Mildly productive day. First one in awhile I haven't had to go anywhere, and I'm liking that. This time of recuperation has been like a retreat in some ways. I have mixed feelings about getting back out into the "rat race." On one hand, I like having my freedom to come and go, but I don't miss things like fighting traffic, worrying about drivers who don't think the rules and stoplights apply to them, etc. Or kids who run wild in stores and about ram into me.

Plus the pace - it just accelerates, it's hard to plan meals (I want to avoid getting back into the junk food/too much food thing) and budget gasoline and all of that. Right now things are more orderly. Hoping I can just eeeeaase back in when the time comes! It's still a couple weeks away.

Today I entered about 3 months' worth of receipts into my budget spreadsheet; that gets those papers out of the way. And more to come. Yesterday was payday so my friend took me around to get bills paid. I just have a couple - my utilities are included in my rent. What I do with the remaining two is get cash, because if I do checks or even debit card, I've noticed these two places take a long time to get it through the bank, which can mess me up keeping track and not double-spending money! I'm learning some tricks to avoid nasty surprises!

Oh wow, I just looked up and it's nearly 4:00 and I haven't even had lunch! Glad everyone's doing well. More later!

Tillie, im so glad you took that thing off of Marty! I miss you guys! Im trying soooo hard to get unstuck.....then this morning and all day & even still, my ex is texting me all this love and regret talk....part of me has been wanting that, but there is no way i can divert any focus onto him or anything besides getting my place fixed up...the only way i could even have a guy in my life at this point is either him helping me fix up my place, or a once a week visit....and emotionally, i refuse to get derailed anymore that my crazy procrastination already does to me....((((((MEGA-CYBER HUGS TO ALL!!!))))) ~♡~♡~♡~

Tillie, im so glad you took that thing off of Marty! I miss you guys! Im trying soooo hard to get unstuck.....then this morning and all day & even still, my ex is texting me all this love and regret talk....part of me has been wanting that, but there is no way i can divert any focus onto him or anything besides getting my place fixed up...the only way i could even have a guy in my life at this point is either him helping me fix up my place, or a once a week visit....and emotionally, i refuse to get derailed anymore that my crazy procrastination already does to me....((((((MEGA-CYBER HUGS TO ALL!!!))))) ~♡~♡~♡~

It made me so happy to see all of your posts! Pleased to hear from each of you.

Going to bed early for a change-thanks for all the happy news. Yes anony the Internet is a thief. It steals our time and our evenings. CM a giant congratulations on your progress. Tillie, you are wonderful in so many ways. I'm glad you and Marty reached a decision today.

Thank you all for lifting my spirits. Each of your posts spoke directly to me.

Hi everybody!
Ive been trying new things to shake myself out of my bizarre stuckness & one thing that has helped a lot is getting away from the internet! I have been clinging to the edge of desperation with all this for far too long. Im really needing to change my whole routine.....i will be back when i have some good news to report, instead of my usual whining.... ~♡~

Hi everybody!
Ive been trying new things to shake myself out of my bizarre stuckness & one thing that has helped a lot is getting away from the internet! I have been clinging to the edge of desperation with all this for far too long. Im really needing to change my whole routine.....i will be back when i have some good news to report, instead of my usual whining.... ~♡~

Well, the Cubs won! I got so tense when the Indians tied it up in the 8th inning that I decided I'd watch the 9th then go to bed and make myself calm down and pray my Rosary, then of course afterward I peeked and saw that the Cubs had won. :D LOL!

That sequence of events may sound a bit extreme, but I can get so intensely emotional about so many things. It's how my brain is wired. Right now, while I'm healing and renewing and putting new ways into practice for my health's sake, I literally became concerned what the stress hormones might be doing to me. Probably being a bit too much of a worrier, but I just felt the need to exercise some mental and spiritual self-discipline.

Yesterday's doctor appointment went well. Last year about this time I had been very depressed and had a blubbering meltdown in front of her which was very embarrassing. So it was so cool to be able to go in there and report my happiness over my flatter tummy and my weight loss (total of 15 lbs. since April!) and be all smiles instead of tears. Got flu and tetanus shots. I'm not old enough or in a risk group so didn't get the pneumonia - doc didn't think Medicare would go for it. I think they should - if I were to get it and be coughing I'd blow out all the good the surgery did. So I'm going to see if I can get it through the health dept. Having the flu one will of course help lessen my chances of pneumonia, so that's something.

I feel like I'm kind of off-topic, and yet it does pertain to decluttering, because clutter accumulates when we're physically, mentally, and/or emotionally not in a good place to deal with daily life - and it starts to be easier to get rid of when we're on the upswing. I'm on the upswing, except for the lifting restrictions that I'm going to have to find some way to work around. For right now doing small things like papers - I sorted some today already - is a good start. Later on, I hope I can find some helpers to lift things for me.

Pats and headbonks to Marty. Hugs to everybody! And to any Cleveland Indians fans, your guys did great too. That series could've gone either way. :)

Good Morning Everybody :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
Your mac & cheese sounds so YUM! :D
WAY TO GO!! with puttering and daily maintenance!
So wonderful that you feel the joy of having your home a tidy relaxing sanctuary.
(((HUGS))) :)

Hi Joan :)
Hope your drops work for you :)
Happy you can eat cheese, I can have a scant amount once in a while or I get debilitating migraines, especially from cheddar.

Hi CriticalMass :)
Not being able to drive is the equivalent of a cone of shame.
(((HUGS)))
Hope your shots get done.
Sometimes I wish there was a distemper shot for people. ;D
You wanting/needing "down time" away from obligations is your body's way of telling you to just hole up somewhere and rest more.
(((HUGS)))
Doing small decluttering projects is GREAT progress because those small tasks have to be tackled sometime eventually anyway. :D

Marty is still in bed, resting.
I think getting the stitches out yesterday has made him more comfortable, less irritation on his ear.
The cone of shame is to keep him from scratching while the suture holes heal shut.
Very cold and damp here this morning.
I still need to cover two windows with plastic, maybe I will get to that today?
Want to insulate the outdoor faucet but it is leaking and he needs to fix that before I can wrap it for winter.
He said OK, he will do it later, it's later. :(
Neighbor friends have until November 11th. before they're moved out. :(
I'm sure going to miss them.

Just thought I'd say "Hi" to everyone.

I got some allergy drops last week. They are customized to the patient's allergies by an allergist. The drops were very helpful, but too strong. I got a bad reaction in the middle of the night. Today I picked up new drops: same formula, but MUCH more dilute.

If this works I should eventually be able to eat more foods. It has bern years. All I can safely eat is cheese, chocolate, and fish (tuna fish). Gets boring. Would like to go to lunch more.

Hope Marty feels better soon.

Oh Marty I am so sorry! Your vet sounds perfectly dreadful. If it's any consolation, we hate our vet here too.

Tillie I am keeping the liquids in me and staying warm. I also dusted the bedroom so imagine my happiness. These maintenance things make me so happy. Its been a while since I've dusted and it felt good. I also switched out some of the things on my bed tables. I do need to tackle my dresser.

Puttering music will help. I made mac and cheese with sun dried tomatoes for lunch, figuring the salt would encourage me to flush the fluids and the sun dried tomatoes would provide some vitamin c. Just the boxed shells and cheddar but still pretty tasty. I get the sundried tomatoes that are not in oil, just dry in a packet like raisins. Makes it easy to toss them into and onto things.

As soon as my work day is done I hope to do some more puttering.

Marty, keep your chin up. Poor thing.

Oh how nice to have your laundry hung out, Tillie!

I am home today because I woke up with swollen glands and I am hoping to head off anything worse. I'm able to work from home so I won't need to use a sick day. Company is very good about things like that, and I'm grateful.

Am washing my duvet cover--like to freshen it up before putting it and comforter on the bed.

It was great to get up to a clean sink and one clean counter today!!! Need to hold onto this feeling.

Have Marty check in later-- need an update!

NOVEMBER ALREADY!!! :0

Good morning everyone :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO!!! :D
Hope you and Kitty had a peaceful time under the blanket (((HUGS)))

Have one load of laundry hung out on the clothes line and the next load washing.
Marty (the cat) goes to the vet this morning.
Hope he is all done with that "cone of shame"!

TTFN ;)

Got garbage out. Need to shred papers for the next garbage pickup. All laundry done, folded and put away. Will empty dishwasher and call it a night. Goodnight everyone. Hope you had a wonderful Halloween.

Hello everyone!

Tillie I'm working on my kitchen today. All dishes done and I'm working on counters. One counter free and clear. Washing cat's blankets right now. CM keep resting up! You are so good to help your friend and I'm glad it was a little bit of an eye opener, Anony thanks for th drive-by.

I am trying hard to stay off the internet and do more. The Internet is tiring, I think. If I'm more active I have more get up and go.

I have to confess that Halloween scares me a little. Did as a child, too. I'll just join kitty under her blankets at some point. 🙂

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :D

Hi CriticalMass :)
In the middle of Tucson was a park with a baseball field and a BIG sign stating it was the winter home of the Cleveland Indians.
As a kid I used to go there often and watch them play.
Once they gave me a signed baseball.
Happy you did not lift things while helping your friend (((HUGS)))
Of course you are exhausted from helping, the mental part is more tiring than the physical stuff.
I am very happy that you are recuperating well and don't need things in easy reach any more.
Please continue to take it easy and soon enough you will be 100 percent.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Nice to "see" you ;D

Hi Everybody else :)

Yesterday I brushed Marty for at least half an hour and he never wanted me to stop brushing him.
Today I must clean the tiny area by the back door.
Wash the walls there, clean the light fixture, etc...
Lots of dirt gets tracked in there from us always using the back door and the litter boxes are there so lots of litter dust.
Then I will cover that ancient cracked back door with plastic to stop the cold wind from blowing in through there.
That's it, that's enough for one day.
Then I will wash my hair and take the afternoon off and watch the latest episode of "The Walking Dead"
Today is my favorite holiday. Have my pumpkin carved, roasted pumpkin seeds and candy.
I'm good to go! ;D

Everybody have a wonderful and safe HALLOWEEN! :D

~Happy Halloween, everyone!~ :D

Happy Halloween, everyone! And welcome to new posters!

I'm glad the Cubs won the game tonight - maybe they still have a chance against the Indians (apologies to anyone from Cleveland).

Finished up my helping my friend with her move. I'm inspired to do more about my own clutter because I've been where she is, and if I would have to move or anything right now I would be again. It's frustrating not to be able to tackle it in a big way due to financial and health constraints, but that's no excuse not to do what little things I can.

Tomorrow I can do some laundry, rest (because this helping my friend did take energy even though I avoided forbidden activities such as lifting). And maybe clear some of the post-hospital stuff from my bed - early on after getting home I put stuff right on my bed within easy reach but now some of it can be put away as I'm getting around much easier.

Good luck to Marty this week! Glad he enjoys the face washing. :)

Hoarding hides a lot of secrets and hurts.
Many people hoard as a means to try to protect themselves physically and/or emotionally.
They hoard because they are afraid of what the future may hold for them, poverty, loneliness, more emotional or physical pain.
They hoard stuff because stuff will not desert them or abuse them.
They hoard to fill an emptiness in their souls.
They hoard to try to come to grips with grief.
So many different reasons why someone would hoard.
Some people hoard because it's has been found to be a genetic link in their makeup.
Some people have brain injuries that affect the portion of their brains where keep/toss decisions are made logically.
Some people grow up in hoarded homes and children learn what they live, they know no other way.

I went to a couple church services today which helped me deal with the negativity of a bad situation for a more orderly life. The ministers at the churches deal with all types of problems, hoarding, 12 step programs, offering help and solutions. Long story on the problem situation, I can see some of the causes, but maybe hoarding hides a lot of secrets. (You're only as sick as your secrets)

Thanks for the support, Tillie.

Another day where I slept til 11--did get up to feed kittycat. Last night brought over dinner to mom's and we had a very pleasant evening. Today I took her out for a little ride and some groceries. I was able to think clearly and get some things for myself including staples like tuna. Have been out of everything for a long time. Hopefully can eat better now that I am starting to restock the pantry.

All dishes done, all recyclables gathered, washing some fleeces and other things that have been just sitting there since last Spring. Put all groceries away, which is a habit I need desperately. After I eat tonight I will put on some music and start puttering.

Hope Marty can hang in there for a few more days. Glad you were able to start your end of summer work, Tillie. Please take good care of yourself! And Happy Birthday to Nebraska!

Happy Saturday, everyone.

It is so peaceful having this day to myself. Have not heard from brother and I'm not worried. He lives in a beautiful place and has a good support system in the building. They will teach him about going to food banks and doing other stuff to make his money last. I don't know how long this will last so I will just be peaceful and grateful for not having all that tumult in my life. For now.

So I stayed in bed til 11 today! I did get up and feed the kitty and take my meds. I'm having first cup of coffee and running the dishwasher. Have some errands that I haven't been able to do due to lack of money. I have to be very careful while I get myself back on my feet. I really let guilt and fear and other things take over and I spent everything I have on brother trying to make things better. I'd be so fearful to tell him I don't have $ that I spent up to limits on all credit cards and have been going without lunch.

Will enjoy my coffee and then go change the sheets.

Tillie so pleased about your new plants. I'm glad Marty is doing okay--it's so hard on both of you. I love you for washing his face and I love him for enjoying it so much.

Hello everyone!

Well another month is coming to a close and I haven't finished a thing around the house. I think I'll have more time to myself. I have stayed strong in my Tough Love with family member, I miss him but need to get myself together here.

Tillie and CM--take good care of yourselves. It is rainy and cold here so after getting home I hopped into a nice warm shower.

Tillie how is Marty?

Well Dave, Anony, & Ready, check in when you can.

I need to make a firm plan here. So close yet so far.

Hi tillie
Hope you continue to feel better.

sounds like you're getting some nice things. that yard stuff can be kind of expensive. Do you have a little garden shed to store it in (or can you temporarily appropriate a little space in the garage)?

Getting something from someone else's plant stash is nice too. Hope you're able to add some beauty and variety to what you have.