CM no pressure (take care of yourself first!) but it is such a pleasure to see you posting again!

I bought this car used over 8 years ago. I've changed battery once (about 8 years ago) and I've changed the tires and I got new windshield wipers. Oh and after an accident it was repaired (not my fault so no deductible). So I've put very little into it over the years. It had 72k miles when I bought it and it has 93k miles on it now. I think I can get about 4K for it, which would make my life so much easier. it still has a lot of life in it, as it is a Toyota. I just want to dump it to help solidify that I'm not going back to spending time with sibling. After I have eliminated my debt, which I see as being in about 20 months, I'll think about buying a new car. I only bought this one because it was coming off a corporate lease at the office and I "won" the raffle to get it at a steep discount. I had gotten rid of my beautiful 3 year old German Engineering car when I took my present position because I couldn't justify having a car like that when I didn't need it for work anymore. And the raffle came up about a month after I got rid of the car. And this car has been so good to me. I don't want to get to the point where I'm putting $ into it. Not interested.

So I've done one load of laundry and I'm working on bedroom now. Dusting.

I'm so sorry I've been babbling lately. You all are helping me so much with finding a better life for myself. Thank you.

Hi again

Tatoulia, I sure hope your mechanic can keep your car going as long as you still need it.

That was supposed to be the plan for my van, but then the final cascade of parts breaking one after another made it clear that it wasn't meant to be.

Just a little while ago, the salvage guy came and paid me for the old thing. I gave him the title and that was that. Last time I saw the van was this weekend when I went by my mechanic's driving that U-Haul. But I'd already "said my goodbyes" a couple weeks ago when I retrieved my tools and things from it.

My mechanic went to bat and negotiated more for me than the going salvage rate with this guy he knows. It's not a lot but the extra is a blessing.

I'm kind of exhausted (oh no, not another car part pun!). So I'll sign off for now, but I'll be back here more often like I used to be. All the best to everyone in the meantime.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you're cooking, Tillie!

We just dropped my car off at the mechanics. We shall see. I told him I'm just looking to have it last til August then I'm getting rid of it. He will call BF to discuss rather than me.

I wore one of my T-shirt dresses and it felt great.

Now to put the music back on and start checking more things off my list.

Good Morning Everybody :)
"Clink!"

Hi CriticalMass :)
So good to hear from you!
I am glad that you have come to terms with the demise of your old vehicle.
Even while still owning that van you have been without a working vehicle far too long for too many times.
My fingers are crossed that this will open up new brighter vehicle possibilities for you. ((((HUGS))))

Hi Anonymoniker :)
YES! WTG!!! for having what you need in the new truck right where you need it! ;D

Hi Tatoulia :)
Good luck with all your cleaning plans for today! ;D

I'm doing laundry right now.
Going to be a beautiful sunny & hot day today, up into the 80s.
Then I plan to do some food prep so I have some real food to eat whenever I get hungry.
Then I will clean the kitchen again.

Bathroom sink, vanity, baseboards, floor done. Onward and upward

Anony we cross-posted! Glad you have your water and lip balm with you! Good decisions!

Good morning! It's cleaning day for me!

Enjoyed everyone's posts! Had a good chuckle that Tillie must brace herself for the package's arrival on June 18th! CM I hear you on running the windshield wipers when you meant something else entirely! So happy that hear from you!

So we've learned the blue-eyed white cat isn't an electrician! Kitty needs to find another field. I'm thinking napping.

Well I made a list of things to clean. I'm hoping to
Use it for focus.

Coffee clinks!

~☆~Coffee & catnip clinks!~
Tillie, when i break out the catnip, the kitties seem to get more aggressive with each other?!! Even with the kitties at that last catlady job?! I want to grow a patch of it tho, with some flowers for butterflies,too! When my cat clawed me yesterday, i felt like it was her dislike for a change in the smell, but later yesterday the lavender scent was gone & im still going to vacuum, but ill wait till shes hanging out away from the RV or she will really be mad at me...ha ha Thanks for the earthbag link! When i first started watching the videos on it, i didnt have as much data as now, so i want to watch that whole thing this time. I love the idea of a whole family making their own spaces together! Thats something i love about this method, it is accessible to anyone!
CM, i did that same thing when i rented a U-Haul truck! I got used to a newer layout of controls...yes, on the side of the road for each...ha ha...but it kinda did push me in that direction!
Tatoulia, i hope you enjoy another day of stress-free-non-siblinging!
SubC, happy vacationing!
My water mug is staying with me all day today! With my stainless steel straw, ice & my beat up plastic box it sits in! HA! And my lip gloss! HA! ~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~

Hi, on the occasion of remembering fallen heroes and the unofficial start of summer. It's hot here and going to be hotter and/or stormy this week. Yuck. We did have a nice spring, though - all 3-1/2 hours of it.

Some beginnings of breaking the logjam I've been stuck in with my van's slow painful demise. Am hoping this week will see it off to its final resting place. This could happen as early as tomorrow.

I'm coming to terms with that being a salvage yard instead of it being able to be sold to some guy who tinkers with cars and could squeeze a little more life out of it. I doubt anyone could. The Obama "Cash for Clunkers" program led to many older vehicles being crushed, then the aftermarket parts makers stopped making and carrying parts.

Be that as it may, I did something interesting over the weekend. My roommate was going to be out of town, and I didn't care for the thought of being stranded - so I rented a U-Haul vehicle, a cargo van. I was planning to do storage unit sorting and taking extra stuff from the house. Didn't get a whole lot of that done due to unexpected things cropping up.

But it was just such fun to be able to DRIVE. And since my newer minivan when I locate one will have newer controls unlike my '87 rattletrap, it was a chance to familiarize myself with those. I got to the point where I wasn't putting on the windshield wipers every time I went to shift gears!

If I can, if it takes awhile to find a different van, I may rent the U-Haul again a time or two. Especially if a stretch of cool weather happens when I'd be able to do some storage sorting.

Tatoulia, it's interesting coincidence that we're both getting rid of vehicles. For me it feels like a leap of faith. Even though the old one doesn't run, it's going to feel a bit weird not to own anything at all. But it'll also be a welcome closure to a stressful, trying time.

A Youtube video of a family building an earth bag room.

earth bag building

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Scooter used to do that reach out and snag me with a nail.
It was just his feral way of saying "HI ;D"
I finally taught him not to do it so much.
Cat mint (catnip) is very easy to grow and I use it here to pacify the cats.
I sometimes bring in a bunch of fresh picked stalks of it and just toss it on the carpet.
The cats start eating and rolling around in it and quit their fussing. ;)
In my garden I'm always getting different strange cats loving on the cat mint.
They are happy and not looking to fight with other cats.
Anyways, I'm always telling people who live with cats about my success using that cat dope.

Hi Tatoulia :)
Happy you & Mon had a good time today! :D
Going carless is very doable in a city.
Out in the sticks it's impossible to go anywhere.
Hope all your car plans go smoothly.
Here, the doctors and hospital are at least 75 miles away.
There used to be a bus here that would regularly go into Reno and it was great for doctor appointments but the bus is no longer in service.
Whatever happens, hold onto that precious parking space until you know for sure you will not need it again. (((hugs)))

Got warm enough today to used the cooler.
No rain forecasted.
Happy everything is well watered now since it's supposed to be in the 80s this week.
Found out what was causing the doll houses fuse to blow out.
Somebody, and I'm not naming names here, ate the black electrical tape off a wire splice causing the ends to randomly touch each other, blowing the fuse.
Darn blue eyed white cat! >:(
Got an Email notifying me that my amazon order has shipped and to expect it to arrive about June 18th.
HAHAHAHAHAH LOLOLOLOL ;D

Anony I am sorry you are fragile right now. Sending you strength. I agree with Tillie that you need your water and other things nearby so you have them. And don't compare yourself to anyone because we like you as you are! Inspiring, kind, resilient, creative, etc. kitty's just bring a pill, by the way!

Tillie how great to be outside with the kitties! I've just gotten in now and I want to sleep so badly but instead I'll put some music on.

After great fun with mom I returned the rental. Then BF and I drove around the city. I stopped by mom's to make her bed but she had already done it! Yay mom!

Bf said he'd go to mechanics with me. And we've formulated a plan. If we can drop a new battery in it, keep it working til, say August, then I will sell it. I have a series of doctor's appointments outside of the city and so I will need a car til mid July. I can use the $$ from the car to pay down some debt. I'll keep my parking space for a few months in case I decide to buy a new car. (It is worth it as I pay at a discounted rate and I don't want to lose that advantage too quickly. The building has changed hands so I won't have any relationship to fall back in to get a discount). I'm ready to go back to being carless. I don't have the money to buy a car for cash the way I did this one and I don't want to add a monthly payment onto my budget. I no longer have sibling every Saturday (and this will help solidify this) and the woman who uses my car for her son can make other plans. She survived without it before and she can survive after. It's been a great convenience for her and it's been a good use of my car.

So those are the thoughts rattling around in my head. I'm just ready.

~♡~ =^-^= ~♡~
.....well, i wanted my cat to communicate what she wanted in her RV, and i was even asking her while using the strong smelling, but natural lavender soap...then as i left, she dug a deep & distinct message-claw into my arm~♡~ha ha~♡~

~☆~Iced coffee clinks!~
Im gearing up to clean part of one of my cat's RV. She sprayed the part id cleaned before, right in front of me. She has never done that inside of it in front of me. Its not like id just done that part. Kitty communications are kinda confusing. It is so gross like it is now...
Tillie, i rarely try to be normal cuz i know better, but im completely at odds with my eccentric self with my space being nice, or being easy. Im sure some midpoint would be good...happy mediums are often very challenging for me. I do know my old beat up broken water mug box is going in my new truck until i buy a fresh, new one!~
Ive been kinda fragile the past few days, but ~Gratitude & Humor~ are a big help!~☆♡☆~

Good Morning Everybody :)
"Clink!"

Hi Subclinical :)
How wonderful to hear you are having a lovely, relaxing, renewing time.
You deserve it! (((HUGS)))
Choo Choo... ;D

Hi Tatoulia :)
You & Mom have a most wonderful adventure together today ;D

Hi Anonymoniker :)
A word of advice here...
Quit looking at those "normal" people and comparing yourself to them.
Most of the "normal" people I have ever know have what they need right where they need it.
Live your life the best way for you. (((hugs)))

Cats & I are going outside in a few minutes and water the trees.
Then we will water the lilac hedge and rhubarb & roses.
When that is done we will decide on what else we want to do this beautiful warm and sunny Memorial Day. :)

~Good Morning!~
Tatoulia, sometimes even if a man knows nothing about cars, if he asks questions & is in the equation, youll get better service!
SubC, have a happy vacation! You sure deserve one!
Tillie, your dollhouse sounds really sweet & fun!
I realize i need to strike a balance of more stuff in my truck & bed than 'normal' people, but not overkill, like i tend to do. When i try to be normal is when i get into trouble & get depressed, etc. Im gonna add a few more at a time to my truck & the box of stuff could maybe just sit on the bed, which is huge. My new truck hasnt been on a trip to the dump yet & that is coming up! That will be a nice step of independence! Im trying to balance cleaning up old stuff, without throwing out stuff i may need, and without having a shed to put it away in?!? My friend is gonna help me with the panels next week. That will make an enormous difference, so im excited about that! ~☆♡☆~

Coffee clinks!
SubC! Glad you are getting some restoration time! It is so good to take a break! And I'm thrilled that the train set is out of your studio!

Tillie, I'm glad to hear we still sort our laundry the way our mothers and grandmothers did. Sometimes downstairs I have to empty the dryer and there will be towels and underthings and jeans all in the same load. That is insane.

I'll call mom in a few minutes to get her up. She'll be thrilled for the adventure of taking the ladies to their boat.

Tillie thanks for the support of my idea of letting BF handle the mechanic. I haven't asked him yet so I'll have to get his thoughts on that.

I will do a little around the kitchen before getting dressed.

Quick pop-in, i'm the only one awake because my body doesn't know I changed time zones and am on vacation.

We brought my son his electric train, which he is happy to have and which frees up space in my home studio.

I am having a lovely, relaxing, renewing time. I think I will be ready to see my environment with new eyes when I get home.

Hi Tatoulia :)

Good idea to have BF talk with the car mechanic.
I totally understand your logic on this one.
YEA!!! for having a fabulous day today! ;D
I also sort out laundry as to fabrics and colors and wash cycle.
I think it's the best way to get the best results.
Plus smaller loads are easier to fold and put away. ;)
All alone in your whole building?
Must be so quiet!
Sleep softly and have another fantastic day tomorrow. (((hug)))

Hello Anony and Tillie! Great to read your posts!

I'm sorry you lost your cat lady job Anony. You seem to be taking it in stride! I'd forgotten you have a new truck. Can you reconsider some of your choices and go back to having a water jug in the truck? I am in constant need of water. Always thirsty.

Tillie you had a great day with your dollhouse! I hope the new plates are pretty!

I picked up my rental car this AM then picked up my friend and her girlfriend from Great Britain. We had a fabulous day together. They are going to Cape Cod tmr and I'll pick them up and drive them to the boat. I'll probabky pick up mom first and then go for groceries with mom. Then I have to return the car the night. I've decided to ask BF if he'd deal with the mechanic for me. I could do it but I'd like him to do it for me. So I'll ask and see what he says. I thought I could drop the car off and ask the guy to call BF instead of me. This way BF gets his questions answered and I don't have to think.

I'm waiting Bf for my laundry to finish so I can go to bed. I like separate laundry based on colors and fabrics. So I'm doing my towels right now and just my towels. I don't like to mix in pjs or other thinner fabrics. And I'm doing a load of dark delicates. Again, it's a tiny load but I don't mix things up.

I don't think any one is in my building right now. I'm just so tired and ready for bed.

Hi Anonymoniker :)
What I keep in the car at all times is Kleenex, sanitizing wet wipes and some kind of hard candy mints.
Steven does not feel those things are necessary.
The things he keeps in his truck are things that I think are not necessities.
Same goes for the bedside tables.
The main thing he feels is a major necessity is a loaded handgun in the vehicles and nightstand.
I personally do not feel that this is such a dangerous place to live.
Crime rate is very minimal and is very seldom violent attacks.
Usually just people stealing from their work places.
I guess it all depends on the person's personal preferences.

Well, I was doing some electrical work on the doll house and managed to blow out the fuse for the doll house electrical system.
I asked Steven if he had any like what I needed and he had one.
Then he told me to go to an auto parts store to buy some more or go on Amazon.
So I went on Amazon and found what I needed, a whole bunch at a great price.
Now I can blow fuses all I want! ;P
Anyways, since I was on the site making a purchase I went ahead and ordered a set of 6 tiny assorted painted designs on porcelain plates for the doll house.
I know I did not need them but they were so pretty and affordable.
So keeping up with the "One In/One Out" system.
Now I will get rid of the 5 tiny painted plastic plates that are in the doll house that were ok but not all that great.

~iced coffee clinks!~
Tillie, yes, that is absolutely true! I have seen that a lot, however, i mean how almost everybody drives around with no conveniences in their car, no water, tissue, flashlight, tooth picks, & i could go on & on & on. And a bed with nothing in reach. It is standard for like 90% of people. I dont think they are suffering at all. I dont know what they do or if they ever notice it being a hassle. Maybe it isnt?!? That is what confuses me. And the other thing i realize is such a big factor is plain ol poverty...i dont think that is even a factor in the workbook, 'Buried In Treasures'....its a big factor in real life...not the only factor, but about 40% of mine~

Hi Anonymoniker :)

Your rhetorical question...
I have noticed that some people enjoy making themselves experience suffering and being miserable.
Somehow they derive pleasure from living the "martyr" syndrome.
Gives them a LOT to complain about and a feeling of superiority to those of us who prefer a few creature comforts. ;P

Sorry about the Cat Lady job but like you say, it could have kept you from working to improve your own home.

Thanks! Interesting little fact about the soup Nazi. ;D

Going to open the front door and allow the cats out.
Overcast but warm with no wind.

~☆~Coffee clinks!~☆~
.....also, between not wanting to trash out my new truck, and having just cleared my bed to change my sheets, i never have anything i need handy! It is not necessarily better having nothing around?! Im almost always dehydrated driving without my huge mug that keeps ice all day on the floor in a box, my notebooks are out of reach, etc., etc., etc. How in blazes do people prefer this?!? (That was a rhetorical question) :D

~♡~Good morning!~♡~
Tatoulia, im glad you are still going strong with your free-of-abuse experience! ~♡~
Tillie, that 'soup nazi' episode is a favorite of mine! And like most Seinfeld episodes, it is based on a true story! The town i do the farmers market in has a baker that will put his 'Closed' sign up & lock the door if tourists try to come buy his bread. He only wants to sell to locals...ha ha :D
SubC, Tapping Therapy is based on Chinese medicine, that our emotions are blocked & can be released by tapping on meridian points while thinking of the problem with a positive reinforcement, much like accupuncture, but easily accessible to anyone. That has been a theme ive been interested in lately; things that are easily accessible, seem like nature's answers~☆~
Ive been pretty bummed cuz a volunteer came along & took my catlady job....however, if id stayed & worked there for free instead of on my own place, i might be kicking myself, too....

Good Morning Everybody :)
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO!!!
What a wonderful post!
You have overcome so many different obstacles.
Breaking the chains of consumerism is very difficult because everywhere we look, we are always being bombarded with advertisements telling us that we must buy & buy more & more.
True and lasting contentment comes from within. (((HUGS)))
I'm so happy you have found some casual Summertime clothes you like! :D

Nothing much happening here today.
Will do cat chores and continue to futz around with the doll house. ;)

Good morning! I'm up early! Going to pick up car in a little while. Need to shower, etc.

I've unloaded the dishwasher. I'll take the recycling out when I go to get the car.

I am sleeping very well these days. In addition to not being stressed by family, I've had two other things that have helped me immeasurably. I'll tell you about them at the end of the week, as one hasn't been completed yet.

I feel like I'm getting my act together in a lot of important ways.

Oh! I had ordered a few summer t-shirt type dresses and four of them arrived yesterday. Of the four, I am keeping two! So I've done it. I have my casual clothes. I'll take the other two back this week. I think there's still one more to be delivered but I have what I need so that one will go back too. Unless it makes me reconsider one of the others.

I can't wait to see if I get any $ for that bag. If not, I've gotten rid of it and the space is nice too. The consignment shop will donate it or return it if 1) it is not authentic or 2) if it doesn't sell. I chose the donate option. I do know that it is authentic because I bought it at the now defunct Filene's. I wish the tag had still been on it as I remember solidly overpaying for it but feeling that it was a bargain. Thank you everyone here for teaching me about non-bargains. I don't do that anymore.

Because of my work here,
I no longer buy multiples for ?Justin Case'
I no longer buy multiples because of good deal
I no longer see myself as someone who has just whatever so-and-so needs; the places that have those things are called STORES
I no longer buy something just because it is cute/on sale/reminds me of something from my childhood
I am able to carry things around in the store for a while and then put back
I'm learning to decide between two items instead of just getting both.

I have time to think and breathe now. Pretty nice.

Great project today, Tillie! Your dollhouse sounds so nice. I can think of very few things as wonderful as a dollhouse.

I'm not worried about the car. Whatever happens will be a relief. Either fixing it for short money or selling it. I'm able to weather the storms better without having to factor in sibling's reactions. Yes mom is sweet. I'll take her out Monday with the rental car. I'll run car over to mechanic on Tuesday AM and then find out what we are going to do. Hopefully just plop a new battery in it. BF got to the garage before me, so he'd already spoken to the mechanic who said that it tested fine earlier in the week. The fed ex guy also thought it was the battery. Who knows? It's been a problem for a little while including I had trouble starting it on Mother's Day.

I haven't done any more cleaning here. I am going to bed now. I'm tired. Bf is working.

The temp is dropping rapidly and there's big wind. I have both bedroom windows open and the ceiling fan on. Tomorrow is going to be wet and raw, which is actually one of my favorite weather combinations.

Thank you for the reinforcement on the dirty house/hot weather. My friend will not be available on Tuesday so I'll be able to clean (as planned!)

Goodnight dear Tillie.

Hi Tatoulia :)

Your Mom was happy because she considered it all a great adventure. ;D
Wonderful spirit.
YEA! for man purse being on it's way to a new life!
You originally thought the battery needed replacing
so it may be some loose connection with that system
that can come and go at will...?

Replaced all the glass (plastic) windows on the doll house today.
Had the new better plastic sheets and decided to do that before I do other stuff since window work might mess up stuff in there.
This tiny house has 16 windows and a dormer window above the front door.
Was looking around on amazon yesterday at doll house furnishings/accessories and saw some things featured that I have been picking up at the thrift shop.
There is no way I could afford to have ever bought them if it were not for thrift shop prices.
Doll houses are a very expensive hobby!
Good thing I am easy to please with whatever I can scrounge up second hand.

I think I must have Anony's mechanic. A few days after my car's clean bill of health, it died while out with mom today. The fed ex official ex was lovely, large and air conditioned so we sat in there. And my man purse is on its way to the consignment shop. BF came out and he gave it a boost. Took a while. He then drove mom in the air conditioned car and I drive mine with the windows open. Every stop light they'd open their windows and talk to me. Mom was having a blast. She's so good natured.

We got to the mechanics just as he was closing up, so I'll take it on Tuesday. He said it could be something draining the battery.

I've rented a car for the next two days. Even after all if that today mom said, thank you for the lovely time. She's so sweet. Plus I could tell she was having a blast with BF in the car. He's so charming.

We have decided not to sink repair costs into it beyond very minimal repairs. I saw the woman who uses my car to get her son to and from school just to let her know not to take it. She was good with it.

How is the dollhouse, Tillie?

Good Morning Everyone :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
WTG! for laundry! :D
Have a wonderful time with your Mom driving out to the Fed-x depot.
Yes, in the Summer heat and high humidity you get extra miserable when your house is dirty.
This year I really hope you can look around your home and see just how much better things are there. (((hugs)))
Have a fantastic time tomorrow visiting with your friend. ;D

No laundry to do, kitchen is clean, rain watered the garden...
Other than cat related chores, today my plan is to leisurely play/decorate/rearrange the doll house. ;D

SubC! You found the right person for the job! Now send that kid over here! I bet he loved having his talents used and appreciated. I am so proud of you for getting this done!

Tillie?I bet you feel good knowing the you have homemade foods ready to eat! And WTG for getting the kitchen all clean and tidy!

I am sore today. in a good way. I have the man purse in the box and I have tape to get it closed. I will be taking mom out today so I thInk after I pick her up I'll stop by here to get the box. It's too big to carry. I found a fed ex location a bit out of the city that has parking. So it will be great. Mom is up for any ride, any activity, any time.

When kitty woke me up I immediately stripped my bed and put the sheets in the laundry. They are drying now and I've run a small load of delicates that I will hang to dry. I haven't yet put sheets in my bed but will do so soon. I'm running the dishwasher. I haven't been keeping up here at all and I need to do so! Hot weather is here and I need constant reinforcement of how unhappy I am with a dirty place when it's hot.

I see my friend tomorrow. Her friend from England arrived so all of us will go out tomorrow.

So, what are you doing today?!?

Hi Subclinical :)

YEA!!! WTG!!!
So wonderful that you had some great help too!
WAY TO GO!!! OCD Kid!!! ;D
Yes, sometimes we just have to accept that not everything made these days can be recycled or repurposed. (((hug)))
Hope you can get some good rest this weekend. :)

Finally finished washing dishes and the kitchen is all wiped up and back to "DONE".

I am exhausted and emotionally rung out.

My car is packed full again - a load every day this week, but My classroom looks amazing! I turned the ocd kid loose on it. He was so happy when he left - I think he had been wanting to do that all year. And I hope he knows how grateful i am.

There is a woman on the board who comes in and helps with the organizational aspects of cleaning every summer. When she sees my room, she is going to ask if I was fired!

I even filled a huge black trash bag with things I had to accept had no other destiny.

Tomorrow I go to see my boy.

Hi Tatoulia :)

Yes! I'll bet you're sore, but just wait until tomorrow when whatever doesn't hurt too bad today really kicks in. ;)
WAY TO GO! for feeding the hungry!
Enjoy the evening with Ms. Kitty (((hug)))

Did a lot of baking and cooking.
I like having ready to eat stuff in the freezer,
keeps me from snacking on easy to reach junk.
All those tomatoes Steven brought me are now nicely simmered into seasoned sauce.
Soon as it cools enough I'll freeze it for when I am ready to make spaghetti or something.
Perfect weather to have the kitchen all toasty warm.
Washed some dishes as I was cooking but still have some more to get to yet.

I'm back! What a productive day! There were 13 of us volunteers and it went very smoothly! We served 126 women and children! Soup for everyone! Talk about unused muscles? I can already feel it in my legs and arms. And my feet are hurting.

We could either tie our hair back or wear a hat. After I washed my hair this AM I immediately pulled it back. Didn't bother drying it.

Tillie I hope I can adapt to the sadness. It's funny, but I find it sadder that my father is dead today than it did at the time. The passage of time blurs some things but brings other things into sharp focus. I will continue to let myself feel how I feel. I've still only had one sad day re sibling. I'll haven't had to Be Strong yet since I've felt no desire to get back into that situation.

I left my purse, keys, etc at BFs this AM and then when I stopped by to see him and pick up my stuff, I accidentally left my glasses at his office. When he discovered it I was halfway to the grocery store so now I'm waiting for him to bring them to me. Going to the grocery store was a big mistake as I hadn't eaten and I got very shakey. Plus it's hot today! The walk back home was miserable.

But I'm here, well fed, cat by my side, and as soon as he brings my glasses I will take a shower. I know if I hop in the shower now he'll show up.

Good Morning :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
Do you have to wear a hair net at the soup kitchen?
Sorry, but I just keep thinking of that Seinfeld episode where the mean man says "no soup for you!"
People usually say that grief or sadness will fade away/lessen after a time.
But in my life I have noticed that it never truly fades, we just adapt to living with it. (((HUG)))

Another rainy day predicted for today.
I have some laundry on the clothes line.
Yesterday I finally discovered where Twinkles hides when I absolutely cannot find him.
He is snuggled into my clean sheets on the shelf in my closet.
So... I needed to rewash some of them.
The closet has no door, just a drape over the opening.
The sun was shining through at sunup but now the rain clouds have moved in.
Going to be such a dark & cool day so I think I will do some baking.
Then clean the kitchen again.

Good morning! SubC I can picture it! And it's hilarious! Good work getting those goats wormed. I'm sure it's physically taxing. 21 goats! You are amazing!

Tillie believe it or not, as you were describing the weeding chores, I was thinking how much that must hurt. Very physically punishing.

Sounds like my coffee is ready.

Thank you for supporting me. I am so relieved not to be abused. Only one day was I depressed and sad about sibling. I am not out of the woods as this type of sadness will never leave me. But no one gets out alive, so to speak, so it's a matter of dealing with my sadness and looking to make my life, and hopefully others' lives, a little more bearable.

Good Evening :)

Hi Subclinical
That would be a fun activity to watch at the county fair. ;D

Hi Tatoulia
I think it will feel real good to have that man purse gone.
You never used it, never needed it, didn't even really like it.
Was one of those purchases made just to buy something I guess. :)
I can't tell you how relieved I am that you are no longer subjecting yourself to that abuse.
Stay strong (((HUGS)))
Good luck at the soup kitchen and YEA!!!! for vacation! :D

Nothing but reruns of "Supernatural" until next season.
Nothing interesting on PBS.
The Hawaii volcanic activity videos on Youtube are amazing.
Had a little more rain this evening and now there is a brisk cool breeze tinkling my wind chime.
To weed the garden I sit on a little low gardening bench/stool, bend over and pull the weeds within my reach.
Move the bench around to face other weeds when one small area is done and continue to pull weeds.
Sounds physically easy doesn't it?
It's not. My body is not used to the positions/contortions and now I am getting sore & stiff.
Finally got all the dirt out from around & under my finger nails but my fingers are stained greenish from the weeds.
But the garden looks so lovely and the blooms are wonderful and there is the promise of still more flowers to come.
I had Humming Birds visit with me as I worked out there!
Well worth a few aches & pains.

I wormed all the goats.

I don't know anything about worming horses, but here is the thing about goats
- they do not like to be caught.
They do not like to be weight taped
They do not like to have a syringe stuck in their mouths.

But they do really like the taste of the wormer.

So the goats you did not treat yet are running away, and the goats you already treated are climbing on you trying to steal your syringe.

I have 21 goats, so I'm sure this was very funny.

Hello everyone!

My vacation starts tonight! My friend arrived last night. I'm not sure when I'll see her. Her friend arrives from overseas tonight. We have plans for Sunday and I'm not sure if I'll see her before then. She wanted to have lunch tomorrow but I'll be at the soup kitchen.

My sibling stopped by to see BF today. Earlier this week Bf had offered to buy him sneakers and he said he found a pair at store xx at mall yy. He had a complicated story around the sneakers and they were two to three times the cost of the sneakers they were looking at earlier in the week. BF said, great, just wait til employee comes in and I'll take you and sibling said no, I want the $$. And bf said no. Bf said he could tell by the way he was asking and the look in his eyes that sibling just wanted $$, not the sneakers. He said he's seen that look in other people's eyes over the years (where they have a story and just want the money) and he had to say no now, otherwise it will be a regular thing. It will never stop. He said he kept thInking about the time I ran over with food and medicine for the sibling, only to have sibling scream at me, "just bring me the money, you %*%}*@&" and he threw the food and the medicine into the street.

I do not miss this. Not for a second.

I'm relaxing with the cat now and thinking about Tillie's clean, line-dried laundry. Keep up the good work, SubC and Anony! My trash and recycling are out. Clean kitty box.

Tillie you have a very good understanding of hoarding and clean up. Learning the emotional issues through you and others here has helped me let go. Now I say, I've loved it long enough and I send it on it's way.

Someone at work gave me the right-sized box so I can pack up the man purse. Unbelievable-I wish I knew how much I spent on it. I would guess 400 or more. Never carried it. I have the shipping label. So I'll just have to figure out where there's a nearby fed ex drop off. Easy enough to do. If I get even $50 I'll be happy. If I get nothing, I'll be happy to see it go.

Hello :)

First thing this morning I washed and hung out a big pink cat blanket.
Then I got out and did a LOT of weeding in my flower/herb garden.
All this rain sure has the weeds growing!
Got half that area done "good enough".
Yesterday all my laundry dried before sundown so I brought it in, folded it and put it away and then it started raining bucketsful and lasted for hours.
More rain predicted for the near future.
After over 20 years it is so wonderful to have a Spring that is what normal here used to be. ;D
Just 12:15 here now so plenty of time to do something else today.
But first I'll have some lunch. :)

Oh, and Anony, what is "tapping therapy"?

Tillie, I realize that a lot of it comes from the conditions of the house and that the people on the British show are catching people much earlier, but I also think the show itself tends to show the worst parts because that is what the American audience wants to see.

The first episodes of hoarders were much closer to the British version. Although the British version still shows a lot more positive interaction between the therapist/family/friends and the hoarder and a lot less of the actual mess. One house clearly had a mouse problem and they just showed one shot of paper with mouse poop. In the same show they showed the cleaners (wearing protection) carefully pulling dishes out of really gross packing material to be cleaned and they commented on how sad it was that something so important to the person had gotten into such a state, sounding actually sad about the situation. In "hoarders" the same box would have been thrown into a dumpster (maybe due to time constraints) on camera and the comment would have been more like how sad it was that the person let this happen - I am sad that this person is so dysfunctional.

But again, it is the audience. There are hours of film in both cases and the producers show what they think people want to see. Whatever the actual experience of the people on the show, the British audience is enjoying a heartwarming story of how mental health and cleaning professionals can help someone and the American audience is enjoying a cautionary tale of what happens when you refuse to face your daemons.

As someone with daemons in the basement - I prefer the first story.

Good Morning :)
Clink!"

The hoarder next door is a good show and you can watch it on Youtube.
"HOARDERS" is formatted the way it is because the people who apply for the show are in very desperate situations.
They are facing having their children taken away by CPS or having their homes condemned by the city or being placed in assisted care, etc.
The workers on HOARDERS are trying to comply with the orders of the city, health department, CPS/APS, fire department to help the people keep their homes and/or children.
There is a strict time limit on when the home must be in compliance, not the shows decision to move so fast.
Before taping, the people have meetings with psychologists who specialize in hoarding.
During the show they have access to therapists.
After the show they are offered therapy but many decline the help they are offered.
When items are contaminated by human or animal fecal waste or mold or dead creatures they can not be recycled or donated.
The items must be disposed of properly. Sometimes taken to special hazmat waste sites where they are incinerated.
"1 800 GOT JUNK" does sort out their truck loads of household waste when it's not contaminated stuff.
They RECYCLE what can be recycled.
What "HOARDERS" is showing is what can and will happen if intervention/help never happens before things get so bad.
This message board and the Steri-Clean company are here to give help to all of us so we can dig out in a slower more controlled way before we are all buried up to our eyeballs in clutter.
And by working slower we can all learn ways to help keep us from back sliding into squalor.
The "HOARDERS" people know that a fast clean out against the persons will is not the ideal way to proceed but they are there to try and comply with the court orders the people have been given by the city.
The drama on "HOARDERS" comes from the people fighting to hold onto all the stuff even though they know they will lose their kids and/or homes due to the court orders.
"HOARDERS" shows the worst case scenarios but the professional cleaning companies, when hired do not work so fast and furious for lesser jobs where the clients are not facing homelessness or losing their kids.
They work with the people and try to help them achieve their goals as to what they want or do not want removed from their homes.
If you hired a proper certified professional cleaning crew/hoarder remediation team they would help you sort out the treasures from the trash.
They search for valuables and important documents and special sentimental items in all the clutter.
They would advise you as to things that are hazards/dangers in your home and help you get your home a safe and sanitary place to live.
But the cleaning company would never just throw out anything you did not want tossed.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you could really use this help do NOT be afraid to call them.
We all get older or develop health problems that make hard labor impossible or even just the daily chores to keep up our homes.
If we are also dealing with overwhelming STUFF
that can and will just snowball into something impossible for us to handle all by ourselves.
Before my home is condemned by the county I will definitely call for help and know that my wishes as to what to keep or toss will be respected. :D

P.S. I know all of this to be true because I have had long conversations throughout the years with all the cleaning crew companies, organizers, 1 800 GOT JUNK, therapists and psychologists associated with the "HOARDERS" show. ;)

~♡~Coffee clinks to all!~♡~
Tatoulia, the man purse sounds like a good thing to sell! ;D
Tillie, im so envious of all the storms youre getting! :D
SubC, i have never watched the hoarder shows, but what you described is exactly why i would not & have not watched! TV has gotten scary sensationalized in the past 25 years that i havent had it, but aside from, there is an attitude about 'hoarders' that seems wrong to me. I would watch one on YouTube if it were actually more helpful & not just being mean to the people for ratings. Maybe ill check for that British one? :D
I have a new dress i love! I pushed myself to buy it & im glad!
I also started something called 'Tapping Therapy' I like many things about it!
I changed the sheets & now have yet another box of stuff that was in the bed, of which there are many bins, boxes, & laundry baskets filled with important things from changing the sheets, all over my house.

Just hung up my clothes. Also a cute t-shirt dress. So I did a good job yesterday. I also put back two things that fit and looked good but I knew I'd never wear.

I got a chuckle out of "man purse" Tillie! Your day sounds lovely and you were easily able to shrug off the weather and laundry situation! Well done!

SubC I will look for the show. Do you know if it is on Netflix? It does sound like it's the kind of work we are doing here, with the right amount of Tillie encouragement and Tillie wisdom!

I bought a bagful of clothes. I made good decisions, I think. I have two skirts, one sweater, two tank tops and a blouse. Plus a necklace and two pair of socks/the little ones that are more like cotton liners. I think that's it. I haven't hung up any of it yet.

Ok time for work, my dear hearts. Tmr I work in soup kitchen. I remembered to take my sneakers out of the goodwill bag. I got everything dropped off yesterday, including the windshield wipers I bought for my car that didn't fit. They were still in package. I like to think they will make somebody happy.

Oh! Car is running like a dream! The neighbor mentioned it too!

I've been watched my episodes of "the hoarder next door" which is British. It strikes me as so much gentler than "hoarders" they work with the person for six weeks and send cleaners/organizers in near the end. There isn't the same level of squaloror melodrama.

They also seem content to let the person choose to end up with a much larger quantity of stuff as long as it is clean and neat.

They also sometimes leave the process unfinished, but it isn't like in hoarders where they start out saying "we are going to completely clear this out, oh no, we only did the living room, failure.." it's more "we are going to teach this person to make decisions and let go, let's see how far we get, success!"

In one episode the therapist asked the person to start by cleaning off a chair. In another, it was see how much you can put in this small bin in an hour. Then they move on to larger stuff - an easy room or category, then a harder one.

It seems healthier to me. Maybe because it is more reflective of my journey.

Also the show seems more focused on recycling and charity and not just "let's throw everything away as fast as possible"

Sometimes when I watched hoarders, I would get angry at the waste and at the way I felt they were further traumatizing people. I am curious about the long term outcomes for the two groups.

Hello :D

Hi Tatoulia :)
WTG! for all you did today! :D
I never wear shorts. It's either a dress or skirt for me in Summertime.
Hope you can find some things you are comfortable in.
Yes, looking forward to your time with a nutritionist!
This way you will lose weight in the healthiest way. ;D
Good luck selling that man purse.

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Ok...
about time the stars and planets aligned for you.
Hoping your meditation is going well (((hug)))

Hi Subclinical :)
WAY TO GO! getting the classroom mostly finished.
YEA! for a loom!
My thrift store right now has a very large "blanket size" loom.
Yeah, your thrift shop probably couldn't even sell those old cassette tapes.
At least you tried to salvage them (((hug)))

Had a really good time in town this morning.
Had conversations with several humans and also got my beeswax.
Found some other things at the thrift shop that I wanted.
Came home by 12:00 noon and completely filled the clothes line with freshly washed laundry.
Just in time for there to be a cloud burst that was a real gully washer.
No time to bring it all in, the rain happened so fast & furious.
Maybe by 9 or 10 tonight it will be dry. ;P
Anyways... happy I got out for a while
in a much better mood.