~☆~Coffee clinks!~☆~
Tillie, what im suggesting is just to volunteer maybe even just an afternoon a week or whatever youre comfortable with? Most places welcome that, and from there youd have an opening to a new world, new people, being appreciated, all sorts of things that could change your life in a positive way? ~♡~

~♡~Good Morning, all!~♡~
Last night i had a long post that i accidentally erased...#@*&!
Tillie, i bet you would be an asset to any animal clinic, sancuary, vet office, thrift shop or anywhere that is service oriented, to help with the same sorts of things you do at home & are wonderful at, just enough to trade for some help here & there? Ive done this too, especially when i was desperately needing help & a job, both?! This catlady job came from that, too. Just a connection for resources can make an enormous difference & will likey lead to even more help, friends, connections, opportunities, and independence, etc. ~♡~
Tatoulia, im glad yall are being adamant with brother, and are developing plans! And im so glad you arent alone in this! ~♡~
SubC, you are such an inspirarion for reducing waste! Now that the bee hive in my dumpster got eaten (?), i can start using it for recycling, since i had to get a 2nd one! It should keep out the javalina much better! ~♡~
Well, ive been feeling angry at this new guy more than is reasonable for such a new relationship, so im gonna just avoid it. Not to rant, but, he tried to tell me the adobe blocks take forever...?!? The wooden form i made, with NO carpentry skills at all, would be simple to make another, thats 10 blocks a day in maybe 2 hours. That is 70 a week without much effort. How in blazes is that too slow? Its like hes scared im gonna really do it....which kinda motivates me even more...ha ha I honestly cant think of anything better that building a mudpie house, being a catlady & hanging out with women who share these things, too! :D
~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~

Giant hugs to you, Tillie. That must've been really hard. has he changed the filters yet? I will reinforce with mom the excuses. Good idea to rehearse.

SubC! I am so pleased that the in-laws didn't stay with you! I remember this time last year you had a lot of school supplies to bring home and I remember how well you managed that despite all the construction! I know you can do it and we are here to shore you up!

honestly you have opened my eyes in a new way. We do have a good recycling program in my city with twice a week pick-up and no special requirements. We have two large bins out back. We can also use clear plastic bags. I tend to use the paper bags that kitty litter comes in. But honestly it is shocking how much packaging is used. No wonder I used to have a terrible box problem. I would save the nice clean boxes. It then never really use them for anything. With the advent of Amazon there are just so many cardboard boxes around and it is such a waste.

And just like that, I'm late for work.

Hi everyone!

I have been reading, appreciating progress, and sending good and hopeful thoughts for everyone and their relationships. (Anony, I think this guy may be another frog) but too busy to post.

Graduation was very nice. My inlaws did not come home with us and were not too much of a blemish on the experience. Harder on dh than on me. Good time with parents.

A lot of stuff came in with Dd, and it is the last three weeks of school, so classroom cleanout has begun (many things come home with me over the summer)

Crowded and messy and a lot to work on and no time to do it, but I will get there. You keep inspiring me (and tatoulia, your notes about avoiding waste pick me up!) carry on!

Great BIG (((HUGS)))
for you, BF and your Mom.
Good plan to make up excuses.
Rehearse what the excuses will be.
About dresses blowing in the wind, wasn't it Marilyn Monroe in "Seven Year Itch" that made it famous? :)


Well, I went out into the garage this evening to speak with him.
He eventually agreed to change the filters.
He was positive that he had just done that very recently and I reminded him that it was exactly one year ago it was last done.
I was quite nauseous all the time I was talking to him and I think the fear that at any moment I might vomit on him kept him from any violent outbursts.
Win, win...
LOL ;P

Tillie You cracked me up about your skirt blowing! I had a dress that used to catch the wind and I would be unable to stop laughing as I tried to gather it around me. I would howl as I tried to control it. Well it's someone else's problem now.

Good job at the Dollar Tree!

I just talked on phone with BF for about an hour re sibling. I Also had s long talk with mom. He has seen him twice since the whole big scene. BF just stays quiet and so far sibling has behaved himself. However, sibling has now been to mom's twice and has been screaming and very nasty. I worked with mom tonight re coming up with excuses when brother calls. BF will also call mom to warn her. Both times BF has taken evasive actions to minimize time he's been at mom's. There is no real security at mom's but if we can get her to say she's waiting for ride to doctor's or that the nurse is there for therapy, we may be able to keep him from going there. BF will also signal mom if knows brother is heading over.

We are doing this, people. We are getting this done.

Hello :)

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Hey, kick this guy to the curb and get right back into making alternative houses.
Yea, I wish I had some outside resources to help me with things like the cooler.
But unfortunately most all of my friends are dead and the few that are left have recently moved away.
I can't do any work trading, I'm not able enough to do much work.
So, when do you get to work on that cat room with people who like earth bags houses too?

Hi Tatoulia :)
YES! Clear off that unwanted piece of furniture and get it listed!!! ;D
The more stuff out the better you will be able to see your future plans for that space.
YEA!!! for getting a ride home with all your heavy stuff! ;D

Went to "Dollar Tree" today.
They had lots of name brand food stuff & cleaning stuff.
Plus they also have larger sizes of some stuff now.
Got my empty pantry nicely stocked up.
A good selection but really not too much stuff.
The wind is blowing and gusting and when I was in the parking lot it blew my dress way up, showing my panties. ;P
Also stopped by the thrift shop and dropped off my donations, talked with the folks there a while.
Need to go out and water the grass when the sun starts going down.

Last time I was in WallyWorld they were charging 4.40 for 18 white eggs so I didn't buy any.
At Dollar Tree they have cartons of eight brown eggs.
So I bought two cartons (16) and saved over 2.00 ?

YEA for smelling lilacs Tatoulia ;D
So happy you are having a wonderful time. (((hugs)))

I'm back. Got two more loads of laundry done. Beautiful sunny cool no humidity and I'm playing Cat Stevens. Oh! I was walking and smelled lilacs, and the large, mature lilac bush in front of the church is a sight to behold. Thought of you, Tillie.

Hi Anony. As your big sister, I want what is best for you, which means not being criticized for being you and doing things you want to do. (I'll pause while you snort and chortle, since I've allowed decades of this precise ration of sh&it from my sibling).

Well I just enjoyed a bit of good fortune--I went up to BF's work to determine heft of new shredder and I wanted to get some of the groceries out of my car that I couldn't carry this weekend. Well who had stopped by to say hello? The woman who uses my car to take her son to and from school each day! So she drive me home in my car and we got my giant cat litter, some other groceries and my shredder! Yay!

I took some of my stuff to drycleaner.

~♡~Good Morning!~♡~
Tillie, i hope he will do the cooler pads. I wish you had some kind of resource, besides him. Maybe like a work trade arrangement, with a thrift shop or animal care place, that you could help them with, in exchange for some help at home, like with the cooler?
Tatoulia, im so glad you dont have any meanness going on around you! I do hope it can continue like this! And it isnt like being dumped on like before, was helping him any, either! This is best for all!
Im fed up with guys right now. This new one seems to just challenge & criticize me. He doesnt get my humor, im always defending myself. Im sick of it. His know-it-all attitude is annoying. It seems like its mostly cuz im planning to build a house myself. Maybe im mistaken, but he keeps trying to talk me out of it. Or worse, talk me into building a conventional wooden stick house, which would be far harder. Every time i talk to him, i end up just missing ny ex-boyfriend, who i dont even think about otherwise. Cleaning & creating a cat room with other catladys & building a mud house, appeals to me waaaaay more than this guy! Ok, rant over. I am soooo grateful for yall & this connection! ~♡~

You are so right, Tillie. I was thinking about my sibling whose mental illness is vastly different. In his case, if he perceives it affects him, then it's a priority. In your case, there is no such "luck," so to speak. Ooof

My new shredder has been delivered. BF not sure that I'll be able to carry it down to my house. I'll go check in a bit.

I managed three loads of laundry. My grumpy neighbor is around so I'll not attempt any more today. Best to steer clear. He was upset re fire escape today when they knocked on the door. So I'll just lay low (he had put a bag of laundry in the "queue").

I will take my coats to dry cleaner today. Then maybe I'll clear off that piece of furniture I no longer like and I can get ready to list on Craigslist.

Hi Tatoulia :)

Makes me so happy to hear how much you are enjoying your Freedom from that abusive relationship! ((((HUGS))))
Please let this great feeling be your motivation to remain strong.

WTG! for the inspection being all over & done with. :)

He does care about his[/ health.
But he does not care at all about mine.
He doesn't sleep in the livingroom with the cooler in the window like I do.
Also, he no longer spends any time in the house except to sleep in his bedroom where he has his own cooler and an air conditioner.
He has taken to living in the garage where he can be surrounded by all his hoard.
He has several mini fridges in there now and he also cooks his own food on camp stoves.
He does use the bathroom to shower & etc. but he has been peeing into bottles in the garage and he hoards those too.
I know, TMI, too disgustingly gross, but that is the truth.
Living in the garage is his way of getting what he wants, to be surrounded by filth, squalor, vermin and as many of his [i]treasures as he can cram in there since I no longer allow that in the house.
Yes, I know, he sounds certifiably insane & probably is.
LOL ;D
But I'm sure by now you've seen some episodes of "HOARDERS" and know that this is the worst level that some people fall to.
Very sad but without therapy there is no hope for them.

Anyways, Planning to go into town for a while.
I need the break :)

Fire escape inspection went well! Fast and professional!

Do you know what's nice? Not having to brace myself to see my sibling, not having to see my sibling, not to be emotionally and verbally abused with the threat of physical abuse and not having to endure a constant barrage of demands on my time, money, and spirit.

That's what's nice.

Oh Tillie. I wish he could at least worry about his own health and change out the pads for you.

The fire escape people are coming today to inspect for any defects or wear. My house is not ready. On the other hand, neighbor was running late last night and she did not drop off her keys. She's left her place open for me to be there during the inspection.

At least this is an eye opener for me.

I'm getting some expensive purses and bags ready for consignment. I don't use them and they are taking up space. Whatever doesn't sell will go to goodwill.

Kitty suspects something's afoot.

Oh I am doing laundry right now.

Last night I stopped for manicure and then walked home from work. Nice evening.

Good Morning :)

Been up since 3:00am.
Steven refuses to change the cooler pads that were installed beginning of last Summer and they are making me very sick with the mold growing on them.
They are always supposed to be replaced the beginning of EVERY year and sometimes even more often.
I would do this myself but my hands are not strong enough to remove the cooler panels.
I am sad :(

But the sunrise is beautiful and it's very quiet and cool right now.
Peaceful time of day. :)

Good Morning Everybody :)
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia :)
You deserve to be used to not being treated badly ((((HUGS))))
You have done a lot of things in your home over the time you've been here.
You have really come so far and the difference would show if you could compare today to a year ago.

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Keep having fun and avoiding the heat.
I know the cats there will appreciate what you do for them. (((HUGS)))

Washing those wool kitty blankets this morning.
Two are in the washing machine now and the other two will be in there soon.
With woolens I fill the machine with cold water & mild detergent.
Agitate a little then let it soak for a while.
Then agitate a little more & then spin out.
Repeat for the rinse cycle...
But ALWAYS use fabric softener to prevent static.
Cats really hate getting static ZAPS!!!
When they are dry enough out on the clothes line I then use a whisk brush to sweep off all the loose fuzzies.
The hardest part is cleaning all the fuzzies out of the washing machine before I wash other things in there.
Going to just putter around here the rest of today.
Think I will go into town tomorrow to get some fresh produce and just get out of the house for a few hours.

Keep up the good work, Anony! We are in this together.

So I've just gone 9 days without anyone calling me a fat, phony pig (while screaming that I'm dismissive of THEIR feelings). A girl could get used to this!

~♡~Good morning!~♡~
Im trying an up early, nap & early evening schedule! Its a miracle ive done it for 2 days so far, without an alarm!
Today im going to clean 2 more areas of my one cat's RV & work on the block samples!
Tillie, that is so exciting to have your yard the best its ever been!!! WOW!!! Celebrate that one!!!
Tatoulia, i thought about you & your shredding at the building workshop cuz there is a technique using paper that has been shredded into blocks with clay, as well as just stacking it for a wall! At some point, it was be interesting to clean out my old office files, and use all that old paper for a wall?! Im getting a new sense of building & ingenuity after the workshops & projects! Im also glad to have started improving at least one cat area, so far, cuz im wanting this catlady job to help facilitate more of that!
~☆~I hope you each have a super splendid day!~☆~

Tillie, your writing is fantastic. With just a sentence, I can picture your beautiful, mature garden.

Thank you for remembering how tough the heat and humidity are. I feel that a few more nights like last night and I can make serious progress. Today it might not even look all that different, but inside of me it feels within reach. It truly feels solidly within reach.

My new shredder arrives Wednesday. I would have preferred to go to a store and pick it out, but I used amazon. It will be delivered to BF's office.

I have meetings today night. I was going to skip (why--no reason) but I would rather go. I'll text neighbor on way home and stop up at her place to get her keys. Maybe by Wednesday night I'll be in a better spot to have her over.

Meanwhile, we are doing it people.

Tillie I know all too well that its easier to do it their way than to argue. You save yourself the argument. bit not the aggravation.

Good Evening ;)

Hi Tatoulia :)
Thank you.
Great repurposing of the shredder bottom.
They actually are just trash cans to catch the shreds in.
Too bad things these days are made to wear out/break down so fast.
And copier ink costs more than a new copier and comes with ink.
WAY TO GO! for doing all different sorts of cleaning & tidying & organizing! :D
Sorry, but I've had no contact from Diane :(
I remember last Summer how depressing it was for you with the heat & humidity and frustration about your home.
This Summer it will be better (((HUGS)))

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Thank you.
You need to work backwards to figure out the right time to beat the heat.
Example...
Like if you want to stop outside work by 10:00am
you need to start out there by 5:00am.
To get eight hours of sleep
you need to be in bed by 9:00pm.
I had to use that stuff Steven gave me to kill the weeds because if I didn't take & use it he would have become terribly nasty toward me because he was trying to "help" me since he knows he is supposed to keep that area clear of weeds.
I know, it is not logical...
My original plan was to use the vinegar like I use in my garden area.


Two of the cats are happy snuggling fresh clean blankets and two cats still think it's an evil trick where something will jump out soon and go for their throats.
By morning they will probably be over it. ;P
Think tomorrow I will just wash those 4 blankets and not do much else.
But today I did so much and I have a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.
All the winter stuff is now clean and properly stored away, ready for next Autumn.
The garden/yard area looks the best it has ever looked.
Things planted decades ago have grown into big beautiful mature trees, bushes, shrubs and flowering plants. :)

What a happy post, Anony! Thank you!

I could not get the shredder fixed. I was taking it out to the recycling bin when I realized the bottom part--sturdy metal mesh, would make a perfect trash can for mom. She has wanted something bigger and you simply cannot tell that it was once the bottom of a paper shredder. Thank you SubC--this adaptive reuse was inspired by you!

Tillie it is probably 9 o'clock here and I'm just eating now. Tuna. Kitty has tuna juice. Then I'll finish my fruit and call it a night. There's still plenty to be done here but I feel happy. I did some dusting, some sweeping, some organization, some disposal. I feel good. Probably not good enough to have someone in but good nonetheless. I was putting stuff away that I've stopped seeing. And I have my artwork in two standing piles so I can work on with my designer. I have one more piece that isn't here/-it's at BF's. I'll have to remind him to bring it here. Oil painting, somewhat large. I'm willing to get rid of some of my art, depending on how this shakes out.

I also have a lamp that BF wants as well as the mate to a chair I gave him. I think eventually he will be starting a fine art/Antiques business and so he's hesitant to let me consign anything of solid value. He's got an extra room where he's storing the stuff. He has a vastly different business right now but has a good nose for business.

So that's the news, dear friends. Thanks for helping me through the day!

~Good afternoon & ice green tea clinks!~
I actually woke up from my nap at a good time today. Im still trying to work out when to sleep so i can work outside early before the heat. I think the math for sleeping might even be trickier than the carpentry math...ha ha...tho, i realized if i have & can find a lumber type saw, i could always just chop off the problem fractions part of the boards...ha ha Building a traditional house is all kinds of math & tools. Thats why i like these alternative methods so much!
Tatoulia, Power to you, SuperMTM!~☆~
Tillie, your kitties have a wonderful Catmom!
SubC, you are soooo super amazing!~
CM, i hope all is good & you have a safe vehicle now!
Porter, i hope your partnership is flourishing!
Hi, Joan! ~♡~
~♡~Love to all!~♡~
~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~☆♡☆~

Great work in getting all that laundry done, Tillie! We have enormously pleasant weather today and I slept so well last night. My work day is officially over but I'm working on slides for a presentation and I'm cleaning. Right now Etta Hames is helping.

I took my comforter to launderer and I have some winter things ready for drycleaner. He stores them for me--really nice feature. I popped up to mom's with some preserves/jams and I've changed out my shower curtain liner.

So much to do but it's sunny and so nice that I'm happy. Remember (saying to myself) how upsetting it is to be in a filthy place when it's hot and humid.

Love you all so much. I'm feeling peaceful. I hope my sibling finds peace. Because I've found it. It was right here.

Hopefully I can get closer to washer and dryer on Wednesday. In the meantime, I'm storing the dirty laundry in my recycling bags, so once laundry is done, the bags will go back to be used for recycling.

Shout out to Joan!! Tillie if you ever hear from Diane could you make sure she knows that I care about her? And I hope her freezer is working well?

Good Afternoon :D
Just after 2:00pm here.

Been running since my feet hit the ground this morning.
Washed the last of my warmer weight bedding and got out the lightweight stuff to use now.
Made all the cats extra upset because I gathered up and washed ALL their blankets & quilts.
Put lightweight things for their bedding and am stowing away the heavier stuff.
Still have 4 wool cat blankets to wash, probably tomorrow.
Did more than SIX loads of wash today, that's enough!

Hi Anonymoniker :)
When I lived where you are now, I kept proper Vampire hours. ;D
It was common to find me cleaning house at 3 am.
Just too friggin hot after the sun comes up.
Good luck figuring out the math. :)

Hi Tatoulia :)
Really looking forward to your reports when your friend gets there! :D
WAY TO GO! cleaning for the visit tomorrow.
Hope you find that shredder oil, can't be scaring Ms. Kitty that way. ;D

Just ate a sandwich, first thing I've eaten all day.
Feels good to just sit and relax for a bit.
Anyways, cats all have their beds properly remade all fresh and clean.

The daytime temps here are getting into the 90s but night times there is a lovely lilac scented cool breeze.

Think I forgot to mention that the other day the first Iris bloomed. :D

Bathroom sink and vanity cleaned. Recycling is out and in the bin. I've been shredding papers and now my shredder is making funny noises/scaring the cat. I can't find the shredder oil.

My upstairs neighbor is stopping by tomorrow night. I don't mind explaining that my place is undergoing some changes but I can't have it completely filthy either.

I'll do nails Wednesday night. For now I want to work and worry about my apartment.

You're a great Rhoda to my MTM.

I just cleaned toilet and about to tackle the sink and vanity.

~Tatoulia, thank you for the water drinking reminder! Im not far from Tombstone, out in the wild west desert! Its supposed to get close to 100 degrees today, but thats kinda normal for this time of year! Thats why im trying to maintain an early morning work routine! ~♡~It is soooo wonderful seeing that...youre gonna make it after all!!! ~♡~ :D :D :D

Hey Anony! You are doing great! Don't worry about my name, it's something I made up anyway. It's not even my cat's name. I don't know where it comes from. Just an identifier!

I came back on because I'd heard that some areas of the country are looking at triple digit temperatures and I want to remind everyone to drink lots of water. I can remember where Tillie lives but I have no idea where anyone else is. (Even if you've told me a hundred times! I have my own little pictures of everyone in my mind. And you are all so beautiful.)

~☆~Correction: Tatoulia~☆~

~♡~Good morning & coffee clinks!~♡~
Tatoulua, i am also very much looking forward to when calm, kindness is the norm for you, too! You absolutely deserve that all the time! :D
Tillie, using vinegar on the weeds is likely better for all the cats & critters out in the yard, too? With my cat whose RV space i want to clean, she is smaller & has a tough time defendind her area. She sprays around it constantly. Thats why i dont want to disturb her marking too much. I did change her bedding & cleaned 3 other surfaces, tho. Its so hard to know. Im sure she has told me, but i didnt understand her... ~♡~
Well, im stuck on a carpentry math problem on my wooden form for the blocks...if i can figure that out, then i can try out the different saws i have for which one is for lumber...ha ha...this is the only way for me to learn, tho...not that i didnt try to google it...ha ha
Im liking this early morning routine! Yesterday i thought id messed it up by taking too long of a nap, but im up! YEA!!!
~☆♡☆~Happy Homes, Homies!~☆♡☆~

Coffee clinks! Soon I'll be making my pitchers of iced tea and I'll be so happy!

I've got my dear one sitting next to me and purring away. I was hoping to do laundry but the laundry room is a mess. I can't tell what stuff goes into which basket so I'll sit today out.

My chest hurts when I think of male sibling but otherwise I am relaxed. I'm not worried about him--or me--I am concentrating on making this stick.

Today I will take comforter to cleaner to do for me. I'm also going to take my down jacket and vest to the dry cleaners. I'm in constant contact with my designer and she'll be here at the end of the month!! I'm hoping she'll help me get rid of stuff too even though that's not her task at hand. She was very helpful over the phone when I had to clear out mom's house when mom was coming home from hospital. I am also storing two things for my designer friend and she will pick up when she's here--stuff we bought at auction for her.

So I will work and clean today. I'm also thinking about mani/pedi. Time will tell.

What are you doing today?!?

Hi Tatoulia :)
We posted at the same time! :D

Twinkles only has three canine teeth left and yet he STILL crunches kitty cereal and regular cat snax.
LOL ;D
Happy you have been having lovely peaceful times, enjoying all the beauty of Spring.
WAY TO GO!!! for dropping off the donation bags! :D
And yes, that is such a good feeling.

P.S. with the TV volume turned up high I can't hear what's going on outside. ;D

I feel your pain, Tillie. I have enjoyed a weekend without any yelling, swearing, ranting and raving. It feels odd and I cannot wait til this is my new normal.

Mom and I had a lovely time together day, driving around, looking at trees in bloom, etc. then I did our grocery shopping. She stays in the car while I sip around the store. I bought special treats for BF's cat. His cat has very few teeth left and I found a treat that's like a little tube of chicken pudding. He loved it! We had previously tried cat broth, which kitty did not enjoy. It's just a treat, not a food substitute.

I'm making my dinner early. I'm in my pjs. Hoping to stay awake.

Mom is doing well and is hoping not to hear from sibling.

I had a trunkful of bags waiting to be donated and they've been dropped off! Good feeling.

Just sitting here resting up after lunch.
Only a little past 1:00pm now.
Got two loads of laundry hanging out on the line.
Steven did mow the grass then he went back into town to the hardware store, came back with some new parts for the cooler.
While he was gone me and all the cats were outside enjoying this absolutely beautiful day.
The whole place smells of lilac too. :D
Yesterday I finished up all my leftover burrito makings and then washed all the dishes so the kitchen is still clean.
Vacuumed the carpet this morning, scooped litter boxes & swept.
Basically just a slow moving relaxing day.

Hope you all are enjoying the Spring. (((hugs)))

Good Morning Everyone :)
"Clink!"

Hi Anonymoniker :)
I have found that cats like when their special spaces are tidied up especially if I add a nice new feature, like a new freshly washed blanket or a new cardboard box to the area.
Have a wonderful time playing with your dirt to see how it works for making bricks.
That reminds me of making mud pies when I was a little girl. ;D

Hi Subclinical :)
Sounds like you all had a very lovely time. ;)
Wishing you another wonderful day today.

Hi Tatoulia :)
It's so wonderful to now be able to sleep with our windows open! :D
What a beautiful dinner you & BF enjoyed.
Wishing you many, many more peaceful experiences. (((hugs)))

Steven got the evaporative cooler running yesterday.
Which means he did not do it right.
It was getting water then not getting any water and then it was flooding the ground and then other things started to go wrong.
So I spent the afternoon listening to him rant & rave & slamming things around.
The usual...
This afternoon when it gets hot I will turn it on again and we'll see how that goes.
Meanwhile, I'll be in here, watching stuff on ROKU while I putter around.
The weed killing stuff he gave me from out of his hoard to kill those weeds has not worked. The weeds show no signs of dying.
So I will go ahead with my original plan and spray them with vinegar sometime this week.
Vinegar always kills the weeds.
Last weekend I wanted him to mow the grass but he didn't. I really hope he mows it today since it's all way too tall.
I would mow it myself but he won't let me use his gas mower.
I used to mow it myself with MY nice push mower, but he sold that to some guy for 20 bucks. >:(
He has no problem getting rid of MY things.
Anyways, soon as I get dressed I will go out and chase all the hiding tiny baby bunnies out of the lawn, just in case Steven decides to mow it today.
That is always fun! :D

Hello everyone! Coffee clinks!

Tillie I like the decluttering you are doing right now. It's inspriring me to take another look at my books, which haven't been gone over in several years. I also like the reinforcement of letting go of emotional attachments.

SubC! The picnic sounds lovely! You have opened my eyes to the waste on the planet and I find myself looking for small ways to lower my waste. Thank you!

Anony, it is a funny thing about doing for others vs doing for ourselves. I can declutter (I call it de-sh*tting) someone else's house on a moment's notice with great glee. Hopefully together we will keep moving ourselves forward.

Spent afternoon and evening with BF. weather was so pleasant and we dined by the water, with a view of the city, as the sun went down. Spectacular.

Slept with both bedroom windows open and ceiling fan on. Clean sheets too, so imagine my joy. I have my comforter ready to go to cleaners and I will wash the duvet this week when I'm working from home. I did two quick loads yesterday but there was a line for the washers, so to speak, and I didn't want to be piggy when I am able to work from home during the week and do my laundry then.

What are you doing today?!?

I'll call mom in a bit.

Good morning!

Graduation was fun but exhausting. In laws went straight home.

Everyone else is sleeping in this morning (I "slept in" past 6)

I brought home one commencement program. And e-photos.

Instead of struggling to find a lunch place after graduation, we had a nice picnic with reusable plastic dishes and generated only a small bag of food wrapper and paper napkin trash for 7 people.

Dh mom gave him two old afghans made by his grandmothers. He wanted them. At least one needs repair.

Dd appreciated the troll.

~Good afternoon & ice coffee clinks!~
Tatoulia, YEA! Wonderwoman recharges!!! :D
Tillie, i really admire you for carrying that out! How freeing! I want to find that strength, too...
~May the Force be with you~ was the only thing i liked about that famous movie!
The workshop was really good! In addition to the earthbags, i liked the adobe blocks & the paper-crete blocks the most, and the poured earthen floor!
My plan is to start testing my soil by making blocks out of dirt in different areas on my land. Ill need to make a form, which will be a challenge for my carpentry 'skills' Right now im hoping it will extend my 'earthing' & grounding therapy! I want to start cleaning a little at a time in my one cat's RV. I dont want to take away her marked territory, so im thinking maybe just slowly, a spot at a time. Its so hard to know what her preference would be? =^-^= Part of me really wants to somehow keep this extreme morning schedule, so i can work through the hot summer, in the cool mornings. Ive had this same aspiration every year since ive lived here. If i can do it for these projects, why cant i do it here on my own? Im looking for a new approach....again.....(groan) ~ ☆ ~ ♡ ~ ☆ ~

Good Morning Everyone :)
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia :)
GREAT! to read you have been getting all the rest and sleep you need. (((HUGS)))
Have a wonderful day. ;D

Yesterday the wild yellow roses started to bloom.
Over the last week I have little by little gathered up a couple of bags of donations.
All this year I have been very slowly doing this thing called "Swedish Death Cleaning".
It's where you declutter random stuff so that people don't have a lot of decluttering to do after you die.
It is not at all a morbid method of decluttering.
I have been finding it very freeing.
Gone are the obligations to be the Keeper of other dead peoples stuff just because it once belonged to them even though it was never something I would have ever wanted for myself.
Gone is the obligation to keep things forever from my past, no matter how long I have been holding onto them.
Gone is the need to hold onto things like dishes, pans & other cookware since I no longer plan to cook like I used to cook "back in the day".
This is all making my life so much easier and easy is what I need at this stage of my life.
Not so much the decluttering as it is the freedom I am feeling from admitting to myself that I'm no longer going to cook like I used to or to feel guilty for letting go of items that I felt obliged to keep forever. ;D

Good Saturday morning! I too enjoyed Star Wars Day, Tillie.

Well yesterday I walked home from work (terribly humid) hopped in the shower, fed kitty (naturally--everything I do is punctuated by feeding the kitty) and I went to bed. I put AC on and went to bed. Just now having my first cup of coffee. I am not emotionally tired as I wasn't awoken by a call from sibling. (I'm going to say sibling since the other word stresses me out.) It is a small victory to be sure but I'm taking it!

I just called BF. He's at work and he's so happy I'm not stressed out at this moment. He's been very supportive on having me just sleep. He very gently tells me not to worry but we don't discuss it a lot because it upsets me.

Well I'm off to do a whole lot of nothing!

I noticed Netflix has some new stuff for May, Tillie! Love my Netflix.

Only "work" I did today was exclusively cat related tasks.
Washed my hair, dressed in a pretty Summertime dress.
Watched a couple newly added things on Netflix.
Had a good lunch but it was too late to be called lunch, pre-dinner?
Did some beading.
Steven came home from work a little bit early.
He surprised me by removing the old water heater from the driveway and putting it into his truck. ???
It's only been out there annoying the heck out of me for less than 3 years.
Afraid to jinx this by asking him "what's up?"

My weekend plans are to just lay low in here and keep up with the usual daily tasks like cat stuff, dishes and maybe some laundry.

Happy Star Wars day
May the 4th. be with you ;D
"Clink!"

Hi Subclinical :)
GREAT! self talk you did there.
Please keep doing that because it's all true what you said to yourself.
(((((HUGS)))))
WAY TO GO! with finding flattering outfits and also letting go of something no longer wanted.
Hope you soon find an occasion to wear that pretty but revealing dress. ;)
Finding that Troll doll like you did shows just how far you've come along with getting sorted out and organized.
We are ALL very proud of you. (((hugs)))

Hi CriticalMass :)
Missing you (((hugs))) :)

Hi Anonymoniker :)
Sounds like you have been having a lot of fun learning about different kinds of housing.
Have fun with it and the Cat Lady job and get inspired to make a difference in your own home. (((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia :)
I am very happy you went to bed early.
That shows us that you are taking good care of yourself. (((HUGS)))

Well, I over did it yesterday and my body is letting me know it.
My back feels better but everything else is screaming "STOP!".
But the weather was pleasant and there is so much work needing to get done on the property and Steven refuses to do any of it.
The area I sprayed for weeds is along side the South side of the garage and the weeds there grow something terrible.
They soon dry out and then I really worry about wild fires catching the garage on fire which would catch the house on fire too.
Physically, I can manage only the small garden/oasis area and keep that nice.
But physically I can not do the rest of the over grown hoarded cluttered property.
Steven refuses to do this work and refuses to hire anyone to do it.
Wish he would wake up and see what I see.
Anyways...
Going to pamper myself today, shampoo my hair, pedicure my feet and watch something on Netflix. :D

Good morning! I'm off to work in a bit.

Everyone is doing great work! SubC yes your mother loves you and that is powerful. You are doing a great job and what you are describing re hunting for things and a negative internal dialogue--well that is me. That is most of us here. I felt your pain and I admire your ability to turn that around. I will endeavor to do the same next time I start saying mean things to myself.

Anony, thank you so much for keeping me shored up. MTM is my absolute role model and I thank you for the comparison! I love the cat lady job--yes so easy to do for others. It's probably the lack of emotional attachment as well as the absence of the internal dialogue of how did I let it get this way. Doing for others removes our biggest obstacles PLUS there's the sense of satisfaction from helping others.

Tillie--the cat mint sounds like something that would absolutely be devoured here! I'm sorry your back is sore. I hope the peacefulness of working the land outweighs the soreness.

It is summer here. We went from cold, cold, cold to one day of spring to full-on heat and humidity. I slept with AC on last night.

I love you all. It's been a hard week but it helped me not think about personal situation. BF picked me up from work last night and I was in bed by 5:00. I got up at 8 for a few then back to bed. I'm exhausted but mainly emotionally exhausted.

Love to you all.

~♡~Good Morning & coffee clinks to all!~♡~
SubC, the troll story is so beautiful! You are such a wonderful Mom & teacher! Im sorry your parents-in-law are not able to see that clearly enough! And, yes, i find it far easier to help clean or organize anywhere else but here! It is a strange phenomenon.
Tilie, i hope your back feels better today? I almost spit my coffee out laughing at your cats getting angry over you pulling up the catnip...ha ha...you are so cute! =^-^=
Tatoulia, you go, Wonderwoman! :D
This is the final day of the workshop & in addition to the earthbags, i also like the bricks made of different mixes of clay, sand & a little Portland cement, etc. That is what i want to try here, next. Dirt varies so much, that it all just needs to be tried out first, so while its fresh in my mind, im looking forward to doing that here!
There are apparently a few women working at the 'catlady job' also building dome houses, so that should be interesting! :D
~☆~May the 4th be with you!~☆~ha ha~ Its Star Wars Day!~☆~ :D ~☆♡☆~

So, I was quite self focused.

Sharon, it sounds like you are making progress, and you have a good attitude. That is great.

Tatoulia, I hope your work thing went well. So many big work and people th8ngs in a row is hard!

Anony, congrats on your job. Isn't it funny how it's often so much easier to do things for others? I hope you do find some inspiration to improve your own cat and Anony sanctuary.

Tillie, it's nice that you are getting garden time. The lilacs at school are starting to bloom, and they smell so nice! poor butterfly :(, but cats will be cats...

The thing with the troll sent me into a bit of a negative spin. As you all know, one of the problems with hoarding is that things get lost. And it is very easy for something like that to trigger a barrage of negative self talk for me. But, even though there is still too much stuff here, and even though a lot of it is still messy and disorganized, it is better. And I DID find the troll. And I did not create too much more mess looking for it. So things are definitely better.

After dd's graduation, she is moving back in with us "for a while". My parents are coming back here for a few days, so mom will be able to help me tackle a couple of areas i need to get to to help accommodate Dd. I don't know if my in laws are coming here or not. There is no plan for them to do so, but it is possible that it will become a last minute thing for one night. I was looking around last night and feeling stressed about that, but then I had a mental confrontation with myself. I imagined mil saying critical things about my home and me replying "yes. I didn't know you were coming." And the mil in my head countered "well, you knew your parents were coming." And I replied "yes. But they love me."



It is quite probable that no such interaction will happen. But I feel better. If she does come and gives me the highly probable critical looks and "suggestions". I will just think to myself. "You don't care about me, and I don't care what you think. My mom is here and she loves me!"

Also, I FOUND the troll. IN TIME. Big win.

And, dh helped me with the prepacking closet assault last night. I found a sweater that can go. One outfit was not flattering at my current weight, and one dress was a little snug, but dh said it looked nice, so I am taking it along, I also found a second dress that it comfortable and flattering, and shoes for both. And a skirt and top that looks nice and works with one of the pairs of shoes already selected. The dress that I liked because it was cool and I felt pretty in it dh vetoed because he thought it was too revealing when I lean over (one thing about my weight that is not awful is that i'm carrying some of it "high" ;) ) and it is a wrap and he reminded me that it is usually very windy where we are going. But, there is not a giant pile of frustrating, rejected clothing in my bedroom. So, another victory.

Hello :)

Was a lovely day here.
Watered everything.
Did some weeding in my garden. Mostly pulled out a LOT of Cat mint (catnip).
Really a good healthy batch growing everywhere in the garden but there was too much!
It was trying to take over.
The cats all protested but there is still a LOT growing out there.
Sprayed some weed killer on some small weeds so they don't become big weeds.
A pretty Butterfly came by and was enjoying the lilac blossoms.
Scooter ate it. :(
I'm tired and my back hurts so I am taking tomorrow off. ;)

YEA!!!

You found the troll!!! ;D

What a wonderful time for your Daughter,
bet you are a very proud Mama.

And then, I did.

I am tired. I am not ready for my morning classes. I do not have sub plans for my afternoon sub. I don't know what I am going to wear.

But I found the troll.

My daughter graduates from college on Saturday. We leave tomorrow. When she was a freshman, she was horribly homesick, and she suffers from severe anxiety. I sent her care packages in identical shoeboxes, and I each one I put a troll doll.

She loved the trolls and felt like they were watching over her for me.

I saved a troll doll in a cap and gown for her graduation. I can't find it.