A couple of other comments for the moment: Dianne, I relate to the idea of having a hard time asking for help. From what I've read from you since I've been on here these past few months, it sounds like you've gotten over a lot of hurdles with that issue. (Yea for you!) I had gotten to the point of being willing to get help from one particular friend several years ago, but she's pretty unavailable right now because of life circumstances. I do have help dealing with a parents' leftover hoard, but I'm slow to get help with my own. I'm working on some specific ideas right now for getting help, though. (More to come on that later.)

Tatoulia, I love your thinking as you let go of a lot of stuff. Thank you for the encouragement you give to us on this site. Hugs to you (and to everyone else here as well).

I'm catching up little by little on reading posts. I see that SusanL recently wrote: "I thought I needed all that stuff but it was ruining my life. Better without it. Give away, throw away, just get it OUT of the house." I really relate to that statement! It's encouraging and inspiring to hear what all you've gotten done, Susan! Yea!

This afternoon, I plan to have lunch with family members. I also plan to work a little on some paperwork, including getting a bill paid. I will probably also go to the coin-op laundry to dry the clothes I washed yesterday. Although I might be a little late, I will likely be at the chat tonight.

Have a wonderful afternoon, everyone!

Well you all made me very happy with your posts! How nice to hear from you all. As usual, Diane, you exhaust me with the amount of work you've done! I had to learn early on during my dehoarding that I cannot spend too much time mourning the $$ I wasted on this sale item or that sale item. There was this part of me, during the beginning of the process, that felt like I'd abused my privilege of owning things and now I'm being punished. I had to turn that around pretty rapidly in order to move forward. I found that my stuff fell into threeson categories: 1) the stuff I hung onto for emergencies or if someone else might need it, which I call my Just in Case stuff; 2) the stuff that I thought Ioved, including things that I have an emotional attachment to because so&so gave me or something I bought to portray myself as a certain way to the outside world; and 3) things I just bought because I liked them or they were on sale or they made me feel good. Once I recognized the just in case stuff, I got rid of it. I'll run to the store if someone needs a hero. The emotional stuff required me to figure out why I was keeping it (largely to prove to myself that I was loved--honestly does the card from the bookkeeper at my office where I worked 15 years ago and sent when I had my appendix out merit keeping?). The sale stuff and buying stuff to feel good (let's try on about 4 or 5 different set of glass plates and bowls, shall we?) made me feel wasteful and stupid.

But I've found a way around. I read these posts and I leaned on you and I got your praise and was forced to notice that I am loved and important in my own right. I freely and honestly feel gratitude and affection for each of you. You cannot imagine what it feels like to know that in fact, I'm okay, and if I cry you will offer me a dry shoulder to cry on. If I beat myself up, you'll run to my defense.

Diane, I feel like being with people and being "on" is exhausting, hard work. We will talk more about that some other time. Just bite your tongue and find a way to suffer the fools gladly. (That has made my New Year's resolution list more than once).

Much love and gratitude. Thank you all for saying nice things to me.

Happy Saturday afternoon. Great to hear about the work you're getting done, diane and Tat. Sorry you're still having to deal with the air quality issues, Tillie, and that you're not feeling well. I'd already forgotten about the "s"-ins, Tat and diane. Got another big LOL moment out of that a few minutes ago. Laughter helps so many things!

I enjoyed the chance to get out to that rural area to do some work this afternoon and to check on things out there. Nice to be driving around areas where I see lots of open spaces as well as to see thriving animal and plant life. It was also nice to get back inside my home later and get a refreshing shower and to catch up on reading the last several posts. I don't have grand plans for working at home today other than to do several loads of laundry.

Hugs to everybody.

Such a pleasure to come in for a break and read your posts tat and tillie, t&t. Last year I made an opening in the fence in front where I park car, but then filled the area with tiles, wood, metal things. When I looked at it today, I said it is time. After moving all the firewood past few days, it was clear how bad it was, so I moved all the junk. Fortified the opening, tried to put a gate there, then just made the fencing double and put another t-post in and with loops so can just open and go to car, when bring food home wont have to go all the way around to front steps now. Raked all the leaves from 5 years, cleaned the area, put pavers in for a walkway, so much better now. I have hauled tons of tiles to habitat, and now have unburied all of these tiles, what was I thinking, buying hundreds of tiles, but such a good price, you know the story. A few will have rock sculptures on them, ones I don't use need to go for a ride. Same with the other things. The metal things are to pound in the ground and put 4x4's in to build a cover for fire wood. Now that wood is all in one location, might be a good thing to do. It really was fun cleaning out that area today. I felt pleasure in the simple act of reclaiming it Tillie. I brought garbage cart in and am filling it with some of the junk from that area, and broken tiles. Friday I got all the old tarps from top of firewood move in garbage. I am seeing I can have people come in this way when dropping off dogs or visiting in my yard, so do not have to have them come on deck. I got tired so will go back out and finish cleaning up out there.
Tat, you are helping me so much with your description of letting things go, please keep describing your decisions and how you decide when it has been loved enough. I used that when I was tossing things this morning, and one metal thing I put in garbage for practice. Also practicing saying, are you going to use this in the next few days, if not put it away, if no home, time to go.
Work was good this week but it is exhausting being around so many people day after day. Happy I am able to do it and zip my lip when I want to complain about something. I feel proud of the work I did this week with a cheerful kind attitude. Just takes practice to be the person I want to be, no matter how others act.
Nellie is snuggled up next to me as I write this, getting close to time to get my own pet again, just fearful of vet bills etc, if I get another one with medical problems, Molly had kidney disease.
Thanks Tat and Tillie for being my friends, makes life so much better.

Tillie, rest and take care of yourself. Bad air quality takes a big toll. A terrible toll.

Just checking in with everyone. Have taken the person grocery shopping, have changed bed linens and run two loads of laundry and am on third load now. Am making a late lunch and will treat myself to some tv/Netflix time.

OK, here's the big news for the day (so far). I've had a box of glassware in my place since I did the big clean out. It's a keep box. Find room to. keep. Well I took it to goodwill today. I went through it and didn't keep a thing.

Tillie my dear you are correct! The mental image of my muscles is helping me along, and is a good explanation as to how it is that the stuff I couldn't part with can move along!

This image will be very helpful as i go through storage area. Ooh-I hope I didn't give the impression that it's almost clear--not by a long shot--but I can see my way through to the end. I can see myself getting rid of it. All of it. With your help and encouragement. (For Diane --I'll let the storage things enjoy their little shit-in for a little while longer!)

Good morning

Hi LR2014 :)
WTG! for making that one room a more serene peaceful place to sleep.
It is hard t0 schedule in fun when you have many other pressing obligations to attend to.
Try to incorporate some small personal pleasures into your day.
Little treats that you find relaxing.
Life's simple little pleasures really add up in creating more internal peace, rest and contentment. :D

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO! for all you are accomplishing!!! :D
Working our way through making those easier keep/toss/donate decisions really does improve our decision making "muscles" when we get down to those harder items to decide on.
You have been making some wonderful decisions and making room in your life for the future.
Letting go of things you have "loved enough" but no longer need is fantastic! :D

Hi Diane :)
Hi Nellie :)
WAY TO GO! for all your accomplishments and getting caught back up on the daily maintenance type stuff! :D
Have a GREAT time panting, sculpting and hanging out with the dog.
Please, please do get the RV ready for a camp out and have one heck of a great time taking it out somewhere beautiful and relaxing. :D

Air quality here is better but the sunlight is still tinted "forest fire yellow".
I am still suffering, oxygen deficient and sickly.
Spending a lot of time trying to nap/sleep but breathing issues still keeping me up.
Anyways...
Have no real plans for today other than the usual daily stuff.
So many things I want to do but must wait on them.
Wonderful reading about all your progress and plans.
Keep up the GREAT job! :D

I've missed you Diane! It is hard to keep up with things when working so much. Glad you have Nellie with you! It's gotten significantly cooler here on the East Coast so my cat has been snuggling right up. Very comforting.

Keep up the good work and yes, you should find time for a weekend get away. Right now I'm doing laundry and just relaxing before heading out for the day.

hello everyone. So good to see your post Tillie. Tat, inspiring that decision making is getting easier. I have worked all week and have not kept up with maintenance. Got up early today so I have all day to get things done. Rinsed all dirty dishes and they are soaking. Have to toss a chicken I boiled for soup, that has been in frig for a week. Disappointed that I have to throw food away once again. Vegetables too. Buying fresh vegetables is still a waste so back to frozen.
Picked up Nellie after clinic on Thursday, so have a doggie companion this weekend.
I did get all firewood moved closer to house. Started a little roof over it. Nellie is curled up next to me, so nice and comforting. I went to RV yesterday to get some tape and found a pile of tshirts I forgot were in there, brought in and will wash today, my favorites. Checked all cabinets etc. and not too much stuff in there, would like to get it cleaned this weekend and take a little camping trip before winter hits.
Will do dishes, clean counters in here before sun comes up, then do lots on deck and yard. Laundry, take nellie for a walk, and find time to relax. Want to paint one board turquoise for a shelf in freezer room. For fun, also make rock sculptures. In an ideal scenario I will find some things to donate this weekend.
Nice to read your posts

Today I have to take someone grocery shopping. I also need groceries for myself but that needs to be done separately. The person I am taking needs my full attention. I need to make more progress, whether at home or at storage place.

The decisions of what to keep and what to get rid of are getting easier--even though I am now reaching stuff that was too tough to deal with first time around. This makes me very happy.

I kept my promise! Yay! After going to museum and lunch with mom, I went to my storage unit and was able to take three boxes to goodwill. I also took a bag of clothing out of my house today and a small bag of books. I am really excited and energized by this! I'm starting to see what it will take to get rid of my storage space. Original plan was to move to a smaller, and cheaper, place, but there's a little part of me that thinks I might be able to get rid of it completely. I just need my sister to take the remaining oriental rug and the desk. I have decided to part with my bookcase. It's solid cherry and went with my bedroom set as a child. I used it as a child, as a college student, into my 30s and beyond. It's been in storage for a while. I have loved it enough. I am prepared to take it to goodwill. I have loved it enough.

Thank you everyone for your support! I hope you are all well. Would love to hear from all of you!

Hello LR and Tillie and everyone else! I am always happy when I see a new post here and I must admit, my heart leapt a little when I saw that both of you had posted! I appreciate hearing about your days and appreciate the support and encouragement.

I am taking some time off to spend with mom tomorrow and will either go to storage afterward or work on The Dreaded Closet. I need to keep moving forward, even as I desperately try not to move backward.

Much love to everyone, with special love to Marty the Cat. Hang in there, little buddy.

Good morning. Sorry about the smoke, Tillie (and Marty! Lots of hugs.

One thing I did very recently is to get a lot of things rearranged in one certain room so that I have an alternate (much more quiet) place to sleep. That's been very nice the past few days.

On Tuesday night, I attended an event that I was supposed to "facilitate." I was also in charge of the after-event cleanup. (OK, go ahead and chuckle.) I had a lot of help with cleanup on that night, but I still had some work left to do to get things back in order there. Went to that location early this morning and finished that task. Nice to have that done!

Still haven't been very good about scheduling in playful fun, Tillie. (Just true confessions.) I still need to "work on" having more fun.

Although I admit that I'm very behind on reading posts, I did see Cory Chalmer's post about his proposal for Sunday nights. I'm chewing on the idea and will plan to give some feedback when I'm finished "chewing."

Hugs to everybody!

Good morning,

Hi Tatoulia :)
WAY TO GO!!! for maintaining and keeping on guard against the creeping clutter. :D
Take care to rest as much as you can whenever you get the chance.

Still extremely smoky here, causing a lot of problems with my allergic asthma.
I think Marty (the cat) might have asthma too because he has been having terrible coughing fits.

Anyways...
Today I have no chores to do except the usual daily tidying up kind of stuff.
Think I will just rest a lot and watch stuff on Netflix.

TTYL

Oh that's terrible about the air, Tillie. I'm also sorry about your pack rats. Just take it easy and don't do too much. I'm sure the kitties will be glad to have clean boxes.

I am maintaining these days and taking note of the clutter creep. Have a busy schedule with work obligations this week. I wake up in the AM wishing it were time for bed. That is no way to live. Also had something upsetting re mother earlier this week, still not ready to post.

Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Good Morning,

There are two big wildfires in California and all the smoke from them is blowing into Nevada.
For days now the air quality has been extremely bad.
Visibility is greatly reduced here. Health department has issued warnings to stay inside.
We are all miserable, including the bunnies and birds.
Oh Well, anyways...
Life goes on here.
Today I will water some things outside, tidy the bathroom, wash the litter boxes and wash some dishes from last night and this morning.
If my eyes ever quit burning I would like to read later this afternoon.

Desert Packrats are still safely living under the house and in the yard.
Met a couple of baby corn snakes living here that are keeping me safe from baby crickets by eating them.

TTYL

Tillie!!!! Thank you. For everything! I can't wait til Diane sees that you are here!


SusanL. Congratulations! You are an inspiration!

Love to all. And thank you, Cory. I love the idea And thank you for this site. You have helped me immeasurably by forming this community. Thank you for giving me a place where I am just me.

Frustrating. my computer running slow. I don't know how I could go back to snail mail for paying bills! I did finally get a couple important ones paid. Um.. After I closed "a few" windows I had open and "a few" documents I had been working on. Yes, even clutter in my computer.

I worked in the "patio door" room yesterday. My motivation was that I needed birthday presents for my great grandson and I knew there were some in there somewhere that didn't get to him last Christmas. Strained relations between my daughter and my grand-daughter, my hoarding situation, and my grand-daughter's very crowded living conditions pretty much made last Christmas a bust. Things are going better this year for daughter, grand-daughter and of course the great grand kids. Such a relief for me. I of course had to try to help everybody instead of focusing on my PROBLEM.

Anyway, I got to be with, talk with, and observe a group of 3 to 6 year old children. I so enjoy seeing their minds working and expanding. It was a very nice change to just enjoy myself and not worry or feel overwhelmed with everything.

tired sleepy almost midnight here. back to worrying tomorrow.

Hello, just got in from a lovely evening with a friend. Very nice time. It feels like autumn here on the Northeast and my cat is snuggled up next to me, purring loudly.

I made the turkey tetrazzini. I wasn't sure what it is, but I found a decent recipe and made it for my Shut-in (take note, Diane) and the report back is two thumbs up. It took about thirty minutes in prep time and it came out very nice. Again, not being sure what it was I just took a stab and searched the internet until I found what looked good and easy but not too easy. (I do not like recipes that call for a can of soup--this one had me making a white sauce and then adding cheese). It was a bit of a victory for me because I measured and laid out all the ingredients ahead of time and it went smoothly. I have counter space, a clean stove and oven, and all cooking pans and utensils within easy reach. I used to have to pile stuff on top of other stuff just to use the stove top. Immediately after, I cleaned the kitchen and ran the dishwasher. What a great feeling.

Even now, I find that when I'm done with a dish my natural inclination is to pile it in the sink. Since cleaning and clearing the kitchen, I now stop myself and put in dishwasher after rinsing.

Grace, you mentioned in your post today some of your struggles. I will tell you I started in on my kitchen one cabinet at a time, and then I became unstoppable. Just find a place to start. For me, I just had finally run out of excuses. I was out of reasons and excuses and justifications to live this way. And I am not being dramatic when I tell you that I was shocked, SHOCKED, to find out how much easier my life is. I'm not done, but I have made my life easier. So much easier.

Will tell the story re my mother some other time. I am savoring everyone's posts right now. Let's treat ourselves well.

Dianne your candor and bravery are admired and appreciated. Your progress is wonderful. I too feel sad. I will tell everyone about something that happened at my mother's house last night. I will post later on.

Good luck with the doggie today. And thank you. I think you are terrific.

Congratulations on your accomplishments, Sheryl! And in 100? heat! Wow! I am jealous that you perform weekly cleaning. Right now, I make sure that the kitchen is constantly kept clean and clear, I have always, even at my worst, had clean sheets on bed once a week, but I don't have a regular list in my mind of weekly maintenance. I need to build your habits into my own routines. Any advice/tips greatly needed!!! And appreciated!!!!

Karl, thanks for the update on colored envelopes.

Yesterday, was pretty productive for me. 1)30 min walk w/ dog; 2)weekly cleaning of bathroom 3)weekly cleaning of laundry room 4) 2 loads of laundry 5) Target, used list and spent $10.60 6)Costco, finished up aisles(OCD) spent $19.27, used list 7)100 degrees took a 45 min nap, before Sunday chat room 8)3 hours and 30 minutes on chat!! Thanks to chat Peeps for all the good ideas and support!! Keep on dehoarding, decluttering and organizing with baby steps!! Thanks for listening!!

Hi Bitsy. I read the post and will give it a shot. I'm glad to hear from you and hope your son is doing better. Please let me know how you are.

Thank you everyone for your support and hard work! Keep it up, I'll write more later! (WTG=Way to Go).

Bitsy, why do you feel uncomfortable answering gratitude thread? Dianne, what does WTG mean? Karl, why does it change color..sorry confused?? Tat, good job with shopping and good luck with the bathroom...how did it go? I will be working on mine tomorrow. LR, nice to see you again, good job on "just the basics"! I always tell myself at least I got a little bit accomplished(that has come from at lot of support from others in my life!) and better than not doing anything!! Did Tillie go on vacation? I only met her once in chat last Sunday night, I think it was. Today I did errands:1) The Container Store spent $.85; 2)IKEA spent $2.29 for a water and ice cream cone; 3)Costco spent $17.50; 4)gas $20.00; 5)Food store spent $21.20; 6)restaurant(Toooo hot to cook in San Diego-100degrees) $15.61includes tip. I walked the dog for 30 minutes and a much needed 1 1/2 nap!! Tomorrow I will start on my deep/fall cleaning again of kitchen and finish the middle aisle of Costco!! Everyone keep up the dehoarding, decluttering and organizing in baby steps!! Thanks for listening to my book!!!

um...
I don't feel competent responding to the post on the gratitude thread... maybe one of you can?

Happy to hear from you, LR. Good work on those papers!

I stopped myself from buying something today just because it was on sale. I had it, I walked around with it, I thought about buying two, and ultimately reminded myself that I have plenty of this type of item already in my house.

Good to read everyone's posts. Good to see Diane's post too. You are all important to me and I need you all. That said, I miss Tillie. If anyone should be in touch with her, please send her my regards.

Let's keep up the good work! I will go work on my bathroom for a while! Wish me luck!

Earlier this week, I got a decent amount of "stuff" tossed out, mostly papers that had been stored for a long time. It felt really good. I also made progress on some outside work yesterday. And then there is today.

Although today is a new day, my body is acting like it's not a new day . . . I'm really tired! So I'll probably just get some basic things done: dishes, laundry, etc. I'll also do a little cooking, perhaps, but I don't plan to be overly "ambitious" otherwise.

Hugs to all.

What does a red envelope and a blue envelope mean??

I got a few errands done today!! I had a 3 1/2 hour lunch with a friend, instead!! I know I should of been doing my errands, but it was so nice just to relax, converse, and vent!! I guess I needed it! Tomorrow I will try and finish my errands and get back to the deep/fall cleaning(that I should of done a few years ago!! Thanks for listening!!

Jar Lady, I agree that you made the right decision in getting rid of it. But, if you don't mind my asking, what caused you to acquire it in the first place?

Nice work, Jar. Let's face it, if we don't laugh, we are going to cry.

thanks Jar Lady. I needed that.

I have to laugh with Jar Lady, it seems so typical of us hoarders!! But, it made perfect sense to me that you would still have those items for a small pet(s)!! I was so glad to see you had placed them out of your house and maybe down the road out of your mind and heart!! Good job!!

Thanks Dianne for reading my other post. I think I'm getting my MOJO back for deep/fall cleaning again!! Today will be for errands, to get them out of the way. I feel a whole lot better in the last few days!! I will try and be on the chat room, on Sunday! Since I have a little anxiety, Diane is right, it is a little hectic trying to answer questions, write what's happening in your life in a few short sentences and the responses come back sooo slow; making my anxiety even higher!! But, I'll give it a shot, this will be my 3rd chat, with you guys!! Everyone keep up the dehoarding, decluttering, and (the big one) organizing!!!Thanks for listening!!!