Good morning, ya'll. Coffee clinks.

Jess, LR, bitsy, Diane, all youse guys, check in, please. Thinking of you.

Hi all,

I'm moving slowly in this heat. Haven't gotten into the van part of that project since I have to deal with the things I brought in such as papers. I'm very good at overestimating how much stuff I can go through in a reasonable time. At least now I recognize that.

The nitpicky indecisive side of me comes out a lot and I catch myself doing the "shuffle" - I'm sure you know what I mean. Pick up an item out of a box of "miscellaneous" and stare at it then shuffle it in with a different bunch of "miscellaneous." I know it's not the way to get much of anything done.

During the move, I had these times of mental clarity now and then (amid the other times of stress and brain freeze but we'll not go there). In the clarity times I could blow through a bunch of stuff and decide to get rid of things with a great sense of conviction, even relief. Take no prisoners and all that. Such a rush, felt so righteous.

But I know. Things wax and wane, and one must keep plugging away no matter what. I have done a few little things. I will do more.

The great news is that tomorrow the heat where I live dials back from upper 90s to upper 80s for a few days. I plan to take advantage of this. It still won't be as cool as I'd prefer but I'm in hopes it'll allow me to do the placing of shelves in the storage unit (which necessitates getting lots of stuff out where the shelves are going to go, ideally purging in the process).

I realize some of what I've written above vacillates between the genuine desire to get rid of junk and have order in my life, and my tendency to wimp out when conditions are less than ideal. My awareness of my hangups is better, though, and I'm not going to abandon the struggle and by stubborn tenacity, I'm going to get it to where someday there won't BE a struggle. At least not in the area of clutter! I may still have ADD and OCD, but I'll be able to cope with them better. And surely I'll have less depression in a clean, pleasant environment and with new habits to go with it.

BIG HUGS to all of you fighting this battle! I'm going to have to start jotting down notes before I post, because I want to respond to things posted, like the bees and the gardening, etc. but by the time I get on this screen I forget who had what! LOL! Bear with me, and know I'm happy for all your successes. 🙂 And so glad to have others to connect with. Y'all are a blessing.

Just a brief check-in to say hi and to let you know I'm reading your posts and rooting for you!

Coffee clinks!

Hey everybody! As always, thanks for the encouragement 🙂

I'm feeling pretty good today and trying to jump start some positivity into my life. Stuck to my morning routine and took care of a few little things I've been meaning to get to.

Today I will be doing some yard work! A dirty garden glove high five to Tillie! Yesterday I painted some new beehive boxes that we will be adding. Our little colony is growing like crazy. I'm loving the beekeeping hobby and am proud to say I've kept our supplies neatly organized and under control.

CM, great job on the vehicle project! It's going to feel so good to clear that out and get the weight off your mind too! Woo hoo!

Good Morning 🙂

Hi Critical Mass 🙂
Thank you.
Way To Go! for what you accomplished! 😀
Good luck with the rest of that project.
I sure do understand just how bad decluttering can really mess up other areas & make a bigger mess while we are doing it. 😉

Been up since 3:30am today.
Have been trying to get things done around here that I had to put off since March due to his health issues.
Almost have my To-Do list completed. YEA! me. 😀
The usual daily stuff needs more attention but the most important stuff has been getting done.
This morning I got plant food on the garden & grass and am doing the watering before it gets too hot outside.

Oh Well, back to the yard work...

🙂

Hi Tillie,

Another thing you might try for spiders in the areas where you can access is Diatomaceous Earth (food grade). It's a fine powder and when bugs and spiders walk through it it damages their exoskeletons. It can be a bit messy but you only need to put down a fine layer for it to work. I used a cloth to do so when some of the pets got fleas, to kill any loose fleas.

Well, I went out to the van and did some good, but boy, it's hot out there and windy, and I had to stop sooner than I had hoped. I'm sure you all can relate to the problem of when you pull out stuff and then it creates a logjam downstream so to speak. If I'd tried to do more in the van, I would've had a huge bunch of stuff to bring inside to deal with. As it is, I still hope I didn't bring in too many items at once. I got a grocery sack's worth to the trash, and cleaned some items with Windex that were dusty. Still need to decide what goes in what as far as my bags. I have a backpack that's my "essentials" and auxiliary bags for things like my quilting group, Bible study, artwork etc. Probably just enough time to fiddle with those before I have to move the van back out onto the street so my roomie can park in the drive.

HELLO PEEPS! 😀

Hi LR2014 🙂
WTG! for tackling that paperwork! 😀
Hope you find some fun R&R soon. (((hugs)))

Hi Critical Mass 🙂
Wishing you GOOD LUCK! 😀

Got up early this morning, went outside and washed the window screens, hosed off house walls, washed the windows and hosed off the porch and walkway.
Then I sprayed "Bug Barrier" all around the foundation, windows & doors.
Then I sprayed areas inside the house too.
This product is specially made to spray inside and outside the home and is safe for pets once it has dried.
So tired of getting bitten! Have a bad spider bite on my leg right now and it is also causing me abdominal issues & discomfort, probably a black widow. 🙁
Something has also bitten me several times on my back.
I can't reach all the windows because of all his hoard blocking the access.
This house has only seven windows and I washed Three inside & out and two others only on the inside.
The two windows in his bedroom are totally blocked off inside & out.
Spiders really love living & multiplying in hoarded places. 🙁

Lots of wildfires started yesterday around here.
Please, please, please stay safe. 🙂

Well, decided yesterday that I really need to deal with the front seats of my van since the move. The goal is to 1) be able to have a passenger in that seat if I want or need to, and 2) just plain DEAL with all that clutter. The front seat, as some of you may know, tends to attract the stuff that you don't want to lose track of but are reluctant to bring inside just yet - because you are still dealing with inside stuff . . . eek!

Wish it weren't so hot outside but my roommate said A-OK to park in the shaded driveway while she's at work. Right now I'm feeling hungry so I'll have lunch then brave the heat. It's windy today also, which is both a help (cools things a bit) and a potential hindrance (blows papers around). But I've assessed the situation so I know what I'm dealing with.

Wish me luck!

Hi to Tillie, Tatoulia, Roxie, Sis (a.k.a. Diane), CM, Jess, Karl, bitsy, Dave, Oodles, Susan L, lex, and the rest of our "gang."

Most of the things I've done the past few days have been related to paperwork; am working on the very slow process of getting caught up on some of that. Tillie, I'm (at least in theory) hearing your message about the importance of fun and recreation. I feel a strong need for that right now.

More rain here today. I'm not complaining. It's much cooler here than it usually is this time of year!

Roxie, sorry you've had to be back in the hospital. Hugs as you recuperate.

Happy summer, everyone!

HAPPY 1st. DAY OF SUMMER!

Anybody have any plans or goals they want to accomplish in the next 3 months?
Anyone planning a vacation, camping trip or get-away?
Maybe visiting local places or events of interest in your local community?
Farmer's markets will be opening up soon.
Community parks, pools and fair grounds often have different types of activities.

Remember, we have to balance work with rest and recreation.
Focusing every day only on decluttering and cleaning will burn you out and depress you.
So schedule in some fun activities to reward yourself for working hard to achieve your goals of a clean clutter free home. 🙂

Hi Roxie 🙂
"clink"
Happy you are home again, so sorry to hear that you needed more procedures.
(((HUGS)))
I order you to rest and recuperate and think only about pleasant things like baby animals and pretty flowers and big fluffy clouds that look like cartoon characters. 😉

Take care y'all 🙂

First cup of coffee today. ::clink::

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY! 🙂

TTYL 🙂

Thanks Tillie, yes, dogs are wonderful, and to be paid to play with them is great.
Today I got up and washed my body, hair and ALL of the dirty dishes. Went to work, said my intentions are to make the patients as comfortable as possible but when stress is so great in the OR, it is not worth it. Will discuss more, tomorrow at work. I feel I can let go graciously with no blame.
Went to the store after work and got smoothie supplies and just drank a delicious drink. So nice I washed the 3 smoothie blender containers this morning, and had room on counter to make a smoothie. Feel so much better with cleaner kitchen
thnks

Thanks Tillie, yes, dogs are wonderful, and to be paid to play with them is great.
Today I got up and washed my body, hair and ALL of the dirty dishes. Went to work, said my intentions are to make the patients as comfortable as possible but when stress is so great in the OR, it is not worth it. Will discuss more, tomorrow at work. I feel I can let go graciously with no blame.
Went to the store after work and got smoothie supplies and just drank a delicious drink. So nice I washed the 3 smoothie blender containers this morning, and had room on counter to make a smoothie. Feel so much better with cleaner kitchen
thnks

Hi, could post lots more but time's zooming by so for now I'll just report that this afternoon I go to my 2nd monthly meeting of local support group for clutter/hoarding. Looking forward to it! 🙂

Good Evening 🙂

Thanks Jess 🙂

Hi Oodles 🙂
Hoping everything turns out alright for you and your daughter.
Such a busy work schedule too. 🙁
Remember to eat, rest and sleep so you don't wear yourself out and get sick. (((hugs)))

Hello Diane 🙂
Wonderful to hear from you!
Sounds like you have been having lots of fun with the rocks.
Happy to hear you have been dog sitting too.
Yes, negative people really can wear a person down.
Missed you...(((hugs)))

LR2014 🙂
Hope you are safe from the predicted storms down your way.

Got up with the sun again today and went outside and did more work in my yard.
Got the front porch and walkways all cleaned & swept.
Looks pretty out there now. 🙂
Then I went to the house I am baby sitting and did some stuff over there.
Came home and swept the floors & vacuumed the carpet. Really needed it because I sort of trashed it walking through with my garden mud covered sandals on yesterday.
Did two loads of laundry then washed my hair.
Feels so good to be clean again after working outside.
Planning to take the rest of this week off. 🙂

My rattlesnake bit dog friend is eating her food.
She is sleeping almost constantly from the drugs, which is good.
Antivenin, laser treatments for the necrotic tissue, antibiotics and other meds to maintain her.
Prognosis is good. 😀

TTYL 🙂

Miss you, finally got on to read and saw board only had one page, saved me lots of time!!! Tillie, Roxie and LR, so great reading your posts since I feel like you are my sisters. As you may remember, I basically gave up on myself a few months ago. While finally cleaning the filthy bathroom today, I knew I needed to start chatting with you again. I ha ve been obsessed with sorting rocks, learning how to cut rocks, chip obsidian etc. Basically ignoring all self care. I am about ready to quit the job I have on Thursdays, it is just too dang stressful for this old lady, and this week have to work tomorrow too. Difficult to be around negative people that hate their life. I have been so happy playing with rocks, enjoying my yard, dog sitting, really stands out when around negativity. Happy you are all here hanging in

Stuck on suitcase decision 2 days now. The TSA broke the zippers. I put it in throw pile. Got emotional took it out. $250.00 suitcase (assigned a value) thought "I can fix it". The part that you attach a new pull to is busted off leaning towards throw but, got interrupted by my Adult Cog Impaired daughter need to take her to ER again for a long stay at hospital after 9.5 hours of work. Will still try a 15 min stint when I get home maybe cloths or dishes. Need to be up at 4 am to work a 10 hr day tomorrow.

I hope Monkey will be okay! Poor pup.

Good Morning Everybody! 😀
Still morning here in northern Nevada.

Hi Roxie 🙂 "clink"
Wish there were people I could have over often but he is such a mean, nasty, argumentative and negative person that people don't want to be around him very much. 🙁

Hi Jess 🙂
Great to hear from you! 😀
WAY TO GO!!! for getting started on the kitchen, laundry and that business phone call! 😀
Keeping your daily "To-Do" list simple, with tasks that you know you can achieve is a great way to go.
When there is a big task to tackle, try breaking the steps down into more easily accomplished pieces and doing it in nibbles.
Remember that baby steps will get it done. (((hugs)))

Got up at sunrise today and got outside.
Got my main flower/herb garden all weeded, thinned and sorted out.
Now I can easily see the plants! 😀
Hollyhocks started to bloom yesterday, a pale pink one and a red one. 🙂
Honeysuckle is completely loaded with blooms and it smells like heaven out there.
Have a bumper crop of cat mint(catnip) this year so had to pull a LOT of that out in spite of all the cats screaming "NO!!!!"

Special request....
There is a dog that I am very fond of.
Yesterday she was bitten on the face by a rattle snake.
She is being treated in the emergency veterinary clinic.
Please think good thoughts for Monkey. 🙁
Thank you.

Hello, here to check in. I've been absent a little while.

I broke down last night and emailed my therapist that I want to reopen the discussion about taking medication for my OCD. I'm still scared but I feel it might be time.

My best friend's mother passed away very suddenly so I've been out of town a lot seeing my friend. I'm back now though, and trying to get myself together. I cleaned up the kitchen a bit and threw in a load of laundry. Called the vet about a billing issue.

I want to try to isolate a couple other realistic things I can get done today. My overall list is pretty intimidating.

Good to see you all again 🙂

Good morning, all. So glad to see some posters here ahead of me.

Tillie, hmm, you might consider inviting people more often if that is part of what lit a fuse under Mr. T. hehe I am wicked. Glad you are getting some time for yourself now.

Hi People! 😀

Been enjoying the day today. 🙂
Did some gardening, did some cooking, cleaned the kitchen and gave myself a pedicure.
Soon, I will be going outside again to do some more gardening after it cools off a bit. 🙂

WAY TO GO!!!! SusanL! 😀
Thanks so much for this positive & uplifting update! 🙂

HI Oodles 🙂
FANTASTIC progress!, well done!, WAY TO GO! 😀
Hope you are feeling better real soon. (((hugs)))

4:45pm here now. It will be cool enough out there to pull some more weeds in the shady areas.
TTYL 🙂

Today,doing yard work. Had so much rain I have a jungle out there. Also cleaned crud from my stove grates & took garbage out from treasure hunt last night. Throwing it out was hard. Goal is to get a sorting table established. Feeling I have to re-do the room paint,carpet, hang new door. (I don't) Just the sorting table is enough. Hope all are doing well today :> My bonus will be to get one small surface cleaned off.

Test - It appears my message posted twice?

Hmmm must have double-clicked did not do it in the test. Have a good evening everyone!

Hello Everyone (You can do it!)
Me? Rough start today. Instead of working in my living space, I ventured to my daughters old bedroom. I threw a garbage bag full away. Then I got distracted. I went into the bathroom (she broke the toilet handle) I was able to get the toilet to flush. Do I go back and focus? No I start watching youtube videos on how to replace the toilet handle & the door. Also assess the costs to replace vinyl. Anxiety & distraction is huge. I only have the weekends. I worked 90 hours this week. I am ill and slept earlier. Up & trying to accomplish something.

Hi everybody, glad to hear folks are making progress. I'm mostly done with downsizing except for a few boxes, living proof it can be done in one lifetime 🙂

Take care,
SusanL
Not to be confused with other Susans

Hi Roxie and everybody. I remember how concerned I felt when Roxie wasn't posting. And now I wonder what Dave is up to. I still read here often. So few people have any understanding of hoarding, ADD, OCD, or depression; especially when it is combined with aging and health issues. Reading how you all are doing helps me feel so not alone in my struggles. My progress? Infinitesimal. (yes, that's the right word but I had to stop and look up the spelling because it just didn't look right) a compulsion I guess. I am already side-tracked from paying bills today. only about 92 degrees and very humid. And get hotter thru at least Monday. .back to my bills O. today is my daughter's birthday. She is 49. impossible! life seems to go at the speed of light these days! (too many exclamation points!... Self-criticism.)