Got out one more bag of garbage--mainly papers I had shredded. I cleaned cat box. Feeling much better. Waiting for laundry to be finished I can put in dryer. Dishwasher ready to go.

Ran some errands tonight after getting home from BF's house. It is raw and rainy and somewhat foggy. Very Sherlock Holmes. I do love a night like this. Didn't even carry an umbrella.

Great birthday plans, Tillie.

Just got back from BF's house. We didn't get groceries BUT he got me cat food and litter, so I'm pretty sure I can live to see another day!

Two bags of garbage out and countless recycling batches. Will work on one more garbage bag then call it a night. Back to work tomorrow!

I think Tillie's birthday should be a national holiday!

Happy, happy birthday dear heart.

Hi ;D

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Thank you (((hug)))
Of course ALL typos are forgiven and even ignored. 😉
WAY TO GO!!!for getting things done, especially the things you do "just for you".

Cleaned the kitchen today and did one load of laundry that is drying on the racks inside because it only got up to 28 degrees today.
Tomorrow I am going to get a take & bake pizza for my B-Day supper.
Thin crust pepperoni, mushroom and black olive! ;D
Also tomorrow I plan to only do the usual and always cat chores.
Taking the whole day off! YEA!!!! Me. LOL ;D

Hi Anonymoniker 😀
Thank you! 😀
(((hugs)))

Ps we call amnesty on typos and misspelling right? THREW out, not through out.

Hey Tillie! Both glad and sad the kitties are gone! You were an angel to take care of them and provide them with care. The rug sounds wonderful! Congratulations!

I am busily getting the recycling out. Dropped off the tips for two of my mother's caretakers. Have gotten out lots of recycling and have two big garbage bags ready. Through out my gingerbread house. Just in a mood to get this place more presentable. for me. Doing it for myself is very satisfying.

Not a drop of food in house but I think I can persuade BF to get me to store. We are going up to his house to get the rest of my gifts. I left them there Christmas Eve as I had to drive Mom home and had my hands full as it was.

HI Tatoulia 😀

Big "WAVE" ;D

Good Morning Everyone 🙂

Happy to read you are both enjoying yourselves.
(((HUGS)))

Since there were no more kittens to play with and hug & love, I decided to start making my crochet rag rug yesterday.
Had the fabric already cut into strips and rewatched the Youtube "how to" videos.
Worked on it all day, it was very easy.
Finished it before bedtime and had used every single bit of the fabric too.
My blue eyed albino girl kitty loves it, laid on it all evening.
With the price of fabric at the thrift shop being so great, 25 cents to 1.00 for several yards, it will be very affordable for me to make another one for the bathroom. 😀
Next time I am stepping up my game and making a more complicated pattern.

Hope you are all recovering nicely today from all the sugar plum fairies dancing in your heads.
Yesterday I ate way too many sweets. 😉 LOL

Today's project is to get all the recycling out. I received a fair number of gifts in the mail and the boxes have piled up. My house is terrible and I think tomorrow or Wednesday the plumber is coming to try to put my bathroom back together.

I'll write more later. Need to break free of the desire7e6 to sit around.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!

Very relaxing time with mom, BF and some of BF's employees last night. At BF's house, so it was very relaxing. Slept all day today, only getting up to feed kitty.

Hope you are all well. I reflect on my many blessings and thank you all for sticking with me as I sort through the stuff of my life.

~☆~HAPPY BIRTHDAY TILLIE!!!~☆~
~☆~MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALL!!!~☆~
....ill be back when i get a chance.. ♡♡♡

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Now is the time to set aside all our
shoulda/woulda/coulda thoughts and just be in the moment.
A time to look around us and be grateful for the blessings that we have.
Find a time to quietly meditate and find our inner peace and pray that the peace will grow and encompass the whole planet.
(((((HUG)))))

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
WAY TO GO!!!
For tossing the magazines!!! 😀
You will never run out of new interesting books to read at the library or on kindle. 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
YEA!!! for clearing off your desk and leaving! ;D

Thanks guys for the BD wishes.
My BD is the 27th. but I always need something fun to look forward to.
Two kittens went to their forever homes yesterday and the third one goes tomorrow afternoon.
I miss them, LOL ;D

Happy birthday, dear Tillie!

Almost one o'clock and I'm getting ready to clear my desk and leave.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TILLIE!

Anonymoniker, a phobia is right! I just cringe when the little gift bags come out. Given my economic and time crunch situation I don't bring any of my own. And in a way, I'm doing the others a favor by not bringing any!

I'm way more in favor of giving consumables - food or flowers, etc. - as gifts. I used to be of the mindset to give "something that lasts," but unless that something is a true treasure, it quickly becomes a burden on the recipient - even if they don't realize it right away.

Guess what I did this morning - I even surprised myself. I had another stack of magazines - Book Page - they are free every month at the library here. Well, I had them going back 3-4 years and the other day I thought, I'm going to start going through these really fast and toss them.

Well, I started doing that but it was going really slowly. And I know the reason I was even bothering was that I still had that nagging fear of "missing out" on discovering an interesting book. Well, great balls of fire, do I not have hundreds of actual books already sitting around not getting read?!

Last night I was just feeling disgusted and frustrated with my life in general off and on - which isn't fun but can sometimes channel into a good form of angry energy. That's when the idea came to me. "Just throw all those Book Pages in the trash!" Today is pickup day and they're in the dumpster, about to go bye-bye! I won't ever have to deal with them again! Book Page even has a website if I ever get that dang curious, but I hope I just keep getting back to being focused on more important priorities anyway.

I'm not even going to pick up any more of them at the library. 😉

Good Morning Everyone 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Thank You ;D
Hoping everything goes smoothly and you get to leave work at 12 noon exactly, if not sooner.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
I can relate to having a phobia about receiving those little gifts.
That's because we can now see that it all starts innocently enough with one little thing and eventually snowballs into a massive scary amount lurking in every corner.
Good luck making your place unattractive to those predators.
(((HUGS)))

Today there is nothing much to do around here besides the usual daily stuff like scoop litter boxes and sweep & etc...
Going to wash my hair soon as I get off the internet. ;P
Looking forward to my birthday.
I'm used to celebrating it all alone since everybody is all concerned with Christmas this time of year.
After all the holiday shoppers have finished their shopping frenzies I plan to go buy myself something I will truly like.
Don't know what that is yet but I will keep thinking on it. 😀

Everybody have a wonderful day and stay safe & warm. 🙂

Anonymoniker

There are LOTS of sites online and on Youtube
that go into detail about deterring mountain lions, bob cats & coyotes.
Please look at them.
Most important is to eliminate the food and water sources.
Clear clutter to reduce the rodent population because they eat rats & mice too.
Turn on lights and a radio.
Use ammonia soaked rags.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Will write my usual post later ;D

Hi all!
Congrats on stopping the gifty gifts! Every birthday & Christmas i get afraid of receiving those things! I know this is a site for hoarders, but after my years as the serial shopper & then severe poverty, im actually almost phobic now of 'stuff!' Ive really changed to seek experiences now, instead...if i could just get my house clean and fixed..
A few days ago i found more fresh lion tracks. There are also a lot of coyotes coming through. It is very likely from that mess of water at my well that my sloppy handyman left! I have a new guy coming this morning that im hoping can fix it right. In the meantime, ive 'decorated' that whole area where the tracks and poops are with lights, Christmas tree tinsle, moth balls, ammonia & bullets(for the gunpowder smell), to intimindate them from the area. Im not sure what else to do...except pray my cats stay safe, which i do..
Tillie, do you know of any other things i could do to get them to leave my area? Im hoping without the water pouring out from my well, that they will leave? Ive been really worried? ~♡~

Thank you Tillie! I love your encouragement and you are so right--I've never tried that method and it's time that I do! there is absolutely no down side to try a different way to declutter!

I'm washing up some pjs now and I'm going to wrap gifts.

We have a half day at work tomorrow and I am determined to leave at noon!

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Thank you (((HUGS)))
WAY TO GO!!!! for deciding long ago not to keep the trinket gifts!!! ;D
Nobody should EVER feel obligated to keep anything in their homes that does not truly serve a purpose or that they find to be beautiful.
You're not cruel, you are being very kind to yourself and your own peace of mind.
(((hugs)))
Best way to start pushing yourself harder is to start doing just one thing/area.
Start with something small where you will see results very quickly.
Enjoy looking at it.
When you are ready, start on another one.
Same thing goes for establishing new habits like daily or weekly To-Dos.
You never want to take on too much at once or you will get burned out.
Slow and steady really will get it done. (((HUGS)))

Hi everyone, I'm at office still.

CM good to hear from you! Good work getting rid of the magazines! Each bit of progress helps, and knowing that, iId really like to push myself much harder.

Long ago I made the decision not to keep the trinket gifts. I generally throw out before I get home. I know that's cruel but it's the truth. I have no need. I don't use candles, I don't like smelly stuff, etc. I want to live my life without the obligation gifts. I don't regift because in my mind, it perpetuates the practice. I throw them out. Cruel but true.

Tillie! Tiny baby cats! You did a good job of taking care of them and finding them homes. Im so happy. I love their little tails.

Will write more later.

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
Thank you 😉
Wonderful to catch up with you and your goings ons there. 😀
How true that craft plans and supplies can easily get out of control.
I always have to keep in mind what I have and what I am enjoying doing.
WAY TO GO! for doing laundry, looking for stuff that can do and especially for releasing those magazines!!! 😀
Remember that it's the thought and not the actual gift it's self that counts and re-gift those boogers with a clear conscience.
(((HUGS)))

Checking in...

Glad we've had the winter solstice and now the days are getting a wee bit longer!

I'm kind of at sixes and sevens, have some ideas about how to tackle some of the storage as well as am making tiny inroads on the stuff at the place where I'm staying. I'm scatterbrained right now because my mechanic is trying to get with me to get the repairs of radiator hose and also he may have found me some used tires.

But he is so good at what he does - he does plumbing too and other repairs - that he tends to get called for emergencies. And he has 3 teenage kids. So there have been a lot of times where he's supposed to be on his way but then time goes by and I don't hear anything, and then we try another day and the same thing happens. But I like him - and I know he feels bad about it too. I just do hope we can get some of this wrapped up soon.

Meanwhile, I have come to the branch library and am on their computer - was just needing to get out - and it's near where my mechanic is so if I hear from him I can just run over there and then get someone to take me home. And I may not be here too long because I'm getting hungry so may head back home and make some lunch.

I'm in the mode of remembering projects I had started on last winter and then put aside and in some cases forgotten about. Like a quilt I was piecing, and baby blankets I was knitting or crocheting for the crisis pregnancy center. I've picked back up some of that. When I get those things done I'm going to be more strict about not starting too many crafty projects. With ADD that's always a hazard, and it multiplies the clutter really fast. I'm really going to try to go against my natural inclinations and work on one thing till it's done before starting another.

Of course, there are still things in other areas like writing and art - and I give myself permission to do those because they're different enough from crafts.

Oh, and, there are the mundane things like just cleaning and laundry... I did get some laundry done and I'm looking for little stuff to discard. I even took back some free magazines I'd brought home from quilt guild without reading them - they've been hanging around for months. Let someone else enjoy them!

Don't know about you all but at Christmas I wish people would stop giving me little gifty things I do NOT need or want. I am shamelessly regifting them to others before I start feeling any attachment to the items or any ambivalence or guilt or dithering as to what to do with them.

Tillie, hope the kitties all have found wonderful furever homes!

If I don't get a chance to post again before, everyone have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Good Morning Everyone 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
So happy last weekend went peacefully for you.
So very sorry about that plumbing disaster. Hope there are no more surprises before it can get fixed properly.
(((HUGS)))
About the special Christmas mugs LOL
Yes, I too have held onto things but when I actually use/wear them I find that they weren't really anything I really wanted anyway.
GREAT! repurposing them into cute little gifts! 😀

The kittens were back home with me by 3:00pm.
This morning they are slowly starting to get back to normal.
Veterinarians only keep them until the anesthesia has mostly worn off, when the surgery goes smoothly.
Now days they use dissolving sutures too so there is no return visit to have stitches removed.
As long as the cats don't fuss with the incision there is nothing more to do.
If they do keep licking then they receive the "Cone Of Shame". ;P
My kittens are behaving very well. 😀
The people may come today to get their two kittens.
The other Lady is so happy that I have no problem hiding the Christmas present kitty here for her until Christmas eve.

TTYS 🙂

Great catching up on your posts! Keep working toward your skunk free home, Anony!

Tillie I am excited for the kittens. So glad they found homes! A kitten for Christmas--how nice! When do they come home from being spayed?

Very peaceful time with brother last weekend. I was grateful for that.

Well I had the plumber over today to change my faucets and much to my chagrin, a pipe broke during the process. He was very kind and was trying to get someone over to help remove the cabinet and go into the wall but I told him since I'm not hosting Christmas & it only affects the bathroom sink, let's not do anything on an emergency basis. I was actually really upset but wanted to hide it. Later there was a rush of water due to the pipe being open and I was running the washer--he came right over, with the right sized plug, and I can live to see another day. The issue with the laundry water pouring into the bathroom was really stressful so when he was able to fix it, I felt such relief that honestly, all the stress went away and I can be just fine til next week. He's not sure whether the guy will come Tues or Wednesday and we will take it from there.

Tillie, I have four Christmas coffee mugs that I've used exactly once but that are "too cute" to donate. Each cup is a little different. I decided to fill three of them with peppermint teabags, candy canes and a few other treats and give them as gifts. They look so cute! And I recycled the very cute box they were stored in. HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART: I used the one I was keeping today. It is not comfortable in my hand. I shall wash it and make it a gift for someone.

After all this time, I don't love it after all. What else can I say that about??

Much love. I will learn better habits this year Tillie & Anony!

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Happy Winter solstice to you too.;)

Busy day today for me.
Kittens went to get fixed this morning.
While they were gone I went out and visited with my friend and said good bye to her service dog who has been a sweetheart but now she will soon be going to doggie heaven.
She has had a good and long life for a Jack Russell terrier. (((HUGS)))

~Happy Winter Solstice to all!~
I havent gotten much of anything done...the thing is, i really love just relaxing, playing my drum, going for walks, reading the internet(ooops?!), and i love spending time with my boyfriend! I know i need to make time for improvements, but it is such an overwhelming amount, that i dont want to waste precious time messing with it...hmmm...
Tillie, you are right about the tiny house being needed. I just need to settle into a for sure plan. Id thought that was the log cabin till they declined making one that small! Now im back to the converted shed, which would be less money & i keep thinking how i could decorate the outside in my own mesquite wood in a unique way! This trailer is sooo much colder than my boyfriend's converted shed! His even has a cement floor with no carpet & its like summertime in there?!!
The skunk was making noise all night but i just did not want to deal with it, plus it was raining outside...also, he isnt being destructive enough for me to justify sending him 'away'....geeeez...
Also, my old 54 Chevy truck that my stepson bought from me had the motor stolen, so he said i could have it back & i want to use it to put the cat food bowls in, instead of the junk heap im using now! It would be the most adorable cat food bowl holder/lawn ornament ever!!! ha ha Im serious!
Im gonna dust one room today! Yes!
I hope each of you gets something meaningful done today! ~♡~ 😀

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Thank you
Just knowing I have done the best that I can for the kittens welfare helps make it easier.
This new year lets make finding you your tiny home a big priority. (((HUGS)))
When having a hard time deciding what task to do, a good way is to play this game.
Write down 6 tasks.
Number them one through six and toss a die.
Do the numbered task that the die says.
😉

Yesterday I cleaned the place.
Bathroom, floors, dusting, etc...
Today I will do quick tidying ups to maintain the clean.
Looking forward to doing something fun today even though I haven't yet decided what that will be. 😉

Hi all!!!
Tillie, im so glad the kitties seem to have some good forever homes! How lucky they are to have found you! Ive known women that have been foster moms, and i do not know how they do it, tho knowing they will have a nice new home & family must make it easier. In many ways, i think that might be as wonderful for you as it would be for the kitties?
Tatoulia, how nice that youre getting rest! I hope all went well with your brother?
CM, i cracked up at your idea of repealing that law of physics! ha ha
Ive been loving being back with my boyfriend, but still having time here at home, too. A few nights ago it got really cold & i woke up at my boyfriend's worried about all the shoddy plumbing breaking when i realized i hadnt turned the clothes dryer breaker off & its right next to the new plumbing that keeps breaking. I had images of my place catching fire & got in a panic. I couldnt leave during the night cuz my car ignition sticks when its frozen out. When we got there & everything was fine, the amount of relief i felt made me sooo grateful all day! The handyman that did that work is now having some health issues & has quit his regular jobs. I need to find someone to hire to get it all finished & done right. I still go around on how much effort, time & money to sink into this crap trailer, rather than a new home. A little converted shed is all id need!
Yesterday i noticed i couldnt smell the skunk as much, so i opened that drawer a little to see if he was still there & he was. It also looked like he hadnt chewed up the clothes on top. He also hasnt been destroying anything, all of which makes it more difficult to send him away to Skunk Heaven. It is usually very clear where my line is drawn, but this one seems to be behaving enough to create mixed feelings on that for me.
This week i want to make a difference here...maybe ill try to dust? The decisions are often the hardest part. Ive noticed how motivated i am to put in effort to keep my boyfriend's place nice, but it already is nice. It is soooo easy to do when its already so close to perfect! Ive even learned how to make his bed...ha ha...well, not nearly as well as he does, but it looks nice! Its funny what an awesome housekeeper he is, and that wed end up together?! 😀

Good Morning 🙂

Monday, Monday...
Today I must do general house cleaning.
With all the added kitten & cat activities
I have been slacking off.
Wednesday, Winter begins and I would like to start the season without so much dust in the house.
Today it is predicted to get all the way up to 34 degrees.
YEA!!! ? ;/

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Wishing for peace for you and good driving weather too.
(((HUGS)))

OK...
Went to the adoption event this morning.
It started at 9:00am.
By 10:00am all the paperwork and fees were done for all three of my kittens.
I got to meet the people.
They are all very nice and not ignorant idiots.
The girls go get spayed this next week so I will continue to foster them until then.
The two gray kittens are adopted together.
The brown & black tabby will be a Christmas gift for a 7 year old girl and her 12 year old sister who already has a 9 year old cat.
I will keep the tabby until XMas eve.
The main lady from the organization is trying to pressure me into becoming a regular foster home for kittens and pregnant cats.
YIKES!!!!:/
Fortunately, I know how to say "NO" in several different languages. ;D
Was heartbreaking to see the adult cats up for adoption.
One needs insulin shots daily.
Another the owner died.
One needs to be an only cat.
Etc...etc...etc...

TTYS 🙂