Good Morning Everybody! 😀

Hi Porter 🙂
That's a lot of thought and research into food values.
Along with some exercise, this should serve you well! 😀

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
It has been a pleasure to work along side you!
((((HUGS))))

Everybody did FANTASTICin 2017.
You all put forth the effort and kept working no matter what obstacles were thrown in your way.
(((((HUGS)))))

Have linens hanging out on the clothes line already by 9:00am today.
Tried to get Steven to help me with the kitchen cupboard yesterday, no such luck.
Brain stormed on what to do with that cupboard afterwards and figured out it could be hung in the pump house.
Then I could use it for yard/garden stuff rather than the milk crates I've been using.
That would clear up a little floor space.
YEA! 😀
Now I just need some help.
This entire project would take half an hour to complete from removal from kitchen, to installation in pump house.

Last post of 2017

Thanks everybody for having my back in the clutter fight, of course, and for so much more - for being your amazing creative, problem solving, sometimes down but never out, wise and witty loving selves.

In short, you rock. Always. 🙂

Joan, I loved what you said about how the approach to the problem needs to start with the non material. Absolutely true. Back in my 20s I already was the proud owner of a book entitled Getting Organized. LOL! As if! Owning that book never got me much further along; treating the symptom rather than the underlying problem.

The worst baggage and clutter has always been in my mind, heart and spirit. When I realized I'd wasted two years on a dead end relationship with the guy I'd fantasized to be my future husband and father of my children, instead of letting the grief do its worst and trusting I'd survive, I turned to filling up my space with the trappings of the cozy domestic life I longed for. Some of the crafty stuff would've been okay if I'd been reasonable and moderate about it, and not spent beyond my means in that and other areas.

And not having family now that my parents are gone, and coming to realize that the good memories of them are not in the material objects we had - learning that it's okay to keep a few of those things but being very selective. Fixing a picture in my mind's eye of my loved ones that no physical loss can erase. Seeing news headlines this year about the California fires, people losing everything, that sure brings it home - in case that's ever me starting over I don't want it to kill my spirit.

Anyway. Doing like Porter, taking the scientific and nutritional knowledge like never before to bring about good health - we are mortal but we have some control over the quality of our physical selves if, as with our new approach to our surroundings, we opt not to bring junk into our bodies. And not let toxic people past or present rob us of joy.

Well, I'm waxing poetic as if I've been dipping into New Year's champagne, but I'm actually stone sober, just drunk on the possibilities and wanting nothing but good for all you my dehoarding homies in 2018 and beyond. As the 10th Doctor would say, Allons-y! See you next year! 😉

I'm almost late to a dinner invite.

So please forgive me for dumping this unedited post below.
Some of it was hard to validate and I kind of want to look it up offsite again. So anyway.

Well wishes everyone. It's wonderful hear from yall again .
Looking forward to next year.

------------------------

DNA-Enhancing Guidelines

There are a few DNA-enhancing guidelines we can follow to help "feed our genes right" and reverse DNA damage done:

Eat a nutrient-dense diet to make every bite count.
Eat a variety of fresh, whole foods.
Eat quality protein.
Eat a varied selection of non-starchy vegetables.
Eat a varied selection of non-starchy fruits.
Consume only healthy oils and fats.
Season your foods with herbs and spices.
Drink water and herbal teas.
Eat organically produced foods whenever possible.
Restrict or avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars, and limit your intake of all processed carbohydrates.
Minimize your consumption of highly refined cooking oils, like soybean, canola, ?vegetable oil.'
Avoid all foods with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and trans fat.

-----
Large epidemiological studies consistently show that higher intake of foods rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin reduce the risk of several different cancer types

Foods high in lutein

Red pepper , turnip greens,  synergy pairing = broccoli , blueberries 

Foods high in zeaxanthin

Red pepper , turnip greens,  synergy pairing = broccoli , blueberries

Foods high in astaxanthin 500-6000 times stinger than vitamin C alone.

Food containing astaxanthin include:
? salmon, pairing merlot , 
? krill,
? and shrimp

It's the red , that makes flamingos red

Salmon , turnip greens, red peppers,  broccoli , blueberries.
Banana walnut bread
Green tea with lemon and honey

I eat this as much as I can , but it gets monotonous .
So if I'm working out very much , I take a realty check.
Do I need to lose fat, or build muscle . 
 So again if I want to work out but I'm not. 
I try to Insert a personal rule. 
I'm either fasting every other day  or I'm working out every other day .

I would love to say this year I'm going workout every other day and on non workout days I'm eating the most extremely healthy food .
Working and cleaning house and trying to save the world a little sooner than later. 

Well I can schedule it weekly right?

But those are habits and take awhile to knit together.
 
But I can be the lord and master of my lunch box and put stuff in it that help  not hurt.

I can start my day off with plant based food with high caliber nutrients.

And I can stick to eating only twenty animal fat meals a month for dinner.

GOTOS 
Cashew milk , egg .protein bars. Breakfasts
Vitamin water , egg , protien+ nutrient bar lunch
Green tea,lemon, honey. , shrimp and red peppers, 

Efforts 
Minimal carb breakfast.
Salad  lunch
3-4 Satiating dinners a week ,  salmon, steak, rotisserie chicken pair with foods that synergies their nutrients.

Care and effort into foods that repair the body after working. With emphasis on eyes, liver, brain, skin, heart and nutrition that repairs and divides DNA. Best. Exercise that pumps the lymph system jumping jacks, jump rope, trampoline.

search
Foods high in

Foods high in

Foods high in

Good Morning Everybody! 😀
"clink!"

Last day of 2017 already.
Lets none of us mourn what we didn't do in the last 365 days.
Rather lets all celebrate every little and big good thing we did do. ;D

Hi Porter 🙂
Once people put things in a dumpster or can or by a roadside curb, it is legal to remove items.
What people get tickets for is when they put their own trash into dumpsters not belonging to them or throw all the trash on the ground, littering.
Happy to read about all you are doing and dreaming. (((HUGS)))

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! for reclaiming your bed and all the other straightening and organizing!!! (((HUGS)))
Steven will hoard the cupboard but it will just end up on top of the heaps since he has no wall or floor space to properly use it.
He keeps everything, even the old broken water heater and everything else that comes onto the property. Nothing ever leaves.

Hi Subclinical 🙂
WTG! for that attic work! (((HUGS)))
So happy to read you have had great family time. 😀

Hi Joan 🙂
The problem with internet shopping is that it is immediate, from the comfort of our own homes.
What I always do is put things in the "cart" or on the wish list.
Think about them, go back and modify the list, and think about it some more.
I also never leave an open account on any sites I frequent. That way I must manually type in all the information before hitting the "buy" button.
A self imposed cooling off period.
Looking forward to working with you in the new year. (((hugs)))

Hi Anonymoniker 😀

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
We have never had any cable TV, just Netflix.
The ROKU is amazing!
So many movies and TV programs that I have wanted to see.
Spending most of the time just rummaging through all the offerings available. ;D
Happy you are enjoying all your new gifts.
When we remove old stale items from our homes it clears up space for us to enjoy the fresh new things that add value to our lives. (((HUGS)))

Today I will go out and light the burn barrel.
Cold dark and overcast but the heat of the fire will be warm.
Then I will come inside and shower, wash my hair, put on all clean clothes.
Just my way of sending off the old year and welcoming the new year.

Everybody have a wonderful night.
Stay safe and healthy and we will see you all next year.
((((((((HUGS))))))))

Happy New Year!

Joan I agree we are on the right path--I feel more peaceful due to the companionship here (I love your use of the word fellowship). I can look at my house today and I can pretend I'm cleaning someone else's house, and it becomes easier. I have most of my dishes boxed to go to goodwill. We are in a terrible cold spell here and I did not want to be carrying heavy items the six blocks to where my car is garaged. I will keep them here til there's a bit of an ease in the weather.

Yesterday while shopping with brother I started a bit of overshopping myself and then put the items away. Sometimes having them in my cart is good enough for me. I do that on line, too. Just put in cart then decide the better of it.

All of my Christmas gifts are useful, needed and wanted with the exception of the watch the BF bought me. I have nice watches and now I have one more. I can't wear it yet since I need to go to the jeweler and have it sized. But the dishes and the other things are all useful. Maybe I didn't need the gift card for reflexology but then again, I did need it. I sleep so much better after a session. But since my family has no disposable income, I don't end up with a bunch of junk.

I'm going to get dressed, go do a little sightseeing with BF (in the car) then go visit with mom for a short time. I don't have to start getting ready til about 8, 8:30 tonight.

Hello all. Nice to read your posts.

I am awake with a negative reaction to a somewhat compulsive buying spree last night. I got things I love, but they were overpriced. It feels like I am in the process of outgrowing the need to do that. Although I am beating myself up some, I'll also digest and learn from the experience in the New Year, 2018.

It was a good discourse on de-hoarding that you wrote, Tillie. Although there is no concrete progress yet to show for it, I consider my everyday work on my health to be the foundation for eventual home renovations. Your treatise is in line with my own work in consciousness, moving towards a self-centered source of transformation, rather than a thing-centered source of transformation. As I write that, I realize that that is the basic problem I see with most standardized approaches to hoarding. The systems approach the problem on the level of the problem, instead of on the level of the solution.

Thanks everyone, for your fellowship. 2018 will be a healthier and lighter year, with expansion from the core outwards in many directions.

Hello everyone! Good to read your posts and your thought processes! Thank you!

Tillie you are amazing. I'm in awe of you. While I wish for more storage, you are continually examining your life and objects and your relationship to those objects. I hope you enjoy your roku. We switched out of cable nearly six years ago. The roku has been terrific. I subscribe to Netflix and Hulu and Amazon prime. Always something to watch. Mom loves it and my brother, who was so hooked on cable tv, has adjusted to the streaming way of life.

Cm you are doing great! I hope you are basking in the feelings of accomplishment! SubC great idea in using white elephant sale to reduce! Porter good to hear from you. You are very good at planning and your cooking plans sound wonderful.

I had a very good and productive day with brother then came home and napped. Just woke up now to check in on everything.

Hi all!

So much going on!

Cm, good progress. And Tillie, thank you for the inspiration. We travel home on the 1st so I will be doing some thinking/dreaming/planning in my journal then.

Sil is sending pictures of the cats. Visit with dh family went ok - too much to process, I acquired school photos of nieces and nephews and also a trivet.

Had a fun white elephant game tonight with my family - I brought most of the white elephants and so have unloaded them, but I am going home with a useful little notebook and dh got a bandana.

Brother and I have completely emptied half of mom's attic.

Hi Tillie, Tatoulia, and Porter!

This weekend of focused decluttering has been nice. I know with only two nights I can't tackle huge amounts. So it was a good chance to see if my prioritizing skills have improved any. I'm happy to report that I think they have.

I did a third load of laundry today, and started on putting the items back into the bedroom but NOT on the bed! Found a good spot for two small baskets of books, took some of my sewing equipment out of large tote bags it had been in when I was carting my in-progress quilt back and forth to the church.

There remains a couple of bags and four shoebox size plastic boxes of dolls and/or their clothes that I want to work on soon. I'm thinking boxes are better to stack, so I'm going to fold up the tote bag there also. The books range in size from my dictionary sized complete works of Shakespeare from college (I'd wanted to read "A Midsummer Night's Dream" back when it was midsummer, LOL!) and a Zoology textbook, down to some Young Adult vampire novels. And misc. in between.

I'm thinking of places to put them. Some I brought over here before switching locations of the storage unit, so if need be they can go into the closer by storage unit and I can access them in turn. It's going to be so nice to have that especially when I get it all organized so it's just like the "spare bedroom" or my archives - neat and easy to find what I can't keep here, and also it will continue to get more efficient as I use up my remaining fabric and craft "stashes" that made the cut and didn't get downsized. Make, use up, use/sell/gift finished products, and don't maintain any large stash after that.

Oh, yeah, I meant to mention there's still one side of the bedroom opposite the bed where some progress has been made a few months back, yet there's also a pileup of recent papers and things I need to process and toss or file or whatever. Once that's done, I will be in a place where I can get some cleaner and go over the floor where it has gotten kind of gritty and dust bunnies try to breed. I want to put down a small light colored piece of linoleum my roommate said I could have - the existing floor is dark and hard to see things on. I think the lighter floor will be cheerful and make the room look larger. And I'll get a small light color rug for beside the bed.

Tillie, hope your cabinet project is easy and fun to do - and that you can keep Steven from hoarding the cabinet! Unless it helps keep some of his clutter out of sight, then let him have it. 😉

Hi everyone.
Getting over a flu bug.
I got a flu shot but got the flu anyway so imI getting back to normal.
Today I re cleaned all my kitchen appliances.
Then emptied the freezer . It's small attached to fridge.
But it's so cold Im taking I believe gillies advice and using the cold outside temps to clear and sterilize the freezer.

Getting ready to make my meal plane for the week.
Monday holiday dinner
Tuesday tuna / protein shakes
Wednesday salad/plant based foods
Thursday salmon / protein shakes
Friday salad/plant based foods
Saturday steak dinner
Sunday rotisserie chicken

I know that seems off topic a bit from my hoarding issues. One of which is to let dishes pile up until it because a big pile. SO. What I've done in the past is just keep on trying but it just kept happening. What I've tried recently is stop using so many dishes to cook my meals. That a little difference but still a pile would accumulate.

I finally settled on 1 Pyrex pie plate and bowl.

By only having one of either of these I do not accumulate a disgusting pile of dirty dishes. However I then still need to spend time on cleaning the appliances. That I cook food on.
So my routine is to clean stuff in the kitchen on saturdays until it's all completed. If I don't do the Saturday routine then it adds time to my daily routine.

So to get back to the menu . I need to eat healthy, but I also need to eat what satisfies. That took a lot of time to consider and implement only figure out that ** depending on how clean or how much time it takes to clean my appliances , I may or may not stick to my menu. Uhhgg !

So this week
Monday. No cooking.
Tuesday. No cooking tuna Salad on toast.
Wedneday. No cooking yummy salads
Thurdays COOKING DAY.
Friday No cooking yummy salads
Saturday COOKING DAY.
Sunday COOKING DAY.

I know , I know . Seems like I'm trying to over think it! Right? But for only the first time in my life have I had a nearly sterile kitchen and healthy food coming out of it everyday. So my hope for this next year , is to continue to do both. Clean kitchen and healthy food. And my resolution is start going to the gym again , I haven't been to the gym since I moved in May.

Dumpster diving incident . Creative outlet.
I was scavenging the neighbor hood on the assumption tha Xmas would mean that a lot of tv boxes would be out by the trash bins . I was right. Have been hoarding polystyrene and and another more flexible foam. For my model making.
A man came screaming at me and I just tried to let it go but I was stopped by police. Who let me go without further incedent.
I'm putting alot more time into the rammed earth concept.
But in the guise of building it over 3 years. Each year I would bring a storage container to the site filled with more supplies.
And build rammed earth wall between the containers. Leaving a 36 foot space inside the walls. Then the amountbof money I would spen on rent or mortgage i could then apply to foam core aluminum panels to structure inside walls and roof over the whole structure in a pay as I can owner/builder. So having the right model homes in basement I find myself hoarding the polystyrene .

It's not a problem yet, but I'll talk about it here as way to keep watch over it.

Good Morning Everybody! 😀
"clink!"

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
(((hugs)))

Hi Joan 🙂
Happy you are feeling better. 😀

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
Hope you are thoroughly enjoying your time!
WAY TO GO!!! 😀

Hi Subclinical 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Thank you! (((hugs))) 😀

Was busy yesterday.
Thinking about the physical and mental changes I want in my life this next year.
Pulling out items that will no longer be needed in my life going forward.
Kitchen items because I will no longer be preparing large complicated meals, the kind you make on holidays for a house full of people.
Simplifying my life.
Steven went shopping, was gone from 8:30am to 5:45pm.
Last week he had bought a "ROKU" device at a thrift shop and gave it to me.
I installed and programmed it but it was so old the technology was no longer supported, 5.00 wasted.
Yesterday he went to WallyWorld and purchased a new "ROKU" for me but since they were reduced he bought 2 of them.
He watched as it took me less than 5 minutes to set it up even with two cats helping me.
Then he took the second unit out to his TV in the garage & installed it.
I woke up around 4:00am and discovered he was still out there watching all the free TV and movies the "ROKU" gives you access to.
Anyways...
I never liked the cupboard that is over the fridge and think that area would be better without it.
It has been empty for well over a year, do not need it for anything.
But I will need a little help removing it.
I have paint leftover from when I painted the kitchen years ago and will paint that little bit of wall & ceiling to match.
Removing some visual clutter. 🙂

Clean sheets! Clean sheets! Congratulations!!!

Will report back later-off to see brother. We are in single digit temps here. Car is kept in a garage but I am kept six blocks away from my garage. Yikes.

Just had to add this - two loads of laundry done and the clean sheets are on the bed! Woot!

The stuff from the bed and elsewhere is parked here and there in the living room. It's not too bad though. Tomorrow I'll strategize where some of it can go in a more orderly way than it has been. Books and sewing project bags are the biggest batches of stuff that don't always have an optimal place to go. But I'll brainstorm . . .

Hi everybody - I found my way to Phase 9!

Tillie, great pep talk!

My roommate left for her visit with her family and took the dog, so it's me and the cats and bunnies. I did a load of laundry this morning. Getting hungry, it's past lunch time (I'm often not in sync with when the rest of the world eats). So after I write this post I'll go fix something.

In whatever order works best, I'll do some more laundry and start on the bringing things out into the living room to get at the basic order I'm trying to reclaim in my bedroom. And will wash that bedding! I'm being realistic - it's only two nights to myself and roughly two days of time, so I know I'm not going to accomplish huge miracles, but I'll be glad for whatever I can do to make my living space more liveable in the time.

Wish weather were nicer - today is reasonable with highs in the 40s, but then it gets colder after today with highs in the teens and 20s and lows in the teens and single digits. I'm ready for spring anytime! 😉

There will also be some time this weekend for fun stuff, by which I mean creativity. Having finished my quilt last month, I'm turning my attention to writing and artwork - though ideas for future quiltmaking aren't far away. And a few other crafty things. I know I need to pace myself, though. That doesn't come naturally to me but is the best way to enjoy it all and not get to that frenzied, frustrated state.

And sometimes this weekend I may just opt to rest! Nothing wrong with that. I'll be more of a night owl on my own with no one to disturb. New Year's Eve on Sunday night might be kind of kooky if people shoot off fireworks. Roommate and dog will be back then, and though he is a pretty chill dog, he doesn't care for fireworks. Doesn't freak out as badly as the former dog did, but gets uneasy. She has some calming treats to give him, which help. The other animals don't seem to notice unless there would be a really big bang.

Well, guess I'll go have that lunch now and see what's what. Hopefully I'll be able to post more over the weekend.

Hello Joan and Anony!

I'm sorry about the family situations. You do not deserve the abuse and it makes me very sad. I was upset recently over an email my sister sent me, and my BF bluntly said, you need to expect that from her so you won't be upset. I am deeply fortunate that my mother is so loving and selfless. My brother has some very good qualities but the mental illness has really dealt a blow to his personality. And sometimes I catch a glimpse of his former sweetness. And for that, I am grateful.

Anony I'm excited to hear about your progress!!!

Bitterly cold here. Cannot get my house warm. Going to take a shower and climb into bed.

Tillie thank you again for giving me so much to think about.

Tillie, Happy Belated Birthday‼️‼️‼️
I did think of you. I also had that song in my head when 64 came up for me. It's like a time-release memory song.

Still getting back into a routine after my illness this month. I am feeling much better. It took me a while to find everyone here on Phase 9.

Per CM's post, I was watching The Great British Baking Show year-end master classes, and have decided I am enamoured of Boxing Day. In future I will personally celebrate Boxing Day and the 12 days of Christmas. How I do that is yet to be determined.

Anony, what is most important at the stage of healing where you find yourself is NOT to beat yourself up, not about ANYTHING. You are going to have all of those feelings about your family. They are a real pain in the ass, as well as in other places. You are in the process of shedding a karmic skin. I don't know everything that has to happen before you come out of it, but I know there are specific steps for each individual that have to be done in order. With each step comes a timing element, because synchronicity has to be in play. Be patient and stick it out. You are worth it.

Yes, I have years upon years of mail from the Evil One (bio mother) that are too toxic to open to this day. You are not the only one going through something like this at this time in the planet's history. We are shattering karmic patterns. When yours really break for you, you will see things very differently. You will be glad you followed through with the process, and you will have closure.

Tat, glad you are chugging along.

SubC, it sounds like you have the family situation you want at this time.

Happy 2018 to all, in case I don't post before then.

~♡~Happy Greetings to all!~♡~
I had a long post that i got behind on after my buttons disappeared. So many things are changing. My Mom emailed that she & my sister are not going to come visit after all. Her reasons were clearly contrived, as if im a complete idiot. I must have said something wrong in that phone call. I dont know whether im relieved or just further insulted...both actually. This past year ive learned not to open cards, gifts or messages from the human family until i can handle being upset....
My friend helped me get my living room space opened up & between that, the new heater in there & music, i am absolutely loving it! I did realize how ridiculous it was to have my friend trying to move things to clean while i freaked out. I need to do this myself. It help to get things at least changed around somewhat.
Im glad yall had a nice Christmas!
.....i can see how they view me as that crazy aunt or whatever....in their eyes i am that & more....i originally went on drugs over being rejected by them & it is still the very thing that makes me want to numb myself to that pain, again...theyre all on drugs, but legal ones....and they dont even remember any of the things they said & did to me....but i do....i just need to not care, a skill i have worked on my whole life but still cant seem to acquire........

Tillie I have read your post three times.

I know what I want. I will visualize it in the next few days in order to have a realistic vision. Then I will share it with everyone. I need the visual to include the things I have and will be keeping. Then I can work toward it. I need the big picture.

My role model has long been Mary Richards from the Mary Tyler Moore Show. And I loved her apt. And I loved how Rhoda could pop in and the place always was presentable and she could invite people for dinner. And just now I thought of her when you described making up your bed every night--just as Mary did.

I will use this, and the drawings from my designer friend, to formulate my big picture so we can get there, together.

Good Morning Everybody 😀

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
The person who used the washer before you may have used a detergent that is causing your hives.
Or it could be one of the other reasons you mentioned.
Benadryl may help if you get too uncomfortable. (((HUGS)))
That's right, you still have that microwave, I forgot all about that.
Do you know exactly what new microwave you plan to get?
Maybe doing some window shopping for one would give you the courage you need to 86 the old one.
Standard models have become so inexpensive any more.
The prices go up depending on if it's also a convection oven or some other fancy feature.
My GE turn table microwave cost around 50.00 and the only thing I don't like about it is the direction the door opens.
With it on the end of the counter, I have to reach around the door to get things in and out or go stand on the living room side of the counter.
I will be joining you and Subclinical in the fasting.

Want to talk to you all about the fresh new year coming up.
Not about making resolutions or specific tasks to accomplish
but rather a bigger over all frame of mind going forward.
Too much focus on the daily grind of decluttering and cleaning can make us feel depressed and defeated.
Lets all form a realistic vision in our minds of the lives we want to live going forward.
Not perfect, but something where we can be at peace with ourselves.
Once we have our visions we can then take the time to see what little changes we can make to make it a reality.
Baby steps...
It takes time to little by little get there.
But it can be done.
I did it. I went from a completely cluttered squalorous house where I only had half a couch to sleep on with my clothes and things buried deep and unreachable in clutter to where I am now.
My house no longer has clutter and is easy enough to clean.
I have a small room of my own, too small for a bed but room enough for all my clothes and things.
I have a queen size couch hide-a-bed that I can fully pull out and make up proper every night to sleep on.
As I decluttered and cleaned I then patched and painted the best I could.
It took a very long time to achieve this, did not happen over night.
But I had a long range vision, saw ways to make this do-able and went for it.
It's not perfect by a long shot but it is something I saw was do-able and went for it.
I did not allow the things I can not change all by myself stop me.
When I was sick or injured I stopped and got well again, then started right back on it.
I had the valuable knowledge, advice and emotional support from Cory Chalmers and so many other professionals, along with many others who struggle with hoarding and squalor to help me along the way.

Together we CAN all do this.

Little by little, step by step...
but first we have to have that reachable vision in our minds.
Love you all (((((HUGS)))))

I'm washing all my sheets today even though I changed my bed two days ago. I have hives, and I'm not sure if they are due to the extreme cold, or because I've had a cold, or detergent issues, or due to medication. So I'm washing all my sheets again and rinsing them twice. When my washer was still working I always rinsed twice. Now that I use communal, I only rinse once since I'm trying to pack in a lot of different loads during the day. So back to double rinsing for me.

I have packed up my dinner dishes and half of the coffee cups and saucers. Not a chip on any of them so I am tempted to consign instead of donate. I expect to do the right thing and donate. The salad plates and soup bowls will reveal some chips. The Christmas gift boxes and tissue are holding the things nicely.

Ok back to work. Sipping peppermint tea. Refreshing!

Good to see that Life is Short, Eat Dessert First ruled the day, Tillie! Oooh the hash browns and eggs also sound so tasty!!

SubC I am joining you in the fast! I fasted Tuesday and am doing it again today. So good to get some time off from the indulgences! Wishing you safe travels.

Bitterly cold here and hard to keep/get my drafty old place warm. BF's place is plenty warm and I've been thinking about sending the cat up there.

It's trash night. I'm sure I can get a decent bag together.

I have gotten two or three big things off my mind in the past few weeks but would like to do one more. I'm wondering if I have what it takes to finally get rid of my microwave. I should check my sad bank balance first because I'd want to be able to replace this weekend.

Good Evening 🙂

Thank You Everybody for the birthday greetings! 😀

Hi Subclinical 🙂
Have a wonderful time visiting!
Yes, the cats do need Son In Law to stay with them. 😉
Have a safe trip and a good little fast.

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
You are welcome, for the new board. 😀
I'm glad your BF spoils you, you deserve to be spoiled.
Happy you are feeling better, stay that way. (((hugs)))
New dishes is a nice change!
I'm happy you are evaluating the pieces and making good decisions on what you need and no longer need.

It has been a good day.
More sunshine than clouds, not too cold outside.
I didn't do anything that resembles work except all those cat related daily chores.
Made O'Brian hash browns and eggs for my dinner, already ate cherry pie earlier.

Oh my! I was so busy remembering to use the new thread, I forgot to happy birthday tillie!

Happy birthday!

I have survived the first half of the holidays - next is a nine hour drive, followed by a day and a half at the home of the in laws who just left (the only way we get to see dh siblings and nieces and nephews) then a day and a half with my parents, brother, and nieces, then an 11 hour drive. With both of my girls.

Son in law is wisely staying here. He says the cats need him.

I am sad for those of you who have so little family. Some of my legal family is a pain, but I am surrounded by a beautiful heart family (that includes some blood and legal relatives) and I wish the same for you!

One good thing about the trip is I expect we will only be giving things away. Also, there is little I can eat at mil's, so I will have a short semi-fast to clear some of my holiday indulgence

Thanks for the nice fresh message board, Tillie! And again, happy birthday!

I've gone back and read everyone's posts and so enjoyed reading about your lives. CM you are doing great! I hope you'll have that clean sheet feeling much more frequently! I change mine once a week, sometimes twice a week. I love a freshly made bed too!

SubC you survived the holidays! I'm sorry that your MIL took things too far. I hope I remember that when someone asks me for something specific, I shouldn't conform it to my wishes or ideas! I don't think I've ever done that--I'm not generally in a situation where I'm buying something on request. I have no children, in laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.

I am much improved today, both health-wise and spirit-wise. I went to office, which was sparsely populated. Despite that, I did not complete what I'd hoped to. Tomorrow is another day and I'll be home. I'll have to finish sorting through my gifts (BF spoils me) and put everything away. I also need to pack up my dishes--I finally found some dishes to replace my everyday china. I've had my everyday things for over 20 years. They are very nice and from a nice store, but I've wanted a change. I'm going to replace my set of 8 or ten with four. Santa gave me a gift card and the serving platter from the set, so I am on my way. Four is plenty. I have my mother's wedding china should I ever be hosting a large meal and my Christmas dishes are for 8.

This will be a challenge to box them up for goodwill. I'm also going to get rid of the serving pieces that compliment the existing dishes. This will help me to reduce.

My son and his wife left this afternoon, which made me sad. But I know her family wants to see them too.

But last night was wonderful. We had our dearest family friends over for dinner and singing. 15 people! The wife of one of their sons couldn't make it because of work, but he brought the baby who is two.

Sometimes I laugh thinking about how desperate I was for friends 21 years ago when I introduced myself in the women's locker room and invited her for lunch because her kids were the same sizes as mine. Now all the boys are 6ft or more, we have a third generation starting, and the caroling party is the highlight of our holidays!

Cookies and candy were exchanged and mostly eaten by the twenty somethings - I sent my son away with the leftover pie today.

On to dealing with the stuff of the season - my father in law made us beautiful benches for our entryway, which we have been wanting, and my mother in law bought me the pan which I have already mentioned. Also an " as seen on tv" zoodle maker, which left in a gift bag with dil for her family white elephant exchange. I think she liked the scarf from my student that I also passed on to her.

My children gifted me framed wedding portraits (both married in the last 18 months), new slippers that I love, and new work gloves. Dh got me three pairs of heavy warm socks (black, white, and navy) but the other package was not pajamas, it was a beautiful warm red cape!

So all is well there. I will use the pan until I replace it.

We are now storing 4 boxes of electric train and track for ds because the great uncle he was named after is terminally ill and wants him to have it. Ds wants very much to be able to set it up under his Christmas tree someday, but has nowhere to store it now in his apartment. He did sort through two bins of his childhood toys and take a gallon ziplock bag of movie themed items he plans to decorate his office with. Also we sorted through the wedding souvenir box and they left me with a smaller shoebox sized box and took or recycled the other items.

Today I am doing lots of laundry.