I posted 2 pics on the IG. One of the bar/counter and one of the space between my bed and closet. I am working on both, bit by bit. I had actually moved about a dozen clothing items off the ricking chair and hung them up or put in drawers before I took the pic. The floor is a different story, ugh.

I don't know why it is easy in my head to declutter until I walk in there or up to the counter, and then it is overwhelming. I cannot see how to get out of the clutter.

I have been tossing obvious trash, moving things from the counter to the bedroom (see why they are the bad areas?), reorganizing. I have put 2 items in the donate box so far, but they are small items.

I also took some dog treats off the counter, put some in the treat jar and took some into my room and tried to fit them into a large dog treats bin. I had to remove something so I took a large dog chew out and gave it to my dog, who is happily chewing it now. It is consumable so will be gone today.

I also gave a box of food items away to a neighbor. It had been sitting on my floor and some on that counter.

I have to leave in 4 hours.

I think when I go in my room, I need to talk to myself and pray to God. "He will provide what you need in the future. Trust in him, don't hoard, don't save up everything. Trust he will provide and you will have what you need." That kind of thing.

ok. I made a second account for this! I followed you Tatoulia. If anyone else wants to connect, tell me and I will follow you also. I have not posted pictures yet, but I will!

Make a second account. That's what I did. You can find me at Susie.7010. That's the account I made for this board. Then I can post a few things. Both items are machine washable, hang to dry. Also, what is your height?

Talk to your friend with the not-tragic arms. She'll help you find things for you. She will be flattered and happy to help.

Stop feeling like a fraud. You are entitled to feel good in your clothes.

In other news, I was trying to reduce the cat plates since I bought new kitty a nice set of vintage plates. I was finding that I was saving too many of the other plates, so I ended up putting all of the old vintage plates in a box to donate. I was trying to save four, and I had to ask myself, for what? So all of my prior cat's dishes are going to be donated. I was putting too much pressure on myself.

Okay I have to get up and pick up a cake from the bakery. I may stay there and have breakfast.

post 2, progress/accountability.

Yesterday I feel like I got nothing done. But here is what we did:
- Teen and I made sauce from fresh veggies together, one of the nicest times I have had with them recently. They also helped make a salad, cooked the pasta, and we had Tot and Acorn and fam over for dinner. It was good. I am glad a lot of veg got used and not wasted.
- ran dishwasher, unloaded, reloaded, ran.
- Son and Teen and I together got the dining room table cleared so we could eat together. This was no easy task, and some of it just got stacked on the counter/bar to deal with later. But the table is still cleared and clean.
- took a whole lot of trash to the bins which were picked up yesterday.

So hey I did some things.

Today so far:
- Son is working on the sprinklers outside and I am turning them on and off for him.
- unloaded and re-loaded the dishwasher
- made myself avocado toast on whole grain bread for breakfast, with coffee.

I really want to declutter today. I will make a goal: 10 things in the donate box and have son move it to my car.

I am going out socially with friends tonight and am both excited and nervous. I have to do laundry and figure out what to wear. I am having a procrastination issue.

Tatoulia, oh wow that would be cool, I would love to see. I am on instagram, how do I find you? I barely use it but would love to use it to connect with friends on this board. Tell me what to do. In fact, I may create a second account so I can post pics of my hoard progress, my clothes etc. The account I have has all the people from work on it and has my actual first and last name so maybe a more anon account would be good for other things not work related.

SubC, lol, I feel like I am in the homeless dresser category by default, too. Since I started working at a church, I've tried to up my "game" a little bit (I have no game) and I try to look at what other people wear there. I only have like 4 women I work with, the rest men. So not much to compare... the young one is jeans/tee, the one my age and size has some very cute tops I love but her arms are not tragic like mine, so she can get way more cute things with shorter sleeves. She wear tiny patterns, like little dots or specks on a pretty bright color and it looks so nice on her. The other two women wear cardigan type things a lot. And there I am trying to hide the holes in my worn out clothes.

I did have an older lady friend, the one who told me to wear more colors, who gave me some of her clothes. She was updating her wardrobe. And I liked them and they fit and I was trying to ease the colors into my comfort zone and then I gained weight and they don't fit. She gave me a blazer, too.

I guess when I dress nice I feel like a fraud because I am so NOT put together. I have to fix my confidence. I just feel like such a fake because if anyone came to my house and saw how I live they would probably think less of me. I feel like I am always hiding something but wanting to change it. Ugh maybe I need a counselor.

Felt put together in the pants. I wore less structured items at the height of my weight, so to speak.

Good idea on getting someone to help!

Cm I'm sorry about the doggie. I hope the vet can help him!

Lila are you on Instagram? I have a beautiful pair of navy wide leg pants that are VERY forgiving and I only wore last year, before the weight loss. I felt so out together in those pants! I've already donated the silk blouses that I wore with the pants but I do have a wonderful white unstructured jacket that would look really nice with them. The jacket is from Eileen Fisher and the pants were from J Jill. I shopped at those stores when I was heavier and now I'm fitting into my clothes from my usual store, J McLaughlin.

If you are on Instagram, I can show you the clothes and if you want them, you can send me a private message and I will send them to you.

Lila, to you know anyone you think is really put together and has good fashion sense? Do you know them well enough to talk to them about clothes? Maybe even to say "hey, I've gained some weight (it's always weird to me that people don't want to say this out loud - like what, the other person can't see you?) and I'm really struggling with clothes - I have a couple of outfits I'd like you opinion on - would you be willing to help me? We could get together, or I could put them on at home and show you some photos."

Like Gilda Radner, I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch, so I'm probably not a good source. My younger daughter and a coworker used to beg me to let them put me on the show "what not to wear."

I wear a school t-shirt and a pair of jeans to school every single day. I add an open, oversized, sometimes ratty men's flannel shirt over top if it is cool which I use as a smock/hand towel. If it is warm I wear a bib apron for the same purpose. I have a school sweatshirt for cold days that I don't teach a clay class.

My "everyday" clothes are more varied. Farm wear (which I don't bother to change out of to run to the store or if someone is coming over) is a style my youngest calls "mid century homeless person" keys being durable, comfortable, and washable.

I've bought a few dresses and skirts from an online store called "unique vintage" for fancy. They have very dramatic patterns and people will look you over. But they are fun and I have gotten multiple compliments from random women. My body shape is 1950's.

I like navy, but I find it hard to match pieces from the thrift store - black and browns are more forgiving. Wine is also a good base color if it goes well with your skin tone.

Also, for a good quality, comfortable, dressy basic, I love naadam sweaters.

SubC, was thinking more about your comment. I still have not decided what to do, although I probably will donate it. I thought about what I could say to him if he says something again. I mean, maybe he would say something about the next thing I wear, and I can't just stop wearing things over this person or anyone else. I am so self conscious that any little thing bothers me. I have one blouse I like that I think looks nice and someone complimented me on it. But I wore it last week and 2 or 3 people sort of glanced me up and down, you know what I mean? It could be they noticed I have gained weight, or maybe they were looking at my arm brace, who knows? But it makes me want to crawl in a hole and never come out. Only God Himself gives me enough confidence and strength to keep going back, because I feel like it is important that I am helping people. But oh how I feel inadequate and frumpy.

CM, any news on sick dog? I am late to the poo-party, but whenever my dogs have runny poo, I have always given them a spoon of canned pumpkin to firm it up. Not pie filling but just plain canned pumpkin. A spoon size for a bog dog is like 3 tablespoons, smaller for small dogs. I keep pumpkin on hand for this.

I hope bunny house goes well.

Tatoulia, thank you, yes, that helps. I feel like my mother never showed me anything like clothes, hair, nails, makeup, nothing. The older I get, the more I realize how neglected I was. At any rate, when I was thin and curvy I could just throw on jeans and a tee shirt and look good! Or a cute dress. I guess being fat and getting older, I can't pull that off anymore and am learning what to do. So your advice, and anything else you think of, is helpful.

I feel like imagining how you dress, you look really put together and classy. I don't know if I can ever look that way. But maybe. Part of me feels like if I can lose this weight I will look "good enough" in the clothes I have (but also want to build a wardrobe like you are describing, because I get speaking engagements every so often and feel very NOT put together. I would like to change that). There just comes a tipping point in BMI or something where I look bad no matter what. That is how I feel. And yet I sit here eating cheese and crackers and didn't take a walk today.

I am an only child, I try very hard to fit in and connect, but it is hard for me. I feel like my work is my safe place, where I finally feel accepted. I guess that is why this hurt me so much.

So, go to goodwill or other thrift shops and look for a good navy or beige or other neutral dress. Buy costume jewelry. A bangle bracelet and a necklace. And you are ready to go. If you don't like that, ask your kids which jeans look best. Try to find a dark wash pair. Buy a white T-shirt and find a white blouse to wear over it. Button-down type. If you can find a linen blazer, buy it. Now you've got a blazer to wear with your jeans or your dress, a button down shirt to wear with your jeans or dress, at shirt to wear under your button down so you can wear it open. Tshirt should be same color as your bottom down, preferably white. Get a tshirt the same color as your blazer, maybe pink or yellow, whatever structured blazer you can find at good will. Do not wear a black tshirt under a bright blazer. Try to find a tshirt in the same color family. Wear your bangle bracelet and your necklace. Good to go.

I love talking about clothes. These are my opinions, only. Not insulting anyone and not trying to get into an argument. I wear navy and not black. I think navy looks smarter. Navy also goes with everything. It's not drab like grey and black seems overdone and rarely well done.

I love a 3/4 length or bracelet length sleeve. I think that sleeves that go to the elbow (but do not cover it) look frumpy on me. I do wear patterns but judiciously. I like to wear color, sometimes via shoes or a silk scarf. I wear white in the summer. White tops. Looks so clean whether paired with jeans or with a navy skirt. I love that clean crisp look of a white top. Even a white tshirt with a white linen blouse over it is nice.

Sweaters are tough. It's hard to find a cardigan that fits well. I do not like long length cardigans. I also want my cardigan to have 3/4 length sleeves.

I like nice shoes. Colorful. Not black. Something to pop.

I own very few clothes. I have two pair of jeans. That's it. Fewer than you would believe. A handful of skirts, a couple of dresses, and tops. I am fortunate to be able to buy more pricey items (but not designer) things. My skirts are generally around $200, my tops are around $200, and my dresses around $300. My shoes come in under $200. Again, I buy expensive and wear for years and years. I do not wear black shoes.

I have had young women ask me to take them shopping and I would take them to the sales rack of Lord and Taylor (how I miss them!) and show them what I'd look at and why. What makes something look cheap to me and what could make it look expensive. A few nice pieces of jewelry help.

I love putting together outfits, which ends up being pretty easy since everything is navy or another shade of blue.

Does this help? I know I buy expensive but I look for good structure in a piece and something I can wear different ways. Navy dresses NEVER let me down. They are always ready to go.

Lila, I love SubC's "I wear it just for you" line, but I also understand that some things hit us so hard that we need lots of time and distance to even be able to face them again. I've had a few such things in my revolutions around the Sun.

Hoping you find some things you like, Lila. I am trying to avoid having to shop for jeans/pants until I lose some of the regain. Things threaten to become threadbare as the weather keeps reverting to cold. If I can just survive until it's capri pants time (and pray those fit - I think they will).

I would like to have that man read aloud this Bible verse:

"For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:7-8).

And I know I've shot off my mouth in anger and stupidity, too, many a time in my life so I am not letting myself off the hook either - it's why that verse is something I know to remember and think upon.

Well, here it is Friday, aka Day 5 of Sick Dog. Who is at the vet's. My roommate has experienced something akin to quarantine this week, never being able to leave him alone unsupervised - we kind of take turns with bunny care and I watch the dog briefly if she's at the back of the house but at least I can leave, I make the grocery runs etc. Today we were both able to go out and do errands. She will get the dog back late afternoon. Vet hasn't called with any info as yet.

It's been rainy and chilly. I find myself tempted to sleep in the daytime. I've resisted some and given in some. With all the distraction I forgot Monday to put the lint trap back in the dryer after cleaning it, so I will have the fun of climbing it and getting back behind to sweep it out so that we can use the machine again; I need to do a load of whites before going to the bunny house next weekend.

Praying that bunny house thing goes smoothly. When it was originally scheduled - at the first of the year no less! - of course life seemed wide open and like it'd be no problem. Although I know better - stuff always comes up. But we've really been slammed. I had been looking forward to going into it well prepared and without anxiety and brain fried. Can I still? Stay tuned. I talked to them, and they know we've been going through all this stuff, so they are understanding. Again, it's too early to tell. Things may still allow for adequate prep.

oh and thank you Tatoulia, what a kind offer.

I would like to know from people, how do you know how to dress, and where do you get your clothes? I have tried thrift stores, but there is a raging thrift store surge here where all the nice stuff seems to be immediately bought up.

I am generally a size XL in tops, sometimes XL is too tight but usually not. My jeans are, I think 18W. I am in my early 50s and I live where people dress pretty casually for everything. I find it hard not to be frumpy. I have a waist but my belly is too big and legs too. I hate my legs/knees and almost always just wear jeans. For tops I wear whatever is comfortable but need at least half to 3/4 sleeves to cover my saggy arms. To "dress up" I just wear a sweater, or a blouse with 3/4 sleeves. Or a tank or blouse with a light cardigan or one of those flowy summer cover up type things. I usually wear solid colors because obviously when I branch out and try a pattern I am not sure if it is cute or dumb. I have had older friends tell me I need to wear more colorful clothes. I prefer to stay safe with plain black, greys, blues, maybe tan or brown.

Any advice on how to dress or where to look at clothes would be appreciated. I know I've said I have tons of clothes but they are all too small and I would like ONE outfit I feel happy in, that fits.

Hugs my friends, for all your shared experiences of hurt. I wish the world was different.

Today is a new day and I stayed up very late last night getting some things done. Paperwork. Plus Son woke up and I had him help me take some things out of my car and into the house, and then had him put some things into my car. Mainly things I need to return and some fluorescent bulbs I need to take to recycle. Some books to take to work.

Then I bagged up trash from my room and 2 bathrooms for Son to take out, plus the kitchen trash, plus some old junk. Got the dishwasher loaded and run.

I have had a nice calm morning. Tot and Acorn are coming for dinner. I am making spaghetti sauce from fresh vegetables to have with pasta. I should get that started.

I really want to work on my bedroom and the kitchen. Both are pretty bad. It's time for lunch, and then perhaps I will get started on the sauce and decluttering.

What are you all up to today?

I am so mad at that horrible man!

I was in a conversation with our guidance counselor and another teacher yesterday and she said something so casually that was really painful for me. I know she is oblivious, but every time I start to warm up to her and think she is getting better at her job, she does something like that and I think "how can we send kids to you when they are in crisis?"

I could explain to her how I feel about the thing - this is not the first time she has done this and I know she has no idea - but it's pretty much a me thing, not a category of people thing, and I don't trust her enough to share anything personal with her. She would probably be surprised and stop, but she would also probably put it on me that she doesn't understand the situation, (well how was I supposed to know.) and I don't need to hear that.

I do understand about the sweater. When my grandfather remarried, it was very traumatic for me. I insisted on wearing a dress I had made in home economics even though it was not warm enough. My mom thought that I wanted to do it because I had been saving the dress for a special occasion. It was because I already hated that dress.

Ps it is a standing offer to replace the sweater. You can make a wish list on Amazon and I can buy it and you will remain anonymous, address and all.

I trust your instincts but in my office, the comment would be seen as bullying. We are over the idea that someone can be mean and then say, can't you take a joke?

Get rid of it. It will not make you happy. You will find something that makes you happy. Is there a thrift shop with decent clothes near you? I forget what size you are and thrift stores seem to favor smaller sizes. We were in goodwill the other day and I thought about starting to shop there after I lose another ten. I actually buy very expensive clothes and wear them forever, but sometimes I'm tempted to see what goodwill has.

Tatoulia, we posted at the same time. You are so sweet. Thank you, your kindness brought tears to my eyes. I think I probably will just go ahead and donate it, which also makes me sad, but you're right. I will always feel self conscious in that if I wear it now. How his one comment in front of people changed something that made me happy into something that made me sad.

He is a visitor, and this might sound nuts, I'm not sure, but I think if I were to tell HR, I would feel like they think I am loony. Like I can't handle a little "joke." So I probably will never tell anyone but this board... but will donate it and look for something else. It is so rare to find something I love. I wish I could find the exact item in a different pattern.

Thanks guys. I am still sad looking at it. I have an unreasonable fear of someone finding this forum and realizing they know me, so I am scared to say what he said about it. Sigh.

I spent an hour looking on amazon for a cute top to buy so I could have something else to wear. But every item that is not a solid plain color, I think, "does this pattern look dumb? will someone say something about it?" I am too sensitive. I hope someday I am going to feel confident enough not to care what anyone says.

I had a long, busy day. Tomorrow I get to stay home and work on the house and relax. I was going to ask my son to help me today to throw some things out and put donations in the car etc, things I cannot do with a messed up arm. But he is still asleep.

My heart is breaking, Lila. I am so sad for you. I have felt these feelings before and it's awful. It's embarrassing and awful. Many years ago, when I was about 18, a man in his 30s said to me, my shoes cost more than your whole outfit. In front of people. I was humiliated and I felt stung. It was awful.

Can I offer a different take on this? Get rid of the sweater. You will always feel terrible in it. Also, you need to report him to HR. You cannot let someone talk to you that way. Tell HR. Whether he's a co-worker or a visitor or a vendor, HR needs to know. You can tell them you were embarrassed and hurt. It's okay. They may do nothing, but they need to know.

I would tell you to keep the sweater and to wear it proudly but I wouldn't be able to. I'd always feel terrible and awful. And I care too much about myself to feel awful.

I can send you the $13 and I want you to get something new. I will tell you that part of my dehoarding has been to get rid of things that dredge up bad memories. This sweater is one of them. And I know you looked cute in it.

What on earth did he say about your poor cardigan?

I would wear it every time I knew I was going to see him. And if he made a comment again I would say "I know. I wear it just for you."

Seriously, unless the cardigan has curse words on it or something, just enjoy it!

Also, good job on the days off!

CM, I'm glad you have medical care.

Busy and tired, off i go..

Lila,

That guy is a first class JERK. I challenge you to wear the cardigan proudly and defiantly and if he opens his pie hole, just give him a cold side eye and say not one word.

second post -

This is not really a hoarding issue, but maybe it kind of is... I have no where else to share this.

Remember the last clothing item I bought was online, only $13, was a cardigan type thing? Well it came and I LOVED it. Not only is the fabric nice, thick and soft, I liked the colors, it fits perfectly. And the right fabric weight for spring and cool summer nights. I felt so happy to have something new to wear to work!

Well this week I wore it to a social thing at my work with about 50-60 people coming. And this guy walks up to me and makes this comment about my cardigan, basically making fun of the pattern on it. In front of people. And now when I look at it I can't unsee what he said, and I wonder if other people think that about it. I feel stupid, I feel embarrassed. I am not a fashion person and I thought it looked cute but really no one has complimented me on it, and maybe it just looks dumb. Now I am so upset, I don't think I can even wear it. This guy is at a lot of events and so are the other people and I keep thinking they will always think that when I wear it. I am so unreasonably sad about this. Super sad, I could cry. I have so few things to wear, and now I am pretty sure this is not going to be worn again.

Sad.

hi all! SubC, you didn't scare me off, I like questions. I was just work-work-working. You're right, my job is weird. I was doing a lot of work as a volunteer for several years, no pay, just what I felt I was called to in ministry. I took on a big role during covid but there was no budget to hire me, so I just did it. Found it very fulfilling. Last year I was hired part time. But it was for that big role, mainly, and one smaller role. So anything I do for those two things, up to 20 hours, I get paid for. Anything else is volunteer. Well, some of my volunteer work is a commitment that I made for 3-4 years, before I was hired. So I can't just stop that part and it takes maybe 10 hours a week. Then there are some things that are just things I have done for years and I have not been able to find anyone else to take it over, and I kind of like it, so I keep doing it. Then there are a few things I roll my eyes at and would like to get out of. Those are the bits I am slowly extracting myself from, whether there is a substitute or not. So I work about 20 hours paid and 15 hours volunteer each week. When my 3 year commitment is up, that should decrease by 10 hours.

Complicated, I know.

I too suffer migraines, and am not happy to think it could be a stroke risk.

I was supposed to go in today for a couple of hours but have been fighting a bad headache. I opted out of about 5 hours of volunteer stuff between yesterday and today, so I am home this morning. AND, you will be happy to know I wrote OFF on both Friday and Saturday this week, cancelled one appointment, and told people I am busy! So I get my two days off. I am working from home today both on personal and work stuff.

Hope to get some serious cleaning and decluttering done!

Tatoulia, the mother of the mother-daughter bunny team will still be there. I am not in any shape mentally to tackle the whole thing on my own. If they both had to be away I'd need my own backup. I just wish the daughter was more the type to text back and forth; although where she is heading may not even have cell phone service. I'm not good at being the one with whom the buck stops when I am just trying to keep on an even keel myself and not have my agoraphobia and separation from home anxiety flare up.

However, I am trying to think positive, remember my Poco a Poco philosophy, and believe that if we got in a jam there would surely be a neighbor and/or some bunny club member who could pitch in. And the house is near a fire station and a hospital and the police substation is only a couple miles away. The Catholic parish I used to attend is two or three blocks from the bunny house as well. So really there are safety anchors all around, I won't be out in the middle of nowhere.

SubC, I have been going to a clinic where I have a new resident doctor every couple of years. They work on teams under experienced physicians. I've been pleased with the care; they helped me connect with the surgeon and the physical therapy etc. I do think at some point though I might want to look for someone in their own practice with whom I could have more continuity as I get older. I might also prefer to let go of my psych doc and just have the GP write the scripts for my Xanax (hopefully by then I will be completely off antidepressants, and the only other thing I take is thyroid). The migraine thing I plan to keep researching supplements for. It also may get triggered by changes in sleep or activity, so I should ease into those gradually. I'm still glad I went for that swim though, and surely the next one will be more routine. My circulation should improve with exercise, too.

I sure had envisioned spring being more warm by now and being able to sit outdoors and work on a backlog of crafts that needed painting. Stuff that I'd hoped to market to help the bunny club, and that the supplies for have been a logjam preventing progress with other decluttering. Maybe in May this will be possible. Any good weather we get is always spoken for six ways to Sunday, being also needed for storage unit progress and gardening and - dare I hope - just a little R&R out in nature to destress once in awhile? I can't clone myself; I must choose wisely what to do when good weather presents itself. Indecision and second guessing are frequently present in those moments.

CM, I am sorry about the poor doggy.

I think the secret is that calm and boring only come in bits and we just have to learn to grab them as they go by. I wonder why the stress always bleeds into the calm bits, but the calm never bleeds into the stressful bits.

Except for Tatoulia - Tatoulia, you are an inspiration. I can only imagine if I had had cleaners show up while I was still in bed. Honestly, I don't think I could cope with "I never know when they are coming." That would be a deal breaker for me.

I hope the bunny house is a positive experience. There must be a lot of cleaning with so many bunnies!

I remember a monsoon in Kansas in august on our way back from moving dd2. Horrible rain, but one of the most gorgeous rainbows I've ever seen.

CM, Do you have a primary care doctor who you see regularly? I want you to stay healthy!

Lila, I hope I didn't scare you off firing all those questions at you. Block off your days off. Tell people you are sorry, but you have appointments that can't be moved. (They are appointments with rest and recovery!)

40 days to my vacation..

Ps hello Lila! Did not mean to snub you! Yes! Please try to enforce two days off! You need that time for yourself!

Hi everyone!

I took today off and spent with BF. Bright, sunny day with just the perfect amount of cool in the air really lovely day.

My cleaners came early (I never know what time they come) and I was still in bed and my alarm was still on. If someone comes through a door while the alarm is activated, it beeps for thirty seconds. If a window, it immediately goes off. So I had plenty of time to jump up and turn the alarm off. House is nice and clean, naturally.

CM you are so brave to sleep at the bunny house. Will you be the only 2-legged individual there? I'm glad the bed is comfy! Also, congratulations on earning $40 at the garage sale! You got rid of stuff and made money! Yay, you!

SUBC! The potter you mentioned does beautiful work. I'm thrilled you bought one of his pieces!

I'm working on another donation bag of big clothes. Some I can give to mom, some to another woman, and the rest to be donated. I bought a nice set of six vintage dishes today, very nice, that I will use for new kitty. I will get rid of all but two of my old cat dishes. I love the little plates my last furry friend used but it's paining me to see them. I'll keep two (I know which two) and donate the rest. I have kept her toys.

As BF has been cleaning out his place to get ready to go overseas, he keeps finding all sorts of my last kitty's toys. When she was younger, she'd travel with me to his house. And she would stay with him when I'd be away on business. And he keeps finding these little finger puppets I'd buy for her at the hospital gift shop when I was a volunteer in the surgical unit. So long ago.

Goodnight, dear friends.

Well, my bunny girl is doing great now. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for roommate's dog. He started to feel unwell Sunday night, and Monday morning had left a mess on the living room rug. That became a pattern and he is still pretty under the weather. Started to maybe get better then stalled out. She's taking him to the vet Friday morning, soonest time they had. It has been chaotic here, with roommate unable to leave the house. Dog can't go out in the yard because he's of a breed that might try to escape. She's trying to get things like probiotics into him per vet advice.

Weather has been chilly and rainy; we need the rain of course, having been in pretty much a prolonged drought with only sporadic rains for months. It's still not a lot of rain. Sometimes May brings monsoon season here, though. It's not impossible storage unit work weather but I hate to be gone so for now I am holding off. Sleep has been hard for roommate with dog waking her up several times a night. I've needed more sleep just from the stress, though I have to be careful not to get too much.

I did make it to the gym on Monday, swam, but in the shower had a sudden onset of migraine. I've been googling this - it's called a "cortical spreading depression" and has something to do with the electrical activity in the brain. I'm going to keep tabs on it - there can be an association with stroke risk, and my mother and her mother had strokes (grandma died from hers but that was in the fifties). And my paternal grandfather was epileptic and my dad had migraines. So we have/had fritzy brains I guess. Magnesium is supposed to help with this cortical thing and I do take it, but perhaps I need more. I also wonder if the physical activity, on top of tiredness from last week's caring for miss bunny, was a trigger.

So anyhoodles, I am so ready for nice enjoyable spring weather and boring stressfree life! Where do I go to sign up for that?

Next weekend, the first in May, I will be spending nights at the bunny shelter house, perhaps I mentioned that. I want to be prepared well ahead of time for the change in routine so that it will go smoothly. It's a tiring thing; they have 30-40 rabbits to look after. Daily trip to the grocery store, different routine, etc. Not my favorite things but I will do my best. There is a nice bed with a new mattress and that feels wonderful, though they get up at zero dark thirty to start the hourly feeding rotations.

After that, dare I hope for the aforementioned boring calm life? 😛

Lila, is the training voluntary or required? Unpaid or paid? Does it benefit you, or people you do work for? I don't really understand how your job works because I get the impression you get paid to do your job a certain number of hours, but then your volunteer work is Also doing your job but just not getting paid?

Did I tell you I drew a box around a week in June and wrote "(Subclinical) on vacation" in it?

Dh family wants to know if we are coming east to visit this summer. They haven't even arrived to torment us in May yet.

Tatoulia, I forgot to tell you good job on the clothes.

Today was a hard day for me. I had plans, but they didn't happen. I didn't get enough sleep. Dh woke me up early because he went to play golf and then I was awake, and I don't nap well. The sun never came out.