Good morning.

Woke up early on my own today. Probably could have gone back to sleep, but I immediately started worrying about my Dd.

I never remade the beds after Dh sister and child visited, and the cat has been sleeping on the mattress pad, so I have popped that in the wash and one of my goals is to remake that bed as soon as it is dry. I am slowly catching upon laundry.

It snowed last night. The forecast is cloudy all day with a high of 40, so basically "wet and unpleasant" I plan to stay in and work on things until we leave for the play. I've got the fire going already.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time on the phone with my dd2 because her boyfriend broke up with her. I find this emotionally exhausting. I'm not even sure I can help her. We are very different people. I suggested that she stop dating for a while. She got mad.

Today she fell on a ski slope and broke her collar bone. It will need surgery. I may have to fly to Denver. I may need to take time off work. Of course I am worried about my baby and want to take care of her, but also, I felt like I could finally see land. Not actually reach it, but at least see it. Now my break plans are all up in the air and I am worried about lesson plans, and I feel like I am never going to catch up and the land was a mirage and I will probably just drown.

Dh looked at me today and said "what? You were looking relaxed earlier." I said "now I have situational depression."

I put away some laundry and I washed the sheets, and I rinsed a bunch of stuff for recycling from the counter. I also cut brush.

I brought a bag of stuffing home from school. I had intended to leave it there but changed my mind. Things are going the wrong direction.

Tomorrow I think Dh and I are going to see a friend in a play.

Hi Lila!

I also have all the things of the house piled up.

Today is the first day of my spring break. I slept until 10:30 and still have not dressed and done chores. When I was a kid I played in the ocean all the time. Sometimes a big wave would come and knock you off your feet and roll you. The key was to hold your breath, relax, and put your arms in front of your face. The wave would dump you on the sand, and then you could stand up. That's how I feel. Like I just stood up after getting rolled.

Tatoulia, it is really nice that you are giving the picture to your friend.

I think cleaning in the clay studio is easier and more satisfying because someone else says "do this" (making the decision and setting priorities) and the "this" is so clearly defined. Also, I don't feel like all of the other things that need to be done are hanging over my head the way I do at home. It is easier to find the energy because I'm not worn down before I start, and there is an outside prompt to start.

CM, I think sewing your pockets is decluttering. It gets a thing out of your project basket, and maybe replaces one in your drawer with something better.

You're doing a good job accomplishing things.

Road, I'm still thinking of you and hoping you will check in with good news.

What I attempted to post 3-9-23 but kept getting an error message so I gave up, copy pasted it into a Word doc, and now here it is.

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Today 3-10-23 continuation:

So, more caught up on sleep now, feel better, legs not hurting anymore. Weather still meh. I'm just ridiculously impatient for real, lasting spring.

Motivation should return somewhat though. Got a little graphic project done for the bunny club event and uploaded to Facebook. It had photoshopped bunnies wearing fancy hats and holding teacups, and turned out cute if I do say so myself. That was my obligatory thing to do today, and about all I had the energy for but it was satisfying. I did doze a bit more in the afternoon today (went to bed super early last night). A few other things I need to get posted about the event, but those can be done quickly just with color and text, or if a photo is needed just a quick upload.

Then I hope to get back to some of my own stuff. Writing, sewing, and yes, decluttering too but I may want to do the sewing first - it's those shorts that need pockets, I've mentioned them before. Getting them done would tie in with my going through my clothes. To make room for the new ones I will be letting go of old ones.

I confess to being once again in procrastination mode re embarking on exercise. Wanting nice weather conditions for the first time back out. It's hard enough to regain momentum, says my brain, without fighting the cold and the wind. But I promise the Badger I will hop on it when I see my chance. I'll even do the organizing of getting my bag packed well ahead, so that can't become another delaying factor. Scout's honor.

Hello, friends, and happy birthday Tatoulia! And congrats on the weight loss! Hi to everyone, I have been working nonstop. I worked almost 80 hours last week without a day off, but not all is 'billable' hours. Most is volunteer because I am only allotted a certain number of hours per week/month/year. But I love love love my work and have no complaints. I did finally take a day off Monday but had to work at home on laundry, cleaning, being with kids etc. Today is my real day off and I have to work tomorrow. This is the busy season, so is fall. Summer will be a lot more chill. And, I am taking my first week of paid vacation in April to go see my grands out of state!

Anyway my house is a wreck, the kitchen table and counter/bar are testifying against me that I am too busy. My floor desperately needs to be mopped but more than that I need a rest day to catch up on things. I am cooking, cleaned out the fridge (mostly), babysat Acorn last night, and am doing little things like ordering dog food online, prepping some returns, playing with my dog and cleaning his ears.

I put one thing in the trash today and will update my Daily Tally because I have not gotten rid of anything in a week or more.

I hope that after next week, I'll be able to get back to having 2 days off a week, because I am tired and my home is in terrible shape.

Hi SubC. I think sometimes I have to look at my place with someone else's eyes. I pretend it's not my place and what would I do to make it look nicer. It is FAR more satisfying to clean someone else's mess unless that mess is in your home.

I have started the bagging process for more to leave. My friend who was over last weekend with her daughter said that she wanted an art piece that I love and had considered putting into my bathroom. (It is currently leaning against the wall in my bedroom as my BF found it in his house a few weeks ago). I will try to drive it to her this weekend. I could tell that she really loved it and I'm ready for someone else to love it. It's absolutely beautiful and when I bought it at a thrift shop, I contacted the artist since I know her work. Her husband got back to me to discuss it. I've had it about 20 years now. It used to hang in my office but I haven't had an office for over 14 years and I would just be hanging it to hang it. She will love having it so I'm very happy. It was that or sell it. So that will be a big impact even though it's only been in my house for a couple of weeks.

Had trouble posting last night, got a 502 error - so this is a test.

Trying not to get to bed too late, but had to come in and confess to two clay boxes of cookie cutters brought home from the studio tonight. They had too many and were paring down as part of the clean up and prep. I was told to take what I wanted - half was suggested. I took about 2/5. I was also given a plastic container.

Dropped trash today.

Good morning!

Tatoulia, that is an ambitious goal!

I can't believe I forgot to comment on your weight loss - it's impressive! I'm glad you are getting back into your clothes!

I am holding steady at a place I don't want to be. I helped out cleaning and organizing the clay studio last night and the owner bought us dinner. It was not exactly healthy, but it was good and I was hungry.

I am "volunteering" ten hours in return for a large discount coupon and a t-shirt. - honestly, I'd do it for the t-shirt and the sense of community. I go back tonight and then next week I finish my hours as a half day gallery sitter.

I can accomplish things for others that I cannot accomplish for myself. Every evening I have the same three hours I gave the studio. My aisle of shelves looked great - the owner hugged me. But can I clear off even one square foot of my counter in an evening? No. Can I put away the baskets of laundry? No. I mean, I cleaned the baseboards! I put all the cleaning stuff away when I was done with it. I can't even clean off my desk at school. It's a mystery.

Goal to be completed by Sunday.

Two bags of clothes out
One bag of household things.

I need to move forward with things!

That's great that you can put some pots up for sale, SubC! Sometimes not having prep time makes things easier. You can bring what you have and see how much you can reduce!

Forgot to add - bought two bags for pottery I've been wanting because they were on sale.

Happy birthday Tatoulia!

Good job on the decluttering.

I started the kiln at school.

I also dropped the trash and recycling.

I found out tonight that I can put things for sale on my shelf at the pottery studio next week during the conference! Pretty cool! Wish I had more warning/prep time though.

I did buy frozen food for dinner that has hard to recycle packaging. Packaging is my albatross.

Ok, chores, set up coffee, basic prep for tomorrow, bed.

Hello everyone! I am still here but not caught up to date.

I took yesterday and today off in honor of my birthday. On Sunday I got rid of five plus bags of clothing and household things. I felt so much lighter. I've been going through my house and weeding out things for relocation. I had a big Rubbermaid thing of Christmas stuff that I put by the garbage last night knowing that someone would come along and take it. All good stuff but I didn't want to take Christmas to good will in March. So that plus the five or more bags to goodwill. A lot of recently purchased clothes because of the weight gain and subsequent weight loss. I'm saving a few dresses for my mother. I should mention that I do not have much in Rubbermaid containers here. Mainly just all of my cards and postcards etc. most things are on shelves. The organization products dont work for me.

I am determined to pare down my place. And it's going pretty well. My friend Emiko will help. I have the momentum going. Some of the houses hold things leaving are things that don't make any sense to me anymore. Others are decorative items I bought at goodwill and it's time for them to go back be donated back. I've added a few things recently but nothing too bad. I am very excited to be cleaning and clearing and making decisions

I am at 29 lbs off. Amazing. I tried on a dress in my closet today and it doesn't just fit, it looks fantastic. So I washed it and a few other dresses to see if those fit yet. They may not. But they are washed and hanging in the bathroom.

I spent some money this weekend but ultimately not too bad. Just stuff from thrift shops that I will be fine if I end up donating those at a later date.

I had a girlfriend and her daughter over on Sunday for cake and ice cream. They wanted to take me out but BF and I had an art gallery to go to so we had them here. They loved the new kitty. And it was fun having them over. I did a little sweeping up. I realized that I do own way too much stuff which was helpful to see. It's okay not to keep the stuff forever. So I will be working hard he next three weeks to get stuff out of my house. I've decided which blankets new kitty will enjoy and I have washed some of the older ones to donate to the shelter. I'm also reaching 5e point where I have to look at my towels realistically and pair those down. I like to have four towels and I think I'm at seven. So three have to go.

Oh! When my friend and her daughter were here, I served their cake in fancy glass bowls and BF and I had ours on my every day plates. I mentioned that I have two or four of everything and not more and my girlfriend said exactly, why would you need more? And that was reaffirming. She, despite living in a very big house with her husband and two kids, tends to own only what she needs and she is a good roll model for me. They go through the kids toys every year to donate what the kids don't play with. Very healthy habits.

So that's me, I'll have to read up to see how all of you are! I'm feeling strong and capable of getting rid of things to make more space here. Space to stay as space and not space to fill up. BIG difference and I hope I can live up to it.

I'll wash the dresses for mom some other time. BF is heading over now.

Going to pick up a cake and go over to mom's soon. I've been on the phone since 7 with well wishers and friends calling me from all over. Pretty nice!

Good morning!

My Bean arrived safely at my parent's house last night and I was sent pictures of him joyfully eating cookies with my dad and having story time with my mom.

Meanwhile I have started my day by accidentally luring scalding hot coffee down my front and giving myself a first degree burn that is going to make some of my clothing very uncomfortable today. Sigh.

I do have my car loaded for school - including a good sized box of recycling and a feed bag full of trash! But I do not have my lesson plans ready. Must really get on that.

This week will be very full with commitments in the studio after school today through Thursday and kiln loads to fire at school. It's a dash to Friday night.

Tatoulia, how are you?
Road, I am still;worrying about your son.

* I got and orchid from school, not an orchard!

Oh dear CM!

I didn't realize your roommate had things in your room! So you really have not one space in the house that is all yours. That's rough.

I hope the mouse is gone.

I wonder if the church has space that you could just bring your leftovers straight after the sale? It might not hurt to ask. I feel like usually they collect for those things for several weeks anyway.

Can you park your van to cut the wind?

Dh and I finally got back to yoga this morning! Then I worked outside today and cleared more of my lost garden space. Cutting brush - mostly blackberry canes, and mowing. I also pruned a bit more and finally got my seeds started. The seed starting resulted in the tiny improvement of three seed packets recycled and one lid cut up and used for plant markers.

I've been bad about keeping track of my in lately, but aside from a few pottery pieces I've made, I think it's just the plastic animals, magazines that are actually slowly decreasing, and an orchard that was a gift at school. I'm basically not buying anything but food. The animals were an exception.

I do have to confess though - one of the animals was for me. I bought a badger. I'm not sure how I'm going to use him yet, but he seemed like a good reminder. I used to have a camel by my phone to remind me not to agree to things when people called - because of the story about if you let a camel get its nose under the edge of your tent, it won't back up, the only way out is through.. I don't know if that's true about camels, but it's definitely true about volunteer positions!

My dishwasher is running and I put away a load of laundry. Off to do chores!

Yep, SubC, you have a point - here we can brain dump or get accountability (and badgers), or vent, or whatever else we need. It probably does help us think and work better!

No mouse update. I got aggravated trying to replace the sticky trap after checking it so I put it in a different location. Then I tried this newer type of trap that I'd thought was going to be really great, and it probably is good except that it wasn't going to fit down in this crevice where I needed it to go. It's the type that is round and flat. So my roommate can put it elsewhere. I'll look for something with a more narrow vertical design.

Roommate and I are discussing plans for my bedroom where some of her stuff still is - logistically challenging but perhaps will lead to her being able to get stuff out of there, I'd have more space, etc. for the worthwhile things, instead of having double parked shelving and stuff inaccessible, which has been a nightmare.

There are other areas in the room meanwhile I can continue to declutter - e.g., there's crap right out there in the open and all I need to do is grab some of it and get rid of it! Like those diocesan newspapers I mentioned the other day and sort of forgot about with the mouse drama and remembered again today.

Also, we know now of two excellent opportunities coming up. The senior center is going to have that sale event on April 21st, where we can rent a booth cheap. I would like to sell some items because I could really use the money - hoping I will be able to find some items that will sell. I know that's not always possible, and perhaps I'll discover that I should've just donated them, but I'd like to try just this once.

Then, for whatever doesn't sell, my church has announced that their garage sale will be the first weekend in June. That's a bit earlier than they usually have it, but not a problem for me, and not super long to keep my leftovers from the April sale.

In all of this, I do intend to be going over to the storage unit and pulling stuff out whenever the weather cooperates, which right now is probably about a third of the time. Hope it will increase. Rain is likely this week. Wind is pretty much always something to dodge in Kansas. I wish that unit had an inner door down a hallway besides the big pull-up garage door. Because on windy days if there was an inside door I could manage small armfuls of stuff to carry out. As it is, once I open that big door, the wind wreaks havoc. But I will try to seize opportunities.

Hoping this week finally to initiate my long delayed return to exercising in some way, shape, or fashion. It's sad; in 2016-17 I'd lost that weight and felt so renewed, and now most of it's back plus I'm just lacking in muscle tone and energy. Yesterday, after the quilt bingo, I was ridiculously fatigued, sleepy, and achy, and I figured out that a lot of it was sitting on the hard chair. Had I weighed less, the soreness would surely have been less. And my mood would have been better. I mean, I still had a nice time at the event, but I had to decompress for quite awhile and was still just toast physically and mentally in the evening afterward. That shouldn't be. Getting my muscles revitalized, more oxygen through the circulation and brain, etc. will make a big difference.

I'll be more decisive and energetic for the decluttering work, too, if I get more in shape.

CM,

My posts lately haven't had much to do with decluttering either.

But this "place" is a significant part of my social landscape, and working on myself and managing my time and other aspects of my environment are foundational to working on the stuff, if that makes sense - basically I just need to feel a connection to you guys even during periods when I'm not making progress so I feel like someone cares and I don't give up.

I'm glad you are making real life social connections.

DD's family was at a cabin for the weekend and are going to reattempt their visit to my parents tomorrow. I thought I wouldn't see Bean, but they stopped on their way home to fix a bolt on DD's car, and I got to spend most of the afternoon with him.

Threw a bit of a monkey wrench into my plans for the day, but that little monkey is always welcome!

I do have a day without him tomorrow, we'll see what I get into.

Frivolous post that has little to do with decluttering

I did make spaghetti last night with the can of sauce, and it was tasty. Actually only needed half the can to make one serving, so I have enough in the fridge to make it again, or pizza or tortellini. I get those pouches of tortellini and ravioli from Aldi. For pizza, I frequently find Naan flatbread on the bakery markdown rack at Dillon's. These are easy meals that I enjoy.

Well, today is the quilt bingo at church. Looking forward to it. I connected with a friend who will go to Mass with me and then we'll head over to the school for bingo. I am glad to be getting together with her, and hopefully will be with other friends and family I've missed soon. That's a goal, because between burnout and Covid I had gotten into a pattern of social isolation. Just need to pace myself and it can be positive and life enhancing.

The mouse I have not heard. I will check the trap again. It would be nice if it just vamoosed. My roommate is more scared it went elsewhere in the house. Hard to say. Right now it is Schrödinger's Mouse, status unknown.

I hope this coming week is calm and productive and not confusing, chaotic, or frantic and emotionally draining like things were with the mouse drama there for awhile. It's already March; I want to get things done and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Maybe I can make spaghetti using one of my cans of Contadina tomato sauce. 😉

Oh dear. Sorry that wasn't helpful.

I'll give you an easy one - eat something from a can today - lol!

The sun is out, chores are done, and I have taken a short walk - nothing fell on my fences or any of our buildings, and the driveway is clear, although a path is blocked by a cedar with a ten inch trunk. The neighbors I can see from the road all have intact roofs.

I think my next task is seed starting.

Another cross post!

Actually the bulk of the pans are already at the storage unit. *blushes* I will have to reckon with them at some point. Part of my personal Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Here I have just been using an ordinary 9x13 for cakes.

There is little to no extra space anywhere in this house. I need to get my misc. baking things off the dining table just because they shouldn't be parked there indefinitely. I have designated wire shelving in the pantry. Been using down the canned food that I bought a little extra of various items when there were intermittent shortages in the stores, and during winter and holiday season so I wouldn't have to go to the grocery store much. So soon there will be room to put the cake decorating stuff away.

Roommate and I are both finding that her retirement has not yet led to the rapid and dramatic reduction in clutter that we had envisioned. Hoping it will pick up soon. We need fewer fires to put out, and more focus. Longer days will surely help, and they are on the way.

Lol, SubC, we just cross posted! How scary about the storm and the tree. On May 3, 1999, there was a bad tornado in Haysville, which is just south and a little west of Wichita. I had been at an evening class in far northeast Wichita, and because I was worried about my bunnies, decided to try and hurry home to my apartment in the mid/southeast part of town. Big tactical error, as I failed to factor in that if I drove 40 mph but in the direction of the tornado's track and it was meanwhile heading in my direction at about the same speed, you add those together and the result is 80 mph - you're gonna meet, very soon!

By the time I was within a mile or two from my home, it was terrifying, and I considered parking my car and just running up to a house and banging on the door, but the lightning was so constant and intense, I was scared of it too. So I kept going, praying aloud. Trees, the big old ones like elms, swayed wildly and looked like they could come down on top of me at any moment.

I made it, and the next day I saw my apartment courtyard littered with debris from the Haysville mobile homes. I walked over to the park about three blocks east of my house. Huge pines and cottonwoods lay uprooted on the ground. The tornado I thought they said was an F5 (although the NWS page says F4). In any case, there had been fatalities where it was strongest, and the track was fairly long - when I was driving through it I think it must have still been F2 or F3 judging by the damage like those uprooted trees.

Needless to say, I will never knowingly drive into a tornado again. Nowadays we do have better prediction technology, which helps. I probably would've just stayed home from the class that evening had I known. But sometimes like you last night, we get caught out in it. I'm glad you are safe!

https://www.weather.gov/ict/haysville

Badger is still broken.

CM, I have a thought.

Decorative cake pans take up a lot of space.

You currently have a horrible oven that probably won't get replaced this year.

Box up all the decorative cake pans (if you see any you can part with while you are doing this - donate them - maybe you can make it a goal to choose one?) and take them to your storage unit.

Use the space this makes to sort something that you feel like you can make progress on. Even if it means you have to do something weird like take things off a table and stick them in a kitchen cabinet until you are done using the table for sorting.

You need to break the gridlock so you can make progress.

Here, I send this with love:?

Post written 3-3-23 that I couldn't get to post yesterday, due to site glitch:

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Current status:

It has been quiet since I deployed the bedroom trap, although it does not have a mouse in it. Dare I hope that Mickey got spooked and exited whence he came, via the eaves? Or did he flee elsewhere in the house? That wall only goes to the hallway though of course there are probably places a mouse can find to squeeze through and access the attic or something. I bought extra traps yesterday to put in other strategic locations.

My second attempt at baking, a cake this time, was yet another flop. It refused to get done in the middle without risking overbrowning the top. After it had been out of the oven a few minutes, the middle sunk. My roommate's oven is awful; it bakes too hot and possibly uneven; I have tried compensation strategies with little success.

Perhaps next time I want to bake for church or some other event I will just forget trying to do cakes and go with something like lemon bars or pie or whatever. Cupcakes would work for some things but for this event I needed a sheet cake that they could cut up. I know there exist pans nowadays that make single serving individual mini-cakes and those might get done better than one big cake. However, I hesitate because I already have so many specialized cake pans that I bought back when I was taking the Wilton classes, and had big ambitions of a cake decorating career. If anything, I should be downsizing my cake pan stash.

The kitchen here is so small and cluttered that it's not conducive to things like rolled out cookies where you need counter space. Even with drop cookies, there needs to be more space for the pans that come out of the oven and taking the done cookies off and putting them somewhere, and putting new cookies to be baked onto the pans. So I do think bars or pies may be more the way to go in future.

Again, I have to try and get past the frustration that I cannot do what I see other ladies at church and elsewhere do easily - ladies who have had good jobs, husbands, roomy uncluttered kitchens, sewing rooms, ample retirement income, and on and on. Ladies who are probably neurotypical and efficient, for whom the steps involved in doing projects are straightforward, and task initiation and follow through are a breeze. Who don't clutter up their spaces and derail their lives in their befuddlement and angst. Lord help me not to have an unholy envy towards them...

It's okay, though. I'm going to use this latest baking fiasco as a learning experience. I'm done with deluding myself about that hateful oven, thinking I can beat it in the Battle of the Cakes. I'm sure it is gloating. But no matter. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. In future, I will find something it can't ruin. I'm sad that it won't be cake, but if I can find a go-to dessert that will consistently turn out well, that will be good enough.

Good morning!

CM, I was waiting for your cut/paste to show up, but apparently you've gone to do something else. (Taking a chance on that apostrophe - you said the site was down, maybe it was getting fixed?)

We had a nasty storm last night. My drive home from work was nerve wracking - sirens going off and radio emergency warnings, had to reroute 4 times because of trees or accidents. Watched a tree fall next to my driveway right before I drove down it.

The bread lessons went well, although my legs are tired from going up and down the stairs all day and I brought home a lot of dirty dishes.

I actually got up around 8 today, but I am taking it slow. Think I will just focus on starting seeds and going out with Dh tonight - it's a concert night. Maybe some dishes and laundry.

Testing 123, couldn't post yesterday; fortunately was able to copy and save what I wrote so I can post it if this shows the site is back up...

CM, I'm sorry about the mouse. They can be very worrisome.

I am waiting for the coffee to kick in this morning. It is a struggle. My school days have been a lot this week. Yesterday I had a class that was emotionally exhausting for everybody. Part of the fallout from that is that I need to meet with my administrator this morning (my own need for some support and direction) and with a student at lunch. I was hoping today would coast now that I have the bread process worked out.

Two students I am fond of will be out today and miss the bread!

It was good to see Bean last night. It was hard because I only had three hours, and when I hugged him before I left he put his arm around me and looked into my face and said "I want you to stay a little while."

My lunch yesterday was a meeting- productive and worthwhile for a change, but it resulted in action items. And Dd2 called last night right after I got home. We had a good, but long conversation. I simply have not had anything left for extras the last few days. Or in some cases basics- the laundry is piling up.

I have a feeling I will sleep very late tomorrow.

Worrying about road and family and missing Tatoulia.