Good morning!

Hi CM! We are in the "too cold in the morning,too hot in the afternoon" days here.

I hope things turn out well for the bunnies.

Good job taking donations!

Bean and I picked the popcorn yesterday. His Daddy sent a packed bag so that if I have to come get Bean in the middle of the night, all I have to get is Bean. When Dd goes to her appointment on Thursday they are going to discuss wether or not to schedule an induction. (They think she is due the 16th, she thinks it's the 20th.)

I found the materials I need today, the studio definitely needs major work again. I didn't do the reading. Instead I spent an hour filling out student assessment forms requested by an organization on behalf of a parent. I'm still not done with them, because I had to send an email to the guidance counselor because I've lost track of how many years I've taught this kid. I hate these forms. On a scale of 1-4 ...
I wrote all over it.

They wanted to know if the kid has difficulty standing in line. I have never asked the kid to stand in line. I wrote that. What I want to write - to somebody somewhere - is "maybe the problem is your stupid lines and not the kids! Ask Costco if the kid can stand in line!" I will have to do the reading on my lunch.

My house is still a bit of a mess from yesterday, but not too much worse. I think it's going to get worse on the Monday-Wednesday stretch every week but I'm going to try to minimize that and keep resetting on Thursdays. Hopefully while still picking away at the backlog.

Yoga time!

I don't have a ton of energy right now - but I think it will return soon. The last three weeks or so have been pretty full. When it gets to be a flurry of activity I can't remember what I did a day or week previously without looking back at the calendar to jog my memory.

Bunnies were involved in the busyness, both my own with health concerns (positive outcomes) and the rescue organization's events keeping us busy. Please those who pray for such things, send up some for the rescue. It's too early and too delicate a topic to go into detail about at present, but they face some serious crossroads. It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, but it could also have painful stages first. That's all I can say for now.

It's changed here from late summer feeling to "still summerlike temperatures yet it feels more like fall at times." I think it is the cooler mornings, and the days are getting noticeably shorter though not depressingly so yet. It is helpful to be able to do more things without the extreme heat. We are still under drought watering restrictions.

Decluttering projects will go easier with the milder weather. I took some donations on Saturday. Also, those small household miscellaneous projects, repairs, things needing a battery replaced, dumb stuff that's not difficult really but annoying... there are so many of them and they cause a sort of mental clutter. Trying to work through the backlog from the aforementioned busy days. Sure can pile up quickly.

Good morning!

I made cheese and replaced the burned custard yesterday. I also cleaned up after it all, and ran a load of laundry (but I currently have three clean loads in baskets) and I cleared off and washed one shelf from my refrigerator and worked on the scullery shelf a bit.

I did the prep work for two classes, but when I went out to the studio to get materials for the 4th I got distracted and ended up making things, so I have prep work to do after Bean leaves tonight. - getting those materials together and reading and taking notes on some things the kids turned in the first day.

So today my ambition is that, having a good day with Bean, and cleaning up after myself.

I shall now go do yoga for the 9th day in a row!

Good morning!

Goodwin, I think tillie used to recommend that book. I wish this site was searchable, because she is not here any longer, but her posts are very worth reading.

I think 15 minutes a day sounds like a good goal. It will add up.

Also the not acquiring things. Not acquiring things is surprisingly hard.

Tatoulia, I forgot to refresh the page again and I missed you yesterday. But wow - you have two boxes. TWO boxes. Everything else in your life is deliberately stored in your home. Even if you decide you need to clean out a drawer or cupboard or whatever later, that is what "normal" people do. You don't have piles! You have two boxes!

I have multiple things I want todo today, but I am focusing on two goals that will help make my life less overwhelming and more functional:

Make cheese
Prep for Tuesday and Wednesday classes.

Those first. Other things if those get done. Some of the things I need for Tuesday are in my studio, so that might get a bit more organized. Low chance of discarded items. Probably just consumables if that. It's also possible I will make a bigger mess looking for them.

Hey everyone! Sorry for not checking in with the site in a couple of days. I've been keeping busy. I have been really working on the book Buried in Treasures. I'm making plans and actions to stop acquiring things and sorting the things that I have scattered and piled all over the place. I haven't made a ton of progress at actually cleaning for the past few days, but I have made a contract with myself to start out with 15 minutes a day in one section at a time. I think that this book may be very beneficial in helping me get to where I want to be. I have been spending a lot of time practicing some German for my trip in October. I like to learn a little of the language where I'm going. It just seems polite.

My goal is to start tomorrow with the area around the couch. I will sort and discard items, and then put those items in the correct places where they belong. One step at a time is how I'm hoping to attack it.

I want to thank everyone for the encouragement and responses.

I think everyone is doing the very best that they can (I have been slack at getting things cleaned up this week though). I am hoping very much that tomorrow I can start getting on top of things.

I will catch up with everyone more tomorrow!

I think you showed good restraint today, SubC!

I have now done three loads of laundry. Two folded and put away. The last is hanging to dry.

I did get through one of the car boxes. Some to donate, some are gifts for our friends with kids.

Now to find what it takes to get through the other two boxes.

Good evening again!

Lila, I hope the year is healing for both of you.

Now, pick a toaster oven. Any toaster oven. Don't worry about choosing the best one, just pick one you like and let the rest go. (Your son's family's doesn't count because you are planning to move out. Use theirs, keep yours packed for later.)

Totsdad is definitely a good son!

Can you focus on setting up your bedroom or the playroom now that there is space, before you get bogged down in sorting? Once you have them nice, you may find that you don't want as much of the packed up stuff. Or, you may find packed stuff that you want to trade for what you already have and can easily find.

Otoh, if you're in the mood for sorting bins - just keep going!

But do get the dust bunnies out of your room - for your health.

I went to an art show and a yard sale today and didn't do much else. I did make custard, but then I left it cooling on the stove and Dh turned the wrong burner on and burned it.

At the art show I got a reusable "swag bag". I recycled all the ads, tossed the pen in my teacher bag to leave in the office at school, and put the vinyl bee sticker in my student prize collection. I am keeping the little watercolor set for Bean, but that counts as a consumable (so does the pen)

At the yard sale I got two toys and a thing for Dh (he snatched it as soon as I walked in the door, so that definitely does not count in my total.) I'm not sure about counting one toy - it's just a piece of brio track with a water tower attached - it went straight in the brio bin and doesn't feel like a separate toy. But the magnetic maze game is definitely a thing.

And do I need to count the reusable bag?

What I should do is fill the reusable bag with other stuff and give it away. But I won't. Not now anyway. I'm still making slow progress working on areas with trash and recyclables and consumables (mostly paper and craft bits and potentially useful bits and bobs) but those are impossibly to count meaningfully.

I ran across a September cleaning challenge of "30 drawers in 30 days" and I laughed. But I thought - maybe I could clear off the messy shelf in the scullery in September. I'll try that.

Okay I feel caught up. Good work, Lila, hard work, Lila. SubC, glad the school year is shaping up and you have four days of yoga under your belt! Amazing!

I've been a giant slug. One of my lamps got knocked over and broke and so I took the subway over to a very charming lamp restorer today. He's also going to retire it, find some crystals where one is missing, and put a more appropriate socket on it. And put it back together. I'll take the lamp's mate up to see him so they will match.

Okay, music going on. I'm going to force myself to do things. On laundry load #2 as we speak.

Glad you had a good time at rendest with Bean, SubC! Goodwin, your grandmother loved that piece of art and she loved you more. She wouldn't want you to feel burdened by it. OK going back to read.

I started to get caught up on the posts and read the fist couple of sentences from Lila's second post and felt obligated to write now. Lila, you are NOT a drag. You are an important part of our community. I feel your support by just hearing about your day. I often feel unsupportive here and guess what, we are a group of friends getting caught up on things. That's all. And so by checking in, even with just a hello, our little community is well-supported!

Okay back to the posts. Also, Lila, please remind me of your Instagram so I can check in on you!

follow-up post, for my own sanity.

TotsDad came up and in a flurry of activity, carried probably 30 trips of totes, boxes, and piles from upstairs to my new office space downstairs. Wow, I didn't really comprehend how much stuff I still had. It really "fluffs up" as someone here once said, as it decompressed from being piled and shoved into every available corner. I just kept pulling out box after box and TotsDad looked like he wanted to as me why I was keeping all this crap, but to his credit, he said nothing. I did say "I'm going to wort through all this stuff down there and get rid of some of it" and he said "okay." What a good son.

As I was giving him boxes and totes I was thinking, wow. This really is a hoard. Just a neat one. I would guess 70% of it came from my bedroom. He was carrying stacks, so 30 trips is probably 60+ boxes and totes. It is astounding, considering how much stuff I have already gotten rid of and how often I have already sorted all of this stuff.

About 6 totes came from the playroom (not toys, just stuff) and about 10 came from the storage bedroom, plus a bookshelf, an end table, and another shelf (to be used for sorting). Probably 10 boxes from the living room and dining room and a toaster oven. TotsDad did say "why are you hoarding toaster ovens all of a sudden?" in kind of a joking manner. I had one myself, had a newer one in the garage, TotsFam brought theirs so mine went into the garage, and 2 people gave me brand new ones. I was gonna pick the best one to keep...

All the rooms are now in a state of disarray. Every room with random things, stuff I did not send downstairs, clutter, and in my bedroom a massive amount of dust bunnies. It does not look neat whatsoever and in fact does not look like I took so much out. Maybe new photos on ig are in order. If any of you are on ig and not connected, let me know your handle and I will try to invite you.

I am exhausted but after lunch I will vacuum.

Thank you for the kind words, friends. I skimmed posts today and think things will settle out now, so I have the time and peace to come and be more part of this little community that I love. I too, have a sense of who you each are, and enjoy getting to know you all, and really appreciate the support.

Good news is, this week I had court and it went in my favor, which is good but sad, as there is now an order that Teen can't contact me for one year. I still sent boxes of food over to her and some more of her things, through one of the boys, but that's really the end of it. I have to let it go and let her find her way. I will no longer be subject of the abuse, assaults, and broken things, and for that I am grateful. And I feel some relief about that.

Today TotsDad is home and will help me move heavy things.

Youngest son moved out of his room into Teen's old room, which is twice as big and has a closet. Son's old, smaller room used to be exDH's room, and before that, was my office. I am reclaiming it as a sorting grounds. It only has a twin bed in there right now (was Son's) and I will use it to sit on and sort things on for now. Very soon TotsDad will come up and help me.

Goals - put a thing or two in the garage from upstairs. Put things from the small storage bedroom and from my bedroom and the playroom and the living/dining room all into that office for sorting. This should make my bedroom the emptiest it has been in 20+ years.

I will report back.

Good evening!

I did get my house reset yesterday and start out prepared today. I did not make custard.

It was a long day though. I'm tired.

Dh ordered new work shirts, and they came in the mail today, so I have all of those piled up in the laundry for tomorrow.

Not sure how the paper content of the house is shaking out this week, except that I am sure I have fewer random loose papers and most of the new ones are neatly contained in binders and folders and being used for classes - so that's something?

Good morning all!

Coming by a bit late today. I don't teach on Thursdays, but I do have a bunch of beginning of the year admin type stuff to do (I stayed up until ten last night responding to parent emails!)

My goals for today are:
To reset the house (reset means back to the best it has been since we visited Birdy, which from now on will be today I hope, so I shall refer to it as a "September reset" until I have a day in October or later that is an improvement.)
And
To get everything prepped and ready for tomorrow with my admin work caught up.

I may also make some custard to freeze or some cheese, and I'll let you know if I manage to downsize anything that isn't consumable.

I have handed out a LOT of partly used spiral notebooks to kids who came to class unprepared so far this year. My remaining supply now not only fits in the crate designated for their storage, it fails to fill it.

Good morning!

Lila, I also wanted to say, please don't worry about commenting on other people's stuff right now (or even reading it) this is a time for you to let other people hold you up. We just want to know how you are, and to help if we can.

Goodwin, yay for graduating from physical therapy! And for donating things! You may feel sad when you think about your grandmas picture for a while. That's ok. Try to remember that the picture was not bringing anyone joy stashed away. Now it is out where it can be found by someone who loves it and be enjoyed. Like a gift from your grandma you are sharing with the world.

I got through the first day of school. It went fairly smoothly. Two of my classes finished everything on the lesson plan, but nobody ran out of stuff to do. I had a small logistical bump when a kid thought he was signed up for my class, but he wasn't. Admin sent him to study hall and called mom, and he appeared on my list and joined us halfway through. I'm glad - I like the kid.

I stayed pretty late getting everything squared away and prepping some handouts for today. Today is "walk in ready" though - I even left my class notebook on the desk.

Ok, time to do yoga - this will be 4 days in a row!

So far there is only one word on my spelling list - "terracotta" I left out a "t"

Hi Everyone. I hope everyone's Tuesday is going ok. I am set for another busy week. I graduated from some physical therapy today.

Lila: You are so brave, and I'm proud of you for posting. I cannot imagine how hard it is for you and I hope like SubC said, that Teen will find her way back to you. I know there must be so much to process on so many levels as you try to navigate this thing called life. Life, of course, is rarely easy, but for some, it is harder than most. I am so glad you are not walking this path alone and have people who love you. From what little I've read from you, I can tell you are a very loving person. As someone who suffers from mental illness, I can tell you that you have nothing to feel guilty for. I can literally feel the love coming out of you as you write the words I'm reading. Those words could never come from a mother who isn't good. You, my new friend, are enough!

Things are moving along slowly but surely with me. I started reading a book I heard about somewhere called "Buried in Treasure". I have been reading as often as I can. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but it can be done. This cycle I'm a part of can and will be broken. It won't happen as fast as I'd like, but it will happen. Yesterday I took quite a few pictures of the different rooms of my house. I put them on my computer in a secure file and deleted them off of my phone. I don't know of any way to share them anonymously. Today I took a box of things to the thrift store to donate, as well as a print that hung in my grandmother's house when she was still alive. I was extremely close to my grandma and getting rid of anything that was hers was hard, but I had nowhere to hang the picture and it didn't fit in with my "style". I didn't feel too sad about it until I got home after donating it. I know, in the end, that I will need to get rid of other things that will be emotional. Some things I'm fairly certain I won't ever be able to part with, but I'm going to process each and every item I can in my house. That may take months, it may take years. I honestly don't know, but I know that after generations of family doing this and decades of me acquiring stuff I'm ready to make significant changes. Sorry to ramble on. My goal for today is to start filling up a new box of items to donate.

I hope everyone has a great day, and I'll check back in later.

Good morning!

I'm all caught up on reading and so glad to hear from everyone, even if I'm obviously not glad for what Lila is going through, but I'm going to have to post quick and run - first day of school.

I had a long post yesterday, but it disappeared into th3 white screen of death right before I left for renfest with bean (that was good)

Lila, my heart breaks for you. Whatever choices you make, treat yourself kindly. I pray that someday teen will find her way back to herself and to you. I know I don't know you, but from the things you post I have a sense of you, and I truly believe you did the best for teen that you could. I said in my other post that I am glad you have your friends and your boys. When you have people who love you, you will always have enough.

post 2 today -

I promise I will get to a point of being more of a support to you friends and less of a drag. Right now I am rather empty with little to offer but my prayers for you as we all navigate our stuff.

I did want to come and say, there is a bright spot. I went into that storage bedroom numerous times today with lots of staring and little done. However I came to tell you, if I can get through this - and I will - you can get through it too, whoever you are, whoever happens upon this board in the future and wonders how you can sort years of grief and loss - you can do it. My inner self shouted today at the closet stacked with my little girl's big puffy black cat cushion and her pink teddy bear, her soft pastel blanket that she loved and the black suede boot she HAD to have when she was 11, the sheets she picked out that are pink with black kitties on them and the keyboard she used to tap out Taylor Swift tunes by ear on; the beige cushion and the teal sequined pillow that used to adorn her little girl bed, the scarves and hats and little girl necklaces in a box... the clear plastic packet of the fancy ruffled blanket and flowered sheet set that was in her crib as a baby adored among older brothers... all her storybooks and art sets, and the tote of American Girl dolls that she played with for hours (which reminds me of the times we drove all the way to Seattle to go eat at the AG cafe and shop for little things for her AG dolls and even got one of her AG doll's ears pierced and how happy she was)... my inner self shouted at those stacks in the closet, "WHY IS THIS SO HARD?" and then I turned away, left and shut the door and sat down to eat ice cream instead.

It's hard because we loved. It's hard because time is a merciless killer of dreams, sometimes... it's hard because that little girl is gone, maybe buried inside of the adult who hates me, I don't know... something killed her inside... maybe drugs, maybe mental health, maybe trauma from "friends" she trusted, maybe me (so she says - I can't believe it - if anything I was guilty of loving and spoiling her too much). I don't know if I will ever see her as an adult again, and I don't know how to process all those memories, or be happy in them, or be nostalgic in them, when all I have left is an empty room and a bunch of totes in the storage room outside, full of fragile bits of the life she used to have with me.

We will get through it, it just will take awhile.

I have today as a paid day off. I also am sick, but not super sick, just a miserable head cold. I am going to try and sort some totes and stuff today. The state of my house:

My bedroom is a giant thrift shop basically. I put a pic of it on my IG before, if you saw that. It is worse now with piles on top of the piles.

The play room is strewn with toys, bins stacked on bins. The bed in there is piled with boxes and bins that were moved from the little storage bedroom so it could have walls repairs. I mean there is so much stuff in that play room.

The little storage bedroom is emptier, but still has a lot of things. And, when we were moving things so it could be repaired, I shoved a ton of stuff into the closet. It is packed to the ceiling in there. A lot of the things in that room are from when Teen was little, or grade school, when things were better and before she was so sick, before she was mentally ill, when we were happy. It is VERY hard for me to go in there, and nearly impossible to get rid of anything. But, some of it I can get out for the grandkids to play with, and some of it maybe I can box up and put in the closet in a neater way. I think I have to get rid of some of the stuff though. It is so hard, but everything is so hard and sad right now that I may as well just get it over with, because my emotional pain level is already really high, so why not. Then I won't have to deal with it later.

The kitchen bar/counter is full. The dining room table is 50% full. The living room has bins and boxes and stuff from the storage bedroom and playroom.

This is all not to mention the downstairs which is in an interesting state, and the garage which is literally piled with totes to the ceiling, but 75% of it is TotsFam's.

Wish me luck, I will try and do something today, even just a little bit.

White rabbit, white rabbit, white rabbit - hopping by before September 1st is over.

Last 2-3 weeks have been a whirlwind and I can't even remember all the things. One of these days I may start keeping a small diary (electronically, so as to avoid physical clutter) simply for the purpose of remembering. I do have a paper month-at-a-glance calendar, which sometimes helps me reconstruct what has happened. Otherwise it becomes a blur. This will just be rather random.

Had to take my 7-1/2 year old female bunny to the vet a couple times these past few weeks. She has arthritis, but with the mobility assist from cotton rugs on the floor is perking up quite a bit. She also had some fleas, but we got those on the run. My male just turned 12 yesterday and is still going strong. The bunny rescue organization is going through some changes which I have prayed about for quite awhile - they wanted so badly to grow bigger but it just hasn't happened. I worried about them being overwhelmed. Now it looks like perhaps they will allow it to become smaller, be able to play to their strengths better and not be stretched too thin. It'll take time but seems hopeful. We had a fundraiser in August, that was some of my busy time.

I mentioned going to the water park the previous weekend, which was fun and I got some good exercise in there. We didn't get a swim in this past week but hopefully will in a few days. I want to do more walking even if it's not very far. This evening an ambulance went down our street and I had been going to walk down to the end of the block anyway. The neighbor gal came out to walk and see where the ambulance went, so we chatted. That was nice. So hard to get to know neighbors these days until something provides an opportunity for it - and of course I hope whoever needed the ambulance will be okay.

Was wishing my group that had Bible study and faith sharing back in the spring would be starting up again for fall. Found out they are, but this time for some reason they're having it at a different parish, one that's further away than I feel comfortable driving to. I'm going to try and find something - even online if need be, but I'd prefer in person. Very much want fellowship. Covid time has dwindled down so many such opportunities for those of us who don't belong to big suburban congregations and don't wish to do a lot of driving.

Signed up for a few short tech classes at the library again here and there over the next months, and need to pick a project to get my 3D printing certification. I'd like to make something Doctor Who themed for roommate for Christmas. The thing I'd really like to make is probably too advanced for a first project, so I'm looking for a simple item - there are websites you go to that have the items shown and you download the instructions to tell the printer to make it. You can design your own, too, but that is complicated to do as a beginner. I'd get bogged down attempting that at this stage.

This week has some busyness in it too, and I'm hoping after that it'll be easier to pick back up on goal oriented things like sorting stuff for donation or whatever other end goal I have for it.

SubC, it is indeed new grandbaby month for you - and I'm still hoping and praying for the very best. And for everyone else and family.

Hi Lila. I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I could also feel everything you were saying in your post. I cannot imagine how hard this has all been for you. I am sending you so many positive thoughts and vibes. I really hope that you will heal both physically and emotionally, even though I can understand how extremely hard that can seem. You are courageous and strong. I'm so glad you have a support system with your friends. Take care of yourself and give yourself all the time you need. I know I just joined and know very little about you, but I want you to know that I am thinking of you and pulling for you.

I hope everyone is doing ok this weekend. I've been making very slow progress. DH took quite a few things to the medication disposal box at the pharmacy today. The rest of them will be taken in shifts because there is literally so much old medicine and vitamins/supplements. I have finally filled a box with items to donate. I'm going to start a new box tonight or in the morning. I will write more tomorrow. I hope everyone has a good and restful night!

Lila, you are a wonderful writer. I felt every word that you wrote. You are also a wonder mother.

I related to having your son make the decisions in that when mom died, you may recall that I had friends clean and clear the bathroom, closets, and dresser and make all the decisions. It's better for me not knowing, just as it is better for you not knowing.

I'm so sorry about all of this. Having your youngest take over teen's room is very good. Will help more than it hurts. And I know you are in indescribable pain.

Thank you Tatoulia and SubC for kind thoughts and words. It has been a hard couple of years for me, but it feels like things are getting better. I do have very kind and good friends, a blessing from God, people who love me and notice when I am having a hard time and come right along to make me feel loved.

I have lived with very little for many years. The things I did have, Teen broke a lot of them. Or they were lost when it flooded in my downstairs, or things got taken from me when husbands left. I think that is a core of my hanging onto things. But as more and more is gone, things matter a lot less.

I did something hard yesterday but because I was in grief over other things it did not seem to matter. I have a very nice storage room that has been totally full of things forever. I remember posting on here how I finally went out there when ex-dh left and got rid of a lot of junk, and sorted the rest. It was still 80% full. We needed more space for TotsFam's stuff, and I wanted to put some totes of Teen's things in there from her room. So TotsDad asked if he could sort that room and I said yes. I looked out there after a couple hours and he had EVERY item out of that room all over the back patio and yard and he had the big trash bin sitting there with the lid open. I could not bear to look so I just went and worked on Teen's room. When he was done, I went and the whole patio and yard were empty and the room was maybe 20% full, very neat and organized and nice. I was kind of shocked, how much stuff was gone. I had already sorted it once and all that was in there was stuff I had decided to keep. But what a blessing it is that TotsDad was able to go in there and make it so nice. And no, I did not ask nor did I look in the trash can.

I also packed up every item in Teen's room. I wrapped every little fragile thing she saved in either tissue paper or bubble wrap, and packed them gently into totes. I labelled the totes and they are in that storage room now. This is exceptionally distressing to me, and if I think about it I nearly go into a panic, but just like the room and the trash can, I just have to walk away and not look.

Youngest Son will be moving into Teen's room. This also is both distressing and a relief to me. Today I mostly sat and watched tv and ate. I will work on all the tubs and totes from the upstairs bedrooms, which are mostly now in the kitchen and living room because of all the hole repairs and painting.

I am trying to remember the good and positive things. But I feel like losing Teen in this way, even though she is alive (but not well) is crushing and I wonder if I will ever be okay.

SubC, your positive attitude is infectious! Thank you!

Very quiet in the city today. Coffee clinks. I'm reading and enjoying my coffee.i have to fill out my ballot and get it over to the drop box near the library. From there I'll walk to Charles street to drop off the alarm system battery for recycling. Cannot tell if it will be a bit humid today, but certainly nothing terrible.

Will report back. Today should give me around 4 miles of walking, which will be an excellent time to focus and think as I bring myself back to good health and weight loss. I am not weighing myself just yet. I'm just trying to focus on feeling healthier and seeing how my biggest clothes fit. I am focusing on my need for clothes in December and that I have all I need if I can just fit into them. It is a strong motivator.

Good morning! White rabbits.

Coffee clinks!

Goodwin, it sounds like you are doing something even on down days. That will go farther than you think. Time to rest is also important.

Lila, I'm so glad to hear from you and that your body is healing. Grief is heavy and you are carrying a lot of it. Hopefully it will lighten with time. I am very happy for your friends and their kindness.

I hope the court date goes as you wish with the best possible outcome for all.

Tatoulia, I think you also deserve a decluttering break. Having everything in your home is the end of a long and heavy lift, and it's ok to just sit with it for a bit.

My eating and exercise routine have been a bit of a mess the last couple of weeks, but I'm ready to try again with the structure of school starting this week. As long as no one fills the office with overly tempting back to school treats, I should be ok. I hope to start listing good decisions in the decluttering your waistline thread soon.

I can't believe it's September already! In less than a month my new grandson will be here, even if he is late as can be! Possibly as early as this week!

Hi CM, hi Alanna!

Like Goodwin I've been dealing with a lot of heat, but it's supposed to break tonight. Hope so, because I'm going to the renfest with Bean tomorrow. My interior weather system hasn't been any better - scalding with scattered migraines, but I'm getting through with ibuprofen and cold showers.

I re-cleared (again) the end of the counter in the scullery and have been putting new additions in the clear space and trying to remove those, plus three, daily. Yesterday I didn't make it, so there are 15 items parked in that space. I will clear them out today and report back.

Today will definitely be home focused, because my car is in the shop for broken AC again, and Dh has gone off with the truck. So, off to make good life choices - I'll report back!

Lila! Thank you so much for stopping by! You are never far from my thoughts. You have lovely, lovely friends. What a gift! And I'm grateful you allowed them to make those important repairs. I'm sending you all my strength to help you through your court date.

I accomplished nothing today. I did have my groceries delivered and I did go to the grocery store as well. Ordered online for seltzer, juice, paper towels, went to store for fresh food that I'd prefer to select myself. I will go finish up the dishes and get ready for bed.

I am planning my trip overseas for December and soon I'll need to look alive for my girls' trip at the end of September. I need to make sure I lose some real weight before December. I have ballooned up after the tumult of last year and I'll be seeing BF in December so it's now or never. I'll have some cute clothes to wear if I keep up with my current regimen of not binge eating

Hello friends. Thank you for thinking of me. Just a short update - I hope to come back and catch up on posts later.

Mainly been struggling with health issues, emotional/stress over what is going on with Teen, trying to get caught up on work but failing. I find myself trying to escape reality by watching a lot of tv. That's a new bad habit. But it is hard to be in reality right now.

One very good thing is a couple of friends conspired to get the holes in my walls repaired. I am touched and moved by this. Over the past week, all the holes that Teen made in walls have been repaired and painted to match, so it looks like nothing ever happened. Also they replaced 3 doors that Teen had destroyed. I am quite blessed and this is the bright, healing spot in my life right now. Teen is not coming back here, so it was time, and I am thankful for the repairs. It is strange how moving into a new phase of life is hard and sad, even when it is also a relief.

I am feeling fairly well now and mostly healed from the various assortment of injuries and ailments. I am still incredibly tired. This is probably at least in part emotional.

I have to go to court in a few days which will either increase my stress exponentially or relieve it, depending on the outcome. It is re: Teen, so we shall see how it turns out. Today Son and I are packing up the remainder of her things into totes, labelling them and putting them into the storage room for when she wants them. This is exhausting. Imagine 500 nicknacks of a fragile nature and trying to store them in a way they will not be damaged. I bought bubble wrap and tissue paper, a tackle box for tiny wrapped things, and I have labels. TotsDad and I will try to make space in the storage room for these items in totes, and in the garage for her dressers and nightstands and her tv etc. It really, truly is exhausting even thinking about it, but we hope to get that done today.

I may end up with some things for the Daily Tally out of the garage and storage room (mine - I won't donate any of her things).

See you later.

Hey everyone! Stopping in to tell you. I am thinking of you! Very good decisions you are making, Goodwin! Decision-making, such as deciding to return things, IS work. I love that you are looking at what is reasonable for you and what you need or don't need!

Hello, SubC!

My friend Emiko came over for dinner tonight and I made asparagus, ricotta, and prosciutto tartines. Tasty. She said she wouldn't change a thing although I might use more lemon and more lemon zest next time. We had a good night together. And it's cool and the air feels so nice.

I've made a list for the weekend. Wish me luck!

Hey there. I've not had the best day physically and mentally. I haven't accomplished much. I put some items in my donation box today, but other than that I haven't done anything. I did too much because I felt totally drained. I'm not sure if it was because of the heat or what. It's been so hot here. I'm hoping to make some more progress tomorrow.

SubC: Thank you so much! It's good to know that there are cheerleaders in my corner!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will be checking in soon!

Hey guys!

Goodwin, keep checking in - that's what we're here for! I know sometimes it gets quiet, but hang in there!

I'm glad you're taking the resale things back.

I've been super busy with school prep and Bean, but my classroom is (basically) ready and I just have to shine up my first day lesson plans (make some notes for my welcome speeches so I don't forget anything important I want to say)

It's getting late and I need to put the clean sheets on the bed, but I just wanted to check in.

Lila, I'm worried about you.