| Tillie | Posted: 17 August 2012 - 10:50 PM |
Today my To-Do list included What is on your list? 😀 | |
Replies (4028)
| Roxie | Posted: 02 August 2013 - 07:30 AM |
I am able to get on here by loading the computer to safe mode. Can't seem to get to normal mode. Is this a metaphor? LOL Yesterday, I DID get the three done from my checklist: meds, tooth brushing, litter scooping. I also cut up credit cards I didn't want or that were expired. Sorted a tiny stack of mail. Opened and dealt with last week's mail (and got a surprise refund check because I overpaid a clinic). Diane, it is great to hear that Molly is rallying so much! Yeahoooo! And it is also wonderful that you have your friend willing to come back and assist some more. Yes, I think it is easier in some ways to have another person with you as you work along. So much of our work is done alone. Dianne, how about putting your credit cards into a cup of water and putting the cup of water in the freezer? Sort of a safety and you still have the card available in an emergency. Remember your big goal of paying off credit cards. You can do it, and it feels SO good. Mare, whatever you can accomplish, in whatever way, is progress! I am enjoying your postings and your happiness at being here. What did your therapist think? MayMay, how about you take some photos of the firefighters and yourself over the coming years, to include in that book and in your journals? Share copies with the guys. And, I am proud of you keeping your place nicely! [I was just checking up on you...ahem.] Tillie, I note in the August thread that you tossed an EMPTY paint can. YEAH! Janie, only a couple more weeks and you can get back to "normal"...hang in there. It makes me happy to see a lot of posts on here.
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| MayMay | Posted: 02 August 2013 - 12:24 AM |
Hi everybody! 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement Dianne and Roxie. 🙂 Today I told the guys about my book idea; and they said that they would love to co-write the book with me. So now we are all going to start writing in journals to keep track of all the things that we do together, and individually. So that when we write the book, we will remember all of the stuff that we want to put into it. It will probably be a good 10 to 15 years before we actually write the book though. 🙂 Roxie, Diane, | |
| diane | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 09:38 PM |
wow, took some time to read all the posts, nice to catch up on your thoughts and what you are doing. | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 09:28 PM |
My thoughts exactly, drats haha! I will be more careful, then :\ | |
| Tillie | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 06:58 PM |
No | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 06:55 PM |
By the by is there any way to edit or review our posts here? | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 06:53 PM |
Alright I will give starting a new task where some serious thought and perhaps post it soon. I am so new here and still a little... shy hahaha. Thank you to all of you who keep posting I am reading them all for sure. | |
| Tillie | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 06:30 PM |
WOW! 😀 I have a lot of posts to read here. | |
| Dianne | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 05:59 PM |
Wow these boards this evening are like being in chat. I say to myself get off the computer now, then I read a new post and want to respond. Haha Roxie, such a cute story about the pilling cat demo! I HATE pilling cats. Too many scars. I very much LOVE massaging my fur babies. It is so soothing for me as well as for them. When my stepson was little he used to ask me to check his head for ticks. He really just wanted the massage. 🙂 | |
| Dianne | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 05:46 PM |
MayMay, yes write everything now while the funny stories are still fresh in your mind. Diane, where are you? I think I asked on the July challenge but how is Molly? And Miss Tillie, where are you? Tomorrow I have a guy coming to fix the ac again. Still no word on when washing machine part will be in. I need to buckle down tomorrow since I have played too much today. take care everybody | |
| Roxie | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 05:42 PM |
Mare, I think there was insufficient response to Cory's "weekly chore" thing. Plus, he's been very busy with television projects and with franchise projects. It would not stop YOU however for starting such a thread. 🙂 Dianne, I encourage you to find/make time to get back to volunteer horse therapy or horse massage. You can determine the amount of time and balance it so you don't feel like you are also neglecting your animals. When I would go to the cat shelter I always told my own cats and reassured them I'd be back and love on them. Like you with horses, I am with cats. If one is in my vicinity I usually have my hands on it. And I do cat massage, especially their little paws. At first they are like "WHAT! What are you DOING?!" then they realize it feels good and soon those little paws are spread to the max to really enjoy it. I remember one day at the shelter, an adopting couple and I were discussing pilling cats. I reached over and picked up a cat asking it "would you mind helping me demonstrate?" I used that cat to show my technique, and the cat was quite docile. I then kissed it's head and put in back where it had been, thanking it. The couple was sitting there with their eyes big and their mouths open. LOL | |
| Dianne | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 05:40 PM |
Janie, Hi! Good to know the studying is going well and that the cleaning isn't too far behind. Keep up the great work! | |
| Janie | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 05:35 PM |
Hi everyone!! Just wanted to pop in and let you know that I'm still here. My days seem to consist of nothing but working and studying. I have my exam scheduled for 2 weeks from now and I'm hoping I pass it on the first try so I can get on with my life. It's weird, but I actually miss cleaning now. About the only thing I've been doing regularly is scooping cat litter. The first floor is starting to really look bad, but nothing a few hours of cleaning won't cure. Counting down the days until I am "study-free"!! | |
| Dianne | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 05:32 PM |
Ah, Roxie you are so right. When I want something I just put it on a credit card. One of my goals has been to pay off the credit cards and use cash as much as possible. I started last month with the goal of finishing within a year. And yes, I overspend on others because I get so much pleasure out of that; as much as if it was on myself. I've been staying out of stores unless there was a very specific reason to go in (like for food). Although I feel no guilt for the spending today (I still have a big, ol' grin on my face) I know it's something I need to be very careful about. 🙂 And great suggestion about the horse therapy. I actually was doing that a couple years ago. My grandson was 4 and was riding therapeutically. He's such a tiny, little bean, even now at 6 he only weighs less than 40 lbs. He wanted me there at every session to be a walker. Even standing chatting with people I have a tendency to use my hands on animals without really being aware of it. One of the girls asked if I would like to learn massage therapy for the horses. I loved it but felt guilty about the time I was taking away from my animals. But yes, therapy is a great way to be around the horses when we're not able to do as much as we used to. I think you mentioned in one post about hanging around a stable to be near the horses but that the people might not like it too much. For the most part I've found that horse people love volunteers. Once they get an idea of your experience they're more than happy to share the workload no matter how light. | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 04:53 PM |
Is there any way the weekly and weekend tasks be brought back to life, or does it depend on Cory? Such a great idea with his input as well. I haven't read the whole thing yet to see if there is a reason it was stopped. The last thing I got to was: [quote=Cory]OK, so we got a small response from last weeks task, but it will catch on 🙂 This weekend, we are tackling the refrigerator! Let's get into the stockpile of refrigerated goods and thin it out. If you are like me, there are probably a few condiments at minimum you could get rid of...you know the half empty pizza sauce jar from 6 months ago when you made homemade mini pizzas, the cocktail sause from 2009's New Years Eve Party. Am I close? Lets all do our part and remove what we are not eating regularly. This will also reduce energy as your refrigerator is not struggling to keep these items cold! And while you are there, might as well get the Windex, 409, or your favorite cleaner and scrub it clean. Don't forget the freezer. Make like an archeologist and dig out those ancient TV dinners and frost bitten packages of who knows what. Your task has been delivered, so get to it 🙂 Have a great weekend everyone! Cory Chalmers | |
| Roxie | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 04:51 PM |
AnneW I am so glad to see you posting, and excited that you are ready to tackle learning new ways as you settle into your new home. Doing a happy dance! I have had several therapists over the years, but the toughest loss was when one I was very attached to died at the age of 37. I was devastated. He had a red chair he used to sit in, and alternatingly, I wanted to go sit in that chair and to smash it to bits. He was slightly a flower child and I can just see him CHOOSING to stay on the other side because he liked it. That made me so mad at him. It has been decades since I lost him, and I did find other and better (for me and for my stage of development) in time. The important thing is to feel some sense of connection to the therapists. MayMay, write, write. You can always do drafts and set them aside for later if you wish. Meanwhile, how are things in your apartment? Hmm? 😀 Dianne, and other experienced horsewomen, have you given any thought to maybe trying to work with horse therapy folks? I guess you could start as a volunteer if you could find such folks. It would be so rewarding, you'd still be around horses, and your expertise would be so helpful to young or disabled people. | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 04:48 PM |
Thank you Roxie, very good suggestions. I have a routine that includes every time I get up I do something, whether it is a whole box of stuff, a bag, a counter... anything at all, something small and doable... I am always surprised at the results. | |
| Roxie | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 04:37 PM |
It is so lovely to be able to get online and get here. I'm grateful for that! Mare, you can do this. I have found the most useful idea for me is to break things down into smaller tasks and be happy with that much of an accomplishment. The second most useful for me is to do a "ta da" list rather than a "to do" list. Like Tillie said, you can get a lot done in an unstructured day. For me that is true, too, because I experience demand resistance to lists or "have to" ideas. Kara, how are you dear one? Missing you. Dianne, most of my shopping sprees in the past have been shopping for other people. I guess for me that was a way of showing love, so I understand what you've done regarding your daughter. However, be sure you actually have the budget for it and that you nip it in the bud, okay? I'm concerned, not chastizing you! Love you. Diane, how are you doing? Painting, what? I may not have mentioned some folks individually, but I AM reading and caring. I don't yet know what I'll accomplish today beyond my daily checklist (meds, teeth, scooping litter) presuming I get those done. Tonight is Project Runway on tv and I'm looking forward to that, for sure. So in the next three hours I'll do some stuff. Hugs to all | |
| Dianne | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 03:49 PM |
Confession time.... I went on a spending spree today and I am on such a high!!! But it wasn't for me so I feel like it's kind of ok. But I know that crazy good feeling of acquiring shows I still have work to do. Long story short....my married daughter was struggling horribly with family problems last night. While she got into a doctor today (and got on much needed meds) I went out to get some dishes she had been wanting for a long time. I had to go to 4 different Target stores and online but I finally got a complete set. I set everything on her table and when she came home she was so surprised and happy and a bit chiding...Mom you shouldn't spend your money, what about your washer.... But it gave me so much pleasure!! A little retail therapy can really perk things up. Since I haven't spent so freely in a long time and it was for something that will brighten her spirits daily it was worth it. I did go past racks of the cutest kids' clothes, and jewelry, and shoes, and bags, and pretty, fresh bedding, and dog toys, and organizational stuff, and cool greeting cards with sparkles. I picked some stuff up and said no, keep moving. So that was good. There is WAY too much enticing stuff out there!!! | |
| Dianne | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 03:19 PM |
AnneW, reading about your August plans is so exciting to me! You've accomplished so much with clearing out the hoard and within yourself. Taking some time to pull it all together will be thrilling. What a weird word to use about hoarding. But I'm not sure what else to call it. Pulling it together reminds me of when I am caught up on my basics, I get more stuff done, which messes up a little the areas that are already clean. Rather than go hog wild in pushing thru with more hoard clean-up I pause. I go back thru the stuff I have just dumped in the hall or wherever and get things put away. So I've kept up with maintenance, got some junk out and remaintained. That's when the thrill comes. 🙂 I think, damn, I am really doing this! Yes the transition to a new therapist will be challenging. But remember YOU are the one who has done all the actual work. A therapist is a sounding board. No progress is made (with any kind of therapy) until the person becomes really invested in it. You are for sure. And yes, we are here as your online therapists for free and what a fun group we are! 🙂 | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 01:05 PM |
Hello Anne, so nice to see you and thank you for that post, I found it reassuring and inspiring. I know how hard it is to start with a new therapist, and have been through that myself more then once. One time, with one facility in particular I was handed off about 4 times. When they would ask about myself I said - just read my chart and notes to find out - then I would sit back, cross my arms, laugh and wait for them to do so. Hahaha. It gets so old having to repeat yourself with an entire history! I think you are making great progress, do keep us posted. Mare | |
| MayMay | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 12:59 PM |
Hi everybody! 😀 WAY TO GO AnneW! 🙂 Hi Mare, | |
| AnneW | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 12:01 PM |
Hey Everybody! It's a new month --Happy August!-- and, as folks have mentioned, a good opportunity to start fresh 🙂 Today, I am taking a day to relax & re-assess. I got up early, drank some tea, got a little bit of weeding done, went for a short walk with a friend, & thought about my HCU goals for August. Then, I cleared away a couple of square feet of clutter by the front entry. In a few minutes, I plan to wash up the morning's dishes, do 1 load of laundry, & go grocery shopping. Later on, I hope to spend some time reading my library book. This month I am hoping to process & integrate the emotional & psychological work I've done over the past 2.5 months re: my hoarding issues. I also want to work on establishing better overall order & organization. I want to re-organize 2 rooms -- now that I have empty drawers & cabinets from clearing stuff out, I want to create a structured system of order those 2 rooms. (I think this will help me "see" a sense of accomplishment -- which I haven't yet felt from July.) Although I've gotten a bunch of stuff out, the stuff that remains is not yet put away. So, all these rooms look really messy still, & it's been making me feel stressed out & down this past week. I want to change that! Finally, this August, I want to focus on establishing more weekly cleaning routines & the practice skills required for maintaining them 🙂 Note: I'm also a little anxious anticipating Sept. The therapist I've been working with for the past year & a half (an exceptional woman) will be retiring at the end of August -- I only have 3 more sessions with her 🙁 Thanks for "listening" ...Hope you guys are having productive & happy days today! | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 02:39 AM |
Me, too... and I have some experience with CA (Clutterers Anonymous) which is a great program but since moving to a very rural area... no meetings. I used to have a lot more pets before I moved, now I have one small dog, Gizmo, he is a great companion. He sure does shed, though! He is a chihuahua/Terrier mix and totally loyal. I am living alone for the first time in my life so it is comforting to have him. I think one of my biggest draw backs is trying to do things alone, I prefer to have someone sitting with me or helping put things in their various designated boxes. Its been a tough transition but I can do it! | |
| MayMay | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 02:22 AM |
Hey Mare, Yeah I have 3 dogs. I have 2 German Shepherds and one bulldog. My 2 German shepherds are named after Cory and Matt Paxton. And my bulldog is named Snuggles. 🙂 I remember when I first posted about my 2 German shepherds, Matt and Cory, almost a year ago, Cory posted back and was like, "your dogs are named Cory and Matt? Lol. Love it!" Lol. 🙂 Yeah most of what I've learned about hoarding, I have learned from the show. 🙂 | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 02:02 AM |
Hellohello. I have admired Cory for some time now, his attitude and non-judgmental approach with his extreme cleaning services, his kindness and low stress way of doing things. Yes that's funny that you named your dog after him, I bet he would be honoured hahaha. I look forward to seeing him post, he always has good ideas and really is an expert. I have learned a great deal just by watching the show. | |
| MayMay | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 01:57 AM |
Hey Mare, | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 01:39 AM |
Thank you MayMay I saw his name somewhere in here... oh I think it was that he gives getting rid of stuff advice and tips. I will keep my eyes open, he is such a kindheart isn't he... I love these boards so I hope to be around for a good long time! | |
| MayMay | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 01:27 AM |
Hi Mare, | |
| Mare | Posted: 01 August 2013 - 01:05 AM |
Thank you, Dianne. Still readingreadingreading hahaha. Feeling optimistic and encouraged, so thank you everyone who posts here. Does Cory ever post in here anywhere anymore? Or are there any old post someone can point me to? I've learned a lot from watching the show Hoarders, such as that when clearing an area or going through storage to use boxes labeled KEEP, DONATE, GIFT and using large bags for THROW AWAY. I have a confession as well... *coughs* my son-in-law owns and operates in this area a recycling business and a trash and recycling pick up service (which I get for free). How lucky is that?! My only problem is keeping him from picking through it! | |