Hello LR! Sorry I had to leave chat last night. Would have loved to chat with you! Sounds like you've done a great job setting your goals for today. Don't you just love the "one box down" feeling? I swear if it's in a box it's much more satisfying then "one blobby pile down". Although that's a great feeling too! Sending everyone lots of love and encouragement.

Good morning. Tillie, I love it that you "make friends" with so many little creatures! Hope today is a much better day, diane! Tatoulia, working on all the new habits sounds great! Karl, good luck with your work today.

I have a lot of tasks to get done today, beginning with unloading things from my vehicle that I didn't unload last night (things I'd loaded for a trip to that rural area). I may show up in the chat room off and on today as I'm working on today's tasks. Some other goals include spending at least fifteen minutes on paperwork, adding to my gratitude list, and going through at least one more box to see what's in it that I can get rid of.

Hugs.

Good morning, Tillie!

No watering needed here--raining cats and dogs! Just started on Round 2 of my library closet. Goodbye CDs. Take care! Am keeping up with no dishes in sink and folding and putting away laundry. I once saw something re how long it takes for something to be a habit. I am going to keep up with this. I need new good habits!

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Doing some watering this morning.
Monday "Cobby" my little corn snake was out there helping me.
He was getting in my way and I would have to wait till he slowly moved so I could get to where I wanted to go.
Last summer he was always laying on the door mat in front of the door and I would have to be careful not to step on him.
He will probably show up again today when it warms up a little more. 🙂

always look on the bright side of life

Diane, I truly understand your hopelessness right now. I think we've all experienced the feeling of "why bother" and "what's the point." Somehow you will find the point. What works for me is I set a limit on it. I tell myself that I can cry for another half hour or I do the reverse, and say, I'm going to push it out of my mind til noon. And then as the day goes on I'll give myself another round of tears, sadness and ruminating. I know this is pretty simplistic for complex feelings but let me know if you try it.

Such a struggle, this life. I can speak for everybody here when I say that you are wonderful, helpful, inspiring and a good friend. I'm even being so bold as to speak for Nellie right now!

During tonight's chat I observed that I have an unusually busy week, with events on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. My usual Wednesday event ride has let me know that he probably won't be able to make it again -- last week I used the opportunity to visit a different group, but this time I'll probably just stay home. Thursday is a long bicycling run (10 miles each way, probably with a few extra stops). Friday was going to be another of those opportunities to combine multiple locations using a bus pass, but I've just gotten a ride offer, so I'll skip the other stuff and do only the games event this time. For Saturday's event I'm hoping for a ride, but will take public transportation if I don't find one.

I've been good at getting other errands done, but haven't done much decluttering, and I've been careless about putting stuff away. Maybe I can take care of some of that on Wednesday.

Hi, all. Tillie, the salsa sounds yummy. Diane, I'm sorry about all that water/rain situation. Tatoulia, yea for establishing new habits! I hope things are going well with the school prep, Whew!

Several someones in our group have been reminding me to have fun. I haven't scheduled much fun recently. After hearing the news reports yesterday and this morning that diane talked about, I decided that a good way to have fun might be to watch a few of the lighter-hearted R Williams movies or TV shows. Laughter is good medicine. I'll add that to my plans over the next few weeks.

I hope you all have a good and restful evening.

(((HUGS))) Diane
Tomorrow WILL be a better day.
Sleep well and have wonderful dreams.

thanks tillie and tat. Must admit, I am so down today, crying as I type this, just so much crap to take care of. I am overwhelmed and head is not being my friend today. Suicide of Robin Williams started my sadness, then one thing after another today. Just a very difficult day. Did not get anything done today that I planned, frustrating. Tomorrow will be a better day.

HI 🙂

WAY TO GO!!! Tatoulia! 😀
Sounds like you are developing some really great habits!
Keep up the GREAT job! 😀

OH Diane, "heavy sigh".
So sorry the rain came in. 🙁
I am so looking forward to you hiring help.
Sure, there are things that I could do around here all by myself but I know that doing it would hurt me and cripple me up for a very long time.
I know that some of the jobs I took on when I was younger are the reasons for some of my pain now.
Save your strength and energy for the fun projects like working on your garden and gluing rocks together. 🙂

Made my fresh salsa. So cool & refreshing. 🙂
Washed the three area rugs, hung them out to dry on the gate. Folded in half they fit in the washing machine one at a time.
Put a new padding and covering on my ironing board.
Cleaned the kitchen.
All in all it was a good day:)

Oh Diane, what a mess. I am impressed with your ability to keep it together. Glad that Nellie is there to support you. Good doggy! I hope you can find someone to help you. I worry about your back and your health in general. Keep your chin up. I stand by your side.

Big thunderstorm, heavy rain. Well had a big waterfall in walkway, had buckets and bins of water it was so frustrating. It is where I put the metal roofing over where I took that metal crap off that a guy had put up. Didn't realize there was an area open. It was really frustrating last night. This morning I got up and put a gutter and plastic up in walkway, soon it rained and no waterfall today, will go check again. What a waste of time last night and today. Will be so nice when I have someone to help me. It is just too much for me to figure out. It was fun up until the waterfall started gushing. I was drenched as was much of the walkway and crap in the way. Today I pulled all the wet crap out, makes it easy to toss now. Supposed to keep raining, which we really need. Will continue to keep an eye on any leaks, oh boy, so much for a fun relaxing week and a picnic with Nellie. She has been so sweet following me around through all the flooding drama, sure helps having a pet. Will miss her when she goes home Thursday. Good I had lots of towels clean and ready to put out to catch water that missed bins. I see lots of little clutter in here, that I would like to clean up now, and wash a few dishes and load of laundry.

Hope everyone is enjoying the day. I took the day off to do laundry. I am doing laundry AND folding it AND putting it away. Takes no time. I dusted the library area and going to vacuum the library and the living room. Need to establish good habits. Need to establish good habits. (Needed to say twice).

Glad you got extra sleep, Tillie. Enjoy those tomatoes!

Good Morning 🙂

TTYL 😀

PS to Barb. Hope the day went well! I need to establish good habits. We will work on this together.

Whew!!!! Congratulations!!!! You are amazing! Maybe focus on the extra money in your pocket to help remind you of your accomplishments? And the warm feeling of donating baby clothes would be another excellent focus. Just think, you didnt let the rain keep you from moving forward! I think you are amazing!

LR that's a good point--if your intended recipient says no, then it's on to Plan B. No use in Saving something for nobody--space is a valuable commodity!
Congratulations on your goals! Fantastic feeling!

Diane, that is wonderful about your freezer! No wasted money there! Your hard work and facing your discomfort with having someone over! Very proud!

Tillie you keep me together.

My friend cleaned the inside of my fridge today. Its beautiful. She left tonight. We were on the go the entire time she was here and still she found time to take care of some dirty tasks for me. Although I was apologetic, I wasn't embarrassed. If help is here,let's take it. Take it while it is being offered.

Thank you all for being good friends. Have scads of laundry to do tonight. Much love to you all

WTG LR, so happy to hear your pooop scooping is done and plans accomplished!! How was job Barb? Whew, we all have days like that, just keep working on it.

After chat last night I went out to do a little watering. The sky got really dark then thunder and lightning then rain. At 9pm I am out there in the rain trying to put up the gutters I thought I was going to put up today. Well had to redo this morning when I could see. Today I put a tarp over the crest of roof where metal roofing is but not attached yet. My back did not like me working up there today. When I moved the ladder I realized that is how I keep hurting my back, could hardly walk. Have to figure out a better way to move that big old ladder. Nellie was out there helping me, she kept saying "time to relax". Once gutters were up and a few other things it was already after noon. Where does the time go.
Looked on craigs list and wrote down the names and numbers of several handymen and cleaning people. Need to just hire some for a couple hours and find out how their work is and if they are good people, if not, no big loss. Just too much for my back right now. Never had back problems before, what a shock to have pain, other than in my teeth!
Storm is coming, 95 degrees again today, enough with the heat--------I am sick of the heat.
My freezer was the best purchase ever. When I ran out of strawberries yesterday, I knew where more were. Today I grabbed a bag from my little freezer and made a smoothie when done working. So happy you encouraged me Tillie and supported me putting it in little room out there, perfect.
I only have a few dishes to wash. Would like to go through a pile of papers, bills are all paid. Need to make a list of phone calls to make tomorrow during work hours. Plus call handymen and cleaners. Still need to put away gutter supplies in garage May put one more up that really should be replaced, no, need to wait until back is better, or handyman, I am done for now with heavy lifting and awkward positions. Ok Nellie time----------thanks for chat last night

Hi, Whew! It is hard sometimes to keep the progress in mind because of all the stuff that still needs to be done. You've done a lot. Yea for the progress!

Me: I wish to annonunce that my back patio now has nothing on it that's not supposed to be there, and my little patio storage room has almost nothing in it at all.
Wheeeeeee!!!

Today I'm trying to figure out where to start again.
I am beyond overwhelmed.

We had our garage sale--a HUGE success as far as money goes and as far as actually watching some things walk out the door. Best one we've ever had.

We had TEN full length tables covered with stuff. And I gave myself some limits: Made myself take out there at least 200 books off my shelves. And when it was over made myself take a full truck load to Goodwill.

I also drove to Friends of the Library and donated the books that didn't sell at the garage sale.
I have five boxes of baby clothes by my front door ready to be donated to a local mission with two carseats, a high chair and a swing.

I guess the big wonderful thing is that my husband has gone happily crazy getting rid of much of his saved construction junk. He's even posting free give aways.

HOWEVER, now my house is in even worse shape with stuff everywhere that has been dragged out, and it's even dirtier now.

Sadly, I cannot even tell I got rid of anything!It had all been packed in so deeply.

It rained the entire week we were trying to get ready for the sale, so we spent a lot of physical energy and loads of time trying to keep the rain out. It rained both days of our sale--which didn't stop people from coming. (Go figure!) But this meant my hubby and I had tarp duty, and had to stay awake half the nights all week tweaking and making sure it didn't collapse from the weight of the water.

Then I went out of town...and am back trying to figure out where to start. UGH!
And my school starts in a week, so I also have to be preparing for that and writing.
UGH! UGH! UGH!

I thought when I had the garage sale I would feel lighter and pleased that I have more room...but so far it's just been a huge hassle. :>(

Ahhhhh....the journey toward health and healing is not so peachy sometimes.

Hi 🙂

Great reading this morning! Lots of interesting things to think about.

Cats have had their breakfast, I did some straightening stuff already and now I am off to water outside.

Everybody try to have a good Monday. 🙂

Good morning, all.
I'm looking forward to starting the new job today. I woke up early before the alarm went off.
Before I leave for work, I need to make sure all the food garbage is out of the house so the dogs don't get into it. I'll also do the breakfast dishes and get a load of jeans and towels ready to launder when I get home.
I'm trying to start establishing good habits, so that I get into a regular routine. That really helps me when I have days when I haven't slept well and don't think well in the morning. I can just go on automatic pilot to get things done.
Early bird LR was up before me. I am so glad you were able to get most of that storage area cleaned. Good work!
Have a great day!

Good morning, everyone!

diane: You said, "Knew right where the gutter holders were . . . ." Great!

Tatoulia: What you were saying reminds me of a type of thinking that I and many of my "cluttered" relatives have had. First, we've tended to assume that because we like something so much or have so much meaning attached to it, the next generation will feel the same. Therefore, we "should" save it for them, and we save it without really evening questioning our own thinking on the topic. My experience is that by the time we're ready to pass an item on to someone younger, that member of the younger generation often already has all their own furniture (dishes, whatever) in place and has no need or desire or room for more, or they like a style that's different from what the previous generation might like. It does pay to ask (and not just make assumptions). It also pays to be ready to lovingly accept whatever answer we are given . . . to learn to "let it go" if the answer we get is "Thanks, but no."

Me: One of my goals for today is to remove yet a few more items from my back patio area. Some of my other minimum goals are to work on bills and other financial paperwork, add to my gratitude list, and go through at least two boxes looking for items I can get rid of.

Hi to those of you who haven't been posting lately. I'm thinking about so many of you! Hugs to everybody.

Once again you amaze me Diane. LR I know that urge of thinking, if I fix it up I can use it. Recently while getting rid of stuff at my mother's house, there was something that my sister and I had gotten as kids. And mom commented that she wanted to have it fixed so she could give it to my sister. She's been saying this for probably fifteen years. And I pointed out that maybe my sister didn't even want it, she should ask her. So she did and my sister said she would like it as is. Another item at my mother's house was an antique lamp that she broke part of the glass shade. And she said it would be worth so much more if she could buy a replacement antique shade for it. And I pointed out, for what? She is not capable of finding a buyer, I don't have time, so why not just try to sell the base and see what happens.

The point I'm trying to make is, when I've been getting rid of stuff lately, and I'm struggling, I think two things: am I saving this for someone who may not even want it and am I planning to fix something, someday, so it will be worth more even though I have no intention of using or keeping it? That has helped me a lot when I am waffling. Maybe you can ask yourself these or other questions to help in your quest to reduce--I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Hello dear Tillie. You paint such a beautiful picture in my mind.

Goodnight everyone. Have been up since 5 and now it's 1:00 am. Time for sleep!

I worked most of day, then looked on Pinterest for over an hour at gardening things, such fun. Nellie was out working with me and now is napping close by, such a sweet girl. Helps me calm down just looking at her.
Yes Tillie my 80 year old neighbor is one in a million. He puts most men 50 year old to shame with the amount of work he does, I just adore him.
I layed out the metal roofing for the other side of the freezer room. Used asphalt on the side I stepped through because too difficult with angles for me to use metal. Since I already bought it though I might as well use it on the other side without angles. It is a dream to use, so easy, just laid it out and it fit perfectly, don't even have to rip off old roofing. Wind picked up so have to wait to continue installing, have to drill holes and use roof screws, they have a little rubber stopper under the head of screw to make weather tight. Still have to caulk pieces together too. Started putting gutters back up then decided I wanted to do it right this time, not just nail them up. Knew right where the gutter holders were, since I put them all together when organizing garage months ago. Was too hot to finish, will look better and less saggy with correct holders. Since I painted that area and has new roof, will look better to do it right.
Came inside, made a smoothie, did dishes, still a few to wash once these are put away, then plan to wipe counters. Looking forward to chat.

Tatoulia, I'm so glad your sister is willing and able to come help . . . and that you are growing closer in the process, no less. Diane: The roof is almost finished . . . wow! That's awesome! Karl, I've probably said it before, but yea for all the paper-related stuff you were able to toss. Hope you got the rain you were wanting, Tillie. Thanks for your encouragement. Barb, I'm looking forward to hearing how the new job goes for you. Bitsy: Thinking about you and your son. Roxie: Hi and hugs, wherever you are.

Mar: If you're out there anywhere and reading this, it would be great to hear from you. Been thinking about you!

Thanks to everybody who has been on chat lately, both on the "official" chats and during the daytime as well. I appreciate the help, the encouragement, the fun, and the friendship.

Me: It's been really hot here lately during the day, making it tricky to get outside and get work done on my outside storage shed without getting too overheated. Fortunately, I was able to get outside very, very early this morning and get some sweeping done on my front and back patios. I also got a lot of crud cleaned up from the bottom of the storage shed. (And I assure you, Tillie, I wore lots of "protective gear.") It's not "clean" yet, but it's better. I still have things that had been on the inside of it that I need to go through (will probably toss most of it). I've been waffling on a few items that "could be cleaned up and used . . . for something." I need to ask myself whether it's a good use of my time to do the extensive cleaning on those items that would be necessary. They are replaceable items, and I have so many other things I need to do. I think I'll once again use the "throw it out for practice" idea that diane has recently used on some of her things. Feels really good to continue to reduce the amount of stuff stored there.

Have a great Sunday, everyone.

Good Morning Everybody! 🙂

Hope to "see" you all in the online support group tonight! 😀

Good work, Karl. That is very sweet about the letter from your grandmother, in its recycled envelope. Diane, I think it's terrific about the dog. Great companion. Wow you are so good at tackling tough jobs. I hope you find time to celebrate your accomplishments!

Had fun with friend yesterday. I am grateful that I was able to get rid of so much stuff before she came. I realize how tough it would be to have someone else weighing in on what to keep. I do know that even though everything is somewhere right now and not just on the floor in piles, I am going to have to go back for a Second Sweep. And I will need to clean out my storage area. It is costing me huge money that I do not have. My sister has been helping me. She lives in another state but doesn't mind driving here and going home on the same day. This makes me feel very good. We have never been close and this is bringing us together.

It is 5:30 here on the East Coast and I can't sleep.

Hi all, great you are enjoying your day, tat you are blessed to have a friend help you so much
Tillie you are so right, Nellie does make a grunt noise until I lay on lounger and she is between my feet. I feel so happy to have her here.
I almost have roof finished, I am so slow trying to figure out the difficult angles. Took Nellie for a little walk and talked so some nice neighbors a block away. He is 80 and she is my age. They are continually building, landscaping, fencing, just so great watching a guy 80, working so hard and getting so much done quickly. Sure wish he would work for me!!! He always says, nope, I am retired, as he works his butt off daily, such a nice man. They moved in a fixer upper 8 months ago and have already done so much. I want a man like that!!!!!
A man called yesterday and asked me to go on a date tonight at 5pm When I was up on roof this morning, he called and said he had to stay home with family tonight. He said he was really sorry but had to do what he had to do. Odd statement I thought. I was disappointed but not much, surprised myself how I have changed this year, with all the projects I do, men have lost importance in my life, especially since I never date, used to be really focused on men, drama from "this man will fix my life" to "he left I might as well die" No kidding, it was a roller coaster. will admit, having Nellie here helps, ok, did go to freezer and ate a bowl of ice cream and nuts and chocolate for dinner. It will be in 90's all week so really need to get out and finish watering. Thunderstorms, so have to finish where took gutters off. I appreciate all the support you give me and appreciate your posts, gives me a feeling of connection that was missing in my life.

Yesterday I combined dental appointment, food grab, and a visit to my storage unit into a single trip. I spent about three hours going through stuff, mostly from a single box of miscellaneous papers. I found that I had a lot of recyclable envelopes, and since I had just gone through a similar pile of them at home, I knew that I could safely toss most of these.

Grandma's letter is in a recycled envelope. I guess it runs in the family.