The irony of this website is that is needs a massive decluttering! It is becoming very difficult to find the topic you want to post to because there are so many old, outdated posts in the way. LOL (But I am pleased that it is so well used both by new people seeking help and veterans who post every day.)

My Scottie hoards rawhide twisty chew sticks.

Tillie--

The interior door..pocket door...is completely enclosed in the molding, etc. there is no way to pull it out to look at it...house dates from 1973, probably an older way to do it. I heard something snap inside it when I forced it open to get out of my room on Saturday. Thanks, though!

One of the things I have begun to overcome in my recovery is a sense of helplessness because "I don't know what to do" about something.I have realized lately that between Google and prayer, there is pretty nearly nothing that has to fit in this category. The interior door to my bedroom that slides into the wall and isn't working right, has gotten stuck a couple times with me inside, I have realized is a SAFETY ISSUE. And I didn't even know what to call it. So I googled it and discovered it is called a "pocket door." Then I looked at the local classified site, and 1. posted an e-mail to a handyman there, also 2. e-mailed someone I know who works in construction and has done tiling here, and 3. the local pastor who encouraged me to do that when I needed help, and 4. my friend who also lives alone and she mentioned before that she has a handyman who works for her. I'm going to get at least a couple of estimates, and get this fixed. I think that is a lot of progress, even though nothing has actually happened. Might not happen overnight but it's been getting harder to open and shut for a couple of years.

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY 😀

Hi Barb 🙂
Seems like many here would like a thread on procrastination.
Since so many are perfectionists they procrastinate on most everything, wanting to do it all perfectly.

Hi Diane 🙂
Loved the visual of you back up in the tree fixing the antenna. 😀
Changing a dog's schedule and habits can be done but since it's a loaner dog, by the time you get it all retrained it goes back home.
So happy to "see" you in chat last night (((hugs)))

Hi Minnie 🙂
GREAT plans and goals 😀
Hope you get one of your new purses all filled and in use. Enjoy it. 🙂

Hi LR2014 🙂
FANTASTIC idea of putting a photo of the item on the container rather than printed words!
Keep up with all the great thought processes and carrying out the new ideas. 😀

Hi Kathy 🙂
Here is a tip for when emptying out a purse, drawer, bag, etc...
Lay out a large towel or sheet or tablecloth,
dump out the contents onto it.
This way the contents are all contained in one area and items don't wander off and hide.
This is a good time to make those keep/toss decisions.
Only put back the items that you will actually need/use.
Put other "keepers" where they really should go.
Toss everything you don't need/use, is broken or orphaned.

Sliding into the wall doors....
they most often are hung on tracks, sometimes they fall off the track.
They can be removed usually by lifting up on the door and pulling it out towards you.
Then you can inspect the track and wall space to see just what the problem is and fix it. Good luck.

Hi Abbey 🙂
Nice! 😀

Another quiet day out here in the desert, except for all those noisy birds. 😀
Everytime I try to gather up all the cat toys and make keep/toss decisions on them, the cats get nervous and grabby, telling me "NO! I NEED THAT!"
Cat hoarder takes on a whole new meaning at my house. LOL 😀
Some of their "toys" are nothing but trash like crinkled up bits of scrap paper & shiney wrappers.

My plans for today are to continue on with what I was doing yesterday. I did a little bit of this & that, here & there.
I actually gathered up a small plastic bag worth of donation stuff. 😀
His plans are to sit at the computer and waste this georgeous day.

Have some FUN today! 😀

Just a quick note: I noticed we already have a thread on procrastination, one that until recently hadn't been used in a while. I started reading some on that thread.

Reading there is giving me the chance to learn some more about many of you who post here and about about how far you have come. It's so exciting and encouraging to see that progress! Looking forward to reading more later!

People upstairs are apparently moving out today. Lots and lots of noise going on. Might be extra incentive to spend time outside working on my vehicle (when it's not raining).

Hugs.

Didn't post what I did yesterday...gave two talks Sunday morning, got back about noon, helped my mother with a dental emergency long distance, went to 4 pm online meeting, missed the evening meeting here--meeting with a friend online and talking with another one on the phone who was upset. All this is good because I tend to isolate myself.

And for today I also need to get the laundry done. I finished my infusion this morning, did some reading and meditating and badly needed resting. WHAT am I going to do with the stuff from my purse? And the junk drawer? how much of it can I actually discard, or keep in such a way that it is findable when I do need it?

And Saturday night my strange bedroom door, which slides into the wall rather than swinging open, got stuck (with me in the bedroom). I do not know how to get it fixed. I don't know who to call even.I got it open but I think something snapped inside

"I see beyond my clutter. I see the orderliness that lies within."
Enjoy this affirmation.

Last night I cleaned out my purse (again) and made a list of what I really need to carry in there all the time. That was spurred by not being able to find my driver's license in my purse for an hour Saturday night when I had to go out and give two talks on Sunday morning. Had dumped my purse on the dining room table to search for it, looked for an hour, still couldn't find it. Finally posted a prayer request on a private Facebook group, my friend posted a prayer and I found it in 40 seconds. Obviously my anxiety about finding it was blocking my vision. But enough is enough, and I am going to stop carrying unnecessary stuff around with me and using my purse as a trash can. Now I have a bin of stuff from the purse that I have to find a better place for. I also have a junk drawer in the kitchen that can't even close. I think that would be a good place to start today after my gamma globulin infusion is finished. And I have to give another talk on Wednesday, so preparation for that.

Barb: Yes, I would be interested in a thread on procrastination.

Some of my plans for today: To work on my plans for the week, add to my gratitude list, pay some bills, find permanent homes for two more things from my kitchen countertops, spend ten minutes working in the BIT book

A note from yesterday: I failed to mention that I worked in my BIT book while I was at the Laundromat.

Hugs again to all.

Today I plan to:
1. Do one load of laundry: sort, wash, dry, put away
2. Mop and wax the entry
3. Clean the kitchen

Today's thunderstorms should water the garden for me.

Good morning, everyone.

Here is my "yesterday" report. I got some dishes washed. Also, I got started working on organizing my vehicle. We had rain a lot in the afternoon, so I couldn't get much done on that task. (No garage.)

I mentioned that I was "shopping at home" for containers for some of those items in my vehicle. Well, I already had a set of plastic drawers near my dining room table that I had recently begun to "repurpose." I had put things in those drawers recently that previously had been on my dining room table. I didn't have much in there yet (I thought), and I concluded (at first) that the drawers might be used even better if they were in the back end of my vehicle. When I opened the drawers to clear them out so I could move them to the vehicle, I discovered in the second drawer a couple of "missing" remote controls and also a couple of big rolls of packing tape. I had put those items in there a mere two or three weeks ago, but I'd already forgotten I'd done that. It was "such a surprise" to open the drawer and find those in there. I decided to scrap the new repurposing plan and just leave those drawers and remote controls right there, now that I remember where I put them.

Diane, I think you mentioned making a list of where you put things when you give them new homes. I've been thinking that will be helpful to me, too. I might put the list in a digital file on my computer, so that I can use the "search" feature on my computer to help me find the list.

Karl has mentioned labeling things when we put items into new containers and move them. Yesterday morning, I tried a variant of that. I'd found just the right sized box for the 18v batteries I have in my van. Instead of writing "18v batteries" on the box (words I might just overlook in a rush), I took a photo of one of the batteries, printed it out, and taped it to the box. Being a more visual person when it comes to this stuff, I thought that maybe having the picture might help me remember the contents of the box better than seeing a conventional label. Not everyone has this option to take and print out pictures quickly, but I do. It might work for me.

I spent time with family during the middle of the day, then I came home and dried and put away my laundry.

Glad to be at the chat last night and to meet some new people.

Minnie, I wanted to elaborate last night on the purses. You'd said you didn't have a purse before buying these, I believe. I had a time period a couple of years ago when my purse got messed up and I didn't have a replacement purse for a while (or so I thought). I had started putting items that had been in my purse into plastic bags. The plastic bags worked for a little bit to at least keep the items together, but it wasn't very ideal (and you can't exactly take the plastic bags into stores with you). I later shopped at home and found a purse that was given to me years before that I'd forgotten I had. I was able to transfer my stuff into that. I also found or bought a very usable wallet, and my purse contents have been much more organized ever since. I'm glad you got a purse for yourself, since you didn't have one.

More later. Hugs to all.

Thank you to all who were on the chat tonight. I appreciate the encouraging words and I didn't get a chance to say thanks. This weeks plan is to declutter! LOL Goal is 4 bags out of the house to make up for the 4 purses in. Extra goal is clean and clear around dining room table and pick up around art area. Hopefully by next Sundays chat, I will be able to report success in these 3 goals. Minnie

Hello all. Today I started by doing a couple days worth of dishes. Must be snacking more due to lack of sleep, sure alot of dirty dishes.
Enjoyed my view/yard, played fetch.
Fresh water and food for pooch.
decided to finally take black cable from antenna in aspen tree and replace it with white cable. It bugs me daily to see that black cable across wall, also bugs me that all the wind made antenna almost fall out of tree. Climbed tree and attached antenna with a metal hook, so is back up higher and still gets good reception and is much more secure and I feel much safer, sitting under the tree.
I loved reading that Sunday is a day of rest, got a smoothie, layed on lounger on deck and took several deep breaths and actually relaxed for awhile. I took several pictures of dog yesterday and today to email to his parents. So frustrating to try to get onto computer. I filed directions away in a 'convenient" place, no where to be found. I have now lost timer, instructions and appt. calender due to new homes for them. Guess I really will have to write down where I think is the perfect home so I can find it again. Wasted over an hour trying to download, and looking for instructions, just more reason to have a permanent home for all things. Looking forward to chat, although my mind is foggy from lack of sleep for a week. When tired get so much less done, which makes me question if dog sitting is worth it. All 3 dogs I have taken care of get up between 4am and 5am with their owners. Today I wondered if all 3 families are so successful in life because they get up so blankety early. There has to be away to get dogs to change their schedule while here. Also did some filing, bill paying
see you at 5

10 short areas should read 10 short chapters. Stupid autocorrect.

Sunday is my day for rest, reflection and planning the week ahead.
I downloaded a new book and took it to the park to read this afternoon. I am reading it straight through to get all the main ideas fixed in my head. Then I will go back and work through the exercises one at a time over a matter of days. It is written in a way that is very friendly to people who have difficulty concentrating on learning material from a book. It has only 10 short areas. The main ideas are introduced at the beginning of the chapter, examples are given, and exercises are included so that you may apply the strategies to your own life. The main points are reviewed and connected to related ideas. The text is broken up with cartoons that relate to the main idea.
The book is called Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy A. Pychyl. He is a psychologist and writer who has made a lifelong study of research on the topic of procrastination.
I am currently on Chapter 9 which discusses the topic of procrastination and perfectionism.
After I finish reading the book, I might start a new thread devoted to procrastination. Is anyone else interested in discussing this topic?

Hello 🙂

Hi Billie 🙂
Fantastic job! you are doing there.
So great that you have found alternating tasks works for you! 😀

Hi Barb 🙂
Summer or winter I never sit around. I take about 8,000 steps a day and always stand when doing tasks, like right now.
Hope your casserole is delicious! 😀
Been wanting to make my lasagne for ages now but can't have it since I gave up all dairy and without all the cheeses lasagne would be senseless.
Great opportunity to down size your gardening equipment now that you've already down sized your gardening.
I used to maintain a larger area of the property until I cracked a disc in my back. Now I just keep a smaller more manageable area.

Hi LR2014 🙂
The "what's on your table" thread is for keeping in mind whatever is where ever we need to pay more attention. 🙂
Areas in our lives where it seems things pile up and can never be foung again or areas that we become clutter blind to.
WAY TO GO!!!! for remembering to "shop at home".
You are begining to see things through new eyes.
Find a tote, crate, box, laundry hamper, whatever to hold the items you are tired of always having to search for.
Happy you had drinks with you out there (((hugs))) 😀

Would be a very quiet morning here except for all the birds singing, chirping and carrying on.
Had some good dreams last night. Dreams that showed me the way. Not to solving any issues to living with a squalorous hoarder who's in denial but ways to my inner peace.
Going to get busy today rearranging, rethinking and reimagining my no clutter zone sanctuary.

Was thinking about all the souls who have gone on.
The cemetery always looks so pretty at this time.
Full of fresh flowers and little flags fluttering in the breeze.

Wishing you all a peaceful day. 🙂

Good morning, everyone.

I did get my laundry put away yesterday morning, went to my meeting, and later went out to that rural area to do some work. I also had a (not previously scheduled) brunch with a new friend. That's good, because I'm working toward getting away from my self-imposed isolation.

I had carefully packed things a few days ago so that I would be ready to go do my work out in that rural area. (Yes, Tillie, I made sure to pack something to keep me hydrated.) When I arrived out there yesterday, I was ready to get my sunscreen out of my vehicle and put it on. I knew that I had that sunscreen "in there somewhere." I looked in a couple of places where I thought it would be, but it wasn't in those two places. I thought, "Well, I'll get busy with my work, maybe not work as long as I'd planned, and then use my sunscreen next time."

I had a water hose in that rural area that needed an end replaced. I had previously purchased my favorite brand of replacement parts. I'd seen those parts in just the last couple of days. I was pretty sure that they were in the vehicle. They were "in there somewhere," I'm sure. After looking in one or two places, I decided, "Well, I'll replace the end of that hose later."

Tillie, forget the idea of my listing what's on my countertops. I need to list what's on the seats and in the floorboard of my vehicle! Yes, I know. "The natural state of the seat of a vehicle is clear." "The natural state of the floorboard (most of it, anyway) is clear."

At least I didn't misplace my drink. I took a break before I felt too hot or too exhausted and drank s lot of it. (Actually, I was armed with more than one drink, neither of which got misplaced.) I got overheated out there badly last summer, and I've learned a lesson from that.

I'd say that three fourths of the things in my vehicle are things that I really want to leave inside the vehicle to use for various away-from-home work tasks. But obviously, I can't use them if they're scattered and I can't easily find them when I need them. I was thinking about various types of containers I could buy to help organize them. Then I remembered either diane or Dianne talking about shopping at home. I have a lot of "organizing containers" at home that would serve a better purpose if they were in the back of my vehicle. Right now, many of these "organizing containers" (for which I spent a decent amount of money) contain items I haven't used in years (and probably will never use again).

Sounds like I have a new organizing project on my hands. I'll let you know how that project goes.

Hugs to all.

it is so good to see everyone so productive.

Billie, one of these days I will have to go through all the garden related stuff in the garage. Since I just have the small beds at my house now and have given up the community plot, there really is no point in keeping the heavier equipment, soaker hoses, etc.

Tillie, being a little sore after not being very physically active over the winter isn't really a bad thing. I am finding that the best thing for it is to get up the next day, move around, and restretch those muscles. Sitting around seems to make me more stiff. The more physically active I am, the better I am going to feel in the long run.
I need to see if I can get a senior summer pass to the city pool which is within biking distance of my house. Swimming a few laps and then sitting in the sun to dry would make a good end-of-the-week reward and would help stretch out those muscles. Swimming is also good stress reduction.

I did get my garden planted yesterday and went out last night for catfish (a Midwestern Friday night staple).

This morning I took flowers and a red rose I bought yesterday to the cemetery. I went to the art fair, but didn't really enjoy it or stay very long. It was very, very crowded.

Tonight I am attempting to make tomato sauce from scratch for ratatouille casserole for the first time. It is a messy process, but the fresh oregano and other ingredients will make it worth all the trouble.
Tonight's project will be to clean the kitchen after dinner.
Many of my neighbors are away for the holiday weekend. It is so peaceful and quiet.
Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are and whatever you plan to do.

Hello Everyone...
Saturday:Done so far today: read the current-"Doing today" posts, washed dishes, cleaned litter box, watered some houeplants.
It is raining off and on today, so in place of outside garden/yard time,will replace it with going through my boxes(are in dining room)containing: seeds, assorted garden related accessories-Ph and water meters, tools, articles and writings, etc
And/or transplant some seedling and and also start somes seeds indoors. And during this process, attempt to get some oganizing done and of course(the hard part)hopefully be finding some items that I will be willing to let go of. This all will be alternate time spent between decluttering in the basement.

What I done on Friday, May 23rd
Decluttering in basement for 40 minutes.
Work in yard/garden for 40 minutes.
Decluttering in basement 1 hour.

Good morning 🙂

Hi Diane 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! 😀
for all your accomplishments.
It is good to take some time to sit back and give yourself time to adjust to the newly cleared out yard areas.
At first it all looks alien and strange when we clear out spaces but let yourself adjust to them.
Remember the main goal with the property is to simplify it to make it easier on you to maintain but still have the smaller area to garden to your hearts content. 🙂

Hi Barb 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! 😀
getting the lawns into shape but sorry you had to make yourself so sore doing it.
Hope you have/had a fantastic dinner out! 😀

Hi Kathy 🙂
Wonderful how you took advantage of the wait time to catch up on other tasks! 😀

Hi Just Me 🙂
YEA!!! 😀
You have done a GREAT job getting to those long forgotten areas.
WTG! storing the space heaters neatly so they will be ready to use in the Fall. 😉

Hi LR2014 🙂
Keep up all the GREAT progress! 😀

Hi Dianne 🙂
Cory always says to try to end the work sessions on a positive note.
Quit before you become physically, mentally or emotionally burned out.
This way getting back to the work later will not be something you dread and put off, maybe even decide not to attempt. 😀

Hi Billie 🙂
WOW! you did a FANTASTIC job there!

Sounds like you have found a method/schedule that is working for you. Keep up the Great work. 😀

Thank you (((hugs)))
Have no idea what the plans for this long weekend will be.
Knowing him, he will probably just sit at his computer in his bedroom or the one in the garage.
But I will try to get him motivated, somehow.
Everything is so bad that it appears to be impossible to fix.
But I know that even the worst hoard CAN be tackled.
One baby step at a time.

Have the GREATEST/BESTEST day ever! 😀

We had plans this weekend for a couple baseball games at Camden Yards. The weather could not be more perfect. But Laura and I have been making progress and want to keep the momentum going. A ball game means about 4 hours at the stadium, at least 3 hours travel time round trip and juggling the schedule for the dogs before and after. It pretty much shoots the day.

Have a blessed day, everyone!

Tillie, many hugs. I'm sorry you've been bummed out. I love your story about the baby fledge.

I got my plans for yesterday done. My tentative plans for today are to finish putting away laundry that I dried last night at the Laundromat, to meet with some friends for a bit this morning, and then (weather permitting) to later go do some outdoor work in that rural area I often talk about. If weather doesn't permit, I'll take things from there.

I'd love to comment on a lot of posts! Better run for now, though. Need to head out the door fairly soon.

Hugs to everybody!

{{{Tillie}}}

It's so important when life is especially hard to take our comforts in the small joys of life. Helping the baby bird to fly is a precious gift for both of you; and now for us as we imagine it. 🙂

Hello everybody 🙂

So wonderful to read all your posts.
Had a bad night's sleep, too many bad dreams.
Woke up severly depressed.
Not about my garden because that really is do-able and is looking really good now.
Trying to get out of this funk I washed my bed linens and hung them out to dry.
To make it up to the cats for yelling at them all and saying terribly hurtful things to them,
I fed them all canned cat food.
Then I made myself french toast, real maple syrup.
Took a shower and washed my hair too.
Then washed dishes & cleaned the kitchen.
Sat on the couch ignoring a movie I put on on Netflix.
Fell asleep for a little while.
Was outside looking toward the carport where the Sparrows nested up on the beam and watched a baby fledge. It perched it's self on some clutter and I was able to walk over, pick it up and carry it out to my garden where I tossed it up in the air. It flew beautifully. 😀
That made me happy.

Stay safe this weekend and drive defensively.
(((hugs)))

CDs from the Hoard No More program arrived; listening to first CD. Did grocery shopping and put all the groceries away. However, have not yet dealt with today's mail that came in at the same time.

Hi Tillie, how is life treating you today? Hope the 3 day weekend isn't giving you a headache. He has a lot of days off, sorry you have to deal with it.
Curious if you got the leak fixed. Did you wear yourself out cleaning up branches?

I finished the section of upper yard that I have worked on for 3 days, for now. want to wait a few days and see if I like it so simple and clean. I finished just as it started to rain.
I am pretty exhausted from waking up so early every day for a week.
Sure do appreciate your posts and the connection we have.
I am going to rest for a awhile, do a few dishes. Put clothes away. I was going to the store for smoothie supplies but don't feel very well, so will go tomorrow. Feels good to have dry clothes on, resting in recliner, happy I am done with the yard for now.
More later

Got rid of a big piece of clutter: a small electric mower, which my dog had bitten through the power cord that goes from the handle to the motor right near where it goes into the metal case. (He was trying to catch a lizard and seemed to think the power cord was the mower's leash). I put it out with the trash last week (they didn't take it and neither did anyone else although I left it out there at the curb all week), I've tried to give it away twice, thought today I would try the mower repair shop but the one I was looking for wasn't there any more...finally the Humane Society Thrift Shop (which was on the same street) took it after some discussion and reluctance. I read the Hoard No More Rescue Kit workbook and book yesterday, first time through quickly; waiting for the CDs to come so I can listen to them.