Hello everyone!

Lila, do you have time to take every book off the shelf? Then vacuum the top of each book. I know you have done several rounds of decluttering your bookshelves?I know that all too well?how about putting a few of the things in a box? Just to give you more visual space? I'm not a fan of putting things in boxes but you might enjoy cleaning each shelf and each book then seeing if you really want to put everything back. Suggestion ?certainly feel free to reject and no need to justify yourself. I find putting things in boxes help me get rid of them later. Please bear in mind, I do not have children so I don't have anyone to give my stuff to. My will leaves everything to my BF and one of my richest friends. I figure my richest friend will know what to do with the money. When I told BF I did my will and left everything to the two of them, he said oh good, because Friend will know how to handle the money. And guess what? Rich Friend said the same thing, I'll know how to dole out the money, don't worry. I even told her that if she wants to keep my life insurance she can and she said no, she'll take care of everyone with it.

So, when I get rid of stuff, I'm getting rid of the things that no one will want. I'm keeping only the stuff that I want. Not storing for anyone. And that's a pretty terrific feeling. A much different sense of what needs to be done. But bear in mind, I thought I was the keeper of all things and everything is important until I started here. Our dear friend Tillie (you would have loved her) used to talk about how we are building our muscles. And she's right. It truly gets easier and easier. The hard days will be there but it gets easier and easier.

I hope I live a long time but I feel this imperative to get rid of things.

I wish I felt the same imperative of wearing the beautiful clothes in my closet. I really need to get these pounds off.

SubC, congratulations on new washer and dryer! And I love the description of your friend and how he's grown!

I did not spend a dime today. Not exactly true as I stopped at the grocery store. But you know what I meant. No Black Friday fury for me.

Tatoulia, you are so right about the clean home making one feel more like getting rid of things. I know that even though I did not quite finish the living room dusting, having most of the area and dining room all clean and clutter free feels SO GOOD that I want to get rid of more things. I plan to do the book shelves today, probably will get rid of several items so it is not so cluttered and is clean like the rest of the room. How nice of you to do that for your mom.

SubC, that is great about your tree! I too am thinking about where to get a tree this year. I often put it off until a few days before Christmas, but this year I would like to get it early, like within a week. That means I need to get the space ready for it.

Today I am drinking coffee and looking at my two tall bookshelves in the living room. I used to have 2 or 3 more bookshelves in here but a few years ago I slowly decluttered and got rid of one and put the other downstairs. I hate dusting the bookshelves. There are books, yes, and probably 99% of them have made it through several declutters and are the books I want to keep. But there are also many other things on the bookshelves. Most of the shelves also have little ceramic statues, things my kids made, things we brought home from trips. Frames with no pictures in them (but they are frames my kids made or a friend gave me who passed away - I would like to get pictures into them). Even the tops of the shelves are covered in things. The issue is that my kids made most of those things in ceramics class or wood shop or art class. They are adults not but I doubt they want any of these. I treasure many of them but the ones I don't I just CANNOT get rid of them. My kids come over and point them out and are proud of them. So we'll see, I may just dust them all and rearrange. If I get rid of a few other items it will look nicer.

Is there some secret way to dust an extra dusty bookshelf?? I hate it. I guess a vacuum is my best bet but every book top if thick with dust, ugh.

Happy Black Friday!

Lila, I am sorry you felt down about your day yesterday - it sounds lovely to me! We just had Bean and his parents and my Dh made a really yummy hearty fall vegetable stew and puffy fry bread. And I made pecan pie because that is what everybody likes.

You did a fantastic job cleaning.

My new washer and dryer got delivered this morning, and my son's friend who is just getting established came to help switch them out and take the old ones for the house he bought and is doing a gut Reno on. It was fun to watch one of the daredevil wild boys who left chaos in my house for years very carefully maneuver large appliances around, watching out for walls and being careful not to scratch the floor - lol!

The very best thing so far was a phone call I got this morning. Our neighbor down the road grows Christmas trees, and we've been cutting ours there for 19 years. Their website says they are closed this year because their supply of trees is low and they are giving everything another year to grow. We were discussing what we were going to do about a tree this year when she called to tell me "when we said ?closed' we didn't mean you." I was so happy! So we are going over around 3.

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁🍽

I am here in my pjs, need to go to bed.

Lila you did so much! I hope you are happy with your clean home, even if your guest had to cancel!

The cleaners ended up cleaning mom's room on Wednesday. It is so nice and clean there! Then they came here afterward. They texted me that it will be easy to keep mom's place nice and that they will do it for $XX. So I'll have them every other week to mom's. I'll keep them every week for me because I am used to it.

I think mom will be in the mood to get rid of some things. It's so clean and I have to think this will help her to decide to reduce her possessions further. Time will tell.
I sat with mom as she ate her Thanksgiving dinner and for the first time, I wasn't feeling all itchy and anxious due to the dirt. She used her mother's China and it was a lovely meal. Then BF came here and we had dinner together. Afterward he drove me to work for a second so I could pick up a fed ex package I need to send tmr. We then ended up sitting in the car for a really long time in front of my place. He was talking quite a bit. While we sat there, I got a text from my friend who said she just parked my car and did I want her to drop off the keys. I told her to stay where she is so we picked her up and drove her home.

Now I'm doing laundry because I feel like I deserve to do laundry.

Going to go get it and go to bed. Goodnight, everyone

Happy Thanksgiving!

Every year I feel a little bit like a loser than I am online on holidays instead of hanging out with family, but they won't be here til dinnertime and my husband and daughter are not very social. No one wants to play games or anything so I am just in the living room alone. I love the smell of the food cooking, and the happy feeling that no one from outside the home will bother me or ask me to do anything today, so I am content.

This morning our one guest for dinner messaged me that she has a fever. So she is not coming after all. I had to laugh a bit because really I did all of this cleaner for her!! Having a guest meant I had to get all of this done. So I am very glad she was supposed to come, and now I feel so motivated to finish cleaning that I will!

This morning I had my coffee and then started prepping. I baked the dinner rolls, got the turkey out of the brine and prepped it and got it in the roasting pan. I made the stuffing from scratch and stuffed the bird and put the rest in a dish to bake later. The turkey is in the oven now! Yum yum. Husband offered to help so he chopped the onions and celery for the stuffing, and he cut the fresh green beans so I will be making the green bean casserole soon. I also will make fresh sweet potatoes with my grandma's recipe. I am making homemade stock for the gravy as well. I made the cranberry sauce the other day. Let's see... what else? Pie is bought this year (Costco) and DIL is bringing another dessert. My husband is making the mashed potatoes too so that helps. What a feast it will be! What is on your menu?

Long post but cleaning update: late last night I dusted the coffee table. My son is going to vacuum again this morning. I'm going to dust the rest of the living room so it's done (but I am NOT taking all the little/big ceramics etc off the wall shelves and bookshelves, too much work for today. Feather duster, and will do that next week sometime).The kitchen definitely needs to be cleaned again but I am cooking so that will wait til later.

My son and DIL and grandd are coming over later and my other son too. I am going to take some time to relax and enjoy the peace in between tasks!

It is 9pm on Thanksgiving Eve (lol) and I am still cleaning. I did get the whole kitchen table cleared off, dishwasher run, various surfaces dusted. I cleaned the baby gate which had gotten kind of gross. I washed off the play kitchen for grandd, and I cleaned the whole TV stand which was covered in dust and pet hair. Cleaned every shelf and cabinet on it, AND the dvd cabinet as well. Even donated 3 movies.

Believe it or not there is still way more to do and tomorrow morning will be busy. I think tonight I will reload the dishwasher again and wipe down the kitchen and maybe the coffee table. Tomorrow I have to clean the windows and sills, wipe down the leather couches and put the blankets over the bad spots, dust 2 more end tables and 2 bookshelves. Get my son to vacuum again... and cook everything. omg I need to put the frozen rolls in the pan to thaw overnight tonight too.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Update: the kitchen table is almost cleared. I am about to send my son to take the donations bag and box on the table to my car, put the litter box liners in the garage and put the duct table downstairs in the tape container. The only things left after that is a potted plant that might stay there, and some dog brushes I need to find a home for near the living room. He is unloading the dishwasher and taking out the trash now so I can re-load the dishwasher.

I also put away everything that was on the fireplace mantel and dusted it and a cabinet.

I need to organize and dust the dvd shelf, 2 end tables and clean off the play kitchen and then I think the living room will be pretty done. Windowsills too!

SubC, my grandbaby has been sick with a fever and cold, and I am nervous now. I told my DIL that if anyone is sick, I would be happy to drop off Thanksgiving food, or have our dinner another day. Last time grandd was sick with a 'cold,' I caught it and was dangerously ill for over a month with 2 trips to the ER. I just can't be risking that again. I hope they don't gloss it over and come anyway if someone has a cold.

Table has not been touched BUT thank you for asking... that is just what I needed. I am finishing my coffee and then that table is going to be totally cleared off!! I will report back.

Hi Lila,

How is the table going?

Our house was always a mess and nobody cleaned but my mom, and it seemed like she cleaned all the time. Sometimes I would help her dust because I liked to do it. Also, sometimes she made us clean our rooms, but they never looked all that great because there was always too much stuff in them.

Bean is taking a nap, Dd is working, and Dh is changing the oil in the tractor. I need to go get the laundry off the line. Soon I will only hang laundry when I want to and not have to plan around the weather!

Vacuuming also needs to happen.

A new washer and dryer, congratulations SubC! That will be so nice! I too don't know how I would live in a 'perfect' home. Thinking back to my childhood, there was never mess. I don't know who cleaned. We had a very small house. My Dad had a "junk drawer" and that was where all the random items lived. But we had a full basement that was FULL of stuff. Boy, if I had a full basement, I could be clutter free! I just need more storage... or to live with less stuff.

I got the chairs wiped off and brought in. Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I haven't cleared off the kitchen table. That is my task today. I also need to dust the living room and mop the bathroom and entry. I put the turkey in brine this morning and made homemade cranberry sauce.

I really need my son to get out of bed and help me.. I do better with someone to run things to my car or fix things or whatever. I hate running up and down the stairs (main level is up a flight of stairs).

Ok, I have made a path for the window guy. In the process I washed a few things and found a few items that can return to my classroom. I am working very hard on the "things go into my classroom and never come home" model. Given my new relationship with my job, I am no longer interested in storing stuff for them. Things that need to be washed with a hose - I don't know. I guess whatever class it is will just have to carry buckets of water out to the front lawn.

Off to work on the porch.

Good morning!

Lila, that mopping sounds like a heck of a job! You must feel really good to have it done.

And way to go on the donation box!

We ordered a new washer and dryer. This is one of the most extravagant things I have ever done. I can't believe I am replacing working appliances. They are each pretty much exactly what I wanted, but made by different companies and do not match at all - lol. They were both on Black Friday sale. Dh asked if I was sure I didn't want the matching dryer (which also met my function requirements) and I pointed out that it was $60 more. Which made him laugh.

Apparently he has looked at our budget and our finances and our long term plans and decided that we are spending money this year. He says with current inflation and interest rates, it doesn't make sense to save it when there is something we will need to spend it on later. So we are "taking care of (his) list"

I'm not sure I know how to live in a house where everything looks nice and works. (I also hope he doesn't decide to do the gut-and-remodel of the last bedroom and bath this year) The intention is to create an accessible semi-private suite in the hope that my mother will come live with us someday, but there is no reason to think that might be soon. (It would also allow us to stay here longer as we age.) that project is definitely larger than the available non-savings though.

Today the guy is coming to replace the broken window in the shop/studio barn. Dh told me late last night) I left an obstacle course out there when I was working, so I need to create access this morning before Bean comes.

Dd also called me last night, to tell me that she has nothing she has to do at work this morning, so she will be sleeping in and bringing Bean to me whenever they are ready. Then she has to work from my house, including a zoom meeting, this afternoon. So I have to make space for that also.

hi SubC, I guess we were posting at the same time!

I know you're right about Thanksgiving. People won't be critical. It's family and one friend who used to be a hoarder so she gets it. I just want it clean so people are not icked out about eating food in a dirty place.

I managed to mop the kitchen but omg my back. I am so exhausted. It took 3 buckets to do the kitchen and dining areas. But it is clean and disinfected. I still need to do the bathroom and entry but I need a break first.

I also wiped down the wall behind the table because it had marks from chairs and a few drips from grandd spills.

I have to wipe down all the chairs and then hopefully son will bring them in for me. I need to wipe a kitchen wall as well. Spot wipe some cabinets. Dust living room. Clean bathroom and kitchen... my autistic kid could help so much but they are on the edge of meltdown. Can't pile it all on son. Husband will not help.

So tired, need some days off after this. I do all the thanksgiving cooking too.

Hmmm, no one's around? Everyone getting ready for Thanksgiving?

I managed to clean and sort the tall cabinet in the dining room which was thick with dust and very piled with clutter. I donated lots of things from it! Emptied all drawers and organized what is left. Dusted the whole thing and the stereo on it. It looks SO much better now without random piles of junk all over it! My donation box is 75% full now. But this took me about an hour. Now I am tired.

Son vacuumed and unloaded the dishwasher and put all the dining room chairs outside so I can mop. I am just really tired so sitting for a few minutes to get myself ready to do it. I have the bucket and cleaner all ready. Mopping is a lot of work for me but I feel so good when it is done.

Husband keeps coming upstairs and putting his junk on my cleaned bar counter. I keep taking it off and telling him it doesn't go there. But it's frustrating. Now he just came upstairs with his junk and went in the kitchen and it going to cook something. I am so annoyed because it is obvious I am getting ready to mop but he is in the way now and will be for probably an hour since he is a very slow cook. And only cooks for himself. Now I wish I had just gone ahead and started mopping so he couldn't go in there and take up the kitchen... ugh!! I feel my motivation deflating. Well maybe I can just do one side of the dining room and the bathroom while he is in there and then do the rest when he is done. Yeah, I think that's what I'll do so I don't totally lose my motivation.

Mopping - wow!

Lila, my list post told you that you will make it through thanksgiving. Most people just want to eat and hang out.

I don't mind if my kids don't want something. I just don't want them to store things here forever because they don't really want them but can't get rid of them, or to take something I actually like and then get rid of it without asking if I want it back. They are pretty good about both of those things.

I am familiar with but nothing - there are a couple of groups "near" me in that any one of them starts about 15 to 20 miles from my house and extends far away. But not where I actually live and IIRC you can only join one. Also, i'm pretty "move this now!" When I want something, I do check Craigslist.

I broke another piece of pottery today.

I also picked up feed, hay and straw but didn't make any real progress on the barn.

Dh wants to address the washer/dryer issue.

I understand about the linking memories of people to belongings, but I don't know how to help you. I also have things that are too hard to get rid of because they are linked to memories.

ok, one more post - I go in spurts! Here is my decluttering update.

Yesterday I was stressed due to a lawsuit I am having to deal with (had to fill out deposition papers and stuff, I've never done this before). Got it done but have to write a paragraph and send some photos to the lawyer soon. As a result I got very little done. I did pick up a few items around the living room and put them away: books to the shelf, pens in a pen holder, small lantern to the kitchen table which is still not done.

Today I have to get things done. My son is here so I am going to ask for his help today. I told him I need him to unload the dishwasher, put away dishes on the counter, and run the vacuum all through the house. After he vacuums I AM GOING TO MOP. I just have to do it and then I will feel better. I dont have appointments today until a meeting from 6:30 to 8:30pm. I have all day to get it done.

So today -
mop kitchen/dining room
mop entryway and 1 bathroom
Put away the last few items in the living room and dust all surfaces
Try really hard to get the kitchen table done
Try to get the tall cabinet cleaned off/out (should be some stuff to donate here)
Son take donations to my car

I also need to get everything done for work (I'm a volunteer but it's like a part time job with an office and able to work from home some) so I can take Weds through Sat "off" and just be home. I have to speak at an event Sunday, only 5 min but way out of my comfort zone so I need to prep for that.

What are you all doing?

SubC, good job moving that Brio table to a good home! Have you ever heard of the "Buy Nothing" movement? You can find a local group on Facebook by typing in Buy Nothing and your city. Everyone on there if giving everything away for free. Now yes, this could be dangerous for a hoarder BUT for me, I went into it with the attitude of "how can I bless people with what they need?" AND I joined the group but also "unfollowed" it so free items don't show up in my feed. I only go look at the group when I want to give away something nice (I post it there for free and when someone answers they would like to have it, I put it on the porch and they come by and grab it. No interaction because I am careful due to covid). And if I NEED something I will ask for it there before I buy it. I got a free exercise machine for my kid and a free guitar which was a gift for my daughter for Christmas! I have given away loads of stuff on there and the one big item I am having trouble selling will be posted on there after Thanksgiving.

Wow, Tatoulia, such wise words on the Brio table. Thank you for saying that stuff... because even though it's not me with the table, I very much relate to the feeling of rejection and emotional connections to things. To the guilt of keeping gifts people gave me. Let me ask you this. Background: I have had several, more than several, people I love very much die (not of old age). Often they have given me things here and there but I thought I didn't really want to keep those things and donated them. As a result, there are people who I loved so much that I really wish I had even one object they gave me, that I could hold and think of them. There is something to me about treasuring an object. I had a boyfriend I adored for many years, who was my best friend, but for some reason I never saved anything he gave me. (Obviously this was before my hoarder tendencies arose). At his funeral which was traumatic for me, his sister gave me a stuffed animal of his to give me son. But I could not give it to my son, I kept it, because it is the only thing I have of his. But I wish I had something HE gave me, not something from his funeral. So I regret getting rid of things. Now when I go to donate an item, I think of the person who gave it to me and I think "what if they die? Then I will wish I had this" even if it is something I would otherwise donate. How to work through this? Thoughts?

Good morning,

I tried to post last night, but it disappeared when I went to captcha.

The brio table is gone. I decided to putter around home and delay my trip in to the studio so I could drop it at goodwill. Then they wouldn't take it. They said they are no longer taking furniture or children's play equipment ever. Also they do not intend to reopen their dressing rooms after covid, which I find annoying.

Anyway, there was a canner there the other day that I was thinking about, but not willing to buy unless I could see how it fit with a quart jar, so I took a quart jar with me. The canner was gone of course, but I bought a game for ds and a stoneware bread pan for me. It will hopefully replace a bread pan I have that I have been looking for a replacement for. It is made by a company that I really like for stoneware baking ware that no longer exists. I need to try it to be sure.

I also found a young mom in the store who wanted the brio table - win all around!

Then I dropped some things I had bought for school, including clay, in my classroom. That was an extra small detour, but the clay can't freeze and I was trying not to unload it into my studio and then have to reload it and take it after break.

Anyway, as a result of all this I only finished two of the seven pots I was planning before it was time to go to Bean's house. Three more are partly done.

I had a good afternoon with Bean, and was invited to stay for dinner - to which heartdaughter and her new wife also came. It was fun and I stayed too late. So I did not stop at the grocery on the way home as I had planned. And I got to bed late.

This morning I am tired and need to do a lot of barn work, but Dh has gotten focused on dealing with my washer and dryer issues (we bought cheap and available when the old ones failed during covid and they are only semi-useful.) The dryer is way too hot and has melted synthetics on medium heat and shrunk cottons, so I barely use it. It does not have a "low" setting - only "fluff" which is literally just spinning the drum.

Got the trash and recycling out. Cleaned kitty box. Did a load of laundry (sheets), showered, now running dishwasher.

Am home instead of office tmr so that I can get the cleaners situated at mom's. I'll have to remember to bring some things over for them. I'll leave them once they are situated. Mom should be at therapy when they come, depending on what time they get there. I'm a bit tense, which is foolish since none of this has anything to do with me, other than paying for them. It will be a nice pick-me-up for mom.

Okay off to bed for us.

Lila I am so proud of your progress. SubC, I am glad you have your grandson this week. You are an amazing mother and grandmother.

Road, would love to hear from you, even if just a wave. Same to you, CM, and anyone else reading this. Glad you are here.

Just re read the posts. You found the brio table! All
The more reason to just get it donated!

I really need to look alive here. I wish I hadn't slept but I did.

Congratulations on getting the painting hung! Great work!

I'm glad that you can donate the brio table. I can't remember if you bought it for your grandson or if you already had it. But good for your daughter for being able to say she didn't want it. I have said "yes" to so much stuff coming into my house. And then retaining it due to guilt. We should all practice saying, no thank you, I have all I need. And congratulations on being able to say, I'll donate it ASAP. It doesn't need to sting. It's not a comment on us as people. It's an object. And so I'm proud of everyone here.

I fell asleep right after work. And now it's 9 Pm abd I have to gather up the garbage.

Cleaners taking care of mom's house tmr.

Aw SubC, that would make me sad about them not wanting the Brio table. My kids had one when they were little and they loved it! I thought is was a great gift idea. But you're right, someone will be thrilled with it for their little kids. Just think of the joy on their little faces on Christmas... and for many years after!

I have gotten so little more done. Meetings, assignments, watching tv. Being lazy. I did pick up some dog toys and put them in a bag so there are not so many around the living room. I made a grocery list for Thanksgiving. I don't know why I feel so scared for Thanksgiving. Mainly because of all this decluttering and cleaning. Only one person from outside the family is coming, but I am pushing myself to make it nice. I feel very anxious that I won't get the cleaning and mopping done. I am not exactly a neat freak so I dunno why I am so anxious... yet I could be mopping right now but am not. Frozen in indecision.

You can count the number of pieces. If you're having a rough day. 🤫

Dh broke the cat dish last night, so I guess that counts as one out?

Hooray for the hung painting!

If only all our angst could be solved in 15 minutes!

I suppose I will have to settle for 15 minutes at a time, but honestly some days I can't even manage that.

Art does not have to "match".

I didn't get any spoon rests done, but I have plenty of time. I do think my pots will be ready to take to the city studio for finishing tomorrow (my membership gives me access to materials I don't have at home.)

The kids do not want the brio table, so I am going to donate it for someone to find and be excited at the great deal they get for Christmas for their little one. I could not leave it out for the rain last night.

I was going to take it tomorrow, but my schedule got changed and now I am going to the studio early and watching Bean at his house in the afternoon, so the thrift store will be closed when I drive by.

I'm back. I hung the painting. It took 15 minutes from start to finish, even though I could not find the little wire hanging kit. I was getting so frustrated and about to give up but decided to try a heavy duty metal staple to the frame and a hook on the wall... since it is very light weight. It worked! It looks fine. The colors don't really go, but the friend who gave it to me is coming for Thanksgiving which is why I really needed to have it hung. I don't want hurt feelings.

Yay. 2-3 years of procrastinating fixed in 15 minutes.

I had to look up brio table, SubC. Had no idea what it was! Now I know!

Not having kids in the family helps on the gifts. My favorite memories are wearing my Christmas nightie, bathrobe, and reading the books Santa brought me. To this day, I give pjs and robes and books.

I like to buy tea towels and Swedish sponges from Etsy as gifts, too. But with not seeing friends at restaurants and not otherwise celebrating in person, I have no need to purchase those things.

I agree, Lila, don't buy something that your husband will just add to the pile.

Good work throwing some pots, SubC. I remember the time you showed us a picture from one of your sales. Beautiful work.

I spent the afternoon at mom's, watching tv. Really nice. We don't ever do that. I did some furniture rearranging.

Ok I'm going to just be quiet for a little while. Rest my head.

How interesting what both of you shared about Christmas gifts. And WOW about the giving being a monetary value of love. And they hyperfocus on value. I wonder where that started from?

My parents and grandparents have all been dead a long time... in laws, too. They died young. So I only give gifts to my husband and my kids and grandkids. I have done no shopping yet. I am fairly broke but I put aside enough for gifts. I never know what to give husband - perhaps a dumpster rental subscription?? lol. I guess it will be a gift card to a restaurant since I don't want to give him any more STUFF.

Today was church all morning. Then home, lunch, play with dog a little. I am going out to an early dinner with a friend in 3 hours and have a meeting tonight. So I don't have much time to work on the house today. Maybe I can just get the picture hung and a few living room things put away.

Delving into the "whys" of hoarding and procrastination - so my friend gave me this painting as a gift probably 2 or 3 years ago. I love it. It is big and on a canvas. I propped it on a short cabinet in the living room with a 'plan' to hang it in a specific spot. But it doesnt have the little hanging hardware on the back. So it still sits. In fact, it ended up shoved BEHIND the cabinet most of this year! I pulled it ou and dusted off the cabinet and it is there now. I even bought hanging hardware years ago. So the steps I need to take are:

1. Find the hanging hardware. There are several options in this kit of hanging items.

2. Look through them and choose which hardware will work best.

3. Find a hammer.

4. Attach the hardware to the bakc of the painting.

5. Choose the exact location to hang - how high? how far between walls? Measure and level to that spot.

6. Find a suitable nail and put it in the wall in the right spot.

7. Get the painting hung on that nail and check that it is level and looks nice.

See how "hang the painting" turns into a huge project in my own mind?? It is overwhelming to me and that is why it's not been done. I wonder how long all of that will take? I imagine about 30-45 minutes. I guess I will push myself to do it NOW. I will time myself and see how long it takes. I will have 2-3 years of procrastination anxiety once it is done!!

Good morning!

Lila, good choice to switch to something else when you feel burned out on a job. I'm sorry about your big item, but you will get so much space back - focus on that. One interesting exercise is to divide the value of your home by square foot so you can see how much the space you are giving away rent free to things you don't want is actually worth. Would it cost you more than $110 to add that much space to your home?

I'm very happy for you about the medical thing.

Good luck on your living room today - I hope you get great satisfaction from ganging the painting. If you need a boost, just go look at your bar!

Tatoulia,

You sound so calm and together going into the holidays. It is nice to see. Our Christmas shopping is weird. We buy big expensive presents for Dh parents every year because that is how his parents believe you show love. They have a lot more money than we do, so it is silly. They can buy anything they want. Monetary value is very important to them. Mil has a designated amount of money she spends on each family member that is carefully calculated to reflect the amount she is supposed to love them based on their degree of relatedness to her. Every year around august she panics that her Christmas shopping is not done and begins demanding shopping lists from us. I am never able to come up with appropriate items, but last year Dh told her to get me a check designated for my garden seeds and plants. She liked that, so now I think she will fund my garden every year at exactly the amount she doesn't manage to spend on things.

She has also started passing her jewelry on and is concerned about the fact that it is coming out of the value of the estate, so If you choose a piece of jewelry (she sends emails and photos throughout the year) that she thinks is valuable, she wraps it for Christmas and deducts the value from your gift spending. I got a very pretty antique bracelet and pair of earrings this year, but they are both "not real" and the bracelet needs repair, so she told me "you can just have these. They aren't worth anything."

Anyway, aside from that - sometimes I buy presents for my parents and sometimes I don't, it depends on if I see something they would like. Sometimes I make them a thing. They have lots of stuff. When our kids were little we tried to balance number of packages, and when they got older we tried to balance money spent, and after discussion this year, we're just buying a few things for each of them and only really spending money on Dd2 because she is at a stage in her life when the things she really wants are not in easy reach of her income. I'm making spoon rests for ds and flower pots for ddil, and I need to get on that!

I bought new pajamas on sale for Bean already, but that is part of his "thanksgiving gift" - lol. I told the kids I want to give my grandkids pajamas and a book after thanksgiving every year as part of their "Christmas" Dd said that was ok. But then after I bought the pajamas, she said that I can't give him anything new or plastic this year (I am allowed to use new non-plastic materials if I make him something.) I have two books for him that I bought used. I might give him the brio table for Christmas..

This is becoming a book.

Anyway, yesterday I threw pots in the morning (kept 5, I'm out of practice) went to the studio sale and caught up with people, I have missed, and then went back out after dinner and threw two more pots worth keeping and one maybe, and trimmed an old piece. I'm going back out this morning to do some casting, trim the stuff I threw yesterday, and maybe start the spoon rests.

I am rewashing yesterday's laundry because I forgot it.