This morning (after coffee and breakfast with Dh) I did what is becoming my regular morning routine -

Empty recycling drying rack and regular dish drainer.

Move recycling rack to floor

Empty dishwasher.

chores - including washing the eggs from last night. At some point I would like to have space and energy to wash the eggs when I bring them in. But the recycling drying rack is in my way.

Start a load of laundry.

Put the recycling rack back and fill it.

Putter around the house/basement cleaning up.

Switch over laundry.

I did not want to deal with the recycling. But I told myself "that is fine. You do not have to process all this recycling. You can just stuff it into some plastic grocery bags and throw it in a garbage can. But those are your choices". So I filled the rack.

I am finding some of it doesn't have to be rinsed, just sorted. So I am hopeful that the whole pile will be done before the drop on the 5th.

If it isn't, I might put the rest in the garbage.

This morning (after coffee and breakfast with Dh) I did what is becoming my regular morning routine -

Empty recycling drying rack and regular dish drainer.

Move recycling rack to floor

Empty dishwasher.

chores - including washing the eggs from last night. At some point I would like to have space and energy to wash the eggs when I bring them in. But the recycling drying rack is in my way.

Start a load of laundry.

Put the recycling rack back and fill it.

Putter around the house/basement cleaning up.

Switch over laundry.

I did not want to deal with the recycling. But I told myself "that is fine. You do not have to process all this recycling. You can just stuff it into some plastic grocery bags and throw it in a garbage can. But those are your choices". So I filled the rack.

I am finding some of it doesn't have to be rinsed, just sorted. So I am hopeful that the whole pile will be done before the drop on the 5th.

If it isn't, I might put the rest in the garbage.

Very good work on the recycling, SubC! Very pleased you have a routine and a backup plan just in case.

I cried a bunch today. But working from home so all is well.

Wild thunder tonight with not a lot of rain. Scary.

I'm going to make myself something to eat and then maybe work a bit.

I have to take the garbage and recycling out in the AM. Cleaners were here today. Very nice to have a clean house.

Very good work on the recycling, SubC! Very pleased you have a routine and a backup plan just in case.

I cried a bunch today. But working from home so all is well.

Wild thunder tonight with not a lot of rain. Scary.

I'm going to make myself something to eat and then maybe work a bit.

I have to take the garbage and recycling out in the AM. Cleaners were here today. Very nice to have a clean house.

Very good point on the shopping, SubC. That hadn't even occurred to me! Thank you!

Very good point on the shopping, SubC. That hadn't even occurred to me! Thank you!

hi friends. I made it through!!! My event was a big success and now I am done! I get tomorrow off and hopefully Saturday too and boy do I need it. What a lot of work.

SubC, CM, Tatoulia, I read your posts. I am sorry for the deaths and tears, the overwhelm of too much, the hard things. I am happy for the declutter progress and good things.

Tomorrow is trash day, so I am about to go take out all the trash and roll the bins to the road. I am super tired and probably will go to bed early so I can enjoy some early time outside reading in the morning.

hi friends. I made it through!!! My event was a big success and now I am done! I get tomorrow off and hopefully Saturday too and boy do I need it. What a lot of work.

SubC, CM, Tatoulia, I read your posts. I am sorry for the deaths and tears, the overwhelm of too much, the hard things. I am happy for the declutter progress and good things.

Tomorrow is trash day, so I am about to go take out all the trash and roll the bins to the road. I am super tired and probably will go to bed early so I can enjoy some early time outside reading in the morning.

Good morning!

Lila, I was - swimming (well, actually when you asked I think I was sleeping.)

I went for a dip in the pond yesterday afternoon. It's on my "do more" list.

It sounds like you had a lovely time with tot. That's far more important than sorting toys.

I'm sorry about your bills. You've been doing better about the fast food too. Have you looked at your budget to see if the gap is bridgable? Can your son help out more?

Tatoulia, I'm glad Emiko will be there. You don't have to tread water. You are in the shallows anyway. Maybe just float for a while. But no shopping. If you are tempted to turn to shopping when you are sad come tell us about it.

CM, I am sorry for all of the sadness and stress. And that heat sounds awful! I hope that your roomate gets some good answers.

I also cheer the boundary setting!

I did not get any pottery made yesterday. I did putter about in the studio a bit, but it is just so overwhelming. Part of the problem is that I want different clay for my current project and everything is such a mess I am having trouble finding and identifying my clay. You would think that something that comes in boxes the size of a cement block would be hard to lose. I might buy more clay tonight. I am not to buy anything else no matter how on sale it is and how much I love it until I get this studio under control. Please remind me.

I have class tonight, so I will try to take the recycling and drop that off at least. I have four full paper bags and a bit for curbside. In only a week. This represents cleaning out, not just weekly paper and packaging.

Good morning!

Lila, I was - swimming (well, actually when you asked I think I was sleeping.)

I went for a dip in the pond yesterday afternoon. It's on my "do more" list.

It sounds like you had a lovely time with tot. That's far more important than sorting toys.

I'm sorry about your bills. You've been doing better about the fast food too. Have you looked at your budget to see if the gap is bridgable? Can your son help out more?

Tatoulia, I'm glad Emiko will be there. You don't have to tread water. You are in the shallows anyway. Maybe just float for a while. But no shopping. If you are tempted to turn to shopping when you are sad come tell us about it.

CM, I am sorry for all of the sadness and stress. And that heat sounds awful! I hope that your roomate gets some good answers.

I also cheer the boundary setting!

I did not get any pottery made yesterday. I did putter about in the studio a bit, but it is just so overwhelming. Part of the problem is that I want different clay for my current project and everything is such a mess I am having trouble finding and identifying my clay. You would think that something that comes in boxes the size of a cement block would be hard to lose. I might buy more clay tonight. I am not to buy anything else no matter how on sale it is and how much I love it until I get this studio under control. Please remind me.

I have class tonight, so I will try to take the recycling and drop that off at least. I have four full paper bags and a bit for curbside. In only a week. This represents cleaning out, not just weekly paper and packaging.

Hello everyone!

I took my recycling out this AM and.I returned the sneakers on my way home tonight. I did not want to visit my mom tonight, but I did and I'm glad I did. Busy day at work and yet nothing was accomplished.

My friend Emiko is coming over Sunday night with dinner. Bf is definitely leaving Sunday am. I'm sad but okay.

My house is a terrible mess. Cleaners come tmr instead of today b

Keep up the good work. You are doing a very good job. I'm not even treading water. But I'll get there.

This week has been "high maintenance" as weeks go.

I haven't done much ordinary activity such as decluttering. There have been deaths or people close to death - the funeral of my friend's brother was Monday though I was not able to attend. Then my roommate's uncle died that evening and she will go out of town tomorrow morning, stay two nights, return on Saturday. She won't take the dog with her because of a family member's allergies so I'll have him too. It's 100 degree or more days with heat indexes above that. Another friend has a son who is dying and I am praying for him and her.

This was the week the rabbit shelter had at one point assumed I would just be willing to help out all week on short notice and I set that boundary. Good thing I did because even if I wanted to I wouldn't have been able to manage two places under the circumstances. Other people have stepped up to the plate, too, which I am thankful for on behalf of the lady who needs their help and also because it vindicates my need for the boundary. I've been able to help her a little bit yesterday, roommate and I both did some computer work and I fed a few rabbits - that was fine, we were happy to do it.

But roommate is also still in a lot of pain, and though she has a newer medicine this trip is going to be a lot for her. She wants to do it though. She will have an MRI next week. I'd thought for a long time her doctor wasn't being investigative enough about the source of her pain. So I'm glad - now just hoping it will all bring options for relief.

Yesterday when we were going to the rabbit house, I opted to turn off a main street into this quiet neighborhood by the river with nice houses and shade trees. I saw cop cars a block or two away at an intersection. Then down another block, more of them. Next block, same, along with EMS vehicles. When we got across town and on our phones we found out there had been a double murder and that the suspect was in a standoff with the police. I had been a little later getting ready to leave the house than I meant to be, but turned out that was a good thing because that was about the time the guy surrendered to the officers. The street I turned down was parallel and two blocks to the street where the trouble took place.

So there's just been too much stuff going on. Too much. I hope I do okay with running the house until Saturday; I guess I'll just have to. Maybe I can do some more on my writing. I also got a text that the senior center folks are going to the movies tomorrow afternoon so I may even go with them and see the Barbie movie to get my mind off all the crazy and sad stuff. Pray for me, y'all. On Sunday I will probably crash and take a long nap. Don't know when the heat wave will break, doesn't look like anytime soon.

Tatoulia, I hope you will be okay, and I'm glad you have your friend; girlfriends can help a lot with the sort of thing you face. SubC and Lila, I know you are staying busy and accomplishing things and also dealing with various stresses. Hoping for peace for all, and achievement of our various goals even if there are delays and bumps in the road. Take care.

This week has been "high maintenance" as weeks go.

I haven't done much ordinary activity such as decluttering. There have been deaths or people close to death - the funeral of my friend's brother was Monday though I was not able to attend. Then my roommate's uncle died that evening and she will go out of town tomorrow morning, stay two nights, return on Saturday. She won't take the dog with her because of a family member's allergies so I'll have him too. It's 100 degree or more days with heat indexes above that. Another friend has a son who is dying and I am praying for him and her.

This was the week the rabbit shelter had at one point assumed I would just be willing to help out all week on short notice and I set that boundary. Good thing I did because even if I wanted to I wouldn't have been able to manage two places under the circumstances. Other people have stepped up to the plate, too, which I am thankful for on behalf of the lady who needs their help and also because it vindicates my need for the boundary. I've been able to help her a little bit yesterday, roommate and I both did some computer work and I fed a few rabbits - that was fine, we were happy to do it.

But roommate is also still in a lot of pain, and though she has a newer medicine this trip is going to be a lot for her. She wants to do it though. She will have an MRI next week. I'd thought for a long time her doctor wasn't being investigative enough about the source of her pain. So I'm glad - now just hoping it will all bring options for relief.

Yesterday when we were going to the rabbit house, I opted to turn off a main street into this quiet neighborhood by the river with nice houses and shade trees. I saw cop cars a block or two away at an intersection. Then down another block, more of them. Next block, same, along with EMS vehicles. When we got across town and on our phones we found out there had been a double murder and that the suspect was in a standoff with the police. I had been a little later getting ready to leave the house than I meant to be, but turned out that was a good thing because that was about the time the guy surrendered to the officers. The street I turned down was parallel and two blocks to the street where the trouble took place.

So there's just been too much stuff going on. Too much. I hope I do okay with running the house until Saturday; I guess I'll just have to. Maybe I can do some more on my writing. I also got a text that the senior center folks are going to the movies tomorrow afternoon so I may even go with them and see the Barbie movie to get my mind off all the crazy and sad stuff. Pray for me, y'all. On Sunday I will probably crash and take a long nap. Don't know when the heat wave will break, doesn't look like anytime soon.

Tatoulia, I hope you will be okay, and I'm glad you have your friend; girlfriends can help a lot with the sort of thing you face. SubC and Lila, I know you are staying busy and accomplishing things and also dealing with various stresses. Hoping for peace for all, and achievement of our various goals even if there are delays and bumps in the road. Take care.

Tatoulia, I'm glad you have a good visit with your mom. You will feel a bit better after the cleaners come, I imagine.

SubC where are youuu?

I went out to get the mail a bit ago and thought, "why do I always feel like I am walking through molasses?" I wish I knew.

I did manage to wash out the inner trash can in the bath tub, dried it and put it back in the kitchen. I also took out 2 small bags of trash.

Tot and I did not sort toys. But we did have fun. We went to a farm stand and got a watermelon and some corn. We each got a scoop of homemade ice cream, which was delicious. We ran errands. When I got home I was too tired to sort, and she played for a bit and before you know it her mom came to get her. So it was a good day.

I feel down because I am way behind on my bills. I feel like it happened all of a sudden, but it really didn't. I had to ask my church for help because my power was going to be shut off. I feel terribly embarrassed, or maybe humbled, by this and never want to have that happen again. I guess I really do need to sell my house.

Tatoulia, I'm glad you have a good visit with your mom. You will feel a bit better after the cleaners come, I imagine.

SubC where are youuu?

I went out to get the mail a bit ago and thought, "why do I always feel like I am walking through molasses?" I wish I knew.

I did manage to wash out the inner trash can in the bath tub, dried it and put it back in the kitchen. I also took out 2 small bags of trash.

Tot and I did not sort toys. But we did have fun. We went to a farm stand and got a watermelon and some corn. We each got a scoop of homemade ice cream, which was delicious. We ran errands. When I got home I was too tired to sort, and she played for a bit and before you know it her mom came to get her. So it was a good day.

I feel down because I am way behind on my bills. I feel like it happened all of a sudden, but it really didn't. I had to ask my church for help because my power was going to be shut off. I feel terribly embarrassed, or maybe humbled, by this and never want to have that happen again. I guess I really do need to sell my house.

Thank you all for your support.

Thank you all for your support.

I'm so sorry about your bills, Lila. I'm glad you reached out for help. Cm, I'm proud of your boundary setting. I'm sorry for the losses you are experiencing.

I'm so sorry about your bills, Lila. I'm glad you reached out for help. Cm, I'm proud of your boundary setting. I'm sorry for the losses you are experiencing.

Cleaning up, watching decluttering videos, trying to shift out to the pottery studio and actually make some stuff - I get in a groove and it be comes a rut and then I can't get out until I crash and burn, but there are some pottery projects I really do want to get done today. It's just the shifting..

I ordered a tension rod to hang Bean's tractor flag. Actually I ordered two because the size I wanted was the same price for a two pack delivered from Amazon tomorrow as a single delivered on Tuesday. I have I-beams on the inside of my basement walls, and i thought I might use the second one to go between two of them and hang a kite to make it look nicer. (Also, storage solution for the kite.)

I have already found two items to discard as balance.

How is everybody else doing today? CM?

Cleaning up, watching decluttering videos, trying to shift out to the pottery studio and actually make some stuff - I get in a groove and it be comes a rut and then I can't get out until I crash and burn, but there are some pottery projects I really do want to get done today. It's just the shifting..

I ordered a tension rod to hang Bean's tractor flag. Actually I ordered two because the size I wanted was the same price for a two pack delivered from Amazon tomorrow as a single delivered on Tuesday. I have I-beams on the inside of my basement walls, and i thought I might use the second one to go between two of them and hang a kite to make it look nicer. (Also, storage solution for the kite.)

I have already found two items to discard as balance.

How is everybody else doing today? CM?

Good morning friends. Nice to see posts this morning. I am home and will go get Tot in about 2 hours. Just enjoying the peace a bit. I was going to work from home but I just need a break.

I was taking out the kitchen trash this morning and realized halfway out the door that the side of the bag was ripped open. I managed to get it to the bin but had to go back and pick up trash and ham and noodles off the sidewalk and stairs, ugh. Then noticed someone had put an egg shell in the can with no bag and that was gross. So the inside of the trash can is in the bathtub. I sprayed it with disinfectant awhile ago and I need to go in there and wash it out.

While Tot is here, I will have her help me sort the toys and vacuum. The living room is in dire need of organization and cleaning. My dog is getting things starting by chasing flies. He is funny, running around snapping his teeth until he catches them.

Good morning friends. Nice to see posts this morning. I am home and will go get Tot in about 2 hours. Just enjoying the peace a bit. I was going to work from home but I just need a break.

I was taking out the kitchen trash this morning and realized halfway out the door that the side of the bag was ripped open. I managed to get it to the bin but had to go back and pick up trash and ham and noodles off the sidewalk and stairs, ugh. Then noticed someone had put an egg shell in the can with no bag and that was gross. So the inside of the trash can is in the bathtub. I sprayed it with disinfectant awhile ago and I need to go in there and wash it out.

While Tot is here, I will have her help me sort the toys and vacuum. The living room is in dire need of organization and cleaning. My dog is getting things starting by chasing flies. He is funny, running around snapping his teeth until he catches them.

Hello everyone!

I took my recycling out this AM and.I returned the sneakers on my way home tonight. I did not want to visit my mom tonight, but I did and I'm glad I did. Busy day at work and yet nothing was accomplished.

My friend Emiko is coming over Sunday night with dinner. Bf is definitely leaving Sunday am. I'm sad but okay.

My house is a terrible mess. Cleaners come tmr instead of today b

Keep up the good work. You are doing a very good job. I'm not even treading water. But I'll get there.

Wow, SubC, you did a LOT! And it made me smile that you did the old lotions, etc, which I did recently too. There is something satisfying about being free from the old, separated stuff. Tatoulia, you too are doing a wonderful job. And spending some nice time with BF too.

I worked my brains out and now I have this evening to chill a bit. I've been just cleaning up the mess in the kitchen and trying to be thankful they are there and eating.

Tomorrow I work and then have Tot for a few hours. I think I will take her to get some watermelon and corn at the farm stand. She will like that, and they have homemade ice cream too. Sounds like just the thing for a grandma/Tot day.

Thanks for the encouragement. It helps. Normally these are things I do without a thought. Right now everything is really tough for me. OMG I had to leave my car at BF's once again because there were downpours and I am not comfortable driving.

I'm good at his house. Not sad at all. I just lie on the air mattress that he purchased for this interim period.

My house is a mess and tmr my goal is to take the sneakers back to Macys. I had two pair sent here. They hurt my feet. I did find a good pair this weekend so I'm happy with those. They are sturdy and comfortable.

Thanks for the encouragement. It helps. Normally these are things I do without a thought. Right now everything is really tough for me. OMG I had to leave my car at BF's once again because there were downpours and I am not comfortable driving.

I'm good at his house. Not sad at all. I just lie on the air mattress that he purchased for this interim period.

My house is a mess and tmr my goal is to take the sneakers back to Macys. I had two pair sent here. They hurt my feet. I did find a good pair this weekend so I'm happy with those. They are sturdy and comfortable.

Good morning!

Tatoulia, some seasons are hard. Be gentle with yourself. But yes, return the sneakers!

Lila, sadly I am not free of old lotions, etc. I have more in the vanity and in two other bathrooms.

I've been getting a slow start today. Still a little tired and sore from weight, age, and the work I've been doing.

Still, carrying on. Dh was very complimentary this morning, but he also gave me some small, garage related asks, so I will try to work on those.

Good morning!

Tatoulia, some seasons are hard. Be gentle with yourself. But yes, return the sneakers!

Lila, sadly I am not free of old lotions, etc. I have more in the vanity and in two other bathrooms.

I've been getting a slow start today. Still a little tired and sore from weight, age, and the work I've been doing.

Still, carrying on. Dh was very complimentary this morning, but he also gave me some small, garage related asks, so I will try to work on those.

Good morning!

Took a quick walk down to the basement this morning to reenvision it again. I am hopeful again about setting up areas for Bean and the littles who follow. I'm getting down to it on some of the mess in the space I'm working on. I think I may have to bring the ginormous pile from another spot over to the carpet in order to move some of the items to the area where they are piled, then sort out the new mess before I can start rearranging and setting up.

Meanwhile, the drying rack holds 12-20 pieces of packaging, which take about 24 hours to dry, so if I fill it every day, I probably won't have it all done by the 5th, but I will have made a very large dent.

I absolutely must do my work for school today! And get feed. I'm out of layer pellets.

Back later.