Tatoulia, you are doing great! And thanks for the kitty litter reminder. I just let me teen know their cat box needs cleaned and the floor around it needs swept.

SubC, I did not declutter anything yesterday but I did spend all day driving my teen to a doctor appointment out of town. So I had basically no time to do much of anything. A few phone calls and emails in the morning before we left, then when we got home, ate and decompressed and went to bed early. Today I will have something decluttered to post! You are doing great. A little bit better and cleaner every day.

Road, a clear bed is a big win! I think bringing your brother along would be a good idea to help it not be so stressful.

Speaking of the fridge, mine has not been washed out in a very long time. I have gotten into the habit of throwing out spoiled food every garbage day, so that has helped, but did not do it over Christmas as I was too overwhelmed. So I did it the other day except for the veg drawer.

Today I decluttered the spinach, lol. It was one of those huge plastic bins and I have been so busy eating cake and pizza that it was sitting there unopened for a long time. Today I pulled it out and "sorted" the spinach. For some reason about half of it was still perfectly fresh looking! Not even wilted. The other half was going bad. So I sorted the pretty, perfect leaves into a colander and threw the rest out. I washed the good leaves. And then I made myself a smoothie! It has a ton of that spinach in it, probably a good 3-4 cups, plus some frozen mango and banana. I am drinking it now, it is very good and healthy. Also sipping caffeinated coffee and took tylenol, so hopefully that will get me moving today. I did put in a small load of laundry.

CM, I really hope you win the powerball! How amazing would that be?? I have occasionally bought one myself, but not lately. It is fun to dream.

update:

I got a call and the big event is delayed for one month. I am relieved about that. It takes the pressure off, although I still need to get working on it soon.

I thought that relief would give me a better mood, but so far I am still in a cranky mood. I don't know why aside from I am upset about my weight gain but am eating cake. I know I would feel better having some fruits and veggies, but I just keep hoarding up the cake into my body and being mad about it.

Thinking more: what is frustrating me today - I have done what I can to get the referral going and am just waiting for people to do their job. It is probably going to cost me a good $75 if these people don't do their job TODAY. It's out of my control. Also, I have $10 kohls cash that expires today and I keep trying to use it on the website and getting errors. It is so frustrating.

Anyway, I went back in the master bath and organized the stuff from that cabinet, and put it back in a way I can easily find what I need. I am pleased I got that done.

Lila, put the cake down. At least long enough to eat a carrot. I'm sorry you feel bad.

I'm glad for you about the event though. I'm a little stressed about going back to school tomorrow.

The laundry was good. Finding all those supplies was good too! You can put off spending money and have kessstuff in the house.

Are you trying to spend the kohl's cash on something you need? Possibly, the $10 is not worth your energy.

I'm hoping you medical referral will get straightened out.

Back sooner catch everybody else, stuff going on.

CM, it is good to see you back., so much going on that is out of your control. I think you are making good choices where you can though.

I would say - start anywhere pick one lityle corner or an edge of a table, or your bed, and just father up trash and move things. I also think getting a kit ready to go sew is an excellent idea. You need a break.

I am so frustrated about this plumbing for you. I just don't understand how this can happen. The person responsible for the work should be ashamed.

Gotta run again.

Road, good job on cleaning.

How did the school day go?

My house is better than it was when I got up this morning.

Primarily because I took a deep breath and took a big bag of stuff to my DD's trash can. But I also kept up with myself and Dh dishes today. There still isn't enough laundry to bother, but I will run the dishwasher tonight.

One of my students gave me an art card for Christmas that I wanted to frame. When I was playing with Bean today, I looked up, and there was a frame sitting on a shelf that still had it's thrift store price on it and no photo. I stuck it in the room because the frame and mat were a good match for the room. - guess what else they were a good match for? Glass cleaned, card framed, envelope recycled.

Tomorrow I have a lot of recycling to drop off, so if I keep up with any new messes, that will be my step forward. Honestly, with school back in, I will be happy if I can just backslide less during the school week than I went forward on the weekend. - "two steps forward, one step back" is a step forward!

I don't know where to start on my clutter and messes. I feel frozen today.

The kohls cash was about to get thrown in the trash to end the frustration when I finally got a shirt to go through. I was upset because I had returned a shirt I found in my room, tags still on, and was going to use the credit plus the kohls cash to get a shirt I like better. I do need it... I got so fat my freaking clothes won't fit. I ended up getting the shirt for less than the kohls cash plus return, so that's a win, and I will have one more thing to wear.

I got my laundry put away.

Do we need some kind of declutter-a-day challenge on here where everyone shares one thing they decluttered every day?

As bad a mood I am in, it might be a great time to go through and put things in the trash. I feel like trashing things anyway so I would probably be ruthless. I will go in my room and try an area.

Lila, I'm glad the kohls cash worked out and you did not spend money!

Do you think it would help you to post a thing you decluttered each day? I am happy to support that. (Road, check the laundry)

I think that, for me, right now (and I mean RIGHT NOW, in two days it could be different) what is working best is trying to make things a little better every day. Even if they are exactly the same minus one piece of paper. Or exactly the same but I dusted a shelf.

I believe there are people who wake up in the morning sometimes, and they are not afraid they are going to open a cupboard and find mouse droppings. They have so little in their trash and recycling that it would be a waste of effort to take it out, their dishes are all clean, they don't have enough laundry to bother with a load, the food in their refrigerator is all edible, and there isn't a single surface in their house where you can write your name in the dust. And I believe that one of those people is called Tatoulia, so I believe this is possible. For us.

CM,

I appreciate everything you're saying, and relate to not having the emotional bandwidth sometimes to even do the things that actually help you feel better. I've got my eye on the 7th... that stands out like a little beacon. Maybe what you could do between now and then is prep supplies for whatever you're going to work on there. That may help ground you in some hope. And since sewing feeds your soul, you will be ticking off several boxes when you get to do some sewing. and remember you don't just have the one option. You've figured out two really good options sounds like and being able to sew again would be a great way to step into a new year.

I lost some rx's when my room was at its worst. Actually it's amazing I didn't lose 10 of them, I did find them when I finally got under my bed. I have been finding all kinds of things. Naturally, some of it is a pleasant surprise, but more often it's annoying, And I kind of roll my eyes at myself. Obviously that's not productive but that's been happening a lot. Over the years I've had those experiences like "oh, why is this here? Do I have 4 authorized storage locations for large paper clips?" But I've never gone this long and had the accumulation get so out of control before. So I. Know I will probably find 34 stashes of paper clips when all is said and done but I will really try to be forgiving of myself. All of us here are learning, growing, and striving to shift our decision making and lives in a more positive direction and we should feel proud of ourselves and each other, I feel that here and hope every else does, too!

Muaaahhh xoxox

Well I forced myself to get up and do something, although it was not much.

I put a load of laundry in the wash. Now it is in the dryer.

I tried to work in my bedroom but got SUPER overwhelmed, so instead, I went in the master bathroom and pulled everything out of one shelf in one cabinet. I have not gotten in there in like 6 years. I am out of deodorant and using an old travel sized one, so in the "spend nothing" mindset, I did this cabinet. And YES I found one new deodorant in there, plus some toothpaste which I am almost out of. So I am set on those things.

I also found a Pedicure thing someone gave me 3 or 4 years ago, never opened. I put it in the donate bin.

I saw a lot of things in there I can use now: hair products, bath salts, bath scrubbies. All of the stuff is out on the floor now. I needed to walk away. When I am ready I will go back and put it all away in an organize fashion. At least I know I do not need to buy shampoo, body wash, or lotion for a long time.

Now I am mopeing around waiting to hear about that project.

I went to church, then ran errands, then came home and cooked. Now I am tired. Family is coming over (last one for the holidays) and I asked the husband to help with dinner but he declined. So I have to go back out to the store and get things and cook dinner too. Annoyed. But whatever.

I got very little sleep last night, tossed and turned and my arthritis hurt. I hope tonight is better. I don't sleep well if I eat past about 6.

I am a bit grumpy today but was happy this morning.

I feel burned out on decluttering. So might not do much if any today. I need better energy to get anything done. I might take a sleep aid tonight and go to bed early.

Good to see the active postings!

I took the recycling out to the bin. There was a lot. I m not sure why so much. I started to gather up the garbage and will clean kitty's box tomorrow. She gets all new litter and a box cleaning twice a week. Apartment living with a cat.

I stopped at mom's. I dropped off the bread I bought her. I went for a walk. Now I have to make dinner. Christmas stuff still on dining table Need to go into closet to get everything put away.

Will write Christmas cards now.

Lila, there were months when I didn't make any decluttering progress. Sometimes you just have to sit with things. I hope you enjoy dinner with your family.

If I couldn't eat after 6 I would starve. Mondays I get home about 5:45, and tu/w/f it's 6:15 at best. Thursdays are either dinner at Bean's house or dinner at 9:30+, and on w/f I get no lunch.

Hi Tatoulia! Kitty says thank you. 😉

All the thank you notes are ready to mail or deliver on Tuesday (admin says the name was an error - she is a student, we have 5 teachers with my first name)

The moth/mouse items from the basement closet are double bagged and ready to drop in DD's trash tomorrow. I am just trying not to think about it.

Dh washed his items and I put the dinner dishes in the dishwasher and I added some packaging that needs to be rinsed for recycling to the scullery (I can't rinse it because there is no room for it to dry until the stuff I rinsed out this morning is done drying - net progress today though)

I am still using the dining porch and scullery as staging areas. Maybe I can stop that by Imbolc? Ambitious, but worth attempting.

I got the dishwasher loaded and it's running. Getting everything ready for dinner in an hour. My son finally got up so he can help me. It will be a fun night.

I think I figured out why I feel so grumpy and irritable. Yes, lack of sleep. And, lack of alone time. I am a major introvert and since I was with family entertaining yesterday, at church this morning, and having family again this evening, I am wishing for some quiet time. I have to take my teen to an appointment an hour and a half away on Tuesday and it is predicted to snow a lot so I am a bit concerned about that. But tomorrow I should be able to be home and not deal with anyone. I do have a bunch of phone calls I have to make though. And then it's going to be back to regular stuff.

I have no energy. Due to Christmas, New Years, parties etc my eating has been not great. Too much sugar and heavy food and carbs. Tomorrow I start back on my lighter, healthier plant based meals. I bet I will feel better without all this sugar and carbs in my system.

Lila, I hope you get some rest and some alone time tomorrow.

My house is better than it was when I got up this morning.

I took some time this evening for yoga and a hot shower and am in my favorite pajamas.

Belated Happy New Year...

I kept wanting to post but things just were very disjointed and it was difficult to find time and/or be settled enough.

Tuesday the 27th was the date of my friend's funeral and I was trying to figure out whether I felt up to going. I've got this extra anxiety thing in addition to the agoraphobia about traveling out of town at all, regarding leaving the pets with no one set up to look in on them when my roommate and I would both be out of town at the same time. I call it the "designated survivor" dilemma.

Yes, I am actually that morbid about travel, imagining the worst and all the pets wondering where we are, getting hungry, etc. Since Covid and the rifts in the bunny club, it is harder to get anyone to be the backup person. Also, I looked up on Google Maps the route and the area - it just seemed so middle of nowhere, few towns, and too much emptiness with no place to turn for help is an agoraphobia trigger.

So, I ended up staying at home. The other friend who totally gets it about anxiety was supportive of my decision. She at least was going into it with her husband and their RV there. So we communicated via text and supported each other. I found some of the songs on YouTube. I cried quite a bit.

And while it was going on, in another part of the house my roommate had been in touch with the bunny club, so we ended up going over and finding a new female bunny. On the way back, we ran into our repair guy. He's still had a lot going on but is beginning to get back in the swing, yet not completely - more on that later.

The new bunny was brought over on Thursday. She's big and sweet and a bit shy but settling in.

We were also contemplating the fact that a winter storm was to hit Friday/yesterday. I found it stressful and depressing. A 52 degree temperature drop, ice, a dusting of snow - yuck. It did end and I was able to make it to church this morning and by tomorrow temps will have moderated. So I'm relieved.

More people I know about getting Covid including vaccinated. My roommate was going to leave on Friday to see her family hoping to beat the winter storm getting there, but then someone from another state had a family member positive so roommate decided to stay home. Friday evening was kind of sad and anxious around here, roommate has been having some heart problems and the stress was bouncing back and forth between us because of my own overload and worries. But we got calmer and she went to bed and I stayed up with the bunnies to make sure fireworks wouldn't scare them. And tomorrow she will be able to get in touch with her doctor. Hopefully just needs a medication adjustment, I pray so.

There have been other happenings, but so many varied things I can't recall them all. Our repair guy thought he was going to do something on Friday to give us a temporary plumbing fix, but that fell through. Still, at least we have been in touch with him; for awhile we knew nothing at all.

Onward into 2022, one way or another. I'm going to start planning my attack on the things I'm behind on, whether that's the planning itself (because I don't know which end is up, so some things I need to write out) or the execution of the plans. Around whatever the weather may bring. But at least no more holiday traffic and crowds, yay. That will make many things easier.

Just treading water, basically.

Hey CM, so happy to see your post!

Sounds like there's been a lot to navigate - especially with the funeral amidst the holidays... I know connecting with your friend was one of your main goals in going so I'm glad you found a way to do that even though it wasn't in person.

I'm still working on getting this kid up and grooving for first day at school so I will fly.But interesting development - my brother told me yesterday he wanted to host a family get together Sunday and he wanted to do our clean & text thing this morning. What is happening?! Lol I don't know but it's a good thing.

Later,

Ladies, after the way the end of 2021 chewed me up emotionally and spit me out, I'm trying to get my bearings. Clutter is still part of the overall group of large concerns in my life, and I'm trying to think of it as a form of occupational therapy to focus on in the weeks and months ahead!

The challenge, as always, is knowing where to begin. So many things have just been flung everywhere, during the time when the daily routine was so thrown off by the plumbing problem (as yet unresolved) but it's a curious thing how people do adapt to weird situations. Morning trips to places with restrooms have now been integrated into my roommate's and my routines just like anything else. We take off in our own cars because we have different preferences of where to go; she has liked to go to McDonald's and sit and have breakfast there, whilst I may or may not need to go right away and so I'll feed the bunnies and cats while I have the house to myself.

There had been a time when we feared we'd not be able to wash dishes here (by hand, there is no dishwasher, and I never used one much because with my OCD I prefer to see exactly what's happening and leave no bits of food on dishes, I know the newer dishwashers are supposed to be better but I still remember the old ones that weren't very efficient). So anyway, I have been using paper plates and bowls sometimes, got some holiday themed ones. Sometimes I just eat finger food anyway.

But then I get forgetful and find some of the paper plates and napkins that need to be tossed. Other junk too gets jumbled in. I hate the mess. Right now I don't know if I picked up one of my Rx's and have misplaced it. And if I did, trying to explain that to the doctor's office and the pharmacy will be a pain in the rear. At least it's not the xanax which is a controlled substance.

I'll look online and see if it shows that I picked it up. The Rx's have been harder to track since I see this doctor online only. I used to get paper scripts at her office so I could know what was going on, but nowadays they want you to call the pharmacy first, and that leads to more snarls because the pharmacy isn't always good at letting you know if there's a delay, or what. I don't like that system. It gives me more memory hassles.

The bunny club will hopefully have a fresh start with the new year, the people who were unhappy will rotate off the board. It may not be pleasant, or it may just happen quietly - praying for the latter! That was one of the big stresses for awhile.

Wish so much that I could win the lottery and give my roommate money to retire and buy herself a different house with working utilities, buy myself a nice little house as well and an art studio, give the bunny club a building... the list goes on. Oh, and I would hire myself a personal assistant to keep me on track instead of having to rely on my Swiss cheese memory! LOL, a gal can dream.

One good thing happened that I forgot to mention - the other day I was near this sewing store not too far away and decided to go in, and inspiration struck me to ask them if they knew of anyplace I could possibly go to find work space. Well, just so happens they have open studio every other Friday, for five bucks, which is not bad at all. The first one is the 7th! I'm so disorganized at the moment I'm not even sure what to begin with, but I'll find something.

I think, too, that my idea of going down in the church basement would be helpful, if I remember correctly the secretary said it'd be okay and the quilts will be for the church anyway. So between those two I should be able to get rolling again. And at some point I'll have the small spaces here at the house to where I can do some sewing and crafts. The biggest hangup here has been my roommate working from home - the places where I used to set up the ironing board or sit down to sew are sometimes too close to where she's on her computer and having meetings and conversations.

But I am happy for her that she has been able to keep working from home; the commute had been so awful for her and this plumbing issue would make it practically impossible. She would suffer from winter depression having to leave and return home in the dark, and she would always come down with bad flu and bronchitis. Not to mention Covid risks nowadays.

I feel bad that sometimes I've been cranky about it, though; I'm resolved to be more willing to sacrifice and take one for the team. It's hard fitting my life and routines in around someone else's that are often different and conflicting, in a too small space. But until I can figure out a way to bring in a steady income and move out, this is just how it is and I've got to put on my big girl panties and deal. And pray for the grace to have a good attitude! I've realized my complaining causes her stress and with her heart problem I don't want to have something bad happen and feel guilt for the rest of my life.

I'm being pretty frank here, but this is what has been going on and much more such as my friend's death. I feel pretty isolated in the world - if my confidante friends including my roommate become incapacitated or worse, and here I am with my anxiety, it wouldn't be pretty. Gotta come up with a game plan. When I reach the end of my rope tie a knot and say many prayers. All that stuff. I don't want to go back into therapy because I had some not so great experiences with it and besides I pretty much know the tools for coping. I've just got to make things work, find hidden wells of inner strength, have faith, etc.

And like I said, do the decluttering and the creative things and they will give me a sense of purpose and structure. More later. Hang in there y'all.

hi CM! It's good to see you back and posting. I enjoy reading your posts. I relate to a lot of what you say.

I am in such and awful, cranky mood. I did get enough sleep last night, but this morning was making a few calls etc and when the referral for my teen was not done correctly and has to be redone, I almost cried. I mean why can't people just do their jobs? I always have to follow up like people are little kids and make them do it right. I had to call the Dr office again and try to get them to do the referral correctly. If it is not done it is going to cost me $$$. I literally almost cried on the phone and feel like crying now. I don't know why I am so emotional.

I am getting my alone time and usually that makes me relaxed and happy. Why am I in such a sad/cranky weird mood??

Anyway, I am drinking some caffeinated coffee now, taking a deep breath and will do something. I don't know what. It is icy and snowing and I am staying inside.

One thing I am hoping for is that a huge project I am in charge of gets cancelled or moved to spring. I fin out in about an hour whether my superiors decide to run it or postpone it. This is something I usually love doing but am struggling with now. I have a commitment on this one that I cannot break, so if they go ahead with it I have to start REALLY working hard asap...today and tomorrow. I really really hope they delay it... oh please. That would put me in SUCH a better mood.

Hi guys,

CM, can't wait to read your post...

Just popping my head in to say I did a little cleaning this am. After wasting quite a few hours I dug in to try to get my standing desk cleared. I stashed and dashed a little but I did sort through four trays of sorted junk. Cleaned those four trays and threw a broken one away. I personally witnessed the wrapping paper and topless bins going into the truck. Also assessed the table. It looks like it broke and warped but it might just be the pvc extender leg things that are broken. I will have to clear the rest of it to find out. But for now the printer is back out of the aisle so that's good. I cleaned up quite a bit of the "Christmas crush" mess yesterday and my goal now is to be able to walk from my bedroom door to the opposite wall without having to contort myself. Lol.

Back later,

Lemon pigs?! I must know. I'm going back...

Sorry I keep posting but I won't remember things otherwise.

Can anyone recommend what they're using for deodorizer? Both bathroom and for general odors... Musty etc,

I bought some of those plastic jars of whatever that stuff is (the dries up)... those defn. Help but I notice my front closet stinks again and I did actually clean it out this time. Ok, well, I emptied it out and swept it. God forbid I should was a floor. Lol

Road, I like your posting.

Most "deodorizers" aren't deodorizer, they're perfume to cover up scents. If stuff is actually clean, it won't need "deodorizing"

I am anti chemical and most perfume scents make it hard for me to breath (scented candles ug!) so my favorite deodorizers are soap, vinegar, baking soda (does absorb odor), bleach, alcohol, and open windows (not so good right now).

My favorite perfumes are flowers, evergreen branches, baking anything, orange peel, cinnamon and cloves in a pot on the woodstove, dried lavender, cedar, and empty vanilla or mint extract bottles.

I read buried in treasures a long time ago.

Laundry update:
There is not enough dirty laundry to do a load
The washing machine is empty
The dryer is empty
There are a few items hanging or laying out to dry
All clean dry laundry is put away
All beds have clean sheets (counting the ones we slept on only last night)

Dish update:
The clean, dry dishes are put away
The draining rack is partly full
The kitchen sink is empty
There are a few things on the kitchen counter that it is Dh job to wash
Half the scullery sink is full and the scullery contains many things I need to handwash
Everything that can go in the dishwasher is loaded, but it is far from full.

Moth update:
Still avoiding.

SubC, that's a good idea. I will think of something to remind me and put it on my dash. For me, being careful with my money and what I put in my body is a spiritual thing so maybe a small token to remind me.

Road, my husband has not said one word about my progress. My adult kids and dil have come over and commented on WOW how clean, how organized, etc in the main area. He has not said a word. When I uncluttered that downstairs space he also did not say anything. Except maybe "where is my (fill in the blank)?" He never says anything about it when I clean, or decorate one way or the other. When I was sick, I could not clean anything and he never said a word about the terrible state the house got into, and never offered to help. So, he is pretty oblivious, I guess.

Road! I have this very cool deodorizer that is natural. It's called Citrus Magic and comes in several scents. I get it online. I love the smell of oranges and lemons so I get those scents. But they have floral etc as well. But yeah, I have to clean first so it's not just masking. I also have an infuser for essential oils that I use. We have rose, cedar, pine etc and it is nice. A few drops in the infuser makes it smell nice in here.

Okay I'm having second cup of coffee. Laundry is in the dryer. I've put some things away and cleaned other things. I want to emphasize that it's been a dark, dank weekend and it's not like I sacrificed a walk in beautiful weather. I'll still get my wok in after I go to mom's. I will have so much trash and recycling for tomorrow night and I cannot wait.

Okay g oiling to write out my pathetic Christmas cards now.

Hi all, checking in - we are in the midst of cleaning and me feathers are ruffled so I came in to smooth them... deep breaths...

Progress!

It has been dark and dank here as well.

I have finished all but two thank you notes - one to my aunt - which I will need to mail, and one mystery note - my school offers the option of contributing to a cash gift for the teachers, and there was one name on my card that I do not know. I have a student who matches the first name, but it is not an uncommon first name, and I have no students who have that last name. I am guessing it is a parent who has a different last name from her child. I sent an email to the appropriate admin asking for clarification.

I tossed a moldy lemon slice from the fridge and found a half cup of ice cream left in a freezer container - which I ate. The fridge is thinning out finally, and we may need groceries soon.

Dd said I can put a big bag in their trash, so that is my next major challenge. I think I will put away the two baskets of laundry still sitting around from yesterday first.

All I need to complete an unpleasant task is a more unpleasant task to avoid..

Subc, interesting thought about the zones.

Tatoulia, when you said you were posting that the 5 minute thing made you happy and wanted to remember that feeling, that really resonated with me. I think that's a big challenge for me. I think a lot of people who "naturally" keep things clean Both dislike things being messy and are very in touch with how it feels when things are clean. I have negative associations with cleaning (because of my dad) (and maybe a little bit because of allergies), and I guess I am comforted by a certain amt. of clutter. I think it makes a lot of sense to keep that positive association with cleaning right in front of us. I almost want to roll my eyes when I type that but I know it's the truth...

Update - I got the dogs and kid fed, the H got some new under bed boxes and then proceeded to almost ruin them by cramming them in too tight of a space. <<respect the sterilite!!!>> new mantra. But we did get rid of the two stupid boxes with no lids. Well, we will see if he actually disposes of them. <end snark> I reorganized the ribbons a little. I am pretty sure I am still missing bags of ribbons and gift bags - prob got stowed in a Christmas box in the basement somewhere. I tossed two perfectly good rolls of wrapping paper because they were ugly. I got a clean fitted sheet in the size box I thought would work to store my linens in my room but I think it is probably too small... but it's a step in the right direction. And I got all the laundry in the basket and the basket moved into the hall. Looking around at the mess on the bed and the floor trying to figure out what to do next...

Sub c, so true about the more unpleasant task being motivating! Gave me a good chuckle.

Lila, it must be incredibly frustrating that your husband was able to rehoard so fast after you cleaned it. What does he think of your progress? I'm very curious to know what he's said if anything.

My husband (who does not have a hoarding issue but who does sometimes undermine my efforts to dehoard) seems to get more and more extreme over what he considers acceptable. To me, if the living room is clean (picked up) and I have my purse on the sofa ? that shouldn't bother him, but it does. Same with the dining room. I feel like if the rest of the room is picked up and there's a couple days clutter on the dining room table that should be ok. That's what you deal with when company is coming over. I would actually think it was odd if I went to a friends and they didn't have some clutter on the kitchen counter or dining room table. I fully admit the kitchen clutter with the pile up of spices and oils not put away is too much. I don't like paperwork or hardware left on the counter, either (that's his contribution to the clutter). And honestly, if he wasn't here the stuff would pile up more than just a few days on the dining room table. I just don't think the only acceptAble level of "clean" should be "nothing out of place."

Anyway, I was getting around to recommending the book "buried in treasures" again. Who here has read that? I'm about a third of the way through. Need to get back to it. Anyway, I highly recommend it. It's definitely motivational but is also validating.

part 2 -

I am busy cooking and taking breaks in between. We always have a big family dinner for New Year's Day with all my family here. I make a rib roast with potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, and salad. The rolls are raising, the roast is warming to room temp. I also need to go out and pick up the cake (I am baking a cake later this week for a family birthday, so this one is bought). I so enjoy this traditional meal with the family.

So I will nee to clear the kitchen table, which should take 5 minutes, and at least part of the bar counter, which stresses me out and might take longer or end up being a stash n dash. Throw it all in a box and shove it in my room. I loved like this for decades. That's why my room is how it is. So with that thought, I have a couple hours before people begin to arrive, so I will try and actually put things where they belong. Maybe the bar counter will end up a 5 minute miracle?? It looks more like a 25 minute annoyance.