Hello Tillie and Anony! Tillie I liked your advice the doing something "permanent" --good reminder. I'm
Doing laundry and done dusting today and it is endless. That and shredding papers. Will I ever be done?

Windy day here. Beautiful weekend. Sunshine! So nice.

Going to follow your advice and put some music on tonight just to see what I can accomplish while dancing.

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
That was actually a couple of days worth of stuff done.
What kind of help are you needing right now?
A suggestion...
Do one little thing that you will never have to do again once it's done.
Donating or tossing something, fixing something, mailing something or paying a bill, or simply making a final decision about something are things that once you do it they are done forever.
I find this much more satisfying than washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning litter boxes or any other routine tasks because we still have to do these again and again forever and ever.
Sure, things will still break and need fixing and new bills will always need to be paid and trash will still need to be tossed but those are in the future and we will get to them later.
But right now there are things we can do that once they are done they are done forever.
I enjoy the feeling of having done something and knowing it's over and done with forever. 😀

Sorry about the rambling...

Wow, Tillie...id love to accomplish in a month, what you do in a day?!! I am amazed! My phone hasnt let me read posts lately without a magnifying glass....plus ive been trying to find the humor in my mess, instead of just cleaning it....im back to wanting help with it....

Good Morning 🙂

Last few days have been a whirlwind of activity & happenings here.
A lot of positive things have been accomplished and a lot of obstacles have been overcome.
Got the evaporative cooler all set up and ready to run, so the weather has gotten extremely cold again.
It's like Winter refuses to completely leave.
Somebody ran into the power line and knocked out all the electric power, they finally fixed that.
Got my garden nicely weeded and now my body hurts, but only when I try to move.
Bought groceries, made more potato salad.
Finished sewing a summertime dress, maybe it will warm up enough to actually wear it someday.
Have a list of plans for the coming week, wonder what unexpected events will try to throw me off course?

🙂

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th. ;/

Have my grocery list all written up and plan to go into town today.
Really, really don't want to but now we're running out of cat snacks. 🙁
Tomorrow's plan is to sit quietly in my garden and pick millions of weeds that have sprung up.

Missing you all

Good Morning Everyone
where ever you may be 🙂

Since I stored away a lot of Winter blankets, clothes and space heaters, it has been getting rather chilly here over night.
I will try to enjoy it for now because at any time now it will get very HOT here.
LOL 😀
Finally got him to mow the 10 to 12 inch tall grass yesterday afternoon so today I can spread some "Turf Builder" on the lawn and do some watering.
The rain we had was beautiful in this drought stricken area but it was not a deep watering like the trees and bushes need.
The cats are all mad at me.
I refuse to open the door and let them all go outside.
The yard is filled with tiny baby birds and teeny tiny baby bunnies.
Of course the cats believe these are just the most wonderful cat toys ever!
The cats can be mad at me all they want, I will NOT open the door for them. 😉
Running out of people food here but not wanting to go into town.
The fridge is empty except for some pickles and catsup.
Still have some nonperishable food in the pantry, so I won't starve.
Last night for supper I had a can of cream corn. lol
Found a package of raspberry jello and a can of sliced peaches that I will put together to tide me over for another day or two.

Enough of this insane rambling...

What are you all up to these days? 😀

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Sounds like you had a lovely day antiquing and socializing. 😀
Karl is renting a room in a house with lots of other people and the cleaning service is part of their arrangement with the landlord.
Sorry your Mother hates it. Some people (me, myself included) just really hate the idea of having a stranger come into our homes and clean.
😉

Time for me to get back to what I was doing around here.
I just really hate it when all my plans, schedules and projects are all screwed up and ruined by someone else's ideas of what I should be, could be doing with my time and energy.
He never asks me if I would like to spend my time doing these things, he just tries to dump these projects onto me.
I feel that if he decides to accept these obligations, he should be prepared to do all the work involved.
Anyways...
The baby sparrow that Marty (the cat) gently carried and placed at his feet is now safely returned to it's nest (?) where the parent birds are diligently feeding and caring for it.
;P
But honestly, I still feel that he should have been the one to keep the baby bird safe and warm all night long. At sunrise he should have been the one who cleared away enough of his clutter to safely put up the ladder and then climb all the way to the top to access the nest.
And he should have spent all afternoon checking that the baby bird was accepted and being cared for by the parent birds.
Rant over...
Sunny but cold today so I will do some laundry.

😀 TTYS

Hello everyone! Great job, CM, on working on your storage space. So pleased for you! I like your thought process on getting rid of the frames--congratulations!

Karl, I'm glad you have a cleaning lady now. I'm not sure of your living situation -- are you renting a room that comes with housekeeping services? Are you renting a house with friends and you split the cost of s cleaner? In any event, I hope you get good use out of the cleaner. I have one for my hoarder-tendency mother and although my mother tries to resist the weekly visits, it is nice that her bathroom is always clean (and the litter box is cleaned too!) and her floors are vacuumed. But still, I see the stress on my mother's face so I realize it's not the blessing I imagine it to be.

Tillie--a good thunderstorm is always fun, isn't it? I had a cat as a youngster who was cool as a cucumber during the weather--not like my scaredy-cat I have now.

Had a beautiful day yesterday -- antiquing and lunch with mom, then dinner with BF and some overseas friends. Terrific, satisfying day. Am doing scads of laundry today.

Wishing you all a good day!!

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Karl 🙂
WTG! for finding that card and sending off the promised information. And a special WTG! for tossing the card afterwards! 😀
Hope your landlady was a little more specific as to what the cleaners were complaining about.
It is always easier to fix a problem when we know exactly what the problem is. ;/

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
FANTASTIC!!!! 😀
You are doing GREAT!!!
A local artist here will finish a painting first, then go around to thrift shops to find a frame for it.
He says he can always find a frame that suits his needs this way.

Been rainy the last few days and still raining today. 😀
Going to be a lot of desert weeds and rabbit grass this summer.
Maybe (fingers crossed) the drought is ending.
Hope, hope, hope...

TTYS 😀

Hi everyone,

Chipping away at more of the storage unit! We had had two nice days with little to no wind predicted, Thursday and Friday. There were holdups on Thursday but I did make it out there by midafternoon. I got an estimated 4-6 cubic feet more stuff gone! Decided to let go of two boxes of picture frames. Those were a "someday I might use these with my art" thing. But I tend to like the "gallery wrap" frameless look that's trending, so when I do get back to doing paintings on canvas that's more likely the route I'll take. And even if I do want a frame here and there, it's that principle of letting someone else use these frames now and by then I'll get a new one - IF and only if I am immediately using it for a current painting! New life, new rules!

The rest of the stuff was just miscellaneous I grabbed and stuffed into bags. Just made it to the DAV in time and though they don't usually accept donations within the hour before closing (note to self, remember that next time), the lady was kind enough to take the stuff so I didn't have to haul it around.

Inside the storage unit itself, in small places here and there, I've begun to get things at 90-degree angles again. Standing upright or stacked flat instead of leaning precariously like some mad pick-up-sticks game. That makes me very happy.

I was hoping to get out there Friday but my van was being repaired - thankfully not a huge $$$ costly thing. I did some miscellaneous catching up at home and in the garden, though, so still felt like I used my time well. Yesterday was more windy and I did errands. Today is predicted to have strong storms later.

Tillie, you are so right in that our decluttering project can seem like a demanding taskmaster - but only if we allow it to! And stopping on a positive note is a good idea. I like to write and there's that advice given to writers to stop for the day in the middle of a sentence or paragraph (especially one that is going well, or is a cliffhanger) so you can look forward to picking up the next writing session. 🙂

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, including those who like me have furbaby children. 😉

Landlady came by for an inspection today. I think I could have legally refused -- the lease doesn't have any provision for inspection, and California law doesn't allow it by default -- but I didn't want to make waves.

She said that the cleaners have been unable to reach everywhere they'd like, so I guess I need to clear more floor space to make them happy. I did some of that this morning in preparation for the inspection, and hope to get more done by the time the next cleaning day rolls around.

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Woke up at about 4:30am because of rain with thunder.
Just laid there enjoying listening to it. 😀
Probably won't be doing outside stuff today.
Cats will complain about it being wet, demanding I do something about it.
Thinking about doing some sewing.
YEA!!! I love rainy days!! 😀

Hello Everybody 😀

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
You are so very welcome (((hugs)))
WAY TO GO!!! 😀
You did FANTASTIC!!!
Sounds like you had a lot of fun, that makes me happy to hear. 😀

Since I was thinking about jobs that I dread,
first thing this morning I got out and tackled the worst one.
This involved going into the hoarded garage of horror.
Moving half a ton of his stuff out of the way and getting to my cupboard where I store my portable electric heaters during the Summer.
Got the heaters stored all safe & sound and no reason to have to venture in there again until next Autumn. 😀
Then the cats and I spent lots of time outside having fun until the wind started raging and caused a BIG dust storm so we all came inside and took a nap.

Sweet dreams Everyone 🙂

I put on some music and puttered in the kitchen tonight! I haven't puttered in a long time and it was great! Dancing, putting away the clean dishes and refilling the dishwasher, did a load of gentle laundry and changed out all of kitty's dishes. Thanks, Tillie, for getting me moving tonight!

Hello to everyone--thinking of you all--Diane, LR, Roxie, Bitsy, CM, Carl, and everyone else.

Oh Tillie, thank you for giving so much of yourself to me.

Hi Tatoulia 🙂

And most important...
When decluttering or doing any major deep clearing and cleaning
ALWAYS stop work on a positive note!
Do not keep pushing yourself to keep going after you have become tired/burned out.
This will help keep you from dreading and resisting starting the task again.

Hope that is helpful (((hugs))) 🙂

And with you as well, Tillie

Wishing everyone a good day. Here's a question that I am asking myself today--if I am happier when my house is clean, why don't I clean it more often? I'm not joking. I don't understand why I don't put two and two together here.

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Diane 🙂
Wishing you a good day today with your helper there.
So happy you got away for a day! 😀
Remember to pack food for this next over night outing.
WAY TO GO!!! for maintenance and working in the craft room! 😀

Rain predicted for the next several days.
Cloudy today, really hope we get the rain.
More often than not, the rain falls in the mountains and foothills and never falls here. 🙁
I have some fabric and patterns. Thinking today I will start on another sewing project.
This time it will be a summertime dress.

May the 4th. be with you 😉

Hello all.
Tillie I did run away from home yesterday, whole day out in the hills by a river, forgot to bring lunch, did have lots of drinking water, just a beautiful day.
Today got some things done, helper here tomorrow morning. cleaned toilets this morning, worked in craft room short time. After I spilled a blueberry smoothie in garage on a carpet, lost my ambition. It rained some today and will tomorrow, then clear up. Plan to have my first overnighter in the pickup Friday or Saturday, will be fun to do a test run.

Good Morning 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Glad everything went well 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! for bathroom maintenance 😀

A good way to get going on sorting out what to keep and what to discard is to break it down into different categories and focus on only one type of items at a time.
example...
a whole linen closet can be too overwhelming
so you only sort out the washcloths
then later sort out just the hand towels
and so on...
Eventually the whole linen closet will be sorted out.
Hope that helps. 🙂

Just now 6:00am here.
Been up since 4:30 🙁
Cats were fussing because they heard a scary noise outside and wouldn't settle down.
Started some laundry.
Cats want canned food right NOW!!!
Too bad for them, they can wait a little longer. 😉
Have a million things I could do to today
just need to decide what I feel like doing 😀

Hello everyone! My trip went well and kittycat was in great shape when I got home.

I am struggling with getting rid of stuff. I have too much. I need to get back in the swing of saying goodbye to stuff.

Diane I am so proud and amazed! Good work. That was a real sock to the gut that the person was marveling at all that was left. Believe me, we can 'see' your progress and your empty spaces!

Tillie, I'm going to clean the bathroom today. I did it about ten days ago for the plumber and maintenance is needed

Much love, I feel cranky and upset but am sure this will pass

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Morning tea toast to Roxie "CLINK!" 😀

Hi Diane 🙂

Hi Karl 🙂
YEA!!! that you made it in time in spite of the flat tire! 😀
For you, bike maintenance is a major priority since it is your best mode of transportation.
Good Luck getting it all repaired. 🙂

Have no real plans for today.
Yesterday I spent a lot of time outdoors, watered everything since the rain did not do a good job of it.
Think I will just putter around here, doing a little bit of this and that.

TTYS 🙂

I thought Sunday was going to be a stay-at-home day, working on cleaning tasks and attending the support meet, but when I checked the calendar I realized that there was another event to attend, after all. So, the stay-at-home day will be Monday instead.

I did make it to the event on schedule, despite multiple bicycle problems. I managed to fix a flat tire in 13 minutes. The kickstand reattachment and lamp battery replacement will be added to my to-do list.

Thanks Tillie, I always consider your suggestions, seems they always point me in the right direction. Love your suggestion, thanks for always being here for me.

Hi Diane 🙂
Here is my suggestion for helping you get your motivation back...
Pack up a picnic lunch, bring plenty of water to drink.
Put a blanket and a chair in the truck.
Head out to some lovely little place nearby out in the country.
Sit quietly and enjoy just being.
You have earned and deserve this "me time"
away from it all.
Hope you consider my suggestion 🙂
(((hugs)))

Thanks for the encouragement Tillie, much needed. Second dog went home today, dogs owner wanted to see my progress, it was difficult having her come in, she is a minimalist. She was happy for my progress. She said she was amazed at how much stuff I still had, ouch, gut wrenching. She kept wanting to stay and look at stuff, it was not comfortable. By the time she left I felt drained and down on myself.
I goofed around in the yard most of the day. did wash dishes, a little vacuuming, but no decluttering. Hope I get my motivation back soon.

Hi Diane 🙂
WAY TO GO!!!
For all your plans & actions! 😀
FANTASTIC! that the closet is still organized and you are able to easily switch out the seasonal clothes!
That craft room has come a long way.
Keep remembering to look at all you have already accomplished.
You CAN do this! 😀
Glad your helper will be coming by, you always seem to dread it but afterward are happy with the results.
Loading up and moving out the donations as soon as possible gives us a chance to see the newly cleared space and get a feeling of
"a job well done" 🙂
Happy you have had loaner dogs for companionship.
(((hugs)))

Hello Cory
Thank you for posting this.

So very sad to hear about this. 🙁
Sheryl is such a generous, loving sweetheart.
She is also a person with a strong will, a fighter who doesn't back down when she sets her mind to it.
All my love and prayers go out to her and her family and friends.
((((((HUGS))))))

Hi All, I am sure many of you know our good friend Sheryl McGrath who used to help out on the support group every Sunday with me. Her son reached out to me to let me know she could use our support, strength, prayers, and love right now, and every little bit helps!

Donate to Sheryl

Thanks Tillie, yes I feel burned out, as well as afraid I will never finish that room. Helper is coming Wednesday no matter what great excuses I come up with. Second dog came yesterday, so had to keep an eye on them both. First dog goes home this afternoon, then I am going to pull a Tillie, and go to the store. Not sure why a red line is going under everything I type? Plan to vacuum after second dog leaves Sunday. Still have not washed dishes. Been outside finding rocks to cut, plan to buy a quality diamond rock blade for my saw today and a dremel flex shaft attachment this afternoon after first dog leaves. That is my planned reward for selling RV. Plan to try cutting rock with good blade then decide if I want to continue or sell saw. Today I organized some of my polished rocks, time to figure out what to do with them before I get buried in pretties. Sunny here finally without wind for a change. If I load donations in car, think I will feel better, really do not like looking at stuff I may want to keep, easier if out of here.
The goth woman may be going to brighten up her wardrobe!!!! I put some sleeveless tops in closet this morning and moved some winter ones, tiny little closet. Remains organized, another miracle