Happy Leap Year Day, everyone! If you haven't seen the adorable Google bunny graphic for today you really should. It's so cute.

Let's see . . . much to comment on . . .

Diane, you are smokin'! 😀 Keep going, you're an inspiration to us all!

"just because you may someday find a use for something doesn't mean you need it." --Tatoulia, you speak the truth! I'm one of those creative crafty sorts for whom this is a definite pitfall. I've gotten so much into seeing alternative uses for things that sometimes I see them before I see the ordinary conventional uses!

I don't want to give this creative spark up completely, but I do need to form a new mental habit. From now on, I'm submitting Creative Brain Lobe's sparkly inspirations to the sober analysis and discretion of the Sensible Anti-Hoarding Lobe Committee. The Committee will acknowledge Creative's suggestions and promise to get back to her, advising patience due to the backlog of ideas that have already been submitted. It could take months or years for the Sensible Committee to hand down a ruling for or against each idea, but we're not gonna tell Creative Lobe that, it'll just make her antsy. 😉 LOL!

Now as to progress in the actual world outside of my skull - did I already mention that a couple weeks ago I got two boxes and one grocery bag of books to the DAV? I might have already reported on this so if I did, sorry for the repeat. It felt very good to get rid of those books; they were ones I'd bought when on sprees at book sales but that recently I thought "I'm not really as into those as I thought I'd be." And I have other books I want to read way more anyhow. So Bye-Bye Books, have a nice life with somebody else.

This week I have to prepare some paperwork to take to a doctor appointment on Friday. It may be done as early as today or it may take a little longer. Once it's done, I need to focus on decluttering my bedroom because my roommate will have the termite man come to inspect sometime in March. After those two big pushes, I'll have time to go out to the storage unit and pull out more stuff to part with provided this spring weather holds.

Hi Everybody 🙂

Hi Diane 🙂
Thank you.
I find it easier to take care of the bigger stuff than those little piles of stuff that always seem to accumulate. lol 🙂
WTG! for dishes & sorting and playing outside! 😀
So FANTASTIC! to hear you are finally finished sorting out the clothes.
I remember back when you could not even get to the closet to put stuff away because there were too many clothes.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
(((HUGS)))
Sorry to hear about the difficulties you have trying to keep your Mom in a safe environment.
Way To Go! for everything you have been doing. (((hugs))) 🙂

Monday morning, again...
I have a bad case of the "I don't wannas".
Don't wanna clean house.
Don't wanna do nothin.
It's like "why bother?"
Maybe I should get out and sit in the sunshine today.

happy music

Worked on mom's place yesterday. Just as I arrived, the firefighters were leaving--she'd fallen and they came to pick her up. I managed to get two bags of garbage together and a half a bag of donations. She has enough yarn to last several lifetimes. She won't let me deal with any of it. A year ago we had the professional organizers in but since them she's pulled so much stuff out of the closets. There are bins and bags of yarn everywhere. I did consolidate two boxes of papers and books into one and made a box of books to be donated but there's just too much stuff and it's a struggle. I kept telling her what I tell myself, just because you may someday find a use for something doesn't mean you need it.

So difficult. There's stuff everywhere. It had been reasonable. She hasn't added anything new, she's just been pulling out old stuff.

I hate seeing her live that way. So I will chip. away and try to get her to live a little better. Now I need to apply my advice on myself. Suddenly not so easy. 😉

Tillie, a hoarder looks at everything as having possibilities, not based on facts. It is wonderful that progress is being made.
Today I finally got through the clothes, I never want to buy another piece of clothing. Went through paperwork, sorted into donations, trash, file. Still need to file. Did pay bills. Started going through little junk piles in bedroom, not done. Rearranged a few things in rock room. Afternoon in yard rock hounding in 36 mph wind. Did not find much, but enjoyed hands in dirt. Moved some rocks in yard Washed dishes. Goal this week is to finish bedroom.

So very frustrating to watch...
Several years ago the motor of my vacuum wore out so I put it in the trash.
He pulled it out of the trash and it has been buried out in the wet dirt of the carport all these years.
He spent 2 hours meticulously cleaning the exterior of the vacuum.
Then, he plugged it in and discovered that it was no good, the motor is burned out just like I said it was all those years ago.
He put it into the truck to take it to the dump.

Why, why, why didn't he check it's functioning before wasting all that time cleaning it???
Why did he keep it all these years without testing it???
Why do I keep throwing away things only to have him "rescue" them and clutter up our lives with items that are really truly useless trash???

:/

Rant over.
Thank you for your patience. (((hugs)))

Good Morning Everybody 😀

Hi Diane 🙂
It has been a great pleasure getting to know you and follow along with your journey.
(((HUGS)))
WOOHOO! WTG! on all you have been doing! 😀
I am not a hoarder but I too would have to look through that bin of clothes and make individual decisions on each item.
Just might be something I would want to swap out another item for to make room to keep it. 😉
Isn't it nice to look around and see all like items together in one drawer? Makes it so much easier to make decisions.
Plus, when temptation rears it's head at the store we can just think about what we know we have enough of and resist temptation.

Feeling a bit better today.
Hope I can at least get some dishes washed.
Could not get comfortable last night and was up till 2:30am with all my deepest, darkest fears running through my mind. 🙁
Being sick always tends to turn me into a whiney, snively coward. lol 😛
Yesterday he took a half truck full off to donate then returned home and began filling the truck with stuff for the dump.
He is up this morning continuing decluttering the driveway.
ALL keep/toss/donate decisions are his alone to make and he is still keeping way to much.
Oh Well...

Everybody have a wonderful Sunday. 🙂

Thanks Tillie, so many wise comments. Yes, sure hopes he does his part of loading up today, sometimes we need help and encouragement to see the reality of the amount of stuff and praise for letting it go, sure has made a difference for me, thanks Tillie.
Today I am not as energetic, one bin last bin of clothes looking at me. Just checked drawers and closet, more than enough, so just get rid of clothes in bin? Of course a non hoarder would, I think, I need to try on everything in case something is better than what I already have. Then I ask, would I exchange it for not so good or would I just sneak it in and hope friend does not see it. My gut would know that I was dishonest and stuff is stuffed, not good.
I just want to goof off again today. Already rinsed dishes, now need to wash and put away. Washed clothes and sheets, putting away now. There are a couple of small bins of junk in bedroom then will almost be done.
This morning I folded sox and other underwear like Condo suggests in Tidying up and it felt like a fun adventure, never ever organized underwear before, just had to search in piles in drawers. Since I got rid of 60-80 panties and over a hundred sox etc. there is room to organize, so new to me. Thank goodness for this site or it would never have happened before I died. Tillie your loyal support has made such a difference, thanks.

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
(((HUGS)))

Hi Diane 🙂
YEA!!! 😀 for playing outside! 😀
And Way To Go! Having company visit! 😉
You have been doing such a FANTASTIC amount of organizing your home life. (((HUGS)))
Putting stuff away when finished with it is a habit and with any habit, practice makes perfect
and soon it all just starts to happen naturally. 😉
What I have wished for you all along is finally being realized...
You now have space and time to do all the wonderful things you truly enjoy doing
like lapidary and crafts.
Keep up all this great progress and I promise that there really is a light at the end of this decluttering tunnel.
(((HUGS)))

Sort of breezy outside today.
With this whatever it is I have caught I don't think I should go outside today.
Still coughing, sniffling and my ear still hurts.
There is more than enough to keep him busy in the driveway this weekend, hope he gets to it.
So far, I have cleared about 1/10th out of the carport, so much more to do. 🙁

Bye 🙂

OOPS---------meant to say, can NOT organize a hoard.

Great reading your posts. Yes Dave, it is the money I thought was in a book, surprise!!! Good memory. Yes Tillie, it helps to be on a hunt for money, might be a bit moldy and shredded in carport. Happy it is working to pull stuff out for him, and yes, need to slow down when sick. I worked so hard this week took today off and joined Tillie in the yard allllllll day. This was an amazing week for me. I am an isolating hoarder, so having so much progress, let friend visit Monday, helper here Wednesday, and yesterday a nurse I worked with actually was allowed inside for the first time ever in many years of knowing her. 3 visitors in one week was a huge stretch for me, and I did it graciously, we are talking miracles here. Today I woke up, able to have friends enjoy visiting. It felt good to do no indoor projects today. When rain started I went to library picked up some things I had on hold, returned dryer pipe to Lowes, picked up RX, no excess shopping, saves a lot of time not wandering the aisles of thrift stores. I am so grateful my friend comes for 2 hours a week and helps me make decisions, keeps me focused, reminds me my empty spaces bring me more joy than my piles of stuff. Today I practice putting things away after using them. I am seeing the importance of limiting things so each can have a home, and then I can find it when I need it. Just will take lots of practice before it feels normal to put things away. Throwing things down where I used them or throw on a pile is way more familiar. Not sure why things are finally working for me, I really think it changed when I allowed help from a woman I respect and like, knowing how committed she is, makes me want to keep trying, no matter how difficult.
Bedroom is almost done, then the craft room, then I can live life in here. Deck and Garage are a disaster so won't be done until outside stuff is done. To have living area and rock room clutter free is a miracle. I finally know that I can organize a hoard, tried for years, just have to be willing to let it go. Thanks for the support.

Just checking in to say I am thrilled with everyone's progress! Nice work on finding that $$ Diane! Glad to see so many people posting!

Thinking of you all and grateful for your support!!

Good Morning 😀

LOL Dave,
You come up with some very interesting solutions! ;D

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
Thank you (((hugs)))
Great to hear from you and catch up on all you have been up to.:)
Back reading all the posts is not a requirement,
everybody is given amnesty on that.
If relocating your storage unit will help you get it sorted out then that's the way to go.
Hope the new location costs less too and maybe you will get it so organized that you will fit into a smaller unit. 😀
WAY TO GO!!! for all you have been up to!

Today I am staying inside and taking it easy.
Going to cook some food and treat myself to a home made pedicure.
Have been tired all this week and finally figured out that I am sick.
Have a cough, sniffles and woke up with an earache this morning.
Probably caught some hideous disease from mucking around in the carport. JK 😀 lol
Accomplished a LOT in my flower/herb garden yesterday. It's all ready for Spring now. 🙂
Planted 12 gladiolus bulbs.
The daffodils are getting ready to bloom.
Everything is beginning to bud.
Been unseasonably warm but winter is not over with yet.

TTYS 🙂

Maybe you need a sleep number bed. One side for you, one for the books. That way they can be well rested and easily pass on information to you! 🙂 🙂

Wow, more time elapsed than I meant to since my last post - now we have a new thread! I still haven't forgotten my commitment to post regularly. Okay, it was supposed to have been daily, but I'll have to work on that *blush*. The important thing is that I do post and keep myself accountable and give others support.

Don't know how much time I'll have to read back posts so once again I'll just be jumping in and responding to some recent ones, what catches my attention. It's kind of like my stuff - I want to have time to address each thing, but that can be a trap as we all know, since there are so many things and only so much time.

Also true to my ADD ways, I'll probably end up jumping subjects willy-nilly. Anyway, here goes:

Regarding posting - what has worked for me is to write my post and copy it - whether in Word or on the site, it works either way. Then I fill in my username and the Captcha letters, and submit. It doesn't appear. I go back and do it a second time, et voila'! It's there. So I just follow this procedure as a matter of routine anymore. Or let's say, that's what I had been doing. We'll see today, having a new thread, if that second time proves necessary or not.

Roxie, that was fantastic that you were able to make those phone calls. I've been down the financial struggle road along with all the other crazy roads in my life, and I know how hard it is. And I am not good with talking on the phone either, especially with my short term memory issues and the call centers often having people with thick accents. It can get so frustrating I dread it like the plague. So good for you diving in! 🙂

Tillie, I'm sorry you're having to put up with a difficult person but you are brave to forge ahead. Do take care of yourself and be safe, you deserve that. {{{HUGS}}}

Diane - wow, that's great to find that money!

Dave, keep plugging along - I think you'll hit a point where it becomes easier to let go. Over the years our discarding skills have become rusty, and I think the more we use them again, just like atrophied muscles, they will work more efficiently and with less pain.

As for me, well, let's see - I had my local support meeting this past week. We had a speaker part of the time so it was a little different but okay. Weather here where I live has fluctuated some but overall been unseasonably springlike. Although it can vary anytime of the year, so it could decide in March to get wintry again, who knows.

I'm hoping the weather will just stay nice and that I can begin a steady flow of working in the storage unit. The plan to move from the storage place on the other side of town, to one closer to where I now live, seems to be viable. It would certainly be beneficial in that I could a) get rid of some things immediately during the moving process itself; b) place storage shelves neatly for the keepers, and designate a staging area for the sorting; and c) be able to go and get small amounts to work with here at the house, without worrying about long trips and gasoline waste. When I go to the current unit, sometimes I tend to bring back more than I know I should because of the distance, and then it piles up in my van or my room.

Yesterday, I have to boast just a teensy bit, I made it to the gym and did some exercising on the bike, treadmill, and weight machines. Then had a nice shower and back home started to catch up on neglected laundry, which I'm still doing today. Last night I put clean sheets on the bed and I'm going to try not to put books and stuff on the bed. It's difficult in a small room, and with my ADD (the need to put current stuff where I can see it so as to remind myself to read it). But I'm gonna give it a go. I do believe having the stuff on my bed is psychologically affecting my ability to just rest. Reading in bed is okay, it's something I've enjoyed most of my life. But just the book I'm reading and not the 20 others! Wish me luck with this!

Money situation is so-so. The huge amount that got shelled out on van repairs is gone; I'm not thrilled about it, but I can't afford to trade out vehicles, and it is running better so at some point I guess I will be getting that money's worth out in usage. Someday, when I have dealt with my clutter, and hopefully found some ways to bring a little extra in each month to supplement my Social Security disability - whether through a part time job or selling stuff I make, whatever - I can decide whether and when to get a smaller vehicle. Given my situation, I'm keeping the van as a fallback until I'm sure I won't be homeless. But right now it's okay with the roommate situation for the most part, though I long to have my own place again. However, I'd rather wait a little longer and have the transition be calmer than the last moves have been. And hopefully be able to take my time and find a place that's really right for me.

Guess I've rambled on enough; better keep going on the tasks of the day! Cheers all!

diane, that's great! Can't remember now, is that the money you were looking for a couple of years ago?

Good Morning Everyone 🙂

Hi Roxie 🙂
"Clink!"
Ooooo Gummy Bears! 😀
They don't last long around me. LOL
Your cooking experiments sound like a lot of fun.
(((hugs)))

Hi Diane 🙂
WOW! WAY TO GO!!!
FANTASTIC! what all you two accomplished! 😀
Be careful up on the roof.
Take your time and stop before you get too tired.
(((hugs)))

Going outside soon as I post this.
Another unusually beautiful warm day.
Planning on doing some yardwork with the cats.
Also need to put more stuff in the driveway for him to sort this weekend.
Wish there was money buried in there because that would really motivate me to make him work faster. 😛

Till later 🙂

Hi Tillie and Roxie, thanks for comments. Tillie sure hope you find your tumblers and grit, so much fun.
Helper was here 2 1/2 hours this morning. She is amazing. We went through all drawers in bedroom, all bins in closet and filled 5 large bags. We also found 13 hundred dollar bills in a purse I hid it in and couldn't find, another 200 in a wallet I knew was in underwear drawer. Almost enough to buy a canopy for my pickup, so I can sleep in truck on overnight rock hounding outings.
And yes I work too many hours, and get tired. Today did not drink enough water, have been most days. Fire wouldn't start, got up on roof and cleaned chimney and inside of stove and now fire started. When up on roof, saw that last big wind storm blew some roof nails out of metal roof section I put on last year, so tomorrow have to put roof screws in before it blows off.

Hello, folks. I was going to say goodmorning, but oops it is too late. First cup of coffee now :::clink:::

Everyone else, consider yourself hugged and clinked.

Hi Diane 🙂

Big, big WAY TO GO!!!
for all you have been doing! 😀
Eventually it will all come together, honest. (((hugs)))
Just keep chipping away at it a little at a time.
Have you been drinking enough water? Eating properly? Getting enough sleep?
All the things you have been doing are tiring
but neglecting your self care just exacerbates everything.
Hope you are really enjoying your rock room! 😀

I have two tumblers and assorted grades of grit and a rock saw for opening geodes or slicing picture rock, etc.
Unfortunately, I have not seen them since the last century because he buried them in all the garage clutter.
I just hope he hasn't ruined them or given them away.

TTYS 🙂

Hello everyone.
I have been cleaning out my bedroom this week, very difficult, making progress then found 3 huge bags of clothes under bed. I kind of knew they were there, just did not want to look. 1/2 are already in the car the others I think I may want , so put in a pile to try on. Why? No way I need them. Cleared some shelves in bedroom, cleaned out some drawers, just so much to do. Did one load of laundry. Car seats and trunk are full again, I mean FULL. Just seems like it will never end. Finished leaves and burned them along with all the personal papers.
I organized rock room a little more. Moved some things on deck, just exhausted.

Good Morning 🙂

Dave 🙂
Way To Go!

Soon as the sun comes up today I will
clean the bathroom
wash the floors
vacuum
And do something about all this dust...

Bright HUGE moon in the sky this morning! 🙂

Re garage: Troubling, running out of room. Have moved some boxes from Mrs Dave's side. reviewing labels, One box indicated part of the contents were a sport coat bought at a sale from clothing co no longer in business-probably part of the effort to fill the second closet at the first house. Another item was a "thrift store sportcoat with broken sleeve". Having saved that for at least 15 years, I thought maybe I could let it go. I will have to try the other one on, if it fits I will swap it for something else. Came upon a little metal tin containing, among other things 5 thumbtacks, but these are "nice" ones, they still have a nice finish and have little stars embossed in them. I threw away a bunch of rubber bands but am having pause with the thumbtacks. Details!

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Makes a lot of sense.
So much easier to clean when there is not too much to try cleaning around.
WTG! for helping out! 😀

Hi Roxie 🙂
"Clink!"
WAY TO GO for tackling that unpleasant task! 😀

Hi Karl 🙂
Yay! for being ready to let the cleaners in!!! 😀
You are our resident "party animal".
Hope you had a wonderful time. 🙂

Hi Diane 🙂
So happy to hear you are having a great time with the loaner dog! 😀
Since you don't get to have much "dog time", enjoy every minute of it!
(((hugs)))

Hi Dave 🙂
LOL, couldn't finish filling the third closet! 😀
Glad to hear you are no longer practicing "strange science" experiments for the Mouses' amusement. 😉

Well,
spent all yesterday outside.
Did a lot of yardwork, still have lots more to do.
He is at the scene in any "HOARDERS" episode where he complains that I was the one to ruin all his things,
when honestly, all I did was transport them to their new location.
They were already damaged by years of neglect.
This stuff has been exposed to the elements.
Rain, snow, mud, rust, sun damage, animal activity, wind, dust storms, getting stepped on or buried under a ton of other stuff, and so on...
In his mind it was all pristine mint condition until I moved it.
Yeah, right. "chuckle" ;P
Anyways, he is still keeping most everything.
That's fine.
But he must now store all his "keepers" in the garage.
Good luck with that.

Tomorrow I really have to clean house.
Unreal how messy it can get when we have all been outside all day.

🙂

The first house I had was a 1200 sq foot 3 bedroom. I was always a little short on clothes. I never got quite enough bought to finish filling the third closet.

Hurrah for dishes!!!! Back in the "old days" I had piles of dirty dishes that doubled as science experiments. Lots of varicolored fuzz to entertain the mice.

Hurrah for dishes!!!! Back in the "old days" I had piles of dirty dishes that doubled as science experiments. Lots of varicolored fuzz to entertain the mice.

Thinking of you all today, as I wrote yesterday, but never posted. Try again today. It was sunny so spent the day outside goofing off. Went through one small pile of clothes. Still wonder why I think I need more clothes than will ever wear. To clarify, dog is a loaner dog, thought I would borrow a dog to help my mood, while getting rid of stuff. And as a favor for friend going out of town. I love having him here, but rather play games with him than complete tasks. I was making so much progress daily until helper had to cancel this week, now just not focused, micro organizing. I did get dishes done.

Thursday was a multi-stop adventure which I partially described earlier (lunch, storage, etc); it was late at night when I got back home. I had similar plans for Friday, but also the cleaners were scheduled -- so, even though I'd been hoping to go through them while they were "partly sorted", I picked up all the papers from the floor and put them into one container, to get the floor cleared. When I left Friday morning, I put a sign on my door telling the cleaners that my room was ready for them. Yay!

I had two conflicting events on the calendar for Saturday -- one regular social event and one friend's birthday. I've got a ride offer for the regular one, while the birthday event would have constrained me to bicycle and public transit again, so I let that be the deciding factor.

S yesterday I made a lot of calls to creditors and collection agencies and made some progress on that front. I hate doing this kind of task but it feels good to have done it.

Much gratitude to Cory for putting south effort into this--greatly needed a and appreciated.

Am at family member's house, cleaning and picking up. He is a terrible slob but no clutter--so easy to clean, if that makes sense. Cleaned the entire kitchen in under 35 minutes-- emptied dishwasher, refilled and started it, wiped down counters, separated trash and recyclables, cleaned stove, gathered up laundry. Going well!