Hi Tillie! Enjoy your day in town!

Still no weather happening here. I'll go take my walk soon.

I'm scrubbing my tub. This is progress as it is disgusting. I e scrubbed it twice. Taking a break before the third pass. I also did the sink and vanity (I am considering this maintenance) and I'll need to do the toilet. I wish I'd even just sweep the bathroom floor (would constitute progress). Mopping the bathroom floor would border on the miraculous.

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Happy your Mom's problems were easily taken care of. 😀
Hope you get everything you are hoping for and that your day goes as planned. (((hugs)))

Good Morning Everybody 🙂
"Clink!"

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Hope everything went well at your Mom's last night.

Do we need to start a new thread yet?
I know some of you have a harder time reading here when we get too many posts in the thread.

Been gently raining off & on since last evening.
The past two weeks I have been working on using up stuff in the pantry.
Arranging menus and preparing meals around more of what is in there.
In Winter months I keep a little bit more on hand in case of a major snow/ice storm when I can't get out to shop and the delivery trucks can't get over the mountain passes to deliver to the stores.
This will make it so much easier to clean the shelves without having to move around too much stuff and it will help keep my food stash fresher & up to date.
Actually, I am quite lazy and anything I can do to make cleaning, straightening and organizing an area easier is how I work.
My entire housekeeping philosophy is "how can I make this easier on myself?"
Watching Steven I see how hard he has made his life. No time to really just relax and play because all his stuff takes priority.
Just moving around through all the stuff takes an awful lot of time and effort.
He keeps bringing in bins, boxes, filing cabinets and all sorts of organizing containers to try to control the stuff but it just keeps getting bigger and more out of control.
He also spends hours trying to find the things that he would like to use.
And when he does find something it is often damaged, destroyed, missing parts or no longer any good.
Sad really, I wish he would/could see the value in just simplifying.

Well, today I am going to drive into town.
Want more fresh produce.
Been feeding the birds pears, they like pears best of all.
Saw Woodpeckers in my garden yesterday!
The Daffodils are opening now too! ;D

Hello everyone! Coffee clinks!

We are awaiting another snowstorm. Personally I'm hoping it's super snowy, exceeds expectations and causes everything to be cancelled tmr. But I don't think that will be the case. I have something at work tmr that I'd just as soon see cancelled.

I have my dishwasher ready to go. I'd like to sneak in a laundry today but I think someone's using it right now. I'd also like to get my recycling out and I'd like to stop by my BF's office to see him.

Mom's situation was easily solved. TV had been knocked off the Internet and the bloody cat footprints were just a little blood from the elbow--Mom's elbow, not the cat's.

The hyacinths sound so pretty Tillie.

Hello and happy Spring! I was just about to settle in and make dinner when I just remembered that mom called as I was coming in (about a half hour ago) and she's having issues I need to go fix.

So I'll write more later. that's sweet about Twinkles, Tillie.

YEA! IT'S SPRING!!! ;D
"Clink!"

Cold, scattered clouds, good possibility of rain.
Good day to putter around inside.
There is a large selection of house cleaning chores that I can choose from to do today.
But I am not going to. ;P
Taking the day off to just enjoy.
Still working on beating down this sinus infection and it seems my remedies are having some good results so far.
Been looking out the window at Mr. Cottontail Bunny and all the different species of birds. The Dove are all being overly affectionate with each other.
My pink hyacinth has lots of blooms now. Soon the daffodil buds will open, maybe even later on today.
Twinkles is sleeping on Steven's bed. Has no intentions of getting up. He is so very happy with the fresh clean blanket.
Just for this, it makes all that nasty work I did yesterday so worth all the effort. ;D

Tillie we cross posted. Thank you for the fabric care ideas.

Perfect idea to schedule progress time. I meet all of my other commitments/I need to commit to me.

Just got back from running up to mom's. She looks so lonely to me. So BF bought her blueberry muffins (nice ones) and I took them up to her along with some kitty food. She immediately started to have a muffin and I put the clean sheets on her bed.

I think these daily visits, albeit short, help break up the day.

We have another storm headed our way Wednesday. I will be working from home. Not sure if my girlfriend time will need to be cancelled. We are waiting to see what materializes. We were scheduled for pedicures but they can wait.

Thank you all for helping me sort through my feelings of being out of sync with the world. Your support means a lot.

I did a general "google" search for
"No Time To Say Goodbye"
and found a lot of entries.
Amazon seemed to have good prices.

SubC--wow! WTG on all your activity! So proud of you!

CM thank you for your post. I'm so sorry about the losses in your life. There is a very good book on suicide, No Time to Say Goodbye. If you would like me to send you a copy, please let me know the best way. I could send to a friend or to your clutter club so you're privacy is protected.

Hi Subclinical 🙂
We posted at the same time.
Thank you, my head is feeling better already.
WAY TO GO!!!
You did have a very busy day!
YEA! for a clean bed to fall into tonight. 😀

Hi CM,

You are doing a good job looking on the bright side of your van!

Tillie, if you must have a sinus infection, at least you got to have your stuffy nose when you had to go in the stinky room. I hope it's better soon though.

Tatoulia, I hope you feel better too.

I had a very productive day today - food bank, washed my sheets, took a class (continuing ed, 8 weeks) got groceries, made dinner, and baked a pound cake! Need to go do my evening chores and then I can collapse into my clean bed.

Hello 🙂
Tomorrow SPRING begins!!! 😀

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
One hot Summer day I bought a white cotton blouse and a red candle.
Put the bag containing both in the car then went grocery shopping.
Well, the candle red got on the white blouse.
I rubbed orange scented "GOOP" hand cleaner well into the fabric and let it sit for a while.
Machine washed as usual and the red stain came out!
I have also read that WD40 is great for removing ink from fabric.
Never tried it myself but I know WD40 is good for removing price stickers from items.
WAY TO GO! for all your keeping up!
Try scheduling in time to make more progress and treat it like a job or volunteer position.
Yes, it does turn my stomach touching all that filthy nasty stuff.
But at least I didn't have to try climbing over garbage and dirty clothes to get to it. ;D

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
I also use the derelict vehicles at times to temporarily store stuff.
It's the only place I have to stick a bag or box as I fill it for the thrift shop. 😀
Sorry for all your loses this year. (((hugs)))
When someone takes their own life it is always so hard to come to terms with their death, no matter what.
Getting the family of your friend who hoarded the Steri-Clean contact information would be a great thing. Many people aren't familiar with their services, professional and understanding.

Today was a beautiful day, warm, dry and sunny.
Forecast for tomorrow is a great chance of wind, not so sunny or warm.
Darn, now I won't be able to do MY laundry for a while.
But I am so happy, content and satisfied with what I accomplished today.
Whole house smells so much better. 😀

Hi

Sounds like the late winter doldrums for some of us but also that we are fighting back.

This week my roommate is off work for spring break, but Friday is when the termite man comes for annual inspection. We are already up to our eyeballs in disruption due to awaiting the plumbing job that we don't know when will get done by the same guy who's my mechanic. He just gets so busy, doing the work on his own, him and his sons if they are able to help.

Although I don't enjoy not having my van running, I'm okay if he can't get to it before Friday afternoon or even next week. That's because if he takes it away from in front of our place to work on it, I don't have a place to "stash & dash" the clutter from my room till after Mr. Bug Man is come and gone. Such an absurd way to live, but at least I'm chipping away at the root of the problem.

Anony, it is so much like what you experience - life has just gotten on top of us, we are like a general trying to fight battles on too many fronts at once. We don't have enough troops or weapons and no way to requisition more! And our enemies (disorganization and entropy) are well funded and outfitted! WE'RE DOOMED! (Kidding - I hope.)

In my life there has been sadness and loss this year - my bunny in January, and now close together two people. One was a former neighbor whom I wasn't in close contact with, but I found out from another former neighbor that he'd taken his own life. 🙁 That is really hard to hear about.

Then today, I learned that my friend Larry, who was a severe hoarder and had cancer, died yesterday. The memorial will be tomorrow. If it seems the right thing to do, I may be able to offer some connections to his family who are going to have to do something about his house. On Wednesday this week is when the Steri-Clean people are speaking to the clutter club, so if Larry's family wants me to get some business cards or have them call them, I'll certainly be glad to act as liaison.

We must keep fighting this fight so that we can leave a good legacy when we are gone. Bless you all, my friends. Hope for better times ahead. <3

What a shame re sinus infection. Tillie you are a hero to wash his bed things. You are amazing. I bet its stomach-turning to deal with his bedding.

The sun is doing me a bit of a better turn, too. It feels hopeful.

I was still up at 2:30 AM despite sleeping pill. But once I fell asleep I had a good sleep.

Did four loads of laundry today and still more to go. Hopefully on Wednesday. I did my sheets, towels, a load of darks and a load of delicates. I can't get ball point ink out of a light colored blouse. Just a scribble. Any ideas?

Cat box is clean and clear. Trash is ready to go out at five. I need to do more. I ran dishwasher this AM and need to empty it. But what I really want is to make progress. Not just keeping up.

After I washed his bed stuff I washed two loads of cat stuff.
It's all out on the line drying nicely.
Just had some lunch and taking a break.
Got litter boxes scooped and floor swept and all trash out.
Kitchen is tidy so not much else to do today.
So now, I will wash my hair and give myself a pedicure. ;D

Good Morning Everyone 🙂
"Clink!"

Since he did some work in his bedroom yesterday, today I am washing some of his bedding.
He REALLY hates whenever I do that and gets very violently outraged.
So, I leave that up to him to do.
Last time it was done was a couple years ago when he was in the hospital for a month with that blood clot in his leg and I did it because home health care nurses would be by to clean the incisions and change the dressings.
I washed the blanket already and have more stuff in the wash right now.
I do not wash the sheets, just bag them up and put them in the outside garbage can.
He sleeps under an old heavy cotton robe so I am washing that right now.
Next will be to boil and bleach the mattress pad.
Already hosed down the mattress with Febreeze.
This should really help with the air quality. ;D

Yes, I do believe that I have a low grade sinus infection.
Started using the netipot yesterday and already my headache feels better.
🙂

Hi Subclinical 🙂
WOW! WAY TO GO!!!
All the sunlight really does help improve our outlook after these last few months without much sunlight.
Have a great week at work. 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
(((HUGS)))
So sorry you are stressed and out of sorts.
Wishing you easy restful sleep with pleasant dreams.

There are two windows in his bedroom.
I can stretch and reach one of them and every day I open it no matter what the weather is like and leave it open all day.
It helps a little, very little.

Still have that headache.
Think I have diagnosed my problem.
Either it's a sinus infection or maybe even strep throat.
Hopefully it's none of that and just some common easily shed garden variety virus.

SubC I am feeling better but not quite "human". Glad you are getting closer to human. I don't feel like myself. And today after taking mom grocery shopping and for a ride, I struggled the six blocks home, put on my pjs, only to discover I'd left some perishables in the car, so back I went. BF isn't feeling well--generally we spend late afternoon & evening and together on Sundays. He had chills.

Tillie you could knock me over with a feather!!!

Everyone, I'm behind on reading the posts. I'm proud that f you and your accomplishments. CM I hope there is some good news on the vehicle front for you soon.

Only did dishes and changed bed today. Hopefully tmr will be better for me. It's like I'm walking around terribly preoccupied and worried. Last week I was worrying so much about both things that mattered and things that don't matter. I took a sleeping pill again last night just to give me a chance to sleep.

Tillie, I am so glad! I don't suppose you can open a window while he is gone?

Tillie and tatoulia, I hope you both feel better soon.

I got a lot done today. Highlights :
Two loads of wash (not put away, but clean and dry)
A box out of the garage
Cardboard out of the pottery studio
Worked in the studio and used a whole bucket of scrap clay
Cleaned out half a stall in the barn
Kept up with dishes.

Tomorrow is very tightly scheduled.

I am starting to feel human again though. Dh says it's because it is almost the equinox and the is more light.

Hi Hi Hi again 🙂

He DID it!
Got out lots of the garbage and bagged up most all the dirty clothes that were strewn everywhere.
Then he used his vacuum and vacuumed the clear floor area in the middle.
His room is still real bad but the stinkiest parts have been dealt with.
All the huge spooky dirty brown cobwebs are still hanging firm to the upper walls.
Stuff still heaped up on every flat surface and lining the edges.
Thick dust covers everything.
But he did what I asked him to. 😀
The smell in the house is greatly improved.

Good Morning Everybody 🙂
"Clink!"

Tuesday March 20th SPRING begins!

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Hope you're feeling all better today 🙂
Happy your brother was being so nice. 😀
Nice new green jammies, wonderful!!!

Still can't shake this headache, just able to get it reduced down to manageable.
Cat is vomiting all around the room. Wish he would just stay in one spot until it's all over, less area for me to clean up. 🙁
Just a furball but that's what happens because he thinks the hair brush is attacking him so he attacks back.
Twinkles and Poohkie love to be brushed. They want me to brush them for hours every day.
Today I am going to try to get Steven to clean up his bedroom a little.
The heaps of food related garbage and mountains of dirty clothes really stink bad and make the whole house stink.
Every morning I go in there and spray Febreeze, it helps a little but it's not enough.
I can't clean his room. He gets violently angry if I move any of his stuff and blames me for anything he can't find or finds ruined in the hoard.
Anyways...
Too cold to do anything in the yard so I will find something to do inside. 😀

Hello everyone. Tillie I had a headache too today-mine was accompanied by nausea instead of stiff neck. Still took brother out and it went well. He was really nice to me.

I haven't done anything around house. I need to just shower and put on fresh jammies. I'll put on my green ones.

Will hopefully feel better tmr and will do some things around the house.

Keep up the good work everyone.

WOOHOO!!! Subclinical
That is sure a lot you got done!
And WTG! for the tax papers! 🙂
So glad your iPad works alright on this site.
Hope we can figure out how to help Tatoulia and Anonymoniker with their devices.

Been snowing off & on all day.
At one time the sun was shining as it was snowing.
Think I have fixed the original wood burning stove pipe hole.
It's in the kitchen ceiling and has always allowed spiders to get inside.
Used some window putty to affix the cover plate to the opening and think I got it sealed off all around now.
Wish it was removed but can't do that job all by myself.
About ten years ago my cat told me he could hear something scratching around up there.
I climbed up there, removed the cover plate and a Starling flew in to the room.
My cat said YEA!!!!! HAPPY DANCE!!!
But I was able to get the Starling out of the house unharmed. ;D

Tatoulia, I hope your troubles clear up soon. I am using an iPad and have no troubles with the site.

Today I did a load of laundry, and I finished washing the stacking drawers, and I found ALL the paperwork for the taxes, and I did my part of them (dh has to finish them).

I also dehoarded a lot of paper as I went. But there is a lot more to go.

Good Morning Everyone 🙂
"Clink!"

Hi Subclinical 🙂
Great job rephrasing your frustration about your husband's un-organizing of your organizing system and explaining it in a way he can visualize and understand! 😀
The kitchen looks fresh with the new coat of paint. Thanks for the vote of confidence on my decision to paint the cabinets. 🙂

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
So sorry you are at your wits ends.
Please take the time to just sit quietly out in nature.
No thinking, planning or plotting. Release your anger and frustration and just "BE" for a spell.
Then maybe you will hear the softly spoken answer to your question. (((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
I so wish you could read and post here easily.
I have never tried using my tablet, just my laptop and there is no problem. 🙁
That was a LOT of breakage you had there!
Sorry about the pitcher. Just remember all the good times you had using it.
Thanks for the vote of confidence about my plan to paint the cabinets. 🙂

Have a stiff neck and splitting headache today.
Stuff like this always happens whenever I do fun physical things like painting or gardening.
More light rain is predicted for today but the forecast was so wrong yesterday and we got lots of snow, not rain.
I have no desire to grocery shop so today there will be no corned beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage cooking on my stove.
Hope my ancestors forgive me. ;P

Hello everyone. I'm still having trouble reading your posts. I'm sorry for the car troubles. Anony I'm sorry you are sick. SubC I think you did a good job with your explanation!

Tillie painting the cabinets will make a big difference, I am sure.

It's hard for me to post since it's hard to navigate the site right now. I have confidence it will be fixed.

I bfike some things accidentally today. Plates, a vase and a tiny little pitcher. The pitcher broke my heart a little bit but I scooped it all up and said sayonara

Had dinner with a few works friends then visited mom and now I'm doing a load of laundry. Someday I'll get my washer fixed. I just have to. I miss it.

SubC, i do wish wish wish sooooo so much that it were that simple. It is not. This week its the workshop. I was not stressed out over it, but very excited about it? Ive become so weak i just spent 2 hours having such severe heart palpitations that it seemed like a heart attack or stroke from taking Curcumin, a superfood health food. EVERY TIME i plan anything to do with this place getting better, some kind of major problem, if not MANY major problems, smash up my plans.....i cant take it. Im mad at God.....im reaching a breaking point. I want an answer from God about what the f*#& i am supposed to do????

Anony, it's possible that the whole thing just seems so overwhelming that trying to envision changing it causes you to overload and shut down. The stress response in your body lowers your immune system, and - bang.

Is there one small thing you could do that would make you feel better?

Tillie, how is your kitchen? I think painting the cabinets is a very good idea.

I think I finally had a communication breakthrough with my dh. When I am working, I spread things out all around me in stacks and piles and arrangements that look very random to him. If I go away I leave them in place so that I can come back and begin working again. If he wants to use the space, or the space is bothering him, he gathers them all up in a neat pile and puts it somewhere. For years I hav3 tried to 3xplain to him that he has destroyed my "filing system" and caused me tons more work and frustration by doing that, but he doesn't get it.

Today, he started to move some things off the couch, and I said "STOP. Let me do that. It matters where you put them. The act of moving them matters." Then I had a brainstorm - "think of this as a giant circuit board. When I look at a circuit board, it just looks like a collection of random little pieces and designs on a surface to me, but if I started pulling all the pieces off and wiping away the lines to clean the surface, I would destroy the circuit board, and even if all the pieces were collected neatly in a bag, they would no longer be functional and all the work would be undone and the person who built the circuit board would have to start over before he could use it for what it was for, right? My ?mess' is like my circuit board that records information and allows me to work on a problem." And he said "oh."

Meanwhile, I started an overview of my remaining school year, started lists for Monday and Tuesday, did the thing that was most time critical, washed some more drawers, and put some paper in the recycling.

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Feel better! (((hugs)))

Forecast is still for light rain today.
Since 10:00am it's been snowing here like crazy.
Kitchen has been painted, stuff washed up to be put away soon as it's dry.
Just had some lunch, watching "National Treasure" on Netflix.
😉

...cough cough.... ~Coffee clinks!!!~...cough cough
Tillie, ive thought a lot about why my efforts toward my home have been so challenged. If im out of synch that much with it, thatd seem like a message or clue of some kind? Its like its saying that if i really want this i need to know its gonna be very hard?! Its not ALL of my efforts or ideas or decisions, ONLY the ones about making my place better. And theres no way its cuz i need to go slower. Im going really slow already. A lavender kitchen sounds magical!!!~♡~
SubC, i hear ya with the doors & windows & gauges. When my car was at the tranny shop last time, they tried to order door & window parts first so they wouldnt have to climb through the window!
CM, if you have a good mechanic to look out for your intersts in buying a new vehicle, go for it!!!
I think my kitty is either worried about my coughing, or just annoyed by it, cuz he keeps meowing during my coughing fits? I remember being in school as a kid in the winter, having constant coughing fits in class & the teacher would have to stop & everyone wait for me to quit coughing. Aside from spreading germs, i dont want to do that at this workshop?! Ill figure something out....i still have a few days...
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