Miss Kitty must not spend much time down on the floor.
My baby boy who just passed was like that.
Always on the tables or dressers but not the kitchen counter because he discovered at a young age it could be dangerous.

The shoes are VERY pretty!
But not a beautiful as your cat. 😉

So many people just starting out decluttering have asked me what storage/organizing containers are the best to buy.
Many of them get extremely angry with me when I tell them to buy nothing.
Just use what you have on hand until you've decluttered most things, spaces and areas.

Steven believes if he could just get the right containers, boxes, cabinets and shelves he would magically be organized.
He has so many of these things mixed in with all the rest of the clutter.
Most of them are empty, some of them have an assortment of unrelated items just stuffed into them, no organization.
It's like he thinks the stuff will magically sort it's self out and line up all neatly on shelves.
But this is real life not the Disney movie "Sorcerer's Apprentice" from "Fantasia".

Hold off donating or gifting your still the "close enough" right size coats for a while.
You will know better what works for you by Autumn.

Right now I am so sick & tired of always having to wear my down jacket ALL the time that I would just toss it if I didn't know how much I will want it by Autumn.
Anyways, it's all washed and stored away and my lighter coat works for now.

I'm not really doing much of anything but really enjoying the day.
Sunny with a gentle breeze.

Tillie I'm thrilled your former neighbors called! I remember how much they meant to you. I hope you had a terrific visit with them!

I agree on buying the containers and other cute stuff. It's a recipe for disaster. I used to call the projects I started or thought I'd start, "boulevard of broken dreams." I've been very, very careful in this regard. I've focused energy on space not containers. Somehow when I saw that pink linen closet, I thought, I can do that. I can further reduce all the way down to that. And I did! And I'm happy with it. I literally own just the towels you see in the pictures, with the exception of one hand towel, one face cloth, and a bath towel, all of which were hanging in my bathroom. If we (yes WE) hadn't done six years of hard work, this wouldn't have worked. I know the linen closet will work for me. The open spaces are so pretty. As to mom's, I do want to do something similar but I need to think it through, assess her needs, etc. it won't look as airy as mine but I can make it livable FOR HER not for me, not for instagram. I just want it livable for her.

My cleaners just called, very apologetic. They are coming on Saturday. She mentioned the clothes and how much they want them. She said if not for her, for her friends, and if not for her friends, for her church. I like that. I like that a lot.

So the shoes, you would never, ever believe they are made from plastic. It feels like fabric. My feet are a tad wide. I'll keep you posted on them. They are washable, like my new tree sneakers. They look like they will be very airy but time will tell.

Let me tell you, my tree shoes from all birds are wonderful. Very cool and airy. BF actually got me two pair, one in charcoal and one in chalk. The white chalk ones will be exceptionally cute with summer skirts. I got the ones called Tree Skippers. BF got Tree Slippers. We are enjoying the comfort.

I'll talk more later. I'm running the dishwasher and think I'll run up to drycleaners. I'm going back and forth on wool coats and what to do and I'll be happiest to just get them out of the house. They are pretty coats and I don't know if they'll be too big next year. The pink one is too big, I bought it this year. The red one fits perfectly; it's a coat I think BF bought me got Valentine's Day one year. Very pretty. Red walker coat.

Good Afternoon Everyone

Hi Subclinical
WAY TO GO! getting that unpleasant boy goat task done!

Happy the conversation was not an unpleasant one.

WOOHOO!!! for all the swimming you managed to get in!

Sorry those students wasted your time and theirs but hopefully they have learned a valuable lesson from this.

Hi Tatoulia
YEA! for new recycled bottle shoes!

This Summer when it's hot and muggy I really want to know if the shoes are cool enough, not making your feet all hot & sweaty.
They are very cute and ecological but are they too plasticky?

I would have let you have one of my fresh lemons if you had asked.
Always better than the plastic lemon, but the plastic lemon always comes in handy when we run out.

One issue I have with home decorating/organizing sites and videos is that they encourage people to run out and purchase organization items before the people are ready, have thought through to the end results and decluttered enough to know exactly what their real organization needs are.
There are so many people who now have some major clutter of unnecessary/unneeded expensive organizing containers that they feel that they can't just donate because they spent a lot of money on them.

Very relieved you are taking it slow and measuring twice. 😉

Was outside this morning when Steven yelled to me that my neighbor friend (who moved away) was on the phone for me.
We had a very nice conversation catching up on everything.
I got the stuff in the burn barrel burned and the 6 trees watered.
It didn't warm up as early as I thought it would so I haven't painted ceiling tiles.
Really have until the roof is repaired to get that done.
After Saturday it is supposed to warm back up with much higher lows over night.

Hi CriticalMass 🙂

My bright, sunshine-y Rothys shoes have arrived. They are lovely and just as I want them to be. Part of me things I should go up a size, but when I compare them with other pointy flats, they are the right size. I'm afraid if I go up a half size, I'll be tripping out of them.

They are very comfortable. Very cool looking. Made from bottles. Very pretty. I am happy!

I'm making lemon pasta. Regular pasta then in a bowl I out 1/2 c olive oil, about 5 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese, two healthy tbsp capers and juice if one lemon. I don't have an actual lemon here so I'm using the plastic lemon for juice. So there will be no lemon rind. As soon as my pasta is done I'll toss it in the oil mixture and I'm done.

Cleaners won't be here til 4:30 or five so if they bring me lunch I'll eat it tmr.

Tillie, I have thought about my organizing. I need to do more on my bedroom closet before I tackle mom's linen closet. Thank you for helping me slow down.

Okay I'll be back later.

SubC!!! You did so much already! And tough stuff too!!! WTG!!! And yay on the swimming goal! You are my hero!

At least National Geographic will enjoy their A.

TIllie I ate raspberries last night and they were so tasty. Good that the cats can enjoy the outhouse! Let us know how you Day is going!

It's so cold here that I'm rethinking taking my coats to the drycleaners til next week.

Well, conversation went well. Then I graded papers - two students think i'm too incompetent to use google. National Geographic gets an "A", student gets a warning and a do-over. Since my morning was on a downhill roll, I went ahead and took care of an unpleasant task with the boy goats. Now I am exhausted, but relieved of many things hanging over my head.

Need a shower!

Btw, did the math this morning, and I hit my swim distance goal for the school year on Tuesday without realizing it. Going to keep it up until school gets out though.

Good Morning Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
Hoping you are getting enough rest and sleep.
If you were here I would see that you ate a fresh salad and sandwich too.

Hi Subclinical
Good plan for that old bucket.

Poor Mr. Kitty
Good that he has you to help him through this trying time.

Sorry that you have to deliver a message to the floor guy.
That kind of interaction is always stressful.
Ask Mr. Kitty for reassuring hugs.

WTG! for throwing out the 4 worn out molds!

Hi Tatoulia
I'm very happy you are pacing yourself.
Taking the time to simply think of things to declutter or reorganize for now.
When you do start to take action, you will have thoroughly thought through your plan and measured twice.

My plan for today is to light the burn barrel, water the trees and put a second coat of paint on the ceiling tiles.
Didn't paint them before because the wind was blowing sand around and the temperature dipped down too low.
Have no more fresh fruit in the house, ate the last of the bananas yesterday.
Maybe I'll go grocery shopping next week?
Cat's still have lots of their food stuff and litter.
Since they have been going outside with me every day the litter boxes are hardly used now.

Great work on determining which molds are too worn to be useful! Also I like your thought process on the cracked bucket. Very good planning, SubC!! Thanks for looking at my photos, SubC and Tillie. I appreciate it.

I hope the conversation with the floor guy goes okay. I too get really stressed out by those things.

Tillie I'm glad no damage to the plants. We are having an unpredictable spring but I'm still taking my wool coats to the cleaners and for storage til the Fall. I can always wear a vest or light down jacket under my spring coats.

While still waking up this AM I had more ideas for things to pass along. But I'm not ready to do it this AM. I'm taking Tillie's advice to stay positive and not over do.

I'll try to slip up to mom's today to measure twice. I took mom for a haircut yesterday and she looked so cute. Then BF and I dropped off some cat supplies on our way out last night.

Another overcast damp day.

Warm thoughts to CM

CM, I am glad to hear your news! Sorry you got lost in the hospital though. I hate those TVs everywhere. It seems like if society can get rid of all the payphones because we assume people have phones, we could get rid of all the public tv screeens because those phones have screens! And ear phones!

Tatoulia, your closet looks nice! Your whole place looks nice! I really like the drapes by your dining area, and I love how miss kitty adds herself to the photos. 🙂

Mr. kitty is very clingy lately because if the house and the stranger in the house. We have long snuggles every morning.

Yesterday I put four plaster molds from school in the dumpster because they are too worn. There is one more waiting, but I didn't want to make another trip up the stairs. All the molds still at school fit in their assigned space.

I started the end of the year bringing home of scrap clay buckets also. So far the total is 7. Because I started early, I am hoping that maybe I will get some of the buckets cleaned and returned to spend the summer at school instead of in my studio. At least one bucket has a cracked lid and will have to be thrown out, but I brought it home on purpose, I can take it back at the end of the month with my trash in it and toss it in the dumpster - it will take up the same amount of space as if I threw it in there empty.

Today I have to talk to the floor guy about something Dh says he needs to do differently. That is stressful.

Keeping my head above water. Barely.

Good Evening Everyone

OH! now I see a beautiful kitty sitting in a very nice & clean & tidy livingroom!

So good that the autopay transaction went smoothly.
No hassle or aggravation.

Last thing you ever want is to push yourself.
You always want to stop decluttering/organizing on a high note while you still feel positive.

Funny how easy it is to let go of things you don't even remember were there. 😉

Beautiful day today.
Spent most of it outside.
Watered flowers, lilacs, grass and apricot tree.
The freeze last night didn't seem to damage anything.

Had to come in this evening to wash dishes, clean the kitchen.
All done!

Now I'm sitting in my bed ready to watch Survivor and Amazing Race.

Just back from theatre with BF. Nice night. Now I'm still feeling really strong but instead will go to bed. I've done what I can for today. I'm going to work from home tomorrow. I'll have the cleaners in

I need to get to my car to drop off the goodwill stuff. And I think I have juice and other groceries in the car from Sunday. I can pick up some of those.

Tillie I also went through my little purse/wallet shelf in my closet. I pulled out a wristlet that I have never used (gift) and a wallet that I did use and is still in beautiful shape. I put those in the cleaner's pile. I'll never even know these things are gone. I forgot I had them.

I'm most grateful for my energy right now.

Oh! So my brother's rent typically increases starting in May and I am the one who sets up his auto pay for his rent. I went into the site earlier this week and I set it to take last year's amount on the 4th, just to be on the safe side. I called them today and introduced myself (I no longer know anyone in the office) and I said I needed to know his new rent amount so I can change it. And the woman said, do you know if he recertified? And I said, I'm no longer in touch with him but I need to update his amount for the auto pay and she looked it up and told me. His rent went up by $9. So he's all set for another year. I didn't want him to be in a spot where they aren't taking the $ out automatically. The woman didn't bat an eyelash when I said I am no longer in touch with him, she just asked for his address and name and she looked it up. That was a nice, easy exchange. It actually went just as I had anticipated it to go.

I'm going to go settle down. I'll send pictures of my bedroom once the ladies have made my bed. They make it look like a hotel bed. I try and try and you can always tell that I'm an amateur. I'll look through my pics now and see if there's any I can post.

Sweet dreams.

Tatoulia
You are AMAZING!
This is why I am here at this site.
Hearing about everybody's hard work and how they keep on keeping on.
I know this is hard both physically and mentally and extremely depressing and frustrating at times.
But you know what you want, find a mental image and go for it no matter what other of life's obstacles are thrown in your way.
((((HUGS))))

If the cleaning ladies can't wear something themselves I know they have someone in their life who fits it perfectly.

The sock drawer is a good example of how decluttering is like peeling an onion one layer after another.
First go round you find the easy items.
Second and third time you find the things you missed because you were just practicing the first few times time.
"an undisclosed location" HaHaHa ;D

Hi Anonymoniker
You are in my thoughts and prayers (((HUGS)))

Forgive me, I hadn't seen your post, CM.
I bet that was frustrating and confusing today, trying to make your way around the hospital. I don't know about you, but when I get rattled, it all just starts to fall apart. Please make sure you are eating properly. It will help you. I generally have to cry, seemingly out-of-proportion to the circumstances, when I get rattled. I get warm and say mean things to myself. So we have been there, and I give you a lot of credit for being able to stick around and then find peace in your friend's room.

One thing that Lisa Genova has written on (in the context of Alzheimer's but it works in a lot of settings) is the culture of "yes, and". So if friend talks about going home, you could say, yes and then we will enjoy catching up with the neighbors. In the Alzheimer's setting, if someone says, I'm waiting for my mother to pick me up and then we are taking a bus, instead of saying, your mother's been gone 40 years, the better choice is to say, yes and let's make a cup of tea while we wait for her. So I'm trying to do that with my mom. She doesn't have dementia but she needs to dream. There are plenty of people (including herself) to tell her what is and isn't realistic.

I wish you well at your doctor's appt. I wish I could go in your stead. I don't mind the doctor's office and I'm a great patient. But I know there's a lot of anxiety, fear, embarrassment, etc that comes with being at the doctor's office. Sending you strength from afar. Sending you much love.

Thank you for the reinforcement and validation, Tillie. It truly gets easier and easier. I never thought I'd do a linen closet organization but that Instagram post was just so pretty. I am pretty shocked with how it worked out and the stuff I threw out.

I did my sock drawer this afternoon. I did it the right way this time. A few months back,, I did get rid of a lot of nylons and tights and socks. Turns out I had a lot more to go. And any that couldn't prove to me that they have a mate, were relocated to an undisclosed location (to protect SubC).

Thank you for checking the etiquette. I would never want to insult these ladies. When the cleaner texted me about tmr, I said sure and told her if I'm not here, to go to BF's office and pick up keys from him. Then I also wrote, do you and your friends want anymore clothes or do you have enough? That way I'm keeping everything cool. I love putting this stuff together for them. I feel like I'm shopping.

Tillie!!!! Look what we are doing!!!! I couldn't do this without you, Corey, Anony, Diane, Dianne, LR, Joan, Bitsy, CM, SubC, Tess, Motown. And everyone else.

Hi CriticalMass
Keep hanging in there.
Make sure to take extra special care of yourself.

Keep her spirits and hope up with a little talk of how nice it will be once she's in her home again.

The one thing people in long term nursing care need is hope.
Even if you just have to humor her.

(((((BIG HUGS)))))

At hospital. Friend moved from ICU to Select Specialty Hospital. It's a skilled nursing unit, where they can do things such as dialysis that a nursing home can't.

She still has a ways to go, and will have to go to a long term care facility even if things go well here. Yesterday she talked of being discharged home soon, which I thought sounded a little far-fetched. Our other friends clued me in today that that was wishful thinking.

But we just don't know. If her single kidney could regain some function, which is theoretically possible, and keep her ftom building fluid around her heart and lungs, and if treatment for infection in her foot is successful...and more.

Today was rather discombobulating, first with hearing that news and trying to take it in, then a whirlwind move to the different floor, and at first it was quite discomnobulating. I have a lousy sense of direction, I was anxious and sad, and the other friends had to go out for awhile. The nurse rather brusquely pointed me toward a tiny, cramped family lounge in which a man had thd TV blaring.

My nerves said "NOPE!" to that, so then I tried navigating on my own to locate a quieter spot, witn mixed success. Then enough time had passed that her dialysis and everything was set up so then I could return to her room, and it's perfectly peaceful here. I will have to leave soon; tonight and tomorrow evening I sit with my elderly lady for 3 hours.

I have a doctor appt. of my own tomorrow, routine, but I am a bit nervous about it so think good thoughts for all of us, okay? Thanks!

Go ahead and post away Tatoulia!

You're on a roll. So motivated.

It is going so well for you because you have been working at this so long and now have the proper mindset to do it.

I did notice how like is with like and kitty things are together.
No searching, moving stuff out of the way to get what you want out.
Also will be very easy to maintain it.
A place for everything and everything in it's place.

I was reading an article on the proper etiquette for gifting items to the house cleaners and you have been doing it perfectly.
WAY TO GO!

Once I thought if a use for something I'd donated. Just that one time, and that's when I realized, finding a use for something isn't the same as saying it is useful.

So true!
Many things can be categorized as useful but are they really useful for us?

Your friend on the West Coast will be so happy to receive the scarf. 🙂

Your closet is sounding GREAT.
Clothes you wear and space between everything.

Glad you can use the other baskets in your closet and don't feel the need to keep buying more & more.
That is a wonderful idea to containerize your Mom's bathroom stuff.

You not having regrets tells me that you have changed in so many wonderful ways.
Your thought processes are exactly the way they need to be to help you declutter and you will stay uncluttered evermore.
((((HUG))))

Cleaners coming tmr instead. That's fine with me. I've had a hankering to stay home tmr.

I'm sorry I'm posting so much. Now I'm doing a small load of delicates.

So I'm keeping the two aqua baskets that didn't fit in my linen closet. I'm going to buy two more. I can make good use of them in my bedroom closet. They fit perfectly on my shelves and look really pretty. But that's all I'm going to buy. I don't want to get ahead of myself.

I'll tell you something, I'm going to secretly measure my mother's bathroom shelves then see if there's anything I can do to improve that space. Recently she allowed me to clear off a few of the shelves. I'm going to measure then measure again then go to the store to see if there's a container or two that I could get to brighten up and beaten up the space. She doesn't have a door. Open shelving. Let's see what I can do. A few pretty pink baskets would bring her some joy. I'll squirrel away her things for Justin on the top shelf in something covered. Nothing I bought has covers because that's one more thing that I don't want to deal with.

Sorry to post so much. Im on a roll. I'm going to a new level and I'm really excited. I'm doing hidden stuff. Which will naturally make me a lot happier. I will be so much happier with fewer things.

Ok I just gathered more stuff for donation/cleaners. I washed the duvet cover and got rid of enough things for it to sit, incrowded, in my drawer. There is one closet rod that has been cleared of all clothes that I will not wear again. My closet has multiple rods. This is the skirt rod that is now only current skirts. The rest are ready to go.

I am going at a quick pace but this works for me. I have no regrets whatsoever on any of it. I have yet to feel a moment of regret, after five or six years. Once I thought if a use for something I'd donated. Just that one time, and that's when I realized, finding a use for something isn't the same as saying it is useful.

I got a few silk scarves ready for the cleaners. I also have an Hermès scarf that one of my neighbors used to covet. It was a gift. I'll have it dry cleaned and I still have the box for it. I'll box it up and send it to her. She's on the west coast now.

Tillie I am glad the funk is lifting. It's tough. I love the fact that you had sandals made just for you! So nice!!!

Very narrow closet. I took your suggestion and kept two white towels and the two guest towels. This closet used to be impossible, then it was better after being here, and now it's great. Nothing needs to be relocated. I got rid of the excess. The cat litter and cat pads are in the same basket.

I'm going to keep this going.

I ended up getting more things for cleaners including I took a giant sail bag (lovely, made out of sail cloth) and I filled it. I don't need the bag anymore, either.

Tillie I have a strong energy right now.

SubC I bet that is tough at the end of the school year. You are making a huge impact on their lives. You are a wonderful person.

Cm I continue to send warm thoughts your way.

The sky is clear and it's sunny out today.
It's breezy but no strong winds.
Going to go out when it warms up a bit and water things.
Not supposed to get above 60 degrees today.

Feeling more optimistic about doing things now,
the funk is lifting off me.

Yes Tatoulia, Miss Kitty is a Sweetheart.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical

More baby goats!
Nice having them spaced out a little instead of all at the same time.
But still a lot of work for you.

My fingers crossed the floor is finished this week and you can get things back in place.
It will be so lovely once it's all over & done with.

Try all you want, I know there will be tears no matter how hard you try to hold them back.
But they will be tears at how proud you are of them and joy at seeing them succeed, even though they are leaving you. (((hug)))

Don't give up on lucking out at the thrift shop for quality shoes.
ALL my shoes except the sandals I had made in the 1970s come from thrift shops.
Some are very slightly used but many are new, never worn.
I bought my first pair of gently worn SAS sandals there (2.50) and love them so much I kept looking for more and one day a store had donated 3 pair, new, tags still on in my size.
So I bought them all and paid less than 60.00 for all 3 pair.
I never would have been able to afford to buy even one pair new at 125.00 online.

Hi Tatoulia
I believe that at times ice cream is medicinal.
Really looking forward to the Summer fruits to come in because they are as satisfying as candy & pastries.
Dreaming of watermelon...

I have been hoping that as you organize the closet you would be better able to see what you may have excess of in there.
The problem with closets is if the stuff fits you can just shut the door and it's all out of sight/out of mind.
But taking everything out then organizing as it's put back makes you question everything.

JUST HIT REFRESH on Instagram!!!
Very nice!
Organized and not overly filled spaces.
Really like your aqua.
That is a very narrow closet, I think this will help you keep things straight and easily found.

Linen closet photos are up. I should've taken a before.

Yay!!!! I'll post more pictures. Isn't kitty a nice girl? I'll post the pictures of my linen closet!!

I copy & pasted the Instagram Suzie link in and I see your sofa, hallway table and bay window, table and Miss Kitty!!!

I have three big bags for the cleaners and two big bags for goodwill. I'm hiding the goodwill ones. They are suits and it is my preference to send work clothes to goodwill. One of the goodwill bags is lesser stuff that I'd feel funny giving to the cleaners but the stuff still has life in it-unused cosmetic bags, unmatched cloth napkins, stuff that is perfectly usable. I like to curate my cleaning fairie bags for stuff I think they'd look nice in. And the pictures have proven me right. They love my dressy dresses!!

Try entering Instagram.com/Susie.7010 in your url line and see if it works.

Tillie, sugar consumption also takes a toll on me. I've been doing the sugar blasting from my nutritionist. I haven't really worked the entire program but it has changed my feelings about sugar. I am carrying around tiny packets of dried apricots, prunes and raisins. It's going pretty well. I avoided all the candy in the office yesterday, invoking a technique my sugar class is teaching me. I feel scads better. I know with the fresh fruits of summer, and some banana or strawberry smoothies, we can get away from the processed sugars.

Of course I'm all about the ice cream when I'm sad. I'm not a radical.

Shoes!! Yes so important! I had a pair of bass that to this day I wish I could get back. Funny about the sandals, SubC, because I once bought a similarly expensive pair at goodwill and to this day, they are fantastic. They were in the expensive brand section of goodwill and I think I paid $5.97. They are wonderful. I also got a pair of green suede high heels that I wore one fall/winter in the office and then I donated them back to goodwill.

I think if you go to Instagram.com there is a search feature. Try looking for Susie.7010. I put three pics up. You don't have to sign up to look and I can't tell who has been there. I made it public.

It's hard to get a picture of the closet since the hallway is so narrow. So I'll take a few.

Doing the closet has shown me I own too much stuff.

May: for me: theme: Reduce, donate, recycle.

Not sure about Instagram.

Yes, finishing the school year, not crying in front of the kids, planting things, having the floor done and putting the furniture back.

I have baby goats due again in the next two weeks. The 11th would be best.

The floor is looking good. Hope it will be done friday.

Tatoulia, I either buy quality, expensive shoes, like my boots, or goodwill shoes. But actually, I have a pair of dress sandals from goodwill that are the most comfortable shoes ever! They cost me $2.50, and when I looked them up, they retail for over $300. (That is beyond my "quality expensive" range, so I will never have another pair.)

My kids have been raised to spend $ on boots/work and running shoes, and nothing on fashion (it didn't quite take on dd2, but she does wear fashion for her job....) your feet are important. Maybe it's because I raise goats, who from a functional standpoint have been defined as "stomaches on feet"- those being the two key parts of a goat to care for.