It has been a glorious, warm, sunny day. I had a very productive Saturday working outside. I put organic fertilizer on the front yard. I cleaned out the iris/lily/peony bed. I trimmed the bittersweet back and secured its trellis. The dogs romped in the backyard while I worked. I wanted to work on the raised bed, but that will need to wait until tomorrow. I am tired and hungry. It is a good tired from getting things accomplished.
Last spring my doctor and I were trying to find a medication and dosage to deal with my depression without side effects. I was always tired and had very little energy or motivation to do even the things I had previously enjoyed, including working in my yard and garden. I cannot believe how much better I feel this year and how much more energy and enjoyment I have.
Spring is working hard to make up for lost time. Three varieties of daffodil/jonquils are blooming. The trees and bushes are budding out. The grass is greening up. My friend Jami says her magnolia tree is blooming.
I will start back working inside on Monday. I have decided to work on 3 small areas---my entry, the laundry room, and the back hall. Unfortunately, I had started using the back hall to store things i don't know what to do with. There is just one bin and a puppy gate. The progress I make cleaning and decluttering those areas should help me to be able to tackle the larger areas of the bedroom and living room.
I hope to talk with you all tomorrow night in the support group. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Tillie: Thanks for the info on the wasps. Sounds like you've really been getting lots done. Happy wasp/ant killing.

Karl: Hope you get the phone situation worked out soon!

Cory C.: I'm so glad to see that your company is expanding! I like that you have balance in your life. You work hard with your business(es) and accomplish a lot, but you also make family and rest a priority. I like that example that you set for us.

My goals for today: I plan to add to my gratitude list. I also need to get the dishwasher ready to run. I already went to the Laundromat and dried the clothes I didn't dry yesterday. Need to put those away. I think I will also follow my 10-minutes-at-a-time plan I mentioned in a post below to get some general cleaning done. Sometime this week, I will probably start posting on the "lost item" thread. I have more than a few things to put there.

I expect to be spending time with a good friend this evening, so I won't get too ambitious with my cleaning/dejunking plans for today.

Have a great day, all!

Good morning 🙂

Hi LR2014 🙂
Thank you.
I have those plastic wasp traps that the wasps crawl into and then almost never figure out how to get back out.
YEA! for getting that wire out.

Hi Barb 🙂
I also will fixate on one area because it is so nice and fun to be in that space but then I will move on to another area to get it to the same level of "done-ness" so they all match. 😉

Hi Dave 🙂

Hi Karl 🙂
Good luck finding a phone to use to get your phone service working.
Hospitals and casinos still have pay phones here.

Hi Cory 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! and congratulations! 😀
Have a wonderful day today. (((hugs)))

Yesterday I did a LOT of physical work.
Fertilized and watered everything.
Did a bunch more outside maintenance work too since I was already out there and dirty anyways.
After I showered I did 3 loads of laundry, hung it to dry and when it dried I put it all away.
Some aches & pains and tired & sore body but I am very happy with my accomplishments.
My plan for today is to wander around outside killing wasps and poisoning ants.
My lilacs are starting to bloom! 😀
Have a fantastic Saturday! 😀

Happy Saturday, we made it! Today is my day if rest. Need to do the general maintenance cleaning but then the family and I are going on a hike. Getting out in nature and breathing the fresh air revitalizes me.
After that come home and pack for my trip to Virginia tomorrow. If you are in or close to Ricmond Virginia, come meet me at our grand opening celebration of our new Steri-Clean Richmond location! Address is 237 Granite Springs Rd, Richmond, VA 23225. It's on Tuesday from noon to 2:00pm and food will be provided. Hope some of you can make it! Email me at info@HOARDERS.com for more details.

Still no phone service. Getting that straightened out is a pain. I figured I should be able to call the service provider from a pay phone, but I couldn't find one anywhere. I've since come up with more ideas on what establishments might still have one, so I'll try again this weekend.

Reflections on my goals for yesterday:

I added to my gratitude list. It is worthwhile to note that I looked to see when my "gratitude list" computer file was last modified, and I saw I hadn't added anything to it since April 7. That tells me I need to go back to specifically listing my gratitude list as a goal each day. I see that adding to my gratitude list is not yet an automatic part of my daily routine.

In the afternoon yesterday, when I looked back at my posted goals, I noticed that I'd posted the phrase "finish putting steps into action" regarding repair of that deteriorated bathroom item." Ah, "finish!" By that time, it was 4:00. Rereading my goals prompted me to go ahead and finish the unfinished: I have now officially notified management of the need for repairs, and I expect the matter will be taken care of this coming week.

I did consult my instruction manual on my tool, and I did end up asking for help. A neighbor used his set of tools and got the wire out of it. I still have to finish reassembling the tool, but to keep my evening balanced, I chose wait and work on that part later.

The laundry? That part is a little more amusing. I'd done two loads that I needed to take to the Laundromat for drying. I had put the first load inside the non-working dryer at home just to have a place to put it until I went to the Laundromat. Later, when I dutifully arrived at the Laundromat, I noticed that my load seemed a lot smaller than I thought it should be. I didn't realize until I'd finished drying that load that I'd left half of the wet laundry in my non-working dryer. Too late to go back and get it; had too many other things to do. Oh, well, can't win ?em all.

I really, really procrastinated on the 20 minutes of paperwork. In the end, though, I did it, all because it was on my posted list.

Happy Saturday, all. More later.

Barb, I very much relate to the fixating on one area thing.

Dave, I relate to #2 and #3. I'll probably find I relate to the first one, too, if I think about it some more. This may not totally fit what we're talking about here, but the third one reminds me of what I call my "hierarchy of dreads." Sometimes, there may be a cleaning task (or other type of task) that I usually dread and put off. Although this isn't really one of my personal dreads, just for the sake of example, let's pretend I personally dread cleaning the toilet. Then something that I dread even more, like having to work on taxes, starts looming. Suddenly, the lesser dreads in my life start sounding appealing. I might scrub away at the toilet, because it seems almost like fun compared to something like doing the taxes. Sometimes all kinds of things get cleaned when I have something unpleasant that is pending (especially, like you say, if it's something that requires logistics I can't at that time work out in my head). Of course, sometimes I can also curl up into a ball when something dreaded is looming, and I just wish the world would go away (but that's not the topic here).

One thing that has helped me not over-focus on one area of cleaning has been to write out a list of areas to clean or tasks to be worked on. I put my list in a handy place and set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, I tell myself I "have to" move on to the next thing on the list. When I get to the bottom of the list, then I can start back up at the top again. This helps me with both things.not over-focusing on a certain task and not totally avoiding some other task.

Doing this ten-minute thing has also helped me be aware of how distracted I can get while doing a certain task. Sometimes, rather than get hyper-focused and "hyper-cleaning" an area, I can do the opposite: flit from one task I started to another in a matter of a minute, starting this and then leaving it to do that (and really getting almost nothing accomplished). Sometimes it has taken a lot of discipline for me to keep at a given task for the whole ten minutes!

But yes, I really relate!

OK, LR, back to work!

Barb,

Thinking about your question a bit, I think of three things that would be possibilities for me.

1) Exercising a compulsion to acquire specific items relating to some objective. ie being so compulsion driven over something that I am mentally unable to set it as a lower priority, even though life events or current day needs would suggest that is an appropriate action at this time.

2) Undue attention to detail when that is not necessarily called for at a particular time. Example, while washing dishes to get functioning counter and range space, also washing range hood and cabinet doors above range hood. The excessive attention to detail on an "easy" or current task may often be done with reason three as an unstated and sometimes unrealized objective.

3) Avoiding another task; for a variety of reasons. It requires logistics I can't work out in my head. It requires emotional or mental strength I don't have at a specific time. ie being asked to do something in the evening when I would be able to do it better in the morning with a fresh mind. I am unable to think of a mental state in which I could accomplish that task at this point in my life.

It's good to read the posts from old friends and new.
Since I decluttered and cleaned my kitchen, I keep being drawn back to that room and finding other things to do there. Today I took the ceiling chandelier over the kitchen table apart and completely cleaned it and added new bulbs. It is much brighter in there.
But I really need to move on to other rooms and get them uncluttered and clean, too. And today would have been a good day to put fertilizer on the front yard since it is not windy.
Does anyone else have this problem---fixating on one area instead of moving on?

Roxie: Good for you for getting all these health matters taken care of; it's a good example for me to follow. Thanks for your concern about my foot. It's feeling fine at the moment, and that after having been walking a lot yesterday (with boots on) on a lot of uneven ground. Yes, like Tillie says, go for the one-finger posts when you feel like doing so; even if you can't do that, we'll know you're thinking about us and perhaps even reading our posts. Know that we are thinking about you. I will think about "something that makes me happy" to do today.

Tillie: Best wishes with the fertilizing. Thanks for all your encouragement. As for the wasp traps, do you have homemade ones or do you buy something?

Barb: I'm working on my tool repair in my kitchen. Feel free to bring your new floor cleaner over to my place when you finish. : )

I'll probably check back in later today to read more posts. That's one of the "something that makes me happy" things that I now do for myself.

Goals for today:

Add to my gratitude list. Finish putting steps into action that I started a day or two ago to get another deteriorated bathroom item replaced. Consult my instruction manual (see earlier story) and get help if necessary to fix my jammed tool so I can use it again soon. Do more laundry and put it away. Spend 20 more minutes on paperwork.

Have a good day, everyone.

Good morning 🙂

Hi LR2014 🙂
Sounds like except for that darned wire you had a GREAT day and got a whole lot accomplished. 😀
WAY TO GO!

Hi Roxie 🙂
I have a hard time opening those pull top cat food cans even with two hands to do it.
Maybe you could open a couple of cans of cat food, scoop them into a tupperware bowl, put them in the fridge and dish out the food daily as needed?
Yes, bras are a big problem after this surgery unless you can find someone to hook them for you.
Those sports bras don't have hooks but are hard to wiggle into. Most women find they just have to forget about bras for a while.
Make sure you get enough rest and stay hydrated during this very stressful pre-op time.
You can keep us updated here by posting using just one finger of your good hand. (((hugs)))

Hi Barb 🙂
WAY TO GO! steaming that floor! 😀
A new mat will be a wonderful reward.
I wonder about the mail too. Mine does the same thing. Flies right over me and goes to California before coming back this way.

Well, today I am going outside to give everything some composted steer manure and a good watering.
Hate doing this task but the plants all love it.
Then I will hang my 4 wasp traps that I will bait with sugar water.
Then I will come back inside and take a good long hot shower.

Happy Friday everybody! 😀

Good morning all!
I tried that new steam cleaner on my kitchen floor. It did get it nice and clean without harsh chemicals and is easy to use. The downside is the water reservoir holds less than a cup of water so it took three refills to finish my small kitchen. Also it leaves about 1/4 to 1/2 inch next to the baseboards, so I still have to get down on my hands and knees with a sponge to finish the job.
My reward will be a new kitchen mat for the area between the kitchen and the garage door. I had a throw rug there, but every time Frank and the dogs ran into the kitchen to be fed, they sent it flying, even with a grip pad underneath.
It got up to 70 degrees yesterday!Woo-hoo! So much more pleasant than the frigid cold we experienced last month. i want to prepare my raised garden bed this weekend. That's where the salsa garden will go.
My seeds are still not here yet. I do not understand the new US Postal service routing system where mail coming from the east coast has to go to 2 other states west of me before it comes to Indiana. I have been tracking them and it will end up taking 12 days. I'm glad seeds are not perishable.
Roxie, I am glad that you are getting the surgery you need.
Have a great day, everyone.

Diane, you have accomplished more in one day than I get done in a week! What the heck are hemp hearts? 🙂

Do something that makes you happy today!

Hi, everyone. I haven't read all the posts yet. (I usually do that in the morning.) Looking forward to reading later what everyone wrote. Tonight, I need to write my post and get some sleep.

I got up pretty early and kind of hit the ground running this morning. Wanted to get out to that rural area I've talked about, in part to work on storm cleanup from last week. My original plan was to get back home by midday hit, get cleaned up, read posts, do a few other things, and then head off to another town about 40 miles from here for a once-a-month evening meeting I like to go to. Then I'd planned to go by a Laundromat on the way home from my meeting to dry some more clothes (since my dryer is pooped out, ya know).

Well, at least things started off according to plans. I got some of the storm cleanup done, got rid of some small, unwanted trees, and dealt with another item or two out there in that rural area. While there, I also unloaded some stuff that had been in my vehicle for months (some things I'd been debating what to do with) and trashed them. (Yea!) Problem, though: While working out there, I managed to get a piece of old wire caught up inside of one of the power tools I was using out there. Not a good thing, but seemed to me to eventually be fixable. Oh, well. I'd done all the work with that tool I'd planned to do for the morning, and I was getting hungry. Packed up, left, and grabbed a burger, and eventually headed home. So far, so good (except for the wire part).

Now here's where I don't know how to judge the rest of my day. The good thing is that I decided to not follow old habits when I got home. Instead of immediately going inside upon arriving home like I would normally do and save the vehicle unloading for that dubious "later" or "tomorrow," I decided to unload and clean out the vehicle right away. (I'm not saying it's clean. I just mean I cleaned up the part of the mess that I made this morning.) And then.

.I decided that instead waiting until that dubious "later" to fix my tool (the one with the wire stuck in it) I'd work on a new behavior and fix it right away. By this time, it was early afternoon (and it was starting to get windy). I decided that by removing certain screws, I could probably get down to the part I needed to get down to, remove the wire, and then hopefully my tool would be back in working order and ready for use tomorrow. Good plan (it seemed)! But then there were more screws, and more screws, and more. Without taking up the whole website with my story, let me say that I spent forever on this task with the best of intentions. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the wire out the way I was trying to do it, and then I couldn't get all the screws to go back in right. I guess if I get insomnia, I'll try it again later tonight. Right now, the wire is still in there, but some of the screws are not. I guess one could say that I definitely have a few screws loose. But for today, that's OK.

Made my meeting tonight that I wanted to attend, got my laundry dried, and am finally posting something. Got lots of exercise, and so far, no headache. (I did wear my mask!)

Tomorrow, I will probably do something unusual, like read the owner's manual.

Happy day, everyone.

Good morning 🙂

Hi Diane 🙂
Happy you got out and about! 😀
WAY TO GO! doing all those tasks before leaving!!!
I find timed challenges are great for getting a lot of the usual daily maintenance tasks accomplished.
I LOVE your new glasses. 😀

Hello everybody who reads here ;D

Another lovely day here in northern Nevada.
Taking is easy today.
Will be cleaning up some veggies for salad.
Sewing a little bit on a drape then hanging it up.
Really need to do a pedicure now that I am wearing sandals. Going with the hot pink polish. 🙂
Will water some stuff in the yard today too.

Hi Roxie 🙂
I am very glad you will be getting your arm fixed. 😀
Never had this surgery myself but have known others who have.
You need to get food in the house that you will be able to easily fix.
You will not be able to slice cheese or use a manual can opener. Some jars/bottles will be almost impossible for you to open.
Keep all this in mind while you shop for food to eat while you recover.
You can slice foods and loosen bottle caps before surgery and store the opened foods in the fridge.
Another thing is clothes. Get ready clothing that doesn't have to be buttoned, tied, snapped or fastened in any way.
Grooming is also hard. Make sure your bathroom is clear of clutter and you have all the items you need set in there, easily accessable.
Have some books and/or movies ready to help you pass the time.
Make sure to have your bed and livingroom chairs clear and their surrounding areas.
You will be spending a lot of time in these areas while healing.
Make some plans to be outdoors now that the weather is nice. Fresh air and sunshine are always the best medicine. 😀
(((HUGS)))

Yesterday as today, couldn't go back to sleep so up way to early.
Yesterday met my friend at 9:15am so got to work and washed dishes, cleaned counters, took shower washed, curled hair, scoured tub, sink, and toilet. I was like an efficient machine. It was funny, having the time limit got me in high gear to see how much I could accomplish before I had to leave house. when I have all day, seem to think too much before taking action.
Went to sewing class 10-3, it was great, so many interesting things were taught about serger machines. Machines are $2300 to $6200, so I knew I would not buy, friend has one, she wanted to learn more techniques, nice women there. by 2pm I wanted to leave, felt trapped inside that long. I made it until the end, and once I got outside and walked I started to feel better. we went to Harbor freight to get some stuff for her husband, never been there, loved all the tools to look at. Went to fabric store to get fabric for a kids book she is making then to costco, got my berries, soy milk, hemp hearts, made a milkshake as soon as I got home.
I ordered my new glasses with the help of my friend, they are so great, purple with the nike swish in lime green on the arms.
I have lost weight and she has gained so I was able to give her some of my donation pants in her current size. Car is still full of donations from last week, want to put another few bags in and drop off later this week. Billie you did so great.

Good morning. LR, I find one of the best things is to lie on the floor, butt close to wall and put heels on wall, legs as straight as comfortable, up as high as possible, keeping entire back flat on floor. May need to tuck pelvis to get back flat. Deep breathe and relax. This helps back and foot. Often back of leg muscles are tight as well as back muscles to cause back pain. Isometric muscle contractions on tummy helps support back. Weak abs and tight hamstrings are common in back problems.
Roxie, I wish you well with surgery.
Tillie, I sprayed trees with strong stream of water and the pollen was flying, it is bad, hope you get relief soon.
Billie so happy you were on chat and that you are willing to let go of so much stuff
Hello everyone else too.

LR: good for you, getting laundry done and the store run. Have you seen a doctor about your foot? I'm concerned.

Hi Billie 😀
WAY TO GO!!!
Fantastic job you did getting things for donation! 😀
Loved reading your post! 😀

Hi LR2014 🙂

Well, today I got my To-Do list finished. YEA! me 😀

Now to work on making another list for tomorrow but this list will be easier stuff and some fun tasks too.

Hi, again to all.

Yea, Billie, for the donation box!

Hope you feel better, soon, Tillie. Although my problem is not allergies today, I'm in something of the same boat.

Been having physical pain issues the past few days of various sorts (back as well as foot). I think that some of the back stuff may be spasms from stress: the stress that sometimes (sometimes?????) comes with change. Haven't had back issues in a very long time. I have a to-do list for today, but I don't know how much of the things on my to-do list are going to get to-done (at least as far as the ones go that involve much physical activity). I still need to finish a few things from yesterday's list that I physically didn't feel like getting done last night. Then I'll go back to focusing on today's list. I will try to be sure to take breaks.

Keep up the good work, everybody!

Well...I finally got on here again. I just had to share my excitement today of my monthly donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters:
A set of wooden risers for stair steps
A bunch of extra Easter decorations
11 Books
16 pair of pants
I met the driver when he came to pick up the donations from my porch. He commented "You sure donate a lot don't you?" I said yes, I guess I do. Then he felt kind of apologetic about his statement. I told him, that it was fine and that I appreciatd his observation. Then I told him that I am a hoarder, but not like the extreme hoarders they show on TV. But that I have way to much stuff and this is a good way to help me get rid of some of my extra stuff that could benefit others and actually be put to use. He complimented me on my contribution. 🙂

Good morning 🙂

Hi Barb 🙂
I truly understand how hard it would be giving up some control.
That is the main reason most people are doing all the sorting out all by themselves.
I have tried to imagine someone going through my stuff and deciding for me what I should keep. I would have a very hard time with it. (((hugs)))

Hi Dave 🙂
GREAT! to hear from you! 😀

Hi LR2014 🙂
WAY TO GO! with making plans. 😀
A lot of my plans don't go exactly as planned either but it's better than having no plans at all. ;D
Hope your foot gets better real soon, (((hugs))).

Hi Diane 🙂
WAY TO GO!!!! 😀 for all you accomplished!
Wishing you a wonderful time today. (((HUGS)))

Hi Roxie 🙂
Good luck with the appointment.
Take care and make sure to rest up. (((HUGS)))

I have my list of 4 things I plan to do today sitting here in front of me.
Don't feel up to doing them though.
Thinking maybe the tree pollen allergies are getting me down & tired.
But I will finish drinking my tea and then at least to attempt to start on my list.
Know that the cats will get their boxes scooped and fresh water & kibble bowls filled, as always.

GOOD LUCK!
with all your plans for today 😀

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but I get so much out of reading everybody's posts! Thank you for posting!

Follow-up on my goals from yesterday: I did make my trip to the store and did get the rest of my laundry washed. Also got it dried, but so many dryers at the Laundromat were broken and so many others were in use that that took longer than expected. By the time I got home, I'd started having significant trouble with a foot and it was hard to walk, so I scrapped most of the "getting it all folded and put away" plans. (As a matter of fact, my foot hurt too much at the time to even bring it all in from my vehicle.) But I did eat supper and then make the chat.

Part of today's goals is to finish the part from yesterday's goals (foot permitting) that I didn't finish last night. I'll probably post more later.

Happy day, all.

Wonderful to read each of your posts.

Making a list the last two days has helped me stay focused, especially when a new thing comes to mind, I remember to write it down and not jump to it. I did spray weeds for a few hours. Patched kitchen ceiling where I drilled holes to let water out. Mixed paint to use on it. I used the paint stirrer that goes on drill for the first time, really mixes it so much faster than by hand.
Tomorrow I go to a sewing class with a friend and to Costco and a few other places she wants to go to, so it will be a vacation day.

Wow.so many posts I'd love to comment on! Thank you all for the ongoing encouragement. Can't resist commenting on the ant business. Been there, done that, drove me buggie. Haven't had them in a while, but I keep my eye out. I'll remember the tip about citrus cleaner.

I usually post my daily goals in the morning, but I had other things going on and didn't "get to it." I did have goals in my mind, though. That by itself is good.

(1) Since my dryer pooped out this weekend, I intended to finish up some washing and then take the wet clothes to the local Laundromat for drying. That much is already in progress as I write this. (Have it all loaded up in my vehicle ready to go, except for the one that is now still washing.) I'm thankful today for washing machines. I also plan to fold and put away my laundry. I don't usually do this much laundry all at once, so that will be a chore in and of itself.

(2) I have some tools in the floorboard of my vehicle that have been there (not in their proper place) since Friday night. I need to put them where they belong.

(3) I plan to take the shopping list I made with me and buy some needed items when I am on the way to get my clothes dried.

I plan at this point to be at the chat tonight.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Hi all.

Dave and Mrs. Dave are doing well.

To one time posters desperately seeking help, in the event some of you are still watching the forum. A reminder, changing hoarding behaviors and cleaning up after them is a process, not an event.

Courtney
Jeni
Mark C
Tracy
Nancy

check in and let us know how things are going for you.

Thanks for your encouraging words, Tillie.
I know I can't keep the ants out this time of year, but if the kitchen is clean they tend to just march through in a line and not stick around for the free meals. They don't seem to like the smell of citrus cleaners.
Stera-Clean would knock out the decluttering/cleaning quicker, but I would have to give up a certain amount of control. As careful as people are, mistakes do happen and irreplaceable items are lost forever and things get broken.
I helped Mom clean out my grandparents' fifteen room farmhouse after squatters broke in and trashed it. I cleaned and reorganized her house when she went into a depression after my dad died. I know I can do this. It is whether or not I am making sufficient progress in a timely manner.
I need to see what I can do first.

Good morning 🙂

Hi Karl 🙂
Great planning, checking out your new local stores. 😀
I think you will be able to get better organized now living in your new uncluttered room.

Hi LR2014 🙂
WAY TO GO!
Getting those repairs done and working through other tasks. 😀

Hi Barb 🙂
GREAT! planning on keeping those ants out.
But sometimes they still come in even when there is no food or water for them to find. Don't let that discourage you.
Keep up all this fantastic progress! (((hugs)))

The wonderful thing about hiring Steri-Clean is that they can get you to your goals in just a day or two.
They are trained to keep a look out for any valuables and important papers as they remove years and years worth of clutter from your lives.
After they finish you are free to start living your life, free from clutter and the heavy weight of having to deal with it all every day.
A fresh new begining. 😀

Tuesday...
Planning to clean my winter shoes and slippers and get them put away till next Fall.
Some will be getting tossed out.
Have a corned beef to cook & slice up for sandwiches.
Thinking about making a pie. So many different choices to consider.

Have a GREAT! day everybody 😀