MayMay,
It is great to be back...even though you made me blush a little 😉

Diane,
If it makes you feel any better, we all have filthy floor under our refrigerator! Maybe not quite as bad, but you did it and it is done. You can get caught up on your to do list later today or tomorrow. Sounds like you need to do something fun now 🙂

Thanks Cory, sure wish you would have been here when I pulled refrigerator out and started crying!!!! It is clean now, years worth of dirt gone.

OMG! The Stud Muffin of extreme cleaners is back. 😉

Hi Cory. 🙂

Dianne and Diane,
It sounds like you are both doing excellent at making progress! Definitely keep up the great work on your homes and yourselves. I am sorry we have some people not feeling well today. Tillie, get your rest so you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather in NV!

I am so happy to see you all interacting so much on here. What a great thing you all are doing with one another 🙂

Hey Tillie, Mary,

I hope that you both feel better soon.

Mary I'm in Northwest Indiana.. 🙂
Yeah someone local!!

Hi Tillie and Mary,

I hope you guys feel better soon.

(((HUGS)))

Thanks Dianne,

All of the firefighters that were at the scene all complimented me and told me that I did a great job with helping the lady too. They also gave me lots of hugs and one of them even kissed me on the cheek when he told me that I did a great job helping the lady. 🙂

I am so glad to hear that your daughter and grandchildren were okay after your daughter was hit by the drunk driver. 🙂

Must be the full moon not feeling well here either. Computer sick too my Java won't work...
Here's to a new day....

Good morning everyone 🙂

I will write more later.
Been feeling sick since last night and need to take it easy this morning.
Nothing serious, just one of those things. 😉

Have a great day everybody.

Good morning all, I have been focused on living room and the dishes piled up a few days, this morning I got them done. I have never done daily maintenance, just wait until it is a disaster, so must keep practicing daily maintenance as well as uncluttering. Didn't sleep well last night, still plan to stay on track and start going through clothes. Take old paint to paint store, bags to thrift store, old tires out of car, fill car with gas, get haircut, go to bank. I am looking forward to leaving home, been staying home with decluttering, will be fun to leave, with a list of things to accomplish. Hope you all have a fun productive day.

Dianne, great to hear what you are doing, and your insights. Seems normal to have clutter when it creeps in, until you see a clean fresh rental, and how much better it feels, good description, I can almost visualize your beach place, and also want to remind you to be grateful for your homes, you are blessed, and now makeing both better. Sure would be nice to stay overnight at beach so you could do more at one time. Might be worth a try and see how daughter does without you for a day or two. I am very happy to read all that you write.

Thanks Dianne,
I have to think of myself only and my sister.
I can't do anything for my mother. She buys objects for hurt feelings. Her late sister who was taken by Overian Cancer in 2001 Feb 19, She gets things today for her saying "SHe would've liked that." And she buys it. I guess in her mind it's her way of feeling better if she buys things to replace hurt feelings.
It's the same with the loss of her mother in 2011. SHe wants photographs that her mother had had, because of issues with her siblings, she collects, the dining room table, cookie cutters, and a whole bunch of other stuff that she has more than enough of to replace the hurt feelings to feel more complete I guess.
Helen Buttiguigg says that "clutter is post poned decisions."
She is from the tv show "Neat" I love watching her. She always says "THere is always some grief before relief." WHen she is helping people deal with the clutter and help them change because they want to change. It's a Canadian show, but for me, it's a version of the tv show Hoarders which I can't watch because it's not available to me.
I'm so glad that I can offer online support to not only you but to any one else that wants help or just to relate to the feelings that are mutual with this problem. I greatly encourage anyone who has started to seek some kind of help. My mother will never change. She says that she knows what the problem is but will never admit that she is too terrified to get help or never admit that she needs help mentally. It's T-Storming all day and night by me and will delay computer issues all day and night.
Best wishes and keep up the good work. 🙂

The past couple of days I've been moving at a pretty good clip. Monday I finished up stuff I started over the weekend. Yesterday I had to go to my beach place and start work on that for the rentals. Hard because it's about a 6 hour round trip. Then I only stay down there for a few hours and come back home. I don't like leaving my live-in daughter with all the animal care for too long. She can do it but it's hard.

Hope you all have a productive day or a day of good rest, as you need. 🙂

Hi Lynn,

So happy to see you on this board! Dianne

MayMay the woman who was hit by the drunk driver is so fortunate you were there with your caring heart to help her!

You could have been in danger yourself interacting with the drunk guy. But I know that wasn't even a concern in your mind, dear girl. Take good care of yourself. 🙂

diane you are accomplishing so much!!! You are truly an amazing, strong, beautiful woman! Such an inspiration!

God bless you!!!

Tille how wonderful that your hoarder husband got so much done! Mowing, edging, getting a lot together for the thrift store. Spring is a wonderful mood lifter but so is having a wife who is dedicated to making a lovely home. You inspire him. 🙂

Hi everybody! 😀

Lynn,
The driver of the car that got hit will be okay. She just got a lot of bumps and bruises from the accident. The drunk driver was so drunk that I don't even think he was able to fully grasp the whole situation that was going on. He was a really calm drunk and he seemed really out of it the whole time everything was happening. He didn't even try to run; which kind of shocked me. I'm glad that he decided not to run though; because if he did decide to run, then he might not have gotten arrested.

Thanks diane. 🙂
After it was all over I just sat on the edge of the fire truck next to one of the firefighters and cried because the accident reminded me so much of the car accident that I was in when I was 19.

Tillie,
Ok I'll clean out my closet before I go to Hawaii. It's going to take forever to get my whole closet totally cleaned out. But I'll try to have it totally done before I go to Hawaii. 🙂

Thanks so much Tillie. It is new information for me, I have never lived like you described, I want that so much, love being able to relax, without stuff all over the place, although I can see piles in dining room, living room is now sanctuary, I plan to do what it takes to keep it this way, I love it!!!!!!! Tillie, you have made all the difference in my recovery with your daily support.

MayMay,

Here is what we want you to do before your trip to Hawaii...

Dig out that closet!

Sort, delete, organize.

Make it a real walk in closet.

Post here daily to tell us about your progress. 😀

Happy the woman was alright & the drunk arrested.

Diane! 😀

Your livingroom sounds like a wonderful place to sit and relax in.
You did a lot inside and still had time to get outdoors to enjoy the day! 😀

Time to talk about the areas you have reclaimed.
These are now called

"NO CLUTTER ZONES"

We must defend these zones every day.
Do not allow that clutter to creep back in.
Enjoy these areas but when you get up take any cup, glass or plate into the kitchen.
Gather up any newspapers, magazines, books or whatever and put them neatly away where they belong.

A few minutes spent daily tidying will keep your home from falling back into clutter.

You have been doing FANTASTIC! 😀

Take good care of yourself MayMay, it shocks your body to go through the trauma of watching a wreck. So wonderful you were able to stop and help at the scene.

Hi everyone,
so great reading all of your interesting posts. I started in living room and finished the area by the chair, it looks so nice. Actually hooked up DVR today. I worked until tired, at that moment a friend called, and we both enjoyed our chat. I realized the sun was out and no wind for a change, so I went out and watered plants, pulled weeds. Had a fantastic time outside, oh, mowed lawn too. I love my living room now, really want to maintain living room and avoid clutter. Now have to go through clothes at the end of the living room tomorrow. The big cabinet connecting living room and dining room will be next then start on the piles in dining room. I was worried I would feel empty with junk out of living room, but art and colors make it so cozy. Still have my favorite big basket with lid, and a few other things I love, just not all the little junk. Have lamps I like so looks really nice. It is really amazing that there are no junk piles. It will be fun to have the clothes out of here, then I will really be comfortable. Thank you all for your wisdom and especially Tillie for all of your daily support.

MayMay I hope that the driver that got hit is ok.
I am a professional rescuer and I never had an incident yet, thankfully. I've been certified now for over 17yrs and will recertify this July.
I'm glad the drunk driver was able to get arrested. Unusual that he hung around for the cops though. ?

OMG! I saw something very frightening happen today. 😮

Today while I was walking Matt and Cory, I saw a car accident happen right in front of me. 😮

A car got side swiped by an SUV.

Luckily both drivers were ok.

When I went to check on the driver of the car that got hit, I noticed that she was passed out; but then shortly after I talked to the "Onstar" lady from her car, she started to come to. I stayed with her until the paramedics and firefighters arrived. 🙂

The driver of the SUV that hit her was totally drunk.

As I was checking on the driver of the car that got hit, the driver of the SUV came stumbling out of his SUV holding a bottle of beer and smelling like alcohol. As I noticed him coming near the car that he hit, I asked him if he was hurt. After I asked him that, he asked me what happened; so I told him that he hit a lady's car while he was driving. And then I asked him how much he had to drink and told him to stand on the sidewalk next to Matt and Cory until the police and EMS arrive. Luckily he listened to me. 🙂

The paramedics and firefighters arrived before the police did. So after the paramedics took the lady to the hospital me, Matt, Cory, and the drunk driver all waited with the firefighters until the police arrived. 🙂

Then after the police arrived, the drunk driver was arrested.

Yes and Thanks Tillie,

I knew many years ago that something was wrong.
I was between the age of 10-13 when I knew something was wrong.

I'm betting that not too many kids stop asking/beg not to get any more stuffed animals for stuffed animals because they realize they have no room for new ones and don't feel comfortable with getting more stuff without getting rid of any old stuff.

My purging muscles are very strong but I can't let go of stuff due to my mother. She is the one that isn't willing to change or admit anything is wrong with her.

I admit too that I have some letting go issues too but am very willing to get help for that to help me see the light a little brighter.

Some stuff is alot easier to let go than others.
I understand that, but I need space and I need to be out on my own.

For the first time in my life I am an owner of my own car. No more car payments to pay either.. Yeah!!

I am the sole owner of my car. 🙂 Yippee!!

I am very grateful that I found this web site and have someone to talk to with any issues that come up over this topic of cleaning and jumping over those mental blocks that hinder a better life.

My grandmother on my father's side was English and I strongly believe if not because of her my purging muscles may not be so strong and with the strong desire to get help and realize this type of living is not healthy and is a dangerous fire hazard.

My mother will never change but I do know that my future is bright with a high potential to live a clean and organized life and I can always ask for help.

No organizer will ever critize a person's place of living if asking for help to clean.
Their goal is to get to the root of the problem and help recover and stay neat and organized.

I'm also here to help support others on this site too.
Everybody needs some support somewhere down the line.

🙂

HI Lynn 🙂

Good luck and best wishes on the job search.

I have always found that when I have a job I find leads to better jobs that I would rather have.
Social networking while out in the work place does pay off. 🙂

Many children of hoarders do break the hoarding/cluttering chain.

My young friend was able to learn how to keep his home clean and clutter free after growing up in squalor.

I am very confident you will too because you honestly want to. 😀

Good afternoon,

I'm kind of venting today but also hoping I get some kind of job whether I like the type of cleaning or not.

I know my mother has a mental illness and denies she has a problem. As soon as I can get working and save up for a place of my own I will make sure that I don't end up keeping things that I don't need.
I know the rule if you haven't used it within a year, toss it.

It's hard to clean up with my stuff when she has to know that what ever objects/toys/items are going to be tossed she would have to know what they are because she bought them with her dollar.

When I was a kid I begged her not to buy me stuffed animals because I realized that once it comes into the house, nothing is coming out.

I didn't know the golden rule then which is:
One new object, one old thing out.

I am willing to ask for help before anything happens to be too cluttered. I would ask for advise and for someone to hold my hand in the purging process if necessary to keep my future place clutter free and functional.

Because me and my sister are twins, she wants to give the twin clothes only to "catholic families" with twins. She said Catholics because they would respect the clothes.

I said what does it matter what religion? Other religious families would have more respect than she does.

So far the place that I applied for today said that they are taking apps all week and will start interviews next week for a couple of weeks.

I'LL TAKE ANYTHING.
I'd personally prefer commercial cleaning,
but a job is a job. I need to earn something to save up and get out on my own. Hopefully I can get job security this time.

I hate maid cleaning!! but I'll take the earning a dollar any day than not earning one.

I'll offer any advise that I can offer and always words of encouragement to everyone.

Anyone and everyone who has started the cleaning process congrats to you!! I hope that you keep it up.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

You can do it!!

Good afternoon,

I'm kind of venting today but also hoping I get some kind of job whether I like the type of cleaning or not.

I know my mother has a mental illness and denies she has a problem. As soon as I can get working and save up for a place of my own I will make sure that I don't end up keeping things that I don't need.
I know the rule if you haven't used it within a year, toss it.

It's hard to clean up with my stuff when she has to know that what ever objects/toys/items are going to be tossed she would have to know what they are because she bought them with her dollar.

When I was a kid I begged her not to buy me stuffed animals because I realized that once it comes into the house, nothing is coming out.

I didn't know the golden rule then which is:
One new object, one old thing out.

I am willing to ask for help before anything happens to be too cluttered. I would ask for advise and for someone to hold my hand in the purging process if necessary to keep my future place clutter free and functional.

Because me and my sister are twins, she wants to give the twin clothes only to "catholic families" with twins. She said Catholics because they would respect the clothes.

I said what does it matter what religion? Other religious families would have more respect than she does.

So far the place that I applied for today said that they are taking apps all week and will start interviews next week for a couple of weeks.

I'LL TAKE ANYTHING.
I'd personally prefer commercial cleaning,
but a job is a job. I need to earn something to save up and get out on my own. Hopefully I can get job security this time.

I hate maid cleaning!! but I'll take the earning a dollar any day than not earning one.

I'll offer any advise that I can offer and always words of encouragement to everyone.

Anyone and everyone who has started the cleaning process congrats to you!! I hope that you keep it up.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

You can do it!!