Hi Darci,

I know finding that right little trigger to pop out of doldrums can be difficult. I am glad you found something that worked for you.

I pray that your illness will soon abate and you can be back on task turning the pictures in your head into cleaned out reality around you.

My last reply didn't appear to go through, so I am sorry if this is a duplicate. Am in a crunch and trying to staying positive. I am renting out yet another bedroom to make ends meet and needed to clear out about 100 boxes in order to make that happen. Completed 31/100 in the month I had to accomplish this. Kept "falling out" emotionally and physically. The renter called and said he was delayed another 30 days for his move in.... so some reprieve. Needing motivation, I started coming back here, to the chat, personally connecting (thanks Dianne!!) and watching re-runs of Hoarders. Got the "oomph" I needed and ended up bedridden from my illness again. 🙁
So, here I am barely able to stand for more than 30 minutes at a time and no physical support system within 1000 miles. Trying not to be overwhelmed.... so as I write this, I try to look at the positive: that at least now I can purge without impacting the main living areas, that the main living areas are kept very, very clean and uncluttered, and that after a year of renting out rooms to become debt free that the house will be really spacious after I can reclaim those bedrooms. just have to keep this positive vision alive in my heart and head...

Hello Everyone!
Sorry it has been a while since I posted and checked in with you all. It has been so hectic around here I just can't keep up. Business has been incredibly busy with both hoarding and biohazard stuff, the franchise and hiring/training new staff. We are also moving in 2 weeks so trying to get rid of s much stuff as possible. Plus on top of it all, I have to leave Sunday to film for "a" TV show, so will be gone for several days out of state. Nope, still can't say anything else about that, sorry!

I read through several of your posts and as always am inspired by your resilience. You never give up on yourselves or each other, and it is quite impressive to say the least. Keep up all of the great socializing on here, and of course all the self work you are doing. Tiny steps now, equal miles of success over time! I promise to be back on here regularly when life slows a little 🙂

Tillie,
Congrats on yard work. I don't get to do some outside stuff until I complete some other chores.

"Be of good cheer. Many hugs to all. Do something today to make you smile or laugh."

Read Roxie's post of good cheer and compassionate response to each poster.

Barb, sounds like wild weather around you. Sometimes I find that thrilling if a bit scary. Congratulate yourself that you did handle the power outage, after all. I know disruption in your plans can be hard for you to handle, but you are doing better at it each week. From what I've seen on tv of Dr. Zasio, I like her. I think you can even do phone work with her if you like and can pay.

Be of good cheer. Many hugs to all. Do something today to make you smile or laugh.

Hi 🙂
Finally got the little patch of grass out front all raked.
The sun is shining but it won't get warm till later today.
So many thoughts running around in my mind. Trying to figure out a new plan.
I need a new plan.
One week till Spring! 😀

Today is sunny here. We have had rain, wind, thunder and lightning, and more snow. It is still very cold.
I didn't get a lot done yesterday. The power went out with the storm right in the middle of my cooking lunch. I quickly got the food into the frig and had leftover cornbread instead. There was enough daylight to sort and do other tasks, but I always have difficulty switching gears when my plans are disrupted. I couldn't run the washer, so I have that to do today.
Trash pickup was this morning so I have an empty garbage toter to fill again.
On my breaks , I am reading ebook The Hoarder In You by Dr. Robin Zasio. She writes from a personal perspective with examples of people who have successfully dealt with this. I am finding it both insightful and helpful.
Have a great day everyone, whether you choose to do a lot or a little. Take care of yourselves.

Sounds like you have already patched the frame.

Years ago a friend told me about Durhams -I think it is Durhams water putty. I found that very useful patching on an old house we used to have. If you've not used it, take a look at it sometime when you are in an appropriate place. It hardens well and can be sanded and painted. I cant remember if I ever used it outside, but I think I did use it for cosmetic filler over some light rot in more sheltered areas.

Always nice to find a needed something "in stock".

Hello everyone, loving the sunshine right along with you!! Amazing how much more energy I have when the sun is shining.
I don't use the door to the deck, junk in front of it. So yesterday I got rid of junk and found that the door frame does not fit and water had rotted some of it. It is an add on to trailer and certainly was done by someone with skills like mine!!! I took all the caulk off from and around door and the massive build up of caulk where trailer joins add on area. I painted the whole area and patched it. It was amazing that in my hoard I had the exact piece of flashing to put between the two. I felt so happy I was able to sit and think through it until I found what would work to make it better. There is a gap between door frame and add on that I almost have fixed. Working on the roof where trailer and add on join last night until it got dark. Will tackle that as soon as it warms up. This morning worked in here on some possible fixes. Doing dishes and vacuuming before I get to the fun stuff. Yesterday I had so much fun I did not want the sun to set. I rarely feel there are not enough hours in the day, but fixing these things to prolong the life of my little old trailer gives me hope. Working inside before I head out is my way of feeling I am not neglecting my living space.

Yesterday was mostly this board, dishes, laundry and feeding myself.

Once again have consumed most of the morning on this board. Must do work in garage today. No time for hamburgers I'd planned on-lots of toast today.

Yeah, I'm having a bit of trouble there too. How are things going with landlady Anna?

No recent progress. I'm having trouble getting motivated.

Dianne,

What a big step for you! and a confidence builder for Laura.

I'm glad you are being able to work together like that.

Dave, we're going to hit the library to check out those books.

I'm not attached to any of that but it's a good start for me to trust her judgment over mine in dejunking. And I'm very thankful we can do this at our own pace.

Hi to all. Hope your day is going well.

that will give you the flavor to decide if you want to find hard copies.

Hi 🙂

Roxie, so glad you made it to the doctor. That plus basic care is major work, great job!

The mulch sits in the driveway. I was all about doing more of the outdoor work myself and today I am really sore. I'm happy for what I can do but need to remember to pace myself outside as well as in.

Laura wants to go thru some baskets/bags/boxes in my room and clear things for me. She says it's like finding buried treasure (wow I just made the connection with the book title! I can be so slow!). She does get to keep any money found. It makes me anxious not to supervise her. If she's tossing her stuff that's fine ~ mine......we'll see.

Dianne,
See in how to help a hoarder.

Yesterday I managed to bathe, shampoo and get clean clothes on. Yeah me. Then I went off to the doctor. I was happy that I had found the name of the gel I'd previously had prescribed for my skin condition so he could prescribe it for me.

Dave,

Dobie shopping behavior? For real? Unfamiliar with it. But I have heard some referred to as *velcro babies*. Kills me how big, tough, protection dogs can be such softies when relaxed.

Dianne,
Have you heard of a doberman behavior called shopping?

Dianne,
Spiderwebbing from another line of thought. Has Laura read Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories and Thornton Burgess' nature stories? I can't remember exactly when I read those, but I think it was somewhere around the age you have mentioned.

Content Advisory-Jack could be a bit distressed with some of the Thornton Burgess stories. I think Bowser the Hound did not have good press in the forest and also came out on the wrong end of some encounters with Granny Fox.

Good morning 🙂
Got a lot done yesterday. Cleaned the house and vacuumed the coils under the fridge, washed the cat's litter boxes and even washed the shower curtain.
Today I have to sweep up all the kitty litter they have thrown around, pick up kibble they have strewn around by the bowl and clean up two hair balls off the carpet.
Also need to try to brush off all their loose fur to get this shedding under control.
Already have two loads of laundry hanging out on the line.
Really want to get out in the yard and do some raking & stuff but there is a very cold wind blowing and it is the kind of day that makes your nose run and fingers hurt from the cold.
Maybe tomorrow. 🙂
Planning to spend some time reading today and then do some sewing.
So, what are you all up to? 😀

Yesterday I got a lot of spring cleanup done in the yard ~ raking debris from bedded areas and under trees. I was very proud to not pick up and save lots of beautiful big pine cones and tiny pines cones from the hemlock trees. That was really hard. The landscaping guys cleared downed heavy branches and hauled away some old fencing.

Today the temps will be in the upper 60's so more outdoor work, edging beds and maybe spreading some mulch. My muscles tell me the going will be slower today. Still it feels wonderful. 🙂

I woke up too early also, so can relate.
I started cleaning kitchen, amazing how dirty it was, doesn't seem that long ago that I cleaned it well. Spent several hours cleaning counters, microwave, stove, a few cup boards. threw away expired canned food and vitamins that were in cupboard. Cleaned off stuff that had gathered on counters. Once again, without maintenance it takes way to long to clean. I did not stop until I completed tasks. I did stop for tea etc. but did stay focused with much effort to stay focused. My reward was to work on deck area. I cleaned out more dead plants from planters. Not sure what else I did but have been busy all day, and happy about it. Rained all morning and on and off this afternoon. Helps me stay inside and clean when raining. Also knowing friend will be coming over, made me really want to accomplish some things. After I cleaned counters etc., decided to put my little primrose in a bigger planter, raining outside so did on counter, well you guessed it, dirt flipped all over counter, so got to clean again. Thanks for posting so I can keep up with what you are doing and how you are feeling. I know what you are saying tillie, this group lets us connect without the pressure of in person friends. I appreciate you all so much.

Good morning 🙂

Wish the cats had some way for me to adjust their clocks.
So dark outside at this hour.
Planning to clean the house this morning.
Need to brush some cats too, it is hair ball season.
It is so good to read about all your daily doings and thoughts.
Here in my real life I don't get this kind of interaction with any humans, just my cats and the animals that come through my yard.
You all make me feel hopeful and happy. 😀
Be careful this week. People have more accidents while adjusting to the time change.

Today I thought of Mare, who used to post here, and wondered how she is.