Diane, thanks for the mention of Clutterer's Anonymous. Those affirmations were wonderful. I printed them too and changed a few to fit me. I especially love the one ~ I simplify my life, believing that when I need a fact or item it will be available to me.

The bottom line philosophy reminds me Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

Diane, your mention of fear a couple days ago really hit me. I am so fearful of losing electricity in these storms. No heat, no water, lights only from flashlights. Long nights huddled under blankets, wearing coats and hats in the house. Trying to keep coats on the animals ~ dogs wanting to pull them off once they realize they're not going out and cats freaking because they can't groom. Just a disaster. I am VERY. VERY grateful that we have not lost electricity for more than an hour this winter. It isn't at all unusual to be without it for 5 days. Every night I go to bed in warmth I always deeply appreciate it.

Great reading all the posts on here. I had one pipe freeze so far, was able to warm it and get it going. Tonight will be most likely to freeze so will take a shower and wash hair today. I have to go out and get more wood and it is so cold with wind.
Didn't get enough sleep due to stoking fire and checking pipes, feel good that I am willing to do what it takes to keep pipes and fire going.
Max, dog sitting dog, his mom called today and we had a wonderful chat, she will come up next week to meet me and another gal for lunch. Other gal just lost her mom. We all work together in fall. It is supposed to snow alot through tomorrow, so I will do what I can to clear steps, bring wood in and more to deck, take garbage out for pickup. Threw out some expired food. Ok, off to bring in wood, garbage to street, and shower.

Good morning everybody! 😀

Hi Diane 🙂
My bucket list is just stuff that I have wanted to do but haven't ever done yet.
I did all the BIG ones already but there are a lot of little ones still to get to. 🙂
Good luck finding the foods that don't agree with you.
WAY TO GO! doing things now rather than putting them off for later. 😀

Hi Karl 🙂
My dentist doesn't care if I have a cold or flu.
He wears a mask and gloves while working and told me my dental health is too important to put off.
Sorry nobody was playing along with you at the game night. (((hugs)))

Hi Roxie 🙂
WAY TO GO! getting all cleaned up 😀
Cats are great motivators to get us to the store when it's their food that's running low. ;D

Hi Mariana 🙂
I know there are others who read here but don't post.
That little counter to the right shows us just how mant times people come here and the numbers reflect more than just us regulars are here reading. 😀
May May is not a hoarder. She is a fan of Cory Chalmers and all firefighters. She moved in with her boyfriend and we all wish her well in her new life. 😀

Hi Dave 🙂
Yes, that's true. Some people want a magic wand cure and are dissapointed that we are not a bunch of wizards & fairy god mothers. 😉

Hi Cory 🙂
It is always a comfort to me to know that you are right there if I ever need your help. (((hugs)))

Woke up at 5:30 this morning, rolled over and slept in till 9:30! 😀
Planning to take a shower and get dressed.
Today I have no plans and will do something fun like sewing or whatever after I scoop the litter boxes & sweep the floor.

Keep up the wonderful posts. All your writings give me hope. 🙂

My thoughts about the people who come by and then don't return....
I think they are people who are in the very begining of wanting to change.
They come here and we all give them emotional support, encouragement and tell them the way this change can happen.
They are not quite ready to change yet but what they heard here is in their thoughts.
Change first comes in our thinking and our thoughts.
My hope is that some day they will finally be ready to put their thoughts and plans into action. 🙂

Roxie and Mariana,
I have always felt the same way about seeing people come and go, whether in the online support group or on these boards. It takes a commitment to change, and the determination to achieve the desired results. I am going to post one of my favorite sayings on the other thread after this that explains this completely, and simply. I wish everyone had the courage and commitment to reach deep inside and do the self work necessary to not just clean their homes, but change the behavior. For many, this is just too much. Opening old ones and dealing with the underlying issues is not an easy thing to face, and for many, shoving at back into our internal vault, and returning to comforting old habits is just much easier.

Keep Motivated Everyone, YOU DESERVE IT![/[/color]size]

Dave, thank YOU for all the practical advice and strategies you have shared. And for the courage you (and all the other regulars) have shown in sharing personal experiences and situations in the hope of helping and inspiring others-- please know that it does a world of good.
You are right in saying we can't feel guilt for "losing" some posters. ( I' m sure we all have enough guilt stored up already!). I do find myself wondering about a former poster called MayMay. She seemed so young and reckless from what she wrote. I do hope she has found some stability and happiness.
Well, back to lurking. (Is that what the kids call it?)

Marianna,
What a nice post. Thank you for making it.

Tillie, hope your day goes well.

Mail, big/good project. As savers we can have a lot of trouble with paper. Making good grooves in your brain for other projects.

Hi, Roxie. Your comment in your last post about reading old posts and wondering what has happened to posters who were here briefly and then gone really struck me. I have often wondered the same thing.
Some people are in such a desperate crisis mode when they discover this site that you wish you could really reach out to help with more than just encouraging words. Then, they no longer post and I am afraid it is a sign of things going from bad to worse with a sad outcome.
I don't post often but always follow the posts. I feel I almost know some of the "regulars." I am so encouraged and impressed by the spirit and strength shown by so many who constantly struggle to work toward a better life despite setbacks and infirmities . Thank you all so much!
Just know that there are probably many out there like me who follow your postings silently with admiration and draw strength and inspiration from your constant battles with so many obstacles. Keep up the good work!

Well, I finally took a bath, washed my hair and put on clean clothes. Sounds simple, but, for me, it is definitely not, especially when it is cold. That used up my energy so I did not do the grocery run. Perhaps today I can do so. I'm almost out of cat food so there's a motivation at least to go to the pet store, now that I'm clean.

Let's see, I think I need to end with more gratitude. I'm grateful I still have a curious and ongoing love for learning; I have a great son; I have two great brothers. My son surprised me when he and his wife went to stay with my second brother for a week--that brother is the type who can be too self-contained and off-putting. I understand the visit went great though. I'm proud of Erik for doing that.

Tonight my housemate is ill. I haven't compared symptoms, but it seems like a reasonable guess that she caught whatever I had, which would indicate that it really was a virus rather than a food reaction as I'd originally guessed. I'm thinking I should probably reschedule my upcoming dental appointment, just in case I'm not fully recovered.

No progress on decluttering or housing or job search or romance.

Thanks for the note Roxie, yes did sleep last night, feels so different. I understand putting off paper writing. Procrastination is a problem for most of us I would suppose. My Masters Thesis was not getting done so I planned a trip to Japan, had a deadline, and turned in thesis the day before I left, what a stressful month that was!! It wasn't because I was lazy, or too busy, just could not get my mind to focus until there was a looming deadline. As soon as I posted I was going to print off affirmation list, was going to get off computer, then thought that is procrastination, print it off now, only took a minute, most times I would have to put it on a to do list, silly. Going to practice today doing things when I think of them. This morning put last piece of wood in stove, and thought I will have to bring more wood in soon, then got up and did it. It was so cold out, thought I will have to come out soon and sweep, shovel snow, so remembered to do it now, got it swept off steps, so cold will go back out and do more later. Lot of new snow and wind blew mounds. Below zero next two nights, then will warm.
Tillie, was fun to read cabbage rolls were on your bucket list, never thought of food on a bucket list. I want to make a bucket list.
I have had terrible intestinal problems lately and feel I need to do something. I have never believed in food intolerance for me, but do have to consider it. Doctors say if there is a food you can't do without, is suspect, I always have backup peanut butter and eat it on and off all day, as well as other nuts. So for today, no nuts. Just to see. Bananas are another one to not eat today. I did not have coffee for the first time today in months or years. I love the ritual of grinding beans, making single cup with cone filter, but always have stomach discomfort an hour or two later. I am sick and tired of having stomach/intestinal problems, so just for today, I am only eating soup I made yesterday, no grains, coffee, nuts or dairy, typical allergens. It has been getting to the point of being afraid to eat because of the bloating and pain, and feeling foggy in the brain, and depressed. Probably not the place to describe my bloat, but if it is a food intolerance, could be affecting my ability to declutter, and maybe will apply to someone else on here.

Good morning 🙂
Have two loads of laundry out drying on the clothes line.
Next storm system will be here by tomorrow.
So nice to wake up to a clean kitchen and home made food in the fridge.
Will visit with neighbors today and hear all about their trip down south. 🙂
The cats are all pestering each other this morning. Some want to play and the others do not want to play. lol 😀

Hi Roxie 🙂
Cabbage rolls have ground beef & rice and I put in a bit of spicy sausage in mine. Then they simmer in a tomatoe sauce.

Hi Karl 🙂
WTG! 😀
Hope your BD was a pleasant one.

Hi Diane 🙂
Wishing you clear roads so you can get out today! 😀

Hi Darci 🙂
Are the christmas decorations all boxed up now?

Hi Dianne 🙂
I like seeing if I can complete a task before the timer dings.
It amazes me that it takes less time than I thought it would to get something done.

Hi Dave 🙂
Hi SusanL 🙂

Off to get dressed now and see what I can find to do today. 🙂

Good morning, friends.

Monday: I made it outside to do a couple of errands, including stopping at the bank for cash to pay the rent, and visiting a senior housing option to pick up an application. Like the previous one that I visited, they have a waiting list. A friend asked me how things were going, and then offered to call my former landlords pretending to be checking on my suitability as a tenant, so I can see if they're going to be bad-mouthing me. (I'd forgotten that he works in property management.)

Tuesday: Phone calls with birthday wishes from my ex-GF (yes, we're still friends), my parents, and one cousin. I spent most of the day in my room going through a bag of papers and marking stuff to be discarded. I also finally replied to last week's email from a friend who was responding to my housing situation.

WAY TO GO!
Love reading your posts Diane & Karl 🙂

Making rolled cabbage is hard. LOL
So many dishes & stuff to wash up too.
I ate one and it was good.
Not as good as the professional chefs made when I was working for Lucas productions but not bad for my first and last attempt at them. 😉
Now I can scratch this off my "bucket list".
There is a lot in the fridge, so I will be eating well this week. 😀

I got all dishes done and put away, counters clean.
Took chicken off bones for soup, put in vegetables, made a nice big pot of soup. It tasted good, outside cooling, want to freeze some. Filled some containers with water, just in case water freezes.
Organized 2 more drawers. Swept snow off deck. Called friend I am supposed to visit tomorrow. Roads are icy, so will see how they are tomorrow, she was ok with me not going if too icy. I got some work done today even though I felt like #### all day. figured I could sit and feel crappy or get some things done while feeling crappy. Happy day is over now, and will sleep better tonight. Hope you all had a good day today.

After the Sunday chat session, billie and I stayed to do a buddy-system cleanup -- I stripped the bed and started laundry, half-heartedly scraped some visible buildup in the toilet bowl, and moved an empty bin from bedroom to patio, freeing up a little more personal space. We then planned a second one; I needed more time since my next plan was to get to a bank ATM to get cash for the rent -- but I decided it was too cold out and I aborted that plan to do some simpler cleanup instead, then used the extra time to treat myself to the hot tub before closing time.

(This was supposed to be Sunday's posting; it was delayed by computer crash.)

Glad you are doing so well today Tillie. Nice hearing from you Dianne and Roxie.
Difficult day today. Snowing and cold. Did shovel steps, made a path to car and cleaned it off, cleared a path to wood pile.
Vacuumed. When I don't sleep I feel like ####, so just do what I can today then rest. Just read some stuff on Procrastinators Anonymous, interesting, sounds like a great place for people aren't addicted to shopping, just can't see to put stuff away, or apply for jobs etc.
Then went to Clutters anonymous, definitely applied to me. Loved their list of affirmations. I plan to print it off and see if I can incorporate them in to my thinking. Really hit home with me. Reading them made me really aware how negative my thinking has gotten when it gets cloudy/cold/short days. I have to take positive action or I am going to slide down a hill I don't want to go,

Good morning! 😀
Got a lot of rest yesterday and a good night's sleep and am all back to normal now! 😀

WAY TO GO!! everybody on all your accomplishments and plans! 😀

People are returning early from their get-away so I went over and got the big house all up & ready for them.
They should arrive any time now.

Looking forward to making my rolled cabbage today.
Always enjoy eating that dish but have never made it myself before.

Is anybody going to the Tuesday night chat?

Hi Ho, Hi Ho it's off to work I go....;)

Woke up after 2 hours of sleep, slept 2 more hours of tossing and turning, worried about frozen pipes again, got up at 4:30am. Grateful I have this site to give me encouragement to keep going. Looked for health insurance information until I found it. Paid bills online. got fire going. Today I will finish all dishes and counters. Must finish insulation--afraid of being so cold and dealing with spiders. Need to fill containers with water just in case pipes freeze this week. fear is dreadful
ok, off computer and get to work

Diane, I get what you mean about losing yourself in anything else but maintenance cleaning. lol However, at this point the other is also important. Just commit to 10 minutes of maintenance to get a jump start.

[size]

Tillie, feeling better? Hope you had a good day. I went to eye doctor today, had a good exam with old doctor. Did not buy glasses there, $456, will go to Costco and get them for closer to $200. It is going to be below 0 this week, and of course I haven't finished the entire pipe under trailer, so guess what I get to do tomorrow. Nothing like pressure to get me moving.
News flash: to show how much I dislike maintenance, I worked in bedroom for 3 hours this morning, anything to avoid maintenance. I went through drawers today, and emptied 3 bins. It was amazing to see what was in drawers, now all wool sox are together, all long underware in one drawer, wondered where those winter silks were hiding. I found all kinds of forgotten things, now similar items are actually folded and put in same area. Never folded before, sure can fit in easier, as well as see what I have. this was round one in these drawers, will go back and get rid of more another day. Washed bedding, will be fun to sleep in fresh bed, that I can actually walk around more easily.
Showered washed hair, ready for clean sheets. So happy I got the eye exam out of the way, it was so icy this morning, was afraid to drive, live on hill, but by 1:30 street was ok so off I went

Am determined to get the last of the Christmas decorations in the attic today.

Tillie, stay warm, feel better. {{{hugs}}}}

I would love to consider this hoard and maintenance cleaning as a full time job and put in 8 good hours a day. I'm grateful that I can spread that work day over 12 hours and not have to do it all at once like a real outside job.

Hi 🙂
Was planning to clean the house again today but am not feeling very well.
Decided I will do a bit of sort of bathroom wipe down & vacuum the carpet.
Then rest & get to feeling better.
I think it's just from stress. I am so very tired.

Have a great Monday everybody! 😀

Hi Roxie, not renting room to a pastor... sorry if I created confusion. I have a pastor coming thurs to pick up boxes so I can make room in garage to empty the room that needs to be rented out.

(Trying out a different color.) I haven't been feeling well -- nothing much to report, I guess. See you in the chat in an hour.

Good morning everybody! 😀

What does a rodent know about predicting the weather?
I always know when winter is over is when the nasty biting stinging reddish brown ants emerge from their holes. No ants yet.

Just love, love, love to read all your accomplishments and what you are all up to.
Now I need to go locate a suitable tree to climb. 😀

So many thoughts running around in my mind this morning.
Yesterday while wearing my Steri-Clean sweatshirt at the thrift shops I was asked so many questions from people that I have known for many years.
Heard many stories about how some relative of theirs hoards.
Heard confessions from people that they have too much stuff and the reason is "because I might need it some day".
Fear of poverty, fear of not being able to replace items should they be needed some day.
Fear. Please do not allow fear to control you and take up space in your homes and lives.
Yes, the unknown is spooky and the future is unknown territory, but you can and will survive it just fine without a hoard of "what if? stuff".
In my life experience I have found that during hard times and emergencies I can move faster and am better able to manage/cope if I travel light.
First thing to do when the s**t hits the fan is to jettison all excess.
Another reason to keep stuff is for a life they wish they had, but one they do not actually live.
Boxes filled with fancy expensive dinnerware and linens but they never have more than two people over for meals.
Nick-nacks & doo-dads to display some day but they would have to move and buy display cabinets to do that.
Clothes that are expensive but the wrong size or are too fancy to wear mucking out the hen house in.
Tools to build things with but they never do any woodwork or lapidary.
Craft materials that they some day may take an interest in making.
This is when you really must get honest with yourself and answer truthfully, will I really ever do this?
Are these things for a different life, one I don't actually live?

After I do my daily stuff around here I am off to the big house to water their house plants.
Then back home to find something to do while my hoarder plays around with his telephones and stuff.

Looking forward to chat tonight! 😀
5:00pm PST.