diane, i would have been crying digging up little red rocks while my fingers were turning blue. I am going to have an insurance adjuster standing on the roof of my house tomorrow being able to see all the mess in my backyard. Even to save relationship it is difficult for me to let go of things. I think you show great fortitude and resilince. After being fired in April, i found it quite nice to lie in the sun and listen to the cardinals.

Last night, my housemate and I both went to a board games event. In addition to playing, she also bought several new games for her collection. I have some concerns over her acquiring more stuff, but not enough information to provide any useful criticism. Last week when I asked why she had bought another Yahtzee game when she already had two, she said that she was planning to use some of her games as gifts.

Fair enough -- I've been putting off the chore of adding myself as a documented housemate; at this stage if anyone were to ask, I'd be considered a guest. I'm not sure to what duration that can be safely extended, and I shouldn't try to stay below the radar of the managers, since I'm making myself known by having mail forwarded here, and by having some stuff out on the porch. I'd already picked up a copy of the rental application, so I spent some time filling it out (which included contacting a couple of other people to use as references). I still need to figure out how to deal with the "Source of Income" section.

Southmess (I keep wanting to type Southness), you are sometimes too hard on yourself, I think. Just going to get the boxes would be a BIG accomplishment for me for a day, I know. Good work! I agree with Dave about this.

Southmess,
You are amazing. I need to be taking lessons from you on how to emotionally release from things.
(Also, you have just experienced the two ways of dealing with the problem of clutter. One: Avoidance. Two: Looking at the problem, finding a small task you can do, doing it and then repeating that proces again, and again, and ....
Congratulations. Even though what you see is a lot of struggle and stress on your part, please know that the courage, discipline and success you just shared will encourge others reading these messages.)
Dave.

Hi everybody,

On Saturday I bought 6 cheap cardboard boxes.

The last days have been very hot here. Even though I sleep with the air conditioner on, I had a hard time getting up.

Finally got up at 3 PM (yes, 3 PM)and went for some breakfast. And stayed there until 10 PM. I didn't feel like coming home...

When I finally came home I assembled the first box and filled it with some bags with classified items.

I did 4 boxes in total. The last one was for important papers that I still have to sort out.

I estimated 4 boxes, but they come in packages of 3. I am happy my estimation was correct 🙂

Rearranging some things I found a paper related to my divorce inside a little book. Non important paper of course... threw it out. I should put money inside books 🙂 (argentine peso devaluates fast... that's a problem. I must put dollars or euros)

Talking about books, my library is organized much the same way as it was when I was married. In the final phases of my decluttering process I plan to empty it and rearrange the books.

I still have things in the floor. Most of it is going out... but it is like I'm still not sure of discarding them... (CD jewel boxes, some computer cables, an old computer keyboard...)

Tillie sorry you are still not feeling well, and glad you know how to take very good care of yourself.

as I said in chat yesterday, pipes under trailer had leak so had to turn off water again. Today 2 guys came and fixed the pipe, and installed my new kitchen faucet, works great, so nice. Then talked me into having a vapor barrier under trailer, heavy black plastic over the ground under trailer. Back to Lowes, I got anxious about how much it all cost. It took 4 hours but they did get lots of stuff done and were very kind and efficient, hard workers.
I started crying by the end of it. It was so humiliating having so much extra stuff everywhere and not able to find sandpaper, garden staples, and cutter when they needed them. I even misplaced one piece of the faucet. I was exhausted when they left, just wanted to sit in the sun and not talk to anyone ever again. I actually really wanted to talk to you Tillie. I regrouped, still had to clean chimney and bring firewood up to deck, got both done. then cleaned up the mess we made working today. One guy said I really need a dumpster to get rid of all the stuff I have, this was after months of getting rid of stuff, really felt down in the dumps. He saw the boards I had in a tree to make a treehouse, that I never even started let alone finished. I have done so much and there is so much more that became obvious this week, I am determined to just keep working on it. did feel a little hopeless this afternoon

The move-out isn't quite a closed deal -- evidently we packed some drapes that go with the home rather than the renter. I'm going to see if I can get someone to help me haul them back; I think I know which box they're in.

I only got informed of this last night, because Mrs Landlord has apparently been trying to reach me by my currently-inaccessible email drop for the last two weeks. Mr Landlord must have finally gotten around to telling her that I provided an alternate one to use until my computer situation is sorted out.

Good morning :/

The house is a mess. 🙁
Today I must
clean the bathroom
sweep the floors & porches
wash the floors
vacuum the carpet
dust

I am tired and have a stuffy nose & sore throat and really don't want to clean the house. :/
But I won't be able to relax till the place is clean
so......
I will clean it.

😀

Roxie, I tend to forget the whole SAD thing and just think what's wrong with me? Ready for bed by 6:00 pm (thinking it MUST be 9:00 pm!) Sluggish, confused waking up during the night, craving warmth and comfort foods. I could snuggle in and hibernate too. When you mentioned it the little light bulb went off! Oh yeah, it's just the winter thing. Thanks for reminder.

Oh, my, that is it exactly. And yes, Dianne, it is easy to forget about our SAD. It might help to supplement vitamins C and D, and get those whole spectrum light bulbs for your house.

We will miss you Karl. 🙁
But have fun! 😀

Going to a games event today, so I probably won't be attending the chat session.

Good morning 🙂

HI EVERYBODY! 😀

I have a pot of cinnamon scented potpourri simmering on the stove. Makes the house smell so lovely.
Thousands of interesting and fun things I want to do today but need to choose one or two because there are not enough hours in one day to do them all.
But first.....
do cat related tasks
wash up some dishes
shampoo my hair

I faithfully watch "Surviivor" every Wednesday but they put the FINALE on Sunday.
So I will be leaving chat tonight by 8:00pm PST to watch it. Sorry. 😉

Diane 😀
I have not stopped doing the happy dance since you posted that you have water again! 😀
And HOT water too!!!!
So GREAT! 😀

With that big tree cut down the sun shines through the front windows so much brighter and longer.
I believe that is the reason my mood is much more positive than in past Winters.

Have a wonderful day and I hope to "see" you all in chat tonight at 5:00pm PST. 😀

Thanks Dave, yes, I worked on that little room a lot of hours, cleaned and painted walls, floors, cabinets, took hours. Threw away all the junk that had mouse poop on it, etc. Cleaned all mouse poop off floor, it was really bad. Cabinets are still empty so need to organize the stuff in the pile and place in cabinets. I really could not open door a year ago.
Dianne, thanks for all the support throughout my ordeals past month. I have SAD too and do everything I can to get enough light as the days shorten. Sorry you are going through depression as days shorten. I put 100 watt bulbs in everywhere and bought a depression light. Try to get out in sun daily, no matter how cold.
Last night I put my favorite fleece sheets on the bed, found them when I organized linen closet last week, it felt so good to get a clean body in clean sheets!!!!! Sheets I took off were so dirty from this past week of crawling under house and no shower.
Thanks again for all the help and support.
Tillie, I think I have the energy for a happy dance today. What time do you do your happy dance? Would be fun to join you in happy dance.

Diane,

The part about being able to have the repairman in without being embarassed leaped out at me. Commendations for all the past hard work that made that possible.

DIANE!!!! BEST NEWS EVER!!!!

Hi to all and hope you're warming up wherever you are.

Thanks Tillie, I needed that permission to slow down this week, at least tomorrow. I took my first shower in over a week, washed my hair and just enjoyed the warm water. Still just feel tired, muscles sore. I hit my head several times on metal tie down things under trailer, no wonder my head hurts. So I am just relaxing, did put another load in washing machine. still have more dishes to wash but not many. Tomorrow I plan to buy some insulation and wrap the pipes that were just fixed. That is the only must do. If I have energy would like to cook more soup. Looking forward to chat tomorrow. Once again Tillie, thanks for helping me through this week and celebrating my running water!

Diane
This week just take it easy.
Rest a LOT.
Do fun things.
This is a time for self care. Pamper yourself.
I know you want to catch up on the usual, dishes & laundry & stuff but do it slowly, a little bit here & there.
Make some more soup and other tasty meals.
WAY TO GO! for having already cleaned out that room the pipe was in! 😀 WONDERFUL!!!

WATER!!! Congratulations!

Hi Tillie, great day for you, did you sit on santas lap? What did he promise you? A new car? Hope so.
I have been lying on couch for hours, just so tired. Have to get up and shower, did do one load of laundry, but little else. I watched the Diane Keaton/ Jack Nicholson movie on tv lying here relaxing, feels good to do nothing, been a long week. I will feel so much better once I shower, just hard to move this old exhausted body.
When guy was here today, I saw lots of areas that need more work in here and out there. Also was very aware that the room the pipe broke in was packed so you could not open door, before I joined this group. Now that the room has been worked on and was clean, it was so much better, not great but good enough to have repairman in. Had to move stuff to get to pipe, but it was all clean, so was not humiliating. There was plenty of space for buckets to put dirt and rock in, for the guy and me and tools, yes hard to believe.

HI 😀
Had no internet all day
He said something about something and anyway something was burned out and then he knew he had another one somewhere in his hoard but spent many hours looking for it then found one like that but still not the one he was looking for but it would "do" for now till he can locate the other one.
Then he said that his having this hoard is wonderful cause he always has just exactly what he needs right here.
Somewhere. ;p

Hi Roxie 🙂

HEY! Diane 😀
Enjoy the water!
What a wonderful feeling....
showers, dishes, laundry and best of all the flushing toilet. 😀

Today we went to town and saw Santa at the thrift shop. Then we went to the dollar store. That's where I buy many of my cleaning products but I also bought some chocolate covered marshmallow snowmen.
Then we went to the grocery store and didn't need much. I got some english muffins, green grapes & a bag of lemons.

Hung laundry out on the line this morning and it all dried. 🙂

Hope you all had some fun today. 😀

VANISHING POSTS.......

Here is what I do to not lost my posts...
Before I click on "post reply" I copy my post.
Takes just a second to do this.
Highlight the text in blue by running the cursor over it while holding down "left click" button.
Once text is all highlighted in blue I then click control (Ctrl) and c.
Should my post not post and vanish into the cosmos I can then press control (Ctrl) v and it will reappear and I haven't lost it.
Sometimes posts do not show up on the message board as having been posted.
Just refresh the page and it will appear.

DIANE!!!!! 😀
WOOHOO!!!
YEA!!!
WAY TO GO!!!!
HAPPY DANCING!!!!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

I am so very very HAPPY!!! for you!!! 😀

I HAVE WATER, I HAVE HOT WATER, I AM THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN THIS HOUSE, EVEN THOUGH I AM THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS HOUSE.
I HAD TO HOLD UP THE WHITE FLAG, AND HAVE A PROFESSIONAL FIX THE PIPE THAT BROKE, HE WAS IMPRESSED HOW MUCH OF THE GRUNT WORK I HAD ALREADY DONE. SINCE I BOUGHT ALL THE RIGHT STUFF YESTERDAY, IT WENT TOGETHER WITH ONLY ONE SMALL GLITCH. TOMORROW I WILL BUY NEW INSULATION AND WORK ON PROTECTING PIPES. I HAVE A FEW WARM DAYS SO MAY TAKE IT EASY TOMORROW, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ENOUGH SLEEP LATELY SO AM REALLY TIRED AND BACK HURTS FROM HAULING ALL THAT WATER UP HILL YESTERDAY. ON THE WAY TO SHOWER NOW, HOORAYYYYYY
THANKS FOR ALL THE KINDNESS TILLIE, DIANNE AND ROXIE, IT REALLY HELPED

I can't speak to the technology of the board, but a possible solution to the problem for you,

Use a word processor such as MS Word or MS Notepad to type your message into and then copy and paste it into this screen.

Also, I have thought two or three times that I lost a post because of typing an incorrect image verification response ( using IE ver 8 ), but found if I went back one, or sometimes two, screens, that my original message was still in the browser and all I had to do was retype the verification image with the new one showing at the bottom of the screen and post my response.

There's a serious problem with this board. If you take too long to write a message when you finish it the validation fails and you message is lost. Second time in a row today.

🙁

Well, today I need help. I am seriously perturbed.

Hi, Tillie had a date!!!! Did you hold hands in movie? ok just kidding. I know you made the best of a bad movie. Roxie thanks for support and your pipe problem. I woke up anxious about repairing it myself, so afraid it will break even deeper in ground. I will go out and dig more today and evaluate the situation. I also want to go under trailer and see if any obvious breaks in sewer lines and see if it looks like water pipes are ok. If I hire a plumber, want him/her to fix everything in one visit, since they charge so much. took another sponge bath last night, with warm water, felt so good. My hair is another story, even scares me to look at it.
Tillie your crossed fingers better work!!! Thanks Tillie. Drinking hot coffee made with my bottled water I bought yesterday, feel so blessed to have drinking water. Drank so much water yesterday had to get up several times last night!! don't realize how lucky we are to have good drinking water until it stops running. sure do appreciate you gals helping me through this and the death of Molly.

Fell asleep earlier evening and then woke up again from hip pain. At least I know it is 1:30 in the MORNING. LOL

Hi 🙂

Hi Karl 🙂
Sorry about those bread hogs. Wishing you many good things to come your way soon. 😉
Hope the laptop works out well for you.

Hi Diane 🙂
Happy to hear that the pipes have finally thawed.
Breaking so far down under ground like that was something that you really could not have prevented.
Fingers crossed that that is your only break.
WAY TO GO!!! for flushing the toilet!! 😀
I know how wonderfully good that feels.

Going through these hard times builds our character and tests our metal
(you can smack me anytime) 😀
But honestly, we ARE stronger than we believe we are and looking back on life's challenges we've faced we should feel proud of our accomplishments.

This was a day to mark down on my calender.
For lunch today he bought me a burrito! $3.00
Took me to the matinee. $5.00
WOW!!! an $8.00 date! 😀
The movie sucked, did not follow the book at all.
But the theater was almost empty, not even 1/4 filled.
Nobody sat in the seats in front of me and I was able to put my knees up on the back of the seat in front of me. 🙂
I ate four of the five candy canes I brought.
Downtown looked pretty when we left the theater after dark with all the trees lit up with little multi colored lights.

Well, the city called at 7:30 and 2 guys met me at the old meter a block from here, it is amazing they cant move that closer to my place. They said meter was not working but there was water running, I ran back home and checked,no water inside, out to garage, and sure enough that pipe broke and thawed enough to run, so I yelled down to them to shut it off, which they did. They showed me how to shut it off and fixed the meter, very nice guys.
So I spent the day trying to dig deep enough to get to the crack in pipe. I took off the split section and took it to store and bought new parts. Also bought 2 gallons drinking water. Then had brainstorm, what if I turned on water just a little and since the faucet in yard is lower than garage, maybe I could get a trickle of water without it enough, got enough water to fill toilet tank and flushed, so exciting to flush a toilet.
The hole in the cement where the pipe is broken is about 10" diameter filled with red crumbly rock, so as I scooped it out, more fell in. Then cut the ends off a can and put it around pipe. Did get more out, it is split deep in ground. Will work on it tomorrow, I am exhausted. I hauled enough water up the hill to flush and back up flush water, then turned water off as it got dark.