Karl, sounds like you are really ready for inspection, so great
Tillie, sorry to hear you are ill, happy to hear from you.
Roxie, sounds like such a nurturing day.
Ok, so I woke up and decided to clean out the final section of the garage, not that the rest is organized, but is painted. This area has not been seen in 20 years, great layer of dirt. Got it all cleaned and painted this morning, looks great, took two coats, bare wood. Now have to figure out what goes where, and not just stuff things. Will be so nice when things are where I can find them. Wastes so much time looking for things.
Now to mouse patrol. I broke down yesterday and set traps for mice. 3 greeted me this morning.
There might be hundreds for all I know, been so long since anything out there had been moved.
My dog continues to pee on couch, day bed, and outside lounger when she falls asleep. Checked her urine again, no infection, no sugar in urine, so don't know if it is just being 14 or needs vet. I did put plastic on daybed, now have lots of towels on couch. today was first pee on couch. Any ideas? Thanks

I'm glad I double-checked the calendar last night -- landlords are arriving at 11, not 10, so I got an extra hour of sleep. Living room and kitchen are both looking good, I think. Some last-minute touch-up to be done yet.

It's Sunday, my favorite day to sit at the computer with a cup of coffee and "visit" with friends.

Although I got up earlier than usual today, I'm very slow to get going. Later. Much later. Need to go get lots of supplies. Need to order prescription refill. Scoop litter, brush teeth, go get the week's mail and the Sunday paper, do dishes. Later. Much later.

Last night two smaller racoons showed up for dinner, and I think they are babies nearly grown. One is quite feisty, growling and spreading his little arms across the plate so no one else dares approach. He also has a big wound on his forehead so I presume he's quite willing to fight about it!

My little feral colony of cats seems to tolerate the racoons and vice versa.

Hugs to all. Please update.

Tillie, take good care in that heat.

And I saw on July challenge that your hoarder got rid of 2 boxes of stuff!! How encouraging! 🙂

I expect I'll be short on sleep again when they get here for inspection. Stove is cleaned off, but I need to wash the floor, and that will take two sessions since I need to move the table from one side to the other. I'm not feeling very motivated at the moment, but I'll get out some ice cream...

HI 🙂

So much has been happening here. No time to rest.
I have been sick but had to keep on keeping on.
Marty (the cat) is sick too and needs a lot of care.
The other cats need to be taken care of especially with the temperature at 112 degrees.

Wonderful to finally have a chance to sit still and read the message board. 😀

Looks like Marty is improving and I am doing better.
I went grocery shopping this evening and only celery looked good to me, so I got some and some cherries.
I don't think that's enough to last me for two weeks. lol

Hoping things settle down around here now and that I can get some much needed sleep tonight. 🙂

Where are you Tillie, keep hoping to see something from you, hope you are not under a pile somewhere. Also hoping Steven is being sweet to you, I miss seeing your posts, hope you are ok.

Good choice, Karl!

Best of luck!

I'd previously RSVP'd "probably yes" to a Saturday lunch meet, 11:30 to whenever, but last night at 4am I posted a follow-up saying that I'd probably be running late. Indeed, it was 12:35 when I woke up, and I had to get ready, and it was 20 bicycling minutes away. I didn't back out, though, and the group was still there.

Normally I'd be going to a board games group this evening. Although I have an offer of a return ride, I'd have to use a combination of public transportation and a kick scooter to get there. Since it's likely to run late, and the inspection is tomorrow morning, I think I'd better un-RSVP to that one and dedicate the time to making sure the living room and kitchen are both at peak cleanliness.

Hi, all. My eyes must be worse because I'm having a harder time reading tiny print here. 🙁

Thanks AnneW! 🙂

Hi everyone! 🙂

Lately I've just been working and trying to stay cool. It is sooooo HOT where I live! One of the things that I've been doing to try and stay cool in this heat, is swimming. I've gone swimming everyday this week. I've also just been walking around in my swimsuit a lot. Today I actually went into work wearing my swimsuit. Lol. 🙂

Karl- I was just rereading old posts & saw your rescheduled inspection is Sunday - look fwd to update! (I'm sure it will go well as a result of all your hard work 🙂

WoW -- I LOVE reading each & every one of your posts!!! I am so glad you are here! Each time I read one of your posts, it offers me assurance that we all WILL GET THERE eventually. We may have to do it each in our own way, & each at his/her own pace, but the fact that we are each here reading & posting demonstrates our commitment to improve our living conditions, & in turn, our lives. You each bring unique bright insights & I thank you.
I empathize with the down days, & the undertow of overwhelm, & the "rush" resulting from a reclaimed space (no matter large or small)...

Will write more tmrw...
Meanwhile thinking of you Janie, Diane, Roxie, Tillie, Karl, Dianne, AnneL, MayMay, Ali, (I'm sorry, I know I must be leaving someone out -- I'll check & add tmrw)
Janie -- Congratz on your clear upstairs Hallway & that wonderful tidy first floor! lol-I loved your "task swap" idea to Diane
Diane -- Relish those clean sheets & take up all the space you can on the big bed -- Make "make believe" snow angels on it 😉 And, remind yourself how awesome you are & that it is HUGE PROGRESS to be so ACTIVELY NURTURING YOURSELF: rescheduling social date for when it will best work for you & caring enough about yourself to 1st RECOGNIZE & then HONOR your fatigue by taking your foot off the accelerator, reframing & stepping out of the car. It makes my heart happy to read about you being gentle with yourself =) WTG!
Dianne -- I've enjoyed reading your posts -- Awesome job on that Bathroom & your Clothes Sorting/Tossing Epiphany(loved that!) - not to mention the many bags to the dump:) & all of your daily & ongoing pet care! Hope you enjoy tonight's performance =)
Karl-- Sounds like if even though things didn't "feel" good internally this week, that you still managed to "handle business" & you kept showin' up -- good job. I do hope you are able to finally get some sound sleep to "reset" & that this weekends LL appt. goes well -- Is that tmrw(Sat) morning?
Tillie-- LOVED reading your dollhouse update =D In fact, it delighted me!!! I am so happy that with the return of the owners, you have additional freedom & time to do with as you please 🙂 Enjoy & I look forward to finding out what you choose to do (or not do 😉 You deserve the respite & play time!!! =D
Roxie -- Thinking of you & I love reading your tales (tails-?-) & updates re: all of your wonderful felines (yours too Dianne;) I hope you are still giving yourself GOLD STARS b/c you are defending your cleared de-hoarded home space & are an inspiration to us all -- I remain curious to hear what you find (or invent) re: effective floor cleaning tool or method 😉 Keep on brushin' those pearlies daily You're doin' great with your consistency!!! =D
ok -- much longer post than I'd planned -- time to wind down & go to bed. Thanks, again, to you folks for being here...zzzzz ;o

Diane - I will come and make decisions on your hoard if you come here and study for me. I HATE studying. I've been at it all day and my brain is fried. I thought I'd never say this, but I would rather be cleaning than studying.

My cleaning for the day consisted of de-cluttering the upstairs hallway. Got rid of bags and boxes left there and took any laundry down to the basement. It took less time than I thought, so I even vacuumed. Well, the hallway is only standard width and about 10-12 feet long, but still. Giving out a Woo-Hoo!!

I am frustrated with bedroom hoard. Thought I had most of-the junk out of bedroom---surprise so much more. Wish I could organize a hoard, but tillie says no way. So this means I have to make many more decisions which are so difficult for me when it comes to clothes and crafts. I just have to let it be ok to wait until the morning to continue. I am tired and frustrated. Just when I was seeing progress and so happy, there is a huge pile of stuff to deal with, that can't just be stuffed in a bunch of bags to deal with later, it doesn't work, I tried today, doesn't feel complete until I get rid of it, darn.

Karl, lack of sleep is my downfall also, sorry your week wasn't great, what I have noticed about you is that you bounce back, and will get back at it, you can, you have before.
Dianne, sounds like a nice balance in your life, even tired body is saying, yeah, you did alot.
This morning I went directly too big bedroom, bed is now made with all clean linens. Started going through stuff and made a big mess. Guess will have to sort in living room. I need to clear junk out so I can start sleeping in there with 96 degree weather all week. That window now has air conditioner. It was too hot to sleep in my little bedroom last night, so feel motivated to make room livable. After an hour or two, had enough and went to garage to see what else I could toss in garbage before it was picked up, did find another bag full of stuff to make cart all the way full, and then it was picked up, and now get to start all over again.
I told a friend I would go camping Monday, but with 96 degrees all week I don't want to. When I leave this place for a few days, it gets so hot, takes hours to cool enough to sleep. She always has to schedule things in advance, which is not great for me, since weather affects what I can do comfortably. I want to camp when it is in 80's and I can, so that is what I will do. I do feel guilty even writing this, she will be ticked off. She has a beautiful home, well insulated with heat pump air conditioning, so she really doesn't understand why I can't just leave window air on. With this old wiring, I only want it on when I am here, plus don't have homeowners ins. Have to do more research on who will insure old trailer with wood stove, most I called will not. I had one for years, then when I rented this place out, they cancelled me. so if it burns, I have nothing, one way to get rid of the hoard, I guess.

Karl, sorry your week has been so lousy. But I'm happy for you that you have so many social contacts.

Stay cool.

It's been a lousy week for the most part.

I still haven't gotten caught up in sleep, and cleaning has been on a slow backslide. Tuesday I noticed a skin injury, and wondered if I'd encountered poison-oak someplace, but I later decided it was a burn that I'd ignored at the time it happened.

Wednesday I had to go in to work, had a bad day there, missed my return train and had trouble correcting for it, finally arriving at my dinner location on time but sweaty -- with cleanup options limited to what I could complete with a paper towel in the restroom, and a change of shirt. (I did plan for that part.) I arranged to bum a ride from a friend when our group finally broke up for the night.

I got the trash out in time for Thursday's pickup, but I didn't have much this time. I ran a couple of errands on Thursday, then got home and got a phone call from a friend who wanted to go out and do some sport activity -- after that, I made dinner and got caught up on email and online forums. I think I was supposed to try to get some cleaning done at some point.

I don't know if we're still doing regular early meets on Friday -- do we still have a regular in the UK? -- but I'll plan to be there.

sorry, didn't mean to post last one two times

Hi Janie, work does take a lot out of most people, and I think getting the certificate is important to you and your future, does this mean you can hire help? Just a thought. Even if you had a person come in for a few hours and clean the kitchen and bathroom every week, and what ever else you want. When I worked, I had a cleaning person, and it made all the difference, couldn't leave messes all over because cleaning person was coming. Good you will keep posting your small progress successes. It is hard when working, just the way it is, and we need to support ourselves. I wish you the best.

Just wanted to post and say "Hi Everyone"! Work is kicking my butt. Yesterday I got home from work at 5pm and then had a meeting from 6-9pm. Today I worked from 9-6pm. Needless to say, I have done NOTHING at my house since Tuesday other than scoop out the litter boxes. Dishes are piling up on the counter because I haven't emptied the dishwasher since Tuesday. <*groan*> But there's always tomorrow....

My progress is going to slow to a snail's pace. Still I will try to get at least one thing done each day, no matter how small, and be happy to post about it!!

Tilie, I can imagine living in a bus was so free, especially since you had everything clean and tidy. I am so tickled about your creativity with the tiny little house, would love to see it.
Made another run at getting rid of stuff, went through a huge bag of halloween stuff, kept only a package of bags. One more giant bag of junk gone. Anne, you motivated to make one more attempt, thanks. Dianne, thanks for the update.

Tillie I would love to see your itty bitty dollhouse inside the teeny weeny dollhouse inside your regular dollhouse! It sounds so cool!

I'm probably not going to eat healthy. Since I'm trying to keep up with regular stuff and do hoard cleanup I'm going to sit down with ice cream for a meal not just a treat! Yeah!!

I also haven't figured out on my system how to open a second window so I can read and respond to each person as I go. I can just hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings making them feel left out?

Diane, I have to laugh at your poor dog's haircut adventures. They do look embarrassed at times, don't they? When I rescued a ShihTzu he was a pitiful dirty mop of hair. I got a professional cut job done, lion cut, and he was so happy and so cute! And he was the BEST behaved dog I ever met. I cannot imagine what his owner was thinking to abandon him at a high kill shelter like that. He got adopted to a perfect home from my house.

And with your progress and air conditioning installation you can now expand your living space. WTG!

Dianne, I totally get it about your sadness or distress over the divorce. I've now been divorced twice as long as I was married and there are still times of pain, anger, grief, etc. I just try hard not to dwell too long in those places because it just doesn't help. Not denying the feelings, just not emphasizing them. I don't know how to entirely let it go still.

Meanwhile, you have great plans for your home and I encourage you to keep trucking. It is for YOU.
And a life well lived is the best revenge. hehe

Tillie, you seem to have lived a most interesting life, with your various abode choices. I admire your tenacity and spirit so much.

AnneW, you are doing very good work. Let us hear from you, okay?

Janie, thinking about you. You do a tremendous amount of work so in my mind you are, oh, say, 30 forever? 😀

Yesterday I slept most of the day. I brushed my teeth and hair, opened and dealt with mail on the spot (I love shredding mail), and cleaned up the two remaining of the 3 framed pictures I had set aside months ago. These two are actually framed (and glassed) samplers hand done by my mother years ago. Those two I will keep. I think I'll donate the old print landscape, though. I have dozens more paintings and framed/glassed prints to clean and decide about.

Here's to today, friends.

Been out in garage all morning looking for things to fill garbage can for tomorrow, still have a little room, so will look inside, too hot out for me now. I got quite a bit done this morning. Air conditioner is running in dining room and big bedroom, yep, 2 window air conditioners going, big spender I am, the old one still works and new one works great. It is so different having two going so don't have to just live in one room.
I got 2 more cords of wood delivered on Monday and it is all now stacked, did it in evenings. This load wasn't as good as last load, more rot and spiders, but still very good compared to some I have had delivered by other wood people, and full honest cords.
Cut my dogs hair, usually do it with scissors but takes 1 to 2 hours, so finally used the electric shaver, well she looks like an alien with the mange. I gouged several spots, and cut hair on head a flat top and it is supposed to be rounded, she is so embarrassed, said she will not go out in public, if she has to go camping, not leaving tent she said. She really dislikes haircuts, as do I.
Dianne sad to hear that you are feeling pain about your lost marriage, and happy to hear you are going to get lots done this week.

Good morning 🙂

Hi Roxie 🙂
Thank you and WAY TO GO! on all you got done! 😀

Hi AnneW 🙂
WOW! you did great!
Working and doing all your maintenance and eating well and 15 minute sessions! WTG! 😀
Planning to spend more time decorating the doll house. Have lots of plans and ideas.
My tiny dollhouse has an itty bitty doll house and I used some wood scraps and made an even tinier itsy bitsy teeny weeny dollhouse to put in the dollhouse dollhouse. 🙂

Hi Karl 🙂
Sorry I missed you in the chatroom. Thank you for the offer to help. 🙂
I really appreciate it.

Hi Diane 🙂
So happy you had a chance to go to the lake. 😀
WAY TO GO! you are amazing! Making decisions keep/toss/donate, doing maintenance and cleaning! 😀
I have only ever gone tent camping. It can be enjoyable as long as you don't wake up buried under 4 feet of snow with your shoes frozen to the floor, a dog huddled in your coat for body warmth and after digging out your car finding it has a flat tire. ;P
But I lived for years in a converted bus on an island reachable by ferry boat and that was heaven.
Then I lived one year in a camper on a truck. No bathroom. But had all the freedom in the world.
Hope you are ready for our next heatwave this week. How is that new A/C treating you? 🙂

Hi Dianne 🙂
(((hugs)))
Great plans for the days!
Keep us posted on all you are doing. Are you going to tackle the bathroom deep cleaning?
Remember to schedule in regular breaks for eating, sleeping and just putting your feet up. 😀

Now that the neighbors are back I don't have to watch their house, take in their mail or water their plants.
This will give me some quality play time. 😀
Have my paints ready for painting in the dollhouse. Have fabric scraps ready for fashioning some linens.
Other than grocery shopping this weekend I only have a bit of daily maintenance to keep me from playtime. 😀

Glad to see everybody getting stuff done, having fun, dealing well with troubles....and most of coming back here to share and support.

Have a good day everyone and stay cool!

HI EVERYBODY! 😀

The people who's house I have been watching for months arrived home today.
I have been busy socializing and getting them caught up on what has been happening aroung here.
Busy busy day for me and it's not over yet. 🙂

To open two windows.....
When I first turn on my computer I have to click on "launch internet explorer browser".
This brings up my home page and from there I can access any site on the internet.

To have two windows open I only need to click on "launch internet explorer browser" once again.

The two sites are visible at the bottom of my screen.
Switching between the two I only need to left click on which one I want to read.

Please let me know if your computer system is the same as mine and if you understand what I am trying to describe. 😀

Gotta run TTYL 😀

Thanks for the support Roxie!! You did get some work done yesterday, amazing how you rallied, good work.
This morning I emptied 3 more boxes in garage and put away and threw away. I will have to donate some of the books I kept, just first run through. It is getting better and better
Watered stuff outside that hadn't been watered in awhile, vines and one tree I forget about. It is going to be hot here all week and I am going to splurge and run air conditioner all that I want.
I organized camping stuff in garage this morning. Think I may go back to East Lake and camp in tent. Really think I should sell RV, just too expensive. So want to do trial run at tent camping to see if I enjoy it. So easy with RV, bed bathroom, stove for coffee.
RV now has a leak dripping oil? on gravel where it is parked, so am procrastinating taking it in. Not knowing is worse than just taking it in and knowing what is wrong. Main fear is not knowing where to take it, want good honest mechanic, have mechanic for car, don't work on RV's. Any insight into this?
I am going to list some stuff on July challenge havent been keeping track of some of stuff giving away. Got rid of stash of favorite summer clothes that will never fit again, emotional on many levels. Youth is gone, thin athletic body gone, all then dates with wonderful men in those clothes were brought up, just a lot of missed opportunities due to addictive personality.
What I know today that I am in recovery from hoarding and a bunch of new experiences other than shopping and shameful hiding are in my future for next year. I so much appreciate this chat and the support, only people experiencing the problem in some way, can understand. I look forward to your comments and your progress every day, so happy this board has become so active. Thanks to each of you. Tillie, not sure how to have two screens at same time so I can respond to each person. Please describe the process of looking at previous posts while this window is open, when you have a few minutes. Also Tillie, so good you post all that you do, never really learned what is necessary to maintain etc. so thanks.

So I did some stuff yesterday after all. I brushed my teeth, ran an errand in the car, wheeled the big garbage bin to the street for pickup, did a load of dishes, wiped down the stove top and counters, and cleaned one of the framed pictures I've had set aside for two months now.

I haven't yet been to sleep, so you know my sleep cycle is upside down again. I'll probably crash in a few hours so might not be real useful to myself today.

Janie, you're doing very good work, especially adjusting to work schedules, etc.

Tillie, pink underwear. Did you dare? 😀 Great work on the floor cleanup!

Diane, sorry for your misunderstanding but you can be forgiven as can she. S*_*t happens, right? I'm so glad to see you are building in social times to offset your immense amounts of work! I myself am a "fun challenged" person (can't figure out what's fun).

Karl, you seem good about attending the meetings, so it must be good for you. Do you plan to keep doing 15 minute cleanup/clear out sessions still?

AnneW, I am impressed with the work you are accomplishing! Way to go! And I'm so glad to see you posting.

Dianne, thanks for the idea on the litter boxes. I need to prioritize litter box habits soon here. I'm so glad to see you moving ahead and also posting. Hang in here!

I spent a couple hours tonight reading old message board threads and began to wonder: whatever happens to those who come, post, then disappear? Why? I wish they'd all come back and update us.

If I left anyone out, just blame it on my brain fog. Hugs all around.