Diane, you are such an inspiration and blessing in our lives!! {{{HUGS}}} and big smiles!!

Here to report on all the fun I had today--------------there you have it. Total failure on taking the day to have fun. Got up at 6 and took coffee out to yard, then thought I should put something out in garage, then I realized the little loft had 15 years of dirt and clutter and thought I should go up there and analyze the situation. At 4pm I was done for the day, took all the junk down, swept up the big piles of dirt and debris and then vacuumed area, then put linoleum now, then put all the Christmas decorations up there. I donated some to thrift store last week and they said, no more until fall. My 95 gallon garbage can is almost full so bagged up all Christmas stuff to get out of way, and that was the perfect spot to put it after I cleaned, and can get to it easily in the fall to donate. I only took one short break to make a smoothie, then back to work. at 4 I sat on deck and enjoyed my view and yard, and called a close friend and had some belly laughs. Then I moved some stuff in yard, watered flowers, got out all the stuff to plant tomorrow. After that dirty filthy job today, will take tomorrow for a day in the yard, planting and just having a great time loving my life here on my own little slice of heaven, that I bought for myself, and is paid for. I feel so lucky to have found this group so that I can have the support to change the way I have been living. I am excited to have tomorrow off to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and the yard.
I have become very aware of my thinking, when I say, I will move that later or do that later, I change it and do it now. Such a simple concept, but never have thought this way, thus all the piles of "do it later stuff". Yeah, thanks to you all.

Janice! 😀
What a wonderful post all so full of positive things! 😀
Happy dancing here just to read it!!!D

Looking forward to you sipping lemonade out on your patio this summer.;)

You did fantastic! (((hugs)))

Hi Janice,

OMG! You don't know who Matt Paxton is?...

WOW! I'm in total shock! 😮

Most people that know who Cory is, also know who Matt Paxton is too.

They're like the George Clooney and Brad Pitt of extreme cleaners. LOL. 😉

Whew! After "recovering from last night's group, I started moving. Moving in the way of getting chores completed and piles as they were in front of me. No real focus but I kind of figured as long as I was putting things away and trashing/recycling, I was doing pretty good. I saw something on a friend's FB that, long story short, made me want to point out that my closets, drawers, etc. are perfect ... like OCD perfect. It's just the piles in the middle and around. You know, looking for the riiiight spot! tee hee ANYWAY, I already went off of last night's assignment becaaaause a friend came with a client and picked up all the plywood, boards, metal shelves (WHICH I DID NOT WANT TO LET GO in the past 5 years up until meeting him and his program) and pipes that were cluttering up the patio. That pile was moved from my Dad's house after he passed-away, to mine because I couldn't let go but they could use them on a BIG garden project he has. He rehabs mental health clients AND just last week, one man said, "I have gotten more out of working 3 months in this garden then 20 years of counseling." 😉 Sooooo YES, I let it go there and now I just unpacked the last 4 boxes that were stored on a banquet table AND TONIGHT when weather cools, we WILL clean-up the remnants and I will have my patio back including table and chairs which have been out by some cacti in the corner. ;-D I COULD NOT BE SCOOTING AROUND WITHOUT ALL OF YOU .... THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR ALL I AM LEARNING AND HAVE LEARNED IN NEARLY A YEAR!!! psssst Kinda liking the new tremor med, too. Two months on Primidone now for my MS and hardly any tremors or convulsions tee hee which gives me much more sustainable energy!!! taa daa

OH, it wouldn't be honest to leave without tellin you all about this weird pile of clear plastic containers I started saving ..... for seedling green houses. UHHHH, yeah, today is trash day, and I'm going to have Lauren and/or my friend this evening help me to toss them tonight when outside trash/recycling containers are empty. 'Cause you KNOW they are full right now! Uhhhh, huh, ohhhhh, yeah! *happy dance* *twirling twirling*

Hey Cory,
Kyle talks way to much in the support chat group.

JK 😉

Hi 🙂

Been running since my feet hit the ground at 6:00am.
Got caught up on a lot.

Roxie,
I use Murphy's oil soap on wood and have never had any problems.

Karl,
Keep up with the sorting and wishing you great success Friday with the organizing lady. 🙂

Lynn,
with this economy as it is now many people have that long of a commute. 🙁 Sorry.
But I hope you get on there. 🙂

HI MayMay 😀

Today I went for a long hour and a half drive to Integrity Trade company.

Wow, what a drive. After I got there I was stiff from sitting for so long.

I filled out an ap and explained why I was dismissed from working with Aztec.
Truthfully not knowing the reason why.

It was just a meet and greet type of meeting after filling out the application.

She said that there is a lot of work and not enough workers.
I hope that I can score an interview stating that I can start anytime, and on the app.

3hours driving on a highway is a long time round trip.

Hope everyone is ok and having a productive day.

Hi Roxie,

Woohoo! Another Anthony Bourdain fan. 🙂

I became a fan of his last week after watching the episode of his new show "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" on CNN, where he went to Libya. And now I am totally hooked on both of his tv shows: the one on the travel channel and the one on CNN. 🙂

Yesterday was pretty much a "day off" for me, which included watching one of the DVD movies I had not seen (Side Effects). That was a treat for me. And I think MayMay mentioned Anthony Bourdain. I got hooked watching that for awhile, too.

Karl, your group effort sounds great. Are you still planning another on Friday? You "thought aloud" about a better way to approach the situation. Perhaps if you share your thoughts we can input and help you along? Does the place look better in general or is that the problem still? I am proud of you for your many 15 minute efforts so far!

AnneL, you mentioned you kept five glasses cases and could justify two. Hmmmm. Proud of you for your many donation bags and all that is going out of the house!

Tillie, take a small break today and enjoy some nature if that helps? Today it is sunny and about 73 degrees and waking up to breezes blowing through the house was pure delight for me.

I aim to get the cat boxes switched out and the area in which they reside cleaned well. It'll be a big effort. I also need to put away clean dishes from the other day that are still in the sink.

I need to tackle wood furniture that is fly specked, really dirty. Any suggestions on cleaning good wood? I mean scrubbing well without harming it?

Sunday cleaning event worked out OK, with three of us opening / discarding / filing / sorting items from a box of old mail dating back to 2006. My helpers had already eaten lunch before they came over, but when it was time for a break, I served some dessert. We were working for about 2 hours, so we'll call it 6 person-hours of effort. I also did some further sorting while watching the Sunday chat session here, and then another 15-minute session after dinner. It seems like there should be a more efficient path to the goal, though.

Today has pretty much just been a down day for me. 🙂

Earlier today I took Matt and Cory for a walk. And then when we got back from the walk, I ended up getting hooked on an "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" marathon on the travel channel. And now I am watching Anthony Bourdain's new show on CNN called, "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" while sucking on a tootsie pop. 🙂

Thanks SusanL. 🙂
Welcome to the board! 🙂

Good morning 🙂

Karl, hoping you had fun on your outings and wishing you a great success with your helpers.
P.S. I still have that record album 😉

MayMay, I too find Cory to be very entertaining 😉

SusanL, BIG WAY TO GO! on those bags of donations!.
You should enter that total in the June Challenge thread. 😀

Hi Dianne 😀

My To-Dos for today...
cat stuff
clean the kitchen
clear off coffee table
sort & think about stuff I want to sew this week

ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP at 5:00pm PST.

Have a pleasant Sunday. Get out of the house, get away from your worries for a little while.

Karl I look forward to hearing how the cleaning with help from friends goes. Sounds like you have a very healthy social life with good people. 🙂

Haha Susan L, I love it! *containers.....like glittery gold.....don't make them anymore...like the color* That is so me. 🙂

Hi MayMay, welcome back! I'm a newbie.

Good: got 8 bags out for the veterans group pickup yesterday. Also sorted my old glasses and found a dozen pairs to donate to the Lions Club, both the library and the eye doctor have dropoff boxes for those. Guess it's been a few years since I donated glasses 🙂

Bad: I gave away some glasses cases but kept 5 spares. Two are for spare glasses which I can justify. One is so pretty I decided to use it to hold jewelry. I am one of those container hoarders, boxes and containers of all kinds are like glittery gold. So the other two are for . . . I have no idea. 'They don't make them anymore'. I like the color. Sheepish grin 🙂

Baby steps, that's all I got.

Cory's not considered entertainment?...

Since he's on a tv show I would consider him entertainment. I would consider both him and Matt entertainment. They're the main reason I started watching "HOARDERS" almost 2 years ago in the first place. i remember I was just flipping through the channels on the tv and saw Cory and Matt on "HOARDERS" and was like "who are those 2 STUD MUFFINS?" And I've been watching "HOARDERS" ever since. 🙂

I love them so much I named my dogs after them. Lol. 🙂

In case anybody didn't get the reference, my lyrics were a parody of "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", a 1973 song recorded by Dr Hook & the Medicine Show; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ux3-a9RE1Q -- I skipped the chorus, though. Since Cory is neither entertainment nor politics, I don't think it's likely he'd be featured for real.

Friday night, after my "call for help" posting had gone four days without anyone committing, I decided I'd better cancel it and reschedule for a later day; I chose next Friday evening. On Saturday, I was out all day -- I left the house at 9:40 to go to an event at the library, then at 6pm I went from there to a friend's home for a pot luck; when I finally got home, it was just after midnight. No cleaning done. But a couple of friends at the pot luck asked if they could still come over and help on Sunday, so I'll be having both the unofficial Sunday event and the official Friday event.

Hi Ann,

I LOVE YOUR POEM! 😀

Both you and Karl should send your poems to "Rolling Stone" magazine. 🙂

It might make them want to finally put Cory on the cover. 🙂

Yes! I really like the new song lyrics. Nice having talented poets in our midst. 😀

Lynn,
After we have tried and tried and still our hoarders refuse to listen to us we must now just accept this. 🙁
We have to move on with our own lives and do whatever it takes to get for us what we need.
I have my "no clutter zones" and you will some day have your very own home.
(((hugs))) 🙂

OK, after 1:00pm here.
He left early this morning, said to get a hair cut. He is still gone. Probably shopping at thrift shops and yard sales. 🙁
I have done all the cat/kitten related daily tasks.
Cleaned the kitchen.
Swept floors & porches.
Done an assortment of other little things around here.
Had a fried egg sandwich for brunch.

Hope everybody else here is having a productive day. 🙂

Hello All and nice poem Ann

Today I plan on still reading that book though it's a useless cause for my mother, I can help encourage all that are succeding on this site.

I asked her the question : "Do you love me more or your stuf more? " Her response was "Don't push it." "Like YOUR car, this is MY HOUSE!"

As I said before on the chat board she's ultimately terrified of this site.

She thinks that the "Hoarding police" are going to get her. I guess. I don't know.

Just looking may also terrifiy her. "?"

Don't know what else to do besides just read on with the book and help you all that are here.

I'm glad that I can help.

I just have to stay really really positive on Monday when I meet with a future employer and hopefully land an interview to a big Yes!

The waiting game sucks!
It's been 3 months since employment. If I don't get a response within a week or two then I will go to Michigan City for that job. I wonder how much longer do I have to wait for a response?

Hope all is doing well and keep up the great work!

In all humility I present a proposed fourth stanze
for Karl's poem...

My public face doesn't tell it all.
In fact (at home) I simply stall.
I might look as though I'm in control
But really what bugs me
Is what most folks can't see:
The mess is taking its toll.

What I want I can't find.
I'm left in a bind.
Neglect is hardly the word.
I wish I could do it...
Somehow make it all fit.
Good advice is there... I've heard.

I really don't have to face it alone.
We have a hero in this story...
We want a portrait of CORY...
On the cover of The Rolling Stone.

SusanL: It sounds like you and husband are a good team at this cleaning out. I am happy to hear your progress!

Diane: Hope you get some outside time today, but don't "dis" what you've accomplished inside. Good job!

Tillie: I probably won't ever make an online group but I am glad they are available. You are making great progress, too.

Very heavy rain here again today. That makes me want to nap. I'm sure I'll get some steam up before long and accomplish something. Just need to check my list, or, as my brother once said about his own place: "just point in any direction and there is a job to be done."

Roxie,
Please stay safe.
Big WAY TO GO! for all you have gotten done there! 😀

SusanL,
WOW! 😀
You did a GREAT job finding stuff to donate!
Really impressed!

diane,
I know it's hard for you to work inside when it's nice outside.
WAY TO GO! on filling those 2 bags! 😀
Little by little it will get done. Some days it takes longer than others to complete a task but still any/every bit of progress is something to congratulate yourself for. 🙂

Today I went to the online support group at 12:00 noon PST.
Wonderful little group of chatters. Got to know the people there better. We were cracking a lot of jokes. ;D
Then did some chores here to get ready for the weekend. Like to have my time free in case my hoarder ever decides to declutter & then I won't be in his way.
Then went out and watered around the garden. Supposed to be hot here tomorrow.
Everybody have some fun this weekend. Sing silly songs, dance with the cat, play in the dirt. 😀

Worked in dining room and craft room this morning then out to the garage for the rest of the day. I was able to fill a bag for give away, and one for garbage. Took lots of years to get this bad, just wish it was quicker to deal with the hoard, so much more. It was a beautiful day and wasn't outside enough, tomorrow will make more time for outside. Nice others are making good progress.

Greetings all, good work Roxie!

Today I went to the back of the coat closet and took out a random box with intent to sort through to the end.

The veterans group is coming by tomorrow for pickup so I wanted to get out as much as possible for them. It helps to feel like somebody else could use this "good stuff."

I saved most of the photographs and pitched pretty much everything else. Surprising what I don't really need anymore.

Earlier the hub and I went through our pantry to see if we could pare down, ended up clearing out a whole section of random bags. It looks nice just to have one half empty shelf.

Yesterday I finally got myself into the bath and bathed, washed my hair, and got into clean clothes. Then I went down to the city center and got caught up on real estate and personal taxes, waste management overdue fees, and got my long-over vehicle tag renewed. What a relief!

Then I went to Office Depot and picked up a three ring notebook plus plastic page inserts into which you can place things. Got three large folders that close with a band, for tax papers. Got a few other things like a magnifying thing for those tiny print items I can no longer read; computer screen and keyboard cleaners; etc.

I was so anxious to get online today, but my power was out for about 12 hours. Central Arkansas got hit with major storms and some tornadoes last night. I am lucky that the worst hit a little west of here and also a bit north, so... But a HUGE lightning strike awoke me around 3am plus a big flash of light and the lights going out. So I am positive lightning hit somewhere close by.

When I spoke to the power outage guy when he came to check that my electricity was restored, he said he was stuck on the highway yesterday for three hours, trying to keep his vehicle pointed into the wind because the winds were so strong that it kept shaking the vehicle side to side. There is also a lot of flooding. My roof leak showed up again, so maybe next week I'll finally call the insurance company about it.

Being without electricity is the pits, but it did serve one great purpose. Today while without power I washed dishes by hand, tore down more cardboard boxes and got them into the car for recycling. I rounded up the papers on my new appliances and other things and organized them into the new 3 ring folder. I marked the other big folders with the years: 2011, 2012, 2013 so I'm prepared to sort the huge stacks of old papers. I put away a bunch of car and home cleaning supplies and cleared the kitchen counter. Wiped all those counters down. I hauled cat and other supplies from the car into the house to be put away (still working on that). I started unboxing the cat trees I'd ordered so that I can soon start putting them together. My cats haven't had those in plenty of years. They will be thrilled and the trees will be new and clean.

Now I'm really tired but have just enough energy to be on the computer. hehe

Hoping all are well.

TODAY!, May 31, at noon Pacific Time, 3pm Eastern Time, 8pm British Time. Everybody's welcome to attend.

Just click on the red box to the right
"ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP"
to join in. 🙂

Good morning everybody! 😀
TGIF
Reading all your posts has been such a joy.
You are all such amazing people.
(((hugs)))

Take care Anne W, we'll miss you even for a short time. 🙂

Karl, laughed out loud at your poem!!! It is so excellent!!! 😀