Diane 🙂

First things first BIG (((HUG))).

Now remember we are starting very slowly with the craft room.
You can stand in the doorway and just reach in and grab an item.
Decide keep, donate or toss. Put it in the right bin.
Breathe!
Walk away if you need to take a break.
Do something else.
When you have settled down enough to do one more item come back and repeat the process.

We do not want you to become overloaded with anxiety.
I want you to slowly get accustomed to the idea of working in this area.

You CAN do this!

Keep in mind how wonderful it is going to be to have your craft room all sorted, tidy and organized.
Think about all those wonderful fresh new craft projects you are going to be able to create in there. 😀

(((HUGS)))

Great group last night, didn't sleep well knowing I had to do what I really didn't want to today. Got up at 6 and decided to get started. Took the bin from each room that wasn't finished and the two in front of the craft room. Put a pretty towel on living room floor and put stuff in piles of crafts, tools, gloves etc. Put things in garbage or give away black bags as I came to them. I started to feel overwhelmed so am taking a break. Stuff still on floor is bugging me, so will put it in proper areas. Now with empty bins can start making a move on the craft room hoard. One of the bins in front had mostly dirty clothes so will put them in washing machine. Friend just called and wants to come over to borrow saw. I didn't answer, don't want to be interrupted, now another thing I don't want to deal with. Guess I can put saw out and call her and say I am in the middle of pile and cant visit today. When I put off things I just feel worse, so need to call her. Do not want to deal with interruptions at all. Now I have to look for the saw, annoyed.

I'm not at all comfortable with it. The areas they need to work in are clean now but they will have to pass areas that are a certifiable hoard.

But I'm telling myself that as long as my progress is steady that's a good thing. If I was doing nothing but the very basics then I'd feel guilt as well as shame.

I didn't know about the fungus either. It is sad. How are you feeling about people coming in the house? I am still not there yet.

Oh Diane just reading about your poor banged up toe makes me cringe!

Take care all! 🙂

Susan so happy to read you cleaned drawer, that is so great, good for you, easier to find things now.
Tillie sorry to hear your man didn't get much if anything done, happy to hear you continued anyway. What are you making with beads? I make jewelry, or should I say, I did until the hoard took over, and I will make jewelry again.
I am so pleased, since cant do any big projects, started putting decorations up in my plain white areas. Have a framed, signed photo of 3 llamas smiling, so that is in entry way, along with a wonderful metal and wood chinese character and the word "hope", which I had taken down, when I had no hope, it is so great to see it now in a clean space. I have a metal flower an artist made that is a beautiful light green on petals and lavendar iris, hanging on wall next to washer and dryer, and best of all, a wonderful quilt/picture of an eagle flying over trees, that is over dryer, covering an ugly power box. It is so beautiful, and now can enjoy it. All art was buried treasures in the true sense!!!! I can hardly believe it is really happening. I just keep looking in amazement!!! Now I am happy I banged my foot, slowed down enough to do some decorating. Even though it is an old place, it is fresh and wonderful now. That one completed area really makes me want to keep going, it is still so amazing to me that I can actually change after all this time. All the rooms of hoard will get their turn, just celebrating all I have accomplished in a month plus.

Good morning 🙂

Welcome back home Cory 🙂
WTG! on getting stuff done!

KcLynne, YEA! 😀 for getting the kitchen in order and cooking!

Diane, as always you amaze and inspire me!
WTG! on getting so many areas tackled!!!
Sorry you hurt yourself. 🙁
But that toe is going to hurt any ways so may as well take your mind off it by doing things.
Heal fast. 🙂

Susan, GREAT job tackling that drawer! 😀
It will be easier to see what can go from there the next time you declutter it.

Well, he did not do any decluttering yesterday. 🙁
Didn't mow the grass. Didn't start working on the cooler.
He played on his computer and in his stuff out back and with his guitar.

I did 2 loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned up cat vomit, scooped the litter boxes then played with stringing some beads.

Rain is predicted for today and tomorrow. Wind is blowing & it's rather cool outside.

My To-Dos for today...
cat stuff, as always
tidy kitchen
play in my room
watch movies
make popcorn
maybe even get dressed & brush my hair. lol JK 😉

Then at 5:00pm PST I will try to remember to get online for ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP. 😀

Diane, ouch! Hope you have some antibiotic ointment and a bandaid for your toe. Keep up the good work, your determination and perseverence are incredibly inspiring.

Am sorting through the junk drawer in my kitchen. It's an archeological dig. Pitching about 1/3, I know I should let go of more but not ready yet.

Injured warrior fights on----Big toe nail peeeled back 1/2 way from hurrying and running in to sharp corner, cut under little toe, same foot--I still have one foot that doesnt hurt, so onward I go. It is another beautiful day here so am motivated to keep winning the hoarding battle inspite of pain and lack of sleep. I feel so blessed to have this site. I know it has helped me stay motivated and stop making excuses. I had to make a decision when I got up after my toe pain kept me awake on and off all night, and up at 6am, do I make my to do list and figure a way to do it on one foot, or do I just sit. I am so afraid of losing my motivation and momentum, I decided to write about it on here, and get started on tasks of the day, with plenty of breaks, foot elevation and online support group at 5. Thanks for changing my life!!!!!!

Cory, great you are home, laughed at your post about the hotel. It will be so great to sleep in your own bed, without excess noise. Thanks for checking in, will be fun to hear what you learned and how your talk went. Are you speaking in Oregon? See you tomorrow.

Tillie, looking forward to hearing all that he got done this weekend. Thanks for the comments about Molly, it is difficult to see her upset. Today was going to clean the entry way when I discovered so much filth, I always think I have dealt with the worst of it then another hoard reaveals itself. I moved all the junk out, washed and painted the whole area, looks so much better. The wind was brutal today, still got a lot done. Garbage is picked up on Friday and garbage can is almost full again, might have to take a dump run. I am tired of cleaning stuff to donate, so am now just throwing it away. It is still amazing to me how much more I have to do. I have worked lots of hours, and still have so many areas to clean. At least now I can come up the steps to a clean entry way and open the door to a clean area. No clothes hanging on deck or entryway now.

Maymay
I got an autism awareness ribbon with butterfly wings on my inner left forearm. It was my 5th one and hurt more in some spots than others, but really wasn't that bad. Some spots hurt more than others. Be careful, they are addictive.

I finally have my kitchen back in working order! Cleaned out the fridge yesterday, and today I made homemade breakfast burritos for the first time in like forever.

My exercise routine is on hold after my neck injury, and no swimming until the tat heals. So today the kids and I are doing a little sprucing up, and having a Buffy-thon.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I am back from my road trip so today is catch up day. First, need to wash the car as the front of it is covered in bugs from the drive through desert last night. Then I a have to go to the feed store to pick up some food for the goats and chickens. Have to do all my laundry from the trip so I have clothes to wear this week and take my suits to the dry cleaners. Last on my list, need to clean the back yard and fill all the animals water bowls and feeders.

Have a great day everyone and I hope I will be able to get on the support group tomorrow night!

Keep up all the great progress everyone and don't forget to enjoy some peaceful rest and relaxation time too 🙂

Good morning 🙂

I have no plans myself for today.
Hoping he can be motivated to do something more than play stupid computer games.
Not that all computer games are stupid but the ones he plans are mind numbingly stupid.

The evaporative cooler needs maintenance. The lawn needs mowing.
I would mow the grass but it's his mower and he has a big fit if I touch his stuff.
I don't have the strength to remove the panels from the cooler but if he would do that then I could get it all taken care of.

Maybe he will put his dirty clothes into his hamper?
Maybe he will fill all the trash cans for pick up this week?
Maybe he will declutter more from the carport or yard?
Maybe I am just optomistically dreaming? 😀

The day is young and so full of promise and potential.

Diane
Makes me so very happy to hear how you are coming along! 😀

That sunny yellow would make the kitchen sink area very welcoming and cheery.
I painted my kitchen area lavender.
He hates it but he doesn't spend time there like I do. 😉

Yes, too much stuff does tend to immobilize us.
It messes with our thinking and disrupts our peace of mind.
People say they just get used to all the clutter but in reality they just surrender to the chaos.

BYE! MayMay

Have a great time! 😀

WOW!!!!! I can't believe this is finally happening!

I'm finally going to Hawaii. 🙂

I've been waiting for this trip for over a year now. 🙂

My parents have just arrived at my boyfriend's house. So I am getting ready to leave. 🙂

Since I am going on vacation, I'm not going to bring my iPad with me; which means that I'm going off the grid, as they say, and I won't be posting for 3 weeks. 🙂

I promise to tell you guys everything that happens in Hawaii when I get back. 🙂

I'll also let you guys know if I like the result of the clean-up that will be happening in my room while I'm gone. 🙂

I'm pretty sure that I will like the result of the clean-up because it is being led by the 3 men that know me the best; my boss, my boyfriend, and my boyfriend's best friend. 🙂

I just hope that they will stay out of my secret "Naughty Drawer" while I'm gone. 😉

Tillie, sounds like your day of rest paid off, you sure got alot done today. The blue sounds cheery. I want to paint the kitchen sunny yellow, over the sink, once I get other things done. When I started 5 weeks ago I rarely talked to anyone, now I chat on the phone daily and see at least one friend a week in person. I was feeling immobolized by stuff and didn't want to talk to anyone . Amazing how much fun I have been having laughing with friends and getting lots accomplished daily. I am so grateful that I found this site, and you gals.

Had a GREAT morning.
Got stuff watered.
Decided the cat's litter boxes needed a good scrubbing/sanitizing.

Decided that some pretty blue paint would look really nice on the end of a cupboard in the pantry. Got that all painted plus the visible underside of that cupboard too in less than 10 minutes.
Looks real good and brightens up the pantry a little. 😀

Cleaned the bathroom.
Swept floors & porches & walkway.
Sprayed a rose bush because it had aphids.
Sprayed a few wasps building nests around the yard.
Pulled some weeds.
Ate lunch.
And did a bunch of other little stuff. 😀

I also remembered to brush my teeth, wash my face, brush & braid my hair and get dressed. 🙂
The cats all got their breakfast of canned food, fresh water and my undivided attention.

YAY! I'm all packed for Hawaii! 🙂

Now off to go get my hair cut. 🙂

Thanks Tillie! 🙂

Good morning 🙂

Last evening I watered all but the lilacs and grass so today I will get them watered.

Need to tidy up in here.
Bathroom
sweep
vacuum
Maybe dust and as always, cat stuff.

We need to get the evaporative cooler all cleaned up & ready. It will get hot here very soon.
Right now we have afternoon highs up to 72 degrees. 😀
Maybe he will move all the stuff he has piled up on and all around the unit tomorrow.

I find it amazing how quickly he can totally clutter up an area.

TGIF! 😀

Bon Voyage! MayMay 🙂

Today I have to finish packing for my trip to Hawaii. 🙂

Then later on tonight my boyfriend is going to come over and pick me, Matt, and Cory up from my apartment and then take us back to his house where we will be spending the night. 🙂

And then tomorrow morning my parents are going to come and pick me up from my boyfriend's house and then we are going to head up to Michigan; because when we leave for Hawaii, we will be flying out of Detroit along with all of my relatives that will me going to Hawaii with us. 🙂

Matt and Cory will be staying with my boyfriend while I'm in Hawaii. 🙂

The reason that my boyfriend is picking me up from my apartment tonight, and my parents are picking me up from his house tomorrow, is because when I come back from Hawaii my boss, my boyfriend, my boyfriend's best friend, and all of the firefighters that will be cleaning my room don't want me to see it right away. They want me to wait until the day after I get back from Hawaii so that they can reveal it to me themselves. 🙂

Hey diane,

Thanks. 🙂

No I don't live with my parents. I'm just really close with them. 🙂

I actually share an apartment with some friends. 🙂

I have been thinking about that conference, sure would like to go to a conference, is there going to be one in Oregon this year.
Lucky gals, getting signed copies of book. Is it Buried in Treasures? That is the book I bought, no signed copy, but informs just as well!!! Maymay, you live with parents? That sounds interesting!! Sounds like you had a great party. I had a good day, got some things accomplished, so close to having deck ready to roof. Still have much to do, but am seeing progress. I have to clean at least one shelf in garage so stuff on deck can go to their real home. Now going dead mouse hunting, such fun and exciting days. Ok, mostly fun, not really that exciting, except reading what maymay is up to.

Hey Lynn,

Ok. I just got a little confused after reading his post; but then after I read your post I thought that maybe he wrote a book or something.

Because if he did write a book then I would definitely want to read it. Normally I hate reading books. But if Cory ever wrote one, then I would definitely read it. 🙂

I hope your knee feels better soon. 🙂

I don't know if he did but would sure be cool if he did. 🙂 In his post he said Dr. T says hi, I don't know who the author is. I wish I could heal faster 🙁

Ok now I really want to know...
Did Cory write a book?

OMG!!!! 😀

Thank You Thank You Thank You

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO