Hi to everybody. I've been having a "down" afternoon (mood-wise). A short while ago, I thought about just lying down for a while and "being bummed out." But then I thought about catching up some on some of the posts here. I'm glad I chose the latter.

I noticed there has been a lot of discussion of sharing the downs as well as the ups. I'm so glad that people in the past have done that here (shared both). If I read about how everybody was always happy and cheerful and "successful" all the time, I wouldn't really want to be here (on the message board). I would feel like I had to always put on an act, and I would feel like I was watching some scripted movie of some sort instead of interacting with real people dealing with real life. I would feel like something was wrong with me when I started slipping backwards and would probably feel hopeless again. Instead, I can more clearly see ups and downs as just a natural part of the process of changing.

Speaking of changes, it's been over a week now since I left my apartment and have been staying at my friends' house. On the amusing side of things, one challenge has been to get used to different appliances, including the microwave. Diane, I have turned more than a couple of servings of frozen veggies into "veggie jerky." I have yet to figure out how to work the settings on their microwave to make my veggies come out right. I thought that surely by today, I'd have it figured out. Instead, at lunch today I managed to create a small "veggie explosion" inside the microwave that had to be cleaned up. 🙁

Hugs to all. Jessica, I'm really glad you have joined us.

Tillie, take care of that cold. Napping with kitties is a very good thing. Projects will still be there ready when you are.

I had plans for today.
Fun plans.
Projects I was looking forward to doing today.
But, I woke up with a miserable cold. 🙁
Been trying to ignore it and wish it away but that is not working.
So, I sit here with the tissue box
looking at my projects all neglected in the corner.
Think I will lay down on the couch with a cat or two and take a nap.

We didn't get as much snow here as other places so I'll be able to run the vehicles so the batteries don't die and get out if necessary.

Stay warm everyone!

Was just clicking around on the website for a couple of minutes before leaving on some errands, and I saw . . .

Roxie!!!!!

Whoo-hoooooooo!!!!!!!! So great to "see" you!!!

(Hi to everybody else, too!)

Thanks to ALL of you for your "ears" and your postings! It is a privilege, indeed, to be one in this group. I find MYSELF in each of your posts .. buying multiples (in case), a warehouse vs. a home, saving the world (instead of my life), a lack of boundaries, no! lack of vintage dishes, the need to analyze every item I pick up ( re-any possible use? ; and then, who? what? where?). I frequently give up before I make the determination and the item stays where it is. Getting started is ALWAYS an issue. BITSY - I'm going to think of you as I NEVER GIVE UP! My best wishes to you all!

God bless you, Tillie

Good morning 🙂

Monday, again....
This weekend I sent a lot of stuff off to various donation spots.
Two large bags of blankets, linens and other household cloth items to the local animal shelter.
Two pair of my very old prescription eye glasses to The Lions for them to give to people who need glasses and can't afford them.
A large bag of assorted items to the charity thrift shop.
Then I sold 30 DVD movies to the local pawn shop.
I had gathered up a lot of other items to donate but the hoarder I live with freaked out and grabbed them all up to add to his hoard.
So even though I have released them from my possession, they are still here on the property, somewhere.
Oh Well...
This just makes me want to get rid of even more of my things, to compensate.
I am running out of things LOL 😀

Yes, Dianne, yay you! Fantastic work!
Much love to everyone from your very tired friend Tatoulia.

Ok January 25 (hey I just realized one month exactly) and both my live Christmas trees are down and lights put away. Usually it's into the summer. Yay me!

Good Night all!

That's really cool Tillie! It certainly has become the heart and soul of this site! 🙂

Dianne,
I was talking to Cory and asked if I could make this and he said yes and transferred my introduction here. 🙂

Hey Tillie, I thought only Cory could create the main categories in the Forum and that we could start new threads. How can we do that?

For those of you with sunshine enjoy it!!

loved the blue dish story. I donated lots of pottery last year, then went to a friends and she had bought many of them at thrift store and made yard art by gluing several together, very nice, one little old pink plate, hand painted, gold edge, was the one thing I saw that I regretted donating. I went through her house and searched for all my donations, saw many nice things and thought I should have made this art. Truth is she enjoyed my stuff way more than I did, and used it in a great way to be appreciated by many. As you say Tat, we have too much stuff and have to give away some good stuff, so there is room to live in our space.
I only got 1/2 of dishes washed and put away.
It was sunny today, and WARM, I was outside all day. Cleaned up some slimy leaves off rocks, and cleaned up some of the yard. So much easier this year since I started 2 years ago, cleaning up all the dead junk, and getting rid of yard junk.
Benny had a really good day, went on a long walk. Thanks for the kind words Dianne, I appreciate being acknowledged for my many hours lovingly encouraging Benny to enjoy life here. He usually is just left at kennel, and since he just cowers, could not be out with other dogs, so having my big yard and me home all the time has been so great for him. His parents are aware of how difficult he is and are thrilled he is with me. Roxie, you made me so happy reading that you are safe with brother. Tillie, so great you are back on here sharing your life.

I created "The Daily Chat" because I saw we all needed a safe place to talk to each other.
There are no requirements to be eligible to post here.
Just having some human contact is so very important.
Some weeks the only outside contact I have is right here in "The Daily Chat."
Also, we need to be understood and accepted and we can get that here.
So happy or sad, cleaning or not please keep "talking" here.

🙂

ROXIE!!!!!!

(((HUGS))) 😀

ROXIE, ROXIE, ROXIE!!!!

much much love ~~ Dianne

Roxie, my heart leapt! Hello hello!

Finally, I'm back online. The story is too long to tell, but I've been away from home since July, either in a hospital or a nursing home. Now I am at my brother's home in Minnesota, still trying to recover. I've made good progress.

I have so many posts to read through to catch up. Just thought I'd let you know I'm still alive.

Love
Roxie

I'd like to second what Dianne said. Lack of progress shouldn't pose a hurdle--we are all here for the same reason! We have too much stuff. Also, Diane, I am continually amazed by your hard work and industry. And I just love hearing from you.

As to newcomers, I think I started here last May. And within a short time I was welcomed warmly. I think it was LR, but it could have been anyone--please remember, we all belong here. We have good days and bad days and great moments and unfortunate moments, just like our real-life friendships. From my perspective, nothing is a deal-breaker here. Each day gives us a new page. So please, the more the merrier! I look forward to reading and posting and sometimes I read more than I post.

And remember, We may see progress where you don't.

Okay off to cook.

Tat, your little blue dish revelation is a giant leap forward!

Thanks for that inspiration and keep up the great work!!!

Diane, I think everyone should always be welcome here. There shouldn't be a prerequisite that we are actively making progress. IMO. There are so many times we all hit slumps and backslide. If we come here and constantly read of all the wonderful work being done it can hit us in a couple ways ~ we can be inspired and energized or we can be discouraged and think what's wrong with me that I can't get something done in my life. Support comes in all forms, cheering each other on, advice and plain old listening to the pain.

You are such a good doggy sitter momma to Benny!!! Each time he comes he will respond faster and faster because he'll remember you provide him with safety, love and interaction. There is no way he would get that in a kennel environment. In a kennel people pay extra for walks and playtime. Isn't that sad? I hope Benny's owners realize what a treasure they found in you!!

Good morning, everyone! Great to read your posts. There is snow here and it's very pretty. Goingvto relax and wake up before starting my day.

OK I just had an important moment in my kitchen. And I probably won't describe it well. Background: I love vintage dishes and got rid of scads of them this summer (yay!). I use odd saucers and little plates as soap dishes (kitchen, bathroom, tub). I have a little stack of about twelve. As I was switching out the soap dish in kitchen this AM, I thought about a little blue dish that I hemmed and hawed over this summer before relegating it to the goodwill pile. Today, just now, I thought, oh I never thought to use the blue dish as a soap dish, I wish I still had it. Revelation: just because I finally found a use for it doesn't mean I need it. Therefore, I'm not going to spend my time ruing the day I let something go.

I knew this wouldn't sound as dramatic as it felt. But I can't explain it any better right now. So, I can further refine my thinking as I dig in to Level 2: finding a use or potential use is not going to be my guide. My question is, do I need it, now.

Thanks Dianne and Tat, so great reading your posts and reassuring me I am still welcome here in spite of doing very little cleaning. Thanks for asking about Max, he went home Sunday night. Benny came to visit on Monday, Benny would not leave his bed first day, each day a little better. Today he actually played fetch with toys I made him.
I got a cord of wood delivered and stacked it. Cleaned chimney really good today. Went to kitchen to dishes several times, and still have not even started them. I WILL wash dishes before bed time. (tonight) Grey all day, with a little rain.
LR congrats on move, I think of you every time I microwave vegetables, so good.
Tillie thanks for reminders on how to go about cleaning and organizing. See you all tomorrow

Bitsy ~ never give up, never give up. You read my soul.

How is Mr. Max doing? Good visit? How about Shy Dog? She been back?

Tat it is wonderful to read of all the people you help out of the goodness of your heart! I mean that. So often I listen to the news and just don't get it. Where did all the kindness go? Stories from you make me see it's still all around, it just doesn't get the attention it deserves.

It is VERY nice to know you think I am absolutely terrific. 😀 But what's cooler is to know the source from whence that compliment comes. Laura and the fur babies thank you as well. 🙂

Diane! Bitsy! Glad to hear from you. I understand those "dry periods" on not getting anything done. Just glad you are here because I miss you. Diane do you still have Max? Have a great day, everyone! Hope to hear from you all and that includes you, Jessica! We are in this together!

hello everyone, good to read all of your posts
I have not posting because I have not been keeping up with maintenance and have been dealing with good old winter blahs
I can start over tomorrow and start making progress

Jessica K.,
thank you for posting. It helps me to feel so not all alone. everyone here is so supportive.
it is such a struggle usually for me to get started and get anything done. reading these posts helps.
never give up
never give up

Okay okay I wasn't going to admit but since I live in a city and walk everywhere, giving directions that include cut through this building/park here and walk, it's by where the old pharmacy once was etc etc so generally I would walk the person. Recently while going through piles of paper I found letters from a woman from Little Rock AK, whom I met one night and then walked her around the city, ran errands with her, then dropped her off at the hotel. Her exact question that led to this was, is there a grocery store nearby? But that was pleasant , and borne of a desire to make sure that visitors have a good time in my city. And not a chore. So I have walked a lot of people a lot of places. But I'm more discerning now. An English speaking family of four does not need or want my help as they each look at their smartphones for guidance. No need to step up and insist. But an exchange student from Uganda? Let's walk!

I love saving and rescuing things. Not animals because I have a cat and she is plenty. But I do want to save all the cats all the time. One thing I haven't talked about here is I mentor at-risk inner city youth-- or did you know that? When I took the remaining orientsl rugs to my sister's I brought one of the kids with me, but maybe I told everyone that. I too like rescuing people, old people, everyone, but I'm in "not taking in any new patients" mode right now. Taking care of the people who are precious to me (the youths in the city, mom, a few assorted elderly people, brother, one disabled person and that's it). Sometimes I resent it when I go to mom's and the people just expect me to do for them. If they have children or spouses or even paid help I won't. But if they need me, truly need someone, I am there. And I can tell the difference.

I also cook for shut ins, as I think you might know because I think I used the expression shit-ins once by mistake. So if Diane with one n is out there, this shit-in is for you. The trash hoarder whose house I cleaned and cleared before hisive lives in a beautiful place now and in fact, I am cooking for him at his house this weekend. I cooked for him at his house a couple of weeks back and it went okay.

Now none of this has anything to do with my career, I just do this as I walk through life.

Before I sign off,Dianne I think you are terrific. Absolutely terrific. Isn't that nice to know? You are loving and warm and welcoming. And your rescue of animals makes me happy. I think of your daughter reading to them. And i feel something palpable yet indescribable.