Diane!!! {{{{HUGS}}}}

I've greatly missed your support and encouragement here. Please join us more often!!!!

Many thanks for the update, Diane. I am pleased to hear of your progress. I'm proud that you've joined a group and it has helped you with bags of clothing! Boy I used to be the ins wanting everyone's stuff. I still don't want anything and am working hard on the stuff I still have. Diane, I completely cleared out my storage space--10' by 12' and left it for good at end of November. Very little came into my house. Can you believe it? Who knew?

Again many many thanks got the update! Keep up with the hard work! So proud of you. Keep your chin up-- tough time of year.

Freezer room kept pipes from freezing when -20 degrees, so it is so great, thanks for asking, and no leaks in that room. I have had to deal with other leaks, and happy I reroofed that area after I stepped through the roof earlier this year.
Soup is on and would love to share a bowl with you Tat.

Just got a warm feeling reading your note Tat, I have missed our little talks. You are so strong and able, you will get through this stress you are dealing with. I think a deep breath helps me more than anything when dealing with stress, which we have had plenty of!!!
I broke a rib two weeks ago putting empty containers up high, fell on a pointed chair back edge, so has slowed me down. A friend is teaching a class called "Good Grief" for the first time. I am taking the class to support her, and it has brought up a lot of feelings of loss and sadness, good side is that class puts things in perspective, grief is just part of life, and I forget I can choose to be happier, even with short dark days, frozen fog, physical pain. Still difficult for me to choose to be happy, feels like I am breaking long held rules from family, must just keep working and be productive, bad to have fun. I put Christmas lights up and when they are on, makes place seem warmer and happier in here.
In class we visualized our grief, mine was a huge pile of clothes, so last week I went through all closets and filled bag after bag with good clothes I do not wear. My trunk and entire back seat was full of donations, so took it to class to show how I worked on making grief smaller, then to thrift store and dropped it all off after class. One woman from class grabbed a bag of silk skirts and asked to keep them, I said yes, then closed trunk, she keeps too much stuff, and I did not want to encourage her. Need to get rid of so much more so can relate to your clutter creep. Thanks for checking in with me, I have missed you, hugs to you

Diane !!! How are you ? How's the freezer ro holding up? I've become a little frayed at the edges due to work pressures and I'm struggling with holiday clutter in the house. But hearing from you erases all of the stress. Much love--I think about you often and am glad to hear from you. Take good care and let me know when soup's on; I sure could use a comforting bowl of homemade soup!

Thanks for the holiday wishes Cory, same to you and yours!!

Cory, wishing you, your family and your employees a beautiful holiday season! A Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Blessed New Year!!

take good care ~~ Dianne

Cory!!! How nice to hear from you! Happy Holidays to you, your family, your crew! This forum has gotten my house together and made a big difference in my life!

Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to drop in and wish you all the Happiest of Holidays this season and congratulate you once again for the incredible work you do each day for yourselves and each other. You are proof that support goes a long way!

Thank you, Dianne, for the encouragement. I feel a little unravelled these days. House has stuff everywhere. Didn't get to bedroom project (taking out all non-furniture and putting stuff back in, as a way to reduce the stuff). I did spend yesterday on me and my errands. I wrapped gifts in AM so I can mail today and I went to Goodwill with the childhood box of books. Also got a bag together here-- had started it last week but was only half full. before I went to car I went into bedroom closet and pulled out three blazers I won't wear again. I'm glad to get that stuff out. It doesn't show, but mentally I feel lighter.

Need to get to PO today. I might need to go another day this week and if that's the case, so be it. I don't have everything ready just yet. It's a time waster for sure but such is life.

Hope everyone is well. I'm somewhat self centered these days and I apologize. I'm just trying to hold it together and I don't mean to forget anyone. Would love an update from Mel.

Tat, WTG resisting the temptation to buy multiples and especially for getting rid of the boxes!!

You have accomplished so much this year, you must be very proud! 😀

Dianne every little trick helps... Just today I found myself tempted to buy multiples of something due to good price. I reminded myself I was only getting ONE, for my brother, because HE needs it.

I got rid of several large, nice, clean boxes from crate and barrell today. They held some if my holiday ornaments and I was decorating a tree at my brither's house. I got rid if the boxes and put in recycling bin because I can put all the ornaments in a big Rubbermaid tote. I have several empty totes left from the Great Storage Space Clean-Out of 2014. So I got rid of the boxes.

Took a look-see in my car trunk tonight and found a wonderful box of old children's books. Only kept 4--will give two to my boyfriend for Christmas (books are in French and he may have had the books as a child--French is his native language) and two that I'd like to keep. A year ago I would've needed all of them. PROGRESS!

Much love to everyone, with special love to Diane and Tillie, in the off chance they check in sometime.

haha

just now in my email free shipping from pet food direct!

Yes Tat, I need to remember there will be no shortage of shipping boxes!! My favorites are the ones that cat food is shipped in. They hold 45 lbs. solidly and make it thru UPS without a dent. (Since buying in bulk is cheaper and I wait for free shipping offers it's a good alternative to Petsmart.)

Silly to hoard those things when they really are so easily available. Sometimes I need reminders that all is well, let them go, the world is still a safe place. 🙂

Hello everyone. Mel just do what you can and keep the lines of communication open. I too would feel badly but probably not guilty. I feel guilty about so much stuff but having someone else clean just doesn't register on my guilt scale (lucky). What would cause me anxiety is losing control of my stuff. So I applaud you for finding a way through your anxiety and your hoard. Don't feel guilty. He ses to enjoy helping you and building a life together. Just keep breathing.

Dianne--I took no small measure of relief in reading your hesitation re shipping boxes. I found myself starting to hoard gift boxes ( after throwing out maybe 40 or 50 this summer) and had to stop myself. It's just difficult when they are foil or have Christmas scenes or seem sturdy. So far have only kept one. Not bad! As to shipping boxes, I threw them out (recycle bin) except for one that I am using. See? Each year we get shopping boxes, no need to hoard!

Thinking of everyone!

Thanks, Mel, I can second, third, fourth, etc. guess myself into infinity.

It's all a balancing act and we will only improve at it by learning from our mistakes. 🙂

Dianne, don't second guess yourself! There's nothing wrong with boosting the signal for folks who need help. Your big heart and generosity are wonderful!

I had a new embarrassment with my boyfriend cleaning yesterday. My house has old plastic baseboards (at least 25 years old, maybe way more). As he's been cleaning and rearranging, he's found a few places where the mice clearly chewed themselves some big holes. He commented that they looked like mouse holes but he didn't think they could chew through that kind of material. He wants to replace the baseboards anyway but he showed me the holes and I was feeling really embarrassed.

He's on a break from school (he's finishing his degree in the spring) so he's been using his time to clean. He completely cleaned up and rearranged the living room (which exposed one of the mouse holes), and the dining room (which exposed 2 more). He's done a really nice job but it means the areas I've worked on look even messier in comparison. Yesterday was garbage day and by the end of the day he had already completely refilled both the garbage and the recycling bins.

Truthfully it's kind of nice to just come home to all this stuff already cleaned up as long as I don't think about it too much. He said it's very relaxing for him to clean. I feel so lazy just coming home from work and sitting on the couch in the living room that he cleaned up and rearranged and eating the dinner that he cooked for us. And I feel guilty that I made this huge mess and he's doing so much of the work to clean it up. I just don't want him to feel taken advantage of. I try to tell and show him all the time how much I love and appreciate him and all his hard work. And he tells me he does it because he enjoys it. But I just can't relate to that at all.

I just started ordering Christmas gifts and I'm starting to feel anxious about the extra stuff and extra boxes. I know it's temporary but still.

I hope everyone is having a good day!

Honestly, I'm feeling a little strange about my last post. As moved as I was to help this family they really are receiving massive amounts of assistance. And they will probably need to turn around and donate much of what they will receive.

Generally I like to help the people who go unnoticed. Please forgive my presumptuousness. There are so many in need, follow your own hearts. Even if all we have to give is loving thoughts everything around us is blessed by that.

There are so many people in need here on this board and in our own communities that I hesitate to suggest a place to donate. But these are exceptional circumstances. Last Monday there was a terrible tragedy in our area. A mother and two of her darling children were killed when a small plane crashed into their home, destroying it. The father was at work and the young daughter was in school.

Laura and I are taking some things over today. I am not on Facebook or Twitter and thought this would be a good place to let people far away know about the Gemmells. Please keep them in your prayers this holiday season.

Tat, what a great idea to move everything out of your bedroom and only put back what you really need/want! Your bedroom does sound very pretty and it will be the perfect oasis when you have it just right. 🙂

{{{{hugs}}}} to both of you and loving thoughts that you continue progress and bounce back quickly from setbacks!!

Tatoulia and Dianne,

It warmed my heart to see the lovely support here tonight. Tatoulia, I'm sorry you were having a rough day. Dianne, you always have such wonderful, thoughtful things to say. I am so glad that we all have each other.

Pulled it together tonight. Worked extra hours, ran some errands with BF and wrapped a few gifts.

I realized one thing: I have an extra chair in my apt. I had taken a chair out if storage to take to mom's. I took a chair out of her house that I wanted. I have a chair I want to get rid of but I don't think it will fit in my car. If I can figure out how to get rid if it, I will feel better. If it isnt raining, I'll put it out with garbage for Friday. Maybe someone will take if-- very nice from a nice store but it's not my style. Otherwise garbage will pick it up/checked with the city.

I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks again Dianne for your help.

Never ending battle. Stuff stuff stuff. But as I write this, I realize, that's a good thing -- it's just stuff. That's all it is. And stuff --well I can deal with stuff.

I'm thinking iof a project for the weekend. Take everything out of my bedroom except for furniture. Then one-by-one put things back in. Maybe that way I could cut down on 50% of the treasures on my dresser, night table. I bet it could work! Those treasures will then be sent to goodwill.

I bet my bedroom (so pretty--big bow front, 12' ceilings) would look even nicer with fewer treasures in it.

Yes I've calmed down nicely. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you.

Yay, you sound so relaxed! I didn't realize you were working from home today. I would love some tea just plain please. 🙂 There's not much that's sweeter and more relaxing than a little snuggle time with a precious fur baby!

You are so sweet. I just came on to say I took a nice hot shower and am now enjoying a nice cup of decaf tea with honey. I put my pjs on and feel very comfortable. In the process, the world's cutest cat (the fact that she's mine is purely coincidental) woke up and joined me on the couch.

I've reassessed how much work-work I've done the last two days and I am pleased with my progress, and there's still a few hours left in the traditional work day! (I try to work from home two days a week). All of my laundry is done.

I will take your solid (and much appreciated) advice. I think I will make a plan to work x number of extra hours tonight, then I think what will make me happiest is to wrap the gifts that are bring mailed. At that point, my place will seem cleaner and clearer. I will save the wrapping of the family gifts for another night, when I can play Christmas music or stream Rudolph via Netflix.

In my furor earlier I got half a goodwill bag done. Huge quantities of unopened bath salts that if I haven't used by now, I deserve to let them go. I will still have some if I feel like hopping in the tub this winter. (A favorite past time ftom years gone by). I also put in a scarf that I bought a few weeks ago when I was cold and not at home. It is drab and not me, so I've washed it up and put it in the goodwill bag.

Thank you dear Sis. You really helped today. Thank you for helping me to take a few minutes to prioritize and to breathe. The tea is delicious (decaf Irish Breakfast Tea--shall I make you a cup??).

Much love,

Tatoulia

{{{{sister hugs}}}}

Think how lovely it will be to sink into bed tonight. 🙂

Stress at work. I've been trying to figure it out. Very stressful time at office. Extra work upon extra work upon extra work with very real, concrete deadlines due to changes at the office.
Also I have packages to wrap and mail, so extra stuff in house. Pressure, pressure.

Thanks for asking me that question I've been trying to figure it out myself. See, we are sisters-- thinking alike, struggling alike, waving goodbye to things!

Yikes! I've decided to just follow the saying if you want something done, give it to a busy person. And I will work extra hours tonight and I will wrap gifts and I will make two bags to go to goodwill. And I'll check in here!

Yes I'm having quite the outburst today. B

Tat, what triggered this?

Thank you. I'm upset and frustrated. Even though things are in their place, I still feel overwhelmed by the number and amount of possessions. I'm really upset and frustrated and mad. Why do I own all this stuff??? Why?? Why is it still here? I cleaned out a 10' x 12' storage spot, filled to the rafters/up, down, back, forth, hither and yon. I cleaned out my kitchen cabinets, my bookshelves, my closets, my floors, tables, chairs )not my dreaded closet though--sometime later we will discuss) and I still feel completely overwhelmed. There's too much stuff. Too much. I cannot $&&}?€>| believe it.

I need to get one bag ready for goodwill today. Then I need to do a second bag.

Tat {{{{HUGS}}}}