Hello everyone. Glad to read everyone's posts. Congratulations all around! New job, difficult tasks, hard work, coping! Excellent work! You each inspire me.

For me, I have a family friend visiting from out of town. We have not seen her in probably 12 years! She and my mother worked together many years ago and she and I were friends since I was in my teens! And my brother was still in grade school. So she is making all of us very happy by being here. I admit to being exhausted. Right now she's up at my mom's and I'm enjoying catching up with all of you.

I feel like a fraud but I asked the friend for some help and she organized an entire coffee table and dining room table. She sorted different piles of paper and then filed them. I kid you not! No more paper piles. I didn't even check the garbage. Today she cleaned my kitchen (I thought I had cleaned it, but she scrubbed the outside of the cabinets and did some other stuff.) It is sparkling now. I feel like a fraud but she has a lot of energy (despite being in her 60s). She has made the comment that she'll be taking the house one room at a time. I sent kittycat to my boyfriend's house and i vacuumed the living room couch. Essentially, we are doing deep cleaning. I'm so happy. I'm not embarrassed and I'm not upset. Honestly if she had tried to come here nine months ago (before I decluttered and cleaned bedroom) I would have never let her in the house. And in the last few weeks I gave gotten rid of so much stuff, all with your words of encouragement. The friend has come at the right time. Beautiful. I have taken care of the tough emotional stuff (round one -- there will be more tough decisions to come) so they deep cleaning is great. I had no idea she would be willing to do this.

Oh I have a beautiful little oil painting of an owl on my desk (I painted it in fourth grade) and she couldn't get over it and even though I love it and its the only painting I have left, I gave it to her.
It hurts, but she earned it. I think I'll ask my boyfriend for my other childhood painting back. He will understand. Or maybe I won't ask for it back.

I hope I can deep clean for someone some day.

I am missing Roxie and hope we hear from her soon.

Thank you all for your posts. I stand right by your side.

Good morning 🙂

Been up since sunrise.
Got some stuff done, enjoyed my tea and made out my grocery shopping list.
Might get some rain today, fingers crossed.

Hi LR2014 🙂
LoL 😀 I really like your self talk about what would happen if you tossed that stuff.
Very happy you went to visit with her. (((HUGS)))

Hi Barb 🙂
YEA!!! for taking the job! 😀
Sounds like a great place to work.

Hi Diane 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! for all you accomplished! 😀
Hi Nellie 🙂
Get Diane to relax more. Just make that sad doggy face, maybe whimper a little.
Get her to stop & take time to just "be in the moment", the here & now.
GOOD GIRL! 😀

Time for me to put on my "go to town" dress, brush my hair and also make my bed.

Remember to find time for a little FUN today. 🙂

Hello all. I got up on roof early, finished placing all the roofing, still need to attach some. One side of pipe area is done, think I figured out the rest. I thought Nellie was coming this afternoon, but at 9am her dad arrived, and hollered up to me on roof. I was sooooooo happy to see her, gave her a big hug and visited with her for 15 minutes then back up on roof to get as much done as I could, at about noon, I quit. Have been hanging out with her since. She is a low maintenance dog, so just sleeps next to me, and teaches me to sit still and relax. I cleaned all the black stuff off my legs and arms, with paint thinner, took a shower, washed and curled hair when I got off roof, and have been slow moving since. I think I can finish the roof soon.
It will continue to be hot following week, today is only cool day, low 80's today.
Plan to do dishes, laundry, clean sheets on bed, finish watering later. Feels so good to sit still and enjoy Nellie. Good to read your plans today

I had a job interview this afternoon. I start back to work on Monday. I'll be working for someone I know, like, and respect and have worked for in the past. It will be 29 hours a week, 5 days a week. Right now, without a regular daily schedule to stick to, I procrastinate and waste a lot of time. I'll continue to get as much done as I can this weekend. Then I'll need to continue to declutter around my new schedule. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Hi, everybody. A little behind in reading your posts. Plan to catch up today when I get the chance to take more breaks.

I went yesterday to go visit that relative I mentioned on chat Sunday night. She seems to be in about the same condition as she was when I went about two weeks ago. Might mention more details in chat. Glad to see her.

Today I have been back at work on my back patio storage clean-out project. I got rid of two more boxes of papers this morning that I had stored in there. (I think it was two, anyway . . . I'm losing count.) I did other clean-out work there as well. I'll do more this afternoon after I go buy more cleaning supplies and after I do laundry.

I was waffling just a tiny bit a day or so ago about trashing one particular box of papers. I tried some self-talk: "The rest of your life is going to be totally ruined because you got rid of this box. Not only that, but the whole world will come to an end!" Acknowledging that both of those statements were totally ridiculous made it much easier for me to stop waffling and go trash the stuff. (Yea!)

Have a great Friday.

Good morning everybody! 🙂

I am doing some laundry today.
Washing all my bedding, stuff like mattress pads, blankets, etc.
Also washing table cloths & other non clothing stuff.
Really like how the house smells when these things are all fresh. 😀
Since I can't declutter his hoard I am putting my energy into trying to make my surroundings as pleasant as possible.
Between wash loads I am going to play. 😀
Have a fantastic Friday everybody! 😀

Good morning, all.
Yesterday i was having a really hard time staying focused and on task. Fortunately, Karl, Vi, Rj and others were on the Online Support Group. The 15 minute blocks with short breaks help so much! Thank you, friends for keeping me going. I got a lot accomplished.
Today I need to: clean out my refrigerator, do another load of laundry, put away the laundry I washed and dried yesterday, do the dishes including pet dishes and whatever got emptied from the refrigerator, vacuum, clean up the dog yard and the cat box.
Have a great day everyone.

Wow Tillie, you were a busy bee today. Congrats for getting all the cleaning done today, you must feel really good today!
I did water outside for awhile, now just sitting here, trying to talk myself into finishing the roof. Good thing I read your post tillie, when I am tired I do get injured, and work best in morning. So will just finish filling garbage cart tonight, and take it to the curb. Nellie dog is coming tomorrow for a week, so have to get all the roofing stuff cleaned up so her dad doesn't faint when he brings her over. Not sure what time he is bringing her.
Will be so nice to have a pooch again.
The government certified registered letter came today finally, my hand was shaking as I signed for it. It was less distressing than I thought it was going to be.
I finally called and made an appointment with my new doctor, first opening is Oct. 17. (my doctor is moving to Seattle next week) If I would have called a month ago, would have an appointment already with new doctor. Procrastination sucks, at least I finally did call. I got another jury summons, I mailed it back saying that I would be working that week and that I served in past 24 months, so will be excused.
Also mailed two other things. Thank goodness people on here talk about doing paper work, otherwise out of sight out of mind.
Tat, happy I can help by being your friend, I am always happy to support you and anyone that is actually trying to improve their life like you are. Helps me keep trying reading your accomplishments. People who just write all of the reasons they can not do anything, are a pain. If we surround ourselves with people who keep trying, and have improving, as a priority, sure does help us keep trying.

Hi Bitsy 🙂
Wishing your son a fast recovery.
So sorry he and you are having to go through all this.
Take care of yourself and rest every chance you get.
(((HUGS)))

Wishing you all a pleasant evening and sleep filled with beautiful dreams. 🙂

Diane your friendship was a big help to me last night--thank you. I am amazed by your strength and ingenuity. I know what you mean re the men being unkind. I am convinced that it takes less energy to be kind or to smile than it takes to be a jerk. I have never found the way to suffer the fools gladly, I'm afraid, I too feel badly when someone chooses to be a jerk rather than kind.

Bitsy, I am so sorry about your son. I hope the surgery will improve his condition. I'm glad you are getting the cat boxes changed. I know the kitties will love you even more.

Tillie, thank you for your support. You inspire me to live a better life.

Thank you all. Will write more later.

hello. Worked on roof most of the day. Really need to water outside, no rain for days and all this heat.
I did something today that I have wanted to do for months. There is a tool shed in back where I go up on garage roof, it has tipped over the years, then when heavy rains last winter it really tilted, I keep thinking it will fall over on garage, it is only a foot away and on higher ground, that is washing away. So jacked it up and put blocks under it so it is almost level, still need to do back side. It was easier to use the jack than I thought, it is a heavy wood shed. I had never used jack for a heavy thing, so procrastinated for months, now that I see how easy it is, no problem. Plan to finish roof tonight. I did put some braces on wood on roof that looked like it was about to fall. This is the most difficult section of roof, lots of angles, pipes etc. so taking lots of time to do.

Glad to read about all your getting things done.
I really miss seeing Roxie's posts.

My son lay there for six days with nothing but antibiotics, pain meds, and ice chips. All the time getting more and more bloated. Finally last night at 7:30 they took him for surgery and he got back to his room from recovery about 1:15 a.m. another long night at the hospital.
He felt a lot better afterwards but the surgery was more complicated than anticipated.
We will know more later today but probably 4 more days before he even comes home.
I am having trouble just getting myself together, back and forth to the hospital and up to his room. After I take a nap I plan to see if one of my grandkids will go to the store for me. I need kitty litter and a few other things. Then I will try to change the kitty litter and get it out to the trash. Trying to think about getting a company to help at the other house not happening for now.

Good Morning EVERYBODY! 😀

I am REALLY missing all you who haven't been around lately. 🙁

Tat, I am so happy you posted what you did with the boxes, I have never been a box collector until recently, kept boxes that pressure washer, shop vac, freezer box, and dremel box, just in case they break and I need to return. I am sure I can get rid of them after reading your post, all I really need is receipt I suppose. Also want to thank you for posting about your feelings. I have felt bad since those two guys were here yesterday and had comments about my rotten roof. Really feel alone and sad and a bit overwhelmed. We will both feel better tomorrow probably.
I kept attempting to go back up on roof, but goop and felt are both black and the heat just is too much. It was only 88 today, but still too hot for me in direct sun. Still 87 at 5:34. Really want to glue, nail down the felt tonight so can do rest of roof since wind is picking up.
I started overeating because I was anxious, and not able to deal with heat, once I realized it, I said, what could you do even with heat? I have wanted to set 2 mouse traps for over a week, since your rat tillie. So I put peanut butter on and set one in garage and one in freezer room, no droppings, just do not want a surprise attack. While I was setting traps I got little spiders in my top, they had dinner on my belly and top guessed it------------- top in washing machine now. Put dishes in dish pan, will wash when done here. I feel so much better after reading your post Tat, such a loving post, and obvious you need to be as loving to yourself as you were to us. Hugs to you.

Hello everyone, I've been missing you all. Diane, I am continually impressed by your hard work and dedication. You are so brave! And industrious! I am so sorry about your injury--sounds so painful! I swear I am having sympathy pains! LR, good for you to work on such a tough, and dusty, project. Proper gear is a must. I know that sometimes I don't get started on something because I don't have the proper equipment--congratulations on getting out there and just doing. Based on my own projects, finding that I've been hoarding empty boxes ends up being a Godsend. Means I can just out them in the recycle bin! When cleaning out my kitchen cabinets, I came across scores of little boxes, some with only one or two items in them, others were completely empty. Jewelry boxes, gold foil boxes, Christmas boxes, old Lord and Taylor boxes, etc. I got rid of them all. Hard, but I don't believe I'm missing them. Tillie, so sorry about your continued problems with hoarder's stubbornness. Please take care of yourself--sorry about the fever and other health problems.

As for me, I am a little blue because someone is disappointing me and I fear I'll feel worse if I speak up.

About to mop the kitchen floor. It is filthy, hasn't been mopped in oh so long. All the counters are clean and clear, did not churn even one thing in kitchen. It either found a home or it left home to find its own way in the world. Bedroom just needs a quick dusting and vacuum. Library area is beautiful. Need to finish papers (oh how I hate them) and do living room. Feels good. I'm happy with myself.

Need to work in bathroom. Tub is a bit dirty. Going to soak in bleach before scrubbing. Kitty is asleep so no fear she'll get hurt or breath the fumes. Thank goodness for her. She is my little furry stress-reliever. Glad you had a little one sleeping with you, Tillie. They are so sweet.

Much love to you all. I will try not to be so sad.

Hi, thanks for the notes of encouragement LR and Tillie, glad you are feeling better.
Got up on roof early, very pleased with myself for cutting boards to fit 2 holes that I stepped through. Got all the cracks patched between boards, layed out and cut roofing felt. Have to spread the black jack goop on and put felt on it then nail it down, then can put roofing on., getting closer, just got too hot up there so came in for a smoothie and relaxation. Still have to figure out the logistics of the electric pipes, but will not stress about it until the rest of it is done. I got some good ideas this morning up there, so see I will be able to figure it out. Once the felt was layed out all flat and even, I saw my hard work paying off. I took off some metal crap connecting garage to walkway roofs. It was so ugly and a gutter that leaked, well as I was tugging a section came lose, I fell on my back and the metal hit me in the face, got a bloody nose and a cut under nose, and sore teeth. Big scare was my teeth, but not loose, thank goodness, just sore. It is cheaper to hire someone than get dental implants, is first thing that came to mind!!!

Good afternoon, everybody.

Tillie, I'm sorry you were sick yesterday. I "hear" what you are saying about the possible stress connection; stress often has that same effect on me. Glad you're taking it easy today. Hope you feel much, much better soon. FYI, Tillie, I realize I failed to add one thing to my "protective gear" yesterday: bug repellent. Don't usually have a mosquito issue in this particular location, so I didn't think about it until one of the little critters got me last night. So today, I'll remember to "don" the bug spray along with all the other stuff.

diane, I'm sorry that that guy wasn't willing to take the roofing job. I hope you find someone who will. I don't know much about metal roofs, either, except that (as Tillie or someone said) they certainly seem to last. Scary about the wasps. Glad you're OK. FYI, yesterday, when I was working on my storage room project (see below), I ran across one possible "toss" item that I started waffling about. It was still in decent condition, but it was outdated. I thought about your comments about tossing things "just for practice," and that helped me make up my mind to get rid of it. Thanks!

As I was telling people on the chat last night, I've spent time the last two days trying to clear things out of a small storage room that is on my back patio so some work can be done in that little room. Much of what I had stored there has been there for years, and I'm trying to get rid of as much of it as I can. I managed to dump several boxes of . . . empty boxes! That alone got rid of a lot of bulk. Some of the other boxes are full of no-longer-needed papers that I can now either toss or shred. Have one decent-sized shred pile started. The process of going through these things is boring and unpleasant (hot out there, also dusty), but I'll feel good when it's done.

Hope everyone has a good day. Thinking about you, Roxie, wherever you are. Hugs.

Hi Diane 🙂
Good luck with finding a handyman who is willing to help you get that roof on.
Fortunately for me the men I got to fix the septic system were willing to work here even with things being outdated, run down and clutter all piled up around the edges of the areas where they needed to work.
Hate, hate, hate those wasps!
Problem I have with regular bug spray is that it doesn't kill them fast enough and they will still fly at me trying to take revenge on me for spraying them.
From what I can make out from the weather satellite pictures, the cooling rain here is coming from the south/west.
You need a storm system coming from the north/west. Hoping you get one soon.
WAY TO GO! getting the daily tidying up tasks done. 😀

For some unknown reason yesterday about noon I got really sick & even had a fever.
Laid down on the couch and Marty (the cat) snuggled on top of me. We slept for three hours.
Felt terrible the rest of the night but woke up this morning feeling fine but a bit weak.
Planning to forget about doing anything like cleaning around here today.
Think a lot of that had to do with extreme stress from trying to get him to do what he has to do to get this rat situation under control.
If I was strong enough to move that stuff I would but it's too big and heavy for me to manage.
TTYL 😀

Tillie, I am so envious of your cool weather, 90 again today. I was up on roof and did get the osp 4x8 up on the roof and in place. It was so heavy and awkward to lift up on roof. I finally called a guy I know who had a guy working for him this week they both came over, I was planning to hire the helper. Well he said the wires from the electric pole were too low to roof and roof was dangerous to walk on so did not want to help me. I was bummed, but that is exactly why I do things myself. I have been told so many times that this old place is too difficult to work on because of how crooked everything is, how unstable blah blah blah. I tried to go back up but still too hot, and still bummed that it is so difficult to figure out how to do edges and round the electrical. I will do what I can, on roof, and what is left, will just tarp until I can find a handyman willing to do crap work.
I unrolled the roof felt to make sure all is well, there was a wasp nest and I was swarmed, couldnt find wasp spray so used another bug spray, seem to be hiding from me now.
Did I already post all of this? Sorry, just been going around in my mind all day. I had a wet towel on shoulders all day, just so damn hot here day after day. Lots of cold water. Good thing, since guys were coming over, I did dishes, cleaned clutter up on counters.
I am exhausted and frustrated, this too shall pass. I just want it to cool down so I can finish the dumb roof.

HI! 😀

Off now to enjoy another cool day and maybe even some more rain. 😀

I got the boards home in a friends pickup, she talked me into getting expensive metal instead of roll roofing, so we got it all home, 94 degrees, I really got exhusted in heat, got metal up on roof, decided to paint wood underside before I put it up, just to preserve it a little more. Never worked with metal before so will have to read up and maybe have a guy put it on if it is too difficult. Worked on cleaning up more of the mess out there. Had a nice long visit with her, an honest conversation about some things that ended our friendship for quite a few months. Feel good about that (she is my hoarder friend). A neighbor was to come over at 6pm to give me roofing advice, but I am worn out from the heat so think I will call him and cancel.

diane, I'm glad you found those keys and that the RV started right away. Nice.

Tillie: I hope you do have fun today once you finish your general cleaning. As usual, I've forgotten to even think about putting fun into my day. I'll have to chew on that.

I made some progress this morning on my "dejunking" project that I wrote about earlier, but the progress has not been as fast as I'd hoped. (Sometimes things go more quickly than I think they will, but sometimes . . . like today . . . it's the other way around.) I felt a need to take extra caution with this work this morning in terms of gloves, dust masks, and so forth because of the type of stuff I'm sorting through and because of where it has been stored. That has slowed down the process a bit. I figure it's better to be safe and stay healthy, though (even if it means working a bit more slowly), so I'm OK with the slower-than-planned pace.

Glad to "see" those who got to come to the chat last night (especially those who joined us who are new).

Have a great day, everybody.

WAY TO GO! Diane 😀
Good luck getting the lumber home.
Be very very careful that you don't hurt yourself trying to do more than you are strong enough to do.
(((HUGS)))

Good morning 🙂

Cool & overcast here.
Had a gentle rain during the night so I won't be watering as planned.
Need to do some general cleaning. Bathroom, sweeping, vacuuming, dusting.
Very depressed that he is not doing what needs to be done to keep the pack rats away from the house.
Anyways....
After I tidy up my No Clutter Zones I will find something fun to do.
When he gets home I will start pushing him again. I will not back down till this is done. 😀

Thanks Tillie, I sat and quieted my mind and went directly to RV keys in a wooden box on shelf, odd place to put them. Started RV on first try, it is an amazing old RV, last used exactly 1 year ago, service receipt was in there from a year ago. 4x8 will not fit in there, darn. Some one stole the rack off the back or I could have put on that. Got up at 5am to get stuff done while cool, where did the time go. already 9am. I looked online at boards I need, very reasonably priced. Now have to find a pickup. thought of going and buying what I need and see if magically I will find a pickup man at the store, or just have purchase by door then find a pickup to just pick it up, so don't waste their time while I shop. Good you told me it is a priority or I would just leave tarp on it, cause this is difficult to do for me. I will check in with you LR.

I have a busy dejunking morning ahead (or at least that is my plan so far). Some of it will involve going outside and sorting some things on my back patio. I'm trying to get as much done as I can before things get hot. I plan to be in the chat room off and on this morning when I take breaks, starting at 6:30am Pacific Time. Have a great day, everyone. Hugs.

Well yesterday was hot but I took all the roofing off one section over the freezer room, I also removed all the crap board that had gotten wet and soggy and fallen through when I stepped on it. I covered the area with a tarp before storm rolled in, late afternoon. Today I got all the boards up there, got the tar paper and roofing on dollies, then just crashed energy wise. So I went out and watered all thirsty growing things. Really want to place the boards today so I can see what fits and what needs to be cut to fit, very crooked situation., at least the roofing won't be wavy once I get it on. I am debating if I should clean the area under the roof where stuff fell through, I swept chunks, want to take vacuum up and clean it more, when is good enough good enough? Indecision is exhausting.
Still have a sink full of dishes that must be done before chat, and after place boards really need a shower, that sounds good, it is dirty work. Guess I could take a shower and wait until tomorrow to continue up there. Hey, Sunday is a day of rest.

Good morning 🙂

"See" you later in the online support group. 🙂

Happy Sunday morning.

Diane, congrats on finding alternatives to going to those sales! I like your wise comment about how life goes in cycles. Sometimes we may be able to get rid of lots of things, and sometimes there might be a lull. Sounds like you are keeping your goals in mind. You are moving forward. You continue to impress me tremendously (and inspire me) with all your progress! Sorry about the heat.

Vi, I'm so glad you are able to be back on here with us. I knew you'd be back once you got computer stuff set up again, but I certainly missed you in the meantime.

Barb, I would love to have seen a video of the moment when Frank Kitty finally returned. Great that you have so many livable areas that are in the maintenance phase. Looking forward to hearing more as things unfold regarding the repair and installation work.

Roxie, thinking about you! Lots of hugs.

Daisy: Looking forward to hearing how things end up going with whatever cleanup company you may end up choosing.

Tillie, your guidelines you have set for yourself about what and how much you decide to acquire and keep sound wonderful. Thanks for the examples you set for us and all your encouragement.

Me: I had a frustrating day yesterday. It was supposed to be (and it was) an unseasonably cool day here. I had plans to use it to get a lot of things done (details now aren't important) at various locations where I need to work. I ended up feeling under the weather (no pun intended) in the morning yesterday and just didn't feel "up to" any of it. I did get some things done at home (with the help of those on chat), but at a slow pace (and with a mid-day nap). For those who were able to be there on chat: thank you for your encouragement.

I got lots of sleep last night and feel much better today. I can't say that I got tons done today, but I did make some progress in one bedroom and got my to-shred bag taken to my first-Saturday-of-the-month shredding location. I also had a productive "decision-making" time with a sibling (regarding inherited stuff) that I'll probably talk about at the Sunday night chat. That felt good.

Going to try to get back to sleep soon. Hi and hugs to everybody.

Good evening, everybody.

Bitsy, I hope that by now your son is much improved. I hope you've been able to get some rest. Many hugs to you.

Karl, I'm glad your Internet is finally back up! I hope all of your weekend plans go well.

Tatoulia, I think you are displaying a lot of great attitudes about your stuff. On the one hand, you are keeping your goals in mind. Sounds like you are finding plenty of things that you are ready and willing to get rid of. In my opinion, you're right: no point in fretting over one six-square-inch item. Reminds me of something I was dealing with today. On the first Saturday of the month, there is a place near me that will shred a lot of stuff at a fairly low price. I went through a couple of boxes at the "last minute" this morning, trying to find more things I could throw into the shred pile. (Eliminated most of the contents of two boxes pretty quickly in the process. Yea!) One thing I ran across was a ticket stub to a Peter, Paul, and Mary concert I had the chance to go to. Would my life have come to an end if I'd gotten rid of that stub? Of course not. But it was "cool," and it's no bigger than a business card. I decided that it was a keeper.

I'll post more in a few minutes.