Howdy all ya happy campers. ;D

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Thank you 😀
YEA! WTG! for freeing yourself from acquiring! (((HUGS)))

Well...
all my plans for tomorrow are trashed.
He just informed me (it's only 2:25pm here) that he is taking Monday off too. >:(
But, to sort of justify it to me he said that he is planning to take a load to the dump and that he is also gathering up a load of stuff to donate.
Hope he is not just blowing smoke up my butt.

Still looking for stuff to finish filling that donation bag.
Guess I will just have to take less than a full bag.
But this makes me happy that my stuff is under control without too much this month to eliminate. 😀
I follow that one in - one out rule and I haven't brought in hardly anything at all lately.
I did buy Steven 2 new bath towels but the 2 old ones are now rags for him to use outside.

Tillie you inspire and amaze me. Your thought process is spot on. I get so much out of our friendship.

I took mom out and now I'm home. Nothing purchased all weekend, Tillie. It felt really good. Freeing.

I'm making dinner now. I'll ttyl!

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
YEA! Kitty pod! I have seen them online and it looks like cats just love them. 😀
Actually what I saw was a woman who makes them out of felted wool. Way too much work and skill for me to take on that project.
So I just wrapped a small blue wool blanket all around the little cat bunk bed making it all cave/pod like and the cats fight over who gets to sleep in there.
WAY TO GO! with keeping that counter & the dishes clean. 😀
Sorry the latest "new" closet find was weird and needs to be donated.
But you have been doing GREAT with finding other items that fit and look lovely. 🙂

I enjoy looking at lovely interesting things in stores, sort of like visiting a museum.
But when I imagine buying them for myself I always never do.
Saw a wonderful beautiful chest of drawers...
It was very affordable, 5 foot tall, 24 inches wide. Would fit almost anywhere.
I thought "where would I put it?"
Would have to move around almost all the furniture in this house, but it would fit.
Then I asked myself "what would I put in it?"
I have nothing that isn't already stored properly in the dressers I already have, dressers inherited from beloved Grandmothers.
Realized that I would have to buy new, unneeded, unnecessary things just to fill it to justify having that lovely dresser.
Oh Well... ;P

Today my plan is to empty, wash out & sanitize litter boxes.
Yesterday I polished silverware.
Before putting the silver back I cleaned the cat hair out of the silver chest.
Honestly, how does that get in there???
He goes back to work tomorrow so tomorrow I will think about cleaning house.
While puttering around the house I have managed to gather up about half a bag for donation.
Want to find some more to fill up the bag today.
Wishing he would allow me to pick through the hoard to fill some bags & boxes. 😀

Did all of my laundry last night. This week I'll only need to do cat blankets. I bought her a new bed--like a pod--and she's been spending a lot of time in that instead of on the blankets.

Still keeping up with the dishes and that one clean counter. I have a lot of garbage to go out tomorrow night and a lot of recycling I can take out today.

The stuff I need to ship I will do a week from tomorrow. I have my box to friends in Switzerland almost finished. I have an annual tag sale I go to on Friday and I'll wait to see if there's something small to include in package before mailing it.

I don't want to shirk on Christmas cards this year. I haven't been keeping up with them the way I used to so I will concentrate on that.

Taking mom out for groceries then will work some more on my house. I cleaned our bedroom closet of more clothes last night. Including some jacket still in the hanging bag with a price tag that I have NO MEMORY of ever buying. I'm trying to figure out if it came with s dress or something. The fabric is weird. Oh well. Off to goodwill for that one.

Hello everyone!

Anony that must be so frustrating to have your family question your sobriety--esp since I bet you work really hard on it. SubC gives good advice! Be yourself!

Impressed by your progress, SubC. Tillie you are so controlled. I'm pretty sure I'd make myself that pie!

For me, Christmas is having a nice meal. I say it every year but my absolute fondest Christmas memories are sitting in my bed, reading whatever book Santa brought me (Little House on the Prairie comes to mind) and eating candy out of my stocking. So every year I make stockings for my family and boyfriend. Just a few candies and maybe a chapstick or something small. Just to make it fun.

Brother and I were talking about Christmas Eve today (which is when we celebrate) and what we will do to decorate his apartment. Even though he threw out much of my stuff, I still have plenty to work with. In the end of his hissy fit earlier this year I did go over and get s few things and then later he took a bunch to my BF's office. I too will look to reduce some more this year. Gets easier and easier.

I haven't bought a thing other than some groceries this weekend. Most of my "shopping," such as it is, has been done for a while. A book for sister, a coat for a neighbor child, blanket for BF's cat. Modest and fun. I have a certain type of chocolate that I buy in quantity and then I have for hostess gifts, gifts to IT dept at work, drycleaner, etc. and I've been wrapping everything tonight while playing David Cassidy and doing laundry, changing sheets etc. BF is at his office cleaning it. He's finding a large amount of stuff that is mine so I'm going to have to further reduce my possessions. Will feel good/so far it always has.

NEW THING IM SAYING TO MYSELF when I see something that would be "fun" to buy: Yes that would be fun to buy but then what? The THEN WHAT shows me I'll never use it.

Hello Everybody 🙂

Hi Subclinical 🙂
WAY TO GO! sorting out the old kitchen and making all those tough decisions! 😀
I have so wanted to make a pumpkin or pecan pie.
But with nobody to share it with, decided that I don't need to eat a whole pie all by myself. 🙁

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
I totally agree with Subclinical...
Just be yourself and if people don't like it, it's their problem, not yours. (((HUGS)))
Have a wonderful day working on your home. 😀

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Hoping you are having a marvelous day! ;D

Honestly, I wish everybody would simplify their lives and make holidays a lovely peaceful time for themselves.
Keep just the favorite traditions and cherish making wonderful memories for themselves & loved ones.

Tatoulia, I think you are smart about the holidays. I am working pretty hard on focusing on the things I think are most important this year.

Anony, when is your family coming to visit? I would vote for be yourself, don't apologize, and let them take it or leave it.

I got inspired and cleaned out three drawers and a cabinet in the old kitchen! I put the definite "keep"s away in the new kitchen the definite "go"s on the counter dd2 made her selections, and after dd1 makes hers this afternoon ds will get pictures, and then off it goes!

There were some "not sure"s which I stuck in a cupboard I haven't cleaned out yet.

Happy Holiday weekend to all!!!
Im gearing up for my friend/ex to come help me with inside this trailer. I think im trying to push or force some kind of change. If nothing else, we can just dust, etc. As important as it is, my mind is still searching for a way to deal with my Mom & sister's visit. The irony of wanting to 'medicate' myself to handle it & seem calm enough to not seem like im still on drugs, like they think i am, is crazy enough to be funny, if it werent so sad....
I know i tried everything back then, but maybe, just maybe, if i can envision it being nice & fun & smooth & loving with them, over & over in my mind, then maybe itll be sort of close to that....part of me wants to just ask them if theyd prefer risking me being 'hyper', or should i just ingest some kind of drug? I swear, im near that point....

Good morning! Taking brother for groceries. Nustbsjowered and need to dry my hair. Having no issues with not shopping. I hate getting caught up in the crazy conspicuous consumption. I like easier holidays. So I make Christmas easy by focusing on food and a few small things.

Good morning all!
New mug clink.

The pies are 2 pecan and a pumpkin.

Nice score on the grocery shopping tatoulia.

Tillie, i'm glad Steven at least got slowed down.

I just remembered that I forgot to tell you another thing I brought home on Tuesday - there was a fairly nice hammer in the middle of the road and I stopped and picked it up. Dh says he doesn't need it, so he will offer it to ds at Christmas time when he visits.

We actually did the Christmas decorations last Christmas. I was supposed to follow up with a theme every month so that I would be done with holidays and several other categories after thanksgiving, but I dropped the ball and didn't get started again until Halloween.

I think January will be kitchen/pantry.

Hello Everybody 🙂

HI PORTER! 😀
So wonderful to hear from you!
WAY TO GO! for keeping up with maintenance but even better, the weight loss.
Makes me happy to hear that you are doing so well.
Thank you for dropping by and please don't be a stranger around here.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Subclinical 🙂
Great! that you are reevaluating thanksgiving décor now too along with the Halloween stuff.
I suppose next it will be XMas decorations. ;D
I think XMas stuff is hard for a lot of people because it all becomes somewhat sentimental over the years.
Nice that the turkey earrings will now fit in the dresser.
What kind of pies? Curious minds want to know.

Hi Joan 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
WOW! YEA! that you were able to rest in bed until noon!
Nice that you had a lovely day with your Mom. 🙂
WTG! for checking the receipt and getting your well deserved compensation.

Didn't do much today. Washed dishes. Fed cats, scooped litter boxes, took out trash.
Have temporarily given up on crocheting because the cats (Scooter and Pooh Kitty) got ahold of my project and had it all unraveled and the yarn strung out all around the house.
Steven went shopping at the thrift shops "black Friday" sales today. >:(
He didn't come home with too much stuff because other people got there before him and bought it all he said.
YEA!!! 😀

Hello everyone! SubC I bet your house smells so lovely!

I went for a walk and to grocery store. And guess what? I looked at my receipt (I should do this more often) and was overcharged on an item so they refunded the full purchase price and gave me the item for free! Stats law!

So I made $ today!

It is beautiful here--fairly warm, just 50F. I did one load of laundry this AM and my dishwasher just finished. I took out one bag of recycling. I missed the garbage today because I stayed in bed so long and I couldn't tell if the truck had come through. Normally I look to see if anyone's garbage is still out but I swear I'm alone on the whole block here. Monday (next garbage pickup is Tuesday AM) will be here soon enough.

Porter! So glad to hear from you.

I have been concerned.

Wonderful news on your job and raise!

Also congratulations on the weight loss. It's good to make healthier choices.

I hope you are still seeing your daughter.

Tatoulia, it sounds like you really needed the rest!

I have three pies in the oven for tomorrow (need to clean up the baking mess)

I put out thanksgiving decorations and decided I could get rid of some more. Thanksgiving was already in one not full bin, so I think it needs a smaller bin. Running these discards past the kids too.

I found the turkey earrings I wanted to wear to school the day before break. Apparently I packed them up with "thanksgiving" because my dresser was too crowded. I have worked on the dresser a little since last year and they can come back.

Good to hear from you, Porter. I agree with Joan--you sound much more calm. Congratulations!

Hey Joan!

Hi Porter‼️‼️‼️

Your life always sounded very hectic to me. You sound better now, calmer and less burdened. Glad you are well.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Things have been going well.
wife is still at her mothers and and daughter is still at her aunts.
Ive been able to keep everything under tight control.
my hoard has been reduced significantly. I rarely go into the boxes , because my home has so many rooms that its out in house 4 bedrooms and a wet basement.

if I were in a smaller place it would be back to living in it again. But I got a better paying job . And even got a 1$ raise on thanksgiving. So rven tjough the ho u se it too big for man. It fits my hoard well. With so many closets and places to put bins that not in places where guests see them.

as far as cleaning im still doing the weekly clockwise pattern to use. And it takes about 4-5 hours. I start saturday mornings as soon as I wake up and dont stop till im done.

so around two o clock I start being social.
I only have the card game once a month now with people I consider friends. Not depending on them for income.

ive lost 10lbs since august. So im down to 240lbs.
I also continue to work out with weight resistance exercise walking. My diet is about as healthy as can be.
3 fasting days nuts and berries.
2 fish and salad days
1 steak and salad day
1 day eating out with friends where I just as I wish.

so I feel very good on the inside and out. And I feel good about the home too. Its a bit lonely but very comfortable.
So while dont have the people in my life that I love and cherish . I know its not because of the way I keep house.
and that used to be a very big deal to me. Its what im most thankful for this year.

I hope every one is well.

Hello everyone! Great to hear from you CM. I love hearing about your quilt! And everything else!

I stayed in bed til after 12 today. Got up early to feed kitty and then jumped into bed.

We had a wonderful, relaxing time with mom yesterday. never did see brother yesterday so we gave pies to other neighbors and friends. I was going to go but brother was going somewhere for Thanksgiving and his ride was on the way.

So...I came home, put on music and danced and puttered! Cleaned BR sink and vanity and toilet. Was very pleased. Need more of that. I want my place to be ready to be decoarated.

Am doing a quick load of laundry. No one is in the building ivercthe hoidays but me. This has been true for many, many years with the exception of when we had a dr couple living here and one or both would be working.

Have no compulsion to get involved in Black Friday. All adults in my family. And I'm the only one with an income so it stays pretty tame. BF goes all out but I concentrate on little things like Christmas stockings, consumables such as jams or honey, and books. I try to keep it small because I have a theory that if you put in the time, you can find something nice for someone for under $20. If you spend more than $20, then you didn't think hard enough. Plus I shop when I see the sales and so have mom's tiny gifts purchased as well as sister's.

I generally give BF art work but he has become obsessed with art and not much is missing his gaze st the auctions this year. Oh well. Not concerned. Theatre tickets are always fun too.

I am going to walk downtown in a little while to make a few returns.

Hi CM,

If I sell one high end piece at a show, I am happy. I enjoy making them, but they have to find the right person as they are large and dramatic. When that happens it is really fun.

I'm glad your quilt is coming along. Hopefully it is not as cold where you are as it is here!

My kitty had to have wormer yesterday and right now he hates me.

The family hoarding is so hard and sad. My uncle is a hoarder and he makes my aunt's life very difficult. After the family cleaned out my grandparents home (a year long process and far too much ended up in uncle's house) my cousin was told how some day "all this" would be hers, and she grabbed my arm really hard and said "you have to help me. I'm an only child. I can't do this. Promise." So I did.

My boy texted that he wants two inflatable purple bats. Tomorrow dd1 cleans off the table and 1/5 of the Halloween stuff will be gone! (Well, in the goodwill box, I don't make a trip until it is full)

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
Such a lovely long post, thank you!
Happy you liked Tom Baker's video. 😀
Thanks for understanding how judgmental cats can be.
You should still get a nightly cuddle cat if you turn the heat down at night when your furnace is fixed, it helps keep the power bills lower and the cats colder.
Very glad you got out to visit your relatives and your Aunts are safe.
Sad about the house but as we all know, this happens.

" What can I do but recognize these things and pick up and keep going."

That's a WONDERFUL frame of mind to have about how life gets in your way and messes with your plans and how time keeps slipping away from you.
That's all we can do. (((HUGS)))
Good luck getting your quilt done! 😀

Didn't mean to be this long between posts again.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

And Happy Doctor Who Day! Thanks for the video link, Tillie - Tom Baker is looking good. Strange coincidence that the show debuted on the day of JFK's assassination. I was only 18 months old in November 1963.

Hi Tess, glad you're sticking round. Sorry about the crummy experience. We're on a positive path here and that will help us all in our dealings with others, ultimately.

Joan, glad you got the filter! Mold allergy is nothing to mess with.

Anony, good thoughts to you - we love you here - sorry your family is scapegoating you but glad you can recognize the BS for what it is.

SubC, sounds like you've been pretty busy - yay on your sales success - the cat dish is your bread and butter, so to speak. I'm sure in time you'll sell the more high end pieces.

Tillie, glad you had the nice visit with the former neighbors, and the repairs to the septic tank. Don't worry about the cats judging you, that's just what cats do! 😉

I've been getting my kitty boy sleeping most of the nights because we still don't have our furnace fixed - however, we did hear from the repair guy. He was sidelined with another medical issue, and he contacted us so that's a good sign he's working to catch up with his customers. Hope it means we'll soon have a working furnace. (Though I do hope when we do, I still get my cat company at night.)

I've been scattered - bunny club meeting and other busy-ness. Did go out of town to see my relatives on my dad's side. Two more of the elderly aunts now in care facility. The house which was my grandma's has become hoarded. I knew it was happening because they hadn't wanted me to come before. We would meet elsewhere.

I just have to let go of the hope that I'll get to see in that house one last time, and focus on being thankful about what really matters which is that they are safe and getting good care. Obviously hoarding is in our DNA pretty strongly.

Which brings me to mine - progress gets stalled so easily. I hope to have some to report soon though. Knowing where to start is the hardest part, since everything is everywhere and it's all "behind" where I had hoped it'd be. Chalk that up to my mind's difficulties in estimating time things will take to do, and factoring everyday life and its sidetracks into the estimate. And my penchant for seeking fun distractions or following sudden obsessions down the proverbial rabbit hole. Sigh. What can I do but recognize these things and pick up and keep going.

Lastly, my quilt may go in the frame at church after we finish the one we're currently on! I need to make the markings for quilting, and the binding strips. The marking I may go to the church to do because there's so much more room. Getting that last bit done will take a load off my mind.

Black Friday - UGH. 'Nuff said.

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends.

Thankful for each of you.

YEA!!!! Tatoulia! 😀
WTG!
Happy you are joining in! 😀

Haven't read all the posts.

IM IN!!! No buying all weekend except groceries. In fact, I'll return a dress and a belt. ❤️

Hi Joan 🙂

Have a wonderful lovely quiet day (((hugs)))

I know my tea has beneficial side effects plus I don't need to doctor it up with a lot of sugar or honey just to make it palatable.

Hi Subclinical 🙂
I know it's an actual anti retail movement. 😉
Well make sure what you think you want or need is really on sale and not just a pretend sale.
;P
My downtown area always puts a HUGE XMas tree up in the middle of Main street.
They put it up last Tuesday and will have the lighting later in December.
It's just a small 2 lane road with parking on both sides.
That tree makes it almost impossible to use that road.
Shopping local Mom & Pop's this time of year is very difficult.
All the thrift shops, where I always shop because I have very limited funds, also have black Friday sales but the prices are reasonable all year long, no need to try to make it to their sales.
Plus there is nothing that I urgently need.
🙂

Anyways...
HAPPY DOCTOR WHO DAY

short video

The "buy" or "don't buy" has not been an issue for me for years and years. I have to plan carefully jist to be able to get food and the bare minimum of clothing - my problem is health issues, not financial, that impede my getting necessecities.

Tillie, you are correct, tea actually contains MORE caffeine than coffee. It is not the caffeine in coffee that was giving you the jitters, given that you are a confirmed tea drinker. It is the other volatile oils and compounds in coffee that make coffee so addictive, and withdrawal from coffee so difficult.

I love the quiet today.

Hi Tillie,

While I love the idea of "buy nothing Day" (it's an actual anti-retail movement) I hope you won't mind if I share some thoughts on it.

Refusing to buy stuff just because of advertising hype is always a good idea, but refusing to buy something you need on a day it costs less just seems silly to me. "Ha! I reject your sale! I will defy you by buying this some other time when it is more expensive!"

So we always make lists and check out the sales, then if something is a really good deal - we buy it. Right now dh is considering a guitar case (which he needs) and a small boost water heater (which he wants).

Also, "small business Saturday" is the Saturday after thanksgiving and many local businesses have events. I'm a big fan of buy small and local, and so I sometimes attend these (this year we're have a meal at home with our girls that day though.) even though I have mixed feelings about the discounts in that type of transaction vs. giant/big box sellers.

I just bought my mom's Christmas present - it's a plane ticket for me to come help her clean out her attic and set up her Christmas tree.

Challenge suggestion...

Anybody want to join me in my annual boycott of "black Friday"?
To not participate in the craziness and madness of the push to buy buy buy.
It is so sad to see so many people start to get into debt that will take all year to pay off, buying things that they did not need to buy.
To protest this event I choose to never buy anything in a brick & mortar store or online the Friday through Sunday after thanksgiving.

Good Morning Everyone 🙂

Hi Subclinical 🙂
Happy for you that the fights are less frequent and not as heated. (((HUGS)))
Good to see your Halloween decoration plan coming into action.
Makes it so much easier to reduce volume when you see it going to those who truly want it.
WTG! that the messiest bedroom is still not so messy! You have the necessary parts useable and welcoming! YEA!!!
Have a wonderful time enjoying all your family. 😀

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! for getting the sleep your body and mind needed!
(((HUGS)))
Have a wonderful day handing out pies and nuts. ;D

Hello to everybody else 🙂
Missing you and hoping you can find a few minutes to let us all know how you're doing.
(((HUGS)))

Received some small bags of Starbucks coffee.
Each bag makes a 8/10 cup pot.
Brewed up half a bag this morning.
I do not drink coffee and now my stomach feels weird and I am sorta twitchy even though I made almost half the cup almond milk.
Can't understand how the caffeine can be so different from strong black tea. "?"
Planning to make some macaroni salad with hard boiled eggs today.

Happy thanksgiving!

Well, the cardboard fight wasn't too bad, and we used to have a lot more of those fights, so there's that.

I was able to offer my Dd a choice of rooms to sleep in. She picked the messiest one, but it still had a mostly clear floor and a clear bed, chest, and nightstand.