Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Bet those trees in the north east are absolutely breathtaking 😀
Good luck with your puttering around (((hugs)))Over the years my friends have given me many lovely and useful things. My house is also filled with constant reminders of them. 😀

Overcast windy with a chance of rain.
Won't be doing laundry today.
Going to do a general house cleaning though.
Bathroom, sweep, wash floors, vacuum, wipe off stuff & dust a bit.
For over a week my allergies have been giving me grief and a sinus infection with a non stop headache and a cough that makes my head pound.
It's from all the stuff in the carport and garage.
It all got wet from the rain last week and you can smell the mold when outside in the yard.
I wish he would understand that most all that stuff is ruined and worthless, non-salvageable and actually harmful.
A clean out company would wear hazmat suits due to the danger of mold and possible hantavirus contamination.
Marty is extremely depressed today but otherwise doing alright.
9:00am here now, time to give him his meds.

TTYS 🙂

Tillie the garden sounds lovely. I'm sad you are losing your neighbors and I'm sure you'll think of them every time you see the plants you've shared. Glad that Marty is showing signs of recovery.

Everyone, thanks for your help in staying strong! So far so good and we shall see what the future holds.

Working from home today. Nice and cool here in the northeast and the trees are so pretty. We had a nice bit of rain over the weekend too.

Going to work, then take work breaks for doing a little puttering here, a little puttering there.

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Ready4Change 🙂
Welcome 😀
Don't worry about speaking freely here
honestly, we all really do understand how it is to struggle with hoarding and squalor issues.

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Choosing one area to work on every week is a GREAT way to go.
It helps to keep us from getting distracted by other areas and discouraged because nothing ever seems to get finished. 😀

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
Sounds like you are recovering nicely! 😀
Hope you can find someone to ride along with until you are well enough to drive again. (((HUGS)))

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
(((((HUGS)))))
Be strong, stand firm, don't waver.
I know how very hard what you are going through is.
Been there, done that with my son's father and his heroin addiction.
Neighbor friend has been fighting it too with her grown daughter and crack/cocaine.
This stress does horrid things to our bodies and makes us terrifyingly ill.
Our thoughts and emotions get all screwed up.
Stand firm, do this for YOU.
Love, Tillie (((((HUGS)))))

Yesterday Marty rushed the door and went outside.
I allowed him to sit on the porch but then he ran off, jumped the fence and was hiding on the neighboring property.
Had to go hunt him down and trap him to get ahold of him.
So, no more me being Ms. Nice Guy.
His butt will stay inside from now on.
He is also starting fights with every cat he sees and generally being nasty.
He is eating well.
All this is signs he is getting better.

Today, soon as I get dressed, I need to go out and rearrange the rose bushes in my garden to a better location for them.
Then I must transplant some lovely chrysanthemums the neighbors brought over from their yard for me.
There will be more plants coming to me soon because they want me to have them before they move away.
All these years we have always shared our plants, baby trees and flowers between the two yards.
This way we both have some of everything without the expense of having to buy them.

TTYL and everybody have a lovely day.
Get out, enjoy nature, visit with a friend, talk to the birds. 🙂

Hello Ready4Change & welcome!

I have been able to make significant changes in my life since coming here, including cleaning out an entire 10 x 12 storage space. I still struggle with stuff and also re-learning general maintenance--things that I used to do as a matter of routine.

Once I found this site, I spent s lot of time reading various posts. The advice, friendships and encouragement are wonderful.

Glad you are here.

Tillie, my love, I read those words every day and feel so pleased that this really is A Daily Chat. Thank you all for helping me through my days.

Hello Ready4Change & welcome!

I have been able to make significant changes in my life since coming here, including cleaning out an entire 10 x 12 storage space. I still struggle with stuff and also re-learning general maintenance--things that I used to do as a matter of routine.

Once I found this site, I spent s lot of time reading various posts. The advice, friendships and encouragement are wonderful.

Glad you are here.

Tillie, my love, I read those words every day and feel so pleased that this really is A Daily Chat. Thank you all for helping me through my days.

Hi,Tillie. Thanks for the welcome!

HI HI HI Everybody!!! 😀

Just a quick post, will post more when I have the time...

When I started "The Daily Chat" I wrote this

Welcome one and all to the Daily Chat 😀 A place to gather with friends and talk about any and everything under the sun. Here we can encourage each other, give helpful advice and cheer every accomplishment. A place to sit down & catch up while taking a break. Hope you all enjoy it here. 🙂

You can find it on the main message board right under the title
"The Daily Chat".
I truly meant every word.
This is a place to talk about any and everything
(((HUGS)))

Hello all! I am new here. Just looking for support from fellow hoarders. Not really doing much today. I would just like to find someone to share a convo about current situation.

I hope this doesnt sound too hokey or 'new age' but on the subject of staying on the subject, i think all of the other issues in our lives could, and often do act as invisible anchors that make it hard for us to get out from under being stuck in our 'undesirable home situation'. I almost always see the symbolism in my home that is reflected in each problem in my life. It often connects!

CM I wish I were there to help you out. I appreciate your prayers, concern and support. I know I can be strong. I see my enabling behaviors and I finally see what everyone else has been telling me!

Do call your cousin. The worst answer you'll get is "no" and I bet you won't. I'm glad the drains are out. Tell me, will the surgery take care of the issue or will you need follow up care? I'm praying for your recovery and hope you'll heed the dr's advice--this is no time to get an infection or masks things worse.

Bunnies! I did not know of the bunnies! (Or perhaps I had forgotten). I would clean their boxes right now for you if I could.

Thank you again for your friendship. So happy to hear of your progress.

Hello everyone - may your weekend be blessed with whatever it is that you need the most.

Tatoulia, no need at all to apologize for posting about the stresses, because the stresses are one of the root causes of our hoarding difficulties. They drain our energies. So it's not irrelevant at all! And we want to help and to pray for you and give you a safe place to vent. So post away.

It will be hard to break the pattern of enabling that you may have unwittingly been in with your brother but it sounds as if your instincts are leading you in the right direction. The hardest part will be when he pushes back. I will pray for your protection during those times, as it can be very scary. This problem has occurred among some of my extended family and I have a couple of friends going through it with a grown child right now too. It's one of the most challenging and draining things a person can face.

Anony, you did what you had to do with the skunkies and it was hard I'm sure. Don't feel too guilty, sometimes those things are necessary. Hope soon there will be no more invaders to worry about. With the predator urine, try doing several cloths in buckets, in more than one room, except the one where you sleep so it won't be unpleasant for you there. Sprinkle more around the foundation too, and maybe a perimeter around the yard. Good luck!

Tillie, best wishes for Marty's recovery and that he'll adapt to the Cone of Shame and be able to forget it's there till it can come off. 🙂

As for me, I had my first post-surgical followup appointment yesterday. Stitches came out along with these drain thingies which weren't painful but had to be emptied 2x a day - glad to be rid of them. Doctor seemed pleased with my progress. The "downside" is that I'm still not allowed to drive till I see him again in about a month. And a lot of friends whom I could normally get rides from are tied up with things like moving, helping their aging parents, etc. Even my roommate has been sick, though she does need to get out today so I'll ride along and get a few things at the store.

I do have a cousin in town, so I think I'll call her and explain the situation. She lives on the other side of town, but perhaps we could plan ahead and consolidate some errands, or I could arrange to go to Mass with her and her husband some weekends, and stop by places on the way home.

My huge goal for the day is bunny litterboxes cleaning! I have large bunnies and they can sure go through the clean litter!

Ps. I'm sorry I'm so far afield on the hoarding issues. I will try not to unload like this.

Poor Tillie-I love the picture of washing Marty's face. You are so sweet (and smart--I hadn't thought of the cleaning issue). Anony, together we will get the skunks out of your house.

I am going to work on kitchen today. I know I can do it and will feel so much better. We can do this, ladies. I believe in us.

Hello. Thank you so much for your kind words of support. I really need them.

Well I ended up going to dr yesterday due to chest pain and shortness of breath and thankfully EKG was fine and we switched out some of my meds and it will all be fine. I just couldn't head into the weekend feeling that lousy.

Situation with brother is out of control so I've blocked him on cell and have left landline off the hook. He has been very threatening and I think this time I have right support system in place to stay strong. I didn't realize held held back on one of my Christmas boxes (no doubt to have to manipulate me) and I'm letting it go. He's very threatening and is very abusive. It's a shame, because the mental illness has taken over. I'm also wondering if there's a drug factor at play. Many years ago I learned he was an alcoholic (came as a surprise) and now I see him constantly needing money, hundreds at a time, and it's drugs. I earn a good salary, having worked my way through night school to get a college degree and a graduate degree, yet I can't afford a thing from giving him so much money. This week was a wake up call when he kept saying he had no food and no medicines and when I went to store, first my credit card was declined and second, he kept calling me dirty names and telling me to just bring money, that he had something to do and couldn't wait the few minutes for me to bring the groceries. Then he was so agitated and angry that he took the groceries and threw them in the dumpster. The whole time screaming dirty names at me.

So it's tough right now. And I thank you so much for being here for me. I am glad to have a Saturday to myself and am running dishwasher now. Will see mom in a little bit.

Good morning, all! I was awaken by a devil-rodent under my bed. Hes now gone to be with his sibling in Skunk Heaven. The spiders have slowed down a little bit tho, at least.
I decided since i have no other options, i will just go with what works for my handyman. Yesterday i nervously just left him alone, hoping my well wasnt being installed with old fixtures retrieved from old houses, or that the tank hadnt landed on his leg....
I hope Marty will be ok with that thing on him until he heals up? Tillie, i hope you enjoy shopping for food?! That is one of my favorite things! Im also hoping you have some nice new neighbors move nearby soon!
I think im going to pick the worst area in each room to work on, and allow myself 1 week per room/area. That could likely make an enormous difference in my cringe-ridden strolls through the house...hmmm....
~☆~♡~☆~

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Hope things went well with the handyman.

Been up since before 4am
just could not fall back to sleep.
Marty looks so sad but when I take a wash cloth and wash his face he looks so happy.
With that cone on he can't wash anything and he hates being dirty.
Going grocery shopping today since Mr. Hoarder will be home and hopefully watching Marty.
Before I leave I will give Marty his medicines and breakfast & wash his face and feet and I won't be away for too long and hope Marty will just sleep while I'm away.
He has a hard time maneuvering around due to that cone of shame.

TTYS 🙂

Tatoulia, i am so sorry to hear that your smooth, easy period of time has shifted into difficulty? I will pray for you. I also have confidence that you will be able to handle it all like a champ! Please keep us posted & know we are here for you & care!
....my handyman is coming today again...i need to just learn how to work around it without it throwing me off as badly...ive also been continuing on reading about procrastination...im actually trying to be my own 'life coach'is i think what it is called....ha ha
Tillie, i hope Marty is feeling better & is healing up nicely & yall are having a nice time taking it easy together!
Love & Blessings to you all! I am so grateful for you all & this site! Thank you! ~♡~

Good morning everyone 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Marty sends (((hugs)))
Tatoulia, I will never lose faith in you (((HUGS)))
Please concentrate on your health issues and get all better ASAP.
Sorry that you also have other problems too at this time but they must come second to your health.
WAY TO GO! for keeping up with daily maintenance!
Try not to over do or worry about what is not getting done right now.
Please check in here when you get the chance
and know you are never far from our thoughts.
(((((HUGS)))))

First things first: Marty I'm so sorry about the uncomfortable cone and the painful ear. Try to be good about it, poor thing.

Tillie I'm sorry you are trapped inside and having to worry about Marty.

Anony, that handyman would drive me nuts. He's aggravating me, too. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this.

Everyone, I am living through a terrible time. Please don't lose faith in me. I'm having health problems, family problems and money problems. Never expected at 53 to have so many problems. Seeing dr Tuesday but may need to get to hospital before then. After talking with dr last night I saw a friend who's a nurse and she actually noticed the problem before I even asked her about it.

I'm going to go hang up my laundry and call it a night.

Thank you for being here. I'm sorry I'm going through such a rough patch. I am keeping up with dishes and laundry and am working on kitchen. Garbage is out and as always bed is made with fresh sheets. Need to clean kitchen and bathroom. Please stick with me.

I hope Marty is feeling better & is able to enjoy all the special love & attention?!
I got so frustrated by the time my handyman got here to work on the well, i just told him id leave the gate unlocked & swing it closed when you leave. I know this is triggering other issues....
~☆~♡~☆~♡~☆♡☆~♡~☆~♡~☆~

I hope Marty is feeling better & is able to enjoy all the special love & attention?!
I got so frustrated by the time my handyman got here to work on the well, i just told him id leave the gate unlocked & swing it closed when you leave. I know this is triggering other issues....
~☆~♡~☆~♡~☆♡☆~♡~☆~♡~☆~

Poor kitty-boo...cats dont like stuff on them, but i can understand needing that now, otherwise hed scratch the stiches out. Do you know what caused his ears to get infected? Are there any bugs or mites that couldve done that? Marty is very fortunate to have such a caring mommy!
Its funny how when im feeling good, i see the things at my place that are interesting, and when im feeling bad, everything looks totally disgusting...it is amazing how that alters with my mood...its funny Tillie, cuz when i read about you & your hoarder, i cant imagine how you do it...then i realize, i have no one stopping me?!! The minimalist that youve become from it, is what ive sort of become from my own previous hoarding & overshopping, etc. I am my own hindrance. I cant imagine having someone as helpful as you, wanting to improve the home, and not letting you do it?!
The log yurt guy just called back. That is sounding very hopeful!
I hope you all have lots of things fall into place & you feel better about your homes soon!

Good morning 🙂

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Thank you
WAY TO GO! for having made a pretty view! 😀

Marty is a very unhappy miserable wretch.
He did eat a little canned food this morning.
I am waiting to see if he can keep it down before I give him his pain meds and ear drops.
Looks like a lot of my plans are on hold while I take care of him.
If I go outside he will want to go outside too so I will find quiet things to do inside.

TTYS 😀

Oh, i hope Marty heals quickly & is comfortable? I wonder what caused his ears to get infected?
My handyman came to work on the well & i got so frustrated again cuz he does just seem to be 'tinkering' and forgetting to bring the parts or tools, then wanting me to see if i can find something that will 'work for now' & i cant seem to get through to him i want it done right & im happy to buy what it needs..then when i go check on things hes fiddling with something unrelated or that is a waste of time...its driving me batty! Maybe it bothers me more cuz im such a procrastinator?! I shouldnt be getting this rattled from it.
On a nicer note, from the table in my yard, the view of some of my improvements looks really nice!!! It is inspiring & hopeful!!! ~☆~♡~☆~

Thank you Tatoulia (((HUGS)))

Marty came home this evening and is very unhappy.
He has to wear "The Cone Of Shame" for two whole weeks.
He has managed to get the cone off twice already.
The inside of his ear has at least 6 sutures.
Sort of tacking the front to the back.
The Dr. said he has an inner ear infection, actually both ears are infected.
He evidentially scratched his right ear and that caused the infection to spread into the exterior part of his ear.
So strange, never heard of this before.
But Marty is a very fancy & special cat that never really settles for being common & ordinary. ;P

Poor little Marty! Sending you lots of love.

Good morning 🙂

No plans for today.
Marty (the cat)'s right ear swelled up yesterday.
Looks really stupid.
He's off to the veterinary surgery this morning.
I never thought that a cat's little thin ear could swell up that big. :0
Vet said she would cut him open, drain it, clean it out and stitch him back up.
He should be able to come home this evening.
Poor Marty. 🙁

Hello, all! I hope everyone is getting lots done and also enjoying life!
Tillie, you are such an angel! It is wonderful the way you help other humans and animals!
I dont know what happened last night, but the whole house, inside and out smells so strongly of skunk...it is horrible...im airing out, but it is so discouraging....im having a really hard time living with all this mess... 🙁

Good Morning Everyone 🙂

Hi CriticalMass 🙂

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Wonderful to "see" you this morning 😀
WAY TO GO!!! for all your five minute miracles! 😀
Happy you had the opportunity to connect with your friends.
(((HUGS)))

Since neighbor friends are moving they are planning on a yard sale soon.
I always participate in their sales so have been searching around in my house for things for me to sell.
Being almost a moderate minimalist, I don't have much that I don't use/need or have displayed so I can enjoy looking at it.
So far I have gathered enough to fill half of a very small tote bag with things to sell.
Living with a hoarder makes me want to get rid of almost everything I own and live in a small cardboard box with nothing.
His extreme has pushed me to the opposite extreme.

So today I will meander around searching for items to fill that tote bag.
After the yard sales we always box up all leftovers and donate them.
Half the back seat of my car is filled right now with old blankets, rugs, towels, sheets, etc. to donate to the local animal shelter.
This time of year the animals need all we can give them.

TTYL 🙂

Tatoulia, how nice that you hung out with some old friends! And good job with the 5 minute miracles! Im glad to hear youre getting a better balance of fun & duties!
Im almost looking forward to using my new vacuum! Ive been trying the ideas id read about on 'procrastination' and i already feel a shift! Im going to keep reading more & keep going towards changing out of that habit! A lot of it has been my decision making process, too. Ive found i need to really seperate the decision/planning stage with most things...at least most things concerning improving my place.
The skunk thing has overwhelmed me cuz i just lose it when anything backslides my efforts on improving my place...and skunks inside definitely gross me out! I hope no more come in...thats where i draw the line.

Hello everyone,

CM it is so good to hear from you and your spirits seem so good! Glad you are taking care of yourself and finding a way to have some fun.

Anony I hope you get rid of the skunks soon. It kills me to think of you living with wildlife in your home. On the other hand, , they sound so cute.

Tillie your descriptions are so perfect. I can see Marty with the mean cat face, and I can picture your surroundings all new and fresh after the rain.

Took a half day off today to spend with friends I hadn't seen in a long time. Tonight, in a series of 5 minute miracles, I vacuumed the living room & den area, shredded my mail & brother's mail, changed our cat box and filled up dishwasher. Have garbage ready to go out. Pretty good little bursts of work.

Sending you all much love.