Hoarder's Anonymous, Part 6

[Solo]

Well, here we are embarking upon part 6 of our epic journey of sorting out our homes.

We are a varied group of likeminded householders that are leading somewhat challenging lives; be that living with too much 'stuff' that we find difficult to deal with, houses that are falling apart (mine included), health issues within the family unit, wider family, or ourselves that makes sorting out our households challenging, to say the least. So...

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us for support, adding their own ideas to help others out, storage ideas, even tips on actually getting those items out of the house which sounds so simple when you say it. Encouragement abounds here, and we do not criticise. EVER! We even try not to criticise ourselves as it's not helpful to anyone.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't know where to start, can't be bothered but really do want to be bothered...think you are lazy, just need to see it in print here...we'll help. We'll virtually fist bump your achievements - small or large, and virtually hug you when the need arises, and if you want a hug, just ask because we are here for you. Here for one another because we get it - the highs and the lows, the art of washing up is sometimes our great achievement of the day, but it's still an achievement.

Welcome to thread #6 of Hoarders Anonymous - Carrying On Sorting It Out

HERE

Thank you for the new thread Solo.

I'm not up to much today. I didn't do anything yesterday. I'm just on an emotion rollercoaster. My dad got taken ill and he's in England, I'm in Australia and the time difference is so tricky. I think he's going to be ok, but just the awful realization that I can't see him is just gut wrenching.

Good luck to everyone with whatever steps you take to declutter or tidy today.

Thank you for the new thread!

I still have a lot of catching up to do on the previous ones but having been here so long I feel so at home in this group it’s worth the time to read back 💕

Tiny bit of decluttering done yesterday but I also spent some time maintaining the new computer. First time we’ve had a desktop in years and I want to prevent it getting chaotic with disorganised files etc. So I labelled all downloaded files (home ed/tutoring related), deleted stuff from the OneDrive and cleared the email inbox (barely used - my other email addresses are possibly beyond help!).

Down, that is terrible for you hope today you have all the information and you can also get some sleep despite the time difference. My parents are in another country and although it feels like they are in the same room when I ring, after all these years phoning, it isn't the same as being there in person at frightening moments (both mine and theirs)
Sing impressed at your understanding of computer ..I don't think I've ever mastered the files or downloads aspect. .last job was in 2000 before pcs became a "thing"

Thank you for the new thread Solo.

Down Hope your dad is being well looked after and has a speedy recovery. Must be incredibly stressful for you

Sing I’m very envious of your new computer; must be very calming to use.

Thank you Solo

Down Everything crossed for your Dad. Not surprised your focus is elsewhere, it must be very stressful to be trying to deal with.

Sing thanks. Well done on starting as you mean to go on with the new computer. my other email addresses are possibly beyond help! I totally relate to this, though unfortunately it’s all of mine!

Nettleskeins I’m also horribly behind with computers, I’m looking for a course that would work with my level of deficit.

Miaowse interesting food for thought about computers.

Contractors did come and remove all their equipment yesterday. Left a fair amount of rubble and wood behind which they say someone will come for. (not holding my breath)
Garden has exploded to the point you actually can’t see next doors fallen tree unless you search! The neighborhoods cat’s are appreciating the lush jungle, but I doubt their owners are.
Managed to speak to Dr yesterday and have a resultant hospital appointment today, but once that’s done am going to look around for where I can gently restart.

thank you.

I have not caught up. been very tired and half term computer hoarding by ds.

Sorry about your Dad down. Hope he recovers quickly and well.

I am about to collapse on my bed and eat.

Wednesday was an appointment for dd, then sorting out dinner money for ds, plus shopping delivery and wiping shopping. (autistic ) and fridge tetris. sent ex home with some just out of date custard to eat up. (we use best before as a guidance but are more strict with use by)

yesterday I managed to clean the loo. (all of it) bath and basin, but not much else. children were fed though depiote the high humidty. oh and some shopping was sorted and sorting out the emotional regulation of a disappointed autistic child. put some remaineder of shopping away.

today: I have reclaimed the landing. and found the fucking plastic spider.
picked up and wiped down the random stuff that was on there.
hoovered half the kitchen floor that is visible hall stairs and landing.
wiped the paintwork in the hall.

later I need to dampdust/clean the paintwork on the landing. fucking knackered now but may find some more energy befor it gets too hot.

currently listening to cricket and waiting for the amazonm package to arrive.

Sorry about your dad Down ! I hope he’ll improve soon . I know how hard it is to live in a different country from your family having been in the UK for 20 y now and all my family is back home in Finland . My mum had a cardiac arrest a few y ago and I was able to then just fly our whole family over the next day and go see her in the icu but now that’s not really possible if something happens in fact I haven’t been home since August 2019 so nearly 2 y ago and it’s awful ! I worry about them both but at least they’ve both now finally been vaccinated with the first shot so that’s something .
This week has been mainly appointments ,a lot of admin and laundry after the weekend cleaning bonanza . I haven’t been able to finish organising the under stairs cupboard since they sent me the wrong storage boxes I then had to organise a collection for and reorder new ones but now I have some here ,although the ones I first ordered that were slightly bigger were then out of stock , so we should be able to do it this weekend . About a hundred more chores , errands and admin jobs left for the weekend and in general we’ll just have to try to tick off as many as we can . DH very busy and stressed at work again , DS is still home for the next weeks post GCSEs then puzzlingly don’t yet have his new school timetable so we don’t know exactly what he’s doing for rest of the term . Hopefully info next week . I’ve told him to chase it up with his tutor and friends .
I’m trying to write lists again since there’s too much to remember now with my dizzy tired head . I’m bad as it is with my migraines but now tranquilized by the antihistamines for my hay fever I’m getting hopeless I need remainders . We’re trying to book every one in from gardener to multiple boiler people ( old and current house ) but having to chase it’s beyond frustrating I just desperately want to cross things off the never ending lists and get dates in the diary . Just have to count everything that has / is getting done and keep going then it’ll get less eventually surely I hope ! We’re about to sign our new tenancy agreement that’ll be one worry less ! Not much decluttering done since the weekend just putting a few items away when I’ve came across them . Next weekend is my birthday and multiple meals out booked etc so don’t expect much decluttering done then either will get back to it after that . Now just will try to keep on top of the weekly cleaning , laundry ,do all this admin and generally keep the wheels turning while trying to spend some time with the kids too.
Our puppy started at the doggy daycare twice a week today so that’ll be different having him gone 2 d a week all day . First day romping around on field in the countryside with other dogs seems to have gone well .
Oh yes I got my biopsy results on Tuesday and they were good so a huge relief ! Now I still need another 6 m of treatment and if I then get another clear result I’ll be declared cured ( at least for now ) .
Out this week off the top of my head ;
-A few bits of clothing to rags and clothing collection at the dump from the folded laundry pile

• An old nail polish to bin
• A dog travel bowl
• A dog feeder toy our puppy has destroyed immediately after doing the same to the old one .I don’t want him actually eating the plastic ,his teeth are so strong and sharp and he’s really chewing atm we give him braided lamb skin that he loves to chew and it lasts for hours
• DD old football since new one arrived
• earmarked to go a few old dog crate mats once new bed comes
• ditto another living room lamp once the new one arrives

Might find more to toss from the under stairs cupboard piles once we organise them into boxes

Hello, hello!

Down I hope your Dad is doing well. My parents were the biggest reason I could find not to emigrate to Australia. I'm probably too old now.
Nordic so pleased that your results were favourable.
Good going for everyone. I keep looking at my toilet and know I need to don the gloves and scrub it again. The water is so hard here that it is a recuring nightmare.

My week hasn't seen much doing at all. I'm about to hang wet washing up to dry before going to bed, so I'll say good night :)

Recurring, not recuring I'm never going to be cured!

Slowed down a bit here but managing to get a little done each day, even if it’s more organising than decluttering. It does feel easier to get rid of stuff though. Like yesterday I finally gathered a load of old bedding (as in sheets etc not actual duvets/pillows) that had just been knocking about - some from when DSD moved out - and actually got rid of any with holes in, then folded the few remaining into a bag labelled “sheets for painting”. Also got rid of a couple of manly bath toys. I have been very good at maintaining the new ones (and the new bath mat) but these were old and too far gone. Must get another hanging net bag or two so they can be organised rather than all shoved in one.

Have been finally really thinking about getting a pet. This is a huge thing for me. I’ve always been too worried about the state of the house as I felt there was no way I could manage a pet. But things are getting much easier and tidier so I think soon we will be ready.

Susan half terms are always tough. Well done on the reclamation!
Nordic Just have to count everything that has / is getting done and keep going then it’ll get less eventually surely I hope ! Counting what you have done is at the heart of it.
Solo good luck with the toilet.
Sing that’s lovely news! Well done you!

Friday was mainly hospital and supporting emotionally exhausted Ds from afar. Contractors have ticked off the problematic tap as fixed. (They did reduce it to just dripping) Measured up sink carefully followed by a trip to B&Q and sourced a mixer tap that looks like it will fit the drainer and existing pipes without too much work.

Yesterday was lots of cutting back garden. I know I’ve done lots, but it cut down small into three big sacks (waiting to go out) and it was hard to see any difference other than it looked slightly less wild. Will have to try and do a lot more today though not in great shape from yesterday, as a lot of unhappy noises from next door. The more reasonable bit being about my temporary fencing which to be fair is lashed together, over and round the downed tree across both gardens, and is beginning to fall apart, so think I need to be on top of it before things get more problematic.

Am expecting an exhausted Ds back later with washing. So far today I’ve done pet run and scrubbed out the main bin. Going to have small bath, pick up Ds from station, go to the bank, then attack the garden.

8 jobs off the list for us so far today and several more pending …

I’m keeping on top of the laundry, dishes and cooking but very little else. I’ve been trying to read more rather than spending time on my phone and many of the books are going into the charity box once finished. A very slow way to declutter but I’m enjoying reading them and decluttering the guilt of having unread books on the shelves (most of them were gifts too).

I can’t remember when I last updated. I’ve got a big bunch of admin to sort out (insurance renewals, medical and SEN paperwork/follow up etc). I’ve been putting it off for ages but just don’t have the energy to tackle it; it feels very overwhelming. Anyway, I’m having the weekend off and am trying not to even think about it.

DownUdderer How’s your Dad? Hope you’re ok.

Nordicmum you zoom through your to do lists, it’s phenomenal!

Elleherd if your garden is anything like mine you can spend ages and fill a whole bin with cuttings/weeds etc and it’s just one small clear corner in a jungle. I think if we keep at it regularly it will become tamed and more manageable but I have a terrible carpet of herb robert than seems to grow back almost instantly and drives me nuts.

Ooh what type of pet are you (possibly) getting Sing?

Herb Robert is my favourite weed.

Looking back on my pet career dogs are wonderful but cats are much much easier. It depends if you have outside space though , .cats like the outdoors and can get bored if they don't have free range, whereas a dog can be taken for walks even without a garden. Or hamsters and guinea pigs! Rabbits need lots of space and a companion rabbit. Singing birds; my friend had two budgies but then it was so sad when one died..
Horses can be a bit time-consuming

Nordic Well done!
Miaowse I know what you mean, but four bags later and not even one small clear corner, but tbf I'm focusing on what can annoy neighbors most which is height and things going over the 'fence.'
Nettleskeins Your favourite? (whistles innocently) Would you like some?

Ds back yesterday. Most washing achieved. Vehicle retaxed. Bank sorted so that bills can be paid today. Small amount of gardening. Body objecting. Unable to dispose of garden waste, as all composting facilities full.

today I have:
breakfast and school run
shopping top up
sit in ex's garden recovering so I could walk again.
put most of shopping away. trying to work out how to tetris the rest of the fridge. (i packed three boxes of mushrooms into two boxes and I will have to do something similar with the plums. )

I am lurking.

Not doing very well atm, as I am trying to balance job applications, with basic housework and decluttering.

This job application is due in four days, so house will have to wait.

I am still on top of the kitchen. Still fighting with my laundry, living room and dining room. Hope to make some progress with the house at the weekend.

I did manage to sew some side cushions for my wheelchair to make it more comfortable. I used floor seat pads we had for scouts camping as the inners (can be removed again for camps). Some spare fat quarter fabric for the outers and spare velcro strips that I had left over from attaching cut up pool noodles to the wheelchair's foot plate bars. So they cost nothing !

Between adding the pool noodle and the side seat cushions, I am hope to have less bruising and indents in my thighs and shins, when I use my chair. I might not feel them very well but it can't be good for my legs either, can it ?!

I am proud of my sewing as using my hands is difficult atm and I drop so many things. I used my biggest needle and embroidery silks instead of sewing thread and took my time and in took two days with many breaks to sew my cushions. My right arm hurt so much and I dropped that fat needle so many times. Glad I have the pillows now, it was worth the pain

Off for a lie down to stop my legs hurting. I will continue with my job application this evening.

Hi again all :) am over halfway through reading the previous thread now, lovely to catch up. Can’t believe I had so long away from the threads - was really in a bad way between medications, but ah well, I am doing much better now and that’s worth celebrating.

Miaowse I would love soooo many pets 😳 I’d have a menagerie if I could. DH hates cats 🙄 and I know we couldn’t really meet a dog’s need for exercise, so it will be something smaller. We are leaning towards rabbits, but there are a few others under consideration!

I’ve not achieved anything today, I’m so sleepy. Had to quickly tidy some shelves behind me for a zoom meeting :o and have just had low energy all day.

However I have decided the next plan for the overall decluttering. I’ve been frustrated about the fact we haven’t got a tip run sorted (no car) but DH finally asked DSS who is happy to 🥰 not sure how long it’ll take to book between work etc.

But I’m desperate to crack on with the clutter hiding behind the tip stuff in the “airing” cupboard aka junk cupboard with tiny heater. I realised I can ask DD1, who has a lot of empty space in her big room, to store that temporarily (it’s all clean, nothing horrible - there is plenty of icky broken stuff in the garden for the tip too, but that will have to wait as DSS’ boot isn’t big - the indoor space is more important). I’ll also put the Christmas tree and decoration boxes in her room for now. Then I can sort what’s left in the cupboard, which is partly random crap TBH.

The books in there can be added to what’s downstairs as the ultimate plan is to do a mass sort of all books and get rid of a lot. Problem is I can’t do that until I have somewhere to put all the stuff I’m selling - not ideal to use the cupboard for this but I know if I leave them out somewhere my youngest will be digging through the books and wanting to play the board games! So unfortunately they need to stay shut away while I gather everything for a huge FB sale (what doesn’t go after trying a few groups can be donated). I know it is sort of churning really, and I also know a lot of advice is just to get rid not try and sell. I do just chuck/recycle a lot already but books, games and a few educational resources are likely to sell well locally and so if I gather everything behind a door then I can photograph everything in one go and hopefully a few other home ed families will want a few things at once (as usually seems to happen with these things). I really can’t make the headspace to sell on eBay so I’ll just have to try what I can selling locally and then donate the rest. Once that’s done the cupboard will have a different purpose I guess. Not actually got a clue what though 🤣

Sing, hope you have a better less tired day tomorrow.

Plodded on. Started on the mucky sock scrub. And white t-shirt and light shorts that have half a park stuck on them. It'll be on the news, council in the WMids reports missing park...

Only washed up this evening. I have to sort out my car insurance renewal...And a few other things. My neck has been painful for weeks now and I'm sick of it. Sick of all the pain everywhere, but I'm crap at doing the physio.

Sorry the pain is so bad solo :(

:o at missing park. I often tell the DCs they’ve come back with half a tree in their hair 🤣

Managed to get the tip stuff into DD1’s room - stacked it and stuffed what I could into the broken laundry basket so it really doesn’t take up much space at all, and a very small footprint. Couldn’t get the Christmas decorations down so they’re still in the cupboard. Dragged out some boxes and bags of random crap to sort in the next few days - it blows my mind how much random crap is shoved into every available space here!

I listed 20 things on Ebay today. Not been on the thread since pre pandemic. I have fallen off the wagon but I'm determined to at least get rid of ten things for every one in until everything fits into cupboards again.

I did some prepping for Brexit and the pandemic so I'm also using all of that up before it goes out of date. I'm going to continue to prep but only a limited number of weeks and limited range of products. I think it's another hoarder wormhole to disappear down. So while it was extremely handy at the start of the first lockdown, it's not something I have room or head space for right now. I need to completely start again on a smaller, more focused scale.

Thank you for the kind wishes. My dad is fine, he had a few nights in hospital, but he is back home again now. I'm relieved and happy. I can't really dwell on not being able to visit, most of the time it's not something I think about, but it's just blooming coronavirus' fault at the moment.

It was lovely to come back and catch up on everyone's posts.

Sorry to read about your neck Solo.

I have been getting my head around what I want to achieve in the garden, I used to view the garden as another chore, but just recently I've really enjoyed working out there. So I am starting to think things through and decide what I want out there.

I've kept up to date on laundry and school uniforms, they're the most important thing. I've mostly kept up to date on groceries and cooking dinner.

We have the air con guys coming on Monday, so on Friday I will just make sure each room they need access to is looking good. I don't need perfection, but I guess I'll go around with the hoover and laundry basket and toy box.

The other day I was searching for something in the garage and found more than ten bags of clothes from when the kids were small. I think it all needs to go to the charity shop, I will try and sort them out. Once they are gone I will have a cupboard in the garage for other things to go in. I literally had no memory of those bags being in the garage. Out of sight out of mind!