Compulsive hoarding is a mental disorder that is just beginning to be understood. As a hoarder, I have acquired things over the years with a specific purpose in mind at the time of the acquisition, used some of those items for their intended purposes, forgotten the goal for different objects, but now that I find that they have outlived their purpose in my life I am struggling to rid myself of those same things.

You can read the start of my journey here.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Back in January when Bugster took the Christmas tree down for us, we set up the card table, so I could put the decorations she wasn't sure what to do with away, and they'd be at a more comfortable level for my back. After the decorations were put away, the card table went into the corner of the living room and was promptly filled it to overflowing with stuff. All sorts of stuff. And today I got the itch to tackle it.

I was able to sort through most everything, and what I didn't get to I was able to stack neatly in the study. I was able to go through a lot of paperwork and ended up with 2 more bags of shredables to add to my overall total as well as a huge black trash bag full of, well, trash. I will hopefully be able to get to to the paperwork I put in the study fairly soon. I'm not counting on getting through it all before I have to go in for surgery, but you never know. Hope springs eternal.

I'm absolutely thrilled with The Hubster today. We've had a broken handle on the toilet for a couple of years. Something happened, and it never flushed correctly. We had to hold the handle down to flush it, because the float didn't work right, and the flapper would snap shut and keep the water from flowing to the bowl, if we didn't. It killed my back and drove me nuts, but there was concern the water intake would leak, if it was turned off, and that was the last thing we needed. Hubster decided to take his chances today anyway and replace the flapper and the handle, and we didn't end up with any sort of a leak. Did I mention I am absolutely thrilled.

He did the heavy lifting today, too, and brought the mirrors up and put them on the back porch, so I can hopefully start working on sanding and painting them tomorrow. I can do the etching anytime, but the painting can only be done when it's warm enough outside for the paint. It will be good to get started on them.

We'll hopefully also work on the cubby that we need to get together up above the refrigerator and stove. One of the boxes that was under the card table was a box of things that had to come down from there when we tore the cabinet out. I've got a few similar boxes sitting on the floor in the kitchen just waiting for the cubby to be put up. We just need to make a few cuts and assemble the box. I painted the boards a long time ago. We'll hopefully be working on getting it together tomorrow. I'd really like to have the things put away before I have surgery.

It seems like every year before the holidays, I have every intention of getting things done early enough that I'm not trying to make the house presentable the night before we have our celebration, but it never happens. This year, it's going to happen. I need for it to be finished this year more than years in the past, but the biggest thing I have going for me this year more than years in the past is motivation.

With starting this early, the holiday stress will surely be at a minimum. I'm looking forward to that!

6 comments:

  1. Ack! Christmas! It's coming too fast for me this year!

    Sounds like you're doing a great job!

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  2. What did you say? Christmas? I'm not ready. I think I'll start organising now like you....Christmas?? didn't we just have it??

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  3. Already started shopping :) I worked retail for over 15 years, you learn to shop early if you want the deals without the headaches. And, I too am cleaning out again. We will be getting all new decorations for the front and I am so excited! Our light up snowman didn't fair too well in the blizzard last year. :(

    I am so excited that you are in a healthy place to have things "cleaned up" for Christmas. There's nothing more freeing than to see the progress you've made! Go you! And who knows? Maybe there'll be a scanner for those shreddables. Hint Hint Santa! -J

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  4. So hoping this Christmas wioll go well for you .I need to get a head start too, last year our reno was finished 4 days before Christmas! what a trainwreck, trying to do everthing with no time and feeling like I missed the day altogether

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  5. I am planning on finishing my Christmas shopping next week while we're at the beach. I'm sure it will be too damn cold, rainy, and windy to do otherwise.

    I'm glad you got the toilet fixed... working plumbing is a VERY good thing. :)

    Could you come clean my house when you're done with yours?

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  6. Hi, just wanted to stop by to say hello, back. Thanks for your thoughtful comments on my blog.
    I also want to tell you that that I am feeling inspired by your honesty about your hoarding/clutter struggles and am going to be talking about my own on my blog soon. I have mentioned it once or twice tangentially, but it's a definite factor in our lives. And now crap from my late mother-in-law's home is starting to pour into ours. Ack! Working on a post right now, but I often mull things for a bit before I am ready to send them out into the world. I'll keep you posted.

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