KICK START TO MAY.

 Hi Guys,

Writing this entry on 1 May, but will show up as 30 April I am sure once I publish.  Such is the way of the internet and all that it involves.

Well, absolutely nothing has been done much in the way of decluttering.


But that's okay.


Only thing we had time for was the wedding and concentrating on my health and that was all I could achieve in this last month of April.  Had to be done and glad that we did concentrate on this most important moment in time that will now be a lasting and most wonderful memory.  Walking my daughter down that aisle to her next path of her future life is a moment I will treasure forever.

That being said, nothing on the home front has been worked on.  Shocking, I know.

Couldn't due to the back and hip issues getting worse rather than better.  Now I am booked for a procedure that I am hoping will work to stop the constant pain so I can get things done.  If this does not work, it is off to a specialist.  I just cannot allow this to just continue.  I have to do something about the pain that is affecting my life in all levels.

Little things are being done, but far too slow in light of the possibility of my having to sell my home sooner from what I would ideally like to.

This weekend my son and I will put some rubbish that has been left in the backyard into garbage bags to put into the weekly bin each week in order to get that out of the way.  I plan to sit under the carport  this weekend no matter the weather and go through what is left from the side of the house finally and bag the unwanted items and pass on anything of value or interest to the Salvo's.  I doubt that there will be much left that I could use after being out in the weather for so long.

As for my shedding the kilos, I have taken a month off to regroup and re-energise for the next block.  Am staying level for the moment, which is ideal and shows that I am on track and holding firm to my new and what was my old eating habits before the avalanche of horror events overshadowed my life for many years.  No more comfort eating for me.

Just like with the clutter, it is a matter of getting to that point, where your brain and desire match, to make that decision and be able to get through the rough patch to beat old by now well entrenched habits and thought processes to be broken.  I do believe that dealing with the clutter at an even pace as I have has helped me find my way back to my old self again.

Every one's story will be different, but this has worked for me and the willpower has surfaced from somewhere and stuck around rather than floundered.

I am at the sticky end financially and in the middle of the transition period that will last for the next month of May.  Come June I will be able to reassess and see how I travel in June and July, at which point, I will know how I am placed and be able to make more informed decisions.  Which is if I sell in 2017 (which was my plan all along) or now.

Whether I hang on or not is no longer a point of pain for me as I have been researching areas of interest to live and affordability and what I would need to make it achievable.  Like anyone, I would like what I want, but now I am equipping myself with local knowledge, I no longer feel I will be missing out or a burdan.  Just shifting my wants, along with taking into count my needs.

And the research is fun.  Going out into the local environs is opening up my eyes to so much potential.  It also has shown me other wonders out there.  It may even change the course of my ways and open up more areas to me that I otherwise would never have known.

Here's me discovering that the work does not necessarily mean 'hard yakka' at all.

However, to get there, I still have to get 'all this what is left stuff' sorted.

I need time, but running out of it fast.

There's that pesky time again.  Time to get my jiggle on and just get it done so I am still young enough to enjoy this next chapter of my journey without all this stuff and open up to other new adventures.

This entry is a brief one and will leave you with a few photos of the wedding that was.

I am one very proud Mamma Bear.

With my little smurfette.





And here she is now... wow... how time has flown by.





Some funny snaps, just a handful, to enjoy from the night.

          
          


A selection of photos from the ceremony.  What a beautiful happy Bride.

Special brooch from my Mum (my daughter's Grandmum ~ and not forgetting my Dad her Granddad as well) was added to the bouquet with a second, just out of sight, that represented my big sis (my daughter's Aunty).  Both not physically with us any longer, but very much in our hearts and there in spirit.

It is these times we live for to enjoy and remember.  It doesn't have to be as elaborate as a wedding.  Just happy pleasant moments dotted throughout our time here.

The stuff will still be there, as it is for me, but gee it is nice to have these happy moments in amongst the long hard slog.

Hoping by my next entry I will have progressed further.  That is my next step to achieve.  Get this bod moving, so I can get the stuff moving out.  There is always August when the next hard rubbish will be upon us and plan to gear up for that one.

One massive clear out.

When I started this blog that was all about a topic that has so much shame and judgement attached to it, I fully expected that I would be writing this with no one reading it ever.  It was just to help motivate me to get this done, being back than what a huge task I had ahead of me.

I will end on an interesting statistic about this blog I have been writing for over 4 years now, translating to 50 odd months and have had on average over 400 views per month worldwide from all corners.  For such a 'buried' topic and a blog that is not widely followed, it just goes to show how much all hide this from others.  I still live in hope that this subject comes out in the open more fully in order to help those better help themselves without the shame attached.  I can only try but add to this possibility by sharing my journey with clutter and as to how and when it overwhelmed me and how I have dealt with it without too much judgement from others and the shame that has been attached to it.

Rome was not built in a day.

Take care.  Be kind to yourself on your decluttering journey.  You will get there.

Cheers for now
Anita

THE ROAD BACK TO RECOVERY IS TOUGH GOING WHEN FEELING OVERLOADED!

Hi Guys,

Yet another quick note to say that my recent sudden complete halt is finally starting back up with a trickle.

The road to recovery after a back re-injury was never going to be swift.  I have been told due to tests that my movement will eventually come to a halt.  This may be years, but it means I wont get better, however good news is with certain efforts staying steady for the moment is possible.  At least, I have movement and the ability to do little jobs and mini purges.  This huge delay may have set my progress back, but it wont stop me from forging ahead to finish what now feels like a 'perpetual' job. Finding out the news about my lower back, also means I have less time than I thought to get this job done.  This sheds new light onto this sorting as I will now need to get it done before I can no longer physically capable of getting it done.

I still want to get this place in order to enjoy it the way it should be while I can still move, regardless of whether I end up having to sell or not.  If I end up hanging on, I can then enjoy it more in a relaxing way.  If I do have to sell, then I have to get a jiggle on as come May/June firm decisions have to be made and then be implemented spit spot.

In the meantime, my daughter's wedding is speeding up faster than a locomotive.  Well, you get the picture.  I have to look decent at least for the photos to make my girl proud.  Having said that the hair that I don't get done, was well and truly overdue for a cut and colour.  It was while sitting at a recent appointment that I met a lady who deals with organising homes, office and so on for others.  What a wonderful and enlightening conversation we had.  What impressed me was her easy going nature.  I could tell that one would be totally at ease with her ideas and direction.

Apparently she offers vouchers as gifts to give, but makes sure that the recipient is aware and ready for such a gift.  What a wonderful idea!  Well, my children now know what they can get me for Christmas and next Birthday.  A few hours with this lovely lady would have me sorted in the kitchen in no time.  Hint hint.

For those who may be interested the name of her business was Bless This Mess.  Having used another that one time, I can highly recommend the outlay if you can afford it.  If you cannot come up with the cash to splash, then may I suggest you hint to others to help you by pooling together and give this as your gift rather than receive more stuff.

I am truly sold on this idea.

However, at the moment, being that I am on the edge financially, I just cannot justify the cost as yet.  But I may try to make it happen when the decision is made in order to get the house to sale ready to make the investment worthwhile.  Making the home front look neat and pleasing does translate to a higher sale.  So totally worth the outlay.

In the meantime folks, I am busy with shedding the kilos, shedding the 'stuff' and looking for employment opportunities.  Not forgetting the two children and their needs as well as my own.

Never a dull moment.

Will be back after the wedding with hopefully more progress to report at a greater rate than I am currently able to do at this moment.  Fingers crossed no matter what.

To anyone who is struggling with this issue, just take heart, take a deep breath, take it slow and most of all be kind to yourself.  Don't beat yourself up if you don't do as much at first as you like.  Remember, slow and steady wins the race.  In the end and so will you.

Cheers all,
Anita

EXPECT UNEXPECTED HURDLES

Hi Guys,

Well, I was on a roll and then WHAM, smack in the face and now come to a sudden stop.

Had been tracking nicely, as I am getting the home front ready for 'if' or 'when' the time comes that I have to put the home up for sale at a moments notice.  Getting ready is imperative, as it will have an impact on the potential price I end up with for sure.

I had a plan to get the items from the side of the house sorted and dealt with and then deal with what was in the shed and was doing that quite nicely till my back went out.

When last I wrote, I was dealing with the stuff from the side that I knew not much could be saved, if at all.  I had this casual job at the time that re-injured my hip and back 'big time' and highlighted just what I could no longer do!   This was a major setback in more ways than one that I needed like a hole in the head.  All the years of work and effort that I had put in to improve my mobility was undone within a few short weeks and back to square one.

This is when you have to just take the knock and concentrate on what is important and prioritise in that order.  For me now that was about getting my health back on track, so I could finish what I had started.

This is what we got done back in mid January.

Zigis and a couple of his friends volunteered to help and here they are going in to bring the many boxes out to the backyard.



I had set up to sort through slowly under some shade to keep out of the heat.



This is some of what was carted out.
                         

This is just a small portion of what was tossed away.



My Viking Hat did not survive.



And here is the side now clear of all boxes.



                     

I knew much would be tossed, but I had to sort through to make sure I did not toss out any precious items.  My biggest fear was my home videos that I had been looking for.  And that fear was realised unfortunately.  Much had to be tossed, but a few home videos still  seemed okay.

Unfortunately, ants had decided these cassettes made for a nice warm dry nesting area and had to get rid of the ants first.  This took most of the day for them to realise and scatter to another part of the garden.  They were not happy about being kicked out of their nice cosy home.

Have copied what was left onto DVD and will do several copies just in case as back ups.  At least some of the precious moments in time have been saved.  I must admit that I did shed tears that much of the footage was lost.  However, one video that I wanted to find was of a dear friends wedding that I had filmed from in the morning to getting ready right through to the ceremony and reception.  Thank goodness that one survived.  The reason being this was important was that they had lost their copy that I had given them and the husband and a dear friend had passed away and my girlfriend was asking if I had the master tape still.  I am so happy that I am able to replace it.

Much of my designer clothing perished, but this item survived.  My monkey Versace shirt.  Up on eBay it will go.  Listed as "VINTAGE VERSACE Jeans Couture 'Circus Monkey Print' Aqua sheer rayon Shirt 90's".

                                  

  

Also, saved a few books, but not many.  Some of the books that were destroyed were old and of importance and irreplaceable and brought me to tears.  Not much can be done when fire or water get to certain items.  My daughters high school pottery and some items.





Due to being in pain and not being able to move, my work in sorting come to a complete halt.

Extremely frustrating to say the least.

Also, not overjoyed at the constant pain I now have to put up with, and if that is not enough, having to seek treatment to try and get back to being able to move normally again is taking a toll.  I will get there, but this has come at a cost, as in time, precious time that I do not have.  Time needed to sort.  Time to get things done that are now not getting done.

Seven whole weeks of lag in fact.

Am taking the appropriate measures to get my back on track.  Doctor, Chiropractor, pain killers, back brace and yes, even a walking stick.  Casual job has had to stop and now back to finding more suitable employment that wont do this to me again.  Will face this hurdle head on and deal with it I must.  Time waits for no one.  And this home wont sell itself.

It is these moments that tests our metal.

One would think that all workplaces have measures in place to keep workers safe from further harm or injury.  But life happens.

In the meantime, I just have to suck it up and do the best I can.  But the longer this takes, the less I am getting done and I was going great guns till this happened.  Hence, my frustration.

Oh, well.

Such is life.

Will be back to selling more via eBay.  A vintage 1950s Patio Umbrella being one in pristine condition and not faded or ripped.  Just smashing.  Hope it sells.  But not selling this one for a song either.  There will be a few items of interest that will are sure to be had.

Here it tis...

.... it's a beauty!

It is at these times when unexpected hurdles get thrown in front of you, that you have to remember to breathe and keep your sense of humour about you.  No point getting hot and bothered, as that is not going to resolve anything either.  I am just going to have to make do till I am able to move again and do what little I can as I can.

So for now it will be slow progress.

Around that time when I was sorting, we had these huge summer storms and this was the result from one that I thought I would share.  Just caught the tail end of this magnificent rainbow before it disappeared.

Fingers crossed that my progress wont fade away with it.

My back is not yet good enough to start the sorting again what is left from what was dragged out from the side, but am starting to do just a little at a time to keep me positive.

I will get this done by hook or by crook, one way or the other.  

Here's to getting my back better and the stuff out.

Till next time.

Cheers

Anita

CRY ME A RIVER.

Hi Guys,

New year, new day, new fresh start for many.  Happy New Year to you all.

As for my decluttering... well on my way now, but not quite there yet unfortunately.

This year is going to be my year I have decided.  Being both a Goat astrologically and that this coming year as of 19 February and born in the year of the Goat for the Chinese astrological calendar.  This has got to be a good sign.  Double Goatdom for me.

So, good things are going to happen as far as I can see.

If I say it.  It will happen.

I have realised looking back and taking stock once more that I have literally cried me a river in the last 9 years.

And the tears have streamed down for a lot of that time as well as since I have had this blog going to help keep me motivated to get to the bittersweet end.  That end will be when I can safely say, 'I'm done'.


 


The tears have flowed and no more so than today.

Why today?

Well, I finally got to that part, around the side of the house, that I knew would be fraught with horrors for me and just knew that there would be more tears involved.

I wasn't wrong.




As for what has happened since last I wrote.  Well, there is good news,

I made it to Christmas with the home intact.  I am still not out of the woods.  But I made it through when I thought all was doom and gloom.  It has given me hope and that much needed extra time to sort through more of the stuff to get to my next and hopefully more carefree and enjoyable chapter of my life's journey and adventures.  I would like to be young and healthy enough to enjoy them rather than endure them if I can.

With that in mind I have been madly purging, tossing and sorting much more than I could ever have hoped for.  A few friends at different times have come over to lend a hand and that makes it go faster and more out that door.  I have to say yet again how blessed I am with the best and how much I love them all and that a simple thank you is just not enough and will have to do something one day to show them how much I have appreciated all the help I have received so far.

                         

I have sorted through papers and I have sorted what was in the corridor finally and now tackling the dreaded side of the house.

Once I have dealt with that, I will then deal with the last of the horror places, which will be the shed.

After that it is just what's left under the carport and the attic, but that is not so bad, as that means I am on the home stretch.

In the meantime, seeing so much of my stuff in ruin from damp and the weather has saddened me to no end.  Some things where fine and yet others were just beyond salvation.

Time and mother nature has decided for me.  I have to accept that.  But the tears fell.

             

I cry for many reasons.  Sadness above all else.  I cannot not cry.  It just comes.





Good news is I am slowly getting to that place of being closer to the finish line.  When I do move, I certainly do not want to move all the stuff that is no longer usable or needed.

But the worst is almost over.

I can see the home stretch ahead of me.... I chose to think positively and not negatively!

Once I have the shed done the absolute worst of the worst side of this journey will have been faced and dealt with.

Most of my nightmares will have been faced.  Whether I have handled it well or not wont matter in the future.  What will matter is the quality of life I will have and that I will have broken the handing down of this undone work with my generation.  I will have saved this hell from my children in their old age.

In the corridor there where things that brought up so much pain.  I was able to let that wash over me and get rid of the pain along with the items that had that pain attached to it.  Hard for some to understand, but we all feel emotions in so many different ways that it is not the 'what' that causes the pain that should be considered, but the emotion itself.  No matter what the emotional pain is caused by we all experience it at some time or stage of our lives and our personal triggers can vary.  This just happens to be mine.

In the meantime I will continue to wish upon a star and keep on plugging on the best I can so that this particular horror story has an end and a happy one at that no matter how exhausted and bedraggled I may feel.

Now out the backyard to sort through what has to be binned and what can be salvaged if much at all.  So not looking forward to this.  But I must.

Reminding myself to breathe in and breathe out and be kind to myself.

Hopefully next time I will be on the home stretch.  That's me making great strides towards that finish line.

 


And counting my blessings.

Cheers all,
Anita