Consider me well and truly shoved!

Hi Guys,

Nothing like stating something publicly to get one going. 

Been a while since I renovated an entire Rosebud house (inside and out) with my friend Ali S.  I so enjoyed the wrecking side of the job.  But each part had it's joys and pitfalls.

Forgot though how long the prep work takes.  And as for enamel painting.  Far out.  The arm and back is buggered and I am only half way. 

Had to make a start on the windown frame before the helpers arrived as I wanted the windows to be dry to close.  So started with the top half.  May even get the pelment back up as well.  I might get lucky. 

Being white on white and in the sunlight you may not see the difference, but boy what an instant lift it does make.  Will try for a better shot later on when I do the doors where you will get to see the full impact.

In the meantime, my cherubs have arrived and have started cutting in on the feature wall.  We may have to make a dash for the paint shop as Imay not have enough to do that second coat.  So cutting in first just in case the shops are shut and then I can roll on my own tomorrow.  Well that's the plan.

This is worker cherub who I appreciate very much cutting in at skirting level.  My bones just wouldn't cope any more.  Better him than me.

And...

The other Boss cherub making sure the job is done just right.

She is so thrilled at my documenting this entire project!

Ah, the love of a child is so precious. 

Meanwhile, other child is playing guitar, but little does he know that he will be sanding the cupboard doors next!  A job that he is sure to enjoy immensely.

Well, I have achieved what I wanted to do and that is get me to do what needed to be done while the weather allowed.

Last will be resanding the skirting boards and the cupboard doors as well as both sides of the bedroom door.  May as well get the corridor side started.  Then the enamel paint on said skirting.  Now that will be fun for me.  Fine cutting in to be done here at floor level.  I can see massive amounts of back massages being needed during this process. 

And by making my new bedroom door newly painted, thus looking vastly different to the rest of the corridor will help motivate me to get that done next after the domino effect project after the bedroom is fully painted and fitted out.

One thing always leads to another.

Just finished the other half of painting the window frame. 

Just in the nick of time before the sunset!

At least this part is done and dusted and looking like I will be in said bedroom before Christmas. 

Now this will be a wonderful gift to self!

For the third and last time today,

Cheers
Anita - till next my instalment.

When push comes to shove!

Hi Guys,

Mini update and progress report number two, while I take a mini break and wait for my daughter and boyfriend to arrive.

Didn't want to not do what I intended to do and that was sand, dust, wipe and tape the window edges and panes.

Here is the little beauty that is my new friend for some time to come.  The borrowed Ryobi Yellow Peril.  Thanks to my gorgeous friend Ali S. for lending me this wonder.  It makes sanding so much faster and easier and less taxing on my back and arms.

The other Yellow Peril!

Managed to do all the little edges for the entire window which created loads of fine dust.  Made sure I wore the mask and eye protection.

So much dust.  Had to wipe down the feature wall as well.

Oops!  Oh well at least it isn't in my hair...

Or is it?  You probably cannot see the fine film of dust and I hope it comes out easily.

Taped all windows ready to paint without stressing about going on the window pane to make the job so much easier for me to do.  It is after all, all about the prep work.

Lick of paint coming up.

Next should be the feature wall being finished with the last coat.  Hope I don't have to get more paint for that and that what I have left is enough. 

After the wall and the window I have the skirting to do which is not so easy as down low and three large doors which is not so hard as I can use a mini roller for that.

At least I started as the weather is great for oil based paint to dry. 

Note to self - make sure no bugs fly in and get stuck in the paint.

Cheers
Anita now waiting on that help!

Need that all important nudge!

Hi Guys,

I am sitting here on this beautiful sunny day getting all my other stuff done instead of working on my new room, which I allocated this very day for self to do.  My daughter and her boyfriend will be here in a few hours to finish off the feature wall.  I need to do sanding and wont be able to after they paint!  At least till the paint dries.

So I decided to get on here.  Say that I am.  So that I will!

We shall see!

Back to here later and hopefully sooner rather than later.

Cheers
Anita - help gratefully received!!! 

Losing momentum is easy to achieve!

Hi Guys,

Boy o boy!  It doesn't take much to get sidetracked from one's task at hand.

Jobs, commitments (personal or otherwise), promises, wishes and life in general sure know how to get in the way of such a task.

I was meant to be happily esconsed in my newly painted room by now.  I am afraid to say that we have come to a complete halt mid project!

The last few weekends have been filled to the brim with voluntary work and other 'had to do' commitments.  These so called full weekends usually do not run back to back, but have right now just when I needed time on my side the very most.

This weekend is no exception.  Even taking into consideration this Tuesday being a public holiday here in Melbourne for the Spring Racing Carnival season.  Yes, the race that stops a nation is almost here - The Melbourne Cup!  I know what I will be doing.  Sanding and more sanding.  Then dusting, wiping and cleaning so I can finish the enamel painting. 

The weather has been too cold on the weekends to even be bothered to do a bit at a time. 

So, not only do I have the issue of 'downsizing', I now find myself inert and trying to find the motivation 'within'.  Not easy to find when one is prone to procrastinate anyway.

This stop-start bizo is not helping me with my end mission at all.

My daughter and her boyfriend will be here next weekend to finish the second coat for the feature wall and then they plan to move me in the weekend later if commitments allow.  This should put a bomb under my botbot.  As long as I am in by Christmas I will be a happy camper.  I have enforced holidays from the festive season time and hope to get the Dining Room table clear of the computer and my old childhood bedroom set up as a Study at long last.  Well, even though I am sounding like a record, that is the plan a least.

I have been having way too much fun outside of work and due to this getting even more tired to then do the extra's.  Never a good thing. 

I wont be able to buy the bedhead as planned and hope to Gumtree/eBay some items over the holidays to prop up the lack of funds to get me through the holidays.  Due to the enforced holiday taking, of which I have only accrued so many days of annual leave, 2 weeks in fact, the company is closing for 4 weeks!  Yeeks, which means a huge shortfall.  What with mortgage payments, Christmas, bills and so on it is going to be one 'stay at home holiday' and will be looking into free fun things to do.  I don't want my entire break to be spent on duty alone. 

I haven't had a true holiday, as in 'go away' somewhere exotic to be pampered in a very long time.  Years, in fact.  A lot of you reading this also haven't, of this I am sure.  I don't really mind, it just would be nice to do it without worrying about finances.  But, why should this Christmas be any different!  No matter, I wont have time to feel sorry as I have plenty to do and will be keeping myself busy, fruitfully or otherwise.  If the weather is good I will go to the beach or pool in my new cozie (bathers to those not from Australia) to get that holiday feel going.

Decluttering does at times take money to do, so this is going to impede my progress in some areas.  I will have to regroup and restrategise how to get around these issues so they don't become problematic.

I did go through a box last night with photos by Mum from a time long gone.  So many wonderful memories.  Here are one or two.

This one is with Mum, then myself (around 18), my big sis Sylvia who I miss dearly and Grandmum.  All gone and very much loved and in my heart.  This photo is on the steps of the house I now live - the family home.

 

This is of me at my confirmation and I was 19.  I am standing in the very spot of what is now the carport and where all the remaining boxes are stacked and need to be sorted through and dealt with.  When that day comes, all I can say is 'Oh, what a feeling!', and start running around doing a Flashdance sequence... well, maybe not.  Just may get inwardly excited instead.

This is the nice side to decluttering.  Unearthing these personal treasures and at times family history.

Have a few things other than the room to get done today.  Wish me luck to get the motivation and nice weather for Tuesday, which is a day off to take advantage of.

One day at a time folks.

I did google myself.  Yes, I did.  To find out how people see my blog.  Surprising what you find and what is out there.  Also, pieces are taken from what one has written and boy could you take some of that out of context. 

In the end, this blog is about taking away the shame and stigma attached to those who find themselves in a big mess of clutter no matter 'from-to' what degree or at least lessen the magnitute of that shame and stigma one can feel.  It is about being kind to yourself while going through this process.  It is about how to find your individual way to 'let go' of the stuff without being an emotional wreck and made to feel worthless. 

I decided to 'let it all hang out' here, so to speak, to see where this journey would take me and as we so often hear others say, 'I hope it helps even just one other person to cope and get through'. 

For me destigmatising this issue is most important.

I was asked to join in on a discussion on the topic of 'Hoarders' from an Internet Newspaper run from NYC area.  They contacted me that day, which meant in the middle of the night for me.  Being that I live in Australia I was still asleep.  Shame as by the time I contacted them the skype conference interview was already done and dusted. 

I viewed said piece, which was relatively handled well, with respect and compassion in most parts.  The panel of people were comprised of a medical expert on the subject that hoarding is a 'mental illness or disconnect', an elderly woman who grew up in a house of a hoarder and another younger woman who married a guy whose parent/s are hoarder/s. 

Notice there is 'NO ONE' who is an actual hoarder!!! 

The medical opinion was mainly concentrated on the severe end of the pendulum, which if you look at statistically is very minimal when taking in across the entire possible range.  By concentrating on that end alone it only serves to push those with a lesser degree of the problem to feel ashamed and go further underground to hide the fact and in so doing deny themselves the very help and assistance that they may need and compound their problem even further.  In what way does this help the person living in this situation?

The elderly woman went on about the filth and the fire hazard and how she felt about her Mum mainly.  Again, this case was at the extreme and severe end of the spectrum of hoarding.  One that obviously did need intervention, but threats made only isolated the person who was at the centre of this situation and would have benefited more with a show of compassion and respect rather than feel attacked.  Personal put downs never serve a purpose or achieve the end goal, which is to get the abode to a more acceptable level of healthy living.  This still can be achieved via kindness and a gently helping hand.  Whatever happened to encouragement!

The younger woman went on that this type of behaviour was 'abuse' of the children that live in such 'squalor' and was obviously very angry with her in-laws and went on to make the sweeping accusation that these children went without due to the 'stuff' being a priority.  I suspect there is more to this story than just the stuff.  She was extremely intolerant and she even made me feel like shit listening to her.  She continued to say police should be brought in to deal with these people.

Again, this is the extreme end of the spectrum. 

Well, if one had a problem, you certainly wouldn't tell her for fear of retribution.  Her apparent lack of empathy to find out what could be at the heart of her husbands families problems didn't seem important.  Just swift brutal action.  Don't think I would want her in my corner personally.

I can understand the frustration.  However, finger pointing and name calling just inflames the situation.  Never fixes it.

The interviewer did moderate by trying to keep the discussion on point.  The topic should have stated that it was dealing only with the severe end of the spectrum.  What we need is for the community to see that there are various degrees to what we term hoarding. All the main spokespersons had experience from the severe end of dealing with hoarding, apart from the medical expert the other two, especially the younger woman only saw this with massive emotional baggage and judgement.  Which in turn only serves to keep this cycle going that we are all trying to thwart or deminish. 

Not sure if I have made my point clear here, but hope so.  I suppose what I am trying to say is we shouldn't put all those with the problem of hoarding into one basket.  For example, are all those that drink alcohol - alcoholics and so forth.

The discussion should delve more into how it starts, where it starts, how it can easily happen and the fact that most who end up this way are usually elderly, sick or infirmed and need compassion and not disdain and judgemental assistance to get the job done.  Usually those helping and thankfully so have never had a problem with 'stuff', hence why I started this blog - to help those helping - whether a hoarder or not do it without making the one they are wanting to help the most feel worse than when they started. 

Being that I have the hoarding problem I wanted to help others via my own experience.  I still like my original quote from my very first entry on this blog well over a year ago now.  'This is not clutter!  These are my antiques!'

If it hadn't been for my children and friends, I don't know if I could have achieved what I have achieved thus far.  There have been a few who have made me feel like utter crap and made to feel like a bad person for allowing this to happen (as if I had a choice in the matter) and due to this have not asked for this so called 'strings attached help'.  Those few still mean well, but it is more toxic than the stuff around you to your emotional well being. 

It does have to be done firmly, yet with heart.  No bulldozers.  No accusations.  Better done without any 'how could you have let this happen' comments.  The start of decluttering and to keep the progress of working towards a better environment doesn't have to happen overnight either.  It can be an acceptable slow process.  As long as efforts are being made to rid oneself of the unnecessary items that clutter their day to day daily movement.

At least this Internet Newspaper tried to address what is a topic fraught with such emotion.  Albeit in one portion of the topic.

I don't like the fact that I have inherited this situation, but moaning about it wont make it go away.  I never made my Mum feel 'bad' that this is what happened.  Not once.  I am essentially a positive person and decided to be proactive about the stuff instead.  I knew it would take me years and knowing this made it easier to decide to be kind to myself and try to deal with the stuff slowly with a plan much like a domino effect by compartmentalise how to go about getting the massive job started let alone continued with the vision to be done. 

However, my own health and commitments didn't allow me to do as much as I wanted to like when I was much younger.  With that in mind, I paced myself and prioritised the job with areas in mind.  With patience that I needed in abundance, as there are times when you have to wait for the next step to happen, I slowly began to see results.  What helped me was taking photos and lots of them for my eyes only at first of what I was initially dealing with and then as each step got done.  Very much like a time lapse.  It is amazing how we forget visually and these photos served me well to help keep me going.  If I ever began to feel I was getting nowhere and this happens often.  I would just remind myself what I started out with and where I was now by these visual props.

I don't like the fact that some people do look down on me.  However, those who know me and love me know better and that is where I draw my strength from.  I cannot concentrate on the negative.  If I did then that would be the end of me and getting anything done at all.  Also, I am truly blessed that most of my neighbours have been empathetic to my plight and have been nothing but supportive.

Overall, I hope that if you ever see a person appear to struggle or you suspect that they are struggling that you would offer to lend a hand without judgment or expectation in place of criticising.  It is amazing what one simple kind act can do and lead to.

It can and you may as well as expect that this will be a long drawn out process as it has been for me as I knew it would.  I use humour to get through and on with it.  Life is far too short.  I know I could have gone gangbusters had my health allowed, but I had to deal with my personal situation the best way I knew how and also keeping in mind my children.  In my plan I chose to put people ahead of the job of gettng rid of the stuff.  My children and friends come first and the next is work.  Only after that comes dealing with the 'stuff'. 

I chose to be kind to myself. 

I choose to live a life that matters and what matters are my children and wonderful dear friends.

After all, it may be unimportant stuff to you, but think about how you would feel if someone judged you on 'deciding' that you have too much and came in and touched everything and tossed it all in a bin in front of you and you were powerless to do anything about it. 

Food for thought for those who fortunately don't have the problem, but may have a family member that they see struggle with stuff. 

What is important to you may not be important to another.  This very comment may assist those that 'don't understand' to understand even just a little bit better how it feels to go through this process.

This issue of struggle and what I have shared I hope clarifies for those who do not struggle with stuff to even 'sort of' get it and also for all of us who do or don't get each other.
Again, all I can say is, be kind to thy self and take it one day at a time, breathe in breathe out and if all else fails go out and have a laugh instead.

Hopefully, by the next time the painting will be done. 

If not, you have my permission to 'get on my case'!

Did I just write that!  Be brave... leave it in... till then...

Cheers
Anita

Keep on keeping on... like a Berger paint!

Hi Guys,

Two weeks on and living in amongst the mess again is making me want to get this over and done with and into that room so the domino effect avalanche can commence.

The white I chose for the walls had no definition to the ceiling white so have regrouped and have this very pale lilac to do the second coat with, one that will compliment the feature wall. 

I also discovered there is a water based gloss paint for skirtings, doors and window froms along with the pelmet.  It isn't as shiny as the oil based gloss, but will be easier to deal with environmentally though.  Also got a new extension pole and roller as the other one finally bit the dust.

My daughter and her fella are coming soon to take the pelmet down so I can finish the first coat until they have a weekend that they have free to come and finish the second coat so I can then do the skirtings, window frames, pelmet and doors.

Even looked into bed bases as I think I may as well have what I want in situ from the start, rather than wait.  It is going to look so good. 

This is the pelmet still attached.

We found out the pelmet was nailed in, but we got it off without any damage.

Okay, yet again it is now another two weeks on and have painted the last part above the window and filled in the gaps of the window inside sill and sanded back the parts that needed doing.

As you can see the inside now looks fantastic and will look even better after a sand once fully dry.  However, the outside is looking rather grim and that my friends is a whole other story and will need to be dealt with over summer and a patch job at that.

First, the ceiling needed that second coat along with the cornices.

Next up was that second coat for the ceiling.

Looking good.

While that was going on the cutting in was being done of the second coat for the walls with the 'new' chosen colour and it was coming up beautifully.  As you can see my daughter is overjoyed with this task.
 

Finally, subtle definition.  It doesn't show very well in this photo, but you just might make out the difference.



I am keen to keep a record of the transformation.

Here you see my daughter is thrilled to death as well at my enthusiasm!

One...

Two...

Three... with the same joy and enthusiasm she showed me previously!

We were going to leave it there, but we felt we could just fit in the feature wall with cutting in and lick of paint.

My daughter's has continued displays of joy and affection as you can see.

Meanwhile, my son is learning the art of supervising.  Little does he realise I will be getting him the sand the skirting for me after I sugar soap wash them all.

The results are stunning, but will need a second coat for sure.  I must state her my daughters cutting in was meticulous.  All that art experience coming to the fore.

From one angle...

Now the other... the V, I suspect helped in getting the job done!

It really is looking fabulous. 

You may have started to think you are reading a 'how to' blog by now and not a helping hoarders blog!  I wouldn't blame you.  However, I am detailing this as it does show how slow the progress can be and that patience in abundance is required.

Also, when one starts something it can blow out due to unforseen events and add weeks to the anticipated time frame.  This then impacts on 'getting rid of the 'stuff''. 

You will see by the wardrobe how dirty it looks against the fresh paint.  Now that I was not 'really' (well kinda, sorta, maybe have to) do!!!  But, looking at the skirting, window frames and doors it was screaming out 'DO ME'!!!  Well, you know what I mean.

Thinking I was going to do a 'water' base gloss was a grand idea till I got to the paint store.  Apparently what is there first is what is best to do over.  Decide to get heaps of paint brushes and minimise the turpintine usage. 

Good to his word son sanded the skirting after all were washed.  I sanded the pelmet and have given this it's first coat of plain basic white.  The lift was instantaneous.

Only two more licks to go and then I start on the skirting and will do a coat every second day to allow my back much needed time inbetween floor work, which really is a pain in the old proverbial.

Photos to follow as the ones I took of the pelmet I took on my mobile and for some reason not coming through. 

As it happens my wonderful and generous neighbour called me to let me know her back gate was now fixed and I can retrieve the last few items when I was ready.  I am ready now, but the room isn't. 

Cannot wait to move in... I can feel it now how good it will be... I am itching to go... time... why... must be patient.  Christmas is looming and I so want the dining room back for the first time in 6 years... patience now... just breathe... breathe in breathe out breathe in breathe out... ah that's better.

Hopefully, we will get the last coat of the feature wall done soon.  In the meantime, I need to get the skirting and pelmet painted with the enamel gloss and the top part of the window so the pelmet can be replaced.  Then I need to ask a gorgeous friend who may be reading this, yes, you Ali S, I will need to borrow the sander to sand the all the doors.  Way too many to do by hand.  Will be calling you shortly. 

So there you go folks.  This is how easy it is to get sidetracked by life and events for the hoarders tasks.  Easy peasey!

I hope that I will be in this room by early November now! 

We shall see soon enough, wont we now!

Cheers one and all
Anita who is still gettin there... and taking it one day... no scratch that... one week at a time.

Update on the Paint Date!

Hi Guys,

True to my daughters word, she and her fella came over yesterday to start painting the now vacated room.  I had been busy through the week as usual with my 'day' job, but still managed to get ceiling paint, along with paint for the walls, including choosing a feature colour.

I bought said paint on special and will get some more as this special lasts till the 18th of this month.  I also got some cheap paint trays with the throw away liners, some rollers (have the extension pole from my days renovating the Rosebud house with Ali S and my first 'bought' Unit via the horrendous Ministry of Housing Loan in East St. Kilda), paint brushes for cutting in etc and drop sheets I have plenty of at home. 

Good to go.

Decided on keeping the ceilings just white.  KISS - keep it simple stupid. 

Wanted a warm white for the walls, which I chose one called Orchid White.  As for the feature wall I am going to go bold and go for Aubergine!

Here is the sample of Orchid White.  It is the top LHS of the photo.  Amazing how many whites there are!

And here is the sample of the feature wall colour.

It looks a little darker than what you see here.  This colour will compliment what I have already in bed linen, curtains, lamps and furniture.

The day has finally arrived and my handy helpers arrive late.  My daughter had no concept of the preparation involved and how lengthy a process this can be.  She thought we would be finished that day!!!  Hilarious.

Walls get washed and carpet vacuumed.  Curtains taken down and given a wash since Mum died, almost 5 years now.  What furniture is left in the room is moved to the centre and covered.  There are some cracks that I had overlooked so had to run down to the local hardware store to pick up some filler and sandpaper while the room is being prepped.

The photo below shows the room in all its original glory.  When Dad was alive he regularly painted going from room to room every second year so by the time he got back to the beginning it was time for a spruce up.  Dad died over 10 years ago and this room was one of the ones he was getting round to do, hence it had been a long time in-between licks of paint and TLC by him.

Back to fill those cracks.

There is some movement and I suspect the window sill needs attention with puttying on the outside as well as on the inside.  Dad was constantly attending to this particular area over the years.

Aija started with the cornices, while Keith started on the ceilings and I did some cutting in on the feature wall.

Now this is white and bright.  Will lift the room to no end.

Once the feature wall was undercoated I left the 2 to it and periodically came in to help.  I think the fumes from the paint got to them in the end and we had the proverbial 'sillies'. 

Here is a pictorial explanation as to why.

Aija making a final statement with her hand prints just like when she was 4 years old.

Then from this...

To this...

You may not see it, but her nose was rolled!



And the fun just kept on like a Berger paint!  (And by the way that wasn't the paint I was using!)  Somewhere around now my roller extension broke, but this didn't stop the continuing fun.

Tit for tat continued...

But I had to intervene once I saw this...

Way too much fun and frivolity was being had.  That and it was dark and time for them to both go to get ready to go out to celebrate their one year anniversary.

I finished off the paint while they cleaned up a bit and I then cleaned the rollers and brushes once they left. 

The Orchid White was looking rather 'WHITE' with no contrast to the ceiling.  I may have to rethink the wall colour.  On the sample next to Orchid White was another that maybe suitable and would give that much needed definition, yet still compliment my chosen feature wall. 

Today you could barely see the difference between the wall and ceiling whites.  Will be better able to see and decide once the afternoon sun hits the room.

However, I did find this under one of the drop sheets!!!  There had to be some sort of payola for all that fun and frivolity!

Here is how it looks in the light of day...

The first coat is almost finished and we will only be able to come back to finish the job in 2 weeks time due to commitments.  Also, by doing this it has highlighted the area of doors, skirting and the pelment now looking decidedly tired and in need of fresh paint also.  I will endeavour to do just that by then or before I set up my bedroom.  At least then the painting will be done.

The only thing the room will need after that will be one of those new holland blinds.  Then and only then will the room be complete.

It was such a joy to have this work done amongst peels of laughter and commaraderie without frustration, which I have always found to be unnecessary.  This was a welcome change from my past partners way of doing things.  Much nicer memories being made now.  My son even commented how wonderful it was to muck in and muck around.

It is abundantly clear that I wont be in my new bedroom for some weeks as on another note my neighbour who is still housing a few pieces of furniture for me had her gate fall due to the recent high gusts of winds and is now blocking the garage with no access.  Due to the fact that the room is taking time to complete, I do not see this as an issue. 

All will happen in good time.

This is where one has to decide is the stress of worrying worth it or choose to go with the flow.  I am now flowing like a massive river.

Once I am in the said bedroom and the pieces of furniture across the road have been placed and the dining room reclaimed only then will it finally start to feel like a real home.

Don't get me wrong, there is still much more to do, but to me this is my peak, my hurdle and from this point on I will have broken the camel's back finally and on the homeward bound stretch at long last. 

I will see a glimmer of light once we get past that point.

Sometimes we have to wait for what we want.  Other times we have to pursue and never give up for what we want.  Many times we have to struggle for it.  On the rare times it comes naturally.  In the end no matter how you do it or how you get it done, it will be worth it.

Don't listen to those who say you are too slow in decluttering or criticise what you are or are not throwing out.  Where does it say it has to be fast and by what authority.  If you are on your own you can only go at your pace.  And most who put you down tend to talk only and never even consider offering to help either.

Just do it for yourself and know that there is no 'right or wrong' way.  Just 'the' way. 

Hope this makes sense as I have listened to others in the past, which has got me into the deep depths of sadness and lacking in self-confidence, which only made matters worse not better.  You find yourself in a funk that is hard to get out and then those that have put you down in the first place just see it as you procrastinating even more rather than them having affected your state of emotion and or mind set. 

So don't listen.  Be kind to thy self first and foremost.  In the end it is you who has to live with the outcome.

Also, had an email from my secret weapon, Kim the hoarder's helper.  I had told her about the plans with Aija way back when and was following up on where I was currently at.  Will let her know that after the move into the bedroom I will be in need of a day of her services to get the lounge finalised for Christmas and maybe squeeze in one more before then to get the Kitchen all ship shape.  That second part is the plan, but I may need to be flexible on that part of the plan. 

I am so glad I found her as she really is a huge help.  She gets alot done and heads you in a direction that you may not have otherwise thought of.  That and extremely helpful and encouraging.

Will add more soon as this has now gotten longer than I had at first intended.

If nothing else just remember one thing.  BE KIND TO YOURSELF.  It is afterall 'just stuff'.  You come first not the stuff. 

As for me, I now take it one day at a time.  Slowly, slowly, I am getting there.

Hope this helps in some way some one or more who may be having a hard time going through the process of coming to terms with stuff.  Whether you inherited it or gathered it together yourself just take your time, make a plan and disect it into smaller compartments and then take a deep breath and just start.  Dive right in.  Even if it is just one item at a time with months inbetween.  Trust me. 

You will feel alot better and as time goes by that one item becomes two and the months begin to be weeks and so forth, hence, why I don't focus on the 'time' factor and rather on the 'out' factor. 

And one more thing.  If I can make it possible to take the shame away, that sting of judgement that one can feel from others when one goes through this unique experience then I will be content.

The power after all else is with you in the end.  All you have to do is just find that power within.

Cheers all,
Anita - finally finding that power and taking it back.