Hi Guys,
Since my last entry I have seen the hospital surgeons and have found out that my bone issue in my left pelvic region was a time bomb just waiting to happen. With a series of events that led to this point of years of wear and tear. At my ripe old age, I was told I had a birth defect where the ball sat just outside the socket of the pelvic bone. I had complained since I can remember periodic pain in my left hip. Now I know why.
Well, no wonder I had been slowed down.
I have been still tossing more stuff, albeit ever more slowly. Instead of a trickle, it is now down to a very slow drip. Still adds up and still on it's way out.
The arrangement with my son-in-law is working a treat. Being that my bin can only take so little, I bag up what I cannot fit and then he picks them up and takes all of it away every few weeks. Just brilliant and cannot thank him enough. This help is invaluable and spurs me on to do what I can as I can. It is this kind of help that will get me across the line one day.
Once I am in for surgery I will be out of action for a minimum of 3 months. I will be having 3 procedures that can be done in the one surgery. Bone graft to seal the 4cm hole blasted right through my left pelvic bone, pelvic bone reconstruction so the ball fits nicely and hip replacement.
I will be in for some serious physio. No lifting for some months I am sure. I will be having this operation within the next few weeks to months. After rehabilitation and healing I will be able to speed up the process of decluttering. I anticipate to be able to do more than I have ever been able to do in a long time. This I am looking forward to.
As frustrated by this as I am, I have to remain resolute and not allow this set back to stop what little progress I am still managing to achieve. This is when the power of how one thinks does help. In the past I had let it get to me. Now I point blank refuse for that to happen. Being kind to myself is one thing. Being positive is even better. It really does make a difference. Small or big is better than nothing done.
In regards to me, the good news is they do not think there will be any cancer. I have decided that even if this turns out to be different I am just going to fight it. With or without cancer, I still have a huge road ahead of me. One I intend to make work to be better than before. One thing I am looking forward to is the thought of 'no constant grinding pain'. At least that is what I have been told to expect.
I will be MIA (missing in action) for some time over the next few months.
I will be back one day and expect to be able to report my new found energy and ability to get things done.
In the meantime, be kind to yourself when dealing with your stuff. Know that no matter how little or how long it takes, the more you toss the closer you get to where you need to be, which is clutter free.
I think the pain is getting to me. I am being far too philosophical.
All good.
See you on the flip side.
Ciao for now.
Anita
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Sunday, 4 October 2015
WHAT TO DO WHEN FACING YET ANOTHER MAJOR SET-BACK?
Hi Guys,
Good question. I have had far too many for my liking.
Anyway, been a few months since you all have heard from me.
And not great news as to why.
First, I did get a few large items out for the Council Hard Rubbish Collection in August. It was at this time I made plans to bag up any unwanted items as I went through boxes to be collected that would not fit into my weekly bin. It was proving to be a slow process. A friend offered to pick up the overflow of rubbish bags to place in a large industrial bin in order to help me speed up the process. This has proven to be most helpful, but not at the rate I expected due to my ability to move becoming poorer by the month.
Secondly, another friend offered to sell my market items to help me clear them out of my lounge room. Being that they are doing all the work, we agreed on splitting 50/50 on any of the items sold. This way we help each other. Win win as far as I am concerned. This freed up my lounge room a lot.
Then the proverbial hit the fan.
I got the results and reason behind the pain I had for the last 10 months.
Long story short my pelvic bone has a rather large hole right through it. Wont go into it now and don't know much more than that and will be seeing a ortho surgeon soon. I shall know by end of October what is involved and where I head from here. This means I have to be very very careful as to what I physically do. No heavy lifting and so on.
After the first surgery I will only know then what I am facing.
This news was a major set-back. I was gutted. Bigger than any I have had to face before.
I so wished my Mum and big sis were here to talk to. I needed to talk it through. Fortunately I was able to talk to a few close friends in order to wrap my brain around this news.
After the initial shock, I have come to terms with what is about to take place with all the wonderful advice and kind words and feel I can now face whatever head on.
These constant road blocks pop up that impede the decluttering process. Life events get in the way. I had to take a very deep breathe, find my good humour and inner strength that I seemed to have lost.
Slowly finding my way back.
No point complaining. Just have to get on with it regardless, come what may.
This means my life has been turned upside down. I know I will be facing bone grafts, months of healing and goodness knows what else. However, it also means that there is a light at the end of that tunnel. The prize of being able to once more physically finish this massive decluttering job Mum left me with finally. All going well.
My brass bed that I acquired before this health issue became more and more difficult to get in and out of and obviously had to go as soon as possible. I already have another bed set up and my much loved brass bed dismantled ready to sell. One gorgeous brass bed ends and base coming up for sale on eBay.
I am still managing to get more out, even though it is at a now very slow rate. I am determined not to let this get me down. I will not be beaten.
I am sorting through every facet of my life in order to withstand this up and coming year long interruption. Meaning updating my Will, information known to my two children and even Power of Attorney just in case. I sound rather grim, but, best to be prepared as my time in hospital and rehab could be goodness knows how long and I still have a home to hang onto.
I am a big believer and superstitious at having things organised. That way nothing bad will happen. My superstition and has worked for me in the past.
Not much else I can do really.
I will continue to do what little I can, as much as I can, as long as I can.
I have photos, but not the energy to share them at this time. These will have to wait.
In the meantime, for those who struggle with clutter, be it large or small, don't let it get you down or stop you. You can and you will toss the stuff out. I can promise that once you start you will find your momentum and get the job done. Mine was such a mammoth one and even bad health is not going to stop me.
I more than likely wont be on here often over the next few months to come, but will check in from time to time.
Stay positive. Keep your humour. And above all else be kind to yourself. I am.
Ciao till next time,
Anita
Good question. I have had far too many for my liking.
Anyway, been a few months since you all have heard from me.
And not great news as to why.
First, I did get a few large items out for the Council Hard Rubbish Collection in August. It was at this time I made plans to bag up any unwanted items as I went through boxes to be collected that would not fit into my weekly bin. It was proving to be a slow process. A friend offered to pick up the overflow of rubbish bags to place in a large industrial bin in order to help me speed up the process. This has proven to be most helpful, but not at the rate I expected due to my ability to move becoming poorer by the month.
Secondly, another friend offered to sell my market items to help me clear them out of my lounge room. Being that they are doing all the work, we agreed on splitting 50/50 on any of the items sold. This way we help each other. Win win as far as I am concerned. This freed up my lounge room a lot.
Then the proverbial hit the fan.
I got the results and reason behind the pain I had for the last 10 months.
Long story short my pelvic bone has a rather large hole right through it. Wont go into it now and don't know much more than that and will be seeing a ortho surgeon soon. I shall know by end of October what is involved and where I head from here. This means I have to be very very careful as to what I physically do. No heavy lifting and so on.
After the first surgery I will only know then what I am facing.
This news was a major set-back. I was gutted. Bigger than any I have had to face before.
I so wished my Mum and big sis were here to talk to. I needed to talk it through. Fortunately I was able to talk to a few close friends in order to wrap my brain around this news.
After the initial shock, I have come to terms with what is about to take place with all the wonderful advice and kind words and feel I can now face whatever head on.
These constant road blocks pop up that impede the decluttering process. Life events get in the way. I had to take a very deep breathe, find my good humour and inner strength that I seemed to have lost.
Slowly finding my way back.
No point complaining. Just have to get on with it regardless, come what may.
This means my life has been turned upside down. I know I will be facing bone grafts, months of healing and goodness knows what else. However, it also means that there is a light at the end of that tunnel. The prize of being able to once more physically finish this massive decluttering job Mum left me with finally. All going well.
My brass bed that I acquired before this health issue became more and more difficult to get in and out of and obviously had to go as soon as possible. I already have another bed set up and my much loved brass bed dismantled ready to sell. One gorgeous brass bed ends and base coming up for sale on eBay.
I am still managing to get more out, even though it is at a now very slow rate. I am determined not to let this get me down. I will not be beaten.
I am sorting through every facet of my life in order to withstand this up and coming year long interruption. Meaning updating my Will, information known to my two children and even Power of Attorney just in case. I sound rather grim, but, best to be prepared as my time in hospital and rehab could be goodness knows how long and I still have a home to hang onto.
I am a big believer and superstitious at having things organised. That way nothing bad will happen. My superstition and has worked for me in the past.
Not much else I can do really.
I will continue to do what little I can, as much as I can, as long as I can.
I have photos, but not the energy to share them at this time. These will have to wait.
In the meantime, for those who struggle with clutter, be it large or small, don't let it get you down or stop you. You can and you will toss the stuff out. I can promise that once you start you will find your momentum and get the job done. Mine was such a mammoth one and even bad health is not going to stop me.
I more than likely wont be on here often over the next few months to come, but will check in from time to time.
Stay positive. Keep your humour. And above all else be kind to yourself. I am.
Ciao till next time,
Anita
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE'S STILL MUCH TO DO & NOTHING"S GETTING DONE!
Hi Guys,
Well, hate to say that not much progress has been made.
Main reason being, the procedure I had, that I was hoping to get rid of my pain, got worse since last December, and only partly worked with the lower back and leaving the left hip still in agony, which in turn affects what I can get done.
As in ~ not done.
This is so frustrating.
Trying hard to remember to breathe and hang onto my sense of humour as well as my home.
This was not part of the plan. I was so on track till this hurdle came my way.
This is when I have to remind myself that there is not much I can do about it other than to keep plugging away to find what the underlying problem is and then find out what can be done to fix it or lessen the pain so that I can move again and get back on track with my clutter and life. This all takes time. Also, being on pain killers long term is not ideal. If one can avoid pain killers, then that would be the best outcome.
Have made small strides during these last months and is better than nothing at all.
But not near enough to make me smile.
The progress I wish to achieve still continues to be just out of my reach.
Being that this winter feels more super cold to me than ever before does not help me to get out under the carport either. The effort to move is excruciating and in the end all I can do is to concentrate on getting the essentials done barely.
Feeling oh so over not being able to get things done due to this never ending pain cycle.
Days are flying by and am getting worried that I wont get enough done by the end of this year.
In light of what is happening will now be a tall ask.
In the meantime, am right in the middle of the interim period of readjusting the finances. Will know in the next few months if these measures will be enough to help me limp across the line long enough to hold onto the homestead till the ideal time for me to sell.
The only good news is my weight has stayed steady. Even though I have stalled in this area of continuing the loss of kilos, and 22 kilos is nothing to sniff at, I plan to get back into the routine, once I get my head space right again, towards that healthier me I need to be.
There are a few more kilos to go and they need to go for good just like the inherited clutter.
All I have to do now is transfer that success of loss of kilos across to the final chapter of my de-cluttering. And when I look back and remember where I started from with all the stuff, I sure have come a long way. A friend who came to my home not long after Mum passed away saw the situation I had been landed in and just the other day, now almost 8 years on, reminded me how much I had done and how far I have come. That meant the world to me and has spurred me on to that ever so close finish line.
However, the pain is the sticking point at this moment in time in getting to said such finish line.
As you can see, every aspect of my life is under fire. I just have to hang in there.
Not long to go till August for the next council hard rubbish collection to purge more stuff and when my family are free to help with the physical side at this time. Looking forward to this and cannot happen soon enough.
Brief and sweet this time.
Trying not to let this get me down to the point where I stop.
After all, there is still tomorrow as Scarlett would have thought.
And I shall do the same!
So, ciao for now,
Anita
ps. Next update will more than likely be after the August council hard rubbish collection. Till then take care and keep up the purging of 'stuff and clutter'.
Well, hate to say that not much progress has been made.
Main reason being, the procedure I had, that I was hoping to get rid of my pain, got worse since last December, and only partly worked with the lower back and leaving the left hip still in agony, which in turn affects what I can get done.
As in ~ not done.
This is so frustrating.
Trying hard to remember to breathe and hang onto my sense of humour as well as my home.
This was not part of the plan. I was so on track till this hurdle came my way.
This is when I have to remind myself that there is not much I can do about it other than to keep plugging away to find what the underlying problem is and then find out what can be done to fix it or lessen the pain so that I can move again and get back on track with my clutter and life. This all takes time. Also, being on pain killers long term is not ideal. If one can avoid pain killers, then that would be the best outcome.
Have made small strides during these last months and is better than nothing at all.
But not near enough to make me smile.
The progress I wish to achieve still continues to be just out of my reach.
Being that this winter feels more super cold to me than ever before does not help me to get out under the carport either. The effort to move is excruciating and in the end all I can do is to concentrate on getting the essentials done barely.
Feeling oh so over not being able to get things done due to this never ending pain cycle.
Days are flying by and am getting worried that I wont get enough done by the end of this year.
In light of what is happening will now be a tall ask.
In the meantime, am right in the middle of the interim period of readjusting the finances. Will know in the next few months if these measures will be enough to help me limp across the line long enough to hold onto the homestead till the ideal time for me to sell.
The only good news is my weight has stayed steady. Even though I have stalled in this area of continuing the loss of kilos, and 22 kilos is nothing to sniff at, I plan to get back into the routine, once I get my head space right again, towards that healthier me I need to be.
There are a few more kilos to go and they need to go for good just like the inherited clutter.
All I have to do now is transfer that success of loss of kilos across to the final chapter of my de-cluttering. And when I look back and remember where I started from with all the stuff, I sure have come a long way. A friend who came to my home not long after Mum passed away saw the situation I had been landed in and just the other day, now almost 8 years on, reminded me how much I had done and how far I have come. That meant the world to me and has spurred me on to that ever so close finish line.
However, the pain is the sticking point at this moment in time in getting to said such finish line.
As you can see, every aspect of my life is under fire. I just have to hang in there.
Not long to go till August for the next council hard rubbish collection to purge more stuff and when my family are free to help with the physical side at this time. Looking forward to this and cannot happen soon enough.
Brief and sweet this time.
Trying not to let this get me down to the point where I stop.
After all, there is still tomorrow as Scarlett would have thought.
And I shall do the same!
So, ciao for now,
Anita
ps. Next update will more than likely be after the August council hard rubbish collection. Till then take care and keep up the purging of 'stuff and clutter'.
Thursday, 30 April 2015
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.
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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
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
Saturday, 21 March 2015
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
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
Sunday, 22 February 2015
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".
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
Sunday, 11 January 2015
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.
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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
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