Continuing to Feel More in Control

I've been doing pretty darn good at staying focused on the things I really need to do. I did not bid on what is possibly the most beautiful wallpaper I've ever seen. A friend of mine won it and she lives near me so I'll be getting me some even if it takes a little aggression to acquire it or bribery. Whatever works. I'll figure it out :).

I've heard from lots of other hoarders and received some good advice. Both Sarah and Michelle suggested Freecycle which has groups all over the U.S. devoted to recycling and reducing the amount of crap that goes into our landfills. Be sure to see if there is a group in your community. Of course there isn't one in mine. I considered starting one, but felt like that would be taking this healthy-level-of-collecting-and-discarding thing a little over the top. Who am I kidding? I'll never be that mentally healthy. Laura (if you have a blog Laura, let me know) suggested donating to the school. DUH! I can't believe I didn't think of it myself considering I spent 3 years volunteering as the art teacher's helper and am aware of how much they need ANYTHING. BTW, I'll be volunteering again next year when Jackson starts kindergarten. Can't wait. I learn so much from those young people and their art. Kim suggested selling my extra stuff on ebay or etsy and donating the proceeds. Great idea and makes me realize I also have a greed problem that should probably be addressed, but I think I'll get my new wood floors and my studio finished before I deal with that little problem. Candice says cleaning the work space every day when you finish is called "equalizing" by the professional organizers. I've been doing it since I did the big clean out and it's a HUGE burden lifter for me. Tim Holtz does it every day. Well, every day he's creating in his studio and not jetting all over the world!

Candice also said I should go ahead and schedule the installation of my wood floors in order to force myself to get it done. Brian and I discussed that this morning and that's what we plan to do. However, what Candice doesn't realize is I need to first paint the entire interior of the house, minus the kids rooms because they are done, and Brian and I had planned to do the painting ourselves. It's this plan that is keeping the whole project on hold. So, we decided this morning, we will hire someone to do all the painting. We will schedule it and be forced to get the house prepared for the painters by a certain date. After the paint comes the wood floors....then the DECORATING!! Brian doesn't begin to have time to do the interior painting anyway and we aren't really all that good at it. Much better to call in the professionals. I HATE taping off and caulking.

My through-thick-and-thin friend William, says he loves me just the way I am. Thank you my precious enabler. I love you too. Finally, it's clear that me, Jeanne, Cerri, and Heather are just plain screwed up. I did buy two things from ebay yesterday, but they were cheap and I need them. Really, I do. Oh! When the mail came yesterday, I spotted John barreling up my drive and thought, "what the hell is he doing pulling in??? I don't have that much stuff coming." Well, this and one other box is what he hauled in.

I told John I must have been drunk when I ordered it because I had no recollection. Of course I don't drink much at all so I thought maybe my xanax had kicked in. Anyway, I opened the smaller box and put away the contents (already can't remember what it was) then I was ready to see what was in this HUGE box and try to figure out where the heck I was going to put the stuff. Then I saw them. The words Media Mail. Awe....a cookbook lot I got for William. Not my clutter. Relief. Kendra's problem not mine.

I'll wind this up by saying I am so very glad my dad was a pack rat. My mother was little-miss-perfect who never knew a day of clutter in her life, but Dad, oh my.....the King of clutter. If it weren't for him I would not have the old wood burning stove from Grandma and Grandpa's farm. The South Place where my mom was born. Who, I say, who would throw away something that dates all the way back to The South Place???? Mom and Grandpa that's who, but NOT Dad. He carted that thing home to our storage shed and now it resides in my storage shed :). Where it should be. I mean it is from The South Place. I also wouldn't have this gem if it weren't for my dad.

My grandparents first telephone. "Sarah, would you get me the diner?" (you've got to be an Andy Griffith fan to get it). Honestly, though, who wouldn't want this?? It weighs just about a thousand pounds. Brian was afraid it might take our wall out if we hung it. It didn't.

Okay, I've got lots more to say, but I'll save it for another day. Oh....I'm putting these little flocked packs in my etsy shop.

Just two for now. See if anyone is interested. It's an assortment of 12 patterns each 5x7. Thanks to all of you who have commiserated with me on the hoarding issue. Hopefully, they are making strides in finding a cure :).

Comments

[Jeanne]

Sounds like you are getting things under control. Calling the painters in and the hardwood floor installers is such a good start! My DH and I tend to try to do everything ourselves too and so ultimately nothing ever gets done because we are both just plain burned out. I did go the the bookstore yesterday, but came home empty-handed with the exception of a hazelnut latte. I had a couple books in my hand but put them back on the shelves. I am so proud of myself. As Heather puts it...baby steps!
xo
jeanne

[Alice dR]

I'm a hoarder too. I buy lots of stuff thinking I'll use it soon and then it just piles up. Now, I see that I've got the greed problem also. I purchased both of the wallpaper packs and then read your blog and saw that you only made a couple of them. Nothing worse than a greedy hoarder! Isn't there another name for someone like that? Must join you in this quest for a cure!

[candice]

Yay for you! Your space looks better already! I'm so glad you are hiring painters. It's that first big step and it'll provide the momentum to keep going. "Equalizing" refers to daily living, too, like my biggest downfall, hanging up my clothes (my husband doesn't know what a closet is for). So every day I tell myself, "Time to equalize your clothes!" I am deeply envious of the telephone. I also come a family pack rats--when I went to a rich friend's expensive but minimalist house, I said, "Where is your *stuff?*"

[candice]

Just found this quote (not in my mess!): "Art is the triumph over chaos." John Cheever

[Will]

Thank God you are, "Calling the man, Aunt Bea" your back could not--NOT withstand a grueling Brian fueled project. I was gobsmacked reading that paragraph and then euphoria set in with this, "Whew! when you came to your senses.

[Tina Wright]

Good for you!! "your are getting off the pot" as my granny used to say~I don't think she was talking about wackyweed either..lol.. and getting things done!! love it!! go girl!!

[Carol/SassafrasandLuLu]

just had a chance to quickly read your recent posts...i get lost in my never ending stuff to do. I am sure you have touched a part of many of us who struggle w/these issues..mine is little piles and disorganization, coupled w/i am running out the door last minute to get the little gals to school on time and later in the day i notice i never even combed my hair.... workin on STUFF TOO! making time to craft and space to do what i love. Good work in your big and baby steps Donna, hugs to you!!!
Carol
Sassafras & LuLu

[Barbara]

Sounds like you've got a great plan. I totally agree with hiring the painters...your time is much better spent creating. (almost used a ! there, but I resisted..he he he). Love the cool phone. Good luck with your little de-stash. I too am a hoarder (like you didn't know that), but I am trying to focus on using what I've got instead of purchasing more and more (except for pretty vintage flowers) and maybe some pretty flocked wallpaper (wink wink).

[Jenelle]

omgoodness! I get such a kick out of your posts!!! I feel the same way when I walk into my craft room after a few weekends of craziness- I get so mad that I have to spend my crafting time cleaning away clutter just to get to my craft table...so I admit it- sometimes I just dump stuff in yet another box to get it out of the way and start a whole new mess...damn that Oprah!!!! She can afford to pay someone to clear her clutter!!! Oh wait I hear something...it's my guilty conscience ...LOL!