Only 100 days until Christmas

I laughed when I saw this ... should he wear the red suit OR should he wear the red suit?!  Had to share it since it's O N L Y 100 days until Christmas.  WHAT???  Where did the year go?

I've really missed blogging and this seemed like a good day to start again.  I didn't decide to stop blogging it just happen.  I've just been concentrating on journaling for my Project Life album.   (If you don't know what that is, I'll share some photos later this week of some of my pages)  I have missed sharing my thoughts and cool things I find on the internet. 

We've had the most wonderful weekend here in Big D ... a cold front brought in 70 degree weather which we haven't seen since April  (normal is high 80's).  Love having a break for all the high temperature we've had this year.  It even rained a little and we definitely needed it.

I'm going to keep this post short so I'm sure to send it out before I go to bed.  Wishing y'all a great week!



110311 - How Many Do I Need?

Be careful what you think because you will say it,
Be careful what you say because you will do it,
Be careful what you do because you will become it

OK, the question of the day is, how many pairs of black pants does one person need?  I have an OVER abundance of them.  I'm wondering if they're like hangers and multiple when left alone in the dark?  I got rid of two of them tonight baccuse they were the kind that attracts lint and I don't want to hang on to any like that.  (I'm perfectly aware that's why lint brushes were invented but I try to not keep clothes that are high maintenance - lol)

Yes, I was going through more piles of clothes today.  Found my Halloween tee shirt ... oops too late for this year (darn)!  I've started putting my tee shirts in one of my dresser drawers.  When it gets full I plan to pull them out and get rid of some more.  (I know that's crazy but it's where I'm at today) Same question as before ... how many tee shirts does one person need?  I've definitely got more than any one person needs.  Many of them are from my last job at Inet/Tektronix.  I threw half of the them away because they have a funny look to them.  (I guess that will happen after sitting in my bathtub for 3 years ... 4 years ... 5?  I really don't know at this point and it doesn't really matter)

Discovered several purple outfits (circa Red Hat - you can never have too many red or purple outfits!) and some  casual jackets I used to wear when I was working.  Those were hard to part with because they good with pants.  They didn't make the cut ... this time.  I can see where this is going to take a few sessions of letting go.  The funniest thing that I didn't want to part with was my good business suits.  Where in the world am I going to wear them now?  (I guess I'm retired, it's not official but a pretty good bet).  Perhaps I should have a "try on" fashion day to help make it easier to decide which outfits I will keep and which one's need to find a new home. 


A couple of friends gave me a whole bunch of their clothes (really nice ones) that no longer fit them and I keep hoping/dreaming/wishing that I'll lose enough weight and can wear them.  I think for now my best bet would be to just keep a few of the pants and let the rest go.  Why is it so much easier to "think" that than to "do" it?  Guess I've always had a problem of letting go of clothes and that's probably because I hate to shop for them because it's depressing and irritating, not to mention the committee that convenes in my head to discuss issues like ... why don't you lose some weight?  Why don't you just walk 3 times a week?  Yada yada yada ... never fun and always depressing.

One thing I want to do is find out if there is a woman's shelter I can give the clothes too.  I think if I knew my clothes were going to a place like that I might be easy to let go.  How do I find out if there's one in my area - do I call the non emergency police number an ask them?  Any suggestions would be welcome!

My best find today?  That would be all the heavy plastic hangers I came up with as I discarded the clothes that were on them!  Whoo Hoo!  (Baby steps are much better than just "thinking" about doing it and any action is better than none!)

I almost forgot to mention the HUGE step I took today .... I posted on my Facebook Page that I've started this blog about hoarding.  For someone who's as big a people pleaser, as I am, it felt like walking out on a tightrope.  I'm truly proud of myself that I actually announced, to the world, what I'm battling with.  The responses I received were so loving and warm, it truly warmed my heart and filled it with so much gratitude!  Thank you   Doylene, Sara, Stacy, Ruth, and Tiffany. I know I can do ANYTHING when I have amazing people like you in my life.

Sending you a (((HUG))) Texas size hug to everyone who responded with love.  You'll never understand how much it truly meant to be LOVED and not JUDGED!  I can go to bed with a peaceful heart knowing I did my 15 minutes today and opened my self up on Facebook ... would that be like coming out of the closet or just jumping out of the plane, or bungee jumping?  Whatever it was scary!  The plus side - I feel stronger and proud of myself for taking the risk.

XOXO,
Karen

110211 - Day 2 Patron Saints of Hoarders

Anything you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you.
And in this materialistic age, a great many of us are possessed by our possessions."
- Mildred Lisette Norman

I did my 15 minutes tonight and had another wonderful discovery ... I found my favorite winter coat.
It's black, lightweight, and has a hood.  I just LOVE it and wondered what had happened to it.  Since I don't like a heavy coat, this one is perfect because I can wear a sweater or sweatshirt underneath it!  Even found a pair of black sparkly gloves in the pockets!  Whoo Hoo!  I love me a little bling! lol

I worked with 4 piles as I sorted more clothes:  1) toss, 2) donate, 3) keep, and 4) need to try on

It's still hard for me to just toss clothes but if I know I'll never use them again and can't imagine anyone else buying it at Goodwill ... then it's out the door.  A tiny part of me is considering putting it all in a box and setting on the curb with FREE written on the box.  I'll have to give this some more
thought.  I wish I could figure out WHY it's so hard to me to let clothes go.  I've learned that it's
a common problem with hoarders.

Here's a bit of fun.  In one of my online hoarder groups, the discussion about patron saints was brought up.  I've often prayed when I lose something so this is something I believe in.

Saint Nicholas is patron saint of rag pickers & pawnbrokers & people who are trying to redeem people/things from bondage.

Another saint for hoarders might be Saint Francis of Assisi who gave up his family's wealth and his own clothes.

St Anthony, patron saint of lost things. He hears from me alot!

St Alphonsus had problems with scrupulosity. His religious order has an online site called Scrupulous Anonymous, with some very comforting thoughts and a newsletter each month.

And don't forget St Jude (famous hospital named for him) - patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes.

The saint in my home is St. Joseph, and though many bury him upside down on their property to sell their homes, he is really the patron saint of families. He reminds me to be a good parent, and with tools in hand he speaks to my crafting side. I like to work with my hands a lot making art, jewelry, knitting, etc.

Another isn't so much of a "saint", but feels like one. It's Buddha, he reminds me to do less with more, share what I have with others, and that `It's not the end of the world.' And how you solve a problem is sometimes in the way in which you react to it.

I love trivia and hope you enjoyed this little bit today.

Wishing you 15 minutes today to do just a little bit to improve your life!
Karen

110111 November is a new month

I can't believe I didn't blog once in October!  Well, I've discovered that I accomplish a lot more when I do post.  Where did October go ... it certainly flew by for me!  Here's something I ran across that I thought was worth sharing. 

1. What is the MAIN thing that, if you don't make progress on it today, you'll be upset about at the end of the day?

Focus on that main thing and do not answer any interruptions for a time while you're working on it. People can call back or come back later if they need to talk to you.

2. If it's hard to choose that ONE thing, then ask yourself, what is the one thing that will give you the biggest feeling of accomplishment and peace of mind - if you make progress on it today?

Here's to doing a little each day and making some progress this month!

Karen

I Much Prefer Progress to being Paralized

Hello ...

The last two weeks have been tough.  First a family crisis that I completely shut down over and then I started getting sick with an upper respitory thingy.  Last week I had to make due with Nyquil until I could see my doctor yesterday.  He confirmed my suspicion that I had bronchitis and now I'm on an antibiotic.  In just 24 hours I can feel an improvement, so I hope each day this week brings an increase in energy.

This week my goals are:

1. 60 minutes a day decluttering my bedroom
2. Pack up 25 books in a box daily and take out to my car
3. Declutter entry way and wash floor.
4. Keep track of how many minutes I spend on my computer daily

What I'm trying NOT to do is beat myself up because I haven't been productive.  I did the best I could today and tomorrow I'll do the best I can, hopefully making some progress!  Falling off the horse isn't  the problem, it's not getting back on again!

I've recommended the following site before, and after reading her latest post today, wanted to share it again because the lady is so honest about her journey.  It's called "A Slob Comes Clean".  I look forward to reading it every day and highly recommend it to anyone who's on the decluttering journey.  Often she gives me words for many of the emotions I'm feeling and that's a priceless gift.

http://www.aslobcomesclean.com

Thanks for stopping by and keeping me company!
Karen

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." -- Hans Hofmann