It was a pretty intense day, lots of traveling, and a certain amount of stress. Now I'm processing that day, and taking care of miscellaneous items for today. An order to the Spice House for powdered tomatoes went to my address in Missouri. That's so odd because they switched the billing for the shipping address, but that's not what the screen print said. The credit card wouldn't have gone through if they used it when I hit the confirm button. So, my much sought after tomato powder is in Missouri, while I'm in Pennsylvania planning a hiking adventure where I wanted to use the powdered tomatoes to make delicious concoctions along the trail. Now I'll have to go to REI and to Whole Foods to see if they have it. Maybe I'll go to Kimberton Whole Foods and see what they have. I don't feel like working much today, anyway.
I took pictures of the house of clutter, or how "the other half lives." I have permission and I'm not invading little bird's privacy. She knows there is a problem and is trying to work on it. Apparently, clutter becomes invisible after a certain number of years. I've documented clutter piles that have not materially changed for the past three years. The basement is an utter disaster, both as a fire hazard and as a health hazard from the mold and dust. At least the stairs are being kept clean for a change. Here are some examples of the living areas and the basement.
This is the dining room:
More of the dining room:
Dining room, continued:
The entry way, better hope you don't have to come in or go out of this doorway:
The living room, which is 2000% better than when I started the project several years ago:
That blue styrofoam container is my fault. I didn't toss it last night when I finished the mushrooms. The difference with me is that I will see it and take care of it when I see it. That is not how the rest of the household clutter is handled. For now we have finished the kitchen, though clutter is starting to build up at the basement door, making it hard to go downstairs to do the laundry. That is a "tolerance" and keeps one from actively doing the laundry, because the laundry becomes a project, not a task. The project is to clear the door several times, replacing the clutter each time, as you start the wash, dry the wash, and get the wash. Inevitably, you never "get the wash" and that becomes clutter on its own. The pile of clean laundry in front of the dryer is a sad testament to waste, because that laundry used energy, water, and detergent to become "clean", but is trodden on the floor of the basement because it is all too much to contemplate. There is too much "project" going on in this house. It is better to just discard, discard, discard. Then make projects when the house is clear of things.
In the next few pictures you can see the basement and the green plastic sewing box I "rescued". If you have lived with a hoarder, then you know what the term "rescued" actually means. I am really going to utilize the box, today. That is the key difference between a hoarder and between normalcy. I use items or discard them when they are not actively useful. I have no attachment or anxiety associated with any item. I'm free to hunt and gather, and to discard at will. If I rescue the sewing box, then subsequently no longer need it, it will be donated or held for a near-term yard sale that will actually occur. I do not hold it for "someday" "I" "might" "need" "it".
Basement, see washer and dryer on the other side of the peak:
Clean laundry moldering on the floor:
Spotting and "rescuing" the sewing box:
Yes! Cleared and snagged! I'll wash it and sanitize it today, before I go to storage to continue my own downsizing and organization project. I'm planning to do some sewing soon, and I want to make sure my sewing items are ready for action.
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