looking for buddies

[Elsie150]

Re: looking for buddies

I hear you. Last week I worked on my kitchen. Pulled everything out of every cubboard and wiped them down, organized them and waxed the doors to make it easier to wipe off. Didn't get the fridge (only the front wiped down), behind the fridge or the ceiling done...but it LOOKS clean. And it has stayed that way since last Friday...which is a huge step for me. And I will be able to do that stuff next month when I am in that zone again. Shouldn't take too long and then I will be able to do the other rooms I put in that zone also. DS said it looks boring in there because you can see the front of the fridge.

This week I am in the bathroom. Again pullling everything out and reorganizing and wiping down. Then the kids rooms and if I have time start on my craft room.

It is such a great feeling to walk into a clean room. Am really going to try to keep on top of it as I think that might be the secret. I feel like you..that I cheated myself out of a good quality of life...it is so much less stressful to have all the junk gone.

[Outback Jess]

Re: looking for buddies

I am sitting her laughing because I am doing the same thing too, especially on Trash day, I hit it hard, getting rid of everything that is not nailed down and I live with a packrat...
My closet is neater and I give tours!!!
The kitchen cabinets are stellar! I am no longer stuckon the couch!!! eating or overcoming...

[Elsie150]

Re: looking for buddies

LOL! Well what do you know. Maybe someone should start a clutter post and we can check in there daily too.

Funny how it is all going hand in hand. huh?

[RachelnLa]

Re: looking for buddies

I think the clutter made me feel safe.. like the weight did. Crazy as it sounds, with all my stuff I felt like I had achieved something.. look all what I have! Or, I was hiding behind it. People would see my stuff and not ME.

The weight is the same. The heavier I got the longer the hair, stopped wearing my contacts.. stopped getting hair done as often, just neglected myself. I guess I was trying to disappear. Or become just a blob. And I did it.

Now? As the weight is coming off I have energy to do the things I have wanted to do in the house. I also notice I want to wear jewelry and fix my hair, wear makeup and my contacts. I feel good and it is shining through.

Enough said.. I'm off to see what needs to be cleaned. I'm antsy sitting here!

[Elsie150]

Re: looking for buddies

Checking in after 2 hours spent cleaning the bathroom...I am in the tub part now scrabbing down the walls...I think I will wax them too. Then the toilet and scrub and wax the floor and I will be totally done that room. Wonder if I will be able to get that done today?

I think the energy is kicking in. The hunger didn't strike today...so after this I will go have some lunch anyway.

Yes...the weight and the clutter are definately connected for me. Last time...just before I fell off Atkins I could feel it coming and I could see it coming in the house that I was totally losing control. Some of that I contribute to unknowing being scared as I had reached my lowest in about 17 years...down to 177lbs. I did the same thing...stopped wearing contacts. Stopped make-up, wore big, baggy and black clothes. Feeling better already though. I know I do because yesterday I put on nail polish...LOL! Today I slapped on some foundation...while I was cleaning out my makeup bag..LOL! It's a start.

Okay...off for some lunch.

Don't forget your water....

[RachelnLa]

Re: looking for buddies

Checking in after 2 hours spent cleaning the bathroom...I am in the tub part now scrabbing down the walls...I think I will wax them too. Then the toilet and scrub and wax the floor and I will be totally done that room. Wonder if I will be able to get that done today?

I think the energy is kicking in. The hunger didn't strike today...so after this I will go have some lunch anyway.

Yes...the weight and the clutter are definately connected for me. Last time...just before I fell off Atkins I could feel it coming and I could see it coming in the house that I was totally losing control. Some of that I contribute to unknowing being scared as I had reached my lowest in about 17 years...down to 177lbs. I did the same thing...stopped wearing contacts. Stopped make-up, wore big, baggy and black clothes. Feeling better already though. I know I do because yesterday I put on nail polish...LOL! Today I slapped on some foundation...while I was cleaning out my makeup bag..LOL! It's a start.

Okay...off for some lunch.

Don't forget your water....

Goodness woman! Way to go!!!! Yes, that was me too! Out of control. I had gotten to a low I hadn't seen in years.. years.. and I felt like everyone was watching and waiting for me to mess up.. or worse, men suddenly starting noticing me when I fixed myself up. ack! I'm doing it for me! I'm not perfect (another expectation pounded in my head by my parents to be a perfectionist!) and I'm enjoying the ride. IT will be bumpy.. but I can wear a seat belt! I am worth it!

[Elsie150]

Re: looking for buddies

Stacked and Thinner...how are you doing?? Hanging in there? Drinking your water? Struggling?

Rachel and Jess...how is it going in your corner of the world?

Eating here is under control. Doing well with my water. Suck at taking my vitamins. Can't wait until weigh in on Sunday.

House cleaning is going great. Got the bathroom totally done including waxing the floor. It looks so pretty. The kids think it looks empty since everything is put away. The kitchen is still holding up..no mess creeping back in. I am as proud of that fact as the getting the rooms cleaned. Am working on kid's bedroom and have already done a huge amount in there. Not too much to do in there without the kids. So I dragged them down there last night and we went through some toys and clothes. They were really good about getting rid of some of thier stuffies. DD gets the whole more stuff means more mess...but DS takes after me and hates to part with ANYTHING. We will work on that.

So today I work on getting rid of the stuff the kids were willing to part with and then I get to start in my craft room! YAH!! Very excited about that even though it is one of the 2 worse section in the house. Maybe I will be able to actually craft in here one day...LOL!

Okay...time to go and make the kids lunches.

[Tryin2lose]

Re: looking for buddies

Hey Elsie,
I too fell off the proverbial wagon after having great results. I have gained back all but three pounds of my 48 pound loss. I have been on and off for months, but this summer was the worst.
I'm glad you're back with your head in the game!!! I'm right here with ya sister!!!!
Erin

[RachelnLa]

Re: looking for buddies

Daughter cleaned our her car - more clothes to do. Daughter cleaned out the camper (where she has been sleeping due to lack of house from hurricane) and MORE dishes! I need to go put them soaking so I can wash them later.

I think hubby is jealous that I have been mowing the grass lol. Yesterday he insisted that he do some trim and the side of the house where I didn't get to cut. Too cute!

Cleaning out the camper for FEMA to come pick it up.. I'm left with a pile of stuff on the table to find a new home for. Yesterday everything was spic and span.. today it's a mess again. Sometimes I just feel so defeated.

[Elsie150]

Re: looking for buddies

Welcome Erin! Glad your head is back in the game too! This time is the last time because we WILL do it!!

Rachel..hang in there Hon!! Go get a box for the Salvation Army and a box labeled camping stuff and start sorting. It will go quickly once you start.

Don't know how old your Daughter is so can't say what she should be responsible for dealing with some of that mess. But here is what I did with my 8yo DD and 10yo DS...I sat them down and explained to them that it was important to me to have a house that wasn't soooo messy and cluttered. And that if the house is clean it makes me feel better and that they would be able to have friends over more if it was kept clean. I have warned my DH that when he comes home (out of town right now)that I will be nagging him to keep clean the areas that I have cleaned. That's right...I am only going to nag about the areas I have already cleaned. Since I have put a LOT of time and effort into those rooms. Can't shell shock them...just a little bit of clean at a time...LOL! So this week when I get the kids room done..I will have them doing a room rescue every night before bed. DS is already doing a little section in my craft room where his video game area is.

I, too, get feeling defeated...like I am fighting an uphill battle...then I realized I couldn't do it all by myself. And more importantly, I shouldn't have to do it all by myself. In fact, I was disservicing my children by doing it myself...what in the world was I teaching them? That they didn't need to learn how to pick up after themselves? That that is what I was good for? To go on to adulthood and repeat the cycle? NO WAY! We are all a part of this family and as a family WE are responsible for what condition we live in! I will not have my children repeat the clutter cycle.

Kudos to you for donating your trailer to FEMA!!

[RachelnLa]

Re: looking for buddies

Kudos to you for donating your trailer to FEMA!!

Actually, it IS a FEMA camper that we have been living in since Hurricane Rita. After about 6 months of cramped quarters we purchased a portable building and converted it into a mini house - that took about 3-4 months of work. Middle child was at my brother's for the summer in Georgia, so we finished her loft during that time. Son's loft is just about complete and then oldest daughter, 17, will move into mini house with us. In the meantime, she had been sleeping in the FEMA camper and we had a lot of stuff still stored in there. They give you 16 months of living in it and we only have 6 months left anyways. We packed most of it up last weekend and she just has to get her stuff out this week because I have called them to come pick it up. We are in the process of getting our house torn down and the FEMA camper is in the way. Once that is taken care of we'll see which direction we want to go.

I so hear you on the chores and helping keep the place up. My kids do help, they can do more, but they do whatever I ask. I cannot complain


Thank goodness my eating is under control because my life is a shambles!

[Elsie150]

Re: looking for buddies

Well now I am even more blown away with you keeping true to this WOE!!! Look what you already fought! You are a lifetime winner! You have come so far already.

I think that were I in your shoes that I would really need some sense of control somewhere in my life just to keep my sanity!! So good on you for controling what you can, which, right now, is what goes in your mouth. And your surroundings as much as you can by keeping it tidy...and nothing like losing your home to help put some dirty dishes into prespective., huh?

Truly heros...everyone of you!!

[RachelnLa]

Re: looking for buddies

Well now I am even more blown away with you keeping true to this WOE!!! Look what you already fought! You are a lifetime winner! You have come so far already.

I think that were I in your shoes that I would really need some sense of control somewhere in my life just to keep my sanity!! So good on you for controling what you can, which, right now, is what goes in your mouth. And your surroundings as much as you can by keeping it tidy...and nothing like losing your home to help put some dirty dishes into prespective., huh?

Truly heros...everyone of you!!

Thanks. Yes, some days are really hard. Feels like we are spinning our wheels. Just when you think there is light at the end of the tunnel it gets snuffed out. Top that with a kid in her senior year and working, hubby get hours cut, me getting hours cut and trying to settle insurance, do things around here AND do every day living things.. I'm surprised we have not cracked!

I was very depressed once we came back and found our house totalled. Living in a camper with hubby working in California.. it was just so hard. I finally pulled the boot straps up and figured I'd better DO something about the conditions. Hubby returned, he completed our mini house and we kept pushing forward. My depression fluctated and finally I said enough was enough. I am a controller by nature and everything about my life was out of control. Eating was something I could control. Granted, this is how my anorectic aunt died - anorexia got control of HER - but I refused to go in the opposite direction. With my husband's help I survived induction. I even threatened to eat the dogs tail at one point LOL

Now it's not so bad. We have a plan that seems to be working in our favor and there is light again at the end of the tunnel. I just want to be normal again. We had a very good life before - happy, healthy, friends, family. We basically lived in our own little world. Since the hurricane so many people have reached out..it's is such a blessing to feel that love and compassion from people.

I know by now everyone north of the coast thinks we have returned to pre hurricane status. It's just not so. I still have friends who have NO home and no jobs... still fighting insurance and red tape with FEMA and SBA. It's not as easy as it sounds, trust me, they are not giving money away by the truck load. You have to qualify and then even after that there are so many things you must do to get the loans/grants/whatever. I don't know how our hospitals are not overflowing with people who have gone insane - seriously. Sometimes it's just too much. Other times I refuse to give in.

Good thing I'm Cajun - my fiesty temper has gotten many a things down during this last year LOL

I'm also working on my emotional eating habits - this is a true test, let me tell you! I look forward and think how far we have come in the past year and how much better a family we will be because of it.. and how much better *I* will be having accomplished what we have

[Elsie150]

Re: looking for buddies

I know everything isn't back to prehurricane status. I was watching Dr Phil the other day about it and I have to say that I was appalled at how much is still the same! I think it is totally unacceptable that conditions are still like that. So just so you know, you and your friends and all the survivors of hurricane rita, are not out of the minds of all the people. There are still many of us out here thinking about you, praying about you and wishing you well. ((((((((((Rachel)))))))))

Ps...good control on leaving the dog's tail alone. though the might have counted as protien ;^)

[RachelnLa]

Re: looking for buddies

I know everything isn't back to prehurricane status. I was watching Dr Phil the other day about it and I have to say that I was appalled at how much is still the same! I think it is totally unacceptable that conditions are still like that. So just so you know, you and your friends and all the survivors of hurricane rita, are not out of the minds of all the people. There are still many of us out here thinking about you, praying about you and wishing you well. ((((((((((Rachel)))))))))

Ps...good control on leaving the dog's tail alone. though the might have counted as protien ;^)

Thanks for the hug!!! Prayers are always welcome and they so much

well.. the dog's tail was cut at birth.. so she just has a nub.. THAT'S how hungry I was. no meat or cheese or salad was enough.. I just wanted..SOMETHING! LOL

Mississippi has it really bad. People still living in tents and acres of FEMA campers just sitting there. We saw them with our own eyes coming back from Georgia.