allwell
New Member
All will be well
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by allwell on Mar 24, 2012 14:54:07 GMT -5
I posted this in the Introduction section but maybe I should post on the General Board too:
I have been on here for about two years and have only made a few posts. Right now I am freaking out because my upstairs neighbor has called the Board of Health and they are going to be inspecting the property next week! I have lived here on the first floor for over 30 yrs with no other humans but have a sweet 11 year old lab, Sammy . For the past 10 years things have gotten worse and worse and for the past five years I have done very little to keep up with disposing of trash and it has just piled up. A few times I have have actually filled a trash bag and gotten it out to the curb, but other times I have just filled the bags but not taken them out and my dog has torn them open and spread all the trash out again. Ten years ago I was diagnosed with polymyalgia which just wiped me out and I had little energy to keep up with household stuff. I had the polymyalgia for 3 years and felt better, but at that point clean up was overwhelming and I've had little motivation. I have also had bouts of depression and have been receiving therapy and meds for the past year and I do feel better but still overwhelmed and unmotivated. I know I'm in denial, I spend all day on the computer and although I do work from home I do spend a lot of time with non-work stuff on the computer. I keep saying tomorrow I'll start but tomorrow never comes. Because of my neglect there are mice and bugs allover the house, including my neighbor's. The guy upstairs called me a week ago and said there "may be people coming to look around". He was very nice and I said I was going to begin working on clean up this week. At the beginning of the week I did fill up 2 trash bags and got the to the curb in time for trash day but as the week progressed I didn't feel well physically. In addition to all of this my dad died a month ago. The guy upstairs said he called the Board of Health this week and they will be coming out this week, he also said that the city where I live has a task force to help people in my"situation" to help and that it will be a good thing. I know it is probably the best thing to happen, but my anxiety level is high causing paralysis. I am also worrying about the embarrassment factor. I am very responsible in my job and am an active member at my church, I also present my self well and am always receiving compliments on my clothes and appearance which completely conflicts with my home situation. I am also an creative person who loves and is very good at interior decorating. I just learned about this inspection about 1 hour ago and am not sure what my next step should be. I know there are alot of you who have been in this situation and I would love to hear your stories and how you dealt with it all. I do feel a bit better for getting this all out.
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Post by sidestep on Mar 24, 2012 15:31:58 GMT -5
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Post by sparkle on Mar 24, 2012 15:54:07 GMT -5
Thank you step, for linking us to meme's post. Such good words those were.  hi, meme. yes, I know she's gone. hi anyway. |
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allwell
New Member
All will be well
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by allwell on Mar 24, 2012 15:55:19 GMT -5
Thanks so much, sidestep Meme's post is very helpful.
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Post by Script on Mar 24, 2012 16:09:38 GMT -5
. The guy upstairs said he called the Board of Health this week and they will be coming out this week, he also said that the city where I live has a task force to help people in my"situation" to help and that it will be a good thing. I know it is probably the best thing to happen, . Dear All: greater public awareness is maybe the MOST helpful aspect of the new tv reality shows on hoarding and home-care. Also, we are starting to get used to the idea of INTERVENTION as a helpful tool. It sounds like your neighbour is sensitive to your issues, especially as you "present" yourself well in other ways. I hope and pray that this health inspection can be a SPringboard for you to move forward into a better lifestyle for YOU. welcom [back] from Script [poor laptop, so pardon my typos] |
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Post by dayeanu on Mar 24, 2012 16:52:09 GMT -5
I don't know what to say, just that I am very moved by your situation, and I am pulling for you!
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Post by artax on Mar 24, 2012 20:22:42 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this; I have a friend who is also facing a health inspection.  |
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allwell
New Member
All will be well
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by allwell on Mar 24, 2012 20:41:36 GMT -5
dayeanu Thanks for your support and@artax, I wish your friend a good outcome,
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Mar 25, 2012 14:02:59 GMT -5
Hi! You and I joined SOOS the same month! We're sort of like twins!
I'm sure the inspection will be distressing, but take Meme's thread to heart: they're looking for safety problems, not esthetics. The things that bother you most about the state of your home might not be the same things that distress them.
Do you have a friend or relative who could help you through this? For example, being present during the inspection, or even better, removing some of the trash?
I know this mght take some cognitive work, but try to view the inspectors as "safety and health consultants" who will help you prioritize your desqualoring project. They might even have information about resources that could help you.
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Post by downandout on Mar 25, 2012 14:14:20 GMT -5
 sending good vibes your way in the hopes that only good will come out of this!!!!
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Post by def6 on Mar 25, 2012 17:38:11 GMT -5
I love what Howard's Girlfriend said, this is very good advice. I would only add that they may not be in right away, so you might have a few days to work on things. Make a list of the tasks you can accomplish in a few days such as; get all of the trash out, all garbage too, and get all the dishes done . I think that would be a good start. You'll be fine!
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Post by dayeanu on Mar 25, 2012 17:42:37 GMT -5
Is your dog in good health? Current on shots, no fleas and ticks? I think that would be important, too. If your dog does have fleas or ticks, you could spray himc or top spot him, or dust him with Carbaryl or other safe product, and/or use a Capstar (gets rid of fleas for 24 hours.
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Post by RoadRunner on Mar 25, 2012 17:57:31 GMT -5
Allwell,
I really do not have any sound advice as I have not managed to get my clutter under control yet. However reading your post you have
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allwell
New Member
All will be well
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by allwell on Mar 25, 2012 18:05:47 GMT -5
Thanks to all for your great advise. Today I made a Crisis Clean up list of what absolutely most important had to be done first,any smelly, gross trash and going room by room in sections starting with the bathroom and kitchen. The next phase will be to clear the rest of the trash out and do some spot cleaning and hiding as much as possible. I just spent 1 1/2 hours on these tasks and have knocked off 3 tasks! I feel very good about this. I want to thank you all for your wonderful advise and support. @dayneau my dog is due for his shots 4/1 and luckily has no fleas, but I have flea repellent somewhere and will apply asap. I feel so guilty that he has to live in this environment but he is a happy dog we go to the dog park 3-4 times a week and now that the days are longer we are going to try to go every day, both the people and dogs are friendly.
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allwell
New Member
All will be well
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by allwell on Mar 25, 2012 18:11:24 GMT -5
howardsgirlfriend I'm too embarrassed at this point to have a friend help and most of my relatives don't live nearby. I am planning to call to Board of Health tomorrow for more details and see if the inspection can be later on. I really appreciate your help.Everyone is so nice on this board!
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