polexia
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 18
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Post by polexia on Oct 23, 2008 11:18:17 GMT -5
I'm Lexy. Nice to meet you all. I found the squalor survivors website yesterday and was totally disappointed to read that the message board had shut down, but then I found you guys... So all's well that ends well. I'm a chronic messie. Always have been. It feels almost like I am incapable of keeping house. When I was 15 I was in the local paper for having the messiest room they could find. At that point it was just clothes, toys and paper..... My squalor reached it's peak in 2005 when I became a level three, much to my chagrin. So.. convinced that I couldn't keep my place clean if I lived alone, I moved in with two of my friends... I did the best I could to clean my tiny basement suite full of squalor, but in the end the smell was so hard to get rid of I never got my damage back (obviously). Onwards, I thought, to bigger and better things. Except the two people I chose to live with were also subjects of their own squalor, granted... not nearly as bad as mine. With a bit of foresight, and because I had found and gotten the apartment, I decided to take the master bedroom with the en suite on as my own. Very quickly my squalor got out of control. Within four months I had managed to ruin a fourteen year friendship by being unable to control my cleaning habits (or lack thereof). As that relationship deteriorated, I was in the midst of gaining a relationship with my now husband. He and I took the step of moving in together, and unfortunately the squalor continued in that apartment. Also stage three. Then we discovered that I was pregnant. We tried to keep a handle on it, but it was still in the lower end of stage three. As I neared my due date, we knew we couldn't stay in the dingy basement wuite with almost no windows, and no kitchen to speak of other than a hotplate. We moved into the apartment we are in now. We've kept it in check for the most part here, but I find myself slipping often. He finds it so frustrating, and I get completely over sensitive to offhanded remarks. I believe that squalor is a lifelong battle... But with a lot of effort and talking to myself, I manage to keep my household safe for our daughter. The biggest problem was the cat waste, which is now under control. Secondly are the dishes, which some really close friends have helped us out with by buying us a dishwasher for my first Mother's Day. I'm so glad to have found such an awesome community. Thanks for reading.  |
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Post by Sapphire on Oct 23, 2008 12:05:25 GMT -5
Welcome Lexy!  This place is great. Really supportive and inspirational. I hope we can give you the boost you need to keep on top of things. I know how you feel about being sensitive to offhand comments. I cringe even when my OH just tuts when he knocks something, or steps on something. I know it's my messiness that caused it so I feel guilty! Anyway, welcome!! It's good to have you here.  |
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polexia
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 18
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Post by polexia on Oct 23, 2008 14:00:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome, Sapphire.
I just thought of something else that I should maybe mention....
In 2004 I injured my right (dominant) arm, hand and wrist. I couldn't work for ten months while I did cortisone shots, acupuncture, physio and met with a kinesiologist. I went back to work slowly afterwards and held my job until I quit 9 months later (I had a drug dependancy and made some dumb choices). When I found out I was pregnant I had (luckily) gotten off the drugs, and got a job at a small low volume pub where I worked part time for 7 months.
After I had my daughter I stopped working for a year, and in September 2007 started working at the original job once again- though a different, franchised branch.
In October 2007 my injury reoccured. I saw my doctor, but kept working. In April of this year I was taken off work indefinitely due to extreme swelling and the (re)formation of a ganglion cyst on the tendon that controls my thumb. I've been fighting with the Worker's Compensation Board ever since. They refuse to agknoweledge this as being a continuation of the original injury despite the fact that it's the same arm and the same job.
This has added some major stressors into my equation, and while I find I have more time..... even less gets done!
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Post by messymimi on Oct 23, 2008 14:51:00 GMT -5
Welcome, Lexy  !
You are in good company. I am a SAHM, and the more at home I am, the less I seem motivated to do.
I find inspiration going to the chat room and having 15 minute challenges to get things done. I also look over lists on Listzilla, and decide that I'm going to go do some of those things, too. I do not often post on Listzilla, but I find myself motivated when I see how much others are doing.
I hope you get the worker's comp straight soon. Insurance companies are often the pits to deal with.
It's good to have you here.
messymimi
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Post by skatters on Oct 26, 2008 21:38:35 GMT -5
Welcome Lexy! You are among friends! |
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polexia
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 18
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Post by polexia on Oct 27, 2008 2:32:22 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by crazycatlady on Oct 30, 2008 22:08:59 GMT -5
I'm so glad that you found us, Lexy. It is wonderful to meet you. Welcome to SooS!
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