Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019

Serendipity
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Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 6:20:30 GMT -5 via mobile cando, Little_Ninja, and 4 more like this

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Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 6:20:30 GMT -5

Hi fellow SOOSERS! I joined SOOS in 2009 and was in tears when I found the site,,, 2019 I am finally almost all decluttered after my low income housing offered me the help of a junk removal company in April 2019.They said if I worked really hard they would pay the junk removal company for 2 people to work with me for 3 days and then they would replace my moldy, stained carpet which hadnt been possible because I had too much stuff. They also replaced my kitchen counter( I thought it was fine but sure, I said ,go for it!) I also asked them to paint since my son and I had to move all the stuff from the shelves upstairs and it was desperately needed. We have been here 13 years on October 1st! I am going to post pictures on my blog once I can figure out how. Also more thoughts on the decluttering process. I am going to share one anecdote of how people with our struggles get treated. After the junk removal company was done working with me the manager wanted to see the results. I worked very hard. The first day we worked on my storage unit for 6 hours. I sat in a chair because I have arthritis and also a hernia so I shouldn't lift things and I spent hours going through stuff( I'll write more details in my blog) A week later they came again and we worked from 9 til 4 ish on the main floor and they moved a kids wardrobe up to my room which really helped the cramped feeling downstairs. Now we can sit on all sides of the oval dining room table! Board game nights here we come! Then the next week we did my room and got into my closet and decluttered my room from 9 am til 4 ish again I think ,,,I just know they were long days and very tiring, mentally, emotionally and physically. But the two people were very nice to work with , a woman in her thirties who I thought was 25 or so, she was happy when I said that! And a young man of 24 or 25. I bumped into him and told him about the new floors ,counter and paint job ,,, he was across the railroad tracks behind a fence so I motioned a hug and he said "I'll come and give you a hug! And somehow found his way over to me! It was really nice ,big hug! I am so happy! I'm going to finish now so I don't lose this post!

Serendipity
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Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 6:46:41 GMT -5 via mobile cando and ohblondie like this

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Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 6:46:41 GMT -5

Oops! I lost a post ! I am zonked so I will tell you the story about the manager later! But this I will say to anyone new reading in tears like the first day I found this site over 10 years ago! You are not alone! You are not stupid! You are not ***! You are doing your best everyday! Don't give up! Your situation is not permanent. You can change it, and everyday you work hard ! It is HARD to try to function in a messy house. It is HARD to feed yourself and clothe yourself! It is not easy being a hoarder, it is harder, things that are easy- peasy for the majority of the population are HARD for us. Try finding a clean knife to butter your toast when the sink is overflowing with dishes and you can't move any dishes onto the counter because they are full! EVERYTHING IS MORE DIFFICULT! You deserve a medal for getting out of bed everyday to face it and if you can't get out of bed that's ok too! You are a fighter, a survivor! Noone wants to live this way. There are reasons,,,mine are depression, anxiety osteoarthritis of the knees, hernia so I can't lift things, mother in chronic pain since a botched back operation 34 years ago, sibling with schizoaffective disorder( bipolar with psychotic episodes) Hang in there! It's been ten years since I joined and I am almost done! Thank-you everyone for your love and support over the years! Love and hugs,,,Serendipity

Last Edit: Aug 27, 2019 6:53:33 GMT -5 by Serendipity

ohblondie Member Joined: May 2008 Posts: 11,818	Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 8:07:19 GMT -5 Serendipity likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by ohblondie on Aug 27, 2019 8:07:19 GMT -5 Oh Serendipity...I am so thrilled to read this and hear of your progress! Please post pictures so that we can ooh and aaaahh over them! This is the best news I have heard in a long time!!!

Serendipity
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Posts: 3,012

Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 8:14:33 GMT -5 via mobile cando likes this

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Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 8:14:33 GMT -5

Thanks oh Blondie! I will post them on my blog when I have time to figure out how! I also lost my camera charger during the decluttering but once I get that I can get at the pictures ,,, it will be interesting because I have ALOT of pictures of the mess over the years except the three years I didn't have a camera because I dropped it in a melted Slurpee! I am happy to hear of your progress too ! Congratulations on the addition to your family of a canine companion!

dtesposito
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Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 8:47:37 GMT -5 Serendipity likes this

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Post by dtesposito on Aug 27, 2019 8:47:37 GMT -5

Serendipity, I'm glad you posted this, because you're right, many people think it's impossible to change after many years. But it IS possible, with hard work and as much help as you can get.

I'm very happy for you!

Diane

January 2020 Challenge ends 1/31
Path to Activity Challenge - Indefinite

Serendipity
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Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 9:05:27 GMT -5 via mobile cando likes this

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Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 9:05:27 GMT -5

Thanks Diane! And you are living proof of that! Thank-you for sharing with us and supporting us everyday on the weekday and weekend work along threads! I hope your summer hasn't been too hot! Your favourite time of year is right around the corner!

ohblondie Member Joined: May 2008 Posts: 11,818	Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 9:34:45 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by ohblondie on Aug 27, 2019 9:34:45 GMT -5 Serendipity.....this is as exciting as having a baby (or grandbaby). everyone ooohs and aaahs over the newborn....and we will be doing the same over your newly reborn apartment!!

Serendipity
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Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 27, 2019 10:02:27 GMT -5 via mobile cando likes this

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Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 10:02:27 GMT -5

You are going to be shocked and impressed! I have some really bad before photos,,, years of them in fact! I find that taking photos really helps to see how much change your work has done! I'll try to make a slideshow of the same area with pictures from over the years if I can! There is still one thing I am looking for and one closet left to declutter,,, years ago there was a house near here called the pumpkin 🏠 house and I had never used my camera at night so I didn't know the pictures would turn out but they were incredible! For thirteen years they had volunteers carve uandplayed theme yard ,,there were probably 40!

def6 Member More in 2024 Joined: January 2009 Posts: 11,405	Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 28, 2019 22:12:04 GMT -5 Serendipity likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by def6 on Aug 28, 2019 22:12:04 GMT -5 Thank you for posting this Serendipity I am so happy for you!
	Going Minimal.

mynicehome
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Joined: April 2015
Posts: 5,567

Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Aug 29, 2019 21:54:40 GMT -5 Serendipity likes this

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Post by mynicehome on Aug 29, 2019 21:54:40 GMT -5

(((((Serendipity)))) This is just an awesome update! What a tremendous and well-deserved change in your precious life! You've come a long way baby, and, while the road has not been easy for you, you survived and surpassed all odds. WTG SooS sister!

::wtg::

Be a lamp unto yourself - Buddha

Serendipity Member Image from Soler's Fractal Gallery Joined: January 2012 Posts: 3,012	Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Sept 18, 2019 4:31:30 GMT -5 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Serendipity on Sept 18, 2019 4:31:30 GMT -5 Thanks def6! Thanks mynicehome!

Serendipity Member Image from Soler's Fractal Gallery Joined: January 2012 Posts: 3,012	Serendipity's update Aug 27,2019 Sept 18, 2019 4:33:35 GMT -5 via mobile cando and ohblondie like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Serendipity on Sept 18, 2019 4:33:35 GMT -5 PS I now have my piano! Been wanting one for 40 years!

Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 6:20:30 GMT -5

Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 6:46:41 GMT -5

Post by ohblondie on Aug 27, 2019 8:07:19 GMT -5

Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 8:14:33 GMT -5

Post by dtesposito on Aug 27, 2019 8:47:37 GMT -5

Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 9:05:27 GMT -5

Post by ohblondie on Aug 27, 2019 9:34:45 GMT -5

Post by Serendipity on Aug 27, 2019 10:02:27 GMT -5

Post by def6 on Aug 28, 2019 22:12:04 GMT -5

Post by mynicehome on Aug 29, 2019 21:54:40 GMT -5

Post by Serendipity on Sept 18, 2019 4:31:30 GMT -5

Post by Serendipity on Sept 18, 2019 4:33:35 GMT -5