velvetedge
New Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 20
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Post by velvetedge on Jan 4, 2009 14:09:31 GMT -5
My name is Tracy. To say that my housekeeping skills are lacking is a huge understatement. I knew the house was bad and my kick in the butt came after Hurricane Katrina. We were away from the house for so long, three weeks total, and when we finally came home I got a real good look at how we were living and it hit me that we could no longer live this way. My husband and I both work and Im about to go back to school part time. We came home after K and , with the pending visit of an insurance adjuster it gave us the incentive we needed to get this place picked up. Two boxes of contractor bags , the big ones, and more piles on the curb than I care to admit to right now, later, the house was liveable again. When you dont have anything to do except clean your house you get it done. Needless to say , despite my best efforts the house is slowly creeping back to its pre katrina state and it is a daily battle to keep it from happening again. I have major work being done to my home soon and this , again, is giving me the kick in the butt I need to get this place together again. I have my regular journal and I talk about this there but its VERY nice to have a place where I can talk about it without fear of judgement or that someone will base my value as a person on the cleanliness of my home.
Ive rambled on enough and I look forward to communicating with you all on my journey to a clutter free home.
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Post by messymimi on Jan 4, 2009 15:09:31 GMT -5
Welcome, Velvetedge !
I've enjoyed chatting with you, and I'm glad you are here.
messymimi
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Post by Arid on Jan 4, 2009 15:18:08 GMT -5
I have to disagree with one of your statements, velvetedge: "When you dont have anything to do except clean your house you get it done." Then again, I may be interpreting what you said incorrectly.
By most people's standards, I don't have anything to do except clean my house. I don't work outside the home. I do participate in one exercise class a week, and I do a bit of volunteer work every week. Nonetheless, I have hours and hours available for cleaning. Still, does all the cleaning get done?--NO!
However, if you meant that when one has NO OTHER CHOICES but to clean (as in getting ready for the insurance adjuster to come) it gets done, you would be right some of the time. Unfortunately, there are some people who are so depressed and overwhelmed by their situations that they still can't "get it together" to prepare for an inspection, although most do.
Be all that as it may, it sounds like you have had your "wake up call." You have made the decision to change the way that you and your family have been living, and I can tell that you ARE going to make the necessary changes.
This board is a great place for those of us who need lots of support and encouragement as we try to form new, healthy, and productive habits. I think that you will like it here.
Welcome to the board!
Arid
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Post by priceoverride on Jan 4, 2009 15:18:20 GMT -5
Welcome Velvet! No-one here judges you. We congratulate you on your successes, however humble. We all have challenges, some more than others, and once your home is clear, you are encouraged to help it stay that way. I fully expect some slippage. My home has yo-yo'd from gross to spotless to unbelievably gross and back, but it's not going to happen again. I've drawn the line. Support is here. Glad to have you with us. PO
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velvetedge
New Member
Joined: December 2008
Posts: 20
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Post by velvetedge on Jan 4, 2009 15:26:24 GMT -5
For Arid...
Im sorry about that. I should have put some more explanation in to that intro and that statement. With our post K return , both my husband and I were unable to work as our places of employment had still not reopened for business. Since we lost our car as a result of the storm, Father in law would drop us off at the house every day and we'd work on it. There was no electricity but we had pluming. Since we didnt have the distractions of work, tv, computer, we didnt have anything else to do but work on the house. I do apologize and I truly meant no offense by that statement. It was never my intention to make it seem as if I was saying that if you are home all day you should clean your house. Ive taken entire vactions where we stayed home and I didnt do a *** thing around here. Thats part of the reason why Im on this board today.
So.. to anyone who may take offense to what was stated, please please understand that was not my intention in my words.
Regards Tracy (who is fighting battle kitchen today but who still isnt quite courageous enough to take before and after pics... in time)
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Post by crazycatlady on Jan 4, 2009 15:51:43 GMT -5
Welcome, Tracy. Sounds like you have been through a lot! I hear what you are saying, that with no work/TV/computer, and the pressure of knowing someone is coming to inspect, that you would be pressured to "get 'er done!" I'm glad that the two of you were able to pull together and accomplish that. Had to be hard without a dishwasher, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, or air conditioning!
Good luck in the kitchen battles today.
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Post by Arid on Jan 4, 2009 17:39:33 GMT -5
No, Tracy, I wasn't offended by anything that you said. It's just that I know that there are lots of people in my *real life* who think that there is no reason for me not to have a clean house since I am "home all day" most days. Truth be told--I'm one of them (i.e. who feels that way)! However, I have many of the same issues that keep others in squalor, too. I feel that I am making progress, but a lot of my progress is more internal than external. That means that it takes a while for my progress to manifest itself in something that is visible.
I'm sorry that you and your husband have had to go through such hardship. If you read the posts by inguanaumama, you will find that she has been dealing with the results of a hurricane's wrath, too. Sadly, the two of you have a LOT in common!
We really are glad to have you "on board" with us.
Arid
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Post by mallery on Jan 4, 2009 18:17:44 GMT -5
Welcome Velvetedge! Very nice to meet you, I love this site, I hope you find the same support and encouragement that I have.
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Post by eatingbonbons on Jan 4, 2009 19:34:56 GMT -5
Welcome, Tracy! You can do it! The folks here have tons of encouragement and ideas.
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Post by Ican on Jan 4, 2009 23:17:54 GMT -5
Hello! and Welcome! Sorry you had to go through hurricane Katrina. Sounds like you made some good progress on picking things up at the house. Glad you're here!
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Post by notsomessyshell on Jan 5, 2009 3:36:15 GMT -5
Welcome Tracey!
I just recently took a leave from work and I really thought I would have a ton of stuff done. Nope. Not a darn thing. Maybe tomorrow when Youngest heads back to school.
I look forward to cheering you on!
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