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Post by Rennie Ellen on Jun 24, 2008 12:44:25 GMT -5
My kitchen is finally at stage ZERO! My living room is still at stage 1 and my "Bedroom Of Doom" at stage 2. The bathroom needs tidying up but is presentable.
I'm not sure if I'm getting better or not. I'm still on soft bland foods and if I don't overdo it, I feel good. I've also lost some weight (the only good thing out of all this!  ). I'm not going to the bathroom as much (yes, I'm counting because if I go to the doctor, he'll ask) but I'm still experiencing the abdominal cramps and "other" things.
But getting the kitchen back to stage 0 -- yippee!!! I know it's not a lot compared to what I have left to do, but it's a major accomplishment! I'm still plugging away at the living room -- a neighbor is moving and gave me an end table. I'll put that beside my loveseat and I want things to look nice when it gets here.
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Post by mouse on Jun 24, 2008 14:24:47 GMT -5
I'm so glad you're feeling better!  Congratulations on getting your home clean in spite of your major flare. You rock! ~Mouse |
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Post by minball on Jun 24, 2008 16:58:08 GMT -5
Hi Rennie Ellen! Congratulations on achieving level zero in your kitchen! That's amazing, and I wanted to let you know that it totally inspired me. With the hot and steamy weather we've been having in North Carolina, my MS has been acting up and my housekeeping has suffered. But this afternoon I thought, "If Rennie Ellen can accomplish so much when she is feeling poorly, I can surely do a little bit better than I am!" So I pulled my desk chair into the kitchen and started working little by little, and before long, everything looked so much better. It's all thanks to you!
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Post by messymimi on Jun 24, 2008 17:02:31 GMT -5
Three Cheers for Rennie Ellen! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
Don't underestimate your accomplishments. You are awesome.
Hope you are getting better.
messymimi
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Post by CrimsonKat on Jun 24, 2008 20:19:45 GMT -5
Rennie, kitchens are huge! I know, for me, it's one of my problem rooms (hard to stay on top of). Good job!
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Post by pegasus48 on Jun 24, 2008 20:47:23 GMT -5
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Post by Rennie Ellen on Jun 24, 2008 21:39:14 GMT -5
Thanks so much!
I do have to explain about the "Bedroom Of Doom"....
After Christmas I had the bright ( ) idea of reorganizing my bedroom closet. Of course, right after Christmas was when I got the flu and the bronchitis-that-hung-on-for-months until it turned into pneumonia, then the antibiotics for all that aggravated my ulcerative colitis. So after I got everything out to sort through, I got sick and all that stuff is still sitting there. I want to get my LR back to stage 0 first before I attempt the BR closet. I tire out so fast. I know my top priority at the moment is to get well, but the "Bedroom Of Doom" doesn't create a sense of peace and sanctuary which I really need right now to do that. And I'm on my own here. At times it feels so overwhelming....that I get this "bright" idea to clean out my BR closet (or another huge project that needs to get done) and then my body goes haywire yet AGAIN  and things start to pile up. Then there's the fear I'm going to die alone and the Housing inspector will find my corpse among the stuff outside my BR closet! 
I'm still a long way from my goal -- not to mention I still have the carport storage room and the rented storage unit that needs to be cleaned out! I have so much to do and I'm afraid my body won't hold out long enough to do it. But your posts give me HOPE that if I just take my time, I CAN get this done. Thanks! 
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Post by ClutterGone on Jun 25, 2008 5:17:09 GMT -5
hugs and hugs and hugs
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Post by ramatama on Jun 25, 2008 10:46:42 GMT -5
Then there's the fear I'm going to die alone and the Housing inspector will find my corpse among the stuff outside my BR closet! Oh forgoodness'sakes! Time to let you, and anybody else know what my elderly aunt-in-law did/ does. She is 92 and almost blind. She too said stuff like that, but it is obviously a fear she had and you do too. Here goes: She took a large piece of paper and wrote on it (translated from the German) : if you find me dead in a mess, it is because i am trying to make order and de-clutter, please forgive me if this causes you extra work. I kid you not. When she cleaned up, she'd throw away the paper. Would this idea help you? |
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Post by Rennie Ellen on Jun 25, 2008 15:13:45 GMT -5
Ramatama,Oh forgoodness'sakes! Time to let you, and anybody else know what my elderly aunt-in-law did/ does. She is 92 and almost blind. She too said stuff like that, but it is obviously a fear she had and you do too. Here goes: She took a large piece of paper and wrote on it (translated from the German) : if you find me dead in a mess, it is because i am trying to make order and de-clutter, please forgive me if this causes you extra work. I kid you not. When she cleaned up, she'd throw away the paper. Would this idea help you? 
Now here I am, living alone, in not so good health. It's a real fear and concern if I have a fall or a medical emergency and can't reach a phone, I'd lie there for days before anyone would find me. Decluttering is half the battle. The paramedics can now get to me without stepping over piles and boxes, but the problem is, HOW do I contact them? This is something I'm planning to talk to someone about at the Independent Living Center very soon. But your aunt sounds very considerate, writing a note like that. I'm like that, too....I'd be concerned that getting me out from the BR closet would cause extra work.
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Post by messymimi on Jun 25, 2008 17:18:37 GMT -5
Dear Rennie Ellen,
One of the things that gave me a reason to live during the worst of my recent depression was the thought that I just wanted to live another year, long enough to get the house organized.
I seriously fear dying with the house a mess, and I'm 44 and in good health. I especially don't want my born organized father to end up going through the house if I don't have stuff in order.
I still think you are awesome for getting your kitchen under control. Also, you are in my prayers daily.
messymimi
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Post by Alexandra on Jun 25, 2008 21:11:18 GMT -5
It's threads like this that keep me plugging away at my own kitchen!
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Post by MsHavisham on Jun 26, 2008 5:14:50 GMT -5
Rennie Ellen - First - HUGE congratulations on your KITCHEN! I am so envious  Second - Please, check into a personal alarm so you could summon help if you couldn't get to a phone. There are many vendors but here are a few links: www.myalarmcare.comwww.seniorsafety.comwww.lifestation.comwww.lifeguardianmedicalalarms.comOr you could buy a phone clip/holster/etc and constantly keep a cordless phone or cell phone on your person. I'd put the charging station next to your bed so it could be recharging as you sleep and also close at hand. Do you have a nearby friend or relative who would check in on you daily? By all means talk to the independent living center, they probably have additional suggestions. I live alone too and there have been some times when I have been so sick I've been afraid I would not be able to make it to a phone to call for help. It's terrifying. It can't be healthy to that anxiety on a regular basis. MsHavisham |
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Post by Rennie Ellen on Jun 26, 2008 20:51:44 GMT -5
I have no idea what happened here....my new post appeared twice so I'm deleting the double post and making a new one.
My living room is looking better. Today my car was having problems with the starter so I was on the phone most of the day with the ministry who got the needed part and a volunteer came over and installed it. But I DID change the cat litter in Angel's litterbox! She was very happy.  Tomorrow's plan is to get enough done and find someone to help me move my end table inside. So slowly progress IS being made!
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Post by Rennie Ellen on Jun 26, 2008 20:58:13 GMT -5
Mshavisham,Rennie Ellen - First - HUGE congratulations on your KITCHEN! I am so envious Second - Please, check into a personal alarm so you could summon help if you couldn't get to a phone. There are many vendors but here are a few links: www.myalarmcare.com www.seniorsafety.comwww.lifestation.com www.lifeguardianmedicalalarms.com Or you could buy a phone clip/holster/etc and constantly keep a cordless phone or cell phone on your person. I'd put the charging station next to your bed so it could be recharging as you sleep and also close at hand. Do you have a nearby friend or relative who would check in on you daily? By all means talk to the independent living center, they probably have additional suggestions. I live alone too and there have been some times when I have been so sick I've been afraid I would not be able to make it to a phone to call for help. It's terrifying. It can't be healthy to that anxiety on a regular basis.
I'm on a fixed income and I can't afford to get a personal alarm system. I wish I could. I DO have a NET 10 cell phone and its charger is on my nightstand. The phone clip idea is a good one (if I can remember to clip it on every morning! ). I do have my friends at the Bible study and I'll talk to a couple of them about my situation. Yes, it is scary so I'm doing what I can to be proactive.
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