Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity . You didn't say how your exercise class went, so I'm taking that as a good thing and that it went well, I hope.

"Lost, numb and empty"...it sounds hard to cope with. And very hard to function. 😥

I'm glad you spoke to your neighbour yesterday. Sounds like she is a nice neighbour - a rarity around there, it seems.

I do enjoy my work, yes. I feel fortunate to have found this charity to work for. It keeps me positively occupied and my mind busy. Another busy work day coming up today (occasionally happens, then other weeks are quiet and boring).

It's so strange that the heavy rain misses you. That's sad.

It's dark till about 6.55am now, pushing my day back. Summer's over and I didn't do even one box from the shed.

I did a little work on the kitchen yesterday - just putting the rubbish out and tidying the small bench. The long bench is still full.

Good luck today with whatever you decide to do.

Hello @NatureLover

Well done on straightening the kitchen a bit. I trust work went well today.

I took a load of stuff to the opshop today. I sometimes wonder if it's worth the taxifare but I hope the sale helps the charity and gives someone else the opportunity to use the stuff rather than have it go to landfill. And I wouldn't have room in the bin.

As usual, it doesn't feel like a clearance. The space will quickly fill with other stuff set aside for donation. In fact it will get worse as I'll bring out more boxes from the spareroom, and I've only been discarding about 1/4 of what I find.

It's not home help's week and the support worker cancelled. (Yes, exercise group was OK thanks although not easy.) Tomorrow I'll try to catch up on chores, and muddle on with decluttering. The garden needs work too.

Best wishes

Thanks, @Dimity . Yes, work went well thanks.

It sounds like the exercises in your class are becoming more difficult?

Well done for taking another load to the Opp Shop. 👏

It must be frustrating to only discard about 1/4 of your things. At least, I would find it so. It means it's tough work even getting rid of that 1/4. And I presume there's no room to store the 3/4 you are keeping. I have that frustration too.

With the stuff in the shed, I really need to get rid of 100% of it, as there's not a square centimetre of space in my house. The only thing I can think of to keep from the shed would be my missing garden shears, which I can't find anywere else. But I feel I must go through all the boxes despite that. And if I'm not feeling what I call "ruthless", I will end up keeping most of it - back in boxes in the shed. 😥 It's a horrible cycle!

Today I have a coffee with ex-staff from my old job. It may end up turning into lunch, but I have to be careful what I spend. Many more people have left that old job, some of them almost broken by the workplace. The old workplace is desperately calling out for more staff and volunteers. They have ruined what was a happy, productive charity.

Good luck today with your garden / chores / decluttering. I will try to tackle a little bit more of the kitchen.

@NatureLover @Dimity @Appleblossom @Shaz51 @Mustang67 my cat is not around, been calling her today, hope she comes back soon. Hope everyone is well♥️. Sending blessings

@NatureLover @Dimity @Mustang67 @tyme @Appleblossom @Shaz51 ok she’s back now, cheeky, I need to go inside as mozzies are feasting. 🐱 🐈

I'm so glad I'm not in a mozzie zone @scruffypuffball !

How are you going my fellow forumites @NatureLover @Dimity @Appleblossom .

I'm thinking about you all.

My house looks shocking. I really need to tidy stuff. My clothes are everywhere.

We have our untidiness moments @tyme

@Mustang67 @NatureLover @Dimity

@scruffypuffball Glad she is back. We can worry when they are out. I need to organise a cat enclosure in the next few months, so that will be tidying and building but in the garden. I am teaching mine to come back with a whistling call.

Cat training @Appleblossom ? How's it going?

Made me laugh @tyme

I am very laid back about animal training. Only been a dog owner once, but spent 5 years at zoo and am interested in all behaviour.

When my 2 cats were reunited when they were separated when they were young, They were hissing a bit. I did a simple, let each have own space at each end of the house, and gradually brought their food bowls closer together. That was just over a year ago. They are well behaved and even look out for each other rather than be too competitive about stuff.

I give them their treat soft food around the same time each day, and they like it, remind me if its late, but not too demanding. I dont more treats than that, apart from attention and pats.

Also at the zoo, the Phd students did an experiment on tortoises whether they liked food treats or pats on their shell.

I keep it easy going, but am pleasantly surprised how good my girls are, and they often do respond fairly quickly to my whistle. They have figured out if they want the easy open door route, they have to respond quickly, cos I am not waiting to be their doorperson, otherwise its over the house, out the back and through the garage and cat flap. They can always get in, but one way takes a lot more effort. lol

Animal whisperer?? @Appleblossom

Next, you can toilet train cats!

I knew a lady who taught her cat to use the toilet. There was a special 'seat' on the toilet for the cat.