Hold My Beer

For the last several years I've lived from crisis to crisis, problem solving on the fly, knowing this would haunt me for the rest of my days. The pigeons have come home to roost. The time has come to admit to it all: Hi, my name is Lynne and I have lots and lots of issues. I have a lot of everything: books, stamps, stickers, magazines, holiday decorations (not just one holiday but lots of holidays and lots of decorations), clothes, books, towels, linens, books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, - and have I mentioned books, decorations, & magazines?!?!?!? I knew I had reached capacity about two years ago. The house is walkable. The garage - not so much. The house is livable. The outside is okay since the recent renovations. The inside . . . well, ummm, . . . needs a lot of work. I kept postponing projects and postponing projects: someday this will need attention, lots of attention.

Someday has arrived.

I have two friends who are organizers and house clearers, and, generally, take care of the mess that comes with the kind of neglect I have: dying soon so none of this is my problem anymore. But . . . I am not dying soon (I think!) and all of this is my problem. My friends came over this weekend to begin the end of postponing my many issues. It was not pretty. Intolerable the more the day went on. Twelve trashcans and garbage bags and a stack of "stuff" I am willing to wave bye bye to. It is horrendous.

I had a mouse infestation several years ago. The professional was able to clear the house and the garage of all things alive. The house has been almost all taken care of but this is the first time the garage "stack of boxes" has been tackled. There have been numerous box casualties and content destruction and we have moved about 5% of the contents of the "stack". My friends worked six hours and we called it a day. I called it a horrible day. They called it their last day ever at my house. I do not expect to ever see them set foot on my property again. They were polite, reasonable, pleasant, and very, very helpful. They went over and above what I could have ever expected. I worked for several more hours filling trashcans, moving containers, furniture and "stuff". I worked for several more hours yesterday moving now empty trashcans, refilling again, and putting more valuables, such as photos, in better places.

I am never asking anyone back to help. It is humiliating and embarrassing to be doing this at my age. And then to expect help is beyond the realm of reality. I got myself into this and I am going to get myself out of this. I cannot ask anyone to assist in this nightmare. Vacation is over. No more excuses. No one is coming to my rescue. This is my "retirement".

I have only hope. Hope and a lot of hard work - probably a year's worth - it going to get me through this. Prayer and faith will be with me, I hope. I have some doubts, a lot of hesitation, and an Amazon subscription for heavy duty Advil, Tylenol, Bayer aspirin, bandages, and antiseptic. Fire up that shop vac! I ride tonight! Trash cans - HO!

(Oh, and it you wouldn't mind - a little word to Heaven on my behalf - I know I'm not getting out of this alive - Thanks!)