I got a million of them. Some of them may even be valid if you close one eye and squint a little. I’ve been completely lacking in energy, ideas, drive and purpose. I would like to say that there is some deep seated psychological reason for my complete lack of progress, but I just don’t think there is. It’s more a general mid-summer malaise coupled with a complete disinterest in tackling the next two rooms. Part of this little exercise in futility is that I have to clean and declutter every room as I go through it. SIMPLIFY and MINIMIZE. This takes time and focus, which means I didn’t really do it. I just moved a lot of the crap from the previously completed rooms into both of the downstairs bedrooms. Which were already filled with crap. And if I proceed system, all of these items will end up in the basement, which means I will have to go through them all again along with all the other crap in the basement. I’m amazed not only at how much shit we have accumulated over 30+ years, but how much of it I seem to have been unwilling or unable to dispose of.

I’m starting both of the rooms at the same time because of the floors which need to be redone together. This means I have to purge. The closets, the cabinet and my office. But the very thought of “starting” makes me want to put my head down. My ten month deadline (August 1) is going the way of the budget and I still have 3 rooms and the basement to do. So I”m making this blog my re-commitment agreement. Which should not be confused with my commitment order – which will probably come later. I will work daily and write weekly starting today. Or tomorrow since I probably won’t post this today. Or Wednesday at the latest.

I have very little to report in terms of progress. Okay, I have next to nothing to report. I did get some art for my wood frames. (EarthArt from Etsy) Six in all. If nothing else, it’s got a bit of asymmetry to it. I’m in the midst of purchasing the new front door. Figuring out the swing required Google, trying to decide if I want a new fake door (not wood) or try to put a window in the wood door we have has given me a headache. Using the old door will keep it from the landfill and it’s here and it fits but it’s a gamble that the window thing will work – and the kit is only a little cheaper than the new fake door. Searching for bathroom window (headache moved to migraine status) but I’m on it! Searching for the right words to search for has proved challenging. Words like “sash” “window insert” and “right swing in” eluded me at first. Those are the steps backward, the bedroom and the office are the steps forward.

The front bedroom has housed all the kids at one time or another and now has become Stella’s room. This is command central – providing a clear view of all people and animals that must be observed and barked at. She will not relinquish the helm without a fight. It could be unpleasant. The furniture was a wedding gift to Ben’s PARENTS from his parents. Time to paint it again. The back bedroom (legally it is a bedroom because it has a closet) has been my office since the kid’s grew up and ditched us. Neither of these rooms are big but as you can see, neither has a large closet but we have managed to fill every corner with stuff. I keep thinking about those tiny cars with all the clowns in them. I was going to clean before I took photos, but that seemed dishonest. But then I remembered (as Boom likes to remind us) if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying. So, I did take a few bags out. I didn’t want you to think I was a total slob just messy in a completely charming and unorganized way. In this mini purge I found a bunch of stuff that I meant to use. This great pot and some candle holders. I don’t know what to do with those. More back tracking may be required.

Today I began, again and I’m tired already. This cabinet alone is going to take about two hours. I was going to throw away all my tax stuff up to 2010 but as in all things karma I just got a letter from the IRS saying we owe them $399 from 2008. I don’t even remember 2008! Who’s doing their paperwork, the post office? And why is it that the minute the universe knows you’re a few dollars ahead it breaks something or bills you? This has got to be written down somewhere.

So forward once more, into the breach. I’ll talk to you in a week – as promised in writing – and will post photos of the top 3 most unusual or ridiculous things I find.

“Highlights” – see if you can find these five items. 1. A rug 2. A Chandelier 3. Brass candlesticks 4. Canvas 5. Jimmy Hoffa.