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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 49. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
This just in....dateline noa's place, January 20....to everyone's amazement, noa actually exerted effort in the housework arena early this afternoon, bringing to a close three full days of lazy, immobile, agonizing rumination about how she Should clean. This follows a long period during which the slow-moving resident neglected nearly all chores and forewent all reasonable efforts at cleanliness.
The disaster build up took time, but to an untrained observer, it had the appearance of a sudden event, such a forceful hurricane or invasion by ransacking home intruders. The place was very clean in October, and over the course of several months, the accumulation of clothes, newspapers, trash, unread mail, and tons of unsolicited junk mail developed steadily as the occupant, noa, failed to follow normal living procedures known to most humans above the age of four.
It was to her own amazement that noa suddenly got a burst of energy to try to make the dent that began to emerge as she gathered the recycling and trash and began to do some laundry. "It's really only a dent," said the bewildered noa, "but I hope it is a good start, at least I can see some of my surfaces."
Indeed, surfaces began to peek out just a bit about midway through the process this afternoon. A good deal more of the living room floor is visible, the kitchen table is only about half covered with piles, and the kitchen counters, though still needing a good scrub, are fairly clear.
But fear and discouragement seemed to lurk not far for dent-maker noa. "It is only a dent. Not anywhere near being 'clean', I wanted to get more of it done, but I'm so tired now, I have to stop. There is so much more to do, not just with the cleaning, it is overwhelming. I'm afraid I won't get anymore done--look how long it took me to do just this. And, I've done this before, where I clean some, or even get the whole place really clean and neat, and then just let it go back to being a mess again."
Will she continue her efforts to tidy up, or will noa's fears be borne out. This correspondent hopes to have an update for you sometime in the near future. For now, from the heart of the dented disaster area, this is your correspondent, signing out.
Posted by Tabitha on January 20, 2003, at 14:27:47
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
Oh goodness, Noa, I have so been there. Fight that self-critical and hopelessness-inducing voice and talk yourself up. After being immobilized sooo long, you did it! you started tackling the monster mess. Admire those clear surfaces.
Posted by mair on January 20, 2003, at 16:54:26
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
This was great Noa, but it does beg the question facing all of us: What's worse - the projects we never get to, or the projects we start and don't finish? Any thoughts?
Mair
Posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 17:10:07
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent » noa, posted by mair on January 20, 2003, at 16:54:26
Great question! The ones we never start are fodder for the "what ifs" questions about places one's life doesn't go. The started and unfinished may be worse because they are sitting there staring at us all the time! I don't know, they're both bad.
Posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 17:10:58
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by Tabitha on January 20, 2003, at 14:27:47
Thanks, Tab. I can't help it--that is how mind mind works. Like my therapist said, the mind is a great tool but a terrible friend.
Posted by Dinah on January 20, 2003, at 17:56:45
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
Posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 20:07:13
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
> This just in....dateline noa's place, January 20....to everyone's amazement, noa actually exerted effort in the housework arena early this afternoon,
70,000 fans on their feet--NOA-NOA-NOA!!!
bringing to a close three full days of lazy, immobile, agonizing rumination about how she Should clean. This follows a long period during which the slow-moving resident neglected nearly all chores and forewent all reasonable efforts at cleanliness.>>>Yes, I'll have the fried egg under the refrigerator, two pieces of bacon on the coffee table and the toast on the closet floor.
Fruit? Well, same to ya, sweetheart..oh, so sorry. Give me that black banana and that bruise with the apple under it. There are plates hidden in the oven.> The disaster build up took time, but to an untrained observer, it had the appearance of a sudden event, such a forceful hurricane or invasion by ransacking home intruders. The place was very clean in October, and over the course of several months, the accumulation of clothes, newspapers, trash, unread mail, and tons of unsolicited junk mail developed steadily as the occupant, noa, failed to follow normal living procedures known to most humans above the age of four.
>>>>Those aren't normal??It was to her own amazement that noa suddenly got a burst of energy to try to make the dent that began to emerge as she gathered the recycling and trash and began to do some laundry.
Why do you wash your recycling and trash??
"It's really only a dent," said the bewildered noa, "but I hope it is a good start, at least I can see some of my surfaces."
>
> Indeed, surfaces began to peek out just a bit about midway through the process this afternoon. A good deal more of the living room floor is visible, the kitchen table is only about half covered with piles, and the kitchen counters, though still needing a good scrub, are fairly clear.
>
> But fear and discouragement seemed to lurk not far for dent-maker noa. "It is only a dent. Not anywhere near being 'clean', I wanted to get more of it done, but I'm so tired now, I have to stop. There is so much more to do, not just with the cleaning, it is overwhelming. I'm afraid I won't get anymore done--look how long it took me to do just this. And, I've done this before, where I clean some, or even get the whole place really clean and neat, and then just let it go back to being a mess again."Will she continue her efforts to tidy up, or will noa's fears be borne out. This correspondent hopes to have an update for you sometime in the near future. For now, from the heart of the dented disaster area, this is your correspondent, signing out.
newsroom...anchorman can't quit laughing. been going on since the Noa report began.
Excellent report, especially with the gas mask and that radioactive safety suit.
Well folks, will she complete it? Please come to the station, KRUT to place your bets.
Next week, Martha Stewart and how to make your crib in the big house lovely for Valentine's Day.
She'll follow that with a brief report that, in her terms, "Will make your prison garb da bomb, baby."
Posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 21:17:39
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 20:07:13
Thanks, Phil--made me laugh. I liked the reporter in the gas mask get-up.
And, you are right about the stuff everywhere. I had been trying to at least get rid of food trash that rots, but I missed one or two, and found them co-mingled with the newspapers and such. And lots of rotting food IN the fridge, but got rid of that today. Will have several trips to the curb for trash pick-up tomorrow. If I can only remember to get up early enough and do it (pick up is around 9), so have to do it before going to work.
Still haven't moved the fridge to see what migrated under there, though. Thanks for reminding me.
Posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 21:36:40
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent LOL » Phil, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 21:17:39
Never move the fridge, God only know what lives under there.
My place isn't much better. I have taken to carrying a couple of cans of Lysol everywhere. They're my headlights.
You know, if you don't do the kitty litter thing daily, you'll receive an odoriferous reminder. These things hang in the air waiting for an unsuspecting nose to pass by. New Lysol, now with DDT! Killing bugs never smelled so good!
Posted by Tabitha on January 21, 2003, at 1:01:42
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent LOL » noa, posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 21:36:40
I had my house painted and the painter moved the fridge to paint behind it (gosh he was a great painter). Next time he saw me he asked "Do you have rabbits?" ..... Get the picture?
So about that egg, my guess is that Phil has a free-range chicken.
Posted by rayww on January 21, 2003, at 1:56:59
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
I am tempted to go off my meds just so I can get into the swing of housework again. I wait and wait for the mood to strike, so willing to get up in the middle of the night or whenever it calls, but my voice is silent, and I am feeling lazy still. Just about, I think, but then I find something else I would "rather" do.
To see organized seems so impossible, or is it impassable? My brain used to organize and sort data for me, but not any more. I'm confident it will get around to it again, but not until I correct my focus and clean the lens I am viewing life through. Little cloudy today I guess.
Your post brought laughter to the babble community. Is anyone out there able to follow a daily routine? I find routine to be extremely high stress because I don't like forcing myself to do something that I'm not on the swing of at the moment.
Oh pleasant swing, where are you?
Posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 2:25:06
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by rayww on January 21, 2003, at 1:56:59
Everyday, I get out of bed - can't wet it so I head to the bathroom first thing. Cats follow me clamouring for breakfast, so they get fed. Gotta have my huge mug of tea as I check my email. Eventually by the end of the day, I make it back to bed.
Now there's an easy routine to follow & quite flexible. I mean, you can include eating if you wish, or even wander outside occasionally to see if there's mail. Add or subtract activities as needed. Like I said, daily routines are easy.
Posted by rayww on January 21, 2003, at 2:33:13
In reply to Daily routines are easy... » rayww, posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 2:25:06
I'm LOL so glad LOL to know LOL that one counts LOL.
Actually, it's not all that funny is it?
Posted by coral on January 21, 2003, at 5:01:35
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
Thank you, Noa!!
For MONTHS now, I've been threatening to clean my office. Actually, did get one section done but the drawer in the mini-file cabinet broke so that brought EVERYTHING to a screeching halt. I'm sure everyone understands why a broken file drawer would prevent me from tackling the dust bunny herds that occupy ..... well..... everywhere.
You've given me inspiration to continue the battle before I lose the one spot that is clean!
Thanks!
Posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 5:44:53
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent LOL » noa, posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 21:36:40
I sometimes wish I had a cat, but it is the cleaning that stops me (oh, and yeah, I think I'm allergic, too, but it's mostly the cleaning). I can't clean up my own mess, let alone another living being's.
Posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 5:46:47
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by rayww on January 21, 2003, at 1:56:59
Thanks. Glad you can relate (or am I?)
Posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 5:49:00
In reply to Re: Noa is an inspiration, posted by coral on January 21, 2003, at 5:01:35
>>I'm sure everyone understands why a broken file drawer would prevent me from tackling the dust bunny herds that occupy ..... well..... everywhere.
OH YEAH! In fact, I bet we could generate a wonderful list of "halt screechers", ie, things that make it impossible to go on with the task.
Posted by yaya on January 21, 2003, at 6:39:30
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
Congratulations! I sure could use some of that energy and inspiration. I'm going on six months now. I did get some Christmas decorations put away, but I still have about seven boxes in my living room. Oh well...tomorrow's another day...
Posted by Phil on January 21, 2003, at 7:05:35
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent LOL » Phil, posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 5:44:53
Noa, You 'would' clean the cat box!! Or else. haha
Posted by coral on January 21, 2003, at 8:12:24
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by yaya on January 21, 2003, at 6:39:30
Our TREE is still up and the Christmas dishes are still on the table and buffet (at least they're washed) LOL
And, I won't mention the Halloween decorations on the porch.
Posted by yaya on January 21, 2003, at 11:21:31
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by coral on January 21, 2003, at 8:12:24
Oh my! I guess I'm not alone in this area. I do manage to get the kitty litter box cleaned, but there are times when I can't face the chore (like right now) so I filled my sink with Pine Sol.
Posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 12:50:32
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by yaya on January 21, 2003, at 11:21:31
I'd just like to tell you, Noa (in all seriousness but also with a goofy, crooked smile on my face) that you must've been an inspiration to me.
When I read your original post, I thought "she's a great writer with a real sense of humour & should be writing a column for a local paper & work up from there to greater things". Heck! You're every bit as funny, or more, as Dave Barry & Erma Bombeck (is she even around any more?). If they can make money from it, so should you.
After sending off a quick (not so funny) quip to rayww, I went into my kitchen around midnight. What with stress lately & an upset stomach from it, I couldn't sleep. So I stayed up till 3 AM & cleaned. Wow! I now have clean dishes, both sinks clean & empty, & can find stuff. Well, at least some stuff - those I washed.
Go, Noa!! You may serve as the beacon for all of us disorganised, anxious slobs who are afraid someone may actually drop in to visit.I looked up the meaning of Noa (even if it's not your real name) & it says it's an Arabic version meaning "light". Yes!! That's our Noa - a light for all "wanna-be tidy & organised" slobs.
Posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 13:15:00
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent LOL » Phil, posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 5:44:53
Would you believe it, Noa? That's the one area in my place that's clean, VERY clean! I love my kitties but I loathe the smell & dirt of a litter box, so I scoop it a number of times a day. Plus the fact, if I didn't, they'd find a unsuitable place to go. They're more finicky than I am about cleanliness.
Posted by OddipusRex on January 21, 2003, at 16:10:45
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Inspiration - for Noa, posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 12:50:32
I did all my laundry! It was an inspiration for me too.
> I'd just like to tell you, Noa (in all seriousness but also with a goofy, crooked smile on my face) that you must've been an inspiration to me.
>
> When I read your original post, I thought "she's a great writer with a real sense of humour & should be writing a column for a local paper & work up from there to greater things". Heck! You're every bit as funny, or more, as Dave Barry & Erma Bombeck (is she even around any more?). If they can make money from it, so should you.
>
> After sending off a quick (not so funny) quip to rayww, I went into my kitchen around midnight. What with stress lately & an upset stomach from it, I couldn't sleep. So I stayed up till 3 AM & cleaned. Wow! I now have clean dishes, both sinks clean & empty, & can find stuff. Well, at least some stuff - those I washed.
>
> Go, Noa!! You may serve as the beacon for all of us disorganised, anxious slobs who are afraid someone may actually drop in to visit.I looked up the meaning of Noa (even if it's not your real name) & it says it's an Arabic version meaning "light". Yes!! That's our Noa - a light for all "wanna-be tidy & organised" slobs.
Posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 19:15:57
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Inspiration - for Noa, posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 12:50:32
Thanks for the kudos, Iso. And YAY for you and your late-nite cleaning spree!
I have to say, as much as what I did IS only a dent, it was nice to come home from work today and actually see the surfaces, like the kitchen table.
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