Sunday, January 24, 2010

Poking humour at hoarding tendencies

One of my favourite TV blondes did a humorous portrayal of a hoarder on Thursday night. I'm talking about Amy Poehler on NBC's Parks and Recreation in which character Leslie Knope decides to hold a dinner party at her house so she could impress her new boyfriend.

When her friend Ann arrives to help her prepare, she is greeted by piles of newspapers and other items that Leslie just can't release. It was quite a hilarious episode.

http://www.nbc.com/parks-and-recreation/

Things turn out okay with the help of continuing education instructors that get pulled in to her vortex to tidy the house, prepare the meal, entertain the guests, etc.

I think the episode provided a clever way to poke fun at our tendencies to keep things "just in case" we may need to use them in the future. I've been there.

If you don't have the space, there's NO "just in case"!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Social and Financial Dilemas

I know a man who plans to climb a mountain later this year and raise money for cancer research prior to his quest. I have supported him financially as much as I can so far for this noble cause.

Now, we need to dig people in Haiti out from under the rubble and help rebuild their lives, to find their loved ones. My heart goes out to them - and so must some of my "expendable" income.

Give now if you can.

Start here: http://www.cbc.ca/haitirelief/

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Sorting, collecting and hoarding

During a family gathering over the holidays, some of us were discussing the problems of living with someone who hoards and how it hampers our efforts to simplify our lives and physical space. When it comes down to fire hazards due to piles of magazines and newspapers in your basement, that's when you really have to speak up. It can become physically and emotionally draining to live in a cramped, cluttered home - especially when your requests are discarded as nagging and selfish. How ironic! So glad I'm not living THAT nightmare anymore.


Sure, we each may have tendencies to "collect" things like books, photographs, figurines, etc. It helps to define a bit more about us. I like to discover what family members or friends "collect" as it reveals a little more about character and interests. When it extends to too many categories and clutter, that's when a person would want to step back and take a fresh look. You can even hire people to do this for you!


I know that during my purging project, I will have to be selective with the "things" I have collected and prioritize which ones to keep or give away. My books will have to be exempt from this project. It's just a matter of getting more shelf space and reorganizing by subject - again. Hello, IKEA.


On a humorous note, one family member at the gathering quipped that the acronym for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: should really be "CDO", organized alphabetically.



Definition: "Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, such as cleaning, checking, counting, or hoarding. "



Links about Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD):

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Mental Abuse In Marriages


Worth a mention, from the ranks of "been there". Wondering if and when this will happen in Canada.


France Moves To Outlaw Mental Abuse In Marriages

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122362876&ft=1&f=1001

Thank you, News Worthy
http://twitter.com/newswrthy

Yes, mental abuse can happen both ways (and with a variety of gendered relationships). Respect and communication are very important.


Go in peace

Friday, January 1, 2010

Time flies

It seems fitting to type a few words about time and our recording devices on this, New Years Day 2010.

Another man-made milestone has passed and nothing in my observance of natural time has really changed. I do have a few calendars to change around the humble abode. What to do with the old ones?

  • Well, the sentimental side of me wants to keep them on file to have a record of family visits, birthdays and appointments. Meh, some of that is already recorded in personal journals or photographs :-) and appointment history is kept by the doctor's offices anyway.

  • The creative side wants to save the artwork for cheap yet colourful rec-room wall coverings. Somehow, Happy Bunny and Farmers Almanac just don't compliment each other. Or do they?

  • The pragmatic side says to discard them - preferably into the recycling bin.

This year, fewer calendars!

Thoughts?