Everything Mold Is New Again

The mold remediators have come and gone -- and it was quite an ordeal. They sealed off the basement with a huge hose going through the family room and out the window, tackling one half at a time. It took the whole day (and I'm amazed it was so fast.) When done, the basement looked like a different place. They not only did the mold work but they also took off all the cobwebs that had grown in place. 

I had prepped by bringing up anything breakable -- which meant set after set of china and dishes, all crammed into the family room on just about every surface -- mantel, hearth, chairs, table. When I scheduled the mold remediation, I decided it would be smarter for me to bring up all the china/pottery/serving pieces than to leave them there for the workers to move -- and possibly break. If something was to crash, I'd feel better if I broke it myself. So, I hauled it all upstairs.

I realized (again) that I have too many dishes.

This haul basically amounts to at least 10 sets of dinnerware (not full sets, fortunately -- some serving eight or ten, others, just four), plus all those odds-and-ends pieces like trays, cake plates, teapots, pitchers, glassware.... you get the idea. And until I put the basement back together again, it's all here in the family room. I have GOT to sell some of this. Or find a good home for it. 

They workers were great, though. Not a thing was broken despite the fact that they had to move more things than I can imagine. And some of it was downright disgusting with cobwebs, dirt and of course, mold. They left everything piled on one side of the basement, which was essential but trying to put things back together is a bit of a befuddlement. 

So, I got contractors bags, rubber gloves, a bucket (I couldn't find my old one -- it's somewhere in what they stacked up!), and disinfecting wipes and donned my mask to sort, pitch, (all cardboard boxes, particle board or items with mold have to go), gather donations and put things back in a more organized way. 

I'm filling up those contractors bags with clothing to take to the laundromat (because I don't want to do it in the home washing machine) and others with things that are broken and should have been pitched ages ago, along with things to go to charity. It will take quite awhile but bit by bit. It's a big job but the sooner I get it back together the sooner I can take all those dishes back downstairs!

Right now it's a mess -- everything is everywhere. But day by day, one step at a time! Although, I sometimes am derailed by finding things I either forgot I had -- or just want to read, like an old journal or (even worse) themes I wrote in Junior High. Discovering a box of old photos can set you back a half hour! I've finally started stacking those things up to go through later. Then, there are things you unearth that you realize need to be integrated back into your life. Cards you have saved. Theatre programs from my first trip to England. And then there are those things you hate to throw away, like all the award plaques I won back when I was working. Nobody will ever care about those but me -- and even I don't care that much anymore. But it's still hard to let go.

(I have learned that Staples will recycle your computers, monitors and small electronics like VCRs for no charge!)

It's interesting what being productive can do for you. One day a week or two ago, I was a bit depressed. It seemed as though everything felt so overwhelming. So much do do (and not fun stuff), and so many roadblocks that get thrown in, just when you think all systems are go! Nothing was completed -- surgery postponed, England postponed, the basement -- never ending. It seemed as though "Please Stand By" has been the reality.

But Rick reminded me of what I had accomplished and that made a big difference. My word of the year is Action and I've felt like it has been anything but. But he's right -- I've done a lot and I shouldn't forget it. The mold issue has been resolved, saggy sofa cushions were restuffed, and I'm waiting for the final proof from the printers on my book.There is still much to do in the Battle of the Pantry Moths, putting the basement back together, and more. But it's not as grim as it has seemed.

As I mentioned above, some of you know my cataract surgery was postponed due to a positive MRSA test. Keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully I'll be rescheduled soon after my next testing.

And, England trip has been officially postponed until October. Just too much stress to plan well -- and planning is half the fun. I'm both disappointed and relieved.

Meanwhile, when things are down and out, hug a cat. . . 

 She Who Must Be Obeyed is a fine therapist!

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