I wasn’t at the house today, but just got off the phone with Kathy, who called with an update on today’s activities. I had a severe allergic reaction to the mold and dust last evening when I got home. I am going back tomorrow, but I’ll be working outside for the rest of the week until Kathy finishes cleaning and disinfecting.

Kathy’s dentist supplied the disinfectant, but unfortunately, I don’t have his name. Kathy was headed for a hot bubble bath and I don’t want to call her back and disturb her!

Another big problem was solved today. Paul Harwood, our Ace Hardware man, donated the materials and special equipment that is required to repair the cracked floor beams. Danny Hovey, contractor, neighbor and long-time family friend, will stop by later this week to do the repair. I can’t express our gratitude for the generosity of these two men who have contributed their time, and for their commitment to making the necessary repairs. Danny’s two daughters, Melissa and Ana, stopped by after school to help load trash bags in the truck. Thank you, ladies.

Rick Cyr, another of Kathy’s friends (she has a lot of friends), flew up from Florida to help this week with hanging racks and organizers. Risk is an investment counselor and spent part of the day scoping out the best deals on reverse mortgages to see if this is a viable option for Miss Alice. We are hoping to avoid this, but Alice needs all of her appliances and floors replaced. There are also a few wiring problems to be addressed. We think we have found all of the problems, but we still have one more bathroom to excavate.

Alice’s friends are proceeding with fundraising. I am going to start organizing the “stuff” tomorrow for the Mega Yard Sale on Saturday. It will be a busy day with stuff going out and stuff going back in.

Miss Alice did a little fundraising on her own this week. She participated in a three-day marketing survey for $250. After deducting for gas, she presented Kathy with a check for $225. We are proud of you, Miss Alice.

Alice had another significant breakthrough today. She wanted to keep her old couch even though Kathy and I thought that was a very, very bad idea. When Kathy was out shopping for materials today, Alice called to say she was giving up the couch. This couch had a lot of sentimental value for Alice and was very hard for her to do. Kathy has already found some possible replacements on Craigslist.com. I have an old van and will take one of the guys to pick one up this week.

Alice faces another big challenge tomorrow. She agreed to a “budget” of 8 bins of clothing to keep as part of our agreement. Tomorrow she starts filling her bins. I think she can do this, but it will be tough.

Part of the service Kathy is performing for Alice is a whole house organization system. Alice was really interested in this when we first talked. We created a lifestyle vision for her home that will include a craft area, office area, sewing area and better organization for her kitchen. Kathy started on the basement craft area today and all of Alice’s arts and craft supplies will be neatly organized as they go back in her home.

One of Alice’s challenges has been buying the same things over and over because she can’t find them. Having a place for everything will help her keep track of what she has and doesn’t have. She will also be able to see when she has filled up her home with a particular item and needs to stop buying. Whole house organization systems are the key to clutter management and self-monitoring buying compulsions. This is part of the on-going accountability Alice agreed to do.

—Reported by Jackie Wells Smith

Day 9 photos below. View report and photos for Day 10.

Orlan Roper, Director of Sanitation, has been helping out by supplying trucks. We pay the city's costs, but it is much less expensive than the dumpsters.

Rick Cyr, Kathy's long-time friend, flew up from Florida to help this week with hanging shelves and organizing racks.