1 00:00:03,335 --> 00:00:06,168 I do have some collections, 2 00:00:06,168 --> 00:00:09,376 but I also overdone it a little bit. 3 00:00:10,335 --> 00:00:11,918 If we don't clean the house, 4 00:00:11,918 --> 00:00:13,668 code enforcement, they can evict us. 5 00:00:15,168 --> 00:00:16,751 We're landlocked. 6 00:00:16,751 --> 00:00:18,126 They can't bring anything else out. 7 00:00:18,126 --> 00:00:20,376 We need to speed this process up. 8 00:00:26,126 --> 00:00:28,626 This living room that I worked so hard on 9 00:00:28,626 --> 00:00:30,001 is completely full again. 10 00:00:30,001 --> 00:00:31,668 I don't know what the future holds. 11 00:00:31,668 --> 00:00:32,501 I know. 12 00:00:32,501 --> 00:00:33,293 It's hard. 13 00:00:34,585 --> 00:00:37,293 After he died, that this became a disaster. 14 00:00:44,418 --> 00:00:45,543 20 cents. 15 00:00:45,543 --> 00:00:48,251 You're getting hung up on a plastic piece. 16 00:00:49,793 --> 00:00:52,085 When I saw Dorothy coming around the corner, 17 00:00:52,085 --> 00:00:55,085 I know today's gonna be a good experience. 18 00:00:55,085 --> 00:00:56,168 Mom? 19 00:00:56,168 --> 00:00:57,543 - Where is she? - Oh my gosh. 20 00:00:57,543 --> 00:00:59,168 Oh, Dorothy. 21 00:01:48,376 --> 00:01:50,251 I'm Meryl, and I'm a hoarder. 22 00:01:51,918 --> 00:01:52,751 A saver. 23 00:01:54,043 --> 00:01:54,793 A squanderer. 24 00:01:59,168 --> 00:02:02,710 I think I do have some collections 25 00:02:03,793 --> 00:02:04,668 that are worth things. 26 00:02:04,668 --> 00:02:06,710 To me, anyways. 27 00:02:06,710 --> 00:02:11,418 But I also know that I've overdone it a little bit, 28 00:02:12,918 --> 00:02:16,251 and now it's overtaking my life. 29 00:02:18,876 --> 00:02:21,751 I'm Kevin, I'm Mel's husband. 30 00:02:21,751 --> 00:02:27,043 Me and Mel have been married since May 12th, 1990. 31 00:02:27,043 --> 00:02:28,751 So that would be 30 years. 32 00:02:29,918 --> 00:02:33,918 Some people would say, how can you deal with her? 33 00:02:33,918 --> 00:02:34,793 I love her. 34 00:02:34,793 --> 00:02:36,251 I really do. 35 00:02:36,251 --> 00:02:38,418 And I wanna spend the rest of my life with her. 36 00:02:38,418 --> 00:02:41,626 But she has to throw stuff out. 37 00:02:41,626 --> 00:02:45,251 There's no if or buts about it, she has to throw stuff out. 38 00:02:53,001 --> 00:02:57,460 In 1997, we bought this home, and no sooner did we get it, 39 00:02:57,460 --> 00:02:59,835 but my mother had passed away. 40 00:02:59,835 --> 00:03:02,376 She brought everything from her mother's house 41 00:03:02,376 --> 00:03:04,210 into our house. 42 00:03:04,210 --> 00:03:08,293 Her game plan was she's gonna decipher through 43 00:03:08,293 --> 00:03:10,918 what she wanted and what she wanted to throw away 44 00:03:10,918 --> 00:03:12,335 or give away. 45 00:03:12,335 --> 00:03:13,710 It never happened. 46 00:03:15,751 --> 00:03:18,751 90% of her stuff is down in my basement. 47 00:03:18,751 --> 00:03:20,793 And I will admit, I'll be the first to admit, 48 00:03:20,793 --> 00:03:23,876 I could not bear to part with many of those things. 49 00:03:23,876 --> 00:03:25,043 Even her hair curlers. 50 00:03:25,043 --> 00:03:27,376 I would smell 'em and smell like her, 51 00:03:27,376 --> 00:03:31,001 and I didn't want to get rid of them. 52 00:03:31,001 --> 00:03:34,251 We could still function up here on the first floor. 53 00:03:34,251 --> 00:03:36,293 My husband and I could actually sit in the living room 54 00:03:36,293 --> 00:03:38,335 and watch television and whatnot. 55 00:03:41,876 --> 00:03:44,876 And then slowly but surely... 56 00:03:46,918 --> 00:03:48,335 I have lymphedema. 57 00:03:49,126 --> 00:03:50,626 And it started to get bad. 58 00:03:50,626 --> 00:03:52,293 And before I knew it, you know, 59 00:03:52,293 --> 00:03:53,918 I wasn't able to climb stuff anymore. 60 00:03:53,918 --> 00:03:55,876 I wasn't able to put things away anymore. 61 00:03:55,876 --> 00:03:56,918 I wasn't able to do stuff. 62 00:04:05,626 --> 00:04:09,501 I needed to sit every like 15 minutes every two hours. 63 00:04:09,501 --> 00:04:12,210 And the trial court said, "Nah, you have to be 64 00:04:12,210 --> 00:04:13,668 in totally good health to do this job. 65 00:04:13,668 --> 00:04:15,293 So, bye." 66 00:04:23,043 --> 00:04:25,501 I'd come home with bags and bags. 67 00:04:25,501 --> 00:04:27,335 And how did I feel when I got home with that? 68 00:04:27,335 --> 00:04:29,585 I felt like Christmas had come. 69 00:04:38,626 --> 00:04:42,793 If we don't clean the house, the code enforcements, 70 00:04:42,793 --> 00:04:45,460 they can evict us outta our own home, 71 00:04:45,460 --> 00:04:49,501 and they can have us pay for the clean out. 72 00:04:57,043 --> 00:04:58,210 Good morning, everyone. 73 00:04:58,210 --> 00:04:59,710 Good morning. 74 00:04:59,710 --> 00:05:01,543 I'm Cory Chalmers, an extreme cleaner 75 00:05:01,543 --> 00:05:04,085 that specializes in biohazard and hoarding. 76 00:05:04,085 --> 00:05:06,001 Meryl, how you doing so far? 77 00:05:06,001 --> 00:05:07,835 I'm still upright. 78 00:05:07,835 --> 00:05:09,126 That's good. 79 00:05:09,126 --> 00:05:11,210 Little anxious, little excited. 80 00:05:11,210 --> 00:05:12,126 Good. 81 00:05:12,126 --> 00:05:13,418 That's to be expected. 82 00:05:13,418 --> 00:05:14,918 If you weren't, I would say something's wrong. 83 00:05:14,918 --> 00:05:15,751 That's right. 84 00:05:15,751 --> 00:05:17,126 Then I probably would be down. 85 00:05:17,126 --> 00:05:18,793 Yes, yes, absolutely. 86 00:05:18,793 --> 00:05:19,876 Right on. 87 00:05:19,876 --> 00:05:23,251 So, Kevin, how are you feeling right now? 88 00:05:23,251 --> 00:05:24,960 You're excited? 89 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:25,918 Okay. 90 00:05:25,918 --> 00:05:26,918 All right. 91 00:05:26,918 --> 00:05:28,585 Any anxiety on your part? 92 00:05:28,585 --> 00:05:31,043 Or are you just ready to hit the ground running? 93 00:05:31,043 --> 00:05:32,251 Hit the ground running. 94 00:05:32,251 --> 00:05:33,293 Okay. 95 00:05:33,293 --> 00:05:34,751 Corey, what's our plan? 96 00:05:34,751 --> 00:05:37,251 We're gonna bring things out under the tents 97 00:05:37,251 --> 00:05:39,543 and stuff for right now, to start sorting, 98 00:05:39,543 --> 00:05:41,335 start learning what you think of things, 99 00:05:41,335 --> 00:05:42,918 how you make decisions, 100 00:05:42,918 --> 00:05:44,501 so that we can kind of build off that 101 00:05:44,501 --> 00:05:45,918 to make a bigger game plan. 102 00:05:45,918 --> 00:05:47,126 Any other questions? 103 00:05:47,126 --> 00:05:48,418 Nope. 104 00:05:48,418 --> 00:05:49,168 All right, well, let's get started. 105 00:05:49,168 --> 00:05:50,085 - Okay. - All right. 106 00:05:57,543 --> 00:05:58,835 As you can see in your back door, 107 00:05:58,835 --> 00:06:01,543 we have a line of people with boxes, bags. 108 00:06:01,543 --> 00:06:02,918 They're gonna start filling up 109 00:06:02,918 --> 00:06:04,876 and bringing out to the sorting table. 110 00:06:09,585 --> 00:06:11,626 I'm not really crazy about it. 111 00:06:13,168 --> 00:06:14,585 That we can get rid of. 112 00:06:14,585 --> 00:06:15,418 Oh, perfect. 113 00:06:15,418 --> 00:06:16,585 Trash. 114 00:06:16,585 --> 00:06:18,501 No, you can throw those. 115 00:06:19,293 --> 00:06:20,626 It's okay. 116 00:06:20,626 --> 00:06:22,501 We'll just wipe out that entire pile right now. 117 00:06:24,085 --> 00:06:25,418 Are you serious? 118 00:06:25,418 --> 00:06:27,126 That whole pile can just go? 119 00:06:27,126 --> 00:06:27,960 Everything else can go. 120 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:29,251 Oh my gosh. 121 00:06:31,418 --> 00:06:32,876 All right, wow. 122 00:06:39,876 --> 00:06:42,626 This was my mother's, so this is gonna be a little tough. 123 00:06:49,876 --> 00:06:50,751 I just... 124 00:06:51,918 --> 00:06:57,043 I don't need it, I just wanna say goodbye, that's all. 125 00:06:57,376 --> 00:06:58,793 Okay? 126 00:06:58,793 --> 00:07:01,085 Have you said goodbye to your mom? 127 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,293 I know it's silly, I just... 128 00:07:05,293 --> 00:07:06,668 Why is it silly? 129 00:07:07,751 --> 00:07:10,085 This is just a stupid little vase, but... 130 00:07:12,585 --> 00:07:16,585 But it connects you to your mom, does it not? 131 00:07:16,585 --> 00:07:19,585 And so, if this is something 132 00:07:19,585 --> 00:07:21,668 that you feel connects you to her, 133 00:07:21,668 --> 00:07:24,085 it's okay to keep it. 134 00:07:24,085 --> 00:07:25,835 Okay, then I'd like to keep it, please. 135 00:07:25,835 --> 00:07:26,626 All right. 136 00:07:26,626 --> 00:07:28,793 I think that's a good decision. 137 00:07:28,793 --> 00:07:29,585 All right. 138 00:07:29,585 --> 00:07:31,043 I'm glad you took a moment 139 00:07:31,043 --> 00:07:33,085 and I'm glad that you could get real with this. 140 00:07:33,085 --> 00:07:34,418 I'm glad I... 141 00:07:34,418 --> 00:07:35,835 And feel what you needed to feel. 142 00:07:51,501 --> 00:07:53,293 I only want one of these. 143 00:07:53,293 --> 00:07:54,751 I don't want 20 of them, so... 144 00:07:54,751 --> 00:07:55,918 Is this the one you're gonna keep? 145 00:07:55,918 --> 00:07:56,835 Yeah, that's fine. 146 00:07:56,835 --> 00:07:57,585 That's fine. 147 00:07:57,585 --> 00:07:59,043 Yeah, all right. 148 00:07:59,043 --> 00:08:01,293 Meryl continues to be really easy to work with. 149 00:08:01,293 --> 00:08:03,293 It's the elements and other things 150 00:08:03,293 --> 00:08:05,001 that are slowing us down, I think. 151 00:08:05,918 --> 00:08:08,626 We're limited to this 20 foot tent. 152 00:08:08,626 --> 00:08:09,793 We're landlocked. 153 00:08:09,793 --> 00:08:10,960 They can't bring anything else out. 154 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:11,918 Okay. 155 00:08:11,918 --> 00:08:13,501 We need to speed this process up. 156 00:08:13,501 --> 00:08:15,418 Can we please get your family 157 00:08:15,418 --> 00:08:16,918 in the house to make decisions? 158 00:08:16,918 --> 00:08:18,918 It would really help us a lot. 159 00:08:18,918 --> 00:08:20,585 I know I might be kicking myself in the ass later, 160 00:08:20,585 --> 00:08:22,501 but yeah, okay. 161 00:08:22,501 --> 00:08:24,960 Let them come in the house right now 162 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,001 so that they can come in forever in the future. 163 00:08:27,001 --> 00:08:28,085 Okay, that's fine. 164 00:08:28,085 --> 00:08:29,543 We'll make some good decisions, I promise. 165 00:08:29,543 --> 00:08:30,626 Okay. 166 00:08:52,793 --> 00:08:55,460 Anything that doesn't seem sentimental 167 00:08:55,460 --> 00:08:56,460 is trash at this point. 168 00:08:56,460 --> 00:08:57,585 Yeah. 169 00:08:57,585 --> 00:08:58,543 You need these? 170 00:08:59,501 --> 00:09:00,585 Yes, please. 171 00:09:00,585 --> 00:09:02,585 This is 2013. 172 00:09:02,585 --> 00:09:03,793 We're shredding. 173 00:09:14,043 --> 00:09:15,335 Good job. 174 00:09:15,335 --> 00:09:17,376 What a good job. 175 00:09:53,460 --> 00:09:55,168 Home sweet home. 176 00:09:55,168 --> 00:09:56,043 Ooh. 177 00:09:58,668 --> 00:10:00,376 Holy moly. 178 00:10:00,376 --> 00:10:02,168 It's a real kitchen. 179 00:10:02,168 --> 00:10:04,085 Unbelievable. 180 00:10:04,085 --> 00:10:05,168 Wow. 181 00:10:05,168 --> 00:10:06,835 Wowee. 182 00:10:06,835 --> 00:10:10,001 Not only is it spacious, but it's clean and functional. 183 00:10:11,460 --> 00:10:12,960 Oh my, look at that. 184 00:10:15,751 --> 00:10:17,835 Wow. 185 00:10:17,835 --> 00:10:20,168 Oh, that's wonderful. 186 00:10:20,168 --> 00:10:21,668 Oh, wow. 187 00:10:21,668 --> 00:10:25,501 I can actually sit down a table. 188 00:10:25,501 --> 00:10:28,168 The outcome today, it's beautiful. 189 00:10:30,668 --> 00:10:34,376 I can't say anything else, but thank you. 190 00:10:34,376 --> 00:10:36,001 Oh my God. 191 00:10:36,001 --> 00:10:38,251 - Oh wow. - It's wonderful. 192 00:10:42,168 --> 00:10:42,960 - Wow. - Look at this. 193 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:43,918 I can't even believe it. 194 00:10:43,918 --> 00:10:45,918 It's so wonderful, I just... 195 00:10:45,918 --> 00:10:47,876 More than I expected. 196 00:10:47,876 --> 00:10:49,501 One more room that we gotta go see 197 00:10:49,501 --> 00:10:50,876 and that is yours. 198 00:10:52,168 --> 00:10:53,543 Oh my God. 199 00:10:55,085 --> 00:10:55,876 Oh my God. 200 00:10:57,335 --> 00:10:58,210 Oh my... 201 00:10:59,501 --> 00:11:01,876 Oh, it's wonderful. 202 00:11:01,876 --> 00:11:03,710 So that's a new bed for you, Meryl. 203 00:11:03,710 --> 00:11:04,751 Oh thank you. 204 00:11:05,585 --> 00:11:07,001 You're welcome. 205 00:11:07,001 --> 00:11:08,626 The good news is we were able to clear so much out 206 00:11:08,626 --> 00:11:11,751 that she has a very beautiful and safe, functional house. 207 00:11:11,751 --> 00:11:13,085 The city will not have any problems 208 00:11:13,085 --> 00:11:14,835 when they come and reinspect it. 209 00:11:14,835 --> 00:11:17,585 So tears of joy or tears of sorrow, 210 00:11:17,585 --> 00:11:19,460 because all of your stuff is gone? 211 00:11:19,460 --> 00:11:22,251 No, it's, I'm pretty happy. 212 00:11:22,251 --> 00:11:26,001 Now that the process is over, I feel so 213 00:11:26,751 --> 00:11:28,126 liberated. 214 00:11:28,126 --> 00:11:28,876 I'm free! 215 00:11:28,876 --> 00:11:30,751 Magnificent. 216 00:11:30,751 --> 00:11:32,626 It's a great feeling. 217 00:11:32,626 --> 00:11:33,835 It's really, really wonderful. 218 00:11:33,835 --> 00:11:35,501 And I can't thank... 219 00:11:35,501 --> 00:11:38,585 Everybody here, what they've done is just great. 220 00:11:38,585 --> 00:11:40,876 All right everybody, congratulations. 221 00:11:40,876 --> 00:11:43,460 This was beyond a team effort. 222 00:11:43,460 --> 00:11:45,293 We are gonna take off 223 00:11:45,293 --> 00:11:48,085 and we're gonna let you enjoy your time together. 224 00:11:48,085 --> 00:11:48,960 Thank you. 225 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:50,460 Thank you very much. 226 00:11:50,460 --> 00:11:51,793 It's been wonderful knowing you and getting to meet you. 227 00:11:51,793 --> 00:11:53,335 And thank you for all your help. 228 00:12:27,168 --> 00:12:28,918 I'm Cory Chalmers, an extreme cleaner 229 00:12:28,918 --> 00:12:31,710 that specializes in biohazard and hoarding. 230 00:12:31,710 --> 00:12:34,043 As I'm walking to the house to meet Meryl, 231 00:12:34,043 --> 00:12:36,710 I'm really anticipating that she's kept it clean. 232 00:12:36,710 --> 00:12:38,251 We did a lot of work for her, 233 00:12:38,251 --> 00:12:39,876 and the house looked great when we left, 234 00:12:39,876 --> 00:12:41,251 so I'm hoping that that's what it's gonna look like 235 00:12:41,251 --> 00:12:43,293 when I get inside. 236 00:12:48,876 --> 00:12:49,918 Hello. - Oh. 237 00:12:50,668 --> 00:12:52,168 Well, we'll let you in. 238 00:12:52,168 --> 00:12:53,168 Come on in. 239 00:12:53,168 --> 00:12:54,668 You gorgeous guy. - How are you? 240 00:12:54,668 --> 00:12:56,085 So good to see you. 241 00:12:56,085 --> 00:12:57,085 How you been? - It's wonderful to see you. 242 00:12:57,085 --> 00:12:59,751 Well, I'm still on two feet sort of. 243 00:12:59,751 --> 00:13:00,585 Yeah. 244 00:13:00,585 --> 00:13:01,585 Well, let's go inside. 245 00:13:01,585 --> 00:13:02,835 Let's catch up. - So... 246 00:13:02,835 --> 00:13:03,835 Come on in. Let me take a look around 247 00:13:03,835 --> 00:13:04,918 and let's see what's going on, okay? 248 00:13:04,918 --> 00:13:06,126 Come on in. 249 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:08,918 So I'm walking inside and instantly 250 00:13:08,918 --> 00:13:11,418 this living room that I worked so hard on 251 00:13:11,418 --> 00:13:13,210 is completely full again. 252 00:13:13,210 --> 00:13:14,835 I just can't believe that she's gone 253 00:13:14,835 --> 00:13:17,210 from what we left her with to this mess. 254 00:13:18,126 --> 00:13:21,001 This is not how we left it, Meryl. 255 00:13:21,001 --> 00:13:24,043 Would you believe me if I told you a little elf did it? 256 00:13:24,043 --> 00:13:26,126 I think I know who that little elf is, 257 00:13:26,126 --> 00:13:27,210 but we'll get to that. 258 00:13:27,210 --> 00:13:29,293 So what happened to the wood floors 259 00:13:29,293 --> 00:13:32,251 that I worked so hard on to expose for you? 260 00:13:32,251 --> 00:13:34,251 Well, some are still exposed. 261 00:13:34,251 --> 00:13:36,001 We still have the rugs that you 262 00:13:36,001 --> 00:13:38,043 very, very nicely got for us. 263 00:13:38,043 --> 00:13:41,418 And we still have those and they're holding up beautifully. 264 00:13:41,418 --> 00:13:43,960 But we have a few spots of wood you can still see. 265 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:45,501 It's a long story. 266 00:13:45,501 --> 00:13:48,085 When you say holding up, holding up the clutter? 267 00:13:49,043 --> 00:13:50,710 It's not all clutter. 268 00:13:50,710 --> 00:13:52,085 Honest to God, it isn't. 269 00:13:52,085 --> 00:13:53,251 What's going on? 270 00:13:53,251 --> 00:13:54,751 How did it get full again like this? 271 00:13:54,751 --> 00:13:57,918 One thing was we had a storage room 272 00:13:57,918 --> 00:14:03,626 and we had in it several things that we wanted to save. 273 00:14:03,626 --> 00:14:05,168 Then all of a sudden I got a notice 274 00:14:05,168 --> 00:14:07,376 saying it was going up to $300 a month. 275 00:14:07,376 --> 00:14:09,043 And I was like, what? 276 00:14:09,043 --> 00:14:12,626 So I gathered up a gentleman, a local guy, 277 00:14:12,626 --> 00:14:15,251 and he helped me clear it out. 278 00:14:15,251 --> 00:14:17,751 And where else were we gonna bring it? 279 00:14:17,751 --> 00:14:19,168 Right here. 280 00:14:19,168 --> 00:14:21,168 Why did you decide to bring stuff 281 00:14:21,168 --> 00:14:23,710 that had been in storage for years home and 282 00:14:23,710 --> 00:14:24,751 instantly clutter it back up. - Because we couldn't pay 283 00:14:24,751 --> 00:14:25,793 the 300. 284 00:14:25,918 --> 00:14:26,918 What about letting it go? 285 00:14:26,918 --> 00:14:27,960 Well, I guess I could have, but... 286 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:29,043 You had a fully functional house. 287 00:14:29,043 --> 00:14:30,876 You had everything you needed here. 288 00:14:30,876 --> 00:14:32,960 You have probably paid thousands of dollars more 289 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:35,501 than whatever the value of anything in there is. 290 00:14:35,501 --> 00:14:37,626 I would've hoped you would've said, you know what? 291 00:14:37,626 --> 00:14:38,793 I'm not gonna do this. 292 00:14:38,793 --> 00:14:40,418 I'm gonna let that storage unit go 293 00:14:40,418 --> 00:14:42,543 because I have everything I need at home. 294 00:14:42,543 --> 00:14:43,710 Yeah, I guess I could have. 295 00:14:43,710 --> 00:14:45,710 I think because cabinets and closets, 296 00:14:45,710 --> 00:14:47,210 everything wasn't done. 297 00:14:47,210 --> 00:14:49,251 So as I slowly went through boxes 298 00:14:49,251 --> 00:14:51,543 and found things that I wanted to save, 299 00:14:51,543 --> 00:14:52,918 I couldn't put them right away 300 00:14:52,918 --> 00:14:54,501 because those things are still packed to the hills. 301 00:14:54,501 --> 00:14:55,876 Do you save too much? 302 00:14:57,585 --> 00:14:58,835 That's my question. 303 00:14:58,835 --> 00:15:00,418 Are you still saving too much? 304 00:15:00,418 --> 00:15:01,251 Well, I'm... 305 00:15:01,251 --> 00:15:02,501 Before you answer that. 306 00:15:02,501 --> 00:15:03,960 No, because if I empty out that closet- 307 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:06,751 Before you answer that, look behind you. 308 00:15:06,751 --> 00:15:07,668 Okay. 309 00:15:07,668 --> 00:15:09,085 Do you save too much? 310 00:15:09,085 --> 00:15:09,918 Maybe so. 311 00:15:09,918 --> 00:15:11,543 No, no, no, no. 312 00:15:11,543 --> 00:15:13,543 How can you say maybe? 313 00:15:13,543 --> 00:15:15,085 Because some of this... 314 00:15:15,085 --> 00:15:17,918 The stuff on the right right here is Christmas present 315 00:15:17,918 --> 00:15:19,710 we just got ourselves, 316 00:15:19,710 --> 00:15:22,335 and we need somebody to help us to learn how to hook it up. 317 00:15:22,335 --> 00:15:24,918 It's really difficult to have a conversation with Meryl 318 00:15:24,918 --> 00:15:27,293 because she just goes off on these stories. 319 00:15:27,293 --> 00:15:29,710 The pillows, I keep changing different, 320 00:15:29,710 --> 00:15:32,376 because of my illness and because of my being in pain, 321 00:15:32,376 --> 00:15:35,210 I keep trying, as my legs morph and my back, 322 00:15:35,210 --> 00:15:36,793 I sort of change pillows. 323 00:15:36,793 --> 00:15:37,835 Sometimes I use a big one. 324 00:15:37,835 --> 00:15:39,210 Sometimes it's small. 325 00:15:39,210 --> 00:15:41,085 Mmm-hmm. So, I have lots of choices. 326 00:15:41,085 --> 00:15:44,751 I need Meryl to stop focusing on the minutia. 327 00:15:44,751 --> 00:15:46,751 She's in the weeds on so much stuff 328 00:15:46,751 --> 00:15:49,043 and there's a big plan that needs to be made here. 329 00:15:49,043 --> 00:15:50,585 And if she can focus on the bigger picture 330 00:15:50,585 --> 00:15:52,793 and stop worrying about each individual thing, 331 00:15:52,793 --> 00:15:54,210 I think we can make a lot of progress 332 00:15:54,210 --> 00:15:56,876 and help her get to the next chapter in her life. 333 00:15:56,876 --> 00:15:58,376 What's your plan moving forward? 334 00:15:58,376 --> 00:15:59,918 We've had a lot of things happening 335 00:15:59,918 --> 00:16:02,126 and medically we're not doing well. 336 00:16:02,126 --> 00:16:04,293 My husband's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's 337 00:16:04,293 --> 00:16:08,210 and he also needs several surgeries. 338 00:16:08,210 --> 00:16:10,918 With me, my legs and feet are getting so bad 339 00:16:10,918 --> 00:16:13,251 that I can't even get in my car. 340 00:16:13,251 --> 00:16:14,710 It is so hard to walk. 341 00:16:14,710 --> 00:16:17,418 It feels like I have a rubber tire around both legs. 342 00:16:17,418 --> 00:16:19,418 And right now they're probably about a hundred pounds. 343 00:16:19,418 --> 00:16:20,918 Okay, so with all that you just told me, 344 00:16:20,918 --> 00:16:22,876 what is your life plan? 345 00:16:22,876 --> 00:16:23,918 We wanna move. 346 00:16:23,918 --> 00:16:25,376 We wanna sell the house. 347 00:16:25,376 --> 00:16:26,168 And where are you gonna go? 348 00:16:26,168 --> 00:16:27,626 We are looking... 349 00:16:27,626 --> 00:16:29,793 We've already started looking at like assisted living. 350 00:16:29,793 --> 00:16:32,001 Okay, so you're looking at either a studio or one bedroom. 351 00:16:32,001 --> 00:16:33,168 Mm-hmm. 352 00:16:33,168 --> 00:16:34,001 When you're going through this, 353 00:16:34,001 --> 00:16:35,751 everything has a use still, 354 00:16:35,751 --> 00:16:37,251 but not to the new life, right? 355 00:16:37,251 --> 00:16:38,085 No. 356 00:16:38,085 --> 00:16:39,210 Well, I guess not. 357 00:16:39,210 --> 00:16:40,085 You're right, I mean, like... 358 00:16:40,085 --> 00:16:40,918 Don't. 359 00:16:40,918 --> 00:16:41,793 Just stop, stop. 360 00:16:41,793 --> 00:16:43,501 Stop. 361 00:16:43,501 --> 00:16:44,751 - Maybe I fast analyze too much. - You get going too fast. 362 00:16:44,751 --> 00:16:45,751 You do. 363 00:16:45,751 --> 00:16:46,626 You know what I'm saying? 364 00:16:46,626 --> 00:16:47,751 You're moving to a studio. 365 00:16:47,751 --> 00:16:49,168 What do you need this for? 366 00:16:49,168 --> 00:16:49,960 Well, we were gonna put that 367 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:51,418 outside the other day. 368 00:16:51,418 --> 00:16:52,501 In your new life, what do you need this for? 369 00:16:52,501 --> 00:16:53,501 We don't. 370 00:16:53,501 --> 00:16:54,293 In your studio, what do you need? 371 00:16:54,293 --> 00:16:55,210 What's ever in this? 372 00:16:55,210 --> 00:16:56,585 What do you need this? 373 00:16:56,585 --> 00:16:58,126 Ask yourself that for every single thing in here, 374 00:16:58,126 --> 00:17:01,835 because you're gonna take about 2 or 3% of this stuff 375 00:17:01,835 --> 00:17:03,126 to the new place. 376 00:17:03,126 --> 00:17:06,251 When we leave, how are you gonna manage that? 377 00:17:06,251 --> 00:17:09,085 Physically, emotionally. - It's really difficult. 378 00:17:09,085 --> 00:17:12,418 I mean, we really need to... 379 00:17:12,418 --> 00:17:14,960 You know, now, our goal is to get outta here. 380 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:17,251 Our goal is to get outta here within the next few years, 381 00:17:17,251 --> 00:17:18,918 if we make that far. 382 00:17:18,918 --> 00:17:20,293 Why so long? 383 00:17:20,293 --> 00:17:21,668 Well, because... 384 00:17:21,668 --> 00:17:23,501 Let's say you had a place that was available now. 385 00:17:23,501 --> 00:17:25,418 You know, whatever happens with him in surgery, you know, 386 00:17:25,418 --> 00:17:27,085 I don't wanna be in the middle of moving, you know, 387 00:17:27,085 --> 00:17:28,418 if something happens also. 388 00:17:28,418 --> 00:17:30,126 But let's say you had a place now. 389 00:17:30,126 --> 00:17:32,293 If I had a truck pull up right now and I said, 390 00:17:32,293 --> 00:17:34,251 "Okay, the truck is gonna take the 2% 391 00:17:34,251 --> 00:17:36,251 that you need for your new life. 392 00:17:36,251 --> 00:17:38,126 And then everything else is just gonna stay here 393 00:17:38,126 --> 00:17:39,751 and the junk haulers will come get it all." 394 00:17:39,751 --> 00:17:40,960 Could you do that? 395 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:41,585 - Yeah, I'm to that point. - 100%? 396 00:17:41,585 --> 00:17:42,918 Yeah, I am. 397 00:17:42,918 --> 00:17:45,168 I'm very hopeful that when I asked Meryl 398 00:17:45,168 --> 00:17:47,668 if a truck came today to take all of her stuff 399 00:17:47,668 --> 00:17:48,960 and she said yes, 400 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:50,585 I'm hopeful that she really would. 401 00:17:50,585 --> 00:17:53,043 I doubt it, but it's good that she's 402 00:17:53,043 --> 00:17:53,835 at least saying she would, 403 00:17:53,835 --> 00:17:55,001 'cause I know she wants it. 404 00:17:55,001 --> 00:17:56,585 And sometimes that's the hardest part 405 00:17:56,585 --> 00:17:58,585 is to even get them to want to change. 406 00:17:58,585 --> 00:17:59,335 And she does. 407 00:18:14,918 --> 00:18:17,043 Meryl and Kevin need professional help 408 00:18:17,043 --> 00:18:18,710 to get them out of the situation 409 00:18:18,710 --> 00:18:20,418 that they've gotten themselves back into. 410 00:18:20,418 --> 00:18:22,043 With their physical limitations, 411 00:18:22,043 --> 00:18:23,876 with the diagnosis for Kevin, 412 00:18:23,876 --> 00:18:25,418 they can't do this alone. 413 00:18:25,418 --> 00:18:27,126 So they're gonna have to hire people, 414 00:18:27,126 --> 00:18:28,835 eat away at some of their money. 415 00:18:28,835 --> 00:18:30,085 I get it. 416 00:18:30,085 --> 00:18:31,085 But that's the only way they're gonna get to 417 00:18:31,085 --> 00:18:32,751 an assisted living or some future 418 00:18:32,751 --> 00:18:35,126 where they can spend together clutter free. 419 00:18:43,710 --> 00:18:46,126 My husband is not doing well and I may be alone 420 00:18:46,126 --> 00:18:47,418 and I don't have any kids. 421 00:18:47,418 --> 00:18:49,210 I think about it every night and... 422 00:18:49,210 --> 00:18:50,418 Yeah. 423 00:18:50,418 --> 00:18:52,085 And I am hurting too. 424 00:18:52,085 --> 00:18:54,085 And I dunno what the future holds. 425 00:18:54,085 --> 00:18:55,668 I know, it's hard. 426 00:18:55,668 --> 00:18:57,751 It's good to see you stop with the comedy and be real 427 00:18:57,751 --> 00:19:01,543 because you are facing a pretty big crisis here, Meryl. 428 00:19:01,543 --> 00:19:02,418 You really are. 429 00:19:02,418 --> 00:19:04,418 And I need that comedy to go away 430 00:19:04,418 --> 00:19:07,043 because I need to know that you fully understand 431 00:19:07,043 --> 00:19:08,210 the situation that you're in. 432 00:19:08,210 --> 00:19:09,418 So it's good to see. - Oh, I do. 433 00:19:09,418 --> 00:19:11,501 I think about it every night and... 434 00:19:12,710 --> 00:19:14,335 I take care of the bills, I take care of the dog, 435 00:19:14,335 --> 00:19:15,085 I take care of the... 436 00:19:15,085 --> 00:19:16,126 I try to cook. 437 00:19:16,126 --> 00:19:17,585 I mean, I'm- 438 00:19:17,585 --> 00:19:19,835 Meryl, you're one person and you're physically 439 00:19:19,835 --> 00:19:21,460 not doing well. 440 00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:23,710 Now I can see finally, emotionally, 441 00:19:23,710 --> 00:19:24,793 you're not doing well. 442 00:19:24,793 --> 00:19:26,960 I think Meryl is very scared about the future. 443 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:28,418 There's a lot of unknowns. 444 00:19:28,418 --> 00:19:29,918 I really do think we need to help her 445 00:19:29,918 --> 00:19:31,668 with a plan to move forward. 446 00:19:31,668 --> 00:19:33,043 Kevin? 447 00:19:33,043 --> 00:19:34,043 Yeah? 448 00:19:34,043 --> 00:19:35,251 Kevin, can you come out here? 449 00:19:35,251 --> 00:19:36,210 Yeah. 450 00:19:36,210 --> 00:19:37,585 Hey Kevin, come on in. 451 00:19:37,585 --> 00:19:39,460 Let's have a real conversation for a minute, okay? 452 00:19:39,460 --> 00:19:43,460 Meryl's opening up and, for the first time, I think ever, 453 00:19:43,460 --> 00:19:45,293 'cause I don't even think when we were here cleaning, 454 00:19:45,293 --> 00:19:47,626 I got this side of you that was open and honest. 455 00:19:47,626 --> 00:19:50,751 I think 'cause I was so excited about the whole matter. 456 00:19:50,751 --> 00:19:51,501 Yeah. 457 00:19:51,501 --> 00:19:52,460 So Kevin, talk to me. 458 00:19:52,460 --> 00:19:53,710 What are you going through, 459 00:19:53,710 --> 00:19:56,001 and tell me what you want for the future 460 00:19:56,001 --> 00:19:57,460 and how this is limiting you. 461 00:19:58,668 --> 00:19:59,543 Well... 462 00:20:00,751 --> 00:20:05,918 I put a lot of my effort and money into this house and 463 00:20:05,918 --> 00:20:07,210 Mmm-hmm. 464 00:20:07,210 --> 00:20:10,335 versus living somewhere with $6,000 worth, 465 00:20:10,335 --> 00:20:13,876 with her and me, know we can't afford. 466 00:20:13,876 --> 00:20:18,085 And $1,400 is a lot better than $6,000. 467 00:20:18,085 --> 00:20:20,085 So you owe how much on the house? 468 00:20:20,085 --> 00:20:23,043 128 for the house and the equity line. 469 00:20:23,043 --> 00:20:24,376 Okay. 470 00:20:24,376 --> 00:20:25,251 And how much is the house worth, do you think? 471 00:20:25,251 --> 00:20:27,043 Between 360 and 410. 472 00:20:27,043 --> 00:20:29,460 You could have 200 and something thousand dollars 473 00:20:29,460 --> 00:20:31,001 Yup. once this place sells. 474 00:20:31,001 --> 00:20:32,293 Right. 475 00:20:32,293 --> 00:20:34,418 At 6,000 a month, that would go a long way. 476 00:20:34,418 --> 00:20:36,918 So, my suggestion is to meet with a financial advisor. 477 00:20:36,918 --> 00:20:39,501 Let 'em go through what you're faced with, 478 00:20:39,501 --> 00:20:41,501 what you want for your future, what the numbers are, 479 00:20:41,501 --> 00:20:43,668 and let 'em make a plan and help you make a plan. 480 00:20:43,668 --> 00:20:46,085 It wouldn't cost very much for the consultation. 481 00:20:46,085 --> 00:20:47,585 Right? 482 00:20:47,585 --> 00:20:48,751 And then you can figure out a way to get outta here. 483 00:20:48,751 --> 00:20:50,876 But it can't be a three year plan. 484 00:20:50,876 --> 00:20:51,793 Okay? 485 00:20:51,793 --> 00:20:52,751 This needs to be done. 486 00:20:52,751 --> 00:20:54,210 You need to pull the trigger sooner. 487 00:20:54,210 --> 00:20:56,251 I would say a year max. 488 00:20:56,251 --> 00:20:57,710 Can't delay this anymore. 489 00:20:57,710 --> 00:20:59,585 Okay, both of you need care that 490 00:20:59,585 --> 00:21:00,668 you're not gonna be able to get here 491 00:21:00,668 --> 00:21:02,043 and it's just gonna keep getting worse 492 00:21:02,043 --> 00:21:03,126 from what you're saying, right? 493 00:21:03,126 --> 00:21:04,460 I see how scared you are. 494 00:21:04,460 --> 00:21:06,085 So right now, is it all money based? 495 00:21:06,085 --> 00:21:07,335 It's... 496 00:21:07,335 --> 00:21:08,585 Is that your fear, is the money? 497 00:21:08,585 --> 00:21:09,835 The money is the biggest fear. 498 00:21:09,835 --> 00:21:11,876 Physically being able to actually... 499 00:21:11,876 --> 00:21:13,960 I mean, packing and moving is a big chore. 500 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:15,043 You know? 501 00:21:15,043 --> 00:21:16,335 Can we physically both do it? 502 00:21:16,335 --> 00:21:17,251 I'm not sure. 503 00:21:17,251 --> 00:21:18,210 No. 504 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:19,668 I can tell you that right now. 505 00:21:19,668 --> 00:21:21,960 You're not gonna pack up this house and move yourself. 506 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:23,585 Okay, but that's where meeting 507 00:21:23,585 --> 00:21:24,710 with the financial planner, 508 00:21:24,710 --> 00:21:26,751 understanding what your numbers look like, 509 00:21:26,751 --> 00:21:29,210 'cause that will kind of dictate what you can afford, 510 00:21:29,210 --> 00:21:30,793 for how long and then what programs 511 00:21:30,793 --> 00:21:33,293 and resources are available moving forward. 512 00:21:33,293 --> 00:21:34,626 Adult Protective Services, 513 00:21:34,626 --> 00:21:36,585 some of those county agencies can tell you 514 00:21:36,585 --> 00:21:38,418 what programs are available. 515 00:21:38,418 --> 00:21:39,918 When I leave, I'll work with you. 516 00:21:39,918 --> 00:21:42,001 I'll help you find stuff, but you gotta start doing it. 517 00:21:42,001 --> 00:21:43,418 Okay. 518 00:21:43,418 --> 00:21:44,668 You can't just keep staying here and getting buried 519 00:21:44,668 --> 00:21:46,418 and buried and buried more and more and more. 520 00:21:46,418 --> 00:21:48,418 You're almost right back to where you were 521 00:21:48,418 --> 00:21:49,918 when we found you. 522 00:21:49,918 --> 00:21:50,918 Call me. 523 00:21:50,918 --> 00:21:52,251 I will give you my number. 524 00:21:52,251 --> 00:21:53,335 I can help you in any way I can. - I appreciate it. 525 00:21:53,335 --> 00:21:54,793 I appreciate that. 526 00:21:54,793 --> 00:21:55,501 Of course. 527 00:21:55,501 --> 00:21:56,335 Why are you sad again? 528 00:21:56,335 --> 00:21:57,168 Tell me what's going on. 529 00:21:57,168 --> 00:21:58,210 Be honest with me. 530 00:21:58,210 --> 00:21:59,585 'Cause I'm sort of... 531 00:21:59,585 --> 00:22:02,376 I'm happy because you're on our side and helping us 532 00:22:02,376 --> 00:22:04,085 and I appreciate that so much. 533 00:22:04,085 --> 00:22:05,460 Of course I am. 534 00:22:05,460 --> 00:22:07,585 And 'cause nobody else bothers to help us at all. 535 00:22:07,585 --> 00:22:09,543 I wanna see you succeed. 536 00:22:09,543 --> 00:22:11,251 That's why we come and do this. 537 00:22:11,251 --> 00:22:12,251 Okay? 538 00:22:12,251 --> 00:22:13,626 It's just so scary. 539 00:22:13,626 --> 00:22:15,418 Everything, you know, that we hear from the doctors 540 00:22:15,418 --> 00:22:18,085 and I'm scared that I'm gonna be alone in a few years 541 00:22:18,085 --> 00:22:20,376 and that's a scary thought. 542 00:22:20,376 --> 00:22:21,835 I get it. 543 00:22:21,835 --> 00:22:23,501 But this stuff isn't gonna help you. 544 00:22:23,501 --> 00:22:25,418 I need you to understand that. 545 00:22:25,418 --> 00:22:28,251 None of this is more important than time with him. 546 00:22:28,251 --> 00:22:29,210 Right? 547 00:22:29,210 --> 00:22:30,251 It can't be. 548 00:22:30,251 --> 00:22:31,501 You're right. 549 00:22:31,501 --> 00:22:33,418 He needs to be the priority. 550 00:22:33,418 --> 00:22:35,085 The two of you need to be the priority. 551 00:22:35,085 --> 00:22:36,626 Let this stuff go. 552 00:22:38,085 --> 00:22:40,751 I really hope for the best for Meryl and Kevin. 553 00:22:40,751 --> 00:22:42,835 I really enjoyed working with 'em the first time. 554 00:22:42,835 --> 00:22:43,793 I care about 'em. 555 00:22:43,793 --> 00:22:45,418 You know, you form a relationship 556 00:22:45,418 --> 00:22:46,960 when you're out here and I want to see her succeed. 557 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:48,668 So I will be following up with them. 558 00:22:48,668 --> 00:22:50,668 I will be checking for programs for them 559 00:22:50,668 --> 00:22:54,001 to make sure that the best outcome possible is achieved. 560 00:22:54,001 --> 00:22:54,835 I'm in your corner. 561 00:22:54,835 --> 00:22:55,668 I will follow up. 562 00:22:55,668 --> 00:22:57,418 I will help you in any way I can 563 00:22:57,418 --> 00:22:58,710 from the other side of the United States, 564 00:22:58,710 --> 00:23:00,251 but I need you to do the hard work. 565 00:23:00,251 --> 00:23:01,168 Okay. 566 00:23:01,168 --> 00:23:02,293 - Okay? - Mmm-hmm. 567 00:23:02,293 --> 00:23:05,501 Come on, gimme my goodbye hugs. 568 00:23:05,501 --> 00:23:06,751 Thank you so much. 569 00:23:06,751 --> 00:23:07,960 You got it. 570 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:09,001 I love you very much and I appreciate it. 571 00:23:09,001 --> 00:23:09,710 I love you. 572 00:23:09,710 --> 00:23:10,793 So don't let me down. 573 00:23:10,793 --> 00:23:12,710 You take care of you and her. 574 00:23:12,710 --> 00:23:13,835 I'll check in with you, okay? 575 00:23:13,835 --> 00:23:14,751 Okay, thank you. 576 00:23:14,751 --> 00:23:16,085 I appreciate it. - Make me proud. 577 00:23:16,085 --> 00:23:16,918 I'm going to. 578 00:23:16,918 --> 00:23:18,251 All right. 579 00:23:18,251 --> 00:23:18,918 I wanna see these wood floors again. 580 00:23:21,251 --> 00:23:23,793 I know with a little encouragement 581 00:23:23,793 --> 00:23:27,585 and with a little prodding and maybe, you know, 582 00:23:27,585 --> 00:23:30,585 if I have Cory in the corner going "Yay, yay, go," 583 00:23:30,585 --> 00:23:33,418 I may be able to do it, yes. 584 00:23:33,418 --> 00:23:34,585 I'm gonna try. 585 00:23:34,585 --> 00:23:36,126 That's all I can do is try. 586 00:23:54,918 --> 00:23:55,918 My name's Janet. 587 00:23:55,918 --> 00:23:57,585 I'm 52 years old. 588 00:23:57,585 --> 00:23:59,126 I'm retired and I'm a homemaker. 589 00:24:04,001 --> 00:24:09,085 We met when I was 17 and he was 19 590 00:24:09,085 --> 00:24:10,418 and we were married. 591 00:24:10,418 --> 00:24:12,335 I was 18 and a half and he was 20 and a half 592 00:24:12,335 --> 00:24:13,210 when we got married. 593 00:24:19,293 --> 00:24:20,751 Of course Tom was gone all the time 594 00:24:20,751 --> 00:24:22,585 with the police department 595 00:24:22,585 --> 00:24:26,918 and he put the charge on me to take care of the home 596 00:24:26,918 --> 00:24:30,501 and so it became very overloading. 597 00:24:38,168 --> 00:24:44,001 We made it two months shy of our 31st wedding anniversary, 598 00:24:45,043 --> 00:24:46,585 and it was after he died 599 00:24:46,585 --> 00:24:51,710 that this just became a disaster. 600 00:25:07,793 --> 00:25:11,168 She is obsessed with the stuff. 601 00:25:14,418 --> 00:25:17,043 I think shopping for some strange reason 602 00:25:18,293 --> 00:25:19,876 gave me some kind of comfort. 603 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:23,793 I guess I just kept trying to mask and hide 604 00:25:23,793 --> 00:25:28,751 what was really going on with the grief and loneliness. 605 00:25:38,751 --> 00:25:40,460 I'm Suzanne Chabaud. 606 00:25:40,460 --> 00:25:42,835 It is nice to meet you, I'm Janet. 607 00:25:42,835 --> 00:25:44,793 So glad you came to our home. - Nice to meet you, Janet. 608 00:25:44,793 --> 00:25:48,543 I'm Dr. Suzanne Chabaud, I specialize in OCD. 609 00:25:48,543 --> 00:25:51,668 Among the spectrum disorders is hoarding. 610 00:25:55,751 --> 00:25:56,918 So here we are on a weekday, 611 00:25:56,918 --> 00:25:58,376 which seems to be a really good thing 612 00:25:58,376 --> 00:26:00,751 I understand because... 613 00:26:00,751 --> 00:26:02,126 Everybody's at work. 614 00:26:02,126 --> 00:26:04,085 Everybody meaning the neighbors, right? 615 00:26:04,085 --> 00:26:05,126 - The neighbors. - Why? 616 00:26:05,251 --> 00:26:08,710 It's a very embarrassing thing to admit. 617 00:26:08,710 --> 00:26:10,460 I am Dorothy Breininger. 618 00:26:10,460 --> 00:26:12,876 I'm a professional organizing expert 619 00:26:12,876 --> 00:26:15,376 specializing in hoarding. 620 00:26:15,376 --> 00:26:16,835 We're gonna keep rolling through it 621 00:26:16,835 --> 00:26:18,376 and I'm gonna keep finding you 622 00:26:18,376 --> 00:26:21,501 and telling you what we're doing and ask you to participate 623 00:26:21,501 --> 00:26:22,751 'cause I know you're dressed for it 624 00:26:22,751 --> 00:26:24,335 and you're the type who likes to work 625 00:26:24,335 --> 00:26:25,918 and get down to it with us. 626 00:26:25,918 --> 00:26:27,585 I don't like people doing things for me. 627 00:26:27,585 --> 00:26:29,501 That's a very hard thing to ask for help. 628 00:26:29,501 --> 00:26:30,793 - Okay. - Let's roll. 629 00:26:30,793 --> 00:26:33,585 Okay, well, you said it, so let's do it. 630 00:26:39,960 --> 00:26:42,001 Are you gonna keep this or not keep this couch? 631 00:26:42,001 --> 00:26:44,126 This was the first piece of furniture 632 00:26:44,126 --> 00:26:45,751 that Tom and I bought. 633 00:26:45,751 --> 00:26:47,751 - Ah! - So it was going 634 00:26:47,751 --> 00:26:52,293 to be reupholstered, but guess what, I'm letting it go. 635 00:26:52,293 --> 00:26:53,918 Guys, shall we give her hand? 636 00:26:58,918 --> 00:27:02,293 And just doing that, I feel exhilarated. 637 00:27:07,293 --> 00:27:08,668 - Blue bike? - That's yours. 638 00:27:08,668 --> 00:27:10,251 Now, Tom gave that to me. 639 00:27:10,251 --> 00:27:12,418 Okay, let me think this out. 640 00:27:12,418 --> 00:27:14,001 I know somebody can fix that up. 641 00:27:14,001 --> 00:27:15,918 - Give it away. - Give it away. 642 00:27:15,918 --> 00:27:19,043 I'm really impressed, I wasn't expecting this. 643 00:27:20,918 --> 00:27:22,418 Let's get rid of more stuff. 644 00:27:22,418 --> 00:27:24,043 Okay. Let's do it. 645 00:27:33,293 --> 00:27:34,251 Shoot. 646 00:27:34,251 --> 00:27:35,543 One of his shirts. 647 00:27:37,710 --> 00:27:40,668 Unexpectedly she was doing terrific 648 00:27:40,668 --> 00:27:44,168 and now she's backtracking. 649 00:27:50,460 --> 00:27:52,085 The beach toys I do wanna keep. 650 00:27:52,085 --> 00:27:54,793 Let's just stop for a second and look. 651 00:27:56,376 --> 00:27:57,585 20 cents. 652 00:27:57,585 --> 00:27:58,918 Do you see you're getting hung up 653 00:27:58,918 --> 00:28:02,918 on a plastic piece that's pretty replaceable 654 00:28:02,918 --> 00:28:05,293 so that you can hopefully have this plastic piece 655 00:28:05,293 --> 00:28:07,751 to go to the beach with sometime in the future, 656 00:28:07,751 --> 00:28:10,835 maybe when you have grandkids sometime in the future. 657 00:28:17,501 --> 00:28:19,085 Crud, I'm getting hung up again. 658 00:28:20,376 --> 00:28:22,751 Mom, this is from the garage. 659 00:28:22,751 --> 00:28:26,251 Uh huh. It looks like holiday, doesn't it? 660 00:28:26,251 --> 00:28:28,835 But it's been in there for years, Mom. 661 00:28:30,376 --> 00:28:32,960 I'm extremely frustrated when I'm trying to help my mom 662 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:35,793 realize how unimportant something is. 663 00:28:35,793 --> 00:28:37,251 I don't understand 664 00:28:37,251 --> 00:28:40,210 why everything seems so important to her. 665 00:28:40,210 --> 00:28:43,001 Well, you're a singer and you used to sing 666 00:28:43,001 --> 00:28:45,376 for hours and hours on this, and it just brings- 667 00:28:45,376 --> 00:28:47,251 But do I use it now? 668 00:28:47,251 --> 00:28:48,210 No, you don't. 669 00:28:48,210 --> 00:28:49,876 But see, it just brings back memories. 670 00:28:51,168 --> 00:28:54,793 I am trying to just say, okay, it's time to go. 671 00:28:54,793 --> 00:28:56,126 Somebody else can use it. 672 00:29:00,043 --> 00:29:02,126 What's that? Oh, just memories? 673 00:29:04,085 --> 00:29:06,501 I don't need them, but I mean, 674 00:29:06,501 --> 00:29:07,751 and they've been tucked away. 675 00:29:07,751 --> 00:29:09,293 Tucked away under a tarp. 676 00:29:09,293 --> 00:29:10,293 That's right. 677 00:29:11,668 --> 00:29:12,835 This is what has to be done. 678 00:29:12,835 --> 00:29:14,168 Or else, you know what? 679 00:29:15,251 --> 00:29:19,376 Pretty soon, I don't think my girls 680 00:29:19,376 --> 00:29:20,876 would be having a mother. 681 00:29:30,710 --> 00:29:32,168 I just can't believe this. 682 00:29:34,918 --> 00:29:36,168 These are special things 683 00:29:36,168 --> 00:29:39,835 and they're in with the crap and trash. 684 00:29:41,126 --> 00:29:46,001 Janet is just starting to get at some of that shame 685 00:29:46,001 --> 00:29:49,918 and some of how she maybe disappointed people. 686 00:29:50,793 --> 00:29:54,793 I mean, these things underneath 687 00:29:58,418 --> 00:30:00,460 have to do with Tom. 688 00:30:02,418 --> 00:30:04,460 I just think I died right along with him. 689 00:30:11,585 --> 00:30:16,418 I have witnessed Janet going from point A to point B 690 00:30:16,418 --> 00:30:21,335 as a person who is returning to the self 691 00:30:21,335 --> 00:30:24,960 that she had for many years of her life. 692 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:26,460 I'm just really proud of her. 693 00:30:26,460 --> 00:30:27,918 And to me that's a big deal 694 00:30:27,918 --> 00:30:30,293 because there hasn't really been something recently 695 00:30:30,293 --> 00:30:32,043 where I've just felt proud like that. 696 00:30:32,043 --> 00:30:34,585 And I know that my dad would be proud too. 697 00:30:34,585 --> 00:30:36,835 So it makes me happy. 698 00:30:41,835 --> 00:30:44,501 Oh my gosh, it smells clean. 699 00:30:44,501 --> 00:30:46,585 - You ready? - Oh. 700 00:30:46,585 --> 00:30:48,793 Oh. No way. 701 00:30:48,793 --> 00:30:49,501 Look it. 702 00:30:51,835 --> 00:30:53,460 It's beautiful. 703 00:30:53,460 --> 00:30:56,126 And all this was here and it's beautiful now. 704 00:30:58,085 --> 00:31:00,835 I'm not tripping over the laundry pile 705 00:31:00,835 --> 00:31:05,293 and oh, this is absolutely beautiful. 706 00:31:05,293 --> 00:31:08,418 I think she's realizing that she's missed out on people 707 00:31:08,418 --> 00:31:12,543 being with her and giving her some support 708 00:31:12,543 --> 00:31:14,668 through difficult times. 709 00:31:14,668 --> 00:31:18,085 Hopefully she'll carry that with her. 710 00:31:18,085 --> 00:31:19,876 'Cause hard times will come again. 711 00:31:33,918 --> 00:31:35,251 I'm Dorothy Breininger. 712 00:31:35,251 --> 00:31:37,043 I'm a professional organizing expert 713 00:31:37,043 --> 00:31:38,626 and I specialize in hoarding. 714 00:31:40,043 --> 00:31:42,085 When I saw Dorothy coming around the corner, 715 00:31:42,085 --> 00:31:46,251 I just instantly felt her joy, 716 00:31:46,251 --> 00:31:48,126 her energy that she brings. 717 00:31:48,126 --> 00:31:51,710 And I know today's gonna be a good experience. 718 00:31:51,710 --> 00:31:53,001 14 years. - Oh I know, I know. 719 00:31:54,668 --> 00:31:56,001 Oh my gosh. 720 00:31:56,001 --> 00:31:58,918 I see her face and it just takes me right back 721 00:31:58,918 --> 00:32:01,460 to having met Amy the first time. 722 00:32:01,460 --> 00:32:02,543 How's Mom? 723 00:32:02,543 --> 00:32:03,876 She's doing good. 724 00:32:03,876 --> 00:32:05,085 She's made a lot of progress with the house. 725 00:32:05,085 --> 00:32:06,585 - Seriously? - Mm-hmm. 726 00:32:06,585 --> 00:32:08,418 Yeah. Do you wanna come see it? 727 00:32:08,418 --> 00:32:09,126 I do. 728 00:32:09,126 --> 00:32:13,085 I absolutely adore that woman. 729 00:32:14,251 --> 00:32:17,001 I can't wait to see her. I can't wait to thank her. 730 00:32:17,001 --> 00:32:19,460 Can't wait to hug her. 731 00:32:19,460 --> 00:32:20,585 - Mom? - Where is she? 732 00:32:20,585 --> 00:32:22,543 Where is she? Where is she? - Oh my gosh! 733 00:32:22,543 --> 00:32:26,626 Oh Dorothy I've been waiting for this time for 14 years. 734 00:32:27,668 --> 00:32:29,085 Oh my gosh. 735 00:32:29,085 --> 00:32:31,335 There's people that come into your life 736 00:32:32,293 --> 00:32:36,293 that you have no control over. 737 00:32:36,293 --> 00:32:40,085 And for reasons that we need at certain times in our life, 738 00:32:40,085 --> 00:32:45,085 you are one of those people that has been there. 739 00:32:45,876 --> 00:32:47,876 My little angel to pull me 740 00:32:47,876 --> 00:32:50,001 out of the worst time of my life. 741 00:32:50,001 --> 00:32:51,710 Oh my gosh. 742 00:32:51,710 --> 00:32:53,168 And my family's life. 743 00:32:53,168 --> 00:32:55,251 Because I was nothing. 744 00:32:55,251 --> 00:32:57,293 I was nothing left of me. 745 00:32:57,293 --> 00:32:58,418 - It felt that way. - Yeah. 746 00:32:58,418 --> 00:33:00,418 You were certainly something. 747 00:33:00,418 --> 00:33:01,751 You know what? You're right. 748 00:33:01,751 --> 00:33:03,126 It was in there. 749 00:33:03,126 --> 00:33:06,293 And little bit by little bit 750 00:33:06,293 --> 00:33:08,418 all the things that you taught me, 751 00:33:08,418 --> 00:33:13,043 I have been able to pull myself out 752 00:33:13,043 --> 00:33:16,543 and I decided I'm gonna do this. 753 00:33:16,543 --> 00:33:20,501 I'm gonna live, I'm gonna be happy. 754 00:33:20,501 --> 00:33:23,585 It's quite humbling, but it's also really satisfying 755 00:33:23,585 --> 00:33:27,876 to think that someone took this situation so seriously 756 00:33:27,876 --> 00:33:31,460 and really wanted to turn her life around so much. 757 00:33:31,460 --> 00:33:35,418 And she wants to share the credit. 758 00:33:35,418 --> 00:33:38,418 You know, it speaks volumes to who she is. 759 00:33:39,751 --> 00:33:42,168 Well, would you like to take a little look? 760 00:33:42,168 --> 00:33:42,960 I would. I would. 761 00:33:42,960 --> 00:33:44,293 I mean. - Okay. 762 00:33:45,251 --> 00:33:47,543 I mean, A, we can open the door. 763 00:33:47,543 --> 00:33:51,960 Everything is just so free and spacious 764 00:33:51,960 --> 00:33:53,751 and beautifully decorated. 765 00:33:53,751 --> 00:33:55,418 Is this your? 766 00:33:55,418 --> 00:33:56,543 This is me. 767 00:33:56,543 --> 00:33:58,501 I designed everything. - This is you. 768 00:33:58,501 --> 00:34:00,460 This is unbelievable. 769 00:34:01,543 --> 00:34:03,501 And where did all the ideas come from? 770 00:34:03,501 --> 00:34:06,126 I mean, did it just explode for you? 771 00:34:06,126 --> 00:34:09,210 Every little step of the way, a little piece, 772 00:34:09,210 --> 00:34:12,126 those billions of broken pieces of me, 773 00:34:12,126 --> 00:34:15,876 every time I would take a step and do something 774 00:34:15,876 --> 00:34:19,543 and make a decision, a little part of me came back. 775 00:34:19,543 --> 00:34:23,251 I was a creative person before and I lost all that. 776 00:34:23,251 --> 00:34:24,835 And it was busting out suddenly. 777 00:34:24,835 --> 00:34:26,918 - Now it was just like- - Literally. 778 00:34:27,793 --> 00:34:29,085 We did the show. 779 00:34:30,293 --> 00:34:33,085 And then there's 14 years between then and now. 780 00:34:33,085 --> 00:34:35,793 Like, what was it like after the show? 781 00:34:35,793 --> 00:34:38,168 What all happened for you? 782 00:34:38,168 --> 00:34:42,168 I think for me, doing the show really helped me 783 00:34:44,168 --> 00:34:47,335 let go of the sense of responsibility. 784 00:34:48,793 --> 00:34:49,626 Trying to... 785 00:34:54,168 --> 00:34:57,251 Trying to fix things that weren't my problems to fix 786 00:34:57,251 --> 00:34:59,126 or my issues to fix. 787 00:34:59,126 --> 00:35:03,085 And really realizing that I needed to 788 00:35:03,085 --> 00:35:07,751 focus on living my own life and my future 789 00:35:07,751 --> 00:35:10,751 and not what had happened. 790 00:35:10,751 --> 00:35:14,668 And what is it like for you to hear your daughter say, 791 00:35:15,585 --> 00:35:18,126 you know, I didn't have to take on 792 00:35:18,126 --> 00:35:20,376 that responsibility anymore. 793 00:35:20,376 --> 00:35:22,501 What's that like for you to hear? 794 00:35:22,501 --> 00:35:25,543 Well, the burden that I put on them, 795 00:35:27,251 --> 00:35:29,251 I can never take that back. 796 00:35:29,251 --> 00:35:34,335 And I am sorry for all the 797 00:35:35,085 --> 00:35:39,126 pain that I caused my family. 798 00:35:39,126 --> 00:35:41,085 I didn't do it on purpose. 799 00:35:41,085 --> 00:35:42,251 Just, I want you to know that. 800 00:35:42,251 --> 00:35:44,085 I do know that. 801 00:35:44,085 --> 00:35:45,668 - Okay. - I do know that. 802 00:35:45,668 --> 00:35:48,085 And I'm just glad we're to this point. 803 00:35:48,085 --> 00:35:49,168 Yeah, me too. 804 00:35:50,168 --> 00:35:53,335 It's been a complicated road, 805 00:35:53,335 --> 00:35:57,085 but we've gotten to a much better place, 806 00:35:57,085 --> 00:35:59,418 a much more authentic place. 807 00:35:59,418 --> 00:36:01,376 I would say that there's hope 808 00:36:01,376 --> 00:36:03,376 for other kids going through this right now. 809 00:36:03,376 --> 00:36:07,918 There's hope that their parent might be able 810 00:36:07,918 --> 00:36:10,126 to see what's happening 811 00:36:10,126 --> 00:36:12,710 and ultimately realize that it is an illness 812 00:36:12,710 --> 00:36:16,668 and it's something that they can get help for. 813 00:36:16,668 --> 00:36:19,168 They can change if they really want to. 814 00:36:19,168 --> 00:36:23,126 It's not easy, but there is hope 815 00:36:23,126 --> 00:36:27,335 and there's a possibility of a better future 816 00:36:27,335 --> 00:36:28,710 for the entire family. 817 00:36:46,251 --> 00:36:47,710 I want Janet to know 818 00:36:47,710 --> 00:36:51,751 that she absolutely has held onto this possibility 819 00:36:51,751 --> 00:36:55,543 of having a clutter-free home, a beautifully designed home. 820 00:36:55,543 --> 00:36:58,418 One that she had always had in her vision 821 00:36:58,418 --> 00:37:02,251 and in her mind with her husband and now on her own. 822 00:37:11,043 --> 00:37:15,710 If I remember, I saw this picture of your husband. 823 00:37:15,710 --> 00:37:18,251 It wasn't prominently displayed this way. 824 00:37:18,251 --> 00:37:20,960 It was on top of a hoard back then. 825 00:37:20,960 --> 00:37:22,751 How embarrassing, right? 826 00:37:22,751 --> 00:37:24,460 The love of my life. 827 00:37:24,460 --> 00:37:26,460 - Was it embarrassing? - Yeah, oh yeah. 828 00:37:26,460 --> 00:37:29,793 Amy, for you, did you know that it, 829 00:37:29,793 --> 00:37:32,293 like why is dad's picture on top of the hoard? 830 00:37:32,293 --> 00:37:33,793 Did it like? 831 00:37:33,793 --> 00:37:37,543 I didn't know that his picture was on top of the stuff 832 00:37:38,918 --> 00:37:40,918 before I was there that day. 833 00:37:40,918 --> 00:37:44,418 And it was tough to see. 834 00:37:44,418 --> 00:37:49,418 The feelings when everything is just 835 00:37:50,210 --> 00:37:53,376 chaotic and topsy-turvy inside, 836 00:37:53,376 --> 00:37:56,710 there's just no life in you at all. 837 00:37:56,710 --> 00:38:00,668 And I knew he had to be in our home, his picture. 838 00:38:02,876 --> 00:38:07,251 And I couldn't create a place that was honorable. 839 00:38:07,251 --> 00:38:10,793 And given that you were in a fog. 840 00:38:10,793 --> 00:38:12,876 - Oh definitely. - During the show. 841 00:38:12,876 --> 00:38:13,918 - Oh, yes. - Right? 842 00:38:13,918 --> 00:38:15,918 Do you remember all of it? 843 00:38:15,918 --> 00:38:16,918 Parts of it? 844 00:38:16,918 --> 00:38:18,918 No, I remember parts of it 845 00:38:18,918 --> 00:38:22,335 and I just, it's a blur. 846 00:38:22,335 --> 00:38:23,668 A lot of it is a blur. 847 00:38:23,668 --> 00:38:27,251 Something clicks or switches off. 848 00:38:27,251 --> 00:38:30,710 And until you, I have to do it, 849 00:38:30,710 --> 00:38:35,460 until that moment that you tell yourself 850 00:38:35,460 --> 00:38:36,751 enough is enough, 851 00:38:36,751 --> 00:38:39,960 I am climbing out of that deep rabbit hole, 852 00:38:39,960 --> 00:38:45,210 And I feel like today I've come right over the top now. 853 00:38:45,376 --> 00:38:48,793 Janet has now been able to, you know, 854 00:38:48,793 --> 00:38:52,293 unburden herself of this thing called hoarding. 855 00:38:52,293 --> 00:38:56,251 Like, she gets help. She goes to a grief group. 856 00:38:56,251 --> 00:39:01,251 She does these things in order to finally release herself 857 00:39:01,251 --> 00:39:02,751 and her life. 858 00:39:02,751 --> 00:39:05,418 But she had to get this part clear. 859 00:39:05,418 --> 00:39:08,918 She had to truly clear the clutter so she could live. 860 00:39:08,918 --> 00:39:11,501 Well, why don't you guys come and sit at the table 861 00:39:11,501 --> 00:39:14,460 and we'll sit around the pool and chat. 862 00:39:15,251 --> 00:39:16,501 Absolutely. 863 00:39:16,501 --> 00:39:20,960 Wow. I have to take it all in, you know. 864 00:39:20,960 --> 00:39:22,585 I mean... 865 00:39:22,585 --> 00:39:26,251 How did you make a decision with 28 different patio sets? 866 00:39:26,251 --> 00:39:28,043 How do you whittle it down to just- 867 00:39:28,043 --> 00:39:29,210 I don't think there was 28. 868 00:39:29,210 --> 00:39:30,543 Was there? - Alright. 869 00:39:30,543 --> 00:39:31,876 I think it was 17 or something close. 870 00:39:31,876 --> 00:39:33,168 - What? - Yeah. 871 00:39:33,168 --> 00:39:34,460 When they did the final- - There were quite a few. 872 00:39:34,460 --> 00:39:36,751 But how did you whittle it down to just, 873 00:39:36,751 --> 00:39:38,835 you know, these few pieces that are left? 874 00:39:38,835 --> 00:39:41,751 Well, some were just dilapidated. 875 00:39:41,751 --> 00:39:45,293 - And you made the decision. - Yeah. I had to. 876 00:39:45,293 --> 00:39:46,835 Yeah. - It's fantastic. 877 00:39:46,835 --> 00:39:48,418 We're not staring at furniture. 878 00:39:48,418 --> 00:39:49,793 We're sitting on furniture. 879 00:39:49,793 --> 00:39:50,793 - Yeah. - You could have- 880 00:39:50,793 --> 00:39:52,085 Like it's supposed to be used. 881 00:39:52,085 --> 00:39:53,418 Yeah. 882 00:39:53,418 --> 00:39:55,293 I'm so proud of you, honey. 883 00:39:55,293 --> 00:39:56,251 Thank you so much. 884 00:39:56,251 --> 00:39:57,210 You don't know how much that- 885 00:39:57,210 --> 00:39:58,418 I'm so proud of you. 886 00:39:58,418 --> 00:40:00,085 How much that means to me. 887 00:40:00,085 --> 00:40:04,835 And I could not have gotten to this point without you. 888 00:40:04,835 --> 00:40:07,793 I remember a couple times you kicking my butt, girl. 889 00:40:07,793 --> 00:40:09,460 Oh, maybe we can't say that. 890 00:40:09,460 --> 00:40:10,418 - You sure can. - Oh, okay. 891 00:40:12,543 --> 00:40:15,585 I needed it, but I can remember though. 892 00:40:15,585 --> 00:40:17,043 I would just stare at you. 893 00:40:17,043 --> 00:40:18,293 Like... 894 00:40:18,293 --> 00:40:19,501 - And... - Yeah. 895 00:40:19,501 --> 00:40:21,668 And it was like it wasn't connecting, 896 00:40:21,668 --> 00:40:26,626 but it was, everything that don't think it was in vain 897 00:40:26,626 --> 00:40:30,210 because everything, as I was sorting through things, 898 00:40:30,210 --> 00:40:34,876 as I was making decisions again here how many years later? 899 00:40:34,876 --> 00:40:37,710 It's your little voice that I hear. 900 00:40:37,710 --> 00:40:40,835 Well, let me tell you how important you all were to me. 901 00:40:40,835 --> 00:40:43,835 I did keep something from 14 years ago. 902 00:40:43,835 --> 00:40:44,876 - Really? - Let me get it 903 00:40:44,876 --> 00:40:45,751 outta my pocket. 904 00:40:45,751 --> 00:40:48,335 Savannah was drawing this. 905 00:40:48,335 --> 00:40:49,835 Oh you should see. 906 00:40:49,835 --> 00:40:55,585 During the hoard when we were working on the project, 907 00:40:55,585 --> 00:40:56,251 and then she gave it to me. 908 00:40:56,251 --> 00:40:57,460 Oh my gosh. 909 00:40:57,460 --> 00:40:59,751 And I've kept it all these years. 910 00:40:59,751 --> 00:41:03,418 So I do want her to know that I kept this 911 00:41:03,418 --> 00:41:07,085 as an heirloom from our experience together. 912 00:41:07,085 --> 00:41:08,626 - That is the sweetest thing. - And you've been my mind. 913 00:41:08,626 --> 00:41:11,418 And of all the shows 914 00:41:11,418 --> 00:41:13,918 that you have done and helped people. 915 00:41:13,918 --> 00:41:16,585 And you have kept that. - I have. 916 00:41:16,585 --> 00:41:19,835 I've been really lucky to be involved with people 917 00:41:19,835 --> 00:41:23,751 who hoard and who also want to go beyond it, 918 00:41:23,751 --> 00:41:25,751 who want to make the change. 919 00:41:25,751 --> 00:41:28,168 I want you to really know where it all started. 920 00:41:29,168 --> 00:41:30,668 It starts in your heart. 921 00:41:30,668 --> 00:41:32,376 But let's even go back. 922 00:41:32,376 --> 00:41:35,751 Do not ever forget the courage it took 923 00:41:35,751 --> 00:41:38,710 for Amy to make that call. 924 00:41:38,710 --> 00:41:42,001 That was why this all happened. 925 00:41:42,001 --> 00:41:43,418 Thank you. 926 00:41:43,418 --> 00:41:45,793 You literally changed your mother's and your own life. 927 00:41:45,793 --> 00:41:47,668 This woman is not gonna give up. 928 00:41:47,668 --> 00:41:50,501 She will have a life that she's always dreamed of, 929 00:41:50,501 --> 00:41:52,418 taken a while, but she's gonna have it. 930 00:41:52,418 --> 00:41:53,751 - We love you. - Love you sweetheart. 931 00:41:53,751 --> 00:41:55,460 Thank you for giving us our family back 932 00:41:55,460 --> 00:41:56,876 and for giving me back. 933 00:41:58,418 --> 00:42:00,543 I love you. - Love you too, sweetheart. 934 00:42:00,543 --> 00:42:01,585 I'll be in touch again. 935 00:42:01,585 --> 00:42:02,418 - Okay. - Watch out. 936 00:42:02,418 --> 00:42:03,835 - Please do. - Watch out. 937 00:42:03,835 --> 00:42:06,210 Bye hon. - You're welcome anytime. 938 00:42:06,210 --> 00:42:07,835 - Okay. - Thank you. 939 00:42:07,835 --> 00:42:09,585 All right. See you later. 940 00:42:09,585 --> 00:42:11,293 Beautiful stuff. 941 00:42:11,293 --> 00:42:13,043 I wanna stay all afternoon.