I'm already behind......

[DianaB]

I signed up for FlyLady e-mails again (www.flylady.com).....you know the lady that helps you get your house in order and keep it that way. It's not that my house is bad......it's just that it wasn't as clean as I'd like for it to be and things were out of place. It just seems like I get slower and slower at keeping up.

Well, I signed up Sunday, I think, planning on starting Monday, which didn't happen. My get up and start didn't want to start that day. The project wasn't hard.....just swish and wipe the bathroom.......it didn't happen.....and clean the light fixtures in your kitchen. Okay, I can do that.......wrong!!! I didn't even get started on Monday so I thought that I would just add it to Tuesday's work.

Anyway, on Tuesday I decided to do the lights in the dining room too. That made 6 globes and two dusty lights to wipe off and one florescent light. I got the globes all cleaned.....but not the other things......thinking that I would get them done the next day. Then Tuesday's task we were suppose to wipe down the front of our kitchen cabinets. I was excited about that one because I really need to do that. Well, I didn't get to that.......

Ok, now I'm two days behind with one job partially done!! Wednesday, I had to get ready for Royal Rangers. We've been off for Christmas break and this was our first day back. So I spent the day getting my lesson ready. I was really hoping that they'd cancel church because of the cold but that didn't happen.

So, on Thursday......I finally got the lights ALL washed and back up!!! (Glen's cleaning his side of our closet so I'm interrupted every little bit with questions.....Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!.....Plus he's trying on EVERYTHING!!!!) Oh ya', our task for Wednesday was to clean out everything that's out dated in the fridge.......which I didn't have time for.........so I'll just add it to Thursday's task after I get all the other things done........ya' right!!!!

Thurday's task was to take everything off of the kitchen counters and wipe the counter down........I got one counter done with the cabinets wiped down (Tuesday's task) that's over that counter.

Today's task is to mop the floor in the kitchen........I'm just giving up on that one and the fridge!!!!!!!!!! So far I have the counters ALL wiped off......the lights are still clean......and I'm working on getting the front of the cabinets all wiped down and I have the greasy ones left to do........plus I have the grandkids all ready over for their sleep over tonight!!!!!

Next week I've got to plan better or start writing things down.......this FlyLady stuff is confusing!!!! At least it will be in another part of the house........maybe the bathroom.....it's not too bad in there........oh, but the light fixtures aren't clean......Bummer!!!!!!

Oh, and I did finally get started on the swish and wipe......I think that it was on Thursday.......I'm suppose to do that one everyday but going by looks I think that once a week might be good!!!!

I was wondering.......am I suppose to be cleaning other things besides the daily tasks.......if so I may as well give up now!!!!!

[lynne b]

Gezzzz, I'm worn out just reading all that you need to get done.
I know how you feel though, i just don't keep up with my house like i use to, since i have been taking care of mom, had my back surgery, both of my daughters have had surgery, does it ever end!!!! I hate to admit it but my bedroom has been half way painted for 2 years now, I'm tired of the old color and now i'm tired of the new color, so i think it's time to find a new color and get it all painted one color this time LOL.

[paula1961]

Wow Diana I would have to agree with Lynne.......I'm worn out already lol. I've never been to that site but I think I will just to check it out and see what kind of pointers they have. I have got to do something to try and get back to being more tidy. Well my house isn't that messy, just needs a good deep cleaning in every room

Lynne I hope you find a color that you like for your bedroom. I am painting all of mine in Cracker Bitz by Olympic from Lowe's. If you like neutral....this is a rich color of tan. It should pretty much match any color accessories.
How are your daughters and Mom doing? Hope you are feeling well after surgery. I didn't know you had to have that done.

[Janet]

Diana....I'm exhausted!...LOL

[Blueyes]

Diana, I've never heard of that site but I'm going to check it out right now. It sounds like a great idea....but I doubt if they factor in grandkids, lol!!!

[gja1000]

My daughter did the fly lady stuff and it really helped her get her house in order and keep it that way. I'm NOT like her!!! LOL! If you do what they say, it will really help get the house clean and tidy and keep it that way. I'm only speaking from watching her - I did NOT do it!

No Betsi, I don't think they factor in grandkids, and probably not computer time either! LOL!

[DianaB]

No, they don't factor in grandchildren or computer time!! LOL I think that's what has me so messed up!!! I still don't have the cabinets wiped off but I'm planning on getting it done today.

It really is a simple way of cleaning. You're suppose to use a timer for a lot of things so you don't get stuck with more than you can handle. And she has a simple way of starting to clean for people who are absolutely overwhelmed by a really messy house. I've got a book that I used last time I did FlyLady so I just need to find it and get straightened out. I don't think that I'm suppose to take this much time getting the tasks done. Oh well, it did look nice.......until the grandkids arrived!!!!

They've built a town in the basememt!!! They played beauty shop and brushed and dried my hair. Now I'm waiting for Glen to come home and we're going to go down together and see what they have in their town!!! I'll get some pictures!!!

[judy]

Originally Posted by DianaB

No, they don't factor in grandchildren or computer time!! LOL I think that's what has me so messed up!!! I still don't have the cabinets wiped off but I'm planning on getting it done today.

It really is a simple way of cleaning. You're suppose to use a timer for a lot of things so you don't get stuck with more than you can handle. And she has a simple way of starting to clean for people who are absolutely overwhelmed by a really messy house. I've got a book that I used last time I did FlyLady so I just need to find it and get straightened out. I don't think that I'm suppose to take this much time getting the tasks done. Oh well, it did look nice.......until the grandkids arrived!!!!

They've built a town in the basememt!!! They played beauty shop and brushed and dried my hair. Now I'm waiting for Glen to come home and we're going to go down together and see what they have in their town!!! I'll get some pictures!!!

I think you have your head on better than Flylady's! Would you rather hang out in your grandchildren's town in the basement, and get your hair done, or wipe down cabinets, and lighting?

It does sound as though you have started, and have gotten quite a bit done.
You do have a full life, and it sounds like you are making progress. I think it's a kind of "my glass is half full" rather than "half empty" thing.

[paula1961]

Diana, I went to that site yesterday and I think I am actually going to try it! It is a little confusing though. I think you are supposed to declutter first but I can't start like that. I am going to go step by step on the one room at a time thing and see how that works for me. Today I did get my kitchen sink cleaned and dusted down the ceiling and over the cabinets in the kitchen. Tomorrow I am going to wipe the cabinets down. I am going to do the baby steps because I don't want to get over whelmed Let us know how you are doing with it. I am so going to try to stick to this and just see if it works for me. I printed out the cleaning zone pages. I am curious to see if I can actually stick to a routine like this. I'm really not good at a routineso we'll just see how it goes lol.

[DianaB]

Paula, I did this before and it is a very good program. Once you get started and figure out what you're doing you can fine tune it to fit you and your lifestyle. I did so good at keeping things clean before. Glen's thrilled that I'm doing it again. I have the book but I can't find it......imagine that!!! I think that it may have gotten taken to the basement.

I like the simple ideas that she has for keeping things clean and none of it takes a lot of time. It's getting things accomplished just 15 minutes at a time! I like the idea of always being ready for company to show up, which I'm never ready for!!!! Besides....I've lived here 10 years now and it's time to get things cleaned out!!!

[paula1961]

Diana I like her ideas too. Today I did my cabinet doors and the walls, just wiped them down and I was shocked and how little time it took. I think this is really going to work for me. It's like the way she teaches you to do the work is not overwhelming. That's been my problem......I try to do too much at one time and then end up getting aggravated and just saying to heck with it! Thanks so much for posting that website Diana. It is really a wonderful tool for me. I printed out the different zones and made me a fly lady file lol. Tomorrow is clean out the fridge day for me. I think I'll add in cleaning the microwave as well. I wonder how often she says to do the zone cleaning. I haven't found that info on there yet.

[DianaB]

Paula, you do the zone cleaning for one week every month. If you sign up for the e-mails (and there are LOTS of e-mails!!!) then she'll let you know what zone you're in and it repeats each month.

You're suppose to do a quick cleaning each week with a good cleaning each month but I haven't gotten there yet!!

I need to find my book so I can start correctly!!! She does have a good program!! I especially like the 27 boogie toss!! And also, never clean out more than it would take you an hour to put away!! She's got wonderful ideas!! Using the timer is an important part too!!!

[judy]

What is the 27 boogie toss? That sounds like fun, just from the name of it. I'm very organized, and cleaning up seems to come naturally, (pure luck!!!) but looking at her ideas, it sounds like she really has it so well figured out.

I also only start something if I can clean it all up afterward. If it's too big a job, and I'm too tired, I leave it for another time, or mentally break it down to smaller jobs. That cleaning up after you do something is key. If not, you have little messes all over and then it gets overwhelming.

Not cleaning, but straightening up, every morning also helps me. I think the less laying around, the less overwhelming it is. I am very unhappy in a mess, so being neat is important to my stress levels. You should see me after a paint job! Like I'm about to have a nervous breakdown!

Jessie is completely different. She'll start things all over the house, and then have to take care of something else. Of course, she has 3 children and 988 dogs. Her trick is that she can get Steve to clean up after a while, and he is fierce about it! He cleans the under part of the salt shakers once he gets started!

Then, there are people who enjoy cleaning. I have had friends who really like
polishing and dusting, because once they are finished, the feel really good about it. And, of course, the house looks great! I used to enjoy cleaning bathrooms, because everything is washable, and shines up so nicely without too much fuss.

Everybody is different, but it sounds to me like this woman has broken down the jobs really well. I think she is onto something!

[DianaB]

The 27 boogie fling is where you pick an area (closet, drawer, desk, or whatever) and pick out 27 items to get rid of. I've used it in my closet and need to go back and do it again. It's a jump start to cleaning an area. Flylady has very simple ideas for getting things cleaned. Like setting a timer for 5 minutes or sometimes 15. Her ideas are for people who are really having a hard time keeping things cleaned or even are hoarders. She really helps some people who are seriously needing help but her ideas are also good for those, like me, who keep things somewhat clean but never get the deep cleaning done.

[judy]

I met a friend today who was telling me that she needs to do a big cleaning, and get rid of clutter. She had a cleaning person before she retired, and now doesn't know where to start. I told her about this site, but couldn't remember the name. I'm going to email the site to her.

I think most people are like you Diana. There are so many more fun things to do!
The only reason my house stays clean is because I have someone come in to do the big cleaning. I'm just very neat. Who wants to clean?