I am really glad you all are checking Marla out. She saved my home (literally). About 9 months ago, my home was a disaster and my landlady was taking me to court to have Matt and me thrown out (Bill and I were separated at the time). My landlady had taken pictures to show the court. Well, I went to FLYLady's website (I was already a member, but not a faithful one). I had one week to save my home, so I did crisis cleaning, but did it in 15 minute blocks, taking a 15-minute break and then back for another 15 minute cleaning block. The day before court, I took pictures and rushed to have them developed. The result - I got to stay in the trailer until the end of June, with the agreement to have weekly inspections by the landlady. The court appointed mediator asked if I was sure I wanted to do that and I said sure, anything to not to have to move yet. And, the routines she proposes
ed me keep my home presentable through the duration of living there.
The key is to start small. Shine your sink at night! Seems silly, but it gets my
off to a great start.
Baby steps are the key. Her basic theory is that your house/finances/life, or whatever, did not get that way overnight, so don't think you have to FIX it overnight.
Also, FLYLady says that when our homes or lives are disorganized or in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome), that we tend to have a low self-perception. The whole premise is to Finally Love Yourself (FLY).
DeeDee, yep she sends a lot of emails. But you just delete the ones you don't want at that time. There are ones that get on my nerves, but I just delete them and go on.
When you sign up Marla and her crew send you a 3-part
letter. Read it and keep it to refer to. (Save it on your computer so you don't have paper clutter!)
Also, her routines are wonderful. The bedtime routine was my first. She has her routines posted so you can figure out your own.
She talks about a CONTROL JOURNAL. It lists my routines (
, afternoon, evening, and bedtime) and a routine sheet for Matt. Also, the Weekly Home Blessing (cleaning) routine is there. (I'll explain that one in a moment.) Also, my Control Journal contains our family calendar, address book and I even have a section that contains medical info on each of us, plus critical info like insurance policy numbers, Social Security numbers, etc. NOW, Bill no longer has to ask me for that info, he can find it himself.
To get yourself started, use your timer. Work on things for 15 minutes at a time - then take a break. You will be surprised at how much you will get done.
Here are some of the terms she uses (and believe me, they make sense):
Weekly Home Blessing: I can "clean" (or as Marla calls it - BLESS) my home in about an hour. It isn't perfect, but it IS presentable. Dust around the edges, vacuum, sweep, straighten, change the sheets. DONE!
Zones: The deep cleaning a room (or rooms) needs done once a month, spread out over a week.
Hot Spots: Those places where we drop things and let them sit. She'll send an email or two to take care of a hot spot.
I hope I haven't confused anybody. She really has an easy system that even moms who work outside the home can do. Just don't panic or push yourself.
Oh yeah, there are Pamper Missions - taking time for YOU! Read a book, take a bubble
, etc. If you don't take care of yourself while you're taking care of your home, you won't be able to enjoy it or your family even if your floor is so clean you could eat off it!
Good luck and let me know if I can
.
s and is a huge 
for sharing this website with us all.
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