Marilyn's Way

I Am Gardening! I Am Finally Gardening!

2013-05-14T17:50:00.001-05:00

A Problem Area Hoping To Solve

Yes! Gardening is finally here! It feels so good to be outside after our very long snowy winter. The thing is because it got dry last year all the snow has just made the soil moist. As I am writing this I have four o'clocks soaking and sunflower seeds. My four o'clocks didn't come up last year so did some research.

The picture above is a problem area I am trying to fix. Since I got into de-cluttering in my house, it has spread out into my yard. Unfortunately my neighbors don't feel the same way. Whenever I look out the windows I see this so I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I have had Golden Glow Yellow Flowers that grow at least five feet tall and come up every year. I really didn't like where they were on the west side of the house so I moved them and planted them along the property line in between the trees. I am also going to be planting sunflowers that grow to ten feet. They also have chickens and am hoping to deter them. I am thinking of Zinnias there as well. I am sure I will have to stake them but will be well worth it. I am leaving a space for the neighbor boys to be able to come through to visit whenever they are allowed. I know I have white daisies that come up every year and may plant some of them as well. I have never planted a living fence and I think it is going to be lots of fun. Join me for the ride as I go through this journey of creating a Living Fence. I don't know how successful I will be but I am trying it this season!

Garden Till You FLY! mw

Marilyn

How To Hang A Mirror Window

2013-03-24T21:26:00.000-05:00

Some of my members of my closed groups like to know how to ideas. Today, I inherited a window mirror to replace the mirror I had in its place. The mirror before was given to me and I made best do with it.

The same person, my mom gave me this window mirror as she no longer had a use for it. I gladly took it off her hands. I did do a couple of steps before I realized I should turn it into a blog. I had to move the hooks as it was set up to hang vertically and I needed it horizontal.

Here is my step by step I did to hang this window mirror above my sink.

Painter Tape is my friend. I use it for many things. Here. I laid out the length horizontal where my mirror was going.

I had to change the hooks. It was set up for vertical hanging and I needed horizontal so I moved them.

I took the painters tape off of the wall where the mirror was going to go, measured the center of the mirror and lined it up.

I had to move it up further so I could mark where the screws were going into the wall.

Took the painters tape off of the mirror and put it back on the wall. This time I had it marked where the screws would go.

You can see where I marked the center of the mirror.

Up went the tape back on the wall centering it with the marks for my new mirror.

Got them both screwed in place. Now time to take the painters tape back down.

My trusty drill driver for the holes for the screws.

Time to take painters tape off.

Time to shine the mirror before hanging.

And there you have it! All done!

Garden Till You FLY! Create Five Zones

2013-03-18T22:42:00.000-05:00

I wrote this today Monday, April 11, 2011 @ 3:30PM
Updated: Monday, March 18, 2013 @ 10:30 pm

I knew I wanted Zone 1 of Gardening to be the entrance of our home. That just made sense with Zone 1 Entrance/Porch/Dining Room. What will be the other 4 Zones? I had to give it some thought. I wanted it to work smoothly with the zones we use for cleaning our homes. This is what I propose.

Zone 1 - Outside Entrance to Our Home. This is where 1st impressions begin with ourselves and others. What does your entrance say about you?
Zone 2 - Vegetable Garden. Many of us will be raising fruits and vegetables these coming months. Some are beginners all the way to master gardeners. I am looking forward to this! I decided to correlate the vegetable garden with the kitchen. It just seemed to make sense and easy to remember.
Zone 3 - Flower garden This also seemed to be a natural progression. Some may be making brand new beds or maintaining some from years past. Get creative.
Zone 4 - The Yard. This will be about maintaining our yards. Some of us have large yards and some small. I know the summer months we will be mowing every few days and adjust to that mode.
Zone 5 - Trees, Bushes, Shrubs and the Outside of the House. It seemed like last year I was always trimming something. It is also a good time to inspect anything that needs fixing.

We are going to treat this like we do with our homes Marilyn's Way and that is breaking things down into zones. We will be doing 25 fling cha-cha-cha (Throw Away, Put Away, Give Away) or decluttering 15 minutes a day, hot spots (we all have them in our yards!) along with it. Together, I believe we can all have a pleasant spring, summer, and fall outdoors!

Garden Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Important Note About "The Great Declutter Your Clothes" Event

2013-03-01T17:49:00.000-06:00

Some of you have been having such a great time decluttering your clothes but are not quite done. Some have finished and feel very accomplished. Some did not participate because the feelings of freezing up happened. Some had other commitments that they were working on.

Some of you this is your first rodeo at attempting this meaning this is the first time you even thought about the idea to do this. Some may have not opened their closet for a very long time for fear of what they may find.

Then there are FLYers like myself. This is probably my fifth rodeo of doing this and have learned to declutter throughout the year. Still, I took part in this event and I am going to continue as I have some fine tuning to do. I still haven't really gotten the area where there are three deep shelves in my closet like I want it. So I will be doing a few 15 minutes throughout March as my main focus will be the kitchen and if we can not get the kitchen all done in a month, we will make it two months. What I want most for you is to begin to learn to enjoy making the family dinner because your kitchen is decluttered. You have also found a better place for the things you use the most to prepare your meals and you have learned how to clean up as you go by starting out with a sink full of hot soapy water.

The PURPOSE of these events are for us to come together using our own style to declutter. There are no daily missions as some take longer than the other and we all have our own individual issues. The single ingredient that we do all have is that these are very emotional decluttering projects for all of us. Many memories and we have to work through these things on our own time. For example, after ten years, I was finally able to let go of my business suits I had that didn't fit but they were a symbol of when I was working and it was a good time in my life. I was afraid if I decluttered the suits it would also remove the memories but it hasn't. I just got a nice facebook message from one of my dear friends when I lived in Texas and we are catching up on our lives. She lives in Illinois now. Since I released those suits nothing has changed except maybe someone will get the job of their dreams wearing one of my suits. That would make me happy!

My Three Suggestions To Start Dancing Are:

Declutter the items with the least emotional ties.
Declutter your items 15 minutes at a time.
Declutter 25 items, bag it up and immediately take out to your vehicle. (This has been my favorite one)

Today, dance your way into decluttering your items if you haven't started! You can do it! This will be the best support you can get from others because it is an event and we are all working on it together!

Dance Till You FLY!

Marilyn

The Great Declutter Your Kitchen and Organize Your Pantry Event!

2013-02-28T18:34:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the "Great Declutter Your Kitchen And Organize Your Pantry Event!" The purpose of this event is to get familiar with your kitchen again, removing items that got thrown in the a drawer from a stash and dash or to take an inventory of what you have and what I item you feel may help you in preparing your meals for your family. Cleaning out drawers and using only the things you love will make cooking more enjoyable.

Now, I could create certain days to do certain things but I am not going to and this is the reason. All of our kitchens are different and each have its challenges. Not only that, some of us love to keep our pots and pans stacked neatly while others just throw into the cabinet. And there is no right or wrong way. What I want you to do is try to tackle the area where you prepare your food first and take note if everything you need and use on a regular basis is within easy reach. If you want to create a baking zone in your kitchen because you do lots of baking, that would be something to consider.

My intentions for this event is so we all have a great summer and I am thinking of you moms when the kids are home all of the time and wouldn't it be nice to have your kitchen set up in such a way that clean up is easier? That is what I am looking for myself. I have gotten better at making dinner for myself and I do believe it is has to do with just moving a few things around.

The only thing I ask of you is to keep your 3 habits for each of the 3 routines I call the "Dance Till You FLY!" routine going and to ALLOW TIME for these each day. They are as follows:

Keeping Your Sink Shined Or Empty

Making Your Bed Everyday When You Get Up In The Morning

Getting Dressed To Shoes (You owe yourself and should love yourself enough to show up each day.)

Swish and Swipe Your Bathroom

Declutter Something Just Anything Each Day

Lay Out Your Clothes The Night Before

Establish A Launch Pad For All The Things That Will Be Going With You The Next Day.

With A Family For Sure, Do One Load Of Laundry A Day

Know What Is For Dinner Everyday

Another suggestion is to try not to take out more than you can put back in an hour. This event is optional. I just got an 'Aha' Moment one day that maybe if I create these events, we can be all going through it together and knowledge is power. The other reason is that it will bond us as a group and maybe everyone can get to know each other better and help others that are new to the group so you can find FLYing buddies. We are here together for accountability by personal choice because we feel it works.

So, know this: the NATURE of housework contains three of burnouts major stress components:

1. It is repetitious.

2. It is never ending.

3. It is extraordinarily low on positive feedback.

In other words, housework is never done. There's always more to do. If you think there is a magic pill, there isn't any. So why not create an event that we can do together and maybe even enjoy ourselves doing this know it will make your life easier.

The final requirement to this event is to let us know some of the strange things you find there. For example, I found a naked Barbie Doll in one of my drawers! To this day I don't know how it got there except it had to be a stash and dash kind of thing.

We have all month and if we need another month we will. Some will get done in no time and some will be more challenged as it is your first rodeo to do this. So let's have fun! Spring is on it's way!

Dance Till You FLY!

Marilyn

What's That Sound Coming Out Of My Cupboard?

2013-01-10T20:41:00.000-06:00

For about a month, it seems like I have been hearing this strange noise coming from one of the bottom cupboards in my kitchen. It wasn't every night or day. It was every few days.

I bet the next thing you are thinking is oh my gosh it must be a mouse!! We have certainly have had a mouse problem some time in our lives and it is maddening. I am glad to announce it wasn't a mouse.

You see, it was a piece of cookware that can actually make our lives easier and yet somehow we think it is work. What could that be you say? Why none other than the "Crockpot!" You can even buy liners for them if you don't want to do all that scrubbing when you are done using it!

So there WAS a reason I listened to my mom when she said that one of the grocery stores had whole chickens on sale for 99 cents a pound. I bought two.

When I got home from my shopping spree, the noises were getting louder! I had brought the two chickens in from my blazer.

I finally opened the door and the first thing I saw was the Juicer. Well, the Juicer is also ready to come out of the cupboard as well. I bought apples and carrots and celery and it makes a great drink.

I had to pull out the "Juicer" to see that it was the "Crockpot" that was making all of that noise this past month. I guess the "Juicer" was joining in. My "Steamer" was wanting out too.

Tomorrow morning, there will be a chicken in my "Crockpot" and when someone says, "What's For Dinner?" I can say Baked Chicken, Potatoes, Carrots, and some Onion and Celery for flavor!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Have You Ever Wondered Why Grandma Wore An Apron?

2013-01-05T21:09:00.000-06:00

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. Here

is the explanation:

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few and was always dressed to shoes, hair, and at least some lipstick. It was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occassion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears...

From the chicken coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those parons wer ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron used to bring in the apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men-folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Blogs, Pages, Groups, Oh My!

2013-01-05T03:07:00.001-06:00

When I got involved in Facebook, never in my dreams I would have all of this! Yes, I am the one that did a "Photo Mini Blog" Getting Dressed To Shoes, Hair, and Makeup 436 Consecutive Days Publicly. Privately I still do this although it was only meant to be a 31 Day March Habit. Since then I have learned so much using Flylady Lessons and taken them to work for me sharing with you. I have been deeply committed in helping anyone who wants help through my closed groups away from family, friends and employers.

Instead of writing the same thing over and over to you all in the personal comments section, I have been writing blogs by trying to cover what seems to be the problems you all are having that day. I thought this would be a good solution so you could read my blogs and maybe learn something from them. This all takes time and I don't have a problem with it if it is being effective. My problem is that the only way I know if I am being effective and that you are reading what I have to say is by clicking the little blue button that says "Like" followed by "Comment" and finally "Follow Post"

Thank you to all that take the time to not only click the "Like" button but actually take the time to "Comment" Some days this may be my only way to communicate with you.

Did you know there is even a section to the right of the blog that lists the "Top 10 Posts" making it even easier to find answers to you questions easily.

The purpose of this blog is to find out if you really are reading my blogs or if I would be better off spending my time in other ways. I think my answer will be by the number of "Likes" I get and also the "Comments."

Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Happy New Year Year 2013!

2012-12-31T09:27:00.000-06:00

We are coming to another close of another year. Did yours go like you wanted it to? I couldn't have asked for a better year! Lots of changes for the good!

Now, all my years haven't been this good. In fact 2012 has probably been one of my best!

How did I do it? By having a wonderful network of women striving for the same goal and that is to develop habits that string into routines, remove clutter from our houses and turn them into homes!

It is possible! It doesn't happen overnight but with being involved with the closed group Marilyn's Way anything is possible. Many members have said this.

So where ever you are in your journey start to "Dance Till You FLY!" Yes I am writing a book and that is the name of it! Be looking for it in 2013!

Come join us! We do have lots of fun getting our homes in order. It is always so much better when you have the support that this group brings!
Dance Till You Fly!
Marilyn

Out With The Old And In With The New

2012-12-28T21:45:00.000-06:00

Out with the Old
"Clutter"
Most of us are focused on "Out With The Clutter." We know we have too much stuff. Most of it was not dealt with when something new came in. So that's the problem! Why didn't I see this??? Now we have to work extra hard to get that clutter out of our homes.

In with the New
"Space!"
Why do we all seem so uncomfortable with space? Not all of us are but the ones with clutter issues I bet also have a problem with open space.

I know I am one of them. I had my Foster Fort built so high and thick it could keep anything out! I never realized this was what I was doing. This meant keeping people out too. It hasn't been until the last couple years I have enjoyed anyone coming into my home.

For me, in with the new is going to mean "Space." I am enjoying open spaces on the counters and oh my, what about the corners of a room? Now that is new for me! I love that there is open space and not clutter.

This is the week of transformation. I hope you join me with learning how to get rid of clutter and keep clutter out of your home as we head into 2013. You see 2013 is uncluttered space to me and I am going to be very selective and treat this like prime real estate. This includes my home and my relationships. Somehow, they seem to go together and I hope to uncover reasons to this in 2013.
Declutter To Clean In 2013!
Marilyn

The Day After Christmas And All Through The House

2012-12-26T13:51:00.000-06:00

Not much moving around at my house. By the looks of the picture above there was plenty of action there at Christmas time. What a great job at corralling it all up and ready for garbage. I wonder what the garbage men think during this time of year. It definitely is their busy season.

Today is also AntiProcrastination Day. If there was a great one for today that would be acceptable, that would be a nap! Listen, we all did things we don't normally do and I am sure some had great times at Christmas and then there were the stressful times as well. One member said she felt her house was in good order and that she was going to take a nap. You know, we are still in Pamper Yourself month and in my book I would say taking a nap would be a wonderful task for antiprocrastination day! In fact that is what my task is going to be. I have my routines done and the house doesn't look too bad as well. I am going to have a notebook and pen handy as I know my subconscious is working on things I want to focus on for 2013. If an idea happens to hit, I will be prepared.

It just may be a smart thing for me to do as well and then make myself a nice healthy dinner and make sure I have my Before Bedtime Routine done early and by tomorrow I should be in great shape!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

I Met Another Elf Who's Name Is "Buddy" Today!

2012-12-25T19:05:00.000-06:00

Low and behold, I found another elf that has been staying over at the Flylady's home! His name is "Buddy!" Buddy is doing a very important job to help Santa and that was to clean the chimney sweep.

I bet Santa really appreciated this when he went down this chimney! I wonder if it had sweet smells of Christmas as he was sliding down it? If it was at the "Flylady's" home you can bet it did!

I know all the elves have to go back to the North Pole and won't show up again until next year. I am going to miss them. I also met "Speedy" this year too.

I wonder if Santa will give them a vacation once Christmas is over. Where would these elves go to vacation? In any event wherever they go I bet they will be traveling incognito! Then it is back to Santa's Workshop to begin on making toys for next year.

I sure hope I get to see "Speedy" and "Buddy" again next year. That would be a real treat for me!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Declutter To Clean In 2013!

2012-12-24T16:23:00.001-06:00

This is what I have decided the Marilyn's Way Motto for 2013 will be. I slept on it and it just feels right to be the best motto for Marilyn's Way. This is the direction I am taking in all of my writings whether on the closed groups, my pages, or my blogs.

What I have learned and how I interpret what we are wanting to accomplish that it does not matter what stage of decluttering you are in, you must still continue to declutter to clean if you want your home to remain at the level you have decided that works best for you.

The example I am giving you is the Dining Room Table. You can not clean it without decluttering it first. How I interpret clutter is anything that does not belong where it is laying. Each item of clutter must be dealt with in three different ways. That is to Throw Away, Give Away, and Put Away.
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

"Speedy" Is A Great Elf!

2012-12-23T19:39:00.003-06:00

I was hoping I would catch up to "Speedy" today and I did! It is early evening and "Speedy" is taking a "Bubble Bath!" Doesn't he look so nice and relaxed? He even has a look of "I have done well this year for Santa and I am just so happy every night to fly back to the North Pole to report to Santa how well the kids are behaving!"

Tomorrow night is going to be super busy so "Speedy" decides he needs a "Bubble Bath!" You see "Speedy" will fly back to the North Pole tonight and be back in the morning. Tomorrow will be his last day spending time with the "Dodds" this year and "Speedy" is also making up his plan for tomorrow as he relaxes in a bath tub FULL of BUBBLES! I wonder what "Speedy" does have planned for tomorrow? I hope I don't miss him because if I do, it will be another year before I get to see him again. I know I will miss "Speedy" but I have to understand during other times of the year he is doing something else and I am sure Santa will give all his elves a vacation but with all the kids that have been good this year, there may be even more good boys and girls. That means "Speedy" will be helping at the Workshop to help with all of the toys for next year!

Merry Christmas And Have A Happy New Year!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

"Speedy " Whatcha Doing There?

2012-12-19T14:33:00.000-06:00

I almost missed "Speedy" today! I guess I would have never thought he would be where he is! Do you suppose that was the main reason for where he showed up today?

I am having fun looking to see where I find "Speedy." I don't always get a chance to personally look for him but when I find him, I am sure to write about him.

See, "Speedy" is one of Santa's elves that goes into childrens homes to keep a watch if they are being good. They are full of magic and you have to be careful not to touch "Speedy" because he could lose his magic. It would be awfully hard to report to Santa then.

So why do you suppose "Speedy" is hanging out here today? He must have a very good reason because I don't think he does anything that isn't well planned out. Do you suppose he gets a few tips from Santa?

You know, this does make sense for Santa to have elves like "Speedy" to check on all of Santa's children. Santa just can't do everything. He is smart to know how to delegate.

So why do you think "Speedy" is hanging out there today? I think he likes to get different views as he watches these children. I think "Speedy" wants to be fair when he reports back to Santa.

Do you have any thoughts as to why "Speedy" is hanging from a hook today? Please leave some comments and let's make this fun!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

And All Through The House There Arose Such A CLUTTER

2012-12-17T12:32:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year and it is around a week before Christmas. I was reading through my threads on my closed group Marilyn's Way to find something with her permission to publish what she said. I know it hit home for me and I am sure many of you out there. Here is what Christine IsFlying said:

I keep feeling like I'm forgetting something, but I'm guessing that I'm just having flashbacks from the TOTAL CHAOS of Christmas' past... last second shopping, wrapping ALLLLLL of the gifts of Christmas Eve, the complete DISASTER that used to be in the kitchen from hours on end of baking cookies, Mt. Washmore piled high because I've hyper-focused on decorating for Christmas.... GEESH!?!? It makes me almost break out in HIVES just thinking about those Christmas'?!?!? Then, I would have to see the in-laws.... exhausted, stressed out, gray hair, without my nails done, and COMPLETELY GRUMPY from no rest

!

NEVER AGAIN!! I'm glad to say that my Christmas' haven't been like that for several/many years (Not sure how long? 5 -6 years maybe?)...

Like the saying goes here in the South.... "IF MAMMA AIN'T HAPPY - AIN'T NOBODY HAPPY"!!!!

YOU deserve the peace and happiness of Christmas too ladies... not just your kids! You are worth it!! Who cares if the entire house is decorated like a Hallmark Card or Martha Stewart's house!?!?! SIMPLIFY and find the peace of the Holidays!!

FINE is your friend.... PERFECT is your enemy! Embrace "FINE" and let go of perfectionism!

I just LOVED what she had to say. So this week remember to just breathe and if you are in crisis mode this year, think about how next year you could make you life easier.

Dance Till You FLY!

Marilyn

Look What "Speedy" Is Up To Today!

2012-12-16T22:02:00.000-06:00

This picture just made me smile! Speedy is certainly creative and likes to show up at the Christmas Tree. Now I have seen him teaching yoga to a bunch of Barbies and I think I saw him hanging from a light so he could get a "Santa View."

This is the first year I have ever seen Speedy up to so many things. Last time I wrote about Speedy, he was standing in a ladder on a fire truck.

This is the tradition:
Once everyone goes to bed, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report back to Santa about what activities, good and bad, took place throughout the day. Before the family wakes up each night, the scout elf flies back from the North Pole and hides. By hiding in a new spot each morning around the house, the scout elf and the family play an on-going game of hide and seek. The Elf on the Shelf explains that elves get their magic by being named. In the back of each book, families have an opportunity to write their elf's name and the date that they adopted it. Once the elf is named, the scout elf receives its special Christmas magic which allows it to fly to and from the North Pole. However, the magic might go if touched, so the rule for The Elf on the Shelf states: "There's only one rule that you have to follow so I will come back and be here tomorrow: Please do not touch me. My magic might go, and Santa won't hear all I've seen or I know." Although families aren't supposed to touch their scout elf, they can talk to it and tell it all their Christmas wishes so it can report back to Santa accurately. On Christmas Day the elf will leave for the rest of the year until Thanksgiving comes.

I am so happy that I get to learn new things! This one is one that really makes me happy! Thank you Melissa Dodd!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

When Did You Check Your Dryer For "Lint?"

2012-12-14T22:59:00.000-06:00

I was drying a couple of microfiber fabric for my eye glasses.

My new glasses were dirty and so was my microfiber cloths that I had gotten with other glasses. I had the spray and proceeded to clean my new glasses. I looked toward the light and there was a film. I had no other choice than to hand wash them.

They aren't very big so I didn't think they would take long to dry. While I waited I decided to shine my utility sink. I hadn't gotten all the mud scum out of it from earlier so thought was a great time.

I am scrubbing away and I noticed the dryer was really smelling hot. I felt it and could not believe how hot it was for the short time I was drying.

So the SHE that I am, I stopped the dryer, took out the lint catcher and shined a flashlight down there. Oh my! So I used the brush I use to clean under the refrigerator. It was challenging to say the least because the brush kept bending. With some patience the amount in the picture is what I got out. I was a bit surprised as I try to clean it out monthly. Somehow I must have skipped a month. My sensitive nose came through and smelled danger. I don't know how much more is in there but I am now thinking seriously of getting yet another Flylady product from Hey Tom the lint dryer cleaner.

We already have to be aware of Christmas tree fires, let's all check with a flashlight how much lint is sitting on the bottom of your dryer and get what you can out. It could save your home and your life!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

How Is Your Day Going?

2012-12-11T18:16:00.000-06:00

My day seems to have gotten away from me. How could that be? Very simple. Too many projects started at once. Indecision somehow had it's way with me. I was supposed to go to the eye doctor but the roads are still slippery from our first blizzard of the season. I finally made the decision to reschedule. Now, I thought about shoveling snow. I thought I was so smart and had all of my snow gear together. The one thing I was missing was my snow pants. That meant going through tubs. So far I haven't found them. I have two more tubs to go through. I guess all this decluttering one does still isn't always going to go our way.

This is the first year I have misplaced them. I don't even know if they fit me because of my 10 weight gain and simply the changes of my body shape due to age.

I know that this is a very ineffective way to go about my day. I got up early and got my morning routine done and then because of indecision that brought out my SHEness the Afternoon Routine went "Poof!" Then I couldn't get it out of my mind where those snow pants were. Then I remember I know I put them with some other snow gear in a tub that wasn't really very easily accessible. I knew it at the time too. But that "I'll do it later" set in and that was that.

I can't stand it. I have to look in those two tubs that are in the back even if I have to move things to get them. So I set out to do it. The first tub no. I had to lift that tub and set it out of the way where the other tubs are currently sitting. So now comes looking into the second tub and there they were along with some more winter gear. The next thing I had to do is see if they fit. Well let's just say they are snug but can be worn. I may go outside and shovel just a little bit just to get some fresh air. Maybe it will help me change my attitude that I developed today because of this what I call my very own drama that I created for myself. I thought I was over that.

Another lesson learned today. I am simply going to leave it at that and move on to my Before Bedtime Routine. The one thing I want done at this moment is to lay out my clothes. I am cleaning my humidifier letting vinegar soak so I can get some humidity back into the air. That will lead me to shink my sink. Just knowing that I will have those two things done, I may be able to do a 10 minute room rescue where I was looking for my snowpants and not let it be a reminder of what type of day I have had tomorrow. It is time to get that timer out and going. But first I am going to have my snack an apple and string cheese to hold me over till I make dinner.
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Would You Be Willing To Do A Simple Workout That Only Lasted 20 Minutes?

2012-12-09T17:34:00.000-06:00

The book on the left I got in 1986 and used it lots. The DVD on the right I just purchased and couldn't be happier with it!

When we think about Pampering Ourselves, most of us think about a spa day, painting one's nails, soaking one's feet, putting vaseline all over one's feet and covering with a cotton sock. In fact one can do this with special cotton gloves. It is also important to get rid of dead skin so it can breath again. We want to cover our bodies with lotion to soften and repair skin. Why is it that many of us don't? It is because it forces ourselves to get in touch with our body. Instead we just focus on hands and feet therefore eliminating having to look at our body.

Many of us won't even change our clothes in front of a mirror. We don't want to see our pouch getting a little bigger. Once we put the pants on it is hidden. But is that really pampering your complete self? This year for the Monthly Habit of "Pampering Yourself" I want to do it by way of exercising.

Jane Fonda Prime Time Fit And Strong has come to my rescue! First, I want to thank a FLYsister Celez Nitkowski for suggesting the DVD. This DVD fits in well with having Fibromyalgia as it usually is the myofascial pain or the thin covering like a chicken leg that gives us the most trouble. It just doesn't want to stretch for us thus, leaving us stiff and crippled.

Well, I don't want to be that way anymore! This past summer I had plenty of exercise stretching, walking, bending and lifting with all the gardening I did. It has been around a month now since I am not going out everyday. How do I feel? Frumpy, clutzy and watching the scale creep back up and it is only December! Winter around South Dakota lasts well into April and sometimes May so I figure I had better at the very least maintain my weight.

Notice how I said maintain my weight. Because of being around the Flylady lessons and finding some of my own, I no longer say I am going to lose 20 pounds in a month. Why? At my age of 53 and most ages it is unrealistic. I would also believe that it would be unhealthy as well.

The other thing is I am now looking for more of a balanced life. I don't want to only be decluttering intensely all the time because then something else will fall, perhaps ones basic daily habits for each routine to keep in one's life in motion.

The one thing that I have had trouble with while doing the flylady way Marilyn's way is that my habits and routines tend to get weak when I add into the mix of exercise. I have a very short attention span and am classified as being ADD on top of being a SHE (Sidetracked Home Executive) so somehow I haven't been able to work this exercise in.

When I think of exercise, I think it has to be an hour. I think I have to really feel the burn. Maybe if I didn't have Fibromyalgia I could, but an example from last year going to the high school gym and pushing myself with the weight machines put me into a total flare that lasted a month. It wasn't a minor one either. It was an intense and very frustrating flare. I had to stop. I felt like a failure. Will I ever get my body down to where my weight range is suppose to be and be healthy at it as well? This is the first time in my life that I have had a difficult time losing it and I feel like a fish out of water.

I did find out from my doctor that I must give the exercise chance for at least 8 weeks. She said because of the Fibromyalgia it will take that longer before the flares will go away. I really don't like the sound of it but what can I do but move forward. I can handle minor flares. It is the big ones that knock me out and like I said earlier I am looking more for balance in my life at this stage of my life.

So, if you are thinking about exercising again and want something different, Jane Fonda's workouts in my opinion will make you feel pleased and accomplished with yourself. The neat thing is her workouts are get this, only 20 minutes! I think that is what I like most about it is the workout is very thorough, hits all the very important parts like balance, flexility, and some muscle strength. I wish I could reach out to Jane Fonda right now and give her a big hug for making these videos. I kind of had a feeling they would be great because I bought her Walkout cassete tape and wore it out. I still have her book I purchased in 1986 and that was used lots. Join me this month pampering yourself by exercising. The DVD's are very affordable through Amazon.
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

The Elf On The Fire Truck Ladder

2012-12-08T18:24:00.000-06:00

I will be the first to admit I am having a difficult time getting into the holiday spirit. A few weeks ago I even helped decorate the tree at church but no fuzzy feelings came.

Thanksgiving comes and goes. Usually that is when I would get into the holiday spirit. My mom and I even went to the "Holiday Of Lights" Parade in the town she lives in. Nothing stirred me.

Am I really going to become a Ba Hum Bug this season? What is happening to me? I have never really felt it this bad before.

For those who don't know, I live with Fibromyalgia. It affects many things but mostly pain and brain fog. Sleep is a big factor in it too.

Last week I went to a pain specialist and he prescribed me a medication approved for fibromyalgia. I started taking it and some of the pain went away and my range of motion increased. What I wasn't expecting is this feeling of loopiness or brain fog. Christmas? What about it was my thoughts.

After a couple of days feeling like this and not liking it, I decided to just take it at night as that was an option for me. After the second night of just taking it when I went to sleep is now today.

I had a slow start as I could feel the affects of the medication but not as much. I did my morning routine late but it got done considering the circumstances. I have been getting dressed to shoes hair and makeup since March 1, 2011 and I wasn't about to let some medication break my track record.

I did my routine of writing that I do everyday. I like to do it in the mornings. My writing had been difficult the past week I believe because of this medication. Today I got lots of writing done. I was feeling my creativity coming back.

Next habit was to check my notifications on Facebook in my groups and on my pages. I was scrolling along and then got to Marilyn's Way Girl Talk. What did I see but this little elf on the ladder of a Fire Truck up next to a Christmas Tree! I notice the ornament "Route 66" and fell in love with it! Then I looked at that elf again and he was just doing what elves this time of year do and that is to get ready for Christmas and make sure all is well in each of our homes who celebrate Christmas. I think Santa gives each elf a list that they are in charge of. I am sure he is going to show up at my door and I am not going to be ready for him. I had betty get busy! I thought, "Yes! I want an elf to check out my Christmas tree and have him suggest the final touches I may need!"

Tonight, I am going to bring out my small fiber optic tree and decorate it. I am hoping it will give me the incentive to bring out my larger tree and then-----I am hoping to hear a light knock at my door to find it is my elf that will check out my trees and offer any suggestions. I know I want to ask him what I will be getting from Santa for Christmas this year but I am sure he hears this all the time. Instead I will have ready a glass eggnog elf size to offer should he want to take it!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Special Thank You To:
"Melissa Dodd" a member of the Marilyn's Way Groups not only for giving me permission to use her photo but for also helping me by sending and sharing some of her Christmas Spirit to me! XOXO

How Has Your Planning Going Lately?

2012-12-07T20:04:00.000-06:00

I really don't want this blog to be about "Whining" because I don't allow it in my groups and I don't allow it for myself. It is only counterproductive.

Last week I went to a pain specialist. I have had Fibromyalgia since 1989. This doctor helped my mom when she was in so much pain. I thought I would give him a try as I haven't really put much focus on it because I know I am never going to be pain free as long as I have it. I wanted to find out if there was anything knew that may help me.

I went to him because I want to stay active this winter and not get all crippled up. I think that is why I dislike Winter so much. If you have been following me all year, you know I did lots of gardening and enjoyed every minute of it. Sure I hurt but some of it was usual hurt. There is a difference I learned over the summer. I could handle that pain but the pain I experience in the winter is so much different and not motivating. This is why I am so proud of myself taking the challenge of "Getting Dressed To Shoes Hair and Makeup" and did Photo mini blogs for 436 Consecutive Days.

So this doctor started me on a medication that is approved for fibromyalgia. I haven't been on it a week yet but so far the only positive thing is my range of motion has increased. The down side is I feel Loopy and I don't want that feeling. It is getting in the way of my day to day FLYing.

Now with this comes a back brace with a hot/cold pack to wear when I am doing activities like shoveling snow. Today I got a muscle therapy system or another word for it would be a tens unit to place electrodes where I am hurting to decrease the pain.

I am in that mode where I want it to work so bad. It is too early to tell.

The Big Issue
Would you believe my biggest issue is where am I going to store these things where they are convenient to get to and put away? Right now the back brace is on and the tens unit box and everything else that came with it is on my kitchen island. It doesn't help that I feel like I have mush for brains today but writing this I believe I may have found a place to get to it and put away. It is one of my kitchen drawers or a nearby cabinet.

The Lesson I am Learning
I still need to do some decluttering! If things are landing on countertops, this means one still has to declutter. The goal to FLYing is to have all countertops and especially working countertops empty so one can do a project easily and then put it away. The cleaning part of FLYing is really the easy part. It is that clutter that frustrates us. Today this is what is happening to me. I haven't had this feeling in a very, very long time.

This blog can make or break me. I always write from the heart. Many of you are putting up decorations or already have them up. I haven't started.

I must realize I have had some major changes in the past week and a half so I am going to be easy on myself. I got new glasses to get use to and I am. They feel good now.

Today is Paperwork Day, Purse Boogie and Car Boogie. Winter was just waiting to surprise us and it did today with more coming. I am glad I have all of my winter things together. I just have to move them from one room to the porch and make room for it. It is 6:20pm and I haven't started on any of it.

What Should I Do?
I could say and most people would say, "Just call it a day. There is always tomorrow." Am I one of them? No, because I don't want to wake up tomorrow looking at all the things that look out of place just from getting 2 UPS packages in 2 days. Instead, I am going to start my Before Bedtime Routine Early. I am going to start with the basics I do every night no matter what and the first thing I plan to do is pick out my clothes that I am wearing tomorrow. Then I am going to do something different. I am going to put my chicken breast in my toaster oven. I will microwave some vegetables and I am thinking carrots from my garden as they are so good. This can be baking while I do my Jane Fonda Prime Time Workout. I have been wanting to do it all day. It's 25 minutes! I can do 25 minutes!

From there I will find a place for my new items that that I got. I believe it will be in a cabinet where I do have space and I think it will be handy. I could stay in indecision and just leave it on the counter but because of this system called Flylady where I have learned lessons about habits and routines and now have my own blog and Marilyn's Way To Organization For Home And Garden I have finally gotten this ingrained in me that I must clear all of my hot spots I created today so that I may have a clean slate for tomorrow.

Next will be eating my dinner. I have a salad already made up. The chicken can be baking while I do the Jane Fonda Prime Time Workout.

I am not stopping there. I will clean my kitchen up as I always do after cooking and then I am going to have all of my necessary paperwork that must be filled out and bills that must be paid in a folder that is the first folder hanging in my file cabinet. I will have to do my Paperwork Day tomorrow. It will be the first thing I do after my morning routine is done. I believe I will be able to work in my purse boogie tonight.

Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? Actually it isn't if it is broken down into 3 - 15 minute sessions with 1 15 minute break. I believe I can get my home back the way I like it.

The last thing that I am going to do that is new is I am going to take a shower tonight and wash all of the sidetracking and just not feeling like myself right down the drain. I refuse to allow it to spill over into tomorrow.

How Do I Feel About All Of This?
Even though I hurt and have brain fog from the fibromyalgia, I am feeling pretty good. Why? Because I decided to face my fibromyalgia head on and make a plan to turn things around so tomorrow I won't have to dwell on my yesterday. Instead it will just be a memory I hope also goes down the drain and I look forward to having a good night's rest. Will this plan work? I am going to give it my very best shot. Now that I did some planning, I look around and my hotspots don't look as huge as they did when I first started writing this blog. Funny how planning can ease the stress of it all and yet, it seems to be one of the least habits many of us don't practice. I will say I do a pretty good job of it. Having said that, I know I can improve and will have to cut back somewhere else. You know, this is what I call an "Adventure" that is ever changing so I will continue to be present everyday and be ready for whatever it brings my way!
Dance Till You FLY!
Marilyn

Marilyn's Way A Group Of Wonderful FLYSisters

2012-12-05T23:31:00.000-06:00

Recently we have gotten a flux of new members in my closed group Marilyn's Way. I have been so excited about it that I have an all week event going on called Marilyn's Way Party Mixer for a chance for members to get to know each other better. I have many members but only a percentage seem to participate on a daily basis and I would like to increase this through having FLYing Buddies, Finding Each Other With Similar Interests. Some are FLYing with small children, some older and then the empty nesters. I just felt maybe by having a week long party mixer some of the members we haven't heard from would come forth. Also I wanted it for all the new members so that they can get connected easily with one another.

Then we have a group of FLYsisters that have been FLYing for some time and have gotten through the worst of their clutter. Now they are concentrating more on keeping their habits and routines consistent.

The one thing we love in the group are before and after pictures. Some members can be intimidated by it and that is the last thing that any of us want any member to feel.

Here is a "Testament" of one of our FLYsisters. I really liked what she had to say. I asked her if I could publish her Testament for others to read because she has great things to say. She agreed.

Chez Flyingwell's Personal "Testament."

Hello Fellow Flysisters who I love and admire with all my heart...

I wish to remind everyone that we are all at different stages of our Organising Journey... Some starting out, some in the middle of and some of us will never finish... Decluttering is an ongoing Journey that needs to be kept under control...

Today I posted some pictures of my Kitchen and when I started my cupboards were starting to over flow and I was struggling to find spaces for stuff I kept bringing in my home was ok... Just dont look in the cupboards, I'll get that for you...

I have been with Marilyn's way for about 5 months but started the Flylady Way a month before hand... I would normally have done a "spring" clean and quit... I went crazy for the first couple of months with my DH worried he was going to be trashed next... lol.. It took me about 3-4 months before I started noticing a huge change... I felt happier, my cupboards were lighter and my family were starting to get on board...

I am now at the stage where I only trash/donate a few things in each zone clean with some zones no decluttering necessary because I am not purchasing "things" anymore... Please believe me when I say I still get the "i dont wannas" but they dont last for long because I jump back in where I am, This is helped because I do my basic routines religiously (unless unwell etc)...

What I want to remind everyone is we are all at different stages and in time with your established routines and starting where you are at or jumping back in where you are you can and I believe will become more at peace within your home... also please remember to have fun, make time for you and renew your spirits in a way that makes you and your family happy... xxoo..

What a wonderful "Testament!" I could not have written it better! What makes me so very happy is she understands what my purpose for starting this group is.

"We are not a hurry up, get it done and then that's it" type of group. We aren't even a "try many different ways or systems" type of group. We know how to do that. We are a group that is learning to "First Love Ourselves Willingly" enough to start and then keep going and making this a way of life for ourselves. We don't want it complicated. We want to find a way for ourselves that will work for us from lessons we have learned in the group.

Like the way a pair of comfortable shoes feel. Suddenly life throws us a curve ball, we actually depend on our comfortable shoes we call established routines to see ourselves through.

Perfectionism isn't even in our vocabulary. It only leads us to procrastination that leads us to whining. The act of these three words will delay us even more so. We decide to leave them behind us and head into a new territory we call life where by establishing these habits and routines we will be able to "First Love Ourselves Willingly" so that we may love our families, friends, and the community in which we live in.

~Learn to FLOW with life and make our homes a comfortable place we want to be and welcome ones in as well.~

Marilyn

Wearing Pink For A FLYsister Today And Purple For Me Today

2012-12-03T19:10:00.000-06:00

I have a dear facebook friend that is going through a double masectomy/reconstruction today. I am hoping all goes well. Cancer is something no one wants. I am glad she found it in time through self checks and yearly mammograms. They are so important to a women's health.

Marilyn's Way Motto is: Love Yourself By Putting Yourself First!

We all have to remember this and so few of us do. The thing is is we can get used to this idea by creating it as a habit and then just watch the miracles happen!

Soon you will be getting dressed to shoes hair and makeup.

No longer will you let the dishes pile up in the sink or the laundry hamper overflow.

You will know what is for dinner and have a clean palet / kitchen to begin by filling your sink with hot soapy water before you begin to cook.

The table will be cleared and ready for a helper to set the table and you can talk about how each other's day went during this time.

When dinner is finished you kindly ask each one to scrape and rinse of their plate and utensils and place in the sink or dishwasher.

From there your dishes are ready to be washed and if you hand wash you dishes, just maybe by creating interesting conversation to another and conveniently having a clean dish towel handy, the other just may pick up a dish and dry it as you are in this conversation! The conversation should be about something that is of interest to the other and let them do all the talking about it as you lovingly nudge him/her to pick up that dish towel. By the end of the conversation I bet the dishes will be done.

Now you can close up your kitchen for the evening and maybe a load of laundry is dry that you can fold and take to the appropriate places.

Then, just then you may be able to sit down and relax for the rest of the evening enjoying a movie together.

This is actually a possible thing that can be done in which I wrote above.

I also asked to wear purple for me. I have Fibromyalgia and I am trying a new medication and am not feeling the greatest. I know I must be patient just like when I started to fly by going from one stepping stone to the next one. I have to say, this stepping stone is not feeling very comfortable at the moment. I will say I am going to stand on it and do my basics that I have commited to do everyday when it comes to my home. When I do this, I am also going to remind myself that "Done Is Better Than Perfect." This will see me through.
Keep FLYing!
Marilyn

I Just Love Those Aha Moments! Subject Is Change

2012-11-28T13:17:00.000-06:00

Be forewarned. I am in the middle of an Aha! Moment! The subject that I will be writing about is change.

We are always going to be dealing with change in our lives. The sooner we can realize we are in the transition of change, the easier it will be to go through it.

What Are My New Changes?
For one thing I just got new glasses and the strength of them is a very big change. Last time I got new glasses was May of 2007. I knew I needed new ones for the past couple years. My issue was cost. I got where I was getting headaches and eye strains that my life wasn't so fun anymore. I was finding my routines getting longer and for the most part having feelings of not wanting to do them. This was different for me.

My office chair that I spend so much time in had broken about two weeks ago. The seat was no longer stable and every time I sat down on it I felt like I was on some kind of Park Ride that you could get dizzy from.

Busy Time Of Year
If you turn on the TV every commercial reminds you that it is a busy time of year. It's the holidays and that means rush here to get this and rush there to get that.

Somehow I got caught up in this without realizing it. You know what? I don't have to. I don't have parties to attend and also do not have many presents to buy. Our family plays the game Roll The Dice. We are responsible for a girl gift. Then we roll the dice for 15 minutes and the gifts go back and forth. Usually there is one specific gift you want. We don't even have to wrap them!

The Decision Has Been Made
I plan to slow down for the rest of the week! How is that for a mindset? I believe it will be in my best interest as I get used to three things I use the most. That is my eyes, the computer and the chair I sit in. New glasses and new chair. I can tell already it is time to rest my eyes and I have to get used to the new chair as it fits differently than the old one.

Because I have been doing my habits and routines consistently I am able to do this. I don't have any extra activities to do this week that are pressing. I am just going to do my basic routines, let my back heal and just take it down a notch.

I think I have gotten into one of the most important habits I could learn and that is to finally learn how to FLY! Finally Loving Yourself!
Keep FLYing!
Marilyn