January - a new year, a new slate, a new beginning, a chance to start afresh.Like many of you this is how I feel and my thoughts go to making things fresh and new again. I try to come up with ways to make my life less cluttered, more simplified and yes, easier for me to navigate. So, every year I try to come up with new ideas to make this come to be. I lean toward organizing everything in my life but, alas, again like many of you it doesn't take long for me to fall back into the old way of doing things. And, my life gets recluttered, more complicated and harder to deal with because of the clutter. But, this year is going to be different (how many times have you told yourself that? ) I have found a new way of doing things and it is working for me. I have been using it for almost 6 months now and am ready to start using this method for all the areas of my life because it actually works for me.
How many of you have heard of the FlyLady?
She entered my life about 6 months ago when my sister introduced her to me and I have to say my life has not been the same. Oh how she has changed the way I do things now. My house is so much easier to keep up now and for the most part is company ready if someone decides to just drop in. I don't have to worry that there is a sink overflowing with dishes, or that the bedroom door is shut because the bed is not made or that the bathroom is yucky with toothpaste splatters and less than presentable facilities. This really does not happen anymore because she has taught me how to address these each morning in a very short time leaving me the rest of the day to do as I please with my time. I. Love. It. FlyLady is my heroine.
FlyLady teaches you how to set routines to follow each morning and evening to keep the clutter at bay and under some semblance of control. She teaches you how to declutter each room and area with baby steps doing each task in 15 minute increments. It is totally amazing how much I can accomplish in 15 minutes. I was totally blown away when I addressed a very messy desk. I set my timer for 15 minutes and was absolutely stunned that I had time left over to do a drawer also. But, oh my the feeling of elation after that mess was under control and I had a nice neat desk to go to. Now, I just make sure I put everything away each day and that desk remains clutter free. I. Love. It.
Now, each Sunday I write down my goals and routines to follow for the coming week. This way I have my much needed to do list so I can cross off each task and visually see what I have accomplished. I may or may not accomplish all my goals; as I tend to over load myself at times but, one thing for sure I am making headway on that very long to do list. And, no matter how much or how little I accomplish my family is blessed with a home that is cleaner and less cluttered than it was last week.
If you are having trouble keeping up with your home, as I was; problems with clutter and being embarrassed by what others may see if they visit you may want to stop by here each Sunday. I am going to be sharing more about my goals - what I hope to accomplish and what I have accomplished, and some routines that I use to keep my home fairly clutter free. Now understand, my home is not perfect but, it is comfortable for us to live in and presentable should someone stop in unexpectedly. We don't have to move papers to sit on the couch anymore, or kick shoes out of the pathway to walk, or wash a cup to have some coffee - you know the drill...And, I have the FlyLady's routines to thank for that.
I will list my goals for each week and tell you what area I am working in. I will also explain some of my routines as I do them but, I encourage you to visit FlyLady and read all she has there - it is amazing what she has done to help so many ladies get free of all the clutter that has built up in their lives.
This week's goals are:
I am working in the kitchen - trying to finish it up to move on to another area. In November we painted it but, with the holidays I was stalled and nothing else was done. I am cleaning, organizing and making some art for the walls.
House:
1. Clean the ceiling light
2. Clean the microwave, glass stove top and oven
3. De lime the coffee pot
4. Make an organized communication center to keep us on point here.
5. Some art work for the walls
This past week I was able to organize the pantry and clean out the refrigerator. I also took down the Christmas tree ( finally) and all the Christmas decorations. Did a Valentine mantel that I will be posting later and a Valentine wreath. Unpacked all the suitcases and put away everything. Then I did 16 loads of laundry that had accumulated - some family members stayed home and couldn't find the washer - hmmmm. Cleaned out all the candy and cookies, etc from the holidays... donated to the grand kids....
Blog Plans
1. Start working on scheduling all social media posts and comments - social media is my downfall.
My presence is almost nonexistent so I am going to work on scheduling my comments and
see if it helps me a little
2. Organize Linky Party lists - there are so many. There are new ones and ones that no longer
exist - I want to update them and get them so I can use them more easily
3. Start posting three times per week
This past week I have written several posts and put them in draft form at this time. I also joined HootSuite to start my social media scheduling and read quite a bit about social media scheduling tips. I updated myself on the new Facebook "antics" and found LikeAlyzer to analyze my Facebook posts. Found some very interesting things there. Made some of my blog plans and goals for the year. Read a lot and then read some more - so much to learn about this blogging stuff. But, still feel like I don't know anything at times. I also played with a new design site called Canva that is still in beta form but is really fantastic. My granddaughter did the illustrations for a children's book for her creative writing class on this program. Very simple to use and so much fun.
Personal
I am working on making a healthier lifestyle for me and my family this year. So I am going to list my goals for this area each week as it may help some others that are on the same path.
1. Drink more water- you should half your weight and drink that amount in ounces each day.
2. Start core strengthening exercises. - these are exercises given to my by my chiropractor; you can use
your own from strength training to stretching but just moving is the most important aspect of this.
3. Add two vegetable to dinner each evening. We are mainly a carb eating family and this is going to be a
biggie for us but, I am determined to start eating more veggies to displace so many carbs.
4. Start reading "The Love Revolution" by Joyce Meyer
This past week I read the book "Only Believe" by Danny and Diane McDaniels - the story of their beginnings with Advocare. Quite an interesting read proving that if you have a dream and pursue it with all you have you will eventually see it come to be.
Misc:
Finish at least 10 pages in present scrapbook project.
This week I learned the new Windows 8.0 and 8.1 on my new laptop. In some ways quite different but still the same as Windows 7. I had been using Windows Vista on my desktop. I am still learning it but, at least I feel more comfortable with it now.
So there you have it. What I did all last week - plus re-cooperating from the long trip. I did accomplish quite a lot and feel good about that. Now to pursue the goals for this week. Too much? We will see.
Do you think you will check FlyLady out? How do you tackle your weeks and "to do lists"? What are your plans for the week?
and
Leave me a comment - I love to hear from each and every one of you.
Until next time
have fun creating something you love....
I will be linking up to the following linky parties. Try to visit them and check out all the great creative
projects found there.
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