Taking Baby Steps

It took me almost a week, but I finally completed the first baby step off of FlyLady's website. I shined my sink. Everything I have been reading for the past several days led me to believe that doing this one little thing and making it a daily priority was going to totally change my attitude toward my home. Alright, I admit I am probably exaggerating just a bit, but so far I don't feel any different. My house is still messy and cluttered and overwhelming. Except now my kitchen sink is shiny. But I guess it is a start and I have decided that I am going to be totally committed to this. So I will continue to baby step my way to peace and organization. Here's hoping for noticable progress very soon!!

An End to the Chaos

Now that my busy season at work is over its time for me to turn my attention to all of the things in my life that have been put on the back burner for the past four months. Mainly my home. I tried to spend every free second I could with Brent and the girls or sleeping. So other than laundry and dishes, not much cleaning has taken place around here in quite a while. I have to give a shout out to Brent though. He really did take on a lot while I worked late at night and on Saturdays. We somehow did manage to paint the hall and the laundry room and clean all of the carpets in the midst of the craziness. But now that craziness is over and I am taking a new approach to getting things back in order.

A few days ago one of my friends on Facebook posted something about getting some of her organizational tips from the website www.flylady.net. I had never heard of it so I decided to check it out. Talk about overwhelming!! So many lists and tasks and journals and steps to declutter your life!! My first thought was to give up before even giving the system a try. What I was reading sounded great, but the reality is that I felt like I was going to need at least one extra hour in the a.m. and one in the p.m. to complete the morning routine and night time routine. I posted my discouragement on Facebook and something interesting happened. Several friends told me how they used this system and it really worked. So today I set out to begin "flying" as they call it. I joined the email group and had Brent pick up the stuff I needed to shine my sink (I recommend visiting the site to find out more about that one). Sadly there was a lot going on today and I never actually got around to shining my sink, but I am determined that I will do it tomorrow. I am going to jump in with both feet. Obviously my form of organization isn't working so I figure this is at least worth a try. I can't end up any worse off than I am right now!
HA!!!

Work, Eat, Sleep, Repeat

That is what I have been doing for the past however many days since I have posted anything. Mostly working, but I don't do well without food or sleep. Believe me I've tried. Oh yeah and I have also been cleaning. I don't want to brag or anything, but I am really proud of myself for getting ALL of my laundry done in one day last weekend. I don't think that's ever happened before. Ever. So that's it. Nothing exciting to report here. Hopefully next time I will have something more entertaining to share!

The Rory Gilmore Pro/Con List

If you have never seen an episode of the television show, Gilmore Girls, let me first begin by saying that you have no idea what you are missing and should make every effort to catch an episode as soon as possible. The series actually ended a few years ago, but you can catch the re-runs on ABC Family and SoapNet. Okay, advertisement over. All you really need to know for right now is one of the main characters in the show is Rory Gilmore and she is known for making just about every major decision in her life by using a pro/con list. So what does that have to do with me? Brent and I have a big decision to make about our house. There is a very large window in our oldest daughter's room that has leaked for years. We have spent some major bucks in repairs to fix it, but none of them have worked. For about the last four or five months we have been working with a contractor to pinpoint exactly where the water is coming from, but have had no luck. Even so he has come up with some options that we can choose from that he thinks will solve the problem. There are three choices and they are basically expensive, really expensive, and you've got to be kidding me. You can probably guess which choice is my favorite. Yep. You are right. Its you've got to be kidding me. Whether or not I get you've got to be kidding me is yet to be determined. Enter the pro/con list. I am a terrible decision maker. But like Rory, I am pretty analytical and like to think about things from every angle so I am hoping that having the good and bad about each option on paper where I can see it will help. I will also be relying on good old fashioned prayer. I would definitely not turn down divine intervention right now. I'll let you know what we choose and if my theory on using a pro/con list is any good or not. I am hoping it is....otherwise its gonna take me forever to make up my mind.

Its the Little Things In Life

Despite the fact that today is Monday, it was a GREAT day. Here's why: 1. I left work before 6:30 p.m. 2. I came home to find a new Pottery Barn catalogue in the mail. 3. In just 10 short minutes, I will be watching a new episode of Bethenny Ever After. 4. While I watch Bethenny Ever After, Brent has promised to shampoo the carpet in our bedroom. 5. As I type this Brent is in the kitchen cleaning up the dinner that he cooked. Yes, it has been and should continue to be a great Monday.

Runner's High

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I went for a run when I got home from work. The craziest thing happened today - I DID IT AGAIN!!! And I enjoyed it immensely. Many moons ago, when Brent and I were engaged, I got up every morning at 5:30 and ran. I don't remember ever being in better shape. With warmer weather and swimsuit season rapidly approaching, I've decided that its time to start heading back in that direction. So for now the goal is to run at least three nights a week after work. I really prefer running in the morning, but right now its still very dark out as early as I'd need to go so maybe as the days get longer I can make the switch. I'm also trying to decide if I want to do another session of boot camp. I did two sessions of Bodies By Cindy's Boot Camp last summer and was able to lose pretty much all of my baby weight that hung around after Emme was born. You can read a little more about it here. I really enjoyed it, but it is a commitment. Not just a commitment to come to the classes and give it your best, but a commitment to really watch what types of food you eat and how much you eat. It's not easy, but if you do it right you can see some major results. I've actually kept all of the weight off throughout the year and to tell you the truth I think I am almost more proud of that fact than I am of the fact that I lost the weight in the first place. We'll see if I can lose some more with my new running routine which has been in place for a whopping two days. Hey, you gotta start somewhere!! Besides, even if I don't shed tons of pounds its a least a good stress reliever. And who couldn't use one of those?

What a Wonder an Hour Can Do

After another 10+ hour day at work I strategically planned my arrival home to coincide with the start of Haley's dance class. Translation = I knew I'd have the house to myself for at least an hour. And it was probably the most wonderful hour I have had in quite some time. First, I went for a run. That's right. You heard me. A run. My legs are incredibly sore right now but its that good kind of sore that you actually want to get more of. Then I watered my ferns and hibiscus trees, which is another major accomplishment since I am known for spending good $$$ on plants during the spring and then unintentionally letting them die for lack of water. Next, I came inside and started dinner. I even had a few minutes to sit down before the husband and the kids got home. By the time they came through the door I almost felt like a normal person again, not the one that is held hostage by her office and barely sees the light of day for four months. After dinner, baths, and bedtime I somehow mustered up the energy to pay bills and clean the floors in the laundry room and hallway. Sure, its not a lot, but compared to my usual nighttime routine as of late, which is basically do what I can to get the girls to bed and then crash, its at least something.

Its too bad I can't have an hour to myself like that every day. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to look forward to next Tuesday and hope for a repeat!