Clutter So What The Heck Is It?

I have several blogs in the works and can't seem to finish any of them.  Yes, I have been busy with the garden and yardwork.  I would like to blame it on that.  The problem is I have been Flying The Flylady Way too long to use it for an excuse.

At first I thought it was "Bloggers Block or Writers Block."  I can't even blame that.  No it's not that.  It's down and out Clutter!  That is what the heck it is!

This week two buildings were demolished to clean the town up.   I walked over to the lot to watch the debris burn a couple times.  I talked about it on my daily photo mini blog.  One flybaby said it perfectly.  What was happening was "The Circle Of Life."  She was right.  It has been in my thoughts as I have been going about my past couple days.  I had to ask myself, "So why can't I do this Circle of Life thing with my clutter?  What makes it any different?

They say many things must end in order for other things to begin.  So I go in my worst room to start to declutter. I freeze up.  Why?  Because today the only clutter I can deal with is the clutter that I am not attached to.  Simple as that.  I want to get rid of my clutter but I don't want to get emotional doing it.  I think that is what happens with most of us.

I am so glad this time I was able to see the different types of clutter.  There really is the clutter that brings up emotions and then there is clutter that is just that. CLUTTER!!!!

So I went searching for all of that clutter that has no emotional ties on it.  I found plenty too.  I did my usual 27 Fling Boogie.  It seems like the only tool to get me unstuck from the clutter that is sucking the life out of me.

I found lumber in my storage shed that was so rotten it wouldn't work for any project.  I am sure it was leftovers from something that I wasn't even a part of.  CLUTTER.  Then I found some things that were probably left behind by my brother and his family when he lived here.  I have been here almost 14 years and if he isn't coming for it, it must have been clutter to them too.

I found some gardening tools that were full of rust and wooden handles that were decaying.  Why was I keeping this???  Then I wondered where did these things come from?  If I can't even remember that, my question again was "Why Am I Keeping Them?"

Then it hit me!  There is no logical reason or answer to this question!     

Why?  

Because You Can't Organize Clutter!!!!

I have several blogs in the making.  None of them are ready for print as of yet.  Is it writer's blogger's block?  I am not sure and I am not going to worry about it.  You see, ever since I decided to live The Flylady Way I have not allowed myself not to worry, or compare my accomplishments to others.  Sure, I will go and look at other blogs and wish I could figure out how to do the design.  Then I think babysteps.  That is how I have gotten to this point and that is how I will get to where I need to go.

I spent so many years trying to catch up with this and with that.  All it got me in the end was getting sick.  There are many of you feeling overwhelmed and dealing with perfectionism.  The other thing that stands out is the All or Nothing Approach.  Many of us want to stay busy on moving our pile from one place to another and get discouraged.  I remember pre Flylady days as I was trying to get organized for the the 50+ time, I found myself saying, "I will put this here for now."  As the day went on, I began to sing "I'm A Piler!  I'm a Piler! Watch me pile it high!   And I Hate It!  And I Hate It!"  The next thing I knew, the day was over and would feel frustrated.  Tomorrow I will get really organized.  Then I would repeat this kind of day ALL OVER AGAIN!!!  Soon days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.  They say Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.  What other result could their be except the same thing!  All of us are so great at starting things.  We have all the enthusiasm in the world.  Then when things begin to get boring, enthusiasm is no where to be found.

The Flylady Way Weekly Challenge Campaign

Some of us have been living The Flylady Way for quite some time.  Because school is starting everywhere, many are searching for ways to make things go smoother.  Some are just realizing how out of control their household is.  Some just want a challenge.

Ok, I will agree that this is one wide spectrum that I just described.  That is why I searched high and low and everywhere in between to find something that no matter what level you are at, you can participate.

This is the Criteria:

Things I want to accomplish with this exercise is:

1. It takes no more than 15 minutes.
2. You have a week to fit it in your schedule
3. Is something that is already worked into your weekly schedule
4. A challenge that will work no matter what level you are with Flylady

Cedar Mulch? Will It Keep The Garter Snakes Away?

By now if you have read any of my blogs, you know I have been having a problem with Garter Snakes.  It wouldn't be so bad, but ever since Lily my dog was a puppy she likes to wrangle them.  It seems like it is always at night about the time I want to go to bed and I let Lily out for her last bathroom break.  The last straw for me was two snakes in one day.

I got on the internet and did some research.  What I found was Cedar Mulch or Moth Balls.  There were also products.

One in particular was "Snake Away".  I was in town and decided to look this up.  I went to the store and had to ask for it.  It was very confusing.  On the front of the container it said "Earth and Family Friendly."  On the back it had a warning to keep away from "small children and pets."  Not only that, but the smell was horrible!  At first I thought it was the clerk that had bad breath.  I think he thought the same of me!  It was definitely the product "Snake Away" and once we realized it, we were both  relieved!

Cedar Mulch it is!!  They had a few bags left from the season and I took them.  It was Cedar or Moth Ball Smell and I don't know if moth balls would hurt Lily.

Yesterday, I wanted to get the Cedar Mulch out of my blazer and it was really a two person job.  I wanted to get this done more than I wanted to see Lily wrangling yet another garter snake.

I have a daily routine where I post a daily photo mini blog on The Flylady .  You can find all of my photo blogs together on my page The Flylady Way  under Photos and in Daily Photo Blog Album.  It all started with March Monthly Habit of Getting Dressed To Shoes.  I took it a step further curling my hair and putting make up on every day.  Today will be 167 Days.

From there, I check my facebook wall and notifications and comment.  One of the posts was from one of my teenage neighbor girls.  She is a member of "I'm So Bored" group.  Her post was something like, "I'm bored.... anyone wanna have a poke war?"  Here was my opportunity.  So I posted back, "You can come over to my place and help me unload cedar mulch to keep the snakes away."  She "Liked" my comment.  I wasn't sure that meant yes, so I posted back, "Are you coming over to help me then?"  Her response was, "Planning on it..."  I said, "I will come and get you"

I was so excited!  I recruited a group member from "I'm So Bored" group!!  She must have been really bored!  We unloaded the six bags of cedar mulch to start the project.  First we had to tidy up the north side of the house and pull a few weeds.  We were going to lay the cedar mulch down next to the north side of the house.  This is where Lily's enclosed "Play Area" is and where the snakes keep showing up.  I have a feeling they like to hang out in the ferns.

The project with her help took a total of an hour plus a fifteen minute break where we could visit.  We were half done and it was looking great already!  Since she was here helping me with the cedar mulch, I asked her to help me move my gas grill from the west side of the door to the east side.  I am in the process of making a permanent gate to get in and out of the play area.  The grill had to be moved every time I have to come in and mow.  It wasn't that convenient.

This area needs some landscaping and will have to wait until next season.  I will have all winter to plan it.  As with all landscaping, one is never done.  It is always a process and that is part of gardening.  I am glad we got this project done.  The next project is to scrape and paint the house so the north side is now prepped.

The real question is, "Cedar Mulch?  Will It Keep The Garter Snakes Away?"  Only time will tell.  As of this writing date no more snakes.  Let's hope the "Cedar Mulch" will stand up to the promise, because that product "Snake Away" is not an option.  It smelled worse than pig poop and that is another option.  I guess snakes must have sensitive smelling!  Well, I do too!!  Cedar Mulch, please pull through for me and let this be the end of the Garter Snake Wrangling Story!!

North Side of House and Foliage Equals Snake Hideout

Maintenance and Preparation Work Needed First

Beth, recruited from "I'm So Bored" Facebook Group

After

Had To Work Cedar Mulch In Between Plants.  Lily Listens On As The Rooster Chicken Is Making Noise Next Door. 

Cedar Mulch?  Will It Keep The Garter Snakes Away?  I Hope So!!!!!

New School Year

It is that time of year again where any of us that are involved with school.  We come in many forms.  Some of us are teachers, students for the first time, college or vocational school.  And then there are parents that have children going to school while they go to night school.  No wonder this can be a stressful time.

Can you feel the energy building?  Now, everyone take a deep breath and exhale.  The retail stores like to make it a kick off to a mini new year.  Yes, this is actually their beginning of holiday seasons so marketing all types of products are the utmost importance.

Everyone wants to improve their schedules and the goal is to make it easy on yourself.  So we think we have to go out there and search for the Perfect Home Management System.   The problem is none of them are perfect.  Not even Flylady.  Flylady doesn't say, "Follow this exactly and your home and life will be wonderful."  There are some that will.  But do they?   Flylady lessons want you to give up the idea of Perfectionism because if one tries to make tasks Perfect, guess what shows up next?  Yes, here comes Procrastination not far behind.  Where one of these are, the other is always near by.  What happens when they both show up at the same time?  NOTHING.   

Now, my question to you is, how did you get through the school year in previous years?  You must have had some type of system.  Otherwise you and your children wouldn't advance to the next grade.  The thing is that you don't have to do this alone so don't try.  Today you go into any store to buy school supplies and each school has a list of items they want their students to have.  They have already taken the guesswork out of it. Don't try to think you have to do all of this alone.

What Can You Do?
If you have been following Flylady and her monthly habits this year, you are ahead of the game.  So, what can you do?  It isn't very glamorous and new and exciting like all the things new going on out there because of this time of year.

It is habits that you have been doing each day that one day turns into a routine and when you know it is a routine is when you are doing your habits automatically.  The thing is that you don't even have to do this alone.  You have a cheering section just like schools have cheerleaders for each sport. The best thing that you can do for yourself is make Flylady a "we" thing.  I mean, get support from fellow flybabies.  How many Home Management Systems have the following that Flylady has?  Quit trying to do this alone and jump right in!  Situations will present themselves where one will be able to do the task for the appropriate time of year.  Get a three ring binder or notebook and start taking notes of these habits and routines you are trying out.  Do this for a year one month at a time.  This time next year, all the information you need will be at your fingertips.  Paper is paper.  Getting your thoughts down, now that is priceless.  Especially when these thoughts come together and you have a Control Journal, Home Management System, or whatever you want to call it.

If you haven't shined your sink yet today, go do it.  There is magic there and you can see it with all the reflections of how you want your home and life to be.  They say the Kitchen is the "Heart of The Home."  What is at the heart of the kitchen?  "The sink."  This is where it begins and ends each and every day.  There is no way you can avoid a sink to get your day started or start your day to end.  The magic is in the sink.  So keep it shining and you will be shining.

This is where your day starts and ends.

Who Said Walkabouts Can't Be Fun?

Have Fun!!!!!
Since I started my adventure of walkabouts began, the most important factor I wanted was to have fun!  I wanted to be able to take my dog Lily along and be open to my surroundings.  It has been a great move because I always feel refreshed and accomplished whether it is just a bout around the block or a couple miles.

Forget About The Distance!
Yes, I know it is important for weightloss etc.  But these walkabouts are about so much more.  I know myself.  Some days I can do a 3 mile walkabout.  Other days it is just around the block.  Yet there are days that end up being a mowabout because the grass is calling me.  Weather plays a large factor too.

What Are The So Much More?
Nature that surrounds you, sunshine that creates Vitamin D, attitudes turn positive, giggling is allowed!  These walkabouts can be with your neighbors, friends, and even strangers when your walkabout is grocery shopping or going to the mall.  Smile and someone may smile back!  I know this list is endless when you think about it.  These are your walkabouts and do what you may with them.  Afterall, it is your "Walkabout!"  Have fun and forget about the distance and enjoy the benefits it brings!

Walking On Down The Road

Halfway Point We Stopped And.......

Felt Like Jumping!!!!

My Neighbor Girls That Joined Me On This Walkabout

Heading Back.  The Sky Is Gorgeous!!

Lily Started Panting Pretty Hard So I Carried Her The Last Short Bout.

Running On Empty

So you have been flying along with The Flylady Lessons and getting comfortable.  Then events come up.  These events never just come in one, so that when it is over, one can recover and keep flying along.

Friday Night Races
One of the sayings, "Everything Comes In Three's" seems to hold true in Flylady as well.  For example, last Friday things were looking pretty good around here.  I wanted some fun so I decided to go to the races.  My nephew wins the Feature Race and I lose my voice from cheering on.  Since I was in town I thought I had better make the best of it and buy groceries saving me a trip.  It was late getting home and all the groceries got put away.

Saturday Harvesting Vegetables From The Garden
Saturday was time to check the garden for green beans and cucumbers.  Yes, they needed picking again.  I was taking them to town on Sunday to give to my mom at the races.  She wants to can the green beans.

Sunday Night Races
Looking forward to them.  I load up the vegetables to take to town.  I am hoping my nephew wins the feature race tonight.  He was first for 16 of the 20 laps.  He hit the cushion, his back brakes went out and the front ones locked up. He finished second.  I came home from the races and see I have got some hot spots but can deal with it.  Sunday night I got to bed at 1:30am.  I am so glad I had my Before Bedtime Routine together to make it easy to get to the doctor appointment.  I didn't take the time to put out my hotspots and let them slide.

Monday Afternoon Doctor Appointment
It was a long drive and I seemed to think I could pack all the things I needed to buy and do in this one day. On my way back my mom wanted me to stop and pick up the cucumbers she made that need to be frozen.  She doesn't have any room in her freezer.  I am already loaded up with things I bought during the day.  One of my purchases was Grass Hog Weed Trimmer.  Very excited to put it together and use it.  Today I bring it in my house to put together.  Now, do I keep the box until I know for sure it is going to work?  That is currently laying on my couch. Clutter.  I am waiting for the battery to charge.  Nine hours of waiting.

Tuesday Mowing
Today the weather was perfect for mowing.  Last mowing, the grass was too long and it made it so hard to mow.  I didn't want that to happen again.  So the hotspots are still there.  Now, I am becoming bothered by this.  Yesterday I bought the rest of my groceries and supplies.  I didn't get all of them put away.  It is bothering me.

What is so hard about putting things away?  Nothing as long as you have a space for it!  If you don't, then better get to decluttering! Just like groceries, you get rid of things you have had too long.  Put an expiration date on it and send it on its way.  This goes for everything.  The items that are actually expired, yes throw away.  The bag of items to be donated that hasn't made it out to your vehicle, stop and get it out of your home and into your vehicle.  Feel the weight lifting!  Free up some space by starting another donation bag and get to blessing this stuff away.

Running On Empty
I have had three events very close together like Friday, Sunday, and Monday.  Two time sensitive tasks had to be done.  They fell on Saturday and Tuesday.  My hotspots are still there and now I am very bothered by them!

What is the best thing that I could do for myself at this particular moment?  Finish my Before Bedtime Routine except sleepwear, take that donation bag out into my blazer, take out my trash, say TADA and get dressed to go to bed!  I am running on empty.

AHAA Moment!
The logic and my senses are coming together!  Until I can get my fuel tank back to at least the half way mark will I begin to be able to deal with hotspots.   In the meantime I will keep doing my Morning Routine and Before Bedtime Routine and last but never least I will "Shine My Sink!"
Keep Flying!
Marilyn

Shiny Sink and...

Race Car.  What do they have in common?

Three Tools To Help You Declutter And Organize Plus One

I really don't know why I haven't written about this earlier.  I guess it is because I have been using this system for probably 10 years and it is so automatic for me.  What are they?  Let me tell you.

Three Tools Plus One


Hefty Baggies Sandwich & Storage Bags With Ties   So what do you do with these?  Most of our clutter is odds and ends that cannot be thrown away or the small things we don't think we have time to put away end up in some draw or cabinet that make no sense except was from a session of "Stash & Dash".  Then one fine day you want the item and it isn't where it normally is.  You know we have all been there.  We get to the point where it is time to get some decluttering done.  This system works well with small declutter maintenance and big projects.  It doesn't mind at all because it does the job.

To give you an idea what I mean.  You have a project that requires a nail or a screw.  Let's say you are a beginner and it takes a few times to use the right size nail or screw and they came from different locations.  When the job is done throw the extras in a baggie that you can take back to the area where you have these things instead of a bedroom drawer loose where you hung the picture.

Recently I used a Baggy for my deadheading my painted Daisies.  It was easy to dead head the buds and place them in a baggy.  I then took a sharpie and a label and wrote Painted Daisies and Date.  It will be placed in the Ziploc Zipper Bag for all the seeds I get out of the garden I want to use for the coming season.

I have used baggies for sorting change.  We all seem to have loose change that gets thrown here and there.  Grab a baggy and throw it in.

I use baggies for lots of applications.  If I know I will be eating some leftover food in the next day or meal, I use a baggy instead of the more expensive ziplock bags.


Self Sticking Folder Labels
These are economical to use for decluttering.  I use these many times on the baggies especially for extra parts I may need to keep from a piece of furniture I put together.  It doesn't happen all of the time but there are situations where one needs to keep some.

Painters Tape
This works great as I am decluttering and sizing down with boxes and tubs.  It stays on and yet easy to remove.  I also use painters tape when labeling soups and meals that I freeze.  Again, it stays on and yet easy to remove.

Sharpie Pen
Fine point and Ultra Fine Point.  I have used them for years.  They work great at labeling.




I want this blog to be simple I am taking a break to clear my mind

Always, Always Wake Up To A Shiny Sink

Many of us have days that we are outside of the home for doctor appointments, meetings, outings, and such.  Then there are days where we just are not feeling up to par.  So what do we do on those days?  Do we forget about MarilynsWay?

The answer is NO!  These are the days we need it the most!  We just have to implement a our short version  Routine.

In a perfect world MarilynsWay makes sense and works.  She keeps us on track.  And she does it Lovingly in her closed group.

In an imperfect world, MarilynsWay  makes even better sense and really works!  That is if we can let go of Procrastination and Perfectionism.  Those two will get us in trouble sooner than anything because it leads us to the stinkin thinkin that zaps our energy.  Take a moment to let this "sink" in and think of situations in your life that this fits.  Instead of all this mayhem, during one of our Plan and Play days or Paperwork Days, work on developing a short version of Flylady routines.

The most important thing to Marilyn's Way is to keep this way of life in motion.  So you drop the ball.  What do you do?  Do you just leave it lay there or do you pick it up and put it back in motion?  If you were in a Softball or Baseball Game you have to pick it back up if you want to stay in the game.  Same goes for MarilynsWay.  That piece of clothing laying on the floor?  You are going to have to eventually pick it up so why not now?  Same goes for a shiny sink!  You are eventually going to have to shine it so why not just "Wake up to a Shiny Sink and let your Day Shine Through!"

Always, Always Wake Up To A Shiny Sink!

 So, now you are wondering, what does my vehicle have to do with Flylady??  Fridays are clean your car out boogie day right?  Yes, you are correct and it is another habit that we learn to establish in The Flylady Way.  So what state is your vehicle in right now?

I Am Driving A 1959 Model Vehicle

Now, replace the word vehicle with "body".  In other words, what year were you born?  That is the year vehicle you are driving.  For example, I am driving a 1959 model.  This is how the pulmonary doctor explained it to my mom and I.  

"When we are not tuned up we panic!"  Well, when a car isn't tuned up, it stalls.  With a vehicle, if the oil filter, air filter, oxygen sensor, and fuel system are not all in sync, it sputters and pangs and stalls.

  This doctor said it is the same thing with our heart, lungs and muscles.  We have to remember what year vehicle we are driving and keep the maintenance up or we will just end up in the junk yard.  And that, my flybaby friends is how I got to where I am today.  

Fibromyalgia and Low Thyroid Affect My 1959 Model Vehicle

I have fibromyalgia and low thyroid, etc.  I didn't take care of my vehicle. I was in my 20's in the 1980's where we had to be Superwoman and Multitasking, and on and on and on.  Here I am with this "1959" model.  Not only do I have fibromyalgia, now I am in my 50's and my body doesn't recover as quickly as it did in my 40's and 30's and 20's. 

I have to find a way to help my body adjust age appropriately.  I still need to exercise but it won't be the fast aerobics I did in my 20's. What am I going to do to get it to run better?  It is all going to have to be babysteps.  

Maintenance Is Where It's At

In order to get a car to start running smoothly, there will be things that need to be adjusted.  It is the same way with our bodies.  We will have to do some adjusting to help us run smoother.  If we have hobbies we like to do and think we may not be able to, think differently!  Think babysteps and pretty soon you will be doing your hobby or interest again!  It just might have to be done a little different.  

Hold On To Your Interests

We have to hold on to our interests as we age because those are the things that keeps us charged up.  Otherwise, as the doctor said, a person will end up in the nursing home sooner than later. What I have learned in these past 40 some days is just doubling!  Who knows what it will be tomorrow?  

Do What Keeps You Young!

This getting dressed to shoes and taking pride in yourself is what is going to keep you young! My intention is not to force this on you.  That is what is so great about Flylady.  You are never behind and can always jump in where you are. My experience has been that I didn't think it was that big of deal to get dressed to shoes.  Of course I wasn't flying like I wanted to either.  

Flylady Works Just Like Your Vehicle (Body) Does

I know now Flylady too is like a vehicle.  There will be times when I need to tune things up as so will you.  When we are ready, we are ready.  I hope some of you take this to heart, lungs and muscles.  

Keep Flying! 

Marilyn

My nephew's "Modified Racing Car"  The racing season starts in May.  This is how I plan on spending my