Author |
Message |
Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 6:02 am
Happy Birthday, Lk! Hope you are blessed with a fantastic day. Anyone have cake?
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 6:18 am
happy birthday lk!! i'll be gone until sunday, so pray for me the house doesn't get worse while i'm gone!
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Ddr
Member
08-19-2001
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 6:49 am
Happy Birthday Lk!
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 1:20 pm
Ok, I've been trying to catch up in here, but it meant going back a few archives.LOL Good thing I am also catching up on a pile of laundry which gives me time to read the board in between loads.
Happy Birthday again, Lk! I sifted through all my backlogged emails, but couldn't find your letter to Marla. It will probably be repeated again. Usually I skip the testimonials, unless I am really bored.LOL There are many ppl who roll their eyes when they hear flylady. It is not for everyone. Right now it is working for us and that's what counts. I, for one have no worries for your immortal soul - not yet anyway. Live and let live is my motto. Spinner, I used to hide behind the curtain whenever the doorbell rang and I knew the place wasn't just right. Now I am much more relaxed, front door wide open, hollering "come on in!" Sherrie, glad you like your new dusters. I use mine most of the time, except during zone week. That's when I still resort to Endust. Old habits..... Haven't done a 27 fling boogie yet, but if I ever decide to I'll copy your method. Vee, welcome aboard! Love your term "adventures in domesticity", as well as your adventures with the electrician. I bet his opinion of the flylady isn't too high, cheated him out of another peek.LOL Are you renovating? Sorry to hear about your Grandma's linen. What a shame. GArden work definitely counts. Don't beat yourself up if you don't get your routine and/or zone work done some days. Tomorrow/next month is another day. We are trying not to be too religious about "flying" around here, right, girls?LOL You can make your own control journal. I got myself one of those zipper binders with a little pouch and a few little pockets. You are likely to change your zones and other "chores" around a few times until you figure out what works best for you. So a cheap lined pad might be best until then. Welcome, Landi! You'll love living in a house, and you are right about turfing as much as you can beforehand. Go ahead, post your before and after pics. It will give you a real sense of accomplishment and we might learn something. And a hardy Welcome to Melfie as well. Great to see you here. Just a little warning to new flybabies. When you get started on decluttering and start seeing progress, the temptation to overdo it is great. Don't! Otherwise you'll fall back onto that perfectionism that overwhelmed you before, because the job ahead was too much so you didn't bother starting it. You'll end up overloading yourself and then hate the work so much you'll give up. Don't worry, if you don't declutter an area this month, the next is sure to follow and you can pluck away at it then. Some rooms may take several months, others just one or two. Easy does it. The "dressed to shoes" thing comes in handy when you expect to be on your feet a lot. That's when my bad back thanks Marla for that rule. However, it is now getting warm, so I accomodate the dear lady by wearing flipflops. My barefoot days have gone the way of the dodo bird because of the laminate flooring. Still trying to get used to that. Ignore all those emails, esp. while you are still decluttering. You may want to switch to the digest version where you get the day's emails in one swoosh. Purple, loved your cow story. Coke expires? Geez, good thing it never stays around long enough here to go bad.LOL Keep your eggs in the carton with the expiry date instead of the egg shelf in your fridge. That way you'll never wonder if they are past due or not. Generally it is safe to keep them a little longer. They put an earlier date on to cover their hineys. I've run across some acronyms I don't recognise. What's MCL, HNB?
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 1:36 pm
Thanks for the advice, Lumbele, I will take it to heart. Glad to hear that the lawnmowing counts. I'll be eager to learn any other tips that you may have. I love the 27 fling boogie because it makes me open a drawer...most things are pretty neat and clean on the surface, but those hidden places need help. I have found that I have more time to do what I want so that is the goal...right? Hope that Lk got the whole day off for her birthday. Have a wonderful weekend, everybody!
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 5:24 pm
Thank you, everyone, for your birthday greetings. I really appreciate them. I got most of the day off, and just relaxed.
As for the acronyms: MCL = Mind Clutter List A MCL is what I use to scribble down everything that is on my mind. This way, I don't have to remember it, and it is handy and accessible. HNB = Household Notebook My HNB is what I called my Control Journal before joining FlyLady. Sometimes I forget and revert to the other term.
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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 9:38 pm
I've been kind of off the computer for the past couple of days. With my office clean I've been able to leave my laptop there and, since the office is clean and I've been able to get caught up I don't need to be in the office so much, so I've been enjoying my clean living room and the 2 grands who spent the past 2 days with us since school is out but summer activities haven't begun. Anyway, Happy Birthday, LK!
I don't have any before pictures of the living room, but here's an after. Notice the coaster under the Coke can. Found the coasters behind the table next to the couch.
The messy office pictures are "in process" pix, rather than "befores." I couldn't get into the room to take pictures until I got some of the piles off the floor.
Here are the afters:
Why is the laptop on end? When I'm home my laptop is my desktop. I plug in my monitor, keyboard and USB hubs and I'm good to go. I set the laptop on end to help keep it cool. It gets awfully hot.
How did a family that goes through a case or two of Diet Coke a week manage to have outdated Coke? It takes a year or more for it to get nasty. DH buys Diet Coke whenever it's on sale and stacks it in the pantry. What he doesn't do (or didn't do) was to put the new on the bottom of the stack and the old on top. Therefore we had a case or two that had gone stale. I did not clean ANYTHING today. Well, I washed the trash can in the kitchen and put all the opened crackers and bread in the bread box. And wiped down the counter. But nothing else. And I got enough work done in my tidy office that I'm going to actually have a week-end! What kind of car wax for the sinks and tile? Paste wax? Going nitey nite now.
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Sherrie
Member
11-23-2003
| Friday, May 28, 2004 - 9:47 pm
Purple: WOW!!! Now that would make Flylady proud!!! Did the grandkids notice??? You must feel great every time you go in there or sit down in your living room. Congratulations!!!
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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 7:37 am
I don't think the grands noticed, Sherrie. they're 11 and 12. I don't think they notice much that isn't edible, wearable or playable. I do feel good sitting in my living room and working in my office, but I get sick when I peek into my sewing room. It's not over until the fat lady sews!
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 12:59 pm
Geez, Purple, I was so proud of myself for catching up today on a lot of chores that I missed this week, until I saw your efforts. Holy Moly! My "office" is still in a considerable mess, and since I am sharing it with Mr. Packrat it is not likely to improve any time soon. Ah well, we'll need something to do this winter. Maybe I can sweettalk him then into decluttering. Better yet, can I sic you on him?LOL
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 2:22 pm
Purple: Awesome Job! You'd be surprised what kids notice. That they didn't say anything does not mean that they didn't notice. This is going to sound dumb--but where did you get the shelving in the office? That's what I need for my books. When I called Home Depot, the nitwit who answered didn't seem to understand what I meant. I don't want to venture down there is that's not where I should look for it. Lumbele: Feel good about where you are. You are not in competition with ANYONE.
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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 2:37 pm
LK, DGD and I were able to embroidery a pair of cheerleading shorts without having to dig ourselves a path to the machine first. She probably did notice that. Pretty sure DGS didn't notice a thing. I got the shelving years and years ago, probably someplace like Walmart because Home Depot didn't exist yet. But I got some similar, in white for the kitchen at Home Depot a couple of years ago. It's the kind where you fasten strips to the walls and you stick in brackets of the size you want as far apart as you want and put particle board shelving on the brackets. I know they have it at every home improvement store. If you're going to put heavy stuff, like books on it, buy several short lengths and string them together or they'll buckle in the center after a while. Ask me how I know . . . Lum, these will make you feel better. I just took these "befores" of my sewing room this afternoon. Notice formidable fabric collection! And Hancocks is having a huge Memorial Day sale so I might be adding . . .

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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 2:43 pm
Sorry folks. Didn't realize those pix were so large until I uploaded them.
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 3:08 pm
LOL. I know, they NEVER seem that large, do they? I can't wait to see the after shots. I'm going to have to venture up to Home Depot. At least it isn't that long of a bus ride/walk. But, first, to get the rest of the place finished up!
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Autumn
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 3:22 pm
(((Purple!))) Wow! What a spectacular job - I'm still scrolling up and down to shift the before and afters! You Go Girl!!! 
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 3:23 pm
Purple, that doesn't look so bad. You obviously got a good start already with all your containers. Do you sew a lot? Never did quite get the hang of sewing. It was dh who bought the machine.LOL Lk, I don't feel competitive at all, except with myself sometimes. Just envious, the mess in our little cubbyhole is beginning to get to me.
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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 4:07 pm
Well, no, Lum. I don't sew at all. I USED to sew a lot! My Dad taught me to sew when I was 11 and I sewed my way through Jr. High, High School, College, two pregnancies and then again the same for DD. I made all her formals in High School and College and her bridesmaids dresses. I love sewing. I make all DH's sport shirts. Most of my trouble is that all of the stuff in the sewing room belongs there. I managed to throw away a couple of cartons of patterns that no longer applied to anyone I sew for, but that's about it. I got the storage containers a couple of years ago. Until then all the fabric had been in those cardboard file boxes and I couldn't see what was in them without digging through. There's still quite a mess, though. I realize my house isn't as bad as the ones on Clean Sweep (which I think are greatly exaggerated) but it's keeping me from doing what I want to do and I think that's the bottom line. I'm really lucky that DH does more than help. When we were first married he told me that my dainty hands (snort!) didn't belong in bathroom chemicals and I never disagreed with him! So he's always taken care of the bathrooms. Of late, DH isn't seeing everything, but it's still a great help. And he's always done the dishes. He figured that since I was doing the cooking, he should clean up after. I don't do much cooking anymore, but he's still keeping up the kitchen. I can't leave a glass on the sideboard but that it's washed and dried before I can turn around. He doesn't put anything away, though. I can't believe that I have the nerve to resent that! First wife did a great job training him up and I lift my eyes to Heaven to thank her on a regular basis. I've heard she was a feisty little thing and I believe it! I can't tell you how much it has already helped to have my office workable. One of the things that I hate most is re-stocking product. I have to print and collate and staple and trim and label and it's so boring and creates such a mess. The office was so messy that I was doing it in the living room, so that would get awful, too. I needed to re-stock 4 products this week and I've been doing it 15 minutes at a time in a tidy and efficient work space. I don't feel put upon at all. I know I'll hate the shrink wrapping, but maybe 15 minutes at a time will do the trick there, too. I hope I can keep this up! I would never have gotten this far without you all.
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 4:08 pm
I am hopeful that I'll make another household burst tomorrow. Monday, I need to do the fast track of glass installation--the Scion Xa/b and Lancer Evolution. So, anything I am going to do this weekend, happens tonight and tomorrow.
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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 4:15 pm
Glass installation?
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 4:29 pm
DH and I write auto glass removal and installation instructions for Auto Glass Journal. We're doing the yearly full writeups right now, and I need to get started on those three so they are done before I have my teeth done. Oh, and re the type of wax, I just picked up the 14oz Turtle Wax Easy On Easy Off Hard Shell formula. It said "good for clear coats" on the front, so I figured that was what I needed to have.
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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 5:38 pm
Forgot about your writing LK. What other kinds of things do you write? I know you're working on an e-zine. DH was a tech writer for Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) before he retired in 1987. He wrote the training manuals for the night guidance system on the Apache helicopters. He had to write to a 5th grade reading level. Scary, huh? I write the manuals and class notes for my software. So I know what a job you've got ahead of you. My sympathy on your teeth. I've just been through 2 years and $18,000 of mouth misery. So when I say, "I feel your pain," you can believe it! When young(er) people ask me about financial plannning for retirement I tell them, "Floss!" Let me know how that wax works for you. Our house is 40 years old so the sinks, tubs, tiles, counter tops, etc. are very worn and get nasty very quickly. Waxing sounds like something that would really help.
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 6:31 pm
Purple: the wax works great. I plan on reapplying it when I do the Kitchen and Bathroom Zones, just to keep it "fresh."
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 8:17 pm
Wow, you have been busy, Purple. Everything, including your sewing room, looks great to me. It must be wonderful to have a room specifically for sewing and doing projects. Lk, you have that with your craft room, too, right? It is past midnight and I have not been following FlyLady routines today. We cleaned all day long because we are hosting the family Memorial Day picnic tomorrow. With the electrician just finishing up Friday, we were finally able to reorganize.(Many things had been in storage in the basement and on the porch that needed a new home in the garage.) Hauled a lot of stuff to the dump and packed a lot to give to the Salvation Army store. We have toted, lifted, hauled, pushed, pulled, etc. all day long. So much for working at something in 15 minute stretches although maybe I did since I did so many different things. I must say that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long year coming. At one point, I had a sink full of flower pots. Such a mess! My beautiful scrubbed, polished sink... I really don't want to use it anymore, I just want to look at it. If I don't check in tomorrow, well later today, have a terrific Sunday, all.
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 8:26 pm
I wish I had a whole room! I have a 5' wide, 2' deep space to call my craft area. Way to go with all of your hard work, Vee! Do we get to see pix?
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Purplecow
Member
12-08-2003
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 11:19 pm
Golly, Vee, you make me feel like a slacker! Hope you have a well earned terrific time tomorrow (today?).
Vee and LK, The kids are grown and gone. I've taken over their bedrooms. If and when I retire and we downscale I won't be able to spread out so much, but I also won't need an office. I'd hate to move because the house is paid for, but I'd love to not have a lawn to take care of anymore. I remember very well sewing in a corner of my bedroom and setting the dining room table up on coffee cans for a cutting table and having to set up the ironing board in the kitchen for pressing. Having a room with everything is a very new luxury for me. Now if I could only get it picked up so I could get in there and do some sewing. I'm going to a 4 day serger workshop in North Carolina next month and I'd like to come home to a tidy sewing room so I can put my honed skills to work. I have three granddaughters in store bought clothes. If any of you are dedicated seamstresses you know how embarrassing and disappointing that is. Got the patterns; got the fabric; got the time. Just need the space. As I said, it's not over 'til the fat lady sews!
I think we'd need a team of professionals to dig out the garage.
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