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Member’s Testimonials
"Your testimonials provide the inspirations for many of
our essays. Please don't ever stop e-mailing us.
Your messages and stories are such a blessing!
Thank you!" - FlyLady
Remember: It won't happen overnight.
FLYing on Maternity Leave
Dear FlyLady,
I am currently on my maternity leave in Canada (1 year). I found your
website about 3 months before my baby was born and started my baby steps
then. I have a 14 year old stepdaughter, a six year old daughter, a five
year old son and a 4 month old baby. Everything is not perfectly clean,
but it is a lot better. I've decluttered my kitchen, bathrooms and master
bedroom so far. It took me several months of 'zones', but they are now
done! And the rest of the rooms are well on their way. I have donated
boxes and boxes of stuff! I wake up excited about flying and know that by
the time I return to work, my routines will be so engrained that it's going
to be easy handling it all.
I've started putting your website address on the congratulations cards I
attach to baby gifts. With a full year off work, its an excellent
opportunity to prepare yourself and your home for your return to work. And
the 15 minute intervals of housework are easy to manage, even with a small
baby. When my husband comes home from work, he comes home to a happy
family in a clean house. And I feel that I've been productive. I have
something to show for my time at home.
You've been talking about postpartum depression lately. While I've never
suffered from it, I have sometimes felt that I'm not contributing a whole
lot to the family during my time at home - and that's an awful feeling,
when you're used to contributing and getting positive feedback daily at
work. Yes, I'd been taking care of the baby, but that's all I managed to do
with my first two. This time, its been completely different. I feel
happier and more capable. My husband is amazed at all that I can
accomplish. For the first time ever, I feel that my job performance as a
wife and mother is every bit as outstanding as my job performance at work!!
And this is sooo important.
I just wanted to thank you for your fabulous website and your excellent
tips. My before bed, morning and laundry routines are making a real
difference in our lives. And my children love the clothes kids!! We even
made heads for them out of cardboard!
Flying on Maternity Leave
Because he noticed all the emails saying "where are your shoes?"...
Flylady & crew,
Today, I am typing this while having major "puddles". When I started
out as a flybaby, my dh didn't think much of it(he thought it was just
another phase I was going through). When he saw my written routines, my
control journal, and the 20 lbs that I decluttered from our home, he then
got a little more curious. Last week, on my birthday, I knew that he was
very appreciative of my babysteps. My dh bought me your book, and a pair
of slippers that look like oversized tennis shoes! He told me that he
loved what I was doing in the house and with our kids. He also told me
that he loved the calmer atmosphere that the "slightly" less-cluttered
house had. Our kids(ages 3& 1) listen more, play better together, and just
seem like whole different kids (structured routines = less tantrums &
stress) - lol! The slippers were something that he got me because he
noticed all the emails saying "where are your shoes?". Because of a
medical condition, lace-up shoes are uncomfortable & painful, so he thought
these were the next best thing. Thank you flylady, for not only helping me
to create routines, but for helping me to love myself(and family) even more
than I thought was possible!
{([HUGS])}
flying in purple puddles in Saskatchewan, Canada
FLYing at the Store
I just had to write you and tell you that all of the things you have said
in your e-mails have changed my life tremendously, but one thing above all
literally changed me in so many areas, that I had to write and tell you.
It
has been a few months ago, but you e-mailed us telling us that we needed to
plan our menus and shop in stores closest to us, etc. Anyway, I absolutely
had been so frustrated over my monthly grocery trips and had been trying to
make ends meet as we get paid once a month, but was failing miserably.
Getting paid once a month was horrible and I didn't know how to make it
work and not run out of food. I got your e-mail and it was like something
hit me right between the eyes. It was so simple and I had been making it
hard.
Once a month I would go to the grocery store and go in without a list
and buy what would get me through the month,as well as buying big amounts.
It would blow my budget but I wanted stuff that would allow me to go in at
5:00 and throw open the freezer to find something to fix for supper
quickly. I call them crisis meal fixers. My meals were awful, thrown
together, fattening, and had absolutely no love mixed in at all. It was
something that would let me off the hook one more day. After all, it meant
we weren't eating out and that is what I needed to pacify my husband. I
could see it on his face though, even if he didn't say it and that he was
thinking that this is a terrible meal. Usually over cooked, wilted lettuce,
tasteless veggies, etc.
Since you sent that wonderful e-mail, I started
planning my meals one week before I go to the store. The reason I plan a
week before I actually go, is I am able to add things to the list that I
might forget when I first do the list. I go twice a month now. I divide my
money in half and spend only half and put back the other half. In the past
by the time the next grocery trip came around, my grocery money had been
spent on eating out, movies, fun things, making multiple trips to the store
and picking up junk food as well as what I need, etc. Also, I had a fear
when I went at the begining of the month that I might run out of something
so I would buy too much food and as a result, the more I bought, the more
my family ate and most of the time they didn't need what they were eating.
They were overeating. I realize now, thanks to you, that I wasn't trusting
God to stretch what I had already, and felt like I would never have enough.
NO MORE do I do that. My grocery money goes for groceries and only what we
NEED until I go the next time to the store. I have now been able to start a
diet and stick to it, because always before, I wouldn't have the money I
needed to buy lower fat foods and would get discouraged and quit.
Since I started your grocery system, it is flowing over into the area of
taking care of myself as well as my family. I am more aware of what I
spend everywhere. I buy what we NEED once a month and do not keep going
back to buy more. My meals are healthy and I have the ingredients and
recipes on hand, because I make sure I write out the recipes I am going to
use the next month and put them in a strategic place in my kitchen so that
I won't have to hunt for them, when it is time to cook a new recipe.
Because of this, I have now lost 17 pounds as I am fixing lower fat and
tasty meals. I also use food first that I have on hand and make my menus
from that food first and I have saved alot of money by not having to throw
out old outdated freezer burned food. Thank you so much for changing my life.
A lighter flybaby in Texas!!!
Housework done incorrectly....
Dear FlyLady-
Saying "housework done incorrectly still blesses your family" isn't
negative. It frees me to Fly! My dear mom is BO, and a complete
perfectionist who fusses over every detail.
One day as I was making my bed (which I have done for 3 months after not
doing it for about 30 years!), I thought about how if I tried to help my
mom make her bed, she would usually tell me no, it had to be a certain way.
And if she does let me help, the sheet has to hang down exactly the same
amount on both sides, the pillows have to line up just so, no wrinkles
anywhere. Often she would redo what I had done. The lightbulb came on: no
wonder I never made our bed--I could never do it "right", and it would take
five minutes. Well, with a comforter and pillow shams, it takes about 45
seconds, and even if there are a couple of wrinkles, or the blankets are
crooked, it looks good! And my family is blessed. Now if I miss a morning,
they say "What's wrong?"
So I like to repeat the "housework done incorrectly" mantra as I sweep or
mop or whatever, so that I don't hear that little voice in my head saying
"You should move the furniture to do this right" or "what about the
baseboards".
You are so right, FlyLady! Perfectionism makes us think we can never do our
work "the way it should be", or that it will take too long, so why start?
The underlying message is that WE will never be "good enough"--no wonder we
feel defeated and give up before we start!
I am only beginning to FLY, and have a long way to go (babysteps!) But even
a little bit of Flying makes a difference. My almost 21 year old DS, whose
room barely has space to walk through, came in one morning while I was
working in the kitchen and proceeded to clean off all the cabinet doors!
Talk about Purple Puddles!
So thank you, FlyLady and crew, for all you do, and for your wise advice.
Keep FlyWashing us! - FlyBaby in NM
It is amazing how our children watch us...
I cannot believe the change you've made in my DD(7). For years I've
worried and been upset about her not acting like a girl, and not liking
girl stuff. I didn't realize what the real problem was. With your pamper
missions, I finally started taking care of myself and treating myself to
things that I hadn't enjoyed since having children. Nailpolish had not
touched my nails in years. Anyway, what I realized was that I was finally
modeling "girl" behavior for her, and she followed right along behind me,
enjoying the bubble baths, nailpolish, etc. We even got our hair
professionally done - together. This was the first time in her life, she's
had a haircut I haven't given her. I was hesitant to let her cut her long
hair off, since she likes to wear her comfy, boy hand-me-downs so much. I
was afraid she wouldn't look like a girl at all. But, she is so cute, and
so happy with her new look! No more complaining in the mornings as we are
fixing her hair.
I didn't realize how much I had changed until I saw it reflected in DD. My
husband is very happy with my appearance, and I am not raiding his side of
the closet anymore (my comfy clothes are clean - usually). LOL.
Also, my husband called from work last night. I was watching a movie with
the kids. We had popped popcorn, played a game, and were getting ready for
a slumber party in my bed. He could not believe I was in a good mood and
having a good night. I have to admit about a month ago my children and I
had taken an Internet quiz on life expectancy. I can't remember what I had
chosen for "How do you feel most of the time?" but my DS(12) and DD(7)
looked at me and said, "No Mom, you're unhappy."
I asked, "Do you think so?"
"Yes, Mom, you're unhappy," and DS checked the box for me.
I thought, Yes, but you are not supposed to know that. It really
bothered me that they were right.
I have not felt great for about two years. Had been to three different
doctors and had found some relief. My husband had begged me, please try
one more. I had put it off, and put it off. I was doing ok. Finally made
an appointment last week. One more try. The doctor looked at my
medication and asked, "How do you stay awake?" Anyway- new meds. Could be
why we had such a good night last night. Already I feel I have more energy
and things don't look so difficult. I wish I hadn't procrastinated with
this for so long.
So thankful for Flylady and Friends and routines. Feel like I'm finally
getting on the right track. The most important goal in my life is to raise
my children well, and you have already shown me ways to develop and pass on
good habits to them. Can't wait to see what happens now with my newfound
energy. I thank God for you! You are truly inspired. Thanks so Much!
Flybaby with Flyfamily in Idaho
Just what the doctor ordered - REALLY
Dear Flylady,
Thank you. You are just what the doctor ordered...REALLY! I was feeling
down and behind and frustrated with everything. I have three children 5,
3, and 2. My doctor mentioned Flylady and my house hasn't ever looked this
good. I only started last week but I feel great and everyone seems to be
benefitting from it. My kids are already becoming flybabies too!
The 27 fling boogies are great and I've already donated 6 garbage bags
full, 2 boxes full and a chair to chairity. After several sneezing attacks
I would have to recommend taking an allergy tablet before every boogie
I like having the reminder e-mails telling me what I'm supposed to do.
Thanks again.
Happy Flybaby and family in Georgia
FLYing with the CLING
Dear FlyLady,
After reading about your FlyLady Cling metamorphosis I just have to share
this with you! I never ordered the FlyLady Cling before - I didn't think I
would use it. But when my new calendar arrived (which, by the way, the
whole family really likes!) a FlyLady Cling came with it. First I was
surprized that the picture was brighter and crisper than on the website.
Then I started looking at it, and said "Hey, this is cute!" I thought -
where could I put this? What would I like to use it to remind me of?
And then I got this brainstorm!
Just the day before I had started cleaning out my pantry with little 5
minute fling boogies. Now, the reason I'm doing 5 minute fling boogies is
because when I try to do the 27 fling boogies I always lose count and get
flustered. So I finally hit on just setting the timer for 5 minutes and
seeing how much I can fling in that time! (I guess this is really a 5
minute room rescue!) I decided I was going to focus on my walk-in pantry
until it was done, and then I would move on to another area.
Now this is where the Cling comes in. I put the Cling on the pantry door
where I would see it all day long to remind me that I want to work just 5
minutes on the pantry! And I stuck the edge of a post-it note under the
edge of the Cling (the Cling helps the post-it note stay stuck.) Each time
I do a 5 minute fling I note it on the post-it note. This makes me so
proud of me! In fact, when I'm feeling down, I try to take a break and go
fling for 5 minutes in there!!! It makes me feel EMPOWERED! I CAN
conquer this mess! And, if I can conquer this mess, then of course I can
conquer the next one, too! And the next! WOW!!!
After only 2 flings my husband noticed the difference. My little girl
noticed after the 3rd! I've only done 10 flings now (= 60 minutes total)
and my walk-in pantry is almost done!
And, after the pantry is done, I'm going to put the Cling on another spot,
area, or room to keep me focused on that until it is done!
Thank you! I think the Cling is so neat! It really does stick to things -
and it's helping me stick to things, too!
FlyBaby in Tennessee
Thank-you for Family Fun Day
Dear FlyLady and Crew,
Thank you so much for Family Fun Day! As a payroll SHE, I tried to do
all the laundry and housework on Sat. I didn't think I had time to just
play with my dh and three children. Recently it hit me-- as I do my very
small routines during the week, I am getting everything taken care of so I
can play without guilt on the weekends. I am enjoying this time with my dh,
dd (7 yrs), ds (5 yrs), and ds (1yrs).
Thank you so much for this. My dh and I went through a lot to have all
3 of our precious children and I had gotten sidetracked about what was
important. Thanks for reminding me that my family is what is truly
important.
Flybaby in IL
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