Dear Flylady,

I have been reading your E-mails for years; sometimes I have even tried to get started FLYing. But it never happened. The only thing was I shined my sink about every day.

Then the day came that we needed to put in new floor. Our carpet was well worn in the living room, dining room, and hallway, as well as the stairs and the family room area. We had had a dog around the house whom we could never get to remember where a dog is supposed to go to the toilet, and that was only one of her crimes. Clutter was everywhere, and I stopped inviting people over. The stove was filthy; the bathrooms were, too, and one of them needed a new stopper system so just had a gaping drain.

But one day change had to come. First, and sadly, the dog had to go. We hired a contractor and had the carpet in the above-mentioned areas removed, replacing it, along with the kitchen and bathroom, with laminate floor. We replaced the stove and the refrigerator. (The fridge could no longer make ice and water.) So this was a golden opportunity. I started with the July habit, swishing and swiping, shortly before the first of July. There is no better time to do this than when you purchase new toilets that actually work correctly. I swished and swiped for a few days before I went on a ten day trip. When I came home, no swishing and swiping had been done. However, unlike the last time this happened to me, I didn’t get all martyr-ly about it. I just started over. I have never had such clean bathrooms. At the convention where I was, I even swished the shower some. Someone asked me how long I thought this would last.

I hope it will last forever. People can come here now, and I plan to have them over. I like my clean bathrooms and kitchen. There is still a lot of clutter around, but I need to pick a room and declutter fifteen minutes each hour. I think I may start with the master bedroom, or I will do my office. I purchased some robot cleaners and they are sweeping daily. I am excited to see where this goes from here. I am so much happier already, and there is no place but up from here.

Thanks for being there. It is a wonderful thing, and I thank you.

Cindy Lou
A Fly Baby in Iowa.

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!