Comments for sursumcorda.salemsattic.com/post/learning-from-flylady-second-hand

Comment #2582

2011-11-12T08:19:39Z

I had a similar problem with the shiny sink idea. Stephan has been happy to accommodate my move from being rather messy to needing things neat, but asking him to wipe down the sink every time he used it was going to far. I still like to wipe it down each day, and I did like how it was always cleaning when I was shining it, but I haven't found a happy solution yet.

There are a number of ideas of hers I like and I can't list them all here, but I like her definition of CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). Her idea is to be company ready in 15 minutes. Last Monday a got a call from a friend saying she could be there to take Joseph for a walk in 15 minutes. Because the house was in order (floors swept, even mopped, bathroom clean, dishes done and counters wiped) all I did was pick up the toys and get Joseph ready and we were outside waiting for my friend before the 15 minutes were up! That meant I could dive right into RESTING the moment I walked back in the door. It doesn't take me that much to keep the house like that either, just a bit each day and the house is almost always clean. It's always clean when we go to bed and when I think back to when it wasn't like that and how much it stressed me out I'm so thankful that for whatever reason FlyLady said the right stuff to make housekeeping work for me. Good luck to everyone!

Comment #2581

2011-11-11T19:05:29Z

Having just finished "Getting Things Done" I recognize your Someday/Maybe comment.

I have also been doing "swish & swipe" and timed myself yesterday - 2 minutes. I thought S&S was supposed to just be sink and toilet. I save the mirror and floors for just once a week.

But let me tell you, I am thrilled! I kept it up (mostly) even with the power out. How nice to know there was nothing disgusting lurking in the dark. And as far as the rest of the house goes, I couldn't vacuum, but I could keep things picked up. I even went so far as to put on my headlamp and clean out and organize the pantry! Now it is done and I don't have to waste time doing it now that I have more interesting things I could be doing.

As far as Flylady's sink and shoes. I have not really done the sink thing. I think I would spend too much of my day trying to keep it clean after other people use it. I do wear sneakers and that does seem to help. Too cold to go barefoot this time of year.

Comment #2580

2011-11-08T11:29:36Z

Hi, Sarah! Great to hear from you. I know FlyLady is big on cleaning the kitchen sink, but I haven't looked further. I agree that kitchens are a lot more complicated than bathrooms. For one thing, I'm less inclined to want to do the floor on my knees....

I'm sure the process can be adapted to the kitchen, and I'm equally sure it's important, though I haven't made it work yet. (I hear you on SLOWLY—and I don't even have little children slowing down / speeding up my day.)

Comment #2579

2011-11-07T21:40:22Z

Hm, an additional thought on an adaptation (I don't stress much about my bathrooms, although I might try the daily thing just for kicks)... I am wondering if this could be adapted to the kitchen as a "last swipe" of the evening. Is cleaning up a kitchen EVER simple, though? Stove, sink, counters, etc...? Maybe I should consult the website to get more familiarized with the system.

Comment #2578

2011-11-07T20:19:16Z

Hi Janet's Mom ;) , Funny; I was just introduced to Flylady's website about a week ago! I haven't gotten too deep into it; in fact, I first checked it out on a Sunday (my "day off" also) when I was mining it for ideas on how to relax, of all things! (Yes, when I do happen upon a rare moment to myself I usually have no idea how to spend it and by the time I figure that out, it's passed...) Anyway, I remember Janet mentioning "swish and swipe" but didn't realize it was from Flylady. I too, plan on slowly incorporating what I deem useful from her site...emphasis on SLOWLY. Oh, and I will not be wearing shoes, either! :) Enjoyed your post. -Sarah