Lenten Flylady Challenge (from Anneline)

[AnneLine]

don't have that problem. i will have to choose something else. i am naturally organized.

 

Well... pray for those of us who weren't 'born organized', Debra.  

 

Once you decide on something you can give to God, let us know and we'll pray for you, too!!!

Edited March 2, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Happy Sunday, everyone!!!!

 

I'm curious to know what kinds of things people are doing to celebrate extra time with family and friends on Saturdays, and what you are doing to 'renew your spirit' on Sundays.  What makes these days different from the ordinary work week for you?  And what if anything are you doing to incorporate those elements into your daily lives?

 

I tend to find that I really do like to do my weekly 'home blessing hour' on Saturday afternoons... because it lets me do something nice for myself and my family (clean floors, spruced up house, slightly nicer meal) signalling the approach of Sunday as it comes toward sunset.   (If you aren't sure what a 'home blessing hour' is, you can do a search for 'FlyLady' and 'Home Blessing Hour', or you can just wait to find out!)  

 

Mr.AnneLine has to go to work on both Saturday and Sunday late in the afternoon. That means he has to sleep in, yet we need to get in Sunday Mass.   For that reason, our Sunday meal can't be very fancy... so we tend to have a bit of a special meal at noontime on Saturdays.  It is our reminder that Sunday is coming!!!!   It's also a way we make time for each other.   I tend to hang out with friends (in person, on line) on Saturday evenings.   And I try to get some extra time with God that night, too! All in all, it's a nice way to ease into Sunday!

 

Now that I am 'flying' more consistently  I have time to dress a little more nicely on Sunday and to go over the week's Readings prayerfully before we go to Mass. Tend to make good use of this website:

 

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030313.cfm

 

The extra time is letting me get some extra time alone with God to just be more contemplative, do some journaling, go for a prayerful walk....and I'm starting to look forward to that extra time with God.  A few times a month I'm scheduling extra time to go down to the Church for Adoration on Sunday afternoons, too!  

 

This is a HUGE difference in how I would have spent my weekends a few months ago... and I think it is is partly because I'm not running around quite so crazily trying to get everything done.... the daily routines are starting to have their effect of helping me to simply 'be' more than 'run' more.  (Trust me, some days and some weekends that's relative, so don't beat yourselves up... but if I miss a day, I am finding it easier to get back 'on the fly-wagon'!!!!)

 

Anyone else having this experience?  Is flying working for you, or are you feeling a little overwealmed by it? 

 

 

Sunday of the 3rd Week of Lent

 

 

WEEKENDS ARE FOR REST AND RENEWAL!!!!

 

Sundays - do something to Renew your Spirit.

 

 

And keep up your daily routine:

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Dress to shoes

Look look at posted reminders
Read your FlyLady emails or check her website

Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Edited March 3, 2013 by AnneLine

[Lilllabettt]

must say ... I am not doing the challenge but I find your updates so refreshing  Anneline ... gives me a burst of energy. keep it up!

[Immanuel]

 thank you so much,Anneline. This is a crazy inspiration for me as well. I'm trying the challenge. I especially loved your quote that even though we may clean our homes imperfectly, it is still a blessing to our family. :flowers:

[AnneLine]

must say ... I am not doing the challenge but I find your updates so refreshing  Anneline ... gives me a burst of energy. keep it up!

 

Lilllabettt.... I'm glad you find the updates refreshing.   Writing it down gives ME a little more energy as well... because I can see the progress if I step back and stare a bit.... otherwise I tend to focus on what still isn't done (and it is lots... trust me, railcar loads... but clearable 15 mins at a time.... pray for me....).

 

Feel free to ask questions... because that will help me come up with interesting updates....

 

 thank you so much,Anneline. This is a crazy inspiration for me as well. I'm trying the challenge. I especially loved your quote that even though we may clean our homes imperfectly, it is still a blessing to our family. :flowers:

 

You're very welcome, Immanuel.  I will admit it is a little discombobulating to have Immanuel praising me or bringing ME flowers!  ;)

 

I'm glad you are trying the challenge.... and it IS a challenge, isn't it.

 

I can't claim any ownership over that quote... it is one of FLYLady's favorites, and I find it very consoling.....and it totally meshes with St. Therese's comments about doing little things with love.... definitely encourages me when I feel frustrated.... 

 

 

Anyone else?

[AnneLine]

Monday of the 3rd Week of Lent

 

Mr. AnneLine had the day and night off (!) and we went out for dinner. (!!!)  

 

Meant I got home later than I anticipated and then PhatMass wouldn't let me in to post this.  So.... sorry this is being posted a bit late! 

 

Today we start learning about FLYLady's Zones and how they help us keep focused and stop burnout.  

 

These are probably some of the best things I have learned from FLYLady. 

 

Hope you find them helpful, too!

 

 

 

FLYLady's 13th Day

 

Today find one of Kelly's missions and go do it. They are fast and easy.

 

This will help you to start to introduce you to breaking your home into zones to keep it clean.

 

You can find the missions in the Launch Pad.    http://www.flylady.net/c/lp.php

 

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Dress to shoes

Look look at posted reminders
Read your FlyLady emails or check her website

Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Edited March 4, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent

 

Wow, hard to believe it's almost the end of the second full week of this challenge! It's subtle, but I am seeing some changes. I slept in a bit today (had some major things happen in my world and got to bed later than I would have liked... but I still got dressed and ready to go when I did get up.

 

Zone 2 work in the kitchen this week -- wiped off the counters and put away stuff that didn't need to be out.   Took about 12 minutes... and the difference is AMAZING.   

Today plan to wipe off the shelves in the fridge by just moving things from one side to the other.... 15 minutes max or until done... and pick up where I left off today tomorrow if I am not done.  Yes, I can see where this is going...

 

More of my house is under control than a few weeks back. Other things are a work in progress... but I am ok with that. I'm feeling a lot less panicky.... as if I know what I am doing behind the wheel of the cockpit of my flying machine. I may not be completely airborne, but I definitely can feel the power of the vehicle under me... and I know it is just a matter of time before I am really off the ground!

 

FLYLady's 14th Day

 

go read the essay by FLYLady's assistant, Kelly, about using a calendar.

 

http://www.flylady.net/d/kellys-guide-on-how-to-use-a-calendar/

 

I liked Kelly's suggestions about putting things into the calendar as they come up so nothing gets forgotten.

 

I've also found it helpful to make use of the 'cozi calendar' as well. You could do this with any web-based or smart-phone based reminder system as well.... just remember to synch it with the on-line calendar on a regular basis.... that's how I use my 'desk day'... it's part of my Sunday renew-my-spirit and plan-next week day.

 

Here's a link to some info about Flying and Cozi in case you want to explore that:

 

http://www.flylady.net/d/cozi/

 

 

 

A quick check of your calendar morning and evening is now on the daily routines!

• Checking the calendar the night before reminds you want you need to do the next day.
• Checking it in the morning is a safety net to be sure you don't forget something important!

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Dress to shoes

Check your control journal

Check your calendar

Read your FlyLady emails or check her website

Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Mission in this week's zone

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

[AnneLine]

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent

 

Well... fell down on the job a bit yesterday. Got some stuff done... and then fell prey to inertia. SO... gonna pick myself back up and get back on the flywagon today. Planning on spending that 15 mins wiping off the shelves in the fridge, and need to focus on some things that need to be done by Friday.

 

Every one of us has vulnerable parts -- the things we want to hide.  What would happen if we could get really humble and not hide the truth?  How would the way we could serve God change?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYutddrXQdQ

 

I think one of the biggest gifts I can give myself -- we can give ourselves and give to those we love? -- is to accept my own brokenness... to let 'good enough' be good enough. To thank others for the things they do to try to make our lives better.... even when they aren't perfect.

 

We do the best we can. We can do better, changing bit by bit.

 

God loves our attempts to serve Him better. I am grateful for all the things others do to bless me.  And that is what I am trying to focus on bit by bit this Lent.

 

Pray for me as I pray for you. :pray:

 

 

FLYLady's 15th Day

 

Today we start the 3rd week.

Each day we are using Control Journal.

Each day weare checking for email reminders from Fly Lady or checking her website.

Starting today, we add making your bed to the morning routine.

Do it as soon as you get up - you will be less likely to forget it!

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make your bed

Dress to shoes

Check your control journal

Check your calendar

Read your FlyLady emails or check her website

Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Mission in this week's zone

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Edited March 6, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent

 

Been a rough few days. Too much to do... too little time to do it. Feel a little like a failure sometimes.

I need to remember that ultimately this is a process... and attempts are better than not attempting.

 

"God does not require that we be successful; God requires that we try." Bl. M. Teresa

 

That inspiration now is added to my Inspirations page....

 

I'm doing today's task first -- checking FLYlady's inspirational musing/testimonies/essays.

• When I am feeling frustrated, I can reach out to others for help and healing.
• But mostly, I can reach into myself and beg God "Tell me again how much you love me."
• And I know He does....
• But I can and do forget, all too often.

 I can pick myself up and start again, trusting in God's loving help, and in the support of those who love me.

 

 

FLYLady's 16th Day

 

Today look in your email box for an email from Fly Lady.

It could be a musing, a testimonial or an essay.
Just read it.

You can also go directly to her webpage and read the message there.

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make Bed

Dress to shoes

Look look at posted reminders

Read your FlyLady emails or check her website

Check your calendar
Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Edited March 7, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent

 

Well today has been an interesting day!

 

(Busy, which is why this is going up at 11:45 pm ... but hey, it's still getting posted!!!!)

 

Feels like some kind of a breakthrough happened. Didn't get everything done, but I got more done that I thought I would by just staying focused on doing what I had planned. Got in my prayer time, time for me, time for others.... and time to tell the devil where to go when he tried to discourage me!!!!

 

Yes: I did ENOUGH... and that means I have started to let God re-create me.

 

FLYLady's 17th Day

 

Today think about what time you are going to bed each night.

Set a bed time and stick to it.

You need your rest.

Put this on your before bed routine

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make Bed

Dress to shoes

Look look at posted reminders

Read your FlyLady emails or check her website

Check your calendar
Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Go to bed at your bedtime!

[AnneLine]

Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent

 

It is such a blessing to have a Saturday.   I've been in a little overdrive last few days, and today I am rejoicing in just working my routines and making some time for me and the people with whom I share my world. 

 

 

One of the things I did was re-type some of my masters for this thread so it is easier to read.  Took just a few minutes -- and makes our world nicer.  A gift to all of you!

 

And... I let myself have a nap.... and I'm aiming at a good bedtime tonight.

 

And I'm going to go for a good walk and fix a nice dinner for some friends.  

 

 

 

WEEKENDS ARE FOR REST AND RENEWAL!!!

 

 

Saturdays - do something fun with your family or friends!

 

 

And and keep up your daily routine:

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make Bed

Dress to shoes

Look look at posted reminders

Go to Fly Lady group and read messages

Check your calendar

Check your control journal
Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Go to bed at your bedtime

Edited March 10, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Sunday of the 4th Week of Lent

 

 

Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone!!!!   Will say a special prayer for you all at Mass today!

 

 

WEEKENDS ARE FOR REST AND RENEWAL!!!

 

 

Sundays - do something to Renew your spirit!

 

I like to look over the Sunday Readings prayerfully before we go to Mass.

Tend to make good use of this website:

 

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031013.cfm

 

 

And and keep up your daily routine:

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make Bed

Dress to shoes

Look look at posted reminders

Go to Fly Lady group and read messages

Check your calendar

Check your control journal
Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Go to bed at your bedtime

Edited March 10, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Monday of the 4th Week of Lent

 

Well, technically it is Sunday evening, and I survived the first day of Daylight Savings Time!!!  But I am tired, so I'm planning to go to bed EARLY and read a book while I fall asleep.  And I am posting this so it will be waiting for me -- for all of us!!! -- first thing Monday Morning!

 

Did something really nice for myself on Saturday -- totally cleaned out my kitchen.  It's so clean and empty it ECHOES!!!!!

 

To do it, I had to put a lot of the clutter that HAD BEEN in the kitchen into the living room.   It's a holding pattern, a work in progress, and I knew that going into it.  

 

So we had our Sunday meal in the kitchen, and I did NOT work all day on Sunday on it.  I took the day off for me and God! 

 

I will get to work on the Living Room table and rest of the stuff parked in there today - MONDAY!  

 

The stuff will have 3 options:  Put Away..... Give Away..... Throw Away!

 

 

I know I won't get all of it finished today, but I can at least put it into a marching order to deal with during this week.  This gives me a clean slate in my kitchen.  I'm really excited!!!! 

 

Now our bedroom, guest room, and kitchen and eating area in the kitchen make me very happy.  :)  

 

 

I'm still hearing from people who are trying the challenge and starting to see some real results.  Congratulations!  We'll keep praying for each other and working a little bit at a time.

 

FLYLady's 18th Day

 

Read FLYLady's 11 Commandments

 

http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/flyladys-11-commandments/

 

 

You may want to print them out or write them in your Control Journal

 

And keep up your daily routine!

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make Bed

Dress to shoes

Check your Control Journal

Go to Fly Lady group and read messages

Check your calendar

Check your control journal
Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Go to bed at your bedtime

Edited March 11, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent

 

Well... it's still so empty it echoes in my kitchen. Kind of odd... but nice, too!

 

Posting this the night before worked REALLY WELL, so I'm doing it again today.

 

I'm starting to feel like I am running the lost-and-found department for PHATMass FLYBabies...

 

Got a message from one of you that she has found the bottom of her sink...

another found her kitchen counters

another has found a desk...

and several people have reported finding missing persons!   :eek: ... ;) ... :like3: 

 

I'm still adjusting to daylight savings time, and I am glad that I found enough time for SEVERAL naps AND time to pray today while still getting everything done!   :sleep3: :saint:  

 

What have you found so far this Lent?

 

 

FLYLady's 19th Day

 

Read the testimonial on the 'Day 19' Beginner Steps page of the FLYLady website... it is about 1/2 way down the page... it starts...

 

"May all our homes be be our own private Bed and Breakfast!"

 

http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-19/

 

Now THAT is a good motivator!!!!!    (You can also see that really, I'm just re-designing FLYLady's program... so say a prayer for her and her FlyBabies!)

 

 

KEEP GOING ON YOUR DAILY ROUTINES! WE'RE PRAYING FOR YOU!!!!

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make Bed

Dress to shoes

Check your Control Journal

Go to Fly Lady group and read messages

Check your calendar

Check your control journal
Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go

 

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

 

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Go to bed at your bedtime

Edited March 12, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent

 

 

Fighting a headcold today, everyone. But I still did my routines.

 

In fact, I don't remember doing them... I just did them. i guess these are becoming habits!

 

Today's new habit is one of my favorites -- if I have taken and kept up ANYTHING from FLYLady over the years, it has been doing laundry the way she suggests. Actually, I dump it into the washer and wash it the night before, dry it in the morning and fold and put it away at night... but that's because my husband and I have odd hours. But it REALLY works -- we NEVER have a pile of unwashed stuff anywhere! And when I don't have a load to wash -- that's when I do the ironing. Works well for us!

 

 

FLYLady's 20th Day

 

Today we add laundry to the morning, midday and evening routines.

 

It takes just a few minutes if you do it this way:

 

You just do ONE LOAD each day, and do it this way:

 

Morning: Leave your bedroom with a load of laundry in hand and go straight to the washer. Dump in soap, turn it on.

Midday: Reboot Laundry (put it into the dryer and turn it on).

Midday or Early evening: Fold it and put it away. :)

 

NO MORE MOUNT WASHMORE!!!!

 

Now THAT is a good motivator!!!!!

 

If you want more details, here's the link explaining her system... but you probably won't need it!

(She focuses on the Laundry habit during August... which is why it is marked that way....)

 

http://www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/august/

 

 

 

KEEP DOING YOUR DAILY ROUTINES!

 

 

MORNING ROUTINE:

 

Make Bed

Dress to shoes

Check your Control Journal

Go to Fly Lady group and read messages

Check your calendar

Check your control journal
Recognize negative voices and change them

Put out hot spot for 2 mins

5 minute Room rescue (any room). Set Timer & Go!

Wash ONE load of laundry

 

Spend 15 minutes Decluttering each day. You can't organize clutter.

and/or

Spend 15 minutes doing one of Kelly's Missions

Dry ONE load of laundry

 

EVENING ROUTINE:

 

Shine your sink before you go to bed

Check your calendar

Put out your hot spot

Fold and put away ONE load of laundry

Lay out clothes for tomorrow

Go to bed at your bedtime