Day Five - check

I've noticed that my ANTs are thoughts like
I've got to take care of ____________ now so it'll get done.
Or
If I start the washing machine right now, I can work on _________ while it's washing.
It's like multi-tasking with machines.

And what ends up happening with me is I get overwhelmed with all the stuff that needs to get done and do hardly anything instead.

So today, when I really wanted to start my day before I took my shower and got dressed I told myself,
"Self, (not really but I like saying that) do it in the correct order!"

And ya know what...stuff got done today! So YIPPEE!

OK, let's prep for day 6:


I already know where my hot spots are:
a. the tiny corner of my kitchen table - I'm surprised by how much stuff is there.
b. my dining room table - we don't use it so it collects stuff; my stuff and Jeremiah's toys
c. computer desk
d. any surface in my den

Don't worry. I'm not going to over do it tomorrow. I'll set my timer for 2 minutes and work on that tiny corner until I hear the "ding". Then I'll be done for the day. I'm so excited!!!

Day Four - check

Ok, back to work...for the hubby and me!

I had to miss MOPS today because of my child's runny nose and cough...little stinker! I've gotta remind myself that she's not having cold-symptoms on purpose. :)

So day four was to put sticky notes around, writing what I do so far (which isn't much):
1. Get dressed for the day - as in be ready to leave the house.
2. Shine my sink - for me that's just cleaning up breakfast dishes and any dishes that didn't make it into the dishwasher (because it was full already) last night. And clean any green bags that I've let accumulate on my counter.
3. Check the reminder emails (love this one!).

So 3 sticky notes are attached to my bathroom mirror. I'll add 3 more, saying the same things, to my kitchen in just a moment.
That'll do.

Ok, so let's prep for day 5:

"Are you hearing any of those nagging negative voices popping into your head? I want you to take a piece of paper and write down what you hear then I want you to turn those ugly words around and say something nice to yourself to negate the ugly words that they said." (note: quote taken from here)
Ok, I'll just be honest. My first reaction to day 5's advice is, "Oh puhleeze!"
But upon further thought, I'm reminded that I've done this before...from my weight watcher meetings. Yep, those negative thoughts are called 'ANTs' - automatic negative thoughts and they must be sprayed!

So I'll just write down any negative thoughts, whether it comes from cleaning or eating or the fat on my body. It is a good idea...even if it sounds like hokey.

A break from the fly lady's routine...it's cake time!!!

Is it me or when it's the hubby's days off, it's the wife's days off too? Who wants to clean house when it's just going to get messy with fun life. Fooey on that. So, sorry fly lady, but I've been taking a break to kick it for a couple of days. But don't you worry, I'm coming back! I'll resume with day 4...or whatever day I'm on.

I went to our MOPS spring social silent auction and won a $100 certificate to a new cake place in town. They are so new that they actually don't have a store front yet; they're working out of their kitchen. We thought it'd be a good idea to get Jeremiah a cool looking pirate themed cake for his birthday this year. Today was our sampling appointment. And they were so smart about it: they baked up the 9 different cake flavors we chose, then in separate dishes had different flavored fillings and different flavored icings.

Oh mercy, were most of those samples delish! Some I didn't care for: the brownie and anything with the chocolate filling. But then again, I'm not a big chocolate fan. Freakish- I know.

But my favorites were: lemon cake with lemon filling (reminded me of a lemon merangue pie...oh lordy) and vanilla frosting, cherry chip cake with cherry filling and almond frosting (that cherry/almond combo was fantastic!!!), pineapple coconut cake with pineapple filling and vanilla frosting (I think it was vanilla anyways..can't remember we tried so many), and finally pineapple coconut cake with bavarian cream filling and vanilla frosting (gosh, was it vanilla?). The pineapple coconut cake was so moist and the pineapple filling had such texture (the cake did too!). Oh man, T-A-S-T-Y!!!

When we left we were sooo full.

On our way home we discussed how hospitable they were and how we feel like they went out of their way for a couple who really isn't bringing them much money since they donated the gift certificate to MOPS.

So I think we're going to break the family tradition of using only using Rosie's for family get togethers and we're going to use Keep Sake Kakes for both of our kids' birthday cakes...yep, it was that good. Plus they can make a cake in the shape of a pirate treasure chest for Jeremiah


and a piñata for Beka. How cute will these be!!!

Day Three - check

Did what I was doing.

Prep for day 4:


I'm a master list maker. I've got this one in the bag!!!

Day Two - check

This morning I got "dressed". Well I'm calling it dressed. I basically put a bra on and kept the closed on that I slept in. I did some dishes and re-shined my sink. I also had Jeremiah help me clean up the toy room - uh the living room.

Beka took an early nap since she was up so early; which worked out great for me...I got to go to zumba class at the gym at 9:30.

After lunch, Beka took her 2nd nap, Jeremiah watched a video and I took my shower for the day and got re-dressed.

You think I get bonus points for getting dressed twice in one day?

Prep for day 3:


I really want to jump ahead and do the next 3 or 4 days but I shall refrain. Babysteps, Dani...babysteps!

Day One...check

I shined my sink.

I didn't do it until 2pm but I did it none the less.

Prep for day 2:


Ugh. I really don't like this one. Seriously, I can and know that I will get my household going without shoes on. But I know for me, I cannot get my day going without a bra on. You think the fly lady would mind if I substituted "bra" for "shoes"?

Hey, I'm making it work for me.

If I burn out again and restart the fly lady's routine I promise I'll change my ways and lace up my shoes next time. But this time, I'm just going to make sure I get dressed up to my shoes.

And as far as hair and make-up...you really think I have to do it when I don't do every day anyways. Heck, today I went to Target after the gym with my hair in disarray, no make-up and a t-shirt that had so much visible sweat in it I'm pretty sure I could've wrung it out and made the ground wet. Kinda gross but I had a great workout!!!

Well, were calling day 2, "Dani's modified day 2".

Day One-eve

Tomorrow is Monday - a great day to start with the fly lady's routine.

I'm a pretty organized person but I just hate to clean - and I really need to. I've got clutter in places that take my peace away. And trust me when I say, if mama ain't got peace, ain't nobody got peace.

Ok, tomorrow it is. And this time, I'm going to start the fly lady with utterly ridiculously small baby steps. Maybe I'll stick with it and not burn out this time.

Thanks for the inspiration, Tara! You're a terrific friend!!!

Stay tuned for a recap of each day of the routine.

Let's see, tomorrow's goal according to the fly lady is:


I know I can manage that. That's the problem with me. I'll want to do days 2, 3, and 4 tomorrow too. But I shall resist the urge! One day at a time! That's a promise.