101 Things #89 - Flylady, Day 5

Last night I didn't get home from class until almost 9, and since I'd been up for 18 hours at that point (after having only gotten 4 hours of sleep the night before) I was beat. And there were still the *gasp* dinner dishes in the sink. My husband came gallantly to my rescue, promising to fearlessly throw himself in front of the sink to protect it from the evil of dirty dishes. Yes, he bravely picked the dishes up out of the sink and set them heroically on the counter. This is only slightly tongue-in-cheek, as I did bring home a new mini Tree of Death and it is sitting on the edge of the sink. But he did promise to do them before he went to bed, so I readied myself for bed (which consisted with lining myself up so when I fell over I hit the bed) and was out pretty quickly.

Today is a new day! Today is a day I don't have to be at work! Today is a day I'm sitting in front of my computer, wasting time, with bare feet (which I am actually going to change, they're a little chilly, yay fall! But with slippers, not shoes).

Today my new task, on top of shiny sink (eh, it's empty), getting dressed to lace-up shoes (I'm sort of dressed), going to the web and reading the messages (I did look at my junk e-mail account, and I'm not getting the task reminders, but I did get 5 messages today, 3 of which were 'testimonials' about how great FlyLady products are and a link to buy them), and looking at my reminder post-its (no), is to 'write down the nagging negative voices in my head and turn them into something positive!'.

I... don't know if she thinks it's normal to hear voices in your head, but... okay. The problem is, I've got nothin'. I mean, really, I do think I'm good enough and I don't believe that, with enough effort, there's anything I can't do. The problem isn't a negative attitude, it's laziness. I don't want to clean, plain and simple. That's all there is too it. There are too many other things I'd rather do!

Vacuum the living room, or watch more NCIS with the yummy Gibbs... uh, TV, please!
Do laundry or work on my belly dance costume... make it sew!
Clean the kitchen or play with the dog... fetch!
File or surf the internet aimlessly... *jumps a shark*

There is no negative 'voice' in my head. The 'voice' in my head is overwhelmingly positive and urges me to have fun. To do what I want to do.

And you know what? Most of the time, honestly, I'm okay with living in a messy house. There are a few areas - mostly organization - where I would like to improve, which would make my life easier. I know how to do that, though. Get off my lazy butt and just do it.

...I think, instead of dealing with 'nagging voices' in my head, I just need a swift kick in the ass.

Cleaning Book Review #1: Sidetracked Home Executives

"No self-respecting businesswoman would go to her office devoid of make-up"

If that line makes your blood boil as much as it made mine, I would suggest staying far, far, far away from this book. I picked it up because I heard it was the jumping-off point FlyLady used for her system, and I am doing some research/blogging about cleaning/organizational systems. What I found here was a book written in the late 70s that's so sexist it feels like it was written in the 50s.

The basis of the system - a home 'tickler file' for chores - is sound enough and is what many executives use in their offices. The problem is that they spend very few pages even talking about the system, and give very little guidance on setting it up. Frankly, a tweet that said 'set up a tickler file for your chores' would have been just as helpful. And a lot less aggravating to read.

And, yes, obviously the book is written for housewives, and not so much for people working outside the home, though the tickler file system can work for anyone - you just set up your times different. For instance, their rule "Never leave the house before you've done all of the duties in the everyday card file" is a bit unrealistic for someone who has to be at work at 7 am (or earlier!). Unless you enjoy getting up at 3 in the morning, in which case... okay. Otherwise, modifications are certainly in order.

Ah, but they don't seem too keen on you making any tweaks to their system, as they say "It is important you make up the cards exactly like the examples we have for you." Why? Why shouldn't I make them the way it makes sense for me? Is the entire system going to collapse if I like to write the time I estimate it'll take me in the upper *left* corner of the card under the frequency? Really? Of maybe I want to put the description on the *back* of the card so I have more room? Is this going to render the whole thing moot?

I would not read this book to really get organizational tips. I also wouldn't read this book if you're the type who doesn't like the 1950s housewife schtick and might be offended that someone would expect you to get yourself up before your family, make yourself *all puuuuurdy* for the day, and them putter about with your feather duster being the 'perfect wife'.

( That's my Amazon review, if you want to read a more detailed review (and I understand if you'd rather poke yourself in the eye with a sharp stick than read more of this tripe) click here )