FlyLady testimonial

I recently sent the following letter to FlyLady, the woman who started the internet group that has helped me get organized.

Dear FlyLady--
I'm finally writing my testimonial after thinking about it awhile. I joined a little more than a year ago after a friend mentioned you. Before I met my husband my house was never really spotless, but I could get it cleaned up when I needed to. I grew up moving around a lot, so I never collected a lot of clutter--I knew I'd have to carry those boxes of junk from place to place! When I met and married my husband (within seven weeks!) everything changed. He's a collector of books, records, videos, comics, newspapers, etc. and hates to throw away anything. My little house filled up to the brim with boxes and piles of books and papers and the accompanying dust bunnies. We added two dogs to the mix, multiplying the hair of my two cats! Then we had a baby! Our little house was filled with stuff and dirt and baby accessories. We had to carve a path through the house to get anywhere.

My daughter has some developmental disabilities- she has difficulty with eating, sleeping, motor skills, and she is severely autistic. This made our lives even more filled with chaos and CHAOS! At one point I realized that I am the Mommy, and I should start acting like one. This meant taking responsibility and providing a safe and orderly home for my curious little monkey.
When I joined, I had a feeling of panic about my house--how this wasn't how I had wanted to live and that things would never get any better. Your words of reassurance that it's okay not to be perfect, to take babysteps, and that blessings done imperfectly still are blessings really helped me get started. I couldn't do much of the regular routine stuff for a long time. I struggled with doing the dishes and shining the sink, and still do, but less time passes between washings now. I spent the first several months just slowly decluttering. I began to realize that my husband wasn't the only one contributing to the clutter! I've given countless bags of MY stuff to the local charities. I feel like everything I give away or throw away is weight lifted from my heart.

A few months ago, I realized that it was time to take the next step and actually start doing the weekly home blessings. I've been amazed at the difference. Every week it seems like less work! The dust isn't hard to clean up if it's only been there for a week!

My bathroom was a wreck--the wall behind the tub faucets was rotting away and moldy. Last summer I had the tile taken off, the wall fixed, and the tile replaced. It looked beautiful! I wanted it to stay that way, so after every shower I dry it with a towel, and I haven't had to clean it since! One of my daughter's therapists asked me how I keep my tiles so clean! I was stunned--someone asked ME how I keep something clean??? This was a new experience.

I felt so much more comfortable about my house that I invited my inlaws here for Thanksgiving. I planned and cleaned and prepared my new dining room (which had recently been a storage area/porch/breezeway) with curtains I ACTUALLY MADE, without panic! My guests raved about the pretty room and the delicious food.

I had resisted your insistence on wearing a good pair of tie-up shoes, but finally decided to try it. I found a pair of great shoes that are so comfy they feel like socks! Now when I wear other shoes I can't stand the discomfort! I have also been glad they are on when I need to step outside or go down into my still dirty basement. The other day your shoe rule was proven to be right. When I was dusting a picture on the wall, it came off of its poorly installed hook, and smashed to the floor, breaking the glass right at my feet. If I had been barefoot, I would likely have been hurt pretty badly. As it was, I was able to quickly clear up the mess before anyone else got injured! Thanks for insisting on the shoes!!!

My DD is now almost 3, and we have accepted her diagnosis and are living with more peace in terms of dealing with daily care issues, though we have the obligatory emergencies that all parents deal with. I feel as if you've taught me so much about being a grown up (at the age of 35!) and loving myself and my family by getting out of the dirty rut.

Oh--I almost forgot! My husband has even started doing some of his own decluttering! It really is better to live by example than to complain and nag.

I'm sorry this is so long-winded, but I had so many purple puddles to share! Thank you FlyLady!!!!
Finally Fluttering In Indy