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Musings of the Misguided

Thursday, 31 May 2012

FLYing


This week I was told about FLYlady and her shining sink philosophy.  I have to admit I was sceptical at first.  How can having a shiny sink help anything or anyone.  I have been surprised.  Pleasantly.

So what exactly is the point of this you ask? The website states

Are YOU living in CHAOS (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) like Franny in the pink sweats? Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn? Hopeless and you don’t know where to start? Don’t worry friend, we’ve been there, too.

Step through the door and follow FlyLady as she weaves her way through housecleaning and organizing tips with homespun humor, daily musings about life and love, the Sidetracked Home Executives (SHE) system, and anything else that is on her mind.

I'm on Day 3 and I have to say I am feeling much more positive about the space I am in.  I am feeling motivated and am actually getting things done.  My house still looks like a bomb site mostly BUT it's getting cleaned properly bit by bit along with general upkeep.  

Another question. What exactly does having a shiny sink have to do with all of this.  It's simple.


This is your first household chore. Many of you can’t understand why I want you to empty your sink of your dirty dishes and clean and shine it when there is so much more to do. It is so simple; I want you to have a sense of accomplishment! You have struggled for years with a cluttered home and you are so beaten down. I just want to put a smile on your face. When you get up the next morning, your sink will greet you, and a smile will come across your lovely face. I can’t be there to give you a big hug, but I know how good it feels to see yourself in your kitchen sink. So each morning, this is my gift to you. Even though I can’t be there to pat you on the back, I want you to know that I am very proud of you.
Go shine your sink!
- FlyLady
(Taken from FLYlady)

Coming out the last few mornings to a beautiful clean kitchen has been great. It's put a surprising spring in my step.  

My next stop? Decluttering.

This is one of my worst 'hot spots'. It's time to change that.  Dyllan and I rarely eat dinner at the table.  Something that also needs to change.  I think that because I haven't 'needed' to keep this space clear then it's been able to build up to this level.  

I just have no idea where to put all the shit.....

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Tuesday, 29 May 2012

It's Party Time.

It's Dyllan's 3rd birthday on the 19th of July and this year I have decided to throw him a party this year.  I am going with a 'Construction' theme and have been scouring Ebay looking for fun stuff to decorate my house with.  My Aunty said that I am going to too much trouble for his birthday and it got me thinking about the trouble that people really do go to, to celebrate their kids birthdays.

This woman in the UK spent a staggering $32,000 on her daughter's sixth birthday party.  $32,000! I think that is 'out there' for a wedding so I was gobsmacked to find a mother had spent it on ONE birthday party.

The Birthday Girl's Nine Tier Cake that set the parents back $2,100

This is such a common practice that there has been a show created that showcases some of the most extravagant kids birthday parties.  

This article makes me a little sad.  Is our generation so stupid that people are making great profit from showing people how to have a tradition birthday party.  People have forgotten how to play party games? I think we have just gotten so caught up on 'Keeping up with the Jonses' that we have forgotten how to just relax and have fun.  I've told Dyllan that he is having a 'truck' party and he is over the moon.  I think we forget that it's the simple things that make the kids happy.

Dyllan's 1st Birthday Party.  Cost me all of about $100 and everyone had a ball!


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Thursday, 17 May 2012

Expert Schmexpert

From the moment you find out you are with child….every man, woman and child has an opinion on what you should and how you should do it.  Some suggestions just insult a person’s common sense and others are little gems of knowledge.

Quite possibly the best piece of advice I received while pregnant was: 
‘Everyone is going to want to put their two cents in. Everyone is going to believe they are right.  Just smile, nod your head and say thank you.  Take what you want and discard the rest’

Take a look on any mummy advice site and you will find a range of different opinions on how things should be done.  Some will work for your child some will not.  Also keep in mind that just because the miracle cure worked yesterday…doesn’t mean you won’t be back to square one again tomorrow.  Roll with the punches.

Some articles though are just down right stupid and insult any normal person’s intelligence.  Did you know they have done a study to discover that play is important to a child’s development.  Yep that’s right, someone paid ‘experts’ to discover something that mums and dads all over the world know already.  Those experts must have been laughing all the way to the bank.

I am definitely not by any stretch of the imagination a mother who follows the rules of the book.  In fact I think the rule book is around here somewhere holding up a table leg.  You know what though…Dyllan has turned out fine so far.  He’s loving, he learns new words every day and most of the time he isn’t the spawn of the devil.

See not strange at all ;)

What's the strangest, best. stupidest advice you have received as a parent?

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