Believe it or not, I did finish the 31 Baby Steps. I just never got around to posting the new and improved pictures.

Since then I also rearranged some furniture, giving me a bigger workspace in my "office" and a bigger dresser in my bedroom.

Unfortunately in the last month I started classes again, work picked up and I came down with bronchitis leaving me with little time or energy at home.

I have piles of laundry over flowing in multiple areas of the house. My floors are filthy and I have dishes in the sink again.

I'm pretty sad about this turn of events. But I'm hoping that now that I am well I can get back to it. I leave for vacation in 3 weeks, my goal is to leave a nice clean house so that I can come home to a nice clean house.

Really? Day 30 already? In three years this is the first time I have made it through the babysteps. Maybe I didn't do it perfectly, there are still thins I need to work on, but I've done it.

Day 30 is Check next month's calendar

This is a step for the end of the month. But I am glad I am thinking about it now. Because in September my work schedule will be looser. I'm going to a conference right after labor day, a vet appointment for the cats, two weddings and a visit from out of town friends. The summer is definitely winding down with a lot of activities and there is more coming up in the fall - a lot more.

I use Google Calendar. I can access it on the computer via email, and it is on my android phone as well. I have that one set to Agenda view so it shows me what I have scheduled for the day which is really nice. Then, I'm just two taps away from looking at the month view. I can also color code my different "calendars." My work schedule is one color, errands like the vet is another, as are social engagement, and school/lesson schedules. It's nice to quickly see what's going on and where I have time blocked or free.

Enjoy a weekly pamper session

This is a step that I will need to pay attention too. I don't know how often I tell myself that I need to give myself a weekly face mask, manicure, pedicure etc. But I don't. I find time some point right before a special event or something and I'm usually rushed so it ends up being kind of "slap dash."

I did take a bath the other day though. My legs were in bad shape - I don't think I had shaved in weeks - and with the BF coming home from a business trip, it was time to take care of them. I did scrub the tub first, but everything else was already clean and clear - so I put out some candles and had a nice luxurious soak with lots of bubbles and book.





At this point in the babysteps (I can't believe I'm almost done!) I know that I need a weekly plan so I am going to have to add this to it (when I finally make one).

Eat good food, drink your water, get plenty of rest.

The food and water part is easy. I have been eating healthy whole foods for quite awhile now. That is not to say that I don't like treats. I love treats. I just try to find the healthiest options for those treats. Dark chocolate, candies with out HFCS, chips or snacks that are made from real ingredients that I can pronounce and aren't a mile long - that kind of thing.




I take a glass bottle with me to work everyday that I know I have to drink and fill up twice to get all my water for the day. It works great and it's totally green.

The get plenty of rest is a struggle for me. I still have not been able to stick to an 11pm bedtime. But I am getting closer. It's a work in progress.

Today, I managed to get my 15 of zone work done. I have added it to my control journal in my after work routine. It's Master bedroom this week. I am doing both my mother's bedroom and my own - even though she is gone, it needs a dusting and general upkeep. Mine now that it's decluttered is a sinch to clean. I was able to do both in 15 minutes. I even dusted the venetian blinds! Go me :)

What's for dinner?

I admit to having a real problem with this one. I always have breakfast and lunches made ahead of time so that I don't have to think too much in the morning. I just heat up breakfast and make coffee, and grab a lunch out of the freezer (usually soup or chili, sometimes pasta - depends on what I made over the weekend).

But dinner? That is always a last minute effort. I used to be great about having frozen veggies and veggie burgers on hand to make quick meals. But I recently gave up processed foods (most things that come in a box or a bag). I still go for the frozen veggies because they are convenient.

Meal planning is not something I've never done. I hear about it everywhere. But I just can't seem to make a decision ahead of time about what I'm going to eat for dinner. The few times I do plan ahead and buy ingredients it's days, sometimes a week, before I get around to making that dish.

Needless to say... this is a babystep I will be working on for awhile.

Day 25 - learn how the routines developed. This is the Fly Lady's own testimonial of how she got her house in order. The gist is that she did one new thing or worked on one goal per month. It also shows how the little things can really snow ball until you have routines on auto pilot and a clean house. It also puts across her message, that it doesn't need to be done overnight, small steps, and small changes will get us there. Not only will it get us there, but it will make a lasting change that a whirlwind afternoon of deep cleaning probably will not accomplish.

Once again my routines didn't go so well this morning or last night. I walked in the door after work and running errands to my boyfriend calling and wanting to take advantage of the nice weather to do something outside. I did what I could of my afternoon routine and then headed out the door. I realized that because I had not taken a list with me afterwork I hadn't done all of my errands and I will need to make a special trip today (the cats are low on litter and it won't last another day).

This morning I took too long in getting ready and didn't have enough time to finish my regular routine. I realize that if I want to keep up my routines, I need to make some hard choices about when my BF and I get together at his place and/or wake up ealier. I think having him stay over more often is definitely on the list (don't tell my mom!).

Swish and Swipe was today's Baby Step. Basically in your routine you swish out the toilet bowl with a brush and wipe down the counters with a rag. In theory I like this step, but I don't know that the toilets will get done every day. For starters there is only one toilet brush for three bathrooms in the house. That and I HATE to clean toilets. It's easy with a brush and all but I'd rather scrub a bathtub, or windows or anything else. So, I will definitely do the swipe part, but the swish is going to be a weekly job where I will swish all the toilets in succession and be done with it.