It hardly seems like it's been 10 months. Coming home from dinner tonight, my husband and I agreed that it couldn't possibly be Christmas again. It's the day after Thanksgiving and some houses are already decorated with the traditional lights and outdoor decorations. Can it be? This year has come and gone in an unprecedented speed of "life"! This is what led me here to see just how long ago it was that I last made an entry.

Yikes!

Well, I will not berate myself nor feel guilty. What good will that do...and, judging from the profile hits and lack of comments....the only one who has really missed on my ramblings is really just me.

One good thing is that of all my diary and journal attempts in my life, this one has been the most consistent. So, rather than delete this one and start over, I will pick up where I left off. I want to add a section where I can post some of my reflections on teaching students with learning disabilities and one for being in school (this time grad school!) and how challenging it can be when working full time and trying to have a life. I am also a first time grandmother! Thank God for Facebook and Skype...My son and his family are still in Japan and will be visiting over the Christmas break! (27 days and counting)

This is it for now. I wonder if anyone will even read this!

Learning to FLY...

I know that you are wondering why on earth I selected the post title that I did. Am I going to learn how to really fly a plane??

Far from it. This is a term that is all too familiar for a program that I am pursuing in order to maintain some sort of order in my busy life. By definition, I am merely a flybaby taking baby steps. Ok....what is this program? It's the Fly Lady program!

What is it?

"FLYLady is a personal coach for housewives. She helps even the most desperate women get their homes and lives together. Marla Cilley is the FLYLady. Thousands of women follow FLYLady's advice. FLYBabies are SHE's (sidetracked home executives).

Marla Cilley (aka FLYLady) keeps her FLYBabies informed through email. The email consists of daily reminders, thoughts from Marla (God Breezes) and also testimonials from FLYBabies around the world..."

To see what this is all about, check out: www.flylady.net

If you choose to sign up, it's totally FREE! If you sign up for the daily email reminders of what Zone you are in and all sorts of encouragement and advice, be sure to select ONE email per day! I get an email every day telling me what "to-do" for that day and what room(s) to focus in for that week. I use a 15 minute timer quite diligently and am amazed at how much I can really get done in 15 minutes. I am not perfect and have a long ways to go but that's ok.

The Fly Lady (Marla) doesn't want us to beat ourselves up (perfectionism) nor does she put up with our whining about what we can't do....instead, she encourages us to pick ourselves up and start over and do it all in baby steps.

I decided that this is the year that I want to become better at managing the way I care for my home and family. I know it won't happen overnight and that it will take a lot of patience on my part.

It all started with a book I bought by Marla years ago called
"Sink Reflections". I started just with cleaning my kitchen sink every night. This alone changed my outlook on housework!

If you are like me, I encourage you to check out her website. I work full time and am also going to school so time is very limited. Even though I no longer have little ones at home, I feel like my time is spread thin amongst other activities and responsibilities...

If you are already "FLYing" then I would love to hear from you too!

I have found Marla and FlyLady on Facebook as well.

I look forward to hearing from you....

Is it almost December?

Where has the year gone?

I am still here but been on Facebook mostly. I don't kow who all reads this blog...for sure no one in my family :( otherwise I'd know.

It's Sunday evening and I am where I always seem to be at this timeof day and week....wishing I had a few more days, hours to add to my long to do lists...

School is almost over--semester is done on 12/14! Then, I get a wonderful break until 1/23...I will have my first 12 units of my grad classes done. Yes, I am in grad school now. I never thought I'd say this. It's the only way to get that much awaited Spec. Ed. credential!

Let's see if I can recap some major life events:

My son got married last December in Japan and he and his wife are expecting their first baby--my first grandbaby-- in March! I am flying out to meet this little one over my Easter break which is the week of April 1. I can't wait!

I started running again in August and am back with the LA Roadrunners. We are well into our training. Next Saturday we have a 14 mile run.

Work is going well at the middle school. I am learning something every day. My students never cease to amaze me and I feel blessed to be there. I am finally feeling like part of the team there...I love it.

This is it for now...