Recently there has been a surge of new members in my closed group of Marilyn’s Way.  I am so happy that you are here!  The group has grown in the two years of it’s origin.  There are wonderful FLYsisters in this group and I am proud of each and everyone of you.  I know how hard it is to FLY on a daily and consistent basis.  It was so much that I had to challenge myself to Get Dressed To Shoes, Hair and Makeup just to see if it could really be done.  

March Habit Started With Daily Photos
Sure I wrote a little bit in the beginning.  There were so many hard days I can’t even count.  Still I had to see if this could be done.  It was only to be to 31 Days.

Next Came The Daily Photo “Mini Blogs”
I went beyond 31 Days.  Many liked what I had to say and were probably just as curious as to how long I would make it as I was.  I did this for 436 consecutive days and continue to do so. I just don’t post daily photo mini blogs anymore.  Instead I just write a blog.  One can’t talk the talk if one can’t walk the walk.

The Closed Group Was Started First And Under A Different Name
I originally started a closed group named “The Flylady Way.”  It was great!  Then it had grown to the point where some were getting confused if I was the actual Flylady.  I didn’t want to have to explain over and over that I was not.  I also did not want to infringe on any copywrites.  It was one of those things I had not thought all the way through.  I also started a blog under this name.  It now has the name Marilyn’s Way Too!  Again I didn’t want the confusion.  You can also go to this blog to find some of the first things I wrote about Flylady.

I Started FLYing In 2005
At that time I flied solo.  I didn’t know much about the internet and also was ashamed at how bad my house had gotten.  It was wall to wall clutter that had to have a new roof on in 2003 but not before the ceiling caved in and all of that blown insulation was flying everywhere.  So now I am dealing with the clutter, the blown insulation and probably asbestos.  Did I mention the mold? 

My Clutter Was Affecting My Health
I tried to get rid of things in 2003-2004 because I knew I was breathing in some bad stuff.  I also kept telling myself I just wanted to disappear.  I just about did too.  All the way down to 115 pounds on a 5’8″ body.  In 2005 when I found Flylady, that was the shape I was in.  I showed the picture to The Flylady when she visited me last week.

I flew solo as it seemed I usually did in life.  Before I got sick I was very outgoing and a successful outside sales person in the communications field.  Now I am really sick and became isolated with all my stuff.  At least I had that.  I didn’t really realize it was making me sick not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

No one ever stopped except my mom and a neighbor.  I was pretty pitiful.  No one knew how to talk to me for some reason or just avoided me if I did go out in public.  They didn’t know what to say.  And by all means I couldn’t invite them over to my place because of all the clutter.  I did have one brave cousin that would visit and I thank her for that.  She played a very important part in my life and I think I did for her as well.

Then Came Facebook
I was flying solo from 2005 – 2010.  I would get on the forums but didn’t quite understand how to use them.  I didn’t try very hard either because of my shame.

Now comes Facebook and I find Flylady on Facebook.  At the time Facebook had a Discussions Tab and that is where I began to communicate with you all.  I began to form friendships and there were others willing to talk on the discussions tab instead of the main Facebook Flylady Page as it was public.  So were the discussions but harder to find.

I was communicating with a handful of you all and I found that I was getting things done.  So a closed group was formed to keep the information away from friends, family and employers who wouldn’t understand.  I know when I was working I was highly organized at work.  Step into my house and one would wonder if it was the same person.

Is There A Moral To This Blog?
Yes!  You had the courage to find Flylady didn’t you?  I found many of you wanting to FLY in a closed group so I created one.  Since then I have started other closed groups.  They have always been on the basis for YOU to ASK TO JOIN because I wanted it to be YOUR choice.  The second answer is “Yes!” again!  You had the courage to “Ask To Join” and I added you.

There Will Always Be Different Levels Of FLYsisters!
There is no way around it.  So some of you that have just joined or have been a member so some time and don’t really comment or ask for help, Please Start Doing This!  If you really want to fly, you have to get involved.  This is part of FLYing also.  There are no wrong answers.  There will be times of burnout. Naturally, because what does keeping our homes clean and free of clutter all have in common?

• It is repetitious
• Never ending
• Extraordinarily low on “positive feedback”

That is where my closed group called “Marilyn’s Way To Organization For Home And Garden”, most of the time it is just called “Marilyn’s Way” comes into play.  You don’t have to fly solo anymore!  You have the website Flylady as a great resource to refer to and visit her Facebook page as well.  Many of my members do just that. Here in the closed group “Marilyn’s Way” is where you can get into the nuts and bolts of this thing called keeping our homes in order.  We all have to do it.  Most in your immediate circle will not appreciate it so stop going to an empty well!  Instead, get involved with us asking questions, trying different ways to fly and sharing with your fellow FLYsisters.  There is so much positive to come out of this well.  

I Am Re-Inviting All Of You New And Old To Get Involved With Your Group Again!  Help Each Other Out!  Nothing But Good Things Can Come Out Of This!  FLYing 4 FLYsisters Together!

Keep FLYing!
Marilyn