Wasn’t Sure This Meeting Was Going To Happen!
Marla thought they would be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Wednesday night.  It would be a late evening.  When one is on a trip so many things can happen along the way and I was aware of it.  I just wanted to be sure I would have my 2 hours of driving time calculated correctly for it to all work out.  

Wednesday morning I had a big breakfast eating the last of my eggs and made grits.  I wanted to make sure I had plenty of protein/carb combo that would give me energy all day.  I ate the whites and fed the yokes to the dogs.  

It was nerve racking waiting.  It is like waiting for Santa or the Easter Bunny to meet.  By 4pm and where they said they were, I knew the meeting wasn’t going to happen.  So what did I do to get my mind off of it?  It is no secret that I was disappointed and wondering if this was really going to take place.  So, I did what any good flybaby would do.  I did an Antiprocrastination Project putting a board on the back of my island.  First I had to measure and cut it.  I wrote a blog about it. Anti Procrastination Project Got Done Today .  

Marla said they would call when they got to their motel for the evening.  The call never came.  I was disappointed again but I know I have been in these situations myself just like I am right now trying to get this blog out to you as you anxiously await how the visit went.  We were texting and then talked Thursday morning. They were still at Mount Rushmore and that was 6 and a half hours away.  Marla felt bad that I had to sit and wait all day Wednesday so she said, “We don’t want you to have to drive anywhere to meet us.  We are coming to you!”  Instantly in my head I thought, “No, that can’t be. I don’t think I heard that right.”  I told Marla I was out in the country and out of the way to Rochester, Minnesota and I could save them some time by driving to them.  Marla said she didn’t mind.  They were having great fun on their trip.  I told her to be sure to stop at Wall Drug and they did and loved it.  I told her I was just going to do Errand Day.  She said, “Go ahead and do that and we will see you tonight.”  I said, “Okay.”  

Then I got off the phone and thought about it.  I can’t do that and get my house spiffed up.  I thought about going to another town near by.  Then I had to calm myself down and think.  I must have a few things around here I could make.  I didn’t even know if I should or not.  This was so up in the air.  In the end I told myself it was better to just stay put and find something and just make it work.  I am a SHE and I was afraid if I got into my blazer I would get sidetracked and not have enough time to make the stuff, get myself ready, and do some detailed cleaning.  That you see is something I had not kept up with because of my gardening.  I was doing my basics and had made a decision I would do it that way because there will be plenty of time to Detail Clean in the winter.  I just wanted to be outside.

Have You Ever Had A Deja Vu Before?
Well, that was exactly what I was having before the visit waiting for her to arrive, wondering what I was going to serve because I needed a grocery trip but knew it wasn’t possible to get to town and back and do what I needed to do.  Then came the “What if’s” decided to take over and finally I just had to say to myself “STOP!”  I have gotten to know myself well enough that if I was to continue at this rate disaster would decide to crash the party.  You see the last time I put on a get together party of special occasion was 25 years ago!!  I was living in Dallas, Texas and had just moved into my new apartment and decided to throw a party.

Finally Got The Call I Was Waiting For
“Hi! It’s Marla and we will be at your place at 10:15pm!  I said, “Okay!  I put The Flylady Magnet on my blazer so you can find me!” She said. “Sounds great” and we hung up.  I think I received the call about 9pm.  

Time To Get Focused!
I had decided what I was going to serve.  I actually had a relish tray that my brother had given me 25+ years ago.  I was going to be able to use it for the second time in its life.  I also put some skinless chicken breasts in the oven and thought I would put on skewers.  They arrived before I could do it.  Marla hadn’t been feeling well.  She got the crud before they left on their journey.  I understand when one doesn’t feel good.  The lemonade was a success.  By the time we had our visit and they left, the chicken breasts were pretty dried up. It was good enough for me and Lily and Frederick to eat. To tell you the truth, I really didn’t know what to expect.  I figured I had better have snacks ready as a gesture.

I Believe I Am Still In Awe By It All  
I answered the door and here was Marla “The Flylady” and Michele Marla’s assistant.  I had to make sure Lily wouldn’t get out the door and was trying to push them back into the kitchen so I could close the inside Porch door before I could open the outside door.

The Natural Thing Happened Next
Pets and kids are the same in my book when it comes to this situation.  You see my dogs knew something was going on during the day because I was focused on myself and the things I wanted to do before company.  They weren’t getting there usual attention from me.  So what do they do but get into a snarl as I shut the inside door and open the outside one to let my guests in.  I would say I was a bit embarassed.  It was just a quick snarl between the two lasting maybe 5 seconds but they were very long 5 seconds.

Here is Marla and Michele standing in my porch and I gave them each a hug and then we just all looked at each other and I said, “This is surreal!”  They agreed.  I think it was Michele wondering if the dogs were alright and I told her they were regardless.  Then I explained how Lily likes to slip out the door if one isn’t watching carefully.  I wasn’t about to let her get out and ruin my visit chasing after her!

The dogs finally settled down and then I think the three of us just looked at each other in awe again.  I showed them my picture of the hoosier tire and Michele’s son had been following Jordan’s racing so that was neat.

We Never Really Talked Much Flylady Stuff
We went into the living room and I offered Marla my chair.  Michele sat on the couch and myself in another chair and just visited about their trip of seeing Mount Rushmore and stopping at the famous Wall Drug.  Then they were humored by the white praire dogs and showed me a video.  We talked the difference in weather.  I am sure sometimes she just wants a break from talking about Flylady all the time.  The thing was, we really didn’t need to talk about it.  My home said it all.  During the time before they arrived I just got out the timer and did the old left to right, top to bottom and went through my home in a clockwise fashion.  I had been keeping up my basics all summer long and practiced each monthly habit so when the time came and she said they were on their way to MY HOUSE I freaked a bit and then told myself, “I got this.  I have consistently been flying for almost 2 years now and the word consistent is key to this all.  Today, my day never really got started until 4pm as I was exhausted from staying up until 7am trying to figure out the video and also had groceries to put away.  The important thing is that I started my day and am dressed to shoes, hair and light makeup today.

They Both Used The Bathroom
Once again, I didn’t really have to worry about that.  I just touched it up as I have been Swishing and Swiping for almost 2 years now.  I just put out fresh towels.  My cabinets were free of clutter.  I didn’t have to worry about them looking in my cabinets because we all know we do this.  They always show it in movies.

I Surprised Marla!
When they were getting ready to leave I surprised here.  Remember how I said I was going to take you with me for support and carry you all in my back pocket?  Well two days earlier, I printed out the list of all of Marilyn’s Way Group Members, taped them together and made a scroll.  I said, “Marla I want to show you something before you leave.  I pulled out the scroll and unrolled it.  I said, “These are all my members in Marilyn’s Way and they each say hi to you.  She was amazed at how long it was!  She said, “Wait till you have a million.”  I said, “I didn’t think it would go this far.”  She said, “Neither did I!”  We both smiled.  She said, “Marilyn, you have a lovely home and it was fun to visit!”  I said, “I sure enjoyed your visit.  It was really nice.”

It Was Hard To Say Goodbye
I wanted to make sure Lily wouldn’t slip out the door so I picked her up.  Then Frederick wanted to be picked up as well, so I somehow managed to get him picked up too.  Carrying my two dogs I walked outside to give them a nice send off.  They got in their vehicle, waved, smiled, and drove off and on to their next adventure.  We came back in the house and I was still in awe by it all.  I think this is going to take me at least a week to sink in because I am not sure it has yet.

I Did Some Reflecting
I reflected back on when I found Flylady in 2005 and I showed her a picture of me all of only 115 pounds.  I was a skeleton being sucked up by my clutter and I just wanted to disappear.  It was a very stressful time in my life.  So many stressful events had happened to me and I wondered if they would ever stop.  I was always busy trying to get rid of the clutter like my cousin Anna said as she would visit me back then but she never saw it get any better.  It wasn’t for a lack of not trying.  It was that I let perfectionism stand in my way and no support as I had moved away from my friends in Dallas, Texas and most of my friends from high school had families and were beginning to become grandparents.  There just wasn’t a fit for me anywhere. But then, I found Flylady and she told me that I was never behind.  She didn’t want me to catch up like so many other decluttering programs want you to do.  She said, “Just Jump In Where You Are!”  That my flysisters is exactly what I have been doing.  I jump in every day and do the best I can.  I finally understood the meaning of habits and routines.  I challenged myself to get Dressed To Shoes Hair and Makeup.  I had to see for myself if it could be done.  Most know where it went from there to posting daily photo mini blogs consistently for 436 days.  There were high days, low days and everything in between.  You see, I was beginning to live my life the way it was meant to be.  Each year I got better at it.

Then Came October’s Monthly Habit Paper Clutter
I am so thankful that I created a game to play for me and others who wanted to particpate in it.  I am also thankful I continued the venture at the pace I did.  There were lots of emotion attached to it that I believe I needed to release before I could meet Flylady in person.  Not only did I get rid of 13 big black bags of paper clutter, I got rid of the equal amount of emotional clutter that was time to be released so that I could have an enjoyable visit with Marla “The Flylady.”  And I can truthfully say I did enjoy her company and hope it was reciprocated back to her.  

Yes, Thursday, November 8th, 2012 is a day I will never forget.  Thank you Flylady for all that you do.  I also want to thank all of the group members of Marilyn’s Way who continue to practice Flylady lessons and are using them to find their own way to FLY so that they can make it a lifestyle like I have.
Keep FLYing!
Marilyn

This is the list of all 400+ members of Marilyn’s Way

A Closer View

Frederick and Lily are guarding the list.

And you all got to say “Hi!” to The Flylady on the visit.  I wasn’t going to leave all you great flysisters out of this experience! Love You All! ~Marilyn~