Nonfiction Book Reviews

Before I left for work tonight, my husband says, “When you get back, we’ll need to work on straightening up the living room and dining room.  I’m going to vacuum and sweep while you’re gone.”  Umm…okay.  I didn’t see the reason why he felt the sudden need to clean the house, but hey, who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?  Clean away, babe, clean away.  And off I went to work.

When I got back home, I straightened some things, put my mountains of books on the bookshelves, etc, and figured, hey, good enough for tonight.  We can always finish tomorrow.  I went in to tell my husband that, and he says, “Well, I guess that gives us enough time.  My parents will arrive around 4:00.”  My jaw dropped to the floor.  “Your parents?!  Your parents are coming here, tomorrow?!  When were you planning on telling me this?!!!!”

“Oh well, uh…I thought you’d remember.”

Apparently, I was informed of this plan a while ago.  Hmmph.  I gave my husband the steely glare.  “You honestly thought I’d remember that.  Me, the wife with the attention span of a gnat, would remember something you told me weeks ago.”

“Well…ummm…”

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

You see, it wouldn’t be so bad, if my mother-in-law were a normal person.  By that, I mean tends towards piles, let’s things “get away” from her, doesn’t do all of the dishes every single day - you know, a normal person.  But no, bless my mother-in-law’s heart, she’s a clean fanatic.  Dust would not dare come into her house, for fear of instant annihilation.  You know how some people have a talent for sewing or playing the piano?  My MIL has got the cleaning talent.  Seriously.

So in honor of my MIL’s arrival tomorrow afternoon (bad Husband, bad!) I’m reviewing a favorite book of mine, Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley, otherwise known as The FlyLady.  This book lays out how to go from a super messy cluttered house to a sparkling clean house, in just baby steps every day.

Unfortunately for me, my love of this book doesn’t extend to actually following the principals and ideas laid out inside (that would require self-control and at least one less job) but the fact that I don’t actually do anything she tells me to in the book doesn’t stop me from enjoying it anyway.  And every time I read it, I do go on a clean spurt that lasts at least a week.  Maybe more if I’m really in an ambitious mood, (and have less than three jobs at the same time.  That’s always helpful.)

The thing I absolutely love about Sink Reflections is those baby steps.  In the first chapter, in nice bold letters, she states her mantra, “Your home did not get dirty in a day and it is not going to get clean overnight.”  I like a lady who thinks like that.  So many of the books on cleaning and organizing is just so overwhelming - you look at all of it, think “I have to do this all right now!” clean for five hours, collapse on the couch like someone who just ran a marathon, and don’t clean again for another three months.

Or maybe that’s just me.

The FlyLady just rocks though - she starts you off in small steps that you take over time, and as you do them consistently (my downfall!) your house gradually becomes a beautiful home.

Sink Reflections deserves 5 out of 5 stars, for sure.  If you’re not sure her personality and writing style fits you, or if you’re wanting to get started right away, be sure to check out her website, FlyLady.net.  There, you can sign up for daily email reminders, join the online forum with other FlyBabies, and read testimonials of others who have used the FlyLady system to finally regain control of their home.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a husband to kill and a living room to clean.  If I’m really talented, I might be able to multitask and get the two done at the same time. Wish me luck.

Hava

PS Are there any FlyBabies in our midst?  Do tell!  Leave a comment below.