Commence phase one....

     Here we go. I'm lacing up my running shoes (well figuratively anyway, still can't bend over yet). Today's goal is 2,000 steps. The trick is to achieve optimal balance: do enough to get stronger but not so much that I have to take a three day break. Normal will return one day, or I'll find a new normal; in any event, I'll get this figured out. I'm starting again with the Fly Lady. I can't tell you how helpful her website has been in the past and it is especially helpful now when I can't tackle the whole bear at once. She divides the house into zones and only takes on one zone each week. First you start by spending 15 minutes each day just throwing out the trash and decluttering the place. Then, you can jump in on the daily missions and spend 15 minutes doing whatever has been assigned for that day (today, my mission is to scrub the stove top and soak the knobs). 
     She sets some excellent ground rules too like not taking out more than you can put back in 15 minutes. By doing just 15 minutes a day in a different zone every week, you start to see progress all over the house AND form good habits. Shiny sink is my favorite. We got behind on this one due to all that has happened, but we're starting again. Empty and shine the kitchen sink, and every night before you go to bed, make sure that the sink is empty and shiny so that when you get up in the morning, no matter what the day throws at you, a lovely shiny sink is there to greet you.
     Fly Lady gives me monthly habits, daily missions, and lots of positive encouragement. She also sells things in her shop. Because it's a small company, I did have to pay shipping (which is why I waited so long to purchase anything). I had a coupon and they were having a sale, so I got a Rubba Scrubba, a Rubba Swisha, and some purple rags. The first one is a cleaning wand that can be used for about 100 things (according to the site), the second is a rubber toilet bowl cleaner (which seems much more sanitary than our current set up), and the last are microfiber cleaning rags that her followers swear by. I got everything plus shipping for less than $30 so I'm pretty stoked. They haven't shipped yet, but when they do, I'll be sure to let you know if they work.
     Ok, now it's time to stop blogging and get stepping. Come on Manadee, let's flap them flippers!