Oh, hi emmhip! :) I completely know what you mean. And while I subscribe to FlyLady's emails, I haven't checked them (my "list" email is the most organized thing in my home - it all goes to separate folders in my inbox, lol). Anyway, what I've been doing is just a bit here and there. Today, I went through all the drawers in my dresser, and got rid of matchless socks, underwear that weren't ever going to be worn by me again, and assorted other things that I was no longer using or planning to use (including a Motherhood slip - my youngest if now 4 years old, ahem). I also cleaned (with a toothbrush!!!) my bathroom sink, including wiping down the cabinets. Thoroughly cleaned the toilet, too. I've been vacuuming every day for the last week, and sweeping, too. Two days ago, I finally cleared (what a task!) the table and counters except for two hotspots that I'm still working on. The kids' bathroom had a decent clean two days ago; I still need to go in and do an "on my hands and knees" floor cleaning. And my laundry? Well, it's caught up only because we recently bought the largest capacity washer (and matching dryer - our old washer broke, perfect timing!) and for the first time EVER, my laundry has been caught up without my hubby stepping in to help. :) I LOVE my new W&D, and have taken meticulous care of it (I follow the care instructions carefully, lol). I was so proud the other day when I washed all the kids' bed linens in one day. I'm sure that hasn't been done before (by me, anyway). However, my wood floor is still in bad shape, and I really need to wipe down all the kitchen cabinets, and most of the doors in the house. My daughters' room is still a mess, but that's largely because my 7yo dd has learned my bad habits, so we both need work. ;) Anyway, there's still much to do, but I trust that FlyLady's admonition to take baby steps will eventually get me to where I need to be. And also, this isn't really part of the above, except that it is FOR ME, but about 3 months ago, I was dx'd with severe ADD symptoms and mild/moderate depression. I've been on Wellbutrin since then, and the change has made all the difference for me. It was slow getting here, but when I look back to where I was before, I'm amazed at the difference in how I feel, and how far I've come. The above probably doesn't apply to most folks, but I feel I'd be disingenuous if I didn't include it as well. Anyway, it's hard to struggle and feel like you can't get ahead, and then, to be so overwhelmed in your own home that it's not relaxing, but rather stress-inducing, and I realized I was the only one who could change that for me. And I am, slowly but surely. Best of luck to you, and yes, get that book! (Don't worry about her time tables for cleaning - for that, I'm fine with FlyLady's plan - I just need to know the "how-to" of taking care of a home.) Best of luck to you - you need to trust that you can do it, and that the changes will be their own reward, and even more.

Good read here. Looking to learn a lot since I'm fairly new to embroidery. I have a Baby Lock Allure and recently purchased the PED basic. I am using My Editor software to edit designs and save my files. I'm beginning to become frustrated after two months of figuring it all out. I was resizing my files in my editor, saving and then opening in ped basic. Ped basic apparently doesn't recognize the editing of size instead pulls up the original size. I emailed Brother and more or less was told PED only transfers the pes file to the card. I'm thinking this is a huge limitation. Am I misunderstanding? Is there other software that PED will recognize changes? Hope someone can enlighten me.

First -- start with basic questions: 1) How do you want to use the room?? Entertaining, reading, TV, etc. 2) How do you want the room to "feel" -- cozy/warm? cool/fresh/contemporary? sophisticated? 3) List any problems with the basic room! Dark? Light? Cold? Too warm? Storage needs? Eletrical outlet placement? Cable placement? etc. 4) Research and Development Phase: After answering those questions -- head out to the local bookstore and go through decor books and magazines. Really look at rooms -- why does THAT room appeal to you? Look again! The type(s) of seating? The tables? Paint colors? Buy a few magazines that appeal to you -- and rip out those pages -- and keep those in your decorating notebook. Check the web -- and print out photos of rooms that appeal too! 5) Measure, measure, measure. Measure the room in all directions. Measure the windows and doors (and any hallways that lead into the room!) Measure any features like fireplaces or closets. NOTE where the electrical outlets and cables are located. 6) NOW start to research some choices -- sofa and loveseat? sofa, loveseat and chairs? bookcases? tables? Here's a website with some great examples of sofa styles -- also check out sites like Pottery Barn that feature "whole room" photos --- just for ideas ...... Here is a link that might be useful: Mitchell and Gold website -- sofa styles

Hi Susan, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! Wall beneath the TV is 4 feet wide so the bureau wouldn't fit (6 feet). I also was distracted by the TV cord. Was thinking of changing it to a black extension cord but a bureau there would be a nice coverup too. Definitely agree about moving the bed but we decided (maybe mistakenly) to install a closet system under the soffit where the bureau and wire rack currently are. We have very little storage in our place so it seemed the best place for it even though it means bed placement is far from ideal. We thought about building storage along the window wall (which has a bench covering part of the foundation) but custom storage there was way more expensive than a much bigger closet system under the soffit. Closet doors will be white shaker. There will also be some storage built into the hole in the wall to the left of the mirror. Given that the bureau wall will become a closet, the current bed location seemed the only option so we could both have space to get in / out of bed. But please share other ideas if you have them. Or any ideas to make it less awkward? Any thoughts on what kind of rug will work best in this space to complement the tile and the space? I was thinking a natural / jute rug but envisioning it feels too rough or barn-y in this setting?