Neat and clean in 2017 - it's the January Flylady thread

[CotswoldStrife]

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcome to the January Flylady thread, where we try and maintain our nests in good order by following the Flylady method. We'll post links each day to the Flylady website for the babysteps, daily focus and extra missions in the current zone. The habit of the month is shining your sink (or whatever other place in your home motivates you).

If you are just starting, Flylady recommends decluttering the weekly zone before doing the detailed cleaning and not to do too much at once!

All are welcome, so feel free to join us anytime.

My dh would love that, he is a huge fan of marmalade! I will save that thanks.

Hi all, am still here, trawling through assignment plus real life. Apparently there are loads of us on the course struggling with the work so I guess at least it's not just me! Had horrible morning today as was so tired last night I realised as I got into bed (after midnight as assignment writing) that I hadn't finished before bed routine. Had intended to but just forgot out of exhaustion .

Then got up too late really, DH who had been out at work came back in 10 mins before I was due to leave the house with DDs for work which knocked the whole routine off. I was very grumpy.

On the plus side, I can back to him having finished work early, picked DDs up and planned a nice tea for us as he said I was clearly exhausted .

zoo, I'm belatedly commenting. I am careful about seeming to give health advice (think I've said that before on this thread but can't remember) as I am a HCP but not a doctor. However, your DD2 sounds exhausted physically and emotionally. I'd be tempted to keep her off school if she is hat bad and it sounds as if she needs to see a GP / practice nurse for a look in her therapy and general feel of her glands etc as it's been a while now hasn't it?

Hope everyone who needs to feels better soon.

So many typos sorry! I meant she needs someone to look in her throat!

Eek, didn't realise bed selfie was a thing

sc work was very stressful today - I was just not in the mood. I normally really enjoy work too. I think it's because I had such bad night's sleep. Ah well, serves me right for watching scary things on tv last thing before bed.

Lots of poorly people and/or poorly children

Ta-da:
erm, cleaned bath this morning?
oh yes, made bed

To do:
Put wash away
Minimal tidy up of living room as DS did most of it which is only fair as it was his mess
Put out clothes for tomorrow for DS and myself
Check bookbag
CLEAN BATHROOM FLOOR (getting cross with myself now)
swish and swipe
Put away washed pots/pans/plates etc
Put out breakfast bowls for tomorrow

No worries FoolandFitz I didn't either! Was just kidding!! Cotswold God no, don't think they are a thing are they? (Although young uns obsessively take pictures of their dinners out I believe, so nothing would surprise me.) [Channels an ancient grumpy person.] [Speaking of which, people would take fright if they saw me in bed nowadays - wearing granny cardigan (house is freezing) - and one of dh's old baggy sweat shirts!! And I always have my bra close by in case of fire!! ]

Hope you get a better night's sleep tonight Foolandfitz

You too Toostressy! Sounds as if you are womanfully juggling multiple plates as usual.

You too Afreshstart and that you feel less congested soon.

Purple like the sound of the slump! Hope your headache resolves itself soon; you have been suffering for a while with it. Have you seen doc? (Sorry if you have already said, but haven't caught up with thread yet]

Oh dear Gizlot hope mini-Gizlot feels better soon and that you do too!

And that Zoolet is improvng too!

Yes, in summary, echoing what FoolandFitz says; hope everyone who is ailing or tired or finding this very cold weather/dark nights and mornings tough going, all feel much much better soon xxx

Speaking of i

DD finding getting back in to school mode tough going. She finds it very hard to wind down before bed though (despite technology ban) and always ends up actually falling asleep too late. Schools close here on Wed afternoons and so I always have a decent lunch ready for her when she gets back as she is in hollow-leg-adolescent mode atm. Last Wed afternoon she fell asleep on sofa after lunch. This afternoon, she fell asleep in a huge cardboard box that had contained a furniture delivery (She always loved cardboard boxes when she was an infant!!) Anyway, the siesta seems to have helped because she has got stuck in to hwk and tutoring quite well this afternoon without too much stress thank heavens.

I have done about half of my list so far: washing, big supermarket shop, dw, td, present wrapping, card writing, etc etc. Slow going. Lacking in energy but trying to plough on through.

I have given up trying to diet in January. We still have Christmas cake fhs! And our neighbour came around with some NY chocs today too! Still working our way through Christmas cheese too!

Love stick man Foxes!

G'night all!

Oh blimey, another essay... sorry

SC has DD tried soothing music to help her quiet her mind in order to get sleep? I know she's a teenager and my Smartlet is only 8 years old but he used to take an or so to go to sleep and having music on while he goes to sleep means, he generally goes to sleep within 10-15 minutes. It's a blessing for him and us.

And your bed wear is not too dissimilar to mine - I get really cold in bed

TA-DA
Everything on my to-do list from about an hour ago inc the dreaded bathroom floor.

Yay me! Good night everyone - I've off to wrap a radiator warmed sherpa blanket around me as I watch trashy tele.

SC your poor DD but that did make me smile that she fell asleep in a box, like a cat! How very sweet!

DD has just woken up crying her eyes out with a nasty sore throat and cough. I have a bad headache so looks like more illness here too roll on springtime

Heavens, I hope bed selfies are not a thing! This is probably how this kinda stuff starts, one joke and everyone thinks they are not doing the selfie of the moment (slightly better than a belfie, no doubt).

Sorry to hear about all the poorly children - it is hard work looking after sick children at the best of times and when you feel bad yourself it is super-grim! Take it easy out there, fledglings!

Did wash up after tea tonight, but front room is not in tip-top condition. Always tomorrow ... will post the links. G'night all!

The daily summary for Thursday (also available on the Flylady website at flight plan which should update automatically each day.

**

Baby-step no 19 - read the testimonials

We are in Zone 3 this week: the bathroom and one other room

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 3.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 3 is here

Mission for Thursday a stocktake of your supplies

The daily focus for Thursday is: errand day

The monthly habit for January is shine your sink

daily reminders (radio show times are probably not accurate for UK but can listen to previous shows/podcasts)

I am soooooo snotty I can hear an alarm clock and it's not in my house .... either someone moved in next door or it's over the road. Ridiculous

Morning all

Was completely awol yesterday due to a super busy day at work. I did manage a couple of ta da's though

Took shoes to cobbler for new heels
Made DH his favourite cake
Run
Post dinner clean up (DH did dinner)

purple that's cake sounds lush, I'll give it a go. We like Oreo brownies!

Glad it's errand day as I've a few to do! Parcel to post office, bin bags from the Range.

Back later with today's ta da's and to do's

Whizzing in as have been reading but not writing because I am not doing 'enough' which is, clearly, bollocks! Generally have been doing very basic basics every day (shining sink, sweeping kitchen floor, straightening sitting room every morning) and have also been pretty good at doing 15 minutes decluttering in workspace every day which is looking so much better as a result.

Since I work from home have also found idea of errand day very useful as it means other days kept clearer for more focused work. Have an appt with DD this afternoon and an appointment for ME this morning to get my eyebrows done - hope they have hedgetrimmer ready ;)

Good to hear of everyone's progress and sending virtual Lucozade to all ailing fledglings and ailing chicks!

That's a hell of a lot more than I'm managing New! It's very much in the spirit of flying, doing those little bits every day. Which I don't. :o

So very very sleepy today! DH has taken the Caglets to trampolining but I will have to go and meet them soon so he can get to work. And then we have to spend the whole afternoon out and about. Blah.

Eh up fledglings.

In middle of large cook-fest here. Have a bit more energy today thankfully. Furry one is ill though unfortunately and needs lots of attention.

Newchick that's loads and loads that you have done!!!

Bad luck re alarm Afreshstart that's madness for someone to have it that loud!

Thanks Foolandfitz dd goes to sleep with meditation cd which does eventually work. It's just that she always gets a huge surge of energy before bed like her mother (which could be adrenalin I suppose if she is over-tired) but have tried eating earlier and everything but it is always the same. Think she is a night owl like me! Plus she is speaking three langs daily (+ Latin on some days) and I think it all whirls around in her head at night. She sometimes comes with me for the last late night dog walk which seems to work so I need to insist on that a bit more perhaps!

Foxes funny things 13 yr olds - they are 18 yrs one minute discussing Syria or something - and then the next minute they regress to infanthood and are curled up asleep in cardboard boxes!! It really is the most bewildering stage of parenthood so far ... So sorry to hear that you and your dd have succumbed to illness. It's hard to avoid when sleep deprived, and where there is so much of it about. Wishing you both a speedy recovery!

Hope all others who are suffering (and/or their dcs) are getting better/feel better soon!

To do:
finish wrapping presents and writing cards for colleague who is going in to hospital for operation
cooking and yet more cooking
sort out yet more insurance forms
banking
laundry

Big waves to Cotswold Cag Rshard Grey Blue ¨Honu Knitting Purple Gizlot Toostressy Zoo Cheeky and loads more I have missed (but can't scroll any further unfortunatley!)

Morning all! DD was pretty much fine this morning so she has gone off to nursery. My headache has gone but am very tired as ds slept so badly AGAIN. I even cried at 4am because I'd had enough. Luckily dh came to the rescue at that point so I could get a few more hours in.

Hope everyone else is feeling a little better?

Ta das
Done daily routine
Got a bag of toys to take to the charity shop later
Got bottles and magazines ready to take to recycling when I pick dd up
Checked and nothing needed in the bathroom

To do
Ironing
Clean shelf in bathroom and clean bath

Think I'll have low expectations today not sure I've got the energy for much else! I've hardly done any of the home bleugh only done downstairs hoovering so far.

to everyone who needs one

Foxes poor you at 4am you must be exhausted Yay for supportive dh's though! You've done some fabulous Flying there on very little sleep. I remember the days when dd was little and dh was away and I was on my knees and that was with only one child, so you are doing splendidly. Quite a few of the early years are about survival I think! Actually come to think of it quite a few of the teen years -are about survival -too .

Have you read "What mothers do, especially when it looks like nothing"?

foxes and sweeping I am saving this information about teenagers, my DD is 11 and her mood can be quite unpredictable lately!

Trampolining sounds fun cag, I love those bounce parks that have become very popular. Although I do fall over a lot!

Ta da's

Been to WW
New bin bags and other stuff I didn't need purchased from The Range
DD fed (pancake day here) and off to school
Towels washed

To do's
Buy sausages
Parcel to post office
Meet friend for a lunch time walk
Dinner
Dinner clean up
Hoover downstairs
Dust upstairs
Hoover dd's room
Yoga

SC thank you. I haven't read it but have heard of it , I must have a look!

Right still home with poorly ( but improving) gizlots.

Have cleaned kitchen work tops, shined sink, cleaned bathroom (including floor due to accidental shower misfire)
Lunch done
3rd load of washing on

Some impressive work this morning, ladies. Unfortunately I have nothing to add to this apart from shopping and some slight and sadly not very noticeable tidying so will crack on with that for another half an hour or so before collecting DD. Do have a bit of time at home tonight before the after-school activity so will prep tea ready to be thrown in the oven when we return!

Hello all, slightly stressful end of the work day today so struggling to get going now.

Ta da:-
DDs have had milk and are collapsed in front of telly programme - running a bit late with things tonight unfortunately
DD1 has done a token amount of reading
Got a bit of studying done in lunch break

Admitted defeat and booked DD2 in for an additional few hours of childcare one day next week to give me another block of time for assignment. Feel a bit guilty about the cost, the fact that she won't want to go and the fact that I am meant to be off work to look after her. But I am at risk of not getting assignment done otherwise and it is hanging over my head constantly now, studying every night.

To do:-
Evening routine
5 mins decluttering if time
Laundry
More study

I remember vim and still use it

Waves enthusiastically to sc good to have you back!!

So its been nurse Florence 24/7 here.lil zoo went back school today,dd2 been off since Tues.I spoke her tutor yest n he was great saying email any change and if not fit school next week he will arrange emailed homework.what a !!swabs still aren't back from last Fri.apparently local hospital is drowning in them and wait us expected be up to 10-14 days stead usual 2-4
Dd2 back at gp tom morning.still tired,irritable(cry/meltdown all but constantly)still too painful glands to chew.living on ready break(gave stewed puree fruit and Greek yog fir variety today),hummus and instant mash(CNT make fresh smooth enough) and soup with grated cheese.plus sucking bits chocolate, ice Lolly's and yogurts.plenty hot choc and warm bkackcurrant going in too...
Today I was working, left her an hour (she's near 13 and its literally 2mins at end our rd) as selfishly needs a bit time out.I came back refreshed to her needs and she was crying in pain and too upset come find me(guilt set in)I hrlp ims n tots pm Thur.due volunteer shortage I was begged to go in.took her with me as all our tots have big siblings in school and are fine her coming with me.she sat in corner and read a book sip hot choc.lil ones had comic club.they now fed and in bed.dd2soup ready.will he back Tom with news from doc
Sorry fir the essay!!

Thanks to Cag and Sweeping for your nice comments! Am continuing to work at NOT crashing and burning out... Except while cooking obvs 😁

Aah sorry zoo crikey what a nightmare!

Stressy sounds like the right decision to me, it's just a little extra time that's all. No harm done and will help you get it finished!

Busy day finished thank goodness, I'm knackered and unfortunately getting quite sore due to sitting in the cold playground for a long time as we went with friends after gym/climbing. Managed a little bit of project stuff at the library too.

DH off for a few days now hurrah!