Lost the plot with clutter? Want sparkle(r)s in your sink? Come Fly with flare on the November Fledgling thread!

[Sludgecolours]

If you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, support and and along the way.

This is where, from the first of the month (seriously, HOW is it November already?!), we follow – loosely – the rules of FlyLady [see website here ]. (Pls ignore the barftastic language, and we suggest NOT signing up to the emails as there are rather a lot of them. All the info you need will be posted here on a daily basis.)

Helpful info on getting started here!.

We adopt a three-pronged approach:

-start or repeat baby steps

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone or area (yes, just 15 mins focused work a day makes a difference!)

and/or

• reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.

[And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]

NB
This is a very long-running thread so we may appear cliquey but we really aren't! All newcomers, long-termers, lurkers and intermittent returnees not only welcome to join in but positively encouraged to do so!

Another NB
Start where you are. There is no need to worry about being perfect – perfectionism = paralysis! There is no such thing as ‘falling behind’ with FlyLady, if you miss anything, just move on and continue as normal the next day.

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

stressy did your dd just start school? My dds behaviour at home has nose dived since she started but all the teachers do is sing her praises

Ty zoo

afreshmore?
Which ones got u up?

Little one at 5am zoo hes currently trying to ram his dummy in my mouth....

Morning .
Thank you for the hugs and wishes. After not being able to get to sleep I 've crashed out and had about five hours. Wide awake now and think I will get up and do the things I didn't get done so when I come in later it will be tidy and I'll feel calmer. Please tell you mums, dads, grannies, grandads because I didn't think I would get caught out like that. As my bestie friend said it is because it was HMRC that you listen. I'm always mis laying my mobile. I have at the moment but I'm glad because he wanted my number and now he doesn't have it. I can usually work out the cold callers and DH has worked out if you let it ring then it has five and a half then stops if cold callers or scammers. It was because it was right next to me and I picked it up because I thought it was DH.

Cags: porridge for breakfast. I'm sure there was something about porridge being good for gallstones. Plain bland food as above like chicken breast but just plain no spicy breadcrumbs or sauces on. Old fashioned favourites like fish pie DON'T have fish and chips. Anything deep fried was bad. Mince, steak😊 chop but watch the fat. Creamy sauce on pasta but watch for tomatoes as they are acidic. Basically a really boring diet.
Afresh / Stressy probably been good all day as rules imposed and then very tired and relaxes at home. Overtired means grumpy and a little bit naughty. Believe me it is hard work at school. I think they push Reception children far too much these days. I was in teaching them last week I follow their teachers planning and there is always lots to do.

Ta dahs from yesterday
Bathroom apart from swishing the mop around.
Kitchen except for fridge and floor.
Ironing not done.
Bedroom. Bed made including all cushions on. Most of floor cleaned . One pile of clothes to put away today. Curtains attempted but I discovered they were very dusty on pole also rings. I will have to find other curtains that fit take them down, cleaned all the rings and the pole, dry clean curtains and then put back together again. Will have to be next week.
All downstairs vacuumed.
Fire laid and on. Will have to get more logs in as I us ed all of yesterday's I did do fireplace and I'm still burning paperwork. I have lovely Kandinsky style paintings lining my log basket at present as some too good to burn. They had no names on hence not returned.
To do list
Don't answer phone.
Make bed, do 15 mins de-clutter in boudoir, put clothes away.
Complete sink area by taking all recycling out to shed. Shine sink to match other one. Finish washing and dry.
Make breakfast, got nothing nice and hen no longer laying. Bless her she has laid eggs since we got hens a few years ago. They other three have died I really ought to get her a friend. Might have porridge and give her a bit.
Mass
Staples for ink
Lunch
Catch up on notes for school
Choir 1
Choir2
Supper
Bed, Mumsnet to see what you lovely people have been up to.

Waves to everyone. Sorry that people are having a tough time.

No Ta dahs from the last two days. Still in ear infection hell. I think he's improving a bit, and sleeping a little better.

I've already got a load of washing in, Ocado have been and DH isn't working today and he's going to look after the DCs so I can leave the house. First time since his last day off on Wednesday, apart from the school run. I'm going a bit crazy.

Bowerbird , what a shock. Thanks for the warning.

Afresh and Bowerbird, yes she started school in sept so i’m sure that’s part of it. TBH though, we have struggled for ages before that with her so it’s not all of it. Parenting course did help but it is so draining to constantly worry manage behaviour. I do realise that is parenting though and she is also funny and cute and caring a lot of the time.

zoo, hope your DD2 feels better. DD2 up most of first part of the night with sore ear, thankfully she settled just before 2am so I did get some sleep. Having a lazy morning so far with both DDs. DH gone out for a run and is on-call today .

To do:-
Plan is for quiet day - usually v difficult to enforce here but DD2 really not feeling well and DD1 has complained of being tired all week so it will have to happen
DD1 reading.
Have already read twice with DD2 this weekend so will leave that unless she wants to.
Need to go out with both DDs and get some more calpol and ibuprofen. Hoping shops in town sell children’s ibuprofen (no chemists open on Sunday) otherwise will have to drive out somewhere else.
The usual attempts at laundry etc.

Cotswold, I had to chuckle when you wrote about being busy and then clarified that you were busy driving your DD around .

Big wing flaps to all. Had better go and start breakfast .

Xpost Callme, your poor DS. Glad you can get out of the house today!

Right. The small one is asleep. Dd is up eating breakfast.

Our issues with her all started after september so i do think it is school and tiredness related. Trying to get her to bed earlier. Last two nights she has slept for 12 hours normally on a week night she has only been getting 9/10.

bower thankyou for the warning!

I did get quite a bit done yesterday but was things no one else can see like cleaning all the dryer filters

We haven’t got many plans today, going to take the kids out in the afternoon but have the morning free.
To do
Morning routine
Check the Santa situation out and write the final list so I can start wrapping the kids stuff (determined to be organised this year - last year was so stressful)
Finish putting the cds and books away from last night (including sorting the bookshelf)
Uniforms washed and ironed
15 mins on bedroom (mine is so cluttered, quite looking forward to this task!)

for those who’ve had super early starts this morning

Those of you with poorly little ones, housework will wait.

I better get cracking, my phone is out of bounds for the next hour (I get distracted way too easily ! )

Ta da
Ds reading
Newsletters completed & diary updated
Dishwasher on
List of things to sort over the next week started (I do like a good to do list - it’s getting the tasks completed that’s an issue )

I made it up to bed a little earlier last night, think I was asleep before 11. Small progress. Haven't got up yet either as I had more sleep while DH took the baby, and only just brought her back up for another feed.

Thank you all for thoughts/food advice. I am gutted TBH as I found pregnancy incredibly stressful due to gestational diabetes, having to be so careful about food made me so paranoid all the time and now I might have to learn a whole new diet again! It seems it's very common to develop gallstones after GD because lower carb higher fat is better for blood sugars - I did that and didn't need medication or insulin. And now I need to change it all again which is also annoying because the GD diet helped me lose lots of weight and I don't want to put it back on! I was planning to continue that way of eating now as I have more weight to lose. I am really panicking about what I can eat in case I get pain or I'm making it all worse without realising. Post natal anxiety has been sky high anyway (doctor on 30th) and this is not helping. Must start food diary this morning though.

Glad you’re managing a little bit of rest cag , it’s a lot to deal with and with a newborn as well, I think you’re doing super !

Ta da
15 mins on bedroom
Looked at Christmas pressies already bought and final list made
Washing mountains sorted and starting to tackle

Ta da:-
Bought calpol and children’s ibuprofen
DD1 playing schools, DD2 on sofa watching telly so hope that gives me time to sort lunch

To do:-

Make lunch

Cag, have you been referred to a dietician?

Glad you found painkillers! Hope she feels better.

Nope no referrals at all yet, it isn't even confirmed as gallbladder yet. It does seem the most likely option but they wanted to check my kidneys too, as I had symptoms that could indicate that - before the pain started (which was also in my back) I was planning to go to the walk in on the Saturday morning as I was convinced I had a UTI. Sample showed I don't but there was protein and blood (but they could just be because I just had a baby). So worth checking. Just hope they take it seriously when I phone tomorrow

Yes, realised after I posted that you wouldn’t have yet, sorry. It must be v stressful knowing what to eat though so definitely worth phoning, you could also try your HV if you don’t get any luck or your midwife if you are still under midwifery care.

Good idea! The hospital said they'd send a letter (assuming that's normal discharge procedure) that would say I need a scan. So will have that as backup but hoping they will be happy to move forward even if it hasn't arrived yet, as the doctor did say to see GP straight away.

Thankfully I haven't had any more pain but I have eaten very little. About to try a jacket spud with tuna. It's weird as while pregnant the potato was the thing I worried about so I'd have mostly tuna mayo and cheese, now it's the opposite! Not risking cheddar yet. I am going against all I've learnt. One good thing though, at least I can eat plenty of fruit apparently which I couldn't do before due to the fructose. Silver linings and all that.

Trying to write a shopping list.

Hope you feel better soon cag

We have "don't want to" sydrome in this house.
Ds doesn't want to tidy his room
No one wants to tackle the kitchen
No one wants to do anything
I have major CBA

Aaaaaaaand the doctors can't/won't do anything about the ear problem. So I have alternated between the sulks and the grumps since friday.

I can imagine Bower it does affect you for a while after. At least they didn't get anything from you.

I've been on nights so haven't responded much. Last night shift tonight though. Really stressful week last week but tomorrow is a new week so should be ok.

Ta da
Cds put away
Kids homework’s
Roast dinner
Evening routine

Didn’t get round to the bookcase and books but will add onto the end of the never ending list !

ta da
✅managed to cook dinner
✅started food diary
✅cleared out some old food that won't get eaten now diet has changed from when I was pregnant

Don't think I'll manage earlier bedtime though. Feeling crap this evening and rather pathetically am reluctant to go to bed without seeing DH (he will be home at around 10.45)

😰 sad they have got money from other more vulnerable people. I had a very tiring and stressful week last week and wonder if that contributed to my upset. Some of the things that b........... Said to me and of course I will watch those programmes where they turn up at you house with a summons and the police. He told me I was going to be arrested for this misdemeana ( sp) that morning. I think I was so stressed that I couldn't think clearly. Now I feel a bit stupid.
Anyway because I woke up cross I got up and did lots of TA Das!
Cleaned kitchen - hob, worktops , shiny sinks, recycling out. Shoes neat. Tidied crap. Vacuumed but didn't get floor washed. Dishwasher on.
Sitting room- vacuumed, fire on log basket and coal bucket filled. Hearth swept. Stuff into tidy pile.
Washing - four loads because sheets nd found some in upstairs basket. Hung rest on airer as way too frosty up here to hang outside and it is Sunday.
Vacuumed hall and stairs.
Mass- coffee and cake.
Back and made Mousaka and Shepherds pie. Had SP for lunch and Mousaka in fridge for my supper when I get in.
Fill all bird feeders. Barrow load of logs. Went to pick up people from train. Choir. Ended up just going to one as voice blurgh!
Home
Put supper in oven.Paid slate at pub and one drink.
Eat dinner rather yummy and had seconds.
Put rest in for lunch tomorrow and supper at night.

Cleaned up kitchen for third time and washed dishes and pans. Shined sinks and hung more washing up.
Planning for the week started.

House looking much better so will feel more relaxed. Tired and in bed now with a mug of tea.
Hope littlies are well again soon.
Ears- have you considered Hoopi ear candle. I had this done a few months ago and mine has been a lot better since.
Right eyelids dropping so night

Sorry to hear that Cags. I wonder if pregnancy increases gall stone issues.

Bowerbird don't feel bad about believing the caller, they get these jobs because they are convincing.

Cag, now you've reminded me about the slightly higher-fat diet that you've been following that does make me think it's gallstones. They are so painful. Before my DH was diagnosed, I took him to A&E one night because he'd gone so grey and they thought he was having a heart attack - he ended up on a cardio ward for a couple of days!

Children and ear infections - DD can be a bit prone to these, but I find that Children's Otrivine nose drops really help to stop them.

Not exactly smooth-running today here either, DD has cried twice - once because she realised she was behind on her homework after playing games all morning, FFS and once when one of her favourites went out on Strictly Still, it's clearing her blocked nose after her cold

Will do the links for tomorrow now, waves wine at Rosabella, FlyingJellyfish, Hills, Stressy (all hail the power of Calpol), fresh, Cordelia and zoo,