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!

Fantastic well done zoo!

😪 sadly I didn't get there. Left at a reasonable time and because I woke at silly o'clock I felt like I had a lie in. After admiring the snow on the hills over the border we got a flat this side of Lockerbie. It was absolutely freezing waiting on the slated side of the road. I clambered further up but I was then standing on mounds of grass covered with ice. Feet were freezing. Luckily
Had my aunts blanket in the car. When she died no one wanted the blanket as it is rather bright.i took it. It came into its own today as not only is it pure wool but it is very bright including orange so I stood like a beacon! I must say after we were picked up by a pleasant guy, we were really looked after well at the garage including the receptionists made us a coffee and commiserated when DH said we wouldn't be continueing to Glasgow. We had lunch at Gretna. Mine was awful and check out was slow so nearly cold. It was cold in the cafe but they were very busy so not their fault. I enjoyed the bottle of red. DH had a lovely pie but it had cheese in it so I couldn't have more than a tiny bite just to check it was as good as it looked. Bought DS some knives ( kitchen) and I got a pair of boots for school and a half price pair of purple shoes. DH then took me to friends craft fair in North Lakes and I fell asleep on way(😳 might have had something to do with the wine) but woke up to see Blencathra in all her glory topped with snow and cursed I didn't have the camera. Bought some tree decs for someone and bought handbag offmy friends stall that I had my eye on months ago. Had tea and tea bread. So I seemed to spend as much or more than expected but didn't get to Glasgow. Didn't get many presents either except for me but as DH said I don't often buy myself stuff.

Slanted not slated.

Oh you seemed to have had a busy time today.

Cags - just meant don't leave too long as I had difficulty because DD wouldn't take a bottle at first. I went back to college when she was even weeks. With gallbladder I ended up in hospital for a few days. They allowed DH to come in with her because I was Breast feeding and she was a bit distraught. Although one nurse gave him short shift one evening told him to give her a bottle as I was poorly.

It's tricky isn't it. Introduce too early and baby might start refusing breast. Too late and they may not take a bottle at all. Argh! DD1 had to be mix fed from the start (and would only BF using nipple shields anyway so more similar to bottles) and DS was EBF and never needed to face this issue.

Sorry the trip didn't work out.

Nothing achieved today! Haven't even set up my new tech

Just posting links and crashing ... . Wing flaps to all... G'night

**

The summary for Sun 26th is available on the Flylady website here under "Today" and via the flight plan which should update itself automatically on a daily basis.

Baby-step no. 26 for Sun 26th is here. This is a really important one about battling perfectionism and jumping back in where we are at! Do not give up if you miss a day here and there!

We will be starting in Zone 5 next week: The Living Room, Den, Family Room (November 26-30) here.

Spend 15 mins decluttering the current zone (if you do zone work at weekends that is!).

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 5 (if you are at that stage) is here.

No missions on Sunday because it is the weekend! Yay!

The daily focus for Sunday is renewing our spirits. Ring-fence some time for yourself that will help you feel refreshed.

The monthly habit for November is menu planning here!

Flykid's challenge: here (hopefully continually renewing itself).

Daily reminders (which should also update themselves automatically)
here.

Holiday missions here!

Have a relaxing Sunday as possible everyone!

*

I think introduce early but not frequently so they don't want it instead of Breast milk. It is a problem though. I didn't have it with 2&3 as I just breastfed them. I also think it is better if someone else can do it without you being in the room otherwise baby just wants you. I would mention it next time you see the GP and hope that you are given plenty of notice before admission.

Flying plans today
Ice cake for church
Clean out bags
Go to mass
Soup for lunch( hope it tastes better than last nights, shop bought).
Planning for next week. Pack bags with correct work in each.
Choir
Clear table, still haven't done this.

Hi everyone sorry I haven't been on, I came back to about 90 posts so I hope that means everyone is doing well.

DH work thing has taken over a bit which meant things were on the back burner. They are picking up a bit now but DD teething badly too.

Have cleared most of house into attic and today is sorting out what furniture is living where and taking some to charity. I'm trying to be ruthless and DH putting up obstacles which is annoying as he wants to keep everything despite lack of room and won't meet half way.

I have done most of today's list and had a lie in so I might just go out with DD and then do some small bits tonight. But hopefully by end of week I can still stick to goal of house being cleaned and cleared then spend December decluttering.

Well done flying jellyfish
bowerglad you at least saw some beautiful views and spoilt yourself.if you are like me this is a rare event.x

Tadas
Woke late as was sooo cold barely slept
Dd2 off out again so had her huffing n puffing about hair n make up whilst try chivvy other two to get ready for sunday school
Ive nipped into co op n grab milk ans foil eeady for next weeks pack ups
Wash on
Cats fed
Bath n sink wiped
Despite yesterdays epic angry clean it still looks like bearpit
and dare i admit headroads made on boudoir are now buried again under dumped"stuff"
This is why i dont live in a gleaming palace (to be fair wouldnt want to but be nice constantly see all floors and most surfaces)

Scrolling back though and I have to correct my post. Stupid autocorrect always Insists in correcting its to it’s.

Tada
Very slowly wading through the pile of washing - might be finished this time next week at this rate.
Decluttering - I sorted out a craft drawer of dd’s. She was bought loads of craft stuff when she was young but to be honest she preferred drawing. I’m taking it over to a home ed friend in my home town whose dcs will love it all.

Taking the relaxing to extremes. Haven’t moved from the couch for ages.

Hello, been a bit of a crammed w/e (too crammed) since yesterday lunchtime. NO Flying achieved. None. Just waiting now to pick up DD from maths tutor then early supper with dd's godfather, and looking forward to watching from yesterday! Catch up with everyone tonight/tomorrow am! Cheery wing flaps to one and all!

If ever your dd needs any extra help with maths sc, just let me know

Ta das
Birthday lunch for my father made, including cake.
1 load of washing done, 2 loads put away.
After some dashing about renewed my spirit (bleugh) with a nap and we are watching the Box of Delights. DD is captivated.

To do
Make a start on Christmas cards. Won't happen, but the thought is there.

Not achieved a great deal tbh other than laundry
Tea-meatballs.sundry tomato pesto broccoli n green beans for little ones with chocolate blancmange to follow
Dd2 n i have huge tray sprouts.broccoli.parsnip.sweet potato and mushrooms.to go with pasta and cheese.yum yum

ta da
✔️set up new phone
✔️grumble about MN app... I think I may stick to browser version
✔️cook stir fry for dinner
✔️sort laundry (haven't put ours or baby's away though)
✔️book Christmas Tesco slot (not with proper list though)
✔️sat with baby through endless crying and cluster feeds... I really need to get to grips with achieving anything at all more during the morning as otherwise nothing will ever get done. As it is I will be leaving the house in a right state and trying to get baby to bed at 9

Cags those are great Ta Dahs. Wait till you see mine😁

Ta Dahs
Iced Christmas cake for church...I managed to do it in 1 1/2 hrs record for me. Marzipan as well.
Took it to Mass.
Cleaned one bag out for school and DH made beans on toast for lunch.
Started planning and catch up from scribbled notes.
Collected conductor and pianist for choir. Helped with teas.
Made dinner( 😁 put Chinese meal in the bowl)
More planning /catch up notes.
Packed one bag for tomorrow. Hoping that is all I need.
Back aching due to yesterday so bed by 9pm!
Didn't get table cleared but I did wash up and I cleared one corner.
And I haven't got a new baby!

Waves to other flapping like mad fledglings.
Zoo wore the boots today, very comfy and kept my feet warm. Big test tomorrow school playground😜 boots were £40 and shoes half price £20 originally about £70 but seconds. Your right I don't treat myself very often. Discovered CLF Harrogate next weekend. DH groaned when I mentioned it.

Oh and he let neighbour in while I was at Mass. The one with the immaculate house who washes up the cups before you have left after a coffee. Why oh why couldn't she have come last week when it looked reasonable? No she had to come today when I had just finished icing the cake and DH said he would clean up the mess on the worktops. He had also emptied most of the contents of the car on the floor. We had to pull it out re the puncture yesterday. He brought it in so I could sort it. So now she has been in to CHAOS thanks DH ...shall I LTB?

bower were you on AIBU there would be general consensus of deffo LTB.
As you are on a friendly little side chat we less judgemental.i personally think couple hours chained in doghouse with chores list would suffice😉😂

The summary for Monday 27th is available on the Flylady website here under "Today" and via the flight plan which should update itself automatically on a daily basis.

Baby-step no. 27 for Mon 27th is here. A highly recommended one about planning dinner before the clock strikes six! As I get older and more decrepid and because family catering can be quite tedious and groundhoggish at the best of times I have now added "supper" prep to my morning routine - even if it just involves prepping spuds or getting something out of the freezer - just knowing what you are cooking that night is a huge stress reliever.

We are in Zone 5 this week: The Living Room, Den, Family Room (November 26-30) here.

Spend 15 mins decluttering the current zone.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 5 (if you are at that stage) is here.

Monday's mission is here. Spend 15 mins preparing for Christmas by sorting out any clutter piles or hot spots that may have collected in your sitting room.

The daily focus for Monday is the weekly home blessing hour or what we call the home bleugh here. Spend 10 mins on each of seven essential tasks (but most of us find it takes much longer, esp bed-making).

The monthly habit for November is menu planning here!

Flykid's challenge: here (hopefully continually renewing itself).

Daily reminders (which should also update themselves automatically)
here.

Holiday missions []www.flylady.net/d/cruising-through-the-holidays/ here]!

Have a good start to the week everyone! Last one in November! Yaarrrgghhh!

*

OOps - sorry - let me re-post that holiday missions link here! Apologies!

Good evening everyone! Hope you have all survived the weekend!

Oh dear Bowerbird5 if not LTB then it certainly merits severe punishment . [Cleaning out the chicken house perhaps?.... or full single-handed completion of Monday home bleugh?....or a trip to Harrogate which happens to coincide with next weekend ...? ] I am sure your friend is in awe of you making a cake for church in addition to helping with choir etc though. I'm sorry your day out didn't go quite as planned yesterday, but glad you manage to salvage something of the trip with the added benefit of beautiful views!

That is so VERY kind of you again Longtime (in addition to kind offer of hot shower earlier down thread!!). [If you are not careful, we will be taking over your house entirely at this rate!! ] Being serious for a mo though, dd is lucky enough to have a really good maths tutor who has transformed her entire attitude towards the subject (yay for fabulous teachers!!) but tutor is being a bit unpredictable about teaching slots atm for some reason I haven't yet got to the bottom of! (Incidentally, it goes without saying that the same applies in reverse if you ever need use of wm or td or bathroom facilities here!!) Good luck with Mt Washmore!

Gosh that is incredibly well organised of you to have sorted your Christmas on-line grocery slot already Cag and well done re: rest of list too!

I hope all of our nattering isn't putting you off the thread Flyingjellyfish (sorry, we do tend towards the, um, talkative side ) and well done with sticking to your primary decluttering objectives! My dh is pretty dreadful when it comes to holding on to things so you have my sympathy there, although wrt decluttering I have the advantage that (a) he is hardly ever home and (b) he doesn't really notice his surroundings very much when he is, so I can usually sneak things out and it's at least six months or a year before he notices.

And congrats on getting your dc to eat more than their five a day Zoo! Menu sounds delicious as ever! Hope you are having a better night's sleep tonight.

Humungous wing flaps to Toostressy Hills Honu Foxes Afreshstart Callmecordelia Cotswold Ponzsu ¨Taylortinker Whoknows Rosa and everyone else I have inadvertently missed!

Just popping in quickly..
Busy day ahead.seeing dd1 latee.prepping xmas dinner at church for tomorriws knit n nattee group.and cbt.hopefully also find a few mins to fly as well!!TTFN

To do

Washing
Pharmacy
Actually do the home blessing bleugh this week. Cheated by changing our bed on Friday so I should be able to get it done.
DH tax return - find last few figures for it.
Start Christmas card list if actually writing cards is too much.

The description of your DH made me laugh SC. Mine is oblivious to everything as long as there are neat piles. If the pile of stuff is neat, he won't see the dust around it, and he can't comprehend why I might object to a neat pile appearing on a clear surface. Neat piles have appeared on top of a trofast unit we have in the hall this weekend, exactly at toddler height and where I want to put the Christmas tree on Friday. He can't see the problem.

Christmas tree... That reminds me, I need to wrap some dictionaries or something to put round the base.

Good morning all! (Lays out trays of croissants and strong coffee in naughty corner for all fledglings to help themselves.)

Hideous "to do" list today - home bleugh included - plus a mound of laundry. Daren' t even look in boudoir but if I do two hours in it every day this week, it's bound to look a bit better by next weekend isn't it?

CallmeCordelia ah yes the neat piles . Doesn't matter what surface they appear on, what is in them, or how many of them, all fine in dh's eyes as long as they are neat! Contents never ever properly confronted in detail, just moved from one location to the next for months on end until "her indoors" loses patience and goes through them piece by tedious piece. Repeat for dd's piles of clutter. Gah!

Ha ha! Yes the home Bleugh would be good idea I like that. All done when I come in from work. I tidied some of kitchen last night. If I take charity box with me and washing to go to Son 2s house it will only have one pile on floor. The table needs to be sorted by me but he could wash the kitchen floor. Grill needs washed from the chops he made the other night. Bathroom, ooh my list is getting longer, needs doing and the window needs washing because I can't turn the new window. Then he can have lunch. Sweep path. Chickens...no he doesn't do chicken cleaning. He will feed and water if I am running late. I know he could remove all the heavy boxes from the front. Dead plants in. I haven't got around to replanting for spring. That should do it for my list today😁

Have a busy day planned at work but hoping for lunch break today. Might finish notes though.hmm.

Hope everyone has a good, productive day today.☺️