New year, new organisation! Fledglings fly in 2018.

[TooStressyForMyOwnGood]

Hello all and Happy New Year!

A warm welcome to the January Flylady thread. This is a lovely friendly thread where we loosely follow the Flylady system (see the Flylady website) in the hope of having organised homes and lives.

Every day the thread leader (me this month) posts links and missions from the Flylady site and also some friendly (!) personal comments. This is quite a ‘talky’ thread but we try our hardest not to be cliquey and new members are very welcome! Typically there are a lot of new members in January so I will do my best to keep track of everybody .

Old members, as you know there have been a few issues with links at times so if there is some chopping and changing over the month with the links then that is why. Please note that Flylady is (understandably) keen for people to click on her site so please do have a look around the site and the links.

On the website there is information for beginners. You can also sign up to the Flylady emails but we would advise caution as there are hundreds of them.

We post our achievements (ta das) and our to do lists and any other general chatter about life / flying.

Information on getting started: www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/

The launch pad is also a good starting place:www.flylady.net/c/lp.php

Fly stands for Finally Loving Yourself. The general idea is that short bursts of tidying / organisation are more achievable than marathon efforts. Flylady advises 15 minute bursts is effort but you can tweak this to fit your own circumstances.

I’m sure lots of you have New Years Resolutions to be organised and to declutter, as I do every year . Be kind to yourselves and careful not to crash and burn!

I am risking making two:-
Go to bed at 11pm unless decent reason why not.
Spend less time on my phone.

Here are the links for Monday 1st Jan. although I am linking these then if you are treating today as a holiday (as much as is possible in real life anyway!) then feel free to take today off.

*
Here is the daily summary for Monday (also available on the Flylady website at flight plan which should update automatically each day).

I’m afraid I start the year confused . I’ve just looked on the Flylady website and the link to the zone and missions is here which indicates we will be in zone 5 which is the living room. I would have thought the month starts in zone 1 but I know this has happened before, I think SC explained? TBH after Xmas I think most living rooms could use a bit of work so it won’t hurt . Apologies if this is confusing.

Re. zones, do what works for you. I don’t always stick to the zones myself and do what works best at the time, with varying degrees of success!

Spend 15 mins decluttering, or whatever you can manage, in Zone 5.

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

daily focus

missions for the week

Flykids mission

January’s habit is shining your sink.

beginner babysteps.

Happy flying everyone.
**

Well I managed to put a sleeping baby down for about half an hour so I sorted the clothes and updated the diary a bit. I’ve decided to use the tiny calendar at the front of the diary to track our club attendance too, so just a tick if we go and a cross if we don’t (so if the space is empty it just means there was no club) - thought that’d be an easy way of tracking progress and it’ll be motivating too I hope. I may put an L for late though

Tadas
Pulled fridge out with dd2 help(finally got her head out of arse)
Cleared behind and sobs as we had take out shelves to get freezer i.it was a pantry.i want a pantry.but then I can't have a freezer
Dusted topchoketastic
Put it back
Had bath and knitted for a hour
Lunch is on the go-partbake rolls in oven.parsnip and cashew soup blipping away nicely ready for one o'clock

Afternoon plan
Little as possible

Afresh need make them small airholes or she may gnash her way out

Ta da
Supermarket
Downstairs daily routine
Dh has been gardening with the kids
Lunch for all of us and ds down for nap

To do
Daily routine upstairs
Whatever else I can motivate myself to do!

Well that's it I am safely ,just, out! Got quite a lot put away now have BRCS in my bedroom. Thinking I might squeeze half an hour later😉maybe. Going out for an hour as DH is going to buy some meat I am going to supervise/ have a run out in the car as not been out since Monday. No further than back door to feed lonely hen🐓 ( wrong colour but thought it would amuse SC!) back later for update could talk about Aga in car if I dare!

Ta-da
Awake and out of bed

Why am i so fucking drained!

Cos your kids are sucking the life batteries out of you in the night afresh
You need a couple hours off to sleep

Afresh, I have to agree with Cag about life batteries.

Great ta da Fooland .

Ah that makes sense about pulling oven / furniture out zoo.

SC, hope nostalgic thoughts to dance classes are good and not bad although I suspect bittersweet maybe.

Weekend wing flaps to Bower, *foxes and everyone else.

I also agree can remember walking around like a zombie. How the hell I ever went to college full time with four kids I don't know. My friend said a few years ago she was in awe of me. No one has ever been in awe of me and I was rather taken aback and proud all in one. I do remember going to the final exam when DH hadn't got up once to her in the night and hadn't got up that morning to sort the kids. I ended up ringing bestie and sending big ones to bus, take little DS to school then dropped DD at friends then couldn't find a parking space anywhere near college and having to run all the way at least half a mile and then the tutor told me off for being late. She said she wouldn't have let me in in five minutes. Well it wasn't five minutes and everyone was waiting outside the exam room door and it was all right for her she had a bloody nanny! I sat there and wanted to cry because DH had been such an arse that morning I think he wanted me to fail but I passed but I lost my distinction by that exam. I got it in all the others and this was multi choice. As you can see it still grates. I never did particularly well at school mostly average except English and Art and it was my chance. Other people who hadn't been expected got one and I didn't.
I went on to do two uni courses and did quite well at those but never did a degree which I regret.
Sleepless nights are a killer. By number three I had it pretty Sussed. I used to put baby son down at 1:30 - 2pm every day and put a note on the door. The other two were at school and I had a lie down with a cup of tea and a magazine or a nap until about 2:45 when I went to collect them off the bus. This time of year it was dark at 3 pm so I always met them. We were living a lot further north!

Zoo can remember sobbing as I sledgehammered the pantry down in our kitchen. I had lived in a house with a pantry as big as my kitchen once and it was marvellous. I had always wanted one but the kitchen had a sink and unit and a Rayburn that was it. So it had to come down and the broom cupboard next to it to make a kitchen big enough for five later six to eat in. I haven't got a freezer at the moment but do miss it at times and couldn't have managed without with the kids home so you are doing the right thing. Feel for you though.

Oops ta da
Just made tonight dinner ready to go in oven soon. Mmm will waft about house in an hour or two. DS 3 coming to dinner and to get his Christmas presents😳

It is good to hear from someone who survived 4 dc bower

My life batteries are very flat. Dd and ds3 are both grumpy. As am i.

Just been to the shop and felt better while i was out

Bowerbird and Toostressy hats off to both of you, frankly I don't know how you did it/do it!

Not surprised you feel drained Afresh - any chance you could leave your dp in charge for a long w/e and take off for three days?

Yes, I think I am we are over the ballet ennui Toostressy ; still sad that DD has abandoned dance altogether though as she is so gifted at it (if you'll forgive the trumpet blowing). She's one of those lucky people who can just dance to anything!! She'd find it hard to fit in that level of training with the amount of study she has nowadays though. Happily, one of her bfs still dances seriously so we still get to go to performances and DD has maintained lots of her former dance friendships.

Well done to everyone with such productive lists on here today!

Ta da:
hauled lots and lots of logs (knackering)
hauled lots and lots of firewood
discussed field drainage with neighbouring farmer and learnt a lot of new French vocab
helped dh carry heavy metal gate to storage barn
scrubbed makeshift kitchen
cleaned and rearranged sink area
rearranged some cupboards
sorted a load of recycling
country walk with furry
hung up a load of fat balls and seeds and nuts for birds
watered fruit trees
visited farm shop

To do:
lots more makeshift kitchen cupboard rearranging and cleaning
hwk supervision and testing!

Have a good evening everyone!

So - may I just chip in on the Aga / Rayburn convo? Have either of you looked at an Everhot? Mine has just had its 8th birthday and I still love it. No chimney or anything needed - just a 13amp power point for the basic model; I need 2 as I have an induction hob in mine. No need to service - it has just sat there happily since new, except that we moved it into a temporary kitchen when we redid the kitchen, then back into its new place. Sorry - love rant finished.

We don't so much have BRCs - they congregate into CRCs (cupboards of ...) and also into an impassable RRC (room of...). I have just started the Cure (well, it's still January, better late than never) and Day 2 is make a list of projects to be done. I haven't finished listing downstairs yet and the list is so depressingly long already. I may not live long enough to complete this!

I need to re-read Flylady about it not happening immediately.

honu we also did a list of projects today. It didn't go too well and we have had to give up on most plans due to insufficient funds!!

And insufficient time come to think of it...

Also ta da
Pilates DVD! (Which I did with the added challenge of ds sitting on my head)

Both children are in bed and no tears or whinging...what's going on!?

Aw SC, I’m glad your DD has kept in touch with dancing. It is hard sometimes when DC make their own decisions . A
Thanks for the hats off content but am presuming you didn’t mean me! Two DC are more than enough for me and I have huge admiration for anyone like Afresh,, zoo and Bower for having more and being even vaguely organised!!

foxes, very impressive to do Pilates DVD with a child on your head .

Honu, I looked at that January cure before and was put off by the task of making a list of projects. I can see the rationale but felt it would be profoundly depressing .

Hello to all, links next...

**
Here is the daily summary for Sunday (also available on the Flylady website at flight plan which should update automatically each day).

We are in zone 2 this week which is
the kitchen.

However, it’s the weekend, so no missions or zone work unless you want to.

Please have a look through the information on the website at the relevant zones as I know Flylady is keen that we do look at the website.

Spend 15 mins decluttering, or whatever you can manage, in Zone 2.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 2 is here.

daily focus

missions for the week

Flykids mission

January’s habit is shining your sink.

beginner babysteps.

old holiday clean up missions

Happy flying everyone.
**

Argh sorry yes, my middle-aged bird brain is working overtime today! Lots of distractions. I did indeed mean Afresh in that instance! But frankly in awe of anyone with more than one child ...or a "proper" job...including your good self Toostressy!!

Honu thanks for Everhot tip! Faced with a list like that in Jan, I think I would run for the hills! Good luck with the Cure though (although I must confess the title puts me in mind of colonic irrigation)!

ARF at your dad providing ballast Foxes

Not your dad Foxes (that would be wierd) your ds!

Signing off now before I make any more howlers! Early start tomorrow; field drainage guy coming first light. Lots to do before then!

Evening all, another day of minimal flying beyond the basics 😳
I am going to do zone 2 floor mopping tomorrow though, it does need it (not been done since Christmas Eve, just spot cleaning 😳). DM is coming round to take the DC out at some point, so going to get cracking with her birthday present when they're out 😊
Also DH and FIL are going to start on the rest of the DIY in the living room tomorrow, we renovated our living room in November, all the way back to brick, new floor, that was highly stressful 🙈 We sorted what we could to have it liveable for Christmas, but now it needs finishing off (skirting, architrave, new sockets, etc) So looking forward to it being done!

Hope everyone's ok, I don't envy the lack of sleep, hope you all have more restful nights tonight 😔

We were also at dancing today, it feels a bit like we're at a crossroads with it at the moment. DC have been doing it for 4 years now (they are 8 and 6), they don't love it, but go along quite happily most of the time. Neither will be professionals, I wouldn't have thought, but there are many other reasons why I'd be sad if they gave up. Something to ponder 🤔

I was laughing I had to admit. That would be really weird.

Is it a new type of yoga Foxes?

Dancing: yes DD gave up when I was with my sister and dangerously I'll niece. Also fairly talented picked to go to a London choreographers twice yearly tuition day. Think Cats, Starlight Express etc. made them work very hard all day but goodness he was good. I think she was about 14/15 she does Pilates and yoga now. No dancing. I could have cried at the time. I just wanted her to continue to enjoy it but they were mixed with younger ones. If dance teacher had seperated the teenagers I think she would have kept more of that age. Ballet, tap, freestyle( 50's, disco etc) have trophies and medals Grade as well. Boxes of 'em!

DS has just been complaining about things wrong in house now I feel like shit when I was looking forward to seeing him. Why do they expect everything to be perfect... It is cold( Yep it's winter) the windows aren't that good. Put new bespoke double glazing in two front window last year. £900 a window but he thinks they aren't that good. The door creaks at night, the floorboards creak and someone hasn't done a proper job of the back bedroom. He doesn't even sleep in there oh and the boiler is noisy. I did ask him when he became a building expert.Bloody hell he only came for dinner and I stupidly asked how he was managing because DS 2 moved out a few months ago and bought another house. DS2 and I own this one and DS3 is now living in it and paying rent and all bills. I could let it for three times as much ( uni students)and retire. I didn't need this. I would have been so bloody grateful if my parents had let me have something cheaper. I never got help towards rent, bills etc. my aunt left me some money and I helped to get DS 2 on the ladder and thought DS3&DD would benefit if we sold it or live in it or rent it out and have some income plus it goes to them when I die split four ways. I the end I said " Oh well we can sell it then. I never intended keeping it forever. " he then decided it wasn't that bad it just needed some things doing like the heating( radiators probably need bleeding) and the doors. 😳 all the doors that's eight internal. It's bigger than my house( cheaper area) and ver small garden/ yard.
I've come to bed now he has gone home. Kids! Aaaaaghh!
Cuddle that baby Cags while you can she might end up annoying you.
Ta Das
Did room for one and a half hours in total.
Made bed
Swish and swipe bathroom.
Made yummy dinner.

Oops sorry very long rant. Must be the wine. Lucky I only had glass and a half or I might have told him what I was thinking. DH sat there as per and said nothing. He never, ever backs me up or reminds the kids to show a bit of respect.

Not caught up yet, just popping on before watching catch up tv while getting Cagletini to sleep. She’s been very awake and cute this evening having been staring/gurgling at her feet, which are brand new to her :o

ta da
✅filled in survey for nappy product test (need to comment on thread still, have left tab open to remind me... browser tab not nappy tab, the latter would be a disaster)
✅spend some of my Christmas voucher, yay!
✅stripwash the dribblesome baby
✅lunch out with friends
✅manage to concentrate through an entire film
✅choose birthday present for Caglets’ friend, still need to order it though
✅sort clothes for friends into bags
✅finish sorting outgrown baby clothes into size/type. Normally I would be annoyed that I really only finished what I couldn’t get done yesterday but actually I’m just celebrating the fact that it’s done!
✅found a few more clothes to get rid of
✅Caglets bathed
✅put washing in machine
✅workbook with DS, don’t normally on weekends but he wanted to

So nothing big like tidying up really but it’s nice to think I have achieved stuff. Need to try and sleep soon as have grumbly pain under my ribs which does feel a bit gallbladderish but I don’t think it actually is. Hoping to just sleep it off.

Lovely picture you paint of Caglitini finding her toes.

Great Ta Das. Especially the sorting. It is that Flylady thingisnt it just keep doing little bits and you will get there.

Back into routine must be working if DS is asking to do his workbook. Some of our Polish kids go to Polish school on Saturdays. Little and often might work better for you at the moment Cags. What age are yours again? The bigger ones 😆 don't know if they work on your laptop/ computer but I have some old unused or little used Cd Roms for Maths, possibly English and might be Science. I worked for DK for a while. If they are any use I could post them to you. I 'lol fish them out and tell you what they are. They might not be suitable but I'll check. There might be more for other people. I'm pleased I have finished book case but I needed poked with a sharp stick as I went and bought one from Hospice At Home today. However I hadn't thought of that place to drop off books to so next week I will take some there. I also noticed there were no children's books there and lots of kids go to this drop off point. Several things going on there. Going to check other book cases. Did another half hour in craft room but veered off to read parking thread. It was hilarious. A must read if you like a parking thread or have a need for procrastinating.
Right I'm going to try again re sleep. I had 25 mins before.