June's arrived too soon! Catch up with the Fledgling Fly thread ... .

[Scoopofchaff]

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 wine and cake along the way.

This is where, from the first of the month (seriously, HOW is it June already?!), we follow – loosely – the rules of FlyLady [see website here ]. (Pls ignore Flylady's barftastic language, and we suggest NOT signing up to her 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.]

The launch pad is the place from which you can reach most other useful areas of the site: here.

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 at!. 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!

Happy Flying one and all!

Well mine will be doing her own washing during the summer Zoo make no mistake [SC folds arms determinedly over ample bosom] and she may then appreciate the work that goes in to it [double harrumph]

Oh your dd has a boyfriend sc is this a new development?! Annoying about the laundry and curfew though...maybe blame exam stress (and also teenager stuff obviously. I'm appreciating mine while they are still little enough to control mostly!)

Ta da
15 minutes decluttering in DD room - sorted all her books out and wiped drawers over
Decluttered bag car purse
Finished daily routine
Hung up more laundry and put duvet in machine

Does anyone know how you know if Greek style yogurt has gone off?! I don't buy it much but I have a tub in my fridge I opened Monday , will it probably be ok Sunday as I'd like to attempt a lemon yogurt pudding and don't have time today. I have no experience with gone off yogurt products!

To do
Swish and swipe downstairs loo
Bathroom mission
Pick up dd which means I have to wake ds from his nap in a minute frustratingly
GP appointment , looks like dh is going to make it home in time fingers crossed
Cook dinner later - home made chicken guojons (i.e. nuggets ) chips and beans (unless BIL is coming over in which case scrap that, Chinese!)

My head is constantly spinning at the moment. I do like to be busy but I am really struggling to switch off and relax a bit.

Since December Foxes! Not something I had particularly thought would be on the cards this early - all v innocent atm - he is a good lad, very shy, with very nice family - in her class at school. Just hope it hasn't proved too much of a distraction from her studies and vice versa!

You do always sound very busy Foxes and I take my hat off to you often with how consistently you Fly!

Not sure about Greek yoghurt - I think we usually keep it about 5-6 days after opening here - but I guess that's because it separates a bit doesn't it? Is it within sell by date?

sc sorry I must have missed the boyfriend news then! . The use by date isn't until July but it says use within five days of opening which is today. I plan to use it Sunday I think it should be ok but no idea how to tell as plain yogurt always smells a bit sour anyway!

I'm just finding it hard to switch my brain off at the moment.

Well if it starts getting green lumps of mould on the top I would throw it out. sorry not much help as we are not a yoghurt kinda family and ds only eats the soya based ones occassionally

Ds has just screamed at me about his computer, then told me his result in a subject he is deliberately trying to do badly in. He is actually doing better now he is trying to get rubbish marks than when he was trying to get good marks .

We have to get moving in 5 mins for the throwing things in car driving across the hills thing. I am looking forwards to passing out in bed when I get back. It has been a long week, my back is sore (butt still numb), my knee smarts from plaster allergy and that bloody cut is being pesky (good job i wrote that, it has reminded me to deal with it) Although tbh I don't think the cut is the issue, I think I have flatten my immune system to nothing again and need some complete r&r days. I have scheduled them for when I can and as soon as I can. promise.

Water. W.a.t.e.r. ? does it contain caffiene. seriously though I am at at least 2 ltrs per day but should be up at 4 ltrs per day which probably contributes to why feeling so crap tbh

Hopefully you all have lovely evenings. going to try not to pop back later and just crash out and sleep as early as possible when i get back. See you all tomo although probably will be back tonight

Omg giant case of i cannot be fucked arsed over here!

• fucking arsed ......

Ooh I must have missed the boyfriend news too SC. We have a busy end of term going on here too. Not the same as leaving primary at all but we have infant, middle and senior school here so DD1 is off to junior school in September. I am already concerned about crying in all the leaving things .

Ta da:-
Didn’t achieve a proper home bleugh but did swish and swipe of bathrooms and cleaned kitchen and did general tidy up.
Ordered DD2 new PJs and swimsuit
Sewed swimming badges
Went to have a look round DD1’s new school
Tested DD1 on half of her spellings
DD2 reading

Need to drag the girls away from the park now

Had frustrating day trying to find new bike for Dgs9 birthday. He really needs to choose it himself, so I will take him on Sunday.
Saturday we are taking him and Dgs7 to the Comedy Store (part of birthday treat), they are trialling kids afternoons every other month. We've booked the package with Pizza and reserved seats. If it's silly, kids humour, I bet I'll enjoy it as well.
Love a bit of stupid!
Buffydog is a Cross Labrador, she's 15 this year and still going strong, although our walks are a bit slower now though and not as far.
Here she is with Suki 2 in July.

Lovely photo honky ! Gorgeous dog, we had a labrador cross when I was a teenager , absolutely mad affectionate dog I still miss her! My parents have two dogs now and I haven't bonded so well with them, they are springers and frankly a bit of a nuisance! They are very lovely but so bouncy and I'm a lot more on edge now as I have two very small children.

I know what you mean about Springers, they're very hyper dogs. Not a good mix with small children! Buffy is a big, placid lump, she hasn't a bad bone in her body.
We're a very doggy family, all the kids and Grandkids have been brought up with a dog or two.
Dd has black cross Lab and the baby of the dogs, Indy a Cavalier King Charles, who is adorable.

Ds has a Border Terrier who is a real character. I sometimes end up with them all at mine if they all go away together. It's a mad house.
Dd's twin girls also have a horse that my daughter looks after and rides while they're at University.

😍😍😍😍honky
SC arf at pic of the dearly departed Mr dawson.thats you and me my dear over on the internet garden fence chit chattalk of the lively less,dd2 used to pull that gurney face as a baby.cracked us up!!
I don't think you must've mention the boyfriend as I don't remember that either!!
I've I think it's the time of year.i really struggling to motivate at mo
Stressy great list with life being busy!!
Foxes I'd probably not,but I'm a stickler with dairy/meat etc for following instructions(veg I can easily see if it's past saving,and confident I won't poison anyone if I judge its ok!)

My 30min mad clean saw relocation of a hallway,always good as I can get in damn door without be greeted by clutter and mess!!
So tada
Found floor
Hoover it,plus stairs and landing
Wiped banisters
Wipe inside front door (as filthy)
Wipe floor

Dd2 had text row her "friends" as she's not at school.they ranting as we're all ment be doing a test in music and she was in drums/doing the best.they saw her deteriorating with this stupid cold as week went on but still having a go saying she's not really ill and letting them all down(despite none of them liking music,or plan take it next year) had she been able to go in she would've.i beginning to think has chest infection as still very hot and she can't walk far without getting breathless and wheezy if starts coughing.plus she's got no attitude just wants her mummy --a sure give away shes not pulling a fast one

Anyhoo she refused to walk home after getting lil zoo(won't stay alone for the hour walk there and back) and we end taking longer route as we normally pass her school on way down hill homeward bound and was fearful of altercations...as it happens a slow walk thru nature reserve chatting with other two about their day in sunshine was nice.and we saw LOADS BABY BUNNIES😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Since home
All uniforms washed(in drier)
Lil ones had sandwich tea as DP and I had naice ham at lunch and some left,so ham sandwiches.cucumber and carrot sticks,plain crisps and raspberry jelly with raspberries
Just try get dd2 decide what the Dickens we having.i suspect soup as she's in the evening slide to feeling crappier and keeps losing concentration on questions ask and crying
Think be an evening watch Netflix/her favourite shows and just resting...

Happy Friday everyone

I am belatedly announcing a flying win! Tbh no effort was involved. I love drinking water and drink plenty each day. The only One of the few habits of the month I have achieved .

for water drinking stressy
I've no my dear,hop in

Thanks Ive . was meant to be earlier!

Left house for school pick up in relatively tidy state and laundry drying on washing line. Kids now asleep and I am surveying lots laundry needing putting away, wet swim bags plus school bags plus packed lunch bags and bag from packed tea, 4 water bottles plus some stuff from her junior school that DD1 has got out to look at plus DH’s running gear. How does the place get messy so quickly??? Does anyone actually have a system that works for putting things away when they get in from work / school or at least containing the chaos?

Just realised I never answered your Costco question Hills. Can’t help I’m afraid as have never ever tried it or anything like it.

ta da
✅bit of extra home ed with DD - she declared that she would like to try SATs, however this led to a dilemma as due to her LDs there’s no way she would manage. :( So I got some quick English tests to do and I am also writing her an exam based on what we’ve been learning. Quite a nice boost for me too actually as I’m realising the extent of her knowledge of things like plant biology and Shakespeare :o
✅came up with a plan for a new learning group to start once we’ve settled into the new house and have more space. I’ve posted about DD’s willingness to knuckle down and use textbooks and such, but what I’ve realised over the last few days is that she is missing out on a shared experience of learning with friends. We completely separated socialising and learning a while back because of that nasty bully (who by the way has now fucked off back to school! Honestly can’t describe the relief - for newbies basically one of her home ed ‘friends’ had been calling her stupid etc and it deeply affected her) - she couldn’t handle learning in front of people at all. But I think she’s reached the point where she is ready and will really benefit from it. So I’m making plans with a couple of friends.

ta didn’t
❌any actual housework whatsoever

Hello everyone.

Nothing such achieved today but have had a girly day shopping with DSD with a maccys breakfast, cream tea lunch then pub dinner with DS.

Fell like such a pig, but a very happy and skint one.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Bit of a meh day tbh. Spent it doing boring admin (office), cleaning, cooking, tidying up, shopping and both dd (glued to phone) and dh (glued to football) were monosyllabic and grumpty tonight. I honestly think that if I had run around the sitting room naked with a bucket on my head they wouldn't have noticed. Not sure why I bother sometimes ... .

Genuinely glad to hear someone had a much better time of it today though Giggage!

Cag really great that your dd has got her confidence back re: learning with others.

I've no idea about how to keep things tidy Toostressy just that it is a continuous battle that I am losing. I missed putting a daily wash on two days this week - just two days - and I know have two full laundry paniers of dirty clothes! How does this happen? Well done re: water consumption! Btw, I cried at all the end-of-year events at dd's primary and regularly had to hide behind a large shrub for a couple of moments in order to gain composure!

Arf at chatting over the garden fence Zoo! I wish! I think I am the only person at home in my quartier during the day! And yes, I think this time of year feels like one is crawling on one's knees to the finishing line! Sorry to hear dd2 still so poorly; hope she has a better night tonight.

Honkywonkwoman Hope you have a lovely day with your grandson tomorrow! Wow Buffydog is gorgeous and looks really well for 15 yrs! And sounds like your family has a lovely menagerie! I'm not a cat person particularly (sorry to cat lovers on here) but Suki looks gorgeous too! We have a lh daschund who is a bit tricky (adopted following neglectful puppyhood) but lovely when you get to know him!

Foxes/Honkywonkwoman I absolutely adore Springers - one of my all time favourite breeds - but they are indeed very full on!

Echoing your sentiments exactly about today I've!

Safe travelling Hills!

Somewhat weary wing flaps to everyone else!

Hope you are all surviving the end-of-academic-year madness and can take a bit of a breather this weekend!

Baby step no. 16 for Sat 16th is here. One about reading the Flylady website.

It's our last day in Zone 3 tomorrow (if you do zone work at weekends, that is!) : The Main Bathroom and One Extra Room (June 10-16). Spend 15 mins a day decluttering this area (and/or do a mission!).

If you are at the stage where you have finished decluttering Zone 3, here is the detailed cleaning list for the bathroom etc.

We will be starting in Zone 4: The Master Bedroom, Bath, Closet (June 17-23) on Sunday (again, only if you do zone work at weekends).

No missions on a Saturday because it is the w/e! Whey hey! [Strikes Tibetan singing bowl and plays Andalusian nose flute in celebration!]

Saturday's daily focus is family fun. Or not this weekend owing to revision hell.

The habit for June is: keeping hydrated by drinking lots of water.

A summary of the above (which should update itself daily) can be found in the flight plan here.

TGIF! Have a great weekend everyone!

Btw - does anyone have a good store of recipes, or can recommend a book, for easy but healthy "holiday" cooking? It suddenly dawned on me today that I am still going to need to cater during the holidays (why I have it in my mind that this would be any different to term time I've no idea but my wayward brain still seems to think this every year!!) and I want to be a bit more organised about it this summer so it doesn't become a huge pain!

Did very little. At home yesterday and won't be doing anything but washing today as I am getting up to go out for the day soon.
Yogurt hmm might be a bit long. It lasts about three days here. Was only a day when I could have dairy and DD wasn't vegan.

Recipes. I still like my very old Dairy cookbook and one I made from cut out recipes. I have a bookcase full ( tall ,slim) of cookbooks. Hairy bikers everyday actually Mary Berry's one is ace.
Feel tired and need to get up.

SC - try the Hairy bikers (in their hairy dieters form) green diet book. I think it's book 3. There's a chapter called "sunshine food" and there are several other staples in there. I use it a lot. It is not too fiddly, and the recipes taste great.

You've all been so busy. I read when I can - happy flying everyone!

Morning all

I feel tired and achey