September fledgling roll call: Ready, Set, FLY....

[HillsBesideTheSea]

Yes this is the bonkers back to school thread. We welcome you to jump aboard for the ride. We are following the Fly lady system for taming the chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome). We are at various levels and there is NO obligation to follow it to the letter (we've installed a bar in the naughty corner for hanging out and relaxing when needed)

4 levels for flying:
Baby steps - good for finding a routine in the tasks and getting over the perfection crippling effect
Baby steps and missions - yep basic routine and more in depth tasks
Baby steps, missions, and deep cleaning - can't clean clutter so don't consider this one if you need the next level
Flying combined with a decluttering system (kondo/unfuck etc etc) lets be honest fly lady is good for routine but not so quick with the decluttering results sometimes.

So ground rules, yes ground rules it is September:

1. Newbies - we are a long running but friendly bunch. We try not to seem clicky but it doesn't always come across as some of us have known each other on here for a long time, just join the chatter and you'll soon be a fledgling
2. There is NO wrong or right way of doing this, it is about adapting the system to suit your life circumstances, which will be different from someone else's.

Linkies will be posted daily and will appear shortly. Until then, jump on board, enjoy the ride and there are still hammocks, sand, comfy seats, cushions, blankies and a full English on the naughty corner bar it is a Saturday morning, breakfast is earnt

Not doing the cathedral this time because ££ we did the science centre and now the free museum, going to the mill tomorrow! We may do the cathedral another time though, I want to arrange trips to various places of worship once we have done some of our religious studies

Towels folded and put away
Chivvy zoolets off to meet another family to walk fun and faith group as lil zoo not up to it

zoo DD1 has just gone into Year 8, first time ever in school! She has health problems, which are contributing to the rough mornings, but she is really enjoying it and loving making new friends.

Ta daas...

the whole list from this morning. Pretty pleased with myself so far this week!

I have a whole weekend to myself this weekend (DDs are at their Dad's, DP is going to see his brother for the weekend) and no idea what to do with myself. Spam me with ideas please?

Ta da:
cleaned and cleaned with Dettol for hours and chucked food and got rid of mouse poo in kitchen cupboard
cleaned down kitchen
cleaned kitchen bin
cleaned fridge
meal planning for week + made list
banking
replied 3 urgent e-mails
wrote action list
hoovered two more areas in sitting room where there was evidence of mouse and mopped floor with Dettol solution
supermarket shopping
florist to cheer myself up
dog walk 2
helped dh find things pack and prepped and starched special clothes for his trip
distributed lav rolls to lavs around the house
one dining room table hot spot (this took a long time)
triaged washing for tomorrow
made cous cous salad with roasted chicken breasts for dinner
cleared up after supper
unpacked one suitcase and one BRC
about to do dog walk 2 then I'm well and truly done for day!

Great that your dd1 is enjoying her school experience Steg! Very sorry to hear she has health issues though. Hope the mornings get easier for her.

As for child-free time, I think it depends if you feel sociable or not but I would plan dinner with friend Fri or Sat night, then spend one of the days doing something physical like walking, riding or gardening, and the other day curled up in a darkened room reading or watching Netflix!

Alternatively, a bit of retail therapy?

Or a visit to somewhere you have never been before such as art gallery, zoo, stately home?

Or if you want to stay at home I would maybe do a whole day sorting spice rack, batch cooking or cake making or cooking for freezer?

Or, finally, crafts? A day of creativity - sewing, painting, or trying something new!

Anything but Flying!!!

When I had time out i redocorated girls room!!

SC
Glad you made decent inroads with mess and sorted vermin

Tada
Ironed dry wash
Towels folded
Washed up
Dinners almost ready
CBA with floors!!

I have,however taught lil zoo to play strip jack naked/beggar my neighbour.so now just dd2 to teach it!!it took her mind of things for a bit and nice have bit one to one time with her laughing and enjoy each others company!

Thanks Zoo wouldn't say I made in-roads but I have dealt with most urgent stuff. There is so much else to do it is quite overwhelming tbh.

Snap! DD and I went through a strip jack naked phase recently! We have recently started on the various rummys!

There is more than one type of rummy?!

steg I could give you lots of things that I would do when child free (also have a people free weekend this weekend) but then you would think I was bonkers more bonkers than getting up at 5am kinda bonkers

Nice to have you back SC

Hope you manage to enjoy yourself Cag

Nice to see you grey

Links and then I have some how ended up helping ds with his homework Most of the books have been stickied back plastic'ed but I was rather disappointed with the lack of stick.

Launch pad

Babysteps - clear your digital clutter (she specifies flylady emails but hopefully you didn't sign up so you only have the normal digital clutter to deal with. Spend 15mins. or shrug and ignore

Missions

Daily focus - Antiprocrastination day!

Night.

Morning all!

Bugger. Been awake since 4 am. Couldn't get back to sleep. Furry is up. May as well follow his example.

Ta for links Hills! Not following zones yet. Away this weekend so have three days to sort this initial mess here and then I'll begin Flying "properly" next week.

Waves to Bower and to everyone else!

To do:
So much I feel sick thinking about it but - narrowing it down - initially need to reorganise and tidy entire ground floor. And this morning need to cook (dd's diet has has not been very healthy while I was away apparently.)

Have a good anti-procrastination day everyone!

SC I slept fabulously...from 830_1230 when awoke need to pee.brain fired up and declared morning☹️
Gave up and got up at 4

Tada
Four BRC sorted
Fed cats
Wash in
Made pitta pizzas for pack up i forgot to make last night and as dd2 checks menu board in kitchen would've exploded had pizza not been in her lunch (red pepper and red onion pizza smells good even at this hour!!)
Rest lunchboxes sorted
Swept living room floor
Wash on airer
More in
Littertray and bins

Strong ---> Zoo. As usua, you have been far more productive then me so far today!

Argh, can't spell. Distracted by sight of DD wearing rolled-up school uniform skirt with combo of over-the-knee socks and patent doc martens. Biting my lip for now.

sc are those the shoes she chose on her own? What are their uniform rules like?!

I'm awake early and so is dd she is so excited about first day of school and I'm just trying to make sure I leave plenty of time as we haven't had to leave the house this early for weeks and weeks!! And I'm not yet totally sure how long everything will take.

Good luck foxes🍀

SC you should know by now I get off to a cracking start then taper off by midday/midpm and by teatime I'm just this side of slobbering zombie

Tada
Breakfasts sorted
Second load wash on airers
Towels in wash
Bathroom cleaning starting now zoolets have all finished brush teeth/oblutions!!

Well it's on the verge I must say Foxes and she is definitely testing the boundaries in more ways than one! Shoes should be navy or black (and these are black but have very thin line of yellow stitching.) She is choosing to wear a very innapropriate jacket for school too (no blazers here).

This is all new to me btw. She started term last week wearing the normal classic uniform in a normal way! Reckon there must be some fashionistas in her new class this year (composition of class changes year on year).

I am of the (probably rather stuffy) opinion that if you have a uniform then it should be worn probably. Would rather have mufty than a mish mash! So hope school enforces!

And yes, as a parent I know I need to enforce too and I am going to. But dd going through a "difficult" stage and I've learned that if I confront head on full guns blazing, it sends her the other way. So going to play this one a bit strategically ... .

Aargh, so sorry, meant to add to that "good luck to the lovely fox cub today" Foxes!! Hope she enjoys it and remember to take a photo!

Zoo I am in permanent zombie state currently!

Aagh. ...from uniform post below ...

Should be worn properly not probably!

SC we should form a zombie club!!

Tada
Bathroom.
Windows and mirror cleaned
Bath n sink wiped
Bath panel and radiator wiped
Rummage thru zoolets oblutions drawers ditching wizened empty toothpaste and shower gel detritus
Wash floor

I've had three run ins with dd2 this morning.all because of her phone -so not listening.thinking but not saying whilst on phone texting/liking social media then blaming me for repeat myself (other zoolets back me up hadn't said anything when asked question)and just generally being rude.think phones going to take impromptu holiday after-school.i may enforce an early night too as crappy bugger when sits up late too after but at point wants too and I keep falling asleep before she goes to bed

I am now alert enough to eat breakfast and then I will attack hall stairs and landing.lil zoo curled up in ball in bed so no school for her(meds dose increase also risks her bum may explode and a thirty minute walk without chance facilities on route is quite risky)

Ugh, I am struggling at the moment. I have an infection and antibiotics - I'm one of those people who does not do well on antibiotics and feel terrible!

There is a trend over here about enforcing uniform ATM. Local schools are really strong on it, DD's school skirt is sold by the school and has an acceptable width band above and below the knee. I have heard of schools moving to clip-on ties, presumably to stop some of the more inventive tie-wearers (DD's school has a rule about that too, where the tie should sit). Shoes - heck, there are photos of acceptable and unacceptable. No contrast/coloured stitching, laces and soles the same colour as the shoe (that's the Louboutins out then luckily )

Best get a few bits done now before taking the next tablet which will render me useless for a few hours! Kill or cure (it's still better than the infection though!).

Morning all.
I'm still in bed. Day off. I feel very tired and I would like to sleep and do nothing. The reality is that I am going to enquire if I could visit site of a potential job today. Make bed then proceed to empty craft room onto my bed so I can get in there and tidy up. DD promised to help me last week so hopefully she will. Then I have to empty the car. The bathroom won't take long as I keep that pretty clean all the time. I will do shower and the rest is swish and swipe then wash the floor.
First I have to get up and have tea and breakfast. Forgot to replenish tea bags and water for Teasmade.
I have a sore throat.
Foxes hope your cub enjoys today. I had my first day with Reception on Monday. Just had one sobber thank goodness. He was loud but knows me so I managed to calm him by playing in the home corner with him😁
Zoo you make me feel tired just reading your list.
SC I would have been so mad about the mess especially as some was sheer laziness.

SS same colour soles and uppers crikey that is picky. I have just bought some new Skechers for school all black bar the logo S. Very comfy.