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

I used to follow the links but tbh I have mostly stopped looking and following them now, I found fly lady wasn't working very well for me anymore. I do like to have routines though so I'm sort of adapting my own from fly lady and may have a look at organised mum I don't know. I also did a bit of Kondo over the summer which has improved things here a lot but I never got as far as things like the shed!!

Anyway - i echo others in that it is a lovely thread regardless and it's a nice place for me to come and have a grumble and a chat about things housework related and things non housework related. Links or no links I'll stay for that!

I had a 3hr nap 😳😳😳

Hi all,

re. links, tbh I never look at them unless I am leading the thread and even then once I have them sorted for the week I don’t look. I do like the Flylady system but am not disciplined or organised enough to stick to it. I like this thread as you are a lovely bunch of people and it does inspire me to do housework occasionally .

I’d be more than happy with just an explanation of the system and the links in the opening post. It is easy for newbies or anyone who wants to to view the opening post and get the links from there, especially if we explain the launch pad then people can look there. Babysteps are nice to post. I go through phases with how much I use and post on this thread. Currently am in a bit of an off phase with posting for no real reason.

Tbh what I find takes the time thread leading is not so much the links but the personal stuff as I try to mention everyone who posts and this requires either being on the thread all the time or trawling through lots of posts. I think this is more pressure I put on myself than anyone else putting on me. Also doing that for a month is fine as I then tend to have a bit of a break from posting once I’ve finished thread leading.

Back with a proper post later.

zoo

[Cranks rusty Internet power handle from countryside.]

Agree with everything you have said Toostressy. I put that pressure on myself too - what's nice is that everyone comments on each other's posts; thread isn't as welcoming if everyone just posts about their own stuff - but (and I don't mean this in horrible way 'cos this thread helps me navigate through life a lot!!) much as I love it, I really should be starting to redirect my attention to other things currently!

So if everyone is in agreement it looks like we are moving towards a more abridged/simplified version if everyone wants to carry on then? (Happy to do a last full version in Oct/Nov if that what everyone wants though!)

That took so long to post on wobbly country wi-fi that I am going to sign out now until tomorrow night!

I’m honestly happy with anything. I just love this thread, it’s a lovely cozy part of MN :o and sometimes I even get some housework done :o

Cag, you’ve summed the thread up perfectly .

I think that's the nice thing about it - it's here when you need it, it's still here and you can jump back in if you have to disappear for a while and it's definitely a cosy corner! And a great place for motivational lists

I'm totally happy to go with simplified version tbh from whenever.

We made jam tarts this afternoon for a coffee morning tomorrow (McMillan one a day late!) ,they look very home-made i.e. a total mess but taste delicious!

You know, we’ve been here ten weeks and we haven’t actually tried baking yet. I promised the Caglets we would but I’m so nervous of being crap 😳

I am always happy to lead a thread, as I feel that somehow means I don't have to do anything in the links. Surely I should feel the opposite and do everything I post, but no ...

I am glad to see Friday this week. DD badly scraped her knee in a fall, she vomited at a medical appointment and DH has developed type 2 diabetes, as well as needing a biopsy for something else. Wine will be needed tonight now I've finally finished my antibiotics!

On a more positive note - DD is doing so well at school, we are thrilled at how well she's settled in AND - brace yourselves ladies for a household tip from me because that never happens - my oven door (a slide and hide type) was terribly dirty and I read a tip somewhere about using a hob scraper on it. Oh.My.Word. Worth every penny. Scraped off in mere minutes and was able to hold the door open with one hand while I did it.

I never read the links either, I'm sure that a link to the launch pad would do the job daily. Could add the weekly zones and/or babysteps if that helps. I had a break from MN earlier this year and although I got a lot more done, I did miss this thread

Hob scraper? I’m intrigued!

Glad DD is doing so well, but sorry about the health issues, that sucks.

I am having blood sugar issues myself ATM and appear to be very high risk of T2, specialist says I have PCOS and thus insulin resistance.

I’ve done fuck all this afternoon

Lots to catch up on.

Links...I don’t always read them every day as life/ work gets in the way sometimes. I like the weekly idea but like too stress I find I am not always organised or disciplined enough. I also love the people on here much better place than when I sometimes venture over the hill. I think people here are lovely, kind and the sort of people I want in my life as in real life. It is like a village of people who all offer each other support when life gets rough. No judgement or criticism just support.

I am trying to keep life at home sweet for DD before she goes off around the world but DH is really annoying me. He has hardly done any housework. The house is a tip. The washing is up to date but a big pile is at the bottom of the stairs including towels. There are hardly any towels in the bathroom. DD has cleaned the kitchen today. Hurrah!
Yesterday DH packed the crockery off the shelves we are not getting the new kitchen until end of November. The bathroom was dirty.
He mowed the grass today and then went to the pub for two hours. It was nearly 7 pm and no meal made so I had to do it. It was fish pie and veg. Rant over. I have been sorting school stuff. I feel stressed at the thought of going backbut then found my card from the end of last year which says a big thank you all sighed under the heading “ From your babies.” I felt a bit misty eyed.
I am finding it really hard to do anything. My bloody wrist hurts every time I do anything. School rang before I could speak to GP so I have asked for another week off. A& E Dr. J said a few weeks so for once I am doing as I am told. I hope to get through every school bag of random crap and ditching or reorganising it before going back.
I went for a chat about possible new job. I feel daunted by teaching adults & teenagers, planning, no school hols, they have bloody Ofsted and organising my own timetable on the plus side it is nearly twice as much money, my own office, car share pool and might be able to squeeze it into three day week.i think I can probably do the teaching but I have been doing off the cuff teaching so much that that is what I think I am best at. I would have to do detailed planning but on the plus side I would be given time to do it instead of doing it at night after a hard day at work. Help!

I could do with a job scraper as I don’t think DH has cleaned the hob for over a week.

Sorry, cba with a proper list.

Ta da:-
I did some stuff

It sounds as if quite a few of you are having a rough time so I shall stock the naughty corner with .

Yo

Just read back a couple of pages and i dont use the links. I didnt as a sahm and certainly dont now. I seem to only make it to the thread at weekend

You must be so busy ive how is the job going? And are the childcare arrangements working well? 💐

We’ve had a busy morning after yesterday I spotted an Evil Hair Bug 😡 so we Hedrined overnight and that meant this morning has been filled with rinsing, combing, showering and a fuckton of washing 😡 and DH did all the washing up as well. Didn’t see many at all so I suspect I know who DS picked them up from during the week (there are a couple of people who are a bit... lax with it 🙄). I’m super paranoid about them as my hair is really thick so always err on the side of caution with treatments. Was an expense we could do without though 😰 but at least they are dealt with before an infestation

Anyway I feel a bit out of sorts and have also finally got a proper AF and now feel like absolute shit as it’s really heavy.

And I want all the chocolate and cake IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE

I’m bringing passion fruit curd though, it’s lovely on granary toast (although right now I’d much rather be having an epic fry up)

Bower as mush as your babies make you misty eyed you are working in a toxic environment. How you are getting away with adhoc teaching in this day and day of ofsted is baffling to me. Ime that the way OFSTED work in adult settings is different to that of schools, also once you get into the swing of planning you will find it much easier - especially with alloted time. Change is scary. The un-known is scary. But realistically how healthy for YOU is it to stay? Ignore the kids, they come they go. Focus on the support - your co-workers, the ethos and the environment. Is it doing you any favours? In terms of the new environment do you think you would thrive in it once you got settled. Answer those questions and more besides and you will be closer to your decision. NO ONE can make this decision for you or tell you want to do. I know what I would do.

Its the weekend!!!!!

So no missions
but it is family fun day - yeah enjoy that one. My family fun day consists of ignoring the teen until lunch time and getting on with what is needed.

Launch pad

Babystep

Thanks Hills some good advice.

The adhoc is because someone rings in sick and supply cover either can’t get for first lesson or they can’t get any at all. Occasional meetings like Prof. Development. So take over.
I have other lessons I plan for all year. Teaching adults is a bit daunting though.

I think I am just feeling a bit bleugh at the moment. I’m not sure I am up to the job although the person I spoke to thinks I am. I am going in to watch a lesson ( which has been offered) and I have been on lots of courses so know lots of styles so they would be involved because the one thing I hate is being talked at for hours. I like to be set a task so you bounce ideas off others. I haven’t worked in private nurseries for about 20 years so I would have to learn all the changed legislation too.
The planning would need to be very detailed I imagine. I am going to research the course while I am off.
Otherwise I am contemplating retirement in the next year. I was thinking I would do two more at least but starting to feel maybe now is the natural end. I would stay with “ my babies “for their final year and then go quietly. I taught some of their parents and I don’t want to be teaching grandchildren!
Lots to think about.

Thanks for links.

Mine is stay in bed until 12 then declutter RBC. Might try and tidy sitting room then.
DH and DD have gone off on a jolly for the day. Had to wait to get in bathroom hence still in bed. Also resting ankle😂 being on mumsnet, read the paper, looked at Pinterest for ideas for new summer house which obviously isn’t arriving in September like it was supposed to! Hopefully next week as DD wants to help furnish it. Which means I will get rid of some pieces out of the house. Chairs and table from kitchen and two small tables. DD says she has a wall unit but so do I. Some pretty cups. Some magazines and the chest of drawers will house the magazines, paints and pastels. One table will have the easel on it the other not sure as DDs choice. It is 8’ x10’ or 12’ i’ve Forgotten! Any way she can juggle stuff in and out till we see what looks best. Then a tea party then gin after 5 pm. I have asked them to make a rockery but no sign of it yet. Might ask BFs sister as she is a very good gardener and might like some extra cash for Christmas. It really needs doing before it arrives. DH has just left a pile of stone to stop dogs next door getting into our garden and eating our chicken.
Chicken update. DH proudly showed me how he has heighten chicken fence by adding a roll of wire and bamboo canes to make it about 7 ‘ she was out this morning. She is definitely aka Houdini!
Hope you enjoy your day. Off to sort RBC for two hours!

Does henny have her wings clipped. I forgot if I have asked previously. I know there is a farm that knew when they needed to reclip because they would find the chickens on the roof

I am also in bed. Doing lots of paper admin. the will to move is weak today. But feeling good for ticking things off the todo list. I think an early night might be in order. or a nap

Reading that back the answer is definitely a nap... words are hard!

As long as there's a comfy chair and blankie to hide under when life is crap and someone to laugh with/moan to I'm in regardless of the linkies!!

Today's been hard.that is all

Zoo

Everyone else

New job is ok. Hard work. Long hours. Childcare is ok.

Man child is better behaved than previously. I am meant to recommence studying next week and have no idea where to find the recommended 16-18 hours .....