Stepping forward in October: the new look fledgling Fly thread.

[Spreadingcudweed]

OK so maybe not new and improved exactly... but a more slimline, concentrated version!

Huge thanks to Hills for guiding us so slickly through September !

Many of us have been here forever; the thread where we (loosely) follow the Flylady housekeeping system here to combat CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome) with a load of chat and mutual support along the way. For that reason, we may seem cliquey, but we really aren't and all newcomers, lurkers, returnees and (intermittent) regulars are hugely welcome!

We are not posting links to the Flylady site on a daily basis anymore, just the daily baby step and flight plan, and the missions and zones on a weekly basis, but don't hesitate to ask questions about the system if you have any!

More information available here and from the launch pad here.

And borrowing heavily from Hills September introduction ... .

There are 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 (if you are at that stage) - 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.

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.

And when it all gets too much: come and take a seat by the fire in our specially adapted "naughty" corner where you can enjoy virtual and and tangible support from fellow fledglings.

Hills ahhh but see this yesr is an exception as we all leave for a cruise on Dec 1st!! Lol but seriously I'm just thinking praying for how lovely December will be when just enjoying the twinkly lights and festivities and all buying/wrapping/cards/planning are already taken care of!!

Just remember that cruising the holidays is set up for Thanks Giving in the States atm so will be focused on that rather than Christmas per say.

Bah. Christmas. Normally by this time I’ve bought lots of presents etc but meh. Really struggled with Christmas last year TBH (baby was tired, I was in the depths of PND/Anxiety, I cried a lot that day 😳) and hoping this one will be better. But got baby’s first birthday a week today! And nowhere to hide presents (at the old house we had a build in slidey door wardrobe thing. With broken doors 🙄 but still the big shelf was useful. We don’t even have a regular wardrobe here yet because money).

Love the autumnal emojis sc and hope the migraine clears up ASAP.

Dani really appreciate the words of encouragement thank you 💐 I just had a total mental block about it. I really wanted to manage it this time, I never wanted to go buggyless or anything (totally understand why you do though! I am ok with steering and pushing etc thankfully) but just wanted to be confident and have it as a regular option. With my older two I tried a Tomy carrier a bit for DD, then DS was massive at birth and felt too heavy and cumbersome in it. I didn’t really know anything about other types of sling then and had no confidence or mum friends to help! So it was important to me this time round. And it was making me sad that I wasn’t managing it. However friend who is coming today isn’t the most empathetic of people TBH 🙄 so didn’t talk to her about it (it was actually a chat on FB with a different friend that inspired me to try again yesterday). Hopefully today I’ll sort out back carrying but if it doesn’t work well I may just keep the Tula for front carries (it was actually really comfy) and get something else for back carries.

I haven’t got up yet but had a better night, I must’ve been asleep by midnight and I did wake up around dawn for a bit but the baby slept through till gone 7! 😱 So just had a sleepy morning feed in bed and she’s downstairs with the others now. DS is somehow sleeping through it, not sure how he is today but a friend did mention that appendicitis can present differently in children so will be mindful of that.

It’s my last crappy Thursday today. That’s if we go of course, DS may not be up to it. If we do go I think I will book a taxi back. I was reluctant to start doing that (it’s quoted at £12 so adds up weekly) and that’s one of the reasons I got myself in a state last week, as I couldn’t decide if it was justified or not, but if after half term DH is off on Thursdays then it’s fine, they can get the bus back as normal as they won’t have a stroppy baby to deal with.

We have friend/DD round later (again assuming DS is ok) but this morning the Caglets have been told it’s work work work, as they’ve basically had the last two afternoons off 😳 and there’s a couple of textbook chapters I’d like to finish before half term. However I may be setting the work and then buggering off to town on my own, a couple of things need collecting and I definitely need a break.

Baby was tired? I meant I was tired, she was 2 months old then and I had fuck all sleep 😂

Ta da
Washing on
Dishwasher on
Pork prepared and slow cooker on (pulled pork for dinner)

Trying to decide if I should bake something else today, everyone seems to be eating me out of house and home at the moment. Will try and find something I can make with apples that's not too sweet.

I've taken a shed load of pills and breathed in steam (think headache is half sinus/half migraine) and managed to:

deliver apple juice to school
empty DW
tidy up bathroom
very slowly bend down to pick up laundry disgarded on floor (thanks dd) and put in wm
change NN to Halloween variety

Going to sit and eat carbs now so I don't like . Oh the joys.

So I don't like?

Meant so I don't puke!

Sorry to be endlessly moaning about being ill. Very tedious indeed.

Dani btw - if you wrap presents in advance - what is best way of identifying? I need to know what's in them as well as who they are intended for. I used post-its last year and loads fell off ... which was interesting...

sc hope you feel better soon that sounds nasty

Ta da
Baked cheese scones for ds lunch (only made a few but they're so nice I might make some more later!)
Apple flapjacks in the oven (attempted to decrease syrup in recipe so it's not as unhealthy so they might be a disaster)
General tidy up

Still got so many apples left so if anyone has any good recipes they want to share I'd be all ears!

Argh crap! Was feeding Cagletini earlier and noticed her feet were covered in spots. Then noticed a few blisters and that her hands are spotty too. Unlatched her and there’s a blister on her tongue. Dr Google suggests hand foot and mouth. FFS.

I still managed to escape for a little while and picked up her puddlesuit (there will be a photo when I get her in it!) and a few bits of shopping, plus sat down with a wrap and a Dr Pepper in Greggs just to get a few minutes peace!

Friend still coming round - I left the decision up to her, we saw them yesterday so chances are the germs are already spread. But have cancelled other plans. Including Badgers/Cadets which I’m gutted about as we missed last week due to my panic attack :(

cag we've had hand foot and mouth and dd2 started with tummyache which nurse said was glands in tummy responding to the invasion....
Foxes I've a naice recipe for flapjacks with banana in to lower sugar if you want it,also an interesting cake recipe that's biscuit bottom (add extra ingredients to rest base mix to make cakey top bit)with slices apples in it and on it (if have dried apple you can lob that into the sponge mix too!!let me know if you like me to post it(ps I've done it with pears too and was nice,in fact I think I might make either at weekend!!
I want cheese scones now

Tada
Survived assessment(D's nearly didn't poor bean,but at least he been seen in full panic and they're quite shocked at state if poor thing.usualkg suggest groups for anxiety or one to one but he's not fit for either as don't cope groups or be away from me.quick flick thru their anxiety guide he has them all-general anxiety disorders,phobias,panic attacks and seperation anxiety.suspect this is going to be both a long and a slow journey with lots bumps
Go with dp pick up his meds
Lunch
School rang ask visit with school nurse at 2
Frantic clear up.created lots BRC but that's by the by.wiped floor anti vac wipes as smell dissipate quick so don't look like I've rush round cleaning!!!!
Pile ironing in progress now so I can get ironing board out if the way...

Yes please to both zoo! My flapjacks haven't gone well they have crumbled because of not enough syrup which I did think would happen. Never mind! I'll stick bananas on my shopping list for tomorrow in anticipation of your recipe as we only have one left

Ta da
Washing hung up
More washing on
Dishwasher on AGAIN not doing well for the environment today...

foxescouple apple ideas(will dig out other recipes after school run)
Horsey breakfast oats(as named by D's as contains lots things horses like)
3tbsp oats
Pinch mix spice
1tbsp raisins/sultanas

Cover in water and collect overnight(or at least an hour)
Add finely grated carrot(one small)
Coarsely grated apple (1/2)
Top dollop Greek yogurt,flaked almonds

Apple muffins
225g p.flour
3tsp baking powder
1/4tsp salt
11/2 TSP mix spice

Mix together

1 egg
85g granulated sugar
170g apple,fine chop
150 MLS milk
90 Ml oil
60-85g sultanas or chop dates

Mix
Wet into dry til just combined (thickish batter as apples will let out liquid as cooking,can add drop milk if necessary)
20-25 mins til lightly browned and spring back when touched

Opt topping-60g chopped walnuts mix 3tbsp brown sugar added before baking
*Sr flour and just 1tsp b powder

zoo amazing thank you!!

Ta da
Collected dd - stress free school run which was great!
cleaned a load of dusty photo frames and candles
Cleaned some of kitchen side / cupboard doors / walls

I was about to clean the tops of kitchen cupboards but not sure if I want to see how dirty it is up there! So I sat down for cup of tea and the world's most crumbliest flapjacks...the dc seem to be enjoying them though.

Yum, great recipes. Halloween break here also known as the Tattie holidays due to kids taking school break to pick spuds.

Currently prepping for Halloween. Made list of essential house jobs that need to be done over next three months. And relax....

Friends stayed a bit longer as we weren’t having to dash out to Badgers, and now they are able to watch the Blue Peter birthday bash, so that made up for the disappointment a bit.

Baby getting grumpier but is able to eat etc so not too concerned.

I don’t know what we are doing for Halloween. Having only just moved here I have no idea what it’s like here, there are lots of kids but we don’t know anyone yet! We only have one tradition which is making something called body bit soup.

I’ve not managed any housework because clingy baby.

foxes
Nutty apple slaw
1/2 small red cabbage,shredded
1/2 small white cabbage,shredded
2 celery sticks,fine sliced
2red/sweet apple,cored and coarse grated
40g cheese.grate or chop
3tbsp each sesame and sunflower seeds, toasted

Dressing
3tbsp NAT yogurt
1/2 garlic clove,crush
3tsp lemon juice
1tbsp fine chop mint
1tsp honey

Mix veg and seeds.
Mix dressing and stir in when ready to serve(the lemon n yogurt combo don't keep so serve immediately)
Recipe says lovely in sarny with ham or chicken.mine like it in jacket potatoes cos were weird

Flapjacks

Oven 160oc,325of
75g unsalted butter
40g honey
Melt tog
Add 1/2 TSP bicarb of soda and stir well
Add
250g oats
25g sunflower seeds(chop if necessary)
25g flaked almonds(or hazelnuts chop)
2ripe bananas mashed
30g dry cranberries or chop dried apricots

Mix well
Into greased and base lined 20cm square tin.level top/press a little
Bake 20 mins or until light golden colour
Mark into squares but let cool in tin before cutting properly

Spiced apple cake with biscuit bottom
310g sr flour
180g soft b.sugar
1/2tsp allspice
1/2 TSP g.cinnamon
115g butter
1 TSP bicarb
250mls milk
I egg,beaten
30g dried apples,fine chop(opt)
2apples core and thin slice

180oc/350of
Sift together flour,spices.rub in butter.spread half in greased 20cm square tin.press down evenly
Dissolve bicarb in milk.add egg and dry apple if using.pour over remaining flour mix and stir til well combined
Spread half apple slices over base.pour over sponge mix.arrange rem apple slices on top.
Bake 45 mins cool slightly then cut into squares
(Nice with yogurt or custard as a pud)

Variation-
Pears instead apples,ginger stead cinnamon,dry pears if desired place dry apples

Thanks zoo you're an absolute star!! Funnily enough I made coleslaw for the first time tonight and didn't think to make an apple one - doh!

Ta da
Dinner cooked - pulled pork, BBQ sauce, coleslaw, salad, bread rolls
Tidied up after dinner
Tidied up toys
Dishwasher on

I have retreated and left dh to sort the dc for bed - they were all driving me stir crazy!! I thought it best for me to just leave them to it before I start getting cross.

foxes I've never made pulled pork(or try it) is it fatty and is it easy to do?
I see it on TV n salivate😍

zoo I don't find it fatty personally , I use pork shoulder in slow cooker for 8 hours or more and I drain the fat/juices after cooking and just return a little of the juices (fat drained off) back into the dish after pulling with some BBQ sauce. I rub the pork with paprika / black pepper / mustard powder before cooking.

Hope that makes sense - it always goes down a treat here, the dc love it too!

I really want to try it but don’t particularly like bbq sauce so need to find other flavours!

cag definitely don't have to use BBQ sauce I've seen other recipes out there! Oh and at my wedding we had pulled pork with apple sauce which was delicious (why didn't I think of that earlier I could have used apples up!!)

Oooo that does sound good!

Think I’m in for a looooong night. I’ll probably stay downstairs with baby as at least then I can stick the telly on. DH is off tomorrow at least. I knew she wouldn’t have three good nights in a row! Poor baby :(

Wooooo my friend has sent me some Japanese children’s song sheets. I’m nerdishly excited about this!

ta da
✅picked up parcel
✅put washing and drying on (not as much as I’d like though)
✅shower
✅cleaned loo
✅bathed baby (she’s got sores on her bum as well 😭)
✅decent dinner
✅set work for Caglets
✅cancelled plans for the next few days (need to send a message now though as our volunteering was due to start on Saturday 😖😖😖)

One more day to get through and then it is officially half term. I’m trying to work out what I’d still like them to do during the holiday. Now depends on health of course.