Building our bonfires with clutter, and cruising towards Christmas, it's the NOVEMBER fledgling Fly thread!

[Staringcoat]

Many of us have been here forever; it's 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, regulars, and intermittent regulars are hugely welcome!

We will be posting the baby-step and flight plan (which will point you towards the current zone and missions) on a daily basis, but don't hesitate to ask further questions about the system if you have any!

More information on getting started available here (containing baby-steps!).

And borrowing heavily (again!) from Hill's 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 don't be put off by the barftastically twee nature of the Flylady site, the underlying system is sound. Feel free to ignore any step or routine that doesn't sound you or your home! No perfectionism allowed!

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.

More info follows:

** launch pad (general info)

** daily babysteps pdf (ignore the ones that don't suit you or your home)

** week day missions (some fledglings find it easier to do them at weekends)

** [[http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/zones/
info about zones]] (explanation of how zones work)

** weekly zones (a rough weekly guide to which area of the house we are tackling currently, again adapt to suit yourself)

** daily focus (helpful guide to allocate a certain day for a certain task)

** deep cleaning lists pdf (only attempt when you have decluttered as you can't clean clutter!)

Good luck and happy Flying one and all!

Hope the test went well zoo, how long do you have to wait for the results?

Have done 15 min room rescues this morning (rooms still need a lot more rescuing tbh) but have got most stuff ready for this evening, done three loads of laundry and some handwashing.

Need to do a bit of shopping, shower/hair wash and iron some shirts ready to run DD about tonight (if she's not too tired) and help with homework afterwards.

@Staringcoat thanks! Sounds like you had a lovely weekend And well done with all your productivity. I saw that penguin programme advertised, will have to watch it.

@Stilllivinginazoo I hope you manage some rest today. I did the same kind of drastic haircut last year and haven't regretted it!! Was actually quite freeing which I didn't expect.

@foxessocks hope you manage work okay and your DD and DS feel better quickly.

@SassitudeandSparkle hope you are okay, good luck with your 15 minutes'!

@TooStressyForMyOwnGood well done with your list!! How's physio going?

Ta da:

• cleaned kitchen, sink shining
• swish and swipe
• showered me and baby and actually dried my hair nicely
• work meeting (with baby which was not the plan!)
• picked up food shopping
• lunches
• almost finished Christmas cards
• put away more gifts

To do:

• 15 minutes in zone
• daily mission (must check links!)
• put bin out nudge DP to
• go over Christmas gift list and do a bit more (determined to be ALL done by Nov 30 this year!)

Thanks sc and toostressy I didn't think of that. The dc have watched other Attenborough documentaries before but this one does sound a bit more adult viewing! We'll watch it later without the dc.

Dd is very grumpy and miserable again now I think because she has no energy , she hasn't eaten much at all. Ds seems okay now. I'm totally exhausted hope I'm not getting it! I've had a bath and have done very little this afternoon. Mostly lying on the sofa.

Ta da
Work
Dishwasher emptied / reloaded
Dh has done laundry
Dusted downstairs
Mopped bathroom
Changed towels etc
Dh has been to the tip and put up new coat hooks in the porch
He also ordered some Xmas decorations online! 🎄

Dh has been put in charge of dinner. I really can't be bothered! I do need to get up though I expect I'll feel better if I do something.

You had a super busy weekend AND poorly DC,you can't expect to feel full of beans foxes

Tada
Fed cats
Recycling out to kerb
Littertray and bins
Wipe down kitchen cupboards
Breakfasts and pack ups
Wash up
Wipe bath and sink school run
Clean surfaces and sink in kitchen
Clean bathroom -windows,sills,skirts,radiator,bath panel
Wash floor

Pick up D's
Make lunch
Spend afternoon with dd1
Got hair cut-opt have 7-8 inches sheared off.its now gone near waist to just above bra strap(still long enough to tie up)might go shorter in a few weeks,will wait n see...
Made dinner(cream cheesy pasta with green beans--dd2was in shower and it's sat and dry up and go cold as her n lil zoo mess around in bathroom and refuse let D's in to wash his hands.just list temper and thrown it all in the bin as it's disgusting now and can't really reheat it without it going crusty and very dry...dd2 and I were having veggies-swede(in oven) so they will have to wait extra few minutes for that and she will be lucky gets fed if she doesn't stop causing trouble

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TUES 20 NOV
Baby-step: here
Flight plan: here
Holiday mission: [[http://www.flylady.net/c/holidaycruise.php

here]]

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Morning all
Another bad night with D's.ffs I don't have newborns and infants out if practise with this slept depravation torture.somebody shoot me....

Good morning! Sorry not to get back on here last night. I faded fast in the early evening! It was so grey, overcadt, windy and cold yesterday. Quite energy sapping! What a contrast to the weekend!

Wow! You have all been really productive. Fab Flying everyone!

Great list yesterday Zoo! Sorry the DDS were giving you grief which sounds tough going (I'd be really cross about supper being spoiled) but whoo hoo to new hair cut!

Hang in there Foxes. Really exhausting when a lo is ill. Your dd sounds as though she is having a bad time of it bless her. Hope she feels better today. And well done for managing to get so much done in the circs!

Wow Dani that's an impressive list and congrats on being so far ahead with Christmas prep! (I've only just ordered my cards, never mind written them!). You sound really organised!

Well done re: multiple room rescues Sass and hope last night's chauffeuring duties weren't too onerous!

Sorry to hear you are having physio Toostressy hope you recover quickly; but looking at your list, it certainly didnt stop you getting things done! It's a great feeling when that "problematic" present is sorted isn't it?

Cag don't want to harangue you- so feel free to ignore - but hope you are ok. Xxx

Cheery wing flaps to everyone else!

Not much to add to yesterday's list except that I forced myself to complete the evening routine and left kitchen sink shiny and overnight washing in machines, clothes out for today etc etc.

Also cooked the easiest of supers which turned out to be really tasty! Marinated chicken legs in one oven tray. Cubed squash, parsnip, potato and carrot (from farm shop) in other, along with a glug of olive oil, thyme from garden, s&p, splosh of white wine. Looked after itself in oven while I walked the furry!

Speaking of furry-walking, got chased down a dark street last night by someone brandishing a leaflet. Thought to myself "uh, oh, what's this?" but turned out to be lovely woman inviting me to a mass "sausage dog" walk in a local park! Sounds like fun!

And have finally, finally been forgiven by DD for party exclusion. Her boyfriend reported at school yesterday that she would have had a really boring time as he was busy with the organisation all night! Phew and double phew!

Right, must stop rambling and get on! This is the weirdest bug we've had ever - thought it had come back with avengeance yesterday - but feel totally fine today thank heavens! Time for serious action but first it's a day of "work" work to get through ... (groan). Speaking of which, must finish wrapping a colleague's birthday present first!

Have a good one everybody!

Sorry! That was an essay and a half

X posts Zoo oh dear that sounds really really hard going . Take it steady today!

SCtray baked dinners are my favourite at the mo.bit too much clearing up and take care of themsrlves
Arf at sausage dog walk,that's super cute!!

I've been faffing on MN/pinterest.bees get my weary arse into gear.lil zoo has hospital check up mfir her tummy.fungers X some ideas appear(tmi alert- probiotic pills help her go everyday without laxatives but still in lots pain at night)

Happy flying everyone!!

Hope hospital appt goes well for Lil' Zoo Zoo!

Agree about tray bakes (and for easy entertaining too - not that we are doing much of that atm - dhorse seems to have taken over). The trick is to put them in in plenty of time in ad ance as they always take longer than it says in the recipe!

Bleugh. It's just gone 8.15 here and barely light. I find myself counting the minutes nowadays for dawn to break! These winter mornings are so oppressive aren't they?

Ta da:
folded dh shirts
emptied dw
hung up 1 load of washing
td the other
fed wms again
dining room table hot spot
dd packed lunch
s&s
waved dh off to airport

Right, furry is sitting looking pointedly at front door. Better get off out!

Zoo big hugs. It sounds like you've got it really tough atm. Could DD have a sensitivity to something like dairy or gluten do you think?

SC thanks for the links. Well done with being so productive! I love those kinds of dinners. Will you go to sausage dog party??
I ALWAYS intend to fully flylady holiday cruise and have everything sorted by 01 Dec (been following flylady on and off for 9/10 years) and I NEVER have. This is my year people!!! [santa] Especially determined as it was my first year suffering with my disabilities last year with crippling postnatal anxiety thrown in the mix and so I feel like I missed it entirely. Want to make this year a good one.

Ta da:
Nada, still in bed next to DP and DS who are snoring in rhythm
But evening routine (shiny sink, clothes, bags etc. has been completed every single night coming up on 2 months now(!) which makes things easier in the morning

To do:

• laundry
• s&s
• breakfasts
• write a few more cards
• morning stay and play with DS
• go to butcher
• get at least 3 hours of work done utilising DS nap time and bedtime
• lunches
• quick hoover under bed (missed that yesterday)
• 15 minute detail clean in bedroom (already decluttered)
• make dinner
• before bed routine

Additional to the plan, got to go and pick up my 3yo niece 20 minutes drive in opposite direction of playgroup and still try and be there for 9:30... She is so lovely but also incredibly particular and is prone to big emotional breakdowns, 15month old DS is extremely high maintenance in his own way too and this is the first time I'll have them together on my own, wish me luck!!!

Good luck Dani🍀
Lil zoo can't have dairy.she tested negative for cealiac(sp?)

It's soooo cold out.wind near bit me in two!forecast says wind chill here makes it 0oc.and driving rain forecast later..still really could do with the light on its so overcast,but I'm having a cheapskate moment as just me n kitties and we did pop halogen fire on for a bit earlier.theres a basket about a foot away and I know if kits are cold as one will sit in the basket and stare pointedly at fire then once it on goes all slit eyed/smug looking and goes to sleep

Dp taken D's in.i took lil zoo
Need pop shop(we've burned thru a bag frozen squash and 3/4 bag broccoli an green beans since sunday.a whole cucumber,punnet (large)cherry Tom's,2peppers and bag apples and bananas how did that happen?

Thanks Zoo, I survived, they actually were both fantastic thank the lord!! Just got back home now. Cleaned my Mum's kitchen and did her dishwasher and tidied round. Need to sort my own stuff out now!

Zoo I can't have dairy either and tested negative for coeliac but I'm gluten intolerant - coeliac is a full blown allergy but with the intolerance if I have gluten it just gives me tummy pain, bloating, and constipation - so if that sounds like DD could be worth trying?

Well done for surviving Dani! I find other people's kids quite stressful and my own sometimes

Zoo did I miss whether you went for the hair cut or not?! Sorry about the lack of sleep. Sleep is so important to everything isn't it?!

Sc your chicken meal sound great I might have to pinch that one , what did you marinate the chicken in? Sorry if I missed that!

Dd was off school again today (did I already say that?! I've totally lost track!) . Her stomach was still a bit upset this morning and they had swimming lessons so I thought it best not to go in. She had also hardly eaten anything for days. It's so hard to decide isn't it?! I never really know if I'm making the right decision and would somebody else have just sent her in. Dh did agree with me though. Anyway, ds much better today and had a really long nap. Dd ate lunch and definitely has her energy back so think she'll be fine for tomorrow. I just now need to get everything sorted for tomorrow as I now feel confused as to what day it is and what's happening at school tomorrow!!

Ta da
Meal plan for next week
Online food shop for next week
Dishwasher on / emptied / reloaded
Rubbish out
Washing on X 2
Washing folded put away
Washing hung out
Dusted and tidied living room shelves
Dusted piano thoroughly
Dusted all photo frames in living room
Changed throw on sofa
Dusted bannister
Tidied toys X 100 (ok I exaggerate a bit!)
Did puzzles and crafty stuff with dd
Made tuna sweetcorn sandwiches for our lunch
Polished both mirrors in living room
Had some Xmas decs delivered so put them together and checked they all work 🎅
Sorted a thousand pairs of socks (it felt like that!)
Dinner in oven - roast pork with stuffing

I think that's it...oh and I've been accepted for shop and scan! Is it you that does that cag?

I need to go and do the mash and veg for dinner now. Hope everyone has a lovely evening. Hope you get more sleep tonight zoo

Sorry for the epic post!

Hi all, thanks for good wishes with physio, it’s for my feet so thankfully nothing too worrying. Not been on here today as have felt terrible! Thankfully had today off so actually went back to bed which is unheard of for me. Had acupuncture with physio today so wonder if it is that? Then had busy after school pick up and stressful time with DC in a shop getting a birthday card for my dad .

Lovely to hear of sausage dog walk SC. YY Dani, ever year I tell myself I will do the holiday cruising. Have managed the first two missions so far and that is it.

Hope hospital appt went ok zoo. Half to hear DD feeling better foxes. Big wing flaps to everyone else.

Hoping to get through bedtime, get a load of laundry on and then go back to bed. Might try to do holiday mission 3 which is finding gift wrap first though.

Oh no, sorry to hear you aren't feeling well Toostressy. Do make sure you take enough time to recover 🍇.

Wow, congrats on truly mahoosive list Foxes! And fwiw, I would have made exactly the same decision re: DD and swimming. I used to err on the side of caution with that sort of thing if possible. Will post recipe when I can find where I put it!

Dani how lovely of you to Fly in your ma's kitchen as well as your own. Sorry to hear last Christmas was such a difficult one for you; hope this year will be much better! And well done for successful kiddie wrangling today! Also for such consistent evening sink shining

I think we definitely will be going on the sausage dog walk as it sounds really fun and it might help us in our quest to find a lady companion for our furry. Might pin advert to dh's back!! (We don't want to breed, just think our furry would benefit from a friend.)

Zoo did you already know that Lil 'Zoo was dairy intolerant or was that result of hosp app today (sorry if you have already said; I know you already buy dairy-free ice cream and yoghurt but can't remember for which child - apologies!! )? If it's new news, then I hope she is not too upset by it anyway.

Encouraging wing flaps to everyone else!

I worked through from 9.30 until 4.30 pm without a break as it happens today (three projects all concluding at same time). Did laundry when I got home and, inspired by Dani made some serious inroads in to Christmas present buying on-line. Have broken the back of the difficult ones but budget is already very much under pressure. Prices have definitely gone up this year I think!

Still need to buy office presents (when dh gets back from trip as he has final say on those) and dd's main presents (although she mainly seems to want money this year).

Finally, continuing the "cook once, eat twice" meal planning regime, DD and I had cold chicken legs with mash of veg left over from tray bake yesterday and green salad. Loads of Flying still to do but will be working tomorrow morning too.

G' ight all!

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WED 21 NOV
Baby-step: here
Flight plan: here
Holiday mission: here - Thanksgiving missions ATM but Xmas ones should resume after this w/e.

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Oh dear, sorry, that last link went wrong! And I previewed it too

☄☄☄ Holiday mission: [[http://www.flylady.net/c/holidaycruise.php
here]]. ☄☄☄

Dani we were on a fodmap plan prior to first hospital app(as recommended by gp) no gluten,dairy,garlic or onions,only berries for fruit,veg restricted to carrots,green beans,peppers and root veg.fun free I can you and didn't help significantly ....
SC lil zoo is the dairy free dude here.shes been so nearly 3 years.always had dry skin issues(think lizard)and then developed loo issues(can't go,then little and every 30 mins but not runny)

*champing at bit for breakfast,not happing for schoolso tired talking gibberish

Ps hope bower is ok,and cag/hills

Tada
Cats fed
Littertray and bins
Wash on
Sweep kitchen floor
Sweep living room floor
Make banana bread for dp take work tonight
Wash up
Wipe kitchen surfaces
Wash in drier
More in
Declutter under computer table
Clear computer table surface

My cunning plan has been to fly like the wind(sort of with half shut eyes stumbling into things) then go back to bed once drop lil zoo at school for a couple of hours in attempt seem coherent and give me threads of patience for once D's returns at 12(assuming he does til 12)I opt wake him at 6 as his lay in til later as not sleeping us,I think,propelling his nocturnal awakenings and as no one else gets to lay in its time suck it up a little(AIBU?)

Good morning all!

Crikey Zoo that's such a lot to deal with but I suppose having definite diagnosis for Lil' Zoo is helpful and hope tum issues improve over time and that she feels very much better soon. (I am already in awe of your separate meals for everyone as I don't know how you have the patience!). Very much hope you get much deserved shut eye this morning while ds at school and no you are definitely not being U!! . And for early morning chore list!

Dd and I overslept this morning so dd in terrible scramble to leave house leaving trail of destruction behind her. So need to clear that up and then walk furry then back to office. Need to sort out lunch and supper (school half day) too.

Have a good one everybody and happy anti-procrastinating!

Good morning all

Foxes glad DS is better, how's DD today? Very impressive list yday, yay for Christmas decorations!! You've made me crave tuna sweetcorn sandwiches...

How are you feeling today Stressy? That's great you are listening to your body and taking care of yourself. I've done the missions in fits and starts too, but there is still a possibility this year that I'll be totally ready by Dec 1st so I'm currently clinging on to that hope with both hands!!

SC thank you! The sausage dog walk does sound fun, and I deffo vote yes for the ad I hope work is much easier for you today, yday sounds tough!! Well done with the Christmasing

Zoo ugh how frustrating that fodmap didn't even help!! I hope they manage to get to the bottom of it for you. Sorry to hear you're still sleepless groan massive well done on your epic list regardless! And YANBU!! I'd be trying anything too!

Thanks for the links SC - at least the Thanksgiving missions give us a little grace/catch-up time!

Ta da:

• s&s
• laundry
• breakfasts
• kitchen and sink clean
• quick tidy
• wrapped 2 presents
• FINISHED MY CARDS!!

Got a lot of antiprocrastinating "bits" to do today