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!

phew ended up having my 3yo niece last minute again this morning, had to go and pick her up and she came to our todder sense class and then back here, as soon as we got back cousin and his family came and sister and everyone has just left and Riley has just nodded off and I'm lay with him on the sofa. Was going to work but may skive off and have tea and a mince pie and watch something Christmasy on Netflix... 4 excited children with toys including wooden hammers got loud!!

Oh wow that looks beautiful Zoo!! Glad you had a nice and productive trip

If you're having a mince pie Dani I say it's open season for Christmas foods. I fancy a piece of stollen.

Lovely walk zoo.

Wet here - off to collect child, then trek to shop for food.

Stollen

Not too soon zoo haven't eaten 2 packets of lebkuchen already, nope not at all

That's ok I'm sure I can catch up hills bloody love themhow have things been at yours?are you feeling any better?

Well I've achieved naff all pm except two loads washing as I'm still feeling cold along with very tired after my epic dash around all morning!I vegged out with dd2 and watched some TV with fire on

Dinner tonight
Veggie sausage n kale and spring onion mash roasted parsnips and carrots

Stressy hope you are feeling better today
Dani you are braver than I taking in extras on moments notice
Foxes hope the grumps were less grumpy today and everyone's powering back up
SC fingers crossed DH did as he was told and you didn't end up having lay across the path!!did you make presentable btw?I tend favour the "I got pulled backwards thru a hedge" look myselfI do hope tonight is calmer and quieter and everyone gets some rest
Forestier it has become dark,dank and thoroughly mangy here since our crisp clear start.had lights on at 3.glad do pick up lil zoo from school in car and dd2 wasn't at school today as wasn't keen idea crossing the fields in near darkness...

Bower hope you are ok lovely,things sound super busy and super stressful at yours

sc yes he has got some of those sleeping bag things but refuses them now as he has a big boy bed and only wants his "big boy duvet". My mum bought him a fleecey onsie today though so we'll try that out tonight! I picked up some warmer PJ's for him too.

Zoo they are slightly less grumpy but it's a work in progress 😂 . Your walk looks lovely! As long as you wrapped up warm that is!

Dani i do love small sleeping children cuddles but unfortunately this morning I had to get moving but managed to sneak out for a shower without waking ds! I heard him wake up just as I got out and he said "oh where's everybody gone?!" Must be a big bed to find yourself in by yourself when you're little!

Hope your dh ok sc that's interesting theory re allergies I wouldn't have thought of that but might make sense.

We are on the countdown to bedtime here...the dc have been bouncing off the walls and dinner time was not relaxing!

Dd cried again at school drop off she does seem out of sorts it must be from being off for a few days. She says she misses me.

Ta da
Picked up few bits from town
Went to bank
Dishwasher on
Washing on
Washing hung up
Washing folded and put away
Toys tidied
Cooked dinner - lamb moussaka and salad
Changed throws in living room

That's all today, not a huge amount. Not sure where the time went tbh!

Mmmmm mince pies and other such food. Thanks all, I feel better today but still have headache. Rang physio who said it is probably a reaction to the treatment, might even be a good sign and should settle soon. So that’s good. Am off tomorrow so was hoping to go to the gym but will see how I go I think. Won’t go if headache still there.

Finished mission 3 today with the Christmas wrap etc so am glad to see that was yesterday’s as well SC .

No other flying but have been at work so that is ok. Trying to do another declutter before Xmas so moving onto bathroom tomorrow. Shouldn’t take long as I can’t imagine there is actually too much to declutter in there. Have also got 3 Xmas books that the girls are too old for now so they can go to charity.

Dani, for taking on extra childcare.
Hopefully your DD will settle back into things soon foxes. Christmas in a primary school is usually lovely; could she be tempted in with thoughts of that?

Big wing flaps to all.

Also, I may bitterly regret this but has anyone volunteered for the December thread yet? I don’t mind taking it on unless anyone else would like to. I really won’t be remotely offended if that is the case .

I think the new slimline thread seems to be working well?

Yay for festive snacking!!

Well I certainly didn't manage my whole list but got through a decent chunk of it, fed everyone, and have come to bed with sink shiny and clothes laid out so I'm taking that as a win.
Only wrapped 1 thing but it was a massive daft awkward thing so I'm pleased it's done. On target to finish Christmas shopping tomorrow. Then it's a case of keeping on top of deliveries and getting it all wrapped...

Here's to completely eventless peaceful nights all round!! Please 🍀

Oh good zoo hope it continued through the evening.

DaniI didn’t get most of that list done. It was wishful thinking and I ran out of time. Went to a meeting so late home again. I seem to be going to school in the dark and coming home in the dark. Very tired and fell asleep several times before 8 pm. Stomach ache so had a small scrambled egg on a muffin and a piece of toast. Wondering if allergy related.
Decided it will all have to wait till the weekend. I did wash up this morning though.

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FRI 23 NOV
Baby-step: here
Flight plan: here
Holiday mission: [[http://www.flylady.net/c/holidaycruise.php.

here]]

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Well you are all thoroughly disgraceful snaffling festive food while my back is turned

Dh took the day off today and I had to represent him in two shoet internal meetings (not that I could do anything or contribute anything useful but I took notes). And then had to do a lot of admin on his behalf so nearly worked a full day. Came home at lunch time to cook him some veg soup. Bunged in baked spuds for supper later on which we had with grated cheese and green salad. Also emptied dw I filled before work, then half filled it again, then hung up washing and filled wms, did rubbish and recycling and cleaned kitchen bin, washed fruit bowls, filled them, and tried to put away some of the rest of the non perishables which are lurking in hall (supermarket order). Also walked furry x 2 and stopped off at bakery for bread.

Only just stopped shining sink and sorting out clothes now so need to crash!

Huge waves to everyone though!

Toostressy that is incredibly kind of you to offer to run Christmas thread!! . Are you really sure you want to with everything else you have on and Dec being such a busy month though? We could make it even more slimline than it is now if that would help. I think the original revised plan was to post links weekly but I ended up doing them daily (albeit brief ones) and I'm sure everyone would understand if you didn't do personals/round-ups. But please don't feel you have to run it at all if you don't want to! (I can't do Dec but we may have other volunteers yet!)

Festive that's interesting that your dh suffers from something similar - iirc Foxes's dad did too - stress would absolutely make sense and is probably responsible for more physical health issues than we imagine but allergies definitely fit too!

Beautiful pic Zoo!

Dani I think I am going to follow your lead and pack presents as they arrive this year. I've never done this before (tend to stay up to 1am the night before Christmas Eve doing epic wrap) but fancy being more organised this year! for emergency child care!!

So sorry. Falling asleep here. I have to be up in four hours so will catch up with everyone else tomorrow!

Hope peaceful nights are being had by all!

SC you must stop burning candles at both ends or you will drop soon

Have meet at D's school today to decide how to move forward in next few weeks.as he's deteriorated to point I feel like giving up at home I certainly won't be advising any major moves on hours at present!
Dp off today,so hoping to do bit food shop,bit more Xmas shop and survive this meeting!

Tada
Wash on
Bleach lav
Fed cats
Search book people black Friday deals(nothing fancied,last year I got loads)
Washed up
Wiped kitchen surfaces
Swept kitchen floor
Wash in drier
More on

Can you tell I didn't sleep well?!

Good morning!

Ta Zoo yesterday was a bit of an exception with having been up most of previous night but generally I just don't need as much sleep nowadays! It's my age I think! (Just feel truly wretched every day between 5 and 6 pm! ). Sorry to hear you had another bad night. Very best of luck at school meeting!

Meant to say, hope you feel better soon Bower and hope you get some time to rest this weekend!

Ditto re: your headache Toostressy. I am with you on a last before-Xmas declutter btw!

Aw bless your ds Foxes I love hearing about his strong opinions! . And hope your DD settles back at school today ok.

Waves to Hills and everyone else!

I've got to go and pick up a document this morning. Our cleaner is still ill so need to spend rest of day doing significant choring and organising.

BBL with long ta da I hope! Can't believe it is Friday already! Have a good one everybody!

Ta da:
sorted overnight washing
dd packed lunch
polish top hall chest
overnight washing in td
more loads on

To do:
get stuff out of freezer for tonight
sort more washing in to piles (behind!)
furry walk
collect document
tidy sitting room thoroughly
tackle paper piles
finish art cupboard sorting (finally!)
sort dining room table
boudoir
clean bathroom
last on-line bits
put away clean clothes
more laundry

Loads more but that will do for now!

Hello all.

Went into the city centre shopping today after firmly deciding I would
Not go back in as I hate it so much. It took all day and as soon as I get back I will have to rush to get things ready for school pick up.

But... I got loads of Xmas shopping . Work secret Santa done, most of DH’s present, unexpected free gift present which can be a spare. Two toys for the the kids which leaves only one specific toy to get but that is proving a challenge. Plus presents from my parents to DH and me (they like to give money then I buy something and we keep it for Xmas). Must go as nearly at my bus stop!

Wow stressy that's great! I haven't done much at all but planning to go with dh next week. Let's hope we are both feeling decisive on the day!

Ta da
Dishwasher on / emptied etc
Washing on
Washing hung up
Sorted dd money for school trips / permission slips
Polished TV table
Polished dining table
Got rid of some balloons (!!)
Went for a run
Made a banana loaf
Emptied kitchen bin
Cooked dinner - homemade chicken and mushroom pie, mash and broccoli

Dh is about to hoover. I'm pretty much done today - got no energy left!

Hope everyone okay, have lovely evenings all.

Whoo hoo Toostressy that's great news on the present front! Bloomin' well done!

No wonder you are tired after that long list Foxes!

Hope meeting went ok Zoo

I thought I had finished present buying but dh just reminded me there are two other presents I have to get! For boys in 10-12 age range too! I am clueless... . Also need to assess what we've got for DD and adjust accordingly!

Ta da cont'd/...
stuff out of freezer ✔
sorted washing in to piles ✔
furry walk X 2 ✔
collect document ✔
tidy sitting room WIP
tackle paper piles X 3 ✔
finish art cupboard NOPE
sort dining room table X 2 ✔
boudoir NOPE
clean bathroom NOPE
last on-line bits NEARLY!
put away clean clothes NOPE
more laundry (6 loads) ✔
Also:
served dh lunch (soup) as he's still at home ✔
and made supper (fish, rice and veg) ✔
cleaned up, shined sink & DW on ✔
printed school letters ✔
on-line supermarket order (bits I forgot this week!) ✔
3 important e-mails ✔

Not enough hrs in the day as usual! Clocking off now!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! 🍷🍫

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SAT 24 NOV
Baby-step: here
Flight plan: here
Holiday mission: here

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How's DH SC?

Meeting was ok.theyre very concerned his very physical symptoms need go checking(red face,racing like I've never felt so fast pulse)he's attached one staff member and freaks she's out of sight.refuses do anything academic...start Monday one hour math,one hour English and one hour his choice curriculum topic...it's going to be very very hard and I'm digging deep trenches and ensuring superstrength tin hats on order...
Last night he freaked so much I burst into tears n veg so take him a+e.he wouldn't n now in mood/not talking to me.i feel exhausted and deflated and unsupported....

*beg not veg

Very sorry to hear that Zoo it sounds so terribly hard for your ds and yourself. And so unfair that there isn't adequate mh support available

Well can't change things just have suck it up and keep try plod on...

Tada
Fed cats
Wash on
Fed zoolets
Pick up veggie sausages and milk I forgot yesterday
Littertray and bins
Wash in drier
Clean snot off living room windowsagain

Lil zoo gone with dp to her dance performance.ds won't cope so I'm here with him and dd2 studying for a science test next week

Dp gone after lunch,so I'm hoping once he's gone the atmosphere in here will lighten(its very strained at mo)or I'm tempted retreat to bed as super tired today

Why not have an hour zoo loved the picture on Thursday. Sounds very stressful and maybe why DD is playing up. Good that you had time together. She is maybe feeling upset about DS but doesn’t know how to express it. Is there a community MH nurse? My friend used to work in the community for a while. She came out of the NHS. Couldn’t work for them any longer (over an incident) and now works privately in the community and loves it.

toostressy you sound busy so well done re Xmas shopping.
Wow foxes and SC
DaniAnd Hills beaten you to it. DH brought mince pies a few weeks ago and I found a packet of lebkucken in the back of the cupboard when I cleared it out before it was demolished. We might have demolished the biscuits before we demolished the cupboards. We had a Russian and German neighbour donkeys years ago and that’s where I first tasted them. My mum always ordered some every 🎄 Christmas
I have always bought them for my kids too so I have probably been eating them for 50 Or more Christmases 🤫

Got off to a slow start today as I fell back asleep.

Need to
take washing to sons or friends.
Buy some meat and cook for tomorrow as Confirmation buffet. Thinking spicy chicken wings or similar.
Realised I should have painted kitchen ceiling before they fit cupboards but they are coming Monday now instead of Wednesday argh! Might get some done.
Change bed.
Tidy boudoir.
Vacuum downstairs.
Wash floors.
Clean car out.

This is a weekend plan. Plus have some planning, photocopying and laminating to do. Going to make something yummy for tea. Not sure what but either stir fry ( quick ) or slow cook something in bottom oven.

cags hope you are ok. Getting worried now as you haven’t been here for about a week. Hope children are alright. I know you weren’t feeling well before so hope you are resting. Sending best wishes.💐🍫🍷

Tada
Spend an hour sift thru "bag corner"(started throw bags stuff down end sofa when get frustrated and needs speedy home.good job I cleared it as found some bananas that are now spotty and some plums that were like bullets but nears ready to eat now somehow mixed up in there...)
Was semi watch chimp episode of dynasties with D's whilst did it.hes now gone play phone upstairs whilst sweep and wipe living room floor.im very tempted by post lunch nap...
Simple corned beef and tomato sandwiches(red pepper hummus and tomato for dd2)crisps and some slices pear and plums (not enough everyone have one or other and try bypass fights by chop up and sharing!!

Dinner tonight needs be basic as I'm not on the ball.probably pasta with broccoli,green beans and cheese