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Housekeeping

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Fledglings awaiting April organisation... and a plan - the Flylady thread

884 replies

TooStressyTooMessy · 31/03/2019 10:12

Welcome to the April Flylady thread. This is a lovely friendly thread where we loosely follow the Flylady system (see the Flylady website ) in the hope of having organised homes and lives.

Every day I will post a link to the launchpad which has everything you need for that day if you do want to follow the system strictly. Plenty of options to follow the system more loosely as well :).

Please do familiarise yourself with the Flylady website, especially if you are new. The Flylady is (understandably) keen that people do look at the website.

On the website there is information for beginners. You can also sign up to the Flylady emails but we would advise caution as there are hundreds of them.

We post our achievements (ta das) and our to do lists and any other general chatter about life / flying.

Information on getting started: www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/

The launch pad is also a good starting place:www.flylady.net/c/lp.php

Fly stands for Finally Loving Yourself. The general idea is that short bursts of tidying / organisation are more achievable than marathon efforts. Flylady advises 15 minute bursts is effort but you can tweak this to fit your own circumstances.

Be kind to yourselves, jump in where you are and be careful not to crash and burn!

*
A daily summary (which should update automatically every day) is available on the Flylady website at flight plan here.

The link to the current zone and missions is [[http://www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions here].

Re. zones, do what works for you. I don’t always stick to the zones myself and do what works best at the time, with varying degrees of success!

daily focus

missions for the week

Flykids mission

April’s habit is usually making your bed which is a nice easy one Smile.

beginner babysteps.

The best place to look for an overall summary is the launch pad.

Happy flying everyone.
**

Also a huge thank you to Chic for a lovely March thread as always.

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 12/04/2019 06:15

cag top marks for sucking up your mood and going to the gym.not sure I could do that!!
Lisette have you tried wiki for pewter cleaning ideas?I haven't checked but it's bailed me out before when I've been stuck!

Another night of musical beds...lil zoo sat watch dvd with D's and fell asleep in his bed so I left them together
Dd2 slept one sofa,me on other

Dp due at 9 for shop and planning..it's dd2 15th birthday tomorrow.she wants to go to an out of town shopping area with birthday money (with D's in tow this is going to take serious planning and nerves of steel as she don't want go without me and D's won't stay with anyone else)
Best get up and crack on,need sort menu plan/tame laundry/sort over flowing bins...

Stilllivinginazoo · 12/04/2019 07:10

Tada
Fed cats
Bleach lav
Wash on
Sort out bins
Sort littertray
Sweep kitchen floor
Sweep living room floor
Wash up
Feed lil zoo and D's(dd2 was up til 2 with braces hurting and whilst stirring,declined eat yet and now snoring on sofa again)
Halfway thru sorting out one of my kitchen cupboards

ChicCroissant · 12/04/2019 08:29

Hoping for another good drying day today, have started laundry already. Now overwhelmed with clean clothing, will have to wash stuff like towels today that don't need ironing Grin

Flap on, fledglings! Time for breakfast here still in pyjamas myself

TooStressyTooMessy · 12/04/2019 08:52

Morning all.

Ta da:-
I’m showered and dressed
Sorted out a work thing quickly
Am eating breakfast

That’s it so far!

To do:-
Rouse everyone from their collapsed state
Help DDs get ready as we are all going to an activity thing today.

Wish we had booked a later time slot now Confused.

Good luck with the drying Chic and the planning zoo.

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 12/04/2019 08:58

Tada
Two cupboards in kitchen cleaned and resorted
Shop list written,I've not menu planned.losing will to live with D's rev up about having go shopping with dd2 birthday money tomorrow and lil zoo being an ignorant drama llama.lost my shit twice in last half hour.ready run away..

Lisette1940 · 12/04/2019 09:08

Yes zoo and I've tried a vinegar and flour paste but I think it needs a pewter cleaner too. I think Brasso do one. For now they'll do!

Lisette1940 · 12/04/2019 09:13

Thanks for the heads up Zoo. Wiki also has a linseed oil and rottenstone recipe for a pewter paste but I don't fancy heating linseed oil and don't know where to source rottenstone!

MogTheSleepyCat · 12/04/2019 09:15

Zoo sending you lots of positive vibes. Life sounds tough for you atm

Shadycorner · 12/04/2019 10:19

Enjoy your activity thing today Toostressy hopefully your afternoon/evening will be better for having got off early and made the most of your day!

Sorry CAHMS outcome so crap Cag Sad

Well done for full blazes washing Chic

Like the idea of spectral cleaning Lisette Grin. A team of ghosts can swoop in and tidy and polish here any time!

(Good Housekeeping normally has "how to clean" info on their website btw.)

Could dp or dd1 sit with your ds while you take dd2 out for birthday treat Zoo? Or nice lady from church? Again, wish we were nearer geographically speaking as would love to help out.

I have emerged from my motivation slump and had a much better day yesterday! Saw 🐎 which was lovely although he needs a jolly good brush and foot trim. Plum blossom is over. Apple blossom about to emerge. Took empty clean jam jars to neighbour. Spoke to farrier.

Collected my car from garage with help of dh. Drove back to town. Cleared bed in boudoir which had become enormous dumping ground (we don't sleep in there).

Sorted some sheets.

Triaged laundry.

Downloaded advanced French verb drills on to various tablet so they can be accessed any time any where.

washed bras
paired socks
put away half of laundered clothes that need putting away
2 e-mails seeking info about summer
wrote 4 cards
wrapped a present
sorted Easter presents for neighbours at fermette
S&S
cooked gigantes plaki, pork ribs and salad
tidied up kitchen
bubble bath followed by manicure, pedicure, eyebrows
changed sheets on dh and my bed
carried on tidying boudoir until 1am! Still not finished!

Aarghhhh ta da this morning! Dh is doing "take your daughter to work" sort of day in a very formal setting. Honestly, it took DD 2 hrs to finally settle on what to wear and each outfit she tried on involved taking out my clean and ironed clothes, trying them all on, then discarding them in a heap on boudoir chair. She then decided she'd quite like my handbag too to top it all off! I had to Grin. Quite surreal seeing a 15 yr old much thinner, much more youthful version of yourself in over-sized "business" attire disappearing out the front door Grin. Then, blow me, dh couldn't find his phone, his keys, or his shoes! It has taken me until this time to tidy up after the pair of them!

Also, made hair appt
Found Easter decorations box in roof
Emptied dw, did s&s, carried dirty washing downstairs and 2 loads of washing are in!

Having coffee break now then:

To do: finish Easter parcels for nieces, nephew and godchildren (living in a land famous for chocolate has its responsibilities Wink).
On-line shopping returns.

Have a good day one and all!

Shadycorner · 12/04/2019 10:43

X posts
Waves to Mog and to everyone else!
Never heard of rottenstone Lisette!
Flowers to Zoo

Meant to say, moral of story earlier...

...Why oh why at my age do I keep repeating same stupid pattern?

Do not allow myself to do anything remotely fun or enjoyable until housework has been done and house in good state. (Catholic guilt.) > Do housework but it never comes to a convenient identifiable "end" and house never going to be in good state because half of it is crumbling. > So don't do anything creative or fun.> End up miserable washing socks. > Procrastinate horribly> Gradually wash fewer socks and do fewer chores.> House becomes an overwhelming pit> keep trying to do housework but have lost motivation > despair> give up!

I know this was exacerbated on this occasion by post op fatigue but more or less repeat same pattern endlessly!

Instead of which (as Flylady says) we need to keep minimal daily routines going THEN if humanly possible prioritise doing something we enjoy (very difficult if you have young 'uns mind you) because we need the energy from the enjoyable things to power us through the rest! Why do I always forget this?

Again, I know it all sounds rather pathetic with only one DC and working only 16-18 hrs weekly compared to what the rest of you are achieving , but this house very challenging and gets me down ie very little satisfaction in cleaning/tidying because it never looks any better ifyswim!

Heigh ho! Sorry for rambling on as usual .

Onward and upward one and all!

Cagliostro · 12/04/2019 12:10

Argh lost a long post but the crux of it was, sc my guilt may not be catholic :o but I get you. I have always struggled to do something nice for myself because of all the shit that always needs doing. Even as a child free teen, I remember banning myself from reading fiction during exam periods! So silly in hindsight.

I’m really making a push on it now basically because cagletini has driven me to the point of despair - I have definitely found it much harder this time round, having got my freedom back for a while. I think if I had joined the gym a few years back in between babies it would’ve felt like a chore to go. Now it’s a treat!

And on that note I’m off for a swim :o

Stilllivinginazoo · 12/04/2019 14:02

SC totally get that logic
Food shop done.dp stressing over tomorrow.gone bed ibs...

Tada
Shop done and put away
Ironing done(stuff I wash n airer dry in week that's crumpled too bad just shrug and wear anyways)

To do
Too much when I just want a nap.may abandon cleaning and stick head in a book (or check inside eyelids for a while during which I may or may not snoreGrin)

TooStressyTooMessy · 12/04/2019 14:19

Totally, totally understand that thinking SC. I can’t relax until everything is ‘done’ but of course it is never done. I do have a 10pm cut off point though where I stop if I haven’t already.

Cag, you are so right about the gym too. I joined last year and it really does feel like a massive chore, although my gym is lovely and friendly and once I am there I am ok. Have started to get that endorphin high every so often again which is pretty good Grin.

SC, that is such a lovely image of your DD as a younger you Smile.

Glad you’ve got a plan for the pewter lisette.

zoo Flowers.

The activity was great Grin. Indoor climbing; so much fun!

Just on way back home now so hoping to have an hour or so organising and tidying then the girls have their swimming class.

OP posts:
Shadycorner · 12/04/2019 17:57

Thanks for kind words re: motivation! Sorry, didn't mean to write another "me me" essay , was just trying to reiterate (badly) that Flylady is right and sound about this.

Ooooh indoor climbing sounds good Toostressy! DD did that at school recently. If the dc get scared, they get them to wear a blind-fold! Shock But apparently it helps!
Glad you had a good day! Apart from the odd mad day, my cut off point is usually after dinner which is not good. Once I sit down on the sofa, I've had it Blush 10pm is heroic, especially after a busy work day! Star Star

You are doing brilliantly at the gym Cag! Good on you!

And I'm afraid I can see the same signs in dd about "all or nothing-ness". I really didn't want to pass that on to her. Blush

Waves to Zoo (hope you did see the inside of your eyelids!!) and to everyone else!

Literally have not stopped all day, driving dd and her boyfriend hither and thither.

Cleaner woz ere.
Went to doc and then chemist.
Did one lunch time dog walk (can still only manage one at a time at the moment as two pull too much, like flying a kite horizontally).
Then to to cardiologist and had the delightful experience of bicycling hard for eight minutes, top half completely starkers, with electrodes attached. It was not a pretty sight. Even better, everything was ok so I have been given the go ahead to start exercising properly! Argh! No excuses now! Grin Confused Grin

Haven't finished my parcels! Wanted to take them to P O first thing tomorrow. Just waiting for dd to come back from maths tutoring and we are all going to eat out for once!

Have a lovely evening everybody! And a lovely weekend!

Stilllivinginazoo · 12/04/2019 18:17

6-7 pm and I'm virtual zombie so I hear you on the after dinner it stops SC(don't know how you keep going stressy)don't even do dishes some most nights I'm that wrecked
Good job you weren't joggingSC.ample bosom swinging free=black eyesGrin

I did look at my eyelids for 20 mins then I've wasted rest day faffing on Pinterest,social media and MN.really feeling drained and got up and go less
Lil zoo and D's begging crackers,salad and cheese tea(no arguements from me)
Dd2 crying so be soup for her poor aching gums.really hope it's downgraded pain by tomorrow as her birthdaySad
Happy weekend people!!

foxessocks · 12/04/2019 19:05

I also feel the same as you all it seems, what is with this guilt?! It's ridiculous!

Btw toostressy a 10pm cut off is hardcore! I'm asleep by 10pm usually Grin my cut off is when the dc go to bed at 7pm (so now!). They wear me out!

Stilllivinginazoo · 12/04/2019 19:42

Aaaaand my oven stopped working.
Fuck my life

TooStressyTooMessy · 12/04/2019 21:31

Oh no zoo FlowersCake.

SC that does not sound an enjoyable appointment! Glad everything ok though.

Well I try to only do what really needs to be done after 9pm e.g. if dishwasher not loaded etc. Anything else needs to be more of a sitting down job. Plus I always do it while listening to music or more likely watching something on my phone.

Tbh my problem really is that between 5 and 8pm my productivity level, pitiful at the best of times, takes a complete dive. I’ll do the basics of cooking, bedtime etc but don’t do enough extra stuff meaning I then have to catch up. I’m better if I am out of the house eg at a kids’ activity but then still there is the dishwasher etc to do when we are back. I need to find a way to tackle the 7-8pm slump in particular. Realistically the kids don’t go to bed until 8 these days and we are usually home by 7 so I could definitely use that hour better.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day Hmm.

OP posts:
TooStressyTooMessy · 12/04/2019 21:38

StarStarStarStarStar
PLEASE NOTE

I am not going to do a launch pad link tonight as I just went onto the Flylady website on my phone and my safari browser says it is ‘not secure’. I’ve never come across this before on the Flylady website and it all looks fine but I am not a computer expert at all and I know things can look fine when they are not. I’ve checked a few other websites and they are not saying this. If you are a computer expert please feel free to advise!

So I’d advise not to look at the website tonight or at least look carefully at it first. I’ll check it again tomorrow and I bet it will be fine. Perhaps it’s my phone anyway.

I reckon most of us have an idea what we should be doing anyway Grin. Any unsure newbies then just shine your sink and take a few minutes to declutter some hotspots Smile. It’s the weekend anyway Grin.

Family fun day tomorrow Hmm.
StarStarStarStarStar

OP posts:
Bowerbird5 · 12/04/2019 22:48

Hi, I'm back. I haven't had time to catch up on all your chat yet.

I've been quite busy.
Church weekend went well. Food eaten and seemingly enjoyed. Curries turned out well.
Little sis arrived when I got back and we had a chatty few days together. We went down the Lakes. Grasmere, Ambleside Coniston and Ullswater.
Lovely daffs and primroses everywhere. Great sunshine.
Newcastle was sunny but that freezing biting wind. lovely sitting having coffee overlooking the water though. we separated on train station.
I had a couple of meals out with her so made it like a holiday for me too.
It is nearly two years since i saw her as she lives 300 miles away.
Had another funeral last Tuesday. I really don't want to go to anymore this year. I did miss one in the village. Had a day at home today and cleaned the Everhot. Wiped worktops found i do have a leak and didn't procrastinate but rang kitchen company straight away. also phoned about summerhouse and paid Laura's card.oh and I had a birthday this week.
Tired now so off to bed.Will attempt to catch up on your news. Grin

Bowerbird5 · 12/04/2019 22:50

DD washed the kitchen floor for meShock

IVEgottheDECAF · 13/04/2019 06:14

Morning all

Sorry for stressful times Flowers and loss of oven zoo Flowers

I am starting to feel a bit more human these days which is nice after having had various rotating bugs plus morning sickness for weeks. So i have most days been doing a bit more in house. However i worked yesterday and could not be arsed so nothing at all got done. But, everyone fed, no one dead!
Dc4 up at 5am, should probably do things now. Out in a couple of hours to birthday party and shopping.
Brew anyone?

Shadycorner · 13/04/2019 06:55

Good morning!

Great you are feeling better I've! Stay well!

Oh no Zoo sorry about oven

The Lakes visit sounds lovely Bower

Thanks for website warning Toostressy

Waves to Foxes and to everyone else! Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend!

Had lovely evening yesterday. Must finish packing Easter parcels and rush to PO! Have a good one everybody!

HillsBesideTheSea · 13/04/2019 07:37

Did Flylady not renew her security wigets? tut tut tut. Our local gym did that and my anti virus would not even let me open the website. :D :D :D

Not secure relates to various bits and bobs and is often adminy where someone needs to purchase the right license/widgets so say they are safe. NOT always though so wise to be safe.

Morning. Do we known any good and yet discrete assasins?

Lisette1940 · 13/04/2019 08:03

I've as long as it's not decaf for me!

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