May our houses be uncluttered ...the Fledgling Fly thread.

[Shadycorner]

Welcome to the thread where we (loosely) follow the Flylady housekeeping system here to combat CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome) with a load of wine, chat and mutual support along the way. Quite a few of us have been on here for a while, so for that reason, we may seem cliquey, but we really aren't, and all newcomers, lurkers, returnees, regulars, and intermittent regulars are very welcome!

Every day I will post a link to the activities for "Today" which summarises everything you need on a daily basis if you want to follow the system strictly, but we tend to adapt it to suit our individual circumstances, homes and energy-levels!

Please note that, athough Flylady is keen for us to check in to the website, we've recently had a few concerns wrt security, so although there is lots of useful info on the site, it's best not download it or put any of your personal details into the website for now.

More information on getting started available:
here (containing baby-steps!) but please don't hesitate to ask if you have any further qs.

There are 4 levels for Flying:
-Baby steps - good for starting a routine and overcoming the perfection crippling effect
-Baby steps and missions - basic routine + more in depth tasks
-Baby steps, missions, and deep cleaning (if you are at that stage).
You 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) let's 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 suit 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 lots of support from fellow fledglings.

More info follows ( but again, please note we advise only looking at the pdfs and not downloading them ):

** launch pad (general info) here

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

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

** info about zones (explanation of how zones work) here

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

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

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

Good luck and happy Flying one and all!

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Also, a huge thank you to Toostressy for running such a lovely April thread

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🌼 launch pad link containing flight plan for Tuesday (best to read not download).

Good luck with continuing guest prep Lisette

Waves to Toostressy and everyone else.

G'night all!

Well, two windows done without too much disruption (DH is supervising, I went to work). Work continues tomorrow with our bedroom one next on the list (we're only having front and our bedroom done, not the other back ones or side ones, for long-winded reasons). Also having some rendering repairs done ready for house to be repainted, so its going to look patchy in the short term.

Zoo - sympathies over revising, you too SC. My DS had his year 10 mocks a few weeks ago now, but DD has her year 8 exams the week after half term so she's gearing up for those.

Cag you are doing well with the exercise. I am a very slow swimmer and moving forward without drowning describes it pretty well. DD is a club swimmer and can do three lengths to my one .

Regarding bleaching silicone sealan/grouting - I do it with small wodges of loo roll dipped in bleach, they stick to the grouting very well (we get it in the grout where the shower runs down as well as along the bath).

Good morning Expletive and everyone! Good to hear first lot of windows went in ok! And good luck to both of your DC wrt results/ forthcoming exams too!

I think Hills was a pioneer of the bleach/loo roll method iirc!

Feeling loads better this morning and there's loads to do to stop the house becoming a complete shit tip today (as opposed to the small shit-tip it is currently) . Its like trying to turn an ocean liner once it really starts going downhill! Can't believe me being ill for approx thread days results in such a mess but there you have it (sigh). Hopefully largely superficial at this stage... .

Have a good planning day everyone!

Morning
I know exactly how you feel SC this why I hit things yesterday before got to point no return (so bad I get overwhelmed and give up)
Pain level is low,but stiffness has spread.bugger.will Google for possible stretches later so if I can unseize myself

Off to sort D's schedule of schoolwork,then apply shitload bleached of roll to grout before start usually morning gubbins

Looks set to be another beautiful day here

Have a good one fledglings!!

Morning.

Dozed off reading your messages yesterday.another difficult day. However the afternoon lessons went quite well. Took two classes for PE together. It was lovely and sunny.

Monday Ta das
Swept kitchen
Put wash on x 2
Vacuum downstairs

Wash up
Clean around kitchen, recycle.
Clean basin.

Zoo do take care. I love your stories about your family.

Waves to everyone.

I'm going to try that bleach and cotton wool method! I tried that Astonish spray recently but it didn't work as well as I'd hoped.

Hope everybody ok this morning.

On part of my new (ish) job is to do with helping kids with GCSEs and it takes me right back to being a teenager again. I'm going into a school tomorrow and I'm feeling nervous already, and Im not the one doing the exams!

Good luck to everyone who is doing any kind of exam.

Tada
DS school plan for day sorted
Bleach on grout
Cats fed
Wash in
Breakfasts and pack ups

There has been ww3 here this morning as I was ment get dd2 up 630 so she can check social media before school.fifth attempt get her up at 715 by barking sargeant major styly was effective but increased her hostility by 2000% because clearly it's all my fault she didn't get up

Ethics test pm,then need thorny topic of revision schedule for impending GCSE mocks

The examinations for chez Lisette are dental today. Me in the morning and the lads in the afternoon. In between I'm doing zone cleaning.
🍒 waves and wing flaps to all.

Moving forward without drowning . I think that could describe lots of things in life, not just swimming.

Have to get a spare key cut today then physio appointment so not anticipating much flying as both will be quite time consuming. On the plus side I can get the bus to key cutting place so have brought some work to do with me (actual work for my job so no real flying there either).

Big wing flaps to all.

Lunch time check in

Not half Toostressy!

Hope dentist appts going ok Lisette

Your new job sounds v interesting Foxes well done you! Just a bit envious too (in the nicest possible way!).

Hope more sunny classes today Bower!

NB for Cag and possibly Zoo (for ds) I've been getting side-lined clearing out books, but to my delight came across one of the bestest ever; DK's A Timeline of Everything do you know it? I tell you, for £20 it basically tells you most things you need to know about European civilisation (and beyond) in the most brilliantly presented way. One of Dd's godparents bought it for us and it has been a really, really brilliant resource, not just of history/general info but to put it all in proper perspective. And, for a child who can become overwhelmed by a huge task (as DD and many DC can sometimes be) it breaks it up wonderfully so that you feel in control/on top of the information, rather then daunted by it ifyswim. And it gives plenty of pointers for heading out off on tangents if a subject tickles your fancy! An ideal book for home edding I would have thought! ( I can occasionally buy bks at discount so if you can't begin or borrow it, let me know, and I will gladly send you both a copy.)

Most get to the office job now! Shame because it's too nice to be indoors!

Gah! Can't beg not begin!

Had to chuck my shopping - so hot today the meat got warm in the cooler bag and there were delays getting home. Gutted. Feel such an eejit. Better than food poisoning though.

Dentist went fine though.

Ate the rest of the giant chocolate bar in frustration.

Need to catch up with the thread properly, but I have got gunk off the bottom of taps with a wet tumble dryer sheet (the scented kind that you put in with clothes). I don't know why it works but it does, like a dream! I keep meaning to try it on bath-edge type mould.

Oh that's a weird but interesting tip chic was it borne from the classic I wonder what happens if I try this method one I am constantly doing with mixed results

SC ohhh that sounds v interesting,will make note of that and check it out.thank you!

Lisette warm meat not worth risk.any chocolate left for naughty corner

Talking of dd2 it's pistols at dawn again here
Ethics test was A DISASTER...her I know what I'm doing/don't need to revise/emergency panic cram last night = a level 3(4 is pass,she's currently consistent get 6-7,odd 8 based on student marking she thinks teacher will be more generous and will scrape a 4 like that's good enough.i didn't agree as I was frustrated and disappointed.we rowed.i may have threatened to remove phone /laptop/ban social media as she wastes literally hour upon hour trawling Twitter and Tumblr for her favourite u.s show/all actors in it
I recognise things are hard at mo here,she's not really got good friend that can venture out with and taking away her only pleasure us mean but I KNOW she can give the effort she will be rewarded.its her best subject,she enjoys it and gets good grades...
She's now eminating hostility,but doing homework whilst sing out of key( as has headphones in) and expresses can't have dinner til 8 as needs to study I take this to mean she's hopefully accepted she messed up and realises needs knuckle down or could just be a knee jerk reaction to shut me up

Either way I feel horrible.i am fiercely proud of her.shes a good girl,not smartest in class but pushes herself to get stuff and keep up and I just want so much for her bugger, bugger, bugger.its a fine balance between want best and being a ranting harridan/bitch

In other news im stiff as surfboard and appear have lop sided shoulders as poorly ones lower than other.i suspect I've buggered up posture with this stuff problem.double crapola.i can force myself level if concentrate but it's tight and pulling thru chest and back as well pins and needles in arm..

In other news,5loads wash done,dry and put away,schoolwork with D's done,menu planned

Tea tonight- baked in foil salmon with ginger,garlic,parsley and spring onion/splash soy and sesame oil .broccoli and couscous.yogurt for D's,chocolate blancmange for lil zoo(made in mo with almond milk and cocoa powder) both served with raspberries
Roast squash,broccoli,leeks,peppers and sweet potatoes with cheese and soda bread top sunflower seeds for dd2 and I❤️

Oh good God save me she's now virtually shouting Hamilton's not throwing away my shot rap

sc it's very, very part time alongside other bits and bobs , don't be too envious! Although I have enjoyed it. It's nice to get out and try my hand at different things especially now ds at pre school.

sc I'm putting that book on my list for dd I think! Sounds right up her street!

(she's probably a bit young at the moment but in the next year or so . She is constantly asking questions!)

Oh no zoo I don't have any advice but sounds exhausting , teenagers are very tricky people!!

Oh no re warm meat lisette

if it's any consolation I made cheese straws today and for some reason when I took them out they were all wet and bubbly what's that all about then?! I realise that isn't as bad as losing your meat though

Huge apologies for all the ramblings there

Evening everyone, sorry to hear of all the exam stresses, it doesn't sound pleasant.

TaDa
DS and cats fed
Hung last nights washing on line in garden
School runs and Work
Brought in washing, folded and put away
Put a cleaning cycle on for the washing machine
HUGE declutter of all the paper all over kitchen island, chucked all the rubbish, located all paperwork for DLA appointment on Thursday
Scrubbed kitchen island
Sanitised fridge, freezer and oven handles
Cleaned gunk off of washing machine door
Booked x2 appointments for DS
Online banking
Prepped dinner
Cleared top of sideboard in entrance hall, dusted and polished, only put back nice and necessary items
Now sat in SlimmingWorld meeting waiting for talk to start

Just had a quick Google SC Amazon sells it!says for ages 9+ will it be ok for 13 yr old who wants to know everything??

Dd2 has surrendered.she got very antsy trying to make a timetable to revise and ask me to help with weekends...I had a here's one i made earlier moment
She's bit upset lack social media team,but I've said if she gives it a fair go we can jig times around and levels work/play if it's not working
She's now checking social media before get in shower and i finally get to eat!!
She isn't a bad kid by any means of the imagination,but she sure can push my bloody buttons sometimes!!!!

Sorry for the endless ranting,I just came back to say it worked out in the end for now

Foxes did you use butter or marg?sometimes the water levels in Marg naff up pastry if not mixed with lard?if you used butter i'm stumped....

Hi all!

Zoo yes, I'm not where if it's the same bk (Timelines for/of

Sorry! Trying again!

Zoo I'm not where I can see the bk atm but if it's the same one, Timelines of/for Everything, from Woolly Mammoths to World Wars by DK (iirc) then I would say it would be great for your ds. I certainly enjoy dipping in to it from time to time as it contains lots of info and ref points. The point is, that it is a clever summary, an overall reference, rather than an in-depth study. So for example, in the Medieval Europe section, there's a little para on the Hanseatic League, which I doubt a nine yr old would know much about, but they would know the term medieval itself ifyswim. So there's lots of layers to it!

Have someone here for supper so back later to catch up properly!

That hadn't made it sound that thrilling! Also timelines of medicine, biology, feminism , fashion, race to the moon, Soviet Union, crime detect ion, astronomy etc etc loads more!!