Fledglings step their way through June; yikes we'll be Flying in to summer soon!

[Singingcricket]

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 , 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, although 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) [[http://www.flylady.net/d/br/2017/06/11/please-explain-the-zones-6/
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

Oh and not forgetting "habit of the month" which for June is : drinking water!

Good luck and happy Flying one and all!

*

Aha drinking water in June, yes I always need to work on that. I love water but I am forgetful! And sometimes give in far too easily to Pepsi Max cravings. Also having POTS I’m supposed to drink about 50% more than most people and have more salt too, both of which I struggle with.

DD has texted since the show but she won’t be back at the friend's house until well after midnight. Just hope the crowds on the tube/train haven’t been too awful. DH is going to stay up till he knows they are home.

Got so much stuff I really need to sort out tomorrow. But first I will enjoy seeing the film with my boy ❤️ he is Lego mad so very excited! Also I get an ice blast so YAY

cags how lovely you get time with D's.enjoy!!when's DD home?

Chic hope enjoy the break

Bower Garden sounds lovely

Hills hope you manage get that drive into the hills in and some me time

Lisette can I ask how got carrot stain out?D's messy urchin and Ive thrown away loads things I cannot get orange stains out of?

I've hope you survived visitors

Stressy I don't feel I've ever mastered parenting,as I get tactics going new things happen and catch up continues.i found structure at some level deffo helps prevent boredom fighting/whining,and getting out every day for walk or dancing in house etc ment they were tired enough to sleep when it got a point at night I needed time alone.hope you did physio and the was good!!

SC snap!rant,apologise,repeat!!dd2 has GCSE I media Monday and anxiety is becoming unbearable,bless her.ds meltdown over hating feeling warm had me try not to cry with frustration at midnight.think it's going to be a long day today!!

Dp decided not to come as had odd pain in gut now and again since wednesday.secretly I'm annoyed as Sunday shop day,but relieved he won't be adding to anxiety central with thoughtless remarks/his issues!!

I'd best get up,as no bread,milk etc at mo I'm going to make apple muffins to lure zoolets into action to carry shopping bags!!

Have only just read through the thread properly just now

Waves at I've . The carrot stain was due to commercial baby puree and I used a commercial upholstery cleaner and warm water on a cloth to lift the stain. I'll know better when go downstairs to see if it's really gone . You know how stains reappear overnight after seemingly disappearing.

I cooked mustard chicken from the Good Food website www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4814/mustardstuffed-chicken. Give it 40 mins not 25, I think.

I must be an introvert because I'm totally drained having people over. Lots of nice leftovers this morning. Prepared the chicken ahead ready to shove in the oven. Then had greens and bread so no faffing with spuds. Olives, deli meats, vine leaves to start, just left for anyone to peck at. Did a fruit, Greek yoghurt, dark chocolate array, mini cupcake platter for dessert. Then guests brought dessert too - fruit crumble and custard. No such thing as too much dessert.

Went to bed at 10.30 so that I could enjoy a leisurely tidy this morning while picking at leftover chocolate

Sorry SC I mentioned a lot of food there that I'm trying to restrict myself. I'm meant to be eating for nutrition and not chomping.

I have an exercise bike and it's DUSTY. Ha! But really I need to get fitter and I haven't had recent surgery that would be a perfectly sane reason for taking things more slowly.

Lisette your post made me hungry! I wish i had crumble and custard for breakfast!

Zoo i did survive ty! All went well and i am enjoying the bits of the house that are still clean / tidy! Must try and keep on top / do a bit more today!

Two dc at activities today, one at a party. Big three back in school tomorrow. So its gonna be a busy one!

I've - I had crumble and Greek yoghurt for breakfast - if you have custard with it, it's dessert. Totally justifiable for breakfast if you have yoghurt with it

Carrot stain is out of carpet. Totally surprised.

If i had it , i would have custard.

Well done on the stain!

Ta da

All dc fed
Me dressed

The custard was gone this morning I've. I prefer crumble with custard any time! This one was lovely - really oaty.

Still haven't tidied. (Strong) Coffee next.

That is a shame!

Ta da

Brew made
Washing on line
Washer refilled
1 tshirt stain treated
Dry pots away

Morning all, just got DD2 to her activity - was a rush getting ready as I got up late as had been reading MN late last night. Why do I do this to myself ?

Anyway, we are here now and DD1 is with DH at home so I have about 45 mins now to look through the calendar and do some physio exercises.

Not sure whether I am pleased or upset to hear of others struggles with parenting but that you for sharing .

Well done on stain removal lisette and good on you for cuddling baby while parents are. Makes such a difference at that stage to be able to get a good meal and eat with both hands .

Wow, good luck with busy day Ive.

Going to get on now and make the most of the time.

Well done with carrot stain. Any tips for removing paint from a jacket. It is orange and yellow. Vanish didn’t work. It took a bit off but some still on. It is a hoody from Sainsbury’s so not expensive but I do like it.

Glad it is Zone 1. It needs doing. Will try to do some each day but back to work tomorrow so...
Having last lie in about to get up. Will put away basket of clothing then breakfast, shower, dressed and church. Choir later.

Re drinking water... this is a habit I am really good at. I drink loads of water and love it. One thing I found helpful when I was struggling though e.g. with tiny children or very busy is to always have a bottle of water or a drink of water on the go. Even if that means having more washing up by the end of the day. If you have to go and physically get a glass of water you ether won’t remember or won’t be arsed to do it, especially if you don’t really want to drink in the first place!

Also agree with timer tips. Other ideas are to fill up a big bottle of water that needs to be finished before the end of the day. Or have a chart with the number of glasses you need to drink and tick them off.

I’m sitting with a bottle of water now, I love the stuff. Does have it’s downsides though as I get thirsty really easily (not diabetic, don’t worry!).

Bower, I’m afraid I have never been able to get paint off anything but hopefully others have some idea.

Sorry Zoo it was your query about the puree. I used a stainguard spray which we got through the company. It just says mild cleaner. The theory is that you let the clean rest onnthe stain and that a warm, not hot, wet cloth should remove the stain with dabbing.

However the baby was covered in the puree with yellow splodges on her tights. I don't know if commercial baby food is easier to wash out. Certainly home produced carrot purée would be hard to remove. I actually didn't treat the stain until the guests had left but it still came out.

Morning all!

Ta da:
walked furries with dh in the cool, talked to him about a better strategy for dealing with dd moods (he panders because he is away all the time and feels guilty and I "emphasised" we need more of a united front because I am the one mostly dealing with it alone and his methods not helping!) and put together a verbal meal plan for week (dieting) and dd (oppositie of dieting!)
emptied overnight laundry and hung up
folded a load more towels
sorted more laundry
laboriously prepped all of dd's school shirts and 6 of dh's work shirts: scrubbed collars and cuffs with vanish stain stick and sploshed industrial vinegar on armpits
2 more loads of laundry on
prepped the rest of dh work shirts for collection by laundry and put by front door
dining room table hot spot
found most of the rest of the missing French study books that had disappeared - yay!

Mmmmm, all this talk of lovely food! Very nice to be able to enjoy it vicariously over the cyber waves! Your menu sounds scrummy Lisette! Crumble for breakfast = host's perk! And gosh, another introvert here, I so identify with that "drained and need to be alone" feeling and I only have two others and two furries here!

Good luck with your busy day I've

Hope your dd had a lovely time Cag!

Hope you were able to enjoy a bit of fresh air on them there hills Hills!

Waves to everyone else! Just need to gussy myself up enough to look vaguely respectable and get off to Mass (by myself) for a bit of peace and leave dh to deal with her grumpiness now she is stirring

Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

that should read "mostly alone" to be accurate!

And always find Vanish (the old-fashioned soap bar) good for orangey stains on things

Yeah me. I have put away one basket of ironed stuff. Sorted another basket into put away ✔️ or need to iron. I don’t know why but I just hate putting clothes away. Maybe because I need to declutter drawers and wardrobe is a small, old pine one. Right off for shower and then make bed as it is airing. Will try and pop in later and hope you do have some rest time. I used to be up early and doing but these meds make me so dozy in the morning. I do feel like I have missed half the day. Always used to be up at 6am. I guess that is why GP gave them to me to slow me down. I do sleep through the night now just up for several wee stop but get back to sleep which I didn’t used to do.

Have a lovely day back to school tomorrow 😉

Just sorted through piles of paperwork, had Bill's and statements from 14 years ago. Taking them to MIL's to shred at least ten years worth.
Feels great but took over an hour and feel like I'm flagging now. Promise to self- never let it build up to the point I can't close my box file again

Ta das
Daily routine and s&s bathroom
Took travel potty out of porch where it has been sitting for weeks and delivered to person who wanted it!
Took some winter coats upstairs
Went to shop for a few bits

Last day of half term so we are relaxing today as we've had a full on week. We also have leftovers for lunch and dinner today! Cold sausages and salad stuff for lunch then burgers that didn't get cooked on the BBQ yesterday for dinner. Tomorrow back to normal and dinners that include vegetables

Ta da
Went to a local nursery to replace some plants that got eaten by slugs - found lovely replacements that were a lot less costly than the plugs they replaced. I will have to remember for next year.
Planted up pots.
Trimmed worst of the lawn.

To do
Make lunch for everyone. Sigh.
Finish work in the garden.
Put away three loads of washing and hang one out.
Get clothes ready for work tomorrow, and all school/nursery bags. It's my early start day tomorrow and I have very little room for things to go wrong.
Go to see a comedy show with dh this evening - very radio 4 centric, so I am excited.

EnjoyCordelia

Tada
Trail shops on foot with zoolets,had revise list as had to be more local.few bits couldn't get.halved usual Sunday bill,not elaborate,but will fill hungry tummies!!
Picked up catfood/kibble

*to do.wtf did loads come from??

DD had a great time! And seems to have managed ok with everything. I had a lovely cinema and lunch with DS :) (Lego movie 2 was brilliant)

Oh that’s great Cag .

Have a good time tonight Cordelia (or is Callme better?

Ta da:-
School stuff ready for tomorrow except for packed lunches as I simply can’t do it all today.
Have labelled a load of summer stuff for school. I think because the last half term was fairly cold with the odd hot day then this feels very much like going into a new season, which I suppose we are officially. Had loads of stuff to label but most of it done now and new shoes sprayed with protector.
DH has started tea for us

To do:/
DDs have a party in a bit so need to check how ready they are
The usual laundry type stuff
The physio exercises I couldn’t do in the waiting area this morning as I looked strange enough doing the wrist exercises .

Just realised (overthinking this ) presumably Cordelia is better as your username actually tells us to call you that .

stressy tbh I answer to anything that's not swornso I'm sure she won't mind either
You are well on top of your game labelling stuff and shoe protected spray on

Cagace news on Dd front.lovely you had time with D's.one to one is difficult sometimes,but I really enjoy it ❤️

I've realised not washed uniformsand am panic washing as D's has no vests or socks either..FFS.i spend most my time washing bloody towels as they are too wet/dirty to use many times lord alone knows what the hell zoolets do with them!!
Panic washing- in progress,darks in drier,socksare in
Shirts,vest etc will be done after,which leaves lights and you guessed it towels for tomorrow...oh and if any soap powder left some my clothes would be nice....

Hair deep conditioner along with dd2 and a out watch a film to distract her from the impending exam..

Think good weather is over winds getting up and start pour here.i am seriously hoping it's not a drenched school run.first day back drowning,a Monday,and binday are my least favourite combo!!