Autumn leaves and a clean sweep: it's the October Fledgling Fly thread (2019)

[Slowchirp]

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, 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, or sign up to the (many and frequent) e-mails (but your choice as some fledglings find the latter helpful).

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 and here

** daily focus (helpful guide to allocate a certain day for a certain task) here and 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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Last but not least, a huge thank you to ChicCroissant for running such a lovely (and busy!) September thread [cake[

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Morning! We found another couple of fish dead yesterday evening but the rest seem to have survived the night OK. The only thing we put into the tank at the weekend was three new shrimp and some plants, I can't believe any of them would have introduced something in to the tank not an expert Hopefully it is sorted, but I am watching closely!

Need to post a card this morning, I have a haircut booked that I'll need to get cash and petrol for, make a shopping list and do some of the inevitable laundry and ironing. DD has a field trip today so has gone to school in normal clothes prepared for mud! Will pick up a coffee while I'm out freebieGoldenArches

I am feeling MUCH better today, still a bit sore from yesterday's test but so much better. Still need to drink a fair bit of fluid today but that I can do like a champion!

Catch you at lunchtime, lovelies!

Sorry I've been awol from thread. Life got a bit on top of me. Heading to Edinburgh for a break. Last minute cleanup and packing. Just a quick dish and swipe.

Sorry to hear of dossier issues SC. Must have been so frustrating.

Yay for lovely puppy zoo. He's such a cutie.

I'm sorry to hear about the fish in the Croissant household. I had to mind my sister's two goldfish and was horrified to find one dead in the morning. The other fish lived for years and years, possibly because the dead one was an awful bully and he finally got some peace.
I am wondering now if it was murder...

Glad test went well Chic

foxes I found the kittens way less effort.they amuse them selves a bit,want to play,slept loads, learn v fast where to "do their business"..maybe I'm just too lazy for a dog...

Up at 530,bit better than last couple of nights
Attaching my room

Tada
Fed cats
Started with bookcase,empty everything off it,wipe it over,culling those I won't read again,restacking
Sorted thru my drawers,ditched couple items that are not just past their best but scream "you don't care in the slightest how rough you look in these holey bits of crap"
Sifted out a couple things I feel too old to wear now
Restacked(noting what I need to pick up)
Move blanket box and wipe spiderweb encrusted skirting board
Go thru blanket box.mostly junk,so in bags for bin/chazza
Put Xmas stuff already bought in there so I keep it all together(lost few bits last year from squirreling in different places)
Sort thru big bag of clothes I was given for lil zoo ages ago.kicked self as fair chunk she's now too big for(was too big for her when given) she's now proud owner of American flag fluffy onesie that was donated to dd2,and once outgrown put up for her,couple hoodies and couple t shirts.put rest stuff in chazza bag
Shelving unit-
Top shelf- sorted pile clothes that were dd2 that she grew to round for but wanted keep in case it fell off again.shes now much taller so it won't fit,added to chazza bag(s)

Woke zoolets
breakfasts and snacks sorted

Middle shelf- sifted thru my huge nail varnish collection.ditched stuff that separated and cannot re emulsify(tried nail varnish remover.some are past help)
Sorted out some that I bought when dd2 became a teen(very cheap pastels) as she's now responsible enough not to coat her room in them she can have in there away from lil zoo who night
Noted 5 gel colours I have almost identical in regular varnish..dd1 has gel light thingy so I text her she can have if wants.set aside
Put all french manicure stuff,gems,decorating tools in one end of the shoe box and added cardboard"partition" to keep them visible

Pop to church as agreed time to drop off wool

Return to the bedroom
Organise spare shampoo,shower gels etc(noting what low supply)
Third shelf
Bag outgrown giraffe tops hoarding if lil zoo which plan to turn into a quilt with dd2 help at some point..
Old school photos
Box certificates and mum's day cards etc made at school(shed odd nostalgic tear)
Pusheen manicure set bought for lil zoo last Xmas but couldn't find.now added to blanket box stash
Huge crate photo albums.sift thru and spot framed pic dd1 last year at primary.put aside.plus pic she drew that was framed.also put aside
Added 2photo albums of my dad's to the box that'd be stacked on precarious pile other things waiting for homes
Found huge stash recipes need to sort(2carrier bag equivalent of things cut from mags etc)- put aside to deal with at leisure
Found box fairy lights strung around shelving unit
Tidy little table with radio on
Sweep floor

It's still cluttered,but much less so.think I need a new bed so I can put crates with things like photo albums and Xmas tree under it as I don't have a ladder or flooring in loft
Dusted

Decide to claim dd2 cast off coat as my own(I've not got one).put in wash

To do
Wipe bag shower gels ,shampoo etc I found with one exploded in it
Pull out freezer again and note serial numbers(forgot last time) so I can get replacements fridge drawers as broken
Clear final bits off dining table
Start mammoth task recipe sorting (will take a number of days I fear)

Me again...
Pulled out freezer and noted serial numbers.its a Bosch fridge freezer.a "chiller drawer"(has a fish on it) and new salad draw will cost £65.80

Think as sunny out will pop the three accrued chazza bags out now(before they end up pile by door/kicked everywhere forever)along with some laxido lil zoo had last year for her tummy we have leftover.ive kept a few in case of emergency but rest can go to the pharmacy(two doors down from chazza) kill two birds with one stone

Sorry to hear life a bit testing currently Lisette and hope Edinburgh proves to be the filip you need.

I don't think anyone looking at that list could accuse you of being lazy Zoo good luck with recipe sorting

Sorry you had to endure another broken night Foxes it must be very draining. Same as with your parents' dogs, our adoptee furries have taken literally years to settle as they both had difficult uprbringings) and they needed lots of hard work and attention. We had a break through this summer when they were both able to be off leash for the first time and free around wreck2 which was fantastic (for them and us!). But it took lots of training to get to that point and input from a professional in one case. Worth it though as the better trained the dog, the more liberty they can enjoy ... .

We had a similar dominance issue with rabbits as with your sister's fish Lisette. My favourite (shouldn't say that, but she was!) was er, very "dominant" and died first (broke my heart). We thought the more nervous one left behind would die pretty soon thereafter as they had been a bonded pair since birth. But no, she came out of her shell, thrived, grew bigger and fluffier (like she was wearing a feather boa) and her true rather flirty/feisty personality emerged . So hopefully your remaining fish won't suffer Chic!

Lovely day here after yesterday's rain. Just walked the furries for second time with dh and finished his packing for him. He is off on a business trip for a fortnight. Meanhwhile, I have guests ... who are going to join him at a certain point later on.

Have a nice time at hairdressers Chic

Must crack on. So much to do. Dossier work. Mounds of laundry. Lots of tidying. At least I bought/made enough food yesterday to last us for today so no cooking for 24 hrs. Boudoir a pit. Bathroom needs tidying now too. And lots of ironing. And no domestic help because ironing lady is away and cleaner has personal crisis.

Have a productive errand day everyone!

Quite sad to imagine him there forlornly in carrier bag waiting for his new fate ...

Sorry, meant to say, so glad you are feeling considerably better Chic!

New work practices, slight homesickness and general life chaos SC.

But my house is cleanish! So looking forward to the trip. Hurrah!

Will pop in and out.

Wiped off the soapy residue of exploded shampoo from other cleaning items
Sat in a wet furball
Scrub D's bed,put my clothes in wash...
Clear stuff off dining table

Start burn down a bit after mad few days of cleaning..

Safe travels Lisette!

Take it steady Zoo!

On train now, latte in hand!

Have a lovely time Lisette.

zoowhat a list. Glad it isn’t just me that tears out recipes( travel, crafts to) I have mine in an A4 boxes from Smiths. A box for each thing.

🐠🐡🐟sorry about fish. We had a lovely healthy fish from fairground ...DD came home with it when she was a teen. She won it because she felt sorry for it. We bought tank accessories etc next day and after a while she thought it was lonely. Used pocket money to buy a couple more from Pets at Home a few days later first dead then the rest died. Back to P at H to find their fish developed spots and eventually owned up to fish having disease. DD then wished she hadn’t got it friends. DDs friend had one too lasted years. Changed my mind about fairground fish though we didn’t have any more!

Been gardening as lovely out. Lunch rare beef roll.
Bathroom cleaned
Washing done.
Card for child I sponsor written.
Bed made
Some paperwork sorted.
Out tonight to gardening club. Taking half meal to friend’s house. She made curry last night before we went out. We have beef in Guinness tonight. She will do veg.
Last night I bought two books of new author I am reading for £1 at village hall. Chuffed!
Right better move butt off sofa and get ready as it is 20 minute drive.

Leaves biscuits in 🍪 naughty corner.

Lil zoo at dance class,dd2 took her as my backs been really play up last week or so(seats there are very uncomfy)dd1 picking up as it's 45 min walk home and will be dark

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Baby-step no.18 for Fri 18 Oct: here

Launch pad link: here

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Hope gardening club was fun Bower

And that your back improves Zoo

G'night all!

Goodnight SC.

It was quite good. Two men with photos of 6 different gardens. Both are also Camera Club members so some very good shots and set to music slide show. Some clever ICT skills too. I took a plant to identify but no one knew what it was. I have offered a small prize to the one that can name it.🤗🤔
I went to friends first she enjoyed beef and I found two GU dairy free puds in local co op on the way. Tired now.

Morning all
Today's plan-
Proper deep clean bathroom
Take dd2 orthodontist at 1215(pick up from school 1115)I feel it's going to be a toughie as it's a major tightening on one side as there's a little gap.previous experience says tightenings like this are very painful,more so when it's just on one side...

Ouch.
Poor DD2 they seem to do them more now our DD was never offered them until we went for private instead of NHS. They said a tooth had been taken out unnecessarily and DD now has a gap where she was told one would grow. No braces offered etc etc. I was left without anyone present after injection to push people through quicker despite allergies. New dentist said almost illegal! Certainly bad practice. New one much gentler.

October paperwork de- clutter for me. Dh has taken car and gone walking in Lakes for a few days. Says as I keep going off (Twice, once voluntary work, once stressed and stripped all beds and washed sheets towels) that it is his turn. He has gone to hotel with all meals included.Not quite the same. Not that bothered I can get some paperwork reduced hopefully.

Least means no one there messing up anything you tidy bower

Tada
Two loads wash done,dry fold and put away
Usual morning stuff before school
Wipe down back door(inside)
Door and frame to pantry/where fridge freezer lives
Door to cupboard understairs- and frame
Radiator wiped
Kitchen to living room door wiped
Living room to kitchen door side all flash cards taken down(I know,I know,lil zoo 11 end month but they were so important to us watch the zoolets run up and practise words for reading which is a HUGE part of our lives it's been heart wrenching accepting the end of an era but removing selotape that's been in ten years+ a hedging nightmare of scrubbing and scraping with an empty tictac box )
Wipe living room to hall door and frame
Front door(inside) wiped
And door from front room to hall plus frame
All bedroom doors onto landing plus frames wiped
Bathroom door scrubbed(cats feed against in messily

It's amazing the difference clean woodwork makes!!such a seemingly little thing really gives place a brighter cleaner vibe(and kicks self hadn't done it sooner.bathroom door not been wiped in many years and white panelling was vile)

Kitchen
Scrub and disinfect all surfaces
Wipe all tiling
Wipe all cupboard fronts
Sweep floor
Quick wipe over of floor
Living room swept
Quick wipe over
Hall swept and quick wipe over
Bedrooms all quick wiped over
Bathroom quick wipe over

Took DD orthodontist mid clean.shes now sat in bed doing homework with pain building bless her(ibuprofen at the ready)
We are relatively big lunch in case later it's restricted to soft mush

Ok am going to have some time out shortly to deep condition my hair.might do face pack with dd2 later too

Plan tomorrow is hopefully do massive clean of bathroom and the dining table and chairs then I think I've gone thruost of what I can!!
Next week dd1 is going to take photos of toys to seek and pop on selling pages and get rid (hopefully raising few quid towards paint for kitchen/lil zoo dedk/ore work on D's room)

For now I'm off to R.E.L.A.X🤣

Forgot to add clean out fridge and wipe fridge freezer down outside too!!

Great list zoo.
Yep will stay tidy. Been very lethargic today hope I feel a bit better tomorrow.

Ta Da
cleaned bathroom
basin
shower
glass doors polished
shelves cleaned
toilet cleaned

Kitchen
Baking cupboard sorted out

vacuumed all downstairs
bed made

Some paperwork done need to do more.

Evening fledglings! Fish seem fine at the moment, we are watching closely though! Will go back into the kitchen shortly (have actually been keeping up with the washing up for once) because once that's all done I can relax with a chilled glass of white and possibly some cheese and crackers tonight

Good news about fish Chic and good work on the washing pile!

Take it steady Bower well done re: baking cupboard!

Amazing list Zoo as ever, and hope your dd's tooth pain eases tomorrow

Waves to all other fledglings!

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Baby-step no.19 for Sat 19 Oct: here

Launch pad link: here

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It's 11.30pm at night here after a very long day and guest is literally shouting down the phone to a friend. DD has woken up and asked me what an earth is going on and dogs have set off barking . Could do with good night's sleep as have been sneezing all day. Heigh ho.