Cherry waves hello to November 2019. Fledgling Flylady thread for all.[smile]

[Ghoulette1740]

Welcome to the November Flylady thread Fledglings! All are welcome here. A few of us have been around a while but everyone, newbie and lurking, is welcome to join in.

This is my first time running the thread so I hope other fledglings will alert me when I’ve got things confused or if I’ve left something out!! A busy month for us all with the holiday season looming next month…

Very simply Flylady is a zone-based cleaning system which we loosely follow. Everyone is different and has different rooms and life demands. There are five zones and at the beginning and the end of the month we usually straddle Zone 1 and zone 5.
(amend rooms to suit your house – I do the living and dining room together as it’s all one room in my house)
November
Zone 1 Hall, entrance/dining room (Fri 1 – Sat 2)
Zone 2 Kitchen (Sun 3- Sat 9)
Zone 3 Bathroom and another room (Sun 10- Sat 16)
Zone 4 Master bedroom/closet (Sun 17 – sat 23)
Zone 5 Living room (Sun 24 – Sat 30)

Pop onto the Flylady website to have a closer look but signing up for emails will probably lead to very many landing in your inbox. Also there has been some concern about securely downloading pdfs from the site. here

Flylady has an introductory scheme for newbies called Babysteps which is a light 31 day introduction to the system – dressing to shoes, shining your sink etc. What I like about Flylady is her emphasis on self care, her abhorrence of perfectionism and her adage that you’re never being behind in the system - just jump in. No need to completely clean your house before you start – phew! here

There is a morning routine and an evening routine to keep things ticking over and a weekly home cleaning hour to change bed sheets, mop, hoover, take out rubbish etc. The system isn’t brilliant for major decluttering so you might want to supplement with Kondo or another decluttering system. Flylady doesn’t want us cleaning all day so she is very keen on using a timer. Clean then stop!
In addition each day has a purpose: see the daily focus here

Monday: Weekly home cleaning hour (can be split into ten minute sections and spread over week) here
Tuesday: Plan and play (Menu planning, family event planning)
Wednesday: Anti-procrastination day
Thursday: Errand day
Friday: Clear out bags, fill car with petrol, date night
Saturday: Family fun
Sunday: Lift your spirit

Launch pad for guidance every day! launch pad

Habit of the month of November is meal planning. This is my Achilles heel! here

We have a lovely virtual naughty corner where we can all retreat – there are all manner of lovely things left there by thread members including fluffy pillows, warm blankets, tea, coffee, wine, delicious foods. This month there are plenty of candles to brighten the darker days.
There may be mention of Ned who started life as an autocorrection on the thread but who has now morphed into a virtual helper with a specialism in putting away laundry. Ned is borrowed by thread members from time to time when the going gets tough on Mount Washmore.
Most days we pop on to post our ta da list of what we’ve managed to do and have a bit of a natter.

I hope you feel better soon ive dose yourself up on paracetamol.

Meant to say to KTCluck hope you are feeling better and that your dh didn't succumb!

Downstairs (or the rez-de-chaussée) as they call it here, is clean and just about tidy and respectable but my Lord upstairs looks as though bombs have gone off! And laundry pile is growing again! But I am feeling a lot more chipper today because...

• I had a lovely afternoon and early evening out with my rellies yesterday before they headed back on the Eurostar (dd joined us for a late lunch and she engaged in conversation and was polite and funny etc and not in a teen strop (phew) I was proud of her actually - so that was all good) and dh joined us for a drink for just under an hour in the evening! Very nice to see my cousins and conversation just flows somehow despite the 12 month gap!

• before setting off and while waiting for them I knocked a good chunk of Christmas shopping in to touch! Whey hey! Hadn't really thought about what to buy everyone and I am under a very strict budget this year and it all just flowed for once... . So all godchildren and nieces and neighbours and cousins's children and friendly farmers have been crossed off list! Still need to tackle office presents plus cleaners etc though.

• I have ordered the Christmas tree (I've I hope you are proud of me as I normally dither and leave it too late but I got 5% off for early ordering this year)

[I was going to make my nephew a quillow (quilt plus pillow combined which masquerades as a cushion) for Christmas for when he has a friend sleeping over on sofa at his new flat. I don't think I am going to have time for that though this year so if anyone has any ideas about what to buy 25 year old men please share as they are so difficult to buy for!!]

-also feeling chipper because at the clock struck midnight (in the UK, so 1 am here) I managed to snatch the most ginormous bargain on curtain material! Whee heeee! Normal retail price was 59 pounds sterling a metre [gulp]. Obviously couldn't afford that (need many metres) so waited until it had dropped to £16.95 a metre. But even that works out as quite expensive with linings and thermal inter-lining (a necessity here!) etc so sat on my hands and waited until price dropped again to £11.86 - which was late last night - and then having hovered over the keyboard wrapped in my duvet as the minutes ticked by ... I finally pounced Think timing will probably be too tight to get them sewn for Christmas but something nice to look forward to in NY!

Ta da:
wms on
dw emptied + kitchen wiped down
kitchen bin bleached
s&s
dining room table hot spot
drove to park and walked the furries

Right now have to head back to grim reality of choring ... .

I swapped my planning and errand days around this week so I am making appts today. All three of us have so many specialists to see currently that I have made a massive cardboard triptych on which to write down all the dates and addresses and times. DD looked at it and said if I was so out of touch with available technology then why didn't I go the whole hog and revert to stone tablets? Need to get gardeners, and window cleaner and piano tuner in before Christmas and I think I have left it too late!

And I must do lots of laundry and veggie prep and TIDYING today especially in boudoir. Trouble is, it's so freezing in this house my fingers seize up. I am wearing a quilted coat and a scarf indoors!!!!

Hope everyone is having a good day! Tally-hoooooo!

Yesterday I managed a few on my to-do list, but not all, so trying to catch up today. I’ve got guests coming tomorrow for a few hours so really need things to look a lot more presentable.

sc well done on the bargain curtains! And I remember freezing houses too well, they’re not conducive to being productive at all! (Not that I’m being particularly active in my warmer house atm!)

We are ive but only because DH handles it all 😳😳😳

Quick hello from me, have been doing lots of laundry and tidying this morning as it's the only full day I have in the house this week. Need to nip out for a bit and then pick DD up from school but have done some admin today as well. BBL.

Ta-da
Bought cleaning supplies and glow white in the hope it restores some of our white sheets that look distinctly not white.
Dishwasher on, and emptied,
Washing up done
Washing machine on
Kitchen swept,
Bins emptied,

To-do
Clean bathroom
Clear table (still haven’t done that since yesterday)
Clean clothes away
Hoover

Laputa ive I finally got selected for shop and scan a while back but have to admit I haven't done it for a while now so will probably get kicked off! I can't make it work on my laptop and our desktop PC has been dismantled while we do the renovation stuff...

Also it's a hassle isn't it!?

Sorry haven't quite finished catching up on rest of thread.

No nap today sc that was definitely a one off!

Baby-step 15th November:here
Launch pad link:here

ive hope you're feeling better. Captain welcome - gosh you get very little sleep.

Waves to fellow fledglings: Toostressy, SC Zoo Tidy I've Bower Foxes Expletive Laputa Honu Chic and Idontdance, MercuryRising, BeanBag7 and Onthebrink67 Times10 CaptainCautious KTCluck and Hungryhazeleyes

Minimal flying today and off to soccer practice with ds soon. DH working late. Had a lovely day - went to newly reopened City Art Gallery for some relaxation. Started Christmas shopping. How is it half way through November. I'm delegating ds's present to dh when he becomes less stressed.

I'm just about getting through laundry and daily stuff - zone cleaning is hit and miss but I think that's okay for the time being.

woohoo I swam today. Only a tiny bit. Used the steam room too. Nice to be back there.

Meeting with family support worker done. Tough going as we were both filling in a form to get referred to a trauma course (obviously we would both do it separately) and we had to write a lot.

Long evening ahead just me and Cagletini, DH and I are going to order a takeaway tonight and watch Coupling (BBC comedy from years back, sooo funny)

Tough day here
DS had O.T app.she pushed him when he was anxious and didn't want do something.i now have fallout if exhausted,hyper anxious,cross boy underfoot
I also had epic parent fail with dd2.she has her school sixth form open night and as "d"p won't take time off "as I has such short notice(5 days actually) I don't want risk ruining my references for new job" dd1 has found someone sit her pup til her partner commutes home(she started work again this week and it's very kind her not dash home to him and relieve mix of helpers/sitters in situ)to go with her.i caught it as "I'm not interested/don't care enough to come" after long afternoon with D's I cracked and snapped and said if dad had come I could've shown you support.im very proud of you and how hard you work but if I come I will be stuck try pacify your brother in lobby as he freaks at noise and how busy it is/hot etc and will be roaring,dribbling,flap arms and pacing whilst having mother of all panic attacks for all your friends to watch like we a f*ing freak show...I physically cannot do both at once by myself

Oh zoo :( I’m so sorry. You were really caught between a rock and a hard place there.

Random thought but has anyone suggested Young carers to you? DD2 and DD1 could both be eligible as sibling carers I think, worth asking. They can have days out and youth groups etc to give them space

zoo unmumsnetty hug. 'd'p is the problem there. That was plenty of notice.

Ned is not much use for transport unfortunately. Laundry appears to be his forte.

I do wish we could send you to a spa for two weeks

That sounds great Laputa

That's tough going Zoo but you can't be in two places at once and deep down dd2 knows that. Also, teens being how they are, it would probably be something else she was berating you for, if not that! Finally, if anyone is getting the sharp edge of your dd2's tongue, it should be dp, not you! I am sure dd2 will have an informative time this evening with dd1 and by the time she gets back it will all be forgotten!

Hi all. Not much on the TaDa list today - just dishes and a brief tidy this morning as I’d taken the day off today to help DSis as she’s moving.

I’m much better thank SC (fab bargain hunting by the way, and well done on the Christmas shopping). DH appears to have succumbed to man flu but not the bug. Not sure which I’d prefer .

I have another day off tomorrow, with DD at nursery, so I can alternate between flying and relaxing to my hearts content. I take a Friday off every few months so I can crack on with chores and have some time to myself. Does wonders for the mental health!

Hope you’re feeling better Ive, hope I didn’t infect the thread with my lurgy .

Zoo sorry you’ve had such a crap day. I don’t think you could have won either way there and it sounds like you made the most sensible choice.

Hi Captain. I’m new too. I’m finding the thread pretty motivating.

zoo there will be a time at some point in the future (ok, you might have to wait a while!) when your dd realises just what you do for her. Since having my own kids I constantly revisit childhood memories and realise it wasn't the way I thought it was at the time! You're doing your best in a very hard situation.

SC Ha HA! no I hadn't noticed a typo on the typo. so now there are new members we have increased the ironing staff. Sorry zoo they are disqualified from driving as zooming too fast all over the country
Ted might give you a massage though

Ive sorry you are feeling rough.
captain I had terrible insomnia and GP put me on meds. Amitriptyline I just took 5mg but now on 20mg. Don't leave it too late to take as they make you dopey so you can't be arsed to get up. That and a regular bedtime sorted me out. I am only on increased tabs because of stress. I was off them and sleeping much better for a whole year but now back on them. I have very little side effects. Occasional nausea to which I mentioned to GP he said yes will probably be the meds or you're pregnant. He is sooo funny!
Zoo difficult but at least someone went. She will probably be full of it when she comes back.
Laputa that is the charity I have looked into working with when I retire.
I would really like to do some cooking with them if possible.

I was up at a reasonable hour and out by 9:30 as DH was collecting the clock face for a man. Lovely drive, the trees near his house were amazing. More woods than us and the colours were glowing in the morning sun.Interesting chap and he did a fab job. Then took him to DS2s house to fit it. We stopped off at a farm shop/cafe on the way home and had lovely snack and bought a steak pie for tea which was delicious. DH bought some chutney too. Lots to chose from. Resisted buying an owl and pussycat bag. My funds are low at the moment. Going to be even lower if I pack my job in

So had mad hour before Bake Off.
Bathroom - shelves washed and items washed and dried.
basin cleaned.
shower screen wiped and polished, trap cleaned, surface
wiped.
Towels went in wash yesterday so new ones out.
Wiped around toilet.
Just need to wash floor.

Then went into the room of gloom. I found lots of fancy dress bits so have to decide what to do with them. Mostly stuff from book day outfits and Santa hats. Probably keep Santa hats for choir and get rid of the rest. Might keep the pirate one as I was rather proud of that concoction and would be useful if ever I needed one. It was quite sassy. I thought If I get them out check through them and then decide then I can get them out next week.

The rest is such a mess. I wanted to start making cards and I bought some lovely stamps but now cant remember where they are and it was more of a mess than I remembered. So promised self I will do an hour a day in there.It has taken me a week to open the door.
Sorted a box of books but wanted to keep most of them, eek. Might buy a book case and put at attic room at DS2's as they are books for grandchildren and I haven't got any. At least if I put them there they wont be here and if I don't get any GC they could give them to Hospice Bookshop or Children's Hospice. Yep, I think that is a good idea. DD has her stuff in there.It is a huge room about 18' by 23' I think except stairs off centre. It would make the most wonderful craft room. Pity it isn't here.

Tomorrow.
Need to clear hotspots downstairs.
One hour in tomb of gloom.
If dry one hour walking as per Osteo.
Anything else that needs doing.

Made tea.
washed up and dried up. Oh I vacuumed around downstairs before I left. So actually not too bad a flying day. Laid out clothes for tomorrow. Only because otherwise I would have to put them away. I put the rest away and had made them bed. Need to do the messy bit on that side of the room.

Hope tomorrow is a good day for everyone.

Back from soccer. Work and dh's event thing ( three day) tomorrow. We'll be out a lot so not much flying. I've time scheduled for the links but it will be later at night.

I'm having tea

Whoops I did it again!

Bower dh's on that and it's knocked the nerve pain. He's in much better form because the pain was driving his serotonin levels down. He's sleeping now too obviously.

I'm doing okay, on and off today, I think the bug is trying to get me but my body is fighting it - there are sick people all around me at work- why do people go out when they have a nasty stomach flu thats going around?! Thank you SC I'm hoping I can keep fighting it off.

I haven't done a huge amount of flying today, I did get some stew in the slow cooker this morning, but we ended up going out to eat instead as DDs gf broke up with her today and she needed a pick-me- up. I had to re-wash a load of laundry in the washer as well this morning as it was forgotten about last night. Sink is clean, dishwasher on, outfit out for the morning.

Just caught up with the rest of the thread - Ive I'm glad you're feeling better today, zoo it sounds like you need a break from life for a long weekend at least! I hope it soon all settles for you, at least a little bit. bower on your room of doom do you have a final plan/ idea/ purpose for that room? Can you visualise it? It might help to motivate you, that's what I have to do to get myself moving (even if it's just one surface/ drawer/ shelf). I know I missed some fledglings, I apologise.