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.

Sistercharlie I don’t know about deserving a medal, but definitely a wine!

It was another long day today but before I left for work I at least managed another load of washing, a wipe of the loo and sink and a tidy of the hall (which looked like a shoe factory had exploded). DH is an avid trainer collector . About to have dinner and there will be no more flying until tomorrow which is my day off.

Tidy you definitely shouldn’t feel fed up with that impressive list!

Glad swapping it about is considered acceptable bower, thanks

Zoo I’ve just seen your post about still waking up early . DD thinks sleep is for the weak and is often awake around 5. I was looking forward to enjoying leisurely lie-ins again at some point. You’ve shattered my dreams.

Baby-step 6th November: here
Launch pad link: here

Hungryhazeleyes welcome!

Evening all

Welcome hungryhazeleyes I’m new too and already finding this thread helpful.

bower - not a fan of but give me wine or cider and I’m happy, I’m easily pleased me 😁
Well done in the quiz 👍

zoo - ds1 has asd and has to be given clear, precise instruction too, and also needs time to process before he will/can do it.

SC - it’s not as good as it sounds lol, I still have a laundry backlog as I now can’t do anymore because I can’t get it dry, no tumble dryer and run out of doors to hang it all over 🙄 bloody rain.

Laputalove the globe, it’s really good, I could tell it was a globe before I even read your post. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow.

Wow tidy that’s an impressive list

Not got much flying done today but did manage to declutter the landing of several months worth of random crap so feeling quite pleased about that. Managed to meal plan for tonight but then dh decided he fancied something else entirely tonight which means tomorrow’s dinner is already sorted.

I am also helping ds1 sort out his extensive lego collection, ie helping make up all his sets 😁 which is productive and fun at the same time.

Not even thinking about Christmas yet!!

Well ds took his teddy back again but he did decide to donate the dog with the grumpy face and the sheep that's too curly...his words!

Ah decluttering with a 3 and 5 year old is a challenge!

Welcome hungryhazeleyes, good to have you with us.

Good to hear that the lightweights in the quiz team have got the messsage and victory is yours Bower Are they all back from holiday/AWOL now?

Shattered tonight so will head up for bed, had a better day than I thought it was going to be first thing although we didn't do anything other than eat for Bonfire Night as it has been rainy here, nothing too heavy but drizzly. I will be back tomorrow, sleep well fledglings!

Chic
One is which was we needed last night! Her DH was working and her daughter has a job a boat ride away so can’t come now. We have two others that sometimes join the pub quiz but we haven’t mention this one as we can only have five whereas we can have six.

Well I got some jobs done then fell asleep watching a film. Baking tomorrow.
Went to Ladies night at church and it was all about planning trips away and Christmas meal.
DH is off to DS2 s again tomorrow so will try to get cakes plus jobs done.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome!

When I got home tonight the floors were vacuumed and mopped, bathroom cleaned for me, dishwasher loaded.

I cleared out some leftovers from the fridge that had been in there too long. We are going to have leftover chicken tikka masala tonight with cauliflower rice for dinner tonight. That should free up some space.

I also tackled one hot spot on the desk and put 4 cheap new picture frames out for donation to the charity shop. They were from the dollar store and the first one fell apart when I tried to use it. Maybe it'll work for someone else, just not me!

hungry if you are t using it for whatever reason,get rid
Tidy autocorrect has sent some absolute classics,known as zoos howlers.magic lust was rather one of theseI too loved books.we had extensive collection,I donated many to local school once outgrown.broke my heart...
Laputa it's lovely!good luck today🍀
KT you may be luckier than i and get "lay ins" back!

No surprises Im up.cats been charging around "playing" last hour.making so much noise sounds like got hob nailed boots on
TAF meeting today at church.girls school invited to join us,so be camhs,D's school and girls representative and rev our church.lookinf forward being picked to pieces

Morning zoo.
Oh it is so dark. There is a line of light, under the cloud, right across the Pennines. I’ve crawled back under the covers as I. Went to bed late.q

I hear dark mornings bower
"D"p text he's not coming meeting as "doesn't feel well"" read as doesn't fancy the character assassination to follow.grrrr
Can't print the downloaded file school gave with useless " homework" for D's
Aaaaargh
Dd2 on phone tic bloody tok-ing and arguing will "get off in a minute"
Lil zoo declared 930 last night needed ingredients for a potato bake at school today.i don't have any potatoes and local shops open at 8,after she's already left,and its first lesson

Morning all. A very, very sad one here . My cleaning lady (she and her dh have helped us with home and office for about 7 yrs) returned to work this morning after five weeks off. I've just been talking to her over a cup of coffee. What do you say to a woman whose nephew - a young and healthy strapping lad of 21 yrs - died of a brain tumour so rare that it affects two in a million people? Four months from diagnosis to the end. She has lived with him and his mother (her sister-in-law) for his entire all too short life. The way the doctors dealt with it was that they don't lie but they don't altogether eliminate all hope, and it was that nugget of hope that her family had clung to desperately the whole time, only to be desperately saddened. To say that life is unfair sometimes is an understatement.

Sorry to witter on. The half of dh that is English doesn't "do" emotion - except with dogs - so I can't really "talk" to him about it. He did speak to her directly at length though this morning once I had pushed him down the stairs in her direction. Men, eh?

The moral of the story: hug the dc and when life seems shit, be thankful it isn't even shittier.

Wise words SC. I'm so sorry to hear that about that young man.

It was food tech last night for us zoo, quite tasty actually although the only part DD was impressed with was the flatbreads that she made!

Done one load of washing, need to pick another from the many loads I can choose from and put that in. I am going out later so need to get showered and do my hair, do a shopping list for later and a general to-do list because I keep forgetting to do stuff or remind DD.

Feeling better today, I think that's because I made the effort to go out yesterday and finish a few bits. Not been feeling very good for the last week or so, probably background worry about the tests but I have a couple of weeks off that now.

DD brought home another letter from school yesterday with an event on, so have added that to calendar and diary immediately. DH has realised that one of his medical appointment clashes with mine (he was going to take me) but he hadn't put it on the calendar and I didn't have a choice of date so I said I'd go on my own. Put.It.On.The.Calendar.FFS! We have a large one with 5 columns in the kitchen, can't miss it.

Want to crack on with sorting for the jumble sale this weekend and have a pre-Christmas clear out! Everyone else has the same idea though so I expect they will be completely swamped with toys this time around (they have a sale most months so it's an easy way to get stuff out of the house).

Will crack on and catch you later fledglings!

Very, very busy here at home and at office. Hoping to get to wreck2 for long weekend (Monday is public holiday here) but need to get so much done first.

Christmas is exactly seven weeks today!!!!

Sorry you have been let down again Zoo on a day when you could have really done with the support . Hope meeting goes well.

Enjoy the baking today Bower. I was intending to bake today too but the task list may squeeze it out.

Well done to Hungryhazeleyes and dc for efficient Flying ! And top marks for having raised dc who ask for chores to do! We have nine weeks holiday here in the summer too but I have never (yet) been asked to supply household tasks as yet One can hope!

Tidy that's a fantabulous ta da list you have posted there! All of that very much counts as Flying so you should give yourself a pat on the back not doubt your achievements!

Foxes Aw ... I feel a bit sorry for the dog with the grumpy face and the sheep that's too curly ... ... but well done ds!

Justgivemewine top marks for : landing decluttering! And good luck with Lego!

KTcluck hope you can have some time off for yourself today in addition to Flying! And well done re: hall organisation!

Laputa¨great felting there (I've always wanted to have a go!) and Bravissimo are ace if pricey!

Hope you feel more rested this morning Chic

Cherry waves to everyone else! [Newcomers - that was another typo btw - originally was "cheery" waves]

I have woken up with a modicum of energy today (yay!) so am full steam ahead with chores! Dh hasn't organised himself sufficiently to sort my work tasks out yet either so I think I have the whole day to crack on.

I managed to sort the electricity/Internet problem at wreck2 yesterday after I hung on the phone for fifty minutes to be told "oh no madame, we just supply the cable, you need to contact the provider whose electricity flows through them" cue another forty minutes talking to provider [groan].

But the good news is, it's a public holiday here on Monday so I'll hopefully get a long weekend at wreck2 planting bulbs and seeing dhorse, although dd reluctant so may have to compromise on timings.

Thank you Ghoulette.

Chic I am with you in having a multitude of washing piles to pick from today! Glad you are feeling a bit better.

Good luck with jumble sale prep! Funnily enough, the annual brocante where we used to sell dd's toys and clothes is on this weekend too (as you say, 'tis the season) although I don't have enough stuff to justify taking a stand this year. Actually, we probably do, but I have managed to sort it!

Gah ... haven't managed to sort it!

Morning! As I said before routine is not the strong point of this house, and we quickly descended into chaos. This morning there was not a single area that didn’t need tidying up, but after an hour, the kitchen, living/dining room are now a lot more presentable.

Having a short rest (aka nap), and then I need to tackle the stairs and upstairs rooms.

My energy levels have been so low in this pregnancy, and now I’m in the third trimester I am really struggling with day-to-day demands. My diet has been appalling so I need to focus on nutritious food from now on instead of quick sugar rushes.

times i am guilty quick sugar rushes to keep going,many of us are!

SC D's best friend lost his mum to brain tumour.a very very nasty thing.i agree to love and appreciate whilst we can

Speaking of sugar rushes - or lack of them - I was summoned to school just now by the educateur as dd wasn't feeling well. (It's been a while since I had to do a high-speed puke bucket run ( I nicked dh's car without him knowing ). Anyway, when I got there and collected dd, who admittedly looked as white as a sheet, it turned out that as she had rushed out without eating breakfast this morning (she was offered it I hasten to add, but she refused) and as she'd had to give a cultural presentation in French this morning to three classes on "something cultural what I had seen in hols type thing" and as she was nervous, and it took a lot of adrenalin, she had had a sort of "crash" afterwards and felt sick and shaky and nearly fainted. Cue a speedy car journey back home, a hot lunch of tray baked sweet potato wedges with a bit of chilli, fish fillets and other roasted veg and she is pink and all ok again now. Will she learn from this experience and eat breakfast tomorrow morning? ... I doubt it we shall see .... . Teenagers eh, gah they just won't be told!

Ta da:
deleted some e-mails as in-box very full
collected dh laundered shirts
took delivery of new kettle
admin e-mails
spoke to neighbour in country who is kindly going to write a letter of recommendation
sorted washed laundry
emptied dw
two wms on
ordered two things for C'mas
prepped lunch and made veg soup
speedy school run
cleared up lunch

Now need to do a load of on-line return parcels and then nip out to postal hub to get them sent.

Hope everyone is having a productive anti-procrastination day!

Times10 take it very steady you and the baby are more important than Flying x

Waves to Zoo and to everyone else

zoo sc thanks! So far the pregnancy is going well, I just don’t remember being so shattered the last times! And I’m taking it easy, with lots of rests.

I hope your DD is all better now!

After an hour nap, I’ve tidied up upstairs, put another wash on, and hoovered the bedrooms. Dinner is also in the oven as Wednesday’s are always a bit hectic.

Just need to clean the bathroom as it’s always the last thing on my list.

I thought I was on top of laundry, but clearing all the rooms have shown me that we all seem to leave dirty laundry on the floors, so I’m now technically behind again.

I really need to learn to follow a routine though as I really hate spending all day cleaning instead of doing more interesting stuff.

Well holy crap. I officially, unequivocally have ADHD. I have a prescription for methylphenidate (Ritalin but different brand)

Life might actually change now! 😱

Also attended job centre appt 🙄 and then got a call to take Cagletini back for a second x-ray on her foot as they thought they’d spotted a fracture. It’s fine thankfully (wish we’d known that before spending hours toddler-wrangling in a busy waiting room though).

I. Am. Knackered.

To do list:
Drop prescription in at Boots (it’s unlikely the meds will be available today)
Buy chocolate! I definitely need it!
Check I have decent clothes for tomorrow, possibly do more laundry if not!
Prepare for (very well timed) therapy session tomorrow

Just scanned back on the thread sc I’m so sorry, what awful news :( that’s the same age as my DSDs, it’s unthinkable to lose someone so very young 😰

SC lunch sounded LUSH
LAPUTAfingers X meds help make life a little easier
TAF went well,"d"p has to take lil zoo doctors .it's bowel pain.peppermint capsules,rest and back Fri if no better...

Hi everyone, managed a productive day here today. After complaining about DD’s early rising she let us sleep til 7am this morning, and then happily entertained herself while I got flying.

Tadas:
Upstairs vacuumed, dusted, windows cleaned, bins emptied and bathroom sparkling. Pile of junk cleared from bedroom drawers.
Downstairs vacuumed, dishwasher on, benches and table wiped.
Dinner in the slow cooker
Washing in
Clean washing away

The rest of downstairs will be ‘blessed’ on Saturday.

Most of the above was done by 10am so I’ve had a lovely day with DD visiting my DM. DD seems to be dropping her nap I’m gutted as that hour has always been my little bit of sanity. However we had to pop to the shop, passing DMIL’s on the way home and she invited DD to stay for a bit . She’d bought her some new winter clothes so I’ve sorted her wardrobe out, clearing some summer stuff, and now I have peace until they bring her back. DH does bedtime tonight too so plenty time to relax.

SC sorry to hear such sad news. Life can be so cruel.

Laputa I have a friend who was diagnosed with ADHD just recently, and she’s found medication has made a huge difference to her. Fingers crossed you find the same.

Well done everyone! You have all smashed it today Some first class ta da lists here!

Laputa crikey - you've certainly had a day-and-a-half of it! I hope you feel at peace with the diagnosis. All that self-blaming and giving yourself a hard time can now very much (and officially) be assigned to the bin and banished forever! ♡♡♡ [Glad Cagletini ok too!]

KTcluck I hope that your dd dropping her nap - albeit hard going - will mean that you get longer lie-ins in the morning [bon courage as they say over here] Enjoy your child-free bit of peace

Zoo glad meeting went well and hope Lil 'Zoo recovers speedily x

Times10 Snap! I always think I am up-to-date with the laundry, until I tackle the boudoir floor! And snap again! I hate cleaning all day too (not that I do very often) instead of doing something more interesting! In theory, once your house is decluttered, the Flylady system should allow you to keep on top of things with small, very focused bursts of consistent activity, allowing you more time to devote to more enjoyable activities! That's the theory anyway!

Ta da con'td/...:
dog walk which was interrupted by rain
packed up parcel returns and wrote cards and letters
PO to post letters and parcels and pick up another parcel
back home and emptied dw again and cleared out fridge
and tried to bake ... got interrupted ... by phone calls, door bells, dh in and out .. blah blah blah
Found poppies
Found bundt cake tin
Found ingreds (for tomorrow now)

Dh now cooking quick supper thank the Lord

Last but not least, thank you very much everyone for your kind words about my cleaner's nephew. Much appreciated. I think it is his age - just at the start of his life - that makes it particularly poignant and sad. Thanks again.

Have a good evening everybody!