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.

Man I’m tired

This evening has involved takeaway and far too much tv for the toddler

I want sleep!

I managed to get my prescription rewritten so will drop it in tomorrow, need to collect parcels too. After seeing a free schools film screening with some friends.

Thank you Tidy, DD went to school later on. That is such good news about your mum! Enjoy that gin tonight having been on tenterhooks all afternoon!

I've I thought everything you did was A-MAZ-ING before you had another baby and started studying, so hats off to you X thousand! Wish you had more support at home though! Hang in there!

Chic another one with book issues here! Well done with the decluttering! Must admit, I gathered up all the books in wreck2 and put them in a cheapo flat pack bookcase when I did the big end-of-season clean recently, and it absolutely transformed the tidiness level in one fell swoop! Must do the same here although storage issue complicated as walls in the main need to be finished/decorated.

Times10 well done with the cot anti-procrastination! And for Sept & Oct decluttering! I definitely need to declutter here! Space is not an issue but unfortunately a lot of the space is vertical so lots of schlepping up and down stairs required. Plus the whole place is falling apart , bits dropping off - costs x4 to renovate here compared with UK - have holes in walls and floors - can't do just one room at a time because of electrics/plumbing all merge in to one another (complicated situation) etc etc. I despair of it tbh!

Hope you enjoyed your shopping trip Zoo!

DD left for school and after that had impromptu visit from neighbour about a letter of recommendation he is kindly writing for me and I could have died with embarrassment about the mess! Especially in the hall! Spurred on by mortification, I spent the next two hours tidying, then got a cracking headache and decided to go out to supermarket. Then got stuck in to supper prep ( veggie shepherds pie tonight ) , cake and soup making.

The only other thing I have done is laundry! Remember those 25 loads I had? Well I finished the last one today. Have acquired more since then though! I'll start again with the chores tomorrow.

I'll be absent from the thread for a bit now as off to wreck2 tomorrow for a long weekend of bulb planting and masses to do before then ! Hope everyone has a good one! Waves to all fledglings!

Well done on laundry status SCwhat do use in veggie shepherd's pie?(lentils/beans/diced mushrooms/soy mince?)
And is it bulb planting,like daffs/snowdrops?I promised D's we would do those but thought it was a long way off til they needed to go in?(no idea really)

Shopping was practical(kibble,various cleaning products I get from different shops etc) but as lil zoo h ok me I don't have hours to spare trudge shop to shop for things!was much appreciated help!

Attempted feed lil zoo.shes had a corned beef sandwich and some melon chunks.hoping to see some improvement,she's a little less hunched but I was hoping for fit for school tom not back to doctor she's just lay in bed a day drawing/intermittent playing games on phone for distraction....

Big tray peppers,courgette,sweet potato,squash,red onion and broccoli roasting to have with pasta and cheese tonight.yummy!!

DD doing homework, DH has gone out for a cycle. Landing now full of piles of books, will put them somewhere but I am slightly overwhelmed with the amount. May have to give some to the jumble and some to another charity shop or similar, there are probably too many for one place (and I need boxes or something to put them in).

Have done most of the washing up, couple more bits to go. Did some ironing yesterday so everyone has clothes for tomorrow. Didn't do any of the admin or ordering though, so will do some of that tonight.

Will do a bit more jumble sorting tonight as well, easy things like fancy dress costumes that don't fit any more! In case I don't get back on tonight, sleep well fledglings!

Hello all. Ive, no potty training advice I’m afraid but you are doing an amazing job!

foxes, thanks for asking. Things with my parents are ok mainly because they have stayed at arms length although we have spoken in the phone a lot. They are coming up in December and the real test will be then to see if we can all manage to get on. I am trying not to stress about this but it is always in the back of my mind .

Flying today: none. In fact I ordered the wrong thing from Amazon so that will have to go back tomorrow and I have ordered the correct thing. Have lost £3.99 postage costs due to ordering in a rush .

Did have a good and strangely productive day at work though so that is good. Waiting to see if DD2 ever goes to sleep so I can eat.

Tidy
Good news. Passes a Rhubarb and Ginger G&T.

Laput oh such a gorgeous photo of Caglitini. Thank you so much for sharing.

Times sounds like you are doing well. Books are a problem here too.Mine, DH 's &DD's we have got rid of the boys books. Need to get rid of some as I bought 8 although in the last 3 weeks. Charity shop crime so once read will put some back to charity shop.

Well Yesterday I didn't get much done but I did finish our Christmas Cake. DS1 would like one so need specific ingredient for his so should be able to make it tomorrow as DH is going into the city shops while I go to Osteopath.

TA Da today
Fed cat
Fed chicken
Fed me.
Washed dishes from DH last night.
Clean sink as DH leaves tea in and it stains. Used Domestos but later found out I shouldn't have. It did a great job and also on the plastic basin. Soaked cloths.

Sitting room sorted all the stuff in TV unit. DH helped and so we got it done quite quickly.Have lots of old videos about 20. I read on line that they becoming collectors items I so wish I hadn't read that. So we boxed them up. Have room on almost a whole shelf. Will put music DVDs in there that don' t fit in rack. Dusted.

Ned has been to do an hours ironing so I will send him on his way.
Tidied and remade bed with clean bedding. Tidied tow handbags and a pile of pills and boxes. In bedside cupboard and boxes for fire. Need to check the re order is set in place tomorrow.
Put washing & ironing away. Sorted shoes put summer ones away in boxes in wardrobe.
Made fishcakes, egg and beans for supper. I have felt a bit better and got more done today.
DH did the computer desk drawers yesterday.
Kitchen is really ok so just needs wiped and swept.

I've if I was near I would come and give you a hand so you could study.

Just heard tonight. The Uni that wouldn't accept DS2 unless he started again... just got a distinction for his assignment and essay.
Waves to everyone.

Zoo bulb planting is from October so ideal to pop in now.I have some I need to do.

Thanks for advice bower
Chic if primary age books a school?young kids books a nursery?an after-school club? In my experience all take books gratefully,regardless of volume.we gave over 100 to zoolets then primary during a clear out and they were happy to accept them

Yep I second that zoo I've got a bagful of books for dd school to hand in tomorrow! We just haven't got space for them all anymore, we still have lots of baby books because dd likes to read them to her teddies as nice and easy for her to do when she's playing 😍

Toostressy that sounds promising about your parents, I can understand why you're going to be thinking about it until the visit though, things like that just niggle away at you don't they! Hopefully they've had some time to digest and think about what was said...

I've my only potty training advice is bribery! 😂 Ds was actually the easier of my two which is strange as everyone always says boys are harder! Having said that we probably tried to do it too early with dd.

Just got back from a fireworks display and the dc have gone to bed no fussing first time this week we haven't had arguments at bedtime!

Oh and today we said goodbye to the toot toot garage! Took it to the preschool where I'm sure it will get lots of use, hooray! Ds had two car garages so we asked him to choose one to keep. I have definitely find this helps with ds, I did the same with books, did them in pairs and got him to choose one each time to keep. It worked!

Zero flying today in the cluck household. I’ve been at work most of the day, eating a stupid amount of biscuits. I did put some clean washing away this morning, and tonight I’ve opened up a few packages containing Christmas presents for DD, and hidden them. I’ve half heartedly stacked the dishwasher but the rest of the kitchen will babe to wait until the morning. Sorry flylady. No shiny sink here tonight

Ive you sound like superwoman!

Laputa your little one is gorgeous.

Zoo I don't use a recipe for veggie shepherds pie but usually use onions, garlic, (or shallots), carrots (maybe bit of turnip or parsnip), red lentils, and most importantly, mushrooms plus red or white wine or veg stock and some Worcester sauce (not for vegans and people who don't eat fish). I once did it without mushrooms and it tasted a bit too sweet. Mushrooms adds the savoury element. I used a mix of sweet potato and ordinary pots tonight for mash with a tiny bit of chilli.

As for bulbs that flower in spring: you can plant them between Oct and Dec but the earlier you get them in, the longer they have to establish. I think crocuses hyacinths and daffs should ideally be planted by end Sept. And tulips are traditionally planted in November. But it's weather dependent. So far have planted crocuses (three types) irises, camissias, scillas, snakes head fritilleries and anemones, and still need to plant narcissi (daffs), muscari, tulips and snowdrops (some in containers in layers "lasagne" style). BBC gardening have good info on line, as do RHS about planting depths etc but normally about three times their depth . The ideal (I think) is that you get them in before the earth gets too cold and wet and still retains some warmth from the summer, so time running out a bit, but if we get them in soonish we should be ok. Snowdrops and aconites and bluebells are best planted in the green and not in bulb form if you can get them.

Baby-step 8th November: here
Launch pad link: here

laputa she's gorgeous - what a beautiful mouth.

Ds still sick today. The house is apocalyptic. I think I'm gliding not flying but never mind - everyone fed and nobody dead.

Tidy that is good news about your Mum.

Ive I think you're amazing too. I know you are under time pressure but I hope you feel the essay writing gives you some time out to do something different from the everyday. It's so hard to carve out time. Don't worry about the grades, just keep writing. And ask for feedback even if you don't want to really.

foxes ds wanted a toy garage one Christmas but I couldn't find one that looked well made so I got him some other things that he wanted and also a toy kitchen from the Early Learning Centre. It had an oven and a sink and a washing machine and a hob which sizzled. I wanted him to play with all types of toys. He had a toy buggy too.

On Christmas morning he approached it which some caution. And then he ran and got his cars and used it as a multi storey garage. There were cars in the oven, on the hob etc Never used it to cook at all. The buggy had cars in it too.

I'd best get some bulbs this weekend and get planting then SC what a beautiful mix you have got in.theyre going to look stunning!(hopes to see pics of that)I find mushrooms deffo a necessity in shepherd's pie without meat too,and red lentils cook so quick they're a fab stand by ingredient!
Hope you get some horsey time whilst out in the sticks!bon voyage!

Thanks Zoo happy planting & cooking!

Have to see dd off to school, tidy up for a mad hour or so, give cleaner cake, then I can be off. Bit worried about dd though who is off on school outing but has horrible period pain and looks white. Think I might linger until I know she is ok or dh is out of his meeting this morning and can do emergency rescue ! Hopefully not necessary though!

Have a good weekend fledglings! Tally-ho!

Sorry your DS still ill Ghoulette. That's so funny about his cars! Similarly, I gave dd my brothers toy car collection (he didn't want them) and she loved playing with them but instead of pushing them about, she gave them names, used to lay them on their side, cover them with bits of felt and put them to sleep!

Hope you did get back to sleep Zoo!

My ds2 used to love a toy pram at nursery, full of mega blocks like a wheel barrow

Ty to all for the supportive words! Feeling a bit better today and will try and make a start on the uni stuff after school run i think. Having someone here like homestart would stress me out. Really i can pass this uni essay without too much effort tbh as its my level 1 module. It wont be the best it could be but im at the point where i think i just have to think a pass is a pass.

Well done I"ve and more power to your elbow!

Fair enough I've(I always feel pressure is judgement etc when others are in my home)
I loved playing with my neighbours cars
DS lived a particular pair of play shoes we had with orange feathers on fronthe loved to clip clip round in "the chicken shoes"he loved to push his cars around in buggies.lil ok loved to push his dinosaurs around in hers.....

Chicken shoes i hope you have photographic evidence of that for the future zoo

Ta da

Breakfast cleared away
Pots washed
Bottles in steriliser
Dc1 food tec ingredients sorted
Table wiped
Kitchen floor swept

Hmmmm.im not sure I've "d"p has all photos on discs.i have a few "real" photos.dont think I have a copy butbid be surprised if there's not some evidence there on disc for 18/21 birthday cringe moment
Dd1 boyfriend borrowed her pic lay on back in just a nappy with big sqidgy thigh rolls for her 21st....