Fledglings flying into the Roaring Twenties! January 2020 Flylady thread, all welcome.

[LaneBoy]

Welcome to the first Flylady thread of the decade! This is a friendly ongoing thread where we follow (loosely. In some cases, very loosely. ) the Flylady method for sorting out our homes and lives!

Newbies are always welcome here! It’s a long running thread so please don’t worry if we appear cliquey. There’s a lot of chatter and support for all sorts of things, alongside the housework stuff.

Over recent months we have agreed that big lists of daily links aren’t necessary - on a daily basis I will post (if I remember... it is maybe 18 months since I last hosted so please forgive any screw ups ) a link to the launch pad, which is where you can access the information for that day - babysteps, missions, daily focus etc. But if you’re confused about anything, please ask!

Check out the website too - but we suggest not signing up for the millions of emails.

Information on getting started here.

The great thing about Flylady is that you jump in where you are. Everything you do is progress. Don’t worry about not “keeping up”. Any achievement, however small, means progress.

Anyway, huge thank you to Stressy for running our very busy December thread!

And... HAPPY NEW YEAR FLEDGLINGS!!!

Forgot a list yesterday, was a bad day. Ta da highlights included
✅helping stroppy DD with HW
✅printing out work for DS for the week
✅made time for drawing
I’d like to think I achieved more than that 🧐

Today’s ta da
✅new maths with DS including ruler practice!
✅chess club with DS - I took my drawing stuff and music as I was really anxious, it helped so will make that a regular thing
✅checked bus time for tomorrow (getting early one so I have time to rest when I get there)
✅renewed library books, £1 fine oops
✅vaguely enforced new rules for DD - she had an hour to relax, then got on with a few other bits, checked homework sites etc then got it back when done
✅made a decent breakfast this morning
✅weighed self! Down again woohoo!
✅remembered to pick up Cagletini’s socks I’d left at the children’s centre
✅paid friend for toy she’s selling me
✅shower
✅homework for ACEs course

Finished college early today so haven't had the mad evening rush I usually have.

Ta-da's
✔️ironing
✔️LOL
✔️ changed DS1 bedding
✔️tidied up the mess I'd left out from getting ready this morning
✔️made dinner
✔️ made lunches for tomorrow
✔️dishes
✔️ reading with DS3
✔️ spellings with DS2
✔️ everyone sorted for bed
✔️ nipped to Sainsbury's for a few bits including a new toothbrush for DS4 because he decided to use his to scrub the toilet with this morning 🙄

Now sitting doing some college work. Last LOL is nearly dry so I could iron it now so I just have to put it away in the morning but I cba

zoo is there any support you can access via anyone helping with your DS at the moment? If a school is named on the EHCP don't they have to take him (if you can find a good one first, and I appreciate that the logistics of that are difficult for you).

Flying-wise there was laundry and ironing today. Eating, that happened too. Made an appointment for DD and added more items to my list of admin that I haven't done.

Catch you tomorrow!

Morning all! Zoo, that sounds hard, hope you are feeling a bit better. Can you talk to SENDIAS about the EHCP?

We3 that's such a massive Ta Da list! Do you want to pop over here when you're done?!

Cherry waves and wingflaps all round. Bower, hope your back is better. Tinselette, you've been v quiet, hope the antibiotics are doing their thing.

Had a very lazy Sunday after spending all Saturday on financial stuff, achieved almost nothing except some washing. Yesterday's Ta Das
✓ 3 LOL
✓ S&S all round
✓ dog walk
✓ meeting at Health Centre to talk about why they keep cocking up my prescription
✓ send work emails and one invoice
✓ phone my aunt to accept family party invitation
✓ email DS3's humanities tutor to work out why she's marking him down (answer: because she's 23 and very inexperienced, and gives very woolly instructions)
✓ help DS3 with humanities homework
✓ review other homework from yesterday
✓ do an hour of client work

To Do To Day
⚠️ LOL
⚠️ S&S all round
⚠️ make fishcakes for tea
⚠️ Client printing
⚠️ Last writing for same client
⚠️ Order business folders
⚠️ Home bleugh cos I failed on this yesterday
⚠️ Pick up DS3's friend for a playdate at 3.30
⚠️ February planning

Also Zoo can you access any help for yourself? Even if it's just counselling accessed by the gp? You have so much on your plate; it might help to get some support just for you.

Well done on your lists Willow Lane and We3kings !

I've only just worked out that LOL means lots of laundry!
Well, I assume it means that and everyone hasn't been overcome with hysterical laughter

SC hysterical laughter might be the only option here soon!

Aye Willow I could easily weep with laughter at the state of the boudoir here ... . It's got so bad that I don't know where to start.. I've tried the 15 mins a day method but that's not enough to stop all the good work being undone again by the evening! Argh..... .

This mornings ta-da's
✔️ exercise
✔️ S&S
✔️LOL
✔️ ironing
Skipped the bath and just had a quick wash.
Even had breakfast. I mean it was a chocolate muffin in the car on the way to work but that counts right 🤣

zoo . I have to echo everyone else... can you ask for some help at all?

Decluttering win yesterday... was tidying toys. Cleaned little toy shop till. Found £3.40 of real money in amongst the toy money .

SC my boudoir is still a mess. Back has been awful have tried most things. Today I stayed lying in bed until 15mins ago. It is the only place I actually feel comfortable which is unusual. Debating whether to see Osteo or GP first. Thinking I may do GP which is tomorrow. Today found some co-codamol and the freeze spray.I have been lying annoyed at boudoir so planned to move one dusting of chest of drawers.Which i did and emptied the wash down.Ohh I just came over in a really bad head thing. Thought I was going to pass out. Dizzy.

Wish you all a good day. Going to go sit quietly.

Hope it gets better soon bower how horrible
Toostressy that made me chuckle! I've done that before but not that much I don't think, that is a pretty good amount!

It always amazes me how much I can do in 20 minutes if I just get on with it. Haven't had much time today as have been working but did all this in 20 minutes -
Hoovered downstairs
Dusted all the main areas of whole house
Put some washing away
Hung some washing up
Put more washing on
Tidied some toys
Collected various cups
Took rubbish out
Cleaned out food waste bin
Tidied sofa up (cover was all stretched, covered in crumbs, toys down the sides!)

Now I think I'm supposed to rest briefly then do another 20 or so minutes so as not to burn out. But my interpretation is to stop for the foreseeable and I wonder why I don't make much progress!

Oh no Bower hope it gets sorted for you.

I have been diagnosed with a chest infection. Third week off work now. New antibiotics targeted to chest infection.

Husband is valiently trying to keep the household going. Let's just say flying is not taking place in any capacity. 😜

zoo I am sorry to read about your weekend. X

Thanks Greenwillow - I thought the first set weren't working and went back to doctor. She said give it time but saw another doctor today after a week on Amoxicillin and she diagnosed a chest infection so switching to a different one. I've been sick since 10 Jan but it was initially thought to be viral. I've been in and out of the doctor 😲

I've lost half a stone.

Waves to SC - eating more now but feel flattened. I had to give away tickets to a ballet because I was too ill to go. I don't mind as long as I get better.

I have not really caught up with the thread as I've mostly been resting but hopefully over the next 48 hours I'll see a difference in myself and can connect more.

Sorry to hear that Tinselette sounds like what my BF was like. Took her about 6 weeks to get back to normal.
Ta Da
one load of washing in and out. One to go in now I have found a few more things to with them.
Sorted all my Christmas cards in my Christmas Book. it has a tick list for sent and received. Re wrote several pages in groups. 1st group Aust & N.Z, 2nd Scotland, 3rd Church 4th Local. So all ready for Christmas.
Wrote a list of what we bought this year food wise and listed it ready for Xmas 2020.
Started organising the B'day cards. I am sometimes late. Sorry nephew. So I am going to write all my cards and get stamps and have them ready to post. That is the theory.I have started to buy lots of artists cards which are usually blank and are rarely more than £2.50 each. Then everybody gets a little piece of art. I have done February apart from nieces and nephew as i get muddled because six have them three days then two in March. Little sis too but I know hers.

Thanks everyone who has asked after me. You are such a kind bunch.
I had to go as I had a message that I needed to respond to immediately.

Decided I would see the GP first. I bet he says it is wear and tear. I cant remember how long it is since I had a spinal x ray /scan. He has a habit of sending you straight up if they aren't too busy. The Osteo is nearby so I can drop in there afterwards. I need to be back for the builder and the joiner. We are getting the path done at last...forecast snow here! We decided to get them here for a few days and get all those jobs that you keep putting off doing done. It includes boxing in some pipes and possibly some new joiner made book shelves. The kids are going to have a lot of books to shift when we pop our clogs. Dh has a bag to go to the Hospice Shop but we both bought some more. I have finished some. I finished another at 3.45am. We both went to bed early and we were both still reading at 2.30am. I had my usual fifteen to twenty minutes deep sleep then woke up bright as a button. Pity my back is so painful or I could have done the boudoir.
I did the fifteen minutes and hope to do another before bed. DH still hasn't mended the drawer so I will ask joiner which will spur me on to tidy the room first.

Hope those with lurgy feel better soon. And those with DH difficulties here ------->

Hope the x-ray is helpful Bower and the Osteo too. We also need to get our path done.

Yes the GP said it can take a few weeks to feel better. Not what I wanted to hear!

Hope everyone who's not feeling too good start to feel better soon.

✔️ironing
✔️made dinner
✔️ made lunches for tomorrow
✔️ general tidy round
✔️ dishes
✔️homework, reading spellings

Now must get 5 year old to bed as it's way past his bed time.

Hi all. Healing thoughts to everyone who needs it and hugs too! Things seem to be crap for many people.

ta da
✅got up and quick shower etc ready to leave on time
✅found some pencils for DD
✅ACEs course
✅made lunch (tried baked egg muffin things, they were ok)
✅got DS to watch some YouTube stuff on Humphry Davy (his choice for the first “person of the week” project
✅got DD to do a few jobs and kept talking about what is fair etc
✅journal
✅put a wash on as I got avocado on my trousers
✅talked to DD about why the fuck she decided to break some of her brother’s Lego. Not dismantle, actually snapping pieces. WTF?! Not like her AT ALL.
✅got my clothes and Cagletini’s clothes ready for tomorrow - I’ve been my future friend! And DH’s friend too as he will be doing the nursery run not me.

Sorry so many of you are still feeling rubbish and / or are having a rubbish time at the moment.

I’ll be first to make use of that pointy stick thanks Bower. DH was off work yesterday and did absolutely nothing. Not a dish washed. Not a stray item picked up. Nothing. He didn’t particularly make much mess, and he doesn’t get much holiday so very rarely has a lazy day off, but it’s so irritating that my days off are generally spent at least in part catching up and keeping the house going whereas he can switch off from everything and it doesn’t cross his mind do anything. I’d love to have a day on strike without putting a LOL in or emptying the dishwasher. (Actually, I wouldn’t because I’m a responsible adult and I know that those are just general day to day things that have to be done and aren’t really a big deal). Grrr. Rant over. I know he’s a good ‘un really.

DD has woken up early and very grumpily. I’m shattered after a late night - out for a meal after work to catch up with an old colleague, and then got completely lost on the way home thanks to a long unexpected diversion round road works. Windy country roads in the dark are my pet hate and my sense of direction is lacking I must have missed one of the diversion signs so although the diversion was 15 minutes from home it took me 45. I today may be a struggle.

However, I’ll make use of that pointy stick myself:

Ta Da:
Dragged my sorry arse out of bed and onto the sofa
Put cartoons on for DD and got her some milk which she whinged for and hasn’t touched

To Do:
Breakfast and dishes
Beds made
LOL
Upstairs dusting and hoovering
Clean bathroom
Whatever the missions are (once I’ve looked at the launch pad and worked out what come we are even in)
Quick general tidy
Get DD to make DH a birthday card for tomorrow. We don’t do presents since our birthdays are just a couple of weeks apart and so close to Christmas. Will probably get DD to choose him some sweets or something though.
Make a phone call re: a bill. Hate making phone calls.

Foxes I’m inspired by your 20 minutes! I think I’ll do little bursts today too.

SC can you do 15 minutes boudoir then another 15 minutes before bed so you aren’t undoing the hard work?

*Zone. Should really learn to preview

Morning. Sorry about DHs who don't see the mess or think to do things. It's taken me 20 years to prod mine in that direction. Bower, really hope the GP / osteo can help today, back pain is miserable.

Trying to fly, but things have also gone totally to shit here. DS2 is ill and, I think, responding badly to ritalin. He's been taking it for a month and the wheels have totally come off. He says it's like canoeing up a waterfall, emotionally and organisationally, all the time. He's getting more and more stressed about having work to do, but not getting anything done because he butterflies from thought to thought at breakneck speed, and so hides in computer games he doesn't even like instead.

DD chose the medium of Twitter, and her oldest brother, yesterday, to NOT tell us she is unhappy with something happening in the house, that we didn't even have on our radar as an issue. I'm not bloody psychic! I had a proper snotty sobbing meltdown, but since I'm not supposed to know about it I can't discuss it with her, I just "need to change my behaviour", apparently. Saints preserve us from self-obsessed teens.

DS3 had a lovely playdate with a school friend yesterday but I think is missing the social interaction (we went to school to collect said friend and he - and I - just slotted straight back into our respective circles). Except we also had an hour long meltdown over mixed fractions because, once again, he spotted a mathematical pattern and applied it... But it was the wrong pattern. Meanwhile, even the private OT has a minimum 4 month waiting list, and no-one can tell me how to help him with cognitive dyspraxia.

DS1 also appears to be unravelling, although I appreciate his Twitter feed is his performative public space. He's had a financial issue as his loan was £600 short on his hall fees this term (!!!!) and he's had to pay the deposit on his rental house for next year, he's not keeping up with work despite doing brilliantly in everything he actually hands in (fear of failure stops him working, he goes back to bed), he's stopped seeing his counsellor and he wants to get a job but hasn't actually done anything about getting one. Oh, and he's drinking what money he has left. I guess the difficulty with social media is that we can see this happening - at least when I was at Uni none of this was visible.

Hey ho. I suppose the point of flying is to provide the scaffolding to get through this.

Update: not only am I not bloody psychic, I'm pre-emptively blocked on Twitter. Today it is going to be hard not to explode with rage.