February Flying for Fledglings, No More CHAOS here

[ExpletiveDelighted]

Welcome to February! This is a friendly ongoing thread where we follow (n 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.

Every day I will post a link to the Flylady 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.

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.

More info to follow.

Very glad you did not get blown away zoo

Sorry for going AWOL on you, it has been a busy weekend and the anxiety-wobble has kept rearing its head, I am feeling a bit better today though (will feel better once this storm has gone on its way, although it hasn't been too bad here so far).

So yesterday I went out for a very slow run to clear my head and make the most of the decent weather, took DS shopping for new trainers and may have bought a few things in Hobbycraft to justify using their free car parking, then took DS to hockey, where unusually it was warm enough to stay and watch, had a natter with some of the other parents. Then home for dinner, we decided to give the past machine another go and made ravioli (ricotta and ham filling). It took about 2 hours but was very nice.

Today has been confined to barracks, although I did dive out to Aldi, just to get out of the house really.

Tada!

Washing machine and dryer on non-stop all day
DH has hoovered downstairs
Made lunch
Answered and sent a few emails

Back with links and chat later.

ta da
✅moved previous LOL and put another in but DH has done the rest
✅did my pre-therapy reading
✅made lunch for me and DSD
✅had a nap!
✅sorted DS’ work folder - labelled dividers for completed maths/country/person projects and another for current week’s blank sheets.
✅realised I’ve printed the country of the week stuff wrong 😳 sorted it out and printed the right sheets for DS to catch up as well as doing the next one as planned

Hiya expletive sorry the anxiety has been bad. You can always vent it out here, happy to chat over PM also x

Lane (and anyone else who needs to) feel free to vent away on the thread and as you have a support worker Lane (and Zoo, I think you do too) use them for support - don't sugar-coat things, let them have it!

Still very windy and intermittently rainy but no damage that I can see so far. Will catch up with the thread properly later.

Expletive if you need a break from the thread I'm happy to take over, I have PM'd you as well.

Thanks chic ❤️💐

ta da
✅finished sorting work - somehow we had more than enough maths left between that and some glaring errors in geography stuff I have reminded DH we need to check his progress more as he goes along
✅nail trim and ran bath for DS. Out of shampoo though 🤦‍♀️ Need to go and add it to the Tesco order DH did earlier

Sorry this may be long

Today's ta-da's
✔️cleaned the shower glass
✔️ finally finished putting all of DS4 new clothes away 🎉
✔️ got rid of some toiletries that DH got got got Xmas that I know he won't use
✔️ LOL
✔️ emptied all of the upstairs bins
✔️ cleaned the bathroom floor
✔️ went to collect DC from DGM
✔️ put the little non slip stick on thingys on the bath to see if DS4 is ready to go without his bath seat. DH bathed him but still put the seat in because he said he's not ready. I'll try him without next time I bath him which may be a while tbh as DH usually does it
✔️ cleaned the shower
✔️ chucked out some old medication of DS4 which must have been about a year old
✔️ tried two new batteries in the bathroom scales neither worked so the scales had to go. I won't hurry to by new ones don't need that kind of negativity in my life 😂
✔️ put new shampoo and conditioner in bathroom. Got far to much pleasure at the fact they had both ran out at the same time (I lead a sad life I know 😂)
✔️ went through my trousers and binned two pairs which were worn
✔️ folded the rest and my vest tops properly
✔️ dusted my room
✔️ stripped my bed inc mattress protector
✔️ took DS3 curtains down to wash
✔️ flipped my mattress
✔️ cleaned windows in my room
✔️ cleaned the bath
✔️ sorted bookcase in DS1&2 room. They have far to many need to cull them at some point
✔️ tidied up all the crap they had on top of their units
✔️ sorted out another shelf in my wardrobe and binned some clothes I'd used for decorating about 3 years ago which haven't been used since
✔️ found that after I'd sorted those shelves I had room to put my box of toiletries in the wardrobe which makes the place look tidier. I think our bedroom is the room that is looking the most changed since discovering flylady. It was the dumping ground for everything before.
✔️ got rid of a hairband I bought because I'd seen it on someone else and liked it. It makes me look like I'm about 12. Also binned a half box of panty liners I've had since DS4 was born, and put the cotton wool (that I've been moving around the house for weeks) away
✔️ stripped cot bedding
✔️ cleaned them bathroom floor again as DS3 decided he'd have a bath and near enough flooded the place
✔️ tidied DS3 room
✔️ threw away a door and 2 shelves which he's smashed off the play kitchen he just got for Xmas😤
✔️ culled his teddies
✔️ dried the mountain of toys he'd taken in the bath with him and sorted out which were bath toys and which weren't. Put them all away
✔️ cleaned toilet
✔️ collected dishes from DC rooms
✔️ sorted out DS1&2 wardrobe as there were clothes dumped all over it rather than just hung up
✔️ frebreezed mattresses
✔️ took DS1&2 curtains down to wash
✔️ cleaned their window
✔️ sorted out their drawers and threatened to disconnect WiFi encouraged them to tidy their bedroom
✔️ sorted DS3 toys out and bagged a load for charity shop. I have about 5 bin bags of things now for charity shop so really must actually take them
✔️ hoovered under his bed
✔️ cleaned the skirting boards in his room. I obviously don't do this often enough as he asked what I was doing like I was growing a new head 😂
✔️ cleaned marks off the ceiling in DS1&2 room. Reminded DH he needs to investigate why we are getting damp and do something about it
✔️ chucked some of DS3 DVD's. he never watches them so I'm slowly slowly getting rid of them all without him even noticing
✔️tidied his room again 🙄
✔️ sorted all my nail varnish and binned claggy ones
✔️ sorted my pencil case as DC have been raiding it
✔️ emptied bathroom bin again as DS1&2 filled it while tidying their room
✔️ put a couple of things in the loft
✔️ went to the cash point for money to pay childminder
✔️ sorted DS1 uniform drawer
✔️ cleaned out my purse
✔️ cleaned my laptop
✔️ reading and SALT homework with DS3
✔️ binned a load of crap from DC homework folders
✔️ hoovered the bathroom as DS4 had gotten crisps all over it. No idea why he was eating crisps in the bathroom 🤷‍♀️
✔️ polished DS3 room
✔️ cleaned windows in DS3 room
✔️ dusted DS3 room
✔️ sorted my college stuff
✔️ got rid of 3 spare diaries. Everyone buys me diaries and I usually keep them no idea why as I can only use one
✔️ cleaned the front of the washing machine and the powder drawer
✔️ tidied the kitchen
✔️ emptied the kitchen bin
✔️ made dinner
✔️ another LOL
✔️ hoovered and mopped kitchen
✔️ dusted kitchen
✔️ ironing
✔️ sorted odd socks
✔️ cleaned bathroom sink
✔️ had a bath, blow dried hair and moisturised
✔️ dishes
✔️ made lunches for tomorrow
✔️ hoovered everywhere
✔️ polished sitting room
✔️ mopped sitting room
✔️ cleaned the windows, mirrors etc which I hadn't done earlier
✔️put them recycling out
✔️ clean sheets on DS1&2 beds

DS3 is in bed with last weeks sheets on but I've just realised I didn't change them last week either 🙈. DS1 is in his cot with no sheets on 🙈🙈. And I can't go and put our clean bedding on as DS4 is asleep in there so me and DH will sleep on the sofa 🙈🙈🙈It's actually really comfy tbf. So definitely need to sort the beds out in the morning .

Now going to sit and get some of my biology assignment done.

Omg that post is ridiculously long sorry. Just remembered DS2 wanted to help today and have a little ta-da list of his own
He
✔️polished my room & his room
✔️ put some things in the loft for me which I'd missed when I went up the first time
✔️ dusted his room

Then they tidied their room and stripped their beds but that was not voluntary 😂

we3kings amazing list and with studying on top of that! I think the most amazing thing has to be that you got your shampoo and conditioner to run out at the same time .

So sorry so many people are struggling .

Lane, super shitty for your DH and his health and now DD poorly too . Definitely have a chat to your support worker.

That, glad you are feeling better.

Expletive

Hazel, much as I would love to I can’t keep up with absolutely everyone on the thread all the time either. Really nobody expects you to. The only time I manage it properly is if I am thread leading for the month and that leaves me so exhausted that I often barely post fora few weeks the month after! I think SC, is truly amazing at personals for everyone but I certainly can’t manage it .

So on that note...big wing flaps to all.

Flying... erm... sort of.

DH has been painting downstairs so the downstairs toilet is now pretty much done (not perfect but done with love ) and we have a storage unit in there.

Kitchen has had one lot of paint. So actually downstairs atm is a bit of a mess but I am counting it as flying as it will look nice once finished and the storage is already very useful.

Right, DD2 is asleep, off to check on DD1. Poor thing, DH in middle of sorting downstairs so I am doing bedtime on my own (absolutely fine, unrealistic for him to stop). As usual DD2 screamed the loudest - thankfully metaphorically rather than literally - so DD1 just had to sort herself out. I’ll check on her now but suspect she is asleep.

I didn't even know this was possible

It's two bottles of shampoo to one of conditioner in this house. We all have short hair and one of us has a beard.

Chic

Crikey we3kings 🎉👍🎊🏆

Expletive I sympathise re anxiety. Getting out for a run helps. I think the storm has everyone on edge. May be that the electricity in the air is zapping you.

We3 that is an epic ta da list . You’ve motivated me for tomorrow when I’m off work and child free. The shampoo and conditioner thing is nothing short of a miracle. I’ve started using leftover condition in place of shaving foam - it works brilliantly.

Expletive sorry you’ve been feeling anxious and that I missed you from my earlier waves. I knew I was missing someone important but I’m so sorry to do it to our esteemed thread leader! I’ve never made my own pasta. Is it worth the effort?

Zoo I’m so pleased you didn’t get blown away and got the shopping home without incident.

I feel a bit embarrassed posting my ta Das under we3’s but here goes:
✅ clean bedding on DD’s bed (considered doing ours too but I’m not wasting fresh sheets on a hungover mess of a DH)
✅ another LOL washed and dried
✅ finances sorted
✅ pile of toys carried upstairs. Then back down again for DD 🙄. Then up again at bedtime.
✅ DD’s bedroom tidied
✅ dishwasher loaded
✅ clean clothes carried upstairs but the basket only made it as far as the landing
✅ DD’s nursery bag packed

We had a nice morning at the kid’s party, then a lovely carvery before a quiet afternoon of playing.

Tomorrow will be much more productive!

We3 😱😱😱 I can’t even!!! Well done to helpful DS2 as well.

Time for Stranger Things, should get a couple of episodes in at least. DD1 hasn’t been sick again and is thoroughly pissed off about 48h rule. She can technically go back Tuesday for lessons 4/5. One of the main reasons she wants to return ASAP is she’s worried about her friend getting bullied on her own!

we3

< steps over zoo >

Brilliant list we3

We3 - I have been on this thread for ten years, and I have never seen a list as long as that . Even when our old friend Hills was here.

KT - thank you, I can't keep up with all the different people to wave to either but I'm sure everyone understands. I think if you view the pasta making as a leisure activity rather than a means to making a quick dinner then yes, it's worth it. Probably also depending on age of DCs (mine are 14 and 16 and quite keen on cooking). It was a really quite relaxing way of spending the early evening last night with all this stormy weather on the horizon.

That - how are you feeling now?

Lane - that is very sweet of DD1 to think of her friend when she is unwell herself, hope she is OK to go back on Tues and that you feel better soon too.

Thank you all for kind words. I don't have severe anxiety, it has never reached the point of panic attacks, but it is sufficient to make me feel short of breath, constant butterflies, irritable, rabbit in the headlights, can't face straightforward tasks, that sort of level. I did some CBT a few years ago which helped and try do do mindfulness not very good at the meditation, but trying to do things mindfully, such as making the pasta, that all helps. I know there are others on the thread affected by it, both themselves and family members, which does make it feel like a comfortable place to unload a bit. The thread also makes for a very comforting read generally.

So, with that in mind, we had an easy dinner tonight and before and after it I had a long session on the sofa with my crochet and the first three episodes of Downton Abbey, good comfort TV. I very rarely get to watch more than about half an hour of telly as everyone else seems to hog it. DH and DS asked questions all the way through as they've never seen it, but that was OK. I am feeling more relaxed now.

So, for Monday

Launchpad

We are in the bathroom and one other room and Monday's mission is to wash/clean your shower curtain. Good timing as I was looking at ours today and thinking it needed it.

Tired now. Will catch up all posts tomorrow.

Cagletini is gorgeous.
great lists.

We got cut off this morning. Will post in the morning

We3 that was an impressive list - well done!

TooStressy thank you for understanding. There's so much that goes on that it's hard to keep up with some days.

DH is very sick with the flu, high fever, flu like symptoms, he actually called in sick for tomorrow I think. 2nd time in the last 14 years!! Unless he's feeling tonnes better I'm assuming he'll actually stay home.

I worked today for a few hours, they sent me home early as I said I was worried about DH, and we weren't busy. I'm not sure why I said I would go home though, just exposing myself to the germs more

I went grocery shopping with DD this morning, before work. I disinfected the whole house when I got home after work, s+s bathroom, cleaned up kitchen. I wiped all the light switches and door frames. I'm NOT willing to get sick AT ALL! Chicken soup for dinner, sat and drank some tequila rose tonight. Back to work tomorrow, should go by quickly as expecting it to be busy.

Morning all

My motivational quote of the day...

Monday = 💩

Zoo I love it 🥰

Just woke up to a van door sliding and shutting and thought I had slept in and it was the builders. I was about to jump up but checked time first, it must be next doors. Don’t need to yet. It soo soo dark here. They might not get in anyway all roads in were flooded yesterday. One receded about noon. I didn't go anywhere except for a walk.
Not much flying either.
We3 that list was huge.
Waves to everyone