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.

Tada
Third load wash on
Wiped all kitchen surfaces
Cleaned cupboard fronts

Completely cleared dining table
Only has tealight tray and D's pic and a small box bits dd2 needs within reach and no place else to put
Swept floor
Sorted 3rbc from behind sofa
Sorted 2carrier bags of "stuff" cupboard understairs- sending to proper homes
Wiped dining table chairs and the table legs(why do I forget do those)
Swept floor
Wrote shop list

Hoping dp will take me b+m today,and food shop tom as dd2 off to London Sunday and I can't pull a trolley at present

I've been looking for pink stuff for ages. We were talking about it at work yesterday and the girls I work with are going to have a look for me because they seem to see it around in the same shops (different branch) that I've tried.

So far today
✔️ S&S
✔️ LOL
✔️ ironing
✔️ bathed and blow dried hair.

Going to finish getting ready after a coffee break. The dc are playing prisons which apparently means trashing upstairs but they are playing nicely, even the toddler is joining in although I don't think he's doing what they're expecting him to do. Apparently he's a guard 😂.

Good morning! It's the Thursday of half term. Here are the headlines from Willow House.
🔔 DH accepted the new job, resigned from the old one and has had a lovely positive email from his new boss already!
🔔 DS2 bashfully admitted yesterday that the NG is actually his girlfriend now, they have been dating several months (no, really? 😂) but he is really grateful we've only been referring to her as his best friend until he was ready to tell us (phew. #Parentingwin)
🔔 I properly bottomed the sitting room yesterday dusted everything, washed and polished all the dark wood, cleaned the windows and moved some tables around. It's a lovely grown up room
🔔 Then I got over-excited and cleaned and polished all the other dark wood in the house.
🔔 Then I got ahead of flylady and sorted, cleaned and polished the dressing table, bookshelves and bedside tables in our room.
🔔 I have done LOL, DW, minor S&S and baked two cakes this morning.
🔔 DH is finally fitting the kitchen kickboards, only 3 years after the units. I think he's fed up with rescuing Wendy!

It gets a bit serious from hereon in, today is Our Kids Are Broken Day - we need to draft DS3's EHCP paperwork, take DS2 to see the adolescent psych and write a steaming letter to his school, pointing out all the ways they're failing him, before they manage to actually break him.

Hey ho. Off to admire my kickboards and eat restorative lemon syrup loaf!

Well that's just lovely Willow. Well done to Mr Willow. New beginnings can be lovely - especially junking one never-ending work list and starting again fresh with a new job.

Have gone through husband's old clothes and toiletries so we've now recycled clothes from all three of us.

I've yet to clean the boudoir but will do this anon. Fresh sheets will be nice too.

Awwwww willow!!! That is so thoroughly adorable ❤️ People are probably wondering why I’m sitting in the waiting room reading my phone with a massive grin on my face 😅😅😅 (Read this earlier while waiting then got called to see GP halfway through typing)

ta da
✅somehow made it to playgroup on time with DS in tow as well, although I didn’t get a shower 🤢 as DSD was hogging the bathroom before work! Oops.
✅said everything I needed to say to my FSW. Just facts of stuff not an emotional conversation (playgroup really not the place)
✅went to the bank, but they had a 45min wait and apparently it’s easy to sort the standing orders by phone so that’s on the list for tomorrow
✅got a few house bits including magic sponge from wilko - although they only had flash brand ones not the weird dense grey block thing I thought it would be?!
✅met friend for lunch and a lot of fun chat :) also bought her her first ever Krispy Kreme :o (I have one to share with DS later)
✅couple of bits from primark
✅doctors - plan in short is: go back on highest dose to see if symptom worsens again. Look into antidepressant types to work out what might work (some make ADHD symptoms worse). She’s going to write to psych at some point recommending I get referred to the actual ADHD specialist. Because it’s not just DH who is complex apparently. 🤣🤣🤣 I have psych appt in a couple of weeks and then seeing this doctor again a few days later to discuss.

Just got home, Cagletini had a much earlier nap so really hoping that means she sleeps at a more sensible time tonight.

That’s so cute willow!

We went to the sea life centre today, which was lovely.

Ta Da:
Made beds
Made breakfast and cleaned up from that
Hoovered whole house
Deep cleaned kitchen as it was grim

Rest of today's ta-da's
✔️ tidied up the mess from the prison game with minimal help from the DC
✔️ lunch
✔️ dishes
✔️ went to Poundland for craft supplies
✔️ reading and SALT homework with DS3
✔️ helped DS2 build his Anglo Saxon roundhouse
✔️ dinner
✔️ dishes
✔️ went to see the knife angel statue and for a little walk along the quayside. So lovely all lit up in the dark but it was freezing (not that dc seemed to care it was cold) so we didn't stay long.
✔️ bathed DS3&4

Was planning on sweeping the floors as DS3 had play dough out earlier but my sweeping brush is MIA 🤔

Gonna have a cuppa and some biscuits instead 🤷‍♀️ 😂

Have you checked the jail for your broom, We3? Is it being hoarded for some kind of breakout attempt?

It was willow! I asked DS2 if he knew where it was and he appeared with it telling me it had been in the electric chair room 😶

I'm pretending it hasn't been found because I'm comfy now and don't plan on moving again tonight.

Electric chair room 😳😳😳 blimey they’ve not been sneakily watching the green mile have they 🤣

I’ve achieved nothing - cagletini dozed off and I have just been lying down with her.

The lying down has been useful and restful though I guess. I am sadly still stressed - the “friend” I mentioned who was astoundingly insensitive the other week has actually further outdone herself this evening. I really shouldn’t waste energy being hurt by it.

I did get my white choc and berry donut to myself though as DS declared himself too full from dinner.

DH is back from his meeting so hopefully we can catch up when DS goes to bed soon - he also started a course today so lots to talk about.

Willow I love your updates!
We3 sounds like they had everything thought out when playing prisons, although I'm curious what they were using the broom for!

Not a huge amount of flying from me, but did manage to sweep the kitchen after I made a huge mess on the floor after throwing away my dead indoor plant I've had for years. I cleaned off one of the hotspots on the kitchen table as well although may have just relocated some of it to the hotspot on the desk I'm sorting out a birthday dinner for SIL at our house Saturday so found a recipe or 2 on Pinterest.

I did get my clothes out for tomorrow, I'm the first one up in the morning, and DH is usually waking up when I'm getting to work (20 minutes after me leaving the house!), so can't really be going through the wardrobe as I can't see!

Just to clarify - my indoor plant hasn't been dead for years, but I have had it for years. It really didn't like me transplanting it to a new pot a year or so ago and has slowly given up!

Lane . Sorry to hear about ‘friend’.

Out for a ‘family fun’ day out today. Meeting my brother at an indoor climbing place. Number of arguments: 1. Argument between DDs about which coats they will wear to a Girlguiding thing tomorrow . An uneasy peace has now set in over the car journey . On the plus side the essential half term homework was completed yesterday .

Intrigued by prison game we3 .

Big wing flaps to all.

hazel I've managed to kill a cactus
In my defence,it was on my mantlepiece and I think it got too hot/dry...
Lane green mile.love that film.gope you get meds sorted ❤️
Willow well done mr willow.and congrats on parenting win with the NG .good luck as mumma lion sorting stuff

I have also killed a cactus . Kept forgetting to water it.

Electric chair room, We3? (Dammit, I miss the "shocked" emoji on Money Saving Expert that had hair that went up in the air and everything!).

Hazel, I am not good with houseplants. That is DH's territory. I've killed an African violet before, and they're supposed to be indestructible too.

zoo hope you get a lovely day out. Thanks for strength to be Mama Lion. Ad Psych basically signed DS2 off yesterday as "not a psychiatry problem", apparently he needs a neurodevelopmental paediatrician. There's one at GOSH, one at the John Radcliffe and one at the Royal Berkshire and that appears to be it. Oof.

Yuk to halfterm homework. Although I could quite enjoy building a roundhouse (Anglo-Saxon England was my period of choice when I was a "real" historian). Well done Stressy and We3 on getting it out of the way and remaining sane.

Good luck KT and Hazel with birthday dinners this weekend.

Lane, I'm sorry about shit friend. Is it time to quietly step back? I'm sorry things are so tough for you at the moment, and that you and your DH appear to be Medical Marvels. Take it gently. Sending strength and .

Cineraria, Sharn, Bower, That, Chic, SC (if you're hiding and reading), Tinselette, foxes, Expletive - big waves to all.

Car still not back. Repairs now coming in at £1300 (winces) and parts not available til Tuesday. Mutter.

Ta Das
DW rotated
first LOL in
new mattress arrived at 7.15 this morning, hence early washing of bedlinen!
appointment booked to talk to executive function coaching organisation about DS2 and other DC, on Monday
shopping list written and menu planned

still to do:

• S&S
• mend tear in duvet cover
• draft EHCP answers for DS3
• send first EHCP letter for DS2
• write letter to DS2's school, explaining the issues and how they're not dealing with them, in words even an Arsenal supporter could understand.
• go to Lidl (DH needs to get dressed first)
• make sauce for puff pastry pizza
• help DS3 make said PPP

Last real day of half term. Good luck, everyone!

Eeek at the car bill willow and I’m really intrigued about this executive functioning coaching, I’d love it if you’d update when you know more? EF is one of the main things I decided to see an autism specialist therapist for (she’s a psychologist who worked in the NHS with mostly autistic adults, then (I think post babies) set up a therapy clinic). But in reality 10 sessions later we’ve not done that much on the subject, as I have been getting my ADHD dx etc, and also we’ve focused more on anxiety and PTSD stuff.

I need to stop faffing online and get myself in gear. Lovely friend (lives in my hometown) misunderstood my suggested time today and is already driving up, I need to have a shower and get dressed! They are “take us as you find us” people so I don’t need to tidy etc but it has still chucked me for a loop as I thought I had longer.

Of course if I’d actually used the awake time I have had (couldn’t sleep after 4.30ish, cagletini fed for an hour 😡 then moved a chair over to the light switch to turn it on and declare herself up for the day) I’d be much further on 🙄

ta da so far
✅took higher dose again (this may explain why the following list is longer 😅)
✅messaged friend re aquarium voucher - think we are going to attempt a day trip
✅started researching possible non-dopamine-reducing antidepressants 🧐
✅looked up two possible birthday presents for DSS, one isn’t available in England currently so that makes the decision easier! Wish I’d bought it earlier though when it was available 🙄 will have to keep an eye for Christmas
✅phoned health visiting team - they took some info (I felt like such a failure 😳) and are sending a behaviour checklist thing and then will arrange someone to come and see us. Happily it looks like it’ll be the lovely lovely lady I saw at the breastfeeding group last month, which will save repeating everything too.
✅phoned psychiatrist office to check appt time (lost the letter), wrote it in diary
✅phoned doctors to check appt time (assumed I’d get an automated text as usual when I booked it yesterday, but didn’t, and forgot the time), wrote in diary

Ok seriously must get showered and dressed ffs.

Sorry to have been AWOL last night, I have got another cold and headed upstairs for an early night, then revived and started tidying the bedroom. I will post links and a quick to do list and be back later.

To do:

Go to town for errands
Phone DWP to start DS's PIP application
Hoover house
LOL
A bit of food shopping
Empty dehumidifier
Get rid of dead daffs, clean vase and replace with pussy willow twigs bought yesterday
Prune buddleia if the weather stays dry

Friday

launchpad

Today's, mission is to clean your bedroom and bathroom windows, including sills and frames. Friday is declutter your purse and car day, plus date night.

ta da
✅quick shower
✅opened some windows
✅remembered to put earrings in (self care! They hurt if I leave them too long)
✅added the old clothes of DD1’s to the massive pile
✅reused that bag to pack stuff my friend can go through for her DS at some point
✅remembered to take clean tea towels down, put a hand towel in the downstairs loo and put a pair of socks away
✅admired cuteness of friend’s squishy baby, and the cuteness of my DS being so lovely with her 🥰

Hi everyone,
Lost my post yesterday with shout outs to people. I was just finishing the sentence then post when ipad went blank. Out of charge damn.

So on main today.

Lane Glad you having another friend to visit. I put a page in my journal and added people who were unpleasant, unnecessarily rude etc. Childish I know but discovered that by writing it down I sort of let go of the upset. I could cross them out if they redeemed themselves. Heading was People I shouldn't bother with! They were mostly work related.

I got quite a bit done yesterday. Took all the stuff of fridge and re arranged it so the front is clear. The side near the door has important stuff like bin day leaflet, Beware of the Chickens A5 poster which I can't resist putting up after someone gave it to me.A shopping list pad and my Guide Dog puppy magnets.

This side has my large weekly schedule (Magnetic). To do list pad for town and home and a couple of weird pictures in magnetic frames from Family Circle years ago. So sort of organised to organise me and also in case DH gets the urge to do one of the jobs

Boudoir: I dusted one chest of drawers and a shelf. Plus all the stuff on it. Both bedside cupboards...night stands makes me shudder! Made bed. Still have a bit to do in there but definitely better. May get it done today but doubtful.

Woke up feeling tired and lethargic. I have been out two nights in a row and find it enjoyable but tired. I was stressed yesterday as we had more rain the night before. I got all the way to friend's village to find the road flooded. It had been flooded earlier because she was going to come over for the day as she had workman in putting CH in. Council project so no choice. I parked car ant the pub and was going to try walking on the very wet bank of grass when she appeared. Her car is higher than mine. So we cooked the chops I had and she had potatoes and beans on had a much needed glass of wine and later we went to gardening club. It was photos from a man's trip to Japan. He is in the camera club so photos were very good. Lots of brilliant Acers. Fantastic photos of Geisha girls and some cute children. Lots of photos of very old and new buildings and he gave a running commentary. I also won a robin biscuit barrel in the raffle. I couldn't resist taking it.I won and white owl hanging thing last time and I never usually win raffle prizes. Going to have both in the Summerhouse. Owl is there already.

Need pointy stick in my bum please. My eyes feel really heavy today. I didn't sleep until late and woke to the wind and rain. We are on flood alert again.One days reprieve. They're are 13 flood alerts for rivers here. We have one named through the bottom of village and two others within five miles. One is very long so anywhere near that is on alert. Snowed briefly yesterday. Forgotten who asked now but thank you.
DH is away for the whole fortnight. Arrived safely but phone lines not working well here and same mobiles. So brief intermittent calls. You have to get the gist of it. Quite funny at times. Good excuse for the scammers.

Sorry to hear you have more flood warnings Bower.

Today's ta-da's
✔️ made beds
✔️ breakfast
✔️ S&S
✔️ 2 x LOL
✔️ ironing
✔️ bathed, hair and makeup done
✔️ cleaned car (inside only)
✔️ tidied round
✔️ swept downstairs x 1000000 although neighbour popped in for a bit with her dog so he did after lunch floor clean of everything DS4 had thrown from highchair 😂
✔️ cleaned dining table
✔️ lunch
✔️ dishes
✔️ sent dc1&2 round to another neighbour to get some newspaper and started paper mache homework project. Definitely should have started this earlier in the week
✔️ spellings with DS2. SALT homework and reading with DS3

Now have another load of ironing to do and then considering putting my pj's on. It's still early but I don't think I need to go anywhere and I'm getting too fat to be in my jeans for any length of time 😂

Bower ———————>

Our own house isn’t in danger but others are including best friend’s DS1. I went out to get fuel and I am sitting cosy with the 🐈 curled up in front of the fire.

Need to go out and get some more logs and will probably shut the chicken in early. It is cold, windy and raining but looks like it might snow. The sky is really white/ grey.

Snuggled up watching a crappy movie and doing a crossword with a mug of tea and a chocolate biscuit or two. Brr!

Not going to work now Toostressy however I gave myself a kick up the bum before.

Ta Da
Chicken fed
Cat fed again

Logs in
Welsh eggs in
Sorted fire
Bed made.
Washing sorted and some put away.
Vacuumed
Tidied kitchen.
Washed up dishes from cooking.
S&S