Mad March Fledglings Fly in to action 2020

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A warm welcome to the monthly thread where we (loosely) follow the Flylady housekeeping system here to combat CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) with lots of virtual wine, chat and mutual support along the way. The thread leader of the month will post a link to Flying activities daily. Quite a few of us have been on here for a while, so we may seem cliquey, but we really aren't, and all newcomers, lurkers, returnees, regulars, and intermittent regulars are very welcome!

Very simply, Flylady is a zone-based cleaning system which we follow to varying degrees, depending on our individual homes, circumstances and energy levels. There are five zones and at the beginning and the end of the month we usually straddle Zone 1 and Zone 5. When you first start decluttering, cleaning, and organizing your zones, Flylady encourages you to spend 15 minutes per day decluttering in the current zone.

Each week, we work in a different zone. Each month, we repeat all the zones. After a few months of following this system consistently, you should start to see an improvement in the main areas of your house.

Pop on to the Flylady website to have a closer look about how to get started here 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 so proceed with caution.

The Babysteps system is a light 31-day introduction to the system which familiarises you with Flylady routines (such as dressing to shoes, shining your sink etc) and with her philosophy, which emphasises self-care, her abhorrence of perfectionism and the adage that you’re never behind - just jump in where you are at - even if you only do 5 mins work, that is so much better than doing nothing at all!

There is a morning routine and an evening routine to keep things ticking over and a weekly home cleaning hour (which most of us find tight!) to change bed sheets, mop, hoover, take out rubbish etc. We've found over the years that 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 and declutter with focus, then stop and do something more interesting instead!

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)
Tuesday: plan and play (menu planning, family event planning, doc appts etc)
Wednesday: anti-procrastination day
Thursday: errand day
Friday: clear out purses, bags, cars, date night
Saturday: family fun
Sunday: lift your spirits.

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any qs. And remember, there is NO wrong or right way of doing this, it is about adapting the system to suit your life circumstances, which will be different from someone else's, so feel free to ignore any step or routine that doesn't suit you or your home! And don't be put off by the barftastically twee language of the Flylady site, as the underlying system is sound.

And if/when it all gets too much: come and take a seat by the fire in our candelit, specially adapted, virtual "naughty" corner where you can retreat and enjoy all manner of lovely things such as fluffy pillows warm blankets, fine teas, strong coffee, and platters of sumptuous foodstuffs offered with lashings of support from fellow fledglings.

There may be mention of Ned (and his cousins Ted and Fred) who started their lives as autocorrections, but who have morphed in to virtual helpers, and are borrowed by thread members from time-to-time when the going gets tough on Mount Washmore.

Most days we pop on to post our "to do" and "ta da" lists of what we’ve managed to do and have a bit of a natter. Please don't compare your list with someone else's as this is all about individual progress.

More info follows (but again, please note we advise only looking at the pdfs and not downloading them):

** launch pad (general guidance and info) here

** daily babysteps pdf (ignore the ones that don't suit you or your home) here

** week day missions (some fledglings find it easier to do them at weekends) here

** info about zones (explanation of how zones work) [[http://www.flylady.net/d/br/2017/09/02/please-explain-the-zones/

here]]

** weekly zones (a rough weekly guide to which area of the house we are tackling currently, again adapt to suit yourself) [[http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/zones/

here]] and here

** daily focus (helpful guide to allocate a certain day for a certain task) here

** deep cleaning lists pdf (only attempt when you have decluttered as you can't clean clutter!) here

Habit of the month: here

An explanation about the March habit of the month: Getting Dressed to Shoes here

Good luck and happy Flying one and all!

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Many thanks to Tinselette from whom I have stolen and adapted quite a bit of this introduction!

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And last, but definitely not least, a huge thank you to Expletive for running a really fast-moving February thread so splendidly

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That should have said we are still in Zone 2 Sat and then on Sunday we start in Zone 3 (if you do zone cleaning at weekends that is), sorry, tired but wired!

Zoo you must be worried about your dd1's wedding in June (hopefully things may not be as bad by then) and your dd2's GCSEs too. (As will other fledglings whose dc are due to sit exams this summer.) The UK will no doubt have some contingency plans in place by then.

Hope today goes OK SC. I had to deal with a very anxious DS last night, so far he has largely shrugged off the CV crisis but is now very anxious about his GCSEs. He says at school everyone is talking about it all day long, the younger ones all want the school to close, the ones his age are all stressed out and everyone is constantly checking the bbc website in lessons as its one of the few sites that aren't blocked on their computers.

Today's plan-
Bit tidying up
Discuss plan for D's schooling with outreach(either cancelled or upping hours)

Distraction-plant new rose bush I bought on a whim at local discount shop

Practical- Aldi trip for the food bank.it occured to me yesterday if everyone's me,me meing who is still buying for these places?we had planned do something for Lent of adding things to the trolley,but I've decided to do a small food shop,basically adding a little of most of our local banks list along with a few little Easter sweet treats and and sanitary pads/cleaning supplies in stock as they are also on the banks list.i hate thought anyone being hungry..

Ooophs posted too soon..
Dd2 still in a headspino think masking she was ok for two hours in a room of strangers flipped her over the edge,so today's focus is on wellbeing with her.calming mindful activies and a couple of chores to keep her busy but not overwhelmed
She's helped write list for Aldi of what she wants to see in the trolley

Morning all. Again I am sitting outside the vets waiting for our appointment. Cat is in disgrace as she broke out of cat flap last night so whole thing well and truly blocked up (I hope) now.

I did indeed see that in the budget about business tax relief SC. If anybody feels strongly about the nursery funding situation please do have a look at the Champagne Nurseries on Lemonade Funding Facebook page. I have no skin in the game with this... am just a parent absolutely infuriated with the lacking of funding and support for the staff who look after our most precious things . There is a government petition about business rates. On the one hand there are perhaps more important things to worry about with the Coronavirus. On the other hand this is important and with so many nurseries close to collapse, we could end up with a childcare availability crisis just at the same time as we need emergency personnel to work and then when we need workers to try to rescue the economy and to rebuild systems etc. Rant over!!

Huge sympathies for those worried if things will be cancelled / postponed. Especially GCSE students Expletive, that must be very hard. The poor teachers!

Off to vets now.

Good luck stressy .if we had a catflap scoutcat would've done the same.we had lock all doors as he can open the buggers hanging on the handles!!

Tada
Located dining table
Bag up rubbish/recycling
Littertray and bins
Wash on

A quick scroll FB(I really shouldn't) I had the rage selfish hoarders etc and uncharacteristically decided to have a rant...basically saying rather than being so selfish could people actually do something supportive-ring an elderly isolated neighbour for a chat/give some your aisles worth loo roll/beans to homeless shelters/food banks etc
Expecting someone to chew me out but I am old,opinionated and unrepentant

I’m trying not to open any other threads about it now, and I’m needing to avoid FB as it seems like every other post is about it. And I know I can’t actually change it so I’m just trying to be sensible. I felt horrifically panicked all evening, slightly better today until I saw yet another post. Now I’m just trying to throw myself into tidying up for our visit later. Mainly living room but also downstairs loo//hallway due to the washing hands rule (which I already warned her of).

Didn’t post a list yesterday so
ta da from Thursday
✅cleaned chalk dust off TT and stashed it behind sofa (didn’t actually use it yesterday because she didn’t nap!)
✅up, showered etc and out almost on time, but still got there in good time anyway
✅played a nice word game with DS and got him doing work as he had to accompany me
✅sort of coped with verrrrry anxiety provoking session because another kid threw up and didn’t get taken home 🤬🤬🤬 and Cagletini threw a total shit fit when I didn’t let her go into the pukey bit of the garden. Had to get DH to come and rescue us as I was a mess. Fun.
✅met friends in library and chose books for DS to try
✅found the library book that needs returning... after I got home of course. 🙄🤦‍♀️
✅parents evening!!! 😍
Nothing else after that as when I get totally overwhelmed I just go into like a trance on the sofa.

I won’t do today’s list just yet, now I’ve had a sit down I’ll carry on tidying for a bit longer, she’s here in just over 3 hours.

Haven't read any updates, but just popping on to say I Am Entering DD's Pit Of Despair Bedroom with a bin bag, a duster and a can-do attitude. If I've not reappeared by tomorrow morning, please send help!

Sorry everyone feeling anxious , I am a bit too after going to toddler group this morning and the whole hour was spent talking about it...argh! Information overload!

In other news I GOT MY BRACES OFF!!!!

Just treating myself to a celebratory tea and toastie at the café before I get a few essentials from the supermarket (if there are any essentials left I feel your rage zoo!)

Congrats Foxes - have a toffee 🍬😁

Oooh how lovely foxes

I attempted buy stuff for food bank.i was aiming couple of each item and that would be our lent offer in one go...
Tesco- people grabbing armfuls stuff and arguing with staff patrolling checkouts confiscating massive hauls any item,or those that are under restriction of quantity
Aldi- man two in front us banned buying the 30 jars honey he wanted(allowed 8) and had 6BOXES uht milk(lord knows how many carton per box) taken and given 3cartons..
Morrisons-queues to back shop.world food aisles stripped rice,oil,nuts,beans etc

I couldn't get pasta anywhere and grateful I wasn't after loo rolls.i conclude these are essential due to ridiculous panic buying of baked beans...
It's left me feeling very depressed and forthwith I will not mention it again as I don't wish upset anyone but I needed a rant
WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE

In other news
Survived shop
Picked up some plastic drawers for cupboard understairs- as art supplies are overflowing the box they're it will be easier and tidier
Lunch(very late at 230)
I now need tidy cupboard understairs-,wipe new drawer unit and put away before lil zoo returns and realises we have markers,highlighters,paint,glue aplenty

After this is sorted I'm forcing a bit time out for me and dd2 with a bit relax time(colouring,crafts etc) and a little pampering(picked up a hand mask pack for us both on my travels)

zoo it's mad isn't it?! I genuinely wanted baked beans because we've run out and the shelves were almost empty, I felt guilty buying a couple of tins!! Tesco did have hand wash though (which I did not buy because we still have some!)

I think I may have to ban myself from the media altogether at the moment including Mumsnet or I will just waste so much time and it certainly doesn't help! This thread is fine obviously

Yay for lack of braces foxes!
Willow you alive in there?

ta da
✅moved drying on
✅LOL (still waiting to go in dryer though)
✅cleaned living room windows/back door and bathroom mirror
✅cleaned downstairs loo and sink, mopped floor/skirting (not great TBH but defo an improvement) changed towel etc
✅scrubbed/sprayed oilcloth on table
✅gathered random crap from the living room/hall to take upstairs etc
✅set up mini obstacle course for Cagletini
✅brought in Cagletini’s book box thing and filled with a selection
✅put Cagletini’s drawing from yesterday up (pic attached... it’s an aeroplane at the top and the other things are scooters 🤷‍♀️)
✅cleaned easel/tray and put chalks in
✅geometry with DS
✅a little piano while the boys did nursery run 💕 not terribly relaxing though as I wasn’t very focused and kept screwing up 🤦‍♀️
✅various other tasks done by DH and DS so plenty got done and the house feels much nicer
✅super fast shower/dressed as hadn’t wanted to before cleaning
✅found necessary forms that were the entire point of the visit... we managed this only a few minutes before she arrived 😳
✅sat with FSW and filled in the forms/chatted random shit for ages 😅

Tired now, just catching up with DD1 on her day (lots of friendship dramas, she was in tears last night but actually talked to her tutor about it today, he said he was proud of her for doing that and so am I! 💕) and resting for a while!

Oops I forgot the picture

lane😍😍😍😍😍bless her,great pic
Foxes we are low on loo rolls,bit scared tbh going buy any case people think we're stockpiling..

Tada
Drawers wiped and in place
Got away with lil zoo not seeing supplies!

Phew! Thanks for the brandy, Zoo and the good wishes, Lane, both were much needed. We went anti-clockwise round the room and have reached the first corner. Two boxes of Precious Stuff, one Give Away, one Other People To Look Through, one Recycling and one bag of rubbish. Oh, and DD's dressing table in our room, which DH is going to have to move before he comes to bed. Tomorrow we will move into the first alcove, fillet the shelves there, move a bookshelf and empty her former bedside table.

Not much else achieved today - DS3 got his homework done, DS2 did Jamie Oliver baking which, as per usual, didn't work so I had to step in, fix the recipe and make the damn biscuits, he used every pan in the house and made an appalling mess of the kitchen just like his father. DW run twice now but no washing done, which we are all likely to regret tomorrow. I will try to get a load on before bed. Oh, and the GP rang, agreed I could have steroids and has sent them to Tesco for me to pick up first thing tomorrow. That's a good thing, but means Sat - Weds I'm going to be totally manic and driving everyone mad.

Cherry Waves all round, I promise to read in depth and catch up tomorrow. I have decluttered half a bottle of wine and need an emergency cup of tea and a bath!

I'm still marooned in the naughty corner with a laptop and DS's PIP form. I've broken the back of it now but it is very tedious and demoralising (just what I didn't need in the current climate). Housework has taken a bit of a hit this week but hopefully will catch up tomorrow.

ED ☕🍰🥞🥗🧁🍿🍻🍷🍹

Thank you, I gave up an hour ago and snuggled up with the DCs to watch Gogglebox. We're all off to bed now, night all.

😂🤣Zoo baked beans and loo rolls. Made me LOL just as DH sleeps elsewhere I would have woken him up🤣😂
Ed mine too. There is always next week. I’m finding some of it pointless as builder creating dust and him and DH trailing muck through. I give a quick vacuum through after he has gone. He is lovely though and very considerate and likes my baking. I am still feeding him with cake and pies and lots of coffee. When he has finished this job he has a couple of weeks worth of work to do when it is a bit warmer. He is going to point most of the house. Luckily we have finished paying the mortgage so we can afford to do all these jobs that need doing( some for a long time).

No flying much today. Folded washing. Wiped worktops. We went out to get paint for the kitchen and a bought a bath at in Laura Ashley’s for £5. Sale has 30% off but somethings and marked again and again. Anyone needing bedding should have a look. Duvet cover and pillowcase for £25 and some were £100😳previously. They wash really well. I didn’t need any but almost wished I did. I don’t get rid of mine I have a few and just change them around every couple of weeks when I sick of the same one. Sometimes do it every week when I wash them. Some real bargains though including check or stripes suitable for a boy.
We then went to a town south of us. We went for lunch in a little cafe I have been to before but DH hasn’t and had lovely spicy sweet potato and squash soup. Chunky bread and DH had a sandwich. I might have had a bit of tray bake with my coffee. Everyone in there was behaving normally. We went to a couple of charity shops for books. DH got three me none. I was looking for a particular author. It was good to get out for a while as I have been in since Sunday night.

Went up to see BF at her request. She is worried about DH, grand daughter who has a rare health problem and grandson who is coughing up green flem and hot but GP won’t see him either at the surgery or home. She is worried he has chest infection and will get pneumonia if he doesn’t get anti bionics as they call them. Fancy refusing to see a little boy. 111-They told him to self isolate - he’s fourteen months old! His dad is so worried as he has been a sickly baby and dad works with vulnerable adults while mum has just started a new job as a TA. They have two more little boys. He won’t go to me as the others did. I minded them a couple of times. BFs DH - grandad has just got over a heart attack and op. And he has 300 cows to milk. BF has elderly clients to support. Poor baby she face timed him and he does look poorly. She told dad to face time GP.
Tomorrow I have builder doing plasterboarding and I need to paint some shelves. Then going with BF.

Bath mat not a bath for £5 that would be a bargain.🤭

Sigh. May need to isolate DD1. She’s been unwell a few days but given the rules we need to check her for a fever in the morning. I’m absolutely sure it’s not CV, seems like a throat infection or tonsils, and she has absolutely no cough, but if she has a fever, rules are rules! She will be gutted and the timing sucks - missed ballet rehearsal today, and she’s meant to have rehearsals Saturday Sunday AND Monday (two different shows over the next month). Then on Tuesday she was meant to be trying her first football match for school 😭😭😭

Cagletini unwell too, just a cold though as she was snotty for days, not hot etc.

So. Somewhat stressful evening here. 🙄