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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Cross posting all over the place, SC!

The article is here . Hope I've done that link right, on my phone.

In the last few minutes, news of voluntary self-isolation for the over 70s has dropped. Don't think DM and FIL can have seen it yet, my phone's not on fire. This is going to make life very, very complicated and I can't currently see how we are going to make it work. DM is still working at 74 and plays tennis twice a week for god's sake. She has created a new society for herself since Dad died, and that's about to be taken away. She will struggle hugely, part of her coping mechanism has been to get outside everyday to see people, if only to buy a paper at the Co-op.

I guess it does mean the Diamond Wedding party is toast too, which I'm really sad about as I've not seen all the family since Dad's funeral and I was looking forward to a happy occasion.

Hey ho. The good of the many etc.

This was recommended elsewhere on MN: insighttimer.com/

It's a website/app with meditations and calming music. I thought it was great.

I think the website is free

Had better phone my parents later. Really looking forward to that conversation .

It's called Insight timer

Love all the links, thanks.

I’m almost more concerned by the rumours they may make school closures illegal - I mean WTF?! I know it’s easy for me to say though as we are home anyway so school closures wouldn’t impact us much at all (despite loving school after so long away from it, DD1 is dealing with the prospect of forced isolation fairly well so far) but it is terrifying that our approach is so drastically different from the rest of Europe.

Anyway. Don’t want to get even more ranty so:

ta da
✅wrote list of fresh stuff for DH to look for in Asda as we still have healthy start vouchers to use up
✅paid ballet invoice
✅paid for therapy (it’s tomorrow but I probably won’t book another one after that for a while - I’d rather just not have one than face the anxiety of not knowing whether to cancel, worrying about the journey etc)

Should really clear up a bit (especially from the McDonald’s breakfast 😅) but I’m a sofa bound pile of MEH currently.

SC oh my lovely what a FANTASTIC IDEA adding an extra corner.this is why I love it here so much❤️
I found loo roll.i just walked in clutching a 9pk and neighbour text me saying I was brave walking streets with it on full view.i could've been mugged

Tada
dropped plenty supplies for food bank.rev was bit shocked by volume,I said I'm a feeder,always will be and my anxiety doesn't like to think of hungry people
Pop local hardware type bargain shop and acquired a spade,fork,tomato seeds and few craft bits.if there's a risk we go get hemmed in I do not want to be in a house teens on phones/fighting they're bored when i make them turn them off!!
Never grown a tomato from seed,so results could be mixed.
I feel this is going to force me to sort home and garden and at least I now have tools to make a start(pity it's raining)
Lil zoo rough,but at offer going to friends wants to go.i text mum and explained she's poorly,but I've been monitoring temp and it's ok.shes still fine to have her(I did want her to have the choice)

Food bank haul
Lent 2020

Well done zoo 💕

I love the TKCC idea!

Also the idea of scheduling in a lot of entertaining stuff too. I guess in some ways something huge like this can make you appreciate stuff that was previously taken for granted.

Also agree on the exercise thing. I’m not sure what to do about my gym membership right now - it’s about to run out. Definitely going to dig the exercise bike back out - got it for DH but he can’t use it because of the seat (pressure on spine), the Caglets and I can though! Need to make sure to get more fresh air as well both for mental and physical health. We have a park very near so I may try and finally instigate a daily walk there (obv only while we aren’t having to SI) and I’m quite tempted to buy Just Dance on the switch TBH!

I do need to put in an amazon order (wonder what will happen to companies like that if we ever go into lockdown?!) - need some blank greetings cards as I want to do little thank you cards for the facilitators of the courses that end soon (two in each). At least that’ll distract me a bit. Not sure what to do for the ACEs leaders though as I know nothing of their likes and dislikes (unlike Solihull - board games for one, horses for the other... although horses are hard to draw!) so I need to choose something generic I suppose. Flowers?!

Hi everyone, fab idea about TKCC sc I will definitely post anything I see or think of!

I went out on my bicycle just now highly recommend a little burst of exercise, i was feeling so fed up and I definitely feel better for it.

Luckily I do my online shops way in advance so I have a delivery slot tomorrow and have added extra stuff onto it, not wanting to panic buy but there are no more delivery slots for the next 3 weeks I have ordered toilet roll (because we now genuinely need some!) but don't expect it to arrive!

That made me laugh about the pasta and loo roll zoo, I picked up a few bits from the shop yesterday and felt like I needed to justify my purchases to everyone I saw!! Also needed to sneeze at one point and held.it in to the point I felt my head was going to explode. Crazy times!

We can get through this everyone

Zoo that’s so kind of you going to so much effort for the food bank. I tend to drop the odd bit in here and there and we often collect at work, but you’ve really put me to shame. Hope it’s paid back to you soon.

SC love the TKCC idea, I’ll be chilling in it daily.

Well done on finishing the form Expletive

Thanks for the link Tinselette

Shame about the party Willow. Is it likely to be rearranged? We are hoping to reschedule the weekend away. Hope DS’s GF isn’t too ropey this morning. Bless him for looking after her so well.

Your place sounds similar to mine Too. Nothing really changed yet but lots of meetings and preparations. We haven’t yet been fit tested. We are front line but not in the areas expected to be hit first, although we do get everywhere at some point.

Waves to Lane, Bower, Chic, Foxes, That, Hazel, We3, Cineraria and anyone I’ve missed.

Aldi trip is done and was horrific. Queue at the door for opening, car park rammed, 6 tills open (never known aldi open more than 2 ) and people trying to stockpile despite all the signs saying max 4 for each item. One woman had 2 crates each of beans and chopped tomatoes. Thankfully she was refused them. I got everything I wanted except toilet roll - did my usually big shop a week early, and got a few extra bits for the freezer.

I’m quite a home bird too SC so the thought of being holed up in my own nest is quite nice, but DH and DD will go stir crazy and therefore so will I.

Ta Das:
✅ downstairs hoovered
✅ dishwasher on
✅ LOL
✅ survived aldi
✅ shopping unpacked including through organising of larder and freezer and cleaning of fridge

To do:

• ironing
• make soup
• mop floors

Am very proud to be practising self-care and decluttering simultaneously ... by rebuilding DD's lego police station that she does want after all 🤔😂.

Yay willow fab multi tasking!!
Lane homemade cards are always lovely regardless what's on them
KT when we did Aldi some one got told in no uncertain terms they couldn't have a whole shelf.cashier was really quite short with him,and when we chatted after she said not paid enough,or policies saying I have to be nice about itglad you got most what you needed

We too have exercise bike and if restriction appears we all be on it,although my hips n knees won't be too happy.i read you can go in garden if self isolating,do at least I can go outside.ive told dd2 if planning to pace to vary route.i don't want trenches grooved into the grass

To do
Put away few bits shop I picked up(we up to two loaves a day do cannot practically shop for long periods,and D's won't drink uht milk... plus dd2 limited diet currently allows raspberries and blueberries but not frozen ones,so that's a every other day shop so she's eating something other than marmite sandwiches/toast and crackers with odd bit lettuce or tofu😞

Still need reorganise crafts properly(dare I admit got couple extra bits today so plenty options things to do- coloured paper,chalk,paint brushes as ours near hairless
Need do some laundry
Really want have a go crochet today.im antsy and feel another positive productive project will give me something to focus on

foxes hope you get most if not all you ordered tomorrow!

Jam Roly poly made! It cracked a bit when I rolled it but I think it isn't bad for a first attempt...

Probably really outing but sod it...here is dd helping make Roly poly...(excuse the state of my kitchen)

My dc have also been cutting the grass with scissors this afternoon 😂 we suggested it as a joke but they thought it was really fun!! Madness!

Thanks for waves! I haven't been good in posting but reading the thread has been good for keeping up momentum last week as I had a few appointments at DS1's preschool and DS2 had another ear infection and doctor appointment to see if he needed antibiotics. I normally get quite behind when last minute things like that happen but stayed fairly organised thanks to the thread reminders and my spreadsheets.

I love the idea of the keep calm corner SC. We will investigate the museums. Thank you.

What a wonderful gift to the food bank, zoo! That is really going to help people out at such a tricky time. Thanks also for reminding me of food banks being in need of donations. I used to remember it better when we shopped in person or when we had a donation week each month at work but since we started doing an online shop and I left work, I hadn't really remembered it, so it was good to have a prompt. The donation box in our local Sainsbury's was pretty full, which was nice to see.

Just Dance is great, Lane and toddlers playing Just Dance has to be the best entertainment if you are stuck in! DS2 might have to challenge Cagletini to a dance off, although if her dancing is anything like her drawing, she might wipe the floor with him. It's brilliant that she knows what she is drawing. My two mostly just say they are drawing red or blue if asked. DS2 did once draw two big adjoining circles and announce that it was Dada's (excuse lack of delicacy) arse ! Eventually we worked out that he meant eyes but maybe not before I had put him off telling me what he is drawing! Flowers would be nice on your cards as a flower growing and blooming is a bit like a symbol of progress made from a course. Animals that transform could also be a good option too: butterflies, a leaping frog etc.

Diamond wedding is such an achievement, Willow. I hope your relatives will keep well and be able to hold a celebration later in the year for the family to get together. I think we may need them to create a handbook for a successful marriage if we eventually have a lockdown situation in the UK and everyone is forced to spend all day every day together with their spouses/partners. Might I ask the name of the murder mystery in Cheltenham? DM likes a murder mystery and lives nearby, so I will recommend it as something to read if she is following the recommendation for those over 70 to stay home.

Your Aldi trip sounds awful, KT. I hope you get a bit of time to relax and do something nice after that and your other chores. Also, wishing you and Toostressy all the best with your work in the coming months as the situation develops. I hope the measures being taken by the government and those directing your work will be enough to avoid it being overwhelming.

DH's company has told all those in the London office (maybe elsewhere too) to work from home. They don't want them all getting sick at the same time. We aren't quite there with our room change around but have cleared enough of our current spare room that DH has set up there for now and DS1 is insisting on sleeping in DS2's bed at the moment anyway so I can start taking his furniture out of his room, which is the next step anyway. I hope it goes well. We got a bit grumpy with each other when he was at home for a long period on gardening leave before and I don't want that to happen again. Both DC have temperatures of 38-39 at the moment so DS1 can't go to preschool this week. It's a shame as apparently he has at last noticed that there are other children there and made friends with two little boys who are twins. His teachers say the three of them have great fun together and laugh non-stop.

I have caught up with laundry today and cleaned out the coffee machine, so now we are doing some garden preparation and planning for today's spirit renewing focus. We have planted some veg, flower and herb seeds to grow in our utility room for nowas it has a transparent roof like a greenhouse. DS2 enjoyed doing that but DS1 gave up in huffy disgust on discovering that we were trying to make more vegetables come into existence! I had also set aside some birthday and Christmas money from my parents and MiL to buy a raised bed kit and compost to fill it. Now I just need to narrow down my list of things I want to grow!

Oh lovely Roly poly picture, foxes. So funny about the grass too!

Not caught up yet but foxes such a cute photo she’s gorgeous! 💕

ta da
✅LOL
✅took previous drying up (hope to put it away once current lot is dry)
✅reminded DD1 about washing uniform, and checked she’s doing homework
✅brief chat with her friend’s mum about plans for dance show transport
✅Solihull reading and write up
✅ACEs homework
✅read journals in preparation for therapy, have been making notes as I’m quite aware it could be the last session for a while. Might ask if she has plans to do phone consultations.

Might take some ibuprofen shortly as my head is killing. Saving the paracetamol - did anyone read (actual newspaper article about advice from France, rather than random FB memes) about how ibuprofen may make CV symptoms worse? Not sure of the truth in it, but it sort of makes sense as NSAIDs aren’t good for asthmatics I think? So I’ll avoid if I get symptoms anyway.

DH managed to get some proper shopping today but even things like celery were sold out 🤨

I’m getting my first tattoo in six days 😱😱😱

Foxes that looks soooo good.lovely to see your little helper!!
I have got plenty to be getting on with but decided to have some time out doing something new..

Tada

First attempt at crochet a granny square...
I was using wrong size hook,was all I had,but I'm glad I had a go and will try pick up proper size tom and try again.once I get hand holding wool and keeping tension steady think I go get hang of this!!

Oh lane have you designed it??

Nah it’s just two words I’m getting for this one. “For now” (from a twenty one pilots song)

ta da
✅emailed Bibic about catch up phone calls
✅replied to confirm appt for home visit from nursery nurse
✅prepped priority notes for therapy

I want to draw but I don’t feel up to it 😣😣😣 looking forward to roast lamb dinner though.

Yay Zoo - that's pretty good for a first attempt, well done!

Definitely putting cutting the grass with scissors down as a possible activity for if/when the school shuts 😂

Been quite a productive day here
✔️cleaned the toilet
✔️sent DS2 round the house with a bun bag to collect rubbish. Not empty the bins just collect actual rubbish from around the house, that is the stage of squalor we had reached 🙈
✔️ emptied bathroom bin and gave it a good scrub as there was a plum?( hard to tell such was the state of decomposition) in the bottom
✔️sorted through DS4 clothes for the next charity bag as he had so many I was struggling to find room for them all
✔️ sorted out the medicine basket and cleaned some sticky cough medicine from the bottom of it
✔️ cleaned bathroom sink
✔️ mopped the bathroom floor. DS4 spilt the mop bucket so mopped the bathroom floor again 🙄
✔️ mats and towels in wash
✔️ cleaned the shower
✔️ polished our room
✔️ sorted out my wardrobe which was a bit of a mess from me getting things out to wear and discovering they don't fit so throwing them back in in a huff 🐖
✔️dusted our room
✔️ stripped our bed inc the mattress protector and flipped the mattress
✔️took our curtains and older boys curtains down to wash
✔️ cleaned the windows in my room
✔️ cleaned the bath
✔️ sorted bookcase in older boys room
✔️ did homework with DC
✔️ cleaned bath toys and basket
✔️polished older boys room and helped them some of the crap because it was an absolute pigsty
✔️ dusted older boys room
✔️ windows only older boys room
✔️ hovered under their bed after we got rid of all the crap under there
✔️ cleaned skirting boards in older boys room
✔️ cleaned the door in older boys room. Not quite sure how they get it so manky 🤔
✔️ tidied younger boys room
✔️ antibac'd my laptop and phone
✔️ polished younger boys room & windows & dusted
✔️ cleaned the washing machine
✔️ emptied the nappy bin
✔️ hoovered and mopped kitchen floor
✔️ dusted kitchen
✔️ put some ironing away
✔️ sorted off socks
✔️ 2 x LOL (have so much more to do though)
✔️ bit more ironing
✔️ went to Aldi (crazy)
✔️ took DGM some of our toilet rolls as she couldn't find any anywhere
✔️ checked diary for next week
✔️ dishes
✔️ made lunches for tomorrow
✔️ hoovered everywhere else
✔️ polished everywhere else
✔️ mopped downstairs. The water was disgusting 🙈
✔️ rest of the mirrors and windows
✔️ changed bedding

I didn't do it all myself the others 'helped'

Everyone now bathed and in pj's settling down to watch Spider-Man and waiting for our Chinese to come. Yes I know I've just been shopping and then ordered takeaway 😂🙈🐖