Mad March Fledglings Fly in to action 2020

[Sizeablecontours]

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!

*

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

*

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

*

Morning all. Am determined to be sensible today and Not Flap. Expletive very sorry to hear about your DS's EHCP / school options. We have decided to shelve the EHCP application here until it is clearer how long this will go on and what will happen with existing school years. Ironically, DS3 and DD will continue their education anyway, online school isn't stopping. They are not impressed.

That, Tinselette, Bower, KT, Stressy, Chic, We3, Lane, Hazel, foxes, zoo, cineraria, rachael (if you're still there) and of course SC as Our Glorious Thread Leader - 🍒🙋 and strength and solidarity. Huge apologies if I've missed anyone there, see you all in the TKCC.

DH is off to get DS1 this morning. I am Keeping Calm And Carrying On. Will report back later with actual Ta Das.

Morning Willow. Morning everyone some🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞for breakfast as I managed to get Maple syrup last Saturday. I am still self isolating DH isn’t but he is a dick. He went fell walking yesterday. Said loads of people out on the fells. He shopped on the way home as we had no oil. I usually have a back up olive oil and usually a sunflower oil for carrot cake etc. Don’t know why we ran out except DH has been doing the shopping. So he went to well known supermarket😉(SC) and said it was about stripped bare. He managed to get Jamie Oliver spaghetti it was probably more expensive and it is wholemeal. It is really good so if anyone needs pasta you might find this on the shelves. The butchers which is a large one / family small chain had very little to chose from. So we have beef mince, sausages and pork no gammon that I asked for and no beef🤪 I told him to get extra sausage so we can freeze some. He managed to get a little veg. In the supermarket he was restricted to one purchase per item. So almond milk and oat milk because not allowed to buy two. He bought four different packets of biscuits( not on the list) but all chocolate which I have given up for Lent 😠
So we have enough for another week or so. Fish tonight.
I have been keeping busy. Cleaned the dining room yesterday well started on it. Plan to finish it today. Plus one hours gardening if weather ok.
Schools are closing today. So now I can’t go back. Think that is my answer!
Wing flaps to everyone sorry I have been awol a bit but trying to make decision has pulled me right down.
Painted sitting room and did three coats( one undercoat) in kitchen where we were going to tile but too costly so just rectangle behind stove getting done. Pleased with myself over that. Planning on doing bathroom next. I was going to do it after builder finished but new towel rail going in as plumber is still working. DH cleaned all bathroom and disinfected it and if we move stuff he can use other door. I will shut self away. I can’t usually paint because of shoulder but it is ok just now.

What are you all planning for this weekend? DSx3 still open so probably won’t risk seeing them maybe out side x2 metres. I know they love me.

Good morning fledglings! Sent DD off for what could be her last school day this academic year, her school have made strenuous efforts to remain fully open until the very last minute, and I'm pleased that she's made it to the end.

Shops near me seem short of food again today, I've not been yet (special time set aside for the elderly from 9-10) but there are reports of people going early to beat the hour set aside for the elderly - so disappointing if that's true. Hopefully things will even out next week, I think the end of the schools is causing another wave of panic.

DD's usual activities have been cancelled apart from two, and just waiting to hear about them now. Her school will set work so next week will be a bit different but I'm sure we'll get used to it.

Morning all!

I'm with you Willow I am going to try and be sensible and put virtual blinkers on (like dh seems able to do in any distracting/stressful situation) and kick the boudoir in to submission today!

And thanks for GTL title not so glorious if you saw the RL state of our house currently (after only one week of everyone working largely from home and no visit from cleaning lady who is focusing on office, it's a pit of the highest order! )

Aye Expletive (and Willow) I'm not surprised you are suspicious of emergency government measures extending for much longer than necessary One would like to think that this crisis would focus the mind (ie government policy and resources) on what is truly important in society; DC with SEN and adult social care being right at the very top of the priority list ...and not as an after thought as they seem to be currently.... .

Anyway, so sorry for the immediate effects this situation is having on your DC

That how's the essay going?

Zoo I hear you. . I keep slapping on the oestrogel , but have given up all hope of a good night's sleep atm tbh.

Ta da:
early morning washing hung up X 2
S&S
emptied DW
brushed furries
scrubbed dog bowls
emptied kitchen bin

Er, we are in a terrace, and my office is upstairs. Would it be innappropriate to mention that, judging from the noises coming through the wall, that our young neighbours are making the most of lock-down

Right, must go, DH on a call and I'm late with the dog walk. Furries are swirling!

Small steps everyone! Take care today!

Read p23 thank you for the good wishes.

My other TaDas from yesterday

2LOLs
Washed up several times
Fed birds
Fed cat several times
Vacuumed downstairs
Vacuumed sofa
Vacuumed stairs, love that Dyson so easy for me to do stairs now as goes down into small hand held cleaner. Much better for my back.
S&S sink & loo, rinsed shower by sloshing some water on it. Bundled builders dust sheets up and stuck on top of the piles of boxes of tiles in hall upstairs.
Stood small wash bowl in shower tray and with two flannel gave face a good wash, then used other and started at top and worked down. Much better way as only got a little bit of wet on plaster which will dry out. Felt much better. Will wash hair today.
Made spaghetti Bol, very yummy.
Dusted sitting room.
Cleaned some silver and some plated stuff from granny’s/aunts which had been in newspaper. Bowl is beautiful. Not sure if silver or plate as can’t find hallmark of either.

Plan for today
Clean hotspot table
Sort out bags of school stuff again and throw out as much as I can. Not allowed to take it back. Not allowed in tempted to take it to gate and dump! No message from Head like was promised. Feel very much like I am not wanted and I know that she has a lot on but I don’t feel like I matter at all. Got past being sad now 😤 annoyed.

are they playing hide and seek SC

Chic that must be weird. I wonder if it will be the last day for Year 6 if time extended. I did a lot of work with them when they were younger. Lots were in Nurture Group and had that group for the longest time.😢they were difficult at first and two hated each other but became friends and they improved the most. Happier days.

It's a very odd feeling. I'm treating it as the last day just in case.

Lunch break post whilst supping home-made soup that tastes like pond-weed unfortunately... (not that I have been super active this morning I am ashamed to say) ...

Sorry missed your post this morning Bower crikey you have been a long time without proper plumbing! That must be added to stress so much. Good luck with materials decluttering and sorry the school are continuing to treat you so shoddily

Chic How is your dd? I hope she is OK when she comes home from school It's particular hard for onlys at this time; especially when extra-curric stuff is cancelled too.

I am a bit cross with dd's school. I am sure they are doing their best in very challenging circumstances, but teachers had sent virtually nothing through all week, except one or two - history and maths - (out of 12 or so). And this morning, very late on, huge numbers of them have sent masses of stuff through. They have all been sent to a different place on the hub making them hard to find. It's all really piecemeal but loads ifyswim! And some teachers have sent the entire curriculum through to Easter with one click, so dd is a bit overwhelmed now. She is looking at it all and panicking!

Ta da cont'/...
dog walk
washed some baking trays
more washing in x 2
two bits of admin
served lunch
tidied up kitchen a bit
put dead bulbs downstairs to dry out a bit and rinsed vases out

Apart from the above, I've spent huge chunks of this mornign on the computer but must close the screen now and make some proper inroads in to boudoir.

Keep going everyone!

Off to collect ds's inhaler from school.

Worked this morning. Dh did some shopping. Asda staff looked v tired. He thanked them for all their hard work

Counting down the minutes until I pick DD up from school today, she's looking forward to it though tbh SC! Her school have been putting work up all week for pupils who are already absent so I am expecting next week to go fairly smoothly.

Late lunchtime check in with Ta Das!
✔ Hoovered, dusted and polished DS1's room so he can move back in this evening
✔ Dispatched DH to collect DS1
✔ Walked WillowHound with DS3
✔ Spoke to friend in Gloucestershire via FB messenger - they are on day 4 of SI for symptoms and she is going quietly insane
✔ Emptied DW and found kitchen underneath all the crumbs
✔ Swept the kitchen floor
✔ S&S downstairs cloakroom
✔ Faddlearse around on FB messenger talking to people
✔ Open windows downstairs and up
✔ quick tidy in the living room

Brilliant news on the painting and tidying, Bower. Sorry your former Head is being an arse - I wouldn't be an HT for all the tea in China right now, but a little politeness goes a long way.
Also, I must announce that DS3 has finished the Harry Potter books. He is very pleased with himself and has now shut himself in the living room with Film 7. I will try to enforce leaving Film 8 until tomorrow, lest he take root on the sofa.

To Dos, still
🎯 Dust living room
🎯 Tidy and dust study
🎯 clean fireplace and ash pan
🎯 put dried lavender from study into fireplace
🎯 hoover downstairs
🎯 make falalfel for DS1 for dinner
🎯 make sure there are noodles for DD
🎯 Hoover the rest of upstairs
🎯 S&S bathrooms

🎯 Start conversations about how we are all going to exist in the same space for an indeterminate length of time.
🎯 daydream wildly about using up wallpaper, painting the bathroom, re-sealing the end of the bath etc and all the other things I keep saying I'll do "when I get a moment". That moment might have arrived!

Today's ta-da's
✔️ S&S
✔️ LOL
✔️ ironing

School work with DC

I've just received an email from work which has pissed me off a bit. So they have said when we have finished our 14 days isolation we then have to text them to ask to arrange a corona virus test. We are not allowed to text before so the test can be done on the 1st though. It takes a couple of days to arrange the test and then another couple of days for the results. Until then they won't have us back into work meaning potentially another week of SSP. I've emailed them back asking why they need that when the government are clearing us after 14 days but as yet no response.

That's an impressive list, Willow! I haven't done anything like that today!

Have collected a very cheery DD from school who is thrilled to be out. I said I'd ask her again in three weeks time (having said that, she never complains about school holidays so I'm probably wrong!). Still pressing her to think about downloading some social media apps to keep in touch with her friends, she is still a little reluctant (not many people can say that now, can they )

Also sent a rather curt email as a result of receiving extremely poor service. It's my area of expertise so I know just how badly they've stuffed up on this occasion.

DH has been for a shower today.

DS1 arrived after walk in Lakes. He said he has been reading and now a bit worried and not sure what to do. He is chronic asthmatic and has been since about 7 though he had asthma from a baby but not diagnosed until about five despite my suggestion. He is off until Tuesday. He is a kitchen manager in a famous chain. He said sales are tailing off to half then a third of normal.
DS2 has just texted - instructed to close. He is on holiday,well, he was supposed to be but the holiday was cancelled. He has been at home.

I have just disinfected bathroom it feels so wrong to disinfect after your child has left your house. Need to do summer house tomorrow as we went down there because DS 1 is allergic to cat. To cold to stand outside though I had a chat to a villager earlier when sunny making sure of keeping distance. One of the teenagers is selling eggs so ordered half a dozen. Get half a dozen off man at the mill already. Need more hens.

Sorted a Bag of Random Crap. Want to keep some but don’t know where to put it. Decisions, decisions.

Schools are closed today apparently.

Great list Willow. Sorry We😚3 have you had it then I really must go back and read messages. Hope everyone on the mend.

Well done on being so productive Bower! Sorry HT has been so thoughtless.

Willow I love faddlearse . Hope you manage to get some of those jobs delegated done.

That’s a bit odd We3. Seems really unfair.

Minimal flying - LOL. Beds made. That’s it.

DD in bed after a fight - she fluctuated between laughing and crying then eventually caved in. Think she had picked up on something not being right.

Now chilling with a wine looking forward to a relaxing, socially distant, weekend.

🤣😂🤣faddlearse I love it.

DS2 just texted his dad to say the police have been to shut all the pubs in the city. DS is the manager but is on holiday leave at home.

I wonder if that is the army has been drafted in. DS was in Smaller Asda a couple of hours ago and said nearly all the alcohol had gone🤭😳

Sorry to hear about your DS1 and 2, Bower - hope both jobs and health are ok for both.

Ta Das
☑️ Upstairs hoovered
☑️ Study dusted and polished
☑️ Fireplace and ash pan cleaned and lavender added
☑️ Fire irons polished (not a euphemism, you filthy lot! 😂)
☑️ LOL
☑️ Welcomed DS1 back to the fold and tried not to squawk because he's unaccountably dyed his hair navy blue!
☑️ Meatballs, spaghetti and tomato sauce produced for tea
☑️ Kitchen cleared and DW on
☑️ Dog walked. He met a (genuine) friend, which was nice.
☑️ DS3 talked down from panic because Harry Potter is over and nothing will be nice or exciting ever again.
☑️ Glass of wine topped up, bath running, thank god for Fridays!

Hope all fledglings are safe and well. Particularly that and hazel - are you still there? And how is DS4, We3? 🍒🙋

Faddlearsed.my word if the week.love it!!

Well I've had chat dd1 bower she's asthmatic and currently has chest infection.doc says no work til cough and wheezing are all gone and then it's a maybe as she works in a call centre and have been three definite cases in her office.luckiky they are an excellent big company with generous 6mknth full pay sick leave and then a further 6 months half pay,so she will hopefully not go back in unless it's safe for her to do so,esp as her partner has scarred lungs.he can work remotely
Their doggo is loving having them home and them taking him out into middle of no where to chase a ball.great time to be a young pup right now!!

I've done very little constructive stuff today except trail shops try find food and despairing at attitudes of some

I need get my game plan on it depression will get much much worse..

It is interesting to hear how everyone is managing with the strange circumstances we have. It is such an odd feeling to have some things seem go on as normal like cooking and cleaning and yet really the world has been turned upside down beyond what I could ever have imagined. I have been reading along hearing how everyone else is getting on with daily life and adapting to the changes but not had time to post what I have been up to. I thought I'd have a couple of extra hours in the day now I don't have to walk DS1 to and from school but I forgot that I also wouldn't have time to myself to get chores done while he was there and DS1 napped. It takes twice as long to do anything with then both around, plus I feel I should try to do more with them now he doesn't have activities at school. He mostly needs to practise joining in, following instructions and cooperating with others. He goes to a Montessori preschool and there is an online system they subscribe to with tasks to try at home and we can upload photos and a description against each one. Today we did houseplant care. I'm trying to arrange for the boys to have a video chat each day with friends and family so they get contact with other people. DS2 likes that a lot. He is the family extrovert.

Thanks for the rainbow craft suggestion, SC. We had a go today. Both boys enjoyed it a lot. Pictures added. about your neigbours. DH says children born next year will be referred to as Corona Kids.

All that painting is impressive Bowerbird! My mum is using her time at home to paint the rooms too. I think that doing something long lasting like that is a good way to use the time.

Most Ta das other than the usual keeping things going have been in the garden rather than the house as that is where we are a lot and I don't like doing anything too disruptive while DH is working from home. I still managed to pull the plug on our
internet connection while fishing some of the boys' toys out from behind the AV cabinet. Luckily he wasn't in a meeting. The garden needs a lot doing anyway. I have tidied up the raspberry canes, strawberry bed and butchered the rosemary and lavender as it gets too overgrown if I don't plus I tidied our veg trug and found an unexpected harvest of rainbow chard and tiny turnips leftover from last year!

I used the chard to make a favourite Indian dish, patra, for part of dinner today and really enjoyed it. Nobody else liked it so I have leftovers for tomorrow! Need to think of something to do with the baby turnips though.

Wishing all of you luck with the situations you are facing.

Oh dear ds has a constant cough. He gets that due to mild asthma but I think it is the beginning.

And he feel 'grotty'. Dh has been coughed on already so I'm isolated downstairs and in charge of food production. TMI alert Dh and I have a slight feeling of intestinal discomfort so we might all have it. Crumbs.

Lisette hope you are all ok

Good morning my lovelies

Chaos here but thankfully healthy chaos

Primary school closed mid week, secondary was on partial closure which didnt effect dc1 until it did close yesterday. Primary already on it with school work and had work yday for dc2, 3 and 4 to do at home.

Submitted 900 words of 1500 word essay on thurs as was all i could manage. Figured even if not a pass will give me few points towards overall score

Catching up with you all now ....

Lisette hope you are all ok!

Cineraria i feel you on getting nothing done! Yesterday was awful here. I couldnt get anything done. The baby just cried to be held and barely slept. The 3 dc at home bickered and dc2 was a right PITA to get to do school work

I have another essay due in 2 weeks, then another 2 weeks after that, then i have about 4 weeks until both final pieces work due in. Feels very unachievable atm

Dp will continue to work while he can. Self employed so not really sure where he stands money wise yet.

I think the extra £1000 working tax will help us but need to check. I will get 80% of wage from end of next month. So thats not too bad.

Morning all. Day 6 of self isolation here.

I agree with you Cineria, so strained to hear of everyone having to get on with housekeeping etc in these strange times. Also very soothing though.

Glad you got some of your essay submitted That. I think under the circumstances that is an amazing job.

Hope you are all not too bad Lisette.

Bower .

Big wing flaps to all.

Ta da:-
Managed to get DD2’s room much tidier over this last week.
Fairly up to date with laundry

To do:-
Next plan is DD1’s room which I am hoping will be quicker
Sort through pens, paper etc
Tomorrow’s plan is to get a very rough timetable for next week. I have seen all these hour by hour timetables but I know that will make me crash and burn so gonna for a more realistic approach.

Also today we are going to try to go into Facebook / YouTube and do one of these virtual children’s party things!