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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I agree with ED, zoo. He doesn't help at the best of times, and what you and your children need right now is the highest degree of safety and sanity and structure you can manage, not a lead weight adding to everyone's stress and tipping them over the edge.

If the lack of adult contact worries you (and it would me), we are all on here to chat, over a virtual cuppa if necessary.

Of course, it's east for me to say this - but I don't think that putting yourself and DC first (or not even that - just not prioritising DP and his needs over more vulnerable members of your family) is selfish. It's necessary.

Sending strength and .

Bugger, phone was behindhand, epic crossposting. Will read back and recap!

Can’t add anything to the wise replies above zoo but I totally agree you’ve done the right thing!
Forgot to say great news on the English work too!

Cineraria awwww at the online playdate! So cute.

I got up, made my breakfast, now lying down again. Will definitely sit in the sun again later. Might try and make it two shorter bursts instead though as maybe the heat wore me out more too?

Breakfast was a chicken sandwich (roast last night). Not sure if that’s more or less weird than yesterday’s 3 Ferrerro Rocher :o - clearly a sign society is crumbling :o

Just popping in to say I agree with everyone else Zoo. It must be very hard but you are doing the right thing. Your priority right now is protecting your own, and your dcs, physical and mh.

And it's his behaviour (and omissons) that has put you in this situation where you've reached a point where you had to lay down a firm boundary, not yours! As a parent and partner, he shouldn't really have put you in this position in the first place.

Also, the situation as it stands is not working. So it would be madness to continue in the same way. And stressful though it is, this lockdown situation offers the perfect opportunity to reassess and change.

Also, being frank, and to follow up on Willow's post, maybe if your dp wasn't around, you would be freer to build up more rl support around you which I think is important for you right now, and will be very important in a few years time when the dc fly the nest.

BBL

Sorry Zoo I hope that didn't come across as though we don't have your back on here (which goes without saying obviously ) meant that rl support would be even better!

Aw,thanks guys.i feel bit less evil witch now

Lane if society crumbles over wierd breakfasts I'm in trouble...I had two raspberry ruffle sweets(raspberry coconut in dark chocolate)and a mini bag of party rings for mine(and i was most outraged to have a ring with NO ICING.THAT is beyond the Pail!)lunch was marmite toast and a bag of crisps(but just two slices not my usual 4+)I really need work on my eating habits......

Have done 5loads washing
And sorted some recipes
Tried help D's with schoolwork on laptop they've provided..it's all way o we his head and they have said look at Sam learning to review what he's missed.erm 12 months+ out and you expect him slot back in and crack on.very funny(not)

Taken call from specialist support services.ideas incl sorting a visual plan/rules which includes phone use outside school hours and downtime weekends with stuff to do collectively along with me time- everyone chance be alone for a bit

I have still not ventured into my room....

I have however,enjoyed watching live stream giraffes with Chester zoo today 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Off to do something semi constructiveor twaddle about

Afternoon all

ta da
✅rearranged appt with nursery nurse who rang - obv will be by phone instead just to chat about behaviour etc with toddler
✅bit of time on the bench in the sun while toddler played
✅finally got through to psych office, sorted phone appt and discussed prescriptions as the electronic system where they send them to a pharmacy directly (so I wouldn’t have to pick them up, which would be a four bus round trip and render the phone appt pointless) has been suspended due to demand 😱😱😱
✅made plans with friend for if that’s still the case next week - she’s happy to grab my prescription at the door and drop it off to me :)💕
✅made lunch!!! Felt so sick at the thought of anything other than my lentil stew so very gently made that. Still feel sick after eating though. FFS
✅bath - DH ran it and sat with me throughout - and I deep conditioned and de-knotted my hair

Good ta das there, Lane.

Ta da:
☑️ Dw rotated and run again
☑️ Tesco shop (nightmare). Why is it that certain men just walk into you? How is that 2m distancing?
☑️ Hot shower when I got home
☑️ Post frocks and good china coffee date over WhatsApp with old friend.
☑️ Made broccoli and stilton soup for lunch
☑️ 2 x LOL, both on the line
☑️ 90 minute nap (oops).
☑️ Spent a minute noticing that the blossom on our cherry tree is almost out.

Glad you got a wash and some food, Lane. 🍒🙋 To ED, We3, chic, stressy, that, SC, Bower, hazel, cineraria, foxes, KT, Give and everyone else.

Ps - have you heard the new Jon Bon Jovi / Duke of Sussex charity single? I'll lockdown, I promise, if you just don't make me listen to it again!

No,I've not willow but the amended bohemian rhapsody is zoolets new fave.....

Tada
Watched film on 5with zoolets,marvelling at the sheer basic script and wooden acting.made us all laugh,and it was so bad we had watch it all just as commited some time to it😂
Had brief nap on sofa after today's press conference(timed 20 minute,lil zoo woke me)
Made corned beef mash with raw carrots and tomatoes for zoolets tea(last spuds)had some sad strawberries so chop those and they had that with some coconut yogurt lil zoo started yesterday(big tub)
Veg in oven for dd2 and I(carrots,broccoli and green beans)
Wash up and wipe down table

Time watch TV with dd2,new episode fave crime drama is up on net so go watch that try perk her up

Evening all

Ta da (not great but better than nothing):
decluttered box of old medicine
decluttered bag of old magazines
emptied two laundry paniers full of miscellaneous/old clothing (but haven't put away contents properly yet!)
emptied out two handbags and put away
nattered to friends on phone
sorted out some old woollen jumper

News over here is that lockdown until 5 April has been extended for fortnight until 19th April. Then the situation is going to be assessed again and the measures will possibly be extended by another two weeks until 3 May but not sure yet.

Reckon lockdown will be another month unfortunately.
On the positive side, I suppose knowing this helps with decluttering plan!

Crikey, that's a long time SC. Good luck.

I have had some lovely and am feeling very relaxed about the whole thing, at least in this very moment. It won't last though!

from you to me.

We have got a Tesco shop coming tomorrow dances around kitchen.

I would have managed longer but Dh hadn't got enough cow milk for himself. No bread left after toast tomorrow( old so needs toasting to be edible) and only four matches left for fire. Not been on during day as warm T-shirt weather up here all week.
So DH was messing about on internet, while I did ironing then might have had a cat nap after cup of tea, when he found no slots for Sainsbury's but Tescos had some. It is about 20 years since we had a home delivery. So texted BF as I asked if she could pick p three items but as some of her clients are Self Is. she sent back "Oh no just turned into lonning. " Sent her message to say delivery slots and she is like me yeah and we both got one. So we have ordered limit of 80 products including an Easter Egg DH was {hmm] because Dairy Free 1 egg and it was £6. I rarely get one and i have still done no chocolate or Gin for Lent and I am on Day 12 without moaning about anything. Well maybe a little one about neighbours. Last night out clapping and they are standing with bloody friends and then today he walking about with mask on (may have heard me coughing a lot) and goes to friend's house(might be outside) then later goes for walk without one so must have been around taking the piss. She work in bloody NHS and other one is a cleaner- industrial. So our front line NHS cant be protected and he is pissing about with one on. Presume she has been given some. AHHHHGGGH! Glad they stopped speaking to us.

So TA Das
made bed.
S&S
washing up
emptied and loaded dishwasher.
Crossword cryptic -completed before neighbour mowed lawn competition!
vacuumed right through not moving much.
Pile of ironing while I watched film for 1hour.
Emptied pots outside summer house
scrubbed decking
re- potted some pots.
cut dead bits off lots of perennials
trimmed clematis that survived the winter x2, honeysuckle and passion flower.
pruned some of buddleia

Lunch:Made veggie burgers with last of bread rolls.
Tea:
Frankfurters for DH and fish fingers ( left from Coniston) beans and fried egg, glass of red and piece of Barm Brack yes it does go.

Only conversation was local farmer posting letter quick chat all fine with cows and children.
BF earlier rang for chat.

Zoo absolutely. DH sometimes doesn't speak to me for days and yesterday I kept wondering if I had done or said something to upset/ annoy him. This is harder than me being here on my own.
He is annoyed because you kept telling him he need to find accommodation. He ignored and thought you would cave because you are kind hearted. You didn't because you are putting your DC needs first which he seems unable to put them or you first at all. Remember he wasn't available and you had loads of shopping and you were not well did he help? He is like a child having a tantrum because he cant get his own way. Let him tantrum tell him when he grows up he can visit that will be a while since he hasn't manage to do it yet. Luckily he has a reprieve with his accommodation as they said no to moving today even blocking people buying and selling. They have to wait. so he will not get kicked out but wake up call "Get Sorted."
ED gave you some excellent advice.

WoW everyone has been very busy.
I haven't heard those but Bob Dylan has a new one out (showing my age) but will listen out tomorrow. Can someone put the yoga link on please? I would like to have a go and somewhere in this midden is a mat brand new and probably a DVD too. We were going to go for a walk today but cracked on with garden and then it went a bit cloudy so we went in and I ironed instead.
Oh excitement - hardly anyone about this morning except farmers which unusual after last week when everybody and his dog (literally) seemed to be coming here not locals well a few. Today the Police drove through the village.I went to the gate to see if they knew where they were going or if they were lost. Don't see them very often unless quick detour to catch someone on the M6. I think they were checking that people weren't congregating. pity they didn't come this afternoon when NDN pratting about.

To all those with a garden aren't we lucky.
We are threatening to empty the shed next week and paint it.

zoo Keep checking the shopping slots you might get one it was £4 which is quite reasonable considering we are about 20 minutes form it. Hope they can find the village. They wont find BF but hopefully they will come here first. We will have enough for another 10 weeks I think.

giveme RE Hose.I threatened DH with that yesterday. It was nearly warm enough.

also drinking Willow.
SCYou could felt wool jumper if all wool or almost all. Then make it into a bag or something else...says me who has four to do. Two are felted but not cut up yet because I haven't decided what I want to use them for and two are beloved jumpers that i may try to patch where the bloody moths have been.

Big wing flaps to everyone.

Givemeacall it is a very tough time, hang in there

Thanks Bower I thought of I could make a hot water bottle cover with it. But then I wondered if you can actually wash felted stuff? Perhaps a bit ick if not. Whoo hoo about Tesco slots for you and your bf! Btw, that reminds me, do you think she had Covid-19 earlier in the year when she was so ill? Must go and have a look at what Bob D has released ... . I imagine he isn't taking well to being at home. He is nearly eighty I think and has been touring for years?

CheersWillow it's healthy to drink and forget about it for a while! One can't (physically or mentally) stay in a constant state of anxiety anyway, life goes on ... . Well done for braving Tesco and how lovely about the cherry blossom!

Well done for getting through all the phone calls and admin Lane! Your dh sounds v kind!

Zoo glad to hear support services have been in touch and Chester Zoo cam sounds fab! Well done with all that laundry!

Cineraria so glad on-line play date happened for your ds2 in the end You sound mahoosively busy: love the idea of the art class inspired by planet surfaces

Hope the realistic list strategy proved effective Expletive!

Mahoosive waves to Foxes Chic Toostressy Honu We3kings Shannara Hazel and anyone else I have missed!

My dh doesn't speak to me much either. Fair enough when I am si, but nothing much has changed tbh! I had visions of us all "working together as a team" to tackle some long-standing issues in the house. But he is working longer hrs than ever (in isolation).

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Baby-step no. 28 for Sat 28th is: here.

NB todays's baby-step is very important everyone! We need to be looking after ourselves as well as everyone else! Now more than ever before!

Launch pad link containing info on detailed cleaning, zones, missions, reminders, flight plan etc is : here.

I hope, despite current circs, you can all have some family fun today!
And then have a sneaky gin- afterwards

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KCC

OK this isn't exactly calming but :

And today's art isn't very calming either Edvard Munch's The Scream but it is certainly appropriate

Your dc may be interested to know that Edvard Munch was possibly the first artist to take selfies here

And this Scream Blow Art Project courtesy of Art Projects for Kids could be quite fun : here!

Keep safe and have a good weekend everyone!

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Thanks Cineria, I will check that out on YouTube too. Good point about tech and plan B zoo!

Morning all! Hope everyone ok?

Going to try and spend less time on sm today but hope you all have a good 'un!

Also, I left That Shannara and Lisette off wave list last night! Waves to everyone else too!

Morning

I MUST do something with my room today
Forecast here is colder and cloudy
I predict at some point today a dvd,snuggly blankies and cuddles

Hope you ok whatever you are up to today.x

Morning! I seem to be sliding into a pattern of sleeping 10pm-6am (with a wake up at 4.30, when DS1 crashes to the bathroom) then an hour long nap at about 2.30pm. What am I, 18 months old? 😂

It will be hard to make today feel like a weekend. DS3 has online Kung Fu at 9.30 and I have virtual coffee with DM at 11, but apart from that I'm just going to try to stay off social media. The Interweb is not doing my mental health any good!

🍒🙋 all round, have a good day, all!

I had an awful headache most of the day yesterday and paracetamol just wouldn't shift it so I ended up asleep by 8.15. Well by 3.15 this morning I was wide awake. So I've finally succumbed to Disney plus meaning there will likely be zero flying done here today. I did question if we really needed it with Netflix, prime and sky movies 🤷‍♀️ probably not but it has the mandolorian on and DS1 is dying to see it.

Won't be getting any washing on the line today either as we have rain but I don't actually think I have a full load anyway 😱 not often I get to say that.

We all need a down day, Flying or not We3. I envy you your not-a-full-load washing basket! We have one last morning of sunshine here I believe, before the clouds roll in and the temperatures drop, so I'm hoping to get at least our and DD's bed changed and out there.