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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willow i made mistake go on FB for a little scroll.why are some so fixated sharing clip Ill people and there's so much fear and negativity?I think I need stay off that now as my anxiety has now reached panic attack stage regularly....

So far only lil zoo is up.go wake D's and do breakfast,put what I've seen to back if my mind and try and focus on here and now.my family and maybe my hoise

Morning everyone! Been up since 5:30am with DD and I’ve finally managed to catch up on the thread in 5 minute snatches.

Welcome Giveme!

Lane hope you’re feeling a bit better this morning. Your DH sounds so lovely and caring.

Zoo just joining in the chorus of fledglings saying you are absolutely doing the right thing. Bower is right, he left you struggling and ill to walk home with the shopping recently. It’s fine to put you and your DC first as he isn’t going to.

Bower you sound much happier and like you’re handling lockdown well. So frustrating about your neighbour. I really like Sarah Beth yoga on YouTube - just search Sarah Beth yoga and there will be loads of options, all different lengths and ranging from gentle morning stretches to more advanced stuff. Some of the abs ones are a bit brutal!

I know I had loads more replies in mind as I read through but as some of that was 24 hours ago I’ll give up and just wave to Too, That, Willow, Hazel, Chic, Expletive, Lisette, We3, Foxes, Cineraria and of course our lovely SC. You’re doing a fab job of keeping us all calm and motivated when you’ve got plenty on your plate yourself.

So today is my first real day of lockdown as I have 17 days off. DH has done 2 days and I’ve come home to a reasonably tidy house, tea sorted and a happy and sufficiently tired out DD both days. He’s also cleared the garage and sorted out a bit of a home gym in there, and got all the garden furniture and toys back out the shed. We had a bottle of wine and game of scrabble once DD was in bed which was nice. We normally just flop in front of the tv but thought we need to make an effort in the circumstances.

Think we need to have a chat today about splitting chores and making sure we both get some time to ourselves over the next 2 weeks before we end up falling out.

Ta Da:
✅ living room tidied, sticky wine splashes wiped
✅ washed dinner dishes I neglected last night
✅ benches wiped
✅ bacon sarnies and cups of tea made

To Do:

• make beds
• LOL
• I’m aiming to still do my normal Saturday downstairs home bleurgh to try and keep in some sort of routine. I’m thinking that’s probably not going to be enough to keep the house in order with all 3 of us home all the time (the house is normally empty 8-6 4 days a week) so will have to do some maintenance on other days too.

We are all still in pjs on the sofas so far though...

Have a good day all. Just a reminder it’s Saturday so don’t accidentally work from home / homeschool today

Thaaaaaat how are you?

Morning all. Cagletini slept a bit better last night which means I slept better too. I think the pattern (not quite as regular as willow’s regression to toddlerhood :o) for me seems to be feeling a little better in the morning and then getting more tired/sore as the day goes on, but I can work with that I guess.

Going to try a shower today as I miss having them. I’m not really a bath person.

For now, I’m hungry!!!

You're doing the right thing zoo.

Wing flaps to all. Off to tidy downstairs.

:o at day of the week reminder! It’s hard to tell isn’t it :o
Yes DH is a good sort for sure :)

Home gym sounds great! I want to get the exercise bike out. For now I’ll just be doing basic arm and leg raises I think, build my strength back up! I miss the gym. Will try some yoga too, as I know from the past year that I CAN do very gentle exercises when in flare up - it’s far better than doing absolutely nothing and ending up stiff and deconditioned.

Well attempts discuss how weeks been and what shall we set as rules/ideas to keep us kill each other end in carnage
Dd2 refuse add anything but arguements and attempts saying spend time yog met screaming match about 3english essays due in Monday that she's not done/avoided by tic tok/chat online mates.....she's still on bloody phone now!
DS upset can't see dad.no one wants play ps with him,schoolwork a too hard
Lil zoo upset can't have tech round clock(took it from hand as asleep last night)

I'm ready give up and just walk away from everything

I can't live like this,the atmospheres awful.i cannot get dd2 on board so am going try divide and conquer technique in hope if she sees rest of us having fun/doing ok she might join.fail that it's chat with camhs Monday as I'm concerned she's becoming very depressed...

Right.i AM going into my room to make a start

Oops - sorry Bower totally forgot - I did some research last night and people are recommending Joanna Soh and Sarah Beth yoga, and Yoga with Adrienne and there was another one with "journey" in the title that wasn't Adrienne but can't remember it!

((((( zoo ))))) 💐💕 wish I knew what to suggest :(

Bizarre day today - DSD’s stuff is all getting collected and moved to the flat (contracts, deposit etc all done before lockdown). DSD herself is still self isolating, technically I’m not sure she needs to still as going by when she was coughing/tired etc she may have actually been our house’s patient zero! But she’s not moving today.

Really bloody weird time for all this to happen and we are going to miss her so much especially as we obviously can’t then just keep seeing her for visits - Cagletini will really struggle, she’s been living here for 8 of her 29 months! But it’s for the best, she and her twin really need this and it will keep their mum safer too - both of them working still (one redeployed to the new council “corona hub”, the other works in a GP surgery) and their mum is in a higher risk group due to COPD - other DSD has been living with her and really fretting about bringing the virus home. She’s actually at higher risk herself too, being asthmatic (not the super high risk group though), and TBH being away from her mum smoking will be better for her too but that’s another thread 🤐🤐🤐

It’s so weird as it’s their birthday next week too. At least they’ll be together. We will have to do lots of video chatting and work out what games we can play over FaceTime like uno, you mentioned that zoo didn’t you?

Mushy brain just came good Bower ...it was The Journey Junkie!

Not sure how good any of these are btw. Don't do yoga myself but this is collected wisdom of Mnsnet!

lane yeh,was me.you can also do something(too tech fangled for me) to watch Netflix "together" commenting etc...
Bower/SC Adrienne does a 30 day thing in January,it's still online.shes lovely and her dog Benjy features.sometime they but fast/hard to follow but I like her style

Cross post with lots of you. We3 you absolutely do need Disney plus. We had Disney life for ages, and signed to Disney plus straight away. It’s fab!

Zoo good luck with the divide and conquer technique. If DD2 is stressing over the essay would the ‘just do 5 minutes’ technique help to get her started? Even if it’s just getting the stuff together, reading through the question and writing the title it’s a start. Then another 5 minutes writing a brief plan?

Had a burst of energy after my last post so have:

✅ made beds except for quilt on sofa
✅ tidied upstairs
✅ opened windows
✅ put some clean laundry away
✅ laundry sorted and first load on
✅ cleaned both loos
✅ anti-bacced switches, handles, and banister, plus quick wipe of washer and dryer
✅ cleaned dining table
✅ dusted surfaces in kitchen and dining room

Back on sofa now

Well this home school lark is interesting isnt it!

Have not stopped all week!

We have enforced rules during school hours - no games consoles, phones for brief 10 min breaks and at lunch. They have taken to these quite well.

Dc1 and 2 seem to be alternating work refusal. I am not backing down. They are both completely unarsed about the coronavirus, no worries about that or anything else. They just seemed to assume they were having a really long summer holiday. Which they are not. Dc2 has declared he would rather be at real school.

that my eldest yesterday said I was the best teacher ever. DS2 said I was a crap teacher 🤣

KT we're about to put on film number 4 already so I'd say it's definitely been a hit. DH is not a Disney fan so isn't so impressed but he likes Marvel so he can have a turn eventually lol.

Ooooh. Thank you KTC and SC. Will have a look today. Will also look for mat.
Yes, I am handling it ok because I had nearly six months of not going out much. Two days away in Nov. Only a day a week most times but sometimes two evenings a month to Flower Club and gardening club. Oh and Mass and choir. So Sunday’s and a couple of hours one day a week. I am feeling a bit better because I have cut contact with school because of lack of care towards me and when I get hold of union I think I am going to start the ball rolling to leave. It is unlikely that school will resume before September so I don’t think I can face going back then. I was wobbly about going in anyway and I think 🤔 this will help make my mind up. I may change my mind.
I am also back on the 25mg tablets and it is surprising that the extra 5mg makes such a difference. The prescription for extra hadn’t go through so I went back to 20 mg as I found two more packets. That is when I took the dip until I could get new prescription sorted. So back in happy valley though I would prefer not to be taking any.
Egg man has just been so we took a dozen as he had extra. We now have about three dozen as started buying from one of the kids too. I gave some to BF last week. I am hoarding eggs🤣 but we have no shortage in the country once spring comes. There are about four or five people selling eggs here. Sorry if you are having difficulties. We have stepped up our egg intake and I am baking every week because that is enjoyable and as we run out of bread 🍞 we can eat cake ( well fruit loaf ) instead😁
Really must do something in boudoir today as ignored it all week other than making bed/ changing bed. I have a mountain of clothes to put away as ironed yesterday.
Rain starting here 😕but can’t complain really as it has been sunny all week. Would like to get all the pots sorted as about twenty in a big pile. Some will have plants in some will be dead. DH thinks they are all dead but I know better.

Cherry 🍒 waves to everyone. Hope to pop back in. Later

Plan
Make bed
Tidy bedside table
Sort meds for week as have new pill toy.
Dust tops of drawers
Put washing away including the basket that has sat there all week.
Vacuum
Wipe window sill. Admire view. Feel sad about huge pine tree that was chopped down but glad I won’t lie in bed worrying on a stormy night.

Well, small but realistic list only got half done and I cheated by adding the kitchen table pile of doom to another pile elsewhere.

However our new washing machine arrived and that took half the evening to plumb in, just finished reinstating the contents of the under sink cupboard and had a mini row with DH over the definition of disinfectant .

However the first load of washing is on the line, the new machine is swooshing gently (old one was screeching on spin cycle, couldn't be in the room with it on). The sun is shining, the kitchen table is clear. DS has done his paper round. I have started a small sewing project that has been waiting for weeks.

bower can you still get flour,or us it part your basic cupboard supplies?
If you don't have a mat a blanket folded over a few times will do,it's just to cushion for knees on floor etc

That i hear you.lil zoo is orgsnise,d to obsession and happy to plod into one lesson after another, facetiming a friend as she works.lunch break(1 HR is for eating and try convince her into garden with D's at least 20 minutes) after-school is another matter and the desire weld phone to hand driving me bonkers
Dd2 lost will to bother,I can get that as GCSE now cancelled and it's not helpful some kids she talks to are not getting anything in her year group.she needs structure though and as been in same pjs third day today,most time in bed on laptop/phone looking at school work and tictok/talking online mates achieving zero
DS completely I overwhelmed by idea he can jump back into school after so long out and there's tears constantly and he's taken following me around

On plus I hear police can now do something about marauding kids out like it's huge bloody holiday,and those round here seem finally grasped it isn't and keeping kids indoors(hopefully this will remain same if weekends)
I read everyone adheres rules it eases in 4weeks,90% it's 4-6 months,80% it runs unchecked.four weeks us nothing in a lifetime if EVERYONE FOLLOWS THE BLOODY RULES

I deployed lil zoo(family tech Wizard)to help D's grasp what he can/can't do and why as we get "safeguarding phone calls for the vulnerable child" and I can convey difficulties and problem solve on Mondayfail that specialist support services offered stick her oar in and have words!

During that time I've made start on my room.wiped everything over and cleared out rubbish/piles other people's stuff/washing on landing
At least I can see what I'm left with.must deal landing or that's a major trip hazard,but it's a start
I wiped over weak solution linen zoflora so smells like clean washing in my room rather than fetid manchild lay in bed in clothes stinking!!
I try open windows,but stuckand mould on sills

I've got white linen Zoflora too Zoo, that's what set off the row, DH doesn't think anything except bleach is adequate.

zoo i have an app on my phone and can lock the dcs phones if they are obsessing too much or not doing as told. Warning tantrums inevitable.

Oh good we3 you sound like a proper teacher/ HLTA that is the type of comments we get in a class. Then sometimes they argue.

zoo only advice I can give is that you separate them and /or give them menial tasks. I always found mine complied more when I started giving the household tasks🤣 and it means you don’t have to do it all and end up with a tidy house. Give them a couple hours today and you will probably find improvement next week.
KTC has a good idea with the five minutes. We often say don’t write the title till later as they spend ages thinking of one then run out of time for the essay. Get a scrap of paper as the title will come to you as you write. It does. Unless she has been given the title. Good luck. I think staff will be lenient during these times.
That I think next doors are keeping to school times when she is home ( teacher) but when he has had them they have been outside all day and he mislaid them the other day as they had snuck off into the 5acre field at the back of us. I heard him shouting then a “Because I said” it took me back 😂
DH has just had a phone call from offshore and he guiding the new girl through some new to her tricky paperwork which now has to be read and cargo going back on shore. She is glad he is on lockdown so she can phone him. He said lots of new rules because of C19. So he is still feeling needed.😁

bower being needed is either a blessing or a curse depending on stress levels🤣

Manual labour is a regular assistant here.amaxing how suddenly not bored at idea of wiping paintwork/hoovering beckons
Great you have eggs,they on the gold dust list here along flour of any kind,loo rolls,pasta and rice.bread and milk are not stable supplies either...

That wish I had similar for my lot.just near bit tongue in two when dd2 came down to get something from her snack box and snap at me.i will not retort.i will not retort.......

ED I read somewhere zoflora effective against other strains coronavirus so no reason to believe it's not against this one.i detest smell of bleach and have no desire live in house that smells like a swimming pool!!

KTIM finding hurtling thru stuff and retreat sofa is working better than try pace self thru day as get distracted refereeing /snacks/etc and then forgetting what I was going to do/procrastinating

We3 we start write dvd list and I'm surprised level Disney films they want watch still.but I happy to watch 101 Dalmatians etc anytime❤️

Pressed post too soon...
Laundry still mounting up.its breeding faster than mice/rabbits!!glad I got bedding on line yesterday though

Need choose today's games options.....

Ohhh zoo I love the original 101 Dalmatians 😍 None of that live action nonsense. Your post reminded me to try and find our Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 DVDs to show Cagletini.

Well in a surprising turn of events DSD has actually moved out!!! It was deemed better to avoid extra travel. This is such a weird time! End of an era.

We haven't even washed up from dinner last night give never mind breakfast 🙈