Social distancing around the Maypole: Fledglings fly into Flylady thread May 2020.

[Lisette1940]

Welcome to the May Flylady thread Fledglings! We are finally coming to the end of Spring and, erm, what a Spring it has been. Keep safe everyone and a special shoutout to Fledglings who are in the frontline of the response to Covid 19.
Lane has been superlative with the keep calm corner and has had a truly magnificent engagement with fledglings all through April – well done Lane!!! I have totally abandoned my routines (and my clean eating) and have been flying perilously close to the ground but am ready for take off again. But we operate a no fledgling left behind policy and indeed Flylady herself stresses that you are never behind in the system – no need to deep clean the house first, just jump right in.
All are welcome here from longtimers to newbie and those lurking – we all follow this zone-based Flylady cleaning system:
There are five zones and at the beginning and the end of the month we usually straddle Zone 1 and zone 5.
(amend rooms to suit your house – I do the living and dining room together as it’s all one room in my house)
MAY
Zone 1 Hall, entrance/dining room (Fri 1 – Sat 2)
Zone 2 Kitchen (Sun 3- Sat 9)
Zone 3 Bathroom and another room (Sun 10- Sat 16)
Zone 4 Master bedroom/closet (Sun 17 – Sat 23)
Zone 5 Living room (Sun 24 – Sun 31)

Pop onto the Flylady website to have a closer look here but be aware that lots of emails arrive if you sign up.

Flylady has an introductory scheme called Babysteps which is a light 31 day introduction to the system – dressing to shoes, shining your sink etc here.

There is a morning routine and an evening routine to keep things ticking over and a weekly home cleaning hour to change bed sheets, mop, hoover, take out rubbish etc. Flylady doesn’t want us cleaning all day so she is very keen on using a timer. Clean then stop!
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) here
Tuesday: Plan and play (Menu planning, family event planning)
Wednesday: Anti-procrastination day
Thursday: Errand day
Friday: Clear out bags, fill car with petrol, date night
Saturday: Family fun
Sunday: Lift your spirit

Launch pad for guidance every day! launch pad

Habit of the month of May is moving – whether that’s your daily get out of the house during lockdown or in house movement. – moving is not my strongest point apart from pottering around the house…
We also have a naughty corner as a restful break out space and a Keep Calm Corner (KCC). I suspect I’ll be better at the naughty corner rather than the latter but I’ll do my best! Not sure I can muster the memes but I’ll do my best to keep spirits up.
So welcome to the new thread (I hope I haven’t left anyone out): Lane, SC, zoo, Bower, KTCluck, Willow/Megiddo, foxes, That, averytiredMom, fluffliest, ED, Strawberry, Chic, Hazel, Happiness, Cineraria, We3, stressy, and give.

And breathe!

I'm better now thank you all, had an hour im bed and some paracetamol. I did yoga class in the garden this morning and it was quite warm, think I might have been a bit dehydrated.

Glad you are feeling better ED

Oh that's good to hear Expletive it's getting quite warm so easily done!

We've just had a cuppa and cake with a bit of Glenn Miller on the drive. None of the immediate neighbours are out but I can see some down the road. We are in a straight line with no houses opposite, this is one of the occasions it would be nice to be in a cul-de-sac.

Today went to shit. Worst shutdown (like a meltdown but more sort of inward) I’ve had in a long time, feel pretty worn out and TBH just embarrassed now. Mostly I’m quite happy and proud being autistic, today is Not One Of Those Days.

I did however change the chore charts after watching an episode of Workin’ Moms (I figured if I watched episode 2 it would lead to the whole series). Took a while to balance it out over two alternating weeks - DD1 loves the two week timetable at school - so they have the same stuff! I’ve included the original one, which they have done happily for 3 weeks without complaint. I got rid of the daily tasks bit though as it didn’t really work out as we kept forgetting, and Cagletini likes to take cutlery etc through anyway, so hopefully this will be better as each thing is clearly written on the right day. Most of the tasks are still fairly quick but there’s more range now, hopefully it is teaching them more useful skills.

Hopefully they will respond ok to the increase (really they were meant to be doing two things a day each before so it’s not as big a change as it looks), we shall see on Monday!

I think I’m going to hide for a bit, the house is quiet but I am quite overwhelmed still.

sc I hope you enjoy the Shirley Jackson books. My sister bought me a biography of her last year along with The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. They kept me happily occupied for a couple of months.

I also love Haworth. Visit it at least once a year, the 1940s weekend they do there is something special. Oh and the chocolate shop do the best truffles. And often have a tray of samples out to.

I have had a happy but unproductive afternoon. Too sunny to clean so I put on a floaty dress, wafted around the garden and read my book on a picnic blanket whilst DD brought out an assortment of toys to play with which she then mostly ignored.

In WW2 I would like to think I would have taken to farming and made myself useful. Would have made a rotten spy - no sense of direction and very clumsy.

I am getting so bad at this thread! Its like a need a permanent pointy stick

Evening all! SC, sorry DD's school communication is so rubbish, it must have been a fairly horrid shock for her to suddenly be facing exams in her worst subjects. Sympathy all round, particularly if you are on the receiving end of any emotional tempests.

Fluffiest today was a good day for pretty frocks and floating about. Lane I'm so sorry today has not been a good day. Will a good sleep and a fresh start tomorrow in a new day with no wrinkles in it, help? Excellent chore charts! I think I've missed the boat there, should have been more together when mine were younger!

Today, DH and I have emptied the garage. We've been in this house 15 years and extended 13 years ago and the garage has just been silting up with rubbish all that time. We pulled everything out, pulled down the hardboard covering the windows, cleaned and swept and emptied boxes. We have a pile of at least 175 things to Go Out (but not yet) including a bag of paint pots and stuff that got moused that has to go tomorrow, to keep the dog safe.

Opening up the windows has made a huge difference and we can now store everything we need to with plenty of floor space and light (which might also keep the mice out)! We need to spend another hour or so in there turning the bench at the back into a potting bench, get my grandmother's dining table to my DM's garage for my DBro and make a proper storage area for garden tools, but we're basically done!

I was supposed to be wallpapering tomorrow, but today turned up less then half a packet of wallpaper paste mix, so perhaps not.

This afternoon I put a pretty frock on quickly to do Afternoon Tea Online with my DM and my DSis's family, and everyone got fed (a "special treat" of chicken nuggets, onion rings and chips 😂). However, I did also catch sight of myself on the video call and the diet starts tomorrow. I am actually revolting now, with knackered knees, and it won't do any longer. I have dimples in my elbows, FGS.

Lane everyone has one of those days - it will pass

I have to admit I'm not a huge Brontë fan but was very touched by their home in Haworth. Good gastro pub nearby too. I prefer Jane Austen and would love to see her house one day.

that no pointy stick for you especially during lockdown. I agree with SC about the up and down mood thing. I've got it too. Fluffiest I'd be pretty hopeless as a land girl but boy would I get fit. ED hope head better still.

Lovely story about the two airmen SC

Well done Megiddo Our garage remains full alas. First job when recycling place reopens!

Thanks Lisette!

I've just realised I never answered the What Would You Have Done In The War question. I suspect I'd have Kept The Home Fires Burning - knitting madly, rolling bandages, volunteering at British Kitchens and with the WRVS. I believe my Mum's Mum taught an Infants' class for some of it, having been forced out of teaching in 1937 by the marriage bar. I suppose I'd also have sent 2 sons off to war PDQ, and my brother and BIL would have gone too. DH would be too old. It doesn't really bear thinking about.

Lovely, heartening story about hiding the RAF men, SC. So very brave of them.

Thank you all for the loveliness. Feel a bit more human now but I really should have taken your advice sc and properly locked myself away earlier - I felt ok “enough” to stay downstairs but I’m definitely not the full ticket yet as got quite tearful as well for no real reason so I finally came upstairs after dinner to get laminating done #saddo, couple of life admin bits and then actually did what I could remember of my new workout, and thought of some new bits as well, and had some Netflix time.

I’m really really glad it’s the weekend now though as no need to gee the kids up to do work, although DD1 will have to do a bit of catch up stuff. I know there’s lots of stuff around saying don’t worry about the school stuff right now, and I actually do think that’s true in many cases, but it doesn’t work like that for DS who of course was already at home, and would just really struggle without the structure. It’s worth it, he’s actually really flourishing right now, it’s just tiring keeping him on track! DH and I have already discussed that if I do start working I’ll still be mostly the one planning his learning stuff but he will be the one “delivering” it. We do generally work quite well as a team in that way.

Loving your questions lisette! In the war, being a total fuckin nerd, I like to think I may have managed a job in Bletchley Park* :o but in reality I suspect not! Probably I’d have been faffing about in a panic :o

*We stayed in Bletchley a few years ago purely so we could visit there - was pretty cool! They had a family code breaking workshop which was nice, I used to love all that stuff, very much tied in with my love of Blyton and such.

Might try and find some more code breaking stuff for DS actually.

Think I’m going to head back downstairs. I’m hungry. Not expecting to achieve anything else at this late hour so here’s my ta da list, I’ll try and properly catch up on reading the thread tomorrow!

ta da
🎼tried searching free audible on a whim, not much interesting but I got one for DH as it’s by a favourite author
🎹wrote list of my own personal aims for lockdown. Not stuff to do with the kids (home ed, routine etc). Not stuff for the house (decluttering, cleaning etc). Just for ME. Reading, drawing etc.
🎼wrote some notes for therapy on Tuesday - planning to talk about work! (But will have to discuss today as well I think.)
🎹amended the chore chart, printed/laminated
🎼read a chapter of my book, mostly while sitting in the sunshine
🎹upgraded Instant Ink plan as we are printing so much more at the moment
🎼read emails from counselling course, doesn’t actually say what happens next or how I access the material but the website says something about a learning induction so I guess they’ll contact me next week?!
🎹bit of maths with DD1
🎼3 episodes of Workin’ Moms (first one to relax during lunch, other two spaced out through the evening as rewards for getting stuff done
🎹workout with new exercises (this is probably the biggest achievement of the day TBH as I really couldn’t be arsed but did it anyway at almost 10pm!)

Night folks and thanks again x

This morning I had both my DC look up about why today is special in the UK (since they don't get taught that stuff at school here in the US). I then had DS tell his teacher what he learned about his mums home country. I think she was impressed!

We spent this morning planning on what we should do this afternoon to celebrate VE Day, the DC decided we just HAD to bake some British goodies! We made flapjacks, my mums doughnuts, and golden krispies. They also wanted to make scones and DD has been begging me to make custard (no birds mix here so have to create my own!), but no plans for anything with it yet.

I had DS vacuum and take a shower (that's like pulling teeth 🤨) while DD was finishing up her school work, then I mopped the floor throughout the house.

I have attached a picture of the goodies we made. I almost forgot, my mum skyped us while we were baking so it was a really good time, I haven't been able to bake with my mum in years! It was fun.

Hello, I dropped off the thread (and forgot my password). I’ve had a bit of a difficult time the past week, a close family member is critical with CV so have been providing emotional support to the family. I’m back in track and cleaning again. I hope you’ll have me back

We plan to make the other goodies tomorrow, as we got tired and ran out of time. We did get the kitchen cleaned up though, all countertops wiped down, dw rotated and turned on. Wiped down the fronts of the cabinets, opened windows and lit some candles to get rid of the grease smell from cooking the doughnuts in oil.

Tomorrow my ILs are bringing over the chest freezer they aren't using that much (since we don't have much freezer space) DH and FIL have to wire in a plug in the shed for it. Lockdown is starting to lift in our state, thank goodness!

Of course tired I think we've all had moments when we've had too much going on in our lives to stay up to date on this thread! I hope your family member pulls through and makes a full and speedy recovery

Final check in for the day, I just did S&S and emptied out the bin in the bathroom and kitchen. I think the smell of grease in the house is just about gone, pretty sure it's my clothes and hair that I'm smelling now 🤮 shower time I think and then relax.

Sunday is mother's day here, so will probably need to make sure the house is all clean, I told the family I just don't want to have to do anything Sunday, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will do it, might just be left for me next week. It's pretty much there right now anyway, other than the day- to- day stuff.

Sorry for the lack of personals today, I'm getting tired (only 7:30pm) but ready to eat dinner and relax! I have been reading everyone's posts, but my mind is worn out from the day. So 👋 hello everyone!

hazel enjoy your baking treats
TiredI hope they rally lovely and sending hugs
Lanewe are all up and down and that ok.you can't least recognise your need for people few time.glad day ended more positively
*SC that's utter CRAP with exams,poor dd

I know there were more personals but I've forgotten

I would've loved Marguerite patterns job during thewar....

Morning all 🖐

Determined to do better flying wise today!

Up at 630 with baby (after being up from 4-5am) 😴

I am spending way too much time reading covid19 stuff. Both on here and on news sites. I just want a date for schools and then i think i will feel better but until then it is stressing me out!

sc that is crap about your dds exams however i assume all her age will be in similar position so hopefully won't impact too much on universities etc. Oh and i now imagine you living on escape to the chattaux

Oooh I love escape to the chateau! Please say it's just like that SC!

So you've not had much sleep that

hazel that spread looks delicious, great way of sharing British culture with your DC.

I managed drag myself put of my lethargy enough to clean the bathroom last night and felt better for having done it. So today my plan is to be a bit more active.

Goals:
😎 wash bedding
😎 put clean dishes away
😎 vacuum upstairs
😎 bake with DD
😎 Get DH to cut my hair

I think i need to start being more proactive when i am up so early. Any tips on how to motivate my arse?

Eat breakfast first and set out to do three things however small ( she says while procrastinating herself)

averytiredMom you are always welcome and given the very pressing circumstances no one would ever mind that housework is not on your list of things to do - on or off the thread. I do hope that your loved one is on the mend. Remember you are never behind with Flylady - just do what you can. We all have periods where what we can get done ebbs and flows. [Flowers]

Also hope your relative will be feeling better soon tired

Lisette does count as breakfast?

Ta da

💙 bottles washed and sterilised
🧡 checked emails
❤ dry pots away