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!

Ah, dammit, missed a heap of posts again. Alright, I'll get with the moving thing - I have fluffiest's bra issue too, ordered some new ones last week and am apparently now a GG. No wonder I can't see my toes! Will aim for a 20 minute brisk walk today, aside from the dogwalk.

That, I used to have to split mine up to work too. The worst point was when they were in Y7, Y5, Y3 and 2 yrs old and all needed me simultaneously but differently. That was a very hard year for homework / 11+ prep / child wrangling. I found it best if I could split them up and have some play with the baby while one worked. Made for a loooooong afterschool period, though.

We have now reached the stage of bribing DS2 - show us proper proof you're actually doing your maths and we will put similar time into clearing the garage so you can use it as a workout space...

Good Morning Fledglings! Welcome to the first of May.

Today's daily focus is to clear out your bags (handbag, swimming bags etc) and a quick tidy of your car (if you have one - I don't). Also date night.

Baby step for today is to shine your sink!

We are in the hall and entrance way and dining room (zone 1). IMy dining room is a nook off the living room so I leave it to zone 5. I include my stairs and upstairs landing and the downstairs cloakroom.

Keep Calm Corner

Adjust your step count to the number of your feet! Yes it's keep moving in May. I ache after 30 minutes of football yesterday. I need to add in stretching and floor exercises.

I was also wondering about fledglings' favourite detectives on TV? I have just started watching Inspector Montalbano (learning Italian currently)

I have put coffee and Danish pastries in the naughty corner!

Megiddo that is funny mine are very close to that mix. Years 7, 6 and 2! Then 3year old and baby!

I've a primary 6 kid (we're in Scotland). We'll be computer hotdesking over two computers this morning because I've work and he has google classroom and dh is working too.

Sorry to hear about the lack of sleep zoo and very. I really like the look of your oat breakfast very. I'm about to make my own porridge, greek yoghurt, berry confection now and I would love a Winnie the Pooh bowl! Also salivating at the thoughts of Foxes 's veg curry - i clearly need to eat!

Congrats on the Uni coursework finishing that. You've been working so hard on your degree.

Megiddo I have just received a delivery of a sports bra and was quite shocked at quite how much it looked like scaffolding. Earlier incarnations from years ago looked much more like normal bras but I think I'm a few sizes up now. It was like going into battle with a breast plate on but it worked - I was able to run around in comfort and without bounce.

Off for coffee and oats and then work.

Pointy stick pleeeeeease!!! I have sat around doing nothing for quite some time...

Oh re the being in the bedroom thing I sort of wish DD1 didn’t have to. But I think she would be too annoyed to lose her own space TBH. She is usually downstairs with us for maths though. I am hoping that making her come downstairs more and show us what she’s doing will keep her on track a bit better but we may need to say she has to come down to do other subjects sometimes, or one of us sits with her.

Sorry Lane, no pointy stick here. Am sitting on my bottom doing very little either, while DS3 has his OT session about the link between emotions and sensory input / output.

It's Friday. I must do something.

Love the thread title! Thanks for taking on May Lisette and thanks again for a fabulous April Lane

A new month, I'm full of fresh enthusiasm again, will be gone by afternoon or when the coffee wears off, whatever comes first and plans. Good idea to have a goal of exercise this month, I desperately need to tone up more.

Well done on getting the assignment in That. Enjoy the break from the academic work for a bit!

DD doing her schoolwork, she has set this afternoon aside to turn in work and finish anything that needs doing rather than do homework over the weekend. A more general Andrew Lloyd-Webber concert tonight rather than one of his productions on YouTube, it's become our Friday night ritual during lockdown. DH has at least another week on furlough, they are taking it one week at a time.

Catch you later!

I'm in a supermarket queue again. I
think my favourite TV detective show was Taggart.

So far so good today, I've been motivated and I haven't shouted at the kids!!

Ta das
Made curry for slow cooker
Dishwasher on (and remembered to put the cats bowl in!)
Washing on
Tidied kitchen, living room and dining area quickly
Dd has done some of her English workbook and a spelling test and a phonics game online
Played shopping bingo with the kids (and realised some cards were missing so was impossible for me to win!)
Went for a walk round the block, dropped off dd colouring competition entry and the kids went on their scooters
Stopped for all important tea break (must not burn out which is what has been happening to me this week)

To do
Make lunch
Continue daily routine stuff
Declutter handbag and purse
More schoolwork with dd
Declutter in porch / dining area - 15 minutes only!
Make cakes with the dc, dd wants to make something lemony
Do my workout

Think that was all, I might also amend the Asda order for Monday as it's playing on my mind and I don't want to forget to do it

Love the meme, I’ve saved it to show a friend who has one as a pet (along with heaps of other little creatures - including leeches!)

TV detective, hmmm not sure really as I don’t tend to watch any long running crime stuff other than line of duty. I prefer mini series, the sort of 6ish episode stand-alone type stuff. Although one I did love was Olivia Colman’s character in Broadchurch, but I’m biased as I love her anyway!

I haven’t done anything other than supervise a little work with DS. He’s in a mood today as he’s been so excited about getting his Lego set that he’d somehow convinced himself that today is a holiday and doesn’t want to do anything errrrm no. He’s also been up almost 7 hours now, so he should sleep well tonight at least!

Cross fingers he goes to sleep and stays asleep, Lane! I have managed a 30 minute walk (30 heart points, 4100 steps per Google Fit) and got in moments before the rain started. Going to get a wash on while my lunch reheats and DS3's hard boiled egg boils (that boy is a natural Enid Blyton novel!), then do some research for FIL's cousin who has a birthday next week and has asked for a family tree!

Ta da
❤ wash on x2
🧡 dryer on
💙 some washing (bravely) on the line
💛 dd all school work finished before lunch
💚 dc1 and 2 working through school work (separated appears to be working for now)
💜 responded to email from dc1 school

Forgot my favourite detective is whatever I'm watching with one in at the time I think! We are watching old death in paradise episodes at the moment and I do find Humphrey very comforting right now

Just finished work so will get to flying right now. I have one bored 11 year old here so I'd better do stuff with him - perhaps a board game. It's just gorgeous out. The sun is beaming down here in northern Scotland. No pointy stick Lane you've been working hard enough on this thread all month. Glad you like the meme.

ED there's no joy in supermarket shopping at the moment and queues are just soul destroying especially if it's to get into the store in the first place. I quite like Taggart too. I also love Poirot as much for the 1930s costumes as for the puzzles.

Well done on the walk megiddo. I like google fit myself but I have a garmin watch which I keep forgetting to switch on when we go out so that my walk isn't logged via GPS. ds thinks this is hilarious each time. We also do 'tree of the day' following Alistair Campbell on twitter as he chooses trees on his run. Lots of lovely blossom trees out there now.

Favourite detective: Jonathan Creek but only with Maddie at his side. Miss Marple is great too.

Ta das
⭐ studied this morning
⭐ lol
⭐ washed dishes
⭐ updated garden journal (hoping it will help me learn how to look after the plants)
⭐ family walk around the local nature reserve
⭐ did a little bit of phonics with DD

Now I'm at a bit of a loose end. DD is playing by herself in her bedroom (unheard of in our house but she sounds happy), DH is reorganizing the garage. I should probably go do something useful too...yet here I am, messing about on mumsnet again!

Ok, I'm going to tidy up for 15 minutes and go from there.

that good luck with your assignments I will keep everything crossed for you!. I’m glad you enjoyed my playroom 😂.

jig he’s brilliant at hiding, especially at bath time🤔. He could be a brilliant MI5 agent. Well done on your walk too!

lane I can’t wait until mine are at the age of being able to occupy themselves. I hope your son sleeps tongiht!

zoo I’m glad you’re over these mornings, I’m very excited to join you!😂. DS2 is okay, I think he may have ate something that didn’t sit well with him.

fluffy I’m the same with snacking, it’s unreal how much I snack. I tell everyone it’s because I’m breastfeeding and need to keep my nutrients up but really I’m just greedy😳

fox is a slow cooker a good investment? I’m considering buying one because I can imagine it’d be much easier to do dinner in the slow cooker than when I usually do it when 3 children are around me.

lisette thank you! The green one is 2 handfuls of spinach and 2 handfuls of bananas with whole milk and then red one is a handful or raspberries, blueberries and blackberries with whole milk. They’re really tasty!. You can have my Winnie the poo bowl if it stops the arguments!😂

My favourite tv detective...does Luther count? I quite enjoy my nights watching him when the kids are in bed.

Well I have been much more productive than I thought I would be. The boys have only had their usual naps, (1 hour from 3-4 for the big 2, more for the baby). Everytime one of them complained of being tired we got up and did an Andy workout😂, so I’ve definitely been moving. I am DETERMINED to get a decent nights sleep tonight.

Ta Da:

Cleaned out the nappy bag (it was revolting)
Shined my sink, I thought I’d do it first thing to actually make me do something.
Sorted out the space under the stairs, put buggy back where it should be.
Gone through our shoes and got rid of the ones that don’t fit (I’m going to order a shoe sizer at home and get some more shoes) and ordered the ones that do.
Done the same with coats.
Mopped the hallway.
Hoovered the stairs and landing.

I am done now! I will admit it’s been another tv day for the boys but I am going to plan a few activities to do tomorrow. They won’t know what’s hit them😂

How is it May already

No FLYing happening, stress and anxiety is off the scale here! DS is struggling so much, can't cope with doing school work at home. As he's in year 8 they're deciding which of his GCSE choices he'll get. I'm having to really help him or he wouldn't get anything done. We didn't realise they were sending everything through on his school email until after easter holidays! Got no new work done today, had to resend some emailed work, he just laid in bed feeling too depressed!

Sorry for rant school has been great and supportive. Dd yr11 has done some work and her teachers are now doing Zoom class lessons and chats which is so great.

Next week I'm also going to tighten up timetables for me and the kids. Mine both work on their laptops in their bedrooms and need me sitting their with them!

Dd just finished her tea so need to get DS to eat, although had pancakes for breakfast at midday!

Will try and remember what have read on the thread tomorrow.
Hope everyone has a good night sleep and not woken too early in the morning.
Try and get back on tomorrow with a TA Da list.

Fluffiest messing about in MN is allowed ☺️. It's like a rest day when you are taking exercise.

Very well done on the bag tidy along with everything else and thanks for telling me what was in the bowl. I'm intrigued by the spinach one - that's so unusual. I have a spotty Emma Bridgewater bowl which I love for my porridge so I'm bowl particular too!

Shannratiger how lovely to see you . I left you off my list - sorry. Sounds like you have your hands full juggling so don't worry about the flying. If it's any help, friends of our didn't realise their primary school was using Google Classroom so they were frantic trying to come up with home ed content while working. They are catching up too.

shannaratiger sorry typo

averytiredmom I use my slow cooker a lot so I'd say yes! I find it very useful on days I'm working all day and also days where I'm motivated in the morning but exhausted by the evening which is me at the moment!! I literally just had to cook the rice to tonight. Curry was yum. Also roast beef is amazing in the slow cooker.

lisette it’s really tasty, you can’t taste the spinach too much. It’s mainly for the colour. We’ve made them into flapjacks now

I’ll look into it fox I find I’m more productive in the morning too.

All boys are asleep! I am off for a shower and then I’m sleeping too. Hopefully I can get a few hours tonight

They look delicious very. Lovely with a mug of tea!

Hello all. Well done to Foxes and others who have had an excellent start to the month!

Lovely to "see" you Shannara! Sorry things are tough going though.

That that is so impressive that you managed to get your assignment finished under lockdown conditions. You should be very proud of yourself. 💪🎖

Dd is feeling a bit better thanks (she had plain toast this morning and a little mash tonight which is what she felt like) but she's still a bit weak and sleeping a lot. Still a bit puzzled tbh about what it is. She is excited about the Pentagon verifying the UFO "evidence" though so that's a good sign!

Dh and I did some billing. Difficult as people who work for us such as Internet chap, accountant, specialist admin etc etc , understandably expect payment promptly/immediately. And then our clients take months and months (sometimes over a year) to pay us, despite 31-day clauses.

I've been utterly useless today. So much for an reinvigorated start! Done no exercise and stupidly ate a bar of chocolate. No Flying except washing and minimal morning routine Thinking of changing my new nn to "SoCrap".

Oh yes, I did wash some canine ejaculate out of a cushion cover ... and that's a sentence I never thought I would have cause to write on Mnsnet

Yurgh to leeches as pets Lane!

Ta v much for links Lisette. Favourite tv detectives are Scott and Bailey. Quite like Vera.

Bit of a strange day all in all. Should have been a family wedding which of course is postponed.

One positive: mothers here traditionally get presented with a bunch of lily of the valley on 1st May, so I picked my own from the garden and made a small arrangement. It has a heavenly scent!

Bit depressed that I wasn't able to stick to my diet for one day though. It's no excuse but it's very difficult with dh around who is constantly eating!

Oh yes which leads me to a similar bra issue as Fluffiest Lisette and Megiddo . Can hardly do my bra up, especially with busted wrist!

Dh and dd have settled down to watch yet another James Bond so have come upstairs for some peace. Is it just my dh who watches the same thing over and over again I wonder? 🙄

😷👋🍒

Oooh lovely flapjacks!