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!

ta da
🍭emailed senco about request to drop subjects (didn’t send it until DD1 was awake and agreed)
🍭bit of maths with her (blood from stone again, she was tired) then DH did a bit more plus her PE challenges
🍭faffed about with Microsoft Teams just in time to get dressed ready for meeting (or should I say redressed as I’d put my trousers on backwards 😳😂)
🍭both Caglets’ assessments including getting them to talk - was interesting how DS found it so much easier and yet he’d struggle more with eye contact IRL I think
🍭separate bullet point just to say my biggest ta da - I have really conquered my fear of video chats I think! It was over 2 hours total with a stranger and I was nervous but I DID IT!!! ✊
🍭home ed with DS (maths and English)
🍭made a conscious decision to spend time relaxing (read a couple of chapters) before it was time to do school work with DD1 - this is going to be key I think, making sure I’m refreshed before tackling work with her
🍭English with DD1 that didn’t result in stroppiness! The fact it wasn’t maths helped I’m sure, but setting an alarm for 4.45 and going straight up to our room (no distractions) seemed to work well. Will have to set a time for weekends mornings as well so she gets a little done.
🍭checked back to see when our last home ed “inspection” was (July) as they’re making email contact with friends already
🍭sorted DS’ hair
🍭put wash in dryer
🍭started writing notes for home ed report as that’s what they’ve asked friends for, since they can’t visit

Feeling a bit better this evening having reconnected with DD1, we were giggling and reminiscing over the kids TV shows she used to love 💕 evenings like that make me remember I’m not screwing everything up like I tend to think in my more dramatic moments 😳

I’ve not been Flying much and have really lapsed the last few days with exercise - I definitely get a dip in mood when I don’t bother so I really need to try and keep up with it. I’m pleased we’ve got through the week with sanity vaguely intact (I say intact, maybe it’s more stitched back together as though by Doctor Frankenstein 😅). We’ve done ok with the new chore chart - not stuck to it perfectly but considering that even four days ago we didn’t know we’d have a return to school, and we’ve had various extra appts, we’ve done fairly well 😅

Off to search for some almost-midnight snack (healthy eating not going that well either) and then I really must sleep. Hoping to get some decluttering done tomorrow, at the very least while watching Cats!

icy I love the family tree! It's so lovely.

zoo from what you've put on here it sounds like you are a strong independent woman who has been through a lot- and still going strong! You also seem very dedicated to your DC and selfless.

I don't really have a best friend. I have some friends who I talk to (people I have worked with or met through DHs work). But no one I can tell my secrets to or my deep feelings- but I feel like I can share them here with you lot! DH is the closest thing I have, but sometimes I need to vent ABOUT him, not TO him.

For me, I am a giver. I like to make people happy and feel special by either baking for them/ cooking/ making sure things are as they prefer (on a daily basis as well as on special occasions). I don't feel like I get the same treatment back just lately though. I realised that no one in my family has baked a birthday cake for me for the last 5 or so years, if not longer. If I want something like that for my birthday/ other special occasion, I have to make it myself.

Sorry about the last part in my last post, I'm trying to not feel hurt by it, but it's hard.

I did come home to a clean house though, which hasn't happened in weeks (without me cleaning it myself).
The DC had;
🖤 Rotated DW.

💙 At least one LOL that I can see.

🖤 Vacuumed whole house.

💙 Mopped whole house.

🖤 Cleaned bathroom.

💙 Checked mail.

It did make me feel good to come home to that though. Although I'm not sure if DH got onto them about it or if they did it without prompting.

I actually did cleaning today too though;

💜 Vacuumed ILS house.

🖤 Vacuumed office space as we're opening up on Monday.

💜 Mopped office hard floor as well as the bathroom floors.

🖤 Spot cleaned glass before realising it's probably all going to be a mess on Monday as some guys are coming in to work on the bullet proof glass before we open.

I'm ready to relax tonight though. I discovered a new season of Hoarders on Netflix so will probably watch that (and hope it doesn't make me want to get up and declutter as I just want to relax tonight!)

icy nelly is actually called carbonelle but refuses to answer to that.lil zoo was initially MORTIFIED the name she chose was shortened!!cossie is cossima,and she answers to either if foods involved

Hazel I'd tell them that you'd like a homemade cake going forward. Explain that you make an effort for everyone else and you'd appreciate if they'd do it for you. It's good training as my granny would say - encourages others to stretch their overt caring muscles so you're doing them a service. I know it feels like a defeat to have to ask them but they've clearly fallen into a rut and are not self aware enough to snap out of it.

I have signed up to my Fitness Pal to track food and ds is taking me walk/running.

Tada!

Up to help DS sort papers for delivery
Sourdough in the oven
DW and WM put on
Milk fetched in and put away
Greenhouse opened to say good morning to my plants.
Two cups of tea and some warm sourdough consumed while watching Cats. Not sure I'm going to make it to the end of, it's not gripping me at all.

Last day in this zone

Baby step 16 here

Family fun day

KCC

Your earliest memory

I remember being in my pram and looking out at the world. Slightly later I remember being pushed to nursery in one of those square buggies that were about in the early 70s.

Tired again today. I’m generally managing something each day so I’m not giving up altogether but I could really do with some self motivation in the mornings 😳 a lot of it is my own fault though, I am still faffing online too much and also not eating right which is making me lack energy

Earliest memory is having a sore throat and lying down by the fireplace. I had blue trousers.

No need to apologise Hazel. Ranting about DH’s is definitely allowed on the thread. I agree, you should let them know you feel hurt by the lack of effort. You deserve more. Glad you came home to a clean house at least.

You did loads yesterday Lane! it’s saturday, you don’t need to feel guilty for feeling tired and not getting much done. Just concentrate on the basics.

KCC - I have a really strong memory getting stuck under the bed through the night as a toddler and my dad coming to rescue me. I was trying to find a toy

Today’s ta das:
✅ beds made
✅ LOL
✅ cleaned up cereal spillage
✅ realised how disorganised and manky the bottom half of the larder had got so tidied and wiped out that. It’s in the utility so I’m counting that as my ‘other’ room and it is therefore my zone work.
✅ washing hung out
✅ breakfast eaten and washing up done
✅ battled with DD for 45 minutes to get and keep her clothes on . Ended in an epic tantrum and planned beach walk cancelled.
✅ some clean laundry away
✅ Downstairs dusted
✅ downstairs hoovered
✅ downstairs floors mopped
✅ downstairs loo and basin cleaned thoroughly
✅ dining room patio doors cleaned
✅ showered and dressed at 12pm
✅ dry washing brought in

Had half an hour in the garden with DD (including lots of running and jumping which I’m counting as my exercise!). She seems to have given up trying to strip for now. Leftover fish pie for lunch and now trying to encourage ‘quiet time’ while I have a cuppa.

Still to do:
🦅 possibly a walk although it is looking like rain
🦅 rest of clean washing away
🦅 clean vacuum filters and give it some TLC as it isn’t picking up well
🦅 DH is going to do a top up shop

Ironing, stairs hoovered and bedding washed tomorrow.

Hazel, no need to apologise at all - we all need space to rant about our DHs, much as we love them. About the cake - disappointing that the rest of the family are not stepping up, but I wonder if the problem is you do it so well? I made my own cake as the end of the Christmas baking (Jan birthday) for years until my 40th when I told DH directly I wanted him to fix it. He ordered one (not a surprise). I didn't get a home baked one until DD got to be old enough to bake under her own steam.

It also helps that DD makes things to show love, as I do. The others don't, and birthday cakes fall very much into that gap.

But great that the DCs cleaned the house!

Ta das for me today
♥️ Dog walked
🧡 DW rotated
💛 S&S
💚 LOL x 2 including stripping our bed
💙 Chicken defrosting for tea
💜 Big car hoovered out and polished inside after DH totally failed forgot to put a tarpaulin down before he took stuff to the tip
🖤 Healthful keto brunch due to being 3.5lbs down this week. Hooray!

I am now Absolutely Done for the afternoon, apart from making chicken soup for tea!

KCC - my best friend is a brilliant listener and always sees the good in everyone and every situation, which I try to do but often fail. This is very likely why she is a hugely well-loved Infants' teacher.

What's my best quality? Unsure but I can organise extremely well. It can be useful, if boring, and has got and kept me several jobs in the past.

Which reminds me, zoo - you are a hugely resilient person doing a cracking job of providing a safe framework for your DC to be the best people they can be, in spite of without as much support from their DF as you might like.

My earliest memory is probably getting stuck crawling backwards underneath the safety gate out of my bedroom, (I got it to pivot on the pressure mountings) when it gently rocked back down again onto the edge of my nappy and trapped me (I wore terries, too, so it was A Big Nappy!). This likely puts me about 15-18 months. Or possibly, standing on the concrete floor of our new house the day after we moved in, which was 20 December 1975 and I was not quite 2. I remember the floor was very cold and my Dad's feet were huge 😁.

meg well done on your weight loss! I'm getting back on track too and have lost about 4lbs in the last 3 weeks. I still have about 17lbs to go, but would be happy with 10 more lbs. Anyway, you're right about telling them I want them to bake a cake, but even when I have asked, they just buy one. Which is never as good as homemade from scratch.

Thank you all for letting me rant!

We're flower shopping today (DD, MIL & SIL) then we have grocery pickup and dinner at our house.

Hazel - I think pretty well everyone on the thread vents about family members at times, it's not just you at all. I had a go at mine a few years ago, there is a particular type of chocolates that I like, but after receiving the same ones either from DH or the DCs for Valentines, my birthday and Mothers Day which are all close together for about the third year in a row I did eventually say it would be nice if they actually thought about it a bit and didn't just pick up the same box of chocs in the supermarket every single time. They were a bit shocked I think.

Tada!
2x LOL
Maintenance run on DW (Aldi DW cleaner stuff, it hasn't been cleaning very well)
But of gardening
Tried to watch Cats, gave up
Baked sourdough
Lots of dusting
Cleaned staircase walls and skirting with sugar soap long overdue
Hoovered stairs a bit less overdue
Watched the Eurovision shows, I don't normally like it but the virtual version was easier to tolerate and I CBA to get off the sofa.

Earliest memory - not sure which is first but I remember my Dad holding me on the bonnet of his car for a photo and I also recall being in an old pushchair, grey metal with a navy fabric seat. Funny the random stuff that sticks.

ta da
🍬English with DD1 - finished work from last night and submitted photos/screenshot
🍬summed up the courage to email her teacher and explain why she finds it so difficult
🍬DS did taekwondo on zoom while DH and I played number games upstairs with toddler
🍬replied to a request for ME advice
🍬watched Cats streaming on YouTube - nice to hear the music again and I still got a bit sniffly at Memories and Gus 😳
🍬read a bit in a hot bath (my book club read has arrived so I’m trying to finish current one)
🍬folded some laundry
🍬made dinner with DS helping
🍬put laundry away
🍬journal including summary of the changes that have happened since I started that journal in January as it was the last couple of pages today

BLAH

Feels like I’ve wasted the day as weekdays are so busy. But I did get a little done at least I guess.

I am struggling a bit yesterday and today. DDs cat hasn’t been eating so phoned the vet this morning and had to take her in at lunch time. They have kept her over night😥DH has hardly spoken to me as yesterday he started going on about her and I turned around and told him to stop going on about and that he shouldn’t keep changing her food and I knew about her meds because I was the one to get up and give it to her. It has made me feel really anxious. I started feeling worse with the talk of kids going back to school, then the chicken which I was upset about and now the cat. I have missed her so much today and tonight. They wanted her bowls and blanket so even those aren’t there. He said she might be able to come home tomorrow. DH goes on about her being old and that it might be better to put her down. DD will be so upset but also he doesn’t have to be so negative when the vet isn’t.we had separate meals tonight so he made his and washed up his own dishes but not mine. Petty! I went for a walk to give a cake to a chicken giver and met with a lass from one of the farms so we had a bit of a crack. I felt better. I really need to go out whether DH goes or not. I feel better for it. He has been going out on his bike.

I haven’t done much today. Made two carrot and walnut cakes yesterday. Did some of the boudoir dusted chest of drawers and ornaments reorganised box of jewellery it has individual boxes inside.
Found earrings to match and singles in one box. Dusted ornaments.
Thinking about the curtains now!
LOL
S&S and proper clean of toilet.
Aim to do other side of bedroom tomorrow..

Four eggs from the Bantys

bower it's ok to worry about kitty.its like the final straw when so.much else is going on and dh is being a jerk.please do venture out by yourself.time outside and away from his unnecessary negativity will boost you.i hope she's able to come home today

Another slow day at zoo house.think starting power back up now periods finally easing so I need get on top of the mess before it gets on top of us!!

Earliest memoryterrified by escalator like huge moving mountain on London underground as took trip see my dad's parents.dont remember meet them.i was about 2-3? And near drowning,water coming up above my eyes when I put my hands above my head...same kind of age

Cats are fed
Washings on
Time clean up as no one else up yet
Need get fair bit done quickly as both D's and lil zoo phone free today for not surrendering them last night as they shouldso likely few ructions today if not given things to do and semi monitored....

Tada
Kitchen
Huge mountain wash up sorted,dry put away
Wash in drier
Wool wash on
Wipe surfaces
Wipe cupboard fronts
Sweep floor
Sort bin
Wash hung on airers

Living room
Cleared stacks stuff DD builds around "her seat"-most now stacked by her bed ready to sort/put away
Clear little table of detritus
Wipe little table
Clear dining table
Sweep floor

Change lightbulb on landing having discovered we have a low watt oneliving room has hi watt one currently so switched them over.wish I'd known this yesterday as would've saved so much stress alround

Lil zoo up and asking bed wash as cat sneezed snot plumes all over it...
Her bed strippednow washing

Pears,apricots and plums chopped for breakfast

Lil zoo and I now going indulge in peace before attempt get other two up to eat.dd2 is going to be in foulest of tempers as she was late settling and as anxious refused get off phone so went to bed far too wired up...

🥐🥞 for those of us feeling low this weekend.

bower I hope you get good news about the cat. And I hope that your DH is maybe also reacting (poorly) to the upset of the cat being ill, rather than just being unfeeling.

My earliest memory is painting in the porch of the old house with my Dad. He had pinned up a picture pulled out of a Sooty colouring book and I painted the whole thing in very watery blue paint. I must have been about 2.

We ventured out as a family early yesterday morning to a garden centre/country park. I had a voucher for the garden centre so I nipped in there first on my own and got 5 foxgloves with the voucher.

Then we went for a walk which was mixed success. DD was at first delighted to be somewhere new and there was lots of green open space for her to run around. But then she needed a wee and none of the toilets were open. So she had one in the bushes.

I understand why the toilets are closed but I realised then that actually we cant go out for picnics and extended times outdoors after all. Even though we weren't out for long, I was busting when we got back! So I think we'll be sticking to walks closer to home for now.

Morning all. Feeling a bit meh this morning so probably going to take a spot in the naughty corner if anyone would like to join me? After yesterday’s getting dressed fiasco I was determined to get DD dressed as soon as she got up and then get out for a walk ASAP. Her clothes were on within 10 minutes but since then we’ve had almost an hour of intermittent tears and tantrums that her knickers are uncomfortable. I’ve ordered some in a bigger size as I think she likes them baggy but not much I can do until they arrive (these ones do fit, she just likes things loose). Once she forgets about them she’s fine but it’s taking longer and longer. She’s eventually eating her breakfast and enjoying peppa, but it’s grey, miserable and chucking it down so not looking good for that lovely long family walk I was dreaming of. Hence the meh mood. Will give myself a shake though and set up some sort of activity I think. I have at least had a bacon sandwich and a cuppa. Have stuck a beef joint in the slow cooker but that’s my only ta da.

Bower . Hope your cat is ok soon and it’s a shame DH isn’t being kinder to you. It sounds like he’s upset too and struggling to deal with your upset over it, but there’s no need for pettiness. Good that you got out for a walk without him.

Zoo your early morning lists never fail to amaze me!

Fluff we live somewhere that is usually busy with visitors and the toilets will definitely be an issue. Enjoy your new plants and at least you all got a change of scenery.

That really doesn’t sound like a wasted day Lane. In fact it sounds far more productive than I’m expecting mine to be

Ooh Expletive you were productive yesterday too!

Well done on the weight loss Meg. I’ve set myself certain points to treat myself. My first is 4lbs (aiming low as I’ve been struggling) and I’m going to get some nice new knickers. I feel inspired that you’ve lost such a lot in one go. I’m thinking a decent Fitbit when I get to my target of 20lbs. Glad I’m not the only one who tended to get stuck as a child

Oh god no, KT, not the only one to get stuck at all! My other memory from moving to the new house is "helping" my parents turf the back garden. It sloped down a little bit towards the fence at the end, and I have a very clear recollection of leaning over to put my piece of turf down and world suddenly going upside down as I overbalanced and fell on my head! 😂

I should stress that the weight loss is largely illusory, because this is the first week. And may have been entirely undone by the wine I had last night...

Bower, very sorry to hear that the cat is poorly and DH is not being understanding. Good that you got out for a walk on your own.

Zoo, great list! Good luck keeping phone-free zoolets occupied today.

Lane, that's a good Saturday list.

I'm not putting anything on my list today, I want a day off. I'm doing enough on other days that I think the house can handle it

Morning everyone. I'll join you KT!

Hazel yes , as others have said, please don't apologise for rants; they are a traditional part of this thread . We keep rusty medieval pikes, flame throwers and patio-digging tools behind a secret door in the naughty corner and everything .

I vent all the time about dh on here and could happily write a long list of rants atm! He has shall we say a rather dominant personality (in a benign way) and it is getting on my wick ATM. He would probably have a similar list of rants about me. At least I jeffin' well communicate though! Argh!

We've having Thurs to end Sun off this weekend and it's not going particularly well tbh. Ongoing battles suffice to say ... .

...not least with my waistline. I could cry as I am the heaviest I have ever been and am going to have to start again losing the weight I lost last Sept all over again. Post menopause it is very hard to do, so all rather demoralising. Bum. It's back to eating crusts . I should take inspiration from Megiddo and Hazel who have done so well and start again but I am finding it harder than usual ATM.

I am proud of dd though who, since and during lockdown, felt she has slipped in to being on her phone too much at night, so voluntarily off her own bat, she bought herself a cash box, in to which she locks her phone at 10.30 pm and gets one of us to hide the key before bed. She is sleeping better and exercising better as a result.

There has been a slight upturn here in hospital admission figures (the fig by which they track virus progression) and that's only after the announcement of easing of lockdown, before the actual easing of restrictions in reality which starts properly tomorrow (schools going back etc). So thats a bit depressing really.

Finally finished home bleugh Wed tea-time. I will be starting it again on Monday as this house is like the Forth Bridge. Still have stacks of ironing, which I have taken to doing in the sunshine, on the terrace. Its a bit dire that that's about the most exciting thing that has happened recently!

Bower so sorry your dad's cat is ailing and sorry your DH is being a dick about it.

That IS a good list Lane!
As is yours (as ever!) Zoo!

Well done everybody in fact!

KCC
I have four close friends (who I still see and four more who are in different parts of the world) rather than one bf ifyswim. The thing I admire about them most is their bravery (in different ways).

Earliest memory (long-standing fledglings may be sick of this story!) standing in the hall frightened watching maternal grand-mother, who I didn't know very well, coming down stairs cackling, having put her legs through the sleeves of her cardigan (she had dementia latterly). My mother was horrified and afraid she would fall, but I only picked up on the horror and didn't understand the context!

Tally-ho everybody! Have a good Sunday!

Very lazy morning today but just for a change I’m not feeling guilty about it :o

to do for if/when I can be arsed
📌prep work for the week, especially maths sheets, finding his old geography and history books, and sorting English as we are moving away from workbooks and I need to figure out how to use the other resources!
📌give the others another list of games they can bring up, so I can dust and shelve them
📌English with DD1 (that one isn’t optional dammit)
📌get DD1 to shower/do hair so we can dye it
📌write therapy journal
📌read a bit

There’s probably loads more to do but that feels like more than enough

KCC - no question today but instead an image - I want one of these cookie cutters...

Zone four - master bedroom here

Baby step 17 here

Daily focus - renew your spirit