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!

Next stop,bins,bathroom and littertray

Ta da

Got up
Feb baby
Ate chocolate
Drank coke
Changed baby
Sat on sofa

why is my list not as impressive as yours zoo

Morning all!

Thank you for pep talk Zoo! I appreciate the thought! . So lovely that dd2 likes her new clothes and is twirling about in them happily after being so down of late . Really, really good to hear!

Waves to That and everyone else!

. Oh joy!>

Sorry x-posted there!

Great lists That and Zoo! (I haven't even started yet despite being an hour ahead!)

Very, very apt motivational quote today Zoo! Thank you!

Meant to add earlier that despite me wanting to call an engineer, dh spent part of the weekend down in the laundry room trying to fix things ...and let's just say ... I now have two washing machines that don't work! No kidding!
But at least lols are off today's list I suppose ... .

Oh yes one funny thing, = puppy's overnight haul in her basket (she has become kleptomaniac under lockdown) is one empty loo roll, a promotional tyoe letter from bank, two hair bands, one hair brush, two socks and a travel pillow. . She says she is going to set up a savings account, put her hair in bunches and go on holiday

Very well done helping your sister-in-law out Hazel! I hope she was happy with the result of all that gardening!

And apologies, missed poor cat prognosis Bower so sorry! She sounds very happy to be home with cottage pie silver service bless her! Very sorry to hear your anxiety has returned though it is v understandable in circs as school situation must be very anxiety provoking.. Do take it steady

Funnily enough, can hear children playing in playground nearby, the odd plane going overhead and some construction work happening for first time this morning in weeks and weeks! We had got so used to the silence that it's sobstrange to hear these sounds all of a sudden! Still not many cars though.

Oh Lord. DH and DD are already arguing. Today is the day hairdressers re-open. DD is pissed off with DH who has told her to wait a few days before booking appt to deal with fringe she hacked at during lockdown. He says to give hairdresser a week or so to put new hygiene methods in place (it's a small local salon). DD adamant it's less risky to go straightaway before world and wife troop through. Don't know who is right so I have decided to start home bleigh in upstairs bathroom!

Have a productive start to the week everyone! 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

🍒😷👋

Sorry have just seen the gardening help was a birthday present Hazel what a really fab idea!

I'm inclined do with dd on that one SC arf at dogs travel ideas?!
That I have older kids,hormonal sleep issues that wake me at stupid o'clock wide awake and am a thoroughly morning person.please remember by midday I'm burning down and by 4pm generally talking gibberish/in tongues and not fit as use nor ornament!!

Tada cont
Bathroom
Wipe windows
Wipe sills radiator,bathskirt
Wipe all tiling
Clean bath and sink
Empty bin
Wipe loo seat
Clean out littertrays
Empty all bins to big bin
Wake zoolets and feed
Wash in drier
More on

DS room
Water plants
Wipe windows
Clean sills and radiator
Wipe surfaces
Sweep floor
Spray lavender spray on bed once he made it
Check laundry bin status

Girls room of doom
Near snap neck on entry
Wipe windows
Couldn't see surfaces
Made comments about state of hovel
Made louder comment as no reply
Made threats about device restrictions if room isn't sorted...
Retreated with a warning not sorted by lunchtime no phones or laptop access til it is clear for me to enter with me Mr sheen and broom!!

Now writing lust ready pop heron foods hunting frozen veg.big shops dd2 visits have very little.diwnside is not really good social distancing in there so need time it rightso it's pretty quiet,fly round and out asap

Still to do
Shop,wipe put away
Mountains wash from girls room
Girls room
Wash all lower floors
Poking D's with stick to do his schoolwork

Then I plan lots recipe sorting and time out as I'm sure will be tired later!!

Oh and chase up eon who have accepted payment on smart meters but not given the £40 credit

Love the meme Zoo! We should all keep it in mind.

Daily focus today is the home bleurgh hour here

We are in the master bedroom - zone 4.

It is a new week so we'll keep on keeping on.

baby step 18 is to read flylady's 11 commandments here

Bower my heart goes out to you between the little cat and all the other triggers around right now.

Just to say if any fledgling over 50 wishes to up exercise there is a youtube over 50 fitness guru callled Pahla B - found out about her on another thread. She is sane and supportive. And good on the Menopause www.youtube.com/channel/UCeXAh1l-MSjIbDkvHXa1yyA

I quite liked this image for the KCC - shows well that we are all different.

Question What is your favourite shower gel fragrance? - silly question really and I have taken to using soap first to get really clean as recommended by MN but after that I like a mint shower gel! Tingly.

Love the meme, Lisette, so very true. Not doing home bleugh first thing today, this is my only clear 3 hour slot with DS3 in lessons and I can get work / planning done in one piece. So I shall. The dog is furious, as it's DH's turn to walk him and DH only got out of bed 9 minutes before his first call of the day....

My absolute favourite shower gel fragrance is Molton Brown black peppercorn which is a) aimed at men and b) wickedly expensive, so birthdays only! As a second string I love their pink peppercorn (ladies' version, less sandalwood) but I love sandalwoody fragrances altogether and they seem to suit me. I wear aftershave, not perfume, as well, technically speaking!

Right, off to capitalise on the silence. Speak later, all, have a great day! 🍒🙋‍♀️

Morning all, I'm having a relaxed start to the day. Still in pyjamas, watching the 1997 Winnie the Pooh film with DD who is mesmerized by it. It was my turn for a lie in this morning and by the time I got downstairs at 9, DH had done a wash and put the washing on the radiators. Which was a nice thing ticked off the list. I've checked through my work email and that's it so far.

Fave shower gel - I really like coconut scents or apple. They smell clean and fresh to me.

foxes I had a giggle over your potato disaster. Reminded me of the time I peeled a whole bunch of vegetables and promptly threw them in the bin instead of the peelings. It was too tragic.

Just having a quick sit down in between searching for stuff . I generally like fruity scents, but nothing too sickly sweet. Quite like refreshing tropical stuff. Although I currently have a rose one which is nice too.

I’m off to update my ta da list and then crack on. I feel a bit more clear headed than last week which was definitely the worst so far for me (I guess really it’s a lot of change with DD1’s return to school under these circumstances, she’s been quite moody at times too despite being happy with it) but still very tired on 3 hours sleep so I will try and pace myself.

Taking 5 minute break.
I was up at 6:45am and although I slept well I felt tired( probably taking meds too late) but was up to check on cat. She was in dining room ( cough, cough) and sat feet curled under. She was awake just as I was thinking I might sneak back to bed. So a cup of tea for me and meds for her and she has to eat after so was pleased that she had eaten some food overnight and she ate some breakfast enthusiastically. We then settled on the sofa together for cuddles and both of us dozing. DH had a phone call from work so took it up as man sounded worried / upset I actually thought someone may have passed away as it was before 9once DH was up and settled with a coffee DCat climbed up on him and settled for a big sleep. So I snuck back to bed. I couldn’tsleep at first but put radio four on and dozed off. I had a really good 1/2-3/4 hour and felt much better and have been cleaning the boudoir. Still have a pile of RCA’s where do I put it on a chair and a basket. Bed is full of stuff to find home for but I have
T a da
Dusted top of chest of drawer and everything on it.
Paired some earring up.
Vacuumed wooden floor and rug. Need to do under bed but will do tomorrow as need DH muscle.
Tidied back of door garments and vacuumed including cracks, we have original old pine latch doors. Have put back two dressing gowns and a rain coat. Going to was two old dressing gowns. I keep spares for others staying, maybe shouldn’t.
Sorted small amount in three handbags. Put weekend shower bag in weekend bag.
Found two dressing gown/happy coat belts put one back on to find one there🤔can’t find the Thai gown so worried it may have been left on back of door at Coniston. It is a lovely turquoise and black inside.
Declutter dried hydrangeas.
Cleaned down bedside table.
Refilled meds box for two weeks worth.
Going for a well deserved cup of tea now and might watch one of those films ...zoo🤭 you know 4 or 5 American short ones.
I feel quite pleased

Oh and fed DCat and hens and also made DH and I a bacon( neeeded eating) and egg 🍳 sandwich for brunch.

Zoo I am not surprised you are burnt out by afternoon with lists like yours.

Going to try and do an hour sorting crafts.
Need to put beef on in slow cooker.
Lisette love the meme, showered 😂☺️😂🤣😂shower I wish.
Lily of the valley at the moment. It was a present in a box and I decided to use it because bath / shower is such a farce. To those newbies our builder who finished our beautiful path had to self isolate two weeks before lockdown and was half way through putting our bathroom back together so we have a toilet resting on three sticks of wood, a basin and a shower tray but second coat of plaster on the wall and the electrics taped off on the shower or where it was.

Will pop back later to see how you are getting on. Grey day hear and rained during night so garden looks lovely but I don’t need to do anything except clean pots as I did stuff yesterday. Need more compost for seeds lettuce etc. Tomatoes looking good in their big pots.

🤭here

Shower gel in this mad house tends to anything that's still got some in it!!
I do like the smell of coconut,dove,and honey and milk.my current fave has mild rose scent and extra oils,great for my lizard skin!!

Tada
Shop done,wipe and put away
Drop food bank stuff at vicarage
Chubby D's finish work
More laundry in progress
Chat with sleep solutions
Chat with senco from school doing wellbeing check
2ins on exercise bike,followed by Chloe things 2wk ab challenge and her arm workout
Hot shower
Chat anxiety group leader from.camhs

Lunch
Wash and clear up
Finally squirrel away enough bananas to get Uber spotty and make banana bread
Clear up mess I made

Now sat on sofa with dd2 watching film on 5!

Lisette I love that meme.

zoo impressive list of ta das. Nice to see you are relaxing now.

bower so sorry to hear the news about DDs cat. You have a lot on your plate. I really wish your DH would notice and help you more.

My favourite scents are usually fruity/ coconut, sweet, but not too sweet. I get my body wash from Bath and Body as they last so much longer, even though they're more expensive.

Ta Das today;

🐹 DH breakfast cooked.

🐹 Had DS help me sort the laundry out, we have a lot as none have been washed all weekend (including Friday)

🐹 1st LOL on.

🐹 List of to Dos made.

🐹 1st cup of coffee drank, may need another!

DD wants to go buy her hamster today. She wanted a ferret, but told her she can get one when she moves out and has time for it. She settled for a hamster. She bought the cage and accessories for it since she earned some money detailing trucks with DH.

She's still sleeping, and she doesn't know that a bunch of chores have to get done before I even consider taking her to pick up her hamster (will take a couple of hours with drive time). It's 8:40am right now. I still have to get dressed, hair and makeup on so I don't scare the natives!

More ta das;

🐞 1st LOL in dryer, 2nd LOL in washer.

🐞 2nd cup of coffee drank.

🐞 Hair curled, minimal makeup on & dressed.

🐞 Table and sideboard treated with oil (was getting really dry)

🐞 Other clean clothes put in respective rooms and/ or ironing pile.

About to get DS to mow grass while I pull some weeds, have to get DD up soon, wish me luck! It's almost 10 so she should have had plenty of sleep.

Ta da (cats today in honor of Bower's resilient cat)
😺 did some letter work with DD
😺 washed dishes
😺 wiped down dining table
😺 vacuumed
😺 put clothes away that had piled up on chair
😺 put recycling stuff in correct bins
😺 did some actual work - the kind I'm paid to do which all feels like a distant memory right now.

Its rained all afternoon here so we've had a cosy day in, which has actually been nice. I'm up in the office at the moment finishing the work job and I might just reward myself with some online window shopping before I go downstairs and make tea.

Happy hamster shopping Hazel

I am the little dog

I've just fallen out of a zoom meeting which was meant to be split into three breakout rooms. Fell out of one room and couldn't get back in! I'm usually much better at tech. Late notice anyway!

Lovely weather here today but haven't been able to enjoy it as have been working all day oh well, we did get out for a very quick walk to the post box and back earlier at least.

Ta das
Worked all day
Bit of school work with dd and actually got ds to do some dot to dots too! Dd did reading, handwriting, English, RE and hilariously they had PHSE set for "conflict resolution" which I did just after they'd been fighting , after which I could hear ds saying very seriously to dd "don't forget our conflict resolution" except he can't say it very well so it didn't sound quite right 😂
Wrapped dh last birthday present for tomorrow
Two loads of washing
Dishwasher on
Tidied up

Dh has just served up dinner so I must dash!

I had no idea breakout rooms on video calls were a thing! Tech baffles me. I did manage a spontaneous WhatsApp video chat earlier with my support worker, I prefer to have time to set up the iPad instead but it was worth it to have a quick chat and be introduced to her pets 🐰🐱 (frankly I’m just glad I wasn’t still in my jammies)

I have to admit to a big mood dip after that though. Anyone else just get hit by a wave of loneliness when they end a call? I just miss PEOPLE. I love my family, I am so lucky to have affectionate kids and DH, but I am, it turns out, much more socially motivated than I ever realised.

Thank you very much for Pahla B recommendation Lisette - I am hooked on Leslie Sansome (indoor walking) and Lucy Wyndham- Read for arms and tum atm but I am very tempted to follow Pahla B's 31 day workout starting June (how can it be only 2 weeks away - yikes).

Really great meme too

Wow your lists are amazing today (as ever!) Zoo your cleaning schedule would cause me to wither and die

Glad you were able to benefit from a bit of rest Bower

I love lily of the valley scent too! Along with mown grass, lemons, cucumber and mint. But I only use very pedestrian bog standard shower gel; whatever is cheap and cheerful on-line, as everything is so expensive here. Love the sound of that peppercorn one though Megiddo!

I hope your dd enjoys her hamster Hazel . I must admit, ours was rather vicious, but I hope yours will have a much better temperament!

Waves to Fluffiest Lane Cineraria We3kings KTCluck Shannara Chic Foxes That Honu Expletive Dancing Icy Averytiredmom Strawberrysundae Happiness MrsHardy Santas and everyone else! (Sorry if I have missed anyone out!)

Toostressy I hope you are ok #NoFledglingLeftBehind

I have spent part of the day properly weighing and measuring myself and the results are not pretty so have been formulating A PLAN. I have put on 5 kilos during lockdown . I knew I was walking less and eating more but that is ridiculous! SOMETHING must be DONE! Preferably with a degree of consistency!!!
Arrrgggghh!

I cba to list everything I have done today chore-wise. It was tedious in the extreme and involved tidying, dusting, cleaning (sinks and loos and surfaces and floors) hoovering and mopping. I have more to do to finish the home bleugh. I also did some ironing of dh's shirts and 2.5 hrs office admin. In other words, more tedium. I am about to make some healthy oat cookies.

One more positive thing: I have been informed via the Parents Assoc that dd's class will get to hear formally about end-of-year exams tomorrow or Wed. DD is currently v stressed about this so very happy to have some clarity at last!

Tally-ho everybody!

Forgot to say well done to everyone re: your lists!

And yes Lisette and others ... like Lane I didn't know about break-out meetings although had heard the phrase obviously!

I was Zooming with my family over the weekend and one of my family members has had proper Zoom training, and apparently, one can share documents during a session, name everyone, and even activate a filter which makes your skin glow on line or some such! Who knew! I only knew about muting, and being able to enter silently in to conversations and about changing backgrounds of course!

It is good that we are being forced to get to grips with tech like this I think!

Arf at conflict resolution Foxes !

So sorry you are missing everyone Lane! That sounds v hard for you One of my friends is suffering very much in the same way and finds sd v difficult.

I must be very cold-hearted because I just feel rather drained after Zooming, not sad at all. Especially as everyone wants to Zoom late at night when I want to just flop!

I guess as an expat, I have become used to my closest family and many of my friends being distant.

It could also be that I am very unsociable as I don't miss hugs at all. Nor do I miss all the kissing that goes on here upon greeting others! Much prefer a quick wave from across the road !

I guess it all depends on whether you draw strength from being with groups of people (like my friend) or whether you draw strength from being alone (like me). I think lockdown is much easier to endure if you are in the latter dept tbh!

Must go and put the "Friday" frozen fish on! (Meal planning confusingly out of whack here atm!)

Well done on everyone's lists, especially SC who seems to be combining a full-time cleaning / renovating job with office management and not-killing-DH duties. Also Lane, zoo, that and bower who are keeping things going in very trying circs. 🍒🙋 to everyone else keeping multiple plates in the air - chic, stressy, foxes, cin, fluff, hazel, Expletive, shannara, Icy, KT, Lisette, We3 and everyone else.

I have achieved no flying today apart from the DW, cursory S&S and a LOL that is still sitting in the machine. Instead I did 3 hours actual work this morning then 2.5 hrs on and off with DS3 trying to manage both homework and complete hysteria. It was not fun.

Tea and Kung Fu now applied, and I am having a Sneaky Early Bath prior to tucking in duties. I am supposed to be using this time like SC, to plan my return to svelte, sexy womanhood who doesn't burst out of her trousers. It's not looking good, currently!