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!

That’s why I’ve not put it on FB about J going back. Of my RL friends only the closest 3 know. Possibly other parents if J has told her friends on WhatsApp and they’ve mentioned it, but that’s her choice. I haven’t actually even told my parents 😳

I’m enjoying some peace and quiet as DH and the younger two have gone to the park. Not enjoying my microwave curry though. Bah.

I should be doing stuff

Hi all, i remember my 10th birthday because it was the first time I had "grown up" presents,from my parents I got a watch, some jewellery (not expensive but I loved it) and a proper box of chocolates... birthdays were much simpler then I'm sure. My dd already has a watch!

Ta das
Left the village in the car with the kids this felt momentous as first time for all of us in a loooooooooong time. Had a lovely walk round a lake , ate plums on the grass and then came home. It really felt good!
Did school work with dd, she had to do some writing about dinosaurs and then we did her spellings
Washing on and hung up
Dishwasher emptied and reloaded
Tidied up
S&s bathroom
15 minutes decluttering my chest of drawers and chucked some old clothes out
Made lunch for all of us

To do
Dust bed side tables
Mop kitchen and bathroom
Remind dh to pick up food shopping
Chicken stir fry for dinner

First a cup of tea and might sneak some of dh birthday cake while he's at work!

X post - I agree with you all so much about bitchiness ! Why on earth can't everyone just support each other in their own decisions? Our parents WhatsApp group last night was all about how they shouldn't open the school, we are not sending our kids in, shouldn't be sending them unless you have no choice...and it went on and on. I had already said I was sending dd back. I felt quite upset by it to be honest, like they are all implying I've made a bad decision for my child

We haven't actually been asked by the school to confirm yes or no yet...it's gone very quiet!

Foxes I feel the same about sending DD to nursery. I’ve seen a couple of the parents on FB saying their children certainly won’t be going back, it’s ridiculous blah blah blah. Wish everyone would stop judging others based on their own circumstances.

It’s taken me a while to catch up from the last couple of days so apologies for some delayed responses!

Welcome Didmy, and glad to have you back AWOL.

Hazel those flowers are gorgeous. Hope you’re feeling a bit more appreciated than you were on Mother’s Day.

Meg as someone who works full time I can absolutely see why you would struggle to juggle everything and work as a SAHM. I don’t think it matters how old your DC are, they still need a lot from us, and running a home / life admin etc is all never ending. I also think it’s very hard to change circumstances. I manage well working full time because it was a decision I made before even trying to conceive (plus I only have 1). I went back to work when DD was 10months and we had everything organised round that. However, I think if you’ve had a decent stretch at home then life is set up in that way and it’s tough and complicated to then try and change it to get back to work. I feel quite angry at judgement of SAHM. Maternity leave and a couple of weeks of lockdown taught me that it is hard!

Zoo sorry the you are stressed and the school thing was just sprung on you. Hope it works out well. How’s your arm today?

Other responses have slipped my mind but waves to Lisette, SC, Chic, Expletive, Lane, That, Fluff, Bower, Cineraria and any lovely fledglings I’ve missed.

Today’s ta das:
✅ beds stripped, first load washed and on the line, next load washing
✅ DW emptied, breakfast things in
✅ me and DD washed and dressed by 9am. Usual knicker dramas but not as lengthy as they have been.
✅ bathroom cleaned
✅ a bit of decluttering and organising in the boudoir and my dressing room
✅ boudoir and dressing room dusted, mirrors and windows cleaned
✅ s & s downstairs
✅ DD’s pool inflated - counting that as a work out!
✅ pleasant hour in the garden playing with DD and enjoying the sun
✅ easy lunch of scrambled egg on toast
✅ rang DGM

DH has been to the shop, washed my car and blown up my tyres.

To do:
🐦 rest of upstairs dusting
🐦 hoover upstairs (and could do with a quick one downstairs too)
🐦 mop bathroom
🐦 risotto for tea
🐦 meal planning
🐦 beds remade
🐦 usual evening routine
DH is doing bedtime tonight. I am going to go for a walk on my own if it’s still nice, and then get going with my lovely new planner

KCC - best surprise was DH proposing on Christmas Day. He asked to go for a walk and I almost said no (Christmas day walks were not a thing for me then, it was for lazing around and eating selection box chocolate) but thankfully I agreed so he could do it by the sea as he’d planned.

Spirit animal - Id say I’m also a cat. I’m a bit lazy and I’m happiest when I’m curled up on a cozy blanket or in a sunny spot. Sometimes I love cuddles and attention, and other times I want to turn my back on everyone and be alone.

I’m sorry they’re making you feel bad about sending them :( it’s not fair at all

We are all in a bit of a daze this afternoon. Must crack on with work. DD1 has extra to get on with this evening as she refused to finish hers last night and then forgot her folder as she could’ve taken it to school 🙄 I have a feeling it will be tense again and I’m not in the mood to handle it.

Loneliness is getting a bit overwhelming now. DH doesn’t get it as he’s not bothered about having friends outside the family

Sorry lane, it really is tough. Loneliness is horrible.

foxes and kt I agree completely with sending children back to schools. Everybody's circumstances are so different. DDs nursery have been in touch and we've said that we would love DD to go back, but we aren't key workers and we are working from home so we don't need a space and dont want to put pressure on the staff. They've said they will get back to us and let us know if they have room to take her in safely once they have accommodated key workers children. That seems fair enough to me.

Thank you x
I am lucky I know to have family at home, I think it’s more normality that I miss in a way. Basically because my closest friends aren’t actually that chatty at the moment and don’t do phones. I’ve been reaching out to them a lot and am always there when they do want to talk about stuff but I’ve kind of given up for a bit. It’s not them being nasty or that we aren’t friends, it’s just that they react differently to stress, but it’s pushing all my anxiety buttons.

I’ve been very static again - if I actually could curl up into a ball like a pangolin I probably would! I’m going sit on the bench with a puzzle book I think otherwise I’ll still be in a mood by the time DD1 needs to do work.

foxes, KT, Fluff, you all need to make the right childcare decisions for your family and no-one else - even on the all-knowing, all-seeing, WhatsApp Group! - can fully know all the parameters you're working within. As long as you trust your reasoning, all is good.

Also, fb is poisonous and I keep trying to come off there but getting earache from DM for not seeing my DSis's posts. [Hmm].

Ta Das so far, from this morning:
♥️ 1st LOL on line
🧡 2nd LOL washed and on line
💛 3rd LOL washing
💚 Lunches provided
💙 OT emailed
💜 Maths homework done with DS3 and humanities homework started
🖤 Done a little bit of writing but only about 4 sentences!

Going to think* about DW rotation (again) and kitchen floor mopping.

• I said think, not do. Ok? 😂

Hi
Just a quick visit. Dh is up a ladder washing the windows and paint work. he is going to paint the surrounds up and i''m going to do down. i have the Dcat at the moment. she wanted a cuddle. she has been outside twice today. it was too hot for her so she went under the tree. not daft.
i need to paint the new door too. will be cracking on until late. i wanted to finish boudoir first. not finished but did a couple of hours on top of the wardrobe, underneath and the side where lots of paintings are stored. i took them out and wiped everyone about 10. Some artists, some DDs and a couple of mine. Horrible job but done without too much wheezing.It is red hot here today.
Some great lists, woow KTC.
Easy tea tonight so don't need to spend time cooking.Should have done the ironing yesterday or day before!
Check in later. I read all your posts last night then too tired to post mine.

Welcome Didmy

Hazel gorgeous flowers.

DH went for milk, bread etc at services and said no magazines just books and crap, No M&S open which is why I sent him there so drove to a family garage for Diesel and managed to get the bits including caster sugar there. We are trying to stay out and just go fortnightly but bread and milk is a must for him. Lakeland are starting deliveries so think i might get the bread machine I nearly bought him for Christmas Shhh! I have some flour and a bit of yeast but weak, crappy wrist now. They are doing orders but limiting each day.

Wow, well done re: all of your lists everyone! You are doing brilliantly fledglings.

So agree with everyone about schooling decision. Its each to their own as far as I'm concerned. An 'only' 16 yr old has very different needs to a nursery attendee. And vice versa. And everyone's family circs vary. And anyway, until the scientists have more info about this virus, there is no "right" answer. Wish everyone would just live and let live.

I've been working today. It was extremely tedious. I'm now in the middle of making another curry (beef this time). We've gone curry mad here. Apart from emptying dw, s&s, blah de da, no other Flying. That is all.

Zoo latest news from school is that 3 exams in weakest subjects still going ahead on Weds 10th, 17th, 24th in school. Trouble is, she still doesn't know which subjects Apparently, her titulaire will be in touch with further and better partics next week., so it was just another "holding" letter really. Really poor communication tbh.

Sorry about the loneliness Lane. Funnily enough I was just thinking that the friends I normally natter to on the phone have been quite quiet recently and so have I in reverse. I think it's do with (a) not having much new to say or report on (b) not ringing for fear of disturbing those working or studying at home or disturbing evening family Zooms and (c) everyone becoming slightly maudlin ... .

KCC: has to be a 🐎.

One positive thing: Some of you may remember me spending an "interesting" day (remember the ladder bum swinging incident? ) last year with a potential architect at wreck2 who, subsequently sent his staff to measure up and produce plans, came up with good ideas, and then disappeared off the face off the earth. A shame because we felt we were on the same wave length. Anyway, after some time being demoralised (because it had taken ages to find him and arrange appt) we've finally found another potential candidate and have made an appt for her to visit in June. She comes highly recommended. We still don't know yet if we will be permitted to travel to wreck2 then - so will have to see - but it feels like a small bit of progress. Frankly, I am desperate to have one home that actually functions.

Dcat has decamped now she has heard DH is in. She will be wanting her scratch and cuddle from him. She has eaten a whole packet since last night plus a bit of beef stew in gravy. Her eye is awful blood in one and the other not great but she has been down the garden and back twice today and from outdoors into the house via kitchen, dining from to sitting room. Five meds which i made a tick list for which is working. I don't want to lose her and she doesn't seem unhappy. Hope you don't think we are cruel and I know next visit will be it.They haven't rung back with results of £50 tests so must be ok. Right new door calls.

Sorry that posted before signing off.

Bower our boudoir sound so similar! I have paintings down the side of our wardrobes too! (Ours is back to being a total pit again.)

Sorry for scant personals! Curry needs a bit of attention!
🍒😷👋

Hope dcat can hang on for a good while yet Bower

Forgot to say a very "Happy Birthday" to MrFoxes who always sounds like a very good egg! 🎂🎁🎉

I don’t blame you lane, it’s no one else’s business. I’m sorry you’re feeling lonely, it really is horrible.

I’m sorry to hear that foxes that’s horrible. The only people who know what your children need is you and themselves. And if you both agree that school is the best thing for them then why should anyone else care?.

I have sorted out all our living room toys today and moved the ones we don’t use as much info the kids’ bedroom. I’ve really enjoyed the sun.

Bower it's not cruel to want to hang on to her for as long as possible we can all tell that you care deeply for her.

Can't believe how warm it still is. We took the tent down after finishing school work (had been too wet to do before now) and then got the paddling pool out for the DC while I made dinner (veg tagine and couscous was lovely).

Have now cleared up from both dinner and padding pool and just settling down to stick the film on.

My Fitbit has just told me I've hit my 10,000 steps today. God knows how I've been nowhere

ta da with sloths because well, duh
🦥home ed with DS (managed to start pretty much on time which I normally struggle with when DH has a lie in)
🦥family fun with DS - we’ve realised that we can play board game apps (of which, unsurprisingly, I have a fair few) when Cagletini is awake as she can’t trash the pieces and we can still play with her while waiting for our turn. I’d always rather play a Proper Game but at least this way we get our game fix!
🦥taught DS a new maths skill using Lego
🦥signed up to TeachIt - another one offering free subs at the moment, for secondary level you have to do separately for each subject
🦥kept Cagletini busy with the classic “painting with water” in the garden as that was the only way I could get any vague quiet
🦥started some homework with DD1, much earlier but still after minecraft time... so still too late
🦥got pissed off with the epic moodiness and went out on my own. Grabbed a few bits at Tesco and then sat in the park and drew a bit of the lake, I don’t normally do nature drawings so it really made me focus and thus relax. Going to do that more often to get me out of the house and will try not to wait until I’m ready to kill people next time.

also
🦥quickly hung up towel wash indoors as couldn’t be arsed to move the stuff out of the dryer 😳
🦥dug out therapy journal and brought it downstairs with notes in the hope that if I wake up before everyone else tomorrow I can actually write it
🦥(earlier) spoke to HOY again, apparently DD1’s friend’s mum already said her DD won’t be in over half term so I said not to worry about mine either - they were trying to work out staffing anyway

Our primary have said they are not even considering taking back nursery and reception children before September as they don't deem it safe to do so. Quite a few people on class WhatsApp are annoyed about this! Annoyed that the school are considering safety it seems.

I'm also of the camp its what's best for YOUR family we are all different,we parent differently and have differing needs.if everyone could just throttle them selves with judgy pant elastic hooked up so high it goes to throats that'd be smashing!

We took a walk yesterday.was bloody hot but head down to old disused railway line and fields that are now preserved we meander by the river.stunning views- field literally full of buttercups,my first sight if duckling this year.was hot and tired after 11/2 hrs but wellbeing restored a great deal.
foxesa change is scene really does make such a difference

Not best morning here..I've managed chuck in load new clothes to wash half asleep and turned pale pink shorts grey courtesy of a rogue black Jean short hiding in pile.tried quick rewash with colour catcher.still grey.fuckity fuck.not helps that stitchings still pink mocking my mistake!!

Other than that...
*Quick clear up if living room and kitchen locating surfaces and sweeping floors
*Assembled new hoover and left it charging
*Messed up washing
*Watered seedlings outside
*littertray and bins

To do
Wash all floors
Tidying of "stuff"
Should be done if zoom it in about 90 minutes then I'm on free play rest of today.planning pedicure as my heels are awful!

It's very hit and miss re: schools round here, although I'm not plugged into the Primary circuit any more. One local Secondary has announced they're not going back til Eton does !

It was revoltingly hot last night, so I slept badly and am pretty grumpy this morning. I am a proper Celt and my brain doesn't go at all above 25 degrees, like Pratchett's trolls. Hoping to get some brain-work done today that I had to skip yesterday because everything went dribbly.

We are also experimenting today with letting DS3 do online lessons in the garden. I think outdoor learning may suit him (we did outdoor homework yesterday) by providing enough input for his ADHD while also providing opportunities for dyspraxia management. Cross fingers!

I am let off a couple of jobs this morning as DS1 has finally (after 2 months!) got back round to his day starting at 7.30am. He was short of things to do, so spontaneously rotated the DW and wiped all the kitchen surfaces. He is my favourite 💕💕 (for now) 😁.

To dos:
🤯 S&S
🤯 Clean our bathroom
🤯 Kitchen and cloakroom floors
🤯 Creative homework with DS3 (make a model of a chimera. In paper maché. Obvs. There will be tears.) by us
🤯 Humanities homework with DS3 (make a mock online profile for a Significant Person of choice. Naturally this will be his favourite tenth century English king)
🤯 DO WRITING
🤯 LOL. Lots of LOLs.
🤯 Hoover, if DH takes the Hound out
🤯 Get MegaHound a Haircut! The poor animal hasn't been stripped since February and is very much not enjoying the weather while he's wearing his winter Furry Pyjamas. The groomer re-opened this week and has offered us an appointment, which we've grabbed with both hands
🤯 Empty bins
🤯 Ring surgery about DD's mefenamic acid.

Can't do any of the personals til I get onto the laptop today, sorry. 🍒🙋 in the interim!

Morning all!

Washed one floor,shoulders/arms went all electric shock/buzzy so had to stop.i cannot do this in current situation so will be try remember physio exercises and push them in attempt see off complete seizing up and unable to lift or move.i mean BOTH arms?my idea of hell....

X post Megiddo same here about the heat!
Absolutely love the chimera creative project!

Also: you have reminded me that we need to bath and clip the furries today (tools have arrived via Amazon). The good weather means they can dry off in the sun afterwoods. The "puppy" has been traumatized by very very bad grooming experiences in her past (during the same period of time when she was carried around permanently in a handbag, had eau de cologne put in her coat and her claws painted with red nail varnish FFS ) so this should be interesting as she usually "screams" at the top of her lungs. It's unlike any noise I have heard a dog make tbh . Very distressing. We're going to try it very gently this time by putting her in the bath with our other dog as a (hopefully) calming influence.