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!

Awake since 230,giving up n getting up
Plan do home bleurgh and try slide in a nap later

I hope you can nap later zoo, is there a reason you woke up so early?

The boys have been up since 5. Usually it’s around about 5:30, then we’ll watch cartoons in my bed until 7ish and I can go back to sleep. But they decided today they want to wake up and paint at 5:30. Wish me luck for today, hot weather and tired toddlers isn’t a great mix. Hopefully they just nap in the day.

Just become huge insomniac...

Breakfast-
Oatmeal cups with yogurt and fruit

Hi everyone sorry about all the early rises this morning, hope you can all have a restful as possible bank holiday

We got a takeaway in the end last night, not the one we had wanted but it was actually very nice so that was good.

Feeling a bit flat today, went for a really long walk with dh and the kids yesterday which was great but it's unlikely they'll want to do the same today and dh is going out on his bike later anyway. I don't fancy going anywhere in the car because I'm guessing most places like beaches, big parks will be very busy today. So that just leaves me staying in with the kids...no change there then! 🤔 I don't have a problem with dh going out I think I'm just jealous he has something to do that he really enjoys and is not effected by lockdown!!

I think it's the fact it's half term as well and I'd usually have plans with friends and family and the kids...

Sorry, what a grumpy post

They look like snowmen zoo

Up at 415 here 😴

Tada
Wash on
Cats
Fed
Harpic lav

Kitchen
Windows wiped
Sills cleaned
Toiling wiped
Surfaces wiped
Hob cleaned
Cupboard fronts wiped
Floor swept

Living room
Windows wiped
Fabreeze cat tree and wipe
Wash in dryer
More in
Cleave TV unit
Put away stray dvds
Wipe fireplace/mantlepiece
Replace flowers water as looking fetid
Clean behind both sofas/liberate cat toys
Make oatcups and chill 30 mins
Clear dining table
Sweep floor
Set up table lamps bought week ago
Cups in oven
Wash out dryer folded
Wash in dryer
More on
Cups out oven to cool
Littertray and bins
Breakfasts

In case anyones interested
Oatmeal cups-
1cup oats
1tbsp maple syrup/honey
Half TSP cinnamon
1tsp vanilla
1mashed banana

Mix everything but oats,still in oats well.grease 6muffin cups and spoon mix between.gently press up sides with spoon
Chill 30 mins
Preheat oven 180oc
Bake 15 mins
Cool and add spoonful yogurt and top fruit

Oh and quote for the week done

Todo
Bathroom
Bedrooms
Unpack quarantined shein order and watch girls try on stuff/wash items keeping

Sorry so many had early starts. 🤞 for naps for you all.

Those cups look lovely zoo.

I've done scrambled eggs and toast for those that are up. DS2 only just got up so will do his in a bit.
Cleaned up tables and floors and did dishes after.
Ironed the stuff I took off the line last night. Child lock wasn't on the dryer and DS5 knocked it back on. I can't stop it so will have to wait for it to finish so I can iron that lot and put a LOL in.

Going to get everyone dressed and then get the paddling pool and slip and slide up in the garden.

Also need to do S&S and run hoover round at some point. And bake my cookie thing.

Morning all! Lots going on on the thread, am having trouble keeping up!

SC I like the sound of your new cleaning kit. Could you trap DH in one of the boxes to stop him breaking "mending" anything else?

Zoo, brilliant recipe, I might try that on various Megidettes later in the week.

Foxes, I totally understand not begrudging one's OH their personal outlet/ hobby, but wanting one of your own. And the vague background feeling that if they are going out to work / working from home while you manage the DC, they bloody well owe you a couple of hours without anyone needing a drink / a snack / a story / a cuddle. I was the on the Peopled Out thread earlier in the week - I adore my family, would walk through fire for DH and DC etc, but just leave me alone for an hour!

Lane if they've not responded to the meetup suggestion, maybe they're thinking it over?

Saturday turned out to be a Big Cleaning day in the end, by accident - properly scrubbed both bathrooms, went through the errant bottles at the end of the bath, Had A Word with the Megidettes about keeping it clean and tidy (some hope!) and the scrubbed the oven with soda crystals. It took over an hour, but it's super-shiny and any actual cooking in it is banned! I am ignoring the second oven.

Yesterday, all our Ta Das were in the garden - lots of weeding and tidying, finally transplanted my tomato seedlings, moved plants from under the slide / fort, cut back next door's honey suckle which is trying to strangle the apple tree etc.

The swing / slide / fort thingy that is now 8 years old has reached the end of its life over 4 DC, so were are having to replace it. DS3 needs to swing to regulate, so we are going down to just a swing for now, as no-one's been in the fort this summer (although the postman used to find it useful for parcels).

Plans today involve fulminating about the Government and more pimbling in the garden.

I did try TOMM a couple of times, but it's predicated too much on a smaller family and house than I'm dealing with. I did find Simply Clean to be far more useful (and a book not a website, so it stays still, so to speak). I do my non-negotiables as my morning routine (DW, S&S, LOL, windows open, beds made, kitchen floor swept) and roughly approach a room a day thereafter. Even doing a S&S everyday does not allow me to clean the bathroom one week in 4!

Right. Even DS1 is up now, and I'm off for coffee in the garden!

Baby step 25 here

Launch pad - today is home blessing day (to be done all at once or split up) here

We are in Zone 5 - living room

KCC Name something that always centres you and calms you down - for me it's swimming but that's not much use now! I suppose going for a run which is a new habit (Moving in May with Flylady)

Some images for insomniacs and those dinosaurs frustrated by short forelimbs and those just completely headswiveling these days by others' excuses...

and I'm not getting at those who through no fault of their own are late (I hope it didn't come across that way). I'm alluding to excuses that are just unbelievable and indefensible. Anyway enough of that this morning.

zoo, didmy and that - dh woke up a silly o'clock this morning and because he is an owl, he is totally dysfunctional this morning. please try to rest up if you can later. Amazing ta da list that. I have stumbled to work this morning and am already late getting started.

No bank holiday here foxes, ours is next week and I don't blame you for being grumpy. We are allowed to be grumpy on here!

that thanks for the lovely recipe. Littlemiss - I'd love a morning in the paddling pool myself.

Meggido pimbling is a magnificent word - is it local to you? I've tried looking it up for a definition but no joy.

They were the one who suggested it the other day meg but I’ve left the ball in their court now anyway.

Feel really grumpy and tearful today but have some plans to get stuff done regardless. Have put washing on and got the Caglets to do some chores.

I agree about TOMM (the organised mum method) megiddo. I love the graphics and it looks less messy that the Flylady website and less twee. However in practice taking the weekend off doesn't work for me.

I also need to clean the bathroom more than once in 4 weeks (even with swish and swipe). I just tailor flylady to my needs.

Better get back to work...

Is it possible Lane that they are slow off the mark after the weekend?

I can understand why you feel grumpy - especially when you are responding to their suggestion. And it's Monday which is a whole trial in itself...

KCC - handstitching, always. It can be embroidery or cross-stitch or plain handsewing (great lengths of backstitch) but there's something very calming about having to focus a single stitch at a time, and the repetitive movement is very soothing. Similar to telling the Rosary, I suspect (apologies if that's wrong, non-Catholic here).

Oops, phone was behind hand. So sorry you are feeling low, Lane. We love you and think you're ace 💐.

Lisette, I'm not sure where pimbling comes from! It's like wombling, but even less directed 😁. Suspect it came from DH who is from Gloucestershire - can Chic advise? We have adapted it so that wasting time on t'internet is known as Going On Pimbler.

You're correct on the rosary Megiddo. Not my favourite way to pray as a Catholic but for those who enjoy it, it can be hypnotic.

What centres me - drawing. It is basically the only thing I can focus on at the right level (ie not distracted but also not so “hyper focused” that I get moody etc) and it makes me happy. I’m starting to make more time for it again now having stopped for a while when I was ill.

I need to actually move and do stuff, I have wasted hours now.

Thanks meg it's nice to know people understand and I also agree about fly lady and bathroom cleaning! I s&s every day but tend to add on toilet cleaning, sink cleaning etc whenever I feel it is necessary (quite often because the kids smear soap everywhere and drip wee around too - lovely!)

Am still feeling a bit meh but am trying to accept that's just how I feel today and I'm tomorrow will be different, and to just get on with it! So -

Ta das
S&s bathroom
Dishwasher on
Washing on and hung out (ds wet the bed so had to do all his bedding)
Split big pack of chicken breasts into portions and put in freezer along with other meat that we aren't using in next day or so
Got chicken out of the fridge ready to roast shortly as having it at lunchtime (so dh can go and meet a friend for a bike ride later on 😬)
Dh has hoovered
Tidied upstairs
Put some washing away
Done some washing up

To do
Finish quick tidy everywhere
Cook lunch
Possibly some decluttering in the living room and have a look at today's mission

Dh has taken the kids outside to wash the car so I'm actually having a moment's peace and tbf to him I can hear him keep telling the kids not to keep ringing the doorbell and making mummy get up 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Morning all, I have been away from the thread for a few days and have just made time to catch up.

A few KCCs. Grandparents - Christmas. We lived 200 miles away from my parents families growing up but always travelled to spend Christmas with grandparents, the day itself with them and Boxing Day would be a big family party at one of the aunt or uncle's houses. Very happy memories.

Annoyances - sorry Lisette - the foil still on butter in the dish really annoys me too. As does just general failure to put things away or in bins.

Calming - my potting shed and allotment. The allotment has been a real blessing during lockdown as I've been mainly at home with the DCs while DH is at work all day. Also, we have got one of those swinging cocoon seats in the garden which is incredibly relaxing. Weirdly crafting, which I love, doesn't do it for me, I have to be calm already or I can't concentrate.

Well, on Saturday we had our first trip out of town (apart from for work). Drove to a hill about 20 miles away which has stunning views and an ice cream van. DS was literally bouncing with happiness. We drove through torrential rain and hail but it was sunny when we got there. So that was nice. Yesterday I was at work, but I'm off for the rest of the week. Today I have spent a couple of hours at the allotment and we have all agreed to have a lazy day and take a picnic to the beach this evening when the crowds have gone (about 45 mins drive away).

Flying wise - our old carpet cleaner broke and DH bought a new one which he is systematically going through the house with (we have carpet everywhere except kitchen and bathroom). I have identified some skirting boards to paint this week.

Waves to ed. Sounds like a lovely trip.

Lane hope you’re feeling a bit better now . I had a random grumpy 10 minutes earlier and was a bit snappy with DH. I think we all just have to go easy on ourselves at the moment. I’m sure the lack of enthusiasm for a meet up isn’t personal, especially if they first suggested it themselves. Maybe they are having a bit of a down spell too? Their loss anyway, we all know you’re fab!

I agree on the bathroom front Meg. I do daily s & s, then a proper bathroom clean as part of home blessing. Then when I’m in that zone it tends to be a deeper clean of tiles, taps etc. Definitely couldn’t only do it once a month, it’s ready for it each week!

Breakfast looks good Zoo. Do you deliver?

I feel the same as you today Foxes. Bank holiday for us usually means a walk along the river to the next village, then a pizza and a glass of wine in a lovely pub beer garden. We walked halfway to the village this morning until DD got tired. It was enjoyable but not the same and I now feel a bit restless at home.

KCC - I’m a bit sad and writing a to-do list or in my planner always relaxes / centres me. Colouring with DD is also relaxing.

Ta Das:
✅ LOL and hung out
✅ s & s
✅ beds made
✅ dressed and out the house for 10am. Two hour walk via the ice cream van. Yum. (I was good and had a small one without a flake)
✅ lunch of various leftovers.

In the house for a bit of ‘quiet time’ as DD was a bit grumpy after the long walk, then plan is afternoon in the garden with paddling pool, some weeding and finally doing the pots. Monday isn’t my home bleurgh day so minimal flying here.

Hope you all manage to have a nice bank holiday Monday!