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Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread

998 replies

KTCluck · 30/06/2020 21:50

Welcome all fledglings, newbies and lurkers to the July 2020 flylady thread, where we try and follow flylady’s system to keep our homes in order and our lives organised. We are a friendly bunch and like a bit of a natter, amongst posting our ‘To Do’ lists for accountability and celebrating our ‘Ta Da’ lists no matter how long or short. No fledgling is left behind, just jump in and join us wherever you are at - whether you are a lazy slattern living in chaos or a fully certified domestic goddess wanting to keep up the motivation. Most of us flit between the two depending on the day. The threads tends to be a supportive corner of MN, and we readily provide listening ears for woes and rants when needed.

Flylady is a system based around morning and evening routines, with babysteps to get you started and a daily focus, such as planning and family fun day. There’s a weekly home blessing (or ‘bleurgh’ as we prefer) which is a basic clean to keep the house ticking over, with short bursts of decluttering or deeper cleaning in weekly zones once you are ready. Flylady also suggests short missions each day. Feel free to adapt the system to make it fit in with your life.

Link to the launchpad is here (I hope) and the baby steps are here. From the launchpad I like the ‘flight plan’ for a reminder of the routines, and ‘sneak peek of the week’ for a list of the week‘a missions. You can sign up for emails, but be warned, you will need to regularly declutter your inbox!

As thread leader for July I have taken possession of the thread pointy stick —> for anyone in need of a sharp prod of motivation, but I’ve also set up a chilled quiet naughty corner, complete with comfortable day beds, a gentle sea breeze, and unlimited fruit platters, ice creams and cocktails to any fledgling who is in need of rest and recuperation or is just on strike. No partners or children allowed.

I’ll also try and keep the ‘keep calm corner’ (KCC) going. Originally introduced by our lovely SC, it’s a little daily dose of respite we’ve been using to help us get through these strange times.

I’ll do my best to keep us all motivated and flying throughout July. On work days I may appear with the larks, or not crawl in until the end of the day so apologies in advance if I’m late with links.

We start tomorrow in zone 1 (hall, porch, dining room). Here’s the missions. Habit of the month is ‘swish and swipe’ which is a daily 2 minute wipe of our toilets and sinks. Tomorrow is anti-procrastination day where we tackle those tasks we’ve been putting off.

Anyway, enough waffle, July we are coming for you! shortly, I’m just checking the naughty corner is ready

OP posts:
Thread gallery
71
HungryHazelEyes · 10/07/2020 23:31

zoo sorry to hear your cat is poorly, I hope the meds help quickly.

lisette happy for you to be on 2 week annual leave and not jealous AT ALL!

bower don't feel bad for taking some time for yourself, it's very much needed for good mental health.

I often leave my handwash dishes on the counter by the sink overnight for days on end but I do wipe down my sink and countertops every night. I also wish I had a utility room/ laundry room. I do have my washer and dryer in an alcove in the kitchen though. I often have a basket full of dirty clothes on the floor in the kitchen that can be quickly put on top of the washer/ dryer when needed.

Not planning on doing any flying tonight when I get home from work. We're going out to see some cars race and run into each other 😆 in a nearby town. Will do plenty this weekend though since I'm not working woohoo!

LaneBoy · 10/07/2020 23:51

ta da
🧮shower and defrosted legs
📝laundry moving on including new LOL
🧮answered all assessment questions
📝home ed
🧮walked to town
📝wilko, sainsburys, boots
🧮sat in a pub on my own woohoo!
📝lots of reading (including at the pub)
🧮cleared up Cagletini’s new pens and picnicware after she played with it
📝prepared for scouts session which this time involved making sure the kitchen had an acceptable space to view on zoom, getting coleslaw ingredients out (had bought cabbage earlier)... and then realising DH had used the last carrot at lunch so my lovely friend (one of the scout helpers) dropped some round!
🧮designed Carrot Delivery Service logo for friend :o
📝family time watching Johnny English 2

Oh I forgot to say re the KCC from yesterday - well, evidently someone time alone is usually what I need as a pick me up, especially at the moment as it’s in short supply. In normal life, a short swim followed by steam room is great, as is a gentle gym workout or yoga class. But what I really miss as a pick me up is time with friends. I’m not a night out person, if anything we are more likely to have a quiet lunch on a weekday, but I love having a couple of friends round of an evening and we order takeaway and just chat.

Can’t sleep yet so I’m going to read.

Bowerbird5 · 11/07/2020 00:07

Zoo just back tracking to find out about DCat.Does it look a bit like fitting? DDs DCat had thyroid problems. The vet said it is very common in older cats. They put her on medication and we saw a big improvement. Hardly had any fitting type movements whereas she was having quite a lot each day.

Yes, your right Hazel I would probably tell someone else but not good at doing it myself though I am getting better. DH turned up at home when I thought I had the day to myself so not much accomplished as friend called to say come up. It was good to talk to her and we went from tea to 🍷 so not much accomplished. Tomorrow is another day.

LaneBoy · 11/07/2020 00:28

One week of term left woooohooooooooooo!!!

That is all I have to say :o

EasilyDelighted · 11/07/2020 00:29

I have finally read the whole thread.

A few KCC catch ups.

Kindness - my parents doing childcare for the DCs, they did one day a week at their house, picking them up from here and bringing them back. Then in the evening mum would send me an email with all the details of what they'd done that day (usually handover was a bit chaotic for chatting). I've still got all those emails.

Laughter - some friends and I got VERY inappropriate giggles at a funeral once. I won't say why out of respect but boy was it funny.

Pick-me-up - like Bower sitting in my potting shed with a cuppa and the radio on. It's lovely and airy and no one else ever really goes in there.

Sorry to hear of all the twatty menfolk. Mine has his moments but is OK generally.

Foxes - that was me with the snap, glad its gone down well

Lane - laundry we have a plastic, lidded, main basket in an alcove in our bedroom then in the bathroom and DCs rooms we have large plastic waste paper bins for laundry as all three rooms are very small. Our WM is in the kitchen so anything from there just gets chucked straight in.

Cosiness - our living room is painted a bright sunny yellow which is super cosy. Cushions and throws on the sofa, a rug, warm lighting. a clock on the mantelpiece, some nicknacks (things the DCs have made / bought plus a few of my bits). In the dining room we have pictures and candles on the mantelpiece, my collection of blue glass on a windowsill, a bookcase and a glass fronted dresser full of china and more nicknacks. The landing is lined with bookcases. Dimmer switches and table lamps make a big difference too.

Tada!

No long lists but I have done more decluttering in the kitchen and treated us to a new cutlery drawer tray which has made a huge difference, the last one had two many but too small slots, this one has just the right amount of bigger ones.

In other news I went to a cafe and had coffee and cake in the garden today, which was nice.

xmummy2princesx · 11/07/2020 00:33

Hiya all haven’t been vry active 2day. Met up with mum and step dad and we went 4 a drive out wiv the boys 2 a big open space 4 them 2 get sum fresh air. Mums sleeping over 2night in my bed with me lol. Feels like I’m little again she’ll get the shock of her life when the boys wake her up at half 5.

Not dun much 2day!

Ta Da’s
❤️Beds made
🧡Me and kids dressed
💛Breakfast
💚Washed up
💙Potato and spinach purée lunch 4 Sullivan
💜Washed up
❤️LOL
🧡Washing out 2 dry
💛Folded and put away
💚Did online shop

zoo I’m dreading when Sullivan is old enuf 2 b throwing tantrums as well. I’m sorry 2 hear about ur cat.

lane I don’t have a basket it’s just dropped on the landing and I take it 2 the kitchen. Might need 2 invest tho. Luvly pic of DS.

Thank u sc 2day was much better!

I would luv a utility room. I’d luv any room tbh. I just have a living room and kitchen downstairs and then 2 bedrooms and a tiny bathroom upstairs. Tbh the bedrooms r quite big but everything feels so cramped.

HungryHazelEyes · 11/07/2020 01:56

SC I'm happy for you that you were able to spend some time with your horse, sounds like it was just what you needed.

KT thank you for providing the full bar- now we just need a sexy bartender to serve us.
lane I'm glad you were able to have some time to yourself and get back to a new normal, it's so nice.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 11/07/2020 10:03

Morning all

Just read back through past few pages!

Hope cat ok zoo!

Lane i need that cup!

Foxes if the snap cards you got in Aldi were the educational ones they are a BARGAIN. Much more £ on Amazon! I got some too much to the dcs joy Grin

I haven't taken any of mine except baby in pram into any shops yet. I am avoiding that!

Still waiting to hear plans for September for BOTH schools Hmm

We have a utility room although its just a dumping ground really. It is on my to do list (has been for 3 years)

We are also lucky re cupboard space as i think we have 16 in the kitchen plus 9 large drawers, but somehow they are all full to bursting!

And our kitchen is left a tip most nights!

Ta da

❤ all up, fed and dressed
🧡 dryer empty
💙 wash on x2
💜 dryer on
💚 last nights pots washed (mostly)
💛 hob cleaned
❤ toys picked up once dc5 down for nap
🧡 worktops wiped

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 11/07/2020 10:52

❤ third wash on
🧡 washing on line
💙 dryer on again
💜 upstairs bins empty
💚 dry washing away
💛 dc1 and 2 prompted to clean rooms
❤ bath coated in cleaning foam stuff
🧡 quick tidy bedroom

On a roll ....

KTCluck · 11/07/2020 11:07

🎈 Happy Saturday!🎈

I’m just checking in quickly - I haven’t caught up with the thread since yesterday lunchtime and we are heading out shortly. I will get caught up this evening but in the mean time apologies for lack of up to date personals. I do remember from yesterday that I wanted to say your summer house sounds so lovely Bower, and Lane I’m 50/50
on the utility. It’s useful and keeps laundry clutter at bay, but it does seem to end up as an extra dumping space for DH, an extra area to clean, and like Foxes ours isn’t great. Mouldy ceiling, chipped paintwork etc. Definitely not a Pinterest worthy one!

No links this morning as there’s no missions etc - for me saturday is downstairs home bleurgh, 15 minutes zone cleaning and catching up.

Family fun day today - DH has DD out on her scooter while I blitz down stairs, then we are heading out for a walk along the river and round castle in the next village and hopefully a pub lunch if it isn’t too busy.

Ta da:
✅ beds, LOL, s & s and usual jazz
✅ financial stuff
✅ downstairs dusted
✅ downstairs hoovered
✅ dining room, living room, utility and hall mopped
✅ living room window cleaned
✅ kitchen floor and paintwork scrubbed on hands and knees. The water was embarrassing Blush

Need to get myself spruced up and then head out. Will catch you all later 👋

OP posts:
LaneBoy · 11/07/2020 11:29

Morning all. Thanks for further thoughts on cosiness and laundry!

Dimmer switches are good - DH installed one in our room because of the toddler (although I usually end up getting her to fall asleep downstairs instead now 😳). It would be great to have them in the living room too but I need to figure out if it’ll work with 1. 2 separate lights (I assume that’d work as it’d just dim them both) and 2. A relay system where the second switch can’t be changed because it’s got a switch for the outside light too. I guess the alternative would be smart bulbs 🤔 which we haven’t tried before but maybe it’s worth a think as they could be controlled separately. Still haven’t thought of what to do with the money from mum, it’s in my account where it just gets frittered away 🙄

So I woke up thinking I’d be motivated, had plans for my first PO3 and then... didn’t do anything. So the result is, I’m still in my jammies, and the house is a mess. But I told DD1 she’d have to do stuff before her friend arrives. We have about 3 hours. DH is up from his lie in (why am I not better at lie ins? Once I’m awake I can’t sleep again so I resent everyone sleeping late 😂) so we can crack on shortly. I’d rather sulk though.

PO3 #1
❗️Write list of what DD1 needs to get done
❗️Help with the tidying of the living room
❗️Reading (I reckon I could finish the book today)

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 11/07/2020 11:39

❤ printed dds homework
🧡 tidied toys in small twos bedroom
💙 wiped all surfaces in our bedroom
💜 scrubbed bath
💚 bleach on bath seal stuff
💛 bleach loo
❤ washed pen pot that pen exploded in
🧡 folded and put away towels

foxessocks · 11/07/2020 11:53

Yep the educational ones that , I wish I'd bought the fractions one as well now! They're really good aren't they! Great list today btw 👍

The kids are being do whiney today Hmm thankfully dh took them out for a bit so I did a blitz of the house, 15 minutes in every room

Ta das
Dishwasher on
Washing on X 2
Asked various different people if they wanted some toys and clothes the kids don't want / need anymore , so some of them will be gone soon!
Decluttered shoe basket and letter rack in kitchen
Took all the toys in the living room upstairs
Polished mirror in living room
Dusted piano
Washed a couple of too small coats ready to pass on to someone else
Tidied ds bedroom (as best as I can since we don't have any toy storage yet!)
Took all dd toys out of spare room so we can get to ds clothes which are currently in there
S&s bathroom
Tidied dd bedroom (again, it looks a tip still as no toy storage yet but at least I can see what she's got! And threw some junk away)
Put some laundry away

I have a question - what do you all do about pocket money? Dd is 6 and I think she might benefit from learning the value of money and saving up for things. But then I'd have to give ds, 3, something too? I spoke to dd about it and she was obviously keen but kind of missed the point about saving up and seems to think she'll now be able to buy a skateboard next week HmmConfused so maybe she's too young!!

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 11/07/2020 11:56

foxes we do pocket money from age 10, this handily means that by the time dc4 and 5 are getting it the big two won't be Grin

xmummy2princesx · 11/07/2020 12:18

Morning all! Dm let me lie in until 7!! I feel like a new woman.

Apple and pear purée 4 Sully 2 try 2day. Then next week we’re adding dinner as well as lunch wiv sum finger foods.! No flying dun so far other than beds made, breakfast and lunch made and we’re dressed. Off out again 2day.

LaneBoy · 11/07/2020 13:02

Woohoo living room a fair bit tidier and DD1 has worked through the list with our help. She got really stressed about said list and thought it’d take ages until I put the stopwatch on while we cleaned the bathroom. 5m25s for a quick picking up of remaining laundry, putting bottles on the side, rubbish check, spray and wipe sink. We had a quick chat about how I’m not making her do this stuff to be mean but it’s about the fact that in the same way she struggles with maths, I struggle with housework stuff like knowing what to do when, getting overwhelmed etc. And I do the list because even though it makes it look like a huge task it breaks it down, which she does find useful, and she seemed to understand that it’s preparing her for adulthood as well as she will get into better habits than I did. Also though I just realised because of her difficulties she has no concept of time (really common in adhd/asd and the maths problems mean the number aspect is hard too) so I’ll try and explain that to her later - showing her the clock really lightened the mood!

All she has to do from her list is shower/hair, go through her google classroom with me, and sort out bedding. So now I’m going to read for a bit.

LaneBoy · 11/07/2020 13:06

PO3 #2 (For after I’ve read at least a chapter!)
❗️LOL including bed sheet
❗️Lunch (I have something microwaveable) and finish water bottle
❗️Go through GC, make note of what work needs doing/submitting

xmummy2princesx · 11/07/2020 13:10

Made a hedgehog wiv Logan

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
Lisette1940 · 11/07/2020 13:22

Lovely hedgehog!

merryhouse · 11/07/2020 13:34

cute hedgehog xmummy

TaDa

[last night - washed up, put gunk on oven door and top shelf]
s&s x2
wiped gunk off oven door and shelf (it needs several more goes)
made bread for bacon sandwiches (in machine)
lol in progress (new machine takes FOUR HOURS which I cannot get used to)
S1 is washing up from lunch (!)
S2 started making millionaire shortbread but is waiting for the butter to soften
H has gone for a bike ride

S2 will want the laptop in a bit (I should have sent him the recipe I suppose) so I will make the bed and maybe do some hoovering
possibly do some more sewing of the gaping jeans (I am Officially Getting Old and my eyes go funny if I sew for too long)
when he's done I will need to make the soup for tea

merryhouse · 11/07/2020 13:36

gracious it cannot possibly have taken me twelve minutes to write that post...

foxessocks · 11/07/2020 15:27

😬 whhhhyyyy do I bother tidying anything?? Most of my earlier hard work has been undone. The dc are being unbelievably noisy and irritating today I honestly don't know what has got into them!! I've just had a shower to try and prevent me from arguing with everyone but I don't really feel much better for it.

I was going to take them out for a walk but my energy has gone now and instead I've made them watch TV just so they are quiet for five minutes Blush

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/07/2020 17:00

lane the photo was cute.how was your coleslaw in the end?
Mummy cute pic of hedgehog❤️
Bower it's a jump in the air whilst sleeping.shes only 2Sad
Foxes mess cyclones around,I swear so I clean and it circles and resettled
SCenjoy he of long face.i see why you did it,but night elving chores isn't looking after your needs!glad ceasefire with DD.tin hats ruin hairdos!

I have been attempting flylady since 2009?I still wash up.mostly in the mornings,not before bed.tired and CBA....

I've forgotten what else I needed to comment on,and phone makes hard scroll back,so big waves to everyone!

Let nelly sleep with me last night.she jump awake 2am then kept waking me rest night stamp all over me and rub face.its a good job I luffs her and her little face really does not my heart when she's seeking reassurance..

Very tired today,done bit good shop,4loads bloody washing

I've had tidy certain corner front room on to do for 5days...it's still a heap pile of STUFF.this is my note to get off my bum and sort it

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/07/2020 17:01

FFS my phone's been autocorrecting like a maniac past few days....
Melts my heart..

merryhouse · 11/07/2020 17:48

quick-hoovered bedrooms, landing, hall and lounge
changed S2's bedclothes
advised on shortbread and on caramel
hung washing, put on overflow load including bed stuff
made soup
cleared draining board
cleaned kitchen window
cleaned laundry room window

still haven't made bed Grin