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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
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KTCluck · 12/07/2020 15:03

Afternoon check in:

✅ s&s2, beds made
✅ LOL in/hung out
✅ family visits/phonecalls done
✅ hoovered
✅ top up shop
✅ DW emptied
✅ clean laundry sorted into piles but not yet away
✅ Sunday lunch demolished and first lot of dishes sorted

Currently having a cuppa in the garden while DD plays. Will move in 5 and then:

📌 some weeding
📌 laundry away
📌 ironing
📌 future friending and planning

That’s a lot of driving Meg for the appointment, but I’m glad it was worth it. Glad you got some time to yourself too

Lovely photos Princes

Merry hope your back pain goes soon. Definitely no notebooks or pens required here either!

OP posts:
LaneBoy · 12/07/2020 19:04

Quiet today! Hope everyone is having a spirit renewing sort of day.

I think I will actually be able to have everything ready for the week so that’s good. No last minute printing during the week. Although I do need to find some YouTube videos.

I haven’t actually completed PO3.2 because I’ve not been upstairs! I did read a bit more though. It’s been a bit stressful as we’ve had to have DD1’s friend a bit longer than planned!

MrsTidyHouse · 12/07/2020 19:58

Thank you, friends, for hugs and kind words. I was suddenly overwhelmed with just about everything. Fairly sure it's been building up for weeks now. Our schools go back in just over four weeks, and there's so much to do before then, in order to have a calm environment, and my confidence is non-existent. Realised this morning that every time I see an article about home learning or other aspects of lockdown, all the kitchens are beautiful. And that's made it harder. Went a short drive for the first time in weeks, and felt a bit miserable after.

Daily routine is expanding slowly as more of it becomes automatic. The first thing every morning is a load of laundry. Then garden or garage, depending on weather. This morning was warm and breezy, and I chopped up more overgrown privet from the front hedge for the garden bin. Ate a cooked breakfast, tidied and swept at back garden. Listened to radio 4 while doing all that.

Had a good blether with adult DS, who was tidying out his "miscellaneous" boxes in the front room. This is an ongoing project for him. Then I take the full box of rubbish and recycle its contents where possible.

I decided to slow down on my personal decluttering front, and take that self-imposed pressure off myself. Just concentrate on routines, and putting things back where they belong.

And now it's time for me to gather the laundry for tomorrow morning and take it downstairs. Then eat some chocolate, watch Netflix. Write tomorrow's list.

Thank you.

JigoloHarMegiddo · 12/07/2020 20:24

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

LittlemissAWOL · 12/07/2020 21:09

I have done absolutely nothing today!

Went to Asda yesterday then we went for a takeaway and a few drinks at my DGM for her birthday. My brother, SIL and nephews went too. Brother announced SIL is pregnant (I already knew this I knew before him so I had to do my super shocked act 🙈) so it was a double celebration. I'm so happy for them they've been trying for around 6 years. So I'm going to have a new niece or nephew in Jan/Feb.
DC stayed at my DGM and I didn't get up until lunchtime today (with a bit of a sore head).
We ended up getting fish and chips for dinner because I forgot to get anything out of the freezer. Have just watched sonic and now the DC have all (except little one he's asleep on the sofa) built a camp upstairs to sleep in.

Going to write a to-do list tomorrow and try and get a few bits done each day to make up for being a lazy mare today. All schoolwork is printed so we're good to go in the morning.

KTCluck · 12/07/2020 21:26

Tidy it’s awful when you feel overwhelmed like that. It sounds like you’re doing absolutely great The basic routines are the place to start, the decluttering will happen when it happens. With regard to to do lists if I’m feeling overwhelmed I like a weekly one rather than daily. That way, if I have a bad day it’s not a big deal. On those days I set a target of what is the absolute minimum. So for me that would be a load of laundry washed and dried, bed made, a wash, The dishwasher on at some point, some fresh air and some reading. Everyone fed, and no one dead. (Thinking about it, that was basically my daily to do list for my 9months of mat leave Grin). With decluttering I found choosing one tiny area worked. A drawer, half a shelf, a corner. It took a good few months but we got there, and definitely didn’t do every day.

Meg my DH is constantly complicating finances. Enjoy your bath!

Lane sorry the day was a bit stressful but glad you got some time to read.

Sunday waves to Chic, Lisette, Princes, Merry, stressy, Zoo, Foxes, Expletive, That, AWOL, Hazel and Bower

Final ta da list for today:
✅ Weeded front garden and made a good go at the back. It’s still a bit of a jungle out there though!
✅ Most of ironing done, lots of clothes put away
✅ Another DW load and some bits hndwashed
✅ overnight oats for next few days, tomorrow’s lunch sorted and bags/uniforms sorted
✅ Successfully tired DD out with a scoot along the sea front so that she was bathed and in bed before 7 Smile
✅ weekly planning/reflecting done
✅ living room tidied before coming up to bed.

OP posts:
KTCluck · 12/07/2020 21:42

That sounds like a lovely lazy day Awol, and congratulations on the new niece/nephew.

I’m going to post tomorrow’s links tonight in case I don’t have time in the morning.

We are moving into zone 3 - bathroom and one other room. This week that’ll be the utility room for me, and I’m planning on wiping the paintwork down in both rooms. Not entirely sure how it can possibly be home bleurgh time again already but there we have it

missions

launchpad

Remember habit of the month is swish and swipe.

KCC - I’ve attached some photos of my pretty roses to share with you all the miracle that they are somehow still alive despite relying on me and DH. The pink and yellow ones were there when we moved in 5 years ago, and somehow still thrive despite having been completely abandoned for the first year while we renovated. The little white/pink flowers are a rose called wedding day which was a wedding gift no shit Sherlock. They start off white and have just changed in the last few days. It didn’t flower the last two years so I was relieved I hadn’t killed it.

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
OP posts:
merryhouse · 12/07/2020 21:48

Didn't do most of list Blush

Finished sewing tshirt and another one
decluttered a little glass, quite spectacularly
thoroughly swept kitchen floor
washed up in my New Bowl (same as the old one, only neither cracked nor faded)

xmummy2princesx · 12/07/2020 21:55

thank u KTC

That’s gud lane that u will have everything prepared

I’m sorry u feel overwhelmed merry ur routine sounds great tho

I sat in the garden 2day didn’t think it was 2 hot but have rly burnt my back😢. A shower will sting tonight.

Ta Da
❤️Got dressed
🧡Made beds
💛Breakfast and washed up etc
💚LOL
💙Walked to the park
💜Put away shopping for week
❤️Broccoli and cauliflower purée 4 Sully
🧡Hung washing out
💛Cut grass
💚Wiped kids pool out
💙Ironed
💜Bedding changed and washed

Bowerbird5 · 12/07/2020 22:05

Or shower😁
My bathroom is finished! I need to paint it now. Then shelves to paint. DH will need to paint the ceiling.

MrsTidy it has been a funny week with a few of us being overwhelmed and teary. It may be the stress we are under as well as the other pressures. I hope you feel better in the next few days. I can remember when we first moved here we had a stand tap in the kitchen made for me by the plumber and lived liked that for a couple of months. DH worked away and I had an 8, 6 and 18 mth old. It was hard work. I hope it gets sorted out soon.

2princes lovely photo. I am glad the visit with your mum was successful.

Lane thanks I looked up local council site and found a reference to home education. I might do that or just give them to the Hospice shop or a book shop that takes all types of things - music, cd, games etc. People know they can find vintages, antique and rare books there.

Ta da
Bed made
S&S
Painted table
Sorted out some pots and area next to greenhouse.
Made roast chicken
Wiped tiles
Washing up x2

Builder arrived and grouted tiles on front step, kitchen floor.
Skirting boards attached and foam sprayed in them yesterday so cut and trimmed and sculptured the bit joining stone walls. He is quite funny we often have a bit of banter. He is coming next week to look at skimming the hall. Our house will be so much better when it is all done.

EasilyDelighted · 12/07/2020 22:11

Merry - I don't normally watch QI so I've missed that. DD and I are pretty well word perfect to the whole of Joseph but she's better at the list of colours than me, she's performed in it at youth theatre.

Zoo - pretty sure DCat's abscess was from a wound not a tooth, it was on the surface and she had her teeth checked just before lockdown. It burst today, which must have been a relief but it has left a messy wound, I will take her to the vet tomorrow.

I'm having an early night, it has been a nice day but I'm tired. Just going to fill in my journal and sort a to do list.

LaneBoy · 12/07/2020 22:22

ta da
🚦LOL and moved other laundry on
🚦finished book
🚦loads of HE planning (mainly for this week but further ahead too)
🚦LOL in dryer apart from a couple of bits hung out
🚦brain training apps
🚦ordered comb binder and spines/covers!
🚦washed the new pebbles I got for Cagletini
🚦finished filling bottles for her skittles... will at some point decorate them I suppose!
🚦put rest of lentils with some stale cereal in her tray for sensory play
🚦product test/survey entries, fingers crossed, you never know...
🚦gathered loads of recycling
🚦started new book
🚦made a quiz for DS to check his understanding of his 35 “word of the day” words this term
🚦printed out everything for the last week of term, laminated word cards too

Bit anxious this evening (it’s hard having people here even before lockdown 😳🙈) so am ignoring my epic sugar cravings and going to bed.

Baby steps really are ok mrstidy and I don’t mean the set FlyLady ones, do what you are able and it is still progress. It’s good you have so much self insight and I really hope you can take it easy for a bit x

Night all!

TooStressyTooMessy · 12/07/2020 22:35

Hi everyone. I’m still here, just struggling to keep up! Big wing flaps to all Flowers.

Bowerbird5 · 12/07/2020 22:41

KTC lovely roses.

Good list 2princes.

DH and I planted the shrubs and annuals we bought yesterday.

Had a lovely shower.

The Bathroom - for once I am not groaning. I am hoping to paint it tomorrow. DH has sanded the shelves.

Stilllivinginazoo · 13/07/2020 06:56

mrstidyI never met anyone with a photo ready kitchen.what you see isn't always reality.luke megs memory I've taken fair few photos with crap pushed out of shotFlowers
Ed hope trip vets goes ok

Very Bad Day with dd2.
Dd1 visit was lovely.played a kind of blankety blank game in garden with chalkboards.dd2 fled halfway as panicking and felt trappedlil zoo then saw D's go in she could clear off back to her phoneAngry
Once they left D's complained about not feeling anyone was interested in him.reminded him about taking turns in conversation and that in a group it's not one person constantly talking

Another hour walk when I wanted sit quiet to try and secure restful evening with dd2.alas it helpfor a bit,then epic panic set in.worst one yet.ni distraction u could think helping then God bless hedgehogs rocked up and she was suitable drawn to their shuffling and snuffling and it ebb back a bit.think reality of GCSE results approaching isn't helping
Was gone 1230 before she was calm enough to settle/for me to try and sleep

I started deep clean and rejig/declutter front room yesterday.still at disarray point,so need get on top that as TAF meet on Zoom for D's at 1130

Best crack on

EasilyDelighted · 13/07/2020 07:12

Mrstidy - I take a lot of photos, but I am careful about what's in the background, at home I angle the camera, move things out of the way etc. I only put very carefully selected ones on social media, scrutinising the background first. So seeing the photos might make you think our house is tidy, but you'd be very wrong!

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 13/07/2020 07:19

I have gotten quite good a staging a photo to not show mess. I also have a particular chair the dc sit on for zoom etc where no crap can be seen Blush life skills

foxessocks · 13/07/2020 07:39

Totally understand the feeling of being overwhelmed, that has been me recently! And yes to photos not being what they seem! Funnily enough though there are a few childhood photos of mine that I love because they show all our toys dotted round the living room and a shelf in the corner half falling down which was like that for basically my whole childhood, I always try and remember that, the kids don't care about a bit of mess they love their home Smile

Today is my birthday so I'm still in bed with a cup of tea while dh is getting dd ready for school. Had some lovely presents even though I'd already had my coffee machine 😁

Best thing is I have the day off work!

foxessocks · 13/07/2020 07:42

That was the wrong emoji about my presents! Meant to just be a happy face!

JigoloHarMegiddo · 13/07/2020 08:52

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LaneBoy · 13/07/2020 09:08

Love the swinging idea meg that’s reminded me we are meant to do throwing and catching with the big two standing on one leg. And yay for punctual arrival at school! ⭐️

Happy birthday foxes!🎂

Going to get up, take meds, charge iPad, weigh myself (ugh), do teeth and then need to set myself some actual tasks - I’ve been awake an hour but inertia has thoroughly set in 😳

So PO3.1
❗️Change black ink cartridge and print author’s work so far, staple and seal in envelope, address envelope (I really need to keep that all as one or I’ll probably procrastinate over each step)
❗️Look through bag of toddler toys that mysteriously showed up with handmedowns for DD1 on Saturday (friend had only said clothes!)
❗️Shower

It took me a ridiculously long time to even choose that list, so clearly it’s going to be a static, indecisive sort of day!

Bowerbird5 · 13/07/2020 09:53

🦊Happy Birthday Foxes🦊
🎂🧁🥐🍓🍒🍓

Had an awful night at the beginning. Woke up after nearly an hour. Wide awake and then restless legs for hours. So instead of jumping up at 7:30 I am still here about to get up now. I figure at least I am resting. I have been shopping well browsing. Paint and bathroom ideas as we will have to go and get some new paint. The Apple white is quite a fresh colour but just doesn’t look right. Just one coat will do it and I am toying with painting the alcove a dark marine blue or a paler turquoise than what was on.

Need to

🚿clean shower tray properly
🚿clean glass doors
🚿take bits of rubbish from shelf
🧻 clean loo
🧻 wipe over floor tiles again
🧻 rub new radiator as a few drips of paint

Go and buy paint and attempt at least one wall.

📙one bag of random school crap to declutter again.

squanderedcore · 13/07/2020 10:28

Happy Birthday Foxes hope you have a lovely day! 🎁🎉🎂🎈🍰🥂🍾

Lisette1940 · 13/07/2020 11:10

Happy Birthday Foxes! 🍷🌼🍥🎉🎉🎉🎂🎂🎂🍰🥞

Stilllivinginazoo · 13/07/2020 11:21

Happy birthday foxes🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

Tada
🎂Fed cats
🎂Wash on
🎂Harpic loo
🎂Sort pot felt pens that got tip over by kits in night.decided weed out the ones don't work,and it appears a fix mint was in bottom tin and was in progress of "melting" so everything was revoltingly sticky and needed wiping
🎂Go thru blanket box of games.extract Xmas bingo etc and return to cupboard
🎂Move jigsaws out ,new home TBC
🎂Add in couple other games want get into more regular use
🎂Wash in drier,more on
🎂Feed zoolets
🎂Pop heron foods for bread/rolls/milk
🎂Wipe shop and put away
🎂Put dry pens away in my drawer
🎂Add colouring books I found whilst sorting blanket box
🎂Dry wash fold and put away
🎂More in drier
🎂More wash on
🎂Wipe living room windows
🎂Sweep behind sofa
🎂Wipe TV unit,putting away stray dvds
🎂Wipe mantlepiece
🎂Clear dining table
🎂Wash up
🎂Wipe dining table
🎂Sweep all lower floors
🎂Hoover hall,stairs and landing
🎂Tidy shoes and coats
🎂Disinfect littertrays
🎂Empty all bins
🎂fold dry wash and put away
🎂Wash in drier
🎂More wash on
🎂Clear furball off D's bed

Got TAF meet on Zoom shortly so best go brush my hair and scrap back in bun and splash my face as I'm hot from dash round try break back chores as this will probably drag on til near lunch then motivation will be on the wane....

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