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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:
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Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 05:35

lane our hols mostly nothingness as a)no money for outings b)zoolets like to just while away on some downtime
Obvs I throw in time doing stuff together or it's 24/7 tech and text is only form communication but for us it works,not for everyone and if you need be doing more then have a week ahead plan?things to look forward too?
StressyShockI have no words for your parents...buy if stars are alignedand anything out there wantsreform "d"p I be waitingGrin

Been awake ages,time get up and begin home bleurgh...

HungryHazelEyes · 27/07/2020 06:14

Lovely weekend, pretty relaxing. Skype session with my mum this morning. Filled the pool back up from yesterday. DH Watered my plants for me. I redid my gel on my nails this afternoon, swam in the pool with DS and DH while DD was at a friend's house. After dinner cleaned up with DS's help and I even got all the handwash only dishes done. Then I played Legos with DS while DH picked up DD.

Recliner did get fixed temporarily and the part we need will get ordered soon, it's cheap, thank goodness. I do love my recliner, we have a sectional couch and 3 of the seats are recliners.

Lunch is sorted out for tomorrow and my outfit is already in the bathroom. It's getting late here and I'm dozing. I'll hopefully catch up tomorrow.

Lisette1940 · 27/07/2020 06:54

Goodnight hungryhazeleyes - sounded like a lovely day there. Morning fledglings. We had a stay at home holiday zoo. No outings at all just movies and lolling about. Bliss.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 27/07/2020 07:21

Summer of nothingness here too.

Several of our friends/family have holidays booked (to different parts of Spain) in the next two months. So glad that is not us. Also feeling i lack sympathy as most of these were booked in the middle of lock down. Yes, i would LOVE a holiday. But come on people the world is a mess right now!

JigoloHarMegiddo · 27/07/2020 08:26

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 09:05

Tbh it’s more that we need to get stuff done. We don’t generally do a lot of trips etc anyway.

I’d really like to get more of the house sorted - managed a fair bit in lockdown but theoretically it should be even easier without home ed and schoolwork and even fewer (zoom) clubs. I’m not sure if it will be though, because we’ve had a lot of the “easy wins” IYSWIM! So much of what’s left is the tricky random bits.

Also need to try and get back into routine as I feel like we failed AGAIN the last few weeks and it’s really frustrating. I can just about keep myself motivated (sometimes) but I really really can’t keep everyone else going. :(

And we’d told DD1 that after a week off she would have to do some work (mainly maths) so I need to sort that too (and for DS too, but that should be easier). Home ed planning is quite fun TBH #nerd 🤓 so no need to procrastinate over that, I want to get lots done for next term.

On a more positive note I have been thinking of some simple nice things we can do over the summer too. We are pretty limited due to transport and toddler so it may be more of a divide and conquer thing.

PO3.1
❗️Go add forgotten item to meds box for the week, take this morning’s meds with a massive mug of water
❗️Write to do list - I know that sort of contradicts the Power Of Three idea in that you’re only meant to think of the immediate things, but there are so many things in my head that it’s making me frazzled trying to remember them all
❗️French/Japanese revision on Duolingo

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 10:15

lane I get constant failure moments.lots spinning plates,it's ok to drop some and need step back.breathe and replan/regroup

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 10:16

Motivational Monday quote

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 10:16

Ooophs pic didn't attach...

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 10:19

PO3.1 achieved, at least I’ve done the French and will save Japanese for later (they’re just playing around really it’s the Latin that involves books :o) and I’ve written loads on the to do list even if it isn’t everything 😣 it’s not even including house stuff mostly! Just random life admin.

PO3.2
❗️Decide what I’m doing about breakfast and stick my phone on charge while I’m up
❗️Upload assignment answers (WHY have I been procrastinating over this? I wrote them over a week ago FFS)
❗️Workout followed by shower (possibly with breakfast in between)

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 10:23

Tada cont
Littertray refilled after realised nagging dd2 hadn't done it still ..
Dead flowers in garden bin ready for collection
Clean out vase
Sweep living room floor

Hoover hall stairs and landing
Wipe filthy skirting boards on stairs
Clean rogues gallery hanging in stair well
Sort shoes
Tidy coats/bags

Bathroom
Mirror wiped
Windows cleaned
Clean radiator
Clean bath skirt
Wipe all tiling In shower/bath
Clean bath
Clean sink
Sweep floor

Wash in drier
No 4 load in

Girls room of doom
Windows de cat snorted
Sills cleaned
Curtains sprayed fabreeze
Surfaces belonging lil zoo polished
Surfaces belonging dd2 buried under sea "stuff" despite me asking for them be cleared at least ling enough to clean them.alas fell on deaf ears as on bloody SM....
Left her side looking like bomb site

DS room
Windows de cat snotted

I am now going in under the midi sleeper for a deep clean.wish me luck as I expecting find a whole cats worth if floof/dander and breeding dust bunnies amongst the cacophony

JigoloHarMegiddo · 27/07/2020 11:14

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

Bowerbird5 · 27/07/2020 11:16

10:35 Just woken up and read all your posts. Some busy weekends and glad you enjoyed weekend away.

I am not well hence just woken up and was shocked to see the time as I did open my eyes briefly at 8am. After getting up yesterday I had a bout of S&D just once to loo and then felt nauseous all day. DH was out walking so I spent most of the time outside in summer house. I did watch Mass streaming at 11:15am someone that used to be our priest it was so comforting to hear his voice and he was being very clear about instructions via C19. I am going send him a card and a little note.

Took lemonade to summerhouse and decluttered yhe pile of magazines I found in a box in boudoir. It had other stuff on top which I must have just moved previously but looked at this time in boudoir. So now we have some more cryptic crosswords and I am improving. DH is so quick he gives me answers as I finish reading but don’t get thinking time. Show off!
Then I spent several hours reading a book I started weeks ago but only up to ch. 4. It was lovely and peaceful. DH made his own late lunch my heated up vegan pizza and his own tea later. He had such a good day walking that he brought me cups of lemon and ginger tea and said to just stay there. He came down for a bit then I carried on with reading until about 8pm so a very relaxed day more than I expected. BF rang and turns out she had this last weekend. I haven’t seen her though so neither of us knows where we got it from. I have only been out for dental app. And to see house for DS1 but he was here for a bit.🤷🏼‍♀️

Feel really ropey this morning. Tummy sore. I did have scrambled egg on toast about 9pm maybe a mistake but I was hungry. DM always made us wait 24 hrs. It was on my mind should have listened.

Glad it is Zone 5 as we have kept it fairly tidy since last time. Will attempt vacuum and dusting but no under sofa treatment today.

Zoo I can’t believe how much you have done since getting up and considering you feeling rough. 🌟for you.

Bowerbird5 · 27/07/2020 11:30

Zoo meant to say your geraniums are gorgeous. I love the red ones it reminds me of my Nanna as she had some. I could only get pink or white this year so it determined my colours in the pots out the front.

I feel really grotty. I remember feeling like this when I had the kids and DH was away. You have to get up regardless. So I feel for you when any of you are ill and have to drag yourselves out and carry on.

martakeithy · 27/07/2020 12:33

Afternoon,
Golly (euphemism) what big lists. Faints. Grin
So far have swished snd swiped bath and kitch
Had breakfast and vits teeth
Washed DD
Played with DD - teaching her to roll from tummy to back. She isn't very something, I don't know what, in tune with her body the way Ds was. He was crawling backwards by now and was always on the go. Dd is more interested in me then DS was (the fool - him) Grin
Watched baby signing video
To do
Baby yogs & bookbug
Dinner probably tortilla omelette and green beans ir salad or both
Think about this weeks menu
Go to fabric shop. I want to cover the footmuff with a nicer fabric, charcoal and other colours
Try again to sign in to payroll system
Find deeds - have a garden dispute
Cut DS's hair or st least decide what he wants as hair is enormous
What is today's room?

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 12:36

bower could it be related to the gut issues you already have?
Hope you start feel better soon

Meg not really a dervish,we did have a mini tornado here the other night,so maybe I swinging on its tail end🤣
Reality I'm very tired now,but the end of my to do is in sight
Bag up stuff bought for finishing touches for his room
Sort storage boxes under there,checking felt pens work,resorting colouring books,sharpening pencils
Group craft activitiesinto a box together
Rescue Fallen Soft Toys from back,wipe off worst dust/dander and put in pile for washing
Remove multiple nose bleed tissues,odd socks,discarded scribbling/drawings
Bag up rubbish/recycling as I went
Wiping floor as went
Once half done,pull out other half
Ensure all washing in baskets
Unplug mass tangle wires from Tv,carefully grouping together so I know what's from where
Use tiny elastics to secure wiring into little rolls so no huge lead ends trailing
Label plugs with name of appliance attached
Replug everything in
Ask him check playstation works
Push coat hanger under chest drawers/bookcase and sort results
Recycling to kerb

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 12:38

Marta I believe is living/front room?

Bugger,as I was washing hands dd2 appeared and informed me I'm helping sort her wardrobe/room after lunch
Have warned her I'm only available to 2,incl lunch,then I'm determined to have a break!!

squanderedcore · 27/07/2020 13:04

Afternoon everyone! [Who's got the rusty pike?]

Whey hey so pleased you and your dh (and your dd had a lovely time KTCluck! Very nice of your ma to have Sunday lunch cooked for you on your return too!

[Double take] Bloody hell Zoo and Megiddo your lists are amazing! Star Star

Take it steady Bower I hope you feel better as the day goes on and don't underestimate the physical effects of stress Flowers

Zoo your geraniums and fuschia are lovely! Hope the dust bunnies are friendly Smile

Sorry Megiddo but I had to cackle a bit at " I fear this means they Have Plans for decorating their room ." Grin Grin [proffers a strong brew Brew]

Lane you have a much harder task than me but I can really sympathise with being the one who is constantly swimming against the tide/beating the drum ifykwim Flowers

Woo hoo that is great news about your parents Toostressy! Have they been on the gin Wink Grin

It's good you are taking it steady Martake and glad you had an afternoon repose Tidy

All I have done (last night and this morning) apart from washing and packing/unpacking cars is: made a deep chocolate cake with dd to take to her friend's today. (It was dd's 17th birthday at the weekend, but her friend made her a cake, so I had all the ingreds I was going to use for our cake (or so I thought) so we planned to pass the favour on ifyswim.)

Came to the fridge this morning and dh had eaten half the crème fraiche and all the strawberries, raspberries and cherries (apart from two!) and used a quarter of the double cream and all of the butter that I had left out to reach room temperature. God knows how or with in what Angry So had to nip to the nearest supermarket and rush back.

Then came back to find - I kid you not - he had made breakfast/lunch for himself (something involving bacon) using a frying pan and had cluttered all the surfaces I was going to use and sprayed oil everywhere. And the bin was overflowing, gunk in the plug hole, crumbs all over the floor... totally yeurgh.

So set to and cleared the whole thing down and tidied and cleaned with bleach and dettox, and did bin and filled dw etc and brushed the floor.

He'd also managed to clutter up dining room table which I wanted to use to ice on so had to clear and clean that down too. Hmm

By which time we had about 30 mins to make ganache and a sort of butter cream (but less sweet) and a creme fraiche and coffee filling (cake had three layers ). So dd did the ganache and I did the creme fraiche thing and we both did the whipped cream with brandy (tiny bit) and icing sugar. Layered it all together at top speed and dd decorated the top with maltesers and choc stars. Phew! It looked a bit wobbly but ok.

Dh has (to be fair) kindly just gone to drop off dd and the cake but I am nonetheless sitting here fuming. I know it's not the end of the world and minor irritations are heightened in current circs but I am so weary of having to operate in a mess. I really don't want to share a kitchen with him anymore. It's been 26 yrs so it's unlikely he is going to improve at this stage (he has improved a bit since we first met and there was black mould growing on the sieve in his bachelor flat).

Got to go and start home bleugh now and there's a huge stack of admin waiting for me too ... wibbles ... huge waves to Foxes Lisette Hazel Merry Mummy Chic
That LittleMissAwol and all the many other fledglings I have missed (so sorry my brain isn't functioning properly).

BTW: thank you for the nudges ... I did take a first peak at dossier conundrum papers on Saturday. Then I heard (through someone else) about a woman who had been refused nationality after living here 42 yrs and got v stressed and depressed about the whole thing again.

Hope everyone has a productive start to the week ...I may take to drink!

Tally-ho one and all! Small steps everybody, small steps ... !

martakeithy · 27/07/2020 13:06

Is rusty pike being head girl?Grin

martakeithy · 27/07/2020 14:00

Squandered that cake sounds delicious Aaaaaaaargh at your DH. I take it you have explicitly tell him not to eat/use specific foods because he won't check, like my DS. Shock who is 15. Grin. At least he is now redeeming himself keep it up DH Smile

LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 14:10

Hope you feel better soon bower!

SC that’s so frustrating 🤬🤬🤬

Zoo I wish the zoolets would help clear up their mess more and leave less for you 😰 I hope you are resting now.

Second list done. The submitting of the assignment took a lot longer than I thought - I’d not registered that you actually can’t copy and paste into the text windows anymore (anti plagiarism I suppose) so while I’d written my answers ten days ago, I had to print and retype them. Not the most user friendly interface really so it was rather a frustrating process but at least I know more about their system now so the remaining 3 assignments should be easier (you can save progress without submitting so I’ll just have to write and edit in there next time). It was a bit frustrating though.

I’m a bit flat again, everyone is flat, and it very much feels like I’m the only one who gives a crap about it 🤔 maybe I’m the one in the wrong though, and we should just all wallow a bit. But how long is a bit, that’s the problem! 😣😣😣

LaneBoy · 27/07/2020 14:19

PO3.3 (3! Woohoo I’m on fire today 🙄)
❗️Stop faffing and eat something vaguely healthy and drink some water
❗️Look at cinema website to see what’s on when, if it’s up yet
❗️Locate both maths workbooks for DS and make a note how many pages so I can figure out how long they’ll take

Really taking it back to teeny tiny baby steps today.

Cagletini dozed for about five minutes and is now wide awake again 😫🤬

JigoloHarMegiddo · 27/07/2020 14:36

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 15:14

SC you can gave said pike but only if I can do flamethrower.i would utterly dispair sharing house someone trashing it/eat my ingredients as an adult

Lane I've found its my attitude that has to be upbeat or no one bothers.i need to plan routine and cheerfully chivvy along despite want crawl into hole and pull cover over self.after a day or two of encouragement and praise they get on board.trouble with me us life gets complicated I don't keep pushing routine and everyone goes back old habits.im like hamster in shell get everyone in line then round them back when it all goes pear shaped!!

I have help dd2 tidy her cupboard- jewelry cascaded everywhere yesterday after tub was in didn't have lid shut and it fell out after be precariously stacked..
Got her slim plastic drawers and shove it in there in some semblance of order.need to think how display it better in there
Cupboard reclaimed to order
Ate my lunch
6th load just folded and put away,6th near ready to go in and still I've laundry to do...

Almost burned out now.just sat here and scoff 2strawberry fancies and half bag wine gums hoping for sugary energy....

Stilllivinginazoo · 27/07/2020 15:15

*hamster in wheel