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

[KTCluck]

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

Happy Friday everyone! I’ve definitely got the Friday feeling as it’s my long-awaited day off, with DD at nursery at DH at work.

Launchpad is here

Last mission in zone 1 today - I’m going to save that to do along with my downstairs home bleurgh tomorrow morning, and instead I’m going to do a bit on the landing. I have a big wicker trunk there with my shoes in, and it gets very dusty so I’ll take then opportunity to have 15 minutes at that while there’s no DD to parade round in my heels. I might clean out my car and handbag too as per the daily focus.

KCC - DH drives me mad leaving cupboards and drawers open all the time, but there was a silver lining this morning when one of the Cluck cats took advantage of DD’s sock drawer . Thought the cat lovers among you may enjoy the pic.

Gold stars are hereby awarded to:
Lane for efficient glue tidying
Awol for finishing the housework (I didn’t know such a thing was possible!)
Merry for having nicely ironed towels rather than a heap in the corner of the bathroom
Meg for not doing everyone’s ironing
Tidy for getting back on the FlyLady wagon
SC for sterling work in the boudoir.

Ah here, you can all have one

Princes I bet you are so excited to see everyone again!

Waves to Hazel, Bower, Chic, That, ED, Foxes, Wine, Kinky, Lisette, Duck, Cornish, Too and to Cineraria, Fluff, Icy, Dancing and Howl if you’re still with us. Apologies to any fledgling I’ve missed. I think I need a list

Zoo I hope you’re just having a little break and all is well.

This morning’s ta das:
✅ DD dressed and to nursery with packed lunch (it was lovely not to have to rush, normally I’m close to LMS as she deliberates over which hair clips when I should have left for work 5 minutes earlier)
✅ car filled up with petrol
✅ DW set off
✅ cats fed
✅ relaxing cuppa and toast

Today’s plan:
📌 Make beds, LOL, s & s x 2
📌 5 minute tidy
📌upstairs hoovering that I didn’t manage on Wednesday
📌15 minutes on landing cleaning the manky basket
📌paint shop for 10am opening for paint for downstairs loo
📌first coat on downstairs loo walls

After that I will be stopping for lunch and will be having the afternoon to drink tea and watch Netflix or read. I’ll sort my handbag and give the car a quick blitz before going to get DD at 5. Right. I’m off...

Cross-post meg. Good luck with your epic list today. I can’t take the credit for that observation I don’t think, sounds far too wise for me

Bower I forgot your for starting the painting when you didn’t want to. I’m using you as my inspiration for today!

Ooh thank you. Having a radio helps. I listened to Radio 4 so it didn’t seem a chore. I have the third side to paint this morning. I sanded them all yesterday so it should be quick.

KTC That is a gorgeous photo. Missing DDs cat but not the litter tray as there is room for outside shoes now. I once left my outside gardening clogs too near the litter tray and found a poo sitting on them the next morning!

My dining room is still full of school stuff it is such a mess. I think I will have to go through it again. I do not want this still here in September!

I am pleased I did the bedding chest yesterday. It might be full but it is organised full.

Be back with a list later.

DS is in an amenable mood, and got on with work without too much prompting. The Toddler however is in a “picking up anything just to throw it on the floor to emphasise the word NO” sort of mood.

Well we were lazy bums this morning and not long been up. Quickly grabbed some toast- them, coffee- me then we've started on schoolwork.

To-do's
🧹 lots of LOL
🧹 ironing
🧹 S&S
🧹 hoover

And if that's all I achieve I'll be happy.

Good morning everyone! I've briefly caught up on the thread as best as I can. Lovely cat photo KT 😍 meg that's some list

I'm doing fifteen minute bursts today to try and get back on top of things (it'll never happen!) Work has been so busy, I'm having to do overtime today and this weekend just to catch up. At least I'll get paid for it but still, it's slightly stressful hearing my phone constantly ping with emails! Having said that I've yet to do any today

The kids are happily playing with play dough in the kitchen, I love the fact it entertains them for so long with minimal input from me but I HATE the tidy up operation. The kids have to help me but inevitably I'm the one sweeping it all up and checking their socks for stray bits...

Ta das
Washing machine on
2 X washing on
Some washing put away
Kids shelves in living room tidied up
Some general tidying of toys in living room
Book case tidied downstairs
Ordered new bedding for kids
Helped dd with some maths, phonics and RE work

Cat pic is very cute!

Feeling quite low and sleepy today. And feeling like I need to work a lot harder at self care 😣

But I have managed a few bits from the hallway (particularly the cupboard under the stairs) to honour the zone of the week.

DS only has two more tasks for the day so that’s good, and I watched/read some stuff to try and motivate myself as well (I need to charge my kindle too as I got the TOMM book the other week)

Might try something really mindless like cutting up the rest of the Caglets’ magazines (just cutting out a few pics from each for Cagletini to stick on paper) but I’m aware I should be doing some of my course stuff - head really isn’t in the game though.

I’m also in a mood because the bank is still taking money for a higher account that I downgraded and I have to phone them and AAAAARGH 🤬🤬🤬

Slow start here too. BUT kicked myself up the bum and I have

🐔fed hens. They are all huddled in together it looks so funny. I will try and get a photo for you.
🐻swept kitchen floor. DH always forgets if doing last of dishes.
🐻vacuumed downstairs, kitchen mat, through bit of dining room ( not the whole lot🤔sitting room, front entrance and stairs hallway and carpet in my bedroom.
🐻dusted layer of dust in boudoir on one chest and little table.
🐻collectedwashing, it’s raining here.
🐻put a whole basket of washing away that I had ironed another day.
🐻Made bed
🐻 put away shoes in underbed box and found the other sandal been wondering where it was...in the box 😖

Just going for lunch and thinking about tackling some RSchool BCs but I also have to paint. So lunch, paint

They’re great aren’t they awol I will have to catch up soon.

Thank u meg! How are the DC feeling about school ending?

lane I feel the same about lockdown. I actually feel worse then when we were in full lockdown cuz everything was shut down but now I want 2 be able 2 go swimming wiv the boys but that don’t look likely :( sorru ur feeling low 2day

bower thank u, I think asking her 4 advice sounds like a good idea. I do sort of like 2 deal wiv everything alone but advice might make her feel more involved. And ur right I’m just going to control my reaction and learn I can’t control hers. Sorry about restless legs I had them last night too and they’re awful.

I really am excited KTC! Lovely cat pic I’m hoping 2 get a cat when we get settled a bit more

Will be back with list later

Made the boys a ham sandwich and yogurt for lunch then the plan was do a half an hour ironing session.

Accidentally spent half the time having a coffee and faffing on my phone 🙊

Still managed
⭐️ opened curtains and make beds (we left them this morning because we'd gotten up so late)
⭐️ S&S
⭐️ LOL in

Now back to schoolwork 😩

Welcome MrsTidy, another Flylady veterarn like myself - I was on a group that was an email list, basically. Probably not even a Google group but I can't remember the provider now!

Things are going OK here, I'm checking on DD's schoolwork as she only has a couple of weeks left and although she's been working hard, I don't want any surprise catch-ups in the last week! I want to cruise to the end, this is the start of the stuff she's really missing out on in life now, concerts etc so trying to make it as easy as possible.

Also now just sat down to eat my lunch and realised that I didn't hit post earlier this morning Running like clockwork here, obviously

veteran, even. Not my best day will put wine in fridge

I am now awarding myself a because... the downstairs toilet is painted!! Well. The first coat, and I’ve cleaned up. I’ll do a second coat tomorrow and drop hints to DH to do the glossing as he has a few days off next week.

I’ve also
✅ tackled the shoe basket. It looks better but its far from perfect. Any tips on keeping baskets dust free?
✅ hoovered upstairs (landing thoroughly)
✅ had a good tidy up everywhere
✅ s & s
✅ LOL in

Sorry you’re feeling a bit flat Lane. Sounds one you’ve made good progress with school work though, and done well to manage some bits in the hall. Don’t be hard on yourself - remember a school teacher isn’t trying to juggle housework etc while reaching. Hope you get to relax this afternoon.

Foxes I hate play doh clean up too. We have wooden floors and without fail it gets in the gaps between the floorboards

You’re having a very productive day Bower. You’ve made a good start on your list too Awol, especially with a late start.

I’m off the make a cuppa and find something to watch on netflix. I have 3 hours to fill

for wine in fridge Chic. Excellent forward planning

Ta da list is longer than ta didnt Meg. I think you need another for the other side.

remember a school teacher isn’t trying to juggle housework etc while reaching

You know what kt that is a very good point that I’d not really considered before 😳🙈 thanks!

School work is done for the week, woohoo!

My life is CRAZY

Dd2 has become so physically and mentally unwell emergency chat g.p on Tuesday she's now got a small crate housing meds to manage reflux,gut issues,and propranolol for anxiety
Things with her are extremely worrying,she's constant in panicked state and everything goes with that

Found out wednesday O.T is leaving,and her parting shot has been informing me D's will not be getting new worker at this time as his motivation is me and he'd be quite happy just just sit on ps not work thru any issues,my anxiety drives his and everything is clearly my fault,and he won't move forward unless he reaches a point he chooses too

Thursday I try pull it round,organise self care buddy system with dd2.we go to collect a med that was unavailable and have slow stroll in nature reserve,come home AND THERES A MAN UNCONSCIOUS IN MY BACK GARDEN WITH TRAINERS NEXT TO HIM,HEAD ON ROCKS AND A LIGHTER FUEL CAN NEXT TO HIM.....

FFS...I rang 999 who sent ambulancethey got him upright but with no idea where he was or how got there and sent him on his way

Attempts get council to secure garden today=futile.at this time all appointments on hold work at discretion of of team managers.at some point will mend back gate.holes in hedge not our remit,nor at bottom garden fence as may be private house fault.that needs checking.no gate added to side shared access as only repairing not adding additional things,and that's all with advise I have crime ref number and my son has issues that will impact him greatly if feels gardens unsafe

Whoever is writing my future can you PLEASE cut me some fucking slack....

What ho peeps! Really great lists everybody!

If you don't move the football sock on the mantelpiece the first time you see it, it stays there forever.
^ would this be an inappropriate moment to say that a parir of dd's knickers are lying in the middle of the hall floor atm.The "puppy" stole them and left them there. I am waiting to see if anyone (other than myself) picks them up ... hmmmm......might be a long wait ...... .

Agree on general point too about mess blending in if it is there for long enough. Some of you who have been on here for a long time will know that we had a sack of cement in the hall for ages that got decorated with Christmas lights one year

About dd's room: I should make clear that her room currently is a lovely size and proportion, and has lots of space and light, and her double bed and linen etc is nicer than ours. It is just rather faded and crumbly. But she's not locked in a dungeon or anything, in case it comes across that way!

Just finished "work" work for the week (started at 7.30 am this morning) so thought I'd catch up over a bowl of chicken noodle soup before shipping out for the weekend.

I was in the thick of it when I posted about dd's room and tidying boudoir yesterday so apologies for ignoring adjacent posts! Hoping to rectify now ...

Lane/Mummy/Megiddo I know exactly what you mean about changing thinking from "holding out until lockdown is over" to "what can I do now to change things for the better and to survive without all the usual comforts and pleasures of pre-Covid life". It is a huge adjustment to make and hard to get one's head around I think. Especially when situation is constantly evolving. It's hard to look forward to things when you are not sure they are going to happen!

Lane I confess I didn't know making a play list on You Tube was even a possibility! Thank you for extra advice about Audible gift. So hard for youngsters having to do physical activities on line! It is getting very old now I think ... . Good luck with book sorting!

I so agree about the Flylady "doing things imperfectly" mantra, although on reflection, I think I could have described "forcing yourself to do something for 5 mins to create impetus for the next 5" much better... ie "being kind to my future self and doing things for 5 mins etc". Forcing oneself never sounds particularly enticing or motivating does it?!

Love hearing about Cagletini enjoying glueing!

Mummy hope you have a lovely time on Monday with your family and good luck getting the boys' meds sorted!

Bower Bravo on clean and tidy kitchen! And re: door painting and planter creating! So sorry about continuing bathroom saga which must be very draining (no pun intended!). And I do like the sound of that tapestry! (Oh yes and deffo best to sort fabric when dhs are out!!! )

That's lovely about the hens recognising you. I think people don't credit animals with enough intelligence because they are often kept in a way that doesn't allow their natural abilities to present themselves ie rabbits are so boring. Well yes, rabbits are boring if you confine them to a hideous hutch at the bottom of the garden and never visit them. Whereas if they are kept in a large, tall cage with access to space outside, they dig, they forage, they run about, they bink, they are constantly demonstrating their natural curiosity and intelligence. Mine used to come upstairs from the basement where they lived and had free access in and out, and they joined me on the terrace for lunch most days. As soon as they heard dh's key in the lock they disappeared in flash (I really miss them but not terribly compatible with current furries.)

Arf at cat poo in gardening clog

DD btw will be spending her last year of school and her first two years' of uni (probably) living at home (but dh and I will be increasingly back and forth to wreck2 until we live there permanently God willing). And IF she gets in to her uni of choice, whichis very hard, and now students are deferring a year because of Covid-19, will be even harder next year with more competition.) She only moves to a different location in the third year. But we'll see ... . The world is hardly a predictable place atm ... .

What a beautiful face your cat has KTCluck and my dh never closes doors or drawers either

Foxes that sounds very stressful indeed with the constant phone pinging. I wish I was nearer to you so that I could silently creep in and clear up the play dough and silently waft out again like a (rather overweight) house fairy.

Merry love a fish pie! I frequently throw salad on the floor ...

LittleMissAwol Hope you had some decent sleep! It is indeed a constant battle stopping "stuff" drifting from its rightful home to somewhere else ... .

Megiddo Sorry your dd had a tough time with her "friend" yesterday. I agree, it is hard work! But hope you can celebrate end of on-line school for dd and ds3 ! Cheers (for later!)

Bravo MrsTidyHouse for the hedge trimming and sock pairing! If it makes you feel any better, I have an area semi outside/inside under the terrace that is full of old deflated paddling pools and footballs and scummy garden pots that desperately needs sorting out. It has been like that for at least a decade!

Cherry waves to That and Zoo (hope you are hanging in there ok) and to Hazel Honu Chic Toostressy Cineraria Howl (hope the sickness is easing) Lisette Winepls Cornish ED Kinky Duck Icy Dancing ... .

So sorry if I have missed anyone out! Waves to you if I have!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Off to throw things at car while it happens to have doors open pack ... .

Good luck with banking too Lane!

Wow that took me so long to type, there are many x posts

Bloody hell Zoo that is the last thing you need right now. I'm so sorry everything is so stressful and you have even less support with it

Meg so sorry about deposit

Chic it is v hard indeed for students of dance/music missing out on all the usual (and traditionally busy) end-of-term performances this year

Whoo hoo and congrats re: painting and shoe box sorting KTCluck!
Very well done!

Omg zoo I'm so sorry you're having such a crap time I don't think I'd be sorry to see the back of an OT with opinions like that tbh.

We've finished schoolwork

Made roasted cauliflower with a dip for a snack. I've never had it roasted before but it was on a cooking programme I was watching a while back (maybe eat well for less) and it looked nice. It was lovely so will definitely have it more often.

Have put a beef stew and baked potatoes in oven for dinner. Just DS3 left with us tonight I think so I'll just give him a mr Kipling or something for pudding.

I then should have gotten on with ironing or something but instead DS3 helped me do our summer holiday planner.

Holy fucking hell zoo 😱😱😱 I don’t know what to say!

(Other than, and it may be irrelevant now depending how long she’s been on them, but propranolol can cause mega headaches at first, just to be prepared. On the other hand they are also sometimes used to treat migraine so could go either way really 🤦‍♀️)

Much love to you lovely bunch. All fed nobody dead, nothing else matters right now, just snatch whatever moments of self care and REST that you can please.

Draining🤣SC lights on the bag of concrete😂 that might be idea if the tiles are still sitting in the hall at Christmas 🎄

Ta da
🐰sanded and painted pieces for door.
🐰vacuumed up mess and carried on and did floor of summer house
🐰 tidied up summer house.

oh dear Lord zoo. I don't know what to say. What a week. It's one of my recurring nightmares to find someone lying in our backgarden and that was only one of the things that life threw at you this week.