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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

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LaneBoy · 04/07/2020 13:41

Our local (a chain) isn’t opening till the end of the month. I feel a bit weird about going - normally I’m quite comfortable sitting in pubs and restaurants on my own - TBH I quite like it, sitting with a book or a notebook, and having either just a soft drink (I don’t really like most alcohol - KT Malibu is one of the few things I do like :o but not enough to actually buy 8 bottles 😂) or a lunch that I can eat WITHOUT ANYONE TALKING AT ME OR NICKING MY FOOD. But while I could easily walk along there, I am worried it’s going to be so different now with it all being booked up with families and friends and maybe I’ll feel too self conscious to go on my own anyway.

Also it’s not going to be normal in terms of when I can go. Very often if I get really stressed at home I either bugger off to the gym/pool (depending on time, due to transport) or I walk to the local. And I’m a bit sad, I guess, that despite those things returning, I’m not necessarily going to be able to do either of those spontaneously on my own for a long time. I am arranging to meet friends anyway like maybe we could book the gym at the same time etc.

Thanks for all the lovely comments about Cagletini’s drawing! It’s probably her fave activity. I have decided not to even bother trying to find the chunky pens I got her (I’ll donate them when I eventually uncover them) - she will probably reject them anyway as she’s now used to thinner ones she steals from the rest of us 😂 so I’ll get her some supertips instead and set up a basket for her that will live under the easel. We have a bedding box next to the sofa but that’s going to move into the ample sized hallway to make a permanent space for the easel which is currently lurking in front of the piano that I haven’t played properly in months 😭

I love the BACE idea! It would be good to try and do at least one thing from each category every day.

Bowerbird5 · 04/07/2020 13:56

Not painting. Made leftover lunch and half way through thought I was going to be sick. Went to new outside loo (no inside loo now) so fresh air helped. Didn’t finish lunch sandwich and came for lie down. Think i’m going to have a migraine. Headache starting. Feel better prone. DH brought me a mug of lemon and ginger tea. I have had a migraine about 5 days ago. I haven’t had one for ages,months. Going to drink tea and sleep if I can. Yep it is getting worse no screen time for me. Might be away a bit. Leaves🍪🍪🍩🍪🍩🍪🍩🍪🍩🌰🍩🌰🍿🍿🍿🍿🍫🍫🍫🍫🍰🍰🍰🧁🧁🧁🥧🥧🥧🍦🍦🍦for you. Tiles looking good coming back tomorrow to do it as it was raining. Cutting tiles tomorrow.

JigoloHarMegiddo · 04/07/2020 14:19

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squanderedcore · 04/07/2020 14:24

Oh no Bower hope you are ok Brew Take it v steady.

Zoo good luck with BACE! Thank you for sharing!

Lane do you remember that BRILLIANT meme you posted when thread-leading a couple of months back which funnily enough incorporated BACE principles such as "tend to one plant or one person", "do something today that you will be grateful for tomorrow" etc etc? Well it inspired me so much that I created daily worksheet that I have been trying to stick to it since 14th April (very imperfectly as have had quite a few distractions ie more than usual office admin and went through one very slump CBA week) and yes took an entire month to get my lardy arse in gear since beginning of lockdown, but overall it has been vv helpful. Posting here in case useful to others. NB have been following TOMM more than Flylady during lockdown as it's worked better with everyone at home. Sorry for bad photo, on phone so not near main computer.

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
squanderedcore · 04/07/2020 14:26

Aw Megg re: your ds and his toy rabbit 🐇

LaneBoy · 04/07/2020 14:30

Oh that’s so cool sc! I’m glad it’s helped so much 😍

I got briefly confused thinking your dogs are called Lesley and Sansome 😂

Also meant to say meg I don’t think I was the first to use Ta Didn’t - got a feeling it may have been zoo?

I have the living room to myself so I’m going to watch the rest of the breadwinner

squanderedcore · 04/07/2020 14:33

Er should have explained properly that list doesn't include much actual cleaning Blush but home bleugh is being done over three/four days.

squanderedcore · 04/07/2020 14:37

Ooh they might enjoy a name change Lane Grin

KTCluck · 04/07/2020 14:43

Awol I have a DH that cant manage to plump the cushions too. They are constantly squished into balls down the sides of the sofa. Drives me potty! I also wondered about the cost. Wonder if they are planning local bands rather than big names to make it viable. Forgot to say, love the holiday plan. There’s a couple of places mentioned that we like to go to too.

Well done on weight loss meg and hurrah for DS2 cleaning up

I understand the rant too. I miss being out and about and having people drop in, but I’m not ready to go back to it at the same time. And not being able to go out and about means it’s a constant battle to stop the house descending into chaos. DH has “braved” the pub this afternoon - it belongs to his friends family and they’ve booked a table to show support, but he’s planning on leaving once it starts getting rowdy (and he’s also treating me to a takeway tonight, yay)

I do have a water bottle at work SC and it does help. Should probably get a decent one for at home too. I can’t really help with storage, I have the same issue with DD’s. I considered chucking them all in a basket within the cupboard so at least they are together but haven’t done it yet. I did a similar sheet with pictures for DD at the start of lockdown, but should probably have done one for myself too!

Hurrah for the builder Bower! Hope migraine is short-lived.

Love ‘BACE’ Zoo, I think it’s useful for all of us. Well done for managing some shopping despite the lack of support from ‘D’P. Hope you and DD enjoyed spending time together and you’re both feeling better for it.

Completed the to do list for today, mostly while DH took DD out to splash in puddles:

✅ beds made
✅ s & s
✅ LOL
✅ DW emptied, benches and hob wiped
✅ second coat of paint on walls
✅ cleaned up paint splashes, washed brush, roller etc.
✅ first round of hints dropped to DH re glossing / ceiling
✅ front door wiped, glass cleaned and hall mirror cleaned
✅ downstairs dusted
✅ downstairs hoovered and mopped
✅ cat beds de-haired (they are in the dining room so that’s the rest of my zone effort)
✅ breakfast and lunch consumed and cleaned up

Currently playing with DD and her sylvanian families, which basically means remaining next to her, clothing the animals as instructed, finding required tiny plastic bits and intermittently being reminded to ‘play’ but under no circumstances touching anything or speaking or making any actual attempt at play without invitation Grin

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JigoloHarMegiddo · 04/07/2020 14:55

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merryhouse · 04/07/2020 15:27

bower gah for the migraine (nothing to do with the paint is it?).

Our breadmaker is a Kenwood RapidBake (which also has a dispenser in the lid) and I've been very happy with it except that now it's started doing something weird and won't come out properly so I have to wiggle and pull the loaf out. We had a good decade trouble-free though. I'm afraid I keep it on the worktop! Use it several times a week - pizza dough, naan dough, bread for sandwiches and I have done the occasional cake. There is a jam setting but we haven't tried that one...

Jigsaw is a Dr Who one - The Pandorica Opens (pic attached, I hope). It's from an episode which had Vincent van Gogh in, he having visions of the Tardis tapping into the series story arc.

yay to megs DS2 - was it him who had a habit of leaving a mess?

TaDa

s&s x2
finished jigsaw
washed up

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
merryhouse · 04/07/2020 15:30

oh, and next jigsaw will be Hokusai's The Great Wave, which S2 got for my birthday

LaneBoy · 04/07/2020 17:22

Feeling a bit better having forced myself to not do anything useful while I finally had some alone time. I watched the rest of a film, then put a reality show on and did some logic puzzles. Because lately I’ve been better at getting on with stuff and using things like Netflix episodes as an incentive to get chores done, I’d started doing that even on my rest times. It’s like life has become some massive to do list. Great that I’m becoming more efficient and not procrastinating so much, but not good for stress levels Hmm

Forgot to say earlier (doubtless forgotten loads of other name checks sorry):

Hazel happy Independence Day! (Or do you say happy 4th July instead?) We were going to do a bit of work about it yesterday in the interest of trialling an “events” type topic, but I deleted it as part of the Emergency Plan, in the interest of having an easier week of home ed as we limp through to the end of term. We will do Bastille Day instead on 14th and I’ve put ID on the plan for next year!

AWOL sorry you’re not enjoying the book, what are you reading? I’ve been reading a lot more in lockdown, just finished Eleanor Oliphant which I loved. I get you on finishing a book even if it’s “meh” - I’ve only ever deliberately stopped reading one book (tropic of cancer). Loved your holiday plan! I definitely need to make some notes for possible activities. It’s so weird having this time stretching ahead when we have no idea what we will actually be able to do. Cagletini is definitely not going to any restaurants for a long while - she’s a nightmare in them as it is - but I might try and take the bigger two once I’ve tried it with friends first.

Meg yay for weight loss, well done!!!

🍒👋 to all!

foxessocks · 04/07/2020 17:37

We haven't been anywhere today, I will soon I'm sure but I didn't really fancy it on day one of things opening as it was sure to be a bit chaotic!

We are going to my parents house tomorrow to celebrate my dad's birthday and will officially be allowed in their house 😁 also good because I have lots of toys and books to give them to keep at their house 😂

We've been really busy today sorting stuff out , dh finished wall papering dd room just need to fill them with furniture etc once we've got that all ordered!

Ta das (me and dh can't take all the credit!)
Dishwasher on
Washing on X 2
Hoovered
Decluttered some toys and started putting away in correct rooms (no actual storage yet so all on the floor but at least neat!)
Did more furniture research 😂
Made my dad a birthday cake for tomorrow
Deep cleaned bathroom
Tidied half of craft stuff cupboard
Tidied our bedroom as much as possible
Filled a bin bag getting rubbish out of 3 bedrooms, spare room was a dumping ground but looks a bit clearer now

Cheese and veg pies for dinner 😋

I had more to say but it's all fallen out of my head 🤔

JigoloHarMegiddo · 04/07/2020 17:44

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LaneBoy · 04/07/2020 18:33

Frustrating about the beds and the knocked over puzzle!

DH has gone to have a lie down so will be a late dinner. I’m getting a bit of motivation back I think, I’m going to find a charger for my kindle so I can start reading through my ebook library (as I’ve already worked on the physical book pile), and then I’ll try a little more decluttering from the hallway since it’s the last zone 1 day. Not going to expect a lot of myself.

LittlemissAWOL · 04/07/2020 20:14

Hope the migraine shifts soon bower.

Sorry bed swapping didn't go to plan meg.

I love that jigsaw Merry.

I can't remember the name of the book lane but it's a life story of a woman who joins a convent and then later in life ends up leaving and becoming a prostitute.

More ta-da's
⭐️ Tesco done and ours put away. Tried a few different places for a printer but sold out so ordered one online to come Tuesday.
⭐️ delivered DGM shopping and collected DC
⭐️ another LOL (no more ironing done though)
⭐️ made shepherds pie for DH and DC (I don't like it so I'm going to have halloumi fries later)
⭐️ dishes

We're now watching monsters Inc

LittlemissAWOL · 04/07/2020 20:24

Oh and as we were driving home from the supermarket saw that the police had already been called to one of the pubs near ours 🙄

xmummy2princesx · 04/07/2020 23:07

Hiya all will catch up with every1 2mo been. Rly busy day here hope ur all well

LaneBoy · 04/07/2020 23:36

ta da
🐳finished book
🐳reminded DD1 about schoolwork (DH supervised though yay)
🐳used up fridge stuff for meals
🐳a bit of decluttering in zone 1 - a few things chucked and others rehomed
🐳started summer holiday wish list (eg things like seeing a movie as the cinema is opening soon with socially distanced seating)
🐳closed a few random browser tabs on my phone
🐳film night with DS... turns out the Sonic movie isn’t actually that bad 😳
🐳sorted meds for the week ahead as I’d had a week off everything - must make a note I only have 3 days iron left 🤦‍♀️

Bowerbird5 · 04/07/2020 23:40

Thanks everyone. I went to sleep and slept for several of hours TIL 5pm! BF was coming down. We sat outside well I did with her in the summerhouse. I enjoyed the fresh air but my head felt thick with just a slight headache left. It has gone now. Strangely BF had had one this week too. That was my second.
I did think about paint but hadn’t started today. Decided to have lunch first which is when it started. So didn’t do it.
DH made tea, well I started as he had bought meatballs in sauce from the butcher. He cooked the spaghetti. I relaxed watching A house in time. Jane McDonald cruising around Mull. It was lovely.DS1 went for his holiday last year and to Arran.

Merry That looks incredible. I will put my two on to show you. I might get DD and DP that one.

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
Bowerbird5 · 04/07/2020 23:42

Last one is some roses. There are about a hundred on the bush. It is gorgeous this year.

xmummy2princesx · 05/07/2020 00:43

I can’t sleep so will catch up wiv u all.

meg whoever invented it it’s great! Thank u about meds. Sorry about the beds!

too thank u I think cuz I had the kids quite young my mum still treets me as my age rather then as a mother. It’s deffo hard 2 keep emotions 2 myself tho!

sc I hope ur dd gets the grades she needs much luck to her! And thank u about meds

Luv the drawing lane so cute.

Luv the BACE zoo

I dont feel comfortable going anywhere just yet. It’s kicked off at the pub near me tonight every1s just ignoring the rules!. Busy day 2day. Not much flying but DC’s dad called and wanted 2 see the kids so I said ok only in the garden and can’t touch they’re on asthma meds and he’s not obeying distancing. So he came over and spent barley any time with the boys just kept talking 2 me. I told him 2 leave after a bit cuz he weren’t there for the right reasons then he got angry and I had 2 get his mum 2 get him home. Going 2 try and c about if I can stop him being around the kids until he gets himself sorted.

KTCluck · 05/07/2020 06:39

Sorry you had a tough day with your ex Princes.

Meg how frustrating on the bed front. Glad you got sorted in the end even if not everyone is delighted with the outcome. Hope DS1 managed to sleep ok.

Foxes you’ve been really productive! Enjoy the visit to your parents.

Lane well done on the me time and the hallway decluttering. I managed to grab a bit of me time too as DD went to PIL’s for tea.

DH arrived home at 5pm a little squiffy and with a bag of dinky donuts which I don’t particularly love but dug into anway Hmm. He said everyone had been quite well behaved and he’d enjoyed it but it was becoming a bit more rowdy and he didn’t feel comfortable so left. Takeaway pizza for tea too. I really must get back on track diet wise as I wasn’t great on Friday either.

KCC - a glimmer of hope for a return to better days here

Renew your spirit day today. Hope you all manage a little bit of that at some point.

Ta da:
✅ caught up with Noom to get my Weight loss back on track - I hadn’t logged in since Thursday so had a few articles to catch up on and meals to log.

To do:
📌 LOL
📌 DW
📌ironing
📌meal plan/prepping

That’s all I’m aiming for today. May paint the toilet ceiling if it takes my fancy. Meeting my DM for an ice cream at the local parlour this morning, which will be nice as long as it isn’t busy.

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KTCluck · 05/07/2020 06:40

Oh and gorgeous roses Bower. I have a similar rose bush that’s really blooming this year too. Will try and get a photo later.

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