Swooping into September - Flylady fledglings assemble!

[MogTheSleepyCat]

First of all, a big thank you to SingToTheSky for leading us through the August thread, (you can park your mop and hang up your duster now)

If you are struggling with C.H.A.O.S. (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (Something That Undermines Family Fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of support and chatter along the way.

The FlyLady link is here . Don't be put off by the twee language of the site – we all agree that the underlying system is very effective.

This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in zones of the house which are designated weekly; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with loads more time to do something more interesting instead.

At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around again next month.

It's up to you, but we advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be swamped with marketing nonsense. All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's steps and routines using a three-pronged approach (dependent on the stage everyone is at):

• start or repeat baby steps
• repeat baby steps + do 15 minutes a day decluttering in the current zone
• reinforce baby steps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.
• And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.

There are three key points to keep in mind throughout:

• No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine and many of us on this thread struggle with this one.
• You are never behind - just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
• It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

If you are new; then trying to spend 15mins decluttering daily and doing the baby steps is a good way to start. Some of us (mentioning no names) can have scary looking ‘ta-da’ lists but don't let that worry you. Do what you can, anything is better than nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

If all else fails, a + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders.

Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings.

Don’t let it put you off if we appear a bit cliquey, we really aren’t. Some of us have been on here for years – but all lurkers, intermittent returnees, oldies and newcomers very, very welcome.

SingToTheSky put together a glossary of the many weird and might-seem-a-bit-cliquey terms. We have been going a long time but we always love newbies - hopefully this list will help you settle in.

KCC - the Keep Calm Corner, invented by our lovely Fledgling SC back in March, where the OP posts nice diverting links, memes, questions etc to distract us from the pandemic.

Ta Da - instead of a to do list (which is of course welcome too) we often post our achievements, with accompanying jazz hands, in order to celebrate the positives, however small they seem! Sometimes if we want to share an embarrassed giggle/commiserations we also post a ta didn’t - the stuff we didn’t get done!

BRC - Bag/Box of Random Crap. These are usually formed when we are panic tidying and shove anything in “to sort later” which is also known as a stash and dash .

Power of Three or PO3 - the idea that if you’re feeling really unmotivated/overwhelmed by your to do list, you just choose three things to do, and then post when you’ve done them.

DLMS - didn’t lose my shit - in other words, somehow stayed relatively calm despite a stressful day!

SS/S&S - Swish and Swipe - this is one of the key parts of the morning routine, a quick once over of the bathroom.

And a few basics:
LOL - load of laundry
WM - washing machine
TD - tumble dryer
DW - dishwasher
HSL - hallway, stairs, landing

In honour of Anti-Procrastination Day I have - get this -

I MADE A PHONE CALL!

I rang the church administrator and organised getting hold of some statistics which I need to add to my report (I might even get it finished at this rate).

Still haven't made appointments for hairdresser, boiler service and S2's eyesight checkup mind you.

Woke stupidly early, probably stressing over whether S2 would wake up (yes he did, entirely independently).

Had a sudden panic remembering spotting an email about ringing with something to do with 6 September, but it was sent on 6 September and forwarded to me, and was just a thanks for the earlier wedding anyway. Phew!

Read email from brass tutor and discovered that yes, tuba lesson is pencilled in for 8:05 on Monday morning! S2 is going to attempt to get that changed...

Went to gym
weighed self (no change... all that ice cream and alcohol doesn't help)
removed name tags from S2's PE kit (18 months since he last had PE...) and put in charity bag
shower (timed it badly - S1 was in there when I got home)
lol
??
made lunch
made tuna pasta bake
H made bread and dug out some of the compost bin; S1 walked into town and got a haircut (returned mildly unrecognisable)
went to karate

merry you made me chuckle. Its true, its a great feeling when make a phone call you have been putting off for a while

up hi waves, thank you it good to know its doable. I need some sort of routine, this house is crying for help.

orange what! No singing in the class?! But, but, but its the best bit of being at school. The singing. (I 100% understand why.) Its just that i love singing.

Today
I decided I cant manage to wash and dry one set of uniform in one evening so i dashed out during lunchtime to buy extra uniform.
Thank goodness lidl had a few dress and tops left. I am going to try set up the uniforms as a set so i am not running around like a mad person in the morning.

Ta da for today:
🎉Bathroom blitzed
🎉LOL x2: washed, dried, and folded
🎉Hoover upstairs and very quick hoover downstairs
🎉Finished the baby hat! It's probably a little large for a newborn, but hopefully he will grow into it by the time he needs to wear it come winter.

Oranges I am 32 weeks at the moment, due on Halloween 😬 it's all starting to become real and I have no clue what I am doing 😂
Merry congratulations on making The Call! Tuba lesson at 8am on a Monday sounds very early 😬
Upholder hopefully you will manage to get someone soon to come check out that dryer. I had a small heart attack when our old one broke a while ago. Can't do without it (although I do also love drying stuff on a line in the summer/non rainy weather!).

sing so glad your little one had a lovely time at nursery!
That was great Sing! So lovely to hear the woman was nice, wouldnt it be great if you did work for them as you have the knowledge?!

Alex i am really sorry you didnt get the job. It just gives you more time for cuddles. I cant believe you are doing a online course! Its taken me years to be able to think clearly from baby brain. ( i still cant sometimes.)

Mc- wow the baby hat looks amazing! Its so cute I would buy that! Welldone mc!

Wellies i am sorry the wheels came off today. i honestly dont know how you fit so much into a day. Lovely you got to see your friend for a coffee. Its important to make time for ourselves too. Hope you have penciled in another one soon.

ta da
▪️Walked Cagletini to nursery
▪️Home ed (mostly ok)
▪️Finished making sheet for DS and printed enough for the term
▪️Bound a couple more books
▪️Phone call
▪️Looked up some stuff the work advisor mentioned
▪️Shower and hair
▪️Bathed cagletini after nursery and at bedtime (trying to keep to routine)
▪️Walked to leisure centre to drop DS at taekwondo
▪️Gym
▪️Finally wrote journal for the first time in ages

Phew! I just got caught up on the thread and I'll respond to some but will probably forget most, I apologise.
wellies the pumpkin cheesecake mouse is really simple :
8oz cream cheese,
16oz can 100%pumpkin,
heavy whipping cream (not sure how much, maybe a cup?),
powdered sweetener of your choice (add to taste, a little at a time),
pumpkin pie seasoning (cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, I think).
I whip the cream separately with the sweetener. In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese to soften, add pumpkin to cream cheese. Add pumpkin pie seasoning (I've also made it without and it was good) fold cream into mixture. Serve cold.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy coffee with a friend.

Sing glad to hear cagletini did well in nursery. I'm glad the lady at the charity seems nice and knowledgeable, that can make all the difference.

lisette your patio has transformed! I love it, it looks brand new.
mc well done on the hat, it's super cute.

merry well done for making the phone call and not putting it off any more.

Ta Das:
Tuesday
🦊 5 LOLs (including my bedding)

🦊 DW rotated
🦊 Quick grocery shop first thing.
🦊 White chicken chili put in slow cooker.
🦊 picked up lunch for DH and I.
🦊 sorted DSs closet out (it's all shelves) made more room
🦊 sorted under DS bed.
🦊 DS Legos safely displayed on a shelf in his closet.

🦊 picked up DD from school.
🦊 picked up DS from after school club.
🦊 ironed and sewn curtains (liner was showing at the bottom so did a quick sewing job) and rehung in DS room.

🦊 ironed enough clothes for the rest of the week we'll ignore the huge ironing pile for right now

🦊 took slow cooker to ILs since they still had no power.

🦊 took DD to work.

🦊 went back to ILs to eat.

I was ready to crash when we got home but I still didn't go to bed until after 11pm 🤦‍♀️.

Wednesday

🍁 worked all day.

🍁 stopped at the store for a handful of things.

🍁 made layered dip for a pot luck at work tomorrow.

🍁 put tomorrow's outfit in the bathroom already, ready for the morning.

DS starts football ⚽️ practice tomorrow night, he'll miss most of it since we get off work when it starts, but as long as he has fun when they play the games, that's what matters most.

The baby hat looks gorgeous MC 😍 Hungryhazeleyes thank you for the recipe. Will look out for a can of pumpkin. It's really nippy this morning. Definite turn in the weather. Morning all. Need coffee ☕☕☕🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

Thank you for your kind words Dancing, Hazel, Lisette!

I am a bit slow to get up this morning..

To do:

• blitz the bedroom and spare room
• got the afternoon off work, so will run few errands
• make a start on a project at work which I will need to finish by the end of September.

Should be doable.
☕☕☕🥐🥐🥖🥞

Mc The hat is adorable.

Sing glad your phone call went well.

Dancing Thanks! It's the kind of online course where you just watch videos and is very short. I'm aiming to try and do them regularly to try and keep brain moving and update my skills.

Ta da
-cleaned large appliances

To do
more diy

Thank you for the recipe Hazel I have two cans of pumpkin in the cupboard left by DD( must check the dates) so might make it for DH next week. He won’t be getting it this week as he has 🤬been a complete🤬this morning.

Orange I am a Nursery Nurse (NNEB Dip.)but was working as a HLTA. I like Yr 3 but loved my Yr 6s as I had been with them in Yr3,5&6 teaching RE and Art /DT. I am coming to the end of my career and not in the way I imagined unfortunately. The last few years have been stressful for everyone. I loved my job but it wasn’t easy.

Merry great anti procrastination.
MC I love the colour and the hat so cute. Take your small hat and if too small give it to SCU for the premiere I like to crochet. Thinking of starting a blanket that I bought the wool and pattern about 10 years ago. Have a look at Loving hands or Revelry for free patterns. You might already know this.

Ta da
Fed hens.
Fed me.
Washing down.
I answered phone which is work related.
Removed everything from dresser. Dusted and replaced.
LOL in
second LOL and peg first out.

Work issues took a while so delayed jobs.

Need to
Wash kitchen floor
Change bed.
Vacuum floor.
Make something for dinner. Might make a curry.
Going to do some baking.

Well Cagletini screamed the place down this morning, had to be wrestled into her clothes and the buggy, as she didn’t want to go. But she did have fun in the end.

On an unrelated note I REALLY need to get dressed properly every morning even if I’m not going anywhere as I feel super awkward if anyone drops by (and I actually knew they were going to today but forgot) 😳😳😳 so that is going to be the next habit I try and build!

Oh well at least home ed is going really well today, DS very engaged, and I’m making plans with my friend (our boys are BFFs) for some collaborative learning from next week which is exciting (and fine as it will be when DD1 is at school, therefore not above the 6 person limit)

Hope work issues didn't cloud your day Bower. Poor Cagletini - not wanting clothes or buggy. Eventually she'll realise 90% of life is showing up! Glad she had a good time in the end. I'm dreaming about spiced pumpkin pie now. Does anyone know how zoo is. I miss her and I'm worried about her.

For some reason I always misread that she'd harpiced the cats when she'd written 'fed cats, harpic lav*

Hi hi. Gradually reading through the thread as I’m very behind (I know it’s not essential BTW and I’d never tell off a fledgling for just jumping in! But I enjoy reading it). All of us are silent on individual screens right now except the toddler who is watching and leaping about. The rest of us are all burned out physically and mentally I think!

The big two had a nice time at the cinema though. It was actually meant to be DD1 and two friends but one was involved in the upset the other day (luckily I’d not sought payment yet) and the other was suddenly not allowed and I now wonder if she’d actually really got permission at all (unluckily I’d not sought payment yet...!) - taking DS was her idea and they had fun (and saw DD’s friend who they knew was already going with her mum) but I’m gutted that’s twice in a week she’s been let down last minute. Thankfully the tickets weren’t super expensive as one went to waste (very niche film - about Kpop - or they could’ve taken someone else!) and it was still worth it for them to enjoy it, but I clearly need to make sure I speak to parents about arrangements where money is involved 🤦‍♀️

DD said she punched her ex in the ribs today. He’s casually walked up and hit her several times in the four days they’ve been back at school. Fucksake. I know it’s a, erm, rough school but really?! I don’t blame her for retaliating. She has now told the HOY more info so we shall see what happens. 🤬🤬🤬

Sing- i am so sorry your DD is being treated like that at school by her ex.
I think you should ring the school and speak to the Hoy and see if she can be given a place to hang out that is away from the ex. Until all this settles down. The ex needs to be dealt with by the school.
Its not on!

Sing It's awful, I hope she is ok.

Sing I am so sorry to hear that about DD. I hope HOY will be able to put something in place. Hope DD is holding up.
Bower I've heard of Loving Hands before, but not of Ravelry. I will definitely register with them! I crochet when I get inspiration, which usually comes in bouts.. Previous bout resulted in 2 sweaters for DH (and he actually wears them!).

Ta Da:
🎉 Bedroom and spare room dusted, surfaces cleaned, order restored
🎉 Usual morning and evening routines
🎉All planned errands done
🎉Job jobbed. Less than a month until leave, whoop!

I decided to have a bath this evening. I'm at the stage where my hips are starting to creak, so I thought the bath would help with that. Well, I have to say, this was the most underwhelming bath I've ever had.. turns out lukewarm baths are neither pleasant or relaxing (I usually run them very hot, but can't do that at the moment) and I felt like an upturned turtle. Getting out was interesting.. 🥴 Not repeating that experience for the foreseeable.

Evening all,

Well things are settling down now school-wise. A bit of teenage attitude this morning but all gone by this evening. I have made a Covid box on the hall table and took a photo as I know you lot will appreciate the domestic-ness. Hand-gel, tissues, masks, plastic bags all in one place. Kept up with the laundry and a few phonecalls etc but not much else this week. Day off work tomorrow and about to make a list.

Sing - I'm so sorry to hear about DD1 and the boy, what a shit. Good for her for not standing for it.

Mc - gorgeous hat! I'm a crocheter too, mostly things for Woolly Hugs.

One more day until the weekend!, this week seems to have been so full. It’s been the first full week back and I feel so burnt out. I’ve really wanted normality to come but now I’m actually struggling with it. Sorry that my posts are always so late, it’s the only chance I get to have some free time. DD is in with me now watching Peppa on the tele. She keeps having nightmares lately and coming in with me. I wish she didn’t watch Peppa though. I’ve attached a pic that I think some of you may find funny if you have DC who’ve watched it. Also attached a pic of a castle she made for me at nursery today.

Congrats on making that call merry! I struggle with phone calls, I put them off and put them off because I get so anxious. I hope DC can move the lessons.

dancing I think the reason I got into teaching was because of the singing😂. I have so many songs that I use to teach different topics. We have assemblies in class starting from next week and a lot of them have songs but we can’t do that anymore😔

mc I’m 3 years into parenthood and I’m still not really sure what I’m meant to be doing!. The hat is so cute. I hated pregnant baths too, I like them to scald me but lukewarm baths make me feel dirty.

wellies I slave over a hot stove every day to cook the DC healthy, tasty meals and their favourite meal is Birdseye fish finger sandwiches🙄. I’m glad to hear that you had a good day with your friend.

hazel that pumpkin cheesecake sounds lush

bower I started out in the school nursery and I really enjoyed it. I’ve never taught year 6, I’d love to though as there’s a different dynamic as they’re that little bit more grown up. I’m sorry it hasn’t ended the way you’d have liked it to💐

sing I’m sorry Cagletini was so difficult this morning. Can you call the HOY yourself and see if anything can be done sooner? That really isn’t on about her ex boyfriend.

That COVID box is great ed!

What a great recipe, Hazel. My mouth is watering. DS2 needs to get up the milk allergy reintroduction ladder or off the boob soon, so I can make it and have some without him exploding!

The Great Room Shuffle is the official name now, Wellies. They are currently enjoying sleeping in our room and love the chaos that is their new room. I think they will be disappointed when it's normal! Hope the week balances out your difficult day wh lots of nice ones.

Oh dear Sing. How awful for your daughter. She sounds so grown up and sensible in how she is managing things.

Lovely patio photo, Lisette. It looks like a nice spot to relax. Is your area also forecast good weather over the next week or so?

Your garden veg sounds nice, Merry. We love eating food from the garden. DS2 gets so excited about eating anything we pick and much less fussy about veg now. I have never thought of growing celery. Maybe next year I will try it.

What a great hat Mc! I love crochet and baby things are fun to make. You are sure to find lots of great patterns through Ravelry.

Eek at tumble drier, TheUpholder. Hope it can be fixed.

Great photos, Orange! Such a nice castle. DS1's preschool teacher had a Peppa character name and DS1 always called her the character's name. Very embarrassing!

Ta Das (last two days)

✔LOL, DW, S&S
✔Decluttered open snacks, nuts and seeds cupboard plus fridge and hot drinks, sugars and custard powder cupboard. Much easier and safer to have a hot drink and biscuit here now!
✔Cleaned small and large appliances and shined sink.
✔Swept downstairs
✔Anti procrastinated renewing house insurance (hearing of Hazel's poor in-laws was a good prompt to do this. I hope they are ok now) and checking with school on what they are supposed to wear for PE and forest school days as uniform list and newsletter said different things
✔Picked tomatoes, runner beans and raspberries with DS2's help
✔Made raspberry jam today and a loaf of bread yesterday in the breadmaker with DS1. The recipes for the breadmaker are perfect for his good reading ability but less good overall language skills and very motivating to him.
✔Made parsnip, bean and sage soup for lunch
✔Made pizza with sauce made from garden tomatoes yesterday and several vegetable sides to go with dull veggie burgers today
✔put all DS1's school dates on his google calendar plus other appointments for the boys
✔Progress on Great Room Shuffle: discovered there is a floor in their room!
✔Finalised list of presents for boys' birthdays

Ta didn't
Start getting DS1 his next size up clothes.

Oh shit I forgot my ta da

ta da
🌭Made beds
🌭Dressed DC
🌭Got ready
🌭S&S
🌭Fed animals
🌭Made breakfast
🌭Dropped DC off at nursery
🌭Work
🌭Picked DC up
🌭Walked dog
🌭Cleaned out guinea pigs
🌭Picked up poo (how does one dog shit so much!)
🌭Made tea (toad in hole)
🌭Went through DC’s backpacks to see if they had any letters sent home.
🌭Washed up from tea and breakfast
🌭Packed bags and lunches for tomorrow
🌭Bathed DC
🌭Put DC to bed
🌭Wiped large appliances
🌭Bathed
🌭Washed down bathroom
🌭Shined sink

Thank you cin DD was very proud!. DS1 sounds so funny 😂

ED COVID box is an awesome idea, and I love how organised it is, very Marie Kondo!

Oranges that is a proper Princess castle. Very impressive! And I always wondered, what is it about Peppa that mesmerises kids so much? I am genuinely curious.
Com I like the Great Room Shuffle!

I love reading about all the cooking you all are doing, gives me inspiration. I am an ok cook, as in no one died yet, and DH eats it, but I would love to be better. Got few cooking books I am working my way through and I am mildly addicted to cooking programs on TV. The experimentation continues.