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

Merry too late now but our village bakery in Scotland used to make this tart. Lovely pastry then jam and almonds then a mix of walnuts, cherries and some mixture and then it had pale pink icing randomly drizzled. Oh my it is absolutely gorgeous.

Upholder even if I say it myself the cake was good which is why I had two pieces. It was 🍋 today.
Foxes we are getting four springers in the village. New people moving in.

MC yeah the say ‘tea’ up north.
Cherry waves I’m nearly asleep.

Morning all! We are off to Weston at 9, the DC’s dad said he’s on his way. I really hope he does turn up for them. The weathers meant to be good the weekend, we’re staying in a premier inn overnight so we’ll get a very hot day tomorrow. It’s weird though, it being hot, I’m well and truly in the autumnal swing of things.

I missed your post toostressy but that’s a nightmare with the oven and the self iso!. It sounds like you’ve got a good plan though.

foxes good luck with the dogs!

That sounds really stressful bower I’m a bit too scared to go the docs because as you say it is like Fort Knox

upholder good luck with the test results

sing it’s good you managed to get a plan to carry on watching the middle!. My thing at the moment is that 70’s show but that’s being removed!

mc I say tea here in the midlands, it’s breakfast, lunch and tea to me. I can see how it would be confusing though!

I’ve packed our bags, only needed a few change of clothes and my nappy bag. Mom’s coming over in a bit to have the dog and guinea pigs, and then we’re off.

Soh yes toostressy sorry to hear about oven and self isolating. Slow cooker? Instant pot? DS3 oven was dodging and we were about to buy another when locked down came. They are open now and fitted free of charge😁 last week. He rang me for instructions for lamb last Sunday. It turned out perfectly.😃

Plan for today
Check list of kitchen jobs.

Vacuum downstairs.
Tidy and dust sitting room.
Ironing
Tidy, clean and water plants in summerhouse.

ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I was just about ready to send the search parties out on FB! ❤️💐 No need for hanging head in shame lovely, No Flegdling Left Behind remember? Xx

I am in a grump today but the others have gone to the park so I’m chilling for a bit

You too that ❤️💐

that have you been MIA too?
Sing thanks

It's all been totally tits up here
School returns been nightmare-schools on high alert as two other local secondary schools had confirmed cases- one a teacher who felt I'll but taught all morning FFS😤..
Dd2 anxiety is beyond manageable,she's hating being at 6th form - works fine,just the sit roomfuls people after be told 6months keep distance and wear masks etc..constant swings between panic attacks,yelling at me and crying.lil zoo went in two days then had week off IBS and debacle trying get meds from doc was bloody joke involving multiple phone calls on hold each time hour plus,multiple trip back n forth pharmacy that's 40 mins awayshe also can't grasp swing from social distancing to it okay sit in class ful others.school has no staggered exit,all years are wear coloured lanyards to keep apart but pointless as pour out mixing and dawdling off together.many of opinion it seems I'm stuck in class 29 others all day without mask,so I'm going hang out whoever I like after the same way...
DS had neuro assessment on teamspart 2 this week coming.hes a nervous wreck at mo
Mediation for EHCP school result in mediator having step in when lea decide hound me over why id not made complaints sooner,despite be warned historic grievances aren't allowed.glad I opt sound not visual as it got a bit too much...
Still no education D's as they denying (lea )responsibility it's school named in plan who refuse to do anything til paperwork's signed

Ps sorry for the essay,and I've not scrolled back as I'm always on phone it's tricky.hope nothing disastrous has occured whilst I've been gone

zooooooooo, thaaaaat. I like being in a little bunch of randoms 😁 softest pointy stick zoo. You've had a lot on. I take it's hob cooking at the moment? Can you get oven fixed?

No zoo things are much the same. The earth has tilted precariously the wrong way on its axis and we are all clinging on for dear life. Dodging asteroids and viruses.

toostressy also has oven problems zoo

Hi zoo . Yes, as Lisette says our oven is not working either. Thankfully we can use the hob and Bower has reminded me I do have a slow cooker. Just adds to the hassle of things though doesn’t it .

stressy definitely..thankful winters approaching and stew kind of foods are acceptable!I keep thinking if getting a slow cooker but haven't got round to it.yet
*Had three rows,one with lil zoo about coming to take meds and leaving cup,empty sachet and spoon/juice in a trailonto dd2 tell at me English homeworks weird/don't understand and she's bored.after full on rant,I responded in less than calm manner do you think I'm any less bored clearing up all that mess?row 2 for her was because I dared to ask what wanted for lunch...
*Fed scoutcat some kibble as he was screaming on sill,indicating dd2 had not done as asked and poor thing had been offered nothing since wet meat at 530 this morning
*Wash out water bowls that are crusty and grim that dd2 has been asked repeatedly for 5days to docossie and Nellie were begging and miaowing furiously for a fresh drink.i bit tongue rather risk having a third screaming match with dd2 before lunch
*Cleaned around TV unit,put away 8dvds dd2 has failed put away...
*Wiped fireplace and surround
*Wiped photo frames
*Dusted off couple huge spider webs from where wall meets ceiling above fireplace

*theres a theme forming in my life right there

Oh shit Zoo. I was feeling hard done by having to self-isolate and having a knackered tumble dryer, but I’d take that over your stresses and broken oven. . Sounds like you’ve made a cracking start getting back on top of things this morning. I’m only going to do a very gentle prod with a non-pointy stick to encourage you to do either your bedroom or around where you like to sit, so you can relax with a cuppa and chocolate and take some time for your self. Good to have you back with us.

Mc it’s breakfast, dinner and tea where I am, although I often use lunch instead of dinner on here and at work.

Ta Das:
✅ kitchen window and sill cleaned
✅ benches and cupboard fronts wiped
✅ hob, grill and ovens cleaned. Resisted temptation to take doors apart to clean the inner glass - probably wise given the way the thread ovens are going at the minute, didn’t Double’s die not long ago too?
✅ kitchen shelves dusted
✅ ceiling decobwebbed
✅ under sink cupboard wiped out and tidied. Found 7 rolls of kitchen roll hiding under the copious carrier bags DH likes to deposit in there, despite it NOT being where carrier bags live. The 8 pack we bought earlier in the week were probably therefore surplus to requirements
✅ thorough hoover and moppage
✅ hoovered utility and dining room
✅ beds made
✅ LOL sorted ready to go in, but I’ve stopped for lunch (DH made pesto pasta) and now don’t want to move.

To do:
🧽 put LOL in and put away dry washing
🧽 reclaim living room from under DD’s pop up tent, dolls and play doh
🧽 dust and hoover living room
🧽 tidy, hoover and mop hall and stairs. New unit seems to have been a success as shoes are going in it, however coat hooks aren’t up yet so they are strewn up the stairs.

Wellies tzatziki is compulsory I’m afraid, and it needs to go in the naughty corner.

Forgot to add make banana loaf and get DD some fresh air/exercise in the garden to my to do list. Must get moving then.

Zoo That's really tough, I hope you have a better time next week.

I can never remember what I've done, plan is to attack the to do list and get some more DIY done.

Ta da
shopping list for food
clothes for the kids

Hello. Hope you don't mind me posting.
I've joined mumsnet just to post on this thread.
I've followed for about a year, and because of your to dos and ta das I've managed to learn to motivate myself to keep home/garden/life manageable(ish!).
I don't do flylady, but a vagueish Tomm method ( a room a day).
But I joined to say thanks to everyone, I have an almost 18 year old ds with autism who is fairly settled at a specialist farm college and goes there 5 days a week. Life's not easy always easy
Anyway, hope you don't all think I'm weird...it's just been easier to read along with you all - you've made me smile, and nod along in agreement veeeery often!
I just wanted to say a word to zoo if that's OK ( after reading for a long time). You are a GIANT of a woman, I am amazed by all you do and how you cope.There's a Robert Burns poem that says " Give us the gift to see ourselves as others see us".If you could see yourself Zoo as how amazing others see you...
Probably freaked everyone out, honest not a stalker, but sometimes other people just touch our lives and you have to share some thanks.

Hi won welcome and 💐 lovely post! ❤️

I have done nothing today except making some more notes for next week and giving the toddler a bath and hair wash. Other than that it was watching crap on YouTube.

Thanks sing, very kind.

sing I will look out for The Duchess, haven't heard of it.
Zoo and that you are back! Woo! 💃💃
Zoo sending all the strength your way 🥰
Oranges I hope you are having a wonderful day 😊
Won hello! What a wonderful warm post!

One room I don't clean is DH office. It's his territory. Yesterday we had a chap from alarm firm doing a routine check. Out of all places, guess where the battery point (or whatever it is called) was located? The office of course. Picture the papers all over the floor, cluttered table where you cannot see the surface... Gah.

I've broken my own rules of no housework on the weekend, and ended up with a small ta da:

💃LOL X2
💃Hoovered downstairs and the stairs themselves
💃Few errands

Welcome Wonday you aren’t the first to lurk and you won’t be the last! I lurked for a couple of months after offering advice to someone and directing them to a National group that name got me a lot of hate. People don’t realise that they offer excellent counselling without judging. So I stayed off mumsnet for about a year then accidently found this lovely group of weird people and after lurking while Cagletini was busy growing I had to join when she was born.i then realised I was in the right place.

DH still being a grumpy 🤬he has been outside today.🤷🏼‍♀️ I asked him this morning would he liked a cooked breakfast. He said a bacon roll would be nice. I didn’t ask a second time. I had a full English except I didn’t fancy black pudding and gave him his bacon butty. There was no comment🤣

So I got up feeling better because I had a great nights sleep on my proper meds.25mg instead of 2x 10mg. That extra 5 mg seems to make such a difference. I was up before 9 am and I have spent most of the day cleaning the kitchen.

Ta bloody Da

Washed dishes dried and put away.
Started one end of kitchen and cleaned worktop then polished with special spray( never had to do that with Formica) stopping at various intervals to move wipe and sometimes replace items.
Used kitchen table to deposit unwanted items.
Tried out new arrangements.
Cleaned outside of Everhot and one oven and shelf ...it took ages.
Decanted the plum rum I made last year and yes I did have to sample some. It helped the cleaning and I had local radio on. I think it might be a bit potent. Luckily I only had a sherry glass of it. I have two and a bit bottles and a lot of drunken plums.
Wiped all the canisters and rearranged.
Wiped the oil box and swapped the wooden spoons over so the box is now in cupboard and the oil is out on work top in wooden spoon box ( because it is prettier) shoved the other one in cupboard and now housing condiments that are frequently used.
Cleaned widow sill.
Cleaned and re organised area near the door. Removed box housing paint brushes in turps and spare brushes. To shed.
Removed small box of recycling to shed.
Wiped and polished worktop.
Made coffee. I sat down and looked at new magazine that I bought as reward because I went for smear on Friday.
Felt a bit guilty so went and asked his grumpiness if he wanted one. He was outside chopping wood with a chainsaw in clogs. I had to ask. Do they recommend wearing clogs whilst sawing branches of fallen trees. I got no answer so I thought if he chops his bloody foot off I am not pushing him around in a wheelchair.
Took coffee out. Is he in steel toed boots 🥾 🥾 oh no that would be too sensible. Bloody men! Thick as shit sometimes.
Spent ages cleaning WM drawer then it suddenly came out. I haven’t been able to do that, DH has filed the instructions( somewhere) and he couldn’t remember how to do it. It is trickier as this machine is integrated. Spent ages cleaning it. Yuk!
Cleaned top of fridge and decluttered all lists down to one and essential paperwork only. Bin calendar and one to do list.

I like the new arrangement likely him outdoors/indoors won’t. Need to find homes for stuff on table. I made curry green Thai chicken so just need to do rice.

That 😁
Zoo how dare you go AWOL!
Get to the naughty corner I have had local mountain rescue dogs out looking for you🐕 plumps squishy cushions for zoo and pours her a large stiff drink for medicinal purposes.

Right I better go and find rice and wash kitchen floor. Then all the kitchen is pristine and visitors could come only to the kitchen though. Boudoir 🤦🏼‍♀️