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

foxes those work chasing chains are fun, aren't they. Next time I've got chicken stock I will attempt to freeze it. I always give myself an excuse of 'no freezer space', but in reality I just need to go through it and see what's actually in there..

Dancing post pictures of your face mask if you get around to doing them! I love seeing all the different designs, it's becoming pretty much a fashion statement nowadays.

Hazel I've got one big tank with goldfish, one medium sized community tank, and one small one with a Betta. All three are planted, so I am doing underwater gardening more often than normal gardening 😬 I got into this whole fishies thing by accident, a colleague was giving away her goldfish as she didn't realise how much faff fishtanks are. I find it quite addictive!

Ta da:
🎉Bathroom blitzed
🎉Bedroom blitzed
🎉Finally decluttered my make up box - turns out I own a lot of out of date brown make up... Lots went in the bin.
🎉Hoovered upstairs and downstairs
🎉LOL

Sing oh I am so sorry to hear that ex is being a dick. It must be quite a traumatic experience for your DD. Hope she is ok. How is it going to be dealt with?

Not sure mc - presumably as she’s been asked to write it down they are taking it seriously. I bet the HOY is fuming as he had actually left her alone for a few days and it seemed like things were better. She mentioned last week that they’ve had issues with him before but no idea what. I’m really proud of DD1 for telling her today. Turns out the hitting was before first lesson so she’s been in pain all day.

On a nicer note the maths teacher replied really quickly and also said how impressed he is with her attitude :)

Evening all! Just back from work now. Fajitas are prepped and am off to walk the dog, I’m taking the DC’s scooters. Wish me luck🤞🏻. DC woke up at 4:05 and 4:32, so I’ve got a gro clock for them both and seeing if it will keep them in their rooms until 6, and hopefully encourage them to sleep a bit more. DD went into nursery really well today, I carried on doing the heart on the hand I think it’s really working. The DC are currently watching waffle and I’m having a cuppa and my head feels like it will burst.

Thanks for the autumn decs love!

Sorry about the headache sing!, and the finger. New look is good for skater skirts. I’m glad Cagletini is feeling more positive about nursery! It takes a lot of stress away doesn’t it. I hope everything gets sorted with Dd, her ex is a right little prick.

zoo that’s a big chop! I bet you feel much lighter. Great list!.

hazel I do love our hedgehogs! Do you not get hedgehogs where you’re from?. Hamsters really scare me😂, it’s just how speedy they are. My sister has one called Theo (he was going to be called Miguel, I’m still quite bitter she didn’t stick with that) and he runs away all the time. But he knows his own name, he’s ran off before and they called his name and he came back.

Enjoy the alone time too!

That’s so frustrating about work foxes!

Will be back later with list.

I seem to have deleted my message instead of posting.

My first post in a fortnight. Sinking a little. Keeping up with kitchen, bathroom, utility and toilet. Also some hoovering. Tidying and putting away.

Crushing loneliness atm, and resolving to read and post every day.

Hugs, tidy 💐 sorry things are so tough. Well done for keeping up with some stuff though! You still sound like you’re doing more than me.

I should be doing stuff right now.

for you Tidy. I’ve missed you on the thread, glad you’re back but sorry you aren’t feeling great.

Sounds like HOY is at least taking it seriously Sing. Hope she sorts the little arsehole lad out sharpish.

Ooh how are the new windows/doors looking Wellies?

Hope scootering went ok Orange. I find it stressful enough with one!

Hope you enjoyed having the day to yourself Too.

Zoo today’s lists are epic, even by your standards.

Foxes yak to work stresses.

Waves to Bower, That, ED, Merry, Mc, Dancing, Lisette, Chic, SC and everyone else.

I managed most of my to do list today:
✅ stripper our bed, washed, re-made
✅ upstairs dusted and hoovered
✅ washes mirrors and windows in boudoir, dressing room and DD’s room
✅ cleaned bathroom
✅ decent go at the ironing pile
✅ weeded front garden
✅ made appointments x 2 at health centre
✅ made lamb tagine for tea
✅ made big pan of soup for work lunches for the week
✅ made a start on clearing kitchen

We did go to the park this morning. It was quiet initially but got really busy so we came home earlier than planned. We also had a walk this afternoon with DD’s doll’s pram.

The rest of downstairs needs tidied and swept which I’ve delegated to DH while DD comes in the bath with me. Then I’m going to relax!

TaDa
reminded S2 about opticians - he's still fine; and he bought a new school bag
did all the ironing!
made a sponge cake and decluttered the very old part-pot of cream in the fridge
played Canasta - we've now played in all possible team combinations, and I won each time Pure luck, obviously.
Conversation with sons
washed up this morning...
exercise class - definitely getting stronger (walking back from town last week, I barely slowed down at all on the uphill section, unheard of for me)
picked a celery in time to wash and prepare it before lunch

TaDidn't
any actual cleaning

ToMorrow
get to gym, preferably earlier
scan report so that I can hand it over as a single pdf file to distribute
put wash on
clean loos (I know, we've moved on...)
hoover

Aaaaggh wrote long post earlier and must not have pressed post . Big waves to all. Tidy

tidy
Singpaper trails get shit done.so having make statement is a good sign they are taking it very seriously.poor DD tho

Covid is in girls school.a teacher tested positive.a level maths class are SI and some her tutor group unlike other schools in area not all 6th firm out,which I think is highly foolhardy.one girls from her class was in English with DD Friday
Boris is talking tom in commons what do next 1230 tom.i expect it will be curb social lives to keep schools,businesses open.trouble is rates rising in all groups and I think kids will take home to more vulnerable family etc.i don't have answers but I know there are too many selfish people that don't care if it's not their personal lives ones at risk if means they can do as they please

Also local co op to girls school are complaining high level girls no masks going in.abd today a TEACHER was mask free and leaned tight in staff face whilst shelf stacking.i think they getting so used being "as normal" they are forgetting the rest society has different rules.managers spitting fire and demanding meet with head,as co ops do tend to cater for local elderly she doesn't want it ravaging thru the store taking out staff and endangering the relatively high level of vulnerable shoppers

Ps if anyone knows which shops are stocking bournville (Cadbury) fingers let me know as dairy free lil zoo and k desperate get mitts on some!

Oh tidy I'm so sorry to hear you are feeling lonely

Dh also stressed from work today and then we had the mad haircut dash so ended up a fish fingers and chips dinner.

I did manage to get my wash in ready to finish in the morning, kitchen tidied and some of the laundry put away (but there are still a pile of socks on my bedroom floor )

Links for Tuesday 22nd September

We are in the master bedroom, aka The Boudoir

Spend 15 minutes decluttering here before moving onto detailed cleaning.

Our mission today is to put away properly all the items hanging around in your bedroom

Baby step 22 is more on building your control journal

Habit of the month is Before Bed Routine

Tuesday daily focus is planning : meal planning, activities, look ahead to next week to see what you can do today to help – organize any birthday cards, paperwork etc

ta da
🌸weighed self
🌺drowned sorrows in a solitary slice of french toast
🌼planned HE stuff throughout the day
🌸HE with DS throughout the day
🌺replied to senco
🌼put dryer on
🌸emailed maths teachers
🌺vaguely listened to announcement
🌼paid for therapy
🌸reported DD1’s absence from dance
🌺emailed exhibition person
🌼LOL
🌸drawing (doubled up as self care)
🌺reminded DD1 to do chores and homework/statement writing
🌼looked up various things online

Evening all,

Thanks for the links Mog - you are doing a great job with the thread when you are so busy at work. I see you are also a fan of Elbow Grease - I only discovered it a few weeks ago but am seriously impressed.

MrsT sending hugs, I'm sorry things are so tough, do keep posting, this thread has got me through many low times .

Sing - what a shit (the ex).

Zoo - my hair is shoulder length too, just long enough for a small ponytail. I've never had it longer than about bra strap length but do find it easier this length, I tend to just clip the front of it up on top of my head to keep it out of my eyes and just do the ponytail when I get hot.

Hazel - just for you, a hedgehog picture, we feed them every night at this time of year. DS keeps stroking them, not sure how advisable that is but they don't seem to mind, he's very gentle with small creatures.

Well, it has been a busy day. Busy at work, busy at home.

Tada!

Put washing on
Stuck sourdough in oven
Very short run
Put bins out
Washing on - left for DH to hang out.
Loaded car with DCs and schoolbags and my work stuff, dropped DCs at station (one catches the train to school, the other can walk from there)
Drove to work
Drove home via Waitrose and station to pick DS up again (DD on bus).
Flopped in garden for 10 mins
Put away shopping
Made my packed lunches for next two days
Cooked dinner, ate in garden
Long chat with DH both moaning about colleagues
Washing off line
Zoom yoga class
Sorted laundry, ironed a couple of things, clothes out for tomorrow
Spot tested eyelash dye so I can do it tomorrow
Hotspotted bedside table and assembled a new lamp to go on it.
Did physio exercises for shoulder (really helps)
Fell into bed

Night Fledglings ❤️❤️

orange growing up we always had a visiting hedgehog (I grew up in the UK) and used to love watching it out the kitchen window. We don't have any here in Idaho other than some people getting them for pets.

ED awww I love them! They are so adorable 😍 I can't believe your DS gets close enough to be able to touch them, he must be very gentle.

Sing sorry to hear DDs ex is still being violent with her. I'm glad the HOY is stepping in though.

tidy 💐 for you, we're always here for you so you can come on here and chat.

I know I was going to put more on here but now my brain is hurting from the long day at work.

DS had football ⚽️ practice right after work. I had to stop at the grocery store to pick up a couple things on my way home and came across some beautiful sunflowers. I do need more though as my vase looks really skimpy. I'm now sitting with my feet up in warm Fluffy lounge clothes, waiting for DD to text that she's off work. DH is hogging the TV again 🙄

Tomorrow there is a health fair I want to go to. They do blood testing for various things. I have to fast, so no coffee before I go. I would go as soon as they start at 7am, but I have to wait until DS goes to school. Hopefully I'll be back home before a guy shows up to service the water softener, it's holding a lot of water in it which it shouldn't do. Other than washing my bedding I'll see what else I can do.

DC didn't do chores again 🤬

ed gorgeous pick.
hazel enjoy the fair.
foxes my rooms a dumping ground generally

Tada
Fed cats
Harpic lav
Clean washing machine filter
Clean out drawer
Wipe seal
Wash on
Clean tumble drier filter
Realise clump wet lint BEHIND filter right at back.find old toothbrush and scratch that out.hopeful clothes will be coming out but drier now!
Tidy my chest of drawers,discarding stuff that's seen better days/shrunk in drier and no longer fits
Clear shelving in my room that houses all my shampoo etc and zoolet spares,organise and place neatly back in baskets
Ironing pile
Wash in drier
More on
Make banana pancake batter

Now have few minutes whilst it rests and before masses need sorting

As dd2 needs walking to and from school for lessons/home again during study periods I am in for a busy day as need pop pharmacy,I need acquire cat food and bread/rolls,and have camhs app online at 4pm with dd2.need organise and engage D's some work and as last warm sunny day forecast I need to chop down some hedge/buddhlia

zoo mine too! And it's also incredibly dusty at the moment...

Hazel health fair sounds interesting, hope you manage the fasting and it goes okay

I need to get out of bed but it's so cosy...

Morning all

Sing sorry to hear dd having ex issues again. Are his parents aware of this? My eldest ds is a year younger and i would absolutely flatten him if he behaved this way.

Zoo i think you really hit the nail on the head with this "there are too many selfish people that don't care if it's not their personal lives ones at risk if means they can do as they please" I have literally given up all hope. Our whole school should be isolating. They are not. Everyone is just thinking "its fine if i get it, i will be ok"

I would also be grateful of info on bournville fingers!

Tidy for you

Mog for the leadership

Tada
Pancakes made
School run with lil zoo
Shops with D's
Wipe and put away
Wash out drier,fold put away
More in
More in to wash
Be time go drop dd2 soon then off to pharmacy,hopefully be back in time for lunch

Photos of my fabric mask I made yesterday. I cant believe i did it. I will add a link to the site i used to help me make it.

Wellies- weldone on the pickling of stuff!

Tidy- good to hear from you. Keep posting on here. We will keep you company.

Zoo- I give up on people too. A school mum i dont know was complaining loudly that her husband refuses to wear a mask at the school gate, he is in late 20s, doesnt have any health complications. Deputy Head asked him to please wear a mask next time. The parent replied- show me the guidance where it says to wear a mask outdoors! Ffs! My DH is very vunerable to catching Covid, and other parents are in similar situations....I honestly dont understand why they wouldnt want to help protect another parent or child? Its actually makes me want to cry. The rate of covid transmission is going up. Are these people not watching the news updates.
I honestly feel like bashing my head against a brick wall in frustration.

Sing- i hope you DD wrote everything that has happend on the incident. Its not acceptable her Ex is hurting her. I hope the school take it alot further.

Mc- here is the fabric mask I have. I am so chuffed to pieces I did it. I completed something I have wanted to make for weeks!

I haven't fallen off the world.
I will be back.
I need to charge ipad and have forgotten where i put the charger. The other one isn't working.
I will catch up later.
No flying I painted the shed yesterday instead. Summerhouse today if it stays dry.And it is the boudoir
Off to get some (much needed)shopping with Dh so back later.

Cheery waves to everyone.

Impressed Dancing and also Wellies.

God bless the National children's Deaf society website which shows how to make masks with clear panels. A great helpful website!

I made the smile make without a clear panel. Superb, simple videos. Big thank you from me as they were easy to follow and helpful!

www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/diy-face-masks-with-clear-panels/