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

🤣 yes that sort of thing is more Cagletini’s style 🤔 the other ideas on there are great though, thanks! I’ll make a note for some for DD1 as well as she loves art specifically.

He probably would like baking actually yes. He isn’t the jealous type at all generally but he’s just sad when DD1 goes off to do fun stuff yet again and he’s stuck home. While he had clubs on in lockdown, more of DD1’s have now got back to RL whereas DS only has taekwondo (not particularly social for him and now quite noisy as they are currently sharing with body combat class ). I must look into parkour properly as that is one home ed class that is returning.

I really wish DH was still able to run the PE classes he used to - that would have been brilliant to get covid safe! :(

I will also look at movies for juniors screenings actually as they work out very cheap, and could be a good option for when DD1 is off dancing.

Thank you everyone, my headache has gone this morning. Before bed last night I had a good chat with DD, she had a bad day at school and then an even worse night at work. People can be so nasty. I explained to her that she needs to be telling DS to do certain chores.

bower I love your kitchen! My parents had an Aga years ago and wish they never got rid of it. Especially since mum can't afford one now.

sing that's great that you're getting back into routine with yoga and swimming, even making a point to go when you don't have a ride. They are both good for physical and mental health.

I don't remember what I was going to say now, I had more personals but it's all gone.

Ta da to far:
🌻 Stripped our bed and DS bed, they are in the washer
🌻 Made DH breakfast before work

To Dos:
🌻 more LOLs
🌻 Take ddog to vet, see if there's another pain med we can get for her instead of aspirin. I doubt that pinched nerve in her back will ever heal and she's lost muscle in her back leg 😭 we just can't afford surgery or laser treatments to fix it.
🌻 RELAX!
🌻 Clean bathroom
🌻 Grocery shopping x2 (I have to get food early and DD wants to pick out a few things but has school) in going to try to do grocery pickup for one trip though.
🌻 Skype mum

I really just want to sit and veg on the couch today, so a 3rd cup of coffee is needed to get moving!

Just home from work. DD’s doing great at nursery now which is such a big weight off my shoulders. DS is much better, he’ll be back in nursery tomorrow. We’re going for a walk now, I really love this sort of weather for walking.

That’s not on at all hazel, I’m glad your head is feeling a bit better.

I hope you can get some better sleep foxes when I don’t sleep well I feel completely out of sorts.

I’m sorry DS is struggling sing, lisette has some great ideas though!.

Bower loving the kitchen. I was always intrigued by Aga/Everhot things. They look stunning and I like the concept, although I don't think I could make it work for us on daily basis (as much as I would like to).

Sing my brain is empty of ideas. I like Lisette suggestions! It must be tough for your DS, with all restrictions and all.

Hazel glad you are feeling better. Hopefully your nearest and dearest will up their game.

Orange I am glad to hear DS is back to his normal self!

Ta da:
🎉Morning routine
🎉Bedroom and baby room blitzed
🎉 Upstairs and stairs hoovered
🎉Dinner made - cottage pie
🎉Back garden pruned. It still looks the same. Go figure.

Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately his best friend’s mum now needs a covid test due to coughing :( but we are going to get them on FaceTime tomorrow. I would like to think of some ways they could do some actual work online together rather than just doing it as homework but that is beyond me for this week! For tonight though DS is having a sleepover with DH in the living room and we are hoping to watch the rest of Enola Holmes too.

Ugh it is so dark now and it’s only 7.30 😫

DD1 has to finish homework but she has started it (art research) and I still need to put the washing in the dryer 😳

I’m definitely not going anywhere near the gym tomorrow, I’m knackered and I have to collect Cagletini from nursery anyway so I’ll still get some exercise.

Kind of glad DD1’s sessions are over as much as they are lovely I always find them a bit overwhelming as it’s a lot of stuff we need to be doing and thinking about. So I often feel like a rubbish mum after . That plus a few random bits of worrying/crap news lately - again nothing urgent etc - has really built up to put me in a crap and useless mood so have I done any studying... or indeed anything else useful... nope. Sigh. Going to have a shower and then have my dinner.

Xpost wellies that’s a cool idea thanks! It’s funny, all these things that we didn’t really make the most of in lockdown now feel more needed to me. I guess because lockdown felt short term before and the weather meant we could just be outdoors more. Whereas now although we thankfully don’t have a local lockdown I guess it’s becoming more apparent about all the things we still can’t do and with the weather it all feels a bit shit.

I’m sorry DS2 is struggling so much, has something happened or is it the covid changes at sixth form? Is he going to keep going for now?

Links for Wednesday 30th September

Our last day in September is in Zone 5 The Living Room

Spend 15 minutes decluttering here before moving onto detailed cleaning.

Our mission today is to really clean the groove between the skirting boards and the carpet where the vaccum struggles to get to and where all kind of nasty muck can stick.

Baby step 30 is is look ahead to next month for any birthdays / occasions that need a card or present organising for then add it to your shopping list.

Habit of the month is Before Bed Routine

Wednesday is [[http://www.flylady.net/d/daily-focus/daily-focus-wednesday/
Anti-procrastination day]] - pick a task you have been putting off, roll your sleeves up and JFDI (just f*^@ing do it!!)

Mog you are doing a fabulous job with all the links! I am very very grateful.

Who is doing October? I don’t think I can manage this one. I know SC is unable to as well.

Wellies that sounds really tough :( I’ll join you on the So Done bench if I may. Not a super busy one here, yet all the millions of things I’m meant to do and think about are chipping away at my brain . And it’s just not nice worrying about our DCs being unhappy either, is it.

Today we definitely suffered for not future friending. The morning was a bit more of a rush. Thankfully I don’t need to go anywhere myself tomorrow until collecting Cagletini at 12 so hopefully I can have a relaxing morning while making sure DS gets some work done.

ta da
♠️walked to yoga via nursery
♥️did yoga class
♣️posted parcel
♦️picked up a few stationery and food items
♠️piano (only one piece but still!)
♥️renewed library loans online
♣️started list of all the clothes the Caglets will need soon
♦️sorted delivered package (vitamins, birthday, Christmas)
♠️home ed with DS
♥️last autism support session with DD1
♣️homework supervision for both Caglets
♦️deleted lots of emails (anti procrastination a day early)
♠️spent an inordinate amount of time looking for a lost maths book, and thus DS has more to do tomorrow as we didn’t fit the actual work in
♥️put reminder note up for DD1
♣️quick shower
♦️put wash in dryer
♠️found info for a club DS could do
♥️wrote art prompt list for DD1
♣️started writing a list of nice things to do with DS
♦️somehow, just about DLMS

At least we had some nice family time watching the rest of EH, during which both Caglets were snuggled up with me :)

Going to write my journal for a bit, hopefully it will stop my brain imploding :o

wellies I don't want to depress you but...

my great-great-grandfather, who had two wives, appears to be living with an entirely different woman in the 1861 census. (First wife - married but found elsewhere in 1861 - was named Ann or Anna, second wife was named Elizabeth Ann; woman described as wife was named Ann but of an age totally wrong for either of them.) Despite not being married she has been recorded as having his surname (Elizabeth was in the same situation ten years later, as Anna was still alive). I've often wondered whether anyone is tearing their hair out trying to find her...

Wellies if he is a bright lad have you considered keeping his exam place but he studies at home. DDs boyfriend( not a partner bit like not a girlfriend) switched schools for six form left in the first term because he didn’t like it there studied at home and came out with grades most people would be proud of. Decided he didn’t want to go to uni. Wanted to go in the army but failed the medical much to DDs relief and my surprise that he actually wanted to go in but family tradition. He is a really passive lad. After a couple of years working he did an access course and enjoyed it then applied to Bristol and UWE. Bristol didn’t take him as he. Had access course and one A level too low. He has a first in law. All is not lost tell him. There are other ways.

Thanks MC it is a different way of cooking but I love it. It will come into its own in the winter...slow cooked food mmmmm. We have a hot plate and a simmer plate then the other lid houses an induction hob so best of both worlds.

Hazel I hope you headache has gone. Mine has. Odd we had them around the same time. Just re read and see it has gone. I still haven’t felt 100% and fell asleep for an hour this afternoon.

I had two young men( greedy I know) come to the house and pruned everything😁 wow it looks so much better and they were so lovely. Will be putting good feed back on for them both. Charming too. I really admire J for taking the initiative to start his own business. So we just have one area to reorganise in the garden now. That is troughs and plastic pots that need sorting and it looks like we might have to prune or replace and move the black currants. We are going to buy a green house for there next year.

I didn’t get much flying done today because I was expecting the lads earlier but it took them longer at a previous job so I wasted time waiting around. Sitting room is fairly ok so will do it all tomorrow. I made carrot cake and sorted a few things out. Spent some time in the garden as forecast tomorrow is crap.

Lisette I love Glasgow Art gallery, the Artist’s House is amazing and we have enjoyed the students work in the Art school when DD was younger. I should go up more often. There is an amazing gallery in Manchester. We have sung there but I managed to squeeze in a bit of me time too.

Sing my boys liked making things like pizza and pies. Might be worth a try. You are not a rubbish mum. You are very caring. It is hard being all things to all people though. We are not perfect.

Mog I actually agree with others I think you are doing a good job. By putting the links on means I rarely go to Flylady’s site. I wouldn’t know where to start. My ICT skills are behind now. Technology is ahead of me now. I appreciate everyone’s efforts because I just wouldn’t have a clue.
Right sleep beckons.

Mog thank you so much for leading the thread this month, just like bower said, you made it so I didn't actually have to go to fly lady site, but was there if I wanted to. I feel bad that I can't offer to run the thread one month, I don't always get on here every day and post.

Ta Das today:
🍃 Bedding washed, dried and put back on beds
🍂 2 more LOLs done, including towels
🍃 Cleaned bathroom
🍂 Took ddog to vet, she has arthritis in her hip & knee, will try a couple joint treatments. Vet suggested laser treatment, would love to but at $1750 each season, starting 3 times a week! It's just not affordable.
🍃 Took jeep through car wash
🍂 Picked up groceries
🍃 Got lunch ready for DH and I
🍂 Watched some TV
🍃 Picked up DD & went into grocery store for a couple of things
🍂 Picked DS up from after school club
🍃 Made dinner - chicken Tikka masala with cauliflower rice and keto naan bread

Goodnight all, 🍒👋 all round.

Hi there,
I'm a lurker
I'm on my own with 3 dc and work ft
Everywhere I look there is a mess and it's driving me crazy. I can't believe it's got to this stage as normally I'm so house proud.
I laughed out loud when I read C.H.A.O.S
I love my children's rooms looking clean and neat but they're anything but.
There's so much to do I don't know where to start!
But thanks for the inspiration
I've got some time off this morning so once I've sent my emails I'll tidy the entrance area as I'd cringe if anyone came in there's shoes and bags everywhere, then I'll sort my sitting room out.
I'm planning to follow you into October!!!

I could do October.

This is how the kitchen used to look. I think I was in the middle of making mince pies or something. It was Christmas time anyway.

wellies that is shocking of the school.
There is a lad at church who was at Private School as an only one and decided not to go to Uni but to get a job and work at any opportunities offered. He is doing well and loves it. Uni isn’t for everyone. Only two of mine went. DS2 is still trying to finish his degree. He has been to three. HND at first one then left. Birmingham pulled the plug after two years he has a Diploma from them. Leeds accepted him then decided he had to start again from scratch he fast tracked and has a Diploma- distinctions and should has started final part of degree in May. Hasn’t happened and he is still waiting to hear. I feel so sorry for him. DS should have gone but a spell in hospital meant his ‘A ‘ levels weren’t that great and he didn’t bother. DS 3 isn’t academic. DD did a Art Foundation year then three years at UWE Bristol BA( Hons). I didn’t go as changing countries meant it wasn’t feasible those days but I have completed several short courses and a 1 year one to do with my job after I retrained at 35😁. Could he go to a local college instead which might be more open to learning styles although it was a big thing in schools about 10 years ago. What is he interested in?

Hazel that is a lot. It is difficult with pets. I would like a dog but DH has always said no. I was going to do a bit of travelling first but now🤷🏼‍♀️

Welcome neve(r) you have a lot on no wonder you find it difficult. My room is a mess just now. I am going to start with that today. I used to get mine to do their rooms on a Saturday morning with a promise of something later or some pocket money. I didn’t give them much but it helped. The three boys all have a large whisky bottle in their houses and they put change in there. They have it for their holiday money. I am proud that they are good savers. DD isn’t so good but she has a lot less money. DS3 doesn’t earn as much but he is a good shopper. He goes to Asda later when they mark stuff down as he is only 5 minutes from one. Mine are all grown up. How old are yours?

Have had a nice chat with a friend (although she’s almost more like an Extra Mum! I was friends with her son at college and often hung out there when I had DD1) and now watching Stig of the Dump. The fact it was made in 2002 which is 18 years ago makes me feel really rather old.

I would love some suggestions of books to do with DS next - Bower you might remember some your year sixes did? :) We didn’t go as in depth with it as when we read the actual book together (easier to pause and check understanding etc) but using the audiobook took one duty away from us so I think that’s worth it. A group I’m on is doing The London Eye Mystery so I think we may try that.

Going to do some poetry until half term though as then we don’t start a new book before the break, so any suggestions there too would be marvellous!

DH is grumpy from pain, going to be a long day.

Welcome never! :)

PO3.1 - I need motivation today. As does DS it seems who is flaked out on the sofa!
❗️Prod DS through a couple of bits of work
❗️Shower and dress
❗️Sign up for Echo pharmacy thingy (was going to do this anyway but got selected for product test so at least we get a fiver for it!)

I'll get a new thread started tonight.

I'm in Aberdeen Bower but used to take frequent trips down to Glasgow for the art seems like a long time ago now I do like your old kitchen too ♥️

I've been to the Manchester Art Gallery in the city centre - yes it's amazing and the acoustics must have been great. Also like the Whitworth.

ED thank you for doing October!

Hi never! Welcome to the thread. Everyone is super nice here, I can attest to that as a newcomer myself.

Wellies that's a shocking insinuation from the school. I would have blown the lid.

Hazel I am sorry to hear about your doggo. Those bills are eye watering. Hopefully other therapies work.

Ta Da:
🎉Morning routine
🎉LOL

To Do:
🎉Blitz the bathroom
🎉Make dinner - fish stew
🎉Evening routine