Fledglings Flying Frightfully into October

[EerilyDeleted]

A huge thanks to Mogthesleepycat for steering us successfully through September

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 Flylady. 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 brew + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders.

Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings Launchpad.

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.

Home Bleugh - Flylady's Home Blessing routine

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

And finally "The Naughty Corner" - this is for Fledglings who perhaps didn't get done what they had planned for the day but are in need of a comfy seat, pile of cushions, tasty snacks, stiff drink and friends to chat to.

Had callback
She was dizzy all night as cells were so dehydrated her salt levels would've been out of whack and downing 500mls water would've caused salt levels to dilute and plummet rapidly.she could've fitted
He issued urgent need for bloods,which is faster at hospital than surgery(usually need wait a week for app at surgery)
She's to have kidney and liver function check,iron check and mineral and vitamin check
Meanwhile wait for results no school so she can try and manage drink smaller more frequent drinks

I am both scared for my little bean and hopping at school for refusing to work with us and do part time to enable her to manage this a bit better before it got to this....

Anyways,go usey fury to complete some tasks before attempts get her to eat some tea(picky df cheese sandwich type offering I suspect)

foxes I've got an ottoman in the living room inside which I keep paperwork in concertina-type dividers. It serves as a foot stool and is not an eye sore.
I have to re-organise all the paperwork as it turned into a bit of a mess inside said ottoman as I have been ignoring the order in there for a while 😬

Zoo sending all the best wishes to the little zoo. Hope the blood work comes back ok.

Pumpkin sending you a handhold. We are always here for you should you need to talk/vent.

Ta da:
🎉LOLx3
🎉Bedroom and small room blitzed
🎉Living room blitzed
[I finally reached the point of declutter where it is relatively quickly to dust and disinfect all the surfaces. It no longer takes a day to take everything off the shelves, clean, and put everything back. Feeling quite happy about that]
🎉Bathroom cleaned

I am not the biggest fan of the autumn (something about dying leaves and colder weather), but I went for a lovely walk today and the park looked beautiful with multicoloured maple leaves and blue skies. Really enjoyed it.

To do
ring opticians to change appointment to pick up glasses.
Laundry - crap tone of - 2 loads done
Mount iron more
Peel 6kg of apples, core and chop for going into slow cooker
set white beans soaking for making white bean soup tomo morning
Make bread - 5 batches of
re-arrange freezer to get flour into it for bug killing and make sure that the grab and go meals are accessible
meal plan for the next 2 weeks 1 week done
make quiche for tea we had scones instead
Set ds up with laptop for some online learning
wash windows of car - they are really mucky!
folding of clean clothes what washed
face mask washing
rescue what is rescuable from the frost tender plants in the garden
water plants.
lemon balm into light box for some spar treatment
prep some trays for starting herbs and lettices in the light box for this winter.
Move shelf in pantry
Apple sauce into storage.
photo copy some stuff that needs copying so that there is a gently weekend plan after this week of crazy.
Recycling and garden waste into the bin at front.

also:
tackled half of the sock pile of doom.
sort out inventory for house insurance
plan for ensuring parents get to appointments they need to when they can't take themselves

Struggling for energy and focus today so didn't get as much done as I wanted.

Had a look at the kitchen corner. No idea how to even start :-(

Attacked the living-room floor. Everything is now up off the floor, and most is back in the drawers or tubs where it belongs. Hoovered floor.

Shopping wiped down and put away.

Tomorrow has to be desk tidy, bathroom, laundry.

Well, I don't feel as though I got much done today apart from going to work and taking DS to football this evening.

Foxes - paperwork is not my favourite thing. I have a LOT of box files (probably about 15). I am trying to switch more things over to electronic but I still get a statement every month for my credit card and one of my pensions, DS and his conditions generate reams and reams of paperwork and I still do my tax return manually off paper (submit online). I also print out thing like insurance policies so we have them to hand in a dire emergency. I keep some stuff as keepsakes too. I have to say my paper keeping tendencies came in very handy when I needed to make a PPI claim.

Zoo - poor Lil Zoo, thank goodness she has you as her mum, I'm glad the GP has agreed about no school.

MrsT I'm glad you've pulled yourself back out of your low spell.

Dancing welcome back to you too.

Wellies - glad DD is a bit calmer now.

Sing - I'd feel apprehensive about SI too, fingers crossed Cagletini remains symptom-free.

Bower - hope you got the tiles OK

Hills - your lists are as impressive as ever

Waves to all the other Fledglings. I need an early night, I'm on the 5am get up for swimming again in the morning.

Oh yes, forgot. Feeling apprehensive because the appointment for DS's PIP assessment (by phone) has come through for next week. Grrr .

Oh and tomorrow looks like this,

5am get up and dressed
5.45 drop DD at swimming pool
6 - odd jobs / MN / shower and dress
7.30 fetch DD, pop home then take to school at 8.
Pop to supermarket for birthday card for DNiece, write and post
WFH till 11
Fetch DD from school for orthodontist
Return DD to school
Go to work for the afternoon
Feed DCs
Drop DS at hockey at 6
Go to tap class at 7.30

I may need a drink after tap class

Hills sending coffee and energy your way (for tomorrow).
Tidy congratulations on winning the floor space back!

ED Wow, that's quite a schedule you got tomorrow. I don't know how you do it. May the force (and lots, lots of coffee) be with you.
Wellies chicken porridge made me giggle 😂

Oh and the house painters will be arriving to start in the morning (delegating that to DH).

However apart from needing lifts everywhere the DCs are pretty independent now and can sort out their own food, clothes, sports kit, school stuff etc, so in that respect it's a lot easier than when they were younger.

Brings back memories ED ferrying DD to dance, swimming, French,riding lesson and DS1,2,3 to football x3/4, footballx2 and footballx1 and swimming when they were younger. Now ferrying DS1 to fell walking as he was starting near Keswick and walking for four days carrying tent but it was snowing on Friday so they came home. Another attempt tomorrow. He needs to do two nights wild camping before November as he needs it to complete a course for leaders. DS2 moved to a village where he went to the gym so has a five minute walk to go for a swim every day and uses the gym when he feels like it. DS3 doesn’t do any exercise and is the skinniest. DD normally does yoga, Pilates and a bit of dance I think. She also does fire spinning.
I don’t have to take anyone to anything now which is a relief.

We have the TILES! Had a lovely time at potters. Chose a few more than planned they are beautiful. It will look fantastic. I just need to find my builder now. I have spent a lot but I reckon since I haven’t been out and I haven’t spent much on food, clothes ( none) or diesel to go to work then I can spend it on tiles.

Paperwork. I have a concertina thing and some in a box by the bed. I still have five good bags of Nurture stuff and a couple of school stuff that I need to make decisions on. Most will be used to light the fire.

So we had a lovely drive to Hexham outskirts and back again. Normally I would go into Hexham and do a bit of browsing but as it is in the 2 tier I thought we best not. Some very wonderful architecture and lovely porches on Victorian terraces. Stopped at a farm cafe on the way back because after 1.30pm. Had a toasty and lemon meringue pie. Only needed a bowl of soap for tea and DH had a sandwich because he had soup, toastie and cherry 🍒 cheesecake. So very easy and washed up quickly. Extra flying scheduled tomorrow.

Eerie waves to everyone👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻

Zoo That sounds rubbish of the school. Secondaries really learn to take medical issues into account. Primaries are better but not perfect about such things.
I’m going to Coniston on a cooking job again. Just have to feed and wash up for 6. And the oven isn’t working. I am going to cook it here then heat up in slow cooker down there. I will make a cake to take and need to think of a portable pudding. Could do Pavlova mmmmm! That would be easy and delicious and one of their five a day!

💐 for you pumpkin
Sing what a relief that cagletini slept through
Ha ha foxes I used to love watching ready steady cook!

I have fully caught up with the thread now.
zoo sorry to hear about the mess with lil zoo. Hopefully you'll get some answers and some help after the blood work.
hills those are impressive lists, both to Dos and ta das!
tidy when I'm struggling to start somewhere I pick a corner and work my way round the room clockwise, can you do something similar for your corner? Start at the left and work your way right? Otherwise I start simple and that helps me get going. I'm not sure if that's useful to you with what you need to do though.
wellies I may just need to look that book up, even though I'm not a reader. I'm wanting to bring less in the house at Christmas and do more things instead. As it is right now I have the DC give me a list of 3 things each in the following categories: something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read, and I've added something to do as well. They know they won't get everything though.
foxes we have a filling cabinet in our desk as well as an additional filling cabinet. I really need to downsize them but I know it's a big job and it's a little daunting to me. I know there's a lot I can shred too. It's so time consuming and I just don't seem to have the time right now.

Ta Das today:
🎃 Washed bedding, including mattress and pillow protectors
🎃 Deodorised mattress with baking soda
🎃 Vacuumed mattress
🎃 Vacuumed house
🎃 Quick mop throughout the house.
🎃 Cleaned bathroom
🎃 Took air vent out of floor (for heat and ac) and cleaned it up. It was so bad, lots of fluff and sticky hairspray.
🎃 Watched a show on Amazon prime that no one else likes to watch (the dead files)
🎃 Worked for 3 hours
🎃 Tried to check schedule at 2nd job, not done yet
🎃 Picked up a few groceries
🎃 Put groceries away
🎃 Took DS to football game ⚽️ last one and they won again!
🎃 Dropped DD off at work on our way home from the game
🎃 Made dinner
🎃 Made my lunch for tomorrow
🎃 Sat down and relaxing now

I still haven't got to do my gel Halloween nails. I might have to make Friday night a late one 😴

Chicken porridge wellies eeeeew

Well, I have driven DD to swimming, run home, made breakfast and packed lunch, just need to jump in the shower, change and walk back again.

Back in a minute with links.

Today is Wednesday, Babystep 14 is to read the essay about using a calendar

Our mission for the day is wash your bathmat, shower curtain etc

Daily focus is anti-procrastination day

Time for another KCC - do you wear perfume? What types do you like, do you have any memories they bring back?

I have a love-hate relationship with it. I love some wearing a bit of fragrance and have about 20 of them, mainly light, inexpensive citrus / cologne types from M&S etc but also love patchouli. Some of the more powerful ones give me a splitting headache though - the late 80s Poison era was a bit of a nightmare. My mum used to wear Rive Gauche for special occasions and I think that's where the headaches started, having to go in the car with her wearing it (I was also prone to travel sickness). I took a sniff of it recently and it took me right back and not in a good way.

Forgot to post yesterday.

Hope DH is doing ok and no symptoms in Cagletini Sing, and I sorry to hear you’ve had bad news Pumpkin, we are here when you want us

I haven’t caught up on the thread from yesterday morning so hope all is well with the rest of you and I’ll catch up properly in a bit.

Mondays ta das:
✅ upstairs dusted and hoovered
✅ windows cleaned in DD’s room and bathroom
✅ bathroom scrubbed
✅ bath toys washed and manky net bag thing in the laundry
✅ soup and breakfasts made for work
✅ ironing
✅ general tidying up, dishes etc
✅ DD’s vaccinations. They gave her the flu one at the same time which I was a bit dubious about but they said she’d have to wait a month if not so we went for it. She was very brave and touch wood is ok so far. Just waiting on nursery ringing to say she has the inevitable temperature . Nurse said no need to self isolate though if she gets one.

Busy day yesterday but I went to bed with a shiny sink so ok so doing ok so far. I’m all cozy in my car and don’t want to get out to walk to work, but I’m cutting it fine. Must. Move. Now. Catch you all later 👻 👋

KCC my mum.wore yardley lace and I do occasionally squirt a little in boots and sniff it.i have very strong sensory with smells and it's strongest memory I have of her
I like musky smells.wore ghost for a while.dont tend wear anymore as like ed prone headaches from them these days

Tada
Fed cats
Wash on
Harpic lav
Rotate tins/check supplies etc before dd1 goes to Tesco later
Get dd2 hold up my mattress so I can clear under my bed

Oh God ED expensive French perfume is my weak spot. Someone gave me two gift set miniatures of 6 in the 80s: one Hermes and one Rochas. My absolute favourite is Femme by Rochas which was created in 1944 in occupied Paris but I also love Caleche and Amazone by Hermes. Femme is a gourmand perfume so it smells of peaches and plums. It's almost spicy. You can still get all three but the Hermes ones are eyewateringly expensive. I also like Diorissimo by Dior which was created by the same person who developed Femme. I wore the first three as a teen and in college and they take me back to those times.

My mum had a small bottle of Diorissmo when I was about 13/14 and I loved it and used to pinch a bit now and then. Later confessed and she said she knew and didn’t mind. My mum couldn’t wear perfume so only remember Blue Grass. It might have been due to migraine too.

I like quite a lot. Have Estee Lauder usually and like light ones like Pleasures but also like sandalwood type ones. Currently have Nude, Youth Dew and Modern Muse all bought by DS1&3. Have another I like but can’t remember what it is called and Georgio. I must remember to tell sons not to buy me any this Christmas as I hate it when it goes off. I only put small amounts on. The latest two we chosen by sons and I probably would have chosen one I like but lovely to have something different and I like both. I was surprised DS3 had gone out and bought me perfume it has body lotion too. I don’t know whether he chose it or he went by assistant recommendation. I was thrilled. DS1 has often bought me duty free. I love the box of 6 he bought me once. Handbag size. I can remember having 4711 for my first bottle then Charlie which all the teens wore so we must have all smelt similar to the boys🤣

Normally I would be at work but I am still in bed because I can and nothing to get up for☹️But housework. DH has just got up and asked if I want a mug of tea brought up👍🙂

Anti procrastination
Ring school for 😟appointment 😧
Ring GP

Check paint and stuff I have that I have in shed.

Bathroom
Wash towels and bath mat.
Wash floor.
Polish glass doors. Didn’t give them enough clean the other day.

Ironing
2xLOL
Sort pile of stuff in boudoir try to declutter.

Yes, Wellies Elizabeth Arden. Mum always said she couldn’t wear perfume because they never smelt nice on her except Blue Grass so funny that you can’t wear it. I like the idea of keeping it in your drawer. I do that with soap. I have one my gran used to have(French) and keep it in one of those pretty bags. Makes undies smell nice.

Red Door was in the ones DS1 gave me...miniatures. Great way to see what you like. Beautiful is another one I like again. EL. I never liked Poison which a lot of women used to wear too overpowering for me.

I can’t be bothered today. Need the pointy stick anyone seen it? I could do with Ned to iron so send him on when he has finished. Still think Zoo has him chained in a cupboard.🤭