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.

Foxes how did the soup turn out?
Sing congratulations! That's fantastic news 🤩

Ta da:
🎉Morning routine
🎉Organised all of mine paperwork and part of DH's (the rest of his paperwork he will do himself). I've got 2 folders left but they will need to be shredded. For that, we need to buy a shredder first 😬

Ladies who don't wash their hair daily, how do you keep cooking smells/general life smells out of your hair on a non-wash days? I would love to wash my hair less often, but I just hate when it doesn't smell fresh.

Sing they are being unspeakably irratating because bless you you sound tired and they just know. Congratulations.

Bower i hope it is not bumble foot

Mc3209 - i open the windows and air the house because i hate the house smelling of cooking. But also i am allergic to shampoos and conditioners so the conditioner i use is a small amount of coconut oil that i work in. It seems to keep all smells out. I apply it like you would a styling wax - with a gentle touch and from solid state warmed between my palms. Use about half a teaspoon for butt length hair. So tiny amount for amount of hair. I am washing it more than normal because I shower down and change clothes when i come in from being out as an infection risk reduction method. High risk myself and there are shielding people in the house.

I need to back and read the thread as I forgot the other things i wanted to say. I am tired and it has been a tough day so i will probably forget. Sorry.

Thanks Hills it doesn’t seem to be. I looked that up. There’s no swellings as such. I moved her legs about but no sign of pain. The egg man comes on Saturday so I am going to ask him. He has lots of hens and has done for years. She is running about for food just seems a bit stiff like if she was a person she would be walking on tiptoes.

Don’t worry about personals, lots of us forget by the time we get to the end. I declared that I wouldn’t be listing everyone as I can’t always remember.

MC I wash mine a few times a week. I have to wash it after cooking fish.
Only shred two pieces at a time or it jams. Not long to go. Make sure you get your feet up sometimes. Plenty of water if swollen fingers, feet take care as can be pre eclampsia. If you get specks before your eyes or headaches please get be checked.

True hills it’s like they have a radar!

Must try and sleep now, it’s been an odd but nice day.

ta da
💙got up and got Cagletini sorted when DH left for work
💙shower
💙home ed including changing round of plans, then another change when DH got home early
💙paired learning stuff with DS’ friend
💙signed off course on system, emailed tutor about the paper bit
💙bit of shopping with DD1 - managed walk both ways
💙brought in tesco delivery

Tomorrow (today!) I absolutely must sign up for prescription delivery service as well as get through the day which is a bit hectic with DH working. Period arrived which explains the extra fatigue/joint aches - might have to cancel aqua fit on Friday again 😭 I managed last month (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - menstrual cups for the win!) but TBH it was difficult energy wise and I’m not sure the additional aches were worth it, and the next week or so is crazy enough already 🤔

Anyway must sleep - night fledglings! Last day of this half of term for us, yay! 👻👋

Can’t sleep, DS has come into my bed after having a nightmare but that has now woke me up and I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to sleep.

Great news about course work sing❤️

mc I usually open the windows when I cook so the smells don’t go into my hair too much!

bower I hope your hen is okay.
mc I sometimes use dry shampoo on my non wash days, but not very often. I use hairspray every day so I feel that helps cover any unwanted smells. Speaking of which, my hair smells like bacon so will wash it tonight, even though it's not a wash night (I wash it every other night or it gets really greasy, really fast).
pumpkin Hopefully you can manage to get back to sleep soon.
Sing I've wanted to try a cup, but I imagine struggling to get it out as well as being gross to clean (I could be wrong). Does it take long to get it right? Plus I imagine putting it in wrong and it tipping over and spilling out, which would defeat the purpose, not sure if that's possible, but it is a worry of mine. Sorry for a gross visual everyone.

Back at work today. DC did 1 LOL.
Ta Das:
🦇 Cooked dinner - took entirely too long
🦇 Washed up hand wash dishes, as well as storage I just bought for utensils and the junk drawer. DH rinsed and dried them all.
🦇 Wiped countertops down
🦇 Got my lunch ready for tomorrow
🦇 Got my clothes out for tomorrow
🦇 Sorted paperwork on kitchen table and filed (somewhat)

I felt disgusting earlier today - saw some recent pictures of myself. I have gained a few pounds back but a lot more inches. No one ever takes pictures of me, so seeing those pictures were a bit of a shock.
Anyway, now I'm ready for a shower and bed!
👻👋 to everyone

Night hazel
Pumpkin hope sleep has returned,and the nightmare hasn't!

Good morning zoo I hope your day goes well.

Morning everyone, I’ve been just about keeping up the last few days while I’ve been at work. We are all fed, the kitchen and bathroom are hygienic and we aren’t drowning in laundry, which is all I aim for during the 4 working days.

Hills sorry to hear your dad is poorly

Well done on the competition Sing! It was a worthy winner.

Zoo to help get you through the day, hopefully with minimal teenage angst and not getting caught murdering ‘d’p.

for you Bower, thanks for all your hard work looking after lots of DC, and congratulations on your fresh start.

Mc I wash my hair every other day, sometimes go 2 days, once it looks greasy. I’ve never thought about cooking smells in it and now I’m worried I’ve been going round smelling like a greasy caf

Waves to all other fledglings and sorry if I’ve missed any other personals. Off to work I go...

Morning all, a quick wing flap from me this morning, our broadband is down so I've only got data via my phone.

Yesterday - I was so tired from early start that I went back to bed for an hour at 10, this is virtually unheard of for me but I think I needed it. Then DS and I went to Ikea, it's about 45 min drive away but even with the wet weather it was beautiful everywhere with the trees turning. Ikea was fairly quiet, fairly easy to distance and had not noticeable lack of stock. We went for me to look at kitchens, but of course came back with an assortment of meatballs, spicy biscuits, plastic containers and scissors. Lunch at McDs afterwards, eaten in the car.

Then home and struggling with the PIP stuff. I only really got going with it in the evening then was up past midnight, just as well I had my nap. Got to go through it again this morning versus the scoring criteria. I'll be very glad when this is done.

Hair - I only wash mine every third day or so. I don't think it picks up cooking smells particularly but I am a stickler for extractor fan use and tend to have the back door open too. It was a problem in the days of smoking in pubs and restaurants.

Back in a minute with links.

Thursday

Babystep build your control journal.

Mission tidy and clean your bedside table

Daily focus Errand Day

🚨 [please skip this if TMI] 🚨

Hazel I found the first month a bit of a struggle but some (non graphic 😂) YouTube videos really helped with how to use/remove it - precious stars pads channel is good. It’s quite easy to feel if it’s opened properly (not in an uncomfortable way). The main thing with removing is [more TMI] breaking the seal before lowering it but again the instructions on YouTube helped with that and once you know it’s dead easy. The channel also has a video about finding the right cup for you.

I thought I’d be a bit squeamish about it, and went for the cheapest I could get at the time (organicup which was £15ish here) but honestly it feels much cleaner. I can actually forget I’m even on, for several hours at a time. 😱 Compared to that constant “ugh” feeling with pads/tampons it’s a revelation TBH 😅 never managed to exercise during my period before as they’re quite heavy. Really glad I tried it. I just use period pants as a back up, nothing disposable for at least a year now 😀

Should probably get on with the day. It’s going to be arduous.

sing good to hear a positive story of cups.one dd2 friends got hers stuck last week and ended up sexual health clinic to help get it out....
Up after last night D's was talking "dad" and dd2 walk past and got called it.he told her he needs her to contact him as his self esteem is low and feels she might reject him.i got blame not seeing them afain.she ranted nearly 17ffs I can go on a walk without it involving mum.offered her money/gifts.she asked for his time.it went round in circles and he seemed happy they'd spoken.she was rage filled nothings changedI won't get caught,don't you fret

Tada
Cats fed
Harpic lav
Write to do list
Write shop list
Feed zoolets
Waitrose shop
Wipe shop and put away
Sweep living room floor
Sweep kitchen floor
Poo pick littertrays
Recycling and rubbish to big bins outside
S+s

I don't have bedside table either!think shall go wash floor in there once finished last little bit clearing under the bed

Dd2 went Aldi this week as try save money before xmas.i can't get much there as ours veg etc doesn't last and limited dairy free stuff so I'm try shop without help.not going well as can't carry much stuff by myself😞D's complains about carrying loo rolls or crisps as to him they feel heavy

Have camhs "chilled" class on teams later.8child and parents on teams doing anxiety workshop makes me bloody anxious and dd2 HATES it ,but we jump thru the hoops in hope once it's I we she will be able access something else

Wing flaps to all. Wet here today but ironing saved til later. Plan to get out in wellies for a leafy walk in the light rain. Pottering around the kitchen still in PJs. Need to straighten house before lunch. 🦇🦇🦇🦇

I'm glad I'm nearing the end of my reproductive life so that the temptation to try a mooncup isn't there. I lose keys and stuff and am always jamming things so I'm sure I'd wind up in sexual health having been unable to remove it!

Habit of the month - paper clutter. My paper is now all neat and tidy, waiting for action. Have been procrastinating over a lot of home admin and finances.

Finally bit the bullet, and had a phone consultation re Will, PoA, etc. The lawyer was so nice, helpful, not at all dismissive of my attempts to catch up with taxes and general muddle. She gave me a lot to think about, in small chunks so that I don't get overwhelmed.

Also finally managed to get my head around Teams for the LOs' homework.

Bower I was initially worried about pre-eclampsia, but all seems to be fine from that point of view. Looks like it's just bog standard swelling. What unsettles me though is the joint pain in the hands (not the carpal tunnel joy, but the actual joints). I depend on my hands for work, so I can't have any arthritis or the like. It should go away after delivery and I am genuinely hoping it will.

Thank you all for your thoughts re hair. I will try washing it every other day and see what happens. You might have guessed I have a bit of a thing for smells 😂

Tidy sounds like you found an easy to work with lawyer. That's half the job.

I was pleased to discover my bedside table is sorted, I actually managed to maintain it tidy. Same with bottom of the closet situation. Missions seem to be going well so far.

Today haven't done much other than the usual morning routine. Let's see what the day brings.

tidy🏅 for paper sorting
MC I had weird aches and pains in hips/legs and they went after birth with D's(number 3)so fingers x for you!
Lisette walk in wellies in light rain sounds very autumnal.i don't own wellies and really should invest in a pair!

Bit more shopping(at co op) when drop oil zoo at school at 11
Wipe and put away
Lunch
More wash in drier,more in
Need find dining table....
Dd2 home 120,have to be online 150 for camhs meet so need get her food sorted soon
DS has online class 130 too

It has been a wholey unproductive morning spent chasing several stupid little things that don't result in much but take for forever.

Rather frustrating too.

I have decided i am going to try the meal bingo approach to meal planning where you draw up a board of 30 meals and you just cross off when you do one. Allowing flexibility for meh/cba/need to get the bits etc. Will have to see how it goes but struggling to get 30 meals planned atm.

I am feeling cold, tired and grumpy today so having a long to do list is not helping my mood. I am considering taking a nap. Sods law dictates that when I do this the phone will go or people will decide they need things and no sleep will be gained. Fingers crossed though as it might help me find enough wish to move to achieve little things like laundry and tea.

Afternoon! I've been working this morning, just having a quick cuppa before heading off to collect the children. Likes others, I am feeling a bit tired and unproductive today.

Like the meal bingo hills I do similar but only for two weeks!

I have actually done today's mission already as I tackled my bedside table at the weekend!

Ta das
School and nursery run
Dishwasher on
Washing on and hung outside
Work AM
Spoke to some friends re half term (and didn't get very far with any plans really!)
Did some stretches etc (feeling quite achey after the HIIT yesterday!!)
Quick tidy up
Put veg box contents away

I love the bingo idea!

I am hoping to have some days where we have regular things each week and other times we do something new eg once a week DD1 will help one of us make something different. Maybe. Ugh, thinking, planning, nope. I CBA!

It’s a really slow day today and I want to curl up and sleep but DH is working and I have more learning stuff to do. Then DD1’s friend is staying here later for some revision help for a psychology exam. Eek. I might go to bed very early!

Wellies I am sorry DD is going through such a tough time. Re disordered eating, I would keep going back to the child psychiatrist, keep going back, keep raising the issue. Sending you and your DD all the strength. 💐

One more day to go! My head feels like it’s going to burst but I can’t wait for half term now! I’m really excited to spend some time with the DC as I feel very guilty for them being in nursery so much, even though we’ll be isolated for half term!. Enjoy a pic of DS discovering bubble wrap!

I did end up getting back to sleep at around 5! Up at 6🙄

ED maccies tastes best in the car!

That sounds positive about the lawyer tidy!

I hope the workshop went well zoo

mc I found a few weeks after birth with DS my joint pain went so fingers crossed for you!

Meal bingo sounds like a brilliant idea hills

I’m sorry things are so tough with DD wellies❤️

I am trying to find ways to reduce the analysis paralysis about having to make so many decisions for so many people. And coming up with ideas of what to eat is just a struggle. I have aboard of 36 squares which means i can just print it out once a month and cross off. And it will need minimal tweking - might have a summer version and a winter version to reflect the difference in meals. Hopefully this will work

Took a long nap this afternoon and now struggling to get going enough to go sort the kitchen to make tea for tonight and for tomo. It is a quick turnaround as ds is going to his dads. he only goes once a month these days and he is not going at all next term until the Christmas holidays which means i will not see him at all over the christmas period this year. He has elderly family on his dad's side and i think it is looking very likely that this is their last so I have no issues with him having the opportunity to see them both christmas and new year. I just wise i could visit too.

Hope you have all had a reasonable day and that you have reasonable evenings. I am going to call it night and whilst i might be back i am hoping for a 8pm bedtime. Night.