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.

Oh gosh wellies hope the lady who fell was ok! That sounds like a relentless day with all the noise. It’s so hard when different people need and struggle with different stimuli! Do you have noise cancelling headphones? My friend recommended them and I’ve only just realised she may be right 🤦‍♀️ I suppose at least when I get the piano with headphones I can block out some outside noise too. But actually can’t DH wear headphones for his music sometimes? It shouldn’t just be on you to compromise.

Right, non-healthy breakfast had (in my defence there were no ripe bananas or avocados!), I’ve had water and showered and booked a cab. Can’t find my yoga mat so I’ll have to use one of the communal ones (they have spray/paper to wipe them). DH already bought Bobby pins so I don’t have anything specific to do in town after yoga. Might go and get my jeggings in other colours! Don’t want to spend too long in town as DH and DD1 will have to leave to get to the village hall which is a trek and I’m not sure what time the bus is. So glad we have a lift sorted for this evening! 💛

Right, must go as my taxi has been dispatched.

Enjoy yoga sing! I'm going to do a pilates workout from home later, trying to do one every week to keep my hip moving properly! Ideally I'd do it more than once a week but need to be realistic

Wellies my dh does that sometimes with loud music, I have to be kind of mentally prepared for loud music or TV, even when he suddenly plays a you tube video on his phone and it's really loud it makes me jump and makes me irritable! Hope you find some quiet time somewhere in your day today!

The kids have been despatched to the grandparents as I have a full day at work today, better get on with it I suppose. Catch you all later.

Well my days not going to plan
DS pratting around upstairs to avoid schoolwork he needs to complete
Lil zoo and D's have drop lil zoo phone down back radiator and it's stuck,whilst on repeat of what was recording.i pray battery dies soon...
I may try and retrieve later,I may not

List as long as my arm to do
Motivation zero

Also spoke doc re lil zoo not eat n drink until after school.will need bloods again 4-6 weeks to check her liver and kidneys are ok.nothing will be done until damage occurs I bloody hate MH services.i can't afford private and their reactive rather than proactive attitude(which costs more long term) is taking me to the edge

I pop shops,and have just realised I've no fabric softener.ffs.trip local shop it is then...

ED i recently did delve into the fat fairy's site. And tbh I found it incredibly cluttered and in need of a good decluttering. Which is kinda ironic

I am that person that needs 3 stimulus. Radio on, tv on, doing all the things. But i also need complete silence and in a house with 2 people with hearing aids and a teenager the music and tv is drowning out noise such as clocks ticking, keyboards tapping, mumbling to selfs and the other tvs. It stops murder. Also door shut LOUD music means that i am working in the kitchen and it is ill advised to come interrupt. i am probably muttering about those fuckers who can't clean up after themselves, and rewashing pots that they think they have washed but are still dirty and hoping no one comes in to have their feelings hurt My favourite thing is when there is no one in the house and i have taken the batteries out of the ticking clocks and i can walk about in the dark and silence. Not allowed to do that when there is people here as apparently i scare the shit out of them by silently appearing.

I have a long to do list. I always have a long to do list. But i need to leave the house on a non work day - i now hate leaving the house on a non work day and i dont have to leave the house. I was going to treat myself to wellies and a walk in the hills. I checked the weather. Its wet and horrible in the hills. And we had hail storms half of yesterday so i feel no need to get caught in one of those because it hurt.

Will have to see what gets done. But first breakfast, coffee and clothes it counts as a power of three no?

Yoga was crap, first time I really didn’t enjoy it! Taxi arrived (a little early) and I couldn’t find my wallet, luckily we had cash and my bus pass to get home via town. The receptionist let me in by taking my name as I’d booked. Then saw they now have new mask signs everywhere (they didn’t before) and I’d forgotten mine... thought it was in my coat pocket. So I had to get a taxi back too as I wouldn’t have been able to get on the bus or go anywhere in town. I am exempt but I hate being stared at/judged. And the heating wasn’t working properly in the yoga room. Luckily I had a hoodie with me but it was still super cold. Couldn’t focus at all and felt dizzy so had to avoid a few of the standing exercises. Bah.

And then I just saw that DD1 is going to have to break another rule for the show, by not arriving in her costume. Fine for kids in cars, not fine when you have to get two buses and it’s raining and walking in a puddle will ruin the costume. 🤬🤬🤬

Had induction to get back on campus. More stressful than I thought it would be. Lots of new rules and out of bounds places. I'm a creature of habit it seems. Also I'm quite deaf so mask wearing by others means I need to listen extra hard. I thought I might get a green 'passed' sticker like the electrical items on campus but it seems not!

ah Halloween emojis are here

I am having trouble getting in to MN due to the cookies issue (rejecting all the lengthy options for advertisers to use your data in the vendors section) so I haven't been on for a few days and may be missing until they sort it out That's the joy of rejecting cookies on websites though, goes with the territory sometimes!

If it sticks today I will catch up with the thread later and hope everyone is having a good half-term!

Afternoon all! DD’s still poorly so another movie day here. I’ve got Disney+, my dads got it so let me use his account so I’m saving money!. But they have lots of great films and Disney shows for the kids to watch. It’s drizzly and grey here but still quite cosy. DD was up very early feeling poorly (pic attached, I usually don’t like showing their faces but I feel like I know you all quite well now and can’t wanted to share how adorable she is! Look at those cheeks. I’m also not an awful mom taking pics of her when she’s very ill, she wanted to send a picture to my DM to show her that she was poorly😂). We’ve just had a snack of toast, apples and grapes and she’s feeling much better. DS has joined us on the sofa for cuddles and that’s how we’re going to spend the rest of our day!

bower it’s dark and dreary here too! Thanks for saying my house looks snuggly, cosy is the only thing I care about when it comes to home decor.

Hope you’re doing well mc!

Candy floss grapes zoo! I’ve never tried them, I may have to now.

Sorry about the restless legs bower it’s bloody awful!

So exciting for your DS mrstidy!

I’m so sorry you’ve had such a stressful day wellies, I get like that with sensory overload but it’s due to anxiety. It actually drives me insane. Could your DH not wear headphones/earphones for his music?

Sorry to hear yoga was no good sing, it’s very frustrating when you forget your mask.

Sorry your day hasn’t gone to plan zoo💐

chiller I’m also struggling with the cookie preferences!

Aww hope she feels better soon pumpkin I am getting Disney+ In time for Halloween I think.

I am beyond frustrated with life and the brains in my family (or lack of) - we went through the list of costume stuff and it turns out when I’ve been asking if the costumes were fine they (including DH as he usually deals with ballet stuff now) didn’t mention SHOES. 🤦‍♀️ I didn’t actually think to check the list myself until today so the blame is on all of us not just them. So now DH is going to have to rush into town after I drop DD1 (lovely friend is free earlier and is taking us 💛 I have said I owe her dinner 😅) to buy the cheap black converse type shoes for both of them in one size up, as thankfully the dance they’re both doing isn’t till gone 9 so we can take them when we drop DS.

Still a bit stressed out (not least because I have to do a complicated hair thing and I am a messy bun person usually with the occasional plait (not even french plait! It’s as mystical as knitting to me, can’t get the tension right) and just realised I have to sort out ordering the DVD of the show.

I am definitely showing my ADHD side today. 😳 All of us are!

Managed to get myself together enough to make lunch, asked DD1 if she wanted some boiled egg, tuna and salad and she said no (she’s not a great eater either lately and I wanted to get some protein in her) so of course she then sat nicking egg white (won’t eat yolk 🤦‍♀️) and salad bits off my plate. But I let it go because at least she’s eating something vaguely healthy. She’s limited as to what she can take to eat while there of course because of costume-staining risk!

I will be so incredibly glad when this is done. And quite determined to make a big effort tidying up the next couple of days.

I am heading into the naughty corner for time out
Lil zoo in foul mood and isn't co operating on laundry presenting front,not my fault then if runs out clean clothes>
Discovered mould on seal living room windows and can't find mould n mildew cleaner.elbow grease and pink stuff didn't shift it>
Cat furballed and D's drop favourite soft toy sheep in it

If anyone wants to join me i be working my way through the snack box from cupboard under the stairs....

zoo i seem be finding mould in a different place every day this week, its doing my head in

sing that's rubbish about the yoga and the dance stress ☹️

Sorry everyone's having a bad day. I'm feeling like that too. Work has been a nightmare today, everything is complicated and confusing. And I forgot the car is going to the garage tomorrow and we have a logistical nightmare picking it back up again and making sure I have it on Thursday as the kids have a holiday club. I'm so worried they will miss it and they are really excited but there's no other way to get there if I don't have the car because I need to get back quickly after dropping them off for work so buses aren't going to work.

Dh telling me that the car will definitely be back in time and not to worry about it, but he may end up having to cycle to the car in the dark tomorrow which I'm also worrying about 🤦‍♀️

I actually think dh thinks I've lost the plot as since yesterday evening I've done nothing but worry and stress about stuff, I don't really know why particularly, everything just seems complicated!!

As for flying the last two days have been bare minimum...

My ta das today
Dishwasher
Washing on and hung up
Took rubbish out
Chased up contact lenses (and they have arrived thank goodness!)
Pilates 20 minutes
Heated up leftover chicken casserole for my lunch
Paid boiler engineer

I really need to amend my online food shop or we will get nothing useful tomorrow!

Also the cat is driving me mad because she doesn't realise the clocks have gone back and wants her dinner. She keeps biting my feet

Sorry that was a lot of grumpiness wasn't it, I shall aim to come back in a better mood 😂

Just found mould behind a curtain. It's a cold area above a garage. Solidarity.

Oh yay we can be the mould club

I had to clean black mould out of DS's room at the weekend too. And my cats also think it's dinner time an hour too early.

Mould badge 😂 reminds me of hey duggee (that might just be me, I have a 4 yo who is hey duggee mad!)

Thank goodness work is finished. I'm going to have a nice hot bath while simultaneously doing the food shopping

She’s feeling better now sing, thank you!. I can’t recommend disney+ enough, there’s loads on it!. Sorry about the dance stress! Won’t be long until it’s over now at least.

Sorry about the mould all! And the cats who want dinner early!

foxes I hope you manage to sort out the car tomorrow!

ta da
Made beds
S&S
Breakfast
Washed faces and brushed teeth
Got dressed
Made lunch
Ordered shopping
Made tea
Washed up
Bathed DC

Yay! . I've just remembered I found black mould in the fridge at work and cleaned it out yesterday too, just a little bit in the door rack where the milk goes.

I'm another noise sensitive one. I can't have a conversation over anything but the quietest music as I just can't think straight. I also don't like that I miss hearing other things because of it, noise-cancelling headphones are my worst nightmare for that, I've only tried them once and felt unbearably claustrophobic and vulnerable. I mainly listen to podcasts and only occasionally put music on when I'm on my own at home. It's not that I don't like it, I do but it has to be the right time and place, I love a concert or carol service. At home I just like the sound of a clock ticking, birds chirping, the cats having a wash, all those little gentle sounds. DH would have radio 2 on all day given a free choice and that would drive me absolutely round the bend, especially in the morning, silence or talk radio only for me.

That’s interesting re the headphones ed thanks. One of the reasons I’ve avoided them is because I worry about blocking too much out. I can’t listen to music when out and about at all, I would end up walking into people and all sorts!

Couple drops of tea tree oil in a mixture of white vinegar and water. Shifts the black stuff really really well!!!
It is a case of spray on, leave half hour spray again and wipe. But it does not come back and if it does it is a lot less problematic.
Just check animal compatibility, and you might want to air the room half hour after BUT then there is NO SMELL!
and as mould spray kill me asthma wise this is the solution that doesnt cause my asthma issues. You mileage might vary

Hope she's feeling better pumpkin They look so cute. I thought I might check for mould in daylight tomorrow. Been a busy day today and not much time for home bleurgh. Antiprocrastination day tomorrow. Tea tree oil is a brilliant idea. Asthma and mould do not go together. May ventilate the house tomorrow and harpic lavs.

Hope she's feeling better pumpkin They look so cute. I thought I might check for mould in daylight tomorrow. Been a busy day today and not much time for home bleurgh. Antiprocrastination day tomorrow. Tea tree oil is a brilliant idea. Asthma and mould do not go together. May ventilate the house tomorrow and harpic lavs.