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.

I was falling asleep on the sofa by 8pm so I won’t be achieving anything else this evening.

ta da
😴put a huge amount of laundry away
😴got DD1 to do her laundry and tidy her room
😴gathered rubbish and recycling
😴bit of shopping in town, was really awful in there today ugh

Zoo - I remember that grieving when my DS got his diagnosis, even though I had known, sort of. It still hits you like a ton of bricks. But it did make me feel better equipped to fight his corner.

Wellies - fantastic result with the tomatoes! Mine have been complete rubbish this year.

Well, it rained solidly all morning, brightened up around lunchtime and has been raining solidly again since about 8pm. More forecast tomorrow. Very mild though.

Hi all, I hope you’re well. I’m awake watching Ben and holly as DD’s had a nightmare so I thought I would post. I wasn’t on much today as we’ve been really busy. I wanted to stay off my phone as much I could and spend time with the DC, we had an indoor picnic, made some play dough figures and made cakes (pics attached). I’ve completely finished my isolation booklets for the students, plus a small booklet to do over October half term if anyone wants to catch up on some work. So I’m feeling much more together and prepared.

I’m sorry you’re going through such a tough time bower, sending lots of love your way❤️ your house sounds gorgeous! I’d love a cottage one day. Ex

Thanks lisette! I haven’t seen who lived here actually I should have a look, that would be very interesting.

Your cat is lovely ed! Victorian terraces are one of my favourite types of houses, the kids rooms are quite small though, hopefully I can extend it maybe buy a similar style house with bigger rooms in the future when they need bigger rooms.

Thank you wellies, I’m getting a bit on track with it all now. Good luck with Christmas planning! I can’t believe it’s that time of year already. Brilliant going on the menu planning!

It’s in no way pathetic crying zoo, it’s a really difficult thing to deal with. Your DS sounds like a gorgeous boy and I hope this diagnosis will lead him to get the help that he needs.

hazel I hope your family get together went well!

mc hopefully your hair is the shade you want! I am very excited for newborn pics, do you have a name decided for him?

I hope you enjoyed your night with DD croissant

Your day sounds lovely up the rains been terrible here too, non stop all day and got heavy now. There will be some flooding near me soon.

Our cakes

pumpkin kid face in bowl.aah that takes me back🤣

Dark mornings are not the dream..

Tada
Awake with lil zoo Insomniac since 4

Started tada at 5
*Fed cats
(Locating black cat to come in for brekkie in dark is not pleasant.i had soggy moggy wiping around my ankles..he normally yowls but snuck up on me and scared bejesus out of me!)
*Wash on

• Sorted couple RBC *Made to do list for today *Sorted few of my saved on insta recipe stash into folders/books

To do
Grab more milk
Lots laundry
Sort baking cupboard
Couple areas front room
Wash floors

Am hoping burn thru this list quickly then revert back to comfy pjs and a chilled pm

Family get together went very well, thank you all.

Ta Das today:
🕷 2 LOLs
🕷 DW rotated, about to be turned on
🕷 Grocery shop for things needed for baking
🕷 Baked key lime pie
🕷 Skyped mum
🕷 Baked keto blueberry lemon loaf while on Skype call
🕷 Cleaned up kitchen as I went, wiping surfaces down multiple times, including moving everything and wiping every inch of the countertops before even starting baking
🕷 Made drinks for kids and drinks for adults, well MIL and I
🕷 Wiped outside table down
🕷 Ironed tablecloth that got washed earlier, ready to go on the table for dinner
🕷 Played a fun game of phase 10 with MIL and niece
🕷 Cleaned kitchen one last time after everyone left
🕷 Swept kitchen floor
🕷 Cleaned kitchen floor

I'm not used to having little ones in my house anymore, everything seems to feel grubby now and I'm going to want to bleach the bathroom tomorrow.
Even though it seems like I did a lot today, it was a pretty relaxing day overall. I learned that a 2nd DB has been diagnosed with coeliac disease, which is quite scary to think my sensitivity can turn into something more serious down the road.

zoo I know what you mean about dark mornings, it's been dark on my way to work the last couple of weeks, only a matter of time before it's dark on my way home as well.
pumpkin that sounds like a lovely day, mine always loved to have an indoor picnic.
It's now after midnight, I'm very ready for bed.
👻👋 everyone, have a lovely relaxing Sunday

Morning all

I have got up and hit the books this morning! (Just having a break!)

I think i kinda like dark mornings although i don't know why!

I just read what I put about the little ones coming over. I really hope no one takes offense to what I put as it was not a generalisation of toddlers, but those in particular that came over to my house this evening. 😳

Good morning that I love watching the sunrise or sunset on my short commute into work, but I'm missing it now as I'm at work when it comes up.

Well, mine are teens and I get where you're coming from Hazel, they are still messy but in a different kind of way. I'd worry about my house being safe for toddlers now too, it's many years since I've put a sharp knife or bottle of bleach out of reach.

I didn't take any offense!

We have constantly had atleast one baby / toddler (or more) in the house for nearly 13 years. Plus i work with them. I think i am a bit blind to the mess / dirt / stickiness by now. 🤣

No offence taken Hazel, grubby should have been DD’s middle name. Glad you enjoyed the visit.

I’ve just woken up and I’m a bit embarrassed to see Zoo’s list and that That has been studying. It’s motivated me to shift my bum. Will get up and get the bleutgh over with I think. It’s a much more pleasant looking day so we’ll head out for a walk this morning too I think.

Morning all. It’s absolutely understandable to grieve zoo .

My own children are still grubby now and they are 7 and 9 so I am not remotely offended Hazel!

Lovely pictures pumpkin .

It is cold here today! Definitely time for the winter coat. Except for DD2 who doesn’t seem to feel the cold.

Ta da:-
Just waiting to pick DD2 up from gymnastics
Spent some time writing in calendar while she was in.

To do:-
Sandwich lunch
Roast later

Not remotely offended - we've gone from low-level wall/floor grubbiness to sticky light switches. Even at 11 yrs there is a trail of splodges around the dinner plate. It's like eating with an animal despite all reminders about napkins, manners etc.

I still have to remind my 12 year old to use a fork

I have to remind my teens to cut up their food and not spear large pieces with a fork and eat it like a lollipop

No offence taken here either - toddlers can be gross as well as lovely and cute 😂 TBH our house didn’t get much better in the non-toddler years 😳

Shattered today, CBA with anything really. I have made it from bed to sofa via the kitchen for cereal (had I thought about it earlier a McDonald’s breakfast probably would have featured!) and remained here since. Also gave Cagletini her first try of an iPad game which was fun until she had a strop when I took it away again :o

We still have sticky patches and guess the what's that stain games
DS has never mastered knife and fork.hes still spoon shovelling with extensive mess at near 15.lil zoo HATES having sit near him eating for the mess and noise as he has large tonsils and quite dribbly so eats mouth open and it's neither quiet or pretty

Tada
Dining table respectable having been clear,scrub and disinfect
Under dining table ditto
Cleared crap gathering off bookcase,and put away books/dvds laid randomly on it

Decided abandon rest list and look after myselfas period from hell(day 3 and finally slowing down to normal heav.last 2 days hourly ultra night pad changes)I'm feeling really washed out/wobbly and I have to learn it's ok not complete lists if my body screams we need to slow down

Did hair mask and some back stretches
Was hair

Had hot lunch(mash with parsley,lots black pepper and spring onions,roasted peppers and aubergines and a random can of tuna I fancied)

20 minute nap

Now about watch the original nutty professor (Jerry Lewis) with the zoolets

Laundry,as always,still in progress
3rd binbag of dd2 stuff currently in the go,rest dry and folded.shes allegedly putting it away now...

It’s been dark when I’ve woke up here lately zoo, it won’t be long before it’s dark when I get home!. I do kind of like it though, it makes me feel cosy. Enjoy your chilled day.

hazel no offence take! Little ones are grubby!. Mine love indoor picnics!

Thank you too, it’s very cold here too.

I’m shattered too, not much flying done but I have made ham sandwiches for lunch. I’m ready to collapse but need to do some marking.

Phew! I'm so glad you all knew what I meant. My DS (11) still doesn't like to use a knife either and would rather eat like they did in the medieval times 🤣
zoo I'm glad you're taking care of yourself and listening to your body. My periods used to be erratic and heavy too, until I got on birth control so now I barely have a period. I wouldn't wish it on anyone and it sounds like yours are much worse than mine ever were too. What hair mask do you use too? Is it bought or homemade?

Sing oh the joys of taking the iPad away! I remember those days and get reminded when in around little ones again, especially as they might be watching something together, but get mad because they aren't holding it 🤦‍♀️

To Dos today:
☠ Grocery pick up order for later today
💀 Bleach bathroom
☠ Skype mum

That's it that's planned, I might try to get some ironing done, if Ned or Ted can be located and dispersed. Hopefully they're already close by so there's no 2 week quarantine for them or there might be no clothes for me to wear! 😆 🤣

hazel it's a vegan formula Garnier banana one.smells lovely and leaves my hair so soft and easy to brush rather than a thick birdsnest

Lil zoo loved the film.ds decided wasn't his thing and retreated back to PS3,dd2 snorted at film not chosen by her and claim wardrobe tidying(cept evetytime I've stuck head in piles clothes EVERYWHERE but she's in her phone...

Bit colouring with ds

Decided I was charged enough to clean another little section front room

Now about do some drawing with lil zoo.apparentlu two her group at school obsessed with a young Leonardo DiCaprio,so we having a go at drawing him

After posting this morning I got the sorting out bug , did most of the downstairs home bleurgh, and got a head start on zone 2:

🌟 wiped and tidied 4 kitchen cupboards
🌟 cleaned and tidied cutlery/utensils and herbs/spices drawer (pic attached for benefit of the fledgling who was asking the other day, was it you Mc? And because it makes me happy to look at it)
🌟 swapped summer picnic/bbq things and excess wine/cocktail glasses from the kitchen for Christmassy dishes and mulled wine mugs from storage in the dining room cupboard. I’m determined to actually use them this year!
🌟 decluttered various long past best before date herbs/spices/packet mixes (some from 2014 ). They were probably still ok but let’s face it, if they haven’t been used by now they aren’t going to be.
🌟 thorough clean of hob
🌟 wiped cupboard fronts
🌟 swept and mopped floor
🌟 cleared and wiped dining table
🌟 improved living room storage and carted some toys upstairs
🌟 dusted, swept and mopped living room
🌟 cleared hall hotspot
🌟 LOL done
🌟 s&s x 2
🌟 changed DD’s bedding
🌟 tidied bedrooms x2 and dressing room
🌟 put away clean laundry

We had a lovely sunny walk this morning, with sausage sandwiches eaten at the harbour. We also had a rather satisfying takeaway Sunday lunch from our friend’s pub. We want to support them but numbers are creeping up in our town so we aren’t going in for a drink. Plus we aren’t allowed to mix so no one to watch DD and it’s not really a family friendly place. The rest of the afternoon was fairly lazy watching TV in amongst bursts of flying. DH is doing the dishes once he plonks DD in the bath with me (currently having a soak in peace).

I’ve been invited to join a Facebook weightloss group with some friends so I’m going to have an early night to get off to a good start with some exercise in the morning before DH goes to work.

Hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend (and hope DD2 hasn’t got lost under the clothes or dragged you under with her Zoo!)

Ah balls, forgot the photo