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.

Wellies hope defrosted and you are ready to go now

Tada
Everyone fed
Pop shops
Wipe shop
Put away
Flurry unhelpful email lil zoo school
Pile washing up
Put away wash up
Pep talk dd2
Walk her in
Set up D's with online school
Ring school 20 minutes into lesson no one online
Sweep all lower floors
Empty bins
Littertray

I guess I can go for the mission now-
Will clean surfaces,and then cupboard fronts I think

I need go into girls school for 115 to drop off a letter for photocopying,then bring it back

zoo that sounds so exhausting! Hope you get a minute to sit down!

I'll ask my mum later bower she is coming over to help with the school run because I might be running late with ds at the doctors.

I've done some proper flying!

Ta das
Dishwasher
Washing on
Washing put away
Swish and swipe bathroom
Mopped kitchen and bathroom
Played dinosaurs with ds and danced with him (he loves dancing!)
Tidied kids bedrooms
Tidied our bedroom
Sorted meal plan for next week and updated online shop
Made our lunch

Hopefully I'll get a bit more done later but trying to pace myself a bit.

Just had flu shot. Wishing you all a happy Tuesday

Still avoiding the online stuff here

The over-50's thing is down to COVID I think Bower, it's the first year they've suggested it. Although the usual categories have priority with the 50-to-64 group 'later in the year' or never, due to the Government producing this policy out of thin air .

Have done laundry today, will do some washing up now before taking DD out for her music lesson. Bit of a headache today but not a bad one really. Will download some documents to read while DD is at her lesson, it's half an hour of peace and quiet in the car while I'm waiting at least.

I like the sneaky alien among the croissants and coffee bower!

Bet you looked cool with your frozen glasses wellies

DS is really hyper today. The “school” day went well but it’s going to be a long evening! I can’t believe it’s not even 6pm.

Eerie waves! 👻👋

The joys of parenthood Sing I am just waiting for ten minutes before we set off to meet with the three boys. It is DS1 birthday today. I was just putting his cake in the oven at the time he was born how weird is that?

Chiller ah that makes sense! I have just kept up with the local Covid as we live near two borders with more restrictions than us. DH hates the news on now( unless it is football) so I get snatches or the radio.

Zoo what a pain in the arse that is for you. I photocopied data protection stuff all the time... mind you I worked with the Ass. Headteacher for a long, long time. I also had some SENCO work to do.

Right himself is glaring 😀

I actually did the mission!

Ta das
Cleaned kitchen sides
Decluttered and cleaned one kitchen cupboard
Dishwasher emptied
More washing on and hung up
Took ds for flu spray
Went to supermarket / got fuel
Made ds packed lunch for tomorrow
Cooked veggie chilli and roast potatoes for dinner
Cleaned up dinner stuff
Put kids to bed

My two were so LOUD this afternoon!!!

I have just realised I forgot to hang the next load of washing up, why did I think another load was a good idea at this time?!

Foxes it says in the TOMM book that you should never start a new LOL until the previous one is completely put away. This is entirely different from my usual method of letting the clean clothes pile up and up. But TBH it does make total sense. I am going to try and implement it once our wardrobe arrives later in the month! It’s not necessary to tie it in with the Caglets though as they do their laundry separately anyway.

Time is dragging! Hopefully Cagletini will sleep soon but I am now needing to remind a grumpy DD1 to continue with homework 🙄

Ta Da:
🎉LOL
🎉Bedroom and baby room blitzed
🎉Kitchen cleaned. Washed the bin (I usually do that on as needed bases, the lid usually gets the antibacterial spray about twice a week, but the whole bin washed with bleach is approx once a month job).
🎉Weeded the front and the back garden. Moved 2 already planted flowers from back to the front garden. They will do better there.
🎉Trimmed the sides of the hedges. We have tall hedges which is a pain in the neck to trim as DIY job, needs 2 trimmers. I managed the sides of the back garden with a smaller one. I might struggle with the big trimmer to do the tops of the hedge (over 2m height) as it is quite heavy.
🎉Ordered flowers bulbs for planting.
🎉Ordered mulch. I am fed up with weeds, and apparently it works, but I don't have much experience with it. Well, now is the time to learn!
🎉Making good progress with sweater I am crocheting for DH.

If it doesn't rain tomorrow I might cut the grass as well.
A bit tired now. Time to finish off evening routine.

How many kids does she have sing? I would never kept up with the washing for my four( 3 of the footballers) if I had done that. I have a big, long line for my washing and can get about three loads on the line at once.
Wellies I 🤣😂LOL at the thought of eating Madeira cake in the bath...lucky it wasn’t sponge! 🧽 🤣
Foxes it will be ready to hang up tomorrow morning.

Ta da
Not in order.
Sorted out lots of plant pots, keep, take to Dobbies, take to village Primary.
Took one lot to Primary.
Fed hens cleaned hens out.
Vacuumed downstairs.
Made DS1 a fruit cake.
Dried up, DH washed.
Wiped worktops
Made bed.
Put some pots away. Discussed area with DH. We’ve got to clear that area for the greenhouse next year.

Collected take away. Well I sat in the car while DH went for it. We enjoyed it. It was better than the two near us.

Washed up at DS1’s as other two looked shattered. DS3 is up at 5am for work. DS2 had come straight from work. He is having to work less days but more hours a day because of the bubble and the way the company has suggested organising the teams. DS1 is the same but he has had to take holiday so he is off for a week. It was lovely to be with them all and DD had spoken to DS1 this morning. They are very close despite fourteen years between them. I counted seven of her prints in his house.

Tomorrow -
Garden
Organise and wash pots.
1 LOL
Wash kitchen floor.
Tidy pan drawers.
Dust bedroom.
Tidy one drawer.

MC Please remember you are pregnant. Don’t do the tops of the hedge.

We have membrane down and bark. It works. You have to top up the bark every couple of years.

Bower it's wonderful how close your children are. It is heartwarming.

I may need to claim defeat with the hedge trim, throw some money at the problem, and get someone to come and do it. I don't want to harass DH, he is tired from working a lot and he needs a bit of rest before the baby comes and sleepless nights start.

Bower would you put bark over planted bulbs? I was planning to leave those areas uncovered (still not sure how that would work aesthetically..) just so they can actually grow in spring.

ta da
👓sent today’s plan to DH for home ed
🕶walked to leisure centre via nursery
👓yoga class
🕶home ed
👓prepped and carried out paired learning
🕶prepped homework for paired learning
👓started planning lesson/homework for next paired session
🕶replied to email from work coach
👓loads of work on my assignment
🕶reading
👓poked DD1 through a bit of homework
🕶dried laundry
👓got Cagletini’s clothes and bag ready for tomorrow
🕶drawing

MC glad to hear you accepted defeat over top of hedge
Been awake since 1 again.royally fed up

mc please do get someone in to do your hedge if DH can't, it doesn't take much to throw you off balance when you're pregnant. Also I know it was aimed at bower but I thought I took up all my bulbs and moved them, put membrane down then river rock, the following spring I had tulips come up. It would seem they're tougher than we think, but I have also cut slits in the membrane (or even a circle where the bulbs is) so that it makes it easier for them.
zoo that is awful to be waking up at 1am! Please tell me you fell asleep at 6pm?!
bower it sounds like you have been busy today.
Sing it seems the app you're using is working, I see a lot of ff stuff on that ta da list.

Ta da:
🕸 4 LOLs, including sheets
🕷 Skyped mum
🕸 prepared butternut squash soup
🕷 Cooked spaghetti squash ready for dinner another night
🕸 Went Christmas shopping and got quite a bit, I get double the discount this week at work (they do it twice a year) so figured I would take advantage of the good deal.
🕷 Shaved the back and sides of DSs hair, he was happy with it
🕸 Took DS to football game ⚽️ his team won 3-0
🕷 Finished making butternut squash soup, thank you for the recipes and ideas, it was delicious!
🕸 Put a new corner shelf unit in the bathroom, our old one was rusting and breaking really bad (we've had it about 14 years, next month, so not bad going really)
🕷 Shower
🕸 Got clothes out for tomorrow
🕷 Got lunch ready for tomorrow

I'm dozing off now. 👻👋 to everyone

Early start for me today, had to take DD to swimming at 5.45. Brrr. Will be picking her up at 7.30 before heading to school and work. I have just put on a LOL and need to check the weather forecast to see if I can hang it outside.

Yesterday was pretty full on.

School drop-off
Work via paint trade counter for samples
Supermarket at lunchtime
Picked DS up from school straight after work and straight to football.
Zoom 6th form info meeting for DD while waiting and driving home (miracles of 4G/bluetooth etc - she watched at home with DH).

Evening spent helping DD with English lit, biology and chemistry HW plus food prep for today. DLMS with DD - it was close at one point over the English Lit but I walked away for 5 mins and then we had a nice harmonious rest of the evening with me doing food stuff and her working at the kitchen table with a bit of help.

I am going to go for a quick run round the block in a minute before breakfast, laundry on line (forecast is good), swimming pick up etc (luckily pool is less than a mile away).

Zoo - I hope you got some sleep in the end

Mc - we have an area of the garden which was completely weed infested (it was under the trampoline). We got rid of the trampoline 18 months ago, cleared weeds as best we could and put a very thick layer of bark there, it has done the job but will need topping up next year. A few grape hyacinths managed to pop through it this year so bulbs might work. I am on a permanently losing battle with weeds at the allotment. I crochet too but have never attempted an item of clothing other than scarves, gloves, hats.

Flu-jabs - DH had his at the GP (diabetes, under 60). I should qualify as over 50 but may not be any supplies yet. I was thinking about making appts at Boots for me and DCs I think but feel a bit conflicted over depriving others who need it more as we are all healthy, dilemmas!

Back in a moment with links for today.

Wednesday.

Today's mission is to scrub the kitchen taps, get all the gunk out from round the handle etc. I did this at the weekend but haven't cleaned my bin or scrubbed my counters yet

Flight plan with details here.

Wednesday is Anti-Procrastination Day - do something you have been putting off.

Our babystep for the day is clothes out the night before. I have started doing this again recently as I have to leave earlier now I am dropping DD off on my way to work. It does help, especially now it's so dark in the mornings.

I thought I might start some KCC questions again. This one is to help me as we are planning a new kitchen next year. What are your favourite or least favourite things about your kitchen? What would you change if you could?

We don't have a utility room or any sort of broom cupboard so the mop and brush are propped up in a corner by the back door, a tall slim cupboard is on my list.

Thanks ED that is an early start. To be honest if I were you I'd just get the jab at the pharmacy. Certainly up here they are only vaccinating 50-55 age group via GPs if there are stocks available. Apparently the take up rate this year at my Asda is huge. DH now on two waiting lists to get done after Boots fiasco. I'm up early to dose on antibiotics for a skin infection. Twas really strange having a consult via phone and uploading photos for the gp.

Ditto to no utility here. We had one in our house in Ireland and I liked having one. Least favourite thing is limited walk space around backdoor - there is an extended worktop which should have been shortened to allow more room in the area. We will probably look at our kitchen after doing the bathroom. I would install an extractor hood that's not recirculating air, rejig the extended worktop, plinth storage and might move washer and dryer to closer to backdoor. Will probably go for laminate worktop, induction hob and non integrated appliances. Strangely enough kitchen planning with a its bells and whistles items is infinitely more fascinating than bathroom planning.

We are also planning a new kitchen probably early next year (I may be being optimistic!) Anyway, we are actually taking our utility room out because it has just become a dumping ground! I'm most looking forward to having a bigger fridge and a bigger oven! Other than that I'm planning for my kitchen to be well organised in lay out so I have plenty of space for food prep etc.

That's an early start ED!

Morning everyone!
Hazel alas I was still awake at 1030 soothing dd2 panic attack

And 130 I woke up again.FFS
gave up 430

Tada
Fed cats
Towel wash on
Harpic lav
Clear and clean kitchen surface 1
Wipe out toaster crumb tray
Wipe exterior toaster
Return to surface along other bits Kent be there
Clear and clean surface 2
Wipe kettle
Return,along other things ment be there
Wipe all cupboard fronts

Wash up cat bowls
Scrub cat feeding mat
Scrub floor around mat
Scrub rest floor
Clean bath
Clean sink

Towels in drier
More wash on

Toast cinnamon and raisin bagel for dd2
Pack few breadsticks/box raisins for lil zoo

Tough day yesterday
Lil zoo HOY decided she needs return despite struggling IBS constantly and migraines on a weekly basis.doctor declaring stress related,plus won't eat/take laxitives to regulate IBS as won't use a loo anywhere but home.she will not drink until returns from school and will only eat cereal bar at most before school.i requested attendance til lunchtime(1pm) then online on which has been denied.she did say if it doesn't work will have to look other options.they know they need to be sorting asd pack too,which they said previously was no red flags.shes a very bright exceptionally shy child who slides under the radar as she's more than able educationally.i not particularly hopeful things will improve.will be surprised if she makes it to half term without more days off..
DS had a set to in maths.hes struggling with another child who talks constantly.hes not mean etc but D's can't concentrate and he isn't good at maths and was messing up the answers,lost temper and told said child to "just be quiet so I can think" said child took that as he couldn't do it and try explain it.ds totally LHS and switch computer off and storm upstairs he has science pm with same teacher and same child.thats going to be "fun"(NOT )
I've try explain again that Sen setting will be more nurturing but low level disruption will be higher.its the trade off from mainstream be too busy/full on.he was Not Happy and we had a difficult evening
Dd2 continues to panic a lot/yell a lot

Today I have lil zoo to drop
Dd2 drop at 11,pick up at 1
Pick up lil zoo
Best part 4hours trailing the school run.i could really do without it as hip hurts and guts playing up

Anyway,I need get dressed and ready take lil zoo soon

Bbl

Sadly ours will never seat 12 people, 6 is a very tight squeeze at Christmas when my parents come and 4 on regular days is snug, so we need to optimise space as much as possible. We don't have a separate dining room either. The basic layout now is pretty good, but not enough counter space next to the cooker. There are three possible main layouts, then a lot of tweaking. I like the idea of plinth storage.

Our main reason for changing our downstairs layout is so we can put our dining table in our kitchen, as at the moment it's at the very end of our living room. But I hasn't thought of potentially sitting more than 4 round our table, it does extend out but we would need to position it where that was possible! I'll have to remember that when we are doing the design stage! We need to take out walls and stuff first. Waiting for the structural engineer to get back to us, he has quoted and we've given the go ahead but heard nothing since. Think he must be very busy just now.

Ta das
Kids breakfast
School run
I planned ahead (amazing I know!) and wore running leggings on school run so I could go for a run straight after. Only a quick one but feel good for it.

Now need to shower and head off to Wickes , exciting stuff 🤷‍♀️