Fledglings assemble for the nurturing November thread!

[foxessocks]

Thank you to EerilyDeleted for being an excellent leader on the October thread! Time to put your feet up for a well earned rest now!

This is my first time running the thread so sorry if the links below don't work I'm learning as I go!! If they don't I'll come back and try again

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 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 launchpad 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

Morning

Up at 6 with the smallest dc, now joined by dc1 and dc 4. Tired.

I have a self isolating dc (class bubble popped) so off work until end of month. Need to try and sort myself out by then

Xmas music is on

Sorry quick links and then be back later
flight plan
Today is family fun day (and we have flu jabs 🤔)
No mission as it's the weekend

Ta da

⛄wash on
🎅 wet washing on radiators
🎁 dc5 fed
🎄 sink filled

Morning all,

Thank you Dancing and Zoo, I had the house to myself from 8-4 so no excuse not to tackle a few jobs.

Flushi - before we had the DCs we used to use the middle room as a winter living room, (it has a woodburner), we had two old upholstered rocking chairs and would move our telly in there. In summer we like the front room as it is sunny and has a view. Once DS was born we had to get rid of the chairs as the rocking parts were deathtraps for little hands, it became the room where we stored the pram (hall is tiny) and had the moses basket for daytime naps as you were close to it wherever you were in the house and then we moved our computer desk down there when DD cane along so each had their own room. Now it has a desk, lots of shelves, one armchair by the fire and a dresser for kitchen overspill / nicknacks / bulk cat food storage. So it easily becomes a dumping ground. We redecorated it a couple of years ago and I am gradually making it cosier with pictures, better lighting etc.

Today needs to be a general tidying day. I am on top of laundry (clothes) apart from putting away but want to tackle towels and bedding. Also need to do more online Christmas shopping. But my crochet project is beckoning me.

Morning all. I am somewhat bleary eyed after a late night - Cagletini had a nap after nursery (it’s been a long week and she screamed herself to sleep in the hallway, angry that it was too wet to go to the playground 😂) so she was up really late, which unfortunately coincided with the sponsored sleep out DH was doing for the local homeless charity, and horrible cramps thanks to AF 🤬 he’s back in now (it was 7pm-7am) and warming up/stretching out a bit and I’m lazing with the awake 3yo.

I hope to get to the shops today but not sure if I’m up to it. DH needs to deliver a load of bags to the food share project too, sadly I don’t think I can get the house to myself as although potty training has gone well so far I’m not sure she’s ready for trips out yet especially given the lack of public facilities 🙄

Well done to your DH Sing. I agree about the stress of trips out during toilet training (we had an accident in a shop once, it was awful even though the staff were lovely about it).

That - sorry to hear about the burst bubble but hopefully it will give you a bit of breathing space.

Thanks ED! :)

I am definitely going to read this thread in the hope of magic advice. I’ve already put the broom on my wishlist!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4085323-Life-Changing-Cleaning-Why-Didnt-I-Know

that we've had multiple bubble bursts around six form,but they only sending home those within a metre infected person and no one is told when teachers are dropping.dd2 form tutor us suspected as having dropped as a teacher he shares computers/classes/subject with admitted he had come back having been off with it...bloody debacle tbh.fingwrs X it doesn't reach that house..how's manchild been lately?and are you getting at least SOME sleepeveryday?sending unMN hugs

Singhope you get what needs doing done

Tada
One load fold and put away
One in drier
One in wash

Braved Morrison's with lil zoo as she endlessly moans about having same things in sandwiches(which all she will eat for lunch and dinnerended up with ham,cocktail sausages and pork pies.plus hummus,watermelon wedges and pineapple...hopefully she eats some of thosealong other bits needed

Unpack and wipe/put away
Realised forgot cucumber and last load put in used last fabric softener.ffs

Off now to pharmacy to collect dd2 meds with her

Have just about caught up but it was a bit of a skim read as DD was dancing around my feet (I wasn’t allowed to watch her dance but it’s hard not to look when someone is stamping on your toes regularly ). Sorry if I’ve missed anything important. Sounds like lots of you have been very productive! I survived work with the house and my sanity just about intact, ready for my 3 days off.

Are we all out of our funks? I just about am I think. Had a lovely video call catch up with friends and wine which lifted my mood.

Sorry your depression is rearing its shitty head Zoo. Hope you find something that helps.

I’ve been looking at that thread Sing. I can confirm rubber brushes are amazing on cat hair. I’d had mine for ages before I discovered it accidentally.

Ta da:
✅ showered and dressed
✅ changed our bed
✅ LOL in
✅ fed cats
✅ scrambled egg on toast for me and DD (DH working the weekend again, and is likely to be for the next few weeks[ sad]. Trying to console myself my mentally spending his overtime )
✅ DW emptied. Breakfast stuff in/some bits hand washed
✅ gave car a quick wipe before DH took it to drop at garage.
✅ hall way tidied
✅ arranged some yellow sticker flowers DH bought last night
✅ s&s x 2

Need to convince DD that she should really put some clothes on. Home bleurgh at some point, and today I WILL sort the returns I’ve been procrastinating over for over a week now.

Happy Saturday everyone 👋

Argh zoo hope you're okay have you got one of those lights for SAD sufferers? That come on gradually in the morning, I can't remember much about them but I know my dad has one as he finds the dark mornings very hard.

Sing well done to your dh! Hope you all manage some r & r today as much as possible with kids!

ED hope online Xmas shopping goes well, I'm not doing that well, got a fair amount for the dc but not much else. Dh has started wrapping his but he loves Christmas and always starts early!

Sorry to hear of bubbles bursting. Infections are increasing here I think and anecdotally I've heard of lots of schools sending kids home and a couple have closed completely. That said , dd school and ds nursery have had no cases so that's good, I will remain optimistic. Hopefully cases everywhere will start to come down soon. Maybe I'm just sticking my head in the sand but it's helping me

Well we have had our flu jabs, very quick and easy. I had already decided today will be a day of rest in case we weren't feeling great after so the dishwasher has been on and the washing has been done and now we are watching a Xmas film and eating sausage rolls and calamari (which is completely random I know but we had it in the freezer and it needed using up 😂) .

I do need to get dd to do some homework later though.

KCC
We quite often have takeaway on a Saturday but it's expensive so a lot of the time we will get something from the supermarket which we still call a takeaway but is just one of those curry in a bag type things to save £££. We were in Sainsbury's anyway this morning after our flu jabs so we picked up pizza for the kids because that's what they always choose. I chose beef short ribs in BBQ sauce and I've got onion rings and chips to go with it. DH chose a katsu curry with some sides.
We quite often have the Sainsbury's Thai curry for 2 bag which I would highly recommend (wasn't in stock today unfortunately!)

What takeaways or pretend takeaways do you all have? Any recommendations? The other thing we like to get is the rack of ribs from M&S which is obviously a bit more expensive but still cheaper than ordering in. Especially at the moment I like things like that as I feel like I'm in a pub restaurant 😂

I hope you are all having a good Saturday and try to treat yourself to something nice today, a Xmas film, a good book, a hot bath , a nice meal, or just a nice cup of tea and 10 minutes peace and quiet. You all really, really deserve it!

PS sorry if I've already done takeaways but my memory has deserted me and no real cooking is going on today for me to talk about 😂😂

Takeaways are super super hard here due to allergies.

For a treat I make homemade pizza. It might not sound it but by the time I have made the different pizzas for the different allergies I always end up with pizza left over and pizza hotted up in the microwave for breakfast feels very takeaway esq.

There are some meal packs that you can get in the chinese section. Ds loves these as like a takeaway treat. That is a treat for me because he cooks them himself

The odd ready meal for dad.

Takeaways are hard. Ready meals are hard. There are certain dishes we make periodically as a treat but it is not the labour saving washing up saving benefit of a takeaway

I will be back. Not long been awake (perk of older teens) and although I read the personals I think coffee is needed so I can remember them. Sorry.

Takeaways - we have started having them most Saturdays since Strictly started but it is a bit mix and match as the only one we all like is pizza. So 3 of us might have Indian takeaway and the other has frozen pizza. My personal favourite is Chinese - shredded crispy chilli beef, egg fried rice, prawn crackers and some sort of veg in yellow bean sauce. Or noodles. Or sweet and sour. Any of it really. I also make pizza from scratch quite often, but we have a takeaway sourdough pizza van too.

I am about to go off and take your advice by having a bath Foxes. I went out for a fairly brisk walk with a friend at 9.30, got back about 11, been online since doing the weekly shopping, Christmas shopping, FB and I am now freezing cold.

Another case at DS's school yesterday, the third one. None yet at DD's. A large local secondary has closed completely for two weeks as the cases were spiralling.

If we have a takeaway it’s usually McDonald’s or KFC (DH can’t eat the latter though) or if feeling flush then Pizza Hut or Chinese. I love a curry but I’m the only one who has it (paneer pasanda and Kashmiri rice 😋). We sometimes get those curry bags too, I’ve never seen a Thai one as our Sainsbury’s is tiny! I want to try making that myself though with a paste.

We’ve made pulled pork, slow cooker smells nice! No idea if anyone else will eat it, we discovered DH can’t because the English mustard has wheat in FFS 🤦‍♀️ Hopefully I can freeze it once shredded? Nothing in it was previously frozen so that’s ok isn’t it?

I'd have thought it'd be fine, what a shame about the mustard. We'd have McDs or KFC too but the nearest of either is about 25 mins drive away so they are reserved for trips to the cinema or similar.

I've frozen pulled pork before sing it's fine and makes a nice lunch in a bread roll! Shame your dh can't eat it though how frustrating

I love a Chinese takeaway. We have a great one here that delivers. We can't get deliveroo or anything like that here as we are a bit out in the sticks but luckily the pub across the road from us does pizza takeaway. I wish we had a fish and chip shop nearby though.

Well I'm feeling a bit bleugh now, arm aches , bit of a headache and just feel really tired. But possibly that's because I've not done anything all afternoon...dh has decided to go and get on with planing doors and says he feels fine, it's almost making me feel like I should get up and do something but I very rarely have a very lazy day like this and I really don't feel like moving!

The kids are driving me a bit mad with all the wrestling each other they keep doing. Starts off screaming with laughter and then one of them inevitably gets hurt and cries 🤷‍♀️

I did get dd to do some homework and helped ds practice writing his name from the comfort of the sofa so that counts as a tick on the to do list?!

KCC
We actually got some takeaway last night at a local burger joint. I got a chicken strip basket which I love there. It really didn't taste as good as I remember though, but I've been eating more healthy food and my taste buds have changed. I miss the best Chinese so we eat it a lot when we go back home to visit, and there's no Indian around here either, which I really miss, so I make my own curry and Tikka Masala. I also miss fish and chips, but the portion sizes are huge now. I used to eat a whole portion to myself growing up, now it'll just about feed all 4 of us!

Anyway, I'm going to work today at my 2nd job, it's been almost a month since I was scheduled, but shopping season has started now. I drank a little too much last night, but not feeling too bad considering.
My to Dos for the day:
☕ Call MIL to make sure they are planning on cooking dinner tonight as it's their turn.
☕ Shower and get ready for work
☕ Start DW (if there's enough in there)
☕ Go to work (5hrs)
☕ Relax tonight and enjoy someone else cooking for me

I've already had 2 cups of coffee and still want to go back to bed 😴🥶 but best get moving!

Foxes its a great idea to rest after the flu jabs just to give the body a break.

I have treated myself to sorting kids uniform for the week while watching christmas movies in my pjs....yay! Just doing little bits of tidying.
Throughly enjoying Christmas movies. Lol

Takeaway....i think we will probably have a indian takeaway today. I feel guilty having bit but...i need a break from cooking. Chicken curry...yum.

Oh I have a old car on my driveway that I need to sell...that I am going to fill with Charity bags of stuff...yay i might be able to see abit more of my dining room floor.

Hope you all are having a lovely Saturday 🎅🍪☕🎄🎁🎀🎠🌨⛄🌈

Definitely counts as a ta da foxes!

ED living near a supermarket we are about 15min walk from our nearest McDonald’s of the three in the town centre 😳 there are 4 within Uber eats distance I think. NOT good for the bank balance or waistline 😳

The pork smells nice but so far doesn’t look remotely pullable 😂 however it’s only halfway so I should have faith!

And it’s just one recipe so I can always try others. At least we are gradually building up more interesting ingredients. I had the stupidly obvious brainwave the other day of writing the use by date in big letters on that sort of thing (as in, once open refrigerate and use within X weeks). I always forget when I opened stuff, which means I err on the side of over cautious (I am not relaxed about food germs at all 😳) and this way I know things are ok.

The Caglets stained and varnished the shoe racks today. Results are... ok 😅 but not bad for a first attempt at that sort of thing and it’s nice to have them helping out. Cagletini then decorated it with stickers 🙄🤦‍♀️

Hiya everyone! I had a lovely night last night, woke up at 9! Gave the house a quick tidy and then went to moms to pick up the DC and she’d done us sausage sandwiches for lunch. We’ve gone for a walk around the park and had hot chocolate and tomato soup for dinner. I’ve also got the Christmas cushion out and Dcat1 is loving it!.

freaky your sons room sounds so nice!

zoo I’m sorry the depression seems to be coming back, I hope you can find something to help💐

Sorry about the burst bubble THAT it is really annoying isn’t it

ED your room sounds lovely, I think I might do the front room as a second living room when the kids are older and then we can have the middle room as a family room but I can have the front room to myself. It’s a long way away before that happens though.

Well done to your DH sing!

I hope your headache eases and you get some rest foxes

KCC
If I have a takeaway it’s usually McDonald’s or chippy. The kids don’t really like much else. Maybe a pizza but they can be quite expensive.

Evenin’ all. Just been watching strictly after a nice dinner of pulled pork (it worked yay!!!) with rice and veg. Achieved nothing else myself except getting DD1 through some chores and homework. Going to try and read a bit as I need to get some library books returned in order to borrow the others! 😳

We had fish and chips with Strictly. And just as it got dark I put my driveway fairylights up. They look just green and blue in this pic but they fade between red/yellow and blue/green.

Morning, we are up at the crack of dawn. I keep thinking it’s Monday and am very happy that it isn’t. I’m watching some tv with the DC and I think we will be having a lazy day today.

Your lights looks great ED I need to invest in some outside decorations

sing well done with pork recipe .I write on jars(esp tahini)or I'd never remember how long been open
Flushi gorgeous cat
Ed nice lights❤️

My day never paned out.dd2 and I got meds out I had brief nap and we were pounding streets at 4pm as she was jittery n needed get out again.sw some nice Xmas lights tho.making me panic as not anywhere near done Xmas shopping..
Too stiff/tired my self-care
.lil zoo slept on my feet
Will try again today.realised if want get living room painted beforei put tree up need light fire under my bum!(got paint etc,just stiff unwilling joints)

Heyho onwards and upwards!

Up at 530 here. Feel like crap. Didnt get to sleep til after midnight, very unlike me, head was buzzing but no idea why.

The bubble burst is rubbish for the dc involved but has atleast given me two weeks to try and sort myself out.

Ta da

🎅 dryer on
🎄 table cleared and wiped from last night 🤫
🎁 dc 4 and 5 up and fed
🎀 updated payment details on instant ink