It's February - Fledglings are Flying (let's face it there's not much else to do).

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Here we are on the February 2021 Flylady thread - this time last year we were just starting to realise that the world was going to change in a big, big way. The Fledgling threads have pulled us all together and been a great source of comfort and distraction from it all.

This is a friendly housekeeping thread based (loosely... Extremely loosely sometimes 😂) on Flylady's housekeeping system . Welcome one and all, lurkers and long-time posters alike. Join in, hang out, but above all remember you are not behind, just jump in where you are.

The beauty of Flylady is that you don't have to flatten yourself trying to get your house clean to begin the routine upkeep; the first - and only - thing she asks you to do is to shine your kitchen sink. Routines - morning, afternoon and evening - are built gradually through her Baby Steps. To those, you add a Daily Focus and a weekly area to concentrate cleaning on. By the end of a month, your whole house will have had some attention. If you miss a bit, never mind, it'll come round next month!

For this month, I'll be posting daily links to the Launch Pad on the Flylady site so you can follow the daily focus and cleaning missions. You can sign up to receive emails from Flylady, but we suggest you don't - she sends masses, which will clog up your inbox and drive you insane into the bargain.

Because this thread has been running a while, there are some acronyms we use to make life easier
S&S - swish and swipe, round the bathroom to keep it acceptable daily
LOL - load of laundry. No, we don't find washing that funny!
Ned - born of a typo, a mythical being who assists with laundry mountains
The pointy stick ----> to motivate people
PO3 - Power of 3, if you can only face a few tasks. People often find groups of 3 tasks stack up over a day!
The Naughty Corner - where we head when it's all Too Much. Usually stocked with fresh coffee, fluffy throws, delicious snacks and the opportunity to sit quietly with friends or build a blanket fort and sulk in it if you need to.

During the Pandemic, we have also been using the KCC or Keep Calm Corner, invented by long-time poster / thread leader SC. This is a regular dose of memes, questions for discussion, random trivia etc to distract us from the rest of the world. All contributions welcome!

Remember - No Fledgling Left Behind!

Do some research on toy rotation Sing there are lots of ways to do it and I know it saved my sanity. Ds did not sit, he would not be contained in an area unless HE wanted to be and was bright enough to know he could stack books to escape a stair gate etc at a very young age. So it meant that he had less "free" play and more structured play which was freer iyswim. I chose the 4 ish boxes that got set up as play stations. I rotated the toys in and out. I made sure that morning boxes were different to afternoon boxes but took into consideration the game that was playing etc. It allowed there to be some sense of order and control of the situation even if it was partially a delusion. Although i will admit this stage of ds' life was very ruled by the clock. It was how he functioned best.

I love hearing about the wooden toys! Love wooden train sets!

Toys wise DD has access to whatever she wants in her bedroom, but I’m a bit stricter downstairs with her putting one thing away before getting the next. She’s definitely a mixer upstairs where everything is stored in kallax type units, under her bed, and in a couple of toy boxes. She can get out what she wants but has to help me tidy up each night (sometimes I have to accept that that’ll mean putting one item away while I do the rest ). I was quite anal about everything being put back in the correct boxes and thought maybe I should relax a bit with it, but actually she knows where everything goes and likes to be able to find things easily so I’ve stuck to it. She has a few sylvanian family houses and I’m quite strict at having that put away properly as I can’t stand the little pieces everywhere and I really hate things being lost. It drives me mad if I know something is incomplete. It’s definitely easier doing a nightly tidy, if I leave it for a few days it’s carnage and much harder to separate things.

Downstairs she has easy access to a couple of drawers of art stuff, an easel, toy kitchen, puzzles and a small box of other toys. She has to ask for playdoh, paints, and unfortunately duplo and her shopping trolley as they are in the cupboard of doom. I think it’s easier for us as she isn’t massively into building type things so they aren’t out and spread round daily. Also, she’s an only so we don’t have as much anyway, and no older DC toys for her to get her mitts on. Really hoping by the time there’s more toy clutter we have an extra room to chuck it all in and shut the door on!

Ta Das:
💪 LOL on
💪 DW emptied, breakfast stuff in
💪 wiped kitchen benches and cupboard fronts
💪 cleaned kitchen window and sill
💪 cleaned glass in kitchen door
💪 cleaned cutlery tray
💪 dusted bookshelf in kitchen
💪 persuaded DD to put some clothes on
💪 made sandwiches for lunch

I have now sat down and don’t want to move again, but will need to do the floors and dust the living room as we are a little crumby.

Thanks lovelies this is all really helpful! I’ve just sat with some of the BRCs on the landing and separated out household stuff and pens, DD1 and DS’ stuff (they have trays on top) for them to sort later, and sorted various toys. I don’t mind them being a bit mixed but this is absolutely obscene levels 😳. DS helped a bit with the sorting, DD1 is currently painting toadstools on her wall 😂🍄 so she can help with the next shift. I hit the wall all of a sudden (just thought “I can’t make any more decisions even though this is really simple stuff”) so I’ll have lunch first I think (something microwaveable because again... decisions!). Sounds like the laundry is ready to be moved on too. Sigh.

Argh, flagging big time now! Why does that always happen when you’re still surrounded by stuff 😳 I have managed to sort a bit more with some half arsed help from DD1 but now I’m just looking at everything else and drawing a blank. Have got a little pile of recycling and some rubbish to go too though so there is some stuff leaving the house.

I’ve booked a collection with “I collect clothes” which was mentioned favourably on a decluttering thread, so that gives me good incentive to go through all the clothing we dug out yesterday - need to do that tomorrow if not today.

I have no clue what to do with the stuff that is still in a mess to prevent it being messed up further.

Flooring didn’t show up either. An email said something about a system error and that it’ll be here Monday. Which is still earlier than what we asked for but oh well. At least the mistake forced us to get a move on.

You sound like you've done loads sing! Toys are a total muddle in our house right now, the dc are obviously playing more at home at the moment and I can't be bothered to keep on sorting their rooms right now!! I used to do toy rotation when they were younger and do the grouping toys into sections of a room like hills described, it worked well! Now it's a free for all especially as they basically share all the toys , constantly doing deals and swaps it's nice that they play together though I can't complain!

Lost my ta das post - but the main things were kitchen is looking much better now (as much as it can as half of it is a building site!!) and I went on a nice long walk on my own

sing we had a small unit with 9 small tubs in that held easy to put away toys(dolls,set wooden bricks etc)
More complicated set up/lots bits were controlled access
Crafts type out of reach
They had free access to those tubs and I rotated everything else.mine loved all sit together let's do X activity (paint,play dough,baking,cutting sticking and glueing etc)and as got bored wandered back to free play stuff
Playmobil was strictly controlled after I step on one,ditto Lego til old enough to put away.we had a toy kitchen which dd2 loved and wooden food you could "chop".this was tidy away before dinner every night
Everyday we had time outside- come rain or shine(puddle jumping,stop start game to keep moving or treasure hunt/maps- find a post box,then a green sign,big tree with cherries on etc) I needed to get out or we would've gone mad as dd2 had a LOT of energy.ds did not so often got pulled on a bike or rode in his push along car.grateful for lots green spaces here in that respect.garden time too(had sand pit,small slide and selection toys)storytime before snack am.often got presented a pile of books to be read throughout the day and we sat in a snuggle heap sharing favourite storieswhen lil zoo was small we had a children's centre and went there few morning a week and did messy play,rhyme time etc.we did all these at home but I wanted them to be around other kids sometimes and I needed adult conversation too!I miss those days.they were long and very full on,but engagement of any kind these days is often altercation now

I don't think I was half as much fun as a Mum as some of you! Some clever, playful strategies for fun described here. I just want to get down on the floor and play myself. On a side note it is bitterly cold here. I actually think the Ice Queen has taken over and fully expect her to beckon me to her sleigh with a box of Turkish delight. There are snow drifts and many impassable roads in the shire. 999 in the area has asked people to stay put because ambulances are having a hard time getting to people with all the abandoned cars etc. Life is just weird at the moment 😳. If winter comes, can spring be far behind?

hope a mum nurtures a child in lots of ways.food,warmth,love,comfort, security. I was most definitely not a fun mum all the time,in fact I could be a right crosspatch often .I would hate to think anything I've said has made anyone feel unhappy etc...
It's been -1 here today but my phone says realfeel it -9.the wind is worse than bitter
Forecast here tomis 4oc,and 2 of overnight.positively tropical

Oh no zoo I didn't take it that way at all

hope phew!thought I was going to have to pack me bags before got booted offthread!!

Don’t be daft we love our zoo 💖

I didn’t take it in a bad way either. I like reading about the nice memories! I was a different mum with the older two, I’ve changed an awful lot since then with such a big gap, in some ways it was easier with the first two as they played together. I was more relaxed and able to do more interesting stuff with Cagletini but the last year has just broken that side of me I think 😳

Watching the voice having enjoyed the masked singer final! I had a long lie down earlier after I just crashed midway through decluttering, that helped a bit. I must sort the clothes tomorrow.

I'm more in awe of you all is what I meant to say! All the ideas sounded fun. I began to hanker after Lego...aw zoo we luffs you. No booting off thread for anyone. Even the pointy stick is optional here

Zoo- i read it as a lovely memory too.💖💜🧡💛💚💙
Its so interesting what you all did or currently do.
I used to do toy rotation and set up new themed play in the sitting room. Kids loved it..
Then the kids started full time school.

I have had a productive day....

Tadas
🔨 double bed sheets,duvet cover lol.
🔨 screwed the kids bookcase to the wall with a bracket. (It only taken a year for me to sort out. I struggled abit as i still have chest pain, but I was hell bent on sorting it today.)
🔨some books are too wide for the bookcase.🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️...damm...bungee cord would stop them falling out...hmmm..

🔨picked up dd new eczma stuff. Hopefully she will not spend part of her night scratching her skin. Oh no, I forgot to give her anti- hist stuff before bed.
🔨iceland for emergency food shop. Long queues....no sd...i hated it. Lots of chest pain carrying the bags to the car.
🔨make lunch
🔨dh made me cry. I want him to use garage as a gym as he is missing all the physio sessions to get his back better. I was being supportive and encouraging. He bought up that all the shit in there is mine....like the double pushchair, single pushchair x2...i told him that he wouldnt let me sell them! Now i hv till monday to get rid of them!

He bought up i am blocking the utility radiator with my junk, when am I going to do it!
so i leap up and shouted ok i will do it now....7pm......
So I emptied the utility room onto the floor and had to walk away and leave it....ahhh its a mess....crumbs....what do I do?

Oh icing on the cake, I said it will be nice to spend valentines together as he has the week off.
His words ' oh great 😑!'

i cant stop crying. I think its cos i feel hurt he clearly doesnt want to spend time with me. Its cos of lockdown and seeing each other so much. We do love each other lots but he doesnt know how to work together as a team.
Maybe my eyes are having a clear out as I havent cried this much in ages. Either Af on way or I am coming down ill with something.
Phew, eyes that were doing a impression of taps have finally...sort of stopped. Nope they havent. Great.

Anyone got any suggestions on what to do with lots of books I dont want to keep anymore? Is something like music magpie any good?

Thanks

I am taking note of all the good ideas, loving the inspiration!
Not much flying done today, just keeping on top of the kitchen and DW really. Yesterday done LOLs, washed window sill in the living room, and baked carrot cake.
Valentine's day tomorrow!

Cross post Dancing.
I'd say your DH can spend the valentines in the garage -lock the door- And he can tidy up the utility since he needs it so much. Sending you lots of hugs and a large glass of wine. Spoil yourself tomorrow with all your favourite activities.

Also, Dancing don't fight the tears, let it all out 😘

Cry as much as you need dancing he doesn’t deserve you anyway.

Just looked up from my game on the iPad and realised it’s nearly midnight and the kids are still watching Disney. Oops. DH went to bed for a bit and I had no idea what time it was. 😳

So much for an early night then!

Re books I think stuff like music magpie you make pennies per book if they even accept them, so it may not be worth the effort of scanning etc. There may be collection people that would just take them if you aren’t bothered about selling? I have booked a collection from icollectclothes and I think someone on the other thread said they take books too, if you’re ok with just getting them out of the house.

I haven’t decided what to do with our books, we have too many still despite a massive cull when pregnant with Cagletini. Lots are home ed related and although DS is probably not going to use a lot of them I’m not sure if Cagletini will make use of them. So it’s hard to know if the space/money (they would definitely sell in local home ed group) would be worth it rather than keeping them to use with her someday. I’m not ready to tackle those really so I need to focus on other stuff.

I am totally wiped and feeling a bit wibbly myself thanks to earlier. Just done. Argh. Not sure I can even manage drawing today.

I'm struggling to see how pushchairs are exclusively a woman's 'thing' / clutter dancing. They are used to transport the jointly produced children. He needs to give his head a wobble. 💐

I remember the (male) baby signing teacher laughing when he asked what the kids’ favourite toys was and I said DS’ was a pushchair.

How terrible that he might role play being... a daddy 🙄

I’m finally going to bed.

Thanks guys 💖
Woke up with a headache, will drink water and hope it goes soon. I am ok.
I am not going to let him get to me. Decided i will carry on with my plan to have a kids valentines day. Card making with pop up hearts possibly, they want pancakes with heart on. I will make spinach pancakes too. Maybe watch the love monster program on cbeebies. Oh and make cakes and cupcakes.

Mc- thank you I might just lock him in the garage. Lol. He can have a Arctic valentines day as its freezing in there.
Hope Mc tiny is ok?

Sing- hope everyone got to bed and has a good sleep.
I had never heard of icollectclothes i will look into that.

Hope- thanks, wouldnt let me sell the double pushchair for £20 last year. I just wanted stuff out the house.

Right, the utility room. All systems go...for the utility room (tiny box area under the stairs.)

🚦need to put the hoover (currently lounging in the dining room area- tripping me up on the way to the kitchen) and steamer (never used) infront to the radiator.
🚦large plastic drawer tower (holds craft stuff) near light switch
🚦put 3 drawer plastic unit undeneath the nest heating control thing...so it short and it wont hit the switch. Plus I can put the painting stuff into the top drawer.
🚦blue basket can go there too as when the kids go school. They can quarantine used school clothes in there. (Dump any of the things i am unsure where to put in this basket for now.)

My utility room is quite small. Its the length of my washing machine and dryer. One side has shelves that need sorting out. Under the shelves is the radiator.

Will get up in a bit and treat myself to a cuppa tea and toast. Then get started...
☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕🥐🥐🥐🍞🍞🍉🍓🍒🍒🍓🍓🍓🍊🍊🍊🍊breakfast things and special teas and coffees around if anyone needs them this morning.

🍒👋everyone hope you have a 🧡 whatever you are doing.

Bless you dancing what an arse he sounds hope your headache clears soon! My utility room is a disgrace

sing one of my boys loved a toy pushchair although he tended to fill it with blocks (sometimes on top of the baby) 🤣