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!

Peanut - no Fledgling left behind. No Flying is just not a problem, it's always been a very chatty thread and honestly, you're not the only one. I've been on these threads a ling time and I can't remember a time when there was less flying happening, getting through the day however you can is the priority right now.

So on that note, I didn't make the slightest effort to sort out the kitchen table and chairs today. I did do 2 lots of washing, but that was about it. Went for a run and did yoga, both of which were much needed after yet more swimming club stuff and a lot of time helping DS with his coursework, he has really hit a wall this week.

I need to make time to do yoga, go for a walk or fresh air.
I think its 2 weeks now i have been focusing on school work from the moment i wake up. But it has just meant I feel heavier and less able to move around as i am sitting all day. I get to 4.30pm and want to slob out infront of the tv. I have lost the will to cook.
So here I need to make big changes. Funny as I was a awake and thinking to myself, i need to change the way my day is.
I need to bring back movement into my day.

Dancing i think the same is happening here tbh!

Yesterday i had to take some forms and go to the shop, first time i had been that far in about 2 weeks. I felt quite unhealthy doing it.

I do think i may struggle when i need to have everyone up fed dressed and out for school again, nevermind go back to work!

that I think we all will struggle to be up and on the ball of "normality" sleep patterns being the biggest issue (and then trying rouse everyone in the a.m)I do enforce getting up,even on weekends before 9 to try and regulate body clocks
.how's the spd lovely?
Butta I have fits and starts.lists sound great,reality barely scratched surface most of the time.in the words of woody "that's not flying it's falling with style"
,Dancing I've started adding daft things like going up n down stairs 3/4 times in middle of the day just to add movement as I'm used to be our walking 4+ hours a day and aneamia pretty bad I can't exercise properly (dvd/u tube etc) anymore as muscles ache and palpitations kick in
Waders/sing any of mine try organise or tell another what to do in authorative way all hell breaks loose.poor D's.his time to shine will come when he rockets skyward and stretches up not out.ds here eats everything and us underweight.dd2 eats and weight piles on.thereid regular conflict thanks to tiktok teaching her thins beautiful/the only way.shes step off that platform now but I can tell locally which girls are on it by how they look/dress.next door is deffo indoctrined in.makes me very sad she cannot just be herself

I never got dining table done either ed it's on my to do still

Right I must do something productive
Cats are fed,wash on etc.nowt else yet.
Vets ringing at 9 need pop shops after for bread/milk etc.best crack on

Zoo it is not too bad atm, some days i am taking full dosage of paracetamol and once i have needed a codeine. However, i am not working, not walking much, if i was doing those things i know it would be worse. Lockdown is acting in my favour slightly here. As is being furloughed, however i don't know how long any of these things will last and may still be back in work at some point so might mention to consultant and see if they can sort some more meds in preparation. If need be i will take maternity leave at 28 weeks, not ideal but what is these days!

My table is half covered kinetic sand and playdoh. Other half weetabix mess.

Oh and i also try make sure everyone is up by 9 inc weekends. Tbh dc 3 4 and 5 are early birds (6-7am) 🐦

We're all out of routine too. DD does registration in bed (just have to check in and say hello) then rolls out to her desk for the first lesson 20 mins later, breakfast at first break. DS's timetable varies with being 6th form but he is staying in pyjamas all day. I get up at 7 if I have to go to work but if I'm WFH stay in bed till the last minute and get dressed after an hour or so's work. DD is getting exercise, she does the online fitness stuff with swimming for an hour 3 or 4 nights a week but its too dark to go for a walk after school still. DS is being lazy, not exercising at all, he's going to get a shock when his sports start back up.

Hi everyone, I caught up on most of the thread last night to forgive my feeble effort at remembering personals.

Hope Scoutcat is ok Zoo.

Re dishwasher Sing I bulk buy finish tablets on line. Just the basic ones, there’s usually offers on the big boxes on groupon/wowcher and I only have to order a couple of times a year. Last time it worked out at just over a penny each.

Waders have you read ‘The F*ck It Diet? (the asterix is in the title, I am not opposed to real life swearing ). I’m part way through and some of it resonated with me and I’ve thought about how I’ve dieted off and on since my early 20s, occasionally getting to target weight, yet just got gradually bigger over all. Not sure I’m ready to embrace it fully yet though.

Clever McTiny Mc!

Also need to up the movement Dancing.

Very jealous of all the talk of sunshine yesterday. It was torrential all day for us, and we have weather warning for rain, snow and wind lasting all weekend . DH is working today and I am still in rebellious mode. So other than making dippy eggs for breakfast we are still under a blanket in our pjs watching rubbish kids TV. No parenting awards likely to be distributed in this house today . I do find that after flying to varying degrees over the last couple of years that even when I have off days weeks we still stay vaguely clean and organised, and it gets easier each time to get back on track. Just shows you don’t need to follow everything to the letter every day. I try and think of it as loose framework rather than strict ‘rules’ to beat myself with.

up- i think its lovely you made dippy eggs and under blanket with Dd watching kids tv.
Its those kind of things they remember. Snuggling up to mummy. So I think you get a mum award for that.

That you are doing well for walking at all! I honestly struggled to get to the shops when I was pregnant.
My 1st pregnacy I mostly clung the my leather sofa, I was so lonely and terrified of being pregnant.
You are amazing That.

zoo i forgot to say....hope scoutcat is ok?

waders hope your ds3 is ok? I understand this feeling. We have a big sized family, and we have told each other we have our own qualities that are special even though we are challenged in the waistlines.
In all my friends group, I was always the biggest- then Sized 12/14 but because I am soooo short...I now look like I am apple.(i am a size 16 now)
Where I live a girl is meant to be size 6 or 8 and look a certain way.
I promote body positive things to my sister, like be the healthist and strongest for herself. For the 1st time in her life...she says cycling has improved her health.

Now I need to put my health infront of the schoolwork. As I had worked hard to get my health well enough to walk the kids to school without passing out.....i need to start training now...so I can walk them to school when school starts back up...🤣

zoo hope scout cat is ok x

up dippy eggs and tv sounds lovely. Ds was snuggled up with me on the sofa earlier, he wanted to show me his games on the tablet, he is actually learns lot from them and he really loved me having a go too , I try not to feel guilty about the screen time, it's horrible weather again today so not much else to do anyway!

Dd is catching up on schoolwork today as she didn't do any yesterday. So far she's done one piece of writing about the moon and then stopped for an early lunch!! Dh is counting down down the rugby later but he has been to get tip and the shop already. I have been doing some flying in tiny five minutes bursts between reading my book.

Ta das
LOL
Dishwasher on (twice!)
Washing up ( where are all these dishes coming from?!)
Cleaned two shelves in dining area
Quick tidy up of toys dc
Helped dd with work
Took recycling out
Started sorting dd bed for sheet changing and then got side tracked because dh made bacon sandwiches

so many typos sorry

Thanks Dancing!

I’m also trying not to feel guilty about the screen time Foxes. DD has always been a good talker and very sociable. She’s pretty healthy and happy. They are getting plenty of screen free time at nursery, fresh air, time with us etc. I think we are doing ok!

DD wanted to go for a walk to see the big waves, so I managed to drag myself from my warm spot on the sofa and get us wrapped up. It was wild so didn’t stay out long but I got some bread and milk and our legs are stretched so at least I don’t need to worry about going back out today. Have managed some ta das too (also in 5 minute bursts):

🥶 both loos s&s
🥶 beds made
🥶 clean washing carried up
🥶 LOL on
🥶 DW going
🥶 kitchen benches wiped
🥶 birthday present and cards sorted for delivery tomorrow
🥶 a few very brief bursts of putting shit away

I had a late start this morning after struggling to sleep again. Still sore from yesterday but not quite as bad. Cagletini slept funny I think as she’s got neck pain (no other symptoms like fever etc) and is raging because she doesn’t like medicine. DH is going to collect meds shortly. I might try and do some gentle exercise to stretch out a bit! And play piano because yesterday I managed one measly page of a sonata before getting interrupted and I hate leaving things unfinished 😳😂

I spent some time in the small hours properly investigating family settings on the screen time section of my phone. I’d forgotten to set downtime (where you can block phone use between certain hours) for DS, DD1 was allowed to stop a while ago. However I’ve decided they are both going to have it. I am beyond sick of telling her to bring her phone down to endless “in a minute”s. Sometimes for over an hour if we aren’t up to chasing her over it. Really bored with being the bad guy so this way it will just be non negotiable. I was also looking at something I’ve never tried before - setting time limits for particular apps, or types of app. Will decide what limits to set and then have a Big Discussion.

I have been a bit AWOL lately, but have been trying to keep up with the thread.
zoo sorry to hear about scoutcat and hope he's on the mend.
Seems like lots of you are having issues with teens, one way or another. DD is kept busy between school, work, homework and chores. I know I'm very lucky to have her. She does usually end up sleeping in until 11am when she doesn't have to work, but I feel like she needs to catch up.
zoo & I know there's others, have you tried gradually waking them up earlier? 1 week at a time? I think that's something I would try if I needed to. Sorry if that was unhelpful.
Those of you who are dealing with pain/ aches etc, I really hope you start to feel better soon. I've noticed the moisture and cold really makes those worse, I'm pretty sure I have the beginnings of Arthritis in my fingers/ hands and worried about how I'll get on as I get older. I'm only 36!
Sing good luck implementing the restricted screen times. Our DC ends up spending way too much time on them as well. We'll kick DS off the Xbox, he moves to the computer. Then we'll tell him no, he picks up his phone (only uses wifi, not activated), eventually he'll make his way into his bedroom and build Legos or puzzles. He's not allowed to take electronics into his bedroom, he's 11.
I know there was more I was going to respond to, but can't remember.

Sorry that was so long, I have ta das to add but wanted to post it before I lost it!
This week has been busy. We've looked at a couple of houses, taking a second look at one today which needs a lot of work and remodeling to make it work for us. It's on a good sized lot though and has a very big garage. I'm just not sure I'm up for all the work needed and I think DH is wanting to list our house for more than it's worth. Ugh!

Ta Das (not day specific as I don't remember!):
🌷 Washed Jeep, and it's rained/ snowed since then so doesn't look like it 🤦‍♀️
🌷 Went to Costco for bulk shopping
🌷 Painted the peeling trim on the garage, still so much more to paint before listing our house
🌷 Packed 2 boxes!! Started in the front room closet, things we don't use, including craft stuff we won't need for a while
🌷 Bought new bedding for when we put the house on the market
🌷 Looked at 2 houses, will be taking a 2nd look at one of them today
🌷 Bleached bathroom
🌷 Washed bedding on Tuesday, mine and DDs, then she moaned as I didn't wash her work clothes. - her bedding alone is 3 LOLs!

I have cupcakes to bake today, as well as grocery shopping. I have to figure out what to make with steaks for dinner tonight as well as meals for the rest of the week.
1st cup of coffee down, must make a 2nd! It's 9am and I'm not ready to do anything yet 😩

I feel more like a flightless dodo than anything that can ever get off the ground. But I'm trying. Today, after much procrastination, I took a jug of tea and a great many biscuits up to the office (cupboard), and filed until everything for the past year is in the correct file and in the correct order. It was so relaxing doing paperwork, compared to staring at a screen, clicking on limks, and then not remembering where the link originated.

LOs' class teacher phoned yesterday for a welfare check. We shared a few moments of nostalgia for the bbc micro. She's happy for us to continue as we are, and for me to email with any problems that may arise. Homework will continue permanently online after lockdown, and summer term will see a huge effort being put into assessment of HWB and core skills.

That was a weight off my mind, and probably why I tackled the laundry pile so enthusiastically after she phoned. I had got into a slump. The weather is hard going, with an easterly beating against the back of the house relentlessly.

LOs discovered ancient skateboards in the back of a cupboard, and practise going a few feet up and down the hall. Then they found thin nylon sleeping-bags which are great for sliding downstairs and pulling each other around on laminate floor.

LG made breakfast yesterday - porridge, scrambled eggs and a pot of tea. It was perfect. She's a bright happy kid without school stress. Same for LB, although he has some struggles in all aspects of life.

I feel drifty, in limbo, not exactly enjoying this, but very disconnected from how we lived before which had been making me unhappy, but not yet knowing exactly how to be happy from when this ends. Just reacting to what they need, and no longer tying myself in knots trying to be someone I couldn't be.

Not flying related but this made me laugh

Tidy one day a time sounds like a good tactic at this time. I am hoping to figure out the rest once new normality returns.
Sing that meme 😂
Waders ah no, cracked screen is annoying. Is it something you can fix? Please look after yourself with the diet, from your posts you sound exhausted since starting it.
Hazel starting packing is a big step! Hope you manage to find your new home soon, and sort out the listing for your current one.
Zoo how is darling Scoutcat doing?
Buttta You are doing fabulous, no fledgling left behind!

My only ta da today is reducing the entropy of toys in the living room. It still looks like a playground, but I rearranged few rugs, put new playmat on, and got a new cloth basket to chuck toys into.

Tomorrow thinking of planting herb seeds.

Feeling somewhat smug watching masked singer as we got the first unmasking correct on their first performance :o

Had a verrrry lazy afternoon. Glad I did a bit of housework earlier.

Eventually wades in. Or blown in would be more appropriate. Very windy and cold. It got a bit milder from one so I went out and spent some time with the hens. I had to shut them in and they chunted for ages at me, sounding most indignant. As I had to remove the netting while starting to clean out one tried to escape by flying onto the fence and eyeing up the height of fence between up and next door which has a row of chicken wire. I went to get her but she flew down and off into the garden. All cleaned out and I have rearranged the netting so it is easier to get in and out to shut them in. I think I might put some more posts and wire in if this works. Rearranged the covering as it had shredding on one side. I am going to get some more stronger, clear tarpaulin from eBay.
I went back to bed this morning with a mug of tea and my book and really enjoyed looking out on the world and reading book. DH went out into the garden ( I thought he was quiet) and when I went out he had moved the railway sleepers of raised beds and compacted and then raked it all ready for the greenhouse. A bit premature as it isn’t coming until April. We have booked someone to put it up and the nearest Hexham and soonest is 22nd April. The space makes the garden look wider. Phase Two will be to sort out all the pots in the old one and maybe move it. I was going to use it for the chickens.

MrsTidy I think Woolly described it perfectly the other day “ lockdown fatigue” I think that is the drifty, limbo feeling. It is not knowing how long or what we can or can’t plan for. DS2 said the other day that they aren’t expected to be back at work until May at the earliest. He is struggling as his house doesn’t have much stuff so very tidy. The garden is just grass with shrubs on the drive so not much needs doing. He is bored and his Uni course hasn’t run and he is hoping it will be starting In May.

Zoo poor Scout cat. Please don’t tell me they are charging £50 for a phone call.

Butta you are providing some wonderful activities for Elijah some days that is more important and just the basics. We never had a perfect house it was clean and food on the table but it was homely and the kids were cared for which is more important than a ‘show home’ which I might add I suspect none of us have🤣 Tomorrow is another day.

Great news about a DS passing exam I just can’t remember whose DS but congratulations.

Dancing now a 16 too going to try and lose some as darling niece is getting married in November. I laughed when we got a save the date card as were not allowed over the border at the moment.

Hiya, I’ve had a really shit day, just popping on to say hello quickly. We’ve had a bit of a family emergency, everyone’s healthy but won’t go into much detail as we don’t know enough yet. Just feeling a bit drained.

Glad to hear that I’m not the only one who struggles flying lately!

Dippy eggs and snuggles sound perfect up!

Sorry about the rubbish day waders!

Love the meme sing

red I definitely would rather my cosy home than a show home!

Sorry I haven’t replied to you all, just feel a bit out of it. Hopefully I’ll be better tomorrow when we get some more news.

Sorry to hear that Peanut, hope you manage some sleep and that things are clearer tomorrow.

Butta thinking of you. Stay strong 💐

Butta- hope you and family are ok