Fledglings are Marching into March (and tentatively inching closer to freedom): The March Flylady Thread

[StillUpholding]

Welcome fledglings old and new, to March’s Flylady thread!

For any newbies who have stumbled across us, we are following Flylady’s housework system which is based around routines and short bursts of activity to try to keep our houses and lives in order. (Sometimes we follow it more loosely than others). Feel free to join us, the more the merrier! We post our ‘ta da’ lists for motivation (no matter how long or short), and enjoy some random chatter along the way.

The link to Flylady’s ‘flying lessons’ is here . Have a read, and if you have any questions, just ask. You can sign up for emails but be warned there are lots so most of us rapidly unsubscribed.

I’ll be posting links daily to keep us all on track. Jump in wherever you are, remember you are never behind.

This is a long running thread and we’ve developed some lingo along the way:
LOL = load of laundry
S&S = swish and swipe, a quick daily clean of the toilet and sink
PO3 = power of 3. When motivation is on the low side or you’re overwhelmed just pick 3 things at a time and do them
DNLMS = did not lose my shit
Ned = our mythical mate who helps with the laundry (hasn’t paid a visit to me for a while)
Pointy stick —-> = for when a fledgling needs a motivational prod (we can be gentle if required)
The naughty corner = a relaxing haven where we hang out when motivation is low, we are on strike, or we need a rest and some TLC

I’ve just realised that it’ll be around a year since our lovely SC came up with the idea of the Keep Calm Corner (KCC) to keep us going in these strange times. I’ll try and keep the tradition going with little snippets of happy stories, memes, questions and distractions. Any contributions welcome as we enter what could be the final stretch to some sort of normality.

Thanks to ED for being a lovely thread leader for February and keeping us (mostly) on the straight and narrow, despite being very busy herself.

Right, quiet at the back there, have we got everyone? Let’s head into March...

sing you need to order/book a proper test for her. Lateral flow aren't for those with symptoms and your nursery should know this!

Also the test kits coming home with dd will probably be reg for dd. At least ds' ones are.

agreed order test/book test

saw this thought of you

Would I get in trouble for using one of DD1’s?! As it would be quicker than waiting. I could still order the other ones to replace them.

DD1 has a test today too so at least she would know if she’s positive I suppose. Or would she then need to isolate anyway until Cagletini’s result?! Do we all need to test? Obv I’ve been ill but none of the key symptoms, so ostensibly just a cold but no guarantees of course. Gah this is all so confusing! 😳

And just to add to the “aaaarggh” before the nursery phone call I had just got a text about a phone call with the universal credit people next week. I’ve not had one since we first went onto UC and they told me I didn’t need to look for work then (for newbies - multiple health issues between DH and I, he works PT from home, I lost my job due to illness a few years back and improved a lot after I stopped working as I wasn’t constantly in relapse due to all the manual handling etc).

Anyway I think now Cagletini is nearly 3.5 I have to look for work. I actually welcome this - I have mostly been doing better, and I really really want to work, I want to get myself back!!! Hence I’ve been doing the training courses, got myself volunteering and I’m starting the degree in autumn (and was tutoring piano between lockdowns). But obviously that’s the long game and doesn’t really help me right now. If they can help me get a job that would make me really happy and be SO good for my MH, but my worry is that I’ll be pushed into something I’m not actually capable of, because I’m not qualified for anything really. Or rather, I’m technically capable of doing it but it’ll become too much due to the fibro/POTS etc. Just because I can do something (hell I can even use the gym in good times) doesn’t mean I can do it 40hrs a week without getting sick very fast IYSWIM.

The irony is when I had the previous appt (18ish months back) I actually asked if there was any help available to help someone with my limitations/difficulties find suitable work. The guy didn’t have the faintest idea. I’ve since found myself a work coach via a charity for autistic people who has helped me figure out my options long term etc. She also knows someone who specialises in physical disabilities so it might be time to get in touch with her too. I don’t want them to think I’m refusing/not engaging but I need to stand up for my health too. Aaaargh.

ta da
✊spoke to nursery
✊set reminder for June to check Bibic payment has indeed stopped
✊emailed aforementioned work coach to rearrange our next catch up for after the UC appt, as it’ll be more useful then

Sing - sorry to hear about Cagletini, Hills is right you need a PCR test when there are symptoms and DD1''s LFTs need to be reserved for her - my DD's school requires you to do them on specific days and log the results with them as well as test and trace.

However families of school/nursery/college can get LFTs for non-symptomatic use themselves, either at a pickup place or by post. DH and I have got some - we are eligible for the walk-in LFTs because we work outside the home but the centre is only open when we are at work . So we are using our eligibility as parents to get them for home use instead. It has all become very complicated all of a sudden.

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

sing you need to order/book a proper test for her. Lateral flow aren't for those with symptoms and your nursery should know this!

Yikes! They definitely said we could do it that way. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Thanks that I’ll get a proper test booked now

And yes to the isolation until results. The temp is classed as a symptom sorry. DD included. You might need to collect dd from school too.

The thing with the lateral flow tests is they are just not that accurate, they miss a fair amount of positives. So you could test her with one and it could be negative but she could actually have it! The others are much more accurate.

Thank you all, have ordered a proper test for her!

Going to ring school now and tell them - presumably they’ll have a policy on whether to send her home straight away.

The receptionist didn’t know if (given she’s had LFTs) DD1 has to come home or not she’s gone to find out and will call back.

Our secondary would send home again due to unreliability of LFTs

TBH isolating again isn’t a big deal, I’ve barely left the house in weeks 😳 and we don’t need any shopping luckily. It’s only really DD1 who is affected, poor kid. Cagletini is pretty easy about nursery and was quite unfazed by DH collecting her early. She’s having a floor picnic right now.

Damn relieved that this didn’t happen yesterday before DH’s appt. Not that it was especially useful after a hideously long journey but he found out he is going to have an arthroscopy on his knee. Someday. When such procedures are allowed again

Pj days ❤

That would be most days for me lately 😂😳

The malefolk are playing chess.

ta da continued
✊washing in dryer
✊phoned school (still no call back! I’d have thought they’d have a clear policy on this...?)
✊ordered test
✊checked DS’ physics work

Sing i'm pretty sure they should have!

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

Our secondary would send home again due to unreliability of LFTs

This makes sense so I’m expecting them to ring and tell me the same. It does make you wonder what the point is though if they’re that unreliable! 😭 I’ve seen a lot about false positives too.

Right sorry I will stop ranting about that now. Just keep our heads down and follow the rules, all we can do really.

I have wondered if the government just have all these tests lying around and are giving them to school kids to be seen to be doing something, but thats just me ...

My take on it is that the lateral flow tests are just part of the system that give a quick indication of possible increased risk. the issue is that they are made out to be 1. highly accurate and 2. the only thing that is needed.

It is like look at a class room and estimating the number of kids in it.

Whilst the PCR is like physically counting the people into the room. It takes longer but is more accurate. And thus more reliable.

I dont see anything wrong with the ball park accuracy as PART of the system. I do have a problem with the fact that it is being take as the over riding part of the system (in the case of schools) and the lack of understanding.

But then I still think the UK is being run on the principle that stupid people are easier to control.

Also in Ds school he ass would have been outta there so quick he wouldn't have had time to even be please about the extra day off...

I have walked out of class again this week. I am really really not gelling with this tutor's style of teaching and online learning is a complete PITA. Which is a complete arse as "adult learners don't require to be in the classroom environment" so it is unlikely that we will return even after Easter.

I am going to go run errands. I am just a whole heap of done today.

that I'm of similar opinion tbh.i love pj days.way too much
Hills loving the pic
sing hope it all gets confirmation quickly one way or the other!

Tada
Veg for lunch prepped(parnips,broccoli and squash) roasted with red pepper and chorizo Linda m sausages whilst I...
Drop lil zoo off at school
Eat lunch

We need milk.
I've no clean masks,dd2 has 1
Wash machines not draining properly so can't wash anything.laundry piles frightening
We need milk for D's.there is no cheese

My joint are stiff and painful
DD wants me to go with her to local shop and stand outside whilst she buys disposable masks,milk,cheese and come back.
I need to go get lil zoo in 45 minutes.she doesn't want to do it as part that(I pass the bloody shop on the way)
IM not happy

Oh bugger hills - how much longer is this course? Will you have a new tutor in sept?

Tough shit to DD2 then IMO, why does she get to dictate everything? Either she comes with you or she goes alone.

Glad I got a couple of things done today. Including the antiprocrastination with the reports. It’s something at least. Have started a separate thread about the universal credit/back to work malarkey.

No and runs til end nearly December

I was already thinking about asking if the college would support me (ie provide the examination centre) for me to accelerate the learning of the last unit so that I could complete this summer.

It is easier to get on in class, i just find the online learning just doesn't engage me and I am getting more out fo the book then the tutor. The half grown up in me says I that I "put my butt on seat" and sign in to the online class and just walk away from the computer. but you can't mute the meeting and I tend to do a lot of other more productive stuff on it. Eg today I have cleared out an email's inbox and responded to what needed it, written a shopping list, sorted out a batch list etc. I am just not engaged because SQUIRREL - look at all this other stuff you can be doing that needs doing that would actually be productive.

Today I just can't. So I am not.

Asking to accelerate is a really good idea! Worth asking.

Today I just can’t. So I am not. - This is my feeling on the afternoon also. I have learned to accept the part of me (ie my entire personality...) that just crumbles when something unexpected happens. Two unexpected things happened today (the UC message as well as the feverish 3yo) so when I look on it that way, I’ve actually done pretty damn well sorting the test etc. But I know who I am and I am not someone who can just shrug off this feeling. Ergo, I will just manage what I can for the day, and not beat myself up for being crap. Progress in itself.

Well school never phoned back and no 13yo has arrived at the door. I’m going to try them again from DH’s phone instead to leave mine free. 🙄

She didn’t get sent home as negative LFT today, but has to isolate from when she’s home after school. Go figure. 🤷‍♀️ Ours is not to reason why, etc. Finishes in 13 mins anyhow.