Fledglings are Flying into April, there's no fooling us.......

[EventuallyDistracted]

Welcome fledglings old and new, to April'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 Flying Lessons. 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

KCC - we don't do so many of these now, but these are little stories, photos, memes, off-topic questions, just to keep us all distracted from the general tedium of lockdown life. Feel free to chip in.

Thanks to Up for guiding us gently through March .

And off we go into April.

Morning,
HazelNot sure what that plant is either. Very delicate flowers. Pretty.
Patio arrgh useful... new patio alert girls!

Zoo was that in one day😳 falls over in shock!

Sing tradescantia will do that. It has a variegated leaf. I killed mine years ago. There is one that looks like peas in a string. Probably more. Try somewhere like M&S for names. I think Hayloft might do indoor as well as outdoor. It is run by women I am going to order some plants from the garden.

Better get moving. Did bathroom shelves yesterday at so loving my extra shiny bathroom. Going to try and keep it like that. Always clean but the extra effort this week shows. Need to have a sneak peek at next week. I can never remember what is next.🙄

Lots of crossed posts.😄

Hills I have killed orchids too. Have one with one leaf that is looking like it might want to have another go at living. I need to find the bag of orchid compost. Sorry to hear about tummy. Hope you feel better soon.

Morning all, just emerging from the naughty corner

I have been reading along on my breaks at work but please forgive me if I’ve missed anything important...

Impressive amount of steps Zoo! I have my fingers crossed that you’re lucky like I was and escape all post-vaccine crapness. I definitely know more people who were fine than weren’t.

I love those plants too Sing but can’t help with any suggestions.

Dancing you should be proud of yourself just for getting the CV and job application done. It’s a step and if you don’t get it no harm done. I must admit I couldn’t work with DH. We used to work together in a bar years ago, and he was once asked to do about 20 fancy shots for a big group when we were super busy. I had just come back from changing a barrel or something so he shouted the order across to me, told the customer Up is sorting yours, and moved on to the next person! He regretted it at the end of the shift. So glad you got your eyes checked, and hope you get sorted with the GP soon. The offer is still very much open to pm me if you still need to

Hope I hope you’re recovering from your procedure well.

I don’t think I’ve ever tried Nepalese Red but im sure I’d like it.

Hope DD is ok after her injury Ice, must have been very traumatic!

Belated happy birthday to your DD Ships.

How exciting to be planning your new home and garden Hazel.

Waves to Waders, ED, Merry, That, Tidy and Foxes

I need some advice from you green fingered folk. We have a north facing and very exposed front garden, which is just gravel and concrete with a few pots. For years MIL has kindly planted our pots for us but without any consultation, so sometimes I haven’t even been aware something has been planted or what it is and then she’s been put out that we haven’t watered them. Last year I managed to gently say I’d like to learn and choose myself and we did but ended up planting what she suggested. So I was trying to decide what to plant for this summer last night. I’m going to buy something annual for this summer I think, and then would like to plant some daffodils in the autumn for next spring. Can I then plant something else perennial in the same pot to flower in the summer, and will the daffs still come up again the following year? Or am I better just redoing everything every year, or using separate pots? Our back garden is well established with mainly roses and I’m doing ok with them, but no idea what to do with the front!

Anyhoo, Wednesday I did the shopping, a bit of weeding and spot cleaning. Thursday and yesterday were just bare minimum days. Today I’m going to do the home bleurgh and some more gardening, and we’ll probably have a family walk. Have already got a LOL on the line, done breakfast dishes and s&s 😇

I have a peace lily which drinks a lot of water, a maranta which just minds its own business, a couple of succulents which I water very rarely. I kept an umbrella plant alive for nearly 30 years. I agree about ferns being fussy buggers, spider plants being almost indestructible and you can get the trailing affect with the runners and baby plants. I too killed an orchid but TBH it was an unwanted gift (I'm not keen on them) so I neglected it on purpose

One of the main things is not to put them in full sunshine, mine are all in shade / semi-shade.

Oh cross posts.

Sorry your feeling crap Hills. Meant to say above that I’m glad you took a me wrap health day. I used to read a few books a week but I’m only on 2 so far this year. Glad I’m not the only one who can kill an orchid. I like spider plants so might get one of those if they are robust.

My DM has an umbrella plant the same age as me ED.

Yay thanks for more plant ideas!
I was surprised about the orchid - no idea what type it is (purple flower) but it has kept coming back since 2018 which I know isn’t long but for us it’s a miracle 😂 and that’s without following instructions so it’d likely do a lot better if I took proper care 😳 I wouldn’t have chosen it myself TBH, pretty as it is. A friend got me a pot plant when I had DD1. I (privately) wasn’t too keen on the idea of having another living thing to keep alive when I was trying to get used to this tiny screaming bundle I’d just produced 😂

While the tiny screaming bundle is going strong 13 years later, I think the plant probably lasted about 13 weeks 😁

Morning everyone...lack of sleep due to worrying and dd who needed the loo at i had to stand in the cold with her.

Up Thank you
I love plants....but I might change my name to plant killer....as everything dies.
I do have a interest in plants enough to watch gardeners world and marvel at their ability to grow things.

Trying to get kids out to the park. But they are crying instead. They want to stay at home.🤦‍♀️

Sorry if i missed something...back later as kids are screaming.

Up Well lets put it this way, i have one i am nursing back to health after it was left in a room we couldnt access for 6months. Bit of baby bio and a bit of trimming and a bit of water and it is not dead and slowly starting to look a little healthier, I also have some babys that are hanging out in a jar of water with very established roots because i have not got around to planting them. Just don't drop in a bubble bath and if you forget to water for ages don't drown (half hour in sink of water and then out works wonders)

Re the outside space the exposed and north facing is not so much of an issue, what is the sunlight like. We have a south facing back garden but it is 50-90% shade so can be a challenge to get the right variety of things growing.

dancing you need to grow cress heads with the kids quick easy and fast results with the bonus that you can make it a fun kid activity. Ds' first one was at 2 with me doing most and him doing some. I might even have a picture somewhere (emphasis on some where)

I would like to try that hills. Cress sounds fun for the kids.
I am liking the sound of spider plants- bomb proof!
Is a rubber plant with big wide leaves? I really would like one of those.
I like the idea of plants thats purify the air.

I have given up and gone back into bed. I am going stay here now.

It’s not shaded once the sun eventually comes round Hills

I could probably kill cress 😂😳

I would love to have lots of plants in the living room too. We have two Kallaxes which would look nice with loads of greenery and flowers on top (possibly with some tumbling over the side). But they’re currently both covered with random stuff 😳

I still want a massive plant in the hallway, as it’s such a lovely space, but need to get rid of the buggy first. She doesn’t use it much now and at 3.5 she’s older than the others were when we ditched theirs, but it’s different this time, as I’m really not capable of carrying her. DH is, but given his back issues it’s really not a good idea to do that much. Plus the nursery journey can’t be done by bus if needed. She mostly walks there but has the buggy just in case for the way home and trips to the shops. Hopefully we can get rid of it altogether during the summer. I have no idea how we will manage things like days out though as of course we haven’t had any due to Covid! 😬

Right, probably thanks to having caffeine yesterday I’m feeling a bit jittery today. So I need a power of three.

PO3.1
1️⃣have breakfast and both anxiety meds
2️⃣scan relevant pages of PIP award and email to bus pass people
3️⃣put washing in dryer

Up can you give us any idea of what plants you have had in the past? It will give a good idea of what is good plant. Also are you looking for seasonal or to move towards stuff that you can leave and it be such there is something there most of the year?

I have been up 2 hours and not even moved yet. I need to go at least find something for breakfast. No idea what but yeah... low blood sugar headache is starting to kick in.

Last year we had cosmos which was pretty when it flowered but I wasn’t a fan of the greenery, and I think we had some primroses. A few houses on the street have poppies which I like. I think I want some things that’ll be year all year round but don’t mind so much over the winter if there’s some empty pots. The less work the better! I’m going to get some buxus for by the front door but want some flowering things too. We are right on the sea front and I’ve also considered some grasses. but not pampas grass I’m MN has informed me there are certain connotations

I’ve had quite a satisfying omelette for breakfast with mushroom, peppers and some leftover gammon, but can’t remember if eggs are a no go for you.

Did my power of three quickly and have been on the sofa since watching a concert with DD1 :o DH is at the post office, I’ll crack on with another list when he’s back.

Sing you have motivated me....
Will try po3. I am still lying down.

Po3-

• put school clothes in drier.

-put white sch stuff in wash.

• treat myself to cuppa in bed (i never do this due to the lil ones jumping around me.)

Up- Omlette sounds lovely. (Snigger if I think what pampas grass was meant to mean. Think i read it in Mn - I wonder if it still does?)

Hills- cuppa with plain toast?

Red- you shiny bathroom sounds lovely! Weldone for doing it!

Half- how are you feeling? Hows your lip today?

Ice- how is your dds lip today?

Zoo- I cant believe how much you have done already- i really need to buy myself tictacs.

Up- I think one of the gardening programs had re-done a seafront style garden. It was lovely and easy to maintain.
They used lots of lovely grasses of native little plants found around there that could cope with the harsh salty air.
The program was Alan Titchmarch....i think. I wonder if they have information about the plants they used on a website?

:o at pampas grass

DH is almost home. Right, time for another mini list.

PO3.2
1️⃣dig out the diary and write a few things in like kids’ clubs and training
2️⃣shower
3️⃣LOL

List 2 done and then I played a matching game with Cagletini while the boys of the house finished watching a marvel film. DH is now ordering tesco. DD1 is tidying her room... apparently.

PO3.3
1️⃣pack Cagletini’s nursery bag (yes a day early but it’s an easy win and means I don’t need to remember tomorrow!)
2️⃣sort vitamins/meds for the week (me and DD1)
3️⃣once DH has added his stuff to the diary, write up this week on the planner by the door

Wait scratch that 🤦🏽‍♀️

PO3.3
1️⃣pack Cagletini’s nursery bag (yes a day early but it’s an easy win and means I don’t need to remember tomorrow!)
2️⃣sort vitamins/meds for the week (me and DD1)
3️⃣decide how DD1 will get to and from dancing on Monday and Thursday as it now clashes with DS’ clubs - and book at least for this week if it’s doable, write straight in diary!

Right. That’s another power of three done along with a quick doorstep chat (during which a neighbour’s cat wandered in) and an episode of parks and recreation while sorting tablets. I have booked three week’s worth of dance for DD1 so it’s up to the same point as some home ed stuff for DS, easier to keep track of, though I haven’t booked parkour past next week yet as I want to check he still likes it first!

PO3 is really helping today! Now I can’t decide what’s next 🤔 I’m stalling a bit I think 😂

PO3.4
1️⃣write up the week on the planner board! (Ensuring recurring stuff is neat enough to leave on there!)
2️⃣look at CAB form and carer support form (not to fill in - brain isn’t up to that now - but just to know what to expect when I do!)
3️⃣go and lie down and watch something on Netflix while eating chocolate #selfcare

DS was given a spider plant.it turned yellow and died

All his succulents have gone mouldy and died since the summer.i suspect how cold it's been in here,as heat on and off means temps been constant extremes.one his cacti is flowering

I used to have African violets and various other plants in old house many years ago.this one is colder and only gets good sunshine streaming in back of house(kitchen/D's room).my Easter cactus lasted 8months.
I did grow basil from seed last summer...

My nerves are so bad I've just sat and cried for no particular reason.i didn't realise how bad I've developed health anxiety thus lockdown.the thought of feeling odd us making me borderline suicidal.i need to have this stupid jab
It's going to be a long and difficult few days/week (til I get my head around any ideas of side effects)

Tada
Took kids for walk,saw lambs
Realised forgot cat food,picked up on way home
Lunch
Watch half film D's
Nap
Watch the rest

Looking at all things I've not done(just in case I'm incapacitated as there's no one else to do it)that I have to finish

Can I crawl into a hole and just die?

Sorry you are struggling zoo i'm currently torn as to what to do if i am offered the jab while still pregnant, 30s so the may not even get to me in the next 11 weeks but if they do i am so unsure atm! I would definitley take it after baby is born but it feels risky while pregnant. But then i am more at risk if i catch the bloody virus due to pregnancy too! ARGH!