It's July, Fledglings are Flying towards Freedom (hopefully!)

[EverythingDelegated]

Hello and welcome to the July 2021 Fledgling Flylady Thread. Thank you Willow for an excellent pair of June threads. Welcome to one and all, old hands and newbies, lurkers and longtime posters and anyone in between. This thread keeps us vaguely on track with Flylady and is where we post our Ta Das and Yes Ta Das (what we did yesterday 😁), our To Dos and To Didn'ts, and discuss anything that comes to mind (often not housekeeping!).

The beauty of Flylady is that you are never behind, the whole system repeats every month, just jump in wherever. The aim is to gradually get into good habits and regular routines that keep the house ticking over rather than having a huge blitz on it.

To help you with this I'll be posting links to Flyady's Flight Plan and other useful parts of the website, which is updated daily, it's also good to go in and have a browse (some of it is a bit twee though). Do NOT sign up for the emails, you will be inundated.

The system divides the house up into weekly zones, then in each zone there will be timefor decluttering, a small daily task (the Mission) and each day of the week has a theme too (eg Errand Day). You can switch things around to suit your circumstances, there is a weekly Sneak Peek page to help you plan ahead. There are also 31 Babysteps, small daily habits to adopt (eg wearing shoes around the house if you'd rather not). Finally Flylady wants you to make time for you and your family, so weekends are more relaxed.

Jargon
Flylady (and the thread!) has a little bit of her own peculiar jargon it can help to know:
S&S - swish and swipe - a quick go round a bathroom or cloakroom to keep it acceptably fresh
LoL load of laundry. We are not collapsing into hysterical laughter over the state of our washing baskets
Hotspots any areas that tend to collect clutter no matter how often you clear them - mine is definitely the corner of the worksurface by the kitchen door, and the bookshelf at the bottom of the stairs
5 minute room rescue a quick whizz round any room to create a semblance of order
Weekly Home Blessing (often Home Bleugh here) - an hour a week to keep the house acceptable. I think this can only be done in an hour if you only have one bed in the house to change, so take it with a pinch of salt. I spread mine over the week as I cannot get it down to an hour and don't have an hour to give to it either.
Ned and Ted - imaginary friends often draughted in to assist with washing and ironing
BRC Bag, or box, of Random Crap
(D)LMS (Didn't) Lose My Shit - often a necessary acronym around spouses and teens!
Naughty Corner - the thread's imaginary space for rest and recuperation when it all gets too much. Often stocked with soft cushions, blankets, drinks and snacks. May or may not have a free bar, fire place, sunloungers, hot and cold running barmen etc.
Cherry waves 🍒👋 - lovely type for cheery wave that stuck!
All Fed and No One Dead - a good outcome to a busy day.

The beauty of Flylady is that is can be adapted to any household setup - lots of DC or just one, or none; a partner / spouse, or ex, or those going it alone; those working within or outside the home; shiftwork, you name it.

Our motto is No Fledgling Left Behind, so if you are a returner or a lurker, welcome on board, there is always space her for more Fledglings.

Big accomplishment for me today. I taught my first ever zoom lesson. I’d been far too nervous to try this, I wasn’t tutoring when covid arrived anyway and then didn’t have the confidence to offer it. Plus for piano beginners it wouldn’t really work. But anyway as we are isolating my friend’s son who I teach maths twice a week had his lesson by video chat and it went so well! Yay! It is good to know that’s an option for us.

Still absolutely shattered though - we are all pretty lethargic and blah today.

sing that's brilliant.well done

Table cleaned
All bins emptied
Recycling all in big bin too

A rare evening spurt🤣
Lil zoo feeling crummy still so requesting cheesy pesto toasted muffins tonight with salad and big fruit salad.nice and easy👍

Thanks for the lovely new thread ED! And thanks for fabulous hosting through June Willow. Much appreciated.

Thanks again for all the congrats. I absolutely was not broody at all in the first year Mc, as DD Did. Not. Sleep. Hoping this one takes after me .

Ooh glad the zoom tutoring worked well Sing.

Difficult about the school Zoo. Is it one he’s visited before or completely new? Hope it turns out to be ok or they listen to you and see sense!

Wow Honey you have so much going on! Completely understandable to feel down over it and I’m so sorry your lovely summer plans have gone tits up. I agree with Zoo I think and would go for the painting if allowed. You deserve a nice space.

Today was a work day for me but I’ve done some washing and made a list of what we need to pack for tomorrow. I’ve felt a bit less sick today so hoping it’s easing up. Packing and homebleurgh tomorrow then we are heading off in the afternoon.

Evening all.

ta da
🧟‍♂️maths with DS
🧟‍♂️job centre phone call
🧟‍♂️prepped for maths lesson
🧟‍♂️wrote up Tuesday’s tutoring sessions
🧟‍♂️phoned nursery to inform them we are isolating
🧟‍♂️video tutoring
🧟‍♂️made dinner

Also a sort of ta da…
🧟‍♂️got an interview!!!

😬

Pleased but totally freaking out also. I don’t do confident. I am not actually even sure I am right for the role I’m being interviewed for TBH.

Aaaaargh. 😬

So. To do lists in the next few days mainly revolve around further researching the charity, writing down various examples from my past that might be good interview answers, figure out how to get to the interview location, and somehow buy smartish clothes when I’m self isolating.

HELP 😩😭😳

sing congrats and eeeek all at once lovely

That hope you are ok lovely!
Upnot allowed visits in covid times
To make placement choices we could only click virtual tours (if school had one) as a new not even open yet Sen unit it doesn't..

I don't want get up,really tired today..at least it's not a school day tom!

Placemarking

How are you doing lovely?x

Hey that 🥰

Why am I awake?! Although I suppose it’s a reasonable hour now but I woke up early having not been able to sleep till the small hours. Have been faffing on my phone instead.

Thanks zoo no help needed (unless anyone has any ideas of what kind of scenarios/examples I might be asked about in the charities/outreach sector…?!) I’m just blaaaah and feeling like it’s a bit pointless attending when I’m a total scruff and haven’t worked in a while etc 😭

However. I’m trying to look on this as self improvement rather than specifically being about the job (being pragmatic that it’s not likely to go my way). Facing my fears and doing something I really don’t want to do in order to improve my life (and my family’s).

I discovered a recent song by one of my favourite Kpop groups yesterday - love it (may have listened to it a gazillion times on repeat) and realised after my interview email arrived that part of the English bit in the chorus actually says if you want to change, be not afraid - feels apt. ✊

Anyway. For now, I’m hiding in bed. Nobody else is awake.

(The “something I don’t want to do” being the scary, likely unsuccessful interview BTW, not the job itself/working in general which I would love to do!)

Sing- congratulations!

I recommend the careers/jobs section on mn.....i think I read every single post on thier before both my interviews.

Start a thread there as some very helpful people posted very good advice (i didnt post anything as i was too scared ....)

Clothes-
On both my zoom interviews I wore a A line Shirt dress. It figured the top half looks like a shirt, its fitted and stretchy at the top and loose at the bottom as its a skirt.
I will add a pic aa its still hanging up after my interviews.

You wilk be great Sing.
Honestly you will be.

Morning all,

Sing - I saw a thread recently about the interview question "what do you feel your biggest achievement is" and how women particularly find it hard to think of anything. It might be worth thinking about that one.

Zoo - saw this on FB and thought of you

Friday 2nd July

Today's flight plan is here

Our mission is to clear the dining table of clutter. Friday's weekly task is to declutter your handbag and car if you have one.

Babystep Number 2 is Get dressed to lace-up shoes - a controversial one as many don't wear shoes around the house. The idea is to get dressed / hair / make-up even if you're not going out and it will make you feel more on top of things and ready to hit the ground running.

Morning all.
Sing congratulations on getting the interview! They are always nerve wracking. Could you do a fake practice one with your DH?
Up and ED my DH has closed the shop on the baby front. I'm hoping he will change his mind when this one is a bit older.
That how are you doing? Hope you are recovering well

I've decided this month is the month I deep clean my house. Still in bed drinking coffee, but the to do list for today is brewing. Will be back with today's ta das later. These are Yes Ta Das:
💥Rubbish out to the bin
💥Beds stripped and remade
💥Kitchen cleaned

Now, I need to finish my coffee first.

Sing- I know everyone dresses differently but this is what I wore. Its about 2 years old from Tkmaxx.

Yesterday, at home, my brother spent the day trying to help me organise the toys, books and paperwork in the downstairs of the house. Its looking alot better. We have 2 large suitcases filled. I think i will need another 2 suitcases. Its already easier to wipe down and clean everything. So grateful for the help but my blurry eyes are back. Last night i was struggling to open my eyes...too much light...? This morning blurry eyes....fuzzy head....have had to put my glasses on.
Need to crack on again today and blitz house and do upstairs. I need energy. ⚡

Mc- I think most Dh think 'no more kids for a while.' He might change his mind when cutie Mctiny starts walking.

That- hope you are ok lovely and BabyThat.

🍒👋everyone hope you all are ok!
Back later

Congrats Sing - need to work on your confidence now - yes lots of prep on answers etc but also just managing to come across as yourself and a good person to work with.

Thus far:
-animals dealt with
-lol done and hung out
-yesterday's laundry folded
-dw rotated
-emails dealt with

Going to chill with coffee for a bit now but try not to let that turn into a whole day wasted.

DH closed the door initially too Mc (although to be fair to him I did for a bit too). He started to mellow to the idea more recently when he saw DD playing with other DC and when we’ve had my DN round and it’s kept her quiet happy. He’s now really excited. Plenty of time for him to change his mind (once he starts to forget the baby days ), but if he doesn’t there are definitely benefits to a lovely only.

Hope teeny tiny That is settling in well. More in case you need it.

Massive congratulations on the interview Sing. You must be in with a chance or they wouldn’t bother to interview you. Good luck!

So far today I have deposited DD at nursery, had beans on toast and have demolished an ironing mountain. Unfortunately now I have sat down. I have 2 hours to pack, make the house less bomb site-like and spruce myself up a bit before we have to pick DD up and head off. But I’m very comfy.

I’m going to break it all down in hope of finding some motivation:
🖊 pack for me and DD (DH will throw his stuff in a bag when he finishes work at lunch time)
🖊 load the car with camping gear and bags
🖊 empty and reload the DW, wipe benches
🖊 strip and remake our bed, set off WM (lovely MIL is going to sort drying it when she visits the cats)
🖊 tidy living room
🖊 tidy DD’s room
🖊 s&s x 2
🖊 hoover and mop
🖊 shower, hair wash, defrost legs, make up

Think it’s just about achievable. Getting up now I promise!

Ooh I’ve got something very similar to the Dancing, and I love it. Smart but comfortable. I used to love oasis for things like that and got some lovely smart tops and blazers from there, but it’s gone downhill since boohoo bought it I think.

Oops. I’m moving

Up camping while pregnant? You're a braver woman than I!

Dancing sounds like you're doing brilliantly - and hurrah to your brother for helping - but if your eyesight is troubling you, you're pushing too hard. Please be careful.

This morning has been brought to you so far by the words "Nope" and "can't". Had such an appalling night's sleep I dropped DD at work at five to seven this morning and went straight back to bed. Didn't surface til nearly ten! Have been sitting here since with coffee, dribbling over my new Leuchtturm bullet journal which arrived this morning. I cannot WAIT to plan something, although I think all the bumph about "mindfully curating your authentic lifestyle" is ... er... Bollocks, to use the technical term. I just need a planner that works for me so I don't keep dropping the balls I'm juggling.

Ta da
❤️ Big sleep

To do
🐧 Review DH'S Waitrose order
🐧 Stew fruit before we vanish under apples and rhubarb and pears
🐧 strip and wash our bedlinen
🐧 Remake bed
🐧 Do bullet journal stuff
🐧 Accept this week has been a holiday and start again on Monday!
🐧 Move my work stuff out of the study into the attic

I'm a bit concerned about DH. Before he went to the garden centre (this is going to be expensive in fish and plant terms, but he's taken his birthday and pocket money with him) he said he wanted to review the bookshelves that will be in his Zoom background for work, and curate them appropriately! I fear he has been taken by aliens and replaced with a Pod Person.

I would love to mindfully curate my perfect life if someone is willing to fund it?

Feeling totally stuck and have done nothing all day so far. Stupid anxiety.

Right. C’mon Sing buck up.

po3.1
❗️Make and eat a chicken sandwich (just got yummy seeded bread out of the freezer) and disappear upstairs to eat it because three stir crazy kids are driving me batshit
❗️Write a list of “what I need to do to prep for interview”
❗️Write out rough plan for DS’ year 8 home ed, complete with notes on what stuff I need to find out (exam boards, book contents etc)

The last one isn’t exactly essential before the interview, but the stuff is whirling in my head a bit so I figured it’s quicker to just do it and get it out in order on paper rather than manage that.

This will likely be done with a background of binge watching.

Ds was home ed for a few years but when he was younger sing - I feel quite daunted by the idea of doing it for year 8 so well done you. If you ever need any help ie. curriculum content, examples of schemes of work, resources etc let me know as I have access to quite a lot of stuff and specialists with brains to pick around me - that's if you're taking a national curriculum approach.

I have some not great but viable remote learning videos and resources I made for ks3 this year that I can share with you if you have any interest and promise not to laugh at me - mostly on Henry VIII through to Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada I think and the religious rollercoaster of the tudor era.

Chemist called and I can pick up my prescription after 2pm - yay - please god let these patches turn things around!

As to anxiety - I made some magnesium oil and slathered myself in it last night and got the best night's sleep I've had in ages and feel calmer today. If you have magnesium flakes that could be a way to go.

I'd love to do home ed tutoring remotely. I wonder if there's any market for it? I've done remote English lessons for kids in Moscow (just word of mouth - friends and friends of friends not a proper business) before and enjoyed it and after the last year I've gotten more confident with the tech side of things. Might be worth looking into.

honey anyone in mind to fund it?!
Sing you are doing so well lovely.i love see your posts and remembering waaaay back how different things were for you💞
Upfor some reason I thought I was read sing post on dh mellowing about babies!gave myself a right start there were even more babies coming(sorry sing)
Good luck camping
Willow yes,agree that's bollocks.i need organising but fear an army major and cattle prod might be necessary...
Dancing like the dress
Ed yep,sounds like zoo house

Tada
Dining table scrubbed
Kitchen surfaces wiped
Floors swept and mopped
2fez knitted,first since last Friday when I still felt ok☹️

Fielded call iass resulting email flurry and voicemail messages left

Lil zoo and D's had lunch(she's still tired,meh and headachy and willingly left tech downstairs to return to bed not school so knew wasn't faking!!)

Time for me to eat

I'd planned attempt cut grass pm,as long dd2 removes bird/mouse corpses as I can't see them well in grass and don't want decapitated creatures flying out back mower at me.alas she's still lay in bed procrastinating and it's clouding up so maybe an afternoon frantic knitting and watch TV instead

Realised will have get dressed,at least top half,for 4pm call with ED team for lil zoo..

The state is very stingy Zoo and the idea of marriage gives me hives so.... back to daydreaming about a lottery win or savings bonds win.

You have reminded me I spotted a bird corpse under my bike yesterday but didn't get round to getting rid of it. Bloody cat. If the door is open she brings them into me alive and I've rescued quite a few but this one didn't make it obviously.

Another job for the list. So:
-actually get dressed (sorry flylady)
-deal with corpse
-go to chemist
-apply patch and await miraculous transformation
-win the lottery