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.

And before anyone asks - i am even allergic to surgical tape stuff that people aren't supposed to be allergic too. I am an overachiever

Ugh. Just lost a long post.

zoo there's an event this weekend but the main wedding and reception is next weekend.

sing the radio programme is lovely. JK Rowling talks about the beginning of Harry Potter and talks about the notebooks she used at the time and reads things out from them. It's a warm, humorous chat between the two. I listened it with my headphones. It felt like a cosy chat. I'm like you, I never have the radio on normally as it makes me want to stab someone.

No flying done today. Have collapsed on sofa. Everything can wait till tomorrow. Just got to sort out DS bedtime routine (yes, he may be a big hulking teenager but he still needs his bedtime routine)

Evening all, I'll have to look out for that JKR programme too, I was never a big HP fan but I decided to try the Strike books last year and am well and truly hooked, that woman is amazing.

Zoo - I was thinking about you earlier when you mentioned going out for bread again, we have started subscribing to a bread box, the company is called Earth and Wheat, they send out boxes of bread products which have would otherwise be binned, they are fresh but rejected by supermarkets for either being wonky or just surplus to requirements, it's £6.99 for a mixed box full of wraps, crumpets, naan bread etc delivered to your door, nice and easy, you get about 7 packets in your box.

I am so tired. Much less hectic day today but still busy, kitchen is coming along. Plumbing done today, actual fitting starts tomorrow. Have had to push back the date for flooring, we want that to be after everything else is done in case it gets damaged.

Flying wise, just trying to keep on top of basics at the moment, 1 x LOL done, DCs helped sort and put away yesterdays, also put away some of the holiday stuff (beach towels etc).

Sounds great yup
I really need to try the strike books. I have too many books on my TBR (to be read) pile though so I really do need to work through the physical books first (kindle books don’t get in the way so much…)

Been looking at textbooks a bit more online, especially maths. Think I might have finally found the range I need (which would be helpful for DS, for supporting DD1 at school, and potentially for use in my tutoring) so that’s exciting. But I also need to think about what to buy when.

Posted too soon 🤦🏽‍♀️ Really hope you’re ok hills 💐

I should probably sleep as I have tutoring in the morning. 9am didn’t feel too early when we agreed on that as a lesson time. I have regrets. 🤣

The bathroom looks huge as DD1 moved all the stuff out of it. Just too frazzled and tired this evening to start the wall prep (a few stubborn bits of paper left, and the filler; also I wanted to do the bleach/bicarb stuff on the grouting etc) so hopefully we can crack on tomorrow.

Me too sing me too.

Yeah the breathing is improving. the problem is the trigger is dust and i have a house prep deadline of Sunday night which means all the dust. Sat on top of a hill with cloud swirling around me, was a lot of fun. the air was cool and crisp and moist so was much easier to breathe. There are tips and tricks to managing this. And i have been playing this game a while, so i know more than most of the specialists who are floundering at my medical complexity. I am so grateful that I am not my specialist I would be horrified.

ta da
moan about health
speak to gp about a plan
moan about lack of plan
sulk on a hill
create a template for some implending explosion of research.
wonder how the hell it got to be midnight and consider sleep

productively unproductive. flylady would be horrified.

I have been awake since 2am. This is the second night of hardly any sleep. Stupid achey bones/joints.

Hills- 'Sat on top of a hill with cloud swirling around me,'
I have a lovely image of the cloud and the fresh air, sounds lovely.
I am sorry the dust has triggered your health problems. I really hope you feel abit better after sitting on your hill.

Red- lovely you are back. Hope you had a lovely cup of tea. Aww glad the chickens where ok when you got back. Sorry about the person who dulled the mood on holiday.

Sing- great you have found the Maths books you need. Fab your dd said she wanted to do Maths over the summer. I need to start the phonics learning and writing or my little boy is going get futher behind.

Ed- my goodness you have so much going on! Wow great your is going to be fitted tomorrow! What colour units have you chosen and what type of flooring are you going for?

Zoo- how are you? I am sorry to hear that afternoon naps are not helping you. You sound exhusted. I have been thinking of you as when I get exhusted and over whelmed I have been stopping to watch tv. I manage 4 mins before I have to get up to help the kids or the washing machine beeps or I see something that needs sorting. I have got into watching Hawaii O five, which suprised me as its not the kind of program that I would have chosen in the past. And wondered where has Mcgyver gone?

Hazel- hope your bbq went very well.

Foxes- hope you are ok?

Yup- I love JKR as I love the HP books. I made sure my kids saw me reading them. They are only little and can recognise the books and my 5yrold tried to read it.
I will try and find the radio 4 interview. I liked watching the British Library program which featured JKR. So interesting how the books evolved.
I dont even know what Strike is about- this is going to sound silly but, is it in the same writing style as the HP books? If it is, then I will read them. I love books that have series.

Honey- hope you have had a good day too.

Mc- did i read you are making fish gel?

Half- how are you?

That- hope you are ok too.

Tadas:
Called universal credit and got into my account for the 1st time.
Wrote all usernames and passwords into my diary so when I forgot its all there. (This has been a lifesaver - (Thank you Hills bujo.) Esp on holiday when my phone network cancelled my phone contract. I had taken my diary and had all my details with me.)

Tadas
🐯Slow start to day as dd had nightmares of tigers 🤦‍♀️ so i hardly slept monday night.
🐯Txt neighbour to offer tutoring. My neighbour was very suprised and happy. She said they are going on holiday for a week and could they start after that?
She then asked why I am not still in teaching. I dont know how to explain how difficult it is teaching a subject that is not valued and you could be thrown into teaching nearly any subject in secondary (this happened regularly in the schools I taught.) because they need staff in other areas. Nope...as my sister said...you dont need that kind of hell in your life again. She left teaching too. Loved working with the kids, but school politics is beyond awful.

🦁Lolx2 and put away at the kids bedtime.
🐯Made a start on the dusty main bedroom. Around the dressing table random boxes and bags of brc. Clothes, baby gym, baby mobile so much dusty stuff.
🐯Moved serveral bags into the downstairs WC and will sort and donate.
🐯Vacuumed. Got 1/3 left to sort then it will be cleared.
🐯Told dh my friend is coming around please clean the hob and splash back. He made a fryup on sunday and left everything - yuck.
🐯swept the kitchen/dining floors
🐯Tidied shoes under the stairs.
Thought of a nice storage solution.
🐯played boardgames with the kids.

To do
🦁Pack away all junk on kitchen worktops. Including the toaster. Wipe.
🦁Wipe my dusty ceiling (cant see its dusty but just know it is.)
🦁Wipe kitchen fronts.
🦁Mop floor.
If this is done, i will be very happy as i need a clean and tidy house.

🍒👋everyone lots of teas and coffees in the naughty corner.
Sorry for the very lenghty post!

dancinghope you got more sleep
Hills in many a situation stubborn and sense of humour that verges on warped has kept me going.i see you are the same
Singhave you picked a colour for bathroom?
Edinteresting...if weren't for fact wholemeals a no-no with IBS tummies I'd have given that a go.hope today goes smoothly in kitchen land

Morning!
Must get going - spent too long browsing on my phone although usefully I saw a post from another local charity about two part time vacancies, so I have emailed to get the job specs for those.

po3.1
❗️Meds and breakfast
❗️Prep stuff for lesson
❗️Zoom rescue

Weds - Anti Procrastination Day

Flight Plan here flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60

Mission is detailed dusting of the living room.

Zoo - the only wholemeal thing we have had is wraps. This week we had 10 crumpets, 1 pack pittas, 1 pack small naans, wholemeal wraps, white wraps, pack of thick pancakes (drop scone type, sweet).

Phew, lesson done. Went really well. I’m so so glad I’ve finally ventured into the world of online teaching! That wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t had to isolate a few weeks back, and my friend agreed her son could try zoom lessons instead of coming round that day.

CBA to do another power of three just yet but I do need to make a couple of homework sheets today and there’s so much other admin I should be doing.

If anyone knows where my get up and go has buggered off to I'd be obliged would send the little fucker back

Tada
Fed cats
Wash on
30 mins sit quiet debating whether lay down or just
phone scroll
Breakfast(crumpets)
Wash hung on airer
Remind D's feed birds
DS room clean day-he went up to sort laundry)tidy
All I ended up doing clear up furball and check laundry in right piles!
Wash on
Lay down scrolling half hour

Annoyed with myself but everything aches and feels so damn heavy.and the exhaustions driving me nuts as sleep ain't making it better.getting v frustrated.any suggestions?

Weldone Sing for doing your online lesson!

Ed- I think the bread online bread is a great idea. I recently got produce from a local seller that was perfectly fine but the label had been printed wonky so would be rejected for the shop. I picked up some veg too, and its been perfectly in date. Nice to do something to avoid waste. Its a shame this shop is very far from where i live.

po3.2
❗️Move laundry on and put a new LOL in
❗️Make and send maths homework
❗️Check four more games for completeness and decide on keeping/selling

Afternoon. Hope you're feeling a bit better Hills

I've been and had my blood taken at the hospital and I have rotated the dw - kitchen was horrendous and still is but at least the dw is full and running.

About to try and put frontline on the dog and the cat as both are scratching again and then I need to clear the floor in my bedroom, get out crap that shouldn't be in here and strip the bed, hoover and then seal it up and let off a flea bomb. I also have a good spray to use in a day or two to really get in the carpet and skirting edging - I think my last blitz just tamed them rather than getting rid of the problem. I will wash the animals bedding with my bedding on a hot wash.

The only other carpet is landing and stairs and I have a rug in the living room and the sofa is fabric so all of that will need treating too. I'm really sick of myself not getting on and doing stuff. I've always been lazy but lately I just seem to have gotten overwhelmed and despairing of even starting to sort everything out itms. I want my house back to where I'm happy to let people in and ds can have a friend sleepover if he wants to.

Probably also a bit despairing because I went to the hospital with my mother who also needed blood tests and I don't think I heard one positive word escape from her lips. She moaned about everything non stop and as usual not so much as a, 'how are you?'. I found it really draining today. She even complained endlessly that an ambulance in front of us was driving slowly through the hospital grounds when they were probably trying not to jolt a bloody patient.

Now I'm moaning to you all because she moaned at me sorry.

Feel free to moan away Badger, it’s draining when people are like that. I’m with you in being overwhelmed. I’ve been pretty on top of things ever since I had DD, but pregnancy sickness has knocked me right back into old ways and I currently feel chaos knocking at the door. I’ve stupidly volunteered to host a family get-together (extended family we haven’t seen since pre-Covid) in a few weeks so really need to sort my life out.

Hope the consultant gets you sorted soon Hills, and you can avoid the dust as much as possible.

That is a very impressive list Dancing. Must have been very scary having to help your dad like that. He probably should speak to a GP about it to check there’s no underlying cause, and no point struggling if there are potential treatments.

Glad you at least semi enjoyed your time away Red. Sorry about the one woman who spoilt it.

ED that morning sounds absolutely exhausting! Hope kitchen fitting is going to plan.

Very mature of DD to commit to more maths Sing!

Zoo . Your get up and go has probably run off with mine. They need to get their arses back pronto.

Do not feel any guilt at getting a cleaner Willow. You have so much to do every day, you need to delegate. I would love one although it feels a bit too frivolous at present when we are saving for an extension and mat leave. I’m thinking once DC2 is at school and my childcare bill dramatically drops I will be hiring one straight away before that money is taken up elsewhere! Only 5 years to go

Big 🍒 👋 to Mc, That, Foxes, Hazel, Hope, Yup, Merry and anyone I’ve missed.

It appears baby brain has set in well and truly here. Despite having just read about Sing’s new addition Esmerelda I then immediately started scrolling back to find our new poster when Zoo welcomed her to the thread . I also tipped half a mug of cold tea over the bench and launched the empty mug into the sink instead of the other way round . Thankfully it didn’t smash but there was tea everywhere.

Ta Das so far:
✅ beds made
✅ an embarrassing quantity of empty glasses and rubbish carried down stairs
✅ both of us fed and dressed
✅ chicken out of freezer for tea
✅ DW set off
✅ few bits of random crap put away.
✅ DH’s forgotten lunch and work phone dropped off for him
✅ MW appointment
✅ popped to shop for milk and giant bar of Cadbury’s
✅ August’s budget/savings done
✅ sandwich for lunch.

DD has gone to MILs for her lunch and I’m enjoying the peace but need to find the motivation to do some flying while I’m on my own. Pointy stick anyone?

I don't poke those with exemptions,and pregnancy gets you that up
If mines gallivanting with yours,I wonder how many other fledgers have joined ours?...
Honey constant moaners are known in my house as soul suckers- suck you dry then when there's nothing left to offer will move on to moan at others.family or friend,soul suckers- literally suck the life out of you and I prescribe something you enjoy to help a reset take place mentally
Scoutcat has fleas,nothings shifting them and it's pissing me off as indoor girls are ok

Everyone's fed lunch.
Sun's out
I have achieved 3LOL as well all fed no one dead.not the list I built earlier in week before my little downturn and I'm feeling frustrated with that,but start accept I physically cannot do much more but that's ok.

Thanks.

Sorry for no personals but the Tesco delivery driver has just torn a massive branch of my tree - not torn it off it is twisted and all it's insides exposed and hanging on. I think he got caught on it somehow and then went backwards and forwards to dislodge but instead tore down the side of the tree. It is still attached and was lying in the road but he's twisted it around a bit more so that it is across the entry to my drive and only partially in the road.

He seemed really non phased by it and as if it was nothing - I had to say I don't drive or have tools or anything so what happens now because it can't stay in the road - that's when he pulled it round damaging the tree further and put it more across my drive than in the road.

So can't be doing with this. Had to push for him to tell me what the tesco procedure is and then he remembers he has a form he can fill out which I now have with their insurer's details. I have taken photos and presume I have to now call and email sending photos and jumping through whatever hoops.

Plus I feel quite sad for my tree and I expect it might have a protection order on it actually as we're in a conservation area.

Can someone please come adult for me whilst I open a beer and hide under my duvet?

Oh honey that sucks! How crappy of him, some people have no respect for nature 😩

I’m afraid I am utterly incapable of adulting for myself today let alone anyone else, but I’ll start building a blanket fort in the naughty corner…

I've emailed the insurers and attached photos.

Meh! Nothing more I can do for now I think. It's mostly off the road - just some smaller branches and foliage but nothing to obstruct anyone. Crazy thunder here.

My flying seems to have ground to a halt. I did the frontline on the animals and then the tree incident happened and now the sky has gone dark with the oncoming storm and it feels like bedtime.

Hopefully get a second wind (not that I really had a first) For now that blanket fort looks perfect. I'll bring beer (that I'm not supposed to be drinking because I'm trying to lose weight but... more meh).

Sorry I must be the crappiest fledgling ever. I do a lol and rotate the dw and call it an achievement

No Fledgling left behind Honey. That sounds particularly crap. We are in a conservation area too which does make anything to do with trees more complicated. It might be best to notify the council tree warden then no one can accuse you of anything. Not sure really.

You are definitely not a crappy fledgling! There have been months (years!) when I’ve been here purely for the chat and support while I do bugger all housework. There is a naughty corner for a reason :o

Speaking of which I’m in it today - haven’t sorted the games as I really can’t be bothered to try and check pieces with a curious 3yo around who will want to play with everything. I do at least need to move the laundry on. Dinner will likely be courtesy of deliveroo today.

Esmeralda is making me smile though. I haven’t yet decided where she’s going to live, so she’s on the table.