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This New Year, The Fledglings are Flying a new approach

824 replies

HillsBesideTheSea · 31/12/2021 16:54

Hello and welcome to new and old.

If you are new around here. Hi, introduce yourself around the fire pit in the naughty corner where we are all sitting comfortably. The naughty corner is decked out with comfy, and snacks, and a place just to have a chat when things haven't gone to plan. We are a very long running thread but do love new blood stopping by to join us.

Welcome to those who are returning.

We had a chat on the previous thread about possibly trying a new twist on the fly lady system. We all know that the fly lady system is good for establishing routines when we follow it. But we also know that sometimes we need a quick hit of a big declutter. And that life has a habit of throwing curve balls making it very difficult to stay on track.

So this is the plan. Each evening I will post the babystep, a thought point and the flylady daily focuses. We are not giving up on the fly lady system but just bringing it into line with the individuality of our lives, and trying to resolve some of the issues that comes from being the family brain, trying to do all the things and generally having modern busy lives. The thought point is to try to get you to think differently. And may require a click on a link (video), a discussion on the thread, or just you considering things. I do not promise it will make you feel better, or magically change your house straight away. But hopefully it will help with the overall flow and approach. And may just tweak the twee out of the fly lady system to the point where it is now your system.

But before you entirely regret your choices in letting my try this craziness we are going to start with some key basics that I really do think has been incorporated well into the Flylady system.

  1. the mess, disorder and chaos did not happen over night. Give yourself the grace and time to fix it. (also known as roman weren't built in a day so don't kill yourself trying to get your house immaculate in a day)
  1. Goals vs system.
We will go into this a little more shortly but to start, the fly lady system has an end goal - a house which is tidy and clean that comes second nature. It achieves it by building habits and routines that make the steps needed to achieve that goal second nature. There is a lot of research that says goals don't work, systems do. And systems are built on the formation of habits.
  1. You are never behind.
You might not be making the progress you would like, you may have taken a break. But you are not behind. So again, give yourself a break and drop the guilt. There is probably a reason why you have taken a break - illness, other demands on time, mental health etc etc. And yes some days it is an effort to make sure that everyone is fed and ok. But that is ok, so give yourself grace that on that day that was exactly what was needed and thus you succeeded in the essential goal of the day. guilt is just going to make things harder than it needs to be. It is ok not to feel guilty if you did not do all the things.

I will be back later with links for tomo. I am posting them in the evening the night before because some of us are morning people, and some of us are night people. And this way everyone will be able to see prior to when they need to consider it.

Come park your broom in the new thread for a little while and have a natter whilst we wait to bring in the New year.

OP posts:
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HazelNuttyElf · 09/01/2022 06:54

Sorry, today I sometimes forget the time difference 🤦‍♀️

HillsBesideTheSea · 09/01/2022 08:10

Morning.

FLying through as i need to be somewhere at 9 and i am in no state to leave the house (small matter of appropriate clothing needed).

Today's focus is renew your spirit.
Babystep is 5min room rescue
Launch pad is here

OP posts:
Redsquirrel5 · 09/01/2022 08:18

Thank you I will try for a photo later.
Slept well but woke from a very strange dream.

Zoo we haven’t heard much from you lately are you ok?

Hazel your family get together sound lovely.

BeanAnTae · 09/01/2022 08:22

Oh Red I hope the GP can get your tummy sorted.

Ds off for Covid shot today and DH take him for a burger and art gallery visit as a treat

Zone 3 starts today though I've now put the bathroom into the Home Bleurgh list and zone three consists of just the other bedrooms for me.

GrannyBattleaxe · 09/01/2022 09:03

Hi guys can I join you? I went to fly in on my broom waving enthusiastic newbie waves -but there seems to be a dormouse sleeping peacefully in it’s cobwebby centre 😁, I’ll tiptoe in instead.
We’ve unexpectedly acquired an extra child from social work, a true blessing but the housework has taken a far lesser priority to their emotional needs and it’s all highlighted how much I need more organisation, storage and systems!! We are groaning at the seams now.
My aim today is to shine my sink. And 5min rescue the living room before we go out to friends so it’s peaceful to come home to.

HillsBesideTheSea · 09/01/2022 09:12

Welcome GrannyBattleax do you prefer grannie or battleax as short hand?

PO3 - before leaving.
Laundry into machine
Dressed appropriately for 3 hour hike - will be on flat today so think it will involve wellies
leave for hike

PO3 when back.
Change clothes into dry and not muddy + eat lunch
unload and reload dw
Do a double check for any sneaky christmas decorations that may be trying to avoid being put into storage

OP posts:
IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 09/01/2022 09:17

Welcome, GrannyBattleaxe. Park broom and dormouse in the Naughty Corner and pull up a chair. Blankets to your left, refreshments to your right.

HillsBesideTheSea · 09/01/2022 09:22

I totally just sung that to the tune of whatever the song was that had the words "clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am " HmmBlush

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 09/01/2022 09:29

Well there’s worse places to be stuck in than the naughty corner :o

Welcome granny!

I’m so bleary eyed this morning. Not got up yet.

THATlittleCRACKER · 09/01/2022 09:34
THATlittleCRACKER · 09/01/2022 09:41

Happy birthday for yesterday wassailing Cake

Thanks for the praise peoples Grin uni module i am working on now is a slog, it doesnt seem to go in Sad Passed the essay for other module that was due in last week but not a great pass! Torn between desire to push for a 2.1 and thought of a pass will do Blush

Welcome new people!

SingToTheSky · 09/01/2022 11:33

Right. Bit of a slow morning but I’m showered and dressed, read a chapter of a novel too. Had a nice chat with DH which we don’t get a chance to do much these days (or more honestly we don’t make time to do much these days - must make more effort).

po3.1
❗️Decide plan for the day, when friend is leaving etc
❗️Overnight laundry into dryer
❗️Clean planner board

swallowedAfly · 09/01/2022 12:24

Hills Yes I know only too well - have had travel plans and flights cancelled twice already but am cautiously optimistic for this time.

Tada:
-took dog for a walk
-put rubbish and recycling out
-lol
-have done planning for the week ahead and sent printing remotely to photocopier to do tomorrow.

Not too bad for a Sunday morning.

Po3 to do:
-fold dry laundry
-hang out wet laundry
-put a load of laundry away.

I say push for a 2:1 THAT - hard work now but lots to proud of.

Welcome to newcomers - sorry I haven't really been keeping up very well. I can mostly be found in the naughty corner muttering fml and drinking too much.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 09/01/2022 13:27

Afternoon all! Thank you for lovely birthday wishes. I have decided I am having a Birthday Weekend, because I can, and am spending today Doing Planning Things. With pretty stationery and pens etc, as well as actually useful planning. Currently at the kitchen table with lovely birthday present coffee (very strong) and a slice of birthday ginger cake.

That well done on the essay! I'd say push for a 2:1 if you can, but I'm aware it's a very different thing to say that to a mother of 6 from an 18 yr old student with no responsibilities!

swallowedaFly that's exactly what the naughty corner is there for if you need it to be. Sounds like you are getting back on top of things and it's lovely to have travel to your other country to look forward to.

Sing that sounds like a very sensible PO3 for a day prepping for the rest of the week. Loving the marble run. I have still kept ours even though I am the only person that even thinks of getting it out now

Hills hope you are enjoying your hike and I have not given you an earworm for the rest of the day.

Hazel sounds like a busy day, but lovely to be able to eat with your ILs. How is your DM's replacement kitchen coming along? Does she have somewhere long-ish term to stay while it is all being sorted out?

Red I'm so sorry you're still feeling ill. Really hope the GP can sort it out for you, he's been very attuned to your health needs in the past I think?

Merry good luck accomodating all passengers and a tuba. Could one of you go on the roof rack? 😂

ED good luck with your absolutely mental week of meetings.

🍒👋 to SC, Mc, Up, foxes, zoo, Ladyrattles, frankie, Yes, Bean, Shannara, MrsT, Ready, Corsica, Neutral, Zireael, Friedegg, Letter and anyone else just joined, thinking of joining, still lurking or who has dropped out of my head (sorry, brain is full).

SingToTheSky · 09/01/2022 14:04

po3.2
❗️Write week up on the board - may need to change Caglets’ jabs because they amended the booking by text… to school hours 🤔 not ideal for DD1.
❗️Face up to my ever increasing January to do list and see what DH and I can work on today or when phone lines open tomorrow
❗️Replace phone screen protector

Will also get DS to put his laundry on. DH will be taking Cagletini to asda shortly (unfortunately this is about as exciting as her life gets right now - still need to work on the family fun!) so will probably make a little shopping list for her too, she likes finding things from the pictures.

Feeling something of a sense of niggling urgency about all the BRCs we still have (for newbies this means Box/Bag of Random Crap) in the house. I just feel like nothing is really going to change while we have them. Need to banish the chaos for good and make sure everything we need has a home.

SingToTheSky · 09/01/2022 14:12

Scratch that last one, the box I thought was a two pack of screen protectors was in fact the empty one from DS’ phone SPs. I’m now wondering 1. Why the heck that was still around and 2. Where on earth is the new box?! It arrived with a Christmas present so it’s likely in our room somewhere.

CBA to look now so I’ll change point 3 to
❗️Sort some recycling in our room and put up a phonics poster which is among the papers

Stilllivinginazoo · 09/01/2022 14:43

grannybattleaxe welcome
Red lots going on lovely,but I'm still "here"
Hope you get your tummy sorted
That🏅
Hazel cleaning is hardly time to yourself

Again forgotten what else was going to say,think I need start taking notes as I read thru on my phone...

Well decided I need stop wallowing in restrictions if what zoolets eat and start a menu plan again.eat meal involves one "safe" food to fill up on but at lease we have exposure to other things and enough careful planning across the day should add a decent range of nutrients
"D"p has appeared to take us sainsbo.
been,shop,put away cold stuff
Lunch
Put away rest stuff
Lol on
Need clean house it's a sty,but sooo fricking tired☹️
Think I need a mini nap first
Bin day tom,i need get stuff done so dd2 can do her weekend chore of bins out(and sort recycling for collection tom)
Need to chivvy D's and lil zoo with weekend chores(tidy hall and sweep stairs respectively)

Not looking forward to the morning chaos as he's decided to stay til teatime tom and smooth organised flow don't happen when he's here try talk to the when they are supposed to be following the usual routine things don't get done,stuff gets forgotten and he just gets in the way...I may have to get up extra early to be more in step with everything ...

Plan tom is a tip run,chazza run and to acquire lil zoo new undergarments

HillsBesideTheSea · 09/01/2022 14:54

SAF - may i recommend swear about the fuckers, (fuckers who don't know how to put their washing up in the kitchen/leave toys everywhere etc etc etc) It is far more satisfying that fml.

Wassailing - caught the nice weather. nearly 4hr hike. Got a little chilled so retired to a fleece onsie. Now all i have to do is navigate the washing up and not end up soaked. Them spoons and grill pans are tricky!

Sing ds' school is doing catchups for the vaccinations the next few weeks, has your school got similar going on? Good luck with getting the jabs sorted.

I should probably stop procrastinating. Huge to do list to do.

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 09/01/2022 15:24

Damn, lost a post.

Hills it was ok thanks luckily DH had misread the message saying about the change of location - he saw “12-15” and assumed it was the time not the fact it’s a 12-15 year old clinic 🤣🙄 so all good.

Relaxing in front of a movie now

SingToTheSky · 09/01/2022 17:11

Right. Movie finished (Encanto - DD1 is obsessed but I’ve not actually managed to watch it properly myself until now… they’re now listening to the soundtrack and building the house from the film together on minecraft)

Best crack on though.

po3.3
❗️Laundry away
❗️Wrap DH’s birthday presents (not for over a week but the last one arrived the other day so may as well) and tidy/put away wrapping paper box
❗️Gather practical science stuff in a box and put books back on shelf

Redsquirrel5 · 09/01/2022 17:23

Here is some photos of two of the cakes.
DS1
DS2 I found some green dust.
Both have a sprinkling of silver dust.
DS2 has fondant icing on the sides and Royal Icing on the sides. DS1 has all Royal Icing as requested.
DS3 doesn’t like icing.
Ours needs to dry out marzipan a bit more. Probably do it tomorrow.

I feel they are more Winter cakes. Both Delia’s recipe. 1. Classic 2. Creole. DS3 Australian Women’s Weekly Golden Christmas Cake same as mum used to make.

I woke up a bit late but hurried self to dress with shoes to go to Mass. Felt unwell just before going, stomach ache and a bit spacey/ dizzy. Stayed home and watched on line. Iced cake 2 and put lunch on in between. Roast potatoes, sweet potato, onions, red cabbage and cauliflower ( for DH) small piece of Sirloin picked up from SCs favourite supermarket in the bargain end for £8:65. Beautiful.
Finished cake. Set table and it was ready. Received important phone call. Argh! Only took about 5 mins and DH started dishing up.

Welcome Grannybattleaxe* you will find this a friendly haven.

Thanks for the concern. I am going to ring on Tuesday and asked for my ‘Regular GP’ he went through the tests etc last time. Pain in right side again today. Otherwise I think a course of antibiotics is worth a try to see if it is an infection in my bowel. I really could do with a ‘ hands on’ examination. He is my best bet.

Zoo hope he isn’t too disruptive and the teens step up.

Sing enjoy relaxing. I am doing the same. Back to busy Sundays next week.
Wassailing I can’t get that image of Merry and the tuba on the roof rack. Tad cold for that.🤣

This New Year, The Fledglings are Flying a new approach
This New Year, The Fledglings are Flying a new approach
This New Year, The Fledglings are Flying a new approach
merryhouse · 09/01/2022 17:41

Ha! If it came to that I would be doing the driving...

but as it turns out S1 has decided to take the train on Thursday instead. We would probably have got him there in time for his quarter peal on Saturday morning but I think he prefers the independence.

The panettone was ok but I won't bother buying any again unless it's under 75p (definitely wouldn't pay the original £7 for it). Presumably the True Panettone Lovers would tell me that I just haven't tried a good one (they're probably right, it was from Tesco).

TaDa
picked up S2 from Girlfriend's at 8:45am
rang for morning service
heated up soup and sliced naan-recipe loaf
washed up
ate Panettone

I have Renewed My Spirit today Grin - though still haven't read a book. We might be playing a game after dinner, depending on what the boys want. Otherwise it's Call the Midwife and Lovely David Being Lovely.

H has just handed me a glass of parsnip sherry so it's probably time to think about laying the table (he's cooking Vastly Reduced leg of lamb). Night all! (hope "d"p doesn't drive you to distraction zoo)

Mc3209 · 09/01/2022 20:22

How is it the end of the weekend already?

I managed to stay afloat with the house and the to do list. Ta das over the weekend:

*Rubbish and recycling out
*Hoover downstairs
*Mop the floors
*Endless LOLs - all put away, and not just dumped into the 'laundry cot'!
*Quickly degreased the oven, washed the silicone liner, put top iron thingies from the stove top through the DW
*General kitchen clean and tidy up
*Bathroom S&s. Haven't done any proper zone work in there yet though
*Fishtanks sorted
*Plants watered
*Nursery bag ready. My handbag ready
*Meal plan for the week and food shopping done

Hills I want a fleecy onesie too
Wassail happy belated birthday! Ginger cake sounds amazing.
That congratulations! If you have it in you, I would definitely push for 2:1. Potentially it will mean more options for you in the future (of course depending on what you want to use your degree for).

Enthusiastic waves to everyone.

I need some alone downtime. Weekends and evenings are so full on now DS is older, I need to recharge my batteries every now and again. I want few hours to sleep alone. That would be good.

Mc3209 · 09/01/2022 20:23

Merry parsnip sherry! Now we are talking 😊

THATunorganisedMUM · 09/01/2022 20:49

Nameeeee changeeeee