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Housekeeping

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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.

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swallowedAfly · 18/01/2022 12:35

Well done Sing - definitely relax. I've spent way too long looking into dental plans and treatments online and am close to running late. Got a feeling those returns won't make it today because I'm down to enough time to run round and get ready to leave on time - not to faff around with packages. Please remind and nag me about them so I do get it done on my next day off.

SingToTheSky · 18/01/2022 13:27

Thanks fly I am glad I had a quiet hour TBH. Must get moving now!

po3.2
❗️Decide on the topic and resources for today’s maths lesson
❗️Read email about student loans
❗️Sort towels once this lot is dry, and bag up some spares for the animal sanctuary

DH turned out not to have my card on him so we’ve got gift cards instead of a refund but still at least that’s sorted. Will aim to get the decathlon one done before the end of the month.

swallowedAfly · 18/01/2022 14:34

I think the rest of my day may be horizontal. Was hard work getting blood out today - much squeezing of buttocks etc and my machine kept beeping about low flow and then afterwards I felt really faint and had to be tipped back in the chair with head lower than heart or whatever it is.

Taken a very slow walk home and am now in bed. Instructions to rest and drink lots of water. Blood donor centre nurses are both lovely and bossy!

Going to have a good rest then see about doing my next set of marking. Life is so circular - dw, lol, marking, order food, put rubbish out, feed animals, clear up fur balls, lol, dw............ Looking forward to going away at Easter.

HillsBesideTheSea · 18/01/2022 14:52

Fuck me you lot are chatty... Grin

don't mind me, I have been without internet for a few days. And I am just going to take a very long nap in the naughty corner before i even attempt to catch up.

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swallowedAfly · 18/01/2022 15:40

Welcome back Hills - did you take over the world whilst left without internet? (Sadly I just tend to rediscover reading when mine goes.) I'm afraid a lot of the thread use is me having a nervous breakdown and moaning.

Just watched another 'Sort your life out' and it really does make me emotional. It makes me want to just throw loads of stuff out. Feeling a little bit better for lying down for an hour. Will put that to the test by standing up and trying to immediately get at 5 items of clothing into the bag for donating before going to the toilet and filling up my water jug in the kitchen. Hopefully no room spin.

Redsquirrel5 · 18/01/2022 16:23

Put blanket over Hills

Hi,
Well SC has about summed up my boudoir. The same thing happpened stuff moved in to tidy rest of house. Been going through boxes and baskets.
What do you do with cards? I have been sorting through and I have loads. Mainly from the kids but also some from mum, sister abroad, sister’s here and a few from BF that are either really funny or very beautiful. Some the college bestie who I still see when we can manage.

I am going to try and put them all in one box ( might be more due to 4DC and my age) and go through a few more times. Sorted some today and also reorganised my cards I make into Christmas and birthday. I plan to give some to a charity but they won’t want Xmas ones just now.

Going to see if I can reach the wardrobe and dust tops.

Sc also sympathise re sizes of clothes. I have lost a bit though so hope to keep it going down.
Thanks for gynae thoughts. GP is pretty on the ball and said possible ovary trouble and repeated possibility when I saw him. I had looked it up last night and a few examples which sounded very like the pain I am having. I did also say to him I think it might be two things going on just unfortunate both coinciding. He is keeping that in mind. Dilemma is that I have not gone for booster because I felt sure that he would phone with my results today. I might go and try in last half hour of walk in. However DH says the pharmacy I use has started doing them so going to check that out.

Ladyrattles will let you know what I have tried. I nearly bought that chocolate pud but went for the cheesecake instead. Have you tried the Gu chocolate cheesecake vegan mmmmmm!

Sing sounds like you nailed it. I’m not surprised.

Ed thanks for taking over for Hills.
Up you sound organised it is just getting the feeding and poonamis timed. I’m sure they ‘know’ !

Zireal hope you enjoyed your 🎂 birthday.

Zoo it comes and goes I was really fed up last night/ early hours.

Aiming to do another hour of sorting.

HillsBesideTheSea · 18/01/2022 18:01

Actually most of the time was spent trying to help ds who is very much his age, and like most his age rather prone to some stupid decisions; which as is the norm for most kids basically mum ends up with an extra to do list to try to help with the sorting of the mess. In short I am uber grumpy, stressed and tired. Taking over the world would have been a damn sight easier and less stressful; and i would have sorted that mess and be ready for a nice sit down and coffee to enjoy the end result already if it was just taking over the world.

Teenagers are bloody hard work sometimes!

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 18/01/2022 18:02

ED thank you for taking over the last few days! it is very much appreciated Flowers

OP posts:
Redsquirrel5 · 18/01/2022 19:03

Yep, most teens are hard work.

ExtremelyDetermined · 18/01/2022 21:17

You're welcome Hills, hope things are getting back on a more even keel now.

I've had another admin-heavy evening (various committee tasks) but hopefully broken the back of it all now. Not much Flying but I am making a real effort to do bits of cleaning and tidying sooner rather than letting them spiral into a worse state.

HazelNuttyElf · 18/01/2022 22:41

hills good to see you! Teens are hard work 💐 for you, along with a stiff drink 🍹
Sing well done with impressing your boss

Ta Das:
✂️ haircut & colour (roots mainly)
✂️ removed all bedding from my bed, washed mattress protector
✂️ put baking soda on mattress (left it on for an hour) to deodorise
✂️ washed sheets
✂️ put mattress protector back on bed, along with sheets
✂️ washed comforter from my bed (currently in the dryer)
✂️ washed towels
✂️ deep cleaned both bathrooms
✂️ dusted master bedroom
✂️ wiped surfaces in master bedroom with method cleaner
✂️ dusted & wiped down surfaces in living room
✂️ washed DDs bedding

I'm currently sitting down, watching Queer Eye on Netflix, before I finish up for the day

Redsquirrel5 · 18/01/2022 23:57

No phone call.

This afternoon I started on decluttering. I did one whole box and a basket.
Took down the hat boxes from the wardrobe and dusted them and the wardrobes.
Put the box and basket in the hall so I can see what else needs moved.

LOL towels and tea towel.
Washed up tonight and wiped worktop.
Organised meds’ for the week.
Plan to do an hour or two in the boudoir tomorrow just slow sorting.

Hazel great list you deserve a sit down.

Slingingcontest · 19/01/2022 00:15

Good to see you back Hills! I agree that negotiating with teens can be very taxing! Flowers

Well done re : admin ED! I agree that cleaning done in timely manner is half the battle! (Currently, it is taking me twice as long to turn the tanker around!)

Impressive list Hazel

Glad gp on the ball Redsquirrel and is considering all possibilities! I chuck most cards but keep a few treasured ones in "treasure box" or for my notice board.

Swallowedafly Not at all, one of the purposes of the thread is to be able to vent, and anyway I think I take title as Moaner in Chief! Grin Well done for giving blood. I am not allowed to do so over here owing to living in uk in 80s during time of mad cow. Take it steady Flowers

Well you can knock me down with a feather; I actually managed some decluttering today (outside of usual routines I mean). I hated it. But I did it! For a good few hrs too!

I am now very, very tired as I worked this am, and did three dog walks alone as dh (unusually atm) is away overnight for work. Dd and I cooked together this evening and watched half of Sense & Sensibility and it was nice! Smile And I am (stupidly) still up late enjoying having sole control of remote! Must go to bed! G'night all!

SingToTheSky · 19/01/2022 00:36

ta da
🍏shower
🍏hosted workshop on zoom
🍏1hr maths lesson and got enough resources to use next time too
🍏DLMS
🍏reading
🍏maths with DD1
🍏helped DD1 with hair dye rinsing

I am shattered and spent much time being grumpy today. PoTS flare is kicking my arse big time, beta blockers doing nothing anymore - getting really annoyed with it as well as with people being peopley.

Lots to do tomorrow that I’ve been procrastinating over. Yay for wednesdays.

Night all x

HazelNuttyElf · 19/01/2022 04:16

SC I'm like you, I can't donate blood even though I would love to, due to the time frame of me living in the UK.
Red bummer that you didn't get the phone call. Well done on the progress you have made. I need to do some decluttering and organising too.
Sing sorry people were being peopley

More ta das:
🍹 vacuumed main floor
🍹 sprayed carpet refresher throughout
🍹 re-vacuumed once that was dry to fluff it back up
🍹 one more LOL

We went out for dinner tonight to celebrate DD graduating. A few days late, but was the best time due to our work schedules. Tomorrow is my last day off, there's still a few more LOLs to do, but it should be a more relaxing day overall.
🍒👋 to everyone

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/01/2022 05:55

🏅 for sing decluttering
Sc my room also a dumping ground
Redhope the call comes today
Hazel hope you get some time to yourself as it's last day off today!
Hills teens are HARDWORK

My day went a bit tits up
No sensitive kibble in Asda (has been on offer) Waitrose sell all that brand bar sensitive.bugger."d"p was ment to come,so could've venture pets at home which is about 20 mins away by car.sidnt show.not answering calls or messages.i can't cope with the worry of a depressed person not contactable.he has had form for this before,so tried shut down the worry on it
DS in state about school
Lil zoo went head of year with guy pain,who said do two lessons and come back.she did so they rang me.lil zoo hesitate over whether try more lessons or come home,so was sent to lessons.crued apparently and was v upset when got in...school asked me chase doc and surprisingly they were fab agreeing to chase camhs support,ask her ASD assessment to be bump up list and the offer laxatives if needed stands(she won't take as wouldn't go school with unpredictability that would bring)

On positive DD test went better than she could've hoped and the Russian history one for today was check and rechecked by me.her capacity to remember dates etc astounds me!with this boost of confidence she started planning sociology notes as has that and eng Lang thursday.also for bonus boost she was in bed before 11 second night running!

Today's to do
Get DS to go to school
Try get lil zoo in(,expecting double there,)
Tackle front room I never did yesterday
Laundry mountain
And my room]

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/01/2022 05:56

*gut pain

swallowedAfly · 19/01/2022 07:09

Morning Zoo - hope lil zoo is cooperative about school.

Hills Oh yes, utterly exhausting sometimes!

I managed to clear out a lot from my closet thanks to Sort Your Life Out inspiration yesterday so that was good.

Just trying to inspire myself to start marking for an hour or so. I've got so much to do and if I could get a set done before school that would be a great help - even half a set really so I'm going to do that next.

Relatively (for me) early start at work today and lots of 'learning walks' ie. random slt walking into your lesson to check up on you and freak you out going on so need to double check I've got everything I need and am fully sure of what I'm doing. Home stuff on the back burner till tonight/tomorrow.

HillsBesideTheSea · 19/01/2022 08:34

Wednesday is Anti-procrastination
launch pad

babystep : timer to focus, appreciate what is around you
(not sure why she feels reading emails is a reward for completing your morning routine?! Confused )

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SingToTheSky · 19/01/2022 10:01

Morning everyone. Slow start here - I need to get up now. Haven’t done morning routine stuff. Turns out DD1 isn’t in school yet either. Again. She was dizzy this morning. Again. 😩

po3.1
❗️Dressed and breakfast (clearly a slow day when that’s back on the list rather than being automatic!)
❗️Make sure DS is getting on with work of some description
❗️Volunteer call at 10.30

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/01/2022 10:16

My life is running off the rails
Lil zoo is refusing talk/move etc
DS had had exposure to covid at school.hes currently had one Vax only,which proven no protection and has asthma which us currently playing up
There's a lot more I'm not keen to divulge on here...
Not sure if will keep posting or dip for a few days

HillsBesideTheSea · 19/01/2022 10:40

zoo take care of yourself. Dip in and out as you need/desire.

I am not going to be about much this week. Massive upheaval around here this week thanks to the teen. My to do list is growing exponentially thanks to having to support him. He has gone back to bed and thrown the covers over his head. Hmm

Oh and apparently we have the builders back on monday to fix stuff.

Can I scream yet?!

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 19/01/2022 11:45

po3.2
❗️Log on to laptop for emails etc
❗️Move laundry on
❗️Make sure DS does maths and English

SingToTheSky · 19/01/2022 13:07

po3.3
❗️Sort rest of towels as didn’t get the chance last night - friend picking up donatable ones soon
❗️Two parent carer enquiries (phone calls then emails)
❗️Lunch

Ladyrattles · 19/01/2022 16:02

Having a bad couple of days. You can't tell I've ever cleaned this house at all. ADHD/Dyslexic child and ASD/Dyspraxic child have been particular whirlwinds of devastation as they have both been baking something & cooking the last couple of nights, which involves 100g flour on the floor and 1tsp of oil on the walls. All three kiddos have taken a million showers based on the towels everywhere, and using a gazillion toilet rolls based on the cardboard tubes everywhere. DH and the dog have left mud everywhere. The dog has also raided the recycling and dragged it into the office. The cat has shucked out half the litter all over the landing. And there's Martian dust over everything as we live on an active building site. Throw in Menopause palpitations & insomnia and it's been fun. Sorry for rant.