Following Flylady into September - Fledglings starting a new term

[EspeciallyDivided]

Welcome to the September Flylady Thread where we follow the Flylady routines for running our homes and lives. Links to the relevant parts of the Flylady site are posted each morning (most of the time - see naughty corner below). The Fledgling threads are long running, some have been posting for years some are new, all are welcome. Just jump in and ask if you don’t understand anything. The chat is an important part of the thread too, housework is not the be all and end all, we like to pass the time amongst friends while we get our houses in order.

This is not a strict thread but a gentle way of following the guidelines on the Flylady website without having to sign up the emails, which can become a bit overwhelming. Do as much or as litle as you can, there is no judgement here.

If you are new to the system start with the baby steps. These are designed to get you into a routine so you know longer think about doing the chores they are just habit. Set time, set day - do the thing. We do recognise that this is not a good system for quick decluttering and many of us in the past have combined this system with other systems for getting the heavy duty sorting out and cleaning out done. We don't judge.

Babysteps and household focus zones start again on the 1st of every month hence a new thread at the start of each month to keep things orderly. That is one of the great things about Flylady, you can jump in whenever because everything comes back round again soon. You are never behind.

Lastly we have a naughty corner - if you are struggling in any way this is a spot to join in the chat snuggled into comfy cushions with some nice drinks and nibbles until you feel ready to Fly again. So even if you have not lifted a finger around the house you can stay and chat. The thread leader may be found there from time to time putting the kettle on and plumping up the cushions.

Welcome to September.

This link www.flylady.net/c/lp.php is the Flylady launchpad. All the different parts of the system can be found here.

This is the Flighplan - the do do list which updates daily www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60

Babysteps are here www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/

ta da
hide the mismatched old cutlery which has already been replaced
rant about the people
warn that there will be signs in the kitchen - they have been requested and i have been reluctant to live in a kindergarten, but i broke and they will happen
check on fish, and feed
unload and reload dishwasher
have a rant about the tea cups which look like they have been steeped in tea for half a decade
provide a bowl for someone who couldn't find one this morning
make mental note to raid ds' room
sort out where the flying fuck the random bag of tinned goods is going to live
note the bowl of rancid butter has not been dealt with as promised - will go in the next load of DW once the butter has been disposed of
deal with the now blown carton of grape juice which was fine when found when the cupboards where turned out, and sigh; that it is something less that had to be dealt with - was supposed to be turned to jelly but not had time.
sort some banking stuff that could be done either online or in the app
find the stuff to do the has to be done in person banking stuff
make mental note that it is time to clean the fridge again wipe the bottom of the milk when you bring it in people
Sigh because the to do list is growing and not shrinking this morning
check the weather and decide to find somewhere inside to dry the laundry
put a load of white washing on

Right pain killers, actual food for breakfast, clothes and hussel butt out the door. I got me some errands to hobble around. Then i am going to find a quiet corner and focus on study. I think it might have to be pasta for tea tonight because it is lazy.

pompoms - i have a pair of autumn socks on the needle, and a cardi amongst other things
zoo how are the hands lovely?
ED how you settling in to the new fewer people routine?
Perry we both know that i am not going to do that hope you are feeling better

Hope everyone who is having tech problems can manage to sort them.

hills don't overdo it! You need to take care of yourself too 💐
willow 23 years! Happy anniversary for tomorrow 🥂
zoo how are your hands doing?
zireal your cake looks amazing, especially for a first attempt!
Now I've forgotten the other personals I tag on the previous page 🤦‍♀️ I'm sorry!

This weekend was lovely. I did traipse around multiple (7!) stores on Saturday searching for wine tumblers for ILs wedding anniversary. I did eventually find some, but no one had them! Strange.
We had them over for dinner that night: steak and shrimp, smoked potatoes and corn on the cobb, along with asparagus and salad. It went down well.
Sunday I just did grocery shopping, had a relaxing day. Watched a movie that night and popcorn was dinner! 😳 oops 😬
Monday I left work early, wasn't feeling right. I kept getting lightheaded before leaving for work, felt drained, and my stomach wasn't happy with me. I took a nap when I got home, made myself some soup and planted myself on the couch for the afternoon.
I did clean the stovetop thoroughly though as I felt better by 8:30pm & washed the handwash dishes (wasn't much to begin with)

Ta Das so far today (not quite 8am):
☕️ 1 cup of coffee consumed
Going to make myself a 2nd cup and get moving.
I didn't do much in the bedroom last week, so need to do some in there today.

To do:
🍁 make and drink 2nd cup of coffee!
🍁 wash sheets (ours & DS'S)
🍁 wash mattress protector
🍁 wash comforter (duvet)
🍁 dust bedroom
🍁 dust living room
🍁 wash blankets from living room
🍁 take dog to groomers (nails trimmed and anal glands expressed)
🍁 bathe dog
🍁 take DS to get his new lenses fitted in his glasses
🍁 S&S in both bathrooms
🍁 vacuum main floor
🍁 cook DH his eggs for the week, he has enough for this morning, so no need to hurry!

Oops 😬 read on the previous page, not tag 🤦‍♀️

Nice cake Zireael

Hope you're ok now Hazel

Hills that's a huge list I got tired just reading it

Envious of the crochet/knitting folks, I don't have the patience for it.

I've been busy the past few days:

🌍 cleaning skirting boards
🌍 hoovering under/behind furniture 😇
🌍 taking in parcels for everyone
🌍 washing all the spare blankets which have been collecting dust
🌍 tidying the living room
🌍 digital decluttering
🌍 clearing hotspots
🌍 shopping for new winter coat and boots
🌍 decobwebbing

tbf i do not have the patience to watch tv if i don't have a project in my hands. still is hard. true facts.

Ditzy yes, I am feeling much better, got my energy back! I think it was my body's way of telling me to allow down, even though my weekend was full of relaxing.
You have been busy too!

Ta Das (so far, at almost noon):
🦊 washed all mattress protectors and replaced on beds
🦊 DS sheets in dryer
🦊 our sheets in washer
🦊 dog taken to groomers for trimming nails and expressing anal glands
🦊 given dog a bath
🦊 laundry room filled up with dirty laundry 😒
🦊 S&S both bathrooms
🦊 dusted bedroom
🦊 dragged spare mattress back upstairs where it belongs after sitting in the basement for DS sleepover 3 weeks ago 😳

@GreenWillowAndCatkins any tips for staying married?

@HillsBesideTheSea autumn socks sound divine. I agree can't solely watch tv now.

@BloomingHazel love these 🍁🍁🦊🦊

Maybe I should deviate from my green ticks:

🍄 morning routine
🍄 afternoon routine even the exercise!
🍄 living room complete
🍄 procrastinating task complete (fix living room blind)
🍄 sort clothes for kids for autumn
🍄 made flapjacks
🍄 planned lesson for new tutoring pupil.

Feel like I'm on fire today!

More ta das:
🌻 dusted living room (while chatting with mum)
🌻 treated wood dining table, chairs and sideboard
🌻 DS bed made
🌻 our bed made (even comforter was washed and dried today)
🌻 2 more LOLs going right now
🌻 vacuumed whole house, including stairs
🌻 vacuumed couches in living room and in basement

Waiting for DS to come home from school so we can get his glasses taken care of.

pompoms I love choosing different pictures for my lists, especially to do with either the time of year or month we're in. I'm looking forward to next month.. 👻🕸🕷🎃🪦

The last of the ta das:
🍁 took DS to pick up his new lenses
🍁 washed the jeep on the way home
🍁 cooked breakfast for dinner
🍁 cooked DH his eggs for the week
🍁 had DS rotate DW
🍁 I finished loading DW
🍁 handwashed dishes
🍁 wiped countertops down
🍁 had DS move LOLs over, he brought the clean towels back upstairs for me
🍁 lit a couple of candles
🍁 currently enjoying a glass of wine 🍷

I do still have to get my clothes out for tomorrow and take a shower, that's it though. Back to work the rest of the week so probably no more ta das until the weekend 😳 and then I'll be starting to decorate for Halloween 👻🥳

🍁Morning all, love all the seasonal and bright emojis ❤️

I’m off to work shortly but here is today’s flighplan link. Ah, now it apopears I posted today’s link yesterday using the “tomorrow’s flight plan’ page by mistake. So here is the “yesterday’s flight plan” link with apologies.

www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60&d=-1

So yesterday was errand day, today is anti-procrastination day. The mission for yesterday should have been sofa diving so maybe try that one today.

Socks are just an increase, a decrease, purl and knit. Especially if you do a short row heel. Even if you do a heel flap you only have to add the skill of picking up stitches. It is not hard. But the heel does seem like wizardry until you do it the first time. Where is gets tricky is if you do crazy things like start at the heel and do mad construction techniques. But that is no a requirement, and honestly not that hard if you have a good pattern either. It is just one stitch at a time. And worst comes to worst you rip it out and reuse the yarn for something else.

I know of a few good free patterns if you want a link, there are also a number of good tutorials on youtube - youtube taught me. Don't be scared, it is not scary.
Ps. if you want a link could you let me know if you are a thrower/flicker or continental knitter and i can make sure you get a tutorial/pattern that will be more relevant for you.

some days....

@hills I'm actually a crocheter and knitting is absolute mysterious magic of the dark arts to me

see i can follow a crochet chart but that nonsense where there is no standardisation between US/UK terms... yeah that baffles me. Especially as i learnt the stitches from someone who used their native language names and neither US/UK terms.

Will bob you a link tomo morning when i get a mo. It all got a bit batshit around here.

I'm the completr opposite @HillsBesideTheSea , can't follow crochet charts easily at all but prefer written instructions and have no problems at all bobbing between US and UK terms. Knitting I am no good at - I know the basics but am rubbish at it.

🦊 morning routine

🦊afternoon routine

🦊evening routine

🦊started a crocheted baby blanket

🦊completed weekly blessing (except bed change as I just don't do that weekly) am I alone in that???

🦊posted Vinted parcel

🦊sorted autumn/winter jumpers and washed.

🦊put summer clothes away

🦊went to toddler group

🦊batch cooked meal for two days

🦊CANNOT STOP SNACKING

Evening all,

Well, thought I’d better do some pretty lists too.

🍏Fed cats
🍎Made breakfast and got packed lunch out of fridge
🍏Work
🍎Some phone calls to sort something for DS
🍏Ocado order placed at lunchtime (they sent me a £15 voucher so had to get that used)
🍎Took washing in off line (put out last night)
🍏De-pooped litter tray
🍎Tweaked milk order
🍏Finished arrangements for new seat cushion for a secondhand chair (this has been a bit of a saga)
🍎Paid some bills
🍏Phone call with DS
🍎Overhauled Fantasy Football team
🍏Packed lunch prep for tomorrow
🍎Washing away
🍏Clothes out for tomorrow

I'd chain the scissors to the wall Hills and put a little hook up to hang them on too.

Pompoms I do change my bedding weekly, I find it makes the bedroom smell fusty if it's left longer than that. I love having clean sheets. I'd feel deprived after doing the rest of it if I didn't have clean sheets when I snuggled down for the night.

Have you got vintage furniture ED?

Congratulations on finishing the client project Willow. The Christmas garland looks amazing.

Me too with the emojis Hazel

Another busy day:

🌠 Shopping for books (astronomy)
🌠 Massive tidy up of bedroom
🌠 Hoovering bedroom under and behind furniture too
🌠 Cleaning skirting boards in bedroom
🌠 Tidying living room
🌠 Lentil pie and green beans for dinner
🌠 Went to the park to feed the ducks

Bloody mouse! It is keeping me awake as it is trying to get a block down a smaller hole. Continual rattling. For sensitive readers I won’t say what the block is. I thought we would have at least until October before they started moving in.

TA da, some from yesterday.

🍁sorted a basket of cards and took to market to recycle into Christmas cards.
🍂Cleaned sink
🍁Cleaned loo
🍂cleaned shower
🍁Cleaned around kitchen worktops
🍂sorted a basket of stuff
🍁reorganised book shelves
🍂changed bedding, love clean sheets
🍁washing x3 loads
🍂grabbed some veg while in the market
🍁packed items for next Van on Saturday
🍂worked in market from 11-3pm, made cards.
🍁dropped off boxed clothing, boxes and shoes
🍂picked up food bank bags for delivery tomorrow

Tea was left over Cottage Pie from Monday. We had sausage last night

Right for video tutorials - very pink knits is a good one. Seems a little condesending if you are very comfortable with many different ways of knitting sometimes, but she is really good at right back to basics no assumed knowledge so excellent for beginngers at a thing. And will do both continental or english (throwing/flicking)

a short row heel free sock pattern a heel flap and gusset heel free sock pattern

You can pick any pattern you want and looking for a heavier weight is going to be quicker for learning on. I learnt on a double knit sock with random numbers given to me for my stitch counts from someone who never was given a pattern and learn as a child. But you do need to watch the heel there are many many different constructions. The two basic are the heel flap and gusset, and the short row. There are many versions of those but the construction is the same.
Short row: decrease then increase to create the turn
Heel flap and gusset: knit a flap, create the turn with decreases, pick up around the flap and decrease slowly in the gusset.

I can work in any numbers because it is proportions. eg short row heel - half the sock stitches in heel - reduce those down to a 1/3, increase back up. So in a DK weight sock where i use 48 stitches, it is 24 stitches in the heel, decrease heel stitches to 8, increase back up, and in a fingering weight sock with 72 stitches it is 36 in the heel, decrease heel stitches to 12 and increase back up. iyswim. The technique is the same.

My advice though for the first one is to make an ornamental sock so you don't have to worry about fit. Just the construction. Once you know the construction then start to consider the fit. Raverly has a lot of free good patterns that will walk you through the fit. But didn't want to link those to start with because i know not everyone can use the site. Winwickmum has a good pattern.

Good luck if you adventure forth, and shout if you need help.

Right, sorry for abandoning ship yesterday, I had a bad night’s sleep (woke up in a panic about DS being away at uni, bad dreams etc), a busy day at work and then I was out in the evening.

It is Friday, so it is time to clear out our bag and car, both need doing here. Also date night. Doesn’t tend to happen 🤷‍♀️.

The final mission for this month is to put something beautiful in your living room, in one of the spaces you have cleared, vase of flowers for example.

Yesterday’s mission, because we missed it, was to clean round the edges of the living room floor, that bit that the main hoovering tends to miss.

Here is the Flight Plan for today

www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-60

The end of the month has crept up on me, would anyone like to take over for next month? I can carry on if not.

I can't. I can't even human right now. And ds has just requested a covid test cos he feels like utter crap. <sigh>