Flying into Spring with icicles on it

[icypompoms]

Hello everyone, iWelcome back to our regulars, and if you are new or returning, a huge welcome to you as well! Please feel free to post or lurk, whatever helps you most.

This is an incredibly helpful thread and the system can be confusing but someone on here will be able to answer your questions and get you on track.

So, Flylady. That mysterious system that promises a lovely clean house! This link is a good place to read about the basic principles, but we strongly recommend ignoring the first bit - do not sign up for emails as you’ll be inundated!

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/

If you’re new to the system, or are wanting a refresher course, the baby steps may be a good idea. Some are more useful than others, we’ve found, and stuff like affirmations may not work for you, so pick and choose what you want to try. You don’t have to do it all! Perfectionism can be left at the door, we celebrate any achievement here no matter how small it seems (this is why you’ll see our Ta Da lists as well as To Do lists!).

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

There are parts of the house called zones, each taking a different part of the month, and missions in those zones to do little tasks we may have neglected. If you don’t feel ready for those though, a good way to start is doing 15 minutes decluttering in that zone! Remember it didn’t get messy in a day so it won’t be fixed in a day either. Slow and steady.

Then there’s the daily focus - each day of the week has a theme, although many of us switch them around to suit our own lives.

Each day I’ll provide the link to the launch pad, which is where you can see what is meant to be done that day (but again don’t feel you have to do all of it! That way lies burnout!).

A couple of principles we talk about on here are:
Future Friend - the idea of doing something today that benefits you later, such as choosing your clothes or making your lunch the night before.
Power of Three (po3) - if you’re overwhelmed, just pick three easy tasks - no matter how small - and forget about the rest until they’re done. Then reassess and decide another three.

Finally a few acronyms:
DW - dishwasher, not dear wife!
LOL - load of laundry, we aren’t finding washing hilarious
WM - washing machine
TD - tumble dryer

Elf does the chair have any removable cushions?
Welcome back flutter

I plan to wash my Jeep on my way home from work today, it's filthy! I'll wait to vacuum it out as it's still freezing here 🥶 and we had more snow last night

I hoovered out my car yesterday. I don't like early mornings. My get up and go got up and fucked off. tbf i think most people's get up and go struggles before 7am on a weekend.

Good morning everyone!

Sorry I’ve been quiet for a few days , some days work mentally drains me and I struggle to rebalance when I’m home, I tend to do what is essential , then wait for the kids to go to bed , so I can go upstairs to read but I haven’t even been able to read much either ! I’m so so happy it’s the weekend !! Only 4 more weeks of term to go 🥂

I haven’t done many tadas this week either so I have to catch up - I am just going to do 15-30 minutes stints on the housework in between kids clubs, I’m sure it’ll all add up …….. hopefully!!

ED I hope you managed a little rest on your day off , I hope work goes good for you today !
Fly welcome back 🥂
UND Good luck with your job application! Are you applying for something similar or looking for a complete change of scenery?
Pompom now that you’ve had to eat a pasty - I may just have to eat a pasty too , I haven’t had one for years but I really fancy one now 😂
zoo sending you lots of coffee or gin whichever you prefer! I have mould in the bathroom and in some of the upstairs bedrooms, no matter what I do, it always comes back ! I have a dehumidifier on all day upstairs and have our bathroom window open all day and although it definitely slows it down , I am at a loss . I really feel for you , it can be really disheartening . If you find a solution , please do share it ❤️
Hazel good luck with washing you jeep, we are forecast snow next week but I doubt it’ll be much !

waving to everyone else 👋

Morning all.
I am not feeling it today,stupid burning joints kept me awake . repeatedly
I am tired and grumpy
Tada-
Two lol,one now dry and put away.
All fed no one dead<yet,there's attitude afoot so there's still time😜>
Place a bombsite,must find that pointy stick

Sending you the pointy stick zoo

tada
✔️LOL
✔️dining table and computer desk cleared
✔️took dd2 for pancake breakfast to celebrate achievement
✔️dd2 gymnastics
✔️bought 2 jumpers in m&s sale while ✔️dd2 was at gymnastics
✔️toy shop for ds birthday present from dd2 but also left with a skipping rope for dd2 🤦‍♀️
✔️home and coffee

So much more to do but I’m so tired now . Setting a 15 mini timer then I’ll get moving !!

@Stilllivinginazoo pointy sticks will be used here too in a minute.

✅family fun walk via library to the river. In reality that's me keeping two children's spirits up plus a grumpy man child.
✅ had a sort out of all stored clothes: sorted into correct sucky bags and some to give away, some cut up for rags and hankies and some for Vinted.
✅ lol

Afternoon everyone

House is a mess!!

Have had the results back from DS's operation to remove the lump on his lymph node - not good news unfortunately he has Hodgkins lymphoma. Tuesday has a CT scan to find if they got it all or if it spread.
DH's Parkinson's is now causing problems with swallowing so is having a scan for that.
My anxiety is really bad but nurse won't prescribe meds, just waiting for counselling!
Really need to get cleaning organized especially if DS is going to need chemotherapy!

Sorry for depressing post, off to be inspired reading FLYlady website and making it work for me,

Have a good weekend everyone

hills I think most people aren't even awake before 7am on a weekend, let alone have the get up and go needed to get stuff done! I got up just after 7:30am this morning and only just had my 1st cup of coffee (it's after 8am here).

sunny you've accomplished quite a bit today, well done. It's hard juggling work, home life and DC activities. I'm convinced flylady doesn't work and doesn't have DC!

zoo all fed, no one dead is an achievement in itself some days. I hope attitudes improve.

pompoms sometimes you just have to do something for your own sanity, disguised as something fun for others. Well done on the clothes sorting. I've noticed there's things I haven't worn this winter so can probably declutter them, it's just doing it. There always seems to be something else to do and I'm a procrastinator 😳

Ta Das:
☕️ handwashed a couple dishes
☕️ 1 cup of coffee

To Dos:
🐧 get dressed
🐧 hair and makeup on
🐧 make ranch dressing for dinner tonight
🐧 work 12-5 at 2nd job
🐧 dinner with ILs (FIL is coming and they are bringing it to our house)

I probably should wash a load of towels today too, it's just finding the motivation and I don't remember where I put it 🤔 😅

shannara oh no! Sorry to hear about everything you're having to cope with! Hopefully you do get some meds for your anxiety, and helpful ways to manage it as well. Do you have someone IRL would can help you?

@Shannaratiger that sounds so shocking. I hope you have support. Maybe look
On Facebook for support group and pages and I bet there's even Mumsnet threads about it. Someone on Mumsnet always understands and has been through whatever you are going through.

(I don't use the Mumsnet search tool as on the app I don't get many results when I'm looking for something. But if you use Google and search lymphoma, child, Mumsnet) you will find threads I hope.

SUNDAY www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0&d=1

✅renew your spirits: do something just for you!
✅ declutter 15 mins
✅ shine sink
✅ get dressed to shoes

Then next week we move onto the Kitchen as our zone.

Tiger I am so sorry. Sending you a huge hug and a big cup of hot chocolate. You are doing great at keeping it together.

Good morning you lovely lot

Fell off again for a couple of days and somehow it is now twatting sunday again. Sunday is my least favourite day of the week.

Catching up .....

Good morning everyone!

shannara I’m so sorry you are having a really tough time, sending you hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows. Like others have said , seek support, there will be someone out there who is going through or has been through similar . Posting your tada lists on here may help you feel in control of something, it really helped when I have a rough time ❤️

Hazel I think most routines I’ve come across are designed for people who either have lots of time or are super human. I get so tired in the evenings that I just do 10 minute bursts here and there. I think if dc didn’t have as many sports, it would be easier, but they gain so much from them , confidence, social skills, work ethic etc that I really don’t want to change that part of our lives . I just keep thinking , this is a busy phase of our lives and I’m sure we will miss it when they’ve grown !

Sending you a morning coffee that ☕️ I fall off for a few days at a time too 🥂

pom-poms i find taking the dc put is often easier to occupy dc too then they are usually happy to relax for half an hour or so once we get home .

Yesterday I was too tired in the afternoon to do any cleaning but I did fetch a box of paperwork from the dining room to declutter whilst sat watching tv so I accomplished something. Cooked tea , then got rather tipsy in the evening, listening to music in my AirPods and not talking very much to anyone (PMT 😂)

This mornings tada

✔️ Made coffee and not moving until it’s finished 🎉

Also, I weighed myself this morning and I’ve lost 1 stone !! It’s taken since January 22 but got there eventually! Still quite a way to go but I don’t really mind how long it takes !

Better go make todays to do list !

Sending strong coffees to those who need it this morning ☕️☕️

Friday
🐾printed stuff
🐾shower/hair wash
🐾met colleague and headed to a school for an event
🐾had lunch with colleague and worked on a training session we are designing/delivering

YesTaDa
🧋LOL1
🧋changed Cagbunny litter
🧋shower
🧋ordered tesco
🧋LOL1 in dryer
🧋LOL2
🧋finished writing my presentation
🧋LOL2 in dryer
🧋LOL3
🧋made dinner
🧋put Cagletini to bed
🧋ordered another tesco delivery (we are trying to get back in the habit of two smaller deliveries a week as it seems to lead to less waste)
🧋ordered various bits for Cagbunny
🧋printed presentation and read it through in order for the first time
🧋cleaned weekly planner board
🧋LOL3 in dryer (with LOL2 because I’d apparently forgotten to switch it on)

@Searchingforsunnydays congratulations on the stone! Bloody brilliant achievement!

✅ cooked a roast
✅ went to kids birthday party
✅ got shingles. 😩

MONDAY: flight plan
www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0&d=1

✅ home bleurgh www.flylady.net/d/daily-focus/daily-focus-monday/

✅ mission: Let's take a close look at the gadgets and small appliances. When was the last time you cleaned out your toaster; opened up the bottom and dumped the crumbs? How dingy or dusty is your coffee maker? Do we even want to talk about the blades on the electric can openers? How about the outside of the microwave?
Wipe them down and make them shine. I am not telling you to drag out every small kitchen appliance you own and to scrub them. Just wipe down the fingerprints, dust, drips, dried food particles on the most used items. Make sure you unplug these items before you clean them!
Don't obsess, set your timer for 15 minutes and have fun!
✅ get dressed to shoes
✅declutter 15 mins
✅ shine sink

Sorry to hear about DS lymphoma Shanara and your anxiety.

Sorry you have shingles too Pompoms.

Wishing you all a speedy recovery.

I'm the same with shopping more often Perry.

Congrats on the weight loss Sunny.

Yesterday ta-da's:

☁️ Morning routine
🌥️ Tidied some crammed full shelves in the living room cupboard. Decluttered in there and now everything that was on too of the cupboard fits inside
⛅ Cleared out my handbag which I forgot to do on Friday
🌤️ Cleared a hotspot I'd been neglecting all week
☀️ Evening routine

Today's ta-da's:

🌑 Morning routine
🌒 Sorted through a BRC, decluttered as I went
🌓 Posted letter
🌔 Home blessings
🌕 I knew there was a reason for my aversion to kitchen appliances. It's this. I CBA to clean them. My toaster is now crumb-free. Thanks for the reminder Pompoms /FlyLady
🌖 Reorganised my dressing table, which had become a table-of-doom. Used the space better to display more of my things. I've realised if I can't see it I never look for it. I want to see if I start using things now I can see them otherwise I'll declutter some of it
🌗 Tidied living room
🌘 More decluttering
🌑 Planning for next week

To-do:

🌌 Body scrub
🌠 Manicure
🌌 Read another chapter of my book. It's A Midwinter Promise by Lulu Taylor. It's ok, a bit sad, skeletons in the closet and a woman who committed suicide. I've read it before and I think I'll be decluttering it after this read through. I mainly kept it for the description of the mural
🌠 Evening routine

@DitzyDaffodils winning at life with the moon symbols. I loved that!

How are you @Shannaratiger ?

Perry great tada lists !! I hope you enjoyed the event !

pompoms thankyou, it’s taken a long time but worth it because the weight is staying off! Sorry you have shingles ! How are you feeling ?

daffodils thankyou ! I still have at least another stone to go but I know what is working for me now ! Well done for all the decluttering and a great tada list , brilliant that you’ve added in self care too !

tada
✔️showered , hair washed and dried
✔️dd2 swimming
✔️lunch made
✔️30 minute tidy upstairs
✔️30 minute tidy downstairs
✔️ate Sunday dinner together at the table (the only day we all get to eat together) and had lots of laughter , it tasted even better because oh made it this week !
✔️ Dd2 reading and bedtime routine
✔️Clothes out and ironed for tomorrow

I went to bed for an hour this afternoon, I was sent up by oh because I was so tired (again) I think it’s pmt and it would be mums 55th birthday on the 11th plus Mother’s Day month . I think sometimes grief can sneak up in many ways , going into the card shop with Dd1 on Saturday seems to have stirred up feelings, even though I walked straight past the Mother’s Day cards , I’m just going to have to ride the wave and muddle through the month as best as I can and rely on the routines to keep things ticking over until it passes again .

Waving to everyone 👋 sending ☕️ Or 🍷to you all .

shannara to say that's utterly crap is an understatement,and for you to have to wait for counselling isn't good enough.tbh I would be requesting a g.p app/second opinion.yoi cannot keep everything going by yourself without some kind of help.sending huge amounts of love and you know we are here if you just need an offloading spot💐

Totally forgot other personals..<waves to all>
Yesterday was madness as kids dad was here so not much gets done,but he did take me to b+m and we acquired a new,not wood,shoe rack as the other one had mould on.nice not breaking my neck on a narrow hall littered with shoe piles everytime I want to go upstairs!

Monday is clean church hall morning for me,so must whizz off and get some of home bleurgh done before that,need wake D's in mo too.gutterung/pointing and fascia people will be outside property today<D's and lil zoo were manning litterpickers yesterday clearing large amounts crap to give clear access yesterday much to their disgust and it was a painfully slow 2HOURS of whining,but given dd2 helps with clearing during furniture out etc during mould hunting it was fair ho long they faffed around over it was own doing,dd2 and I would've been done around 30 minutes!>
Also have an app at g.p later today for smear(had to cancel it last may as had covid and this first one I've been able to secure since🙄)
Must dash and crack on .bbl

shannara 💐 sorry things are so difficult x

YesTaDa
🪩LOL
🪩went through presentation briefly with DD1 (some is about her and I wanted to check she’s happy)
🪩got ready and left for DD1’s dance show which was lovely, had dinner out after with her and her BF who’d also attended
🪩LOL in dryer
🪩edited tesco order

Been a slow and confusing start to the day here, I feel very much on the back foot!

@Searchingforsunnydays you will get through this month, take one day at a time.

Shanaratiger so sorry you have had that news. My sister has Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, she was diagnosed after Covid started. She had an appointment which was cancelled due to Lockdown but they were marvellous after diagnosis and had her in within a week. It has shrunk to 2cm recently but she has had a hard time.I live 300 miles from here so it has been difficult but we Skype occasionally when she feels up to it and we have met up in Glasgow twice when she was well enough to drive to her daughter's. Our other sister lives in the same street so has been a support to her.
You could try Macmillian's for support. They are good on helping with practical advice as well as emotional support. C was able to access some contributions to help her. I think transport was included in that. Not surprised you're anxious.
🙏with you.

Perry I like that expression 'back foot' an it is just how I feel today. Dance Show would be a lovely treat.

Zoo Funny how they don't realise the protesting makes job twice as long. Still it is teens form of anti procrastination I guess. At least it is done and I am glad to hear you are delegating now instead of giving up and doing it all yourself. They need their mum well so need to pitch in and help. Not babies any longer.

Sunny that is marvellous well done you. I wanted to do more exercise but my bloody foot is not co operating with any treatment so far and 50m is too far some days.I can't ride a bike and I no longer have a horse or access to one.

Dh has made lunch so I am being summoned. Will come back later.

Ta Da
changed bathroom stuff into new basket £7 spent in Tesco sale grey and white rope. Looks nice.

Self Care - rare event- Soaked hands na attempted to tidy up hands and nails. Lovely hand cream on and look better. Feet tomorrow as very dry.

Washed morning dishes, mugs.
Wiped work tops.
Most of kitchen stuff I did recently. Not toaster as hardly used. Use Hot plate on Everhot. No microwave now.

Need to put washing away.
make bed
Vacuum downstairs.

Coal man her so got a bit more time as DH has a chat and pays. Coal man very jolly!😁