Summer holidays are coming, fledglings flying into the fun.

[HillsBesideTheSea]

Welcome to a long running chatty thread. We love new faces so feel free to join us as we attempt to tame the chaos and building routines using the fly lady system.

We have a few words and phrases that we use that might not make sense, just ask and someone will explain. I'd like to explain but the brain noped hard and i can't think of any

a few rules cos i like rules
🍄you are never behind. Jump in where you are with what needs doing because everything comes around again

🍄you can't clean clutter. lets be honest you can but it is going to take 50 times as long to get the basics done and you might loose the will to continue in the process. So that pile of paperwork that needs dealing with, yeah we all have one. Deal with it don't ignore it.

🍄be kind to yourself. chaos does not happen in one day unless you decide to knock down a wall but that's a different kind of chaos so it is going to take more than one day to get rid of it. Also habits take time to build and reinforce.

So tomo we start with the baby steps and you can find the information about it here

In case the links go awry the launch pad which is a good place for starting to explore the system more can be found here

Saturday is family fun day so do something fun with the family.
You can define what fun means to you and your family. It doesn't have to be big and flashy, ie could just be watching a film together.

Shamelessly placemarking. Thanks for the new thread Hills 🌟

Placemarking - thanks @HillsBesideTheSea

I'm back downstairs, it's seems that sleep is just not my thing anymore 😂

Thanks @HillsBesideTheSea and thanks @DitzyDaffodils for last month, you did a great job, I was reading but not posting much.

Our recent renovations are now over and although I'd like to push on with some more I think we need to leave it till after DD's A levels next summer as it has been very disruptive for her (small house = no escape). We are now putting furniture back, books back on shelves etc and need to decide whether everything goes back in the same places or not. It will be nice to get things straightened up in the other rooms where all the stuff has piled up too.

Placemarking.
I am now officially on mat leave, and have approximately 3 weeks to get the house in order before the baby #2 comes. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is ready. Although daily routines kept the chaos under control, the deep cleaning just wasn't happening. I have wee plan on how to blitz through everything in time, and hopefully will find all the baby equipment bits again 😩

Thank you for June thread Ditzy you did an awesome job!
Thank you for starting the July thread hills maybe next month will be a little calmer for me unlikely, due to the construction that will be starting, but I like to be optimistic/dream

Elf woohoo for maternity leave! I can't believe it's almost time! Sounds like nesting is starting up for you, that's exciting 🥳
ED I bet that's a relief that the renovations are done! I agree that waiting until DD is done with A levels is a good idea. Plus you need a break! I understand about things being shifted around the house, displaced, from one room to all over the house. That's our life right now 😭

To Dos:
😔 phone calls (not fun)
😔 price checking couches & mattresses (not fun)
😔 empty fridge/ freezer (not fun)
😔 meal planning (not fun)
😔 grocery shopping (not fun)
😔 laundry (not fun)
😔 pick up new (to us) gas stove that DH won on a local online auction bid, that he placed before the fire 🤦‍♀️ (figuring out where to put it for now is not going to be fun!)
😔 vacuum, again (not fun)
😔 wipe down all surfaces in the kitchen again (not fun)
I'm beginning to think there's a theme to my day...
I also need to check the schedule at my 2nd job, to make sure I'm NOT on it. I did let my manager know not to schedule me and why.

Hopefully I'll be back on later, maybe I'll find something fun I can do 🤔 not likely

🍒👋

Well this is spooky, I hadn't seen this new thread yet it came up on "threads I'm watching"!
@HillsBesideTheSea thanks for new thread!
ToDo's
With a bit of luck and a dig deep for a bit of energy and motivation the last of the declutter will be finished this weekend and out of the house. It's also £1 selling fee on Ebay this weekend so if I get time I'll stick some bits and pieces on there.
TaDa's
LOLs (although not put away)
Shopping
Usual routines.
Cherrydog Sr is on the mend, touchwood, so the constant cleaning up and cooking chicken and rice is one thing off the list.
Went to my swim class, there were 4 of us and we all wore glasses and the tablet was easy to follow.
I thought I'd finish off with a few lengths (hahaha ffs) managed half a length, needed a rest before returning 😅
@DomesticElf how exciting, hope everything goes smoothly 💐

Hazel what a nightmare with fire! I am sorry you have to deal with all the aftermath of that, it must be so stressful. Sending strength. Sounds like you are approaching it with a healthy dose of humour.

ED Congratulations on reno finishing. May the order ensue soon.

I need to vent.

My mother decided to visit after the second one is due. In normal circumstances this would be a good thing, but not in my case 😂 She lives in another country, and hasn't visited me since 2015 (she is fine health wise, works full time, and is a bit of a workaholic), her excuse is she 'doesn't have time'.

Long story short, my DH and her don't get on, a case of major clash of personalities. Usually it's fine, as they don't interact, we only visit once every 1-2 years.

Now she decided she has time for a weekend visit... And it's majorly stressing me out! She will stay in hotel (thankfully), but I don't want any drama around giving birth. Now I am worrying that our house is 'not fancy enough'. Silly, I know. Our house is perfectly fine, but I know there will be a lot of judgement. That puts even more pressure to get the house just right in next next 3 weeks.

Thank you to @DitzyDaffodils and @HillsBesideTheSea

My Saturday family fun day has been to wave goodbye to teen and preteen as they leave for holiday with relatives. I have now lain on the settee under a duvet and with the central heating on because it's so very cold and windy here, eaten a 200g bar of wholenut, and slept for an hour.

My Flying aim to at least be in the right room on the right day, and make some kind of a difference.

The mix of sun and rain means that weeds are growing madly in every possible corner, but I'm determined to keep going with sorting the garden.

Evening,

Oh no @DomesticElf that sounds like a very badly timed visit from your mum. Thank goodness she’s not actually staying with you though.

@BloomingHazel sending positive vibes across the Atlantic, I hope you managed to find a little bit of fun in your day.

@Scourgify we (I, DH doesn’t do gardening) decided to let it grow a bit wild this year but it really looks a mess now, so I am doing a lot of weeding this weekend too, also I have an allotment which keeps me busy at this time of year.

My DCs are finished college and uni for the year, they both left school last summer (one after GCSEs one after A levels) and it seems a bit strange havinng them both finished so early. They are both working, one during the week and one at weekends, so we aren’t all together very much ATM.

I feel as though I haven’t achieved much today, but yesterday (my day off work) was phenomenally busy and I was out till nearly midnight taxiing DS and friends home - not complaining about this as they all have SNs and it was by no means a given that this would ever be happening. Also, on the theme of Hazel’s NOT FUN List I am teaching DS to drive and it is not doing either of our blood pressures much good.

ED fair play to you for taking on the task of teaching DS to drive. Nerves of steel!

Scourgify in our previous rental, the garden was often in a state of 'wildlife meadow' 😂 I did try to do it myself, but got defeated by weeds. I resigned to hiring a gardener twice a year for a garden tidy up.

Sorry for the late links. was too tired to do it last night after i got in and only just woke up. Will come back for personals post coffee...

Sunday is renew your spirit. this could be a lie in, this could be some time in the garden, this could be filing the financial paperwork and knowing where you are at. Whatever works for you.

Babystep here

Launch pad here

I have been on a massive decluttering mission this weekend after more sleepless nights ! I'm absolutely shattered and had a full tantrum about ghettoing the house in order yesterday and everyone has got involved!

Tada

👍3 black bin liners thrown from the playroom
👍2 black bin liners put away in case dd2 asks for them
👍massage bed taken to the tip
👍 bag full of toys to take to work
👍 oh has cut the hedge
👍playroom rearranged

The playroom is ready to clean , the other rooms downstairs are a bit messy but I think an hour will sort them out ready for cleaning. First I'm going to clean a corner of my bedroom so that I can get dd1 prom dress out to air before Thursday ❤️ Rrally hope this big declutter will help me sleep 😴

ghettoing the house in order

imagines Sunny, music on full blast, shooting anything she doesn't like 😆

You win the prize for most amazing typo 🏅 Sunny

I've not done much this week. Mainly looking around eyeing all the stuff that needs to change. Home blessings today ready to start decluttering next week. I tidied the garden this week and it's looking good

I hear you on the mother front Elf, difficult people are... difficult, however used to them we may be

Glad your renovation is over for the time being ED and you can get back to normality

Hope the cleanup mission is going ok Hazel

hills it sounds like you needed that lie in!
sunny that's a lot of progress! Getting ready for a prom sounds lovely 😍 how old is DD1?

Last night, after ILs left, I started making progress on a couple of kitchen cupboards. I separated the plastic from glass containers, wiped down all the glass containers, the shelf, back and sides of that shelf too. This was the spice cabinet! It seemed to take ages, but I'm so glad I did it. I think that's the worst cupboard, as far as those jars are tiny!
I had also wiped down all surfaces in the fridge, especially as it's very bare right now. Even after going shopping!

There's still so much to do! It's overwhelming 😱
We are going shopping today to replace some of the stuff, like the lawnmower. DH wants to try to get everything we need ready to get the pool up when we get back home. It is now very very hot here, all of a sudden! So that would be nice to escape to.

Ditzy I thought the typo was funny too! I just forgot to add it to my post. If it helps, take some before pictures so you can see your progress as you go along.
Elf good luck with your mum visiting, I hope she ends up being more helpful than hindering.

where did that typo even come from ?!! 😂😂 glad it made you smile - must read through before posting lol!

Tada
👍 bedroom corner tidied and cleaned
👍took dress out of bag
👍 realised dress needed resteaming , booked it in for tomorrow . This will take the time I had put aside for cleaning the downstairs ready for Thursday 😭 I'm not sure when I'll pull that time back . Tuesday I'm not home and Wednesday will be making up the balloon arch . Going to try not to stress and whatever will be will be .

Elf exciting times starting maternity leave ! I hope you manage to have some time relaxing before baby arrives . I hope the visit from Mum goes well !

ED it must be good knowing the renovations have stopped for now . Well done for putting DD first before carrying on with them - I'm not sure many people would do that , i respect you for making that decision 💐

Cherry how has this weekends decluttering been ?

Scourgify have you got any plans whilst the teen and preteen are away ? However snuggling on the sofa with a duvet, eating chocolate and sleeping sounds like bliss !!

Hazel she is 16 and very excited! We have a couple of surprises set up for her on the day but I'll be at work 😩 I will be home for the hair, makeup and getting dressed though so that's exciting! You have mentioned that you're overwhelmed - you seem like you are progressing with things which are all steps forward 💐 is there anyone that can help get things sorted before you move back in ?

sunny my plans are to tidy as much as possible in the garden, catch up with tv, and eat healthily and go to bed when it suits me 😀

I spent about an hour outside in total today, and want to build that up. Made a to-do list. Enjoyed the silence and lack of slammed doors. My arthritis has miraculously abated with my being able to move and rest when needed, instead in response to everyone else whether it suits me or not.

I looked through some old photos tonight, and there's definitely been some improvement in the mess. Quite a way to go though, so hit the ground running tomorrow with my list.

sunny we moved back in on Thursday night, when the power was restored! The professional cleaning will happen after the construction is over (it hasn't started yet!). The restoration company don't think we'll be in the way or anything so said we can stay.
I'm not sure how much longer I can handle not being able to go bare foot in my own house without ending up with black feet! 🤢😭 I'm wearing slippers in the house now. The carpets will be replaced last, of course.
DH is adamant we'll be fine while this is all happening, but I'm not so sure. It would only take a phone call to have accommodation though, starting that night (at a hotel).

@Searchingforsunnydays it didn't happen in the end for numerous reasons. Bransby is shut for visitors until Wednesday but I'm going to ring them this morning to see if I can still drop donations off.
I'm feeling very frustrated by it all, what should have taken maybe 3 hours if I was fit and able bodied has dragged on for about 3 weeks.
As well as my arthritis and fibro I've got some sort of post viral fatigue which is really dragging me down.
Anyway, enough of my pity party, there's people like @BloomingHazel who are going through really tough times!
Little TaDa's
Put my laundry away which has been sitting around for a week.lol.
Keeping on top of washing pots and pans.
Keeping horizontal surfaces (apart from horse mountain on dining room table) clear.
Slight miscommunication meant the dogs got fed twice this morning, as Cherrydog Sr has only just gone back on normal food I'm keeping everything crossed that her bowels don't start exploding again!
ToDo
Get horse stuff gone
Basically clean house from top to bottom, still baffles me why it doesn't just stay clean 🤔🤣

Hazel at least they are quite efficient at getting things sorted out. What a 'mare.
Cherry I hope Cherrydog Sr does well after their double portions.

Ta das:
🪷All admin paperwork done - phew, that took a lot of pressure off.
🪷IPL-ed legs, arms, pits and bits (although can't really see the "bits" anymore thanks to third trimester 😂)
🪷LOL cycle compete, including folding and putting away
🪷Food made, served, eaten, and kitchen cleaned up

I am slightly ignoring the zones this week as it's the week I am blitzing the house (and life in general) to get stuff in order.

babystep here

Launch pad here

Ta das:
🫠All fishtanks sorted, including cleaning decorations
🫠living room: dusted, all surfaces antibac-ed, hoovered the sofa and under the cushions, hoovered in all dark corners
🫠Sorted out all the toys into toddler and baby ones. Baby ones are all cleaned, soft ones washed and now drying.
🫠Found Moses basket, took off and washed all the washables, then reassembled once dry
🫠All baby bed sheets washed
🫠Found baby bath and bouncy chair. Bouncy chair cover into the wash.
🫠Deep cleaned bedroom: proper dusting including lampshades, antibac-ed all surfaces, beds stripped and changed, hoovered including all dark corners.
🫠Food made, DW rotated, kitchen cleaned
🫠Flowers watered
🫠LOL X3, dry put away

I am done. Tomorrow is bathroom day. Can't wait 😮‍💨

Sounds like the perfect plan @Scourgify ! Glad your arthritis is calm at the moment .

@BloomingHazel that's really tough , how are you feeling ?

Hope you're feeling better today @CherryogDog ?

Wowzer @DomesticElf !! You've achieved so much !! I hope their was a cuppa somewhere in the day too 😊

Thanks @HillsBesideTheSea

Tada
✅morning routine
✅work
✅tea
✅took dd2 to gymnastics
✅picked up dd1 prom dress
✅took dd1 to pole class
✅tidied living room and lit my favourite wax melt
✅decluttered more of the dining room
✅finished tidying playroom
✅cleaned French door windows
✅pots in the dishwasher

Tomorrow I need to give downstairs a good clean sometime in between work and general home things then decorate ready for prom day , we're making a balloon arch and prom boxes ! Absolutely cannot wait ! We're having to hide a few bits upstairs because I'm still in the middle of the decluttering but I feel a lot calmer and fingers crossed I've been sleeping a little better !

Today was planning day.

After drama from the people this morning, the rest of the year is now laid out and stuck to the lounge door. They may be muttering about what building work can be shifted into next year. Not even mad about that, was mad at the expectations whilst the time needed being allocated to other stuffs. So there is compromise. The only downside is that we will have yet another year of building work.

Sorry for another flying visit, just finished batch cooking and exhausted because apparently allergies (stupid privot) means it is not allowed to breathe properly.

Wednesday is Anti-procrastination day
Launch pad here
babystep here