Flying into February. Flylady support and chat thread

[TheMainCharacter]

Are you looking to finally getting into a new routine with housework? Something simple to start that can be easy to add to over time? Flylady may be the answer for you!

This is a long running thread, but we are a friendly bunch and all are welcome to join in.

Do NOT sign up for the Flylady emails - it's an excessive amount sent every day.

There are Baby Steps for starting out, add one thing at a time to start good habits and routines.

There are 5 zones that we will rotate through, don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!

Daily missions: each day of the week has a different mission.

• Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
• Tuesday: plan & play
• Wednesday: anti-procrastination
• Thursday: errand day
• Friday: clean car & purse out. It's also date night (with your significant other, or friends, or yourself!)
• Saturday: family fun day
• Sunday: renew your spirit

Common acronyms we use:

• LOL: load of laundry (washing is certainly NOT funny!)
• DW: dishwasher, we are not rotating wives by any means, although an extra pair of hands could come in handy sometimes 😆
• LMS: lose/lost my shit
• DNLMS: did not lose my shit

There are more, feel free to ask us to explain something. I'll try to update links every day, although if you can, it's worth downloading the app, you can even have it send you notifications (although I only have it for when the zones change). You can also modify the tick lists to suit your home & lifestyle.

Links are below 👇 if I happen to not add links in time, they do update at midnight in the UK

Launch Pad: https://www.flylady.net/d/new-links/
Zones: https://www.flylady.net/d/zones/
Baby Steps:https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/
New/Most Popular Links | FlyLady.net
https://www.flylady.net/d/new-links

Ta Das:
🧘‍♀️ woke up normal time for a work day (5:30am)
🧘‍♀️ morning yoga
🧘‍♀️ showered & moisturised
🧘‍♀️ makeup & hair done
🧘‍♀️ S&S main bathroom
🧘‍♀️ sorted through fridge, threw out old food
🧘‍♀️ picked up a few snacky/brunch things from the store (that no one ended up eating)
🧘‍♀️ prepped fruit to snack on (which some did get eaten)
🧘‍♀️ added fresh fruit to water infuser
🧘‍♀️ did SILs makeup & hair
🧘‍♀️ got SIL to the courthouse in time
🧘‍♀️ ate out for lunch after the wedding
🧘‍♀️ went to next big town to buy weight bench and rack set

When we get home I need to get pillows out for DD since she's staying the night.
I'll then need to get working on my bedtime routine as I have work tomorrow!
🍒👋 to everyone

Friday is clean your car and purse out day. Also date night

Today’s mission is to shine the bath and bathroom sink and to wipe down the washer and dryer.

Today’s baby step is to look on the website for a daily email and read it.
https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-16/

Saturday is Family Fun Day

Today’s babystep is to set a bedtime and stick to it
https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-17/

I hope everyone has a good day ahead. I’m planning on a mad tidying mission (had friends round yesterday and the toys got everywhere!) while the kids are at tennis, then need to try to get tyres for my car then we have some friends round this evening before going out to an event together. Want to try to do an extra lol to catch up but it’s been so damp this week it’s not drying and so much of it can’t go in the dryer so just hangs around for days!

@HazelNotHungryLC that’s a shame for your ds, at least he seems to be taking it well. Glad the wedding went well.

Morning everyone ☕️

I still haven't been on the thread much - I really need to keep up with it because you all keep me on track and ever so slightly sane ! It sounds silly doesn't it, but posting on here and 'chatting' to you all really helps! So thank you 💐

London was brilliant! Everyone had a great time . Poor dd1 came down with the most horrendous sneezy cold , but she still managed to do the Cambridge session on Tuesday evening and the UCL expand programme day on Wednesday. The UCL is only for 7 weeks and visiting there has helped her decide that it is not where she wants to go and wants to look for something that is campus based and isn't inner city so it was worthwhile. Ds and dd2 really enjoyed it - I was surprised by ds especially , he'll be 13 next month and is already at that 'too cool to hang out with my parents' stage 😂 but he was fascinated by all the nice cars and we had to keep stopping to take pictures 😊

Todays to do

☀️ LOL
☀️ check school stationery box and make a list of anything needed for the term
☀️ check toiletries box and make a list
☀️ school uniform ironing (at least 30 mins)
☀️ meal plan
☀️ shopping list
☀️ fold clean washing
☀️ put washing away
☀️ dd2 to gymnastics
☀️ shops for stationery and toiletries top up
☀️take next stuff back
☀️ double check when library books need to go back and rebook out if I need to

I've got a few other bits to add but I'll start off with this and see how the morning goes before taking dd2 to gymnastics at lunchtime !

@TheMainCharacter sounds like you have a busy day planned ! I have a Lakeland dry soon heated airer - it's by far the best purchase I made last year ! It still takes about 8-12 hours to dry some things but it's so much easier .

Hi @Searchingforsnow , London sounds like it was good, and great that it helped your dd to know what she didn’t want for a uni. I thought I wanted to be in London for uni until I visited some and realised I wanted a campus uni. I loved being in that uni bubble on campus but it isn’t for everyone.

ta das
☕️got dc up and dressed and fed and stuff organised for tennis (why is it still me that does all of this stuff even when dp takes them??)
☕️s&s x3
☕️Tidy kitchen
☕️Tidy living room x 2
☕️vacuum downstairs
☕️finish loading dishwasher and turn on
lol
☕️lol into dryer to finish off
☕️3x lol folded and put away
☕️Tidy dd room (this was BAD)
☕️tidy ds room (not too bad)
make beds
☕️get washed& dressed
☕️straighten hair, do make up
☕️tidy airing cupboard
☕️fill party bags for tomorrow
☕️dp has taken the car for the tyres 🥳
☕️I’m having a coffee

character if you just didn't get everything ready for them, could they all get their things ready themselves? Sometimes we just get into a rut and everyone else just follows along. I do not get anything ready for other's activities, they have to do it all themselves (unless I'm going also, but it's a group effort). I can be mean though 😆

searching that sounds like a productive visit, and definitely worthwhile by the sounds of it. Boys are funny at that age, aren't they?

DH & I went out for our date night last night. We tried a new restaurant in town and it was amazing! We were expecting it to be busy and based on what I'd heard from other's experiences, I was pleasantly surprised by the service we had.

We are going to try to find a new mattress & pillows today. It's time for a new one anyway, but our insurance is paying us for a new one from the smoke damage.

Tada
🎉 washed , dressed , breakfast
🎉 LOL washed and dried !
🎉 15 mins of uniform ironing
🎉 shopping lists made
🎉 dd2 ready and dropped off at gymnastics
🎉 toiletries and stationery shop

I was a little gutted that I missed the library cafe opening times , I was looking forward to sitting with a hot chocolate and my book but went back to gymnastics early instead.

To do
☀️ more uniform ironing
☀️ make my bed (washed and dried covers this morning)
☀️ general tidy

First I'm making a latte and relaxing for 10 mins or so . I'm hoping oh is going to offer to make tea tonight 🙊

@TheMainCharacter it is crazy that we still feel the need to organise everyone - ds is nearly self sufficient now regarding getting his kits ready but still struggles to make his own breakfast - I don't think he would eat or drink anything that resembled food if I didn't put it in front of him or nag him constantly ! 😂 todays tada was a long one ! Very productive!

@HazelNotHungryLC glad you enjoyed date night ! I can't remember the last time me and oh went out together! Good luck for mattress and pillow shopping ! How's your home coming along? Have you still got builders in and out ?

Ta da
🎉 more uniform ironing
🎉 all dry clothes folded
🎉 LOL washed and hung on airer
🎉 table cleared and cleaned

OH sorted tea - he went to KFC 😂 he did take dd2 with him so I had half an hour peace to get on with some of the tadas above 🙂 and he's remade the bed 👍

Calling it a night now , pjs on and either reading my book or finding something on the tv - I started to watch too good to be true whilst ironing this evening and I'm intrigued to know how it's going to play out ! It has the potential to be a good drama if the first half hour is anything to go by .

searching everything inside the house is done, just waiting for the brick and the shed. Hopefully when they start taking the brick down it doesn't affect the interior walls. It shouldn't, but who knows how they built brick homes here in the 60's 🤷‍♀️ they won't stay on the brick until spring, it's still freezing here!
It sounds like a productive day for you, and you didn't have to cook! 🥳

Ta Das:
😴 showered, moisturised, hair & makeup done
😴 found a mattress, bed & pillows! We have to wait for the bed, but I'm currently laying on my new mattress & pillow right now!
😴 grocery shopping for dinner tonight (Saturday)
😴 started cooking dinner early so I could take my time
😴 baked myself some keto brownies
😴 swept kitchen & dining room
😴 washed towels
😴 rotated DW x2
😴 handwashed dishes
😴 enjoyed the evening with ILs, including SIL & her new husband
😴 removed makeup, washed & moisturised face

DH & DS set up the new weight rack and bench in my closet/workout room. We still have some shifting to do, including moving the dresser to the spare bedroom.
🍒👋 to everyone, I'm going to sleep!

Sunday is renew your spirit day

Today’s baby step is to read the Eleven commandments
https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-18/

Thanks @Searchingforsnow. I felt like I’d achieved a lot and was looking forward to a more relaxed afternoon before our friends came round but unfortunately discovered nits in dd2’s hair and had to spend ages de-nitting her and checking everyone else. Also then changed all the beds and vacuumed everywhere even though I know they don’t live in beds etc but just the thought of it…

@HazelNotHungryLC the youngest is only just 5 and although he could get his own stuff together it honestly takes so much energy just getting him to get dressed/eat/brush teeth/put shoes on etc so it’s easier for me to get everything together. And then I get dd’s too. He does do most of it himself but needs constant reminding and chivvying along. It’s more that dp just gets himself ready and doesn’t even think about what the kids need to do until they’re about to walk out the door and they’re only half dressed, no shoes, still eating, haven’t brushed teeth, no racket etc and it then ends up a mad rush with everyone shouting. So I do it to save the stress. He sees it as my job is to get them ready, his is to take them (but when I take them both are my jobs!). Most of the time it’s fine and I just do it without even noticing but sometimes I would like a day off having to get them ready!

@TheMainCharacter nits pare horrendous aren't they ! Luckily only had them twice in this house but just the thought of them makes me itch ! How's the treatment going ? Did you have a nice evening with friends despite the little hair invaders ?

@HazelNotHungryLC happy that your house is finished hopefully the rest of the work won't be as disruptive for you . Yay for the new bed !! I hope you've had a lovely sleep on your new mattress!

Tada
🎉 morning coffees
🎉 finished one of the letters on my cross stitch bookmark whilst oh booked our holiday 🙂

A nice slow paced Sunday morning, ds hasn't got any football so apart from dd1 getting ready for work, the house has been calm ☺️

To do
☀️ wash and get dressed
☀️ finish uniform ironing
☀️ put dry clothes away
☀️ Sunday roast
☀️ make granola
☀️ work and school prep (bags pack , equipment check etc) it's inset day tomorrow which means a day full of meetings for me 😫 already on the countdown for the next holidays - 6 weeks and counting!

character headlice are awful! We were actually talking about them briefly last night (MIL brought them up), and my head started to itch 😆 I'm sorry you're having to deal with them though, the awful buggers they are 😪
5 is so little! I can see why he would need assistance. DP needs to get his act together though and be less self centered! Thankfully it gets easier when they get older (DS is 14 and is very capable of getting his things ready).

searching I did have a good night's sleep last night. The mattress does feel a little firm, but it might just be that I need to get used to it.

A calm house and quiet Sunday morning is so, so nice!

I need to catch up on laundry today, and we need to finish rearranging the workout room & spare bedroom.
I woke up to snow this morning 😭 I'm ready for spring!

Snow @HazelNotHungryLC ⛄️❄️! We have had beautiful sunshine ☀️ hopefully the temperatures should start to rise for you soon !! Good luck with todays tasks - laundry is a never ending , thankless task .

Tada
🎉 all dry clothes folded
🎉 all clothes put away (this took so long !)
🎉 2 x LOL
🎉 took a rubbish bag upstairs and just collected any rubbish that I could see - there was so much , where does it even come from 🤦‍♀️
🎉 refilled the toiletries box and sanitary box from shopping yesterday
🎉 enjoyed some time outside - dd2 has finally learned to ride her bike without stabilisers !
🎉 oh cooked a yummy roast dinner !

This week has been a write-off with illness and stress, so this weekend has been a bit of a catch up now we're both a bit more energised. Here follows the weekend's wins, with some time in the garden!:

🎉 3x LOL
🎉 Washing up
🎉 Vacuumed lounge
🎉 Did all the week's bathroom cleaning tasks for family bathroom
🎉 Put up new loo roll holder and towel rail in ensuite
🎉 Tidied garage a little
🎉 Cleared coffee table
🎉 Arranged charity box collection by BHF1
🎉 Put up x2 pictures in hallway
🎉 Restarted doing yoga as part of evening wind-down routine
🎉 Fixed a handful of broken Direct Debits following recent bank account move
🌱 Removed rotting wooden arch
🌱 Massively cut back decrepit honeysuckle
🌱 Began tackling giant pyracantha shrub
🌱 Neighbour took away our previously-removed fence panels (this is a win because of previous procrastinating!)

To do next week:
🎯 Put up new mirror in ensuite
🎯 List at least one of my "eBay pending" stack
🎯 Wash up daily (adding to evening routine)
🎯 Order wardrobe from IKEA (keep putting this off... does that make it an errand day or anti procrastination day task?!)
🎯 Bake something, anything

We're currently TTC so the yoga and baking is to keep me sane as well as the more obvious benefits! I'm finding the fly lady app so helpful to keep me in check and focused with cleaning on area at a time.

So it turns out I wasn't the only one who thought the mattress was a little on the firm side. DH had an awful night's sleep, so bad he doesn't even want to try it a 2nd night!
We are going to the next big town to pick up the mattress we liked last weekend. I wanted to buy from the local store (which we did, and we will be keeping the bed), but they do not carry this brand.

searching well done to DD2 🥳

Cabbage that was a very productive weekend! I would say that Ikea is anti-procrastination if you keep putting it off!

I did get 1 lol washed & in the dryer and the rest of the clean clothes all put away. Oh, and I bathed the dogs as they were stinky

Tada
🎉 showered , hair washed , dried - even shaved my legs and put body lotion and foot cream on !
🎉 read some of my book
🎉 dd2 showered
🎉 coloured with dd2 and surprisingly ds joined in - I'm loving him joining in with family stuff this week.
🎉 nails filed down short

I haven't done anymore ironing 🤦‍♀️ it can wait until tomorrow. I'm ready to relax and get an early - ish night ready for work tomorrow .

Aww that's a shame about the mattress @HazelNotHungryLC but it's got to be right for you both . Will it be easy to give back ?

A great list @CabbageBearGoat , what do you enjoy baking ? Glad you're finding the app useful , I don't use it myself but might give it a try !

searching yes, thankfully we can return it within 3-4 days, we just have to purchase the mattress protector they threw in for free. Unfortunately the mattress we are picking up today doesn't have any return policy, so once we've bought it, it's ours. But it is more comfortable, so shouldn't be a problem. We've never had to return a mattress before!
Well done on the self care. I have to moisturise, my skin gets itchy if it gets dry, it makes such a huge difference.

Monday is home bleurgh

Today we move into zone 4, master bedroom, bathroom and closet. Today’s mission is to clear off the top of your dresser then dust it.

Today’s baby step is here, although im
not actually sure what the baby step is. Need to read more carefully
https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-19/

@Searchingforsnow cakes mostly. I had some new tins for Christmas that make mini loafs so those have been my treats of choice lately.

This morning's wins:
🔥 Roomba'd office and hallway
🔥 Cleared office desk
🔥 Wiped down PC screens, keyboard, mouse
🔥 Cleared B1 bedside table
🔥 Cleaned B1 windowsilla
🔥 Dusted B1 bedframe

Just lost a long post 😭
Will try to post it again after the school run

Tada
🎉 up washed , dressed, hair & make up
🎉 15 mins ironing (still lots to do !)
🎉 beds made
🎉LOL
🎉 lunches made
🎉 breakfasts
🎉 dd1 & ds off to school
🎉 dd2 to grandmas (inset day )
🎉 work meetings (now have bad head from meetings all morning)
🎉 picked up dd2 from grandmas

To do
🤞 take paracetamol for bad head
🤞 meet dd1 at the docs at 330
🤞 15 mins master bedroom
🤞 tea
🤞 hang washing up
🤞 fold and put away any dry washing
🤞 ironing

Possibly tick a few things off home bleurgh but I'll see how the evening goes !