Flying on our broomsticks into October

[HauntingHazel]

Witches, vampires & zombies - whoever/whatever you are, all are welcome on this spooky flylady thread.

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.

October's monthly focus is paper clutter.

Links are below 👇 if I happen to not add links in time, they do update at midnight for you.

Zones: https://www.flylady.net/d/zones/

Baby Steps: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/

Sorry I'm late with the links! Last night was the last football game that DS was performing at and they did their full show. It was freezing!! So I wasn't about to be getting in my phone as I wouldn't have been able to feel my fingers 🥶

Saturday is family fun day!
I'm chaperoning again, this is the final and biggest marching band competition they are doing this year. I'm currently drinking my coffee while waiting for DS to finish getting ready.
What are you doing today?

There are no missions on the weekend, but still baby steps.

Baby Step 19: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-19/
Read the testimonials and keep doing your morning and evening routines.

@HauntingHazel good luck to your dS's band!
Not up to too much this weekend hopefully - DH finished assembling the drawers that go under our new Ikea bed, we had a little family meeting to talk about the kids screen habits (waaaaay too much time on line) and outline our thoughts and expectations of what they need to be doing around spending time online. It's hard because the majority of their social life takes place on line but at the same time we want them to be able to have a conversation..... experience other things and develop their own interests - which they won't do (we feel) if they are just constantly plugged in.
So we are putting some necessary things they must do in place - they are 13 and 15 - they will need to make dinner together 2 nights a week (they can chose and we will get the ingredients in).
other nights they must come and help set the table - so they must be off their computers before dinner
they need to start using their alarm clocks and not rely on us to wake them (though we would if we thought they overslept)
and over the weekend we have designated a couple of screen free times, where they have to come out of their cesspits rooms.
We shall see how it goes!
would love to go for a walk but my back is sore so I will rest..... and read .... and plan some meals.... I have a total mental
block when it comes to meal planning, but I know it would make my life about a million times easier! I think I get carried away when I've tried to meal plan in the past.... gone for new, ambitious meals - rather than things that are delicious and easy!
So that's my to do for the weekend. That and stay on top of the laundry!
have a fun weekend all!

Captain my DS is the same with his Xbox. He's talking to his friends on it, but always has a screen in front of his face 🤦‍♀️
He does do his chores though so it's trying to find the balance that's tough.

I had made a list of cheap & easy meals a few years ago. I know there are threads on here too with a list of meal ideas if you get really stuck.

My list had:
Bangers & mash with veg (frozen veg to make it easier)
Chicken Alfredo with pasta and rolls (back in the day, before I made my own sauce, which is still really easy btw, I used the sauce in the jar)

Now I mainly just cook meat & veg, but make sauces etc, since I usually eat low carb.

The marching band got 2nd place, which is awesome, considering they were competing against the next bracket up (the bands are bigger). They did really well to get an award (only the top 3 get one).
Marching band is now done, we will have our evenings and Saturdays back again!

Congratulations to the band Hazel 🎺🎶🥁

Went to the garden centre today and bought nothing because I'm skint. They had some awesome autumnal décor though and enormous hungry fish the size of cats.

Ditzy I'm very proud of them all, they did a fantastic job marching!
Too bad you weren't able to buy anything, although just looking can be nice too.
Fish the size of cats sound scary!

Sunday is renew your spirit day. How will you renew yours?

No missions on Sunday's.

Baby Step 20: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-20/
Learn about laundry and how doing one load of laundry a day keeps Mt Washmore at bay

The fish were cute, came upto the top chomping the water's surface hoping for food when I arrived. A multicoloured, ever changing mass of jossling fish, all vying for a prime spot. They guilted me with their big eyes into buying them the world's tiniest tub of fish pellets for £1, even though they probably do it to everyone who enters the store and get fed a hundred times a day.

Today I will mostly be sitting around feeling sorry for myself because I have conjunctivitis.

So...since I CBA to go anywhere and salt water cures most things, I can just make up a bowlful with boiling water, let it cool then stick my face in it and open my eyes, right? It's going to be no worse than doing the same in the sea because you dropped your whatever and need to fetch it off the bottom before it's gone in the tide? Except minus the sand and seaweed and raw sewage. I haven't swam in the sea for ages because I'd probably catch something nasty and die but I don't remember it being that bad on the eyes, or was that just the invincibility of childhood and the excitement of being on holiday drowning everything else out 🤔

Ditzy I bet a lot of people are made to feel guilty by the fish! I hope the conjunctivitis clears up soon, it's awful.

I didn't do a huge amount today, but do have some ta das:
👻 meal planning for the week
🎃 grocery shopping
👻 other shopping for a few things we needed
🎃 washed Jeep, very much needed!
👻 rotated DW
🎃 put shopping away
👻 cleared out fridge
🎃 sat for far too long, eating far too much chocolate (back to low carbing tomorrow!), watching my Dead Files show
👻 LOLs x4, spread out across the day
🎃 got my lunch ready for tomorrow
👻 got my clothes out ready for the morning
🎃 showered, moisturised & in bed

I did a lot of procrastinating today, so more to do on Tuesday than I would have had to do 🤦‍♀️ oh well!
DH is sick with a cold, hopefully I don't end up with it!

Monday starts a new week and a new zone: the master bedroom.

Monday's mission is to spend 15 minutes taking things out of your room that doesn't belong. Set your timer and only do 15 minutes of work. If something is rubbish, throw it away. If you have dirty glasses or plates in your room, take them to the kitchen. Dirty laundry on the floor? Put it out for wash. Sometimes things that don't belong can blend in over time.

Baby Step 21: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-21/
Check out the ask flylady section of the website. Set your timer for 5 minutes and read a question or 2.

congratulations @HauntingHazel for the band! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 that's brilliant.

todays to dos....
2 LOLs
do the Flylady mission for today

keeping it at that .... back is still grumbling, but a bit better every day.... unfortunately have picked up a cold from the darlings at school.

happy Monday all 🥰

Why does Monday come around so fast?

<sigh> so much to do, so much feeling ick, waaaaaaay too little sleep. Was supposed to driving today. Won't be doing that without a nap before hand. Can barely stand upright atm. My joints are just that sore.

Fixed the dishwasher over the weekend. Amazing what you can do with boiling water, soda crystals and washing up liquid. Gotta test the fire alarms that are not near the kitchen (we know that one works), and hoover out the tumble dryer.
Also need to run down to the library to renew a book that i totally messed up the return date on and haven't started it yet. but i can walk that and the fresh air will do me good.

Tada:
Monday Blessing!
Hoovered the house top to bottom
2xLOL and hung on line
Changed sheets (1)
DW
Cleaned toilets and swiped sinks
Emptied bins and recycling.
School lunches
Walked to school and back
Ordered winter skincare essentials
Bag out for charity
Put carseat back in car

To do:
Make dinner (spaghetti bol)
Clean bedclothes back on
Call estate agent
Pay for car service online

Tada:
Dinner made
Dc collected
Dc barber
School lunches for tomorrow made
Dinner had
Bed dressed
Clothes in from line
Teeth brushed and flossed
Cleansed, serumwd and moisturised
Clothes laid out for the morning
Breakfast prepped for next two mornings
Estate agent called
Hurray! A good day of productivity despite being v tired after 3 late nights over weekend. Early bed tonight
To do in morning:
Pay for Car service
Long walk
Declutter massive tub of age old paperwork at top of wardrobe
Pick up those annoying items I forgot in the weekend shop!!

Dropping links tonight, I'm dozing off! I'll catch up properly in the morning.

Tuesday is plan & play day.
Tuesday's mission is to set your timer for 15 minutes and attack the clothes pile (you know you have one - we ask do!). Put things away where they belong. Is it dirty? Do you love it or always pass it by? If you don't love something and never wear it, take it to the charity shop!

Baby Step 22: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-22/
Learn how to build your control journal in 15 steps.

My cleaners are currently doing my home bleugh for me 😆 they have been off for a few weeks but the house isn't actually too bad.

Managed the mission yesterday and today's sounds very much needed!

Captainladder we all have colds too, DH is virtually bedbound by a single sneeze. Hope you feel better soon!

Captain I'm glad your back is improving, sorry to hear about the cold though. I hope it clears up soon. DH & DS are fighting a cold, so far I've not got it, I'm hoping it stays that way!

Dragons did you get your nap?

mikado that was a very productive day yesterday! Are you planning on moving? I saw you contacted an estate agent. I'm sorry if you've mentioned it, my memory is terrible!

Dilly I would love cleaners! I hope you all are feeling better soon too.

I've had one cup of coffee so far, will take DS to school, then have my 2nd cup. It's just gone 7am here though.
I have a few things I want and need to get done today:
🎃 laundry (sheets/towels/whites etc)
🎃 bleach both bathrooms
🎃 clean mirrors
🎃 go to the bank
🎃 drop off caramel order
🎃 bathe dogs
🎃 vacuum
🎃 mop
🎃 get dinner in slow cooker
🎃 sweep leaves from carport
🎃 figure out more ideas for party on Saturday (snacks/treats/drinks etc)
🎃 spin bike workout

Of course in no particular order! I really just want to sit all day, but I know I need to get stuff done & will feel better for it.

Ta das so far:
👻 LOLs x5, including mattress protector/whites, sheets, towels & dog beds/blankets
👻 got roast in slow cooker for dinner
👻 went to the bank
👻 dropped off caramel order
👻 handwashed dishes
👻 bathed dogs
👻 vacuumed
👻 mopped
👻 bleached bathrooms
👻 cleaned dog kennels
👻 added more soil to my orchid, she's so happy since I repotted her!

I still need to finish cooking dinner, get clothes out, lunch etc for tomorrow

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day.

Wednesday's mission is to tidy up the floor of your wardrobe. She assumes you have shoes on the floor/ bottom of your wardrobe so the mission today is to pair up, line up and organise your shoes. Can you find 2 pairs to throw away or donate? Depending on the condition of course!

Baby Step 23: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-23/
Add in afternoon routine to your control journal. This will include starting on dinner.

Last night was awful for sleep! I woke up with the worst acid reflux I've ever had. Completely unexpected as well 😪 needless to say, I'm aiming for an early night and hoping I don't have a repeat.
I've got body aches as well as my asthma flaring up, hoping a good night's sleep will heal all.

Thursday is errand day.

Thursday's mission is to declutter your bedside tables. Clear away any tissues, glasses, other rubbish that doesn't belong. Wipe the surface down and put something pretty there.

Baby Step 24: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-24/
Set your timer to see how long it takes you to swish & swipe your bathroom!

Errands ahoy here, although not much "in zone". Still, wins are wins! Today's:

eBay posting and admin
Grocery delivery
Baked cupcakes
Baked rice pudding
1x washing up
Vacuumed lounge
Vacuumed car
Emptied lounge bin

Pumpkins every little bit helps! And you actually accomplished a lot!

DS had a band day at a university about an hour away from us, went with the school. He had a blast, but was a very long day, getting back to the school around 11pm!
He loved the university, wants to go there and knows that if he keeps his grades up he could get a scholarship that would put him through that university for 4 years! I'm hoping he remembers this over the next 3 1/2 years!

Since he wasn't home in the evening, DH & I had a date night. We went out to dinner and came home to watch Deadpool & Wolverine. It's a late night for me so waking up in the morning is going to be rough 😴
I hope everyone is doing well

Friday is clean out your car & purse day. It's also date night.

Friday's mission is to set your timer for 15 minutes and declutter your dresser. Put things away that were dumped on top of your dresser to put away later. Now is the time to do that, it will make a big difference!

Baby Step 25: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-25/
Today, read her testimonial of where it all began. Keep doing your routines as well, using your control journal etc to remind you until it becomes automatic.

Have a great day everyone 🍒👋

Still plugging away, still trying to fed off the bug that took me down, still dealing with building work. Still trying to get tidy.

basically I am still here, and not been killed by the dust allergy nor any of the decidely unsteady looking piles of stuffs.