Fledglings Flying into November

[ExquisiteIyDesigned]

November is the month where we move from autumn into winter all are welcome as the Fledglings cosy up in their nests on this 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. Check in here instead or download the app, see below.

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
BRC - box/basket of random clutter/crap

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. You can also modify the tick lists to suit your home & lifestyle.

November’s monthly focus is menu planning.

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

Baby Steps http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/
Monthly habit http://www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/november/
Launch pad http://www.flylady.net/c/lp.php
Flight Plan (all the day’s tasks in one place) http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0
Sneak peek for the week - summary of the current week so you can plan ahead http://www.flylady.net/c/sp.php

@SleepingIceDragons my sympathies for the migraines. I often get them too and they can really ruin a rhythm.

@Scourgify that sounds so satisfying, scraping all the moss off!

@70isaLimitNotaTarget you've just reminded me that we own a dehumidifier... I might just try to find that today and put it to work somewhere. Did you do the sink soak? How did it go? The online thing specifically recommended Vanish so I'm intrigued to see if the brand of stain remover matters!

@Searchingforbaileys miracles do happen! How old is DS? Maybe he's just become aware of how tidiness impacts him 🤔

@HazelNuttyElf congratulations on 22 years! That's so lovely. I hope your trip away is every bit of everything you'd hoped for.

@ExquisiteIyDesigned I can understand your DH/sink frustration! Although forgive me for coveting your ceramic sink - I grew up with one and I miss how easy and satisfying that was to get shiny and clean again!

@GingerLiberalFeminist I completely missed you joining - welcome! Both DW and I have ADHD (although in slighty different flavours - mine combined with autism for extra spiciness!) so sympathise with the impact on household tidiness. Plus a toddler, I can't imagine.

Today's plan:

1. Zone task: Continued dining table clearing
2. Mission task: Boardgame with DW. Enjoy having hours to ourselves while we can...
3. Bonus LMS task: 15mins Box Room of Doom declutter or tidy

And now here's me showing off the Halloween monster cupcakes I made and iced yesterday. First time using the snazzy 3-part icing bag and I'm pretty pleased with it:

They look gorgeous @BeetrootBootreet . We changed from a stainless steel sink when we had the kitchen done a few years ago, I do love it, there is a light directly above it so it really shows if it is left grubby, so more motive for shining it.

Hope you have managed to shift the migraine @SleepingIceDragons

Have a good weekend @HazelNuttyElf

@DillyDeclutter I tend to vacuum the stairs once a week or as needed, dust the skirtings when they look dusty and the landing unfortunately tends to become a dumping ground, DH did blitz it a few weeks ago but clutter from the loft has appeared again, need a tip/charity shop run.

@Searchingforbaileys well done DS!

@Scourgify well done on the moss, that does sound satisfying

Saturday is Family Fun Day for Flylady. We are all going our own ways, DD to work, DH to archery, DS to hockey and me shopping. DS and I are both out tonight too, so may not see much of each other at all. Have fun whatever your plans are. .

Beetroot I love those cupcakes! What is this piping bag you speak of?! I feel like I need one of those!

ED I love shopping! Enjoy your day 😊

I have had my soak in the hot spa and my massage. It was amazing! I'm currently sipping on my latte I got afterwards 😋
DH is in his massage right now, then we will go soak again for another 30 minutes. They are private pools so it's lovely and quiet.

I will spend a few minutes tidying up the hotel room. There's not much for storage/ flat surfaces to put things, without then going in drawers, and then I'll probably forget something! The mess isn't relaxing so it has to be fixed!

Decided I couldn’t ignore the bedroom drawers any longer. After two solid hours of sorting and tidying and decluttering of various tubes, tubs, lotions, and potions, I had worked my way through just one drawer. Also set aside all expired meds, etc, for disposal. And a tiny tub of baby teeth now sitting on the windowsill

I feel I’m on a bit of a roll. Going back up now to do some more.

Happy anniversary @HazelNuttyElf ! Baileys is my favourite festive tipple so it seemed fitting . I only drink it over the Christmas period though because once the bottle is opened , I drink far too much far too often 😂 the spa sounds amazing! I hope you've managed to relax after having a bit of a tidy ?

@ExquisiteIyDesigned well done for getting the tea stains off the sink - is the ceramic hard to maintain ? I have a black composite sink and it's so hard to keep it looking nice !

This cakes look delicious @BeetrootBootreet! DS is 13 , I do wonder how long his bedroom will stay tidy-ish for but well done to him for having a go !

Well done for the declutter @Scourgify sounds like it was a successful few hours!

I didn't get much in the way of housework done yesterday. I did pop into town whilst dd2 was at gymnastics and bought the Xmas pjs for December 1st from primark, I bought some for dd1 boyfriend too !

My energy levels were very low yesterday but oh cooked a lovely tea and all the family were in the living room together for a few hours and we had a good giggle which was great ! I am back up out of bed , even though I'm so tired , I can't sleep 😴. I'm not sure whether it's hormones and that's why my energy was low yesterday , the thought of going back to work on Monday ( I absolutely love my job but the running around from 6 until 9-10 pm is exhausting) or whether it's the house because I didn't do much to chip away at the mess . Maybe a mixture of things. I'm going to relax with my book for a little while and go back up when my mind settles a little 🙂

Morning ☕️ I went back up around 2 and managed to get to sleep 🎉 currently having my morning coffee and planning the day :
Must do :
⚫️ iron rest of uniforms (I made a start on them earlier in the week so should only take an hour ish)
⚫️ take dd2 for school shoes (we've just tried them on and they're too tight 🤦‍♀️)

We're off to the cinema later to watch the wild robot as an end of term treat then mil is coming over for a roast dinner (oh is going to cook whilst I'm at the cinema with the kids) I am still absolutely shattered but hopefully that will mean I sleep tonight !

I hope everyone enjoys their Sundays 🙂

Morning all (just!)

Sunday is Renew Your Spirit Day, a day to do something just for yourself, I have got the house to myself for a couple of hours so it is crochet, cup of tea and catching up with Strictly for me. DS and I took DD to work earlier to give DS a bit of driving practice, now DH has taken him back to uni, I’m meeting friends later for a coffee and we should all be back for dinner (apart from DS).

@Searchingforbaileys the sink does take a bit of scrubbing, as well as tea stains it gets grey marks on it from pans or other metal items, but Barkeepers Friend does a good job, the only thing is, it’s undermounted with silicone sealant between it and the underneath of the worktop and that sealant has developed some mould spots which are quite visible, I have got a bicarb and bleach paste on it at the moment (a tip I think I picked up from @SleepingIceDragons )

Tada
🎉 2 hours school uniform ironing
🎉 washing in the dryer
🎉 quick clear up of dining table ready for Sunday roast
🎉 dd2 and I showered , fed and ready
🎉 school shoe shopping

Coffee break before setting table and cinema 🙂

What is your crochet project @ExquisiteIyDesigned ? I started the made by Anita Christmas CAL but I haven't got very far with it ! Enjoy your moments peace and meeting friends this afternoon .

Searching I did get to relax, it only took a few minutes thankfully. I have a lot of different flavours of Bailey's, all of them opened, but they're good for a long time. I know I can only have 2 small glasses of it now or I'm up with acid reflux 😪.
Hopefully you get a better nights sleep tonight! You have reminded me that I need to order Christmas pj's for everyone now before they go out of stock! They get them Christmas eve though (and it's now expected they get some as I've done it every year!).

Scourgify you've been productive! Did you manage to get back up and finish what you wanted to?

ED that sounds like a wonderful day! I need to contact one of my friends actually to meet up for a meal for her birthday (it was last month, but she's got some health issues going on so we rescheduled for November but didn't actually set a date yet).

We are on our way home. Will stop off to pick up DS and the dogs on the way, as well as going to try to get the new stove home from storage.

I need to redo my nails again, they haven't lasted long this time, so look terrible!

Continued sorting out my bedroom chest of drawers this morning. Working my way through ancient make-up scattered about every drawer.

Decided that I shouldn’t keep business receipts, etc, in the bedroom anymore. I put the boxes back in the cupboard. Keeping my bedroom for actual relaxing and sleeping from now on.

Started on the stack of primary school jotters going back as far as the ‘80s. Some piles easier than others, but I’m already making a dent.

@Searchingforbaileys I crochet for the Woolly Hugs charity which originated here on MN and has now expanded to lots of different projects, mostly making blankets. I am currently joining a kit of squares made by other people into a blanket for a project where they go to care leavers. Need to post it back on Friday.

Ahh yes @ExquisiteIyDesigned I can remember you mentioning this before ! Well done you for giving up your time for such a worthy cause ❤️

@HazelNuttyElf I used to do Christmas Eve but now give them on 1st December along with a Christmas book. Last year they all had new snoods on Christmas Eve and will probably do something similar this year because they live in them during the colder months so will be nice for them to have a change!

Tada
🎉 the wild robot at the cinema - brilliant film !
🎉 roast dinner with mil

I think I'm done now , I'm not fully sorted for tomorrow but close to it so I'm calling it a night and relaxing . There is a new drama on itv at 9 that I may attempt to watch or go to bed with my book as I am flagging now 😴

Thanks @Searchingforbaileys it is honestly a privilege to be part of the WH community. From the crochet POV I get to make beautiful things without them cluttering up the house and from the social POV I have made many friends through the group over the years, we have a very active FB group and meetups.

ED I like to knit but always think crochet looks much more impressive.

Went for a walk with a friend today, feeling nicely renewed.

Knowing it's kitchen week this week, I thought I would get a cheeky head start on my fridge. Cleaning it monthly is making a huge difference- last time I wiped off all the jars which, it turns out, were what was causing a lot of the rings and marks on the shelves. Only a few throwouts this time.

Scourgify I've also been sorting my bedroom drawers. I work 4 days a week and have one body. I really don't need 25 winter work dresses. I've thinned to 10 which is probably still more than I really need! I find it good to keep my bedroom purely as a sleep space too.

@HazelNuttyElf it's a Wilton piping nozzle split into three parts, essentially. It was easier than I thought it might be to use, although did take a bit more hand strength tha usual (but I might have overfilled the bags, or had too stiff a buttercream!). Here's a link: https://wilton.com/color-swirl-plastic-coupler-bag-and-tip-decorating-set-9-piece-set/191001945/

@Scourgify the tidy of your bathroom drawers sounds so satisfying! A lot of work but so worth it once done

@Searchingforbaileys here's hoping your DS's room tidy is just the beginning! I really struggled with room tidiness as a teen and I think it's super common to not really know where to start. 13 is a great age to get into a tidying rhythm so fingers crossed!

My Saturday plan didn't come off at all as I had a full day of false labour type pains so we were distracted going for walks and that sort of thing. And then I was exhausted and Sunday was recovery and more walks etc. So, still pregnant, back to it today. DW and I have collectively kept totally on top of washing up over the weekend so no fires to fight there. But no laundry done at all, so that's something I'd like to tackle today.

Today's plan:

1. Zone task: Under sink already cleared, so today is going to be emptying and cleaning out the fridge. Hasn't been done in a while
2. Mission task: Home bleurgh is going to be laundry focused for me. Sheets changing, and maybe a quick vacuum of the lounge and landings.
3. Optional LMS task: More weeding of driveway? Nice and crouchy, slow energy requiring task - I think perfect for encouraging baby where she needs to be!

Oooh, thank you for the link Beetroot!

Dec 1st is a good idea to give them warm stuff for sure Searching

Just like Dilly we've started on the kitchen already. Although DH was making a mess.. he lowered the countertop/bar so it's closer to countertop height (where I want it to be, but that would require a whole new countertop and we're just not quite there yet).

Ta das:
🍁 final soak in the hot springs pool before checking out of the hotel
🍁 picked up DS & dogs from ILs
🍁 LOLs x3
🍁 put clean clothes away
🍁 unpacked suitcases from going away
🍁 took Halloween decorations down (other than the 8ft Jack Skellington)
🍁 swept leaves from under carport
🍁 put up autumn decorations
🍁 helped DH mark lines etc for cutting bar down
🍁 wiped countertops (Once DH was done cutting)
🍁 lunch ready & clothes out for the morning

Oh, I did also clear out the fridge, which was bad. It now highlights the fact I need to go grocery shopping!

Beetroot do you feel ready for the baby?

Well done to those getting ahead with the kitchen, my fridge def needs a clear out, but it is fairly empty at the moment so shouldn’t take too long.

The Flylady website seems to be down. I can’t get any pages to open. Perhaps try again later using the links in the OP?

Monday is Home Blessing Day, where we change beds, empty bins, dust and run the vac round, but this can be done on other days, split up, to suit.

Ds room is back to being a mess - he did try though 😂 I will be going in that room today to get it looking more presentable then support him to keep it that way .

Tada
🎉 up, showered & dressed ready for work
🎉 lunches made
🎉 bacon butties made for everyone to ease back into school / work and the start of y13 mock exams for dd1
🎉 kids up and breakfast eaten

Having 5 mins with my coffee before make up , hair , breakfast pots and packing bags . May get a quick tidy in before work but we will see !

@HazelNuttyElf you're welcome for the nozzle link. Feeling as ready as we can be for baby - there's only so much you can prepare mentally! But we have all the physical accoutrements we need for the early days 😁 The "pre-baby" to do list is all done, even down to "buy special biscuits for the midwives"!

@Searchingforbaileys oh no, messy already! But it would have been worse if he hadn't tidied... maybe 🤣

@ExquisiteIyDesignedfly lady website down for me too but thankfully the app seems okay!