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

Anyone got any spare old towels they can send? <yep it is going that well>

Oh dear @SleepingIceDragons <pulls emergency mopping towels out of cupboard at end of bath> . There you go!

I did do some planning yesterday, mostly around Christmas again, and did the difficult (for me) bit of telling my adult DC that if they ignore their grandparents / aunts and uncles at Christmas, they will get ignored right back. Last year, feelings were hurt and I copped flack for it (a mother's place is in the wrong etc etc) so this year I am laying things out in words of one syllable or less. Ironically, the child who is working is right on top of this, it's the two that are students still who don't seem to realise social obligations go in two directions 🤔.

Ta da, so far:
❤️ Morning routine
🧡 Hound peramble
💛 Bathrooms scrubbed, including round toilets 🤢 and in corners
💚 Freezer emptied, old half packets chucked out, frozen meal portions sorted, labelled and listed on WhatsApp for DH
💙 Bathmats and cleaning cloths put in as second LOL

To do:
🪴 Make pie filling for tonight
🪴 Hang up first LOL
🪴 Work out why WillowHound is so needy this morning. He is whining and climbing me all the time.
🪴 Prep marinades for pork and chicken for later this week
🪴 Drive to appt in Oxford, have appt, come home again
🪴 Put previously prepared pie in oven
🪴 Pack for weekend.
🪴 Anti procrastination: phone an electrician to get someone to find out why the under counter lights won't do anything, despite new bulbs all round.

The food prep is because I am taking DM away from tomorrow until Sunday, to Norfolk where she grew up and the family have a house. DH will be managing in my absence <gulp> .

I failed at keeping up since I last posted 🤦‍♀️

Over the weekend we got the old stove out, new one in it's place. Monday the plumbers came to install the gas line to the stove, so now I have a working gas stove/oven! I'm loving it!

Monday I was pretty productive. I did the weekly home bleugh, sorted out the cupboard under the sink in the main bathroom (threw a few things away I don't use). I also washed a couple LOLs.

Yesterday I did my nails, washed 2 LOLs (sheets and towels) and spent all day on the couch, watching Christmas movies on Netflix!
I'm back at work today for the rest of the week.

I still haven't figured out meals for the whole week or home grocery shopping 😳

Dragons that doesn't sound like fun!

I miss hedgehogs 😪

Yes, beware the slippy bath. Years ago, I got mine lovely and shiny, then decided to have a luxurious soak and listen to my walkman. Earbuds in, stepped into the bath, sat down and skidded the entire length of it. Gallons of water everywhere, and a mild electric shock in each ear when the walkman fell in. Funny but not funny at the sane time.

Yesterday and today we’ve been dealing with ckearing up after floods from the attic shower-room. The cistern was constantly filling and overflowing. Monday it was upstairs in my sitting-room and we thought it was fixed. Teens and I brought the settee down to the room below to dry out against the radiator. Gales of laughter with TeenGirl shouting pivot! Pivot!.

Yesterday a valve had not been shutting off properly, and the water was flowing down into both the upstairs and downstairs rooms. Dashing back and forth for towels and to rescue tv etc. There’s not a dry towel in the house and I am monumentally pissed off. The Teens have been great though

DS came tound this morning and decluttered his last few wardrobe items. It was a nice visit.

Oh dear Dragons hoping things improve from here

Dd has stopped sleeping (she's 3) so keeping on top of things has been tricky as I usually do a lot of sorting after she's in bed and before she gets up. Am meaning to have the utility room as my zone room, it's a mess, but haven't got near it yet.

Used anti procrastination day to sort out my car (again), it needs a new part, booked in for today.

Morning all,
Thursday is errand day, I don’t think I have any that need doing. Our mission is to spend a little time sorting out the laundry area, chucking empty packets etc. This one’s for you @DillyDeclutter . Hope DD slept a bit better last night.

We don’t have a specific laundry area, WM in the kitchen, TD in the garage, ironing board in our bedroom. But I do need to do some ironing so maybe I’ll do that instead. Also I was out from 8am to 10pm yesterday so needless to say the bath didn’t get scrubbed, I’ll try and do that too.

@Scourgify sounds like a bit of a nightmare, I’m glad the teens stepped up.

@LaMarschallin hope you had a good night out, I do wear trainers a lot but have a pair of black brogues for “business” dress, I can’t wear court shoes, ballet flats etc easily, awkward feet. I wouldn’t dream of putting them on and wearing them round the house though, I’m a slippers person.

@SleepingIceDragons drawers under the units sounds like a great idea, I have seen it on instagram (I follow various small house accounts).

@HazelNuttyElf yay for the new stove!

@GreenWillowAndHolly grrr to the Christmas arrangements hassle, great list yesterday. Have a safe trip and hope DH steps up at home.

Right better go, need to get ready for work. Have a good day everyone.

Went to tesco this morning and got lots of reduced fruit and salad. The rest of today will be devoted to washing all the remaining towels, and seeing what can be moved off the living-room floor before it all becomes a permanent mess.

I don't have the brain for personals, sorry! Except to say we saw a hedgehog on an evening walk a few nights ago, which was delightful. We also get regular visits from a fox into our garden, in the daytime. S/he comes for an afternoon nap. Nice bit of nature lately. Brain power only left to drop my accountability completion list from today:

Vacuumed 2x stairs
Washed utility rugs
Vacuumed utility
"Seasoned" new baking tray
Cleared draining board
Another round of washing up
Changed Brita jug filter
Cleaned ensuite shower
Cleaned WC toilet
Household admin

Morning,
Friday is clean out your car and purse day and our mission is to get some anti-bac and wipe all the lightswitches and door handles, good idea, I haven’t done it for a while. Back later.

http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0

Thanks ED that's a fun mission. We have many sticky handprints to polish off!

Did get into the utility room yesterday, it looks a lot better although the resident spiders aren't so happy now.

Beetroot you sound very productive hope all is well!

Dragons we have the under unit drawers, I thought it was a bit of a gimmick but they ate actually very useful for flattish stuff like oven trays, and for jars and cans.

We have many sticky fingerprints too, I have just been doing online yoga in the kitchen and the opportunity to lie down on the floor affords a very good view of fingerprints and general grubby marks on all the drawers, kickboards, underside of high cupboards etc. Better crack on. I did scrub the bath last night, so I can tick that one off.

Right, downstairs knobs, handles and switches done, plus general grubbiness on kitchen cabinets. Will do upstairs later.

Oh good that’s an easy one. I’ll actually declutter my handbag in that case - I always “forget” that task!

Well I didn't think I'd done much today, but writing up the list I'm going to reconsider! Best way to be. Not sure where all this energy is coming from but I'm enjoying it! I also watched a fair bit of old Top Gear and read a book, so plenty of relaxing in there too.

Vacuumed car
Vacuumed lounge and hallway
Wiped down lounge windows
Wiped down fireplace tiles
Household admin
Cleaned toilets throughout
Cleaned sinks throughout
Cleaned bathroom mirrors throughout
Deep cleaned bath
Washing machine cleaning cycles done
Cleared airer of clean clothes
Wiped down cat flap
Wiped down back door
Cleared draining board x2
Washing up x1
Cleaned out coffee machine
Emptied kitchen bins
Anti-bac wiped bathroom door handles throughout
Wiped down front door
Polished letterbox (!)
Began seasonal gift research

Well done @BeetrootBootreet great list!

@Dolphinnoises I need to do my bag still as well, luckily it is small so can’t fit too much clutter in.

Tada!
Took cat to vet (minor surgery so left her there)
Yoga class
Two loads washing, second about to go in dryer
Filled up bird feeders
Emptied recycling bin
Wiped all the kitchen doors, cupboards and knobs/switches
Cleaned handles and switches in the rest of the house
Put some stuff in the DW and put it on
Phoned dentist
Did some school governor paperwork
Decluttered some plastic bags to my car boot for recycling
Cleaned up some old toys to sell on FB
Went for a coffee with friends
Picked DCat back up from vet, she seems completely recovered and VERY hungry. Fed cats.
About to cook dinner.

Here's our hedgehog about an hour ago

Well, I sorted all the clean laundry before I went to bed and put mine away apart from the things that need ironing which I am hoping to do this morning. DCat seems to be recovering well, eating like a horse and climbing and running, she’s 12 but a very young 12. Got to keep her in for a couple of days and that’s going to be tricky.

Saturday is Family Fun Day, once again we are all splitting up for it here, DD is off to work, DH to archery and I’m having a day out with friends. Whatever you are doing, hope you manage some fun.

Lovely hedgehog photo, thank you ED.
Definitely going to get some food for them.
Excellent news too about your cat.
Definitely some family fun today as DD, SiL and 2 year old GD are calling round this morning. Then a pretty leisurely day for me - usual walk out to get the paper (mainly for the crossword and quizzes) and then DH is cooking supper. He likes to keep his hand in every now and then.
And Strictly tonight 💃

Beetroot it sounds like you're nesting! Won't be long now!

ED I love your hedgehog! Thank you for sharing a picture 😍
That's good news about your cat. Unfortunately Coco is feeling under the weather (has diarrhea), so last night was a bit rough with having to get up and let her out every couple of hours. I ignored her this morning and paid for it 🤮 sorry for TMI!

LaMarschallin that sounds like a perfect Saturday!

Today I'm thinking I may actually get started on my treats for Christmas. I really should get some made and sent to my mum, as I'm sure the deadline is coming up 🤦‍♀️ time is flying by, and Christmas is coming very quickly!
I can also see a tonne of laundry for today as well, due to Coco not feeling well 😪 she's not bothering me to feed her this morning, which is very unlike her, so I know she's not doing well.

@HazelNuttyElf nesting 🤣 if only a busy cleaning day meant imminent labour, I could have saved so much time. I thought my sink cleaning day might have been a sign of labour too but I think it's only a sign that when on long-term leave I can lean into hyperfocusing on things that have bothered me.

Fallen off the thread again 🤦‍♀️ I find it so hard during term time - only 2 weeks in and another 5 to go 😴 I've worked lots of overtime this week as well as starting the time of the month which I struggle with so it's been an essentials only week . I'm pinching the phrase ' everyone's fed , no one's dead ' to summarise this week !

No flying done, house is an absolute tip 🥲 as always , it starts affecting sleep so I am up at silly o'clock once again !

A positive is that I've completed quite a lot of my Christmas shopping . A trip to Meadowhall for some stationery bits for dd1 , an online order for some personalised bits and a trip to the supermarket for the chocolates & wine and it'll be finished (somehow I need to fit in wrapping which is very hard when I always have one or more of the kids at home but that is a problem for the next few weeks)

Tomorrow I would like to get on top of clothes , it'll take a few hours to fold & put away , then a few hours to iron the school uniforms and work clothes but hopefully I'll get most of it completed . Obviously there's the usual roast dinner to do and I think I'm taking dd2 out for a couple of hours . I may need a time machine, create an extra day in the week or to clone myself to get the tasks completed !

I hope everyone is keeping well ! I hope to be back on the thread more soon ❤️

Beetroot it's only a matter of time now! You just never know.

Searching sometimes everyone fed, no one dead is the goal, and that's okay!
Is there anyone who could take the DC out for a few hours for "fun time" while you wrap presents?

I've had a busy day today (Saturday still for me).
Ta das:
🍁 LOLs x4 (mainly our sheets & dogs beds & blankets)
🍁 vacuumed main floor
🍁 mopped
🍁 spot cleaned carpets with the carpet cleaner
🍁 grocery shopping for a few bits (including meds for Coco, per vet)
🍁 handwashed dishes
🍁 rotated DW
🍁 bleached bathrooms
🍁 cleaned mirrors and windows
🍁 bathed Coco

@Searchingforbaileys you are doing well, keep dropping in here when you can. I think I need a time machine too sometimes. Now the DCs are grown up here we just set up a wrapping station in our bedroom on Christmas Eve and everyone takes turn to go in and do their wrapping (we don’t post many, those are obviously done ahead of time). It is much easier than when they were little, I used to book DH and I different nights to see the school nativity play and we’d each do our wrapping on the night we weren’t there.

@HazelNuttyElf good list, I am looking forward to some photos of your Christmas treats.

@BeetrootBootreet not long now, I always get excited when there is a new baby on the thread ❤️

@LaMarschallin I was bit gutted when I realised I was going to miss Strictly Blackpool last night (out with friends), not going to see the results live tonight either.

Today’s plans include a couple of hours volunteering, followed by a coffee, at home to catch up with Strictly and then picking DD up from work and going to see Paddington, with a Wagamama dinner. DH is going away for a couple of days to see a friend.

ED I was planning on making some treats yesterday, but Coco had other plans. We're going out this morning, to do some bulk shopping at Costco, but I'm hoping that when we get back I can make some treats.

It sounds like you have a great day planned!

Last night was rough. Coco was up every other hour to go out. Of course, on more than one occasion, she didn't make it out. And of course, on the carpet. I'll have more spot carpet cleaning to do with the cleaner. I cleaned them the best I could with a spray, but it's just not the same.
So making treats may or may not happen 😞