🌷"Moving in May" - with Flylady🌷

[BloomingHazel]

Join us in building routines to make housework more manageable. Start out with the baby steps, add in the missions in each zone, it will eventually become second nature. Jump right in, you're never left behind!

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

May's habit of the month is daily loving movement. Whatever gets you moving, whether it's walking, dancing, cycling, gardening etc. 🚲🕺💃🏊

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 a week. 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 for you.

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

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

full disclosure: the Flylady website is going through some changes and there have been some issues with it loading/ updating, so I will do my best!

2in2022 our DC are 5 years apart, but we'd agreed that we only wanted 2. The age difference is nice in a way, DD was very helpful and became like a 2nd mum to DS, but it was just in her nature (still is). Although the baby stage had such a gap it was like having a firstborn all over again, but DS was much more difficult as a baby and toddler, than DD. I've always said that if he was first, he would have been an only child!
Your foot situation sounds painful. I currently have a corn on a toe and it causes me pain, but I know it's temporary, so I couldn't imagine dealing with foot pain long term, I'm sorry you have to deal with that.

Dilly my Jeep really needs a good clean too! I'm going to try to do it on my lunch today, but if there's a line at the carwash I'll have to try again after work.

My leg is feeling a lot better from Wednesday, but I'm still feeling it, so limping/waddling (especially bad now I have a corn on my opposite foot!). It mainly feels tight, but I didn't had a chance to get in the hottub last night.

@2in2022twoyearson we have two and they are 23 months apart, we absolutely knew we were done after two, sold all the stuff without a backward glance. I‘m one of two also 2 years apart. I do like the small ga but it was expensive at the time with two in nappies and in nursery and needing two cotbeds, a double pram, extra car seats because the older hadn’t finished a stage before the younger also needed the same etc and hard work at times, there are definitely a lot of advantages to bigger gaps. Lots of my friends have bigger gaps, more DCs, every family is different.

Not much Flying done this week, on top of the laundry but not the ironing. Oh well.

ED I could have sworn you have 3 DC, but I must be confusing you with someone else!

I got my Jeep washed last night! 🥳 long overdue.
I didn't do anything else, but DS did the home bleugh while we were at work.

Today I'm going to plant my flowers, in pots and the ground, I'm excited!
We're also going to need to go grocery shopping, as well as buy a new swing seat cushion, since the bastard squirrels took the stuffing out of one last year, again!

We are going to have a BBQ tomorrow evening, since it's a national holiday on Monday and no one works (memorial day).

Saturday is family fun day. What are you all up to today?

No missions on the weekend.

Baby Step 24: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-24/
Introducing you to Swish & Swipe or S&S for short. Have your bathroom visitor ready at all times by adding this to your morning routine.

I took both kids to a birthday party today. I'm going to look up something fun for bank holiday Monday. I have not yet graduated baby steps. Not been cleaning my sink so, on baby step 10 an I'm consolidating everything, not adding more until my routines are more routine.

I am currently on 15 minutes rest after doing 15 minutes of emptying bins, cleaning buggy and toilet.

That it wise to build up your routines. Once they're more automatic it'll be easier to add more baby steps.
A birthday party is fun! Hopefully your DC are worn out and not wound up 🤞

They are, it was nice and low key, with a craft activity, dancing and pass the parcel.

Just shined and dried my sink. It hadn't been cleaned in a few days.

Thanks for your thoughts re kids. After one we considered leaving it at one child. Then we both thought we'd like 2/3 more children and have them closer in age. I'm 3rd of 4 children us all being close in age, was very happy growing up and DH is oldest of 3 again quite close in age. But I found having 2 so difficult, 2nd child was a difficult baby and I may have had pmd but I'm in a good place now mentally. Ds is 2.5 now and for about a year DH wants another but I don't now, maybe not ever and it's a problem.

I guess today was more of a family fun day as we went to that same national trust place again all as a family. Housework wise I did my evening routine last night after cutting it down a lot a few days ago, I'm better at the morning one and I did baby step 11 which was write inspiional quote of positive mantras. I wrote a few, but like the simple . 'I can do this.'

Tadas:
morning routine
One load of washing

To do
15 minutes baby step excersize (I haven't added this to morning or evening routine yet as I don't know when I have the most time/energy)
Evening routine

2in2022 that would be difficult, not being on the same page re number of kids. Hopefully you come to an agreement, something that you're both happy with.
You seem to be doing well with your routines!

As far as the 15 minutes of movement goes, usually I try to walk on my breaks when I'm at work. We get x2 15 minute breaks, so most days I can walk for 30 minutes, but there are days when I can't take 1, if not both of my breaks due to being busy/short staffed etc.
On my days off, I might try to add yoga or spin bike to my day, but usually I'm just on the go all day anyway, so usually try to fit in 15 minutes of rest! It's a lot different when DC are much older though.

Yesterday we were out in the garden, pulling weeds, planting flowers (I still have quite a few left to plant). We also went grocery shopping and bought a new swing cushion, since the bastard squirrels tore one up last year for the stuffing. It doesn't match, but it's nice.
We had ILs over for dinner last night (our turn) and we were finally able to eat outside!

We are having a BBQ tonight, with a bunch of people over. We do still have some planting to do and a little bit of cleaning up outside, but mostly this afternoon will be spent cooking/baking etc.

Sunday is renew your spirit day.
This could be anything, individual to you. It could be going to church, taking a relaxing bath, reading a book, walking in nature, or a pamper session, like putting a face mask on or painting your nails.

There are no missions on Sundays.

Baby Step 25: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-25/
Read her personal testimonial, along with keeping up routines. https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/why-fly/personal-testimonial/

Sorry I meant excersize as in flylady housework activitiy, not movement. So she says to set a timer and empty all the bins but I started with the bins but that didn't take long so did just general tidying and cleaning that was obvious constantly until 15 minutes timer went off

And I'm lucky I get an hour lunch (allthough unpaid some people would prefer an earlier finish or more pay) it does mean I can eat and have a walk.

2in2022 my hour lunch is unpaid as well, but because we have long work days (10hrs), we get 2 paid breaks as well. I like it 😊

We had our BBQ last night, which was a success, other than a possible broken ankle on the trampoline, although it sounds like her bones break easily, I'm still hoping she's okay!

We had 18 people show up, which was nice, but some unruly kids, including a potty training 3yo. Needless to say, much cleaning is needed today!
We have lots of leftovers as well and have a friend come back over today to help us eat some of it. We'll probably send some with him!

I know it's a bit late again, I'm sorry. I was busy cleaning up from the BBQ last night, mostly putting food away, handwash dishes and rotating DW, which I did x3 yesterday!

Monday is home bleugh day. Run the vacuum around, empty beds, change sheets. Definitely needed here!

We are now in zone 5, the living room. We actually get a whole week in here!
Monday's mission is to chase the dust bunnies. Get them from your ceiling to your floor, I like to use my vacuum with the brush attachment on the hose for this job. Don't forget the top of your curtains as well.

Baby Step 26: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-26/
Today is a reminder that you are not behind, jump in where we are. No flybaby left behind!

Ta das:
🦥 LOLs x2
🦥 bathed dogs
🦥 vacuumed (including stairs, then had DS vacuum the basement)
🦥 mopped in entryway, kitchen & dining room
🦥 bleached both bathrooms, including floors

I had a late start. I planned on getting the house clean in the morning, but I had a terrible night's sleep, then had a dodgy tummy from about 3am until 2pm, so was on the couch. I took a nap at noon for a couple of hours which helped.

If we didn't just have a BBQ, I wouldn't have worried about cleaning so much. However, it really needed it.

Tuesday is plan & play day. I'm going to need to do the meal planning for the rest of the week and go grocery shopping.

Tuesday's mission is to spend 15 minutes getting rid of anything that doesn't belong in your living room. Put it away where it belongs. Set your timer and go!

Baby Step 27: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-27/
Think about what you're having for dinner tonight. Add it to your afternoon routine. Here are some tips: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/control-journal/step-8/

@BloomingHazel hope you're feeling better now.
I'm amazed by how much you get done!
I dragged myself out of the naughty corner to put my laundry away, I had bags and bags of it. Had a mini clothes cull.
My study is almost done and I'm looking forward to organising it. I've got books stacked everywhere and I'll have the space to go through them, we have an Oxfam book shop nearby for me to donate any I don't want.

Hi all! Just having a catch up - I've been floundering in housework as haven't been very well - a cold but one that zapped all the energy right out of me! Been feeling better the last few days so decided that today was the day for a big declutter. I know that's not massively fly lady but sometimes you need to seize the urge to get rid!!! This morning I have thrown out 5 bags of rubbish/junk - just from my bedroom and the bathroom!!! Now having a well deserved lunch break.
Next on the list is the living room, which fits nicely into the fly lady zones!
I desperately need to throw out a whole load of my old notes from herbal school - just finding it hard to get rid of them. I think a lot of the knowledge might be out dated now anyway..... so hearing myself up for that.....
and I need to get the dog out for a walk, if it ever stops raining!!!!

Cherry thank you, I'm feeling much better now. Most of what I got done yesterday only took a few minutes each. The dogs are small so done in 15 minutes each, I just do a quick towel dry, then let them go. It doesn't take them long to dry themselves the rest of the way.
It sounds like you have a good plan for the books you don't want anymore. It must be so exciting to be so close to getting your study back!

Captain we've had a cold like that go around. DH & DS didn't get it, but I did. I'm glad you're feeling better. Sometimes a massive declutter is needed, and if the mood hits you, take advantage! It makes it easier to do a little at a time afterwards and very motivating.
Good luck with your old notes.

I've dropped DS off at school and just finishing my 2nd cup of coffee. I have a few things I want to get done today.

To dos:
🧘‍♀️ LOLs
🧘‍♀️ dentist appt
🧘‍♀️ bank
🧘‍♀️ shopping for some face creams/serums
🧘‍♀️ meal plan
🧘‍♀️ grocery shopping
🧘‍♀️ plant some more flowers
🧘‍♀️ paint my nails
🧘‍♀️ yoga & possibly spin bike workout

My baby step for today is a mission, but I'll do that tomorrow today I'll try and cement my evening routine. It's very simplified and focused on me getting a good night's sleep. I've done it a couple of times this week but was too tired last night.
Today todas:

Morning routine.
Day at work.
Put away last bits of laundry.
Wiped down table after dinner
Dishwasher on

To do:
Either 2 minute hotspot or 5 minute room rescue.
Evening routine

2in2022 I hope I haven't asked you already, apologies if I have! What do you do for your bedtime routine? I'm trying to get to bed earlier, failing tonight though (it's just gone 11:30pm), and I'm really struggling.

I did everything on my list except a workout of any kind, and planting more flowers. I did also put a few things away from the BBQ, mostly serving type dishes. I washed (& dried) a total of 7 LOLs across the whole day.

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day.

Wednesday's mission is to have a detailed vacuum session. Move furniture, if you can, get along all the edges on the room, along the skirting boards, etc.

Baby Step 28: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-28/
Remember to drink your water, eat, and rest!