☀️⛱️Jump into July, keep your cool with flylady technics to a more organised and clean house. Flybaby, fledglings, and fully fledged flyers welcome.🍦🌊🧹🕊️🥏

[Alwayslearning25]

In June my name was 2in2022, I've changed my name.

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 😊

July's habit is swish and swipe. That's keeping your bathroom clean. Flylady explains in detail under FAQ.

https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/fly-faq/#swish

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! Also, don't even look at missions until you reach that babystep. Or you'll tumble out the nest without wings. 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. I use it for the morning and evening routines, you can modify the tick lists to suit your home & lifestyle.

I'm a flybaby as I'm still taking my time over the baby steps been slowly building routines since march. So I've posted a link to babysteps, I've been working through. This link will take you to the website with everything on.

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

Cherry I hope your migraine went away quickly. I'm trying to go to bed slightly earlier every night, last night was 15 minutes earlier than the night before, hopefully I can keep it up and get even earlier tonight 🤞

Alwayslearning25 how's your finger today? Breaking a glass is never a good experience, especially when trying to catch it!

Dilly I also have lots of piles of things I have become blind to. I find that if I take a picture of the room, I can then see it and know where to start. I really should do that!

No ta das today, I'm at work.

My finger is fine thanks for asking.

Today's babystep is to read flyladys personal testimonials https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/why-fly/personal-testimonial/

Today is clean out your car and purse day. Dhs car has broken down and we we're now going to take mine on holiday and it will be a squeeze with 2 kids and a dog. All the luggage will need to be packed around the kids. So yesterday evening I cleaned out the inside of my car, under toddler car seat, hoovered, wiped, did a bit of febreeze. DD loved helping me.

I've been coasting rather than flying for a while but following this thread has saved me from reverting back to old habits.

On the plus side, the house is still getting blessed once a week (including mopping bathrooms and kitchen, cobwebs flicked and such like) and the kitchen sink, hob, surfaces plus bath, shower and toilets are cleaned every say. It's really nice that, when people come round, I don't have to fly round with a duster and vacuum cleaner before they arrive.

However, I'm not keeping up properly with zones and daily missions. I'm doing things as and when needed/noticed.
For example, had some people to dinner this week so had to get the computer, printer and a pile of books off the dining table enabling me to give it a really good clean.
A bird made its presence felt on a sitting room window, so cleaned that off, as I didn't want it there until the window cleaner came, and was then inspired to do all the insides of the sitting room windows.

But I must try and be a bit more disciplined and get a mission accomplished each day!

Alwayslearning25 well done on cleaning out the car! That's not good that DHs car has broken down, hopefully it won't be too bad of a fix to get it running again.

LaMarschallin that's good you're able to keep up with some flying, it really does help. Adding in a mission could be easy enough to do, but if you miss one, don't worry about it and move on to the next, even if you only get one done in a week, it's better than none at all.

Good morning!

Todays babystep is about babysteps, to know your not behind and it's ok to miss a day. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. It takes a month to build a routine but if you have an off day just pick it back up tomorrow. I like to think if it like miss a turn on a board game as today's babystep. @LaMarschallin your further along than me, I have never really gotten into missions. I do the odd one, maybe every other week or so....

Today is family fun day! No missions.

Yesterday we actually had our first proper date night in years as it's mostly DH and I doing childcare but we got a babysitter yesterday and watched a musical!

@Alwayslearning25 hope your hand has healed OK!
I can't believe that last Saturday I was aiming to get so much done in the week and I've hardly done anything!
I put together one of the underbed storage things that a bought a pair of.
Haven't put anything in it yet though.
Need to crack on this week.
Happy flying everyone!

Alwayslearning25 well done for getting a babysitter and having a date night. Reconnecting as a couple is so important after having DCs. It does get easier as they get older though.

Cherry I think we all have those weeks where nothing goes to plan. You have the storage built, so that's something!

We are going to a nearby swimming pool (fed by hot springs, they're all over the place around here!) for a birthday party. I am bringing fruit & dip to help out, which I still need to get ready. I did wake up early though, thanks Coco 🙄
It's not quite 8am here, so I have some time. I also need to get their gifts in bags as well while hoping I have a couple the right size!
It will be a fun day!
We'll be going out for dinner as well with the ILs, so no one has to cook tonight.

What is everyone else up to today?

Oh crap, i fell off the thread!

Its been a busy few weeks, been in new house just over a month. Enjoying not living with a man child and having the ability to block him should he ever start giving it out. It's nice. I did though realise that I still had a lot of stress in my life. Mostly coming from my job. So I went a bit wild and resigned! I do have a job lined up to start in the autumn but quitting current job felt right!

Decluttering my life!

THIS wow, lots of changes in your life! All for the better it seems too 💐
Are you settling in nicely? DC loving it too?

Yes we are well settled thank you hazel! They are having a couple of hours contact with the man child at wkends. When he can be arsed. This needs sorting to something they can actually depend on happening.

Still a few boxes lurking around, I'm trying to work through these today. Sent one to DD room. Have a couple for my room and a couple for downstairs

Payday next week, have a few things to buy for the house so looking forward to that

I've got the 2nd underbed storage built, they're both (slightly over) filled. The wardrobe that was moved from the spare room into mine is empty at last so can be removed at last.
Pleased to have cracked the back of things, aim to do a bit more tomorrow.
Hope everyone has had good days.

Welcome back @THISnewbeginning

Sorry to have been AWOL here too, it has been quite a month. Endless practice sessions for DS's driving test (passed second time, both this month by a miracle of cancellation apps). Then my DF has had a serious accident and is likely to be in hospital for at least a couple of months. So supporting him and mum (they are in their 80s).

Flying has been ticking along, the family have stepped up a bit since I put my checklists up. But I said I'd do the August thread and I am not sure I'm going to have the headspace now, is there anyone else that feels like doing it?

Thanks ed Sorry to hear about your DF accident. Hopefully the hospital stay isn't too long.

Well done on the storage box cherry I need to sort more storage. Need a large toy box thing for the little ones bedroom. Any recommendations? I'd prefer not plastic

Todays babystep is towards meal planning. As part of your evening or morning routine, know what is for next dinner time... There's also a link to meal planning I've not yet checked out. Warning, it's very wordy. https://www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/november
Dinner is DH's business, but I'm reducing my work hours and do enjoy cooking if it's not rushed so from September I'll aim to do at least one meal a week, maybe 2-3.
Sunday is rest and renew. I fell asleep on the sofa before kids bedtime yesterday so do need rest. I've just started 2 weeks annual leave and will be away from Tuesday so may slack off this thread a bit.

THIS that's too bad man child is being flaky with the DC, not surprising, but really sad.
As far as storage goes, are you wanting wicker, wood or fabric? I'm guessing that you'd need something sturdy to hold up to excited DC. I'm not sure if I could come up with anything that would work, since I wouldn't know what you have available to you. I just used plastic totes for mine when they were little, not what you're looking for though!

Cherry well done on your progress with storage!

ED I'm sorry to hear about DF! I really hope he recovers quickly. I can volunteer for August, if no one else wants to. Although heads up, I may be a little AWOL at times!

Alwayslearning25 it does seem like you need rest! Are you going anywhere nice? We can continue on the thread as we go while you're away, so no need to worry about it the last couple of days, if you're not around.
Meal planning is something I need to do today for the week, and get in what we need.

We went swimming yesterday, had lots of fun. DS had a cousin that was also there (not planned) so he was off with her and her other cousins, was jumping off the diving board etc, and did something to his ear 😪 we will need to take him in today to get it looked at as last night the cotton wool in his ear had some blood on it. He heard a loud pop and had pain the 2nd time he jumped in. DD did something similar when she was younger and DH thinks they couldn't do anything for it, it just had to heal. I don't remember! My memory is so bad 😭

So to dos today:
👂take DS to urgent care
👂meal planning for the week
👂grocery shopping for the week

I would like to do something fun, but we also got a lot of sun yesterday, so we may stay inside instead.

Thank you re DF, he has suffered a spinal injury and is going to be in rehab for at least a couple of months. He is being very well looked after in the main part of the hospital at the moment, has friendly room-mates and ward staff and is in good spirits so that’s something.

@HazelNotHungryLC if you could do the thread, I will jump in if you disappear, I do intend to start posting more regularly again. Thank you. It’s not just Dad, having DS living back at home adds to the general busyness of the household and I am doing a lot of extra stuff at work at the moment too as a colleague has left but his replacement not starting for another few weeks plus holidays etc.

ED ouch! It sounds like he's in good hands and surrounded by good people, so that's positive!
Thank you for offering to help, you really do have a lot on your plate!

I’m getting my mojo back. I think I had some kind of bug, as I was very hot and tired for two days with no energy.

Yesterday I was out in the garden for about an hour, and today I was out for an hour both morning and early evening. All the greenery is growing very fast this year, and seems determined to climb over fences and walls to annoy the neighbours. I’m gradually getting it under control again.

Not having much luck with fridges or freezers just now. After last week’s palaver with the mini-fridge, this week I found that I had pushed the big freezer too close to the wall which prevented the door fully closing. I reckon it’s only been overnight, and most stuff looks fine as it remained solid.

The carboot sale went well. I’m going to start putting things aside for the next one, now that we’ve got a better idea of what will shift.

Adult DS sorted through the last of his stuff and we got it back to his flat. I have to get rid of what he left which involves quite a lot of shredding a little bit at a time.

Originally I had allocated a cupboard and some shelves to the DCs for storage. But it’s suddenly been mentally overwhelming, and I want rid of the feeling of responsibility. Cut back the endless decisions I have to make. They’ve been good about it.

Good to hear you're getting your mojo back Sunshine, sorry to hear you had a bug though.

Ta das:
😴 LOLs x3, including DSs sheets & remade his bed
😴 watered plants outside
😴 took a nap!
😴 planned meals for the next few days
😴 grocery shopping
😴 baked LC brownies
😴 rotated DW
😴 handwashed dishes
😴 wiped countertops & stovetop

Currently sitting down for a few minutes, before I start on my portion of dinner (I'm cooking the sides, DH is smoking the salmon)

@HazelNotHungryLC we're going to Yorkshire for a few nights then going on from there to visit family, first in Newcastle then in Staffordshire. Weather looks nice, around 20 degrees c, cloudy, sunny and only a tiny bit of rain.

Baby step today is to look after yourself by drinking water and eating healthy meals.

On annual leave today, should have done more cleaning and tidying but went out with the kids to the library then playground, let DH work. I have packed.

Maybe someone else could fill in missions, I don't do them much. I believe we are now in zone 5 the living room.

That sounds like a lovely trip Alwayslearning25 and it sounds like you had a lovely day, no need to worry about flying when you're spending time with your DC!

No flying here, other than DS washing a LoL, one of his daily chores (when I'm at work).
We are officially done with softball, for now. That league is done. We had fun, we had a good run and won more games than we lost overall! I do feel like I either need to pop my back or that I've pulled something in my back, I noticed it at tonight's game. I did yoga tonight to see if that would help, no such luck yet..

It's late, it's past my bedtime, no surprise there though.

Morning!

Wave to me on your way to Newcastle Always. Hope you have a nice trip! Loads around there for kids. We particularly like riding on the Metro out to the beach at Whitley Bay, or doing the ferry loop on the Metro.

Wow This you are making so many positive changes!

I am on the naughty step this week. We've had lots of playdates and had everything out of the cupboards. I need to clean behind and inside the toy cupboard and get everything out of the crockery cupboard for a hot wash - some of the stuff we don't use very often has that horrible patina of grease and dirt.

I also need to wipe out the snack cupboard but not when the dc are around as they will want to eat all of the contents.

Yes @DillyDeclutter my sister in Newcastle recommended that last time and my kids are train mad so loved it. We also just went to the local metro station to watch the trains come and go one evening/morning. That's great with the playdates. I haven't really done many and my new academic year resolution is to do about one a month for DD. Well definitely get a couple in when we're back from holiday but maybe outside the house as there's lots of kids activities on in my area...and dds friends are wild!

We're leaving at about 11, are packed now so going to try and do a very unflyladyesk blitz through everything. Ds is out with DH now so it is my turn

Oooh, I just love coming home to a clean home Alwayslearning25!

ILs are currently away for a few days and I spend my lunches there on days I'm working. I tend to clean while they're gone (they don't clean before they go, and generally not up to my standards, so I clean when they're at work also 😳) so it's nice when they get back. I vacuumed yesterday. I plan to go back today, even though it's my day off, to mop and give the cats their treats. They have an automatic feeder we got MIL a few years ago so we don't have to worry about that!

Plan for today:
🚲 spin bike workout
🚲 laundry - including blankets from couches
🚲 take DS to urgent care
🚲 bank
🚲 ILs to mop, check mail & treat cats
🚲 vacuum
🚲 mop my house
🚲 bleach bathrooms
🚲 tend to the garden (weeding and dead heading)

DSs ear isn't hurting him anymore (unless he thinks about it, he says) and he can hear, but it is draining, so I'm thinking he has an infection. I'm taking him in to get him checked out, but can only go once he's woken up typical teenager I'll let him sleep!