Grab your broomstick and fly with us into the October Flylady thread! 🎃🦇👻

[HauntingHazel]

Cobwebs, witches and ghouls await us as we head into October. The weather is changing (here anyway) so what better time to start, or restart, new routines!

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!

Zones:

1. Entryway, porch and dining room
2. Kitchen
3. Bathroom and one other room
4. Master bedroom
5. Living room

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. Well, they should but there is some technical difficulties on their end while they update the website. You can also check out the Facebook page, she updates that daily multiple times

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

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

I've been eyeing up folding desks on Amazon, but when I was tidying up my clothes drawers I realised 2 of them are almost empty, I wasn't using them because my little dressing table was too close stopping them opening up fully.
So I've put that in my study, I'll see how it goes.
Started a new charity bag, but I've had quite a few mini sort outs lately, I've done much more than I realised.
I need a wardrobe sorters manual, do my thermal leggings go with gym leggings, or should they live with my over trousers, do bed socks live with normal socks, or pyjamas 🤷‍♂️
@Alwayslearning25 I'd always prioritise outdoor stuff, probably why my house is a tip, but I've enjoyed having a couple of days in the house getting it ready to start actual cleaning.

Oooooh, I love him! My Jack is 13ft tall, so can only imagine 2 more feet! Those ceilings really are tall! I just think it's so fun to decorate this time of year. Last year I kept him up for Christmas, but I don't think I will this year. The weather can be pretty harsh and it took its toll on the stand.

Alwayslearning25 you do what you need to do! Definitely put the run before housework, you have to take care of yourself and you'll feel better for it!

Cherry hopefully moving the furniture around will help. I think that the best place to put things is the first place you look to find them! If it makes sense to put your bed socks with pajamas, put them there. But if you look for them in your sock drawer, that's where they belong!

I have a lot of things I need to do today. I need to try to keep on track so dumping them here..

To dos:
🕸 wash sheets, towels and other laundry
🕷 handwash dishes
🕸 scrub countertops
🕷 make caramels & cashew clusters
🕸 vacuum
🕷 mop
🕸 bleach both bathrooms
🕷 clean mirrors
🕸 hair appt
🕷 take DS out to sell for yet another fundraiser - after school
🕸 work on dinner
🕷 finish the caramels (wrap, package etc.)

MIL will be coming by this morning, so to keep motivated I will be working on my caramels before she gets here! I also have to fit in a chat with my mum!
I need about 3 days off to fit it all in! But I'll try to get as much done as possible.

Ta das, so far:
🎃 LOLs x2
👻 handwashed dishes
🎃 scrubbed countertops
👻 caramels made
🎃 cashew clusters mostly made (ran out of chocolate melting wafers!)
👻 hair appt
🎃 grocery store to buy more chocolate

I need to work on more laundry and clean the house before picking DS up.

Ta das:
💀 vacuumed
🦇 mopped
💀 bleached bathrooms
🦇 took DS out to raise more money through a fundraiser for band
💀 cooked dinner and started on a casserole DH will take to work (we'll have some for dinner tomorrow night too)
🦇 cleaned up the kitchen
💀 put laundry away
🦇 remade bed
💀 got my clothes out ready for the morning

I didn't get to finish the cashew clusters or caramels, so I'll have to work on them another time.

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day.

Wednesday's mission is to use an old toothbrush to scrub around the taps. She says to also use it on your rings you're wearing to make them sparkle again. I use the free toothbrushes we get from the dentist as they are too soft for me. I have one I set aside for my jewellery. I wouldn't use one for cleaning on my ring.

Baby Step 8: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-8/
Put your journal together. She suggests using a 3-ring binder, a notebook would also work.
She also breaks down the baby steps so far into morning and before bed routines. Click on the link to check it out.

The messy corner of the kitchen is looking a bit better. Fridge is less crammed now that I check the contents and make shopping lists. Dishes washed, recycling out the house to bins or garage.

I'm taking the kids to the dentist now, and we'll get MacDonalds before I take DD back to school. DD wants to get back for 1 as she wants to be in time for lessons but not lunch break.... probably because her fractured arm means she can't do everything she wants at break.

Threadworms are stressing me but i have no energy last night, or time to do extra cleaning. I avoid stress as had anxiety diagnosed a year ago, but feel like I'm avoiding it rather than feeling the stress to motivate me to clean more! DS still had a live worm this morning, that's r days after treatment...is that a bad sign, I don't know!

This morning I've made soup and hung up washing i did at 60 degrees. In the meantime ds caused chaos in the living room instead of watching TV.

I forgot to add links last night, I'm so sorry!

Thursday is errand day.
Thursday's mission is to wipe down your big appliances. Wipe fingerprints off the fridge, on the oven door etc. Just a quick wipe, that shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes. Mine are stainless steel, so when I'm done wiping them down with soapy water, I use window cleaner and a microfiber cloth to shine them up.

Baby Step 9: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-9/
Today learn how to declutter (flylady style). Try it out, if it doesn't work for you, try another way. There's multiple ways to declutter, find what works for you!
https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/decluttering-15-minutes/
Don't forget your morning (too late, I know 🤦‍♀️) and before bed routines.

Friday is clean your car & handbag out day.
It is also date night.

Friday's mission is to sweep and mop your kitchen floor. Do a thorough job, but use whatever you'd like. She's not fussy. Whether you get down on your hands & knees with a bucket and a rag, using a traditional mop or a steam mop, so whatever you need to do to get it clean.

Thankfully DS will be doing a home bleugh, that involves vacuuming and mopping. We use a mop called a Swiffer Mop, it has a spray nozzle and the cleaner sits on it. We do have the disposable pads though, so not the most environmentally friendly. There are others that have a washable pad, but those are much more expensive!

Baby Step 10: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-10/
Set your timer for 15 minutes today. In that time, pick up any rubbish around your house, have a bin liner in hand and start grabbing rubbish that can get thrown away.
Then set your timer for another 15 minutes and put your feet up with a cup of tea/ coffee/ glass of water and have a break!
Don't forget your morning and before bed routines! They are listed on the link, if you need them.

Morning everyone , sending coffee to those who need it ☕️ mine is extra strong this morning , approaching the end of term so it's very much needed!

I've been on a bit of a downward spiral this week, I don't know whether I'm coming down with something or my vitamin levels are down again and thyroid levels up , or I could just be ready for the half term break but I've struggled to even complete the basics and spent a lot of the time sat down after work, I haven't even been crafting or reading much ! I've told myself I will catch up tonight on the kitchen but who knows 🤪 maybe if I just do 5 minutes it'll give me the kick up the bottom I need !

Threadworms are horrible @Alwayslearning25 and exhausting with all the extra cleaning involved! How is dd coping her fractured arm ?

Yay for the less messy corner @Scourgify !

Well done to ds for the home bleurgh @hauntinghazel Maybe I need to train my kids up 🤔 I have both a mop and the mop that you have, the spray mop is easy to grab and go.

@Searchingfordaffodils I've had 4 coffees this morning, I'm about to go out and I'm already regretting it because of my old lady bladder!
Tuesday and last night my (not so) DP had a few too many and was up and down very noisily for the loo, the constant waking me up has wrecked me.
Then I overslept this morning, so I'm really behind.
I've not done much flying but I'm doing a shop later before I hit the sofa.
I've got a thread in housekeeping about mops for rough floors, I might try a swiffer @HauntingHazel , do they have the bar thingy for the pads, like a belt sander, or is it velcro?

@Searchingfordaffodils I also feel low energy too, so also don't feel like I've done the extra cleaning required for worms. DH thinks medication alone should clear it up. I gave toilet a good clean this morning but put a pause on washing a couple of days ago. I'll do more tonight. On the plus side I've seen no worms in poo the last 2 days.

Cherry it's velcro. So probably possible to make something to Velcro to it for pads. I wouldn't use the pads the mop comes with for rough floor though, it would shred it.

Alwayslearning25 that's a good sign that there's no worms. When I had read up on them (although it was just one article), it said to deep clean everything, all clothing, bedding etc, that any works may have come into contact with, along with toilet, any handles (anything your DS may have touched, especially if he was scratching at all - eggs could be under fingernails). It also said to do another round of treatment after 2 weeks, incase more eggs hatch.
I'm not sure on the accuracy though, it was just the one article, but I wouldn't want to take any chances of reinfection. It was a nightmare when fleas were brought into our old house by a visiting dog, I would imagine worms would be worse though!

Cherry I hope you're getting better sleep tonight! Let me know if you need me to clarify what I wrote earlier about the mop. I was heading back to work from break and didn't have time to proof read it!

Searching did you have any energy to do anything in the end?

Tonight, after work, I wrapped the caramels I made the other day, and packaged them into 4 boxes. There's still more to make. I did get my cashew clusters put into cupcake liners, but then realised 12 do not fit into a box the same size that 12 caramels will fit. I can only fit 6. So I've placed an Amazon order for larger boxes! So I've recovered the clusters while I'm waiting for the delivery.
I've just started a 4 day weekend and plan on making more caramels.
Tomorrow is the marching band competition that we are hosting, so it's all hands on deck to help. I still have to figure out dinner for tomorrow night and it's our turn to host my ILs! 😱

Saturday is family fun day.
There are no missions on the weekend.

Baby Step 11: https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/day-11/
Add another page to your control journal called "inspirational quotes". Spend 15 minutes writing down some inspirational or positive quotes.
Continue with your morning and before bed routine.

@HauntingHazel that's pretty much what I read. My DS gets everywhere, touches everything. So I don't think I've cleaned enough. The pharmacist I got them medication from adviced 2 doses 2 weeks apart too.

Morning! We are having a very busy October. Everything feels a bit chaotic.

I am going to try to do a 5 minute room rescue in every room today, and hoover out my car.

Dc have sports and rehearsals all day so there will be a lot of rushing about.

@HauntingHazel no I had a really shit day at work so I cried into 3 g&t's instead! I couldn't speak to who I needed to at work before leaving so I'll probably be jittery all weekend. I'm going to do half an hour or so of crafting this morning to steady myself , write a list, pop an audiobook on and focus on the house.
Sending you well wishes for all the setting up that you’ve got on today ! Tomorrow sounds like a fun day and also your sweet treats sound delicious! If you lived close by , I would pop in and ask you to share , however , seen as you are a plane flight away , I will have to go and buy some from the shop that definitely won’t taste as good as homemade ! 🙂

@Searchingfordaffodils sorry you had a shit day at work, hope you can find some calm today.
@HauntingHazel you've explained the mop very well!
Most of my downstairs is slate tiles, they're uneven and my string mop snags, my hands are knackered so it can be painful, and very annoying.
TBH I don't want it often, just hoover (when I can be bothered), but DP has been working somewhere with clay soil, and his boots have left bits of clay that's stuck to the floors and it doesn't sweep up like dried mud.

I'm back on the flying today, I've got 3 LOLs to put away, and need to find a home for the bits and pieces that were on my dressing table. I've removed the TV that was on my dressing table, so most of it will go there.

Happy Saturday all

Well and truly went awol this week!

Ive been under the weather with some cold / flu / covid thing and just been so tired after work and kids

Trying to motivate myself to be my future friend but I cba 🙃

I might go mop my kitchen as I see that was yesterday's job and I did sweep it earlier so half way there

Any motivation welcome

I hope you feel better soon @THISbitchingwitch , did you manage to find some motivation? If so, please send some my way 🤪

Thanks @CherryogDog, I used to be a breastfeeding peer support and used to say to people when they were having a rough time 'try not to quit on a bad day because the decision is made on tiredness, frustration and upset, try to lean on support around you and take a break , get some rest, decisions are better made with a clearer mind, there's no right or wrong answer, you need to do what makes you healthy and happy ' I've been trying to say my words to myself and I feel a little calmer even though I am absolutely dreading work tomorrow! Well done for getting back to flying , the tiles are a tricky one aren't they, what about wetting the floor , giving it a scrub with a sweeping brush then mopping? Maybe it'll get the clay from the grooves? Uneven tiles are a pain to get clean without the added bonus of clay !

Hope all goes well and you enjoy today @HauntingHazel!

I didn't do anything house wise yesterday , I did get showered, dressed put my makeup on and go out in the fresh air to the library and local craft fayre , I went to my second job in the afternoon and we went for a walk in the countryside, the weather was glorious and it really helped to settle my jittery nerves. In the evening we had a takeaway and watched a film 🙂 I'm taking dd2 out about 1030ish but I'm aiming to do at least 30 mins of ironing before I go . First cross stitch and a coffee ! Hopefully I'll be back with some tadas later !

I am feeling a little better however we now seem to have a bit of a d&v bug. Oh the joys.

Motivation was not located yesterday however I am cracking on today - maybe the vomit was sent to make me shift my arse

Ta da
💚 utility swept and mopped
💙 cat cleaned out
💛 hall swept and mopped
💚 quick sweep in living room
💙 dining area swept and mopped
💛 dining chairs and table wiped down
💚 breakfast bar and chairs wiped down
💙 kitchen swept and mopped
💛 bins out
💚 2 x LOL
💙 quick clean of kitchen bin

Are we still on the kitchen? (Hope so!)

Searching I'm glad you were able to calm your nerves a bit with the walk. I would share my treats with all of you, if I could!

Alwayslearning25 hopefully the worm ordeal will be over and you can get back to normal. Doing extra deep cleaning is exhausting!

Dilly I have days where I'm running about everywhere. It's hard to feel like anything gets done on those days!

Cherry clay on your tiles would make it so much harder to clean off too. Make DH clean them since his shoes have made the mess! It might make him more careful about making the mess to begin with.

THIS sometimes you have to be careful what your wish for, re motivation! I'm sorry you're having to go through D&V and the clean up of it. You have definitely found motivation tog, looking at your ta da list!
Technically I think we've moved to the bathroom (zone 3), but honestly, I don't move to the next zone until Monday myself, especially where there's no missions on the weekend.

Yesterday was the marching band competition. It was freezing cold, raining, windy and we were all outside in it! I was frozen to my core! But the kids did really well, we won 1st place in our division (it's divided up by size of the band).
I ache all over today!
I do need to get laundry done though, so that'll be a priority. I'll also need to figure out meals and go grocery shopping, but at the same time, we have food in for tonight, so could put that off until tomorrow.
We went out for dinner last night, so didn't need to cook in the end. ILs ended up treating us, which was really nice and much appreciated!
They are coming over this morning to get into the hot tub, which is exactly what I need today (although DH & I did get in there last night, which helped to warm me up).

Adding to my ta das

💛 beds stripped
💙 3 more LOL
💚 hand wash dishes washed
💛 dishwasher reloaded
💙 found one of dcs forest school bags from the summer, put clothes for wash and other items away
💚 hoovered - my bedroom, landing, small dcs bedroom
💛 helped small dc tidy bedroom
💙 hung up some uniform straight from dryer (winning)
💚 scrubbed a stain on small dcs carpet
💛 started asda order for later in the week