Flying through summer with Flylady ☀️

[HazelNotHungryLC]

Summer is here! Or is it?? 🤔
It's time to get our homes in order for the chaos that is the summer holidays!

Whether you're starting to build a new routine, stuck in a rut, or been around for years, join us on the Flylady thread. I'll try to keep us on track for the month, with baby steps, daily missions and weekly zones.

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:
☀️Entryway, porch and dining room
☀️Bathroom & one other room
☀️Kitchen
☀️Master bedroom & master bathroom
☀️Living room

Don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!

Daily focus: each day of the week has a different focus.

Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
Tuesday: plan & play
Wednesday: anti-procrastination
Thursday: errand day
Friday: clean car & purse out day. 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 😆
S&S: Swish & Swipe (wipe the bathroom sink & toilet)
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, it's a new website! 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. There is a paid version and a free version. I use the free version. The missions haven't been updating on the app (although I should admit I haven't looked at it in a couple of months.. 🫣)

Links are below 👇

Daily missions (for the zone we are in):
https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission

Baby steps (on a different website, since the link isn't working on the new site yet): https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, some of us have been doing Flylady for a very long time, as well as others just starting out. We may have other things to add that we have found works for us that could help you too!

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

There are no missions on the weekend.

Baby Step 18: https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/18/
The website is working again! Yay!

Today, read the 11 flylady commandments. They are all listed on the link.

I didn't thing to take his sensitive stomach food to the vet, so they gave him what they had, so now Dobby has diarrhea 😪 it made for a long night last night.
One of the times I got up with him I couldn't see the steps to go outside (I didn't turn the lights on outside) and fell down them, holding him. He didn't get hurt, thankfully, but I'm hurting a lot.
I came over light headed and had to sit down. Even this morning I keep coming over light headed, it's weird. I did not hit my head.

Anyway, I feel like we have been cleaning the floors quite a bit, I washed our blankets from the couch last night on a sanitize setting, and I gave Dobby a bath.

I have lots of laundry to catch up on, grocery shopping to do, and DH wants us to build a step on each side of the camper bed, to also use as storage. I'll see what I can get done today.

@HazelNotHungryLCoh no I hope you and Dobby feel better soon.

I’m currently descaling my kettle with the swap my delivery gave me of distilled malt vinegar instead of distilled white vinegar so it stinks and is less of a % so that’s annoying. So will find other uses than normal.

I’m babysitting a young gull in the garden who can’t yet fly properly. He’s been on my neighbours flat extension roof for a few weeks since he was a cute fluffball being fed by his parents. Then he made it to my other neighbours for a day and now he’s with me. He’s happy here because I have shade and no dogs and my DC are older. He’s particularly fond of a clump of dry weeds which of course look like a nest to him. There are fallen apples he can peck at and of course I’m changing his water daily. We’ve been told to leave him due to his parents feeding him so he doesn’t need to be rescued. I’ve called him Jonathan Livingston. We do get cats and foxes though but there are chairs and a table he can hop up onto. No point putting him back on the flat roof as he clearly can move enough already to explore. I don’t want him to fall. He was pecking hard against the patio door last night so I put a dark blanket over 2 chairs to stop him pecking at his reflection which worked. I didn’t want him cracking the glass. My vax cleaner arrives today so I can wet deep wash the carpet stairs.

I sorted out under the loft stairs and binned a load of stuff and hoovered the area and reorganised it. I really should get on with mopping the kitchen floor and hoovering some areas

Peony I enjoyed reading about "your" young gull! You should keep us updated with his antics 😍

Dobby is using both of his back legs to move around now! He's still wobbly, and doesn't walk far, but he's made a lot of progress since coming home. MIL will be bringing her baby gate over today so we can block off the stairs. As he gets better he will want to go down them (to the basement), and he's not allowed to tackle steps/ stairs yet.

I think I either put my hips out or my pelvis is out again from that fall. So as of right now I'll have to call the chiropractor tomorrow to put them right.

Ta das so far today:
🐶 wash Dobby's back end after the last round of diarrhea this morning
🐶 stripped the bed, sheets currently in the washer - 2nd lol of the day (no need to explain why I'm washing my sheets on a day other than Tuesday 😪)
🐶 1st lol of the day is in the dryer
🐶 DW rotated (I just have to finish my 2nd cup of coffee, then I can turn it on)
🐶 house currently being aired out

To do: lots!

Sunday is renew your spirit day.
Do whatever you like to do to reset and prepare for the upcoming week.
This could be going to church, walk in nature, swim in the sea, hot bubbly bath, pamper session: body scrub/ face mask/ paint nails, read a book, take a nap, etc.
It could also involve meal planning and prep so you're ready for the week ahead.

Baby Step 19: https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/19/
Share your progress so far. What have you noticed that has improved in your home? What has been easy? What has been difficult?

@HazelNotHungryLC Dobby’s improving so that’s great but you’re not so that’s awful for you. I personally would rather see a qualified physio rather than a chiropractor who needs no qualifications but that’s just me so worth considering. You should take things a bit easier for the time being so you don’t aggravate anything further.

I ’ve hoovered and cleaned a neglected corner so that feels good. However the paint is now bubbling on a wall where I sprayed and left it to clean so that’s annoying. I live in a Victorian house 1830’s so we can get away with it at least it’s clean now. I hoovered behind the TV and polished the stand etc. I get very tired so can only do so much before needed a sit down and a cup of tea. Of course being at home so much more all these old and crannies are so noticeable plus I have guests coming in a few days. They don’t care what my house looks like as they’re here to catch up and hang out but it gives me more motivation along with the Fly lady app which is working brilliantly for me. Because of course just tackling a bit a day is an achievement. And it doesn’t take as much time as you think at all even being very thorough.

The seagull has now left my garden but has left a lot of drooping behind so I have to rinse that down with hot water. No rain on the horizon unlike our usual summers. Once my DC go back to uni then I can get on with more areas. They literally bring back a whole household of items they accumulate over the year and then need to take it all back again.

Ignore my comment re chiropractors having no qualifications they absolutely do. Just check that they actually do is what I meant sorry. Some have been known to practise without one in the past.

Peony my chiropractor is certified, very knowledgeable (and explains everything), and will not hesitate to tell me to go to a medical doctor etc, if needed. Thank you though!

I didn't think about the mess birds bring, although it seems like we have a lot more bird poop around this year, more than usual.

I did not take it easy today! But I'm feeling a lot better.

Ta das:
☀️ DW turned on and is finished
☀️ both bathrooms deep cleaned. This took a while as I bleached from the walls to the floors, delimescaled the sinks and toilets, and scrubbed the floors, especially the grout
☀️ mirrors sparkling in both bathrooms
☀️ gave Dobby a half-bath again
☀️ 2 more LOLs, one of which was a gentle cycle, including the outer shower curtain, the inside, plastic curtain was left to soak in the bath in bleach water

It's very hot here today, so I'm thinking we may be getting in the pool in a little bit!

I sorted out the shoe rack too hoovering under and behind and putting them neatly in pairs. 90% DD footwear 🤦‍♀️ Mine were already in neat pairs. LOL too and DW but I’m always on top of those thankfully as tiresome as that is.

@HazelNotHungryLC careful with your hip and back and I hope they’re not causing you too much pain.

Peony my back and hips are doing okay at the moment. I am aware that could change overnight though!
Well done for getting your shoe rack sorted.

We got in the pool!
I have remade our bed and put away all the clean clothes.
My clothes are out and ready for the morning.
I've already taken a shower, scrubbed, shaved & put self tanner on.
I need an early night to bed, although my sleep will probably be broken again as Dobby still has diarrhea 😪

Monday is home bleugh. Vacuum, change sheets, empty bins.

We are in a new zone: the master bedroom.

Monday's mission: https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission
It hasn't updated for me yet, but if you click on the link it should be there.

Baby Step 20: https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/20/
Complete one load of laundry a day. From beginning to end, including putting away.

Descaling bathroom taps the part where the water comes out. Deep Cleaning bathroom tiles and grout on the walls not the shower cubicle ones as they’re already done.

Hi, I’m still here somewhere in the naughty corner . My notice has finally been handed in and I will finish this week. I have been in a dark place and the house has suffered massively! My family have been amazing at trying to keep things ticking over but I finally feel like I can breathe as my notice period is coming to an end.

I can’t even decide where to start on the house , any words of advice ? I am definitely still delicate but I really want to take control back ❤️

@Searchingforsparkle You’re not alone. I’ve neglected my house for ages. Just doing the absolute basics really. I’m quite mortified at how much there really is to do. I just picked the areas that I hated the most. I’ve just been using my new Vax spot clean which was brand new from eBay for £55 for the stairs. The 250ml cleaning solution it came with was just enough for the stairs and half of the half landing. I’m exhausted and sweaty. I wasn’t going to do it today and probably would have left it for weeks but I had a coffee, everyone is out and just did it. It’ll be easier next time. Obviously the water was black having never done it before. I’ve been going down the rabbit hole of cleaning TikTok videos especially useful re products to use. I suppose I’m actually doing a deep clean and once I’ve tackled it all bit by bit it’ll be easier to maintain. Next time I might just do half the stairs at a time not the whole lot. I wanted to do it whilst it’s still warm weather so it dries quicker but the suction works really well. I’ve ordered more solution so will finish off the landing. The Fly lady app works for me now I’ve downloaded it. I can figure out what to do and just follow the list and tick things off. You can do quite a lot for the 5 or 15 minutes tasks.

Searching be gentle with yourself!
Do the basic baby steps: make your bed, getting dressed, shine your sink etc, and honestly if I were you, I would start in the bedroom.
That's the zone we are in anyway, but for me, my bedroom is my peaceful place. It's where I can rest and have a good night's sleep. Make sure your sheets are clean, minimal clutter (just put everything in a box for now and deal with it later when you're feeling more up to it, if you need to - take it out of the bedroom or hide it out of sight for now), and make it cosy, whatever that means for you. With a restful night's sleep you may feel like you can tackle another area, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

If a whole room is too much to take on, just start with a corner, spend 5 minutes on it and be done. Continue if you feel up to it, or take a break then go back to it, or just call it a day.
You could list out what needs to be done in each room, do the easiest thing first as it can be motivating just to do something. There are many things that could work for you, those are just a few I could think of.

Honestly though I think the important thing to remember is to take care of yourself. Add something to your routine for self care, such as using a new lotion or face cream. Take a bath with lots of bubbles. Scrub your feet to make them smooth, take your time to shave, whatever it is that you would enjoy.
Make sure you're drinking lots of water, eating healthy foods and get some movement in, even just a short walk up and down the street, or in the park, is better than nothing, stretch.
Basically, put yourself first!

Sorry, that was very long!

Peony it's so satisfying to clean carpets! To see the difference, and the colour of the water 🤮 if it wasn't such a faff to clean the machine, I'd clean my carpets more often!

Poor Dobby hasn't been wanting to eat his food, so I got some other food from the vet today to help settle his stomach. He ate it like he was starving! He does still have diarrhea, so lots of cleanup and broken sleep. Hopefully that food will work 🤞
He's moving around a lot better, although may have overdone it a little.
Coco is happy he's home, but I think a little jealous of the attention he's getting, although she's not getting ignored at all either!
DH is very happy he's home too, although he's just about had it with cleaning up etc as well.
I am exhausted from it all!

DS has left for the week, to go to band camp. He has been memorizing his music, now they will learn the marching movements and put it all together. They will be performing on Friday, and I will be able to leave work early to go watch it, he doesn't know this. I'm excited! I love marching band season!

@HazelNotHungryLCpoor Dobby, poor you re cleaning up. What fun seeing your DS at band camp.

My Vax is a smaller one and self cleans the hose which is handy and the rest is easy to empty and rinse. Good for stairs and easy for me.

Tuesday is plan & play day.

Tuesday's mission: https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission/20260721-zone-4-mission-2-tuesday-your-master-bedroom
Set your timer for 15 minutes and tackle your clothes pile. You know the ones, lurking on a chair etc. Put things away, put them out for wash or get them ready to donate.

Baby Step 21: https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/21/
Get your questions answered.

Thanks @PeonyBulband @HazelNotHungryLC

last nights tada
🥳 thoroughly tidied and hoovered bathroom
🥳 general tidy downstairs(pots in dishwasher, washer on etc)
I just set a 10 minute timer for each of these tasks .

This mornings tada
🥳 bed made
🥳 breakfast pots in dishwasher
🥳 tidy of the bathroom after everyone’s showers , fresh towels put in there
🥳 clean towels put away

This is more than I’ve been managing this month , currently sat in the car absolutely dreading going into work 😩 won’t be long until I’m on the road to recovery ❤️ 15 hours in this job left 🙂

@Searchingforsparklenot long to go and it’ll all be over. Well done with your Ta Das you probably did more than you planned which is great. I decided to clean my kitchen windows properly. Then promptly stepped off the counter backwards completely missing the chair and fell arse over tit. I wasn’t hurt or anything but just in shock at my stupidity. I then realised where I’d cleaned the stair carpet there was a darker strip along the edge of each step so luckily had a can of vanish carpet cleaner which I’ve sprayed on and rubbed in. Dangerous stuff all this cleaning

Hi - am I ok to join? I'm very new to Flylady, recently bought Sink Reflections and watched a few Youtubes; before I started reading the book (not yet finished it) I went and shined my sink - not perfect, but I was happy with it!

We live in an old semi which is constantly dusty - not helped by an open fireplace and too much clutter. I've looked at other cleaning methods - TOMM for one, I liked Gemma Bray's videos but the system itself seems a bit complicated. Unless it's just me.

Anyway inspired by what bit I've gleaned of Flylady, I've tackled the landing this morning. Cleared away the crud, dusted and wiped from top down, looks loads better. I feel loads better too.

Welcome @PamelaColmansMustardspunds like you’re off to a great start !

Oh no @PeonyBulbare you ok ? Cleaning is very hazardous isn’t it 😂

Hows Dobby today @HazelNotHungryLC? I hope your DS has a lovely week at band camp .

tada
🥳 hoovered stairs
🥳 cleared kitchen sides (it took less than 5 mins which is good !)
🥳 retidy of bathroom
🥳 clothes out for tomorrow
🥳 made sure I ate something for tea (DH picked up a microwave meal for me which isn’t the best but still resembles food)
🥳 washed face I haven’t been managing this in the evening , I always shower in the morning but since life got dark , self care hasn’t been great . Thanks for the reminder to look after myself @HazelNotHungryLC

Last day tomorrow, I will absolutely get through this, I deserve so much more .