September Flylady: Fledglings inspired to make a fresh start at the beginning of a brand new term!

[mixedpeel]

Whether you're starting to build a new routine, stuck in a rut, or been around for years, join us on the monthly Flylady thread! Flylady has created a series of daily and weekly prompts to help anyone who finds it tricky to get or keep their house clean and tidy. She totally gets it if you feel overwhelmed or don't even know where to start - as do we! The best thing about Flylady is that you are never behind - just jump in at whatever point you are at, and do what you can.

This is a long running thread, but as a newbie myself I can confirm everyone is very friendly and all are welcome to join in. We spur each other on, but also commiserate when life gets in the way and we don't get as much done as we might have wanted to.

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
We usually link to the daily missions (jobs to do in whichever zone we're in) every day, but the new website doesn't seem to be working for me right now. I will keep trying, but they should update every day so you can click the link yourself to check. We will post the missions in the thread too so don't worry about missing anything. Most importantly, don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!

Do NOT sign up for the Flylady emails - it's an excessive amount sent every day. I have taken one for the team but use a junk email address. I will check them periodically and report anything interesting / useful

Flylady also tries to help us get into habits so that eventually we do things without even having to think about them. She has 31 baby steps to gradually pick up (on the previous website, since the link isn't working on the new site yet): https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/

Daily focus: each day of the week has a different focus. It's not all jobs jobs jobs by the way.
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

If you can, it's worth downloading the app (link on the flylady website), you can even have it send you notifications. You can also modify the tick lists to suit your home & lifestyle. There is a paid version and a free version, though the missions haven't been updating on the free app.

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

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 probably more, feel free to ask us to explain something!

@Alwaysgrowing hope you hold your own and don’t go to DH’s family.

@CherryogDog glad you slept a bit better. My night was actually not too bad either, yay! I often feel even more sleepy after a better night, it’s as if my body has adjusted to poor sleep and doesn’t quite know what’s hit it when I get a better rest. Not complaining though, I hate the disturbed nights.

@PamelaColmansMustard I confess to being inspired by the duster/essential oil combo. Any recommendations for where to get the essential oils from?

@DillyDeclutter good to see you in here. The garden is a zone all of its own isn’t it, for those of us lucky enough to have one. I don’t want that just to sound twee, I genuinely have never taken for granted the outside space that this house came with. I was drawn to this house because it already had raspberry canes established, and I’d always wanted to grow raspberries! Just in the borders, it’s not a big garden with a separate veg plot or anything.

@HedgehogNotes you are keeping the side up with your tada lists. My mind has gone blank today, but I know I’ve done none of the zone missions at all this week. Bathroom is adequate thanks to last month and regular S&S, but that isn’t why I haven’t done them. Stupid busy at work and no energy today once I got home. DH was cooking so I was looking forward to a relaxed early evening and then ended up on an hour and a half phone call with my dad which put me in a bad mood. Even watching Ludwig with DH didn’t really perk me up. I’ve just had a bath because I was feeling really chilly (ironic when all I wanted was to feel chilled out…)

I hadn't seen this thread before. As I read, I wondered if pet duties "counted". Thanks for the clarification 🐇

Evening check in

🍎 Super productive work day. Got through a massive backlog of work and left office feeling good
🍎 Took out stray items from handbag
🍎 Decluttered car but was raining so haven't cleaned car
🍎 washed dishes
🍎 bought wrapping paper and card for Christening this weekend

Brought home a box from work for friend's birthday present but it is again too small. Regretting choice of jigsaw and chunky book. So I'm reassigning her birthday present to Christmas presents. Will order something online for her birthday and have it delivered straight to her. Will then give her bulky Christmas gifts when I see her in person in November. Problem solved.

I've been awake since about 3am, really fed up. I've got some Zopiclone but it makes me feel so groggy in the morning, even on half a tablet.
It's not the falling asleep, it's the staying asleep that's the problem.
I really want this weekend to be the final sort out, so I can start doing more fun things.
It's warm and cozy in bed with my hot water bottle, don't know whether to try to doze off or get up and start clearing up the dining room.
☕️ and 💐 for anyone struggling, happy flying!

@mixedpeel my mother's phone calls often have a similar effect. Hugs. I get my oils from eBay, the last ones were Octavia brand which have mostly been nice other than the lavender which smells synthetic. The best lavender oil I've bought was called ancient wisdom. I think Neals Yard are meant to be the best but I am guided by the price! I also burn a lot of incense; my top favourites are Satya Celestial and Midnight.

I'm lying in bed waiting for the bathroom... often it's been empty for a good hour before I get up! @CherryogDog will you be able to get the whole dining room done today? In which case, maybe best to crack on and hope for a better sleep tonight.

@PamelaColmansMustard I should be able to finish it, it's mostly my horse cupboard. Sorting through it has made me a bit sad because it's mainly my show gear from when my body wasn't so knackered, and my fabulous horse that I lost to colic.
TLDR one of the things I want to do once this weekend is done is to ride more.
I will get up, your words have spurred me on!
And also partly because we've run out of milk so I can't have my 2nd cup of coffee in bed until the co-op opens 😁

PS, I moan about my DP so much, but he gets up early (toilet related), brings me a cup of tea, and then two coffees every morning. It's what I miss the most when I'm away from home 😁

@CherryogDog I stripped the bed so couldn't get back in! I'm sorry to hear about your beautiful horse, it's a hard task clearing out their effects. I still have a dog collar from my first Cairn who died decades ago. Good luck with the task, once it's done it'll be a weight lifted xxx

@HedgehogNotes I’m so pleased you got so much done at work yesterday. Relentless meetings get in the way don’t they! The continuing tale of your friend’s present will I’m sure be familiar to many of us - good decision to save these things which evidently are refusing to be posted until you can see her in person!

@CherryogDog sorry about the 3am waking (yet again). I wish you well with the push to get the last bits done. Very emotional to be reminded of your past self, but even more so when it’s connected to much-loved and missed animal friends. It’s good to know you will be riding again. You’ve got this!

@PamelaColmansMustard thanks for the solidarity on the parent thing. And I’m definitely going to go for some essential oils. They can be mood lifters as well as helping the house smell sweeter, so I know it will be likely to inspire me to swish my dust catching surfaces much more often.

@Meteorite87 yep animal duties very much count! I’m not sure Flylady herself has any pets, but there is quite the menagerie between those of us on the thread.

My only To Dos this morning are to pack for a weekend away with DH! DS will be looking after the dog and rabbit until we get back on Monday.

@PamelaColmansMustard 🫂 for your Cairn xx Top tip stripping the bed so you don't lounge in it!
BIG TADA! HUGE (think Julie Roberts in Pretty Woman).
My dining room is tidy, I can even shut the cupboard doors. I've had a little sweep up but I'm going to catch up on some boring admin for now.

Babystep 19: share your progress so far
https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/19/
We started doing this the other day with the encouragement babystep. To add to what I said then, I think the bathroom swish and swipe (for newbies this is a quick daily wipe of basin and toilet) has made a massive difference. I’ve been doing this since June and it’s definitely just something I do now, not resentfully because I ‘should’, but because it takes no time at all and keeps the mank away.

Saturday is Family Fun Day. As mentioned earlier, DH and I are off for a weekend away shortly, woo hoo. Hope you all find something pleasurable to do this weekend.

Wow! That’s quick work this morning! The culmination of a huge effort over however long it’s been… really pleased for you. What an achievement. Do the boring admin while you’re on a roll but hope you also find a way to celebrate your hard work xx

Thanks @mixedpeel

I never really count animal stuff as TADAs, except the cleaning of dog room and beds, but thinking about it it's a baby step that's ingrained as a habit, everything that needs to be done just gets done.
Need to build up the indoor habits now.

Believe me, I can lozzock in there for ages lol! Great stuff on getting your room and cupboard sorted - deserves a celebratory snack/cuppa/whatever floats your boat!

Just depositing the morning musing here. It’s probably best saved for another day, given it’s supposed to be Saturday Fun Day, but it’s all about getting your desk clear and tidy: https://flylady.net/morning-musing/the-challenge-of-having-a-clean-desk

Morning, I'm away for a long weekend too, by myself, although I am meeting friends today and saw cousins on Thursday when I arrived. Although I am a very sociable person generally, this is a really good reset away from the constant questions, requests and general things to do from DH, young adult DCs, parents and three jobs. Mind you having been away last week as well I am building up a huge to do list of admin things but it can wait till I get home. Have a good weekend everyone

@ExpertlyDecluttering have a fab time 😀

I am staying home today. DH didn't mind at all, DD was a bit sad. She's been annoying recently and I'd probably end up shouting at her if we spend more time together right now. Those having a weekend away, enjoy. Tadas:
Tidied up kitchen
One lol

To doSo
👉Clean out car and bag.
👉Tidy a surface in the living room that's been cluttered forever. Ive started by moving DDS Lego that she's not played with for ages to a other room, found her missing pritt sticks
👉Make and eat a healthy lunch.
👉Tidy and clean bedroom floor.

I'm not sure it's flylady type thing, but in thinking of writing occasional jobs included in the missions onto bits of paper in a jar so it's a surprise, random mission. Might be more fun I've I've not managed to do the weekly zone system yet. So if I see something write it down but not in a long, overwhelming list. Might just be a prograstination from actually doing the cleaning.

I've been reading the thread, but not posting lately, I've been so busy and not done much flying!
This week I did manage to get some paperwork moved to files. I really need a better system, and think I may have figured it out. I just need to put it into practice.
I have sorting out I want to get done this weekend. It's wet and miserable outside right now, so the best time to get inside stuff done!

As usual Coco woke me up around 7am, an hour ago, now she's snoring next to me 🙄 on the couch, while I'm drinking my coffee. DH is still sleeping. I may be a little jealous that he can sleep through Coco's whining.

DS dyed his hair purple at work Thursday night, while they were cleaning it the oil (after they closed), then rinsed it off at home.
Now I have a pink tint to my bath that I need to try to get rid of! He did try yesterday, but no luck. He has homework to do this weekend or I'd make him do it!
Does anyone have any tips? I have googled and got a few suggestions, but figured I'd ask here to see if anyone has been successful (before I try 15 different things!).

I like the idea of the missions in a jar Always! And I'm glad you ended up staying home, it sounds like you need it.

I hope you enjoy your weekends away ED and mixedpeel

Cherry well done for getting your dining room sorted! 🥳 you have been working on it since you joined the thread, haven't you?! It is cause for celebration, I think!

Pamela I bet your house smells divine after using the oil on surfaces!

@Meteorite87 welcome 👋 I absolutely include animal ta das! Also anything else that I have spent time doing, even if I think it might not count necessarily. I have spent time doing something, but even relaxing on the couch is needed! Although saying that, I haven't posted ta das for a while.. 🫣

Hedgehog the birthday/Christmas present fix sounds like a great idea to me, and you'll already have her Christmas present ready, so one less to worry about!

timoteigirl I do know how you feel! I have had days that I just have to spend all day clearing a room/ shelf/ drawer etc.
Do you feel overwhelmed? If I don't know where to start I pick an easy corner of the room and work my way around it, or I plan to just spend 15 minutes on getting something done. Once I've started I'm on a roll usually. I need to do that this weekend, and that is my plan. I just need to take a shower and get dressed first (after I've finished my 2nd cup of coffee this morning).

Kitzy I know the feeling of wanting it all done right now! I know that 15 minutes can make a difference, sometimes I can carry on for longer, other times 15 minutes is all it takes to make a big improvement! Don't feel like you have to do it all right away, building a routine is what flylady is about, to create new habits so things get done without thinking about it.

I feel like I have missed a newcomer, I'm so sorry! I need to post more often so I keep up!

.. and I'm not even going to mention the state of my Jeep right now. It's been neglected!

@HazelNotHungryLC sorry, no idea with bath dye but wishing you luck with it!

@mixedpeel hope you have a great weekend away!

Ta das
❤️Washed cat bowls and feeding mat
❤️Wrapped Christening present
❤️Meal plan for week
❤️Went to Christening and family party. All very nice.
❤️ Food shop on way home. Felt very glam going round Morrisons in my heels and nice dress!
❤️ Ordered friend necklace online to be delivered straight to her address and posted birthday card. Job done! Hurray!
❤️ Cooked tea

DH did LOL and played Minecraft with DD.

Think that is going to be it for today. I'm on bedtime duty with DD later on but for now I'm just going to settle in with a Stephen King book and relax

No worries hedgehog I actually got it off with dish soap, well Dawn Powerwash to be exact. I sprayed it on, left it for 15 minutes, it was already working on getting it off. I scrubbed it, rinsed it, repeated it. It looks white again! 🥳

Maybe you should plan to do your weekly shop all glamorous! It's much better than my usual joggers and hoodie!

Ta das:
🍁 showered, dressed, makeup on
🍁 lol
🍁 vacuumed with the stick vacuum
🍁 mopped
🍁 S&S
🍁 decluttered in the laundry room (dumping ground)
🍁 organised the laundry room
🍁 organised hallway closet
🍁 had a relaxing night at ILs for dinner, followed by a game of Newmarket

I finally opened a box that was packed and shipped 20 years ago from the UK to the US. It had wedding pictures/ albums in it, along with a bunch of cards. I ended up chucking the cards, as we won't do anything with them/ look at them or anything. It felt good to empty that box after so many years!
I do kind of feel guilty as some of the cards are DDs from when she was born/ 1st/ 2nd birthdays, but she wouldn't know most of the people who they are from. I probably should have kept the ones from us, but didn't. What she won't know won't hurt her!

@HazelNotHungryLC my dining room has been the dumping ground for years, it's the depository area for every room I'm trying to sort out.
Then when we moved the horses from the stables, due to the owner bringing in a manager (very vile man who made it a horribly toxic place), all my horse stuff was in there as we ended up in a field with no storage.
There is a big cardboard box on the table for random charity bits but tbh there's very little left to declutter.
Need to go through the photos and cards, I'm not expecting it to be particularly emotional, but then I didn't expect to be bawling my eyes out over an old cardboard box 🤷‍♀️
I've got hundreds of photos on my phone and rarely look at them. And the pics haven't seen light of day for years.
There are some old video tapes that I'd quite like to get edited, there's some of my husband when he was dying that I don't ever want to see again because I want to remember him fit and well.

Sleep wasn't too bad, but woke up with a migraine. I've had my meds, crumpets, vacuumed the cobwebs in the dining room.
Quick break and then I'm off somewhere with the dogs.
Hope you're all having fabulous days!