Procrastinating? Don't!

Good morning on this Wonderful Wednesday!

How are you today?

Today's plan of action goes something like this....

* MR

* Daily Focus 

* ZONE 1

* PAMPER TIME 

*ER

Todays Daily Focus in FlyLadyLand is Anti-Procrastination Day.   It's the day to do stuff you've been putting off!  Quite often we chew things over...do we....don't we.... and quite often we spend more time chewing than doing!

The idea of Anti-Procrastination Day, or I call it ODD JOB DAY is to DO.  It's that simple!

I have a 'to-do list' which is mainly one off stuff like cleaning the washing machine filter through to DIY jobs.  I'm currently putting it new steps and a path in the garden and returning our loft space into a nice room after a flood.  It's he sort of day to change tap washers, lightbulbs or batteries.

I write down jobs I want to achieve and come ODD JOB DAY I decide where I'll work based on the weather, if it's fine, I'll be in the garden.  If it's wet, any other job will do as they're all indoors!

Get a sheet of paper and start your 'to-do list'.  Give yourself 15 minutes over a cup of tea to write down as many jobs as you can, if you can do 1 or 2, great!  

You'll find when you write them down that you'll empty quite a lot out of your brain... you'll feel so much better.  Keep the list handy so that you can add to it as things arise.  It'll stop you getting distracted, prevent you forgetting and get much more achieved than you thought.  Then refer to it on ODD JOB DAY and start getting these little bits done.

Next up is to return to your WELCOME ZONE.  It's another 15 minutes decluttering.... or cleaning.... or a bit of both.

I suggested some cleaning strategies yesterday, but how about a bit of a declutter and clean-along with Diane....

So, that's the plan today.  Remember to use your timer and keep topped up with water.

Don't forget your PAMPER TIME!  🧶🧵🎮📖☕️🫖

Finish your day with your ER and set yourself up for success tomorrow. 

See you then,

Nora

xxx

Declutter masterclass

Good morning on this Terrific Tuesday!

How are you today?

Don't forget to....

* take your temperature (you and home)

*MR

* Daily Focus

* PAMPER

* ER

Todays Daily Focus in FlyLadyLand is DESK DAY (or Plan & Play).  The day to get out your calendar and make any appointments for dentist, haircuts...or vet?!  

Also the day to check your fridge for things that need using up.  Plan your menu for the forthcoming week to include those and make a shopping list of everything else you need ready for shopping on Out & About Day  (Errand Day).

Once those things are done it's time to continue decluttering in your ZONE 1 - WELCOME.  In FlyLadyLand this is the entryway or porch, hall, stairs and dining room.  In my home it's the entry hall, stairs, landing and family study.

Here's a really great decluttering video from Diane in ZONE 1...

If you're all decluttered you can clean for 15 minutes by...

* featherdusting skirting, corners, ceilings... get those cobwebs!

* dusting flat surfaces

* polishing glass like windows, mirrors and glass in doors or pictures frames

* finally vacuuming carpets and rugs or mopping hard floors

Don't forget to use your timer so that you don't get too carried away.  Make time for a drink, I also take a glass of water with me, dust can make your throat dry.  And don't forget that PAMPER TIME!  You need to look after you!

OK, that's it.... let's go!

Byebye,

Nora

xxx

NEXT!

Good morning on Marvellous Monday!

How are you?  Take your temperature, compare to previous scores and try and work out what gives your best improvement and bear that in mind. 

So with a refreshed cleaning caddy and 2 weeks of routines and habits under our belt, we moving forward and in to a new Zone.

This week we're going to have a week in ZONE 1, I call this my WELCOME zone because it's our entrance.  The front door, hall, stairs and landing.  Some folks include their dining room in this, I include my office because it's at the top of the stairs,  so it makes more sense.

Make the system fit your home layout and your lifestyle.

Again, we're going to start by ensuring we've done our MORNING ROUTINE  (MR) ........

.. and don't forget to wrap your day up with your EVENING ROUTINE (ER)...

and we've done or are going to do our DAILY FOCUS, mine is ODD JOB DAY (anti-procrastination)

Our ZONE task across this week is first to declutter and also to clean.  You can declutter everything first and then clean later in the week, or next month.  Or do a 15min declutter followed by 15 minutes of cleaning, something in alignment with the jobs you'd do in your POWER HOUR (or Weekly Home Blessing).

With the change of seasons, my job will be to wash and put away some of the lighter jackets and get out winter coats and accessories.  Another day will be to clean and put away summer shoes and get out the cleaned winter ones.  I'll also have a paper purge and shredding and filing day in the family office or study.

I always do my glass when I'm in the zone like mirrors, windows, glass in doors or pictures.

Area by area, we are moving forward stress free.  We are stopping to rehydrate,  giving ourselves a break and a pamper.

We are taking small consistent steps towards a clean, clutter reduced home ready for whatever celebration you're having you're family over for or...just for yourself...why not?!

I'll be back tomorrow with some more prompts, until then, have a great day.

Nora

xxx

It's the weekend!

But don't think it's a rest from routines!  That's how things start to fall apart!  We think days off and we forget that we need to wear clothes, eat and sleep plus get prepared for the week ahead!

Doesn't sound like fun?  Well, that's the attitude that's got to change.  That's why you fall behind, because you listen to the charmer in your head saying.... 'come on, it's the weekend, don't do housework, don't worry about next week, just go out and eat-cooking is boring!  Chill out, relax.....'

Sshhhhhhh!

Quiet THAT voice and listen to sense!

You don't have to go mad!  

Because of our habits and routines last week we are on top of the laundry,  we have food in the cupboards, the house is in reasonable shape....BUT, we need to eat, maybe have some time out as a family, pack bags for the week ahead (get that homework or presentation done!)...the everyday basics to get us through the weekend and meet next week's deadlines...plus.... do something we'd like to and have time to refresh.

Saturday in FlyLadyLand is Family Fun Day and Sunday is Renew Your Spirit Day, I actually either do mine the other way round or I combine them because spending time with my family is a way to relax!  I also find Sunday busy what with church in the morning, sometimes entertaining at lunchtime and sometimes church in the evening too. 

The non-negotiables are your MR and ER, those will keep the basics rolling along.  We need to switch those up from 'a drag' to 'a safety net'.  Something that grounds your day and provides familiarity, auto-pilot for the days when life isn't feeling so great!

The other must have is PAMPER time, sounds ridiculous, but it's time to slow down, reflect and do so thing nice for yourself.... paint your nails, a pedicure, a chapter of a book or Bible...it's a little daily recharge.

Did you refresh your cleaning caddy on Friday along with school bags, swim bags, gym bags, handbag?!  You'll thank yourself you did these on Monday when they are a fresh start for the week.  Listen to what Diane has to say about 'setting yourself up for success' as opposed to sabotaging your week!

OK, time to actually 'do'.  Have a great weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday!

Toodle-ooo

Nora

xxx

Last day in our SLEEP ZONES!!

Good morning Fabulous Friday! 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

I sound more fabulous than I feel, I'm fighting a cold, determined it's not going to beat me, but I'm less than 100%.  Nevertheless......

Today is the last day in this ZONE so it's our chance to do the last little bits for our 15 minute declutter and 15 minute clean, it doesn't all need completing this week, just improving.  Why?  Because we'll be back here next month to go again.  It doesn't have to be perfect, just better than when we started!  Todays bonus is to change the sheets so we have a cosy, clean bed tonight!  🛏🥳

Todays MR (Morning Routine) as always, make sure you are dressed, fed, bed made, kitchen tidy and prepped for a meal today before you start anything else.  How's that LoL ( Load of Laundry)? Can you see your sink?  Is the bathroom tidy enough for guests (swish & swipe - S&S)?

For today's Daily Focus there are 3 things.  

* Clean out and refresh all bags.  Get the stinky gym bag emptied, clothes washed and repacked ready for next week.  Same with school bags, find that lunch box!  What about your handbag?  Throw away the snotty tissues, the old receipts,  the used lipstick and refresh it for the week ahead.

* Car.  Top up with petrol if you didn't do it on Out & About Day, give it a clean out of rubbish and shake the mats, if you can do more, great!

* Date Night - could be just you and a significant other cooking a special meal together or Family Fun Night, get in some popcorn and watch a film together!

Do your best 15 minutes at a time and remember to pamper.  I decided my pamper today would be the first thing I did.  I had breakfast by candlelight.  Lovely fluffy pancakes, coconut whipping cream,  berries and a lovely filter coffee!

You could use your pamper listening to Diane for encouragement...

Whatever you decide, pop on some music, enjoy your day, take drink breaks...and don't forget to take your temperature, maybe think about how things have changed since last Friday, or last Monday when we started.  No beating ourselves with a big stick, look for the positives and rewrite your brain with good stuff!

See you soon,

Nora

xxx

Thumbs up?

Good morning!

Are we giving a thumbs up for Thurs?  Or are we not sure?!  Take your temperature and see how it compares morning and evening and also Mondays scores to today's.

Today, we're continuing to work in Zone 4 - SLEEP.  But first make sure your MR (morning routine) and Daily Focus are both done.  

A few suggestions for your routines might be getting something out of the freezer for dinner, moving on a load of laundry (LOL) from washer to drying or folding, ironing or putting away.

Daily Focus today is Out and About or Errand Day. Time to shop, visit the library, top up with petrol.....

Finally our Zone, back to the bedrooms to declutter or clean.  Choose another area to declutter like books, sweaters, shoes...what haven't you done yet? And after that use you Power Hour (WHB) list to clean your bedroom.

Don't forget to finish the day with your ER, close down the kitchen, put things away where you've been sitting and tidy the sofa or coffee table.  Get to bed early for a change instead of doom-scrolling!!

Above all, don't forget some pamper time, maybe read a chapter before bed, apply a face mask or some hand cream.  Or watch Diane....

Enjoy your day and see you tomorrow xxx

Getting fruitful!

Shall we get fruitful today? As we do what we're 'doing', let's recognise the fruit of what we're doing?  We are achieving!  Let's celebrate all those little wins as we transform our homes and ourselves. 

This is no small thing we're doing because each small habit and routine we form, each small item of clutter being removed, each small surface that shines.... well, it all adds up to something big! And that's the key!  We want to achieve, it looks overwhelming, maybe impossible.... until we break it down into smaller doable tasks that add up to one big achievement.

Don't get all 'perfectionist' over it, anything is going to be better than the current state of affairs, we'll be back in these zones again at least twice more before Christmas, so each time we'll build on last month's achievements.  Do you see?  

Use that timer to stop you going overboard, wearing yourself out and feeling defeated.

Let's start with a 'temperature ' check of yourself and your home. Are you hiding under the duvet or bouncing around wating to invite friends over?

Make sure you've done your morning routine (MR) and your DAILY FOCUS for Wednesday.  Here's what my day looks like...

Once they are done, we're going to continue to work in Zone 4 - bedrooms or SLEEP ZONES.  

We've started to declutter because you cannot organise or clean clutter, it needs to be gone! Take some bags or boxes for DONATIONS, RUBBISH, RECYCLING and if you're packing things away because they dont yet have a home, a box for that. Remember to label them so you don't get mixed up!

If you're already decluttered, thats great! 🥳 Use your Power Hour or WHB (Weekly Home Blessing) task list to clean the bedroom.

You could do both! A 15 minute declutter of your wardrobe followed by 15 minutes working on your WHB list dusting, cleaning windows and a quick vacuum. If you want some company why not work along with Diane, or if you're not sure what to do, have a drink break and watch her to guide you, here she is...and with an extra mission 

What's for dinner? I'm not sure yet but it will be rice based.

Don't forget your PAMPER habit! And if, at the end of the day, you're not feeling like you've done much, look at your '✅ in boxes', look at your bedroom and take your temperature again.  If the scores haven't improved then I suggest, you're being hard on yourself.  The scores are for today, not for the imaginary picture you have in your head, but real achievement.   OK?

We can do this!  GO US! 💪🏻😊  Keep putting one babystep in front of another 👣👣👣

Nora

xxx

DECLUTTERING DAY 2

 Good morning! 

How are you today?   Still taking the 'temperature' of yourself and your home?  Did you review last weeks scores and come to any conclusions?  Have you taken your temperature at the start and end of a day and noticed a change?

Were onto the next stage of our journey to a relaxing,  hygge Christmas.   If you don't celebrate Christmas why not join in to declutter and clean your house?  Adapt the Christmas Missions to your own celebration. 

Shall we get started today?

Make sure you've done your morning routine (MR) and your DAILY FOCUS for Tuesday.

Once they are done, we're going to work in Zone 4 - bedrooms or SLEEP ZONES.  

You might be wondering why the bedroom.   It's a great place to start because it's a private room, no disrupting the family until you've got into the swing of how to efficiently declutter and also it makes for a wonderful, calm, hyggelig sanctuary at the end of each day as we move forward to other areas.

You'll need to start by decluttering, you cannot organise or clean clutter,  it needs to be gone! Take some bags or boxes for DONATIONS, RUBBISH, RECYCLING and if you're packing things away, a box for that.  Remember to label them so you don't get mixed up!

If you're already decluttered use your Power Hour or WHB (Weekly Home Blessing) task list to clean the bedroom.

You could do both!  A 15 minute declutter followed by 15 minutes working on your WHB list dusting, cleaning windows and a quick vacuum.  Followed  by a drink break, don't forget to take breaks and drink!

If you want some company why not work along with Diane, or if you're not sure what to do, have a drink break and watch her to guide you, here .....

Don't forget your PAMPER habit!  What will you do for yourself today?  What was your hygge to yourself?

GO US!  💪🏻😊  have a lovely day,

Nora

xxx

STARTING WITH A DECLUTTER

Good morning! 

How are you today?   Ready for the next stage of our journey to a relaxing,  hygge Christmas?   Don't celebrate Christmas?  So why not join us to declutter and clean your house?  Adapt the Christmas Missions to your own celebration. 

Shall we get started?

Make sure you've done your morning routine (MR) and your DAILY FOCUS for Monday.

Once they are done, we're going to work in Zone 4 - bedrooms or SLEEP ZONES.  

You'll need to start by decluttering, you cannot organise or clean clutter,  it needs to be gone! Take some bags or boxes for DONATIONS, RUBBISH, RECYCLING and if you're packing things away because they dont yet have a home, a box for that.  Remember to label them so you don't get mixed up!

If you're already decluttered use your WHB (Weekly Home Blessing) task list to clean the bedroom.

You could do both!  A 15 minute declutter followed by 15 minutes working on your WHB list dusting, cleaning windows and a quick vacuum.  If you want some company why not work along with Diane, or if you're not sure what to do, have a drink break and watch her '5 minute motivation' to guide you, here .....

Don't forget your PAMPER habit!  How about declutter for 15 minutes,  have a drink break for 15 minutes, then clean for 15 minutes, then pamper for 15 minutes?  Get that timer habit working for you!  

Or you could do a 15 minute declutter followed by a 15 minute clean then a 15 minute drink and pamper, see which works best for you?!  We are working in this zone all week so there's no rush to do ALL the decluttering and ALL the cleaning today and ending up a tearful wreck on the floor, that's what we're avoiding!!

Don't forget to take your 'temperature' and that of your house or even just the zone you're working on, and again at the end of an hour to see how you feel. 

GO US!  💪🏻😊  We can do this....just look to your future self at Christmas 🤶. 

See you tomorrow 

xxx

MOVING FORWARD, ONE STEP AT A TIME

This week we are moving on to a month of ZONE work.  This will either be decluttering or cleaning. 

First you need to decide on the 5 zones for your home.  FlyLady zones like this...

Zone 1 - Entrance Hall, porch and dining room

Zone 2 - Kitchen 

Zone 3 - Bathroom & 1 other room

Zone 4 - Bedrooms

Zone 5 - Lounge

Because of how weeks fall we often combine zones 1 & 5 in the same week, so don't put too much in zone 1.

Not everyone has a seperate dining room.  Some of us have a kitchen diner, so why not put those together and include an office, guest loo or extra bedroom in Zone 1 instead.  Others may have a dining area in their lounge, you can put those together and pop your garage or shed into zone 1.  You choose what best suits you.  As you learn what to do, you can be flexible and change those 2 zones to your family, lifestyle and schedule,  so don't get hooked up on that for now!

First we declutter, then, as we come back to these same zones each month, we upkeep what we have done and keep decluttering.  Don't just move the piles around, give them a home.  If they don't yet have a home because it will be in a place that you have yet to declutter, then box them up (as if you're moving house) and store them for now.  Once you have decluttered and found suitable homes for everything then things can be put away properly so we can get on to cleaning and detailed cleaning!

To declutter, you'll need some boxes or bags to put you give away items and your throw away items, and if you're using the packing method, a box for that too.  You'll only be decluttering for 15mins at a time, if you have more time, then go for another 15mins, but set a timer and dont get carried away!!

To clean, you'll need your refreshed cleaning caddy and vacuum or mop.

The zones start with the start of the month:

Zone 1: Entrance, Front Porch & Dining Room starts on the 1st of the month until the next Sunday 

Zone 2: Kitchen, Pantry starts the next day on Monday until Sunday 

Zone 3: The Main Bathroom and One Extra Room starts the next day on Monday until Sunday 

Zone 4: The Master Bedroom starts the next day on Monday until Sunday 

Zone 5: The Living Room, Den, Family Room starts the next day on Monday until the last day of the month (30th for example)

You might want to pencil those on to your calender or write it on a sheet of paper where you can make additional notes.

We'll be starting Monday in Zone 4...are you ready?

GO US!!  😊💪🏻

RESET WEEK - FRIDAY

Ready?  SET?  September!!

Welcome! We're at the end of this week, that went quickly!  How did you get on?

I'm just going to repeat some of information to be sure we've all got the pattern of things now.  

First up, you'll need your cleaning caddy, pamper basket, pen and pencil and a timer or playlist. ☺

Each day in FlyLadyLand has a FOCUS, these are....

* Weekly Home Blessing (WHB)

* Planning or Desk Day

* Odd Job Day (or Anti-Procrastination Day)

* Errand Day

* Car & Bag Day (& Date Night)

* Family Fun Day 

* Renew Your Spirit Day 

These normally run in that order from Monday (WHB) to Sunday (RYSD), but you can choose which day you do your FOCUS to fit with your schedule, or do 2 in a day!  

Grab your calendar or diary and on a sheet of paper plan which days you might choose for each of your DAILY FOCUS tasks.  📝

Also each day there are tasks to be completed to ensure you are fed, clothed and rested!  Mine includes....

* getting dressed to sensible shoes

* meals

* laundry (washing, drying or ironing)

* washing up

* feeding pets

* getting to bed at a decent time

Again, pop these on to your calendar or diary and make a rough plan on a fresh piece of paper to include YOUR important tasks (maybe medication, teeth/hair, exercise, water).  You can split this into 2 smaller lists for MORNING ROUTINE and EVENING ROUTINE if that makes it less overwhelming and more do-able! 📝 

This is our final day, remember to take your temperature and think about your scores for the week and what you might be able to do to maintain or improve them.

Diane has some extra information for you and an extra mission! 

There's also the all important PAMPER!!  Don't forget to PAMPER!  You might not think you deserve it, but do it anyway!!  🧖‍♀️

Why not use your PAMPER TIME now to listen to her here...

Remember to use your timer, you can do anything for 15 minutes at a time...GO US!!  💪🏻

Well, we made it to the end of the week!  How did you do?

What are your plans for the weekend, don't forget to keep up with your daily habits that'll keep you fed, clothed and worry free!

Bye for now,

Nora

xxx

RESET WEEK - THURSDAY

Ready?  SET?  September!!

Welcome!  How are you getting on?

I'm just going to repeat some of information in case anyone new is joining in today...

😊  You'll need your cleaning caddy, pamper basket, pen and pencil and a timer or playlist.

Each day in FlyLadyLand has a FOCUS, these are....

* Weekly Home Blessing (WHB)

* Planning or Desk Day

* Odd Job Day

* Errand Day

* Car & Bag Day (& Date Night)

* Family Fun Day 

* Renew Your Spirit Day 

These normally run in that order from Monday (WHB) to Sunday (RYSD), but you can choose which day you do your FOCUS to fit with your schedule, or do 2 in a day!  Make a rough plan on a sheet of paper which days you might choose for your DAILY FOCUS.  📝

Also each day there are tasks to be completed to ensure you are fed, clothed and rested!  Mine includes....

* getting dressed to sensible shoes

* meals

* laundry (washing, drying or ironing)

* washing up

* feeding pets

* getting to bed at a decent time

Make a rough plan on a fresh piece of paper to include your important tasks (maybe medication, teeth/hair, exercise, water).  You can split this into 2 smaller lists for morning and evening so it's less overwhelming and more do-able! 📝

Diane has some extra information for you and an extra mission! There's also the all important PAMPER!!  Don't forget to PAMPER!  You might not think you deserve it, but do it anyway!!  🧖‍♀️

Why not use your PAMPER TIME now to listen to her here...

Remember to use your timer, you can do anything for 15 minutes at a time...GO US!!  💪🏻

See you tomorrow for the grand finale,

Nora

xxx

RESET WEEK - WEDNESDAY

Ready?  SET?  September!!

Welcome!  How are you getting on?

I'm just going to repeat some of information in case anyone new is joining in today...

😊  You'll need your cleaning caddy, pamper basket, pen and pencil and a timer or playlist.

Each day in FlyLadyLand has a FOCUS, these are....

* Weekly Home Blessing (WHB)

* Planning or Desk Day

* Odd Job Day

* Errand Day

* Car & Bag Day (& Date Night)

* Family Fun Day 

* Renew Your Spirit Day 

These normally run in that order from Monday (WHB) to Sunday (RYSD), but you can choose which day you do your FOCUS to fit with your schedule, or do 2 in a day!  Make a rough plan on a sheet of paper which days you might choose for your DAILY FOCUS.  📝

Also each day there are tasks to be completed to ensure you are fed, clothed and rested!  Mine includes....

* getting dressed to sensible shoes

* meals

* laundry (washing, drying or ironing)

* washing up

* feeding pets

* getting to bed at a decent time

Make a rough plan on a fresh piece of paper to include your important tasks (maybe medication, teeth/hair, exercise, water).  You can split this into 2 smaller lists for morning and evening to it less overwhelming and more do-able! 📝

Diane has some extra information for you and an extra mission! There's also the all important PAMPER!!  Don't forget to PAMPER!  You might not think you deserve it, but do it anyway!!  🧖‍♀️

Why not use your PAMPER TIME now to listen to her!.....

Remember to use your timer, you can do anything for 15 minutes at a time...GO US!!  💪🏻

RESET WEEK - TUESDAY

Ready?  SET?  September!!

Welcome!  How are you getting on?

I'm just going to repeat some of yesterday in case anyone new is joining in today...

😊  You'll need your cleaning caddy, pamper basket, pen and pencil and a timer or playlist.

Each day in FlyLadyLand has a FOCUS, these are....

* Weekly Home Blessing (WHB)

* Planning or Desk Day

* Odd Job Day

* Errand Day

* Car & Bag Day (& Date Night)

* Family Fun Day 

* Renew Your Spirit Day 

These normally run in that order from Monday (WHB) to Sunday (RYSD), but you can choose which day you do your FOCUS to fit with your schedule, or do 2 in a day!  Make a rough plan on a sheet of paper which days you might choose for your DAILY FOCUS.  📝

Also each day there are tasks to be completed to ensure you are fed, clothed and rested!  Mine includes....

* getting dressed to sensible shoes

* meals

* laundry (washing, drying or ironing)

* washing up

* feeding pets

* getting to bed at a decent time

Make a rough plan on a fresh piece of paper to include your important tasks (maybe medication, teeth/hair, exercise, water).  You can split this into 2 smaller lists for morning and evening so it's less overwhelming and more do-able! 📝

Diane has some extra information for you about planning and an extra mission about play! There's also the all important PAMPER!!  Don't forget to PAMPER!  You might not think you deserve it, but do it anyway!!  🧖‍♀️

Why not use your PAMPER TIME now to listen to her.....

Remember to use your timer, you can do anything for 15 minutes at a time...GO US!!  💪🏻

RESET WEEK - MONDAY

Ready? SET? September!!

Here we go with Day 1 of our reset week!  Resetting our household routines, resetting our self-care habits and the win is that both our homes and us will feel all the better for it!

Did you manage to get your packing list together?

If you have, great! If not, don't worry, grab a few things now and put together your packing list later 😊 You'll need your cleaning caddy, pamper basket, pen and pencil and a timer or playlist.

Each day in FlyLadyLand has a FOCUS, these are....

* Weekly Home Blessing (WHB) also known as Power Hour

* Plan & Play Day (or Desk Day)

* Odd Job Day

* Errand Day or Out & About Day

* Car & Bag Day (& Date Night)

* Fun Day 

* Renew Your Spirit Day 

These normally run in that order from Monday (WHB) to Sunday (RYSD), but you can choose which day you do your FOCUS to fit with your schedule, or do 2 in a day! For example, my Errand Day is usually a Wednesday, that pushes Odd Job Day to a Monday, Plan Day to a Tuesday and WHB a Friday.  Thursday is often my Fun Day when hubby and I have a day together. Everything else gets done on a weekend.  This is so that I clean my fridge on Monday for Odd Job Day, this helps me plan to eat anything I need to and throw away science experiments. I plan my menus on Desk Day and write a shopping list ready for Errand Day on Wednesday. Make a rough plan on a sheet of paper which days you might choose for your DAILY FOCUS.

Also each day there are tasks to be completed to ensure you are fed, clothed and rested! Mine includes....

* getting dressed to sensible shoes

* meals

* laundry

* washing up

* feeding pets

* getting to bed at a decent time

Make a rough plan on a fresh piece of paper to include your important tasks (maybe medication, teeth/hair, exercise, water). You can split this into 2 smaller lists for morning and evening to make the list less overwhelming and more do-able!

Diane has some extra information for you about choosing clothes for tomorrow, an extra mission and the all important PAMPER!!

Why not use your PAMPER TIME now to listen to her......

Have fun and see you tomorrow!

Nora

Xxx 

 

Counting down to Christmas 2026 - Let's Reset!

Are you in need of a Reset? Why not join in with this virtual 5 day re-treat. I'm starting Ready, Set, September on Monday 14 September 2026! A chance to get a fresh start, to work on my home and my daily routines. Adding in a good sprinkling of Danish hygge. But – most of all – i want to learn how to take time for MYSELF. Daily self-care is the key to a joyful life and a cosy, clean home!

I am working towards a stress free Christmas by baby-stepping through the preparations and being kind to myself along the way.  I'm starting with resetting habits followed by a house declutter.  After that I'll be gently working towards a calmer home and habits that come more naturally as I keep practising.  Finally there are Christmas Missions which, with the bulk of the work done, means I can enjoy the build up to Christmas and Clean-up Missions that will put me back into the normal rhythm I'll be learning through October and November and leave me ahead for next year!

Now that sounds like something worth doing!

I'll be guided through this next week by Diane in Denmark.

To get the most out of it, it would be great if i could use this weekend to have ready the following items. No worries if i can't,  they're not absolutely essential. I'm not buying anything new, just using what I have available! I'll choose Mondays outfit the evening before, so I'm ready to jump right into this Virtual (Re)Treat. Okay, here's the packing list to gather together over the weekend ready for Monday!!...

PACKING LIST!

Notebook or a few sheets of paper (or a Control Journal or Home Management Binder).

Pen or pencil.

A timer (egg timer, kitchen timer, phone).

A few basic cleaning supplies: a duster/rag, cleaning spray (maybe pop those in a caddy or box for ease) and a mop, vacuum. 

A container to store  “pamper items”. (Remember, please don’t buy anything! Use an old basket, tote bag, box.) Don’t know what to put into the pamper basket? See below!

IDEAS FOR YOUR PAMPER BASKET…

Light reading. A magazine, brochure, book, library book, Kindle book.

A colouring book, journal, sudoku/crossword/wordsearch book, etc. Colouring pens or pencils. Knitting, crochet, small craft materials.

Favourite DVD, music playlist, Bible Study, Prayer meditation or fitness app.

Any odd remnants or samples of hand lotion, foot cream, face mask, hair treatment, perfume samples, nail varnish, manicure/pedicure items.

Essential oils, mini diffuser.

Eye mask, fluffy socks, cosy blanket.

LED candle, string of fairy lights.

Water bottle, ready-mixed mocktail or cocktail, juice, smoothie, chai mix, herbal tea sachets, hot chocolate mix, gourmet coffee.

A few small snacks. Your old favourites or try something new! Gourmet popcorn, nuts, muesli/energy/chocolate bar, exotic fruit.

That's it!  I'm ready to clean and pamper! 🥰

See you soon,

Nora xxx

Christmas 2026

 

This is a slightly ambitious idea, but.... I'm going to try it anyway!

For some time I have lost my mojo and been quite down, lacking motivation to even do the things I enjoy.  My energy is not what it was and like many others it started after we tried to return to 'normal' after covid.  

I innocently took the jabs believing I was doing the right thing and suffered some of the most awful side-effects....and still caught covid from a client!  At which point I gave up having them, but the damage was done.  Feeling like someone had removed my brain and replaced most of it with cotton wool!!

Apart from that, I enjoyed the lockdowns, going my own quieter pace, spending time with my husband and daughter without school runs, growing our own vegetables,  collecting the eggs from our hens, taking time to cook everything from scratch, daily walks in our beautiful countryside and basically home-schooling our daughter.

It showed us that a slower pace suited us, in fact it was so calming.  We lived without someone elses structure and timing imposed on us, true freedom.  I discovered everyone else's 'normal' was not me!

Anyway, although I came here to retire, I found there were people in need of support and so I began caring for the older people in my local community,  what a privilege and a blessing it has been.  Working one to one or two suits me very well, so well in fact that I invariably stay longer and do more than required on my visits.  I can genuinely love them and look after them.  The beauty of self-employment and not working for an agency. 

But, here I am having lost the thread of housework, a house that really needs some TLC after a flood and the impending Christmas celebration which, for the first time in this house, will be attended by all 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, our 17yo daughter who still lives with us (maybe her boyfriend!) and possibly my Father-in-law....with his dog! That's 9 or 10 adults requiring 6 or 7 bedrooms....which we don't have!!

The race is on to declutter, clean, decorate (as in paint not make look pretty...although that too!) and organise space for everyone to relax and enjoy!

Oh...and we hold a Christmas party every year around 18th December!

I need to get some routines and habits in place, I need to find time to do DIY, declutter as we finish painting rooms and refurnish, work, support husband and daughter, eat decent food, get decent rest and organise presents, cards and celebration food.

So.... I thought I would encourage myself by posting my aims and recording my progress and maybe encouraging someone else to achieve.  But more than that, to post daily for myself, my discipline and as if it were someone else posting and telling me what to do!

I've given myself lots to do, that's the perfectionist in me.  But I won't be beating myself up if I don't achieve it all, I shall just be pleased with any progress from where things stand at the moment!

I hope this reaches and encourages someone else out there and we can do this together.  It would be lovely to have company.

First job of the day is sanding beams in the loft, I'm off to put on some grotty clothes and my face mask!  Delightful I assure you!  

Must dash...lots to do!

Toodle-oooo

Nora 

xxx