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Mad Fledglings March through the Spring cleaning

820 replies

BitchytheGreat · 28/02/2014 20:40

So here we are, March already.

So for those who don't know the fledglings is a long running thread. Some of us seem clicky but that is because we have been chatting on these threads for nearly half a decade makes everyone feel old we quite like fresh blood though so feel free to jump in and join us.

Three key points to keep in mind:
(1)No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine
(2)You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
(3) It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

If you are new then trying to spend 15mins decluttering and the babysteps is the most. Some of us Bitchy can have scary looking lists. One word of advice ignore them. Do what you can, anything is better then nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

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BitchytheGreat · 28/02/2014 20:44

The 1st tomo so the babystep is what you would think is relatively easy, but fly lady has her way of doing this.

Babystep 1
Do it properly

Tis the weekends so there are no missions, but it is family fun day so go spend some time with the family and NO feeling guilty because you haven't done a huge amount of tidying up. Kids are only little for a short while so make the most of it. I mean it. Go have some fun!

On a side note March's focus is to declutter 15mins per day.

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EustaciaVye · 28/02/2014 20:49

Thanks bitchy.

To any new people. I am new to this thread but not new to flylady, and the ladies here have been very welcoming Grin

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 28/02/2014 21:01

Thank you Bitchy, also thank you to SC for Feb and thank you to Eustacia for such kind words.

I have been a bit hit and miss with Flying in Feb - got to try harder in March.

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sanschocolat · 28/02/2014 21:06

Waves to Eustacia

Just parking my threadbare tartan slippers and wrinkled tan tights

Thanks for mad March thread Bitchy - especially good of you when you led the January thread too.

[Ahem, don't tell anyone Wink but I think the habit for March might be getting dressed to shoes but I could be wrong. I am definitely going to go with decluttering 15 mins a day though because I didn't do that in Feb Blush and now wish I had]

Right going to crash now, really tired, but there's a load of crapola on the bed to clear off first Blush. Really, really need to start Flying a bit more effectively.

Hope you are both OK Ellie and Just

G'night all

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sanschocolat · 28/02/2014 21:07

snap whoknows Grin big feathery waves!

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BitchytheGreat · 28/02/2014 21:11

Ah poo, i forgot to update the month on that link. Blush You are quite right SChabit of the month for march is shoes In which case feel free to ignore this because whilst the fat fairy is increasingly miltant about this some of us finds this works and some don't. Adapt it to fit your life and don't feel guilty if that means ignoring it.

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BitchytheGreat · 28/02/2014 21:12

give my post back it's space between sc and habit. It was there when i hit post and ... oh fuck it's the bloody time space continum back Runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn....

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sanschocolat · 28/02/2014 21:21

Grin Grin Bitchy Funnily enough have just been watching star trek film the one where people were put in missiles by 'Sherlock Holmes' for 300 years. The thought of Flylady in cryogenic stasis is quite disconcerting really Grin

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PeanutPatty · 28/02/2014 21:55

We HAVE to get dressed to shoes before any of us venture downstairs otherwise it's sheer hell. We learnt the hard way. I'm proper strict with everyone about it too.

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BlueEyeshadow · 28/02/2014 22:00

Thanks Bitchy Thanks and Thanks to SC* for February.

I actually did a belated house bleugh today so here's hoping I can keep it up in March.

Big waves to everyone Wine

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 28/02/2014 22:13

We ignore the dress to shoes thing, we're not a shoes off at the door house (although the DCs do) but they don't go on until we are going out and no one dresses till after breakfast and chores done here. I agree about not staying in PJs all day, but don't feel compelled to do it the minute I get up.

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ToffeeWhirl · 28/02/2014 23:47

Thanks to SC for links and fabulous round ups last month.

And more Thanks to Bitchy for stepping in to run this month's thread (particularly as you did your bit in January).

I'm glad we made you feel welcome, Eustacia Smile.

Re: the shoes issue - I realised the other day that I am more productive if I wear shoes than if I wear my floppy slippers. I hate admitting that because I've always been against wearing shoes inside the house. I have compromised by wearing shoes on our wooden floors, but not on the carpets.

DS2's toothache has gone Smile.

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GoingGoingGoth · 01/03/2014 00:23

Marking place still ignoring Babystep 17

Thanks to SC for February and Thanks to Bitchy for volunteering again so soon

I can't do April, but will step forward for May.

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EustaciaVye · 01/03/2014 07:14

I have a pair of flipflops by the door so I have no excuse not to go outside if I need to.

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MercuryRising · 01/03/2014 07:48

Thank you for stepping up Bitchy I am going to try really hard to keep up with the thread and flying this month instead of letting life take over and going awol.

My dad is visiting this afternoon so I am aiming to have a productive morning.

So far I have:
Emptied dcs lunchboxes from yesterday Blush
Removed plates, cups etc from living room
Taken dry washing off the airer.
Hung wet washing out
Put a washload in
Stripped dcs beds
Made dcs breakfast

To do
Change bin bag
Take recycling and rubbish out to the garage
Sort/put away dry washing
Deal with ironing mountain
Change beds
Hang washload out
Put white wash in
Clean bathroom
Hoover throughout
Dust throughout
Dds homework
Meal plan
Food shop
Take dcs to hair appointment
Empty car of junk and hoover if possible
Make homemade soup

I know it is meant to be family funday but I am on placement next week so I want to try to get the home bleurgh today so we don't end up in CHAOS.

Big wing flaps to all Smile

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JustGettingOnWithIt · 01/03/2014 08:31

Thanks to SC for running the thread (and your amazing round ups) last month.
And more Thanks to Bitchy for taking on this month's thread, also especially as you’ve only just done a stint.

Yes being here helps hugely, thank you all for letting me rant, especially when it just seems to be one disaster after another. Don't think all this is what the fat fairy meant by 'chaos'!
It helps me keep some sense of perspective amongst other things, not feel quite so alone, and remind me there’s life past all this! It’s gone on so long it feels like having any sort of normal home has gone forever, which is logically stupid, but it’s how it feels.

Eustica I’m pretty much out of people I can ask for help from, who don’t need so much guidance and help to do things as to render them not actually helpful. I know that sounds mean, but it’s true.

It hasn’t snowed so that’s one thing, but large amounts of yesterday’s list didn’t get done because that simple ‘change over flooded gas meter’ yesterday, has turned into full on emergency issue affecting road, as they think there may be water in pipes as well as meter, and our elderly pipes sitting in sewage have apparently become unsafe and have to be replaced as an emergency, so been up half the night dealing with that and still am, though they’ve gone off (supposedly to check stuff further up the line, but I suspect for breakfast!) popularity with neighbours is reaching an all-time low, and lots of people coming and going through it all has done little for clean-up.

I’m making and changing lists every 15 mins as things change, but bottom line is huge number of different tasks must be completed by Friday, and it’s juggling them round, so lists are going to get mad.

So lot’s of today is either recycled from yesterday, or dealing with yesterday’s aftermath. Done loads but most of it is just rescuing from overnight chaos and damage.

still to do
If able to go out: (currently a total mystery!)
Pick up Freecycle wood to rebuild kitchen units with, cross fingers for skirting boards to be amongst it) un load to dry area at front (piss of more neighbours!) If not, reshedule p/up.
pick up food

Be back (when?) to provide endless tea for gas related people.
Keep sense of perspective, shout at no one, kill no one.
Clean up and disinfect communal hall again and lay more cardboard.
Clean up and disinfect sewage splashed hoover from yesterday
Clean up and disinfect sewage splashed cleaning materials
Try and move anything else any workforce can sewage splash!
Find glasses
More Tree removal, now urgent for external gas flue etc access.

Set up Burco for hand Washing
Sort heavier stuff for launderette tomorrow.
Bathroom

Keep on top of ds finishing part 1 of English coursework and send of urgently to be verified. Overdue.
Make ds start part 2 of coursework.
Try and listen to friend early and get out of way before patience exhausted!
Find CT scan letter
Remember to text info
Box more stuff up

Strip kitchen wallpaper from top half of kitchen.
Clean, clear as much of kitchen as possible
Prep to paper kitchen tomorrow.

Try and deal with CCJ set aside
Try and write to council re ds being still my dependant
Try and appeal loss of single adult ct rebate
Try and get further on future learn
Try and look into PIP again
Try and do filing

Catch up home ed diary
Prep tomorrow
Listen to friend if not managed earlier
Dinner
Sleep

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CyberMam · 01/03/2014 10:01

Morning all. March already? I can't believe how fast the time is going!

Thanks to SC for last month's thread and Thanks to bitchy for this one.

just so sorry to hear you're having such a tough time sounds like you need Cake and Brew

Good luck with your list mercury

I know this month is going to be a really busy one here, so my focus is going to be on sorting myself out a routine I can manage to stick to. I find myself giving up on the Fairy's ones because they just don't fit.

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sanschocolat · 01/03/2014 10:21

Morning all!

Thanks for all the thanks Smile Thanks!!

Blimey Just not much to keep you occupied then ...elderly pipes sitting in sewage does not sound good ... in fact anything involving sewage is totally miserable. Sending positive vibes to keep your mental and physical strength bolstered (although that's not much help at all I know). [brew

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PeanutPatty · 01/03/2014 10:59

Morning all,

Thanks to Bitchy Thanks and SC your round ups are outstanding. You have an amazing memory.

We only wear our shoes on the wooden floors. Never on carpets. I am a bit OCD about that plus they are cream and it simply means more cleaning when all the crud and dust comes off the shoes.

Right now I'm surfing the net but should be doing chores however it's not all bad.

Today's TA DA's:
One laundry load washed
Most in the TD, some on the line Blush shock horror sunshine
Rerun DW as it the tablet didn't dispense properly last night

To Do
Wash MiniPP wet laundry - that's two accidents in one week Sad one at 2am
Write a to do list
Do something fun this afternoon with the minis

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sanschocolat · 01/03/2014 11:12

ooh, was just sending Just a brew and my post posted itself! Must have pressed wrong button again ...

to continue (after several interruptions here) ...

Try and look after yourself Just in the midst of all this, although easy to say I know ... [another Brew ]

Thanks for tea and cake Cyber!

Thanks for links Bitchy

Feetheart thank you so much for volunteering to do round-ups this month

Goth thank you so much for volunteering for May! Thanks

and Whoknows thank you for volunteering for later on in year

To everyone else (except for those hugely burdened by things going on in rl of course which loads of people understandably are): it's great that people want to keep the links/thread going but (without getting too heavy about it) we can't do that without the help of volunteers please! Links are easy to do (see links instructions from Mnset at foot of page) and there is even the option of converting them automatically now. Don't have to do huge round-ups either, just acknowledge newcomers and make them welcome and answer basic qs if needed. Sorry if that sounds rather hectoring ...I'm in barking mode this morning (barking in both senses) as trying to get everyone organised for travel next week (we have loads to pack in this w/e first) but dh is now not sure if his UK meeting is on or off so tearing my hair out with frustration as all travel plans built around it (as are dsis2's arrangements). I should have known better by now but meeting seemed to be dead cert!

Arrrrggghhhhhhhh!!

On the positive side: it's a beautiful day, crocuses are up in the garden, there is a feel of spring in the air and I've just had a load of rotted down horse manure delivered! Grin DD ended this half term with things going better at school, and it's the half term holiday at last! Whey hey!!!!

Good luck with your long to do list today Mercury (hope you have a lovely afternoon with your dad) and with getting your March routines to fit your house Cybermam

Toffee/Whoknows I hate to admit it but I am more productive in shoes too! Plus we have nails sticking out of the floor, holes in floorboards, and other floors are general splinter hazard!

Toffee Glad ds2's toothache has abated!

Eustacia good to know this thread is helping ! Thanks

Hope you are ok Ellie x

Big waves to Blue Peanut Swan Engels Silly Pushme Honu Castle Nicknacks PA and everyone else!

Ta da:
drank lots of tea
barked at people
phoned people
barked at people again
watch the Morning Line on C4
made arrangements for tonight
sorted seeds
found seed planters (a bit late but never mind!)
took delivery of garden supplies and carried them through to terrace
played Playmobil schools with dd

To do:
drop off dh's shirts at laundry
ask dh to help me put up freshly washed linen curtain net things in play room
encourage dh to sort bits falling off front of house
measure and weigh rabbits for new pipage
get dd to try on new clothes
on-line parcels
organise laundry/other admin (inc banking) for UK
wrap present for tonight
start planting seeds and spreading horse manure!
general tidy up
tame chaos in boudoir
put away clean and ironed washing
make double bed
wash more laundry
get ready for tonight
read ex bike instructions and embark on first 10/15 min session

loads more but that will do for now!

Have a great weekend everyone!

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sanschocolat · 01/03/2014 11:33

x post

Thanks ¨Patty! I can't claim to have good recall in all honesty - but my scrolling skills are well honed Wink - and have been on here for aeons which helps Thanks

Lovely to have a bit of sunshine isn't it? Makes all the difference!

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sanschocolat · 01/03/2014 11:37

Forgot to add one more thing to to do list:
build kitchen storage

Will forget otherwise!

Right had better get on and do something rather than twittering on endlessly about it!

Have a good day everyone!

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thinking101 · 01/03/2014 11:42

whoa whoa, at the big lists for today, its the weekend (slob time) Blush

Thanks for the new thread. I think someone said on the last one that FLYing works to a point for them, I think this is true for me also. Im learning not to be all or nothing. But the thread definately works Grin just as well.

So im really going to try and keep up with baby steps, as I joined half way through last month. Today Im doint my morning routine spread out a bit...

DW
Laundry
W&D

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BitchytheGreat · 01/03/2014 12:23

I am finding flying works for me but I have to adapt it to work for me. There is no point me having a morning routine I am useless in the morning. But I am finding tackling the car even just 5mins every week means it is almost looking nice to be in now. (if you ignore the fact it needs a serious hoover and it's appolstry washing.) There is virtually no clutter on the inside though which is nice. and makes a change

Today did have a lot of stuff that needed doing but I have had the unexpected help of dm who appears to be on a mission and shooting raound doing stuff in a whirlwind of activity. I am not complaining and very glad of the help.

Am off out tonight so will post the links around tea time so that you can see what you are doing before bed for those that wish it. Have good days the sun is shining! Grin

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thinking101 · 01/03/2014 12:51

Flying inlcudes the inside of the 'car' too Shock

Im not good on mornings, I take a long time too wake up but I am getting better. I thin I have DM Envy Grin

Enjoy your night out

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