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July 2014: fledglings follow Flylady's tuition (don't forget your pamper mission)

922 replies

ToffeeWhirl · 30/06/2014 09:14

A big thank you to slackcabbage for superb thread leadership throughout June, as well as a great intro which I am going to shamelessly borrow from now.

Struggling with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun)? In that case, you need Flylady.

Flylady is a system for managing housework. Starting with babysteps, it builds up into a routine which becomes second nature. In theory, once you are used to the system, you will have a tidy house you are not embarrassed by and plenty of time to get on with more interesting things.

Flylady banishes the panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. If you fall off the Flylady bandwagon, it’s no problem: you just jump back in where you are and carry on.

Don't sign up for the Flylady emails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on this thread on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, Flylady's steps and routines will be listed here on this thread.

Flylady uses a three-pronged approach (dependent on the stage everyone is at):

  1. start or repeat baby steps


  1. repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone


  1. reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.


(And detailed deep cleaning in each zone for those who have made real progress – not sure if anyone has reached this pinnacle yet…? I certainly haven’t).

More info here on getting started (but ignore step one!) and Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings.

Try to ignore Flylady’s purple prose (hard, I know) - the underlying system is sound!

Three key points to keep in mind:

  1. No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine.


  1. You are never behind - just start where you are and anything you do is progress.


  1. It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy overnight - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.


If you are new, then trying to spend 15 mins decluttering and doing the babysteps is the most you should expect of yourself. Lots of us here like posting our ‘to do’ or ‘ta da’ lists and they can look quite scary. Don’t be put off.

If all else fails, try the power of three – just pick three things that most need doing and focus on those.

And if you have visitors coming over this afternoon and need a quick fix NOW, try Flylady's crisis clean.

We all know each other pretty well on this thread and some of us have been around for a long time, but all lurkers, oldies and newcomers are very welcome!
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PositiveAttitude · 30/06/2014 09:26

Just seen this pop up and I thought would say Hi. Grin

DH came home last Wednesday after over 11 months of being away. DD3's first wedding anniversary yesterday.

Love to all you who know me. Thanks for all of you.

Oh and while I am here.....update on the pooing pigeons! No longer use the sky dish, so flash of inspiration and I got it removed, thinking that if they cant sit on it, they can't poo from it all over my front path. Huh!!! Now they have moved 5 inches to the right and sit on the ledge above my front door .....and aim at any visitors!! Bloody creatures. Anyone want to come and visit me?? Hmm Grin

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CallingAllEngels · 30/06/2014 10:19

Checking in.

Lovely to hear your news PA (apart from poo bomber pigeons of course Grin )

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feetheart · 30/06/2014 11:37

PA - I think 'poking them with a stick' was attempted at one point (and still makes me laugh when I think about it now :o) Time to try it again maybe and report back in full PA reporting mode please Pigeon poking sticks available at the front gate?

Glad you and yours are all on the same continent/in the same country again, 11mths is a looooooong time.

Just checking in for July. Lurked for most of June but need to get on top of things as hoping to get a cleaner for the summer holidays - am working much more and something in the work/kids on holiday/cleaning equation had to give :) However need to have a very good clear-out/tidy up before inviting her round or she may take to the hills Shock

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ToffeeWhirl · 30/06/2014 12:41

PA Grin Thanks. Lovely to see you on the thread! Glad you and DH and DD are now back in the same country again. How are you enjoying being a grandmother? (Please tell us it's all the pleasure of having children, but with the added pleasure of being able to hand them back when they get tricky!).

Those pigeons are too clever by half.

Welcome back to feet. Great idea to get a cleaner. I always work much harder on housework on the day my cleaner comes.



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diggerdigsdogs · 30/06/2014 12:56

I keep joining and falling off the bandwagon.

Trying again. :)

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slackcabbage · 30/06/2014 12:57

Thanks so much for shiny new thread *Toffee! V. good of you with everything you have going on right now.

Just parking my bop and mucket!

Yay PA great to see you! Yeah you definitely need to get back to the pigeon sticking imho Grin "They don't like it up 'em you know" Wink
Brilliant that you and your dh are now finally reunited (and with dd 4)!! (Presumably your dh will have met your new gc for the first time too which must have been lovely to come home to!) And many congrats to your dd3 on her wedding anniversary. Enjoy your family time together xxx [champagne] Thanks Cake

Sounds as if you have a lot on your plate as ever Feetheart - great that you are getting a cleaner though. I need to declutter this summer too (I delude myself in term time that I will get loads done during the holidays and then when the holidays come, I delude myself that I will get more done when dd returns to school Blush Blush).

Really do need to profit from the lack of school runs, warm weather and light evenings to declutter the basement and roof though, as they are so cold and dark once autumn arrives that they are virtually no-go areas (except for rabbit room and laundry).

Anyway, day 1 of holidays is progressing well so far ... cleaner has done home bleugh downstairs (thank heavens). I am on my second load of washing. DD and I have harvested blackcurrants and have been out for a bike ride and visited the chemist. We've also sung sil "happy birthday" and dd is now exploring the Wii fit. But, oh no, is that a box of Hama beads I see emerging from the craft trunk [whimpers]???

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slackcabbage · 30/06/2014 12:58

Yargh, forgot to wave to Engels and diggerdigsdogs

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NickNacks · 30/06/2014 13:10

Hi everyone :) thanks for letting me come back with such a warm welcome. Lovely too see so many old faces and look forward to getting to know the new ones too.

Be back later, just need a Brew after a busy morning. :)

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/06/2014 13:13

Marking spot for now .

Thanks Toffee and thanks SC for last month.

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droitwichmummy · 30/06/2014 13:19

Hello!
I fell off the June thread when we went on holiday and never managed to climb back on Blush. Jumping back in for July in true FlyLady style!
Good to see you PA!

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CallingAllEngels · 30/06/2014 13:51

Finally seem to have got through to my line manager. He said he's trying to get me removed from the activity that's tipping me over the edge and to come and see him tomorrow to talk about my workload. I'll believe it when I see it though. Talk is cheap and all that.

ta da
took ds to playground
supermarket
tried and failed to sort out kraamzorg/insurance linekd to pg (site was down)

Now watching Finding Nemo. Bought lots of frozen rubbish for dinner tonight asI don't have the energy for anything else, though dh may rustle up something yummy. Don't have ms this pg but just can't get excited Bout food. I eat because I have to and it's fuel, but right nlw I would honestly eat anything dh put in front of me for dinner. This is so not like me - I love my food normally!

Supposed to be going to thermal baths tonight.

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MercuryRising · 30/06/2014 21:26

Hi! Another fledgling jumping back in. Thanks for June SC I have been fluttering but failing to post. Must try harder Smile

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elliepac · 30/06/2014 22:14

Evening allSmile. Jumping back in for July. Am gradually adjusting to the whole marriage break-up thing and doing ok.

Lovely to see nicknacks back. Warms the cockles of my heart when fledglings return to the thread.

Big hello to pa as well. I fecking love your pooing pigeons.Grin And I am so pleased that your family is reunited.

Big thanks to sc for last month and toffee for this Thanks.

Will be back properly tomorrow. I luffs you all.

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BlueEyeshadow · 30/06/2014 22:37

Lovely to see you, PA :)

Thanks to Toffee for the new thread and more Thanks to SC for June.

You may need to ply me with copious amounts of Cake. Tomorrow is the day the school becomes an academy. I've spent all day trying to arrange a dignified peaceful protest, and now I'm scared either nobody will come, or the parents who just don't get it will come and make a nuisance of themselves.

Hope line manager has got it now, Engels

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GoingGoingGoth · 30/06/2014 23:20

Marking place as parents go back tomorrow.

PA another vote here for poking the pigeons.

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/06/2014 23:34

Right, need to get back to posting a bit more often to keep on track. So, a final at-da for June:

Morning routine
School run with DD (DS visiting secondary school)
Acquired two of DS's friends to take with him to SS
Home and let them run round the garden for 20 mins before delivering to SS.
Work - busy day
Home via SS to pick up 4 boys
Another 20 mins at home before delivering them all back to their parents and getting DD from school
Bit of tidying
Sweep and mop kitchen floor, steam mop various grot spots
Pick a bowl of cherries from tree in garden
Bake cake with DS
Cook dinner
Swimming with DS
20 mins at allotment
De-flea cats
DCs bedtime routine
Sainsburys shopping
Paint toenails
Make to do list for tomorrow.

My July resolution needs to be about evenings, I rarely seem to finish my chores/admin before about 10.30 and relax, partly it's because of the light evenings and the allotment, partly it's because I procrastinate during the day. The calender for July is creaking and groaning with drama shows, cub and brownie camps and outings, sports day and summer fair at school, DH being away for two weekends, birthday parties etc. I need to get more efficient. I also think I need to quit the PTA.

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ToffeeWhirl · 01/07/2014 04:01

Good morning, slumbering fledglings. As you can see, I'm taking this role of thread leader very seriously and getting up extra early to perform my leadership duties Wink.

Right, Day 1 of the month means we are on the first babystep: shine your sink. (Please ignore Flylady's vomit-inducing talk of 'precious new members' and just focus on those sinks).

It's Tuesday, which is 'Plan and Play Day' for Flylady. More info on today's daily focus here.

For those who have progressed beyond the babysteps, we are in two zones this week: Zone 5 - the living room; and Zone 1 - the entrance, front porch and dining room.

Missions for the week are here. Today's mission is in the dining room: clean off the finger prints and smudges on the walls and windows.

The detailed cleaning list for Zone 5, for those who have decluttered, is here.

Here's today's flight plan, which provides a summary of the daily routine for those who have mastered the babysteps and routines.

Hope that's clear. Any questions - just ask.

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CallingAllEngels · 01/07/2014 06:11

Don't you just hate it when you wake up and think it's weekend, then remember that it's Tuesday and you have to go to work Sad

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KiaOraOAotearoa · 01/07/2014 06:30

The no more emails sold it to me, I am in!

I spend more time reading/deleting the emails than doing the jobs.
Very kind of you to cut to the chase for us.
I'll do the lights switches and smudges when I come back from work.
No bookcase or ornaments, I'll straighten the CDs. Windows will have to be done too.
I am booking a carpet clean/shampoo for the first week of september, when summer holiday has finished, we have an open house policy for all the kids in the neighbourhood it seems, so no point in cleaning the carpet beforehand.
I do need a newspaper rack or side table...

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Misfitless · 01/07/2014 06:49

Hi, I really need this thread, and I'm off today, so it's a good day to start.

I have friends who have time to do things like sit in the garden and read a book in the afternoon because they are so super organised Shock!

Count me in!

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MercuryRising · 01/07/2014 06:52

Engels I feel your pain - I did not want to drag my sorry self out of bed Sad Im on countdown to the summer holidays although I am having to return to my old part time job and night shiftsSad I am feeling quite sorry for myself!

Oh well the sun is shining and my morning ta da is looking like this:
beds made
wm on
dw on
lunches made
dcs up, dressed and fed

Im going to try to put away the pile of ironing dm did yesterday before school.

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Castlelough · 01/07/2014 07:04

Jumping in for a productive July! Grin

Really have to get a handle on the decluttering here as I'm giving landlady notice today! We are moving out on August 31st and into our new house! So much to do here!!!

So nice to see so many old faces returning to the thread! And a warn welcome to the newcomers! Grin

I seriously need a kick up the behind this month....need to DO the babysteps instead of skipping over that bit! Blush

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feetheart · 01/07/2014 07:09

Good morning fledglings old and new.

Right, like Whoknows I have an insane 3 weeks of school/Yr6 leavers/High school transition/Guides/Cubs/Yr6 mums and girls camping/party madness to get through and I need to be as organised as I can. I have actually been dreading turning over the calendar as it is chockfull and I have already had to rearrange stuff twice as I had double-booked

Ta da:

  • School Assoc emails re discos
  • Contract emails for work


To do:
  • All up and out
  • Morning routine properly
  • WORK
  • Clear/tidy kitchen worktops
  • Clear large coffee table in living room before getting rid of it
  • Put hammock out again in hope of getting 5 mins in dappled sunshine under the apple trees (I can dream, it will be full of kids as soon as they get in from school :))


Have a great start to the month everyone - off to try and win 'pinch, punch, first of the month' competition with dozy DC and distracted DH
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AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore · 01/07/2014 07:48

I'm not sure about this. If I clean off the fingerprints and smudges from the dining room window then the light will come in the window better.... and I'll be able to see how much more cleaning and work needs to be done in there. Hmm

ta da
usual morning routine
tidied up living room

to do
school runs
one load of laundry
tidy up kitchen
washing up
vacuum living room
sweep fireplace (I swear I will get this done today! 2 days running I've meant to do it and got sidetracked!)
put a couple pictures in frames and hang them up
tidy up dcs' rooms
figure out a solution to all the SHOES in the house! (and no, going barefoot all year round is not the answer, even though the dcs seem to think it's the best idea Hmm)

I'm still trying to decide if I want to do the edges of the painting in the living room today. I'd like to get it done, but I can't decide if I'm up to standing on a chair half the morning. Grin

July is an insane month for me - loads of family commitments, car tax, school off later in the month.

I've decided a personal goal is in order. Instead of spending time in the evening wasted in the front of the television, I'm going to commit a minimum of one hour each evening to working on some type of craft - hopefully putting my efforts towards Christmas presents or things to dress up the house decor a little.

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slackcabbage · 01/07/2014 08:07

Good luck at the school today Blue - I know it is going to be a difficult one for you!

A very warm welcome to Misfitless and KiaOra!

Thanks for links Toffee!

Feetheart and Whoknows having just got through six insane weeks of end-of-year parascolaire 'spectacles', endless choir rehearsals and concert, school fete, acro-sport spectacle, exam revision and exams, birthday parties, end-of-year parties, teachers and leavers presents, leaving parties etc etc; (and that's only with one child!!) you have my sympathies! [proffers sustaining Cake ]

Feetheart oh for a hammock in dappled sunshine among apple trees... .

Whoknows good luck with resigning from the PTA (which, knowing how conscientious you are, will probably be difficult for you) - be strong! (And looking at that impressive end-of-June ta da list, it doesn't look to me at all like you procrastinate during the day!)

Castle how exciting about your house move!! One month to go!! That's brilliant news after everything you have been through! Take it steady x

Mercury as ever, am in awe of what you get done before 06.52 am!
Sorry about the night shifts which sound v tough.

Enjoy the last day of your parents' visit Goth!

Good to see you are hanging in there Ellie in typically stalwart fashion and that you are doing ok!

Waves to Engels - glad line manager beginning to see sense at last!

Big waves to Nicknacks, PA, Diggersdigsdogs, my Mummy and everyone else!

And thanks for all the thanks everyone! Smile

Had a lovely day with dd yesterday: bike ride, picking blackcurrants, started our usual holiday English book reading marathon (Millions by France Cottrell Boyce - very funny!), playing around with the Wii fit Confused then went to lovely friends for a birthday tea.

DD's four-day ballet workshop starts today and so it was back to buns and hairnets and tights at 7.30 am this morning! Dh has gone to say final goodbye to our departing friends who are leaving for the airport today (I'm dashing off to appt and can't join them unfortunately Sad) and to collect keys and sort out cat-sitting arrangements (their cat is staying behind for a month!). Perhaps just as well I can't go as I am crap at goodbyes Sad

Heading out now but must make the most of a child-free day upon my return and get stuck in to heaving boudoir which looks as though five bombs have exploded in it!

Have a good day everyone!

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