Is it October already the fledglings utter? We'll Fly with our broom sticks and start to declutter...

[Slimchance]

If you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, support and and along the way.

This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in zones of the house which are designated weekly; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with loads more time to do someting more interesting instead!

At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again!

We advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's steps and routines using a three-pronged approach (dependent on the stage everyone is at):

• start or repeat baby steps

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

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

[And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]

More info here on getting started and Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings. Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound!

Humungous thanks to Whoknows for leading us through the tricky start to the academic year ....

All welcome!!

[feetheart]

I'm in. I'm even early this time :)

October is if course the new January isn't it?

[feetheart]

of

Huge thanks to Whoknows for September and SC* for taking us in hand for October January

[NickNacks]

Thanks sc for October and whoknows for September.

This is the month we are off on our holiday so have to squeeze some prepping and packing for that too :)

Waves to sc and feet :)

[Slimchance]

Bless you for saying that Feetheart

I barely feel that I have got started this year... Where the did all the time go?

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Marking place, but haven't finished September's To Do list yet...

[IBelieveInEngels]

Ready to roll (though maybe I should do today's mission first!).

Thanks for the new thread sc

[Slimchance]

That should have read

Where the %&§* did all the time go?

(Sorry befuddled flu-ridden head)

Waves back to Nicknacks

[feetheart]

Why has my bold stuff gone mad?

[Slimchance]

Quite a few threads about fonts going wierd under 'Site Stuff' topic feetheart. I had some problems with this last week. Must be a blip in the system atm.

Welcoming wing flaps to Engels and Jemima

[PositiveAttitude]

Thanks for September WhoKnows and huge wave to SC. I will do my best to be around this month, so marking my spot for the morning.

[Refoca]

Oooo, was just thinking yesterday that what I needed was to get back into FLYing...may I join you?

[ShakeAndVac]

Can I join? Have a case of CHAOS going on over here at the moment!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Marking spot, back later.

[BitchytheGreat]

Thanks for setting up the new thread SC



to whoknows for last month.

Rennovations in the naughty corner this month. Will be closed until the 2nd. however there is currently a lock in happening so if you are quick...

[VioletHunter]

I'm in. Have been meaning to join these threads for ages and currently HATE my house so October is the month I Take Action!

[Trazzletoes]

Gah lost my post.

Basically, thanks and hi!

[Slimchance]

A warm welcome to newcomers Violethunter ShakeandVac and Refoca!

And to regulars Trazzles Bitchy Whoknows and PA!

[Ooooh a lock-in.... clambers up on to chair outside naughty corner window, rubs away condensation ...peers in ...tries to ascertain what is going on in the gloom ....covers eyes in shock ... runs away.]

Hope you'll all forgive me but feeling a bit feak and weeble with cold/flu so now dh has kindly come home early, going to post tomorrow's steps now and then go back to hugging the duvet for the evening...will be back on duty tomorrow morning though!

Big wing flaps to everyone who joins or returns to thread in the meantime ...

[Slimchance]

OK lovely fledglings here we go again ...and please forgive me for writing out everything in full the long boring way ... it helps me get my thick head around the system! Don't let all the links put you off - it looks much harder than it actually is!

Tomorrow's baby-step, no 1, for Tues 1st Oct 2013 is shine your sink.

(If you are a beginner, this is how you do it )

This tells you about zones here.

So tomorrow, we will be in Zone 1: The Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room here

Beginners please note: the idea is that all you need to do is spend 15 mins focusing on the current zone per day. At first, focus on clearing the clutter (you can't clean clutter). Then, when the clutter is gone, you can focus on detailed cleaning .

Consistency is the key here. Don't burn out - just do the 15 mins 5 days a wk. It's amazing how much gets done in that time if you keep it up!

You can find tomorrow's daily mission and all the missions for the week ahead here Of course, just to be contrary, Flylady says that tomorrow's mission (a generally getting rid of clutter in Zone 1) might take more than 15 mins.

The daily focus for Tuesday is planning menus, events, medical appts, dare I say it ... Christmas shopping ...etc.

The habit for October is clearing paper clutter. Very pleased about this one - I am drowning in it!

The daily flight plan will update itself and if you click on it tomorrow will provide a quick summary of the above.

Other useful links for beginners:
flight plan cheatsheet here and site map here.

Good luck everyone! And newcomers/beginners - don't worry if you feel overwhelmed reading all of that - you don't have to understand the entire system at the beginning - it will start to make sense as you do it. Just focus on the baby-steps for now ...and all will become clear ... promise!

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Thanks for all the links Slimchance I'm starting to get the hang of the system. Quite exciting actually as this is my second month and I am slowly moving on from decluttering to being in the position to do detailed cleaning

[Kalinka32]

OK if I join you ? have looked at the fly lady site and it was a bit too much to take in-need someone to hold my hand! Have been tidying the sink every night though, and feel much better not getting up to a complete tip. Do you think that after 34 years of marriage, I might finally be getting a grip?

[VioletHunter]

Thanks! I am ready to clean my sink tomorrow...but it's granite, can I bleach a granite sink?

[MercuryRising]

Hello lovely fledglings may I rejoin you please? I have started teacher training and have settled into a routine but need to get a grip on the house again. I think the routines and little and often philosophy of fly lady are just what I need. I look forward to catching up with all the fledglings old and new

[BlueEyeshadow]

Waves from train on way back from a conference in London.

Thanks to SC for the new thread, especially when cold ridden.

Thanks to whoknows for Sept too.

Hi to newbies and oldbies :)

[Swanhilda]

o poor SlimChance what a brilliant new name though

Blue hope conference was interessant

No. I don't think Flying will work particularily well this month either, but I can be cling on to the wreckage and be pleased every time I put a load of laundry in. [hangs head dolefully at mixed metaphor]

[Asheth]

Signing in! I did lurk on the September thread and followed the missions but didn't post much. DS3 really struggled with settling into school and I felt really down and I tend to avoid posting on MN/Facebook when I feel like that

But happy to say that he's now much more settled - no more crying in the morning (from either of us!) and chats happily about school in the evening! So I'm ready for flying!