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September Fledglings: the new term has begun!

485 replies

Greymalkin · 31/08/2016 19:21

Hello all, the new term has begun! So I'm taking the register; everyone please sign in...

I will set out the opening post curriculum once my home internet collection is restored

Ooh look --> Dragon teacher's pet!!

OP posts:
Sequentialchoring · 31/08/2016 19:25

Yay! Thank you hugely for this Greymalkin!!

And thanks to Blue and Einstein for seeing us through July & Aug!

[Leaves out over-sized kebab for Dragon ]

BlueEyeshadow · 31/08/2016 19:34

Thanks, Grey Thanks

Cagliostro · 31/08/2016 20:58

Hi Grey thank you for the new thread!

And thank you Blue and Einstein for the summer threads.

I'd like to say I'll be more organised in the new 'term'.

HAHAHAHAHA.

Blush

Greymalkin · 31/08/2016 21:56

First of all, a big thank you to Einstein and Blue for leading us through the summer threads, (you can hang up your dusters for a bit now!)

Chocolate Cake Biscuit Chocolate Cake Biscuit

If you are struggling 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 chat along the way.

The FlyLady link is here Don't be put off by the twee language of the site – we all agree that the underlying system is very effective.

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 something 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!

It's up to you, but we advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be swamped with marketing nonsense. 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 minutes 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.

    There are three key points to keep in mind throughout:

  • No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine and many of us on this thread struggle with this one.
  • You are never behind - just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
  • 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 daily and doing the babysteps is a good way to start. Some of us (mentioning no names!) can have scary looking ‘ta-da’ lists but don't let that worry you. Do what you can, anything is better than nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

    If all else fails, a Brew + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders.

    Here's the launch pad which is a mine of information, well worth a look.

    Don’t let it put you off if we appear a bit cliquey, we really aren’t. Some of us have been on here for years – but all lurkers, intermittent returnees, oldies and newcomers very, very welcome

    Chocolate Cake Biscuit Chocolate Cake Biscuit
OP posts:
8FencingWire · 31/08/2016 22:06

Fab, thank you grey
Here's the nutter.

September Fledglings: the new term has begun!
MercuryRising · 31/08/2016 22:19

I'm here and determined to get more organised and actually get back into good habits.

Thank you for the summer thread Blue and Einstein and for the new thread Grey.

Greymalkin · 31/08/2016 22:26

Chocolate Cake Biscuit Chocolate Cake Biscuit

Links for Thursday 1st September: First day of the new term!! Here is our syllabus:

Here is FlyLady's introduction to the baby steps including step number one, shine your sink.

This is our first day in Zone 1: The entrance, front porch and dining room Spend 15 minutes decluttering here. If you have finished decluttering here is the detailed cleaning list

Today's mission is to declutter for 15 minutes in your entrance hall

Our habit of the month is establishing a Before Bed Routine This is actually a really good habit to develop, as many of us can vouch for.

Thursday focus is errand day Any task to be done outside of the home: grocery shopping, tip runs, dry cleaning, doctor appointments, that sort of thing.

And a little bonus feature for this month: FlyLady's back to school tips

Chocolate Cake Biscuit Chocolate Cake Biscuit

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 31/08/2016 22:28

Thank you all, I'm back in too, need to get going with routines again for the new term. I have dug out my Flylady book to read for motivation.

BlueEyeshadow · 31/08/2016 23:01

Smokey kitten is recovering nicely from his little op and currently obstructing the keyboard... Photos for pont (and anyone else!)

September Fledglings: the new term has begun!
September Fledglings: the new term has begun!
September Fledglings: the new term has begun!
feetheart · 31/08/2016 23:04

Hello, I'm back too, especially if there are kitten pictures :)

8FencingWire · 31/08/2016 23:17

Right. So my dining, living and kitchen is one big room. I'll just do a detailed clean then :)
blue, he looks miffed :)

LiveLifeWithPassion · 01/09/2016 10:34

Can I join this thread please?
My house is an utter mess at the moment and I'm definitely living in CHAOS!

I have a big suitcase that needs unpacking in my hallway at the moment and my dining table is full of stuff so those are good places for me to start. I expect it will take longer than 15 mins though Sad

8FencingWire · 01/09/2016 10:49

Step by step passion, do it in 15 min batches :) and welcome!

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 17:38

OH my actual goodness blue and 8, those kitties are edible!! Now I HAVE to stay!
Yes miss, present.

I did reasonably well yesterday - managed to get 3 more meal preps done for my freezer as well as my laundry/ cleaning, but didn't finish the list, so some repeats today! Am loving that we are in the hall and dining room, as the dining room is one place I didn't get to yesterday ( and boy does it need some help)

To do:
Dishwasher
Wipe down kitchen surfaces
Laundry - bedding load
Clear pew (it's in the hall - go me)
Vacuum main floor
Dining room - 15 min declutter (paperwork and clear table)
Pick up book order
Buy fruit from market for weekend
Make sausage casserole for freezer
Make double portion of chow mein (dinner and freeze half)
Send registration reminder to everyone for guides
Send welcome back email to guiders

I also have three 'other' plans:
Re-read all the fly lady links!!
Meet friend for lunch (not a 'fun' lunch as she is having a terrible time, so trying to provide some support, but it will get me out for some fresh air too)
Get kid to download GBBO and watch it tonight!!

Happy September everyone! (I LOVE this time of year - so many new things starting and everything seems possible... I get bored by November and have to daydream about the C word Grin )

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 17:42

So, looking at my dining room - would it be wrong of me to ask dh to put the damned mirror on the wall and hang the damned pictures this weekend? The room was redecorated almost two years ago. And I have a giant box of pictures propped against the wall, which has become a hot spot - there is a giant teetering pile of all sorts of crap balanced on it.

Note to self - add to weekend lists as I don't have time today and dh doesn't get back until tomorrow night. It's a bank holiday weekend here, so he can have a project...

MercuryRising · 01/09/2016 21:52

Pontification your plan to give dh a project sounds like a good one to me.

After a very slow start to flying due to ds2 refusing to nap except in my arms I actually got a fair amount done. I took ds2 to baby group, got him weighed at baby clinic and too dd to get her hair cut.

In terms of flying my tadas are:
1 washload brought in
1 washload done and hung out
Hoovered downstairs (although hoover has now died so dp is meant to be trying to exchange it tomorrow if we can find proof of purchase)
Bedroom tidied
Living room decluttered
Bins emptied
Porch emptied of junk mail and flyers.

I haven't got round to labelling the dcs uniforms, so that is the main thing on tomorrows todo list. I keep reading about stamps for the job and really regret not finding out about them before ordering iron on labels Sad

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 01/09/2016 23:00

Mercury - yes to the stamp! We invested in a Stamptastic last year and it is a little bit lifechanging! Just bought one, with the surname on (v.unusual surname so no initial needed). I still use labels for some things, but not many!

Pontification - welcome back, good to hear from you.

Livelife - welcome, yes, this thread sounds as though it is the right place for you, I've been on here a long time and I still slip back to CHAOS fairly regularly but find the system very helpful for getting back on track.

Well, been out most of the day, DD had tutoring, then a get-together of boys from DS's school and their mums. Then lunch out (just me and the DCs), shopping and home. About 2 years ago I decluttered our marble run to the charity shop, DS has been really hankering after one, so we found a cheap one on Amazon earlier in the week and ordered it. Wouldn't you know it, DH then found one in a charity shop today. So the DCs have both been very happily constructing marble runs tonight, makes such a nice change from electronics (they are 10 and 12).

Flying wise - things had slipped rather badly at the start of the week when we got back from holiday, but all unpacking is now finally completed, the laundry has been dealt with and I even did a bit of dusting earlier.

Before bed routines - before the holidays I had moved swich and swip from morning to evening routine, as I was always skipping it in the rush to get out to work. Also it is lovely to get up and find a shiny bathroom waiting for you, so I'm going to try and stick to that from now on.

Greymalkin · 02/09/2016 06:25

Good morning class!

Welcome back Pont and Feetheart and welcome to LiveLife. This is a lovely thread so do jump in.

Blue SJ look adorable! I love black cats, so full of mystery and intrigue...

8 that ickle fur ball looks adorable. I want one! Envy

WhoKnows I've heard of marble runs but never actually seen one, so I may have to wander over to amazon for a gander. I know what you mean about electronics being off in favour of 'proper' games

Mercury well done for being productive with your little one. When my DS had clingy days I got absolutely nothing done. I would also recommend the Stamptastic label thingy - not just for clothes, for books, toys, lunch boxes, you name it.

Pont definitely chivvy up your DH, after all Bank Holidays are for DIY dontcha know

OP posts:
mnistooaddictive · 02/09/2016 06:34

Can I join? I tried fly lady about 4 years ago but never really committed to it and now I am full of clutter again?

Greymalkin · 02/09/2016 06:40

Links for Friday 2nd September: Lesson plan for today ladies:

Chocolate Cake Biscuit Chocolate Cake Biscuit

For an overview here is the Launch Pad

Baby step number two is the highly controversial one about getting dressed to your shoes
Personally I can be super productive in my PJs and bare feet, but there are other days where I have to get dressed to mean business!

We have one more day in Zone 1: The entrance, front porch and dining room Spend 15 minutes decluttering here. If you have finished decluttering here is the detailed cleaning list

Today's mission is to do some detailed dusting in the dining room Ceiling cobwebs, skirting boards, light fittings etc

Our habit of the month is establishing a Before Bed Routine This is actually a really good habit to develop, as many of us can vouch for.

The focus for Fridays is to declutter your purse, handbag and car

And a little bonus feature for this month: FlyLady's back to school tips

Chocolate Cake Biscuit Chocolate Cake Biscuit

OP posts:
Greymalkin · 02/09/2016 06:41

x-post addictive! Yes, please join the thread, I've just posted todays links, have a look for a refresher on the Flylady ways

OP posts:
feetheart · 02/09/2016 09:00

Managed to clean front door and tidy hallway yesterday so I actually did something I was supposed to :)
Today ta da:

  • parkrun run report - late but at least it's done
  • DD up and out to school for first day
  • DH up and out
  • DS and I fed and ready to go wake-boarding as 'last day of holidays' treat (that DD had no interest in) :o
  • Tidied for cleaner who is due this morning


To do:
  • Finish tidying
  • Go wake-boarding!! Never done it, slightly nervous
  • PTA stuff to school to claim new storage space before it's taken over
  • Feed everyone
  • Out with the girls later (the ones I met when I had DD over 13 years ago :))

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celeste83 · 02/09/2016 09:40

Morning, I've found you all. First post on the new thread.

Gorgeous cats Blue & 8Fencing. I love cats little faces Smile

ta da

fed ds
washed dishes

to do

make beds
do some laundry
get rid of cobwebs
tidy handbag
hoover round
general tidy up

biscuitbadger · 02/09/2016 11:02

Think I'm going to join you. I tried fly lady a few years ago but the shining sink and dressing to shoes annoyed me. The other bits were working well though, and it'd be good to have some moral support.

Shannaratiger · 02/09/2016 13:36

Hi everyone old and new

Making pancakes Blush
Kittens are so cute
Hope everyone had a great summer.

DC's back to school Tuesday Ds and Wednesday Dd.

Ta Da

Washed Beach stuff from Saturday

Walked into town to pick up more trousers for Ds. Accidentally brought him 13-14 instead of 12-13! They're only about 3 cms too school buy can't handle the thought of my 9 yr old in 13-14!!! However forgot they wouldn't be in store until 12. Confused

To Do

Dust and hoover everywhere!

Back later, once I've found the hoover from cupboard.

Have a great afternoon

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