August's 1st Anniversary Fledgling Flyers: It's our party and we'll fly if we want to.

[elliepac]

Welcome to the August edition of the Fledgling Flyers where we are going to attempt to restore order in our houses, chatting as we go.

This month is officially our first birthday so we are celebrating sink shining and swishing and swiping in style!

Here you can do any of the following:

• repeat or start baby steps (again!)

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

or

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

For those who are curious, these are the Babysteps which we all hope will restore order in our homes and make our lives a little bit easier with lots of support (and chat, and wine, and a little more chat )

So please come and join us for our birthday party, old and new, from August 1st.

MOrning everyone!

The babystep for today is Do what we have already done!. Easy!

The mission for today is here.

Have a good day everyone!

It must be round-up time, your daily dose of what every one has been up to!

feetheart went emoticon and plum crazy, a bizarre combination but if it works for her... SHe also found tenants for her house yay! And is rebelling today in celebration by doing no flying and having some family time .

nettie spent lots of time in furniture shops, did lots at home and watched Big Brother! I thought the monkey was very funny although I have to say although DS loved it I was a little disappointed. It didn't bore me as such but it didn't wow me either.

mrsd finished unpacking, one the world's most hated tasks I am sure. My garden is also a small branch of toys r us. I tidy it up one day for it to be rdturned to toy store state the next. I have officially given up. DD has taken to throwing sand from her sand pit on the lawn so on a sunny day we can imagine we are at the beach .

pa had a bit of a nightmare day (I like an understatement me). Glad it was all sorted and you are not currently languishing somewhere at Her Majesty's Pleasure. She has new arrivals of the bunny variety today, they are moving into a palace .

dwm had a productive day and planned a veg patch. She wins the gold star of the day for being super organised.

toffeefudge's children had a TV day likemine which meant she had a super flying day and got loads done. I did have to smile at the naked children...DS's default mode is naked, he is currently in pants which is progress .

sc appeared from under her pile of visitors and jetsetting to wish her thread happy birthday. She posted a typically short and to the point post . We all miss our oracle when she is not here and would like to echo mrsd's sentiments by saying thank you for all your support, help and friendship over the last year. This thread wouldn't be the same without you, in fact it wouldn't be here without you so thank you .

dem is having a lovely positive life at the moment and enjoying her DS, we are all very proud of her for coming out the other side of what has been a tough time. She also cunningly confused sc with her name changes . muckyducky was my personal fave!

tc the use of the word failure is forbidden...do you hear me . Just do what you can, there's a reason they are called babysteps .

Big waves to om linzer nick chairmum missb and anyone else who is out there!

Phew! Round-up done, back in a mo for my own post#!

Right, today is the start of me doing my routines properly. Have got up to a nice tidy house so am going to gt cracking in a mo!

List looks like this:-
DW unloaded/reloaded
WM on
Washing on line
Make beds
S/S bathroom
Clothes put away
Sweep/mop hall and stairs
Bill paying
Feed MIL's cats
Uploads pics of DC's doing gardening!

That will do for now. Back later!

Won't be much flying today, as I have four boys to look after: my own two plus two little ones (3 and 4). Brings back my childminding days. Am planning to take them to the playground, then for a picnic in a nearby field. Thank goodness it's sunny.

Have enlisted DS1 as my helper and am hoping he'll live up to the responsibility. Could be an interesting day.

That spider (the one I thought I'd blocked in with polyfiller) popped up again in the kitchen last night - eek! Had to get husband to put it out for me.

OK, off to put the rubbish out and turn into Mary Poppins for the day.

Good morning ladies

My grin is back and I feel chilled out again.

Ellie well done on your sparkling house. It will be far easier to keep it like it now and feel good about what you have acheived. Gold star, I think!!!

Feetheart Should we call you the fly plum fairy? Are you not fed up with plums yet? I always think these things are a good idea, then feel so sick of the sight of them, I end up giving them all away. Are you preparing for Christmas hampers, or are they all for you? I think you are mad admirable!!

toffee (and Ellie) My DS would never keep his clothes on and even now at 14 yrs old he is like his dad and will only ever wear shorts and t shirt (maximum) in the house, no matter how cold it is.

DWM Pernod trifle ..... never tried that one. Good to see you back on here, though.

MrsD - Well done on finishing the unpacking. It took me well over a week when we got back! Hope you have got all your boiler problems sorted and have restocked the freezer!

Nettie I LOVE furniture shopping. Its the paying that sends me into a spin!!

I have just finished work for the moening, so am heading home, doing a little shopping on the way.

Today I must:
Put washing on the line
Make lasagne
Go into cellar for cat basket to bring bunnies home in. - really bad thing as cellar door is underneath the coat junk cupboard, so will take me ages to clear all the junk coats/shoes/bags etc that has accumulateed since I last ventured into cellar, which was in January, to store the Christmas decorations!! Oh no!!! Heart is dropping to boots just thinking about it!!
Do MORE washing (getting a bit behind )
Sweep front lounge floor
Sweep kitchen floor
Have a really LOoooooooooong conversation with DD1 who is 19 today and living too far away and we really miss each other!
Go and get rabbits
Will do NOTHING after that, because I will be cuddling and playing with and watching and generally being a soppy person!!

Ok, so DH and I have survived 2 days of unemployment. I can now see where this is heading. I dont get any housework done because he is around and I have traditionally left it til he is at work because otherwise he butts in "helps". So, after lunch, instead of having an hour of housework, for example, we sit and chat, read a book and plan what we are going to do for the rest of the day, then get on and go out. Already I can see it is very easy to fall into bad habits. He is doing lots of bike stroking with ernest, but that tends to be when I am at work, like now, or when I am asleep!! Must try and sort out a routine a bit more.

If I can tear myself away from Marble and Squidge (renamed, from Sue) I will post later.

Have a good day everyone.

Another dull and dark morning. Chilly by this years standards positiviely thermal by last years. Going to see about a play park for ds in bakewell. Makes the trip to pick up his new glasses bit nicer.

It was soo lovely to come down to a clean and tidy kitchen this morning.

Plan is:
finish sorting the lego kits
banks
glasses
playpark
order missing lego bits
fold the clean washing mountain
pack for ds' two week holdiay
Pick up reserved item from argos.

I have two weeks without my boy. going to miss him, but going to make the most of him being away and be very very busy. Plan is to discover the house and start making his christmas present. I know its early but it is going to take ages to do. And I am planning on making a lot of the presents i am giving this year so need to get organised.

Afternoon all ...

Have just read the round-up and other kind words (sniff) (sniff) - thanks everyone - reciprocated X3 from here with vodka soaked melon balls on top

(looking forward to more of those tonight with Mummy's trifle)

Am enjoying all the summery talk of plum sauce-making, vegetable growing, new bunnies and children running around in the buff

Having an attack of cba today. Have done my morning routine and a bit of food shopping, with washing flapping happily in the sunshine, I fully intended to launch back in to decluttering action but, it's so nice having the house to myself - my 'new', tidy, organised house that is (if you don't look in the basement or roof) - can't stop skipping around it and looking into rooms (previously heaving with dusty piles of boxes and now gloriously empty) and sighing with pleasure and patting clear surfaces and empty landings. MUST get a grip!! Conscious of not slipping back in to my old "all or nothing tendencies" - must keep doing a bit every day and capitalise on progress made or it will start going backwards again.

DEM/A&D sorry I got you confused with yourself. I'm a twonk. . Serves me right for not checking back on previous thread. I do like the name Armed&Dangerous though.
Slightly disconcerted by the fact that you have mention the "C" word so early on . I am planning on making most of my presents this year too- and you are right now IS the time to start - so thanks for providing me with the motivation to finish decluttering what will be my sewing room (once the hole in the floor has been fixed).
Btw I guessed you might be in E.Midlands area from your use of the verb "mithering" further down thread. Brings back lovely phrases from my childhood "are you mashing me duck?" ie "are you making a cup of tea?" "and "sh'rup else I'll bash your tab" (mother politely petitioning her child to be quiet by threat of hitting him or her on ear) I really miss it
Hope your ds has a lovely holiday

PA Happy Birthday to your dd1 today!
Love the names Marble and Squidge. Now you and your dh can indulge in a bit of competitive stroking ...

Good luck with the "childminding" today Toffeefudgecake a picnic in a field is about my most favourite thing in the world to do. Yr cherubs sound lovely.

Elliepac your dc are GORGEOUS ... (as are their veg) Gold stars to you for overall tidying/cleaning bonanza ....and good luck with deep cleaning today

Feetheart you must be plum-tuckered out [groan] we'll call you Little Jack Horner from now on (wasn't that to do with the dissolution of the monasteries btw?) Anyway, congrats on finding a tenant

Nettie thanks for body clutter reminder (am back on the salads today)

DWM I do admire your autumnal veg planning. I'm always so late getting my summer ones in that I never manage a second planting, consequently am always praying for an Indian summer to extend the growing season...

Being concise as usual forgot to mention Mini-M, Swanriver Chairmum and MissBennett yesterday!! So sorry!! Hope you are all thriving and Flying happily. Apologies and waves to all.

Flaps dusters at everyone and back tomorrow with a proper list.

Lunchtime check in and have done everything on my list . I think there must be something wrong with me, I appear to have come down with fat fairy-itis. Have also de cobwebbed in hallway stairs and landing and mopped everywhere, my stairs were filthy and as I mopped stairs paintwork in hall ie. Bannisters etc showed themselves as black so did those as well.

This afternoon am going to roast a chicken and make an apple and blackcurrant crumble with the blackcurrants ds has grown. Have just had a call from my oldest and dearest friend who lives in London but is home for a couple of days unexpectedly so we are going to get dressed up and go for dinner at a posh restaurant tonight. Should be lovely.

Have a good afternoon bedtime!

Bedtime?! Blardy phones!

Thank you for all your lovely posts you are all fab

been very busy

s/s
bed made
dw/wm
play and stay
picnic in park
forest walk
teddy bears picnic in garden
dummy fairy is on her way dd put all dummy in bag ready to give to dummy fairy tonight and has already had a albeit reluctant nap without one.

Still to
tidy up teddy bears picnic
sort out washing
do huge hoovering job that is hoovering bottom
of swimming pool
make spag bol for dinner
gym
evening routine is a must I will do it tonight!
home for trying not to eat much and big brother !!

Be back later to catch up properly!!

as promised - back-ish

ds1's room is tidy!!! my laundry is clean! my kitchen has clear work surfaces! i have hoovered upstairs! (faints dead away), and , and , and, i am using too many exclamation marks!!! get me!

dw-done
wm-done
dressed to shoes
packed lunches-done (except mine...)
kids to summer camp - done
work - not done yet
pay bills - not yet
read thread and find out what everyone else has done - not yet!

Lovely day with four boys. No flying at all and the house looks a tip again, but we had a very happy day. Picnicked in the field, picked blackberries, found dens and DS1 played football for ages with the youngest boy (3), who now thinks he (DS) is a hero. Wandered home at 2 with four happy, hot and dirty boys.

Later, my friend turned up to collect her son, holding the tiniest baby you have ever seen. He is an 8lb baby, but I can't believe my babies were ever that tiny. I had a very long cuddle and am going round tomorrow for another one. Makes me feel very broody, much to the horror of the rest of my family. DS1 says he will leave home if I have another. Too late for me now anyway (am 45).

Am writing this whilst DC time each other running through the house using my beloved timer. Hope they don't break it as it really helps me get things done.

Ellie - congrats on yr fat fairy-itis. You certainly deserve a night out tonight.

Nettie - great list. Hope the dummy-fairy ruse is successful.

NickofT - shameless bragging entirely justified. Well done!

Still - enjoy your new tidy house. I hope my house is soon looking as tidy if I keep on with the Flylady routines.

PA - it was just the same when my DH was at home all the time. I couldn't get anything done. I'm much better when I have the house to myself. Hope you have your new bunnies now and that they soon settle into their bunny palace.

DEM - what are you making for your DS? I'm so impressed that you are planning Xmas already.

Right, time to bring the washing in and tackle the kitchen.

Bye to all above and any I've missed - Linzer, MrsD, Chairmum, MissB, OM, Swan, TC, MissB and anyone else.

Ellie - afternoon bedtime sounds lovely. I am shattered. today hasnt exactly gone to plan.

SC - nope wrong again In the northwest, but has lived in south east, south west and east of england during the past so have picked up words from all over. I like the term wittering. Ds does a lot of wittering when he is tired. They just sound what they are trying to explain imo.

I used my new projects to pick up a few tools (light box, cutting board, cutter, ruler and basting pins) for doing the christmas presents. The plus side is whilst I will use them now, ds know nothing about them so they will also form my socking presents so have killed two birds with one stone

right quick update and then off to discover my bed I want an early night. am falling asleep.

finish sorting the lego kits
banks done
glasses done
playpark done
order missing lego bits
fold the clean washing mountain done but needs putting away
pack for ds' two week holdiay
Pick up reserved item from argos. done
COmpletely discover lounge tidied and cleaned!
15mins decluttering hall done and hoovered empty floor
Shiney sink done
Wash ds' bedding clean and dry but needs returning to his bed

The kitchen is still sparkling it is lovely in there. Just a few bits and sleep.

Have a lovely evening.

Weher are you all? In bed hopefully, according to babysteps, indeed I should be there too.

House is tidier today, although not cleaner, that is for tomorrow. Sleeping bags are aired and put away apart from the one that got sprayed with the garden hose (thanks DCs!).

It sounds as though most people are having a good week so far. See you tomorrow.

Only one more kit of lego to go.....
thank goodness. although very very at all the missing bits and spare bits that dont tally up.

Sleep tight!

Morning everyone,

A bit bleary-eyed and a tad hungover this morning after an absolutely lovely night with BF last night. We don't see each other often but when we do, we are just like teenagers gossiping about everything and nothing all night long!

It is an absolutely horrible day here today. Throwing it down with rain and quite chilly too. Not quite sure what I am going to do today but do have a list to complete!

Today I will:-

WM on
DW on
Morning routine
Clothes ironed and put away
DS swimming
Start packing
Packing list.

THat will do I think. Back in a mo for round-up and steps!

Round-up time!

dem had a super productive flying day and did loads... SHe also sorted LOTS of lego. A braver woman than me, mine all just gets chucked in a box!

mrsd successfully finished unpacking which is no mean feat so well done her! She didn't follow the babystepf of an early night though!

toffeefudge is Mary Poppins. Her day yesterday sounded wonderful, picnics and blackberry picking . She then got to snuggle alovely newborn baby, again .

nick had a shameless brag and fell in love with exclamation marks .

nettie had the dummy fairy to visit, wonder if she will also be bleary-eyed this morning?

pa has rabbits . And is very excited about having rabbits . She also has DH at home and is trying to work out a routine accordingly to fit in with bike stroking . I absolutely hate it when DH is home when I am on holiday. I never get anything done, because he is just...well....there!

Big waves to dwm feetheart om linzer and anyone else lurking out there!

One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that I also have to think of a birthday present for my spoilt well provided for DS. I have absolutely no ideas at all. Anyone got any marvellous ideas about what 7 yr old boys might like?

Back with steps in a mo!

Bugger, forgot the oracle. sc spent most of the day admiring her tidy and lovely house .

The babystep today is post-it notes. One I have not done yet...ever .

The mission for today is here.

Have a good day everyone!

Lovely round-up, Ellie.

Today, I will:

Feed and clothe DC
Get dressed and wash hair
Swish and swipe in bathroom
Do morning routine
Iron and put away
Make packed lunches
Buy train tickets for next week online
Do mission
Clear hot spots in dining room
Make banana and honey muffins
Visit friend with newborn (and feed her the muffins)
Cuddle newborn
Cuddle newborn again
Continue cuddling newborn
Take boys for picnic with friends
Go home via shops
Make spag bol for dinner
Drink tea instead of wine - am trying to save money for our holiday by not buying any wine

Bye for now.

Morning everyone

At home with DS today (pretending to work too ) but raining at the moment so no idea what he will want to do. He might be happy to have a chill out day as he is off bowling with holiday club tomorrow.

Today I need to
put out hotspot in hall
rescue the dining room
put washing away
dry what washing is left from yesterday
ironing
DW
WM
shine sink
s&s
try to keep on top of lounge

Have a good day

Morning all!
Thanks (I think) for plum puns Nearly finished them now, just going to stone the rest and bung them in the freezer.

PA - think I am too tight to just give them all away However lots of the jam/chutneys will find their way into Christmas presents. We did 'hampers' for a variety of people last year which went down well so may plan it a bit more this year. NOT that I am thinking about the C word yet.

Right, back on the wagon as new-tenant madness is settling down (though need to go back up later in week with a few bits)
Need a list to get me going:

• Morning routine
• Mop kitchen floor
• Attempt to tackle DS's room - did some a week or two ago but need to summon up courage to finish it
• Sort out invoices for School Assoc
• Tax stuff for friend's house
• Washing machine research for said house - need a cheap but reliable one, any ideas?
• B'day card for Dstepfather - sorted and posted
• Make courgette cake
• Stone and freeze rest of plums
• Picnic with friend and her DC - may be house picnic as weather not looking good atm
• Bank nice big cheque for work
• Check out new Simmons bakery that opened locally on Monday (conveniently next door to bank
• Ironing
• EARLY night

DC starting to yell at each other so must be breakfast time

The effects of not doing the early night babystep is servere. One migraine.

Ds is building last lego kit.
Later he will ice and decorate so rich tea biscuits.

I am going to pack his stuff for going away tomo and do any washing that needs to go with him and shove what is not going with him away in wardrobe/drawers etc.

I need a nap.

No missions today. Might try to catch up next week. few days away from tomo.

Have a lovely weeked.

Hi all

Great round-up Ellie. Good luck with your packing.

I'm afraid I'm not worthy of the title "oracle" as I was determined to go to bed early last night and appear bright and early on here with proper list and I have done neither. Stayed up late last night to no good purpose and footled around ineffectually this morning.

I've done my morning routine and have more washing drying outside, but that's about it.

Please someone adminster a sharp kick up rear ... it's precisely now when I have time on my hands that I should be getting stuck in to some of the back-log. My house may be tidy in comparison to how it was but still loads to do!!

DEM oh yes, wittering is good. Hope you feel better soon and enjoy your few days away. And congrats on your sparkly kitchen.

Wow Feetheart well done! That list of yours puts me to shame !

Yo Mummy hope your ds is cooperative and that you get some work done

Toffeefudge may I indulge in a bit of vicarious broodiness. I LOVE babies ...too late for me now too [sniff]. What a gorgeous day you had yesterday ... sounds idyllic ...yr list is v. impressive too.

Nick - you deserve a brag!! Your house sounds in v. good shape - well done you!

Nettie did I read that right and you are hoovering the bottom of your swimming pool? That is quite a surreal image. I assume you pull the plug out first Yet another one of you with a long list I really must get cracking

MrsDinky well done getting finishing the unpacking - it's all too easy to let suitcases and camping equipment sit in the hall for weeks on end (as I know to my shame) so full marks for battling through and dealing with boiler/freezer at same time.

You are all so impressively busy - and I have done naff all ...no excuses either except sheer cba on my part Early night for me tonight.

Waves to TC MissB Mini-M Chairmum Pushme Feetheart Swan Linzer PA Optimistic and everyone else I've forgotten.

Slopes off in shame ...

Oh dear, fat fairy-itis has worn off. It has been throwing it down all day, we've all got cabin fever, DC's are being annoying/fighting and I am rapidly losing y patience. I have managed to do all my routines and my list but now tiredness from a late night last night is kicking in and I have cba.

Am going to make some chicken soup and do my packing lists and that's it. Then I have to go out to the blardy swimming lesson, why do they still have these things on in the holidays. I wouldn't go but I have paid for it .

Have parked DC's in front of TV for half an hour and am going to imbibe some coffee and hope that perks me up!

Ellie - ds has spent a good chunk of the afternoon being messy in the kitchen - icing sugar, rich tea biscuit and sprinkle type stuff to decorate. Kept him busy with minimal mess for a good while. He has eaten sugar and then went out in the rain in rain coat and wellies to collect snails to protect the plants. he has had a lovley time at minimal cost and mess (wipe down of bench and 1 load of washing). Is that worth a try on a raining day in your house?

Feeling better for nap. jobs to do now. minimal ones. Packing for ds, emergency washing and empty car for going away. Not forgetting the last lego kit to finish making and spare part ordering.