September Flying, Fledglings are trying; holiday steps were slow, back to work we go ...

[Stillcounting]

Welcome to the September 2010 Fledgling Flying thread!

This is where from the 1st of the month, we attempt to declutter and follow the 30-step wisdom of the Fat Fairy, with lots of chat and support and mutual motivation along the way. (More info available here! )

Many thanks to our previous splendiforous thread leader Ellie for guiding us through July and August and to her dynamic deputy, the one and only PA. You've both made it a lot of fun!

As usual we will be following a three-pronged approach (and don't worry - we are all at different stages):

• 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.

Together we can do it! All newcomers welcome!

oh my - i haven't even gone to bed yet!

Sounds like a good plan Nick

Thanks for all the good wishes and hand-holding yesterday. DS was so excited to finally be going (DD went back a week ago) - first up , first dressed, lots of singing and general bouncing about :) Met up with some friends before we went in and he took it all in his stride - I got a kiss and a cuddle inside the classroom and he went off to play. I went for coffee and cake in the Family Room and home to tidy the kitchen
3 hrs later he bounced out and continued bouncing till bedtime. He is very keen to go back this morning

Now I am the mother of 2 school-aged children I think I need a list!

• Work (has been rather neglected over past few weeks )
• All up and out without shouting
• Morning routine
• Put up Car Boot Sale posters and try not to stress about lack of pitches booked so far - its on Sunday
• More Work
• Pick up the boy and off to his lovely pre-school keyworker's for lunch
• Pick up DD
• Afternoon routine
• Lasagne for dinner - put together as component parts already done
• Evening routine
• Collapse in heap!

That will do for starters.
Once I'm back on top of work I will try to have a really serious go at this Flying lark

I will also try and catch up with everyone though that may distract me from the Flying - ho hum :)

Morning (and Evening!) to all I X-posted with :)

Morning all. Will check in properly later but wanted to say ..............I WANT CHAT.

Good morning everyone gosh you are all early this morning.

Dh was back from his travels early last night so i rushed around filling trailer for skip, oiling doors and woodwork. Then had Chinese meal and dh ran off to his mums to talk shop [huffy emotion needed] so i went to bed and ignored the evening routine. I have also made him get up this morning with dc so that means major cleanup later! But it is nice to have him back.

My list
S/s
Make bed
dw/wm
Get dressed to work am
Dc to nursery
Coffee at friends after nursery
Home for lunch with dc and bath and bed
Dh is working tonight so unadulterated big brother final watching then bed.

No missions for me today I'm just trying to build up my routines at mo as house is in turmoil with rooms being created and people moving about all over the place. My ds room is gorgeous and huge and I'm quite as it was going to be my walk in wardrobe.

Sorry waffle waffle. hope you all have a fab day

Wow, everyone is up early this morning (or late in your case, Nick!). I've just got back from the school run, which I'm trying to turn into more of a walk - at least the second half of it, from kindergarten. This means getting up 5-10 minutes earlier but I think it's good for the DDs to have a bit of fresh air before school in the morning; it certainly wakes me up! Quite a few children meet at kindergarten to walk to school, so I'm hoping that DD2 will be able to walk on her own with them (without me, I mean) in the next week or two.

Today's list:

School run done
Washing
Morning routine doing
15 min decluttering
Mission done yesterday
e-mail friend re meeting up
Post DD2's postcard to GPs
Pick up DD2 + 2 friends from school
Pick up DD1 one hour later
Supervise homework
Supervise piano practice
Get DD1 to write postcard
Afternoon routine
Pay ballet fees
Pay contribution towards school books
Phone piano tuner
Birthday present for DD2's friend
Make optician's appointment for DS delegated to DH as he needs to make an appointment for himself
Pack for weekend at ILs
Evening routine

SC I'm also trying to focus on this thread and ignore most of the rest, and I'm getting there slowly. Seeing how productive I can be when I don't spend half my time on MN is a great motivating factor! It may well be a different story once I have more work to do, however, as I then need to spend all morning on the computer and it's so tempting just to have a quick look at the active convos...

Darts So sorry to hear about your friend.

Nettie I love the way you put Big Brother on your list - this series seems to be going on for ever as I remember it being on when I was back in the summer! Fortunately Austrian TV is generally quite dire and we only have two channels, so that's one less distraction.

Waves to everyone else; have a good day.

Just taken photo of DC in their school uniforms together. DS2 so proud of wearing his for the first time - lovely big smile on his face! We are visiting his classroom together today, so don't have to leave him yet .

No milk for breakfast thanks to DS2 making his own breakfast this morning - and no loo rolls either ! Dispatched DH to corner shop promptly.

Thanks for the mission, Still. Haven't done my counters yet, but will try to do two missions today. And hint about 15 minutes duly noted .

Back later with list....

Have a good day everyone.

bun fight not that interesting. made a comment on the swearing thread last night and some one followed me onto the thread about manshape I hate that word^ and poked a comment. biscuits and alcohol was offered as a distrction but i was temporarily stalked it would appear and mweh. they must have read an awful lot of boring posts last night

today's to do list:
sleep
training

that is all, i am getting old and have burn out again not really getting this flying thing then

Morning... I'm ill!

I've kept up my routines and have had ds and dd at home but nothing more.

I have one last kitchen cupboard to tackle, and clean the cupboard fronts etc.

-DS to the bus
-Strip our bed and wash
-Morning routine
-Clean cupboard fronts
-Make macaroni cheese
-Evening routine

Ah Nettie it's tough when there's other stuff going on in the house, keeping up the routines sounds good.

I took photos of dd and ds too toffeefudgecake I was so proud I nearly burst.

Aww feetheart ds was just like that when he started so excited, he still loves it now.

Good morning all, and hi to those I've not yet met.

PA, I think our team captain wouldn't mind an extra player or two in reserve . 2 weeks & counting for the off!

Have managed to get into work, fired off some emails, checked the boss's stuff (he's away) and will shortly begin man-handling the furniture in the new office, as the labourers simply dumpted it into the middle of the room

I did remember the money under the pillow for ds (all gap-toothed now) - is it odd to admit I've kept all the teeth from both dcs? At least it's about the only streak of sentimentalism I've shown.

today's after school list:
Sympathy card as grandparent (who I know) of dd's classmate has died
change dd's bedding
bag old and outgrown clothes for recycling/charity shop (yess, dd, that awful skirt is finally going)
prep late supper for dp who's working late
check parents house as they are away
more washing
collect dd from school after week-long residential trip
buy earplugs, as dd is bound to keep talking about it until she falls asleep (okay, this one's a joke)

And wait for telephone call/visit by electrician for some stuff needing doing in the house. DP just rang to say he'd called one who may be round later.

Tomorrow, I'm having a good look at the baby steps stuff, etc, and seeing how I can change some routines to make better use of my time. I need more time at the moment, cos I'm in the middle of trying the Professor Layton pandora game and I so want to complete it in a shorter time than DP ; yet again, I ended up going to bed a
at midnight last night, knowing full well the alarm is set for 6 am...........

However, I refuse to give up the Saturday morning coffee meet-up with the family (and friends, if they're ladies, no men allowed normally) there's generally about 5 of us minimum and oftern nearer 10

All went well this morning. DS did seem very shy and kept checking that I was still there, but he enjoyed all the play stuff and saw several of his friends, so he's off to a good start. Now we're home, he refuses to take his uniform off because he's so proud of it.

Today's list:

Order new part for fridge
Shopping list - email it to DH
Get well card for MIL
2 missions - counters and floor
Washing
Routines as usual

Have DS with me all day and friend visiting this afternoon, so that's long enough for me today.

Psst - Darts - I have kept all my DS1's teeth too. They are hidden in pots all over the house.

Did - sorry you were stalked. Enjoy your day off flying today.

Bob - hope you feel better soon.

Will try to get on with missions now....

Right, I've realised I am now officially too old to play with a Playmobil horsey-stable on a hard wooden floor for two hrs ...Both legs have gone dead and am posting this at 45 degree angle.

Toffe an unMnset-like 'ah' at your ds not wanting to take off his uniform. Well done him (and you!)

Dart I've done the forgetting the tooth payment thing - what's worse - I've done it twice in quick succession and so that dd didn't loose all faith I ended up making an extremely elaborate fairy garden with her instead which took hrs. Let's just say I'll not be forgetting the tooth payment in future ...

Yes, good to adapt routines and baby steps to suit your own schedule. Oh and btw, going to bed early crops up later on in the baby-steps ... I'll let you know exactly which step it is when I can find my cj + Flylady site seems to be down temporarily.

Oh, poor you Bob - sorry to hear you are still suffering. Take it steady and give yourself time to recover properly. Well done for keeping up your routines though!

DEM imo, fwiw, you are far too hard on yourself when you have an "off" day. You really shouldn't be because (a) we all have them and (b) you have done brilliantly over the past two days (review those huge ticked off lists below if you don't believe me!). Could you possibly try limiting your on-line activities on here, say to an hour a day? (I think Pushmme or Pluto or was it you Ellie (?) who used to do that and I remember being v. impressed when they posted "sorry have to stop now as on-line time allocation is up" or words to that effect.) An alternative strategy is to try and build some "me" time in to your schedule every week. I know it's not easy when your ds is so young, but since allocating 6 hrs on Tuesdays as "my weekend" - doesn't always work out but nearly - I've been a lot less "all or nothing" in my behaviour because I know Tuesday and pleasant things are coming up and that I HAVE to cram things in rest of wk in order to make it work....if that makes any sense at all. (I know I'm REALLY lucky to have nearly a whole day to myself btw ...) Anyway, I won't let you say "I am not getting this Flying thing" because we all do it in our own individual way and you have been VERY productive recently. No negative thoughts remember! Sorry - indoctrination for today officially over!! Take care x

Linzer that's another long list again, good luck with it. You remind me that I should and could be walking to school with dd at least one way. I tried it last term but I wasn't working then. On work days it takes me an hour to get there and back on foot - and if dh is away - that's two hours out of 6 potential work hrs which is too much really. And it can all be done in 20 mins both ways by car. Not good though I know. I will try and allocate one day - perhaps Thurs - when I have the time to WALK. At least that's a start. Thanks for the motivation!

Nettie I am getting worried that if you stand still in your house for a moment - you get oiled!! My dh has just gone away for w/e conference ...

at Ellie!

Well done to the littlest Feetheart, littlest Feetheart's sibling and their ma!

PA sorry to hear about your dd3. I hope she is OK. And I hope YOU take it steady and get in some quality bike --stroking- ) time with your dh today.

Got to go - am cooking fish fingers for dd who has decided she wants to eat for the first time in 3 days ....

Waves to everyone I've missed - see you later!

Oh dear PA did not preview before posting and my crossings out went wonky!!

Did NOT mean to imply that you and your dh should have quality stroking time ... there again ... !!!

LOL SC - I must admit I did read that as "quality stroking time" and was ever so slightly !

Time to post an updated list to keep me going throughout the afternoon as the girls are playing quite nicely atm (DD2 and her friends have finally decided to let DD1 join in).

School run done
Washing in dryer
Ironing done
Morning routine done
15 min decluttering done
Mission done
e-mail friend re meeting up
Post DD2's postcard to GPs done
Pick up DD2 + 2 friends from school done
Pick up DD1 done
Supervise homework
Supervise piano practice
Get DD1 to write postcard
Afternoon routine doing
Pick up DS from friend's house
Pay ballet fees
Pay contribution towards school books
Get yet more money ready to send to school with DD1 on Monday (for photocopying and magazines this time)
Check whether we need to buy supplies for IT lessons
Phone piano tuner
Birthday present for DD2's friend
Make optician's appointment for DS delegated to DH
Pack for weekend at ILs
Evening routine

Toffee and everyone else with DC who have just started school - I'm slightly that we don't have uniform here as I'm sure they all look so sweet and at the same time grown-up in it! Admittedly, the children here did look quite cute staggering about with their huge cones on their first day of school (will try and put a photo of DD2 with hers on my profile) - now they're just staggering about with their huge rucksacks.

DEM Sorry to hear about your temporary stalker; hope you manage to catch up on some sleep today.

Bob Hope you're feeling better soon.

Darts I've kept all DD1's teeth in a little pot, which she discovered a while ago - she was very as to why the tooth fairy should put her teeth in there and hadn't used them to help build a fairy castle as I'd told her...

SC I must admit the walking to school/kindergarten falls by the wayside as soon as I have work to do, as I just can't afford the time either. I was out for the best part of an hour this morning, but that included taking DD2 into school and up to her classroom, which I won't be able to do from the end of next week. It was so much easier in the summer when we all cycled to kindergarten - almost as quick as driving, but not really practical with the DDs' huge and heavy school bags.

Will try and come back later - I've failed to get much of my evening routine done so far this week, but will not collapse in a heap tonight, even if it is Friday!

Ah you lot are brill

In stuck in the house, help im stuck!!! Supposed to be at friends for coffee and dc supposed to be playing!! But I'm stuck in with the blardy plumbers who are very nice but I hate being stuck in.....

Linzer - yes, the huge amount of stuff dd has to lug about is another factor in taking the car sadly ...

Forgot to respond to those I missed last night:

Pluto LOL at 'domestic drudgery shared the world over' You've done really well to balance quality mothering with top-knotch lesson plans ...

MrsD v. impressed by your dc's school and the fruit distribution - wish ours did this -I'm not sure communication skills are entirely gender dependent - (controversial subject I know at the moment what with 'our Gareth' on the telly) but dd tells me absolutely NOTHING about her day ....waves to two little Dinkies too! I

Mini hope the nausea has calmed down today

Right, having given dd full attention this morning and over lunch (she's still poorly) I am hoping she will allow me to finish the following:

Clean up kitchen - done
S&S bathroom & quick hoover
Quick dust and hoover master bedroom
Do something with crab apples if I cba
Laundry
Paperwork

Fridays are get things done day as I'm not at paid work.

3 loads in wm done
hotspots done
hoover downstairs done
paperwork done
phonecalls *done
pressies for forthcoming birthdays etc bought

still to do

2 more loads in wash
ironing (ha ha like that's ever going to happen)
tidy and general sort of Pluto family landfill site spare room

Waving to everyone and dashing off to do things while DS2 continues to sleep.

-DS to the bus done
-Strip our bed and wash done
-Morning routine done
-Clean cupboard fronts done
-Make macaroni cheese
-Evening routine done

Just off to get ds.

Darts I love Professor Layton, played it whilst in hospital with dd, was brilliant.

Toffee I'm sure ds will feel at home soon, they look so grown up dressed in their uniforms.

Hope your legs feel better SC

Wow Linzertorte that's some list, well done.

Nettie hope the plumbers finished up in time for you to go out

Well done Pluto you've done loads

ok thread has kicked off and i have been accused of a personal attack.

as for saying i am not getting the flying principles what i mean is the fact that i am not doing babysteps and still doing the blitz and burnout technique. I dont do the babysteps because the house is so bad i cant find it to do the babysteps atm, and i dont declutter the flylady way.

AS for today, migraine mostly slept off. still a bit spaced out but looking forward to going out to play.

As for computer time. i dont get lost in mn world very often and i think my afternoon cba was probably linked to the monster that hit me today.

HAve a good weekend all! happy flying !
going to do tea, play othelo and finish getting ready fro training.

Evening everyone!

Well to say I am glad that week is over is an understatement. AFter 6 weeks of general lazing around, culminating in today which has been filled with a full teaching day, ameeting at break, a meeting at lunch and a meeting after school.

The meeting yesterday went well, colleague decided to calm down and stop being stroppy, head told him off in a nice way for being stroppy and a successful resolution was found to the problem which caused the strop. Thank you for asking .

I still haven't had time to catch up with everybody's posts and am aiming to do that tonight whilst watching BB/Eastenders tonight. Flying is a little haphazard at the moment but have still managed to keep up morning and evening routines but that's about it. Having said that, I never expected anything more in the first week back so am feeling a little chuffed. It was me that said I limit my mn time. I sit down with a coffee for a break and give myself 30 mins and then leave when that is up. I am such a bore .

ANyway, am off to pick up DC's from CM's so will be back later.

See what I did there, a whole post with only 2 sentences devoted to flying .

Apart from getting through some of the things on my list, I have also spent a lot of time this afternoon cuddling my friend's baby . Told friend about Flylady because she caught me wiping down all my kitchen counters. I always feel a bit embarrassed when I talk about my Flylady habits - as if it is a 'confession'. But the truth is that the house is really looking better now (long way to go though).

Today's list now looks like this:

Order new part for fridge tried - no reply
Shopping list - email it to DH done
Get well card for MIL ( oops not done)
2 missions - counters and floor counters done
Washing done
Tumbledry doing
Put washing away
Routines as usual
Easy cold dinner so no cooking

Managed to buy DS2 a secondhand sweatshirt and trousers for £1 at school - fantastic bargain and much needed as we are a bit hard up since our holiday.

DC are both busy so I must grab the moment to do today's mission and get washing put away (and resist urge to look at active topics in 'Talk' on MN).

Bye for now.

Oops. Didn't resist urge. 30 minutes wasted. But it was nice to have a sit down for a change. Will go and wash the kitchen floor now so DH will come in and see how hard I've been working .

OK ...5 mins away from "the patient" ...not looking forward to this w/e ... dh away... no baby-sitters around .. so like you Nettie I will be stuck in house until dd recovers. Hope you have been liberated from plumbers though! (I wouldn't mind being marooned with my plumber actually ...)

Ah Ellie it was you! Respect! Thought so - once I go back to thread follower status, I am definitely going to try the 30-min timer trick. Well done for getting through such a gruelling week and I'm glad the work tension resolved itself. Have a great (+ v. well-deserved!!) relaxing w/e.

Toffee well done for sticking to 30 mins on-line - that's really not so bad - and for getting through your list!! I don't mention 'Flying' in rl either (except to one sister who could do with adopting it).

DEM sorry to hear about your difficulties on other thread and apologies if I got the wrong end of the stick about yr Flying; I was trying to make suggestions about avoiding blitz or burn because I struggle with same problem! Good to hear your migraine has cleared.

Good going when you are ill Boblob

Pluto doing all that on your day off takes discipline - well done!

Waves to everyone I have missed.

I don't think I will be posting again tonight as once I've put dd to bed in a hour or so I am going to take full advantage of dh's absence and watch a few wierdy french films (no, not that sort ) that he can't stand.

Clean up kitchen - done
S&S bathroom & quick hoover - done
Quick dust and hoover master bedroom done
Do something with crab apples if I cba - no surprise - I cba'd!!
Laundry made substantial inroads
Paperwork did half

Leaves out extra-large bottles of Primitivo Salento Rosso (a lovely Italian number with a splendid nose ) for all to share.

It's been a tough week and we have endured! [Proud of my fledglings emoticon]

Have a great evening everyone and see you in the morning!

Evening! Hope everyone is OK - sounds like it's been pretty hectic all round so hope the weekend improves. Belated happy birthday wishes to PA.

My week has ended better than it started with the boss acknowleding how much work I've done and generally being a bit more positive :)

But I thought my life had come to a sorry state last night - spent the evening in McDonald's whilst DD1 at band writing action plans

Anyway, just enjoying an hour's peace - DD1 at choir and DD2 bellringing. Should be doing jobs but I'm not. The house is straight-ish and both DDs have produced tea on differnt days and done their laundry. Progress

Have had to have another name change due to the other thread. Tis ok SC i understood what you meant when i read it without headache. Was very fuzzy headed this morning/last night when i was posting.