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!

MOrning everyone!

I like this being organised lark because it means I have time to come on here this morning!

List for today looks like this:-

Everyone up and dressed done
Beds made done
DH pack-up done
Dentist for several fillings - aaaaaaaaaagh
Take some drugs after above dentist visit
Work this afternoon
Washing on line
WM on
Dinner (shepherd's pie)
Washing up
Wm off line and put away
Clothes out
S/S bathroom
General tidy
Bath
MN

Am absolutely dreading dentists but appt is early (9) so have rest of morning to recover before am in work at 1.

Hope everyone is ok and has a good day.

Oh I forgot one more addition to list :-

Get DS to write linzers dd's postcard which has been sat on my fridge for ages because I am rubbish .

I also forgot to say that I had a dream about you lot last night. I was at some posh function and the stage was set for a show. It turned out this show was the fat fairy show/. A fat fairy came out and danced and then introduced her band of merry fairies which was led by sc who was brandishing her feather duster and twirling in a tutu! She was then followed by everyone else who started a song called 'swish and swipe, it keeps your bathroom ripe', which was then followed by * clean that hot spot, get rid of that pot'. You then all waved me bye and flounced off the stage.

I kid you not...my mind is a strange and wonderful thing!

Quick catch-up before off out for much of day (art project at dd's school).

First, Bob so very to hear about your dd - as Toffeefudge so rightly says, it does make discussing housework seem more than trivial. Glad you are getting lots of good support from the hospice however. Wishing you strength and sending prayers from here x

Good luck to LittleFeetheart with his shiny new red lunch box today!

Daily pestering of Ouch as requested; how is your bedroom decluttering going? Free pass on the early night last night ...

Waves to Nettie lol at laconic personal messages Don't worry - you WILL get it all done tonight!

Thanks for not only NOT flouncing Ellie but for one of your especially eloquent round-ups last night ...apologies if I have bored you with this before but I NEVER risk dh buying me Christmas presents. Never, ever, ever. I ALWAYS buy and wrap my own, I even write an extravagantly gushing note on each one to myself. Dh always adds to the pile with completely inappropriate some extra gifts he has bought but I'd never leave it to chance - oh no. Good luck at the dentist this morning (WITH full analgesia I hope!).

Dart sorry to hear about your boss's reaction after all that hard work ...surely not all wasted effort though when you did so much decluttering and shredding etc? Please don't mention the subject of unfinished craft projects [SC looks shifty and sidles off stage right haunted by a stack of cardboard boxes]

Huge waves to PA, Linzer SwanR Toffee, Pluto, Mini-M, Tigger, MrsDinky, MissBennett, Optimistic, MummyD, Kitpuss, Nick and anyone else I have inevitably missed.

Have a good day everyone! Keep going - just 15 mins at a time ...

Applies soothing compress to Elliepac's forehead...

I've already spent too long on MN this morning, so will just post my list and run:

Morning routine done
15 min decluttering in bathroom
5 min decluttering in playroom
Bathroom mission done
Stash and dash mission
Finish letter
Pay for present ordered for friend who has just had twins
Write invoice
Make appointment at orthodontist's
Take bag of clothes to clothes bank
Post postcards (slightly hindered by the fact that they're in DH's car)
Pick up DD
Afternoon routine
Pick up DS plus two friends
Check whether friend's mum needs snowsuits
Evening routine
Book hotel for autumn break

But before I do, just wanted to say:

Bob So sorry to hear about your DD. It sounds like there are a lot of positive aspects but it still must be so hard for you.

ellie You made me laugh so much with your dream that I will forgive you anything.

Morning all,

I need to make lists, have essentially been winging it all summer, have picked up my basic routines again at the start of term, but not getting a lot else done and getting that rabbit in the headlights feeling.

So, today

DCs to school - done
S&S - done
Washing - on
DW/sweep floor - do next
Filing pile to put away
Tidy DD's room and get out winter clothes, put away summer ones.
Get DD from school at 12
Pop to town for a few bits and pieces
Get DS from school
Ironing pile
Wash shower curtain - it is all dingy with limescale.

Re DHs choosing Xmas presents, I also prefer to buy my own, though like SC's DH he usually buys top ups. I also chose my own engagement ring, I'm fussy about my jewellery and was certainly not leaving that to chance......

Morning all :) dd woke up at 2.30 and I've drunk a gazillion cups of coffee so I'm feeling slightly manic, did some paperwork though. I'm feeling so much more organised since this Fly Lady malarkey it's brilliant so thank you to everyone.

Thanks for the thoughts, we're all good though, dd is amazing she really is, she's made us a better family and me a better person, I sometimes think if I could live her life I would, she has no worries, no fears and is more purely happy than anyone else I've ever met. Anyway I'll shut up now

Today

-Morning routine
-Declutter two little cupboards in my bedroom
-Thorough dust in lounge and dining room
-Hoover throughout
-Make lasagne
-Bathroom mission
-Stash and dash

That dream sounds amazing Ellie

I choose my own presents too SC and Ellie we don't wrap eachothers presents though, just reuse some nice gift bags. I'm rubbish at wrapping presents.

Thinking of you PA

Hope ds has a nice day feetheart

Are you going somewhere nice Linzer?

todaytodo
ironing upstairs with radio
after routines [ever hopeful]
then take long overdue library books back
give in form
ask for CRB form
take bulbs out of car and plant - do not want car full of green sprouty things
read something for 30 mins
supper is made already, prepare veg/salad
go to Car place to try and get boot catch repaired - this has been on my list for weeks

that's enough for now

Ellie I often have dreams about people on Mumsnet ...perhaps Mumsnet is the land of dreams..like something you might find on top oFaraway Tree danger..excitement..get stuck there for ever while your house gets covered in dust and charred pizzas

Bob that is very awful..you sound like you are being incredibly strong for dd and ds.

Bob - how old is DD? It sounds as though she brings a lot of joy into your lives, even though I guess there is a lot of sadness too.

I'm not doing very well with my list, have done the DW and put the shower curtain to soak in calgon, but suddenly got the urge to do some baking, so back on the computer looking for recipes. .

MrsDinky dd is 4 now :) she wasn't supposed to make 1 though so we really are very fortunate. I will attempt to put a photo of dd in her school stuff on my profile, I'm very proud

marking my place in the magic faraway tree and guffawing out loud at the fat fairy stage show.

bob think you are brill. Excuse my ignorance but is the hospice visit like respite for you all?

That's how we would use it, you can send the child on their own but we would use it as a break for all of us :)

sounds fab, i hope you all have a really good time. Do you have to apply for funding for a place?

No, you don't need funding as such just a qualifying letter from a consultant confirming that dc is life limited. The extent of that then decides how many nights per year you can get. I think there will be a bit of a wait as scheduled stays are decided quite a long time in advance but will be lovely when we do go. They supported my friend fantastically well through her dds life.

Thats great. I was imagining it costing a fortune for you and your family. Oh i hope you hear soon be great to have it to look forward to.

Just popping in as I will really be in big trouble if I don't get on with work today. I have broken my day down into Flylady-type 'babysteps', in the hope that this helps me get things done. I did hardly any Flylady routines yesterday, apart from the basics, and I could really see the difference this morning. It was horrible coming down to a messy kitchen and having to do two loads of dishwashing just to get it under control again.

Today, I have:

Got DS1 to school and DS2 to CM
Had b/fast (don't always manage that)
Done 2 loads in D/W
Done 15 min tidy-up in kitchen
Put sheets in washing machine

Am planning to do work in half-hour batches, with 15-min stops for missions, putting washing away, putting shopping away (Tesco delivery due this morning) and drinking tea. Hope this keeps me focused.

Ellie - I love your dream - complete with rhymes too. Wonder if you'll have a Flylady Christmas Panto dream?

Swan - I like the 'Faraway Tree' idea. But imagine if, instead of MN land, we get stuck in Flylady land, where nobody can do anything for longer than 15 minutes and you get arrested for not carrying your timer at all times. And your houses are inspected daily to make sure they are up to the Fat Fairy's standards. And you have to speak in nauseating, sentimental, evangelical language. And the only reading allowed is of your Control Journal...Now there's a land we'd want to get out of pretty damn quick!

Bob - So sorry you were awake at 2.30am. I hope you are able to have a nap at some point today. I loved what you wrote about your DD and her effect on you and your family .

Right, Tesco have delivered (whilst I was typing this), so now I really have no excuse to put off work a moment longer.

Waves to MrsD, Still, Linzer, Ellie (hope dentist trip wasn't too harrowing), PA, Feet, Ouch, Nettie, Darts and anyone I've missed, plus any lurkers.

Bob - just caught up with the thread and have seen the photo of your DD in her school stuff - she is so gorgeous.

You say she is a very happy child, but it sounds to me as if you don't give yourself enough credit for enabling her to be so happy. She obviously has a wonderful mum.

Good day everyone.

What a mammoth load of posts to catch up with!! You lot spend far too much time chatting, I wonder why we all need the fat fairy!!

Hope the dentist goes ok Ellie. You can have a numb face in sympathy with me, mines been like it most of this week and it is seriously driving me crazy. Its just like after you've been to the dentist, as it is coming round. It feels like it needs itching and getting the feeling back all the time. a bit like !!! As for the dream, well, did I look good in a tutu ?.... sounds more like a nightmare to me!

Hope DS enjoys his lunch at school feetheart. You have a humungous list, make sure you have time to relax yourself.

SC enjoy the art project at school, sounds like a not fun day to me!!

Dart - hope you get the office as you want it in the end. Perhaps boss is being a bit funny because he thinks it should have been his idea!! Grrrr men!!!

Another mega list from you linzer - how do you find time to MN?

Bob - hats off to you it sounds as if your amazing daughter also ahs an amazing family looking after her.

Ok, so MrsD, what are you baking?

Your green spoutings in the car, swan, reminded me that I must remove a bag of potatoes from the back of my car before it becomes a mobile allotment!

Oh Nettie, I absolutely loved the magic faraway tree and spent many hours brainwashing reading them to my DC, too - more for my benefit, than theirs!!

Waves to MissB, ouch and everyone else that has slipped from nmy brain.

NO WORK today!! Whoa!! So, so far i have:
Loaded DW
Loaded washing machine
cleaned work surfaces
done shopping
taken DD to college
dropped off letter to MRI scan place that I realised yesterday i should have sent back to them.
packed away some bits from back lounge
made beds
Watched DD2 go off on her first ever driving lesson [eeeeekkkkkkk!!]

Planned for later:
Do tax return on line
......

that's it!!! I am going to relax!!

DD3 has gone to college, but they have agreed a reduced timetable already for her, so she should be able to manage and we will keep going for a while. She's really struggling, but determined.

As for the conversation about DH and presents, I too chose my engagement ring MrsD, way too important to let DH choose! I always like a surprise, but am aware that the surprise is going to be quite naff, so struggle with this every Christmas and birthday. If I drop I hint I just know that I will get it, then I am disappointed that I havent got a surprise. If I keep quiet then I get disappointed because I get something I really dont want, so he cant win, really.
When we got married I made him promise to buy me an eternity ring for our 25th wedding anniversary. A few months ago I reminded him that he only had a few years before he had to fulfil his promise, but without telling him what he had promised, he has no recollection at all and I know he is already asking people to find out what he has promised me!!! I am not going to breath a word to anyone and see if he comes up trumps, or falls flat!! How disappointed will I be, though when I have waited 25 years and dont get it?????

Shopping yesterday didnt go well. I picked up a few things in the shop, but just did not feel well enough to try them on and get them, so put them back and I will return when I am feeling better.

MRI first thing in the morning. I just want it done now and get the results so that I know where I go from here. Whatever the results I hope things are done quickly because I am losing patience with myself with not being able to keep up with life as I want to. Fed up of feeling naff, fed up of pain, fed up of numb feeling around my face, fed up of not being able to move my neck as I want to, fed up, fed up, fed up!!!

Right. off now will pop back later.

Have a good day everyone .

Have postponed baking until after shopping due to lack of eggs, I hav just realised I could do flapjacks, but have to pick DD up in 15 mins so will have to wait.

Someone posted on another thread an easy way to make flapjacks was to warm up a can of condensed milk in the microwave, stirr in as many oats etc as you can , stick it a tray nad bake it, so that is what I am going to do.

Have done an hour of ironing!

Nettie I have just started the 3rd Farawy Tree book with DS, we are both loving them, I loved them as a child too.

Today

-Morning routine done
-Declutter two little cupboards in my bedroom
-Thorough dust in lounge and dining room done
-Hoover throughout done
-Make lasagne half done
-Bathroom mission
-Stash and dash done

Going to do the bathroom mission before lunch.

You're all very kind but it's all dd, she seems to make an impression on everyone who meets her :)

Those flapjacks sound yum MrsDinky

Will be thinking of you tomorrow morning PA it must be so worrying, feel free to rant away.

Sounds like a plan toffee well done :)

pa you go girl, rant all you like. Hope you have a good day and that MRI is ok tomorrow.

ooo what age can i start reading far away tree? I still have my copies from when i was little. Is 4 too young?

Hmmm might try those flapjacks myself mrsd i boight condensed milk donkeys years ago for a recipe i never did!!

Im delaying invoicing. Have cocked it up twice already and had to delete 15!! 15 transactions on sage!!! Why is it soooo complicated???? grr

Bob what toffee said very eloquently put!

I also have a postcard sitting waiting to go to linzerhousehold for her DS. Shame on mee too!!

right im gone....(phuuufff)

Nettie, I feel for you over the deleting on sage. I find it annoying that the mistakes are highlighted in red as permanent reminders to everyone that you have made mistakes!! My pet hate about sage, but I love the rest of it really!!!
Never too young to read the farawy tree!!

Let us know what the flapjacks are like, MrsD.

Hi to toffee, we x-posted earlier.

Time for a quick catch-up while DD1 does her homework. Updated list:

Morning routine done
15 min decluttering in bathroom done
5 min decluttering in playroom done
Bathroom mission done
Stash and dash mission done
Finish letter done
Post letter
Pay for present ordered for friend who has just had twins done
Write invoice started
Make appointment at orthodontist's
Take bag of clothes to clothes bank
Post postcards (slightly hindered by the fact that they're in DH's car)
Pick up DD2
Afternoon routine
Pick up DS plus two friends
Check whether friend's mum needs snowsuits
Evening routine
Book hotel for autumn break

Nettie Ooh, DS will be excited. No need to feel ashamed though; if you've seen my lists over the last week or so, you may have noticed that posting letters/cards and getting the DC (well, DD1) to write anything is not my strong point.

MrsD Flapjacks sound yummy, but I'm not sure whether you can get condensed milk here (although you can buy something similar to put in your coffee - it tastes absolutely disgusting in drinks, but might be OK as a condensed milk substitute).

PA Theoretically, I have no time to MN but keep finding myself back on here. I'm trying just to stick to this thread though, and have banned myself from looking at active convos.
Hope all goes well tomorrow; we will be with you in (fat fairy) spirit to hold your hand.

Toffee I've tried to take a 15 minute "fly break" every hour when I'm working, but just end up feeling guilty about not working during those 15 minutes. I'm sure it works well if you're working on something that isn't too urgent, but unfortunately that doesn't happen very often in my case.

Bob Your DD looks adorable and you sound like a wonderful mother - it's great that you have such a positive outlook and it puts my niggling worries into perspective.
We're just planning a few days away here in Austria as school will be closed for a couple of days at the end of October. It's my birthday in October and DH's in early November, so it will be our birthday present to each other.
(And while we're on the subject of DHs and presents, one of DH's first birthday presents to me (before he was DH) was a Kenwood mini chopper! But I was actually quite pleased with it. )

ellie Hope you survived the dentist's and didn't go down the mad Austrian anaesthetic-free route. DH said the three DC were all peering at him while the dentist was drilling and he had the filling replaced (I was being x-rayed at the time) - they have probably been put off the dentist's for life!

quickcatchup
jogged
ironed three shirts
decluttered/re-organised dd's bedroom AGAIN
2 bathrooms
laundry downstairs [um but not much further]
decluttered hanging cupboard on landing
drycleaning and catpee duvet to drycleaner/laundrette
reading 30 mins

soo not much done really, pressing on again with dreaded ironing, now trying trick of ironing in the room where the clothes go so they do actually get put away. 15 ds shirts to iron! I am very behind with ironing as you can see. But why does he need so many shirts?