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!

ooooh Nettie that's a big OUCH!

Morning

Last night I wiped down my kitchen floor and cleaned some Walls in dining area! Forgot to lay out clothes !

Today I have
Dc nursery
Dw/wm
S/s
Make beds
Work am
Pray dress delivered by 1.30 so don't have to
Drag dc round shops looking for one this afternoon so we can instead go to coffee at a friends
Ocado shop coming
Put up blind in ds room and maybe sticker time.
Dc bath and bed
Mr ubb

Sorry got stuck. I've got to sweep front step too, raisins and dead wasps

Hope everyone has a good day

Morning :)

Wow stillcounting I aspire to be that organised, one day maybe. I may start putting together a control journal, I love any excuse to buy pens/paper/notebooks/folders etc

I did most things except cleaning the walls yesterday which I'm going to do in a minute.

Today

-Morning routine incl s&s, kitchen tops, load of washing
-Hoover lounge, hall and bedrooms (kitchen and dining room were done thoroughly last night as I knocked a whole jar of pink cake glitter sugar things over much to the dogs delight)
-Post letters
-Put together feed diary and seizure diary/info for dd to take to school :(
-15 minutes decluttering desk in dining room
-Nip to Sainsburys
-Glass to bottle bank
-Chase OT

Ouch Nettie hope it's not too sore

today's list:
finish emptying ds' room just a few bits of tat on the floor
remove all fixings from wall over half done
strip skirting boards
paint ceiling mid blue
paint walls light blue
paint archtrave white
prime skirting boards

Good afternoon,

First chance today to really sit at a pc and take stock (I do like that phrase)

Yesterday, I did manage to feed the kids, and pretty much do everything except the toybox, but that can go on hold temporarily.

Did complete eveing routine, including sarnies, etc.

Today:
More papersorting, shredding, etc
attended meeting (why, they always take up chunks of time I could use better)

Now for more papersorting/box filling
And actual working (eg complete the spreadsheets.......)

After school:
Shopping
Washing
Pack dd's case for residential trip (empty case, label items, repack case )
take kids to see GPs before they go on hols
Dinner already sorted (using up leftovers, takes 5 mins)

And as DP has a late start this morning, I bet he has sorted some washing out and sorted the dishwasher out, at least. He can be very useful

Hello to PA, I hope your medical problems are happily resolved soon, and best wishes to you.

Nettie Darts as in the game where you throw three metal sticks at a board for as many points as you can get. I confess I have only ever scored 180 (top score possible) once in my life, but do manage to get regular 100+ scores

And as for uniformed workers, my DP actually doesn't have a uniform ad doesn't work here!

To everyone, I'm sure I'll get to know you, as I'm finding this thread is improving my motivation already, just wish I'd found it previously.

lunch break progress check;

finish emptying ds' room done
remove all fixings from walls done
strip skirting boards almost half done i will have blisters by the end of this. I recommend not using satin wood paint as it flakes off, but is a bastard to get off.
paint ceiling mid blue 1st coat almost dry
paint walls light blue
paint archtrave white
prime skirting boards

we have decided to paint clouds on the ceiling so that will need to be aded to the todo list this themed room thing is fun except the sodding paint stripping

Today

-Morning routine incl s&s, kitchen tops, load of washing Done
-Hoover lounge, hall and bedrooms (kitchen and dining room were done thoroughly last night as I knocked a whole jar of pink cake glitter sugar things over much to the dogs delight) Done
-Post letters
-Put together feed diary and seizure diary/info for dd to take to school I've been avoiding this, apparently there's football on so I'll do it later with a bottle glass of wine
-15 minutes decluttering desk in dining room
-Nip to Sainsburys Just on our way to do these
-Glass to bottle bank
-Chase OT Done

Sounds like a lovely room Slugbrains

morning! not so stressed today - the principal told me not to lose any sleep over ds1, and i explained i was concerned that there had been an over-reaction (nightmare parent). anyway, we're still talking. exhausted though - dh got in at 2.30 this morning and found me cleaning the kitchen

So, it's the start of the weekend. At last.

Morning / evening routines been OK so far (although it is only day 3 :o)

to do

Get washing in from line
10 mins ironing
Clear hall of bags
Get DS1 to do his hw
Quick trip to local shops for Friday evening wine treats for the children and Fish n' chips

Settle down to the football. C'mon England!!

Hi all

If you will forgive me, this is going to be my last post of the day (back tomorrow morning) as it's an hour ahead here and dh and I are going out to a concert this evening and I've still got loads to do in terms of supper/bath/bed routine for dd. Back tomorrow morning though ...

Hope your dress arrived Nettie
And that the last day of the hols was a good one Linzer

Bobloblaw ah - a fellow stationery junkie I see. Yes cj sounds impressive doesn't it -it doesn't mean I do everything listed in it though (unfortunately)!

Mucky and Slug - I take it you are one and the same? Sounds like you are making great progress. How did the clouds turn out?

Dart glad the system is working for you! Well done!

Nick cleaning at 2.30am? Now that's impressive! Glad you are feel less stressed about the school situation and hope you manage to catch up on some sleep tonight.

Pluto football? and fish and chips? I'd better not tell dh - I'm dragging him to a concert that he would rather not be going to .... Have a good evening.

Well done everyone for your efforts this week. At ease.

See you in the morning ...

Tea break:

finish emptying ds' room done
remove all fixings from walls done
strip skirting boards all but a small patch done *
paint ceiling mid blue 2 coats done
paint walls light blue 3 walls 2 coats done remaining walls 1st coat done with the excpetion of behind and under radiator
paint archtrave white
prime skirting boards
paint clouds test cloud done

not doing badly considering i have had ds helping, being taking play breaks and the stripping skirting boards has taken so long.

Although i am going to need a nice soak in the shower as i am various shades of blue

a bit at not training tonight but the finished room will be worth it, plus have no babysitter tonight. So i will be back.

Pluto football night here too, DS is very excited (he is absolutely football crazy, I spend all day fielding footy related questions, lucky I like it too).

Darts - I don't play but love watching it on the telly, as does PA, my DCs love it too, especially Phil the Power Taylor. I'm one of those people who thinks they are doing well if all thre actually hit the board

SC - have a lovely concert

Mucky - good work, clouds sound lovely

Nick - hope the weekend will calm you down re school issues

Bob - sounds as though you have been busy too

Nettie - hope dress arrived on time

Feetheart I'm really going to miss my afternoons pottering around at home with DD too, she loves gardening and cooking and we have a lovely time just the two of us without DS trying to get us to play football instead.

Linzer - a couple of weeks ago i would have said summer was definitely over here too, but this week has been fabulous, maybe you'll get a bit of Indian summer too

PA - thinking of you

Not much done today as have been out. Though it was time I reported back on my new babystep, the one where you have to sweep the kitchen floor every time you empty the dishwasher - it works! My floor has been much less covere in crumbs as I no longer keep putting off the sweeping.

Also, time for my beginning of the month reminder to check your smoke alarms. We had another one pack up this week (the ones we got from the fire brigadewhich have lasted approx 3 of the supposed ten years).

Got to go, DCs are arguing. Have a good weekend everyone.

Evening everyone. Just a quick post andrun from me as I am in the midst of doing all the schoolwork I should have done over the last few weeks. Have had a quick read through and wanted to say to pa that I am sorry you are having health concerns and I hope that wonderful family of yours is looking after you. Not much flying done here today, am super tired because although bruised coccyx is getting better itis making sleeping difficult. Am planning to get loads done tomorrow though in preparation for the big return so am all organised. Back tomorrow. Big waves to everyone else.

I need to fly!! Do not like it when DC friends come to house and comment on messy house/garden. Am making inroads into clutter. Anyone empathise?

Yes. that is why we are here. i cant stop to link to the babysteps, but they are in the op. Fly lady prinicples:
make one small change each day, stick with it but understand that it will take time for it to become habbit. each week there is a new zone. spend 15mins each day decluttering in that zone. The point is that you can do a lot in 15mins and that builds up to major progress without being unmanagable.

There are 2 types of fly lady threads, the flyers which are hard core and very good at flying and scare me and the flutters us who are having a jolly good go at flying but arent necessarily that good at it. the beginners if you like.

It starts with the shine your sink principle, designed to get you to have a tidy sink and no washing up essentially. It is so much nicer to come down to the kitchen in the morning to have no washing up.

I am not the best example of flyer. right now doing more decorating than flying. pop in first thing if you get chance, the babystep for the day is posted as is the zone/room for decluttering.

cacth you later.

oh and i have many names and dont always remember to show myself so if some random person shows up and pretends to know you on here from stuff you have said on here it might be me. this morning I was muckyducky, tonight i am slugbrains, tomo who knows.

Morning all,

Just a quick message as I don't have much flying to report - I was out most of yesterday morning and then had a headache in the afternoon which got progressively worse. I did finally get round to taking DS to the doctor's however (all fine, apart from the fact that I'd missed a booster - but we can leave it till next spring as the tick season is over for now).

DH's trip up into the mountains was cancelled due to snow so he was back home by 8 am! Also had two visits from our neighbours - neighbours' DD came over to sort out babysitting details for Wednesday (I wish I could say we were having a rare night out, but no - DDs' parents' evenings clash so DH and I have to go to one each) and then other neighbours came over for coffee as the water was switched off for a couple of hours but DH had managed to get hold of some from somewhere.

Welcome Dolanette; you're in the right place here. Making inroads into clutter sounds good; I seem to spend a lot of time decluttering with very little to show for it.

ellie Sorry to hear you're still suffering from the after-effects of the flip flops incident; hope you manage to start getting more sleep very soon.

MrsD An Indian summer would be good, especially as we don't seem to have had much of a summer at all this year. (I sorted out my clothes yesterday and have pessimistically put most of my summer ones away.)

Slugbrains Sounds like the room will be lovely once you've finished it.

SC Hope you enjoyed the concert last night - what was it?

Hello to Pluto, BobLoblaw and Darts.

Nettie Just let me know when you're coming and we'll arrange a trip on the big wheel and/or train!

Sorry, must go as DS has just woken up - waves to everyone else!

MOrning all,

Up early this morning due to wicked combination of poorly back and a mind that was whirring with everything that I have to do so I decided to get up and get cracking (although having said that I haven't started yet, am still drinking coffee!).

Today's list looks like this:-

General tidy downstairs
WM on
Washing up done
Make beds
Put clothes away
SHopping for sports kit and school coat for DS
Tidy bedrooms
Clean bathroom

Small but deadly list methinks. Am going to finish my coffee and get cracking!

Good morning all [yawn, rearranges scary bed-hair]

Sorry to be late (again) didn't get in until 2.30 am this morning (v long drive back from wonderful but chilly concert in the ruin of a chateau)

Today's baby-step no. 4 is:

probably worth ignoring! Tbh, I've never bothered with this post-it business.

No zones or missions today because it is the w/e.

Saturday is family fun day and I'm cooking for 12 people tonight - yikes!

Back in a few minutes once I've ducked my head in a bowl of coffee

4 - 0, 4 - 0, 4 - 0....

Well that's a good start to the weekend. No coffee here

stuff

like

Well, it's half 8 and I have:-

Today's list looks like this:-

General tidy downstairs done
WM on done
Washing up done
Make beds
Put clothes away
SHopping for sports kit and school coat for DS
Tidy bedrooms done
Clean bathroom done

About to get dressed and go out for shopping stuff.

pluto you are so right. Despite what teacher bashers say, we deserve our time off and I deserve to enjoy it. Doesn't mean I won't be cursing my laziness in about a week's time when I am snowed under with exam analysis, coursework marking and SOW writing , all of which I should have completed by now!

Morning.

ellie - what was in that coffee? You go girl! (Just don't expect me to follow :))

Dolanette - welcome. You are definitely in the right place. Plenty of support, lots of chat and some Flying - about the right balance I feel :)

Post its - stupid idea in my book so always ignore.

W/e of parties here and, hopefully, turning apples, pears and anything else into yummy stuff. Was given some pears and Bramleys in the week and don't want to waste them like I did with the plums I was given last week :( Pear butter on the go as we speak.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Wow elliepac I'm impressed, I have made the beds and dp and ds returned from camping so I made bacon and egg sarnies, and that's it so far.

Today
-Make beds done
-Load of washing and hang out
-S&S bathroom, I deepcleaned it yesterday
-Hoover
-Take a car load to the tip
-Iron in dc name labels
-15 minutes in dining room
-Evening routine

Hope everyone has a nice weekend, it's decidedly grey here.

Ahh, that's better. Vaguely awake now. Right, where was I?

Thanks for the wine last night Slug - are you still sporting wode stripes?

MrsD thanks for smoke alarm reminder - VERY important - I'm paranoid about this as live in a very tall house with lots of stairs and no fire escape

Elliepac sorry to hear about your coccyx - I know from experience that is a really painful injury (once nadgered myself in that area riding). Hope it eases soon. I get the mind-whirring thing as well - in my case it is known simply as 'guilt'! Not in your case I hope because you teachers DEFINITELY deserve your holidays. Well done on your cracking start today.

A warm welcome to Dolanette. You've come to the right place! Slug has already given you the low-down. Just start with the baby-step each day. Then you can start following the zones (posted each week day with baby-steps) and declutter for 15 mins in each zone. Once zone areas decluttered, you can start cleaning them. (You can't clean clutter.) As Slug said, it's a method which encourages you to do a little bit every day and you will eventually get through it all without becoming overwhelmed. Good luck!

Linzer I hope you are feeling better today. Concert was classical: two choirs - one singing Gregorian chant and the other early Scottish music ...really beautiful as was in ruins of country chateau with rolling mist and braziers etc. Fortunately we anticipated the cold and bundled up in blankets and coats with flasks of hot toddies and coffee....

Pluto - I take it as a very good sign of a summer well spent that you are now visiting the bottle bank ... Hope the start of term goes well.

Ho, hum, now my list is fairly full today:

Morning routine inc, s&s, wm on, dw on and master swipe
Carry on with laundry
Shoe-cleaning
Bed-changing
Final touches sewing project
Shopping for yet more school equipment (broke the back of it yesterday)
Possibly collect car
Final bits of food shopping
Cook dinner for 10!

Have a good weekend everyone!