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!

Hello all,

SC, dcs much better, but bathroom still stinks, and def on list to do when I get home (it's mostly the carpet.........)

Kitchen definitely needs doing, and certainly one of the hotspots is a tray of stuff next to the microwave...

Along with
Washing (but hopefully less this week, at least until dd returns [grn])
de clutter bedrooms

And so far the office move is going swimmingly!

Coffee break here (office. Anyone want a cup? DD's behaviour was truly horrible less than ideal this morning - need an extra-strength brew ....

Speaking of which, apologies everyone, I think I must have been half asleep this morning because most of my links went peculiar

The home blessing hour link should have been this one (I think) I hope!

Previewing before posting in future

Hope everyone's Monday morning is going well

X posts

Thanks Bob - I guess my main tip (one I'm a bit hit and miss at myself) is keeping up and doing a little bit every day - not all or nothing. Don't let things like washing pile up - that way it doesn't get on top of you mentally as well as physically if that makes sense. (And declutter obviously - making everything as easy to put away and in as logical places as poss - that will encourage others to help you too) The only other practical things I've found v. helpful are washing machines and dishwashers with timers that can come on very early in morning ready for you to hang out or unstack before leaving house etc. If yours didn't arrive with time delay switches, I think you can buy plugs that do. Oh and meal planning is a godsend ....baby step 27 to be precise. The witching hours after school and before dinner are notoriously testing (partic in the early days when dc are v young) and not having to scratch your head and stress about cooking at same time as dealing with tired youngster is immensely calming!

Hope your dd has a great start at school and enjoys her day!

Dart can recommend bicarbonate of soda to get rid of vomity smell ..

Mix together in some warm water in a bucket,

a generous squirt of detergent
1/4 cup of bi-carb (more if you smell particularly offensive)
a generous amount of vinegar (a cup or more)
It should bubble and froth nicely, then sponge on to floor or carpet (also works well on bed sheets or inside car)

The bicarb will neutralise any smell, and the vinegar kill any germs. The detergent helps to lift the worst of the soiling. If it's on a couch or a heavily soiled carpet sponge off or wipe away the bulk as best you can, then pour the bicarb on dry over the top, and vacuum and responge it again later.

Back to the stimulating and
intellectually rigorous activities that my work demands re-stacking the stationery cupboard

Hello everyone. Back from a wonderful holiday in Normandy. We had good weather - our first holiday in three years when it hasn't rained.

Thanks to my Flylady routines before I left, I came back to a tidy house, which helped to cheer me up about being home. Also, I had ironed and labelled all the school stuff before I went on holiday, so everything was ready for going back to school today. (Do I get a Gold Star, Ellie?)

DS1 (10) back to school this morning. Very concerned about looking 'cool' and sent me away before we reached the school gate because I am, apparently, very 'uncool' . DS2 (4) is with me all week this week because he is going through the extensive 'settling-in' period in reception, which means he only goes for one hour this week, on Friday. So I won't be getting that much Flying done.

Have managed to do my Flylady routines this morning and have done a couple of loads of washing since I came home on Sat night, but still haven't unpacked my suitcase .

Haven't had time to read through the thread yet and catch up, but hope you are all well. It's good to see some new recruits too .

Hello everyone

at sc I was off on a trip to bed (zzzz) (Bedfordshire) lol
Saved the how to get rid of puke smell I'm sure I'll need that one day.

Today was dressed to shoes by 7.10
Changed dd and ds bedclothes
At tesco by 8 for ds packed lunch stuff
Then stay and play for dc (so I can chat to some other mums)
home for lunch and astro bit film
Carpet man in the house putting in ds carpet.

Still to put out clothes for dd and me.
Make sure ds new Montessori Tshirt doesn't need ironed. (can't find Marker pen to mark his stuff!! Got two somewhere)
Make him his first ever packed lunch and sort out bag for morning
Tidy up house bit
Change sheets on master bed
Put up glow in dark stars on ceiling in ds room.
Sort out dd bag for morning off to gymnastics in morning.

Must make some time to sort out all late presents and cars that are still outstanding.

Sure I've forgotten something important?!?!?

Good luck to everyone going back to school or starting! Hopefully back later with loads of progress.

Welcome back Toffee yr holiday sounds fab as does pre-holiday prep [SC hands over three large gold stars] You have me very worried about appearing "uncool" in dd's eyes - am already so much more ancient than all her friends' parents - the day is not far off I'm sure ... Hope your ds2 settles in well.

Oh sorry Nettië - am not the sharpest tool in the box at the moment am I? (As dh says, I'll believe ANYTHING!!! ) Must confess extreme speed-reading also to blame I'm afraid.

V. impressed by your early start.

Sniff re making your ds's first ever packed lunch [un-Mumsnet-like tear in eye emotion] Hope he has a good day ....

Off to do school run ....

No flying here. lots of sleeping. ds was up most of the night :( and feeling worse for having slept. early night here. Thank goodness for having done my school night evening routine. it meant we werent late. :)

keep flying.

Evening everyone,

Well, DD2's first day at school went well - although it was more like an hour rather than a morning and we spent more time at church than we did in the classroom. She loved it though and can't wait to go back tomorrow - she'll be staying on her own for two hours then, so hopefully I'll manage to get a bit more done than I did today.

I did manage to get everything done that was on my list for the kitchen, however (mission, decluttering and cleaned fridge), and was at how much dust had accumulated on top of the kitchen cupboards. I didn't think it was that long since I'd last dusted them, but it was probably a good few months.

DEM Sorry to hear about the lack of sleep; hope you manage your early night tonight.

Nettie Glow in the dark stickers sound like a great idea; DS has moon and star lamps in his room, but they're a bit too bright to leave on while he goes to sleep

Toffee Welcome back; good to "see" you again.

Darts Hope DC are both better now and you manage to rescue your bathroom carpet!

Bob V. impressed by how much you plan to have done before leaving the house. We have to leave at 7.30 am and it's as much as I can manage to get the DC up and breakfasted and get their snacks made (if I manage to do so without shouting at them too much, then even better!).

SC Thanks for the coffee earlier - much appreciated! It sounds like you're having even more of a nightmare with the school stationery than I am... I went to the stationery shop today to get a few last-minute bits and pieces but it was absolutely packed with queues a mile long, so I decided I couldn't face it; I've already spent far too many stressed hours in there this summer.

Dinner time now - I could do with a large glass of wine but have a headache brewing, so not sure I should risk it...

Evening all. Have survived first day back. Now just have to get over the fact ds starts junior school tomorrow. Have done quite well today:-

Before work:-
Washing on line
WAshing up
Made beds
Quick tidy

After work:-
Washing in and away
Ironed uniform
Labelled uniform
Clothes out for morning
Dc's bathed
Bags packed for morning

Just need to bathe me and relax with a small glass of vino. What iwll say is that I know I can do the routines because I did today it's just remembering that when I am feeling tired. Am going to get dinner. Hope everyone who was starting school today has had a good day.

Evening all

Hope you have had a productive Monday and that all the first days (back) at school/work went well.

Thanks to Linzer's lovely round-up you will be relieved to 'hear' this is my last post of the day. Shattered - argument firm negotiation with dd this morning followed by 6 hrs of making coffee and Mnsetting work have done me in

Managed to do my routines today + a spot of washing and tidying of master bedroom - nothing else ...still need to tidy up bedroom and cover two more of dd's work-books before bed ...

Linzer - I'm so glad it went well for yr dd2. It sounds like a wonderful school - taking it very gently for dc and parents alike. Hope the threatened headache doesn't develop ....

DEM - hope your ds will sleep through tonight

G'night all and see you bright and early in the morning

Uncorks bottle of red and leaves out on sideboard for all to share ....

still need to tidy up kitchen (that should have read) sorry - boring myself now - yawn

x posts Ellie - waves - chin chin and all that and well done for surviving first day AND Flying. Good luck to your ds tomorrow!

Just actually read thread . haven't got time for personal messages to everyone but.....

boblob I work full time as a teacher and will echo what sc has said. The only thing have found that actually works is making sure I do the little jobs everyday so they don't turn into big jobs. My big problem was always that I would tidy over the weekend but by Wednesday it would have descended into squalor again. My main tips would be to do 1 load of washing everyday, washing on before you go to bed so in the morning you can hang out/shovein tumble drier, wash-up after every meal rather than letting a pile grow, swish and swipe while bathing children, meal plan religiously, I also put washing away while children playing in bath. Am sure I could think of more useless bits but that will do for now! I don't get it right all of the time by any stretch of the imagination but am getting there. I also have 15 mins per day in one room to do a hotspot. I know we are supposed to work in zones but this way each room gets a quick tidy through the week and then I clean on a Saturday. That's it for words of wisdom.......for now!

Hi, haven't been around for the last few days as I don't tend to get the computer out at the weekend.

Today was first day back at playgroup for DS, so its the start of term time routine. He's going four mornings a week now, so I have roughed out a weekly routine for me - we'll see how it goes

Up and dressed - done
DS up and dressed - done
Breakfast - done
DS lunch bag made - done
DS day bag checked and ready - done
Walk to playgroup - done
Handed unsure DS over to his keyworker and made left him "helping" with the jigsaws - done
Whole cup of hot tea with no interruptions - done
Wash up breakfast things- done
Washing out on line - done
Home blessing hour (or so)my version: vacuum house, dust and polish, wash kitchen floor, clean glass doors, change beds, bins out for dustbin men, recycling out for dustbin men - done
Swish and swipe - done
Washing load in machine ready for turn on tonight - done
Kitchen waste into wormery - done
Clean kitchen unit doors - done (then checked and found that was tomorrow's mission, so will do the high dusting/cobwebs then)
2 x hotspot - done
Clean bath - done
Lunch and wash up - done
Collect DS - done
Fill in playgroup form and put in bag for tomorrow - done
Washing in from line as starting to rain, and onto airer - done
Meat out of freezer for bolognaise - done
Activities with DS - done
Cut up 6 1/2 lbs of crabapples for crabapple jelly - done
Crabapples into simmering oven - done
Convinced very tired DS that nap would be a good idea, but he would only if I would too, so we napped on my bed, for hours!
Pizza out of freezer for late tea - done
Out in rain to collect salad to have with pizza - done
Tea - currently being eaten (it's past bedtime, and I don't know when I will be able to get him down tonight as he's very awake and lively now!)
One item from paperwork file - done

To be done
Make bolognaise for DH tea, and tomorrow
Crabapples out of oven and into jelly bag
Order prescription
Order backfire protection unit
Order jeans
Wash cleaner dust filter
15 min zone cleaning
Personal finance onto computer
Check and pay bills
Voluntary work - am treasurer
Bath time
Wash up tea things
Shine sink
Clean Aga
Bed - and wonder what I have forgotten!

Hi All

Forgot to say yesterday that I am now on maternity leave and will have some child-free time each week so I have no excuses!

I think we were supposed to do things in the kitchen today so I cleaned all the surfaces and the floor and put everything away. Will actually start reading the links from now on!

Also tidied hotspots downstairs and vacuumed.

How did everyone get on with kids back at school today and work for all you teachers. Ellie my DS asks for his CM at weekends all the time, I try not to take it personally!

Bob - one tip I have is to try and take something with me when I leave a room: not have a major hunt, but just pick up a cup, magazine, jumper, toy, or whatever seems to be hanging around, and put it back in the correct room while I'm passing. I don't go out of my way, so if things need to go back to garage and I'm not going out there, they either stay put or make it as far as the door. It doesn't seem like you're doing much, but I find it does help to declutter and stop hotspots flaring up.

Evening everyone .

This being off sick lark is boring!! I planned that I would chill out, relax, enjoy the last few days of the DCs being off and start to feel a bit better. No way!! I went to the school uniform shop, to find that it had been open 8am - 10am, then closed until tomorrow. What pathetic shop does that? So, third attempt tomorrow - last day, so no fourth chance!!
Home for a "relaxing" afternoon. Weather is foul!! DCs have been bickering and driving me potty!! DS then decided to cook, which was fine, but he "forgot" the tidying up bit and I had a hissy fit when I saw the kitchen.
Friend had given me a huge bagful of apples, I really could not be bothered to do anything about them, then felt guilty, so peeled a million apples and put them on to cook so that I could freeze them for the winter pies, etc. Put them on to boil, an hour later wondered what the awful smell was, and found a boiled, dried up mush all stuck to the bottom of the pan!! My brain is just as mushy as the apple!!

BUT - I have 2 empty washbins!! YAY!!
Excuse for not writing in labels tonight is the fact that I have no uniform to write in!! If the shop have run out of their sizes mine will be going in PJs on Wednesday!!
I am going back to work Wednesday, I have had enough of this and will just try to get my brain to work and pretend i am normal!!

IHate your mammoth list is scary!!!

Massive waves to everyone and thanks for all your kindness. Scan booked in for the 17th, then results and next steps sorted out on the 22nd. Its going to be a really long couple of weeks.

Ihate - please enlighten me - "backfire protection unit" - what is it? That is truly a mammoth list, gulp.

PA - glad you've got your scan date, we're all keeping fingers crossed for you.

MiniM - mat leave already! When are you due? I went on both my mat leaves fairly early as babies were due late Jan/early Feb and I CBA to go back to work for just a week or so after Christmas. Worked out well as DS(eldest DC) was 2.5 weeks early and DD was a week late so I got an extra week at home with DS before she was born which was lovely.

SC - I am pretty sure I am the oldest mum in DS's class, although one or two look older it has to be said . There is also one who is young enough to be my daughter . Hope your return to work went smoothly.

Waves at everyone else. Been out most of the day, not much achieved basically putting it off till DCs are at school. DS is back tomorrow, DD starts half days on Weds. And guess, what, found bloody head lice on them both again tonight. Grrr. Thought we had got rid. DS has been such a wriggler with the combing that I guess I jmissed some. Off to the chemist for Hedrin in the morning.

DH is feeling very sorry for himself with a tooth abscess tonight, he's off to the dentist tomorrow, oh dear. I am sympathetic, but TBH he's been saying he needs to go for about 6 months and not done anything about it till it got to this stage, so limited sympathy.

Better go, dinner ready. Night all.

Evening! Well a fairly productive day today though there's still so much to do!

Did my morning routine and went to work. Busy day and ended up feeling a lot more motivated but haven't had time to do what I felt motivated about :(

Have joined the gym (my present to me!) and went for swim and jacuzzi after work :)

Got home to soup and bread made by DD2! Yeah - it is 'her' night tonight and she came up trumps! She's currently changing the sheets on her bed :)

Convinced DD2 to sort out bags left from her trip two weeks ago!!! All done and i did a bit of a room rescue in the sitting room and washed up and left the kitchen tidy. Not too bad for today.......

MrsDinky - backfire protection unit is a widget I need for the car. It stops a potentially large explosion of gas when I running on LPG. The unit I have is fairly old, and is now prone to playing up. The flap on the unit is pushed right through when its stopping a potential backfire. There is then no air to run through the system and I grind to a halt. Yucky job of lifting bonnet, attacking system with alun keys and screwdriver, forcing metal cap back through and putting together again. Not fun and potentially very mucky (especially when in "good clothes"), so new unit required. It comes as a unit block so hopefully will be easy to fit!

Evening everyone

pa glad got scan date! Thinking of you

This afternoon

Still to put out clothes for dd and me-done dd
Make sure ds new Montessori Tshirt doesn't need ironed-looks ok
Make him his first ever packed lunch and sort out bag for morning-done.
Tidy up house bit-done
Change sheets on master bed-done
Put up glow in dark stars on ceiling in ds room-done looks fab
Sort out dd bag for morning off to gymnastics in morning-done
Hoovered new carpet and room
Trip to shopping village play area bought sweets and toffee from Thornton (eaten most of toffee already and oh sat town at 9[piggy emotion])

Sorry I'm shattered so gonna hit hay. Have good day tomorrow

MrsD I'm not due until end of Nov but felt like I needed to take some time to get things ready, do some exercise and spend quality time with DS and DH etc plus September is my very favourite month so good to be able to potter around picking blackberries and making pies!

Just to say, reading all your posts, but being a bit of flibbertigibbet (sp?)
Mini love the pottering and pies
SC vomit has not played a recent part in our lives thank goodness - but I am now prepared if it does
PA v.sorry about you being stuck waiting and fie on v. annoying children, they need to be nice to you. And burnt peeled apple is my speciality.
ILovecob good luck with jelly straining v.much an art not to hurry it.

My flying is v.absent at moment, though I'm still managing to do bursts of usefulness.Will return in earnest later this week when have put away/sorted/lofted the cartloads of laundry left from holiday unpacking.

sr, i love the 'bursts of usefulness' description.

i'm constantly amazed by what i learn on this thread... amateur mechanics 101

glad you have your scan date pa - will be thinking of you. avoidance tactics until then?

missb -

didn't manage to get carpets done, so that's friday's job. but got lots of other stuff tidied away, and it's ironing night. (so you think you can dance is back )

and dh is making chilli, so all is well.

(anyone know how to stop your hands smelling of garlic and onion? made a huge batch of marinara this afternoon and keep getting a waft as i type....)

Good morning,

After school started at the relatively civilised hour of 8.45 am yesterday, it's now back to 8 am as usual - I'm going to miss the unrushed starts to the day that we enjoyed during the summer holidays (although it will be nice to have my mornings back).

I'm going to concentrate on the kitchen again this morning:
15 min decluttering
Mission
Clean microwave
Clean oven
Defrost freezers (including the one in the cellar if I'm feeling brave), and organise and list contents

Also:
Routines
Put away washing
Write thank you card
DD1 thank you letter
Piano practice (the DDs haven't done any piano practice all summer and it shows; they have their first lesson next Monday so need to start practising in earnest now)