October is here, leaves are swirly, Fly with the Fledglings if your sink is surly

[MrsDinky]

Welcome to the October 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 September thread leader StillCounting for guiding us through the traumatic back to work and school period with lots of support and guidance!

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!

Thanks Ellie.

Hello,

This going back to work lark is tiring me out and I'm just crashing out in the eve without my MN fix!

Not at work tomorrow so will try and make a list. Apart from carving a pumpkin I can't think of what else I have to do tomorrow at the mo.

Will read all your threads from the last couple of days too!

Happy flying all...

Evening everyone.

mrsd thank you so much for leading us through October. whilst missions have escaped me this month i have managed the babysteps and kept my routine up!

todays progress

work work and more work-done
Pick DC up from nursery-done
snack bathe and bed for dc-done
then home to put away ironing-done
gym for me-done
brill i did brill, i also had a trip round tesco and have come back with £30 worth of meat for less than £10 so proud of me. DH said cost cut and i did it in style. Freezer full and next weeks meal plan done [hgrin]

Tommorrow'slist

dc nursery and me work am
halloween party pm
late night halloween night at the zoo
washing ad infinitum
christmas card writing
tidy house
wrap present for birthday party ds going to saturday.

hopefully catch up more tomorrow.

November's thread Here

Oh and i found a way to name change, not confuse people too much and make sure that any drivel/chat is not highlighted as essential

genius if i do say so myself

Good morning everyone

At work mega early this morning as I am taking DD4 and DS to a "slum survivor" thing at 9, so thought if I got everything done, the rest of the day will be mine to relax and do as I want with.

Happy first birhtday to babyscout and hello, I dont think I have welcomed you before!

Thank you to MrsD for keeping everyone on track for this month, athough I have been awol for the majority of it . I hope you are feeling better again soon and get rid of the nasty sinuses.....it could be a long winter, if not!!

Darts - I think you must have a very much more up market toothfairy than we use.

Hi Purple, long time, no see. Nice to have you back. Dont forget to have some time for yourself as well as work and family.

SC Have a good week away!!

Waves to Linzer, Swan, Did, Nettie, Feetheart, Ellie, Toffee and everyone else.

It looks as if there has been lots of lovely family time going on this week, hope you have all enjoyed it.

I had a phone call from the hospital yesterday and he wants me in on 13th November, for the operation. I totally fell apart when I came off the phone as it all seems so very real and scary now!! I also didnt think it would be quite as quick as that. My head says, get it over and done with and then I can move on, my heart says, stick your head in the sand and it will all go away. I know, I know...... (they say nurses make the worst patience, so maybe I am still a nurse at heart!)I am just hoping and praying that it will be the end of it and I wont be needing radiotherapy afterwards. (He needs to get it all!!)

Anyway plan for today:
Drop DCs off
Shopping for nice new nightie for hospital
Pay bills
Go to bank
A little food shopping
Home: attack hotspot
Maybe do some baking
certainly relax
CHILL and try not to think too much!!!

Have a good Friday everyone.

pa that's great you've got a date. Gosh I don't blame you for feeling scared and apprehensive I think anyone would. Glad you have a date sooner rather than later! Take care of you ((((pa)))))

Bum. Just did a really long post and then like the true idiot I am for some random reason decided to check my e-mail and forgot I hadn't posted. Summary as follows:-

Priority today is Take That tickets, children plonked in front of tv.

Town to buy stuff.

Glad pa has got a date. Sending her lots of love.

CHristmas shopping (must be organised this year emoticon)

Tesco as am like mother hubbard here. (thank god it's payday emoticon)

Back later.

Glad to hear you've got a date PA and that's it sooner rather than later, scary as it may seem now. Will be thinking of you on the 13th.

Busy morning here - have done food shop (almost double the usual amount, as it's our turn to take the "healthy snack" into kindergarten next week), and now need to make muffins and get house looking more or less presentable in time for friend's visit this afternoon. Two hours left until school run (or rather walk, as I have decided I need more exercise and it won't harm the DC either), so plenty of time in theory... must make sure I only have a short coffee break and spend no more time on MN!

I'm sneaking on, while no-one's in the office. I'll post more fully, later.

PA Just want to say glad you've got a date, fingers crossed all goes well.

The Tooth Fairy was a bit remiss last night (I forgot), so when ds came down this morning and grumbled I quickly shot up and did the substitution and told him she'd sneaked in when he wasn't looking.

DS came down clutching his money and asked if £1 was enough to get a Nintendo DSi. I managed not to laugh (he's only 6 and still learning about money) and said it wasn't but that he might get one for Christmas (he will, we're saving for that). He seemed okay with that and carefully put the money in his moneybox.

However, I am now certain that DD, aged 10, does not believe in the Tooth Fairy any longer,although she's not said anything. It was just the look on her face.

Right, phone's going so will have to quit for the mo. See you later.

Hi everyone! Hope all OK!

(PA I'm glad you have your date finally but understand that it must be a very daunting prospect for you. Sending lots of unmumsnet-like hugs and prayers. Hang in there! xx)

Just Flying in and out as frantically trying to finish office work and packing and we are picking up dd from school and going straight off on hols.

Thank you again for leading us through October so well MrsD

Sorry - don't have much time to read through all threads but I think there has been some confusion about November thread and I see that DID has kindly and valiantly stepped in to the breach.

I posted this on October 27th but not sure if anyone saw it:

-----------------
I'm off on hols this Friday evening (29th Oct), returning following Sat 6th or Sun 7th Nov.

Having the brain of a sieve, I can't quite remember what we arranged but are you OK (or was it someone else?) to carry on throughout first week of November and then I will be happy to do last three weeks of November plus first week of December. (Can't sadly do rest of December because have loads on then.)

Changeover date therefore = either evening Sunday 7th or Monday morning 8th Nov. Is that OK with you?

___-----------------

Clear as mud innit? Happy to do November 8th until December 8th therefore but equally happy if someone else wants to do it!!

Sorry to just post and run but got to go!!

Mahoosive waves to one and all! xxxx

See you on December thread ladies!

SC Have a lovely trip back to the UK - am very . We just have a long weekend here, but with DH in Turkey on Sunday and Monday I'll be staying at home... unless there's room in your suitcase?

I remember your post. I think it was decided, however, that it would be best if one person posted (at least the links) throughout the entire month, as it makes the babysteps, missions, etc. easier to find with the OP's posts being highlighted. Hope that makes sense... haven't had a coffee yet so am afriad my brain is not yet fully functioning.

PA - glad to hear you have a date, but I'm so sorry it's such a scary prospect. The consultant sounds excellent - I'm sure he'll do a good job and hopefully this awful time will soon be behind you.

After my cba day yesterday, I have somehow managed to invite people to lunch today and now have to tidy up my mum's house, which we have managed to mess up in one day, and cook a huge shepherd's pie for seven before midday.

Will just pop over and check out the November thread....

Morning.

have a houseful of children today, but it seems easier than just entertaining mine!

Baby having a nap, just made a cuppa, off to tackle the laundry which is worth an entire list of it's own there is so much of it.

PA i must have missed out when reading - surgery, and hopefully not radiotherapy? It sounds like you are going through the mill. What has happened? Will be thinking of you. Yes, us nurses do make awful patients! (At least you are not going in the first week of August )

morning.

PA i am glad that you have got the date sooner rather then later. We will be thinking of you. The only way i can see to Pollyanna it is that you will have chance to recover from surgery for christmas. do want you feel you can, rest when you need to. pop into chat if it suits. .

SC I think the concensus was that alot of people like having the OP and babysteps highlighted so they can be found quickly. I offered to do the whole month (no plans to go away) as i am here. And tbh i seem to be one of the more prolific posters addicted to mn. However i did suggest you look after us after christmas at some point

Right. barely slept, cramp in legs. Dad has taken pity on me and brought me a hot drink. I will get up at some point. But I suspect that flying will take a back seat to christmas present finishing off.

christmas missions are here Essentially It is has been set a budget, make sure you know peoples sizes if you going to buy clothes, and think about what you are going to get for whom. Also start picking up the odd extra item or two that is non persiable of food and baking stuff.

Although on an important note she does remind us to test our smoke alarms.

To do list today is a do from bed/ minimal effort day:

finish off secret santa thing
sewin name tags into stuff that is awaiting.
take up ds' skeleton costume
Finish making mum's birtday present top
make the house basket table cloth top
Phone doc
Important phone call

If have energy and time the attach middle to both gran's christmas presents, mum's birthday present and house basket present.

i am taking an excutive decision and deciding that as we are all suffering from the paint fumes, and i am too poorly to be bothered with painting the door. it can be rehung and it will get painted in the summer when ds is on his jollies with his dad. I have to do the skirting boards then anyway. so it makes sense to leave to then under the circumstances.

hope you all have a good day. Toffee, enjoy the lunch. waves at everyone

SC havge a lovely holiday!

[SC opens suitcase wide for Linzer to step in]

er, ok, so I haven't quite gone yet ... it seems there will be a slight delay because dh just HAD to fit in another meeting at 4pm today didn't he? [hangry]

still, it gives me yet another opportunity to wash more pants ...

Thanks for the update. Have got it now!!
A huge thank you to DID for leading November thread with what I know will be great style and aplomb. Thanks for Christmas missions too.

Sorry I wasn't able to volunteer for a complete month. Am very intrigued by OP posts being high-lighted though - please will some kind person explain to me in Noddy language how to do this so I am prepared for after Christmas - am a bit slow when it comes to new technology on this site ... it took me about three years to manage links .....[hblush]

Good lunch with lunch and all those children Toffee and PurpleWed

Toodle-pip! [SC exits stage right dreaming of Marks and Spencer underwear, salt & vinegar crisps, Pears soap and a couple of swedes ....]

Afternoon everyone :)

Have a lovely time SC

I'm thinking of you PA

Hope you feel better soon DID I'm flying is taking a backseat to getting christmas sorted too :) I love christmas I am very excited.

Hope the children are still behaving purple

Enjoy your lunch Toffee

Hope you have a nice weekend Linzer

DS wanted to buy all his friends iPods for christmas last year Darts he had £16! I need to think about pocket money.

I've done all my routines and the missions the last few days but not loads of decluttering. Done all DS' and my little cousins christmas presents, DP is easy but DD is a nightmare I'm flummoxed

SC to highligh the op you need to be using new mumsnet. TIf you look in cutomerise there is a list of options below selecting the version of mn you want to use. In that list is highlight op. Just change the no to yes.

I think they are trying to encourage some of the more traditional mn users to convert to mn new by offering helpful little extras that are easy to access.

darts wrt to pocket money ds has a savings chart that goes up in 10p increments so that he can track his pocket money. It helps as it has been made so that he can see when he has saved up for another bloody lego hero thingy that he wants. Its £15 and he has 50p/week if he is ok. But he sometimes get odd little bits too. So we have made it easier for his brain by working in the units (10s) that he can easily understand. He is only just starting to grasp money but he has had holiday pocket money from gp for nearly 3 years. plus i now give him a calculator to add up the shopping if i have to drag him with me. It takes longer but there is no battles.

Thanks for the technical info DID - will investigate upon my return ...!!

Tally-ho and all that ....(and hope your feels gets better soon)

i have managed to: carry ironin pile upstairs, make two important phone calls. I am waiting for a delivery that was supposed to be delivered between 2 and 4pm. At two they rang to say it would be after 4 but before 5pm. THey hadnt shown up at 6pm I rang the company they said oh they are due a delivery on road at 6pm so it shouldnt be too long. It hasnt arrived yet. :( i havent the energy to be angry.

Have managed to do a reasonable amount today, and my eve routine has been mostly done. I am bushed now though so will sit here on MN for 10 mins then go to bed.

Tomorrows list:

washing / drying / ironing
sew name tapes in PE kit
book train ticket for work meeting in london
get DH to help put some pics on the wall and put some stuff out in the garage
Clean out the hens
Make some biscuits
run the hoover round
look at the psychometric tests online that i need to practice for a job that is coming up later in the year
Start thinking about christmas - food , presents etc

Warlocks - where is home?

Have a good eve all,
purple

This is the way to spend Friday night - eating home-made strawberry ice-cream, listening to the Robert Plant Electric Proms concert and pottering around on computer.
DC asleep and DH feeling poorly so lying down upstairs - peace, perfect peace [hsmile]

PA - very scary prospect but probably better to get on with it (says she who has only ever spent two days in hospital in her long life!) Just get everyone else to look after you for a change. Though baking is definitely very therapeutic in my book - both creating and eating [hsmile]

SC - enjoy UK

MrsD - thank you for fantastic leadership this month inspite of excessive chat from all concerned [hgrin] and well done DEM/DID for taking over the reigns for next month

Toffee - how did lunch go? I seem to be very good at dropping myself in it re inviting people vs house in state, takes some doing with someone else's house though - respect [hsmile]

Purple - Extra DC really work well here. My two play together well most of the time but additional kids always make it much easier - I usually get loads done too as I'm not called on to referee [hhmm]

Pocket money talk is interesting. We started giving it to DD when she started school but only because there is a charity shop right outside school and after 2 weeks I got fed-up of being asked every day if we could go in there and buy her a toy. Gave her £1 every Friday to spend/save as she wanted. Was very little thought behind it (other than to give my head peace [hblush]) but it has had lots of spin-offs - she has learnt about the coins, learnt to save if she really wants something (saved £8 in 8 weeks when she really wanted a ukelele!) and has hopefully learnt something about the value of things. However she is quite interested in money I think, started the same thing with DS in September and he really isn't bothered!

Enough rambling, bedtime soon.
Night all.

Morning all. Yesterday was truly a waste of a day of my life. Spent all day trying to get tickets to see take that, websites crashed, children ran feral, and I knackered my own broadband which is still not working. So am posting on my phone! I promised mrsd I would do a roundup for her but it may be in two parts as can only see so much on my phone!

feetheart's dh was poorly but she didn't care because it meant that she achieved the holy grail of motherhood..... A peaceful evening . benign neglect of husband is well worth it for that!

purple had a successful day and is going to do some psycho tests... Good job I don't need to do those .

Roundup part two .

dem/did got proper excited by the new thread and set us all Christmas missions. She promised not to confuse us with name changes and then did exactly that to our lovely new lady highlighter on the November thread .

sc is off on her jollies. she got all confuzzled by technical stuff but at least she took a pile of pants with her!

pa stopped by to say hello. She is having a tough time and we are all thinking of her.