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!

MrsD - I feel your pain. I think I have similar age DC - 7 and 4 and am having EXACTLY the same thing with tired, niggly, tantruming DC (though it is mainly the 7 yr old who seems to be having a '7 yr old stroppy girl' phase )

Need to work but am procrastinating, and being distracted by loud squawking from bird that boy cat is running round the garden with - keeps trying to bring it in but I've locked the cat-flap - I DO NOT want a present

Quick list then NO MORE PROCRASTINATING!

• Morning routine - finish
• WORK
• 2 min Hotspot
• Hoover living room, hall, stairs
• Make Sausage Casserole
• Autumn Fayre stuff - more posters, lists for stalls, programme, etc
• Stuff to Hospice Shop
• 15 mins in living room
• Pampered Chef invitations done and out (have party next Weds and only got stuff yesterday)
• Afternoon/evening routines
• Early night

Thank you for Lamb Shanks recipes, DH loves them and I have never cooked them, he will be delighted :)

I stopped procrastinating, got on with some work so now to Flying!

Right i need to get organised. the folks get back off hol at the weekend and it would be nice if the house was less of a disaster then when they left. Plus i am finally starting to clear the steroids from my system which in turn is helping with the migraines. Although at this rate i am not going to need my new migraine meds by the time they sort it out and i can have them.

Right, i know this goes a little against fly lady principles but i need to see the big picture thus before saturday:

kitchen - to be clean and tidy
Laundry - washed, ironed and away
Bedding - ds's washed and returned, dad's washed
Lounge - tidy and rug lifted, if possible furniture moved to where it will be for duration of decorating. bookcase removed from room
Hall and landing - remove some of lose floating clutter
bedroom - remove some of clutter bloacking floor.
Rubbish and tip run. Charity shop run.
Important letter
Important phone call.

Completely do able but will just have to see if i am capable of pulling my finger out and getting on.

Today:
WM first load on
DW emptied in process of loading
Washing up that cant be stuck in dishwasher
handwashing
Empty food of stuff that has been overlooked yuck but done
Look through etsy done
Have another think about music done but needs to be returned to again before 2 weeks time
Finish black hole and attach to wall done
Think about what is for tea.
Text response to party invite.
Hide christmas present that are bought and are in a stupid place.

dishes in sink - no routines today as had to go somewhere
table wiped
piano practice ds2 and violin ds1 done
recycling all out praisebe
ds2 back at school after appt back

todo
piano practise
piano lessons x 2
supper - carbonara with broccoli on side
Beavers and Brownies - help at Beavers
redress/shower for pianolesson
put recycling boxes in back yard again
dishes in dw
MADMEN

Not sure I'm going to get anything much done today! Dishwashed/washing etc done before work, but its my Dad's birthday so I'm going round there tonight. Plus BIL has gone back in to hispital as his blood count has dropped again , so DH has gone over there now.

List update:

kitchen - to be clean and tidy
Laundry - washed almost done, ironed and away
Bedding - ds's washed and returned, dad's washed
Lounge - tidy and rug lifted, if possible furniture moved to where it will be for duration of decorating most moved. bookcase removed from room done
Hall and landing - remove some of lose floating clutter, hoover.
bedroom - remove some of clutter bloacking floor.
Rubbish and tip run. Charity shop run.
Important letter
Important phone call.

WM first load on
DW running
Washing up that cant be stuck in dishwasher
handwashing 3/4 done
Empty food of stuff that has been overlooked yuck but done
Look through etsy done
Have another think about music done
Finish black hole and attach to wall done
Think about what is for tea. cooked and eaten
Text response to party invite.
Hide christmas present that are bought and are in a stupid place. noW in slightly less stupid place.

Evening all. You've all been very busy!

I've (hopefully) emerged out the other side of my migraine. Felt very queasy and floaty this morning but got my sea legs back this afternoon.

Apologies for lack of individual messages but don't want to scroll too much and jeopardise recovery!

Relieved to see it's not just me musing on certain characteristics of 7 yr old girls. When she's good she's very, very good ... but when's she's bad etc etc ....

To be fair dd has been very good this week. Her behaviour is always better when dh is away as there is less "competition" for her attention plus I am the big, bad, strict parent and she doesn't try it on as much with me ...

No Flying done at all aside from cooking when essential and keeping the kitchen clean so very behind now.

Must dash; thick winterish stand-your-spoon-up-in-it soup on the go ...

Huge waves to fellow guinea pig supporters ...

oh and go on then...

....huge waves to everyone else as well !!!!

Linzer could u fb me your address. ds has written a card for dd but i have put the address somewhere safe and cant find it also does she have the same surname as you?

Right am going to see if i can ds to finish his homework tonight. although that might be asking too much. I have just discovered ds' writing is a definet weak spot He has found something to play with and there is peace in the house

Good evening :)

Hope ds got his homework done Teasing my ds is tired so being a horror. We've been working on ds writing but it's still very hit and miss.

Hope the migraine has stayed away SC I love winter comfort food

Oh no PMPY hope your bil is ok.

Well done feet I'm going to need a kick up the bum no procrastination day tomorrow I feel.

Waves to Nettie ellie PA MrsDinky Darts linzer

I did one hotspot in the kitchen and my routines, ds had football practice, dd had hydro and donkeys at school and there is a little boy in her class who loves her, he sits with her and holds hands, strokes her hair and cuddles up to her it's heart melting :) feel like a very lucky mummy this evening.

Ds had a testing day at school. Sensory overload type day. Which normally results in a complete nightmare in the evening. However, someone seems to have stollen my child and replaced him with a housework and homework doing polite boy. He has voluntarily paired and folded socks. And taken his pants and socks upstairs to his room. (progress). He not only wrote his postcard after being asked once but he has also done his spelling homework and his reading. He has read every night this week. This is so not the child that last week threw his toys at me cos he was told to pick them up and refused to do any homework unless threatened with a tv ban.

Done a few more bits of my list. Of the list for today i have some washing up to do. Have even spent 15mins decluttering in my room. Still a bombsite but slightly less high in the toppling pile of stuff. I am hoping to get to the stage where it is piles rather then one large room consuming pile for the weekend.

Hope you are all enjoying the evening.
Leaving wine and nibbles and going to have an early night hopefully.

Evening Ladies

Not much flying here today and a very trying day with DS - he is recovering from a cold and very withdrawn, most unlike him .

We had a guest for dinner and I didn't have much time for prep so I made www.cottagesmallholder.com/dannys-slow-roast-belly-of-pork-to-die-for-recipe-400 this with some apple sauce and veggies, would definitely recommend for a lazy weekend lunch - just stick it in the oven and it looks after itself. I did crisp up the crackling under the grill at the end. DS did perk up when eating crackling!

Going to have an early night but back to flying tomorrow.

Aiming to:

tidy remaining kitchen cupboards
normal post breakfast clearing and cleaning
Washing
ironing
swimming?
cook one of the weekend meals
MW appointment
sort out bedding for weekend guests
plan freeze ahead meals for when baby arrives

x

Evening ladies

Flying has been very limited in this house for a while - building works in the kitchen, and dealing with the harvest and the ususal life of a 3 year old have been the main concerns, so housework has been scanty and MN nonexistent.

Monday I spent baking and icing - traybakes, shortbread, choc oat crunchies, and cakes for a Macmillan Coffee Morning. Yesterday we did the coffee morning, raised over £300, which we thought was a good amount. Yesterday afternoon I was asked to accept a change of meeting venue to my house, so crisis cleaning took place, and I was shattered by bed time.

Today:
Collect DS from mother at 8am (he spent the night with my mother as I thought I would be out at a meeting in the evening) - done
Walk DS to playgroup (while he had a toddler meltdown about going - cue my walking along with head up high and eyes focused firmly ahead while DS cried, whinged, complained, struggled to get away etc etc etc) - done
BTW as soon as he was with the others, he was fine, as if it had never happened!
Go round for "coffee" with other playgroup mums (instead of going home and getting on with the housework) - done
Posted Apple Day flyers (our fundraiser on Saturday) round the neighbourhood - done
Phone calls - done
Sort clean washing and distribute - done
Swhish and swipe - done
Clear hotspot - done
Collect DS - done
Fed and watered DS - done
Handwashing - done
Menu plan for next week - done
Shopping list - done
Cook tea - done
Sorted out fruit in freezer - done
Change beds - done
Load washing machine ready for tonight - done
Tea, after tea, bed time etc etc - done
Washing up - done
Shine sink - done
Clean Aga - done
Calculate and write cheque for playgroup tax & NI - done
Personal bills - done
Lay breakfast table - done
Waste time wandering around the chatting on MN - done
Source apple storage rack - done (will measure up in shed tomorrow to make sure it will fit)

Not done
Processed the damsons which are sitting in the fridge
Made the spiced apple jam, herb jellies, damson gin, apple chutney and the myriad of other preserves I was planning on getting through in the last few weeks.

Will see how much I can get done tomorrow, but that will largely depend on how DS feels after his jabs, various boosters. If it doesn't happen tomorrow, it'll be next week before I can get back on track, as Friday will be baking for Apple Day, and Saturday is Apple Day, and I've been assigned kitchen duty for the duration! Note to self - must make sure I have a clean pinny, and remember to take my Marigolds.

Have just realised how late it is (been watching Masterchef/Apprentice), so a very quick round up here.

Teasing - thank you for your kind offer re wellies, alas I need sizes 9 and 12, so will have to say no, I like the sound of glow in the dark bits though! Pleased to hear that Dragon Junior has had a change of personality, give him his own microfibre cloth, quick.

Ihate - well, fancy not doing your damsons! Seriously, what a list, and well done with the Macmillan fundraising

MiniM - yum, that recipe sounds good, haven't done pork for a while

Bob - awww, that is so sweet about DD and her friend

SC - glad migraine has abated

PMPY - thinking of you and BIL

Swan was that the 5 different types of recycling again?

Linzer - hope DH brought you something nice back from London.

Nettie - hello if you're looking in.

Waves at everyone else.

Right, not much flying here today, my faucets are unscrubbed, but I did have a good tennis session this morning and enjoyed lunch with some good friends, one of whom had some very happy news (twins on the way) so that was nice. Have called a cease fire with the DCs as far as possible (which basically means I have given up trying to get them to do stuff and just do it myself, but at least there is less of an atmosphere).

Back in a minute with links

I haven't looked yet, I am just having a little bet with myself as I sit here at 11.35, it is bound to be the babystep about going to bed early isn't it....

Babystep - put out your clothes.

Wrong again, but it has reminded me that I still need to do mine and get the laundry out of the dryer so DS has some socks in the morning.

Mission - Wipe the big appliances

Thursday Reminders.

I think the early night babystep comes a bit later in the month (iirc - around the 15th ish) I only know this as it is my nemesis step. The one i need to do but dont.

Right must move in a mo. spent 30mins skulking aroung mn when i could have had a gentle start to the day. Madness will break out in about 15mins as we will be running late.

Today's list:
finish washing up
clean benches down (previous mission)
clean bin and put in new bag (previous mission)
Clear cooker top and wipe down (today's mission)
finish tidying rug in lounge and hoover.
life and move rug.
15 mins declutter in lounge (there is one corner of junk doom to be dealt with)
15mins declutter in the frutility room
15mins declutter in bath room
15mins declutter in hall
15mins declutter on landing
15mins declutter in my room
Library books - return
Post office - post card and important letter.
Important phonecall.
folding and clothes away
wash dad's bedding and remake bed
wash ds' bedding and remake bed
make shopping list.
buy new potato masher (old one has gone rusty and needed for tea)
Think about mini business idea stuff.

probably collaspe in heap thus hopefully early night tonight - oh and importantly pester pharmacist for meds!

Hellooooooo everyone.

Back today after a few rough days in RL. DD3 is being a nightmare teenager (16, going on 18 - she thinks!!) Have just about kept myself in one piece, but health has suffered I think and now cant wait for my appointment next Tuesday to find out what is going on and what is going to be done about it.

Anyway, after a really bad nights sleep (AGAIN) I have got up this morning determined to get life back on track a bit.

SO far:
Emptied freezer,
Cleaned freezer
Thrown out a load of food that will probably never get used.
1 load washing in
removed sofa covers for cleaning
breakfast
sandwiches x1 - yippeeee!!
Fed animals

List for today:
Make shepherds pie
Make bread rolls
Shopping - must remember to get diesel as I keep forgetting and soon wont get anywhere!!
Post office with parcel to post
washing
sweep lounge floor
wait in between 1 - 3pm for bed delivery
dismantle DS old bed
Make new bed, hopefully before he comes home from school for a surprise for him.
Do as I have been told and take things easy!!! - if I do that I have time to think and time to think is a bad thing at the moment.

Huge waves to everyone.

Right off I go........

The DDs are going to friends' houses after school today so I have the luxury of seven child-free hours, although two hours have somehow gone by already. I did get some food shopping done (was quite organised last night and planned next week's menu), but have been very unproductive since I've been home. Must make a list to spur myself on.

That's a very impressive list today, Teasing - good luck with it. DD2 will be excited to hear there's a card on its way.

MrsD Sounds like you had a good day yesterday. One of my friends has just had twins and I have been getting quite broody looking at the photos on FB.

Ihate Another impressive list, and I'm even more impressed that you managed to get it all done (as well as spending time on MN - always my downfall).

Right, must get on - I'll end up wasting another hour on the computer otherwise.

Today's list:

Food shopping done
Morning routine
Mission
15 min decluttering
Send school photo to grandparents
Letter
Buy presents for DS's friend
Make appointment at dermatologist's
Afternoon and evening routines

Sorry you've been having a rough few days, PA - there's a fine line between taking it easy and having too much time to think, isn't there? Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you next Tuesday.

Hellooooo!!

Back on form today!

Lovely crisp autumn morning today - season of mists and mellow fruitfulness and ... lamb shanks

Got so much to do now that I don't know quite where to start - so where better than catching up with everyone here ...

MrsD thanks for links and congratulations on the self-restraint. I (far too often)struggle not to become shouty harridan mummy!

at your unscrubbed faucets btw

I'm also guilty of Masterchef/Apprentice double last night. First was riveting - think I am getting too old for second - they are all so horrible!!!

Good luck with your humungous list today Teasing and with your reaching your goals for Saturday. Sounds as if your ds has really caught the Flying bug bless him!

Are you a farmer Ihatecobwebs (sorry if I have already missed this)? Your post conjours up wonderful images of home-made baking, preserving and apple harvesting. Congrats on your amazing list (particularly considering you have building going on in your kitchen too - charity bake miraculous in circs!! - well done). Hope your ds is ok after his jabs!

Mini-M hope your ds recovers soon. That recipe looks delicious btw!

Bob donkeys at school - fantastic!!! Good to hear your dd is settling in and making friends.

PushmePullyou so sorry to hear that your bil is back in hospital. Must be difficult in the circumstances but try and take it steady x Hope your dad had a good birthday!

Huge waves to Swan and well done with the curtains! Have you found the baptismal certificate yet?

Nettie you never know, nekkid might move you up the list

Hi Linzer dd's 'herfst' walk is next week too! Btw, my dh usually brings back Pret-a-manger carrot cake from London, packets of wine gums and/or salt and vinegar crisps + English reading matter. What did you get this time????? [nosy emoticon]

Dart congrats on blood-donorship!

Toffee [sniff] at your ds wanting to "rewind" back to nursery. Hope is feeling OK now.

Huge waves to Ellie, PA, Feetheart, MissBennett, Tigger, Sahara Desiretochange Namechange Seeker and everyone I've bound to have missed.

Today I must just do usual routines + laundry and ironing ad infinitum + supermarket shop. All boring but necessary!

Have a good one!

x posts!

PA good luck with your mammoth list and I hope it does take your mind off things (not easy though I know). Yes, all fingers and toes crossed for next Tuesday. Thinking of you! Take it steady x

Linzer enjoy your 7 straight child-free hrs!!!

Sorry you're having a tough time PA. That's a very impressive list for so early in the day .

Working from home this morning so time for a bit of flying before I have to pick DD up from nursery.

Washing machine on done
dishwasher emptied and stacked done
clean taps and windowsill
clean appliances
mop kitchen floor
hoover kitchen stairs
paid work

Sure there should be more, but don't want to overload myself particularly in view of the paid work requirements!

PA - sending pyschic realignment of dd3's meanteen particles and admiration for all the things you are getting done
Ihate I'm feeling v.urban in comparison- did steal a jam jar from someone's recycling yest - there may be hope for me yet.
Linzer don't expect too much of yourself in their absence - just get your teeth into something and don't let go! Preferably not haribous or fb.
Bob donkeys sound a lovely treat for dd, and what a sweet friend

sofar
shopped for food
chatted at schoolgate
sent dcs to school with stuff for making chairs in DT, photos for "belonging", homework. Found various things at last minute - glue,jumper,missing shoe, waterbottle, draft book dd
dressed smartly

todo
my Baptismalcert - FIND, TRACK DOWN or decide not to go to snooty school that requires it have five of ds1's though ha!
hang up new curtain
get ahead with piano
routines 30 mins only NO MORE
buy compost
buy plastic horses for race night
move recycling boxes back

serious fallout afterlast night's Beavers - dh fed up of doing kids' leftover homework whilst I waltzed off to help - and managed not to find soup in fridge I had left for him. He is still feeling a bit grumpy today, and the house is a muddle.

Sticking to basic routines here at the moment as I have no time for missions or decluttering. At least the routines keep things ticking over, though. This morning I have:

swished and swiped
put two loads in w/m
put load in tumbledrier
done packed lunches
got kids to school on time
put d/w on
had breakfast with Lemsip (have another cold )
answered emails
booked dc into hairdressers (DS1 wants his first 'trendy' haircut!)

Didn't check here yesterday as it was a busy day - DS1's 11th birthday celebration. He seemed very happy with his presents and cake. Phew.

Today I have to get on with work without being distracted by MN .

MrsD - hope your DC are being a bit less tricky today. I think all DC are getting tired and stressed from being back at school.

Ihate - well done on the Macmillan coffee morning.

Teasing - that is an impressively long list!

PA - sorry you are worrying and that DD isn't being any help (could she be worried about you too? Maybe that is why she is ratty). Will be thinking of you on Tues. In the meantime, stop being so busy and take it easy (and that's an order!).

Linzer - ooo, seven child-free hours! Enjoy!

Still - Glad you are back on flying form again.

Pushme - paid work v housework is always a tricky balance. My solution for the moment is to put a hold on decluttering and missions and just do the basic routines.

Swan - congrats on being smartly dressed today
Sorry about your grumpy DH. I have one of those at the moment too.

Waves to everyone else on the thread - Ellie, MissB, Tigger, Nettie, Nick, Feet, Seeker, SaharaS, Desiretochange, Pluto, Namechange100- and apologies to anyone I've forgotten.

Up date on todays list:

List for today:
Make shepherds pie - meat done
Make bread rolls - Cba, so bought some
Shopping - must remember to get diesel as I keep forgetting and soon wont get anywhere!! - done and car filled
Post office with parcel to post - got to post office but had forgotten the parcel so will have to do tomorrow.
washing
sweep lounge floor - done
wait in between 1 - 3pm for bed delivery - already delivered
dismantle DS old bed - went armed with screwdriver, but DS had not done as I had asked, so stuff all under bed still, so he will have to do his but before I can dismantle!
Make new bed, hopefully before he comes home from school for a surprise for him. - cant do now
Do as I have been told and take things easy!!! - if I do that I have time to think and time to think is a bad thing at the moment. - plan for the afternoon.

Thank you for all your lovely thoughts.

How did you manage to watch masterchef and apprentice yesterday? I had to choose which one. Apprentice won, I am hooked already!! Biggest idiot went last night, though, so a good start. I think it is going to be a good one!!

Serious relaxing this afternoon, starting now.

list update:

finish washing up
clean benches down (previous mission)half done
clean bin and put in new bag (previous mission) done
Clear cooker top and wipe down (today's mission) done with DW front
clean cupboard doors half room worth done
finish tidying rug in lounge and hoover done.
life and move rug. done
15 mins declutter in lounge (there is one corner of junk doom to be dealt with)
15mins declutter in the frutility room done x1
15mins declutter in bath room done x1
15mins declutter in hall done x1
15mins declutter on landing done x 1
15mins declutter in my room done x2
Library books - return
Post office - post card and important letter.
Important phonecall.
folding and clothes away
wash dad's bedding washing and remake bed
wash ds' bedding drying and remake bed
make shopping list.
buy new potato masher (old one has gone rusty and needed for tea)
Think about mini business idea stuff.