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!

not succeeding in getting thro routines fast... - but house is getting cleaner

teasing you are having an excellent morning keep going

Unscrubbed faucets MrsDinky thank you for todays links too.

Hope dd3 is a bit more pleasant today PA I was a horrible 16 yr old too. Hope Tuesday comes round quickly. You've done really well today :) now feet up.

Ooh 7 hours Linzer hope you've had a nice quiet bit of time for you too :)

I love autumn too SC it's beautiful here today. Yes we're very lucky dds school is fantastic :)

I need to cut my routines too swan but failed miserably today. Hope dh isn't so grumpy now!

That sounds very productive PMPY hope it's gone ok.

I love how the routines keep on top of everything too Toffee My ds aged 6 said he wanted his hair cut "modern" on his last trip to the hair dressers! No idea where he got it from.

Wow Teasing well done, is that the FlyLady crisis clean? I've seen it mentioned somewhere.

Today
-Morning routine done
-3 loads of washing done
-Ds assembly done it was very cute
-Collect prescriptions done
-Dds school stuff for tomorrow done
-Clean kitchen appliances done
-Make sweet potato/bean chilli thing and pulled pork done
-Sort washing
-Hoover throughout done
-Dust lounge done

Need to start thinking more about christmas eek, dd is so difficult to buy for, ds has a list a mile long. I've been adding one thing per week to the shopping though, wine, chocs etc.

Hope everyone is having a nice day.

nope it is the thank fuck the migraine has lifted enough to see straight and not feel sick and running out of time to get done clean.

Oh my. I have spoken to a very nice sounding man on the phone. blimey. [blush} shame he is only working on a customer service line and i had to ask for the complaints procedure.

I have done the library books, chased the address for the important letter, banking jobs and have chased the migraine meds. Pharamist is a bit stuck as they are waiting for gp to do something. Gp is stuck cos the computer says no I am hopefully speaking to someone who can help later. Pharamist thinks i need a magician, the doc thinks i need shooting. I just want them to make meds colouring free.

Must get ready for school run so no more time to be productive. not going to get everything done today. Its that 5 min job that actually takes ages

Relieved of school run as friend bringing dd home (we share the runs when our dh's are away) so have 5 mins to Mnsnet sit and ruminate on life ...

I'm another one holding my hand up to only doing routines + loads of washing. In catch up mode.

Yes, well done Teasing you are doing brilliantly! You too Swan, Bob, Toffee PA and Pushme!

[Love the sound of your supper tonight btw Bob Save me a large helping pls!!!]

[Brings PA cup of tea and lemon slice] Hope you have your feet up now! Masterchef and Apprentice were shown consecutively last night (we get the Beeb)...is your schedule different?

Swan and Toffee hope your respective dh's manage to de-grump themselves tonight! [Prepares two nice bottles of red]

Sorry to hear you are ill again Toffee - passes over Lemsip - you have been working really hard. Take it steady x

Right ho ... must away ....I hear the patter of not so tiny feet ...

Back home now with DD2, DS and two of his friends, so I probably won't achieve much more this afternoon. We're out in the garden atm as we're enjoying some sunshine for a change; I'm hoping they'll play out here for long enough for me to be able to fetch my book.

I did manage to get a bit more productive towards the end of my seven hours, but could really have done better - got far too distracted by MN as usual. However, did manage to get the following done:

Food shopping
Morning routine, incl. washing and ironing
Phoned dermatologist for appointment
Chased up agency re invoice
15 min decluttering

Found out from the agency that the client is now having the two magazines that I used to translate translated in-house, which came as a bit of a shock. It's also a relief in some ways as I've been struggling to cope with my workload at times, but I suspect work will be very quiet without this particular job (which probably accounted for 2/3 of my earnings) so I'll have to think about whether (and where) to look for more work.

Teasing Well done on getting through so much of your list, especially with your migraine - hope the meds get sorted out soon.

Bob Good idea to start thinking about Christmas now; I always seem to end up in a last-minute panic but am determined things are going to be different this year.

PA Can't wait to watch the Apprentice - please don't give too much away though, as I won't be able to watch it for a while (my parents are videoing, or rather DVDing, it for us).

Toffee Glad your DS enjoyed his birthday, and hope you're feeling better soon.

swan Good idea to keep your routines to 30 minutes; I must find ways of not letting my morning routine last all morning (spending less time on MN would probably help, although at least I've kicked my FB - or rather, addictive game on FB - addiction).

pmpy Flying tends to neglected here as soon as paid work arrives, something I need to work on (although I may need to work on getting more paid work first).

SC DH brought back, in no particular order, newspapers & magazines, Frizz Ease, mince pies that expire in early November, cheese, a Tangle Teezer (works miracles on the DDs' hair), four invidually packaged Yorkshire tea bags (from his hotel room, I suspect) and a cereal container from John Lewis (not the one I was after, but it'll do!), plus books and food for the DC. Chocolate hobnobs and Cadburys fruit & nut would normally be top of my list, but I've brought enough back from recent visits to keep me going for the next year or so.

Ooohhhh ...SC vicariously enjoys contents of Linzer's dh's suitcase .... (if that's not too wierd!! )

Please help yourself, SC

Evening ladies!

What a blardy week. Tonight is the first night that I do not actually have to be anywhere as we had beavers on Monday, karate on tuesday and the. Open evening at school yesterday which meant I didn't get home until half nine. I do however have loads of stuff to do as dh and I are going away for the wkend tomorrow for some much needed time together (5 yrs since we last had a wkend away) so have got our stuff to pack and dc's who are going to my sisters so will report back later when i have done it all!

Washing piling up here, but I'm ignoring it whilst I get on with work. Chemist gave me some wonder pills - I take the ones in the green packets to wake me up and get me through the day, then the ones in the orange strip to help me breathe and sleep at night !

Sorry to hear about the work, Linzer, especially with Christmas coming up. I understand the mixed feelings. My client told me that work would be coming in dribs and drabs over the next few months, which makes it easier to manage, but also means I don't get much money. It's so hard, isn't it? There's plenty to do without work, but we need the money. Hope you find some more work soon.

Bob - really good idea to add one item a week to your shopping list for Christmas to spread the cost. I'm going to start doing that too. Have been wondering how on earth we are going to afford DS2's forthcoming birthday in November, followed by Christmas. My fault for having two autumn babies (had to find something to do on those long January nights ).

Teasing - not surprised you have a migraine after that long list. Go and have a rest now!

Still - thanks for the red. Unfortunately, DH has decided to stop drinking for the moment (ah ha - could there be a connection with the bad temper, I wonder?!). Not me, though.

Right, off to get dinner for the DC, then off to view secondary school. Pills have made me feel a bit swimmy and weird. Not really in the right frame of mind to go at all, but it has to be done.

Have a good evening all.

The health trust is refusing permission for me to have my migraine meds. :( so i am migraine med free whilst they try to figure out something what the hell does figure something out mean anyway?

Evening Ladies,

You are all scaring me with your long lists!

Here is my (so-called) progress update:

tidy remaining kitchen cupboards - done this took all day
normal post breakfast clearing and cleaning - done
Washing - done but not hung out yet
ironing - not done
swimming? - of course not
cook one of the weekend meals - done
MW appointment - done, baby's head is down!
sort out bedding for weekend guests - sort of
plan freeze ahead meals for when baby arrives - not done

Agree Linzer's DH's suitcase contents fascinating!

I sorted the washing so I finished my list today, oh and made cottage pie for tomorrow night, Friday night is ds choice night and cottage pie was a bit of a shock it's usually something and chips!

I'm sorry Teasing how frustrating :(

Ds birthday is December Toffee so it really helps to spread the cost, got a few m&s nibbly bits for the freezer last week. Hope the viewing went ok, not too blurred

Oh a weekend away sounds wonderful ellie are you going somewhere nice? I actually like packing

I like the sound of your DH suitcase Linzer mmm hobnobs. Would you recommend the tangle teezer? Dds hair is a nightmare.

It was very nice SC I'm stuffed and I don't even eat meat so just had the vege chilli, wraps etc!

Busy day tomorrow, school with dd then out for lunch, but I've made dinner and will keep on with the routines, anything else is a bonus.

Evening all,

I really want to get to bed earlier tonight but have still got the kitchen to clear up, fairy cakes to make for school fundraiser tomorrow, 2 lots of washing to put away, blah blah blah. This is because the DCs evening routine has been reversed due to after school grumpiness. Previously we did "worthwhile stuff" after school (reading, play with toys, go to park, whatever), then tea, then telly for them while I clear up and make packed lunches etc. Now they get in from school, DS plays with the Ipad, DD watches telly, and I faff about in the garden and kitchen and do a bit of MNIng instead of anything useful, then after tea we do the worthwhile stuff. Meaning the evening routine stuff all still needs doing as I speak. Hmm.

Anyway, today on Fledgling Flyers we learnt that:

Bob has made an efficient start on Christmas shopping, Toffee thinks she will do the same (my DCs birthdays are Jan/early Feb, so it all comes at once here too).

MiniM now has tidy kitchen cupboards, well done!

Teasing is having trouble with the NHS. It is always worth having a look to see if there are any clinical trials you might be able to participate in in order to get expensive or new drugs, it's a long shot but you never know. Clinical Trials. Have given this a quick once over and in this instance I don't think there is anything suitable, but it's worth having a look through (well, I find it interesting anyway!).

Ellie is going away without DCs! Woohoo!

Linzer is having an early Christmas with DH's presents, esp the early expiring mince pies. Am thinking I would like to try a tangle teezer on my mop too....

SC has had extra child-free time today

PA - has had teenager trouble and parcel and apparently a different TV schedule to those of us on the mainland. If I had to choose I'd probably go with Masterchef TBH, the Apprentices really are an obnoxious bunch, maybe I'm just of how much money they all earn. But they don't seem terribly happy with it do they? As for Masterchef, couldn't help feeling very sorry for the one with the pudding disaster, even though he was an arrogant so and so beforehand.

Swan - has hopefully found the missing baptismal certificate?

PMPY is making sure the work-Flying balance is about right.

Waves at everyone else and remembers about half a dozen more things that need doing tonight......

Friday Links.

Babystep. Control Journal. Am embarassed to say that having been on this thread since last November my control journal still consists of a folder with one blank sheet of paper in it...

Mission Mop the kitchen floor.

Reminders.

Enjoy!

[Snaffles yet another Hobknob...] Delicious thank you Linzer!

Sorry to hear about the magazine situation. Hope you can find a replacement job that fits in better with your schedule ....

Thanks for steps MrsD. New routine seems a bit hard on the Flyer in the family!! Hope you get through the chores soon. I'll be Flying with you tonight in spirit (yikes it's already 22.20 here so had better get on with it) Had a nice chat with some unexpected visitors this evening and still have tidying up, laundry, rubbish, evening routine to finish.

Having said that .........
couldn't agree more about the chef who was eliminated last night. He certainly set himself up for a spectacular fall (an unhappy combination of youth and inexperience) but couldn't help feeling sorry for him when it happened. I'm rooting for Claire but also like the guy from N. East.

Bob great idea to give dc a supper choice ... might try that one ...

Mini-M ooohhh exciting news about baby's head .. and well done on your cupboard!!

Sorry about the meds Teasing. I know it's a horrible feeling not to have them there as back-up just in case. Hope they find a solution.

Sympathies Toffee we have a glut of birthdays around Christmas in dh's family ...and I am trying to economise this year and make everything but haven't really started yet (apart from crab apple jelly!)

Always helps to be slightly out of it during a school visit I find . Seriously though, hope you feel better tomorrow.

Enjoy your well-deserved weekend away Ellie !!!!

Right, I must run around like a mad thing for 30 mins before bed.

Thank heavens it's Friday tomorrow. G'night one and all.

Evening all

I haven't caught up with the thread I'm afraid as we've had a bad day with BIL. The doctors can't stabilise his red blood count and although they keep giving him transfusions it is still around 5 when it should be about 14 .

On the plus side I have finished my list and got back in to the swish and swipe . On the minus side my paid work has really suffered as I just can't concentrate enough to get it done.

Yey - just seen tomorrow's mission. I did it today!

Night all, sleep well

SC - not a farmer, just have a garden, allotment, and countryside to forage in - I can't resist all those blackberries, elderberries, hips, haws, sloes etc, but then have to deal with them when we get home!

Today:
Damsons - made damson gin, and prepped remainder for freezer - done
Washing on line - done
Morning routine - done
DS to playgroup - done
Trip to allotment - collected carrots, raspberries, hazelnuts, beetroot, elderberries, blackberries - done
DS to surgery for boosters, didn't bother him at all - done
Left DS with mother while I did the shopping, mine and hers
Grocery shopping - done
Banking - done
Pet shopping - done
Sort clean washing - done
S/s - done
Make beds - done
Vacuum living room - done
Zone mission - done
Measure shed for apple rack - done
Garden jobs - done
Washing in machine ready for tonight - done
Shine sink - done
Clean Aga - done
Stripped elderberries for freezing - done
Start juicing apples for herb jelly - done
Set breakfast table - done

Almost too busy for Flying here as Autumn Fayre is on Sunday so much frantic dashing around sorting everything out - eek!
I also have stinky cold (with sore throat thing morning and night) and a very croaky voice. NOT good timing

All of the above has contributed to me being up at stupid o'clock. Have just written the mother of all lists and will be going back to bed once I've posted this.

Ihatecobwebs - DH and I have really taken to foraging over the past 2 years - have found fantastic collection of wild plum trees, a brilliant blackberrying spot and lots of elderberries in local park. I have used all my jar collection (including a big boxful from jamjar.com) and now have a freezer full awaiting more jars before attempting jelly again - first attempt got eaten :) Have also got sloes for first time and hope to get more blackberries and hips next week if nice weather continues. VERY satisfying.

SC and MrsD - have avoided your Masterchef chat as have all of this week's to catch up on over w/e (when not doing Fayre stuff/collapsing from doing Fayre stuff ) DH and I addicted - still think Dick was robbed in Celebrity version.

Enough rambling, need sleep.

Morning all,

It's a lovely crisp autumn day here and I'm feeling much more positive about work (or rather the lack of it) now. I shall be able to declutter all those fashion articles I'd been keeping for background reading, I'll no longer have to buy Vogue or InStyle and I will have more time to dedicate to flying.

feetheart Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather; hope you managed to get some sleep.

Ihate Your lists always make me feel quite hungry.

pmpy Sorry to hear about your BIL.

MrsD I am also trying to tweak our afternoon routine as the DDs usually want a break after lunch before they make a start on their homework and piano practice. The problem is that it's often even more difficult to get them to do things later - and it's much easier if they can have everything finished before DS is home at 3 pm. I also need to work on getting things done myself, as I inevitably end up spending too long on MN while they're playing or watching TV and then have to rush round in the evening catching up on everything.

Bob Yes, I can definitely recommend the Tangle Teezer - I was reading about it on MN a few days before DH went to London so decided to add it to my list. The DDs' hair gets very tangled, but it works brilliantly - no more trying to tug the normal brush through their hair and DD2 even enjoys brushing her hair herself with it.

MiniM Exciting news about the baby's head!

Toffee Luckily I won't notice the financial effect of the magazine work ending until next year, as the agency is a notoriously slow payer (I'm chasing them up for an invoice I sent in June!) so even if I'd done any more work for them this year, I wouldn't have been paid until next year. There'll be quite a significant drop in my income next year, however... You're right, dribs and drabs (what I'm getting atm) doesn't provide much in the way of money. We also have quite a few birthdays coming up; mine this month, DH's next month and DD1's in December, plus the DC have been invited to six birthday parties over the next few weeks - DD1 brought home yet another invitation yesterday!

ellie Hope you have a lovely weekend away!

SC Do you get the normal BBC channels? I think we can get BBC Prime here (it was only available in Vienna for quite a while, but coverage has been extended to Lower Austria now too), but I usually rely on my parents recording interesting-sounding programmes for us.

Today's list:

Morning routine
Mission
15 min decluttering
Send school photo to grandparents
Letter
RSVP to invitation
Afternoon routine
DD1 to orthodontist
Buy birthday present for DD1's and DS's friends
Evening routine

Morning all

Loving all this talk about foraging and sloes and berries and bottling Feetheart and Ihatec - makes me want to leave the grey city this w/e ...

Am very impressed with both of your domestic goddess-ness!!

Feetheart hope you feel better soon and that the Fayre goes well! Sorry for the MC spoilers! Will desist!! Dick WOZ robbed!!

Amazing list Ihate - well done!

Pushmepullyou sending your bil, and all the family, prayers and strength from over here x

Not posting list because it's just the usual routines and have chronic female probs (sorry for tmi) so putting one foot in front of the other will be achievement today.

x posts Linzer

Yes, happily we get Beeb 1 & 2 but only because we happen to live in part of town where reception good. Suspect would get a lot more Flying done if we didn't though!

in the backup, nope actually have needed the meds since wednesday last week :( Just had revenge though and given the gp a heart attack by telling him all meds need to be reviewed with competition ruls in mind

hot waterbottles to SC and Feet and
Teasing slow down!
Cobwebs you were up very late, not surprised after that list of things done

no not on top of essentials, but thanks for reminders

now have to go and buy some plastic horses for Race Night

done
brief foray into routines - stripped our bed and cleared breakfast before 9am
picked up something and then got diverted by friend's new plot of land. Land! what an evocative word.

My afterschool sucessful routine is as follows. Exercise (park, walk to someone's music lesson, afterschool sport, whatever) followed by homework/dithering, followed by tea at 6.20 or thereabouts. Telly is optional but tends to confuse everyone and cause fights Only old friends are allowed round to play; formal playdates or teaparties banned as everything always goes pearshaped.. I think it is a casualty of school continuing so late (till 3.20) and the homework (everyone has it as they are 8 x 2 and 10yrs)

Time for a quick update:

Morning routine done
Mission done
15 min decluttering done
Send school photo to grandparents
Letter
RSVP to invitation done
Afternoon routine
DD1 to orthodontist
Buy birthday present for DD1's and DS's friends to do tomorrow
Evening routine

I am officially fed up. I can count the number of birthday cards I've received on one hand - and they're all from my or DH's family. I know that Austrians don't generally send cards and that I can hardly complain when I don't think I've managed to send one non-belated card so far this year, but still... I feel like I have no friends.

On top of that, DD1 seems to be struggling more at school - in the exercise book she brought home today, the teacher had written "Schade" (a shame) under her last piece of work. She was doing so much better at the start of term but it all seems to be going downhill now. I'm not sure what else we can do to help her; she already goes for dyslexia lessons during and after school and I don't think DH could do much more work with her than he already does.

Right, end of rant - I will try to be in a more positive frame of mind when I return after a glass or two of wine.

Hiya everyone

Had a read through and as usual you are all so busy.
pmpy thinking of you and bil
pa hope Tuesday goes well and your list is fab.
tfd'sucks about meds

Had no internet access so been trying to catch up on our drive home, however mn and car journey is a bit boak enducing [green] sickie emotion.

Had a lovely time in Staffordshire, been bowling, soft playing, Lil bitta shopping ie toys for kids, eating, drinking, Thomasland was fab too, caravanning, driving.

A list has to be made

Sort out dinner plans for dsis and bil arriving tomorrow
Sort out caravan for their stay
Tidy house
Check out newly wallpapered wall in our room
Move some stuff from our room out to add to ever increasing pile in conservatory
Gloss windowledge in new room
Unpack
Wash
Sort out clothes for next day. Ds got another party!

Right off to think about meals and do online shop on route.