Remember Remember, Fledglings Fly through November

[DidEinsteinsMum]

Welcome to the November Fledgling Flying thread.

From the 1st of the month we shall be decluttering and taming the chaos using baby steps, missions and zones. A great big thank you to MrsDinky who looked after us last month.

We are not strict followers of the fat fairy and take some of the babysteps wearing shoes indoors with a pinch of salt. Also advise against signing up for the fairy's emails.

All are welcome, jump on board for one of our three methods of chaos attack:

1. Baby steps
2. Baby steps and 15mins decluttering in current zone
3. Re-inforce the baby steps and daily mission

This month the fat fairy is gearing up for the feastive period. So I shall also post the christmas mission for those who wish are brave enough to look.

In here the motto is:

*"No perfection! Do what you can, but be realistic about what you can do."

Happy flying.

DEM great roundup thanks.

Today done

mission
dishwasher
business meeting all morning
shopping

To do

washing
filing
christmas lists
Ironing
Hoover living room

systems I try and think of it as an 'after tea routine' rather than a before bed routine. Absolutely the last thing I want to think about as I'm getting ready for bed is doing housework! Also I dont get clothes out ready, I just have an idea in my head as to what DD and I will be wearing. This itself has become much easier since starting flying, as I always have clean, ironed clothes to chose from, not a heap in the ironing basket!

So a 3 or 4 minute flap around the house straightening up all the mess the family have created after my morning of flying is about all I manage, but it does mean its not so overwhelming in the morning.

Was the soup any good Toffee ? Its one of those chuck it all together and see how it turns out soups, usually a good result

Morning Routine done
Hoover downstairs done
Mop Kitchen do it tomorrow
Mission and Tuesdays Mission both done, and my word what a differece!
5 min room rescue in lounge done
Fill in satisfaction survey and post done
Have DD friend round for lunch done
Take DD and friend to play gym after lunch done
Then work at 4. about to do

Hello everyone. School holiday here for Armistice so apart from a couple of quick flits to the office and back I have been at home with dd trying to sort out the play room before St Nicolas arrives (very soon on 6th December) and adds yet more clutter to what is already there. DD used to love helping me go through her toys (one box for chucking, one box for charity etc etc) but she has been a complete nuisance all day It's partly because we couldn't get out this morning as the weather here is foul (high winds and raining in buckets) and she's a child that needs loads of exercise ... sigh ...

So I'm at that frazzled stage where all the toys are all over the floor, I've lost my temper with dd, and it all looks worse than when I started!!

Time for a little light relief on Mnsnet to catch up with everyone else and calm the nerves before I start again ...

Fantastic round-up last night DID/DEM - hope the aches and pains are disappearing. [SC steals piece of cake]

Sittinghippo Ditto! Always do afternoon/early evening routine rather than bedtime routine as I tend to wake up if I start rushing around before bed. And like Ihatecobwebs I try and stick to the rule "don't sit down after supper until everything is done". Don't always manage it though. Also agree that whole system goes completely haywire (with me anyway) if there's a backlog of laundry/ironing.

Respect Sylvia! Your list is what we should all be aspiring to: succinct, organised and achievable!

Hope you find that vital piece of paper Highlighter. I lost my address book when I decluttered the home office just before the summer and it's only just reappeared now (thankfully in time to write Christmas cards) so there is hope! Note to self: must put address book on computer.

Ihatecobwebs I'm another one v. of your Aga. V. comforting in this weather. Actually I am very of your lists too. You are always doing something incredibly domestic-goddess-ish. Perhaps you are Sarah Raven in rl? Or Mrs Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstall?

Optimistic I should think, the dc who are running in this weather will be wringing wet anyway, so damp PE kit won't matter a bit! Hope your day improved!

Dolanette if I'm honest, the thing that motivates me the most to do the housework is having regularly visitors ... it's the shame factor nothing else works as well ...

Mahoosive waves to Bob! You sound very organised and on top of things. I think the soup bags might be these?? They are the ones I use anyway. Very good for freezer (take up much less space than containers) and good for transporting from freezer to office (to microwave for lunch for eg).

[SC samples a bit of *Toffee's soup - delicious!!] Haven't caught up with thread yet properly so didn't realise you were nursing your mil. Sorry to hear your boys are poorly too. Hope you get a moment to yourself sometime soon!

Arrgh, pressed 'post message' too soon!

Back with rest of post in a minute ...

ahem ..; to continue ...

x-posts SittingHippo congrats on a full, complete list!!

Systems in answer to your questions

1. I risk waking dd up (but she's 7 and an only one) so not a disaster. If I'm not up and in the shower by 6.50 am every morning the whole day goes awry! (Dh takes a full hour to trim his nostril hair and gargle with Listerine while singing the Alleluia chorus get ready in the morning, so like Toffee if I miss my slot, with only one bathroom currently, I'm a gonna!

1. See below (like SittingHippo do before bed routine during snack/homework time after school, but easy for me because I only work pt and during school hours). Works well though eg dd gets changed after school and we immediately lay out uniform with clean underwear, tights, hair clips etc etc ready for next day. (She virtually does this herself now.) She does homework and while she is doing that I check it and reply to school letters/prepare gym kit etc and then her bag is laid out for morning. Likewise empty lunch box, wash, then prepare non-fresh stuff in advance (biscuit/raisins apple etc) for next day. Empty washing machine or dryer and put on load for next day to wash overnight (have washing machine with timer). That leaves only the kitchen to tidy up after supper which I do if dh puts dd to bed or vice versa. However, the above only works if I have done my meal planning and I'm organised with regards to supper. If I'm on top of the meals then I can devote all those small pockets of time between school and dd's bedtime to do my afternoon/bedtime routine plus any bits of sewing/ironing necessary. Sometimes even take off my make up and get in to my pjs if I'm feeling really tired and we're not expecting visitors. Apologies for long, tedious answer. Bet you wish you'd never asked now

Hope you managed to get through the day Linzer

Arrghh .. speaking of evening routine in the afternoon ... I'd better go and do some of it.

Sorry haven't caught up with Nettie¨, Feetheart Ellie Pushme Mini MissB MrsDinky and loads of others

Mahoosive waves though!!

Forgot PA (how could I forget PA????)
Hope you are OK and not getting too nervous xxx

So,I am not around as much as usual and you are all turning against me!!!!
Nobody wants to be my CBA Christmas buddy and now, my longest standing fat fairy buddy has forgotten me!!

I did offer PA, but if I'm not good enough...
Seriously though, good luck with the op - will be thinking about you. It's lovely that your DD will be down with you for the weekend.

I didn't actually go back to bed this morning, but did spent the latter half on the sofa with my book (so I think that counts as renewing my spirit, Bob ).
Had a fairly hectic afternoon though, with various friends of the DC here and then the kindergarten St Martins Day service at church, which the children had made lanterns for. Time to renew my spirit again with an early night now, I think.

Hope you're OK DID, and waves to everyone else.

Not sleeping atm have had ds out for some sound desensitisation work. He was good. Just cooking tea. Knee is better then it was earlier. the A&E doc thought that recovery would be measured in days rather then weeks. Strict instructions to see my own doc if it hadnt settle by wednesday nxt. I am hoping to be on the ice by Monday. Sports adicts also make bad patients.

Am now tackling the flying as need to tame the house a bit before going to bed.

Will post steps later.

Will think of you tomorrow, PA. Glad it will be over soon.

Sitting - soup was delicious, thank you. Made sure I didn't over puree the potatoes (thanks for the tip). DS1 and I shared it and I have put the extra in the freezer (yes, that is the soup bag, Bob). MIL is convinced that soup will 'go right through her', but baked beans will be fine. Never mind, am in soup-making mood now anyway.

Determined to get both boys to school tomorrow. DS1 is absolutely fine and I feel he has taken me for a ride yet again. DS2 must be on the mend because he can't stop talking and won't go to sleep .

Dolanette - what gets me motivated to do housework? Like someone else said - visitors. Especially critical ones. Also, now we have had such a successful declutter of DS2's bedroom we (DH and I) feel motivated to continue. As Flylady says, it is all 'babysteps'.

Got to organise DS2's pizza party for this Sunday. Anyone know if Flylady has a list to help organise children's parties?

Can't type anymore - am sitting in the dark next to a restless, sleepless DS2 and using an unfamiliar computer with a funny keyboard, so it's too complicated. G'nite.

Did - so sorry about your injury. Just read yr bit. Hope you feel better soon.

Not good today. Done the mission but haven't cut DH's hair or washed the kitchen floor. Have emptied crumbs from toaster though (mostly onto floor - one part of it got cleaned then) and cleaned hob. SHined sink. Just about to do evening routine.
Hope you are following the Doctor's advice, DID. PA glad to hear you are feeling OK.

Right. Am about to implode. Sooo tired. so must get early night, then get up early to fly.

for friday

because we dont get fly lady emails here ignore this baby step or alternatively have a clear out of unwanted emails in your inbox

Missions

Christmas missions

Hey, I'm with you PA - Christmas should definitely wait till December. Thinking of you this weekend.

DID - hope the knee feels better soon.

I've lost track of the thread a bit, too much real life going on here. Am still feeling a bit worried about DS and school, had a meeting today and it sounds like his problems are worse than I had realised, and he is actually regressing in some aspects, however the school are doing their very best, we just have to help as much as we can too, makes me so sad to think of him struggling.

Anyway, off to do the ironing and catch up with the chores a bit. I have realised that I need to do less clearing up while the DCs are still up in order to spend more time playing with them and leave the chores till later.

Just a quick post to say hope all goes well tomorrow PA - will be thinking of you. Sorry to hear about your kneeDem.
Update on DS2 - he had indoor P.E (amazing in itself for his all boys grammar!) and didn't really notice that his kit was damp. No sneezing or anything so I don't think he'llbe getting pneumonia!!

See you all tomorrow....

Ah, ha PA we can't get much past you, can we? Not that we would try of course Good to hear you are not nervous and living up to your nickname as ever!! Brilliant that your dd1 is travelling down to see you too. Don't try and get out of hospital too soon will you? Try and rest a bit (if possible)!! All fingers and toes crossed for you this w/end and lobbing a few prayers your way too x

Oh that sounds stressful re ds and school MrsD. Hope the problems resolve themselves soon.

Sleep well DID (You too Linzer)

Agree Toffee that's a good point about previously successful bouts of Flying propelling one forward and providing motivation to do the next bit. (Took me about 9 months before I even began to get to that stage though )

Sounds good to me Highlighter!!!

G'night all ....

Highlighterpen / Stillconfounded I've waited years for my Aga, saved up the money ages ago, then needed to wait until we had a kitchen for it to go in! Had it for a year no and find it very easy to use (bar the not being able to boil the kettle and make toast at the same time ), but DH is still very wary of it, especially since he forgot that the pan handle will be hot when it comes out of the oven - DS learnt all sorts of language . I like not feeling that I have to batch bake, and can just make one tray of something.

Stillconfounded - my lists are only that only that long as I also seem to have so much to do, and so much that hasn't been done. I never seem to get caught up, and never complete a day's list

xposts Optimistic waves g'night

Evening all

systems never shower and shoes here. i cant even go to the toilet in the morning without waking up ds. so lie in bed in pain until time to get up.
mm hows you doing?
linzerhope the echinacia kicks in.
did hope muscles ease up soon.
toffee so glad mil is happy in her new room. i think you are brill too. go girl
bob meant to say ages ago omg at dd new beanbag. hope she really likes it. glad she had brill day at school other day too. oh and lakeland soup bags are fab. I bag up bolognase, chicken soup, cottage pie mix, curry everything in mine for freezer.
dolanette im not sure ive even said hello what is cleanaholics?
om have mental picture of your ds running around in pe kits with steam coming off his clothes. sorry not helpful. hope he was ok.
ihate lists are amazing, well done. think you deserve flyer of the week.
highlighter i had a day just like yours yesterday, spent all day faffing about with formatting a document on sage
hippo brill well done on list
sc st nick coming on 6th?? aw how cool. is that to everyone or is it just circumstances? lmho at dh trimming nose hairs and singing hallelua
mrsd so sorry tings are not going well for your ds at school. glad school are being supportive.
pa i think having your flying buddy forget about you is terrible .(tut tut tut sc) good luck tomorrow. x

waves to feetheart pmpy missb swan and everyone else im sure to have missed.

things have gone mad here. first real time apart fromvery late in bed ive got anywhere near mn to type much. off to sctoland tomorrow, stopping overnight somewhere around the lake districtif i can find somewhere cheap yet nice to stay.

today so far
work loads of invoices. dc nurseried. dc clothes packed, presents wrapped for scottyland. dw done, wm done, td doing. milk delivery on hold, shopping delivery on hold. carpet sample chosen and quote received [ouch emotion] shopping done on foot instead of internet, cleaned out car and boot.
still to
sort out dvd player and dvd for journey.make pack lunch, pack my clothes, dry ds jumper and jacket. find hotel for stopover. think thats it. so i better get on.

take care of all of you.

Done
Morning routine, DS to playgroup, Find sausages in freezer, Finish finalising Christmas shopping lists, Vacuum through house, Make DS bed, Hotspot x 2, item for To Do paper file, S/s, washing on line/airer, Finish zone cleaning - check over freezer contents, clean large appliances, clean windows outside, pet tray, rugs, wash cushions covers, clean doors - anything else I have time for, Thurs/Fri zone missions, collect DS, Shopping list for very nice farm shop near dentist, Post letters, Handwashing, Wash dusters
Change our bed, shredding, filing, book Aga service, create Christmas storage space in kitchen, pack day bags for Friday, pack bag for DS, cook tea, wash up, shine sink, clean Aga, set breakfast table

Still to do, but probably won't happen at its 10pm already, how did that happen!
Mending
Finish lavender bags

Early bed as have to be up early on Friday

Crikey Nettie and Cobwebs what are you both on? Fantastically busy days both of you.

Nettie St Nicolas visits low countries/Northern Europe on the 6th. It's when all the dc get their main presents. Lovely tradition and certainly takes some of the pressure off Christmas. (Although being an xpat dd benefits from both - we try just to split what she would have ordinarily get between the two days but one or two extra things always creep in somehow hence major declutter of playroom today!)

Have a great trip to Scotland!! Hope the weather improves for you!

Forgotten to wave to Swan as well!! And probably loads of others ... apologies ...

Right, really, really going to bed this time ...

stillconfounded thanks:) I got it all done bar the ironing. Started on the Christmas lists and started to create a wish list on Amazon as well so that I know what I am getting kids.

I added cleaning my hob.

I am driving miles to another meeting tomorrow so may not get the mission done.

sc sounds lovely especially when I'm worse than children for getting excited about Christmas. Once had full blown Christmas party in November.

Right I have done
sort out dvd player and dvd for journey. pack my clothes, dry ds jumper and jacket. find hotel for stopover-got to check accept late check ins. Also had to go to tesco just got back had to buy cat litter as dfil who normally pops in to see dpuss has decided she has to move in there which means no outside activity.

Anyway waffling now. I'm off to bed. Nite everyone.

Thanks all for your responses to my questions! very useful. Sounds like the morning thing will get easier as they get older. For the before bed routine the answer does seem to be a teatime routine, and I know what you mean SC about the meal planning thing (in fact far from being a long tedious answer I am tempted to print yours out! as what you do fits quite closely with what I need to.)

What I struggled with with Flylady was the message that if you could only get in the swing of it, it would all magically get easy; it never has here, so I felt like a failure often. Hearing other people's experiences of sometimes managing it and sometimes not is much more helpful!

Enough of that, list for this morning:
empty dw done
shower to shoes
meal plan for tonight
tidy up

this evening:
put clean washing away
tidy up to start weekend tidy(ish!)