If your nest is cluttered and getting you down, join February's Fledgling Flyers and turn it around

[pushmepullyou]

Welcome to the February Fledgling Flyers' thread. A very big thankyou to ToffeeChristmasCake (who will presumably return under her non-Christmas name ) for seeing us through the thick and thin of January decluttering.

All flyers and fledgings old and new are very welcome - we have a fairly relaxed attitude to flying and take some of the babysteps - such as getting dressed to lace-up shoes - with a pinch of salt. We also strongly advise against signing up for the FlyLady emails.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's tips on restoring order to our homes, using one of the following methods:

1. Babysteps
2. Babysteps + 15 mins daily decluttering
3. Babysteps + daily missions

Following the babysteps helps to establish daily routines and build a weekly plan.

If you are overwhelmed by the mess in your home, start with just one thing: shine your sink. It's amazing what you can achieve by just doing a bit at a time!

Pleased be warned that my month's leadership comes with a bit of a caveat as I am due to have DC2 at the beginning of March so there is a chance I may disappear mid month! Thankfully Toffee has very kindly offered to deputise in the event of the unexpected appearance of DS .

Apologies to Toffee (and by extension Ellie) for blatant intro plagarising and thankyou to Nettie for the thread title

See you all in February!

Pink - still happy and fairly serene here! Can't believe the transformation in my son after only five days' off school.

Linzer - sorry about the ongoing headache

Bob - I agree with those telling you to be kind to yourself. Lovely to have you back here.

Apologies for not doing anymore personal messages, but I have to post for motivation and then run (DS2 calling me):

Put rubbish out done
Where did teacher meeting forms go? confused - find them I had put them in bookbags already and teacher had taken them!
S&S done
D/W done
B/Fast done
W/M done
Lunchboxes done
School run done
Make beds done
T/D done
Put endless laundry away 15 mins done
(whilst DS reads for 45 mins, then has 15 min break, then does Maths for 30 mins) done
Hair appointment for me (DS has to come. What do I call this? Work experience? Life skills?) done
Lunch done
DS spend 15 mins writing diary (to practise handwriting and spelling and to learn months of the year. Truly, he doesn't know them - at 11! Either this is a dyslexic issue or he was off school that day wink) done
DS enjoy free time, whilst I do:
15-mins declutter
5 mins hotspots done
15 mins ironing (more if I can bear it)
Put more laundry away [bored emoticon]
School run done
PM routine starting
BB routine
Sleep

DS really didn't want to practise his handwriting, but I told him the secret of the timer and set it for 15 mins. I'm not sure he agreed that 'you can do anything for 15 mins', but he did it.

BBL.

Really glad things are calm Toffee. Long may it last!

Ogre, at last count we have 1 bike in back lounge (used to be 2), one in hallway, one in study, one in the shed. And that's just Dhs bikes. The dcs and mine are all in the shed too!

And for whoever asked about the bedroom bike incident, last year DH was nagged politely asked to remove bike from back lounge. Bike disappeared and I thought I had won the argument until I went to bed that night and nearly fell over the bike leaning against my bloomin drawers!! There followed a rather inharmonious amount of screeching from me and bike was removed back to the back lounge!
I do feel sorry for you with the motorbike bits in the bedroom.

Fairly productive day today:
Work - lots done and things prepared for the rest of the week, so a good start to the week!
Weekly supermarket shopping done
I got the hoover to co-operate enough to do the hallway and front lounge.
Chicken and ham in white wine pie cooked - smell yummy!
DW unloaded/loaded
WM unloaded/loaded
Rabbits cleaned out
Organised an International Supper menu for 80 people on Saturday evening. A fund raiser for DD2's gap year plans.

Ok, that doesn't look like much now it is written down. I was feeling good about things before now.

DH is not leading the role call for nominations of Husband of the year so far!! Latest incident: This morning I logged onto facebook and saw he had sent me a message. being the old romantic that I am, I thought, How nice, a love note from DH. "love note" read - "let me know when its valentine's day, you know I am really busy at the moment, so give me enough warning!" so I replied : "Here is your warning - if you come home and have your dinner poured over your head you will know you have missed it!"
I should really give up after 23 years of it, but I always live in hope!!!

Evening of being taxi for DS for swim training
more planning for the International Supper
Clearing kitchen
nag encourage DD4 with homework

Looks woefully inadequate, but hey ho!

The boiler is making a horrendous sound, much like the popping of popcorn
Plumber has been, but unfortunately not when I was there, Dh had manly chat with him which does not seem to have solved the problem of the boiler's innnards

I have been to Buildabear today - quite enjoyable
I have been to a Sewing Class today ("Making Sense of Your Sewing Machine") with my friend - most enjoyable
Dh has been ill, but entertained dd whlst I was at Sewing Class....
He has also supervised homework whilst I was out with dd.

Tiles (slightly hideous combo, (green blue and mango)which dh chose but I suppose we'll get used to them are nearly grouted, bathroom will be finished by Friday (I hope)

No housework has been done at all, except loads of laundry which dh enjoys hanging out!
And he has chopped up the Christmas Tree, thank Heavens for that, didn't want to say anything...

toffee I remember ds1 used to enjoy doing at least one little "school" related task/challenge a day, it didn't have to be much, but I think he just liked feeling he'd ticked it off, although everyone is different...I remember in Beavers the Scout Man in charge used to say that everyone needs just one bit of the session where you concentrate on something as well as the free bits...I always think about that now, even at children's parties...

Dd has a emergency friend over grumps have been averted...

Update while I drink my tea

Morning routine done
Walk DS to playgroup done
Get DH out of door done
Washing on line done
All tealights, lamps etc away *done8
DS bag packed for overnight with my mother done
Make beds done strip DS bed as wet again
Clear toys from DS floor so I can vacuum in there done
Grocery order arrive done - first time I've tried this. Delivery gentlemen knocked on door 3 mins early, said he was early, was I alright with that? Who would send him back to his van to sit for 3 mins until it was the "correct" time???
Groceries away done
Breakfast done
Washing up done
S/s done
Clean washing away done
Prepare end of year papers for IFE (Independent Financial Examiner) done and they balance to the penny, thank goodness
Write out WI cheques needed for next fortnight, as cheque book has to go to IFE done
Vacuum through house (as only part done before power loss yesterday) done
Mop kitchen floor done
RR our bedroom done
Zone cleaning done kettle, tops of cupboards, cobwebs (walls and ceilings), doors, shelves and ornaments etc, undersink cupboard, kitchen table, rugs, counters
Zone mission done
15 min declutter
Collect DS from playgroup done
Take DS to mother done
Take papers to IFE done took ages
Buy ribbon for toddler craft done
WI meeting prep - doing
Birthday cards for the month
Finish writing letter for mother
Pay playgroup bills
Filing
Tea (yesterday's cottage pie) - be lucky if I get round to it!
WI
Evening routine
BED!!

Best laid plans ...

Mother just phoned. DS is crying hysterically, and won't stop, so I'm off to find out what the problem is.

Ihatecobwebs hope your DS is ok.

have managed to do all the stuff on today's list except the ironing which I am hopeing to get to once the kids are in bed.

oh dear Cobweb very frustrating, hope he's all right

PA that sounds productive written down too, you know!

Feel in much better mood than yesterday, though everything is truly in chaos,partly because I think dh now realises what my afternoon are like (and my day for that matter) It is not just a question of saying cheerily to dcs, now little xxxx, let's have a lovely afternoon and be kind and helpful to each other, it's a case of dealing iwth fire flood and pestilence, and cookign dinner the same time (which he didn't)

Delicious dinner cooked and eaten
dd's friend walked home
made ds1 help me cook supper
dd placated,
ds2 ejected
conversation encouraged...

now to clear up kitchen
OFM Dh and I often feel guilty (perhaps not guilty enough)about not encouraging some bits of our dcs' education, I mean the bits they need more help in (in ds1's case fractions, coherent arguments, art) and in dd's case her spelling is atrocious, and ds2 never writes anythign legibly. I'm afraid in a way we've just accepted we can't do more than what we do without them and us imploding after school. If it was one child maybe we could put in the emotional energy, it is just impossible to keep the balls in the air. I suppose that's why people employ tutors at vast expense At the moment we just try and read everyone a story and do bare minimum of homework that's set, and that's about the limit with all the other activities they do...

evening all

wendy hi, enjoy book club

swan your posts do make me laugh (in a good way!) "DH has chopped up the Christmas tree...didnt want to say anything..." LOL ours is still in unchopped state propped at side of house

toffee sounds like you're doing brialliantly with juggling Home Ed and FLYing...remember to pace yourself!

cobwebs your lists are always amazing! Hope ds is OK

PA how can anyone write "organised an international supper menu for 80 people" and then say that it doesnt look much written down sounds like you've done brilliantly!

everyone else ...Hi...

well...despite rubbish nights sleep (me feeling unwell, stressed by arguing with DH, DS waking up etc) I decided to crack on this morning and attempt to be more proactive and positive today...didnt all go quite to plan...but think I survived well!

Done:
6 DC up,breakfasted, dressed and to school
dry washing folded
td loaded
wm re-loaded and on
dusted lounge
hoovered lounge
cleaned lounge windows
thorough s&S upstairs bathroom
planted 3 little pots of Iris in front garden]sorted last 2 bags of old clothes for collection
school run
work
back from work to collect DD2 and take home (see later!)
back to work
home
sorted few things with Nanny (long story!)
reading with DD4
3.7 mile run
bathtime for DS2, dd3 and dd4
replied to email from Ed Psych
tea for me

so...having had a very productive start to the day, when I was dropping DC off to school dd3 fell on the ice in the playground and banged her cheek. I sat with her for a bit and she seemed OK...so off I went to work (15mins late) only to be rung 1 hour later to say she was complaining of headache and could I collect her....sigh..
Turns out she is fine...but there was an incident last yr where a similar thing happened , to the same dd, where she hit the side of her head/face on the path and actually ended up with bad concusion and inhospital and the school didnt call me for several hours...so I complained, and now they are possibly over cautious, but I'd prefer it that way really...

so was a bit chaotic, back and forwards from work etc...

I also have horrible cold STILL and feel a bit rubbish...but will battle on!

I am also a morning person...can get so much more done in the mornings...really struggle in the evenings, but am trying to make myself to little bits each evening!

tonight I still have to:
reboot laundry
tidy kitchen
shine sink

then will also have early night with a book

bbtomorrow

I hope no one minds, but I'm going to stop dithering and take the bull by the horns and go ahead and do the round-up now if that's oK

(Its 20.30 here and we need the rest of the evening to make arrangements/phone calls as we have small family - elderly parent (ongoing situation) - crisis.)

Lionrock has had a productive first day Flying. well done! Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions and don't worry - you don't need to understand the whole system at first - it will become clear step by step.

Colourarc's dh has fallen under spell of Fat Fairy and produced a 4-week meal planner (we all want to marry him )

Toffee is feeling serene despite an early start and has been preparing for her ds's first day of home ed tomorrow

Elliepac is working late tonight again and is hopefully recovering from being stranded with Beavers yesterday

Pinkcushion has worked through the perfect Fly list - concise, realistic and achievable

Blijemuts has been ploughing through her ironing pile, ogling workmen and taking small people in and out of their warm baskets

Ihate has also been ogling workman, consoling her ds and has worked her way through a humungously long scary list too - hope you still have power!

Linzer still has a horrible headache but is battling on bravely with her list nonetheless [SC hands over pot of Tiger Balm]

Nicknacks has made up for yesterday by tackling lots of chores

Bob has been apologetic and shouldn't be but we wish her well with getting back on top of things

Feetheart has achieved alot on her list and has been shopping for stationery (I'd happily volunteer Feetheart btw - I'm a stationery junkie - it only takes the sight of some neatly stacked post-it notes and newly sharpened pencils to make me go weak at the knees)

Ballinderry is having a tough first week of Flying nursing her dh and dd (hope they recover soon)

Arabella is back - yay! - and has been battling pregnancy fatigue whilst working and looking after a lo but has managed to get loads done nonetheless!!! (respect!)

Wendyhappys has been doing her routines and will hopefully be enjoying her bookclub tonight having had a stressful day (we all become shouty mummys at various points)

PA has been as productive as ever - is organising a charity event for 80 people on Sunday - AND is trying to banish bikes from her house

Swanriver has been worrying about her boiler while building bears, sewing, washing and supervising her poorly dh (hope he recovers soon)

Stillchuckingit has just written a really boring and uninspired round-up!! Sorry!!!

Back in a mo to post step.

swan X posts , yes you're right...sometimes we just have to accept our limitations...

Sorry - cryptic plumage is me - SC - haven't changed my name back yet from other thread!

OM well done on your amazingly productive day despite all the difficulties and hope your dd3 is ok.

Swan is feeling a bit chirpier today! (So glad things are a bit better - receiving recognition for what you do IS SO important -and very demoralising/demotivating when you don't)

Oh yes, and I did 40 mins decluttering/tidying in the master bedroom today!!!

***

BABY-STEP no.9 for tomorrow, Wednesday 9th Feb is here It's an important one about decluttering a few minutes every day and includes a useful recap of morning and afternoon/evening routines.

We are in zone 2 all this week (the kitchen)

Tomorrow's mission is to grab toothbrushes and clean around kitchen sink taps (delightful!) here! and
here

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day. Boy d I need one of those

Will fly past later before bed! Have a good evening everyone and well done - you have flapped about with great productivity today

Evening all

No time to catch up on thread, but hope everyones ok. Am exhausted spending week in a special school and i'm finding it quite emotionally and mentally draining, plus still recovering from illness last week.

Have managed to

• 5 minute hotspot in DDs bedroom - pretty sure a bomb exploded in there
• 1 x wash and dry clothes
• Shopping
• Post some letters
• Online banking
• Pick DD up and tea
• Some uni research
• Shower

Now promised DH a cuddly night with chocolate muffins and as hes feeling neglected, then early night.

Tomorrow

• School
• 5 minute hotspot in my bedroom
• recycling and rubbish out
• 2 x washing loads (1 before and 1 after school)

Back tomorrow

SC Tell me more about Tiger Balm! Does it work on headaches, then? I think I may just have thrown away a pot... (given to us by my ILs, but it expired several months ago and I wasn't sure what it was for). I went to the chemist's this afternoon to try and get a natural headache remedy, but have somehow ended up with something that sounds far stronger than paracetamol and is apparently not good for your blood count if taken long term. Tiger Balm sounds more like the kind of thing I'm after!

I got very frustrated about the state of the house this afternoon - my inability to do anything in the mornings and having DH and the DC at home full-time this week is taking its toll. I'd hoped to have the mornings free while DH took the DC skiing, but DH has decided he'd like to go off skiing with DD1 while DD2 and DS do their course, and someone ought to stay nearby in case they need anything - that someone being me. Oh well, can't complain too much about having two hours to myself in the cafe with my book; I just feel frustrated at how little Flying I'm getting done at the moment.

tiger balm is great for tension headaches. Rub on temples (not too close to eyes) and back of neck/ shoulders. It is strong smelling but I like the smell. Be careful not to touch sensitive areas if you still have some on you hands though. Think that 4Head stuff is supposed ot be similar but not as good IMHO

Evening all,

Swan/OFM I left our Christmas tree on the drive in the hope that DH would cut it up or take it to the tip or something, arrived home a week or so ago and foundit had gone, I was very pleased till I noticed it had been simply dragged round the back and dumped in front of the garden shed, where it is likely to remain indefinitely till I do something about it.

PA my DH must have been talking to yours, just before I went to bed he rather sheepishly called me back to the lounge to tell me about some new loudspeakers he would like to buy that are a bit bigger than the existing ones (already take up too much space in our very small room), grrr. Then, tonight at about 6.30, he rings me from work, sorry forgot to tell me that he was going out straight from work, grrr again, how are you meant to menu plan successfully?

Waves at Bob - good to see you back on here again.

Anyway, moderate amounts of FLying here, loads of washing, one load a day doesn't seem to be enough any more. NEed to go and do the ironing and packed lunches now, see you tomorrow.

Good evening everyone

I am back from the technological wilderness ready to be impressed by your huge levels of flying activity

I still have a couple of jobs to do tonight, although some may slip untiol tomorrow, so will post a quick list while they're still fresh in my mind.

Washing on
Mop kitchen floor
Bins out *3
Online shop
Finances

Right, back for links and round up once I've had a chance to catch up with the thread!

Ooh hooray, Crypticplumage (SC?) has posted the links already, and done a fabulous round up as well. Thank you sooo much .

Sorry for being so rubbish over the weekend, I haven't had much in the way of internet access over the last few days. I hope you will all forgive me?

Hey all
flying by after Book Club, which was FAB as usual - lots of strong women airing their views and being lovely - and intellectual. As a SAHM I need that!
sorry no personals again, still haven't got to grips with everyone, need to read the thread more if I ever get chance!
Will have to try the tiger balm!
BB tomorrow hopefully.

Nice to see you back PMPY - I'm off to bed now, baby had a bad night last night so i need to catch up on some Z's.

Good night and I'll be back tomorrow!

I've done my evening routine, made tomorrows dinner and wrapped my Mum's birthday present :) Feel more together already.

I feel your pain Ogre dp is a music collector and it is currently filling one side of our lounge, we just got planning permission though so it should be moving soonish.

I've used 4head a few times Linzer which works for sinus pains, steam and olbas oil helps sometimes too. Hope it goes soon.

What are you doing MakingChanges ? I love dd's special school :) I think a lot of mainstream schools could learn quite a bit.

Lovely round-up SC thank you.

Hope your dd is ok OFM

I did grin swan dp stoof the christmas tree in the corner of the garden after christmas and it took me a week to realise it wasn't part of the hedge! Hope your boiler troubles are easily solved, our recent clunking was cheaply solved so fingers crossed.

International supper sounds lovely and like a mammoth task PA :) Well done.

I hope your ds is ok now ihate

I think I'll give the timer for hand writing a go too Toffee it's not ds' strong point and he loves knowing how long something is or how long until something etc etc. Thank you :)

Bookclub sounds lovely Wendy hope it was interesting.

Dd is asleep, so just need to sterilise all her bits for tomorrow, watch Charlie Brooker and head to bed, hopefully she may sleep for a few hours. Night night :)

Welcome back, PMPY. Glad to have helped with timer idea, Bob. Linzer - sorry you are having a hard time. Waves to everyone else.

Serenity didn't last. DS1 had a couple of meltdowns later today. But it helps to know that I don't have to force him to go to school tomorrow. Have had a few annoying responses from relatives: what about all this education he is missing? How can he miss school till he is 16? (the latter from MIL who has completely misunderstood the whole situation, but I really cba to explain it to her again); what about socialisation? I am bored of explaining myself to people. As if I would do this on a whim, FFS!

A small success: I finished the ironing . God, it was dull and if I came into money I would hire an ironing lady (and, yes, garland her with flowers).

Children are in bed. We have had . Am going to bed early.

Forgive the lack of personal messages, but I can't keep up and I feel weary tonight. It has been a good day with DS1, but I'm worried about him. We are seeing CAMHS again on Thursday and I feel like I should bring up the whole Asperger thing again. It's so exhausting. We have been down this road so many times.

been awol for ever so sorry, i have been flying my lil tushie off though if that makes any difference and have so far read as far as saturday.

PMPY sorry to hear your bil has had a crisis and is in hospital and that you are the sole supporter. Hope you get to have a little rest somewhere along the line.
toffee loving ds nickname flyboy have you tried him on any of the fly kids challenges. he might like them and they might be quite empowering to. school head does sound brill. sorry today has been so chalenging. hope your meeting tomorrow goes ok. tell intefereing busy bodies to stick it where sun dont shine.
swan art o level was o verrated! I took hire but as i have no imagination my artistic life was sadlylimited.
pa hoover is dyson all floors too. me no likey much but it does dothe job. do have a lovely miele washing machine which i love love love [wierdo emotion]
blijimuts i love the baskets for the wee people
linzer hope appt with ent specialist went well
bob would be linched i think if adminstered a kick up bum to you. soil give you a gentle tap on the shoulder. 'go girl'
cobweb hope ds ok

apologies to everyone ive missed but been reading since 8.30 and i cant remember nowt else.

now now i must berate those lovely ladies on this thread who are dissin our good impression, my house is a sparkly glittery clean haven and i am glad to leave it for two weeks to go to someone elses haven

im hereby signing out and hoping yoo all take great care of yourselves as well as all the others. see you lovely flyers in 2 weeks if not before (as i am addicted and will have some time on my hands)

Hi again, just flapping past on way to bed

(SC = CP. Trying to maintain anonymity (live in small xpat community) but not really working 'cos I can never remember to change name back again (twonk emoticon)!!

Yay! Welcome backPMPY thought you deserved a night off !! Round-up not half as suave as yours or Ellies though!! [Passes honorary feather duster back over to you but don't hesitate to pass it back if your bil's condition worsens or you have to travel again etc etc]

Hope you are OK Makingchanges and start to feel better soon. Enjoy the muffins!

Linzer As your headache is really bad, I doubt if Tiger Balm will help much tbh but it might 'distract' for a while. It looks like vaseline (buy white rather than red variety) and feels a bit tingly/prickly on the skin and has a strong menthol-type smell which certainly helps to clear the passages. (Same theory as Nasa-Sinutab - also good for sinus headaches - just different, more natural, means of delivery) I think its meant to work on the basis that if you feel the tingling on one side of your head, you won't feel the pain on the other! Have your cluster headaches been diagnosed as migraines or sinus headaches or any specific type btw? (Sorry, searched thread but can't find where you post about it.) The reason I ask is that one is often mistaken for the other and then you can easily get the wrong treatment. (Eg, I thought I was having migraines but I was actually having sinus headaches which felt like migraines and had similar symptoms and, like you, I have dust allergy too. Sympathies anyway - none of the above are any fun at all :( Try not to worry about Flying for a while and give yourself time to recover.

Book club sounds fab Wendy

lol at your rebounding xmas treeOgre

You've done brilliantly today Bob. Glad you are feeling things more under control.

Whey hey Nettie congrats on your sparkly haven and have a wonderful (and well-deserved) holiday!!!!

Ihate hope your ds ok and your dd OFM

See you in the morning everyone and great to have you back Pushme!