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!

swan - 'you love them not their lamp' made me :) Will see if it works on DD (and DH!)

SC - glad something sorted for now. Must admit I am dreading that stage with my DP's - they are in N Ireland and we are in Devon, Isle of Man and S Beds - I am probably closest as live nearest to an airport

DH up and about again, looking a bit chirpier but complained it was 'too sunny to sleep'! Has gone to office (in garden) so is out of my hair!!
Altered list included:

• Email friend again following reply to this morning's 'get your finger out' email. Still frustrating - done
• Run over to friend's with spare key as she locked herself out - refrained from tea and chat - done
• Work - done

Now to collect DS, walk home, play for 30 mins then go back and collect DD - friend swap not working as the 7yr olds have fallen out - grrrrr!

Toffee get rid of it now. When I had to clear my mother's house prior to her moving close to us, I found myriad of wedding presents that hadn't been used, weren't liked etc, and they just clogged the place up. She had a crockery set, never been used as they didn't like it, and I got her to ditch it, as the bungalow wasn't going to be big enough. She'd kept it for 47 years JUST BECAUSE it was a present!

SC sorry to hear about MIL and FIL problems. Hope things improve/getting sorted quickly.

Toffee chuck it! They probably dont remember what they gave anyway!

I am a bit intimidated by all the massive lists.

Had a crap morning at work today. Bloody Sage!! - and I am not one for swearing, so I must be rattled!! Sat looking at figures for hours and I cant make sense of what I have done wrong! I am going back this evening to have another look with a fresh pair of eyes. Grrrrr!
Had to unexpectedly take DD2 for a physio appointment - she conveniently missed the bus!!

For tea tonight I have promised DS a chinese banquet. why, oh why does my mouth open without engaging brain sometimes. Its the last thing I feel like doing!!
After tea, take DD4 to Girls Brigade and stop off at church and see if I can sort out Sage!
Cook tea for DH who is working til late and doesn't like Chinese.

Seriously CBA'ed to do anything else.
Roll on tomorrow and I will start again!!

I know you're right about the present, PA, Swan and Ihate (47 years! That really does put things in perspective. We have hung on to this for a mere 15 so far). But the trouble is that it was a present from my Dad and stepmum and my Dad died a couple of years ago, so I feel, stupidly, that he will 'know' if I throw it out and be cross with me or hurt. To be honest, the person who would probably like it is my stepmother (funnily enough, it is more her taste than ours - wonder who chose it!), but if I offer it back to her she'll know we don't like it. Argh!

Toffee Can't you say to her that you love it but unfortunately no longer goes with your decor/colour scheme/ sense of style . You wonder if she would like it and you would hate to let it go if it wouldn't be appreciated as much as you do.

Nicknacks - I might be able to say that. It would certainly appease the guilt. And she might even say, "Oh, it was only cheap - just chuck it out!", but I doubt it.

Just updating the to do part of my list so I can see what's left for this evening. Tea was late as DS had a potty accident in the bathroom, managed to upturn potty complete with contents onto bathroom floor (which is unfortunately cream carpet that came with the house)!

Wash up done
Zone cleaningb done for the week
Zone mission done all now
Put tea in oven done
Take DS for walk around village, posting letter, cheques etc done
Collect kindling done
15 mins in garden done
Work out with DS what seeds he wants to sow this year
Write out seed list
Unpack DS bag
Tea - doing
Bedtime routine
Evening routine
Playgroup financial report
Menu plan
Shopping list
Clean fridge done
Toddler craft preparation

Hello, and MY haven't you lot been busy!

I'm short of time to read and catch up - sorry - but I've had a busy couple of days.

Yesterday was a family day out - started off as a really boring appointment but it went really well and we got some great news so we had lunch out to celebrate, and the DC were angelic and then we had a nice walk and ooooh it was all just lovely.

Today DP was under my feet this morning, and then we were out for a walk with friends this afternoon and then had visitors soon after we got in, so I haven't got much done at all. But I've a friend coming tomorrow (it's really a playdate but I hate that term I'm afraid and so I'm posting an evening list for myself to crack on with now I've at last got both the DC in bed:

Tidy living room
Fold today's laundry
Dishes, sink and surfaces
Clean fridge out
Tesco order due - will need put away
Some sort of brief bathroom grooming effort

Phew. Then I'll come back, catch up, and find out what I ought to have been doing these last two days!

:)

Thank you for the list tips to give me more motivation.

I'm off to shorten the lists for the rest of the week and see how i get on.

O,dear haven't managed to get on line at al today. Been sick as a dog . Unfortunately it was totally self-inflicted but therefore not less scary. Have given up smoking after 30 years and have been doing brilliantly for the last 3 and a half weeks.
Got a paper in the papershop this morning and somehow thought I 'needed' some fags too
Got to work as usual and decided to see if they would still taste as nice after quite some time without.
Lit one,smoked one didn't even really inhale and wondered what all the fuss was about.
Went back indoors and all of a sudden came over all weird. I felt really wobbly and lightheaded.
I sat down and broke out in a cold sweat and started to feel sick. Luckily I didn't have to be really sick but got as far as retching (sorry TMI).
Felt really weak after that episode,trembling legs,the lot.
I actually HAD to lie down for an hour to recover.........
This is the woman who hasn't been ill enough to take to her bed for 23 years!!!
It has really shaken me up and the thought of having another cigarette makes me feel all queasy again.
On the positive side that should probably put an end to it properly now
Have just done the MUST DO'S today and hope to be back on full strength again tomorrow

All there's left for me to do this evening is
Watch Waterloo Road with DC's
Put small people back in clean,warm baskets
Have cuppa T and slab of chocolate
Go to my own basket,read for a while and ZZZzzzzzz
Take care my fellow fledgelings hope you all have a good Night!!

Lekker Slapen (sleep well)

evening all

am just so ridiculously tired this evening!

Looooong day at work, ward round with new consultant took forever...sigh....
and generally really manic day...in middle of which I had quite rude phonecall from Ed Psych about DD3 (yes how dare I have opinions about my own duaghter, or dare to want to speak him after he has been in and assessed my daughter...tut!) but have managed to arrange meeting with him for 21st. Have now also written suitably snotty letter back summarising my concerns and asking for a copy of his report...we'll wait and see...sigh

am off paid work tomorrow and Friday though...so will be doing some major catch up on the FLY front!

so sorry ....much too tired for individuals...but waves at everyone and randomly distributes and chocolate for those in need!

BBtomorrow

blije gosh, sorry to hear you were so poorly, but as you say I bet it will be a brilliant deterrant in the future!

Oh blijemuts sorry to hear you have been ill- even if it was self inflicted! Like you say though it has a positive side....I can't see you going near another cigarette! Have to say I'm very impressed by your guest house commitments. I also work from my home so know what it's like to have it on 'show' but i fail miserably and always running around at the last minute with the hoover!

Toffee I hope you manage to find a solution that you feel happy with. You shouldn't feel guilty though, 15 yrs is long enough lifetime for a lamp anyway, and I'm sure you appreciated the sentiment of the gift even if not to your taste. I doubt he'd be hurt by you giving it a new home, it's memories and thoughts of a loved one that matter not material possessions.

I had a pretty shocking day today (see above-I got too ambitious and failed) so as advised I have shortened the lists going forward and I resolve to do better. It's shocking how quickly it all goes wrong again, isn't it?

Hopefully BBL!

Riiiight then. I'll confess to only reading today's posts because I'm not quite finished for the night.

Welcome monkeytennismum - this thread's great for kicking you up the arse motivation to get things going on the housework front :)

Sorry to hear of your PIL situation SC ... we've been through similar with my grandparents and it brought the whole family together in the end, which was a silver lining.

Linzer, I hope you find a solution to your headaches soon, it must be rotten for you :(

optimisticmumma have you tried giving your washing machine a swift whack? I find that an effective remedy for all sorts of white good ailments!

feetheart and swan I hope your DH/Ps get their acts together and stop frustrating you - will men never learn that it's not a good idea to frustrate a woman?!

leo and blije hope you're both feeling better soon (and well done on giving up!)

Hope dinner was tasty PA, I had lentil soup and what I would give for chinese right now ... mmmmmmmmmm!

Toffee I sympathise with your lamp dilemma. Sell it and spend the money on something you'll love and use? Or give it to a charity shop - something fitting which your Dad would have approved of? Definitely get rid though, hoarding's soooo 2010

Hello to everyone else :)

Tidy living room done
Fold today's laundry
Dishes, sink and surfaces done
Clean fridge out done
Tesco order due - will need put away done
Some sort of brief bathroom grooming effort
Sweep and wash kitchen floor done

Hi all!
DH home from off-shore! :) He noticed the shiney sink!!! Lol! Sink must have been well manky if he noticed!!!!!

Hope everyone is having a good day! Have got hardly anything done!!! ;)

Evening everybody . Back in a minute with the roundup but in the meantime here are tomorrows links:

I'm glad to be back for tomorrow's baby step as it is another of my favourites applying to both flying and life in general - you can do anything for 15 minutes

Although I am still far from being a domestic goddess I am much more on top of my house day to day largely because of this babystep - I am a terrible procrastinator by nature . I also find this babystep very useful at work, particularly the boring administrative parts.

As you all know this week's zone is the kitchen, and the mission is surface cleaning your large applicances

For this mission I would strongly recommend either the marvellous e-cloth or some kitchen towel and windowlene.

As you will probably remember from last week, Thursday is errand day, so a good excuse to leave the dusters behind and go shopping

Evening all

Bob - I'm training to be a teacher so in special school to get an idea about what happens there etc.

OFM Glad you stuck up for yourself with the ed psych. I can't believe how much you have had to fight over the last 6 months with various similar things. You can see how children can slip through the net when everything is such a battle.

SC hope you sort out getting to PILs and that they get better soon.

blijemuts hope you feel better soon but as you said, will probably stop you from re-starting.

MissJulie my DH noticed when I first started flying, does make you wonder about the state of the house before.

Doric glad you got some good news, sounds like a couple of busy days though, hope you get some relaxing time soon.

Swan hope your day is more productive tomorrow.

Well busy day in school today, then had to parcel up and post a parcel before last post, shopping and pick DD up. Have a shimmering sink tonight, have tidied uni paperwork and bills etc from kitchen side, done recycling and bins and sold some CDs on musicmagpie. 2 loads of washing, washed and dried and ballet clothes washed and packed for tomorrow.

Now going to try to be organised for tomorrow and do packed lunches and lay out uniforms before bed (I never do that and alsways regret it - today was amazingly late because of this).

Tomorrows list

• Print off uni notes
• Write up report on school placement
• Fold up massive pile of clothes that need to be put away
• Another load of whites to be washed cos DH just washing his own this morning!!
• Hoover around downstairs
• E-mail uni about incorrect information
• Yoga class tomorrow night
• print out receipes for menu planning on Friday

Back tomorrow

Bedtime soon (after I've done my exercising), and finally, finally I will have finished a list

Morning routine done
Make beds done
S/s done
Dumped and collected DS done
Lunch done
Clean washing away done
Handwashing done
WI paperwork (including counting and bagging over £16.00 in loose change, mostly coppers)done
Paid playgroup bills done
Wash up done
Zone cleaning done for the week
Zone mission done all now
Put tea in oven done
Take DS for walk around village, posting letter, cheques etc done
Collect kindling done
15 mins in garden done
Work out with DS what seeds he wants to sow this year done - every bean possible, cabbages, carrots, potatoes, peas, lettuce, and "dark blue flowers"
Write out seed shopping list done
Unpack DS bag done
Tea done
Bedtime routine done
Evening routine done
Playgroup financial report done
Menu plan done
Shopping list done
Clean fridge done
Toddler craft preparation done - foam heart keepsakes to sticker up as much as they choose

linzer is still suffering from horrible headaches , but is excited to discover that she can highlight her own posts - hopefully in a soothing colour!

CHB has spectacularly failed to set a bedtime and stick to it - a common theme for many of us on this thread, myself included.

Welcome to monkeytennismum jump straight in and don't be intimidated by long lists or our incessant chatter! It is just that sometimes some of us are better at talking than cleaning.

SC has added an extra day to the month - not this month please, I'm hoping for a baby soon! Very sorry to hear about your family crisis. It doesn't seem to be a good week for healthy inlaws! I hope your DH is feeling better very soon as well.

OM is struggling with her newfangled washing machine

wendy has admitted that she too struggles with the going to bed early component of the flylady routine. Phew it is not just me and CHB!

swan is being annoyed by her DH

toffee is juggling paid work with HE her DS1 and flying. I am impressed and exhausted just thinking about it! She is also struggling with unwanted gifts. I had similar problems in the January declutter forcing myself to get rid of past presents that we either don't like/need or have space for or a combination of the above. DH helped by forgetting who had given them to us and trying to offer them back to them

leo is not very well - hope you're feeling better this evening

Nicknacks is worried about losing her mojo. I would second (or indeed seventh!) the advice to cut down your list and take tomorrows 15 minute babystep to heart - it is a lifesaver if you're getting a bit overwhelmed.

feethearts best laid plans have been inadvertently scuppered by her DH. But she has hoovered the stairs, which has been on my list for an embarassingly long time!

ihates DS is feeling better and she is celebrating with a customary monster list!

PA has had a rubbish day at work falling out with the accounts system. We have Sage at work, and it drives me mad too and I barely have to use it! Chinese banquet sounds wonderful.

doric 's DP has also been under her feet today. What is it with the fly men today?

biljemuts has accidentally poisoned herself with a sneaky cigarette! Well done giving up - I gave up before I had DD, but have to admit to the odd cigarette on nights out (although there obviously haven't been any of those for a while!). It is so nice to be free of the health worries, smell and financial committment!

Overflowing is tired and cross with educational psychologists, but is gamely handing round wine. Much appreciated here

missjulie has impressed her DH with ehr shiny sink - and they say romance is dead

pushmepullyou has been at work all day, finally got her DD to bed at half 9, and oddly lost the use of her pelvis . Ouch! Hopefully it might be a bit better tomorrow, but I think I might have reached that uncomfortable stage of pregnancy where you convince yourself the baby is going to be early because you can't imagine another 4 weeks of this . Why does it always seem like a good idea to work up to my due date?

...and making changes has had a busy day today and also been incredibly organised and managed to post tomorrow's list already!

Wonderful roundup, PMPY, thank you. at your DH trying to give unwanted gift back to the person who gave it to you.

Good advice on selling it/donating it, Doric.

Ihatecobwebs - you deserve a round of applause and a gold star!

OFM - I hope you are now tucked up in bed - you sound exhausted. Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time fighting for your DD.

Big achievement for today is that DS1 can now recite the months of the year and is all pleased with himself. Why on earth he didn't learn this in six years of school I do not know .

Have to go and finish my Tesco order now, then off to bed.

PMSL! The romance id DEF not dead in this house!
Night night ladies!!!! xxxx

Morning all,

As you suggested, Toffee, I've given up on getting much more than my routines done this week - half-term is not compatible with Flying, I've discovered. Am wondering how the house can get into such a mess when we're out most of the day, though.

CHB Good to see you again!

SC / wendy I've also been wondering whether my headaches could be hormone-related. [Warning: more waffling on about my health problems - please feel free to ignore!] I forgot a pill at the start of this month's packet, phoned my gynaecologist in a state of panic (as advised to do on the packet - well, apart from the panic bit), who was very reassuring and said it was highly unlikely I would be pregnant but that my cycle might be all over the place this month - so I suppose it's not unlikely that could be causing/affecting the headache too. Dehydration could well be another factor - I've added drinking a glass of water to my routines, but still don't always manage to do so.

SC Sorry to hear about your family crisis; I hope you manage to find a solution soon.

Welcome to monkeytennismum.

swan DH also annoys me by getting in the way of my Flying when he's around (as he is this week). He always has ideas about what needs to be done that differ from those on my list - or wants to go shopping, and we somehow end up with yet more clutter (yesterday Bratislava - he's even more of an M&S fan than I am - and today Ikea).

leo Hope you're feeling better soon.

NickNacks I think I may have to take some of the advice you've been given about lists getting too long! One day def. isn't long enough for our living room either, but it's all to do with February being a short month - we usually get three or four days in the living room (it should be four days in March if I've worked it out correctly.

Toffee I've occasionally given presents away (to charity) and have justified it by telling myself that someone else will appreciate the present much more - and I'm sure that the giver of the gift would far rather that the present is being used/enjoyed instead of sitting in the back of a cupboard for years. I'm sure there would be someone somewhere who would appreciate your lamp - and I'm sure your dad would understand.

doric Glad to hear you've had some good news.

blijemuts Sorry to hear you were feeling so ill today - I guess you won't be rushing out to buy any more cigarettes in a hurry!

PMPY Hope you recover the use of your pelvis today! The final weeks of pregnancy, when you're getting more and more uncomfortable and can't wait for the baby to arrive, aren't always much fun, are they?

Phew, managed to catch up while the DC are still asleep - apologies to anyone I've missed. Will make a start on my morning routine now before they get up (although I suspect I won't get much further than emptying the dishwasher).

Happy Flying everyone.

Morning!

DD woke me with a poo explosion at ten to six. But DS slept through until his bunny clock woke him up at half past six - the second full night's sleep he's had in about a year, wahey!

Visitors this morning, and the breadmaker to clean (I have no idea what went wrong but the smell of freshly baked bread this morning is because the loaf I had on to cook overnight seems to have overflowed the tin and filled the internal part of the machine with billowing folds of dough , and not because there's a perfectly cooked crusty offering in there).

Hey ho.

List for this morning:

Feed DS
Feed DD
Shower
Bathroom
Breakfast dishes
Breadmaker

That's all that's realistic today!

I'm still hanging in here, but only just. I am finding it difficult to find time and energy to do flying.

I'll keep trying.