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!

To all of you looking for Lemondifficult's thread - you don't need to scroll for pages. Just press 'Ctrl' and 'F', then type the name in the little box that pops up. Then click on 'previous' until you find her. Easy!

Have done a crisis clean this morning and I have to say it worked a treat. Dividing it into 15-minute slots and changing rooms kept me motivated. Plus I found the budget book that I've been looking for since January!

Had a very frustrating phone call from MIL, who is now selling her house, but is panicking because she seems to think that whoever buys it will want her out straight away. I explained four times to her that it is normal to get a buyer for your own house before putting in an offer on another house, unless you're wealthy, but she just wouldn't listen. Kept repeating what she'd just said and talking over me until I wanted to screeeeam!

Am having another very nice day with DS1. He seems much younger since we started home schooling, which makes me realise what a school persona he used to wear and what a strain that must have been for him.

Swan - didn't realise you had twins. Very interesting that they were so different at school. Re: school trip - I felt really nervous beforehand, but it all turned out fine. We only had three children each, so it wasn't very difficult. Poor children having to do worksheets in Kew Gardens - that's definitely a place for running around.

My very tidy friend has had to cancel her visit because she has two sick children at home, so I am going to have a quick kip before the school run (sorry Ellie). There is very loud drilling going on next door (loft conversion), but I am hoping to be able to sleep through it .

no flying today (other than in and out of this thread) as have had toddler and now work.

hope you all have a lovely day.

Today is running very much like yesterday. DH is in bed and shows no sign of moving out of it today, DS is still running to the loo every few minutes, but I think (and hope) less frequently than yesterday.

Morning routine done
Washing up done
S/s done
Clean washing away done
Make DS bed done
Hotspot done
Vacuum through house done
Lunch done
Pay bills done
Cook tea done - beef casserole in the oven
Handwashing - doing
Walk down to village to give in books (have to leave DS here, as he isn't likely to get there and back without having to "go")
Get 2nd signature on cheque
Letters to post box - might chance DS coming with me for that
Wash 2 windows outside - if I have the energy
Find library books for tomorrow
Declutter 15 mins
Filing 15 mins
Tea
Bedtime routine
Evening routine
Mending
Clean fridge
Comp finance
Sow leeks, onions, sweetpeas

Toffee I feel for you re MIL move. I helped my mother move a couple of years ago, first time she'd sold a house, and we both found it very stressful. Worth it in the end though, as she now lives 2 miles away, rather than 100, and has walking access to shops, library, GP, vet etc.

Linzer I also dread DH working from home (twice a week), as he expects QUIET, and we have a 3 year old . He also seems to get in the way of my cleaning, and is a genius as making a sandwich etc (and a mess) when I have just cleaned up!

Swan how did you get DS sorted re the weeing?

Wow Toffee I really must study the technical bits of this site in more depth - thanks for info!

Found a post from Lemondifficult at Jan 29!!

Felt sure I saw her today though further up thread ... obviously need my glasses adjusting ..or my scrolling techniques ...glad to know she isn't a figment of my imagination anyway!!

and Lemondifficult if you are reading this - sorry to be talking about you "behind your back" as it were!! We just don't like leaving anyone out!!

Bon courage to Ellie CHB Ihate and anyone else who is feeling fatigued ...

Lovely doctor has signed dd off for the week even though I think she is fine to go back to school tomorrow ggggrrrr (she is bouncing off the walls as I type this). Dh has to go back for blood tests on Monday and I was sent away with "oh there are a lot of viruses about at the moment".

Today (am)
morning routine, inc s&s, dw on, wm on done
tidy dd's bedroom and sort out her books done
give dd good scrub + hair, nails etc done
try on-line clothing order on dd and put away or pack updone
wrap present for friend's new born done
lunch done
doctor done
make veggie pie done

Pm

continue laundry
some 15 min timer action in master bedroom and office
dining room table hotspot (again)
afternoon/evening routine
Masterchef!
early bed

See you later!

Cobweb I think it was just a question of saying...you can't go to the loo for x amount of time, because he wasn't confident that he could hold on, but could in fact. There was no illness in his case, it was just a phase at 3yrs. I think dh once had same problem as a grownup, and it was mind over matter Dr insisted [sorry very TMI - don't what's happened today, it's those twiddles

Two children are at Sports, Ds2 is trying out the Wii away from the competition.

It turns out that Ds1 is a Passport Controller so will not need a costume. Thank heavens for that.

Toffee oh dear that must be a lot of work helping her organise the sale; will the sheltered housing be nearer you?

I am now going to attempt to tidy children's bedrooms and hoover after piano lesson. A week's break now from all piano lessons

Cobweb it must be truly lovely having your mother nearby

Still - Ctrl and F is on the keyboard rather than the MN site. I think it's a trick I learned from my last job and had a boss who was very good at computers. He gave me all sorts of tips.

120 - did I see you pop in? Hello.

Cobweb - I fear the move and the organisation involved will be stressful for everyone, but it's the sensible thing to do as MIL will be nearer us then and we can help her out a lot more. And, er, she won't actually have to live with us anymore!

Swan - yes, sheltered housing near us. She is on the waiting list, but there are 12 people ahead of her. They may not all want the accommodation by the time their turn comes, of course, and some will have - ahem - 'dropped' off the list, so we are hoping it won't take too long. The warden is on holiday this week, so we can't get any current information on availability till she's back, which has thrown MIL into a bit of a tizzy. I know it's a big deal for her, but she makes such a fuss about non-issues. For instance, she is now worrying that her usual solicitor is going to be cross with her for using the estate agent's solicitor for the sale. I could deal with her worries if she would listen when I try to reassure her, but she doesn't. Just keeps going over and over it until I want to scream. And she doesn't understand at all about our concerns about DS1, which really upsets me. I know older people worry about all sorts, but when I'm worrying about how to get my work done, all the issues with DS1 and the usual child-related and domestic tasks that I do everyday I find it hard to be patient. I do try though and I hope she doesn't pick up on my frustration.

Rant over. Phew. Sorry.

Have spent the last hour and a half watching 'Laura's Star' with DS2. He'd seen it at school earlier this week and loved it, so I ordered it as a surprise for him. He is now cutting out stars and decorating them. I thought that would be a good activity to entertain him whilst I did dinner, but he keeps asking for my help , which wasn't the plan at all.

Must get on with the PM routine.

Thanks for the praise guys!
Hope you are all having a good day.
Sorry, not got time to read all the thread right now, later, i hope. So hi to all!

Today's done list so far:
DD & I up, washed, dressed, fed, off to swimming, counselling session, shops, post-office, home again.

Friend popped in for lunch and to use my shoulder to cry on.
Another friend popped in for a cuppa and to use me as a sounding board for future venture idea, and we ate cake!
Tidied up kitchen post guests! Did dishes, re-shined sink.
Folded yet another load of dry washing - not got 3 baskets to put away!
Gave the 2 friends in today their thank you cards & photos!
Emptied shower ready for landlord to fit new shower, and now i have done that shall prob be waiting about a year for him to do the job!
Applied cream to cat's sore paw.
Sorted out today's mail.
Replied to what seems like hundreds of texts, emails, FB messages, and am now prowling around on here!!!
xx

Supper was nice and easy tonight - the DC unanimously rejected the cassoulet left over from yesterday and had Cheerios instead (American ones, not the horribly sweet Nestle ones) courtesy of the friend we visited this afternoon (whose DH works at the UN so she's allowed to shop at the UN commissary ). They polished off eight bowls between them, so I doubt the two packets we got this afternoon will last very long.

Telephathically inspired by this thread, the DDs have rediscovered their Hama beads. I was going to write about how nicely (and neatly) they'd been playing with them, and then DD1 spread dozens of them all over the piano keys (a diversionary tactic as she didn't want to do her practice, I suspect). Luckily only one bead disappeared between the keys and that particular key doesn't seem to be affected.

Toffee Thanks for reminding me about Ctrl + F; I use it all the time when I'm working in Word and quite often use it on websites when I'm working, so have no idea why I didn't think to use it today. It's been too many weeks since my brain was in work mode!

swan Lucky you having a week's break from piano lessons. I sometimes wonder whether all the shouting (in DD1's case) is worth it.

SC It's difficult when the DC aren't well enough to be at school but not ill enough to lie in bed quietly, isn't it?

Must go and help put the DC to bed before DH starts wondering where I am...

Just updating, while I have a and gather up the energy for the bedtime routine (yes, I know its late, but I'm shattered, and finding it difficult to get the necessary omph together to actually get up and get on)

Morning routine done
Washing up done
S/s done
Clean washing away done
Make DS bed done
Hotspot done
Vacuum through house done
Lunch done
Pay bills done
Cook tea done
Handwashing done
Walk down to village to give in books done
Get 2nd signature on cheque done
Letters to post box done
Wash 2 windows outside done did all on that side of the house
Find library books for tomorrow done
Declutter 15 mins
Filing 15 mins
Tea done - but DH doesn't want any, and DS only ate a little, so I don't know why I bothered
Bedtime routine
Evening routine
Mending
Clean fridge
Comp finance
Sow leeks, onions, sweetpeas

Evening everyone!

I have achieved absolotely noting in terms of Flying today

Spent all morning picking up bits and bobs for DS1s party on Saturday
Spent all this afternoon searching for a non existant costume for DS2 (sorry DS2 no luck you cannot go to school in costume tomorrow :( )
lunch
dinner
DW
and
put out the bins and the garden stuff for the bin men tomorrow

Why oh why do I agree to make birthday cakes when it would be so much less painful to just buy one!

Sorry, I am so tired tonight the words are swimming
Hi and off to do my before bed routine ... will hope to find time to come and say hi properly tomorrow (I can live in hope), have skimmed the thread though ...
Night

Evening all

I'm going to post the babysteps now then go away and catch up with the thread. I have picked my bedtime as before 11:00 tonight and am hoping to stick to it

So tomorrow's babystep is to read flylady's eleven commandments. I am a bit embarassed to admit that I have somehow missed this step every month since I joined and had never heard of them. Anyway they are here and some of them are quite good

Tomorrow's mission is a particularly thrilling one - skirting boards and office supplies!

Friday night is date night, or indeed falling asleep in front of the television night in this house, although to be fair that is every night at the moment!

Right I've got an imaginary so here comes the round up

toffee has had a busy day HEing her DS.crisis cleaning and being very patient with her MIL who is moving house and getting in a flap

Linzer's DH is working from home tomorrow and likely to get in the way! Her DC have rejected cassoulet for cheerios. as I love cassoulet!

missjulie has learnt to customise her display and is very excited. She has also finished and impressive list, seen friends and generally had a productive day.

ellie is exhausted following the yesterday's birthday excitement and suffering from washing cba.

OM has made a coffee cake and is doing lots of washing

leo has been finishing yesterdays list and has achieved lots of things, but mostly not flying!

swan has twins, which I hadn't realised

CHB is knackered and skulking in a corner . She is suffering rather from cba, but has still managed to revamp her CV

SC and family are still plague ridden and have had a thrilling day at the doctors. SC has still managed to find plenty of time for flying though with an impressive list posted and done

wendy is shattered and says hello

feetheart has been trying to find something for her DD to wear to 'yellow day' . I guess I have all of this to look forward to, though we do get the odd peculiar fancy dress requirement at nursery.

Ihate's family are also still suffering, but her list length is creeping back up so hopefully she is feeling better

120 came by to say hello

Lemondifficult did not post today, but has inadvertently been the subject of much discussion as SC has confused us all . Sorry about that Lemon, do come and say hello if you're lurking!

I have done very well from a paid work perspective with the big horrible report finally finished and sent - as well as two little reports

Also dishwasher, washing and cleaned the kitchen so am generally feeling quite pleased. Falling behind on bin emptying (always my downfall) and hoovering (too big and cumbersome to really feel like doing it).

Push thank you for the commandments! I think I did laugh today, at SC and the lemondifficult otherwise I might not have laughed at all
I'd forgotten the routines are more important than zones or missions or getting sidetracked by loong loong tasks.

Luckily I was too frightened to come on the computer without tidying up, so have done my evening routine as fast as possible.

alsodone
picked up clogs for dd's costume from friend
ranted and raved about Russian costumes with poor ds2 (turns out Cossacks don't wear waistcoats)
sat with children whilst they watched telly about a mum going in a giant hamster bubble - what a lovely calm mum she was
cooked plain rice
Dh wanted no supper

felt a bit fed up really, have achieved little today except one Vivaldi twiddle
and threw out another bag of clutter

Evening all. Feel delighted to have been included in roundup despite only now finished my major task for last this week, which is a watercolour portrait for my friend. phew. now.. where is that bleach ?!

swan I know what you mean re routines. In the last few months I have fallen in to the habit of getting the house to a certain level of cleanliness/tidyness as soon as I have finished putting DD to bed. It's admittedly not a particularly high level, but it does make a big difference to keeping on top of things.

Right I'm off to bed , and before my self imposed bed time and everything!

PMPY - thank you for fantastic round-up

:) at SC and Lemondifficult hunt

Need to update the GO TO BED (do not hit Active Convos, do not pass Go, etc!)

• Finish Morning routine - sort of!
• 15mins in living room - did a bit, some still on floor
• Pack up and post stuff for ebay and my Mum - done
• Go into loft to find yellow dress for DD to wear as 'something yellow' for Non-uniform Day tomorrow - done
• Get DD to write invitation to friend - done all 3
• DS to swimming lesson - done
• Ice 36+ buns (in yellow!) - done
• Collapse in heap - done

The 'something yellow' hasn't been the problem, its the 'something yellow that meets some elusive criteria of DD's' that has done my head in today. Thank goodness DS is so laid-back he could go in a binbag and not notice be bothered :o

Bed now though the sound of DH snoring does not bode well

Update on done:
DD & I fed and watered, again. DD changed for be, cuddled, now sleeping (fingers crossed for the night....please!), clothes looked out for tomorrow, dishes done, sink re-shined, all DD meals prepared for tomorrow, complaint letter written, think that's about it! x

makingchanges - how did the swimming lesson go? Hope it went well. Tell me about e-cloths! Intruiged!

missing you peeps so much. having lovely holiday but so tired and have two dog-tired Lil children who are consequently being naughty and being berated by nanny and grandad for it and me and dad. Bought reward stickers today hoping they help me to undemonise my dc.

Dd has temp 39.6 which is adding to her complete inability to leave my side and my ds wont stop snoring (all 4 sharing a room). Dcousin 8yrold being 8 and doing her best to wind both up.

Sorry for moaning am having lovely time and normality will be here soon enough.

pmpy go baby keep growing don't want to miss Baby announcement so if can just stay put for a week.
linzer ds don't postcard if I cannfind a post box will send asap

huge waves to sc Ellie feetheart chb ogre cobwebs toffee swan mc Wendy 120 *everyone else who I've forgotten and can't scroll on iPhone properly to find

Hope you are all ok have read random postings but cannot keep up. Have downloaded linzer home routines app thx

Oops * ds done postcard!

Hi Nettie. Thanks for popping in. Sounds like you are having a typical holiday with small children (rest, what rest ?). Thank you for thinking of us!

Am awake because DS2 woke me by wailing and I discovered he'd thrown his duvet off and was all huddled up in bed, trying to keep warm. Tucked him back in, then thought, "Hmm, now I'm hungry...." and came downstairs for a bowl of cereal. It's freezing down here without the heating on, though, so I'm going to tiptoe back to bed in a minute.

Quick post before everyone else gets up - will try and sneak back on later to catch up on the chat!

Lovely to see you Nettie - I'd been wondering where you were. DS will be very excited about the postcard.

Today's list:

Weekly food shop
Morning routine
Mission - bathroom (have just checked and we don't have any skirting boards in our bathroom)
Mission - office
15 mins decluttering
Clean fridge
Pay hotel deposit
Pay church tax
Make appointment at orthodontist for DD1
Finish letter
e-mails
Afternoon routine
DD1 to dyslexia lesson
Pick up DS and friend (here overnight)
Send photos to GPs
DD1: thank you letters x2
DD2: letters x2
DS and friend to gymnastics
Evening routine