If you're house is cluttered and you're Mad as a Hare, join March Fledgling Flyers and get it all square

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Following on from the February Fledgling Flyers thread, welcome to March. This is the thread that follows the Flylady website (loosely) for getting your home decluttered and your housework into routines, whilst dispensing tea and chat freely.

A big thank you to PushMePullYou for leading us through February ably assisted by ToffeeFudgeCake. We had a huge influx of new posters as well, which was lovely, anyone else who is lurking, please say hello, you will be 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!

My some of you ladies start flying early Linzer!

Systems @ ?spring Cleaning Phenomena?.
Maybe that?s what I?m experiencing! I?d never heard of it either but I think I like it and long may it last

Perhaps @ chicken pox. You have my sympathy.

Feetheart Yaaayyyyy @ free morning

Toffee I feel your pain. You DS?s sound exactly like mine and I can never seem to escape their constant bickering. They are both off sick just now and winding me up won't stop fighting and arguing and moaning.

So I'm off to a slowish start today. Thus far I've :

emptied and reloaded dishwasher
tidied and wiped kitchen surfaces
S/S
washed down kitchen door to hallway and downstairs loo door
Emailed accountant

I think I did todays mission yesterday but i'm not sure.

anyway still to

Get dressed
go to post office
Go to Tesco
unload washing machine and stick a new load on
tidy out shoe cupboard under the stairs [if that is indeed todays mission. Still
hoover
tackle some ironing
make dinner
Evening routine

I'll catch up with everyone later. I enjoy reading this thread in the evening. It helps me wind down. So I'll pop back in then. Have a nice day y'all

toffee not surprised ds1 is jealous, please don't worry about decimals - I would enjoy the walk with both together - it's just a different kind of day really, no less educational I'm sure.
Mine get soo jealous of each other, although then they complain bitterly there's no one to play with when they are alone. They follow each other around picking fights sometimes

I sent off the electronic confirmation to Council as well as the paper form - that should do it!

Feet I would just concentrate on one thing you want to change about hovel/palace and see how that goes down with dh. My nagging has finally paid off with dh, it is just a kind of blindness [grr]. He now admits all the things I've changed which he fought tooth and nail over, are for the better.
He even asked why I wasn't hanging my coat up on the new coat peg and still draping it over the kitchen chair

I don't think it is even about money, more that they don't like change or can't see that it can be achieved quite economically - certainly dh spends more on pizzas wine than he ever was prepared to spend on anything else.

Anyway enough advice Feet advice is always annoying, just sympathy, v. hard to put up with having no control over situation.

Completely agree some people can't cope with change; we had a very ugly lopsided leylandii ruining the beautiful view over our garden, one of my friends cut it down for me a couple of weeks back and dp still can't get his head round the fact that it's gone, although it makes the view so much better!!

Feet huge sympathy from me too. Is there any space at all you could carve out as being just for you?

It's so lovely to come back to this friendly thread and have lots of comforting words from you all. Thank you, Funambulist, Simone, Celestial (sorry to hear you have both at home too!) and Swan. You all made me .

Swan - you are quite right about decimals. I keep worrying that we are not doing enough 'education'. In fact, DS1 (11) has had quite a different sort of education today. When we came back from our walk (which restored our spirits - lovely sunny day here), he insisted on making us a 'surprise' to make up for his grumpiness this morning. We were finally allowed back into the dining room by him, to find that he had cooked us sausages and baked beans all on his own (he had even used his own money to go to the corner shop opposite and buy the sausages). He had worked out how to use the tin opener on his own and had even cleared all the clutter off the table and put it in DS2's room (excellent early Flying skills displayed there). He was so proud of himself and rightly so. To be honest, I am a bit worried about whether he cooked the sausages right through, but he assured me that they were piping hot and I couldn't hurt his feelings by not eating them.

They have now persuaded me to let them watch telly together whilst I do some work. I was going to make them wait till this afternoon, but this gives me time to get on with my own stuff. Nice to have them both in a happy mood again.

Off to do some proofreading now. Back later.

Feet - have only just read your perfectly understandable rant about living in DH's home. That must be so hard. I think everyone's house descends into a mess when life gets busy (holidays, work, etc) - mine certainly does. And, like you, I sometimes get furious that I'm the only one who does anything about it. Recently, I have started giving the children small chores and asking my husband to get into just one small new habit (bringing his coffee cups downstairs, instead of leaving them to pile up by the bed). It's like my own version of the babysteps. I'm hoping that, gradually, I can train them all to help me in the house .

I don't know what advice to offer, but have a shedload of sympathy and some and . Oh, and here's a too.

Oh dear. Not going to plan today. DH's car broke down so had to rescue him and drop him off at work and DD late falling asleep for nap so only 45 mins to get things done before school run and opticians.

Washing machine just finished so off to hang out and will then tackle the junk mountain collected during decluttering earlier in the week!

No sunny weather here, freezing cold wind and cloudy.

Not much Flying either, just got back fom work via Sainsburys and having a quick cup, half an hour till I have to leave for school, then the DCs have tennis, so we won't be back till about 6.

Toffee that's is lovely that DS cooked for you, well done to him.

I need to get going with the garden too, have got potatoes chitting but that is all. I am setting up a gardening club at the DCs school with a couple of other parents and teachers, it starts on Mon, so I have been mainly focussing on that, I am a bit nervous!

Better go, see you later

List update to keep me motivated:

Morning routine done
Mission done
15 min decluttering done
Purge magazines
Menu planning
Write shopping list
Finish letter done
Do recycling calendar done
Pay friend for flowers no - didn't see her at kindergarten pick-up
Afternoon routine
DD1: letters x2
Send photos to GPs
Buy stamps online
Print out photo of DS for friendship book
Evening routine

DD2 is at a friend's and DD1 has disappeared next door, so I really must make an effort to get on with some things while DS watches Fireman Sam. (Must also set timer for half an hour as he has been watching far too much TV recently.)

Mollys Oh no, I hate it when things don't go according to plan and I have far too little time left to get everything done.

Toffee What a lovely surprise your DS prepared for you. I think getting out does everyone good (particularly if you have nice sunny weather ). Hope you manage to get some work done now.

Celestial We're an hour ahead here in Austria so I wasn't flying quite as early as it looked! (Plus school starts at 8 am here.) Constant bickering sounds all too familiar; it really wears me down sometimes.

funambulist E-cloths are great as you don't need any additional cleaning products, just water. More details on how to use them here.

simone I think the shoes are supposed to be lace-up ones so that you can't take them off as easily. As you may have noticed, opinions on this thread are divided when it comes to wearing shoes indoors (lace-up or otherwise).

feetheart I know exactly how you feel, as I have regular state-of-the-house strops. It must be even worse if you don't even feel like it's your own home and are surrounded by other people's things (it annoys me enough that DH has to keep all his old school and university books and notes, although I have persuaded him to keep his old toys at his parents' house). I also get very frustrated at how the house descends into chaos if I don't have time to do any flying for a few days, but keep telling myself that regular decluttering will make things easier.

perhaps Sorry to hear about the chicken pox; hope your DD isn't suffering too badly.

Right, must make a start on things before DS's TV time is over.

One hour's work completed! Hurray for telly!

Well done, Toffee!

The TV is on again here. We've done some of DS's CBeebies magazine and picked DD2 up, and I'm now reluctantly allowing him to watch one programme - during which time I'm hoping to get my menu planning done and shopping list written.

nips into to say hello

peers at cobwebs and heads off with pink feather duster

feet picking on me . I only have long lists as I always seem to have so much to do - would love to have short list and more me time!

Molly I'm glad I didn't have to dress up DS for Book Day - thankfully he only needed to talk about a book he liked at playgroup.

Simone I think she advocates lace up shoes as they are more difficult to remove, so we're less likely to curl up on sofa with book, MN etc etc

fun I pick and choose missions so that I do the ones in areas which are clear, and leave the ones in areas that still need be decluttered (the wardrobe floor, under the bed )

Hello everyone - hope everyone (regulars and newcomers) are OK

Sorry to have been awol
No time to Fly!
Was in office until 11.45pm last night preparing a presentation for new client. Dh arrived home from from business travel at 6.30pm, at which point I handed over dd and a plate of chicken and headed out the door. We actually coincided for one morning and he set off to the airport at lunchtime today to support pils. Half term next week but I am assuming will be continuing in the same manner ... so have decided to bite bullet and take dd off myself to holiday cottage for a bit of fresh air, rather than wait around here for dh to appear!! (We were planning to all visit pils as family but apparently not appropriate atm...)

Anyway [deep breath]

Can't keep up with this thread. Can't remember if I have posted this before but can't find it if I have (so apologies if I'm repeating myself) !!

Glad you got the news you wanted Swan!!
and your evening sounded great Ellie
Ihate you know we are all in awe of your lists really!!! Very of your seedlings too Feetheart sympathies from here also re: state of house strops! I've been "camping" in this house for over eight years and can't do a thing with it until we renovate properly!! Deeply, deeply frustrating ...
Glad your day got better Toffee
Waves to Pushme and CHB

For everyone feeling frazzled - don't worry. Feetheart has it right ... Flylady herself took at least 9 months to get her house under control (I'm taking much longer!) We all do it in different ways - best to adapt system to suit yourself - some with long lists, some more succinct, some posting lists and not doing them [SC looks shifty] some crossing off every item. The most important thing to remember is to just do a bit - small steps - 15 min bursts - EVERY day and stick to basic routines. It helps.

Dying to read through rest of thread - looks so interesting; phrases such as "May I call you Snot?" and stuff about growing chillies and poltergeists ..

Sadly, must dash ...got to gather parts of dd's Carnaval costume ready for tomorrow and slap together a veggie pasta dish....and then after dd is in bed, get back to work work ...

Humunguous waves to all though!!!

Forgot to say:

Patience - wish I was starting from afresh .. still madly decluttering

perhaps hope cp better soon

Dolanette good to see you back!

[thinks...can I bludgeon encourage ds1 to make a lasagna/e(?)tonight a la *Toffee]

back from Parents' Eve, not much to report except they seem surprisingly well behaved in school and can't spell.

I have never been so glad to get back to tea and toast in my life, it so cold outside, bags so heavy and I feel exhausted by ss school talk, piano and thought of tonight's Catechism meeting.
Telly, tea and buttered toast that is!

list
WBookday final costume lineup - force children to assemble
ds1 - lasagne & prepare salad, wash carrots, lay table (mostly me I think)
rr of bathroom
put away clean sheets

more needed, my fingers still feel they are going to drop off

Evening ladies. Didn't get on this morning as we went on a playdate that lasted all day!

So far today I've done

Morning routine
hoovered living room
school run
kids tea
emptied dishwasher

still to do
hoover dining room, hall and kitchen
mine and DH's tea
dishwasher
sort and put away laundry as I didn't do it last night

SC hope you survive - I think you are being a bit of a heroine to deal with business and dd singlehandedly. P.S.I go to holiday cottage without dh sometimes, a bit of a struggle, but has its own rhythmn [sp?) - mostly fry-ups I mean and chatting with neighbours. Can't wait to get back there and be by the lake again.

DD2 and DS are getting very fractious, so I think an early night is in order (although still need to fit in piano practice x2). No sign of DD1 and the neighbours weren't answering the phone when I phoned to say she should come home for tea, so I'm hoping she'll have eaten there already.

All three DC will be staying overnight with friends tomorrow so we can have a Friday date night for the second week running (must point out that it's not normally even an annual event). I quite fancy going into Vienna - haven't been out for dinner there for years (only once post-DC, I think) - but even a meal out in town would be a luxury.

Hello Alice

cobwebs We are indeed all in awe of your lists!

SC I'm not surprised you haven't had time to fly - hope you're able to relax next week (holiday cottage sounds lovely).

Off to supervise piano practice no. 1.

Not much flying at all from me yesterday or today i'm afraid.

Yesterday I had friends DD again and today i took my DD swimming and went to see my auntie for lunch. Also have a client coming round tomorrow about a possible contract and so have been busy printing off paperwork and rearranging furniture tidying up for them.

But back into it tomorrow!

Tomorrows list

Morning routine
Meet with client
DD to clinic
15 mins decluttering in DD's room
15 mins decluttering in DSs's room

crappy crappy day got off to a good start then had to go to college. preg hormones mixed with stopping smoking do not go! [grumpy cow emoticon]

my list for tonight

bath ds1, 2 and 3

get ds1, 2 and 3 to bed

shine sink

brush downstairs floors

wipe down surfaces

watch eastenders

get clothes ready for morning

do some assignment work

have shower and get into pjs

go to bed!!!

will catch up with thread at assignment time

Day went downhill again with fractious children (around dinnertime, so probably low blood sugar, but still...). Very, very wearing. Am going to update my list for my own peace of mind, then go because I have to run the bath, get DS2 to bed and get DH's birthday Thai meal ready (from a box, not homemade!) before he gets back at 8ish.

S&S done
Empty d/w done
Put washing on done
Reload d/w done
Make beds done
T/dryer done
Maths with DS1 tried
English with DS1 nope, but he read
Lunch done by DS1
Walk (have bought new 'I-Spy Nature' books to encourage boys to go out) done
DS1 to watch David Attenborough on oceans for his 'fish' topic nope
Playtime for boys/paid work for me done
Put dry washing away half-done
Telly time done
Dinner done
Bedtime routines starting
Dinner and wine with DH (his birthday today) shortly...
D/washer
Lay out clothes for next day
Put socks in shoes
Tidy sitting room
NB send email to friend done
Go to bed at a decent hour (does Flylady really say 10.30? Nice idea, but it's not going to happen here).

Can't wait to open the Prosecco.

Hope I will be back to one child only at home tomorrow.

have been out at work all day so not much flying done here. going to dentist tomorrow to get wisdom tooth out :( so i doubt there will be much done tomorrow. better get finger out tonight and get as much done as possible!! bye all

snot top marks for Flying while pregnant - hope you have a better day tomorrow

Nicknacks great to see you (I am assuming you are nick as in previous Nick ifyswim - and if you aren't - apologies and ignore my mutterings!!)

whey hey Linzer on your 2nd date night in a row!!

Swan wishing you courage for catechism

Linzer & Swan thanks for kind words and encouragement - [SC polishes own halo] - Just kidding - following dh's schedule for a-day-and-a-half makes me realise what a hero he is frankly. If I had to travel as well ....don't know how he does it. HAven't organised cottage yet so hoping to get something nice although most people here very organised and book (months/years) in advance ...

Waves to Imnotaslimjim (neither am I ) and everyone else

Right dd is asleep (finally), kitchen is sort of clean, back to admin .....

See you tomorrow fellow fledglings ...

Just quickly checking in. Trying to get DS1 to do music practice and chase DS2 and DD to bed. DH has just called to say he's on his way home, which is astonishing. He is has been getting home at 10pm or later for ages (work not pub!)It will be lovely to see him but means I'm under pressure to have the house half straight before he walks in the door. So quick wave to all and sorry that I haven't had time to read the thread, sympathy to everyone who's had a tough day.

I have done my 15 mins decluttering, though it was in the wrong room as I wanted to listen to the Archers and supervise the children. However I have a little clear clean space in my kitchen and a pile of stuff that I don't know where to put (sigh).

I posted a couple of cards, sent a birthday present and picked up a passport form. Bought fish for tea and have fed the children. Took DS2 to his music lesson and everyone has more or less done homework and music practice. I steeled myself and emptied the kitchen composter into the one in the garden. Fairly up to date with most things and feeling like I have had a reasonably good day. Thanks to everyone for this thread. I'm finding it very motivating.