June know it's the fledgling flyers?

[Stillchuckingit]

A warm welcome to the June Fledgling Flyers' thread.

If the state of your house is getting you down, this is the thread where we follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style ) with lots of chat and support along the way and where lace-up shoes are definitely optional.

A huge thank you to Linzer for keeping us all on track so splendidly during May and thank you to DroitwichMummy for the thread title.

As usual, we will be following the Flylady three-pronged approach:

1. Baby-steps (a daily step to establish routines)
2. Then baby-steps + 15 mins daily decluttering
3. (And once decluttered) babysteps + daily missions

If you are feeling overwhelmed by clutter and mess, you can make a difference, one step at a time.

For more information, have a look here. You don't need to sign up to Flylady e-mails (we advise you not to do so in fact - you will be overwhelmed - all the information you need can be gleaned from this thread).

All long-standing members, intermittent returnees, lurkers and newcomers welcome!!

Feeling a lot better today after a good night's sleep. Thanks everyone for being so supportive and lovely. Have gone into 'organisational' mode today (not on the housework, sadly) and am sitting here surrounded by printer, box files and paperwork. Applying for support for DS is my new job. Am also arranging loads of meetings. Met headteacher first thing this morning and have an appointment with the SENCO on Monday to start the ball rolling with the statement application. Headteacher thinks we have a decent chance now that we have a diagnosis.

Lady and Blue - hugs appreciated. Thank you.

Still - thanks for your kind words - and for the wine. Actually, DH and I drank rather too much last night - we must be more sensible tonight.

OFM - Happy Birthday! I hope DH and children cook you a fabulous meal tonight, although I fear it may be a case of too many cooks... I'm sure it will be interesting, at any rate! Have some for later. Thanks for your wise words about focusing on my son's diagnosis as enabling more help and support - I am trying to focus on that.

Feet - I am reassured to hear that your friend managed to get a statement for her son when he was at secondary school. I asked the headteacher about that issue today and she said it was perfectly possible. I don't know why so many people say it isn't . Anyway, at least we will be starting the process off at primary school.

Blue - ugh to the ants. We have them here at home and also had them in our holiday cottage. They were coming in through a hole in the window sill downstairs - a great black heaving line of them. The boys took great delight in helping DH kill them and block up the hole with tissue paper. They must get very confused. On one hand, we tell them to respect nature and look after its creatures; on the other, we say "Kill the buggers!"

Linzer - sorry you missed out on your lie in. It's not fair (though I have noticed that my children always seem to wake earlier on holiday days - it's very annoying). I hope your day at home with the kids goes ok.

Scatty - good luck with tidying up for your Mum. Have you seen Flylady's crisis cleaning tips? I often use it when I'm feeling overwhelmed by the state of the house.

Swan - sorry you had a rubbish sleep. It affects the whole day, doesn't it? By the way, please could you send the carpet cleaner over here when he's finished your house? We badly need him!

CHB - sorry you are feeling rough too. Hope your day gets better (and there are no meltdowns from DS).

Off to do efficient things with paperwork!

Toffee good for you

yes, it's odd isn't it, there I am saying to ds1, no don't tread on that poor snail next minute I'm feeding it poisonous pellets

moved lots more heavy furniture, is it worth it? I can see why I didn't bother last year. Just dropped another cup of coffee on the poor carpet though, so perhaps it is a good idea. Why are my friends' houses so clean in comparison to mine??

Those ant poisen stations are marvellous Blue we have used them a couple of times and the really do work.

YAY! We have also won tickets for next years Olympic's - a morning session with qualifying heats in athletic's beginning of August.

DD on a school trip today to some lakes for a science themed school trip (pond dipping etc) - it's pouring though so hope she's ok. I packed spare trousers and socks just in case.

Hope you are having better weather for you BH day off Linzer

Glad you've been able to get things moving Toffee and that you're feeling a bit better swan.

Hope things improve CHB.

Happy Birthday OFM!

Hope your DD doesn't get too wet Lady.

The washing machine is fixed and hopefully the ants are doomed! The utility room is marginally improved and I've done the hoovering. Yay! Now for the rest of the list...

Oooh yes Happy Birthday OFM - get spoilt

Happy birthday OFM!

There is not enough coffee in the world today. Is it bedtime yet?

Laundry - couple of loads done
ironing - emptied basket, although now full again
run dw done
change ds' bedding (wet this morning) - just got to remake
sort out ds' training stuff done
pack up swimming kit for next week done

Crazy evening not sure if i will be bacl tonight. Planning on another early night.

Arrgghh. Don't know why but messages keep disappearing just as I am about to post (keep being asked to sign in again which is when I lose entire message - perhaps I am taking too long to write them) but here we go again! Will copy before trying to post this time!

Medication working but evident from time to time that it's masking something not quite right ifyswim so took it VERY easy this morning once dd off to school - read secondhand Minette Walters and listened to Radio 4.

Feeling guilty/worried about dh who is doing sterling work food shopping, most of cooking and school runs on top of mahoosive full-on job. (His second-in-command is also away on holiday atm which doesn't help) DD also starting to complain now about not being able to have friends over here to play atm . (Fortunately she has been invited to a party on Sunday which will hopefully tide her over for a bit.)

So anyway, a bit fed up, roll on Monday and cardio appt. Hope doc can come up with concrete cause that can be fixed.

Just checking in to say "hello" and see that Toffee has done a wonderful round-up so mine will be short .. must go around house slowly with large net and try and spot where dh and dd have been chucking their dirty laundry ... and do some washing tomorrow before new, fortnightly ironing lady comes, or I will be paying her to whistle. Not really washing weather however, bright sunshine interspersed with ferocious downpours.

Before I do though just wanted to say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to OFM hope you have a good 'un!

Toffee glad you are feeling a bit more rested. Good luck with all the paperwork today! x

Blue you are flying high! Congrats on a magnificent ta-da list!

And on yours too Feet! (We have first gooseberries of season here too - going to make a crumble later if I have the energy.)

Congrats on tickets Pink!

Many thanks for Playmobil land coordonnées Linzer and hotel tip. Perhaps an off-season visit might be in order. Enjoy your bh (hope your dh back from his trip to enjoy it with you - how did he get on?) but sorry about your early start. Hope your ds is feeling better.

Hope you feel better soon CHB

Hope your ma has lovely visit Scatty good luck with prep!

Swan sorry you are feeling under the weather. Know exactly what you mean about feeling anxious when one has a long list of things to get through on a certain day. Usually worry is worse than actual things and you are right that cracking on is only remedy! Hope you managed to find a bit of time for yourself though - sounds as if you are juggling a lot atm. You can only do what you can do - entertaining can wait!! Well done re: rug/dusting!

Right, now carefully going to copy and THEN try and post ... fingers crossed it doesn't disappear in to the ether again ...

Just as well I did ... it did the same $ç!è§' trick again!!

[hands over quadruple espresso to CHB

Apart from the early start, have had a nice bank holiday here so far - we went out for coffee and ice cream followed by a walk in the park this morning, then lunch out with friends, and are now back home watching an old video of one of the DDs' ballet shows (they both look so small!).

SC Sorry to hear you're feeling fed up; I hope you can get some answers on Monday. Reading and Radio 4 sounds like a perfect morning. DH's trip to Brussels seems to have gone well; I don't think he had the chance to see much of the city (or get to many shops!), but he said the area where he was staying - near Grand Place (sp? isn't place feminine?) - was nice. Am still waiting for the second part of my present, but have had some nice chocolate. (Have also PMed you btw.)

Blue Yay re washing machine and ants. Our bathroom floor was covered in dead ants this morning and again a few hours later, so the poison is definitely working!

Lady Hope DD enjoys her school trip and doesn't get too wet.

swan I think we're more critical of our own homes. And also friends probably tidy up and clean before we visit, so we don't always get an objective view.

Toffee Glad to hear you're feeling more positive; you certainly sound very organised. Also good to hear that the diagnosis will help your chances of getting a statement.

And last but not least, Happy Birthday to OFM - sorry I didn't mention it earlier; I must have overlooked it.

my computer disconnects on a regular basis if I take too long pondering...SC, I suppose it's a bit like a Lacanian analyst.

You must be feeling very frustrated, but your dd will be fine. And I bet your dh would much rather you did nothing and got better. Is there such a thing as readymeals in Brussels? Is there anyone you can send her to to play instead [actually I know this is less easy than it seems, people aren't that useful when you need them...unless you are actually in hospital, god forbid)

Carpet nice and clean, piano lesson over, and I've managed to have a row with ds2 almost immediately! Why does that child insist on peeing in the front garden aargh despite being asked to go to the toilet before we leave school.....grinds teeth in despair at feral crazy children...and they've both forgotten their spelling lists, just as I thought they would, and I FORGOT to ask them weighted down with violins, PE bags (wretched Sports Week next week) and raincoats...
I've sent everyone to their bedrooms, as the playroom is now a marsh.

SC - when you log on, you need to tick the box that says it won't unlog you until you tell it to. Then you won't get cut off, which is maddening. Sorry to hear you are feeling all wrong. It must be awful waiting for the appointment. You really mustn't worry about your DH helping you and about your DD not being able to have friends over. Those are minor things. Your family will be fine. You are the priority at the moment and you have to take it easy.

Linzer - that sounds like a lovely day .

Swan - at your DS2 peeing in the garden. Caught my DS2 doing exactly the same thing the other day - all over the flowerbed. He just couldn't be bothered to go inside.

Have exchanged a whirlwind of emails with various people to do with DS. Have agreed to tuition for DS from the dyslexia consultant, but have only just added up how much it will cost us per month . Maybe I should get an evening job to cover it .

Haven't done a jot of housework today. This morning's washing up is exactly where it was this morning. I have been too busy focusing on my new obsession.

This evening, I'm going to a workshop at the secondary school which aims to help parents cope with the challenges of their children starting at secondary school. If they can tell me how to get my DS out of his bedroom cupboard on his first day at school that would be great!

DS's temperature is back up to 39°C, so he'll be at home again tomorrow. At least DH is off work tomorrow and DS is a real daddy's boy, so I might still get some peace.

Was wondering just now why DD1 was peering curiously at me, until she said "Mummy, you're getting another baby, aren't you?". Reassured her that I wasn't but she called DH for reinforcement: "Look how fat Mummy is! Look!" DH asked me whether he should be worried.

Toffee Dyslexia tuition is so expensive, isn't it? And DD1's teacher told us last week that she'll be putting up her rates after the summer. I wish I could earn that much an hour!

swan My DS is another one who can't be bothered to walk the few metres into the house to use the toilet, and DH doesn't see anything wrong with it. Grr.

ah poor your DS Linzer - my DD spikes temps like that too. One thing I found out recently is that the higher the temp the more it kills the bugs in your body as they thrive on body temp so i musy remember that the next time DD spikes one

I've not done any FLying either Toffee as dedicated today to finishing DD birthday cake and sorting banners/balloons etc.

DD got soaked on school trip and came home in her spare clothes as original were sodden. She's about to get into a steaming bath.

Have a good evening everyone and see you tomorrow

Evening ladies. Thanks for all your kind words. I am feeling much more rested tonight. (Swan there is such a thing as a ready meal in Bxls but [sigh] my dh won't eat them (not from supermarket anyway). Whenever I suggest "just having a bowl of soup and some crackers for once" (say on an evening he's been out for a business lunch) he gets this terribly hurt/sad expression on his face as if someone has died... Orrible of me to complain when he is taking care of all and sundry atm isn't it, but it drives me mad sometimes [grrrrr] Just wish he wasn't quite so obsessed with food ... Actually, I think he will be persuaded to go to traiteur/pizzeria tomorrow night! [SC polishes thumbscrews ])

I'm very lucky actually as DD's best friend's family have been very nice in asking her over to play quite a bit and I'm sure others would be should situation worsen (we've only told a limited few). My sisters have also said they are "on stand by" to come out. Hopefully it won't come to that though! So I shouldn't be whinging really!!

Linzer thanks for Pm - will reply in a mo! Sorry to hear that your ds is still poorly, but how clever of him to be under the weather when his Daddy is at home! Hope he recovers soon. That sounds just like my dh and his business trips btw - visits all these lovely locations and barely has time to step outside the conference hotel or wherever he happens to be doing business ...

Swan arf at Lacanian analyst and feral peeing. You'll have to create a compost heap and direct them towards it!! Marvellous fertiliser!! [hands over ]

Toffee Ahhh!! That's what I was doing wrong! Thanks for the tip! Have asked it to keep me logged in so fingers crossed. Hope the workshop tonight proves useful.

Pink good luck with party prep ....

Thanks for the tip toffee managed to crisis clean ahead of maternal visit tomorrow.

swan linzer my ds used to pee in the garden too. We had to stop him when dd started to copy him (ie pee standing up next to him!)

I may have had a break through with dds sleeplessness. I found her fast asleep in Ds bed with Ds (also fast asleep)! Ahh .

Probably not back til Mon now as Mum here for the weekend plus sis etc coming for BBQ on sat.

Fingers crossed for Mon SC.
Hope the meeting goes well toffee
Hope you feel better soon swan
Hope Ds better soon linzer

Evening all,

Toffee - glad you are feeling a bit better about things now, you have had a real rollercoaster ride of a week. I haven't really got anything to add except to say I have felt very moved by all the support every one has offered you this week, here we all are on a thread which is supposed to be about housework but we all seem to have such a lot else in common, hard to believe we only know each other on the internet. What a lovely bunch you all are!

Swan my DS still sneaks a wee in the garden sometimes, we only have one loo so if someone is on there he sometimes gets to go, but he is only allowed to do it on one particular bush.

SC - your DH sounds like he is being a real rock at the moment, you take it easy, hopefully things will improve soon.

Linzer - hope DS feels better soon

Pink - it chucked it down here at lunchtime too. Yuck. Hope DD still enjoyed her trip. My two don't seem to mind getting soaking wet, it's just me that hates it.

Well, it's the school summer fair tomorrow evening so we really want some better weather. Also it is the ILs golden wedding anniversary, so we are off to the family party on Saturday, want good weather for that too. It has been very sunny in between downpours here today, both the DCs and I finally managed to play tennis today and I managed to get 2 lots of washing dry on the line (windy as well as sunny and rainy). I probably won't get to post again till next week now, hope everyone has a good weekend.

Have a lovely weekend with your ma Scatty and aw at your two peas sleeping together in their pod

What a lovely post Whoknows [sniff] !! Hear! Hear!! Lovely fledglings one and all!!

Fingers crossed for good weather for you this weekend for school fair and your in-laws party! 50 years together is really something to celebrate. Hope they and you all have a wonderful time... Arf at specific bush to pee on!

Dh is being wonderful AND he wiped down the kitchen surfaces after cooking tonight too

Just going to iron dd's school shirt for tomorrow and then I'm off to bed...G'night all

Baby-step no. 24 for Friday 24 June is here! and it's a very good one: bathroom swish and swipe.

Tomorrow is the last day in Zone 4, the master bedroom.

And the mission for tomorrow will appear here! once the Flylady site updates itself. (Decluttering top of dressing table if a "dresser" is a dressing table, which I think it is )

For a sneak peak at the week?s missions, look here here!

Friday is the day for paperwork and miscellaneous tasks such as clearing out your hand-bag

See you in the morning!

ooooh, I'm ahead for once, the contents of my bag are at my feet, bag has just been through the WM (it's fabric) and it is drying in the airing cupboard.

evening all
odd day here!
had some lovely pressies for my bday - handbag form DH (specifically chosen and emailed to DH by me!)
lovely book - "My Mum" by Anthony Browne form DC (very lovely actually chosen by DD2 who had been studying Anthony Browne at school) choccies, running mag! and flowers...all good
then totally manic day at work, followed by return home to find very manic children in full bday party mode!!
Party tea of pizza, chips and chicken nuggets followd !?! with chock bday cake! redeemed by wine and champagen ( half price bottle but still goood!)
sadly accompanied by traditional argument with dh ...(not sure what about...apparently I havent talked to him enough toninght or something...) which I now need to go and resolve...sigh...though he is also making converation about visiting his family too which always leads to argument...sigh...
so....
day off work tomorrow..
will be very organised (once wine worn off!) and fly lots... although ds 2 not very well.. so watch this space..
Night all!

SC - I think "dresser" is American for chest of drawers, although my dressing table needs decluttering more so I shall attempt that!

I feel for you Linzer - somebody asked me if I was "hiding a baby in there" the other day.

Too tired for any more so waves madly to everyone and retires.

OFM - your DH is not allowed to have an argument with you when it's your BD. Doesn't he know the BD rules? He has to treat you like a queen all day! The rest of your day sounds lovely though.

Blue and Linzer - my DS has asked me the same thing ("Is that a baby...?") but, even worse, a good friend asked me that a few months ago . I really should stay off the choccy biscuits.

Still - do you want someone to take over the thread for a bit whilst you cope with all you're going through? Presumably you'll need cover for Monday anyway. I'm happy to do it if you like. Sounds like you have enough on your plate already and you have been doing a wonderful job keeping us up to date with our missions and so forth.

WhoKnows - I agree with you - there are a lovely bunch of Flyladies on this thread. One of the first things I did after DS's diagnosis was turn to this thread because I knew I'd get lots of comfort and wise words (which I did ). Enjoy your sociable weekend and I hope you get sunny weather.

Scatty - glad the crisis cleaning came in useful. I hope your mum is suitably impressed and that you have a good weekend with her.

Lady - well done on making and decorating the birthday cake. Is it for Saturday?

Linzer - hope your DS's temperature goes down and that you - and he - manage to get a good night's sleep. And yes, I wish I could earn as much as a dyslexia tutor per hour too. It's an awful lot to fork out every month, but I just know that this man will be good for DS - not just in terms of education, but also in terms of raising his self esteem and helping him believe he's good at things. That is worth paying for .

Went to the secondary school evening tonight, getting a lift there with the mum of another boy with Tourettes. She said her son is being put in Class E, which is a special-needs class and is half the size of the normal classes. But - Class E! As if they are bottom of the heap. It's quite likely my son will be placed in that class too. I spoke to a teacher about it at the end of the workshop and he said, "It's supposed to be 'E for Excellence'." He looked a bit sheepish when I said that my son wouldn't believe in that for one moment. However, he was very encouraging about all the lengths they will go to in order to settle my son into school. Let's hope the school lives up to his promises.

See you all tomorrow. I might even do some housework .

Kids are sharp Toffee. They just know sometimes, dont they. Glad that you are doing ok. I have to admit that in terms of flying I am an utter failure, and as much as i suck at personals (and i am utterly crap at them) I do read everything through. This lot are amazing and that is always greatly appreciated. Through highs and lows. Whoknows has summed them up well. As she often does. Besides she has amazing taste in football teams

morning. it appears to be a lovely one here. hope you are all as fortunate.

morning all
been up since 5
trying to resolve the fact that I didnt book the fun run that dd3 was really looking forward to and went to do it last night to find it was full aaaarrrrgggh! Now need to find alternative asap
also had late night flash of realising that dd3 special needs review at school was this morning and Ihavent given it much thought so need to get my head round that too before 9.45
feeling slightly not the best possibly due to a tad too much Bday alcohol LOL
so we shall see what the day brings
BBL

CHB - yes, lovely morning here too. Very cheering.

OFM - oh dear, not a good start to your day then. You have so much to think about that it's not surprising that things get overlooked sometimes. Do you think it's possible to see if there are any cancellations for the fun run? Or to speak to someone personally and explain the situation and see if they will let her in anyway? I hope your DD's special needs review goes well this morning - inspite of your B'day head.

Hardly any sleep last night. Couldn't switch off my brain till 1am and then woke up - wide awake - at 5. (CHB and OFM - looks like we have had the same amount of sleep, ie not much). Am feeling sleepy now, but too late as it's now time to take DS1 to school. Am on coffee.

DH asked me if I could please do a bit of housework today, as he came back to a kitchenful of washing up last night and did it all without complaint. Having read through a dry government document on inclusive schooling this morning, I think I'd rather do the washing up, frankly.

Can I ask you wise Flyladies what you think about me explaining the diagnosis to DS? DH thinks it's probably best if we explain to him that he has something which makes certain things difficult for him (giving examples), but reassure him that it will not stop him achieving the things he wants in life. He doesn't want to mention the word 'Tourettes' because it will give him another label, but I suspect DS will hear it in relation to himself at some point and should probably hear it from us first. On the other hand, he isn't happy with his dyslexia diagnosis and I'm concerned about the effect on his self esteem which is low already. I'd rather not tell him at all, frankly, but it seems unfair for us all to know about it, but not him.

Oops, 8.08am and still not dressed! Must go and throw something on. Back later.