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!!

x posts Pink

very muggy here too

Crikey! What a long list you have ploughed through. Well done! (You put me to shame!)

Would mention it to my neighbour but she's not very friendly and doesn't stop to talk. I know for a fact two of the couples (who we are friends with) living in the apartment above her have already mentioned the constant fish-grilling and they got very short shrift, so probably a hopeless cause ...

er, that should have read "lost cause" or "hopeless case"

Just back from a decadent afternoon having my hair done, then shopping (bought myself a new dress ). I then took the boys to have their own hair cut, which they both hated (from the looks on their faces), but they were very long-sufferering.

The boys had a fantastic time with DH whilst I was being pampered - he took them pond-dipping, which they loved.

Swan - Your DH sounds uncannily similar to mine with his comments. At least I know that when DH compliments me he really means it! Re: holiday - we are going back to the gite we rented in Normandy last year. My mum is coming too. It worked really well with the five of us last year and we all loved the house, which has a large garden for the boys. We don't take any computers, so the boys actually ended up playing outside a lot of the time last year. There are swings and toys there too, so there should be plenty to occupy them. I just hope the weather is good that week.

The kitchen is just as I left it this morning, which means messy. So I shall clear a space and start cooking dinner, then do a big tidy up after that.

Hello HystericalMe and welcome to the thread.

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Baby-step no. 5 for Sunday 5th June is here. Feel free to ignore - it's the pyschobabble one about negative voices -

No zones or missions because it is the weekend. Tomorrow is "renew your spirit day" in Fat Fairy language.

Proper round-ups will resume next week. Promise!

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x-posts Toffee glad your dh came up trumps with the boys, allowing you a bit of well-deserved pampering

Back from the Playmobil FunPark, where we had a wonderful time ? the DC were in their element and the weather couldn't have been much better (although it was a little too hot at times). The castle and pirate ship were probably their favourites; the pirate ship was on a small lake, which you could also go out onto on a raft. They loved the farm too, and must have spent nearly half an hour washing and grooming the lifesize Playmobil horses.

The house is still a trip. Strangely enough, the chaos we left behind hasn't mysteriously been tidied up and it has now been added to by a number of semi-unpacked bags and contents strewn about the place. The dining table is covered in Playmobil as the DDs bought themselves the school at Playmobil land; it looks like it will take at least several hours to put together. I don't hold out high hopes of getting back on track tomorrow with DH and the DC around, but really must start to get organised again on Monday.

No time for personals I'm afraid, but I have skimmed the thread ? will try to catch up properly later. Waves to all!

Playmobil Park sounds fantastic Linzer glad you all had a lovely day (sounds as if you are rre-creating a mini mini version in your own home!!)

Toffee/Swan we often return to the same holiday cottage every year on the coast here. The lovely owner knows us and books us in when her own grandchildren and other friends are around so dd always has a tribe of dc to play with. It's on a farm and they all have a great time together, making tents and playing in the hay barn etc etc. No computers/dss allowed!

I'm off to emulate the Derby winner yesterday (in my dreams!!! - did anyone see the race - it was amazing???) and waddle around the forest on a barrel with legs while dd learns the finer points of cantering in a figure of eight.

Have a relaxing Sunday everyone!

lots of negative voices today and yest, but I have scotched them by making my bed with new sheets, hanging up all my clothes properly, and generally keeping master bedroom tidy.
Now have a splitting headache for some reason
Dh is off to a bookfair today, so I'm in charge of children.
Dd is cutting my nails!

I think I need to join you if that's OK? Have fallen off the flylady wagon plenty of times but the odd bit has stuck. Normally only work a couple of days a week but will be full time for the next 2 months so routines need to improve!

Busy household - dh works away during the week and some weekends, 4 dcs inc 3 teenagers (2 oldest doing public exams this summer), a dog, 2 rabbits and a cat. And I'm really useless at motivationg myself. Clutter is our real problem.
And laundry of course, with a full house, sports kits etc.

Working ft makes me a better time manager. Dd3 has all uniform for the week hanging up ready and I've menu planned so off to shop now.

Morning all,

Well, feeling lazy here today, the house is like a tip (the packing to go away took so long I didn't end up leaving the house very tidy or clean). Need to get back into some proper routines before school starts tomorrow.

Linzer - glad you enjoyed Playmobil Land, we got the school for DD at Christmas and it took me about 6 hours to assemble, it's lovely though.

SC - your description of riding sounds like those cartoons from the 70s, what were they called Thelwell, do you remember?

Toffee - we were in Normandy last week and the weather was fab, hope it is for you as well. We all want to go back again now!

A warm welcome to Goingmadinthecountry (wonderful nickname!) You sound as though you have a lot on your plate ...f/t work, dh away, 4 dcs and pets!!! Respect! I think you should be giving Flylady advice ...

swan [hands over aspirin and glass of water] Well done for battling through. I need some of your motivation please. (Must change the beds too! - thanks for reminder!)

Have been fighting the urge to collapse in a heap since I got back home. NOt as hot today but still muggy. Have washing out but it's not drying.

Whoknows I'm with you on needing to get back in to some "normal" routines ... we've had an endless procession of visitors and big events and this wretched anaemia hasn't helped... everything feels out of sync and on the point of sinking in to CHAOS if I don't get my act togethr! Hope you can make the most of a lazy day today however - we all need one of those from time to time.

Yes, being old and no longer fearless, I ride a larger version of a Thelwell pony (weight bearing cob) with a huge girth (even bigger than mine!) whose main purpose in life is to inhale as much forest flora as it possibly can whilst ambling along. He gets very stroppy if I have the audacity to ask him to pick up his pace

DD rides a selection of Shetlands whose stomach circumferences, are, I swear, about 6 times as long as their legs ... one of them (with a decidedly wicked grin) only comes up to my knees ...

SC - we had two separate single night guests the week before we went away too, it is nice but does create more work

x-posted earlier with GoingMad - welcome on board, sounds like you are pretty organised, which is half the battle.

The children are in a good mood, and playing hide and seek, making cookies and generally hanging out...what's come over them? I think dd's play date yesterday reminded her how to play.
Ds1 is practising for Who's Got Talent, I don't think he quite understands the odds against him. He is now obsessed with the subject after we inadvertently let him watch the whole programme last night.

Well, I suppose I had better wash the PE kit.

Evening all! Back from the caravan, car unpacked, suitcase unpacked and settling down to some schoolwork (which DH has just kindly reminded me I have had all week to do...does he not understand the concept of a holiday ). Had a lovely time although I think we possible had 4 seasons in two days. Friday I got sunburnt and we spent the evening playing on the beach until 9pm and Saturday evening I stuck the heating on in the caravan .

Back to reality with a thump now. The first History GCSE exam is on Tuesday and I have to go and create something inspiring on Medicine Through Time for 2 hours with my Year 11's tomorrow morning. Informative enough to make sure they know everything they need to yet not too boring that I will send them to sleep .

Welcome to goingmadinthecountry and hystericalme. Enjoy our little thread .

Welcome back whoknows, sounds like a lovely holiday!

Happy holidays to chb .

Anyway, I neeeed to stop procrastinating and get on with it otherwise I will be here until midnight.

Good luck with that ellie!

Welcome goingmadinthecountry and hystericalme.

Had an eventful day today. Took dc to local park for a 'big lunch' event 9a friend was organising it). Sadly it rained steadily for 2 hrs but was nice chatting to friends and dc went off and played. We even featured briefly on local news . somehow I agreed to join 'friends of the park'. Next event is a litter pick . DD's friend came home with us, all 3 played well but this evening has been a struggle battling through homework, baths, packing bags, making sandwiches etc with much fighting and procrastinating (from dh and me mainly LOL).

May have a little later to calm my frayed nerves.

I think I may have bored them to tears to be quite frank . However, am planning to buy biscuits and coke in order to keep them sweet, teenagers are fickle beings. . Oh and a quiz with a prize! The rest of it will mainly be me talking AT them .

Phew, PE kits sorted, bookbags packed, packed lunches made, shoes found (but not polished, they are trashed anyway), 6 loads of dry washing all put away.

Feels like autumn tonight, I could smell wood smoke outside earlier, someone has got a fire going. I hung a load of washing out at about 10am thinking the weather might brighten up but it has been raining steadily for several hours now so it's staying out for the night. Contrast with yesterday when 6 loads got line dried!

Hope everybody is ready for Monday morning, night all.

Evening all

Oh dear, I am hung over today First night out since DS was born last night and too much may have been drunk! It was fab though so good to be off duty for a few hours and actually get to talk to my best friend rather than both of us toddler wrangling (her DS is the same age as my DD)

Have had a quite productive day cleaning wise though, pottering and tidying and going to the tip.

Off to catch up with the thread and see what everyone's been up to whilst I've been moping about feeling sorry for myself!

DH has been battling technology on my behalf all evening, but seems to have won.

Back to the nursery run tomorrow... and need to decide if I'm doing a full shop or only a few days' worth.

To do this evening:
book bag
slip and cheque for nursery trip
shopping list
don't spend hours playing with new toys!

Waves to all and welcome to Goingmad and HystericalMe.

Evening all. Sorry I'm a bit late. Got over-involved in the garden this afternoon - which made supper/bed/bath routine late in turn - just been ironing dd's uniform for tomorrow while serenading the guinea pigs ...they sometimes join in if they are in a good mood ... Have had a or two myself ... but back on the regime tomorrow...

Everyone being conscientious fledglings and busy with their return to school routines I see ...[flaps maternal wings approvingly]

Ellie sorry your well-deserved r & r is now over ...good luck with what sounds like a demanding week ahead

Same here Whoknows (well done on your mammoth wash & dry btw) I got three loads done and dusted yesterday - only 1 today. It's raining but I'm glad - the garden desperately needs it.

Well done re: the volunteering Scatty (I'd love to sign up to be a "friend" of a partk - brilliant idea - it's all state run over here)

Cheers Pushme or should that be a - shame they don't have an espresso emoticon. Tis good you were able to let your hair down for once.

Swan at your talented ds1

Waves to Blue (who is looking very organised indeed) and to everyone else ...

Back with tomorrow's links ...

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Tomorrow's baby-step no. 6 for Monday 6th June is an important one about hot-spots!! here! Just 2-15 mins of "dousing" required (daily, thrice weekly - whatever suits) + putting your bills in one, permanent place.

(My hotspots are two wicker baskets in kitchen full of c**P and the dining room table itself which I desperately try to keep clear. A zero tolerance attitude is useful as clutter attracts clutter. I used to have a third hotspot in our boudoir - a trunk on which worn clothes piled up - but I have resolved that one by removing it permanently!)

This week's zone is no. 2: The kitchen

More info (for newcomers) about zones here!

Tomorrow morning, once the Fat Fairy website has updated itself, you will be able to look at the missions in detail for the week ahead here

Ditto here It's still showing last week's zone at the moment.

Monday is home blessing (we call is home bleurrrgghhh) day ... newcomers scroll down here to read all about it It's supposed to take an hour but we are sceptical ...

See you in the morning!
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Morning all,

Really must get back on track today so I think a crisis clean is in order. No work to do (at the moment, at any rate) and no English lesson to prepare this week (both DDs are going on a class trip this Wednesday) - so no excuses for me.

I was battling technology yesterday too, Blue. DH had agreed that I could install Windows and Office on our new computer in English (as I'm the one who'll be using it most), but unfortunately Office had other ideas - French and Spanish (instead of German) yes, English no. I'd have bought it from Amazon.co.uk instead of Amazon.de if I'd known.

SC (from further up the thread) No matter how many DC you have, it's hard work. I read - on another thread, I think - that the number of DC you have minus one always seems much easier, and it's true; I often think that if I "just" had the two DDs, life would be a breeze. (I know this wouldn't be the case in reality, of course.) Although the constant quarrelling drives me mad, the fact that the DC have each other to fight play with does make life easier in some ways; if you have an only child, they're reliant on you for company (unless they have friends over). It sounds like you're doing a brilliant job with your DD though, and do far more with her than I do with my three. I often feel guilty about not playing with them more, but find it very difficult to do so - and enjoy doing so - when the house is in a state; I sometimes think I can only enjoy spending time with them when we get out of the house. One more reason to get on top of the housework and decluttering!

Morning all! Back to work today although ds isnt back at school until tomorrow as he keeps reminding me in a rather gleeful manner. Am struggling to be arsed this morning and need lots of coffee to keep me going!

List for today looks like this:-

Dc's dressed
Washing on line
Work/Cm's
Washing away
Dinner
Ds to Beavers
Ds homework
Schoolwork
Evening routine

Have a good day everyone!

How odd.

I've just popped in before work to check that my links are working but the Flylady website hasn't updated itself. They are still on Zone 1 from last week.
What's going on?

Even when I opened up Flylady site and entered through their home page, the result is the same.

Anyone got any ideas as to what might be happening?

I know that when I used to post the links first thing in the morning, they had never been updated from the previous day's/week's - I can't remember what time they changed, though. Maybe FlyLady had a heavy night last night?