It's August - can the Fledglings keep FLYing with children underfoot?!

[BlueEyeshadow]

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to August's edition of the Fledgling Flyers,
Meine Damen, Mesdames, Ladies! (although any Herren, Messieurs and Gentlemen would be very welcome too, I'm sure, and apologies for the show tunes now lodged in everyone's heads ...)

If you're trying to keep out of CHAOS over the summer holidays, with the dear children creating havoc all around, then pull up a chair, roll up your sleeves and join in the fun.

Fly Lady's website is here, but we don't recommend signing up for the emails unless you want an ironically cluttered inbox. I'll post the links to the information for every day this month and try to keep up with all the chat.

There are babysteps to get you started on forming a routine, and missions to do once each room is decluttered and, as the Fat Fairy says, it's amazing what you can do in fifteen minutes. We'll be starting August in the entrance, front porch and dining room, and sifting the sense from the cutesy language. :)

I notice from the archive that it's the thread's second birthday so I'm sure there'll be cake as well as plenty of , and - virtual, so no calories - along the way. Finally, a big thank you to CHB and Swan for leading us heroically through a hectic July!

Morning

CHB it is always nice to see someone with a car in a worse state than my own before i had DD, my car was really minging, then i broke my leg and everthing in it festered for 4m - not pleasant (sick face)

Feet and Swan I think men just have a different view of tidyness/housework than women. They either are unrealistic with their expectations, or would happily live in a cave, no middle ground

DH has a couple of days off this week (Yay!!!!!) starting from lunchtime today.

DONE
Make beds
Get dressed
Breakfast
Clear up breakfast
Hang washing out
Empty dishy
Reload dishy
Swish and swipe bathroom sink
Wipe over loo
Referee dcs fighting thought i had another year or two before this

TO DO
Get dcs dressed
Brush DD hair (quick nit check - fun)
Go to horses - get stables mucked out and leave beds up
Drinks and snacks - drink water!!!
Put some clean washing away
Lunch
Take dcs to my friends
Get horse food
Ride out with DH
Get horses finished
Pop to Homebase?
Pick up dcs
Dinner (some bolognese in the freezer)
DCs bed
Clear up
Washload on
Dishy on
Wine?

Morning all.

We are home - got in at 10.30 last night so am hoping DC sleep late today. DH however was up and out at 6am so I have been awake since then after a restless, hot night - ho hum.

Had a bit of a catch up:

CHB and Swan - thank you for keeping us on track last month

Blue - thank you for taking over thread this month. I will nominate myself for next available month as I have been here for AGES (at least 18 mths!) and not done anything yet

Swan - so sorry to hear about your DS's arm (will look back further to find details) Is he just 'one of those children'? My DS certainly is - 2 breaks (leg and wrist) before he was 5 and school on tenterhooks all year :o
Beware the well-meaning friends who will alarm you with 'another broken bone, are you sure something isn't wrong?'
Have you got a LIMBO for baths and showers? Sorry if I'm preaching to the converted
Your thoughts re newspapers in hall was identical to mine last night. Scuzzy is the word - house reverting to the bachelor pad it was

Toffee and *Whoknows - glad IoW was/is good. Need to go back to last month's thread to catch up on any gossip re PA's house :)

Linzer - dreaming about sink shining, that's scary

qwepoi - if you find anything that gets your DH to declutter, tidy up, actually see mess PLEASE pass it on, I am sorely in need of it - see above

Dedalus - I'm with Toffee - its always much more nerve-wracking with other people's children. I take DS's knocks with the calmness of a pro but am always on edge in case I damage someone else's child :) Well done on looking after 4 such little ones, hope you enjoy the return favour.
Dead right about men and housework - have just left OCD stepdad who starts to twitch if you put anything down for more than 5 mins and come home to DH who hasn't noticed that the cat litter exists inspite of the smell that greeted us when we walked in. Some middle ground would be good!

Welcome to newbies and returners - take what you want/need from Flylady (and this thread). The system works if you ignore cutesy language and actually DO the babysteps (note to self - take own advice!)

As for plans - have been having a good think, spurred on by Manic Mums book and a BIG birthday looming next year, and have a list of things I want to achieve over next few years (as opposed to next few hours/days!) - they include running a half marathon (and possibly a marathon depending on how things go), taking DH away for a night without DC (not done that since we got married 6 years ago), a BIG family holiday (Disneyland possibly) and a home that makes me smile.
The last one will probably be the hardest but I have allowed 2 years (to include front extension that we have just had planning permission for), broken it down into stages and written a long list of what needs to be done. Its really Flylady taken to a different level - babysteps towards a goal.
This is still DH's childhood home (and bachelor pad!!), has never really felt like mine inspite of giving birth to DS here but there is no option to move (self-employment being a big obstacle) so I need to change things. Have tinkered around the edges for over 8 years but now need to get serious.
I will need support, and many, many

I am sooo tired. Over 26hrs done another 12 to go. Wisedom tooth playing up, started reading a story and got hooked. Going to rab breakfast and try for an hrs kip.

Car isnt too bad compared to when you saw it DDPW. Boot, backseat, front seat and half of the rear floor is tidy awaiting hoovering. just two floors to finish off.

Good luck feetheart! We will reserve you a special spot in the naughty corner bar.

Morning all. Hope we all slept well
So far today, I've done my morning routine, (incidentally, I know FL says to lace up your shoes, but do you think she'd mind slip on boots?! ) DS has been up, fed, washed and has just been put down for a nap so it's coffee time before I tackle my husbands car.
I feel for your pain CHB! DH has an MOT/service tomorrow so it would help if they can find things without wading through a layer of crud! Hence, I have to wade through said crud. Still, parents are still here so they can keep an eye out for DS stirring.
Then it will hopefully be DS up for his lunch, make our lunch, play for a bit (or hopefully GP's will take out DS and I can declutter dining room for a few 15 min bursts) then he'll nap while I make stew for the dinner.
Then DS play and feed, our dinner, DS bedtime, bit of TV, shine my sinks (have decided to do both bathroom & kitchen!) an bed.
Phew... knackered just thinking about it!

Ta-da!
Stripped beds
Washing on
Bread machine on
Washed down walls in dining room
Shinyish sink
S&s
Swept & mopped floors
Dusted
Washing out
Espresso for iced coffee made
Cleaned bins & dustpan
Picked veg
Cleaned table & benches

Hmm, MIL must be coming . Not that she'll notice it's clean when DS2 has messed it up again...

To do:
Remake beds
Washing away
Play with Ds & feed him banana - urgent!

Hello,
Newbie to Flying here. Just signed up (wish I had read not to sign up for the emails before I did!) to FlyLady.
I am starting tomorrow (am in Oz, so 9pm here) as it's my birthday today and I am not doing any housework today!
So tonight I will start my list and hopefully get something achieved tomorrow!

Map - it is possible to unsubscribe to the flylady emails. No idea how having never been bothered to sign up for the emails, perhaps one of the others could help you if you get stuck with it gve a shout they are pretty good at solving all technical problems

Done
pass out about 10am
Take car to garage, bring back home.
Piss off fuckwit
eat bacon sandwich and drink coffee.

its going to be a super crazy change of plan day so need to finish ds' room as this is the one thing that has to be finished before he gets back the rest can be done pottering around.

Must do today
Early night!!!!!

Woohoo! Compliment from MIL on tidiness of sitting room despite best efforts of boys!! :)

Its hot here, and neither DS nor I are good with heat = hot and grouchy DS + hot and grouchy mummy (and add DH working from home "I need it quiet in here" to the mix!)

DS is currently watching Thomas DVD so I've got a few minutes off with a cup of tea.

Done - not much, everything seems to be taking twice as long as normal today
Morning routine
Make pancakes with DS for breakfast
Make beds
Wash up
Wash food waste bin
S/s (multiple times so far today, due to oil and playdough)
2 hotspots - corner of kitchen and kitchen windowsill - have now removed everything, properly cleaned it, and cut new flowers
Set up crayoning for DS
Put up tent shelter in garden
Set up playdough for DS
Harvest peas
Blanch and freeze peas
Pick courgettes - am already at "glut" stage
Washing on line
Handwashing
Washing in machine for tonight
Lunch
Sit with cup of tea

To Do
Zone cleaning
Zone mission
WI paperwork
Fruit from freezer and make compote
Clean washing away
Pack playdough away
Post
Cook tea
Tea
Evening routine
Take tent shelter down
Washing on airer
Quilt block

well done Blue, anyway whatever MIL thinks, you know it's sparklier
Feet that's what's nice about going away, you feel much clearer about what your PLANS are, than when you are bogged down in day to day stuff. Long term arrangement sound v good, though brace yourself for tornado if doing extension. I've been thinking a lot about ours (not up to tornados really), and got quite a few insights when I was away. Are youu in Croydon? If you can recommend a good architect please CAT me.
So far Ds1 has fallen off a) trampoline (wrist)
b)bike (leg)
c)haybale (arm) and yes there is much talk of bone density, which I will bring up at fracture clinic, but I suspect he is just v. clumsy. Reminds me a bit of that line in Importance of Being Earnest, the bit about carelessness.

Back from CAMHS, where they have finally given a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism/Asperger's to Ds2. As it has taken a year, it has not really been a shock, just a relief that we can now get some extra help, and also I think it has been useful for DH to come to conclusion that we need help too, as he previously denied there was anything wrong with ds2 at all. Ds2 was his usual sunny self on way home; he is our pride and joy really, so that won't change
Ds1 stopped off to buy lots of Secondary School Stationery, and a novel appropriately enough called "Geeks" (he is one too)
Dd is at a friend this morning, so I am just off to collect her.
House is still a utter mess, smelling strongly of onions as veg box is lurking..Dh shows no interest at all in tidying it, so I suppose I will have to eventually... He is playing Wii with boys.

oh and it is very hot and sticky here in London...pavements are not inviting in this weather or Tubes...

oh dear, now father and sons are arguing

Toffee - new job starts properly next week. I'm in tomorrow afternoon with the lady who's leaving for my last "going through" everything session, then I'm on my own, doing 2 1/2 days (ish) a week. So, life is going to be changing in the cobweb house!!

Off to play "shops" now with DS, so list may go by the wayside - it is the holidays afterall, and come next week he won't be able to have so much "mummy time".

Hello

Have written two long posts and lost both (screen turned blue and text disappeared)

Hope nothing wrong with this computer as only just bought it. My 16 year old nephew did spend rather a lot of time faddling about with it when he was here though. Have only just deleted all his UK cookies and e-mail/gmail links...

Muggy and miserable here. Had a bit of a flood in one of our cellars (second time in three weeks)

Dh off on his travels again. DD bouncing off walls. Have been baking and sewing but don't feel very enthusiastic about either.

Glad the CAMHS meeting proved useful Swan despite the delay in diagnosis. Hope access to help/support easier from now on. Thanks for hint about school stationery btw. I have a list as long as my arm. Well swum Swan (sorry - can never resist )

Blue thanks for links and round-up and bravo re: mil!

Dedalus Ihate and ChB your lists are putting me to shame

A warm welcome to PinkHollie (hope nausea eases soon) and a warm welcome also to MapofTAssie and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Feet great to hear all your positive plans for future, esp. about rearranging/renovating your home to make it feel more of your own.

Noeyedear some of us like to post lists and some don't. Some (like me) do so intermittently. Some prefer to post "ta-da!" lists of what has actually been achieved. It's whatever suits you best really. The objective of this thread is to provide bare bones of Flylady system minus cutesy barftastic language and a trillion e-mails. And then you can adapt it to suit yourself. Can't go wrong if you start with baby-steps, (the ones that are useful to you) and once they become second nature, start decluttering for 15 mins a day in each zone. Once decluttered (as Fat Fairy says, you can't clean clutter) then you can start on zone cleaning etc. You don't have to understand all of it at the beginning. It will become clear as you go along and it's a lot simpler than she makes it appear on the site!! Good luck!

LadyinPink I am mourning the loss of the corpse outline in your sitting room Hope clearing up after decorators isn't too onerous ....

Sorry to hear you are still so pushed at worked OM and hope situation improves soon.

Enjoy your last few days of relative "freedom" Ihate!!

Waves to Toffee and everyone else!

And dont worry if progress is slow. As far as the fat fairy concerned any progress is better then none!

SC no list today. burn out.

am knackered trying to convince ds that bedtime at 7:30pm is a good idea. but I think i will last till the 8pm bedtime which is his normal. Then I am leaving my spot in the naughty corner to pass out. Sooo tired.

Thanks stillchucking yes, my mistake before was to decide I couldn't wait to clean rooms properly and just got disheartened. I have got into the habit of clearing out the sink, swish and swipe in the bathroom and making the bed which does make a difference. I'm very proud that I managed to declutter mine and DH's sock drawer ( once only offer for DH- I'm not his mother!) and make and ice a batch of cupcakes for a party. I'll carry on decluttering and resist the massive cleans until they're done! My home blessing hour day is tomorrow- although I only manage this in an hour if DS2's morning nap lasts for longer than that (rare!)

It was a bit of a nightmare afternoon here once the ILs had gone ? boys at each other?s throats and me hot and irritable. Thought we could all cool off if we filled up the paddling pool but only caused more trouble. Sigh. Still, tomorrow is a largely child-free work and house bleugh day. Boys are going to the zoo with the CM and Children?s Centre, but DS1 now says he doesn?t want to go. Another sigh. Just got to get him to her house and then it?ll be fine!

Round up time again:

DDPW was refereeing fighting offspring and seeing to horses.
feet is planning a home to make her smile ? sounds like a good goal! There is definitely plenty of and s in the naughty corner bar.
CHB was hoping for an early night. Hope your wisdom tooth settles down too.
Fuzzled was rejoicing in a good night?s sleep ( on your behalf!) and wading through the crud in her DH?s car - whatever Flylady thinks of slip-on boots, they?re fine by us!
MapofTassie joined us ? welcome and happy birthday! ? and was regretting signing up for the emails. I?m sure you can unsubscribe on the site somewhere.
Cobwebs was suffering from the heat ? that sounds like a productive ?done? list to me! We?re not quite at a glut of courgettes here yet, and I wish we?d had enough peas to freeze. Maybe next year.
swan had been to CAMHS and finally got a diagnosis for DS2 ? here?s hoping you can now get the help you need.
SC was having computer problems and a stir-crazy DD but still posted v sage advice on the ways of the Fat Fairy.
noeyedear has tackled sock drawers and made cupcakes. Babysteps definitely the way forward.

Talking of which, here?s tomorrow?s:
Babystep: write things down, although post-its around the house are definitely non-compulsory.
Mission (when it updates): Dealing with the front hall? I?ve discovered to my chagrin that the landing also counts here!

Can I get anyone anything from the bar while I'm passing?
Otherwise, night all.

Quick post before bed - need to calm down a bit as just had to hurumph around the place as DH decided to go off to bed leaving me with all the washing up, the bl*dy cat litter that HE didn't do at all whilst DC and I were away and the remains of the box of Mr Kipling Apple pies that HE had just finished - it is 3 steps to the bin FFS but no, he just leaves the lot on the worktop for the pixies to bl*dy tidy up
Hurumphing did work though as he came back down so I told him that as he was there he could either do the washing up or cat litter - luckily he chose the latter though slunk off upstairs again as soon as it was done.

Otherwise a pretty good day, Ta da list includes:

• Everything unpacked and put away and cases back in loft
• Washing x 3
• Kitchen and bathroom returned to 'family home' status from 'bachelor pad' status they had descended to
• 10 mins tidying/sorting with DD in her room
• Mad tidy up and hoover downstairs as DH announces builder is coming to see us in 30mins re extension
• Meet with builder, only 2 more to get quotes from now!
• Fed friend's chickens and collected eggs (must do egg-related cookery tomorrow as have another 11 days of up to 3 eggs a day :))
• Letters posted, essentials bought and quick play on fantastic new playground that is almost in our backyard :)
• 2nd online shop done, bit quicker than last time
• Signed up for 10k run in October
• Found half marathon in March that I really really want to do - Silverstone anyone? :o

Swan - sorry, not in your neck of woods so recommendations not really of much use. Actually used planning bloke instead of architect as only small front extension for shower/downstairs toilet and a decent sized hallway.
Your DS1 is 10/11 isn't he? Wonder how many more breaks we have to go as my DS is only 5 and has already managed to break his leg (with Daddy's help!) and wrist
Hope diagnosis for DS2 is useful for you all, how come it is Dads that often refuse to see/acknowledge the obvious?

Not a quick post after all so best get to bed.
Night all :)

Fell asleep early last night, but was then woken up every hour by heat/DH/DC until I gave up! My last awakening was from DS complaining that he was too hot. He sleeps in the loft bedroom, which is unbearably hot because he won't keep the windows open (scared of bees and other insects flying in). So I pushed the window open (he doesn't mind if I'm there with him) and dozed with him until the room cooled down. Then returned to bed, lay wide awake for half an hour, felt hungry and came downstairs. It was 4am!

Didn't get a chance to post here yesterday. Took the boys swimming in the morning, then spent the rest of the day with MIL in her new flat. Managed to get a bit of shopping done on my own whilst the boys were with her and bought some Laura Ashley scented sticks (inspired by PA's air-freshener things, which puffed nice smells and squeaked at us every time we walked past!). Has anyone else used them and, if so, which scent do you use? I couldn't decide, so chose Wild Lily in the end. It's ok, but I might choose a different one next time.

Mum is coming to stay this weekend (and babysitting for us on Friday night ), so I am having a day concentrating on the house today. In between the window cleaner and the carpet cleaner coming (to clean our manky sitting-room carpet ), I'm going to declutter our bedroom and then tackle the rest of the house. I'm hoping the DC will entertain themselves - or maybe I can get them involved .

Dedalus, Fuzzled and CHB - luckily, as I don't drive, car cleaning is somehow automatically down to my DH . Nice to have one cleaning job that is never my responsibility!

Feet - it must be very difficult to live in your DH's childhood home. Maybe the extension will make it feel more like your own home too. The plans sound good, anyway.

Swan - I'm glad to hear you have a diagnosis for your DS2 at last, although I remember my own mixed feelings about receiving my son's diagnosis and I know it takes a while to sink in and to accept.

Blue - glad the crisis clean paid off and your MIL complimented you on your tidy sitting room! Enjoy your child-free day today.

Feet - my DH believes in the kitchen pixies too . Am very of you having a new playground in your backyard!

Ihate - good luck at the handover session for your new job today.

Still - our computer always went wrong after our DS played on it, usually thanks to him downloading lots of games. We won't let him use it anymore (he has his own, secondhand, computer, which he can mess up as much as he wants). Hope you get yours sorted.

Noeyedear - I like posting 'to do' lists because it makes me feel I've achieved something if I come back later and can 'tick' stuff off. But it's up to you, really. Definitely stick to the babysteps if you are just starting out. It's all about setting up new habits so that they become routine.

PA is coming back from her holiday today - welcome home, PA!

DS1 has now come downstairs, saying he can't sleep. I think I'll just give up on the idea of going back to bed now.

Lying in the caravan listening to the rain (and DH snoring!) the weather forecast was spot on for once. I've been catching up on all your posts. Lovely to see so many newcomers.

re Flylady emails, I thought I had managed to desubscribe via the big tent website I think, but after a few months of clutter free inbox the Flylady daily digest started appearing, but it is just a load of gushing testimonials so I ignore it.

Toffee I have a strong aversion to mosf perfumes and air fresheners but I have found a lavender reed air freshener by Colony Candles which is just lovely.

Swan glad DS finally got his diagnosis, although I can quite unerstand the mixed feelings.

Feet grrr to DH, mine does exactly the same with empty packets and the bin, he is incapable of putting away implements either, I am always funding the bottle opener on tge counter instead if back up on it's hook immediately above.

We're planning to do a walking treasure hunt of Cowes today as the weather is definitely not beach weather any more, bye for now

Morning all,

We got back from our few days away yesterday afternoon; I read about half of FlyLady's book on the journey home, so feel quite inspired FLYing-wise! I won't be able to start decluttering etc. for the next few weeks, however, as we're flying back to the UK later today. I spent most of yesterday unpacking, but still have quite a bit of unpacking to do and laundry to deal with; I decided that packing had to take priority, though.

Our flight isn't till 10.30 pm so we won't get back to my parents' until around 3 am - eek! I was hoping to have a lie-in this morning to keep me going tonight, but couldn't get back to sleep after DH had left for work so decided I might as well get up and get on with a few things. At least the DC are still asleep; they had some late nights while we were away, so probably have some catching up to do.

feetheart Your plans sounds great. I must try to read Time Management for Manic Mums again; I've had a couple of attempts now and do feel very inspired when I start reading, but never seem to be able to get beyond the activities at the end of the first chapter and subsequent activities seem to be even more time-consuming (did you do the apples and blueberries one? all I could think of when I was reading about it was "what a waste of a bottle of wine"!).

Oh no, spoke too soon - DS has just woken up so must go. And now DD2 is up too...

Morning :)

So sorry, still getting to know you all and remember who is who. Just wanted to add about broken bones... I have broken a couple of fingers, most of my toes, my wrist 3x (twice one side) my nose (possibly) my leg in 4 places, dislocated my shoulder twice and torn the ligament in my knee twice. My mum always said it was because I had a calcium deficiency due to her not having any dairy whilst pregnant, but that is bollocks :o I am just a bit clumsy, fearless on a horse and worked with horses for most of my life, bad combo! :o

IKEA today (woohoo!!!)

Morning all.
Fairly productive day yesterday despite guests. Got 3 crates of crap stuff in the dining room sorted out so it looks tidier

Also, discovered a brilliant & free app if you have an iPhone - Tasker Lite.

Basically just a nice checklist, but you can go into the item and add things below it. Not earth shattering, but made my day easier as I typed the stuff in, and then could see it getting checked off - and DS can't grab it and shred/chew/hide it (as he frequently does with my paper lists!) Also has an archive section so you can call back things - like shining a sink!

Morning routine done today already as was up at 4 (thanks to DS who promptly went back to sleep!) so hoping to get a few sneaky bits of washing in once guests are awake. Then packing for going away tomorrow.

Hi guys :)
came home from a day out yesterday and dp ha just put all his plates, glasses, cups,egg cups and cutlery into my nice clean sink, instead of opening the empty dishwasher...I don't know who he thinks will do it, I've yet to see the dishwasher fairy....
Anyway was a bit disheartened with that, but still did my routines last night. Am still not dressed :( kids are wild today for some reason so have to wait until dd2 takes her nap and stick a dvd on for dd1 :)

So anyway, my lists for today are:
grocery shopping
sort out dry washing, fold and actually put away!
put on wash
empty washing machine
empty dishwasher
hoover bathrooms
tidy kitchen table
hotspots x3 (microwave, mantle piece, corner of kitchen)
call dr for dd1's vaccinations

Will check back in later, and see if I was being a bit too optimistic :o

I see I wasn't the only one up early this morning, Linzer and Fuzzled.

WhoKnows - thanks for the tip about the Colony candle. DH said this morning that he doesn't like the new smell and it makes our house smell like a 'whore's boudoire' (you'd think he'd like that!). Hope the weather improves for you today.

Dedalus - at all your broken bones! I don't like to tempt fate but I have never broken a bone in my life. Not one. However, I do not work with horses, I dislike sports and I am not, in any way, a risk taker, so that probably helps!

Linzer - I have been reading the Flylady book whenever I get a chance, but I find her writing almost impossible to wade through sometimes. I am itching to get my editing pen out and strike it all out. The system is good, but I wish it wasn't dressed up in all Flylady's sentimental language.

I went back to bed at 6, but was woken up at 7 by DS2 calling me. And then an amazing and sweet thing happened: DS1 ran into our bedroom, told me not to worry, just go back to sleep, he'd deal with it...Then I heard him chatting away to DS2 and explaining why I couldn't look after him right now. Then DS1 ran back to tell me what he'd done (just as I'd dozed off again!). When DS2 got bored at lying in bed, DS1 took him downstairs and got him his breakfast. I didn't wake up again until 9.30!

Am trying to stick to the Flylady routine this morning, so I made myself get dressed before going downstairs. Just off to do the bathroom (I know, I know, I should have done that before coming downstairs and going on MN). Then I have to break it to DS2 that we need to clear up his railroad before the carpet cleaner comes at 11. That may not go down too well.