Back to Fly school for September Fledglings

[substantiallycompromised]

Welcome to the September 2011 Fledgling Flying thread! Hang up your microfibre cloths and park your buckets here!!

[Sorry - I've namechanged again - but remain SC]

This is where from the 1st of the month, we attempt to declutter and follow the 30-step wisdom of Flylady (minus cutesy language and a surfeit of e-mails) with lots of chat and support and mutual motivation along the way. (More info available here )

Humungous thanks to our previous thread leader Blue for navigating us all through the August school holidays...and for doing it so consistently and well!!

As usual we will be following a three-pronged approach - and don't worry - we are all at different stages. Some of us (SC stares at feet) -are even embarrassingly stuck at decluttering stage after two years

• repeat or start baby steps (again!)

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

• reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.

All newcomers welcome!

To do
Strip beds, wash sheets, remake beds
Music with DS2
Boys to CM
Bedroom mission catch-up
Filing
Dust
Mirrors
Bag up charity shop stuff
Clean bins
Blogging/emails/drum up work stuff
See if space on other Zumba class
Zumba??

Getting there. I'm currently in the middle of a task that wasn't on my list at all, but should have been - clearing the kitchen cupboards ready for the new units to be fitted. Lugging loads of stuff upstairs while wondering if I should just get rid of most of it...

Feet don't know if you have two form entry, but dd had much the same, a bunch of "difficult" children (no doubt activated as I said by initial Recption teacher not being v competent). By year 4 they decided to mix up the two groups, much to the dismay of parents in the nice well behaved group (ds2 form) She has survived the experience now in yr 5, but I think it hasn't helped her much, except to be quite used to being a class with lots of rowdy boys...and quite want to go to a girl's school when she grows up...

Late start on the list, but I just don't have time to post in the morning before work.

Yeah - I've found a supplier for the spark arrestor, and given the details to my garage, so they can try and source the seal for me. They are also trying Italy, who said they would let garage know on Friday if they had found one - I forsee the use of insulating tape for a good while to come , as nobody seems hopeful of finding me one (or a hunt round the 'net' for some material I can use to make one).

So today so far:
Morning routine
Make beds
S/s
Take DS to friend's so she can take him to school with her DC (very kind friend - and enabling me to get to work earlier, to make up for early departure yesterday)
Work
Get petrol
Home just in time to walk to school for pickup
Volunteer to hear children read in DS's class (Reception) on a Friday. I thought hoped she would have had enough volunteers so I would look helpful (but not have to do it ), but she's asked me to come in on a Friday afternoon to help with reading and craft/art activity (someone's been talking!)
Find a friend's dog wandering the roads on the way home, so take it home with us, get lead and take dog to friend's house
Have cup of tea and chat gossip (so not get my afternoon jobs done)
Phone garage for spark arrestor update
Phone WI member for answer re trip so I can get the month return completed
Play with DS

To Do
Cook tea - make fishcakes with DS
Clean washing away
Washing on airer as I didn't manage to get it on the line before I left this morning
Washing in machine for tonight
Get DS making birthday cards
Zone cleaning/declutter
Tea
Homework with DS
Evening routine
DS to bed
Paper file item
Shredding
Filing
Menu plan
Clean fridge
Shopping list
Make bread
Make cake/biscuit thing for DS's lunch box tomorrow
WI return
Prep WI banking

Some of these items were on yesterday's list but I developed a sick headache by mid evening so gave up and went to bed - not fair - I don't have time to be ill.

sorry Feet just reread, (ds2 took computer away before I could do more than skim nosily) I see they have already mixed up children more than once.

off to read thread properly now.

done
ASD group at CAHMS (all about communicating with your ASD child..message was keep it simple, don't expect them to "infer" anything, even if they are empathetic within family situation. Issue very straightforward habitual requests, and don't mix it up with witterings and rantings and explanations There are apparently three styles of ASD communication(child I mean)
Aloof
Passive
and Active but Odd..I think I know which category Ds2 falls into
bit of shopping, books on Romans books on patios and suddenly felt was seized by interest in King James Bible, so bought a book on that which is part of BBC series apparently..

Ds1 is out at his new school till 8.30! Doing homework club, and badminton for Open Evening as a special treat. Luckily there's an INSET day tomorrow. I feel almost as if he's gone off to boardign school..he seems to be desperate to spend his every wakign hour there...as long as it's social not lessons!

better go and do "short bursts of focused activity" Thanks SC
fish pie mark 2 in oven
homework done x 2
practice done x 1

Brownies and Beavers to go this evening.

Blue new kitchen v exciting, you seem quite laid back about it.

Swan - it is a 2 form entry but the problem is with the whole year group. The school have mixed them up most years so far in an attempt to find a decent mix but it hasn't worked yet. She is in Yr4 now so I don't think they are going to find a solution that way.
3 head teachers in that time probably hasn't helped, at least this one is permanent and seems good. Last year's was a very good, interim head and the previous one was RUBBISH.
DD isn't aware how concerned I am, she just thinks trying to learn in a rowdy, disruptive environment is the norm and, admittedly, her ability to switch off anything she doesn't want to hear is pretty impressive which I realise is a skill that will stand her in good stead throughout her life even if it infuriates me at times :)
I have calmed down a bit now, after a good cry on DH's shoulder, and will wait and see what the deputy has to say.

Thank you for listening to complete non-Flying ramblings.

I know my lists are long and detailed (and everyone on here knows to glaze over and ignore them), but if I don't put the details on my daily list, stuff gets missed off. I have a sheet per day in my HCJ, write them up on a Sunday for the week with all the weekly/daily jobs on them, then add all the extras (and shift things along which don't happen when the should . If I don't write it down I can't guarantee to remember it at the right time (rather than at 3 am the day after something was due), especially now DS is at school and I'm working outside the home as well as doing my self-employed stuff.

x-posts Swan, thanks for kind words

ihate, ilove your lists. they remind to get my arse in gear.

i just wish i was as organised!

Quick update-

Up, dress and breakfast everyone done
School run done
Pick up tester from B and Q done
Empty DW done
Put WM on
All clean clothes away
Lunchtime pick up done
Lunch for mindees done
Reasearch a new fridge
Pay Next bill
Transfer money to parents
Chase up parents late payment AGAIN!! done and paid!
Pay in cheque done
Take bins out done
Go to library story time session done
What's for dinner? done
School pick updone
Email Ofsted
Hang wet clothes on airer

Have also
paid for swimming lessons
Homework with DS's
Signed up ANOTHER new mindee- i thought i was full but just managed to squeeze one more in! I'm a fool......

Hi all,
I'm at work, but having a cuppa and just wanted to sympathise with Feetheart. I can't really suggest anything, but you are doing all you can.
Are you concerned that your DD is falling behind or struggling with the work and not being supported? Could you use a tutor?
I know this is a bit extreme, but are there any other schools she could attend?
I hope the chat with the depute goes well and you feel more positive about things afterwards.
PS ended up making a sausage casserole thing - looks vile, but actually quite tasty. I didn't see your post until just now, but enjoy your Toad in the hole.

Ihate cool list! I would take the evening to clean the fridge let alone all those other things.

Good Evening everyone

Ds' year is a nightmare year, but i also have to say that ds is one of those who are contributory. At least he isn't too bad and generally tries to comply with expectations. Hopefully, we won't go back to him refusing to go to school or do work like last year.

Done
Up
Make lots of coffee and drink some (dsis in most need this morning)
Ds up, dressed, breakfasted
School run - dsis doing as last goodbye to ds.
Put towel load into dryer
Laundry - 2nd load on
check mn and email
fold washing that is clean/sort ironing ready for ironing - virtually up to date bar the dreaded socks
collect bin
make up swimming kit
check directions
take dsis back to uni
figure out what to do for tea
sort out the recycling for new rules and into new bin
move sewing machine and set up
Strip ds' bed.
hand washing.
Spend 15mins on landing decluterring.
1 5mins in ds' room. - Its actually not bad atm. just a bit of laundry a few bits to put away.
Wash and dry ds' bedding
swimming lesson
sort finishing another project
Wash the projects finished over the last few days.
Handstitching On a project.
Burn Tea :( (Enough rescuable to eat but need to rescue to pot later tomo.)
30mins work on knitting project
5mins in my room
Remake ds' bed

Nesbit:
Remaining ds homework if he is not too tired.
Empty car
clothes away -still can't get to my wardrobe and ds has gone to bed.

Thursday's list:
Morning routine - up, ds up and dressed, school run, lunch made.
Kit for repairs
Load dishwasher
Laundry
Discover the floor in my room - all of it.
Ring hospital
Sort ds' training kit
Afternoon routine - ds from school, fed, changed and out to activity, homework
Evening routine - bedtime (including shower), sort of clothes for friday, sort out what is needed to be done friday
Project work - hand stitching on project, work on knitted project

Right I am going to go curl up with a film and do some machine sewing.

hmm forgot to update that on about the 6th load of washing.

Nettie - hope MIL is ok. :(

DONE
Vacuum throughout downstairs
Mop Kitchen & Conservatory
Lots of "running around" type shopping...including a new coat
Fitted new headlight
Headlice check (clear thankfully)

WILL DO BEFORE BED
Pay childcare
At least 1 hour working on essay
Renew tax disc
Electoral role

MUST DO TOMORROW
Work out uni timetable for next week - I start on Friday - eek!
Clean out guinea pigs
Put photo albums away (DCs have all needed baby photos for school this week...)
Repair once and for all loo roll holder
*Complete uni induction activities
*complete first draft of essay

ooh and somewhere in that lot I have twinged my back so am now in agony and not sure how much will get done tomorrow.

Currently having medicinal

Oh and EA #3 tomorrow...

Nettle - hope your MIL is feeling OK after her first treatment. Is it radiotherapy she's having or chemo? My mum had radiotherapy and said the main effect was tiredness. She managed to go back to work afterwards for the first few sessions, but was too tired afterwards. I do hope your MIL doesn't suffer too many side effects.

Feet - sorry your DD is having a rough time at school. My son was also one of the disruptive ones , but he couldn't help it (he couldn't sit still and was having tics all the time, which upset him). I realise it must be awful for the other children though. This time round, I have one of the quiet, well-behaved ones myself (phew). In my DS2's primary school, they take the tricky children out for 'nurture' sessions, which is good for them and gives the other children a much-needed break. I wonder if your school could do anything like that? It all depends on the headteacher though. There was nothing like that until a new head took over at this school. Good luck with your meeting with the head - you should definitely express your concerns.

Haunted - have just been browsing new coats online - what did you buy?

Ouch - that is one very impressive list! It makes me feel tired just reading it. Hope you relaxed this evening.

Nicknacks - mindees? Does that mean you are a childminder? I did that for two and a half years when DS1 was a toddler. Probably the hardest job I've ever done! I have no idea how you fit Flying in as well.

Swan - The CAMHS ASD group sounds helpful. CAMHS have just given us a date for CBT to treat DS1's OCD in October. He didn't protest too much, so maybe he knows he needs help with it.

Done
Morning routine
Make beds
S/s
Take DS to friend's so she can take him to school with her DC (very kind friend - and enabling me to get to work earlier, to make up for early departure yesterday)
Work
Get petrol
Home just in time to walk to school for pickup
Volunteer to hear children read in DS's class (Reception) on a Friday. I thought hoped she would have had enough volunteers so I would look helpful (but not have to do it smile), but she's asked me to come in on a Friday afternoon to help with reading and craft/art activity (someone's been talking!)
Find a friend's dog wandering the roads on the way home, so take it home with us, get lead and take dog to friend's house
Have cup of tea and chat gossip (so not get my afternoon jobs done)
Phone garage for spark arrestor update
Phone WI member for answer re trip so I can get the month return completed
Play with DS
Cook tea - make fishcakes with DS
Clean washing away
Washing on airer
Washing in machine for tonight
Zone cleaning/declutter
Tea
Homework with DS - I'm already running out of comments to put in his reading book. What do the rest of you write? We're supposed to put comments in about how they read, reactions to the story, proof of comprehension, recognition of phonics etc. Today I ended up saying that he is using the picture to help him with the words, but is prone to missing out the article and heading straight for the noun as he can see that in the illustration. That, and the discussion we had about perspective in relation to perceived size of image based on distance from other articles.
Evening routine
DS to bed
Paper file item
Filing
Menu plan
Clean fridge
Shopping list
Phone call from friend needing me to look after her DCs on Friday morning as 6.45 AM, as she won't be back from work, and her DH has to go to a meeting. Agreed to this, as long as they would be happy to sit in front of TV/sleep and not need entertaining. She will collect about 7.30 on her way home from work.
Make cake for DS's lunch box tomorrow
WI return
Prep WI banking

To Do
Get DS making birthday cards - he was too tired to want to concentrate on this tonight
Shredding - gave up as noise was disturbing sleeping DS
Make bread - decided he could take bread sticks or rice cakes instead, as I am feeling too tired to do this tonight [bad mummy emoticon]

Ihate -
Ds reading record is typically filled with:
read book pg 1-end fluently and enthusiastically. Enjoyed the comdey of the story/got distracted by X aspect leading to lots of questions making it hard for him to refocus on the story. He could recount the story accurately.

Althought to be honestly most of ds' record is just the first sentance. In ds' school whilst it is nice for comments they are more concerned with the fact the reading is done (and signed off by the parent) rather then the actually associated comment. I think the reception focus was a bit more on the fact that they used the phonics to sound out unknown words so iirc during reception we used phrases like. Ds used his phonics to sound out the words he didn't know. Or occassionally, ds not sure of the phonics sounds in word X.

You will end up repeating yourself from book to book. It is part of the joy of reading homework. Good luck with inschool reading and craft.

Hope you feel better soon Toffee!

Good evening all had lotsa wine

bluewell done on kitchen dejunk, hope result are fab!!! word to wiuse do not leave glass cafetiere on stairs whilst you decide to keep or dump.
ihate thanks for run out of reading book comments, apart from ds memorising story and making it up i have nothing new to say
8ouch* thx for wise words of wisdom on reading sounds just like ds school
toffee mil having both just started chemo for 6 treatments followed by 3 weeks of radio
haunted thx for here is some more coming back at you.
ouch thx for thought re mil

im a little peed so expect its bedtime now, have removed wine bottles and wine glasses from lounge.

had fab chat and fun, make up accessories and hair advise from dfriend.

good night all. huge drunken ((((hugs))))

Morning pop pickers! Hope you are all thriving!

Dh and I had a rather heated 'discussion' about life/the universe/our future last night and it went on rather longer than expected so sorry I didn't get on here.

Posting today's step now, and then back after the morning routine to see what you were all up to yesterday ...

Today's step, no. 22 for Thursday 22nd September is: here Checking up on cj. Entirely up to you.

We are in zone 4 all this week (the master bedroom) here

Today's mission is here! What Flylady terms a "panty raid"

If you want to get ahead and look at tomorrow's mission as well, you can see it here

Some Fat Fairy reminders here

Thursday is grocery and errand day.

Have a good 'un! Back once dd off to school.

[leaves paracetemol and double espresso out for CNettle]

Hope that getting up this morning didn't prove too torturous, Nettie. Sounds like you had a lovely evening though, so I'm sure it was worth it. Hope your MIL is feeling OK after her treatment - or as OK as can be expected at this stage.

SC Hope you are OK this morning after your heated discussions - not pleasant at any time of day, but I always find myself getting particularly emotional late at night. Do hope you managed to sleep OK afterwards too.

I won't be teaching until 11.30 am today and the lessons are almost all prepared, so really have no excuses this morning - no run to fit in, either. Today's list:

• Phone friend re second English group on Fridays (problem is that she doesn't want her DD to be in the same group as the other girl who would come along as she thinks they would distract each other too much - other mother doesn't believe this would be the case, and would prefer the two girls to be together)
• Go to paediatrician's to collect speech therapy referral (first one seems to have got lost somewhere between here and Vienna, and speech therapist getting rather impatient)
• Remind DD2 to write card to GPs
• Package up book club book (have posted on book club thread WhoKnows, although wondering whether there's much point any more!)

plus morning routine, decluttering, etc.

Will be back later when I've woken up a bit! Still haven't quite recovered from going to bed at midnight two days ago.

Morning all

Everything is ok if I stay lying down.

V small list

Keep house respectable
Drop dc in appropriate provision
Go to work and do some
Take mil to wig consultation if she feels well enough

Ah better get up and bathe dc

sc hope you are feeling better for chat

Be back later

Have lovely day

Sounds like a great night Cnettle take it steady today and hope your mil is OK.
You sound as if you have things under control over at yours Linzer. Hope your lessons go well. Sadly, I can't drink more than two large glasses of red wine/and or go to bed extremely late any more without paying for it. Fine the next day but not the day after the day after. Sniff. It's definitely a sign of old age

Thanks CNettle/Linzer btw - no great shakes -dh and I have these life/universe discussions at least once every few months or so in which he goes from drawing plans for the house/doing banking calculations to asleep and snoring within 3 mins flat, while I er, lay awake ... . They solve absolutely nothing but it least we get it all off our chests temporarily until the next 'round'...