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!

Morning all - quick list from phone:

Sort out grapes
Buy bacon
Cook DH b'day dinner
Make cake
Hoover, sweep & mop
More kitchen clearing
Work-related stuff

Post and run this morning

Done
Morning routine
Tidy kitchen
Tidy living room
Make bed
S/s
Washing on line

To Do
Help DS finish getting dressed
DS to school
Me to work
Shopping
Collect prescription
Pickup
Make birthday cards
Vacuum
Paper file item
Filing
Shredding
Zone clean
Handwashing
Hot spot
Clean washing away
Washing in machine
Make tea
Tea
Evening routine
Washing on airer
Treasurer notes to write up
Exercise
Look at home insurance as its near renewal time

Right, what did you all get up to yesterday:

Cnettle got a wee bit tipsy with a friend and let us know about this which is a VERY good idea for a very good cause!
Ouch did about 6 loads of washing and got her laundry up-to-date, a million other chores and drove her dsis back to uni ...
Ihate (Hope your headache is better) completed a million-an-one tasks, agreed to lots of volunteering/helping, made fish cakes with her dd, found a friend's dog, and contemplated both the use of insulation tape and comments on reading for hwk bks.
Toffee did a huge amount of Flying and retired to bed with a streaming cold (hope you feel a bit better today - take it steady)
Haunted Flew, withstood another EA visit, completed a hundred-and-one errands, bought a new coat and twinged her back. (Ouch - hope that recovers soon.) Enjoy uni induction today!
Rowingboat popped in to say hello, made a sausage casserole and bought more bulbs! [arf at prospect of intervention ]
Nicknacks completed virtually all of her list and signed in another mindee
Feetheart had a stressful day dealing with concerns over her dd's schooling (sympathies - your dcs education shouldn't come down to 'luck') Hope school does something about it.
Swan paid a visit to Brownies and Beavers, made a fish pie, did hwk supervision, bought a book on the Romans, and attended another useful ASD meeting (oh dear - I do a lot of wittering and ranting )
Blue completed her list and prepared for the fitting of her new kitchen
Oops Flew, scrubbed pans, folded towels, ate chocolate, celebrated her birthday (many belated happy returns!!)and a hugely successful fling-boogie!
MC has a very calm and organised morning (so calm she took her dh breakfast in bed) worked through her list and then, as a treat, went to spend her birthday vouchers!! Top marks for taking some time out for yourself MC!
Linzer ran, did the laundry, prepared her English lessons and tried to find time to wash her hair

On the subject of lists everyone - just want to re-state ...

of course - the beauty of this thread is that eveyrone's adapts the Fat Fairy system to suit themselves and if longer lists help then that's all for the good

[Ihate was honestly not referring to your lists in partic. see my note, second to last para Wed 21 08:46:23 - tis good that you've got a system that works for you!!]

You too OUch!! [SC constructs reward chart ]

My comment was in response to a few people who have come on here recently and said "it's not very much but I've done x" or I have "only" done this today....followed by (I think I am guilty of this too!)

Just wanted to say ANYTHING we get done in the chore department (which can be lonely, boring, repetitive, unrewarding work) particularly when looking after dc as well, is really something to celebrate!! Particularly those of us who are domestically challenged! The Flylady system is about doing the basics - even doing them imperfectly - and that being good enough!!!

To go one step further - I notice lots of people doing the baby-steps but not including the pampering one. So let's see a few more rewards/treats/ 'me' time included in the lists please!!! Pleassssseeee!!!!

Wierd ramblings essay for today over ...!

Off to clear a path for the tv cable man ...

Cnettle - been there, done that! Take it easy today - I find coffee and chocolate in equal quantities helps

No Flying today - I'm driving to London to pick up cousins who are staying with mum and dad this weekend, so I'll be at their house more than mine over the next couple of days. All meals at their house YAY!

First I have to clean our kitchen up from our mega home-made-from-scratch pizza party last night. It was fun but VERY messy. I thought I'd cleaned it last night but in the cold hard light of day - there's flippin' flour everywhere!

I don't think I will be doing much FLYing today....back still not goood.

It has nearly killed me to wander round just clearing up the trail of destruction created by 3 DCs in the2 hours they were around yesterday before going to bed

nettie I am actually that teacher should have told your ds off so early. "Attitude"!!!! He is only five. The reception class should be engaging his attention; most children of that age are "rude" because they are stressed or bored or not getting enough jumping up and down. You should not be the one having to tell him off, it is up to her to manage his behaviour whilst he is IN SCHOOL. She could tell you her concerns in a constructive manner so you could both come up with a solution, not expect you to solve the problem!!! I suspect your little ds is just sensitive to MIL being ill, and he's feeling a bit topsy turvy at moment and excited at being in school, hence boisterous rather than rude.

ouch/Ihate dunno whether my school is a particularily bad one, but all my children can read very well and I NEVER PUT THAT MANY COMMENTS in reading book. Well, I did for first term then I realised no-one was reading my comments or paid the slightest attention to them, except to notice that I had actually read something with my child. (Some parents do not read with their children The reading books are just a springboard, you can just as well read something else and put that in the comments book if the book they are reading is too easy. In the end, only way to get them to move child up is to collar teacher and tell them book is too easy etc.

Oh dear seem to be in a rant this morning... will sneak off to sink now.

SC so glad other people have long life or death conversations with husbands, which resolve into snores...and next morning's cup of coffee, "so that's alright dear, we will continue as before now that you feel better!!! No, I'm being mean, Dh has agreed to shed, utitlity extension, further agreed to fact that I don't after all want a shed, build a patio, relandsacpe entire back section of garden to cut down enormous fig tree, disassemble climbing frame (anyone in London area want a TP climbing frame, slightly dogeared??) admitted kids don't play in garden much
Not agreed to giving up his job, moving to Ireland, home edding kids, having lodgers, moving house, knocking through kitchen...or learnign to drive

but you can't have everything! No doubt there are lots of things he wants me to agree to

haunted I think it would actually tip me over the edge to make ths house saleable. The sheer frustration of house being decluttered and havign to then MOVE OUT when it was perfect.
Back twinging is so demoralising isn't it. I need to see a back person, but just can't face another round of appts.

OK...EA3 was lovely....

has had 2 couples miss out on teh sale of a practically identical property this morning (apparently) that they are offering to get in for viewings ASAP and go down the route of reduced fees if they offer and goes to completion cos no brochure etc. required.

Lowest valuation though. And it is teh EA which I have heard bad things about (but have a monopoly on my estate...)...ogh I don't know what to do. I am not sure my heart is even realistically in selling it (long story; essentially EP's OW lives over road and I hate living in teh location). But I am giving up a fantastic mortgage rate and 3 double bedrooms to pay double in rent...

I think another thread is called for...but right now heading out to cry on a RL friends shoulder...

Oh dear Haunted ((hugs)). Would you prefer , or ?

Nettle re 13 stitches! I definitely won't leave anything glass on the stairs, promise!

I really should get my arse in gear. The morning's almost gone and I have achieved practically nothing.

Sort out grapes
Buy bacon
Cook DH b'day dinner
Make cake
Hoover, sweep & mop
More kitchen clearing
Work-related stuff - I've been messing around on the pooter trying to pretend I'm using social networking to get real work... I have updated my CV and done a bit on linkedIn though. Is anyone on there? Do you find it useful?

Quick list update before I take ds back to school.

Thursday's list:
Morning routine done
Kit for repairs left with them need to pick up later
Load dishwasher
Laundry
Discover the floor in my room - all of it.
Ring hospital done
Make ds a doctor's appointment and take him Done
Sort ds' training kit done
Send important email
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
Pick up wood for ds' wood work project done
Discuss plans for the weekend with friend done
Sort out kit for sat's comp done with exception of the bit that needs doing to the kit that is being repaired.
Pick up stuff to do prep comp prep on the bit that is being repaired.
And I have done today's mission.

right must begone ds back to school

Hi all,
so far today have not been doing much flying, apart from the pampering kind - cos SC told me to!
Costoon sounds like a great night for you! Hic!

I did a bit of reading with the school last year and I barely had enough time to write more than a sentence about the child, whilst simaltaneously listening to the other child. Mind you, I made it hard for myself by deliberately mixing up the books to give them a surprise when it was their turn. DOH! They thought it was funny.

Stuff to do - too nice to be indoors so going outside
morning routine done except washing up - found extra filthy things to clean during the 5 minute de-clutter so at least it will be put away or disposed of afterwards. Groan.
clean bath DONe

no washing out - focussing on getting yesterday's washing dry.

brekkie Done
school Done
lunch vitamins Done
TV 10 mins
Er that's it.

to do
find out how to cut back blackcurrant
find out what to do with strawberries, something to do with runners??
plant some bulbs
tidy up tubs
washing in
get something for DS's tea at friends
dinner stir fry
5 minute room rescue sitting room
5 minute vacuum sitting room
5 minute declutter bookshelf

That's it, getting a bit claustophobic indoors so running off outside now.....[running feet fading into distance]

Oh forgot
spent ages trying to sort out Paypal account as they have mysteriously stopped my direct debit and are charging my (empty) credit card!
Have set up direct debit and need to pay the card before I get a late fee grr!

Checked and replied to emails

Right, that's looking a bit better:

Sort out grapes
Buy bacon
Cook DH b'day dinner
Make cake - lemon drizzle in the oven. Yummy!
Hoover, sweep & mop
More kitchen clearing
Work-related stuff - I've been messing around on the pooter trying to pretend I'm using social networking to get real work... I have updated my CV and done a bit on linkedIn though. Is anyone on there? Do you find it useful?

Sorry everyone, having a list frenzy
I just want to post my list from yesterday as I seem to still be ticking it off today
My list

Tumbling some almost dry washing still to do tonight
Phone property people - finally got somebody DONE
5 minute room rescue bedroom done
declutter a toy box and drop off at charity shop before DS sees done
water plants
water/feed outside plants
Still no new babystep (sticks fingers in ears and closes eyes)
pay swimming people done
set up standing order done
post cheque done

that'll do
try to fit in powernap - very tired! ZZZ!

Having a nightmare with the bank at the moment. Apparently my Ebay direct debit was questioned by the bank - although the bank deny this, so who knows. Also a regular payment was cancelled in May, which I didn't know.
I've just wasted lunchtime on the phone to the bank trying to figure out what went wrong, but they can't see anything older than September whilst they integrate new systems - Lloyds took over Halifax/Bank of Scotland!!
Wah my head hurts now!

Oh lawd - well I have just experienced true humiliation

[SC emerges bright pink from blanket she is cowering under]

Cable man came. Dh had assured me he only needed to be downstairs (which is in fairly good state) but no, of course, he needed to faddle with modem in home office which is a pit of the horriblest horriblest kind...he couldn't even uncover cables for all the mess ...

Then he went in to laundry in basement to use a plug ... and although that's reasonably orderly there were various piles of washing on floor including hay-strewn guinea pig fleeces.

And then he had to go in to another room in basement which is full of junk to look at switch box thingy... he literally had to do a gymnastic manoeuvre to reach it ... it got worse and worse frankly

On the positive side though - I think I may have just got the motivation I need

On phone so no personals. Beem to dds play morning at school, then nurses appointment. Rest of time has been making sure i'm ready for my supply morning. I feel sick cos i'm so nervous.

At ballet lesson at moment, will catch up with everyone later

lol sc, we had the man come to change the door furniture on tues. (not my idea - the whole block is getting done). except, i only thought he was doing the front door. (easy enough to get rid of the crap in the front hall).

but no, no, no. this man changed the door furniture on the front door, the back door (through dd1's pit of a bedroom that is also the laundry - replete with laundry everywhere, junk and toys and....) the kitchen door, the internal garage door (wtf i can't imagine - it isn't visible from the outside and it's my fecking house ffs) the upper deck door (again, not visible from the street, and my fecking deck ffs) - in fact, the only rooms in the house that he didn't need to climb around in and step over crap, were the ones i actually decluttered and tidied over the weekend. ffs. so i share your pain. i share. your. pain.

Is. it. bedtime. yet?

LOL!!! Thank you Madwoman! Good to know it's not just me ... although I have been on this thread from the start ... so really should have got my act together by now ...am running out of excuses ...

One particularly excruciating moment was, in his presence, having to remove a pair of dd's spare gym socks from the computer keyboard ... they were clean (thank heavens) ... I had absentmindedly laid them there after posting this morning...

Anyway the upshot of all of this is that we now have multiple television channels (dh's idea). DD is ecstatic because we now receive the CBBC channel (whereas before we just had access to it on Beeb One) Bearing in mind we have a leaking roof, cellars that flood, holes in the walls, loads of bare plaster, a huge crack across the kitchen floor, I am not entirely convinced this was a DIY priority .

MC try not to worry (easier said than done I know) you will knock 'em dead tomorrow!!!

Rowingboat hope you sort of bank confusion -sounds rather stressful. Well done for pampering! As for the strawberry runners - Monty did this the other week and we followed his example ... it worked a treat. here and here

Blue save us a piece of lemon drizzle cake please! (I'm afraid I'm the last person to ask about social networking - don't do any of it - sure others on here who can help though)

Well done Ouch you've done loads! And completed the mission too!! That was the knicker one wasn't it? Really regretting not doing my master bedroom this week now ...

Oh dear Haunted that sounds like a really difficult decision. Sod's law that the most likeable EA also gives lowest valuation too! [hands over ] Hope your back gets better soon. If not, one of those mobility aid grabber sticks are excellent. I use one to sort washing sometimes!

Meant to say Nettle re: 13 stitches - you must have a very interesting war wound !!

Swan Loved your 'what my dh has agreed to and what he has not' lists!! I could post my own but they would take up too much space!!!! However, I am going to follow your example and instigate a strategy meeting with my dh (which I suspect will be much more productive than a heated discussion at midnight).

Also, I think I need to delude myself in to thinking that we are moving out! And give myself a false deadline. I think that is the only way I am ever going to declutter this place.

Oops enjoy your weekend with the family!! Hope you all have a lovely time.

Right, going to pootle off and finish a few chores and see if I can stay up for Question Time tonight (Justine from Mumsnet making an appearance apparently!). Back later!

[plumps up cushions and pulls extra quilts over Ouch]

RowingBoat that should have read 'sort out' bank confusion, not 'sort of'!

Hmm...poor day here, although to be fair I haven't been here to mess it up either...

In fact I think the only FLYing I have done is teh quick tidy before EA.

Haven't done anything from my list....but still have bad back so balancing on chairs sorting out top of wardrobe probably not best plan.

Spent all afternoon with friend...doing uni work....consoling her woes, having my woes consoled....sitting on a very comfy chair which seemed great for my back.

Have been to secondary school open evening for DTDs....which has added much much more physcological confusion over selling house. One thing I wanted to move away from was this school...or more precisely the KS4 school (3 tier here) and it looks very likely that it will actually be 2 tier for DTDs and a very good school so even more reason to stay where I am.

Will start a new thread about it I think but I haven't got the motivation so going to sit and do an hour of essay and then go to bed on my lonesome....

Evening all,

I've got a LinkedIn account Blue - but don't really use it much, just nice to keep an eye on the former colleagues that I didn't know well enough to have on FB and be amazed occasionally when I find that other people I know also know each other (I work in a fairly specialised field so it's a relatively small world). I think the problem is that if you want to use it to find work that's fine while you are in a job, except you may have to be careful that your current employer doesn't get wind of it, but if you put on there that you are out of work currently that doesn't give too good an impression. My previous employer closed down last Christmas, a few of my former colleagues still haven't found work but have left their last job on there as their current employer to sort of gloss over that fact, but if you are in our industry you are likely to know that this place shut down last year so it isn't true etc etc. In theory it should be a really useful tool though, I think the best approach is to use the private messaging thing to speak to your contacts privately if you think they might be able to help you. Certainly a good idea to build up as many contacts as you can, you never know when they might come in handy. Sorry, long waffle!

SC - oh dear, glad you've got your motivation back even though you had an embarassing ordeal. He probably didn't think anything of it.

MC - good luck tomorrow

Cobwebs I repeat myself too in the comments book, but the teachers do take notice of what you write, I put that one book had scared DD this week and got an funny little apology written back by the teacher. Also I go in and do reading with children in both my DCs classes and I do read the last few entries in their journal as it gives me an idea of what to expect and what they have already read. I find it hard to write anything original sometimes, you have to keep it positive in other children's books, whereas with my own if they are messing about and won't read I will write that down! Some parents write a lot more than others, but the main things is whether they have read it at all and how many times. It is noticeable that the children whose parents are primary school teachers tend to have much more detailed comments than the rest of them!

Linzer - thanks, it's a shame about the books, I was hoping we would all be more chatty. Wonder where everyone has gone?

I have only really scanned the thread tonight, am feeling tired out with all the homework, activities, paid work, PTA stuff, Shredding, running and Flying. I am keeping to my routines pretty well, haven't done too much in my zone this week but have been decluttering.

See you all tomorrow.

SC I suspect that all installation men have seen it all. The man who reads the gas meter here has to use a periscope. I thought you were going to have something far worse draped over your keyboard

Haunted glad you had a comfy chair

MC good luck wth supply teaching, I bet you'll be brilliant.

Very busy evening. I love Inset days. Ds has caught up on homework, all done by himself, think we've turned a corner.
Ds2 got through his piano lesson without lying on the floor, though he was pretending to be a teapot when we left

I managed to get back to school library and do some tidying there. Survived piano lesson too.

Ouch sewing sounds good

Have done no kitchen clearing but DH's b'day dinner was a success. :) Mildly tiddly now though...

The new kitchen units are arriving tomorrow and the appliances on Sat. There's nowhere to put them, but DH is off tomorrow and reckons that as they're supposed to give us an hour's warning before they arrive, that's plenty of time to clear a space...

SC - whenever I apologise to tradesmen on the state of the house they always assure me that they've seen far worse...

Thanks WhoKnows. Trouble is, being freelance, I don't know that many useful people!

swan - at DS2 being a teapot. That really made me giggle. Glad the lessons and homework went well.

I've done my back in too Haunted - moving furniture to look for something behind it. Didn't find it, but did rescue one of DS1's baby toys that had been down there for about 3 years...

Off to lie down in fact. Yawns and waves to all. Night.