Back to Fly school for September Fledglings

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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!

Yeah, I'm not putting post-it notes around my flat!

Is anyone going to build a control journal/have done?
I started one last year and think I will do it again this time.

I have one. I have down sized it from the green file of knowing. And I have filed it away. However, I have no routine and hate it. More so after realising how fecking structured life actually is around here ffs am booked up through to july with stuff already :(

However, I do have the christmas control journal in it and am thinking i need to sort out an address list to go in it because I lost mine

Mind you I have to declutter enough to get to the point where I am actually able to find the fecking thing.

I think the consensus is that it is a useful tool. Tbh i just need someone else to live my life for a while so i can go somewhere and just be.

Right. i now have the house to myself as everyone else has been banned to their bedrooms. Lots of caffine and loud music. And enough caffine in my system to get to the point where I physically can't sit still. Going to work a basic miracle on the downstairs whilst sorting out the whole host of horrors that will be coming in via txt and phone that needs sorting out

Thanks for the roundup and sustainance SC.

Fabulous to see you DWMummy

have good nights all

Hi guys!

Not a great day here, but did the usual so have kept on top of things at least.

Ta-da list:
dw
wm
moonsand accident :o
tidy sitting room
clean off kitchen table
convince dd1 to tidy her room
put clothes mountain away
make dds morning jobs list (complete with pictures so no excuses!)

Am still of the smokes, so feeling good about that but am eating my own weight in crap. Sure I suppose I can lose it again, can't I?

SilveryMoon I have a sort of a control journal, an a5 folder that has lots of dividers in it-has all my recipes in plastic pockets, all the routines from fly lady, seperate section for everything Christmas, Conversion tables for temps, weights etc, lists for seasonal jobs. I also keep all the envelopes for sending notes in to school, spare birthday invitations, a set of nice pens that are hidden from dd1, my post its and some blue tack. Works for me.
ENjoy your last day as SAHM :)

Madwoman Hope you find your rings tomorrow. My dm hides jewellery in the most bizzare places and is always "losing" things and finding them months years later.

Swan hope you feel better soon

Am jealous of SC and NickNacks nice days in the sun it rained here all day

Big Waves to Ouch Cnettle Fuzzled Toffee and Whoknows

Ooooo, please can I join in? Feel as though I'm seriously in need of this kind of support :)

House horribly disorganised - 2 boys who don't stop for a moment & in midst of house renovation (which has taken 6 yrs so far, hmmm)

Never come across the Fly Lady before so will have to learn as I go. Where do I start though?

PerfectlyChaotic
The flylady system is all about following babysteps and developing routines see here for babysteps, and explore the rest of the website. If you join, DO NOT sign up for emails, either from flylady or from the big tent, you will be overwhelmed with emails!
Basically we just pick the bits we like from the website and don't bother with the super American stuff if we don't want to. We usually post lists of what we have to do for the day and what we have already done etc. Read back through the thread for examples.
Hope you join us, I am only new, here since last month, but everyone has been very welcoming even those here AGES have days when they cba and do nothing and prop up the bar :)

Will someone explain to me very briefly what a control journal is again?

I quite like the "super American" stuff.

:o

Good day. Not much flying but plenty of family fun. :)

Too tired for personals tonight but big waves to all and thanks for the round-up SC. Yawn. See you tomorrow!

That's good then, CheerfulYank that you don't have to wade through the stuff you don't feel is applicable. I do lots of eye rolling, mostly about the God stuff, but also about drinking your water, and the testimonies about all their products.
My control journal is above. Fly lady describe it as:
"I want you to realize that a Control Journal is just a place to put your routines, basic weekly plan, your zones and other information. With a Control Journal you have a place to keep important items without them getting lost in your numerous hot spots." - FlyLady here

Hi PerfectlyChaotic, I'm one of those long term residents that sometimes CBA, however this month I'm really going for it. Flying has made a big difference to me and my home, I think as well as improving the state of the house it has helped my general organisational skills and possibly even raised my self -esteem. It's basically a scheme that works on a monthly rotation, there are 30 babysteps, one for each day of the month, little habits that make a big difference (although some are a bit odd and we ignore them selectively). The OP posts a link to the Babystep each day. the house is divided into weekly zones, we are supposed to spend 15 mins a day decluttering in the relevant zone, then we can move onto the daily missions, also posted by the OP. As it all comes round again each month you don't need to worry about getting behind.

Silvery - I've been here 18 months and never made a control journal, but have just started it.

Funnily enough, I used to get fed up with the gushing testimonials whenI used to get the emails, maybe it was the sheer quantity of them, but I am quite enjoying reading them in the Flylady book.

I was kidding. :) The God stuff is fine with me but some of the other things it's just like "okaaaaaaay already!"

Oh, that sounds good. I have an empty notebook and will start one.

Marvellous, thank you. It all seems a little baffling but I'm liking the idea and I'm determined to gain some control over our house!!

Will have a good read though when I have 5 mins (hah)

Hi everyone,
haven't really done much today, but have checked my email after joining the big tent and so far only two emails. I wonder if it is because it is the weekend?
Haven't done a babystep today but am feeling a bit rubbish because of my cold so have only taken ds to two classes, made dinner and put away some clothes.
Finally braved the horrible mothy things by bunging them into bin bags and spraying with indoorex - which turns out to be for fleas not moths, hope it still works??
What are you supposed to spray moths/larvae with?
Before bed have to put on a load of washing and do a bit of exercise bike - 20 mins should do it.
Work tomorrow so probably won't get much done, but will attempt a babystep when I get home tomorrow evening.
Hope you are all having a good weekend.

Hi guys

On phone so no personals (i need to write down so i can when on here)

So my list changed and re-changed as the day went on:

• labelled all uniform except shoes
• labelled bookbag and pe bag
• emptied various handbags, school bags and uni bags - found 57p and 20 packets of various headache, tummyache, flu tablets etc -sums up pgce year... Skint and run down
• recycling
• parcelled up all parcels (5 sales in 12 hours!!) and posted
• 3 loads of washing
• basic bits of shopping to last until Monday
• cleaned kitchen
• cleaned up painting things
• visited parents

I have a huge list left for tomorrow and told dh he needs to help... We'll see if this happens.

I have a strange pain in my side and feeling yuck do i'm off to bed. Night all

RowingBoat not sure what to get rid of moths with, however I was in Robert Dyas the other day buying moth repellent strips for the wardrobe and they really do have a huge range of things for zapping every pest imaginable, maybe have a look at their website or pop in?

Evening ladies....I'm sorry I have been awol I haven't had pc on and long posts from phone end up impossible to read due to typos/autocorrect errors.
I'm sorry I have been sinning. Got most of my jobs done from yesterday list.

Today I had quite a lot to do...but all I have managed is to nitty gritty the DC's. I then had a friend ring in minor crisis and so have been out of the house for nearly 12hrs keeping her busy. On the plus side I wasn't here to make a mess!

Before I go to bed tho I have to:
Feed guinea pigs
Put shopping away
Put 2 loads of washing on aired.

Tomorrow main tasks are:
Wrap Christmas presents bought so far
Sort PGCE paperwork (secondary physics for whoever asked)
Put washing away
Drop money off at friends
Side out activities for Monday's brownie meeting (am barn owl doing alq, did I see a brown owl on thread?)

And probably loads of other stuff.

I haven't a clue what baby step I should have been doing today....maybe I will catch up tomorrow...

Need a ta da list tonight. :(

Here goes:

remove plants from bath and give hair cut.
remove sewing machine from current location to new location
tidy lounge
Collect stuff from downstairs that needs to go into boxes
Final dark colour coat on toy box
remove project work from lounge into study aka dumping area
laundry first load on
30mins declutter in my room
Collect all laundry that can find down stairs
fill bath with water to help lift off muck from soaking plants in it.
find school uniform labels.
move bedframe from where it is blocking freezer
scare shit out of sis by dropping said bedframe with really rather loud crash
Calendar chart filled in for Sept Oct and Nov as currently stands
Sort out ds' swimming lessons
folding
turn ironing the correct way around

Need more coffee.

Need a ta da list tonight. sad

Here goes:

remove plants from bath and give hair cut.
remove sewing machine from current location to new location
tidy lounge
Collect stuff from downstairs that needs to go into boxes
Final dark colour coat on toy box
remove project work from lounge into study aka dumping area
laundry 4th load on
30mins declutter in my room
Collect all laundry that can find down stairs
fill bath with water to help lift off muck from soaking plants in it.
find school uniform labels.
move bedframe from where it is blocking freezer
scare shit out of sis by dropping said bedframe with really rather loud crash
Calendar chart filled in for Sept Oct and Nov as currently stands
Sort out ds' swimming lessons
folding
turn ironing the correct way around
Move half finished project off table after attaching all lose pieces
Ironing
Iron material for new project
finish christmas present no# 2
start christmas present no# 3
final light colour coat on toy box.
remove paint tins from kitchen
Drink far far too much coffee
move boxes of stuff for upstairs to upstairs guest room to be dealt with when people are awake.
Clear stuff off bed that had accumulated during the course of the night - this might prove top be fatal as it is now clear enough to crawl into and i have not finished yet.

right final check on results in short:
Hall tidy -
Lounge tidy - done
Dining room tidy -
kitchen tidy - done
everywhere else - remains an unseen bombsite!

actual task list very long and really cba to type it. Must must must sleep.

Hope you all have productive and/or enjoyable days.

Hmm that wasn't supposed to post like that. All 4 listed rooms are now tidy. Just waiting til 8am to run a hoover around and then fecking off to bed.

have a good one!

Morning Ouch
Thanks all for your comments re control journal. I think I will try to put a basic one together, just need to find the time alongside everything else FLY!

TO DO
Shower and dress
Swish and swipe
Boys to dress
Make beds
Hoover
Ironing
Clean clothes away
Washing machine on
Babystep (not doing so may look at control journal)
Go to friends house
Tidy away
Lay out tomorrows clothes
Make tomorrows lunches
Double check everyone's bags for tomorrow
What's for dinner?
Clean kitchen
Go to bed early

Morning ladies on this lovely shiny, sunny morning!

Firstly, I'm going to do personals as I'm on the laptop and I always forget during the week and then feel really bad about it, so...!

Madwoman - I've PM'd you re Brownies (as an ex-Brown Owl ) and I hope you find your rings. Suggest investing in a jewellery roll/box for your good stuff. I was given one hideous box for a Christmas and I force myself to use it (it's hidden away from sight in a drawer though!) and now I can find all my treasures. I've got a pretty box for all the crap bits that just lay about on the dresser, but I know the good stuff is hidden.
Swan - highly recommend neat whisky for a sore throat and for any occasion really
SC - I'm with you on not sticking up post it notes. They fall down, make the place look messier and then DS chews them. I've bought a large spiral bound notebook and use this instead for all my lists.
Ouch - if you keep losing your address lists, then may I suggest opening a Gmail account? You then have access to Google documents, so you can upload a spreadsheet of all your addresses so you can access it anywhere. I'm then very sad at Christmas as I then download it and use it to print off address labels for all my cards

and waves frantically at Droitwich, Perfectlychaotic, Haunted, Messy, Cheerful, WhoKnows, Rowingboat, Makingchanges, Silvery and anyone I've missed!

Phew, so on with the ta/to-do list:
Up/Shower/Dress - done
Walk with DS - done, and popped to shop to buy chicken as I forgot to take one out of the freezer last night
Work - will do if I ever get off MNet!
Washing - one load on, two to go
Proper hoover (corners and all!) - need DH to take DS away from each room, so will be pm
Make dinner
Relax & chill

Think that's everything! On with the work now ^^

Did a dress rehearsal for going to big school this morning. Woke DS1 up at 7, dosed him with his medicine, left him to get dressed in his uniform (still struggling with top shirt button and tie), then did breakfast. Felt a bit crazy to be doing it, but it will make it all much more familiar tomorrow morning and meant we could spot anything we needed to change.

We are all being lazy now. In fact, I am back in bed and might have a snooze in a minute.

Am planning to take the boys out somewhere for some exercise later to get them tired for an early night tonight.

Swan - best of luck to your boy tomorrow morning. (Is anyone else's child also starting secondary tomorrow?)

Have a great Sunday everyone.

That was a good idea Toffee. Should have done something like that myself.