October's Fledgling Fliers: Seasons of Mists and Mellow Flyfulness

[elliepac]

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.

oh SC sad to get rid of the baby equipment still tripping over it helps ease the passing it on. I have a silver cross pram in my loft I have given up all hope of passing on (no one wants it as it squeaks terribly) and I am now looking forward to seeing a grandchild in it (twenty years from now she said hurriedly)
46! really I am too old for another baby, and dh is definitely too grumpy, but it is terribly sad isn't it

I need a dog

I was so looking forward to Downton Abbey this evening but it has failed me! Why is it getting so thin and clichey and so speeded up/skimming over? Although I do like their clothes awfully...If only shops were full of lovely embroidered blouses and flattering serge skirts

commiserates with homeworkhelpers - I've really given up now and just hope that ds can do most of it on his own without glaring omissions. We had to plan a week's holiday today for a Maths budgeting project In the end the vagaries of costing public transport on the York Dales enraged me so much I pretended we went by car
The twins haven't had any homework for a very long time. I suspect a project is looming. If it's space I can send in ds1's recycled model...[bitter emoticon]
fingers crossed for dd and her test linzer and happy birthday

Happy Birthday for Monday, Linzer. Sorry you had to cancel your b'day lunch. Hope you can reschedule.

SC/Swan - we decluttered the cotbed on Friday, so there would be room for DS1 to have two friends to sleep on mattresses on the floor. My mum bought the cotbed when I was pregnant with DS1, 12-13 years ago, and it has seen many a long, wakeful night and held many memories. I commented to DH on how sad it was to see it go - the end of an era - but he just said, "And good riddance!" I don't think he wants another baby, somehow.

It has been a busy, but nice, weekend. DS1 enjoyed his sleepover, although it was almost too much for him to cope with and we won't be doing it too often. Today, we went out for lunch with friends. I managed a very quick crisis clean before they arrived.

DS2 was in a foul mood all day. This evening, DH took his temperature - 102. So, he's ill again and will have to stay off school tomorrow.

Am nodding off at the keyboard, so will go now. Hope you all have a good week.

:o HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINZER :o
Hope you have a lovely day though :( that birthday lunch was canceled.

Toffee - DS is still in the cotbed though not for much longer I fear as he nearly fills it. When we bought it we put DD into it in the shop and she fitted into it width-ways :) Think she was about 3 mths old, she is 8.7 now.

Well, I did my first 10k race yesterday. Managed it in a better time than I thought but realised that I like running on my own much better - spent far too much time trying to dodge/overtake/get out of way of other people and far too little time admiring the lovely countryside and thinking my own thoughts. However I now have a time and an urge to beat it :)

List for today:

• All up and out
• Morning routine - S&S, washing done and out (forecast is good), cat litter, sweep kitchen floor
• Find DD's winter duvet and put it on. Found her in bed with dressing gown and wellie socks last night saying her feet were cold
• Ironing away
• WORK - bank rec and statements - really need to chase people who owe us money this week
• Print off photos for DC's homework - they both have stuff that can be done with a digital camera this week so spent most of yesterday afternoon having a great time taking photos
• Hoover living room, hall and stairs
• RR in living room
• Make big spaghetti bolognese for dinner and freezer
• More ironing

That's more than enough.
Have a good day everyone.

Good morning

Sorry for AWOL again

Ellie hope you are starting to feel better. absesses are horrible.
whoknows hope sciatica eases soon. Enjoy sky+
linzer happy birthday

Sorry for no more personals.

On phone and only skimmed, will try and get on later to catch up properly.

Need focus and a lost

Morning routine
Ds school with packed lunch
Shopping with dd (I need boots and another dress for Frocktober challenge )
Book brand new computer into be repaired as ds has put 2 discs in changer and they are now stuck! Grr
Pay cheques into bank
Home to put away dc clothes that have been there since Wednesday
Sort out salad for dinner to go with their pizza
Homework
Sort packed lunch for Tuesday
Evening routine
Print off minutes for meeting
Meeting in Toby (yum) roast for me
Bed

Got to go dc moving, they been up since 5.45 and I've been shouting at them to go to bed ever since

Hope you all have a lovely day.

Morning all,

I am sitting with my feet up while Dh does the vacuuming, lovely! He has a dentist appt at 10 so hasn't gone into work and I am taking full advantage. I will manage most of the rest of the home blessing later. Feeling much better today back wise but mustn't overdo it.

Swan I am new to Downton this series so still finding my way a bit, I did enjoy seeing Cora outwit Matthew's mum. Thought the bit where Matthew and William were surronded by Germans a bit unlikely. I do my weekly plan / menu plan/Ocado shop while it is on, so maybe not paying as much attention as I could be.

Decluttering baby stuff - we knew once we'd had DD that she was going to be the last one, so most of it got despatched to the NCT sale fairly promptly, but there are a few things I haven't been able to give away for sentimental reasons. Her toddler bed is in pieces on the landing, we replaced it with bunk beds as DS has to go in with her when we have guests and the airbed on the floor wasn't very satisfactory. DS has actually moved into her room permanently.

SC I'd swap worksheets for creative stuff any day, DH and I really haven't got a creative bone in our bodies, whereas worksheets are right up our streets. Maybe it's why we ended up being scientists.

Feet well done on the 10k. I can only do 5 at the moment but am still enjoying it. Ordered a big pile of new running clothes on Saturday so I can ditch out of the old tee shirts and leggings.

Better go, see you later.

Just remembered, the topic of birthday presents for 11 year olds the other day reminded me, my mum's 70th is coming up and I'm completely stuck for ideas any suggestions? She's not in any way old ladyish, very active etc.

Hmm, the boys still aren't 100% but have gone to school and playgroup. Supposed to have some friends coming over for tea, but not sure if that'll happen...

Need to go and check whether my friend wants to risk the lurgy. Also prepare tea and then it'll be the end of playgroup!

WhoKnows for MIL's 60th we bought a spa day ticket. BIL's other suggestion was a family portrait which she would have hated but other people might like! DH's grandparents are v active 80s and the family bought his grandad a flying lesson and his granny a digital camera and all the paraphenalia to go with it.
My mum prefers things for the garden or garden vouchers... Any help?

SC - We're decluttering baby stuff too, although the things that didn't sell are still sitting around the spare room.

feet - Well done on the race!

Linzer - Happy birthday! Hope you have a lovely day. :)

Thanks Blue. Not sure she'd like a spa, she's like me and has never darkened the door of a beauty salon in her life. She likes her garden but isn't much of a gardener (think low maintenance, gravel, shrubs etc), but something like a garden ornament woudn't go amiss. She'd like a new phone actually, thinking about it, her mobile is a relic from about 10 years ago, but that's a bit of an everyday thing. My brother has suggested an "experience", will give that one a bit more thought. Maybe a hot air balloon ride.

MOrning all! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear linzer, Happy Birthday to you. .

Thank you for all your kind wishes. I am finally starting to feel better. Swelling has gone down loads and I actually haven't had any painkillers yet today.

Normal leader service will resume today . Steps in a mo!

Today is our Home Blessing Day!

The Zone for the week is the Kitchen.

The Sneak Peek for the Week is here.

Today's mission is cleaning out dustbins.

The babystep for today is the power of 15. This is one that I wholly subscribe to. 15 minutes focused activity can achieve loads.

Have a good day everyone! Back tonight after the cub run!

Morning all

Happy Birthday Linzer
Hope DS2 is better soon toffee
Well Done on race Feet very at you. Keep trying to take up running but have been plagued by injuries for last couple of years.
Whoknows hope your sciatica improves but enjoy a day of TV
Ellie glad you are feeling better

Hello to everyone else.

I am poorly, as suspected. Keep going hot and cold and head like cotton wool. DD has an ear infection and a bad cold and has been up since 5.30 and DH has gone away for 3 days . DD has promised to look after me and has left Minnie Mouse to look after me whilst she is at school (But apparently Minnie has a tumy ache . Anyway have been to shops and got essentials and am not going to lay on settee and snooze for a while. I have an extremely busy week and no time to be ill. DD should be going swimming but she has already asked if she can miss it so maybe a snuggle on the settee after school is in order.

Other jobs

• Empty fridge so I can see what main shopping we need and what we need to use up.
• Hoover downstairs
• Tidy DDs bedroom
• Clean out and descale DDs dehumidifier thing that helps her breathe at night she when is bunged up. Its not been used for a while.
• Somethng quick and simple for tea.
• Text brownies to let them know I can't make it tomorrow as no one to look after DD.

We'll see how we go with that

Linzer Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! Hope you have a lovely day!

Good to hear you are on the road to recovery Ellie. Take it steady [stern looks over top of pince nez]

Whoknows was going to suggest a garden pot (or two) planted by your good self lasagne-style with bulbs etc (the gift that keeps on giving and all that!). Or stuff for garden that attracts wildlife this sort of thing plus a pair of binoculars?

Feetheart many congratulations on your run yesterday!! That's brilliant going!! Really admire all of you on here who are managing to exercise regularly (and seriously!)

As it happens, I am spending the morning chasing payments too. As the recession has gone on, our clients have got slower and slower at paying their bills . They don't seem to appreciate our overheads/fixed costs remain the same.

Swan/Blue/Whoknows/Feetheart/Toffee yes [sniff] the decluttering of baby equipment (only eight years late ) is proving to be a little . We went through a horrible five years trying to have more dc after dd but it wasn't to be . Over all of that now though thankfully and as I haven't been particularly well since, perhaps a blessing in disguise. Now hoping others can benefit from all the stuff (which, if all goes to plan, will be collected by a charity on Wed.) There is a veritable MOUNTAIN of it in the sitting room. Going to sort it all after work. Have kept silver cross pram too Swan (!) for dd to put all her dolls and guinea pigs bears in ...but as it is one of the bulkier items I will probably live to regret this decision! Feeling rather chipper about all the space in the roof that has suddenly appeared ....

Toffee sorry to hear your ds2 not yet recovered ...hope he rallies soon

Sorry about your crack-of-sparrow start to the day Nettie. Hope it improves

Flaps wings frantically at everyone else. Have a good start to the week!

x posts MC oh no, sorry to hear you are suffering too! Hope you and Minnie recover soon!

Whoknows - we got my mum a 3D picture of the DC etched onto a crystal block thing for her 70th. Thought it might be a bit naff but it looks lovely. Only problem was that DC had to sit still for 3 secs for the man to take the photograph that it was based on. DS was just under 2 and it took a total of one hour to take one reasonable photo :o

Ooh, that sounds nice Feet. KNow exactly what you mean about the posing for photos lark though. We are getting some family portraits done in a few weeks, will look into that possibility.

Friends are coming this afternoon, and a tiler's coming to give us a quote, which I'd almost forgotten... So I'd better go and make things respectable downstairs!

Thanks for the birthday wishes. My day got off to a good start when a friend phoned and said, very apologetically, that she'd have to cancel the playdate on Wednesday (DS was supposed to be going to play with her son) but would he be able to go over this afternoon instead? As it happens, the DDs will both be out at a party so I get the house to myself for almost a whole afternoon. (Just have to pick up the DDs from their piano lesson and take them to the party, and pick up DS from kindergarten and deposit him at friend's).

Then things went downhill slightly when I opened a letter about DS's school enrolment only to discover that, thanks to the catchment area being redrawn, he's been given a place at a different school from the one that the DDs currently go to (and the one where his two best friends will be going). Hopefully it won't be too much of a problem to sort it out as I assume they just didn't realise that DD2 is already at the school (DD1 will be starting secondary school next year), but I'm still waiting to hear from DH (I've delegated the phone call to him as I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to making official phone calls in German).

Vielen Dank für die Geburtstagswünsche SC. Yes, we've rescheduled my birthday lunch for next Sunday and I'm also going out for a meal with friends (to the same place) on Friday night.

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, MC - it always seems to happen when you just don't have time to be ill, doesn't it? Hope you're able to take it easy despite your list.

Glad to hear you're starting to feel better ellie and that your sciatica is improving WhoKnows. Hope your boys are on the mend soon, Blue.

nettle Who, or rather what, is Toby? Enjoy your roast, anyway!

feetheart Well done on the 10k! It's amazing how addictive trying to beat your PB can get - or is that just me? I went out for a run this morning but, after complaining all summer about how it's been too hot for running, it's now too cold for me as I got a headache from the wind.

Toffee Sorry to hear your DS is ill again; you haven't had much of a break from illnesses recently, have you?

swan I shall never complain about the lack of creativity required at school here again. The homework may be dull, but it certainly sounds like it's easier for the parents.

Must go and wrap up the birthday presents (arrived from Amazon this morning in the nick of time) and then collect DDs - apologies for any typos as no time to proofread!

The cleaner has been and left kitchen and kids' rooms miraculously tidy and smelling of polish..and I've been able as a result to spend the whole morning helping in school library without getting in a twitter

I'vedone
two washes
kids to school - ds2 reverting to primal disorganisation, dd reverting to switched on organised-neat-hair-love-school child
more talk with mum
library helping
pre-cleaner sort of bedrooms, breakfast dishes, laundry and rescue of bathrooms

Whoknows
I know what my mum wants...a Portable DVD player so she can watch films in bed - she thinks the idea very luxurious. She is 72 this Nov. She also likes dressinggowns [!) necklaces, bedspreads, tablecloths, cushions, unusual bulbs that she is too mean economical to buy for herself, and rather pleased that someone else has planted up for her! Also jugs, china cats, and garden ornaments like stone chickens etc....

SC
The twins had a terrible fight yesterday over their teddies - and they used to play so sweetly with them...time races past In a desperate last ditch attempt to get them to play together before they are teens and really hate each other, I am considering buying some large set of [historical educationalplaymobil they can play imaginary games together with...Just when I thought I was going to declutter all the toys completely and move on. I just can't bear the thought of them not being children playing anymore...
It wouldn't be so bad if they morphed straight into the dressmaking Airfix stage like I did.

Enjoy dd and her dollies

Hey ladies I'm back! Sorry to have been MIA for so long. Haven't read the thread as so long but scanning this page I see familar faces so Hi all and a BIG happy Birthday to Linzer

Can't believe we are in the kitchen this week. I have been cleaning out my cupboards all morning - have been meaning to do it for ages now and they so need it. Will clean the bin in just a mo.

TTFN

Need kick up the rear - have done some of my list but have 15mins before I need to leave the house and am on MN and not hoovering.
Phone-calls maybe.........

Hello Lady - good to have you back again.

Well, I have been very good and not overdone things for my back, caught up with a few sitting down jobs such as shredding a huge pile of paper, sorting out the contents of all the pen boxes around the house and chucking out all the dead ones, sharpening the pencils etc. We have baskets of pencils for the DCs in their rooms, the lounge and the kitchen, plus grown up pen pots in various places and yet I can never seem to find a biro that works. I now have about 30 of them, liberated from all the DCs pencil boxes and safely stashed in my desk drawer.

DS1 came home with the news that both his friends from the sleepover are off sick today. Uh oh. Am hoping we are not going to be blamed for giving them the sickness bug. I know that we couldn't still have been infectious by Friday and, besides, I'd disinfected everything, including bannisters and door handles, and washed all the sheets, but their mothers won't know that. Am tempted to text them - but too scared to hear the answer.

DS2 seemed fine this morning, but still had a slight temperature, so I decided to play it safe and keep him at home. I'm so glad I did because he has been tired and grumpy all day and his temperature shot up later. He says his throat is sore, so I suppose it's a cold this time .

DH and I had our first go at sharing the 'home blessing'. Can't say it was an unmitigated success (glances at the still unmopped kitchen floor and remembers having to wipe down bathroom sink when it was still unwashed at 2pm), but it's a start. Nice not to have to hang the washing out myself though.

Glad you had a child-free afternoon on your birthday, Linzer. Hope you can get the school situation sorted out quickly. The cream seems to be soothing DS1's eczema, by the way. Thank you.

Making - sorry to hear you are ill and without a DH to help you . Hope you get well soon.

SC - it's so sad getting rid of the baby stuff, particularly if you thought it might be used again . I find it helps to give some of my favourite stuff to friends with babies, then I still see the baby clothes being worn. And there is still lots of stuff I just won't get rid of.

Lady - welcome back!

WhoKnows - congratulations on still managing to Fly sitting down!

Feet - love that image of your tiny baby fitting width ways across the cotbed

Swan of you having a cleaner.

Blue - hope you beat the lurgies soon.

Ellie - glad the swelling has gone down and you aren't in pain anymore.

Nettle - good to see you!

I know this goes against the grain of this whole thread but my cleaner has been today and done my home blessing for me . Worth every chuffing penny.

CBA is hitting in and now i need a new nn as mn nn has been infiltrated will be back as something else another time. please don't linky the names up.

Afternoon all,

Thats it i am giving up. Just sent ds to his bedroom for shouting at me for wasting his time, making him get upset because i said he had to change out of his school uniform and do his homework before he watches tv (which he had been banned but reinstated due to good behaviour at school). aaarrraaaggghhhhh

Just going to update my list maybve i will have been super productive and feel tons better.

Morning routine-done including dw and s/w
Ds school with packed lunch-done with a screaming dd as i have to take her scooter off her as we were running late and she wasnt using it.
Shopping with dd (I need boots and another dress for Frocktober challenge )-done very uncomfortable but they are lovely.
Book brand new computer into be repaired as ds has put 2 discs in changer and they are now stuck! Grr - no phone call back, just rung them and they have now at 4.40 told me its a drop in service and and can pop it in. 17 miles away and i was there mosty of today. Now have to go home tomorrow.
Pay cheques into bank-done
Home to put away dc clothes that have been there since Wednesday-no
Sort out salad for dinner to go with their pizza-no
Homework-see aforementioned fight. (he has just been down to shout at me some more because of what ive done
Sort packed lunch for Tuesday-no
Evening routine-no
Print off minutes for meeting-done
Meeting in Toby (yum) roast for me- can i go now
Bed - ditto can i go now!!

mc hope you start to feel better soon. aw at dd giving you minnie to look after you.
feet well done on race, in awe of you. Despite attempts i can barely run one minute never mind anything else. Hope your payment chasing has been productive.
whoknows something everyday things are just the right thing. How often do you spend money on something you consider everyday? im more likely to put off those kind of expenditures.
sc ooo well done on decluttering baby stuff. Tis hard but well its an emotional declutter too in some ways. Hope payment chasing has been productive too.
linzer ah Tody is a restaurant, toby carvery you must try one when you are next over, soggy veg and hard potatoes but the gammon is delicious. Hope you had a lovely afternoon and that the call re schools goes well.
swan i love cleaners, if only i could afford her to come everyday. We could have a cleaner doing it all thread instead.
lady welcome back and well done for being in the right zone too
toffee Bummer at playdate cancelled. Love the idea of shares home blessing. All power to you. Keep going he might manage it soon.
ouch see you back soon
ellie love of cleaner, definately need cleaner thread lol

Right i better go DH is bathing the children and i cant remember whose turn it is to sit at the end without taps [terrible mummy emotion]

See if i can get my clothes away that my cleaner ironed for us last wednesday

have good evenings. xxx