Flinging our way through the chaos: February’s Fledgling Flyers

[LinzerTorte]

Welcome to the February edition of the Fledgling Flyers' thread.

If you're living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome), this is the thread for you! We follow the tips on the FlyLady website in an attempt to restore order to our homes, but advise against signing up for the e-mails; all the information you need is on this thread.

Each day, I'll be posting the links that will enable you to do any of the following:

• start or repeat babysteps

• repeat babysteps and do 15 minutes a day decluttering in the current zone

or

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

More information about the babysteps is here.

So please join us - there's always plenty of chat, , cake, encouragement and the occasional to help us on our way!

Morning all,

Just popping in before I start work to welcome Jas, ellie, ChitChat, dizzy, NickNacks, Pickled, and cq to the thread.

So sorry to hear about your friend, cq. It must be a worrying time for you with your FIL in hospital as well. Sometimes those ingrained babysteps can really help at times like this, as you do them almost automatically and - like you said - they can help prevent you from feeling too overwhelmed when there are so many other things going on.

Thanks for the introduction, BlackCat. As most of you from Toffee's thread last month won't know me, I'll introduce myself too for the benefit of the new Flyers. I've been on the fledgling flyers' thread for almost two years now (I did have a couple of attempts at FLYing on my own before then, but neither lasted more than a few months), live in Austria (so you may see me posting at what looks like a ridiculously early time thanks to us being an hour ahead and school starting at 8 am) and have three DC: two DDs at school (aged 7 and 10) and a DS (5) at kindergarten.

Honu Thanks for reminding me to remind you all about the monthly habit for February: 15 minutes decluttering a day. There's more information here, including information about how to declutter and FlyLady's five decluttering methods.

Re ironing, I've finally worked out how to use our dryer to get washing more or less dry but without anything needing to be ironed and DH hasn't noticed. I only really used to iron his shirts before; he thanked me the other day for ironing one and I had to confess that I hadn't.

As for paperwork, I really need to spend a set amount of time each week filing it. I tend to put it all into one big box prior to filing so I do at least know where everything is, but after a massive filing session at the weekend that took me at least several hours, have decided that spending a certain amount of time every week putting paperwork away is the way forward.

As DH is at a seminar in a nearby town today and tomorrow that doesn't start until 9 am, I've got out of the school run this morning and have also sent him shopping. Must get on with some work now, but will check in again later.

Morning!
Did the mission last so feeling smug this morning. Will try to do the same tonight but I also need to do. some cooking so will have to see how the time goes

for cq. So sorry to hear about your friend, hope FIL is ok

Hello blackcat pop in from the other thread as often as you like. The bar in the naughty corner is usually open (might need another sofa) and all are welcome

Now that should have been for cq

Morning all .

No work today so I am going to try to tackle the zone (which zone is it? ) as well as:

school run
swim
books to oxfam
buy food
hoover
zone
laundry x2
phone mum
school run
feed kids
rainbows / cubs run

BBL

Not chance to read through yet, will do later, but slow start this morning, in danger of being late!

Basic list today:
Get everyone dressed
DD to preschool
Do enormous mountain of washing up so I can actually see my sink to shine it - today is the first day of babysteps after all!
Laundry
Do some cooking

Quick list before mindees arrive...

Toddler group
Charity bag onto school
Dw on and empty
Wm on and hang clothes
15 mins declutter
S and s bathroom
Hoover
Food shop - DH job
Meal plan

at your 37 yo child ellie The men folk are a bit like that aren't they.

Right first of the month. stood no chance of getting up before ds. And tbh when he gets up at 5am regularly this is bloody unlikely to happen. I did however, manage the early bedtime babystep. yeah yeah pick your chins up off the floor. I do sleep occassionally you know

Today's list is erm probably most of what was on yesterday's list. Failed at being terribly productive yesterday.

To do:
School run
meeting in nxt town
laundry - finish folding, and ironing and get it all away
move fabric box and ebay stuff from current location to new temp home
bring books that are being rehomed out of the loft ready for tomo.
relocate stuff to be donated to charity shop/tip/friend etc.
books back on ds' shelf
ds to swimming
ds' homework
sort out ds' kit
Make birthday cake
pick up birthday card?
films for friday????

Shit is that the time? going to be late again
Need MORE

Starting baby steps today, it's 12.33am so I should get some sleep in preparation...

Am a train wreck but mobile, if slow and aching, but this place is a real mess again.
Am trying to figure out where to start. Suspect the large pile of washing up and re washing the contents of the kitchen, sorting out wall and floor where someone managed to trip with the contents of a hotpot and has a low comprehension of how to clean up, would be a good start. Also need to cook up a load more emergency food to replace what?s been waded through and get out to the car and make sure she still starts.

Morning all!
You lot always chat loads on a night while I'm busy getting an early night

nicknacks hope things in rl pick up soon I've missed you and your inspiring housework with mindee lists!

jas at DD not knowing what an ironing board was!

whoknows I use a mesh rack too, I have mindee folders in 2 and then paper in the 3rd and it does work well!

[flower] for cq

Thank you for leading the thread linzer!

Huge list bitchy good luck!

linzer hiya and thanks for taking over the mantle - I too have attempted flying alone a couple of years ago, but failed miserably. Following toffee in January has really really helped, majority of hotspots gone, morning and evening routines just about there - am better at swishing (sink and surfaces) than swiping toilet, although just got some wipes which may help - has anybody used denture tablets, do they work?

Keeping on top laundry has been a monumental achievement for me, no tumble drier so have a heated airer in our room, washing gets put on, hung on it, old dried stuff piled to the side, so bedroom resembling jumble sale, then would have to tackle gigantic ironing pile. Have been putting dry washing away when its done and ironing a bit every day need to wean myself off ironing muslins (gd job I checked this, predictive text had it as ironing Muslims he he) and ds body suits etc that people don't see - task made better by a new iron tho

Biggest transformation is the menu plan, this is the first week of using it, so not I'm s position to boast, nor to be a habit, but fingers crossed it will be (meals so far, edible but not overly yummy, so need to work on this....)

Like droitwich did todays mission last night whilst on phone to friend, so feeling smug.

Not in a position to be fully flying until the pantry and under stairs have been tackled - hoping Februarys decluttering month will help

cq - so sorry!

Honu - February?s decluttering task is perfect for me ? I can do that in each and every room. Scratch that ? I NEED to do that in each and every room.

Linzer - I?ve finally worked out the no iron/dryer method too. Sooo happy! If I manage to get things out before the last 10 minute cooling cycle the clothes look even better. I now only dry things like towels overnight. Cheap overnight electricity isn?t worth then having to iron everything when it?s sat there for a few hours.

Bitchy - You slept? Well done!!!

I read a great idea ? tried it but didn?t manage to keep up with it. A travelling folder ? full of junk mail and letters that you actually want to look at, some blank cards, thank you cards, postage stamps, etc. When you are waiting somewhere you can get it out and do some little tasks that you otherwise never get around to. A great idea if you have lots of meetings and appointments, but only if you don't have little DC with you I suspect!

Too many jobs to list, will be back with a Ta Da list.

Hi all! Another one here from toffee's January thread. I was doing the Babysteps last month and it's made a real difference so I'm gonna step it up a bit and start the missions and zone stuff.

I went round to a friend's house last night and DH didn't load the DW while I was out and I was in such a bad mood this morning without my clear surfaces and shiny sink . It showed me just what a difference it makes... Shan't slag him off too much though as he does the ironing in this house, every Sunday evening. Mind you, there's not much to iron (mostly his shirts!) as I am folding most of it straight from the drier... Talking of which, I should crack on.

Off to dig out magic eraser from back of cupboard and tackle pencil marks on dining room wall that DS2 made about 10 months ago

I posted, but it's gone..so
suffice it to say
done
something
to do
more

justgetting poor you, how incredibly frustrating that feeling of so much to catch up on, but good news that mobility has improved slightly.

Out to lunch with friends [Yay!] it seems a long time since I did anything sociable despite being at home all day

Just having a quick coffee break - although I've worked through most of it, so it wasn't much of a break. The coffee has woken me up, however! I definitely noticed the lack of fresh air first thing, as grateful as I was to DH for doing the school run.

thewaffler I've heard that denture tablets are supposed to be good for cleaning the toilet - and also for removing tea stains from mugs - but haven't tried it out myself. at ironing Muslims.

lauren Well, I had a late (for me) night last night and there were still lots of posts after mine! The time difference doesn't help, of course. Maybe the thread should close down at 10 pm each night in the spirit of FlyLady's teachings.

JustGetting Hope you're feeling better soon. It must be very frustrating to be slow and achy when you see so much around you to be done, but just remember... babysteps, babysteps. Yes, the kitchen (and in particular the sink ) is always a good place to start.

Bitchy Well done on the early night.

Must go and wash my hair, then see about lunch (menu planning is all about taking stuff out of the freezer this week, as a) it's getting ridiculously full, and b) it's a busy week work-wise)... by which time my working day will probably be over as the girls will be out of school in 1.5 hours. And this is their long day.

ChitChat Glad you've discovered the no-iron method too; it took me ages, trying out various settings on my dryer!
I remember reading about FlyLady's travelling folder - in her book, I think (which could really do with an index) - it's a great idea in theory. (I'm trying to become "paperless" and keep all the information I need on my phone, but you obviously can't apply that to everything - birthday cards, for example.) Have just found her Office in a Bag on the website, although it's probably ridiculously expensive even before postage to Europe.

Hello and welcome libbyssister. Yes, a shiny sink makes such a difference, doesn't it?

swan Hope you have a lovely lunch. I'm rarely very sociable in my child-free time, but the morning goes so fast as it is that it just flies by if I meet a friend for coffee, as lovely as it is to have a child-free uninterrupted chat.

And now I really am going to go...

Linzer since my mammoth online order, and my new worktop freezer (mini) I am finding it a breeze to organize dinner Why did I never do this before? Taking ingredients out of freezer, even if I have to think of it 9 hours before I eat them, still has to be easier than worrying about sell-by dates, and/or shopping every three days. And that's even without cooking for the freezer.

Also subscribe to no ironing, unfortunately that's the "crumpled don't own a drier" type of no-ironing. Dh's shirts do eventually have to be ironed, there is no escape, until he takes to wearing tank tops...or trendy pullovers. No-one else though...

A beautiful golden Alpine light is filling the kitchen, it's north so it feels like a rare treat (must be reflecting off some wall somewhere)

Onwards!

Quickly checking in.

Denture tablets! what a good idea dh uses them to soak his gum shield so I'll pop one in the toilet and report back.

Done:
school run
swim
books to oxfam
buy food
laundry x1

Now to hoover. BBL

Morning!

Lovely day here but going into the office again this afternoon. Finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel thank goodness.

Had a great morning and am sitting down with a cuppa before starting lunch. Have done detailed clean in living room this morning so that's the zone done for the week. Washing and ironing all done. Paperwork and filing and weekly shop to do tomorrow so pretty much on top of everything.

Ta da

Up, dressed to shoes
Swished upstairs bathroom
Nade bed
Emptied and refilled dw
Shined sinks, tops and kitchen cupboard doors
Hung up 1st load of washing
Put on and hung up second load of washing
Swished downstairs bathroom
Dusted
Hoovered
Wiped floors
Detail cleaned living room yaay!

To do

Work boo

Time for you all to have some and , I think.

Have had a lovely morning catching up with a friend. DS1 is doing schoolwork. DS2 is at school. DH is on his way home from work already already, so I am going to look busy with ironing .

Went to bed before midnight last night and feel so much better for it!

See you all later.

Lots of pasta dishes in the freezer, but I made (well, defrosted) spaghetti carbonara yesterday so I dug deeper. Eventually found a container holding something enticingly called rice and fish, so that will have to do. It has green bits in it, but on closer inspection these turned out to be herbs so I'd better cook some veg as well.

swan I don't do much cooking specifically for the freezer, but when I'm only cooking for two preteens with bird-like appetites (unless I'm cooking something vegetarian, in which case I'll eat it too), we inevitably end up with about 80% of the meal left over. I generally only need to cook from scratch twice a week, as we usually have enough in the freezer to keep us going the rest of the time.

We have friends coming over this afternoon, so I have bought doughnuts in anticipation. I cannot get quite as excited about doughtnuts as most Austrians (they're a speciality around carnival time), but I didn't have time to do any baking. (They're not even proper doughtnuts as they have apricot jam in them.)

that is super dooper organised Linzer I didn't realise you could freeze carbonara or even things like kedgeree.
I defrosted something I thought was red cabbage the other day only to find it was loads of stewed blackberries Now if I was Feet or Who I would then have made jam with it, but as was it half of ended up thrown away as it went off....[boo] Tbh I'm sticking to bread and meat in my freezer at present until I work out how best to label/organise it.

have done my cleaning, and some dancing!

Magic tape sticks to plastics etc in a normal freezer (and up to minus 80C) And can be written on, stuck onto container and peeled off again to replace.

I know don't tell anyone. But this wk have had two early nights mind you i feel like death as a result.

List up date:
School run
meeting in nxt town
laundry - finish folding, and ironing and get it all away, Need to do a kit wash tonight post swimming.
move fabric box and ebay stuff from current location to new temp home
bring books that are being rehomed out of the loft ready for tomo.
relocate stuff to be donated to charity shop/tip/friend etc.
books back on ds' shelf
ds to swimming
ds' homework
sort out ds' kit
Make birthday cake
pick up birthday card?
films for friday????
pack ds' overnight bag for wkend

Right got a pile of presents ordered by various people for ds that need wrapping and no wrapping paper so going to go pop to shop to get a roll of paper.

Ah, there you are, was scared of getting left behind.
Just about enough time to mark my place, sorry have been absent recently.
The way to an efficient life is through never logging on to mumsnet I think!
But that is just not going to happen.
Lots of new names to learn I see... Hello everyone!

Erm, does anyone here have a VIRGIN phone line with answer phone service? How do I access my messages?
This was on my to do list 'sort out virgin account', but I figure asking on mumsnet would be quicker than sorting and looking for the paperwork.

my bedroom is finished!!! Decluttered, new furniture, carpets and it is cosy, serene and I love it. (Can you tell)

Thankfully I hoovered everywhere, including the stairs, did all the laundry, changed beds and was generally a Domestic Goddess - today I feel awful. Tonsillitis, cough, temp and sore everything.

So marking my place for end of week another day when I feel back to normal.