Fledglings “March” 31 steps away from CHAOS and mess towards domestic success...

[sanguinechompa]

... well, a shiny sink at least!!

Welcome to the March 2012 Fledgling Flyers thread. Park your mops, buckets and microfibre cloths here!!

A huge "thank you" to Linzer for steering us all through February - not a small achievement Linzer considering your school run/teaching commitments and with your dh travelling so frequently.

If you're house is a mess and you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, whinging (in my case anyway ) and support along the way.

We advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's tips on restoring order to our homes, and as we are all at different stages we will be using one of the following methods:

Here you can, for one month:

• repeat or start baby steps

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

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

More info here and here!

All long-standing members, intermittent returnees, lurkers and newcomers welcome!!

hi all, have been AWOL from thread but still keeping the house ticking along. Have had DD off school with chest infection/cough/cold/sore bones all week and DS off yesterday and today with sinus/cold/cough general unwellness.

So trying to get everything done in the house whilst running around with hot water bottles, hot drinks, medicine is keeping me busy off MN

Blue I love the prayer group too, it is just that everyone seems to want a piece of me, and they all say (whether it is a Quiz Night, or a PTA event or a bookclub or the library or the hairdresser) "You need to make time for yourself us" Dh is the worst as he keeps laying the neglected husband line on me and hates it when I spout biblical reflections on him..

Knee is pouring blood! Suddenly noticed dog's head at blood on it [urgh!] Schoolboy graze only though.

Right: upstairs...into the breach dd's room first..with bin liner and duster.

Swan - I agree re the Ed Psyc at primary level. I pushed and pushed for DS1 to be referred, but the SENCO always said there were needier children who came first. I contacted the Ed Psyc myself and wrote to the Head, but to no avail because they both referred me back to the SENCO, who was - not to put too fine a point on it - completely crap. It's brilliant that your DS1 is being seen .

Re: 'Holes' film - yes, I have the DVD! Am not bringing it out for DS1 until we've studied the text though. Too confusing.

Blue - hope the rash goes away soon.

Honu - you most certainly deserve your chill-time at the hairdresser's. Am also booked in for some me-time at the hairdresser's this afternoon .

MsUrsa - you have achieved loads already today. I think you should have the rest of the day off .

Bitchy - hope it is one of those good days.

coostoon - enjoy your casino night!

Elphabais - you definitely have a good reason for being excused Flying duties yesterday (arriving home at 11.30).

Linzer - good to have you back! I think the tutor for your DD is an excellent idea. DS1's English tutor has been such a help for him and us (not so good for the bank balance though ).

SC - thanks for the links and decorative birch twigs.

Droit - I like the sound of the naughty sunroom .

DS1 has come downstairs, complaining that he feels ill. As DH and I have both had bugs this week, this is far from unlikely (in fact, DH is in bed, feeling very sorry for himself). I had lots of plans for home-ed work today (had a lovely time last night thinking and writing about 'Holes' - English Lit always my favourite subject), but one glance at DS tells me he is not going to co-operate. He has buried himself under his duvet on the sofa and is watching Minecraft-related YouTube clips .

I have plenty else to do though .

I think a crisis clean and a home bleugh is in order.

On the other hand, I could just go and lie down in the naughty sunroom...

Jax - Sorry you have been nursing a sick family. Hope everyone is better soon. (Am dealing with a hot-water bottle request from DS1 myself right now).

Swan - Btw, re your mention of the loveliness of the 'doghouse' threads: I have been over there myself recently as we are planning to get a dog to help DS1 with his anxiety issues. Have received loads of helpful advice.

Hi all, sorry I have been awol for a week. Don't really know what happened, but just completely lost enthusiasm and energy. House doesn't look brilliant, but not as bad as it could be I suppose. Still wouldn't want anyone over. Need to get back onto my routines.

Boys and I finally well (ish - DS2 still waiting for tonsills and adenoid removal and gromits to be put in), but DH still has a recurring ear infection.

Anyway, rather than trying to think up a to do list I think I will get back on later with a tada list.

Welcome back, ChitChat. Illness really buggers things up, Flyingwise. My house is a tip thanks to illness and home edding. Will also come back with a tada list later (challenge: which of us can have the bigger ta da list?!).

Thanks for all the welcomes back. Tbh I've been feeling a little overwhelmed by everything recently - any one thing on its own wouldn't be a problem, but it just all seems to be happening at once. Anyway, it never rains but it pours - have just received a letter from the school inviting us to a meeting with the head to discuss their "observations" of DS at enrolment and to discuss the next steps. Great, it looks like his shyness may be a problem after all. Also had a slightly upsetting letter from a family member, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Apologies for venting and lack of personals (am on phone). Will try to come back soon to catch up properly, but have got a hectic afternoon ahead of me and a busy day tomorrow as well.

Toffee they do Holes for Yr 8 at Ds1's school and friend was telling me how her very clever son was told for homework to design/write a poster advertising the Camp in glowing terms, and he just couldn't understand the irony, and just kept saying but it isn't a nice place is it how can I pretend it is is?

Dog has been very good, although I suspect he was waiting beside the door all the time I was upstairs. He hasn't whined or scratched at all, so I think he's beginning to settle well.

Enforced 15 min bursts certainly! done
ds1's rooms blind ready
ds2's room blind ready
bathroom s & s
ironing taken off the bannisters
laundry collected up

still to do dd's room! and money.

Linzer I know how that feels. swanthingafteranother etc...Dd received a letter from her godmother tickigng her off for not writing a thankyou , saying Xmas present had not been sent till now to remind dd that she had failed in her duty etc. I just felt like saying I don't want your sodding presents we can't all be brilliant letter writers, as it was clear the letter was aimed at me... Had already told dd she wouldn't get a present if she didn't write...so why the godmother had to rub it in I don't know... She used to be my manageress at work so she really really has the ability to get my hackles up! Although a kind good person..

TBH I think it is at stage in family life when everyone thinks you sussed how to be a parent that it becomes more difficult I KNOW my parents found this point the most taxing.

And I'd sent her daughter a soap making kit whichshe didn't thank me for (usually a brilliant co-respondent) so surely we are quits? Anyway none of this is particularily important just that it doesn't take much to feel one is failing miserably...

Waves to all.

swan: Geez, DD's godmother sounds a bit persnickity. Have hugs, also and and possibly some actual biscuits rather than a no comment biscuit. (still getting used to that idiosyncratic feature of mn, though I do rather like it)

Tada!

Took DH to fracture clinic: the fracture's right into the joint . They said 'try to move it, come back in 3 weeks, and if there's still limited mobility we'll have to rebreak it'. Eep.

Ugh, I feel like I've been beaten with the exhaustion stick. Naptime. Rest of the list can wait till I feel like a person again.

Swan - that's such a rude thing to do! Especially considering she didn't even write you a thank you (perhaps you should copy her letter word for word, but substitute 'soap-making kit' and send it back to her). Goodness, as if you don't have enough on your plate already! My tricky relative (the one who visited recently) insisted that DS1 write her a thank-you letter when he was six and had just been diagnosed as dyslexic . My own letter to her on his behalf was not, apparently, enough. To stop her criticising, I always made sure he wrote her a thank-you letter for every present. However, she recently insisted that a thank-you letter she had received from him was the first she'd ever had because "he didn't usually bother writing her thank-you letters" . I give up, honestly!

Linzer - so sorry about the upsetting letter from the relative, as well as the forthcoming meeting at the school. What will you do if DS is not accepted at the school for this year?

MrsU - sorry your DH has a fracture. Very painful and will just take time. Hope you manage to nap - sounds like you need it!

DH and I have just told DS1 that we have decided to buy a dog. We have made our minds up, so there seems no point in keeping it to ourselves anymore. We explained that we would not be able to get the dog until after our holiday in June, but that we can spend the time before then visiting rescue centres and finding out more about dog care.

It was lovely to see the look of disbelief on DS1's face, followed by the slowly growing smile. He is feeling particularly down at the moment (Prozac side effects, plus being unwell), so he needs something to look forward to. He has wanted a dog for so long, but had given up hope. We feel it is something we can do to help him cope with his anxieties. I think a dog might be more help to him than all the CBT and sympathy in the world.

Ta da list so far:

T/Dryer on
Washing up done
DS1 cheered up
Sympathy dispensed to sneezing and generally grotty DH

MrsU ouch at rebreaking it.

Swan i remember the wheel chair saga.

Blue ds woke up with an allergy type rash all over his face this morning. Unfortunately he can't have priton so will have to see what happens and see doc. A lot of people seem to be having exma (sp) can't figure out how it should be spelt either today atm. Hope yours settles down quickly.

Hope the meeting about ds proves nothing too serious linzer

Right need to figure out the last few bits and go get ds for lunch.

Ta Da
Find bank books
pay credit card bill
Pay in checks
pick up new crochet hook (lost the one i was in the middle of using)
check for the ds game that ds wants
figure out food plans for today
figure out if going to training tonight -No back hurts and am not sleeping properly
figure out what veg we are growing this year.
find ds' other gift voucher
update calendar's
sort out babysitter to do lunch run monday

Right just enough time to grab a quick before heading out.

done
money
dd's room prepared for blinds (piled everything on bed)
took ds1's curtains down and tried hard not to fall off the stepladder
dusted lintels/ window frames etc in sitting room and children's rooms
removed rubbish from dd's room, and put a few things in the right place whilst I see them (pink ballet elastic, my watch, my scent , all the pencils which belong downstairs)
sheets off dd's bed
two beds made

dry laundry upstairs
another load on
wheelchair out of shed (seems v stiff, WD40 needed)

Afternoon ladies
No ta da today, MIL flew down to stay with us last night so I went back to bed this morning for 2 hrs

Currently waiting to have eyebrows and tash waxed.
Got to clean bathroom
Change towels
Change bedding
Take DS for preschool booster
Swimming lesson
Weekly shop.

Hope I can fly quite well for the next week as I'm on leave and have a willing childminder

Toffee Dogs for the Disabled www.dogsforthedisabled.org provide trained dogs for children with autism. They may be able to give you some help.

Didn't mean to post then and have not sorted links yet! Anyway, I've seen what Dogs for Disabled can do for children more severe than your DS and it's brilliant, so it may be worth investigating.

Ooh, Toffee - a Flying duel??!!

Well that's got my behind moving!

My Tada list so far

Breakfast with boys
School and nursery run
Dishwasher loaded
Dryer emptied, clothes folded and put away
1 load though washing machine and into dryer
1 load into washing machine (bath mats)
Declutter entrance windowsill
Sand and putty edges of entrance windowsill
De mould corner of downstairs toilet (in preparation for painting, blooming water leaks!!!)
Clean, sand and putty edges of window sill in downstairs toilet
Hoover hall runner
Nursery pick up
Lunch with DS2

Me and my big mouth!

Ok, my ta da so far:

Breakfast
School run
D/w loaded (but by DH - does that count?)
Washing up done
Plates etc dried and put away
Tumbledrier on
Washing machine on
Phone calls
Researched dog rescue places online
Lunch with DS1

Hmm, looks like you are ahead of me. Had better get moving....

Honu - thanks for that link.

Ta Da
Find bank books
pay credit card bill
Pay in checks
pick up new crochet hook (lost the one i was in the middle of using)
check for the ds game that ds wants
figure out food plans for today
figure out if going to training tonight -No back hurts and am not sleeping properly
figure out what veg we are growing this year.
find ds' other gift voucher
update calendar's
sort out babysitter to do lunch run monday
Ds home for lunch break
File paperwork (pile one only)
strip ds' bed
figure out how to navigate un-navigable website my brain now hurts
Eat far far too much chocolate and drink far far too much caffine
Deal with the ex several times phone has now been turned off
Quick dip into email account one and evict obvious junk

Btw you two do know i am going to whoop your asses on the long list thing today right?

You just wait, Bitchy....

OK, updated 'ta da' list (continued):

Hoovered sitting room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, hall, landing, three bedrooms, DS1's stairs, main stairs
School run
Texted friend to stop her son coming round cos DS1 is probably infectious
Made snacks for both DC on return home
Quick shop at corner shop
Put bin bag out and replaced with new
Put recycling bins out for collection
Washed fringe ready for hairdresser (a bit like cleaning before the cleaner comes )
Emailed DS1's tutor to check when he's coming next
Ran around house checking all windows shut when a queen bee - the size of a small mouse - started trying to get in. It sounded like a small plane approaching. It's gone now

Off to have hair cut and coloured now (all ready for meeting fledglings on Tuesday. Oh goodness, I hope she doesn't turn my hair bright red or something. Am not having my usual hairdresser).

Also to buy present for DS2's friend's birthday party tomorrow.

Then home to cook dinner, unless DH has roused himself from his sickbed.

BBL.

Toffee you are going to be beautifully coiffed and I am going to be wild haired. Why did you need to wash just your fringe