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!!

Ya think so bitchy??!!

And no, Toffee -DH doing it DOESN'T COUNT! (Well not unless you're standing over him with a whip or some such, then we might give you points for it!! )

Ta da list (continued...)

Shined sink
Cut Butternut up and into steamer
Empty Dishwasher
Make pumpkins scones ? batch of 40
Clean/bleach potties/stools/child?s toilet seat
Deep clean downstairs toilet (wipe down outside of loo,etc, sweep, mop)
Sweep and mop stairs
Declutter, sweep and mop Entry and Hall
Clothes out of dryer, folded and put away (whites)
2 loads of washing through washing machine, dryer and put away (bathmats and towels)
1 load of woollens through washing machine and hung up
School pick up
½ hour at playground with DSs

O. I haven't been to hairdresser for months/years...I realise now borrowing the dog was a ruse to justify my appearance as baggy, muddy creature from the deep..

So much on this weekend in preparation for my mum's op and childrens' birthdays. Dd's dreaded sleepover too.

done
Tailor made blinds all up! And old ones binned. It cost loads, but I feel that now we could rent out the house a bit more successfully if it ever came to that All have child safety catches too which is good to know. And finally you can use the bathroom without turning the light off.

dog walked

dog picked up at 3.20!

dd helped me clean our bedroom by polishing all the wooden things and moving first mattress up there for sleepover. I've taken two bags of rubbish downstairs. Still need to hoover desperately.

Ds1 back with some A's in his homework and an alright day

Toffee I've learnt a lot in my 2 weeks of dog borrowing - I will tell you more when I see you

Afternoon

I can't compete with the 'TaDa' lists above but here is my offering:

Morning routine
Tackled DIY repairs with DH - no rows!
Shopping
Charity shop drop off - finally
Ordered glass and 'odd length' light tube
DW filled and emptied and on the way to being full again
Some work - not enough
Laundry - ironed but still to put away
Made contribution to group supper this evening

still to do
DC supper before we go out

swan - hope your busy weekend goes to plan without too much stress.

Hello. Hello. Apologies. First proper shot I've had at getting on here today. Kept trying to post earlier but was continually interrupted so I gave up.

Bit of a busy day in office and looks like I'll be cleaning it over the weekend as well (cleaner going in to hospital for operation unfortunately). Thought exam stress would be over this weekend - but no - dd has to re-sit one on Monday (entailing revision this weekend - aaaaggghhhhhh!!!!).

How have you all been getting on? Lots of posts since last night!! You lot never stop talking (but there again, nor do I! )

Forgot to say earlier down thread; sorry to hear about your cat MrsUrsa Very wise words there about saying 'no'!!!

Blue hope you are feeling a bit more energised today

Swan snap!!! - I was neck-deep in poetry revision with dd last night "Le Lion et le rat" (Aesop fable) and it was a dreadful struggle to get her to even open her books and tell me what was what!! So I'm very relieved to hear it's not just us - although sorry you were going through the mill too!! I'm expected to deduce all homework tasks, as you rightly said, "by osmosis". Tis very wearing! Top marks to you and your dh for keeping strong. And, oh yes, nothing more smarmy than someone offering to pray for you in a "you need it" superior sort of way!! Stuff 'em!!
I always felt Martha was a little hard done by btw ...

[Jumpy up and down waves back to Nettie - having snaffled a digestive or two!!]

arf at Droitwich's naughty corner extension

Honu sorry you are still going through house-renovation-hell but hope a well-deserved trip to the hairdresser helps. Cooking supper by torchlight is one of those things that is fun the first time you do it, then it all gets a bit tedious! Hope you can catch up with sleep a bit over the w/e.

Waves to ElphabaisWicked Bitchy and anyone else I've missed...

Yikes - sorry - only half way through round-up. Part 2 will arrive in a bit! Everyone's howling! Got to go and sort supper. BBL.

Just time for a quick catch-up before dinner. To add to today's annoyances, one of my English pupils didn't turn up for the lesson - spent ages waiting for her at school, then drove back the route that she'd have taken (slightly longer than my normal route home) just in case she'd forgotten that she had English and had walked home, only to discover from another mother that her father had picked her up straight from school. Her mother (my flaky friend) had either forgotten to tell me her DD wasn't coming or had forgotten to tell her DH about the lesson - either way, I'm not happy. I should have rung her at the time to ask what was happening (she's away, apparently) but a) we were already late starting, and b) she never answers her phone anyway. Grr. Too late to phone now, but I'll definitely mention it next week. I sometimes feel a little as if I'm being taken for granted.

So a stressful start to the afternoon (English lesson followed by DS's friends being dropped off straight afterwards followed by rushed lunch followed by DD1's dyslexia lesson). However, after a restoring pot of tea and long chat with lovely friend who came over after I sent her a despairing text, am now feeling much better - if exhausted.

nettle No, no sign of the postcard yet - will let you know when it arrives. Egypt must have been fascinating, but I'm slightly put off by all the tales of stomach upsets that I've heard!

MsUrsa The maths tutor was very apologetic when we told him about DD1's grade, but she'd only had two lessons with him just before the test so we weren't expecting miracles - and she got 13 out of 29 points, so it could have been worse. I think that longer-term help, at least while she's still at primary school, will do her good.

swan Gosh, I'm glad the DDs' godmothers aren't like your DD's. Neither of them has yet written to thank their godmothers for their Christmas and birthday presents, although I do intend to get them to write and keep reminding them in a not very forceful manner. A task for this weekend, I think.

Toffee What a great idea about the dog, and how wonderful it must have been to see your DS's reaction. I've also thought that a pet might be good for DD1, but logistics and DS's allergies are against it. (She did have some goldfish, but it's not quite the same - and they didn't survive long.)

Bitchy DD1 is constantly losing her crochet hooks; she has a small collection now (although goodness knows where any of them are). DD2 has just discovered knitting, but has managed to lose one of her only pair of needles.

SC Sorry to hear that the exam stress is continuing. Am very relieved that there are no resits here. DD1 has already started revising for her next test - German next week, then we get two months off.

Hmm, not exactly a quick catch-up.

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 changed mind and now going
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
Retry to sort paperwork online
Ring office and sort out paperwork
Put cushion covers back on cushions
Put sofa throws back on sofa
Quick dip into second email account and evict obvious junk
School run
Ds to trafford centre and birthday vouchers spent
The masses fed - two different meals tonight
Ds' passport renewal form - all except 3 pasport numbers and countersigning.
Sort out plans wrt to training tonight
Sort out kit for training tonight
Remake ds' bed
15mins decluttering in my room
Ds into shower with hair wash but not getting broken arm wet
Sort plans for tomo
Load of washing on
Shower and ready for training
Council friend wrt her MH problems
5mins decluttering in mother's room
Check up Psycological state of mother - thank fully has improved but don't expect it to last as it is linked to the death of nan and mother's day is coming up
terrorise an mn thread with shiney cunt cakes
make shopping list for late night tesco run
Put book and resources into car so don't forget them when they are needed

Right tis date night and I am off out. Catch you later. And tbh be honest fair play to any of you who has beaten that list.

Argh argh argh argh argh argh (beats head against solid surface)

DH's fracture goes right into the joint; if he hasn't got mobility back in his thumb in 3 weeks they'll have to rebreak it and set it properly.

Also, the cat I have been attempting to tempt into our house?

Not. My. Cat.

Which means that my fond belief that Sherlock has been hanging around the neighbourhood is completely unfounded, and he's been missing a month, so odds are he's either miles away or dead.

It has not been a great day.

I have been channelling sadness into DIY. I've sanded another ten metres of doorposts and skirting in the last half hour.

As displacement activities go, it's probably better than hitting the chocolate.

Have run out of energy though, and have a lesson to prepare for tomorrow.

Gah.

Oh, MsU . Your DH's thumb is small fry compared to the loss of your dear cat .

Why am I planning to get a dog when pets seem to bring so much sadness?

WhoKnows - don't worry , I haven't made a particular effort .

Swan - "when I see you" made me . Can't believe I'm actually going to meet you and WhoKnows.

Bitchy - that's not fair! I have lost 'ta-da' list time by sitting on my backside in the hairdresser. But day is not over yet. Just you wait...

Linzer - I came up as allergic to dogs during my allergy tests, which is one of the reasons why I wouldn't have a dog. However, it has always been cats which noticeably set off my allergies, so I'm hoping that my allergy to dogs is minimal and will be controlled by antihistimines and inhalers .

Had a lovely time in the hairdressers - like a little oasis of calm in my life. Am feeling less straggly now. Came back to a very miserable, sick DH on the sofa. He had managed to throw pizza at the children. His bug has now turned into a streaming cold, which I know is horrible, but oh my, he does keep wailing about it!

Must go and put DS2 to bed (rather late). Then have more jobs to do

WhoKnows - I had to wash my fringe because it turns into a straw-like, straggly mat if I don't wash it daily and I hadn't done it this morning. And it is bad enough to face an unlined 20-something hairdresser without having an embarrassingly awful fringe as well (the rest of the hair was straggly, but not quite so obvious).

Ah I see Toffee. I had a fringe cut back in a few weeks ago after several years without and I cannot seem to get the hang of it reliably. Some days it looks much better than others.

Well, I can't even begin to compete with that list Bitchy, but I have spent most of the day at school. A meeting with DS's teacher, SENCO and head this morning, which was useful but a bit depressing. I bumped into 2 other mums of SN children just outside the gate and chatted for an hour afterwards, with the same result. All of which didn't leave a lot of time until I had to go back agin for gardening club. After which I had an hour free before going back for DS's class assembly. DS had a friend round after school, which I always get nervous about but it was fine, they played football and then a session on the Wii and DS, only one or two minor intentions needed from me.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by DS and all the SN stuff at the moment, I am lucky in that there are a lot of people in my circle of friends with very useful information about SNs, plus MN but sometimes I feel as though I'm drowning in information and not sure what to do next, hoping the workshop will help. One of the friends I spoke to today went to it a few weeks ago and said it was very good.

Sorry for no personals, on the IPad so not easy to scroll and bold but I have read all your posts and thinking about you all, night night.

interventions not inventions

[Double take at Bitchy's list] and arf at chitchat/Bitchy/Toffee flying duel!!! [SC tries not to go bozz-eyed from scrolling]

Sorry about that... Supper done (fishy Friday) and dusted. DD bed . Monty Don admired straddling his vegetable patch ...

Round-up part 2 (although see Toffee has kindly done wonderful job of responding to personals during the day)

Right, where was I?

Forgot to say to blue hope your allergic reaction diminished during day and

to Swan hope your knee and hand are OK and at godmother's letter! Do godmother's really do that ?? I must confess to feeling a bit miffed at times when I don't get any feedback from my nieces when I have sent presents (or sent money that their parents have requested) - but would never go as far as sending a letter to express that. The words "lacking in generosity of spirit" spring to mind ...esp. Hope you don't miss borrowed dog too much. And well done on blinds and child locks (amazing how small changes/achievements like this can make a difference) AND [stern looks] please replace "baggy, muddy " with "accomplished, intelligent and creative!!!!"

Arf at your dd's kleptomania - dd is exactly the same¨- she is like a magpie!! I lose anything shiny, I know where to look ...

And to MrsUrsa sorry to hear about your dh's fracture. No wonder you are feeling tired. Fingers crossed they won't have to re-break it

Jax Flying whilst nursing a sick child is not easy so well done for battling through and hope your dd feels better soon

Toffee sorry you are in nurse mode today as well. Hope your dh and ds recover soon.

Chitchat don't be too hard on yourself. As Toffee¨says it's tough when everyone's ill and these flu bugs can really take it out of you. (I definitely haven't got my proper energy levels back and I was ill three weeks ago.) So take it steady ... small step by small step (and save me a pumpkin scone please)

Sorry you are feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment too Linzer - it must be tough for you with so many plates in the air at the same time

Here's a big bunch of spring for both of you ...in fact I think everyone here deserves a bunch atm!!!!

MummyNickleby glad you got a bit of a lie-in and more power to your elbow for next week!

Waves to JWIM (thanks heavens for moderate lists and Whoknows*

OK ... I really am going bozz-eyed from scrolling now ... coffee break and back in a mo

OK - deep breath - round-up (part three) although I am enjoy catching up with everyone if truth be told!!!

Arf at Linzer's quick catch up (you're as bad as me!!) but on your behalf at missed lesson. V. rude and just what you don't need right now.

Crikey Bitchy don't know what to say. Don't know whether to reward you with the golden duster or invoke opprobrium of Fat Fairy [just kidding] !!! OK so it's the golden duster ....you've done LOADS!!!!! Well done!!!!

YOu've done amazingly well today too Whoknows Sorry SN issues causing you stress atm. HOpe workshop helps.

You have certainly all ended the week with a big flourish everyone!! Well done!!!

available for all!!

Back in a mo with steps ...

Ouch MrsUrsa sorry - I shouldn't mention crossed fingers and broken thumbs in the same sentence, should I ...

Thanks SC, you are sounding very cheerful this evening, which has made me smile!

Don't know where that week went, but it's gone!! Well done everyone!! I know it's been a tough one for many of you ....

Tomorrow's baby-step (no. 10) for Saturday March 10th 2012 is

here

• maintaining routines and learning the power of the 15 min work surge!

No missions or zones because it is the weekend!

Saturday is family fun day. More details here

And for those of you who like to get ahead, next week we will be in Zone 3: the bathroom plus one other room here

Have a wonderful weekend lovely Fledglings one and all!

'Tis the Whoknows

done
bedroom hoovered

alas dh gone to bed in a sulk. However he deserves for playing Monopoly with children to prove he wasn't [that's putting it politely

mrsursa my top marmalade cat Fudge did exactly the same last Jan. But I keep spying him streets and streets away, looking well fed and happy - I try calling him - he looks at me strangely and then whisks away...was it him or not, and I hope know he's alive just decided to change family. Cats are opportunists and often find new homes. At least I hope so. I still have second cat who is very adventurous too, but likes best to sleep on dd's bed.

Linzer half right sounds good to me, they obviously have a very strict standard of grading. Grr at English lesson disruption

Not a good evening really. Dh is completely spooked by thought of family therapy from what he regards as Social Services and has started saying that I'm trying to blame him for everything. It is difficult. I suppose we can just have one meeting and then say we don't need further help if he is adamant we don't.

Anyway children are happily trying out the sleepover arrangements for tomorrow on various mattresses upstairs, so that is sweet.

Whoknows well done on the good playdate! I find you ask someone about their SN efforts with their child, and you not only get an answer to your specific question but the floodgates open, all their hurt and struggles come pouring out..

Eek, before I crawl into bed utterly exhausted, here's my complete list!!!

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
Shined sink
Cut Butternut up and into steamer
Empty Dishwasher
Make pumpkins scones ? batch of 40
Clean/bleach potties/stools/child?s toilet seat
Deep clean downstairs toilet (wipe down outside of loo,etc, sweep, mop)
Sweep and mop stairs
Declutter, sweep and mop Entry and Hall
Clothes out of dryer, folded and put away (whites)
2 loads of washing through washing machine, dryer and put away (bathmats and towels)
1 load of woollens through washing machine and hung up
School pick up
½ hour at playground with DSs
Bleach bath mat (rubber one that goes inside the bath)
Deep clean main bathroom (inside and outside shower, bath- inside and outside, handbasin, tiles, toilet ? including external, floor, empty bin, wash bin out, wipe down outside of cabinet, fresh bath mat and handtowel)
Swept kitchen floor
DSs dinner in oven
Wiped down DS?s table
Emptied vegetable waste into wormery and scrubbed container
Emptied food waste into outside food bin and scrubbed container
Emptied kitchen rubbish bin, wiped down inside and outside and replaced liner
Empty dishwasher (AGAIN!)
Dinner for DSs
Bath and bed routine with DSs
Dinner for DH and myself
Shirts through washing machine, starched and hung up
Kitchen swept and mopped
DSs? table wiped down

So who's the winner??!!!

OK, here's yesterday's final 'ta da' list:

Breakfasts eaten
School run done
(D/w loaded, but by DH, who did it voluntarily, no whips involved, ChitChat)
Washing up done
Plates etc dried and put away
Tumbledrier on
Washing machine on
Phone calls made
Researched dog rescue places online
Ate lunch with DS1
Loaded T/Dryer
Washing up done
Told DS1 we're going to get a dog
Sympathy dispensed to sneezing and generally grotty DH
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 were 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
Shined kitchen sink
Swished and swiped in bathroom
Bought gift for DS's friend (birthday party tomorrow)
Hairdresser appointment
Read book on coping with school anxiety whilst there (rare reading time)
Walked home at leisurely pace
Dispensed further sympathy to very sorry-for-himself DH who was under a duvet on the sofa, sneezing and spluttering
Bought bottle of
Made pancakes and distributed to hungry DC
Drank
Bath and bedtime routine with DS2
Fell asleep with DS2 so no further jobs done

Was going to do room rescues and floor mopping, but that will have to be done today now.

ChitChat and Bitchy - am in awe of both your lists. I have no idea who's won, but I think we all need a golden duster award .

I'm exhausted just reading the housework competition lists! Well done everyone. [Stern Look] what happened to babysteps?

The bits of this massive condensation of living space that I'd planned and implemented - where all the big items of furniture were going etc - worked fine; it was all the little bits that took so long. I should have spent the last 3 weeks eating up stuff out of the pantry instead of expecting it all to fit in the poxy cupboard area I now have. I should have at least decluttered it - 1994 hoi sin sauce anyone? And what to do with plants on windowsills when the bit of the house we are living in now has sills about 1 inch deep? So now I am slowly going to deal with the heaps of stuff all over the lounge floor, 15 mins max at a time.

What with clearing out, looking after DH, working there has been no time for any thing but the most basic routines and none at all for me. I was appalled at the woman with lank hair, cold sore, blotchy skin, red eyes in the hairdresser's mirror. Roots now dealt with, hair clean and neatly trimmed. Out later today to buy lots of fruit and resolve to have less ready-made food. However, first thing is to have a proper length walk with dog in fresh air since we have both skimped on this in the past week.

BBL

I don't know WHAT you're talking about Honu

Toffee - golden duster.... damn, I forgot to dust !!

Actually 1 big day of mega flying has made the house a lot better. It also means that I can make sure today is a family day. Especially as DS2 will not tolerate being ignored for another day . DH got back last night after being away for a few days so it will be nice

The only jobs I HAVE to do today (or tomorrow) is:

Iron DH's shirts (fussy, starched nightmares that they are)
Tidy up DSs' toys
Put ironing board away - this is one of those silly things that I don't do and really clutters up the place!
Some more washing
Declutter dining table (my worst hotspot)

(Might I just add that I love that you have 'terrorise a MN thread' on your TaDa list, Bitchy!!!)

Off to have a good weekend now!

It is not going to be family fun day here.

honu the babysteps are in the lists. well perhaps i missed out the 27 fling boogie and the hot spots. but i did room rescues etc. And the others did swishes and swipe and other babysteps.

chitchat I also had eat chocolate on my list. Both very important

hope you all have lovely days.