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!!

LOL cq My dh the same. Also won't drink out of pale coloured mugs, disapproves of throws/cushions (unless brown) and even refused to push DD's pink buggy (bought in an emergency)! He is definately not in touch with his feminine side!

Done:
swimming
homework
laundry
dishwasher

Had another mother-daughter moment while trying to buy shoes for DD (we have spent 3 Sats now trying to agree on something to wear on her feet instead of winter boots). I suspect this is the start of things to come. DD has a club foot (has been corrected and no trouble to her except slightly deformed heel makes slip on shoes impossible to keep on). Until now she has been happy with trainers/baseball boots but now wants ballet flats/canvass pumps which she can't walk in . We walked back through town with me pointing out every girl wearing funky trainers/baseball boots/converse etc. DD just fed up .

To do:
ballet
buy food for MIL Day tomorrow
clean house (see above).

Scatty when I was little no nice shoes ever fit me because I had such large feet, and the ballet pumps were just coming into fashion, but neverin size 8 when I was a teen, so I understand a little bit how she feels. Are there some which more like a Mary Jane that might work? I'm amazed what a wide selection now exists compared to the 70's 80's, although I suppose that is in adult shoes only. Dd can't walk in pumps because they are so uncomfortable after a while, even though they do stay on, and I find the same, so I suppose they are deceptively attractive

linzer that must have been a bit a shock, even without the money, horrible miscalculating, I live in fear of backing into someone, let alone a wall.xx

duvets Dh once bought one from JL. A horrid dark red with fake patchwork design in gold shmmery effect to please me We are still using it. Although I did buy an alternative in subtle greys/greens. He likes his duvet

still shattered (getting everythign ready for music classes, ds1 out of the house for 9.15 class, catechism class, provisions, 2 children over after football for lunch, ds2 decided he didn't want to play with them after about an hour, but luckily they were happy playing with each other and ds1) Feel I have achieved something by having a friend round for him anyway and they were cheery guests.

house is still an utter tip but I've been putting clothes away steadily since 2pm and it's improving. Found important letter which had got lost in paperwork pile and should have been sent back by the 12th

done
Sat usuals
dw on
table wiped
laundry away mostly

going to bed for a nap now..desperate for one

Scatty - I still have tremendous difficulties with footwear because I have very wide feet, and high arches, ideally I should wear orthotics but can get away with part time wear nowadays which means I tend to wear them all winter in boots and then do without in summer because I just can't find shoes that accommodate them. Not that this helps your DD, but I sympathise tremendously with anyone who has difficulty with shoes.

DS enjoyed the den building party, luckily the weather dried up. I enjoyed 90 minutes child free shopping time while he was there. Everyone is flaked out now, DD is asleep in the back seat of my car having been out with DH while we were out, watching her through the lounge window.

House isn't too bad all things considered, I have been really focussing on my downstairs hot spots this week and it definitely helps.

Evening. V. quiet on here again.

Hope you have all had good Saturdays.

Whoknows congrats on eliminating hotspots and good to hear your ds had a fab time!

swan arf at shimmery gold and patchwork in same design just to please you!! No wonder you feel shattered with all those extra curric responsibilities on top of life in general - hope nap helped.

scatty sympathies over shoe trawling....second Mary Jane idea - have seen quite a few online in canvas ...?? Or sort of style where it's a ballet flat but has an elastic to hold it on ...apologies if following utterly hopeless suggestions but worth a go and I like nothing better than vicarious shopping for others!!

this sort of thing?? Would they be suitable?

this sort of style if not necessarily right colour etc

or this sort of thing?

[as shoes for dc are the same price as those for adults over here; there are v. few decent shops and shops only seem to stock one of each size, I tend to buy quite a lot of dd's shoes on line [bad mother emoticon]. Tbh though, once you know a particular kind/make suits their foot, it is not that difficult to see that they fit properly, and you can always send back.]

Hope early night paid off Bitchy and your day got better ...

I did quite a bit of Flying in every room but house still suffering from CHAOS. Can see this is going to take quite a bit of time. Ran out of steam early afternoon, not least because dh and I bickering about social arrangements we have/or have not each (purportedly) made ...

Going to bed in a mo but back with links

Huge wing flaps to everyone else!

oops - Scatty - second link was only meant to feature those with a cross-strap

Baby-step number eighteen for tomorrow, Sun 18th is:

here continue routines and read eleven commandments here

No zones or missions tomorrow because it is the weekend.

(but fyi next week we will be in Zone 4: the master bedroom)

Sunday focus is 'renewing your spirit' here

***

Thank you SC.

We decided to take the DCs to the local pub for their evening meal as we fancied an early wine couldn't think of anything to eat that would keep everyone happy. The DCs behaved beautifully and we had a lovely meal in front of a blazing log fire, however we were brought down to earth with a bump when we got in and Ds put on the telly to see the score in the Spurs match and we saw the terrible news about one of the Bolton players. We're all keen football fans, albeit not of these teams, such a sad thing to happen, thinking of him tonight.

Just mulling over plans for Mothering Sunday, i'm not all that bothered really, Dh says it's up to me what we do. Depends on the weather really. A cup of tea in bed would be nice. Off to catch up with a bit of Tv now, night night.

Evening all! NCT sale moderately successful, although still have a depressing number of maternity clothes left in the box... It's been rainy and miserable today so we've played loads of board games etc and tried not to kill each other...

Waves to all, sympathies to Scatty on shoe traumas. Trying to get an early night...

cq- my DSis came up with a unique solution to bedding- she and her DH each picked some they liked ? whoever changed the bedding chose the pattern!!!

Linzer - It?s so easy to do! I once backed into a car even with the sensors going but with both DSs screaming at the top of their voices and I was just tuning all the loud noise out ? fortunately I reversed into the spare tyre on the back of an 4X4 so no damage.

Scatty-I have pronating feet, and as a result can?t wear slip on shoes. I only ever buy shoes with ankle straps. Depending on the fashion, sometimes there are hardly ever any shoes with straps, other times there are loads. I now walk into a show shop, do a scan of their shoes and if I don?t see any, just walk out. Once I had to go through 8 shoe shops and 2 department stores before I found a nice pair.

Hardly any flying done yesterday - but I did manage to summon sufficient enthusiasm to make dinner for the DSs and myself instead of getting some takeaway - saved that for tonight

I woke up early this morning and hit the lounge and the kitchen - managed to get both very tidy. I must be getting somewhere slowly, the tidying up takes a bit less time and effort.

I'm also very slowly getting rid of things that even 6 months ago I couldn't throw out, things I've been holding onto for years. It's slow progress, but I think I'm getting there.

Lovely family day today, and a lovely family day planned for tomorrow, as well.

i have one pair of heals, one pair of boots and one pair of trainers for outside use. And a pair of ballet shoes for inside only. I hate shoe shopping. It is a trauma i inflict on myself at most once a year. I have stupidly wide feet. Never had a choice as a child

Linzer fingers crossed for a better week next week for you.

I have done fuck all expect drink way way way too much coffee. And bought new pjs for ds who seems to have grown 2 inches in as many weeks. And is now out of the trousers that were bought 2 wks ago. Thankfully I had only bought 2 pairs as didnt get around to getting more. But will have the joys of having to get more soon.

As for bedding - it is a joy of being single. No one gives a fuck what it is like. Nothing fancy though, have a stripy brushed cotton set for the winter as it is lovely and warm. And a bluey/green one cotton set for summer. have considered new bedding but can't find any i like. However, I am making a patchwork quilt for my bed. Well I will be when i get around to killing off a few more ufos.

Hope you all have lovely days tomo.

Morning everyone.

Can't keep track and I'm not really flying. Bathroom works been delayed. Could be another 2 weeks
Mil and Gil due back Tuesday and we all going to stay under same roof with hole family.
Should be ok but will probably have to fly then for sure. Trying to pack up stuff put of mils room so we can get it clean and tidy.

Minor major meltdown yesterday couldn't stop crying. Dc driving me mad. But did manage some soggy fun in playpark, with great hilarity at driving back wearing only rather soggy pants. Them I might add not me.

Sorry for no personals but I can't remember and I'm on my phone.

Have lovely Mothers Days.

Morning Nettie? It is 2am. still the middle of the night! Hope you can get some sleep.

Right list for sunday.
make sure ds has clean school uniform that he can find on monday morning
laundry - Bleach towels? Followed by maintenance wash?
Not drink too much coffee.

I feel this last point is the key point

Bitchy - or switch to decaf after 5 pm? Or, if you NEED a bit of caffeine, use half decaf and half regular when you make a cup so only half the caffeine. My DH and I switched to decaf for the evening - I enjoy sitting there with a hot cup of tea, it relaxes me, and this way I don't have too much caffeine in the system to keep me awake (Noooo, THAT job is most ably done by the DSs!!!! ) And DH is the most hard core caffeine addict around, but he finds it difficult enough to get a decent night's sleep, caffeine just makes it far worse.

DS2 is up nice and early - really need to get my curtains sorted out otherwise I'm going to be getting up earlier and earlier . Oh... DS1 has just joined him, and is sulking because DS2 has broken his duplo 'rocket' - never mind that he's got 2 lego planes he built yesterday that I kept out of DS2's hands and that all the other bloomin lego is kept away from him as well, DS1 wants to keep everything he builds with the duplo as well!!!! Aughh!!!! How the hell do people manage to make children share properly????

Right - aims for today

Keep lounge and kitchen looking neat and tidy
Make Dining room look neat and tidy (that room is the bane of my life!!!)

To that end:

Fold and put away clothes that don't need ironing
Iron and put away clothes that need ironing
Oh...and put iron and ironing board away
Put DSs toys away with DSs help
Make pumpking scones
Tidy up after making pumpkins scones (always feels like a job too many, that one )
Be taken out for lunch (hopeful expression)

Morning everyone

chitchat your morning sounds just like mine. Except my have been spitting on books and ripping up roles of wrapping paper! whilst dh refused to get them up because it Sunday

Sharing is really difficult and my youngest is very good at winding eldest up! Hope you get taken out for lunch.

bitchy you are right it was only 2. I did get back to sleep until 6am Hope you have a lovely day.

My list

Iron clothes for school/nursery
Sweep front room
Finish tidying mil room
Tidy rest of house
Move Washing on
Go to work try and keep kiddies out of office so I can do some work.
No hope of lunch or dinner today

Hope you all have fab mothers days and are spoilt.

Morning all. Started overcast here but it's getting bright and sunny again now. Some of you had a bit of a rocky night by the looks of it. [Distributes tiny cups of espresso with hidden jolt of grappa]

We were up at the crack of sparrows to prepare for a family day out with friends but unfortunately, they've had to cancel owing to illness, so have made the most of the extra time and for once, I'm ahead of the game (third load of washing in - laundry organised - one load of ironing finished). Kitchen sink is shiny. Dinner tonight is prepped. Bathroom has been s& s'd. Boudoir getting tidier but still needs attention. DD has done her homework and had a bath. Her uniform is washed and good to go. Going to mass now which I imagine will be rather sombre owing to recent circumstances After that, I think I feel some baking coming on ....or we might go out ...would like to get out of grey city for a bit if poss ...

Whoknows yes it's awful news about that Bolton player isn't it? I hope the fact that he is so fit and strong will allow him to pull through given the right treatment.

Top marks to your dc behaving beautifully in the pub! Hope you got that cup of tea in bed and that you have a lovely day!!

Blue well done re: NCT sale and hope you feel revived this morning!

cq Great to hear the system is working for you!! [I am drawing much needed inspiration from your progress too!] Hope you and your family have a lovely day!

Bitchy and Nettie - sorry you had such broken nights!

Bitchy I plan to make a patchwork quilt for dd when we decorate her room (should that day ever come ....) Such a calming activity ...

Oh no Nettie sorry to hear about the bathroom delay - no wonder you are feeling low. Sorry you are having to work today too ....hope you are on the receiving end of some family pampering later on x

Chitchat hope lost rocket is found and dc allow you some peace and quiet today (and a lovely lunch!)

Happy mothering Sunday to all of you who are celebrating it today - hope you are spoilt rotten!

Nettie arf at soggy bottoms!

Someone has spolit my lovely well thought out anc crafted plans for today. It involved a lovely lie til lunch. I am really really not happy and have a headache from hell. I can't fucking wait til the other people in this house fuck off on holiday.

*thought out
*lie in until

Add to today's list:
try not to kill anyone.

Er Happy Mother's Day, Bitchy. Hope it gets better.

And a Happy Mother's Day to the rest of you too .

My plans for a lie-in have come to nowt as DH is still flaked out from his illness. DC are arguing in the other room. I can hear crying . MIL is coming round for lunch. I have spent the morning washing up, putting the washing on, etc.

However, I did have an absolutely lovely Mother's Day card from DS2, which, he tells me, he missed his school playtime to finish for me .

Off to relax in a hot bath now. Hope you all manage to have a nice day.

First Nettie big hug, I think you are amazing to do the thousands of things you seem capable of and MIL is very lucky to have such a fab daughter in law, so she should be grateful to have you in the house cheering her up (despite the scotchgard - probably worse on the phone) and Dc generally drive one mad so it's not just YOU!

I am so behind I didn't even register it was Mother's Day. Oh dear, certainly no cards here, unless I had forced them to draw them...But Dd is in a good mood, wearing her new yellow flowery skirt with a grey cardigan and new cherry red teeshirt and grape coloured leggings so she is a picture, and has gone off to church with Dh and ds2 so that is enough.

I am to say Ds1 Dd and I all watching Breaking Dawn last night on tiny screen on the portable DVD player (less graphic perhaps?) one by one they all snuck in to catch a glimpse, and for some reason ended up watching all of it. Ds1 confessed the kissing went on too long..Dd still does not want to have babies, and generally all agreed it was an excellent film

We are going out for lunch today in a pub, which is lucky as housework has reached a complete nadir, and yesterday's porridge pot is still soaking.

I am meant to be planting my window boxes and supervising homework, but I think I need at least a pint of coffee before I can function today. These pills don't seem to be working!!! I am cheerful but still incredibly sloooow. Maybe I need a higher dose. Seeing thyroid consultant again on 23rdish...

Morning all. Happy Mothers Day [thank you]. Also spending today preparing for/ cleaning up from MIL visit Toffee.

Thanks for the shoe sympathy and suggestions (great links SC, I will investigate further). DD went to friends after ballet yest and came home with some silver ballroom dancing shoes (think strappy sandals with heel ) that friend had outgrown so shoe crisis temp diverted .

Dh taken dc to park on bikes (thankfully dd not wearing ballroom shoes) so i am hoovering and baking cake.

bitchy I successfully switched to decaff 1 cup at a time (except morning coffee) due to headaches. Do it slowly though.

Anyway, thinking of mums in general, and what they teach us. One is so busy just being a mum one forgets what lessons the dcs actually learn from us. My mum is very inspiring but there are certain blind spots I am inevitably passing on to my children, or delibarately rebelling against. It's amazing to think we are grownups and we are mums ourselves. I can't really believe it.

today is definitely NOT going as planned. however, 2 giant mugs of coffee later, a load of buttons from ds for my button box and I feel less inclined to kill someone

Today's to do list has multiplied and not in a good way. The office not needs completely emptying (will have to go in the lounge), the understairs cupboard needs completely emptying, and the garages needs completely emptying. All completely urgent. shittycrappybollockingarsingcuntiness.

Otoh when it is all sorted it will be fine. In the meantime [sulks]