April Fledglings Fly into Spring, Get That Clutter into the Bin

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Welcome to the April 2012 Fledgling Flyers thread. Come and join us for a bit of chat and a lot of housework (or possibly the other way round).

A huge "thank you" to SanguineChompa for leading us through March

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 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. Feel free to browse the Flylady website as well, links below

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:

• 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!!

WhoKnows - relaxation CD is from this new overcoming-anxiety programme we're trying with DS. It's talking with music ( a visualisation). DS has always hated relaxation CDs, but - hurray! - he really likes this one and is willing to listen.

DH is home from work and has said he could really do with some help putting up shelves in his new building. We asked DS if he could come and help and I have suggested that he listen to the CD on the way there, to help him relax. It's a bit of a huge leap for him (he hasn't been on a car journey for weeks), so it would be another hurdle overcome if he does it .

Have just seen price of fitness bootcamp and when I mentioned it to DH he nearly had a heart attack, so am looking at zumba instead now. I just want a flat stomach by June.

Bitchy - I'm with you on the sleep issues. Didn't get to bed till 3am this morning and am so cross with myself. Really must get to bed at a decent time tonight so that I have energy to get everything done tomorrow.

Didn't get my rubbish out in time today . Need to start doing my daily plans and routines again, as it is all falling apart here.

Update:

Put rubbish out nope
W/M on - nb PE kit DS1 put it on for me
Persuade boys to go to playground nope, but might go elsewhere
Iron school shirts and some of my tops
Sort school uniform
Polish shoes
Label water bottle and freeze
D/W on done
Tidy and clean up kitchen done
Room rescue in our bedroom

Cobbling together some lunch now...

Afternoon all!

Had another long post disapear because I took so long writing it...to Toffee again about dogs dogs don't take over your life, honest...

Home blessing had to be aborted due to dog wee on kitchen floor. Dog beds are as we speak having a home blessing instead of our bed sheets and then long post, post disapeared with other one...need to stop taking 10 hours over one post...and I wonder why I never get anything done...

sanguine Were you (reposting this for nth time now...) on hol in Germany or do you live there? Just being nosy :)

Whoknows what OU course? I used to do OU...(and never complete...story of my life) how are you doing? Is it a 10/30/60 pointer?

Toffee To sum up my previous waffling post (lucky you missed that one...)

Dogs are like babies, none of them have read the book on how to be, they are just like little 2 year old children full of personality...breeding can dictate what they do, but ddog1 is meant to be a ratter...put it this way, she would be an unemployed ratter if that was her job...nor does she follow scents or chase rabbits or any other small critters. She likes to chase birds. See, barmy blue blooded dog. So one dog is as good as another...pot luck.

Try a criteria like choosing a house. List points in order of importance

1. Low hair shedder (google 'low dander dog')
2. Good with kids
3. Exercise requirements, 1hr/2hr/all day exercise
4. Size.

Breeders/internet will tell you lots about the breed, breeders will be biased like you would about your own children, internet does not always tell full story no matter how much you google their little quirks before (or after).

Good rescues will only home to you if the dog and you match. They assess the dog before rehoming, cat test, child test, check if housetrained, dog test, maybe stock test. Then they are put up for rehoming. You, your family and house have then to be assessed so they know which dog to place with you so they get a good match, and ensure that the dog will not come back to them due to being a mismatch with you. All in the dogs own interests and yours. Kind of like children being fitted with new shoes, you don't want them rubbing or slopping around. The only query is a low dander dog, they may or may not have one, they may send you to another rescue, some rescues re home nationwide and some get ex breeding pure bred dogs.

I'm waffling again .

And I'm rescue bias :) as you can tell. But the list of points is a good way to do it logically...

Here endeth the sermon. Amen.

Right will get out of doghouse and into housekeeping mode again...

1 x load dried
1 x load washed
1 x load to be dried
1 x load to be washed
1 x load to put away
Sweep floors
Mop floors
Hoover

Have cat in hells chance of getting that done.

Got to go out again until 4.30 . So important stuff...get together Huge Pile Of Overdue Library Books...must owe £20 by now...feck. Get lunch. Get dd2 uniform ready. Out of door by 1.40. Feck feck feck.

Feck. Sorry for long post.

Copy and paste as will have logged out again. Feck it.

Toffee - i hope that ds manages your car trip. Babysteps are all good. Progress is fabulous no matter how small. Long may it continue.

List dump (and nap)

Up and out - school run
note to teacher Spoke to her.
washing on one load done more needed
Applications and paperwork
house bleurgh (as much as possible - still no floor to hoover)
Tip run.
Plant out broad beans - hahahaha - going to sit inside a bit longer maybe nxt wk frost will be less severe
Plant out mutant runner bean ^^see above
Rescue/get bag of soil for planting seed potatoes. meh cba can wait til wed when in town
School run
Tea - chops and veg
crafting whilst wataching whatever ds negotiates
A little bit of crafting additional craft post ds bedtime need to do some paperwork instead
Clear up kitchen
Early night.
Nap still feel a bit like death but have to sort this sleep pattern out.

I have half an hour before tea needs sorting. 30mins sleep sounds good.

Bitchy - no, car trip was not possible for DS1, but it was silly of me to expect it really. I was pushing him too hard. Will go back to the more sensible plan of getting him used to sitting in the car, then a short drive round the block.

Trying - thank you for taking the time to advise me about getting a dog.

DC both badgering me. Back later.

Trying - it's a 10 pointer, level 1, so not too hard, it's my first module and I'm just trying it out after many years away from study, and filling a gap in my education. I'm finding it fairly easy as I was already fairly familiar with the subject (microbiology) but in a way that isn't good as it makes me complacent and tempted to rush it. Submission is due in July.

Well, managed most of my home blessing (I can't say I enjoy it, I tend to get distracted by detailed cleaning and/or MN).

Also got rid of a (small) car boot full of stuff to charity shop.

Toffee sorry if it came across as bossy (and a teeny bit partronsing )...I get a bit ott at times...hope getting ds1 in car works.

Whoknows Well good luck with it...for me it was either too easy or too hard and either way I'd stall with it. Think you can get a 1st? :) more ER viewing
tonight? Did you get OU done?

Jobs done today
Did nothing but wash dog bedding, ripped enormous 18 inch hole in inner ring of dog bed letting out all the stuffing by stuffing it in washing machine and thinking 'it'll be fiiinnneee'.

List for tonight.

Sew dog bed. Or maybe tomorrow.

washing up done
DW needs emptying
Throw out rubbish bag
Drink wine. And repeat.

Didn't get home blessing didn't get done...do tomorrow esp as friend around. May struggle as dd2 at home tomorrow. Will target hoovering, rubbish clearing, and s&s bathroom. Anything else will be a bonus.

Hope you all get a early night :) I count a late night as 11pm...

A late night here is not even making it to bed.

Sleep is good and shortly heading in that direction. Tomorrow is another flying day.

Going to post and run tonight as my back is very tired out and I don't want to be sitting in this chair for long, need to get it some support. I did manage the home blessing, apart from clean the bath, which would have been a step too far for my back. All the afternoon and evening routine stuff is done, all washing put away, just need to think about the OU and put it off till tomorrow

Toffee - pilates is what you need for a flat stomach (in my case losing 2 stone would also help). I have only been going for a couple of months but my abs feel much more toned.

Trying - 11 is a reasonably early night for me, midnight is about as late as I let myself get during the week.

Back with links in a minute.

Tuesday 17th

Babystep Fix your bedtime. Oops! OK, maybe I'll ask for my previous post to be deleted.

Mission Clean your bathroom trashcan. Now, why has no one pointed out to me that I quoted this one for today? Is no one reading my posts? Anyway, today was meant to be clean round the back of the loo and declutter your laundry supplies, sorry for the confusion.

I think I'll get my coat

Today has been a good day, ds slept again, managed to get exercise in before dc got up and hoovered house before breakfast and put away ironing mountain from last night.

Met friend at softplay centre and was on time this is a minor miracle, i'm always late for most things, not quite as bad as i used to be, but something seems to happen in the moments from being ready, to getting dc in the car to set off - some time tardis? I'm trying to work on it though. Turned out friend was 20 minutes late so was able to sit back and relax with a coffee and feel pleased about mornings progress.

whoknows and bitchy thanks for the veggie gardening tips, not bought any seeds/plants today, but its on my list of to do for tomorrow - whoknows the hosepipe ban wont make any difference here, i've never been able to use the hose due to dh dismantling the outside tap, so that it can't be used, instead i have to decant water from the many receptacles dotted around the garden -it was great when next door neighbours guttering broke and leaked into our garden, so we could catch it all. This all stems from me getting a water meter and dh being worried about being charged astronomical prices, especially now we have 2 kids, in fact, we pay less than half what we would have been charged if we weren't on a meter and are still in credit each month. In this vein, dd was bathed in a baby bath until she was nearly two as he didn't want to waste water on the big bath - now he deems both having one together ok. General stingyness and conservation spills into all areas in the house, he also took off the standby button on the remote, so one has to physically get up off arse to turn it off at the plug. He lives by the philosophy never pay anybody to do something you can do yourself, hence no supermarket delivery and no handy people around the house, hence the neverending Hall Stairs and Landing Project.

toffee my mum has a cocker, she's as daft as a brush and super sweet, loves kids and is as loyal as you like (poo eating and shit rolling wasn't her, but a previous springer a rescue who had lots of issues) she's generally well behaved unless she's near water, which going back to what Bitchy said, is probably what she was bred for - imo she could do with some more training and would probably love it, but agree that it would be a wonderful activity for your ds to help with anxiety. Other breeds i heard were good in terms of short hair and allergies are beagles.

the early morning exercise took it out of me this morning, so heading to bed early so can do it all again tomorrow - did a new dvd this morning, can feel it starting to ache as i'm sitting here, suspect will find it difficult to move in the morning

bye for now

Evening all. I wrote a post earlier, but don't seem to have posted it. Oh well.

Gist was - ta da!
Everyone in the right place with the right stuff
Cleaned bathroom
Swept floor x loads
Laundry sorted

Toffee - glad DS1 managed a sleepover and good luck with the car, dogs etc. The CD sounds good.

WhoKnows - I keep meaning to try pilates but am having lots of fun with Zumba. Tummy muscles shot to pieces though. :(

Waves to all. Night!

Morning

Anyone want a ?

Morning all!

Whoknows I noticed, was just and thought I had got it wrong somehow!

Good days for you both thewaffler and blue impressive...

Done
1x load washing

To do
Dog walk (with dd2 in pouring rain)
Home blessing
Move mouse to dd2 bedroom
Brush teeth
fill dd1 water bottle
make snack for dd1

So had better get a shift on...will be pleased if I manage to vacuum living room and s&s bathroom. If I don't stop and talk at sch run will maybe get it all done! Must not chat must not chat must not chat. Helps that its raining...

Have a good day all!

Good morning

Swan - Yep, DS's 14th birthday was about 2 years ago He had a mixed day, to be honest. His friends all forgot it was his birthday! Made up for it at home with a lovely Mexican banquet. I seemed to make enough food for about 20 people when there was only 9 of us. Guess what's for tea tonight?
Oh your little DS off in big school uniform, I can't believe it!!!

Toffee - well done to DS1 for the overnighter! Good luck with the dog and relaxation CDs.

Trying - I used to lose posts cos it would take me so long, but I learnt that you can change your settings to keep yourself on here and I don't very often lose them now!

The waffler - I am another one who lives in a time tardis. I am always running around like a lunatic. I did read some research once that said it was a genetic thing. They got 20 people who were always late and 20 people who were never late to guess when a certain period of time had passed. ALL the non-laters guessed before the time was up and the laters guessed over the time.

Here bedtime is not a problem. Staying awake is more my problem after 8pm 10.00. My issue is staying asleep and not being wide awake at 4am!

Sorry, got to dash, DH being a pain!!!

It is the just one more thing. I finish early and then think just one more thing. Which always takes longer then it should
2 days to school early this week makes a nice change.

Ta da
Up and out
ds lunch made
school run
find important missing information
washing machine on -ds' bedding

To do
paperwork. - URGENT!!!
sort kitchen out
put dw on
more laundry
fold clean washing mountain (as is being formed)
Ironing
afternoon school run
figure out what is for tea

Right second coffee of the day is drunk now for that paperwork. I fucking hate paperwork.

Morning all.

Didn't post yesterday as working longer on Mons now.
Still have a cold and intermittant voice (croak).
DC at school and all is well (until 3.15 when DDs hyper friend is coming to tea ).

waffler your dh sounds like mine!

PA hope interview went well and DD made it to college.

Today:
Food/petrol shop
house bleugh
laundry

BBL

Sorry, meant to tell you all but ended up rowing discussing with DH a few things!

Interviewing went well and I am hoping that the one we chose will accept the position. I think i will get on well with her while I train her up and hand over my work to her. Just another step in the whole goodbye process!!
DD3 got to college ok, but then I had to collect her earlier than expected because the effort of doing all that had meant a deterioration throughout the day. BUT it was a big, good step forward for her. ( Scatty she was diagnosed with very severe CFS/ME 4 years ago and is slowly recovering)

Done
1x bedding in wash
1x load washed
1x load in drier
dog walk

To Do
Watch 10 min of peppa pig with dd2
Vacuum living room
prep potato's for tea
vacuum rest of house?
1 x load laundry to put away
Sweep floors
Mop floors
Rubbish

Cannot think beyond this now. AF arrived and think I overdosed on chocolate. Having urge for coffee now which would not be a good idea...

Peppa pig here I come (once dd2 finishes washing hands after going to loo...singing at same time...)

Morning all.
At last normality has returned and DC are both back at school (both with new teachers so bit subdued as they both want their old teachers back :()

I love the holidays and the time we can take over things - like getting breakfast/dressed/etc but really need to get some work done as have neglected it for the past 2 weeks. Usually I get up early and get some done a few mornings a week but staying in bed and reading/snuggling with DC has been a much better use of time this holiday :)

Enjoying the dog discussions though have no desire for one, 2 cats rule out any more pets in this house thankfully. We had a dashound(!) sausage dog when growing up. Not sure about qualities but not much hair!

Well to Toffee's DS and PA's DD for their own babysteps

My list today:

• All up and out with various uniform, kit, letters. etc - done
• S&S - done
• Beds made - done
• All post-disco stuff returned to School Assoc shed from where it was dumped after end-of-term disco - done
• WORK
• Book facial :)
• Event insurance - now getting critical

Work now.........

Well done

No AF here, just paperwork hell. Applied for a job because it is an opportunity too good to turn down but in an area I don't really want to be living and will require relocation. It is a fantastic job though so hopefully that will help. ds won't be happy about moving though. He doesn't want to which is understandable. Thing is if it was just me I was considering I would grab the opportunity without too many second thoughts. Funny how priorities and thought processes change when you have children.

hello

Been lurking all month and looking at fly lady site trying to get courage to join in at least Hoover the cats hairs up

DD has been poorly a while and I've done nothing in the house for months - hardly any washing, rarely cook proper meals. (again)

Now DD bit better need to get out of this rut - I'm Sposed to start by shining the sink, right?

Going to need some hand holding - anyone?

Lost another sodding message.

Done
Peppa pig
vacuumed living room
swept hard floors
put lunch on
taken down bday decs

To Do
Clean out litter tray (honking!)
vacuum upstairs
cuddle cat (multi tasking as I type) (not been given much choice in matter)
Snuggle with dd2 again (don't do enough)

Luckily going to friends house, she understands dog and carpet issue, thinks I'm paranoid, I tell her shes being polite...got a uv black light ordered (only couple of quid) to look at carpet for wee, apparently it shows up then I can treat areas of wee that has not been caught. I am prepared to be horrified.

Feetheart I have sneaking urge to get another cat cat loves the dogs, or he will when they grow up

Bitchy I loathe paperwork too. Much sympathy but you will feel much better when it is done...:) I'll just carry on feeling bad about mine...(more chocolate needed)

Morecats liking the name! How many? DD very poorly or just one thing after another poorly? Shine sink first, is it very bad? Can you see it?

Think dd2 is napping...not a good idea...

Just popping in very quickly whilst waiting for DS1 (upstairs getting dressed for his walk - all lessons this morning took place in his PJs ). Just wanted to say to Trying - I really appreciated your advice on dogs and you didn't come across as patronising at all. I would have written more, but DS2 was sitting on my lap, chatting 19 to the dozen, so I may have sounded brisker than I meant.

Will try and get back later to catch up. Have had a lovely morning so far. DS1 and I have been watching 'Judge Judy' studying ethics , reading books, listening to music and making flapjacks. Off to get some exercise now.

More personals later, but a quick hello to morecats

I'm currently sat in garden centre cafe having cream scone and tea and thoroughly enjoying it, average age of the rest of clientele approx 85. Have ds with me, he's very squishy, smiles at everybody and a joy to have, fortunately, tantruming dd at PIL or this wouldnt be possible. Currently have head in sand about return to work at start of May - that's about 6 weeks away right .

Right, am off to choose some seeds and veg plugs

Back later