Fledgling flyers - it's the month of May: if your house is a mess, try the Flylady way

[ToffeeWhirl]

Welcome to the May Fledgling Flyers' thread. A very big thank you to WhoKnows for guiding us through last month.

Are you living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)? Flylady's routines aim to help you take control of your home, tidying and decluttering and setting up daily and weekly routines that keep your home looking presentable. On this thread, we do our best to follow these routines (although we also chat quite a lot and sometimes forget why we're here ).

There are three methods of the Flylady system, depending on whether you are new to it or have been following it for a while:

1. Babysteps
2. Babysteps + 15 mins daily decluttering in current zone
3. Babysteps + daily missions

Following the babysteps helps to establish daily routines and build a weekly plan.

Today's babystep is to shine your sink.

< flumps onto naughty corner sofa and swigs "Cidre" out of the bottle>

I like posh cider. I like drinking posh cider out of the bottle to appease my roots

Waiting for a phone call; they've missed us twice. They'd only call if someone has died. Not going to be a good Friday night I suspect as its not me they want to tell, it's my dad - so I'll have to try and phone round most of France to locate him.

I'm a bad person

I've unplugged the phone and sent DH out for cheesecake.

I know it's coming, but I don't want to know tonight - it can wait until tomorrow. Still feel guilty.

carpe!! Have some black currant for that cidre... Makes it taste like juice

Oh Carpe [plumps up extra soft cushion]

Sorry Carpe. Don't feel guilty. You'll feel better able to cope with the phone call in the morning.

SC - love the idea of DS having a blue rinse . That is a good idea re asking Help the Aged, but I already have someone in mind who I could ask. She's a mum at the school (as you suggested, WhoKnows) who used to be a hairdresser and still does her friends' hair. I didn't want to ask her because I don't know her that well, but needs must.

MoreCats - hope you finished your crisis clean and still had time to sit down with a glass of .

lauren - hope you have a great day tomorrow.

WhoKnows -yes, at least DS managed to get part of the way there. It wasn't long ago that he couldn't even do that.

Bitchy - I hope you are tucked up in bed...

Right, links for tomorrow: babystep no 25 is to read Flylady's personal testimonial on how she started developing her routines. (Hmm, if I started with Babystep 1 on 1st May, I should be on Babystep No 26 tomorrow, so must have skipped a day. You might all have to do two babysteps on the last day, I'm afraid).

There are no missions because it's the weekend. Saturday is Family Fun Day and the flight plan is here.

For the first time in days, I have managed to stay awake beyond the boys' bedtimes, so I might actually manage a good night's sleep tonight . Goodnight all.

Sorry toffee I don't finish training until 11pm on a fri so by the time I have stopped off to pick up milk it is often this time before I get in. However, I am in bed, almost ready to sleep. Alarm is set for tomo. Going to do something fun with a friend. Should be interesting.

Carpe - you can't do anything to contact your dad until tomo anyway so unplugging the phone is not a bad thing. Get a good night's sleep as possible. And sorry you fear bad news.

hope you all have good days tomo.!

Carpe - ((hugs)) for the phone call this morning.

Toffee - Sounds like a good plan for the hairdresser.

I enjoyed some magners in the garden late last night, Lauren. Mmmmm

SC - curtains really are easy to do!! I would have a go myself, but then I am poor a tightwad

Sorry to put you all off your breadrolls! Hopefully some plainer looking rolls will be produced here today.

I had a very successful day with my acclimatization studying yesterday. I had to pause that a few times to sort through some books, send some emails, a little bit of work, and being taxi-mum, the joy of that sort of study is that you can just go straight back to it without feeling too interrupted.

Well, what on earth is wrong with me? I have woken up bright and breezy and have already striped the shelves out of the fridge and they are soaking as I type.

Plan for today:

Washing
Clean fridge
sort more books
shopping
And another heavy dose of acclimatization studying
.........

.........right, advise needed....... who has actually done a car boot sale before? I am going to have loads of "stuff" that could be sold, but not sure what to do. I have ventured to a car boot sale once after being persuaded by a friend many years ago. I freaked out when we drove to our "spot" and before I had even parked the car we had hoards of hoodlams people opening our car doors/car boot and pulling stuff out. The car was surrounded and I hated it!! I ended up shouting at everyone to just take what they wanted and go away from me!! After half an hour I was calm enough to get out of the car, but 90% of my stuff had gone and not a penny made! sooooooo, do I face my fear and do another one? How do I do it without feeling attacked, or giving everything away? ANy tips on survival? Or shall I pay someone to do it for me? I might drag DS along to one today to take a peek.

HAve a good family day everyone.

Sorry ladies, I've been a crap flyer and crap at keeping up with the thread

Off to Butlins on Monday
So I'm getting ready for that:

To do
Washing
Change DS sheets
Clean bathroom
Deep clean conservatory
Ironing
Maths coaching for 2 hrs with DNephew.

Ta da...
One cup of tea consumed

Morning my lovelies

Good luck with your call this morning Carpe.

Bit of a stressful morning. DD had to be at the Belgian equiv of the Royal Albert Hall today for her ballet "spectacle" as it is known over here, fully coiffed and made up. She's there from 9am to 9pm with only a 1.5 hr break in between (by the time we go and get her, bring her home, it will be time to go back again!). Then the whole thing starts over again tomorrow. Bit over the top for an 8 yr old imo but thank heavens it's only once a year. (Don't think I exactly qualify as a dedicated ballet mother do I?)

PA I do equiv of car boot sale twice a year. (Local brocanterie, in school playground, percentage of profits go to family charity - so a bit more organised than car boot - with proper allocated stands etc - but same principles apply)

1. Be ruthlessly organised. I display everything in large flat boxes/baking trays lined with wrapping papers (sounds wierd I know but good for small things like socks and dc shoes)/large flat plastic trays. If possible, buy or hire a hanging rail and place clothes on it. Price everything before hand (if impossible, owing to quantity of stuff) price each rail or box. Then when people constantly ask "how much" you can just shout "it's all marked" and don't have to take your eyes off the cash box/what you are doing at that moment. Also, the advantage of sectioning off all the stuff is that you can tidy up each section rather than everything being in big jumble.

1. Have loads and loads of help - some large teenage boys good - one person always with an eye on the cash/cash box. (Someone nearly nicked ours last time.) Actually, probably would recommend wear apron or somesuch with pocket for change so there isn't a need for a cash box. Also, ideally have someone standing just to side of stand to watch for people nicking stuff. (We lost three or four quite expensive (relatively anyway) items before we cottoned on)

1. Keep some stuff locked up in car to bring out later to renew interest

1. Arrange tables/racks etc so that you are in control and people can't come around the back of you without you knowing

1. Have loads of change available

1. Don't price everything too low to begin with, because people want to bargain - price so you have room to maneouvre downwards

1. Get there early and display attractively. Bring trestle tables and something to cover them. That will attract people to your stall rather than someone elses. Have slightly lower table at front of "stall" and bring paniers to display things of same type ie "children's toys - all 2 quid each - or whatever"

1. Wear comfortable shoes!!

1. Have large bottle of gin on hand for afterwards

Oh no!! Just realised dd has left her ballet shoes behind!!! Got to go ....and no .. I didn't lay out stuff last night as I should have done

Phew - crisis averted - have sent student who is helping me to clean out cellars this morning (means I get 5 mins more Mnsnetting organisation time)

PA just looked back over my list and sorry - it's all pretty self-evident isn't it - the shock of my cold shower this morning (boiler broken) must have addled my brain!!! I think the main thing though is just to have loads and loads of manpower at your disposal throughout the entire time. I know exactly what you mean about everyone grabbing and overwhelming your stand - it happened to us - pretty horrible actually. I think the thieves/people out to do no good, target people who are on their own.

Carpe - good luck with the call today.

PA - I was enjoying my morning croissant until you reminded me of your DS's comment... . Glad you like studying for your new venture. Your description of the car-boot sale sounds like one of the scary zombie films I won't let DS watch .

Hope you have a better day today, SC.

Flying - hope you have a lovely holiday. Looks like you'll need swimsuits and sun hats .

Bitchy - well done, 1am is quite a good bedtime for you!

Had an awful start to the day. Firstly, DS2 had to have his hair washed (put Hedrin nit treatment on last night), which meant hysteria from him. Then he had to wear sunscreen and shorts because DH was taking him to the beach, which meant more hysteria (dunno how he's going to cope with Spain ). Felt exhausted enough after that, but then I discovered I'd lost my wallet, which contained my bank card and some cash . Turned the house upside down looking for it and was panicking because if it's cancelled DH and I both lose our cards and then we'll have no cash for our holiday. Finally, I rang the last shop I'd visited yesterday afternoon and they were holding it for me.

This is the second time I've left my wallet in a shop in the last week. What is wrong with me?

To do:

Hang washing up outside
Room rescues before MIL gets here
Hide recent clothes purchases for our holiday in our bedroom
Ironing
Get DS1 to SpecSavers
Lunch
Work with DH
Out for dinner with DH tonight

Hope you all have a good day.

Oh dear Toffee you have had a stressful morning - thank heavens your purse and cards are safe though and I hope your ds enjoys his day at the beach (eventually). Probably very good practice for Spain too! (Arf at hiding clothes purchases!!)

I am basking in satisfaction having spent three hours with student clearing out our hideously cluttered cellars. Am a bit hot and bothered (and no warm water for a bath!!) and have a headache but it was worth it! Student is very helpful but even if he wasn't, it would be worth paying him to turn up - because it means I HAVE TO DO IT and there is no room for avoidance!!!

Going to have a bit of a pause in the sunshine now ... and then start boiling kettles for the bath in prep for dd's ballet performance tonight!!

Hope you all have lovely weekends!!

Waves to Flying Bitchy Lauren Whoknows Linzer Ellie Honu Carpe PA Feetheart Morecats Engelsmeijse and everyone else!!

Phone call was as expected.

She was an elderly friend of my mums who I didn't like very much as I thought she took advantage of my mum, and she was a terrible gossip. Still, I did shed an unexpected tear; not so much for her but for the passing of a connection to my mum IYSWIM. Got a hold of my dad easily for us though so that's done.

I did tell her son a white lie in that I would try to make the funeral - I won't even make the attempt as I detest funerals, it's 200 miles away and I think it wouldn't be the best for DS either. Hopefully he won't expect me there, but I'll send a card and find out about a collection/donation to something in her name.

Anyway, to cheer myself up I've done the ironing. A bit odd in 26 degree heat, but now the house is clear of washing (bar the stuff on the line) and the wardrobe looks nice with all the neat ironing. Dear god I'm turning into my mother!

Eurovision tonight so it should be slightly orientated

Glad phone call is over and done with, Carpe. Sorry that it was sad news though and understandable that it was sad to lose a connection with your mum, even not a very well-liked one. Hope Eurovision cheers you up tonight .

Well done at the decluttering, SC.

So, what have I done?

Hang washing up outside done
Room rescues before MIL gets here done
Hide recent clothes purchases for our holiday in our bedroom done
Ironing
Get DS1 to SpecSavers done - and he decided to walk in, rather than be seen in the car
Lunch done, thanks to DH
Work with DH shortly
Out for dinner with DH tonight

Just going to fit in a quick cat nap as I'm flagging. Ironing can be put back - again.

Sorry about your mum's friend Carpe, your approach of a card and charity donation sounds completely appropriate. Enjoy your ! As for Eurovision, don't get me started on that one, it is a particular pet hate of mine but DH loves it. I will be watching the football with the DCs instead.

Toffee - well done DS at the optician.

SC - good luck to DD at the ballet show

carpe - sorry about your news and having to dread the phone call you know is coming. Been there a few times (and avoided it too)Know what you mean about loosing the connection too - be kind to yourself today. Will raise a to you during Eurovision.

toffee - woohoo to DS at Specsavers! Wonder why that was OK and haircut wasnt? I keep saying this to my DM about DD - you never know what they can face from one day to next DD has gone to shop with DH to buy her trashy magazines but also because there is a lad that has a Saturday job there This is without any make up on - a few days ago she didnt want to go to new HEd group to meet new people because of lack of make up and non styled hair. Go figure, as they say!

On flying front - 'sort of' finished crisis clean last night apart from things that had to wait til this morning - i dont hoover in the evening due to scary neighbours. I also could not shine sink as DH was out and he had left tins jars etc on drainer which he may or may not have intended for recycling and I couldnt be bothered to move them elsewhere. However this morning as bestest friend was coming over for our annual Eurovision get together - highlight of our year - and he is too poorly to come - which means he is very poorly and I am worried about him. We all are so Eurovision party will be a bit this year.
Still means I havent got to crisis clean spare room which hadnt done yet.

sanguine well done with cellars - id love a cellar but would probably fill with junk same as loft and garage

flying have fun at butlins .

Sorry no more personals - am on Ipod and predictive text driving me mad - even if i turn it off

Waves

Xpost whoknows - wasnt ignoring you

Sorry to mention Eurovision

have achieved nothing so far... Except splashing in the pool with DS
Ironing is about to commence... Promise...

Rest of day has been okay.

Booze is now in fridge, dinner (chicken nibbles, potato skins, garlic breads etc) is in the oven, and cheesecake and chocolate are also in fridge.

BIL is lined up for Eurovision texting if he hasn't lost his phone again! (family tradition!) so it's all good.

Have a nice night!

Waves glass cheerily. Hope everyone else is enjoying/avoiding Eurovision successfully.

Been working today so good to relax this evening.

SC where does one obtain a student to help with the decluttering?

All last week's digging and lugging has paid off, I found myself much more energetic and capable at gardening/scrubbing path today, and not inclined to weep any more because I couldn't lift anything I feel much fitter.

Otherwise, today was taken up by music school, first Holy Communion practice in church and sandal shopping with dd. Dh not in a particularily good mood at me disappearing off but he organised a little barbecue this eve and cooked lunch so we got through the day.
Sons very loud and tetchy and played cricket in garden most of afternoon (not a big garden and we spent most of the time telling them to stop shouting . They also refused to go swimming, most aggravating. Ds a1 is being a pain, and ds2 playing his usual telly tricks (fuse removed from telly again was only solution)

done
finally tackled midden of front garden, and scrubbed Edwardian terrazzo path so I finally saw a few of those coloured marble chips
Washed front step
Arranged pots artistically
planted pepper plant and rasberry canes in large pots (there is never going to be vegetable bed at this rate - I've given up)
spent a while trying to get our girl kitten down from a tree,reckless little cat brother shinned up and tried to encourage her down by showing her how it was done, but she was much too cautious to risk it, in the end Dh had to rescue her with a ladder

SCHow clever of you to find a student to declutter, I don't think I knew the meaning of the word as a student alas..
Toffee so glad you found your purse, I'm alw ays leaving things in shops and on buses, as dd is quick to point out. Getting ready for holidays is so stressful at the best of times.

waves to everyone

Just read with delight Jonathan Franzen piece in Guardian. I felt like I was reading the words of an old friend. DH says he writes like an old man pompous twit !

Tomorrow is our group First Holy Communion, so steeling myself to get through the Mass. Have to dress up, be organised, and smile enthusiastically at too many people ...whilst worrying what to do with my children as Dh is off to another Book Fair

Dd has sorted out the shoes in the shoe rack in honour of her new sandals!

Well, I'm still busy avoiding Eurovision, although I accidentally saw some clips on the news. I just don't get it on any level, the music seems dire, they all vote for their political allies, I suppose at least Terry Wogan isn't on it anymore, that might be one plus point.

Anyway, Flying, hmm. The house is not too bad downstairs but upstairs is a bit of a tip, the DCs have been playing up there while we all watched the football and have dragged most of the contents of their bedroom into mine. They popped downstairs afterwards and caught a bit of the Eurovision scoring but have just gone off to bed. Hoping to catch up with it all tomorrow, I'm off to bed now too.

I meant of course that Dh thinks JF is apompous twit not that Dh is one... Pomposity is not one of Dh's vices...except over the timing of pasta..

Swan - will look out for the Franzen piece.

WhoKnows - the music is dire - that's the fun of it. And the fact that they all vote for their allies. We used to watch and cheer at the awfulness of it all. My house is the same as yours, btw: not too bad downstairs, but messy upstairs (our bedroom is the worst, as usual ). At least it's half tidy, though!

MoreCats - I assume SpecSavers was ok because DS knew it would be very quick and he could leave at any time, whereas he's trapped at the hairdresser. I agree though - it's often hard to know what is going to trigger a panic. I did ask DS why he could visit the woman with the puppy for two hours, but not go to the hairdresser for one. He couldn't answer, but I think it's to do with there being enough incentive to help him overcome his anxiety. Also, agree with you about it being different from one day to the next. DS definitely has good days and bad days and there is no obvious rhyme or reason to it. I hope your DD can make the home ed group next time. If not, I wonder if you could meet up with just one local home-educated child as it would be less intimidating for your DD? (Are you on a Yahoo group where you could ask?).

Had a lovely meal out with DH and enjoyed getting some time to talk together without the usual interruptions. Off to bed now, but here are tomorrow's links first: babystep (a boring one) and Sunday's flight plan.

Night night all.