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.

Back from the open air pool with DS - was lovely and sunny when we went in - and cold and grey when we came out; I've come home and brought all my washing in from the line as it looks that level of murk

Looks like that was summer!

Hic

Afternoon all

Having a lovely, long lazy day (Pentecost holiday here) and friends over for brunch

Scorching sunshine

Imbibed too much alcohol

Made blueberry muffins and fruit salad of melon, strawberries and mint
Then dh wielded the spatula and produced eggs & bacon etc etc consumed with very-hard-to-source HP sauce! (A v. precious commodity amongst expat community here.)

The diet isn't going so well Hic

Rabbits made a break for the lawn every 10 mins or so (they are not allowed on it for three wks or so, until vaccine takes effect) and had to be drunkenly (me not them) herded back ...

Now going to lie- down on a picnic rug in the sunshine do the clearing up

Huge wing flaps to one and all

of your afternoon sc. Another hard day at the office/school here today. Far too hot and bothered to do any flying.

House is not too bad. DH got a lovely fat tax rebate today so, although we are being sensible with the majority of it, I am planning a serious shopping trip at the weekend.

Better go as DS has homework to do for cubs.

at DW twice a day! I cant believe I havent thought of that

Due to crisis clean of bathroom Friday have been able to properly swish and sweep for first time dont know how long that will last

Also took washing load downstairs when I first went down in morning and put straight in machine!

Have been menu planning to day as per babysteps and spent far to long on this site resourcefulcook.com/ which I discovered on another MN thread. So have done online shop for self and MIL (though not menu plan for her due to her living on choc bars, corned beef and lucozade)

Watched Harry Potter with DD this afternoon (we have come to franchise late via the books and DDs crush on Ron Weasley as was too hot in garden and now DD and her Dad are cooking our meal. DD has rediscovered love of cooking so but i still am unable to supervise her cooking (no patience) so DH stands looking out the window helps her if she wants to cook.

Waves to everyone - sorry lack of personals on ipod - have read whilst .

Need to find a new clothes horse/airer, any ideas?

We tend to put the DW on at night, but sometimes it goes on twice at weekends. I do actually like it to always go on in the evening, as invariably if it is left half full overnight there won't be enough bowls clean for breakfast.

Honu - we had bees swarm in the garden once, I've never seen anything like it, they settled in next doors hedge. Neighbour phoned the council who gave him the no. of a beekeeper who was more than happy to come and take them away, never had any trouble again.

Ellie - we've had Cub hw too, it's a bit of a step up from Beavers. DS was left at home screaming last week and missed it because he had been obnoxious while getting ready, but I was on the helper's rota so I went without him and got sent home with investiture hw that he had missed doing. He was due to be invested tomorrow but will have to wait till after half term now.

Toffee - have you ever tried Rescue Remedy for DS1? It helps calm me down considerably

MoreCats - not as late as me, never seen or read any HP (yet).

Good Flying day today, the new lightweight vac and squirty mop are BRILLIANT, get the home blessing done in half the time I used to.

Got to go, DS has just asked me to sit with him while he does some extra on his school homework

Knackered!

needed!

Hi all! Being rubbish with keeping up lately!

Things are sorted with parent, have done some advertising and set up a Facebook page for the business tonight and it's zapped my energy! I spent most of the day sunbathing while DD played as didn't have work until 2:30

Ta da: pitiful

Washing- and dried and folded ready to go away
Tidied DDs room
Hoovered
Cleaned the kitchen floor
Tidied the playroom
Had a picnic in the garden
Sunbathed

Walking around with my eyes shut so I can't see the mess! Off to count tesco vouchers!

Waves to everyone I'll catch up soon I'm sure

Thanks for the help Toffee and Carpe. I do have a baby carrier but can't use it due to back problems. I do want to enjoy her but have found cleaning therapeutic with my PND (I really like it ) and we've just moved into our first house which is so daunting! Thought I'd get the head start when I'm a 'lady of luxury' (hahaha).

Does anyone else use natural cleaning products? I've been using white vinegar but would like to know if anyone bulk buys it as the price seems to have gone up.

likelucklove - sorry, everyone always says 'enjoy them' and of course you want to, but you still have all the housework piling up around you. Sorry you had PND - I hope you are getting better (and getting support). I had it also, so I do understand needing some therapeutic activity away from DD (although I'm sure most, if not all, mums feel like that to some extent ). I do remember the first few times that I put DS2 with his childminder for a couple of hours, I seemed to spend the entire two hours cleaning the bathroom . It seemed a ridiculous way to spend my time, but it seemed to calm me down, somehow.

I could never get anything done around the house with a baby carrier, although I found it very useful when I was going out.

White vinegar is fantastic, although I've never bought it in bulk. I like to use natural cleaning products, but sometimes find only the hard stuff will do.

MoreCats - sometimes I use the d/w three times a day! I like the resourceful cook website, although I have now defected to Menus4Mums..

lauren - I haven't had a chance to read your thread tonight, but I hope things are sorted to your satisfaction.

WhoKnows - yes, I have Rescue Remedy in my handbag and DS1 loves it! Thanks for the tip.

ellie - that your Dh got a nice fat tax rebate. DH got some too - just in time to pay for all my holiday clothes cover the holiday costs.

SC - sounds like a lovely afternoon. Hope you are sleeping it off happily now.

Carpe - noooo! Who says that is the end of summer?

Managed to tick off everything on my 'to do' list today.

Back in a min with babysteps...

Babystep 28 is here and reminds us to look after ourselves.

Tuesday's flight plan and daily mission is here.

Practically falling asleep on the keyboard here. Night all.

Evening just back from today's adventures. Started the day at 4am and finishing probably about 3am as am hungry and need food or won't sleep. Was greatful of the hours nap i grabbed earlier. Ds is knackered has had late nights every night since fri so hoping for a lie in.

read thread but sleep is calling me.....

Night all and hope u have gd days tomo.

Morning all.

But shattered as DS was trying his "but I can't sleep unless I'm with yoooooou!" routine. He's been doing it the last few nights and DH has been giving in, but I was nasty mummy last night. This was somewhat negated by the falling asleep beside his cot Still, baby steps

Totally at sea with routines thanks to the sun (which has now gone ) so will look about and see what needs done the most. I suspect the kitchen floor may have a vote, plus the living room - toys are tidy (benefit of being outside) but I think I can write my name in the dust - from having windows open naturally

morning all!

Like sanguine I was having a lazy bank holiday yesterday. My parents headed back to the UK in the afternoon, so managed to get some bits done in the evening.

Bloody diggers are back in the street behind us, started up at 7am. Grrr!

Amazingly, DS is sleeping through it.

Weather has broken here as well. Cold and cloudy this morning after a week of scorchers.

So, list for today....

return bridesmaid dress
food shopping
playdate this afternoon
tidy up lounge
hoover downstairs
water plants

Morning everyone. Looks like another gorgeous day outside. DS2 is off to the seaside with his school today. I can't go because I need to stay with DS1. Do all mums feel a little scared when their DC go on a school trip or is it just me who's neurotic about it? I have even put my mobile number on his arm in case he gets lost.

DS1 is up and happy because I have let him play 'Minecraft'. He is officially on holiday this week.

Had a very productive day yesterday and the house is looking fairly tidy. MIL's comment, "I'll do the washing up for you while you're away", has been a great motivator. Even tackled our bedroom, which is now fairly respectable if she peeks round the door whilst we're away.

Seeing a dear friend this morning, then am off to the hairdresser again this afternoon (colour was all wrong last time ).

Have a lovely, sunny day everyone.

Yes, I think most mother's are secretly quite concerned Toffee (even when they appear not to be) and imagine every sort of unfortunate scenario possible. It's definitely not just you!! I always feel anxious when dd is off out somewhere on a trip - keep checking my phone and listening to news reports - never quite relax properly until she is back under our roof which is totally illogical because I remember reading somewhere that most accidents happen at home I think don't they? Your ds has great weather for his trip!!! Try not to worry, most schools are very clued up on safety nowadays ...bet he has a blast!!! Thanks for round-up and links.

A warm welcome to the thread Likelucklove

Waves to Ellie Bitchy PA Linzer Engelsmeijse Feetheart Bitchy Honu Morecats Flying Swan blue whoknows Carpe and everyone else I may have inadvertently missed

Um, I have yesterday's brunch to clear up washing to do and rabbits to wait on ....

Better get on ....

Good morning.

Not a long post today, sorry. Been up converting all out costings into dollars and feel a bit brain-numbed already this morning.

Another one with glorious sunshine today, although it doesn't feel quite so scorchio as it was yesterday.

work day here today, then car to the garage, to shops for a bit of top up food shopping, home to cook tea

All washing is well under control, so I can have a day off that!

Time is galloping on and its now 7 weeks today we leave these English shores. I might be brave and go and introduce myself on the very scary living overseas threads. Everyone over there seems so confident and worldly wise. I will feel like a 4 year old in a high school playground!! < SC do you go on there? Come and be kind to me, I will add something on there this evening I think.>

Have a good day everyone and I hope all the holiday preparations are going well.
Ellie only another few days!! Hang on in there! DS has been stressed out to the max with al his exams the past few weeks.

Yes, forgot to say earlier to Ellie and Honu - good luck with exam season!! Crates of and large cushions available in naughty corner once you are over the worst ....!!

Waves to PA - I do go on there occasionally, partic. if it is Belge-related. Will look out for your posts!!! at seven weeks though - crikey - that went quickly!!

So far today have:
-emptied dishwasher from last night
-put another dishwasher load on

• made posy for dd to take to school
• first load washing done and drying on terrace, 2nd load on
• cleaned out rabbits' outside enclosure and fed
• refreshed inside enclosure and changed water

Decorator hasn't turned up and has sent message to say he will be in later today. Don't care what hours he works but hate not knowing when someone is going to walk through door or not (sounds silly I know).

Suppose it doesn't matter though because man who is replacing boiler has just rung to say he is coming early so have to go downstairs and start hauling things about cellars to clear his path. (Student and I made good progress in cellars over weekend btw but still LOADS to do and because we were clearing out rooms - there's loads of things piled in "hall" area of cellars through which boiler man has to pass ifyswim.) Sorry, all very boring I know... I feel a strong coffee coming on ...

Morning all

Haven't caught up with thread want to now, but mustn't put off clearing the tip. Will put kettle on and then:
Put washing away (lots)
Put veg box away
Make veg soup with last weeks leftover veg
Report back.

Going to do it NOW. Waves to all, hope I haven't missed anything exciting...

Only Pa's adventures into the big world. foad

Hope the colour is more what you wanted toffee

ds has declared today a lazy day - which means that he is happy to do nothing and will want little attention. Thus in theory allowing me to be productive. Which i don't want to do. Must though. So will take foad's approach:
kettle for coffee
shower and up
And i think my room needs to be tackled as after the adventures of the last few days it is now at the sater you can't actually walk in and out of it ok any more.

Having fun in Butlins: no flying for at least another week. Even left house reasonably tidy

Off for an afternoon nap then it's time to build sand castles

Have fun everyone

Have a great holiday Flying!!! Building sand castles is one of my all time favourite things to do!!

(Pours more coffee for Bitchy)

Big waves to Foad

Bum. Boiler man hasn't turned up now and I have missed an 'optional' function at dd's school which I really wanted to go to.

Have been messed about by workmen all day. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Fussinrussindickdasterdedlyrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[SC wanders off stage right muttering discontentedly]

Water men have fixed the leak. Now we have a lovely attractive hole outside the living room window instead.

Still, at least the water is back on, and only with air locks in the system and not discolouration - so I can get the water on to heat later for DS' bath

Now all I need to do is track down the random noise that's bugging me. Sounds like someone cutting their grass (it's raining here) or running a motorbike in the distance - but I can't hear it outside IYSWIM so am a bit as to what the noise is. Suppose it might be a neighbour being silly, but they're all usually quite sensible!

Feeling a bit odd at the moment - a bit stressed and uptight, and I can't think why. Want DH home for a comforting hug and a slap round the head for being silly (not literally! )

Ah! Just spotted weirdo neighbour cutting his grass. So that's that sorted out (he and his DW have split and are living apart, neither in the house, so he's often back at odd times to pick up mail, cut grass etc).

Right, off to slump on the sofa and try to feel better.

Hair redone - new colour and some highlights too - and all for free because it wasn't done right the first time!

DS2 back from his day at the seaside, which he thoroughly enjoyed (thanks for your reassuring words, SC).

DS1 is happy because he is going to stay overnight with his best friend tonight.

And now DH and I will get a night in to ourselves once DS2 is in bed (and will hopefully sleep well after his day out).

I am beginning to feeel in the holiday mood...

I have got my new academic diary for september. it is truely fabulous. it is one week per double page spread with one column for mum and one column for family. this is rediculously pleasing to me today

Toffee, I ahve only just noticed that you tucked me into the naughty corner last night! I will have you know my tiredness was the result of working too hard, so a halo should have been placed on my head first!!
I hope your head feels all swishy and lovely!

Bitchy Ohhhhhh I absolutely Luuuuurrrrrvvve it when I get my new academic diary, normally. Not getting on this year, but normally do for work although it is never opened after the first few weeks cos I is soooooo disorganised

SC oh dear!! for you tonight after your frustrating day. Grrrrrrr!!!!

Have a good holiday Flying

Carpe weird neighbours you have there!

Welcome to LLL and hello to Foad - don't think we have "met" before.

Hello and waves to WhoKnows, Ellie, Linzer Engelsmeijse Feetheart Honu Morecats Swan blue everyone else.