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.

ta da
couple loads washing
half prep for weekend comp
banking
food shopping

Currently tackling my room. My wonderfully decluttered wardrobe appears to be becoming cluttered. However, the floor is beginning to be uncovered. Need to get wii finally set up. Ds is on holiday this week and I need him to occupy himself whilst I hold the bottom of a ladder whilst someone far braver climbs it to remove the bush/tree growing out of the guttering.

Sod waiting for when they are over sc. I neeeeed it now. 16 days and counting until it's all over.... and then the exam marking begins. However, last year we used it to pay for a van, the year before for furniture so this year we are going to blow it on a trip to Disneyland Paris.

I have done no flying at all. I don't like to change the habits of a lifetime.

Big waves to everyone. No personals as am on iphone and can't scroll through. Watching Great Ormond Street. So sad, makes me want to go and cuddle my sleeping babies.

Sand castles built, swimming done. Skyline Gang shown seen...

Tomorrow:
Bag the best front seat for Fireman Sam show

Waves to all. Have done no flying or holiday planning today.

Boys at CM tomorrow so really need to get some stuff done:

Rescue house
house bleugh: hoover and mop, dust
ironing
work
make lists
call Step-MIL
blog
What's for dinner?
Cancel veg box for next week

Probably tons of other stuff too. Waves to all. Night!

To do:
finish sorting out floor
sort out so can finally get wii zumba out of box
paperwork - urgent
meeting
Hold ladder
finish craft project
get washed
wrap up and ready to send.
check address
Post office if time.

Lovely. A nice realistic list. Am tired. Not finished but going to bed anyway. Night.

Hope all of you on holiday are enjoying yourselves. And those of you due to go away don't get too stressed with the preps.

Glad holiday is going well, Flying .

Babystep for tomorrow: choose a pampering mission.

Flight plan here.

Kid's challenge here.

Is anyone up for running the thread next month, by the way? Somebody volunteered, but I can't remember who.

Exhausted, so am off to bed. Night all.

SC your mutterings are very colourful

exhausted here too, but feeling like today has been a bit humourless and depressing...have fallen out with Dh big time...a sort of cold war about furniture and child management

however [pulls self together]
done
library work for 2 hours
bought some more v cheap plants
dd to friend locally briefly
took dd to piano lesson, picked her up
bought food for next few days
took dd to netball, picked her up
cooked supper (readymade pizzas)
and watched interesting programme about Monsoon
and cleaned out cat litter
dw unloaded and reloaded
PE kit located

playroom remains tidy, otherwise I have done v little

Bitchy oh yes, lots of ladder holding here too, as kittens seem to want to be spiderman/woman

Aaargh, I have one child who is extremely well organised in the morning, generally no bother, gets dressed and ready etc BUT who acts like the biggest baby on earth when it comes to suncream and another who acts like the biggest baby on earth when it comes to the everyday stuff but will very patiently spend half an hour carefully applying suncream to every part of her body. Either way it takes far too long and my stress levels are soaring.

Morning all. New boiler being connected today (hopefully) so am looking forward to hot baths once more!!

Toffee I think Ellie and I volunteered. I haven't done it since March (and won't be able to do July and August owing to travels) so am v. happy to run June thread.

On the other hand, if Ellie or a newcomer wants to take over the mantle - very happy with that too ....

Bitchy I have diary envy now ....!!

Swan (from way down thread) yes, so pleased dd didn't decide to give up ballet (it was such a close run thing). Thank you for remembering ! She is totally exhausted this wk from spending all weekend at the theatre but I think it has done all the pupils a world of good to appear in two really quite demanding performances with professional dancers and have to contend with large audiences, rigorous schedule, nerves, long hours etc etc. I think it has done her confidence a lot of good. The big decision will be next year when going up to two sessions a week is compulsory if you want to continue. She is saying she wants to atm which is good!

Sorry to hear you had such a stressful day yesterday - hope 'atmosphere' lightens for you today. I hate falling out with dh. I think every married couple have 'cold war' issues but that fact doesn't make it any easier when they 'rise to the surface' perenially.

Ellie assembling crates of to get you through the next fornight!! Ditto re: Great Ormond Street. I've watched every episode. Certainly makes one complain less and count blessings more.

Hope you are OK Carpe¨x

Huge waves to PA Whoknows Feetheart Flying Morecats Blue Engelsmeijse MaggieMagnolia Lauren Likelucklove and everyone I may have inadvertently missed.

Off to talk to workmen ...

The dog is visiting at 9.30 soI need to do a few things first...

plant clematis quickly!!!
put kittens upstairs
put up ironing board and iron in front room
get sheets from ds1 bed

next: walk
bank
nephew birthday card/present
book Eire tickets
ring vet
go back to B & Q
TIDY DS1 ROOM
lots more but can't remember what they are
Beavers helping

DONE
what's for dinner, chicken/courgettes/salad/potatoes
One child to school with his nearly forgotten PE kit
Two children to school in Jubilee costumes, Dd in a pyschedelic mini-skirt and flag cloak, and ds2 in Dick Van Dyke lookalike, both quite strange.

And enjoyed being in garden first thing too!

SC it's wonderful when they realise what the point of all the practising is, PERFORMANCE, and audience etc.
whoknows dd is obsessed by suncream (and all toiletries) she would gladly anoint herself with perfume, oils whatever reason. Given up with ds2 who is very brown in complexion anyway. Also since ds1's fractures I am going to err on side of Vitamin D now.

Morning all...

Done...
washing-up
package sealed/addressed and ready to send (waiting for DS to wake up before I head to the post office)
marking and planning for school tomorrow

still to do...
post package
head to garden centre and get some bits
plant herbs given to me by ILs
pick up garden bench with DH
cut back creeper
hot spot
tidy bookshleves in lounge

swan at Dick van Dyke lookalike!

Helloooo! Am back after a few days away, house has remained fairly tidy and packing to go away was SO easy!

Ta da's so far;
Washing brought in and folded - 1/2 of it put away...
DW emptied
2 out of 3 beds made...slipping a bit aren't I

To do's;
Hang washing out
Put rest of washing away
Make 3rd bed
Walk dog
Do Beaver run

Will catch up on thread later...

Feeling much better today. No personals as am on phone again, but I am reading them all and thanks to everyone who hoped I felt better - I do! Just don't do minor stresses very well; major catastrophes yes, minor disasters no!

Did a "sod it" for dinner last night and got a very lovely fish and chips, ate a bar of chocolate and had an early bed; and even though it was "my night" (we share the night duties) DH dealt with DS and I slept right through.

It's a horrible damp day - no actual rain as yet, but there is a haar off the sea, and it's just shivery indoors weather, so will take DS up to soft play cafe this afternoon and throw him in so he can run about and I can chill with a cupcake coffee (especially as I think he's now tall enough to get up a specific bit without help!).

Flying wise, the shopping has been done (thanks to home delivery!) so DS is happily munching toast. Then I have managed to lay everything away, do my WAH job, S&S and empty the DW so life isn't looking too bleak.

Washing is up to date, as is the ironing, so I really just need to hit the hotspots in the dining room. I need to phone DH and shout at him ask what on earth to do with with pile of crap he's dumped on my work stuff on the table. Also have a huge pile of shredding to do as I cleared out our files and got rid of stuff like insurance from 4 years ago. Still have no idea where this year's has gone, but that's due up in a couple of months! Kitchen needs a good clearing out really, but I have a case of the nesbits so will make do with a lick and a promise.

Right, being summoned off the couch for more toast... I swear DS eats his own body weight in toast...

SC - thank you for volunteering to run the June thread (and Ellie too). I will just have time to do the final posting for May before I leave for Spain.

WhoKnows - the suncream business is so wearing, isn't it? DS2 makes such a fuss about it . And still won't wear shorts, no matter how hot it is. Oh, and he lost his sunhat at the beach. Fortunately, it was a cheapie, as I suspected he'd lose it.

Swan - sorry about your cold war . I hope you manage to talk and sort it out soon. It's so hard to get the chance to talk when you have children and often that's all you need to feel connected again.

Carpe - am also doing 'sod it' dinners for the next two nights before we go away. There's a pile of readymeals in the fridge for each person to choose from. That gives me an extra hour - at least - of time every evening because I don't have cooking to do and only minimal washing up.

Maggie - welcome back! It's lovely coming back to a tidy house, isn't it? I always make an effort to have clean sheets on the beds and leave the house tidy Flylady-style when I go away these days.

Engel - at trip to the garden centre.

DS1 is back from his sleepover and in a very cheery mood. DS2 has been delivered to school, thank goodness, as he was winding me up deliberately all morning . I now have the day to pack and do last-minute stuff for the holiday, then am off to visit MIL this afternoon and do final chores, such as buy sandals for the boys. And then am off to the beautician to have lashes dyed, brows tidied, feet pedicured and legs waxed . DH said none of it makes any difference, but at least it makes me happpy .

Off to start packing now...

No problem Toffee I have very busy day/evening ahead so won't start a new thread until tomorrow morning in case anyone else is dying to do it!!)

And just leave on your hols without posting if you run out of time!!! I'm sure one of us here can sort things out...heaven knows you deserve a break.

Thanks hugely for keeping us going throughout May and for all the round ups etc - not an easy task when you have so much else going on.

Am thrilled that your holiday looms so close and it looks like your ds1 is going to be able to make it - fingers crossed for him and for you all - hope you all have a brilliant, brilliant time!!

Must dash - BBL on tonight or tomorrow morning

(Glad you are feeling better Carpe Think I may nick your excellent "sod it" strategy for supper tonight ....!!! )

That's great - thanks, SC. I will be fine to do last May posting, as I'll do it Wed evening ready for Thursday morning.

Yes, looks as if we are all set for the holiday! DS1 is terrified, obviously, but more frightened at being left behind without us than of coming. He is very grateful that he can take Phenergan, so will probably fall asleep at home and wake up in Spain! DS2, on the other hand, is very excited about going on a plane for the first time in his life. It'll be lovely to have our friend with us too.

Must get on with packing!

evening.

tired. didn't sleep properly. didn't finish bedroom. didn't do paperwork. Have to do paperwork. Can't be arsed. Coffee needed.

Btw for those about the diary - school diary from works £2 with owls on the front. Came across it by accident. Was going to stick with my yearly diary but this will just work better hi I am bitchy and I hoard stationary

Morning Ladies!

Busy day yesterday - managed to get DD to do something out of house non medical related! Took trip by bus to town, had lunch out, went to Aquarium. DD even took some photos which is great because now she can :)
Had to rush back for 4pm for food delivery - cross with neighbour who phoned me at five to four to tell me van had been outside for 5 mins - did i know? She watches this house like a hawk - had already phoned at 5.45 am to tell DH there was motorbike outside our house (???) and me at 8.30 to make sure I was up tell me it had gone.
Menu planning hit stumbling block as Tesco Ocado didnt have courgettes so sent asparagus Is this suitable sub? I took it cos I love asparagus but had to re think evening meal so now whole weeks menu plan ruined changed. Yummy lunch planned for today though!
Swish and sweep going well as is fine system to make sure DD remembers to turn of night light. DH is even remembering to put bleach in his downstairs loo at night:)
I think babysteps might work!
toffee thanks for running thread this month, anf your support with DD. Hope you enjoy a well deserved break and DS does too (and rest of whirls!)

WhoKnows - oh, the sun cream wars! [need a roll-eyes smiley] We just about have time to get out of the house at the best of times and sun cream just puts the tin lid on it!!

Toffee - enjoy your pampering and good luck with the packing!

Thanks for taking over the thread SC I can probably do July as it'll be less manic than June here.

Better get going. Have blogged but done nothing else off my list. Sigh.

I need a boot up the arse.

I have no motivation. I am nesbiting on the sofa with a , Judge Judy, and MNet.

Have had to stick heating on as it's so cold

Can't even be arsed to stick things in the empty DW.

Going to find the Fly lady book and reread again.

No idea what 'nesbit'ing is Carpe - which is strange as it sounds like I do it a lot from your description

The Long Earth is out in June. Not a disc book though.

And yes, I am a huge fan. Met him once and he was luverly!

And Nesbiting was an autocorrect error many moons ago. Shorthand for not quite CBA, but more "I could be arsed if I wanted to, but I don't, so I'll just sit here".

I also do it quite a lot

I've met him too, queued for ages but well worth the wait

Very quiet here, where are you all? Haven't caught up so there may be a reason that I am not privy to.

I am in a big top in a buttercup field in Suffolk listening to the rain pitterpatter down and tuning in and out of a discussion about the fasest dining table on record. This is not unusual :)

Weather has been lovely so far, children are feral, I have got over a cold/chesty thing that struck on Friday and DH is nearly over it too. Ukeleles have been played, croquet has been played (yes, in a field, its traditional!), tent golf has been played, farm animals have been cooed over, the beach has been visited, DD has been told she can NOT bring a kitten home and lots of sitting around outside in the sun chatting to friends has been happening. Now the lurgy has gone it is shaping up to be a great time :)

Hope Toffee's goes as well.

Will see if I can get on again tomorrow to mark my place for next month.

HUGE thank you to Toffee for keeping us in order this month and to SC for offering to do the same next month.

Better go and see how DH is doing with our two and a small German girl in our tent in the rain - bet he is lying down readsing whilst DC are drawing/colouring in - maybe I'll stay here and join in weird conversations instead :)