Fledglings Fly in Flaming June; C.H.A.O.S. will be banished soon!

[sanguinechompa]

Welcome to the June 2012 Fledgling Flyers thread. Park your mops, buckets and microfibre cloths here!!

A huge "thank you" to Toffee for leading us throughout May!! Hope you have a fabulous holiday in Spain!!

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, support and 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:

• 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, here and here

All welcome!!

Sorry - forgot to add - do pay cleaner holiday pay (full pay for two weeks but often longer here (my cleaner often visits her home countryfor 6-8 weeks during summer) in which case offer reasonable lump sum but can't really afford to pay full pay for that amount of time because need to pay replacement cleaners in office too etc.

Toffee - that is exactly it feels. However, I have noticed that Ds actually likes strict rules and consequences. He starts to experience change, I start to clamp down and work to rule. He is then calmer as a whole. Well at least that is the theory. Hate feeling like the bad cop though, even if it is what ds needs.

Plodding on through to do list.

Waves to all.

DS1 is at home today - inset day for county show - so I'm amazed to have done some flying!

Ta da!
Mopped floors
Dusting mission --> dusting rest of house
been through the carwash, which DS1 loves (DS2 not so sure - loud and scary)
done the Aldi shop
put shopping away
had lunch at friend's café

Going to the park in a mo as it's nice and sunny here, but the boys are playing Wii sports at the moment.

So sorry to hear your news, Ellie. If you're happy to lead the thread in July that's fine. If you'd rather not, I'd be happy to do it, or we could share it as SC suggested.

AAAGGHH! I let the boys play in the garden unattended while I did a quick bit of work, and DS1 has picked all the broad beans before they were ready. He was only trying to help, but DH is going to hit the roof - they were about the only thing in the garden that had survived the slugs!

That is it. I am out of here. back later.

ta da
lunch
school run
laundry ds' bedding done
folding
ironing
put clothes away
get cot out of loft accessible but need someone to help as two person job as ladder needs to be moved.
bring down paperwork for sorting
take bed apart and put box away
check through cloths sent for ds to grow into and put into storage
bag up charity shop stuff
CRB forms - arses. need to speak to person.
email photo (find scanned photo first)
Find portable hard-drive so can find photo
fail to find photo, thus need to scan
scan picture
Ds to training he is too tired. there have been tears
AGM
Bathroom floor.
Hang curtains.
Hang pictures.
tidy study
Put back stuff that was displaced when furniture was moved
30 mins decluttering my room

Thanks sc. I actually declined counseling from my doctors today because of MN and cleaning being therapy. She was but whatever.

So sorry to hear your news emily :(

swan Hope your DS has a lovely concert and he is better.

Have a lovely weekend lauren

Hope your DH wasn't too mad Blue But bless your DS!

I love you lot. Thank you so much for all your lovely words and support.

I am ok. Truly I am. Had a moment this morning on the way to work. 'Someone Like You' by Adele came on the radio. I behaved like a caricature. I thought,'shit i should turn this off,'but couldn't and ended up pulling over and sobbing like a baby for 10 minutes. I have now learnt my lesson and any trace of Adele has been erased from my ipod.

blue could we do a share? I still have a trillion exam scripts in amongst all the shite to mark. I would love you forever if you could do first couple of weeks and me the second when i am back to my new normality.

It's so hard. We are talking and discussing finances and doling out the furniture and getting on famously but it doesn't change things iyswim.

toffee you've no idea how much your post helped. I really hope that is the kind of relationship dh and i can build. We have both said the most important thing is to ensure the dc's are ok. And you have showed me that is possible. Thank you.

Going to go and watch the tennis now. Don't like Nadal, want to see him lose.

OK.... I give up...this week is just about 1 day too long for me! I have resorted to fish fingers for tea(Friday type food) and am now drinking wine
Still...tomorrow IS Friday....I will survive.
ellie You are being SO brave. I can't imagine how Id cope in your situation.
Going to try and catch up with rest of thread now.....although littlies STILL not asleep (too light/hot...they're overtired - which always means they take ages to go to sleep etc...)...sigh...

Oh blimey Ellie that does sound v. tough going (even with Adele ban !!) Seriously though, really feel for you. Sorting practicalities/logistics must be horrible. Keep strong and you know you can vent on here at any time. Good luck with trilion exam scripts too (as if you didn't have enough to handle) although I guess focusing on work might help in one way too x for later

Blue/Ellie happy to continue on to first week if that's helpful - or handover - whatever combination you fancy

Blue I do envy you your broad bean plants, even though they were harvested too early!! (Hope your dh was not too upset!) Just can't buy them fresh over here and it's one of the things I make a bee-line for when in UK. Well done re: getting so much done today despite having your ds1 at home with you today.

How did your ds1's concert go Swan? Hope all OK in the end.

Likelucklove I know what you mean about cleaning as therapy because one does feel much better when one's own environment is a wee bit under one's control. (There's far too many "one's" in that sentence isn't there?) However the downside to that is that it all needs doing again in a couple of days which I find has opposite effect! I am glad you are finding it helpful though!! And well done for getting through all of your list! Ditto with body clutter motivation (or lack of I should say). It's virtually all gone to pot after only one week ...only myself to blame.

Bitchy be careful up those ladders: hanging curtains and carrying things out of loft etc etc. Well done on very respectable amount of crossings off today. Strongly agree about utter horrible-ness of having to play "bad cop". Hope your ds feeling a bit more cheerful tonight.

Hang on, have to do rabbit rescue ...

DH surprisingly calm about the broad beans - told him once boys safely in bed and we'd eaten all the miniature beans at dinner time! DS1 has now been given even stricter instructions never to pick anything without checking with a grown up first!!

Ellie/SC - I'm very happy to do the first couple of weeks in July.

Tennis was a bit good, wasn't it Ellie?

Hi all!

I took DD to the health visitor today to ask for a refund to discuss why she hasn't ever slept for longer than 2 hours at a time. Ever. In her life apart from the one time when she had calpol

Health visitor thinks I might be cooking her so have ordered a tower fan which also plays white noise very quietly. It should be arriving tomorrow and be the answer to all my prayers . If she is too hot this could also link to the night terrors so fingers crossed! I haven't had my heating on since April so other than leaving windows open which I don't like to do when it's just me and DD and we are in a bungalow, the fan is my only hope

Also, someone attempted to burgle my car last night! Luckily I hadn't locked the doors on it so they didn't smash windows/ locks to get in, and there was NOTHING in the car. At all. So they wont have been pleased, I only know someone had had a look because they hadn't closed the glove box and a stray toy of DDs was in the drive (now in the bin as its tainted!- wasn't a special toy)

Anyway Ta da:
Routines
Walked dog (ball launched )
Went for lunch with friend
Hoovered car out and put air in tyres
Went to post office
Swept kitchen floor
DD to health visitor
Booked doctors appointment
Played with DD clutching at flying straws

Not much considering I wasn't at work

I hope you survived the day with 2 ds at home today swan, but I did at aching bones

I hope your policeman vigilance is paying off toffee!

sc I too have had a bad couple of days with my body clutter- exercise has gone out of the window as its too humid! But the great thing about MFP is you can dive straight back in and not feel left behind!

ellie at Adele moment! It's a wise move to remove it completely though! It's kings of Leon that get me (not from ex but DDs dad). It's BANNED in this house. Unless I'm in company and I can just talk loudly over it until it stops

ofm was it fish finger sandwiches? I LOVE fish finger sandwiches

False rabbit alarm ...

OFM I declared my allegiance to the humble fish finger lower down thread - sometimes they are necessary - make great sandwiches with blob of ketchup too. Sorry your week has been such a tough one. As you say, only one more day to go thank heavens ... [Pours more ]

I really really shouldn't complain considering what some of you are going through but today has been a wee bit crap. Issue with disgruntled colleague still rumbling on. We spoke to one another via various voicemail messages throughout day but couldn't make real-time contact. Very confused because she said she was "enervé" while at the same time thanking us for everything.

Another completely separate misunderstanding occurred today with someone we outsource to - complete language mix up. I don't think the hot and humid weather is helping people to stay at their most rational!

Body clutter a disaster. Haven't snacked but haven't exercised or held back on second helpings either! Did Flying minimum, wrapped teachers 'thank you' presents and wrote cards and bribed persuaded dd to contribute here and there with the odd drawing and greeting. (To be fair to her she is shattered too and desperate for end of term tomorrow lunch-time!)

Heigh ho, tomorrow is another day and all that ...

Huge wing flaps to one and all. Sleep well!! [Plumps up nest for fellow fledglings]

x posts

Blue (and Ellie) thank you so much for offering to take on July thread. Really good of you both.

Blue very impressed with your skilful timing when breaking-bad-broad-bean news! Tricky things always received better after supper in Chompa household too!

Lauren arf at refund! Blimey though, your lo's sleeping patterns certainly sound testing - hadn't twigged it was quite so bad. How on earth are you surviving? Hope health visitor's suggestions help.

Also, sorry to hear about attempted car burglary - that sort of thing alway v. unsettling - even when unsuccessful. Hope you can sleep OK tonight x

Nine tasks accomplished is pretty good in my book - esp when you have dd to entertain.

Oops, forgot links

*

Baby-step no. 29, for Fri 29th June is here adding pamper mission to your weekly routines. Wouldn't advise delving in to e-mail stuff though.

Think there is a bit of an error on Flylady site though 'cos she says baby-step 28 is "what's for dinner" one which is in fact step 27, or does she mean taking care of yourself one?

Anyway, it's the last day in Zone 5, the sitting room here Next week, we go back to Zone 1 (entrance, porch, dining room etc) and whole merry-go-around starts again.

Try and declutter for 15 minutes a day in the current zone.

Once your sitting room is decluttered, you can progress to detailed cleaning

Last mission of the week/month is here Hot spot drill: getting rid of junk mail/newspapers/magazines etc.

The habit for June is a good one - drinking water - more info here

Friday is declutter your car and purse day
(Lauren you are ahead with this one)!!

Last day of week so reminders here

If I've forgotten anything it will be in the flight plan which should update automatically, as should kids challenge

Only one more day to go until the weekend everyone!!

***

Morning. Still feeling coldy, although it hasn't come to anything other than a sore throat. Planning to throw DS into the softplay either am or pm so he can run and I can chill. Have texted friend to see if she and her DD (couple of months older) want to come too. If not, then I'll just take a book on my phone

So ta/to-do
Get up - done
Put on coffee ready for intravenous drip - done
WAH job - partly done, waiting for office to open
Washing for us
Hand towel wash
Washing for DS (tonight)
Hoover living room

Morning!

Just a list dump, long day at work and visiting my nana in my hour break so won't be a long one.

Walk dog
Pack cases
Clean my room
Visit nana, collect wellies from hers
School run
Shop for essentials
Baby wipe dash board and doors in car
routines

BBL

Good morning everyone! Slightly cooler here this morning I'm happy to say. Hope you are all ready for the last proper day of the Flying month!!

Ah, the joys of having one last free morning in which to: hastily make all travel plans/holiday arrangements/visitor arrangements, arrange dc activities, make and attend all those last minute necessary appts (medical/hair/dental) do all the jobs in the house one has neglected during term time and start all holiday washing and packing. Why oh why do I do this to myself (this year worse than most!!)???

DD breaks up from school for approx nine weeks at 12.15 today! Have to leave at 11.45 so not looking good really . Feeling much better today though with more energy so will start with:

finish wrapping last minute "thank you" present for v. helpful school sec, remembered at 3 am this morning done
search frantically (again) for dd's school cardigan which is brand new, bought big for Sept, cost a fortune and which she appears to have lost one day before hols done but can't find [anger]
morning routine inc dw, wm, s&s, hot spots
tidy sitting room and downstairs generally
carry a load of different piles of things endlessly up and down stairs
clean out rabbits

just prior to or post school-run:
food shop (diet gone to pot because I haven't shopped: no bread, no milk, no fresh fruit)
pick up prescription from chemist

rest of day:
do something fun with dd
more laundry - white hot wash/wool wash
BOUDOIR!!!!!
make a start on holiday plans etc/start blocking out dates on calendar
bribe ask dd to write thank you letter to ballet teacher and wrap present
fish for supper
evening routine

Carpe good to hear you are feeling a bit better too day. Wishing you courage (and good reading and/or natter) for softplay!!

Hope everyone has a good day!!

Flaps wings frantically at Lauren

Morning! Just dropping in while I'm dosing and DD is sleeping.

To Do
Morning routine
Ring doctors to cancel appt
Do hotspots in living room
Put Hoover back together
Ask DP to ring his DDad
Go for a walk to shops if this rain stops
Put away fresh laundry
Clean (not working car and purse
Before bed routine

Hope you all have a good day!

Ta/to-do update as have hit motivation slump.

Get up - done
Put on coffee ready for intravenous drip - done
WAH job - done
Washing for us - done
Hand towel wash - done
Washing for DS (tonight)
Hoover living room

Friend has agreed to soft play this pm, so hopefully will fling DS down for an early nap, then a quick trip to supermarket to pick up pizza for dinner before going to play. Must remember cool bag.

DS driving me nuts, apparently we have forgotten what the word no means, especially when paired with flailing arms and kicking legs

morning all

ellie sending huge hugs to you and vats of wine/vodka

sounds like a manky week for lots. personally i am looking forwrd to shutting the door on the first half of this year and praying the second half starts fresh and new and sparkly!

this also includes a concerted effort to properly fly, have been a haphazrd one for the last two months, so i am going to get past the second week!

ta da
cleaned shower screen
cleaned window sill in spare bedroom
decluttered a bit of DH's junk
long chat with lovely friend who is having a mare of a time at the mo
sorted stuff for charity shop
sorted stuff for the tip!

to do
take stuff to tip and charity shop
meet girls from work for coffee
turn spare room into guest bedroom for the weekend
clean kitchen tops and table
buy flowers
artfully arrange aforementioned flowers
make sure there is yummy food to eat for the weekend

body clutter - update - rubbishness, seem to putting on, despite not snacking MUST DO EXERCISE

over and out

Just had a big clear out of all the junk modelling from the DCs bedroom,s it has all been gathering dust, so I put a white sheet out, photographed them all, put them in a bin liner, then weakened and put it in the loft. But at least the rooms are clearer. Got to dash, school fair today, plus gardening club, busy, busy.

Done
meeting first thing at Ds1 school with learning mentor to refer for dyspraxia. Ended up thoroughly confused, waving my arms about and feeling thoroughly dyspraxic myself... I can see this is going to drag on through the system for years before anything actually happens intervention wise. And by that time he'll probably have grown out of it , but in case he doesn't I think I am doing the right thing.

Body clutter stay strong SC I think your body knows what it needs, and it is good to distinguish habits of eating from actual physical needs. I've been having second helpings too, it doesn't seem to have stopped downward trend. Every day I seem to be losing 0.3 kg, which I suppose is half a pound. And not much exercise except walking on a few errands and up and down stairs.

Blue how frustrating; at least ds1 had satisfaction of feeling he was helping with the harvest. Do yours actually like eating broad beans? I am very impressed.

Ellie thinking of you. I think all you can do is take each day one at a time.

The new business computer is finally installed. Friend recommended local IT man who has done a brilliant job. Dh in heaven that there is someone who can sort his [mine/our] long term IT ishoos. He has just gone to work, as I returned from school meeting. Ds1 is still here with a virus, not too bad today, but he missed the concert. Which I went to! It was a lovely event, very small and cosy, with students doing a lot of grade 2 pieces, and the jazz band etc...Hope ds1 will be there next year with his violin, as it was very un-intimidating.

Ds2 had a friend round yesterday to plan a board game project for school today. It was exhausting; ds's friend seems to have difficulties at school but compared to ds2 he was focused, hardworking, got down to the project etc. Ds2 was just like a mad inventor coming up with more and more ideas, but not actually converting them into any practical stuff, running around crazily..
Dd would have just sat down and sorted out her project (once I had spent ££££ on relevant stationary) but ds2...no, requires constant supervision...

Still, playdates are good!!!! Friend seems to like coming here. It just feels like hard work that's all...Ds2 also has a habit of abruptly abandoning his friend and doing something else

,

Carpe No doesn't go down well, but let's do this instead works magically.
[wanders off to take her own advice] [fails to take her own advice]
Ds1 is watching telly.

SC [stern] now holidays are here, you don't actually have to worry about
a)homework
b) uniform
c) revision
d) pickup and drop off times

THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY. holidays are relaxing time where you can make your own rules, own agenda. And dd probably loves them. It takes a while to settle down in holidays doesn't it.. I think it difficult for everyone to switch down into a lesser gear, and all the adrenalin to get through school is still buzzing around with no-where to go. Having said that
I know that packing and tidying up before going away is extremely stressful.x