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!!

Bitchy - I did that cull of old paperwork about 18m months ago, it took several weeks of one or two evenings a week, but I set up three (keep, shred,recycle) boxes round my armchair, something on the telly and a big glass of and it was quite pleasant. I had a lovely time going down memory lane with masses of old personal letters, which I was a bit to realise have vanished in the space of less than a generation with the birth of the internet. I had kept every scrap of paperwork since I left home, which was 25+ years ago, so it was a big job, but worth it.

Ellie - glad you've had such a lovely weekend. We've had a very quiet one, until tonight when DS's friend arrived for the sleepover, they've had a lovely time so far, and very well behaved, but no sign of either them or DD going to sleep yet.

Tomorrow DH and the DCs are disappearing to the ILs for a few days, I'm working but only need to do about one days' worth of work in 3, so I'm hoping to catch up with Flying, OU coursework and general stuff. As well as watching whatever I like on TV, eating whatever I want, taking food upstairs (not allowed for the DCs) etc.

Good evening!
Just a newcomer here. Planned the food menu for the week and some activities for DD need to get some glycerine for making bubbles. Have washed down kitchen cupboards and re-arranged so now have more room (excellent as small kitchen). And started the couch to 5k.
Aching thighs and a clean kitchen, pleased I stuck with it.

whoknows am very of your time on your own, it is something i dream of. I have had time without dc's and with dh and vice versa but not an entire 24 hours on my own since before ds was born and he's nearly 9!

brices welcome. Well done on keeping going. I too have just started the couch 2 5k. It's killing me.

Am going to bed. Night all.

Ellie - It's going to seem weird. DH has taken the DCs to his parents overnight without me a couple of times and the DCs go on their own to my parents every couple of months but I don't think I've ever had two consecutive nights without the DCs before. Will need to stock up on chocolates I think.

Well done for starting the C25K, and you Brices (welcome to the thread BTW). I did the C25K about 15 months ago and it was quite a revelation. I am a chronic exercise hater, but I almost enjoyed the running, managed to keep it up till about 6 weeks ago, can't run at the mo for health reasons but hoping I will get back to it once I'm better. I'm missing my running thread buddies, but can't face posting on the thread much now I can't run.

DCs were finally all asleep by 10. DD is feeling a bit lonely as DS normally sleeps in the other bunk bed in her room, but has gone back to his own room with his friend for the sleepover. I snuggled up in the spare bunk and read my book till they had all gone to sleep. Jubilee picnic didn't happen, but all the DCs enjoyed decorating and eating Jubilee fairy cakes so all was not lost.

Minimal flying done here again today
And now I realise I haven't even left out my clothes for tomorrow.
But dh usually works late and he took the night off as he has a cold (yes, yet another example of manflu!)
However I decided to make the most of having company while watching the Desperate Housewives finale!

I did sweep all floors and mop hall and kitchen ( part of the home blessing hour) made dinner, cleaned up and joined the library earlier on (have moved house almost two years now, and still only getting these little things sorted).
Did a big decluttering under the stairs last night so amn't feeling guilty about that tonight!

SC Thanks for the great round-up! You do not want to swap lists with me, I assure you! The said horses ignored me, once they got their tea. Your bunnies are probably far more affectionate! Be sure and mind them from cats - would need another thread to recount the sagas!

Lauren Hope your horse will be okay :-)

Bitchy I was sure you must be a boxer with the name bitchyinthecorner! But a cold sport? Hmmm....

Swan Sorry I never replied to your other personals in May. I'm originally from Dublin, but am based in the countryside since our wedding last July. Would you consider going to a different piano teacher? The first one I went to was truly awful. I hated every minute. But I LOVE my new teacher!

All the rest of the Jubilee revellers - hope the weather improved and the festivities went well!

Night everyone, ;-)

Morning all! Today I am heading up to the caravan for a few days with a dear old friend and her ds. The kind of friend where we don't see lots of each other but it doesn't matter iyswim. In a complete unfladylike manner I need to blitz whole house before I go and pack. So for the first time in ages i am list posting. All of the below must be achieved by 11am.

To do:-
Tidy living room
Tidy dining room
Tidy kitchen
Wash-up
Floor mop/hoover downstairs
Tidy bathroom
Dc's to tidy their rooms
Find the floor in our room
Pack
Tidy car
Buy new swimsuit.

I am giving myself until half 6 to drink coffee and then I shall be a whirling dervish.

Morning all!

ellie wow that's a lot to do! Make sure you relax on holiday and have a good time

Well done on starting C25k brices and hello! I will be joining you as soon as I'm feeling better so that'll give me a kick up the arse!

whoknows enjoy the peace! I'm sure you'll be missing them by the time their back though ;)

Thank you castle and sc for your kind words and support. I am my own worst enemy, I just was used to having such busy days with work, I'm a bit lost if I don't have a busy day now!

Anyway, I have visitors today in the form of DM, DNan, DBampy and DCousins so I need to do a quick clean and make cake so I look like the height of domestic goddess ;) Well,it's probably I'll look like a loon but hey ho!

And we have a working washing machine for the first time in a month! I can't wait to tackle my mountains!

Then DMil is having DD overnight and I'm going to the cinema to see What to Expect and probably grab a cheeky bottle on the way home!

To Do

Get up and dressed
Get DD up and dressed
Hoover
Mop floors
Polish
Spend 15 mins decluttering in kitchen
Make chocolate crunch
Do laundry - yay!
Hotspot in desk - Baby step 5
Clean fridge
Write out menus for week
Clean bathrooms

Hope you all have a good day and had a lovely long weekend

Hello, hello ... sorry if you have been waiting for this ....a little it hectic here (workmen)...

Today's baby-step, number six, for Wednesday 6th June is learning about hotspots plus continuing previous steps

We are in Zone 2, here Try and declutter for 15 mins a day in the current zone.

If your kitchen is already decluttered, you can progress to detailed cleaning

Today's mission is here refrigerator fling boogie + wipe down

The habit for June is drinking water here

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day so do the things you have been putting off

Kids challenge is same as yesterday (Is it changed weekly then? - sorry - I know I should know this!!!)

If I've missed anything, it will be in today's flight plan which should be here but (presumably) owing to some sort of technical glitch is flagging up the launch pad instead (Or is that right?)

BBL!!

Have a good day one and all!!

Morning all.

So far, today has been a good morning. I've managed to finish my WAH job and DS is up and fed - not dressed, but if we're not going out, he tends to slob about in his PJ's.

Unfortunately, the Tesco delivery last night omitted my bread - and it doesn't show on the order either, so DH had to shoot out and grab a loaf. But, this did get him up and out of the bathroom early for me to S&S so not all bad news

Today, I'm hoping to pop to see a friend with DS, and I'm also hoping to deal with the ironing while DS naps, so once I've finished here, I'm off to sort out the bundles.

I need to empty the DW too - DS has more or less stopped using his high chair with the advent of using a sippy cup - which is throwing us as we used to strap him in with a bottle and empty it first thing. Now, he's wandering about and trying to help - but knives and toddlers do not mix!

So today:
~ WAH job - done included to make me feel good!
~ S&S - done
~ DW empty
~ Breakfast
~ Mop kitchen floor due to jam incident
~ Ironing organise
~ Actual ironing
~ Sort swimming kit to hopefully use tonight.

Hope you all have a good day.

No personals, but a quick hello and welcome to Brices!

alibalibees nothing like the threat of guests to keep one motivated !!

Lauren oh no - about yr horse - let us know how it goes - and here is a "return to work" morning

Gosh [does double take] is this a new 'early morning' version of Bitchy I see before me???!! Well done Bitchy that's great going on your list yesterday! Good luck with the new regime (and the paperwork)!! I need to follow your example (and that of Whoknows) and have my own mahoosive paperwork cull.

Whoknows Hope you survived the sleepover. D
Ditto re: feeling "Jublileed out" Made the mistake of announcing publicly that I was feeling a wee bit nostalgic for the homeland what with all that was going on etc etc (and owing to dh's rampant republican tendencies - although he does respect the Queen herself - and the fact that things are flat out in the office - we didn't hold any celebrations ourself) and promptly got invited to loads of really lovely expat tea parties which were great but must have seen highlights about 15 times by now!! Also do not want to look another fairy cake in the eye for a while!!
Enjoy your bit of "me" time!!!

Yay Ellie glad you managed to get time for a bit of we-deserved r & r finally!!
But at you not having had any time on your own for 9 years!!!!!! You deserve a medal girl!!! I would have lost my sanity by now!!
Good luck with your early morning crisis clean this morning and have a great time at the caravan!!

An "official" warm welcome to Brices Exercise + orderly kitchen cupboards = a great start!

Castlelough rest assured we are on permanent cat/fox alert!! Although bunnies only allowed out on terrace atm until their vaccinations take effect in a couple of days!! They've had a few canters around the lawn - can't wait to let them run around the garden properly. Like your horses, they are er, extremely greedy motivated by food. I swear one of them inhales hay. Well done re: decluttering under the stairs!!

Likelucklove enjoy your visitors and trip to cinema!

Huge wing flaps to PA Choccochip and everyone else ...

House still a bombsite from weekend. Haven't really had time to tackle. Things frantic in office. Still feeling a bit cream crackered. Must crack on but first need to take dd to dentist ...

BBL

Have a good day avoiding Uncle Nesbit!! (For newcomers - that means - have a good anti-procrastination day!!)

x posts

Thank you Carpe [Falls on espresso] Sod's law about grocery deliveries isn't it - it's always the very thing you wanted most that doesn't appear!! Good luck with your list!

Morning all, haven't read the thread but will be back later on to catch up! Just a quick list!

I did today's mission on Monday
Take car to Hoover place
Big shop
Clean out Tupperware and pan cupboards
Routines
Post letter
Ring horse insurance
Walk dog
Clean bathroom

That's it BBL

Crisis clean going well although it did take until half 7 for me to get moving!

So far have:-
Tidied living room
Tidied dining room
Tidied kitchen
Washed up
Fed dc's started packing

Better get on!

Thank you for the warm welcome :)
I also did today's mission on Monday, so I will tackle more kitchen cupboards..
Need to bath DC and do DD's blood test
This afternoon have DS 8 week vaccinations and tonight yoga.
Have a good day

Morning all,

Have read all your posts but now forgotten everything I wanted to say apart from well done on starting C25k to ellie and Brices. I did it last spring/summer and if I can do it anyone can - I was hopeless at PE at school (came last in everything, was picked last for teams, etc.) and had been avoiding anything remotely resembling exercise for about 20 years, but decided to do something about it last year with my 40th birthday approaching. I now run 5k several times a week (just back from a lovely run along the river with my neighbour, in fact) and feel much better about myself.

WhoKnows I know how you feel about the C25k thread; I couldn't face posting on it when I was having problems with my knee as I felt so envious of everyone else who was managing to going out running. Hope you get your health problems sorted out soon.

SC of all your expat tea parties. A British friend of mine here really went to town, decorating her front door with all kinds of Jubilee-related stuff and baking cakes, and said she spent most of the weekend watching BBC World (which we don't have) - I don't very often feel homesick/nostalgic, but I did feel like I'd missed out a bit.

To rub it in, DS's new passport has just arrived. I decided I couldn't justify the expense and hassle of applying for British passports for the DC any longer so we've got him an Austrian one, but I've just realised he no longer has a single document proving that he's a British citizen.

linzer it was my 35th which prompted me to take action. I am both unfit and lardy. Soon I shall resemble a marathon runner. I have not gone on a diet as such but making a conscious effort not to eat shit although this has fallen by the way side over half term.

You'll be a marathon runner before you know it, ellie. I'm also trying to eat a bit more healthily but just have no willpower; I've managed to give up wine on school nights, but that's about it. I never, ever saw myself as a runner - I think the fact that my best PE grade ever was D1 (D for achievement, 1 for effort) says it all, really - and I'm quite amazed that I've found something that I've actually stuck to (and almost enjoy). Like I said, if a chronic exercise avoider like me can do it, anyone can.

First official day of Half Term (as it is no longer bank hol and Dh has gone back to work [fuming about socks

Woohoo! However....

House has that depressing...oh perhaps I should have made an effort last week to tidy it up before half term.... feeling
and to cap it all an enemy cat came in and sprayed the whole kitchen...right from now on the CAT FLAP IS OUT ONLY...and Alfie can sleep in the shed if he ends up stuck outside. [kittens have their own private apartment in playroom!]

Very slowly recovering from yesterday
which consisted of

done
practising cricket in park in prep for ds2 party in park..(lots of shouting about what the rules actually were...in the end we ended up playing rounders
trying to work out what scavenger hunt might consist of
took dd swimming and swam myself (back stroke only because of my frozen shoulder
dared to go in the hot spa with hairy men for two minutes - shoulder felt much better - must go again
then went to mum's by bus to do some chores for her (she is back again from Eire to get final x-ray taken]
got very wet cutting back hydrangeas and going on errands for her
home on bus
collapse collapse collapse

Castlelough my piano teacher was absolutely lovely, and both my children have/are learning with her. It is was merely that practising to order meant one more stress in my disordered existence ; anyway after two years of catching up I am now in a position to tackle a lot of pieces on my own. [Also being 46 it felt a bit embarassing having lessons and not practising - I'm sure you are a lot younger

Ellie I am so impressed that you are even up at 6.14!
whoknows it would be nice if someone could take children away and bring them back for short intervals, whilst feeding dressing and tidying up after them. That would be quality time indeed! I know exactly what you mean; I once went to Ireland for we/ed without anyone to care for, and kept thinking what a pity dd wasn't around to see horses, sunset, neighbour, uncle, granny. Everything seems slightly more interesting with children around to "interpret" it. Hope OU work is productive.

Linzer school PE has so much to answer for. Why was it so offputting?
I had loads of stamina, and I was really quite good at dancing, yet ended up avoiding sport like the plague, despite excellent facilities at our school. They should have had a duffers class where we were given special "nurturing" I see it happening with ds1, who is really so slow, yet quite good at hand to eye...quite soon he is isn't going to bother running at all because everyone is so much faster than him in all team sports...then he gets slower and slower and slower because of lack of practise and because he perceives that he is "Bad" at sport. Despite being v enthusiastic.
I had a very depressing time in swimming pool with him last week where he refused to even swim one length because he was too tired after playing tennis. He just bobbed up and down in the pool. How can I re-motivate him?

I enjoyed dancing too swan (I used to do ballet), but just hated PE. Perhaps it's because it was one of the few subjects that it was acceptable and even admirable to be good at (I was good at academic subjects, which certainly wasn't acceptable at the first secondary school I went to) and it's utterly obvious and embarrassing (not to mention disheartening) if you're not. It put me off sport for years as I felt like such a failure at it.

It's very difficult to motivate children when they're tired (or claim they are), isn't it? We had a similar problem a few weeks ago, when DS refused to cycle back home after going out for an ice cream; he eventually cycled back very slowly in tears. I'm not sure what the answer is as I've so rarely been motivated to do any kind of sport myself. Just make sure they have the opportunities, I suppose, which you're obviously already doing and set a good example so that they see you doing/enjoying sport yourself.

Welcome Brices I too am doing Couch to 5K - I'm due to do week 3 run 2 tomorrow. Ellie - I have the same approach - try not to eat crap. Have so far lost 4lbs and don't ache anymore after the runs!! Linzer and WhoKnows good to know you have done it successfully - I am too scared even to look on the runners thread - they might see me watching and know I'm a wannabe!
Swan Bleugh to cat wee. We had one local cat who did that - came in, ate the cat food then sprayed all over the kitchen as thanks.

Right. Funnily enough I did yesterdays mission yesterday even though I hadn't looked at the thread. SC must be sending me subliminal messages . Think you are right and I will declutter cupboards before detailed cleaning. I've been putting it off because I will have to make decisions about chucking out melamine cups etc now all the babies are at school .

Must do washing
Sort Supper
Declutter a cupboard (or two)
Chivvy children into packing for trip to my parents
Shopping to ensure cupboard not bare when we get back
Avoid Uncle Nesbit (or should I welcome him in and make him ?)

Happy fllying today!

Morning. working on the early morning thing. But you know there is only one reason why i am up that early = training. happens every week.

The "inthecorner" bit was reference to always being in the naughty corner.

So yesterday I went to bed early (very early but was sooo tired I slept around 18hrs). Feeling a bit more human but still in need of breakfast and coffee which I am about to head off and get before tackling the paperwork that was started but not finished yesterday.

Can't be bothered with a list so will see what happens.

Hello everyone new and old. I don't think I have a hope of catching up on 8 pages in 6 days so please forgive me for not knowing what is going on again

We are back from 11 days in a buttercup field with 100+ other juggler friends. All well rested (inspite of DH and I getting chesty cold things!) and children resembling wild creatures :)

DH was back with a bang, and a 6.30am breakfast networking meeting - the joys of self-employment but DC and I struggled out of bed sometime between 9 and 10am and are still in our pyjamas.
However the post-camping clear-up now begins and as the weather isn't going to play ball I am going to be doing camping washing between now and a week next Tuesday

So, a list for today:

• Disinfect all kitchen surfaces as cats had free range in there all week - done
• Washing - 1 load done, hopefully room for 1 more - no tumble drier here and not much space to drape stuff
• Unpack some bags
• Bath DC and me
• Menu plan, shopping list and possible shop
• Contact ebay lady re picking up DS's new bike (Raleigh bike for £6.60, I may take chocs too as will be embarrassed paying so little)
• Park later with friends if its not raining, on our own if it is

Best get going then...........

Aaah swan, don't be that impressed. DH had to be out the door at 6 and i knew there was no point in staying in bed as I had so much to do.

feet camping sounds lovely. One of my housemates at uni went out with ( and is indeed now married to) a juggler and hence the juggling society frequented many a party we had and they were all, bar none, just the loveliest people.

All packed and ready to go now just waiting on a next delivery of new jeans for ds.

I shall pop in but there shall be no flying for a few days!

Sticking in a ta-da list to motivate myself as its tipping down with rain and I just want to curl up and eat chocolate.

So ta-da:
~ WAH job - done
~ S&S - done
~ DW empty - done
~ Breakfast - done
~ Mop kitchen floor due to jam incident - done, and did DS's foam mats at the same time so they are de-jammed as well
~ Ironing organise - done
~ Sort swimming kit to hopefully use tonight - done
~ Dust/wipe living room (still with jam!) - done
~ Organise coffee for this pm - done
~ Ironing - done

So actually, it's all good

Lunch now while DS is still napping!