Fledglings Fly into July!

[BlueEyeshadow]

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

A huge "thank you" to SanguineChompa for leading us throughout June!!

If your 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 wine 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.

All welcome!!

Apologies for starting the thread so late - it took SC lobbing the duster at me to make me remember it's July tomorrow (and I've blatantly cut and pasted her OP too)!

The first baby step is to shine your sink! See here for the Fat Fairy's tutorial...

No mission because it's Sunday. But here's the flight plan for established flyers

Aww, he sounds gorgeous, lauren. What a great name - we are big fans of Father Ted in this house.

Hello all. Just popping in so that you don't forget who I am.

Lauren Love father Ted here. The box set is coming with us! Your fluffy cloud sounds adorable!

toffee hope DS2 does well with his one line. And ignore tuts!! Do they know DS1 better than you?

SC we had to part with our bunnies yesterday. Really But they have gone to a lovely friend who has 3 young children and I know that they will be spoilt loved very much. We hope to visit for a final goodbye before we leave.

DD1 and Dd3 organised a surprise party for us on Saturday. We did not have a clue. House was filled with over 75 people. All had kept the secret from us! It was absolutely the best party ever!!! I was too shocked to cry, but have been bursting with pride at what they did and thanks to all the people who came ever since!

Today we were up early and had a day of mass clearing. All nooks crannies and sheds now empty. Amazing how much we got done. Large van hired and trips to the tip. I now feel ready to leave. We leave a week tomorrow. Cant wait!!

Mahoosive waves to all you lovely virtual people on here.

Ah Ted's a great dog name!

House is a dump!!!!

Oh god where to start. I've decided to decorate the bathroom and have bought all the stuff and ripped out the old but not started any painting or prepping and so now it just looks like a shithole.

Tomorrow will have no such luck getting anything done as school is closing at lunchtime so extra dcs for the pm.

So very small list for tomorrow.

General tidy downstairs
Plumber coming out
Text handyman about job
Book appts with teachers
Finish laundry

Yuk!!

Been working this evening and eyes are going squiffy so will dump the links and run, but awww to the puppy, Lauren and well done to your DDs on the surprise party, PA!

Links:

Babystep 10 - the power of 15 minutes... (This is key!)

Flight Plan - it's plan and play day, and countertop time again.

Lauren puppy sounds lovely, now you just need a Mrs Doyle ....!! A daschound maybe??? (How do you spell dachound???)

Ahhh, I just loved Father Ted - must buy a new DVD as the only copies we have are on video. That one about the horse and the Eurovision Song Contest funniest thing I've ever seen - dh and I can virtually quote every line even though it must be 8 yrs or so since we watched it last Oooh and do you remember the one about the rabbits??

PA You sound very organised and on top of things!! Aw at your dc arranging surprise party!! How fab!! But at bunnies departure... good they are going to be well looked after and enjoyed by three dc though!

Nicknacks it always has to go through that bit where it looks worse before it gets better iyknwim ...you'll get there

Crikey OFM you w/e sounds utterly exhausting - although good time obviously had by all your dc!! Thank heavens you have some time off. Am with you in spirit on the body clutter wobbles.

Waves to Blue Bitchy Toffee et al

Have had a blitz in the dining/sitting room!!! Looks and smells lovely! Now sitting with DH eating Ben and Jerry's

Hi guys and thanks for the welcome back.

Ok first question- what is body clutter??

laurenamium welcome to Ted. I'm not a doggy person but he sounds lovely and I love the name too.

Swan teaching is good, exhausting, confusing and takes up about 30 hours a day and weekends. I finish my current contract next fri and have nothing for September but to be honest will glad of the break and the opportunity to sort out what I l have learnt. Will miss my 'first' class though.

toffee I read a little on the home learning you have been doing online and de-reg sounds like a good idea. It sounds like it would make you all happier.

carpejungulum I hope you and DH are better soon.

And finally maggie I hope DH gets on the course that he wants.

Waves to everyone else. Have only managed a couple of loads of washing and a quick 10 minutes sort but have pc issues and a lesson observation tomorrow so pre-occupied with that. hoping to have a better list tomorrow.

Night all

PA party sounds fab and so glad you had a good time. I can't believe it's almost time for you to go.

Hate to say it PA, but your dd's were very sneaky, very cunning and very lovely in their organising scheming

been training. All manners of craziness came into play. weird evening. Howver, ds was an absolutely amazingly well behaved last night and tonight. It has been amazingly sereal.

pa body clutter is our weight loss programme

Most of us are using the "My Fitness Pal" app/Internet site to log weight, food and exercise and to support each other losing the few hundred in my case pounds that are bugging us. (App/site are free btw)

For me it's more about admitting I've had a crap food day, but knowing I can't give up as I usually do, coz someone will mention it!

Anyway, back later after showering & dealing with DS.

pa?! I meant mc!

Morning. Just wandering by to mention in passing to SC that it's spelled dachshund because it's German for "badger hound" even though the Germans actually call them Dackerls!

Might pop up again with some flying related stuff later...

Morning, fledglings.

To do:

Loads.

ARGH!

To do.
wait for hang over to kick in
suffer hangover

that is all.

Morning all,

Sorry for being AWOL, busy busy day yesterday. Remains of camping unpacking, 4 loads of washing, pilates, visit to optician (4 hour round trip when you include 90 mins drive and 90 mins shopping ), about half of the home blessing, OU work, gardening, etc

PA - what a lovely thing for your DCs to have done how naughty of them to hack your FB account.

Today it is the re-arranged school sports day - just had a text to say it is going ahead so I'm off to find my thermals and umbrella. I was a bit torn, I like Sports Day and the DCs love it, but it means I have to work Friday instead of today and I am feeling a bit behind with this OU work. Back later

morning all
lauren puppy sounds very fab
toffee Im sure you wont regret your decision for ds1. And people may try to "tell you off" but just ignore them. You know absolutely what is best for ds1!
mc how are you doing? I thought of you last week as I was on another school trip to Sundown Adventure Land and remembered us both being there last year on the same day!
pa party sounds fab. Lovely thing for your dc to do.

OK...well seem to be in that typical end of year downhill spiral here!
Now have poorly vomiting dd3 and 4 at home. Currently camped under duvets on the sofa playing "pass the sick bowl" Lovely!!
I have had to take day off work - which will go down like a lead balloon - but can't be helped.
House also seems to be in a total state....am hopeful if dds stop vomiting for long enough I may be able to do some catching up in a bit...we'll see....
oh well...ho hum and all that!

ok a list in case I get round to it!
Tidy littlies room
dust and hoover littlies room
tidy and hoover lounge
tidy dining room
clean kitchen
washing - lots!

Hopefully BBL

No time for personals as "flying" by quickly:

To do/Ta da:
WAH job - done
Lots of 60 degree bug killing washes - in progress
Sterlise kitchen
Ironing
Trip to Asda/Homebase
Fall over in a heap - in progress

I hate illness. Over the worst, but weak as a kitten.

Quick list dump...

Ta da's
1 load washing in off line and folded
1 load washing hung on airer (raining again)
School run

To do's
Clean bathroms
Ironing
Start knitting scarf (floaty one) for my Grandma's birthday
Try on new riding boots
Sort out meal plan for week
Give self a mahooosive kick up the pants and get back on MFP

Hi all!

It's mayhem here today and I'm working my longest day of the week but I'm behind with flying so need to to make a to do list incase I find time!

To do:
Home bleugh
Clean kitchen floor
Swap laundry in dryer over and put DD clothes away
Routines
Get DF to put spare wheel on the car until it goes to the garage on Friday
Walk dog
Shred

So far so good with the new week of body clutter but it is only early in the day...

How lovely that your DDs were so thoughtful pa, and I'm glad you enjoyed the party and that it was a success!!

Good luck decorating nicknacks! Very brave! I'm behind with paperwork due to the new EYFS and me changing templates etc, I couldn't imagine embarking on a huge project

I was actually looking and miniature dachshunds sc! I love them! But we settled with a white fluff ball instead as I was worried There was more chance of it being injured with it having a longer body (being picked up incorrectly etc) they are lovely though!

of Ben and jerries maggie!

Happy hangover bitchy eat bananas and lemonade!!

Hope sports day is a success whoknows!

Huge cross posts!

at passing sick bowl game ofm but I do hope they get well soon!!

done
chimney sweep has been to assess chimney which is leaking smoke. Yep, it needs a new liner if we are to fit a stove or light the fire. Will probably block it up then... as it probably cheaper to run an electric fire there than do all the work required...[and we do already have one open fire]

3 kids to school. Ds1 is having a fantastic week, no lessons just rehearsing for a musical extravaganza which involves a lot of pop songs So his knapsack is down a few flapping bits of paper, and no homework. The school have cunningly laid on reward trip after reward trip to get them to come back next year So he is off to Matilda on Wednesday, and Chessington World of Adventures on Monday. However he did miss the Norman outing due to not being in top 30 percent of history class.

Parents' eve tonight, not looking forward to seeing all the teachers I was ranting to at beginning of the year. Will have to control my emotions.

done flywise
made three beds
changed our sheets
breakfast table cleared
ds1 floor cleared
playroom floor cleared
cleaning lady hoovered the stairs and landing and did ironing, also two bathrooms deep cleaned
two children over to play yesterday

Bodyclutter: going down down down... I was starving when I woke up this morning, which a good sign, and ds1 is still losing a little bit everyday...

todo flywise
hoover ds1 room
hoover playroom
washing up
dw unload
buy some FOOD! help, I have a freezer full of scones and spinach and not much else. Milk and eggs have arrived, that's something.

OFM ds2 is finding the social thing more and more upsetting. He was in tears yesterday when dd and ds1 had friends over, even though they are his friends too, ifysim, and kept screaming that no-one wanted to play with HIM. They would have been happy to play with him, except he kept screaming! Aaargh! This morning he seems in good spirits though, his moods seem to change quite rapidly. Whereas dd who is NT can be in a sulk for seemingly weeks...

Morning

[Hands over double espresso to Bitchy]

Thanks for spelling info/correction Blue!! Seem to recall something similar about German original of "poodle" - sorry - woeful knowledge of German - but something to do with the word "poodle" coming from "puddle" ie dog adapted to retrieving from water ... or some'at.

Lauren yes - love 'em but think they do have back problems sadly.

Oh no OFM sick-bowl-passing is the last thing you need at the moment. Let's hope it's just a 24-hr thing.

Take it steady Carpe glad you are on the mend though

Maggie (and Kiwi too actually) sorry, sorry- forgot about MFP (again!!)!! Did someone invite you on? [SC stares guiltily at floor] I haven't been on there much recently ....

Pouring with rain here too Whoknows hope sports day not too much of a wash-out

MC Flylady has written a book on Body Clutter (slimming basically), more info here It's taking the same principles as decluttering house (ie it's taken a long time to put on weight/accumulate mess in house, will take long time, small steps etc, to lose it/declutter etc etc) I have the book and I found it made good points, but I was disappointed it wasn't a bit more prescriptive ie was hoping for a "set of definitive steps" such as Flying baby-steps and although she does set hwk etc, with steps to take at the end of each chapter I found it a bit of a hassle to pin it all down (prob just laziness on my part), somehow it didn't "click" for me in same way as Flying system but I know others on here disagree and have found it very helpful.

Good luck with decorating today Nicknacks

Oh it's such a relief when they get to that "light rucksack" time of year Swan!! Sorry yr ds2 is finding it all a bit more testing than your ds1 though. Sympathies over chimney renovation - costs a small fortune!!

Apart from a trip to Ikea to buy a bed, DD and I seem to have fallen in to a bit of a slump. Not much Flying done but lots of eating and sleeping!! Need a bomb behind me to get me going today!! Play dates/friends over for supper tomorrow so house needs to look vaguely respectable. Twice weekly ironing lady due tomorrow and I don't have much for her to iron as yet so need to do laundry too.

Ta da:
Trip to Ikea and pet shop to buy rabbit supplies. Why this took up an entire morning I do not know as we only bought one item

To do (which should have been done yesterday reallly :
Morning routine, inc dw and wm, s&s
Clean out rabbits (hutch and indoor cages)
Downstairs home bleugh
Laundry: blue wash, mixed white wash
Try and put up Ikea bed
Continue with boudoir
Sort out dd clothes that no longer fit to give away
Sewing session with dd
Try not to eat like a pig
Evening routine
Try to get to bed at a decent hour and not fall asleep on sofa in front of wallpaper telly with red wine and or chocolate

To do/Ta da motivational update:
WAH job - done
Lots of 60 degree bug killing washes - done
Sterlise kitchen
Ironing - done
Trip to Asda/Homebase
Fall over in a heap - done

DS is a bit snotty and cuddly atm. Keeping fingers crossed its a cold and not what DH and I had!

Absolutely no Flying to report!

Just had Local Authority contact on phone trying to dissuade us from de-registering. She is coming round tomorrow to discuss our options. She said I shouldn't make a hasty decision, which made me laugh (it's two years since DS1 first came out of school and he has remained on the school roll all that time, so hardly a hasty decision ). I know lots of home ed posters would probably tell me not to let her into my house, but I've met her and she's actually very nice, so I'm hoping it will be a productive meeting, rather than a difficult one.

Had an appointment with the breast-cancer care hospital this morning. All very good news. I arranged the appointment because I have a history of breast (and other) cancer in the family and was concerned that I had a higher than average risk. Not so, apparently . Booked in for a mammogram just to be on the safe side.

Off to watch DS2 in his end-of-term performance shortly. Hope he doesn't fluff his one line! Have my video camera at the ready!

toffee Nothing wrong with meeting lea woman if she is nice. One tip though - just don't agree to anything in the meeting - tell her you need time to consider if she is making suggestions etc I have been caught out by agreeing to stuff in meetings that they somehow made to sound like a good idea, then later realized that wasn't what I wanted at all. My standard answer now in all meetings with school/lea etc is "well that is an interesting idea. I will go away and give it some more thought." Sounds like you know what you want though, and as you say you have had lots of time to consider it. LEA in my experience do try very hard to dissuade you from de-registering, but then once its done they tend to back off. Good luck.
swan ds1 week does sound fab.Sounds a bit mean though that only top 30% got to go on history trip. and poor ds2. sounds so like dd3 who is always crying that no-one wants to play with her, even when siblings or friends are trying to get her to join in.....

ok...vomiting seems to have eased. DD4 is drinking water OK and dd3 is now eating some bread ....fingers crossed

Have done:
2 loads washing
tidied littlies room
cleaned kitchen
bathed little dog
had shower

now back on sofa wasting time on MN keeping dds company although they seem happy with being allowed to watch cbbc.

BBL