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

Morning everybody!
I feel like I'm treading water at the moment - every time I manage to get what part of the house somebody is making a mess in another. We have MIL staying with us at the moment so there's lots of stuff around which doesn't help.

DH and MIL are off out for the day today, so hopefully I'll have chance to catch up. List for today:

• Sort bathroom cabinet
• Clean floor of bathroom
• Put away 3 loads of clean laundry
• Write shopping list
• Grocery Shopping
• Clean out Fridge
• Clean Living Room Windows
• Walk Dogs
• Order birthday present for DH

I'm sure I'll think of more as the day goes on...

This sleep thing is exhausting. managed early bedtime. In fact have been going to bed at a reasonable time most days for nearly a week now. It's not helping much. Guess that is what happens when you don't sleep prperly for so long. 7 years ish now. Determined to get a better sleep pattern though.

However, coffee is needed this morning. School run first though.

Ellie that is great that you are still talking properly to each other. You are doing so well. I hope dh can still be a dear friend, and you can continue to support each other in that way. [Or maybe life isn't nearly that simple Roll on holidays, and one less stress.

On the flip side Dh and I have reached complete burnout: I think he can't wait for me to leave him in peace, and I feel obscurely as if he is to blame for most things especially the lack of utility room... However, this morning he redeemed himself by playing badminton with kids on first day of holidays, and being only mildy reproachful when he couldn't find his umbrella.

Right
Done
DH to work
Ds1 to last day of school
children healthy burst of exercise (now watching telly
half packed suitcase

todo
get dressed
put suitcase downstairs so dd can't put any more things in it
washing
washing put away
TIDY OUR BEDROOM/HOOVER FLOOR
cat food buy
prescription pick up
try and control anxiety at thought of going away on holiday!!!!and seeing bossy relatives

Morning! Failing miserably at keeping up with the thread

To do:
school run
Dd washing- one drying, one washing, one waiting
Put DD washing away
Walk dog
Mindee and DD to playgroup
Clean bathroom
Wash kitchen floor
Meet friend and her DD at soft play this afternoon
Shred

I'm in good spirits again, finally losing weight again after losing the 5 pounds I put on and mindee parents brought me and DD lots of end of term presents

I will be back later to catch up!

Morning all!

Just a quick fly past to try to gather some inspiration/get a kick up the arse as I'm having a CBA/depressed day. Partly time of the month, partly weather (pissing rain) and partly work.

However, waves and hugs to all, especially ellie. Very proud of you (does that sound strange coming from a stranger on the internet?!) and your DH for being so rational - I know it must be hard, but hopefully it will all work out for you.

Still, life and housework wait for no woman so, today, I need to:
Empty dishwasher
Take out dinner
Strip our bed
Wash our towels - in machine just now
Strip DS's bed - after nap
DS washing - this evening after he's asleep
Dust and hoover our bedroom (as I can write my name on the dresser )
WAH job
Trip to the tip in pouring rain
Work out meal plan for next week when BIL is here
Work out shopping list based on above

Morning all!

Lauren - well done on the weight loss!
Carpe - Hope you start to feel better through out the day.

DS and I made a 'Today I am thankful for' board that we will put a note on each day of what we are thankful for with the hope of starting the day off on a positive note and hopefully feel less down.

List for today:
Jobs I didn't do yesterday
Make 'Thankful board' done
Flight plan
Whites wash
Clear out handbag done
Tidy up lounge
Hour of ironing

Sending you hugs ellie

Waves to carpe, bitchy, castle, lauren, swan, toffee, Maggie, overflowing, feetheart and everyone else I?ve missed including all the newbies and NCers. Afraid I CBA to catch up what I?ve missed while on holiday!

Trying to get house back to normality after holiday.

Ta da
Yesterday?s washing up first lot of holiday washing dried and tidied away
2nd lot of holiday washing in machine
Suitcase, food bags and car unpacked
Shopping list written

To do
Dry and put away 2nd lot of washing
Another lot of washing
Hand wash
Food shopping - waiting for DS to wake up.
Unpack rucksack
Put travel cot and suitcase back up in loft
Hotspots ? kitchen table and dining table
Water plants
Start weeding ?jungle?front garden
Hoover
DS (9mo) has worked out how to crawl from lounge down step into kitchen, so guess I should clear all holiday stuff and mop the floor!

Am sneezing like no one?s business ? hayfever, post-holiday cold or allergic to my house? The jury?s still out?

BBL

Morning - bombsites defused but not perfect...
Had two new (to us anyway) sofas delivered by lovely friend last night so the old sofa is waiting to be delivered to the skip later. Last day at school for DS's today - DS2's last day in infants :'(

To do...
Clean bathrooms
Hoover through
Sweep and mop hard floors
Start knitting scarf for G'ma

Will report back later - hope everyone is well (I here the sun is coming...)

*hear

Morning all!

List drop:
Morning routine
Shred/ MFP
WHB - have to do this today. Going to listen to the Flylady podcast.
Weeding for DMil
Early dinner - spaghetti bolognese
Pack (away til Sunday)
Drive home to parents (3+ hrs)
Ask DSil to feed the cats/horses on Sat while dh is away.
Find wedding card bought last week...
Knitting project - start new square.

Fairly easy day....
Swan Hope the holiday helps ease things at home x
Waves to everyone else!

Ooh, blueberries! Thanks castle.

After the manic few days I've had with work, things are settling down enough to contemplate some flying so here's a list:

Work admin stuff
Ironing
Hoover through
Sweep and mop hard floors
Dusting
Re-make beds
What's for dinner?
Home office mission
Get some exercise!
Bathroom zone cleaning

Better do something rather than sit on MN I guess. Waves to all!

Mindee and DD are napping and their dinner is made for them waking up so time for this promised catch up!

To do:
school run
DD washing
Put DD washing away
Walk dog
clean bathroom
Wash bath mats and hand towels- waiting on the washing machine finishing last of DD clothes
mindee and DD to playgroup
Wash kitchen floor
Soft play this afternoon
Shred

Have also arranged my new flowers in a vase and picked up dog poo!

Impressive lists ofm!

Welcome to cupcakes, misonatop and trazzletoes, you will start to notice a difference by following the baby steps and you will be in no time at all!

I hope your DD play date didn't turn out too dreadful swan and that they got on in the end! I know I shouldn't but I did at your DH being reproachful at not finding his umbrella. I had images of a large toddler

Welcome back engels! I hope you had a fan holiday!

mc both me and my brother used to sleep walk. My mum would find us wandering the hall on a night looking sleepy and mumbling about pyjamas and bees etc I think she just used to say very quietly "back to bed" and steer us back and took us in! We both grew out of it

Hope you are ok carpe!

I love the thankful board idea misonatop! I might have to make one with my older mindees for the playroom

more playdates today! Dd played with another friend here, but unfortunately ds2 fell out with his friend over batting averages or something crickety.
Luckily that friend has been here so often that I think he's used to it! Friend helped me make lunch

done
dw
breakfast
washing in, washing out
rescued hall
recycling (did that earlier)

and horror of horrors A LETTER FROM SCHOOL SETTING READING ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS FOR DS1 Aaargh! Meant to be fun activities [bitter laugh] Really felt angry, but after ringing school and expressing dismay, I see it is because I feel I have to do the homework/supervise it, and really I just need to let go completely, and try not to get upset about it...I explained I just wanted ds to run around and get exercise in hols not swot, and I think by expressing this, I feel it is now possible to do BOTH.

Ds will be leaving infants this year too. But as it is just a change of classroom I am not thinkin about it.

Poor kid is considering issues of life and death atm. It would seem a favourite relative on his dad's side is finally showing signs of her chronological age catching up with her. To the point where it is noticeable to the kids. And whilst they are still able to do stuff together ds knows where it is going and is getting upset and clingy.

Other then that he is commenting on the fact that we never do much together. Err yes I pay for your school uniform, your hobbies and the maintenance your dad pays covers the petrol to get you to contact visits. Your dad earns significantly more then me and has more money thus for doing nice things

So flying is being slowed down by clingy boy and by the fact that lack of sleep has seriously caught up with me. Had to sleep again today. Just sooooo tired atm it is stupid. Hopefully this lull will soon be over and some sort of normal functioning can be resumed. Otherwise I shall be speaking to the doc.

Anyhow must grab shower and get up and function. hate feeling this bleurgh. Not me at all. told you that long list was a one off.

To do:
Post office
Book car for service
school run
swimming lesson
cook tea

Seems a good place to start. bbl.

for your ds bitchy! Death is never a nice subject to embrace. I came across a really nice childrens book about death, will see if I can find the name and author. Mind you- it was more about the behaviour of a child after someone died than death itself iyswim so might not be any use!

I have made the first steps to apply to the CSA to get maintenance for DD...I'm scared about it all as I know it's going to open a huge can of worms!

The one I found was Michael Rosen's Sad Book. But I found lots as I was looking. Not sure how old your Ds is!

Ds is 7. death isn't new it's just that he is much much closer to the person in question this time. And he is more aware that it is heading in that direction. So there have been a lot of conversations that start "but I don't want you to die, mum" which i had no idea where they were coming from until I spoke to the ex and he mentioned the individual's declining health. Strange to think that 100 yrs ago we wouldn't bat an eye lid so much as death was so much a part of day to day life. The fact that it isn't makes it harder to deal with imo. Always sad when you lose someone though.

this about sums it up

bitchy that thread is ace!

evening all
bitchy LOL at thread
mrsOna love the idea of a "thankful board"
swan at holiday homework. Must admit I do tend to let my older ones get on with homework themselves...maybe not wise but hey!
lauren flowers in vase sound lovely...
blue glad things are settling a bit for you
castle what are you knitting?

everyone else hi!

well....was back to work today...bleugh!
however...DID manage to dispatch all dc to school WITH: cupcakes and assorted gifts for teachers, trip stuff including swimwear for dd2, teddy bears and tomatoes for ds2....
did however seem to miss the fact that ds2 was meant to be in home clothes not uniform ....still he actually didnt seem bothered!
so....am almost breathing sigh of relief...
all trips done, gifts sent,
dh broke up today so he can do school run tomorrow - yay.
Now just need to finalis eplans for wk/end then contemplate how to limit the potential chaos that is about to ensue over the next 6 weeks....sob...

right...need to see to dc...
BBL

Evening all

Thanks for advice on sleepwalking. She does seem to be easy to put back to bed and straight back to sleep (Although I guess she is still asleep) but I'm worried she'll fall down the stairs or something.

OFM I also sent DD to school in uniform when it was supposed to be non-uniform but as we haven't had a letter / text about it and I don't do the school run, I'm not sure how I was supposed to know this

I'm going to post and run as I have loads to sort for tomorrow, to bath and put DD to bed, to grab a shower for me, make pack up for tomorrow, clean kitchen, run hoover around lounge, put out recycling and put out bins and iron all work clothes / uniform for tomorrow. I really do look up to you guys who do this on your own. I'm rubbish when DH is away, I feel like i'm running the wrong way up a treadmill.

May be back later to catch up on thread.

swan I am very anti summer homework for students. Apart from reading new texts I?m not doing anything ?until the last week of the holiday when I?ll be running round like a headless chicken?so why should they?

What a nice idea mrsOna

I have been trying to think of inspirational quotes to put in my control journal ?and use to motivate my students next year-- and found some lovely ones last week ?scribbled down from stationary that was too expensive for me to buy in waterstones?

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you?ll land among the stars.

This is your world. Shape it or someone else will.

Life isn?t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

If you fail to plan, plan to fail.

List update
Dry and put away 2nd lot of washing dried and folded but not put away yet as ds in bed
Another lot of washing on
Hand wash tomorrow
Food shopping hideously expensive but done
Unpack rucksack done
Put travel cot and suitcase back up in loft suitcase done but cot in hallway
Hotspots ? kitchen table and dining table tomorrow
Water plants done
Start weeding front garden kind of, spent an hour weeding back garden instead
Hoover done
DS (9mo) has worked out how to crawl from lounge down step into kitchen, so guess I should clear all holiday stuff and mop the floor! tomorrow (who am I kidding? Have mopped my floor about once a year for the last 5, so not due for another 6 months )

Have had a good body clutter day though my body is in shock from bacon sandwich withdrawl (I always over indulge when back in the UK on holiday )

have a good evening everyone

Bitchy - your other thread has just clarified for me why I ended up sitting up late comforting a weeping DS2 last night as he told me that life was "just terrible". He couldn't identify any real problems and now I see that it was just 'endoftermitis'. Thank you!

Ellie - just wanted to add my vote to all those who have commented on how marvellous you and your DH are being about your separation. It will be so much help to your DC that you are being like this. I know it can't be easy for you though.

Have a long 'ta da' list from today, which is why I haven't so much as poked my head round the door to peek in the naughty corner today. Now I have to get DS1 to bed. Will BBL to update on decluttering triumphs and dog rendezvous .

My DCs are tired too, but they love the last couple of weeks of term, with all the different things happening, same at Christmas. It's just me that struggles to keep up!

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to get my OU assignment finished, I'm sick of the sight of it now TBH, but nearly there. Haven't read through everyone's posts, sorry, back soon hopefully.

Hmm, DS1's endoftermitis has now resolved itself into a real (and horrendous) sore throat. I ended up having him at home this afternoon, but as DS2 was at the childminder I still managed most of my list. Yay!

I really hope he's well enough for school tomorrow as it would be a shame to miss all the fun stuff. Plus I need to collect his wellies, book bag and umbrella at some point!

WhoKnows - good luck with the assignment

Engels - I was amazed to discover that lean, grilled bacon is not all that calorific. Don't know if that's helpful right now though...

or for MC too (or both!) - sounds like you need it.

Waves to everyone else and leaves more annd on the bar for anyone else in need.