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

Hello! I have been missing for a few days. Lots of tidying and organising has happened, but the house looks no different to when I started. So come on, somebody tell me how to do this FLYing lark when nobody else in the house has any interest whatsoever in keeping the place tidy? Help me!

Afternoon all

Great to hear from you PA WOW at temperature though
Ellie I need to clear out my kitchen cupboards but I have avoided it so far for fear of what I may find.

Well can't believe got the soft top on the car yesterday for it to be grime and cloudy today, although a much more bearable temperature.

No flying done yet as DD has had me playing. So far I have fed, played and walked her nintendogs, ironed her hama bead design and listened to her reading a story. I have also managed a lovely shower.

To Do

• Mop all wooden floors and stairs now they are all hoovered from yesterday.
• Another 15 minutes in master bedroom
• Clean bathrooms - I'm sure this was on my list earlier in the week but I never managed it.
• Pop to shop for potatoes and veg to go with salmon I am defrosting.
• DD to karate and book a few days at summer camp for her whilst I am there.

I actually wrote that two hours ago but when I got back home its still sat on my screen

Since then have been to shops bought DDs friends birthday present for her party in a weeks time and bought my mums birthday present for the weekend and treat myself and DD to lunch in Sainsburys cafe.

Avoiding mopping that floor though really aren't I?

Who knows you are making me and homesick!!
HAve fun!!

back to everyone else. Just off to bed.

Hello all :)

sheepishly waves to PA - don't think I have met you yet!

Done
Dust and wiped everything in bedroom

To do
workout
clean kitchen window sill
clean kitchen chairs
clean kitchen doors and skirting
Get mould off shower tiles
Wash mantel piece
2 loads of laundry
ironing
dinner
dishes
bed at a reasonable hour

Afternoon all.

Flurry of activity here this afternoon.

Ta da:-
All floors hoovered
Necessary floors mopped
Washing
General tidy downstairs
Dinner on

To do:-
Washing away
Finish off dc's rooms.
More washing on line
Bathe dc's

DN has gone now and Dsis has returned from her exciting mission. As I may have said before, and for those of you who don't know, dsis had cancer of the womb 3 years ago and had to have a full hysterectomy at the age of 30, before she had children and they had to do it quickly so no chance to freeze eggs. (DN is not hers but BIL's although dsis has been stepmum since she was 2). Obviously this was quite horrendous as she was clearly born to be a mother, more so than me. Anyway to cut a long story short, adoption not a real possibility for a long while because of the cancer even though chances of cancer coming back are minute. They have gone down the surrogacy route and today they have been for the 12 week scan for my dniece or nephew. One fabulous lady out there is being a surrogate for her and the baby os due in February .

I am so so so happy I could cry. After all the crap of the last month, I needed some good news.

ellie that is such wonderful, wonderful news. So pleased for you and your DSis.

Scorching hot today inside and out so very little flying done, though have managed morning and evening routine. House does not look like a bomb has hit it, which can only be considered a success!

Am tryign to come up with something lovely for DH for our wedding anniversary in 3 weeks time - one year so paper. He's had a really rough year with depression/problems at work. He's still not dealing well with crowds and public places too well so what could I do? was thinking of something homemade maybe a photo album of our relationship with quotes and things, maybe write a poem? I don't know!

evening all
just popping by to inform you all Im still alive!
this week has been odd really. Massively busy at work...but DH is home with dc and has been doing an amazing job! House is amazingly tidy and clean, washing done, dc happy-ish (apart from usual post end of term grumpiness!) and have had my dinner ready and waiting last 3 evenings! I could get used to this! Think maybe he needs to give up his job LOL
Anyway....dd3 bday on Friday and still got bits to sort tomorrow...knitted teddy still in progress - not sure it will be ready by Friday but hey ho!
Run at the weekend was fab, and even managed to drag myself out for a run tonight despite being late back home.
will tray to come back properly at weekend for full catch up....but
PA glad you're their safe and sound...sounds a real adventure
ellie what fab news for you and your Dsis
MC shame about car! sun wa sindeed short llived...(still at least the paddling pool got its second use this summer ) hope it may return ...fingers crossed!(your car sounds V cool!)

right...off to bed as shattered!

Hello MsOnatopp - no, we haven't met. I have been a really bad contributor to the thread since it began! ALways struggled to keep on top of the housework but now have moved and have very little "stuff" so it seems easier, although waaaayyyyyyy too hot for housework!!

Ellie - how absolutely fabulous We looked into surrogacy after being told we could not have children

pa must say you are so incredibly brave!
morning all
DS2 in foul mood this morning....dd3 on excited wind up for her bday tomorrow and dd4 being a bit clingy...older 3 sensibly all still hiding in bed LOL
Anyway...luckily I get to escape to work LOL
BBL

Would like to volunteer for doing Aug's thread. Not taken a turn for a while.

Morning.

Ds is in an apparent good mood. I suspect he won't settle down until after next week. He goes away today, so i need to made sure the stuff he needs to take with him has been washed.

I am tired. Still achy from last week's adventures. But less so. plans to get stuff done today.

Morning!

DD seems to be picking up but I'm still off as a precaution so another day in with a dog walk thrown in for me!

Yesterday's ta da:
Routines
Washed sicky towels and bedding and put away
Decluttered a desk drawer and most of the desk top
Slept
DD to doctors
Puppy to vets
Tidied playroom

Today's to do:
Finish declutterjng desk
Declutter DD wardrobe
Move bedding from under bed drawer to DD wardrobe and put my shoes in said drawer
Walk dog
Cuddle DD lots
Sort the blanket drawer under DD bed to see what I can pass on or put in storage
Shred

Good to hear from you pa! I don't know how you are coping in that heat and it sounds like a huge lifestyle change!

Fantastic news ellie

Welcome back cupcakes!

A poem is a nice idea engels, how about a photo album of some of the good times you have had together? You could write a poem in the front! I'm sure someone else will come along with a much better idea than me though

Huge cross post!

Waves to ofm too!

Ellie - that is such happy news . I'll bet your DC are really excited about having a cousin too.

PA - I love reading your Flying updates from Cambodia . I hope the visit to the new school goes well. I love the way you casually mention popping into the market on the way home, as if you're just going to Tesco!

lauren - hope your DD is much better soon. Have had sick boys here too, but they are both on the mend now.

Bitchy - thanks for offering to run the August thread. Hope your DS remains in his good mood today.

OFM - good to hear that your DH is turning out to be such a good househusband . I hope you have your dinner waiting when you get home again (with a glass of wine or two).

Engels - I think a photo album of your first year sounds a lovely idea.

MsOna - you look as if you are really doing well with the Flying routines

MC - lucky DD, having a mum who does so much with her (summer camp sounds a good idea though!).

Cupcakes - Flylady says that when you stick to the Flying routines the rest of your family will follow suit . Am still waiting .

Sorry I haven't been on much. I didn't want to disappear into Mumsnet world whilst the DC are off school and I'm trying to discourage excessive computer use in the DC, so I have been keeping the computers out of sight until late afternoon. It worries me when they seem to spend their time waiting for a turn on the computer instead of playing or reading.

We have had a good few days so far. Both boys had friends over on Monday and that went really well. That evening, DS1 was copiously sick and DS2 had a temperature again, so we took it easy on Tuesday and watched a DVD of 'Hotel for Dogs', which they both loved. Yesterday, I took DS2 down to the library to collect the stuff for this year's reading challenge and I have signed DS1 up too, even though he says it's not 'cool'.

I have been reading to them a lot and done lots of activities with them. DS2 and I made an ant farm with a half-price kit I'd bought. Unfortunately, the ants got cooked in the heat, poor things. Haven't dared break it to DS2 yet as he's still feeding them.

Tomorrow, the holiday dog arrives! DS1 is very excited; DS2 is apprehensive; DH is resigned. I'm just worried that the dog will pine for its owners. Am looking forward to having a reason to get the boys out every day.

The cleaner is coming today, so I need to start sorting the house out before she gets here. Then we are off to meet up with a friend nearby (paddling pool in the garden ).

Flying is taking a back seat to spending time with the DC, but I am doing loads of washing because it's drying so fast in this heat. I might even reach the bottom of the laundry baskets .

Hope you are all enjoying the heat.

Morning all!

Thanks for the congrats re dsis. toffee dc's are very excited about having a cousin. Dd because she won't be the baby anymore and ds because he is hoping for a boy so he is not the lone male child anymore.

Had to and poke the dc's at half 9 this morning to check they were still alive. i woke up at 8.45 and couldn't believe they were still asleep!

Not much planned today. Still in pj's and considering clearing out cupboard of doom and dd's room but only considering.

pa loving your updates. Providing excitement for us all.

msonatopp you are doing marvellously well!

witchy i will get ready to fling the feather duster your way at the end of the month. I am away for quite a bit of it so will gladly hand over.

Big waves to everyone else. Apologies that arsing internet is playing up. It appears to work on my phone ok but for some reason my laptop won't connect to it.

Your babystep today is another one that is, imo, superfluous to requirements. You must check the bottom of an email from the flylady big tent! For the mission you must make your bed like a hotel bed! And we are in the master bedroom this week.

Have a good day everyone!

I would like to award PA the Golden Duster for having decluttered to the most magnificent degree. What do you mean you've not been flying? Maybe it's too hot for housework (it is here too atm and not nearly as hot as you have) but you sound to have eliminated most of it by simplification. Not too impressed with having to hand wash though.

There are people around who love kitchen porn. Not me. I don't have a design bone in my body. I find it incredibly stressful knowing how expensive it all is and how easy it is to get things wrong. Just longing for the end of this build. Also, while the builders are all very pleasant, they keep asking what I want and then explaining why I can't have it like that. Roll on the w/e. Now off to look at engineered boards, doors and radiators.

BBL

Golden Duster award accepted Honu thank you

Yes, I never thought of it all as decluttering, but yes, we have definitely gone from one extreme to another and now are minimalistic to the nth degree!!

Bloody, bloody hot here today. I have sweated my way through the day and managed to not pass out!! The school was good. Its only 300 pupils from age 2 - 19!! Its in a few houses set around a court area. Its soooo Cambodian!! The DCs liked the "homeliness" of it all. Ha ha at the market and Tesco!! Oh you couldn't be further from Tesco when walking through the market. We managed to buy a few things we needed. DD got 2 dresses and 2 pairs of long shorts (or short longs!! ) for school, all for under £9 total!! - she's happy. I have bought the nicest handbag for £2.
Then on to the food market where its a good idea to take a deep breath before you go in, and breathe only once out again. Its just mad!! People all crammed into a tiny space. One stall gutting fish, the next cutting fruit and all covered by the smell of rotting fish/fruit/veg/meat and God knows what else.
I am getting used to the local transport, though and quite enjoying riding the tuk-tuks! (lovely breeze when he goes faster, but a bit scarier, too!

Off to cook a dinner now. Not sure how it will work out, but I have some ingredients, I have a wok, I have a mouth. What can go wrong????

Enjoy your lovely weather.

PA - I do love your updates. Please keep them coming .

The dog is here! She has arrived a day early, complete with basket, cuddly toy, blanket and a big bucket of food. I had to go round to a friend's house with DS2 this afternoon (paddling pool in the garden, several children) and it was nice to leave DS1 cuddled up on the sofa with his new companion .

The house has been tidied by me and mopped, swept and dusted by my lovely cleaner. Two loads of washing done and dried in the sunshine. Am just awaiting the Ocado order, then we will take the dog for a walk on the Downs.

I'm enjoying your updates too PA. We got lost in Newport today which is becoming part of our holiday tradition, think we may have gone past your place if my memory served me right. Ellie that's fantastic news about DSis.

Well, we have been Flying / tidying a bit in our caravan, no choice really as it is small and has had hordes of children piling in and out all week, it's a very sociable site we are on. only intermittent 3g access on phone so not much posting from me, will catch up properly when we get home.

Hi pa lovely to hear about your 'new' life- sounds so adventurous, :)

lauren how did the date go? Must have missed that update. :)

ellie wonderful news about your sister! My dcs are also desperate for cousins.

Today was wonderfully productive! We emptied two storage sheds of crap, they were both rammed full and three Galaxy car loads to the tip later, we have just the stuff we need/use and we can actually walk in them and find things at a glance. Finished off with an impromptu BBQ which are always the best kind

:)

Hi all!

I had a bit of a scare earlier with DD and an all over rash that resulted in us rushing to the doctors and being put in a side room and DD being seen by various doctors. It's just linked to the viral thing she has I felt a bit neurotic!

Ta da:
Routines
Cuddled DD lots!
Decluttered desk
Decluttered under DD bed- but everything is in a pile as I have no idea how to store it
Walked dogs
Rang parents for updates
Cleaned bathroom
Washed bathmats and towels
Cleaned out my purse

That's it must try harder!

toffee apart from ds1 being sick it sounds like you and dcs are having a lovely family time so far it's lovely to hear! How is the dog settling?

Intrigued about the cupboard of doom ellie!

honu I'm with you on the kitchen design! I wouldn't know where to start and I would forget the important things like fridges! My mum however LOVES that kind of thing and would have her tape measure and notebook at the ready instantly!

Rather you than me in those markets pa I still go green thinking of the fish market I went to in Singapore

Hope you are having a lovely break whoknows!

nicknacks the date went well actually! Much better than the last one I had who turned out to be married I knew him from years and years, in fact he DJ'd at my 18th birthday party. So there wasn't any awkwardness which was good

The dog is settling well. We enjoyed walking her this evening. DS1 insisted on sleeping on the floor with her at bedtime because he's worried she might be homesick, so I have left the two of them cuddled up together .

Off to bed now. Night all.

Toffee, how is ds2 doing with the dog?

Morning all - just come back from ringing for 'All the Bells'. A motley crew with an age span of 70 years but still... we did it

Toffee I'm with Bitchy on this - it's how DS2 reacts to the dog that's important for your future doggy plans. It's very hard indeed to be the "normal" person when there's someone with greater needs in the family. My DN1 had problems and a lot of help from her family has made her into a lovely young woman. However DN2 was left to get on with it and has had difficulties as an adult.

Still too muggy here for any great FLYing enthusiasms but having the routines (but still massive fail on the decluttering) definitely helps slow the sinking into slothdom.