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

OFM - yes, I had a terrible time with this particular teacher because she thought DS1 was a disruptive, badly behaved boy and I was an ineffectual mother . At that stage, he was undiagnosed and teachers were forever saying that he was 'very able' and 'choosing' to behave badly. It all came to a head that year under that teacher, ending in a showdown with her, written complaints from me and DS1's first diagnosis. But DS2 is nothing like DS1 because he doesn't have SNs. He sits and listens in class, like children are meant to . He doesn't have tics, fidget, lose concentration and explode after school like DS1. So the teacher will probably cope well with him and he will be fine with her. How the teacher and I will get on is another matter as I have never really forgiven her for the way she treated me or my son.

Swan - thanks for saying you think I've made the right decision about the school. It was funny this morning, as I think I knew just about every person I passed in the school corridors and it was all so lovely and friendly that it made me realise what I would be leaving behind. I really hope it goes well with the family therapy person - they should be supportive, not judgey, if they are any good.

lauren - that is maddening for you!

DS1 is pestering me for the computer so he can finish his schoolwork . I think it's only because I told him that any work that was still unfinished by 3 would need to be done in the evening instead of 'Minecraft' time. But how annoying that this eats into my precious MN time.

Waves to everyone I haven't had time to mention.

Stinking head cold complete with sinus pain
DS up at 5 (but settled again to sleep with me until 6.30)
People visiting tomorrow.

Have decided to not make a list and just go as I can - so so far:

• 2 loads of washing with 3rd in
• DW emptied
• WAH job done

But I do need to:
S&S toilet for guests coming
Dust and hoover living room/hall (and if I can vanish a few marks that would be great!)
Mop DS play floor tiles
Mop kitchen floor (tonight after dinner)
Wipe round kitchen (tonight after dinner)

I've given up on shopping and have got an online order coming tomorrow night as I'm a bit squinty with the sinus pain, and it's thick fog, so opting out of driving.

Have a good rest of the day folks!

Oh dear

Still haven't caught up with all the natter on here but hope everyone OK (although I see you are both feeling under the weather Blue and Carpe - here's to speedy recoveries )

Really wanted to post positively but it's boiling here this afternoon, very humid and holiday lethargy has set in.

Day 3 of hols and Flying and diet have taken a back-seat plus have been going to bed really late because one-on-one with dd is pretty intense all day so feel I need some "space" afterwards and she is going to bed later than normal.

Diet has gone to pot and I'm not really trying to be honest. Everything here seems to involve food!! - Especially when doing 'holiday-ish' activities - visit to friends, wonderful artisanal ice cream shops on every corner when you visit the park, and the most delicious/beautiful pastries/tarts when you just pop in to the bakery to buy the bread. Much easier to be strong when I'm on my own - but much harder with dd there! Excuses, excuses I know ...

So far this week have hosted a play date, done basic routines + lots of laundry + doctor, dd dentist, vet, window cleaner + computer technician + basic downstairs home bleugh and rabbit husbandry.

Speaking of mobile fur balls, vet has declared they are both girls (Last time she was 75% certain they were both blokes ) As previously mentioned, the black dominant one is definitely humping like mad displaying "male" behaviour in the mornings, so I hope vet is correct or we will have mini balls of fur arriving before too long ...

Oh and step three on boudoir list! Only 39 to go!! But thanks for encouragement everyone!! Much appreciated!!

Finally am doing this with dd. Have done arms and legs so far ....

Friends (and lots of dc) coming to lunch tomorrow so had better go and make plans as haven't done any shopping or cooking as yet ...

Huge wing flaps to one and all ....promise to catch up with thread properly later on ....

Oh I give up. NO more to do lists this week!!!!!! Ignore all previous lists too!

SC just wanted to post on a positive note re weight loss in delicious Franco/European zone. I went on holiday in South of France when ds1 was a baby, and we were being plied with delicious food by ILs. I was very overweight at time and trying to lose baby flab (ds was five months) I think I enjoyed all of it but I still lost weight with one simple method. I made a decision at what time of day I was going to snack, and stuck to it. So yes to lovely pastries (one only!), but everything was scheduled, and that again stopped me just grazing. I gave myself permission to eat delicious things, but identified when I ate them! Bet you are doing better than you think.

oh dear better rush, ds2 is demanding that I put the Andy Murray fuse back in the telly.

SC also it sounds as if you are having FUN even if you don't know it! and I promise to say no more on the Body Clutter front.

done
put ironing away
drove dd back to school to get her piano book which she had left
turned telly off (no mean feat)
and something else I'm not sure what, oh stayed in goodish mood

evening all
swan how did family therapist visit go?hope it was positive. re body clutter - sadly I am not tall- a rather pathetic 5ft 3 so really have no excuse for being at current weight LOL
toffee yes, that sounds like quite an ordeal you went through. I am still despairing with DDs school...it is an uphill struggle. I hope it all works out OK for DS2 - as you say he is very different so I am sure all will be well.
bitchy sometimes you just need to ditch lists and focus on surviving the day!
SC you sound so busy. How long are your holidays?
CJ hope you're feeling better soon.

well...positive start to the day. horrendous day at work ( I actually spent most of it fantasizing about other job opportunities it was that bad!)
however home to find kids in relative good humour, DH being quite helpful and organised and things vaguely under control....
managed a 7 mile run - but found it hard going. I have been so slack with running lately I am going to have to work hard to get my fitnes back up

so...ta da:

6DC up breakfasted etc
reboot laundry
tidy lounge
bathrooms S&S
swept and mopped hall dining room and kitchen
school run
work - yuk!
home
7 mile run
home
shower
dinner
now absolutely shattered and have gravitated to sofa !!

am now going to go and read "beyond chocolate" which promises to radically change my relationship with food and end my constant battles with dieting....we shall see...

hope all are having good evenings.
bbtomorrow

Right lets see what the ta da list shows.

Shopping - incl ds' pocket money thing, and batteries
Instal batteries into electrical equipment needing it
fabric shop
find somewhere to store wii accessories
find somewhere to store evicted hair stuff as a result as above
Swimming lesson
load of washing on
start clearing out car
Play spot the calendar still on June.
Lose time on wii

No bad considering I got floored by a migraine earlier. The lack of sleep over the weekend caught up with me.

Right Not going to worry about anything. Setting alarm and heading to bed. Night all.

OFM - I think that my day atm is like trying to herd and separate lizards, snakes and geckos. Just when i think the priority is one thing something makes it evident my perspective on the situation is wrong. it is complete chaos It's bloody slippy to try to pin anything down too.

You will have to lets us know if the book words!

Swan, hope the family therapist visit was useful?
OFM, your running sounds fab, I did manage to go the other night, but only managed two miles. Might try and go tomorrow night and see if I can improve. I am pretty competitive, so like to improve each time! Even if it is only a few extra metres run!
Carpe, hope your squinty eye thing hasn't turned into a horrid migraine.
Ellie, how are you and the kids?
Witchy, sleep tight

Not much to ta dah today, only that we got thru it and dd in bed asleep for now with no fuss. Fingers crossed that vat of calpol will hold the teething pain at bay for the night.

To do (over next few days)
Work day tomorrow.
Bake cakes for weekend away
Find photo of nephew to put in frame we decorated today
Pack for weekend away
Clean bathroom and kitchen
Ironing
Avoid looking at posts in conception boards, if you see me over there, kick me up the bum please!

Waves to everyone!

Another one hoping Swans family therapist visit went well.
DS's bedrooms are still tidy as a result of much policing/nagging. I'm hoping this will be a short term thing (the nagging not the tidy bedrooms) and they'll get the idea soon. We've told them that pocket money depends on it!! (mean mummy)

OFM I'm off to look at reveiews of that book - sounds just what i need!

Ta das
Dry washing, folded ready for ironing
Go to sport's day Cancelled - bloomin' rain
Beaver run
Cook supper - chicken curry
Sweep hard floors - actually Dh did this, but it still counts!

Toffee - hope you can come to terms with the teacher ? hopefully you won?t have to have too much to do with her!

swan - hope the therapist session went well. Well done to your DD on the school concert ? hope that went well too.

Hope you?re feeling a bit better Carpe

SC - hope the vet is right about the rabbits! Courage [said in French accent] for lunch tomorrow, bodyclutter, boudoir etc.

OFM - 5?3? is a perfectly good height! I?m the same height and about a stone heavier? but hopefully not for much longer! Actually, I?ve found eating together at about 6 is really helping me to eat better ? I had a tendency to nibble on stuff while getting the boys? tea because it was there and I was getting peckish.

Bitchy - I like the herding geckos analogy. Here?s hoping the reptiles are more cooperative tomorrow.

*
Links: Babystep 5
Tomorrow?s Flight Plan which includes the mission. Thursday is errand day.
**

Off to try and get a decent night?s sleep this time? Waves to all, especially anyone I?ve missed!

oh dear OFM horrid work day

aargh a post just deleted, and I have to go, suffice it say that Family Therapist was entirely about tidying dd's room this time, I'm sure next time we will move onto other burning topics!!! I think I warbled on about that in a earlier post. Nice in a way, no discussions of cross husbands, ASD children or boundaries, just talking about what sort of households we had been brought up in, tidy or untidy, and who did the tidying!

I'm a rubbish keeper upper I'm sorry!

Must try harder

Maybe your therapist is a Fledgling too, Swan ? Glad it went well.

OFM - sorry you are still having an uphill struggle with your DD's school. It is so stressful. Just remember that 'the squeaky wheel gets the oil' (as a wise friend told me when I was struggling to get school to listen to my concerns about DS1). By the way, I love the fact that your 'ta da' list casually includes 'run 7 miles'! Is that even possible after a day at work?

Maggie - well done on your DSs' tidy bedrooms . Hope the new regime works out!

kiwi - hope you have a proper night's sleep .

bitchy - I like your analogy on your life at the moment. It reminds me of Anne Tyler's metaphor (I think it was her, anyway) for trying to direct small children: like 'herding water'. I think of this almost daily as I try to get DS2 to or from school. Anyway, I hope the reptiles are under control tomorrow .

SC - sounds like the summer holidays are off to a good start for you. Please share any tips with us (holidays fast approaching here and I am just starting to plan playdates etc).

Carpe - so sorry you are feeling so rough and suffering sleep deprivation when you are trying to get ready for guests. Afraid it sounds horribly familiar to me from my memories of early years with DC. It will pass...! In the meantime, be good to yourself (and an online shopping order sounds an excellent idea as a starter).-

Thanks for the links, Blue. And yes, I hope I won't have too much to do with DS2's teacher either, although I can't avoid parents' evening. Maybe it will be cathartic .

Kitchen is fairly presentable this evening, thanks to a joint effort between me and DH. The hotspot is out of control though - it's definitely a 'shove it all in a box and hide it' job. The ironing basket is also out of control. I spend most of my day helping DS1 with his work (definitely not an 'independent worker' yet), so only the bare minimum gets done around the house.

Determined to go to bed at a decent hour tonight although I will have to check out the spyhole thread first, so will sign off. Good night all.

Disclaimer: this post was written over approx three hours as had supper and dyed Barnet Fair whilst writing it

In midst of mahoosive thunder and rain storm here thank heavens - should clear the air a bit!

Stupidly didn't eat supper (because had mahoosive piece of banana bread today packed full of rum soaked raisins and melted butter (I blame Nigella) but then got hungry later on and now I've eaten fruit salad (not too bad) but ham sandwich (not so good) and still have the munchies ...will have cup of herbal tea and not succumb to a doughnut like last night

Hope a bit of Wimbledon therapy did the trick Blue and you are feeling a bit better

Thanks Swan don't know how the trim continentals do it actually ...

Belgians aren't the tallest nationality and yet you very rarely see very obese people walking around despite the delicious pastries, bread products and cheeses on offer. I struggle to find clothes to fit: many shops only go up to 42 (which is a fourteen I think ) and having been a 12/14 for decades, I am now a definite 16 and sometimes an 18 (too big on shoulders but need extra norklage). I think it's because they are quite in to their sport plus they eat shed-loads of veg and demolish vats of soup (made fresh every day with home made bouillon and al dente veg). Also, like the French, they are big on lunch rather than eating loads in the evening. I think you are dead right though, a little bit of what you fancy is OK; as long as it is eaten in moderation and it replaces something else.

Maggie/Swan it is difficult settling on a "good enough" weight isn't it? I'm 5ft 8 and a bit and unbelievably used to be an emaciated 57 kilos when I first met dh at uni. Then in my late 20s/30s went up to 63kg and wavered between that and 67kg for years (even when I had dd). Crept up to 70/71 in the past 5 years and in the past year am now 80 which I loathe and is unhealthy (and none of my clothes fit either). Am aiming first to lose 10 kilos and get down to 70. Then try and lose another 3 perhaps ... but first 10 is essential!! Also need to firm up.

Swan hope knot of anxiety went away in the end and good that NHS lady had helpful strategies. Well done re: ironing and to your dd for tickling the ivories beautifully and voluntarily! Hope concert goes/went well.

Maggie Sorry rl proving testing but well done on sparkly/clear ds bedrooms; sorted clothes and for conquering cupboard of doom!! You did well to get all that done + deal with work issues.

Witchy? How did the knife juggling go? And well done for struggling through post migraine - you got loads done!

Oh poor you Carpe sinus pain is no joke. Hope you start to feel a bit better before your guests arrive.

Toffee glad school decision "feels right"!! Don't know why you feel you must do better tomorrow though - you've done loads today!!

Waves to Lauren and and what a waste of time for you re: new mindee (think they would have let you know a bit earlier)

OFM am with you in spirit in weight loss battle even if not doing too well in reality. Aw at school nursery trip - don't know where you find the energy though! [Doffs hat] and [doffs hat] again at 7 mile run. Sorry work horrendous though

Whoknows - must have a look at BBC torch bearer video!! Sounds great! I always watch films a good five years after they have been released and much prefer own sitting room to cinema.

Kiwi good to hear you are nearing end of teething traumas - hope you can catch up on sleep tonight and Calpol does the trick

[fluffs up cushions in naughty corner for Castlelough]

Sorry you have been so ill Likelucklove but glad they have found out why - and hope pills and bed rest do the trick - take it steady x

Engelsmeijse s & v crisps, broad beans, swedes, Rowntree's fruit pastilles, HP sauce, J-Cloths and M&S pants all highly prized over here!! [Used not to be able to get Marmite but it suddenly appeared in most supermarkets a year or so ago]

Feetheart hope your dd has recovered

Waves to Nicknacks Honu (I'll settle for "maintaining" weight atm!!) PA, Linzer, Nettie, Thistime, Scruffybear, WisteriaWoman, MustTidy, Jacqui Rodney and anyone else I've missed.

Nope def still Bitchy. Just Bitchy got a bit witchy recently. It's a long boring story. I'll spare you

Er, that should have read "made supper" and dyed Barnet Fair. Didn't eat two suppers [honest]

Toffee not sure I should be handing out tips on the subject of holidays as I am so hopelessly disorganised this year!!

However, in good years and when we are not travelling, I try to have a couple of ongoing creative projects (or equiv) on the go, two or three play dates a week, one proper outing a week (museum/adventure playground/long hack), one session of physical exercise a day (roller skating, walking, playing ball, skipping etc) 2 baking sessions a week, do one "new" thing a week (eg pressing flowers, disappearing ink letters with lemon juice, camping in garden) and usually have dd's party to aim for at end of hols which provides loads of opportunities to do creative stuff: decorate party bags/prep games, prepare decorations etc etc - provides good "full stop" to end of summer. Then every so often, if all else fails, get out sofa bed, provide popcorn and have film night etc.

Nowt particularly special but necessary with "an only" to plan a bit - but also much easier I think than having to juggle between two or three or more dc. Also, dd at very 'easy' age when she is very interested in sewing/cooking and things that are easy to do around the house.

Planning: On first day of hols, I ask dd to write a list of the things she wants to do during the summer and we try and cross off as many as poss. Find it useful to get big box of creative materials from here and have loads of stuff like bendy straws, sock monkey kits, ingreds for big bubble recipe, small cheap pocket money toys (like those little men with parachutes) and box of skipping ropes, hoops, outdoor rugs, elastics etc etc for when friends come to play. Also use opportunity to do as much painting/drawing/artwork as poss that I then stash and used to send with/as 'thank you' cards later in year.

Also necessary to have firm delineated times for chores when I do mine and dd does hers (usually first thing in the morning) and firm delineated times when she does her own thing and I Mnset. We also tend to have one project in the house that we try and work on together (we are clearing one room in roof this summer as part of party prep.)

Not sure if that helps as mostly applicable to girls and largely centred on home but hope gives rough idea. The main point is to have a very basic outline on which to build - as I find there is a fine line between lovely grungy living in pjs and pottering about (always good for the odd day here and there!) and bored, aimless, frustrated, black moods etc etc)

Oh and order in lots of

Forgot to wave to Elliepac Hope things going as well as poss and you and dc are holding up OK xxx

Craft materials link didn't work. Repeating here

G'night all!

Up early again, 3 children to school after various dramas
(blocked loo, hot water turned off {kittens?] ds2 up since 6, shower refusal, printing out a document on Ears, ds1 to Sports Day - was there a bus strike, cue extra travel money)

Started on very low dose of ADs so worrying about that too now so far just a few side effects, nausea and dry mouth.

So generally feeling a bit more positive, but weird too. Think I will go in to work this morning and not get bogged down in housework any longer this morning! Breakfast table is clear.

SC your holiday plans brought me out in a cold sweat
I have only two aims for holidays: keep ds1 exercising, and see the sea! No, obviously there is more to it than that. The truth is, if I am positive all the rest will follow...

The sun is out!!! It's so lovely to see a bit of blue sky, although sadly I think we're back to grey and rainy tomorrow...

Left DH in bed this am - he's been on antibiotics for 10 days and whilst his chest seems to have cleared he's still really tired, he said this morning he feels about 80
Got boys off to school and amazingly the new routines seem to have started paying off - Beds were made (-ish), DS1 remembered his PE kit without prompting and both DS's remembered their pecyns (welsh book bags)

Am off to have coffee with a friend this pm, she has the most gorgeous 6 month old so lots of baby cuddles for me - she's going back to work next week so possibly a few grown-up cuddles to - will take cake to cheer her up!

Ta da's
Fed dog
School run
Loaded WM
Emptied DW

To do's
Hang washing out
Ironing
Library
Clean bathrooms
Cheer up DH

BBL

swan don't worry about the AD's. I started taking them about a year ago for various reasons and had been trying to 'cope' on my own for ages (rescue remedy, St John's Wort etc). The hardest thing was going to the GP and admitting I wasn't coping, but it was such a relief afterwards and I am a MUCH nicer, happier person now. PM me if you like - honestly if all the people on AD's were open about it, I'm sure there would be more people who were on them than not! Side effects will wear off after a couple of weeks - stick with it x

Still here. I've got a really clean and tidy kitchen and sitting room . Really hectic though with all the kids having stuff at all hours of the day and night. Hope you are all well - still haven't caught up and probly won't til next week now.

Hope you are all Ok.