Fledgling Flyers Olympic August thread.

[BitchyDragons]

Ok so not the wittiest of titles but this month we have the Olympics, holidays, return of football season and heading into the new school year. It's going to be a busy one...

Firstly thanks to Blue and Ellie who kept us on track last month!

Right, most of you should know how this works. It's a three pronged attack.
Phase one: The babysteps master these and you will be working like clockwork.
Phase two: Adding in Decluttering this will help you keep on top of the amount of stuff contributing to CHAOS.
Phase three: Missions Targeted activities to keep the chaos at bay and starting the deep cleaning.

The golden duster of Flying is stage 4: deep cleaning. This is for most, unrealistic and should only be considered once you have completely decluttered. PA might achieve this simply by virtue of some extreme life decluttering. Although I probably won't recommend her method.

Now for those of you who are completely lost, lets rewind a bit.
CHAOS: Can't have anyone over syndrome. Yep you know that state where you are embarrassed to have play dates fucking hate that phrase or people pop in unexpectedly.
The fly lady approach works by breaking the house down into tiny activities which you do repeatedly yep sounds bad written like that but bare with me and then build up into a routine that becomes habit and you stop thinking about it no really, you do.

Clearer? Yeah ok. I have probably lost you but there is loads of support and help on this thread. If you are confused then ask. However, as this thread starts on the 1st on August I refuse to post the first babystep until later today.

This thread comes with a warning: For those of you who have not yet encountered my leadership of the thread. Be afraid, very afraid aware that I have a rather unorthodox approach and that things can get a tad unpredictable. Starting with a namechange. So who?s on board this month?

Oh and spot markers can help themselves to a magic eraser and ensure there are no marks on the thread for the start of the month. Let?s start as we mean to go on

Good morning all

Here we are at the end of another week.
Friday is clean out handbag and car day Don't forget date night... although the fat fairy seems to have

Babystep 10
Missions

I need a list. I failed at the up and dressed straight away thing this morning. but then I suspect you will all forgive me as I woke up about 2:30am this morning Going to be a long day.

To do:
important emails x2
hot spot lounge
hoover through downstairs
fold clothes in dining room and put away
deal with the box of stuff that came out of my car
Put laundry on
Ironing
tackle my room.
Update the master activity calendar
Update ds' calendar
Update my calendar
check diary is up to date
hoover car out
clean car upolstery and insides (small child plus lots of long journeys = yuck)
wash car
polish car if can find polish

right this list is in danger of becoming unrealistic time to hit post, grab a cup of coffee and continue with folding washing etc.

Morning all! Had a lovely day yesterday. Spent the majority of it picnicking and wandering around a local nature reserve with a very dear friend and dc's and DH's car passed it's MOT. Not much flying done at all. Today, I need to fly. Dd's little best buddy from the CM's is coming to play this morning. I know she is only 3 but I feel the need to have a clean and tidy house for her coming. It's not even that her mum is coming as she is at the CM's so am picking her up from there and dropping her off back there. Dc's and I are also heading back up to the caravan on Sunday until Thursday with DMum and leaving DH to fend for himself.

I definitely need a list.

Clean kitchen including last night's washing up
Clean/tidy living room/dining room/hallway/bathroom/dd's room
Washing (at the end of today I will be able to say i have no washing!)
Clean car out (it is disgusting)
Gardening(maybe)

Back later.

Morning all! I over slept so just a quick list dump!

To do;
Routines
Dogs and mindees to park
Sweep kitchen floor- today's mission
Clean out bag
Clean out car
Put my bedding in DD drawer
Date night tonight

BBL

To do:
Important emails x2
hot spot lounge
hoover through downstairs
fold clothes in dining room and put away
deal with the box of stuff that came out of my car
Put laundry on
Ironing
tackle my room.
Update the master activity calendar
Update ds' calendar
Update my calendar
check diary is up to date
hoover car out
clean car upolstery and insides (small child plus lots of long journeys = yuck)
wash car
polish car if can find polish
2nd and 3rd loads of washing through machine

I suppose I should avoid avoiding my room any further

Well, I ended up sleeping on the sofa with the Jack Russell last night. We decided DS1 would still take the Border Terrier up to his bedroom with him and the JR would sleep in the kitchen, like she does at home, but she whimpered and scratched at the door pitifully. I put the radio on for her and put on a light, but it made no difference. More sorrowful whimpering and scratching. So I took her basket into the sitting room and settled down under the duvet to sleep. Two minutes later, she had hopped onto the sofa and settled herself down with me, with her head on my chest. Actually, it was very cosy and we slept well.

DH is not yet embracing the dogginess, however.

So far today:

Up and dressed first thing
DS1 and I walked both dogs together at 7.30
DS1 and I gave dogs their breakfast and refilled their water bowls
Did b/fasts for DC (should have done them first, apparently, but I forgot)
My b/fast last (oh dear, pack leader stuff going all wrong here)
Unloaded d/w
Reloaded d/w
Ignored begging eyes from dogs
Played Lego with DS2
Explained to DS2 that he cannot drive a car yet (he thinks he can )
Checked emails
Separated dogs, whose play fighting turned into something more alarming

To do:

Put washing on (am getting very behind with this)
Morning routines
Room rescues
Walk DC and dogs down into town to buy dog toys at the pet shop
Take dogs for long walk in countryside
Lunch
etc.

Bitchy - how awful you were awake at 2.30. Not fair . Good luck with your long list.

ellie - glad you had such a lovely day yesterday and great that your car passed its MOT! Hope the playdate today goes well. Am that you have almost done all your washing .

lauren - oooh, is it a proper date? Good luck!

OK, must make a start on my list. Bye for now.

Hello, I'm joining you if that's ok!

I used to post on the slatterns thread, so I'll get my head round the Fat Fairy's ways soonish, but I've been reading her stuff for a while. In the meantime a short list dump be ok?

• lunch
• wash pots
• fold dry washing
• hang washing
• jeans in to wash
• refresh children

...

Quick list dump:
Empty car of crap
Clean bathrooms (this is on my list every day. I don't do it every day, it just hasn't been done yet )
Sweep and mop kitchen floor
Hoover downstairs
Hoover upstairs
Clean pics that have been put up upstairs (dusty as been in storage)

Done
Swimming lesson w dd
Dw
Washing on and out to dry
Kitchen cleaned
Cake with in-laws

Hi all! Well I've spent the day running around with the children and I'm going back out to feed the ducks with DD in an hour when she wakes up

My list still hasn't really had anything crossed off yet

toffee yes it's a real date not a first date though so he's just coming here to watch a DVD when DD is definitely asleep to save on babysitters etc!

Hi arses I love your name!

Quick update:
Started bleughhh day yesterday as AF is in full force so can't manage much
Last night is did the big shop
Dusted
Cleaned bathroom

Today I've done 2 loads of washing
Stripped and changed bedding
About to vacuum
Then take DS to swimming lesson.
Meal planned for 3 days: chilli, curry and pasta.

Had a lovely compliment via my Dad today. He was parking in my drive and a man stopped on the pavement and waited 'til Dad got out. He said "beautiful flowers, amazing hanging baskets, the colours are beautiful". My Dad replied, "theyre my daughters, I taught her to garden". Man replied,"tell her they're lovely, much better than next door"
So my small fortune in plants, compost, time in the greenhouse etc has been worth it
Colours are red, white & blue (purple really). Have pots, big baskets and 3 tier thingies (red top, white middle "blue" bottom layers)
Chuffed to bits

After a late night (Fly Lady would be annoyed at my going to bed at 3am!) and a frantic dash this morning, the house was more than presentable for the playdate. We talked about both our imminent house moves whilst the kids played great together.

Done:
Cleaned downstairs cloakroom
Hoovered through
Tidied lounge, dining room, utility and kitchen
Washed kitchen floor
Bread baked (in machine)
Kitchen surfaces and cooker top scrubbed.

DH is home soon from his week away at work so there will be laundry to do later, and it's free listing weekend on Ebay I plan to get some unwanted stuff uploaded to hopefully sell

Flying - I wish I could whisk you over here to tart up our neglected garden before The Family Inspector a certain relative calls on me next week. How lovely to get such a genuine compliment .

lauren - Medised? Hope it all goes as planned!

holler - I like the way you have cake to reward you at the end of a busy day .

Welcome, IWipeArses. I like 'refresh children' on your list.

Well, I have managed to get the dogs and children out for a walk, as planned. Called in on the chemist on the way back and stocked up on throat spray, ibuprofen, health tonic and so on. I know I must sound like a complete hypochondriac now, but I wanted something to help me feel better.

Next door neighbour's boy is round here now, playing with both boys. DS1 is being his usual charmless self with DS2 . Why is he so horrible to him? I know it's probably jealousy, but for goodness sake, I'm not sure what more we can do for DS1! Oh, and he's showing off in front of the other boy, I suppose.

DH has just phoned to say he's bringing MIL back here because she's flooded her flat and the one underneath .

Chores achieved:

Room rescues done
Washing hanging on line
DC fed
Dogs walked and their poo cleared up

dizzy - sorry, I x-posted with you. Glad your crisis clean and play date went well, particularly after such a late night (3am ). Good for you to sell stuff on ebay - something I always mean to do, but never get round to.

Thanks lauren, it's a new name, but I like it too.
Flying, your garden sounds lovely!
Toffee, it seems to be the best way to describe it! Grubby 4 year old and BLW 9 month, it's a job in itself. Hope you feel better soon.

• lunch done
• wash pots done
• fold dry washing done
• hang washing done
• jeans in to wash done
• refresh children done

+ shops done + hang washing done

Next list! -

• make ice
• take clean laundry up
• clear top of stairs
• make kids tea

Just back from watching Olympics canoeing at Eton Dorney - ridiculously tired after v v early start and nothing has been done in the house..
Hope to muster up the energy to do the following:
-dishes

• supermarket run
• quick home blessing
• Collapse with large vat of wine.
• Finish control journal...... (yep still haven't done it yet)!

Ah WW you should have popped in for a Am very local :)

It was really nice to have someone stop like that, I do spend ages faffing planning my plants in the spring. So it's nice to know that it's not just me who appreciates my efforts. It was hard to find different plants that would look food together and keep with my patriotic theme.

I have seen a few people stop outside but I've wondered if they were admiring or chastising (perhaps thinking I'm tacky with the red, white & blue)
Maybe I should be more confident in myself.
I had a look earlier and I have to say: yep, they look fab, full of colour

I do love flowers. They make such a difference and cheer you up by just bring pretty.

Anyway onto the tip inside...
Have achieved all I wanted to today so I'm pleased. Have a fuzzy head due to painkillers.

To do:
Make dinner
Ironing.
Sleep

Good not food

Hello everyone

Fallen off the wagon a bit the last couple of days as work has been a bit chaotic, but have redeemed myself a bit today by managing to leave the house reasonably tidy before going away for the weekend (hooray!)

Hello dizzy, nicknacks, holler, lauren, ellie, bitchy and everyone else. Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine (smile)

On my phone so can't do masses of personals, but hello and welcome to arses

toffee sorry you're still feeling rubbish. We all had a throaty thing a month so ago that went on for weeks so I think there is something going around at the moment.

Very jealous of your floral display flying I always start off with good intentions and end uo with a collection of sickly half dead baskets by this time of year. I think I need to treat the garden as another 'room' and integrate it into my daily routines.

To do:
Important emails x2
hot spot lounge
hoover through downstairs
fold clothes in dining room and put away
deal with the box of stuff that came out of my car
Put laundry on
Ironing
tackle my room. 1hrs worth of work done
Update the master activity calendar
Update ds' calendar
Update my calendar
check diary is up to date
hoover car out
clean car upolstery and insides (small child plus lots of long journeys = yuck)
wash car
2nd and 3rd loads of washing through machine
Tackle the toy corner of Dooooooooom 45mins done
Tackle ds' room 5mins
trip to ikea for storage solutionwonder what the fuck i have done with the phillips screw driver and then borrow one off dad
build said unit
move existing units and clean underneath/behind
put all units into space which they will occupy
clean bathroom taps til they sparkle
half clean shower some sod went and rinsed the cleaning fluid that was soaking on it away and now need to start again but cba tonight
look at bed and turf contents back onto floor
sort lego into new storage

Tomorrow is another busy day and tbh I am tired.

Saturday is family fun day so the focus is to have some fun with the family. IME this is sometimes easier said then done.
Babystep 11:work on the control journal but you can skip this one if you prefer.
There are no missions as it is the weekend.

Apparently the weather is due to turn next week so make sure you make the most of it this weekend. Enjoy!

To do
Hoover car
pick up bits for baking
Bake cakes and bits
more laundry
more sorting of the toy corner of doom
Go watch match
my room
finish cleaning shower
bonfire - would have done this tonight but we have a no bonmfire before dark restriction in the area and tbh I am too tired.
wash car upolstery?
important emails
Sort out ds' training kit

Evening all.

Spent most of the morning walking around shops with the boys and the afternoon recovering... No flying. Hey ho.

We're off to my parents' for a week tomorrow, so I won't be around for a while.

Waves to all...

Hi everyone
Well, flying has gone out the window in my overexcitement at a couple of days of sunshine!

at Bitchy for productivity which even includes the toy corner of dooooom and at Flying for beautiful garden flowerage. Wow. Especially since my garden efforts are predominantly focused on willing neighbour's cats not to crap everywhere. Any tips gratefully received, fat fairy can't help with that...

Today's accomplishments:
Laundry
Dishwasher emptied and refilled
Food shop
Really lovely day with the DDs, not a single tantrum to contend with all day, has done wonders for my sanity.accidentally consumed an ice cream at park tho which will far from work any wonders

I have rather a long list of carried over baby steps to keep me occupied this weekend to prevent me falling off the wagon altogether!

Hi everyone!

No flying here for the last few days.

Had to emergency clear the spare room for friend to stay in, but DH didn't get the bed down from the loft so he has to sleep on the mattress on the floor . Fortunately it's a decent mattress, but still...

Another friend and her DS over for the afternoon and we lounged outside all afternoon while the DC played went out of control . Off for a meal and a drink at the pub this evening.

Will try to get a few things done tomorrow, but not really planning on it!

Easy way for fab hanging baskets (discovered this year):
Buy the plastic ones that have inserts to keep the young plants in. Really easy to plant up (no shoving through wires / liners) and cost just more than a liner from B&Q! I got mine from Arkaysales dot com.
The way they are formed means there's a well / reservoir at the bottom so holds water better. They are superb! 14" ones are on sale for just £3.49 atm!!

Use miracle gro water retaining compost, don't bother with cheap / bargain stuff. It does make a difference.

Plants:
I've used a mix of petunias and trailing geraniums in my baskets - look good.

Best plant discovery: sweet peas are a piece of piss to grow. Bung them in a pot, cover with about 2cm of compost, add a cone thingy... Hey presto! Keep in full sun though. Oh, dead head these daily.

This time next year we'll all have fab gardens and untidy houses if I'm setting the example