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

Thanks Blue and Ellie for last month and Bitchy for taking the thread on this month.

Have been a bit useless the past month but would like to get back on track this month.

Hi to all the new fledglings and the not-so-new!
Would like to get on top of laundry this weekend (including handwashing/ironing/putting away/putting unsuitable clothing into charity bags) and get guest bedroom ready for next week's visitors.

No much news here. We were turned down for our mortgage, then had that overturned (yesterday) so we are still trying to get finance to finish our house....that has been upsetting, but am feeling more optimistic today!
Also the Bfn on my home pregnancy test (mentioned in July) actually turned out to be a positive in my blood test, but levels remained low and I've been really worried about having an ectopic etc. Started bleeding yesterday and was so relieved (that at least the not knowing was over) but it seems to have slowed down so must go check with
doctor what I should do now...)
So I haven 't been in great form this month, and hoping for a more energetic August :-)

Great news Ellie by the way!
Also Toffee I'm delighted to see you are getting on well with the fog sitting!
And all you MFP ladies seem to be going really well (just checked in there today to start again ...
BBL!

Afternoon all. Back home after an horrific journey stuck behind every friggin tractor/slow lorry/road machinery you can think of. Washing on, car mostly unpacked and kids back to bickering.

Thanks for all your kind wishes re DH and I. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Am feeling positive about it all. Nice to feel positive.

Better get on and get some washing stuck on the line and some more on and then try and catch up with you lovely ladies.

Am rediculously tired today. But as ds didn't get up until 10am he is still full of energy.

ta da
book service and mot - URGENT
food shopping and banking in next town
cooking with ds
Advance batch cooking for wkend with insane plans
book ds' opticians appointment
sort out insurance

not done.
Laundry
put away folded clothes
decluttering in my bedroom

Right ds is going to have the computer back later for a more comprehenisve post with links etc.

Hey I can chat to you all again. Bookmarking stopped working and I got ridiculously lost in the thread.

ellie that's wonderful news :)

castle please look after yourself [hugs]

Ta da

Washed ds2 bedclothes
Bought outfit for tomorrow
decluttered for 15mins
Argued with DH
Separated bickering children x100
Today's wash load
Hoovered
Bought hair dye
S and s
Cm'd for 7 hours
Went to sainsburys
Wedding card bought

This evening I need to show DH the dress I bought as its a tad short and I'm not sure about it, he'll say it's fine perv but I might need tights.

bitchy I can?t imagine not being able to sleep through the night DH frequently has problems with sleeping (on ADs) and he always give me a run down every morning on how many times he?s been awake. Sending you Sleep fairies for tonight. I know what you mean about dust when decluttering as well. AAAAAAA-TCHO!

castle My sympathies at mortgage nightmare. (and TTC ? I?ve been there). Good luck at the drs.

Happy news PA! I like Vietnam (we went there on holiday a few years ago). Skype is the MOST amazing invention. We speak to my mum (and dad) once a week on it.

Toffee how sweet of DS

Well, has been an amazing FLYing day here in the Engels household?

Supermarket shop
Bottles to bottle bank
Thrown away old bm in freezer
Booked table for dinner with friends Tuesday night
Tidied out car
Washing-up x2
5 bin bags of clothes to clothing bank!!!
Shred L1 day 4 (have never got to day 4 before!)
Sorted out top bedside draw to make more space for underwear/nightwear.

Decluttered underwear/socks/nightwear
baby book info up to date
15 mins on hotspot (dining table)

And also weighed myself and lost 0.7kg! So am celebrating with a bottle glass of rose tonight.

Am making a master plan to give away lots of books. I never thought I'd see the day that I would be giving away books but after reading NMC I have decided that I need to be ruthless. They are after all, just possessions.

I will keep books that I love and think I really might read again (e.g. Jilly Cooper and True Blood!) or something which is useful for school (e.g. plays, poetry, classics) or teen fiction that I love (I can't part with Potter, Twilight, Horowitz, Roscoff or Colfer I'm afraid), but am going to donate the rest to my school library as they're crying out for English language books which are SO expensive over here. They might not have room for them all though so then will donate to a charity here which resells 2nd hand goods (was hard to find! They don't really do 2nd hand book shops here).

Am going to email our librarians next week. Still school hols here but am betting they'll be in before the rest of the teaching saff.

Phew. Actually makes me feel quite emotional thinking about getting rid of books. What's wrong with me?!

Two weeks left of the summer holidays for me to continue the decluttering. I'm trying to lead by example as most of the clutter in our house belongs to DH (the whole cellar, half the loft storage space, the garage, tall acbinet in the lounge, the office - not even room for me to work there!).

Still need to finish off the wardobe though - going to support DH in doing it tomorrow when DS is napping

I feel lighter! (5 bin bags and 0.7kg lighter!)

engels well done with the books! I got rid of a load of books recently (moved to a bigger house with less storage ), and found it really hard. My kindle helps, and actually, I can't even think of what I gave away, so can't have loved them that much!
I'm very into decluttering (too much so, thinks DH), and have even considered starting a business doing it!

(namechanged from iss...a)

Evening all!

Today has been faintly exhausting. Set off shortly after 9 to conquer the castle, and got back about 2... The castle was very satisfactorily conquered, but getting there and back was interesting at points and it was rare for both boys to want to look at the same exhibits... Also met one of the mums from our NCT group - hadn't seen her for about 4 years and she was looking immaculate while I was all hot and frazzled. Hey ho.

Still, managed not to kill the boys despite severe provocation this afternoon and had a lovely dinner with fish pie and wine. Still under calorie limit from all the walking. And got some work for the weekend. Nothing too taxing so all good.

Ellie - so pleased to hear your news.

engels - good going on the decluttering! Really should do some...

Also at the religiously segregated loos!

Waves to everyone else and leaves on the bar. Definitely in the naughty corner today flying-wise.

Evening all

Ellie - that's great news. A close relative of mine and his wife separated for 6 months a few years ago then got back together and are solid again, hope the same happens for you.

Engels well done! I did a big declutter of books a few weeks ago too and it has kick started a massive tidy up of the whole upstairs which has been gradually slipping into chaos over the last year or so. I am systematically going through every box/basket of toys in the house and putting everything back in its right place, chucking out any junk then giving them a good clean out, it is amazing how many tiny parts of things there are in the bottom of all the containers. It is very rewarding reuniting them all with their proper homes, I reckon I'm about 90% done, taken about an hour a day this week, and upstairs looks better than it has done for years.

PA - glad the visa situation is getting sorted and that you were still able to share DD1's big day with her.

I'm finding I can get so much done without the DCs being at school and all their normal activities (they have both been out every day, and I've worked the usual 3 days but far less ferrying around than in term time)

Evening everyone . I am sooo tired I don't even remember what was on my list this morning, but the house is looking ok so I must have done some of it!

I really am too tired to manage more than a rather pathetic wave to you all tonight. Hope everyone sleeps well, particularlt bitchy and. mc

No missions

saturday is family fun day - enjoy some time with the family.

baby step 4

So yet another night of worrying about not being able to go to sleep so not sleeping

So far I have:
Sorted ds' new time tables, routines, chores and expected behaviour charts (now await minor tweaking with ds tomo)
Done some more research for a big project
Read through the remaining half of the duvet diet book.
Pulled together some basic rules for trying to sort sleep/diet out. (so far it is 30mins exercise per day, 2ltr water drunk, aim to control blood sugar level better ie avoid highs and lows crash cycle and to cut the coffee right back and the out.)
try to figure out how the sleep restriction program works - i think i have got it now.

I know I have to be up at 10am so that should give me about 7hrs sleep so in theory enough for an average night. Sleep debt is high so assuming that I stick to my rules re exercise/diet I am hoping that sleep will be achieved at a reasonable time. And I will bring the alarm earlier by 30mins until it is a better time. However, if it doesn't I am going to work to the rule that 30mins no sleep = get up and be busy rather then lying in bed reading in the hope that it will help. Also going back to the worry book system. So need to allow an hour for doing that before bed. But only an hour as i tend to obsess about tasks atm. All or nothing. The I am just going to. It is my biggest problem. I can just do X, I can just finish y, bugger no longer tired... etc.

So on that note I am going to sign off and attempt to sleep. Sleep diary and rules. One baby step at a time. lol.
Sleep tight.

Hope you managed to get to sleep Bitchy. I often sleep badly, going to bed too late or waking up in the night, I think it is because it is the only time I get to myself.

Hope everyone got some sleep ready for a day off more flying! I've been up since 5 (when does the early rising stop?), but have at least done some paid work. Now for some drudgery...

buy lampshades
dh toget loo roll holders up
sort out box of crap in study
not be mardy

Hope you have all slept well. Nearly time for tea here!

Can I give you all a little hint if you want your houses to smell nice and fresh and clean. Do NOT use Eu De Rotting rodent family!!!!! The smell kept me and DH awake all night. Today I feel tested to my limit. Yes, even I have a limit!!! Bloody revolting smell pervading from floorboards, its high 30s degrees here. My dribble of water has given up the ghost and to top it all I have just seen my first snake. No No NO!!!!! I have told DH that if I see a tarantula I am walking to the airport and no-one will be able to stop me.

It has to get better, surely!!

Sorry for my moan. Enjoy your days.

PA - It's slippers that you need! DH's missionary aunt used to throw her slippers at the tarantulas . Where are the rotting rodents, by the way? Under the floorboards? How awful. Sorry it's tough today.

PMPY - yes, I do that going to bed too late thing too and it is absolutely because it's the only quiet time I get to myself. Doesn't help the next day though.

Bitchy - sorry you are struggling with sleep issues again. I hope you got your seven hours.

holler - I don't think the drudgery ever stops , but there's definitely more of it when you have babies/toddlers.

Am still not well. Anyone know what it means when you ache all over and keep having hot sweats? No other symptoms at all . I suppose it's just a random virus. My limbs were so painful this morning that, after doing the boys' breakfasts, I took paracetamol and ibuprofen and went back to bed. Feeling less achey now and DH has bought me paracetamol and codeine, which might be more effective. Am determined to go to an outdoor concert with friends tonight. We have booked MIL to babysit and my best friend is coming with us. I refuse to miss it, even if I have to dose myself up with pills and alchohol.

No alcohol with the codine, although shoudn't have alcohol with paracetamol.

PA I wish hadn't read that before brunch Hope you can evict and air au de rotten rattus.

5 1/2hrs sleep. Not great but sleep non the less. Going to follow the sleep restriction thing and function today. One cup of coffee drunk, will drink one more before lunch then that is it.

So far today have check, gone through and printed stuff sorted last night. (ds is not hugely impressed with the timetable that says school on it. )
Also the rule is if ds walks away when we are tidying his room today I stop and do mine. Strangely this seems to be a highly motivating way of getting him to tidy up

Main target is to get tidier in my room. So done 15mins. So much more to do though...

Hope you are having fun.

Bitchy - No alcohol with codeine? Really? Oh, sod it. Will leave a gap before drinking wine then. Wine is just as good and more enjoyable.

5 1/2 hours' sleep is not great . Hope you get through today without napping so that you sleep better tonight.

Am on my thrid and final cup of coffee and feeling invincible. Just grabbing a shower now that the water supply has been turn back on. We have water coming out of the taps in the frutility room too finally

Quick list dump.

Ta da
Washing-up x 2
Cleared out handbag
Hoovered bedroom
Bought down old magazine?s from DH?s side of bed for him to sort through (whihc he has!)
Rehomed/Sorted loose objects from yesterday?s bedroom declutter
Hot-spot object rehoming/filing
Shred day5 L1

have been glued to the Olympics all day so has been fairly lazy. Hope everyone is having a good weekend

Hi everyone, I have read all the thread, but am so tired I haven't been able to do a response bar to Ellie - sorry things are so tough with your DH, and so great that you're giving it another shot.

DS2's birthday party was absolutely fabulous. Invited 6 other children which included 2 of his friends who he adores, plus a few others and their mums. Mums are all ones who I'm good friends with. All the children played so fabulously together, especially on DS2's brand new bouncy castle - he looked like this for most of the day! DH was around and made lots of Pimms for the grown ups - twas very, very nice! Almost felt like a get together with friends who happened to bring their DC along!

House looked fabulous, quite chuffed with myself and most of it was actually put away properly, bar one basket full of rubbish which I took upstairs and dumped, ready to sort out 'later'. Even went through the toy cupboards in the lounge room and sorted them all out!

Burnt my hand trying to get some sparklers lit for the cake and ended up spending 4 hours with my hand holding cloth covered ice so didn't get a chance to tidy up (not too bad now, 2 blisters which look fairly dry so treatment obviously worked).

Half tidied up after the party and too tired to do much today bar making sure the kitchen is under control. Will tidy up the rest of the party remains tomorrow.

Went to Olympics today with DH and the DSs to the morning athletics session - so much fun. DSs were brilliant, so proud of them, especially as they were so tired after yesterday's party.

Tomorrow's to do list:

• Make sure DS's get as much of a sleep in as possible to catch up
• Make a double batch of muffin sized carrot cakes for DH's cricket game.
• Tidy away party remains
• put furniture back in place after party (moved the sofa and dining table to open up the playing area)

Off to the Olympics on Monday and Tuesday so if I don't get things tidied up tomorrow I won't get them done until Wednesday.

Falling asleep here, so had better get ready for bed.

Big wave to you all!

Having a computer free day here so quick post from my phone before I fall asleep!

Not a bad day today. Went to local agricultural show, which was great. DD a bit grotty but neither spotty nor snotty so I suspect an MMR side effect (hopefully).

Lovely tea of smoked haddock, poached egg and turmeric, mustard seed and coriander potatos.

Tomorrow is home bleugh day for me. Plus we need to empty ther car. Happy days!

Take sometime to for you -Sunday's focus.

babystep 5

Morning all. Quick check-in. Off for the day down to ILs caravan. Not much FLYing going to be done today. Done my Shred for the day (day 6!). Am determined to get in shape...should weigh myself!

Morning all,
Glad the party went well ChitChat and sortry about your hand. Hope it's better today.

PMPY sounds like a yummy meal!
PA - moan away! Hope things feel more manageable today.

It's lovely here this morning so hoping to get some gardening done. Also got dinner on, washing on and bread in the machine so feeling moderately efficient.

Waves to all and croissants on bar...

Off to check out RL bodyclutter now...

Up 6 times in the night with DD

To do
Finish deluttering entrance hall
House bleurgh
Clean out car
Wash car
Mow lawn
Garden centre
Change beds
Make delicious stew
Meal plan
Online shop
Finances
Go to tip

Morning Engels, blue and bitchy. Hope you're feeling a bit brighter today PA.