October-fest: a fledgling (at best) might spruce up its nest (then take a rest?).

[strictlycaballine]

Welcome to the October 2012 Fledgling Flyers thread. Park your mops, buckets, microfibre cloths, golden dusters and spiders-web-removing-implements here!

A huge "thank you" to Whoknows and Pushme for leading us throughout September!! (Hope you are recovering well Whoknows - take it steady!)

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 along the way.

This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in weekly designated zones of the house; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with more time to do other more interesting things instead! At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again anyway!

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 steps and routines using a three-pronged approach (dependent on the stage everyone is at):

• start or repeat 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.

[And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]

More info here on getting started, and the flylady system here and here Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound.

All welcome!!

Engles I'm in the NE of Scotland.

Had the stew, it was wonderful (even if I say so myself! ) and DH has agreed to Strictly, so I'm a happy bunny. Extra may also be helping

Oh lord, made microwave treacle sponge pudding [to plump up overly skinny dd honest] and didn't eat any of it myself oh no or eat any of the cheddar that dh's colleague v. kindly brought me back from London ... [sc's voice fades to unconvincing whimper] Did enjoy dh's homemade veg soup though!!

Did a bit of Flying today - not nearly enough - must do better tomorrow. Had nice family day though.

Am wierdly behind on the washing again -why does that always happen?

Strictly with stew sounds like the perfect evening Carpe

Engels/Gossip hate to think what's under my sofa - daren't even look behind it where rabbits often play never mind under it.

Toffee dd loves nothing better than "rediscovering" carrier bags full of old toys that I have spent hours decluttering. Unless I get them out the house on the same day we are doomed and they somehow infiltrate themselves back in to the 'current' toy pile

Engels sounds as though you are v. organised for tomorrow - well done - hope your ds and you all have a lovely day. Intrigued by Dutch party fare ...

Tomorrow's baby-step, no 14, for Sun 14th Oct is frankly insulting Think we all grasped how to use a calendar at around the age of eight thank you very much.

Sunday is renew your spirit day also known in caballine household as eat more treacle sponge day

We are still meant to be doing 15 mins of paper decluttering a day I think

Any questions, here is the flight plan

Fyi we will be in Zone 3: bathroom + 1 extra room all next week

***

G'night all! Keep those feathers dry fledglings!

Shame about Narnia Toffee one can always hope ...

No Flying here today, mainly been spent sorting out burns, blistery mess especially left foot, but it will all heal, but no disabled swim, which also means no hot shower.

S/C thanks for the flowers. Both shouters have ASD and there seems to have been something in the air. One?s apologised but it?s more an ?I know I?ve pushed you too far and this is what you want so here it is? but I don?t think they can manage anything better, so received gracefully, the other?s just going on about if they?re my mad person or someone else?s! Life gets a little surreal round here sometimes. Shall try and not speculate on what you might be doing with the rabbit and the grassy knoll, but glad to hear you?re both reasonably ok. Hope the bruising subsides soon.

WhoKnows, it?s the loss of that self-sufficiency that will make you irritable. Dependency throws up all sorts of emotions we don?t know we have. Recommend buying an extendible electric cattle prod.

I have to hand the computer over, so will try and catch up on everyone properly, tomorrow.

Evening all, on the phone again so please excuse limited personals. I feel a but better now, my surgery site got infected this week, I also got a cold and cold sores, but all much improved now. I actually got out of the house today, only 5 mins in the car to take DS a Cub activity, small steps. I still can't do much though, half an hour off the bed/sofa finishes me off, it is very tiresome. I also keep getting heafaches, I suspect from squinting at my phone too much!

Ellie - sorry your day didn't go as planned
Sc - hope your head is better
Toffee - sorry you didn't get out either
Blue - hope the funeral went well
Just - hope the burn isn't too bad

Sorry, brain has blanked now and I've got to put the phone down, night all

Evening all.

Funeral was very sad (friend I hadn't seen for 10 years, only 37) but also kind of lovely - a real celebration of her life. I'm really glad I went despite all the mega travelling and it was good to catch up with other friends. It's made me determined to be better at keeping in touch with people and not just rely on Facebook.

Hope everyone has a better day tomorrow and a satisfactorily renewed spirit!

Whoknows glad you are getting better inch by inch
Toffee it is quite extraordinary how much stuff fits in one cupboard

well today, my brother had a baby! His second. All quiet, we are not quite sure if and when we will be allowed a peep. [summons dreadful memories of too many visitors after birth of twins, which completely wore me out] Luckily his MIL is staying for three weeks. [not quite sure how he feels about that though at least there is backup!]

Today has been fine, a bit busy but at least I saw a friend, who popped round with her husband from Stokey (cue frantic buying of biscuits and dusting of mantles)
dd and Dh went out to check the journey to a convent school (too long)
we had music school am
I cooked some moroccan-style dish for lunch

struggling still with desire not to let people into this [squalid] house, so it was nice my friend invited herself round! She is good at just turning up...

also struggling with Sat afternoons, too much homework and restless children - endless procrastination from ds1, and then we don't get out and about because of him dithering. At least Dh and dd left the building..

SC watch yourself, these bumps often make one feel a bit shakey for a long time. [administers radox and healing herbs in Morgana like garment]

We've been watching Merlin. It has deterioated. We need some character development, although I am loving Mordred...what powerful blue eyes And what has happened to Gwen's outfits- not what I call medieval...seems to be Parisian style medieval...

x-post Blue funerals are very important occasions aren't they, not easily forgotten, a whole flood of impressions about the person you have lost and the people they leave behind.

PA hope you are alright, thinking of your difficulties/challenges.

Just flapping quickly by....have done bugger all housework today, I'm afraid. Was at work all day Fri then got call to say (ex) MIL who lives just down the road had had a fall, cut her leg, gone to get stitches in it. She's 85 and a bit confused so I've been flapping over there this morning, trying to sort her out.

Then this afternoon phone call from current MIL up in Scotland to say FIL had died this afternoon. I don't know when funeral will be - and I've got work every day next week. Plus DH is moaning that he's up to his neck in v important job on tight timescale. Sigh...

I know that sounds really selfish, but I'm a supply teacher and I've only had one day's work this term so money has been really tight - and I was relying on 5 days next week. Plus DH runs his own business and will really struggle if he has to take a couple of days off to go up to funeral. (It's his step-dad - and Ma didn't marry him til DH was in his late 30s, so he doesn't really know him too well). I think its important he goes to support his DM whereas he thinks she'll be fine without him/us doing 700 mile round trip for a funeral. . I can see some major domestic rows coming up.

Ta da list
Made the bed.

I reckon that's it today. Oh, and I got dressed at some point.

Love to all, catch up later. Really sorry to hear sc's accident, ellie rotten day, blue's funeral and just's rotten time with burns/blisters. Hope you all have a good week next week!

Off to the dump to get rid of some of the stuff from the bathroom cupboard this morning. I feel lighter already. This decluttering lark could get addictive.

soworn - sorry about your ex MIL's fall. Good of you to help her out. I hope you and DH resolve the crisis over his FIL. I agree with you - he should go to support his mum, regardless of whether he knew his stepdad well or not. I don't know how you sort the money issue though .

Sorry, I can't do any more personals as we are about to go out now, but I hope you all have a good Sunday.

awwwww bitchy

Ok so I want to have a lazy day today as it is Sunday, wonders if I'm allowed?

well I have a want to do list which is:-
crochet blocks for blanket
eat chocolate
have takeaways for tea
watch the entire lot of nightmare on elmstreet
do something fun with boys

this is my actual to do list as the morning has already passed and dp let me lay in
make bed
5 mins on :- my room, lounge, hall, stairs, landing,
2 min hotspots on comp desk and kitchen side 1
15 min declutter -bathroom
laundry
s&s
zone
shine sink
rubbish run
cook dinner
wash pots
shine sink
homework or reading
launch pads
2 min rr kitchen side 2
rr kitchen
laundry
rr lounge
clothes out

much prefer the 1st list....

My house is too small for my stuff. I can't shut my chest of drawers. I have a massive tangle of tights and mainly solo socks on my bed which are untangleable. Should I just threw the whole lot out? I was planning to keep the ripped tights to make a draught excluder but am losing the will to live.

Good afternoon everyone , just trotting by ...

Dsis has just been despatched back to UK with pillows, blankets, flask of home made soup (friend collected her in car - so we packed her in horizontally), dd has done her hwk and has been subjected to bath, hairwash, manicure, pedicure, etc etc etc, rabbits ditto (without the getting wet bit), dh and I have been out to vote in local communal elections (feel very honoured and privileged to be able to do this as have lived over here so long now, have lost UK voting privileges) and dd is playing at a friend's house.

Dh and I going out tonight to a concert and I have so much to do between then and when baby-sitter arrives that I thought I would do quick round-up and post links now if that's alright and then will see you all again tomorrow.

Hope you are all enjoying good weekends where possible ...

Blue sincere condolences regarding the loss of your friend - how sad that she died at only 37 years of age It was good of you to make the effort to go - I bet her family really appreciated you being there - and glad the funeral proved comforting. Hear hear to making the effort to see people face to face. So difficult with time pressures/work & family commitments etc but I think it's those sort of things that one regrets not doing most in the end. (Feeling guilty about my UK resident godchildren who are growing up so fast and I see only once a year at best.)

Gossip oh dear, I wonder which list you opted for in the end? Hope you managed bit of both.

[Tiptoes around Bitchy and readjusts her blankets and cushions]

Toffee much nicer weather here today - hope the same with you and you enjoy your afternoon out. And well done for getting rid of decluttered stuff sharpish.

Sowornout so sorry to hear about your ex-mil's fall - I hope she is feeling a little better now - it's such a shock but particularly at that age. Good she has you nearby! And also very sorry to hear the sad news about your fil. Agree with you and Toffee that your dh probably needs to be there to support his ma - although sorting out work cover/childcare/loss of time & earnings will not be at all easy. Good luck with it all.

Swan many congratulations on becoming an aunt (again!) Lovely news! Thanks for medicaments and arf at (very fetching!!) Mordana outfit!! (Still a bit stiff and sore today and needed help getting out of (very deep) bath but improving all the time thankfully. Hopefully will be OK to stand 5 hrs in front of easel tomorrow!) Sympathies re: procrastinating dc - dd needs a rocket behind her at the moment!

Oh Whoknows sorry to hear about infection with cold on top. I think your whole body does take a bit of a battering post g/a. Do take it steady - whey hey to first trip out though!! Get those headaches checked out too (just in case) don't want to alarm you unnecessarily but you are at risk of blood clots if you are stationary for a lot of the time. Better safe than sorry and all that.

Justgettingonwithit ouch the burns sound painful - sorry you've had such a rotten time of it recently - can't be at all easy. You had me cackling over rabbit and grassy knoll though !! [Whispers ... "it's a conspiracy don't you know" ] Take it steady!

consils if you dont love it and wont use it chuck it, you will feel so much better once you do :)

x post

Hi Consils! Welcome! I think if you were planning on keeping the old tights for a project, and not for wearing, then I would probably advise dumping the whole lot. I have so many materials here for projects that I never get around to doing, that I've actually had to ban myself from buying more until I get one or two finished. And they take up a humungous amount of space. So - yes - ditch the lot! Particularly if tight tangle is holding up tidying/decluttering of rest of room! [Makes note to take own advice

OK... commencing week 3 .. we are half way through the month everyone (makes notes to double up baby-steps and paper decluttering to catch up with everything I've missed so far, contrary to all of Flylady's advice!)

Tomorrow's baby-step no. 15, for Monday October is here make your bed every day

Tomorrow we be our first day in Zone 3: the bathroom and one other room here Try and spend 15 mins decluttering in this zone per day. (Toffee you are ahead of us here already!! ) If you have already decluttered, you can go on to detailed cleaning

Don't forget your super fling boogie in this zone this week in preparation for the Christmas holidays!

Tomorrow's mission is supposed to be listed here under the bathroom zone but there is a glitch and the site is still showing kitchen related missions. Check this space later and hopefully it will update soon! [I'll come back and make sure tomorrow]

The daily focus for Monday is : here the home blessing, or as we call it "home bleugh"! here

The habit for October is: getting rid of paper clutter. Try and shred/recycle/jettison papers you no longer need, 15 mins per day. More info here

If I've missed anything, have a look at tomorrow's flight plan which should update automatically with the date.

Hope you have a productive week everyone!

***

strictly I have been room rescueing a little bit, the children seem to follow me in every room I head for though, so I have to back track on the orders of the RR's. I haven't started dinner and dp says its not like we have takeaways every day and its on him too lol, so we will be having a takeaway today (I will do a roast tomorrow, with cake and everything), I have also completed a patch for the beautiful blanket I'm making for dp's sisters brand new arrival, due in a couple of weeks :) however I still have my friends work in progress too but I have done the same blanket before and its relatively boring, her's was born a few weeks ago! then I have my brother's little lady coming after that, she's getting glittering granny's, and finally a blue blanket to do, and I'm looking forward to the change of colours for that one. Also its house blessing day tomorrow so as long as the pots are washed and sinks shiny, and each room is relatively tidy I should be ok. right off I pop for more crocheting,

I also want to give my sympathies for those attending or already have attended funerals, and to those who are poorly, burned and have infections, and to those who are flapping around helping others. Sorry I'm awful with names but I am aware these are happening. Congratulations to the new auntie too.

Hope your days all go as well as expected if not better :)

x post

Waves to Issima! Good idea about early Christmas prep as holiday season and new born = quite a stressful combination.

Good luck to your dh with the oven! Can really recommend this product from Lakeland - makes a mucky task much easier

See you all tomorrow everyone!

Thanks. I felt as though I needed permission. I reckon I only need 7 pairs of socks. Do you put away your summer clothes away for the winter? And how many hours of housework do you do, on average a day? I asked a single male friend who lives in a tiny spotless flat this and he said one hour a week. I have so far spent an hour in the kitchen and cleaned out the hens.

x post!

Great you got some time for a bit of creativity Gossip nothing like it to lift the spirits! Lots of lucky newborns benefiting from your skills too I see!

We sometimes shift roast to Monday too if we want a lazy Sunday - makes Sunday seem a much longer day somehow!

Right off to church now and then concert tonight!

Have a good evening everyone!

At least knickers stay in pairs and I only have one bottom.

at consils I generally charity shop the summer clothes that are no longer any good i.e dont fit, have been stretched by my waistline the tumbledryer, and put the rest in a drawer under my bed ready for winter wear however my vests stay out for wearing under jumpers, the same with leggins for jeans.

x post

Hi again Consils it varies according to everyones different circumstances: size of house/flat, number of dc, working hours, number of pets etc but on general I tend to do about one hour and 45 mins or so per day but there's always clearing up after supper/cooking and laundry on top of that. Only the ground floor of my house is in reasonable shape though - upper floors a bit of a disaster - so am probably not the best person to ask. I also have a cleaner for 3 hrs once a week who comes on Fridays (but house is too big for one person to 'do' really - we only live in a bit of it though but rest still needs sweeping/dusting etc)

Don't know how your friend gets away with one hour a week - even if he is single - he must be mega organised and have absolutely no clutter whatsoever!

And no - I don't swap clothes around according to season (except for coats/scarves etc) but I'm lazy like that! I know Swan and others do though ...