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!!

Afternoon all, I have got up and dressed and had breakfast with the girlies, done some shopping both xmas and food however xmas shopping is shocking as not much in stock at argos at the minute so will have to go back in the week or do some online jobbies instead...

I haven't done any flying as I haven't been here but I do need to do laundry, wash pots, hot spots and room rescues, I have also brought ds1 and ds3 a beanbag each as they keep fighting over ds2's and hopefully now we will have a harmonious afternoon. Its so hard keeping kids happy, sigh !!!

Phew! Have just finished marking and still have planning to do.

But my head is going to explode, so am going to crank the stereo up and do a home bleurgh.

I may have to postpone my planning for another day.

Who would have thought I'd do housework to clear my head!!!!!!

ahahahahahahahahahah I have brought ALL of ds1s presents with £15 pound of budget left, (got to love online shopping), ds3 has the main things brought, will be doing the rest tomorrow, as will ds2's, but I do have one joint present between them now. All of them want a nanospeed set but they only have 2 types of set and I can guarantee there will be arguments on xmas day about who's is biggest etc (mainly from ds2, with ds1 moaning about ds2 moaning...) so I thought sod it, they can share and learn to share and learn to play together !!

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh. Today is ALL WRONG!

ta da
Overslept and was nearly late for early training never a good idea
Then had to be in many towns today, seen the delights of both warrington and blackpool
Done some food shooping
Have had just enough time to grab a coffee and shove food shopping away

Tis almost time to head off for the school run.

MUST Do
Emails - urgent x2
empty car of some stuff
make up ds training kit
double check address location on internet
take ds to training
drop something important off with a collegue
get changed out of training stuff and have hot shower for achy muscles
Early night would be nice.

got ds2 sulking in the car because ds1 &3 have beanbags, and there not the same as his (cant win) don't know what to do for dinner yet and I still haven't done any cleaning.

Special fried rice for dinner.

I'm currently hiding from DS in the kitchen and futilely praying DH gets home soon (and eating cooking chocolate as it's been one of those afternoons.

Going to attempt to persuade DH that a bottle of white is a good idea...

Just washed pots, dinner is in the oven (sausage and chips), I have come to the conclusion that ds2 needs a good hour or so to wind down separately from the other kids after school, as pretty much everyday he is miserable as sin when he comes home from school, I dont think it's the actual school itself though, he seems very happy there. I'm wondering if an hour watching a dvd or something might help, He just doesn't seem to want to socialise much and if he does he'll moan at them constantly, adults included. Think I may have to put something into place.

Finally grabbing a moment to check emails and MN. Have been out all day - first on a school trip with DS2, then to DS1's first session of 'farm therapy'. Feeling tired, but content - it was fun to get out for a change. Am having my first cup of tea of the day.

Trazzle - as SC says, it's great to see you back here again. Am interested that you like the Flylady emails. Should I be tempted? I need some motivation.

Gossip - is that Xmas shopping you're doing? I think I might do mine early this year too. It would be nice to be ahead for once.

Carpe - I used to hide in the kitchen and eat chocolate when DS1 was little. I know how you feel! And yes, I am a little bit in love with my new fridge. Plus it is a Beko and I had been mourning the loss of our old Beko since we got the last one.

Bitchy - sorry your day has gone wrong. Hope it goes right again soon.

Engels - doing a home bleugh to clear your head is a very constructive way of destressing. I think my current decluttering habit is a way of destressing too.

issimma - hope you got your afternoon nap. What a good idea.

Swan - good idea to get someone in to sort the parental controls. We did try NetNanny, but it slowed the computer down too much. I now set mine to 'safe search' and limited times myself (using Google), but I can't set 'safe search' for Google Chrome . We have no end of problems with keeping DS1 under the parental controls, as he seems to be able to get round them. As a friend of mine rightly pointed out to me, ultimately we are the parental controls!

Mercury - that you are going on holiday next week!

Didn't manage any housework today, as I've been out all day. It's amazing how quickly it degenerates into mess again. Will have to do some room rescues tonight. But definitely need tea and MN time first.

Sorry waving at everyone and running in and out rudely with dump list as today?s slipping away from me and threatening to never end.

-Still to do_
Library
Ironing
Try and get unwell D/s through stats
Post forms
Chase D/s to pack sailing stuff + auto stuff for tomorrow
Redress foot
Dinner
Washing up
Fuse in lamp
Listen to friend
sleep

Evening all. Hope you have all had a reasonably productive day and hats off to those of you who are Flying with pre-school age dc or are home edding. Not easy balancing both.

Very very enjoyable painting today - equally happy that it is over for another week (except for home exercises) because there are so many things crying out for attention here - beginning to feel a bit "rabbit in headlights" about it all and the weekend ahead is going to be a busy one. Have to make the most of every minute of the next three days to fit it all in.

Trazzles thanks for e-mail digest recommendation [stands with Toffee at very edge of Big Tent feeling slightly anxious ...] Will have to check that out. Motivation is necessary and welcome atm (wherever it is from).

Hope your foot is healing well Justgettingonwithit and that you got through yr list

Toffee ditto being out most of day and v. little Flying achieved. Will hopefully give us more motivation for when we are in though ...

Gossip if it's any consolation dd was in a foul mood this evening despite having been taking out to tea by dh ... she enjoys school too (well, most of the time) but I agree they need decompression time. Well done for sticking to Xmas shopping budget which takes some doing!

Sorry it's been one of those days Carpe but it sounds as if you got loads done! Hope the wine hit the spot this evening.

Bitchy hope your day improved as it went along ...

Engels Well done for getting through 3 sets of marking. Yes, think stoemp is the same as stampot (prefer Dutch name!) DD very partial to erwtensoep ! Certainly the weather for it atm.

Swan we gave dd her own password with built in timer thingy a fortnight or so ago that restricts her to certain sites (sorry no further particulars - dh sorted it out fortunately as I have no clue about all this sort of thing either).

Mercury hope you had a good morning with your friend and that you got through list ok

Vigorous wing flaps to everyone else!

Today:
morning routine inc dw, wm, s&s, rabbits done
last minute ironing done
three thank you e-mails done
god-daughter present doing now
make stoemp for tonight done
more laundry done
boudoir decluttering NOPE (AGAIN)
shoe shopping done
planning a bit
acad. done
afternoon/evening routine done

Back in a mo with links.

*

NB Newcomers - hope you are beginning to feel at ease with the system - any qs, don't hesitate.

Tomorrow's baby-step no. 17, for Wed 17th October is here set a specific bed-time and stick to it (this is one I struggle with tbh but I know I would be better off for doing it).

Tomorrow will be our third day in Zone 3: the bathroom and one other room here

Try and spend 15 mins decluttering in this zone per day.

Once you have decluttered in this zone, 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 here sorting out medicine cabinet/flinging dc socks

Wednesday is : anti-procrastination day Do that thing you have been dreading!

The habit for October is: here Try and shred/recycle/jettison papers you no longer need, 15 mins per day.

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

Have a good one everybody!

Whoknows how are those headaches?

PA are you OK

pls indulge a worry wart ...

Well, there is definitely a whole load of: wow! Your purple rags are AMAZING! And how did I ever live without your clog cannon?!

But I really just read her daily essay, the missions for the day and a couple of testimonials if they don't look like they're too smug

Sets me right up for the day because it comes through first thing in the morning.

[the mind boggles over clog cannon]

That's your area of expertise I believe Engelsmeijse

Haven't rreqd the whole thread today, but just spotted my name in your post SC. Headaches have gone, thqnk you for asking, I am sure it was the squinting at the phone for literally hours that did it. I am slowly starting to get a little more active (with care), I still have to do minimal standing, bending and lifting. Managed to clean the bathroom basin today and cook some sausages (DMIL) put the frying pan on the stove so all I had to do was turn sausages a few times. Still spending most of the day in bed. I am still being driven nuts by all my helpers failing to do things HOW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DONE, which is resulting in lots of unFlylady like last minute panics at the last minute for Cub uniform, bookbags etc, but we are on the whole rubbing along just fine and I am very grateful.

Did anyone watch Bake-off? i was so pleased with the result!

Me! Me! Me!

Poor James was never going to win after those cakes and I know it's mean but I'm pleased Brendon didn't win because he came across as arrogant sure he's a lovely man irl though

Just checking in. I watched GBBO too. Was sad James fell at the last fence but was glad of the surprise winner!

Today's (pretty short) TaDa list:

• D/W emptied
• Washing load on and hung to dry
• Packaged up Ebay parcels (but didn't make the PO)
• Spent the afternoon trying to sort out both the old and new utility accounts
• Wrote the last few change of address letters - and got DH to sign his
• Made cakes and a table decoration of paper roses with DD for Brownies
• Went to her re-promise Ceremony (new pack) with DH and DS as she was also serving us the above mentioned cakes and tea for her hostess badge
• Shined sink after the boys made BBQ ribs for themselves for tea.

DS and I are nipping into to Oxford on the train tomorrow between school runs as he needs to get some new clothes. We haven't spend a day alone together in years, so it should be fun.

Morning!

So, today I need to hit the big city to pick up work, birthday cards, loaf of bread, maybe flowers, and FILTER PAPERS FOR COFFEE MACHINE!

Ahem... Can you tell I'm hacked off using the permanent filter? Supermarkets don't have the size I need, and I don't know which size I need to buy online.

Going to be interesting as the forecast is rain, I have lots of work folders so I think I will have to persuade DS into his buggy - any random screams you hear echoing on the wind will be my DS

Right. Need to go wake DS as he will be a nightmare to put down for a nap if he is asleep any longer... And I want a sleepy snuggle

Good luck all!

Trazzle what on earth is a clog cannon?! (I've looked in my woordenboek sc and it's not there )

Enjoying 2nd DS free day. Going to write my list now so I don't forget anything, then maybe try and get some planning done before I head out (most shops here don't open until 10am anyway).

Had a very successful bleurgh yesterday even if it did take me 105 mins

Also managed to spend 20mins in the garden trying to salvage our tomato plants whihc we have kind of abandoned the last few months. My garden is what you call rustic sounds better than jungle of weeds

have fun today dizzy and good luck carpe

Morning all! Just a dump, I have read the thread. Think ill just jump in from here for personals as I missed a lot over the weekend and I didn't watch GBBO

Good luck today with toddler wrestling carpe!

Work all day but I do have an hour so might get things done then. Date night tonight, he's cooking me a 3 course meal as an extra from my birthday however he's cooking it in my oven so I better have the oven, grill, hob and microwave sparkling in fact the whole kitchen...I better get the crumbs out of the cutlery draw too! How do they even get there?!

To do:
Clean hob
Clean grill
Clean oven
Clean microwave
Clean out cutlery drawer
Wash counter top
Wash doors down
Shine sink
Small dog to dog groomers for hair cut- just left need to pick him up in a few hours
Routines
DD sock and tights cupboard a la mission
Bath mats and towels in wash
Foam mats back in playroom
If I get time my underwear basket
Date night!

[staggers in to naughty corner, adjusts Castlelough's quilt, leaves extra pillows, tiptoes out ...]

[Props open eyes with match-sticks] Feel absolutely wrecked this morning. Was up most of the night coughing. Bum. Loads to do but no energy.

Wed school half day so had better get on with it though.

[loads espresso machine with extra strong brew]

To do:
morning routine - haven't done anything yet except down tea and half heartedly iron a blouse
rabbits
organise laundry/pay/drink for fortnightly ironing lady
finish god-daughter present
make lentil soup for lunch (half day here)
quick supermarket shop
sort out this weekend's clashing party situation
on-line shopping order returns
post thank you card
med appts
ballet run
afternoon/evening routine + bed

Yet another day when I am just "maintaining'" and not making inroads in to clutter .. boudoir and home office still in dire straits

Hope everyone else OK!

Whoknows/Trazzles/Dizzy Brendan woz robbed I know he had a bit of an unfortunate persona and wanted it a bit too much, but he had been so much more consistent that John all along. James was my first choice but he winged it and it got caught out. Can't fault John's prep and calmness under pressure though.

Whoknows/Trazzles Take it steady both of you today (well as much as poss in circs)

Hope you are ok PA -am worried about you - must check your newsletter

Dizzy Hope your dd enjoys new pack and that you and your ds enjoy retail therapy tomorrow

Hope you don't get too soaked Carpe

Engels I hardly dare investigate on Flylady site ...
Since acquiring rabbits, my garden has gone from looking reasonably good, to nibbled, to decimated but with added tunnels ... They've eaten all my mint, marjoram, sage, and nibbled most of the thyme and rosemary. DH keeps mumbling about how they are "pre-marinading themselves" You are doing well to have kept your tomatoes going this long. Enjoy your 2nd child free day!

Lauren hope you had a good horsey afternoon yesterday and enjoy your romantic evening tonight. Am loving the way romance is inspiring a good polishing of the kitchen (although I think if it were dh cooking, I'd clean the oven afterwards )

Hope everyone else has a good day too!

Hopefully get dishwasher today!!!!!!!!! dp's bidding on one on ebay ahhhhhhhh

Oooh, exciting, Gossip! Good luck!

Just finished school run and b/fast, now starting home ed. Much-needed room rescues will have to wait till later .

"rabbits pre-marinading themselves"