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!!

dizzy forgot to say earlier that your list was v. impressive too! You fledlings are all putting me to shame atm.

DS2 and I made a scary orange pumpkin today - it was easy peasy and fun.

Managed to tackle my bedroom this afternoon. My side of the bed is now clean and uncluttered [hsmile]. If I can tackle a bit every day, I will get there eventually, won't I?

Chairmum - I remember you too. I hope we can motivate you again (and, if not, at least we can chat ).

Swan - you are brave to host a Halloween party. I don't seem to have the energy this year, although I have at least managed to drag the two Halloween boxes out of the loft cupboard, much to DS2's delight and DM's chagrin (she doesn't approve of Halloween - sees it as anti-religious ).

Off to bed now.

How do you get squirrel shit out of upholstery, then, fledglings?

The bastard squirrels are back. I was watching 'the voice' and minding my own business when dd1 did that 'soundless horror film' face and pointed over my shoulder. Suffice to say I moved fairly quickly as I had No Idea what she was so freaked out by. Fecking squirrel sitting on the back of the armchair.

We eventually evicted it, but not before it had crapped everywhere.

I am so pissed off. They are back. And apparently all over the house. How the actual feck did it get in the living room??! Dd1 is now freaked out about them being in her bedroom whilst she is asleep. And of course, they probably are.

Aaaaaaargh.

Am lolling about getting rid of rubbish in the living room though. Squirrels included. Bah.

We have a guides hallowe'en party tomorrow. I have yet to carve my watermelon brain.

Morning all! Busy couple of days here. DH is ill. He has had a bad cough for a few weeks and he finally took my advice and went to the doctor yesterday where he was diagnosed with a nasty chest infection, given antibiotics and sent for a chest xray as a precaution. I think, though he won't admit it, he is worried about the results of the x-ray in case they find something as the doc mentioned the outside chance of the c word (he is a smoker) but am trying to reassure it was just precautionary.

As for flying, tis fair to say my big plan of 7 rooms in 7 days has failed. So far, 1 room in 3.

Been productive so far this morning as I got up with DH at 5.30.

Ta da :-
Tidied dining room
Done washing up
Washing in drier
Washing on

Not sure what I am going to do today. I think I might tackle bedrooms but will wait and see how I feel.

madwoman i have no idea how you get squirrel shit out of upholstery. I know they are a pain in the arse for you but I couldn't help but smile as you recounted your squirrel traumas. Sorry.

chairmum I remember you and your brilliant name. Nice to see you back.

Back later!

Morning all!

Just a dump!

DD and mindees to museum and park
Walk dogs
DD to CM
Horsey afternoon
My laundry away
DD laundry away
Today's mission, I actually did yesterday's
Routines
Dog poo
Plant hyacinth bulbs (Christmas presents for elderly in decorated by DD pots)

BBL!

Agree with you about the mission sc! I threw rubbish out when I got rid of clutter, will pull out sofa and chair and Hoover behind instead!

Thanks for the greetings all!

I'm starting slowly, but I don't have the kids this morning (yet, they're at their dad's and I've got to go and meet them in a bit!) but:

• my sink is still shining,
• bathroom is vaguely s&s
• dishwasher is empty
• medication taken (easily forgotten)

just got to throw on some makeup, make sure I've got hats and gloves for the kids and get going! We're meeting friends in the park today, then they're coming back for a film and a sleepover :)

whoknows - yes that was me, but my baby is now a very vocal 2 year old!

madwoman - you have huge sympathy from me. I had a rat in my house, and more in my garden and just couldn't figure out where it was getting in so I ended up calling the professionals to sort it out, and they figure it out and I'm now rat free. I found out who my local council uses and they were just over a hundred quid for 2 visits and all poison/traps. I couldn't really afford it but it was worth it anyway! (Though I still haven't really stopped imagining scrabbling rat noises in the house, not really helped by the fact that the guinea pigs have just come in for the winter!)

Morning!

Yesterdays crisis clean didn't go too well - struggling with a funny virus thing so ran out of steam after about 30 mins

Still house IS looking tidier and I've decided that the slow,steady gradual approach to this is better, as normallly I go all out and then drop out completely after just a few days.

Today so far, have fed dog and newly aquired kitten and DS's are watching 'Night in the Museum 2' (so at least another hours MNetting for me!)

To do list...
Library
Docs to book flu jabs for DH and DS2
Walk dog (and DS's)
Buy pumpkins
Do something cosy with DS's -game/jigsaw
Cook dinner

Will report back later [hsmile]

issima life, I believe, is, in general, too short for skirting boards. I have given them a quick wipe in my current 7 rooms phase but other than that they don't get done. I am however a lazy chops and others may come along and say they do them every week.

issimma I clean skirting boards, radiators and internal doors every week as part of my home bleugh but I'm obsessive I just have a damp cloth and dry cloth and wipe them over and dry, it doesn't take long!

Cross posts with ellie

Oh and

Ta da:-
Washing x 2
Dryer on
Dd's room sorted
Dc's and I dressed
Car tidied out.

Have also had a purge of Dd's clothes. She has more than the rest of us put together and now she is at school simply doesn't need that many so I have bagged a load for charity shops and now everything fits in her drawers.

Old work colleague/friend has rung this morning and we are now going to a local farm park this afternoon. Sod the tidying, have done 3 rooms in 4 days so not bad going.

Am going out soon to pop into town, get a few bits and bobs and maybe have lunch. Back soon!

Crisis cleaning of kitchen/diner/sitting room and bathroom done. Just in time too - guests arriving shortly!

Afternoon everyone. Hope you are all OK. Lots of intriguing er, wildlife talk I see ....

Struggling to get stuff DONE here. Still have rotten colds. Went to gynaecologist's appt this morning and had to wait for ages which ate up the morning. There was a bit of light relief though: just as I was undressing, I remembered the 30 cm cartoon of "girl with pigtails" that dd had drawn on my lower leg in some purple and green "tattoo pens" she'd received in a party bag last week - which still hasn't come off despite daily scrubbings in the bath! Kept the gyn/ob amused anyway ...

DD bored at gynaecologist's (although to do her justice, she behaved very well)/bored at art exhibition afterwards/bored now at home... We had lots of games yesterday but we'd agreed that today was our "hwk/chore day" so that we can have an almost "total" fun day again tomorrow. She however is not cooperating and is making her displeasure known!

Sounds ridiculous with just one dd, but I'm finding the holidays increasingly challenging when all her friends are away. I am trying to persuade her (having reminded her about the 10 unfinished projects in the art trunk/reminded her about hwk/explained several other reasonably fun tasks that she could help me with) ... that "boredom stimulates creativity"! She is not convinced ...

Anyway, enough of my inconsequential musings what have you all been up to? Putting me to shame on the Flying front I imagine... All this talk of cleaning radiators and skirting boards is making me feel worried!! ...

Castlelough well done for getting everything done on time! Nothing like guests to provide the motivation kick up the rear one needs!! I always swear to myself that I will be more organised and that the next family/friend visit will not necessitate running around like a blue-arsed fly at the last minute -but I somehow never ever, manage it!!

Elliepac sorry your dh is unwell. Hope he recovers soon and the xray tests come out positively. well done re: clothes purge. I have noticed that you always seem to manage your time really well ie have a good balance of fun stuff v. chore stuff. Got any tips for someone who is totally useless at this? [Oh I just see you got up at 5.30 am ... in the holidays ... I think er, there's a distinct possibility that that's where I am going wrong!!]

Maggot (love the Halloween nickname btw!! ) Sympathies over virus thing - we all have something rather odd here - nowhere near as bad as flu but worse than ordinary cold and it's dragging on .... Well done for taking it slow and steady ...

Chairmum funnily enough - the only times we haven't been troubled by mice (old town house) is when we've had resident guinea pigs and rabbits. You'd think it owuld be the other way around what with bags of hay and feed about.. but maybe our local mice don't like the strange smell of domesticated furries ... Can't think of any other explanation ... Hope you had fun in park.

Issima on the odd rare occasion they get done, I hoover skirting boards first with thin attachment thing on end of hoover nozzle and then wipe with damp cloth. Radiators are more problematic because we have those old 'Edwardian' metal ones which require loads of probing with special radiator dusting implements such as this and this It's a real fag actually.

Lauren as usual, at horsey afternoon ...!! Hope hooves still sound ... Horse management must be getting more challenging now the days are shorter. Thanks for reminder about hyacinth planting btw. DD would really enjoy that!

Madwoman [hgrin] [hgrin] Sorry! But had to cackle at "How do you get squirrel shit out of upholstery, then, fledglings?" [Awards madwoman best house-keeping question of the year award!!) It hadn't been drinking Sorry - no experience with carving watermelon brains either

Toffee love the scary orange pumpkin idea - will do that one too!!

Huge wing flaps to eveyrone else! BBL!

[hshock] at madwoman's squirrels!

A fairly good day here, got out for most of the afternoon. took crusty loaf and sanwich fillings to my Mum's for lunch then went for a good stomp in the woods afterwards. Then up to friends stables to help/learn - she's going away for the week next week and has entrusted evening feeds to me [hgrin]
Will be pretending they are mine all week [hblush]

Other jobs done..
Library
Docs to book flu jabs for DH and DS2
Walk dog (and DS's)
Buy pumpkins - NONE LEFT [hshock]
Do something cosy with DS's -game/jigsaw
Cook dinner

if it's any comfort SC dd has behaved appallingly this morning, and yest eve, and yes, it is because she is thoroughly bored...her face is grey with boredom, despite being given numerous ideas of what to do...friends is the oxygen she requires to breathe , and most seem to have departed for a bit of Autumn sun...
However she cheered up this afternoon when dh took her out to buy two pumpkins, carved them with her, stockpiled three gallons of sweets for trick or treaters and when she had draped some cobwebs over the sitting room! Also short walk with neighbour's dog was a success, she was enthusiastic and happy with an animal friend at least...

Ds2 has been behaving beautifully, he has been soul of politesse. Ds1 lolling somewhat but seems in good spirits - they played football this morning (although also friendless atm...he went out today, bumped into someone he knew at busstop and returned home to mention this...so did you invite him round or ask him where he going? No, I didn't think of that Hope he enjoys seeing some 10 year olds at party tomorrow [sigh]

Ellie poor dh, and poor you, to deal with poorly one when you are meant to be having a break

done
tidied kitchen
recycling nearly out
exercise for all
otherwise a bit ill...have retired to bed...

swan the problem with DS is he?s old enough to want to go everywhere (he?s 12mo and been walking for a month and he?s really fast!) but not old enough yet to understand me when I tell him not to go somewhere!

dizzy I would have mini-roll rage

whoknows I have never been involved in a bridezilla wedding. My Dsis was very ?do what you want?. Did you see that recent email that went viral sent by a scary American bride?

I?m a fledgling veteran of 5 months!

A squirrel madwoman ?! [hshock]

Haven?t achieved a great deal today as was working, but kitchen left tidy, washingup done, lunch made for tomorrow.

Going to plan some more of my novel tonight ? nanowrimo starts on Thursday!

Evening all!

Lovely, if rather chilly, afternoon at the farm park complete with goat walking/chasing. Have taken dd swimming but ds declined to join us because he had cba (he takes after his mother , I tried desperately to persuade dd she didn't want to go but she was having none of it) and then a pootle round sainsbo's to buy some ingredients for halloween baking tomorrow. Dinner is in the oven, DD in bed, DS watching a dvd, and DH playing his xbox feeling sorry for himself. Thanks for the sympathy, swan and others, I am trying really hard to feel sorry for him/look after him but failing a little bit somewhere along the line....to his face I am the loving wife personified, in my head it is something a little different . Bad wife me .

issima see, I told you I was a lazy chops, straight away lauren comes in and makes me look crap .

sc and swan DS (9) has been a pita as well which is weird because it is normally DD. Doesn't want to do anything apart from sit in front of a screen and is doing my head in. I have planned some baking and crafty stuff tomorrow so hopefully he may cheer up.

sc my time division tactic is actually quite simple (and don't worry half 5 was an anomaly, DH was up to go to work and wanted to check he was OK). I know for a fact I am a morning person and am much more productive of a morning and more likely to achieve stuff. I also know DC's are more malleable in the mornings and more likely to amuse themselves nicely. So, when at home, I allocate mornings for doing housework stuff and afternoon's for more fun stuff. I would get bored if I spent all day doing housework .

madwoman how's the squirrel shit? (I am definitely NOT grinning at this )

I am in the middle of doing all the laundry which I should have washed during the past three days ready for fortnightly ironing lady tomorrow. Apart from cooking uninspiring supper and playing 3 more games of Battle Ships - have achieved very little. This is the template we are using if anyone is interested DD is obsessed atm.

Swan Think I will try Halloween pumpkin carving solution with dd tomorrow to alleviate boredom. Your dd and mine sound very similar in character - right down to grey pallor(!) -Hope your ds2 enjoys his party tomorrow and that you feel better soon. And well done to your ds1!

Maggot a good stomp in wood with crusty loaves followed by a bit of horse husbandry sounds like my perfect day!

Take it steady Issima and hope the blues aren't too severe. Things can look quite gloomy at this time of year.

Engels You sound v. organised and on top of things and good luck with the writing!

Huge wing flaps to Trazzles Carpe Gossip¨ Bitchy PA honu Justgettingonwithit OFM Pushme Shifty Dizzy Whoknows Feetheart Ellie Sowornout Toffee Nettie Linzer Arses Thatsnice Castlelough Lauren whoknows Blue and everyone else I've inevitably missed!!

Right, going to post [drum roll] very last baby step of the month plus other links - now that dh is home and keeping dd entertained, I can finally go and get some chores done!

Well done for getting through another month everyone!

This applies in particular to Trazzles and her lovely ds and their family - all of whom are still very much in our thoughts.

Baby-step, no. 31 for Wed 31 Oct - the very last baby step of the month - is here to keep Flying and be reassured that you don't have to understand the whole of the system at the beginning - it will become clear as you go along!

Wednesday we will our last day in Zone 5: The living room here

NB newcomers - we will be starting in Zone 1 again on Thursday!

Try and declutter for 15 mins per day in the current zone. Once decluttered, you can go on to detailed cleaning

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

Wednesday's mission is: here 15 mins removing jackets, shoes, laundry baskets from sitting room

The daily focus for Wednesday is: anti-procrastination day do all those horrible things you have been dreading

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

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

xpost

Ellie thanks for time tactics - much appreciated. Thinking about it, it is much more realistic for everyone concerned to do half a day of one and half a day of the other. I always intend to do a full day's cleaning and fail miserably! Here's a little to ease the nursing duties and arf at goat-walking!

An interesting day here - messy church in the morning, which is in the city centre so did a few errands as well. Discovered that DS1's trainers were too small so managed to get some new ones in the sale. Then assumed that school shoes must also be too small, so trogged over to the factory shop, queued for hours about 20 minutes, got new shoes home to discover that they're the same size as his current ones. Trainers must have shrunk or something!

I've also been spectacularly losing it with the boys in the last couple of days. I really need to learn some effective anger management techniques fast!!

Hey ho.

SC When I'm working I try to intersperse housework with computer work so as not to get too bored with either. It also forces me to take a screen break and move around a bit!

Ellie - hope everyone is feeling better tomorrow.

madwoman - at squirrels!!

Big waves to everyone else. Will post link to new thread in a mo.