Fledglings Remember to FLY through November...

[BlueEyeshadow]

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 wine 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 Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings. Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound (and you may discover a few of our subversions of the vocabularly along the way).

Many thanks to SC for leading the thread through October (and for such a good OP, which I've blatantly cut and pasted) - - and I'll post the first babysteps and mission tomorrow evening.

All welcome!!

swan it was a project I had started in june, I'm glad its finally over. I am now finishing the one I started in august, and is coincidentally the one that I had to frog right back and start again. That baby was born six weeks ago, and the one I've just finished was born about a week and a half ago so I'm not doing too bad, I also have one for a baby that's due any time soon and I've done two patches so far so I've got to get this one finished, to get that one done, and while I'm feeling like poo will be the best time to get it done I think.

Shhh - but I am gradually moving stuff into the extension although builders still all over the place. Last week I was using 3 different rooms for meal preparation but this week it is all in the kitchen. This w/e I even used my dishwasher for the first time in 8 months. Moving in is very slow as all the stuff piled in boxes is covered in dust and needs washing first (no dirty stuff in my new cupboards!)

DH is still not moved in as it all needs to be very clear for him, but perhaps next week. However they've not started on the groundwork yet so we can park his car outside a door with level access (sigh).

I shall be so glad when they've gone! I really feel for you Just

Morning all.

Continuing the crochet tangent, I have finished DS1's replacement scarf. The rows are hopelessly uneven but he seems pleased, whicj is the main thing. I want to get some white wool and do quick little snowflake decorations for a bit now.

Boys are at the CM today so should get some flying done as well as work. Back later with lists. Got pitched battle to avert...

I'm planning to do crochet snowflakes too. At the moment I am working on a granny stripe blanket like this granny stripe and a MN Little Hug.

Declutter bedroom for 15 minutes
Hoover bedroom
Clean sheets
Clean bath
recycling
Routines

(I am aiming fairly low today)

Morning all. Very impressed by all you crafty crocheting people!!

Sorry have been awol - rl has been a bit demanding/busier than usual.

Hope you are all OK!

To do:
morning routine inc dw on, wm on, s&s, rabbits fed and watered done
clean kitchen a bit more done
ignore everything else that needs doing and go and clean rabbit indoor area downstairs in prep for handymandone
direct handyman towards what needs doingdone
find a letter
newspaper recycling
write a couple of letters
finish on-line parcels [sigh]
laundry
tidy play room, hall & sitting room
change towel cloakroom
school run (half day here), lunch, hwk supervision, ballet run
call doctor/repeat prescription
prep canvas with gesso
evening routine
early night

A very warm welcome to Happy

Whoknows good luck with your consultation today. Will be thinking of you x

Hey Honu hats off to you for putting up with all that building stress for such a long time - but great to hear you are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel

Gossip am impressed by your projects! Hope you feel better soon.

Toffee Good to hear your ma is better and arf at the gems from your ds2!! DD had to write half a few lines about her half-term holiday which read "we went to England and ate Kentucky Fried Chicken" (a rare not-often-allowed treat) - no mention of Chunnel, educational tour of Canterbury cathedral, or visit to Howletts...
Any news on puppy front btw? A friend of ours has just acquired one and it made me think of you ...

Hope things do look a bit better after good night's sleep Bitchy Good to hear you are getting a bit more support from your ex too.

Thanks for links Blue and v. happy for you re: weight loss!! Brilliantly done- also find of £1 bargain! (I remember the days when I was thin and clothes buying was so much easier!)

Swan I aspire to a hoover on each floor!! Sorry to hear about dh bureaucracy and ds hwk difficulties and hope all improves soon. Enjoy sole control of the remote control tonight!!

Systems sounds as though you have a good grip on the Flying at the moment

Hope date night went well Lauren and no lasting ill-effects from sweetcorn-up-the-nose incident!!

Sending virtual strength and courage to Justgettingonwithit How you are putting up with continuing sludgefest I just do not know

Nicknacks hope you are ok x

Big wing flaps to ¨Trazzles PA MrsHoarder Sowornout and Castlelough Engels Feetheart Ellie Madwoman Consils and everyone else I've missed

Had better get on. Time for school run in 40 mins .. crikey that went quickly ...

My Ocado order has arrived
I don't need any more food for a month [or two]
done
put some away
three children off to school, homework crisis ds2, note, lost sock for ds1
recycling

and incredibly annoying bureaucratic phonecalls of my own to school to try and find out how ds1 could possibly ever have been marked late when he attends 4 early morning groups so has to get school before most people Why do I have to waste all my time on this, when I should be discussing his actual schoolwork with a teacher???grrr. He is NEVER LATE, and HATES being late (unlike his mum)

done
left messages for three different teachers/subsets of school bureaucracy

to do
still have to chase up Science and RE teachers on completely differently matters
find a tutor for ds2 (where????) no-one seems to have any recs except for 11plus tutoring (or dyslexia which he doesn't have)
try and think about xmas presents...not a clue.
decide whether ds1 will have the strength to sing in at a mass in Chancery Lane the whole of next Sunday afternoon or whether to wimp out...

put some dates on my calendar! I am still avoiding this

tell all the invites on the mantlepiece to bog off!! I hate parties.

Alright, revised plan for today
put all soft drinks behind sofa in cool place
put all wine ditto
change sheets on one bed
sort out pasta cupboard
remove art stuff from low cupboard and replace with veg/fruit (cool place)
find Xmas cards from upstairs crate and put on my desk
tidy clean laundry
s & s loo
walk neighbour dog at 2pm
what's for dinner, shepherd's pie, to cook/freeze 2nd batch
arrange babysitter for Beavers

We were considering holding a Christmas party ourselves, swan - thought it would be a Good Thing to do - but DH and I decided last night that we just couldn't cope with the stress!

Honu - glad you are nearing the end of your building works. That has taken a long, long time. Will it be sorted by Christmas, hopefully? Did you know I have an inspiring Maths teacher for my DS1 now? She is brilliant, full of enthusiasm and he loves her. I thought you would approve! I always remember your advice about getting him a teacher who was enthusiastic about Maths (and that is certainly not me!).

SC - the puppy idea was put on hold whilst I was recovering from pneumonia and post-pneumonia exhaustion, but we are hoping to get one in the New Year. The beloved Border Terrier is staying with us at Christmas and we will find out then whether she is pregnant or likely to have puppies soon. It not, we will look for them elsewhere. Ideally, we would have one of hers, though, as she is such a lovely dog.

I love your DD's description of her half-term holiday, by the way . Why do they do this to us?

Have had a very productive morning home educating DS1. He is anxious to work hard to persuade me that he is mature enough to cope with 18 certificate XBox games - I'm making the most of it .

My Ocado order is here too, Swan. Certainly not enough for a month . Have got some nice treats in there though.

Oh, forgot this was a Flying thread for a moment then. I have turned the dishwasher on this morning - that is all .

Waves to everyone I've missed.

Just sewing ends in on blanket, I'm thinking of starting the edging this evening then when the kids go to bed I am going to gloss the upstairs it may encourage dp to finish off the wallpapering, he sometimes really needs a good kick up the arse !!

Thanks for the welcoming me in!

Done this am:
Finished attaching first 2 rows of crochet blanket 1.
Finished sewing in pesky ends of the first row of blocks for crochet blanket 2.
Tried out a few different ways to join blocks and decided on a new way (will be much quicker than blanket 1, and needs to be.)
Started the edging and completed one side, measured and decided to keep number of rows/columns as planned for.
Fed pets/livestock.
made kitchen sink shine.
got dishwasher going.
pottered around tidying up.
Sorted out recycling in kitchen and 1 bathroom
tackled large pile of assorted articles in bedroom. sorted into 2 give away bags and 2 'try to sell before giving away' bags. Took photos of the things for sale and advertised most of them.
Arranged to take DD to try on a bargain coat this evening.

Still to do
some lesson planning for tutoring (major achievement.)
Ironing
Possibly make (to freeze) lemon cake & chocolate chestnut cake, if enough eggs.
Meal planning from what we have at home already.
Sew in pesky ends, crochet together and add as I go, 2 more rows for blanket 2. (This will be a major achievement.)

Oh, and stripping main bed & washing linen, leaving out clean for DH to put on.

Mmmmmm - yes please Toffee

You fit right into this Flying thread Happy - nice long list with only fleeting mention of Flying :o
And some of us wonder why we are still here, and still need to declutter/tidy/sort out/etc nearly 3 years later!

Much sympathy on those with self-employed DH's (another one here) and other halves who don't seem to appreciate what is involved in keeping house and home together. As for the inability to put stuff away/in the wash basket/etc. It is a force-field you know, around everything, that only the chosen few can overcome

I have been lurking but not posting much and Flying can be described as 'minimal' at best. Last week was taken over with illness (DS off for 3 days) and then recovering from illness i.e. catching up on work that was missed whilst tending to the sick. Then the w/e was a whirl of gymnastics, music school, parties x 2, 4 hour dance rehearsal and DH working. At least DS and I got out in the fresh air and picked lots of rosehips which are now halfway to becoming syrup :)
I can't believe it is Wednesday already this week - it's all going too quickly.

Ta da today:

• All up and out though DD could have been a LOT more organised so DS and I didn't get the stressed out, stroppy backlash
• Fail to get DS GP's appointment - grrr at 'book-on-the-day-only' appointments
• Frustrating time re school disco and whether or not it will happen
• Sent text to DJ
• Work

To do - going for Bitchy's power of 3:

• Bolognese out of freezer for tea - 2 extra children so go for old favourite
• Washing hung up and rest of Morning routine done
• Write report

Lunch first though.

right [still chewing bone of how ds1 could possibly have been marked late) - there is only one day this term he was late according to the Pupil Services team who have gone through every date with me (medical appts, Strings etc), and that happens to have been the first day of term. Which doesn't make sense...does it? I am determined to get them to wipe his record clean [grrr] But I have expunged 3 out of 4 days so I am going to ask for a letter confirming this.

Cleaned out the art cupboard and found mice! well just droppings...it is a very cool cupboard with a hole in back to outside. So alas no use for pasta...but it will be the tins cupboard now. So that is why the cats stood there so intently waiting for something!!! I wonder what those poor little mice ate..only face paint was remotely edible, unless they used brightly coloured tissue paper for their nests...[aah]

Ta da:

Unloaded d/w
Reloaded d/w with more washing up
Put dark wash on
Put Ocado shopping away
Threw out old food from fridge
Emptied kitchen bin
Put out (numerous wine bottles for recycling
Put out milk cartons for recycling
Wiped kitchen surfaces
Swept kitchen floor
Put carrier bags away in cupboard
Tidied dining-room table (covered with home ed stuff)
Made lunch (soup)

Stopping work for an hour's chat with a friend now. Then up to school to collect DS2.

Swan - our cats stand intently waiting whenever I open the fridge (they can hear it from anywhere in the house!) No mice in there hopefully and no cat food either - it lives on shelf
Well done on getting rid of 3 out of 4 'late marks'. I'm with you on sorting that out. I'm not always good at getting to places on time but we have never been late for school in 5 and a bit years, completely breathless maybe but never late :)

very quiet on here today...I feel guilty to be posting again so soon

and all I have done is!

wait for it...

continue putting Ocado shopping away, there is no room for it...

so massive decluttering of old stuff ensued - Jerk Marinade back to 2007 anyone?

Dh is away so the children have been a bit mardy, but we managed to get through. Ds1 had a hideous screaming fit though over his RE. I read him story of Stairway to Heaven/Jacob's Ladder etc and asked him what Jacob left to mark the dream (it's all stuff about Covenants)- to which Ds literal as ever replied, He left A Stairway to Heaven (playmobil? Led Zepplin recording?) No, a stone pillow, Ds. Then I tried to get him to watch a version on Youtube, whilst he wrestled the computer from me in order to watch a trailer for Breaking Dawn. I don't know...You can take a horse to water..
Dd told me a sad story about how her Dad used to do a special Friday night performance of dancing soft toys for her, and now he doesn't.

Ds2 cheered me up by playing with some Playmobil. I would willingly buy him more toys if only he would just keep playing instead of demanding screentime.
But he seems to like putting things together. Not Lego mind you, that is too easy.

Alright I am going to spend 20 mins loading dw, and clearing worktops, then go to bed for early start tomorrow.

Ta-da

S&S bathroom
Upstairs dusted
1 Load laundry done and put away

Not so good:

Washing up is still lingering
Recyling bin needs moving in from porch (it was very wet earlier)
Nappy bin needs emptying
Baby needs to go to sleep.

I'm lurking. But tissue paper nests... Awwwwww.

Evening all,

Swan - I've had the Ocado delivery pass for 18 months now and cannot imagine doing without it. I do sometimes get carried away and over order though giving myself food clutter.

Feet - glad you are all feeling better.

Happy - good to have another crocheter on the thread. I have just made a little hug blanket for the Mn blanket projects, it ws he first time I have tried joining squares and I found it quite hard even though it was only 9 of them and they were supposedly identical. Just need to sew in th ends now.

MrsH - hope baby is asleep now.

Ta-da!
School run, morning routine
Work
Top up shop at Waitrose (spent £40 ). Might not need a second Ocado order this week.
Home for lunch and watch Doctors. Got sucked in to watching it while I was off sick and there is a very entertaining MN thread about it.
Spent an hour updating calendars, clearing handbag and purse, making list of Qs for doctor
Hospital for post-op check up
Cook dinner
Dcs to bed.

Check up went well. The prolapse repair was successful. However I have another, more minor one (which I did know about so not a surprise) which is quite likely to get worse now so the surgeon has referred me to physio for help with pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle advice etc. One of the things I have learnt this year is just how many evey day things put a lot of pressure on the pelvic floor, including many forms of exercise. He has also said if the other one does get worse I can self refer straight back to gynae and bypass the GP. A lot of ladies on the long running prolapse thread have been fobbed off repeatedly by GPs, so this really is a good thing. Ladies you really should do your PFEs, don't end up like me!

Also I am back on the body clutter mission. I have put on about 9lbs since the op and guess what, carrying excess weight does your pelvic floor no favours . I'm not going back onto MFP, it just encourages me to eat to the limit and have treats, I am just going to stick to the portion sizes I learnt when doing it before and cut out as much unecessary stuff as possible.

Housework - not much today. But I am pretty well back to my former activity levels, just no heavy lifting for a few more weeks, so I intend to get my routines going properly again soon.

Evening all. It's been a slightly stressful one here, so will just do the links and be back tomorrow.

Babystep 22 is about building a control journal.

Mission is to declutter your dresser (ie chest of drawers).

I'm up early for once, woke up to ds3's screaming fit for juice. Going to get dressed and put on some make up then get ds3 dressed in case dp needs me for the school run :) then I will actually do some flying today !!!