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!!

chuckling at the metaphors things and loving the tree cookie! I remember explaining the concepts of metaphors (and similes) to ds a long time ago, he was entranced by the idea and is normally pretty good, then we have the odd moment - I told him the other day he must be in his sister's good books, and he was very quietly thinking for ages then asked me very cautiously, "Mummy, does she actually have some good books?" He had realised it must be a metaphor but couldn't fathom it out, I think. Once he has worked them out though he loves them!

[thinking of Fly issue to post to stay on topic] I am working on menu planning this week, trying to get eating sorted out > energy in the evening > before bed routine > clothes the night before - everything fits together doesn't it? So my one Fly goal for today, on top of shining sink and picking up living room, is to menu plan for the week. Wish me luck ...

[frantic waves to everyone from depths of naughty corner. Lays out plates of s for now and arranges and corkscrew for later on]

Returned from guilt-inducing "under the wire" (ie didn't inform family or friends) three-day flit to Blighty on Sunday afternoon. Felt so happy to be back in UK and so sad to leave - but am now in dreadful slump! [And the putrid untidy house that welcomed us on return didn't help either!] Always feel a bit miffed at missing bonfire night too!

Really behind with thread but hope everyone is ok!

A warm welcome to cheeseandmushroomghostie and crazycake

Thanks for links blue.. did you opt for zumba or choir in the end?

Lauren and wheeeek wheeeeek at your new arrivals!! How are they settling in? Rabbits are fab but miss my gps very much - especially their vocalisation! Gp and equine management are v. similar in many ways so you are already an expert!

Justgettingonwithit so sorry you are still battling with sludge and all the rest. As Swan said, it sounds simply awful. Hope compensation comes through soon and IN FULL.

Bitchy sorry to hear your ds had an accident at school and that you've been having a tough time recently - glad you were able to avoid a&e though - hope he (and you!) are recovering! Hats off at yesterday's mega-list too!

Toffee I am a huge, huge fan of Frank Cottrell Boyce - his writing - his attitude to life - everything really! Have a fab book in which he has describes why he is still a Catholic and I read it at least four or fives times a year when I find myself fuming about something RC church has done or is focusing on... Congrats on Tudor House completion btw!

Chairmum/Dizzy I hate dealing with vomit too and usually end up up-chucking myself. Had really strong stomach prior to having dd, then pregnancy ruined it all!! Dettol is my friend though. Add to a couple of inches of water in a bucket or add to water in loo and it obscures everything (visually I mean) and strong smell masks horrible odours (sorry if tmi)! Also good for scrubbing any suspect areas afterwards! You can buy huge bottles and mini portable ones now too.

Decorating sounds fab Gossip congrats on all yr hard work. Could do with some minimalism over here ...

PA/Swan if it's any consolation I have serious communication probs with my lovely Polish cleaner. We speak to one another in a combination of pigeon English and French. Because she is so willing to please she says "yes" but I've recently come to realise that she doesn't really understand what she is saying "yes" to!! I'm trying to overcome my guilt/awkwardness/lack of organisational abilities and be much more "directive" than feels comfortable but most of the time I just wimp out and do the things she has missed myself afterwards!! Also, it depends on the personality of the cleaner tbh. I've had loads of different ones over the years and some don't touch anything unless you say specifically ie they might leave old, dead flowers in vase for fear that you still want them ... or are very confident and move everything and initiate cleaning out the odd kitchen cupboard or something.

[claps hands over ears and eyes at Swan's mention of body-clutter]

arf at exploding egg Whoknows and talk of literalism/metaphores in general. Have a hard time explaining "it's the bees knees" in French!! Hope school runs are not too onerous and that you are not over-doing it.

Madwoman sorry you had to go through such difficult work traumas but hope resignation decision/not working suits you and your family better and glad you don't have to work out notice. Your sentence ">For me it seems so tied up with my self esteem - I've found not doing paid work quite difficult, but this experience has made me realize that it really isn't worth my mental health doing just anything" is exactly my position too so can really really sympathise with your situation. I think it's the position many expats/trailing spouses find themselves in tbh. Of course much easier for me with only one dc etc but left good interesting job (fab/interesting job for life really) in London to join dh over here. Then did a load of vaguely related but lesser frankly shit jobs to be able to hold my head up/retain modicum self esteem. Then got thoroughly fed up with those and got depressed at lack of options... now just do very basics but in damned if you do, damned if you don't situation really. Brain is slowly addling too ...x

I could have written your post Scruffy here's to decluttering success in Nov!

Engels thought of you the other day when 'Ik Vertrek' came on the telly! Lovely Dutch couple had bought gorgeous place in the Dordogne for peanuts ..

Systems I am living in fear of "dropper-ins" atm!! Hope assessment gives you the answers/support you need and good luck with menu planning - having a structure to weekly meals has really transformed my life.

Feetheart hope your ds has a lovely b'day tomorrow

Glad you are all feeling better now Nicknack but how frustrating about mindee's parents not following 48 hr rule ...really selfish to you and other littlies present ...

Mahoosive wing flaps to Trazzles Nightshade Notquiteperfect *Honu
Ellie Castlelough Carpe Maggot Consils CaptainHoratio Trumpalot Paneer Shifty MrsHoarder Issima Sowornout and eveyrone I've missed!

Ignored the missions for the last 2 days: got a phone call yeterday asking me to confirm that the nurse could still come for DS's blood tests this afternoon. Took one look at the surfaces/sofas downstairs and decided to do a cupboard-stuffing tidy for them. It at least looks presentable now.

Got my Christmas pudding ingredients in today's delivery too. Unfortunately can't make a start on dinner, its something that only DH can make and DS is napping!

Ta-da!

School run
Rest for 90 mins
Light tidying - half an hour
Made a playlist of all the songs DD needs to learn for her drama show
Lunch
Paperwork in front of the TV - starting my new OU module this week.
Prepare dinner (meat and curry sauce from a jar, plus salad)
DCs brought home from school by a friend
DD to ballet and Rainbows with the help of my mum
Fed DS
DS sent to Cubs with a friend's mum
DS home, DCs to bed
Rest.

DD gave up ballet in favour of drama at the end of summer term, a few weeks ago she told me she was missing it terribly, so I have decided to let her go back but she is giving up tennis (she loves drama too). When I took her back to the class today she walked in and the other girls all cried out "DD!" and gave her a hug, it was really sweet. I enjoyed seeing the other mums too, I have missed them. So that was nice. Night all.

Oh dear, between all the food programmes on telly and one thing and another, I've failed at the MNing at a decent time thing again!

I will let SC's big catch up serve as a round-up though. :)

(SC - I can do both Zumba and choir if I go to the Tuesday choir group. Prefer the Monday one though. Was fine when I could do Zumba on Wednesday, but that class has been cancelled... There are loads of other Zumba classes, but hard to find one at a convenient time and location with a good teacher... All too complicated!)

Anyway, on to the links.

Babystep 7 - pick out your clothes the night before. Another good one!

Mission is cleaning out your fridge Fat Fairy style.

Wednesday is also Anti-Procrastination Day, which officially I use for filing. It's time to do the jobs you keep putting off!
***

Might actually be around with lists tomorrow too... Night all!

Gossip your wallpaper made me laugh love the persistence. What is new colour? I love the way on this thread everyone is battling with completely different things...all the time...I think this thread is full of energy, really it is

SC oh now I feel cross that you came to UK without telling us! Hope it was not London you sneaked to

Whoknows ballet and drama do go together don't they, wise child dd.

Quite a good day
made a nice chicken curry with trimmings
dd piano lesson [scales need work - piano teacher looked accusing]
grocery top up/ attempted meal planning...
family therapy. which was quite funny although I don't think she meant it to be . Children came up with some good ideas though.
dd and I watched re-run of Downton last part. It is beginning to irritate me that they never wear the same outfit twice
talked to mum
talked to sister
talked to SIL
coffee with friend
cleaning lady was here! that seems to have taken up a disproportionate part of day and completely exhausted me, however kitchen is nice and clean, and she found a hoover that worked, so I am very grateful to her.

Good day yesterday:

Did morning routines
Went to PO
Decluttered lounge (we'll ignore the bin bag of "stuff to sort" hidden behind the sofa)
Declutted kitchen and cleared out fridge before online order arrived
Puzzled at the 2 hams which I'd apparently ordered (not on meal plan but were on confirmation email)
Cooked an emergency dinner because DH was working late and the meal plan was for something only he can cook (always have one "store cupboard day" for this reason)
Got DS to sleep at routine time (not 2 hours later as has been getting more the problem)
Did most the washing up

Then was woken up several times in the night because DS has learnt how to get onto his front in his sleeping bag but can't get back so cries to be flipped back. Is it acceptable to peg the sleeping bag to the mattress?

swan lucky you having a cleaning lady!

Today:
Do morning S&S
Put washing on
Tidy above cupboards in kitchen
Pay professional subs
Email people on list of due emails

Morning all! I'm keeping up with the thread but just list dumping mainly!

sc you are right, it's just like having a horse you can't ride but on teeny tiny scale , and they are inside so you don't get cold

My 20 minute ride out yesterday ended up in me getting completely lost and being out for 2 hours, so my butt is aching today!

To do:
Put DD laundry away
Wash kitchen floor
Clean out car
Walk dogs
School run
Mindees to rhyme time
Routines
Pick up dog poo
( I did today's mission on sunday!)

BBL!

DS2 woke up crying and complaining that his tongue hurt. He can't speak because it's too painful, so he is off school today and booked in to see the dr this afternoon. Anyone have any ideas about causes of a sore tongue? He doesn't seem at all ill and there are no visible ulcers or spots on his tongue . He does have dodgy breath though, which might signal an infection, I suppose. He has managed to eat cereal for breakfast and is writing notes to me instead of speaking - at least it's good practise for his writing and spelling!

Will attempt home ed with DS1 and 2, but not sure if it will work. DS2 is very enthusiastic about joining in, but DS1 usually hates it when he's with us too and won't work.

Lots of washing to do today . It's the putting away that I hate.

Hope you all have a good day.

(Oh, and any fans of 'Walking Dead' seen the latest episode? I had to hide under my cardigan!).

MrsHoarder I remember a lot of sleeping bag issues (dd used to be able to unzip hers and shimmy over the cot rails, so we put it on backto front, and then the zip was only reachable halfway up). We used sleeping bags till they were 2/3 years, we had a whole variety!
Have you tried using a very light summer sleeping bag, so he can still grip with his knees and feet and turn himself back, and lots of additional cellular or wool blankets? That could be a good compromise. I find with a heavy duty quilted sleeping bag it is too heavy for them to manoevre inside. LOL at the two extra hams! I wouldn't mind...they last forever...(think medieval rafters)

Toffee have you checked it isn't glands in his neck...mumps etc? Despite the MMR it still seems to crop up, if booster doesn't take. Definitely give the home ed (formal sort) a miss today. I was thinking I should be writing Xmas cards/ask children to start on theirs, making Xmas preps today, as it is anti-procrastination day...

however
It is time to deal with THE CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS. which will take an entire day. I have been promising myself I would deal with this once dh started working from home as he can help me put the heavy stuff in the loft/shed if need be. It always seems an unsurmountable job.
I also need to buy these elusive hoover bags online
And make tonight's supper in advance as it is Beavers helping night. (Ottolenghi beef stew from Guardian weekend, I am going to try something new and inspiring. It looks easy )

Toffee - I quite often get a sore tongue and gums when I have a cold, it feels a bit like when you have over indulged in strong salt and vinegar crisps and is very annoying. Hope he feels better soon.

Lauren - ouch to sore butt.

MrsH - DS used to do that flipping over in his sleeping bag thing too, very annoying.

Laundry crisis here last night (would have been this morning if the DCs weren't in the habit of putting clothes out at night now). Ever since DH has been in charge of laundry stuff keeps getting lost. DS couldn't find a clean polo shirt last night, despite having had 6 new ones this term and yesterday being the first school day for 1.5 weeks, turned out thy were still all in the bottom of the basket from the week before last, ewww. I am looking forward to getting my routines reinstated.

For those of you who have joined the thread recently, I'm not normally this slack, I'm recovering from an operation a few weeks ago, DH and his efforts at housework have been trying my patience somewhat but he is doing his best. I come on here to let off steam because I would feel mean saying anything to him.

That's a good idea about Christmas cards, Swan -very organised of you. My MIL has already given me some cards, but I am irrationally infuriated by them (I like to choose my own cards as we have very different tastes, but she always insists on giving me a box of hers).

And no, his glands aren't up. He seems absolutely fine apart from the painful tongue. I can't think what it might be.

That's good advice about missing formal home ed today. I think it will be more of a 'playing-at-school'-type day today. DS2 wants to do times tables, which will be useful revision for DS1, so we'll probably listen to a times table CD and then do some reading together. DS2 wants to write a story too.

Good luck with the cupboard under the stairs. I did mine a few weeks ago and still get a glow of achievement whenever I open the door.

X-post, WhoKnows. That's interesting about your sore tongue when you get a cold. I hope that's all it is for DS2. He does seem very lively and very active, which is a good sign.

Sorry about the washing crisis. I hope DH is beginning to appreciate how you keep the routines going normally.

DS2 has written me a note asking to make pink milk like Charlie and Lola. I think it might be a busy day.

awww toffee hope ds's tongue gets better soon, swan its black cream and grey stripy wallpaper which I finally got swapped with the spare roll that I had for the lounge. but my it was a mission to get it.

Well today I'm hoping dp will sand the frigging door before he goes out, then I can gloss that, sort out the kitchen and start painting the ceiling, I've also got to do face painting for a fundraising event this evening, after school with 3 boys, until dp comes home from work. So its a busy busy day today. Dp's just said he'll leave a bit earlier so he can have the childrens while I do fundraising, hoorah!! He's also growing a tash for movember, hes completely bald, with dark eyebrows and his tash is fairly light, I'm glad its only for a month .

Hmm, just got another biggish job come in on top of what I was planning to do today. Better stop procratinating on MN and do some work.

Maybe less house bleugh today than planned too...

Kettle's on though. Anyone for a cuppa?

Blue I know the feeling, but dp's mum is coming down next week, and I want my house to look nice for her, well the down stairs at least and it is slowly improving room by room so i'm feeling better for it, but the only problem is once i get one room done and dusted it seems all of the junk ends up just outside the door of that room, the worst part in my house right now is the hallway.

DD seemed fine yesterday morning so packed her off to school when I then pottered around the house not doing much. DH home late from work so ordered an Indian which turned out to be a bit pants :(

3am comes and I am rudely awakened by DD telling me her tummy hurts! Cue full on nurse mode - dosing out calpol, rubbing tummy, squeezing on the edge of her bed whilst she throws her arms round my neck. Managed to get back to my bed after 45mins, then awoken half an hour later by her telling me she's still in pain and is then up and down to the bathroom with the runs every 15mins for the rest of the night! She is curled up on the sofa in her pj s under a blanket watching cbbc.

I have managed to:

• wash bedding off her and our bed
• another load in
• washed kitchen floor And am about to tackle some ironing after I have found some matches for my eyelids!

oh dizzy :( hope dd gets well soon.

Afternoon everyone

Still in depressed slump mode here. I have no idea why !
Can't motivate myself to do anything other than surf for 'cobs for sale' on-line!! Found three beauties ... but just not practical while we live in city.

DD is exhausted. The trip at the weekend took it out of her (we had bad delays on rtn journey owing to high winds so got in later than planned on Sun) and school have gone mad with homework since then. I've let her off ballet this afternnon because I found her fast asleep on the sofa when it was time to get ready (Wednesdays = half school day here) and I know dh - who would drag himself to a meeting even if half his leg was missing - is going to be extremely cross with me about this decision when he gets home. And I know he's probably right [sigh]

Castlelough see you in the naughty corner later maybe ??!!!! All welcome!! [Puts aside crate of aside, extra efficient corkscrew, and shines a few glasses ...]

Toffee I used to have v. bad anaemia (totally cured/under control now thankfully) but one of the symptoms was a very very sore tongue. Maybe worth checking out with doc tomorrow???

Good luck with extra work Blue

Sorry your little one is still ill Dizzy and that you had such a tough night last night. Hope you can catch up on a bit of r & r tonight!

Hope you get more sleep tonight too Hoarder and arf at mystery hams. When are you going to make your Christmas pudding?

Gossip sympathies with cluttered hallway situation. The more I clean out the boudoir - the taller the stack of boxes on the landing becomes! I've basically been shifting crap from one part of the house to another for over 8 yrs now ...hang on .. could that be why I am feeling depressed ... possibly!!!!! Good luck with fund raising tonight and arf at your dp's moustache - are the two connected I wonder??? Arf at your wallpaper persistence too!!

Vent away Whoknows dh finds it impossible to keep track of clothes for some reason too. Very sweet re: the girls at your dd's ballet class

Swan hope cupboard of doom not proving too onerous. I cut out same Ottolenghii recipe at w/e btw! His dishes normally contain a wearisome number of ingreds, but that one looks do-able. (We only made it to Hythe and Canterbury area this time btw!)

Lauren argh at getting lost! Still, sounds like a good workout for horse and rider! Do you take phone with you when you ride? I have this thing that attaches to upper arm outside coat. I occasionally ride in forest where I am always getting lost (every branch of every path looks exactly the same esp. when leaves are on the ground) and keep having to phone dh

I'd better reluctantly get on and do something. [Surveys piles of washed clothes on chairs/unpacked on-line shopping boxes on dining room table/suitcases and sports kit in hall/general chaos on first floor and whimpers]

My sister is coming back on Friday for a quick post-op check up (she had a minor op here a few weeks back) and although she is even messier than me if thats possible I think even she would be shocked at the state of this house atm.

Huge wing flaps to everyone!

Clothes the night before is the babystep I need right now, that will be my goal when I get home tonight after a very scrabbly-around morning this morning trying to find all the bits of school uniform!

WhoKnows our most recent proper laundry crisis was on Saturday when, with half an hour to go before Little Kickers, I realised ds' football shorts were halfway through a wash in the machine ... managed to get them out, but getting them dry enough in that time to satisfy a sensory-picky child was another issue entirely ...

Hope all those with sick dcs are well on the mend soon.

Just lost long message. Back later

Aargh, bloody kids. They have been messing me about tonight and I am not feeling very strong physically or mentally at the moment. Nothing really bad, just not getting on with stuff and a bit of backchat. DH has only just got home from work too. back later.

face painting went well and of course more people want me to do parties :) we raised collectively £346 for a prem baby unit tonight which was just awesome :)