There will be no soot in the Fledglings sacks as they FLY through December and into the New Year

[laurenamium]

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 blue for leading the thread through November (and sc for such a good OP, which has been cut and pasted twice!) and I'll post the first babysteps and mission tomorrow evening.

All welcome!!

err flying? nope not here.

Also I can safely say i do not have shoulder length hair.

I am taking a duvet day tomo. no flying, no anything other then sleep and rest. It is much needed considering the physio made me cry.

Good morning all, I am starting to ache after my marathon blitz, my arms and knees are killing me so the idea of a duvet day sounds good bitchydragons. Hope you feel better this evening.

Yesterday's Ta Da list
cleaned little bedroom and dining room - just have curtains to iron and hang back up
did Tuesday and Wednesday bathroom mission
lots of decluttering in dining room - I am hoping to have my kitchen and dining room turned into a dining kitchen in the spring so put some stuff up in loft
dp mended the loft hatch that has been broken for weeks
retrieved Christmas decs from the loft
walked the dog - all the trees are covered in ice, it looks beautiful but is freezing.

Going out shopping today, so not sure how much else I will achieve apart from today's mission.

Morning all, I fancy a duvet day too, DH has developed a habit of nicking the duvet in the night and I keep waking up, then his snoring keeps me awake. Add that to the col dI've had this week and I feel like going straight back to bed at the moment. However, things to do. I'm working this afternoon instead of this morning so I'm going to do some 15 min room rescues upstairs, make the spare bed and finish my Christmas cards. Also get out all the remaining unwrapped presents and try and get them wrapped, make sure I haven't missed anyone etc.

Bitchy - hope you feel better after a bit of rest
Advent - hope your aching limbs recover a bit too
PMPY - I have that sort of stomach too, unfortunately the rest of me isn't particularly slim either though. Not surprised you're struggling with that schedule, have you got some time off over Christmas to recover?
Swan - we never close doors in our house, in fact we haven't got many. It is fairly snug though. When we lived in a house with the stairs in the lounge all upstairs doors had to be shut at all times to stop the howling gale of draughts.

Morning all! Me and DD are cuddled up on the sofa with a duvet keeping us warm as I type .

I have done the school run so no more work until half 2 today! I'm going to visit my friend this morning though, I would rather just stay here all day cosy and warm!

To do:
Visit friend
Wash bathmats
Sweep kitchen floor
Today's mission
Routines
Walk dogs
School run later

BBL!

Had a cheat day yesterday on the diet, which meant I crammed as much carbs in as humanly possible then spent the rest of the day feeling sick and lethargic, even had a nap on the sofa, I dont think I'll be having a cheat day like that again in the future. Lost 4 lb though which is good, and I'm getting used to the taste of vegetables, haven't done much flying, but the house has remained manageable and most aspects are passable for visitors.

Ta Da

Ironed curtains and hung up, made bed in little bedroom, christmas presents now stored in here
bathroom mission - bathroom now finished
2 loads of washing done and hung on clothes horses to dry
decobbwebbed kitchen, wiped down paintwork, walls, altered clock which was still on summer time, cleaned half worktops and cupboard doors, cleaned floor - having a break whilst it dries.

To Do - not necessarily today though

Go shopping
Finish kitchen worktops/cupboard doors
Clean fridge, microwave and other gadgets
Clear window ledge and clean window
Wipe everything before I put it all back on the worktops
Iron and put up dining room curtains

With the help of the cleaner, I managed to blitz the house today and now it is looking relatively tidy and clean . The challenge now is to keep it this way until Christmas.

I have won the first round of the battle of the XBox. It ran for two days and included a lot of tantrums, insults, pleading and tears. I really did feel that we had slipped into the teenage years. DS1 finally agreed to delete the game and told me that he would be honest from now on. He then proceeded to pretend to delete it whilst I watched (he did this twice!). So much for honesty. However, the game has now been deleted for real and he has his XBox back again - for now.

Swan - if your head is itching after hair dye you should steer well clear. The allergy can get worse and there have been some really nasty stories about people getting allergic reactions to hair dye. Maybe you could find a PPD-free hairdye instead? I think they do exist. I always use the patch test 48 hours before having my hair dyed, as I worry about having an allergic reaction to the dye.

Bitchy - hope you are feeling better today.

I'm gutting the upstairs thanks to 2 mindees being on holiday meaning I have done lovely days of just after schoolers. I'm loving how it will look- decluttered!

Still here....still no flying. Currently trying to keep on top of the basics as hallway is still being decorated. Nearly there though and am rather excited about having a hallway I don't have to rush people though.

I have a lesson observation tomorrow so am currently pooping myself about that and will probably not sleep tonight as a result. Doesn't matter that I have been teaching 12 years, they still scare me.

Back tomorrow.

Hello, hello ... just passing through. Hope eveyrone surviving pre-Christmas madness and passing viruses.

So sorry to have been awol. Been laid a bit low of late (nowt serious) and am now hopelessly behind with Flying, Christmas prep..; well, everything really. My heart isn't in it this year tbh but trying to get a (late) grip on things for dd's sake. Only way I seem to be able to summon up enthusiasm is to leave it all to last possible minute and then go for it (worryingly adolescent behaviour for a 48 yr old I know!)

Agree with whoever said about needing a couple more hours of daylight per day(think it was you Gossip)

We are still in midst of end-of-term concerts/ballet displays/exams + bronchitis [sigh]

Internet is terribly slow at this time of night so won't attempt to catch up with entire thread right now.

Just wanted to say

Trazzles thinking of you and sending positive vibes as ever x

Castlelough so terribly sorry to hear your v. sad news

Justgettingonwithit Hope scary CAB advice that goes against the grain works out for you. Sorry to have barked up wrong tree (re: state of habitation issue) and hope uneasiness proves unfounded. Hope you are OKx

Shifty A belated happy birthday!! Hope you had a good 'un!!

Ellie hall sounds great! (Don't be like us and neglect to finish it off. We had ours done in summer and it still doesn't have coat hooks, light switch covers or lightshade or any form of storage. Coats, hats, scarves and gloves can consequently be found draped over banisters, sofas, dining room chairs etc ) Good luck with observation tomorrow - you will rock it!

Great to see you Pushme!

Hope Bitchy Whoknows and everyone in Toffee and Nightshade households all recover from wintery ailments (and anyone else who is suffering)

Engels good luck with in-law Christmas food shenanigans. After years of making humungous efforts trying to please (and never managing to do so) I have now officially stepped away and stopped trying!

Swan can recommend these products Excellent advice on site too

Blue my default setting seems to be " unjustifiable chaos" unfortunately ....

Thanks for links Lauren - keep warm!

Hello to advent (sorry forgotten if you are newcomer or namechanger!!)

Must go and settle clammering rabbits (if that's the right adjective) can't think straight ....

Vigorous wing flaps to Feetheart PA MercuryNicknacks Honu Purpletoes Jdub Arses Kirk Madwoman¨Carpe Cranvery and Zebra and eveyrone else I'm sure I've missed ....

Trazzles just read on other thread that you have a horrible cold on top of everything else. Just what you don't need. Hope you recover v. v. soon x

Hello, is it too late for me to join? I'm a bit late to the party I know... I'm more of a lurker than a poster anyway, and I promise I won't be any trouble.

I did try to start flylady a few months ago, but fell off the wagon without ever really having been on it. I did manage to get myself in the habit of making sure there were no dirty pots by the time I went to bed, which has stuck, and has made a difference.

So, I've been looking at the flylady site again, and I'm just wondering how closely you guys follow it. There's this Big Tent thing, do I need to sign up and look at that? It's a bit overwhelming to be honest.

Personally i'd say stay out of the big tent. Don't sign up for the emails. Exactly for the same reasons as you have just meantioned. It gets a bit overwhelming. Just follow the daily links that the thread leader posts and it becomes less intimindating.

Tired I am a fan of the e-mails BUT I only get the daily digest. 1 handy email that pings in to my inbox around 7am. I read it while getting ready in the morning and I find it really helpful.

So ner, everybody else

I also get the daily digest and tend to skim read anything I think might be useful (almost none of it).

Don't touch the big tent or the multiple emails. For an approach that is supposed to help you deal with clutter it really is an amazing amount of junk.

I'm going ok with flying. Not any major changes but I am getting stuff done and going to bed with a clean kitchen.

Today is an email and phone call day. That and finishing the paperwork for my visa application are my ONLY jobs today.

Hi all! I'm only just stopping and my eyes are closing so a quick link drop then bed for me!

Come on in tired

Tomorrow is baby step fourteen using a calendar have I read this wrong?

Tomorrow is Friday which is cleaning out our car and handbags/purses.

Tomorrows mission is cleaning flat surfaces in the bathroom and clearing away craft areas elsewhere.

*

It's DDs birthday tomorrow so I'm taking her to soft play and have family coming over for a low key tea. Then I have party food to prepare for Saturday so I probably won't be on til later tomorrow! Have a good day everyone!

Happy birthday mini Lauren

Happy Birthday to Lauren's daughter.

Hi to tiredofzombies I signed up for big tent, but don't get any emails, I just follow the links posted on here each day. I am on my third month of babysteps, and have developed quite a good morning, teatime and evening routine. I work full time, but have had this week off work to blitz the house ready for Christmas. Hopefully then, I will be able to do the mission each day to keep it tidy.

To Do list for today -

I have to stay in and wait for a parcel
Finish cleaning kitchen worktops/cupboard doors
Clean fridge, microwave and other gadgets
Clear window ledge and clean window
Wipe everything before I put it all back on the worktops
Iron and put up dining room curtains
Walk dog if parcel comes before it gets too dark
Babysit for two year old while his brother goes to swimming lesson
Wrap some presents for nephew and niece to take at weekend

Have already done today's bathroom mission, but will sort out my knitting pile in the living room.

Many happy returns of the day to your dd Lauren Hope you have a good 'un!

A very warm welcome to TiredofZombies

Just swooping in from a messy, dirty, cluttered house.

Ta da
washing on (including 2 sets of DS clothes and bedding after vomit and 2x exploding nappies this morning - and it's only 10am )
washing up half done

To do
Finish washing up
Change outside bin (I thought DH had done it after rubbish from kitchen disappeared, but all he has done is start a new bin bag in the shed on the back of our house while not changing to bin itself )
Wrap Christmas presents
Finish Christmas shopping (I need to pop out and get some yummy things/socks to top up DH stocking)
Work out what we're eating tonight
More washing
Hoover upstairs
Change our bed
Wrack my brains for what else I need to organise for Christmas festival at school next week.
Put name labels in DS clothes for nursery
Thre must be more!

And the Christmas lights have stopped working

Thank you everyone. I'm feeling quite motivated, so fingers crossed I manage to cross some things off my list.

So far I have filled up the sink to do the pots that DP has generated this morning, but I won't do them until after DD has had her breakfast (she has already eaten DP's toast so she's not starving :) ). Then it's shiny sink time.

I've already organized the kitchen notice board, which wasn't on my list but I somehow found myself doing it, so it's one less thing to do later.

The real problem I have it all these bits and pieces that don't really have a home. They end up congregating on top of the bookcase and the pile only ever gets bigger. So that's something to work on each day.

Have a good day everyone.

Happy Birthday LittleLauren.

Welcome to TiredofZombies - finding a home for everything is key I think.

Engels - oh no to all that mess from DS.

Well, the pressure's off a bit here, the ILs have phoned to say they can't some today as their dog is ill, which is a shame, but it certainly eases the workload a bit. They may still come tomorrow if he's OK then.

So, to do:

Two lots of washing
Present wrapping round 2
Card writing - nearly finished
Wait in for Ocado
Finish tidying upstairs - big job!
Make a pudding to take to a friend's house for pot luck supper - cranberry and orange meringue pie.

The DCs have gone off to school very happily, both their classes are having pyjama/DVD parties this afternoon, lucky them!

Think I might make a start with the pie making and a nice cuppa.

Woken up feeling like i have been hit by a truck. Considering everything I am going into hibernation.