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!!

Hi cuddled

I work full time and the zones are difficult. I basically stick to my morning and evening routines, which are the day to day tasks needed to stop the house getting worse (setting the bar low at the pushme house ). Then I try to spend 15 minutes a day in the current zone either doing a bit of clearing or clening depending on the state of the zone and my state of mind! I have a mental list of the things I try to do in each zone. For example my bathroom list is:

All empty packets and tubes thrown away
Spray grout with mildew remover
Wipe skirting boards, behind the loo and basin pedestal
polish mirrors and glass bathroom scales
Thorough clean of sink and taps

As long as i manage these at some point during the week i don't really stress about it. This seems to be enough for small improvements in the state of my house over time, although tbh it's not exactly glistening, althogh it is good enough to have people round most of the time as long as they're not too fussy

I am procastinating btw in case anyone has missed it! Should be going to bed but hungry for no good reason. Cba to get something to eat and cba ging to bed. Also have some paid work I really should be doing but cba to do that either!

I've acquired a lively DD and a host of her cuddly toys in my bed . I wouldn't mind normally but she's having a birthday party for elmo and it's very noisy! It's going to be a long night

Oh Blimey. Hope you got some kip.

I love Wednesdays, and I have a whole host of anti-procrastinating to do! I started early tonight (it's still Tuesday here, but it's weds in the UK) and went and got some cheques signed and invoices cleared.

I don't do inspirational posts. They make me want to throw the laptop out of the window. Them and the post-it's.

Pushme thanks for that advice - really helpful. Since I work part time I wonder really why I find it all so difficult. To be fair the house is fairly presentable most of the time it's just the deep cleaning I never get round to.
Thanks again.

Well DD is definitely of the sleeping is cheating opinion! Neither of us got much sleep but surprisingly I don't feel too bad! Quick list dump before mindees arrive!

To do:
DD and mindees to rhyme time Christmas party
Walk dogs
Clean out guinea pigs
CLEAN BATHROOM
Wash bathmats and towels
Wash DD sheet
Routines

BBL!

Anyone else suffering a massive attack of can-not-be-fecking-arsed today? DD is dressed and has had breakfast, I'm dressed (with shoes) and have had two breakfasts (6wks pg and ravenous all the time), and since then she has watched TV and I have MN-ed. Have to go out shortly in the pouring rain - walking of course, as I failed my driving test again last week. Hopefully once I've been out I'll feel motivated to actually do something.

Zombies oh god yes! Just having a 5 minute break (could end up being 2 hours now I'm online)
Didn't get Dd to school until 9:15, but at least we weren't last.
I seem to be drowning under washing.

I wanted to apologise for my last post actually, it was not vrey motivational, and not really in the spirit of the thread. I think my mistake was lighting the fire actually. Then I just didn't want to leave the nice warm lounge.

Have been out - it was a flu jab appointment so I had to go out or I would have just lounged around all day. Got back and did lunch, and tidied the kitchen, and put away all the clean washing. So I haven't been totally lazy!

ta da
play hunt the school uniform
finish stitching the hearts that were stuffed the other day/week
Make sock monkey from scratch - just needs arms and ears
Laundry x 2 loads
Ironing
folding
packing list for ds
pack ds' stuff
Sort out plan of action for tomo
Be very surprised that the book i ordered yesterday has been delivered to the shop already and I can pick it up

Next job clear out car

Actually Zombie, your post was pretty much the spirit of the thread. Why do you think we have a naughty corner complete with naughty corner bar and a sun room installed?

There's a naughty corner bar? I'm bringing my sleeping bag and moving in! Oh, except I'm pg so will be on the lemonade. Pah, that's no fun!

passes tray of drinks to TiredofZombies Worry not. You fit right in!!

Good luck with all your decorating plans over Christmas Bitchy Are you going to celebrate just a little bit for yourself though???

Waves to Cuddledup I shouldn't be handing out advice given the putrid state of my house atm (and I only work approx 9 hrs a week now + study for 15 and only 1 dd) but I think the idea is that you do as many 15 mins and 5 mins 'blasts' of chores that you can possibly fit in during the day and then, as clutter is gradually cleared and areas get gradually cleaner, it should take less and less time. Like eating an elephant. I think the ultimate goal is that one never has to deep clean because it has all been tackled in little bits. That's the theory anyway!!

Lauren hear hear what Toffee said about running the thread. It is brilliant of you to fit it in amongst the pre-Christmas madness and much appreciated!!

Sorry - only dipping in and out of thread atm - so no more personals but huge waves to everyone. Hope I haven't missed anything vital.

Finished huge present wrapping and card-writing bonanza at 4 am on Monday night for dh to post in London on Tues!! Then felt thoroughly unwell with migraine/cold for past two days but much relieved bulk has gone. Still writing cards and wrapping teachers' presents though ...and haven't ordered tree yet - yikes!!

Think it is going to be a very quiet Christmas for us for once (dh and dd absolutely exhausted so can only be a good thing) so just trying to get as much done now so we can enjoy it ...

Have received my xpat supermarket Christmas order and yay- now have J-cloths, Jacobs Cream crackers, Carrs table water biscuits, Marmite, salt and vinegar crisps, crackers and ginger wine!!

Huge wing flaps to all [Lays out tray of mulled wine in naughty corner]

I have baked today, cleaned kitchen, sorted laundry, tidied up, done 2 loads of dishwasher stuff and some food shopping.

Waves to all and snaffles SC's mulled wine. Mmm!

Today I have been working, and have also done the ironing and wrapped a few presents. Tonight there's a Zumba Christmas party which could be interesting. Earn a treat or undo all the good work??

DH is going to make cheese straws later. Remains to be seen what the state of the kitchen will be...

Urgh I have the lurgy! :(

Finished work today though so yippee!! :)

Tomorrow's list.

Friend over for a cuppa
Good tidy downstairs
Hoover throughout
Put travel cot away
Go to town
Wrap DH presents
Write cards
Write invoices
Deliver local cards/gifts

ta da
Got off sofa after replying to Zombies
More washing, ironing & putting away
Updated online shop for tomorrow's delivery
Went to green grocer for veg
Wrapped Dh present with Dd
Prepared dinner
Washed up & shined sink
Completed mission

I have a poorly DD and she is refusing to even consider sleep...ill be back at some point with tomorrow's basic links!

Oh - poor you and your poor dd Lauren Hope she feels better tomorrow and that you both get some sleep tonight.

Was just nipping on here to say 'g'night' so hope you don't mind but have taken liberty of doing links so you don't have to bother. Have a well deserved or instead.

*
Baby-step 20 for tomorrow here include laundry in your morning and evening routines - a good 'un

Thursday is errand day

This week we are in Zone 4 the master bedroom and the detailed cleaning list is here

Thursday's mission is change your bed

[snaffles Blue's dh's cheese straws] mmmmm

Hope your day got better Zombies

Well done Gothand Jax

Hope you feel better soon Nicknacks

G'night everyone.

Here are tomorrows links...

Tomorrow is baby step 20: including laundry into your routine. Another very good one! I did this when XP was living here, but now it's just me and DD I probably do it every few days instead as we make much less washing .

Thursday is errand day

Tomorrows mission is putting clean sheets on the bed

We are in zone 4: the master bedroom and detailed cleaning list is here.

Have a good Thursday everyone!

cross posted sc thank you though ! I'm going to sleep while the monster DD is napping!

Still here. Still surviving. Some silly bugger decided to have a parent's evening in the last week of term so it was half 6 when I walked in last night. I have done no flying but DH is doing a sterling job of keeping on top of everything.

No time for personals but welcome zombie. your post, as bitchy said is completely in the spirit of the thread. Can't be fecking arsedness is precisely the reason i am still here after 3 years.

Morning all!

I'm so tired my head hurts

Today's to do:
School runs
Cancel cervical screening and rearrange

That's it, the rest of the day will be snoozing and cuddling DD!

BBL!

Dressed to lace up shoes and ready for action !
Quick question - what do people wear when doing their house work. I wear an apron but I really fancy one of those old fashioned wrap around house coats you used to see a zillion years ago in black and white movies of the 50's. Anyone know where I can get one ?

OFf to tackle kitchen....

Sorry didn't get there early enough with the links last night Lauren!! Hope you can catch up on sleep tonight!!

Cuddledup nothing so glamorous I'm afraid - I wear navy blue trackie pants and navy blue or white polo shirt - tis a sort of uniform for cleaning/cooking. Bit of a bugger though cos I have to "change" when I go out ...
Not sure where you would buy those wrap housecoats but loads of vintage sewing patterns available on line nowadays such as here if you are nifty with a needle.

Great your dh is stepping up Elliewhen you are so snowed under

No more time for personals - last day to finish card writing/present-wrapping/organising/do loads of laundry oh and dd has given me more work as craft projects she was working on for christmas presents for her friends went horribly wrong last night and she is terribly upset so I have offered to help. Carol concert at 3.45 too.

Good luck surviving all the madness everyone. Keep going!!