Making a New start, Stepping into the New year

[BlackCatinChristmasChaos]

Hi all, After a pretty rough ride last year (2012) I think I feel ready to start again with babysteps
So who's with me for the journey?

Old and new steppers are welcome!

Lets do this one small step at a time!

adorabell you're doing great. it said somewhere on flylady that we try to do too much in one day and give up because that level of effort is unsustainable. that's why we need baby steps. it's good that you feel you've had leftover time (despite having done loads) because you'll be able to keep going

Morning all, DC are back to school/nursery so I have 2 hours alone time. Gonna have a coffee then get started on some jobs.

So far I have:
made bed
breakfast for all
got everyone dressed
done school run
now need to make a to do list.

Morning everyone. Mine are back today too. It makes a real difference having to get dressed and go out it think. We did nothing yesterday. We sat and watched Harry Potter all day! Three and a half films.
It was great to be still for a while though. I got loads of my crochet done. :)

Today I have:
Done breakfast
Made the bed
Got everyone dressed
Put on a wash
Done school run
Put above wash in the dryer

To do list:
10 mins in the kitchen.
Shopping
Put washing away
DW
Washing up
School run to pick up
Take ds2 to football
Take dd to Brownies
Dinner
Shine sink

I've been looking at Flylady's plan for the kitchen this week and I think it's going to work really well for me. I tend to get carried away when I start cleaning something and then run out of time. It's almost like I have permission to stop now and I don't have to get everything perfect all the time. It feels overwhelming sometimes.

I think I like Flylady's philosophy.

morning everyone.
yesterday we got all the Christmas decorations back into their boxes so we are clear today to clean down the sitting room.
So
washing. ironing, dishwasher sitting room and getting everything ready for school today.

boys are having one final pj day before going back tomorrow.
TOWTH I think you are totally right, flying does seem to get to grips with the long term clutter whilst not insisting that you are spending all your time preening and polishing your home.

Morning all!

Yesterday I managed a 15 minute blitz on the kitchen and another one on the living room. I also managed to do a bit of art/craft work which really pleased me ( tends to get squeezed out!)

Today so far I have gone to a Drs appointment and done an hours work. Just off to do another 15 min blitz on the living room and set the dishwasher off before doing another hour's work

This is what frustrates me. A week last Friday I really blitzed my bedroom and it was lovely to have it all clean and tidy. I then managed to do quite a bit of cleaning and sorting in the kitchen but it still needs more (wiping down doors and cleaning floor). Ididn't manage to get any work done in the living room while I was still on holiday but managed 15 minutes yesterday. I'm pleased with what I have achieved...

However, whilst I have managed to keep my bedroom fairly tidy, the dust is beginning to collect visibly on surfaces again and it annoys me.

I haven't even started on my workroom, spare room, or bathroom but meanwhile the stuff I started by doing needs doing all over again!!

Does anyone else find this? What's the answer?

I have fibromyalgia ( so limited energy) and I work full-time so I'm limited in what I can manage.

Adora- I'm feeling somewhat better thank you. Your MIL story made me smile. When my DM phoned on Friday she asked if I had time for a chat. I said I was trying to get jobs done but I had 10 mins or so. She said "Well I've got 3 minutes" She then proceeded to talk for about 15 mins! Competitive busy-ness I think!

NKunderstood ( or should I just call you John Lewis!). It's great that your DH is willing to come to the family services. I feel happy for you

Collie - well done on moving rooms ( and all the cleaning involved!)

HellesBelles - it sounds as if you are doing really well!

Well as promised, I have started today. All be it with a name change, new year, new name.
I have spent about ten minutes starting the sink shine and everything is now soaking in bleach. Kind of handy as ds1 started to cry and needs a feed. Kids are back at school at last.
So far I have
Dressed dd2 & ds1
School run
Made beds
Put on two loads of washing
Dried one load
Folder and sorted one load
Tidied kitchen
Started sink shine

I still need to
Do 30 minutes exercise
Cook healthy meal
Put washing away
Finish sink shine
Sort a few more eBay things. I'll aim for three items
While caring for ds (3 months)

Oh my that looks like quite a lot!!

Helles My list is a little bit longer than the babysteps. What i have every day is basics like one load of laundry, dried and put away, dishes after every meal instead of leaving them until after dinner and doing one big wash up, clearing up the toys twice a day instead of leaving them take over! I love your idea of making the could and should lists, might push me on to do a bit more!

I started babystep 7 last night. Only DS1 is in school, but have to take DS2 with me, so like him to be washed and dressed too. Was soooo much easier having everything laid out!

Did my to-do list last night and i have most of it done already, i'm so pleased with myself!

Bathroom swished and swiped
washing is dried and put away
Fridge is cleared and rinsed out
grocery shop is done and put away
living room is decluttered and tidy
toys were put away at lunch time
kitchen table cleared away

Just need to
Sort clothes for tomorrow
Make soup

Have a lovely day ladies!

whatname Thats an impressive list, especially with a 3 month old! Well done!!

I seemed to have slowed down now. I can get loads done in the morning, but he cluster feeds in the afternoon and seems to be permanently attached from 3pm. I have managed 20 minutes exercise and a shower! I might get to finish the sink shine when dh gets in?! Oh well, I can but try! I will have to try laying the clothes out the night before, I do it for dd2 I don't know why I don't do it for me and ds?

must must must get off bum and do ironing.
have hoovered through sittingroom
fed boys lunch
think there is about 1 hours ironing to do and really want it done before DH comes home from work.
also want boys to do one last thank you letter to my parents who took us to the panto yesterday for our christmas pressie.

whatname my ds2 is 13 months and find the mornings the easiest too. Its bloody hard being tied to the chair with them. Still, you have gotten absolutely loads done today, you can sit and enjoy the cluster feeds guilt free!

Afernoon!

I haven't done much today DCs back at school tomorrow so I start properly then. Yesterday I sorted the lounge, Xmas gone, back to normal and blitzed it properly. Need to do the same to the kitchen tomorrow although I am going to make an effort to tidy up tonight rather than leave a kitchen full of pots and pans for the morning.

Hello all! Full of super good intentions with my new house, and NO MORE PROCRASTINATING...

Now, where does one aquire 'shoes that tie' (TM)

another batch of soup cooking for scout camp.
tomorrow night's food for the slow cooker is prepared and in the fridge.
shattered now but still have tasks to do:
hot spot
clean ds shoes for school tomorrow

Yay to super good intentions Kato.. without them you really will get nowhere.

have done kitchen - all shiney and ready fr the morning
boys school things ready for tomorrow
1 hour ironing done (sadly still over an hour left to do)
dinner made (brilliant mix of the leftover veg we had roasted in the oven with some bacon)
Thank you letters done

hope everyone has a good night.. back tomorrow

I completed my list today. Unfortunately there was no Brownies so that was a wasted trip.

I think I'd rather turn up when there is none than miss one though. Dd loves it.

I'm going for a long, hopefully child free, soak in the bath!

Sounds like we all had a good day today!

I've just sat down after putting the kids to bed. The house is so tidy (well, the downstairs. And as long as you dont look too hard!). Kitchen is spotless, lunches are made, uniform and dh work clothes are ironed and put out, DS1 school bag ready to go, toys are put away, have a yankee wax tart burning and the house smells lovely!

Hi all, Sorry I don't get on here much. The DC use the computer quite a lot for playing games so I don't always get chance to get on it and Mnet.
I have done small amounts of different jobs today so some progress has been made.
Jobs I have done include:
shopping, paperwork sorting/shredding, washing up/drying up, cooking dinner, helping DD on the computer, bathing DC and bedtimes.

Having some me time now and Mnetting.

Well done everyone, it sounds like you've all been making great progress!

arti I know what you mean about the dust messing up the bits you've actually cleared! Once I have cleared somewhere I try really hard to keep it that way & having an area clear does mean it's easy to just quickly wipe over with a damp cloth - but I don't live in an old draughty house, so where does it all come from?!

We spent most of the weekend assembling flat pack furniture for DD1's room, moving her old stuff into DD2's room & putting everything we need to get rid of into the dining room - I have a well used For Sale board at work, so will be advertising a variety of cupboards up on there this week! I've also sorted some of the kids clothes, 2 bags to go into the loft & 1 to sell at the second hand shop.

I've just had a bath & done my hair. Bags are all packed for tomorrow, just need to pop downstairs & make my lunch - am hoping that DH has done the sink!

Today has not gone as planned. I didn't get home until gone 9:30 p.m. I am tired.

Evening ladies, thought I'd check in before I go to bed. I'm impressed with everyone's successes. I shall add my own..

My ta da list (love that phrase - read it up thread):
Breakfast made for everyone
School run done
Washed and dried 4 loads of laundry
Lunch: soup made out of leftovers and DD really enjoyed it
Walked dog and DD
Cleared a massive hotspot aka kitchen table
Returned all dressing up stuff from all over house back to DC's room
Afternoon school run
Made homemade pizza for kids dinner
Bathed kids
Wrestled with ironing a king size duvet - way harder than I thought! Is there an easy way?
Checked school & nursery bags for tomorrow

And that's enough for today! Work tomorrow will be interesting as I have a voice like the blonde girl from Captain Caveman. Zowie Cavey! Throat not sore, just sounds very hoarse or squeaky depending on if it actually makes a sound at all. Odd. DS finds it hysterical.

Hello again everyone. I know I don't get on much but I am following my routines and adding bits and bobs most days.

I am impressed by the lists I have seen. I haven't managed to read the whole thread but I just wanted to say Hi! and to say that I am still with you all, doing my bit to control our wayward household.

Thanks Helles, I am learning to break things down and pace myself, much to my OH's bafflement. Today I vacuumed downstairs, cleaned bathrooms and washed towels and bathroom mats, which are still on the line but it's so hot here they'll be dry by the time we've had breakfast. DDs emptied DW and it'll go on soon.

Other than that I've spent time sorting uniforms and finally got around to watching a film that DD1 was desperate to watch. One of the Twighlight things, she's in preteen love with Robert Pattinson and OH can't watch anything even vaguely occult so she's had to wait for him to back to work. after the film we went out to get uniforms for the next school year, starts in March, had a spot of lunch then did the supermarket run for the week. Got home just before 9pm.

Tomorrow DD are starting volley ball, I'll be in the gym and then they'll spend a bit of time swimming. I have no idea what flying I'll get done tomorrow.

Collie I hope your voice recovers quickly. My DDS always love it when I get laryngitis, the evil little monsters.

Hello Carrots

too tired to post. still on track.