The Fledglings' nests will be clean in 2013!

[superfluouscurves]

(With many thanks to Jdub for title inspiration!!)

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 (although some Fledglings find the compilation e-mails helpful)! 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 vocabulary along the way).

Huge thanks to Lauren for being our incredibly reliable and organised shining star in the East and leading us throughout the very busy month of December!!

Happy New Year Fledglings!!

All welcome!!

I feel like a zombie atm. might be something to do with the combination of late night, reasonable morning start and meds.

soooo much todo today short todo list: whole fecking house

Hopefully fledglings are getting lie ins.

That should be it was not pretty

a quick post

to do
put away huge pile of washing and ironing I sorted last night
general tidy and clean to recover after Christmas
sort out stuff for school
get everyone to bed early

last one probably the biggest challenge after 2 lazy weeks!

Hello, I used to post here (iss imma) before disappearing to have dc2. He's now 6 weeks and the house is a tip! What with cluster feeding and a toddler to contend with, it's baby steps all the day, and i do love a good list!

today
Washing and tumble load
All washing away
Clothes ready for tomorrow
Tip
New shoes for dd
Tidy dd's room and change bedding
Sort understairs cupboard (everything is sorted but on the living room floor, shelves going up today I hope!)

ta da
up and moving
bathroom - hot spotted
my room - room rescued (although a small amount of unhome clutter on bed yet to be dealt with
ds' room - room rescued
landing - hot spotted

Now for breakfast and proper coffee!

Morning all. We've got visitors coming later today so need to have a good "putting away" session. The place is not too bad though, so I'm waiting til DP gets up, so that he can help :)

Ta da:
Baked scones & rock cakes
Washed up

To do:
Vac lounge
Clean hearth & take ash bucket out
Put clean washing away
Dust everything!

Morning. The boys slept until 9am!!!!!
SC Thanks for the oven cleaner link. Migt have to get myself to Lakeland......
Ha Castle After all that, I didn't even shine my own sink I often have to give myself a bit of a talking to and remind myself that it's progress not perfection we are after.
SC Hope you managed to get your kitchen and playroom straight before bed, and if not that you can do a bit today.
Trazzles Glad treatment went ok for your ds.
lori I get up at 6 and spend 10/15 mins trying to persuade the boys to get up! they are really good, but I need to keep a constant eye on the living room and occasionally call outs to remind them of what they are supposed to be doing. Now I don't allow them to put the tv on until they've eaten breakfast and got dressed. Then they can choose either a bit of tv or some time on their ds's as a reward.
We leave the house early because it takes about half an hour to walk to the CM and then I liketo get into work early to get myself sorted for the day, check planning (if there is any) etc etc
madwoman That's great re decluttering the bedroom, well done.
Peppa Congrats on the birth of your dc2.

Right, not much in terms of a list from me today. I did it all yesterday.
Finish morning routine
Ds1 to do homework
Dig out bags for school
Make the weeks sandwiches for packed lunches
Ironing
Book-bath
Go for a drive
Afternoon routine
Dig out my TA handbook for a meeting that's either tomorrow or tuesday
Boys to bed early
Before bed routine
Bed early for me.

That'll do, that'll do.
Have a good day everyone.
Dp's just got up so think I'll go for my book-bath, and yes, it's exactly as it sounds, I get my book and I get in the bath. Heaven. nbIs better with a bottle glass of wine, but suppose it's a bit early for that

Despite eing up for 3 hours I still haven't started my marking. heading up now. But nothing like a bit of schoolwork-avoidance to get housework done and waste time on MN

Ta da
Bin emptied
Yesterday's wash away
Wash on

Computer now going off and I am sitting down with silvery's DS to do my homework

haha Engels Now if you'd set a timer and done 15 mins a day........... (joking)

ta da
up and moving
bathroom - hot spotted
my room - room rescued (although a small amount of unhome clutter on bed yet to be dealt with
ds' room - room rescued
landing - hot spotted
dw unloaded reloaded and about to be run
pots washed up
benches and cooker top wiped down
2nd load of washing on
ignore clean clothes mountain on dinning room table
continue returning items removed from my room for redecorating to my room (although slightly lower standards of sorted required then hoped)
christmas decorations down from ds' room
Give up trying to get stuff returned and find somewhere suitable to store until it can be attacked properly.
Drink more coffee!!!!
Cook tea so it is ready for the various returning travellers to pop in microwaves and reheat.

I am absolutely bloody knackered already how is it only just coming up to half ten?

I have just done a long post to everyone who posted this morning - and lost it . Hadn't saved it, of course.

I can't do it all over again, so will just wave feebly at you all and wish you all a happy day and best of luck preparing for work / school tomorrow.

And a huge congratulations to Peppa .

To do :

Load d/w
Wipe down kitchen surfaces
Get dressed
Swish and swipe
Dry washing in tumbledryer
Lunch
Swimming with DS1, his friend and DS2
Preparations for school for DS2 - polish shoes, lay out uniform, etc.
Preparations for home ed
Evening routine
Bed at decent hour.

MadWoman - well done on decluttering the bedroom! You have your inner sanctum back.

Bitchy - good luck with the whole fecking house!

Lilleth - hope your Dad is doing ok

Trazzle - glad DS is doing fine

I had a few unwelcome cleaning jobs to do yesterday. DH took the DSs out in the morning to get their hair cut, and DS2 started looking poorly. Brought him home and as I carried him inside he was sick everywhere, all the way up the stairs, etc. So a poorly DS2 to look after, can only assume he caught it from someone at the airport who travelled when ill..... And LOTS of mopping up, washing down, etc to do. Sigh..... So in the last 3 weeks I have had 2 bouts of chicken pox, one very badly sprained and bruised leg and a bout of noro virus to deal with. Sod that!!!

Have managed to get about 40 minutes of ironing done this morning, so the ironing mountain is slowly moving towards being a hill instead.

Off to get some more things done and then come back with a ta da list later.

tada

• wash up
• change bedding

to do

• wash up 2X
• Shine sink
• finish coursework
• Go for a run
• Fill out petrol form (I get petrol money back for one of my courses if I send in my receipts)
• Dry old bedding (currently in washing machine)
• put bedding away
• plan my week.

Not sure if it will all get done today as Im feeling a bit deflated with it all. Seen todays daily focus of renew your spirit, its so true what Flylady says You have to love yourself to get your home in order though Im just feeling in a bit of a lazy day and not do anything. Though apart from going for a run (which I just CBA to do) it will take me 3 hours to do everything so its not a long time as it will be in spurts. So I will try, it might make me feel better. Also I will feel good later as one thing I love about Sundays is having a bath and getting into a nice clean bed. Its my weekly ritual and has been for as long as I can remember. Actually I think Im feeling better already and have a bit more get up and go. Still not sure if Im going to go for a run or not this aft.

Spoke to my mum this morning, she's in much better spirits today so Ive decided not to go down. She said my dad sounded upbeat too.

DD2 is transfixed with Rainbow Have we ever discovered if George is a boy or a girl? Im still not convinced either way.

Thank you for your wise words Silvery you must have been doing flylady for ages to be so wise about it. Perhaps I need to add to my daily mission to not be such a perfectionist

SC hope this year starts to get better for you, hope your Inlaws get better soon.

Trazzle Glad the Chemo went well.

Now DD2 is transfixed with Button Moon

Anyway now Im feeling a lot better than when I started this post so will get a few more things done now Im more in the mood. Still dont know about a run later.

Have a good sunday everyone.

LPLate hope your ds is ok.
lilleth glad you're feeling better and that your parents are in good spirits today.
I'm a bit of a perfectionist and really quite anal. I know how I like things done and I get stressed and anxious if things aren't done my way. I am very structured and love routines (is why I fit in so well in an autistic class).
I've been FLYing on and off for 3 years but the reason I started was, I think a bit different from everyone else's.
I started this when I was at my lowest point of PND, when I was struggling the most with lack of control, when I realised I was spending more time cleaning than with the kids.
This system helps me to not do things to often iyswim. I can be a bit obsessive so this is helping me let go a bit. But then I obsess over list. Am also trying not to make dp live by my control journal but it does bother me if he does something on Monday that's Tuesdays job.
God I need therapy!

Like Engels I too am procrastinating from marking the 32 essays sat on my desk on the topic of war memorials. Like Engels this means I have been quite productive this morning.

Ta da:

washing on
dryer unloaded
dryer refilled
swept floors downstairs
tidy downstairs
washing up
swish/swipe
tidied hall
sorted clean washing
Sunday lunch prepped and chicken in oven
played with Ds on Xbox.

To continue the procrastination I am going to have a bath ( can't possibly mark while dirty ), have lovely lunch ( can't possibly mark whilst hungry ) and then go to see dsis ( can't possibly mark if not in house ). therefore my whole day constitutes marking avoidance . I may consider doing it tonight in front of tv .

ta da
up and moving
bathroom - hot spotted
my room - room rescued (although a small amount of unhome clutter on bed yet to be dealt with
ds' room - room rescued
landing - hot spotted
dw unloaded reloaded and about to be run
pots washed up
benches and cooker top wiped down
2nd load of washing on
ignore clean clothes mountain on dinning room table
continue returning items removed from my room for redecorating to my room (although slightly lower standards of sorted required then hoped)
christmas decorations down from ds' room
Give up trying to get stuff returned and find somewhere suitable to store until it can be attacked properly.
Drink more coffee!!!!
Cook tea so it is ready for the various returning travellers to pop in microwaves and reheat.
finish taking christmas tree down.
30mins in kitchen

Right have to go out must finish off more when i get back before going out again. Running on coffee today.

Wow, I seem to have missed a lot! I'd love to shout out to individuals, but this is the third time I've tried to post and I don't want to be interrupted again!

I have a washing machine again!

Ta da:

Washing on, dryer on, washing taken upstairs.
Shined sink, Dishwasher on, Kitchen floor mopped.

To do:
More washing, despite a lovely friend doing a load I'm still behind and I need to do nappies desperately. Been using disposables and I hate the smell.

Lunch and dinner to accomplish, preferably early...

those fairy cakes I've been planning to make since about Monday...

Bath, early bed.

That will do for one day!

This is certainly a very busy thread, all these posts are inspiring me to get on, now I have read the very funny anal parents thread.

Yesterday's Ta Da
Usual morning routines (make bed, swish and swipe, tidy kitchen, washing on, wash any pots etc)
Been shopping
Visited DD and partner
Get boxes out of loft to pack away christmas tree/decorations
Put stuff back in loft together with new camping table I have just bought
Wednesday and Friday's missions
Think about doing some ironing
Cook tea
Wash up again and tidy kitchen - delegated to DP
Went to cinema to see The Hobbit

To Do today
Usual morning routine - had lie in and very lazy morning
Walk dog
Monday house bleugh, don't have time on Monday, so try and get it done over the weekend
More washing
Actually do some ironing instead of just thinking about it
Make sure bins go out for tomorrow
Long soak in bath
Evening routines

Morning routine done ish, (not dressed to slippers)
Wash towels done
Wash clothes done
Tumble and stuff nappies done
Swish and swipe done
Pack school bags done
Put dinner in slow cooler (chili) done
Take down decs and make a list (!) of what's in each box done
Clutter hotspot
Load DW ongoing
Put out recycling and empty bins
Put holdalls in u/s cupboard done
Put clean clothes away done
Evening routine
Ironing
Packed lunch

I really can't keep up with this thread

silver It?s just taken me 4 hours to get my exam group marking done ? so 15 minutes a day over the Christmas holidays may have done it!

DH and DS are now both asleep and I really should press on with some more planning or marking but right now I cba.

I cba to go for a run either Lilleth though I really should. I ache from yesterday?s shred and it looks miserable outside.

Happy procrastination day ellie. I would rather do anything than mark. I may even go for that run?

to Peppa -congratulations

Engels re marking & sick face for lunchbox! I think that would have gone straight in the bin.

Hello to everyone else

Dh did a spot of teaching adult education (who knew!) and said he would default mark a 7 unless after skim reading it was dire or exceptional. Thank god he doesn't teach now!

Am doing Monday cleaning today (just works out better for me this week)
So done
Morning routine
Windows
Changed bedding
One load sheets washed
Cleared & washed cat litter tray (how far can this cat spread litter )
Cut Dh's hair - possibly a bit too much
Vacuumed
Washed bathroom & kitchen floors
Bins emptied

to do
Dinner
Wash up & shine sink
Dd bathed & stuff out for school- yippee!
More applications

Bliss, Dh & Sd just gone out, I've an hour on my own!

So do I get on with my jobs, or sit with a cup of tea and the net MN for a while?

My word you lot can talk!

Busy day today just getting bits and pieces done for back to school tomorrow :(

So list looks something like this...

Homework ds1
Homework ds2
Lay out uniforms
Pack kits
Wash on
Get ds1 middle school paperwork together
Get cm paperwork ready for new mindee
Shower all three dc plus hair, cut nails etc
Set alarm
Tidy kitchen
Mop floors
Hoover stairs
Text parents

Well that round trip of 3 hours was annoyingly pointless. Get to either go back on tuesday or on saturday.

tada

• wash up 2X
• change bedding
• Fill out petrol form (I get petrol money back for one of my courses if I send in my receipts)
• Dry old bedding
• plan my week.

to do

• wash up after Tea
• Shine sink after washing up
• finish coursework when DCs are in bed
• Go for a run not gonna happen
• put bedding away going to do it now

So its kind of coming together now. Had a lazy day though.

Yey to having a washing machine again Kirk ours is on its way out. My fingers are crossed for it to last until I get a job (currently looking and applying, but not getting anywhere)

Will be back later to check tomorrow's Flylady mission.