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!!

Sorry about MIL and not being able to go to the funeral SC. If you can keep up with Flying with all that going on you're a superwoman quite frankly.

Baby-step no. 11 for Fri 11th Jan is a "take it or leave it" sort of step creating an 'inspirational' page for your cj [proffers sick bucket]

Tomorrow will be our last day in Zone 2 (the kitchen) here

Try and declutter for 15 mins in the current zone per day.

If your kitchen is already decluttered, you can progress to detailed cleaning

Tomorrow's mission is to sweep and mop the kitchen floor

Friday is declutter car and handbag day (again!)

The habit for January is keep shining that sink!

And if I've missed anything or you want a quick reference to tomorrow's tasks, have a look at tomorrow's flight plan which should update daily.

Hope you have a good day tomorrow everyone!

***

x posts

Thanks Doublemum - "keeping up" would be miraculous as I haven't really started properly yet .

Yes, would love to attend cousin's funeral but daren't risk travelling when we may need to do separate mercy dash to mil.

How did task juggling go today btw (working from home/hwk and reading/Flying etc???) Hopefully will get easier as it goes along!

Sorry about your cousin SC, and MIL as well.

Boozy mincemeat ice cream sounds fabulous! We had mincemeat tart with almond pastry and brandy butter ice cream on Christmas day this year, which was pretty darn good, though I say so myself.

Lost track of the rest of the thread a bit, but boys will be at CM tomorrow, so will have to try and get some flying done - all descending rapidly into chaos here.

Big waves to all. Night!

Task juggling didn't go well, but mostly because I wasn't really at home. So sink is clean but rest of house really isn't. In fact we may need to start living in the sink.

Huge unmumsnetty hugs for sc! If you need a real life break let us know, I don't mind taking over links but ill be rubbish at round ups! You're doing an amazing job with it all as ever!

Today's ta da:
Posted parcel
This weeks missions apart from tomorrow's
Cleaned bathroom
Walked dogs
School run *2
Kitchen hotspots
Dog poo
Washed bath mats and towels
Washed dog beds
Put my laundry away
Routines
Paid bill

I think that's everything! Ill be back in the morning with a to do!

SC - so sorry to hear about MiL too. It does seem like a lot all at once.

Toffee - :o at talking non-stop record. What is it with 6/7 yr old boys - nothing stays still for more than 3 seconds.
Bitchy - sympathies for you too, they can be Hard Work at the best of times. Hope you got some sleep last night and feel better today.

Swan - hope you feel better today too

MrsPennyapple - pie sounds wonderful. DH is a HUGE pie fan so book may find its way to him for his birthday next month. I bought him Hairy Bikers Live tickets for Christmas so it would tie in nicely. Can't beat a good pie!
'Pat belly' made me :)

Got most of my list done yesterday, only the Flying related things (hoovering and missions) got missed . Sink is still shiny and kitchen clear - if I can keep it clear over the w/e when people are around it will be a Big Achievement.

Enjoyed having a nose at the filming set-up for Splash whilst DC were diving (its filmed at our shiny new pool) Show might not be up to much but lighting rig/camera positions/etc were fascinating

Today's list:

• Printed off posters for School Assoc - done
• All up and out
• Call in to neighbour and try not to be there for 90+ minutes - she is poorly and lonely but it is eating into my day rather a lot!
• WORK - still catching up
• Sort out ticket cock-up if possible (managed to book Cirque du Soliel tickets for all of us but now realise we have booked for Friday not Saturday . Really hope we can sort it out as it would be DC's first time seeing them and DH and I haven't seen them since before DC came along )
• Phone calls
• Hoovering
• Missions
• DD to dancing

Best get moving.....

When I say a stray item dash I mean putting everything back in its rightful place. Takes ten mins tops.
I didn't get anything else done last night. Just shined sink now
Will def try to catch up later.
Have a good Friday everyone

Morning all!

To do today:
Routines
Write shopping list
Food shop
Fruit and veg from shop
Walk dogs
Clean kitchen and bathroom floors
Pay another bill
School run* 2

I only have school runs today and only DD in between so in theory I should get a lot done have a nice day everyone!

Good morning

done
Morning routines
Wash load on
Washing put away (should have done it last night)
5 min tidy up in lounge

to do
Wash up
Wash kitchen floor
Cat litter tray then wash bathroom floor
Make a few phone calls
Collect Dd
Dinner, wash up, shine sink

list seems suspiciously short, I'm sure I'll find something productive MN to do

Morning all!

SC so sorry about your cousin and MIL, it's so tough when these things happen individually, let alone when they keep piling on top of one another. Thank you for all your summaries, they've really really helped me in my first week of flying - and my house is so much improved in just 4 days. Just got to see if I can keep on top of it over the weekend...

Doublemum your post about living in the sink made me laugh ! I'm sure your shiny sink will distract anyone who comes round and they won't notice any other mess, even if you do.

I had a bit of a fail this morning as I forgot to take the washing out of the machine and hang it out to dry before I left for work, so it is sitting there festering. At least it's only tea towels, cloths, bibs n' stuff like that.

Tada
Not much really
Up, showered n' that
BF DD
Sandwiches made for DH & I
Somehow managed to leave 10 minutes late - and even I can't blame scraping a minimal amount of ice of the windscreen for a whole 10 mins lost. Thanks goodness traffic is so much lighter on a Friday so was only in 5 minutes later than I was aiming for.

So, to do
Hang washing out
Put more washing in
Put DD & my clothes out for tomorrow - NEVER done this on a w/e before!
Empty dishwasher
15 min declutter
Mission - mop kitchen floor (gave it a quick vac last night)
Vac lounge
Shine sink
Put stuff on eBay - despite saying I'd do this everyday, I've only managed to put one item on last night
Deal with letter re. legal wrangle - again, been meaning to do this everyday so must do tonight...or this weekend at least

BBL!

Hi smashing folk,
It's Friday - HURRRAHHHHHHH!!!

done
loaded dw and on
everyone well, and where they should be
beds made
clannish shoes

to do
hoover
dust
pay bills
go through Christmas receipts etc and file/shred
make a cake

...and here's some cake and croissant for everyone as you all seem to get so much done, along with everything else, (and inspire me too as well)

ta da
complete emotional meltdown.
Glue bookcase support struts in place.

You know those days? It's one of them.

SC it's not the diet book, they don't have that one in yet as it's still so new, it's the "perfect pies" one. I am after having a look at the diet one though as it's DP's NY Resolution to lose weight, but he seems to want to do it without making any changes whatsoever. "Smaller portions? But I'll be still hungry! Salad? Boring! Reduce the carbs? But what will I have instead? Just bolognese sauce on it's own? (Er, yes.) Exercise more? When do I have time for that?" and so on. I need to find meals that he will really enjoy, that won't make him feel like he's "going without". But I digress. Maybe I'll look at some of the weight loss threads on his behalf, I know it is depressing him.

I also like the sound of mincemeat ice cream. Might have to do some investigation there!

Feetheart Buy the book! He will love it, especially if he already likes the HB. I always found them a bit annoying but have recently got quite into watching them. There are dessert recipes in it too, and all different types of pastry and toppings. It's very comprehensive!

Anyway, back on topic - Done:
Vacuumed lounge
Cleaned hearth
Washed pots
Put white towels in with Dylon washing machine dye to turn them dark red, because DP is a grubby bugger who apparently can't wash his hands properly, so the brand new white towels I bought just before we moved in together all have grubby hand prints on. (This job has been waiting for 18+ months.)

To Do:
Put away pots & shine sink
Put away clean washing when dry (not far off now)
Get DD dressed
Peel spuds for dinner. (Yesterday's pie was big enough for two nights so we're having it with chips tonight, so although it was a lot of work, it has done two dinners.)

I've got the HB diet book, but haven't tried any of the recipes yet. DH and I could both do to lose about 3 stone, but are not very good at sticking with it, both DCs are fussy eaters, especially DS who will really only eat pasta, pizza and curries, non of which are really diet fodder for grown ups. DH doesn't like pasta. It make meal planning a real chore and we tend to stick to the same few meals rather than trying anything new.

Right, must dash. BBL.

I've got the HB diet book - there are some pies in it too! Although with filo pastry or bread for a crust, which is interesting.

WhoKnows - there are some curry and pasta recipes in the Hairy Dieters book too. Fat free yoghurt and tinned tomatoes are your friends!

Must do some work and not get distracted by MN and planning dinosaur birthday party for DS1...

I ordered the HB dieters book yesterday, as I am currently attempting to declutter my body.
Snowgirl perhaps I need to move my sink much nearer the front door so that its extreme shininess will distract any potential visitors from the otherwise filthy house.
Although today they may be able to look at the carpet as it has been vacuumed, as long as they ignore all the marks. Will shine torches onto the shiny sink to blind them if they look at that part of the carpet.
Today has mostly been concerned with fruitlessly taking DD to the dentist again - she needs a filling where the enamel didn't form properly on an adult tooth, and 3 visits later we are no nearer a filling. Still, at least while she's at the dentist she isn't messing up the house I suppose.

Hi everybody. This thread hasn't moved on as much as I thought it would in the last 24 hours.

Will Start with my lists

tada

• Wash Up 2X
• Shopping
• Town to get DD2 feet measured and her first shoes.

todo

• Hotspot 2X
• 5 Min room rescue
• lay out clothes for Saturday.
• Shine Sink
• Wash up

I love my course as it makes me think a bit. Im doing 3 courses altogether, but the other two are more to enhance my CV rather than actually learning something I didnt know. Saying that though there are times when I think "ooh I didn't know that" And one of them will get more challenging as it goes on.

Im so worn out after this morning in town then shopping and can feel a cold coming on, Im taking it easy this aft/evening. Might even take it easy re flying for the next couple of days. I always find that Monday Im up and rareing to fly, but by the time Fri comes, Im just too tired to Fly. Will keep on top of daily routines though.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

you know that feeling that you are talking to yourself?

Well at least my last post isn't too far up.

tada

• Wash Up 2X
• Shopping
• Town to get DD2 feet measured and her first shoes.
• Hotspot
• lay out clothes for Saturday.
• Wash up

to do

• shine sink
• fill washing machine for tomorrow

Not doing

• 5 min room rescue
• hotspot

Tomorrow's list

• turn washer on
• dry laundry
• put laundry away
• wash up 2X
• Shine Sink
• Hotspot
• 5 Min room rescue
• Go to Parkrun and try to run 5K under 35 mins

Hope everyone has a nice evening.

Have a nice evening Lilleth! I'm fed up. I am done for Friday, but Saturday shall be a mammoth Fly Day!

Have a good evening Lilleth

I have sunk today, my highlight was DS2 pulling all the books off the lower shelves in the library and having to re-sort that.

Will general tidy round tonight even though I feel calling!

Mercury Good luck with the 50 books in 2013. That?s like 1 book a week. That?s crazy! The only books I?ve ever managed to read in a week are the Jack Reacher books and even those are sometimes closer to 2 weeks.
Hope you?ve managed to get rid of the mice, no doubt I?ll find out by the time I get to the end of the thread!

Wow, I told the boys they could sit up late tonight. They have both just said they want to go to bed!

SC So sorry to hear about your cousin.
Just Hope you?re feeling ok after your fall.
MrsPenny Congrats on the pregnancy. I remember how scary it is to be pregnant after a mc and the relief of seeing that heartbeat. Hoping things continue to go well for you.
LillethLooks like you killed the thread!

So glad it;s friday!
Had some good news today. I'm on a 1 year contract at work after completing a year as agency/supply.
When I interviewed for the position I have now, I was told I would get a 1 year contract and if I wanted to extend that, I'd have to re-apply and interview etc. Well, the HT came to see me today and told me she is just going to make my contract permanent! Such a relief to not have to worry about whether or not I'll have a job after summer.

TaDa
Got up and made beds
Showered and dressed
Swished and swiped
Hotspot
Rubbish out
Work
Cooked dinner
washed up
cleaned kitchen
10mins detail
Stray items awway
sorted dry cothes and put non-iron away
Fed cats and fish
Bathed boys
Layed out tomorrows clothes
Laundry x2

To Do
Shine sink
Go to bed

So, dp took my car to the vauxhall garage so they could do diagnostics test on it. Their system didn't pick anything up but they suspect it's a fault in the hydro pump in the transmission box or something, so he then took it to a garage that might be able to fix it (Vauxhall don't do that), this mechanic told him that he didn't think it was a hydro fault becaause the car works, but that he'd have a look. he took it out for a drive and said it was fine. had a look and couldn't find anything. Dp then drove it home and said it was fine and was shifting gear (is an automatic), but then the light came on halfway home so he turned around and went back to garage. he told the mechanic (he'd said he couldn't test for a fault without the fault light on) the light was on and that he left the engine running. The mechanic turned the engine off and then on again and the light didn't come on again, and he had no idea.
Dp has to take it back when he's got more time.
What a palava!

at the tumbleweed, Lilleth. Your courses sound interesting.

Sorry about the car mystery, Silvery. How frustrating.

wewerehere - shame about the books. It's incredible how much mess small children can make in a short time.

Doublemum - sorry you're fed up. time?

SC - I hadn't meant to do a roundup! Was just trying not to miss anyone out . Sorry you can't make it to your cousin's funeral, but I can see how you and DH can't both disappear at the same time. And sorry to hear your MIL is so ill.

DS2 was back at school today. I struggled through handwriting practice and fractions with DS1 this morning, then we watched 'The Hunger Games' as our Friday afternoon treat. DS1 was amused by the tears streaming down my face at regular intervals ("Oh, not again, Mum!").

Not a lot of Flying today, though I have done various loads and unloads of the dishwasher. It certainly doesn't look as if the cleaner was here yesterday . It's just a constant battle, isn't it?

SC sorry to hear about your cousin's passing and MIL's hospital admission. Geez how stressful ! I can't believe you even have time for FLYIng let alone looking after us lot!

Ta da
Nice walk round the woods with DH
Followed by run round the park
kitchen cleaned a bit
laundry rebooted
Decluttered (ie: took my mum's plates back!)
Considered revamping bathroom

Tomorrow
Hoover house
Tackle paper mountain
Go into town with DD and maybe see a friend

FINALLY - advice please - if you had a perfectly nice family friendly job - would you give it up simply because you felt unfulfilled ? (DH says I can give up working if I like!)
I'm v tempted.....it'd give me time for my ironing and paper mountain!