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!!

ta da!
washed up
put a load on to wash
then put that load in dryer
decluttered 2 cupboards in kitchen
decluttered books/magazines/comics from bathroom
toppped up phone( anti procrastination day!! ) been meaning to do that for days!!
s+s bathroom
made all beds
wiped condensation off bedroom windows
had nails done
got dd 3.3 ready for playgroup
walked dd to school and picked her up
bought coffee(again anti procrastination day and been meaning to do that all week!)
drank my 2x glasses of water
to do
prepare lunch
ironing
prepare dinner
take cat to vet

have a great day everyone xx

Hi ladies,
The last few days have been manic but I desperately need to get back into flying again so here is a quick list dump (I will be back later this eve to catch up)

Ta da
Dressed to shoes
Make beds
Dw
Spend day volunteering at dcs school

To do
Unload/ reload dw
Wash last nights pots
Hang out washing
Put away dcs school stuff
Ss
Rr my room, kitchen, living room
Dust throughout
Hoover throughout
Sort and put away laundry mountain
Make dinner
Dcs homework

Why is it flying is really effective but as soon as you miss a couple of days the house reverts straight back to chaos??

Toffee Happy Birthday!

LPlate Thanks, I've spent so much much time submerged in hot bath water the last two nights, I should be parboiled!

Done

Beds made
Dd to school
Windows
Hand warmers boiled to reactivate
5 min room rescue (learning the jargon )
Washing up
Wash load on
Dry washing away
Ironing
Wiped down bathroom furniture
Filled in a couple of applications
played on iPad
Made dumplings for casserole (stew?)
Dinner - just cooking now

to do
Wash up & shine sink
Knit

Thank you for the Happy Birthdays . Going - I so need that wine, thanks! I have been dry since 1 January.

LPlate - I do have a bedtime routine for DS2, which is exactly as you describe, although it usually takes longer than 45 minutes. I sometimes skip the bath if we're running late, but I'm not sure it makes any difference as he lies awake with or without a bath first. He is allowed on the computer after school and I wonder if that gets his brain buzzing too much. There is always at least an hour or more between the end of computer time and bedtime, but perhaps that's not enough for him to switch off mentally... Oh, and owch about those torn ligaments. Very painful.

WhoKnows - thanks for the link to that very useful thread. It's comforting to see that there are quite a few of us in this position. I already have various relaxation CDs, but have just ordered another one in the hope that the novelty will work (or that this will be the one to hypnotise him to sleep ). Have promised him a reward at the end of the week if he manages to settle without yelling for me every five minutes for two hours.

Have had quite a lazy day today by successfully ignoring all the usual Flying routines. Didn't get a birthday lie in, but DH did walk DS2 up to school for me so I could go and lie in a hot bath instead. And he did all the washing up. I have done some home ed with DS1, in spite of him trying to persuade me that I should have the day off in honour of my birthday so that he could play on his XBox all day.

Am out with friends this evening, drinking fizz and trying not to remember my age

Back to flying proper tomorrow.

SC - hope the op went well today and that your DD was better and went to school as usual.

Trazzles - hope all went well with Joe yesterday.

PS: Lilleth - congratulations on passing your exams!

TODAY?S ROUNDUP

BlueEyesshadow reported that it was a freezing -10 where she is! Don?t much fancy that.
WhoKnows had frost this morning but no snow. Her dc?s were at childminders today so she was hoping to do some FLYing, OU work and some paid work. - Hope you managed it all.
Lilleth Passed 2 exams last night! - That?s great news, well done
Toffee Happy birthday
MrsPenny Did some baking today and used her mincemeat.
Toffee and LPlateFlyer are talking bedtime routines. - Here, myds?s have a bath every other day [lazy parent emoticon] but we have 10min tidy up followed by stories and quite time on the sofa before bed, they manage fine now, but when they were very little (although they are only 3 and 5 now), I had a very strict routine which I started when they were a matter of weeks old.
LPlateFlyer Had physic today which was very painful and she found out she had torn 3 ligaments in her ankle and broken a toe, which has now rehealed. - Does indeed sound very painful. I tore all the ligaments in my foot once, it was very painful so you have my full sympathies.
Hope you treated yourself to some nice things at the shops whilst you were childfree.
Re tantrums/discipline etc, We have a ?thinking corner? in the hallway which is where they can sit free from distractions (of toys etc) and think about what is happening or what they have done/need to do. Ds1 is quite good and tends to take responsibility for himself and sit himself there.
I also, for him, had an ?angry? pillow for quite some time. It was a big cushion that was used for when he was feeling slightly aggressive or angry. I told him he could hit, kick, punch, bite this pillow, but he couldn?t do those things to me or to ds2. It worked really well and he often said ?I need my angry pillow?. We used this from about 2.5yrs to 4yrs when he seemed to have passed the aggressiveness. It is returning a bit now, but I?m not overly concerned now that ds2 is a bit bigger and can give it back.
I sometimes think ds2 would benefit from similar, but he tends to get more emotionally distressed and at these times seeks comfort through putting his fingers in his mouth or anything else that may be to hand, so I bought him a set of baby teething rings for when he needs oral stimulation. It seems to be working as an emotional regulator and he seeks them out when he starts to struggle with whatever is happening.
I think it?s good to give them choices and a bit of control.
I hate making packed lunches, but I make the sandwiches in one hit on a Sunday and freeze them. Much easier than making them the night before or in the morning. Cheese, jam, and any meat slices freeze nicely, but I stay away from pate during the week. He3 also has a yogurt, some cucumber and carrot batons, a piece of fruit and either a pack of those nasty ?fruit? snacks, you know what I mean, the humzingers or fruit flakes, vimto rings. Yuk! Or a breakfast bar.
ep1977 Posted a very impressive TaDa list. Well done you
Mercury has had a few days off FLYing but is getting back to it. Has also noticed that a few days off can lead straight back to chaos. - I think this is one of those things that the longer we stick to it, the less you will notice a change from those few days and the less likely you are at missing the days because it all becomes second nature.
FLYlady talks about how it takes 30 days to truly install a new habit so don?t beat yourself up too much!

My day?s been ok. Thi shas been the longest week ever though!
I told dp to put the ds?s seats back in his car, I?ve had enough of driving now. He just isn?t helping. He doesn?t give me enough warnings for things when he is directing me (like lane changing or turning corners), when I do something wrong he just tells me that I shouldn?t have done that but doesn?t tell me why. He mumbles when he talks to me, so I have to really concentrate trying to hear him and when I ask him what he;s just said, he talks with such attitude that I want to punch him!
I think I?d be better off decision making without him there.
I can?t afford to book any lessons until the end of the month and didn?t want to spend weeks without getting behind the wheel, but now not sure if it?s doing more harm than good iyswim.

Right, best get the boys ready for bed. Will be back later with links for tomorrow.

Again, so must proof read! LPF did not have physic today, but rather physio. Sorry!

Thanks for the round up Silvery

tada

• turn on washing machine
• Wash up 3X
• Hotspot
• Make my bed in the morning
• Wiped condensation of windows
• Shine Sink
• Wipe bathroom window sill as that is our cabinet so have no doors
• Dry Laundry
• Put Laundry away
• Wash Towels

todo

• Fill Washing Machine for tomorrow (will do in a minute)
• sort out coursework (to do in 10 mins once DCs are in bed)

tomorrow

• turn on washing machine
• Wash up 3X
• Hotspot
• Make my bed in the morning
• Wiped condensation of windows
• Shine Sink
• Fill Washing Machine for tomorrow
• Dry Laundry
• Put Laundry away
• go to AAT course

Looked at tomorrows baby step and mission and I can do neither. I already go to bed around 11 and my night routine is watching something from 9 then bed at 11. I sleep quite well overnight so dont think I need to do this one. The Mission is to see if there is anything I need and to make a list, but living out in the country Im on top of that sort of thing anyway. I like it when I already do the steps, its one less thing to not think about.

Enjoy your night out Toffee Hope it doesn't turn into a sore head tomorrow.

Blue that sounds cold, it doesn't feel far off here. Though it probably is.

Lplate ouch, hope you feel better soon.

Mercury Will need to think about it getting to Chaos too easily as I feel the need to give up on days (or at least have a few days off) so thanks for pointing that out to me

Well have to give DD2 (who actually walked today) her milk before bed.

Have a good night everyone, see you tomorrow.

***
TOMORROW'S LINKS

babystep 17 is to think about what time you go to bed, set a time and stick to it.

mission is to make a list of all the things you are low on in the bathroom and to do a 5 min post-holiday room rescue in your front porch.

detail cleaning if you've decluttered. If not, set a timer for 15 mins and declutter in the current zone (see link)

Flight plan for anyone who wants to catch up with what we are doing.

Ta da:
fiddled about
put clean clothes away
made mushroom soup
made bolognaise
did the school run 4 bloomin' times for various reasons
warmed beds with hot water bottles
forced my children to have baths

To do:
well everything really but never mind.
cleaned a toilet (well it's part of a bathroom at least)
had already cleaned doors etc downstairs at weekend
will shine sink!

Evening all,

Ta-da!

School run plus stay to do reading
Home, paid work for about 90 mins
Quick tidy up
Lunch
Swimming
Home for a break
Cleaned bathroom
Cleaned bedroom windowsills/windowframes
Downloaded chess app onto Ipad
More tidying
School run
Cook tea - another Hairy Dieters meal rejected by DCs
Ocado order
Take DD to her first Brownies meeting
Walk DS to Sainsburys and back
Fetch Dd from Brownies
DCs bedtime routine

Lots of walking today, must have walked several miles but never been further than a mile from the house at any time, we live at a crossroads and all the places I have been to today are off the different branches of it. MFP really encourages me to walk and not drive, I just think of the extra food I can eat! CBA to defrost the car either.

Tada:

made 2 school lunches
morning working
grocery shopping
dinner prep
1 x load of washing
loaded dishwasher x2
10 minute kitchen tidy up

sc unlikely each oatcake weighed 30g!! I think 2 weetabix is a 30g portion. Don't beat yourself up. You may have had 1 portion, or slightly more than 1 at worst, but not 4!!!!!!!

Minimal flying here as only discharged from hospital at lunch and am at work tomorrow

Morning everyone. Certainly seems to be quietening down here after the mad rush at the beginning of the month.

Links posted last night, hope I didn't forget anything.

List dump
Get up and make beds
Swish and swipe
Shower and dress
Feed cats
Laundry
Boys breakfast
Clear breakfast
Detail
Work
Cook dinner
Homework
Boys Bath
Clean kitchen
Stray items away
bed

Today is also errand day for anyone following Flylady's weekly plan. Today is the day you go to town, do your food shop, have booked appointments etc for.

Have a good day.

Morning all

SC everything looked ok to me, better than my attempt in December

Done
Dd ready for school
Beds made
Windows

To do
S&S
Wash up
Dry clothes away
Washing on
NO ironing
Write about 4 letters/emails
Pluck eyebrows
Re-organise hall cupboard instead of mission
Collect Dd
Dinner
Wash up, SS

Good and very pretty, sunny, frosty morning!
VERY hard to get out of bed when it seems like the middle of the night and everyone else is still snoring!!

done
bathrooms
dw on
everything/everyone fed and to where they should be!

to do
MUCH!
am yet to wash kitchen floor
meal plan for wknd

ah well - the day is still young!

I have decided I absolutely hate hate hate driving at night, I keep forgetting to put my lights on, (my car is black so its really bloody dangerous) and I get so bloody shaky about it, I make so many bloody mistakes, that its also very bloody dangerous, I dont like it one bit, and we are in for snow this weekend, I dont think I like driving anymore :(, I haven't done much flying either I'm afraid been playing on the comp way to much and still doing the glitsy granny.

Morning big wing flaps to all.

Quick list dump.
Ta da
Everyone up, dressed and out
Laundry folded and put away
Dw on
Washing hung out

To do
Swish and swipe
Nap before night shift
Another washload in and hung out
Hoover
Decobweb the bathroom
Make beds
Dcs swimming lessons
Dinner
12 hour night shift

Have a lovely day all.

tada

• turn on washing machine
• Wash up
• Hotspot
• Make beds
• Wiped condensation of windows

to do

• Wash up 2X
• Shine Sink
• Fill Washing Machine for tomorrow
• Dry Laundry
• Put Laundry away
• Ring A from adult Learning about the possible clash of courses
• go to AAT course

Gossip I hate driving at the best of times, especially in possible snow and Ice. DD1 has a birthday party to go to on Sat morn and Im really worried about it, though I keep thinking about the birthday boy and feel bad for him if no-one was to turn up due the weather. Just dont know what to do. I dont want to drive in the snow sat morning, but feel as though I have no choice.

gossip I hate driving at night too. I've had 3 lessons in the dark and is awful. Don't give up though it's just confidence.
Maybe make yourself a little check list that you can leave attached to the steering wheel when you get out of the car so it's right there when you get in reminding you of what you need to do before setting off.
Stick with it.

We've got a party to go to too on sat morning and another one in afternoon. Dp is on nights so it's bus for us.

well playdate went well and house recovered after a quick tidy. dh has been the family computer so have not been able to catch up on an evening. also got a days supply yesterday so minimal flying done. been running around like a lunatic today to catch up. hope to get in computer this evening... happy flying...

Hi everyone. How on earth did it get to be nearly lunch time already?

Done:
Sprayed cilit bang on shower screen
Got dressed
Vac'd upstairs
Finished cleaning shower screen
Washing in
Got DD's & my breakfast
Folded clean laundry
Put wet washing on airer
Got DD "colouring"

Cleaned DD's colouring off her hands and face

And here we are at lunch time.

To do:
Get lunch
Sweep & mop kitchen floor (left over from yesterday's list)
Dinner prep
Check links to see what else.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Oh dear, DS1's birthday party is on Saturday too, and there's more snow forecast between now and then! I've been stressing about my crowd-control skills, or lack of them, and feeding them all, and now I'm worried that nobody will come. Hope some people will make it...

I ventured out to the shops this morning, which is something. Flyinf is just non-existant at the moment.

[waves feebly from naughty corner]

leaves out for Silvery

Re driving at night:
It takes getting used to. You need to learn how not to get blinded by the lights (there are tricks to this) also I take the european stance and driving with my headlights on all the time. It just makes me easier to be seen when it is really sunny, in dodgy weather during the day and it means as i get in and turn the lights on before I start the engine I am less likely to forget to turn them on.

Driving in snow and ice you just have to remember to be slower and gentler. I work on the principle that is should take me 3 times as long to stop, so I apply break pressure sooner and gentler then I would in the dry. it is a bit like driving when there is a lot of standing water. If you hit ice don't accelerate don't break just control the car. Same with aquaplanning.

Today I did a 200mile round trip. Got stuck on ice on the way out of the village and in snow on the way back. Both times it was because I pulled off the main part of the road to allow traffic through.

If you are concerned about it my suggestion is to book a one off lesson with an instructor to learn how to drive in these conditions. It is about having had exposure to this, and the more conditions that you are exposed to when you are learning the easier the transition to when you have passed. I had the misfortune of living somewhere with fuckoff hills and having after uni lessons (ie in the dark) and in the winter thus bad weather (galeforce wind, ice and snow) when i was learning. It took me more lessons to pass then it should but the extra hours gave me confidence that some who passed quicker didn't have. No driving instructor will make you feel embarised if you want specific skills for driving in conditions you don't feel confident in and it doesn't matter how long after you passed your test either. Personally i would jump at the chance to develop these skills as they are only going to be needed again another time. But that is just me. Personally I love driving, it's very relaxing unless it is in milton keynes or doncaster where the (lack of) road signs/road system is confusing as hell