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!!

It's still the first here!! Happy New Year!
I vacuumed the living area and the hall, and then mopped the hall and stairs to the basement, and did three loads of laundry.

I am doing reasonably well at keeping living room clutter free (although there is a large pile of empty Christmas boxes that I keep moving to the middle of the floor, in the hope that the owners of the said boxes will take the hint... So far, no good).

Guests still around, but ds1's birthday tomorrow (well, today in the UK.) I am working, but dh, mil, fil, sil and dd1 and 2 (and ds's friend from next door) are going snow tubing at the local ski hill. Mil is 70. ...

I am buying cake.

Righty, peppermint tea and then off to bed like a good wee fledgling. Am largely knackered as have been sleeping spectacularly badly. I am the only one that has to get up early tomorrow, which I know means I won't sleep at all until 5.30 am for fear I will oversleep, then I will wake in a panic at 5.40 am.

Dh is back at work on thurs, so he will be getting up too, and he manages it every day, so I won't panic so much.

New job going v well though.

Am planning on getting to grips with body clutter. Will be stalking Ellie.

Split team?! What the heck??!

Newbies, Flylady's mantra is to do housework little and often so you set a timer for 15 minutes and if it doesn't get finished - ok. She tells you not to get out more stuff than you can put away in 15 minutes etc and you also get 15 minutes you- time (though that's never happened with the DCs around!).

It is easy to burn out at the start but if you just focus on the babysteps and 15 minutes at a time.

"You are not behind, just jump in where we are!"

Yes, yes, I get the emails...

Morning all - I can't believe that it's 7am and other FLYbabies are already up and about. Also slept badly - which always happens when I have to go back to work. Here's today's link...
www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0

Are we really meant to be doing two zones ???

Today will be a trial as I never know how to work and do FLYing all in the same day. I think this is called Time management
Have a good day all.

Morning! The plan for today is to restore the house to some sort of normality and for this I think I need list:-

To do:-
All xmas decs down and away
All remaining homeless xmas presents to be found a home
Thorough clean of living room
Clean of hallway
Washing x 2
Drying
Putting away
Skip trip
Clean of dining room
Mop floors
Change beds
Shine sinks

Things are a little tricky chez moi right now. Our best couple friends (Dh BF for years and his wife who is now my BF) have split up. Sad in itself but we now have DH BF staying with us and has been for a week. It's all a little awkward and whilst I know he has nowhere else to go it's starting to annoy me. We don't have a spare room so he is staying in DD's room. He's not doing anything particularly annoying he's just there iyswim.

swan your done list sounds far nicer than your not done list.

feet i promise i will maintain the chat bs flying ratio. It's a tough job but for you, anything.

dwm how very lovely to see you, sc misses her mummy when you're not around.

madwoman i've never had a stalker... how exciting. Just follow the lettuce leaves.....

Talking of body clutter, got on the scales this morning after 10 days off and have only put on 2lb. Quite pleased with that as I have eaten like a pig. Back on the diet I go this morning.

I must also say that whilst it was a pita finishing so late for xmas I quite like the fact that I still have 5 days off now. Enough time to get organised etc and have a proper rest.

Welcome to all lovely newbies and big waves to all regulars.

OK I don't much feel like flying, think I have lead wings, but I can't put it off again. Two zones today is my entire downstairs really apart from the toilet which is a bit off-putting, don't think that's going to get done!
To be done today:

• Morning Routine: -Get Dressed to Shoes including Hair/Face, Brush Teeth - done

• Make Bed - done

-Swish & Swipe - would do if I knew what she was talking about -Empty Dishwasher - done -Reboot Laundry (a Load a Day Keeps CHAOS Away) -Check Your Calendar -Check Your Control Journal - I don't even want to know what this is -tidy all shoes on shoe rack in hallway -vacuum downstairs and on the stairs if feeling up to it

Will also clean front door.

Morning all!

Just a list dump before I get out of bed

To do:
Routines
Clean around the doorway and windows in tiny entrance square thing
Buy packaging for post item, print label, post said item
DD to rhyme time (if its on)
Clean bathroom
Wash bathmats and towels
DD laundry away
My laundry
Walk dogs
Clean out guinea pigs

BBL!

Just say having a quick cuppa before mindee arrives. House is reasonable on the surface but lots of jobs are desperate. Kitchen hasn't seen a mop since before Christmas

On the plus side my cleaner is coming to have a starter visit next week with a view to starting the week after. That alone is keeping me sane

Double mum swish and swipe basically means getting a cloth and wiping all the surfaces down in bathroom/toilet and popping a bit if bleach down the toilet. The theory is that it keeps on top of things until you are zone cleaning in there .

A control journal is basically a folder you are supposed to build up as you get to grips with the fly lady system in which you place all your routines, all appointments, phone numbers etc. Some of these lovely ladies have got them all laminated and everything, I've been here over 3 years and still not done one. It is part of the baby steps though so all will become clear .

Morning everyone
I joined last month but haven't been on a lot in the last 2 weeks due to being at DM's house and DMIL's over the holidays but back to mine today.
determined to de clutter and have a clear home in 2013.

I also have to find time to train for a10k in April not done any running since DS and pregnancy.

Can't believe how quickly the thread has gone will catch up later.
Hi to everyone. Leaves steaming out for all.

To do list
Routines
2 laundry loads
Clear kitchen
Clean fridge
Wash floors
Put away online shop
Make dinner
Play with DS
Do exercise

Thanks Ellie. OK I shall add swish and swipe to my list of jobs. And sink shining, don't think that was there! Am just going to pretend there is no such thing as a control journal for the moment.

Ooh it's great to see there's lots of other fledgling fledglings here I have the in laws visiting today so the to do list:
downstairs vacuum,
Make beds
kitchen floor mopped
Another load of washing
Tumble nappies and restuff
Swish and swipe
clean doors in porch and hall
Possibly clean the porch windows too

Id better get on if I'm to fit being the hostess in too, they'll be here before lunch- eek!

Dashes in grabs gratefully, eyes washing mountain and decides she best not stop but get on with the morning routines. Have a happy, productive day all

Morning all. It certainly is busy on here! Can't keep up!

Hope you are all OK.

Can I ask, when is everyone taking down their decorations please? I'm dithering because they only went up on Christmas eve so haven't had that long to enjoy them, on the other hand, want a clear start to next week...
It's got to be tomorrow hasn't it really?

I'm like a bear with a sore head this morning (not down to drink unfortunately!). It is just more apparent when dh is away that everything in this house (and I mean everything) is set up for his convenience; from the heating, the way all the clutter pots and pans and herbs and spices are arranged in the kitchen, the second unnecessary fridge which takes up too much space, the height of the counter tops, the configuration of the sitting room, etc etc etc I almost don't feel like it is my house. I think this is why I find cleaning and looking after it so hard, because I don't feel that I get to feature in it that much ifyswim (well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it ).

Heigh ho, I do believe that's my first rant of 2013 (newcomers beware - there will probably be many more throughout the year! ) I know, I know, I should be bloody grateful I have a house and stop feeling sorry for myself!!

How are all of you today?

First of all can I say a special "Hello Mummy" now that Droitwich is back (That was especially for you Ellie btw!! ´)

[Hands Bitchy golden feather duster award for most tasks accomplished in a day!!]

Hope you are OK Doublemum and in less pain today ...oh yes, see upthread that you are busy working through a list ...but we are in one zone only atm - Zone 1 - the entrance, porch, dining room so don't be too hard on yourself! And as Ellie explained, don't worry about s& s, and control journal yet, they will be coming up in forthcoming baby steps pretty soon.

Enjoy your quiet house Toffee and ditto with the decluttering this month. Hope you did catch up on sleep last night btw.

Huge waves to Blue (safe journey back)

Swan your risotto sounds d-e-l-ic-i-o-u-s!

Enjoy your trip Feetheart and oh for clear kitchen surfaces!!

Dizzy you sound really on top of things at the moment - top marks! And snap, my resolutions are exactly the same as yours!

Good luck with the spells Gossip (and the hallway!)

Hope you are feeling more energised today MercuryR

Madwoman happy birthday to your ds! Hope you all have a lovely day! Great that the new job is going well and

Trazzles and Madwoman no, don't worry, don't have plans for split team this year although won't be able to do many round-ups next week when I start back to work/acad.

Cuddledup see my post last night at 20:33 - we are in Zone 1 now until the 5th. Good luck juggling work and Flying today!

Elliepac will also be following the lettuce leaf trail (unlike you - I can't fit in to my trousers). Hope your house guest finds alternative accommodation soon so you can enjoy the rest of your well-deserved holiday!

Nicknacks hope it goes well with cleaner this week and good luck back at work today

[Falls on Purpletoe's brew] Good luck with the 10K training!

Invigorating wing flaps to ComradeJing Silvery Lauren and anyone I have inadvertently missed!!

Had better get on with my list for today from yesterday ...

x posts

Waves back to MercuryR and good luck with your list wewereherefirst

sc I'm taking mine done today and they went up on the 9th if that helps. I'm done with them and need the space to childmind. :)

SC decorations come down on the 5th normally -Twelfth Night is the Right and Proper Day to do so - but we're not back till the 6th this year so it'll have to be then.

So the early night thing was a total fail. ended up being up until past 3am.

needless to say I wasn't up with my alarm and am slightly panicing about the stuff not done and visitors arriving.

to do
stuff stuff from landing into box and hide box
stick ds' bedding on to wash
make sure ds' duvet has a cover on it. I think i forgot to do that in the middle of the night as he needed the spare one.
throw the bits of christmas tree that are down into a box and remove box from lounge
run hoover over landing lounge and kitchen
and double check ds' room is suitable for visitors.

all completely doable in less then an hour right? especially with needing to get up and have breakfast too.... fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!

SecretSanta my children (who are 10 & 7) are going to be doing tidying, shoe tidying and vacuuming. They don't know it yet.
I took my decorations down on Sunday but they were up in the first weekend of December, I'd had enough of them but love having them up early.
Right am going to sweep floor and swish! If I can get out of the chair.

Hello SSMN164 (See you have been doing typically kind deeds )
Glad you are feeling less sleep deprived and good luck with your list. [Sniff at holiday dog returning home.]

It is frustrating trying to do chores when dc are demanding attention. If it's any help (although much easier with just one dd I knnow) the only way I find it works, is to really focus on dd for a good hour or so in the morning (in the holidays this is) doing exclusively what she wants to do and then she is happy to do things with me or on her own thereafter. I've tried doing housework first and then promising a joint project in the afternoon, but it just doesn't work because she gets so impatient. Speaking of which, I must go and attend now ...

Oh and think I may need to rationalise my own Christmas decorations. Have 8 boxes!! (Two of those are empty and form basis of crib though!!)

Thanks re: house. Thinking it over, I do have a few changes in mind!! Need to employ a handy man first.

Thanks Nicknacks reckon the deed must be done by the end of Friday.

SC That sucks re how your house is set out. Can you not move a bit of furniture? Is it your dh's intention to have the house set out only for his needs? Does he know you feel like this?
My tree came down the day before NYE. My excuse was that the cats had knocked down a juice bottle that one of the boys had left on the table, so I had to mop etc.

Oh bugger. .

Will sneak back in normal guise later.

Good luck Bitchy!!!

and Doublemum (and your helpful dc)

Ta da list

Took tree lights down
Took tree down
Boxed up decs
Window lights down x2
Voiles back up x2
Boxes upstairs
Text DH for brown tape
Breakfast for 4dc
Reopened blocked up door
Wreath down
Tidied hall to use blocked up door
Car seat to car

That's so far - still tons to do plus watch 4 children. :)