The Fledglings' nests will be clean in 2013! Part II.

[superfluouscurves]

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

OK, because we are all so good at chatting housework, we need a second January thread ... .

... where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of along the way.

This little-and-often system is designed so that we 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 us 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 we get when we are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once.

To avoid being inundated with details, we advise not signing up to the Big Tent

We are in the process of 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.]

Flylady site here

Don't worry if you are behind; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again anyway!

Carry on everybody!

[superfluouscurves]

Bitchy hope you are ok and that diagnosis, once processed, albeit a blow, helps in the long run. Take care of yourself xxx

What have the rest of you been up to?

Engels has been running in the rain

Toffee has been running (to school) in the rain and tending to her poorly ds1 (poor love hope he recovers soon) and feeling achey herself

Yay! Justgettingonwithit has a lovely dentist and a lovely new set of front teeth!! which goes to show there are good people in the world thank heavens!! (Hope you have left something really nasty on that other dentist's doorstep - and if you haven't - I will!!!) So happy for you!! I'm outraged that most dentists' offices are without disabled access however - you would have thought that that law should apply first and foremost to health services

Lilleth has been reminding herself that she needs to do a combination of the above and run and go to the dentist (on top of laundry and cupboard rescues)

Goth applied a bit of slap, attended an interview (sorry I missed that earlier - here's hoping for the result is what you wanted!!!) and drank well-deserved lattes!

Jdub has been obliterating all final signs of Christmas and 'hooshing' her in-laws home!

Snowgirl has been working hard at turning her 'to dos' in to 'ta das' - including sofa diving, spare room prep, meal planning and buying vests and natural breadcrumbs (I suspect those last three aren't connected though!! ) [Thks btw - I'm fine as long as I don't bend!!]

Cuddledup has been Flying, diagnosing 'schoolitis' and reading Wolf Hall (one of my all time favourites btw - can recommend sequel 'Bring up the Bodies' too) Glad your dd is OK after all.

Crikey has been sorting out her late mum's furniture and organising her own "naice" inherited china. (It's a sad process so look after yourself x)

Mahoosive encouraging wing flaps to eveyrone I've missed!!

[superfluouscurves]

Whoknows it is amazing how missing one night or morning of clearing up the sink (or putting out clothes in my case) throws the whole system

although your day of work, + ballet + cubs + Sainsburys plus various runs in car to playdates etc - doesn't sound to me as if you qualify for the naughty corner ...

As for myself however ...the day was grey ... the rain was horizontal... I didn't get a lot done ....joins Crikey for a

[superfluouscurves]

Not that you qualify for naughty corner either Crikey definitely not!!

[BlueEyeshadow]

I haven't really done enough to post on here today, but wanted to say

Yay for lovely dentist, Just, and take care of yourself to Bitchy.

Will try and set up new thread tomorrow. Night!

[SilveryMoon]

Evening. Horrible day today, have been in a fopul mood and not feeling great.
Had a nap when I got in and woke at 9, just did some ironing but think the zone work will have to go on thescrap heap!
Off to read thread

[SilveryMoon]

Bitchy I?m sorry to hear about the diagnosis and what they symptoms are doing to you.



I might manage to get up a little earlier in the morning to do a bit of zone work. We'll see. can't believe I just said that, of course I won't

[Cuddledup]

Lilleth Happy Birthday - have I got it right that today is your birthday or is it just my false memory syndrome kicking in? !

Crikey forgot to say yesterday poor you having to sort out your mum's things. I hope you enjoy having a in your lovely naice crockery! Look after yourself.

Have a good day all.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Happy Birthday, Lilleth! Hope you have a lovely day.

Was in bed by 10.30 last night . I hope this means I will have lots of energy to tackle the alligators in the swamp today...

[GoingGoingGoth]

Morning all

Happy Birthday Lilleth, never too early on a birthday

Today's list
Beds done
Windows done
Dd ready for school done, she was keen today, they're making a junk rocket.
Washing up done
Litter tray
Interview at Jobcentre - actually have a nice PA but they're no help at all
Food shop
Mission & yesterday's
Put dry laundry away
Put laundry on
Collect Dd
Dinner
Wash up & SS
Water plants

[BeginnerSAHM]

Hello everybody!

I've been off the thread for a couple of days and am now waaaaayyy behind. Sounds like you've all been super-busy though.

Bitchy - sorry to hear you're in pain... Totally agree that cleaning should take a back seat while you rest. Hope the doctor can give you something to deal with it?

I think I'm just going to "jump in" where you lot all are! Well, in Feb maybe. I've jumped ahead a bit anyway (and ignored a few babysteps - no post-its round the house here...).

An update on where I am so far, or my interpretation of FLYing is:

"Dressed to shoes" = Make slightly more effort with minimal make-up (i.e. wear blusher and conceal any spots....) (I got dressed every morning anyway...)

"Shine sink" = swish it out and keep it clean most of the time (occasionally drying it and scrubbing gunk off plug etc.)

"Hot spot" = as per FLYlady

"Negative thoughts" = err, just try and ignore them when I remember

"15 minute de-clutter" = as per FLYlady - totally brilliant, love it!

And I've started a basic control journal. And am trying to keep on top of washing and do some everyday.

The house is looking a bit better. But I can't believe I'm spending so much time doing little domestic jobs now I'm not working... That wasn't how I was planning on spending my time when DC2 is at nursery. And most of the jobs got done anyway when I was working - just in a more stressful and haphazard way! So, I'm going to try to do all this FLYing stuff a bit more quickly. And I'm going to try and haul myself about of bed 20 mins before the children get up so I can clean the kitchen properly before the school run. (Problem is that they were up at 6.15 this morning - and 3.50 a.m. in the night - gah... They do sleep through about half the time though - ages are 4 3/4 and 3 1/2.)

Anyway, must hang up washing, put another load on and then do career tests now - i.e. online tests to work out what career would suit you... I don't want a job until the end of September though (when DC2 starts school)!

Also, meeting friend for lunch who thinks he needs some help from me so I might be able to do that one day a week from home, which should keep me ticking over.

[BeginnerSAHM]

Sorry, forgot to say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLETH!!! Hope you're having a good day and have nice plans for this evening or the weekend

[Snowgirl1]

Morning all

Lilleth HAPPY BIRTHDAY - hope you enjoy your day

Bitchy sorry to hear you're not feeling well.

Jdub good to hear about your new dentist - always amazes me the uncaring people who go into careers which involve caring for others.

Tada
Sandwiches made
Load of washing on

Forgot to make bed as DD was sitting on it looking cute when I headed downstairs and I doubt DH did it.

To do
Make bed
Hang washing out
Get clothes out for tomorrow
15 mins decluttering
Mission - dusting stuff in lounge
Sort out car tax
Speak to DF about babysitting (didn't get done yesterday)
Sort out spare room for DB - visiting Friday (ditto)
Check calendar
Shine sink
S&S

BBL

[LillethTheCat]

tada

• Make beds
  
• go to town for some clothes for DD2 and out for breakfast with DH and DD2
  

to do

• Wash up minimal amount after tea
  
• tidy front room once DCs are in bed
  
• fill washing machine ready for tomorrow
  

Oooh half way through my tasks.

Thank you for the birthday messages. Today has been an OK day really. Ive had a delivery of an exercise bike Ive won. Hoping for a small bit of carpet to arrive (it was meant to come yesterday, but never showed up. Its showing on the TNT website as being on the van for delivery, but it said that yesterday)

BBL with a full catch up, hope you are all having a good day.

[Engelsemama]

Posting from work (don't worry - not teaching right now!).

Haven't read the FL teachers CJ yet (thank you very much silvery ) but have just spent a great 90 minutes clearing out on of my cupboards and thrown away 3 bins bags worth of rubbish.

I feel so much lighter!

Going to regroup with some coffee and raid the vending machine.

One more cupboard to go (though maybe not today) and still have to go through various folders but am definitely feeling more organised.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Ta-da!

Morning routine and school run with three extra DCs for a friend
Stay at school and do reading
Home to put on washing, clean bathroom, quick tidy round,hoover and sweep floors
Town for lots of errands
Lunch on the hoof
Swimming - definitely improving
Home for a quick sit down
2nd lot of washing in dryer
Mail dealt with
Swimming stuff away

To do

Get OU work out so I can do some as soon as we are back from school (DCs computer time)
Dinner
Put washing away
DD to Brownies
FIling - I have a massive backlog once again.

Happy Birthday Lilleth!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Oh, I forgot, errands to town included 6 carrier bags of stuff to charity shop. That's my decluttering for the day.

[BitchyDragons]

Today has gone like this:
up
school run
press start on washing machine
sleep
drop mum in next town
sleep
school run
currently just sitting in bed before taking ds to his swimming lesson

really not done a lot today.

[BitchyDragons]

~H~A~P~P~Y~ ~B~I~R~T~H~D~A~Y~ Lilleth

[superfluouscurves]

Many Happy Returns Lilleth!! Hope you are having a lovely day you young 'un!!

[Engelsemama]

Happy Birthday Lilleth !

I am nursing a decluttering related injury - a paper cut right under my fingernail - OUCH!

On the 'making an effort' front, one of my colleagues told me on Tuesday that she 'loved what I'd done with my hair'. I was but also a bit since all I'd done was blow dry it. I must have looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards the last 4 months! It's given me tyhe extra motivation to plug the hairdryer in

[Crikeyblimey]

Happy Birthday Lilleth :)

Today's not been too bad:
Up at crack of Dawn (well not quite but hey).
Showered, dressed, creatures fettled.
Ds up, dressed, breakfasted and to school for tennis club at 8am.
In work for 8.25
Home from work by 5.15
Dh had started dinner
Washed up breakfast things (would have done pre-work but Wednesdays are early rush day)
Took ds and friend to cubs (not my turn to pick up so :) )
Washed up dinner things
Agreed with dh to replace broken dishwasher :)
Phoned my sis who has been overseeing the transport of the last few bits of stuff from mum's (brother now has his beloved bureau and the "setting up homes for recently no longer homeless" charity people have a lovely single bed and small wardrobe). Phew.

Need to tackle coffee table Lego nightmare before bed.

Happy Thursday to one and all.

[SilveryMoon]

Evening all
Happy birthdaay Lilleth

Good day here, well productive anyway.

DONE
Up and beds made
Swished and swiped
Showered and dressed
Breakfast out and cleared away
Cats fed (twice)
Rubbish out
Work
Cooked dinner (spag bol)
Homework with boys plus reading
Playing
Washing up
Laundry (x2)
Sorted dry washing and put away non iron stuff
Cleaned kitchen
Put out clothes for tomorrow
Shined sink
15 mins zone work (I scrubbed and hoovered sofa number 2 and hoovered seats of dining chairs)
Painted nails
Paid some bills

TO DO
Wait for nails to dry
Eat chocolate
Drink wine
Grey's Anatomy is back tonight (I think). Exciting times!

[LillethTheCat]

Just a quick one as DH is waiting for me to watch a film

tada
tada

• Make beds
  
• go to town for some clothes for DD2 and out for breakfast with DH and DD2
  
• Wash up minimal amount after tea (though it still looks like Ive done a fair bit)
  
• tidy front room once DCs are in bed
  
• fill washing machine ready for tomorrow
  

tomorrow's list

• turn on washing machine
  
• Dry Laundry
  
• put laundry away
  
• fill washing machine for Fri
  
• Make beds
  
• Wash up 2X
  
• poss shine sink if DH has washed up (Im out 3:30 till 10PM)
  
• go to AAT course
  
• tidy front room (hopefully DH will do)
  
• 5mins cupboard room rescue
  
• 30 mins exercise bike
  

Have added in exercise bike into my morning routine. Im thinking of getting up half an hour earlier to get on it. Im a bit ugh about it, but it takes 30 days to build a habit doesn't it, so by March 2nd it will be second nature to me or so Im trying to tell myself

Thanks again for the happy birthdays Its more than I got from my parents. Even MIL sent a card and rang today to see if I got it and Ive heard sweet FA from my parents. I know we're not that close, but I thought we were closer than we've been for a long time. Though they'd complain if I didnt ring them. Anyway rant over.

Anyway got to go, will be back tomorrow.

[superfluouscurves]

Evening all , tomorrow's steps first ...



OK everyone - give yourselves a huge pat on the back - you have been Flying for an entire month!!

Baby-step no. 31 for last day of Jan is here and worth reading!

Tomorrow will be our last day in Zone Zone 5: Living room/den/TV room here

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

If your Zone 5 is already decluttered, you can progress to detailed cleaning

Tomorrow's mission is detailed hoovering of sitting room - under furniture and right up to all skirting boards etc

Thursday is errand day

Last day of January habit ie shining that sink!

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

Well done everyone!! And here's to a productive February!!

[BeginnerSAHM]

The exercise plan sounds good Lilleth. I went for a (very short/easy) jog yesterday on way back from school drop off and felt smug all day! Am planning on going again tomorrow. Actually, I was very productive yesterday so I think it helps mood/efficiency/attitude generally...

Your parents sound like mine I'm afraid! Have you got nice plans for the weekend? Maybe a meal with DH? Breakfast sounds good though.

SM - v productive day! That to-do list looks great too

Crikey - glad to hear you're getting a replacement dishwasher! Working and managing household stuff must be hell without it... Sounds like your mum's furniture is going to be much loved and/or appreciated too. Sorry to hear you are having to do that though

Engels - Great de-cluttering effort. I always get asked if I've done something to my hair when I blow-dry it too... (about once every month...). In fact, I let it dry naturally yesterday (after run) in the hope I'd get nice waves/ringlets like DD but it just turned into a frizzy mess, as usual, despite copious amounts of Moroccan hair oil. Got comment at pick-up saying - "Oooh Beginner, I don't think I've seen you with your hair down before" - no mention of it looking nice!!

Bitchy - v glad you're getting some sleep. Hope you're ok.

Whoknows - I'm exhausted reading your list...Are you?

I know I've left people off, so sorry (!), but wanted to attempt to catch-up!

Today's ta-da

Shine sink
Make porridge for everybody (rejected by DCs but will persevere)
Tidy breakfast/wash-up
School run
Washing on
Hang washing up
Take down washing, fold
First part of online career assessment tests
Lunch with friend (who might have some work for me to keep me ticking over)
School pick-up
Playdate pick-up
Supper
Tidy supper
Tax return final final check

To do
Hang up one more load of washing
Shine sink
Hot spot
Lay out clothes

Tomorrow's to do
Repeat routines, washing, school runs etc (including hot spot - missed today)
Take kittens to vet for second jab (miles away as vet near shelter place I got them from)
Finish career tests
Reply to emails
PLAY THE PIANO FOR 30 MINS (really want to do this one!)
Do reading with DCs after school
Hot spot again
15 minute de-clutter (could do with spending 2 hours on clothes really...)

Good night all.