February Fledglings FLYing High

[BlueEyeshadow]

Welcome to the February Fledgling FLYers thread

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

All the links for the babysteps and missions will be posted here every day and we'll all be here to cheer each other on.

to SC for leading us through January and for the brilliant OP I've just cut and pasted .

So come along in and park your dusters ready for Feb!

Evening

tada

• Made our bed
• Striped DCs bed
• 1st load of bedding in washing machine
• 2nd load of bedding
• Dry Bedding
• Remake beds
• Wash up after breakfast
• Go to town to get passport photos of DCs and pizza hut for dinner
• Wash up after tea
• Shine sink

to do

• Finish filling out passport applications
• Make sure we have everything ready for going to York tomorrow to visit family

tomorrows list

• make beds
• Go to York
• Wash Coats
• Wash up after Tea
• Shine Sink
• Fill washing machine for Wed
• Write out birthday card for DS with money inside (he wanted money not presents this year)

Engles When I stopped on Sunday it was very much like that poem I suppose. I do often just stop and stare. Either when Im out with the dog or Ive just got home after a long drive at night I might look up at the stars.

Bitchy hope you're not too tired after your early morning and tomorrow you get up ok too.

Hope everyone has had a good day and having a good evening.

Evening.

List
Up and Make beds done
Get breakfast done
Feed cats done
Laundry done
Bath/swish and swipe done
Dress done
Rubbish out done
Ironing done
15min detail/mission CBA
More laundry done
Cook dinner and wash up done
Clean kitchen CBA
Clothes for tomorrow CBA
Shine sink CBA
Feed cats again done
Sort dry clothes done
Non iron stuff away CBA

Anyone hazard a guess at what mood I'm in? Yes, a can't be arsed mood.
Just looked at my wine bottle and only enough for 1 glass so might have to drag myself to the shop

Oh FFS, I have the biggest ironing pile.
Guess what? CBFA!
Tomorrow, it will all still be there tomorrow.
(am aware that it's that attitude that gets us into CHAOS)

Yes but sometimes we just need to accept we are having a bad day, and stop being a perfectionist. Come back to it tomo. You will feel better. Stop giving yourself a hard time for 1 day of cba. Not worth it and one day does not chaos make!!!!

Evening all,

Half term here too, today has been the only proper at home day for me and the DCs and I have made the most of it. I have decided that from next week I am going to seriously up the amount of chores they do on a regular basis, I seem to increase what they do every so often then sit back and not change anything again for ages and really ought to be gradually increasing their responsibilities all the time.

So, today, we menu planned together, made three shopping lists and went to Sainsburys together, they each had to find a few things, then load the conveyor, pack the bags, put them in the trolley, pack and unpack the car and unpack the shopping at home. This is not going to happen often in term time, being realistic, but I am going to try and do it more often. After lunch DS washed up (and shined the sink), after dinner DD did the same. They are going to be doing more of their own food prep (packed lunches and breakfasts - taught DD to make porridge today) and one load of washing a week each too. I am going to make a weekly chart, they will have a maximum amount of pocket money and lose 10p for things they don't do, I will gradually add more things to the list as they become habits.

Also today [proud mum emoticon] - I finally managed to get DS riding a bike! He is 9, with diagnosed coordination problems and has never really been interested, we had a chat about it a couple of days ago, can't even remember what was said, but he has been really keen to try and we have had three sessions out on the field over the road today and he really has got the balance cracked (still can't stop without falling off though!).

Back later.

Well, we've had half term here and it's really messed up my routines ! (We went away and then came back to lots of visitors plus a stinking cold) I"m actually pleased to get back to work / school and to have my routines back IYKWIM!

Oh Bitchy - you're right about perfectionism - I've been so stressed out about sodding housework the past few days and really it's just silly old perfectionism getting in the way.

Silvery - re: ironing - my airing cupboard is so full of ironing I've just folded everything up and put it away with out ironing!! Call me a slattern if you like but it solved the ironing problem.

Who - FAB FAB news about DS cycling. Good on him. I was so proud of my DD when she finally managed to wobble down the path without falling off.

Finally - since the master bedroom is our zone this week - has anyone got any suggestions on how to inspire a DH into decluttering his clothes.?
All advice welcome!!

Threaten to do it for him unless he wants to do it himself? uses this approach with ds on toys so has no idea if it would work for grownups/dh's

Who brilliant news re the cycling. Hopefully this is the year DD (8) learns.

Todays list
Dd ready for school
Beds
Windows
S&S
Litter tray
Washing on
Hang washing out
Took cat for walk round garden on a harness.
Wash up
Spent far too much time on iPad
Dusting
Mirrors
Vacuum
Post Office
Collect DD
DD to dentist
Long walk home via park
Dinner
Wash up & SS
Just finished ironing -phew

Just restarted tracking food/exercise on MyFitnessPal, so impressed as can include cleaning under the exercise.

Cuddled - my DH had to declutter his drawers when the bottom of one of them fell out and wedged itself into the drawer below, he is terrible for never getting rid of clothes, but he did do a big clear out after that. I had pointed out to him that the way to go is that if you buy anything you have to throw something out (I operate that way with books too) but it still took the drawer breaking to force him into action. Maybe sabotage your DH's drawers?

Evening all. First day of half term was quite successful here. FIL and step-MIL came up with bunk beds for the boys, so have had a major reorganisation of their room. Most of the junk is in here for the moment, but it will get clear eventually!

Upshot of all that though, was that I forgot that it was Monday and to go to choir. Oops. Oh well.

Bitchy was up far too early and questioning her sanity.

Snowgirl popped in with a list ? hope you had a good day.

Silvery was having a CBA day ? it happens, don?t beat yourself up about it.

Going was getting on with her lists and taking the cat for a walk

Lilleth was making good progress too and stopping to stare as well.

LPlate was musing on clutter and upbringing. It is hard to shake these things, but 15 mins at a time will get there eventually (she said, hopefully).

Engelse was feeling more human and watching Dumbo. Lovely news about the positive feedback too.

Ellie - glad the birthday w/e went well.

WhoKnows had a day at home with the DC and has been increasing their chores. Be interested to hear how it goes, though ours aren?t at that age yet. Well done to your DS on the bike riding too.

Cuddled had her routines messed up by half term and was wondering how to get her DH to declutter clothes. The only thing that ever works for me is to declare things disgusting and chuck them out, or at least to threaten to.

Tuesday is plan and play day.

Babystep 19 is more propaganda reading.

Mission is to attack the clothes pile.
**

Big waves to everyone. Night all.

Every now and again I just throw one of his t shirts away. He is yet to notice, or mention it if he has noticed.......

Morning all

I love half-term! It took me a mere 30 minutes to drive into work, rather than the usual 50 mins. If only it were like that every day.

Bitchy hope you managed your 4am rise again okay today ? twice in a row sounds like pure torture to me.

Who exciting news about your son cycling. When I read about that sort of thing I get excited about all the things like that we?ve got to look forward to with DD (13 months) but then I have to reign myself in and focus on all enjoying her as she is right now. at the idea of sabotaging husband?s drawers to get him to clear out. Inspired.

Goth what did you cat make of the big wide world?

Most of clutter/mess in our bedroom in DH?s (after the time when the bedroom was the zone and I cleared out all my crap), tonight I am going to tackle it.

Ta da
Up, showered etc. ready for work
Bed made
Sandwiches made
Washing on

To do
Hang washing out
Have fun with DD on her new rocking horse
Lay clothes out for tomorrow
15 mins decluttering in bedroom
Bag up stuff for charity shop
Book flights to visit DB
Ring DF
Shine sink
S&S

Have a good day everyone.

Morning Fledglings. Lovely bright day here today and I'm feeling a bit smug as I have already done over an hours work (only way I can keep on track during half-term)

Lilleth - definitely make it a habit for a Sunday - renewing your spirit via a little 'me time' is very important and endorphins are very good for you :)
I got back to running this Sunday too - bright, sunny, winter's day and a slow plod did me the world of good.

Whoknows - well done to DS, that's a great achievement. The falling off when stopping does sort itself out eventually but seems to be the last thing they learn.
Very impressed with chores list for DC, I need to look at what my two do and up it I think.

Engels - lovely thing for head to pass that on to you and for the parent to write it in the first place. People are far too quick to complain but rarely give praise where its due. Nothing more motivating than a nice 'thank you'.

ellie - argh to Barbie house, thank goodness we are over that particular stage here :)

List today mainly involves ferrying children

• Work - done
• All up and out by 9.20am on a half-term day!
• DD delivered to swimming pool
• DS delivered to tennis camp
• Back to swim with DD plus brunch/lunch at pool with whole heap of friends
• DD to wrap present, do card
• Pick up DS at 3pm
• Deliver DD to party at 4pm
• Meat and potato pie for dinner as DD not here and the rest of us love it :)

If any Flying is done in between I will be amazed.
Have a good day everyone

Hello lovely fledglings. Hope everyone OK and that you are enjoying the holidays (ours was last week). So sorry to have dropped off thread recently without a by-your-leave

Just passing through to wave and say hello to everyone. My mil in law has died + was half term last week + we we've all been afflicted by laryngitis to varying degrees. We're fine but just trying to steer through and keep things as normal as poss for dd who has lost two grannies within the space of a year and a month Needless to say, Flying has flown out of the window!

No time to catch up with thread properly but just wanted to say:

Trazzles you and your family are v. much in our thoughts atm

Glad you are feeling better Blue (and thanks for thread sitting Toffee)

A belated but heartfelt "happy birthday" to your dd Ellie

Engels hope you are your family are feeling much better now

Just hope yr back is improving and that you are gradually regaining mobility

Not sure when I will be back on here - don't even know when funeral will be atm - but big waves to everyone else!

Whoknows whey hey to your ds's bike riding!!! Brilliant stuff!
Hope you are feeling better too Snowgirl

SC so sorry to hear about your MIL .

Snow half term traffic just makes the day that bit better. DCat is a bit of a coward, so was ok unless someone else walked past. Maybe it's embarrassing which ever end of the lead you are on? He's had his boosters today, so we're working towards him being independent again.

done
Dd ready for school
Beds
Windows
S&S
Dd to school (with cat), then walk to vets, 1mile each way, luckily DH was carrying him.
Laundry on

to do
Hang laundry outside
Put dry laundry away.
Litter tray
Wash up
Don't need to do mission, no clothes pile I think the flying is working.
Baking?
Collect Dd from school
Dinner
Wash up & SS
Ironing

Morning lovely people,
All over the shop here - half term and so taking a couple of days off, plus really busy at work, so just a basic 'keep everything tidy-ish' list for me today!

SC So sorry to hear about your MIL. Hope you're all coping ok.
Ds1 has another friend here today, so not sure how much I'll get done. His mum has a job interview so I told her we'd have a few after.
At the very least this week in the master bedroom, I want to clean the main light shade. It is glass and has individual leaf shaped pieces (sounds awful but is nice) which I noticed are caked in dust!

Does anyone actually do the missions and the detailed cleaning?

I have done some ironing and finished the morning routine.

Afternoon. Struggled with the getting up and opted for an extra bit of sleep, was still up before 5:30am though. Been another busy day.

ta da
training
volunteer stuff
food shopping
1st load of washing has gone on

Huge amounts to do so have to get cracking with it.

SC sorry to hear about your mil. :( look after yourselves and see you when you are ready to pop back.

Another one all over the place, and hoping to catch up properly with everyone later.
Most of today?s been spent posting on MN waiting on phone calls and trying not to panic, but we?ve got as far as we can now, so trying to recover the rest of the day. Lots of conflicting news over the whole ?sludgefest? situation but it?s hard to tell what any of it means at the moment. The last few days have been very complicated and confusing trying to get to the bottom of where we stand when all the dust is settles, but about to try and make it to PO, then take another load of damaged stuff to storage and see how things are, there and go from there.

Try?s to look inspirational (you so haven?t seen the state of this place!) for Bitchy but suspects it?s closer to constipated!

SC I?m regaining mobility daily thanks. Very sorry to hear about MIL and hope things ?smooth down? soon IYKWIM.

Also wishing Miss Ellie a belated Happy Birthday!

And Trazzles really nice to see you, sorry the plan of turning others into flyers hasn?t paid off, but if at first you don?t succeed shout at everyone try again, you never know.

Evening. Shattered is the word of tonight.

tada

• make beds
• Go to York
• Wash Coats
• Wash up after Tea
• Shine Sink
• Fill washing machine for Wed
• Write out birthday card for DS with money inside (he wanted money not presents this year)

tomorrow's list

• make beds
• Turn on washing machine
• 2nd load
• Dry laundry
• put laundry away
• fill washing machine just in case we're home earlyish Thurs or if not for Fri morning
• Wash up 3X
• Shine Sink
• Give DS birthday presents and cards (have got him a wallet to put his money in)

SC - Sorry to hear about your MIL
Whoknows - well done to your DS on the bike. Im hoping to get my DS on a bike this year. He's 8 and just hasn't had the chance yet. Any Tips?
Cuddled/Bitchy - "Perfectionism is the enemy of achievement" is a little saying I say to myself if I find myself trying to be perfect.
Feet Im certainly hoping I can keep it up. If I run a bit then walk the final 5/10 mins home and just enjoy the outdoors and some piece away from the family
Silvery I dont do the mission or the detailed cleaning yet I am building it up all very slowly. Ive got the Jan habit sorted and the feb habit of keeping the front room tidy is still being formed even though DH seems to do it
Just apologies for missing something, but have you been flooded or something? Hope not and you get whatever it is sorted.

Just went to wash up and I really couldn't be bothered, but knew I needed the breakfast stuff for the morning (didn't wash up this morning as we slept in by an hour) and was just going to wash up those few things, but I just couldn't do it and had to do it all and shine the sink [proud Fledgling emoticon]

Hope we are all having a good evening.

Big waves all round.

Evening all.

Today?s been good work-wise but non-existent flying-wise. Still, made scones with DS1 this afternoon which has to count for something.

What else is going on?

Snowgirl was loving the half-term traffic, or rather lack of it.

feet was doing well with early work on a busy day.

SC has been having a trying time. Sorry to hear about MIL and illnesses. I?ve been wondering if you were OK.

Going has an embarrassed cat...

Jdub was busy, busy with work and half term.

Silvery was wondering about missions and detailed cleaning. I?ve never got as far as detailed cleaning and am very sporadic with the missions. At least when I lead the thread I know I?ve looked at them!!

Bitchy was up far too early again, despite getting extra sleep.

Just has also been having a trying day. Really wish we could help.

Lilleth is also shattered but has washed up and has a shiny sink. :) ?Perfectionism is the enemy of achievement? ? I like that.

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day ? a day for getting things done.

Babystep is including washing in the routines. I always do the washing and drying, but really fail at the folding and putting away! Must try harder.

Mission is to tidy the floor of the closet/wardrobe and get rid of 2 pairs of shoes. (Last time I did this, I dumped the black lace-ups! Ha!)

Lileth long miserable saga but very odd tenancy + building works overwhelming drains + suddenly downsized home + disastrous builders leaving things open to elements + subsequent flooding more than once + only one of the companies involved being insured + me stuffing up, pretty much covers it.

Stupid health problems are rather running us thin on time to survive it all. It would suit the landlord for me not to, but I?m not intending to fail, though not quite worked out the how to succeed plan yet, but it will come.
Happy Birthday to your ds for tommorow.

Waiting for shockingly late dinner to finish cooking here!

Thanks for condolences everyone! V. kind of you all. Dh and I on the road (different times to cover dd's schooling) on and off until funeral next week (now looking like Thurs or Fri) but hope to be back second week March if not before.

As for Flying ....so much for February being the new January ... I think I may have to change that to March ....!!

Huge wing flaps to everyone in meantime!!

Blue you do help actually.