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!

Sounds like almost everyone's been having lovely lazy half terms - brilliant.

Silvery hope the Science Museum wasn't too busy, Dd loved it when we visited the other year.

I've had a lovely day, dropped Dd off at school, then got in the city early, got a few errands run, then met a friend for lunch. So nice just to chill and talk.
AND Dd is at a friend's tonight until 7! So currently crashed out of the sofa, thinking of the things I should do, but CBA.

Suffering from chronic CBA-itis, brought on by the combined effect of it being half term, and being busy at work! Meeting up with lovely bunch of friends tonight so 'flying' is well and truly on hold til tomorrow! Have a good rest of the day x

Serious case of CBA here too. Apart from DH, who went to work, none of us have stepped out of the house all day. Ended up snuggled on the sofa with both boys, watching a repeat of 'Come Dine with Me' . Am feeling guilty at not taking them out, but it's bloody freezing out there and I'm not feeling 100%. Will try to do better tomorrow. The boys are perfectly happy, but I have this nagging voice in my head that tells me I'm being a bad mum if they don't get fresh air and exercise every day.

Ta da :

Usual morning snuggles and chats with DS2
Breakfast (am starting a new regime of healthy breakfast. This morning it was porridge with chopped apricots)
Dressed to slippers... eventually
D/W unloaded
Washing up done
Crockery etc. put away
Surfaces wiped
Bathroom swished and swiped
Changed bathroom towel
MagicEraser used on scratches in the bath - they came out . It really is magic.
May have spent a little time on MN
Washed DS2's bedclothes
Tumbledried DS2's bedclothes
Lunch
Washed up
Watched telly with my boys
Drank
Put yesterday's dry washing away
Emptied kitchen bin

To do :

Wash DS1's bedclothes
Remake both boys' beds
Tidy kitchen hotspot
Dinner

First of all where is Just and why haven't they explained baked beans? I think we're all a bit confused.

Been To Legoland discovery centre and back and all I can say is that I was very underwhelmed by it all. Wouldn't go again TBH. Though it got us out the house and DS spent all his birthday money on yet more lego.

tada

• Make beds
• Go to Legoland discovery centre

to do

• Wash up
• Shine sink
• Fill washing machine for Fri

Am relaxing for a bit before doing my evening tasks later on.

Sorry Lileth have dived on and off a couple of times then got side-tracked again.
The best I can offer about the beans conversation is it t involved questions of ?intentionally caused flatulence on orgasm!?

Toffee thanks, tbh I?m not really confident about anything more than the need to make people recognise that for so many of us and our children it?s a lifeline and we don?t need negative judgement or stereotyping. Congratulations on biology score, a few more of those and he may start to see himself differently.

Still to do
recycling
Fill up boot
Grit path
Pick up food
show face at storage unit
Photograph candelabra
mend candelabra
oversee maths
listen to friend
repair dressing gown
dinner
sleep

Just - thanks for the congratulations. I am so chuffed for DS1. You are right - it may be the beginning of him developing some self belief. As for the beans - well, you learn something every day.

Lilleth - sorry you didn't think much of Legoland Discovery Centre. But at least you got your DC out for the day and I'm sure they are enjoying the Lego they brought home.

Am drinking wine and cooking dinner. DH is out tonight, so am planning to do some home ed prep once boys are in bed (hmm, not sure if wine and prep are a good combination).

Everyone needs a duvet/pottering-around-in-pjs-day from time to time Toffee

Hope those of you who are on holiday are enjoying half-term and profiting from a bit of down time.

Just popping on to try and dissipate some strrrressssssss and bemoan the state of our house - which is frankly a pit. (I keep cancelling the cleaner because (a) I am stressed (b) it's too untidy to clean properly (c) I am still in the middle of a school costume sewing bonanza.)

I must not sit down tonight and must force myself to do a bit of a crisis clean and crisis wash if I can summon the energy.

Thanks for further condolences/kind words everyone. Understandably, a bit grim here atm. Tbh, I wasn't at all close to mil and dh had a v. difficult relationship with her - and we sadly had to curtail her interaction with dd (long story) - but bereavement is still stressful - almost more so when things were difficult when they were alive ifyswim. (Both of our mothers were v. difficult tbh!!)

And I know it is probably expecting too much of dd to be on her best behaviour when things are so stressful around here - but we had a shouting match about going to tennis this eve and I completely lost my temper She has redeemed herself somewhat this evening by clearing the table and stacking the dishwasher however.

Big wing flaps to everyone

I just came on to say word for word the same as Jdub. Busy at work, no Flying, out with friends tonight.

Well done DS1 Toffee (and well done you too, I'm sure he couldn't have done it without you).

Sorry things are so hard at the moment SC.

Evening all.

Today has been no flying apart from routines but still quite productive. Got some work done and DH has done various minor jobs that have needed doing for ages.

What has everyone else been doing?

Honu has her new extension finished ? yay! Hope you and DH get used to the new arrangements quickly.

Silvery was going to the Science Museum with her boys today.

Toffee has been feeling under the weather and having a duvet day. Sounds like you need the rest so don?t beat yourself up about it. Well done to your DS1 on his biology assignment.

Bitchy was also resting today.

Going has been chilling and talking too.

Jdub was suffering from half term and busyness. Hope you had a good evening out.

Lilleth found the Legoland discovery centre underwhelming ? that?s a shame.

Just?s explanation of the baked beans was possibly more than the original comment? Sounds like a busy day. Hope things have gone well.

SC is feeling stressed. Hope you can manage to find some outlet for it all and sorry to hear things are so rough.

WhoKnows is also busy and was going out tonight. Hope you had a good time.

We?re planning a family day out tomorrow for a last half term treat. Forecast is cold and sleety so will have to wrap up warm, but should be fun.

***
Linkies. Friday is clear out the car and handbag day, and date night.

Not quite sure which bit of this is the actual babystep ? is it a recap, or about building a CJ?

Mission is to declutter your dresser (ie chest of drawers)
*

Hope you all have a lovely Friday ? nearly there for those of us on half term!

Toffee brilliant news about DS1 - I hope he gets a good confidence boost from such a good result. (My DD suffers from low confidence so I know how important these achievements are for a child). You duvet day sounds lovely.

SC I'm not surprised you lost your temper with DD - when my dad died my emotions were all over the place. Fortunately DD understands that mummy gets a "bit ratty"

*Ta da
Went to work- got bored senseless
DD went to school - does this count ???
Successfully changed my mobile number to stop harassment by XP
went shopping
visited my RL fellow FLyer - she's become obsessed ever since I gave her Sink Reflections
Got home and got told off by DH for wasting money on my shopping. (FFS I spent £20 and we can afford it GRR)
I wasn't going to go out to a meeting this evening but after argument over shopping I decided a meeting was more fun than an"Atmosphere"
Went to inspiring talk at my old school
Came home to a pile of washing up

to do
Unload dishwasher
Reload dishwasher after DH has spent evening cooking and using every sodding utensil in the universe
Get to bed at a decent hour!

No work tomorrow - horrah !! Day at home to tackle ironing and paper mountains.

Forgot to say I"m still confused by the baked beans explanations. Please Miss, can we have diagrams on the whiteboard ?

Goooooood morning!!!
I hope everyone is cosy as it's bloomin' frrrrrrrreeezing! My friend gave me a lift to work and her car seats were SO cold and I now have a really cold bum!
I have resolved tonight is the night I try and 'regain control' of my house so it's all lovely for the weekend (hmmm - we'll see!)
However to do's include:
assembling tea to marinate
change dcs beds
toys away in lounge
sort handbag/big bag - so many bits of paper need recycling!

Have a good day and a lovely weekend xx

Hi, just wondering if I could sneak on! I did a bit of flylady before ds was born. Now I'm going back to work I really need to get on top of the housework! I don't want to spend all weekend/days off doing it!
biggest issue is probably washing- I have a messy job so new clothes each day. Plus self feeding cloth nappied 10 month old = washing mountain!

OMG just suppose at least it wasn't a pie kinda thing. But crickey, I suppose I should be prepared for the more unusual questions based on the standard of questions we have already had. Another pj/rest kinda day here.

Have a good weekend.

Cuddledup you do not want diagrams!

Not caught up, but wanted to just say that I passed my driving test today whoop whoop

everyone Thanks re comments on dp situ.
I just find it so difficult to talk about all of this with him because he comes across as so not giving a shit about it all. There?s no reaction, no explanation, he just kind of says, ok, won?t happen again, like I?m his mother. Just don?t know what to do most of the time.
He gave me a hug this morning when I got back from driving test, and it was really awkward!
Toffee That?s great about your ds?s biology assignment, well done him!
cuddle I don?t have a downstairs but when I did, yes, me and ds1 (then a baby) got showered (me) and dressed before coming downstairs. Not sure I would now, what with the boys not being able to get own breakfast etc
Goth Science museum was ok, but think the boys (4 and 5) are just a bot young for it. History museum is much better for them atm.
Toffee That list from yesterday looked pretty good! And you said you were having a CBA day! You got loads done.
Am pleased to see I?ve not be the only slacker though
SpecialCircumstances Hi, jump on in.

So had the driving test, and thankfully no more lessons for me. Huge weight off my mind expense wise, but witgh the cost of petrol, don?t suppose I?ll see a difference.
Went straight to a friends after (yes, I drove) had a great time, but had too much to drink to drive home Good job I?d taken dp along, although I could really do with some time without him. He took this week off work too, so has been here all the time, it just gets too much you know? Or is that really bad that I feel like that?
Now, I?m going to hunt down some food, do a bit from my evening routine and then ds1 has football training tonight (that dp will have to drive to)

Well done Silvery! Was it first time?

Welcome Special - sounds as though you have a good idea of what to do already, ask away if you've got any questions and feel free to join in the random chat.

Lazy day here, DH and I are both off work, it's freezing so we've got the fire lit and DS has just finished making iced buns. DD is at Brownies doing a Thinking Day activity and will be having her Promise Ceremony at the end, so we've got my Dparents coming along in a bit to go to that.

Oh and Flying. I have spent quite a bit of time tidying and doing little bits of cleaning, nothing too much though.

WhoKnows It was my second time. I failed just after Xmas.

Afternoon everyone.

Yey well done Silvery or should that be now you're driving

Ive not been on since yesterday. Im feeling a bit umph with it all ATM. I think its the cold weather. I was starting to feel better about things earlier in the week and last weekend, but now I just CBA to do anything.

Can I have a rant? Im just so fed up with not much disposable income. I feel like most of my money goes on family stuff (ie bills, food shopping, clothes for DCs) and not much on me. This morning DH ordered some oil and paid for my car tax, then stated how he had quite a bit of money left so put £50 in savings. He has got some more to go towards popping in town next week and to get DD2 some shoes now she is walking. I want to be able to put that much away, but I never have that much as its all spent on groceries or petrol. I know I need a job and I have been looking, but getting nowhere fast I feel so crap about it TBH. Funny thing is I dont even know what I want. He's saving up for video games and the PS4 which is due out next year. Perhaps I need to be more determined to find a job, but there is none out there

Anyway:

tada

• turn on washing machine
• Dry laundry
• wash up after breakfast
• grocery shopping

to do

• Put laundry away
• Wash up after tea
• Shine sink
• fill up washing machine for tomorrow

Still confused about beans and orgasm. Perhaps Ive never eaten beans before sex

Welcome special

BBL if I can be arsed. Gonna take the dog out now for a peaceful walk see if I can't figure some things out regarding my lack of motivation and money.

Lilleth Sorry to hear you're feeling crap re money. Been there. Have you told dh how you feel about it? He wouldn't mind you spunking some money on a new top or pair of shoes or something would he?

Thing is I dont want anything (well nothing small anyway), just dont like that he's the one with all the spare money to do what he likes with and I have nothing. He's bought me stuff in the past and would again if I told him I wanted something he could afford. He did ask me earlier today what I wanted and there isn't anything. Id like a new stairs carpet, we could do with some new tires for the car. You know those sort of things that cost quite a bit of money. He always seems to have enough money to buy his games (£40 a time), but if I wanted that much Id have to save. I have a tenner a week at most and that seems to flit away on little treats for the family (like a meal out or something)

I think Im just feeling a bit poo about it all TBH.

Ive not told him yet, but Ive decided Im off to Aldi next week for shopping to see if I can get it to below £100 for the weekly shop

Lilleth - sorry about the money situation . It's uncomfortable not having your own money to spend. We have a joint account, so whatever goes in there is 'family money', even though DH is the only wage earner at present. I'd hate it if I had to ask him for money whenever I needed something. I do have to be sensible though and sometimes wish I had my own income to splash on something decadent.

Silvery - well done on your driving test! I shall be coming to you for advice if/when I finally start taking lessons again (in my 40s and still can't drive - and am now terrified of learning).

In reaction to my slummy day at home yesterday, I dragged both boys out today. It was freeeeezing and started snowing on the way, but we made it to the swimming pool, which was 80 degrees, and had a lovely time. Then walked to the library and chose lots of books and a DVD. Arrived home mid afternoon and crashed out on the sofa with a cup of tea and sandwich from Cafe Nero .

Just finished an Ocado online order. Need to puzzle out something for dinner now...

Silvery well done on your pass.

Not much Flying here today, but ticked the 'increasing fitness/exploring Glasgow/spending time with DH' boxes.we both took Ddto school this morning & then I took him to the country park, it's just short of 2 miles each way, and then we spent the day wondering around and visiting Pollock House & the Burrell Collection (his 1st time) Got back to school just intime to collect DD. I think it's done us both good, but my legs are killing me especially after all my walking yesterday.

Can't see much happening tomorrow either as taking DD to the cinema. Oh well, if we're not in we can't make a mess.

Toffee I'm 31. I've been learning to drive on and off sine I turned 17! It's by far been the hardest journey. I really don't like to do things I'm not good at, and have the kind of "I can't do it, so I won't even try attitude" so it's been a real struggle to see it through.
It's going to open up a whole new world for us though. Gonna be great not having to ask dp to take us places.

Lilleth I keep typing out these messages to you but then read it back and they all sound very unhelpful. I'm not ignoring your problem, I just don't know what to say to help. Hope you can sort something out.

No flying here today. Well, I did the morning routine and half the evening one.
Dp did the ironing whilst I was out this morning (he did everybody else's but mine [angry) so just need to get back on track over the weekend ready for a return to work on monday