FLYlady followers flock together! Join the May fledglings – our nests we will feather!

[Castlelough]

Welcome to the May 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 is 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. Thanks to SC, Blue, Silvery and Goth for leading us through since January and for the brilliant OP I've just cut and pasted.

Want to swap Bitchy??? [steals biscuit]

Have one restless over-tired bundle of stroppiness here! (DD loved her school trip - had totally fabulous time - but we are suffering from acute "come back down to earth" syndrome)

[averts eyes from Silvery's scary list]

Haven't got app fudge, sure some others on here have though ....

Whoknows we actually have a smidgeon of sunshine here today but as soon as I step on to terrace, it disappears ...

Trying to sort out decent outfit (we are going over to friends tonight) but I am altogether too fat and wobbly ....v. depressing....

Take it steady Castle!

Have a good w/e everyone!

x post

oh poor you, and your poor ds2 Blue Hope he recovers soon [Hands over large bottle of Dettol]

Forgot to say to Pushme Good luck being a bridesmaid today and congrats to your sister and new bil!! HOpe you all have a lovely day and that the sun cooperates!

I think is ds whines mum at me once more I might just explode SC he has a very strong sense of entitlement and I am clearly in the wrong for getting his stuff packed for his holiday rather then jumping to every little silly demand he has.

Afternoon all.

DH had to work today so I've got DS all to myself and a whole day to fill. So far, we've walked down to the library and the local butchers. We may have bought ice creams on the way back.

Then DS played in the garden while I "tidied" the garage. In reality it was just consolidating all the cardboard to be taken to the skip, and moving things about into available spaces - so not decluttered, but there is now a fair chance that we can park the car in there when we go off on holiday in July so I'm happier than I was.

DS has however given up on the nap idea for today - which I'm a bit grouchy about as he was up in the night, so I was up too . Have persuaded him to come inside for a bit and curl up with me on the sofa though so I can MNet in peace!

Hope the rest of the weekend is good for everyone!

Not much from my list getting done today. Collected ds2 from the party and have come to my mums. Sat nav took me all through Chiswick and Hammersmith. Long.

Came back from a day out having lunch with family to find MIL fretting that DS1 must be on drugs because he was so happy . Honestly, that woman reads too much of the Daily Mail. DS1 was simply happy that his best friend turned up unexpectedly and is staying the night.

Had a frantic tidy up before MIL arrived this morning and, as a result, the house looks tidy. I even did some ironing!

Silvery - your list makes my head hurt!

CHB - sounds like you need a break! When is your DS going away?

Doris - sorry your DS missed his nap today (I remember the heart-sinking feeling when your DC don't nap), but well done on tidying the garage.

Blue - so sorry your DD is sick. Hope it passes shortly and that you don't catch it .

SC - hope you have a good time tonight.

And hope you are all having a good weekend.

Clear breakfast done
feed cats done
make beds done
shower/dress done
swish/swipe done
wash the hob bits that I left in soak overnight done
wash up/wipe counters/get kitchen looking in order-ish done
clean litter trays done
rubbish out done
wipe out fridge
menu plan/write shooping list done
wrap present for party ds2 is going to done
Take ds2 to party done
food shopping done
help ds1 to search for the missing ds (nintendo not child) done
quickly organise boys bedroom done
stray items away and quick surface organise of flat
polish/dust
clean mirrors/pictures/unit/glass shleves
hoover
mop
laundry done
sort dry washing done
non-iron away done
bag and purse
hoover cat beds
ironing
study (aiming for 2 half hour sessions) done and done
cook dinner (what's for dinner?) done (mac and cheese)
clean kitchen ish
shine sink

Ok, so I managed more than I thought I had! Go me

Tomo Toffee. Took him out in the end and whilst it was a long afternoon and I didn't get done what was needed. He at least calmed down a little and has gone to bed chilled out and shattered
I am so tired I could cry after the early loud demanding start this morning. And I have another half hour of stuff to do before bed is possible. Nice to end the day on a good note though

It is so nice to hear Your ds1 is so happy atm Toffee.

Well done on being so productive Silvery.

Blue sorry about your poorly DS. Hope he is feeling better.

pmpy hope you had a lovely day yesterday.

Sorry I haven't been around much this week, DD has been unwell with D&V and usually when I'm home she wants to be with me all the time so it's impossible to do anything, but 100x worse ( but more snuggly!) when she's under the weather. That, combined with Joe's radiotherapy coinciding with DD's naptime means flying has been limited this week!

I have cleared off my sewing table though and started on the boxes in the front hall - you remember, the ones we got out of storage in September as Joe was diagnosed... And I found a load of mix tapes! They should be easy to throw out as I don't have a cassette player but its a struggle! I need a grip...

I'm managing to keep on top of the kitchen, which I'm pleased about - I hate having an untidy/dirty kitchen.

We have a home day scheduled today so DH is tackling the garden and I'm on laundry reboot x 1000 and take stuff to the tip. My tip run will be EPIC!

With any luck the kids will be able to play outside a bit today. Joe took his first tentative steps unaided yesterday - the first since the start of February so really hoping he will be able to get back a degree of independence soon.

Apologies for the essay!

Trazzles I loved all the information in that. Hope DD is feeling a bit better now. Yay for steps toward independence for Ds. Try not to be so hard on yourself. lots of us have lapsed and we don't have half as much going on as you do. Give yourself half a chance and throw those tapes?

Ds is back in Stressed Mode. Thankfully not quite so bad as yesterday yet thanks to last night. But I want to curl up in bed and hide from it all already. Thankfully tonight he goes to his dad and his dad can enjoy the task of calming him down from all the stress. I otoh shall curl up and enjoy the break from it. Love ds to bits but it can be very full on and totally draining with all the shouting and I can't cope behaviour.

to do
pack kit for ds' tournament
pack ds' stuff for trip to dad's
check and print maps for where going
pack snacks
print schedule
hot bath to soak sore muscles
drink coffee

urgh lost my emoticons was supposed to go at the end of the bit for trazzles and after drink coffee.

The tapes are in the bin, Bitchy apart from the ones DH made me which will go in the bin once I've made them in to playlists on iTunes fond memories!

Place Marking. Joining back in tomorrow.

At work, so just a quick visit, any of Bitchy's super strength coffee around?

I played the martyr card last night and slept on the sofa, as DH's snoring was so loud. I would have been ok, but the bloody cat kept trying to go to sleep on me. I now feel hungover, which pisses me off as I haven't had a drink in over a week!

Hopefully no one will want to come to play, as I intend to do FA today.

Not so much big waves but pathetic hand flaps and groans to everyone today.

Hey going to give proper try this week!! hard to keep up with posts when you dont log in for day or two!

Had family fun on sat so least we done something! was roasting here (for scotland lol) so we all spent morning in park and ds had football club and me and dd went a walk beforehand

surveyor came, we got back from hosp at 1, had to do a swish and swipe of whole house in an hour v stressful but hopefully if keep up flying wont find myself in that position again!!

. Hope everyone is good and all the sick children are feeling better now!

Sorry for the absence of links for today. I cannot seem to get an Internet connection.
Today's babystep is an easy one. Remember that it takes a month to establish a new habit. You are also advised to read the first line of your Flylady emails and incorporate that into your Flying.

The daily focus is to renew your spirit, however you see fit.

No missions as it is the weekend.

I will be back later with tomorrow's links by hook or by crook, even if I have to type them up on my phone

Waves to everyone xx

Ta Da
Up and stripped beds
Got breakfast
Showered and dressed
Swished and swiped
Cleared breakfast
took out rubbish
went to car boot
went into town
took boys to park
cooked dinner (meatballs and pasta in tom sauce)
cleaned kitchen
fed cats
laundry
sorted dry washing
polished/dust
glass shelves/tv stand/picture frames
re-dressed beds
hoovered boys bedroom

To Do
shine sink
hoover rest of flat
mop floors
rinse out washing machine drawer
hoover cat beds
study
ironing

Goth hope you have a better night tonight.
Trazzles Hope dd is a little better, and was very nice to read about Joe taking some steps independently. Great news
Hope everyone else is ok. I'm on day 2 of no booze (can't remember the last time I did that), but the night is young.......

Glad to hear of your DS1 being so happy, Toffee.

Trazzles, hope your DD is on the mend too and glad to hear about Joe getting back on his feet.

Bitchy - hope things improve with DS and that you can enjoy the break.

DS2 has been absolutely fine today so we're heading off tomorrow for a slightly shorter visit - will be 48 hrs by then.

Ds is in a very happy good mood. he played well today and was rewarded for it. Very glad not the one trying to put him to bed tonight though. Early start tomo. No rest for the wicked.

Glad to hear your DS is in a happy mood, CHB. What is going on with our boys at the moment? Maybe it's the change in the weather.

Very sunny here this morning. Might go for a walk today to make the most of it. I have my best friend staying, so there will be lots of chatting .

Hope you all have a good day.

Today's links! Will be back after work for a round-up!

Links for Monday 27th May

Babystep 27 is to decide in advance ?What?s for dinner?? I find this babystep is a great one. I automatically meal plan now, and know what?s for dinner well in advance. I didn?t do this before I started flying!

This week we are in Zone 5 ? The Living Room.

Today?s mission is to spend 15 minutes taking things that don?t belong in your living room out of it.

The focus for today is the Weekly Home Blessing.

The Flight Plan is here.

Morning all. Just checking in. Bit of a mixed weekend for various reasons including dh working for the whole of it which caused tensions but lovely sunny day here now. Taking a cue from Toffee, am going to go out for a walk I think.

Feeling really upset with myself because felt horribly, horribly fat (and looked it too) Saturday night, couldn't fit in to nice clothes etc. And I told myself I would start again with a better diet/exercise plan starting Sunday. Then dh went out and bought a huge load of pastries and I stupidly ate two of them and didn't do any exercise and proceeded to eat huge dinner too .

Also starting to feel a bit 'rabbit in headlights' about the summer (hols start end June here - yikes!!). Already have sil (understandably) making demands, a friend of mine wants to send her child here during summer to improve English (and will reciprocate in France with dd) I'm house-sitting for one sister in Blighty for 3 wks and my other dsis is pressuring me to set dates for when she can come over here and there are about 3 other sets of family/friends who are phoning me trying to organise something or other. Owing to dh's unpredictable work schedule, it's really stressful making set plans but speaking from many yrs experience as an expat, people start doing it for you if you don't do it yourself. Impossible to please everyone. Arrrggghhh. Not answering phone in very immature manner atm.

Toffee/Bitchy Great to hear your boys are feeling chipper! Amazingly, dd seems a bit more chilled atm too. Her behaviour was really good this weekend once she had calmed down post school trip. We (amazingly) had quite a bit of fun getting the homework done for once

Trazzles truly brilliant to hear about Joe taking his first independent steps again !! Hope your dd is feeling better.

Toffee enjoy your bf's visit!

Bitchy you did really well to summon the energy to take your ds out on Saturday when you were already so tired. Sometimes it gets so intense with an 'only' (I find anyway) that going out is the only solution.

Fireandblood well done re: crisis clean!

Glad your ds2 is on the mend Blue hope you had a good trip!

Sympathies Goth We regularly play musical beds because of dh's humungous capacity to snore. THe other night, I moved down an entire floor and I could still hear it!

Looks like you've got your mo-jo back Silvery that's an impressive list you've done there!

Hope you caught up on sleep Doris

Waves to ComradeJ Castle and everyone else!!

For those of you in Blighty, enjoy your Bank Holiday everyone!

Sorry - that was another whinge-fest wasn't it??

Don't worry about it SC; if I started, I'd be here all day

Work today. Didn't even manage to get the DW emptied before leaving.

DH has man-flu. I have man-flu rage. Saturday he was working so DS & I didn't really see him, then yesterday he was ill enough to sleep late, wander round the house like a zombie on tranquilisers, not take DS out as promised, doze off at lunchtime, and go to bed early. Today he says he feels worse, but yet he HAS to go to work. I can feel steam coming out of my ears tbh.

Based on that, I'm buggered if I'm going to do anything tonight apart from a load of washing to keep the mountain under control.

Ach, better do some work now!

Hope everyone is having a better day than me!