Is June the new January? - the Fledgling Flyers are doing their flaming best

[pushmepullyou]

Welcome old and new fledglings to the June Fledgling FLYers thread!

Thank you very much to castlelough for leading us expertly through May - I shall try not to be too haphazard with June, although I make no promises

If you're overwhelmed by clutter and general household grub then join us as we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system or languish in the naughty corner hoping to do better tomorrow

As usual, we will be following the Flylady three-pronged approach:

1. Baby-steps (a daily step to establish routines)
2. Then baby-steps + 15 mins daily decluttering
3. (And once decluttered) babysteps + daily missions and maybe even detailed cleaning in the weekly zones

For more information have a look here, although to avoid a cluttered inbox, we advise not signing up to the Flylady emails. The basic principle is little and often and don't worry about perfection (no chance of that 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 and chat our way through the month.

I'm still lurking , start of the month and weekend nightshift for me!worked my last every sat night so happy! only be doing a sunday 6-6 and tue 6-2 so more family time woopee! hope everyone good wont get anything done today as just getting ready back into work but hopefully jump right in tomorrow and ths month goes better than last !

Evening everyone.

Today's list
Bedding - done
Shine sink - just about to go do now
Long run - did 8 miles
Bath - done
AAT book - after sink
Walk the dog - done

Tomorrows list
Ring council regarding strange noise when the toilet is flushed
Ring to pay vets bill
Shine sink
2 loads of washing
Go to AAT course

I think that's it.

Aaargh baby bedtime shenanigans tonight. We have had a nice day though - walk in the country park, play in the playground, quick tesco shop, looking at photos we want to get printed.
One load of washing has been done, the dishwasher is on, £12.80 has been retrieved in coins from the bottom of my bag, washing up is done. Need to do the online shopping and put the clean washing away.

Tomorrow will be a busy day but all I have to manage to do is 15 minutes of kitchen decluttering so I am sure I can manage that on top of putting the kitchen appliances on. Actually I also have to tidy the spare room a bit as my mother is coming to stay on Tuesday. But that will mostly involve hiding the crap somewhere else. I am not ready to tackle that weekly home thingy yet so that will wait.

Am lying in bed with suspected kidney infection. Or maybe not.

Still not feeling great.

Whoknows aaargh! Been there, done that. Still I think it makes the bones stronger, according to physio Sooo annoying, but as usual one is relieved they are just safe and nothing worse occurred. I still have to organise the pin taking out of ds1's arm, but not sure whether to go through all the upheaval of 3rd op again for him. Also for us, it worked well when he broke his arm because he didn't have to do his holiday homework before secondary (which was a complete faff and I'm dreading doing it with ds2) Small mercies.

Half term improved. Had a screaming fit yesterday against dh for being a plonker who didn't understand the nuances of English (we were as usual discussing the education or otherwise of the kids), partly I think in revenge for him forcing me to give away four kittens (one at least should have stayed) but now he is being a star as usual when I'm ill.

Done nothing else. Am currently in bed watching tv on laptop. Had a nice day. I only really went to the reunion to catch up with one friend in particular who i was really close to (weddings, christening, birthdays etc.) but hadn't seen for about 2 years. We said last night that we would try and meet up for coffee soon and lo and behold she texted me this morning and we met up at the park, dc's played, we chatted and had coffee. It was lovely, one of those friendships where it doesn't matter that we haven't seen each other for ages, we chatted for 3 hours non-stop. Lovely. Then sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine whilst eating the traditional Sunday Roast of beans on toast.

There is a reason I don't drink very often.

Evening all,

Sorry you're not feeling so well tonight Swan. Yes, DS's arm could have been worse, it is his left and he is right handed, it could have been his leg, it could have been at the start of the school holidays (he is gleeful that he is going to miss his spelling test tomorrow).

Ellie - those sort of friendships are really ones to treasure. I have been very bad at keeping in touch with my oldest, closest set of friends the last couple of years, really must do something about that.

Lilleth - well done on your run, I am an intermittent runner, but slow and short distances only due to injuries.

Goth - envious of any job that lets you sit on the grass reading a book, even if the uniform is dodgy.

Doris - hope you feel better soon. I keep thinking I should get ones of those cold sore zappers, I only get them once or twice a year, but they are a real nuisance.

Lazyish day here today, 5 loads of washing done and dried on the line, a mountain of putting away still to do. Took DS to Sainsburys this afternoon, then DD to her swimming lesson, and my parents came round for a couple of hours. DCs off to bed now, I really ought to do some of my OU work, in danger of falling behind with it at the moment.

Tomorrow - I have to get DS booked in with the GP as soon as the surgery opens and then get him booked into the fracture clinic ASAP (by Tues), so envisaging quite a lot of waiting around. Also got to get DD to school and arrange for someone else to pick her up if I get stuck at the hospital with DS. Hoping also to get the home blessing done and more tidying, plus the weekly food shop.

Links for Monday 32rd June....

The babystep is to do what we're already doing (sink and lace-up shoes) and explore the flylady website. Particularly the Launch pad, which is basically a handy links page to all the key flylady bits.

We're in the kitchen (probably!) and the mission is to look up and clean the cobwebs. I usually take the opportunity to clean my cookerhood as part of this mission (although it is sometimes a mission in its own right) as otherwise I can't guarantee I'll get it done. As always the flight plan is here.

The daily focus for Monday is the weekly home blessing hour or house bleurgh as it is more commonly known . I would really like to get my house bleurgh off the weekend and back into the week but I find it almost impossible with working full time. It tends to be split between Saturday morning and sunday evening here (dH is hoovering as I type!)

Have lovely Mondays and don't forget to keep drinking water

kat has had a F.L.Y (first love yourself) epiphany and is groomed and glowing, but a little confused by my lackadaisical approach to zone management. Oops sorry

Fortunately whoknows has tactfully explained and had a self-described lazyish day, although it sounds quite busy to me

trazzle has washed her flipflops (hope they survived!) and gone to a toddler party. It must be so nerve-wracking letting Joe out into the germy outside world. We have a little of the same with DH's brother who sort of half lives with us and is immunocompromised following chemo a year or so ago. I am neurotic with the hand spray. Boots do an antiviral foam which I think is effective against tummy bugs as well as colds and lingers on the hands for a while and we do seems to have had far fewer bugs since we started using it - might be worth a try for peace of mind if nothing else.

toffee has got a sparkly kitchen and has been out for the day with her DS2 and DH.

Asheth finished her list yesterday and is enjoying the sunshine today

Engels is having her flylady anniversary and in the true spirit of the thread is celebrating by not tackling her front porch

lileth has a snotty grotty DD. Hope she's feeling better soon. it's horrible when they're so little and you can't make it better.

Goth is at work and I think I want her job

Bitchy's ex is a twat. But most of us probably knew that already!

fire does not have to work any more Saturday nights. Hooray. more

Doris and swan are both feeling poorly and narky has a cold sore. [tea] and for all and hope you're feeling better in the morning.

ellie is also feeling a bit grotty, but it is entirely her own fault . I bet it was worth it to see high school stud man as a mid 30s (presumably if it's 20ish years?) balding unattractive fat man (can you tell I've been there?)

Toddler parties here today as well. All lovely and pretty much the family fun day that we didn't quite manage yesterday. Apart from a small reappearance of some bright green buttercream in the car on the way home (I knew I should have stopped DS eating that second cake). back at work tomorrow after a couple of days off and really not keen. Only 4 weeks until our holiday though. Just about holding on by the skin of my teeth!

Oops, fail!

Ahhh lovely. Mission for tomo is done. Only because someone else decided to paint the kitchen ceiling to use up some of the paint from painting the bathroom ceiling

I did my to do list. Tomo is a bit more insane but half term for another week yet so have ds underfoot. Although wondering if the ex sent home the wrong child as this one says he wants to spend tomo tidying his room I am going to treat it like the weather and believe it only when I see it

to do
empty car
car to garage
something fun with ds
paperwork -filing at least 15mins worth!
laundry
sort kit for Tuesday
sort stuff that needs to go in the post
print important forms off and fill in

Hi ladies

I can't sleep so I thought I would get up, have a catch up with the thread and plan what I need to get done tomorrow. Toffee I do currently work nights, I have handed my notice in so only have 7 more weeks to go and I can't wait to come off them. I only do 2 or 3 a week but they really mess my sleeping pattern up.

Goth your job sounds perfect especially in this weather

I completed most of my list today although I didn't get round to reading with the dcs as they were busy riding their bikes. DS has just learnt to ride without stabilisers and is slightly obsessed at the moment.

My Ddad came for dinner so I dragged him round the shops to get some bits for the garden. My mission this summer is to try to create a back garden I want to sit in rather than escaping to my Dmums evertime the sun shines. So far I have planted hanging baskets and several pots and have started to paint the fence, but there is so much more that needs doing. I really don't have green fingers so if anybody has any good hints and tips I would be very grateful.

I have waffled on for ages - sorry.

To do:
Make beds
Dcs ready for school
Dw unloaded/reloaded
Washing hung out wm reloaded x2
Home bleurgh
S and S
15m declutter top of microwave/ freezer
5m clear hotspot on windowsill
Swim
Pick up parcel
Go to post office to post student finance forms
Iron 10 things
Paint at least one fence panel
Cut grass
Dd to dancing
Pop to shops to change Dds school uniform which I ordered in the wrong size.
Plan dinners for the week
Walk dog

I actually think it will be a miracle if I get all this done but I guess at least it gives me something to aim for.

Morning all,

Todo: Bleurgh hour
various phone calls
spare room
laundry
Put clean clothes away

Morning everyone

To do
Work
Dentist
Exercise
Routines
15 mins in garden
Oil worktops

Fast day today. Cba but I'll probably get in to it.

CBAitis is striking today

Yesterday was lovely in the garden, BBQ, reading P&P. No housework done, no gardening done either for that matter.

Today I should ...
Washing up
Washing
Go into town to get glasses adjusted, choose some new running gear
Do one set of marking while DS is asleep
Tackle the hotspot
Have some outside time

Whether I will do ANY of that is up for debate...
Mercury sounds like a good plan. We are STILL working on our garden even though I have been here 6 yrs and DH nearer 15!

My favourite, very low maintenance plants in our garden are actually herbs. We have sage, thyme and chives that are all thriving and have lovely flowers this time of year (especially the chives). This year we have sweet peas for the first time but they?ve been off to a slow start because of the cold spring so am hoping I won?t get back from holiday to find them all dead! At the moment everything looks very green because of the rain we?ve had the last 2 weeks, combined with a bit of sun. The lilies of the valley are out, the ferns have exploded and the strawberry plants have shot up. I love gardening but am not very good at getting out there every day or week.

pmpy great round up!

Time to step away from the laptop and lick this house into shape!

Oops, forgot

Meal plan
Finances
Online shop

Ha, found you! Good morning everyone!

Glad to see the thread has got off to an "emphatic" start! Absolutely no chance of perfectionism here

Love the new title Pushme - thank you for setting it all up!

Great to see newcomers, returnees and regulars alike!

So sorry to hear about your ds's arm Whoknows - hope he isn't in any pain now

Hope those of you like Swan Toffee and Doris, who are feeling grim (and various dc) all recover quickly! Take it steady all of you!

(And you Castle )

Glad to hear end of nights is within sight for you Mercury (and great to have you back) and you too Lilleth!

Applauds Ellie's bravery in attending school reunion

See your ds has caught the Flying bug Bitchy

Am impressed by the running Engels

Waves to Silvery, PA, Trazzles, Just, ¨Feetheart, Blue, Narky, ComradeJ, Goth, Kat, CaptChaos, Asheth IsSpring Cider Blue Honu and everyone I've missed!

So, having got a frantic but enjoyable weekend out of the way (final bits of baking bonanza, hair cut, school fete, dd performance, supper with friends on Sat followed by relaxing walk in the countryside, hwk supervision, friend for lunch, concert in the evening on Sun) June really is the new January in this house. In fact, I don't know what I have been sodding doing up to now Have precisely 26 days before start of summer holidays to knock this house in to shape (and quite a few of those are booked!). Yikes!!

Going to ignore Flylady zones this month and stick to my own variation, according to urgency. So it's the boudoir and a little storage room for me this week. And I am going to try and do one decluttering task in the kitchen per day as well. Also have to focus on exercise and food intake to get me in some sort of shape for the holidays.

To do:
morning routine inc s&s, wm, dw, rabbits done
catch up with thread done
quick tidy ground floor
continuous laundry
meal planning out of sync after socialising this w/e so must sort fridges, and sort supper tonight
quick shop over lunch time
research handyman
appt with builder
med appt
start making garden makeover plans
find detailed boudoir "restoration" plan
rest of time = BOUDOIR [cackles hysterically]
afternoon/evening routine inc hwk supervision
early night

Have a productive week everybody!

Swan - so sorry you are ill in bed with tonsillitis. It's such a painful thing to have. Gargling with soluble asprin and sucking on ice cubes both help, whilst you're waiting for the antibiotics to work.

Mercury - sympathies on the night shifts. It must be really hard to cope with that. Glad to hear you are counting down to the end of that.

Mercury and Engels - we are still working on our garden and we have been here for 11 years! We have managed to tidy it up, fill some hanging baskets and throw some wild flower seeds into the flower beds. That's about the limit of our gardening expertise. Oh, and I bought a tree in a pot last year which has, miraculously, just flowered in spite of me neglecting it all winter. Can't remember what it is, but it has pretty small lilac-coloured blossom and smells gorgeous.

You sound very motivated with flying and fitness, SC! I have just started using Myfitnesspal.com to track my calorie intake and it's been a revelation. I'm aiming to lose a pound a week until July.

Good morning, Comrade, pushme and all the other fledglings.

Last day of half term here, as we have an INSET day today. DS2 has just informed me that today we are going to the pottery cafe, making chocolate brownies and writing a story together. So, my to do list looks like this:

Wash PE kit
Sort DS2's socks
Polish DS2's school shoes
Iron DS2's school shirts
Lay out uniform ready for tomorrow
Dry PE kit and put back into PE bag by front door
Complete DS1's school application form
Emails
Walk into town to work off two oat bars and to get cash
Pottery cafe
Make chocolate brownies
Write story
Lunch
House bleugh

Gorgeous weather here. Hope you are all enjoying sunshine too.

Mercury - herbs are a very good idea, chives look and taste lovely, we have a big rosemary bush in a border. Other reliable things for us (south of England, chalky soil) are geraniums (the perennial sort, not the pelargoniums that you grow in pots for the summer, although they are nice too), lavender, bulbs (need to plant in autumn though), buddleia bush (grows rapidly, but you prune it hard every year, attracts lots of butterflies and smells gorgeous), French marigolds and nasturtiums.

In fact if you are looking for something easy and fast to do now, esp. with DCs as the seeds are huge and easy to handle I would say get yourself a pack of nasturtium seeds and poke them in to all the gaps in your garden, you will be rewarded with masses of orange / yellow/red flowers on beautiful leaves in a few weeks. If there is still a danger of frost where you are leave it another week or so though.

Waiting to go to the GPs now to get DS booked into the fracture clinic. Twiddling my thumbs a bit.

Ohh, nasturtialums. Good idea, WhoKnows

OK, am procrastinating madly. Need to get my act together and do some work!!

Tbh though nasturtiums will take over a bit so be careful if you don't like the rustic country garden. We have tones of Canterbury bells which self seed ready for a new year if you leave the dead heads on. We have lots of low maintenance plants although the keria (sp) known as the pompom plant around here does require regular hard pruning.
My favourite plant in the garden is the twisted hazel and the acer tree which is a glorious red colour
Need to get some seeds planted with ds. Looking for getting runner beans done. Soaked the seeds ready for planting and then promptly forgot about them so suspect a new batch of seeds might be needed

SC don't be so hasty to declare ds a fly baby. Lets see if there is evidence rather then just intent designed to avoid the tv ban he currently has.

Agree the nasturtiums take over a bit, but they have very distinctive leaves and shallow roots so are easy to spot and remove, in my case I like anything that fills gaps and prevents weeds getting in as I am a lazy weeder.

I've got the canterbury bells all along the bottom of the hedge next to our drive, they are very pretty but take over a bit too, I am always having to pull them out of the house airbricks and find them growing randomly on the drive. I don't deadhead though as it is difficult to kneel in the gap between the car and the hedge and I CBA to move the car just for that.

Shall I add welsh poppies to the mix of self seeding cottage style low maintance but take over a bit kinda plant list. Love their yellow colour so cheerful.

Reminds me I promised to pull the rhubarb and make a crumble. Can get ds to do this for me he will love that job.

The great thing about nasturtiums is you can add them to salads too. Ds1 loves the peppery taste.

I have done some household chores, sorted the kitchen, put the rubbish out, finished the washing and spent too long on MN. Was persuaded to pay £2.50 to DS2 for a bottle of his homemade lemonade .

Lovely day here. DS and I have been picking daisies in the front garden. Fairly good start to the day. Showered and dressed, brushed hair, put a pretty dress on. put a load of washing on but the clean stuff is in a big heap and not yet put away due to DS having pathetically short nap. Letters that need posting have been posted and my 15 minutes kitchen decluttering resulted in two carrier bags full of crap getting into the wheelie bin. Most of it stuff that DP has hoarded since before I even moved in here. I think one of the problems is that the house gets full up with hoarded crap and he is often not keen on parting with stuff.

Morning, not been on here today.

Another lovely day here again, got 2 loads on the line now.

Todays list

Ring council regarding strange noise when the toilet is flushed no noise today and as we are out all day tomorrow due to having no electricity Im waiting until Wed
Ring to pay vets bill done
Shine sink to do when I get home tonight
2 loads of washing both on the line
Go to AAT course leave at 5PM