July's Fledgling Flyers: Summer holidays are on their way and the clutter is going to FLY away

[elliepac]

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

Thank you very much to cpmpy for leading us expertly through June- it's been a while since I lead so I can't promise to be as efficient but will do my best . This will start by copying and pasting pmpy's original June post

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

ta da
fold 1 load of washing
internet stuff
sort through clothes
pin ds down and deal with his infected cuts
pick a second argument with ds re homework
Play hunt the calendar with the info on that is actually needed for today.
put on a load of washing
empty the boot
remove rubbish from car
remove recycling from car
remove hair stuff that shouldn't be in the car
remove most of the junk from car
deliver car to mechanic
drop repeat prescription request for ds' meds
request a telephone consultation re ds
put on 2nd load of washing
hang out 1 load of washing
fold 2 loads of washing and sort ironing out ready to go
get changed into sports bra and bikini bottoms (need to buy a new bikini and tops don't fit anymore)
drink my 5th cup of coffee for this morning and 1 1/2ltrs water
look at my knives forlornly and wish I was at training where it is nice and cold
5 mins decluttering in my room - stupid hot in there so can't do much in one go
more washing
mostly re string ds' blind
put my clothes away
tame the plant that is trying to invade the house
tame the plant that is trying to kill the rhubarb
sit in the garden with craft project for 15mins
Get burnt eating lunch out in garden. my poor shoulders
15mins decluttering in my room
accidentally eat what was left of the chocolate brownies
Speak to nurse about ds and book appointment for tomo
remove name tags out of grown out of/destroyed clothes
make a decision about dress that was in process of making mock up for.
Consider tackling the mountain of paperwork and then ignore it
hand washing x 2 lots
discover that runner beans have actually grown and whilst are rather stunted need planting up.
check state of bed for the runner beans to go in
Clear the chair in my room
sort the penny pot out
more washing (yeah I was lazy and let it build up again)
sort through the swimming/beach wear box.
sort through the bandage box and put lost bandages away

Fly
Clean hob
Clean surfaces

Passport application
Ring builder
Ring dentist
Freezer
Windowsill
Hoover
Clear inbox
Plan supper
2nd hand shop
Buy watch
Buy party photographs
Clean food bin
Bathroom

Ooh I've just remembered I did some online shopping the other day! Got a new diary control journal for 2013-14, plus a similar style calendar for the kitchen. Also bought some clothes for DD for next year in the sales. I can't bring myself to buy clothes for Joe to grow in to though.

There's been considerably less screaming here today and ill be at home tonight to do the online food shop groan and hopefully level 2 of the 30 day shred eeeeerk!

Yay for less screaming.

also ta da as cbe to c&p other list to add onto.

15mins decluttering in back bedroom
sort out plan of action for this week
more washing
15mins of paperwork sorting
15mins with a cuppa in the sun with burnt bits covered.
collect recycling together in one area ready to go out
put disinfectant in ds' bin
find hole punch and look for stapler for tackling a file of paperwork later
move family history folders from shelf to different storage position
sort out internet stuff
put anti-virus/firewall thingy on the laptop
sort out one compartment of the letter holder storage thingy on top of bookcase

right must go get changed ready to collect ds from school. will be back later, I really have drunk too much coffee

Although I am now drinking decaff, I am also currently clearing out the office so that I can reclaim my bedroom. Erm the word burnout is beginning to feel relevant. Strong meds will be needed tonight/tomo.

Hello all, (look away Trazzles ...) It is so hot here today!

Done
Beds
Laundry hung out
Recycling out
Mini Family Fun Day - went to cinema with DD to see Despicable Me 2
Quick trip to IKEA - only bought 1 pillow (plus 2 icecreams)
Laundry in
Collected DD's friend over for dinner

Now sweating collapsed on sofa trying to work out what to feed them.
Dessert is no problem as we have lots of fruit, including perfectly ripe pears!

To do
Weekly bleugh - may happen tomorrow

Jess if you're going to blitz, try doing it in 15 minute sections, and then have a break/a change, that's how I 'did' the kitchen at work in 1 day, including bleaching all the cupboards

Hey everyone. Hope today's going ok for you all, and sending some good-stuff wishes to those that need it.
Hello to jess i'm new here too and it's great. I always struggle to keep on top of things but so far, so good. It's true about the perfectionism thing- I'm getting so much more done by doing a bit at a time and just getting straight before bed and ready for the next day, with a little routine now developing in the mornings. I've cleaned my fridge out today, but done it through the day one shelf at a time inbetween stuff with the kids etc, whereas before I'd have done it all at once. It doesn't feel like a task really when it's broken down into manageable chunks. Follow the babysteps and start with your sink!
Enjoy the rest of the day everyone:)

Ps hope I've not confused you jess Today's mission is just to scrub your kitchen worktops. I just started the fridge too as it was getting on my pip.

Did a bit more stuff and then chucked all the stuff that pulled out and I didn't have the energy to deal with back on the floor so I have a bed to sleep in. already curled up on my bed. will be early nights all around here.
Do not fly like this. it is a crap way of flying.

night

Evening! [Waves to Polkadot and Jess ]

Another epic Bitchy day, I see. Hope you get some good sleep.

Haven't done much by way of flying today, but am trying to get back into the mindset of putting things away as a default setting. Was working well at the end of last year, but has slipped.

SC - how annoying to have all your plans thrown out like that. Sympathies. Would also go with just doing what you want for present etc and leaving your brother to it.

Swan - hope electrics can be sorted quickly.

Going - at being able to pop into Ikea. We always spend fortunes in there because there isn't one for 100 miles or so, so never know when there'll be another opportunity!

Hi all

Have skimmed the thread, but too knackered for personals - sorry

I have done no flying as I have been mostly driving or in angry meetings (not me angry) for the past 40 or so hours, but DH has been a star

I have put on 6 pounds in a week and I had a tummy upset for 3 days of it and barely ate anything! Back on the 5:2 this week though, although I can only realistically find one diet day as too many work functions or long distance driving on other days. Friday will have to be the second day I think, which i hate, because of the no

Sleepy wave to everyone, see you in the morning

Blue it used to be the same for me, used to spend a fortune there, but now we're. Only a 40minute bus ride away, and the route is practically door to door (useful when I was bring home bookcases)
Dd thinks it's my "treat" after taking her to the cinema. maybe a little

Since last check in I have:
Dinner
Vacuumed
Emptied cat litter
Cooked some rhubarb
Taken DD's friend home
Washed up
Ironed

Morning all,

Up early so DS can have an early breakfast - he goes to hospital today to have the wires removed from his wrist, and may need to be put under GA, so no food after 6am.

Just been in the garden, lovely and cool and quiet (we get a lot of traffic noise later). Might go back to bed for an hour, DS wants to be left alone (that's my excuse anyway). Actually he does. He says he is very nervous, but he is very calm, so hope he's going to be OK. I'm just trying not to think about it.

Blue - my first house was 20 mins drive from the Wembley Ikea, it was almost entirely furnished from there and I used to bring back all manner of stuff. They built one about 45 mins from here a few years ago and it was 5 years before we got round to going, I am capable of going in and buying only one or two things now, which is good. DS is cross that he is too old for the creche now.

HELLLLOOOOO!!!

Firstly, Whoknows hope today goes well for DS. Thinking of him - and you.

Well, hello there everyone. Sorry yet again for not being around for ages a while. Just a quick catch up with life in the PA household. We are all back in this country at the moment. Errr, well DD3 is actually away in Tenerife on honeymoon, so not strictly true. Wedding was amazingly wonderful. The bride and groom smiled and laughed and cried tears of sheer joy all day! (Soppy couple!!)
I am now staying in this country. DS is staying here with me, but DH and DD4 will be returning to Cambodia for another year. I know it's not the "normal", but there you go!! They return in just 2 weeks time and hopefully will be back for a visit here at Christmas.
So, I am in a furious cycle of job searching. Not just me, DD1 and DS are also doing the same. DD1 and I have even ended up applying for the same jobs. Interviews are coming thick and fast at the moment. I had 1 Friday, DD1 had one Saturday, yesterday I had 1 and DD1 had 2. DS has 1 today! Hopefully one of them will work out for each of us!! I have been offered 1 job, but I am negotiating a part of it that I really do not want to do.

Anyway, as I am going to be here now and life should be a bit more on the normal scale I am going to be needing to leap right back into this thread and trust you lot to kick me up the bum get me on track. I will have a huge house to keep up together after not doing much housework for a year - no paid cleaner here!! But, there will only be 3 of us living in the house, (me, DD1 and DS) so how much mess can we really make??? - ok, DD1 is just the absolute WORST person for leaving stuff around, so maybe she will make up for the empty house!

Soooo, will you have me back??? Not read through this months thread yet, apologies for missing anything and everything!

I promise to do my best, to do my updates on my lack of cleaning, to keep up to date with the thread and to love you all.

Yay PA welcome back!

Yay PA you're back

Hi PA lovely to have you back!!!!

I used to live 5 mins drive from Ikea. It became something of an addiction! Our house is also entirely furnished from there!!! But as we are starting to get some money together we are just beginning to furnish it more in our "own" style. We're about 20 minutes away now so it's not so bad, but right next to it is a drive thru Krispy Kreme. I'm glad not to live so close anymore! Or at least my waistline is!!!

At home last night I did 30 day shred level 2; cried; cooked; meal plan for next week; ordered food; slept nowhere near enough.

In hospital all day again today so no flying here.

NB. The crying related to how hard level 2 of the shred is, even when I didn't even manage half of it and still couldn't see due to sweat pouring in to my eyes! Nothing more sinister than that!!!

Three children off to school.

Now Dh and I are off to Family Therapy but Dh is being v unpleasant about it, so I don't hold out much hope [wry/

Tonight we have a performance of Hairspray and dd is Penny

Better go and get dressed.

Thank you for the welcome back. SC is that you SteamedCabbage? Love cabbage!!!

Trazzle - have been lurking on your thread. Many thoughts of you from here. and (((((hugs))))) Hope today is a good day for you and the family.

Morning of catching up with lots of paperwork, forms and boring things like that - hence the MN procrastinations!! DH is cramming in a lot of bike stroking, like morning noon and night at the moment - making up for a year of only being able to use a mountain bike and no chance of "whizzing" as he says!

So far this morning I have been on a spending spree. Oooops!!
Bought a new laptop for DH to take back to Cambodia so that we can skype each other.
Bought a Kindle Fire HD. - woooooo go me!!!

Now need one of those jobs to pay for it.

I am officially going to be in holiday mode until Dh leaves me, so minimal housework - any excuse! I might stir myself enough to do some baking today.
One of the reasons I have returned home is so that I can do some of the caring for my mum, who has alzheimers, to relieve my dad, who is now ill, too. But day off that duty today as Dsis is seeing them today (we will be sharing the work) so a little bit of relaxing is in order. I might even sit in the garden and top up mu vitamin D levels! All because of medicinal needs, obviously!

A tad late for checking in to July but so.....

Lovely to 'see' you back PA but sorry about your mum.

Flying failing here recently - DH gradually getting worse, mainly partly because he won't take adequate care of himself, and I am getting angry and stressed because of this. The to-do list is so long I don't really have a valid strategy (or the energy) for tackling it and I'm typing this with the piles of urgent paperwork threatening to engulf the laptop.

So I'm off to make my 3rd cup of strong coffee this morning and write a list of the first 3 tasks I can think of. Do those while keeping a notepad beside me to write all the other tasks I keep thinking of that have not made it to the master to-do list so they don't hassle me. Stop after 15 mins, change task .... you know the drill.

BBL

Good luck honu
trazzles you are far braver then me. I won't even look at the shred never mind tackle it.
Good to have you back PA

Today I am suffering. Not with burn out but with Ear ache and swollen glands. Got a doctor's appointment for tomo (I love my doctors surgery they have the best appointment system!)

I have considered the stuff I need to be doing and decided that the only thing I will be doing will be to sort out the urgent paperwork and drink coffee/iced water. The rest can wait as have a busy day tomo and need to be able to tackle it. Hard when suffering some sort of bug in this heat.

To do:
Breakfast
find paperwork to deal with
boot up computer
create new uncorrupted email account
retype cv
log in the account that needs new email account
try not to die in heat/ fall asleep when should be working.

Actually I am lying there is also burn out in the mix. Ouch :(

Yes, it's me PA! We have missed you lots and lots. (My posts have been far too whingy!! ) So pleased to hear the wedding went well!!! Sounds so lovely x Bet you are enjoying being back in your own kitchen aren't you without monsoon rains and potential electrocution to contend with? Very sorry to hear about your parents deteriorating health and good luck with the job search, but for now, hope you have a lovely - much deserved - day off today in the sun! [With intermittent pigeon sticking of course )

The very best of luck to your ds today Whoknows hope the operation goes well and that you are both not too stressed by it all x

Swan good luck with the family therapy and congratulations to your dd on her leading role! Hope the performance goes well for her!

Trazzles I cry at the mere thought of the Shred, never mind actually doing it!

Goth/Whoknows Ikea virtually the only furniture store here (30 mins away by car). Trouble is, all the furniture and curtains are too short for all the very tall houses here, so everyone has bookcases built up on plinths and curtains with wapping great borders sewn on the bottom! (I've just had to buy two of their bathroom blinds and am chopping one up to add to the other - yes - can't stand the newspaper on the bathroom windows any more!!)

That sounds like a tough schedule Pushme glad you are feeling better though

Wishing you courage with the Flying Bitchy - you'll get there - you did humungous amounts yesterday!

Wise words from Polkadot there - great to hear the system is working for you!

Waves to Ellie Blue Asheth Consils Jess Lauren Just Honu Feetheart Toffee and everyone I've missed!

I'm feeling much better today.

Was in bed for parts of yesterday recovering from gastro thing while the gardener was here and woke up in the afternoon to find it had all been done - like one of dd's "fairy transformations"!! Really looks so much better (they have trimmed loads of overgrown trees I couldn't reach and mulched everywhere). Terrace is three shades brighter instead of looking like an old pond! Only trouble is, I'm feeling guilty now for keeping the rabbits downstairs this morning while I get their outdoor run sorted. They've been used to being able to rampage freely and I don't want them to eat all the newly planted flowers before dd's birthday party! Hope not too much of a hardship for them though - they only really come out at dawn and dusk in this weather. And only temporary ...

Also, sister no. 1 has done some big sister diplomacy and db has now agreed that him and his family will sign anniv card if we all draw it which is underwhelming but better than nothing.

Ta da:
morning routine inc s&s, rabbits, wm, dw, dd off to morning art 'stage'
put 19 bags of garden rubbish out for Wednesday collection
phone friend about baby-sitting arrangements
catch up with this thread!
hang out loads of Ikea linen/net curtainy things to dry
wash next lot

To do:
more laundry
morning = sort out sewing materials and handbags in boudoir
wardrobe decluttering
lunch for dd
afternoon= sister's card painting + start dd's birthday party invitations

Better get on! Enjoy the sunshine everyone!

Morning everyone ! Trying to get my head round names and everything but getting all confused so I just hope everyone has a good day :)

Gotta go doctor this morning then I need to crack on with jobs in my kitchen

How is everyone

x posts

Sorry things are so tough for you Honu and continue to be so. I imagine that being someone's main carer must completely drain you of inner resources never mind time and energy and the ability to even think clearly. I would find any sort of organisation virtually impossible under those circumstances. Wishing you strength for it all

Sorry to hear you are feeling so rotten Bitchy Hope the doctor can help