August is when the fledglings party, and perhaps do a bit of flying, maybe.

[BitchytheGreat]

Roll up, roll up to this special birthday month for the fledglings...

We are going to attempt to keep the dc happy, whilst flying. No mean feat in the month of holidays and adventures.

Rule 1. yes even in a birthday month we have rules
It is not about perfection. A little is enough, no really.
Rule 2.
You are aloud to spend time doing fun things, don't regret them or feel guilty.
Rule 3. This one is a fat fairy rule.
you are never behind, jump in where you are

So newbies if you are reading this you are probably thinking wtf?! This is a wonderful system designed by the fly lady. in days gone olde one fledgling had a dream about the fly lady in which she was a fat fairy, thus the thread nickname fat fairy was born. Just so we don't confuse you like
Anyhows, this month it is Bitchy's turn to lead, and perhaps this should come with a warning. She has her own unique style of leading but don't let that scare you off, the fledglings are luffsly and generally far more sane then the bitchy one just be aware of bitchy's special brew. Terribly high in caffine and can sometimes be found in the naughty corner. Which reminds me, the naughty corner if for those who are struggling for whatever reason or those just in need of a stiff drink.

So this flying thing. It has three stages:
stage one: the babysteps. these build a routine. some of them are contriversial, and some a little wishy washy seem a little less significant. But most are really good.
Stage two: babysteps and missions one the routines are in place the missions are designed to help you tackle tasks room by room. These room by room approach is helpfully referred to as zones.
stage three: the mythical deep cleaning stage yeah lets just ignore that, none of us have got to the point where we have not only decluttered but got in control of the chaos

Oh yeah CHAOS - what the fat fairy calls "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"

That clear as mud? good. Let's Begin....

Morning fledglings! Jetlag is kicking my arse atm so I?m wide awake at 3am and then struggling to stay awake at 7pm. Still, I have a few more weeks to adjust before school starts whereas DH goes back to work on Monday.

Sweltering here ? has been over 35 for the last 2 days. We?re expecting thunderstorms today and it should cool off by 10 degrees or so.

Have been using the quiet time (DH and DS still sleeping) to look for a pop up laundry basket for DS?s puppets/soft toys as we have one toy box in the lounge and it?s over flowing. Going to put some washing on in a minute and maybe even some gardening before it gets too hot (or rains).

I like the sound of that ice tea sc

Sorry to hear about your knee bitchy

Welcome zing !

I need a list to get me going

Washing x god knows how many
Washing away
Washing up
Finish putting away holiday bits
Suitcases away in loft
Tame jungle back garden
Give plants a soaking this evening
Hoover
Have an afternoon nap
Stay up late (not sure FL would approve!)
Eat lots and lots of fruit and salad

Woken up at 7 by both boys wanting to know which of them was my favourite. I said they both were .

Am now drinking coffee and wondering what to do today. It's raining on and off, so we will have to stay in for now.

Happy Birthday to PA's DD1 . Glad you had a lovely meal out.

Engels - sorry you are struggling with jetlag. Hope the afternoon nap helps get you through the day.

To do :

Get dressed, wash hair, etc.
Deal with mountains of washing
Room rescues

How sweet toffee - did they accept your answer?!

Xposted with you pa . I could not cope with temperatures in your neck of the woods. DS had a meltdown on our last flight back from China. We ended up delayed by nearly 3 hours and stuck on the runway in sweltering temperatures.

Having a good day so far.

Ta da
Washing - 1st lot drying, 2nd lot on and 3rd ready to roll
Yesterday's wash away
1 and a half hours of gardening
Downstairs toilet cleaned
Downstairs hoovered
Washing up and shined sink
Emptied bins

It's feeling cooler here now though no sign of thunderstorms yet.

My goodness it's been a busy night on the thread!!
To do: drag self out of bed...

ta da
wash sink - it is not shiny bit it is not black either anymore which is a start
drink coffee
folding
ironing
discover ironed a ribbon which melted so need to leave the last two items until after cleaned melted plastic off iron.
1st load of washing on
breakfast
internet stuff (except important email)
water plants
sit with ice pack on knee, soon to go on ankle

Right important email. and then shower and up sitcks two fingers up at the fat fairys dressed to shoes and impolietly ignores

Good morning everyone

For some reason I'm in a rambunctious "get things done" mood today and as this only happens a couple of times a year I am trying to make the most of it!

In a bid to get some time alone sort out the kitchen before Sept 1st (start of term) while it is sunny and light, I am having a blitz on the cutlery drawers and two pots in which I keep long implements this morning. Have scrubbed an old huge paella pan that lives on the side. Need to scrub copper jam pans. Also need to re-paint two cutlery holder compartments, one kitchen roll holder thing and one old Ikea free-standing cheapo unit with drawers.

Also going to seek out handy-man to make me some shelves in the gap which used to house second fridge and make some sort of curtain to cover it. And buy one hanging cupboard. Temporary measures but shouldl make a huge difference to kitchen clutter I reckon.

Also doing lots of laundry!

Out this afternoon to buy dd yet more jodphur boots (her feet have already grown two sizes in the holidays ) Hopefully back in time to watch Sky Lantern run in the Nassau Stakes

A very warm welcome to Zing!

Hope your dd1 has a lovely birthday PA! Current English heat wave must seem run of the mill to you now!

Sorry about the continual battle with dust Bitchy Hope you can vanquish it.

Praying for cooling rain here too Ëngels! [Wierd tip for overcoming jet lag: allow sun to shine on back of your knees (apparently!) Something to do with melatonin uptake or some'at...]

Castle dh was rushed to hospital with suspected heart attack but thankfully it turned out to be gall bladder issue. We are now off the booze and eating lots and lots of salad

Asheth sympathies with decluttering one room and finding a pile of stuff somewhere else!!

Toffee as you've been up early and to bed late, hope you can catch up on some sleep this afternoon and have a small nap

Big stonking waves to everyone!

[PS Think I may have to lie down in a darkened room for having inadvertently sorted out tupperware: crikey I've done a mission !!!]

Oh my gosh someone kick me up the butt ! Why did I ever stop coming here !! My place is a tip and its holiday time and there's no time to do anything and arghhhh !! Hope everyone is well :)

Power of 15mins Jess. You can do it. Promise.

Right, so my second 15 mins has put a serious dent in the pile in the sitting room. So I second Bitchy on the power of 15 mins! Even 10 mins can all add up. After a week all of DS2's shelves have been decluttered and rearranged and look lovely. DS1's clutter mountain under his table has vanished! I've also done some washing and hung i out in the sunshine.

Still to do - second washing load
clean downstairs toilet
10 mins in DS3's room
And anything else I think of!

Will also get out in the sunshine with DS3! Have a good Saturday everyone!

Thank you bitchy :)

Another ice pack to ankle break.

ta da
wash sink - it is not shiny bit it is not black either anymore which is a start
drink coffee
folding
ironing
discover ironed a ribbon which melted so need to leave the last two items until after cleaned melted plastic off iron.
1st load of washing on
breakfast
internet stuff (except important email)
water plants
sit with ice pack on knee, soon to go on ankle
send important email
clean iron
finish ironing
another load of washing on
move ds' washing to his room
move my washing to my room
clean toy bookcase and move out of lounge
clean 2nd toy stack out of lounge
clean case of old sewing machine and immediately wish hadn't bothered (one of those jobs where it didn't look too bad until you started and then you could really see how yucky it was and just sapped time)
remove spare dining room chairs from lounge
return all furniture, and other stuff that lives in the hall
move sofa
work my way through tackling the stuff on the lounge floor (still in progress)
boil up stray handwarmer which appeared
water plants
wipe down ds' coats and bags
sort through ds' coats
carry stuff upstairs and put away
sort my training kit bag
5mins in washing machine cubby hole
dispose of dead plants

I have clearly not drunk enough coffee though as i could happily fall asleep right now. 5 more mins and then i need to go carry on working on the lounge. Suppose to be going out if i finish on time. Currently not looking likely though

You've been busy on here! Will catch up later as no flying done yesterday or today so far apart from dressed to shoes. So...

Ta da
Dressed to shoes

To do
Flylady e-mails
Negative voices
Hot spot
5 minute room rescue
Shine sink
Lay out clothes for tomorrow
Another hot spot
15 minutes decluttering
Inspirational page
Negative voices
Another hot spot
Another 5 minute room rescue
Another hot spot
Another 15 minutes decluttering
Inspirational page
Whatever babystep number 13 is...oh, just checked and Kelly's mission and no missions on a Saturday so that's one less thing to do...

Reward will be to have some me time and catch up on what everyone else has been up to...will check back later...

Ok taking 5 mins to post the babysteps at a sensible time. For a novelty

Babystep 4 - this is the optional one. Most of us don't do the post it notes. Creating yet more clutter. Might work for you though. Make your own minds up

Sunday: do something for you.

And that they say is that!

I'm done..

Ta da
Everything on list above
Put dishwasher on
Blended soup (which has been in slow cooker past couple of days )
Made lollies
Watered plant
Changed DD bedding - she has taken to sleeping in my bed over the summer holidays, transpires she doesn't like her bedding (terry toweling type material - she has had no problem with for previous 18 months!) why she just didn't tell me this three weeks ago I don't know she now has new bedding and is sleeping back in her own bed
Put washing on
Wrapped present for party tomorrow - particularly proud of this one as present normally wrapped as we are supposed to be setting off for party (or in car before party , you now see why I need Flylady!)
Text mum

Decluttering was cloakroom, don't know how I ended up doing in there as was working on family room - hadn't realised zone changed on Thursday. Anyway decluttered 16 pairs of DDs shoes that don't fit her - 16!!! she still has 8 pairs left!

Feeling very pleased with myself for getting everything done and will now relax and catch up with what everyone else has been up to

Evening all, hope you're all having a great Saturday night. We're being 'entertained' by the live music playing at the local hotel DH originally thought it was someone practising as they seem to be playing the same riff over and over again!

Done
Morning routines
All of yesterday's washing folded & put away
Bit of mending
Washing up x 3
Litter tray
Recycling out
Post office
Bought a 'new' bike!
Watched Harry Potter with DD
Dinner
Washing up & SS

Bitchy - impressive ta da list as usual! Hope your ankle is better soon. Loved yesterday's round up, but did think until you pointed it out that you were letting us know you wouldn't be getting any fuck fun today . Lunch yesterday was awful, as expected, but got through it - called in at a bar on way there so was fashionably 25 minutes late. Did catch up with an old friend, so wasn't all bad- but still very awkward with person I didn't want to see - and then called in at a bar afterwards as well

Jess - I'd have to agree with bitchy and Asheth - doing a bit each day really does seem to work. I've only done 2 weeks of babysteps, but am starting to notice a difference (slight difference, but still!)

Asheth - hope you made it out in the sunshine with DS3 - you deserved it after all you ave accomplished this week

Toffee - I will second handing your DH your ta da list in future

SC - another impressive ta da list today - did you get it all sorted?

Engels - sorry to hear about your flight back from China - 3 hours delay on runway sounds a nightmare anyway, but in sweltering temperatures

PA - happy birthday to DD1! Had image of Duracell bunny as I was flying today...made me smile, thanks for that

Waves to Castle, zing, mercury, goth and everybody else!!!

Had a lovely family fun day today. DD and I slept in until 8.45 - which is very late for us, but we must have needed it. Took her to the zoo this morning, then went to cake shop to order cake for her birthday party (she wants a scooby doo haunted mansion cake and has been telling me this since Christmas was over!) then went to the beach and then shopping.

Anyway, going to bed now - think it's the first night this week I've been in bed before midnight x

thanks for lovely welcome from a lot of you!

We have DS2's birthday sleepover party tonight and I've been too busy to read through properly.
will do later.

Tomorrow I'll have to clean fridge (it stinks!) and must clean/sort cutlery drawers.

DH is taking all the kids to his parents' for lunch - I'll stay home so I can have a lovely nap and a bit of quiet time.

hope you all had a good day

Morning all!

To do
Dressed to shoes
Read Flylady e-mails
Negative voices
Hot spot
5 minute room rescue
Shine sink
Lay out clothes for tomorrow
Another hot spot
15 minutes decluttering
Inspirational page
Baby step 14 - something to do with calendars

Be back later...hope everyone has a lovely (and productive!) day ...

Good morning

Engles I am back here in the Uk now and yes, SC finding this "Heatwave" quite mildly warm and pleasant!!!

Bitchy Very impressive list - you are certainly an all or nothing person, aren't you? Although I seem to remember quite a few of us on here have that trait.

DD1 had a good day, although she was working a lot of it. DS made a very impressive cake - yum yum!!
Zing hope your DD had a good birthday, too.

Goth Are you a neighbour of mine.....awful music from a local place here, too last night.

So, life is a little mad at the moment. I am bunny sitting our old bunnies for 3 weeks while their new family is off on holiday. I am also dog sitting a large black lab for 9 days. Arrived yesterday and I was feeling a bit out of my depth, but so far no problems - never had a dog, ever, never really liked dogs, ever - in fact normally actively avoid dogs at all costs, but opened my mouth a little before engaging brain and so here I am with a dog to look after. I could be asking for help on here!! So far she has wee-ed, poo-ed and eaten this morning and after a bit of MN-ing we will go for a nice walk before church.

DS has really been messed about by his work, so he is on the look out for another job.
DD1 is enjoying her new job and is looking forward to going off to uni at the beginning of September.
DH - our conversations are still 90% instructions about how to cook stuff.

Lack of enthusiasm for any flying at the moment. I need to get my act together before DD2 comes home on Wednesday. Might have a bit of a bash at things this afternoon, I will see.
Have a good Sunday everyone.

Hi all - not too bad; only 4 days late! Thanks Ellie for last month - brilliant or masochistic to do it while coping with end of term - and enjoying Bitchy's style

Not been a v good July here - DH not well and neither of us coping with the heat. I had a bad attack of cba at end of term but am now trying to sort the chaos.

Hi all - not too bad; only 4 days late! Thanks Ellie for last month - brilliant or masochistic to do it while coping with end of term - and enjoying Bitchy's style

Not been a v good July here - DH not well and neither of us coping with the heat. I had a bad attack of cba at end of term but am now trying to sort the chaos.

Have found the timer, looked out my routines checklist, and propose doing a bit of crisis tidying (cleaning not yet on the radar - you have to be able to see it before you can clean it!)

Flying Alert - did you know that Lakeland's rubber buddy www.lakeland.co.uk/23270/Rubber-Buddy-Brush
is identical to Flylady's rubba scrubba she goes on about?

Am still following and enjoying the thread - keeps me sane!

ps how do you do a link with your own words on top and the link underneath?

And wtf with the half post earlier?

Morning my lovelies - really beautiful day here!

Hey Honu - good to see you! (Sorry your dh is unwell and things are still so tough for you both though. Hope it is a bit cooler where you are today.)

Thanks for buddy brush link! (I wonder if Flylady acts as a Lakeland consultant!)

The way to do links with your own writing on top is to copy the web address and put double square bracket at the front. Then go to the end of the web address and leave a space, then write what you want to write, then insert double square closing bracket. Hope that makes sense!

Hope you are managing to keep lab and buns apart PA [Dabs eye with handkerchief imagining PA being temporarily reunited with her furry friends ]

Hope you survived the sleepover ZingW Very brave of you to incorporate it in to party! Hope your ds2 had a great time!

Saturn congrats on getting through your list (esp present wrapping!) and having a fab family fun day yesterday! Love the idea of a Scooby Doo cake!! (I got quite a bit done thanks - still working on bits of list - would have done more had I not got side-tracked by visit to large shop selling all things horsey. Went for new jod boots for dd but spent rather too long wandering around in a contented haze sniffing leather and stroking girths before I got arrested, just kidding )

Goth sympathies with free "entertainment" . We have same prob with nearby theatre.

Congrats on your mega list too bitchy and ta for links. Didn't realise you had broken your ankle That's awful. HOpe you are managing OK?

Well done re: the shelf decluttering Asheth Hope you could get out in the sun yesterday too.

Right, this morning my sink is sparkling and I have tackled a bit of laundry. About to put back/re-line kitchen drawers that I left out yesterday and prep healthy lunch dish. Then clear dining room hot spot. Then off to church/then butchers if they are open. Very quiet so going to force myself to drive my car. (Need to do more driving to spare dh.) Afternoon will be spent playing and baking with dd .

Enjoy your Sundays everyone!