Flying into September - a new term for the Fledglings

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Welcome to the September Fledgling Flylady Thread.

This thread is for people with CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome). We follow Flylady, the website with a mission!

All are welcome on this thread, experienced flyers and newcomers alike.

We try to follow the commandments of Flylady as we run our homes, loosely anyway. In between there's lots of chat and support as we go through our daily lives. We have coffee, cake, and a naughty corner for those who want to chat but CBA with their house some days. However you follow it, this thread is designed to make your life a little easier and more fun.

For those who are new to the system (and those needing a refresher), there are several aspects to the system:

1. Babysteps. These build a routine. Some are really useful, some are downright odd and some are, quite frankly, there to be ignored. They build a good foundation though.

1. Decluttering. Flylade is evangelical about clutter. In order to feel good about our homes we need to ditch the clutter. Flylady divides the home into zones, week by week and repeating monthly. As well as babysteps, we have to declutter in the relevant zone. Once that is achieved we move on to...

1. Missions. Also in the current zone, these are targetted tasks to tackle one particular aspect. One a day, they vary month to month.

1. Deep Cleaning. Once we have completely decluttered (some of us seem to be stuck permanently on that stage) there are deep cleaning lists for each zone. Achieve that and your house will be spotless!

One last thing - the Flylady website encourages us to subscribe to her emails - one word - DON"T! You will be overwhelmed by them. Instead come to this thread every morning and the relevant links for the day will be there waiting for you except when the thread leader has been on the

A big thank you to Bitchy for last month, and also for doing this Sunday's links as I am off camping.

Hey ! I've missed y'all ! How is everyone !

Flying is still very sporadic and often motivated by a last minute someone-is-coming-over-nowwwwww kinda thing

My sons Tuesday night math lesson is helping as I make myself scarce in the kitchen and get loads done :)

I just need to try get some of the habits going on so Incan quit the shit-tip/panic tidy cycle !!

Hugs to all xxxx

Hey Jess, I'm a bit the same. I've invited some of my friends round for a meal tomorrow night and am having a panic clean!

Yes, prospective new cat/kitten or two. It has taken me a long time to get to a place where I want to do this (was a bit the same with having the DCs TBH) but am quite excited now.

Goth - leave the fridge/freezer door open a fraction if you can, helps prevent mould growth.

Thanks Who, I hadn't thought of that, the fridge was not very pleasant when we opened up the building this spring.

Trazzles 4bags! Yes, that counts as Flying.

Made my casserole, and dumplings are ready to be popped in this evening.

Will target bedroom this afternoon, as DH is working in lounge getting in my way

Jess I think we all do the panic cleans, some habits come easy, making beds, S&S, others not so much, going to bed early

OK, got a bit more stuck into the kitchen than I meant to, but it is now gleaming, floors done, all surfaces cleaned, including under microwave etc, oven and grill wiped out, wall next to table cleaned of splatter marks. Bathroom half done. Hoovering still to do.

Still hectic here. DS1 has taken us completely by surprise and announced that he wants to go back to his old school . He is doing really well at the moment, thanks to the meds and the therapy, so I think it's feasible, although, obviously, we will be prepared for ups and downs.

Can honestly say we never thought this would happen!

I have been busy contacting various members of his 'team' to get it all set up. And also making sure DS1 is working hard at home ed, so that he isn't completely out of his depth assuming he does go back.

Can't quite believe it. Flying is way down on my list of priorities at present, but have managed a load of washing and am keeping my kitchen clean. Oh, and did a swish and swipe today.

Hi all. Beautiful day here!

Ta da:
Morning routine inc s&s, dw, wm and rabbits
Tidied up a bit generally - carrying things up and downstairs - everything takes so long to do!
Dining room table hotspot
Hung up last night's wash to dry on terrace
Prepped everything for fortnightly ironing lady who is now coming once a week and alternating with cleaning.

Accompanied dh to consultant's and all clear (apart from having to book final endoscopy which is a routine check apparently - he's not looking forward to it.)
Then to supermarket, bank, bakery,
Then to pick up dd (half day here) but forgot large rucksack from trip which had travelled back separately [bum].

Then home to lunch.

Then to dermatologist with dd only to find I have the appt wrong and we have to go back at 5 o'clock but fortunately only 5 mins or so away.

To do:
Try and do something interesting with potatoes, carrots, courgettes and lardons
Back to dermatologist
Change beds which I CBA to do on Sat

A bit frustrated today because that's another week virtually gone (dd's school on holiday today and tomorrow) in which I have just maintained and not made proper decluttering/reorganising progress.

Now dh has all clear, and if he can get away from office/has the energy, we are going to be go away for short break to be amongst green fields so, after tonight, prob won't be back on here until Monday 30th!

Sorry not much time for personals but just wanted to say I am happy to run Oct thread Whoknows if no-one else is burning to do it - as long as someone could cover from 26th onwards as we will probably be away for Toussaint half term break then. Ditto for Nov if someone doesn't mind covering first three days and Armistice weekend. Thanks for steering us through tricky back to school period and v. exciting about kitten!

Goth sounds as if you are leaving your summer place of work in an altogether better state than you found it

Cleaning out car definitely counts Trazzles!

Sorry hwk proving to be such a flashpoint Swan and hope your day is improving

PA hope you haven't been deported!

Feetheart have pm'd you with some low fat recipes

Big wing flaps to Jess PA Toffee Ellie Just Honu Jemima Blue¨Bitchy Blueandwhite Engels Pushme Stillwearing Shannara Castle Saturn Nicknacks and everyone else I've missed!

Tally-ho and ninky nonk! [SC speeds off upstairs in direction of suitcases]

Trazzles it most definitely counts as flying!!!

I am procrastinating. I am not in the best emotional place and feeling quite rebeliously overwhelmed. Also i have drunk to much coffee and it is really telling. flying isn't going to happen today which means tomo the to do list is going to be incredibly horrific!!!

Bitchy

Toffee sounds like a positive step for DS

Done
Morning routines
Dd to school
Greengrocers
Made hummus!
Made a veggie casserole with dumplings, 1st one of the autumn, went down a treat and enough for another meal-RESULT
Weekly bleugh most of
Ironing
Laundry load
Collect DD
Supervise homework
Washing up & SS
DD to Woodcraft

SC - have a lovely time wherever you go.

Bitchy - hope you feel a bit better tomorrow.

Toffee - fantastic about DS1 wanting to try school again.

Trazzle - well done on your car decluttering, I'm glad it's not just me that has to take multiple bags out to do that particular chore.

Well, a minor miracle here this afternoon. Took the DCs into town to have their hair cut after school and when I got them home they both settled down to do their homework, unprompted!

Cat protection visit was fine, now all we have to do is go and buy all the bowls etc and go down to the rescue and choose one. Exciting!

Ta-da!

Kitchen - cleaned all flat surfaces, floor, small appliances, inside of oven (catalytic liner, so not hard). Moved table and chairs to hoover properly under (carpet at that end of room).

Bathroom - all done, including floor

Hoovering - all downstairs except lounge done, plus our bedroom.

Also Sainsburys shopping and DD to Brownies tonight. And some food prep for friends that are coming rouns tomorrow. Yum.

SC - thank you for offering to do October. I had a feeling we had takers for the next few months, but no idea who volunteered for what after Sept, it may have been you anyway.

OK, Links for Thiurs.

|BAbaystep. Another reading email one, I wouldn't bother, give yourself a day off.

Mission clear out old underwear. Not too onerous.

Daily Focus is Errand Day. I've been doing errands all week, so that doesn't work for me, but I will maybe do a bit of planning (or something) instead.

Sorry not been on much or read today's posts time is flying away!

Ds's 7 birthday tomorrow have spent all afternoon realising what I have forgotten and trying to work out order for tomorrow

To do for tomorrow
Present opening, video camera adn normal photos.
School run
Make cake
Go to tesco, couple of bits have forgotten adn decided this evening to add to birthday tea.
Make flapjacks and cook sausage rolls and sausages.
Ice cake
Blow up ballons and hang outside, leaving some to play with in doors.
Pipe cake
Make sure downstairs is tidy before children come in and mess it up again!
Party
Clear up
Collapse in a heap!

Will try and get back on friday and do better with the FLYing.
Have a good evening and day tomorrow.

Oh Bitchy xxx

Thanks for all your confirmations of my flying car miraculously only failed on a couple of tiny things ( always the wiper blades) so that's always a bonus! I was kind of thinking they'd valet the car but they didn't so I've done that tonight quite a lot of Christmas tree still in the boot and then tidied the hall again.

Off to bed now as up at 5.30 to relieve DH of Joe-watching duty. Night x

whoknows my theories based on 6 cats over last 20 years (some parental) is that tortoiseshells are a bit manic and moody (but rewarding when they show any interest in you), black cats are just plain clever/sweet natured, and fluffy cats can wind you round their little finger or are pushovers/softies. I've only ever met one ginger cat and he was quite a sensitive soul and not particularily laid back. He was one of those cats that like to have a conversation. My mother's cats were mostly tabbies and independent and friendly types - not especially moody. None of the cats I've ever owned have been other than moggies so I daresay there are other interesting temperaments too! Anyway, all cats are adorable. I love my moody tortie best atm, and desperately miss the shy ginger tom that we once lost.

Calmer day. Inset day tomorrow which helps, for the boys.
Did loads of washing and cleaning today - house still mess though ()
helped at Beavers which went well.
Had nap in afternoon which helps....

Toffee that is unexpected indeed, wow!!! And it is coming from him, the best solution of all.

Trazzles hope your night is alright and that Joe is at home?

Shannara happy birthday to your ds, party sounds great.

I will be glad when this week is over and there is less sn red tape fighting. Fed up of people pushing paper and not doing anything. But even if nothing has been done at least i can feel like i have hit my head on every wall possible in trying to get it done. I can do no more then that. I have a nice activity in theory planned for sunday. It will be needed by then. Although I am very grateful to some friends who did their best to lift my spirits enough to deal with tomo's round of head hitting. Without that I think that all hope would have evaporated. And I am going to bed feeling like i can face tomo rather then wanting to hide in the corner and cry. Friends like that are very much needed. And the most amazing thing about tonight? The people who helped me so much are not people who i consider close friends, more acquaintances. although i am not entirely sure that they know exactly what they have done for me There are some pretty amazing people out there and I really am honoured to have my life cross the path of so many of them!

Time for sleep. Still have a crazy busy day tomo.
night

Sorry you are having such a hard time, Bitchy. Some people just seem to 'get' these things and you have to hang on to them for dear life. Is it worth posting on the SNs board? Loads of experience and sympathy there. Best of luck with tomorrow's challenges. Will keep a comfy cushion and steaming brew of coffee in the naughty corner for you.

DS2 woke me up TOO BLOODY EARLY again .

Hellooo!

Whoknows oh didn't realise we had takers - wasn't me - but back on Mon to see what is happening. Don't mind either way! Good luck choosing kitten!

Sorry you are having such a tough wk Bitchy but thank heavens for the good folk

That is fab news about ds1 Toffee!!

Happy birthday to your ds Shannara hope party goes well

Goodbye!!

Happy 7th birthday to DS Shannara.

What fantastic news Toffee!! I am so pleased for you and for DS1. He must be feeling so much better to have even considered returning. I hope it all goes smoothly now.

Bitchy Oh dear!! Thoughts of you today - I hope it goes better than you expect.

WhoKnows How exciting. Are you going for 1 or 2? I absolutely love my cats. I love that they are so independent but affectionate. I liked reading Swan's run down on cat personalities. My Ginger Tom was a clever, affectionate, cheeky cat. The ones we have now: Black one is very soppy and affectionate, tabby is less affectionate and mischievous. They are great fun together, though and look out for each other very well.

Hi SC hope DH is doing well.

I am just off to my council appointment. I don't know that I can really take this too seriously!! It seems totally ludicrous. Anyway, I think I can prove I am me. They cannot prove that I am not, so that is a plus!! They can't prove that I am not British and if they want to prove that my home is not mine I would quite like a refund on the mortgage I have paid for the past 13 years since we bought this house! Hey ho, I will go and jump through their ridiculous bureaucracy and smile sweetly on the way!

On the way home I will pop into mum and dads and check up on them for the day.
Go BlackBerrying
Do some shopping
Home to have an afternoon of baking. Hayyyyyy!!!!!!!! That's my self-indulgent plan for today, anyway!!

WhoKnows - am excited for you at the thought of a cat joining your household! You do know you'll have to share pictures on your profile, don't you?

PA - good luck at proving you are you . It does seem unbelievably silly, I agree.

Thanks for all the congratulations on DS1's turnaround. It's all down to meds and therapy, although I don't underestimate the hard work and bravery it has taken for DS to overcome his anxieties. I expect a bumpy ride with school, but he is determined to go for it, so that's the main thing. And we have a great supportive team. The other school turned out to be unbelievably crap about SNs support, in the end, but luckily DS1 had changed his mind by then anyway. The PRU is right opposite the secondary, so DS1 can have a phased integration going between the two before going full time. Just have to wait and see if the school has a place now, although we have a strong case on medical grounds.

To do :

Breakfast
Stay awake
Trip to shops to buy skater shoes for DS1's new hobby
Home ed
Lunch
Afternoon nap
Deal with humungous washing piles all over the house
Basic daily Flying routine
Collect DS2 from friend's house

Waves to everyone. Thanks for offering to take over next month, SC.

PA - I really want to hear how it goes - your pigeon-poking story from years ago still makes me chuckle when I think about it, you have a great way with words.

bitchy - hope today is better. Agree that some people are amazing, even more so because they often don't realise they are.

whoknows - go for two kittens :) Your DC are similar age to mine and our reasoning for two was that they would keep each other company when we go out/go away/etc.
I only have experience of Siamese (my mum has had two) - very 'yell-ie', and black and white ones - we had one who was run over at 18mths, now we have a brother and sister. Both of the boy cats have LOVED DS, current rather dim boycat usually sleeps on DS's pillow, often wrapped round his head and will always turn up if DS is upset/unwell. Girlcat has more brains but isn't so affectionate.

SC - thanks for PM but have a feeling it may have got lost as server was hacked into on Tuesday afternoon and dealing with the ensuing mayhem (40,000+ emails, etc) has caused the important ones to be lost :( If you are able to re-PM me I would be very grateful.

DH back from camping but straight into insane workload (see above!) so haven't seen much of him and I am having a bit of a nightmare with tenants so quite a stressed household at the moment.
Will make a list and just get on with stuff today and see where I get to:

• Text bl**dy tenant and deal with him when he replies
• Contact Shelter for advice
• Find out who to contact in Council
• Hang out washing
• Next load on
• WORK
• S&S
• Cat litter
• Kitchen floor
• Sort out dinner
• Diving for DS
• Dinner
• Guides for DD

Have LOTs of nervous energy thanks to tenant situation so will use it to get lots of little jobs done as don't think I can concentrate for long - too cross!

Toffee - sorry, forgot to say 'WOW' re DS1, that must have left you speechless :) Fantastic news though, he must be feeling so much better to suggest it. You have all worked SO hard with him, I really hope there are more ups than downs for you all during the 'back-to-school' process.

Ta Da:

• Spoken to tenant and told him what I expect him to do. Was clear and concise and did not enter a discussion/debate (or turn into raging banshee and tell him exactly what I think of him) He has until Monday to get back to me and tell me what I want to hear or it goes legal.

Need to do some physical jobs now as shaking with anger/adrenalin

Toffee - great news re DS1
Bitchy - yay for helpful and supportive people!

I have just emerged from a massive tunnel of work and realised that the house is a tip. Also got told off by the optician y'day for too much time on the computer. All in all, better get off MN and do some house bleugh.

anyone?

Oh, feet, missed your post. That sounds hard. :(

Quick q for cat lovers.

Should we let the DCs help choose the cat (it will be just one for now) or present them with our choice? Reason for asking - rescue has an open day on Sat, which will be very busy, would rather not go that day. If we leave it till Sun DH is worried there won't be many left. He and I could go tomorrow while the DCs are at school. I thought we should all be involved in the choice, but what if the DCs each fall for a different one? Also it would be easier for DH to discuss them properly without having the DCs underfoot.

Also what's the difference between a tabby and a tortoiseshell?

Got to go, at work, would appreciate any opinions.