Is it October already the fledglings utter? We'll Fly with our broom sticks and start to declutter...

[Slimchance]

If you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, support and and along the way.

This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in zones of the house which are designated weekly; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with loads more time to do someting more interesting instead!

At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again!

We advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, we will be 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.]

More info here on getting started and Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings. Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound!

Humungous thanks to Whoknows for leading us through the tricky start to the academic year ....

All welcome!!

Morning all!
I hope your trees survived the storm Whoknows and that your dd feels better soon.
The lantern walk sounds lovely Goth.
I was supposed to be taking the dcs to a friends today and on to a new indoor playcentre but I'm going to see if the winds die down as the road leading there has some nasty cross winds. In all honesty a day spent lounging at home will be just as welcomed by dc.

I completed my to do list yesterday and felt much more positive as a result. This morning I will try to:
Unload dw and reload
Make beds
15m declutter living room
Declutter shoe cupboard (which is completely out of control)
Small pile of ironing
Clean bathroom
Take dc out?

I think that will do to start. Bbl later with another list.

Hope you all have a good day.

Quiet here, no signs of storm damage, but gusty wind still blowing. I got up to go to the loo at about 1.15 and it was picking up speed then, also pouring with rain. When I came back the DCs had both rolled into the middle of the bed so I was squashed, but managed to snuggle in. DD seems fine this morning (touch wood).

Good morning.

Same weather here Dizzy - winds really picking up now.

Glad all OK so far Whoknows

And that you are feeling more positive Mercury

Just completed another one and a half hr search but still no sign. Was sure she'd be there waiting for her breakfast when I came down this morning . She may have been scared by visiting dc yesterday and/or there was a 5 min or so period when we were saying goodbye to our guests that the front door was open; but no sign of rabbits on ground floor while that was happening so hoping she is still here hiding somewhere. She's a big rabbit though - not easy to miss. Not liking this at all.

Thanks for the hug whoknows Am feeling a bit better now. Managed to get our for an hour run yesterday which cleared my head. Btw I have also been looking at a lareg ironing pile. Unfortunately looking at is has not made it go away (so will be added the the list again for today). Well done for excellent parenting - chocolate is very bad for DCs teeth

Goth lantern walk sounds amazing. Made me want to go and carve a pumpkin today. And make more soup. And drink hot chocolate. And and and!

4.45am Blue How early this morning? Have a good trip.

honu

Mercury I have so much respect for anyone studying with children, especially something as intensive as teacher training. I did my PGCE at 21 straight out of university so only had myself to look after, and seem to remember my flat being a pit! (my ExDP was doing his PGCE at the same time so it was a double pit!). Bitchy gives good advice - lower your standards - and prioritize. For me if I have to do one thing in the house every day, it is doing the washing up after dinner which I failed to do yesterday . Having clean kitchen surfaces gives me serenity!

Toffee your house sounds very cosy. We have taken to lighting candles in the evening now --now we just need to get the tv off—

sc Hope rogue rabbit turns up.

Dark and windy here, though skies are beginning to clear. Think we’re missing the worst of the storm – it’s hitting Northern Holland instead. Think DS is picking up on weird weather though. He was crazy yesterday! I took him out for a walk around the block at 5 while DH was making dinner because he was so wild.

Have nothing to put on my Ta da list yet but it's only 9am and the day is young!

Hope she turns up soon SC.

Engels - I tried looking at my ironing pile to make it vanish yesterday too but it didn't work, managed about half a dozen items but that was all.

Hope everyone has come through the storm unscathed.

Going to take DS to Sports Club shortly and consider what DD and I are going to do for the day, which is stay at home basically as I can't take her anywhere. There's a man coming to investigate our water leak this morning too, I am really not looking forward to that, I am sensing a lot of hassle/expense coming our way.

As expected, DS2 called out for us in the night. There was a proper spooky windy wail in his bedroom, which was frightening him, so I cuddled up in bed with him and we watched the wind outside, like a film. I managed to get back to sleep a bit later, whilst he built a Lego house. Then he woke me up to help him find an important Lego lever .

Not too bad, weather-wise, here. A decorative plate, which DH's much-loved (and long deceased) aunt gave to him years ago, was blown off the garden wall and smashed, which he's upset about. He might be able to glue it back together.

WhoKnows - sorry to hear about poorly cat and DD.

Mercury - good idea to reconsider your journey and have an indoor day. Bitchy's advice about coping with your course sounds very sensible.

dizzy - hope all the trees around you stayed upright last night.

SC - leisurely lunch sounds lovely. Hope you find the lost bunny today. Hopefully he's following his instincts and hiding from the storm.

Blue - I hope your trip to Legoland goes well and isn't spoilt by the windy weather.

Goth - the lantern walk sounds magical. How lovely that you made cookies and hot milk for your DD at home afterwards - what a very happy memory for her .

Engels - I remember a teacher telling me all the children at school go a bit wild when the weather is wild, so your DS probably was picking up on something. Glad you are feeling a bit better.

No 'to do' list today. Am just going to try and keep tidying up each room and decluttering as much as possible. DS2 has a friend round this afternoon, so am hoping that will free me up to get some jobs done.

WhoKnows - hope the water leak doesn't turn out too expensive.

My afternoon (while DS sleeps) consists of clearing my email inbox while watching Sleepless in Seattle.

Still trying the laser eye approach on the ironing pile but it's just not playing ball

Oh poo. I sat down and wrote the list of stuff that needs to be done by friday. NEVER do this. Serious. It is the way to give yourself a nervous breakdown. The list is more the 2 columns of a4 paper. Some of the stuff on there is going to take ages too.

ta da
start building the forms and worksheet outline structure for the spreadsheet project
Work on a half finished crochet blanket
write to do list
ds to school with pe kit
get soaked to skin

to do

EARLY night!!! Important!

[SC does little celebration jig] She's back! She's back! . The blighter had been hiding in a cellar stuffed with building materials, so she was not easy to spot. Then came sauntering out for lunch, casual as you like. Was really thinking the worst there for a moment and contemplating hiring heat seeking equipment. You don't realise how much you love your furries until something untoward happens! Have locked them both in their enclosure for the moment with a load of fresh hay with camomile flowers and a pile of carrot tops as a reward for returning to the fold. Pheeewwww.

What with the wind and worrying about the roof, that really is enough excitement for today but unfortunately dd has to have a tiny op this afternoon to remove a benign lump from her knee (local anaesthetic) so just going to get ready for that. Gathering lots of books with pictures of horses in them to distract her.

[Stupeur et tremblements at the thought of Bitchy's list]

Engels (If only re: laser eye approach .) Glad you are feeling a bit brighter although take it steady. Respect for the running though! Winds really started to gather speed here at about 4am but the worst of it was from 9am to about 11.45am. Beautiful blustery clear day now though with bright sunshine!

That's about your dh's plate Toffee hope it can be fixed. And hope you and everyone who was short-changed sleep-wise last night can catch up tonight.

Hope water leak can be easily fixed without too much expense Whoknows

Hope you are keeping safe Blue

According to Radio4, wind speeds were some of the highest recorded in your neck of the wood PA hope you and yours all OK.

Big wing flaps to everyone else!

Hooray! Go bunny (or rather, don't go...ykwim!)

Glad she's back SC.

Water man has been, he says if they can't find the leak they just disconnect the pipe and connect a new one, so might need to lift a few floorboards but no major excavations and they pay for it all. Phew. So, they are coming back on Thurs to do it.

I put some washing on the line this morning and it was dry in no time with the wind so stuck a couple more loads out and the wind has died right down, typical. Not getting much Flying done with DD around though.

Good news about the escaped bunny, SC. Hope all goes well in hospital with DD's op.

WhoKnows - good news also about the free repair.

Bitchy - long lists just make me want to go back to bed. Am sticking to the power of three for now.

Managed to sneak back to bed for a short nap this afternoon, before DS2's friend came round to play. Thanks to my restored energy level, I am baking cookies for them now.

DS1 is just back, exhausted. He says he has been 'street skating' with new friends. Hope he hasn't been mowing down any old ladies, although I have warned him to stop skating if there are elderly people walking in front. It's very weird not knowing what he's up to when I have known exactly where he is and what he's doing at all times until now.

Am hoping cookies will give me the motivation to tackle more clutter and laundry. It is so boring though.

Mmm cookies, much needed.

I have done bugger all today due to accompanying DD's class to Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum to learn about Ancient Egyptians -brilliant! But 26 children are so loud/relentless, much admiration to all teachers -here have and you all deserve it.

And then DD had a karate class this evening, and sparred for the 1st time, I'm pleased we're not allowed in, I don't like to think of her 'fighting'

Am having 5 minutes 30 MNing whilst DH does dinner

So pleased to hear you all got through the storm relatively unscathed, hope DH's plate can be repaired Toffee

And 'yay' that SCBunny has returned. I can remember one time taking the house to pieces looking for GothCat, when he was a kitten. He finally turned up on top of the folded chairs which were stored in/under the table IYKWIM, I had to lift the table wing and peer right underneath to see him. We'd not had him a week at that point, I was convinced DH had let him out.

Aaaaaaagh. Ofsted.

I can't fly. I can't think. Been reassuring everyone in the department not to stress but am doing it myself.

Evening all, quiet on here tonight.

Had a nice relaxing couple of hours on the sofa with DD sewing and watching telly this afternoon, then picked up DS from his sports club, which he seemed to enjoy (he never says much about these things). Feeling a little sorry for him over Hallowe'en, I have taken them out trick or treating together for the last few years and we have had a lovely time, but today DD's friend's parents asked if she and DD could go together. I told DS and he is really upset, he doesn't like going places with DD and her friend (he gets totally left out, so I don't blame him). I would far rather stick to just us going out together too, or maybe go in a big group. But DD will want to go with her friend (haven't told her yet as I don't want it rubbing in yet more to DS). So, tomorrow I need to ring round his friends parents and see if we can find anyone he can go with I think.

Anyway, took DS swimming tonight, then came back and conquered the ironing mountain while catching up with Downton. No more sickness from DD or cats, fingers crossed that's all over now.

Good morning! Hope everyone OK and winds subsiding where you are.

Thanks for kind words about prodigal bunny Engels and everyone else! Keep going down to check she is still there!

Glad everyone feeling better in your household (both felines and humans) Whoknows. And that no major, expensive excavations required to sort leak. Hope you manage to work out a Halloween solution that suits both dd and ds!

Sorry you've got the stress of Ofsted to contend with Ellie. Not nice to have that facing you first thing after a holiday. waiting for tonight.

Goth arf at miniature Gothcat hiding under the table wing! And top marks for volunteering to help on school trip!

[Wipes cookie crumbs from corner of mouth] Great that your ds1 is out and about Toffee! A huge adjustment for you though!

Big blustery wing flaps to everyone else!

Went to bed early with a bit of a migraine last night, hence links this morning. DD's tiny op went well although she did feel faint in the middle of it (she went a bit white and floppy and saw stars) but the surgeon was very nice, rushed down the corridor and came back with half a glass of Coke and she was fine again! Because of the dressing, she just can't do sport or have baths for two weeks which, being almost allergic to water and washing of any kind, dd is very happy about . (I did point out she is still allowed to have very quick showers though!).

Tuesday's baby-step for 29th Oct, introduces the weekly pamper mission.

This week we are in Zone 5: the sitting room here. Spend 15 mins decluttering here!

Once your sitting room is clutter-free, you can go on to detailed cleaning.

Tuesday's mission is a thorough hoovering of sitting room - behind and under sofas etc.

Tuesday is planning day.

The habit for October is still clearing paper clutter.

The daily flight plan provides a quick summary of the above.

Have a good day everyone!

Glad your bunny turned up SC.
OFSTED coming straight after half term sounds horrid Ellie although I'm sure you will be fine.
Yesterday was a relative flying success as I got the few things I listed done.
Im off for lunch with the girls I lived with at university today which will be lovely, but before that I am going to:
Make beds
Dw
Move sofas and hoover
Hang out washing
Put laudry away
Dust and hoover throughout

Have a good day everyone.

Thanks Mercury! Good luck with your list and enjoy your reunion lunch!

DD has to rest her knee so having a relaxing day at home, which gives me the opportunity to do some proper Flying, for part of the day anyway.

Ground floor/sitting room neat from entertaining so going to largely ignore Zone 5 and stick to boudoir/home office. Must say, it is nice that is bright in the house this morning with the hour change.

I am thoroughly ashamed of the first floor, some of which is starting to look like the rooms featured on those hoarder programmes (particularly home office). Nothing revolting or festering but stacks of paper clutter still covered in chimney dust. It's so bad I hardly know where to start.

It's at this point in the month that I regret not having cleared paper clutter every day for 15 mins. Have done a bit but have been nowhere near consistent. If I'd done it every day I'd have been approaching almost eight hours worth by now, which would have made a big impact. Same old story, I had every intention but didn't follow through. So stupid!! Starting again now [said wearily]... .

Ta da:
Morning routine inc dw, wm, s&s, rabbits
Clean kitchen surfaces
Send two admin e-mails

To do:
Dining room table hot spot
Put ironed clothes away
More laundry
Clear double bed we don't use for sleeping and that has become dumping ground
Clear boudoir surfaces
Sort boudoir drawers
Sort dd shoes (again)
Meal planning
Food shopping for tomorrow
15 mins (at least) in home office
Arrange autumn display/ nature table with dd
Evening routine

Hope all of you are doing better than me Flywise anyway

SC I find the problem with paper clutter is that fresh stuff appears as fast as you clear it (like laundry)

Ellie good luck with OFSTED

Beautiful day here, so 1 load of laundry out, another in machine and hopeful desperate another load ready to go in.

Done
Beds
S&S
Dd to school
Laundry out & reboot
Washing up
Cat litter tray washed

To do
Weekly bleugh
Ice bat biscuits (if we haven't eaten them all)
Decide if I'm going to make pumpkin soup, carving pumpkins aren't that tasty.
Paperwork
Collect DD
Dinner
DD to school Halloween party (face paint-ARRRGH)
Ironing

Glad your DD's op went ok, SC. Hope you manage a good balance of relaxing/Flying at home today.

Ellie - sorry about the stressful Ofsted visit.

Mercury - hope you enjoy your reunion lunch with old friends.

Goth - agree with you about never-ending laundry and paper clutter.

WhoKnows - that's really difficult about trick or treating. I hope you can find a resolution that keeps both children happy.

Woken up with the dawn chorus by DS2 this morning, as he clearly hasn't adjusted to the clock change yet .

Aiming to keep on with the house rescue today, bearing in mind we have a gimlet-eyed and ever-critical relative bearing down on us this weekend.

Good afternoon!

I am in a really good mood this afternoon. Tons to do but just happy and smiley. No real ta da list yet so will just leave a pot of special brew for those who needs it and book Ellie a spot in the naughty corner for when ofsted feck off again.

Hi everyone!

Please can I come back to the fold? Me and my house miss you!