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. We had a lovely couple of days at Legoland with minimal travel disruption. :) Absolutely exhausted now and lots of work and sorting out to do.

Boys are at CM today and DH is at home so planning a nice day once it's done. Won afternoon tea for two after filling in a survey to complain about chaotic service so could be interesting!

Big waves to Lauren and Trazzle and vat of on bar.

Oh utter bollocks. Complete and utter planning fail. I Knew there was a reason why the alarm clock was set for 5am this morning. I was supposed to get up and put the uniform in the tumbler dryer so it was dry for ds this morning. What actually happened was i rolled over and went back to sleep after thinking crap i forgot to change yesterday's alarm. And to top it off i have popped a hip joint. this after telling the physio yesterday it was getting much better. :(

Oh and bon courage to Ellie for O**d

Morning! Just a quick list dump this morning, I did today's mission during my too keen cleaning spree so ill sort out DDs book piles and declutter/ relocate to the playroom

sc yes DD now has a pony on loan, we are looking to buy her one but haven't found the right one yet- there's no rush! She's taken to it really well. Had her first in hand competition in September and came second

To do:
Sort DD books
Clean bathroom
Put clean bedding away
Routines
Hoover again

BBL!

That's brilliant Lauren! Seriously, nothing like starting young... .

Yes, hope you are surviving O*d wk Ellie.

Ouch Bitchy popped hip sounds no fun at all. Nor does soggy uniform. Have some extra strong and a large piece of .

Blue relieved you had safe trip! Enjoy your child-free time and free tea!

Hope swimming went well for your dd this morning Dizzy and that you can catch up on lost sleep tonight!

Lovely news about your friend Mercury. Hope your ds recovers soon - a few lazy mornings during the holidays mandatory in this household...

... speaking of which, have just had a bit of one. Just about to leap in bath before the arrival of dd's friend (having wrestled dd in to shower with a plastic bag taped around her knee). Blonde bunny still awol but not too worried after last time - I expect she'll turn up for lunch. Which reminds me, need to get spag bol going too.

Big waves to everyone else!

ta da
pop hip back
take vast quantity of pain killers
Be grateful ds is too ill for school -contact school
make tumbler dryer sound like it is being ripped apart due to drying school shoes
internet stuff
download something so can print pdf files.
look at test criteria and
drink coffee and wait for pain killers to kick in.

Now that they have done I shall be jumping in a shower and then getting on with my long to do list. I am already planning and early night. Can barely keep my eyes open I had 10hrs sleep in the end and everything!

Woo-hoo, woke up to water.
Our landlord owns about 5 properties so we have a communal boiler (free hot water!), so I think the water went off last night (no cold) but there was still some in the tank speeding the boiler (hence still having hot). It was weird having to fill the toilet cistern from the shower last night!

Done
Morning routines
DD to school
Quick trip to Morrisons -got all the ingredients for C*s Cake & Puddings

About to hang out washing (rain due at lunch time), then to do list is mainly normal baking and paperwork

SC hope DD is feeling better today, and that bunny turns up (again)

Bitchy OW! That sounds horrendous

Ellie don't let the bastard O**D get you down.

Blue enjoy your tea for two, hope the service is better this time.

BBL

[Angry rant alert]
Now who do you think is making an almighty fuss because lunch is half an hour late? Is it the two delightfully behaved ten-year olds who have been running (or in dd's case, limping) around the garden all morning, or is the *°=??ç§"é 52 yr old supposed professional up the road, namely dh, who should chuffing well (to use a well-worn Mnset expression) know better!! . I officially have "the rage"... .

Glad plumbing back to normal Goth and yes, blonde bunny has bounced back (again) thanks! Beginning to suspect she has made a never-to-be-used nest somewhere .

Bloody hell Bitchypopping your hip back as casual as you like [feels faint at thought]. Never mind the to do list, shouldn't you be lying in traction somewhere??? Hope you are OK x

Yeah am fine. few pain killers and lots of physio is the way forwards

Actually more then fine and considering going training tonight.

X-posted this morning, Bitchy - sounds awful so glad you're OK now.

Hope bunny turns up again SC and don't blame you for having the rage.

Afternoon tea was lovely and no problems at all with service - they knew we were coming so it was all prepared. (Last time was a fatal mixture of busy lunchtime, volunteer staff and a new computer system, apparently.) Would easily have served 4 though - came over all Mastercheffy and would have preferred really dainty little portions than massive great slabs of cake!

Blimey, that sound's hard core Bitchy [respect]

Today, literally all I have done today is:
tidied up a bit inc dining room table hot spot
made rather a successful spag bol even though I do say it myself
cleane down kitchn post spag bol creation
served spag bol for lunch
cleared up lunch
provided psychological counselling for deeply distressed rabbit (well, tried to anyway )
helped dd and friend make Witches Fingers
tidied up after dc made Witches Fingers (very good recipe btw - have posted down thread. Dc loved moulding them in to shape - fresh, skinned almonds = witches fingernails)
ran down the garden barking like a dog (explanation follows)
did dd witchy make-up in 5 mins flat
escorted dd to office and back
did one load of washing
hung up said load of washing
put another load of washing in
ran up and downstairs about thirty times
made an even bigger mess of boudoir than it was previously

[Warning: cat behavioural advice diversion]
Cat people: please can I ask a question? If a cat doesn't have a collar on, or a bell or anything, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a stray is it? Dh thinks it does. (It otherwise looks in v. good nick though and is v. friendly so I'm not sure.)

The reason I ask is that I think I've discovered the reason for recent rabbit distress/disertion ie a visiting black cat. After years of being able to put the rabbits out without fear in to our walled garden (they have a shelter there too of course) they were chased by said cat about three times towards the end of the summer. I thought it had gone away but I discovered the same cat lying in wait on our terrace of all places this evening - and when I tried to shoo it away - it started heading down our outside steps to the rabbits quarters .

It is lying in wait for them and I know it is only following its instincts (and it is in fact a very friendly cat) but my rabbits are now petrified. It doesn't respond to being shooed away so I have to er, run down the garden and bark like a dog to persuade it back over the wall (Neighbours must think I am completely doo-lally.)

Any advice gratefully received!

oops- sorry - rushing - that should have read

'cleaned down kitchen', and

posted 'recipe' down thread

x posts Blue glad you got your proper tea in the end!

ta da
pop hip back
take vast quantity of pain killers
Be grateful ds is too ill for school -contact school
make tumbler dryer sound like it is being ripped apart due to drying school shoes
internet stuff
download something so can print pdf files.
look at test criteria and
drink coffee and wait for pain killers to kick in.
realise school shoes don't do well when put in washing machine :(
meeting in next town
ds to his meeting
banking x 2 banks
Finishing working on crochet blanket
work on getting lounge tidy
deal with dead stuff in fridge
load of washing on
speak to ex
add yet more stuff to horrific to do list :(
edge blanket (different to other blanket)
Deal with attitude from ds
figure out what needs to happen and how in order to meet various deadlines
Deal with dm who seems to be in a vile mood and need to inflict it on everyone
5mins decluttering laundry room
15mins decluttering in lounge
look at room in despair and wonder where to start.
make a honey and banana cake (which sunk, i think there was too much banana in it)

Water pistol and spray it every time you see it. A bit mean but the kindest way to teaching the cat it is not welcome. Far better then trying to scare it imo. I am sure there will be cat lovers who disagree though does not ever never ever step foot in the pet areas of mn

I'm owned by a cat (I know my place) and squirting with water is the best way that I know. You don't even need a water pistol, an old washing up liquid bottle can have a good range, and after a while you don't even need to hit them, just the sound will scare it off!

Just back from Woodcraft, am absolutely knackered

Done
Morning routines
DD to school
Quick trip to Morrisons
Laundry hung and brought back in BEFORE it rained!
Baked:
Chocolate pudding (was meant to be for dinner, but we were too full to eat it)
Dozen little chocolate cakes for DD's packed lunches
Large mint chocolate cake -an experiment, will report back tomorrow
18 plain scones, 18 fruit scones
Toasted pumpkin seeds (not bothering with soup)
Collect DD from school
Dinner
Wash up
Dd to Woodcraft.

Have put a selection of baked goods in naughty corner, and am now watching Bake Off Masterclass, I want to make a spanakopita.

There's something on stray cats here, SC, but that may be information overload. I think Bitchy's water-pistol advice is more succinct and to the point.

Have just emerged from decluttering DS1's bedroom. Am exhausted! The room rescue was punctuated by endless phone calls about our plans for tomorrow, which became very complicated thanks to Halloween, party plans for DS1 and my open morning on a possible new career (nope, I'm not telling, 'cos it may never happen).

Three bags of rubbish, four boxes in the loft later, DS1 has a hoovered and tidy bedroom .

However, I came downstairs to a new mountain of washing up in the kitchen. And now, before I go to bed myself, I have to: make chicken stock (don't ask, but it's essential thanks to gimlet-eyed relative's visit); and prepare for open morning tomorrow (printed notes to read); and sit with DS1 whilst he resists OCD habit that is 10 out of 10 on his anxiety scale; and get DS2 to bed. Would happily leave the washing up for now were it not for MIL saying she'll pop in tomorrow morning whilst we're out .

So am knocking back a second glass of wine, then will plough on with the above.

Re cats, no collar definitely doesn't equal stray. MIL's cats never have collars and are very pampered and well fed.

Re cats, no, lack of collar doesn't mean stray, we haven't decided whether our two will wear them yet, we tried them out for a week but they kept rubbing at them with their paws, the jingling from the tag was waking us in the night and there is a risk of injury. Someone said on a litter tray thread that because people assume collar = not stray your collar-wearing cat is less likely to be looked after by strangers if it needs it. OTOH there are plenty of good reasons for wearing them too. I would agree with water pistols as a good deterrent, we have had problems in the past with cat shit in the veg plots but never been fast enough to catch them in the act, but it seems to be standard advice for scaring them off.

One of ours has been sick again tonight, the DCs saw her this time so we know which one it was. Might have to give the vet a ring in the morning. It has occurred to me that I am woefully ignorant in knowing what illnesses and symptoms can befall cats.

Not much Flying, been at work all day, then just hanging out with the DCs this evening. DH is out. We've got the water fixing people coming at 8am so I really ought to go and move some stuff out of the hall, they might need to get the floorboards up there. Am tempted to leave it till the morning though and just go to bed.

Today is crazy so I'm just popping by to dump my list before I fall asleep!

I've scan read the thread since this morning, I read on here that lion poo is good for keeping cats at bay...water will be less smelly though

Ta da:
Decorated front room for toddler Halloween party tomorrow
Wrapped the pass the parcel
Took DD riding and did stables jobs
Hoovered
Cleaned bathroom
Work- took DD and mindees to a museum and park

Il doubt ill have time for a to do list tomorrow so it'll just be a ta da!

Oooh, WhoKnows, you are quoted on the latest Mumsnet email!

Have finished the wine and sorted the kitchen. Now have to get DS1 to bed (he's fallen asleep on the sofa), then read through my notes. Sod the chicken stock. Will buy some instead.

Lovely to have you back, Lauren. Hope the toddler party goes well tomorrow.

Yes, someone's just told me on another thread. I didn't get the email though, which is odd, I usually get that one. Last time I got a mention was a comment about constipation .

Urrrgghh. So sorry to post cat question and then rudely disappear. Owing to horrible work deadline, did the ships in the night routine with dh again this eve. Should have done another hour but can't keep awake!

Thank you so much though for all your extremely helpful cat answers (and for your stray cat link Toffee). DD will be very happy to have an excuse to buy a powerful water pistol! (And thanks for washing up liquid bottle tip too Goth) Will sort that out as a matter of urgency.

Think I might give the lion poo a miss for now Lauren although we are actually going to a zoo this weekend ... ponders ... .

And thanks to your answers, I am virtually certain it is not a stray. It looks quite young, very glossy and well tended. It is also very friendly which makes me feel even more guilty about scaring it away! But it stalks then chases the furries to divide them up, zones in on one of them, and then has a go at it with one of its front paws ... all natural behaviour I know ...but it could do some real damage (even though the rabbits are a fairly even match in size).

And I now have two agoraphobic bunnies... . Really odd because there are loads of other cats in the neighbourhood who trot happily along our garden walls and never come in. This particular cat seems to be attracted by a bunch of chives growing in the rockery too; it's always eating them. Going to uproot them first thing in the morning ...

Congrats on Mnset mention Whoknows! [Arf at constipation ref.] Sorry to hear one of your furries is ill again (or they both are).

Don't think you need to watch a baking master-class Goth, judging by your output today. [SC dives on delicious array of cakes.]

Toffee - if visitor seriously gimlet-eyed then they are not worthy of home-made chicken stock anyway [hands over supermarket equiv]. Top marks for all the decluttering and good luck tomorrow with poss new career manoeuvres.

Hope all the tinies have a lovely Halloween party Lauren [and blimey you have done loads today!]

[Wilts at sight of Bitchy's humungously long ta da list.] Don't know how you got through all that with a dodgy hip. Hope your ds feels better soon.

Waves to Blue and eveyrone else!

I am all happy smiley. but i might have forgotten the early night bit. Whoops

night

*

Well done everyone... you have made it through October! Hope some of you managed to, if not totally obliterate paper clutter, then reduce it a little bit unlike me.

The last baby step of the month, no 31, for Thurs 31st October involves blind faith .

Today is our last day in Zone 5: the sitting room. Spend 15 mins decluttering here!

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

Thursday's mission is cleaning the tops of door frames, pictures, mouldings etc in your sitting rm. Actually - for those of you with high ceilings, there's a very good tip here about adapting a feather duster with a length of small-diameter PVC piping. Don't know how I have managed to miss that all these years!

Thursday is errand day.

The habit for October is still clearing paper clutter and how I wish I had done this.

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

Have a good last day of the month everyone!