Remember, remember to Fly through November, but Fledglings will chatter a lot

[BlueEyeshadow]

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 SlimChance for leading us through October and such a copy-and-pasteable OP....

All welcome!!

Waves to BogStandard - welcome aboard!

Good point, Toffee and sympathies to you and Alice re teeth.

Definitely a Ta Da! Bitchy!

Quickly dropping in with links and then computer off before my eyes seize up altogether...

Babystep 13 is to do a mission...

...and the mission is to clean the bathroom cabinet and do a RR in the home office.

Toffee back in 1990s very little was known about OCD publicly. It was more than fastidious, but he had never been to a doctor for anything? Everything had to be in its place, tins in cupboards facing the correct way. He would spend 50 minutes ironing a pair of jeans to get every crease out of them. He use to clean himself in the bath with a scrubbing brush. He would always look immaculate, even if staying in. Jumpers, shirts etc had to be put away in a certain place, folded in a certain way. Cushion, place mats etc etc. The first year we were together he didn't want a Christmas tree or any dec, or even any cards up, as it would mess up his house.

That is no longer the case!

Just laid out all the DS 2 to 5 and my clothes for tomorrow. My teenager saw this and has done the same. Let's see if this improves things in the morning. Night all.

Ah, yes, I can see what you mean about your DH's behaviour, Angry. You and your DC obviously had a very powerful (and positive) effect on him!

Laying out clothes - essential rule in the Toffee house now. I rarely go to bed without making sure DC's and my clothes are laid out ready, even down to socks in shoes.

Managed to get some ironing done this evening and cooked a roast dinner. Am still waiting for our sheets to dry (in the tumble dryer), then I'm going to bed. DS1 needs me to sit with him for a bit first.

Night all.

I get the DCs to lay out clothes but rarely bother myself, I have found one benefit of Flying is that the wardrobes and drawers are always full of clean clothes so no need to, one part of Flylady has cancelled out another.

Lots of stuff cleared for pipework in the morning, will be v.glad when this is all finished.

How'd ya think the cats will cope with the work?

Spent a large portion of the day going the wrong way in Reading trying to get to Asda and then Decathlon! But in the end I managed to get DD something spotty to wear for CIN Day on Friday and a new swimsuit!

DH has realised tonight that the pots HAVE to be soaked after he has cooked due to his propensity (is this the right posh word??) to burning EVERYTHING onto their bottoms! He has left them now in my sink and has thrown everything else in the dishwasher - which is his method of washing up.

It was DD's Brownie night and she has been given the part of Narrator in their Xmas play which she is happy about. We played some online scrabble against each other and she asked if tampon was a proper word! O.M.G. Where did she get that from? She is only 9!!!!! . She also swept her supper crumbs back onto her plate off the sofa because - and I quote - "it's not Monday tomorrow so Mum won't be blitzing the house" What a character she is.

Well it's late again so I best go to bed. Back tomorrow where I shall try and be more productive x

Cats are going to be shut in a bedroom with food and litter tray for the duration Bitchy. They were into everything when we were clearing last night.

Good morning!

Ta da:
ironed dd's gym bag, assembled gym kit
morning routine inc dw, wm, rabbits, s&s
folded huge pile of clean towels
carried laundry up and downstairs, then more things up and downstairs again, and again
dining table hot spot
dropped and broke favourite guinea pig mug and cut finger in process
e-mail to colleague
played with rabbits

To do:
prep cold white wash
piece of writing for office
edit last bit of e-book (hurray!)
keep clearing/sorting remains of clothes sale
as much boudoir
quick supermarket shop
bank
school run (half day today)
lunch for dd
hwk supervision
make mixed berry tray bake with dd
bit of Christmas prep with dd
sausages and stoemp for supper with broccoli
evening routine

Agree with everyone that chores much less onerous for dc when it's a team effort ... .

Also watched news last night Bitchy those poor souls in the Philippines; certainly puts things in to perspective

Sorry to hear ds1 still unwell Toffee and good luck with sorting OU course

[shades eyes from the glare coming of Jess's gleaming washing machine]

[and applauds Goth for making Christmas puddings]

Glad you dc like the cook book Whoknows! Good luck with all the plumbing disruption today.

Yes, you obviously desperately need the sleep Swan and at a guess I'd say you were listening to 'Blood on the tracks' or it could have been the 'The freewheelin' bob dylan' of course or Blonde on Blonde!! All classics and too many to chose from!

Angrybuddha like the sound of your point system! Hope you are feeling better today.

Hope your tooth is feeling ok today Alice and yours too Toffee

A very warm welcome to Bogstandard - yes, just ignore barf-tastic aspects of Flylady - can't stand all the purple prose myself! Underlying procedures trustworthy [honest].

Would be great to see you Engels !!

Congrats to your dd on her narrator role Dizzy!

Hearty wing flaps to everyone else!

Does anyone else go through phases of breaking things? In the past five days I have broken 3 glasses, a saucer and a mug ... having not broken anything for months and months ... it's very strange ... .

Right, only just over two hours before dd gets back from school so had better make the most of it ... . Have a good day everyone!

That should have read, 'as much decluttering in boudoir as poss'
[bet you were dying to know that ]

oh dear

'coming off Jess's wm'

Glad your dc like the cook book Whoknows

needed the sleep Swan

I can edit in rl [honest]

My DH leaves pots soaking overnight too, Dizzy. Guess who then has to wash them up?

Hope the pipework is finished today, WhoKnows. Will pm you about OU course when I get a mo.

Feeling tired this morning as I was up till the early hours with DS1. This morning, he curled up on a chair and refused breakfast. He has lost his nerve thanks to being off sick for a week, but DH did manage to get him into the unit this morning and I've phoned to warn the teachers that he's in a state. Hopefully, he'll settle back into it again.

Am off for my interview in a minute, then need to do chores in town, then blitz the house. Which I was going to do yesterday, but I didn't get very far.

Toffee

Good luck with the interview and hope your ds1 feels settled enough to get back in to the swing of things at school!

Dizzy I wish I could get my DH to put his pans I to soak, when he cooks, everything is left on the side as he doesn't like the sink being full of stuff ( hinders him filling the kettle)

Toffee hope DS is better soon (and your tooth)

Alice your tooth is turning into a saga! Hope you get it sorted soon. DH has weak teeth, it's a nightmare.

BogStandard Hello, yes the fat fairy can be a bit vom, but that's why we have the naughty corner well stocked with and to help us cope

Done
Morning routines
Dd to school
Home via greengrocers

To do
Blanch the cabbage mountain for freezing
Prepare veggie cottage pie for dinner (we're having cabbage with it)
Hit paperwork pile
Put dry laundry away
Collect DD
Dinner
Woodcraft

Hope you all have a good day.

Slim I'd say "no" regarding breaking things but first of all, I'd be lying. And tempting fate. Now I'm going to have to be careful all day.

Toffee good luck with your interview!

Tooth is actually feeling much better this morning. I'm just biding my time now, as the dentist is extracting the tooth tomorrow morning.

ta da

• regular morning routine, school runs
• put things on charge (today is charge up day - kindle, mobile, rechargeable batteries)
• washing up
• first load of laundry in
• cleaned downstairs toilet and sink
• checked gas and electric meters, averaged usage over last week
• while making list and listening to Chistmas music

to do

• vacuum living room
• fold laundry in dryer and put away
• dry, fold, and put away laundry currently in washing machine
• check bank
• empty out one Christmas decoration box and put up
• bake chocolate cookies
• prepare grocery list for Friday's shop
• check school website and find out date of DS1's nativity. (hopefully not the same date as DS2's )
• clean upstairs toilet and sink
• school run this afternoon
• sit back and relax a bit this evening and watch a Christmas programme with the DCs (A Charlie Brown Christmas is looking the likely one)

Hi all,
I have been on these threads in the past and thane sort of drifted off.
Now I really feel I need to get back on track and find some kind of sanity in the midst of all the mess and chaos
I am working just under full time hours and have a son at primary school and a hoarding, tramp of a partner.
I was thinking about doing babysteps again, but I do know quite a few and can't stand the length of time it takes. Where would you guys recommend starting if you have done babysteps a couple of times before. Perhaps I could do more than one babysteps at a time?
Part of the problem is work:I have two jobs, both very demanding and one very, very disorganised. I have taken over from a lady who was lovely, but who hated admin and didn't out anything in the same place twice.
Has anyone done babysteps at work?
Thank you in advance!
Hope to come on here a few times a week to check in and see what is happening.

whoops cross posted

Goth it is a bit stress to have to wait until tomorrow for the tooth to come out, but thankfully it's just a bit of a dull ache today, which is perfectly tolerable. I may have had to wait longer, but I already had an appointment for some other dental work tomorrow (which has now been rescheduled for in 2 wks time), so I'm happy with that, even if it is a bit of a kerfluffle. (I really like that word )

I have to admit that "blanch the cabbage mountain" sounds a bit ominous. Best of luck!

*stressful

good grief what has happened to my typing today? cold fingers I think

Hi everyone! What a great idea - I'd love to jump in and join you.

Have done the steps eye in the past and still get the emails but have gone off track with new baby. She is 7 weeks now and I'd like to get more organised and my house has done major hot spots. I aim to be chilled about it if I don't get a chance to do it that day!

Do you actually get dressed to shoes? I like to let my feet run free because have needed to correct my gait in the past. Slippers might be a good compromise

Oh gawd, got the voluntary job and start asap. Am now terrified!

Congratulations Toffee.

Toffee you will be fine. x

Whoknows sounds like you have everything under control

erm, erm. yeah. I have a hang over this morning. so far my ta da list consists of cancel the plans for this morning and sleep some more.

Got loads to do so i think breakfast and a coffee is a plan. Looking forward to hopefully having the craziness that was going on here resolved. A phone call in the middle of the night helped. yeah timing was shitty but tbh sleep was better for having sorted it

Am veering between excited and terrified every other minute. All feels a bit overwhelming now. It's the commitment that's really worrying me, I think.

Toffee - you made a HUGE commitment to home ed DS1. If you can do that you can do this rather intriguing voluntary job. Veering between excitement and terror is probably about right as long as the latter doesn't outweigh the former - that's what I spend a lot of time telling rather shy DD anyway :)

Whoknows - LOVE your approach to explaining housework involvement to DC, definitely stealing using that from now on. Am working on how to reword it for DH who is also unable to wash ALL the dishes, put stuff in the laundry basket, tidy up after himself, etc. I maintain that he is affected by a force-field around the laundry basket/bin/fridge/etc
Hope the pipe-work sorting is going OK?
And that the hangover is manageable Bitchy?

I have been lurking but have been caught up in DS's birthday madness last week - how can they be 8 Toffee - and then a busy, busy w/e and now DS is off ill with a horrible cough/sore throat.
However today I have done:

• 2 loads of washing done, one out, one waiting to go
• S&S two bathrooms (still enjoy saying that :))
• Made bread with DS (again - yesterday's loaf was devoured by tea-time)
• Failed to get Car-fest South tickets for DD and I
• Work when computer hasn't been playing up

Now need to bake bread then tackle a bit more work whilst DS has free range of the remote control. Think he is bored enough to want to go back to school tomorrow :)

Love the biscuit recipes ladies, and that tray-bake sounds good SC. Can swap it for a virtually fat-free fruit loaf recipe from the second Hairy Bikers diet book.

Waves to everyone :)