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!!

Ta da
Made bed
Delivered 2 DS to school
Cleaned kitchen
2x washes
D/w
S&S x3
Ironing
Put away clothes from 3 washes
Unload d/w x2
Reload d/w x2
Put alway pre ordered food
speak to school - bang head against wall
made a GP appointment
Afternoon on sofa with boys watching film.
Collect from school
Dinner
Evening routine
listen to 4 dc read
sort ski trip for ds1
5 mile run

Probably shouldn't of done a run (as still under the weather), but firstly needed to get of the house (stir crazy) and secondly, panicking that I had to get the right amount of training in before my first 10k next weekend.

Alice same sort of thing happened to my son. The reason the NHS don't do it straight away is because apparently your mouth will normally reject the left over broken tooth. In the long run, less painful than digging it out of bone. Within a couple of day my son mouth stop hurting and when he saw hospital 5 weeks later there was no tooth left. It had also broken when they tried extracting it, and left the root.

Ok, I did the skirting on tuesday in all the bathroom. Tomorrow, I am planning to do the dreaded drawers in the bathroom and the skip car. Big jobs that I have been putting off.

Oh yes and the ironing, which has been on my to do list all week but yet to be done.

Good morning all [props eyes open with matchsticks]

Bit of a frustrating day yesterday. Spent big chunk of it trying to buy dd's main presents (St Nicolas on the 6th Dec here when dc get their main presents, so have to get much of the shopping done well before then, as shops have all been ravaged by that date). But had shocking headache and sore throat and didn't stick it out for long and did the supermarket shop and practical errands instead.

Did however discover one box of presents that I'd bought ages ago in my home office that I'd forgotten about! Yes it's that messy .

Dragged myself out for nice impromptu drink with a friend yesterday evening (really didn't want to go initially) but ended up having a great time putting the world to rights.

And dd had a lovely time after school at a friend's birthday party.

Dh got up at 4am this morning to catch an early flight (or Eurostar - he didn't say) to the Smoke, and as 'trying to be quiet so as not to wake anyone else' is not a concept that occurs to him, we have all had a very early start!

DD is off school this morning as she managed to over-do it at tennis yesterday and the incision where she had a minor op is bleeding and so we're going back to the dermatologist to have a look. And on top of that she seems to be developing a bad cold/sore throat.

Have quite a bit going on today and I'm not remotely on top of it or organised. If I did write a list, I would probably end up doing something completely different! First task of the day is to basically clear paths through the general clutter and rubble ahead of our very forgiving cleaner so she can strut her stuff this afternoon!

Sorry, that was a load of the usual waffle wasn't it

Anyway, enough of all of that, hope you are all ok!

Good luck at the dentist today Toffee and I'm so sorry to hear about your friend .

and hope your tooth allowed you to get some sleep last night Alice!

Dizzy how about buying your dh a nice set of non-stick saucepans for Christmas ? Top marks for the rest of your Flying activities!

Whoknows glad the meeting went well and all the plumbing work paid off!

Sorry you are still feeling green around the gills AngryBuddha but it certainly hasn't got in the way of your productivity! V. impressed by 10K training on top of everything else!

Waves to Bendy Bitchy! Like the sound of your rye and oatmeal breads. Top marks for long list too!

Rollermum eating proper meals definitely 'count' when you are BF! Important to look after yourself! Amazed you can get anything else done!

[Makes a note to hang around near Whoknows's kitchen on Thurs eve ]

Waves back to RowingBoat yes, intending to bake Mary Berry's christmas cake this year but conscious that first line of recipe says "you need to make this at least four wks in advance" - so musn't wait too long before I start!
Yes, do do on-line grocery shopping too, but v. expensive here and we have big cellars, so just do four mahoosive orders a year for all the heavy boring bulky stuff such as demineralised ironing water, loo rolls, washing powder, tins of toms etc etc and then buy fresh stuff every other day.
Sorry to hear you are under-staffed/everything very pressured. Hope Flylady system helps.

Glad Senco meeting went well Swan and really great to hear that your ds2 is now enjoying school as I remember you being v. worried about him at the beginning of term. With regard to your ds1, I know we all tie ourselves in knots over our dcs academic performance (I am guilty of this more than most) but when I look back at my school classmates, two pupils who were the most sportiest and least interested in exams have become very successful entrepreneurs ... in fact one now owns and runs a global engineering company ...so I'm not sure school success equates realistically with success in rl ifyswim. Hard not to worry though I know!

Big waves to everyone I have missed and hope you all have a productive day!

This year I've ordered the Waitrose Christmas Cake mix box Have not made a Christmas cake for several years, and this is my attempt to beat procrastination.
done
last night I put together selection of decorative buttons, PE kit, music homework, found car key, put out uniform, washed rugby boots...and something else, forgotten
this morning I dropped Ds2 at school with Rugby kit by car

Tired tired tired now...cleaner arriving shortly and not looking forward to more organising
DH is still annoying me after yesterday - and as usual is playing the holier than thou card (not about church I may add

I am still in my anorak, I need to have a shower, get redressed and start being positive!!!!! (and tidy my room)

SC I am so envious that you know what to give your dd or anyone for that matter, I start online shopping and go to pieces, unless it is for loaves of bread. There seem so many presents in the world and not nearly enough money to spend on them.. The problem is that no-one really needs anything and you just begin to think..what is the point? [snaps out of doleful Scroogelike thinking] And they hate being given Oxfam goats too, so I can't win.

Seems everyone we know has decided to come and see us this weekend. And it's DS2's birthday on Sunday, so we already have MIL coming for lunch that day and his friends coming for tea. So I may be AWOL for a few days.

To do :

Ironing
Room house rescue
Dentist
Online shopping delivery
School run
Friend arriving 4pm
and chat

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Morning,

Swan - I used the Waitrose cake box (couldn't find it in Waitrose but Ocado had it, and that worked out well because I did a big order, got a free delivery slot and then they gave me three months free Smartpass, I cancelled mine about 6 months ago, they must want me back). I struggle with choosing presnets for everyone except the DCs. The pie was just grated cheese, chopped ham and chopped mushrooms, I think the mushroom juices and cheese mingled well, the consistency was similar to what you'd get in a cheese and onion pasty. It was quite a flat pie!

Rowing - I think I bought the stamp from Amazon, it is called Protect ID Stamp. The ink didn't last long and the refills were expensive so I bought a bottle of stamp ink to re-wet it with and that works fine.

Swan - it's hard not to worry at any age I think. DS said to me yesterday that he likes playing on his own best and is that OK? I said yes of course and he seemed very positive, but of course now I am worrying about his lack of friends again. FWIW DH did sod all at school, managed to get through his O levels somehow and went on to first class honours, a PhD and running a successful business, you never know how things will work out long term.

DCs went to school in PJs, to be greeted by the entire teaching team parading round the grounds in their PJs, which is very good of them IMO, I bet there were a few sets of gritted teeth. I had a quick wander in to town via the allotments (just checking allotment, not doing anything, it is very relaxing to just walk through the site).

Washing on,
To do
Hoover
clean inside of living room windows which look awful with the sun on them
a bit more OU work
food shopping - need to replenish baking supplies
into school to help in DD's class this afternoon
also helping at after school cake sale
then home
then more baking

Swan

Hello - I'm sorry I've been AWOL.

I haven't cleaned anything for two weeks...well a bit of a potter clean tidy...but no flying.

So here I start again.

It's my day off and not sure whether to start with flying or with writing the novel. Which I've been 'not writing' for years.

I really don't think there's enough caffeine or 15 minute slots in the world to sort my house today :(

Feeling defeated

, come on you can do it, just small steps, the power of 15 minutes etc. Can you make a list?

Welcome back Stillwearing - I'd do a limited amount of Flying then the writing. I've just done half an hour cleaning and am now going to study for an hour if I can drag myself away from MN

Yesterday was a bit of a mish mash day with generally just doing odd bits and pieces!

• To town for misc errands
• Washing load on and hung to dry *10 mins ironing
• Sorted out the bits we needed today to donate to school for Xmas Fair
• Sorted what DD will wear to school for Children in Need
• Washed misc kitchen bits up

DD was out after school with 2 friends and came rushing in wailing (so much so that I thought she had mortally injured herself) but on inspection she was covered in mud (literally up to her wrists and ankles) and minus a trainer which had apparently came off in a huge puddle of mud they were playing in and they couldn't get it out! Despite me going round and having a dig about it was just far too wet and sticky to find it. So it was straight home and in the bath for her and in the wash for everything she was wearing. I yold her she was buying replacement trainers from her birthday money and she never protested at all so she knows she is in the doghouse (insert harsh mummy emoticon here)!

But as DH was away in London at some posh awards ceremony we still had the take away chinese I had promised her we could have.

Today we were up at 6am to take her swimming as she will have to miss this afternoon's session as she has the dentist.

Alice My weak filling filled teeth have been breaking up over the couple of decades I have been studiously avoiding going to the dentist! I have a mouthful of gaps where you can feel the broken edges poking through the gums. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks and if they mention digging them out I am running for the hills

Who knows - it would be easier to list what doesn't need doing ! But thanks for the kick have got some
Of the dishes done !!

Today has not gone to plan. Over slept. And feeling a bit tired and over done. Especially as the to do list is a bit on the huge side. So I am going to do list the most important stuff

To do
empty car
roll out, cut and cook biscuits
Paperwork
fold load of washing
more paperwork
Even more paperwork
Make brownies

Now I can promise you that to ta da list will not look anything like that but it might remind me what i do need to try to do. First stop to get up and drink some coffee.

ta da
15mins discovering the kitchen
make cake
make up dry mix of brownies so ready to go when cake gets out of oven
label new bits of uniform
Make note of other bits of uniform to check on ds for size nxt wk
5mins crochet
internet stuff
Cook up brownies
ironing
folding
unload draining board and refill
Load and run dw
put baking stuff into sink to soak
more online admin ie lurking in mn/fb/twitter

right an hour's break and then paperwork (in theory)

Crikey I feel like a zombie; the house is freezing and dark and my duvet is calling but I hate sleeping during the day (gives me a migraine) so am trying to push on through. Trouble is, all the things I have to do are incredibly unappealing. Must make an effort though, because, having had her knee sorted out, I took a very mouldy/reluctant dd back to school, so only fair I carry on too!

Good luck with your lists Bitchy and Jess - we can be productive defeated zombies together.

Sorry about your dd's mud-fest yesterday Dizzy hope bathroom tiles have recovered.

Whoknows think having a child in a school here is a doddle for parents as compared with UK (although not as much fun for dc of course). No pyjama wearing or school baking required (except once a year for summer fete).

Swan and Whoknows [goggles in delight at such a miraculous product as the 'Waitrose Christmas cake box'] Who knew such a thing existed, I have obviously been living abroad way too long.

Swan I am all too aware of what dd wants for Christmas owing to the long list pinned to the fridge! Only trouble is ...top of the list is a ... wait for it ... car park .

Good luck with all your visitors Toffee!

Had better get back to the chores ...

[correction - Bitchy - now that is way too productive for a zombie thank you very much]

Drinking coffee and having a quick MN moment in between tidying up.

Ta da :

Dentist (infected tooth and lost crown, but dentist is fabulous, so it'll be ok)
Unloaded and reloaded d/w
Wiped down kitchen sink
Put recycling out for collection
Emptied kitchen bin
Stripped beds
Put washing on
Cleaned fridge and threw away old food
Took delivery of online order
Lunch with DS1

To do :

Room rescues downstairs
Polish knobs
Ironing
Prepare vegetables for tonight's dinner
Put bedclothes in tumbledryer
Make beds
School run
Put dinner in oven by 4
Sociable evening and

DS1 is off school again, but DH said he was too ill to go and he was right. DS1 slept till midday . I think it must be an ongoing virus. He is exhausted today and I'm letting him just lie in bed and watch YouTube clips.

at your DD's Xmas present list, SC.

Your two have really been in the wars recently Toffee. I hope ds1 recovers soon. I remain, as ever, inspired by the knob polishing ...

Fresh batch of special brew on the naughty corner bar SC fresh cake too. help yourself!

I might have been busy but I haven't really done anything on my original to do list. I am busily procrastinating

Very short lists today.

ta da
morning routine, school runs
dentist appointment for brief check and referral info
chemist for new prescription for antibiotics
errands in town (post office, poundland for new diary for 2014, fruit and veg shop)
washing up
check bank
grocery shop
afternoon school run
tea for DCs

to do
bedtime routines for DCs
write up "to do" list for tomorrow and Sunday
quick tidy up of living room

The plan is to relax tonight again. I'll go back and catch up with everyone's posts while I'm relaxing.

Hubby is working all weekend so today I have rested!!

Ta Da

Nothing!!!
Having the day off.
Spent the morning having my eyelashes done.
Afternoon having coffee with friends.
Been playing the computer for the last hour. Plants vs Zombies is addictive!

To do
Jamie Oliver 15 minute meal
film with kiddies who got Fun Friday!
Catch up with thread!

ta da
15mins discovering the kitchen
make cake
make up dry mix of brownies so ready to go when cake gets out of oven
label new bits of uniform
Make note of other bits of uniform to check on ds for size nxt wk
5mins crochet
internet stuff
Cook up brownies
ironing
folding
unload draining board and refill
Load and run dw
put baking stuff into sink to soak
more online admin ie lurking in mn/fb/twitter
Letter to school
Work on craft project in lunch break
Important email x1
Ice cake
eat cake
Get bored with paperwork and sit with craft project instead. Which is pretty much where I am right now.

Current plan is for an early night and an early start tomo. Cos this paperwork HAS to get done this weekend. so watch me panic about it on sunday

Have good weekends. Naughty corner bar is open and fully stocked with all supplies. But the sofa den is still mine, all mine I tell you!

SC was that a Playmobil carpark? Meglomania otherwise or future city planning exec
Whoknows winter gardens are very restful
Dizzy I feel quite fond of mud, I always feel it has holistic qualities as long as there are no animal messes [sorry TMI] I have same dentist like mental block, but it is always better that I think when I get there. I've tended to avoid a lot of their more costly solutions though, like bridges
Bitchy I still haven't started my craft project

I've had a moderately productive day in one sense.

I had a long sleep in afternoon as feeling rough
Took courage, piled all the rubbish on my bed, covered it with a sheet, and asked cleaner to hoover the floor
Cleaner changed children's sheets x 2 and hovered their rooms
Cleaned my bathroom
Made roast gammon dinner for all with parsley sauce
Made summer fruits yoghurt cake with icecream on side
went for walk and did some more shopping for more groceries [sigh] eggs and milk that sort of stuff

However, such is the effect of school (Toffee I'm afraid ss school is overrated that all children were in a very bolshy mood by supper and we had a screaming fit from ds2 when we tried to get him to lay table as per rota. So exhausting trying to have a normal family meal in this house. Dh made the (for him) wise and sane suggestion that it might be better to have a pasta with tomato sauce on Friday night as they were really weren't capable of having a proper meal you have to sit through, and mum is in a bad mood because no-one is helping her dish up

All watching C in Need now.

And I still have to do all that washing up that a gammon supper entails -drat. Still, lots of nice leftovers for tomorrow lunch.

So, boudoir still a hideous dump but at least the floor is now hovered and the surfaces dusted. Need to go and make the bed now and turf everything onto floor again

Kitchen also a dump full of dirty roasting tins and saucepans and food processors

Maybe just a gin and tonic and bed now....