Fledglings don't makes resolutions in January, they fly through the babysteps.

[BitchytheGreat]

So here it is the dreaded January thread. The thread of resolutions and good intentions for the year that you are lucky if you see through to the end. Welcome to the start of 2014!!

A quick note for newbies, this is a long running thread. We do like new blood around here. However, we do ask you to be respectful that for a lot of us just getting off our arses is not going to help and to avoid suggesting this. We all know life is more complicated then this. So here we do things a little differently. A little bit of flying and a lot of chatter and moral support. Feel free to jump on board and join us in flying.

For those who are new to fly lady she recommends a three step program:

1. Get those babysteps into a habbit
2. Get rid of the clutter.
3. Get that deep cleaning done.

Don't worry if you think you not doing it right but not getting up to it. Some of us have been here for years and we are still decluttering. Because clutter has a nasty way of multiplying if you take you eye off it, especailly if you have kids.

Fly lady ethos tells us a few things that I want you to remember:
No perfectism this is harder then you would imagine
You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

So jump on board and lets get started.

Oh and I forgot the proper introductions. "I'm Bitchy and I shall be your guide to the fly lady system for January" better buckle up as things normally get a little crazy when it is my turn to take control. good luck

Do you have routines, Aliama? I have 4 separate ones per day and also use the HomeRoutines app to tick them off, it is quite motivating. I can post my routines up here if it would help? It is much less daunting to have separate routines for different times of the day rather than one big long list.

Ta da
Empty upstairs bins and put to disinfect
2nd load laundry on
ironing mountain culled
return art storage unit to normal location
Start decluttering art unit
Do a check on ds' school uniform and add grown out of items to shopping list
try to burn photos to disk, swear lots and find a memory stick so errands can be run
sort out christmas letter that didn't get done and get ready to go
Print out 4 copies of above ready for sending tomo
figure out how suitable the big pile of books for ds are. (Asimov and Arthur C Clark)
trip to the big shopping centre in the next city
sort out exp's present from ds
rearrange ds' furniture
Research Kodu
Sort out Dm's amazon order from Christmas
Send first of emailed letters
ds' clothes away
find uniform for Monday

To do
recycling
laundry
My clothes away
towels away
ds' room - lego
Set up ds' present from grandparents
put decorations away in loft
Install Kodu - yeah that will probably wait for another day
send 3x important emails re ds' training
Sort out dvd return

Alima "I've sorted through a load of DVDs to be taken to the charity shop." this is decluttering and fly lady would most definitely approve. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. I know my list is long purely because ds is away and I find it easier to be super busy then to have time in which to miss him, additionally I also know next week I won't get stuff done flying wise because I will be doing stuff with him.

Evening ladies.

Bitchy as always I'm in awe of your list. Also a few others.

Today I have rebooted the washing - up to 5 loads and counting , finished sorting out the living room after the tree came down yesterday.

Didn't manage FF yesterday as DH has done his back again, but had a nice cuddle instead.

On that note, can people send me red peril vibes please? I'm a bit late 3 days, not unusual as I've been stressed and ill, but its lack of appearance is stressing me more. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would really fuck things up. Especially my body, which was just about ruined by DS.

Really don't want to POAS

Fingers crossed for you doris :)

Well I've had a lovely day, dc stayed over at my mum's and so I woke up about 8.30 to a quiet house. Dh was still asleep think I've worn him out and so I had a blissful hour drinking hot tea watching tv before I spoke to a soul.

Dc are now home and ds2 has his best friend here for a sleepover.

Did start to cook dinner but cross wires with dh means that the oven was on but the chicken wasn't in. We now have veg ready and meat still cooking.

Dh has also put a load of stuff on eBay. We are saving hard for holiday so he is spurred on by money and I am spurred on by decluttering! Win win all round.

I'm starving so off to check if the dinner is ready again

I do, Whispers, but at the weekend they tend to slip. The place isn't too bad, so I'm not too bothered about it to be honest, and the important stuff (the kitchen) is actually done. Living room is okayish too - toys everywhere, but hoovered etc.

I use the home routines app too, and love it, although I haven't quite figured out how the recurring routines work. I tend to adjust the tasks in the morning depending on what needs to be done. Always interested in other people's routines though.

I rotate zones daily rather than weekly, as it seems to work better for me, and I've set Saturday as my decluttering day, so at least that's done. Does everyone else stick to the weekly zoning?

Oh yes, and fingers crossed here too Doris. This may not be much help but I've found I just seem to know when I'm pg.

As for FF, we watched Xmas University Challenge in the aliama house. Does that count?

You fledglings are a good influence, today I have made America Pancakes, been to the gym and now painting the twins bedroom!! All these have been discussed by you lot this week!! Obviously seeped into my subconscious!

well I take it back about 6 hours being a long time to spend in the kitchen... it has taken me 4 hours to declutter the dds bedroom. Wasn't helped by dp deciding to empty all the toys into the doorway in a big jumble, even some that were tidy, he also through a packet of babywipes with such force they flew through the door and crashed into the dangley shell lightfitting and broke some of the shells grrr.

Haven't got much else done tbh and having ready meals now!

What's the name of the app? So I can search for it and install it. I have an iPhone and I think it would def help me. I've done a bit of this and that today but I don't feel I've made massive progress with my Mum's visit.

It's called Home Routines app don't

Is it wrong that I am glad that it appears that I have been cancelled on?

Ha! Not at all. You obviously didn't like him that much then. Enjoy a night in.

Thanks Niknak. Hope I spelt that right, as I'm on my phone app and can't scroll back once typing a post.

Not meant to be then Bitchy

I am currently watching Salmon fishing in the yemen. Curled up in my pjs in bed

The HomeRoutines app is great, when I installed it is when I really 'got' flylady and started to get on top of things. Again, if anyone wants me to post my routines as examples, I can

Aww, bitchy, I love that film

Sounds like you are having a better night than was planned then Bitchy.

Whisper I use the app too but my routines are very small. Mostly because I work from home so the flow of my day can vary so much that I just tend to do what I can when I can. Still have absolute musts though in morning and afternoon. also have a weekly cleaner I'll read your lists for inspiration if you're happy to post them?

So Sunday's baby step is to stop being negative and to think positive. Needless to say the link is twee fat fairy talk.

Sunday is renew your spirit day. do something for you. Take a bath, hide with a book. Something just for you.

No missions because it is the weekend.

15mins decluttering

And there are your links for tomo. Enjoy.

omg that is seriously weird, I watched salmon fishing tonight it was our love film dvd! really nice film.

Very spooky Giraffes my love film dvd too.

Evening all,

Haven't been posting much as haven't been sticking to routines as much when we're not at work and school. All back on Monday though, so will get stuck in tomorrow. The house is still somewhat untidy but we are tackling it bit by bit, DH is getting far better at doing stuff unprompted now, which helps.

Oh and I have decluttered both handbag and car in the last 48 hours.

Had to take DS to hockey training and stand in the pouring rain for an hour watching this morning and actually quite enjoyed it, we've had so little outdoor time this last fortnight. Then home for a bit, out to Sainsburys, home again for a while, took the DCs swimming then we went for pizza and home to watch Splash. DH who has been poorly ever since Boxing Day is finally better. No FF though, I am lacking in the contraception department at the moment and not taking any chances, I am in the TNTC camp with you Doris, fingers crossed for you.

Tomorrow I am taking DD to panto at 11 and leaving DH and DS in charge of de-Christmas decorating the house which probably means I won't be able to find anything next year.

Need a to do list for tomorrow, so here goes

Panto
Reconcile replies to DD's birthday party invitations, decide what to put in party bags and decide on birthday cake for next weekend.
Write out DS's birthday party invitations
Check PE kits and school bags
School uniform out (boo!)
School dinner menu reviewed for week and meals planned round it
Update calendar with DCs activities and work dates
Ironing
Clean clothes away
Take DD to swimming lesson
Flea treatment for cats

Engels are you still down in the cellar....? Take a break!

Have been busy entertaining my DM today, but have managed to reboot laundry and grocery shop, so I'm pleased with that.

Swan I'm sorry to hear you aren't feeling well, hope tomorrow is a better day.

Bitchy It sounds like a perfect evening!

Whispers I'd like to see your routines too, if you don't mind? It's always good to see how others do things better than I do!

SC was away for the start of Jan iirc.