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

Oh dear, Bitchy, sounds bad.

Hope meeting goes well, Just

Thanks for good wishes for DS1. Some kind of throat infection, I think. Of course being Monday, by the time I got through to the dr's, all the appointments had already gone. They're squeezing him in this afternoon though. After a few false starts, DS2 has gone to a friend's and as DS1 can entertain himself with books, puzzles etc I'm still managing to get a bit of work done...

2nd craft activity of the day completed, I'm on a roll :o

Feetheart - I have the apple app (HomeRoutines) but someone else here mentioned an android version too, think it was called flyhelper?

Blue - hope the doctors appt goes well. We always have trouble getting through to ours too

Goodness, some of you had a wakeful night .

Nicknacks - I hope your lack of posting means you did get back to sleep?

Bitchy - glad you had such a good, if exhausting, weekend.

Hope meeting goes well today, Just. Very glad you are planning to see the GP again soon.

Sorry DS1 is ill, Blue. Hope antibiotics sort him out soon, if that's what he needs.

feet - sorry about the big row, but good to hear you sorted it out.

giraffe - Well done on maintaining Flying even whilst ill. Hope you feel better soon.

Whispers - sorry about the early start and illnesses. Well done on painting activities done and tidied up by 8.30am!

Swan - what a morning! Sounds very stressful.

Amazingly, our morning went to plan, ie. all in the car together on time, two school drop offs, then to work. I factored in panics, lost bookbags, etc. and got everyone up and ready 15 minutes earlier than usual. As a result, we found ourselves up at DS2's school before the first bell rang (unheard of!). DS1 had the expected panic and wanted us to take him back home, but we wouldn't. Dropped him off at the unit as it opened - I don't think he's ever been on time before.

DH and I then spent several very cold hours sorting books and doing the orders before getting back home in time for DS1 to arrive back for lunch. The morning had obviously done him a lot of good: he'd enjoyed the lessons at the unit and had had nice conversations with the other pupils. Even said he was fine about going in again tomorrow .

After lunch, I spent an hour setting up YNAB (You Need a Budget) in an attempt to sort out our finances. Meant to have another look at my OU work, but I've run out of time and it didn't need doing by today anyway.

Kitchen is tidy and there's a load of washing on. Just off to collect DS2. Mince defrosting, ready to be transformed into chilli con carne for dinner.

I have a TaDa list :)

• Run in lovely frosty darkness
• Shower
• All up and out
• Tax return stuff to accountant finally
• Long talk with DH
• Washing up
• Washing done and out on line, second load on
• Sausages and onion gravy out of freezer for dinner - yum!
• Big batch of bolognese and veg pasta sauces boxed up for freezer - which I thought I was trying to empty so I could defrost
• S&S shower room
• Bathroom cleaned
• Kitchen and hall floors swept
• Living room hoovered

15 minutes to myself now then need to pick up DS at 3.30 and DD at 4.30 - think we will come home and try and do homework in-between.

After all that, dr reckons it's viral. On the whole glad as don't like ABs unless absolutely necessary, but ended up feeling neurotic as DS1 seemed almost back to normal by the time we got there.

Blue it's just typical that they pick up as you get them to the Drs. Hope he feels better soon.

I have a confession to make, we had so much fun yesterday and ended getting to bed really late, so was absolutely exhausted today and I didn't send DD to school. On the plus side, she's been storming through her voluntary homework today.

Done
Beds
Breakfasts
Washing up
Dry laundry away
Laundry on x 2
Litter tray emptied
S&S
Rubbish out
Roasted squash for risotto
Made braised red cabbage (will do 4 meals)
Crocheted
Prepped veg for tonight's dinner

To do
Unload washer
Washing up
Pack squares & baby blanket for Woolly hugs

Ta da
Moved car for roadworks
Took DS to nearest National Park and cycled 25k on free bikes, had apple pie and had fun in the playground (it was deserted so I may have had a sneaky go on the zipwire!)
Did tyres on car (dh has been nagging me to do it for AGES and they did look a bit limp!)
Hoovered downstairs
15 mins rehoming stuff
moved car again (because apparently the place I'd parked it was 'dodgy' )
rescheduled run for tomorrow (I'm knackered!)
washing up
made packed lunch
computer stuff (photos, files, fb)
shower

Time to sleep

Brilliant news Toffee
Goth I have definitely been there and done that! the bunking off I mean with tired out children

done
dog sat, and long walk
started Casual Vacancy omg Daaark!

decided my kitchen was beautiful and welcoming Yay!
started ds2 on homework successfully after short screaming fit [from him I may add]
gave my children an early substantial high tea in front of telly

cleaning lady did a big pile of ironing

Dh is in a rage with his accountant over tax return, definitely that time of year!

goth ds had most of the morning off for the same reason. he has grown again. His body can't keep up and he is just really exhausted and run down. He has also come home coughing so i suspect he is brewing something again. Don't worry about it too much.

Caution rant! Feel free to skip, just need to get it out.

Buggered it all up. Started out stressed by Ds of course pushing time boundaries, not managing until forced, then no Taxi arrived.

Then informed that despite making everything so clear in booking it, and adding extra time, it didn't matter because a booking, meant a radio call out to any cabs in the area that there was a potential customer and no one was in the area! They felt I should go back indoors as they didn't want me to be cold, no they couldn't tell me when or if, it would come!

Terrible bumping run, with poor ds shoving me hell for leather to get anywhere near where one might drive. Stress overtook and publically broke down (bless kind couple who tried to help) and when poor ds whose legs were jelloed managed to grab one was bundled completely sobbing and lost it, into it, begging ATOS on the phone not to sanction me, (she was actually surprisingly kind and helpful!) arrived with ds, in that state, then had to organise his rescue.

2 +1/2 hr interview and medical which I don't think I handled at all well, though assessor was nice enough but apparently had no information from medical profession as there's a computer issue.. Desperately wanted to be honest and not left in a position where they could say I hadn't disclosed something for or against me meeting whatever criteria they use, and was now in trouble. Felt like the end summary given was less actual issues, but concerns about state of mind! (Am I suicidal? no but keep pushing and I may be murderous)

Asked a lot of things that weren’t about my disability or it affecting me and too many drugs to get me there and too much stress, was just a complete mess. Taxi firm rang during it, to say as I'd booked a return cab, where was I! Got told! Had to explain to them that they were supposed to give me claim form for transport cost.

Eventually got back and keeled over missing chance to try Dr. Now eye streaming face swollen mess, and can't move, again.

I don't care what the outcome is, I don't ever, ever, want to have to deal with this stuff again.

Still to do
English
dinner
listen to friend
sleep

Goth et al according to some this will have a detrimental impact on the rest of their lives. (was trying to point out doesn't matter how much you respect 'the rules', some things were actually more important sometimes, on another thread)

Evening all :)

Just - that sounds like a really horrible day Will you manage to get to the GP tomorrow?

Some good looking ta da lists today, well done everyone :)

Had an ok day. DS has quite a high temperature so looks like a day at home tomorrow. Will hopefully get a decent amount of flying done :)

Just that sounds utterly shit.

Hugs.

DD has croup so I'm in for a looooong night, with intermittent praying between times that DS doesn't catch it.

Tis DD's birthday tomorrow as well. Celebrations amidst the barking coughs and hopefully not in hospital with either of them.

Just what a crap day, I hope the assessment goes through ok.

Silly hope you have better night and that DD is over the worst of it and not infectious.

I finished off my to do list, and now am chilling out watching Winterwatch on the red button, thank god it's only for 4 days, as I can see me losing hours watching the wildlife.

WhoKnows Thanks for the heads up on the Vaseline and toilet seat, will try that.
Goth Pandemic looks good, think my older boys would like it (added to wish list). Roasted squash risotto sounds lovely.

Feet Well done on your early run.

Swan I loved Casual Vacancy, enjoy.
Just .
SillyBilly Hope you and DD get some sleep, and wishing her a Happy Birthday.

Ta Da
Up at 6
Shoe shined x4
w/m x3
d/w x3
Breakfast
School run
Had poorly ds at home
3hrs of paperwork
Been asked to apply for a job (excited).
Plan dinners
Food shopping
Watch animal doc with ds2
Made dinner
Planned meeting
Produce a small producing of ‘Dumb ways to die’ with 30 excited Cubs
Dw
Shined sink
Packed lunches for tomorrow x5
w/m
t/d

My bedroom is horrendous at the moment,but not sure how much flying I will get done as off shopping tomorrow –-out all day-- and have a funeral on Thursday.

To do

check post before posting as coming across as illiterate.

Sorry, tired but didn't want to miss another day.

no one give a shit about spelling and typing around here Buddha. And if they do they will have a very pissed off bitchy to deal with

Urm tuesday - plan stuff.
do the mission
do the babysteps
declutter
don't die or kill anyone.

seems like a plan.

this might help you achieve above

Oh and the babystep is one you can skip although aparently yesterdays was to do laundry. Was it really? Huh Oh well. some of you might have a clue. I have given up.

Just - sounds like you had a really horrendous day. Hopefully you get some rest tonight, see the doc soon about your eye and hear back positively from the assessment.

Swan - is that the JK Rowling book? I have started it a couple of times but have really struggled to get past the first chapter or two!

Ta Da

• Deep cleaned bathrooms x4
• Dusted all through upstairs - including skirting boards and doors
• Hoovered through upstairs
• Tidied through upstairs
• Washed all bathroom mats
• Swam 1.8k
• Supervised DD doing some baking
• Washed up baking dishes and other dishes left by DH yesterday
• D/W loaded and put on

Tomorrow I need to start on downstairs plus make a string of bunting that's been ordered for DD's old teacher who has just had a baby.

I would persevere dizzy. I was very meh about it at least for the first half but thought the ending really brought it all together.

Bitch
Dizzy I would agree with Engels, took a little while to get into but was all brought together nicely at the end in true JKR style.

Ta Da
W/m
Croissant
Porridge
Form completed x3
Stopped WW3 between twins
HW - practising to recite a poem (with 7 yos)

Silly hope you got some sleep and fingers crossed for ds, everybody being able to stay home, and hope dd’s birthday isn’t wrecked by being unwell..
Bitchy ‘don't die or kill anyone’ sounds familiar. Hope it isn’t too hard to achieve at the moment for you.

Whispers wont get to see them today, but must remember to make appointment today, thank you for reminder.

Sorry I’m being so bloody me, me, at the moment, I was thinking in the middle of the night about how losing control of things made it more like that and how concepts of flying when I’ve been able made me less like that. Lots of connections to do with CHAOS and being overwhelmed.

Had a to do list today that may be about to go out of the window after realising I may be supposed to be at work motivation thing but can’t find list of dates which I forgot to transfer, and if I am, need to load up on excess medication now, to have any chance of being physically able in time.

Not going is a really bad idea and so is going! Most of all I’m kicking myself because all this angst and expended resources and I don’t even know if it’s the right day and no way of finding out until close to when I need to be there!

Must, must, get back on top of organised living, not chaos.

just it is when you lose the information about some important meeting, yet know by sixth sense that you are missing it, and cannot find out when it is (or in my case where in detail it is). I do that a lot, eventually find out but feel completely wrung dry by the time I get to ap/school event, let alone the apt you are going to which must feel utterly pointless and 88888 too. Black cabs are like you describe, you cannot really "book" them - such a con. Of course the only ones that can fit wheelchairs, apart from vans

Cats are sitting on the mat staring at me balefully because they don't like boringdry food. They are saying nothing just giving me the LOOK. Fernando Torres(fluffy one) has settled down on the tablecloth and is watching the pigeons as if to say, you are next if this continues..

Very misty here...dh has taken ds2 to the tube, hardly any disturbances this morning, although ds1 did at the last minute demand a cheque for a school trip payment, which I couldn't pay due to the fact it will bounce. Dh paid but muttering about how I said I would pay...etc etc.

I am enjoying the Casual Vacancy. I like the way you cannot skip. I like her slightly ponderous words. She really isn't a stylist is she? I am three books into my 50 book challenge. Last year I think I read very little, which is shocking.

Hosp apt this morning to check bloods. My room is horrendous still, and starting to smell horrible too of old socks etc...Dog sitting yesterday has cheered me up, but left the usual backlog. On balance I'll take the cheering up!

Swan you're right it is a massive con, because they assure you you have booked one for a set time, and there's a booking charge for having done it.

Made the decision to medicate up, then found missing date list, it is this morning.

Of course as soon as poor ds needed to now be timely the plot was lost there. Fallen back on asking help for physical transfers, and even if I become do-lally or end up out cold throughout it, (balancing medication is a fine art and I this is a trip to far) I will have turned up, and can reasonably just apologise for being unwell.
I suspect today is listening to how the provider turned their life around by starting up this business, but may be being horrible and cynical, hopefully there's things of use somewhere in it all.

Good luck with appointment, and dogs are definately better than old socks. Would it be very mean of me to suggest offering dh the rubber cheque sweetly?

So, I didn't catch up with the thread last Friday, nor did I do any flying. So I guess I'll just jump back in, again.

Thanks for the link JustGetting, I've heard that Coursera are good too so might need to build something into DS's naptimes. I do a teeny bit of bookkeeping but it's not enough to prevent my brain turning to mush.

sans I'm sure there are better ones than mine, DH and I are just suckers for a bit of teleshopping. Ads don't really work on either of us but an infomercial, well that must be awesome!

Sorry Toffee, ummm it's rubbish really, honest! Actually it's not that much better than normal scrubbing, just the gadget makes it (almost) fun.

Was going to read rest of thread but think four days worth will take up all my flying time for today so might abandon that idea and just go get me and DS's showered and dressed instead, my 5 mins mumsnet has already turned into 15.

Ta Da
Ummmm....
Breakfasted DS's
Exercised

To Do
Shower and dress x3
S&S x2
Wash up, clean sink and wipe work tops
Yesterday's and today's missions
Tackle clean washing Mount Doom
Clean table, sweep and mop floor(s)
Vacuum up and down
Reboot laundry
Play
Feed DS's a few times

That'll do I think, need to work on decluttering but I'm a hoarder so put it off.

Just - really sorry to hear yesterday was so awful and that you have woken up to more stress in the form of the work motivation workshop. It's extraordinary, really, that you are having to sit through that when every day consists of you (successfully) motivating yourself to overcome the sort of hurdles most people never even have to think about, let alone experience.

dizzy - I thought you were going to attempt the 'bed at decent time' babystep .

Swan - animals perform some kind of magic on us, I think, in spite of the chaos/mess etc they sometimes bring with them. I agree with you that the inconvenience is worth it.

Another successful morning. Managed to get both boys in the car on time and to school . DS1 had a major wobble, but I was merciless and threatened to humiliate him by walking him to the door of the unit, so he went in. Sent me a rude, but funny, text later.

Grocery delivery just arriving...