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

Hi everyone

I am glad it is master bedroom this week as mine isnt too bad. I am slowly working through my to do list. RL & work is annoyingly getting in the way of domestic excellence...

Hope everyone is coping.

Morning all! Wishing a speedy recovery to anyone who is ailing, and to the many ailing dc on here too.

Just I'm so sorry yesterday's meeting and necessary transportation to get there and back was all so stressful. Whole thing sounds utterly horrendous. I hope they gave you proper credit for just turning up in the circs. And at 21/2 hr interview!! Anyone would be completely discombobulated/drained by that - even when feeling fit!!!
And now you have to go out all over again when you should be resting. Hope you can get to doc asap and get them to sign you off all appointments/meetings for at least a month so you can recover properly. Oh and never ever feel bad about ranting on here - it's what it's for!

Good luck with your hospital appt this morning Swan (I wonder if you can have hot flushes when on the pill - had better ask doc)

Desperately short of English reading matter atm ... have just zoomed through a stack of Val McDermid's over Christmas and NY which is all my brain seems up to atm ... plus I confess to liking a few psychopaths here and there and am waiting for my dsis1 to send me 'The Goldfinch'. In the meantime making do with dh's Economists and The Tablet.

Hope you are OK Bitchy and that your ds feels better soon

Silly hope your dd recovers in time for her birthday (and you get some sleep tonight) and that ds doesn't succumb

Hope your ds feels better soon Merry and congrats on completion of long list

Goth I always start watching Springwatch/Winterwatch but end up turning off because the presenters get on my nerves. If only they would stick to filming the animals!

Hope your dc are feeling much better soon too Whispers (v. impressed by craft activities done and cleared up by 8.30 am )

And that your ds recovers soon Blue!

My dh would kill for onion gravy Feetheart tis one of his absolute favourites

Take it steady Giraffe and hope you feel better soon [can see your halo shining from across the channel btw ]

Great that your ds1 is enjoying school again Toffee! (and I do love a good pair of stripey socks)

Ahhhh Engels Apple pie and cycling : jullie Hollanders weten hoe te leven (and arf at going on zipwire!)

Dizzy v. impressed by your running/swimming

Good luck with decluttering and Mount Doom Sally!

Big waves to Castle Nicknacks Pushme Honu Ellie PA Whoknows

Unaccountably tired today, but cheered by the fact that all traces of Christmas have been finally removed from ground floor!! And dd's new hwk desk is a great success.

We all went to see potential secondary school for dd yesterday evening and we think it would be a good fit. Which is very reassuring and positive in one way (and this is going to sound v selfish because her education obviously comes first) but on the downside does highlight the fact that we am going to have to withstand this urban sprawl/very rigid education system for next 8 yrs... which is rather a sobering thought.

Had better go now and check on our new hamster. Slightly worried about him because I stupidly forgot to remove his cage to a quiet place when hoovering this morning. Hope he hasn't died of fright. Going to have to gird my loins and have a look before dd comes home ... .

Hello everyone, I'm still here, still trying to fly, but very behind with the thread

A crazy few days with one thing or another, but thoughts of thread stopped me from letting it all feel out of control. And now things are edging towards more organised, it does seem easier to "reset" some sort of order.

I did a slapdash bleurgh on Thursday, and thought that seemed to suit me better - I'm often away at the weekend and seem to like leaving things done

Ta da

Lots of washing up
Quick tidy of sitting room

To do

Work, and in between:
Sink
Buy things for lunches
Bank
Swish and swipe
Swiff floor
Hoover rug
Cook dinner
Wash up
Change bed
Clean bath
Laundry
Piles of things in bedroom (3)

Probably too many things on list, but only the lunches and dinner really essential. I think this may mean I am learning not to set myself up for domestic failure and lash myself with twigs - hurray!

Argh - pressed 'post' too soon ...

Meant to say 'have a good afternoon everyone'!

Waves to Eustacia and anyone I have missed!

Just had home-made dahl lunch with dh. Trying to summon up energy to do some decluttering and/or exercise. Hamster is alive thankfully (not always easy to tell because he is holed up in his little hut during the day)!

Humanordancer Ha! Self-flagellation definitely not a requirement on this thread

Cant get going. Am watching Loose Women :)

I love how you all thought that the links were my to do list. hahahahaha. No siree that was your flying to do list.

Was out far to late and was in a silly mood when i posted them. My to do list today went to do: sleep.

My ta da list has gone:
rearrange appointment to see head teacher
sleep
get up for meeting

My 'to do' list after posting here was also: sleep, Bitchy . Two hours! Have just woken up. DS1 needed me in the night (help with resisting OCD stuff, so I'd much rather he called me) and I never really caught up with sleep after that.

DS1 is home and seems fine about going in this morning. DS2's new Lego kit has just arrived (bought with his birthday money), so he's going to be a happy boy when he gets home.

Just having a sandwich, then friend coming round for before school run.

No Flying, but house is still looking ok after my crisis clean in time for MIL's visit on Sunday (apart from the piles of laundry in our bedroom, that is).

I've actually been Flying today!

In between watching Winterwatch on the red button! much better just the birds & squirrels, only the occasional ranger and no presenters.

Done
Beds
Packed lunch
Dd to school
Windows
S&S
Paperwork
Washing up
Washed cat bowls & bird feeders
Litter tray
Cleaned kitchen window sill (it's like a tiny balcony) and planters
Filled bird feeders
Rubbish out
Mopped kitchen & bathroom floors (good clean, not just a quick one)
Ironing
Played with cat

to do
Post office
Get fat balls (for birds)
Collect DD
Supervise homework
Dinner
Washing ups

I'm the opposite Eustacia my bedroom is horrid, piles of clean washing all over the floor and general clutter on surfaces. But I too am happy it's this weeks missions, think it's my shiny sink, if the first and last room I see is vaguely clean and tidy then everything else seems to go better. And I swear it helps my depression and anxiety too.

sans Glad the hamster was ok and that the school visit went well. My sister had the secondary school decision last year and it didn't seem fun. I'm just pleased I have years to go before that task and nervous about the primary decision in April. Ridiculous as we couldn't live much closer to our choice.

Just popped on to check my progress and I'm almost done. Just hoovering to do. So quick play with DS's, tidy, Hoover downstairs and put dinner on. Am letting myself off upstairs until bedroom tidied a bit more but I did empty the bins and tidy/declutter the hall instead. Also mount doom is a shadow of it's former self and we all have far too many clothes to fit in our drawers.

toffee has also jst been asleep for two hours!

done
trip to hospital for bloods, uneventful
finished Casual Vacancy! Excellent, but not something I'd let my 13 year old read that's for sure..I didn't imagine JKRowling knew all that stuff she has been clearly reading too many crime thrillers of the more realist school. I find swearing wearing. Although that is RL.
exercise
used up something v old from the freezer (cabbage rolls - delicious)
defrosted mince for supper
sent email to bank
bit of recycling
put clean clothes away

otherwise, nothing!

Where is everyone? Came back expecting lots of posts.

Ta da

Time with DS2
Family dinner
Finally sliced open pineapple which still didn't look ripe (but turned out it was)
Tackled so much washing up I wanted to weep
Texted various friends with various arrangements
Ate remains of Ben&Jerry cookie dough ice cream (meant to be for the boys )
Put DS2 to bed
Laid out clothes for tomorrow

About to watch telly for a bit, then have bed at a decent hour, as I am still tired.

Ta da
School run
Travelled
Visited Apple Store - Genius geek desk
Visited Waterstone spent far too much money on books for dc
Visited Lush bought array of moisturisers and hair products
Travelled
4 mile walk/ 3 mile run with dog
School run
Cleared Mount of Clean clothes from my bedroom about 6 wash loads (my bedroom sound identical to your Sally).
Dinner
beaver run
bath
Read The BFG to 3 dc
D/w
Tidied kitchen
Watched Hidden Kingdom with 2x dc

What are you watching Toffee? I am giving Death in Paradise a go.

Ta da!

Bought stuff for lunches
Cooked dinner
Swish and swipe
Swiffed floor
Started the 3 piles of stuff
Tried the air refresh cycle on the washing machine, after being afraid of it for a year. Coat survived!
Dining table hotspot

To do this eve

Wash up

Whats's the world coming to? It appears Toffee that everyone except me has been been busy Flying

I'm watching 'Breaking Bad', Merry. Was hooked from the first episode.

human - 'air refresh' cycle sounds intriguing. Does it make washing smell as if it's been outside in a mountain breeze ?

SC - oh my, was that what everyone was doing?! Flying, not chatting! Tsk tsk. (Judging by Merry and human's lists, you may be right).

DS1 is definitely building up to a sickie tomorrow. He keeps saying he doesn't feel well and no, he's sure it's not tiredness. Have put him to bed as early as possible anyway. Will steel myself for trouble in the morning.

Drinking hot chocolate, then off to bed myself. Hoping for more energy tomorrow.

I bought DH the first season of Breaking Bad when it was first released (we're both chemists, so it caught my attention from reviews). Watched the first two episodes then never carried on. Dh bought the entire set at Christmas and we planned to watch it but never find time. I hardly watch telly any more.

Did manage some Flying today, plus helped at Cubs, they are doing their home help badge so I oversaw them all putting a duvet cover on and off, so that's my contribution to young Flyers for the week.

Bit worried about one of the cats tonight, she's been retching and not eating, off to the vets in the morning I think.

Just noticed the thread is heading towards the 1000 post mark rather rapidly.

Wishing you well for tomorrow morning Toffee!

If it's any consolation, steeling myself for confrontation here tomorrow morning too. DD went to bed very late on Sat night for various reasons, then again last night (owing to school visit) and was going up for an early night tonight and managed to crack her knee quite badly on a table top - which resulted in a big upset another late night tonight (and two episodes of coming downstairs once she'd gone to bed). Think I might have to entice her down with pancakes for brkfast!

Am very impressed by everyone's list.

I have accomplished naff all today. And I'm stressing tonight (and feeling very guilty) about a family situation. Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day.

Hope all those who are feeling unwell (inc dc), start to recover quickly!

G'night all.

Blimey Whoknows that must be a record!

[Leaves out strong for Bitchy]

Hope tomorrow not too confrontational, SC or Toffee either.

DS1 is pretty much back to normal and was at school today. I have yet again failed to do as much work as I should have done, and certainly no flying because of school malarky and searching for new boots on the internet - zip broke on my favourite pair this afternoon.

Tomorrow I have to force myself to tackle the prep for next week's training or it'll be hideous. And send off other work. And go to try on boots...

Big waves to everyone. Night!

I'm here! Was all set to reply to the thread last night and then DD woke herself coughing, so ended up spending all evening in and put with her and never really got back in the right frame of mind again She ended up swapping beds with DH and being in with me, so was awake a few times during the night, plus had a visit from DS, so am shattered this morning and well ready for another day on the sofa with the DC!
I am very glad it is the bedroom this week (plus DD's room in my plans) as both are not too bad, so I can manage fine in between tending ill children!

Sally - we are waiting for April as well, DS is starting school in Spetember. I wasn't worried at all as our closest is a small school and undersubscribed, and I have a close friend on the governors who had reassured me that there was no chance he can't get in. However, someone whose child is in the current reception told me last week that it was a close call this year, so now I am back to being worried again! They can take 15 in each year group, but reception and year 1 are combined, so if applications were over 15, they could use places from the other half of the class, IYSWIM. I thought there was a lot of room for that, but it turns out last year took 14, so there isn't that safety net for this year and of course we don't know how many will apply this year. He is in the preschool attached to the school, there are currently 8 due to go to school, and he would be last on the list of those DC due to either distance or siblings. So everyone keep their fingers crossed for us!

Toffee and sc - hope getting DC to school this morning was as untraumatic as possible.

Some good looking lists there everyone :)

Will probably be back later today :)

very early start. Ds1 is determined to do Running Club because it will earn him points for D of E, but it starts at 7.45, which means he had to leave the house at 7.10, which means I had to wake him up at 6.30am. Dunno why that should be a problem except dd has her early exit down to a fine art and Ds1 does not!!! Cue a lot of screaming about a towel and PE kit(which was ready last night). He point blank refused to take a towel for the communal shower afterwards - so I am just going to have to accept that he is spending the entire day in a fug of sweatiness.
I am delighted that he wants to do the Running Club though, he always turned it down before. He is still quite unfit and podgy, so every bit of exercise he WANTS to do is a bonus.

Also had to take ds2 to early literacy intervention for 8am, so another complication.

So far, we have had dc screaming about: towel, spelling angst, and why I hadn't cooked an egg for dd (I had) Two parents seem to create confusion at breakfast!!!!

Back home now.

done
eggs for breakfast for children, and freshly squeezed blood orange juice for ds1!
printed off a piece of homework ds1 lost yesterday, again.
short walk
3 children at school
yesterday cooked a pork and spinach lasagne - alright, a bit odd. But it was consumed...although two dcs ate only the crispy bit on top!

Dh is off on business trip for three days tomorrow, so a slight feeling of dread about the child management....

todo
tidy my room
nap in afternoon to prepare myself for evening
defrost a chicken
buy potatoes
Beavers helping
find out what has happened to car -still at garage for supposed simple MOT???
TIDY MY ROOM!!!
sort out at least two of kitchen drawers full of assorted stationery/craft/cr*p

Thank you Blue and Whispers it all went smoothly as it happens. DD tried it on once but having bribed her with offered to play a game of Monopoly this afternoon (no school on Wed pm and I don't mind as it helps with her French and maths so kills two birds with one stone) she went off quite happily (albeit limping rather too dramatically on her injured knee). Honestly that child will win an Oscar one day !

Hope your morning was equally smooth Toffee

Hope you are able to catch up on some sleep soon Whispers and sympathies re: the nightmare that is schools inscription.

Sally dd is only 10 yrs but we are having to worry about secondary schooling now because places here are so scare. And there is a terrifying set of criteria one has to fulfill involving distance from school, one's primary school, siblings, and language, which requires an advanced degree in higher maths to work out!

Sally and Whispers good luck with your dc starting primary school soon! It is natural to be very anxious about it, but speaking generally, it much more stressful for the parents than the dc, I promise!! x

Hope you find your boots Blue and good luck with ploughing through the work

Whoknows hope your small furry is OK! (And v. (genuinely) impressed that something as practical as changing a duvet cover is taught at Cubs. Tempted to enrol dd immediately!! )

Will give winter watch another go in that case Goth!

As I said last night, am v. impressed by everyone lists on here too! Had better get off my ample behind and go and create one of my own!

Have a good anti-procrastination day everyone!

x posts

Waves to Swan
Meant to say - hope your dd feels better soon Whispers
and all adults/dc on here who are feeling rotten!