Feisty Fledgling Flyers flutter through Feb with flair, finesse, flaws, failures, fortitude, feedback, fiascos, fabulousness, friendship and fun!

[sanschocolat]

[The fiascos are all mine btw !!]

And just for Just, February is the new January that was the new January before

If you are struggling 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 wine and cake 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 something 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!

It’s up to you, but 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!

Points to keep in mind:
(1)No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine
(2)You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
(3) 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.

Humungous thanks to Bitchy for steering us through the hectic January thread and for the wise three-line mantra above.

All regulars, lurkers and newcomers welcome!!

[EustaciaVye]

Johnathon Creek is on tonight

[sanschocolat]

x posts

Thanks for shiny new thread Bitchy (and Feetheart) really good of you both!

G'night all!

[sanschocolat]

Cheers Peanut thanks for the ! Much needed tonight!

Interesting views about the links - thanks everyone! I think there is a fairly good majority in favour, if I'm reading it right???

Thank you Feetheart and Bitchy for keeping the show on the road!! and thanks Whoknows for offering to do links later in year when you are less pressed - much appreciated.

I like the links because they give overall structure but admittedly don't always follow them, (a) because Flylady zoning doesn't fit my house and (b) because I cba !!

Giraffes some of us are an hour ahead so we may not be getting up as early as it appears

Goth sorry you have a migraine, you have done amazingly well with that list considering

Glad to hear your friend doing well Toffee!

That list is still amazing Bitchy!! Have a safe journey tonight x

Feetheart belated happy birthdays to your dh and dd and hope you get the secondary school option you wanted!

Big waves to Eustacia and everyone else!!

We've had a relaxing evening eating a takeaway on our knees in front of a film but turned it off half way through as we succumbed to heavy lids. Going to crash now as absolutely cream crackered. 'See' you all in the morning!

[BitchytheGreat]

I started after the school run at 9am, I am useless first thing in the morning. Takes a couple of coffees to get going. I just keep my lists made up of really small achievable things. ie instead of writing do morning routine, i list all the bits in that iyswim. Makes my lists longer but it helps me stay motivated. and sometimes i stick really silly non flying things in the lists

[EustaciaVye]

Peanutpatty - noone should be mopping floors at this time on a Friday. forgive yourself and do it in the morning

[BitchytheGreat]

NEW THREAD HERE

There you go up and running see you all in March!

[giraffeseatpineapples]

I think the links are helpful and kind of motivating too.

Feel amazed by the lists on here and how early people get up and crack on with them.

Just like others have said and and good vibes that things will be ticked off your list quickly and efficiently.

[PeanutPatty]

Just really wish there was some way to give you a reprieve/time for yourself. I hope the virtual support is of some comfort.

bitchy your list has made my eyes water!

SC I read the links, partly as a newbie and partly to encourage me but apart from the first week I joined I've struggled to do much more than the daily essentials. I have the best intentions but it all goes out the window and I get distracted but then I get overwhelmed by how much needs doing. Right now I should be mopping the floors but I'm EXHAUSTED.



Ta Da's
Kitchen rescue thanks to MrPP's inability to tidy up after himself
Toys tidied away
Three day dried laundry taken off airer and put away
One load of washing on (ridiculous I know to be doing it at 8pm)

To Do
Feed myself
Hang washing on airer
Decide what to do with the miniPPs tomorrow afternoon
Chill out
Chill out some more
Forget about chores and the never ending list of to do's until tomorrow

[GoingGoingGoth]

Just so sorry things haven't improved yet, you have every right to vent.

Re the thread, I also read the links don't always do them

Done
Woke with start of a migraine, painkillers & back to bed
Crotchet - had a mini melt down over some of my completed squares, so pulled about 10 down to redo.
Collect DD from school
Helped DD tidy & vacuum her room
Vacuumed rest of flat
Mopped bathroom & kitchen
Litter tray cleaned
Emptied rubbish & recycling
Dinner

To do
Washing up & SS
Ironing

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I agree, even though I don't read the links they are an integral part of the thread and not having them would make it impossible for new people to join in.

[ToffeeWhirl]

I read the links when I started out on this thread, but don't always read them now. I do think they are useful for newbies, though. I try to follow the basic routines and babysteps, but never seem to have time for the zone stuff.

Ta da

Phoned dentist
Dashed to chemist to collect prescription
Lunches for the boys
Helped DS1 with homework
Spent time chatting with friend over lunch (nearly finished her chemo and doing well )
Unloaded and reloaded d/w
Washed up extra saucepans, etc, and wiped down surfaces
Emptied kitchen bin
Folded and put away some washing
Phoned Mum about new school
Helped Ds1 complete homework

Am now attempting to catch up on OU work, which has been neglected this week.

[BitchytheGreat]

ta da
Rehomed unusable present (allergy reasons and shame for it to be wasted)
Buy new bulbs for car
Go to supermarket for fabriuc softner and shampoo
Half the banking errands that need doing.
pick up picture fitting for hanging ds' team's shirt on wall in his room not landing
start changing calendars to march
rescue washing from ds' room
put pan on for boiling up hand warmers and forget it
rescue pan and boil up handwarmers
put bread dough ingrediants into machine
make up salt dough for making shapes for ds to decorate next week/end
find easter shaped cookie cutters out fo the seasonable box in the loft
find wool for Dm who is raiding my stash of stuff I am looking to get rid of
cut my hair
Start piecing together the last blanket of blanket gate
put a load of washing on
ironing
roll out, cut and cook salt dough shapes.
turn bread dough into cinamon rolls and leave to rise
put on 2nd load of washing
feed plants
sort out emails etc...
5 mins declutter in the lounge
make 2 banana cakes and put in oven to cook
Pack ds' stuff for the weekend
remove a whole heap of too small t-shirts from his wardrobe
remove name tags from too small stuff
rehome too small clothes
rescue cakes and put cinamon rolls into cook
sort out some IT questions for a friend
sort out pictures and email for refund request of something that broke when it shouldn't
put ds' sports drink bottles in to soak in milton to keep them nice
Wash worst of the countryside off the car
clean inside of car windows
check light bulbs and replace 1 dead one
check fluids and top up oil and coolant
Have a thought about some clutter in garage and make note to speak to ex about it.
Check windscreen wipers and note deader then useful
Check spare opened boxed wipers to see if any good - nope
collect grumpy moody child from school
get child packed up and throw copious amounts of food at him.

Right see you in a few hours when I have dropped ds off. Should be a nice drive across the hills tonight as there is sunshine

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I hardly ever read the links, maybe once a month at the most. I don't even know what zone we're in half the time. I have come to the conclusion that Flylady really only works up to a point for me (which is largely the babysteps and I know them pretty well having been thread leader a few times in the past). However I love the thread and rely on it for motivation. I really don't want to commit to thread leading at the moment as I have got a lot of other stuff on, but will do it again later in the year.

I'm quite happy to do more personals in a rounding up sort of way though.

[EustaciaVye]

I read all the links Bitchy and find them really useful. It allows me to catch up with the system v quickly. It is much appreciated.

[EustaciaVye]

Sorry Just, didn't realise there wasnt an other half to share the load. No wonder it is so hard. Any possibilites of mututal babysitting with a friend?

[BitchytheGreat]

Yep Happy to do that feetheart. I just feel guilty as I don't get chance to round up very often. I will set the thread up when I get back later so that the linkies are highlighted for those following op posts

Car sorting stopped by school run time...

BBL

[feetheart]

Bitchy - if you are happy doing the links I will have a go at round-ups. They may not be daily but it will force me to stop lurking and actually engage :)

Have had half-term and birthday madness here recently (DD and DH one day after the other) and are now waiting for secondary admissions letter. Slightly nervous as although we have 3 high schools within walking distance the one DD wants to go to isn't our catchment one, neither is her second choice. Only put catchment school down third as didn't want to be sent across town
DD and I both trying not to fret. Hope you and DS are OK Ellie? Roll on Monday.

Had to explain the phrase 'domestic goddess' to DS this morning as I told him that was what I was having put both the bread maker (fabulous purchase :)) and slow cooker (essential kitchen kit) on before the school run this morning. He wasn't convinced!

Toffee - school move sounds great. We agonised about moving DD in Yr4 as her year group was SO difficult (as I'm sure some of you remember!) but gave the new head a bit more time and she managed to turn things around. If DD had been a boy we would have moved her like a shot. Fingers-crossed for a place sooner rather than later.

Just - , and hugs

Whoknows - hope you are starting to feel better

SC - will be sending that English thing to my exceedingly blunt Dutch friends :) One of them leaves me open-mouthed at least once whenever we go out as a group and I am the laid-back one

Right, need to pack work stuff away, sort out after school snacks and go out in the endless rain again...

[sanschocolat]

Your list is amazing btw!!!

Very organised to be thinking of EAster so far ahead

[sanschocolat]

Really kind of you Bitchy

Guess it would be good to establish if people actually read links or not; so if people would offer an opinion that wd be great.

Time for chool run. Cars hooting at one another in street outside. Policeman shouting unintelligible things through loud hailer. Got to run!

[BitchytheGreat]

I can do the links with no issue but I don't get chance to do a proper round up so am happy to post links for people if it helps. Although we could try a no link approach for a month if you want me just to start the thread and over see, returning to links if it all goes a bit crazy??

ta da
Rehomed unusable present (allergy reasons and shame for it to be wasted)
Buy new bulbs for car
Go to supermarket for fabriuc softner and shampoo
Half the banking errands that need doing.
pick up picture fitting for hanging ds' team's shirt on wall in his room not landing
start changing calendars to march
rescue washing from ds' room
put pan on for boiling up hand warmers and forget it
rescue pan and boil up handwarmers
put bread dough ingrediants into machine
make up salt dough for making shapes for ds to decorate next week/end
find easter shaped cookie cutters out fo the seasonable box in the loft
find wool for Dm who is raiding my stash of stuff I am looking to get rid of
cut my hair
Start piecing together the last blanket of blanket gate
put a load of washing on
ironing
roll out, cut and cook salt dough shapes.
turn bread dough into cinamon rolls and leave to rise
put on 2nd load of washing
feed plants
sort out emails etc...
5 mins declutter in the lounge
make 2 banana cakes and put in oven to cook
Pack ds' stuff for the weekend
remove a whole heap of too small t-shirts from his wardrobe
remove name tags from too small stuff
rehome too small clothes
rescue cakes and put cinamon rolls into cook
sort out some IT questions for a friend
sort out pictures and email for refund request of something that broke when it shouldn't
put ds' sports drink bottles in to soak in milton to keep them nice


Next job, as it is friday's focus task is to go deal with my car... I might be a while

[sanschocolat]

That's really, really good of you to offer Bitchy but you did January!

Would anyone else like to offer (who hasn't done it recently)?

I know everyone is very busy with huge demands but it would be good to keep links going seeing as we have kept it up so far (is it four years?). No need for long round-ups or anything! Honest! Just the links which are very easy to post (esp if posted on day = flight plan + baby-step).

Or maybe two of you could share the month?

Or perhaps we should take a poll as to how many people actually read links? They certainly help me keep on track well as on track as I ever am but maybe they are no longer necessary. (I like to post/read them to keep myself going/encourage newcomers but I have more time than many of you on here.)

Swan glad to hear last night was a success!

Toffee ouch, abcesses are awful, hope dentist can sort ds2 out quickly (and don't worry about thread; you definitely have enough to do!)

Eustacia well done for getting on top of your routines and for this morning's purge !!

[Swanhildapirouetting]

sorry I cannot do links because I'm a technological dunce. What about just not having links for a bit, and free flow brainstorm approach...with fly lady website info at beginning.

Meanwhile this morning I am slightly nursing a hangover
I had a good evening. People at party weren't as frightening as I thought, luckily most were over 50, which helps make one feel a bit less frowsty and flabby (Oh dear I'm not making this party sound much fun ) still it was a good start, we got away, we went on the tube, we managed to give the babysitter instructions, we talked to people without feeling like idiots, and we came home safely by 10.30. So I might try it again Really was suffering extreme party phobia. A few mad relatives always smooth these events, and luckily I have plenty of those to hand. Alcohol also helps, but it does make me talk nonsense so I have to avoid it most of the time.

done
cleaning lady came this morning and brought me homemade Polish twists for breakfast, so what with the alcohol last night and sugary doughnuts this morning I cannot exactly say I am low carbing. She is a lovely lady, and never huffs and puffs about how dreadful everything is in the house. We were both sneezing from cat hair and she kindly told me she thought it was spring pollen!!!
so together we, stripped beds, made beds
decluttered hall
ironed clothes (her)
rubbish and recycling
moved big piles of laundry around

Toffee I love that link, I had read it before, and I love the way the English really do spend most of their time saying the opposite to what they mean..Is it a way of avoiding confrontation or some perverse form of one upmanship?

[BitchytheGreat]

If we get really stuck I am happy to post links but it will be a dump and run approach to thread leading so if there is anyone who is more able to deal with March that would be a better option.

Just rant away if that is what you need. we will listen, and it will help to have the ability to rant at someone.

Right long to do list no wish to do anything. best find out what the plan for today was but have a small ta da list:

ta da
Rehomed unusable present (allergy reasons and shame for it to be wasted)
Buy new bulbs for car
Go to supermarket for fabriuc softner and shampoo
Half the banking errands that need doing.
pick up picture fitting for hanging ds' team's shirt on wall in his room not landing
start changing calendars to march
rescue washing from ds' room
put pan on for boiling up hand warmers and forget it
rescue pan and boil up handwarmers
put bread dough ingrediants into machine
make up salt dough for making shapes for ds to decorate next week/end
find easter shaped cookie cutters out fo the seasonable box in the loft
find wool for Dm who is raiding my stash of stuff I am looking to get rid of
cut my hair
Start piecing together the last blanket of blanket gate
put a load of washing on
ironing
roll out, cut and cook salt dough shapes.
turn bread dough into cinamon rolls and leave to rise
put on 2nd load of washing

[ToffeeWhirl]

More and a large slice of for Just. I'm really sorry it's all so hard .

SC - I wish I could offer to run the thread next month, but life has gone into overdrive here - what with the statement, new school, work, OU, appointments for DS1, etc. - and I daren't take anything else on.

Can anyone else take over next month?

Ta da

Breakfasts
Phoned dentist - DS2 in pain from toothache again (has been intermittent all week)
Phoned school to say DS2 wasn't coming in because of toothache
To work (DS2 enjoyed stamping all the parcels )
Appointment at the dentist - DS2 has the beginnings of an absess, so no wonder he's been in pain. Had a filling and a prescription for penicillin
To chemist
Made lunch for DS2
Warned DS1 we were going to tackle his homework


To do

Start homework with DS1
Phone dentist to pay and arrange second appointment
Friend coming round for lunch
To chemist to collect prescription
Washing up
Room rescues
Ocado order
OU work
Can I fit going into town?

BBL.

[Swanhildapirouetting]

Just I know you don't have anyone who can give you a break. I hope that just being on here is a sort of break I think saying, I give up, is a good thing to do sometimes as welll. like Job.