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!!

Hello all

New cleaner comes on Tuesday Need to declutter and generally tidy a bit first though or she'll have no chance

Ta Da
Finances
Kitchen
Some washing
Gas and electricity meter readings

To do
Meal plan
Make birthday cake
More washing
Fold and put away washing
bins out
15 mins declutter living room
15 mins declutter hall/stairs
Quick hoover
Dye hair
Room resuce bedroom
Book online shop
Wrap mum's birthday present
Tea at DPs

Hmm I should be resting. But I am feeling twitchy and in need to get on and do stuff so I think I need a to do list, a sensible todo list with only essential stuff.

Ta da
ring company and complain

To do
buy new headlight bulb and fit
take pictures and email as required
Urgent emails
Empty/tidy car inside
Hoover car
Make sure number plate is visible (cba to wash car today too much effort)
Buy get well soon card for friend
Deliver said card
load of washing
sit with wool and crochet the rest of the squares for blanketgate take 2.
Check oil and car fluids.
Pack stuff for tuesday's adventure
Make sure stuff for monday is sorted.

Ok lots of little simple jobs that i can potter my way through. Time to grab a shower and get up... Slowly slowly does it.

Morning, not much doing here. Certainly no flying.

We havign lazy day. Will be packing for holidays soon.

I will leave the house clean and tidy to come back to.

Soooo not getting much done. I did manage to get all the Mr Potato Head pieces together in one bucket, so I can at least say I've accomplished SOMETHING today.

LOL Alice I located all the dolly bath accessories for DD to bash about.

Just discovered this hope to come back to after holiday

My kids have children over tomorrow so I plan to blitz everywhere they arent. Will be back then.

Weekend ta da
Fought storm winds, and sadly more stinky water, but managed to hold more down than thought we’d get away with, and thanks to delivery of sandbags, and acquisition of polythene and pallets, held back some of the water back at least.

Informed that now it’s a stinky cess pit with no or smashed to bits fences, and large tree across it, it's been decided the part of my garden that had been seized, is in fact' mine!

Successfully rescued desperate waterlogged little bird swimming for its life, just before it drowned, and dug a luckless squirrel (who looked more like rat!) who was hurled into the mud along with a large branch and trapped, out.

So relieved to have a break of calm and sun today, and singing birds.

Propped up, and made safe lots as a result of wind damage.

Rescued in time and repaired poly greenhouse (much needed as no idea how long before veg can be safely grown in ground in the future)

Took all mud soaked clothing down to car jet wash!

Got library books sorted.

Dealt with ds's 'self-imposed half term’ two hour meltdown without totally losing it.

Got ds to exhibition he wanted to see despite state. Got apology!

Started tomorrow and next week’s list.

Still to do tonight
Catch Ds up with English, Physics, and Organisational skills.
Ensure all stinky creatures washed. Try and get gritty mud out.
Ironing
Dinner
Listen to friend
Remind ds about teeth!
Try and catch up thread better (have scan read)
Try and rebalance from way too many drugs propping everything up all w/e.
Sleeeeep.

Have spent the day eating! If it wasn't nailed down it was in my mouth.

Ta Da
Hoovered middle floor.
Put away laundry
Rugby
Birthday party
Planned the next half terms activities for Cubs
Arrangement ups and play date for half term
Food shopping.

Hmm looking at my to do list I have not done very much...

To do
buy new headlight bulb and fit
take pictures and email as required
Urgent emails
Empty/tidy car inside - 2mins worth before i got bored
Hoover car
Make sure number plate is visible (cba to wash car today too much effort)
Buy get well soon card for friend
Deliver said card
load of washing
sit with wool and crochet the rest of the squares for blanketgate take 2. done some of this and will do some more
Check oil and car fluids.
Pack stuff for tuesday's adventure done a few bits and bobs for this.
Make sure stuff for monday is sorted.

Evening Flyers,

Ta Da's
Walked Pooch and Minis
Wrapped gifts and went to party (shattered now)
Emptied and reloaded DW
Reloaded WM, put on, 90mins later realise not put on
Usual S&S
Put away dry laundry off airer
Started building new ironing pile
Read two cookery books
Paired up bag full of odd socks
Hoovered AGAIN
Arrange play dates for week ahead

To Do
Phone British Gas AGAIN!
Rebook Miaow appt
More laundry
Motor insurance renewal
Meal plan
Do ironing before it starts turning into a self breeding enormous thing
Decide what to do with unpaired socks - tempted to throw away
Defrost chest freezer
Tidy airing cupboard and sort out nightwear - be ruthless
Meal plan and write shopping list
Drink more water
Sort out bathroom disaster

How many of you meal plan and how? It stumps me. The minis are fussy and I feel like they eat about three staple meals on constant rotation but they refuse to try new stuff which doesn't help with meal planning. I've also realised we don't really eat a lot of veg on its own iykwim? As a side dish to a main item, does that make sense?

Sneaking in after falling off the wagon for a few days. I'm blaming half term

Done
Beds
Laundry
Hung out laundry -1st time this year!
Did a spot of gardening,
Cleaned & refilled bird feeders
Litter tray
Family bike ride, for once DD wasn't grumbling, DH did instead
Lunch
Ironing
Knitting
Dinner
Washing up & SS
Paperwork
More knitting

Will try to catch up on thread, hope everyone is ok.

Well I'm still here...kind of...
So not much got done this week. DS1 was sick at the beginning of the week then generously passed it on to me. Finally feeling just about human again today. Hoping to get back on track from tomorrow although it's half term for us here, so chances of getting much done are slim. Ho hum

Enjoyed walk in the sunshine before coming home for lunch. DFriend left this evening and I tackled the washing up (mountains) and cooked dinner. Kitchen is now clean and tidy. Also managed a bit of OU work.

DH is still off household duties because he is now suffering excruciating toothache from his tooth extraction last week .

Cyber - sorry you and DS1 have been poorly.

Peanut - I meal plan. Whilst I do an online shop, I jot down on the calendar what I'm planning to make each day. My DC are super fussy, so some days adults and DC have different meals. I put veg on their plates, but they often won't eat it. I also disguise veg in pasta sauce.

Just - am impressed by your flood-fighting and animal-saving achievements. Hope the drugs are helping you get better.

PMPY - congratulations on the new cleaner! That is exciting!

Happy Birthday to MiniEllie. Glad you are catching up on TV during your enforced rest, Ellie.

Bitchy - looks like you have done plenty. You were meant to be resting today, ok?

Working tomorrow morning, so am off to bed to catch some sleep now. Night all.

Caught a bad case of CBA-it this week so no flying was done bar making sure people were fed and had clean clothes to wear

DD had the County Relay Championships today and got a PB in both her legs. The team came 13th in the Medley and 16th in the Freestyle (out of 23 teams) which doesn't sound too brilliant but they were up against clubs who had the swimmers to put up multiple teams in each age group .

We are on Half Term this week so trying to fly with DD under my feet should be interesting. Think I will bribe her with pocket money to do the hovering!

Toffee Sorry to hear DH is in pain. Antibiotics are winning, the rest are just keeping me awake, which was very useful, but is wearing thin now. I need to sleep. (Have managed loads of planning and catching up with courses though.)

Bitchy rest as best you can. Really do rest. I’ve just proved what happens when you try and push yourself through. It’s a false economy even when you think you can’t afford it.

Ellie glad you’re getting something out of it, and happy birthday to DD.

Merrry “if it wasn't nailed down it was in my mouth” sounds horribly familiar.

Patty I meal plan round whatever’s cheap or on offer. (We have a slim line budget so in a way it makes it easier. (We’re veggie so can’t help on not eating the veg front)

PMPY cleaner

Cyber hope you’re all recovered and half term is enjoyable.

Goth good luck with half term flying.

Dizzy multiple teams doesn’t sound very fair. what’s PB?

Good morning all! Hope those of you whose dc are on half-term holiday have a lovely time!

A warm welcome to Betterandnow!

BBL later to catch up with everyone else!

**

Today's baby-step, no 17, for Mon 17th Feb is the one about choosing a bed time and sticking to it.

Info about zones for newcomers here.

This week we are in Zone 4: The Master Bedroom (Feb 16 – 22) here.

Declutter for 15 mins a day in this zone!

Once you have decluttered, you can if you wish go on to detailed cleaning.

Monday's mission and all the missions for this week can be found here. Monday's mission is spending 15 mins getting rid of stuff that don't belong in your boudoir.

The daily focus for Monday is: the home bleugh as we call it.

The monthly habit for February is still : decluttering 15 mins a day.

A summary of the above plus reminders can be found here in the flight plan.

Have a good start to the week fledglings!

*

Morning all. Sorry I have been awol. Just back from weekend away on course. Have only scanned last page, but Just hope you're okay. Flooding sounds horrific.

My child free time this weekend didn't quitego as planned as I had a nasty stomach bug so ended up glued to toilet overnight and dosed up during the day, looking wistfully at delicious lunches with wine while nursing a bowl of thin soup and some bread. Still, feeling better now. DH survived a weekend on his own with DS and managed one load of washing and a big foodshop, but everything else is chaos. - lots of baskets of clean clothes everywhere (where I left them!) so today am whirling about house.

Ta da
beds changed
first load of washing on
washing sorted either away or in ironing pile
emptied suitcase
cleaned extractor fan filter

to do
washing
ironing
hoover
coffee table
s&s
rehoming rubbish
paybills
errands (bottle bank, flowers for lovely colleagues who looked after me this weekend!)
Washing up
what's for dinner?

they should tarmac my road this week so will finally be able to park in driveway again, lots of diggers outside today for ds to look at.

bbl to catch up properly.

Morning all. DD's birthday went very well and she was utterly spoilt by our lovely family and friends.

Today is FIL's funeral.

Patty - very fussy DCs here too, it drives me mad. I try and meal plan, but we don't always stick to it very well. Saturday lunchtime we sit down with the calendar, school dinner menu and a file of recipes, we all get to choose one main meal each for the week then I fill the rest and sort out what will be on each night, depending on school dinners and after school activities. We get a fruit and veg box delivered on Monday and I order everything else from Ocado to be delivered Sunday evening. I do a top up shop on Thurs or Fri for milk, fruit etc. We get stuck in a real rut otherwise - the only meal that both DCs really like is pasta. I've got one who like traditional British type meals (potatoes, meat, fish, plain food) and one who hates that sort of thing and only wants pasta, curries, couscous etc. Plus a DH who doesn't like pasta. Having the veg box has helped us get a little more adventurous with veg.

Ellie - thinking of you today.

Dizzy well done on your dd's swimming prowess
dd's favourite friend is a champion swimmer and runner and she is the one who can amuse herself for hours with some pebbles and a piece of paper so it obviously does wonders for the brain circuits too.

Just poor little things, there must be so many animals suffering the same fate in the river banks - you sound as if you have achieved loads in the meantime despite the floods

SC I continue to be amazed at your grasp of detail...

Toffee could he have the dreaded "dry socket" which can occur after an extraction?

done
hung out the washing
made a pile of ironing for the cleaning lady (who I'm ashamed [glad] to say is here an extra day because my mother doesn't need her)

waved off Dh to the British Library -I think he was glad to escape

yesterday we went to Mass, and met some friends/went to Macdonalds
lovely new priest is from Calcutta area and gave a sermon about not being angry with your brother because it would lead to murder..whereupon the kids set about kicking each other the minute we got home, fighting over the computer not much has changed since biblical times clearly

Yesterday ALSO dd had a complete meltdown over lack of clothes . It is true that nothing fits her, but then she refused to leave the house to choose new ones, because she was too embarrassed to wear the ones she had SO I had the delightful task of shopping for a complete new set of clothes for her..it was tremendous fun, especially without cross teen in tow. To my amazement she liked everything I bought from M & S and New Look. At this time of year it is usually a birthday present to get clothes, but they've come a bit in advance. However her mood has not improved in general I think friends round every day is the only solution.

Yesterday she earned some money sweeping the path and cleaning the front door, as she wants to save up for a new phone. Today she says she wants to wash the windows up a ladder.

Hope today goes as well as can be expected. Ellie

I have been put on steroids as well as antibiotics. The steroids always make me really antsy. Trying hard to rest but it is frustrating as my brain is running 1001 miles and my body is twitching and wanted to do stuff. And yet i have fuck all wish to do stuff cos i feel ill. I am actually glad to be going to work this afternoon. Sat on a chair at a desk being busy doing stuff that requires little movement. Currently lying still as the phone woke me up and i jumped out of bed with a start causing my heart to have a bit of a shock.

Quick check in here. Hope today goes ok ellie

I had been planning to meet up with friends and their DCs at a local museum today but turns out it's shut on Mondays. DCs have refused to go with alternative plan so looks like we won't be going out today.
DS2 says we need to stay home and tidy "because the house is so messy"

So today's list looks something like this

to do
Swish and swipe
Shine sink
15 mins declutter bedroom
Laundry
Hotspot - sort out kitchen counters
Clean car
Work training tutorial
Plan for week's activities
Food plan/shop

Good morning again.

Ellie I'm so glad your dd's birthday party went well and that you all had a lovely time. Hopefully that will give you all some strength for today. I hope your fil's funeral goes as well as these things can and provides some comfort. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you and to your dh and family. Hope you are feeling physically stronger too x

Oh dear Engels so sorry to hear you have been unwell - and just when you had free time - sod's law isn't it? (Glad to hear your colleagues looked after you well though!!) Don't whirl around too much today and yay to soon-to-be-tarmac drive!

So sorry you and your ds1 have been through the wars too Cybermam hope you are feeling much better now.

Just so glad to hear the abs are finally doing their job (you "sound" much better!) and you are just about keeping the stinky deluge at bay! Also great news about garden (albeit returned to you in a less than ideal state!) However, floods + insomnia not a good combination - so don't be tempted to overdo it, even though you are feeling better! Hope you get to catch up on some sleep soon.

Your rescue of a "waterlogged little bird" and "a luckless squirrel"!! made me as did Merry's twice x four mile transportation of rescued mice! (Just/Merry Another one eating for UK/Belgium; insatiably ravenous atm!).

Merry congrats to your nan on her 90th birthday! She sounds lovely!! As ever, v. impressed by your 11-mile run btw!

Dizzy making sure people are fed and have clean clothes is Flying!!! Congrats to your dd on two personal bests!! Have a lovely half term hol!

Toffee Glad you got to go out and have a bit of much-needed fun too!! Ditto re: country walk yesterday - spring-like weather here too. First crocuses have appeared in garden Sorry to hear that your dh is still suffering.

Big waves to Goth and congrats on v. respectable list. Yay to being able to hang out washing at last! (Arf at grumbling dh!) Have a lovely half-term!

Peanut Congrats re your list too and good luck for next! I meal plan in a loose way:

Sun lunch = roast + trimmings
Mon = cold cuts and veg or salad
Tues= shepherd's pie or some sort of pasta or rice dish with loads veg incorporated in to it
Wed= something very easy like sausages or ready meal or sweetcorn fritters
Thurs = always veggie (plus make home made soup for Sat lunch/we)
Fri = always fish
Sat = take-out or something very quick

If you want to eat more veg, it really helps to allocate one or two days per week as veggie day(s) and stick to it.
Objective of planning = one intense cooking day, followed by one easy cooking day throughout week because I am lazy.
Good to double up preparation ie make soup as well as veggie dish on Thurs ie one mahoosive vegetable chop to Radio 4! Or make two shepherds pies/two fish pies - one to eat and one for freezer.

When dd was little, I found Annabel Karmel's After School Meal Planner and Complete Family Planner quite good (one of them contains a good spag sauce recipe with loads of hidden veg if I recall). Also Nigella's 'How to Eat' has very good, sensible section on dc food.

Hope you are feeling a bit better Bitchy - wise words from Just (just) there! Glad you found the wool you wanted!

So glad you took the plunge Pushme and found a cleaner!! In my case because I am weak willed, just the discipline of having someone here at a regular time which motivates me to do stuff is worth the expense, and the fact that she kindly cleans something, is a bonus ifyswim!

Hope you are surviving the play dates Eustacia!

Safe travelling Betterandnow hope you have a lovely holiday!

And you too Thinkingg101!!

Glad to hear Mr Potato's head is now intact Alice

Big waves to everyone else!!

Must admit to feeling rather of those of you who are on holiday! Schools don't break up here until 1st March as Easter so late this year!

Feeling this morning. Somehow, I have managed to postpone last weekend's entertaining to next weekend, when we were meant to be away for my dsis's b'day in UK. However, dh now thinks he can't go anyway owing to pressure of work. Blaaargggh! Perhaps I am in need of Flylady's lesson on how to use a calendar after all ... .

Lovely spring day here! Have a good one everybody!