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!!

Poor DD - and you, SC. I'm so sorry that your friends are moving away. That is very hard.

That is an amazing round up, by the way.

Had a long talk with DS2 this evening. He is terribly unhappy about going back to school and was in tears about it. DH and I have booked to see another school on Wednesday, but haven't told him anything about it. I just told him that we would do our best to help him in whatever way we could and gave him a long cuddle.

I do wonder why the school years have to be so complicated for us, when I see other people's children appearing to go off happily to school every day (I know that's not the case for all the fledgling's DC, though).

Anyway, back to the school run for DS2 and work tomorrow morning. DS1 is having work brought over for him from the learning centre, so no need to go through the fiasco of trying to persuade him to go.

Must go and finish putting laundry away and do final checks on school prep now.

Really need to catch up with this thread!!! Luckily we mostly did the front room today so might be doable for me to catch up this week. Well .... except for tomorrow, last day of hols ... start again tue

Thank you so much for the links and roundup SC. Must have been a shock to hear about your friends moving back home, it is a kind of loss when people move away esp when they have been a major part of your life.

DD was wandering round like a caged animal today so to amuse her we started a jigsaw she got for Xmas. She got bored with it after a while mainly due to the fact the pic on it was slightly out of focus so made matching pieces to how it looked on the box tricky!

I sent her off to make cupcakes whilst I finished the puzzle

DH then decided they would make a syrup sponge together and then I could hear him get all evangelical about doing the washing up first. When I went through later the baking stuff was done but he had ignored the pan he had used at breakfast to make scrambled egg! [Hmm]

They went out for a bike ride but DD came back after 2 miles as it was cold and blowing a gale whilst DH went off to do another 6 miles. DD and I went out for a run/ walk before tea but her sore legs from the cycling held us up a bit!

Ta Da

• Completed jigsaw
• Washing load in and hung to dry
• DD uniform and school bags ready for the morning
• DH shirt for the morning ironed

I havent ventured into the kitchen this evening to see what carnage DH has generated as he cooked fish for tea but I can guarantee there will be fat splattered all up the splashback!

Just been reading back a bit, sorry your ds is already in tears toffee

I can't believe the estate agents put those pictures up usually they just put a picture of the outside when its like that?

Evening all,

Survived hen night, we all went for a meal then some of us went home and the others went on to a bar, will hear how it panned out when i go to work tomorrow (it's a colleague getting married).

Today we have beento London, we went up The Shard for my birthday treat, amazing views and as someone who is afrqid of heights I was very proud of myself for doing it. Not much Flying though.

SC - so sorry your friends are moving on, your poor DD.

Just - sorry to hear about your DD's problems with flooding, one of my fellow hens last night is in the same boat with her DS and his family being flooded, they are in a hotel but she's got their pets at her house. The repercusiions of this are going to last a very long time. Hope your DGC isn't too poorly.

Toffee - WRT the water meter, we were strict the first few weeks but then slipped back to our usual ways, I don't think we are too wasteful, largely because the DCs hate baths and showers .

Right, thanks to this thread I just went out and did the bins and recycling rather than risk doing it in morning. Could hear a drunken type yelling down the street so legged it back in without putting the plastics out, but still, the worst stuff should get taken.

Toffee I think end of half term blues are quite bad enough without not really liking school in the first place, poor ds2 Is there anyone he is looking forward to playing with tomorrow? I found the social side of school was sometimes the only thing that motivated ds1 and dd.
So glad you don't have to go through the will he won't he for ds1's LC.

Castle London is very muddy too!!!!!

SC I hope you can make plans to visit them wherever they are returning too...often people become lifelong friends in these situations. Poor dd.

Just been watching Bridesmaids. Another unsuitable film for the dcs for me to cross off my list (I hope your Hen party didn't follow the same format Whoknows)

I'm not even thinking about the PE kit. Although I do know the school shoes are covered in mud. Will have to do some bashing on rocks tomorrow morning to get the dried stuff off tomorrow.

sc I'm so sorry. I meant to correct my mistake earlier on about the links. I thanked swan by accident and then my app froze up for a while and I forgot until I just read back there. Oops - well,

Sorry about yours and DD's friends moving away .
Horse got injured racing on Friday at Thurles . Hoping we can fix him, not sure how bad the damage is. Possibly a fractured pelvis, but possibly muscle damage. He is coming home for 6 weeks box rest and retirement from the track hopefully in a few days.

Sorry to hear your friends are moving away sc

Swan - no, DS2 is unhappy about his friendships as well . He says his friends don't comfort him when he's sad about school. He has been taking himself off to sit alone at breaktimes, which I have been concerned about. I think his friends just don't know how to handle it when he's sad or maybe don't even understand that he's unhappy. He is part of a lovely group of boys, but they are too young to know how to deal with that.

Anyway, he was resigned this morning and went in with no fuss. It almost makes it worse to see him trying to be brave. DH and I are resolved to do something to help him, somehow.

DH and I are at work (am grabbing five minutes here whilst he's busy elsewhere ). Will continue working at home later this morning, then the man from the learning centre is dropping in with schoolwork for DS1. Am hoping to get DS1 out for a brief walk today, as well as getting him doing schoolwork again.

Also need to write some letters to do with the statementing process and visiting a new school. And fit in OU work.

Flying bottom of the list today.

Good morning everyone!

So lovely to come on here and read all your messages of suppport about our friends moving away! Thanks so much ... it really helps!

I feel a bit of a twonk about making such a fuss tbh because no one has died or anything (and they will only be a 3 hr flight away) but this has just come at a particularly bad time for dd and she was very close to this particular friend who she has known since she was 3yrs.

People moving on is such a regular fact of expat life that I should be used to it by now! In fact, there are some people I know who live here permanently who have a specific policy to not make new friendships, because of this very reason. But I don't think that is any way to live ifswim so the only thing you can do is carry on!

Castle no worries! So sorry to hear about horse though. That sounds like a nasty injury; hope it turns out to be just muscle damage. Horse will be in very good hands when he returns home though!

Toffee I'm so sorry to hear that ds2 is so upset about returning to school. That's so hard on both of you. I hope the school you see on Wed turns out to be a "definite possible".

Swan thanks, we definitely will visit them, but we already have quite a few "lifelong" friends all over the world as a result of this situation: specifically in India, America, China, Argentina, Iceland, Montenegro, France, Spain and Italy; which is lovely of course!! But the reality is that we tend to spend school holidays visiting the UK fulfilling commitments to family/friends/godchildren etc and generally trying to make up for family events we have missed, so the time for other trips is limited. Hope rtn to school not to onerous this morning and that you can catch up on sleep tonight!

Glad you evaded drunken yob Giraffe and well done for recycling/front room achievements

Glad that you survived hen night Whoknows!! Oh no, did we miss your birthday?!! Here's and if so!!! Many belated happy returns A friend was telling me last night how he went up the Shard in the recent storms, which was, er, quite exciting!

Hope kitchen didn't take too long to put back to rights Dizzy!

Top marks Cybermam you sound v. organised for week ahead!

Blue hope the Tower of London arrived at school in one piece after all your efforts!!!

Hope Gothcat ok Goth

Merry at your 5hrs of ironing and other weekend chores!!! That is phenomenally good going!!! Arf at 'sold' sign

Thinking101 don't feel bad - I actually ironed dd's uniform 10 mins before she left for school this morning which is a bit desperate, even for me!

Feel quite chipper this morning although dd was nearly- late for school as I managed to force the old bod to get going early and have already completed home bleurgh downstairs plus cleaned bathroom and finished usual morning routine. Downstairs didn't take long as was in "guest ready" state and I am determined to move on to some Flying that isn't just daily maintenance; have sights set on some home office decluttering. Also want to go out for a brisk walk because it is sunny and spring-like outside.

Big waves to everyrone! Have a good start to the week!

x post
oh that's so sad about ds2 trying to be brave Toffee
Are the school being helpful?

Hello all!

I've done my krypton factor, and feel reasonably ready for dust storm mark 2 happening at the other end of the flat. I'm having another one of those "I am turning into my mother" moments, and it's quite nice! She's coming to give me a hand tomorrow, which will be great.

Ta da

Sink
Swish and swipe

To do

Eat
Keep focusing on end result and how much better the whole process is for all the decluttering.

Thanks SC for the digests, and I hope everyone has a good day.

Thanks for your kind words, SC. Have had an email from the possible new school and the head is ringing me later to discuss the situation and arrange a visit .

Afternoon, had a quiet day due to a poorly DD (cold & cough) it she should be back at school tomorrow so can get routines done then.

Done
Beds
Huge pile of ironing
Lunch
Crotcheting
Recycling out
Gentle walk to library with DD (the sun was out!)
Dinner

To do
Washing up
More crotchet (blanket)

Hope ds is ok Toffee.

I have been thinking of sharing the load of flying a bit more at home and wondered how much your dcs do around the home? Until now mine have done very little but I think I should be encouraging them to help more.

Evening all. Back to work for me today despite everyone I care about shouting at me for doing so. Have managed fine with just some paracetamol and no hard drugs. Am knackered but ok. Have been trying to make DH understand that teaching is one of those jobs i just can't forget about. I have 75 year 11's who need me. And some of the most troublesome ones in the year group at that. I have been trying to explain that if i go back now, taking it as easy as possible I will be able to go off for my operation knowing everything is sorted and properly rest and recuperate afterwards. For my own mental sanity I need to be there. DH doesn't get it.

Flying wise have been trying to potter around and get back into routines and am gradually getting there. Everytime i get back on the wagon and do stuff I realise why I need the babysteps...they actually work.

Had DS's parents evening tonight and in an unashamedly proud mother boast it was brilliant. He has made loads of progress, particularly in his literacy which has been a massive problem in the past. Behaviour is impeccable and he always does his best. I am so proud of him.

Have had a quick skim read through of today's posts.

toffee for DS. I always read your posts and think how lucky DS os to have supportive and lovely parents like you. You do a fabulous job supporting and cajoling him.

castle for your horse. Hope he is OK.

sc for your friends leaving. A really difficult situation but it is so much easier to keep in contact these days with Skype etc.

Better go and do some flying!

Big waves to everyone.

ellie - good to see you back! If you want to go back to work, you should go - but do pace yourself. Congratulations on the successful parents' evening - you are allowed to be proud!

By the way, you have used instead of , which I noticed you did in a previous post. Just thought you ought to know! We know what you mean, obviously.

Mercury - ds2 is happy now he's back home again . As for children sharing the Flying load - I will watch the replies with interest. I don't get my DC to do anything apart from a bit of tidying up in their rooms and am rather envious of those who have trained their own children to do lots of tasks. It's my own fault, though, I know.

Goth - sorry your DD is poorly. Hope she's ok for school tomorrow and you can catch up on Flying.

Ta da

Get dressed
Breakfasts
Get DS2 to school
To work
Continue work at home
Lunch
Brief walk with DS1
Man from learning centre here to see Ds1
More work
School run
DH did all the washing up
Snacks for DS2
Type various letters
Several long phone calls
More work
Dinnertime

Was meant to do OU work too, but haven't been able to fit it in. Will try harder tomorrow.

You may notice the distinct lack of Flying on that list, apart from DH washing up. I had to prioritise and Flying was bottom of the list - but at least I did a house bleugh yesterday.

My children clear their plates and put them in the dishwasher without even being asked now...
Dd washes her clothes herself (but we often end up drying them)
ds2 does a bit of cooking every now and then
all three lay the table when asked (looking sour)
all three will go to the shop and buy groceries

otherwise, we are all slovens!!! Me included. I haven't made my bed for a long time when I wake up, so I suppose I cannot ask them to..

Ellie ds1's teacher was away sick for a long time when he was in Year 7, and he definitely missed her! However, they will all survive whatever happens.

Hmmm. Can't even spot the difference on the app. Thanks for pointing it out toffee.

I am worried that if I don't begin training them I will regret it. As children we were all expected to help around the house as my mum was a lone parent for some time and I always said I would make sure my dcs did, but like you Toffee I have not made them do much. I think I have just felt it is quicker and less hassle to do it myself This evening dd dusted in the living room and ds hoovered downstairs whilst grumbling and it really helped so I think I am going to introduce this as part of our routine.

How old are your dc Swan? They sound very helpful.

I am back to lectures tomorrow and the house is relatively organised and tidy so I am determined to try and keep it that way. So tomorrow I aim to:

Dw
Ss bathroom
Lunches
Wm unload/reload
Sort clean washing
Beds
Dd to dust
Ds to hoover
Declutter desk
Complete job application.

SC three hours I can see that is a long journey. I can see one could have geographical fatigue on exotic visits and obviously pricey too..I bet dd will turn out to be a wonderful letter writer, probably like her mother (I'm sure you are a good correspondent)

Mercury mine are old enough to have a job (in a developing country) 11 and 13 year old so not very well trained

Tired now. Up at 6.30, then I did lots of walking, early morning driving, dealing with sibling jealousy at 8am, flaked out after lunch, morning spent counting money at Church, carrying heavy sacks of coins which has done my calf muscles in. Dcs in relatively good mood, although dd did not sadly bring home a delicious dish of chili con carne from school as they had Chinese Dragon Dancing today instead. She turned on me at 6.15 when I was refusing to let her watch telly, saying, How do you think feel, I've spent all day watching chinese dragons, then I missed the bus, then I lost £5 (whose £5 was that I wonder?)and the least you can do is let me watch the end of Young Dracula.. I am getting stricter and firmer in my old age.

Toffee Sometimes schools are unsatisfactory for individuals, just because everyone else is putting up with it, it doesn't mean you are being fussy to change ds's school, even you are very fond of all the people there. I think if ds or dd had ever said their school was boring and made them miserable I would have whipped them out of there very quickly. I think we were very lucky with the teachers throughout, in the sense that they seemed to enjoy the lessons and atmosphere, bar one Reception teacher dd had, when I was still a novice and didn't know I was allowed an opinion.

Have to transcribe some history on bad King John for ds2 now, and something else about coffee growers which we discussed at length but he then lost patience at the end when it came to writing it out

Achieved a basic morning routine.
Cooked a nice tea.
Took DC's to evening activity

I have stuck another load in on wash dry cycle
Empited dish wash.

I hope to get more sleep tonight and do a proper day of it all tomorrow.

Thank god for this thread...
Morning ran smoothly before school/work (yes started).
Even got to do all of the morning routine before going.
Teenager did the house bleurgh!
5k run
School run
Dc dentist
Dinner (homemade (smoked cod) fish fingers, hm tartar sauce , hm mushy peas and salad wraps) went down a treat!!
HW x4
W/m t/d and put away x4
D/w is on
All of evening routine done except shine the sink.

Another busy day tomorrow, full day at work, beavers and meeting!!

Has anyone got any great Mackerel recipes? I have accidentally tripled my order of them!

***

Baby-step no. 25 for Tues 25th is one of those testimonial ones about not being perfect, and how Flylady established her routines etc.

We are in Zone 5: The Living Room (Feb 23 – 28) here.

Declutter for 15 mins a day in this zone!

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

Tomorrow's mission can be found here 5 mins spent dusting decorative items in your sitting room ie picture frames, ornaments etc.

The daily focus for Tuesday is: planning.

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 which updates itself daily.

**