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!!

[BitchytheGreat]

sorry to hear about your bad news. :(

[CyberMam]

Sorry to hear about your FIL ellie

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Oh no Ellie, sorry. Will be thinking about you and your DCs tomorrow. Nice to hear about DN's birthday, I know how special he is.

[GoingGoingGoth]

So sorry to hear about you FIL Ellie

[JustGettingOnWithIt]

Ellie very sorry to hear about FIL.

[sanschocolat]

Sorry not to get back on here earlier. Just said goodbye to guest and thought I would post links for tomorrow before going to bed.


I'm so sorry to hear your very sad news Ellie. I'll be thinking of you and your dc tomorrow morning. Hope your dh is bearing up x


Will catch up with rest of personals tomorrow.



Baby-step no. 2 for Sun Feb 2nd 2014 is: getting dressed to lace-up shoes.
Newcomers: not of all of us do this, but this is the theory behind it if you are interested.

Confusingly, because Feb is such a short month, Sunday's zone is Zone 2: the kitchen. (Feb 2nd to 8th.)

More general information about zones and how they are divided up this month here.

Declutter in Zone 2 for 15 minutes a day!

No mission because it is the weekend.

Sunday's daily focus is about doing something to renew your spirit.

In summary, Sunday's flight plan is here. (NB the current zone is still showing as Zone 1 but hopefully the Flylady website will update itself tomorrow.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Sorry to hear your news, Ellie. Your poor DH . Best of luck telling the DC tomorrow.

[BitchytheGreat]

I think a list is needed.

To do
lego
ds' clean bedding
ds' books
ice cake
collect ds
drink lots of coffee
pair socks
fold washing
early night

Short, sweet, doable.

[dizzyday07]

Ellie Such sad news for you all. Big hugs from me
Swan There is a Coral Reef at Bracknell that I was contemplating taking DD to. Maybe we are near too!

Ta Da

• 2 x bikes to Halfords
  
• Picked up few food bits needed
  
• Laundry brought in off line as it started raining and hung over bannisters (last of bedding used last weekend!)
  
• Load of towels in and hung to dry
  
• Ironed washed pillowcases (from last weekend) properly after wondering why the creases werent coming out abd realising it was on the silk setting!
  
• Ironed DDs washed clothes
  
  Tea with the neighbour was OK and there weren't too many empty pauses. The boys arrived back after 3 hours both a bit worse for wear and we then stayed another couple of hours coming home eventually at 10.30!

[elliepac]

Morning all. Thanks for all the good wishes. Told dc's this morning which was horrible. Both obviously very upset although not sure how much DD understood. It went as well as we could have expected. DH not very good at explaining emotions so not entirely sure how he is. He has now gone out with his siblings to tell their mum and I am going to fly around the house and make it visitor friendly, a crisis clean is in order I think.

Back later.

[sanschocolat]

Glad it went as well as these things can Ellie. From recent experience (dd has lost two grandmothers in two years) although it's very upsetting for dc, they are at least (unlike us adults) able to have some periods of time where they can live in the moment and forget the overall picture. Not at all easy though I know. Dh was like a stone when he lost his mother - totally impenetrable - so sympathies on that front. It makes it very difficult to know how best to help. x

[sanschocolat]

Sorry - haven't caught up with yesterday afternoon's post as promised - may have to do that tomorrow. In the middle of trying to help dd with maths hwk: measuring her bedroom, making a plan (including alcoves, windows, fireplace, furniture etc) and then scaling it all down. Have precisely 50 mins to get it finished and then have to start prepping Sunday supper (have two friends coming - v. casual). It's all taking forever. (Dh in a strop for some unknown reason and has gone off for a drive.) BBL.

[WhispersOfWickedness]

Just running in quickly. So sorry about your FIL, ellie

I have had a mammoth clean up in the living room and had a bit of a reorganise of the furniture, so feeling really good about the house this afternoon as long as I don't actually leave the living room :)
Got to tackle the hallway this afternoon though...

[NickNacks]

So sorry ellie hope you, dh and kids are all comforting each other.

I'm also bearish Coral Reef... How odd!

[NickNacks]

*nearish

[JustGettingOnWithIt]

Ellie wishing you strength to deal.

SC don't suppose any neighbour has a laser measure? (massively decreases time)

Despite lack of vanished friend have finally accumulated sufficient 'oomph' to hoist self out of bed up so have, and am of to get shopping urgently with ds before it all closes.

[BitchytheGreat]

Today i faced up to the fact that i am human and if i pull off a crazy list like yesterday i will crash and burn

I have finally managed to piece the last row on the 1st blanket from blanketgate. I have started the edging and will throw a strop at ds if he throws one about having his blanket tonight. I wanted it done before the end of January so damm it, it is going to get finished tonight.

[BlueEyeshadow]

So sorry to hear your sad news, Ellie.

Good luck with blanketgate, Bitchy.

Lost it big time with the boys this afternoon, so kicked them out into the garden to burn off some energy. They're making a heck of a mess, but at least it's quiet!

[MerryBuddha]

Sorry about yor news Ellie.

*
I leave you for a few days, you all move and are already 68 posts in. Just marking my place and will read back thread when I get a spare minute.

Thanks for last month Bitchy, and good luck keeping track of this month SC.

[sanschocolat]

The sitting-room/dining room is ready, table laid, candles lit etc. Dh is doing something complicated with chicken. Just have time to post tomorrow's links before guests arrive in 10 mins.

Wishing you strength for the week ahead Ellie

If no-one minds, I will catch up with the rest of the personals tomorrow, but big waves to everyone in the meantime.

**

Baby-step no. 3 for Mon 3rd Feb is do what you are already doing ie shining sink, getting dressed to shoes + have a look around Flylady website.

This week, we are in zone 2: the Kitchen here

Declutter for 15 mins a day in this zone.

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

Today's mission (look up and spend 10 mins attacking cobwebs, light fixtures and cleaning top of fridge) and all the missions for this week can be found here.

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

[Newcomers: more info about the home blessing hour can be found here and here the latter involving dc.]

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

A summary of the above plus reminders can be found here in the daily flight plan which updates itself daily.

Newcomers: don't hesitate to ask if you don't understand anything.

Have a good a week as possible everyone!

[EustaciaVye]

Ellie (hugs)

dizzy - pm me where you are too

[CallingAllEngels]

ellie I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL.

[WhispersOfWickedness]

Evening :)

Hallway clean and tidy and most of evening routine done, I've had a really productive day and really proud of myself :o

I was supposed to say this yesterday, so it's a bit late, but still vaguely relevant. I deliver our village newsletter to a couple of roads every month. If it makes everyone feel better about the whole 'clean your front door and make sure your entrance is shiny' flylady advice, I'd estimate that only about a third of the houses I visited ever wash their front door :o

[Sillybillybob]

Sorry to hear your news Ellie

I'm back!

[pushmepullyou]

Hope you are all OK ellie, so sorry to hear about your fil

All partied out this weekend with two 5 year old birthday parties and a very excuted girl! Stilll falling behind madly on the flying am contemplating a cleaner, for a couple of hours a week. I haven spent well over 6 hours cleaning this weekend just to maintain the status quo.

I have never washed my front door