It's the clutter shouting "Mayday" as the Fledglings spring into action

[GoingGoingGoth]

Copying last month's thread.

So for those who don't know the fledglings is a long running thread. Some of us seem clicky but that is because we have been chatting on these threads for nearly half a decade makes everyone feel old we quite like fresh blood though so feel free to jump in and join us.

Three key 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.

If you are new then trying to spend 15mins decluttering and the babysteps.

Some of us Bitchy can have scary looking lists. One word of advice ignore them. Do what you can, anything is better then nothing, and don't judge yourself against others, we won't be judging you.

Links for Thursday 1st May

Babystep 1 is the infamous 'shine your sink'. It sounds daft, but it's to get you in the habit of small steps that add up to make a difference. If you are new and don't want to do it, don't worry we're not going to check up on you.

We're in Zone 1 the Entrance, Front Porch & Dining Room for the next 2 days. If you are feeling up to it (not me) here is the detailed cleaning list

Today's mission is to spend 5 minutes in each area and collect up any junk mail, newspapers, magazines etc. that seems to accumulate.

The Monthly Habit is to move!

to Ellie for leading last month

I'd like to join, please! Perfect timing-after having stopped flying for about four years, I'm going to start again tomorrow by shining my sink. I'm going to go steady and do the baby steps properly this time instead of getting over excited, but also do the thing that often works for me. I'm going to do fifteen minutes in up to four rooms a day, of tidying, decluttering, cleaning, whatever is needed and be really strict about moving on and not getting the room I'm in perfect.

Our lives have been too chaotic for too long and we all deserve better.

Thanks Goth and thanks Ellie for last month. Welcome BigBirthdayGloom - your name made me smile. You're in the right place here .

Marking spot.

to Goth and Ellie and hi to BigBirthday!

Thanks for taking over, Goth, and for your thread-running skills last month, Ellie.

Welcome, BigBirthday.

My sleep is now buggered, thanks to having a late-afternoon nap to catch up with lost sleep from the night before. DS1 is still up too, worrying about his medical appointment on Friday.

Have used the time to do some OU work and prepare stuff for home ed. Still absolutely wide awake .

Thanks for leading last month ellie and for taking on May Goth

Toffee I fear your pain. I am currently labelling kit that is needed for tomo morning stupid o'clock. I hopw you manage to get some sleep.

I'm in! This week has been manic and consequently I have fallen off the fly wagon, but I was doing well prior to that so Im going to clamber back onboard. Welcome Bigbirthday Thank you for running last month Ellie

Hi can I join please need to do something to find some calm in the chaos.

Good morning and good night.

Good morning! And happy May Day! I assume you were all up early washing your faces with dew

A huge thank you to Ellie for running last month's thread despite recuperation and return to work - really good of you!

And also to Goth for taking on May (which is also very good of you because I think you did Christmas too didn't you?)

A warm welcome to BigBirthdayGloom (I am channelling your nn atm btw!) and to Jacks365!

Glad you survived the week Mercury!

Big hellos to everyone else!

Lovely calm holiday feel here with most shops/businesses closed. DD and I are just waiting for dh to 'finish a few things' in the office and then we are off to experience green fields and whiskery muzzles etc (horses, not mine ) and dd is going to do a bit of jumping. Dh unfortunately working tomorrow but he will be driving back and forth (very nobly). Wish I could say I was leaving the house in a decent state but I'm not. Ground and second floor fine. Everywhere else a disaster zone... .

So have a lovely weekend everyone and enjoy your Bank Holiday Monday (when we'll be back to work/school!)

Determined to do the "move every day" habit this month!

[SC paws ground, tosses mane and canters off stage right]

Wow, some late nighters/early starters today! Hope you all get to catch up on your sleep today. on the counter for any that need it.

I'm not leading by example today as I did stupid amounts yesterday (moving furniture, books, turning mattresses, plus Woodcraft Folk) DD is at a school friends this evening, so at least have a bit longer quiet time today.

Done
Beds
Packed lunch
S&S
Dd to school
Laundry on
Washing up
Litter tray
FB

Just trying to decide whether to do paperwork or continue a sewing project.

BBL

I'm in.

Sorry I went AWOL last month, just far too much happening in RL to even think about housework. Did try to lurk but didn't post much.

Big thank you to Ellie for last month and Goth for this one

Welcome to BigBirthdayGloom and jacks - the system does work if you actually do it :)

Oooo, there's a , I need a , I really, really need a :)

I need to get off the computer, eat something and then try and achieve things but feel very 'rabbit in the headlights'. Maybe the Power of three would help:

• Lunch
• Finish washing up
• Hang washing

hi,
thank you Goth for thread.

It is pouring down outside. I love it when it rains.

I've achieved quite a lot this morning, sorting and tidying wise, but now I'm knackered.

done
sorted kitchen clutter (some)
sorted playroom clutter (some)
removed a lot of water from fridge
threw food out of fridge
drove to school and back
talked to friend about 12 year olds!
washed two loads and hung out

Toffee sorry you are so tired. Hope ds1 can focus on Sat when it will all be over. Go easy on the home edding today if I were you, to give yourself a breather.

SC good news about the greenfields

Next three:

• Research washing machines for rental house
• Write 'Notice to Inspect for problem flat - the end may be in sight
• Sweep kitchen floor

Thank you for the new thread.

I surprised myself by enjoying the first week of my beginners jogging course yesterday (glorioius weather helped). The coaches didn't push us too hard but I felt well exercised and managed more running than I expected so all my walks up and down the hill into town have kept some level of fitness going! Was v tired all afternoon though so did nothing useful round the house and feel a bit stiff this morning.

Done today so far:
Get children to school on time (just!) with correct packed lunches and swimming kit
Do shopping
Get haircut

Will try to tidy up the hall next (how many shoes do we need...). I always laugh when the Dining Room comes round as ours is used as a junk/store room and we have never eaten it it

Next four:

• Pick up DC and friends and ply with biscuits/cakes
• Walk to pool for diving and general swimming
• Drop my two off at friends'
• DH and I to high school to learn about DD's transition this September - eek!

Only just logged on and seen your advice to take it easy on the home edding, Swan. Thanks for thinking of me. Actually, home edding with DS2 is proving very easy and relaxing so far. He worked really hard today and can already do some of it independently, so it's not too difficult for me.

Have managed to keep DS1 reasonably calm today and even succeeded in persuading him to have a bath and hairwash this evening (although I'm never quite sure he's really washed his hair - will have to have a sniff later). Am hoping he'll take a Phenergan to get to sleep at a decent time tonight, so getting up early tomorrow won't be too much of a shock.

What to do if he just won't go, though? We have told him he has to go because we'll have to pay regardless, but if his anxiety is overwhelming I know he'll just say no. We are leaving an extra half hour leeway in case we need to spend that long getting him out of the door.

Ta da

Home ed - handwriting, Maths, English (wrote a story). Did a bit of history later as it ties in with some local events.
Flying - lots, as cleaner was here, so we cleaned and tidied together (had to do a lot of room rescues). House looks quite organised now.
Cooking - various meals
Washing up - endless
Put rubbish out
Made chicken casserole to put in the fridge for tomorrow evening

Fretting about the journey tomorrow (mainly, getting DS1 there) and how the appointment will go (clinical interview to assess DS1 for Aspergers).

Won't be on the thread tomorrow, as we'll be out all day and then my best friend is coming for the weekend and wine will be definitely be consumed.

Could he bring his laptop with him and some headphones whilst he is in the car? Ds2 gets incredibly anxious in planes and we had a real struggle getting him onto one this Easter (it is a recent problem over last two years) I found the only way to get him through the takeoff was to hold his hand tightly keep talking very fast to him about something other than the plane. I suspect if there had been a screen to concentrate on it would have helped too.

Boys are fighting; ds1 said he had a nice day at a school, ds2 seems alright but was dancing again the play rehearsal which made ds1 very bolshy, and now horrid to him. Dd exhausted, another day of girl politics at her school, waiting outside for other people and then getting back very late as a result. I am beginning to think we should order her home at a specific time and she'd be relieved because then she'd be able to ditch the more manipulative friends who expect her to hang around. I waited 3/4 hour for ds2 thinking he was at drama club which ends at 4.3O, but it turned out we had crossed wires and he had gone home in pouring rain at 3.3o, my phone was out, so dh couldnt tell me... Ds2 very cross with me, saying that we had made a different arrangment when I dropped him. I may have to give him written instructions from now on, pickups seem very complex things when your son is not allowed a mobile phone..and his mum keeps losing hers

leek and ham risotto for supper. Only dh and I ate it, but it was tasty! Loads left. Ds2 ate a grated cheese and cucmber sandwich, dd refused to eat anyting except a slice of ham, and ds1 gobbled up half whilst moaning he hated risotto.... Dh and I are sick of fish fingers

Links for Friday 2nd May

Babystep 2 is to get dressed to 'lace-up' shoes when you get up in the morning. It works for some, but to be honest I can get loads done in my dressing gown (which does get washed regularly- I'm not that slatternly)

We're still in Zone 1 the Entrance, Front Porch & Dining Room, today's mission is to spend 5 minutes sweeping or vacuuming each area.

Daily Focus for Friday is to clear out the car and purse. Sorry I forgot to put in today's.

Today's summary

Couple of new starters, so hello to BigBirthdayGloom & jacks. Remember just do a little a day, it does build up to make a difference.

Toffee's sleep patterns are out of synch! hope that sorts itself out soon. Good luck with the medical tomorrow, you know we'll all be thinking of you & DS1.

No need to mention our other night owl Bitchy

Mercury is back and had an early start.

SC enjoyed her May Day, I'm looking forward to ours on Monday

feet also rejoined us, and embraced the power of 3.

Swan made the most if the rain and got loads done. I think the deadline for Dd many be a good thing, it gives her an excuse. The risotto sounded lovely.

newlark is enjoying her jogging so is really on board with this month's habit.

And finally, I've finished a sewing project! Took all afternoon, but it was hand sewing and I'm so pleased to have done it. I'm also adding a because we have a lot of them in this house.

Evening all. I managed a little flying this morning:
Dw
Wm
Beds
Swish and swipe

But not much this evening as Dp brought my new car home My old car was so old it had moss growing on the window trim but this was is lovely and shiny and new. So I have spent the evening transferring CDs and bits from one car to another and removing 3 carrier bags of rubbish from the old one

Toffee I hope the journey isn't too harrowing for you and ds tomorrow. Hopefully a diagnosis will get you the support DS needs. I will be thinking of you both.

Feet it sounds as if the power of three was a success for you.

Night all.

Feeble waves!

Public meeting survived. Went brilliantly, fortunately. Lots of support and positive developments. Fingers crossed.

Good morning. I think i might have resync issues with my sleep. I took a nap yesterday morning and woke up this morning having pretty much slept through. Dehydration headache as a result is a bit annoying but hopefully will feel fine by sat.

Needless to say there hasn't been any flying. I am with everyone else on the birthday gloom (i have it in my brain that yours is fairly close to mine SC?) I hate birthdays. And have a ban on mine. Although I would quite like some nice weather so can go on a road trip somewhere nice.

I suppose I should get up and move really it is quite nice being curled up in bed atm though. I clearly needed the rest probably an understatement

Sink nice and shiny, dressed to lace up shoes this morning ok trainers but would have done anyway as had toddler group and dancing. Emptied dw got a load in wm. Sorted out to start an ou degree and found a new nursery for youngest dd. After a couple of bad days all is currently running smoothly. Time to do some decluttering.

Ta Da:

school run
short run in park
finish unloading dishwasher from last night
put wash on
hoover and mop hall floor
shiny sink

dcs at a dance show rehearsal after school this evening which I haven't volunteered to help with (as dh away and too much on) so get 3 hours peace and quiet!!!