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.

x posts

Good luck with finding the next tenant Feetheart and hope they are a model of good behaviour this time around!

Hope your headache doesn't get any worse Bitchy!

[Arf at parallel lives: does that mean I might actually get some of my paperwork sorted soon?] [SC looks hopeful]

[Hope I don't start crocheting in my sleep though ]

Show towels? My mum used to have them!

I do have guest towels, but that's coz I got rid of a load of stuff so I now keep a set just for guests, two sets for DH & I and then a couple for DS; makes the linen cupboard much tidier sort of.

I'm with everyone on the headaches though, so have ensconced DS and I with a load of films and we're going to curl up and snuggle while watching them. Snoring may ensue!

Today SC you are making me laugh, a lot. It is very much needed.
Rain has stopped the outside kinda jobs. Thus ta da loks abit like this:

Ta da
folding
ironing
wash back bedroom bedding (incl pillows and duvet)
put first of sofa throws on to wash
Start sorting far end of lounge

I need to put the clothes away and finish eating lunch but rather lacking in motivation atm. I have 2 boxes of paperwork that i need to file but it is not a priority today. So I need to find somewhere they can go until thursday that means I can get the downstairs tidy and sorted. Beginning to think the bath tub is the only answer thank god we also have a shower!

Have managed 2 out of 3 - will do scanning later.
Next 3:

• Cancel Virgin in flat
• Register DS and I for Superhero run for local hospice :)
• Cook salmon for DC's dinner

then:

• WORK (which is getting bit neglected amongst all the property madness)
• Pick up DS
• Feed DC and DH before Beavers and Cubs

Another 3 for me, but I can't decide which 3 as really I want to sit around doing nothing (tired and lazy). Think I will go with:

Mow the top lawn
Organise/cull at least two drawers of my clothes
Organise/cull at least 1 drawer of DDs clothes

Bitchy Keep going !!

arf at Feetheart cancelling virgin in flat! [the promiscuous obviously make far better housekeepers well at least they change the sheets occasionally

and well done re: hospice run

[Chucks headache pills and comfy pillows in direction of *Carpe]]

Feeling a bit more motivated finally now and the sun has come out!

Ta da:
cleared up from lunch
dining room table hotspot
more laundry (on my fourth load)
sorted damp laundry for ironing lady tomorrow
e-mailed another potential baby-sitter/animatrice
carried boxes up and downstairs (more to do though - groan]
made friendship bracelets with dd and then she had the nerve to charge me 50 cents for one

The show towels are to add a splash of colour to a white bathroom with a small amount of black and grey trim. We always just grab something out of the linen cupboard which thankfully is quite big. No way would I put the stuff we normally use on display.

Mini dd picked up from nursery (just escaped the rain)
Another load in washing machine
Bread dough currently proving. Going to relax for the next hour till dd2 gets home and starts grumbling about todays exam.

Headache abating after sudden downpour and (I think!) a rumble of thunder - pressure headache I guess, but pillows and pills much appreciated!

Washing is laid away, macaroni cheese is pending till nearer dinner time and I still need to hoover, but I have a case of the CBA's...

Feeling a bit down just now as looked in the mirror and clothes are very tight. I was doing well, but this coil just makes me hungry all the time; guess I'll have to up my exercise again.

Big bag of rubbish culled from utility/playroom Yay!
surfaces cleared in there of cat hair and mud

tackled bedroom, and stripped our bed
but not finished in there
a big pile of clothes for the recycling and for winter cupboard

Lots of decluttering going on today!

Posting while waiting for my train
Managed to get all the shopping I needed at lunchtime so quite pleased (I don't usually get out)
Finally got a phone consultation with doctor after 2 weeks (my work and phone calls do not mix!)
DH tells me he has put the vacuum round as I asked

Oh, train is here!
(runs off trailing soothing balm for the headache sufferers)

Almost 3 more boxes have gone through the incinerator. it would have been 3 complete but ds helpfully put some inside out of the rain and it got forgotten. But as I am tackling more paperwork sorting I suspect there will be another box to go before the weekend so no harm no foul.

I have also chucked 2 boxes all over the floor in the lounge so that they can get dealt with. Not exactly fly lady but they are more likely to get done this way. About to throw some tea at ds whilst his bath in running and then shove in into the bath. We have a small matter of a book tht needs finishing tonight and I really need to get the floors of 3 areas finished off. So I will be working after he has been put to bed. no crochet tonight then :( ah well Once this has all be dealt with it won't need doing again!

Chin up and keep going. We will all get there in the end!!!

Arf at lots of sex = tidiness. SC

Right to do list for tonight:

Back bedroom floor
utility room floor
wash clothes so I have a clean bra for tomo laundry planning fail
ds through bath
finish book
tackle some more of the mountain of doom in the lounge.

I think a coffee is in order and chocolate

No show towels here but I did throw the tea towels in the wash this morning! Can't put on another load yet as there is only room for one load inside and it is raining at the moment. Will put another load on overnight to hang up in the morning.

Not much flying going on as I have a huge pile of marking to get through, dd has a cold and ds and I seem to be going down with it :(

Links for Wednesday 14th May

Babystep 14 is to read the essay on how to use a calendar

Wednesday is Anti-procrastination day

This week we are in Zone 3, the bathroom & one extra room

Today's mission is clean the bathroom mirror, and in the laundry room to clean out your lint filter, double check your vent hose and clean under your dryer as well. At the risk of being lynched...has everyone done their hot wash this month to fight off mold?

BBL with round up, just have to recharge iPad first.

Back from meeting so doing evening routine then bed.
DW is on a quick wash so I can get it empty and the beginnings of another load in that wouldn't fit.
Then wm, shine sink & bed.
Haven't started s & s again yet - I'm going to wait until I can give the loo a good clean (probably tomorrow night when I do Monday's mission)

Am driving to work in the morning so won't be able to post on the move. Will catch up after work

Ta da!
Meeting re school
1 basket of laundry away
Read a book that I wanted to!
Blogged about it
Cooked tea
Washed up
Played interminable games of Uno with DS2

Not much actual flying in there but it's not quite as CBA as I feel.

I did tomorrow's missions the other day, so can feel virtuous about that too. Need a sensible bed time tonight so better head off.

Hope all headaches eased.

Tada!

School run etc
Blitz bathroom (steam cleaner again)
3 lots of washing done and line dried despite rain showers
Pilates class

Shopping. DD has come home with an extensive costume list for her next drama production in a few weeks, thought I'd better start the usual frustrating trawl round the charity shops. To my amazement I found the two most difficult things (an old fashioned coat and a dark suit jacket) in her approximate size in the first two shops. Also found a hat in a joke shop for £2.99. Was very pleased!

Home for a fruitless half hour looking for DD's ballet leotard.
School - went a bit early and did some weeding in the gardens. Some of you will remember that my friend and I ran a gardening club for the last three years, we gave up last autumn due to other commitments, sadly no one else has taken it on and it is looking very overgrown now.

DD to ballet in an old, too small leotard.
Home and tea then DS and friend taken to Cubs
Half an hour on the allotment with DD
A bit of sewing with DD, she is so happy using the sewing machine
Bit of telly
Found DD's leotard in DS's pants drawer!
DCs to bed
Sewed badge on Cub uniform.

Phew!

SC - my DH was a late starter academically speaking, he says he really did nothing at school till his O levels, then went on to a first class honours degree, PhD and running a successful business. At 14 he looked destined for the scrapheap. Also sympathies re aeroplanes. I once lived in a rented flat in Hounslow, about two miles from the end of one of the Heathrow runways. It was not good! Concorde was particularly problematic. Did get used to most of it though, same with trains in my last house.

Jacks - sorry to hear about DD3's problems, hope she gets a proper diagnosis soon.

Engels - fingers crossed for you.

Bitchy - hope you get through this week OK. Coffee in bed sounds nice.

Blue - we're having an interminable games spell too, the DCs have dug out all their Orchard Toys games again so night after night of Tummy Ache, Shopping List etc. Which we have been playing for about 6 years now . I just keep telling myself it's better than playing on screens (through gritted teeth).

Managed to avoid a lot of flying today by baking instead!

Ta Da

• Hoovered through upstairs
• Baked banana loaf
• Baked apple & cinnamon loaf
• Baked mincemeat cake
• Washed up all the baking bits
• Prepared dinner
• DD to and from Brownies
• Booked DD onto a Swim Skills Clinic during half term (her breaststroke will be videoed and analysed to check its ok!)
• Washed pots and shined sink
• Hide cakes from DH

Morning. Just a quickie from the phone before I rush to get ready for work.

Didn't get my exercise done, alarm went off, I coughed, sneezed and turned it off. Headache still in force, and threatening cold is now a full scale head cold - I'm tempted to play the man-flu card, but DH then decides to play top trumps so it's not worth it! Orange juice and drugs for me today.

Will catch up properly when I'm at work...

Good morning! Lovely sunny day here! And no option but to get up at crack of sparrows, thanks to early, low flying aircraft. (And that was with the window closed (unusually) - noise deafening - heaven knows what it will be like with them all open as the weather warms (ie tomorrow!)

Had cracking headache and sore throat last night but early night hopefuly did the trick and I feel fine today!

Have just spent the last two hrs from 6am to 8am (hr ahead here) carrying laundry paniers and boxes up and down four flights of stairs, sorting out dd who is better and going back to school but hopelessly disorganised, and a bit of time gambolling with the rabbits on the terrace.

The rabbits have very long and furry coats, and it makes for a very nice start to the day when they brush around your ankles as you are hanging out the washing

Ta da:
carried boxes and paniers up and down stairs
made laundry room good for ironing lady - water, money and clean, damp washing triaged etc
ironed dd uniform which didn't get done last night
sorted dd's gym kit
checked dates on calendar - wrote two new ones in
wrote letter to dd's gym teacher about costumes for school fete
wrote note to dd's form teacher
first lot of washing hung out to dry on terrace
found dh's wallet and keys which he had lost
morning routine inc dw, wm, s&s,
watered seeds
dining room table hot spot
chased rabbits around dining room table

To do:
everything!

Poor you Carpe I hope you feel better as the day goes on

[looks longingly at Dizzy's delicious cakes ...]

Whoknows what a huge shame that no-one was prepared to take the gardening on, after all of your hard work. Very good to hear of yet more late starters academically speaking, and well done to your dh. DD is near the top of the class in one language; but she is near the bottom in the other .. and unfortunately, maths is taught in the latter. Not helped by the fact that she is bright with an amazing memory but is bored so doesn't graft enough. She needs a rocket up her just like her mother.

Blue very impressed at you doing missions in advance!

Have a good day at work Mummy

Goth does washing white towels at 90° count?

[SC contemplates Bitchy's intriguing "chuck over floor" decluttering method ... but then realises that stuff is already chucked over the floor ]

Congrats re: your decluttering too Swan

Hoping to make serious inroads myself today! Had better get to it!

Big feathery waves to Just Honu feetheart pushme Newlark Jacks Alice Toffee Engels trazzles Mercury Ellie and everyone else I have missed!

Have a good day everyone!

Whoknows ds2 and ds1 played Monopoly for 3 hours on Sat according to dh, he was overjoyed that they showed an interest.
Btw My friend ran a gardening club and the same thing happened when she bowed out (her daughter went to secondary) - in the end she forced the school to pay someone a small amount to come in every week and keep it tidy. She told the HT it would reflect very badly on him if all that work went to waste (she had created an enormous garden from scratch, sourced all plants and paving etc, raised money, coordinated people) and no-one would volunteer for anything else if they sensed it was not going to be taken seriously. Mind you, she was very forceful, and Dutch.

Today I feel a bit "blocked" for want of a better word. Cannot find last hoover bag. Boiler is being serviced so have to wait in. Garden rubbish is filling garden but my back has given out so I cannot face putting it in the car (and it is sopping wet too) And the grass seed has mysteriously disappeared that I was about to sprinkle on the newly dug over bare patches. And the laundry is still Everywhere drying on bannisters, bedposts and doorknobs.

However, I tried to do a bit of what SC described, which was gambolling on the terrace, inspecting my lettuce seedlngs, admiring my woodland garden etc in dappled sunlight .

done
driven ds2 to school for early literacy class at 8am
put away one shirt

I hate mornings. I hate cheerful morning people. I hate cheerful morning people that don't understand that just because I am awake it is not the time to talk random shit at me. Especially when I have tons to do. Perhaps I should just shorten that to I hate people and need to become a hermit for a quiet life ?

Despite an early night I am feeling like rubbish. Beginning to think it is the fault of coffee and it needs clearing from my system. Alternatively it might be the knowlegde that I need to spend the day dealing with idoits or the fact that I can't just focus of finishing a project due to a small matter of work and ds' training. Or the fact...

Plans A-D have gone out of the window, I think we are on plan E or is it F or G?

Woke up to a dream about wasps flying in my face last night. Not pleasant and triggered by a stupid blue bottle that had let itself in. And I am fed up completely

I'm at work. I'm not working. I should be working... you see my issue?!

SUMMARY for Tuesday sorry got sidetracked finishing a crotchet project.

pushme worked from home, so planned some flying. And is getting a new laptop

Mercury is trying to get in the habit of posting! with you there

mummy had a committee meeting

feet was back with the power of 3

Carpe's previous posting has been eaten by the net! I've also been battling the contrary weather

SC hope the migraine eased, the flight route change can!'t have helped. Hope your DD is feeling better now.

Trazzle also lives under a flight path,

jacks has show towels! How do you manage it? SC is right, I am truly impressed. Doctor doesn't sound very helpful, have you got a date to go back to review DD3?

dizzy sounds like she had a great time on Sunday, I would love to try archery, but think I would probably be too 'ample' to get the right angle.

Bitchy also woke with a bad head. Are you overdoing it? But has been busy clearing out

Swan removed a big bag of stuff from the playroom
newlark is also struggling with the rain but is soldering on with marking despite having a poorly (and contagious by the sound of it) DD

blue has been catching up on her reading (nice blog post btw) and played Uno so receives 'parent-points'

WhoKnows is steam cleaning anything that doesn't move , and managed 3 loads washing And has been successful in costume sourcing for DD's drama.

And finally, I've had it up to ^here with showers, but hopefully we should have some dry weather soon so I can back on top of the laundry. I can cope with drying in the house in winter, but it seem so much worse doing it in the summer, especially as the sun does keep poking out. (Rant over) On the plus side I have finished all my outstanding crotchet projects. Just need to put together the banner for Woodcraft < sick face!

Completely overdoing it but needs must. I have just freed the 2 essential rooms for cleaning by a person today. Which was what was needed. And took an hour to do something that I wanted to get done (totally un flying related). Just getting ready for work and the adventures of this afternoon. Change of clothes and location of a bit of paperwork

If it helps I have booked a complete rest days for next tuesday and thursday? yeah i know who am I kidding but the intention is there!