June 2014: half way through the Flying year, fledglings get themselves in gear!

[slackcabbage]

Heartfelt and huuuumungous thanks to Goth for being such a superlative, consistent and professional thread leader throughout May (and wow to all those fantastic round-ups every night).

If you are strugging 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 and along the way.

Flylady link here.

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):

1. start or repeat baby steps

1. repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

1. 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!

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 is the most. Some of us (mentioning no names!) can have scary looking lists but don't let that worry you! Do what you can, anything is better then nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

If all else fails, a + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders!

Oh and don’t let it put you off if we appear a bit cliquey – some of us have been on here for years – but all lurkers, oldies and newcomers very very welcome!

Clammy here too. We had a cracking thunderstorm last week, could do with another one. I went for a cycle ride at 7.30, lovely evening for it.

The DCs have discovered Loom Bands and are addicted, hopefully it will cure DD of her minecraft addiction. I am going to get them out later and have a go too. When the football finishes. We've got the bunting up, love a bit of football.

Football is not on here. Ds was asked if he wanted to watch the football but he is apparently only interested in the score and took himself to bed instead.

From what i can gather loom bands are rather addictive. A friend of ds' made him a bracelet he is more than a little bit chuffed with it. It is already the bane of my existance.

Ds has an unexpected inservice day tomo and which has thrown my plans but it has been decided he will go do some extra training instead.

We are a football-free household. None of us understand the point of it at all.

Spent ages tidying the house today whilst my cleaner cleaned. I cleared out all sorts of rubbish from under both sofas and found lots of home ed stuff I'd used with DS1 which will now be useful for DS2.

Cooked three different meals this evening to cater for various tastes. I don't do that too often, but both boys have things they like that the other doesn't, so I do it as a treat sometimes. However, DS2 decided his fish tasted 'odd' and wouldn't eat it (it was fine - DH ate it). And DS1 didn't like the noodles (different brand) and wouldn't touch his salad. Am trying not to get too stressed by it.

DS2 has set up his old Lego alarm clock by his bed, set to the correct time and with the alarm set for 8am. And I've taped his blinds to the wall in an attempt to stop the light waking him. Fingers crossed. Swan - you make a very good point. I mentioned it to DH tonight and he agreed that if DS2 wakes us too early again, he will just return DS2 to his bed with the minimum of interaction (he's nearest the door, so easier for him to do). Hopefully, he will learn that it just doesn't pay off to wake us.

SC - thanks for your advice too. We have stressed to DS2 that he is NOT to wake us before 8am as it's not fair to stop people sleeping. He certainly knows how annoyed we are with him about it. Re: your DD delaying DH. Could you set all the clocks 10 minutes early or will she work out what you've done? DS1 has no sense of time, so it's easy to do things like this to him.

Spending a little time on MN, then off to bed.

Bum. Dh is so stressed about work that he keeps waking up and writing lists in the night and then falls back to sleep 10 seconds later. He's done this three times tonight and I am now fully awake [grrrr]

Will post links and bbl for personals! Big waves to all fledglings!

***

Baby-step no.13 for Fri 13th (wooo woooooo) is: here and introduces missions.

We are in Zone 2: the Kitchen (June 8-14) here.

Declutter in Zone 2 for 15 minutes a day!

Detailed cleaning list here if you are at that stage.

The last mission of the week is here. Sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor.

Friday's daily focus is: here. Cleaning out handbags and cars day. (I have started giving my make up bag(s) and contents a quick clean on a Friday now too.)

The monthly habit for June is drinking more water.

To summarise the above, today's flight plan can be found [[www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 here]] and will update itself automatically.

Here's hoping Friday 13th doesn't live up to its reputation and you all have a good day!

Good morning!

So far this moring has been remarkably productive considering.

Ta Da
1st load washing on
sorted the plans for the day with ds
checked all timings etc
allowed ds access to lego website
Empty ironing basket for now
Done cooked breakfasts
played dead for ds and then kicked him out into the garden!
Crochet - only about 15mins and need to do much more
check internet stuff - I am waiting on a parcel or two

Hello everyone!

Quiet on here. (Sorry - never seem to be around when everyone else is - being an hour ahead makes more of a difference than one might imagine - and has been a bit of an odd week.)

What have you all been up to?

Round-up (of sorts) ...

This week's thread trends appear to be clammy weather interspersed with thunderstorms (with attendant insomnia), loom bands, football, and young lads sporting underpants Ghandi-style and declaring themselves dressed

Bitchy has had a productive morning and has flirted with danger allowed her ds access to the Lego website . Hope your credit cards are well hidden Bitchy!! She has also been culling paperwork and crocheting like crazy!

Toffee has (literally) been catering to all needs and ignoring the football and trying to encourage her ds2 to wake up at a civilised hr. She has also finally received the long awaited and longed for SEN statement for her ds1 - hurrah!! (Thanks for your advice too re: dd making dh late btw. We've tried putting clocks forward but it didn't work as she then over-compensated!! Think she may have had the scare she needed though as there was a road blockage yesterday and she nearly didn't get to school before the "big door" closed which would have meant missing an exam. She made it within seconds thank heavens.)

Whoknows has the bunting up in celebration of the Word Cup and has decluttered/reorganised her kitchen

Ellie in typically brave style is set to enjoy a bit of time to herself in the absence of her lovely supportive ma.

Swan has been helping out with a hospital drama and travelling lots and tiring herself out in the process which is particularly kind given that she is looking after the dc single-handedly in the absence of her dh. [Proffers restorative for this evening]. (Our garden more representative of 'As you don't like it'!! atm btw )

Carpe received a much needed and well deserved confidence boost in the form of a job interview!! Whippeee!!

Goth has been frantically hemming curtains in preparation for a visit from her parents and (hopefully) leading a woodcraft treasure hunt

Eyelet has been battling exhaustion, a clingy baby but has achieved amazing decluttering feats nonetheless!!

SC has been a crap flyer this week and has generally dithered about inefectually, stressing about her dd's exams and getting on everyone's nerves (Thanks for the supportive words re history revision Swan and Ellie btw - have resorted to writing out main facts/dates on pieces of A3 and sticking them all over the interior of the house now!!)

Big waves to Mercury Alice Engels DroitwichM Blue Feetheart Pushme Castle Honu Just PA and the numerous fledglings current, past, and lurking that I have inevitably missed!!

It is five to three. I have achieved absolutely zero today. Which is a bitch because DH is at home and the DC are in nursery and I could have spent a happy day doing stuff then working when my mind was more focused.

Eyelet - I think it's very hard to get stuff done in the house when anyone else is there, including DH. At least, that's my excuse (as there's always someone here in the way ).

SC - at 'As you don't like it'. Hope the scare your DD received is enough to hurry her up in the morning.

My DS2 actually slept through his 8am alarm call this morning, so I had a proper night's sleep (went to bed early and woke of my own accord about 7). He is in a very grumpy mood today though, so I gave up on home ed and DH and I took him out for a long walk by the river, with a picnic lunch.

Arrived home to discover an email from my OU tutor telling me I had scored 100% in my latest assignment . What a confidence boost!

DS2 has cheered up now, as DH gave him a new Tintin book, which made him laugh, and he now has a friend round to play for the afternoon. But they want this room and DH wants me to go and do some work with him in the other room, so my brief sojourn of and MN is over .

Evening all...

Aaaaaaah, I have had a lovely day today. Year 11 leavers day where i said goodbye to my beautiful form of the last 5 years. Shirt signing first with Year 11 and my form had all clubbed together and bought me a Pandora charm bracelet with a beautiful message that actually means as much as, if not more, than the bracelet itself. I wish all those people who slag teenagers off could see it, especially bearing in mind that the two who organised it are the two 'more challenging' boys. I fecking love my job. Then fancy dress. All year 11 come back for a fancy dress party in the afternoon with some quite spectacular outfits. I got to spend the afternoon dressed as a ghostbuster (not my choice) dancing to the timewarp. Good times. Happy Ellie.

You are obviously a born teacher, Ellie .

Carpe - I'll take you up on that offer to buy us all professional help (of the cleaning variety, I mean!).

Am off out to have a drink with a couple of friends, leaving DH to put DS2 to bed and deal with DS1 .

Today was a work day. I work three long days to fit in full time hours. So when I have a non productive day it hits me hard!

Ah, how lovely, Ellie!

Was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of the school staff this morning. Seems like nothing short of a miracle will do the job now, so praying for a thunderbolt to strike certain quarters of SW London... Still, the Fat Fairy seems to have a point about certain things - I ended up cleaning up the dining room to be better able to appreciate the flowers. :)

Sorry you've had a bad day Carpe -

Toffee - glad you had a better night. Bit late to the discussion, but I reckon rewarding letting you sleep might work better than punishing waking you up.

Big waves to everyone else.

Evening all,

Mixed day today, got 'bits' done, more curtain hemming, more crotchet, baking, some Flying.

Slight upset after school, DD will sit in the hallway to take her shoes off despite being told daily that's she's in the way and will end up getting tripped over/trod on. Well tonight it happened, DH trod on her toes. It took 30 minutes to calm her down as she went off in a huff despite his apologies, AND THEN she went to exactly the same place to take her other shoe off!!!

Goth - oh dear, sorry your DD has had to learn (or not, as the case may be) from consequences!

Blue - how lovely that the school presented you with flowers . I hope all your hard work pays off. Thanks for your good advice about sleep. Funnily enough, one of the friends I saw tonight sends a 'sleep fairy' to reward her children when they don't bother her in the night.

Had a lovely evening, came home at 11.20 and found DS2 wide awake in bed, so climbed in to give him a cuddle and promptly fell into a drunken stupor asleep. Woken up at 2am by DS1 who had been waiting all that time for me to go up and see him. Oh dear. Felt so guilty. Have tucked him up on the sofa because it's sweltering in his bedroom and now I'm wide awake and thirsty.

Might do some work although tempted to waste time on MN.

Good morning! Sorry not to get back on here last night was busy having yet another dispute with dh [grrrrrrrr] but I wont get- started- on that

Links first then will catch up!

*

Baby-step no.14 for Sat 14th is: here. The patronising one about how to use a calendar.

Today is our last day in Zone 2: the Kitchen (June 8-14) here.

Declutter in Zone 2 for 15 minutes a day!

Detailed cleaning list here if you are at that stage.

No missions today because it is the weekend!

Saturday's daily focus is: family fun (NOt much chance of that in the SC household with exams looming.)

The monthly habit for June is drinking more water.

To summarise the above, today's flight plan can be found [[www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 here]] and will update itself automatically.

Have a good weekend everyone!!

[SC wanders off singing football chants in preparation for tonight!]]

Hi all
Sorry I haven't been around much this week. I have been busy, busy during the day and exhausted in the evenings so I haven't been keeping up with the thread or flying. The house was out of control so last night I:
Cleaned the bathroom
Dusted the living room
Hung up some ironing
Hoovered and dusted the floors downstairs.
Meal planned

Today I am meeting up with a couple of girls off my course and going out for dinner with a friend but inbetween I need to:
Food shop
Wash dogs blanket
Get dcs to tidy their room
Box up jumpers to go in the loft
Bath dc
Fathers day cards and presents
Friends birthday card
Small pile of ironing
Wm reloaded and hung out
Fold and put away laundry
Plan minimum of two lessons
Catch up with the thread

Bbl

Mini round-up

Toffee has scored 100% in her OU assignment - yay!! She staggered home drunk late after a lovely night celebrating and then played musical beds. But her ds2 slept through until 8 am yesterday!! Another yay!

Goth's dd had her toes stepped on (literally) and Goth herself has been channelling domestic goddess: sewing, baking, crocheting and Flying (Still waiting to hear about treasure hunt!!! - how did it go??)

Blue's tireless school campaigning efforts were rewarded with a large bouquet (which forced her to Fly a bit in order to appreciate them fully). Hope you get that miracle/thunderbolt strike!

Ellie's danced the time warp and her dedicated teaching efforts were rewarded with a lovely charm bracelet from equally lovely students. (Your positive posts about teenagers always make me feel less anxious about what the future holds!!)

Eyelet had a frustrating day which she felt she couldn't capitalise on properly (bet you did loads more in reality than you think though!!) and maybe a slightly less full-on day will give you more energy for the next (esp when you are as sleep deprived as you are) x

Carpe had a challenging day tending to a poorly father, a stressed dh and an over-tired ds. But despite that was ploughing on with tiring decluttering errands and has offered to fund cleaners and professional declutterers for us all if she wins the lottery [SC awaits results anxiously ]

Big waves to Bitchy Swan whoknows Alice Castle Mercury Droitwich Engels Pushme Feetheart Just Honu DroitwichM Dizzy Veryseriousgirl and eveyrone else I've inevitably missed!

Enjoy the sunshine everyone!!

x post

Crikey Mercury you are a veritable whirlwind!! Glad there is time out with friends listed among all the other tasks!! Hope you have a lovely evening - you deserve it!

[totally irrelevant aside]

Every time I read the thread title I want to change it to "in to gear" and it drives me nuts!!!

Don't be too impressed SC it has to happen yet

Ta da
morning routine inc dw, wm, rabbits, s&s
big shop for tonight
prep food for tonight
put clean laundry away
re-boot laundry
exam revision supervision [sigh]
draw out more exam revision prompts
make big flower arrangement from garden
mow lawn if dh still not speaking to me
outfits for dd and me for tonight
finish tidying downstairs for tonight
concert
clean tablecloths etc
entertain friends

x post
more power to your elbow Mercury

I've just read the round up - well done Toffee that is amazing!!

Blimey, SC and Mercury, you are both whirlwinds of action this morning .

I am hungover and tired . Wish I wasn't, as I'm taking DS2 to a book event this morning .

I finally went back to bed at 6am. Staggered to the bathroom at 7.30 and saw that DS2's light was on and he was playing quietly instead of waking us up. Gave him lots of praise for that.

Having breakfast now, then need to pull myself together to go out.