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!

Toffee so sad to hear of your friend.

To do
Hang out laundry
Go to the plot and shovel manure (so grateful for it, but thank god the circus goes on Sunday)

Thank you, Carpe, SC and Goth. It's so sad and shocking. She was such a lively, intelligent, irreverant and funny woman. And kind. She once turned up on our doorstep with a bag of groceries for us because she knew we were having a hard time financially (Waitrose too ).

I shall miss our times together.

Going to hunker down at home today. DS2 said he doesn't want to go out anywhere and that's fine by me. Have dressed, loaded the washing machine and distributed breakfasts. Now I'm going to unload and reload the d/w, then start home ed with DS2.

Carpe - I'm sorry about the iron deficiency and IBS. I think you should really go back to the dr before your holiday though, as there may be something else they can try. You don't want to get anaemic during your holiday .

Very good news about the recruitment agency .

SC - that's quite a list you have there . Good luck with that!

Goth - 'go to the plot and shovel manure' - rather you than me (but I'm sure you'll get lovely veg).

Good luck with the shit shovelling goth

Toffee your friend sounds SO lovely [what a kind thing to do re: groceries!!] . It's so unfair

[Correction: Carpe cd obviously stomach iron in Floradix form but as Toffee says, perhaps doc cd recommend something else?]

She was lovely, SC. She had a really tough life and deserved better than this. Thanks for the flowers.

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Toffee - I remember you posting about her before. .

It seems only yesterday you were having lunch with her Toffee, and hearing her news that she had cancer. I cannot believe time travels so fast, and we can lose someone so familiar. I think when you give your children so much love (as she has done) it will stand them in good stead for those who care for them later, despite all her son's difficulties. Thinking of the two of them.

done
cleaning lady is here.
It is the most beautiful day and the garden is beautiful too

but..and I'm guilty to even say it, and in fact I will try harder, hearing of your friend..I need to really force myself to be positive,as I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the feeling of going round in circles and not seizing the day by the jugular (as Carpe so brilliantly puts it)

At the moment I am wrestling to solve the problem of a tent a playhouse 5 chairs with moth and a doll's house. There that makes me laugh now, it sounds so ridiculous. I cannot make my mind up how to solve the problem, as there are 4 different approaches. Last night we saw Sheldon in Big Bang Theory in tears because he couldn't decide which X Box to purchase..that's a bit how I feel, and DH feels like Amy

However, I have put some more rubbish in black and green sacks so I suppose that is something.

Children's rooms are appalling. Who cares you might say, but with all three children it is a symptom of their inability to concentrate or focus.This has all been triggered by seeing Ds1's OT, and his terrible exam results. I really don't know what to do. I could enjoy him and everything that comes naturally to him, or I could push him. I really feel like imploding over not knowing whether to intervene or just surrender. 38 per cent in Geography test and that's the one he's meant to be choosing for GSCE as the history dept don't want him (despite getting 60 per cent in his history)

Feel better now, better plod on and enjoy looking at my burgeoning lettuces.

So sorry to hear that, Toffee.

Sorry about your friend toffee

Cba itis has crept in. But we have figured out what ds wants to give his dad. Will involve a trip to tesco for some bits. I have also been ignoring the wake up get up babystep and just chilling out with the crochet hook. Breakfast is cooking and I will jump in shower and start the day properly when I have eaten. School restarting on monday will be a good thing! Need the routine, both of us need the routine.

*for father's day.

I would go back if I was anaemic, but I'm not, it's just my back up stores that are low; so it's not as urgent. Effectively my body can supply what I need day to day, but not stuff for when I need extra - when I'm ill, stressed etc.

toffee I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

Had my 11 week scan this morning and everything was fine so maybe I can relax and try to enjoy the pg now.

Just off to shower and get ready for prom which starts in 2 hours (I'm sure the students have been at the hairdressers all afternoon).

I have been a lovely DW and bought DH one of his favourite dinners to make tonight for him and DS while I'm out partying, though that's about the only thing I've done today apart from emptying the bins and popping to the supermarket. Washing up is still sitting there and I managed to incinerate a ciabatta so the kitchen smells of smoke

Had a lovely chat with my Dsis who is in Asia atm (last saw her irl last July in NZ) and with my DM who was able to give me lovely news that she got the job she interviewed for a few weeks ago. Slightly fewer hours and less money but more sociable hours than what she's been doing (late starts and finishes). My Dbro also got the promotion he went for at work.

Friday's to do
Laundry
folding
ironing
ds out to do something - weather permitting
finish packing last few bits for ds
ds dropped off about to head out to do this
put my clothes away
some crochet work on one of the current projects. yep done some rather a lot of that
set up some technology for ds
tesco trip
get father's day stuff sorted

And whilst I am at it a list for Saturday/sunday:
Paperwork pile in my room
plant up sweet pea plants
tackle the floor in my room
tackle the chair in my room
Get first coat of paint done
2nd coat of paint
finish a project - crochet
sort out ds' school bag for monday
check his pe kit is ready to go
watch frozen
sort out some paperwork for work
look for a new job!!!
Update CV
get rid of a box from the landing

Woop! I've decluttered by managing to sell DS' old car seat!
Didn't get a lot for it, but still more than bunging it to the tip would get! (And I now have a space where it used to be!

Did a shopping trip to ASDA for pizza for dinner, and sorted DH's Fathers Day present from DS (pants and socks!)

Then sat in the garden all afternoon (and remembered suncream) and timed DS "racing".

Now waiting for DH to come home while DS eats his pizza.

Roll on o'cloak!

Engels fantastic news. I think at 11 weeks the excitement starts to kick in. Keep taking it easy though.

done
cleaned and further decluttered dd's room
cleaned tv room, and sorted out piles of books yet again
decluttered bookshelf in kitchen and threw away lots of random bit s of paper

3 bin bags to show for my work so that is something.

dd hoovered her room when she came back. I've removed her phone which she is in a strop about. Ds2 has been told to read a book too.

ds2 is in an excellent mood, chatting whilst I walked up the hill with him from the tube

washed dd's curtains which I have also decluttered, but where do they go now, as they were very expensive and I cannot throw away my beautiful chintzy parrots can I? (I'm afraid they are going to end up in the loft)

feel unbelievably tired now, and the thought of cooking supper is not appealing.

Still piles of washing to sort out and get through, and I need to leave money for milkman. Dh is off to Rome for ten days on Monday so it is not going to be a very restful weekend

Beautiful evening here. I could sit in the garden but the hamster does not look like he will last the night and there is nothing I can do but I can't bring myself to leave him on his own.
Think I will crochet in the chair next to him.

Oh, poor hamster, droit.

Swan - you have such a good memory. It's been about six months' since my friend received the news. How lovely of you to remember her circumstances with her boys. She looked after them as a single mum from the moment they were born - one of them severely autistic - and always said she couldn't afford to be ill. Luckily, she has a very close and loving family who will take good care of them.

I'm really sorry you're so worried about DS1's exam results, but I do feel quite cross with the school for saying he couldn't do History. They are meant to encourage interests, not to dampen them, surely? Could you use the results to show that it's History he should do, not Geography?

Thank you WhoKnows, Blue, Bitchy and Engels.

Engels - that is lovely news about the scan. I like hearing news like that . Good news about the promotions. Hope you enjoy the prom tonight.

Carpe - my boys are eating pizza tonight too. It's the easiest meal to throw in the oven and they love it.

Finished home ed stuff with DS2, then spent two hours with DS1 whilst he did his online lessons. And then I fell asleep .

Drinking now.

Engels brilliant news

Evening all. Fairly productive/enjoyable day. Got through most of my list. Have finally, finally managed to obliterate all traces of dd's party from downstairs (aside from odd stray helium balloon). Most of the leftover supplies/decorations have been dumped in my home office though, so there's evidently yet another stage of putting-away to go yet!

Watched The Oaks and some of the coverage of the Normandy landings - incredible and humbling - and as for 89-year-old Jack Hutton's parachute jump yesterday; absolutely amazing! We don't know we're born! Don't envy the job of the French security services with 17 heads of State in the same photo shoot (including Obama, Putin and the Queen) though!

Then, after relatively healthy supper, relished the sight of Monty straddling a gunnera

Droitwich oh poor hamster

Swan yes, also outraged that your ds1 is not allowed to study history! Are the school allowed to do that?

Cheers Toffee and to absent friends

And to you Carpe well done getting rid of the car seat. Floradix might work in that case then ...

That's such wonderful news about your scan Engels. Hope you enjoy the prom tonight (if poss when you are on duty as it were) and you are not on your feet too much. And congrats to your dm and db re: their new jobs!

Bitchy thanks for reminder - dd's art project for father's day came back a bit squished and torn from school - need to create something else with her and fast!

Waves to Whoknows Goth and everyone else!

Still don't know if we are travelling tomorrow or not ... dh intending to go in to office at crack of sparrows and will let us know [grrrrr]

Tomorrow's baby-step no. 7, for Sat 7th June is the really important and useful one about setting out clothes night before. Newcomers: this really works!!

It's our last day in zone 1 tomorrow : Entrance, Front Porch & Dining Room here

Declutter in this zone for 15 minutes a day!

Or, here's the detailed cleaning list for those at that stage.

No missions because it is the weekend!

Saturday's daily focus is: family fun.

The monthly habit for June is drinking more water.

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

Enjoy the w/e everyone!

*

Must do better tomorrow but am too tired right now.
Ta-Da:
School tour to a local farm!
Dinner - lasagne (will do tomorrow as well!)

To Do:

Get house into passable state for DBiL who is coming home on Sunday from Australia for 3 weeks and staying with us!

Engels congrats on your pregnancy and your scan! I'm just behind you! 9w3d. Have seen the hb three times now, but after previous experiences it is hard to relax and enjoy! Know just how you are feeling!

Hamster update - he's still alive! Lots of twitching though:(

Castle - lovely to know we have two thread babies on the way .

droit - that's amazing! (You must have done a lot of crochet by now). Hope he lasts the night.

Fantastic news castle !!!!!!

Fx for sticky beans, especially after all you've been through to get here.

Told a few more of my colleagues yesterday. Couldn't eat half the food of course (chunk of smoked salmon, steak, carpaccio) so mainly ate salad!

to do
potter around house and get done
bedroom
bathroom
washing
washing up
general stuff! Dh will be outside and ds will be milling around.

Mummy how is the hamster this morning?

Congratulations castle fx for the continuation of sticky beans

Well I slept last night, not as early as hoped but i slept. Almost nearly, not even close to feeling human this morning but loads to do. Early morning thunderstorm has put a stop on the gardening stuff until it is a little less waterlogged tons to be getting on with anyway so must get up and get moving.