July 2014: fledglings follow Flylady's tuition (don't forget your pamper mission)

[ToffeeWhirl]

A big thank you to slackcabbage for superb thread leadership throughout June, as well as a great intro which I am going to shamelessly borrow from now.

Struggling with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun)? In that case, you need Flylady.

Flylady is a system for managing housework. Starting with babysteps, it builds up into a routine which becomes second nature. In theory, once you are used to the system, you will have a tidy house you are not embarrassed by and plenty of time to get on with more interesting things.

Flylady banishes the panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. If you fall off the Flylady bandwagon, it’s no problem: you just jump back in where you are and carry on.

Don't sign up for the Flylady emails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on this thread on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, Flylady's steps and routines will be listed here on this thread.

Flylady uses 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 detailed deep cleaning in each zone for those who have made real progress – not sure if anyone has reached this pinnacle yet…? I certainly haven’t).

More info here on getting started (but ignore step one!) and Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings.

Try to ignore Flylady’s purple prose (hard, I know) - the underlying system is sound!

Three key points to keep in mind:

1. No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine.

1. You are never behind - just start where you are and anything you do is progress.

1. It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy overnight - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

If you are new, then trying to spend 15 mins decluttering and doing the babysteps is the most you should expect of yourself. Lots of us here like posting our ‘to do’ or ‘ta da’ lists and they can look quite scary. Don’t be put off.

If all else fails, try the power of three – just pick three things that most need doing and focus on those.

And if you have visitors coming over this afternoon and need a quick fix NOW, try Flylady's crisis clean.

We all know each other pretty well on this thread and some of us have been around for a long time, but all lurkers, oldies and newcomers are very welcome!

Sorry you've had a lonely weekend Ellie won't mention the wool. I haven't got personal experience, but a friend who split with her husband has been through the same and has thrown herself into some new hobbies, she has also got a friend whose DH hates camping so the two mums and their DDs regularly go camping together, also other days out, it has really helped her cope, but none of it happened overnight.

Toffee - sorry DS1 is finding it hard being away from home, hope things continue to improve.

Well, a busy day yesterday, with Dh being away, first took the DCs to DS's OT session (DD joins in for half of it as a playmate), then off to a fun day at the cat rescue where we got ours. Home for a few hours then off to a softplay in nearest big town for DD to go to a party - paid for DS to go in as well. Once they were out of the softplay part and into the party room there was still an hour to go so DS and I went shopping. Then home for an Indian takeaway and watch a bit of telly.

Today was quieter, just pottered about all morning, then DD went off to another party (her entire set of friends have birthdays in June and July) and DS and I watched the Formula 1 while texting updates on the crashes and delays to DH who was actually at Silverstone but was not getting the updates we were on the telly. Also watched the last 15 mins or so of the tennis, which was the first bit I'd managed this year. DH arrived back about 7, he's been unpacking all the camping stuff and is now having a bath.

Flying wise:

Tada!

Two loads of washing yesterday and one today
Decluttered a big kitchen cupboard
Excavated under the DCs bunk beds
Cleared our bedroom floors
Untangled, dried and folded properly about 100m worth of bunting from the school fair
Quick Sainsburys shop
Nagged the DCs into quite a lot of tidying.

This week is going to be very busy.

Monday - school, work, swimming lesson for DS, scout AGM
Tuesday - school, work, ballet/tap for DD, 5k hike with Cubs
Weds - going on school trip with DS's class, DD has a 3 hour dress rehearsal for drama show at 5
Thurs - school, work, Drama show for DD from 5 till about 9.30, whole family going
Fri - school, sports day, another several hours worth of drama show for DD (just me going this time) and school disco for DS
Sat - parents Golden Wedding party
Sun - circus and World Cup Final

I may not be doing much Flying.

Let me put it into context for you ellie on friday ds couldnt get rid of me fast enough, tonight it is like he has separation issues and is trying to super glue himself to me. ffs he is too heavy and there are too much limbs for that to happen It will take time to adjust, it did me. and probably more that it will take you are ds was only 4 1/2 when he started seeing his dad on his own so was really quite little. Not so sure you need a hobby but perhaps planning and organisation. Eg night x have the kids = board games/walks etc, night y don't have kids = laundry, marking, watch a film in peace, soak in the bath, eat something for tea the kids don't like etc doesn't have to be anything big. Give it time. are you sure you dont want to learn to crochet?

I was just about to declutter a crochet book, I could always post it to you Ellie

Gardening Ellie, that's what you need to do :o

Yes, get your name on the allotment waiting list, I love mine.

My name in on our allotment list - we're waiting patiently as its dead opposite our house ans for now I have big raised beds. Yesterday I realised all I had for dinner was chipolatas, so I dug some new potatoes up and picked carrots, string beans, peas and courgettes with strawberries and raspberries for afters.

All grown by me!

Took me 4 years on the list before my name came up last year, I'd forgotten all about it!

That might be the case for us too - but I'm happy to wait- iit'll be easier once the dc are a bit older anyway.

Not that I'd leave them but our baby monitor woulf work from the allotments!

You lot make me and in equal measure. Thanks for cheering me up.

And you all know my views on gardening.

And on a positive note, last night i did watch a film i had been wanting to watch for ages and ate food the kids hate. Every cloud and all that....

Morning all. Hate kitchen. My worst zone

Morning lovelies!

You do know there is a certain inevitability about the gardening bug striking at/post middle age Ellie. All of a sudden, you will find yourself pondering the word 'mulch' and a pair of secateurs will have somehow leapt in to your hand ... Monty Don will appear on the telly straddling a horn-beam ... and well, then you are lost ... [ducks

or you could just join the local wine appreciation society instead

Eyelet

Argh, posted too soon

Eyelet like the sound of your home-grown supper! I'd give my eye teeth to be able to grow proper veg in proper raised beds/or in an allotment instead of in poncey pots on the terrace!

Another sticky, steamy day here.

Ta da:
rabbits
tricky engineering trick of moving ganache covered choc cake from icing board on to serving plate and carried downstairs in to cool
transferred school fish from leaking tank to spare
carried 10 items/boxes upstairs
supervised the Great Hama Bead clear up of 2014

To do:
deliver dd to art 'stage' (just two hours)
wm
on-line parcels (still haven't done)
boudoir upstairs while lovely cleaner does home bleugh downstairs
collect dd
ironing
vet
friend coming for tea
healthy supper

That should do for now! Have a good day everyone!

Morning everyone, it sounds like everyone had busy weekends. I spent Saturday zombiefied as DH was away, but managed to fit in my nagging of DS1 which then turned into a lovely chat. DS2 was competing yesterday so spent all day at the athletics track. Managed to get slightly sunburnt on my face even though the sun only came out for about 20 minutes .

Will post a list shortly.

Morning! Lovely mil has been with us this weekend so my ironing is done and the kitchen is habitable:)
Today's list:
put work rota in phone
buy eyes (googly ones for ds' project!)
make ice cream mix & put in fridge
ironing
dw
sink
s&s
bbl!

Beautiful sunny day here. Have been up since 4am thanks to my early bedtime last night, so might fall asleep again later.

ta da

OU work
Reading a novel at last
Breakfasts
Home ed with DS2

to do

More home ed
Try to get DS1 out of the house
Shopping
Lunch
To the beach for the afternoon

Today I've been up since 5 am thanks to dh's Monday morning commute.
Ta da - big huge TA DA
I have finished filing my huge box of paperwork! Just a pile of miscellaneous crap that needs my attention/actioning which is a lot less draining than the huge brooding presence of the overflowing box.
Other TA das
Dw
1 load of washing done
Dcs lunches done and kids off to school
Taken spag Bol out of freezer for dinner tonight
Tidied and dusted shelves in lounge
Now hoovering/tidying the rest of the room.

To do
Hang out washing
Buy more canes for rampant runner bean plants
Deal with a few paperwork jobs
Go out - anywhere for a mooch round
Put new batteries in door bell
Ring dentist to check appointment time

Also since decluttering/cleaning my bedroom last week I have been very disciplined in putting everything away as soon as I've used it and it still looks great.
Enjoy the sunshine everyone - also hope to get my bikini on at some point to catch some rays!

morning all

toffee hope you can persuade ds1 to go to beach
sc loving "the great hamma bead tidy up!" think I need similar for loom bands - they're everywhere!
droit peaches morning

right, well as I am clearly middle aged I am now sitting my garden which I love! am about to water my pots and plug plants I planted out yesterday - although clouds are gathering so it may rain

carpet cleaner has been and lounge does indeed look much better. Need to leave it a few hours now then reasamble coffee table, tv,ornaments etc...

early night didnt go as planned as dh came up to bed early and then proceeded to start another massive argument which left me and so had another crap night's sleep...now knackered and existing once again on coffee but have loads to get done

Ta da
dc up breakfasted and to school
emptied lounge
hoovered downstairs
one load of littlies washing done and hung out
tidied littlies room
stripped littlies beds
washed and hung out littlies beedding
washed towels and bathmats and hung out
put another load of washing in
sorted large pile of clean clothes in littlies room
put away ds2 clothes
sorted clothes in our room and put away

to do
water plants
put away dd3 and 4 clothes
dust bedrooms
clean bathroom, s&s en suite and downstairs toilet
go to counselling
?go to shops to buy tap adapter for hose pipe

really though would just like to lie in garden on my new reclining deck chair (in true middle age fashion!)
but will try to motivate myself to do little bits!

BBL

Xposts fraggle well done on paper work!

I seem to have spent all morning do bits but not actually finished anything. Think I need to focus on one thing at a time today.

Done
laundry gathered
2 wash loads done
dishwasher loaded
fridge wiped out and shopping put away
online bills paid and bank accounts reconciled

to do
hang washing on line
finish making beds
clear kitchen counter of random paper and hide it until I can face dealing with it! (well done Fraggle for actually accomplishing this!)
take DS1 to get stuff for holiday (he is going to Tenerife with friends tomorrow -eek!)
sweep and mop kitchen floor as it's disgraceful
fold dry laundry and put away
ironing round 2
Dispose of bag of used batteries that have been sitting in my kitchen forever
do flylady looking up thing in kitchen

Ellie I have a better hobby for you. Genealogy. My friend who is my age (nearing 50) swears by it. Otherwise I am sorry to say..nearly everyone I know is now nuts about gardening..planting parterres,wild orchards..natural swimming holes.
Then there are the "walkers" people who get into planning elaborate walking holidays in their child free time. Come to think of it, most of the walkers don't actually have children
And The sporty people who set themselves incredible sporting challenges. Not I, alas.

Oh dear, why am I heaving piles of laundry around then

done
more washing
more hoovering
3 children to school, long drive
wrote an article on The Golden Temple with ds2's help
Dd wrote some belated homework on Fairies - honestly I was wondering why she was doing such tosh when it turned out to be Midsummer's Night's Dream

A sea of mess atm. Trying to organise ourselves for Spanish holiday in two weeks (Ryan air online check in and such nightmarish pursuits, as we no longer have ds1's passport - it is in school for his Belgian trip [duh!) Hence a long overdue interest in ironed clothes.

Cleaning lady has ironed an enormous pile.

A strong sense of dread creeping over me as date of travel approaches..x 2 as ds1 needs organising for this weekend too, and is absolutely useless at packing or anything. I need to do something about his bow/violin too.

My courgettes are nearly ready though, one positive thing.

Hyper. Something about the proximity which seems to set off arguments in our house too at bedtime. Dh says I wait till he is just about to drift off to sleep to air some long standing grievance whereas I would put it as the only time when he is unable to disappear off saying there is something important to finish.. I'm lucky that dh is being in a good mood atm, because he is determined that I shouldn't crack up before we go on holiday. Also I think he is grateful for the lovely garden. He certainly gets long melancholic phases which he broods about his life the universe and everything and worries about the dcs and his parents, that sort of thing.

Hello all. Back in the land of flying and working Really don't want to be back, but hey ho, on with the motley.

The cases are all unpacked and away, but I have a huge pile of washing to get done, and a few piles of "stuff" to lay away properly, but DS was a bit sleepy, so didn't get a chance. Still, not working tomorrow so will hopefully get things back to normal then.

Now, if only work was as easy to sort.

Have just dispatched DS1 to the bathroom and instructed him to wash body and hair because he smells .

Home ed done. DS2 still doesn't get the idea of handing over change (counting up from, for eg, 1.55 to 2.00). I have tried as many ways as I can think of to make it clear, including real money, but I think he was more interested in looking outside at the birds in Granny's garden.

DS1 is refusing to do this afternoon's online Maths lesson. I'm not surprised, to be honest. My mum suggested getting a hairdresser round to cut his hair (hasn't had a haircut in months because he won't go). I explained that now wasn't going to be a good time for him, but I could see that she didn't believe me so asked him in front of her. His look of horror and "NO!" told her all she needed to know.

Wish I could persuade him outside. I'll keep asking, but he's determined to spend the entire holiday in a dark bedroom.

Have been shopping and stocked up on food and presents for my best friend's arrival tomorrow. She's coming over to celebrate her birthday with us . I'm looking forward to that.

DS2 is now gripped by the 'Harry Potter' series and has his nose in 'HP and the Chamber of Secrets'. He refused to read the book for ages claiming that he didn't like books about magic, but once I'd read a couple of chapters to him he was hooked. My Mum has the whole series, so that should keep him busy for the rest of the week.

Meant to be going to the beach this afternoon, but it's clouding over. This was not what the weather forecast promised .

Toffee Offer DS1 the hard choice perhaps? Maths lesson or haircut? I've actually managed to get my ds1 to go along with some tasks he didn't want to do (actually haircut was one of them!) by giving him those kind of choices.