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!

Afternoon!

Haven't achieved all that much, but did get a bit of gardening done and slightly improved a few hot spots.

Also cleaned up the kitchen after a minor disaster attempting to make Greek style frappé in a cocktail shaker - the "tightly fitting lid" part of the instructions is important, as is making sure it's on properly. Oops.

Better go and prize DS2 off the laptop and interact with the boy.

I'm still here. Work is still here. Shame we're not interacting more

I hate mondays they always make me feel lost and unproductive. So I guess I need a ta da list to help...

ta da
work
shopping
wrapped present and posted parcel
finished off ends on a load of previously culled projects
check various balances
book hair dresser appointment
email checking
deal with a fragile ds (well it is coming up to the end of term)
sort out diary update

Right going to work on a crochet project until ds' bedtime as it is totally pick up put down should ds need me.

Toffee hope you managed to wrestle ds1 into the suds. I now run the bath, put inviting brightly coloured bubble bath in, and then push them into the bathroom, and hope for the best. Hard to resist a nice bubble bath.

done
Maths tutor is here
nice chat with son and husband testing him on science, he knows absolutely nothing, dh was shocked (in a nice way) Ds1 genuinely thinks an ostrich is a mammal.
picked up dd, new car route tried out (driving practice slowly evolving)
ds1 suitcase nearly packed with freshly ironed stuff
snacks provided for kids
another wash in

dh has booked our hotel in Stansted before early flights
we retrieved passport detaisl from school
progress of sorts.

carbonara for supper

I swear on my life i flipping posted. Grrrr. To summarise therefore:-

Went to work
Cooked dinner
Beavers drop off
Did some more work
Beavers pick up
Dc's to bed

That's it. My life is so exciting.

You can some of my drama if you are bored ellie

Breathing is kinda optional atm. I have crazy stupid plans for tomo which I am more than a little excited about. So i supposed I need to respect babystep 17 and high tail my ass to bed. night night

Drama here too Bitchy

DS had a major strop post nursery - first day back, over tired and end of the world styleeee.

DH crashed the car into someone - who turns out to be senior in his company so that was a good idea! (not major, just a not paying attention at the lights "fender bender".

And my first day back at work was utterly crap.

I may have now hit a half-bottle of wine, well okay two-thirds of a bottle and now I don't care. And the Fat-Fairy can go flutter off if she objects

Virtual on the bar if anyone else is in need!

We have been watching Hotel Budapest chez Swan
Ds1 loves it, ds2 is slightly baffled. Dh and I love it. Dh said it was very mittel Europe
I recommend it to cheer anyone up with a boring life [us] not of course any of you other ladies.

And tomorrow I hope to watch the Lion King, at our old primary. West End not needed.

Whoknows you have a busy and exciting week hope dd starring starrily!

Bloody hell Carpe that it utterly shit. Thankfully apart from slightly over tired ds, there has been no drama here. Camhs is still figuring out how to get around to see people and the ex is behaving himself atm. it is all rather peaceful for a change. I have to admit i was teasing Ellie a little.

Just reading and posting links tonight, except to say:

Sorry to see you had a crap day, Carpe .

Tomorrow's babystep for beginners or those of us revisiting them is to write down your daily routines. This is the start of your control journal.

Tuesday is plan and play day.

We are in the kitchen this week. Tomorrow's mission is to wipe down the doors of your kitchen cabinets. By the way, newbies, you aren't meant to start doing the missions until you have decluttered your zone (it's easier to clean in a decluttered zone). Remember, babysteps first; then declutter for 15 minutes each day in your zone; once decluttered, start on missions; then you can progress to detailed cleaning. (Although, personally, I didn't realise this for some time and was happily doing the missions without decluttering first and I'm not sure that mattered).

Have had a pleasant day with DS2, but DS1 is still suffering. We are making plans to go home earlier because he's just not getting any better.

My best friend is coming over to celebrate her birthday with us tomorrow. Looking forward to that.

Ta-da!

Morning routine, school etc
Work
Shopping at lunchtime
Home
School run, take back bunting
Try and sort out holiday childcare, grandparent visits, sports camps etc
Tidying, cleared out fridge
Hoovered downstairs
Cooked and ate dinner
Took DS swimming
Scouts AGM
Watered allotment
Home
Sort out cub and ballet kits for tomorrow
Various emails
Put away pile of new school uniform

Hama beads AND loom bands all over house, one Dc into each

Re bathing DCs, I have decided they both need morning showers, they just keep missing their night time baths due to being out all the time at Cubs, drama etc and are both getting a bit whiffy. DS has taken to it really well, DD not so much. DS tends to adopt new routines and habits a lot more easily than DD.

Sorry you had such a crap day Carpe, hope tomorrow is better.

Good morning.

Nice day yesterday. Cleaner kindly took care of home bleugh. DD at fantastic art workshop for two hours. Vet came to take out rabbit stitches (v. quick and painless) and didn't charge which was very kind of her (although admittedly ops themselves had been a bit ££££). Lovely friend came for tea/natter/catch up. No idea why I was so tired after such a gentle day but crashed at 9.30pm and as a result, am now wide awake at nearly 5am ... .

Glad to see it is not just me who has to manoeuvre dd firmly in to bath (even at the ripe old age of nearly-11). That child would do anything (and I mean anything) to avoid water ... . [Notes Alice's Hobson's choice technique for future ref].

Whoknows [recoils in horror at loom-band/Hama bead combo]

So sorry to hear that you are having to come home earlier Toffee

Hope current peace and calm proving restorative Bitchy

Swan as one who most definitely has a boring life - have noted film recommendation! Congrats on pioneer driving bravery.

Carpe sorry your first day back after hols was so stressful

Arf at Blue's over-enthusiastic frappé making incident!

Hyperhops sympathies re: bedtime marital arguments! Hope you were able to catch up on sleep last night.

I'm with Swan on this - never see dh for long enough to speak to properly during ordinary course of day, so when else is there time to discuss anything? Upshot is that nothing is ever resolved, and dh falls in to deep sleep after 10 seconds (I'm not kidding) leaving me fuming and awake beside him for hrs [grrrrr]

Fragglewump congrats on mega-paperwork decluttering and for maintaining order in boudoir! [SC looks shifty]

Would like to borrow your lovely mil Mummy!

Waves to Peachandblack Ellie Eyelet Nicknacks Kiaora Lostprince Sonnet Goth Dizzy Engels Feetheart Digger Mercury Newlark Castle Honu Stillcounting and everyone else!

[And Just if you happen to be lurking]

Right, back for one and a bit hrs more shut eye and then plan to spend day in garden in true middle aged fashion

Toffee that should have read 'earlier than planned'. Have a lovely time celebrating your friend's b'day!

restorative? fuck no. it just means i am up to more stupid things

Early training today. It is not going to be pretty as it has been a long while since i last went...

Oh and ds has just informed me there are no t-shirts for school. Laundry fail. arses!

Morning .
Minimal flying yesterday as I did my pamper mission instead:)
List therefore bears a remarkable resemblance to yesterday's with ds' club added

Morning all. I have long day to myself (8.30-4ish) and I have lots I need to do. If I work hard at it this morning I may try and do something more fun this afternoon.

Ta da:

• Note for School Assoc treasurer re disco (she is TA in DD's year)
• Bank form done
• Run in lovely sunshine
• All up and fed
• DD to school with swimming stuff
• DS and DH to school with packed lunches/suncream/hats/etc as they are off on the Yr3 school trip - a day at a scouting activity place. SO much better than the usual Aquarium/zoo/animal park selection - hurrah for young male teachers :)
• Washing on
• S&S x 2

To do:

• WORK - new company stuff that I am avoiding as I am not sure what I am doing
• WORK - bits and pieces for usual company
• Washing out and new load in
• Washing up
• DD to optician's later
• To friend's to pick up something for DD's Yr6 production and have a natter

There are lots more things but I will sort work out first.
Have a good day everyone.

Morning! I'm in a slightly better fettle, albeit with a mouth that feels like something has died in it! Wine is lovely and relaxing, but not so sure about the after effects.

Well, I already have a ta-da list. Not a Bitchy one, but a list none the less!

• Two loads of washing (DS bed due to accident)
• Trip to GP (coil removal agreed! Hallelujah, I can stop being "raging" mummy")
• DS showered and hair washed so don't have to do that tonight
• Work

Still to do

• loads more holiday washing
• trip to nurse for removal of coil
• meet friend for coffee and kids playdate.
• tidying up of holiday stuff
• organise dinner

TBH, I'm just so delighted the GP agreed to me having the coil out that I don't actually care about anything else. And on that note, out to the nurse I go!

Strong on the bar if required!

done
window cleaners have been! a lick and a promise and very very cheap but windows are certainly less dirty than they were Why has that taken me 4 years to organise????
some more travel organising with dh, checked in and printed out Ryan air tickets
3 children to school, drove ds2
wash in
breakfast in dw

todo
go to the tip with stuff which is blocking the walkthrough in shed
hoover our bedroom floor!!!!

and loads more besides but those are the urgent things

I feel deeply odd today. A bit 'out of it', headachy, like everything is a bit in the distance, feel a bit like I am going to faint but not really, and tired beyond tiredness ever experienced. (Despite going back to bed and sleeping very late until 8.45 am.) Wierd!

I don't understand it at all. I'm trying to diet but I am so (constantly) famished that I am eating like a trojan.

(I'm hoping constant fatigue and hunger are not symptoms of diabetes.)

Think it must be the weather ... hoping so anyway. Pouring with rain, dark, dank, humid ... .

Sorry to bring such joy and cheer to thread as usual Going to try and go out for a brisk walk later and snap myself out of it!

Ta da:
lie in, so got up and bathed/washed in horrible rush
rabbits
dd off to art stage
dining room table hot spots
spoke to sil for 40 mins (fil in hosp, very ill again)
Skyped a colleague about accountancy matters [yawn]
took delivery of parcel from office
collected dd from art stage
dived in to bakery on way home
stacked dishwasher
cleaned down kitchen surfaces
cooked lunch for dd and me

To do:
[raining stair rods so gardening off the list for now]
still need to paint thank you cards
still need to organise parcel returns
laundry
wrap nieces birthday present and parcel and get in to post
make soup
brisk walk
game of chess (or equivalent) with dd

Hope training not too onerous bitchy

Hope you manage to plough through your list quickly Feetheart and get to the fun bit! Also that your dh and ds have a good time on their school trip! (Very admiring of your pre-school-morning- run exercise.)

My list is also looking remarkably similar to yesterday's too DMummy if that's any consolation at all.

Glad you are feeling a bit better Carpe. HOpe coil removal going/went ok and take it steady x

Swan good luck with your list and thanks for reminder re: window cleaner. Our old one who was lovely (and can be seen any afternoon downing beers at the local hostelry) doesn't seem to be working any more and doesn't answer calls. (But perhaps just as well as alcohol + tall building not good combo.) New one came six weeks or so ago to inspect house and office and produce estimate, has never been heard of since ... must chase him up. Windows are filthy owing to constant building work in street. At least this constant rain is getting them a wee bit cleaner ... .

Big waves to everyone else and apologies for such a tedious post!

Removal was a total doddle thanks sc, and (although I know it's probably psychosomatic!) I'm already feeling much better; I've lost that lethargic, grumpy feeling that I didn't even notice I had IYSWIM and I'm no longer ravenous. Go figure!

Almost finished the washing, and I've laid away the last load from Sunday night so that's all fine.

Away to organise a bag for DS again so we can go out and meet friends and play.

SC - I seem to remember a few of us threatening to hound you about health issues that you were putting off. Well...consider yourself hounded, are you still putting them off?

I am about to declare work finished and start on nice project - a scrapbook thing for DD full of all sorts of school stuff from the past nearly 7 years. Pre-school gave her one when she left there and I want to do one for the primary school years. I have been thinking about it all year and have got the photos printed but now have only 2 weeks to do it I will start with Reception and see how far I get in the time hopefully into Yr1 at least

Before that I need to clear work away, hang out washing and get some lunch.

That's a lovely thing to do Feet - I've done yearly ones for each DC at school and they really like them.

SC - yes, listen to your body. You probably haven't got diabetes but your blood sugar levels might be up and down like a yoyo, it's hard to break out of the cycle. I sympathise as a chronic overeater. Have you ever been tested for diabetes? We have a routine screening for anyone over 40 here now and it's a simple test. Raging thirst and constant weeing are the classic symptom, but it has to have got pretty bad before that happens. Brisk walk is a good idea, I find a bit of extra exercise, doesn't have to be much, definitely helps give me more energy.

Carpe - glad the removal went OK, I had mine replaced a few weeks ago and it was a bit ouchy. I'm a huge fan, but they seem to be a marmite thing.

Marital disharmony here today - DH has just phoned up to say he has to work late tonight, I'm supposed to be helping at Cubs and he's supposed to be looking after DD. DD would LOVE to come along to Cubs - DS will go ballistic, he has already sought assurances from me that this won't happen. So I have choice of either finding an emergency babysitter, letting down the Cub leaders and DS or putting up with DS in a major strop. Great.

Thank you Feetheart. Probably being a total hypochondriac. Definitely being a total wimp, as am still avoiding the scary invasive procedure (endoscopy/colonoscopy - sorry for tmi) but have been good and done every other blood test/scan required. Trouble is they are inconclusive ... . Know I need to get over myself and snap to it, but haven't quite managed it yet. Booked twice, cancelled once day or two before, made it to other and wimped out at last min. And it's so ridiculous because medical facilities are really ace here.

I am happy to say that I feel a bit better now having eaten lunch though!

Promise not to bore everyone rigid post about this again until I have actually taking some action!!

That is a brilliant idea about end of primary scrap-book and I am going to nick it immediately if I may!! (Have just under a year to organise so should be enough time, even for me ) Good luck with yours!!

I was going to organise a scrapbook for dd when she reached 10 yrs (to mark first decade etc) but didn't get it done of course, so your idea has given me second chance!

Carpe glad it went well and that is brilliant that you feel so good immediately!! Enjoy your afternoon!

I'm feeling relieved I got so much washing done over the weekend because the rain is unrelenting here. Just about to go up to roof and check for leaks ... .