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!

West coast of France (just below Brittany so not too far). Just finished last bits of ironing, now packing!

Quick hello.
Feeling very frazzled.not sure why. In very grumpy mood. Currently at appointment with dd1, then have spots day this afternoon for ds2. Have mountains of washing still....will post proper post later.

Morning all! DS's upset at injuring DH (who is fine this morning!) resolved into a nightmare at 2am this morning, so I'm functioning on very little sleep.

Nevertheless, I have a ta-da list!

• up & fed DS breakfast
• 30 day shred --never look in mirror with bright sunlight from behind
• two loads of washing done and hanging out & another one in the machine
• shower & dress
• WAH job done

It's a lovely day here, and so I'm in two minds. I really need to finish the holiday unpack and declutter, but I'm thinking that I could make inroads on the paving slab v. grass/weeds contest so not sure what to do... Suspect I'll end up doing the slabs as they are really starting to annoy me now and it's making the driveway look diabolical. Think I might take DS down to the garden centre and browse the tools available.

Ooooh Engels, that's my stomping ground; can I be nosey and ask which specific bit?

Washbi tape arrived. I am comtemplating what needs doings whilst procrastinating by colour coding my diary.
ds was calmer this morning. Sometimes he really does need a good yell and scream but he does need to know that feeling stressed is no excuse for that behaviour. We are working on it.

Not sure what today will bring but hey ho. Hopefully there will be a ta da list today.

*washi tape even never could spell

Two strips of wallpaper up. Small break before I tackle the next section as I'll have to cut out around the electrical outlet (stress!!!!!). Hope I don't fluff it up! But looking good so far!!

The next step will be getting moulding to put around the top around the whole room. I think it dresses the whole look up - makes it look more finished. And it will cover up all edges of wallpaper so I don't have to stress over a completely flush finish.

Still here. Still trying to fly!

Looks lovely alice

eyelet some of us have been trying to fly since the start of the thread years ago. You will make progress if only small. I for one have less stuff junk in storage. Hang in there!

Diary is colourful and has been up dated with nxt year's appointments added to it now.

Alright. As you can see in the picture, there is an electrical outlet in the wall where I'll be putting the next wallpaper strip. Here's the thing. You can see that white strip going down the wall to the outlet, right? My friend who does a lot of wallpapering recommended that I wallpaper OVER that strip, but I'm looking at it thinking "if I ever need to open up that strip and get to the electrics, I'll end up destroying the wallpaper in the process." Makes much more sense to paper around it and leave it clear, doesn't it....

Help - I've hit a wall and can't stop mning!
Today's ta das
Dw on
Disgusting soap drawer from washing machine deslimed (boak) and washing machine cleaner now running
Sorted dh's wardrobe so he can actually find work clothes
Dcs lunches done and dcs dispatched to school
Weighed in on the wii fit

Have loads left to do - mainly trying to get into my very full craft room/dumping ground so I can sort a bit out. Also got to get quotes and buy travel insurance and then try and equip all six of us with skiing clothing (without breaking the bank!). I just can't get motivated today!

Depends. what is the state of the electrics in the house. Generally here we paper over, because as dad put in the wiring and we know it is good so unlikely to need to access. But I guess you have to take into account whether or not you run the risk of push pins and nails being shoved in randomly. Will is spoil the effect? Look messy if you don't paper over it? Have you got enough paper to same a replacement piece should the need to access it arise?
Sorry more questions than answers but it is going to be personal preference for the answer. I can see the point of your friend because of the finish (and sometimes ease of papering) but I can see your point too.

What did you decide about the paste in the end? paper or wall?

Fraggle me either. What about 15mins decluttering rewarded by 15mins mn? to start the process - power of the stop watch?

Bitchy thanks for the kick up the bum - not sure I can even get in to the room in 15 mins...... Sigh- you're right I know. I might do 15 mins on each then have a cuppa!

The paper will go around it as there is a break in the pattern (as the pattern is vertical) right where I'd need to cut it. I don't trust ANYTHING in this house to be reliable. The previous guy that lived here botched up a number of things so yes, I'd say there could be a strong possibility that at some point we could need access there. It won't spoil the effect IMO as the pattern is vertical, so to some extent, it should blend in. I have plenty of paper (I still have 3 rolls, and I've not even used the first yet, and I'll be halfway done with this strip), so I have plenty of extra if I need to replace it. I'm dubious tbh, as the pattern is wood beams, and I'm wondering if it will look awkward as it will look like the wood beam bent around something. Does that make sense?

Hmmm... I may try it and see how it looks. If I don't like it I can take it down while the glue is still wet and put up a new strip and cut it instead.

That makes sense alice sounds like you have a cunning plan. I suppose if you have plenty you can always change it if it really looks wrong. But it is looking lovely! Well done.

i am looking at cobwebs thinking i should do something about them. But it requires moving and doings stuff and not sure I can be arsed

Oh, and I've pasted the wall only. Because I knew if I pasted the paper, I'd end up pasting the table, the floor, the fireplace, myself...

I'm just sitting here admiring it for the moment. It looks sooooo neat!! (and I opened a window as the adhesive was making my head ache)

fraggle I agree, break it up into bits - do the travel insurance, then have a coffee and MN for a few. Sort the ski clothing, then MN a bit. Then do a bit of tidying, then MN.

I find that when I do that, I make a and tell myself "when the drink is done, I MUST get up and go do something." My own little timer, as I won't dawdle too long - I hate cold coffee.

And I've left some extra wallpaper at the bottom of each strip as I'm going to be taking off the skirting board and replacing it with new, so I want to be able to have that room to play with it a bit so more choice for skirting.

alice you are making me feel lazy this morning. really must go ring Camhs. I know this is why I am procrastinating perhaps if i get it done i will feel more inclined to get stuff done.

Nah, don't feel lazy. I've been sitting here pondering the wallpaper while I looked up the price of a mitre box (and tried to avoid looking at the power tools - that sliding mitre saw was looking mighty fine ).

OMG MN just advised me I've won the £200 John Lewis voucher for a recent product test I did. That will come in sooo handy with the remodelling !!