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!

[hyperhops]

.>>scuttles in furtively, swigs special brew(thanks bitchy), ponders being quite alone in a dark QUIET cavern(lovely!), ponders likely outcome of cleaner on my return home....and returns full attention to paid work

[CarpeJugulum]

School trip in the caverns...

[Swanhildapirouetting]

done
tooth mended - a miracle, they stuck it back together again with glue booked hygenist for tomorrow
quick grocery shop
exercise (walked up hill with three bags of shopping)
watered plants

now todo
hoovering my bedroom and stairs to loft
hang out another load of washing
another one in
cook rouladen
wipe surfaces
send off cheques x 2 I forgot yesterday
and it is Book Club tonight...I have no idea what I was supposed to be reading, again

order large pot for bay tree, on internet before the poor thing expires completely

[feetheart]

Swan - beware of bay trees. The cutting my mum brought over from N Ireland on a plane years ago did well in a pot for a few years then looked like it was keeling over. Planted it in the garden and over the last two years it has gone rampant - it is nearly as tall as me now

[Sonnet]

Hello all - I would ike to join please although going on holiday in a week so may have to leave it until I get back

Bit of background: I work 4 days per week. I have a cleaner that comes once a fortnight and cleans the whole house. That sort of keeps on top of it and stops CHAOS but the basics only ever get done. All m cupboards are rammed and my windows, skirting boards etc are dirty. i seem to spend my day off washing, ironing , shopping abd do not have enough time to spend doing enjoyable pursuits such as gardening and craft hobbies. I will be working over the holidays but hope to use the spare time created by lack of after school stuff, weelend sports commitments in decorating 2 rooms and clearing out cupboards. Maybe if I get on top of this flylady stuff i can claim back at least Friday afternoons for me

so do I just jump in?

[Sonnet]

I see the habit for this week is "Swish & Swipe" - so will start building that in

I will do todays mission tonight and tomorrows mission tomorrow

If no one minds i will type out my tomorrows to-do list later on tonight

[Swanhildapirouetting]

Feet we have the neighbour's bay tree to remind us what will happen if the bay tree leaves the safety of its pot..we have been keeping it at [bay][pun] for the last twenty years in a large pot since the lady builder from Ireland gave it to us in our last flat, but feel too guilty to throw it away. We also have a mutant apple tree in a pot which we also cannot throw away as someone gave it to us for a Christening present. This year...4 APPLES. it is about 4 ft high and looks horrid in the garden as it is so short. So pots will have to do..

[Swanhildapirouetting]

sonnet welcome and I think the aim is to do decluttering before you start embarking on missions. And the missions follow on from the babysteps. Missions are advanced flying if you like!

[BitchyVstheUFOs]

Yep yep - declutter first, most of us are still focusing on that bit. Missions build in slowly after the babysteps. can't clean clutter, can't clean efficiently if you have to move the clutter to do so!!!

Sorry sonnet can seen frustrating but actually 15mins of shifting clutter and never getting out more than you can deal with in an hour means that when you are doing the cleaning aspect it is soo much quicker!

[Swanhildapirouetting]

done
posted a cheque just in time for last post, ran
made banana cake
dealt with kids after school..for some reason this is incredibly time consuming - they need to be fed snacks, kept away from compter/telly, gainfully re-directed, their smelly clothes need to be forcibly removed from their backs and boiled, shoes in the corridor need to be redirected. Then there are all sorts of brooding grievances I have to sort out..someone was mean to me sort of grievances.

have persuaded ds2 to water the garden after much wrangling and hiding of x box controls! He is now ordering a scuba diving mask with dh.. for Spanish swimming

[BitchyVstheUFOs]

Ds' is currently annoying the hell out of me because he does not agree with the time that i see fit to call bedtime. Yeah kiddo you were up til nearly 11pm last night. fuck off to bed now.

[Swanhildapirouetting]

bitchy we always get a backlash if we let them stay up late, the next night they are not only tired but determined to stay up late again "because we did last night" - (linked usually to telly issues) We do let them stay up late sometimes though, I must admit it..

done
several more heaps of washing dealt with
supper cooked, served and cleared, ds1 helped me (he literally does not know how to wipe a table, so I showed him in explicit steps every part of clearing table. Six steps no less
ds1 made the salad, chopped tomatoes,grated carrot
dd laid the table
all three children went to their rooms before supper and amused themselves without computer/telly (although dd did have her phone so perhaps that doesn't count)
dd tidied her room properly and hoovered it
ds1 did some piano and lots of singing of Sweeny Todd
ds2 was rather tiresome I must admit

I'm off to Book Club in a moment, walking there with a friend, and wearing the outfit of last resort, a glamorous kaftan type garment.

[PeachandBlack]

Bitchy I don't know how old your DS is but I remember when DS2 was younger I put his bedroom clock forward an hour to trick him into going to bed earlier!

I made headway today, although loads of little jobs didn't get done (the quick, easy ones ironically - must improve on this babystepping lark)

done
bedrooms dusted and hovered
washing done and on line
recycling taken out
DS1 waved off to his prom - not sure what time he will be in tonight as they are off to a club after.
DS2 taken to athletics
BIL's post taken in

to do
ironing - yes I'm putting this off. I could do some tonight in front of Celeb Masterchef (but I bet I don't)
fold washing taken off the line and put away (mostly towels and sheets)
take card and flowers round to sister - forgot my purse when I went out and then got stuck in traffic so short of time.
go to drycleaners/charity shop/post office - on the plus side, I have put the items in my car boot so they have been decluttered from the bedroom floor!

My, it doesn't take long for the excuses to start, does it?!! Although I have been shining my sink. Does make a difference.

[BitchyVstheUFOs]

nice though peach but ds is 9 going on 19. Time is measured precisely to the minute and variations between clocks upset him greatly (kitchen clock is deliberately fast so that we run on time in the mornings). It wouldn't last.

Unfortunately late wednesdays are unavoidable as that is training night and thus not possible for him to get to bed at a normal time. The real issue is getting the child out of the bath when he gets back from training as he is a nightmare and it always ends up taking hours rather than the quick dip that i want him to do so he can get to bed at a half decent time. He went to sleep straight away so have been enjoying the peace and ploughing on through my to do list. I will post a ta da list later but trying to limit how many lists I post so not to scare the newbies too much

[GoingGoingGoth]

Back at the croft today, 10 beds are complete and 26 tonnes of soil was delivered this morning. There was about 14 of us, and by the time we left, about 3/4 of it was moved. I don't think I've moved for the last hour.

Done
Morning routine
Eye test - I now need reading glasses so have to decide whether to go down the varifocal route.
Croft
Library
Dinner
Washing up
SS

[Eyelet]

Wow, what a productive day everyone has had! Puts mine to shame, DC are at home today and tomorrow as childcare unavailable and typically its been hideously sticky and hot. DC didn't drop off until til half eight, and so will be nightmares tomorrow!

So.
Up, dressed, cot bedding stripped
dd1 showered and hair washed (shes 3 - this is an epic exercise)
nappies out to the dustbin
daybag packed with dd1 spare clothes and snack
Musty wash hung out in the sunshine

9.30am park playdate
Home, lunch,
dark wash on
dd1 down for a nap dd2 wakes up
3pm afternoon playdate with paddling pool, bubbles and ice lollies
Dark wash hung out
Dc dinner, floor swept, washing up done
veg patch watered
veg patch harvested (strawberries, peas, green beans, courgettes, salad, carrots and spring onions)
Our dinner cooked, washed up
All washing brought in.

tomorrow
post letters
pack lunch picnic
morning playdate then afternoon chilling out

[hyperhops]

Sorry, quick post as in bed on phone! Been out to dd1 and 2's concert. Was lovely. Cleaner did fairly good job. Nice to come home to a clean house, now just need to keep it that way 'till next week!
Dd2 in foul mood, think the long day with concert was too much for her. No doubt getting her up in the morning will be a challenge!
Dd4 has made me a power point presentation about me! It's very sweet, she lists my talents as baking, sewing, painting, caring and giving hugs and kisses(which is apparently my best talent) (note that cleaning didn't make it into my talents list at all!)and says that I am really petty, but look prettier when I put make up on for parties!(note to self to start bothering to wear make up more often!)
Right need to sleep. Will be back on tomorrow to do proper post with individuals...promise!

[ToffeeWhirl]

ta da

Lunch with friend's family. Said goodbye to them
Shopping
Home
and chat with MIL
Waved off MIL in taxi
Long telephone chat with SENDCO at local state school with ASD unit
Phoned another school, but it was too late
Cancelled some appointments for next week
Started packing
Cooked roast dinner
Had family meal at the table
Bath and bedtime for DS2
Watched 'The Sopranos' and tried not to fall asleep
Currently perched on DS2's bed, protecting him from giant hornets

Back in a mo with links.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Evening all,

Some great lists here, the thread has really stepped up in momentum at the moment.

Tada!

School run
Tidying
4 bags of stuff to charity shop
One load of washing on line
Haircut - it has been neglected lately but feels all soft and swishy tonight
Work for a couple of hours
Home via Sainsburys
School run
Pack DD up with all her costumes and a packed dinner for 3 hour dress rehearsal at drama club
Water allotment with DS
Make cakes with DS
Dinner
Pick up DD and her friends and drop friends home
Ice cakes with DS
DCs to bed - mine are absolutely bursting with energy at the moment despite a hectic schedule, so still raring to go at 9.30.
Phone DMum
Order potato storage sacks
Exercises
Bed

Goth - what's the croft? I must have missed a post about it. Sounds hard work but rewarding.

Peaches - I'm putting off a big ironing pile too.

Welcome Somnet - I mix and match babysteps, decluttering and missions, if there's a mission I can easily do then I will, even if clutter persists. I am a very casual follower of Flylady though.

Feet/Swan - I kill bay trees, am on my third now. My current one is vey neat and small and healthy looking but I always seem to lose them in hard winters. My mum has got a massive 6-footer in a tub outside her back door.

[ToffeeWhirl]

It's the fourth babystep tomorrow: post reminders on sticky notes. This is to help you establish the new habits.

Friday's mission is in the sneak peak' section: still in Zone 1, dust the ceilings, light fixtures and window sills.

The daily focus on Friday is to declutter your purse / bag and car.

Detailed cleaning is here.

Several of you have suggested I cut down on the round ups because it's so time consuming and I must say, I'm happy to comply. We're leaving early tomorrow, so I'm off to bed in a moment (and nodding off now).

Will post again from sunny Essex tomorrow evening.

[BitchyVstheUFOs]

I could post a finished ta da list, but actually I really cba. just double the length of the last list and that will be the ball park. Depressingly enough I think I need another ta da list like that tomo.

was going to have a bath and sooth some sore muscles but time got away from me and it is not late so i have the choice between even later and sooth muscles or not bother and probably regret it due to sore muscles. bath it is then yet again ignores babystep 17

[feetheart]

The monster bay tree talk is scaring me - need to give it a hacking neat trim.

Managed to survive the logistical challenges of yesterday and DD absolutely LOVED her time at high school - is in a form with her best friend (and the boy she really didn't want to be with ), had lots of people from other years that she knows from Guides/dancing/primary come up and and talk to her and her form teacher is a music teacher. She also proved herself to be more confident around other people than her usually more confident best friend which has given her a huge boost. She wants to start now and can't wait for September. I think that counts as a success :o

List for today includes:

• Washing up from last night
  
• All up and out
  
• Get DH to help me get tent down and put it in car
  
• Morning routine
  
• Make bread
  
• DS's class cello concert (ALL of yr 3 and 4 are learning cello )
  
• Pack for Yr6 girls and mums camping trip
  
• Tidy house!
  
• Charity shop run and some food for w/e
  
• Go and pitch tent
  
• Pick up DC and feed
  
• DD to dancing
  
• Trip to campsite for play/lounge around although we aren't staying tonight
  

Probably need to fit some work in too but it looks doubtful!
Have a good day everyone.

[NickNacks]

Good morning lovely people. I'm happy today because I don't work Fridays :)

So a long to do list

Wash two loads
Tidy garden
Fix bathroom door
Tidy kitchen
Wash stair walls
Quick sweep/Hoover
School run x3
Make beds
Have a long soak in the bath
Buy ds2 a cubs uniform
Pack ds2 for beavers' sleepover
Gather forms/money for cubs
Cut bottles for cubs

Think that's it, need to get my rear end out of bed as kids are already up and ready for school putting me to shame. :)

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Bracing myself for a long day. DH is off shortly to Silverstone for the weekend for the F1. I'm free this morning but will be spending the afternoon setting up for the school summer fair and helping run it from 6pm, fingers crossed for decent weather, the last two years it has been cool/drizzly.

Need to conquer the clean laundry mountain in a minute.

[BitchyVstheUFOs]

I do not want to be awake. And ds has attitude. Happy friday morning everyone