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!

Meh. I'm going to mentally just put him in a box until the next visit and ignore. Much less stressful that way.

Of course, I've done nothing around the house today... oh wait...

washing up
tidied kitchen
tidied living room

okay.. a few things... I feel better. Not a total waste.

Best way alice

I have done fuck all today other than to sleep. literally sleep. I am about to get up and get ready to go out. But am watching the Tour and feeling sore from long drives and furniture moving from the last few days so took a literal rest day.

Sounds very frustrating alice

toffee I think your amazing with your ds (both of course) and you sound amazingly patient even though it all sounds very stressful.

Today has been full of visiting, school fayre and collecting dc.

I forgot to tell you all, my SIL who had multiple mc and stressful pg, have birth or a baby girl 6 weeks ago. I have a niece :) Have been over there today having delicious baby snuggles.

In all day tomorrow so need to tackle some proper jobs. Must stay on top of the decluttering and plan to fill a clothes bag (preschool have a collection this week to raise funds) and a toy bag for the charity shop.

Clean toothbrush holder
Fill toy bag
Fill clothes bag
Laundry
Homework with boys
Declutter bath toys
Take stair gate down
Write invoice
Write receipts
Deep clean the dc- they all look decidedly filthy and can't be bothered to harass them into the shower tonight

Probably add more to that list but those are the essentials.

Have a fab Saturday night everyone. :)

Apologies for all those typos!

today has been a success...sort of...

School fete (no longer our school as it was the primary all my dcs went to) was a fun afternoon; dd met up with all her old friends and I chatted to several people I hadn't seen. And ds2 behaved particularily well considering last year he did an embarassing dance on the podium..he has really grown up a lot. He also brought his old friend from primary back from football to accompany him to fete.

However a bit of stress in taking ds1 aka hairy cave man to barbershop. Suddenly looked up and realised inexperienced young hairdresser was practically shaving ds1's sides and leaving a sort of mohican topknot- ds1 not being the most style orientated teenager was looking a bit uncomfortable but unable to speak out. Their school bans very short hair cuts to stop them belonging to gangs. Anyway he looks a bit strange and much older now he has lost his flowing locks. But luckily it is even and not shaved..

Then dd had her friend round and spent hours choosing her outfit for the fete.

Then shopped for meringues for dd's fete tomorrow, and took dd to visit her friend who was camping in a local sportsfield,
cooked supper (pork chops)
ds1 so overwhelmed by seeing girls of his own age and his haircut that he has fallen asleep before supper

And I have no desire to do any housework whatsoever

Tomorrow is another day of socialising in school setting, and driving.

Toffee I can see it would be very hard for ds1. Could you recreate everything so it is the same as home, laptop, meals in room at first and slowly build up tolerance? There is nothing you can do, he has to stay so I suppose you have to just try and give him some anchors. Soo frustrating though when you know it is lovely there and feel the sea would do him so much good.

Alice you have done more than me housework wise. You are obviously doing a very good job on the children and they rely on you completely. ex Dh sounds completely out of his depth

Swan if I don't at least tidy kitchen and living room and do the washing up, this house would get real scary real fast!

Haven't read thread, but I've had a shitty day with DS stropping so DH missed the Tour de France and I need a vent...

So AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!

Oooh, that's better! Sort of...

CJ sorry that you've had a shitty day. Time to put your feet up and relax now?

SC love that link! I asked DH if he wanted to be Belguimised, and he said only if they are playing the Dutch. Grumpy sod.

Yes this afternoon was lovely thanks. DD did some Lino printing and I made a couple of rag crotcheted flowers for the Commonwealth games! it would be yarn bombing, but the security is so tight it has to be officially down. IYKWIM.

Done
Laundry in & ironed
Dinner
Washing up & SS

Think I'm going to have an early night.

has been applied courtesy of DPIL.

I'm still feeling grouchy but bellowing slowly. Don't think it helps I'm leaving here tomorrow. To paraphrase DS... "don wanna!"

Bellowing? Mellowing! Sheepish, even my tablet is picking on me!

Sheepish? FFS! SHEESH!!!!!!!!

Latecomer....marking my place. I have tried flylady but got lost in the emails and have a new baby so everything went out the window recently. I'm ready to get back on track. Today I have done shed loads of laundry, swept and mopped most of downstairs but have a very dull sink.... Flylady fail.

Quick round up:

dizzy’s DD won second place at the summer fair.

SC’s posted a ‘ta da’ list of Bitchy proportions. She was looking forward to a day with DH, but then he decided to watch football .

Engels has tackled her garden and is wondering what to buy her DH for his birthday (I bought my DH a Nespresso coffee machine for his birthday and, after his initial reservations, he’s used it every day since).

hyperhops was on call today, which meant a short ‘to do’ list, especially as she also has six DC to entertain/look after.

Goth has been repairing dragons and planning excursions to markets and fairs.

Alice weathered what sounded like an excruciating meeting with her STBX.

Bitchy slept!

NickNacks has a baby niece – congratulations! (And thanks for the kind words).

Swan had a fun time at the school fete. DS1 had an unfortunate haircut and lost his flowing locks . (Amazing how quick children’s hair grows back, though). (Oh, and yes, keeping things as similar to home is good advice, just not always possible here. But I am trying).

Carpe vented after a stressful day and was buoyed up by from the fledgling bar.

Welcome to the thread, Peach, Sonnet and lostprince . We’re a friendly bunch and have a well-stocked, oft-frequented naughty bar for those of us who regularly fall off the Flylady wagon. And congrats on the newborn baby, lost - don't try to do too much housework right now.

Back in a mo with links.

Tomorrow's babystep is No 6: practice putting out your hotspots.

Sunday's flight plan is here. Sunday is renew your spirit day.

There are no missions at the weekend.

Reading everything but can't easily reply to everyone using my phone so will try to get onto the pc tomorrow.

Madness here. If anyone knows a cure for baby separation anxiety id be eternally grateful. I went to the bathroom without her today (DH was cuddling her) and she screamed herself sick. Horrid.

Tomorrow I've set myself the challenge of finishing the filing pile, four hours of work and getting all laundry put away.

and then bitchy didnt sleep. Naps are not good for good night's sleep. Just about to head to bed something tells me I am going to regret this tomo

Good morning all!

[Reluctantly packs away Belgian flag and tri-colour Fellaini wig; picks up empty Maes bottles from naughty corner floor]

Ta da:
rabbits
cleaned up kitchen after last night's supper and mahoosive football match/film-watching marathon
ie emptied dishwasher
filled dishwasher
a bit of washing up by hand
wiped down surfaces
shined sink
hung up large load of washing on terrace
tackled dh's shirt collars and cuffs with Vanish stain stick
another load in
looked up recipes
healthy breakfast
dining table hot spot

And that has taken me to 3457 steps so far (Goth and Engels, you have inspired me to start wearing my pedometer again!).

To do:
baking: cake, biscuits
dye Barnet Fair
gardening
on-line parcels (MUST do today)
at least 15 mins boudoir
brisk walk
cook healthy lunch supper
FIND RABBIT FILE FOR VET TOMORROW!

Proffers strong to Bitchy - hopefully you will benefit from yesterday's rest in a couple of days - even if you feel wretched now

Nicknacks congratulations on the birth of your baby niece!! And how fab for your sil and db after everything they have gone through.

Goth your day out sounds fab!

¨Toffee hope ds1 ok

Eyelet that sounds awfully hard x (Sorry no advice - can't remember that far back!)

Lostprince Welcome! Doesn't sound like a Flying fail at all to me; to get any sort of housework done with a young baby is an achievement!

Arf at a bellowing and sheepish Carpe Safe travelling!

Swan I think you deserve a medal for attending two school fetes in two days (I'm always carried out of ours on a gurney ). Although I can see the attraction of attending one purely for enjoyment and without the burden of cake-baking and stall-manning. Arf at averting hair-cut disaster!

Hope you have a more relaxing day today Alice!

Big waves to everyone I have missed! Dh and dd are still fast asleep so I may as well get stuck in to my list!

Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

Sorry Bitchy that was meant to be a not a

morning all
only half an hour of being on-call left yay!
got most jobs done yesterday - was a quiet day on call but then picked up in the evening and I was out working from 8.30pm till about 1am. wouldn't have been so bad but of course I couldn't sleep at all once I got to bed - I never sleep when I'm on call ! so was awake at 3.30 then got up at 6.30 will be relying on lots of coffee today

so to do today:
drink more coffee
shower
dress
hang out dd1 and 2 washing
ds1 washing in
take dd2 ice skating
drink coffee
attend school summer fair
visit skate shop to buy new ice skates for dd2
put away large clean clothes mountain in littlies room
stop drinking coffee to aid sleep later
encourage and assist dd1 to pack for school trip next week
PLANT up PLANTS before they die
resist urge to nap in hope of proper night's sleep tonight

ok, BBL when I'm more awake

Looks like there will be quite a few of us on coffee today. I always am anyway as DS1 is up frequently during the night every night, but at least nice to know I'm not the only one today.

I was struggling this morning to stay positive. Very up and down morning.

Down - ex is really frustrating me with his behaviour.
Up - I found the missing part to my sewing machine.
Down - I've realised I have to clean the oven today.
Up - I had enough change to pop down to the shop and pick up a few bits to last until I'm paid in a couple days
Down - dcs are arguing with each other a lot this morning [pull hair out emoticon]
Up - I at least got some tidying done in my room this morning so it only looks sort of like a tip instead of completely like a tip

I've gotten a few things done, but my focus now is:

• clean oven
• load or two of laundry
• meal plan for week
• check bank
• review budget
• plan errands for one day this week
• vacuum living room

Things to do to be more positive today:

• do a little sewing - making something always makes me feel better
• ignore any communication from ex
• make a little doll of ex and stick pins.... oh wait, maybe not... tempting though.

Alice

Managed n hour in the garden yesterday but then exhausted (and it started raining). Ended up having a nap.

Lazy day at home today. Dh is doing a shoulder of lamb. He wants to pop into town but I told him I need to slob and he could go and take ds and give me some peace

ta da
mountain of washing up from last 2 days
sorted yesterdays washing

About to put some washing on and put basket of washing away. Trying to potter in small bursts. Very sleepy from staying up to watch the Dutchies last night (my commiserations sc )

Ta da
washing away
wash on
changed bed

Thanks for the warm welcome. Ta da -Sink shined and two kitchen hotspots cleared. Currently up to eyeballs in playdough with dd (2) but will do the loos afterwards (my parents are coming to stay for a few days).