August fledglings fly over here - chatting and Flying will help us persevere!

[ToffeeWhirl]

Here we go again - another month for us to tackle our clutter and get on top of our housework!

If you’re struggling with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun), 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).

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!

Dizzy Sometimes I think the hardest part of the cleaning is just the getting started. I'm a dreadful procrastinator (or is that a very good procrastinator - as I do it all the time? I'm not sure, I'll work that out later ) so for me, it's just a matter of actually STARTING it. Once I've started, I'm fine, as I don't like to leave it half done.

But for me also it's a bit of laziness. I put something aside with a mental "okay, I'll take that upstairs and put it away this afternoon." Honestly, it would only take me a couple minutes to just do it NOW, but I don't. And then two days later, it can still be sitting there, waiting to go upstairs. So I've been making a point lately of just taking the time now - it's only an extra minute or so. Not that big a deal. And scanning around before I go upstairs or downstairs, in case there's something that needs to go with me.

My lists are now including "prep and stock up for winter" stuff. I have a number of things I need to get done in order to prepare for winter, so I need to kick start that off now too.

ta da
-usual morning routine
-tidied up living room (first of a zillion times per day)
-put away dishes that I left out to dry last night
-checked bank
-checked water account for new payment schedule (had to change it from paying 8 months out of 12 to 12 out of 12 - easier to budget, cheaper bill)

to do
-update calendar to include all school dates for 2014/2015 school year
-must add "get new 2015 calendar" to my list of winter prep
-finish shopping list for next week's shop
-sweep and mop kitchen (which I'll probably do after dcs are in bed or it will only be clean about 5 minutes tops. at least this way it'll be clean overnight until they get up in the morning! )
-finish patching hole in wall in ds1's room and in hallway outside ds2's room (I hate how crumbly the walls are here! )
-distribute winter prep list items throughout the next few month's budgets (for example, buy ds2's bed, buy my bed, new curtain rod purchased for my bedroom, new curtain rod purchased for dining room, and so on)
-look through stash to see what material there is to use for a few draught excluders for this winter - can sew these by hand while watching telly at night. Fingers crossed there are a few pairs of trousers in the stash, that will make it very easy.

Yes I think you're right Alice, me and DH do that all the time too. The problem is not only do we have this same issue but we're also too easy on one another about it as well which just compounds it. Partly we have an issue with storage that we're trying to sort out before the baby arrives, and we went on a small shopping spree yesterday . But hopefully after this weekend our storage will be that much better and we'll actually have places to put so many of the things that end up getting junked on the kitchen table. That and I'll be throwing lots away (DH is a hoarder so this is always that bit more tricky).

Weclome back sc - sorry to hear everything is so stressful. We haven't had houseguests for 3 years...I can recommend lovely hotels!

Ta da
washigng up
swept kitchen floor
hoovered lounge

Starting potty training today with DS so bucket of hot, soapy water at the ready and not leaving the house unless t's an emergency! DH has just phoned to say he's taking a half day so hoping he'll take the opportunity to go and do some decluttering of the old office (which will be the new baby room).

Aim for today
Set up new organised mum diary - reckon it can be my control journal as well as it has space for weekly routines and I'm going to use one column for housework and decluttering tasks.
Ironing
One load of washing
Time on lounge hotspot - photo album

If DH doesn't go and do some decluttering I will delegate DS to him so I can do some de-weeding on the drive. It looks dreadful.

Urgh. Everything is annoying me today. My room, the tiles on the lounge floor that are waiting to be laid, the bathroom, the laundry and the fact that 2 pairs of my favourite and fitting trousers have gone missing, paperwork. Everything. It is beginning to get to the point where i don't know where to start cos i just want to get everything done and still feeling tired from the lack of sleep the other night.

Someone remind me to not drink coffee cos it will only give me a headache and to just get started....

Aw, thank you everyone for all the support and sympathetic posts - feel a bit more chipper this morning thanks to this thread - thank you xxx

Good luck with the potty training Engels!

And good luck with decluttering this weekend Dizzy Hope you have a lovely time with your ma!

Alice so agree with you about the "pick it up now and put it away" strategy; I have books festering on upper flights of stairs that have been there months!!

Arf at the goat-herding Goth!

Sootball given present circs here, I am rather envious of all that time spent OUT of the house ... although can't be easy in reality I know!

Blimey that sounds madness about gp appointment palava Bitchy! And thanks for thought of refuge xxxx - as I live in a virtually permanent building site I can really sympathise!

Wow about the Red Arrows Ellie!!

Glad you had a good day out Toffee despite hellish return journey! Could you phrase your notes in terms of "helpful feedback" perhaps (although I know nowt about it)

Must go! About to tie dye t-shirts with dd and visiting children [sc dons large bin bag and exits stage left] Big feathery waves to one and all!!

Ta da
Ordered DN's birthday present
Liz Earle order to stock up (free UK delivery till 3pm!)
Mopped up wee on floor x3 !

ta da
15mins on my room
wash up jam jars
meticulously dry jars
heat jars up to 100C
add sugar to boiled down plum and boil up
make pancakes for breakfast
1st load washing on
jar jam
2nd load of washing on

Am feeling the need for a nap. I bloody hate burnout!

Morning, so much for getting up to hang my washing out before it rains! DH thought he'd just let me lie in, which is nice but I need to start resetting my bodyclock for Wednesday (Have I mentioned she's back at school then )

Unlikely to get much flying done today as we have friends coming over this afternoon.

I have had a lazy morning except for denitting dds hair AGAIN
I really need to get myself motivated.

To do
Get ds to get washed and dressed
Wash up
Hoover
Make beds
Big pile of ironing
Finish dcs room
Clean old gp cage ready for carboot
Wash load on
Laundry away
Clean fridge and kitchen cupboards

bbl

Who thought tie-dyeing was a good idea? I now have over 10 t-shirts to rinse under the shower head in 8 hrs time and then wash separately in the washing machine . Floor has just about escaped unscathed, not so our hands (gloves seemed to be permeable) or my white top which I stupidly selected this morning (apron obviously not water-tight either!). DC smeared in various rainbow colours ... will have to scrub before handing back to parents at weekend ... .

ta da
15mins on my room
wash up jam jars
meticulously dry jars
heat jars up to 100C
add sugar to boiled down plum and boil up
make pancakes for breakfast
1st load washing on
jar jam
2nd load of washing on
attempt nap but fail
1hr worth decluttering of my room
move ds' kit out of bath tub to where normally lives
clear out bath
do hand washing
put 3rd load washing on
flood bathroom
wash ds' inhaler spacers ready for winter
figure out why i used to like heading to uni - it was the uncluttered environment and decide need to be really ruthless again
Put clothes away
Collect rubbish and recycling ready to go out

Done
1st ever gluten free bake (for friends visit)
Wiped down oven, washing machine &fridge freezer (even moved fridge magnets)
Washing up
Ironing
Wiped down outside of bin
Emptied litter tray.

Had an email this afternoon, letting me know that the SEN panel have turned down our application for an independent specialist school for DS1 and are looking into mainstream with ASD units instead. This is in spite of recommendations from the paediatrican and NHS educational psychologist that he needs specialist provision because he can't cope in mainstream. One of the mainstreams they're considering is 45 minutes away - and this for a boy who can't even leave the house at present.

It's a kick in the teeth, but I'm not entirely surprised after all the threads I've read on Mumsnet. Will just have to start preparing for tribunal.

Have done no flying today - spent the day with my boys instead.

Am now going to have a large cup of tea and start emailing various people about the latest news .

Toffee so sorry you're having to deal with this from the LA. My LA didn't back down until the last moment after tribunal scheduled and everything ready to go. It's so frustrating - the money they are spending to fight you would more than cover any differences in cost, if they are upset over a higher cost.

Alice - it seems to be standard practice to put parents through this. I had hoped to avoid tribunal, but it seems unlikely now. I'm sorry you had to go through the same stress.

On a different topic entirely, I have been greatly cheered by the prospect of a local jumble sale which DS2 very much wants to take part in. Am hoping this will encourage him to finally start throwing out some of his older toys.

If it offers any hope at all, I didn't actually have to GO to tribunal. They gave in just before (which is probably best, as they would've looked like utter numpties). I think they do it to intimidate, hoping that parents will give in and take what they get. Sadly, some do, as they are either intimidated or lack the funds or know-how to fight it further. Just appalling. Parents should not have to fight to educate their child in a safe and appropriate setting. Best of luck to you!

I managed to sneak a few old toys out of the dcs' rooms the other day. It wasn't easy.

Yes, that does offer me hope, Alice. They made you suffer first though, didn't they? I'm pretty sure that DS1's school will make it very clear he can't go back there, but I'm not sure what the ASD units will say. It would be excellent if they all turn him down because then the LEA won't have any choice but to send him to our chosen school. When I spoke to the SENCOs of those schools myself, a few weeks ago, they were all clear that they couldn't have him. But, of course, they may say something different to their LEA bosses.

Well done on sneaking old toys out of your DC's rooms. DS2 and I have spent the last hour sorting through two boxes of old toys and he has fallen on most of them with a cry of delight. I can see that it's not going to be easy to declutter his room.

. Help yourselves, fledglings!

leave for toffee

I have done some pampering this afternoon. book, bath, hot water refill. Have scrub down. Need to have a shaower later and actually wash my hair. Couldn't face it after using a defoiliating scrub. It has been a while since i last done that Have also readded clean bath to the to do list. But first some tea.

Argh. I'm paying off our old joint overdraft (because stbx wouldn't anyway) as my name is on the debt as well, and have been paying it off slowly for ages. I sent a payment late last month (forgot) and they have the nerve to send me a letter saying they do not have the authority to discuss this account with me as I'm not party to it. Very tempted to say "fine, if you're not willing to discuss my debt with me, why the blazes should I be paying it?" Unbelievable.

Toffee - I would recommend that you contact those schools again and ask for something from them in writing saying that they cannot accommodate his needs. You can use it in tribunal. It will be very very helpful.

Sorry about the bank nonsense, Alice. How infuriating.

Good idea about contacting the schools. I wonder if they would dare put their words in writing though....?

Hi everyone, I've been absent for a few days stupid work

Toffee and for you, sounds like you are having such a tough time, your DS sounds lovely btw

Waves to Dizzy, I'm quite new to this flying business too and I've found it makes a really noticeable difference, but start small.

I'm quite impressed by the jam making, but we have lots of home brew kit in the loft, so I'm going to have a go at wine making instead!

What do people mean when they say they're doing winter prep? All I can think of is:
Buy next years calendar and diary
Get out the winter duvets
Make sure winter coats go to dry cleaners
What else?!

I have school uniform and back to school stuff, consider christmas present list, stuff that needs to be done between now and the end of the year that requires budgeting/planning ( eg i need a new matress and would like a new sewing machine. both big expesnses and need planning and saving up) I also have a plan for what i want decluttered.

Not sure if that is of any help coffee but that is the sort of thing that I mean.

So sorry that they are making you jump through all these ruddy hoops still Toffee the continual stress must be horrible!

Good luck with the decluttering Alice! And how utterly maddening about the bank ... .

Good to hear you got some pampering in Bitchy!

Feathery waves to everyone else!

Tie dye t-shirts have turned out really well as it happens!! 6 t-shirts rinsed, 5 to go ... which might have to wait until tomorrow morning.

If anyone wants a good summer holiday activity for dc can totally recommend these.

Suggest waiting until it is sunny, use old table covered in plastic and create outside on lawn. (Bit of a nightmare inside tbh)!! Oh and watch Youtube videos first on how to tie-dye t-shirts - some very good demonstrations on there!

Whoops. Fell asleep with DS2 and have just woken up.

Babystep Number 9: add a five-minute room rescue to your morning routine.

Saturday is Family Fun Day.

There are no missions at the weekend.

Saturday's flight plan is here.

Goodnight all.