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!

Well it is here in Belgium Alice - not sure about UK!

ah! Okay! That makes sense. Was digging through calendar wondering what I was missing.

Am still here flapping. August is always tough for me, cm wise. Dh not helping and we had a row last night. He's not awful awful but can be quite lazy. I just lost my cool last night and as soon as that happens he has the moral high ground 'because I can't say anything without resorting to shouting'. So I went to sleep cross.

Forgot to say: Bitchy - best of luck with the CAMHS appointment today .

SC - thanks, I think DS2 just has a virus to be honest. He's feeling achy, so I've given him Calpol. The pain isn't any worse. I have told him to let me know if it gets worse or moves (it's still round his bellybutton). Had forgotten that test - they did that on DH. It was agony! Very glad to hear the doc has ruled it out for your DD.

NickNacks - sorry your DH is being an arse .

DizzyK - I know, I usually try not to close my eyes if I cuddle DS2, but I think sleep just overcame me this time. He must have been feeling triumphant!

We have just waved off MIL, who popped in for tea, and DS2 has asked me to cuddle up with him in bed and read to him. I just hope I can stay awake long enough!

Sorry shattered have read through but not taken anything in.

SC you have been pm'ed the babysteps list

Hope all poorly dc recover and feel better soon

CAMHS, well she listened, like really listened , was really positive about what we have managed to do for ds aparently I am doing everything I can and I am right about what i have been doing . She was honest about limitations as to what help she can offer which didn't really surprise me but has agreed to have a think about what direction to think in as to constructing a new approach/tools for the tool box. So all in all it went significantly better than i thought it would.

Have promised to be quick on the computer as have promised a rather cheerful ds he can have it for doing some programming. He has just decluttered his bath toys (his idea last night) aparently they now fit in the box.

Will be back later but planning an early night. Am shattered.

That's good news, Bitchy. There are some genuinely good professionals at CAMHS, if you're lucky enough to stumble on them and some appalling, patronising ones if you're unlucky.

Thx for list Bitchy!

So glad CAHMS appt went better than expected! Being listened to properly with degree of honesty (even when support so sadly limited) is important.

That's great news bitchy :)

I was just catching up...not the that brought me back

Epic fail here I'm afraid, yesterday slept in and ended up with 15 minutes to get dressed to shoes before I had to leave the house and spent half of that time texting my mum back, a guy from work telling me he was going to be off sick and a friend. Was late picking dd up from her dad's, but did get her to holiday club on time and got to work on time...even though my hair looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards!!! Going to have a look on you tube for those easy up dos (thanks for the idea Trazzles

Then after work had to go to a friend's house to pick up party invite list (dd is having a joint party with friend's child on Saturday), go home and have something quick to eat then go shopping for stuff to put in party bags, then go to another friend's house to drop off birthday present for her son who's birthday was yesterday (she was impressed I got it there on the right day even if it was after 8pm, just shows how unorganised I am if that impresses tho doesn't it? ) then had to make up 32 party bags (with the help of a couple of glasses of ....was going up to 11pm when I finished and I wasn't going to start shining my sink at that time...

Woke up at 4.30 this morning for some reason, did get dressed to shoes - but not as soon as I got up. Really tired tonight, sink not shined - full of washing up that needs doing...can't decide whether to do it or have an early night and do it in the morning. Also, need to browse the Flylady website, negative voices (?) and a hot spot. Will have a and procrastinate a little longer...

I'm here.

I was at work this morning and DCs at summer club, I had a couple of hours at home on my own which was useful, so I got the bathroom clean, did some tidying and general cleaning, last suitcase up to the loft, played with the cats etc before picking up the DCs. As soon as we got back DBIL and Dniece arrived, so a bit of chatting, dinner, and general excitement from the DCs. just re-hung curtains into the spare room. I was hoping for an hour at the allotment after dinner but it has been raining steadily for the last couple of hours, really hope it's better tomorrow, we are planning a trip out to a fun farm place.

Bitchy - glad CAMHS went better than expected.

Got to go, DCs bugging me, they baked a cake after dinner and now want to ice it. Might have to get them to bed at some point too.

Bitchy so pleased CAMHS went well

Can I also ask for the baby steps?

For some reason writing down that I hadn't done the washing up made me feel guilty for not doing the washing up , so I have now done the washing up...and tidied the house (which I'm counting as my hot spot fire drill thing)...I'm not doing anything else though, going to bed with my

Night all

Hi all!

Sorry to hear about poorly DCs, my toddler has proper nappy rash for the first time and he sobs every time I have to change him :(

Bitchy and SC thanks so much for info on running threads, I will very nervously put myself forward to run one in the future.

I'm tired and want an early night, but virtually no flying at all so really should do a few thing before bed...

To Do
Dishwasher
Hang up wet washing
Pack DSs nursery bag
Get my clothes and lunch ready for work tomorrow
Send some emails

Soot pm'ed ya them

coffeeandcream there is nothing to say you can't just do one or two links before taking over the entire month thread. If you think this will help ask. We are not about bullying people into things so if you are not confident without a test run say so. We can fix it. cos we are flexible like

i have 3 loads of laundry left to wash and 3 to dry. so fingers crossed can get that done without too much trouble tomo. done a whole heap of stuff that i can't be bothered to list. not enough because i felt like a walking zombie all day. need some proper rest days. but not got time to schedule that until tuesday

Glad the appointment went well Bitchy, but could I just ask what CAMHS stands for?

That all sounds very tiring saturn, sounds more than fair enough in what you've achieved tonight.

I've just had a very gross incident when getting in from work tonight - without upsetting the thread with the details, suffice to say my cat has worms. Worming treatment to be purchased asap!

I'm going to look through some of the flylady info (many thanks Bitchy) and start planning out my weekly schedule before I get on with practical jobs tonight.

To do
Finish washing up
Clean kitchen sides
Put away toys in living room
Put bin out
Possibly clean bathroom, time dependent

DizzyKipper - CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. It also stands for a shit load of stress for parents .

Glad the meeting went well Bitchy

SC - yay for online stationary ordering! Nerf guns fire foam dart things at high speed. DS1 bought it with his own money on the ferry. It has a laser guider but he's not allowed batteries for that till he's demonstrated responsibility... It came with 3 darts. 1 is lost somewhere in the garden because he fired it out of the French windows to see how far it would go. Very, apparently. 1 is over the wall in the neighbours' garden because he "didn't know the wind was blowing that way", and DH confiscated the last one because it was fired at the floor in anger and bounced up and hit him (DH). Oh, and once he fired it at DS2. But that was an accident and my fault because if he had batteries in the aimer he'd have known it would hit DS2 and he wouldn't have fired it at him. Sigh.

Today has been exhausting and long, but we have bought a new car (well, newish)! Won't have it till next week though, but it's luvverly and just like the hire car we had on holiday.

Thanks Bitchy, I might have a go at doing a few links first. I think it might help to get my arse in gear if I lead on a thread

Links for Friday:

Babystep Number 15: add making your bed to your morning routine.

Friday is the day to declutter our bags and cars.

Friday's mission is here: clean your bathroom baseboards. (I suppose this means skirting boards).

Friday's flight plan is here.

I managed to get DS2 into bed earlier tonight and he listened to his new CD, instead of me having to sit with him. The CD is this one. He was still awake after it finished, but I haven't heard a peep out of him . Let's hope this lasts.

DS1 took his melatonin early too. Am hoping I actually get to bed at a decent time tonight.

Ah, another big bag of shredding to do - I've gotten through half the bag this evening. So about half my shredding overall is done. Hooray!

Of course, I have a bunch of OLD paperwork to go through and some of that will likely need to be shredded, so the stack will be growing again soon.

But I want to get rid of all the excess paperwork, to make room. I shouldn't have a bunch of boxes of paperwork.

Then I will be going through my "prepping for winter" list in earnest, and when school starts up in September, the DIY goes back in full gear again as well. I have deadlines - I want the living room and hallway done completely before Christmas. And both dcs' bedooms as well. Lots of work, but if I can get done the upstairs landing as well, I'd be well pleased. That leaves the rest of the house to get done later in the winter and early spring, so in the late spring I can focus on the garden. Whew!!

Paperwork has also come to the front of my mind at the moment. I have finally found a place to keep my shredder (on the landing) not beautiful, but definitely functional and when the post comes I sort it, place junk on the stairs and take it up next time I go and just shred it straight away.

I do have to sort out some old paperwork too but not heaps. I'm changing the way I store it. I have to keep 6 full yrs of accounts plus the current one so I bought 7 box files and will store things by year instead of type now.

Other things which can't be ordered like that are slowly being found new homes. Just hope this works :)

I'm up late babysitting so doing anything to keep my mind busy so I don't nod off!

Morning all!

Hope you got to bed at a decent time toffee

Well done on the shredding Alice and sounds like you are getting organised nicknacks - you do motivate me on this thread

Not to get out if bed though...really tired this morning, was in bed early to have an early night and then spent hours browsing the internet . Dd just woke up so will have to get out of bed now. Will try limiting my pottering time until 7.30 before getting dressed to shoes as that did seem to work the other day...better get moving then...

Managed to get the dcs to stay upstairs and relax a bit until 6am (instead of the usual 5am). Not really a lie in, but at least I could lounge around my bed for a bit longer and read which is unheard of in this house!!

I am determined to get through this shredding as quickly as possible, plus the couple boxes I have left in the dining room. Then I have a cabinet of craft paper and a sideboard full of stuff that I'm going to go through. The craft paper can be put in something smaller, and some of the stuff in the sideboard can be put in the bin (if I'm stern enough to do so!!). The goal is to get rid of both the cabinet and the sideboard. Then I'm going to ask a friend's dad to build some shelving in the alcove and the plastered up opening of the fireplace. I may then put decorative curtains over the front of the shelving to match the room. It will massively open up my dining room again. (getting rid of the piano would also help, but there's NO WAY I'm doing that!!)

I found my little handheld rechargeable vacuum, so I've been using that do pick up crumbs and such on the floors, and just doing a sweep. I don't anticipate being able to buy another vacuum until September, so I am going to make one last ditch effort to fix it once the dcs are back in school (so that I have time to dismantle the blasted thing and really look through it). If I can't fix it, I'm no worse off, as currently it's not working anyway.

Off to make some coffee and finish up today's list.

So much for getting dressed at 7.30...

Ta da
Weigh
Fed DD
Fed hamster
Fed fish
Diet coke
Managed to find some clothes for DD to wear

Really must get dressed now...