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!

I've emptied one cabinet that I'm getting rid of. One more to go. And then I'll actually have ROOM in my dining room!

We are on the road and on dh's phone but but forgot to say

Toffee - for kitten (or rabbit) protection of electrical cables I use plastic tubing (similar to that used in fish tanks) bought from a DIY or aquarium shop. It can be slit lengthwise (carefully) with a blade and the wire can be tucked safely inside. A harder, black, pre-slit type of tubing is also available (but I can't find it over here). Learnt the hard way after rabbits chewed through fridge cable! Some people also smear chilli paste or something strong smelling such as Tiger Balm on outer tubing to deter chewing too!

Big waves byeeeee!!!

We are on the road and on dh's phone but but forgot to say

Toffee - for kitten (or rabbit) protection of electrical cables I use plastic tubing (similar to that used in fish tanks) bought from a DIY or aquarium shop. It can be slit lengthwise (carefully) with a blade and the wire can be tucked safely inside. A harder, black, pre-slit type of tubing is also available (but I can't find it over here). Learnt the hard way after rabbits chewed through fridge cable! Some people also smear chilli paste or something strong smelling such as Tiger Balm on outer tubing to deter chewing too!

Big waves byeeeee!!!

Thanks for that tip, SC! Have a good journey.

Hello everybody!

I haven't caught up with the thread yet but I will do. The last couple of weeks have been tough. Dgd seems to have developed vascular dementia and we are still trying to find a permenant residential home for dgm.

However, on Sunday I did a carboot with bf and managed to get rid of quite a lot of clutter and make some money despite having to pack up early due to a downpour.

I cannot believe how quickly these holidays have flown past and I am determined to get the house back in order this week.

Ta da
Beds made
Dc up, dressed, fed etc
2 washloads done and hung out
Pile of ironing
Living room dusted

To do
Clean fridge
Hoover downstairs
Empty car or carboot clutter and sort
Clean kitchen cupboards
Food shop
Sort laundry

Bbl to catch up properly.

I've not been on for a while, I'm struggling to be honest.

2 years tomorrow my nephew died, not sure if that's the problem or if I'm expecting too much of myself, dd2 is only 7 weeks old.

On the plus side my wardrobe is sorted, I got rid of the shoes, I just need to get rid of the clothes now, then I can sort out the container that I dump everything on. I will get there, I just need to be kind to myself.

Doo look after yourself shitat it could be either or both. House work can wait and anything you do get done is fab. Looking after yourself really is the most important thing sometimes.

I am doing stupid things and will probably need picking up from a alcohol induce coma after the fallout. But it is only the internet so has an off button.

Not done any flying. Huge amounts of stuff out of the house in terms of meetings and work. rest day tomo but have a huge amount of paperwork to do so the plan is to get that done from the comfort of bed. Not sure when the washing machine will be up and running. Will be glad when the building work is finished.

Shitat - sounds a though you have a lot on your plate emotionally and practically with a newborn baby, so sorry about your nephew. Perhaps just make a realistic to do list each day and tick things off, so you feel a bit more in control, but yes, be kind to yourself and don't worry too much about the house.

Thank you Bitchy and whoKnows I will try. My mum is having DD2 for a bit tomorrow so I can get some things done, so that'll be a big help, we do miss him very much.

ta da
start a G&T kid thread that didn't get out of hand

shitatuser - I second what everyone else has said: be kind to yourself. I'm very sorry about your nephew.

Mercury - I'm so sorry to hear that things are still so tough for your grandparents and, therefore, for your family.

I'm going to bed in a minute - exhausted by watching crazy kitten antics all evening - but, first, here are tomorrow's links:

Tomorrow's babystep is... well, I'm not sure. The link is here, but it just seems to be a lot of waffle about making beds and purple puddles.

On Tuesdays we take time out to plan our week.

Tuesday's mission is to spend 15 minutes tackling the clothes pile in your master bedroom. (Yeah right. I'd need at least an hour).

The flight plan is here.

Off to bed now. Night all.

Thanks for the welcome back. still working up to it
back properly sep 1st

Thank you everyone, feeling much better after a decent nights sleep, baby went from 9 to quarter to 3, then straight to sleep after her bottle.Losing my nephew is going to impact the family and I'm not sure how I can handle it, is it wrong to wish today would just go quick and be over?but hey that's a whole other thread

To do:
Sort the black bags into smaller bags as I can hardly move them, that'll be done when mum takes baby for me. Then get them to the clothes bank.

Morning all

to mercury

Shitat- thinking of you today, try to take it easy. Will your LO go in a sling? Might make it easier for you to do a few things

Eustacia - don't give up! It takes a while to get into the habit of keeping the house and routines in mind. You'll get there

Byeeeee to SC!

Toffee, your kittens sound lovely. I remember when my tabby was eight weeks old she munched through my phone charger wire which meant I had to buy a whole new phone as that cable wasn't manufactured any more!!

To do
Get up....

ta da
morning routines

to do
absolutely nothing. Feeling ill and going to sit around and hope I don't heave more. sigh. I hate being sick.

I do need to look for a sling, that is on my to do list too.

Oh no Alice I hope you feel better soon x

Alice - so sorry you're sick. I hope it passes quickly. Horrible feeling.

shitatuser - glad your baby let you have a good night's sleep ready for today. I know today is a particularly sad day for you and your family. Thinking of you. x

coffee - oh no, your kitten liked munching wires too!

Eustacia - welcome back.

Our kittens are absolutely bonkers this morning .

Toffee thanks, me too. Dcs keep asking for food, and I just am tired of looking at it and feeling nauseated.

Morning all.

Failing to get much done with the painetrs here as they're sanding window frames/doors and in and out.

ta da
washing up
ds packed off to nursery
booked flight next week back to uk (haven't been able to get permission from my team leader as he's not replied to my email, but thought sod it. Now just have to hope that volcano in Iceland doesn't erupt!).

to do
I don't know - can't focus!
Should sort out hen do.

So I have no children, my car is packed ready to take to the clothes bank, my bedroom is tidy eeeekkkk, feeling quite proud of myself as I feel so much better for it, just a shame the rest of the house is a tip, but you can't have everything can you.

DS2 has a friend here this morning, so I'm making the most of the free time by clearing out a cupboard for our kittens' stuff, which has taken over the work surfaces. Also need to clear the desk in DS1's bedroom so his computer can go there. Not sure where to put all the home ed stuff though.

shitat - well done on the tidy bedroom and decluttering! Focus on what you've achieved, not what you have left to do.

Engels - try using the Power of Three, ie. choose three things to do and just focus on those.

Alice - it's horrible dealing with food when you're sick .

Right, back to kitchen decluttering.

I lied about the G&T thread just been accused of not allowing ds to be himself fabulous. Balance of mn threads restored.

Ta da
Lie in
Catch up on mn stuff
Download files for printing
consider post that has been drafted and see whether posting in the cold light of day is going to be advised.

Hope you feel better soon alice

Thanks. I am sitting here shredding and browsing Pinterest, trying to keep away from the dcs as much as possible so they don't get it, while keeping wrapped up warm (fever and chills). Not my most fun day ever, but while I'd like to take a nap and sleep through some of it, I can't do that with the dcs, so I'm just trying to keep my brain ticking along without actually having to think too much.

ta da
Booked pub lunch for BF's hen do
Emailed those who haven't yet RSVPed

DH is busy decluttering upstairs. Think I will put a comfort film on and work on dining table tasks.

Need to book tabel for evening meal for hen do but 3 people have not RSVPed. Should I;

a) Book table for 12 who have replied and risk a few people not being able to come even if they want to
b) Book for 15 and call up restuarant later if the other 3 can't come
c) wait until have heard from everyone.

Not sure!!!!!!! My heart is saying b)