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!

Alice - I used to make a lovely vegetarian stuffed marrow from one of the Cranks cookbooks, but am trying out beef stuffing tonight. Will let you know what it's like.

Yes, thanks. I've never even had marrow. Sheltered, me. Although I love courgette - are they similar?

Hmm, I suppose in texture they are. Marrow is sweeter and less full of flavour. You need to add something to them - hence the stuffing.

okay. Awaiting pictures and feedback on how yours turned out. No pressure.

Good to have a bit of pressure. Can't resort to chicken nuggets instead.

Okay, another question. I have milked dated yesterday. It doesn't smell SOUR, but it is probably what we would call "on the turn." Okay to maybe make rice pudding or something with? And I can make rice pudding with regular rice, right? Not necessarily pudding rice? Ah, the questions...

Huzzah for great MIL's WhoKnows, and family in general who are great. And anyone really, anyone that helps. Help is always good. You see far too many threads on MN about people complaining about lack of help/support. I should really stay out of AIBU.

Good to hear you're keeping food down now Alice.

Very impressive Ta Da list Toffee, I always find it very satisfying when I can list loads of things I've done. And conversely, I always feel rather poo when I can't list anything at all. Loving all the kitten pics as well, they're so cute!

Enjoy your hols Blue.

Waves to Carpe, congrats on the job - particularly if there's a 2nd on the card. And no need for any apology, I am far too me me me and I quite like to hear what's going on with other people.

Not sure if you'll see this or are already gone but here's hoping the week without internet goes quickly Bitchy.

Those cakes look very nice Engels, jealous.

My days have consisted of obsessing over labour, being moody, but making some nice progress towards getting this house ready before DC2 arrives. Very tired at the mo and hoping DD falls asleep so I can nap too.

If it's only off by a day and doesn't smell sour I'd use it. Not sure about the rice though, I think it needs to be the proper stuff - but seeing as I've never made rice pudding I'm certainly not an expert!

I cannot oooh and aaahhh over the kitten pics, dammit. Because then I'll WANT one and I know it's a bad bad BAD idea.

but they are cute!!!

Dizzy thanks - I'll dig on the internet a bit and see. If not, I'll make something else with it - as long as it's okay to bake with, I'll use it today so it's not wasted.

I've found this recipe, so I will try this tonight once the dcs are in bed. Then I'll pour it into a buttered pan and sprinkle a bit of brown sugar over it and bung it in the oven for just a bit for good measure.

allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/5806/quick-rice-pudding.aspx

Thanks, Dizzy

Cakes look good Engels

Alice Rice pudding will come out different if you use ordinary rice, but it can certainly be done (memories of youth group camp recycling vast amounts of excess boiled rice...).

We have new car. It's luvverly.

Have done bits of shopping and some packing. To do: more packing.

Kitten (s) not necessarily a bad idea, Alice. Well, ok, they do add to your costs, but they are hugely beneficial for DC. We originally bought a kitten to help DS1 with his anxieties because animals seem to relax him. The bonus is that both boys are enjoying them so much and learning to take responsibility for them. But my DC are a bit older than yours, I think, so it might be a little easier. Maybe worth bearing in mind for the future, maybe.

The other bonus is that they relax ME! I hadn't foreseen that advantage.

DizzyKipper - glad you like the kitten pics. When are you due? Hope you get your nap. I remember how tired I was in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Congrats on new car, Blue .

ta da

Been into town
Bought sticky labels for our stall on Saturday and mince for dinner, as well as buying over-priced lunch from Caffe Nero.
Lunch

Going to spend the afternoon sorting and pricing. I hope it won't matter that we don't have a table to put our stuff on - just lots of boxes and a clothes rail.

Just whizzing in to say not much Flying (been at work again) but good news from me, my local authority have agreed to statutory assessment of DS's special needs without me having to go to tribunal, so I am very happy this afternoon.

Toffee animals don't relax ds1. he goes right up through the roof around them.

WhoKnows Congratulations! What a relief for you!!

Yes, it hasn't quite sunk in yet! The hearing wasn't due till October so this has gained us a good few weeks plus a lot less hassle (no doubt we'll be going through it again later, but still).

Ta da
paid car tax
washing up and kitchen surfaces

Going to sort this house out tomorrow and pop to bottle bank/supermarket.

Lovely that I don't have to be up at 7.30 for painters.

Great news whoknows !

Toffee is that a stall for a boot sale or something? Sorry, nosey emoticon.

And excellent news WhoKnows.

Just had a major panic as due to my stupidness I came very close to ruining DH's night out. Managed to sort it but it was a very panicky 30mins!

Have house guests. All will be well Sep 1st...

Think we're mostly packed apart from the last minute stuff. DH is making despairing noises about the quantity of bags, but it'll be fine (she says, trying to sound confident...).

Good news, WhoKnows and about interview success a bit back, Carpe.

May pop in while we're away, but otherwise see you in Sept! Eek.

Ha. Big bag of stuff to be shredded.... shredded. Done.

Now on to the pile of old schoolwork of the dcs. What to keep and what to toss.

WhoKnows - That's fantastic news! Another hurdle overcome. And it's good that your LEA now know you're serious about going to tribunal - maybe they'll be less likely to push you to that later.

Alice - ah, well, kittens no good for your DS then. Well done on your continued decluttering.

Engels - what a relief that the painters have finished. Enjoy your lie in.

DizzyK - it's a sale being held at a local nature reserve, but not a car-boot sale. You pay £10 to set up stall, so I thought we'd try to sell some old books, toys and clothes. I just hope we don't end up bringing them all home again.

Eustacia - ah, good luck with that. Hope it's not too stressful.

Blue - have a wonderful holiday .

Am going to take DS2 to a home-ed meet up in a park tomorrow. He's dreading it and I'm a bit nervous too, to be honest. I just hope he is friendly with the other children as he tends to stick to my side in unfamiliar situations.

Tomorrow's links:

Babystep Number 22: build your office in a bag.

Tomorrow is the last day in the Master Bedroom. The mission is here: take 15 minutes to declutter your dresser. (I think this translates to chest of drawers in the UK).

Friday is declutter your handbag and car day.

The useful flight plan for the day is here.

Did you know there are kid's fly challenges as well? Friday's is here.

Night all.

Toffee enjoy your meet up at the park. Hope it goes well.

Yes, the dresser is the chest of drawers. I suspect I will need to FIND mine before I declutter it. I have been a bit lax in my room lately - even though I really have been working on it off and on.

Have fun toffee

I have never seen that babystep before! How long have I been on this thread?!

Well, was up early anyway. Working my way round the lounge to get it ship shape.

ta da
wash on
showered
cleaned one set of blinds, sill and watered plant, rep lo aced photo frames etc
cleared back half of lounge, hoovered and then gave floor once over
dusted and polished dresser

just having a break before I put ds's toys back in clean area, wipe down chairs and small cabinet and think about the table which is still covered in clutter