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!

Thank you for the mammoth roundup Toffee. We had a nice day at bfs and lots of tea, chat and cuddles with a scrummy 7 month old has helped me feel less sad.

Dgm has settled well, but we learnt that dgd has had a mini stroke so we are waiting to learn what the implications of that may be.

I didn't manage to do any flying today but tomorrow I am determined to do the home bleurgh as the minimum.

Good night fledglings.

Toffee - thanks for that mammoth round-up and for keeping us all on track.

Quick post this morning as we are back in 'getting up at school time' mode - DD has summer school at her new high school all this week so friend and I booked our boys into an adventure camp so we both had the week to work (friend's DD doing summer camp too)
Both children excited, though not actually up yet, and I need to plan what I need to do in order to make the most of the time.

Ta da:

• Fill in form for HMRC
• Catch up on thread

To do:

• Get everyone up and out
• Make 2 x big packed lunches as they are going to be active
• WORK
• Plan week
• Morning routine

That should keep me going for now. Hopefully I'll be back later with the next list.

Enjoy Monday everyone :)

Morning all!

feetheart hope DD enjoys summer school. DS has just finished his at new secondary school. He really enjoyed it and it served its purpose of me putting him in it well i.e. He made new friends as only 4 from his junior school going and he got to know the school/teachers.

To do:-
General tidy
Washing
Take ds to friends house for day
Pick up niece to come and play with dd
Take dd to join library
Do expenses form for jury service
Order copy of ds birth certificate for above form (can find dd's but not ds's)
Go pick ds up and drop niece home
Dinner

That will do methinks. Have a good day everyone!

Oh dear lord. Had my post and accidentally deleted it. Much too lazy to do it all again. So brief version.

ta da
-usual morning routine
-ripped up carpet on landing at foot of stairs
-cleaned all the nasty dirt and yucky stuff under it
-checked bank
-jotted short "to do" list

to do
-finish cleaning the landing at foot of stairs, including pulling up carpet tacks and scraping off the glue that I suspect the previous tenants used to glue down a few sections of the underlay (god knows why! grrrrr!)
-washing up
-fill areas of wall where plaster has come out in living room, hallway, and ds1's room
-sand the living room area of filler (if dried by tonight) so that I can put up the rest of the living room wallpaper tomorrow (fingers crossed)
-finish the third cushion cover for the living room
-try using the upholstery cleaner on the living room chair (patch area first)
-make brownies, because by tonight I'm going to need chocolate, especially as there is no in the house.
-organise online shop to be delivered tomorrow or Wednesday

Morn7ng all.

Thanks for the great round up toffee

I think I have to lower my expectations of what I can get done right now. Blood pressure is still low and I managed at least 2 meltdowns this weekend.

to do
one load of washing
15 mins decluttering hotspot
push hoover round
s&s

after bee movie finishes

Am going to alternate short tv programmes for ds with 15 minutes of music/cleaning for me to stop me from sitting on my arse.

Inspire me....what music are you listening to?

Engels Me? Right now, while I'm finishing my coffee, there's "spongebob squarepants" on... as that's what ds2 is watching on the television. I'm afraid that for now, I'll get more done if the tv is on for them. But later, we'll be going upstairs to do some tidying, and then it'll be.. wait for it.. one of their CHRISTMAS CDs. Most likely Chipmunks Christmas, possibly Brenda Lee. hahahahaa

I may be able to get my Elton John's greatest hits CD in there, as they like that one. Or maybe a Beatles CD as they like them.

Engels - Good idea to lower your expectations for the moment if your blood pressure is so low. By the way, I loved 'Bee Movie'! I bought it for DS2 to help him with his fear of bees. It was perfect for that purpose. (Enjoying gardening has helped him too, as he's learned to stay outside whilst bees are buzzing nearby).

Alice - you are on a roll with your DIY! (Did someone mention brownies...?).

ellie - brilliant that your DS enjoyed his summer school and now knows some of the DC who'll start at secondary in September. It's such a relief when plans like that work out well.

feet - hope your DC enjoy their summer clubs. (Am very envious of those with DC who will actually attend clubs ).

Mercury - good to hear that your day with your BF (and cuddles with her baby) helped you. But sorry to hear about your DGD's mini strokes .

Sleeping so late in the day really messed up my sleep last night and I don't want to think about how few hours I've slept. However, I'm determined to get things done today - and the earlier, the better, as I might flag later.

ta da

Washing on
D/W on
Breakfast

to do :

Turn computer off
Get dressed
Sort kitchen
Put rubbish out
Phone swimming pool to see if they're open
If so, take DS2 swimming
To library to collect first library challenge prize
Home for lunch
Work on statement wording
OU work (tutorial tomorrow)
Tidy dining-room table (again)

Hope everyone has a good day and is enjoying gorgeous weather.

Christmas?! I have started my Christmas shopping already but don't even know where the Christmas CD is! (probably in the Christmas box in the cellar since FL has me so organised!)

Atm I have Glenn Miller on but DS is clamouring for Thomas the Tank Engine or Scooby Doo so I may put one of them on and do the ironing in a bit.

Ta da
Wash on
Emptied plastic recycling bin

Thought this would give the Fledglings a laugh. I sent my DM a birthday card 2 days before her birthday so apologised to her for it arriving late when I got back from holiday (usually takes 3 days form here). She burst out laughing and said I had sent her TWO birthday cards as I left one in the cupboard when I went back in June Memory fail. Does this mean I don't have to get her one next year?

My arm is already tired.

Engels I have already got about half dozen things purchased and put aside for Christmas for the boys. A few more items that I'm hoping to make, and then one large item for our whole family, and that'll pretty much be it. The present I need to make sure to organise and send off by November 1st is the one for my mother. It'll have both her birthday and Christmas presents in it, and it has to go to the states, so needs plenty of travel time. I usually buy MIL some posh nibbly treats like lovely cheese, chocolates, wine - just a basket of things like that from myself and the dcs. She would never buy it for herself due to the expense, but she does enjoy it. And honestly she doesn't really need anything for her house or personal items, so this works well. Due to circumstances, my siblings and I don't buy gifts for each other or each other's children (most are grown up except mine and my younger sister's two youngest), so it's just easiest not to get involved in the hassle. We send Christmas cards to the families and leave it at that, as we're spread out all over the place abroad. Shipping things is just too expensive and sending money to each other is just a bit silly.

Last year I helped the boys pick out something to give to their dad for Christmas, but obviously he didn't do that for me, so I've decided this year it's just not going to happen. I'll picked out something for myself and purchase it, and be "surprised" when Father Christmas leaves it for me under the tree. But stbx can fend for himself, although I may encourage the dcs to draw him a Christmas picture or something like that.

sigh... I suppose... back to work again.

I'll pick out... good grief, my typing is awful in the morning

Ta da
Hoovered
Emptied hoover
'tidied up' last of the white chocolate and peanut butter blondies

Morning, no music here as DD is slobbing in front of CBBC.

Done
1 load laundry hung out
Another load laundry on
S&S
Cases put back on top of wardrobe, not under bed as DH suggested

To do
Clean litter tray
Wash rubbish bin
Complete bleugh
Contact lens check up
Ironing

Painting is done for now. Can't do the bottom landing as I can't get the wretched carpet tacks out, so will need to do some more work on them. The goal was to get the painting done by noon so I could have all the windows open and air out the paint smell throughout the day, so that's good.

I was going to do the plaster filling this afternoon, but I think I will wait and do it tonight after dcs are in bed. Less interference that way. And I will not be pleased if they pick the stuff out after I put it in (which I suspect they would, just out of curiosity).

So that leaves doing the small upholstery cleaning patch and organising the online shop.

I was going to also do some tidying upstairs, but I um... painted the stairs... Yes, I can go up them, but trying to limit the dcs going up and down them as you just KNOW they will step in the wet paint.

Didn't plan THAT very well, did I? Silly me. Guess we'll be tidying the upstairs tomorrow instead.

I POAS. It was negative, but still no sign of AF. To say I am disturbed is understating it. I have been to Boots and purchased more, and will be testing again at the end of the week should nothing appear. I'm getting so stressed now, and DH is being upbeat - and I want to batter him with a soggy kipper to get him to understand that while, yes, it's wouldn't be the end of the world, I DON'T WANT A BABY!!!

And flying has... flown off!

I POAS. It was negative, but still no sign of AF. To say I am disturbed is understating it. I have been to Boots and purchased more, and will be testing again at the end of the week should nothing appear. I'm getting so stressed now, and DH is being upbeat - and I want to batter him with a soggy kipper to get him to understand that while, yes, it wouldn't be the end of the world, I DON'T WANT A BABY!!!

And flying has... flown off!

I POAS. It was negative, but still no sign of AF. To say I am disturbed is understating it. I have been to Boots and purchased more, and will be testing again at the end of the week should nothing appear. I'm getting so stressed now, and DH is being upbeat - and I want to batter him with a soggy kipper to get him to understand that while, yes, it wouldn't be the end of the world, I DON'T WANT A BABY!!!

And flying has... flown off!

And why that posted twice I have no idea

actually it posted three times.

I imagine your DH is probably just trying to remain upbeat and positive because you're stressed over it. Best wishes for a negative later in the week, as it sounds like that's what you want.

hmmm... I didn't mean that to sound judgemental, just in case it came across that way. I think it always sounds a bit odd to say "hope it's negative" so it sounded a bit awkward.

I decided last night that I'm going to make a concerted effort to Baby step this month, I was feeling pretty chuffed that we had achieved so Much over the Weekend Including Three Loads Of Washing Done, Dried, ARE And My Task For Today Was To Just Get everything Put Away.

(Btw I have no idea why my phone is capitalising some words)

We all got up, we all got breakfasted and I'd got me and girls dressed, laid 13mo on the bed and she started being sick. In the space of a few minutes she got my bed, including the duvet folded on the floor, a pile of clean washing I was about to put away, she covered herself, me, the floors in my room, hall and bathroom. Meanwhile DH was ironing downstairs singing along to the radio oblivious.

So I'm now washing, disinfecting, bleaching and juggling a vomiting baby and an annoying 4 yo.

toffee thank you for the roundup I hope that cold buggers off quickly

mercury I'm so sorry for your loss and the sadness at the moment

carpe fingers crossed, could it simply be the stress of the new interview?

Sootball so sorry your little one is ill (and sharing the effects with everyone!). Hope the rest of your day goes a bit better. Vomiting is so stressful with babies, as obviously you can't hand them a bucket and say "make sure you throw up in this please" like you can with an older child. It just goes everywhere, as you said. Hope she is feeling better soon. (and that the rest of you don't get it!)

Oh no sootball .

Fx carpe

Ta da
2nd lot 8f washing now in td
made pizza dough for this evening

now settled ds down with dora (have never watched it in english before! ) while I mn and pick up my kindle.

Sootball - oh, the joys of a vomiting baby! I remember how uncontrollable it is at that age. DS1 once vomited all over our new landing carpet when he was only inches from the bathroom lino. Instead of being sympathetic, my first thought was, "Not on the new carpet - argh!" Best of luck with the washing.

Carpe - I wonder if it is the worry that is stopping AF? I have had that happen to me before now.

Alice - I couldn't help laughing at you not being able to tidy upstairs because you'd painted the stairs! Oh well, at least you have an excuse to defer it to another day.

Goth - well done, I spy a mission done.

Engels - that is very funny about your DM's card!

Right, I have been out and thoroughly exercised DS2, so now I think I deserve a nap to catch up on sleep.

ta da

Turned computer off
Got dressed
Sorted kitchen
Put rubbish out
Phoned swimming pool - yes, they have reopened
Took DS2 swimming (and the water was freezing, but he enjoyed it)
To library - no library challenge to collect as DS2 still reading his books, but borrowed several new books and reserved some others (saving money)
Bought some art stuff for DS2
Bought treat lunch at Caffe Nero
Home for lunch - DS1 very happy with surprise special lunch

DS2 is throughly worn out as we did a lot of walking in addition to the swimming, so he's now relaxing and playing on his DS.