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!

elliepac the trouble with being very reasonable is that people are apt to take advantage. Have you spoken with a solicitor? Hope you are looking after yourself too.

nicknacks I collapsed from an infected wisdom tooth, far more painful than labour!

carpe sounds a productive discussion with DH, I hope you discover one way or the other soon.

So it's insanely hot here. I've just walked down to the PO to collect a parcel and also stopped in at the shops to buy some food. Baby has been absolutely okay now for over 24 hours. I'm hoping it was from her cold rather than a bug - I had a ropey moment or two this morning but remembered I'd forgotten to eat and I'm really struggling with blood sugar dips at the moment.

Picnic lunch again today, need to;
Hang last wash load out
Put dry and aired items away
Pack nursery bags
Pack work bag
Write meal plan
Order food shop
Wipe down counters and deal with the crumb mountain

Marking my place and trying to catch up a bit! I always seem to struggle to get anything done in the school holidays but I must get back to babystepping. DCs are doing a swimming crash course this week at 9am which means an early start so the rest of the day seems to go on forever. I'm trying to pack to go away on Friday (complicated as staying in 3 different places including a 1 night stop over on the way when I don't want to unpack everything, one full board and one self catering). It is all the little bits and pieces like various chargers and books/toys for dcs, a few tupperware pots for picnics etc that make it more complicated - I have various lists going.

Any tips on decluttering a wardrobe? I have far too many clothes but most of them still fit and suit me - they just rarely get worn. Every time I try to have a clear out I try things on before deciding and then have trouble letting go even if I know I haven't worn it in years. Part of the problem is work clothes (I would need them if I go back to school teaching - unlikely to be for at least 3+ years), other smart clothes (rarely go out anywhere smart but might more as dcs get older) and walking clothes (unlikely do to proper hill-walking for a few years until dcs older). I did part with 1 carrier bag to a charity shop yesterday but it is a drop in the ocean.

I have a similar problem compounded by the fact I take a while to get to pre pregnancy size so I have my maternity clothes, my easy wash post baby toddler clothed and my rather nice mostly white stuff wardrobe.

A tip I was given was to put everything on hangers ans make outfits then put the hanger back to front in the wardrobe. Once worn and washed put hanger correct way. At the end of 6-12 months see what hasn't been chosen and sell or charity.

Sucky bags for excess clothes.

I know FlyLady says declutter and throw away, but I've done the "I don't wear it regularly, but it is useful" so I have a bag with things like waterproof trousers, decorating clothes etc.

ta da
strip my bed
strip ds' bed
empty contents of suitcase onto bed ready to be put away just need to tidy the where they go bit
30mins surface decluttering in my room
15mins decluttering in ds' room
consider the issue that is ds' bookshelves and try to make fit
10 mins decluttering in the bathroom
find cheque book Yay!
Wash my duvet
Put ds' duvet into the washer
meeting in another town
sort out new pages for pain diary
planning for week
sort out bank balances
1st half of shopping errands
Partially clear out email accounts
Start sorting out stuff to pass on to ds' cousins - football sticker swaps, too small clothes etc
Make list of uniform that needs to be acquired for sept
make list of uniform that needs seam re-enforcement also make mental note to tell child he needs to stop doing the splits in said uniform!
Unpack 2nd bag from wkend
repack with random balls of wool waiting to be made into projects
Print out paperwork for course later this month
Sort out maps for finding location and print.
Set up file for paperwork for new volunteer role

left on the to do list
book car in to get wheel bearing done
wash bedding
unpack bags from the last few days - some down some to go
take out rubbish and recycling
laundry
folding
ironing
clothes away
tackle some of the chaos in my room - in progress
look into getting a new laptop screen (this one is fooked)
empty car out
Consider amazon order
shopping errands - 2nd half

Yeah I know so much for a rest day. Don't worry I have a pile of DVDs that need watching later so that will ensure some rest occurs.

Glad to see you're back on form, Bitchy.

ta da

Dressed and washed hair
Swished and swiped in bathroom
Put out new bathroom towel and new loo roll
Put washing on
OU tutorial (phone)
Washed up everything that wouldn't fit in d/w
Cleared and wiped kitchen counters
Made pancakes and maple syrup for naughty-but-nice brunch
Washed up again
Took in online shopping delivery
Put shopping away
Hung washing out to dry
Put another wash on
Emptied 3 x bedroom bins
Emptied kitchen bin
Cleaned DS1's bedroom bin (signs of old pizza), bathroom bin, kitchen bin (mission!) and outdoor rubbish bin
Aired and made our bed
Room rescues - DS2's bedroom, our bedroom

Am now going to tackle the proposed statement. I've been through it before, but need to refresh my mind for tomorrow's meeting.

I have a similar problem compounded by the fact I take a while to get to pre pregnancy size so I have my maternity clothes, my easy wash post baby toddler clothed and my rather nice mostly white stuff wardrobe.

A tip I was given was to put everything on hangers ans make outfits then put the hanger back to front in the wardrobe. Once worn and washed put hanger correct way. At the end of 6-12 months see what hasn't been chosen and sell or charity.

Today I have been powered by smarties (yep the kids chocolate) rather than coffee. It is nice to be productive on not reliant on caffine

Still having the dcs walking carefully up the stairs, as I've touched up the paint job. Don't want painty footprints trailing through the house.

Just finished the online shop to be delivered tomorrow. Trying Iceland for the first time for delivery. I'm irritated at Sainsburys, and don't really like Tescos and Waitrose didn't have a slot open until Thursday and I need groceries tomorrow. So that's that. Iceland it is. They had everything I needed, so I guess it's not a huge deal. probably cheaper.

And trying to sort the water bill, but it's locked me out temporarily as I typo'd the password. Just trying to PAY it, for heaven's sake. Don't be so difficult!!!!

Lots of fiddly things to do today but not very motivated, tbh.

ta da
strip my bed
strip ds' bed
empty contents of suitcase onto bed ready to be put away just need to tidy the where they go bit
30mins surface decluttering in my room
15mins decluttering in ds' room
consider the issue that is ds' bookshelves and try to make fit
10 mins decluttering in the bathroom
find cheque book Yay!
Wash my duvet
Put ds' duvet into the washer
meeting in another town
sort out new pages for pain diary
planning for week
sort out bank balances
1st half of shopping errands
Partially clear out email accounts
Start sorting out stuff to pass on to ds' cousins - football sticker swaps, too small clothes etc
Make list of uniform that needs to be acquired for sept
make list of uniform that needs seam re-enforcement also make mental note to tell child he needs to stop doing the splits in said uniform!
Unpack 2nd bag from wkend
repack with random balls of wool waiting to be made into projects
Print out paperwork for course later this month
Sort out maps for finding location and print.
Set up file for paperwork for new volunteer role
book car in to get wheel bearing done
wash bedding
unpack bags from the last few days - some down some to go
Wash and destone around 2kg + of plums
put plums on to simmer for jam making
go have a look at the garden - a few home grown runner beans for tea but lots of seeds for next year, corgettes look to be a right off
shopping errands - 2nd half
rummage around in freeze for tea - mix and match as clearing out
sort out medicine box
Sort out alternative route to work tomo
Wash ds' blankets

Will get carried over until tomo as have run out of energy!
take out rubbish and recycling
laundry
folding
ironing
clothes away
tackle some of the chaos in my room - in progress
look into getting a new laptop screen (this one is fooked)
empty car out
wash up jam jars
Add sugar to plums and boil up
work

Oh poo, just realised i need to remake my bed I think i have earnt my evening of films.

Wow Bitchy, that's quite some list! Jam making sounds fun, is it fairly easy?

DS has been unwell and clingy today so not a vast amount more done. He's finally asleep.

Still to do:
Fill out nursery paperwork
Pay water bill
Pay nursery fees
Make shopping list
Meal plan

All can be done whilst parked on sofa.

Bitchy, your list is awesome! It has inspired me into action

Ta da
Declutter boys' room
sort and put away washing
Stash preschool uniforms and put new school uniforms away in DCs rooms
Order shoe shine kit
Take DCs swimming
Wash swimming kit
Empty and refill dishwasher
Clean kitchen
Bath and clean PJs for DCs

To do
Get kids to bed no mean feat

Short list here today, as we spent most of the day on the croft.

Done
S&S
Litter tray
Library
Worked on compost heap
Planted salad leaves & beetroot
Had a bonfire
Did 'big' shop at Morrisons
Dinner
Washing up & SS

Actually it is time consuming, hot and bloody messy. Depending on the Jam will depend on how easy it is. Plum jam is just plum (washed and individually destoned), a proportional amount of water and sugar but you have to find the setting point and i fooked that up a bit with the batch of rhubarb jam i made the other month it's a tad overset When i have lots of energy I enjoy it, these days is it is a chore to be endured so that the nice jam is there. Randomly i found an entire 15lbs worth of strawberry jam from 2(?) years ago that i have forgotten about. Thankfully i sealed the jars when hot so they are still fit to eat but feeling rather about it. Might have to make a batch of waffles next week when ds is back to help with the eating up.

I forgot to watch the films, i got out the pain journal and have been working on a huge amount of that (i have actually spent the last 3 hours doing it) Did pop on to sort out a chart/scale for monitoring a few bits to test a theory on a pain trigger but as it is nearly 11pm I think i will be better served to go to bed and do it tomo.

Tomorrow it's time for Babystep Number 6: spend two minutes putting out your hotspot.

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day.

The mission is to scrub the kitchen faucets with an old toothbrush.

Tomorrow's flight plan is here.

Aiming for a respectable bedtime tonight so that I am wide awake for the meeting with the LEA tomorrow. Wish I wasn't so nervous about it.

Night all.

Good luck with the meeting toffee

Good luck toffee, will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Dress to kill and keep a calm appearance. Make and take notes. I'll check later to see how you got on.

Good luck Toffee - def take notes and ask them to repeat anything you are unsure about. Hope nerves disappear soon and you get what you want from meeting.

Coffee - jam is fairly simple but I always make a mess when putting it into the jars. The whole setting point thing can be what takes the time - boil, test, boil, test, boil test. But it gets easier over time and DS is keen to do the testing :) I tend to just get on with other things whilst making it and keep an eye on it in passing but I have been making it for years. Started early this year as picked 20lbs plums a few w/es ago. Now have approx 20 jars of various plum jam plus several more of spicy plum sauce. Then decided to clear the freezer of the remnants of last year's pickings so have 6 jars hedgerow jelly (i.e. random hedgerow fruit) and will finish off some spicy plum and apple jelly today (tastes like mulled wine at the moment :))

Shattered DC here - DD loving Summer School (such a great idea to get them familiar with school/staff/each other/etc whilst doing fun things) and DS spent all day at Whipsnade with his Summer camp. Today they have cricket (DD) and caving (DS) and another early night I suspect :)
I have spent the time reasonably productively although DH and I have sneaked off to have lunch out both days so far :o
Today I am going to do a little bit of work and then a massive house bleurgh as the house has descended into a pit of despair. I'm going to go against Flylady a bit (rebel), pretend I am the cleaner that didn't work out, put on some loud music and try and do what I was going to get her to do in 2 hours. All it may prove is that I am not a professional cleaner but hopefully the house will look a lot more presentable by the end .

So today's list includes:

• Sort work payment
• All up, fed and out
• Bathroom
• DS's room
• DD's room
• Our room
• Landing
• Stairs
• Living room
• Shower room
• Hall
• Kitchen

• Large quantity of coffee cake :)

Best do the work bit before waking everyone.
If I'm not back by lunchtime please send out a search party...

Sorry, that was bait of an epic

Morning all.

Good luck today toffee

sootballs I have just boxed up clothes that will not fit me for the next 9-12 months and it is so lovely to be able to see what I can actually wear rather than fight my way through piles of stuff. I would keep out one or two smart outfits, then put the rest in storage, clearly labelled and dated.

Day 2 of laziness. Overdid it again yesterday morning somehow so was collapsed on the sofa all afternoon. Today I'm going for collapsed on the sofa with my kindle ALL day

Yesterday's ta da list
one load of washing
supermarket
town for maternity clothes and stationery

today's to do list
pay dm and df's holiday let (Dutchie so easier if I do it)
Order anniversary card online (have a lovely photo from this year)
Pop into town superquickly to change notebook (noticed it's damaged under wrapping).

I am very excited by my purchase on amazon last night. A new lovely fountain pen with a refillable cartridge and some green ink and a lovely large aqua blue moleskine Going to have to wait for it though as they wanted £20 to send to the Netherlands and only £1 for delivery (think it was only the ink that was charged) to the UK. Will have to wait though as not going to be in UK for 3 weeks.

Engles what fountain pen did you get? Link? I love love love stationary, especially moleskine books. DH bought me a Montblanc pen one Christmas and I use it everyday? With purple ink. Bliss. And enjoy your kindle day.

Toffee, I've no idea what goes on at those meetings, but wishing you good luck and fortitude

DH is working at home today so I'm getting a lie in while he got up with DS. Must try to tackle some kitchen cupboards today and the two scary looking kitchen hotspots.

I may give up on the jam making idea then, it's just we have the biggest blackberry bushes in existence round here ANC I fancied making stuff this year.

Stationary lover here too although I am a slouch at writing letters.

Friend coming over for a bit today so not really planning on much more than the routine cleaning. I am still sewing the cushion covers. I cut up a jumper last night and am sewing that for a cover right now.

Thanks for all the good lucks. Wish I wasn't so apprehensive. I just feel sure they're going to say no to everything I ask for and then I won't know what to do - just sit there and feel silly and powerless, I suppose.

Am going to be asking for CBT to help DS1 get to school (arguing it's an educational need as much as a health one), 1:1 support in lessons and access to a laptop: all vital to his education, but none of them in the proposed statement. Am also hoping I'll hear whether they have agreed with our chosen school.

Have just cooked pancakes for the boys (last thing I wanted to do this morning, but they were very persuasive) and am about to go and slap some make up on. Not sure I'll be dressed to kill, Kia, but your post has made me wonder if I should wear a smart jacket so that I look as if I know what I'm doing.

Will report back later.

Best of luck with the meeting, Toffee.

To do
Dress
Make bed
Unload dishwasher
Load of washing washed and dried
Clean down in utility room
2 sofa throws washed
Hoover downstairs
Hoover upstairs
Hotspot