Fledglings polish their pumpkins and do their best, it's time for a Fling Boogie Octoberfest!

[Stewedcoot]

Heartfelt thanks to Engels (and Bitchy!) for leading the thread throughout September (Sept always being a busy one) despite feeling a bit poorly and despite being pregnant. Hope beneficial effects of injections kick in soon!

If you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, support and and along the way.

Flylady link here.

This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in zones of the house which are designated weekly; defining and minimising housework, which in theory should leave you with loads more time to do something more interesting instead!

At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again!

It's up to you, but we advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's steps and routines using 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 if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]

More info here on getting started and Flying lessons . Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings.

Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound!

Three key points to keep in mind:
(1)No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine
(2)You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
(3) It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

If you are new; then trying to spend 15mins decluttering daily and doing the babysteps is a good way to start. Some of us (mentioning no names!) can have scary looking lists but don't let that worry you! Do what you can, anything is better then nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

If all else fails, a brew + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders!

Oh and don’t let it put you off if we appear a bit cliquey – some of us have been on here for years – but all lurkers, intermittent returnees, oldies and newcomers very, very welcome!

I went to John lewis because it was closer and I couldn't be arsed to drive up to Hobby craft for one bloody thing. Hobby craft might have been fractionally cheaper but is right in the centre of down. The local fent shop might have been cheaper but you can't park so have to walk miles. It was just easier and i reckon the difference in price was probably balanced by the difference in petrol anyway

Didn't buy any wool though as saving that for my day out to the big wool shop next week and the online order I am putting in later

I have lost some important paperwork. I suspect i put it in a safe place. This is truely deadly!

Ta da
wash out and wash#2 on
spicy carrot and potato soup done
rhubarb crumble done

ah....feel relaxed now. Lots to do this coming week at home and for school, but I'll get there and there's no rush.

Feeling like crap, just taken a very brightly colour med tablet that is going to send me doolay and then give me a headache, but the short term pain is worth the long term gain. Finally succumbed and had a very long chat with the pharmacist and now have something to help me sleep. It is a compromise and I am only allowed it if I don't take other meds plus I am only allowed to take absolute minimum dose and for no more than 3 days to tide me other the weekend on the promise I go have a med review next week. Ironically I can only take it today as I HAVE to be up early on sunday and can't risk being drowsy so can't take it tomo. But one good night's sleep has to be better than nothing right?

I missed a few of my "to do" things today, but got most of it done. So this evening is relaxation time.

Evening all. Just going to post links and run if that's ok because it's been a very long day and have early start in the morning. Bitchy hope you are feeling a bit better this evening! Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Baby-step no. 18 for Sat 18th Oct is here. Have a look at Flylady's eleven commandments (and ignore nos 4 & 10).

Saturday is our last day in Zone 3: the bathroom and one other room here . Declutter for 15 mins in this zone (if you do Zone work at weekends that is.)

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 3 is here.

No missions because it is the weekend.

The daily focus for Saturday is: family fun.

The monthly habit for October is getting rid of paper clutter: www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/october/ .

For a summary of the above, see the flight plan : www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 which should update itself daily.

G'night!

Toffee ooh I love the kitten club, sounds like sort of Crufty

Well today went slightly better housekeeping wise:

cleared bathroom completely so cleaning lady could deep clean
ditto front room - shook out rug, swept grate, moved toys, so she could clean windows, and mop floor and polish. It smells lovely now because of the Method wood floor cleaner

and she cleaned the kitchen whilst I was out.
Home ed football went well
Saw SIL and her little ones, babysat for them briefly with ds2's help

Then came home and did further cleaning efforts..more to make dd's room look fresh and sparkling (although it wasn't too bad)
put away some more laundry

soup for supper (from Morrisons)

Dh home, long chat and wine..children refusing to go to bed though. Ds1 giving impassioned rendering of The Apprentice to Dh. Ds2 has gone completely beserk and is talking at top of his voice and driving us all mad so not so good. But may be just shock of return of beloved Dad..

Dd being charming after yesterday's upset, think she has realised her family is quite a safe place

Bitchy - hope the sleep meds work and you feel better soon.

Thanks for the links, SC. Sorry you have an early start tomorrow.

Swan - I love the smell of Method floor polish too. You sound very on top of things today. Good to hear your DH is back home with you.

ta da

To nurse for DS1's appointment, but minus DS1, who refused to come
At least I was able to take in a urine sample for DS1 - no protein, so he doesn't have a urine infection at least
To chemist to pick up all DS1's meds
Home for lunch and to remind DS1 about his online lesson at 1pm
Failed to rouse DS1 from sleep, so cancelled his lesson
Contacted SENCO at specialist school to put her in touch with DS1's therapist
Home ed with DS2 (very easy day today - we made fudge, then watched 'Watchdog' )
Checked on DS1 periodically - still sleeping
Washing up
DS1 finally woke up at 4pm
Made snack for DS1
Nap
Dinner
Out for drink with friend

I now have loads of melatonin, thanks to the doctor prescribing enough to tide us over. Funnily enough, I came back from the chemist clutching the tablets, only to find a letter on the mat containing a form for me to order a repeat prescription from the company used by CAMHS, which I did straight away. No chance of running out for a while now.

Off to bed soon. Not sure whether DS1 will be able to sleep after his massive sleep today. I think he must have a virus. He says he feels better now, so maybe he's slept it off. He's taken melatonin, so he might be able to get to sleep before dawn if he's lucky. At least, now he's older, I don't have to stay up with him when he's still wide awake.

Morning, fledglings.

The boys have asked to have a "tea party" today, so that is our afternoon activity. Dress up the table, and put together a lovely tea party.

This morning I'm just tidying, organising, doing everything I can to declutter while keeping track of the dcs. I moved my little fold up wooden table up to my room, along with a stray chair, so now I have a small workplace to do my craft work upstairs. I will really be able to organise my room better once I replace the bed, but I probably won't be able to do that until spring, as I want a smaller bed (double) and that means buying a new mattress and bedding, which adds to the price. It will make such a huge difference to my room though because the bed completely takes over the room right now.

Today I'm trying to find a creative and organised way to keep the hats, gloves, and scarves out where we can access them but not have them in this big bucket cluttering up the area. I'm tempted to hang each child's items (generally 2 of each) in a cloth bag from their hook by their coat and do the same with mine, tucking any extra in a cupboard for spares. Feasible?

Afternoon all! [snaffles *Toffee's croissants gratefully] Congrats on having such productive Fridays!

Absolutely gloriously warm and sunny day here! Really lovely!

Alice I had the exact same problem and I ended up moving a small chest of drawers we already had down to hall and it now houses all gloves, scarves hats (in separate drawers) and works really, really well. Just need to buy a mirror to hang alongside it and hang up some coat hooks and it will all work together (ie no need for running up and downstairs to first floor mirror to check yourself before leaving house).

One drawer of chest given over to cables, tablets, cameras, charges and all the technical equip dh leaves all over the place and one drawer (nearly empty so far) for big jumpers used in garden or downstairs when it is really cold.

Sorry to write two paras about a boring chest but it is one of those pieces of storage that has made things so much easier you wouldn't believe it!

Enjoy your tea party this afternoon! Lovely day for it!

Toffee hope your ds1 was able to sleep last night and has recovered from his virus.

We actually had an early start for nice sociable reasons this morning (friends around for breakfast) DD had actually recovered enough by yesterday afternoon to go back to school (and no v & d involved and she no longer had temp so we deemed it safe to entertain today and we'd all spoken about it and as it happened some of our friends had been ill too so we all decided to go ahead). Dh excelled himself and did all the cooking while I lice combed dd's hair.

Lice are back btw. We have done the treatment rigorously on day 0, day 3, day 7 for 3 weeks we were all totally clear after the first week. And yet dd has now been reinfected some time since Wednesday . I'm really cross about it, not to mention spending a fortune on special shampoo which range between Euros 13 and 22 a bottle!

Glad your dh safely home Swan and well done on all the pre- and post- cleaner organisation!

Hope you are feeling much more rested today Bitchy [puts strong brew on stove]

Like the sound of all of your delicious cooking Engels

Right, had better go and start on the washing up!

Enjoy your Saturdays everyone!

Meant to say Engels glad your ds is feeling better!

Both boys were very pleased with the tea party, although I don't think we will be going to a fancy tea at a posh place any time soon. They were both a bit... errr... exciteable.

Ds is still in Pjs too. He has been asked to get dressed and he is being rude. He is now banned from anything to do with minecraft. And if he does not get dressed he is going out in his pjs!

ta da
1 load washing
pick up some meds
deal with a delivery
clear out car
hoover car
check lights and fluids

There is a lot to be done and I am getting fed up with the attitude of ds when he doesn't get his way. Which is complete contrast to yesterday when we was significantly helpful without being asked.

SC I've emptied out a plastic dresser and placed it at the bottom of the stairs by the doorway (under the coat rack). It now has gloves, hats, scarves for the dcs in the top drawer, mine plus the high vis stuff in the middle drawer, and our umbrella and picnic blanket in the bottom drawer. The boys' wellies sit nicely in the indented tray on top. Sorted.

Bitchy General one day per weekend is a pyjama day for the boys. We're not going anywhere, they're just playing, and less clothing for me to wash. Win-win.

PJ day is one thing. Screaming you are bored is another thing. I wouldn't care if he was happy pj but screaming and stropping means you go the fuck out to the house before I want to kill you. Minecraft is so very very banned from the house now. He is on warning that sponge bob is about to follow.

Oh dear, cats have got fleas..ordered some Advantage from Amazon as frontline obviously didn't work Oldest cat has some sort of flea allergy too. Another reason to get rid of the telly sofa as it is where they sleep at night...

done
today ds1 went to Rugby
ds2 went to Stagecoach
and dd had a pj day.
Made pork stew for lunch with rice and peas and salad

Ds2 is unfortunately screaming now because he stubbed his toe after coming back from grocery shop with dh.

All three children have done some chores as I've become enraged by the amount of toiling dh and I do in comparison to our little darlings ..ds2 did recycling, ds1 took rubbish out, dd hung out washing, and everyone changed their own sheets (except ds2 who had done that recently) Dh is making some supper with the kids from Jamie Oliver, I hope.

also saw friend for coffee on way back from dropping ds1 off at Rugby. She is in the middle of a big building project.

I have done nothing today! Well I went to work and collected DS from a party. Ta da indeed :o

Hello! This is the point in the evening where we finish watching Strictly, (another 2 hrs of my life I'll never get back) and I bugger off while dh and dd watch Dr Who. They always want me to stay and watch it, but, aside from first and last episodes, I always say I have Mnsetting chores to do ... .

Owing to early start it has seemed like a long day and I've fitted a lot more in than usual and it hasn't seemed rushed, and everyone a bit chirpier than of late (despite us all fighting low grade virus thing which seems to come and go). So think I am going to be a bit more disciplined about Sat mornings in future.

That's what Saturdays are all about Fuzzpig very pleased to hear you have rested up a bit!

Alice your boys are lovely and certainly look as though they are having a good time!

Glad you have the hall storage sorted; I think drawers will be hopefully less faddly than drawstring bags (esp when in a rush to leave the house) although I always love the idea of customised bags (but perhaps better for things used fairly infrequently). Good idea about keeping high viz stuff in there; ours are currently draped messily all over bikes in front hall - and re: picnic rug and umbrellas - going to copy you there!)

Also going to follow Swan's good example and crack the whip a bit wrt dd's chore chart tomorrow. She is meant to do a chore a day, five days out of seven and has managed a measly two this wk! She's fine when you are there to do a chore with her, she just hates going off and doing anything on her own.

Glad you managed some time out to see a friend today and congrats for surviving another early Sat rugby start.

[Imagines sponge Bob with spotted handkerchief on a pole, exiting *Bitchy's house] Sorry you had such a testing afternoon and hope things have settled a bit this eve.

Big feathery waves to everyone else!

Oops that penultimate para was intended for Bitchy but emboldening went awry!

Back in a mo with links

**

Baby-step no. 19 for Sun 19th Oct is here. One to ignore (imo) about testimonials and making your house in to a b&b or some'at ... .

Sunday is our first day in Zone 4: the master bedroom or boudoir as we prefer to call it (fleglings having no Masters thank you very much, oh no) here and here . Declutter for 15 mins in this zone (if you do Zone work at weekends that is.)

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 4 is here.

No missions because it is the weekend.

The daily focus for Sunday is: here doing something to renew your spirit, such as reading a good book, going for a long walk, taking a bubble bath.

The monthly habit for October is getting rid of paper clutter: www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/october/ .

For a summary of the above, see the flight plan : www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 which should update itself daily.

G'night!

**

Ok random sort of flying question. When making green tomato chutney what vinegar do i use. Malt? Distilled? pickling? No intention of eating the stuff it is to get rid of all the fecking green tomatoes that are cluttering up the ironing board and kitchen window sil.

SC Thank you. They are a handful, but a blessing as well. (and silly.. let's not forget silly... )

Should probably mention I have several takers for the chutney but no fecker wants to make it themselves and I don't want to come into contact with my dad's attempt!

Malt vinegar should be fine, I think, Bitchy.

Today has been mostly cooking, but did also do some gardening and a walk to the library. Was meant to be family fun, but the boys hadn't read the script and kept fighting. Hey ho.

Morning fledglings!
Have woken and finding it hard to get back to sleep.
Yesterday was a busy day, though actual flying was thin on the ground...

TaDa:

• Ordered a door for between kitchen and utility room.
• Chose flooring for 2 rooms.
• Chose appliances (including a DISHWASHER! ) for the new kitchen along with a washing machine. Just need to decide if we really need a double oven or if a single oven will do...any advice? We have managed fine to date with just a single oven.
• Got muddled in the tile shop but at least I came home with samples to show DH.
• Cobbled together a breakfast and dinner but didn't wash any of the dishes roll on the dishwasher

Collapsed spectacularly after DH left for work, then got some energy and hit the bathroom and decluttered ALL (at least 11 years worth!) of my cosmetics and makeup bags and products....now, I haven't reorganised the ones I am keeping yet but there was a massive fling boogie!!!! Makeup/cosmetic bags are all going into a pillow case and into the washing machine today, then I shall sort out what's left!

I've just spotted the cat curled up in our bed at DH's feet! This is sacrilege! Off to evict him before DH awakes. He has already laid down a rule that the cats aren't allowed into the new house at all.