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!

Morning all!

DS made a lightening recovery but unfortunately gave it to so I spent Saturday night from 8.30pm tp 4.30am hugging the toilet then entertaining 20 guests for ds's birthday party and insomnia last night from 2 till 6.

Tryin to be realistic about what I can achieve today wth ds. Everyday housework can wait.

to do
work on one unit of work for ml handover
sort one bag/box/draw in ds's room in preparation for furniture switchover this week
last injection
dentist
mw appt this evening

Tomorrow I am childfree so will be cracking on with ds/baby room and schoolwork.

okay, must not spend time on mn today so bb much later!

Just finished some coffee and now me and my sander are going to do some work on the bannister. Then I'll be doing some light sanding in ds1's room, filling some holes in ds2's room and my room.

I'm setting my schedule. I'm going to get some painting done on Thursday morning and Friday during the day. DS2 doesn't have school on Friday, but I'm hoping if I am painting his room that day, he will be excited enough about getting it done to either 1-help without being crazy silly or 2-understand that if he stays in the other room I can get it done quicker and he can enjoy it quicker. Here's hoping. And if I work it right, I can get ds1's room painted that day too. Fingers crossed. I'm planning on buying "one coat" paint as I think it'll just be less hassle.

Toilet repair got rescheduled from last Friday as they couldn't get here in the time they stated, so it's been rescheduled to this Friday, so best day to paint as I'm going to be stuck at home most of the day anyway waiting for toilet repair. Two birds, one stone, eh?

I have a dental appointment this week, which I'm sorely tempted to reschedule, as I really have a lot on already and it's just a check up. It will completely clear one day for me..... I can get a LOT of DIY done that day. Hmmmm.....

Yes, Groundhog Day is a good description!

Okay. I've done it. Rescheduled the appointment. Now to get to work getting things done.

Coffee sounds good this morning, especially as DD's back at school this morning after half term.

Engles sounds like you should take it easy today.

Done
Beds
Laundry on
Packed lunch
Washing up
Litter tray
S&S

To Do
Vacuuming
Tidy in bedroom
Baking
Paperwork
Collect DD & friend from school
Dd to karate
Visit neighbour in hospital
knitting more cowls for shop.
Sew buttons on completed cowls

BBL

I think I'm going to have to give in and accept that I cannot get all the sanding done with just the sander. There are some areas that the sander won't fit into properly in the bannister, so I'm going to have to get a chemical paint stripper for that. Definitely something to do when dcs are in school. So perhaps tomorrow I will check out what B&Q has to offer.

Right I have rested long enough! Time to get on with stuff...

Definitely taking it easy goth

On the bright side it was so lovely yesterday we ended up having the party outside in our jungle of a garden so clearing up was a breeze and I had tidied the lounge/downstairs on Saturday thinking we'd be inside so have relatively tidy house.

alice you are like a whirlwind! Good luck with all your plans.

have gone for schoolwork option so on laptop trying to get my shit together for my maternity covers (3 different people are taking over my classes - I like to think it's because I'm superwoman and no one has the skills I have ).

Ta da
-Overview of subject 1 completed and emailed to new teacher with list of reminders at the end of all the different things I have to tell him/pass on.
-Made kraamzorg home visit appointment
-Made 2 long oevrdue appointments to see friends, 1 with a group here (easier since all I have t do is provide coffee, tea and cake and not leave the hosue or worry about DS wrecking somewhere else) and 1 with a friend who has a new baby and a DS the same age as my DS

So, coffee finished, Dumbo on and now going to try and work through units/resources one by one. If I try and do one a day this week (DS is cooperating today so doable, but I may do some in the evenings as well - easier when not stressing about school during the day).

Once this week is over I should be able to start focusing on baby since furniture will be up and I can start sorting attic stuff/packing hospital bag etc.

Updated List
Beds
Laundry on
Packed lunch
Washing up
Litter tray
S&S
Vacuuming
Put last lot of summer nightclothes in vacuum bags
Tidy in bedroom
Trip to library to photocopy some paperwork

To do
Fill in paperwork (with )
Baking
Collect DD & friend from school
Dd to karate
Visit neighbour in hospital
knitting more cowls for shop.
Sew buttons on completed cowls

Nearly finished unit number 1 (out of 8-10 I have to get prepared for this teacher and subject). Going quicker than I thought it would - I have all the resources and instructions neede, but they're all in a haphazard order that only I could understand!

Just having a lunch break now with DS and then a viewing of Kung Fu Panda is scheduled while I press on with school work. Must set an alarm for my injection or I'll forget!

Bah. Mondays are shit. Managed fuck all but laundry! (Scuse language)

Okay, that's it. Done sanding for the day. Hands are tingly and I've had to vacuum the entire house. I've also swept, filled more dents/holes in walls (who knew there were so many?? and where the blazes do they all come from?? ), and sanded a bunch of others (stupidly AFTER I vacuumed and had to vacuum again!).

I want more coffee and lunch now.

Oh, and the meatballs have been browned and are cooking in bolognaise sauce in the slow cooker for tonight's supper. (or is it tea? )

Have survived my scary thing and done very little else but neck .

Need to get the boys in a bit, then cook, keep them quiet and hope DH gets back in time for me to go to choir.

Blue impressed at scary thing. Also on a coffee day (will be wired, usually only drink tea)

Apologies for it being a list day

Updated List
Beds
Laundry on
Packed lunch
Washing up
Litter tray
S&S
Vacuuming
Put last lot of summer nightclothes in vacuum bags
Tidy in bedroom
Trip to library to photocopy some paperwork
Finally knitted flowers and leaves to finish bonnet I made this summer.
Completed application form and handed in to local card shop
Collect DD & friend from school

To do
Fill in paperwork - postponed, not got full information on what's required
Get butter so I can do....
Baking
Dd to karate
Dinner
Washing up & SS
Visit neighbour in hospital
knitting more cowls for shop.
Sew buttons on completed cowls

Hello, hope all well. Sorry no time for personals (lots on this eve and dh travelling) so just going to post links for tomorrow and be back then! Apologies!

**

Baby-step no. 21 for Tues 21st is here. A totally ignorable one about checking out Flylady FAQs but feel free ... .

We are in Zone 4 this week: the master bedroom or boudoir as we prefer to call it here. Declutter for 15 mins in this zone.

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

Tuesday's mission can be found here. 15 mins tackling the clothes pile(s) - putting them away.

The daily focus for Tuesday is: planning trips, projects, medical appts, dare I say it ... Christmas?

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.

Big feathery waves to all!

Glad your neighbour a bit better Goth, hope she continues to improve

Had my cousins to lunch today. Downstairs was clean and tidy thanks to cleaning lady (who was here yet again and she washed the floor of utility.

But upstairs [sigh] it is as bad as ever, not that I couldn't have tidied it in half an hour, just that that half an hour was spent rustling up lunch for slightly awkward guests.. Not to speak of the wonderful impression that 3 enormous bags of decluttering must have left on the front porch..and some dog pee that a neighbour's dog just happened to leave in the front hall (very sweet dog, I think she got over excited)

Sigh. I need to have more people to lunch, really I do. It feels like the most exhausting ordeal pretending I live like normal people and it shouldn't be that way!!!!![grrr]

Anyway ds2 was very pleased to see my cousin's son so that was good. They played Subbiteo together for a long time, then Badminton.

Exercise (walked to shops, decluttered some clothes and carried heavy shopping back)

Dh took ds2 out for breakfast earlier for another long walk.

I think your workshop sounds brilliant Blue - something for secondary schools too I hope.

That workshops sounds brilliant blue !

swan the downstairs of my house only ever gets cleaned when people are coming round. I have some friends round a week Friday for the afternoon so it'll get tidied then as well! Upstairs still most definitely s hit-tip though.

Ta da
injection
dentist (I have lovely teeth, "especially since I'm English" . Nationality's got nothing to do with it Mr Dentist with a porsche - who charges a million euro for 5 minutes it seems - since my husband has fillings and I don't And since you ask, I still have 10 weeks left to go before baby is due - another "not long now" wanker...I know people are just trying to make conversation but SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!)

Okay, pregnancy rage has cleared

Ta da cont
washing up
kitchen bin, food scrpas bin and plastic recycling bin emptied
bins out for tomorrow
kitchen floor swept
wash away
wash on (tablecloth from yesterday - why is it that even with cups and saucers some muppet STILL manages to spill coffee all over the table?)
change bag restocked

to do
ds to bed
mw appt
take leftover wine round to MIL I may siphon off one glass, but will do so AFTER my disapproving mw appt.
Do a bit mroe planning this evening.

Okay, BBL. Love half term

I have just realised that in order to make tomato sauce from the ripe tomatoes and green tomato chutney, so i can get rid of the fecking tomato that are currently decorating the kitchen windowsil, I am going to have to peel all the fecking things. Some of them are quite small. Whose bright fucking idea was this anyway. This is soooo not going to be a fun job! And it is going to have to go on my list of stuff to do this week. :(

I am impressed at all the various flapping going on here today!

Alice My hat comes off to you for tackling all that sanding and DIY!

Blue Good for you with workshop!

Engels You have 10 whole weeks left - relax a little! Plenty of time for room switch etc.. Shocked at level of prep you have to leave for your substitute teachers. I have to leave an overview of the work we have covered in each subject and the work I would like covered while I an gone. But we are talking about simple lists of topics/skills...not lesson plans and resources !

Swan well done on hosting lunch!

Goth, Bitchy and Sc well done on getting through the day! I haven't managed a whole lot...

TaDa:
*Antenatal appt (all good!)
*Work
*Sorted house insurance renewal
*Called in to drink a cuppa with DSiL
*Cooked a roast dinner and had my mum and sister for dinner with us. They are staying nearby for a few nights and it's lovely to have them!
*Left a list for DH this morning and he has managed all of his jobs!

ToDo:
*Wash dishes
*Reorganise cosmetics now that bags are nice and clean and dry.
*Reboot laundry
*Iron an outfit for tomorrow
*Pack a small box of books up.
*Watch latest episode of Downton Abbey on Player as I missed it! Love Downton!

Bitchy I could be wrong but I think if you drop tomatoes into a pot of boiling water they skins peel off easily? Google that though - don't take my word for it!

Fuzzpig well done on sorting laundry! My Mt. Washmore still looms before me...and I'm feeling so tired!

It was the approach i was going to take but i reckon i probably have around 101 of the fucking things to peal!!

Sorry to have been awol so much recently, I am flapping along but am trying to do an hour of OU work every night after the DCs have gone to bed plus juggling all the usual stuff. Having a lull from the statement stuff at the moment which helps, but the uncertainty it brings is very unsettling. Parents evening tonight, glowing feedback for DS (who is very happy at school at the moment) is making me question why I am doing it .

I made some red onion chutney last week from a recipe on BBC Good Food, had to cook it for about 4 hours longer than the recipe said plus throw in a load of jam sugar to get it to thicken but oh boy does it taste good.

Flying wise - finally got my bedroom floor clear after what seems like months of it being covered in bits and bobs and just shoving the hoover nozzle in between all the crap, it does make the room feel more relaxing I must say. Higher surfaces are all a bit piled up with stuff though.

We've decided we need a 6 month action plan for the DCs bedrooms, they share at the moment but we are planning for them to separate out in the next year. Rooms need new furniture, but before that new paint and carpets and before that some re-plastering. Both rooms are small, so we need to pick furniture very carefully to make sure they have enough storage, room for desks etc. It also has a knock on effect as at the moment they are in bunk beds which will be converted to high sleepers but we will have to lose our spare single bed and reconsider what we do for overnight guests, the DCs won't mind going back in together for the odd night but we can't put Grandma in a high sleeper!