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!

Sorry Toffee just re-read first sentence of earlier post about Marie Kondo and it sounds horribly snippy! NOT intended that way AT ALL! Just meant 'if you look down thread' in completely factual way ifyswim!!!

[SC lurches off to polish size 13s]

No offence taken, SC. Don't worry.

WhoKnows - I had a listen to the home ed bit on the Peter Allen show - thanks again for the tip. Both home-ed families were very articulate and did a good job of explaining the choice.

ta da

Ds2 to the hairdresser
Smartie points for DH who tidied the sitting room, hoovered and loaded the d/w whilst we were out
Heated up yesterday's veg soup for lunch
Annoying altercation with DS1
Decluttered six shelves in two kitchen cupboards (in spite of constant interruptions from cats, boys and a husband)

DH is now giving DS2 a geography lesson. It's lovely to delegate the home ed, for a change, and as I mistook the M20 for a river on the new map of Britain we've just bought, we decided he should cover geography .

Toffee you made me laugh [ruefully] with your happy reading of the Magician's Nephew. Never have I found a book so thrilling...the bit in the wood where they put on coloured rings, and the terrifying dark world of Charn (or whatever it's called). We have a big illustrated version that none fo the children has ever read. A while back, I found ds2 wasn't really listening one day to my Tudors or whatever so I told him we were going to start an exciting new book. And started reading M N. Within three pages he was sticking his fingers in his ears...NOT a CSLewis fan then I returned to David Almond forthwith

I read somewhere that the biggest mistake of home edding or in parenting can be to try and pass on your love of something to your children, when it can be random what it is they are actually interested in. For myself that was true, I loved sewing, cooking dancing and dolls and my mum did not (she had loved horses, fashion and climbing trees) Curiously reassuring to remember than children can only be inspired to form their own interests and do not have to inherit ours. Still it is sad. I do love CSLewis.

Ds2 went to Stagecoach this morning for three hours (he loves it there). Ds1 did some errands for me and dd screamed about various things she wanted but couldn't have like Longchamps Handbags and Cashmere cardigans. Very tiresome. I told her if she wanted to earn some money she could valet the car for me. She immediately offered to contract the work out to her hardworking friend (who I suspect will do most of the job) and expects very little money thrifty Dutch mum who expects lots of chores

Otherwise, my task for this weekend is to

TIDY MY ROOM!!!

Oh Toffee that's really made me smile about your reading C S Lewis to DS. I absolutely love reading my old favourites to my DCs - makes me all warm and fuzzy (even fuzzier than a fuzzpig usually is :o). Seeing them enjoy the same bits that I did, or gasp at the same twists or scary bits. It's just brilliant.

I agree with WhoKnows re: Marie Kondo. It's a good book but it does feel tricky to implement the method when the clutter is largely your DCs' stuff and not just your own. However I would still recommend reading it - she makes some very good points about discarding and letting go of things and how to judge whether you should keep something. I found myself nodding fervently in many places. It's a very quick easy read too.

I feel inspired and have renewed energy for discarding. I don't feel ready to do it completely her way, and also from my own circumstances it sounds unachievable (because she makes a big deal about doing it quickly - whereas my health prohibits an epic speedy declutter). But I'll see where we are when we've had this week of really attacking it - I may feel more ready to do the categories etc then.

Just popping in to say hello. I'm wading through more paperwork. I've shredded a good boxful today. Feeling very very productive, so am going to keep working on it throughout the evening. Then I'll have a stack of some to refile, as some I obviously still need to keep. Very pleased as I'll have loads less paperwork taking up space.

Oh, and one Christmas present arrived by post yesterday, and I've ordered two more that were a very good price online. Almost done with Christmas shopping - except for the stocking stuffers, which I wait until closer to Christmas - less pressure to find them. Yay!

I totally agree, swan, about not foisting our own interests onto our children! It's difficult though!

I remember my mum was disappointed that I wasn't into dolls and history - but she never made me feel bad about it or tried to force it on me.

There are loads of things I do want to share with DCs but I am biding my time. For example I always dreamed of teaching them piano, but I resisted the temptation to push it, and instead just played it myself lots and waited until that wonderful wonderful day when DD said "mummy do you think you could teach me?" - I'd already got a couple of beginner books as they were on offer, but had hidden them away. On the other hand I am quietly really struggling with the fact that DD is about as far from mathematically minded as it's possible to be! I always imagined having a little maths geek for a child TBH!

Incidentally I never read the Narnia books, I am absolutely lusting after a gorgeous illustrated copy (wonder if it's the same one! It's got Aslan's face in gold on the front) but although DD said she would like to hear the story of Narnia (I think because the advert for the film is on one of our DVDs ) I'm not sure she's ready yet, she's a young 7 - what do you think?

Another one here who loves reading dd all the old favourites ... we have three boxes of books on the first floor landing that contain the contents of my childhood bookcase! Really exciting when dd got old enough to start delving by herself too.

Arf at geography lesson Toffee . Glad I'm not the only one with an "interesting" sense of direction!! Well done re: kitchen decluttering (especialy noble on a Saturday somehow!!)

Alice at nearly having finished your Christmas shopping!! [SC faints] And I admire your persistance with the paperwork!!

Swan had to laugh about your dd and cashmere cardis and Longchamp handbags!! You have to admire her taste!

I've just texted dh to find out where he was (he popped out ages ago with dd to get some hay while I prepped supper). He has just replied rather sheepishly "standing outside H & M changing rooms". That child has him wrapped around his little finger!

Fuzziest of Fuzzpigs wow, that is scarily wise parenting!!! (About biding your time over the piano I mean.) Seriously impressive stuff! Not sure I would have the patience!

It's interesting how dcs develop isn't it? At the moment, I am worried in the opposite sense in that dd seems to be developing interests in everything I am interested in and she's not ploughing her own furrow as yet. And she's bad at maths (like me). Wish she had inherited her father's skills in that dept and not mine!!

Confession: I have done absolute zero Flying today!

One slightly sad event: went to buy bread from a local artisanale baker who has been in operation for 40 yrs. We've been buying their bread for years. They are closing this weekend. They make the lightest pistolet (white rolls) and fruit tarts known to man. Their apple pies are renowned throughout town. Their son doesn't want to take over. Every prospective buyer has said their shop is too small to buy and make a profit. So it is just closing up and that's that. All that skill and experience lost!

Recently, this has happened to two local chicken shops, two cheese shops, one local fishmonger and one butcher - just like the UK at the beginning of the 70s. And mobile phone shops are taking their place ... .

On that uplifting note, anyone for ??

That's sad sc

swan that made me laugh about DD (and thrifty Dutch mums!)

Today has been rather trying. DH was finishing stuff up in the nursery this morning then disappeared into the garage this afternoon so I had DS again for the whole day. Tried to get a few things done this afternoon but he has been a little monster. Ended up screaming at him and feeling like a terrible mother

Explained to DH that I get so frustrated when I want to get things done and always seem to have DS in tow whereas I make sure that I have DS when DH has to do DIY stuff.

Still, headed upstairs for an hour after dinner and pottered in baby room then had a long shower and a pamper and may or may not have had a little smile when I heard DS being a little so ad so for DH when he was putting him to bed

Now got my feet up, candles burning, a bag of crisps and a non-alcoholic white beer so feeling very relaxed and looking forward to tomorrow (no DIY scheduled so I can have the morning to do stuff if I want, and then a few friends coming over for coffee in the afternoon).

Ta da
washing up
popped to post office to return online parcel and picked up milk from shop
put away yesterday's last wash
wash #1 from today put away
wash #2 on (baby stuff)
skyped DM and Dsis in NZ
packed away lovely Liz earle order (their limited edition cleanser for christmas is orange and mint and smells lush)
cleaned cot
packed away clean baby clothes into cupboard
showered and suitably pampered
put DH's photos onto my laptop

to do tomorrow
make present for friend I'm visiting with newborn on Monday (I say make - going to roll some nappies and put round toiletries then wrap in cellophane)
baby wash
hoover downstairs
tidy lounge
sweep kitchen and give downstairs toilet S&S
some pottering upstairs by myself (perhaps organising stuff in attic landing so I can get rest of baby stuff down that needs washing)
coffee with friends

I bought the MK book as either there is something in it or a considerable number of mnetters are being paid a fortune to plug it.

This is the first time any sort of decluttering has worked for me! You have to read the book, take the ideas on board, then make it work for you - rather like Flylady! So far I have decluttered shoes, pillows, thick jumpers and trousers.

The two main things I have found helpful are:

1. Declutter by category, not by location

1. Choose what to keep (and get rid of the rest) rather than what to throw.

On Thursday I took a well-filled car to the charity shop and to the tip. A very rare occurrence. Half term this week so aim to do the same again.

Babysteps.

Zero flying achieved here aside from a laundry reboot.

Feet up watching Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang - delightful escapism!

Fuzzpig I read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe to a class of 8-10 year olds who loved it! But there are quite a few long descriptive passages that might be hard for a 7yo to concentrate through? For the most part she would probably enjoy it!

Evening all!! Hope you are enjoying the weekend!

[Breezes in having drunk rather a lot of (again) and having split my trousers watching dd and dh doing a Carmen Miranda dance during Strictly... imagine a yeti and Tinkerbell with maracas ... ]

[Offers around and some more ] And non-alcoholic for those who are gestating ...

Relieved to hear you are taking it easy today Castle after your busy week! Oooh I just love the synchronised swimming pigs in NP and the Big Bang

Fuzzpig agree with Castle think TLTWATW a tad too demanding for a seven year old. Quite a bit of fairly sophisticated vocab. But fine if being read with an adult.

Good to see you Honu as ever! The thought also crossed my mind that Marie Kondo's publishers have an extremely switched-on marketing dept! Tis good it is working for you though and congrats on mega declutter!

Engels you certainly deserve a bit of pampering as you have managed to achieve loads today, despite dh not doing his full stint of childcare!! And don't feel terrible about the shouting, we all do it from time to time ... . Onwards and upwards and all of that ... .

Oh I definitely meant reading with an adult - I'd be reading it to her as a bedtime story. She's nowhere near that level of reading herself!

It's good to know about the descriptive bits though. We recently did bedknobs and broomsticks (she loves the film), and although she liked it, it was reeeeeally wordy and I don't think she was old enough to really enjoy it.

Ok, so my description of dh is possibly a little harsh ... imagine a yeti wearing cords ...

Baby-step no. 26 for Sun 26th is here. An important one about being kind to ourselves, not being perfectionist in our attitude to household chores, and remembering that we are never behind!

Tomorrow (Sun) will be our first day in Zone 5: The Living Room (October 26 – 31) here. Declutter for 15 mins in this zone.

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 5 is here.

No missions because it is the weekend!

The daily focus for Sunday is: renewing our spirit ie doing something that makes us feel refreshed!

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.

Enjoy your Saturday night everyone [hic]

Your analogy really made me laugh though sc :o

Fuzzpig I think she would love the passage at the beginning with the snow and Mr Tumnus and everything!! I think it is really enchanting to read at Christmas time and once read, never forgotten!

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Btw everyone, forgot to say, remember that we all get an extra hour in bed tomorrow because the clocks go back one hour at 2am this morning to mark the end of British summer-time!! Yay!!

If you are not planning on having a lie-in, what are you going to be doing with your reclaimed hour??

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You're tempting me further! At roughly £20 it'll be the most expensive single book I've ever bought her but oh gosh it is just stunning. I love illustrated keepsake editions of books, always get at least one for them at Xmas, they get loads of regular books from the library and charity shops but special books are, well, special! :)

Well I'm really hoping the DCs won't wake up too early - they're having a slumber party (which DS, who has a speech disorder, keeps calling a 'llama party' :o so cute it makes my heart burst!) downstairs with DH as he promised them. I'm upstairs watching a DVD and slowly sorting laundry. But anyway tomorrow is mainly sorting the bedroom so it'll just be another hour of the same!

Fuzzpig aw at llama party

You have reminded me that one of my favourite books I had as a child (and it is now one of dd's favourites in turn) is 'An Illustrated Treasury of Children's stories' or similar (can't quite remember exact title). Will try and find a link to a second hand copy and post here as I am sure your dd would love it!! That passage from TLTWATW is in there, plus some wonderful stories such as Oscar Wilde's "The Selfish Giant", "The Fire Fairy" and others (some quite unusual choices but all lovely).

Hope you get your lie-in!!

Evening all,

Family fun day here, plus a bit of Flying. I took DS to hockey this morning, he is doing really well at it which has boosted his confidence no end after failing miserably in a football team.

Meanwhile DH moved the living room furniture back after it all being out of place while the carpet dried out following the milk spill.

Then we all went to town to look for Hallowe'en bits and bobs (going to a party next weekend), ended up having lunch and taking the DCs to the ceramic painting cafe to make Christmas presents for the grandparents, which is always very relaxing but does add clutter as I always end up painting something too. Then I took DD trampolining while DH and DS watched football, then a whole family blitz on the house, which was well timed as a friend texted and said he was in the area and could he pop in for a coffee. Then Strictly and bed for the DCs.

Tomorrow we're off to London for the day, we want to see the poppies at the Tower of London, none of us has ever been there before and I have always wanted to go.

As for DCs and their parents interests, well, DD seems to be following mine whole-heartedly, she loves sewing, baking, cooking and crafting. My mum liked none of these, luckily my Granny and Aunty were very enthusiastic in all these departments and I learnt a lot from them. My mum didn't really have hobbies that I remember from childhood, she always worked full time so I guess there wasn't much time for any. I too love reading the DCs books that I loved (we're all big fans of Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton) but we don't seem to find as much time for it as we would like now they are a bit older. I don't remember being read to much as a child either, but then again I can't remember not being able to read for myself, I was a total bookworm.

Fuzzpig - I've still never read any CS Lewis, so I don't know what age it's suitable for. That's impressive about the piano and DD! My two are both good at maths but say they hate science, which is a bit sad as DH and I are both scientists.

SC - that's sad about the shop, there is something of a resurgence of delis and good food shops here, but they often don't last long.

Engels - I'm not surprised you're frustrated at the one-sided nature of weekend childcare, it seems all to common unfortunately. Enjoy your coffee with friends tomorrow.

Really want to read The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe to DS1 but he won't have it. He read the blurb and it really put him off because "it's all about feelings!" Dh also wants to read him The Hobbit and he won't have that either.

Going to try to get an early night cos we won't get an extra hour in the morning with the boys!

Oh I really hope DH can read the DCs the hobbit some day. It will make him ridiculously happy if they like it :o but scary for them yet though!

Well I'm pleased to say I have sorted ALL the laundry. Including some stuff that hadn't been put away properly and needed re washing.

And the effort paid off - found a fiver in DH's jeans pocket :o

I mean the dirty laundry is all organised BTW, not that it's all actually done! Several loads worth left but it's all organised to go straight in now so that's something.