Time for a bonfire of the clutter? Perhaps not but Fledglings are flying high with the fireworks through November...

[BlueEyeshadow]

Huge thanks to SC (and Bitchy!) for leading the thread throughout October (and to SC for such a copy and paste-able OP)

If you are struggling 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 wine and cake 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 + 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!

Ta da
errands: petrol, supermarket, garden centre to look at Christmas display for DS!
Yesterday's wash away
Hoovered lounge

And that's it. DS is being a pain normal 3 year old and I feel exhausted. Can't wait to go to work tomorrow - less exhausting than a 3 year old. Still in a week and a half I will be on ML and DS will still be in nursery 2 days a week - what will I do with myself? sleep

Dozing on sofa while DS watches the Lion King.

She can have it today gladly!

Goth/ Bitchy don't think it would be quite honourable to claim it as it happens as afternoon list has not gone as well as morning. DD feeling worse and needing attention. House cold and dark. I'm feeling knackered etc etc, so haven't done very well at all.

Sorry your dd not feeling too good goth

And sorry that you haven't been well either Fuzzpig (I was wondering how you were last week). Hope the ads help!

Hope that week and a half goes quickly Engels!

fuzzpig - don't feel bad about taking Sertraline. I've been on Citalopram for years (am trying to cut it down) and it has got me through some very difficult times. Do whatever you need to do to cope.

SC - I'm glad you had a lovely time with your sister. Your lists are amazing .

Engels - glad to hear ML is so near!

Goth - sorry your DD is ill.

Bitchy - hope today was a better day and DS was calmer . We have had holes kicked in walls by DS1, so I sympathise.

WhoKnows - that's so brilliant that your house is mostly tidy and you didn't have to have a crisis clean before visitors! You have given us all hope.

It was DS2's 9th birthday today. He asked for Lego and a doll for his birthday. (We had to hide the doll from MIL today, as we knew she wouldn't approve). All he wanted to do was go to Brighton beach, have fish and chips, then visit the aquarium. It rained too much for the beach, the aquarium was shut and the nearest fish and chip shop was closed for refurbishments, but luckily he saw the funny side and we did, finally, find somewhere to eat and decided to go bowling instead. He won, which made him very happy (we may have helped with that ), so all was ok in the end. Cake was a disaster (first one was a pancake; second looked perfect, then fell apart ), but icing, Smarties and candles seemed to cover up all the faults.

Will have a second bash at making a decent cake on Friday, when his friends come round to celebrate with him.

DS2 has asked us to donate some of his birthday money to Children in Need because he said he didn't need it all. I'm so proud of him for even thinking of this.

Toffee oh dear I can see that scene very clearly...rain lashed beach and the Aquarium which is very retro...closed..having been there a week and a bit ago - so glad you found a bowling alley

Today has been slightly irritating. I was reduced to tears by ds2's Hornby set when he hurled bits of it across the room in frustration when the train broke down or was derailed but in the end he conquered his (very understandable) rage with the wretched contraption and built quite a large circuit. (D & T and electronics

Then we spent about an hour making him have a bath at 2pm.

Then he finally did some Maths which I have to admit I struggled with till I found it better explained in the 10 year old Maths text book The KS3 textbook seems to assume a certain level of intelligence I do not have.

Cooked pheasant stock, pumpkin, cabbage and potato into a very strange risotto which I served with sausages I pretended to ds1 it was pot noodle so he actually ate a bit until he realised it was homemade..Dd is now a vegetarian but admitted that her options were now down to Nutella and chips.

SC sorry you are missing dSis and hope dd is better soon. Hope you can snuggle up somewhere near her room and not feel you have to do so much these next few days.

Blue that sounds like our Sundays (our more productive ones ) We have now resigned ourselves to doing very little on Sundays except church and homework but the children do love seeing guests..just it kills us we like the guests but until a guest can be found that will eat oven chips and cold cuts it feels really all too exhausting (the cooking I mean coupled with tidying and childcare)

Oh dear, hope DD is on the mend soon, SC.

Glad your DS2 was able to see the funny side, Toffee and how lovely to donate his birthday money!

Hope you can take things easy a bit Engels

Waves back to fuzzpig.

Get well soon to your DD too, Goth

Wow, well done on the clean house, WhoKnows!

Hope things are OK, Bitchy.

Sorry you've had such an irritating day, Swan.

I actually decluttered one of the art drawers yesterday (a bit, anyway!) and DH finally sorted the massive heap of books on his side of the bed, so was able to do the mission! Whoop. Today, less productive. Went out into town in sunshine and ended up drenched. Also had massively pointless rows with the boys. But choir this evening, which was good...

*
Babystep 18 is reading the 11 commandments.

Mission is to attack the clothes pile.

Tuesday is plan and play day

*

Sorry you had such a frustrating day, Swan. I sympathise with the difficulties over DS2 and bathtime. Half the time, I put up with my DS1 being faintly pongy because I can't face the battle over getting him to wash .

Your struggle over the Maths made me smile. But it's nothing to do with your intelligence - it's because the Maths is taught differently these days. Incidentally, I have to admit to being really bored with getting DS2 to practise his Times Tables. I'm not sure we're making any progress. Have just bought a couple of multiplication games to make it a bit more interesting for both of us.

Well done on all that decluttering, Blue. Glad choir cheered you up in the evening.

Have done various bits of washing up, put the rubbish out, cleared the litter tray and binned the birthday wrapping paper, but that's it for Flying today. The laundry bin is overflowing again . Will try to do better tomorrow.

Might have forgotten the early night babystep in favour for some fun. This will be regretted tomo]

Still lurking here, but very hassled with life in general.

I Kondo folded DHs T-shirts (34 of them!) and he is so pleased he waxes lyrical with every new carer that comes. He is now wearing ones that I don't ever remember seeing!

For those with maths problems, do any of you have access to MyMaths? Most secondary schools subscribe. In particular a load of games for practicing tables. PM me for more details if you want.

Yay, DD is back at school and the sun is shining!

Going to head to the croft for a couple of hours, even if I only get some weeding done at least I'll be in the fresh air.

Swan Maths is an issue here too, but it's probably me not explaining it right, they teach it differently (old fogey) it's all number lines and bonds. But when she finally does get it she does retain it.

Ds is off school. Apparently he is sick. He does feel sick, he does look washed out and he does have a slight temperature. But he has made me breakfast and is currently doing something in his room whilst listening to music teenager style. I have already told him to turn it down a couple of times I think i need to add chase results and doc appointment to the to do list today.

Honu that is actually quite amusing re DH. So glad that there are small things that are good. How are your brood?

Enjoy the croft Goth

Good afternoon everyone! (One hr ahead here!)

DD still off school and I'm not getting much done. She's not worse but not much better either. A very kind friend brought around her homework last night too which hasn't really improved her mood.

I'm still trying to complete the second part of yesterday's list!

Sorry you are in similar situation ¨Bitchy hope your ds feels better soon!

Honu You are on my conscience and I feel very badly because I haven't yet pm'd you back about the mental maths exercises when you have been so kind to offer them. Will do so asap!

Glad your dd is feeling better Goth

Toffee how lovely of your ds2 to donate his birthday money and belated happy returns to him!

I feel your pain re: maths angst Swan

Well done wrt decluttering the art drawer Blue (I still need to declutter the entire art chest before Christmas )

In fact I am getting in a bit of a tizz about the aforesaid looming event beginning with C... . Only have one month to prepare house/presents/make guest ready (my brother and his family are coming then) followed by dsis1 and entourage and I will have 9 people staying ... in a house that barely functions for the three of us as it is. Not helped by school changing dates as to when dd breaks up [sigh] thought I had another week with dd at school before Christmas when I don't. Plus we somehow need to fit in a trip to fil and sil a mere 800km away ... sigh... anyone got a large duvet I can hide under?

SC it's only 1 out of 7 art drawers. But it was the worst one!

Toffee - have you come across Moon Maths for times tables? (Hope the link works)

SC i suspect it is a combination of dust allergy, stupidly busy routine and him growing at a stupid rate. But I need to know it is just this iyswim. Plus i suspect there is a big of school avoiding going on. I will be asking to speak with his teacher.

Very good day (for us small triumphs and all that..

ds2 went off to a friend's to pick him up, was invited in by his two little sisters and played bingo with them all morning
Then he brought friend home and then played Hornby and Subbuteo (not a computer game or screen in sight till 6pm when friend left !)

I bought apple pie ingredients for dd's cooking lesson tomorrow

Dh and I assembled an enormous pile of rubbish from the shed in the front garden to be picked up by the Junk men tomorrow morning, to go with the flearidden sofa which makes me sneeze and has broken springs. Dh was in a very bad mood after that. Decluttering makes him very tense!!! Not because he wanted to keep anything mind you, just because the contents of our garden shed are so hideously depressing. Old paddling pools, old litter trays, bits of wood that could be made into things but never are, mouldy "outdoor" cushions..broken lawnmowers that could be mended but never are...

Gave a bike away to a friend too!

Now off to bookclub but I haven't read the book. Have cooked dinner though. Chips, pork chops and peas. Pasta bake for lunch.

Ta da
work (horrible busy day and lots of students not meeting deadlines)
washing up
restocked nursery bag
made lunch
laid out clothes for tomorrow
2 hours schoolwork this evening/planning

Now time to collapse. I promise I will be more sociable when I'm finally on maternity leave.

Blue - thank you so much for that link - DS2 really enjoyed playing that this morning .

No timetable for DS2 this week, but we seem to be getting plenty done: we played a Maths game first this morning, then he played Blue's recommendation. After that, he did his usual time on ConquerMaths. His second Little Passports delivery arrived, so we did some geography, learning about Brazil.

Managed to get DS1 to have a bath and wash his hair before his therapist arrived in the afternoon. She did a brilliant job of persuading him to visit his prospective school. She really is very good. I'm all out of ideas, to be honest (and energy ).

Then I took DS2 cycling, before we started a mammoth cookery session. I promised him we'd spend loads of time cooking this week, as he loves it. We're using the Usborne book someone here recommended once - I think it was WhoKnows. Tonight, DS2 made lamb kebabs, followed by profiteroles. Both were delicious. Am hoping to train him to take over the evening meal .

Bits of Flying were fitted in here and there: managed to swish and swipe; did lots of washing up; did a load of laundry and put it in the tumbledryer; and tidied and hoovered the sitting room before the therapist arrived. Also dealt with two demanding cats.

Glad you had a good day, Swan.

SC - would it help with the Christmas prep to decide which bits are essential and/or pleasurable and ditch the rest?

Had a good in parts sort of day today. Tomorrow's going to be interesting too. Hey ho, onwards and upwards.

*
Babystep is another reading one.

Mission is tidying the wardrobe and chucking out shoes.

And it's anti-procrastination day again, folks.
*

Massively crossed post with Toffee there. Glad the link was useful. DS1 has also been playing a My Maths game today which involved doing sums and shooting enemy planes at the same time. Very impressed with profiteroles. I've never attempted choux pastry!

Toffee - we have got that cookbook but I can't take all the credit as I think it was recommended to me by SC. The brownies in it are amazing and we also love the Iced Spiced biscuits.

For those struggling with maths, there is a book called Maths for Mums and Dads (can't link as I am on an ancient Ipad that loses the thread if you click to another tab) which is really good at explaining and provides lots of useful exercises, it's aimed at primary age but I think there is a secondary version as well now.

Honu - good to hear from you, glad DH likes his vertical t-shirts, I wish I could persuade my DCs to keep theirs that way.

SC - hope DD feels better tomorrow, and anyone else that is poorly or has poorly family.

House is still tidy, determined to keep the momentum going, it is going to require effort, but it is very rewarding and is making cleaning so much easier.

Tada!

Morning routine / schhol run
Washing on
1/2 hour tidying and looking for a leotard that has been missing for 2 weeks
Hour on OU essay
Pilates
Shopping, supermarket and library
Unoack shopping
Dinner into slowcooker (whole chicken)
More tidying and leotard hunting
1/2 hour on essay
Washing to dryer, leotard located in WM
School run
DD to ballet
Rest of dinner cooked (roasties and veg)
Dinner cleared, stock made from carcas and batch of tomato sauce made
Play with DCs - beanbag Piggy in the middle in an attempt to improve DD's hand to eye coordination
Keyboard practice with DD and keyboard packed ready for school tomorrow
DCs to bed
finalised holiday cottage booking and cattery for New YEar travels
Shower
Painted nails
Another hour on the essay (going to submit it tomorrow)
Bed with Nigella's Christmas book - seen it recommended on MN but it's big and expensive so I have borrowed it from the library and it can go back in Jan.

I have that cookbook toffee - was given it as a child and I still use the pizza recipe and the white sauce measurements!

In one week and one day I will be finished!

Good morning all! Very impressed by all these young 'uns cooking and glad Usborne book still going strong!

Yesterday was a Flying write off ... I was feeling very tired and a bit shivery.. and dd needed entertaining.

And an unusually late morning for us all here today, as dd still off school with this strange non-specific malaise ie she is tired, has sore throat, feels sick but isn't being sick, shivers etc (have to get doc certificate today) and dh still jet-lagged but thankfully I'm feeling fine so trying to keep the home fires burning and pick up all the loom bands and playmobil pieces that dd is constantly dropping on the floor.

And having sorted out wardrobes and shoes I'm feeling a bit glum about my winter outfits ie I don't appear to have any that fit properly! (Although I seem to have accumulated a ridiculous number of wide-leg navy linen summer trousers ) Seem to be between two sizes ...everything looks horribly frumpy ... or is too cold... or too baggy and old. And if I have an outfit that goes in one colour, then I don't have a coat that looks good over it and vice versa ifyswim. Don't have money to spare to spend on new clothes either. It's either presents or clothes over the next month or so, so I am going to have to get out my sewing box and do some alterations ... .

Keep going Engels ! You are nearly there!

Congrats and wow re: humungously long list Whoknows!

Thanks Blue but sadly most of it is essential! (Although my definition of "essential" will probably become less defined over time ) Oh and will follow your example and tackle art cupboard drawer by drawer!

Great that your ds1's therapist is so good Toffee and like the Little Passports link but have difficulty getting parcels from the USA through customs here for some unknown reason, or would order something. Think I might get dd a folder of EU coins though so thanks for the idea!

Really struggling with ideas for dd this St Nicolas and Christmas. Her list is normally pages long but this year it consists of just two things: a Playmobil aeroplane that she has already admitted she would like but isn't that desperate for, and a hugely expensive phone that we would not buy her in a million years . No idea what to do but think it might just be a modest Christmas all around, as we are hoping to renovate the floor she is on including her room and installing new bathroom etc.

Glad you had such a good day yesterday Swan and home edding friendships developing so well! Congrats on decluttering! We have an area under our terrace jsut as you describe: a depressing mix of deflated paddling pools, cracked gardening pots, mouldy picnic blankets and ancient rusting garden machinery. It really needs to be tackled ... so well done for doing yours!!!

Bitchy fingers crossed we are hoping to get dd back to school tomorrow (the work piles up depressingly if you miss more than one day) - hope your ds recovers soon and teacher supportive tc.

Right, I'd better stop procrastinating and get on ... big feathery waves to eveyrone I've missed!

Btw, to all of you fleglings who are teaching your offspring to be competent cooks ... give yourselves a big pat on the back!

I was amused/somewhat horrified to hear my dsis2 on the phone to her son (currently at uni) the other day giving him detailed instructions on ... wait for it ... how to boil a new potato

Got a good night sleep last night. Feel like death today. Got a ton of stuff to do today and lacking the motivation. I have muscles that hate me after Monday night when i decided that going training was a good idea. Been too long since i last went training.

ta da
get reluctant child to school
sort out meeting with his teacher - she is brilliant!

to do
get lounge from bomb site to sparkling.
clear out my car
banking
important emails.
early night

Lounge is really a big job. It is being done back up plan style (ie moving stuff out and shutting door on the dumping room) instead of clearing it up as i go so it is still going to be waiting to get dealt with but I really don't have the energy to get it done right now.

SC could you not give her some bits for her room renovations? Something that would put the finishing touches of loveliness to it but not essential?