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!

Bitchy ! Did the bowl of cake mix make you feel sick? I still lick out large quantities of uncooked cake mixture, but now know when to stop.

Have never had a desire to eat raw jelly. What's that all about?

Sweet. Not my favourite thing but i prefer the uncooked cubes of jelly to actual jelly but not keen on either.

Nope but it got nibble on over the course of an hour whilst making sodding squares (yep did this a few weeks ago when i should really know better) I guess it depends on the type of cake mix too. I don't like too much brownie mix i find that sickly. Don't mind vanilla cake mix but banana and hunny is deadly that will disappear without me even thinking so no licks ever of that one if I want a cake as the end product.

I do now have the urge to eat raw cake mix. I can hear the kitchen calling and everyone else is in bed and I wouldn't have to share

Hmm, I'm feeling hungry now too. And I have an empty kitchen and everyone else is in bed here as well.

No one would ever know...

stupid fricking ladybirds. I have another ladybird bite. It is super itchy! how the hell do I get rid of the bloody things. it is not the red ones it is the black and orange ones. The invaders.

Pst toffee how was it?

Ah more than 50% of my amazon order has arrived today. That means 1 actual shop and the christmas shopping is soon overwith. You have no idea how much this has actually improved my mood!

I didn't know ladybirds bit, Bitchy! Thought they were sweet, harmless little things.

Would love to say I ate an entire bowl of cake mix all on my own last night, but I poured myself another glass of wine instead. It was less effort.

Good news on the Amazon order. I must start thinking about Xmas presents.

ta da

Put washing on
Fed cats and boys and me
Took DS2 cycling, meeting kind neighbour on the way who fixed his brake
Quick shop
Chatted with other neighbour, who complimented me on my new coat and persuaded me to keep it (I was in two minds because the fit was a bit tight)
Played Maths games
Helped Ds2 with ConquerMaths
Reminded DS1 to do his online Maths lesson
Helped DS2 write a thank-you letter to a fussy relative - he did a fantastic job (didn't know he could write so neatly).
DS2 cooked lunch (ham and cheese omelettes)

This afternoon, Ds2 has the kitchen to himself to cook, whilst I do the Monday bleugh. Can't remember when I last did it .

goodness it has been quiet on here today!

Evening, really must start to think seriously about Christmas soon, have a vague idea of presents, but that doesn't fill under the tree.

DD is going back to school tomorrow we kept her home for one more day just to make sure, I don't want another relapse.

So as well as doing most of the weekly bleugh, I got her to go through her toys and she's cleared out a carrier bag full plus some of her Littlest Pet Shop stuff and another bag of rubbish. Gave her room a real good vacuum too. Fills like quite an achievement especially as there were no tantrums (her or me)

About to go wash up & SS and then start trawling online for presents.

"Normal" service returns tomorrow

And a bag of clothes for the charity shop too.

Evening all. Hope everyone ok!

Managed to get through last night and today without physically injuring myself but other than that a bit of a crap day tbh.

Started with us all over-sleeping by 25 mins and dd working herself up in to a terrible state about being late for school; cue much shouting and stomping around. Then managed to do about one quarter of home bleugh before friend dropped around and told me her (understandable) woes relating to her three dc and two schools and her problems with her dh. Then had sil on the phone for 40 mins (understandably) upset because fil in hospital again. Then got called in to school because dd had had nose bleed. Then felt hassled on all sides from people wanting answers about social stuff; ridiculous amount of social obligations to fulfil before Christmas when I just generally feel like hiding under a duvet! (And I've made stupid error about double booking us this Friday night and we are going to have to disappoint lovely friends and I haven't told them yet.) Then sil rang in tears again. And day was topped off by dh and I having mahoosive tiff about healthy eating and dd's bedtime and thus ensued more general narkiness/grumpiness all round.

Sorry for misery guts posting! Back tomorrow when hopefully things will be a bit cheerier!

oh gawd and now I feel even worse having clicked on a thread entitled "are you done present shopping?" and about ten people have posted saying they have and some of them have finished wrapping as well

[SC wanders off to find cake mix in which to stick her head]

Have some virtual and instead, SC. Here's hoping tomorrow is better.

Today has mostly been taken up with techie website/email stuff, interspersed with crochet for the sake of sanity. No flying, and a big row over getting the boys to tidy up before bedtime.

Well done on getting a toy clear-out done, Goth. We're all agreed that one is necessary before Christmas, but whether that'll actually translate into action is another matter.

All this cooking from your DS2 is seriously impressive, Toffee! Re jelly - when making it up as a kid, I was always allowed to eat the little bobbly bits that join the squares together and longed to eat the rest raw too...

I didn't know ladybirds bit either, Bitchy

Babystep is reading testimonials again.

Mission is to dust living room nicknacks.

oh, um, really have given up any attempt at routines or organised system here

lay in bed till 9am (dh got up and sent two kids to school at 630am)

then ds2 and I did some phonics and spelling
some Maths (actually finding Maths more and more fascinating LCM and HCF still being pondered
sent ds2 for a run and to buy washing powder

cooked a mince dish with baked beans and a cheesy leek breadcrumb topping which I just about got away with (rather odd)
washing loads of clothes
started to clean dd's room
picked up dd from busstop - she is in the middle of some politics with her friends so frantic angry texting - warned her that whatever she said might be construed as cyber bullying if she was rude [difficult explaining to them that texts are not like words spoken in the heat of the moment which you retract later)

made pumpkin soup with leftover veg for freezer

dealt with ds1 suddenly deciding he couldn't speak Spanish AT ALL (trying to learn by rote several paragraphs for his GSCE speaking which he couldn't actually translate back into English - so basically trying to learn what for him was equivalent of gibberish) Problem is that neither Dh and I have the slightest idea what any of the sentences mean unless it is the bit about Patatas fritas.

nice time reading to ds2 he is loving The Star of Kazan (although he still refuses to read to himself any fiction)

Ds2 determined to go to Scotland by sleeper in Jan/Feb so obsessively looking at the Atlas to find out where Inverness is. At least it is not an aeroplane.

SC oh I hate those rows over healthy eating. Dh brought home a horrid Morrison's Apple Pie as a "treat"for £2 just to cancel out all my efforts at making homemade vegetable things and somehow just annoying me at thought of my children being filled with lard and gluten and sugar, when there is an excellent apple pie to be had a) from wife's efforts b)dd's efforts c) Polish deli if all else fails.. He eventually apologised and threw it away. Both my boys are far too hefty that is why it upsets me when he treats them with useless calories.

I'm sure your SIL was grateful to just talk to you even if you couldn't do anything.

All in all it sounds a very exhausting emotional wash out sort of day and so frustrating too as each person was justified in asking for your input.

I've eaten a whole bar of jelly many times Much nicer than the diluted real sort.

So house a mess, children just about surviving, plenty of food around and tomorrow will probably continue in the same vein...Suppose that is fine really...

Tsk SC you are supposed to eat the cake mix NOT wear it

Swan I would say that yes that is fine. The kids are healthy, the mess is transient and kids don't stay young for long. Never feel guilty about spending time with them. That is the ultimate goal. To have more time to spend with the family. you might just currently be skipping the tidying up/cleaning bit But it is all about having more time and guilt free time with the family.

Ds has declared me amazing which is most baffling as I have been short tempered, snappy and totally unsympathetic. But did have an important meeting at school (re school refusing) and we did have a lovely few grids of sudoku curled up. Hopefully the bullying is getting under control. His teacher is trying hard to make it so. But kids are kids and boys can be very boisterous making it easy for things to be taken too far.

Fuck all flying as been in the office/meetings/ds' training which has taken out most of the day, and what has been left of the evening has been spent prepping for another meeting tomo.

Tsk SC you are supposed to eat the cake mix NOT wear it

Swan I would say that yes that is fine. The kids are healthy, the mess is transient and kids don't stay young for long. Never feel guilty about spending time with them. That is the ultimate goal. To have more time to spend with the family. you might just currently be skipping the tidying up/cleaning bit But it is all about having more time and guilt free time with the family.

Ds has declared me amazing which is most baffling as I have been short tempered, snappy and totally unsympathetic. But did have an important meeting at school (re school refusing) and we did have a lovely few grids of sudoku curled up. Hopefully the bullying is getting under control. His teacher is trying hard to make it so. But kids are kids and boys can be very boisterous making it easy for things to be taken too far.

Fuck all flying as been in the office/meetings/ds' training which has taken out most of the day, and what has been left of the evening has been spent prepping for another meeting tomo.

I am AMAZED. Further to a phone call last week.. This morning I received a full IEP in the post from ds1's school for his dyspraxia..4 lots of interventions for organisation/TA help and social communication!!! Wow - I am very pleased. Strange that this is only now in Year 10 that anything is being coordinated although there had been lots of half hearted attempts to help him before. I suspect tis the GSCE's/imminent Ofsted that is putting the wind up..However I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth and just hope it does some good. It does confirm me in my opinion that helping ds2 at home NOW was the right decision though.

Ds2 is suffering from a bad cold this morning so he has gone back to bed with his Atlas and radio after more Elijah/Elisha. Still loving looking at every part of the world in the giant detailed atlas.

Done
two kids to school - I got up today at 6.30 and let dh sleep till 9am - unheard of poor fellow
looked at various home ed resources including finding two woods near here I had never known about making a scrapbook online and searching a friend's blog
finally found a child friendly version of The Winter's Tale in Marcia Williams Shakespeare comic strip

unloaded dw

otherwise nil housework. Might try to do online orders?? as this is clearly going to be a lazy day where we do not leave the house.

ta da
ds to school
make cake
put bread ingrediants in machine for pizza base
make up base
shopping list
finish typing up and print document for meeting
doc appointment
tesco
take delivery from an absolutely fabulous Myhermes delivery man

Swan hooray for a decent IEP. It's a real shame that last month's Ofsted inspection didn't kick ds2's school into gear. I'm just getting more and more frustrated with them.

I've been to ds1's school for a play this morning, then topped up the gas and electric meters. Wow! They are just EATING the money up this week. But one good point.. going out for a walk in the cold weather made the house seem loads warmer!

Huge list to do that I'm actually too lazy to type out! hahahaha

But I do have Magic's Christmas videos playing. MNHQ, WHERE are our Santa smileys?!?!?! If Vh1 can put their Christmas videos on now, we should be able to make Santas on our posts. Oddly, this is the first time I've seen Hall and Oates Jingle Bell Rock video... talk about a blast from the past! Ah, the 80s!!!

Christmas decorations are coming out today. Thanksgiving on Thursday. Tree up on Friday/Saturday. Full day of Christmas baking with friends on Sunday. Yay!!!

They were taken away until the first of December Alice their early appearance caused a major outcry. grateful

Wrong. Just wrong.

No, very, very right! It's not even Advent till Sunday.

I quite agree Blue!

There were days when we only got the christmas hats for a 2 week period max only. The entirety of December is plenty enough!!!

Just whizzing by to thank Bitchy for the bleach and bicarb tip, all I can say is Wow!