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!

Yay, Engels!

And yay to Bitchy re Blanketgate. And MN is a foul-mouthed brood of vipers after all...

SC oh, I see. That does sound a different kettle of fish.

***
Babystep is about looking after yourself.

Mission is to hoover the sitting room.
***

And on that note, I'd better take myself off to bed safe in the knowledge that I'm ahead on the mission for once!

Night all.

Engles

Bitchy so pleased blanket 1 is completed, if it helps I'm on my 7th to 8th hat right now.

Make the most of your pre-baby maternity leave, remember no craving is too extreme.

Made it to the sofa today, and even managed to potter about doing a little Flying (more like hopping)

Have to report that Lidl's Deluxe Irish Cream Liqueur is very good for soothing sore throats, and is a very acceptable substitute for Baileys. I wonder if I should start a campaign for them to make a chocolate version.

Evening all,

Well, I've had a bit of a grumpy day today. Ended up shouting at DD over getting ready for school (last minute shoes lost scenario). Cross with the council over the lack of statement (told today it will be at least another fortnight). Had to slug it out with DS to get his homework done tonight too. Oh and got a lower than hoped for mark on the essay I submitted to the OU last week, I don't think I've been giving the studies enough attention.

However, keeping vaguely on top of the housework and shopping. .

I'm meant to be studying now, so better sign off, see you all tomorrow.

I am actually heading towards half way through blanket 3, and blanket two is heading towards having the base done so just the aplique detail to be made. Otoh I was due to get something in the post monday and as yet it is not finished. So kinda need to get on with that tomo and get it in the post asap (ie by tomo evening)

Congrats on maternity leave Engels!

And well done on crafting efforts Goth and Bitchy!

Sc, WhoKnows, Toffee and Swan sorry to read about struggles with DC. I think they get tired at this stage of the term and with the excitement of Christmas being just around the corner. Fingers crossed for good days tomorrow.

Waves to everyone else.
No flying here, but we have chosen all our bathroom ware and a mattress for our bed since my last post. And applied for final mortgage drawdown...now, if carpenter would just turn up tomorrow.........we would be motoring. Ongoing decisions to be made regarding our new house, but at least we have officially handed back the keys to the rented house. Yay! I am still visiting twice a day to feed the cats, as landlady has kindly said they can stay around until we move into our new house. We are staying at DSiL and can't be moving the cats twice in a month. They'd be muddled, and her two cats wouldn't be impressed either...am a but worried about one of mine. He hasn't appeared for feeding for two days in a row now. Hope he will be there tomorrow. Can't wait to move and settle ourselves and cats in new house. Have been a bit all over the place between 3 houses!!!

No extreme flying or nesting happening here - don't worry! More like survival!

[Woken up in middle of night by dh's loud snoring!]

Yay Engels [hangs out bunting] Congratulations!!! Well done for making it through to ml! Take it steady!!

Sorry Castle we are not deliberately trying to make you feel less than enthusiastic about the world of parenthood! Dc are absolutely lovely when they are small and pink and can't answer back!! Glad you are taking it steady and hope your furry turns up for feeding tomorrow!

Yes, well done on all the stitchin' Goth and Bitchy!

Sorry you had such a testing day Whoknows. Not surprised you are utterly frustrated with council keeping you waiting. Not fair at all. Here's to a better day tomorrow

DD was shattered this evening but no arguments thankfully as she had her nose stuck in two new books.

Flying, Christmas prep and diet and exercise all going badly Like Castle's cat, my motivation has taken a long walk. Here's hoping it comes back soon .

SC - I'm also awake thanks to my DH's snoring! Am now hungry too, but daren't go into the kitchen because the cats will start going bonkers, thinking it's breakfast time, and that might wake DM. Although I am very tempted by the thought of DS2's fruit cake...

Congrats on starting ML, Engels.

WhoKnows - sorry you had a difficult day, although you should pat yourself on the back for keeping on top of shopping and housework. No progress with statement here either, but that's because we are still stuck on the 'getting DS to have a taster day' requirement.

Castle - fingers crossed your missing cat turns up tomorrow. That's kind of your landlady to say the cats can stay at your old place till you move.

Bitchy - well done on blanketgate .

I like your choice of sore-throat medicine, Goth.

Blue - thanks for the links. I'm also ahead on the mission .

DM arrived yesterday. DH and I were going to take DS1 to visit the school, but an altercation between the boys put a stop to that, as DS1 then refused to go. We are going to try again tomorrow.

Managed to get out for a meal with DH, leaving DM to babysit. DS2 cooked lamb kebabs for their dinner.

Might have to have a slice of his fruit cake before going back to bed...

Hmmmm, have been woken up by first DH's alarm at 5am (which he set for LAST Friday...and forgot to unset ) and now he is snoring....waves to SC and Toffee...

Toffee you are making me hungry with descriptions of DS culinary accomplishments..!

SC I hope both the cat and your motivation return with a bounce today! I have nothing done for Christmas...it's going to be very low-keyed here, II think. What with recent loss of DMiL and neither DH or DSiL in form for celebrating much...and imminent new arrival preventing me from going home to my own family this Christmas...
Not sure what to do about Christmas cards. I usually love to send them, but last year didn't as Dad had passed away during the summer and traditionally, here, you wouldn't send cards after a family loss. Was looking forward to sending them this year, but probably shouldn't with loss of DMiL....hmmmm .

Same here castle - DH banged our bedroom door when he left for work at 6.15 so DS woke up. Managed to keep him quiet till 7 when he crawled into our bed, but been downstairs since 7 so starting ML on the sofa watching a Thomas film.

Anyone else get the impression that their DH thinks that elves do certain things around the house?

On a day at home with DS the minimuj I will do is a load of washing, put away any clean washing that's still out, empty/change all bins that need doing and if nc pop to supermarket. Will also normally push hoover round downstairs.

Yesterday dh did go to supermarket so I don't have to, but bathroom and kitchen bins both fit to bursting and he was most surprised at 5pm to find that there was still clean washing in the td from the night before (was still going when we went to bed). Still, at least he was cooking when I got home (we have settled quite rigidly now into himcooking and me washing up. I only cook if I really want to...still end up doing washing up anywa, so I may as well take advantage of his cculinary skills!)

Ta da
wash on

to do
put yesterday's Wednesday's wash away
empty kitchen bin (did bathroom last night!)
Hoover

general pottering and cleaning inbetween biscuits and music and films

only going outside if I have any presentable clothes that don't need washing!

Those of you that are not prepared for Christmas, look away now please....

Our Christmas tree goes up today! Wheeeeeeee!

Hoorah alice !

Sorry you were woken too early as well, Castle. My DS2 - the one doing all the cooking - is only nine, by the way. I'm hoping he hasn't gone off cooking by his teen years (like his big brother, who used to cook all sorts of stuff with me once).

Engels - how annoying to be woken up unnecessarily early on your first day of ML. I hope you manage to get some rest and relaxation today (not sure how that works with a toddler to look after, though ).

Alice -

Managed to get back to sleep for a couple of hours before both boys piled into bed with us and DM. Am so embarrassed that she saw the state of the bedroom, as we usually keep the door firmly shut.

DH is feeling sick and thinks it might be the fish platter he ate in the pub last night. Am really hoping this doesn't mean we yet again can't get DS1 to the school for a walk around, although DH says he's determined to get him there. Fingers crossed.

Hmmm too much to do and no motivation. It appears to have got up and gone

To Do
Finish project
parcel up
post office for parcels
work

Ta da
move furniture and put stuff in office, rescuing few bits needed in same go
big meeting with the people over how things are going to work nxt wk (big plans of major flying requiring everyone's help)
sort out remaining internet orders parents want doing
1 load of washing
pick up missing bits for making bread
ingredients into bread machine.

[Hands strong coffee around to all of those who had disturbed nights and foot rub cream and footstools to the heavily pregnant fledglings ...and extra supplies of wool to the knitters ....and lemon drinks and Dettol to those under the weather ....]

Ta da:
morning routine inc dw, wm, rabbits, s&s, dining room table hot spots
general tidy of sitting room and play room
wiping down of kitchn surfaces
assessment of empty fridge - food list written
helped out at fund-raising book sale

To do:
general dust and hoover of ground floor (no cleaner today)
clean downstairs loo and sink
sort laundry
re-boot laundry
more on-line packages
on-line banking
food shop
ironing

Castle Christmas is a terribly difficult/poignant time when one is newly bereaved (I still miss my late parents the most at Christmas but the first christmas is the worst.) I didn't know that about the mourning tradition and Christmas cards ... I hope your dh and family get through it all ok. And it hasn't been long since you lost your own df. I'm sorry you can't get home yourself, and hope your lovely ma doesn't miss you too much and vice versa, but happy that you have such a wonderful event (for all the family!) to look forward to!! Doesn't make it easy though I know, because you want the missing members of your family to meet the little 'un too (my father died just a few weeks before dd was born) so really feel for you all xxx

Any sign of the cat???

Toffee great you escaped for a meal with your dh, and hope your ds1 can be persuaded to visit his new school soon; enjoy your ma's visit!

Happy tree decorating Alice!

(Hope you don't mind me saying that I don't think I would choose to be prepared yet, even if I had the motivation tbh, as it would steal all the joy out of it for me, but I know you are the opposite .. so... enjoy!!!!)

Enjoy your first day of freedom Engels but don't over-do it!!!

Thanks for links Blue!

Dd still all sweetness and light (she is either totally happy or totally unhappy with nowt much in between) and I find it so much easier to make progress with chores/organisation when she goes off to school happy.

Chores still yawn-tastically boring though and I don't approve of being bored!

Missed the fact that your dh is feeling ill Toffee hope he recovers quickly!

Maybe our respective mo-jos have walked off together in to the night Bitchy?

Had very early start this morning and will have late night tonight (going out) so about to eat calorie-light [sob] lunch (one hr ahead here) and then drink lots of strong coffee ...

Keep going everyone!

Alice have a humbug

Got a few things done today, mainly laundry related.

Just wanted to check that I'm doing the December thread, will hopefully keep me on track.

Managed to escape the house and the cleaning lady before I had a "jitters" attack.

Car miraculously recovered (I thought it was broken yesterday although I am ashamed to say it saved me from having to drop dd at school this morning and drove to SIL house which was next to Home Ed football.
Saw SIL, played with her two little ones (or rather Ds2 played with them - he appeared to be having a gunfight with them at one point but it turned out to be a pretend drill he had turned into a gun
Home Ed football, and said hello to various familiar faces

Now home after terrible traffic and ds2 has gone off to buy a Lottery ticket with dh (his latest obsession) Is now a good time to do probability in Maths? We spent a while discussing what we would do with the improbable money. I said I would buy 4 rescue horses and organise care for them. Also 3 dogs and hire a dogwalker. And of course a home by the sea. Ds2 was baffled by my choices. "Don't you want to Go To America?" he said reproachfully.

Kitchen looks like some sort of palace since cleaning lady cleaned it, all shiny and sumptuous (although of course this won't last long - one toasted sandwich later and five messy people later....)

Toffee really hoping that today's taster day goes ahead

I've just been shopping....

If they have SC they'd better be having a lovely time cos there will be trouble when they return

If i am honest the post office was not going to happen today. not sure most of that to do list will get done tbh. very tired atm.

Evening all!

Bitchy!! Hope they are having a better time than we are currently . And hope you can catch up on shut eye tonight!

TGIF!! Taking dd to watch Swan Lake tonight; can't wait! Hope eveyrone OK. Finished rest of my list (just about); would have done more but spent 40 mins of my life I will never get back involving myself in a UKIP thread. Why oh why?

Aw at your personal horse sanctuary Swan!!

Toffee¨yes, hope taster day happened and was a success and if not, good luck for next time.

Waves to Alice Goth and Whoknows and everyone else!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Christmas tree shaped crumpet whoknows I would kill for a normal crumpet right now!

Apparently DH didn't bang the door this morning, he walked into it

Ta da
2 loads of washing folded and away (one from Wed)
wash#2 now in td
hoovered lounge
made lasagne for dinner
spent 35 minutes pottering in garden -my resolution to make sure we get outside everyday, even if just sitting on a bench or in the playground up the road.
bought baby carrier
washing up

had a very dozy afternoon on the sofa, dh said I looked knackered when he got home - guess I need some time to wind down!

have fun sc

Managed to get DS1 to visit the school! Had to listen to him talking obsessively about ciphers during the journey (his way of dealing with the stress), but he managed to walked around the grounds with me for ten minutes. We will go again next week for another walk around.

So tired after my 3am awakening. Hoping for an early night.

walk around not 'walked around' .

Glad you were able to get to the school Toffee

Big waves for everyone else.

***
No missions at the weekend.

Babystep is to do the pamper mission, so in that spirit, I'm off to have a bath.
*

Night all!

Helloooooo (bit quiet here today)

Had a good day at the Art Village today, fairly busy. The children were making paper chains, crackers, 3d snowflakes and painting paper mâché balloons (mainly with glitter)

Back again tomorrow, so am going to draw a Christmas tree which they can paint and then decorate.