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
lie in
car emptied
prescription picked up
dealt with over tired ds
work on blanket no 2

Evening!

[Waves to Goth and surveys tumble weed blowing through thread ... . Art village sounds fab.]

Toffee that is fantastic news!! Well done to your ds1 and to you and your ma and dh! So glad he made it to school and is happy to go back again!!
On a more sombre note, just saw a policeman on the news in Devon reporting that a teenage girl with mental health problems had to be kept in his police cells because there wasn't a hospital bed to be found for her. She had done absolutely nothing wrong I was absolutely and . Imagine a child who has no family support and no treatment options ...? it doesn't bear thinking about.

Ballet was magical last night; dd was absolutely entranced throughout. Felt sorry for the small Ukrainian company who were dancing though; they performed the Nutcracker at 3pm and Swan Lake at 8pm. They must have been absolutely cream crackered (although it wasn't at all evident!).

Assumed the role of dd's valet for the rest of the day; sorting out ballet bun and run and party clothes and present and chauffering etc. Missed going to see lovely friends sing because timing was all wrong and I'd stupidly over-booked myself and dh had to sort out a computer prob.

Also had usual Saturday mis-match of expectations between dh and myself. Because he is so tired after a week's work and travel, he just wants to spend Saturday morning (understandably) in his dressing gown watching sport or the episodes of Masterchef that he missed. (To be fair he rarely gets the chance to do this.) I on the other hand get over-excited at having him 'captive' for 45 mins without him being on the phone or rushing off somewhere that I want to organise social stuff with him/sort important dates/plan baby-sitting and trips for week ahead/discuss school issues etc and get cracking with DIY tasks while (a) he is available and (b) the shops are open (v. little Sun opening here) and (c)there is time to do it, before he dashes off again. It's rarely a happy mix !

Ta da
morning routine + s&s + rabbits
tidying up from night before
cleaned kitchen surfaces and shined sink
tidied boudoir (much easier nowadays)
carried a load of things upstairs and a load of things downstairs
school uniform wash
gym kit wash
ballet run
quick flit to art shop to buy element of missing present
home for snack lunch
present wrapping
bit of ironing
supervise dd getting ready and party run
chauffering
supermarket shop
butcher
hair cut

Just about to prep bangers and baked spuds and salad for supper and collapse in front of Strictly!

Have a lovely Saturday evening everyone!

Was sure I posted earlier. ?.mn ate my post! In short...

ta da
sinterklaas this morning. Ds was embarrassing again.
falling asleep to bambi this afternoon
washing up
Film this evening

now ready for bed.

See what I've been up to?

Tomorrow we're getting together with friends and having pizza, playing games, and doing some Christmas baking.

Tomo we start taking the house apart for the pre christmas deep clean.

Evening all.

Glad you enjoyed the ballet, SC.

Art village sounds good, too Goth.

Good luck, Bitchy!

I think i need a good list for tomo:
Laundry
folding
ironing
clothes away
school stuff ready to go
sew 2 poppers on
crochet 11 small parts
sew up 12 things
crochet two strings and attach bits to bobs.
get into ds' room (try not to cry) and discover some floor.

realistically that might well be all that happens, although i do need to find my phone charger as the phone is currently off and useless.

Alice - nooooooo! Some of us haven't even put the Halloween decorations away yet, you know .

Art Village activities sounds lovely, Goth.

Bitchy - hope you get a chance to relax tomorrow too.

SC - thank you. Am so relieved DS1 has taken the first step towards the new school. We have arranged another date next week. about the girl with mh problems kept in a police cell.

Engels - this made me smile: "DS was embarrassing again". Such a familiar feeling!

Thanks for the links, Blue. Do we know who volunteered for Dec? I know somebody did, but can't remember who (was it you, Goth?).

Waved DM off this morning, then had DMIL with us for the rest of the day as it was her b'day. Whilst here, DM spent a lot of time commenting on things that needed mending/sorting/throwing away. I tried to deal with it humorously, but it got me down in the end. It's not as if we don't notice these things, but we don't have much money and we also have other priorities.

DS2 cooked vanilla cupcakes for his grandma's b'day. I will be getting very fat at this rate.

On a very mundane note, my spacebar is sticking so that if I don't thump it hard when I type, my sentencesturnoutlikethis. It's maddening and I have no idea if it can be sorted.

Toffee yes it was. I will try to do it in the morning, but it will probably be a panic job around 9pm! Still trying to think of a good thread name

Thanks, Goth.

Started new thread here so I only have links to do tomorrow night.

Thanks again Blue for this month and SC for your easily copiable OP.

ta da
get into ds room and spend 5 mins rescuing laundry
fold 2 loads of washing
1st load washing on
1st bath ironing
discuss the plan for the week
deal with upset and grumpy and emotional ds

Now i might attempt breakfast and getting up. gotta love a sunday that starts with a bang!

In the post that MN ate, I think I described DS as a Labrador puppy in terms of energy and lack of social embarrassment. Apparently I am the ONLY one of my colleagues to have a child like this as everyone else's child seems able to sit quietly, not run around for 3 hours, not break 2 balloon animals and then have to steal other children's animals, not climb up on stage when Sinterklaas is talking to other children. Last year was not a fluke - he has cemented his reputation!

have just taken him out for a walk and hoping he's burnt of a good chunk of energy.

I have a rotten cold - typical when I haven't had a sick day this school year, but often happens when I get the the end of a half term, so not surprised after the amount of planning and reports and preparation I've had to do the last few months to ensure everything goes smoothly while I'm gone.

This week will be making sure last bits for baby are ready, finishing of Christmas shopping and doing wrapping/cards and also cleaning/decluttering the lounge ready for Christmas tree and decorations going up next weekend.

Thanks for running this month blue

I was always told to treat ds like a dog in that if i want him to behave I need to take him out for a proper batch of exercise 3 times daily. You are not alone Engels

Well today is not going to plan. May i recommend not shutting your own fingers in a door. you feel pain, guilt and very stupid. A triple whammy

Afternoon all! Fighting off a headache here. Managed to get to church on time, just (with hedgehog hair)). Dh travelling again tomorrow (wish he wasn't tbh as dd finds it so disruptive). Everyone feeling a bit tired and stressed. Need to sort home office. It's so bad I don't know where to start!

Thanks for new thread Goth!

Still envy you the choir Blue! Btw, have just read 'The Spirited Child' chapter on 'Intensity' and every word fits!! Thx again for recommendation.

Your decorations and newly decorated room look lovely Alice!

Ouch bitchy!

Engels I remember when dd as an enthusiastic four year old ran back on to the school stage after all the performances had finished (but parents were still watching) and gave a one-"man" show! I couldn't reach her because of the stage logistics and she totally ignored my increasingly stern warnings to get down. It was sooooo embarrassing, partic because I was standing next to one of the school founders and a mother whose 6 dc always behaved perfectly.

Sorry you have succumbed to a cold; dh only "allow"s himself to be ill during the holidays so you have my sympathies!! Take it steady and give yourself the time to recover properly! (How exciting to be getting last of the baby things ready though!)

Toffee sympathies over your dm's criticisms. Try not to let it get you down. If it's any consolation , what with fil's medical costs, I've only just replaced a manky microwave and a frankly dangerous kettle after four years of 'making do'. Dd's chest of drawers is literally being held together with bits of string. And her toys and books are all wobblling on inadequate, old, creaky bits of furniture. Have limited budget for presents too this year (which includes employees list). But better that than getting in to debt so keep strong! Our "to mend'" list would also stretch down the street and back; so don't feel badly about it. You have enough on your plate.

Right, I'd better go and scrub white collar and cuffs for last of the uniform wash and start doing something productive in home office.

One encouraging thing ... I've found my Christmas file!! Yeah!

Big waves to one and all!

I think I need a Christmas file sc !

Ouch bitchy . And glad I'm not alone in having a puppy like child

Dark and gloomy here.

Have just escaped the house for an hour as a shopping Sunday here. Felt immensely pregnant walking round shopping centre, but just needed a little bit of time away from DS as have him all day tomorrow. Got home to fin done set of plastic storage boxes I'd picked up were broken on the bottom so ended up driving back (only 5 minutes away) but was so annoyed with myself I had a burger to make up for my stupidity! DH is now starting meet - he's doing fillet of pork with mash and onion gravy - yum!

Think I may have enough energy to put my storage boxes to good use now!

Snap Engels we're having filet of pork tonight with cabbage and sesame seed/fennel seed dish if I get my act together

Currently hiding because finally persuaded dh to do some DIY (some Ikea flat pack shelving for bathroom that was bought over a month ago) and he is not a happy bunny. He allows dd free reign with the Allen key and then needs to use lots of power tools to put holes where they should have gone in the first place

OK so I am also procrastinating over the home office again

I have been overly productive today. Sometimes you have to put the grumps to good use!
Toys in the toy corner of doom has been evicted, tidied/cleaned and relocated. Sofa and various other bits of furniture moved. Rug now completely clear and ready for cleaning tomo.
I have also dealt with grumpy over tired ds and various other people who have not exactly been thinking clearly. About prepped ready for tomo's tasks. Tired and ready for bed but still loads to be done

Hugely tedious DIY diversion alert:

Stop press: After 12 yrs I have functioning bathroom storage!!! Yipppppeeeeeee!!!! I can finally move all the bottles of shampoo and crapola from mantelpiece (that need lifting individually each time it is cleaned) and put them in a closed cupboard.! Ok it is one of Ikea's cheapest and smallest (about 20 cm wide x 30 cm deep x 2m high) and the cupboard door doesn't close quite properly (dh is not great at DIY but there again neither am I) and dh is no longer speaking to me because he hates doing anything around the house and it always sets him off on a two day grumpfest but it has six shelves ... [preens] .. six whole shelves: wheeeee-heeeehhhhh!!!!

That is a very important DIY diversion alert SC and totally counts as flying!!!

Thanks Bitchy It's amazing the difference such a small change makes! And how it changes one's outlook (in a positive way) towards the rest of the house ... ie small improvements are poss despite it seemingly all being overwhelming.

Yeah it does doesn't it. I have just evicted a load of furniture from the lounge and I can't believe how much bigger it looks. the shame is that I need to put it all back when the carpets are clean.

Fantastic sc ! Sounds like you've had a productive day as well bitchy

Ta da
Sorted toys into new boxes and tidied up 80% of crap in hall and hoovered so now you can see the floor and actually get to letterbox without it being an assault course
Washing up and kitchen surfaces/hob

Now out of energy and waiting for dh to take ds to bed.

See you all on the December thread!