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!

Well done on your productive days Bitchy and Engels! Have a virtual glass of !

DD and I have just decluttered an entire tub of old bath toys ... .

See you all on the next thread!!

And thank you for running this one Blue!!

Had a strangely exciting day. Took ds1 to Britain's Got Talent audition at near the O2 building (but not actually in it - convenient - not) which involved much travelling. He didn't get through the first round (although to my mind he sang sublimely) but we experienced first hand the trickery of television competitions...forcing us to queue for hours by the river and then wave flags and then herding us back the way we had come just for good telly shots (ie: we ended up back where we started) Waiting around took four hours and we felt very much like camera fodder. We saw blue children, women dressed like black swans and two sailors Let alone the dalmation and jugglers

I am soo glad ds1 didn't get through to a live round ..I never want to be in a situation like that again. Although on a positive note I think they/BGT producers took their responsibility to all the thousands of children being auditioned very seriously and man who auditioned ds1 gave him some very useful advice (like - go and train in musical theatre properly before you attempt to fill the stage with your presence - except more politely and warmly than I have put it

I had a rather productive afternoon - read an entire novel about Ancien Regime called Pure and managed to see the O2 by mistake (we got off at wrong stop to start with) Not to speak of ending the boring saga that is Ds1's obsession with being on BGT! He is phlegmatic thank goodness but has decided that school tomorrow would be too hard with so many people to tell he has failed ignominiously...not that I see it like that. It was brave of him to audition at all.

Housekeeping has been very low key (as usual [sigh] Twins still being tiresome too. Dd jealous of ds1. Ds2 very annoying and keeps stealing the computer and talking about lottery tickets. Dd even more annoying and keeps trying to buy things on Amazon like signed posters by "famous" popstars (who I have never heard of)

Otherwise I suppose all is well! I can see space for some Alice like bunting over my chimney breast -really longing to do something genuinely creative and not "necessary" but just fun and life enhancing. Lots of lovely Swedish recipes in the Guardian on Sat which look quite festive too.

SC ballet sounds great. Never forgotten the Matthew Bourne Swan Lake version. It shows how ignorant I am of ballet that I only recently learnt that different versions have different choreography. Dd has suddenly announced she wants to do ballet again. But it is of course impossible to find a class for a 12 year old beginner She gave it up twice before so I really have little hope of her actually putting her heart into it, sad to say. In the New Year Ive found a combined dance drama and singing course for Sat which she and Ds1 can do (separate classes luckily) so that may fill the yearning to shine.

Swan Wow on your exciting day!! (Have just replied on new thread!) Terrifically brave of your ds2!!

And well done to your dd for starting dancing again! There simply must be someone where a 12 year old can start; I know there are classes for adult beginners anyway and perhaps one of those would work? Too ridiculous (to cut dc off from choices so early) otherwise!