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!

Dammit Ellie you take all the fun out of it

I am like a dementor sucking the joy out of life

Which means the solution is chocolate. Epic. Chocolate it is then but just don't let BIWI know I considered this the solution. Not that I am scared of her stick

Ellie I am trying NaNoWriMo as a hobby - couldn't fit any in on the weekend so hope to start tomorrow. Came up with a plot a while ago so this seems like a good opportunity. After that I will be starting my workbook on Japanese writing :) I also play piano, which I really should 'allow' myself to do more often (because I have a disability I tend to feel guilty about using my limited energy to do nice things) and have got a tai chi DVD to try.

I've made a huge amount of tomato/veg sauce and some shepherds pie base. Too tired to do more now! Have to hang out the towels and just realised I have to sew two name labels as well as packing PE bags. Going to power through and grab an early night :o

hello to all Newbies.

done
just been to Mass with two sons, the third child (dd) was in a sulk
chatted to various people after Mass

Morning was good -dh helped me move furniture in the playroom where no-one plays because it is so disagreeable... and turned it into a room you might actually want to be in
3 bags of rubbish culled from drawers of cocktail cabinet that should not be in the playroom but is now in a better position at least, and looks rather resplendently Art Deco rather than just ridiculous wedged between multi-coloured Staples unit and a stencilled pine wardrobe
checked ds1 visa requirements for March school ski trip

Decluttered two jigsaw puzzles, a pair of trainers and some Guide uniform to my friend who came for coffee at 3pm

Ds2 again atrociously boring (still obsessed by planes and seat prices today, only improved in Church for some reason, where he behaved beautifully apart from comparing the aisle to Ryan Air.. He went by himself to the park for an hour and played football which was a great relief. Told dh it was his duty to take ds2 out for exercise on Sundays not mine. Dh said he would consider it.

Ds1 and dd have hopefully done all homework. I've reached the stage where I am just relieved that no-one is fighting and I don't even want to check what they've done or haven't done homework wise. Ds1 has washed his blazer

fuzzpig when I sorting out rubbish today I found lots of piano music that I had put in an inaccessible place..I'm looking forward to trying it out. There are so many interesting things to do aren't there if one just let oneself feel it wasn't "timewasting" - so odd that I feel I can watch crap telly or browse the net but feel it is pointless to knit something because I could buy things cheaper..

Hi

Still not had chance to read the whole thread yet so apologies! But I have been a busy bee today. Made a brilliant start by shining sink (I know it's meant to be done at the end of the day but trust me it needed doing).

I have gone through my underwear and pyjama drawers and had a good sort as I could never find what I was looking for, also did the same for DD. Spent an hour each too in mine and hers bedroom sorting tidying and throwing. And have sorted a charity bag ready to go out in the morning for collection.

There is still loads to do but feel I have made a good start. Now off to do this weeks ironing before bed.

Feeling much better after a productive day

Evening all. Fell of the wagon massively for the last month - seem to have been really busy with job interviews and sorting out life! However, normality is resuming and am desperately hoping that I can keep on top of it!!

So, the clutter is beginning to reduce, I have re-organised the lounge and organised the winter boxes so that we can get gloves and hats if we need them [keeping everything crossed for snow!]

ta da
ds to do homework
several loads of washing
folding
Pairing of mount odd sock
culling of too small ds socks
get ds through bath and hair wash
collect all homework/book reports/letters in school bag
ensure pe kits are with school bag and ready to go
finish in progress stuff on lounge floor
dump 2 boxes of random stuff onto lounge floor
sort and cull and work way through the pile
transfer ds' stuff to his room
Transfer my stuff to my room
Towel mountain put into cupboard now it is possible to access cupboard
Empty recycling into outside bin x3
empty bins x2
collect all old meds for disposal
put my clothes away
put ds' clothes away
cull some too small clothes from ds' room
collect tupaware type tubs in one location ready for cleaning and pairing
finish off a blanket
get split soil hoovered off the window sil
move plants from bathroom window sil to their over wintering position
Hoover lounge floor
Sort all of charity shop stuff into the required categories
washing up of pots - had help with this one
DW loaded - also had help with this one
cleaned bath
collect together used hand warmers
sorted out people's comings and goings for tomo
finish off one cull project.

Am about to curl up with the last cull project. Then I have a shit load of fastening off of ends and hopefully will be heading close to finishing off christmas blanket no# 1 only 2 more of them to get done yay

Welcome inadaydream Congratulations on your shiny sink
I have spent the day catching up with friends. Dealing with 8 year old ds mood swings (surely it can't be hormones yet) and catching up with the schoolwork I should have done during the week.

Back to school tomorrow and a proper flying routine I hope.

After a week of getting to bed at a decent hour I’m determined to keep it up so banning myself from the computer after 10… so will attempt links and round-up now…

inadaydream was dreaming about shiny sinks! Don’t worry about reading the whole thread (unless you want to!) – you’re very welcome to jump in where you are.

watchingout also joined us due to coincidental sink shining – welcome to the thread.

Bitchy had a lie-in and was contemplating flying goals and lists.

coffee left us coffee and was planning a pleasant space to be – sounds good.

Chottie has been making Christmas puds and cake and planning knitting.

fuzzpig has also been cooking. Japanese, piano and tai-chi sounds like a fun combination.

Ellie had a quiet day and is looking for a hobby.

swan has been decluttering – like the sound of a resplendently deco cocktail cabinet!

three has climbed back on the bandwagon and is also reducing clutter.

Mercury has been catching up with friends and school work.

We’re now back home. Journey was fine, but very stressful with packing and unpacking and a lot of difficult behaviour all round. DS1 has also picked tonight to try and manage without pull-ups for the first time. Could be interesting. Think we’re more or less ready for school again though.

Babystep 3 is keeping on with shiny sinks etc. There’s also some new stuff about exploring the Fat Fairy’s website. Has anybody tried sending her an email? I dread to think what would happen if you did!

November’s habit of the month is menu planning.

We’re moving into the kitchen again this week. Tomorrow’s mission is to look up and clean the tops of things.

Detailed cleaning is for if you have finished decluttering…

Happy Monday everyone!

Perhaps i should send her a mega list email Blue do you think she would implode?

Pretty quiet day here but time seemed to pass unnoticed!

Ta Da

• new laptop bought (2nd mortgage needed!)
• DD's ironing done
• DD to swim training
• School uniform/bags ready for the morning
• Dinner money paid online
• D/W stacked and put on
• Laundry wash on and hung to dry
• Pots washed

Still having trouble managing an earl bedtime!

Back to normality and routine today
Ta da
Beds made
Washing up and drying up done.
Laundry folded and put away
Ds pe kit located and packed

Best get ready for work. Bbl

Good morning fledglings! A grey and dreary morning here.

Eugh. My age is catching up with me. Keep waking up three to five times in the night over-heating, drenched in perspiration, heart racing, with the bed seemingly spinning. It's really unpleasant. I'm on hormones that should prevent this sort of thing ... need to investigate. Had to cancel planned social events yesterday as I felt so rung out.

Feeling a bit better today but with zero energy. So one foot in front of other approach today.

Thanks for links and round-up Blue Glad you are back safely!

A warm welcome to all newcomers!

Rather feeble waves to everyone else!

Mercury - how do you manage to do all that stuff before you get to work? :-(

I can just about mange shower & dressing (laid clothes for me & DS out last nigh)

Good morning and hello November!

This month is going to be crazy.
Probably. Hopefully!

Leaves and a fresh pot of tea out on naughty counter bar.

Not much time for flying today.

To Do:
*Morning routine
*Work
*Post- work meeting
*Dash home & dinner
*Antenatal class this evening!
*Sleep

(We still haven't moved house....this weekend is now D-Day....)
Will catch up on thread later.

Oh and thank you for October SC and Bitchy - thanks for taking over Blue.

Bitchy

(Having caught up with thread)

Good to see you again StillwearingoldSocks and Threeislovely!

Congratulations on reducing 4 rooms of hoarder-like clutter to more manageable area Bitchy! That really takes some doing! (Esp with health issues to contend with.)

Congrats on positive start Inadaydream!

Well done re: play-room reconfiguration Swan. Funnily enough, we have just bought a new (rather unattractive) bit of temporary storage from Ikea to house board games and a big footstool thing with storage inside to try and hide magazines for our play-room. It looks a bit better. But we also have disparate bits of wobbly shelving and CD towers that just look awful!

[Diversion: did anyone happen to see any of those Interior design challenge progs on the Beeb last week? I watched recorded versions over the weekend and I was gob-smacked by how nice/in good condition the rooms were before they were 'transformed'. Didn't think they merited a make-over! Think I must either b (a) terribly parsimonious or (b) have horribly low standards. I even preferred the beach huts before they were 'done up']

Congrats on your early Monday morning start Mercury!

Ellie what sort of hobby are you after? One that gets you outside, one that gets you fit, one that gets you out meeting a totally different set of people, one that brings you peace and calm, one that teaches you a new skill? Geo-caching, running/cycling club, tracing your family history, fund-raising, yoga, helping on someone's allotment or applying for one yourself? PS anyone less dementor-like I cannot imagine

V. impressed by the Christmas pud making Chottie!

A warm welcome to Watchingout and ¨Inadaydream

Good to see you Dizzy

Big waves to Toffee Feetheart HOnu Nicknacks Pushme Castle Coffeeandcream Engels Fuzzpig Terrydolittle and everyone I've missed!

Feel slightly less wretched now, and it's actually light! Might actually attempt to Fly a bit ...

Ta da
changed beds
wash on
ds and I showered

to do
wash in td
what's for dinner
start something for nanowrimo
washing up from yesterday

should get outside with ds but energy is so low

lots of schoolwork to do but spent all of yesterday on laptop doing planning for maternity covers and don't have the energy to deal with ds as well.

taking it nice and easy.

Urgh I need that vat of coffee today - terrible nights sleep after Dd had a nightmare and ended up in our bed, wriggle is an understatement!!!!

I am brewing up a vat of special brew as I type. Terrible insomnia last night meant i fell asleep about 6am. My alarm for the day goes off at 7:30am I am still trying to convince myself I am awake enough to get ds to school and my ass into the office on time.

Power of three:
Find clothes and put on
Make lunch box
leave on time.

Ta Da
finish all the kill projects for now - just some ends to finish off.

now that's empowering!

Absence due to busy weekend, more craft stuff at the Art Village on Saturday, plus being an 'extra' for a LiveStream event on the place. Luckily I'm hidden for most of it.

Then a women's political conference yesterday (get me!) and a side trip to pick up more yarn & buttons. DH did dinner whilst I got buttons attached so 5 more cowls to go to the shop. I don't want to fill the thread with my pictures, so I'll link to my FB page soon (when it's live) if anyone is interested.

Good Monday morning!

Half term is always a bit manic is this house so I didn't do much aside from minding. Back to it today though. Bigger ones are at preschool and baby is sleeping so can get a few things done.

A ton of laundry!
Hoover
Pay for school photos
Pay preschool fees
Find stuff to eBay
Pick up big ones at 11.45
Major bins/recycling emptying mission

That'll do. I'm off to read the mission to see if I need to do it.