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!

Hello everyone

Bitchy hope you feel better soon and they sort your meds out.
Fuzzpig and WhoKnows I come from Haywards Heath.
Statements are a nightmare, fingers crossed they sort it out really soon and you get the help you need. Should be hearing anyday if Dd's statement is completed and whether she has got into the SEN school. She's so excitied about going there, have to constantly remind her that we don't know yet which makes her smile disappear and her sad worried face return, which breaks my heart.

DH's (still sounds weird) last day of holiday today back to reality.

To Do tomorrow

Inform everyone of name change
Write Thank you letters
Clean toilet. i was also inspired by OCD cleaner program. Am goign to try adn drain water out of toiket and get scrubbing something to try and remove stained limescale any suggestions gratefully received.
Town:
Buying large quantitys of cheap bleach; washing up gloves and scourers.
Depo injection
Return library books - should have been back monday
Pay in another wedding present cheque.

Treated ourselves to brand new, Debenhams bath sheets for all 4 of us as dc's are growing so fast. They are heaven - definately worth the extra money

Anyway I'm off to bed as DH up at 3:30 tomorrow will be hard as have got used to the lie-in.
Have a good evening and day tomorrow.
Will report back on the success of the TO DO list.

Achieved bugger all today but tomorrow going for lunch with DH. In the morning I absolutely must batch cook - need to use the mince for bolognese and will do leek and potato soup. If I can get that done before I go I'll be happy.

Evening all,

I'm OK about the statement, now I know it's another two weeks (which is the correct date for issuing it, but I'd been told they have to give you the decision at 10 weeks) I'll just stop thinking about it, we are not in any sort of crisis fortunately. In fact I've got the opposite problem to you Shannara - I've got the perfect special school all lined up and DS is desperate to stay where he is and go to the local secondary with his friends next year (he's Yr6). Despite the many shortcomings in the provision his current school can make, they have actually done a great deal for him and he is very happy there. Potentially taking him away from that is breaking my heart a little, it's also his independence, he loves walking to school on his own but SS will mean being driven / taxied. DD doesn't want him to leave either. I'm very conflicted about the whole thing.

Haven't done much Flying, but am having a night off from OU to watch the APprentice in a minute.

Oh, and this isn't strictly Flying, but it is domestic - I have just switched energy providers. The MoneySaving Expert website are masterminding a mass switch to a specially negotiated deal this week, deadline Friday, our already good deal is set to switch to one £200 a year cheaper. Worth a look if you haven't switched recently.

Fuzzpig - I vote for holding a meet-up in a pub.

Evening all

Evening all. Hi to Lawyer - welcome aboard. You don't have to read the whole thread the way we all natter on here, just jumping in where you are is fine. :)

Good tip about the energy providers, WhoKnows.

Failing yet again at not computering late in the evening so will do quick link dump and run away.

Not much flying done today, but we did have a micro fireworks display in the garden and made good progress with paid work.

*
Mission is kitchen counter tops. I really like this one for some reason.

Babystep 6 is all about hotspots - this is a key one.

Thursday is errand day

Better than I was earlier Goth not great but a lot better than I was. Hoping a good night's sleep will bring about feeling even better. This is assuming I can put down the craft project (chrismtas blanketgate no 1 2014) long enough to sleep.

Hello. Still ill. Flu getting worse not better. Feel a bit rough tbh.

A warm welcome to Lawyer

Ta for links Blue

Shannara is this the first time you have been back on the thread since the big day? Congratulations!! Congratulations!! Congratulations!! How did it go?!! Hope you had a lovely day!!

Whoknows sorry you are still having to wait and sorry to hear about dilemmas. Very difficult decision to have to make x

Very of your bonfire night Goth one of the things I really miss over here

Glad you are feeling a bit better Bitchy

[Slopes back to basket]

Morning all.

Busy day at work survived yesterday with an observation by management which went well. Local bonfire attended and fireworks watched. No flying whatsoever however the only plus point of currently living with one's mother is that she does some flying without even realising it.

Will catch up properly tonight. Have a good day everyone!

I have a nice gentle day planned for today. Feeling even better than i did last night but still feeling a bit bleurgh after yesterday so the plan is to try to get the current project finished off. Which means, curling up in bed (probably with a hot water bottle) and sitting with wool, hook, needle and sissors. Hopefully this should keep me out of trouble. but as this is me I will probably still find a way to get into trouble.

ta da
Made doctors appt for DS
White wash on

to do
Another wash including more uniform
Wash pots
Leek soup
Bolognese

Bitchy so pleased you're starting to feel better, but ANOTHER Blanketgate! Not sure I can cope with the stress

Done
Beds
Windows
Packed lunch
Laundry on
Washing up
Plumber been to fix leak in toilet cistern.
Ironing

Damp & grey day outside, so contemplating hibernation (so much for the planned increased activity levels)

Afternoon all

Sorry, thought I'd said yesterday, the wedding went fantastically - better then I ever dreamed it would. Everyone said they had a great time. Was lovely to meet dh's family that I haven't met. Just waiting for the disc of photos to arrive, will then get an official wedding album done and small pictures to carry around and show everyone!

Done

Remembered everything in town, and more!
Written out all the envelopes.

To do

Put washing away
Clean toilet
Write some of the letters.
Try to get through to inform child benefit; tax credit and credit card people - hope the queues aren't too long, might actualy see if I can do any online.

Stew hope you feel better soon
ellipac glad you enjoyed the fireworks, living with your mother sounds horrendous!
Bitchy enjoy your relaxing and recouperating
GoingGoth I know what you mean hate the cold grey days of winter!

Had better get on.

Have a good afternoon

So happy it went well Shannara

Glad you are on the mend Bitchy

just waving to eveyrone from my basket! Still feeling grim (sinusitus and now have stomach cramps oh joy). Totally given up all pretence at Flying now and am letting the house disintegrate around me ... . Dh delaying his flight and doing his best but it takes a lot to keep this wreck of a place functioning ... . Each day think "Oh I'm bound to feel better tomorrow" but it's not happening like that. Cancelling appts all over the place. A bit frustrating.

On the positive front: dd has hwk club tonight (phew!)

Arf at Goth's horror at Blanketgate no. 2

Or is it no. 3 Bitchy?

Blanketgate #2 but three blankets this year SC... Poor Goth might need something for her nerves by the end of it.

at goth and bitchy at blanketgate. She was only saying what the rest of us who have been here some time were thinking.

Ta da:-
Work
Cooked dinner
Dishwasher
Washing.
Watched tv

shannara sounds absolutely lovely.

You wait until we get to jumpergate

Piss off

I wish i was even joking Ellie I still have a cardy here that I started knitted pre ds, ds is 10. In my defence it was too ambitious a project for the skills I had at the time, but still I do think that it is about time I finished it. So I am increasing my skills by learning how to knit a completely different jumper So there we have it. Jumpergate.

I do actually love you.

Been one of those days all day today. But I dumped some stuff off at a charity shop and did errands, so that counts as flying, right?!

Bitchy has been striking terror into the thread with Blanketgate 2. And we're not mentioning Jumpergate.

Sorry to hear you're still feeling rough, SC. Take it easy!

Goth was contemplating hibernation.

fuzzpig was washing and cooking.

Shannara is back after a lovely wedding - glad it went well. :)

Ellie was being busy and watching fireworks and swearing at Bitchy

Babystep is picking out your clothes the night before.

Mission is mopping the kitchen floor.

Friday's daily focus is decluttering your purse (i.e. handbag) and car.

Energising visit to Brighton today with ds2. He was a star with toddler we met up with He is definitely going to be one of those children's Entertainers when he grows up, or at very least a CBBeebies presenter

Home again (the day whizzed by) by 5.20 pm to cook tuna pasta bake and enjoy being home again!

Shannara I'm so glad your wedding brought so much joy and well deserved giant bath sheets into the bargain (I remember those from my childhood)

SC oh no, I'm sorry you feel so much worse; and so frustrating to have to cancel all the appointments but you cannot do anything else in the circumstances.

Goth I like hearing about Glasgow!

Swan pleased about that, I don't want to bore you all. It's such a change of pace from Lincolnshire, I'm sure I'm must sound like a right hick sometimes. It blows my mind on just how much art, music and community events we can access here, often without going into the city centre.

Bitchy Jumpergate! must get more to get through this.

Shannara so pleased wedding went well.

So much for hibernating, we realised we've been feeling run down because we hadn't been going out so we dragged one another out for a walk this afternoon. It was cold, grey and miserable but I did feel better for it.

I have started a squirrel hat today, like the wolf hat I made for DD but in red.

I'm on snowflakes this week.