Bitchy takes on the January Fledgling Thread. Buckle in and enjoy the ride...

[BitchyTakesOnManagement]

Ok. Welcome to the January Fledglings thread. Before we get started we have Some important notices

1. The fledglings are a long running thread, We are might seem clicky but that is what happens when some of us have been on the same thread for up to 5 years
2. We are rather partial to new blood Pull up a seat in the naughty corner
3. Don't assume you can march in and impose your way. We follow the fly lady way and we adapt it to suit our lives and needs. You are welcome to come join us for support and chat, don't assume you know best.
4. There is more to us than cleaning. If you want to be obsessive about cleaning you will find us and and our interpretation of fly lady frustrating. You might be happier else where.

Right, as harsh as it might seem, it is important to get that out of the way as we expect this January thread to be busier with newbies and there has been problems in the past.

So the fly lady system there are rules and we have adaptations.

1. NO perfectionism!!!
2. Something is better than nothing and sometimes good enough really is good enough.

3.This is not about the housework, it is about having more time to do fun stuff. Don't ever feel guilty about doing stuff with the kids over doing the housework. The kids are more important.

And the practical adaptations. We have discussed the Marie Kondo book and the approaches within on previous threads. We are all agree two things: the author does not have kids and that the principles are very good for decluttering and that they can be used to in conjunction with the fly lady system (Marie Kondo to get in control, and fly lady to stay in control). As for the fly lady system there are some of the babysteps and things that are advised that are either "huh, why?" or just don't fit in with the household. We advise a pinch of salt and discretion with a dash of reality thrown in. E.g. if you are a no shoes household then clearly the wearing shoes in the house part of babystep 2 is going to make you go This is where adaptations come in and if past threads are to be gone on this will be discussed and there are various takes on it as and when they arise.

Also for the over enthusiastic newbies to the fly lady site and system everything you need will be posted here in the form of links. There are 3 levels:
Newbie: babysteps - get into these habbit
student: Missions and babysteps once the habits are habit the missions are a piece of cake.
Expert: deep cleaning, missions and babysteps - forget this if you have clutter, seriously.
Oh and for the love of all sanity do not subscribe to the email alerts. Seriously. Just don't.

Jump on board, buckle in and lets kick the butt of January.
Bitchy special brew on the naughty corner bar, natch
do we warn the newbies about the special brew or let them find out for themselves?

Had an awful, AWFUL night, last night. DD slept really badly -- was running around the house giggling and turning the lights on and off. Tap started leaking quite badly in the little toilet, AND I think the dishwasher might be broken as it seems to be repeating cycles and not heating up.

Two MORE things to add to the list of 'things that need to be dealt with', along with the tile that's fallen off the side of the house, the plasterboard that needs fixing in one of the ceilings, and on and on and on.

I'm going to have a go at fixing the tap myself, as I think it's just the washer that needs replacing and it looks pretty simple, just first I need to figure out how to turn the water off.

So that's my plan for today:

• fix the tap

Bollox to the rest of it, although I might have to do a load of dishes if the DW's knackered. God help me. Luckily the rest of the house is in an okay state. I might try to do a quick pick up later just to keep it ticking over. I should put a wash on too, but I'm half-scared the washing machine will pack up too.

At all these bad nights that everyone had last night, fingers crossed we can all catch up tonight

Unfortunately this pg fledgling is still pregnant nicknacks .

Uncomfortable and fed up so decluttering the biscuit cupboard

Thanks toffee for the update on sc how sad, thinking of her and her family

Morning all,

Dd back at school

Done
Beds
Packed lunch
Dd to school
Few bits of food shopping
Ironing
Quick tidy up

Please may I join in?

I've had a look at the fat fairy before (man those email updates are off putting) and not really got very far but now I have a DD who's 3, I'm working more or less full-time and I just want our lives to be more organised so I don't turn into a shouty Mummy.

So my first goal is to get my routines sorted, starting with the evening then the morning routine. Then I'll move onto the sink shining (I'd do it now but I've lost the sink plug, so I've done the washing up bowl instead).

I got my lunch, work bag and DD's bag ready last night and found I only forgot one thing that I needed to add to my bag. I was going to do the washing up but DP wanted to continue with our Game of Thrones marathon and offered to do it this morning as he isn't working, which is an offer not to be dismissed. We left the house with it not looking like the whirling dirvish that's my DD had just been through.

So far all is good and I know what we're all having for tea tonight (I even put some bread on to go with our HM soup).

Limited flying here today due to full day at hospital but DS' scans are clear thank God.

How long have you got left, Calling? You have my full sympathies, I hated being pregnant, and then the little monsters decided to outstay their welcome by another two weeks each
Welcome to scary :)
Glad to hear about your DS's scans, Trazzle :)

Not much flying going on here, I'm in a CBA mood Have just done the basics.

Fantastic news, Trazzle! I'm sorry you have to keep going through this - it must be terrifying.

Welcome, scaryg. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

Enjoy the peace, Goth .

Engels - poor you, the waiting bit is horrible. Not long now, I'm sure.

Whispers - yes, fingers crossed for decent sleep tonight.

Bugrit - you made me laugh with your 'bollox to the rest of it'. Sounds like a good mantra.

ta da

Put rubbish out
Two loads of washing
Unloaded and reloaded d/w
Distributed food to DC and cats
Read Roman myths to DS2
Handwriting with DS2
Managed to get DS1 engaged with his online lesson
Lunch
Various emails to organise stuff

DS2 isn't feeling well today, which might be why he couldn't sleep. Or maybe he feels unwell because he couldn't sleep . Anyway, we are having a slow start to our home ed. But intending to do some Maths and spelling, then start our new project on the human body.

scaryg welcome!!!

Well, Swan has gently reminded me that I am an utter slacker. So I'm back again. To be fair, now that the holidays are done, I've been gearing up to work on the house again anyway, as that was always the plan.

So...

ta da
usual morning routine
school run x2
get cash from ATM
get petrol in car
pick up a few items from supermarket (and a new top! )
rescheduled dental appointment (due to cold)
put out recycling
washing up
finish packing away christmas boxes and tape up
put christmas boxes in attic
check bank
check budget
meal planning set up for week
vacuum living room, dining room, hallway

to do
afternoon school run x2
tidy fridge (after supper tonight)
general tidying up
sew up ds2's cuddly toy

Fantastic news trazzle !!!!!!!

I'm 41+1. Just had a disappointing mw appt so now it's onto hospital later this week to discuss induction

Is this DC2? Still plenty of time left, I was due in to be induced at 8am with DC2, so by 8pm the night before, I had resigned myself to a second induction. She had other ideas though and was born by 10.30pm I was induced with DC1 though and it wasn't bad at all :)

I have spent today home edding and done absolutely no housework

Alice I wasn't chiding you just realising I was making houseworky comments on the wrong thread

I did beginning of Couch to 5k run with ds2 today! only because I had to move my car because I still don't have a permit so all disorganisation has a silver lining....

We did Handel
we did reading aloud (Jeremy Clarkson)
we did Maths
and we did PE

and insisted that ds2 read his book to himself for 30 mins. It is a book for a 7 year old honestly and he says it is too difficult. David Walliams. He can read it but just prefers to listen to Dh and I "bringing it to life", Nope...

house freezing. We need to accept that it is cold and put the heating on the day!!!!

Can I face the ironing board? stares at pile of fusty clothes that cat has been sitting on. Perhaps.

Also wrote two emails and talked to a friend

Feeling bloody crappy today. Bad tempered and fed up and annoyed at the prospect of spending out for so many things that need fixing. But I've been trying to remind myself that this is the reason I've been saving this money -- it's meant for 'emergencies' like this.

Looking into a handyman quote to fix the tap (why is it so effing hard to turn the sodding water off? WHY?), and I;ve booked a repairman to look at the dishwasher (am bracing myself to buy a new one).

Just feeling so very drained and frustrated that I seem to be the only one who ever does anything around here. Anyway, it's a kick up the bum, so maybe this is exactly what we need.

Feck it, time for a coffee.

Swan suuuure... I have a sneaky suspicion you looked in my window, were horrified at the state of my house, and threw down the gauntlet. Although I have been known to mix up the threads myself.

Yep, DC2 whispers. Dc1 was spontaneous labour at 39+4. If I'm induced I have to go into hospital with doctors I have never met instead of birth centre with my lovely mw team. Still time for baby to come out but am going insane with all the stupid messages from people every 5 minutes asking me if there are any signs. Yes. because I love discussing the state of my cervix and cervical mucus with colleagues and DH's cousin who I haven't spoken to since May.

ta da

Home ed - Maths, spelling and the human skeleton
More washing and drying

Today's exercise was going to be a brisk walk into town and to a local park, but DS2 isn't feeling great, so we have put it off till tomorrow.

DH came back from work and looked in dismay at the state of the sitting room: books everywhere.

So, to do

Room rescue in sitting room
Start dinner
Put dry washing away
Pour myself a large glass of .... ginger and lemongrass juice

Tell them that they are scaring the baby and if they don't stop with the constant messages the baby will be very very late and you wont tell them until it is a week old. Then ignore phone

Hi everyone. Sounds like quote a mixed bunch today.

It was my last day of leave today (back to work and school tomorrow).

So far tadas:
Dishwasher unloaded
1 x load of washing (meaning basket empty for all of 3 hours!!)
Finished ironing mountain
Took ds to town for new rugby boots and running shoes
Lunch with ds in town.
Supervised a painful hour of homework
Made batch of broccoli and Stilton soup (to use up Christmas leftovers)
Sitting room vac'd (dh did this but I'm claiming it into role as PM
My Gt Nephew has come to play for a couple if hours whilst his mum teaches a riding lesson so Nerf bullets everywhere! They will clear them up though (determined face).
Mug cupboard cleared out and a bag of surplus mugs ready to go to work tomorrow.
Dh has updated accounts (claiming again due to PM position).
Oh and I've palmed off ds's old rugby boots and hiking boots to my nephew when he comes to called Gt nephew - result (2 pairs of shoes into the house and 2 pairs out!!)

To do:
Stairs and landing to vac
Dinner to make
Sink to shine

Hope everyone has had as good a Monday as possible.

Apologies for the typos, hope that lot makes sense

A productive day. Most to dos have now turned into tadas. I use the anydo app which is quite satisfying. I enjoy talking into it and seeing what gibberish it translates to from the voice (non)recognition. My big conquest has been excavating access to my side of the bed which clearly harbours timelord technology as once on the landing, it became apparent that that amount of stuff couldn't possibly have originated from 2m square of space. It took a few 15 minute timers to deal with so that it wasn't left in a state that would worsen. Putting silly little jobs like putting out rubbish onto the list has helped.

Hi there,

Just checking in. Reading all about everyone's sleepless nights is reminding me that I feel tired.

Well, back from work early here so I can get on with some ironing whilst watching a film. I wanted to do some yesterday but my iron packed in ( so sad ) . Anyhow, problem solved now . Bought new iron and am ready to go .

Glad that I worked on the kitchen during the weekend and that my missions are going to be a little lighter this week. But, most of all, thanks for the links and for the helpful and comforting explanations that you run alongside them Bitchy. They are great for me.

Ok - must strike the ironing whilst the iron's hot ( or something like that ) . So, it's tatty bye for now.

Evening all. First day back at work completed with no casualties.

Ta da:-
Work survived.
Dinner cooked
Dinner cleared away
Bags sorted for morning
Clothes laid out for morning
Dd in bed.
Washing in tumble drier

To do:-
Mark 30 Yr 11 exercise books (clever kids as well...they write loads).

trazzles fantastic news

Fantastic news Trazzles
Fingers crossed it won't be long Engels my dd is being induced on Wednesday and I am very excited!

Morning routines and evening routines completed. I cannot believe the house is still tidy - it must be some sort of record!

Dp had a late start today and also emptied the ironing basket

I have just finished planning and am off to plonk myself on the sofa - getting up early today was a complete shock to my system

Oh engels sorry to hear you're still waiting for baby. It's a wait like nothing else isn't it?!

Fab news trazzles so pleased for your son

I've got the kids back in their evening routines, making lunches, laying out clothes, they're generally a good bunch so not too much chivvying along to be done. I'm not a morning person (or late evening tbh!) so prepping is key to a smooth day.

Cleared out cooking utensil/junk drawer and tidied it all, it looks lovely.

Tomorrow's to do
Decs in the cupboard and all furniture back in front of cupboard.
Carpet man coming to finalise my measurements
Work (2 mindees)
Laundry
Dust
Hoover
15 minute declutter