Fledglings are Flying into February

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Welcome to the February Fledglings thread. Before we get started we have some important notices?:

1. The Fledglings are a long running thread, some of us have known each other for several years but newcomers are always welcome.

1. We follow the Flylady way (somewhat flexibly) and we adapt it to suit our lives and needs. That also means we chat a lot too, it is a general thread about life, as well as Flylady.

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

1. NO perfectionism - life’s too short.?
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.
4. For newbies to the Flylady site and system everything you need will be posted here in the form of links. The homes is divided into zones where we spend one week each on a monthly basis. Within the zones we do babysteps and decluttering - the babysteps are little daily habits to get into, decluttering speaks for itself. As we progress we start doing missions (a more in depth task in that weeks zone). We may even get to detailed cleaning once we have decluttered. There are also daily tasks, on a weekly basis.

WARNING: Unless you want a very cluttered inbox full of gushing quotes and testimonials DO NOT subscribe to the Flylady emails from the site.

So, welcome on board and lets get Flying in February!

Hanbee have you tried soda crystals? A strong version of bicarb. You would have needed an entire pot plus of the bicarb to shift a smell like that. A generous (and I mean generous) shake of soda crystals can de stink seriously stinky bloke training kit that can normally survive multiple washes and still emit an odious niff.

Still feeling a bit rough and tired today but I do need to get on and get stuff done so going to potter and drink coffee. At least I can sit down without falling asleep today. Also there is a small matter of a name change that needs to be applied. You will know it is me, I am planning on keeping the bitchy bit Will sort that when I have sorted some urgent paperwork for school.

Whoknows you must have been so relieved to see your DF so well I hope he gets the very best care to get him home asap.

I think I've cured my stinky washing saga, by hanging the remianing oil smelling items on the line in the wind. They still slightly smell but are much better, they can just stay out there till they stop smelling. I was imagining having to send DS1 to school in clothes that sent his whole class high on fumes.

You can blame chipping for the name change, it is all her fault not that I needed much encouragement as you all know

Newbie squeezing in to the thread here, also planning to declutter KonMari style and then Flylady to keep up. DH has been away for 10 days and the place was so much tidier - need to keep that up now he (and the inevitable washing haul) have returned. Oh, and I would be thrilled if the place was tidy over half term, school holidays are a real struggle tidy-wise for me.

Ta da
School paperwork
Sort out diary
Sort out meeting a friend this evening
sort out some pictures of the blanket
Play hunt the correct sized crochet hook.
up date ds' medical details (school/clubs etc)
Sort washing and put 1st load on - need a laundry reboot.

Infinitely slow progress here! Talk about three steps forward two steps back. But at least it is progress I suppose! Off to collect dd now.

Glad you are feeling a bit more rested today Bitchy

A warm welcome to Fizrim! YY to house being so much easier without dhs around!! Mine creates a whirlwind of mess in his wake!

Hello Fizrim I'm new too. DH is the 3rd child in our family. He seems to be able to not notice stuff he drops behind him. I've now got a basket and put all his clutter in it when I'm tidying, I find it keeps all of things I find abandoned about the place that don't have a home, together and tidier. He normally finally sorts through it when he can't find something he wants!

Thanks again for all the help with the clothes, last night I was having images of having to bin the lot if I couldn't get the smell out. Hanging them out all day has helped loads and I will try a soda crystal wash if there is any smell remaining.

Managed to sweep the kitchen, hall and porch floor and do a 15 min declutter in the porch. It looks much better despite minimal effort.

Feeling a bit better today so have gutted the living room - built two new DVD units and have put all DS's DVD's on them. It's nice to be able to see the floor again!

Part of me wants to start decluttering in case we do move (DH has got past the first bit of the interview process - eep!) but then I know if family come and visit they'll want to know why and we're not letting anyone know in case it doesn't come off - it didn't last time!

Just back from London. We went to the National to see 'Treasure Island'. It was a bit wordy, but DS1 seemed to enjoy it. He especially enjoyed the special effects, lighting and animatronic parrot.

Will be back later to read the thread.

Tell anyone who asks that you've discovered Flylady carpe

ta da
open morning at DS1's possible primary this autumn
appt for DS2's passport in town
hoovered upstairs
1 load washing
washing up
s&s
Emptied upstairs bin
DS2 bathed
cleaned coffee table

been a busy day. Ds 1 always behaves worse when dh is home. He over reacts to ds avery quickly and seems to spend the whole day in a grump. Dh was upstairs for a few hours this afternoon and ds1 was so different.

tomorrow to do
visitor for coffee
1 load of washing
try and clear blasted dining table
get soup out of freezer for dinner
empty hoover
hoover downstairs

I'm sure there's lots more!

Evening all, just posting the links on behalf of Whoknows tonight who is understandably shattered.

We are in Zone 1 here

Babystep no 6, for Fri 6th Feb is here a useful one introducing us to the concept of hot-spots.

Tomorrow's mission is here tackle ceilings, light fittings and window sills in zone 1.

Friday's daily focus is here decluttering cars, handbags, purses etc.

What else? Habit of the month is the highly recommended decluttering 15 mins a day!!

Have a good one everybody!

***

Glad the 15 min hall purge produced good results Hanbee and that the wind blew the oily smell away!!

Carpe good work with the sitting room de-clutter and new storage. Good luck to your dh with the job!!

Arf at 'animatronic parrot' Toffee Always loved Ben Gunn and his longing for cheese!

Blimey Engels you have done loads considering you have a new born and ds1 to look after! That list is incredible! Are you getting any sleep? Don't overdo it!!

G'night all!

Nah carpe needs to throw the Kondo book at them. Extreme decluttering 101

Sling glad to hear that someone else has a black hole of Calcutta. My problem in my study is paperwork, it just seems to breed and overwhelm the room. Me and DP both have a study and they are both drowning in paperwork.

Homemade focaccia was very nice and a super easy recipe too, very little work involved.

I hope things went well for your DP in Luxembourg.

Bitchy any special reason for name change, or do you just like to mix it up?! I will definitely take note of that soda crystals in with training kit tip for my DP.

Fizrim Hi, I'm a newbie too, only been here a few weeks. Nice to see some more newbies

Hanbee glad to hear that you got the oil smell under control.

Carpe well done on DVD units. Not sure what to say or think about the idea that someone would quiz you if you de-cluttered, I can't even imagine noticing someone else's clutter levels, observation skills are not my strong point though I hope he is successful with the job.

Toffee Treasure Island sounds like fun, esp parrot.

Engels if that is your newborn already getting a passport I am really impressed, now that is organisation!!

I haven't done much today as I was out with friends.

Second prove and bake focaccia
Made final pate
Lunch at friend's house
Picked up more ink and storage box on way home
Another hour de-cluttering paperwork in my hellhole study pit of doom/aka black hole of Calcutta
Washing up and swish and swipe

Watching The Jump on tv now as I can't face any more de-cluttering.

Good night!

I have done my nails for the same reasons. Can't paint my finger nails this late, it never goes well if I do. But the toes are now sporting a lovely bright pink colour. It is rather satisfying.

Oh and the name change is because I can. been very good of late. I like to name change. A lot. I bore easily...

I have had one of those days where cleaning one thing shows up all the other stuff that needs doing and so on... place is looking a bit better now. Also done grocery shopping and caught up with Wolf Hall.

Glad you enjoyed Treasure Island, toffee and like the new name, Bitchy.

Waves to everyone else.

Whoknows that must have been really frightening and taken a lot out of you but what a relief to have such a change in such a short time. You are such a kind daughter.

Toffee Treasure Island - good for you! I have put the book in our suitcase to read to ds2 (we have suspended Moby Dick whilst in Austria) but I'm not sure whether he will greet my reading it with the same comments as two years ago...No No No..(he found the description on first page too alarming.

haven't read thread properly and it is the wrong way up atm so I had better flip it now after posting this.

Keep on mixing it up Bitchy! I look forward to future names/identities/incarnations......

You say that now Dogsbum not sure Ellie, SC, Whoknows and the other long timers would feel quite the same. They are very pleased when I stick to the same name for a bit. Especially after that thread

Did some laundry, met up with friend, did some stitch research, and have avoided baby step 17 again

Whoknows hope your dad continues to make good progress and that you were able to find some time to rest.

Thanks for posting the links SC

Swan hope your trip is going well.

Morning all!
Yesterday was taken up with baby being a clingy boy so not much done.
Today's To Do
Declutter car
Take car for recall check
Washing up
S&S
Get out nappies to dry
Put away dry clothes

Trouble is, most of my clutter is due to other people. Neither Flylady nor Kondo gives you the category of "things you can't throw away because xxx will take immediate offended if you do".

To be honest that's part of the reason I'm really looking forward to moving - I can get rid of the things I don't really love without offence as it's likely to be a smaller house so we can be mortgage free.

Today, I'll be doing nothing - I'm knackered from yesterday.

Good morning and welcome to a frosty Friday - you took your sweet time getting here this week Friday but I'm glad to see you at last!

I should be out having coffee with friends but I am waiting in for a hire car to be collected. Still, gives me a chance to do the Fly bits for the day (or at least put them on my list).

Tidy and clean dining room and lounge area (one big room)
Emails - got a few to send
Paperwork admin to sort out/dates on calendar
Collect DH and follow him/his car to the garage (and brace for impact with the resulting bill, most likely).

I hope they come for the car soon, it should have gone back yesterday but they didn't turn up for some reason

Have a great day!

Hi fledglings,

Big waves to Whoknows Fizrim Catg83 Blue Swan Dogsbum and Bitchy and everyone else!

Carpe diem Carpe! I'd get rid now (or at least contact people concerned and ask to remove) and say that you want to prepare the house for packing up speedily in case a quick move/downsize is called for! It's your space! Give them reasonable deadline by which time it should be collected! Go for it!

Rather active day for me in preparation for the hoardes tomorrow ... .

Ta da:
morning routine inc rabbits, wm, dw, dining room table hot spot
wrapped four presents
cleared anything superfluous out of bathroom
cleared and tidied entire house in advance of cleaners
moved furniture around in sitting room
cleared entire basement 'hallway'
greeted cleaners
moved beds with cleaner no 1's husband
sorted linen cupboard
made three single beds in a row like the three bears in prep for sleepover
made another one up just in case we have third child staying!
sorted linen for our double bed (x 2 duvets because freezing!)
went to morning volunteering session
returned to find cleaners had done fabulous job
ironing necessary for weekend
cleaners too delivery of supermarket order and kindly carried downstairs (wasn't large)
cleared desk in home office
cleared floor (partially) in home office
cleared boxes in home office
cleared first floor landing (shove and hide method!)
wrote a couple of e-mails about social arrangements

To do:
boudoir (this is a humungous job) can always shut the door on it but would be more at ease if clean and tidy for tomorrow.
quick run to supermarket for crisps, savoury nibbles, fruit to cut up etc
school run

To do tomorrow:
hang bunting
sort tablecloths
blow up balloons
other sort of decorations

Keep going fledglings!!!

Would love to do that, but we're still on the QT; given it's a 400 mile move to beside family, we don't want to get their hopes up. I'm not even really getting excited (although I want to!) as we've been here before and it didn't work out.

At the moment, I'm trying to work out if I need a new hoover. Well, I know I do, it's more what I need!

Ta da
Made cheese scones
hoovered lou ge
wash away
one wash now in td
soup out if freezer for dinner
coffee with visitor

ds1 was exhausting while visitor was here - who stayed for way too long
now waiting for dh to come home and cook for me. Am I n bed by 9 every night sc !