March of the Fledglings 2015

[Slingclutter]

Heartfelt thanks to Whoknows for running the February thread during such a stressful time for her (and to Toffee for helping out.)

If you are strugging 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 and along the way.

Flylady link 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 on Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings.

Don't be put off by the purple prose and 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 might 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 15 mins 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 brew + 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, regulars, oldies and newcomers very, very welcome!

Funny, I haven't seen any eclipse glasses in the shops here at all, this time round compared to all the fuss for the last eclipse. I hope the boys will get to see something of it at school as it'll be around 9.30 am here.

Waves to Linzer (interesting to "see" you in the Netzblatt!) Hope the journey goes OK despite all the stress of it.

Thanks, SC, yes work is progressing fairly well, it's just one of those "it never rains but it pours" moments. Shouldn't complain really!

Am doing slightly better at putting stuff away / getting everyone to tidy up after ourselves so things don't get so bad around the house. Only slightly though.

Evening all, was out and about a lot today so not much flying in the house but did do the washing up this evening - slowly catching up with everything!

DD's school (Primary) are going to sit in the school hall and watch the eclipse on a screen. I suppose there is no way that you can ensure a large amount of children don't look directly at the sun but it's a shame they won't actually be outside to see it go dark, as the school hall doesn't have that many windows!

Not many ta-da moments today, house shopping and a bit of additional shopping for the PTA. Coffee with friends, DD's after-school activity, cooked tea.

I have a haircut booked for Friday morning, but have tomorrow free. May start filling bags ready for a tip trip Friday after haircut!

Sleep well!

Evening all, just checking in having had a break from posting. It's a busy week, DD has her drama group performances and DS is off to Scout camp on Friday. I have agreed to start working formally for DH's business as well as carrying on with my own job (not good timing but they are in dire need of someone with my exact skill set, which is fairly niche, it's only for a few hours a week and it will be a good addition to my CV so needs must).

Booked a much needed holiday tonight too, for summer half term, Wales, which is new territory for the DCs.

Flying wise, I'm really making an effort with the daily stuff, running the vac round downstairs every day, daily load of laundry etc and it definitelymakes a difference.

Green fields and spring? Nope not around here SC we had snow at the weekend (just an inch that melted quickly but still) and this morning we had freezing fog. It is bloody freezing and totally un-spring like. But the daffs that ds picked for me as a belated mothers day present are fabulous and bright.

Long ass day, tire but still have stuff to do.

Yes laminated, i believe I did it many many threads years ago when I was feeling all bright, shiny and enthusiastic. Needless to say somewhere along the line it got filed and lost. Hence only refinding it when I played hunt the passports earlier. Need to sort E111 cards. As I know ds' went missing and he got a replacement but I have no idea if the card I have is the original one or the replacement

Very impressed by how busy everyone is ... .

Think I have been watching too many episodes of 'Escape to the Country' Bitchy Hope you find the missing paperwork.

Very hazy and spring-like here too Swan. Your day yesterday sounds lovely (albeit rather cream-crackering as ever).

Blue well done re: all the work which shows you are in demand! (And on the collective tidying!) . The school sent home a letter earlier in the week saying that any child without the proper glasses would not be let in the playground to watch the eclipse on Friday. I wasn't going to bother otherwise. Looks like we might be giving ours away if dd still ill though.

Good luck with the bag filling Fizrim!

As ever, Whoknows you are setting the standard on this thread for everyone to follow!! Good luck working for your dh from one who finds it -an interesting experience--!

I can't believe it, but dd is off school again ill. She's woken up this morning with a headache, sore throat and temp and gone straight back to bed. Never good, but particularly worrying at this time of year when they are revising like mad. She slept all afternoon yesterday, came downstairs for 30 mins and then has been sleeping ever since. As she never, ever, goes near her bed voluntarily , I am assuming she feels quite unwell. Going to take her for a blood test when she is well enough, as she has seemed unusually tired since Christmas (when she's normally a child who dances around the room every evening). I put it down to the fact that she is growing fast, but want to check it is nothing more than that.

Anyway, all plans for today have been shelved (including my much needed haircut) and I am behind anyway as sil was here until yesterday. Never mind. House desperately needs tidying so I will just try and tip toe around and Fly as quietly as possible.

Small list today

to do
One wash (non tumble dryable)
Hang out wash
Put dry clothes away
Make lunch to take to gym
Homework club with DD
Buy a rugby ball

Thanks SC. Wish they were all paying sterling not euros though!!
Hope DD feels better soon.

Sling hope your daughter is well soon. I find it really throws me to have someone at home unexpectedly.

Will start prepping the tea soon, as the next couple of weeks are manic (even at the weekends) so will need to be super-sorted to get through it without loss of temper all round. Beefburgers tonight, will cook onions and make them up now (lunchtime) and prep veg ready for later on.

Back later!

I could really do with some more GBP too, Blue - everything is suddenly about 20% more expensive for us... Virtually all my customers pay me in euros (even the one or two I have in the UK), but I'm about to do my first translation for an English agency that has just contacted me, so fingers crossed. Btw I haven't seen the new Netzblatt; I think I may have been struck off their mailing list. I only realised I hadn't received the prevous one when they contacted me about appearing in this one; apparently there were distribution problems last time, which obviously still haven't been solved.

SC Sorry to hear DD is sick again; there are so many bugs and viruses going round here atm too. And sorry to hear that you've also been suffering from homesickness; it's not much fun, is it? I'm feeling better now that I've booked my trip back to Britain, but am also hoping my mood will improve once the weather does (and it does seem to getting there).

Ds had an absolutely shocking night last night. Had the day off school as I thought he would fall asleep. Nope and he was mithering whilst I tried to sleep. We are doing to deal with things that caused the shocking night after lunch. Not entirely happy bunny but still appreciating the huge step that is ds talking about emotions and feelings. Going to be a long day

That should obviously read that everything is 20% more expensive for is when we come back to the UK, not in general!

Sorry about all the poorly children .

Can't keep up with this thread at the moment, I'm afraid. But I saw your comments for me, Swan - wise, as always. It made me smile when you said 'be careful what you wish for' re wanting a DH who helps with children's bedtimes and mealtimes. Actually, DH has been so busy and stressed about work since then that I've let him off the hook. Again.

And thanks for inspiring me with courage with regard to DS2. I have tightened boundaries (reminding him who's boss, which he seems to have forgotten ), but also been a bit more relaxed with the home ed. I think maybe I need to go back to topic-based learning, rather than plodding through workbooks. He preferred the former.

On the other hand, DS1 is going through a good phase at the moment. As his confidence is increasing, he's becoming happier. He even said he might come out with DS2 and me to experience the eclipse tomorrow . That's if I can wake him up in time.

Sounds like a contradition - tightening boundaries and relaxing with home ed. But I mean I'm being firmer about manners and respecting us, but trying to make learning freer and more fun, rather than too much rote and workbook stuff.

It actually made sense to me Toffee Why is it easier to talk emotions at 4am then it is at normal times of the day this is seriously hard work. pass the bitchy special brew!

Lunch break [trying not to eat and failing]

Makes sense to me too Toffee: a little loosening of boundaries here, a little tightening there. It's constantly changing.

Bitchy sorry you've had such a shocking night.

Enjoy the cooking Fizrim and good luck with your list Pegleg

Linzer/Blue I was just yesterday bemoaning the fact that we have missed our last opportunity to buy property in the UK (if ever we were going to/could afford to) now that house prices are shooting up again. Theoretical problem but seem to be getting more entrenched here when I am not altogether sure I want to be.

Emotion/anxiety work done with ds, also read some more animal farm. Ds is now tucked up in bed asleep and will hopefully stay that way. I am just pootling with some knitting and considering what is needed to be done for tomo morning to make it run more smoothly with a still over tired and exhausted ds. I am hoping that other fledglings have had a better/less draining day.

Still very quiet on here ... hope all well. DD came down for about 20 mins today, but apart from that, has spent the day in bed. I have been up and down stairs with drinks and snacks etc etc but apart from that, not much achieved to be honest. And now dh has started sneezing ... .

Links for tomorrow... .

**

Baby-step no. 20 for Fri 20th March is :a wise one about including laundry in your daily routines.

We are in Zone 3 this week: the bathroom and one extra room, March 15-21.

If you want to, you can declutter 15 mins a day in this zone!

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 3 is here.

Our last mission for the week is: here! In the bathroom: reward yourself with bubble bath. In the other room take 5, 10 or 15 mins to chuck out rubbish.

The daily focus for Friday is: decluttering purses, cars, handbags etc.

The monthly habit for March is the controversial one about getting dressed immediately on rising and wearing lace up shoes indoors etc.

For a summary of the above, see the flight plan : www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 which should update itself daily.

Enjoy the eclipse tomorrow everyone!!

Guidelines:BBC guide on how to watch the solar eclipse safely.

*

Hope you and ds both have a restful night Bitchy. Sounds as if you could do with it.

Have you got hayfever issues going on SC Hayfever season has started here already.

I don't think so Bitchy (dd definitely has the flu) but think dh would be happier if it was hayfever and not this particular lurgy (not that hayfever is pleasant though by any means).

Must admit my eyes do prickle a bit in the evenigns after dinner but my oven is smoking horribly atm when it's on so it could well be that!! It was thoroughly cleaned in Feb but dh and dd have had several cooking sessions since then and although I've had a go at it since, I must have missed something for it to produce that much smoke! [outright Flying failure emoticon]

Easily done though. I set the fire alarm off cooking tea tonight. On a plus note it proves the smoke alarm is working

It has been a bit manic round here so apols for my absence the past few days. We deregistered DD1 from school today so I am home educating again! It feels a bit different with a teen though!

Dd2 has her Grade 2 guitar exam tomorrow (her first music exam) so lots of nerves here. Will try and report back later tomorrow.

Achieved pretty much nothing today! Rather unmotivated to say the least.

Did manage some home ed though. Still navigating the 'detoxing' stage (well not DS he's happy as Larry :o) but managing to have some fun - went to gym club again and hopefully have a place for them at rock climbing :o and planning another woodland walk tomorrow after the eclipse.

DD keeps saying how much fun she's having - it's so bizarre how today she went from saying 'I want to go back to school' (her friend C mentioned something about how she should come back) to saying 'you should really be homeschooled C it's so much fun' later on.

Sorry to vent here.

Bless wow! Happy home edding! Bet your DD is happier already, a big weight off her shoulders.

SC not too late - there are always beautiful areas that are not yet in pricey but you will curse yourself when in 10 years they are the next place everyone wants to live and then become pricey too That is if you genuinely want to move back to UK.

Today I achieved

Ds worked well this morning on Tudors and Maths
He went to Judo (I took him)
I managed to visit a friend in afternoon whilst picking up ds1 from school (this once - he was meant to be carrying a sack of hired ski clothes but theyhave still not come - drat) Lovely visit - slightly shaming in that in 4 months she and her husband have completely transformed both house and garden dug pond laid lawn - and painted her house in rich and exciting hues
cooked supper which no-one ate except bits of Dh had spinach and potato Ds1 had lamb only Ds2 had lamb only and raw carrots Dd ate half a potato only.
They all of course ate the chocolate pudding

Tried new regime to get ds1 to do GSCE work. Made him sit at kitchen table for 20 mins. He procrastinated for about 3 hours and finally did sit there quite happily working Maybe more tomorrow...[sigh]

Whole house incredibly untidy and grimy. But cleaning lady arriving tomorrow so maybe kitchen and downstairs floors will be better then. Am finding the prioritisation of Ds2 quite easy but I'm not so good at realising I can do a bit of Flying here and there - seem to want to really focus on tidying for an extended period (which I am not getting the time or energy to do) Need to be more ruthless!!!

Have hung out washing and loaded dw and wiped worktops.

Bless good luck. Teens a very different home ed profile I think - a lot of the stuff they can find out themselves with less help from us - but also they take a lot less guidance not so keen on being given advice or ideas from parents. But it is amazing what they get interested in, by themselves when left to their own devices. Hope her anxiety improves.

Peg I think you will have more and more of that as Spring takes over. Just happiness to be out and about.

Whoknows bows at new job. Ds2 is very interested in visiting Wales. He wants us to go to Bangor end but I really know nothing about any of it except How Green Is My Valley and Merlin. Would love to have suggestions and of course from you Linzer

Ds2 says it is only £34 fora cheap return to Bangor from London. Amazing.