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!

Just watched that programme on sugar. Did anyone see it ? A bit more determined to have much less in my tea and give up biscuits now ... . Actually, I suspect that it is sugar that has been making me feel so tired recently, among other things.

Very wise as usual about the property Swan. I know you are right. We'll see how the first two years of secondary school go here (if dd gets in to one of our top three choices) and take it from there. I still don't like the idea of splitting up the family though; and I know dh would find commuting back and forth miserable and tiring after a while (even though he says he wouldn't).

As usual, Swan mahoosively impressed by how much you manage to pack in to a day! The variety is always so interesting too!

And and yy, we know couples who have done more to their houses in twelve weeks than we have managed to achieve in twelve years .

My house is also untidy and grimy atm, but I have cancelled the cleaner tomorrow morning as dd is ill, and I want her to lie in and have the best chance of getting to school tomorrow afternoon, if at all possible, as she (and her entire class) are meant to be giving a presentation to parents in the evening. May not be possible, but we'll see.

And goodness, the home-edders on here are certainly proliferating by the day! Hats off to you all! It is incredible what you are doing for your dc.

Woodland walks and rock climbing sound fab Pegleg! Hope you all enjoy them! And you never need to apologise about venting here I do it all the time. Similarly demotivated here, need to get a grip!!

Good luck to your dd2 tomorrow Bless!! And hope your dd1 is happier and calmer now she isn't having to face daily school anxiety.

I have done virtually zero Flying today. I have managed to wash a few socks, and do a bit of desultory tidying, oh and in the process of cooking dinner, I discovered that the new microwave we bought about six months ago has a proper grill . And funnily enough Swan no one ate the supper I cooked either. Must try and get in to gear tomorrow somehow. I am just so thoroughly bored by all the usual routines though.

Big wing flaps to all other fledglings! G'night!

I burnt the tea slightly tonight - went out to collect DD from a friend without putting the timer on or telling DH to keep an eye on it. Crunchy potato wedges and the lovingly-made beefburgers were rather harder on the outside than I would have liked. Still, two more in the freezer now. I'll put the timer on the oven next time.

When I got home I pointed out to DH that they had burnt slightly, and DD asked why I'd let it burn. I pointed out that she was reluctant to leave her friends and then she got sad (she does take things like that to heart) so I said it wasn't her fault. DH remained silent .

Good morning fledglings

I have a child free day at home so I am rolling up my sleeves for some flying!

To do:
Get myself and DS dressed
Get car seat out of DHs car and put into mine
Take DS to nursery
Home for and half an hour reading
Dishwasher unload and reload
Hoover the lounge
Do all of this weeks missions in the bathrooms (I hardly ever have time to do the missions)
Washing x2 at least
Deal with cat little trays
Make lots of phone calls:
*make hair cut appt for DS
*call plumber
*call tv person
*call cinema customer services about expired gift card
More ebay listing (this is seriously addictive and is my excuse for having dropped off the thread)
And for some fun: do some sewing
Nursery meeting this afternoon before picking up DS

feeling quite motivated and raring to go!!!!

Another shocking might but at least ds slept. I was stubborn and didn't take pain killers. I should have done.

To do
too much
Drink coffee

Ta da
stood upright

[removes eclipse glasses]

Thanks for virtual nourishment Greymalkin. Sounds as if you need fuel yourself for that long 'to do' list today. Good luck with it!

Don't know about you, but planetary event was somewhat underwhelming here - total damp squib - too much cloud. DD staggered downstairs for five minutes and promptly staggered back up again.

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain Bitchy, bloody unfair .

Fizrim yes, think you should alter that to read 'dh burnt the tea' if he was on the same premises fhs; surely doesn't need warning in advance, just needs to be vaguely aware of what is going on! Particular galling when you have gone to the trouble of making home-made burgers too.

Feeling a bit trapped in the house but can't leave dd who is still feeling rotten. Have cleaned the kitchen (a bit) this morning. About to do some laundry. And I just know veg chopping is on the cards because I can't go to the supermarket and buy anything else! Still, at least the result will be healthy!

Afternoon! A good morning here so far. Managed to take a few shots of the eclipse (although it was a bit cloudy) through a welding helmet, giving it an eerie green tinge! Then hairdressers and then a tip trip. They will be welcoming me by name shortly, I have a lot more to dump ...

Managed to miss two parcels while I was out for an hour though but they can be picked up in a couple of hours locally. A third parcel has just arrived which I wasn't expecting. DH has been treating himself, obviously! I hope one of them is DD's dance stuff that I ordered but that would be awfully quick if it was.

Sling yes, sick children do trap you a bit - hard to get out, I feel guilty if I drag her anywhere when she is feeling poorly!

Will do a bit of washing up now and prep some of tonight's tea. It is a gorgeous sunny spring day here now, it was very cold this morning without the heat of the sun for an hour. I will appreciate it more than I did before!

Have a good one!

Ta da
stood upright
Work
Drink too much coffee in progress
write a letter
sort some paperwork duplicates out ready for filing
Make sure ds' technology is charged ready for tonight
put a load of washing on

Still got too much to do and no wish to do it but the coffee will help.

I've resorted to vast quantities of caffeine too Bitchy. I fall alseep standing upright otherwise ... .

Arf at your welding helmet Fizrim! That is fab! Hope you enjoyed going to the hairdressers and saying "excuse my welder's hat hair"

Sod's law about the parcels ... have the same prob here .. pop out for 3 mins and you've missed 'em... .

Had better carry on [groan]

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Bitchy, hope tonight is better.

How is your DD now SC? And your cabin fever?!

Am slightly envious of you Fizrim - we had loads of cloud here this morning and absolutely nothing happened here eclipse-wise

I've had a pretty good day-everything apart from a phone call and the bathroom missions completed off my list.

I stripped down a cot bumper and reused the wadding and fabric to make a pillow pad and pillow case for DSs bed. So he has a matching pillow for his duvet, instead of a useless and dangerous draft excluder.

I managed to find a lovely plumber who came over within half an hour of phoning him, went away again to source the parts he needed, came back and fixed the bath taps within 30 minutes. Fan-bloody-tastic!! I'm going to wallow, hippo like, in a bubble bath once DS is asleep tonight.

Baby-step no. 21 for Sat 21st March is :an ignorable one about checking out Flylady Q & A on website.

Last day in Zone 3 tomorrow : 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.

No missions on Saturday because it is the weekend!

The daily focus for Saturday is: family fun.

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.

TGIF!! Pat yourselves on the back for surviving (and perhaps even decluttering a bit) for another week Fledglings!!

***

DD still feeling grim, thanks for asking Greymalkin. School has been in contact as they wanted her to come in for an hour this evening to give presentation (it was a big class project and she/we felt awful about letting every one day because a lot of work had gone in to it) but I had to say "no" because she is just not up to it. She would have gone in this morning, or even this afternoon, if she could have done.

Sounds like you have had a very productive day! Plumbers like that are worth their weight in gold! And well done for getting creative!

gah, about 'letting everyone down'

SC poor dd that does sound all very overwhelming but she certainly hasn't let anyone done - she is just ILL. Possibly good to remind school that no-one can control these things.

Everyone is quite bright and cheery this evening here despite hiccup over ski leisure boots sent by ski clothes hire co being wrong size through ds1 convincing his Dad that he was two sizes smaller than he actually is (why no-one asked me I do not know) We still have time to get new ones I hope ditto gloves which appear to be for an elf.
Boys are already arguing merrily over the new telly. Dd is endlessly repeating the same piano piece and recording it on her ipad which has a built in metronome

done
football home ed
invites for party Monday written out by ds2 reluctantly
cooked lunch
drove to pick up ds1 and his ski stuff
cooked supper (shepherd's pie)

well that's not much is it??? why do I feel so tired.
Ah, that was dealing with cleaning lady and getting very angry that ds2 was not tidying his room and decluttering the bathroom so she could clean the bath (which I am ashamed to say we have not cleaned for about a month - usually have showers is my only excuse)

loaded dw
loaded wm
moved a few items out of ds1's room and then gave up attempts at tidying it
threw stuff into dd's room and ditto
ds2 did change his sheets and put his clothes away!!![under duress]

Thanks Swan, I did but you know what the school are like [sigh]. It doesn't help that she has been off quite a bit recently either.

No wonder you are tired - that list sounds absolutely exhausting - it's a senior management/keeping the show on the road thing!!

Arf at elf-sized ski clothing!!!

Sling, if you are sick, you're sick - not much you can do about it. My DD has had quite a bit of time off this year, I feel guilty if I keep her off but then if I send her in (and I have gone in to Calpol her up sometimes) and they ring me I feel guilty about that as well.

Yep, standing in the front garden putting cameras, phones and a tablet inside a welding mask to get a photo is super-stylish. I eventually thought of going into the back. It was a bit cloudy here too.

After my tip trip to dump a large cardboard box that the vacuum came in last week, DH has now had something delivered and there is another large box cluttering up the place! It is never-flipping-ending! I may fill it with clutter to make use of it over the weekend!

I'm consuming vino, so I'm doing Friday night right! See you tomorrow!

SC - honestly, that school is so unreasonable. Can't believe they asked your DD to come in and give a presentation when she was off SICK . Sympathies on feeling trapped in the house.

Grey - am in awe at your efficiency! Very impressed by your ability to convert a cot bumper into a pillow. And hang onto that plumber.

Swan - I get your feeling of confusion: sometimes I sit down to type a 'to do' list here, then feel a bit embarrassed at how small the list is - yet I know I have been working flat out. My only explanation is that we must forget all the minutiae.

Bitchy - sorry to hear you've had another bad night. Take pain killers tonight .

Fizrim - well done on getting shots of the eclipse. Very cloudy and disappointing here, though we did experience a kind of pre-storm gloominess and quiet for a few minutes.

Tough day. Still finding DS2 hard to handle at the moment. He used to be such a sweet, easy-going little boy . His constant grumbling and complaining about everything being 'boring' is very confidence-sapping when I'm the one setting the tasks. Neither of my DC seems to do anything I ask of them at the moment: work - nope; eat vegetables - nope; go to bed on time - definitely no. Feels like a constant battle and I'm tired of it.

Managed to get a nap late afternoon, though, after DH came home early. It was lovely to switch off for a bit. There might have been wine later.

Morning Fledglings.

I'm all on my own. DD is still in bed, having had a late night in her drama group performance last night (which was brilliant, another show tonight) and just because she can, we don't seem to have had many free days for long lie-ins recently. DS is at scout camp, and DH has gone along to help out for the day, I hope DS didn't freeze last night. So, I popped on the computer to do a couple of quick admin jobs and here I am half an hour later. I must get on with a few jobs.

Very annoyed yesterday, I don't know if any of you remember me saying someone had reversed into me in a car park a couple of months ago, he was very decent about it, gave me his details, was very polite on the phone afterwards etc. So, I got quotes, sent in the claim, made numerous phone calls and filled in reams of forms. However my renewal was due next week and my premium had been hiked due to this being outstanding, so I phoned the insurers to check the status of the claim and they told me he had denied all knowledge, said there was no damage to his car and as there were no witnesses, no CCTV I had very little chance of success. So I have reluctantly dropped it. Grrrr! Some people are shits.

Anyway, I am on a mission to clear floors. This seems to be the main stumbling block in our house to tidiness, there is always clutter on floors everywhere. I am going zero tolerance! Back later.

Offs Whoknows hope karma bites his ass!

Didn't take the pain killers but did sleep around 10hrs so still tired but ok. Got a load of admin type jobs and stuff to get sorted. So now that I have a cup of coffee I will start with that and then attack some knitting. I love the sampler throw but the completed pieces are starting to clutter up the place so I need to start working on the joining strips and piecing it up although I think I underestimated the amount of wool I needed and I need to curb my enthusiasm every time I see a new pattern I like the look of it.

Wrt schools and attendance. they don't give a shit. just want a tick in a box. It is one reason I would home school if I could. Bums on seats and statistics is all it is these days

I agree about the school attendance thing too. DH and I discussed keeping the DCs home for an hour to see the eclipse, given that they are in years 4 and 6, have never had so any time off at all, ever off for anything except sickness. But because of the SENs/statement I feel as though any wrong move on my part could come back to bit me on the bum we thought better not to risk it. As it happens it was solid cloud here but still.

Afternoon!! OOooh how lovely to see everyone back on here!!

To be absolutely fair to the school, they DO really care. Yes, they need to keep good records but it really is about more than just ticking boxes for them. They are very keen on developing 'rigueur et résilience' in the dc (which I agree can be worked on and developed in everyone). But dc naturally start with different levels of it (particularly if they are genuinely anxious).

(That's all pretty irrelevant in this particular instance anyway because dd didn't feel well when she was just sitting downstairs on the sofa, she had to go to bed, so I didn't really feel I had much choice in the matter. Neither did I think the other parents would thank me if she infected their dc with this particular lurgy!)

Secondly, do you remember the obligatory, state, end of primary school exams that I keep wittering on about? (All dc in this country need to pass in order to progress to secondary school.) Well the school's argument is that your child might be sick during the weeks of those exams (I have now found out that there are three on three mornings in June in one language, followed by five more on five mornings the following week in another language) and so you might as well get some practice in studying and functioning when you are feeling below par, because there are no consessions for anyone, whatever their level of fitness or personal circumstances in exam fortnight, full stop.

So that's the long-winded explanation of why we still feel badly about letting eveyrone down, esp as dd and her classmates had worked very hard on this particular project and had practiced it all week. She is dreading Monday morning poor thing!

And [totally irrelevant aside] the thing that saddens me is that the only time dd comes home animated from school and not thoroughly white and drained and yes, bored, is when there has been some slight lapse in organisation or supervision and her class (quelle horreur!) have been left by themselves to do mischief for a tiny amount of time!! Last time this happened they had a mad 3 mins running around trying to stuff ice cubes down the back of each others shirts . DD was absolute radiant with joy when she came home!!! and I find this very and yet at the same time, that such a little thing gives her such extreme happiness, and it's times like those when I really envy all you homeschoolers!!

And finally, yes, that is why the 'myth' about 'French' dc (in this case, to be strictly accurate, dc being educated in a 'French manner') going absolutely haywire and uncontrollable at parties is to a certain extent very true, because they have had so much 'riguer et résilience' at school, that any sort of (relative) freedom sends them hysterical and they don't know how to cope!

Fizrim yy - agree totally - guilt if you do, and guilt if you don't! You can't win!

Toffee sorry to hear things are such a grind with ds2 (and both boys) atm. Fingers crossed you will have more freedom and time for yourself come Sept.

Whoknows with all the hours you and your dh put in to school activities and scouts and extra-curricular activities, you definitely should not be sitting in the naughty corner!! And at that awful man - what a completely dishonourable way to behave . Over here you have a sort of voluntary form that both parties have to fill in at the time (not sure about UK) but they in themselves can be quite misleading/dangerous if you are not careful. Can you not write to him saying (pretending you are ignorant about this current behaviour) and say "thank you for confirming that the events [describe them and include photographic evidence if poss] that took place on x date, in y place were your fault, and that you are happy to recompense me for them. Please may I ask when that will be?" and copy it to the insurance company; then he might feel obliged (with any luck) to respond in writing. Being a complete arse though, he'll probably just stick the letter in the bin. And the insurance companies are no better tbh, as they just aren't bothered enough to do anything about it and hoick up the premiums.µ

Bitchy like the sound of sampler throw!!!

[Plonks self in naughty corner because we are all having a very slobby day at home watching the rugby. Might stir myself and chase a few of dh's dirty socks in to the wm later and sling a chicken in to the oven! Will try not to get them confused! More nit combing later too - just to be sure - oh joy.]

Enjoy your w/e's everybody!

***

Baby-step no. 22 for Sun 22nd March is : here banishing perfectionism and procrastination and building your control journal in 15 steps.

We start in a new zone tomorrow: Zone 4: The Master Bedroom (March 22 – 28)

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 4 is here.

No missions on Sunday because it is the weekend!

The daily focus for Sunday is: renewing your spirit.

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.

Have a relaxing Sunday everyone (if at all possible!)

*

Sorry, that zone link should read March 22 to 28

Toffee they do change - they get interested in different things - they plateau out in terms of enthusiasms and cooperation. (Frankly it is a long time since any of mine were what you might call "cooperative". I suspect your ds2 is just having a touch of "fed up with winter-it-is". Does he need an adventure perhaps - a challenge of some physical kind which he could do with a friend or two over Easter Break?

SC it probably makes sense and people do develop a certain adrenalin when they know it is necessary. I'm sure most 11 year olds find half of the school work they do quite dull even if they like the community spirit and that aspect of school. Ds2 is often bored even though he is homeschooled. I don't think he has ever dared use the boring word to me though he says more diplomatic things like I'm tired or Oh Is that The Time or even more devious If We Don't Hurry We'll be Late.

Toffee surround him with stuff to do and stop worrying about him. He is bored enough to do it well and good and if he wants to do something else that will be fine too. Being bored is a very good step to entertaining yourself. Or ringing people up and asking them over if necessary after school.

ta da
knitting

short and sweet that one

Sling, that does sound rather over-rigorous to me! I do recall a teacher telling my class when we were very small that French schools had a national curriculum that meant all the children would be doing the same thing at the same time and we were astonished!

DD had dance practice today, loved it! She has a show next weekend and the school are really good at preparing the children so today they got to dance in the place where the show will be next week and have a go on the stage to get them used to it. Got another practice tomorrow as well.

We bought a large fridge-freezer today, will get it delivered on Friday. We are planning the kitchen as we could really do with adding some cupboards so we came home after seeing it and had a think before buying it! The freezer part on the bottom is larger than average but it does mean that DD can only reach the very bottom shelf of the fridge on top of it . Choc will be on the top shelf, obviously.

Have a good weekend!