Let April Spring Cleaning with the Fledglings commence (hopefully Dogsbum wont turn it into too much of a shower....)

[Dogsbumhair]

The fledglings is a long running thread based on the Flylady cleaning/tidying principles. Personally I’m a newbie with only a couple of months flying under my belt but some members of the group have been on the thread for a number of years, so the thread is a mixed group of more and less experienced fledglings. I have found myself to be very warmly received as a newbie so please don’t be scared to join the gang.

Flylady link link here.

The system initially seems quite confusing so my advice as a fellow newbie would be to just go with it and accept that you will probably feel a bit confused for the first couple of weeks and then it will start to come together and make more sense.

The basic principles are (very) loosely as follows:

1. No perfectionism allowed (it is your enemy and it is stopping you getting anything done)
2. Little and often is the way to go (your house didn’t get in a mess in a day, it wont get sorted in one)
3. You are never behind, just jump in where you are (We are in a different zone of the house each week and all the house zones come round once a month, so all the tasks will come round again soon)
4. The point of this system is that by doing little and often your life isn’t dominated by housework and you have more time to do the fun things that you’d much prefer to be doing

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.

Later on today I will be posting up the links and information for tomorrow’s tasks

The advice from the wise and experienced members of the group is not to subscribe to the emails, but I have to confess that as a foolish newbie I do receive them I have learnt to ruthlessly bin anything beyond the actual flying tasks though.

Hopefully I haven’t missed anything too important off this introduction, but I’m sure someone more experienced will pop up to supplement this information if I have.

Good luck and happy flying through April!……………..

He is thank you toffee he really does need to stay inside this time of the year. Tree pollen does him in every year. partly because his dad makes him goes outside in it every year

Good, glad he's on the mend. I used to spend days shut indoors during the hayfever season. Very annoying that his Dad hasn't accepted that it does your DS no good .

morning all,

working from home this morning, dcs in childcare, so managing a bit of housework in between, have been to aldi and hung out one load of washing another one in.

thank you for all the comments about my decluttering, I have to say that the house still gets untidy most days, but it just seems to be a lot easier to get it straight again now, a couple of minutes putting things away a few times a day, we seem to have finally arrived at a state where everything has a home, even if some of the homes are surfaces which still look a bit cluttered, at least it is orderly clutter.

linzer - hope dd's appt goes ok this afternoon, thinking of you. My DD also does the drink nothing all day and then lots in the evening thing, she would never have a drink at breakfast till recently when I started buying orange juice, then her school water bottle comes home full, she says she has a cup of water with her school lunch though.

swan glad to hear you are progressing with that EHC plan. I had the opposite feeling after that meeting, I had been so confused after a long time of talking to friends and reading random threads on MN that it all finally started to make sense after that. Of course it has changed again now, which reminds me, I need to email my solicitor.

Well my broadband connection appears to be back but still no dial tone, I don't know enough about these things to understand how that is possible but I guess it means the problem isn't fully sorted. So I will make hay while the sun shines so to speak and chip in on thread while I have a connection and just pray I still have it this evening to do the links (fingers crossed!)

Thanks Dark for doing the links for me last night, much appreciated!

Steady I'm really enjoying your dog updates although I have to confess that once or twice I've thought you were referring to me when the sentence has started with the word dog (I didn't see that potential confusion when I chose my name )

Toffee sorry to hear that first dress mission was not a success, love the idea of the super bright colour suggestions from your DS, very sweet that he tried though At least you escaped from parcel waiting misery I guess.

Whoknows I can totally relate to what you say about everything having a home and orderly clutter. In the rooms that I have fully de-cluttered (i.e. got rid of everything I don't want/need) I have a set place for everything that I have and therefore it doesn't get untidy (god that makes me sound anal ). For me the problem is in places in the house where things don't have a set, logical place (i.e. my study and DPs study)

Anyway, I managed to get the first coat of paint on to half of my study yesterday and I've put a second coat on that half this morning, I may try and get another one on today as the yellow that I'm covering over was very bright! Now I'm off to do some food shopping and then do a bit of low key DIY until I can put the next coat of paint on.

I pray I still have a broadband connection when I return from the shops......

Will check in later....

Urgh, do not want to move. Another lie in (thank you very much ds) but really need to get a wriggle on as I have a huge list of things to do today.

ta da
fix ds' tablet charging issue - he is going to need a new wire
ensure ds has had breakfast and knows what the plan for today is

to do
get up
hover lounge
chuck kit in the washing machine
head into next town for some important errands
check ds' kit is ready
head out for ds training
scan paperwork and email it
phone calls in various directions to various people

not sure it is going to be possible to achieve all that in the time available. better get another cup of coffee asap.

Hope you all have lovely days

Cold has turned into chest infection I think. Off work but dropped DCs off at CM's anyway - already paid for and it's the monthly home ed meeting at the adventure playground.

I've had a very productive day so far. I've defeated 3 bosses on Mario.

Just about to head out to training, done everything except scan and email paperwork. Not bad considering. THis weather is miserable though good for reducing pollen levels.

Small shop at supermarket today.
Petrol in car.
Washing up.
General tidying up.
Printed off some things I needed printed.

I need to look at replacing my washing machine in the next few months (if it lasts that long) and my cooker (struggling valiantly). Everything costs money that I don't have. I wanted to book a short holiday this summer so I need to save some money back for that.

Thanks for your kind thoughts, WhoKnows, Toffee and SC. The doctor wasn't able to measure the glucose level in DD1's blood - he said either the device is broken or the level was too high - but going by the results of her urine test, he suspects diabetes and said she really needs to go to hospital straight away before it takes a sudden turn for the worse. So you were right swan, I should probably have insisted on being seen earlier - but I'd already described all her symptoms to the receptionist when I made the appointment and it was obvious that she suspected diabetes even before she tried to do the glucose test today. Anyway, DH and DD1 are on their way to the hospital now (a 40 minute drive as our local hospital doesn't have a paediatric department). I'm off to take a paracetamol (have suddenly developed a bad headache, probably due to the shock and worry!) and then to pick up DS from scouts.

Linzer , what a shock. So glad she's getting the attention she needs, I guess it must have still been caught quite early for her not to be more ill than she has been, so well done for getting her seen. DH says he reckons it took him a month to realise. If the diagnosis is confirmed it will mean a lot of changes, but I can tell you that with good care, long term it is possible to lead a very normal life. Also the care is improving all the time, in leaps and bounds compared to some other illnesses.

So sorry to hear that Linzer, I hope that you aren't worrying too much and I hope that your DD gets seen quickly at the hospital. I hope she's not too worried either, poor thing.

I don’t want to tempt fate by waiting until any later today just in case the broadband goes down again as there is still no dial tone so I’m posting links now to be on the safe side…

Baby-step no. 16 for Thurs 16th April is here

We are in Zone 3 The Bathroom and an extra room this week: here

If you want to, you can declutter for 15 mins a day in Zone 3!

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

Thursday’s mission is here

The daily focus for Thursday is: Errand Day

The monthly habit for April is making your bed

For a summary of the above, see the flight plan: here

Happy flying…..

Evening all!

Oh Linzer do let us know how your dh and dd got on at the hospital when you have a minute (and if you can face posting). You must be terribly stressed. Hope your headache has eased a bit. Thinking of you xxx

Sorry you have a chest infect CaptainSubtext and good that you took advantage of childminder. Hope you improve soon.

Dogsbum arf at name confusion! Think you are doing amazingly well doing all of that painting when in advanced pregnancy! (I find decorating extremely tiring these days.) Take it steady!

Toffee glad you were able to 'break free' yesterday in the end!! And arf at florescent orange dresses!! [Can you not ask your dh to take deliveries at his place of work btw? Seems only reasonable if parcel for his work imho.] Thanks for dog advice (it is indeed like having a toddler in the house again - that is it exactly!!) Hope the dress hunt proved fruitful today!

Hope your ds's tum has calmed a little Greymalkin [hands bottle of Dettol in to one hand and stiff drink in to the other]

I'm sure most boys find the sinister and menacing absolutely enthralling Swan so well done for encouraging writing practice; and glad meet-up went well (albeit stressful for you). Hope today was less mentally exhausting.

Thanks for dog advice! He could well think it is a holiday, as according to previous owners, his overwhelming need for companionship started when they went away for three weeks and left him with a dog-sitter. To be fair to them, they must have shown him a lot of love, as he is so friendly and tolerant. But they haven't taught him to be happy on his own (even for short periods) so he is constantly stressed and pacing when left by himself. As you say though, it is early days, and we are rewarding him for just sitting on the terrace by himself (where he can see us through French windows) for two or three minutes at a time for now. And then we hope to build up on that - for his sake - as well as ours!

The other thing they didn't teach him was how to walk properly on a lead. He pulls horribly and it's going to need a lot of time and patience to correct. All in all though, he has been incredibly good considering its such a huge change for him. Brushed his teeth for the first time today and he was really well behaved!

Another fairly lazy day here.

Ta da:
Morning routine inc wm, dw, dining room table hot spot, fed animals.
Winter woollies washing (sunny weather again!).

Wrote some letters and cards and sorted photos.

Sourced materials for sewing projects.

Long phone conversation with dsis2.
Tidied up kitchen and cleaned down stove top.

Long walk in countryside with dh, dd and dog
Had another stab at making fish pie (which everyone ate this time!)
More laundry (dd's winter coats this time)
Ordered some summer shoes on-line
Brushed dog and brushed his teeth
Tidied play room
Served and cleared up supper
Fed animals

Waves to DEM(thanks for links yesterday) Seaside Whoknows and everyone else!

Oh Linzer what a terrible shock - hope paediatric hospital is reassuring and well done for realising something was up - it is quite easy to accept a child is under the weather for ages before most people do anything about it and you DID do something about it. I think your instinct knew something was up.

Today
done
lots of tidying and sorting and scrubbing! (well just some greasy worktops)
several loads of washing made it to the drying stage in hot sunshine
cooked supper turkey steaks with lemon and sage and rice and kale and salad
did some home ed in the morning
got rid of more coppers in the Morrison's sorting machine and bought some cheap bedding plants with proceeds and some expensive pomegranate sparkling drink
exercise
otherwise we did a lot of sunbathing and making things shipshape (me - dh was just reading most of the time but a serene prescence for once instead of a busy bee buzzing around us)

Toffee apropos the writing of scary stories - I think ds2's problem is that he doesn't know how to make things seem real. He can do imagination but just not reality. It is very odd. Or could it be the terrible influence of David Walliams It is quite an art to make things convincing and heartfelt, and possibly easier to write fantastical yarns. I've always thought Dickens was quite "real" but maybe to ds2 it seems impossibly theatrical.

Thanks for the links, Dogsbum. I haven't heard anything from DH yet and it's gone 9.30pm here, so it looks like they're having a long wait and/or time-consuming tests.

That's reassuring, WhoKnows; the doctor also said that if it is diabetes, there's a lot we can do to keep it under control. Thanks too for the hugs - much appreciated; it's come as quite a shock even though we knew it was a possibility, particularly the speed at which she was sent off to hospital.

I've finally got the other two off to bed; it's been a late night for them too as DS got home from scouts later than usual (as we had to walk) and then realised he hadn't done his homework - and, with us having spent so long at the doctor's, still needed to eat as he hadn't had a chance to eat beforehand. Think I'm going to take myself off to bed now to read - I doubt I'll be able to sleep until I've heard from DH, but I don't have the energy to do anything very productive.

Was just about to post when DH phoned... the diagnosis has been confirmed and DD1 does have diabetes (most likely type 1, but they still need to do a few tests). She's having infusions (of insulin?) atm and will have to stay in hospital for the next two weeks. One of us is supposed to be with her the whole time too, so that we can learn how to manage the diabetes, although they don't have a parent-and-child room free at the moment so DH said he'll probably have to sleep in an armchair tonight. I'm feeing a bit overwhelmed by it all tbh; I just keep reminding myself that it could be far worse and at least it's been diagnosed fairly quickly (the hospital apparently also said it was good that it had been picked up at an early stage).

Thank you for your kind words too SC and swan.

Oh dear Linzer I'm so sorry your dd has had this diagnosis; although it is good that they have picked it up and are acting on it so quickly and thoroughly. And I'm sure she will feel a lot better once they have her on a steady insulin regimen. YOu must be so shocked (things like this always are such a shock; even when half anticpated). No wonder you are feeling overwhelmed. Take care of yourself! Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you, your dh and dd for the fortnight ahead xxx

I'm so sorry to hear about your DD, Linzer . Take care of yourself and please keep us posted.

So sorry Linzer, it will be hard at first but I'm sure you will get all the help you need from the hospital. Please post as and when you can, we will have the ready.

Linzer So sorry your daughter is poorly, but thankful they have figured out the problem and it's something that, while stressful and probably quite scary at the moment, can be more managed as she gets older. I have a number of family members with type I diabetes, and it's a steep learning curve but it sounds like the hospital has training as a high priority, which is definitely good. I hope she is feeling better soon, and that you try not to worry too much (I know that's hard) while you're all getting all this overwhelming stuff thrown at you. Take care. Thinking of you all.

Have been very lazy so far this morning and really need to start my routines. MIL is coming round at 11, so house needs to be sorted by then (well, the downstairs and bathroom at any rate).

Linzer - best of luck at the hospital today. We will be here for and chat when you get back. Forgive me for now talking about something very, very trivial in comparison...

I am happy to report that the dress saga is finally sorted. DH dropped me off in town yesterday and I spent a hellish two hours trying on dresses that didn't suit me until, at the last minute, I found one that did. Dogs - you are so right that this is the only way to find the right shape and colour. I will be much more wary of ordering online from now on.

This is the dress. I have some nude heels, so can wear it with those. And will need my Spanx underwear too .

Looking at myself in all those changing-room mirrors was a generally dispiriting exercise, so I logged back onto MyFitnessPal this morning and am going to be calorie counting and exercising more. Might see some of you on there.

Right, must drag myself off MN now...

Toffee lovely dress. I actually spotted a dress in a shop recently that was very similar to one I'd had and loved years ago, and I was so tempted to buy it. Sadly, I have nowhere to wear it. Such a shame. I feel overdressed walking around the high street in dress and heels, which is silly I know. Loads of women wear dress and heels. Maybe I should start hoovering while wearing pearls with my clothing, and work my way up to dresses and heels.

I've not gotten a lot done today, just the minimum really. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Morning,

Linzer I am glad that you went ahead and got dd2 tested. I would have rationalised it away. Good luck with the learning and adjustment process. I would just warn you that you will need to be mindful of emotional kick back as it is going to be tough for dd2 as she adjusts to what she can no longer eat etc. It is a hard learning process when you are young.

A late night last night here, woken up with a very sore shoulder so today is having a very slow start. Would ideally like to get ds out of the house but hayfever/asthma is making him very reluctant. Hoping pain killers, coffee and hot water bottles reduce enough pain and stiffness so that I can do laundry and some other bits and bobs towards getting tidy and sorted before ds creates a giant mess with arts and crafts.

Toffee - that's a lovely dress, I find those drapey necklines very flattering.

DEM I'm usually quite good at rationalising things away too (and DH did say that maybe she had just suddenly started drinking a normal amount/slightly more to make up for the very small amounts she used to drink) - a reaction against all those Austrians my ILs who rush to the doctor at the slightest sniffle - but for once I think I must have sensed something wasn't quite right.
I can understand your DS being reluctant to leave the house; SIL suffers from hayfever and stays indoors as much as she can when the hayfever season starts, which really isn't much fun.

Toffee No need to apologise; trivial talk is always good! Gorgeous dress - I love the colour. I'm also trying to get more exercise and have started using my fitbit to count my steps again (and am desperately trying and failing to catch up with WhoKnows!), but find it difficult to motivate myself to walk anywhere when I can cycle, as it's so much quicker. Which I don't think is really the point of the exercise (no pun intended).

Seaside I started wearing dresses a lot more a few years ago and felt really overdressed to start with (and I think women here wear fewer dresses and skirts than in the UK), but have got used to it now. So much easier than trying to find trousers that fit, too! I used to wear (not horrendously high) heels as well, but decided that was a step too far.
Definitely agree about it being a steep learning curve btw; I was reading one of the diabetes threads last night and got more by it all the more I read. DH and I will be going on a course for parents at the hospital next week, though, so hopefully things will start to become a little clearer soon.

Thanks for the positive thoughts, SC. Considering I was half-expecting it to be diabetes, I was surprised at how much of a shock it turned out to be.

Just waiting now for DH to come home so that we can all go and visit DD1. He's taken the rest of this week and three days off next week, but has to work Tuesday and Wednesday; we were hoping that FIL would be able to come and look after the DC, but MIL isn't well enough to be left on her own. Luckily two lots of friends have already offered to help out, so I'm sure we'll manage somehow.