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!……………..

Aw Toffee I can just imagine your face when ds1 turned up with your dh to collect you and ds2!! Bloody brilliant! And how well he is doing!! Glad the home ed day was a success too!! And all hail to dh's who clear out cupboards!!

Rather of you home edders in this lovely weather but can't really complain as did huge calendar/admin session yesterday and there seem to be more holidays in May over here than there are school/working days!!

Such a shame they are saying it is going to cloud over this weekend. Don't want all the blossom in the garden (partic lilac and crab apple) to be ruined by rain!! (There's such a tiny window in the year when everything looks lovely!)

[shocked] [shocked] at how little time we have between now and June (when summer holidays begin here) and how much is happening between now and then. Time has whizzed past since Sep; where has it all gone? I've only just got used to dd being in the last year of primaire!

Swan thanks for growing pains advice and your description of supper made me cackle . My grand plans for luxury fish pie often end up as 'frozen peas and fish and boiled potatoes' ditto with numerous other dishes Actually managed to throw together a slow cooked beef shin dish yesterday with (what I thought were) delicately balanced array of veg such as blette and ginger etc. Dh came home and added chorizo to it which totally ruined it imo. Too many cooks! Arrgh!

Good luck with packing for dh Dogsbum!

Lovely to have you back Fizrim but sorry to hear that your dd has been suffering for all this time and that you have been dealing with other health issues in the family. Good to hear she is on her way to recovery though. Sounds really awful.

Brilliant that the interview went so well Greymalkin!! Well done on getting through to next stage!!

Waves to DEM and everyone else!

DD marginally less grumpy this morning. I'm still ill (getting boring now) so I am mainly sewing today and stroking the dog (dh kindly taking dog out for long run later). Takeaway tonight. That's it.

But why is it that when one has a rare (clear day) opportunity to sew, you don't want to do it? And you only want to do it when you can't? Very contrary!!

So first going to grab a cup of tea and sit on the terrace in the sunshine for 15 mins and stroke furry one's lovely warm coat ... .

Enjoy your weekends everyone!

x post

Glad you feel more rested DEM [necks special brew]

Don't answer that Toffee

Toffee - knob polishing?

SC - DH told me that both my face and DS2's face lit up when we saw DS1 in the car. We were so excited to see him there.

Up early this morning to take delivery of wood for the decking. DS2 also up early, which is good because I'm trying to get him used to an early start in preparation for his taster days next week.

My main aim this morning - apart from the usual chores - is to wash DS1's filthy hair in preparation for the hair cut later.

Toffee how wonderful for your DS, and huzzah for your DHs valiant efforts.

I am going to try to plant up a big flower trough that is on our juliet balcony that over looks our garden this morning. I have lots of trailing lobelia and geraniums which should make a colourful display (If I don't kill them off, that is)

Otherwise it is more book keeping and accounts for me today [yawn]

Right. Body declutter. Anyone with me?
I am a UK size 16, dangerously close to an 18 and it makes me very, very unhappy. I'm not making excuses, I overeat and all the wrong kind of food and have a terrible 'stuff it' attitude to food which has to stop. DH got diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago and we both have our heads in the sand over it. Things. Need. To. Change.

I am trying a juicing based detox thing for the next week which involves a shed load of fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies which are a faff to make up, but actually taste lovely so far. I've also done 15 minutes on the step machine whilst watching some TV to keep me distracted from wanting to stop. Feeling good so far.

Astonishingly, DS1 agreed to having his hair washed and conditioned (by me) and then went to the hairdresser's with DH and had his long hair chopped off . Both grannies will be delighted by his newly shorn locks.

Went to Asda and stocked up on cheap PE kit and trainers for DS2's taster days next week.

Grey - good luck with the body decluttering. Some of us on this thread use myfitnesspal. When I used it properly - rather than sporadically, like now - and calorie counted, I lost weight.

Ooo toffee do Asda have the uniform stuff in atm? Ds needs shorts. He has too much bum and not enough split doing room in his current pair.

DEM - I couldn't find any school shorts, so we bought plain navy shorts in the general clothing section. But there was plenty of school uniform there, although it was a bit hit and miss whether the right sizes were there. And managed to get DS2 some trainers for £10.

Thanks. Might risk the big one in the city or look to order online for local store collection. I know what size he needs it is just sourcing it.

Ds is supposed to be going to visit his dad, but the way he is dragging his feet you'd think he didn't want to go. he does but is just being an awkward child.

It has been a busy day between work, errands, prepping stuff for ds going, sorting stuff for the weekend and starting to prep stuff for some building work week. Lots of lists and stuff. I actually want to go to bed but can't until I have delivered ds to the meeting point. At least the sun is shining and it should be a nice drive over the hills

Appointments, meetings, and school programmes this week means I got very little done. I'd say next week will be better but for the next two weeks I'm averaging 3-4 appointments each week, not including school runs, grocery shop, and other errands. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Tomorrow’s links…..

Baby-step no. 25 for Sat 25th April is here

We are in Zone 4 The Master Bedroom this week: here

If you want to, you can declutter for 15 mins a day in Zone 4!

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 4 is here

There are no missions at the weekend.

The daily focus for Saturday is: Family Fun Day

The monthly habit for April is making your bed

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

Happy flying…..

I'm hoping to get some tidying done today, and if time permits, a little DIY.

Fingers crossed!!

If anyone wants cleaning tips, I have just lost several minutes of my life reading this. There are some good tips here. I particularly like the one about using bread to pick up broken glass.

No plans today, which means I have no excuse not to catch up on chores. Hmm.

Goodness me, it's been quiet here today.

My DM's partner died this morning (expected, but still sad as he has rallied many times before and we hoped he would this time). Poor Mum. She is going to come down here to stay with us next week.

Didn't really feel like cleaning after that, so DH and I took DS2 out for lunch (DS1 wouldn't come) and toasted Mum's partner in Coke (them) and wine (me). He was a man who loved good food and wine, so it seemed appropriate. Actually, he would have ordered champagne for us, knowing him .

Then I managed to fall asleep with the cats on DS2's bed. Am only just waking up and thinking about dinner . I think it'll be chicken nuggets and chips tonight.

Sorry to hear your news Toffee, but glad you have been able to raise a glass to him.

Sorry to hear that, Toffee.

BIL is coming tomorrow, which has galvanised some long overdue housework.

Ta da!
Cleaned bathroom
Three loads of laundry done, dry and away
Dusting throughout
Grocery shopping
Visited friend with b'day present
Several bags for charity shop in car boot
Thorough hoovering throughout
Swept and mopped hard floors
Boys' bedroom tidied - with some input from them
Spare room rescued
Spare bed made up
Cleaned various smeary marks with magic eraser
General tidying

Oh, and did some paid work too.

Tomorrow’s links…..

Baby-step no. 26 for Sun 26th April is here

We are in Zone 4 The Master Bedroom this week: here

If you want to, you can declutter for 15 mins a day in Zone 4!

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 4 is here

There are no missions at the weekend.

The daily focus for Sunday is: Renew Your Spirit Day

The monthly habit for April is making your bed

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

Happy flying…..

Toffee sorry to hear your news

Seaside I hope tidying and DIY went well

Blue that is a very impressive list, you must have been slaving all day!

DP left this morning for India, not sure how I feel. He got up at 6am and was leaving at 7am so I got up as well to have that last hour with him so I've been paying for that all day as we also went to bed late, I nearly went back to bed this afternoon and I haven't achieved much at all.

I think part of me feels excited as there is plenty I can get on with in terms of buying stuff for Meerkitten and DIY wise that it will be nice to surprise him with when I get back. I think that was what I was mostly focussed on before he left but today I think it dawned on me that whilst the days will be fine I think the evenings might feel long after a while. I guess I'll see how I feel in a few days.

I need to do considerably more each day than I've achieved today if I'm going to surprise him with what I've got done when he gets back, that's for sure! I think I might be going to bed before too long tonight as I'm exhausted and I'll count tomorrow as day one of getting lots done.

I have done two loads of laundry, a local food shop and DIY wise I've done some sanding of damaged paintwork ready to paint tomorrow and I've re-painted the kitchen door step (which seems to need re-painting again constantly as the paint always chips away - grr!)

Toffee sorry to hear of your loss. Dogsbumhair hope you are doing OK on your own and not overdoing the DIY nesting I always find the weekends the worst when DH is away, and is it when our DD misses him too. We are quite busy during the week but she notices his absence more at the weekend, if that makes sense.

We have a few family matters that are causing concern at the moment - not at home, elderly relatives about 3 hours drive away. So I could probably go in an emergency, but one of my sisters is bearing the brunt at the moment and I wish I lived closer. I can see it being pretty stressful over the next few weeks so need to get a routine sorted and stick to it, as I get distracted SO easily otherwise!

Had a nice couple of days, managed to meet up with friends a couple of times which was lovely.

See you tomorrow!

Hate to say it Dogsbum that kitchen door step sounds like it needs completely stripping back and starting from scratch. But i wouldn't recommend it atm. Just remember that you need to rest and your dp might have a few words about it if you do too much whilst he is away. if not one of the fledglings will good luck with finding a balance.

Sounds tough on both counts toffee and fizrim

ta da
multiple loads of washing
try to sort out relocating fabric bits
meet up with a friend and do some shopping in the city
move lounge rug and sofa out of lounge
hoover before, during and after furniture moving process
folding
put my clothes away
chase washing up from around the house and collect in the kitchen
start working on dsis' birthday present (got 1 month to get it finished)
Work on knitting project

There is loads to do tomo:
folding
ironing
putting clothes away (ds' and new pile of mine)
paperwork for school
make bread
make jelly
collect ds
get everything sorted out for monday

Good advice from DEM (as usual) - Dogs: take note. I was thinking exactly the same thing. Your baby needs you to rest, so pace yourself.

And Dogs - you don't know what to do with yourself in the evening? What do you think Mumsnet is FOR?

Fizrim - that's so tough about the elderly relatives, but you are not in a position to do much if you're so far away. Very tricky.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. It hasn't really sunk in yet. Am most concerned about my poor Mum. She's arriving Monday afternoon and will be thrown straight into looking after Ds2 as we have a CAMHS appointment for DS1, plus the decking will be being built in the garden. However, she says she doesn't care and maybe she would like to keep busy, in which case she's coming to the right place. Will have wine and tissues on hand.

Or netflixs/amazon prime etc. Evenings are for just doing whatever you want. You will get little enough uninterrupted time soon enough. binge watch something dp wouldn't want to watch and enjoy i did warn you a fledgling will be there with stern looks And if you still need time wasting time there is always pinterest. it is fabulous for losing hours, but also some good ideas on there too.

Toffee some people handle death best by being busy. i spring clean when people die If your mum feels that is what she needs that is fine just keep an eye out for bottling and denial. I hope that things go well for you and her with that.

right want to be asleep before midnight must shift my bum and get off the computer. night.

Toffee - so sorry to hear about the loss, and make sure you also look after yourself whilst your DM is visiting.

Fizrim my MIL has the same problem with her elderly Mum too, who has been living with her on and off for weeks as elderly Mum is struggling to cope by herself. It is very, very difficult and there is rarely an 'easy' solution. Hopefully you can work something out.

Dogs you really, really, need to be mindful of how much you are doing. As DEM said,this will be the perfect time for you to watch back to back episodes of your favourite TV, read mountains of books etc because when the meerkitten arrives, you will have so little time (in the early days) to have a proper rest. That said, you obviously love your DIY and home improvement projects, and therefore you want to have fun doing them, but maybe just the smaller stuff? At a much slower pace? set your timer for 15 minutes xx