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!……………..

Hello lovely folk. I'm going to sneak back in for May, I promise I won't make a mess...
Tons of news from the oldies, I'm still trying to process - it seems everyone is dealing with kids with issues now :-(
Life is somewhat escaping from me currently, so I'm going to get back to flying in an attempt to get everything back under control - it always seems easier when your surroundings are organized!! (And mine aren't. No sirree bob). I have pockets of improvement from previous flying escapades, but the rest is a shambles.
Anyhoo - will post at odd hours as am o'seas like some others, and will try to locate the May thread!!

Madwoman - Oh i have missed someone who understands kit stink and glove hands, and the mysteriously appearing all over the house leg tape bloody good to see you again my dear. thank fuck it is nearly the end of the season

Which reminds me must remember to tape ds' knee for school tomo, and possibly ankle depending

is it leg tape if it is also used to fix shoulders? losing plot slightly

Ah ha! Now I know who DEM is ;-) It's shoulder tape in my house of late... (And that's just me. What is it about aging that has rendered me unable to sleep without knackering my neck and back?) ds1 is 13 now he didn't even skate this season - he's been back at the psych for a few months as the paed is concerned about social withdrawal possibly leading to depression if he doesn't buck up. In our new place he has the basement, which means he is acquiring hermit skills avidly, but he has discovered Magic The Gathering, which is an ideal way for socially awkward oddballs to pretend to socialise, from what I can gather... I'd rather he played hockey his kit has been banished to the garage, pending decisions, but his feet have grown so fast (four sizes in as many months) that his skates don't fit (this is a good thing, as I can have them back lol. They started as MY skates when I did my one hockey season, but at some point he discovered they fitted him. I may even get to skate myself next season, although I dread to think what state they are in...)

dd1 is still dancing four nights a week including pointe, which seems to require vast amounts of lambs wool to pad the shoes and then to discard smelly sweaty tufts around the house. I thought ballerinas were supposed to be all floral scented pinkery and graceful wafting, but the reality seems to be even more sweaty piles of discarded body wear various and sore or bleeding body parts. She may as well play hockey, really, as there has been no discernible change in the level of grunge in the house...

Ah, anyway, I get one more day of freedom before the fairy gets hold of me again

Woken unnecessarily early by one of those awful dreams where your child goes missing . In the dream, I was talking with a legal adviser in a shopping centre about fighting for a statement (she told me I should include a poem on the application ), but then DS2, who'd been waiting nearby, disappeared. I found him eventually, but by then I was in such a state of panic that I woke up.

We celebrated the school news with Prosecco last night, but DS1 was very difficult and I think it was because I wasn't on the ball enough to 'manage' him, plus he probably didn't like the change in me (I get very jolly and talkative ). DH or I can usually step in to deflect issues, but this just shows how much work it takes. We're not even conscious of it anymore. Ah well. Will try not to make that mistake again.

mad - welcome back. Glad you and DEM can talk skating again.

DEM - what a pain about the wet bed clothes. Hope you managed to sleep in a dry bed eventually.

Dogs - it's good to hear that you are enjoying your time alone and making the most of it. Am most impressed by the sewing. at the daily 'I'm still alive' texts.

Thanks for the congratulations, everyone. Yes, WhoKnows, it has been a very long haul. Can't believe we got there in the end.

Off out with DM today. I'm taking her to a local historical site, as she loves history and it will, hopefully, be a good distraction for her. Lovely day, so we can enjoy the gardens there too.

I did manage a dry bed to sleep in. It was nearly 3am though before i got to find it.
Ds is off school but he has a gp appointment so hopefully can get him sorted.
Builder is sorting out kitchen -aka at the messy take the old out stage.
Breakfast has been had, as has a 2nd cup of coffee but soo tired i could happily curl up an go back to bed. But ds didn't shower after training last night so I need to shove him in the shower before the doc if possible Will need to wash his bedding tonight, but he has spare bedding so that isn't really a problem.

Madwoman "I thought ballerinas were supposed to be all floral scented pinkery and graceful wafting, but the reality seems to be even more sweaty piles of discarded body wear various and sore or bleeding body parts." rofl you can swap notes with SC

Morning all.

Really quick post to let u know I am still flying although struggling slightly with working as well.
I have entered the tip that is our bedroom, wadding through the pile of paperwork, photos and stuff that currently lives on the floor or on the units. Will report back with a proper post when I can see the floor and unit tops or when I'm too achy and bored!

Morning!

[Appeases Greymalkins with a large flaming brochette of lamb] Thanks for flowers!! Happy to help out and on standby here Greymalkin if your Internet problems continue today! [Only prob is, you may not be able to see this message of course, if you have no connection.] As discussed, if at all poss, best if you can post opening post so that it continues to be in your identifiable colour ifyswim but obviously, if you haven't been able to do that by 8pm-ish this evening UK time, then I will do it, no probs.

So sorry to hear that your ds has had breathing/viral probs again and you have suffered attendant broken nights; hope things improving today.

Toffee yay!! [hangs out bunting in naughty corner, hauls in more crates of Prosecco] that is such brilliant news about the school places!! Congratulations to all of you!! Good that it will be quite a gradual transition too! (Sorry you have been having anxiety dreams though - horrible things - it's bound to be a worrying transition for you!) Good luck to your dm with her house-hunting! And decking sounds fab! And enjoy your day out!

[Funnily enough - not the same level of course - but I have had anxiety dreams about dogs slipping their collars and running off recently!]

Really lovely to have you back Madwoman and thanks for the ballet reality check (I think!! ) - dd due to go en pointe next year! What an incredibly athletic set of dc you have!!

DEM yy we've already had episodes of bruised, reddened feet, sticky crepe ankle bandages and odd-looking knobbly bones.

Deeply unattractive close up, but an inspirational vision from a couple of rows back !!

DEM brilliant to hear that the sn staff at your ds's proposed secondary school were so helpful and cor @ your long list!! How can you say you achieved nothing?!! Also, good luck with home ed ponderances. And sorry about your late night; hope tumble dryer behaving itself now!

Sending you a cartoon in return here

Hope you are feeling better Seaside

Ouch re: the pulled muscle Blue [hands over embrocation cream]

Dogsbum I can't believe it is your last post of the month either! Where did the time go?!! So glad you found it helpful and thread leading is very good for getting to know everyone!! And good that you are not missing your dh too much!! Sorry to hear that sleep is not coming easily though and that you are having a eczema flare-up; bit of a sign that you need to take it steady perhaps? [proffers foot stool and fluffy throw]

[Btw; Glad sewing lesson went well! I've heard that Ikea machines are good as a starter machine; can thoroughly recommend Janome make too! Just make sure that whatever machine you buy, the bobbin comes in and out easily. Totally my own mistake but I bought a cheapo Singer last year to tide me over while my Janome was in the repair shop and it's a good machine but the the bobbin in and out mechanism is a horrible faddle!]

Ditto re: ever-growing pile of paperwork btw; I despair of ever getting a grip on it

And at dog communication. (Could have sworn he winked at me last night!! ) His paws are a bit reddened (not used to walking on pavements or being walked at all formally; as he just ran about in the garden of his previous owners). So we've put some cream on them recommended by the vet and he's as happy as Larry because he gets to walk exclusively in parks on soft grass now which he loves - nose down, ready for action He loves his food but this is a dog that is truly ruled by his schnozzle!!

Ditto what DEM says about child-rearing and trusting your gut. Parenthood is one large never-ending marvellous phase of confusion exploration ! (See how I managed to avoid using the 'j' word there? ) The one thing guaranteed to happen is that just when you feel you have a handle on one stage of development, they promptly grow out of that and go on to the next!

Bit of a lazy morning for me, dd and dog as dd's school closed today and tomorrow for teaching day + May Day hol in advance of w/e. Had lovely friends over yesterday afternoon and dd did an amazing job decorating a b'day cake all by herself, and helping to prep sandwiches and snacks etc.

This afternoon I am going to take advantage of the fact that most other schools are not on holiday today and hit the (hopefully empty) shoe shops with dd - her feet have grown again!

Big wing flaps to Whoknows Swan and everyone I've missed!

Sorry, meant to explain Dogsbum wouldn't personally recommend side (vertical) loading bobbin, but flat (horizontal) one.

Didn't see you there Shannara! Snap I am meant to be boudoir sorting this morning!! With you all the way!!

Good morning everyone,

Dogsbum I'm so glad you enjoyed the thread and got so much out of it. I'm looking forward to the May one. Please slow down more now that pregnancy is taking it's toll. Glad you are enjoying sewing - I have the IKEA Sy sewing machine which only cost me £45 and I love it. It doesn't owe me a thing now, I've made so much stuff and done so sew many repairs

Thank you SC - I seem to have got myself sorted internet wise, I have set up the new thread:

Link to May Thread

DS is with my MIL for a day out today so I have some time at home. My lovely cleaner has arrived and is taking care of the ironing and all the major cleaning. However, I have some ta-das:

Cats fed
fussed over, SC's lamb bone offering remains cleared away
Beds made
Emptied all bins
Dishwasher unloaded, partial reload
Washing on and now hung on the line to dry
Cleaning stuff put out for cleaner
Facepack applied - t'was lovely and a feel strangely uplifted as a result
May thread started

To Do:
Online banking
Declutter in dining room - which looks like a room off one of those 'Hoarders' programmes (seriously)
Get some more ebay listings ready for this weekend

Toffee Fabulous news about the schools; am so pleased for you. Hope you enjoy your day with your DM.

SC I didn't mean to worry you about the thinness, esp. as you've already had DD checked out - DD1 has always been very thin, even before she developed diabetes (I took all of them for a medical check-up last year and she was fine then). Schools are closed here tomorrow too (everywhere is, in fact, as it's a bank holiday), so we're already in lazy long weekend mode.

DEM Glad it's not just me having to shove DC into showers; DD1 is doing personal hygiene in Health Studies atm so I'm hoping she might listen if it comes from someone else!

Good to see you again, madwoman.

Dogsbum No need to be embarrassed about enjoying the time when DH is away; I love pottering around in the evenings when DH isn't here, after I've put the DC to bed. at your still alive texts - I'm sure we'd have been the same if mobile phones had been in common use when DD1 was born (we did buy a special one for emergencies, but it cost something like $1 per call and was extremely unreliable - I think we gave up on it after about a month). I do remember DH rushing home from work very concerned when I'd failed to answer the phone twice in succession (was upstairs and thought it was my ILs again, and couldn't be bothered to go and answer it ) - he was worried that I'd fallen down the stairs or something!

Went to pick up yet more schoolwork for DD1 this morning, but at least it got her out of the house for a walk; exercise is supposed to be good for her insulin levels, but she's had very little since she came out of hospital. The walk must have invigorated her, however - after we came back, she mowed the lawn with DH's new grass trimmer until the battery went. (I think she might have been trying to avoid schoolwork.)

Great that your dd is feeling well enough to mow the lawn Linzer really fab!!

And no worries about the diabetes concerns btw, dd's had it checked out already, but it is something I definitely want to keep an eye on.

Having been a powerhouse of energy yesterday, dd is a whiter shade of pale today, listlessly glued to the sofa reading a book, all cheery/tempting offers to get her outside having been firmly rejected [sigh]. And although the morning was sunny and lovely, it is now raining [double sigh] I've run out of energy and don't want to nag. I guess I need to accept that she needs time out. A dog walk will be on the cards later though together with healthy grub and an early night.

Desperate to get out of the house myself but dd doesn't like being left alone (even with dog) even for 10 mins. Guess it's the boudoir calling ... .

Yargh [hic]

Just emerged from the dubious pleasure of creating a loom band charm bracelet for 2.5 hrs

Have taken to white wine [hic]

[Serves bottles from naughty corner hatch]

SC I can only do loom band stuff sitting next to the laptop with a YouTube video to follow. I must try again soon!

Thanks to Dogs for a great month. Looking forward to May.

DD is poorly - again - with the stomach pains. She has been brave and gone to school anyway, but there have been a couple of morning I have come home and cried with frustration. I will join you in a glass of vino, SC.

Sorry your DD is poorly again, Fiz. Poor thing.

Walking DM to the station this morning. We have plans to go and stay with her soon.

DH is finishing off the decking. Looks fantastic.