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!……………..

Hope everyone has a good weekend & lovely weather - especially anyone overworked. Hope antibiotics work quickly for you Bless. Ooh, Dogs, shopping type stuff sounds relaxing.

My big ta da: quick sort of mess to access a cupboard. Rather than my usual, shove to one side & tread carefully I thought it should only take a few mins. So, some bits thrown away, plastic bags all together in 1 bag & a now easily accessible cupboard
Also completed babystep 2 today (minus the shoes ).

Oh and in my quick tidy up, found a library book I had almost given hope of finding

Hello all. I forgot how quickly these threads move and why I only seem to be able to keep up during the holidays!

Ta da
Kitchen cleaned
Dusted throughout
Hoovered throughout
Bathroom ss
Walked dog whilst house was being viewed.
Hairs cut

To do
Hang washing out
Make macaroni cheese for dc dinner
Meal plan for next week.
Maybe make a batch of hm soup - I need to check what is in the fridge to be used up first

Other than that I plan to read and relax. I hope you and your dd feel better soon sc

DS2 is doing great sc thanks! Nearly 3 months and a very easy baby. 5 weeks till I start back at work. Looking forward to it - love my job and miss it a bit right now.

fledglings, i need your help!

easter namechange competition

Just voted for you WhoKnows looks like you are joint top currently, so just need a few more fledglings......

Voted!

ta da
post office
banking
other errand in town including popping into to the Works
provisionally sort out dates and appointments for ds
Check EIHC /E111 card
Check on registered to vote
Empty car
Hoover lounge
Nap

Early bedtimes all around tonight. Currently stroking a very lovely new notebook. School is over and ds is heading towards calmer.

Ok, tomorrow’s Flylady tasks, here goes…..

Baby-step no. 3 for Fri 3rd April is here Which is to repeat babysteps 1 and 2.

We are in Zone 1 The Entrance, Porch and Dining Room for the rest of this week: here

If you want to, you can declutter for 15 mins a day in Zone 1!

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 1 is here

Friday’s mission is here Which is to clean out your front porch light cover. I don’t have a front porch but I’m thinking of cleaning out my dining room lampshade instead as it’s looking pretty dusty and cobwebby.

The daily focus for Friday is: De-clutter your handbag and car 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 going to take WhoKnows advice to pace myself so no personals tonight.

I've had a lovely day today though walking in the sunshine and buying nice food so that me and DP can enjoy the weekend.

The only cleaning I did was cleaning up the kitchen which is one job that I actually enjoy, well maybe enjoy is a bit strong but I do enjoy the kitchen being clean and tidy. That took about an hour and a half so I feel like I've worked and got some exercise and sunshine today. Feeling quite happy.

Signing off now, goodnight everyone.....

Oh good grief I just found a video of my DCs age 2 and 6 months, they are so cute and tiny and now I'm hellishly broody!

Wake them up, you'll soon be cured

:o

I'm feeling embarrassed about the Easter namechange comp now, and drumming up votes, I hadn't read the OP properly and didn't realise there was a prize, I thought it was just a bit of fun. If anyone hasn't voted yet, please vote for someone else

Four pages already, I've been away for two days (only one night) and have gone down with another cold! Will catch up, links are looking lovely though!

WhoKnows - don't be embarrassed. When do we find out who's won? I can't find anything about it now.

Thanks to an online link, I have just been virtually climbing a perilous walkway called El Caminito del Rey. Was very relieved to find myself still safely stuck to the sofa when I reached the end of the video.

Thanks Fizrim

Don't be embarrassed WhoKnows, what's the prize?

If it really makes you uncomfortable you could always donate it to a charity you support to use as a raffle prize or something, then you've won and helped out a good cause.

I was hoping that yesterday's gorgeous weather would be here for a few days but it's pouring with rain now I was hoping to go for another little stroll but it's not that appealing in the pouring rain... might have to carry on sitting on the sofa watching tv with a hot water bottle for a bit instead....

Ooooo sounds like an interesting link toffee care to share it?

Ds has computer time today. Which means he is grumpy and impossible to talk to. A bit like the last few days but with less screaming then

ta da
wash kit
check kit for tomo
attempt to pair socks
folding
knitting
Make pancakes
Drink too much coffee

We have had a lot of rain too. About to sort a hot water bottle, change the washing and allow ds back on the computer now he has eaten lunch.

you are, Dark. I'm astonished at how calm the people are on the walkway. I would be a gibbering wreck.

Hi everyone, hope you are all enjoying the Easter weekend.

WhoKnows' don't be embarrassed by possibly winning a prize! I voted for you! (If you win, will that induct you into the Mumsnet Royalty quiche?!)

Captain - are you still feeling broody since your DC have woken up? ;)

Links all look lovely Dogsbum

Toffee - that link looks interesting....

I've joined the staff bank (group of temping staff) at my local hospital and did a shift with them this morning which was interesting to do something different.

Other than that all I have managed so far is to unload a reload the dishwasher.
I'm about to go hunting runs the house for more crap treasures to put on eBay.

TTFN

Evening all,

Dogs, it's a baking book, donating it to charity occurred to me too, wll wait to see what happens.

No Flying here, we're staying at the ILs. I went out to meet an old friend who lives near here and we spent a happy afternoon eating cake and drinking coffee in a cafe, it's been several years since we saw each other, so that was nice. However DS has been throwing up, so I'm now cuddling him in bed with all plans for tomorrow on hold.

Finally got my hands on the laptop to send tonight’s links, luckily I’d prepared them in advance so no prep to do, here goes……

Baby-step no. 4 for Sat 4th April is here It appears to involve putting post it notes on things. I think I’ll pass on this myself, I don’t know what more experienced fledglings do, any views??

We are in Zone 1 The Entrance, Porch and Dining Room for the rest of this week: here

If you want to, you can declutter for 15 mins a day in Zone 1!

The detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 1 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…..

Toffee great video, the speed that they walk over some of the huge gaps was a real surprise, although it does look like they are climbers so I guess they would be pretty confident around heights. Where was the video shot?

Thanks Grey about the links. Temp work at the hospital does sound interesting and different.

Whoknows I think I'd keep a baking book if it was me, you and the kids could always bake something out of the book for a charity bake sale, then you get something nice and you help out, win win!

I hope your poor DS feels better soon, that sounds miserable for him, poor thing!

I haven't done much today, some cleaning and tidying in the kitchen and some work on the shelving unit in the small alcove in my study, but DP is off so I feel like I'm on holiday too so I feel fine about it.

Sadly the wet and miserable weather persisted all day so I haven't been out. I hope it's a bit better tomorrow.

Good night all!....

Thanks for the links, Dogs. I have never bothered with the post-it notes myself, although I can see why it would work. I prefer to have a private 'to do' list, rather than expose my need for reminders to all and sundry .

Have done absolutely bugger all today - and still needed a nap this afternoon . However, I did cook a beef casserole and manage to get everyone sitting down at the table to eat it at the same time, so that's an achievement.