Fledglings flutter round the May Pole – FlyLady May 2015

[Greymalkin]

First of all, a big thank you to Dogsbum for leading us (for the very first time) through the April thread; fantastic job!

If you are struggling 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 chat along the way.

The FlyLady link is here Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound!

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):

• start or repeat baby steps
• repeat baby steps + do 15 minutes a day decluttering in the current zone
• 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.

There are three key points to keep in mind throughout:

• No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine and many of us on this thread struggle with this one!
• You are never behind - just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
• 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 15mins decluttering daily and doing the babysteps is a good way to start. Some of us (mentioning no names!) can have scary looking ‘ta-da’ lists but don't let that worry you! Do what you can, anything is better than nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

If all else fails, a + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders!

Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings.

Don’t let it put you off if we appear a bit cliquey, we really aren’t! Some of us have been on here for years – but all lurkers, intermittent returnees, oldies and newcomers very, very welcome

Spent this morning tidying ds2's room with him. Extraordinarily time consuming to try and make him do some of it with me. But he did at least 5 parts - laundry picking up rubbish clothes sorting and carrying hoover up and rubbish down and then hoovering - all step by step. Screaming and crying in early stages - honestly I despair.

However then we escaped from the sparkly room of hell and went off to a park meetup with another home educatee in tow and ds2 played football for the rest of the day by the river with various boys. A very blowy day - and the Thames looking wild and wonderful.

Supper was spag carbonara.

SC could it be he is sensitive to the electric charge in the air? Milk and flapjacks sounds just what dd needed. I am worried at thought of you dealing with all these guests. They need beds. They need food (occasionally) they need (possibly) clean bathrooms. But everything else except a well rested hostess is optional. It is dd's exams also and you and your dh have been through a very stressful Spring and winter so you need to remind them that you will be at a low ebb by June. Do not feel guilty about everything not being perfect or organised. Your guests keep returning which implied that they love what they find.

I'm feeling very badtempered for various reasons - partly because garden is being dug up (half already dug up) and so many things hanging in the balance and dh is being as usual spectacularily absorbed in his work to the exclusion of all boring trivia such as planning and soothsaying. However getting out in the fresh air with ds2 makes me so much happier (if incredibly sleepy) so that is good

greymalkin I read your links as "decluttering your small appliances" and thought YAY!!

So in order to take my thread leader responsibilities seriously, I spent some time taking a proper look around the Flylady website.

Did you all know that FLY stands for Finally Loving Yourself? And that Flylady is the username the fatfairy gave herself for a different online forum based on her interests in fly-fishing?

I found this page on the flylady website called wardrobe slimdown and it really gave me the kick up the arse to tackle my clothes problem. She talks about how clothes nearly always trigger a memory that makes it hard to get rid of them, like a wedding dress, or they just make you feel guilty - like it cost a lot of money - and I totally got it!

Anyway... For a while now I have wanted to seriously sort out all my clothes as I have so many that I do not wear, mostly because they are all 3 to 4 dress sizes too small :( In 2009 I lost almost three stone on weightwatchers, bought loads of lovely clothes and then put all the weight back on again.

Like a lot of people (I imagine) I have kept all these clothes for years, telling myself that I will slim back into them, and it obviously hasn't happened. And even if it does happen, I wouldn't wear those clothes now, as my tastes have completely changed.

The clothes that I do have, most are scruffy or second hand because I tell myself that I should not spend a lot of money on nice clothes now, and that I don't deserve them, because I need to lose weight, and then I can wear my 'skinny' clothes. As a result, I look like bag-woman a lot of the time, and it makes me miserable.

So I have decluttered about 70% of my wardrobe today and thrown out or plan to donate an enormous amount of stuff which I am going to be giving to a humanitarian group collecting unwanted clothes for the disaster in Nepal (I have a ridiculous image in my mind of Buddhist monks swaggering around in my fake leather trousers and Doc Martin boots )

That's enough wittering from me for now. Just felt like sharing. I now need to reclaim the pink feather boa from and put it back into the sack of stuff for Nepal

Thanks Steady glad to hear that I might get a bit of time to myself, in a few years at least

I think you are right that it is a good thing that me and DP enjoy being together but are also sufficiently independent to be able to enjoy ourselves separately as well

Sorry to hear about how stressed DD is post school, poor her and you having to hide away in office.

I want fake leather trousers and doc marten boots.
I had a fab pair of dms with rainbow stitching - ah memories.

Zero flying today. Didn't get home until 10pm and dh had cooked. Day off tomorrow though, so all good! I can see several hotspots from here

Grey, were you the fledgling at the end of the last thread working on body clutter? Just reminded me with the clothing stuff. I have So Many Clothes that don't fit. And not, like, a bit tight. Like, I can't actually pull them up/ get them on. I am making small changes, but I would LOVE to get into some of these clothes again. (Actually, some of them for the first time...) no idea if it is just trying to recapture lost yoof, or remotely likely, but....

In other news, provincial elections today, and for the first time ever, I am no longer living under a conservative local government. The whole place is reeling, but I can't work out why - they must have voted that way!

Elections tomo, I have yet to figure out which twat I think will do least damage. I also have to vote in an AGM this month, i need to figure out what amendments I want. Although right now I would prefer a vote of confidence so I can say: nope none of that here. In the meantime I have to read a lot of policies, reports and amendments.

MAdwoman perhaps a lot of people put a protest vote in thinking that they would never get into power as it was a strong hold. Protest vote worked better than they expected?

Kitchen is only going, as is so many other bits. But struggling with burnout so today is a crafting morning.

Morning!

DEm I have (thankfully) been relieved of that decision because I've lived over here too long.

Madwoman/Grey I have been struggling with body clutter since the beginning of the thread and definitely identify with the 'clothing in three sizes' issue!! (I'd love to get in to some of them again too.)

Thanks for wardrobe slim down link!! Agree, very easy to slip in to "one day" mode, ignoring the here and now (think it was Swanwho wisely said that said she was focusing on making more of an effort daily with make up/accessories etc as an alternative to calorie counting). I need to calorie count as well though - have been up and down like a yo-yo - sadly always ending on up!!

Would love to see that monk in his Doc Martens and leather trousers btw

And I'm quite sure you don't look like a bag woman Grey that is my prerogative.

Dogsbum I was only jesting about the hiding really but once she's had a snack, dd does benefit from a little "alone time" esp if in a huge strop like yesterday. Like many of us, she hates being bombarded with questions when she comes home ie "how was your day", "how did the test go", "what did Mrs X say about Y" which can provoke a bit of an outburst or total silence so I have to remember to bite my lip!! Speaking of which, school half day Wed so must go and prepare "decompression chamber"!

Glad you were able to get out and about Swan and yy to the length of time it takes to make dc do things (five times as long as it would take to just do it oneself) but, as you do, worth struggling on ... heigh ho ... was it Toffee the other day who said the task could have been done three times over in the time it took for dc to protest before starting?!! Exactly the same here!

Sorry garden work is proving stressful; hopefully will definitely be worth it all in the end!! And can definitely sympathise wrt over-focused dh especially when it comes to planning!! (I despair I really do - my family are asking me for plans/dates re: this Christmas - dh hasn't yet told me what his movements are likely to be during nine weeks of summer hols (which start in precisely 8 wks)!! Must just go ahead without him and plan!! (Think I wrote that on here at least six weeks ago too and I have done nothing!)

And thank you for saying that about the guests Swan - just heard 6 more are coming end June - but will be delighted to see them so trying not to stress about house!!

Furry one still a bit stressed but think he is mainly tired ... (yes, could have been atmospheric pressure that set him off!)

Ta da:
Only done morning routine + volunteering this morning, a bit of editing work and some planning of dates about various things + a few planning e-mails. Did more editing work last night and (surprisingly) enjoyed it so that's got me thinking ... although I need to re-learn how to spell in English!!

To do:
Continue laundry
Put away ironing (fortnightly ironing lady came this morning - yippe!!)
Hwk supervision now
Writing a 'master plan' for upcoming events/visits [quakes in shoes]
Find birthday present and card and wrap
Supper?

More dog walking
Try on shoes
Loads more but that will do for now!!

Big wing flaps to everyone else!

Today has been a rest day. I have pottered - put stuff away in the kitchen, done a bit of laundry, made 2 ltrs of jelly which i predict will last about 24hrs with ds in the house but mostly i have sat in bed with some knitting and just taken the day slowly with hot water bottles rest. Exactly what was needed today. Chose to let ds skip training as he has problems with one of his knees atm and tbh I couldn't really face the drive.

Good evening Fledglings - its ever so quiet on here, I'm starting to wonder if I'm a thread killer

Links for Thursday 7th May:

Here is the link to the flight plan for the overall summary

Tomorrow’s baby step is put out your clothes for tomorrow before bed tonight When I was working, or had a busy day coming up, this was an excellent step for me, I also put out all my toddlers clothes and nappy stuff the night before too.

The Daily focus for Thursday is Errand day

Our habit of the month is Moving More

This week we are in Zone 2: The Kitchen; Declutter in here for 15 minutes each day.

Our mission in this week’s zone is to thoroughly clean your kitchen taps

The detailed cleaning list for this zone is Zone 2: here for the more experienced Fledglings

Launch pad is here and is full of all the info you need each day, well worth a look.

No fear grey it often gets quiet this time of the year as people are tied up with exam stress, the weather gets nicer hint hint and people are busy with other stuff. You are not a thread killer

I've had a pretty crappy day - DS was up at his usual ungodly hour and its really taking its toll on me; I've felt groggy and unmotivated all day, barely done a thing:
Dishwasher
Laundry x2
Changed bed sheets
Took DS to MIL to spend the night there so I can have a rest

Tomorrow I will try to take a leaf from DEM's book and have a rest and crafting day. DEM I hope you are feeling better for your quiet day

SC how are you doing? Hope your DD is calmer and you have managed to get your master plan sorted for the coming weeks. Would your dog like a playdate with ?

Madwoman - just do not ask about the fake leather trousers [shudders] And yes, it was me that made small mutterings about body declutter on the last thread. Its not going so well. So I quite like Swan's notion of taking care of ourselves in ways that are not necessarily about losing weight. So I have tried to get more of a skin care routine going and am looking at putting together a stylish outfit for my interview next week.

Swan - how is your garden coming along? It has lashed it down here all day and not conducive to being outside at all

Dogs - I have recently found this sewing blog so sew easy which is packed full of information, tutorials and free patterns. Thought you might find it interesting.

Big wing flaps to Blue, Engles, Castle, CaptainSubtext and all the other Fledglings who's names escape me

Night all

Have been hair-pulling out with work and nearly falling out with my author most of the day, but that seems to be resolved now.

Have also been to Zumba, so at least I'm moving, even if I'm not doing any other Flying!!

I had blue DMs back in the day, with beads on the laces. I loved those boots till they felt apart. [wistful]

Glad to hear DS1 is doing so well, Toffee.

It's been snowing here all day. I have been out in it delivering Damned yellow pages. My left shoulder feels as though it may fall off. Possibly. And nowhere near done yet. And now dh has texted me to say that he won't be back until 2130 as he's got a meeting with Malaysia, and so now I'm trying to work out how I can get two kids to and from dance classes while I'm at a meeting in another town. Gah. And it is still snowing. Wet, miserable. Ugh.

ta da
looooong conversation with sister -nice as we don't talk often
set up for sorting some pictures
watch a couple of motivational videos
Drunk enough coffee to consider moving
sort out bag of hand me down goodies for sister's kids decluttering by proxy
Sort out pile of charity shop stuff

to do
figure out who to vote for in the 2 local elections
actually go and vote
take pictures
hoover under stair cupboard and put stuff away
pin ds down to sort my birthday present ordering with him
shove ds out the door to go card shopping with Dmum who has said she will take him today
Make cake
Consider getting car tax sorted so only get wet once.
try to make an appointment to see ds' teacher?

ha ha ha (bitter laugh) - I think if you saw me now you would not think me much of a sage on personal grooming ishoos..

bare feet (cannot find shoes except slippers and I left those in the car)
lurex aran "navy" jumper
black granny skirt
unbrushed hair
and no jewels whatsoever - even my ring is down the side of the bed

this morning I have done
driving
voted
home ed (a tincy bit)
washed some clothes
recycling
managed to get a last sack of rubbish in for the bin men
washed a basin

surrounded by mess and gardeners and mud atm.

Forgot the car tax (but not due til next month so there is plenty of time) and can't be arsed to make cake. If i can get way with not doing so I will. Ds wanted to stay up to watch all the election results come in. I pointed out that they won't all be in until at least 10am tomo and to forget it. I have huge list of stuff i need to do tomo, not sure how it is all going to get done it is all pretty urgent and has a tight deadline so will have to see what i get done. In the meantime all I can do is hope the country has had some common sense when voting.

Bit of an odd day.

Ta da!
Voted
3 loads of laundry
Swimming
Grocery shopping
Window cleaner came so did insides to match
Made dinner that everyone ate. Woohoo!
Work wrangling.

Was getting very despondent earlier, but onwards and upwards.

Hope everyone else is OK.

for anyone staying up to watch the election!

Sorry to have been AWOL, I have been caught up in another thread for a few days, I've got an OU deadline looming (last one till Oct) and I started my second job last week. Oh and spending as much time as poss at the allotment. Will hopefully get on a more even keel next week, oh maybe not, DS has his SATS

Good Evening Fledglings

Links for Friday 8th May:

Link to the flight plan for an overall summary

Tomorrow’s baby step is Develop your control journal I think some of the Fledglings here actually have control journals! I use an app on my phone.

The Daily focus for Friday is Declutter your Car, Bag and Purse day

Our habit of the month is Moving More

This week we are in Zone 2: The Kitchen. Declutter in here for 15 minutes each day.

Our mission in this week’s zone is clean the fronts of your cabinets / cupboards

The detailed cleaning list for this zone is Zone 2: here for the more experienced Fledglings

Launch pad is here and is full of all the info you need each day, well worth a look.

I can't get over how quiet it is on here at the moment! Really hope everyone is well

Blue - glad your work stresses sorted themselves out for today. You get a for 'Moving More' - Zumba and Swimming in two days (sounds exhausting!)

Madwoman - Snow?!? Ugh. Hate the stuff. Has your shoulder grown back yet?

DEM Here: for you! When is your birthday? You must be a Taurus

You sound busy Swan - is the garden looking any better?

Waves to WhoKnows - you also sounds pretty busy, but at least you will get a bit of a break from Uni work once this last piece is done. Good luck with the new job

I've also had a bit of a strange day, very 'bitty' but very pleasant too:

Ta da:
Lie in!!
Cat taken to vets for booster vaccinations and worming. wanted to come too, but apparently, he needs specialist vet care not provided by our surgery
Washing x2
Dishwasher
Beds made, one set of linen changed
Sofa professionally cleaned
Trip to charity shop to donate half my wardrobe
Voted
DS picked up from MIL, fed, bathed, brushed, nails clipped and looking lovely

I started a new sewing project today, I'm making a new pair of slippers out of an old pair of jeans. I managed to get the pattern drawn up and most of the pieces cut out. Will actually get sewing tomorrow.

Night y'all

Yep very much a Taurus It is in the next few days, I traditionally ignore it, not a big fan of birthday and high days, too much to do and it really unsettles ds so it is minimal fuss. Your project sounds fab grey

I am in the middle of a very heated debate on the internet. It is the sort of debate that makes you want to bang your head on the wall and scream are you fucking stupid? at the computer. sadly it is not a debate that is over tomorrow :( hopefully it will be drawn to a conclusion quickly.

Am still here, Grey.

DH is staying up watching the election results and I am sitting up with DS1, who had a bad day today. Turned out he'd forgotten to take his meds for a few days. He spent a lot of time with DS2 today and that seemed to cheer him up. Makes me happy to hear them getting on so well.

DEM - did I hear you mention a birthday...?

I'm here too Grey [waves to ] and to everyone!!
Thanks for links!

Just dashing hither and thither!!

Neiiggghhhhhhh [rears a bit, paws ground with left hoof, exits stage right followed by manic dog]

All the best people are Taureans btw DEM