Autumn leaves flutter as October Fledglings Fly!

[standclear]

Welcome to the October 2015 Fledgling Flying thread!

Park your broomsticks and cauldrons here!! Or is that just me ?

This is where, from the 1st of the month, we attempt to declutter and follow the 30-step wisdom of Flylady (minus cutesy language and a surfeit of e-mails) with lots of chat and support and mutual motivation (and of course) along the way.

More info available here and here and here.

As usual we will be following a three-pronged approach - and don't worry - we are all at different stages. (Some of us are still stuck at the decluttering stage after quite a few years ):

• repeat or start baby steps (again!)

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

• reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.

And those of you who have decluttered and are really enthusiastic can throw some detailed cleaning in to the mix as well!

The idea is that we focus on short, ring-fenced, daily steps and routines that will help our homes run (more or less!) on "automatic pilot" allowing us to do far more interesting things instead!

This is a very long-running thread so we may appear cliquey but we really aren't! All newcomers, long-termers, lurkers and intermittent returnees not only welcome to join in but positively encouraged to do so!

Helpful pointers: No perfectionism allowed! If it took a while to create the current C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) in your home, then it will probably take a while to reverse the situation (you can't clean clutter!). Small steps are the key! And you are never behind: just jump in where you are at!

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

SC Social anxiety and exhaustion from being around people and being easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli sound like introversion (which we all score highly for in our family!) as much as anything else. Make sure you carve out some space to be alone in once your visitors arrive!

Oh yes, flying. Well, this morning started with a bang as DS1 managed to shatter a light bulb by throwing a cushion so had to get the hoover out... So did the rest of the floors while I was at it. Then DH took some junk to the tip and we think everything in the loft now is useful or otherwise worth keeping!

sounds interesting, Grey

Evening everyone

Just finished supper!! And schedule has been decided upon for me for tomorrow [groan]

And so to bed but first ...

Blue sincerely hope tomorrow brings some good news for you on the completion front!

YY to introversion, rather than anything else, have a truly dreadful memory for facts apart from anything else although can recite the fifty nine horse-racing tracks of GB from memory in alphabetical order given enough vodkas

[throws consolatory rib eye to ]

Greymalkin terrific you had a restful night away and how brilliant to be at Twickenham (despite result!) And congrats on list. I can very much identify with the more-manageable hillock scenario Wine sounds amazing (like something Robin and his merry men would quaff!)

*

Baby-step no. 12 for tomorrow, Mon 12th Oct, is here a waffling one about taking small steps, not crashing and burning and about deleting her emails (which you won't have to do if you haven't signed up - they come thick and fast unfortunately).

We are in Zone 3 this week: The Bathroom and One Extra Room (October 11 – 17) : here.

(NB Flylady site is still showing Zone 2 Why does no one tell her?!!)

Declutter for 15 mins in Zone 3 (or do a mission!) if you want to.

If you are at that stage, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 3 is here.

Monday's mission and all the missions for the rest of the week can be found here. Monday's mission is wiping down the outside of your bath tub, toilet and cabinets, including top of medicine cabinet and where cabinet and tub meets floor.

For the extra room: confusing as this sounds, go back to Zone 1 and spend 15 mins dealing with paper clutter in that zone (October being paper decluttering month).

Monday's daily focus is: the dreaded home "bleugh" 70 mins spent on 7 essential tasks.

The habit for October is: www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/october/ decluttering paper clutter! [SC wrings hands desparingly]

A summary of the above (which should update itself daily) can be found here in the Flightplan: www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120.

Have a good start to the week everyone!

fly lady links always used to update at about 1am. No idea why but was what i found when doing the links a while back. Safe to say I have never got the hang of babystep 17 or whatever it is now, seeing as she has been tweaking the steps. I must remember to update the master list seeing as I have now found it

I have done absolutely bugger all today! Meh.

yep me too. unless arguing about homework and dropping a raw egg on the floor counts. It happens Fuzzpig, why do you think i installed the naughty corner bar

Good morning everyone, thanks for links SC

DH is working from home today so he got up with DS, who slept in until 7:30 - result!

So far I have:
Opened all the blinds,
Let cats out
Made DSs bed
Replaced loo rolls
Put on a washload
Made coffee

Today I need to:
Stir my cauldron
Clean up rib eye bones left all over the kitchen floor...
Put away all the dry laundry that has been hanging around for far too long
More washing
Dishwasher
Lots of paper work:
*Nursery forms
*email DS school
*more legal paperwork
Continue Paper declutter
Try to list some stuff on eBay (unlikely to get round to this; it more of a Wednesday, anti procrastination task)

Hello all,
Hope you had good weekends.
Yesterday despite it being a family day and not supposed to be a cleaning day I was quite productive, probably because DH could look after DD and we both took it in turns to get our chores done, so I decluttered the futility room, swept and mopped the futility and kitchen, washed the dog mats, washed up the dog bowls don't do it often enough walked the dogs, did some laundry, made some bread only in the breadmaker but it all counts! cleaned the fridge out, so I felt quite good yesterday.

This morning so far I have emptied dishwasher, taken one of DDogs to vet for boosters, and put DD down for nap. That in itself is an achievement as she's a nap refuser.

To do:
clean bathroom windows and mirror
wipe down toilet base and sink pedestal
Tesco delivery
Find new plumber after last week's ridiculous effort at trying to get hold of him
Walk dogs
File some papers if I get the chance

Hoping you all have productive days!

quick wave hello! Flying getting neglected as am preparing for second interview and trying to deal with my feral children . Have just hoovered and stuck a wash on though, and am about to sort some stuff to sell/charity shop.
fuzz your statement is v interesting I could have written it. Have been analysing playgroup all morning as I'm sure I spent the whole time interrupting people, or having nothing to contribute.

I hate mondays. Garfield hates mondays. Ergo I am garfield.

Hello everyone :)
Haven't got time to catch up yet as have 90mins until I have to pick DS up and I want to get lots done.

So far today i have:

• Got everyone up and out with lunches, correct kit and clean uniform!
• Washed up
• Done 3 loads of washing and and hung it all outside
• Done quite a bit of WORK
• Made a cranberry and orange loaf (my adaptation of a 'hot cross bun' loaf as I don't like currants). It has only just come out of the breadmaker and has made the whole house smell lovely
• Put ironing away
• Printed shopping list

Now need to:

• Menu plan, highlight/write list and do online order
• Work out what to feed DH and DD (I'm out running tonight so tend eat cereal or something when I get in)
• Sort out parkrun photos
• Sort out parents 40th wedding present (and hope I haven't left it too late )
• Fill up bird feeders
• Sweep hall and kitchen floors
• Ring tree cutting man
• Ring dentist to make appointment for DC (and hope I haven't left it too late ) Bit of a theme here!
• Find out about oven cleaner man
• Ring my mum
• Pick up DS from choir with packed tea, take him to athletics

Doubt I will get it all done but will try Power of 3 again and see how far I get.

Feeling spectacularly unmotivated still, but really do need to get some laundry done as I let it slide for a few days.

I've done a bit more of my form, and actually I don't mind doing it - I'm sure I'd feel different if I'd had to do it umpteen times, but really it feels more like a positive step. It is rather depressing thinking about all the things I can't manage, BUT the fact that these behaviours all have a root cause, a label even, makes me feel better rather than worse, IYSWIM. It feels like I'm taking a positive step towards understanding for myself and others :)

curry for supper (from freezer Yay!)
cleaned loo and lino around it [sigh]
two loads of washing in
dcs played badminton in the garden and made a homemade net out of a long piece of masking tape with much fretting
ds2 Pilgrim's Progress reading
ds2 friend round
2 kids to school (dh did that)
wiped worktops
cleared up cat bowls
made ds2 tuna mayo for lunch sandwiches

otherwise, nothing except call a friend, and call LA, and generally lie low..bad night so very tired this morning..

feeling slightly better about A levels and GSCEs as I can see this is merely one of the many stages my dcs are going to get through and it is no point trying to compare ones dcs to others, most important to find right level for THEM, rather than raising an invisible bar.

Not really flown here today. But, pleased that I did morning routine. I know I'm supposed to do more but I'm just so tired.
This weekend was busy because we had a big celebration for my DH's birthday and I did most of the work.

Tomorrow and I'm just going to do the same thing and if I do I will be pleased with myself. DH will be away tomorrow evening so I'll have lots more work to do with the animals.

Good to read you all. Enjoy your evenings.

Exchange will now be Weds at the earliest. This time it's the buyers' bank's turn to be daft. Sigh.

DS2 has been off school today, but hopefully back in tomorrow. I've been trying to work around him, and play board games, do jigsaws, sort out an invoice problem - software dislikes one particular client...

Forgot to say, my is also sulking about the rugby! Although he has cheered up as he ran a great half marathon and beat his son, which nobody expected. Not bad considering he's 47 - and had surgery on his spine a few years ago too. :o :o

DH took DD with him to take DS to Beavers (at Hobbycraft today for some reason?!) so I'm finally watching Cider With Rosie from that BBC series. I should be doing Stuff. But no.

Errr being DH I mean.

Hello fledglings. Visitors here. Feel as if I am being bossed about in my own home rather but it comes from a good place so trying not to mind (and am plying the )

Exhausted so just posting links without personals but big waves to all!

***

Baby-step no. 13 for tomorrow, Tues 13th Oct, is here. An introduction to missions.

We are in Zone 3 this week: The Bathroom and One Extra Room (October 11 – 17) : here.

Declutter for 15 mins in Zone 3 (or do a mission!) if you want to.

If you are at that stage, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 3 is here.

Tuesday's mission can be found here. Clean your bathroom vent or window and light fixture.

For the other room: rtn to Zone 2 and see if there is any more paper clutter lurking in kitchen: do a 27 piece fling boogie if so.

Tuesday's daily focus is: planning.

The habit for October is: www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/october/ decluttering paper clutter!

A summary of the above (which should update itself daily) can be found here in the Flightplan: www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120.

Remember the power of 15 mins everyone!

Caught up at last. Chickens well done on getting that second interview!

I didn't do any laundry. Fail

Sorry I've not read all to catch up, so tired after a day of mega cleaning for the surveyor. We should know in a few days.

At least I have a lovely, clean house lol. Fingers crossed by the end of the week I'll be starting packing.

Hope everyone is ok and sorry I've not read to catch up. Xx

Morning!

chicken that is great about your second interview! Well done and hope it goes well/hope it went well!!

Scatty and Blue fingers crossed for you both on the housing front this week!

Take it steady Saymwa sounds as if you have a lot on your plate!

Fuzzpig congrats to your dh on his half-marathon success! And top marks re: your lists!

Hope you had a better night last night Knitting and glad situation re A-levels has calmed a bit! Don't worry, he'll find his way ...!!

don'tbuy well done re: your very productive w/e!

And well done with your lists too Greymalkin and great you are getting a bit more sleep in the mornings!

Feetheart here's a for your very productive Monday and cranberry and orange loaf sounds delicious!

strong to Can'tsee and big waves to everyone else!

Have a good day everyone!

May I join for a bit?
Have to do crisis cleaning for unexpected ( uninvited) visito.

Strewth!

So far I have tidied my room a bit and found two bin bags.

Aaaargh

Don't seem to have got much done this morning and have been procrastinating so still haven't started work! If I actually got a good 2 hours in after school drop off I would have so much more time to do nice things but can I shift myself...no
Ta Da:

• All up and out
• Stripped our bed
• Wiped window sills and door sill outside - looking grotty in autumn sunshine
• Online Sainsburys order
• Pay DD's dance fees very late
• One lot of washing done and hung up
• Started defrosting freezer in garage - bit of a mammoth job that REALLY needed to be done
• Rescued Taken dinner out of freezer

Still to do:

• WORK
• S&S
• Continue defrosting freezer
• Ironing
• Mission
• Make up bed

And from yesterday!

• Sort out parkrun photos
• Sort out parents 40th wedding present (and hope I haven't left it too late)
• Fill up bird feeders
• Sweep hall and kitchen floors

Right, I'll work for an hour then it will be lunchtime won't it? :)

A very warm welcome to Fishbonechokus! I always find the arrival of guests very panic inducing motivating

Well done re:your ta da and good luck with your to do Feetheart

In the spirit of planning, does anyone have any good meal plans to share?