Autumn leaves flutter as October Fledglings Fly!

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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!

He went. nothing wrong with him except he refused to come off his tablet thingy and do his homework so didn't want to go in because he hadn't done it. Plus it is half term so he has a week with his dad. He always picks a massive fight before he goes. drives me crazy, there is no need for it and I can't figure out the root cause behind it. Change of routine (there would be one with half term anyway), different parenting style, over tired and grumpy due to end of termitis. So any suggestions would be helpful. Especially as the ADHD vs aspie thing has caused a few heated discussions recently

Good morning Fledglings

Toffee - Yay! You've nearly done the whole of your first week! Sounds like you got a lot sussed out already, hope you have a nice weekend and get some rest

Knitting - I've read the first two Galbraith novels, preferred the first one but overall like the style of writing. Gore and guts in books doesn't bother me too much, but it has to be in context, not gratuitous. What's your verdict on this third book?

Cant' - careful you don't burn out, it's sounding like you might? I'm sure this is an obvious suggestion, but does your DSs tablet have a timer on it so it automatically shuts down at a certain time of night? That way you don't have to worry about extracting it from his iron grip!

SC glad your dog is off having a break - now you need to as well! I like the sound of those traffic light questions. I know you were saying the curriculum is quite dry, but the school do seem to be proactive in lots of other ways.

Anyway.... My DS was bouncing round his bedroom at 5am this morning. I was ready to do murder! Thank god he is at nursery today, I need some calm and above all, silence around me today.

Some ta das
Took DS to nursery
Descaled the kettle, coffee machine and kitchen tap overnight, all sparkly and pretty now
Dishwasher
Hand washing up
Made bed
Sorted washing into heaps
One load in the machine
Dry laundry put away
One of the cats had a toileting incident resulting in a trail of muck all round the kitchen so that meant a serious clean up of the kitchen floor, swept and mopped
Cat litter trays dealt with

Now: To do
Gather up heaps of stuff for charity shop
Find library audio book to return and pay fine (oops)
Collect duvets from dry cleaners
Top up shop
Make up spare bed
Stir wine cauldron, whisper magic spells over the brew in the hope it will miraculously distill into spirits
More laundry
More spreadsheet
Archery practice without the actual shooting part

Lots to do, catch up with all you beauties later

No idea about the time but it won't stop the sneaking, hiding and attitude part that is the real issue.
Yep burnout is likely but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

The house is full of boxes. I keep finding that useful things have been packed because I forgot to tell them not to...

Spent most of the day at the castle and then the park, and the rest of the day dusting and cleaning up the cobwebs revealed by moved furniture.

Very ready for a now!

4 transitions are hard, but I'm sure he will have a good week with his Dad. Hope that is all going alright re: ex behaviour.

I am sitting here not best pleased with dh's supervision. I leave him here whilst I drive off for two hours to pick up dd (who incidentally was in a foul mood because her phone had flown out of her pocket never to be seen again on one of the scariest Thorpe Park rides) - leaving instructions for him to encourage ds1 to make biscuits with ds2. Leaving everything ready including recipe, baking tray ingredients, scales. Ds1 very keen.

What to find I find when I come back - none of them could understand that food processor was involved spent 10 mins nonplussed by biscuit method (rub fat into flour etc), gave up threw splodge ingredients away, and then went back to computer games..grrr

No wonder ds1 cannot cook and ds2 screams every time he goes near a bowl of flour.

Supper now made. Spent most of today driving (it adds up to 5 hours total) or asleep, or trying to rewrite a draft of a report.

Grey I have to say that I had forgotten how gruesome it all is in Galbraith world. I think I must have airbrushed that out and concentrated on the simmering romance. This one is embarrassing to even read in public, horrid title with word evil in it, and very thriller-ish cover. I don't do gruesome at all, and I hate reading what is inside the heads of pyschopaths. Plus so much swearing. AND they didn't quite get it together. Anyway I skipped through it rather I may go back and read it again and avoid the bits which were offputting now I vaguely know the plotline.

Bring back Hogwarts, good clean fun!!

The move is really happening then Blue - chaos I'm sure but so glad it's off the ground now.

Knitting what a shame your baking plans didn't happen. I know what you mean about all the swearing in the Galbraith books; it's like JKR is making up for not being able to swear in the HP ones! I'm a massive HP fan BTW, with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of all things HP

I've had a really productive day and am feeling very satisfied. More ta das
Sorted through every single item of clothing I own, made a big charity shop pile
Clothes I'm keeping sorted into size categories
The stuff that is too small has all been neatly folded and stored in those vacuum bag things, now safely stored away.
Stuff taken to charity shop
Returned book to library
Collected duvets from dry cleaners
Top up shop
More laundry washed and hung up
More dry laundry folded and put away
Fresh sheets put on spare bed
Hoovered hall, stairs, landing, lounge (including under the sofa)
Archery practice
Bed!

Night all

At Mum's. Freelance job finished today. Work project finished on Tuesday. Epic sigh of relief :)

Hello everyone!

A very odd day. Spent most of it in bed in between school and ballet runs (seem to have strange shivery cold/virus thing without actually having a temperature) but then made myself attend school mass as dd wanted one of us to be there at least, and then (must have been divine intervention !) felt a lot better and was persuaded by dd, against my better judgement, to travel this weekend (long story!) so I am currently on the road.

So hope no one minds but am going to post links for Saturday and Sunday here together now and will be back to catch up with personals properly on Sunday night/Monday morning.

Fuzzpig hope you can get a proper rest at your mum's this w/e and well done for finishing freelance job!

Greymalkin [adds a few newt eyes to wine cauldron and stirs again] you are most definitely on a roll!! Congrats on fab Flying! And hope your cat recovers soon.

Yes, slightly eery how school have totally pin-pointed main v. apposite hwk/school-related "ishews" in one questionnaire. It's as though they have a spy camera in our sitting room!

Oh how v. disappointing about the biscuits Knitting, I would have been not best pleased about that too! Congrats on all of the driving and good luck writing report. (And sorry to hear about your poor dd losing her phone: one of the worst events that can befall a teen daughter I imagine )

[Sends more ] Whey-hey Blue on being all packed and ready to go!! [V. excited on your behalf!] Hope movers didn't pack the gin bottle!! Good luck later on today with all the unpacking! And try and take it as steady as poss! xxx

Oh dear Can'tsee glad to hear your ds got off ok in the end, althoguh sorry he (and consequently you) found it so stressful.

Wracking my brains to think of anything that might help other than the usual "managing change" type strategies such as perhaps having a count-down tick-box timetable of "steps" for when he goes to his dad's with perhaps a reassuring "ritualised" routine involved which is the same every single time, that he might find comforting and fun at the same time ie find suitcase and put out (with same cuddly toy or furry hot water bottle or somesuch) on Monday, pack same favourtie pjs and same books in it (or somesuch) Tuesday with lovely calming story at end, play fun "herd the sock and pant game in to suitcase " game on Wednesday (and then play same calming board game every time), bake a box of favourite biscuits together to take and pack them Thursday, put it all in a special place ready to go Friday morning" (and promise big reward on return if transition has gone well). I have no idea whether any of that would help or whether I am talking through my hat as usual but idea that each step has calming effect and positive associations. Hope walls will allow you a bit of a rest during your child-free time anyway!

Toffee congrats and lots of on surviving your first entire week at work!! Well done!! Sorry to hear about tricky boss [like Knitting I have had a few of those in my time]. Great that your dh is being so suportive too! Now don't be tempted to rush around and so lots of chores this weekend! Give yourself a much-deserved break and recover for next week and close your eyes to tasks not done to your standards if at all poss--.

Big wing flaps to eveyrone else in the coop or hovering around the edges!

Hope you all have a good weekend and will be back tomorrow evening or Monday morning to catch up!

SATURDAY'S LINKS:

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Baby-step no. 24 for Sat 24th Oct is here. The extremely useful "swish & swipe". Highly recommended!

Today is our last day in Zone 4 : The Boudoir (October 18 – 24) here.

Declutter for 15 mins in Zone 4 if you want to.

If you are at this stage, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 4 is here.

No mission because it is the weekend!

Saturday's daily focus is: family fun.

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.

Have a relaxing weekend everyone!

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SUNDAY'S LINKS:

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Baby-step no. 25 for Sun 25th Oct is here a waffling one about perfectionism, control journals, taking several months to develop routines and reading testimonials ie largely ignorable!!

Today is our first day in Zone 5: The Living Room (October 25-31) here.

Declutter for 15 mins in Zone 5 if you want to.

If you are at this stage, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 5 is here.

No mission because it is the weekend!

Sunday's daily focus is: renewing your spirit.

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.

Have a relaxing a Sunday as possible everyone!

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Hope you enjoy your weekend on the road, SC. I imagine a break from home will be a good thing.

Am so relieved my first week at work is over . It's been a really steep learning curve. The other 'young things' in the office are so computer savvy and I have a lot of catching up to do, but they are being endlessly patient and kind. The boss is a control freak, but I've had to deal with a few of those in my time so it's not phasing me, so far. I think age (and having been through a few harrowing life experiences since I last worked full time) is making me more sanguine about it than before. (I realise that may not last, of course).

Have to catch up on washing this morning, then I'm taking DS2 out this morning. DH did a great job by taking both boys out to a local science museum yesterday - and having a chicken casserole ready for me when I arrived home. I could get used to this!

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Good afternoon everyone, I'm can't believe how quiet it is on here, so I hope that means you are all having fun, enjoying half term or sleeping!!

DH got home last night from a week away at work and today he has gone out for the day, have hardly seen him recently. However, he is taking a few weeks off so I'm looking forward to having him around to spend time with and to make him help tackle all the heaps of junk everywhere

Some ta das
Lie in
Online banking
Painting with DS to make his nan a birthday card
Played with DS in the garden, swept up all the leaves from the lawn (still have the car park side of the wall to do tomorrow)
Loaded dishwasher
Emptied out the freezer, made a list o contents
Meal planned for the week ahead
Made shopping list
Looked up more wine recipes

To do
Put a washload on
Make bed
Do online shop
Declutter in dining room for a bit
Not much else

Have good weekends everyone!

I've realised that the unfamiliarity and loss of control via having everything in boxes is making me feel quite anxious, so I'm trying to hide away this afternoon.

DH and DS2 are out, and DS1 is watching telly, so at least it's quiet for once.

If it stops raining, there are a couple of special plants that I want to dig up and put into pots to take with us hoping it won't kill them

Do you have a date for moving in yet blue?

I have discovered something I hate more than sanding and filling walls. Walls that disappear when you lean on them. It is all good fun. Do pass the candles old chum we seem to have lost the daylight totally and utterly lost plot now

enjoy your weekend away (or on the road? not sure which) SC
Toffee he is looking after you very well. The lovely thing about office life is that the day is over by 5.30ish and then you feel the rest of the evening is free time/family time rather than "work", whereas SAHMing feels like there is never any time off psychologically (or literally)

Blue poor you, it must be very stressful especially after all the buildup of the last few months. What plants are you taking with you, out of interest? I took a fig in a pot (which is now the most ginormous tree), some Heucheras, which are still flourishing and their descendants, and by mistake some woodruff. That was 20 years ago nearly.

Dd, dh and I went to buy the new carpet for her room. Quite telling that ds2 refused to let us change the carpet in his (which we installed also 20years ago) I'm almost relieved to think there are some relics of the house when we first moved in, before we had children...I think he has the right idea, museum house rather than show house

Dd's carpet will be a darkish blue. She refused beige. We also bought her and ds1 a new mattress. Hers is from 1993 I think. Breakthrough as dh started to come out in a cold sweat when we were in the furniture shop - he really hates shopping.

Disappear? As in HP disappear or as in start crumbling away? Old or new walls?

I have mealplanned from the freezer today! Yay! Spinach and lentil lasagne again and some chicken rice for dd. Boys had tuna mayonnaise, very unsophisticated.

Turns out it is not even a proper wall, just a blocked in door way with a bit of filler holding the piece of plaster board to the door frame. Ah the fun of other people's DIY although I sanded the edge flatter and reapplied some filler rather than completely rebuilding the wall too Not enough time or energy. :(

aha!! so definitely a HPotter disappearing wall or even a PORTAL... I do love blocked up doorways, it is as if the house is trying to talk back to you about its past (sorry, I'm sure it is very tiresome when you are actually dealing with sanding them, past or not)

NB NB NB NB NB NB NB NB NB NB Don't forget!!

Hello just logging on via my phone to say the time changes this weekend, on October 25 at 2:00 am, clocks go back = extra hr in bed!

Big waves to eveyrone!

Cant Yes, we're moving on Tue, touch wood - this whole process has made me horribly superstitious!

WhoKnows I have been digging up some agapanthus that we brought back from the Isles of Scilly, and a couple of primroses that I love. We are also taking loads of things in pots that were bought to liven up the patio while we were selling.

Rather worryingly there were several ambulances outside our neighbours' house just now, one of which went off under blue lights.

Oh dear Blue :(

Lazy Sunday morning so far, but hoping to get some family housework done too. DSD might pop over, she's full of excitement after a uni visit and wants to show us all the stuff from it. She's just had her first driving lesson too. Where the heck has the time gone?!

Can't believe I've finished both my big computer-based bits of work. I do have one more little thing to do for work, just something little I offered to do to stay involved while I'm off. The author also asked if I'd type her second book which she's started, so that's another thing to earn a bit more, but not starting just yet so will wait and see. So at the moment really I don't have any big deadlines and can hopefully start to focus a bit more on the house and organisation - much needed!

Hello, back home but am ill. Would someone kindly do links for tomorrow please? Thank you.

Oh dear, SC, hope you feel better soon.

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Quick linkies without all SC's wonderful details:

Babystep is the importance of never being behind and jumping in where you are.

Monday is House Bleugh Day, and it's Zone 5, ie the living room.

Mission is a 27-fling boogie.

so sorry you are ill SC sending you every good wish, until dh comes home.

Thank you Blue for the links, and SC for posting them usually.

Done
dh took two kids out to Hyde Park ,well he tried to but our area was pretty well sealed off, (HOLE IN THE ROAD) so he took them on a long local walk instead as buses were non-existent. Before that I was frothing at the mouth about need for fresh air and exercise, London Parks etc, and getting very irate with dh for failing to deliver on this aspect of our life..surely that is his job as a father to run through the autumn leaves throwing Frisbees??? Anyway he took them out, and they returned in a much better mood.

I also was in a better mood (due to their absence) and managed to do some cooking, and baking

Soup (spicy squash)
courgette and ham scones from Be-Ro cookbook
moussaka (using mince from freezer and a leftover aubergine or two)

Then Mass, dragged them kicking and screaming there (had to bribe dd) but we had a great time. Both came out in excellent temper, and we bumped into a teacher from ds2's old school (I think he was an NQT - anyway he certainly looked young, well anyone does nowadays [sigh]) at Mass, who remembered ds2 very well from Year 7 (ds2 couldn't write!!!!)

So feeling in a very good mood, now nothing to fear and Downton to look forward to. Ds1 is off to school tomorrow for some exam thingy, but doesn't have uniform which makes it seem like a sports camp

Look after yourself SC.
fuzzpig I liked hearing all the positive things you did today

Morning.

ta da
18 walls painted 2 under coats
ceilings painted 2 top coats
covings painted 2 top coats
painting stuff cleaned
door frame under coats x 1
2 lights fixed
1 load washing

next job is to jump in the shower, just waiting for the towels to finish drying as there were too dusty to use without washing hence the load of washing.

Tomorrows job?
top coats on the walls - 2 of them
1 more undercoat on the door frames