Remember remember through all of November the Fledglings will flutter and fly!

[fuzzpig]

Halloween’s over, Christmas (sorry) is drawing near, but perhaps you have too much S.T.U.F.F. (Something That Undermines Family Fun) getting in the way. Or maybe you want to rid your house of C.H.A.O.S. (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome)? Have no fear, the Fledglings are here! We are all learning to get into a routine for maintaining the household, so we have more time for that thing called life.

This is where, from the first of the month (seriously, HOW is it November already?!), we follow – loosely – the rules of FlyLady. We ignore the somewhat barftastic language, and also thoroughly recommend NOT signing up to the emails… unless you want your inbox full to bursting.

Here’s some basic info on getting started – but don’t worry, all will be revealed on a daily basis (assuming I get the links right…) so just jump in.

There are 3 basic stages:

• Baby Steps – if you’re new, start here. Or if you’re coming back to us after a break (trust me, we’ve been there!) then these are good way to get back into it.

• Repeat Baby Steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current room or 'zone' - yep, just 15 mins, it makes a difference!

or

• Reinforce Baby Steps + do Daily Missions - if you have finished decluttering (one day I’ll get to that stage… one day…).

There are also detailed cleaning guides if you’re really enthusiastic.

NB
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!

Another NB
Start where you are. There is no need to worry about being perfect – perfectionism = paralysis! There is no such thing as ‘falling behind’ with FlyLady, if you miss anything, just move on and continue as normal the next day.

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

Aw, thanks, fuzz.

Yes, knitting, I am experiencing a wide range of emotions when I'm commiserating with DH. I spent time tonight pointing out that he is actually doing a very valuable job and that just because society doesn't see it as important doesn't mean it isn't. The silly thing is that just because I have a 'job', I'm seen as doing something 'important', whereas I know that I may have just sat on my backside all day doing trivial things, whilst DH has been the one rushing around - dealing with DSs' emotional ups and downs, organising school runs and meet ups, planning dinner, tidying up the house, etc.

On the other hand, it is quite amusing hearing DH say the very things that SAHMs say over and over again as if it is a revelation .

In bed with Meerkitten on me in attempt to get her to have a bit more sleep, seems to be working so far and at least I get to lie down

Knitting I'm loving your DS2 from your last two little anecdotes, especially prophetic prediction of journey time, he sounds like a fun little character bless him! I love the idea of his train set being on the party agenda too

Blue waves back, I'm in parcel land too at the moment due to six month milestones of weaning and footmuff for pram now Meerkitten can be more upright. I have been luckier though and by total chance have happened to be in for parcels. I'm drowning in packaging though it seems!

I thought I was being so sensible buying over Internet but the long sleeved bibs I've bought Meerkitten for weaning won't fit her until she is about four by the looks of the size of them

Also I thought I was all sorted having been loaned a highchair but it is one of those expensive wooden ones that sees the kid through for years. Which sounds great but Meerkitten is so tiny that even with extra straps she is lost in it and she can't sit up well enough herself so as DP pointed out yesterday you would need to gaffer tape her to the chair for her to be able to sit up properly at the moment! And I think that sort of behaviour is generally frowned upon

So I've heard a couple of people talking about a cheap ikea chair that you get an inflatable insert for to prop babies up so I may be doing that for a bit. She loves sitting on my lap at the breakfast bar (which we eat most meals at) and grabbing my plate. She definitely wants to join in with our meals in the sense that she knows something interesting is going on that she wants to be part of, although I don't know whether she is actually going to enjoy/be interested in the food aspect. How did other people find weaning. I'm part excited and part thinking that it is going to be more time consuming than breastfeeding and hence is another job! There are no more hours in the day!

I took Meerkitten swimming for the first time yesterday as well as I found out that a hotel just a few minutes from my house has a tiny pool good for babies and you are allowed to take babies in just a swim nappy. It went really well, very relaxed and calm and we did about twenty minutes. A big relief after the stories other people have been telling me about meltdowns. To be fair that was in lessons though so I've decided not to sign up for any full on lessons until she has a few months pool experience under her belt.

Toffee very amusing about your DH discovering the highs and lows of childcare!

I left DP with Meerkitten for one hour on Saturday, she had just been fed so it should have been the easiest hour ever. I got back to him telling me that she kicked off the second I left and how he now felt stressed and needed a break and went for a run because of course that is an option for me when I'm on my own with her all week

Links for Friday 20th November!

Baby Step No.20: Laundry! We all know how quickly it snowballs – this Baby Step is about adding it into your daily routine so that never happens…

We are in Zone 3 this week: Bathroom + Another Room (November 15-21).

Declutter for 15 mins in Zone 3 if you want to.

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

Mission for Friday: Clear flat surfaces in the bathroom… and then have a – by order of FlyLady! :)

Friday’s daily focus is: Clearing out your bag, car etc.

The habit for November is: Menu Planning!

A summary of the above (which should update itself daily) can be found here in the Flightplan.

The weekend is nearly here, Fledglings!

Car is pretty much tidy but does need a hoover and for things to go back from where they are sat in the porch. My bag is empty cos I tipped it upside down last night in the attempt to find some.

Must pick up prescription
must get ds' glasses fixed
must stop recycling school letters rather than read them
Must stop beating self up about a black sack of bedding that was accidentally culled. Can do nothing about it now, but still feel guilty as hell abut it. :(

Must sort my room out, it is driving me batshit. Unfortunately there is a lot of other stuff that is way higher on the priority list :(

Morning all

Dog Hope you managed to get more sleep. Glad you found a nice little baby pool, sounds perfect - no bigger kids splashing!
Can't See laughed at recycling school letters - I now have a clear plastic folder that i put them in. It's really hard to stop the guilt even though it was a mistake. Just like the times you forget non uniform day, or to do spellings resulting in 3/10.

Ta da

Looked in school for both ds's school jumpers - no luck!
2 lots of washing, including changing ds's bed.
Make flapjacks and chocolate cake

To do

Lunch
Work
Quick clean of bathroom and kitchen

Don't know what else - sit down and relax hopefully.

Have a great afternoon

Came home to find family in turmoil because DH had hoovered the sitting room and Ds2's new Lego figure ('Olivia') had gone missing. Spent my first half hour at home sorting through the hoover bag, looking for Olivia. In fairness to Dh, it turned out that Olivia was tucked inside the Lego instruction leaflet, safe and well. But DH was so stressed by family life after this that he disappeared into our bedroom for some time.

And I may have poured myself a large glass of wine.

Am still trying to sympathise with DH on the ups and downs of life with children, whilst also struggling with the knowledge that this is exactly what I've coped with, day in, day out, for the past 16 years. And what mothers cope with most of the time.

Ah Toffee I completely understand your mixed feelings on that. It's a shame he is struggling but yes at least he will understand more now. Either way, this change is absolutely massive so I hope you can both go easy on yourselves IYSWIM.

Sorry not caught up properly yet. Been a rough few days although today was better - managed laundry, dinner for the DCs and more home ed than we've managed for a few weeks (still not much really ) - in fact SC we did that Egyptian jewelled collar thing you linked to the other week so thank you for that! DCs are very proud... and I got to use my new glue gun :o unfortunately the new camera that DH gave me is not working (must dig out the box as DH is taking it back tomorrow) so can't take photos.

Just going to post links, as we're out early tomorrow for ballroom dancing. Think I forgot to update, last week DS didn't really join in after the first 10 minutes, but DD has decided she would like to do it (YAY! I've been hoping for ages that she'd get the confidence to try dancing) and the lovely teachers have invited us for a virtually private class so they can both see how they like it.

Must get a wedding card too, and get back in time for DD to be picked up - she was invited to a party and as I wouldn't manage the journey (bus, train, long walk) a friend is taking DD with them :)

Links for Saturday 21st November!

Baby Step No.21: Q and A! You are invited to provide content for the website ask FlyLady a question. Not one we tend to follow, frankly. :o

This is our last day in Zone 3: Bathroom + Another Room (November 15-21).

Declutter for 15 mins in Zone 3 if you want to.

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

No mission, because it’s a Saturday :o

Saturday's daily focus is: Family Fun Day!

The habit for November is: Menu Planning!

A summary of the above (which should update itself daily) can be found here in the Flightplan.

The private ballroom-dancing lesson sounds great, fuzz. Hope both children love it. Sorry you've had a rough few days, though . Hope things are better next week.

And yes, it has been a massive change in our family to have DH and me swapping roles and it'll will take time for us all to adjust, I'm sure. Anyway, we are following Flylady's dictum and having a 'Family Fun Day' today to celebrate DS2's birthday earlier this week.

Finally something that won't out me.
it's a hat.

Cool hat, Cant!

Hope you have a good day Toffee.

Hope they enjoy the dancing Fuzz.

Am currently waiting for a train and being continually warned that the platform may become slippery when wet. Was at an event on international children's poetry with Michael Rosen last night, which was fun.

Friends coming over tomorrow with their nearly 2 yo DD, so will have to do some tidying when I get back!

Morning all!

A belated "happy birthday" to your ds2 Toffee! Glad 'Olivia' was found safe and well!

Fuzzpig glad the Eygptian collar project was a hit! DD is an obsessive glue-gun user (for constructing outbuildings for her Playmbobil stables usually) and I thought that project looked particularly glue gun friendly!! Hope your dd has a lovely time dancing today!

We've woken up to a "serious and imminent" terrorist threat here this morning. The metro system has been closed down, as have certain railways stations and transport hubs, and everyone is being advised not to go to concert halls, sports venues, theatres, cinemas, large shopping centres. Don't want to out myself but we are less than 100 yards away from two of those so it's a bit worrying. Not a pleasant atmosphere to be in at all.

Had a bit of a rough week with dd continuing to feel ill, although she is improving a bit now. You were right Knitting she only managed to go in for a couple of hours on one day and has been off school ever since (although missed work has been collected and is being done now as I type).

Btw, this wasn't clear in my last post, but I would never send a child back to school early who had stomach bug symptoms, but dd hadn't had anything other than stomach pain and nausea (along with half her class), and although she was still tired, we thought it she would be Ok to go back after 6 days off, but apparently proper flu can take 10 days to fully resolve itself. She's still tired even now, despite sleeping for long periods of time.

It's been an expensive week too paying for baby-sitters so I could get to all three of my volunteering slots and dog walkers for furry one who needs three walks a day as much for his mental and physical health (he gets very jumpy/neurotic otherwise) so here's hoping dd will be fine next week! At least dh is back for a bit now but we've had to cancel so many social engagements this weekend and last, that I am feeling a bit stressed because they will now have to be "brought forward" to the busy pre-Christmas period when we are already over-booked.

Really not sure I can face all the Christmas shenanigans this year. Trying to keep it as quiet as possible but frankly other people then come and organise things which we feel obliged to host or attend. It's really difficult saying "no".

Haven't caught up with thread properly yet but big waves to Shannara Dogsbum Blue Can'tsee and everyone else!

OOhh missed your hat Can't 'tis brill!! Love the subtle colours!

Blue Michael Rosen event sounds good! (Spent most of dd's infanthood on a bear hunt )

Gosh SC how scary :(

Ooh Blue a Michael Rosen event! I bet he's fascinating IRL. He is very opinionated on matters of education, IIRC :o my DD met Nick Sharratt (illustrator) once, I didn't get to go because I was PTA-ing at the Christmas fair she was invited up on stage and everything.

Dancing was brilliant thanks - unfortunately DS had a strop and refused to go though, normally he'd be dragged with us regardless but DSD stayed over last night so she stayed with him. Anyway the other girl who'd booked a trial didn't even show up so DD had a totally private lesson! She was really nervous about being the only one, I really thought she was going to refuse but she did so well, I'm really proud. Teacher was lovely and they chatted lots about Strictly which broke the ice a bit.

Cant that hat is lovely! I wish I could make stuff like that.

Belated happy birthday to your DS2 Toffee and hope you are enjoying family fun!

Quite achy today but think it's partly the cold (was snowing earlier) - must dig out my gloves. I've been on new dose (double the previous) of ADs for a couple of days and not had any notable side effects so that's good (I'd been quite nervous of increasing). :)

oh goodness Toffee your dh sounds much like me I also keep disappearing into my bedroom to recharge when it is all too much, dh thinks it very odd

SC very frightening. It may also be that you have very good security where you live which should reassure somewhat, compared to London where they cannot really close anything down, and you never know WHERE the next horror might spring from. Is this your opportunity to put your foot down about Christmas arrangements and say you are scaling back attendance/organising due to dd's health or other commitments which were completely unforeseen, without feeling in the slightest guilty???

Well, today was the usual drama classes, plenty of driving and early starts, a certain amount of aggro from ds2 later on who has a particular problem getting ready and wearing clean clothes (grrr) Then dd tidied her room so that I would take her to a film, but that backfired because when we came out of the film I had managed to flat battery (is that a verb?) the car by leaving the headlights on, cue very tiring cold walk home, mixup with the AA. However all resolved in the end with very little waiting once I returned back to the car two hours later!!I do love the AA after all, so polite. I just don't love my failure to have a working mobile and an AA card in the car at all times, even when journey is so near..

Fuzz she will never forget any ballroom dance steps learnt now. Btw have you ever watched Strictly Ballroom, quite a long time now since it came out but very charming. Ooh, like you I do hate any invitations which require long journeys. I detest them actually, just thinking about the getting the there and back and complex travel plans with kids just....no. well done for organising a lift for dd.

My sole flying success today was to MEAL PLAN the last few meals so there was ingredients for dh to make his famous sausage pasta with, and some bacon and eggs for supper.
Oh, and I took the recycling out
and washed some clothes

and we tied the fence to a tree as it was falling over. Most alarming it was swaying like the sails of a great ship, and then I thought, rope, and slipknot, and that did the trick till Monday when our gardener might be able to solve it with some concrete posts. Lesson, never let neighbour put up Posh high panel fence with trellis on top, over long unbroken run without less posh concrete posts. Much more stable to have a lower closeboard (?) type. Four years old and the property is now rented out which makes organising repairs difficult or even discussing reason for swaying timbers! I spoke to neighbour but her English was not that good. We may wake up tomorrow with fence tipped right over onto her side which may unfortunately make matters plain to her and then she will presumably get onto the letting agency.

So many school letters here. I just keep pinning them up on a corkboard, rather hopelessly and occasionally rip the oldest ones off and bin them..At least the school's phone no is thus always to hand one way or another. Any more sophisticated system ends badly here. We have Parentmail for one school which I have to say makes worse, no paper clutter certainly but then I never even notice half the missives. And the important ones come home in her schoolbag ANYWAY, which is rather confusing.

Links for Sunday 22nd November!

Baby Step No.22: More Control Journaling! This tells you how to build a CJ in 15 steps. Thoroughly optional, though.

Today we move into Zone 4: Master Bedroom (a.k.a. The Boudoir) (November 22-28).

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

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

No mission, because it’s a Sunday :o

Sunday's daily focus is: Renew your spirit!

The habit for November is: Menu Planning!

A summary of the above (which should update itself daily) can be found here in the Flightplan.

Happy Sunday, Fledglings!

Morning all

sc really scary. but at least your goverment are doing something to try and keep you all safe. Glad dd is slowly starting to improve.
Blue Michael Rosen event sounds great.
Toffee role swapping very brave. Ds and Dd have a melt down at the thought of being at home with just DH for 1 hour!
Fuzz ballroom dancing sounds great, glad Dd enjoyed it.
knitting oops with the car battery, glad the AA were nice though. hope the fence has survived!

Had a lovely day yesterday. We all went to lunch with Dd's new best friends. There Mum said that we were the first children her boys have ever had around to play. luckily Ds gets on really well with them as well. The levels of excitment and happiness was sky high. it's so hard how difficult it is socialising with children on the autism spectrum. Kids are already wondering when they can come around to ours.
There house was imaculate so will have to do some serious FLYing.

Ta Da
W/M on, including Dd's bedding
Clean bedding put back on

To do
Keep the dc's happy/ not killing each other with DH working!
Write a list of everything i forgot in teh online shop - luckily only a couple of things.

Hoping that Dd doesn't get any of teh colds around at least until after Tuesday's performance. We're both looking forward to it know, trying not to think after the horrible events in paris, can't let fear spoil our lives as that's what the terrorists want!

Need to get on and do something !
Have a great day everyone.

Oooohh Strictly Ballroom I loved that film! Must look that up, haven't seen it for years.

Living room an absolute tip today... actually everywhere is! DH having a much deserved lie in and then he's getting on with it apparently. I hate that this is how we spend our Sunday every week

I mean, spending the whole day catching up with all the stuff I can't manage during the week. DH is really sweet about it but I still feel guilty!

SC - thinking of you. Stay safe.

Lovely to hear that your DC had such a happy day with new friends yesterday, Shannara.

fuzz - we are spending today catching up on washing and tidying up too, but we did at least have a day out yesterday.

knitting - I also have a 'pinning to noticeboard' policy for school letters and any other important letters, such as medical appointments. It's the only way I avoid losing them.

Had a good day out to belatedly celebrate DS2's birthday yesterday. DS1 was on great form and asked to go on a fairground ride - something he couldn't have done a year ago because of his anxiety. He loved it! Then he bought himself a pancake from a stall and a seagull mugged him and snatched it away, which he found hilarious.

Had fish and chips before coming home and starting on the cooking for a dinner party. All went well and we had a lovely evening with friends, falling into bed around 1.30am.

Managed a lie in this morning and some time on my own, which I was craving. About to start on the washing, ironing nonsense that takes up so much time at the weekend.

Hope everyone has a good day.