January Fledglings - Resolve to Fly!

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

So, here we are at the start of 2016, poised with our control journals and ready to Fly for another year. New and old, all are welcome here, we loosely follow the principles of Flylady to manage our homes and lives, we also chat and lend an ear to whatever life throws at us.

We post links to the Flylady site each day throughout the month, with daily babysteps and missions inside that weeks zone. We also declutter. No links in this post, I'm on my phone and will do some separately, but it's time to get ready for 2016. A big thank you to everyone who has run the thread in 2015 and everyone who has contributed .

Ok. So please all sit yourselves down as this may actually come as a shock...I just did some fucking flying and have a list to post to prove it.

Ta da (for the first time in forever....sung a la Frozen whilst typing)

Washing on
Washing away
Found floor in bedroom
Clothes laid out for morning
Dinner cooked and cleared away including shining the frigging sink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have no chuffing idea on missions etc. But know that by day 4 i am supposed to have shined my sink...and I just freaking did. I am so bloody proud of myself.

Quick scan of thread throws up lots of lovely returnees...it is like a fly reunion. Waves to pa (bloody darts always brings you out of the woodwork...you and your bloody pigeons) pmpy honu feet mercury and anyone else I have forgotten. And some lovely new peeps as well, big waves to you. I shall not introduce myself because i can never be arsed to name change and I am shit at flying so don't read my posts at all because this is a flying thread.

Still in the process of trying to sober up after xmas...I am a work in progres

Evening all,

Lovely to see so many posts! Dogs - how adorable! Meerkitten looks just like my DD did at that age (she'll be 10 soon, so it's a while ago).

Mixed day here today. By the time I went to bed last night it was apparent that I have caught the lurgy from DH. I went to bed around 11, but as soon as I lay down it felt as though I had something round my throat, I ended up coughing for about an hour and a half before drifting off. Then woke up at 4.30 with an acutely sore throat. Managed to get back off again after about an hour but was coughing and spluttering away when I got up. So I decided not to go to work, but DH and DS were at home too (DS doesn't go back to school till Weds and DH was having holiday to look after him. So I did about an hour of paid work, about an hour of OU work, had a long hot bath and generally pottered round the house, just going out for school runs.

Therefore not much flying really. We have de-decorated but not put away. I'm at home with DS tomorrow, so I will pack everything up to go in the loft then.

Back in a minute with some links.

Evening all
So assignment done
Chicken bean and chorizo stew made
Dishwasher done
Washing machine done
1 hour home blessing done

Ironing....not done
School bags not done
Hmmm must try harder!

Links for Tuesday.

Babystep 5 get rid of those negative voices. I've never done this as such, but find this thread makes a very good substitute.

Mission declutter that tupperware drawer. Mine is practically empty at the moment and I haven't decluttered it, so that's a bit of a mystery.

Daily Focus Tueday is planning day, I could definitely do with that.

Whoknows do you have a lot of stuff prepped and in the freezer? It is one place where tupperware disappears to here.

Well, that is what usually happens, but the ones I use for the freezer are still there, it's the rest that have gone. They tend to get borrowed for storing collections of small objects and end up all over the house. Also DS takes snacks to school in small ones and loses them. Even when they come back it is often without lids .

Mine end up holding lego and the lids magically disappear and the lego ends up scattered all over the floor Sometimes I wonder if tupperware lids morph into odd socks

Morning all! Gosh, a lot of traffic on here! Hope everyone ok!

We have the ongoing mystery of disappearing cutlery here; we are down to 7 knives and 5 teaspoons

Hope you had a better night's sleep last night Whoknows and that you are feeling a bit better today! (Or if not, that you can rest a bit.)

Everyone in slightly better cheer here this morning including me, esp now I have seen Dogsbum's pictures!!

Dogsbum Meerkitten is the prettiest most gorgeous baby ever!! Seven months is a lovely age isn't it? I remember dd used to sit very happily in the crook of my arm around that time; beautifully portable and interested in everything! I know the thought of the dependant years stretching ahead can seem alarming, but in reality, they go like a flash and all of a sudden without realising it, they are walking upstairs on their own!

Bloody hell Ellie I was about to say what a thoroughly splendid mission you had - restoring blood alcohol levels to normal - which, on first reading, (being me,) I took to mean drinking some more!! (Sorry to incorrectly judge you by my own standards!! ) And then you were even more noble and went and did some Flying! [outraged emoticon] Is no one on this thread slacking in the Flying department anymore? It's getting quite lonely here in the land of dust and missed missions!!

Mercury dd's first day back went ok, thanks for asking! She emerged from the school gate chatting and laughing to friends and then saw me and altered her expression to being suitably sombre for someone who loathes school I don't think she is enjoying it exactly but each time we visit the school, we get a really good vibe from it, the teachers are fab (and their comments in the Christmas report were all really apposite, kind and constructive and hit the nail on the head as to where dd can improve) so we are just trusting that atm, trying to be positive in front of dd, keep an open dialogue going and and going to review things Easter.

What I have to watch (and should have been more cirumspect about on Sunday night) is that my own ambivalence about being here and/or or being at the end of the holidays when I actually get to see dh for more than 3 mins at a time, doesn't unduly affect dd. (Or doesn't make me over-react to her anxieties ifsywim.) I need to be more upbeat for her, even when I am not feeling it!!

More importantly, hope you are not over-doing it Mercury (sounds to me like you did quite a bit after work) and hope your dcs return to school goes well today.

Hope you were able to sleep last night Einstein after your long drive yesterday

Congrats on getting your assignment done and rest of list Strumpers

PA what a bugger about being landed with all the work for the staff day - hope it goes ok

Hope choir went well last night Blue!! I was also feeling rather gloomy yesterday - it was pouring with rain and dark here - wondering whether I have the energy to join an art class.

Lisa arf at the description of your Christmas tree! I had to really sit on my hands this year when dd was helping me wrap parcels. She's 12 yrs so quite competent but I am annoyingly anal about these things - it does one good to have to relinquish control!!

I reluctantly did most of my list yesterday. Today (having prepped supper for tonight and arranged for dog-walker to pop in at lunch time) I am going to close the door on the ground-hog chores and escape for six hours!!

Big waves to Honu Pushme Toffee Feetheart Swan Greymalkin Fuzz Nicknack George Scatty Shannara Lauren Engels Castle Exmotherinlaw Allguns Stinch and anyone I have inevitably missed!

Have a good day everybody!

Is no one on this thread slacking in the Flying department anymore? It's getting quite lonely here in the land of dust and missed missions!!

Erm, helloooo, I'm still here :o

Very very sleepy and quite achy today but not doing too badly. Yesterday wasn't that bad either, by my standards I mean, managed to cook dinner and do a few random bits as well as getting some of my editing done.

We've gone back to doing a bit of work before the DCs get too into playing games, and that's working out better so far (she says, two days in). I've now told them they can play til lunch and then after we'll get on with some more learning til my dad arrives, as we're going to mum's for a couple more days. Hoping that DH will put the decorations away while we're gone :o

Dogs AWWWWWWWWW at Meerkitten! So cute :)

Choir wasn't as good as my old one, SC :( Will give it another go and then decide whether to stick with it or commute back to the other - it's not too far, but I'd like to do things here if I can.

I have done stuff today!

Ta Da!
Got boys to school on time with right stuff (minor miracle!)
Swept floor
Assembled Ikea cupboard thingies
Reorganised kitchen cupboards
Laundry washed and dried
Got quote from window cleaner
Some decorations down
Admin bits and paperwork

To do
Rest of decs down
cook tea
confirm with friend re tomorrow
DS1 party invitations

Afternoon all

Just realised haven't been on here since NY day!

DH is on holiday this week which is lovely, I think I'm only working my contracted day, thursday will be lovely to have some us time.

Ta da

Been to the tip, got rid of old printer and 6 bags of clothes into charity bin.
Washing done and put away.
New pillows put on bed Hopefully will have a good nights sleep tonight, clean bedding and soft non lumpy pillows!
Town, brought things we didn't need, including Iron Man box set!

To do
Waiting for Tescos
Pick up kids.
Sausage and mash for tea, did sausages yesterday so only mash needed.
Resting, fell over yesterday outside Tesco, was having a bad dyspraxia day, struggling with steps walking through door ways rather than into them, loads more bruises to add to the collection.

Might be back later, on the laptop so typing is a nightmare as it keeps randomly jumping over the page.
Tesco's here!

Good afternoon everyone

Sorry to hear choir wasn't what you'd hoped Blue, as you say, try again next week before coming to any conclusions

Oh dear Shannara - hope you're not too hurt

I've had a very satisfying declutter like a woman possessed day:

Took DS to nursery
Fed cats, chucked them outside for a bit
One wash load put on and hung up to dry
Made two beds
Four phone calls done to make various appointments
Sent some long overdue emails
Completely emptied DS's chest of drawers
*sorted through all clothes taking out the outgrown ones
*replenished drawers with bigger clothes I've had on standby, all folded Kondo style
Rearranged the shelves in DS's room
Filled a big bag with soft toys he never plays with - to take to charity
Decluttered some of DS's toys and books, listed on Facebook selling groups
Listed his old clothes on Facebook selling groups
Took all the coats, hats and scarves off the hooks in the entrance hall. Of the ones we don't wear, some will go to charity, others into the spare room wardrobe
Sorted through all of my books and found about 20 to go to the charity shop - boxed up ready to take tomorrow
Loaded the car up with loads of cardboard boxes and packaging
Nipped out to:
*Take said cardboard to the tip
*Gave blood for the first time in over three years
*Bought some sewing bits to make repairs

To do
Empty all the bins, put out rubbish for collection tomorrow
Sort some ironing out for the cleaning lady to do tomorrow
Trip to garage for petrol
Pick up DS

Hi folks
definately slacking here as other things have got in the way.

Last minute school shoe shopping for tomorrow - done
2 pairs football boots
2 pairs trainers
2 pairs of school shoes
argh!! just stop growing boys please!

school bags for tomorrow - done
washer - done
dishwasher - done
sswiped bathrooms - done
jacket pots and left over stew for dinner - done

v v sore back I think as a result of too much coughing but have dr's appointment tomorrow so hopefully they will perform some kind of miracle and fix me. sticking with hot water bottle and paracetamol for tonight.
grey when you have done at your's would you consider popping to my house and decluttering for me? you are amazing!

So true to my New Year's resolution...I am still here and am posting. True to form..I have done no flying. (Fear not sc yesterday was a blip...and I loved your interpretation of restoration of blood alcohol balance).

First day back with children today and I am wiped out so no flying will be done unless a load of washing and a quick tidy of dd's room counts. Only positive of living with dmum is that she cooked dinner and cleared away after. I like to think that it gives her retired self something to do...look after me...not sure she sees it like that. Will have a look through the thread in a minute but big waves to everyone.

I too am slacking on the flying front. I have been managing to keep up with a clean kitchen and getting the dishes done. I did some polishing in the living room yesterday and today my OH and I put together a new set of shelves for the spare room which I promptly emptied lots of boxes into. But that's it. Still haven't tackled the mountain of washing and am almost about to run out of clean clothes.

Bump is so demanding of my energy and I'm just sleepy all the time. I slept until 10.30 today and already feel like I could go to bed. Also bending over is a slight challenge!

My OH's friend is coming tomorrow to help him carry the dishwasher in to the kitchen. I can't wait to have a dishwasher again! It's been 4 months since we moved in and guess who's been doing the washing up.

Grey - well done on the blood donation, I'm booked in next week, but if I'm still coughing my guts up I might have to cancel. Everyone else I know who has had this cough has had it last several weeks . Impressive list today from you! A couple of years ago when I was running the thread I handed out Star Flyer of the Day awards , think you might win today.

And for contributions to thread rounding up must go to SC, who is so good at remembering what everyone else is up to and encouraging slacking.

It look as though there are quite a few Fledglings needing to take it easy, either with coughs and colds (me and Strumpers), pregnancy (Mercury and George), bumps and bruises (Shannara ) and general aches and fatigue (Fuzz ). So I will pop some cushions in the naughty corner and hope that everyone is just doing what they can.

As for me, well, not a huge amount of Flying, but I did sort out and pack away all the Christmas decorations, do a load of washing, made a few phone calls, popped to Waitrose with DS and cooked dinner with him. As those who have known me for a while are aware, DS has very restricted tastes in food due to AS/sensory issues, this sometimes has me tearing my hair out DD and DH (both NT) aren't much better and they all like different things, the gits, but we do our best to work with him. He has been being really positive about trying to improve his diet and getting more involved with shopping and cooking recently, long may it continue!

Oh and DH has decided to reconfigure his hifi this evening. This means pulling all the furniture out in the living room and I have trained him to hoover while he is at it

Links next.

I had decluttered by podcast list. Does that count as flying?

Sorry, forgot to do links last night.

launchpad

babystep 6 hot spots

Morning!

Reading all your posts I certainly dont miss the school runs and the manic mornings with school age DC. It always seemed hard work after a holiday to get everyone motivated, up, fed, sorted and out of the door with sanity in tact. Good luck to all of you!

At 10.30 on MOnday evening my lovely colleague text me to say that yesterday was sorted, so I didn't need to host and feed. Had a lovely day with the team and very productive on many fronts. So back to the office for the first time properly today followed by college this PM.

Wednesday is going to be my "Bugger all flying" day! well, one of the 7 days that will end up just the same but Wednesday has an excuse!! By the time i get home from college at 9pm tonight I am totally brain dead. I honestly cannot put words into sentences some weeks due to brain overload.

On Wednesdays the slow cooker is my friend. Pork in cider and apples today will all be thrown in before i leave for work and DCs and DH dig in when they want to eat with no effort from me and just about the amount of effort they can manage from them - putting food onto a plate!!

Morning all!

Thanks Whoknows!! well, it is all about non-perfectionism don't you know she says consistently taking it too far

Had a lovely "bugger all Flying day" myself yesterday in Antwerp - twas totally fab - I've been here so long now you forget what an amazing city it is with museums and shopping to die for!!

No time to catch up properly because I'm off to 'old' volunteering this mornign and 'new' volunteering in the afternoon (for which I have made 3 gingerbread houses with the aid of a Lakeland silicone mould, which we are going to decorate). Was up late last night wielding my icing bag sticking the wretched things together!!

Can't believe it though, dd is ill again . Two days back at school and she already has a streaming cold. She will miss sport first thing and go in for two morning lessons instead. Heaven knows about ballet! Not a good start to the term at all given her previous record.

So sorry to hear that so many of you are ill/in the wars too and hope you all recover/feel better soon!!

Must dash but have a good anti-procrastination day everyone (and rest up if you are under the weather)!

Amazing list Grey!!

Sorry choir was a disappointment Blue

Fluffy cushions, cashmere throws, footstools, hot lemon drinks, and bunches of grapes and bowls of satsumas to Whoknows, Shannara Strumpers Mercury George Fuzz

and waves to Ellie Einstein Lisa Honu Pushme Toffee Feetheart Swan Nicknack Scatty Exmotherinlaw Allguns Stinch and everyone I have inevitably missed!

Morning all
Flying low today as chest infection confirmed by dr and told to rest
Boys back at school today so rating is actually an option Yay!
Felt I had achieved a fair amount just by visiting the gp as well as my chest I have new eczema cream. New allergy pens for ds2 as they had expired triggered allergy review at the hospital for ds2 and an asthma review for ds1. All in my 10 minute slot. I love my gp. !!!
So thanks for the cushions and throws. I am adding hot water bottles into the mix.
Hope you all have a good day. X

A highly successful operation, Strumpers! Sorry to hear about the infection, but glad resting is an option.

SC We still haven't made the gingerbread house kit I bought before the hols and intended to do on the 23rd Dec!

Friends coming over after school so a bit of a crisis clean been going on here.

Ta da!
Stripped beds
Laundry done and dry
s&S x loads
Grocery shopping
General tidy up
Rounded up stray Christmas bits and pieces
Hoovering all the visible bits of floor (i.e. not the boys' rooms!)
Recycling out
Filled charity box
Work bits
Arranged window cleaner
Booked star gazing event for boys

To do
More work
Cook mac cheese
Post off parcel
December invoices

Good afternoon Fledglings

Thank you for my WhoKnows Don't get too impressed Strumpers yesterday was quite an exceptional day really; think the new year motivation fuelled me! I'll settle down back to normal in no time.

WhoKnows, SC's DD and Strumpers - get well soon. Rotten way to begin the new year.

PA I love my slow cooker too. Mostly I stick to the packet mixes with the recipes on the back but I have started using a slow cooker recipe book to be a bit more adventurous - tonight we will be having Chicken Korma, all from raw ingredients

and everyone else.

today's TaDa list
DS to nursery
Fed cats
Emptied, washed dried and refilled two cat litter trays
Made two beds
Cleaning solution put through washing machine
Loaded car up with charity shop offerings
Out to an appointment
Took stuff to charity shop
Dropped DH's suit off at dry cleaners,
Collected prescriptions from doctors,
Top up shop at Tesco
MIL forgot to put her bins out this morning so asked me to
Brought my own bins back in

To Do
Dinner into slow cooker
Lots of computery stuff
*emails to send
*library books to renew
*Some actual work - updating our family business accounts/book keeping

x-post with Blue - love the sound of a star gazing event!! Are you close to any 'dark sky' areas?

I hope you get a clear night for the stargazing Blue. DH is a very keen stargazer and has been hugely frustrated this winter as there have been about 4 clear nights so far (two of those were Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, so busy elsewhere).