Combining April showers with Fledgling powers (2016)

[SpareCrust]

Humungous thanks to Greymalkin for leading us so professionally and capably through March!

And thank you in advance to Einstein for covering the first four days of this thread (while I sidle off)!

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 support and chat along the way.

Flylady link here.

Don't let the somewhat sickly and barftastic language of the site put you off: 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 swamped with masses of bumph. 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.

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 brew + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders!

Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings

Oh and 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 and some of us natter rather a lot – but all lurkers, intermittent returnees, oldies and newcomers are very, very welcome!

x post

Big wing flaps to Mercury!

Baby-step no 25 for tomorrow, Mon 25th April is: here. It warns against perfectionism and asks us to read how Flylady developed her routines one habit at a time.

Tomorrow will be our second day in Zone 5: The Living Room (April 24-30). Unusually, we have a full week in the sitting room this month.

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 5.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 5 is here.

Tomorrow's mission, and all the missons for the week, can be seen here. Monday's mission is a 27 Fling Boogie (getting rid of 27 pieces of rubbish from the sitting room).

The daily focus for Monday is: what we call the home bleugh. Spend 10 mins on each of 7 essential tasks.

The monthly habit for April is www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/april/ making your bed!

For a summary of the above, see the flight plan : www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 which should update itself daily.

Hope everyone has a productive week!

**

SC I don't know why i am tired

^ This is why you are tired. Doesn't seem much to you but it is.

Agree you do an awful lot SC don't be so hard on yourself!

Living room drawers are looking a lot better. Little bit more to do (can't right now as DH is ironing) but pleased with what I've managed today. :)

I am not surprised either that you are tired, SC.

Does today really count as the first day in the new zone? Good job we can jump in anywhere will make effort tomorrow when house is clear of people.

Morning all!

Hope everyone is feeling chipper today! [that is only half ironic if you are wondering Einstein [hands over strong coffee] ]

Thanks for the extremely encouraging words everyone! A real filip to open up the screen on a Monday morning and read them!

I never think I get through enough - well enough decluttering - trying to get beyond the ordinary daily tasks ifyswim! But determined to "break through" this week (even though it is the last week of the month).

Cotswold yes today is first "proper" day in Zone 5 (unless you are an avid weekend zone worker). The unusual thing about this month is that we get an entire week in the sitting room (when usually it is just two or three days).

Feeling v spoilt this morning because dh is at this very moment on his way back from doing outward school run + dog walk no. 1. So it's quite nice to be able to start the morning's tasks early! Dh isn't travelling atm and it seems very strange that he is here so much. [Makes life a heck of a lot easier in some ways though!)

Also, feeling slightly tense because we get to hear outcomes of banking/home renovation project negotiations this week - it was meant to be middle of last week - but legally we have to be informed by end of this month. So chewing our knuckles a bit!

Well done re: the drawer work Caglio!

And to Einstein

Ta da:
animals
made dd packed lunch
morning routine inc dw, wm, td, dining room table hot spot & s&s

Right, powered by fledgling support and solidarity, I am off to do a general tidy up after the weekend and a quick home bleugh and then some paper decluttering in home office!

Have a good start to the week everyone! And sending power to everyone's elbows in return!

Morning all. Hope everyone has a productive week.

I managed to combine ironing with telly watching last night, and was soon joined by DS1. We watched 'Gogglebox', which everyone talks about, but we've never seen before. Am now hooked. Feel quite happy that I can turn such a boring task into a companiable, entertaining time with DS1.

Grey morning, but garden looks lovely..I am drinking coffee without my glasses. Which reminds me I need to pick up ds1's new glasses still haven't..

just trying to work out which science experiments to do with ds2 this morning.

Only a week or two before school curriculum rematerialises, feeling really quite anxious about it, especially as ds2 keeps saying he wants to enjoy the last weeks of being home edded... I hope today the school contacts us, but I am not holding my breath, everything takes forever and I am not voting in the Council next election!!!

I made some fudge yesterday, but it is all gone scraped out of the pan

Going to suspend much flying and try and concentrate on the science. Dh in a twitchy state..he has so much to do this week and visiting his parents next week. He took ds1 to the cinema yesterday to see Bastille Day.

Toffee I love watching telly with ds2, we have evolved a method of constant heckling of the screen action, most annoying for others if they join us. Never yet managed to do ironing at the same time though.

Lunch break:

waves to Knitting and Toffee!

Just come on here for a mild groan

Have finally, finally, after all these months and years, started tackling some of the boxes of papers in the home office. It's now 12.50 pm and I have been doing this solidly since 8.30am (with a 10 min break to answer phone calls). All I have to show for it is two bags of papers for recycling. This is taking far, far too long. And I've had enough already [utter wimp emoticon].

It turns out that quite a lot of the papers look quite official and belong to dh and I don't know what to do with them, so I am just stacking them in a pile for him to sort. Unfortunately I have a distant memory that I did just that last time I had a sort out and that is why they ended up dumped here in the first place!

And because I don't have a file system already set up, a lot of the other papers (although I am throwing away as many as poss obviously) are stacking up on desk for "filing later" which will mean I have to handle each one more than once. This is definitely not a logical way of setting about it.

So: need to set up files first. Which means I have to clean out the filing cabinet and find the outer and inner files bought years a go to do this very job .

In addition to the above it is a depressing task. Lots of "urgent action" lists of projects that need doing in the house still not accomplished! Lots of brochures about countries we haven't visited. Lots of bumph on craft projects not even started.

Dispiriting frankly.

Even worse (sorry!) is that - although it doesn't sound like it - I actually quite enjoy handling and sorting through the papers that were relevant to previous years ie lists made for dd's 7th birthday party etc as it is quite interesting looking at what one was doing a few years back. I am absolutely dreading getting to the non-paperwork boxes ie boxes of random crap. No idea what I will do with it all. And process very laborious because there are such strict rules here about how one should throw away and recycle stuff ie you get fined if they spot so much as a missed staple in your paper recycling.

Off to take a break and eat soup!

Sorry that was a very demotivating post for fellow fledgling declutterers!

Just ignore it!

It is actually easier, the longer ago the papers pertain to.

A lot of the interesting clutter can be looked at, sighed over and then binned. You have had it all this time and not used it, so short of v important memorabilia, it must GO.

Files aren't necessary you can use plastic bags with big labels on them instead. At least you know you have sorted things into constituent piles.

As for the dh stuff, just pile it into a big box and write DH STUFF on it. Satisfying to give it a name and at least reduces the stuff you are responsible for.

Disclaimer - my husband's study resembles an archaelogical dig, yet he still seems to find everything he needs, when he needs it. So I've stopped worrying about his papers.

2 bags of papers to chuck still sounds a good start. Anything is better than nothing. What about burning it?

Ds2 has done some science, he seems quite up to date thank goodness. Still searching for the chemistry set though.

I've swept path
bought cat food
brought dirty clothes down
put some on
hung some out

Thank you for those much-needed words of wisdom Knitting!

re: archaeological dig!

I am wondering if I dare take a picture of it and post on here but I think it is too embarrassing (and identifying). But may do so for my own motivation purposes!

Suffice to say the task in hand is overwhelmingly mahoosive - it's a big room - but there are so many boxes stuffed in here it is difficult to move around and get to things and then there is not much space to put the new sorted away ifyswim.

It is evident I need to adopt a bit more of an organised strategy. Thank you so much for all the tips! They will be really helpful as I go along!

I literally pressed post on Friday and the flood gates or rather the poo gates opened. Have been in the seventh circle of hell since then. Lots of poo, tears and eventually a bleeding bottom. I literally felt broken by the end of Friday. Today we're at six poo filled nappies and counting and that is a doddle compared to Friday.

Was looking forward to responding to home ed comments but will have to return when I finally leave poo hell. Meerkitten frantically scrabbling at me as I write this so will post and return asap please god let this poo filled hell end soon

Oh no Dogsbum that sounds absolutely awful. Poor you! And poor Meerkitten! Here's hoping that the poonami will be over soon x

[Hands over large bottle of Dettol]

[And a hip flask of scotch]

Well I am now (metaphorically) wading through the depths of a box of papers from 2008

birthday card from late mother

an extract assessment of a truly dreadful novel I'd been sent by an acquaintance

an x-ray of my broken ankle

long lost pension plan details

numerous brochures from small electricals now long defunct

d & v is horrible in a baby, but the only good thing is that if you are still bfng at least there is a way of getting nutrition into her. Poor little thing, has dr recommended anything soothing? Isn't grated raw apple meant to be good at settling - it's meant to be the pectin ingredient. Boiled water is also a good idea. And lots of extra fluids for you too.

Ds2 is now reading his [ficition] book aloud into his ipod, and recording it. There is nothing he likes more than hearing the sound of his own voice

still haven't picked up ds1's glasses...

well that is easy! Memorabilia file for mother's card, Pension file, Health file for ankle xray, and bin the extract (she will have the original surely) and the electricals

If it makes you feel better we cleared a box of paperwork yesterday that had been in storage since 2003

I am on strike I am refusing to fly (although I do need to do laundry later) and yeah. Not plan on changing this attitude this week.

You can subdivide these files later, or amalgamate them into bigger files, but at least it is not quite as formless as 2008!

I seem to get decision overload (well, a complete inability to make a decision) if I try to go through too much at once feeble excuse. I am definitely better in short bursts.

Couple of loads of laundry today, been to the opticians and ordered some lovely new glasses (I now need varifocals with the onset of old age ...) but the house needs a lot of attention. So will close the laptop and get on with it, see you all later!

Hi all :)

We've had such a lazy day today I've finished the craft drawers but that's it. Must crack on with the home ed drawers now, and help DD with her poetry as the latest drafts are due tomorrow! Not even bothering with Beavers tonight I'm ashamed to say, we're all worn out and coughing like mad.

Can only offer empathy SC I absolutely detest paperwork! I've found decluttering very upsetting in the past, it's horrible when you find things that bring up such emotions.

Cotswold YES to decision overload!

Right. On I go. MEH.

SC - why not invest in a scanner and a couple of memory sticks/external hard drives, then you can scan everything (literally everything) and chuck 95% of the actual paper stuff. Honestly, we find it a really good system. It just takes a bit of time to do all the scanning of old stuff (do new things as they come in).

Weather is horrid here today, cold, grey and wet. Even the cats don't want to go out. Although DS still went to Forest School at his new nursery; they provide one piece head-to-toe waterproofs so I don't even have muddy clothes to sort out. Bonus!

Amazingly, I don't have anything to chuck for the 27 fling boogie ... I actually finished decluttering the living room last month.... Crikey! I never though I would be saying that. Admittedly, there is still stuff, but it is all things (mostly toys) that DS loves and the odd thing that is being used or out for a good reason.

Ta Da
Cats fed
DS taken to nursery
Cat litter trays dealt with
Heap of eBay parcels wrapped and taken to post office
30 poems read for a competition I am helping to judge
DS collected

To Do
Change bed linen
Wash towels
Fold and put away dry laundry
Nursery paperwork
Bath DS

Thank you - again - everyone! Your support is very much appreciated .

I had to stop at 3.30pm for the school run and the upshot of my day's labours is 4 bags of papers to chuck and lots of others sub-divided in to piles. Atm, the office looks worse than when I started, but at least I have started!

Grey that's a really good idea, thank you! I will start a "to scan" pile! (And as you suggest scan new things promptly as they come in; and work on the back-log in bursts.) Dh keeps telling me that everything, such as instruction manuals for white goods and electricals, can be easily accessed on-line too. And why I am keeping recipes torn out of magazines I do not know! It's freezing here too btw; with driving rain just to add to the fun!

That's great news about your clutter-free sitting room! And Forest School sounds terrific! The poetry reading sounds v interesting too!

Thank you for the flowers Cag and here's a for you, for finishing the craft drawers! Yay! Good luck with the home ed org.

Thank you again Knitting! I will be following your file sub-division advice! I hope you heard from the school today. Or if not, that they get in touch tomorrow.

Cotswold yes, it surprised me how tiring the process is, precisely for that reason. All the minute by minute decisions! Hope the choring went well!

Dogsbum I hope Meerkitten is feeling a little better tonight. And I hope you both get a reasonable night's sleep. I remembered earlier that they give colicky babies fennel tea here (but think that may be more appropriate when she is a little better).

Big waves to all other fledglings!

We are heading off to a school meeting now so going to post the links for tomorrow early. "See" you all in the morning!

Thank you again everyone for all the decluttering advice and solidarity!

G'night all and have a good evening!

Baby-step no 2 for tomorrow, Tues 26th April is: here. It explains that you are never behind with the Flylady system and how it takes a full month to establish a habit (with a few "free" days thrown in to combat perfectionism).

We are in Zone 5 this week: The Living Room (April 24-30).

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 5.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 5 is here.

Tuesday's mission can be found here and involves cleaning all the light sources in Zone 5. And replacing and buying more light bulbs if you need them.

The daily focus for Tuesday is: planning. Holidays, medical appointments, holidays, repeat prescriptions, etc.

The monthly habit for April is www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/april/ making your bed!

For a summary of the above, see the flight plan : www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 which should update itself daily.

Einstein so sorry! Forgot to mention that your mentioning papers from 2003 does make me feel a lot better, thanks! Bet I can beat that record when I mine down a bit further tomorrow though!