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!

Evening SC, hope your DD is doing OK. As I know from personal experience, nosebleeds are pretty scary and can knock your confidence more than I'd you'd imagine.

Bit of a mixed day here. Good points - have done a couple of loads of laundry, including handwashing DD's dancewear and some tights for myself. Have caught up on the washing up too.

After ordering all the furniture a few weeks ago, there were a couple of bits to be replaced (and the damaged ones collected). Unlike the first delivery, just a date not a timeslot so DH ended up taking more holidays to cover the the school run. The stuff arrived and I immediately pointed out that one box was bashed - and yes, there is another damaged panel. We could open the first one and see if it's a different panel that's been damaged because they didn't take the other ones away! Not wasting any more holidays though, they'll have to work around me and the school run next time for collection

Got a few things on tomorrow, will work in the gaps!

Wow it really is quiet on here!

SC I hope dd feels better now. The hands off approach to parenting in the morning sounds good. Since I have had dc3 I have had to give dd and ds more responsibility in the mornings but still have to give specific directions and timings or we would never get out of the house on time. Ds is like me and likes to leave everything to the last moment - which is not a good trait and one I am trying to get out of!

Caglio the lighter evenings make a big difference don't they. It sounds like you and dd had a lovely time taking ds to beavers.

Dc3 was really unsettled last night so I have had a bit of a hazy sort of day. I started back at weight watchers this morning so I'm looking forward to getting into a more normal eating pattern again rather than just surviving on handfuls of biscuits.

Tada
Beds made
Dc to school
Washing up, drying up and putting away x 2
Kitchen sides wiped
Small pile of ironing done
Downstairs hoovered
Healthy dinner cooked

Tomorrow I am having an 'anchor day' as mentioned up thread. I have no real plans apart from perhaps going for a walk so plan to potter around at home for the day which I am really looking forward to.

Big wing flaps to all of the fledglings.

Good morning fledglings!

Good work re: the laundry Cotswold. How frustrating about the damaged furniture though, especially when you have had to take taking holiday days over it. Hope the replacements arrive without further incident!

Enjoy your anchor day and the pottering Mercury! And hope you and ds had a better night last night! (You still got loads done yesterday despite your lack of sleep though!)

I am with you re: the weight loss btw! (Heavier than I have ever been in my life [blush[) Good luck with it!

Re: "hands off" parenting approach - yes, we are still giving strong steers and reminders and encouragement - but I am trying to change my nagging approach to a more upbeat and positive one. DD and I are also very alike and we were locked in to a negative pattern of bickering endlessly and pointlessly over the same things over quite a long period of time and it was all becoming unnecessarily stressful, and as the parent, I didn't feel I was managing the situation at all well; so hoping this will work! Poor dd - it is very difficult to escape the "search light" eyes of two parents when you are an only - so better that she is left to her own devices a bit more (and suffer direct consequences with school if she forgets gym kit or is late with hwk) etc.

Speaking of dd, she was up in the night with another nose bleed and has a very bad headache. It's a half school day on Weds (and half of that is sport which she is not up to this morning) so keeping her at home and off to doc at lunch time.

Therefore have absolutely no excuse not to work on boudoir and home office today.

[Grabs timer, and three boxes]

Big wing flaps to everyone!

Morning all.

Yesterday ended up being pretty good, I was really achy after DD's writing club so we stopped at the park on the way home, I had a nice hour sitting in the sunshine while they got plenty of play time.

Feeling rather deflated though today as a family who I'd started teaching is now getting on well with learning themselves so won't be requiring me anymore. Argh! Still hopefully will be in a position to advertise for more pupils soon. Must not let this get me down!

DH is taking the DCs out for a home ed meet up and collecting tickets that another family can no longer use - so they'll be seeing a play tomorrow as well, lucky things! I'll get plenty of rest instead.

Morning everyone - sorry I've been AWOL for a while. DS has started at his second nursery so lots of settling in going on and meeting other families. This nursery is also a part of the school he will be going to, so very exciting.

TaDa
Took DS to nursery
Fed cats
Emptied all bins
Put bins out for collection
Folded and put away laundry
Made beds x2
Put more washing on
Emptied, washed, dried and refilled two cat litter trays

To Do
Meal plan
Online shop
Finish writing and send a letter
Trip into town:
-return some faulty items to shop
-drop bits into charity shop
-meet my brother for a coffee
-drop off glass recycling

Catch up with you all properly later

Still quiet here! Hope everyone is OK!

Good that you had a bit of a rest in the sunshine Caglio!

You look extremely organised Greymalkin hope your ds is enjoying his new nursery!

Finally found some enthusiasm and energy today to start doing a few chores. Not as many as I would have liked, but it is a start. Relatively leisurely day in fact as no volunteering, no dog walks (dh kindly did them) and no ballet runs.

Ta da:
morning routine inc animals, dw, wm, td, s&s and dining room table hot spots
wiped down kitchen surfaces
replied to 3 e-mails
stomped around all floors of house and collected up crockery and threw dirty laundry over banisters
carried heavy laundry panier downstairs
put washed and ironed clothes away
spent 2 hrs tidying boudoir - yay - including clearing floors, bedside tables, under bed, on top of dh chest, on top of my chest
tidied dd wardrobe
2 bags paper recycling decluttered
1 more load of laundry done and dried
put away toiletries in bathroom
30 mins sorting and chucking magazines
prepped and cooked mainly veggie Asian stir fry from scratch with rice which stretched 1 filet steak between the three of us and used up all carrots, peppers and broccoli
tidied up supper things

Hope everyone else, especially the newcomers, are making progress!

It's 8.30pm here and dh and I are going to show solidarity with dd and go to bed in half an hour, so posting links now.

G'night all and see you in the 'moaning'!

***

Baby-step no 14 for tomorrow, Thurs 14th April is: here. Tips on how to use a calendar.

We are in Zone 3 (April 10-16) this week : The bathroom and one extra room.

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 3.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 3 is here.

Thursday's mission is here. Scrubbing bathroom taps with an old toothbrush.

The daily focus for Thursday is running errands.

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.

**

threw away all my Gardeners' World mags
threw away some more videos
made several bags of unloved books to recycle and 2 more items of clothing

managed to get two bin liners of garden debris into the bin lorry which were too heavy for bin men to lift

I've been watching Hoarder Next Door. An emotional experience, that spurred me to throw out my precious magazines as really I do NOT need them, only think I do.
Room already looks better, it was going downhill again since I bought several more books from Oxfam recently

recyclng out
went to physio for neck and core exercises
long walk
groceries
King Arthur book with Ds2
took ds2 to Home Ed group (very full today, is the whole of our LA home edding? )
bus journeys (more walking, good)
ds2 went to friend's house to play computer games
dd back home ds1 back home
fed them full meals at 4pm!
then cooked supper for later, sausages and potatoes and courgettes

everyone watching footie now

Breathtaking spring blossom in the rain on city streets - lots of humming bees too..

Today has been a bit of a mixed bag. This morning was lovely and relaxed but this afternoon dc3 has been really unsettled and distressed which has been very stressful. He is now settled so I'm hoping whatever was upsetting him has passed.

However, during his morning naps I managed to get a fair amount done.
Ta da
Dc ready for school
Washing up, drying up, put away x 2
Washing done and on line
Small pile of ironing
Kitchen sides wiped down
Ironing put away
Parcel containing new clothes for dc3 unwrapped and put away
Dds pe kit found and packed ready for the morning
All beds made - Im determined to crack this habit.
Sink shined -"and this one

Hope everybody is well. Im off for an early night shortly incase Im up all not with an unsettled baby.

Evening! Got more done today by staying away from the laptop. Felt a bit panicky about the amount of stuff to do so cancelled the morning appt and got stuff done!

Tidied
More laundry
Attended afternoon appt and took DD to activity
Tea in slow cooker

I also have Thurs down as an anchor day this week also could do with losing weight so apart from a bit of light shopping I'll be working on the house.

Mercury I hope your DC3 is better and gave you an easy night, SC hope the doc can help with the nosebleeds (they are horrid), Cag grab the sunshine!, Grey awesome lists, how is your DS settling in?, knitting I know what you mean about chazza or jumble sale books

Morning all :)

I'm feeling much better today. Anxiety was through the roof yesterday for various reasons, but it didn't last thankfully, and I helped DSD with coursework and then did some lovely family learning with the DCs at bedtime.

And I have the whole day to myself today! Mustn't waste it. I have a lot of laundry to do so I've got that on the go already, and I'm doing some very low-effort decluttering (craft drawers etc). I'm also scheduling in time to read, and to finish the film I was watching the other day.

And I think I might do some digital decluttering too - must keep my emails in check, and I want to organise some home ed resources. There is so much out there, every day I click on links and download PDFs for various projects and ideas! But we're going to homework club at the library next week (don't often get to go) which means free printing, so I want to choose a few things to print then.

Have a great day folks! :)

Right, second wash of the day is on, I've started sorting through the ridiculous amount of pens and pencils.

Knitting yep me too re: buying books from the chazzer! Those places are dangerous! I don't tend to get any books for me, as needless to say I'm a frequent library user but the DCs have a rapidly expanding collection of non-fiction books that I just can't resist

SC I hope the nosebleeds are better - however I did hear that they can actually be a good thing. Something to do with releasing built up pressure in the head, which would otherwise cause headaches/migraines?

Everyone's being super productive today, keep up the good work Fledglings! I'm going to open the window now, it's so sunny and warm (clothes horse is actually outside ) - not up to a walk just yet as coughing like mad but will be out later when I go to a pupil's house. So hopefully the weather will last! :)

Caglio..I felt v anxious this morning...I think it is the decisions (or shall we call that indecisions from the wretched LA over EHCP) that get to me, and interruptions (mostly from dh) once I got started it was fine though. I always find that I am so happy with the little things that get done, if only other people wouldn't remind me of the big things!!!

Beautiful morning outside, orange tulips and red azaleas and lots of fresh greens, including green stripes on the tulips. Ds2 has been brilliant, read aloud from the Arthur book and laughed at loads of the jokes (which is new for him, usually he doesn't quite get what is going on in the story, as it is quite densely written which is why we do it so intensively) Watched the rest of Napoleon video. Which has slightly inspired me to look up Napoleon in Egypt in various books I have, only to find that of course I decluttered the book of prints on that very subject, must have been quite a few years ago..drat. Well, still, this is what resilience is all about isn't it, not stressing these small aggravations.

re: home ed links. I find it can sometimes get you down if you feel there are too many things you aren't doing, sometimes I purposefully keep my focus small and steps quite achievable. Ie: going to do Napoleon in form of The Story and Code Napoleon and not get bogged down in other fascinating aspects. Such as Nelson finds book on Maritime History and pores over it This should really be something ds2 tackles Not me.

Glad you're feeling less anxious now Knitting :)

Yes I agree about the guilt feeling. There is a lot out there and not enough time to do it really! I definitely used to feel awful when decluttering half done craft projects etc, or even sending unread books back to the library - each one was like a reminder of something I'd failed to do.

I think I'm surprisingly feeling better about this since starting home ed though. Perhaps because I've gotten rather lazy about it :o but I'm definitely going to make sure I stay realistic about these things!

A lot of what I download, or save links to etc, are things that I haven't actually looked at properly - basically I see so many links, as I follow lots of Facebook pages/groups, friends share stuff etc, that I just save them straight away rather than take the time there and then to look through it! Same reason my Amazon wishlists are so huge I guess. :o Anyway, I'm going to go through them and get rid of any that aren't good, and carry on dividing into subjects, and also separate anything that won't be useful yet (for example I have some resources that are a bit too advanced ATM but they looked really good...). I enjoy this stuff though, it satisfies my nerdy instincts :o

Anxious day here too. Loads going on - pretty heavy stuff relating to future life and renovations and property etc - meeting with banks and estate agents today - all so uncertain - everything hanging in balance - risks mulitiplied by potential Brexit Bit - a bit too nail biting for my liking.

Just waiting and waiting and (complicated) like the pauses between a chess game. We are not entirely in control of all of the moves.

Also, dd still feeling faint and dizzy all the time. She nearly fainted in the bath last night. Absolutely disaster that she is missing school yet again, having been fine in the hols but she is genuinely not right (not swinging the lead!) so we collected work from school today which she has done at home (have banned lap top and Ipod and gosh life is so much happier and pleasant without both of those). Attending doc appt this eve too.

Trying to declutter while all of this is going on. In fact, ironically, it is the decluttering that is keeping me sane today! Have also done quick supermarket shop on way back from bank and three loads of laundry.

Need to tackle magazines like you Knitting but have decided to get rid of all the clothes that I was going to sell at charity event first. Will lose money on them but have decided I can't stand them lying around here in bags any more. At least someone else will benefit.

[Like the sound of your stripy tulips Knitting]

Feel I can't concentrate much on anything else so pls forgive me for not keeping up with thread today.

Glad you are feeling better today Caglio and hope you are able to profit from your child-free time!

Waves to Mercury hope dc3 much more settled today

Cotswold good luck with tackling clothes and packing boxes and everything you have to do

Big waves to everyone else!

Brexit Bit? Not sure how the Bit got in there sorry!

Oh SC that does sound really stressful :( I really hate that not-being-in-control feeling.

It's probably been done already but has DD had blood tests? Sounds like she could be anaemic perhaps?

Loving the decluttering though, you're doing well! I must get back to it. I feel we have stalled since DH started the new job, which I expected to some extent. It's frustrating, but I also know we did loads in the few weeks before that. Anyway, I'm just doing small things today as I know that's all I can manage. Got some friends coming round tomorrow which will be lovely.

Thanks Caglio v kind of you!

Dh has just made his definitive and (although opposition doesn't know it) final chess move. We have to wait a few days before we know. I feel sick!

And yes, thank you, dd has had blood tests and they have all come back fine. She just has a tendency to faint when in a growth spurt. I was looking at the "growth pencil marks" on the wall when I was decluttering the boudoir yesterday. She has grown 14 cms since March last year. I've no idea if this is normal or not but it seems quite a lot. Going to check with doc this eve.

Finding decluttering oh so much easier now it is light and bright outside. Really have the "will" to do it now we have a potential objective in mind too!

Don't get too despondent about lack of decluttering right now at your end. You did loads before your dh started his new job - which proves that you can do it again - and it's bound to take a while to settle in to the new routine. Good you don't burn out anyway and that you do it in small bursts.

Right, back to bagging the clothes!

Why is it visiting children who say they don't have a curfew/time to be home made me nervous? I know that mobiles are great for staying in touch but I wouldn't be happy not knowing what time or how my child was getting home. Am I just over protective, they are 11 yr olds in a small village but still bad things have and do happen here.

ta da
medical appointments
Work on a few craft projects
room rescue ds' room
supervise homework projects
feed the masses (or at least it has felt that way cos omg can boys eat)
hand visiting child over to parent (they are clearly too young to make their own plans)
argue with ds about running errands with him.
finalise arrangements for Ds' trip this weekend

to do
finish a craft project
get ds to do some homework sheets
put some washing on
write letter of complaint
consider packing for ds' trip
batch cooking

Agree, hate that sort of open-ended arrangement Einstein - except with the closest of our friends, I like the certainty of a definite time for a parent to collect or for us to drop off by - even if it slips a bit! And particularly when dc are younger - and left to their own devices - they always overestimate the amount of time they want to be together so you end up with overwrought youngsters. Better to end it when they are still wanting more I reckon!

Hope your ds has had a good time anyway and congrats on your productive day.

Doc has signed dd off school tomorrow (she has an over-active vagus nerve apparently which is very common in growing teens) but said she could go in if she feels ok so we are working on assumption that she will.

*

We are half way through the month Fledglings! Well done for getting this far!

Hope all the newcomers are doing ok!

Baby-step no 15 for tomorrow, Fri 15th April is: here. Something we are already doing this month: adding bed-making to our daily routine.

Flylady is totally mad imho and explains how to make the bed while you are in it using a "snow angel" technique of some sort. Yeugh and yuck!! Sorry, but has she not heard of airing the bed before you make it and opening the windows every morning? Just wrong. Wrong I say! [SC mutters in irritated fashion]. Do you think she has been at the gin again?

We are in Zone 3 (April 10-16) this week : The bathroom and one extra room.

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 3.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 3 is here.

Friday's mission, the last of the week is
here. (Scroll down.)
In the bathroom > have a lovely soak in the tub!
In the other room > declutter the hot spot immediately surrounding your "throne" (I know, I know) ie the place where you sit most often.

The daily focus for Friday is decluttering our purses, handbags and cars.

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.

G'night all!

Forgot to add ...

ta da:
morning routine inc animals, s&s, dining room table hotspots, dw, wm and td
dog walk 1
brushed dog
dog and rabbits given their respective anti-mite/flea treatments and recorded
meeting with bank followed by loads of stress and phone calls and e-mails and biting of knuckles
fastest supermarket shop known to man on rtn (as dd was home alone although on end of phone and office on alert and within 30 seconds distance if help required)
45 mins more work in boudoir dusting, polishing, hoovering and organising
made veg soup
cooked and served proper lunch for dd (cod, peas and mash with parsley sauce)
hwk supervision with dd (maths)
4 loads of laundry
carried up ironed clothes from laundry room and put away
another quick dog walk no 2 (dh has done third this evening)
more sorting of laundry
folded stack of towels
cleared path in office for window cleaner tomorrow
started bagging clothes for charity (but loads more to do)
made pizza dough with dd who then added toppings of her choice
cleared up suffer and put on wm again
laid out clothes for morning

Positive bits:
Happy to report that boudoir is now outwardly respectable again. But need to sort quite a few small cardboard boxes, 2 large cardboard boxes of doom, have an old collapsed Ikea chest of drawers removed from it and thoroughly sort piles of books and magazines. Think I will tackle worst of home office before I do those tasks though.

Also happy to report that I now get a frisson of pleasure [yes I lead a sad life] every time I walk through my now empty and decluttered hall. Floor is totally clear and it has proper storage and hooks and a mirror and a place for dog leads and everything! (It has only taken me 14 yrs to get it to this state still has bare light bulb though.)

Big wing flaps to all!

supper not suffer!

Yay SC well done on your decluttering! Love the Freudian slip there

Einstein I agree re: open ended arrangements - we have that with the neighbour's DD but anyone else, no I like to know what's going on and when.

Very very gentle organising today - enjoying sorting the craft drawers! Still a long way to go though. But still, I knew I wouldn't get any more physically demanding decluttering done today (I managed lots of laundry but that was it) so it was this or nothing, and I'm really glad I've made progress on it. It had got to the point where we were just stuffing things in the drawers randomly so it's much improved.

SC glad you found the reason for dd's fainting spells. I seem to remember fainting a bit at about 10, when I was growing very tall, and quite often feeling weak and dizzy in early teens. Maybe smelling salts were not such a bad idea in the old days (although I know that was probably more likely to do with corsets)

Also good luck with your financial planning.

Judo went well today. Lots of walking. I'm trying to stop driving so much, it was leading to loss of lower back strength!!! Physio gave me some good exercises to strengthen the "core".

Otherwise today pretty much a rightoff tidyigwise, I done some laundry but not much else, except for tomato sauce for supper. Very manky house. Still, hang springcleaning as Ratty said or was it Mole...

had a nice bath in newly cleaned bathroom from Tues though, baths have been so horrid and grimy that I've only had showers for the last few months, so that is good. I stared at gleaming tiles in wonder; I felt as if I was in some spa

Glad you had an answer SC

I have survived and mostly enjoyed the book fair. Had some exciting moments, and saw Judith Kerr this lunch time, which was lovely.

Now at my brother's and destressing after over 2 hours getting from west to east London! About to crash but big waves to all.