May-be this time - Fledglings flutter through May 2016 (Flylady thread)

[CotswoldStrife]

Welcome all - and thanks to SpareCrust for leading us through April.

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.

Link to the Flylady website

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!

Blue that is terrific news about the course!! Also fantastic about the bursary because I remember you were hesitating about going for both at once! Fab stuff!

Good to hear the banking is being sorted out too. Now it is all on-line, I am always concerned about things going awry because I am too idle to check it properly.

Kruck yay for supportive dhs and great to hear the system is working for you! (Provides great inspiration for us jaded old-timers too!)

Cag arf at inside-out trousers

Gosh the continuing exams must be v gruelling for your ds1 and for you Knitting ( for later )

Great that your dd is enjoying the guitar! V interesting about the ballet too - agree that the mix of girls in the group is key - and, wierdly, it is the opposite way with the leotards here, they start off with skirts, and then gradually lose them as they progress up the school. Would your dd perhaps be interested in joining a 'proper' contemporary or jazz class (attached to a ballet school)? Taught well, the standard can be excellent. Some of the contemporary dances in this year's annual show were the best of all - loads better than some of the ballet in fact.

Speaking of ballet again dh and I were saved this afternoon by my unbelieveably lovely friend (who is quite the nicest person I know) who picked up dd with her dd, and took the dog for a walk while she did it, and dropped them all home again.

Ta da:
categorised and folded 2 huge bags of donated clothes (2 more to do tomorrow because an announcement went out in the parish newsletter for summer things last Sunday, so we have had a corresponding influx of donations)
made chicken stock with giblets (ongoing)
prepped chickens and veg and peeled pots for oven
some serious revision discussion with dd
filled dw and cleaned kitchen surfaces
sat on bench in sunshine on terrace with furry one's head in my lap and listened to him snoring for 20 mins Bliss!

SC aah, I love sitting down with a dog! Seems to justify it more, like a sleeping baby..

had school hiccups, nothing major just feeling a bit wrong footed over something where I am being a bit too pfb (with my second child, ds2) but have sent final email so hope that is the end of it [brisk]

re: dd - she does do contemporary dance on Sat, but it is mostly routines for musical theatre sort of dance, I think she would like to do something a bit more expressive and personal (maybe ballet isn't really like that though rigour!!!!) Her problem was that she missed the grades early on, and went into a class where everyone was too young and she was too tall. There aren't any beginner classes till you get to adult, as Whoknows will probably testify.

Yes, you are right, I could find out about contemporary dance on a more individualised basis which isn;t to do with musical theatre. I suppose I was just warning Whoknows that ballet isn;t so easy to pick up again if you lose the thread, unlike a musical instrument or choir which you rejoin at any age through school.

Knitting you could enquire at your local ballet school; I am sure they would be happy to help either way! They always like an enthusiastic pupil! Don't know if it is the same in the UK, but here 'contemporary' is a very specific category on its own (as opposed to musical theatre, tap, jazz etc). Or if ballet is what she is most enthusiastic about, I am sure she would be old enough to join in with an adult class now. Good luck with it!

And hope your ds2 is OK.

And yy to the furry one. I feel badly about complaining about the work involved in dog ownership down-thread now, because he has been beautifully behaved all week and extremely tolerant of all the madness last weekend!

Hark, there is a whirlwind noise and a clatter downstairs! Dh is home! Must go and serve up supper!

Thanks for all the thoughts re dance. She is adamant she wants to give up both now . I am going to have a chat with the teachers tonight and see if they can suggest anything. I thought exactly the same about it being hard to pick up again if you stop, she is already a bit behind the class as she opted out of exams after Primary and that drift is only going to get worse.

I think she is at that age when fancies come thick and fast - I wish they would just put dance on the school curriculum and then we wouldn't have to pressurise them! I don't have any advice really; when they are adamant there is nothing much you can do, except to talk to older girls who are still dancing and ask them to be an inspiration. There is still the chance to start everything afresh in secondary though, you could wait until she hits that new milestone, there is so much else to be getting on with isn;t there?

Sorry for all the questions Me and OH have separate rooms (he likes to play games until 2am on the PC in our bedroom) I've been counting his room as the 'Master' is there a zone for spare rooms so I can do mine too? Should I add it to another week? We don't really have a dining room so maybe then I guess.

Kruck - Zone 3 has "one other room" which I take as being another bedroom, as all the downstairs rooms are covered by other zones.

Knitting - yes, she's got a lot on her plate at the moment, she is enjoying the archery, taking her swimming seriously, in the runup to a production with her drama group, thinking about secondary school choices, I can see why ballet class with the same few girls she's been with for the last 5 years seems dull.

I came on here a few days ago, announced I wanted to join and then promptly disappeared! Sorry about that - I was a bit poorly for a few days, but better now. Thanks to everyone who welcomed me.

Back on it tomorrow, trying to get going on the baby steps. Am aware that right now I am transgressing Fly Lady's injunction that we must all get to bed at a reasonable hour, so had better go and put my pjs on...

You're not the only one that has trouble with that particular babystep Lazycake

Oops, better just post the links and take my tablet to bed to play games and go myself - see y'all tomorrow!

The daily summary for Thursday (also available on the Flylady website at flight plan which should update automatically each day.

**

Baby-step no 26 - jump in where you are, you are never behind

We are in Zone 4 this week: the master bedroom

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 4.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 4 is here

Mission for Thursday clear your bedside cabinet

The daily focus for Thursday is: errand day

The monthly habit for May is moving in May!

Relieved to hear it, WhoKnows!

Hi.

Just getting to learn everyone's names and situations. Posting on phone for the moment so apologies for no personal replies.

Trying to reestablish morning and night routines

So dishwasher emptied
Kids breakfast done and cleared.

Off to bath dcs and me now and a load of laundry.

Then 15 mins in master bedroom of which I can't see the floor, so much needed. Hotspot in the bedroom is my dressing table, I don't have a nightstand. DH empties his pockets there so full of receipts, business cards, loose change... Grr!

Oh nearly forgot! A big Ta-Dah for this morning is I swished and swiped the downstairs loo, this spurred me on to declutter in there so is now fit for guests again! Proof the system works isn't it! The thought of a two min swish and swipe was do-able and led to bigger things.

Morning everyone, I'm having a terrible month trying to fly, and not keeping up with the thread very well either :(

So we lost out on the second house we liked too and we haven't found anything else we like yet. We don't want to move for the sake of it, or take a sideways step, if that makes sense. We risk losing the buyer for our current home if we don't find something soon though.

But more upsetting is that DH and I decided to withdraw DS completely from his second nursery as they were not able to support him in the way he needed. He has been struggling to settle, perfectly normal for a three year old in my opinion, and their expectations of him were frankly ridiculous. Poor DS has been really unhappy and anxious there and we're notting putting him through any more of it.

Plus I'm finding working in a new and rather demanding job quite exhausting when combined with a very early morning waking DS. And all this nursery stress going on. And losing two lovely houses to other buyers.

Some measly ta das though:
Fed cats
Made beds x2
Washing machine on
Dishwasher unloaded and partial reload

hands a to Grey and anyone else that needs it.

Untidy - you are right, we have a few new Fledglings so we could probably do with some introductions.

My name is WhoKnows, I work part time and have DCs aged 10 and 12 both with SENs, I live in the SE of England. I have been flapping around on this thread for years, but I tend to prioritise mine and the DCs hobbies over housework .

Good idea WhoKnows I'm still finding my feet with names. My name is Kruck and I'm a SAHM of DS (1yo) and I care for my nephew (10mo) 7-6 in the week. I'm really new to flylady and just finding me feet.

OH said no to the cleaner but I can't really blame him. We've agreed to do the Bleugh on a Sunday. He said yes to the Henry though!

I haven't done a lot of flying yet today, but the laundry basket is pretty much empty and the bed is made.

I'm Untidy
Work from home
2 DC age 1 and 3

Only achieving ta-dahs this week as I'm off work for a few days. Hoping it will get me back into routines I can keep up along side working

So I've found the bedroom floor! Woohoo! Feels good.
Made bed
S&S both bathrooms
Landing and bottom of stairs hotspots put out.
Laundry load on
Dishwasher empty
Lunch planned

Need to decide what's for dinner. (And start meal planning and sticking to it!)

What does everyone use to swish and swipe? I bleach the loo and scrub. Then a flash spray and microfibres cloth to wipe round then cloth goes in the wash each day

Gray - what a worry for you re DS nursery. I think you're doing the right thing taking him out. Will you keep him off now till after the summer hols?

Hello to Untidy!

And so sorry to Grey to hear about second house and nursery

Waves to everyone else

Can't sit in front of screen because have been diagnosed today with slipped disc but big wing flaps to all

[Back to reclinging position!]

Grey you did the right thing to take him out. Fingers crossed the early starts will die down once he is a bit more settled in general. Dh is waking incredibly early because we cannot seem to eradicate the dawn sunshine creeping in -hitting us between the eyeballs due to the loft having very sunny aspect, it is not restful!!! Ds2 sleeps in a Northfacing room - we found avoiding east was worth it for him - all the other bedrooms in this house face east and are blindingly sunny in summer first thing, he has ended up with the small dark boxroom!

SC slipped disc, that must be excrutiating, I'm so sorry. I really hate being the age we are now because bits of us seem to just stop working so well.

GSCE update.
First Maths paper done. What on earth is a "surd"? (I'm sure someone can say something witty and unprintable) Anyway ds1 said he had forgotten and just made something up to do with square roots.
Ds2 in chipperish mood after Four Day week at school. Although I then had to have a fight with him to persuade him to go to touchtyping, it is all such an uphill struggle; if I add too many things into his day he will refuse to do even the familiar stuff.

Just went to a Degree Show in photography, very impressed by it all, although they all need to be a little less wordy, these 21 year olds - the shovel is mightier than the pen...

Kruck I had twins and it is hard work with two little ones to entertain at once. It is practically impossible to get any housework done, that is for sure. You feel that you need to conserve energy not waste it on fretting over tidying, but you are so right that it is very draining being in a sea of mess at the same time. Someone gave me a tip that instead of trying to put things back in proper places it is best to just pile them all into a big plastic tub at the end of the day.

Knitting I do feel like I have twins sometimes just without the nights thank goodness! I can keep up with the cleaning but then the boys lose out, it's a balancing act that I just can't keep up with. So this week the house is looking great, no pots in the sink, empty laundry basket. But the boys watched an awful lot of CBeebies today and we haven't left the house this week . This time last week I was feeling great about parenting but completely behind with the house. Now it's the other way round. I just need to buck up to be honest.

Sorry for the vent, I got a bit carried away there.

Seems to have been a tough week for a number of people on the thread. Hope it gets a bit better for us all next week.

Quick intro - I'm a SAHM in the South West, one DD and DH. Been Flying for years off and on through work, illness and now the SAHM bit. I have found that it doesn't matter whether I am out of the house all day or at home, it's my attitude that makes the difference. I need to get a grip really.

Maths exam - was that the one (edexcel) that the Huff Post published the comments on (the three tins of varnish? Some of the comments were really funny.

I used to do the tub tidy. DD tipped the mahoosive tub out all over the floor once as I opened the front door to let a potential buyer into our house. Always took her with me to the door after that one.

DD has been having some tests at school this week and has not excelled. I have felt for a while that she has slipped a bit this year so it's not a total surprise but I think she is a bit worried and not admitting it Can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the half-term next week.

We have a few things planned for next week but heard about a bereavement today so I am trying to be as flexible as possible in the hope of attending the funeral. Waiting to hear on the date but hoping it doesn't clash with anything immovable.

Ta da's today - emails, prep for school tomorrow, attempted to jam another date in the diary, blah, blah.

Will post links!

The daily summary for Friday (also available on the Flylady website at flight plan which should update automatically each day.

**

Baby-step no 27 - plan your meals

We are in Zone 4 this week: the master bedroom

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 4.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 4 is here

Mission for Friday clear the dresser (I may have to include any flat surface in the bedroom!)

The daily focus for Friday is: declutter your bag and your car, and date night

The monthly habit for May is moving in May!

I feel like going to a Laundrette's Anonymous meeting and confessing, I have three children and my laundry basket is never ever empty. At the moment there is a massive backlog on the sheets (although I'm trying to put the spare duvets away somewhere inaccessible so I wash and dry and PUT BACK on the bed straightaway and reduce the amount in transit). I've had to hide most of ds2's clothes because it was becoming ridiculous the stockpiling that went on..of dirty items

Kruck my advice is...just once you can get away with the big clean/stay at home to sort things scenario, but after that, it is always better to get out, and the truth is, once you are out, they make less mess in the long run, and are often more agreeable when you are return, making it easier to do a tiny bit of tidying/washing up then. I don't think I ever left the house in the morning looking tidy, if I had I would never have made it to any playgroups in time.. Mind you I didn't know about Flylady then. Somehow I think it wouldn't have changed the essential bottleneck that is getting out with small children who need to be changed, dressed, cuddled and fed, whilst remaining calm humorous and sane! One load of laundry in, and possibly throw all the washing up in the sink, would be my limit first thing.