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!

ugh paperwork!

house is a freaking tip.

did my first lot of editing though, for the new client (I keep staring at that word and thinking OMG I actually have a client) and that was really fun! Bit scary as I'm not sure exactly how far to change things (it's post-translation, so messing with it too much will make it wrong!). But mostly fun! :) I must phone the 'old' author tomorrow as well, as I'm kind of hoping she will send me some of her new book soon.

And made the mistake of sticking a frozen strudel straight on the oven shelf due to lack of baking tray... oooops that's a lot of berries on the oven floor! :o

I'm just going to read some more of my book now as I want to finish that, and a short education book that's got a request on it, so I can return them to the library on Tuesday. So that's sort of decluttering right?

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

**

Baby-step no 29 - schedule some me time or a pamper session

We are moving into Zone 5 the living room or family room

Missions are posted Monday to Friday, free day today - hooray!

The daily focus for Sunday is: renew your spirit

The monthly habit for May is moving in May!

I can't believe it's nearly June. WTF. I know I say at the start of pretty much every month, every year... but still!

I can't sleep. I'm such a twit and didn't take my tablets early enough. Oh well at least I will make more progress with my reading! It's a bit disappointing though TBH. I am starting to get rather disgruntled when a book is publicized as having an amazing plot twist. Kind of negates the point of it. I always figure it out when they do that (and I'm really not one of those people who predicts things easily!) which makes it rather disappointing :(

I know what you mean about the months creeping up, we are almost halfway through the year! Aaaarrrggghhh!

Is this a good time to ask if anyone wants to do the June thread? I can do next month but will probably be away for a few days next week (still not sure when yet)

DD is still struggling with her cold today, I'm a bit better though. A grip must be got today, so will push on. Have a good day everyone, back later.

Always a good time. I can't offer as I am away and up to my eyeballs with builders doing stuff and periodic no internet access.

If we get really stuck for June we will make it a summer thread (ie it gets set up wit the main links only in the 1st post and then the rest of the thread is just chatter. I know it is not the ideal approach and lots of people prefer the links but needs must sometimes.

Hopefully it will work itself out

I can do June.

Hello I've now worked out how to post from Ipod!

Am working on sorting things out tecnology for June thread leading but no guarantees quite yet (dh thought there might be old lap top in office But established this morning it is broken)

. Problem is have been told categorically by physio to lie or stand and Not to sit at all, so usual computer out of bounds as cannot afford to compromise recovery at this stage.

Sorry, if i were more tech accomplished cd prib work out how to post links from phone or IPod but am crap at that sort of thing and it takes ages to type on this thing, key pad so small.

Worried that newcomers will find it diff without links next month! Sorry, v frustrating not being able to sit!!!!

Xpost Whoknows bloody kind of you, r u sure, when u hv so much on? Feel bad because I have the time (much less pressured than you) and no OU exams. Bugger this

whoknows you are a

Promise faithfully to do Sept in that case.

That should have read " bugger this back"

The exam is on the 2nd so it really isn't a problem. Despite having a lot on generally I always seem to find a bit of MN time in the evenings.

Thank you Whoknows And good luck with revision!

Btw, still need to work out best way to type docs for office from reclining position. I would much prefer tablet to lap top but its not going to cut it is it? Need something where I can have multiple taps open at same time, need to link from other websites and to be able to type quite complex docs (in terms of formatting). I touch type so prefer plug in keyboard/mouse to touch pad thing. All needs to be done from reclining position in bed! If anyone has any advice I'd be grateful! (Also looking in to stand-up computer tables at Ikea.)

Yargh! Am so behind wrt to tech spk that not on remotely understandable level when trying to discuss this with others in rl!

I think standing sounds better SC. A word of warning about tablet/phone overuse whilst reclining, I suspect that's what gave me repetitive strain injury in my arm when recovering from surgery a few years ago.

Standing is good you can get wireless keyboards and stuff that are compatible with some tablets. But they aren't really designed for mutli function use. Unless you have one of the new tablets that have been designed to replace a computer. My laptop is generally on the mid/high sleeper as that is waist height on me and Idon't need to bend too much but tbh it is a bit on the low side to be comfortable when my back is sore. works better than sitting fo me though.

Am currently swearing at people and frogging stuff. It's a long story.

Thanks everyone for being so kind about my nerves about being on my own for a week. I think I'm actually already feeling much better. I think it was the waiting for him to go and all the stress around his work that was making it all feel so tense. Now that he is gone I'm just treating it like he is out at work for the day.

Cotswold I think the chances of me not taking the opportunity to post a Meerkitten photo are slim to nil

SC wow I knew that your DP worked away a lot but I didn't realise it was that much and for so many years. I'm trying to look at the positives, the main ones being that I can decide when to have tea based on the best time for Meerkitten rather than waiting for DP to get home and it always being a different time.

Knitting I hadn't thought about the fact that Meerkitten being premature means that this is earlier than expected, but you are right I was definitely expecting this to be a June event.

I think for me the bits of day that I've been worried about are getting a shower in the morning, Meerkitten now objects strongly to sitting in the bouncy chair in the bathroom and the evenings trying to make sure that I get some tea when I don't have an extra pair of hands to help out. Last night and this morning went ok though.

SC your back sounds really bad, so restrictive not being able to sit, I hope you feel better soon.

Sorry that sounds far worse than it is. So far today I have tripped over things left in the way, knocked stuff off that have been badly balanced and not been able to find a cup for making coffee (there aren't any clean ones and I can't even find a dirty one to wash up) it is this which has had me swearing. There is only me in the house at too. No persons were actually sworn at.

Typically on Friday, the day before DP was leaving, Meerkitten decided to have a burst in skills just to keep things interesting. She stood up straight independently for the first time in the morning (just for a couple of seconds), then in the afternoon she learnt to open the cellar door leading to a steep flight of steps immediately and then to cap it off she suddenly climbed up the bottom two steps of the stairs from nowhere... arghh!!

This led to DP putting up a stair gate blocking off the cellar head on Friday evening instead of just getting on with his packing, perfect timing Meerkitten! Our fridge freezer is in the cellar head so blocking off the door wasn't an option. I'll be grey by the time DP gets back

This is Meerkitten a few weeks ago standing up using the stairs, she can now climb up the bottom two steps, look how steep they are!! Argh!!

This is Meerkitten enjoying the recent good weather both in her pool and on a picnic (that is me that she is climbing on)

And for anyone who doesn't remember how it all started...... what a difference a year makes.....

Ohhhhh Dogsbum she is absolutely gorgeous! I loved that age (although I know it is worrying when they are in to everything!) She looks so happy and contented!! (And raring to explore!)

Is your bathroom child safe enough for you to bring her in with you and close the doors and play with suitable toys on the floor while you shower? I remember doing that with dd! She would tolerate that far more than being confined to bouncy chair or high chair or play pen (although did have to resort to latter occasionally because of tall house with lots if stairs). Remember singing loudly while she was in play pen and I had to nip to loo or search upstairs for hansbag etc so she cd always hear where I was!! Ahhh, happy days!!

whoknows & einstein thanks v much for tech tips!! Much appreciated! Think will go for standing table if I can work out wiring as they are meant to be healhier in general aren't they? I can't stand for long either at the min but physio says I will be able to once inflammation subsides and eveything gets stronger.

Noted about warning about rsi!! Thank you! Îm just so bored lying here!! At least if I could do links I could be of some use!! Heigh ho, another mini walk is in order. Getting v bored of going around the block too! Dh cannot drive me to mark cos roads blocked off (local 20 k here today) and can't sit in car or on park bench for v long. Helicopters overhead and keep bumping into half dead runners - how I envy a d admire their energy and commitment as I hobble past with stick

X post Dogsbum x posts

Gosh what a difference in a year! She is beautiful in all the pictures!! And always smiling! You must be bursting with pride xx

Ohhhh she is just scrumptious!

Still got a little catching up to do with the thread!

Just saw this pop up on my newsfeed so sharing it to have a proper read later after I've done some procrastinating housework.