Fledglings Flying into June - In or Out we'll find out soon.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

Welcome all - and thanks to CotswoldStrife for leading us through May. It's going to be a momentous month on the political front, but this is where we can concentrate on the domestic front instead.

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 Flylady

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 Launch Pad

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!

Lots of errands this morning, and a quick spot of gardening this afternoon. I do find that I'm keeping the kitchen cleaner with the kitten around, but having got the boys' toys out of the sitting room, it's now full of kitten toys!

Get well soon, Cag -

Waves to Mad and everyone else.

NIght!

Evening all,

Yet again not much flying to report. I'm not setting a very good example am I? However I have added clear kitchen table to my evening routine (family clear dishes after dinner, but we use it for homework, reading, paperwork in the evenings and often it is left covered in books and pens and general detritus). I still need to do some last minute costume sewing for DD's drama production dress rehearsal tomorrow

Links for Thursday

Babystep - afternoon routine

Mission - clear the right hand side of your bed.

Thursday is Errand Day

Good evening all - just about to head for bed. Busy day, but have tomorrow pretty free so will catch up with stuff then. Out most of the day so not much flying at all.

Just basics to report for yesterday,I live near a lovely cycle path and I went for a damp walk with a friend I don't see as often as I'd like in the morning.pm I spent pick a fight invasion fruit flys-mr Google told me to make traps which I did before my walk,but they failed miserably,so I spent afternoon armed a trigger bottle dettox spray and squashing as couldn't put up them hovering on my face...
(Anyone knows a better way,please,please share?!,)
Got D's and little zoo home today as school a polling station (a brand new event which school very upset about and has fought with council yo try and fund a solution to remain open including offering use the children's centre on the grounds,but were denied)as you may note from time posted,little zoo is up extra early today,so I think a walk to town may be in order to tire her out(50min walk each way)and dd1 is visiting later, I shall now go and fly before my wings become too weak and stop flapping!!

Goodness knows why but I've been quite productive this morning.

Ta da,
Shined sink
Laundry in washer and dryer
Tidied living room, kitchen and bathroom
Swept living room, hallway and kitchen
Swept by the back door (cats/bins )
Got rid of the TV (must be crazy)
Damp wiped living room surfaces
Cleaned out cupboard with funky smell (kiwi got last in the back apparently)

To do
Go shopping
Mop hard floors
Scrub counters
More laundry
Take stuff from stairs and put away.

Ta da!
Voted - had to queue at the polling station for the first time ever.

To do
Everything else.

(Sidles in and grabs a croissant before head out to do just that)
Its been awful here(pouring) so we have waited for dd1 -and her car-- to head out to town etc(if was a lazy emoji I would add it now)

Morning all - I have voted, drunk coffee (little sleep last night so much needed) and collected a parcel. Need to decide what to have for tea tonight and get on with the daily chores. Have done some small loads of laundry.

Onwards and upwards, catch you later.

I voted too! But also not done much else.

I very impressed with those of you who are up til past 11pm, I am generally reading in bed by 9.30.

Hi all - glad to hear we have voters here - I am genuinely concerned that no where near enough people do.

The weather is shocking here in Essex, the house was practically shaking from all the thunder last night. It is wet, hot, humid and generally unpleasant.

Ta Da
Long lie in as DH got up with DS at 5:15am
Family trip to the cinema to see Angry Birds - was really good
Some washing
Family walk via bottle bank, post office and polling station
Not much else!

6hours shopping and reporting in I have done nothing cept feed zoolets and collapse hot tired heap.so close here you can almost touch it!!wish we could have a storm and clear the air.
On plus side dd2 having camp out at school 8th July and pick up various Gubbins needs for that and for a school project
Am now sloping off for chocolate and vegetate front tv/!!

We had about 20 mins of heavy rain, but still no storm.

We've had a few rumblings but it's still hideously muggy, and so much rain that the entire back garden is under about an inch of water.

I don't think it's rained here today for once but the day ain't over yet!

I am currently trying to make two old white school shirts into an apron-shaped item for a costume . Nothing a bit of sewing tomorrow won't sort out. I can easily fit that in between a visit to the dentist and going to the school early to watch an event Bring on the summer holidays, I can't wait!

We had storms around 10pm last night and 2am this morning, but it stayed incredibly humid till this evening when it suddenly freshened up a bit. I'm very tired, having been woken by the 2am one, but not feeling like going to bed while the referendum count goes on, our polling station was the busiest I've ever seen it this morning.

Flying wise - changed DCs beds, did several loads of washing (tumble dried) and basic routine stuff. Planning for next week I think I might have a nervous breakdown, there are so many school/hobby related activities going on.

Back with links in a minute

Friday 24th.

Swish and swipe your bathroom

mission clear the bench or chair on your bedroom if you have one (I haven't but the floor is in need of clearing).

Friday - declutter your car and purse and date night

My alarm is set for 5 something. It is too hot and stuffy to sleep. I have extreme mileage to drive tomo. It is not looking like a good day for being so busy. Thankfully I had a really good night's sleep last night and a fairly restful day today. But seriously it is still 25C here. Too flipping hot!

Well today's activities have been cancelled and I am thoroughly depressed having watched the news and argued with idiots people on the internet. Going to try grab 2 hour's kip before the noise starts

I woke up about 4 and followed the unfolding news on my phone till about 5.30. It wasn't the result I would have wanted so my mood wasn't improved by all the mums laughing and joking about it at the school gate. I'm keeping my head down today.

who knows its never improves a moos when others are happy
That just pisses me off more too. Sending good vibes your way
Do something,even just for a few minutes, just for yourself

Despair here too this morning.

Going out in a bit, just because. But have done the laundry and fed the cat.

Hi there, just "flying" in to say I am gutted about the result too Whoknows won't affect our office in terms of work load (will possibly increase it) but feel so overwhelmingly sad for future of UK don't think we will ever be able to negotiate the same favourable access to the single market that we have now). On a personal level, many of our friends and dd friends will be leaving Wish there was a beer emoticon - going to need plenty to get through the day.

Seems many if us felt same.my dd1 was old enough vote and she very unsettled by result and irritated her boyfriend say the world will still keep spinning in or out(they are now not speaking)

He irritate her saying