October Fledgling thread 2016: where we fluff up our feathers and fall back in to autumnal Flying routines

[Strikingclock]

Welcome to the October 2016 Fledgling Flying thread!

Come and park your broomsticks mops and buckets here!

This is where, from the 1st of the month, we attempt to declutter and follow the 30-step wisdom of Flylady (minus cutesy language and a surfeit of e-mails) with lots of chat and support and mutual motivation (and of course) along the way.

More info available here , here, here and here.

As usual we will be following a three-pronged approach - and don't worry - we are all at different stages. (Some of us are still stuck at the decluttering stage after quite a few years ):

• repeat or start baby steps (again!)

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

• reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.

And those of you who have decluttered and are really enthusiastic can throw some detailed cleaning in to the mix as well!

The idea is that we focus on short, ring-fenced, daily bursts of activity (steps and routines) that will help our homes run (more or less!) on "automatic pilot" allowing us to do far more interesting things instead!

This is a very long-running thread so we may appear cliquey but we really aren't! All newcomers, long-termers, lurkers and intermittent returnees not only welcome to join in but positively encouraged to do so!

Helpful pointers: No perfectionism allowed! If it took a while to create the current C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) in your home, then it will probably take a while to reverse the situation (you can't clean clutter!). Small steps are the key! And you are never behind: just jump in where you are at!

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

Babies! Babies everywhere!! Huge congratulations to you both Furble and Fresh < ponders whether we should install a creche next to the daughter corner >

A reasonably productive day here at GreyTowers:
Cats and DS fed
Dishwasher unloaded
Hand washing up done
Three beds made
One load of laundry washed, tumbled and folded
Second wash load almost finished
Wrapped eBay parcel
Walked to post office, posted parcel
Glass recycling taken to bottle bank
Cat litter trays dealt with
Lunch made and consumed

Still To Do
Hang up wet laundry
A third load of laundry
Pick up Grandma from her day club
Some paper admin
More paper decluttering

Does anyone on here listen to The Archers? I know there is another long running thread on MN specifically for it but I don't want to join another MN group as such. I've recently got into it after seeing it feature in the news quite a bit and am surprised to say that I am really enjoying it!

foxesresting is very important whilst feeding, it takes a lot more out of you than you think making milk.please be kind to yourself.and have some chocolate. Life is short(and I am here,evil temptress.mwah haha)

I've been help mums n tots.made tea(lots)with a 2year old.was going swimmingly til she put the prince(who had been enjoying a nice brew) in the teapot.that's toddler logic for you

I do miss little people...

Then stroll library where met up zoolets. They did comic club.I curled up cookery book.squelched home in downpour.
Dd2decide have shower as soaked.I opt sit by fire
Go make tea for zoolets shortly

Grr(B£#@%y phone) toddler logic

Huge, huge congratulations on your new arrivals to Furble and to Afreshstartplease!

So happy for you both!

[Hangs up bunting in naughty corner and pours champagne for all!]

foxes sorry to hear about the mastitis, I never had that but I am well endowed in the boob department so when I was breastfeeding/going on bottle, I would put hot flannels on my boobs for relief, I've also heard cabbage leaves work, but I'm sure thats an old wives tale, never tried it personally but exmil swore by it.

I didn't get much done in the end although I am one child down, ds2 couldn't go to his brothers but did end up with his sister instead. both are happy with that arrangement.

tada
dishwasher
washing
dogs walked
ds2 at sisters

Babies and bubbly, my favourite things!
Congratulations, both! How lovely!
Been a crazy busy week here but I have surprisingly managed to cross off a lot of the odd jobs as well. I resurrected my little blue book of lists (hence not posting so many on the thread as I was aware that I was distracting myself (I'll just post my fly lady list and read eleventymillion chat threads...) so tried something new.
Intending to hang out in the naughty corner and watch BakeOff on iplayer tonight, as last night I had to go into the city for a volunteer meeting. Three hour round trip, back at 1130, another hour of prep and then up again at 5.45am to get back to the city to teach. So this evening I chillax. I may even catch a crafty 40 winks in the comfy chair if none of you wake me up
I suspect tomorrow will be a big list day, so tonight I lounge. Mindfully.

Sorry, late again with links! Unfortunate combo of very busy in office + time of year for signing off of company accounts + trying to kick banks in to action for property transactions + doing links on new lap top to preserve back (can't sit in front of computer at the mo) so everything taking a bit longer! Haven't caught up with personals but hope you all have a good day!

*

Today's baby-step no 21 for Fri 21st Oct is: here. An ignorable one imho about Ask Flylady bumph on website.

Newcomers - here is the launch pad from which you can navigate the site:
www.flylady.net/c/lp.php .

We are in Zone 4 this week, the boudoir: The Master Bedroom, Bath, Closet (October 16-22) here.

Declutter for 15 mins a day in the current zone!
Once decluttered, go on to 15 mins a day of detailed cleaning.

Today's mission - last one in the boudoir - can be found: here. Spend 15 mins decluttering your dressing table if you have one or tops of chests of drawers if you don't!

The daily focus for Fri is: decluttering purses, handbags, cars + it is date night apparently.

Top tip from your thread leader (blatantly nicked from Knitting) I normally try not to use too many Ajax or Dettol wipes for environmental reasons, but if you keep a stash in the car, they are terrific for wiping down steering wheel, dashboard or any sticky areas inside car, or in my case, removing dog nose prints from inside of passenger seat window, when you have 10 mins waiting for a child to emerge from school/dance class/friend's house!)

The habit for October is getting rid of paper clutter,
here: www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/october/.
(Scroll down for detailed explanation.)

The daily flight plan here: www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 will update itself (hopefully) and will provide a quick summary of the above.

We've nearly made it through another week everyone - keep going!

Massive congratulations on the new babies! Sympathies for the bad backs and mastitis.
After ending last week so exhausted I couldn't sleep and instead found myself googling the physical impacts of long term raised stress hormones ....
This week has been easier and I have managed at least 6 hours sleep a night
Managed to degunk two kitchen drawers, vacuum the stairs and last night I set the timer and did 15 minutes in the dining/work room - which is our main living space and the worst area in terms of clutter and chaos. I thought I should prioritise this over the bedroom as I'm usually only in there when it's dark - so who cares what it looks like - right?
Aiming to do another 15 mins in dining/ work room today as last night didn't make much of a dent.

strikingclock I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong but I don't get the baby steps from that first link, I get the launchpad.

Also thank you for sifting through the site, it is...ummm...well, they could have used a website designer whose aesthetic/site mapping preferences were not so retro.

I wondered why there wasn't an UFYH thread on MN (or why it wasn't more popular), but since it's basically Flylady without the twee, you've got it covered.

Today I hoovered my car and my house, did a load of washing, and bathed my baby, who tipped a flowerpot onto the kitchen floor.

Note to self: go wash kitchen floor.

Hope everyone's boobs are feeling OK. And thank you for the motivation!

Hi to jointheunicorns

My boobs are feeling quite pucker today thanks

I've checked that baby-step link from my lap-top and it is correct from where I am sitting, but perhaps others could have a go and report back?

In the meantime, if you are looking for today's step on the extremely unwieldy Flylady site then it can be found under "getting started"!

Since apparently the babystep is "read this website" gah noooo I will just...I dunno, wash something instead.

I am glad to hear your boobs are well.

I'm on a mobile, maybe that's why the link is funny? All the other links go to the places you said they'd go to.

AHAHAHA I can't read. Ahem. Sorry, strikingclock, your links are fine, I've just been blithely prodding the wrong bit on the screen and then wondering why it's not the right page.

I am smart today, oh yes.

No worries Jointheunicorns - you get points for actually reading the links which is more than I do sometimes

But if you are seriously wondering where to start, then how about 15 mins decluttering in current zone or in a room that needs it most? Don't be tempted to do any more but repeat tomorrow! Good luck!

Thanks! It's the routine part I struggle with more than anything else. We move a lot and I'm pretty good at big declutters and being reasonably minimalist, but the everyday stuff?

NOPE.

I just need someone to kick me (nicely) and tell me that yes, today you WILL change the sheets, and tomorrow you will tidy your car or whatever.

It always takes less time than I think to tidy and clean (yay minimalism?) but I don't do it!

But I will, so help me. I will not be concerned that my latest craft project is all over the floor when the health visitor people come over! Because it will be put away. Honest.

Ooh! Babies!! squee!! - congratulations

Waves to Unicorns

Hope financial stuff works out, SC.

Have done no flying again but work is progressing and the event in London yesterday was very inspiring. Need to do some follow-up emails before I forget.

Hi all, congratulations Furble and Afresh . Foxes glad you are feeling better.

Just want to say thanks to all of you for such a lovely thread - it is so motivating and friendly .

Was a bit rubbish yesterday but am back on it today...

Ta das:-
Home bleurgh (think I've got that right!) done - mostly by DH to be fair
One module of work online learning done
Bath time (only achieved as promised DDs exciting day tomorrow so they will need lots of rest!)
Laundry in progress

To do:-
Bedtime
Study (sadly am at the point where I just have to do it whether I have lots of free time or not )
5 mins decluttering
Laundry when will DD2 stop pooing in her pants?
Tea for DH and me

We are off on holiday on Sunday so have got to do lots of packing tomorrow and take cat to cattery and some other bits. Both DDs v excited (except about putting poor cat into cattery) and keen to help pack and make as much mess as possible along the way.

Also could do with a packing list - of course have not got round to making one. Have never flown with DDs before and am used to just chucking everything in the boot of the car. Any recommendations for a free app please for it - am off to look at the App Store now?

Grey no sorry don't listen to Archers - am more of a rubbish chat music kind of radio listener I'm afraid. Although maybe I should start, it's meant to be good.

Welcome to Unicorns

Thanks for links SC (I often go days without actually looking at them )

So, fledglings... Today I have been decluttering like a boss! I went into the loft...oh yes. I took an inordinate amount of glee in turfing out:
-Three over flowing boxfiles and two ring binders full of paper crap that went into the recycling
-A huge box of DH's old university textbooks that are out of date now, so no point keeping - destined for Facebook selling group
-A huge stack of flattened cardboard boxes that I was keeping in case we would be doing our own packing for the move we're not
-A mini fridge, also destined for Facebook selling group
-All sorts of random shit that we were keeping in case it would be useful one day
-A box of mostly empty CD cases
-A stack of framed pictures that i don't ever remember owning
-An old suitcase
I then repacked the things that are allowed to stay, ready for the move.

More TaDas
Fed cats
Took DS to nursery
x2 loads of washing, one hung up
x2 beds made
Hoovered bedrooms
Listed crap on Facebook
Harangued solicitors and estate agent about getting a date for exchange of contracts
Trip to town:
-took first load of evicted loft crap to charity shop
-bought some flat shoes for work as my heels have been killing me
-finally sorted mobile phone upgrade
-weekly shop in Tesco
Put shopping away
Took sacks full of paper recycling out to garage
Fed cats
Collected DS

Once DS is in bed i plan to continue watching GoT series 4 whilst eating ice cream.

It has been a Good Day

Hi all; just back home and a bit cream crackered so pls forgive lack of personal responses. Will try and do a proper round up on Sunday! Waves to all!

*

Tomorrow's baby-step no 22 for Sat 22nd Oct is: here. It's about building your control journal in 15 mins and perfectionism causing procrastination.

Newcomers - here is the launch pad from which you can navigate the site:
www.flylady.net/c/lp.php .

Tomorrow will be our last day in Zone 4: The Master Bedroom, Bath, Closet (October 16-22) here.

No missions because it is the weekend!

I don't do zone work at weekends, but if you do, declutter for 15 mins a day in the current zone, or once decluttered, go on to do 15 mins a day of detailed cleaning.

Just for info: next week we will be in Zone 5 the sitting room/family room/den 23-29 Oct inclusive. This is unusual because we don't normally get a full week in the sitting room!

The daily focus for Sat is: family fun.

The habit for October is getting rid of paper clutter,
here: www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/october/.
(Scroll down for detailed explanation.)

The daily flight plan here: www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=-120 will update itself (hopefully) and will provide a quick summary of the above.

Have a fab weekend everyone - especially those of you with lovely new babies - rest as much as possible and enjoy!

**

Thanks for the links SC
I did my 15 minutes decluttering in the dining/work room today. Can't believe some of the really old paper clutter I found in one pile!
Also did some ironing today and
Washing up

Morning all

Ta Da!

Dryer on
Upstairs bins empty
Dry pots away

To Do

Bottle wash and sterilise
Wash pots
Washer on
Wipe table and surfaces
Kitchen bins

Morning all! I'm starting to feel much better although I've woken up with a bad headache today that won't shift. My mil is coming over soon to pick up dd and take her out for the day so will just be me and the baby until dh comes home from work. I've really noticed how grubby the house looks because all we've been managing to do is the basics recently and not any proper cleaning. I was tempted to go absolutely mad trying to sort it before mil comes over as she's such a perfectionist but ds is very grizzly and won't let me out him down at the moment and I've decided that I don't care what she thinks!! It's all on my head anyway and I doubt anyone else is really noticing stuff like that. I want to get some cleaning done today but in my own time with lots of rest in between no need to rush around just because I've got one visitor coming over!

Ta das
Dishwasher unloaded loaded
Kitchen sides quickly wiped
Dd bag packed for her day out
Rubbish out to bins

To do
Kitchen floor sweep and mop
Kitchen cupboards wipe
Sides wiped properly
Dusting everywhere
Bathroom swish and swipe
Laundry
Ironing
Room rescue bedrooms

Joining thread.
My house is an absolute tip and needs serious decluttering and cleaning.
Today I have:
washed up
Cleaned sink and surfaces
Given toaster and kettle a quick wipe
Cleaned toilet, bathroom basin and bath, removed used flannels/towels for washing
Slowly trying to tackle laundry mountain.
I have to entertain DD (2) at the same time so progress is slow. Cbeebies is going to have to do quite a lot of babysitting today.

Right DD is on her nap, or is meant to be it sounds like she's doing her trampoline practice in her cot.
So I'm taking the opportunity to have a sort out through her toys which are cluttering up the living room.