Gather ye dusters (fledglings) while ye May, for soon we shall be Flying ... !

[Slurrycart]

Welcome to the May 2017 fledgling Fly thread!

Feel free to park your mops and buckets here from the 1st of the month!

This is where we attempt to declutter our homes and follow the 30-step wisdom of Flylady (minus cutesy barftastic 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 ):

1 - repeat or start baby steps (again!)

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

or

3 - reinforce babysteps and/or do daily missions
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 welcome!

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!

Airing bedroom very important Einstein
Take whatever pleasures you can from parenting this age group

Oh i am having lots of fun. But then I am apparently mean, evil and sarcastic
ta da
2 beds with clean washing.
on 3rd load of washing
Toilet is currently being bleached.

Now to figure out what to do with a had a bad day at school ds who forgot to go to the club he does on a monday. I fear there may be lots of lego involved by the current sounds

Join the club Einstein!

Right, this is it, after lots of faffing about, I am going in... under the bed ... .

Zoo cattle prod at the ready please! (If you have er, stopped being ravished that is )

Hi all!

Sorry been a bit awol. Both kids got school trips so been busy getting sorted for them.

Lots of sympathy with the teens/pre-teens. My DD been on edge all weekend snapping my head off. She's away on school outward bound trip today and I think has been worrying about it. Now she is away I am really missing her and it's only day one!! Meanwhile DS (12) at the weekend left a football stadium game early and walked with one friend for miles through a less than ideal part of town to get to a McDonald's. He likes to wander and thinks he is way more streetwise than he is and is pushing my buttons...and is now grounded. He likes to do things first then ask afterwards...

Ta da's

Morning routine

To dos
Catch up with the tasks
Strip DD's bed and tidy her room
Laundry load

Weather has been rubbish here and I am missing getting everything dried quickly

Have a nice day 💕💕💕💐💐💐

Belated birthday wishes to Blue

Waves to fledglings - is it still only Monday, adulting is painful already this week and there's so much of it left

Even DD is being a little more reticent than usual over some invitations matters which I am slightly concerned about. I, on the other hand, have been the opposite of reticent and upset a friend in doing so.

Still, gorgeous day weather-wise so the laundry is drying nicely and we had a lovely weekend. And it is only Monday, still time to turn things around! BBL!

WTF SC are you mad?!

Good luck sc, you are braver than me!

Ta das

Week meal plan
Shopping list
Brought in dry washing
Third wash hung out
Fixed hole in work trousers
Ironing (still doing)

To dos

Dinner
Online shopping returns to sort
Kettle Pile 😭

[Emerges for air]

First canary has copped it sadly ... .

Ok, don't be too judgemental, and please bear in mind that this is not the bedroom dh and I sleep in; but the hideous boudoir where we all dress (same floor as sole bathroom).

Under the bed was lurking:

• two sketch books still in plastic wrappers
• a pair of gardening clogs
• a sea of bubble wrap
• one patent shoe (dd)
• one spray can thingy of Veet hair removal cream
• two empty rubbish bags
• one yellow paper recycling bag
• one brand new ironing board cover with ducks on
• one tube of hand cream
• one plastic concertina file containing architectural plans
• 4 socks (none of which belong to a pair of course)
• 4 clothes catalogues (for ageing rotund folk)
• a spool of Micropore
• 3 wire hangers
• a pair of dd sandals
• a spool of grey present wrapping ribbon
• a sheet of indigestion tablets
• an empty cracker box with very important things written on it
• a grabber stick
• a pair of jodphurs (dd)
• a head torch (dd)
• and a winning Lottery ticket for £46Omillion quid ... .

spot the joker!

if only

Waves to Mumontherun
Hope your dd has a lovely trip!
And good luck with the grounded pre-teen!

Hi to Cotswold really glorious weather here too! Hope the week gets better as it goes along!

Well done re your list BluePheasant and everyone else!

BluePheasant on-line shopping returns are the bane of my life. I buy virtually all of our clothes on-line (most clothes too short for us here and too slimline in my case) and I always manage to lose the return forms etc etc. (Which is what they rely on I suppose.) Trying to be much more judicious with my purchasing.

On-line grocery order has arrived which I could have sworn was coming on Wednesday so need to unpack.

Thanks for organising rescue party Einstein by the way. Do they come with ?

Love your bed-mining excavations there SC

Another happy belated birthday Pheasant - any plans to celebrate.

Um, what is a kettle pile? Something I've missed whilst I was off hiding under a rock....

Ta Das
Took DS to nursery
Went to work
Picked up DS

That is all!

I have a day at home by myself tomorrow which I'm really looking forward to. But I wouldn't be surprised if DH decided he will "work" from home once he realises I'll be home. Sometimes I just like to be completely by myself at home, the place feels so peaceful and calm when no one else is there

If you give me enough warning I am sure that we could organise some tame friendly firemen. But is a given.
Also your list reads like what I would find under the sofas in the lounge if i were to pull them out an look except the lottery win but not going to say no to one of those

Spent 15mins cutting things in the garden whilst tea was cooking. And thankfully the weather seems to be favouring me as I might be saved having to go out and water the plants that got put in yesterday... Oh goodie.

Grey, I think Afresh (or zoo?) coined the kettle pile phrase. Basically all the crap / letters / hair bobbles / things to be dealt with or put away that end up being put on the worktop out of the way for safe keeping / organising.

Ah yes the bliss of an empty house...

Amazing under the bed work SC!

I am on the bus on my way out for my work meal! Excited as it is lovely collaegues going. Decided to take DDs to park after school to wear them out to make it easier to get out of the house and tonne kind to DH for bedtime. Mixed results! Basically just lost lots of time but they are a bit tired. Running a bit late but prioritised shower, make up and jewellery (I do shower (!) but make up and jewellery are very hit and miss with me usually) so at least feel vaguely human.

Also sent email while on bus.

Big wing flaps to all.

Also how do I join this rescue party with he alcohol and firemen ?

[SC discards empty gin bottles, removes fireman's hat and emerges from cloud of fire suppressant foam]

[Hic] Come on in Toostressy and everyone else!

The night is young

But just before things get out of hand; here are tomorrow's links ...

*

The summary for Tues 23rd is available on the Flylady website here under "Today" and via the flight plan which should update itself automatically on a daily basis.

Baby-step no 23 for Tues 23rd is here. It is about adding an "after school" or "after work" routine to your day.

We are in Zone 4 this week : The Master Bedroom, Bath, Closet (May 21-27) here.

Spend 15 mins decluttering the current zone.

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

Tuesday's mission is: here. Spend 15 mins sorting any clothes piles that have accumulated in the boudoir, on a chair, or on the bed. Take the opportunity to chuck away anything that you don't love or that doesn't fit.

The daily focus for Tuesday is planning. Holidays, menus, outfits, appts etc.

The monthly habit is moving in May!.

Daily reminders (which should also update automatically) are here.

Small steps everyone!

Hope you get a day to yourself tomorrow Grey and enjoy your night out Toostressy (after you've paid a visit to our party of course!)

[hic] G'night all!

Sending them your way Cotswold

And arf at "adulting"

Hope you are ok Afreshstart

Cheers Einstein

Adulting? nah, ds is refusing to go to bed, so I have gone to bed instead It is wonderful and he will be utterly miserable tomo but he always has to learn the hard way. And I am tired. So it is an early night for me

Cheers SC Have a fabulous night out toostressy hope tomo goes to plan for you grey

Mn ate 4attempts to post.
If this goes I will attempt a 5th essay in the morning!!

Zoooooo come back it is working, we have

Typical it all gets exciting when I turn my back!!

My day went pear shaped. Dd2 texted me kid broke umbrella/pour water over her decide yesterday threat push down three flights stairs,push heas against metal cabinet,another punch to arm and draw penis on pencil case in sharpie pen...I saw red and after collect ds n lil zoo trail over to collect her/have words tutor.due to nature of my allegations he now has paperwork to forward to head of year and promised speak child in question first thing. Dd2 best friend accompany us as witness.we then detour via shop for ice Lolly's and stroll home scenic route thru nature reserve.got him at 630!!by time sort little ones tea dd2 was freaking phone wasn't working(saying no Sim) attempts fix it were futile.she completely cracked.then kits escape bathroom.I lost will to live.finally regained control of zoo and ate a sandwich at 10 then flake out on sofa
Last nights wash up glaring at me
Dp underfoot today

I am on duty to weigh in at community cafe 830 and make a blancmange for the knit and Natterer's

Good morning Zoo and everyone else. (Thx for spread.)

Zoo so sorry your DD2 had to go through that . I hope the school deal with the bully firmly.

Awful news overnight in Manchester . Any form of terrorism truly hideous and cowardly but particularly despicable somehow when they target the young.

After all the events here, I will not be allowing DD on the metro today. Going to drive her to school and back.

Keep safe everyone.

dp just rocked up and tell me not pur radio/news on.ds us a very sensitive kid who frets over these things terribly so we shelter him from it for now

Tutor don't deal to my satisfaction sc I be 'avin His giblets on a plate

Tadas
Scout cat fed
Wash on
Bleach lav
Feed kits
Litter tray cleaned
Make quick vegan ginger banana muffins
Quick tidy front room
Breakfast and pack ups done

Sorry to hear that about the tutor Zoo

Dh back and says security very tight everywhere - we'd forgotten Trump is in town today - oh joy.

I've had to turn the radio off too. Those poor families who still haven't heard from their dc... .

On the Flying/work front have loads to do today so going to close the screen and set to.

Ta da:
animals
morning routine inc wm, dw, td, s&s, dining room table hot spots

To do:
pack up on-line parcel returns
post office and bank
find editing books (cont'd)
laundry (cont'd)
boudoir (cont'd) inc strip mattress cover and wash
finish putting away dry goods from on-line grocery order
inc shower gels/shampoos etc bathroom cupboard
put away Boots order
calendar/9-week school hol planning (cont'd)
baking if time

Wing flaps to all.

Such sad news saw on breaking news last night and couldn't sleep as just knew it would turn out to be something like this. Poor, poor people.

Slow getting going this morning.