Fledglings cocoon, we're Flying in June ... .

[SansCollier]

Welcome to the June 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 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!

How are you feeling Cag ? I know that it can feel different once you get that little bit of paper, even if you 'knew' before.

I am not entirely certain that I have managed to make any progress on my to do list [hmm[

I think my primary feeling is relief TBH! I pretty much knew DS would be diagnosed but when she said DD is on the spectrum too I cried. I thought it would take longer for her because she hides so much, but it turns out the ADOS did a damn good job of showing what she struggles with.

So now just waiting for the full reports, and then there will be another appointment in which to discuss possible comorbidities like dyspraxia

So glad you got a definitive answer for both DC. Is a positive step but must be very emotional too

Ta das

x2 loads washing hung out
Kitchen table cleaned
Kitchen floor swept and washed
Collected DD from nursery
Lunch

To do

Peel self from sofa
Lunch dishes
Decide what to do for dinner
Chip away at ironing mountain

I was about 12 when I was doing the family laundry but we had a family breakup around that time and I was left to look after my little sister pretty much

bluepheasant

I have a dyson v6 best dyson I've ever bought!! However if a new purchase is not the way forward the dyson hoses are quite easily available. If I remember correctly you're quite close to me my electrician does dyson parts if you need me to put you in touch xx

cag

So please you got the diagnosis sending much love xxx

cag it must be a relief to get diagnosis,and on both at once!

It's so crazy that it was both! But DD's assessment a couple of weeks ago took sooooo long (much more complicated than DS' because his behaviours are much more obvious IYSWIM) that we ran out of time, so we had to wait. But it's done now and I am SO relieved.

I lost the thread!!

Yay foxes, good to have you back . Cag, I'm glad that you feel relieved and can get some plans in place now . Einstein, fingers crossed you find the spider soon!

I am still ok to do the July thread everyone, as long as you don't mind it finishing a few days early as we go away on the 29th.

Still ploughing on with the decluttering here. DH is off work this week and has decided to paint the boudoir which has resulted in everything that was under the bed being taken out and dumped in the study. So now there is stuff everywhere and it all needs sorting. Have decided to see the positive - it needed decluttering and there was a ridiculous amount of stuff under there.

Ta da:-
DDs helped with the under the bed stuff and found loads of dress up stuff that I had forgotten about . Plus Xmas comics that they opened today .

Good day with DD2!!!! DH and I are really trying the 123 magic and although there are frequent issues I feel so much better that we have a plan. Still really struggling in the car and on walk to school though so will ask at parenting class about those. Happy to take tips on here too if anyone has any - undoing her seatbelt is a favourite.

She is still awake now as had a nap this afternoon - snuggled with DH watching a film and they both bloody fell asleep . So I am not naive enough to think bedtime will be easy or that every day this week will be great.

Thanks for the exhausting ideas people. Trampoline definitely good idea. It I don't think we have the space . SC, DH really wants a dog but in the future - think it would push me over the edge now although can see the appeal for the kids.

Purple, hope teaching is a bit better this week if it is cooler where you are.

SC, thanks for the kind words re. my parents. Perhaps you are right. We are seeing them again this weekend - perhaps a misguided idea that seeing them more often might reduce the over excitement. Dreading it but the parenting manual actually has some tips of what to say to unhelpful grandparents so will resolve to use hem if necessary.

Altogether feeling more positive but that may be related to my glass of wine

Must get on as DD trashing her room and there is the under the bed stuff everywhere.

Ooh, also decluttered in zone 1 and got rid of loads of pens and pencils. I hardly ever buy any yet they just multiply .

Have busy morning (school run, vets with DD2 for cat's vaccinations and routine health check) tomorrow but lovely afternoon (DD2 school visit, meal out with friends) so just need to get through morning.

Big wing flaps to all.

Thank you Einstein thank you toostressy !

I finally finished putting my photos in my album today! Only taken me since February. Also cleared some hotspots in the living room.

Anyone have any stylish storage ideas for toys in the living room? We use our foot stall at the moment but we are getting rid of it soon as getting new sofas (hoorah!)

Just got rid of a load of empty CD cases!!! Why on earth were we keeping those under the bed ?

Thanks zoo I have to keep telling myself it's getting better, there is more is leaving the house than coming in, so it's got to start making a noticeable difference soon! Just feels like a never ending battle.

cag I'm glad you've had it all confirmed and now can move forward.

foxes I need to go through all my photos too, it'll be a job I get done eventually, someday haha

stress I can never find a pen - felt tips, crayons, pencils by the bucketload, pens seem to disappear overnight

I second mermaids dyson recommendation blue

did you manage anything off your list Einstein, my weekend was like that haha

ta da
dd2 decided to play independently outside for a little while so I managed to clean up a bit of the garden - it's in desperate need of some tlc, so I'll keep battling with it whenever dd2 is occupied. I never had a pretty garden growing up, it was all slabbed and I would love to achieve one, I haven't got a clue what I'm doing though

beds changed, dusted and hovered, the rest of the home bluergh can bore off this week
3 washes done
15 mins of putting clothes away and ironing
nothing achieved in the living room, but did give away some things out of the playroom, a pink playmat and a couple of pink toys to my friend, who's cousin is expecting a girl. She may also want all the clothes I've sorted through aswell which would be fantastic!
Everyone loved the new curry recipe! woohoo, another family meal added to the list.

Off to bed in a mo, dd2 has hardly slept all day so I'm expecting a disturbed night! Tackling the toys in the playroom and living room hotspots tomorrow!

Rosa, we must be taking all your pens then! They are everywhere .

foxes, I love ikea storage or great little trading company and could spend hours looking at their websites. In reality we have some jumbo boxes from JoJo Maman Bebe because they were good value and were pink so thought they would encourage DDs to tidy up. Now the kids are all broken (years old now) but can't afford lovely new storage there at present so have to console myself with website drooling .

Evening all (always want to do a Dixon of Dock Green bend of the knees when I say that, you may need to ask your parents what that means though!).

Cag glad you heard the results today, I imagine that the next week or two will be a time of very mixed emotions for you (and after that too). Relief at knowing, and concern about the practicalities.

Did actual cleaning today attempts to catch fainting fledglings not in the right zone but the hall/cloakroom/kitchen floor at the front of the house. They have taken a bit of a beating from all the stuff coming in and out with the renovation work, I don't think I realised how much myself until I wiped down the painted walls Need to do that in all rooms really!

One month at school left and we are heading into our usual manic territory with all kinds of stuff going on, both in and out of school. Took me ages just to unload the car tonight as it was stuffed with school/music/dance gear just from today!

Thanks for storage tips will start searching! I feel a trip to IKEA coming...

Just reread my post. Meant to say the lids are broken not the kids!!! Must learn to proof read.

I got 5 things completely done and 4 or 5 other things partially done plus a few things done that were not on the list. So an ok day as long as I don't look too hard at the original list.

Ds came home in a bit of a state. A kid got knocked off their bike outside school. Ds was a bit fragile by the time he got home and it resulted in massive meltdown and a compromise on who actually put the load of washing on. Hopefully the school will address the situation and reassure the kids tomo. Fingers are crossed that the kid is ok.

I can do links at the end of july if it is needed.

Ahhh ikea - sounds like an enjoyable trip to a black hole

I should sleep, my eyes are tired but I have drunk too much caffeine and I don't currently have a bed. tbh i am going to cheat and make it properly tomo and just cover the matress with a blanket and sleep under a sheet. Well it is rather hot and I am fidgeting enough to need to put the bedding back on the bed by the time i wake up.

Hi all,

Cag so pleased to hear that you have a definitive diagnosis without more waiting and hope this brings with it the support/strategies you want Also hope the Caglets are ok too!

Lovely to see you Foxes! And whoo hoo/whey hey to sorting the photos! Can't advise about stylish storage I'm afraid; all of ours is decidedly cheap and now shabby too i.e. plastic boxes from DIY store!

Toostressy that is v kind of you to take on July thread . I was going to ask tomorrow what everyone wanted to do but you beat me to it! We usually just post randomly without links during July and Aug as everyone is away at various times but to have a summer thread with links would be great too! I am mostly going to be away/busy with renovations/busy with visitors during those eight weeks so will leave it to you ... ta very muchly once more x

Also, well done re: decluttering! and glad the 123 working well! Hope I wasn't impolite re: your parents, which was not my intention! Just thought it might indicate boundary issues (on their side). Hope this weekend goes well! Fwiw - with the seatbelt thing - when dd was little, I immediately pulled over and stopped the car if dd tried to get out of her car seat or undo seatbelt etc and refused to move. It sometimes was a rather long and boring wait but it did the trick in the end. Just totally non-negotiable. Good luck!

Cotswold [dips knees in return in DDG manner] that's the problem with renovation works - it causes all the rest to need doing too! Glad the worst of it is over though. Sympathies over end of term mania! We are just in to our last week of manic term stuff and let's just say I will be very relieved when 30th June arrives (official end of term here)!

Rosa agree, it is a never-ending battle but will be worth it in the end!

This site is good for fledgling gardeners.

Goodness Mermaids 12 yrs is very young to have taken on all that responsibility

Well done re: your list BluePheasant

Congrats on great list achieved Zoo and I'll take a dozen of those t-shirts please! So sorry your ds (and you) had to go through all of that today! Hope he is feeling better now and that you both get a better night's sleep tonight!

Waves to Einstein and everyone else!

Sorry for posting links so late atm. Finding it easier to work in the evenings with dd effectively at home atm.

Bit of a stressful day. School operate a system whereby they phone you at home during Mon or Tues of this week if you have to re-sit a year, or have failed and have to re-take an exam or two. Poor dd is petrified every time the phone rings and adamantly refused to go out or move too far away from the phone! Anyway, day one has passed by without a call, fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Links coming up!

x post Einstein hope your ds is ok and school sorts it out tomorrow! Hope you sleep ok too!

[Dh is up and wandering around saying he has a temperature and a headache.]

Sorry for delay. Have just had to call emergency doctor for dh. He felt dizzy and had tingling in hand. Doc has been and gone (they come within the hour here) but says dh ok but with high blood pressure. I am very anxious about this but I suppose I need to accept the advice.

Anyway, links coming up ...

*

The summary for Tuesday 27th June 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. 27 for Tues 27th is here. Planning dinner in advance! I find this step extremely helpful. Flylady suggests either putting this step in your before-bed routine the night before or in your morning routine. Either way, knowing what you are having for dinner before 6pm swings around (as it inevitably does with attendant hangry people) is a huge stress reliever! If possible, doing some of the prep in advance is very helpful too!

We are in Zone 5 this week : The Living Room, Den, Family Room (June 25-30) here.

Spend 15 mins decluttering the current zone.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 5 (if you are at that stage) is here.

Tuesday's mission is here. Take 5 mins and dust the ornaments, picture frames and lamps in your sitting room.

The daily focus for Tuesday is planning!. Appointments, wardrobes, menus, holidays, etc!

The monthly habit in June is drinking water.

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

Small steps everyone!

*

Hope Dh is ok this morning SC

I slept like a log last night. minimal fidgeting, minimal dreams. I feel a bit zombie but a better zombie than yesterday iyswim.

Wishing good days to all.

Hope DH is feeling ok this morning SC

Thank you for Hoover recommendations. I've looked at that dyson one and also a vax cordless which looks v similar. Liking the idea of cordless hoover.

Food shop arriving shortly and think main mission of the day is to get on top of laundry!

Good work with the decluttering TooStressy we need to tackle under our bed and landing cupboard but there is just so much crammed in there and a lot of electricals, old laptops, cameras etc, I think it needs to be a joint effort with DH. Hoping in the summer holidays we can crack it!

how stressful for your dd sc poor mite, fingers crossed for no phonecalls today. Thanks for the recommendation of the gardening site!

stressy stop pinching my pens

I'm concentrating on the playroom rather than the living room this week, determined to move some toys out of the house, little bit everyday, dc are on board after a little chat with them this morning The aim is to get the floor cleared and surfaces cleared, its going to be a looonng week! I can only do it when dd2 is awake because she sleeps in there, it's going to be an interesting task, but very rewarding if I can achieve it!

ta da
drinking a hot coffee!!
breakfast cooked and cleared away
beds made
1 wash done

to do
15 mins putting clothes away
15 mins ironing
clean bathroom
planning
photo toys to that's already sorted to sell / give away
15 mins clearing the surfaces / floor of the playroom / dumping ground!

Nearly completed the 2nd month of flying with you guys - thankyou for all your advice and help so far!!

stressy are you pinching my owns too and teaspoons/scissors ?

Tadas
Fed cat
Fed kits n litter tray cleaned
Breakfasts n pack ups
Wash on
Drop lil zoo go via ATM as needs money for school
Into community cafe to make pastry for quiches - I'd not intended go today but short staffed...ds sat quietly with glass water.he no better/no worse.tired,lethargic.no want eat anything but small snacks (tea last night mullerice)not good as he's under dietetics be so slenderno more dodgy coughing but chest still painful.out if hours said if no better in 4days go gp so he's prop up on sofa now looking sorry fir self