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!

Einstein where DC are concerned I get my kicks where I can...

Morning all

Been up between 4+5 everyday since weekend with baby ds. Getting into zombie state now.

Two weeks til house move. Nothing packed. House a mess. Nice.

Managed to leave kitchen 50% sorted last night. All pots washed and two worktops plus table clear.

Ta da

Dryer on
Dry dishes away

afresh I feel your pain , ds has also been getting up ridiculously early of late (although not as early as 4 poor you!) and I am feeling increasingly like a zombie myself! He got up at 6.15 today though so that's an improvement at least!

I'm just having a coffee in bed while ds wrecks the bedroom . I felt a bit better last night, then woke up shivering at 3am just after I'd got ds back to sleep , dosed myself up with ibuprofen and paracetamol and feel a bit better again now but still not 100% right. Really hoping I've avoided full blown mastitis and won't need to go to the gp for antibiotics. It's hard to clear because ds doesn't actually feed that much anymore.

Anyway enough moaning. Afresh I think I missed that you were moving! Are you going far?

We are going on holiday soon so I really need to get things organised...

To do
Daily routine
Hoover
Ironing
Go to the library

Bloody hell Afreshstart that is a lot of plates to keep spinning all at once. Especially when sleep-deprived . Well done re: kitchen!

Good luck with the painting Einstein

Waves to Zoo (and puts whistling kettle on)

Right, we are now off to school the executioners. Please cross toes and fingers.

Have a good day everyone!

x post Foxes

Go steady! And rest up properly! [Stern look over pince nez.]

Sounds like you can really do with a holiday!

We are only moving up the road, which means we can move gradually. However the new house is not yet finished and we only have two weeks left. Workmen are being slow and it's stressful!

Ds was up at 430 this morning. He went down for a nap at 630 and just as I was gonna try and have half an hour on the sofa dd woke up.

Aiming to try and leave house semi tidy when I go to work however this usually does not work out

Hope you feel better soon foxes

Morning all. So DH is back at work and we've achieved nothing really other than clearing the stairs and getting the table clearer (still a hotspot but it's manageable). Been so insanely busy that we've barely had time at home to sort stuff out. I'm gutted.

And not feeling well today TBH after travelling to see family yesterday. Caglets have a club this morning, last one we can get to before September so it's important to go, but it also means we are likely to see the girl who bullies DD, and her mum (she doesn't do the actual class but will be arriving for the other class later) and I am embarrassingly terrified nervous because it's all coming to a head. I think after that we might just have the afternoon at home with a movie or something.

May have SIL popping over next week so need to make the house nicer too. In particular looking the huge pile of stuff on top of the bookcase (literally the same height as the bookcase itself) - I had a dream that it had all fallen down 😱😱😱

cag afternoon with a movie sounds perfect, something to look forward to! I might do the same as dd has got Moana on dvd and I'm quite keen to see it!

Afresh isn't that always the way when one child falls asleep the other one wakes up? My two do this in the car all the time - ds wakes up as soon as we get home and DD nods off as soon as we get home!!

SC dh has to work unfortunately so holiday will be mainly spent with my parents and their dogs which will be lovely but not quite as relaxing as if dh was there and no dogs!! Still I am hopeful that my parents might take pity on me and take ds when he wakes up at the crack of dawn! He will probably sleep like a dream baby while we're away and then back to usual when we get home

I'm still not feeling quite right but have dosed myself up again and am determined to get some stuff done this morning. I think I'll feel worse if I sit around doing nothing.

Aww cag how awful for your dd! Would your SIL help you with the house maybe? I personally have been setting a timer for 5 mins in the playroom at a time, I can only do the rrom whilst dd2 is awake so it is really difficult, but it has really made a HUGE difference this week, I only did 15 mins in there yesterday, concentrating on the surfaces and the kids came home and said 'wow, whats happened in here!' haha so maybe you could do the top of the bookcase in 5 min slots?

afresh sending lots your way, early mornings are tiring ! Hope you manage to rest in the day.

sc hope the meeting goes as well as it can do!

foxes Really feel for you, mastitis is horrid, plenty of rest and let dh take over. Shower, hot flannels, massage the area and hand express if ds isn't feeding as much (I'm sure you already know this anyway, but it's made my toes curl for you, I've had it a few times in the past, with my 1st, it was the reason I gave up bf so early because it turned into an abscess that I had to keep going to the hospital to have drained, just awful) Hope you get it cleared and you feel better soon!!

ta da
beds made
s&s
breakfast made and cleared away
kids at school

to do
wrap pressie for non uniform day at school tomorrow
15 mins ironing, putting clothes away and in the playroom (clearing floor space again today)
mend my change bag, plus playing teddy vet to the that the kids ran downstairs with once they heard me mention sewing haha
Find tax credit letter??!! I'm sure that's due soon?
Bag up and send the clothes that sold on ebay (yay, more things leaving the house!!)
Buy upcoming birthday cards while I'm down the street
Repack change bag
Get a car essentials pack started (I'm thinking, nappy bags, wipes, tissues, map, deicer & scraper, travel first aid kit - any other recommendations?)

[SC runs in to haughty corner, lies on back, waggles arms and legs in the air like a discombobulated ladybird, stands up again, cackles, jumps around, hangs up bunting, breaks open the champagne ... ]

all to the accompaniment of Black M's "Sur Ma Route" which is playing at at about 1,000 decibels in our sitting room at the moment while 6 teens devour pizza and dance around hysterical with delight ....

can't believe it (and please forgive maternal boast) talk about reversal of fortunes overnight! Following a completely putrid end-of-term report in which virtually every teacher was expressing disappointment, dd has somehow (the rascal, bless her) managed to get over 80% in all of her exams but one! She even came top of the year in one subject! So she is through to next year and no catch study to do over the summer! Whey hey! Terribly proud of her! (Although she has certainly put us through the ringer!) And I think (I hope and pray anyway) she has taken it on board that she can't get away with that next year when everything ramps up another gear!

Phew! And treble phew! Can't believe it!

Expansive wing flaps to one and all! BBL to catch up properly!!

really, really pleased that it's all sorted sc

More done on the playroom this morning, really pleased with how far it's come along

ta da
as much time as dd2 has allowed on the playroom
Change bag mended
clothes bagged up and posted, cards bought (along with playroom celebratory cake that is currently being eaten with coffee )

Leaving the playroom now while I get the other stuff done, may revisit it if I have time later on .

That's great news SC .

Hope you are managing to get a tiny bit of rest foxes.

I have a busy couple of days so may not be on much but will make a new thread and post a link for it tomorrow then it is ready for Saturday 1st July.

Great news sc!

Foxes I really liked Moana! Excellent in terms of role models as well IMO, strong female heroine and none of the whole falling in love with prince who rescues her etc.

Rosa thank you, 'meeting' was actually ok as DD was eating lunch surrounded by her lovely friends and just made brief small talk when the girl came over. The mum ignored all of us, fine by me TBH. Then we went to the park with one of DS' best friends and the three of them had a fab time while me and his mum chatted away so I feel quite refreshed now!

Re: the house it's a bit of an awkward situation really. SIL didn't react well at first to the pregnancy news, and part of it was slagging us off for the state of our house!!! The last time she came over it was when they turned up unannounced one evening when I was mid flare up, it was right after the school situation all blew up for DD (bullying which is what pushed us into HE) and yes the house was absolutely hideous at that moment they showed up. But I feel so awkward about it now. It's not nearly so bad now but I am really nervous

Also she is absolutely snowed under, we are all ok now but I wouldn't ask her because her DD wasn't well for a while and she does a huge amount looking after her grandchild etc so I'd never want to pile more on her plate!

Ta das
Library
Daily routine
Decluttered toy box in living room
Cleaned toy kitchen in living room
Dusted TV table
Decluttered under sofas
Took loads of toys upstairs
Popped loads of old balloons!!
Made cheese and beans on toast for our lunch

Phew! Living room is looking much better and I feel on a bit of a role now. Still not feeling right but fingers crossed I'm getting better. Will have another bath later and try and make sure lump is totally cleared. Rosa thank you for the tips , I've had mastitis so many times and it always takes me bloody ages to clear the lump, it's so frustrating poor you having an abscess - I have avoided that so far , don't know how! I'm totally done with breastfeeding now, ds is ten months so we are on the final stretch and then I can switch him straight to cows milk .

Still not watched Moana! Hopefully tomorrow or I'll be taking it on holiday!

Aw it'll be nice to take on holiday I reckon, bit of chill out time. You've reminded me I need to check (among other things) whether the apartment we are staying in has a DVD player. Really hoping the train strike thing doesn't last and mess up our journey next Monday.

Caglets were desperate to go to their afternoon club anyway. So as I realised it's a special ceremony (for newbies not them) they needed black shoes and badges sewn on sashes... could I find badges NO! Quick dash to shoe zone and miraculously we are still on time. The Caglets don't have black shoes because they don't go to school :o leggings and joggers are having to suffice as black trousers though .

Definitely in the naughty corner tonight!!!

Thank you very much everyone!

I hope my post below was not too self-indulgent/smug-fest-ish which was not my intention. I was posting out of pure relief because this year has been so difficult and stressful for dd and her ma. I didn't post the half of it because it didn't seem appropriate at the time, but it involved - very, very sadly - the sudden death of one of her classmates (who is very much in our thoughts today as he should have been finishing the year with all of our dc ), and many other difficulties (academic and psychological) and so it was a cry of pure relief really! Classroom evacuations owing to terrorism, stress symptoms requiring ed psych treatment, studying in third weakest lang in very formal/rigid foreign ed system didn't help either. ....

Anyway, anyway, enough of that, how are all of you?

Cag so sorry, what with all the excitement, missed your post about potential difficult encounter this morning. I am so happy to hear that it passed by without too much angst for your dd and for you, and was not as bad as feared. And although I know exactly how you feel about the house (I am desperately disappointed in my own decluttering performance during the first half of the year) you musn't feel bad about not getting stuff done as intended! It is always the case (especially at this time of year) and you are growing a bump and battling a chronic illness. So I think you are being far too hard on yourself. Also, it is important to go out and see friends and do other social things while you can before Cagletini puts in an appearance! Also, if I may say so, it is not really your sil's place to comment how she has (although if her dd has been ill then perhaps she was talking out of stress/concern for you all). Hope the visit prep goes well (and sil has hopefully had time to get used to the idea of having another Cagletini around now too!).

Toostressy if you need help with new thread then I can pitch in until Thurs of next week and I am sure Cotswold would be happy to help too! Good luck with your busy week!

Rosa it is so encouraging when newcomers come on here and remind us of the power of 15 mins! So glad it is working for you! You have got me in a decluttering mood now! Arf at teddy vet! As for car essentials... sick bag? If not past that stage? Torch? Blanket? Water bottle? I carry a wind-up phone charger in mind too and a discreet stash of coinage.

Btw: top tip from former Fledgling Knitting - nappy wipes or any type of cleaning wipes are great for cleaning the interieor of the car when you have 10 mins waiting for a child doing an extra-curric activity!

I hope you are not over-doing it Foxes and that you are starting to feel a bit better. Rest if you can! Oh that's hard with your dh having to work during your holiday! Hope your parents can spoil you a bit so you get some much-deserved r & r.

Afreshstart gosh you must be exhausted after that schedule of dc wakings! Hope you have a better night tonight. Good news about only moving up the road although everything still needs packing. Are you working to a deadline of someone moving in to your current home, or can you take your time? Dealing with dc, and building work, and job, and house move/packing must be utterly exhausting

Right, teens have departed looking happy but a bit tired and emotional! (Not owing to alchohol I hasten to add - only soft drinks were served - but because of adrenalin crash I think.) They said they were going home to sleep. DD will be meeting up with them most of them again tomorrow night for which I must finish packing!

Waves to one and all!

x posts

Foxes that is a terrific ta da list particularly considering your fragile state of health atm. Please, please rest now!

Cag well done with last minute magic-ing up of sash etc! Hope the Caglets have a good afternoon!

Glad it was a lot better than your feared SC

cag did I miss that you are going on holiday too? Sorry, lots seems to have passed me by recently!
SC that's great news about your dd , well done to her!

I'm in my PJs now with a cuppa so will definitely be resting this evening!

Thanks Einstein could have sworn we were in, if not for the chop, a severe pummelling! Relief all round tonight!

[pours large quantities of for everyone]

V busy day - have not stopped since 6am - didn't have time to either eat, drink or go to the loo!

Ta da:
animals
wrapped 3 teacher presents
polished dd shoes
ironed school uniform (for last time this year - wee hee!)
gone to school meeting
lots of family phone calls!
gave various lifts to various teens
hosted other teens/supplied pizza
emptied dw
wiped down kitchen surfaces
dining room table hot spots x 2
shined sink
fed wms
did more organising/packing and laying out of clothes and equipment for dd camp (this took a long time!) + pillow/bed linen etc
made long list for ditto above
wrote Decathlon list for tomorrow
contacted sleepover parent for tomorrow night
contacted monitrice re: another admin detail
delivered present and card to tutor
sent grateful e-mail to another teacher
made braised pork cheek casserole
hung up washing
fed wms again
wrapped 2 birthday presents and sorted two cards for dd to write
wrapped 2 other little presents for sleepover friends
furry walk

To do:
hang up last bits of washing
tidy up kitchen after supper
fetch last bits for camp
animals again
put towels in for overnight washing

Going to post links for last time this month now and have an early night!

Have a good evening everyone!

Last links for the month and then I shall be handing the golden feather duster over to Toostressy who has kindly volunteered to run the July thread. Can you believe we are nearly in July? Someone slow down the clock please!

***

Here we are everyone: we have reached the last day of the Flying month! Congratulations on getting this far! If nothing else, we should all be reasonably well hydrated!

The summary for Friday June 30th 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. 30 for Fri June 30th is here. It reminds us
to look at the calendar for the month ahead and contains some useful information on daily and weekly routines here.

Tomorrow will be our last day in Zone 5 : 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.

Friday's mission is here. 10 mins spent sorting and chucking any random piles of clutter.

The daily focus for Friday is decluttering purses/handbags/cars + date night.

The monthly habit in June is drinking water.

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

for all of your Flying achievements during this month (and if, as in my case, there are not many of those: well done for just keeping everyone (in the inimitable words of Zoo "fed and not dead"!).

***

That's really kind SC but I'll be ok. Have drafted the OP anyway so will start the thread tomorrow.

Just had a pretty miserable bedtime and both DDs say they are not tired. What the bloody hell do I need to do to tire them out?

x post

Very relieved to hear you are resting now Foxes

x post

Oh dear that sounds very trying after a long day Toostressy. Don't have many suggestions for dc, but would for you make it all a bit more bearable?

Hope they drop off soon! It is very difficult when the nights are so light!