Fledglings Fly back to school & work, September 2017, decluttering along the way ...

[Sandycarrots]

Hello, it's time to brush the sand off our feet, empty out the suitcases, sharpen our pencils, polish our lace-up shoes, and get stuck in to the September 2017 fledgling Fly thread!

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.

Fly stands for Finally Loving Yourself (cheesy but there is merit to it). The general idea is that short bursts of tidying / organisation are more achievable than marathon efforts. Flylady advises 15 minute bursts of effort but you can tweak this to fit your own circumstances.

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!

More info available here, here and here.

Your choice whether or not you sign up to the Flylady e-mails, but we advise caution as there are lots of them!

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!

foxes is it a school pre school or private? This does seem to make a difference

I agree it might make a difference.

That said I have had fantastic support with DDs' toileting at both private and school pre school. The ethos may be different though.

Its a preschool not private . They take age 2-5 and are happy to take non potty trained children which is why I kind of assumed they would help her more. Thanks toostressy . The thing is dd is adamant her teacher wiped for her I could understand if she had said she did it herself and they were encouraging independence.

I think I'll have to take a deep breath and bring it up with her key worker. And maybe start getting dd used to doing it herself as well.

Who knew this would be my first issue of the new term! I guess it must be fairly common though.

foxes i would raise it in that case as i would expect them to help. For what its worth my dd now in reception still struggles to wipe.

Feeling better now as I have had carbs. Turns out I somewhat misunderstood what the consultant had meant when I saw her last week. She had said to avoid pasta etc so I took it very literally (hazard of being autistic!) but turns out she was actually meaning to cut it down! Said my numbers have mostly been too low and no wonder I have been feeling so awful oops.

Oh dear cag at least you know now!

Good evening all.

I'm ashamed to say that I did absolute minimal Flying today and didn't even manage the home bleugh. Felt ancient and crumped and (literally) staggered through the day.

Sympathies to those whose sleep deprivation is not understood, which sounds really unfair

And I hope those in need get a bit more shut eye tonight.

Cag glad you can have some carbs after all! Hope you don't feel too wrecked after the appt and glad testing going better.

Toostressy I remember being surprised at how short the school day was and how little I could get done in the time available. It's why I started Flying I think as the short, sharp, consistent bursts of activity fit in well when you don't have a lot of time available to sort stuff. Well done for sorting cupboard!

Well done for decluttering the clothes Foxes! I will be doing the same this week (just realised that the school second hand sale that I have signed up to is this Saturday and not the following as I'd thought - duh). My vague recollection of pre-school toileting is that the dc soon get better at it after a few false starts (one of the purposes of pre-school is about acquiring all those sorts of self-care skills after all). If you are concerned though I would definitely speak to the teacher.

Links coming up. It's after 9pm here and I am heading for bed!

Weary but heartfelt wing flaps to everyone else!

The summary for Tuesday 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. 19 for Tues 19th is here. An ignorable one about testimonials.

We are in Zone 4: The Master Bedroom, Bath, Closet (September 17-23) this week 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 attacking any piles of clothes resting on a chair, the foot of the bed, on any other surface - decluttering as you go!

The daily focus for Tuesday is planning.

The monthly habit for September is the before-bed routine: here.

Flykid's challenge: here (hopefully continually renewing itself).

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

Small steps everyone!

***

ta da
book case reorganised
two tubs put into crafting area
top of two units sorted and reorganised
stuff put properly away in bottom of cupboard
bread made
lie in had
Print all the things
Laminate most the things needing it

Morning all
Had dp here yesterday for last of four days off so we took time out to just spend time together(rare)
Ds has now graced me with his man flu.cept i jyst have the irritation drippy bloody nose n bit scratchy throat.that said ive been awake with it most of night grrr(fwiw he nit snotty now but saying chest hurts and tired/weak and still eating maybe a quarter of usual)
Today i need crack on and do testerdays gubbins.my aim is to run like headless chicken til 10 then retreat back to bed if i still wrecked and catch some zzzzzzz
Tadas
Fed cat/kits
Littertray
Bleach lav
Wash on
Wash up last nights dinner things from me n dp
Wash living room floor
Clear and scrub living room table( that kit decide stroll on.i hate pets on food surfaces)
Scrub kitchen surfaces scoutcat decide nap on(he KNOWS thats not allowed and looks up with guilty face as i enter and start rant at .he was unceremoniously put out last night for that and not allowed back in for supper.today hes sitting in living room windowsill behind curtains keeping a low profile)
Bbl with more lists(hopefully)

I'm awake too as I made the mistake of having caffeine yesterday evening. Busy day as Tesco delivery arriving - did I clean out the fridge, NOPE. Then I have two lessons (plus tidying beforehand although I suspect much will be delegated but how much depends if DH's sports club is rained off), then a picnic - wouldn't be going but friend offered a lift ❤️ - then growth scan, then to another friend's who lives right by the school where tap lesson occurs (possibly teaching her DS too before their lesson if time). Aaaaargh.

Also up

Another bad night. Ds needed resettling every hour. Gave up at 230 and took him in our bed. He was asleep about 3 then up for day at five. Yawn.

Need to shift my arse in a min and iron school uniform as yet again did not manage this at weekend

Ta da

Two uniforms ironed (third was already done)
All dc up fed and dressed
Table clear and clean post breakfast
Dryer on
One worktop clear and clean
Steriliser empty
Cheque written
Half pots washed

Morning all. Sounds like everybody has had early starts and bad nights . Ds was up screaming in pain last night we think trapped wind and he seems fine this morning thank goodness. Horrible when they cry and nothing you do helps.

Ta das
Everyone up and fed

To do
Daily routine
Today's mission
Bedroom declutter
Make fish pie for dinner
Make something with the cooking apples in the fridge that have been there for weeks and weeks...was thinking apple flap jacks.

Sticky back plastic book backing before coffee in the morning is not my idea of a fun game

ta da
successfully back books
not wrap ds in sticky back plastic and tape him to the wall - he has lost school books because he hasn't put them away This was a battle last year too, and apparently my fault
respect that motivation has stuck 2 fingers up and sodded off and drink coffee.

Morning all. Not a good start here either as, completely uncharacteristically, DD1 woke up having wet the bed. Also it turns out car MOT due next week so have had to find somewhere to get it done as normal place has no appointments (because I had left it so late). Was sure I had opted in to the text reminder but obviously not . Thankfully I have found somewhere local, just have to hope they are ok .

Have given up, cancelled my hair appointment and am going to stay in the house in a bid to GET STUFF DONE.

Ta da:-
Kids at school
MOT booked
Some laundry done

To do:-
More laundry
Rearrange eye appointment as it was on the day I have had to book the MOT.

General tidy up
Start decluttering the study

SC, you have inspired me to try to get into flying a bit more using the short bursts with a timer. Otherwise the days just run away with me.

Ta da

Two uniforms ironed (third was already done)
All dc up fed and dressed
Table clear and clean post breakfast
Dryer on
One worktop clear and clean
Steriliser empty
Cheque written
All pots washed
Three dc at school
Hob scrubbed
Other two worktops clear and clean
Highchair scrubbed
Sink cleaned
Toilet 1 wiped
Washer on x2
Washing on line / in dryer
All bottles washed
Bottles in steriliser
Kitchen swept
Living room 2 swept
Recycling out
Living room 1 toys picked up
Bin lid cleaned x2
Bathroom sink scrubbed

Good morning all! Sorry to hear so many of you had bad nights again. Think all of you are heroes for getting through such impressive lists when sleep-deprived and/or ailing!

Bloody hell Afreshstart how on earth you have managed to do all of that on so little sleep? - vv impressive - hats off

Toostressy Bummer about the hair appt. And hope car passes MOT without too many costs. Flying system definitely works but you have demanding job + 2 dcs so don't be hard on yourself; all of it eats time.

Einstein and sympathy re: sticky back plastic hell. And well done re: organisation of books/unit reorganisation.

Oh your poor ds Foxes is gripe water still used nowadays or is that out of the ark? (They are very keen on fennel tea for babies here.) Glad he seems ok this morning and again, v impressed that you are contemplating baking on so little sleep.

Oh no, sorry you are ailing Zoo [proffers hot lemon and honey drink] you still got through a very very respectable list though!

Good luck with your very busy day Cag Again, take it steady when you are so tired.

Just got back from an interview for a voluntary position. It was a bit disappointing tbh as (from my v limited experience) organisation while undoubtedly doing good work, seem very old-fashioned and rather backwards looking. Dilemma now as I was offered the work but not sure I am totally on board with it ifyswim.

Out this afternoon so need to get all chores/food prep for this eve done in next two hours ...plus catch up on yesterday's mission in boudoir.

Bloomin' well done everyone! I doff my hat to all of you - seriously - you are all warriors!

Afternoon everyone I hope you are all well,sorry not been on in a while. To say I've been busy is an understatement. My wonderful dh fulfilled my lifelong dream and bought me a pony, so I am at the stables most of the time

Ta da
Dishwasher loaded
Kids at school
Bread baked
Stable mucked out
Pony groomed and fed

To do
Pick youngest up from school
Get youngest changed
Go stables and and get pony from field and put her down for the night.
Make tomorrow's packed lunches

I am so tired but so so happy

Ooohmumof how exciting

Tadas
Wipe bath n sink
Bins empty
Fed zoolets
Pack upd
Help ds find books/homework and get dressed or he would never been readi in time(hes still unwell in himself)
School run
Community cafe
Food shop with friend(and help her carry some of it home as near me anf she has 9kids and lots pets and dont drive so we often pop doen tog these days.she buys 3×6 pimts at a time!
Clean hob
Wash kitchen floor
Four loads waslodone dry fold n put away
I am totally ready to sleep now(but need go get lil zoo soon)

Tea tonight is poached fish with parsley sauce.new potatoes.runner beans and broccoli.follow by sliced plums and ginger biscuits
(Dd2 with either have dipping platter or soup)
Roll on bedtime!!

sc tbh baking might have been overly optimistic!!

Ta das
Daily routine
Decluttered drawer under bed
Tidied clothes off the floor

To do
Make fish pie for dinner

Baking can wait for tomorrow I think!

Pick up lil zoo
App made (as dd2 got up holding two halves of bottom bthursearliest is next wed.suspect need buy new set
App made ds at gp thurs as still not eating/exhausted
Rang school to arrange drop some books for library(at some point school library was taken without tell parents and now try reinstate it)
Also rant about parents driving on the PATH at back of school where kids come out as road is full inconsiderate driving.school has issued a text message an caretaker will out over next couple days noting situatiom

To do
Make tea
Fold last load laundry n put away
Make date view inside eyelids whilst pretend watch tv at earliest avail oppurtunity....

OOOOOOooooohhhhhh [double take

did someone say "pony"??????????????

How exciting!! Many congratulations Mumofazoo!!! Must have a pic please (if you don't mind of course - obviously ignore if too outing). (It is my lifelong dream too.) Is she for you to ride, or for dcs, or for companionship? Always longed to have "muck out stable" in my ta da list so I am very but also extremely delighted for you

Neeeiiigghhhhhhhh!