Lost the plot with clutter? Want sparkle(r)s in your sink? Come Fly with flare on the November Fledgling thread!

[Sludgecolours]

If you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, support and and along the way.

This is where, from the first of the month (seriously, HOW is it November already?!), we follow – loosely – the rules of FlyLady [see website here ]. (Pls ignore the barftastic language, and we suggest NOT signing up to the emails as there are rather a lot of them. All the info you need will be posted here on a daily basis.)

Helpful info on getting started here!.

We adopt a three-pronged approach:

-start or repeat baby steps

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone or area (yes, just 15 mins focused work a day makes a difference!)

and/or

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

[And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]

NB
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!

Another NB
Start where you are. There is no need to worry about being perfect – perfectionism = paralysis! There is no such thing as ‘falling behind’ with FlyLady, if you miss anything, just move on and continue as normal the next day.

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

Laundry is a massive Ta Dah!

Tonight de-cluttered one very large bag and school bag didn't find the DT planning though hmm! Need it for Friday. Sat by fire as I was very cold and fed it lots of paper.stuff that needs shredded or burnt as confidential. Good job done more tomorrow.
Madly washed floor and vacuumed before going to bed. Tired now. Starting to feel a bit itchy which might mean I need more meds so won't be able to go to school maybe should have taken more today. It is always a gamble between keeping it at bay and being fit enough for work.
Reasonably pleased with my TA Dahs today considering.

Well done everyone else seems to have been a flurry of things achieved today.

I've done clothes (two loads washed and drying, one to put away tomorrow).

Last of DDs xmas presents arrived today so now just stocking fillers to buy next week.

Need to email hours to work and go through rota received, do dishes and clear table (was watching Apprentice so have delayed this).

Left bedding and putting away clothes for tomorrow.

ta da
help mum declutter
take a sledge hammer to a built in wardrobe
trip to ikea to buy new bookcase to replace wardrobe
make cake and ice it
dw loaded and running
washing machine on a cleaning cycle

to do
put a load of washing on
read book before tomo morning
regret late evening coffee drinking

Thanks sc but I only work part time (and then random hours as I work from home) and no dcs at home so no excuse! Wednesday afternoon is always completely full for me as it’s a half day as you know so lots of students.

Tadas

A couple of loads of washing on and out
D/washer loaded (but too late to put on)
Maths done for student (took up a lot of the evening)
Vacuumed

Naughty corner

No Dutch done so didn’t achieve the anti-procrastinating (though I did put Eén on today (I never watch tv in the day) but it was a debate in Parliament about Spain/Catalonia mainly in French so that didn’t do much to help my Dutch!)
No progress on the October books

I’m not going to make a list for tomorrow as I have to go to see my bil in Mons. He has got himself in such a mess and I’m the only one in the family (well me and his ex wife) who are helping him sort it out. Though I suppose that could go on the list!

Waves to everyone. Lots of busy people on here!

What are Ta das? Icings on the cake type jobs?

I've done dishes, just having a little bit of me time with a cup of tea before waking DD to give her breakfast.

Ta da:
Dishes.
Diary for today.

To do:
Change bedding
Put away clothes
Change guinea pig cage.
Clear shelves and bed side cabinets in master bedroom and chuck into attic.
Cook tea

DH has big work meeting so waiting for him to contact after that too

LadyMuddle

ta da's are yah ta da I did it (with or without jazz hands). basically a fancy way of saying done.

Good morning all! [said with funny muffled voice because just back from dentist]

Hope everyone is ok? You've certainly all been v busy.

A very warm welcome to LadyMuddle! You have come to the right place! If everything seems overwhelming, then highly recommend the Flylady system - it's like eating an elephant - small steps at a time!

The "ta da" list was coined by a (former) honorary fledgling known as PA. Lots of fledglings find it helpful to write down what they hope to achieve that day on this thread ("to do" lists) and "ta da" lists are posted when they have achieved them (as in "ta da!" big reveal!).

Writing things down sometimes help to motivate (a) because it sort of holds you accountable and (b) when you write down your achievements for the day in black and white, it usually turns out that you have done more than you thought you had. HTH! Any more qs, don't hesitate!

Sounds like we work similar hours Longtime and I only have dd at home (and the furries). Have a good day (as poss in circs) in Mons!

Hills I like the idea of you sledge-hammering a wardrobe one moment and icing a cake the next

FlyingJellyfish hope your dh's meeting goes well. I didn't realise you had gps . I used to have two whom I adored - they were such fantastic characters - went on to rabbits but miss gps a lot! Especially their vocalising!

Glad you are feeling better Bowerbird5 and hope symptoms did not return today. You have given me a very good idea for paper decluttering ie feeding the fire (have a small wood burning stove at wreck2)! So much more inviting to think of sitting in front of a warm fire of an evening and sorting papers instead of sitting in a cold office with a paper shredder! Congrats on a long list of chores achieved yesterday and paper decluttering!

Your supper last night sounded delicious Zoo as ever! And congrats on mahoosive lists throughout day!

Well done wrt your v productive day yesterday CallmeCordelia!

Waves to Cag and everyone else!

Feeling like a very fraudulent thread leader - I don't know how I have managed to reach Thurs and get so little Flying done this week - been out of the house a lot. Need to focus on second hand sale organisation today. First step: organise an expedition to outer reaches of house and collect up all old clothes, old toys, old dressing up gear etc etc and clean/sort so that they are in good selling order.

SC that is pretty much how it was as I was sledgehammering whilst it cooled enough to ice

Today had gone to hell in a handcart by 9am this morning so trying to rescue something from the batshit crazy. On aplus note we have a working washing machine, there is coffee, and flat pack furniture building. After i have delivered forgotten stuff to school for ds.

Hoorah for a working washing machine hills

Ta das
daily routine
packed lunch made for dd
kitchen sides cleared (sort of)

To do
declutter in kitchen
errands - shops, parcels to pick up, parcel to drop off, never going to achieve it all but something would be better than nothing!

My kitchen sides are never completely clutter free - is this just me? I still find things that I just don't know what to do with!!

in this house there are people who live by the principle oooo empty surface, must put something there. There is no hope and it drives me potty foxes

It's not just you Foxes my kitchen surfaces are horribly cluttered and I have no space to put anything away! It drives me nuts! And - no kidding - it actually makes me feel quite depressed and frustrated (although I know it is an incredibly first world issue to be depressed about - I should be bloody grateful just to have a kitchen instead of whinging - but I like cooking and my kitchen gets me down on a daily basis).

And ditto Hills if dh sees a clear horizontal surface he just has to clutter it up. He can't help himself!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Meds are making me feel ill.

Ta Das today. Kept wood burner going this morning.

Morning all! Nothing achieved by me here today. DH has done maths with Caglets, made brunch, put wash on and is just finishing a Tesco order for tonight. I have sat in bed/on the sofa.

Good for you cag that's as it should be!

Ta das
Picked up parcel
Bought dd new jumper since she has outgrown all gets
Got some groceries

To do
Swish and swipe bathroom
Declutter in kitchen
Make dinner (plaice but not sure what with yet. Kids will probably have fish fingers as not enough plaice for them too!)

Ds was up for hours last night not sure what was up but he seemed in pain. He seems ok today except very tired and grumpy. I'm desperately trying to get him to have a second nap before we get dd from nursery but he is just screaming in his cot which feels like what he has been doing for the last 24 hours I've told myself ten minutes and then I'llgive up (and be in for a hideous dinner / bath time )

Cluttered horizontal surfaces

zoo you have done all that and I have dropped something at school, built some flat pack furniture and put a load of washing on. want to come blitz my to do list?
Pretty please?

Sorry you are feeling rough Bowerbird5

Good luck with "the witching hour" tonight Foxes and hope you get and ds get a better night's sleep!

Wow! Spectacularly good ta da list Zoo! Not going to slap your chops though I think you deserve instead!

Good that you are resting Cag!!!

I am getting distracted here by endless family negotiations relating to Christmas and a company who is responsible for a parcel going astray. And it's nearly time for dd to come home and raid fridge - argh!

x post Hills exactly what I was thinking!

Sludgecolours Yes we wanted to get some pets, DSS wanted a pet for years and DD is 1.5 so something that is suitable for both. Everything said GPs were best. We love them. DSS and DD help take care of them (well DD tries but makes more mess trying to help).

DD had a bit of a bad tum so haven't done much but will start tea soon. DH will have her a little this evening so I can do master bedroom chores.

Arggghhhhh

Ive done feck all except look after poorly dc past couple of days. Ds is on fourth nap of the day and i am sat surrounded by shit.

On monday i sorted all the paperwork lurkin around into piles to sort. I still havent sorted and now all the piles have murged.

Afreshstartplease it feels overwhelming when something goes wrong and it throws you off track doesn't it?

Had the same as DD was inconsolable all morning. She's asleep now and I'm just making a cuppa and watching TV as I feel so overwhelmed.

It does indeed Jellyfish

Todays Ta Das

Been to shops
3 dc up fed and off to school
Looked after poorly ds
One load washed and dry
Second load in dryer
Third load in washer
Highchair finally scrubbed from lunch
Ordered couple xmas presents
All pots washed
Living room toys picked up
Kitchen worktops clear and clean

sludge thanks I slept in so got up went to work feeling worse and worse as I drove and realised I had left phone so carried on but when I got there I thought I was going to be sick and had a really bad stomach so couldn't stay. I must of looked ill anyway it was the right decision as I have slept on the sofa most of the day. Not like me at all. Feeling slightly better until I ate something so now feeling sick. But managed a few Ta Das
Brought wood in for fire and a bucket of coal.
Vacuumed kitchen floor and Mat.
Dishwasher on.
Load of washing in machine and other load on rack.

To do
Bag of paperwork to sort tonight.
Planning for tomorrow.
Vacuum stairs, if I can be bothered.
Bed early.

Hello all, have been at work today and yesterday so no flying. House is a mess as usual and both DDs have played up a little the last few days so think I will collapse in naughty corner tonight and hope for an organised day tomorrow. Will put a load of laundry on tonight though.

Afresh, yes it is so annoying when you sort things into piles and then don’t get to put them away and all your sorting gets undone . I am no expert on employment issues but gut feeling is it would be worth being back a few days / a week before you hand in your notice. As I say though, I really have no idea.

Bowerbird, hope you feel better soon.

Also very happy for you to blitz my to do list zoo!

Thanks for all the links SC. I managed Christmas mission 1 earlier in the week then stalled so will try to do mission 2 tomorrow. Have a busy weekend coming up.

Big wing flaps to all and for all poorly and overwhelmed people.