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!

My most hated job is general tidying / decluttering. I suspect because I am shit at it .

I did do some work on the dining table today, will continue over the weekend. It does catch clutter.

We should hear about the schools in March. There has been a letter about something every live-long day from the school this week and there was another one tonight. It is partly SATs related and has got me a bit irritated. I may do a thread on it. They are offering extra tuition but it's to help the school IMO and not the child

I noticed that - for the second time this week - the broadband wasn't working properly this morning. I use a laptop upgraded to use the 5G service we get (also have 2G which was working) but when I rang, the techie I spoke to assured me that my laptop wouldn't use the 5G That just about summed that experience up, but they did get it working again later in the day. Virgin Media, you should be ashamed!

Toddling fresh, really?!

I noticed that you didn't mention that life with a teenager isn't always a bundle of laughs SC

Safely completed drive, ds ' mood improved after a good shout and strop, stuff for tomo's road trip is mostly sorted.

Just need to rescue my phone from the car, make a number of hot water bottles, take painkillers and hope that the pain in my ear subsides it is really bad today and I am loosing my voice.

Most hated job? laundry or washing up. Just when you think you have finished MORE appears. I swear it fucking breeds like bloody rabbits when you turn your back!

Indeed Hills. Don't want to scare people away . Hope ear pain eases soon.

Always room on the thread for another Flybaby Mercury

Crikey Afreshstart another baby toddling already!

All of you mothers of young 'uns are obviously doing far too good a job of parenting... your offspring are all growing far too fast!

Fingers and toes crossed for March Cotswold! Sorry to hear about tech and SAT frustrations.

You and me both Toostressy but we shall overcome!

Great to see boob flashing on your ta da list Cag!

G'night all!

Although frankly not too hopeful about quality of sleep ahead. I have a grumbling ovary and dh is snoring like a trooper! And however late I get to sleep, I always wake at 4am nowadays anyway . Heigh ho! If it's bad, I may have to go downstairs and tackle boudoir = extreme insomnia cure!!

I know. They do grow too fast. But yes he pretty much just walks/waddles around the house now! Hes still a big mummys boy though so still my baby

Ta da

Got up

Aw Afreshstart he sounds lovely!

We are back in town today to facilitate dd's social life although dh heading back to wreck2 later to avoid shrieking teens to do some serious pruning. Which leaves me with dreaded boudoir to sort once and for all. Writing it down here so I can't slide out of it or do something more enjoyable like baking instead! Right... I'm going in .... .

Enjoy your weekend s everyone!

Morning all, I have only just spotted the thread so I'll mark my spot here and read back to catch up. Getting into a better routine at the moment (probably won't last) and delivered three bin bags of stuff to the charity shop yesterday.

Yay Whoknows very good to "see" you! And v well done on decluttering front!

Sat with dye on my hair waiting to rinse it out so I thought I would catch up with the thread.

The plan today:
Meal plan
Colour hair
Hoover and dust upstairs
Clean the bathroom
Food shop
Meet a friend for coffee and a catch up
Buy gloves and hats for dc
Dms for dinner
Go to the local firework display.

Good luck with the boudoir sc

Afresh
I love your Ta Da.
I'm going to do that now but not dressed to shoes. I am going to put my snuggly purple dressing gown on and make a mug of tea and some toast.
Didn't get all the list done yesterday but I worked really hard at school. My new groups settling in well and eager to come. Had to stay late though.
Shopping done and yummy lightly smoked trout from Sainsbury's for tea found in marked down bit. Oooh was delicious!
Today's plan.
Kitchen window.
Dining room de-clutter, start cleaning.
Tidy bedroom
Washing
Christmas fair

Morning all. Dipping back in and thinking about the rough plan for my day (in no particular order):

Meal plan / clear fridge & freeze

Cook a couple recipes/dishes

Clear suitcases from living room (still not done )

Organize bulk order of toiletries - put away in the bathroom and toiletry cupboard

Empty dishwasher and reload

Buy train tickets and book hotels for two upcoming trips

Review finances

Maybe see some art today. It's supposed to start raining around 2pm where I am and will continue off and on for the day. Still can't be bothered to get out of bed just now though. :)

Morning all
cag adorable pic
afreshare you broody?all this talk toddlers and cute babies i am

cotswold unless shes eager to be pushed DO NOT do it.my dd2 nearly had breakdiwn over repeated afterschool maths classes(which we were yold were mandatory) ds wasnt deemed in need of such but they rang ne every day of hslf term and easter hols demand to know why i didnt put him in voluntary school classes...this is whyesttook steps get lil zoo iut as shes a perfectionist.they coukd take her right over the edge...it bears no reflection on your child mor does it affect ger secondary education.telk them to go to hell in hand basket and stand your ground..

Well yesterday we went to view dif primary for lil zoo.they have masses space to play(HUGE field..current has pocket hankerchief of grass predominantly taken up by astroturf foitball pitch they not allowed on except fir football pe lessons and interschool matches ))
Nice library(none at current.it was stealth turned into something else)
The vibe there is lovely.there were lots projects around and kids happy looking and quiet chatting i older classes.reception had two huge rooms and we interupted wheel on the bus in one class and phonics in the other(sighs contentedly).lil zooclass there was a ripple of chat as we walk in.""oooh the new kid.yay its a hirl.oh my god look at her hair.shes so pretty" boys were like meh its a girl
Her teachers was new sept n seemed lovely.four times a year they do 1 to 1 and you get idea how theyre get on(rather than shocks in end of year report)school bank...and when we went outside to view seoerate playgrounds for younger n older kids they point oyt firest school area as group year 3 were head up in wellies.fenced off it has a pond with tadpoles in spring.AND GET THIS badgers and foxes and they have BABY BADgER NIGHT CAM!!!!💕💕💕💕which kids get to view footage!!last week caretaker had rescue a baby badger caught in football nets
Naturally after all thats happened at current we signed up.starts monday.its twice as far(now 30 mins as oppose 15walk) but 5mins up road from dd2 secondary.nervous for her as shes a very shy perfectionist...
Plus at old school i drop halgway and had independance and pick up out bsck quiet gates.now its x two fields and into playground again.but each class opens up onto playground so hopeful that i wont be stuck in playground too long(anxiety issues)

In other news i woke at 6 to untangle lil zoo hair (undid it and waist length hair caught in onsy zip wasnt pretty) got up 830!!unheard of luxury....then the girls start kill each other and wet muddy cat climbed on me.hey ho you canyt have everything!!
Cheery wing flaps

Terrible typos .sorry fledgelings!!

Badgers!!! OMG that sounds awesome :o how exciting!

Thanks sludgecolours and glad I am helping a little :). Hubby is going to take stuff to charity if I take it I end up buying more.

I did the shelves yester as dh did the table. Today is the radiator cover. Tomorrow is cds(not too many). Then next week bedroom.

zoo i would LOVE a teeny tiny newborn all curled up. However it would then grow up and i would want another. I think that would continue and i if i allowed myself i could turn into her off 1000 kids and counting ....

Ta da

Me and four dc up fed dressed and out
Shopping bought
Parcel dropped off
First load now in dryer
Second load in washer
Kitchen bin empty
Recycling out
Lunch made and eaten
Table and high chair cleaned after breakfast and lunch

Hahahaha afresh i love babies.toddlers.not so loving the teen stage a lot if the time but we do still have some good days.
I wouldve liked 6

Ps anyone having trouble getting in?i on phone and no getting the usual pings to alert me to new posts and try go in thru an old email it keeps failing to load......

We have not yet reached teen years. Eldest here is 9. Do you not think you will get to 6 zoo?

Small achievement here. Sorted a few things to get rid of and put aside a bag of stuff for my teacher friend. Granted much of that had been put aside long ago and forgotten about, and the only reason we sorted it was because of panic stricken searching for something else, but still...

Wow! That school sounds amazing.

Ta Das so far. Hoping to achieve a few this evening.

Washing done.
Vacuumed all of downstairs.
Cleaned kitchen window. Feel a bit horrible killing baby spiders but there was about 40 the other week. Large spider hides between tiling and sink unit. There is a gap. Horrible dead fruit flies all gone and washed window inside and out. Went on to wipe all downstairs windows and doors.
Some de- cluttering 1 pile paper, more to do.

Christmas Fair. Lovely small fair met five people I knew. Bought 3 presents and some wool. Hoping to knit that into a present.

ta da
go to a food event and try a number of things
food shopping

Only just got tea, about to dose up on strong strong painkillers and a mixture of other meds and see if pain levels can be dulled enough for sleep. Tendon pinged in my leg this morning and it is agony until I can see the physio.

Ta da - I got dressed and looked after the children all day despite horrible cold and temperature.

Made Christmas cake, but it was very easy - used Waitrose pre soaked fruit and Nigella's easy action recipe from Feast. Now I have to try not to eat it!