Building our bonfires with clutter, and cruising towards Christmas, it's the NOVEMBER fledgling Fly thread!

[Staringcoat]

Many of us have been here forever; it's the thread where we (loosely) follow the Flylady housekeeping system here to combat CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome) with a load of , chat and mutual support along the way. For that reason, we may seem cliquey, but we really aren't and all newcomers, lurkers, returnees, regulars, and intermittent regulars are hugely welcome!

We will be posting the baby-step and flight plan (which will point you towards the current zone and missions) on a daily basis, but don't hesitate to ask further questions about the system if you have any!

More information on getting started available here (containing baby-steps!).

And borrowing heavily (again!) from Hill's September introduction...

There are 4 levels for Flying:
-Baby steps - good for finding a routine in the tasks and getting over the perfection crippling effect
-Baby steps and missions - yep basic routine and more in depth tasks

• Baby steps, missions, and deep cleaning (if you are at that stage) - can't clean clutter so don't consider this one if you need the next level
• Flying combined with a decluttering system (kondo/unfuck etc etc) lets be honest fly lady is good for routine but not so quick with the decluttering results sometimes.

There is NO wrong or right way of doing this, it is about adapting the system to suit your life circumstances, which will be different from someone else's and don't be put off by the barftastically twee nature of the Flylady site, the underlying system is sound. Feel free to ignore any step or routine that doesn't sound you or your home! No perfectionism allowed!

And when it all gets too much: come and take a seat by the fire in our specially adapted "naughty" corner where you can enjoy virtual and and tangible support from fellow fledglings.

More info follows:

** launch pad (general info)

** daily babysteps pdf (ignore the ones that don't suit you or your home)

** week day missions (some fledglings find it easier to do them at weekends)

** [[http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/zones/
info about zones]] (explanation of how zones work)

** weekly zones (a rough weekly guide to which area of the house we are tackling currently, again adapt to suit yourself)

** daily focus (helpful guide to allocate a certain day for a certain task)

** deep cleaning lists pdf (only attempt when you have decluttered as you can't clean clutter!)

Good luck and happy Flying one and all!

Wing flaps to Meet and to everyone else! Cookery books take up far too much of the limited shelving I have!

I have a separate shelf for cookery books downstairs, all other bookshelves are on the landing. Same rule for cookery books as others, one in one out. My current most used are several Mary Berry ones.

How are you feeling today Cag? And Bower?

Also about 50/50 kindle and physical books. Decluttered books gradually over time and now just have 2 small shelves of books I absolutely love, many of which are 1st prints that have never been opened themselves lol (bought after loving a book), then I have kept just a few cookbooks in the pantry - 4 I think, 2 were my late grandmother's and she wrote in them for me, one I loved as a little girl, and the other is Mrs Beeton which being a historian I enjoy.

Yesterday I accidentally decorated for Christmas [santa] Was hunting for missing decorations, looked in tree box, lifted tree out, and... well one thing led to another and now everything is out and the boxes and stuff is all back in the loft (a first, it's usually all in my way somewhere til they come down!). We were supposed to be out at baby swimming but my Crohn's is flaring and I felt shocking so doing all this and making a pan of mulled wine (non alcoholic for me) kept my spirits up!
Currently need to wake DS but we are so warm and snuggled!!

To do:

• swish and swipe
• laundry
• clean up after breakfasts
• todder sensory class
• lunches
• a couple hours of work work
• go and pick up a parcel
• get Christmas stamps
• go to butchers
• finish wrapping (a couple of things I ordered last week aren't here yet but not much and can finish what I have today I reckon...)
• 15 minutes in living room
• dinner
• bedtime routine

Morning all. I’m knackered thanks to a shit night's sleep and I had to get up for the dentist. However that was my last appointment, and that’s all my dental work done now, so no need to go back for six months. I am really proud of myself for getting through all that. I also told him that I can now reduce my anxiety rating (you have to record it when you register) to zero. He looked really proud too when I said that, and it is well deserved, as he has been so lovely.

Still working up the courage to book the hygienist which is a whole new ball game, but he agreed I was wise to get all the structural stuff done first.

Pleased with myself :)

Am fine in terms of the illness BTW. I was only sick once (and more than 48h ago otherwise obviously I would have cancelled dentist)

Did voluntary thing at school and came home and felt so shattered I only managed 30 mins decluttering before it got dark. Pathetic! Sitting in clinic waiting room now waiting while DD has ultrasound. Will just have enough energy to cook and clean up supper, empty DW, and hang up clothes that have been washed and that's me done for the day. Feel a bit crap and frustrated because each day I miss my targets ifyswim and time is against me!

And to carry on with the huge whinge ... I have reached "peak carton" at home! Have boxes and boxes of books, clothes and toys stacked waiting for charity to pick up on Monday along with huge old-fashioned pram, and a rail of clothes. They look delightful in the middle of the sitting room (as do the drying racks of washing by the dining table located there because they won't ruddy dry downstairs in freezing basement where wms are!!). Then there are all the BRC taken off other shelves (don't ask!) as part of general big clear out (to be thrown or kept). Then there are the boxes of on-line shopping awaiting sorting (Christmas presents). Then there are boxes of stuff waiting to go to wreck2. Then 2 heavy boxes of non-perishables to carry downstairs to pantry (too heavy to do all at once so emptying gradually each time I go downstairs). And ditto expat Brit supermarket Christmas order. And the 10 boxes of Christmas decorations that dh brought down the other day before I was ready because he thought it was helpful. And boxes of stationery that were delivered here by mistake and not to office! Aaaaarrrrggghhh! Need to sort urgently so wrong ones do not get taken away!

If you see any, send some young, polite, energetic, strong, muscle -bound blokes in this direction please !

Dani so sorry about Crohn's flare which sounds v debilitating indeed. I feel ashamed of moaning now when you have to put up with that on a daily basis. We have a family friend with Crohn's and he's had to have several ops so I know it can be really draining and painful. Do take care

Whoo-hoo re: your 1st editions! How lovely! I didn't know you were a historian (sorry if you mentioned it and I missed it or I have forgotten - have menopause brain currently). I used to edit history, biog and political bks (for trade list, not academia) in a former life (although you wouldn't know it from my slap dash spelling & grammar on here). What period do you specialise in?

and at you putting up Christmas decorations by mistake!!

Cag [huge shiny medals] + + for completing dental treatment! Bloomin' well done! And that's a totally inspired idea about keeping an anxiety rating tracking bk! Think I will suggest it to my dentist here (about 30 yrs behind the times).

Wing-flaps to all!

Meet I love Mary Berry's books too. I have several. They often contain some good practical tips too. For example, I never knew you should not add fresh ginger to cake because it tastes bitter apparently! First I'd heard of it!

Cag btw, thought of you the other day when dd's Japanese ink brush set and paper arrived (an Xmas present).

Oh that’s fab sc do let me know how she gets on with them :)

I’m struggling a bit for present ideas myself this year. It’s like I don’t have room in my head for this sort of thing at the moment. However today as I had loads of time without the older two I met a friend in town and at least got some bits, things like jammies and chocolate coins etc.

Left a huge bag from primark in the mall though! Thankfully an honest shopper handed it in.

Foxes do you mind if I PM you about braces?

Aw thank you Dani
I'm bolshi actually. I just went in feeling so cross and met someone on SLT who breezily asked if I was alright and got an emphatic NO! then she asked if there was anything she could do and got a NO! while I strode up the corridor. I dumped all my last intervention groups x2 in her room at lunch time and I have started giving books away. Left some in the library and didn't bother to stamp them.
Gave one of the kids a good telling off when he hurt one of the girls. I also told his mum and acting head.He smirked when I asked him nicely like it was funny.It was quite dangerous. He saw the other side of me today. I wasn't taking it out on him i had been nice to children all morning even patient when trying hard to decipher Yr 1's work which was pretty hard to read. However I have more or less decided to leave at half term.
Ta Das
Fed pets
made bed 7am
lugged in logs.
Lit fire 8am
Vacuumed sitting room. Tidy pile of RC papers.
Had tea at break and a sweet child gave me a satsuma.
Ate lunch(in my car avoiding staffroom and enjoyed some music) and had tea from staffroom but did an in &out without looking at anyone.It was bloody cold in the car so couldn't stick it out. Worked hard with kids all afternoon and also managed to prep some work for the wall as almost everyone was on task. They are really enjoying the art work.
Traffic was horrendous and I was feeling stressed so pulled into Dunelm for a wander and to look at pans. Bought some fabric for windows and then went to Lidl which I discover has there Christmas biscuits which I might have bought several varieties of in case guests come...of course.
Now consuming large glass of Italian red wine which is making me feel better while dinner is warming in the Everhot. Other half of M&S pie and left over tatties and courgettes and there might be some Baklava for later.
Meet Never mind an extra shelf I have an extra bookcase for cookery books!
We have a floor to ceiling one at the top of the stairs and one small one in craft room with DDs childhood favourites and a cheap pine one in her old room with DHs books and overspill from hall one.
I love bboks and have several childhood ones which have travelled half way around the world and back again.
Interesting both of you have been involved in historical books. I have what I think is a First Edition Alice and Wonderland and I think the Waterbabies one and several modern signed copies including one by Terry Waites.

OOOPs I did it again! Sorry!

Cags That is brilliant about the dentist well done you what a relief. I went to hygienist and it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

Amanda whatsyis on at 8o'clock I have her books she writes really well I want to meet her.We went to their village once but didn't spot her. Their farm is right up in a very cold windy bit which still had snow last year when lowlands didn't, beautiful scenery.

cag I don't mind at all X

I feel like I've achieved nothing today. I've just been obsessing and stressing over online clothes shopping for various upcoming Xmas parties I hate it!

My tiny ta da list
Sent parcel
Went to supermarket
Went to library
Dishwasher emptied / on again
Washing on X 2
Hung up washing X 2
Ordered a new coat (after a lot of stress!!)
Searched for various party outfit options and failed completely
Labelled dd orange for her christingle thing and put it in her bag for tomorrow
Tidied up after dinner

I've lost my temper a lot with the dc this evening

Hello all, had long day at work today and just about to collapse in front of the telly now. Will set up new thread at some stage tomorrow since it is nearly December!

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FRI NOV 30 - last links for the month everyone - well done for ploughing on through!
Baby-step: here
Flight plan: here
Super cruising mission 5: here

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Well, I never knew that about ginger in baking either SC but as I don't like ginger cake I've never made one.

Bower - I also stocked up on Lidl Christmas biscuits yesterday. We have three deep shelves full width of the landing at the top of the stairs under a window wit board games stored under the lower oneand two full height but shallow bookcases along the length of it, these ones only take paperbacks though and also have smaller games, framed photos etc.

DH has been on good Flying form this evening. I cooked, he cleared up and cleaned the kitchen floor. I have been tackling paperwork (doing bare minimum to kerp it ticking over ATM). Busy with school stuff (I thought Christmas would be easier at secondary school but no, especially with the DCs being at different schools) and various volunteer things. Oh and work.

Gulp indeed Toostressy November went quickly didn't it?

Foxes if that's your "tiny" list then I'm really impressed! Good luck with frock shopping!

Bower retail therapy is always a good stress reliever! Like the sound of a bolshy Bowerbird too that bites back a bit! No less than they deserve!

CAG I am so with you regarding headspace! I think you do amazingly well with all you do whilst having the young 'uns at home!

As predicted, no more Flying achieved tonight except for the basics, heating up a beef carbonnade made earlier (with beer) and mashing some pots.

Meet that sounds incredibly full on! Glad to hear Mr Meet doing his bit. I'm finding secondary school so much more hands off than primaire - although it has to be said that dd's primary was so busy and involving of parents we virtually lived there. Secondary is very well organised; so when you do help out, it's only once in a while ifyswim. Two different schools is hard though - the paperwork from one is bad enough - so hats off to you!

Sleeping upright with the wheezy baby 🙄

Morning everyone. Hope you got some rest cag

Sc I suppose the list wasn't so bad in the end although dh did do some of the washing and dinner while I faffed so I can't take credit for it all. It felt like I'd been online shopping all afternoon!!

I've got various shops to go to today but it all depends how much I can be bothered and on ds co operating! Also need to pack the dc overnight bags as they are going to my mum's house tonight.

Thank goodness it's Friday anyway!

Morning all!

Good luck with the shopping Foxes!

Hope Cagletini ok CAG and that both of you managed a bit of sleep!

Right, I'm heading out in to the cold with the furry! Last day of the Flying month everyone! Hope you all have a good 'un!

SC - in general it's more hands-off, in the sense that they travel by themselves, organise things by themselves more etc. But at this time of year it is still a flurry of Christmas fair (donations wanted, helpers needed, raffle tickets to buy), carol concerts (DD is in the choir), rehearsals after school which need her picking up as there are no buses and it's dark/too far to work, ditto sports fixtures. DS also has to be picked up if he does anything after school which is a 50 min round trip on country roads (he goes further away to school because of SENs).

Anyway today is my day off work. Christmas shopping here we come.

Too far to walk not work

Thank goodness it is Friday.🤗
Going on a trip this morning, yeah!
Reception this afternoon and visitors🤗🚒
Looked up alternative education job this morning. Looks interesting.

Bought breaded haddock for tonight. So easy.

Hope you got some sleep Cags, poor Caglitini.

To do
Fed animals
Make bed
Breakfast
Wash up
Smoked salmon and prawns for lunch so might just be that annoying person in the staff room.😗

I am intrigued by the Lego express thing you mentioned bower

That was a truly shit night. Much harder than the nights I was being puked on. She’s coughing a lot and literally didn’t sleep more than a few minutes at a time until gone 4. I’m hiding upstairs now but still can’t sleep.

Really pleased I did some of the Christmas shopping yesterday. It was just the traditional stuff so not as much thought required (I am really struggling with DSCs for example as they are now adults with decent jobs and tend to get themselves what they want!) - eg we always get the Caglets jammies for Xmas eve, they always have socks and chocolate coins in their stockings, so it was a case of just choosing those. However because they are easy I often leave them till the last minute, and then have a stressful town trip late in December, so I’m really glad to have done that. Also happened to find an incredible book for DD, and bought myself a much needed hoodie.