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Housekeeping

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Original poster

FLYing Babysteppers, Graduates and Newbies

232 replies

CindersNeedsHelp · 26/10/2007 22:11

This is a thread for anyone who feels daunted by the grown-up FLY thread!!! Particularly those who:
Are starting FLYing (Newbies)
Have just finished babysteps (Graduates)
Or
Are experienced FLYBabies but, for whatever reason, want or need to babystep again (Babysteppers)

Here are links to the mission page, the sneak peek page and the Riley challenge page.

And those all important reminders:
Mon reminder
Tue reminder
Wed reminder
Thur reminder
Fri reminder
Sat reminder
Sun reminder

I am a babysteps graduate. I don't FLY everyday, but on the days I do, I really find it helps.

OP posts:
Original poster
CindersNeedsHelp · 26/10/2007 22:11

I feel I should be standing up and saying ?my name is Cinders, and I?m a FLY graduate?.

OP posts:
DaphneHarvey · 26/10/2007 22:15

I am beyond redemption. Can't even bring myself to click on the links. Hope you find recruits with more potential ...

Original poster
CindersNeedsHelp · 26/10/2007 22:24

Hopefully, those who have been babystepping with me will be along soon ?

? I need you guys to remind me I?m not a failure if my hot spot is still far too hot ?

OP posts:
beautifuldays · 26/10/2007 22:33

i might join you.....

i tried it on the last lot of baby steps, but i dropped out on about day 12

just couldn't keep up......

Shannaratiger · 27/10/2007 07:39

Morning all

"my name is ShannaraTiger and i am on day 18"
How was that Cinders?
I have decided that i am going to have a lazy day today i.e. morning& before bedtime routines and that's it. DP is at work so won't notice.

Have nearly finished morning routine as ds woke up at 5:40 . So am on track for an 8:00 finish

Hope u all manage a relaxed(ish) saturday

Speak later

unknownrebelbang · 27/10/2007 09:21

All FLYing and missions are on hold, except exercise bike, washing and the sink.

I NEED to find some paperwork relating to DS2's application for secondary school, and tbh, it could be anywhere.

I may be gone for some time...

TheUnholyTrinityRhino · 27/10/2007 09:23

I am shite and will flap around on the babysteps thread till I get the hang

systemsaddict · 27/10/2007 09:35

My name is systemsaddict and I just fell off the wagon with a large loud thump ... think it was a bit much for me getting the house ready for our visitor (though lovely to see him) and so sink is full of dishes, bedroom floor full of clothes, had to scrabble through them to get dressed this morning ... how does it happen so quickly?? - and I'm only aiming for 2 babysteps, sink and clothes, how crap is that LOLOL!! Ah well, feeling a bit better this morning than usual, think I'm getting towards end of 1st trimester yuk, and will gradually ramp up the FLYing. Want to get it habitual before #2 arrives. SO glad we have this graduates and newbies thread!!

Goals for today: Shine Sink, Get Clothes Ready Tonight.

flowerybeanbag · 27/10/2007 19:00

My name is flowerybeanbag and my washing machine and dishwasher still aren't working so I am in a sulk.

My FLYing has gone to pot today because of this and because I have had a HUGE headache so had to go back to bed.

But my intentions are still good and I'm going to try and do some decluttering this evening and do my kitchen sink and surfaces which always makes me feel better.

SuperMonkey · 27/10/2007 21:27

My name is SuperMonkey and my house is full of holiday bags that need unpacking and piles of washing that need to go through the machine. I can't start FLYing again until I've got it all clear, which means I can't get that FLY morning joy that comes from a shiny sink.

I will try to get it all straight tomorrow so that I can start FLYing again on Monday.

DaphneHarvey · 27/10/2007 22:22

My name is DaphneHarvey and for the last 3 days I have been scouring the house for a load of washing that I know I washed and dried recently, and have put somewhere in a pile. That wash included at least 5 pairs of my DS's trousers. There is a chair in my bedroom that has at least 4 clean washes piled up on it, not put away, and the trousers aren't on there! Can anyone tell me wtf they are? He is getting desperate for clean clothes now.

Thank you.

P.S. Is it possible to get on top of things without FLYing? I've had a look at those threads, but do feel with all due respect, that I've better things to do than read countless posts of people listing what houseworkly jobs they've done that day, especially when they mainly consist of loading/unloading dishwasher/washing machine, which is surely what we all do every day?

Shannaratiger · 28/10/2007 07:48

Morning all

Everyone sounded really stressed yesterday.
Daphne you're not alone with losing washing, lost dd trousers for 1 week, found them behind ds's old car seat in our bedroom!
Beautifuldays it's not a case of 'keeping up'. In my opinion just work at your own pace and don't move on to the next 'day' until u r ready.
Trinity hope u survived half term. Just keep flapping.
Hope everyone else is ok. think i have prattled long enough adn had better get on as have been up nearly 2 hours and have only eaten breakfast so far.

TheUnholyTrinityRhino · 28/10/2007 07:56

I can't cope with anything anymore
I will try to clean sink

SuperMonkey · 28/10/2007 08:56

Morning all.

Well I made myself shine the sink last night before I went to bed, even though the place was a pigsty, and I felt much better for it.

Daphne - the reason why I like to follow the babysteps and list what I'm doing is because it motivates me to carry on. I didn't think it would work at the start but I have been pleasantly surprised by how much impact it has had on the state of my house. I used to look at the clutter and feel depressed, thinking "I'm never going to get the house straight". I would feel so overwhelmed that I lacked any motivation to start attacking it. FLYing basically means that you attack it in bitesized chunks so that now I don't feel overwhelmed. I just know that it will sort itself out in due course! We're all using this thread in different ways, some list out what they've done, some don't, some post regularly, some don't. It's just basically a place for like-minded people who are struggling to keep on top of their chores. It's just nice to know sometimes that you're not alone! Sorry, that was a bit of an epic!

Original poster
CindersNeedsHelp · 28/10/2007 09:45

Totally agree with SM - it's nice to know you're not alone!

OP posts:
SuperMonkey · 28/10/2007 13:27

Especially when all of my (childless) friends seem to be able to hold down a full time job and keep the house immaculate! I just don't feel quite so inadequate any more since I came on here!

funnypeculiar · 28/10/2007 16:50

Hello all! & sorry I missed the last week & our 'graduation party' - had a lovely, lovely week down in Devon & (wierdly) have returned full of enthusiasm to keep flying (even though the place was a bit of a tip when we got back)

Daphne, I do understand what you mean - but I think a lot of us post on these threads as much to ourselves as to each other, iykwim - having a list of what you've achieved is a powerful thing (even if some of those achievements maybe aren't that eart-shattering) and having a bunch of people who cheer you on when you've had a good day, & sympathise when you've not, has been a big help to me.

Bienchen · 28/10/2007 18:39

Bienchen here (better late then never) .

Nice to see so many back and welcome to those who are considering.

FLYing has made a big difference to me and I have become a lot more organised without stressing over housework related things

TheUnholyTrinityRhino · 28/10/2007 19:25

I think flylady is fantastic and I would love to do it and at about this time in the evening I feel quite good about trying to do it but then I try to lay clothes out and can't find anything so feel shit and then try to clean sink but the baby wakes up so feel more shit and then mange to settle baby and just feel so bone achingly exhausted that I give up and go to bed and wake up to the same shit as before and feel hopeless, like its too much and I dont know where to start and I knw that flylady says babysteps but shining my soink isn;t going to help me find or manage to organise clean clothes for my 7 yr old who I'm scared will start to get teased very soon for odd sock opr dirty clothes or fingernails or unkempt hari and it wont help me find something that fits the baby and will keep her warm as its now -2 or 3 here and I have to take all three kids ouyt in the car for the school run .

breeath
sorry

I apologise for that but do feel slightrly better
It really is true that writing stuff down is cathartic

flowerybeanbag · 28/10/2007 19:44

FLYing has made a huge difference to me, and posting my list of dishwasher emptying and washing on is not hugely interesting for everyone, but it works - I know I will want to post how I've done each day, so I know if I can do a big list I will feel great and like I've achieved something. It's also brilliant for some encouragement when things go a bit wrong, both with FLYing and generally as well, it's lovely to have a few of the same people we 'check in' with everyday and get to know.

Trinity sorry you're feeling down about it all, and I'm glad you have found it a bit cathartic to post about it. Maybe a different babystep rather than the sink shining might be a good idea to stick to? Something which is a bit more immediately useful for you.

I have done washing at my neighbour's today and yesterday and DH has been brilliant doing hoovering and all sorts today to get us back on track a bit so I'm feeling better about it all.

funnypeculiar · 28/10/2007 20:36

Oh Trinity. I agree with FBB, could you pick a different step? Perhaps the sink thing isn't so helpful for you?
Fwiw, I find evenings tough too - I tend to have to get some work done ... plus I NEED to sit in front of the TV/MN (not such good excuses as you!) - I only shine my sink & try & sort clothes in the evening - I can get much more done in the morning. Could you move some of your evening routine to the morning (eg try & sort clothes then -so that if there's anything that needs cleaning, it can be done over the day???)

SuperMonkey · 28/10/2007 22:06

I came downstairs from putting mini monkey to bed, ready to rage war on DP for doing bugger all today while I've been running round like a blue arsed fly - and what was he doing? Making me a rice pudding . None of your tinned stuff either, he'd raided the cupboard for short grain rice, nutmeg, everything. That's why I love him.

So we're now sitting on the living room floor, eating rice pudding, doing a jigsaw, waiting for the world series to come on (Go Sox).

unknownrebelbang · 28/10/2007 22:08

I agree too Trinity. How about the getting clothes ready each day (doesn't have to be in the evening if it doesn't suit you), or maybe the laundry load a day one?

Daphne, this works for me because it "tells me what to do" (and then I adjust accordingly). I know what I should be doing (my mum bordered on the compulsive with her housework) but I'm often too tired to think by the time I've been to work, sorted the lads and all their hoemwork/activities out and finally got them into bed.

Having said that, I need to refresh tomorrow. I've not been well whilst I've been away, and I've spent the weekend searching for some urgent paperwork (found some of it thankfully).

unknownrebelbang · 28/10/2007 22:19

Cinders, just glanced through the week's threads and caught what you said about rules. Must try calmly saying "rules" and walking away, lol, instead of screeching. They do sort of follow the rota (and it's easier to follow now we're a bit tidier). It's the trail of mess they leave, purely because they just don't think! I'm hoping that by making the rota an integral part of daily life, things will improve.

Shannaratiger · 29/10/2007 06:57

Morning everyone

I don't know if we r starting a new thread everyday anymore. If someone could explain to me (in simple steps how to do it) i can start it since dc have decided 5am is time to get up