Fledgling flyers October 2009

[Countingthegreyhairs]

Everyone welcome!

Here you can, for one month:

• repeat or start baby steps

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

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

As we are coverning more ground, to avoid confusion, I'll be posting links early in the morning on the relevant day.

Good luck!

love all the meal plans. Too ashamed to post mine but will when they get better!

I love the baby step today. In fact I think I may do longer than the suggested 15 mins!

Having said that I've been quite productive today. Took all DS's toys out of storage and have been sorting and washing them for the last few hours ready for DD to play. Though got a bit over enthusiastic with the water and have possibly broken some Having said that there are so many - I can't believe how spoilt he was

Just checking in - how's the list going ctgh?

Coffee is on - nice and strong. Nice biscuits to go with it

Doing well with list:
Dress to shoes done
Breakfast done
Ironing done
Life book
DS homework done
Hot spot x 2
Declutter 15 mins x 2 done
Rest x 2
Room rescue 5 mins done
Kitchen floor
Shine sink

I combined decluttering and room rescue as I started on the pantry which was to be a 15 min declutter and had to carry on to completely clean it out and wash some of the stuff in there before I could put it away. Needed to put it all away before I can do the floor! Cat is now investigating it so it must be finished [major sigh of relief-type face]

I've walked to the shop and back so I've got my exercise in too. Going to take my coffee into back garden with a book and have a rest!

Evening hope you're all having lovely weekends . I have done bugger all apart from my morning and evening routines today, but feels like I needed the break!

Off to catch up now...

oh poo, fell out the nest again and failing to fly must try harder. Tomo after sorted this bloody assignment. right computer off time now else i'll get nothing done.

Hi All,

Hope you are all having a good weekend. DH and I had a night away last night so I've missed a lot but had a quick skim read.

Like HAGiraffe I love menu planning. I do my plans on Tuesday to cover 10-14 days ahead. I try to start with a joint of meat on a Sunday and then that becomes our meat for the week for pies, risottos etc and then we usually have some fish on a Friday plus a couple of veggie meals. Our typical meals for the week (which have to take a 13 month old into account) are things like sausage and lentil/bean casserole, courgette and lemon risotto, chicken/beef pie, shepherds pie, spiced lamb shanks and couscous, jacket potatoes and hummous/cheese, breaded fish and veg, slow cooked beef brisket and veg, sticky ribs.

Today we had poached chicken which is an easy one for busy days. Put the chicken in a pot with whole new potatoes, carrots, onion then cover completely with water. Bring to the boil and cook on a low simmer for 20 minutes per 450g, take off heat and just leave it there for an hour or until you're ready to eat it. I put mine on during DS's afternoon nap and then it is still hot when we come to eat (with some parsley sauce) it at dinner. Much more moist than
roast chicken. Alternatively it can be done with ginger and chilli and add spring onions and coriander etc.

Great idea to post all our ideas, it is always good to get new ideas. My slow cooker just arrived too so I'm pretty excited about that.

Sorry, I do get a bit over-excited about food

Hello everyone

Managed to catch up after yesterday.
Dress to shoes done
Breakfast done
Ironing done
Life book done
DS homework done
Hot spot x 2 done
Declutter 15 mins x 2 done
Rest x 2 done
Room rescue 5 mins done
Kitchen floor done
Shine sink done

Kitchen is gleaming more than it EVER has since we moved in DS can't wait to find out which room we are doing next! Cats completely freaked out...

Another early night I think and my turn for a lie in tomorrow

These menu plans are brilliant and I am a little embarrassed by our menus for the week

This weekend has been stressful. DH spent all of last night throwing up and has been a damp dishrag all day. I was hoping that he would take charge of DCs while I sorted myself out this weekend but sadly not. He managed to compose himself for an hour for me to get my hair cut but that's been about it.

I'm off to the NCT Nearly New Sale tomorrow to sell all DCs baby clothes etc. Spent last night weeping over 0-3 month babygrows wondering where the time went (he's only 7 months old . DH had to keep reminding me that no matter how many babies we have, they will all grow up eventually and that 2 is really enough .

I'd convinced myself that once this was out of the way our house would be clutter free but I still have a massive bag for freecycle, a bag for ebay and things I couldn't bear to part with and am going to finally sort out a memory box for both of them to put things in.

No cleaning has been done for days now but I'm going to keep up the morning and evening routines, get Monday out of the way, and then get back on top of things.

I have wine, it's lovely.

All those meals sound really delicious Minimarmite Great you had a night away!!

I'm really tempted to buy a slow cooker although have very limited space in which to store it when it's not in use.

One question - do you leave it on when you are out the house or is that too much of a fire risk? And what sort do you have?

Don't worry about it Fullmoon - just jump in at tomorrow's step and do any small thing you can. Good luck with your assignment.

You are ahead of me today Droitwich that's an impressive list. It was hard gathering enthusiasm today but finished a bit more than half.

clean and shine sink and tidy kitchen )done
sort laundry done
do laundry (at least 4 loads)did 3
tidy master bedroom NOT DONE!!
food shop done
buy some winter trousers - tried but failed
sort out linen cupboard - done half

In addition have done evening routine, 15 mins of decluttering (spice holder thing), 2 lots of hot-spots and worked a bit more on office admin/planning for months ahead.

You deserve a break Pushmepullyou!! Enjoy!!

Well done for sorting out the toys Hellesbelles and DON'T be tempted to do more than the 15 mins, that way you will keep going. Remember all the zones will come around again in no time.

tibni - we are all rooting for you for Wednesday!!! You'll be great! (Gazes longingly at last piece of lemon meringue pie.)

Optimistic - I AM lucky with DH there is no denying it - although he does use quite a lot of saucepans! I feel exactly the same way about my house. It's far from perfect but I can now see the wood for trees, I'm not (on a good day) overwhelmed by it any longer and if I am, I know what to do next, which is a huge step for me. It's great the system is working for you. Happy birthday to your dh....and stew sounds delicious!

Good night everyone!

Probably see you Monday morning as am being invaded by 6 yr olds tomorrow!

x posts Fruitstick - cheers!! Hope your dh feels better tomorrow.

No need for you or anyone else to be about menus - if I'd posted mine a year ago it would have read pasta, pasta, pasta, pasta, pasta.

Have finally got on top of things now I job share a bit more, dh helps alot, and I only have one dd. Plus we live in a country where good food is kind of mandatory and that sort of subliminal influence tends to rub off (I'm not a natural cook). If the truth were told, both dh and I are overweight and we invest far too much time in cooking and eating!!! The house would be in a much better state if we didn't. As with everything, there's a balance!

PS Glad I am not the only one who weeps over baby-grows

Just flying by before bed. Headache thumping, so not stopping long. Cant even blame the wine... I haven't had any tonight!

CTGH - Slow cookers are the best invention. (after dishwashers maybe, ....and washing machines .........and I suppose my tumble drier) I put food in before work, turn it on and leave it all day. Come home to a lovely smell and ready to dish up when we are ready to eat! Lovely!

Will try and catch up tomorrow. Good luck for all the entertaining tomorrow and happy birthday to those celebrating.

Fruitstick Am totally with you on the babygrows. I was also sorting some out yesterday and was sad - ours are only going up to the loft but just amazed how quickly 6 months has gone. Unfortunately DS's drawers are still full as DP has been on a bit of an e-bay trawl for 6-12month stuff. DS has a whole drawer of t-shirts and tops

WTD I had an idea for a meal for you that we often cook when we are in France on hols (at 10pm on Friday - I am sad) How about an omelette with lots of stuff in that you then have slices of, like a Spanish style - potatoes, cheese, peppers and you can use ham or salami style sausage/chirizo. Good cold for packed lunches too. I haven't cooked this for ages so I think it will be on my plan next week.

minimarmite Hope you had a lovely break, was it without baby?

Am so impressed how much flying goes on at the weekend. I tend to let if all go a bit and then spend Mon and Tue going back to basics before I can even think of zones. NOT today though - not much on and doing an easy dinner so will attempt to fly today.

Facial at 11 though - so excited, probably too much really but these things are rare these days.

HAG - I am so of your facial - enjoy, I will be there in spirit. LOVE facials but not top of spending list ATM

Am strangely motivated at prospect of more decluttering though (very worrying). DS very excited at prospect of his room being done next week.
Off to PIL for lunch so small list for today.
Dressed (to slippers) done
Breakfast done
Ironing (if washing dries)
Hot Spot - dining table done
Room rescue/declutter - 20 mins spare room
Mending
Paperwork/bills
Empty bins (if I can get anything else in dustbins - bin men come tomorrow so might have to wait till they've emptied them)

ctgh well done for yesterday. I'm glad I'm not alone in going shopping and finding nothing

Have a good Sunday everyone

morning all,

just a quick fly by. Am having a lazy day today so am not planning on doing much. NOt much on so am going to attempt a roast dinner but that's about it.

Still in my pj's

have a lovely day. will have a proper catch up later.

Dressed (to slippers) done
Breakfast done
Ironing (if washing dries)
Hot Spot - dining table done
Room rescue/declutter - 20 mins spare room done
Mending
Paperwork/bills started
Empty bins (if I can get anything else in dustbins - bin men come tomorrow so might have to wait till they've emptied them)

Done everything I wanted to this morning. Catch up with everyone this evening

Thanks for your words CTGH - I am fine, I find I can't log on here too much because I can't get off again.

House is getting better, mum and dad popped over unexpectantly yesterday and I was very pleased that it looked tidy, washing was on the line and it made such a difference to how I felt.

I have asked DTG for a copy of her control journal and trying to sort meals out as that really is a difficult one for me.

Remember to book your pedicure this week!

Hope you are all relaxing and having a good weekend.
I'm of the facial, too.

I stoppped yesterday due to headache and was shocked this morning to find that mount Everest of washing (clean and dry) has arrived back in one of my lounges. Determined to clear it all today before it regresses into the mount Everest/ Mount vesuvius and smaller Ben Nevis' around the room that I permanently had before August. So not stopping on here, just flying past.

Can I ask for your help to nag me this week to get my tax return done. Thank you.

Also, I know now that some of you are a bit "foody", so I'd appreciate it if any of you lovely ladies want to Come and comment here, please
Thanks a lot.

Will catch up later after I have sorted my washing.
Which room are we doing next week??

Hi All

Just checking in for CTGH's posting of babysteps (I'm not even going to pretend to attempt anything more spectacular than that today, feeling very lazy. Although, I was just motivated to do a 5 minute room rescue on our living room as DH just announced that he's invited our neighbours over for coffee!

Everyone is doing so well, think I'm going to have to buck my ideas up tomorrow, there seems to be a lot to do even after just one night away. HAGiraffe, yes was without baby. First time we've ever been away without him. We came back home at four because we were missing him too much! Hope you enjoyed your facial. DWM - did you get your lie-in? Hope so!

Just spotted your food-related link PA, will be on over in a mo, can't resist!

Have just ordered by 3ft extendable dustbuster. Is it wrong that I am excited?

Facial and massage was lovely but feel slightly spaced out so not sure how productive I will be this afternoon.

To cut a very long story short, this evening i am atruggling to be arsed. I honestly feel like i have done nothing but clean and tidy and the place has just become a complete mess again not minutes later. To be fair it's been a testing weekend because DH has cough/cold etc. and therefore have spent every waking moment with the DC's and done everything around the house. As I look around me now, living room is messy, diswasher/kitchen still needs loading/cleaning after sunday dinner, dining room is trashed (that's where dh has deposited himself all weekend (sofa/xbox/tv in there as well)), our bedroom is trashed and germ ridden and i can't face it. Am feeling very despondent .

Please someone come along and tell me to get a grip and pull myself together.

Cheer up elliepac we're all allowed off days, I too haven't done anything this weekend was stricken with a migraine on Saturday and literally couldn't move. DC's had to sort themselves out, I kind of managed to watch them pour cereal into their bowls and threw clothes in their general direction but then staggered off back to bed in agony. Got up again about 1.00 ish to chaos in the kitchen, it would appear 2nd bowls of cereal were consumed and a tin of biscuits. DS1 was very sweet though and kept rubbing my head. Managed to meal plan though and we did stagger round the supermarket at around 4.00 to buy all ingredients for coming week. Still feeling a bit out of sorts today, so have lounged mainly although I did have a bit of stuff to do for work that I didn't get finished on Friday. Have managed to roast a chicken for dinner and have taken all the extra meat for chicken pie tomorrow.

Thanks for the recipe idea HavingaG actually a Spanish omlette is one of the things I can make that doesn't have mince in. It tends to be a Saturday thing when I'm emptying out the bottom drawer of the fridge. Just to brag I already have an extendable duster and I've actually used it this week. No cobwebs in my house!

I've made a big pan of leek and pot soup today as well, so that should do my lunches for next week.

Best of luck with your interview on Wednesday tibni I'm sure it will all be fine.

Right am off to sort out kitchen and do the ironing. See you all tomorrow, when I hope we're all feeling a bit brighter.

Elliepac and WTD, sorry you've had tough weekends. Migraine sounds awful WTD. Elliepac, give yourself a break, you've worked hard all week and germs tend to put a stop to things even when they're not your own!

If it is any consolation my house looks like a herd of elephants has been through it and I've not done much all weekend despite being perfectly well!

Let's all start again tomorrow. Everything will be sparkly again in no time .

Just popping in to see how we are doing.

MM I did manage a lie in of sorts - to 8am! It's an improvement on 6am anyway and I was awake before DS came and disturbed me.

Ellipac it is so much harder when DH/DP isn't able to at least keep an eye on DCs so you can get on. You've done brilliantly all week, write off the weekend and start again tomorrow

WTD take it easy tonight. When I've had a migraine I feel wiped out for 24 hours afterwards.

Weekends are always tough on houses. I've nearly done for today but I'm sure we will all feel better tomorrow - I never work as well on a weekend.

No wine tonight - WTD's migraine would not appreciate it! I'll find something fizzy for tomorrow

Aagh, wrote a big long post earlier, but got distracted by a) my mum phoning up to say that a tree was falling on her house and could DH go round with a rope and a chain saw, then b) DH falling off a 6 foot step ladder with said chain saw .

Luckily minor lacerations only but he's limping around the place feeling both sorry for himself and oddly proud at the same tim

Anyway the upshot is that i lost my post and can't remember anything I wrote and am now too drunk to remember, other than to say to HAG that I bought a Dyson animal handheld a couple of months ago and got so excited by it I then had to buy a dyson ball as well!

Also sympathy for the migraine WTD I get them sometimes and they are no fun at all. And Ellie I too am struggling to be arsed.

Today though I have done my morning routine, half my evening routine (not looking good for the other half tbh), cleaned the fridge out properly , assisted with parental tree surgery and gone to the tip with a small mountain of bottles and 2 bags of clothes that I am never realistically going to wear again!, and cooked pheasant and roasted onion, beetroot and garlic for tea (was lovely).

Not too bad all things considered . Anyone fancy a brandy and some olives?

the same time not tim. No idea who Tim is !

Hi all just popping in/ fluttering past also

House is fairly ok- need to do a quick room rescue of lounge before bed, but thats just DS toys from today so not too bad at all

Have a Slimming World quiche cooking at the moment and cant wait to get off to bed

I know CTGH hasnt got in yet today so here is tomorrow's babystep- hope that is ok

babysteps

We are in 'The bathroom and one other room next week' which could be spareroom, kids room, office... anything really! I am hoping it is kids room as I need to do stuff in there