Fledgling flyers, Part 2, October 2009

[Countingthegreyhairs]

Over here everyone!

Actually I dont think it was the case of not thinking about the differentiation bit as all the special handouts have been sorted. I just think as a physicist he had forgotten about the microscope activity of the y7 topic. He hasnt taught year 7 for a few year. so just didnt think about it. And being grabbed for a few minutes between lessons was not in a state to give a detailed answer. Plus is has made me think about it completely and thus help my development. Maybe this was his plan

Right list for today

Uni
Ds up, cleaned up and ready for school done
ASE membership done
Sort Ex out for breakfast, key etc done
Laundry
packing for Ds' trip to ex's house
paperwork tidying and filing
trip to driving range (golf) for ds.
Be socialable

Not a bad list and doable
Happy flying all!

Lordy everyone

so sorry to be late

overslept - late dash to work/deposited dd with friend for morning (teaching day)

baby-step for Friday 23 October

last day Zone 4

Friday's mission

sorry not to reply to individ posts, will be back later

Mornin all
Tea for me too please ellie

OK. I have news. My cleaner is coming back today!! hurrah!

She came round this morning and is so happy with the state of place that she can fit me in to do an hour each Friday to do all floors (mopping & hoovering), kitchen sides, bathrooms and dusting.

Before she was doing me 2 hours and struggling to fit it all in, and didnt have the two hours anymore, just 1 to offer me which wasnt working. But YAY she is coming back!! And she was VERY complimentry about state of the place, and even said 'are you sure you need me?????' LMAO and I literally did laugh out loud

So, in theory that frees me up, so I just have to do my daily routines, mid week hoover/ mop round and then the detail cleaning stuff like the missions.

And it is all thanks to this thread (and its predecessors) so THANK YOU all so so much

In other news ... my new au pair starts on Wednesday, (last one only lasted 3 weeks and was whole reason for me a. getting into state of chaos and b. needing to get out of state of chaos) so she should be taking over some aspects as well.

I cant tell you how much of a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I really cant.

Great work by ellie and CTGG yesterday. MM dont over do things, but your list sounds pretty achievable- just dont get down if you manage to tick off 6 out 8 things- remind yourself thats 6 thinsg done not 2 missed

DWM awesome work as ever -soudns like you are getting onto autopilot with it all
DEM nice catch with work, well spotted.

Waves hello to OM

Oh and just for anyone who wants still MORE to do

Apparently friday is declutter you car and purse day! Who knew??? [http://www.flylady.net/pages/df_Friday.asp Friday focus]]

Think I might just do that one! (being as I have all this spare time now LMAO)

Have completely fallen off the wagon! Not sure I can catch up now

Chin up TBSP it is baby steps, just do what you can. I too have fallen off the wagon big time this week, hopefully I'll get caught up over the weekend.

My meeting yesterday did not go well, - doesn't seem to be any chance of DS having his 1:1 assistance in class now. It's so frustrating, am thinking of bringing him back to the UK to get assistance there, all I want is someone to help him and me find some mechanisms to keep his concentration in class. I'm really not that bothered about getting a formal diagnosis.

I did get some rather good news in the post today thought, I wrote to the local teaching authority 14 months ago asking about English speaking classroom assistant positions in my area, and they replied today saying yes, they have one, so I've quickly emailed with my certificates and references. Fingers crossed they get back to me. It would be so fab, I love my current job but I'm here all day by myself it's very isolating, if I could do both jobs part time it would just be the great. Also, would be the perfect opportunity for me to improve my French.

Right back to work for me, no DH this weekend so just me and the DC's, I found a local ordnance survey map and am thinking of getting DS1 to see if he can read it and find a route for us to for a walk in the woods - he loves maps so I think this would be a great thing for us to do.

Hi All

Just checking in at half time before a little nap.

Snitch no such thing as needing to catch up, just start where you are and everything is an achievement...well something like that anyway.

NTG I did LOL about your cleaner and glad she's back (partly as I feel a bit less bad about having one myself now)! Seriously though, glad you are feeling like a weight has been lifted.

and rest assured I am taking it easy. DH has been working from home and keeping an eye on me and doing all the lifting of DS and other heavy items!

So, back to my little list:

• swish and swipe - done
• make beds - done
• one load of washing in, on - done, out - to do
• short outing with DS - done
• put away at least some of the clean clothes - done (a bit)
• get some food in for the weekend and plan some meals - to do
• load - done and unload dishwasher - to do
• vacuum rugs - to do
• shine sink - to do
• babystep - to do

Will also ask DH to change sheets on bed later if he is not looking too bleary eyed.

DH is going out for a cheering-up beer with a friend later so I'll check in tonight.

Have a good afternoon everyone.

x post WTD

Sorry to hear your meeting did not go well. What a shame that you are having to consider such drastic action to get DS the help he needs. I am surprised that they were not supportive of what sounds like a very positive solution.

Good news about the possible job though

TBSP - me too, with a house move and going away for DS's birthday. We have so much unpacking to do it's difficult to fit it into the Fly things, but I intend to try!

TBSP dont feel bad or down , you will get there, and you cant do everything. If it isnt the right time, then it isnt the right time ...

Look on the bright side, the month is almost over, and I am fairly sure we will be repeating babysteps next month, so anything you can do this month puts you ahead for next month when you can hit the ground running?
Why not just commit to something small like 15 minutes a day decluttering between now and end of month? Or if that feels too much then 15 mins every other day?

WalktheD sorry to hear it didnt go well yesterday. That must be immensly frustrating when you are trying to get help and cant. Congrats on your potential job offer- I msut admit I hadnt twiged you were in France

Well done to MM and LOL at cleaner- it can be our guilty secret!! May I ask how long and how often?

And Rhian, again dont beat yourself up. You ahve ahad so much on the last month that it must be hard to see wood for trees. Just try and do your babysteps and everythign else is a bonus.

Hello everyone,

I have emerged from the chaos that was my understairs cupboard. It is slightly better but I know I'll need to make a return visit.

I have half filled a bag for charity collection tomorrow - my aim is to find some more things to put in so it is full of nice stuff - but things we can really live without.

I have done two loads in the machine but now the spare room looks like a tip with clothes drying on airers, piles of ironed clothes to put away and a mountain of stuff to do in the ironing basket. I despise ironing.

So, today's babystep is to think about the afternoon routine - that's easy: cup of tea and a biscuit followed by the school run followed by making supper...

Yes, housework doesn't really get a look in in the afternoons, I'm either at work or entertaining DS; neither option allows for much housework!

Evening all.....half term, finally

Meeting today at work went well so that was a big weight off my shoulders and am really looking forward to spending some quality time with DC's.

Haven't got time to scroll through as must go and get stuff ready for mum's birthday dinner tonight...am actually leaving the house, with DH, without DC's . Must apologise for lack of tea this morning, rest assured it will be brewing tomorrow .

Will have a proper catch-up later. Have a nice evening.

Hi all,

Sorry to be quiet but I have had a migraine last couple of days.

I have managed to keep things under control, just! I have even sort out my 2 draws of gym gear and thrown away a carrier bag of tatty stuff.

Hope to be back on form by the morning.

Hope you are all well and flapping along.

Hello everyone,

Hope you all had a productive day and congratulations to all the teachers here for making it through to half term - all that admin & planning sounds v. tough indeed - hope you don't have too much paperwork over the holidays.

Having made reasonably good progress yesterday, the pace slowed today but I managed to do some errands, clean the bathroom and hoover half the stairs this afternoon after work. Still loads to do before Sunday early eve when my visitor arrives but have run out of steam...

So plan is:

early night tonight

-Saturday - general clean and buy flowers to distract from rest of house , ask dh to do some preparatory cooking!

• Sunday - clean guest bedroom in the morning - just needs light dust and bed making

If have time - try and do a 30-min in office here and there

Elliepac hope your ma has a lovely birthday and you all have a lovely time tonight! [hands over glass of champagne]
Also, congratulations on your mammoth clean yesterday evening.

Waves to Optimistic

MiniMarmite - I am so impressed that you are back in to the swing of things so soon - take it steady and have a restful weekend.
You and Droitwitch (if you don't mind me saying so) both have something I wish I had - - "great clarity of purpose" as Sister Sheila, my ancient history teacher used to call it .... ie you decide - without flapping about - on a clear, sensible, realistic course of action and then you calmly do it ....time after time [Am learning from this so thank you for the example!! ...]

Am very impressed Droitwitch with your planned Christmas cake

I like the sound of your afternoon routine ParanoidBD - well done on your cupboard clearance

Nightmareteam - did your ds get off OK today? Have you booked yourself any treats for the week? You are not allowed to say you are rubbish - you've kept the routines going - that's good!!! Great news that your cleaner is coming back though that you will have new au-pair and that you are in better spirits today (was worried about "our oracle" last night )

Hello to DEM - good luck with all your assignments and hope your ds has a good trip too

Rhian82 and BlairSnitch - don't despair - follow the good advice given by others on here - just do ONE thing for 15 minutes ONLY and you will feel better. Good luck!! Not many of us are Flying perfectly all of the time ... we are just keeping going, step by 15-min step.

WalktheD - sorry about the meeting . I'm in Belgium and I think the French education system is pretty similar: despite being of a high standard it's very rigid and "conformist" - can be like bashing your head against a brick wall. Hope you find a solution! Bon courage! And fingers crossed re: job op.

Back in a minute to discuss potential "November" thread ....

Yay tibni - good to see you - drink loads of water and try and get an early night!! Well done on jettisoning the gym gear and for keeping going.

Hi All

I am back! I have had an absolutely fantastic week away and have come back all refreshed and feeling ready for life again!

Just had a really quick look through the thread and will catch up later properly, but had to come and give big hugs to MMM. So sorry to hear your news. Don't expect too much from yourself and lots of treats!

Glad all you teachers are now breathing a sigh of releif at the start of half term.

I have come home to a freezer full of food - I don't think they ate any of the meals I prepared! - still, it will save me cooking for when I go away again next Wednesday.
But house is looking good still, so it seems to have worked, me being more organised before I went.

DH just arrived home, so must dash and give him some TLC and FOOD.

Waves manically at CTGH, OM, Ellipac, DWM, WTD, HAG & everyone else.

OK - last post of the evening

Just wanted to respond to what Nightmareteam said below about the end of the month approaching and starting the next thread

(I will be very busy next week and so won't have a lot of time to post about it then.)

I take it we all want to carry on with a November Fledglings thread?

I for one certainly want to continue with baby steps + 15 minute declutter (I might even get to start cleaning by December at this rate )

How has this one gone for everyone?

Do you want to continue with the same "three-pronged" approach?

Are you in need of more specific "Flying" advice or are you OK?

Do you find the level of "chat" on here off-putting or do you like it? (Sorry if you do, I am major culprit here !!)

Also, I was wondering if anyone else would like to take over posting the steps for November?

I'm still very happy to do it (or be stand-by) if no-one fancies it, but would equally welcome the opportunity to step back a bit and focus on my own Flying and allow someone else a bit more concise than me to take the floor!! It only need be for the month ahead and then we can have another change - depending on how we all feel?

Let me know your thoughts/opinons/suggestions everyone please!

See you tomorrow everyone ...

Whay hey!!! PA is back!!! Great news!! Looking forward to catching up with you, so glad you had a good trip!!

Sorry - am going to have quiet supper and bed - am cream-crackered

And reading back previous posts - sorry they sound so long and boring as if I am running a multi-national - too tired for strike outs tonight!!!

See you in the morning!!

Just wandering to update but to tired for effort (sorry)

Uni done
Ds up, cleaned up and ready for school done
ASE membership done
Sort Ex out for breakfast, key etc done
Laundry
packing for Ds' trip to ex's house
paperwork tidying and filing
trip to driving range (golf) for ds. done
Be socialable done
Spent whole evening out and now trying to shove ds into bed
Hope all have a nice weekend.

Evening All

Welcome back PA and thank you, we're bearing up here and I'm trying to be good to myself.

Happy half term lovely teachers and hope your migraine is better now Tibni. NTG cleaner is two cleaners for 1.5 hours per week since I returned to work in September (was once per month when I was on ML). I have to say, since joining this thread DH has observed that they seem to be looking for things to do and end up cleaning the front door every week...but what's not to like about a shiney front door?!

CTGG I like the three pronged approach and the level of chat. I think it is also a good idea to take it in turns to post the tasks (and I'll volunteer for a future month if that's ok). Thanks for the compliment too but not sure it is deserved - just trying to keep on top of things a bit because I know it will help me feel better about things.

I've taken it quite easy today but pottered around trying to keep things generally acceptable:

• swish and swipe - done
• make beds - done
• one load of washing in, on, out - done
• short outing with DS - done
• put away at least some of the clean clothes - done (a bit)
• get some food in for the weekend and plan some meals - done sort of
• load - done and unload dishwasher - done
• vacuum rugs - done
• shine sink - to do before bed
• babystep - sort of done as already in draft control journal.

Have a restful weekend everyone and, those of you with guests, have fun and don't work too hard.

Quick flutter in before bed.

Abandoned tonight's plan - far too tired (had to walk to the breakfast club this morning with DS and back again tonight then down the road to wish niece a happy 10th birthday. Done minimal ironing and will start again tomorrow.

Not sure how much I can get done tomorrow - sister's 20th anniversary open house and I've got half the food in my (defrosted freezer. No work next week though so not going to stress about being a day or 2 behind.

CTGG I would really love to carry on into November. We have a really good group of people on here and a BIG part of my getting my house sorted is the support on this thread. I'm sure there are others out there lurking as I did this time last month waiting for the beginning of November to join in - if you are out there please pop in tomorrow and say hello !

Good morning all - coffee is perking and tea is in the pot
Not dressed but have slippers on - that's good enough for me on a Saturday morning.
Done a bit of home blessing - emptied all the bins & got the washing on. I'll probably whizz the vaccuum round after breakfast as parents coming over later en route to sister's.
Todays' plan
cook all the stuff Dsis put in my freezer and plate it up to take over later started
DW on
dressed
swish & swipe (first one so need to see how that goes) [trepidation emoticon]
vaccuum
ironing
buy football boots and socks for DS
party

Have a good day everyone

DWM I am impressed, the last up last night and the first this morning. Sounds as if you are up for a busy day!

I need to unpack today and do mammoth amounts of washing ready for going away again.
Also plan to get the hoover out and hope it behaves itself enough to let me get at least downstairs sorted. - very temperamental hoover which I must take to get fixed sometime soon.

I will confess now that I am going back to bed now. Just got up to make DH sandwiches. He is supposed to be on holiday, but due to staff sickness at work he has to go in today. Neither of us are happy about that!

Morning.....

Had a lovely night last night. It is not very often that we all (me, Dsis, and 2 x DSB + partners) get together and it was lots of fun though I know I had a little tipple last night IYKWIM.

Today's List includes:-
Tesco (payback for nagging OM)
Washing (1 load already on)
Swish and swipe
Week's worth of decluttering in bedroom. (am hoping an hour will make a difference)
Find DS swimming shorts so he can go with DH as reward for parent's evening loveliness
Get ready for tea party tomorrow (to bake or to buy that is the question)
Buy tights for DD

PA Welcome back, we missed you . Glad your trip went well. Am going away with DC's for a few days this week and am sure DH will not eat what I leave him either

tibni nice to 'see' you

WTD sorry your meeting didn't go well, it must be very frustrating.

Waves to MM, HAG, NTG, DWM, DEM, Rhian, Paranoia, OM and Snitch and hopes (probably in vain) that she hasn't forgotten anyone.

CTGH in answer to your various questions:-

1. Yes, I think we definitely should carry on

1. Three pronged approach is working I think (not that i've got very far on any of them this month

1. Let's not change the chat element....this is my social life

1. Will gladly take over next month, would probably have to post steps the day before though, am not sure I am the right person to be in charge though seeing as I have been 'grounded' so to speak for most of this month...hardly esteemed leader status

Have a nice day everyone.