Fledging flyers - December's messaholics anonymous meeting place

[droitwitchmum]

Everyone welcome, newcomers and old(ish) flappers alike!

Here you can do any of the following:

• 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 Christmas is approaching I will also be posting Christmas missions.

I'll post links early in the morning on the relevant day while I'm making the coffee and brewing tea. There might even be toast...

Good luck!

Evening All

Quickly popping by to say hello and report that my sink is shiny!

Mellie I was particularly pleased that one of my Ebay sales was a huge soft toy dragon that has been taking up far too much room

Got the parcels to the post office and did the list for the craft fair, unfortunately the Spare room is still as cluttered as ever but never mind at least my sink is shiny and even a tiny babystep is a babystep in the right direction

Evening all

Sneaking back in myself today and still haven't managed to catch up fully yet!

Mellie very glad your DD is on the mend! Love 'didly squat' myself

Pluto sorry to here the vinegar hasn't done the trick . I've had a quick google for you and vut and pasted some advice below (sorry for taking up the thread long wahing machine post, although it is flying related I suppose)

"You need to use the boil wash, it's not enough to just use detergents containing bleach. If the smell persists you should also consider using distilled white vinegar on boil wash without laundry inside. With all washing machines, at the end of the wash there is always at least a pint of water left in the sump hose and pump filter. This water never gets pumped out. It won't normally cause a problem though.

If the leftover water contains soap bubbles it could be that the water isn't being pumped out properly. If the filter is clear it could be that there is a partial blockage somewhere in the plumbing where the water pumps out"

If there is anything you haven't already tried in here it might be worth a go.

MM I've fallen off the bottom of the thread too. Wish I could say it was because I've been so busy cleaning, but no such luck!

I have finished my Christmas shopping though, and even wrapped most of it . This is absolutely unprecedented!

House not too bad either, cleared another car load from attic of doom at the weekend and generally managing to keep up with routines and washing/dishwasher, though not much further forward - just maintaining, so need to give myself a kick up the bum!

Hello and waving to PF, mullered, HARR, WTD, OM, swanriver, cadnum, SSC, SC, yawning, mrsgruffalo (seems unfair to shorten to mrsgrumpy ) and everyone else I've missed. Goodness aren't there a lot of us!

Evvening all,

Everyone sounds as though they have been very busy. I have read the entire thread, but there is so much going on I can't seem to take it all in let alone make individual posts (my eyes are closing). So general hellos to everyone.

I have had quite a successful day, considering I was out for most of it.

S+S - done
Clean bathroom floor done
Washing - done, just needs putting away
DW etc - done
Clean kitchen floor - done
Hoover downstairs - done
Clean kitchen worktops - done one side, will do other side tomorrow
Tidy and clean out fridge - done
Make DS packed lunch for tomorrow - done
Visits to 2 lots of friends - done
Christmas cards - not done

I would never have managed all this in one day with DD at home two months ago, it is possible now because there is less clutter and most of the hotspots are fairly under control. Must keep the momentum going.

My interpretation of S+S is that every morning I do a quick clean of the toilet and then one other area of the bathroom, either basin, bath, shelves or just general dusty/dirty spots. I really like the fact that "cleaning the bathroom" no longer exists as a job in itself to be done at some point in the day which might never arrive and I am no longer in fear of unexpected visitors.

Need an early night tonight, have been staying up too late doing Xmas shopping online

Hello again and thank you PF and Mrs DDM for the explanation. Will try and incorporate this too!

Can someone please nag me to test PC tomorrow as this could end up in some paid work!

Thanks and nighty night.

Not much done today really - due to work, PIL and DS's Nativity Play (proud Mummy emoticon). However, have managed to name DS2's new school trousers, hat and gloves - just have new PE kit and DS1's hat and gloves to do tomorrow.

Just about to lay table for morning - sink shiny(ish)

Only in for first lesson tomorrow am, so should be able to catch up...

at HARR and Mellie

Good evening everyone. Time for a quick round up (I feel like a newsreader) and then off to bed

Gruffalo I've been working on my spare room since the day I started this and although it IS better and several bin liners of stuff have been taken to tip/jumble etc it's still a mess
Pluto I'm pleased you had some 'me' time on your list today
Cadmum you are right about the 15 minute idea. Spend no more than 15 mins on a task (using timer!) then move on and make sure you take 15 mins off for yourself each hour
Mellie that was one heck of a list today and you are so right about sending DC to CM/nursery/whatever while you are off. I used to do it all the time before DS started school
Hi swan pizza for tea here as well tonight (thanks for the idea). You are so right about those hotspots. At the weekends I make a mental list of them and whizz through all the places I have procrastinated about during the week
OM how was parents' evening?
HARR my yoghuty is yum and I cheat! I use Easy-yo which you just mix with water and leave in yoghurt maker overnight and its done! My excuse for going to Lakeland (one of them anyway...)
PF 2 lots of paid work today Thanks for opening the wine
MrsD fabulous day!
Mullered I'll put a link to the swish & swipe at the bottom where it won't get lost
wtd did you find anything to watch on the telly? Whenever I find time to watch there is nothing I want to sit in front of
SantasBB nativity play here tomorrow - DS is Joseph (sniff)

MM & PMPSS don't worry about 'catching up'. Start from tomorrow with the babysteps and 15 minutes of something and see how you get on. Maybe try a couple of hotspots?

I'm posting a couple of links for you to try out:
This one is the FAQ page from flylady with the 'official' instructions on swish & swipe although I think you have a good idea from PF and MrsD - thank you both
This little piece of gold (or fairy) dust is the link to Riley's challenge. The idea of this is for your DC to help out by having challenges of their own like tidying their own rooms. There isn't a new one each day but if you would like me to keep an eye out for them I will

See you all tomorrow

I am back and on my bucketful of wine!
Pluto LOL at vat load - as I'm a teacher as well (primary) I'd better start on my vat once I've finished my bucket! Seriously though, it gets stessful when your DS ( whom you still think of in short trousers) is in Year 12(lower 6th). I felt really nervous tonight as I am in unprecedented waters and have been worried that my DS is very switched off. My instinct was right but luckily he has sorted himself out since half term. There's so much pressure on these kids but I guess that's for another thread...

Sorry about that divert...

Tomorrow is another day - another parents' eve for DD (14 and just recovered from ME) so I'll probably need a bucket + vat + skip load of wine!

Before then I really MUST fly....

Night,night.

Morning all,

Amongst all the recent madness in the elliepac household I appear to have forgotten that it's only 2 weeks until Christmas. I had a moment last night where i had a horrific realisation that I have so much left to do. So from now on am posting a fly list and a CHristmas to do list in the vain hope I won't be running around like a headless chicken on CHristmas Eve. So here goes:-

Before work:
WM on
DW on
S/S bathroom
DC's fed and dressed

After work:-
Buy dinner
Sort washing
DS swimming lesson
WM on
DW on

CHristmas:-

Buy pressies for niece/nephew x 4
Buy stocking fillers

Let's see how much I actually get done!

OM parent's evening at this time of year are ridiculous in my opinion. We don't have any until after Christmas. Am too knackered to teach properly let alon converse intelligently with parents

Pluto I must say I love your lists. Watching Spooks/House and drinking coffee are always essentials

Cadmum just for you I have added another 3 hours to the 9th of December. 2 1/2 of those I insist you take for sleep and 2 15 min busts of flying. Enjoy

Big waves to everyone else. Have a good day.

Good morning! Coffee is on and yoghurt (mango) ready for testing

Today is anti-procrastination day so I think we should each try to do 1 thing that we have been putting off all week. I am going to do that ironing I keep putting on my list but not doing and put it all away afterwards.

Important babystep today - how to declutter properly and not just move stuff from one place to another

Today's mission requires an old toothbrush

Some of you have already done/started today's Christmas mission but the fat fairy has given us a choice of 2 to do today.

I am only working this morning then dashing across Birmingham to get a train home then running up to school for 2.15 to see DS in his play [worn out by thinking about it emoticon]. Bringing him and DNeice home with me so I will gain time at the end of the afternoon so I will be able to get something done today

s&s done!
dressed done to socks
DS/DH up
breakfast
make lunch (will eat on train later)

later
ironing
hotspots-dining table, paper on lounge floor
put washing away
dinner
me-time 30 mins sewing/watching tv/dvd (probably Life of Brian - have any of you seen this thread? Had me rofl. Warning - major time eater (probably not good on anti-p day)

Have a good day

x post with Mellie
I had a moment like that yesterday - suddenly realised I finish work for christmas a week on Thursday and will see DPs on Saturday for the last time before Christmas, and DF at work retires on 23 December so need to get her a gift and DS has party to go to on 20th which is a day when we would normally do the rounds of DH's family so our last chance will be THIS sunday. I think I had better get Christmas sorted [manic ]

Ok well with no real excuse what so ever I still achieved diddly squat. Im not sure I am cut out for this are you sure the designer of this flying thing is married with children???
Tomorrow
#Playcentre with ds and dd until 12ish
#Hoover one room
#Toilets
#Shower
DS wants a break from doing the roman citadel (hurray, sadly he saw a robot on telly that he is almost certainly sure we have the parts to build for ourselves in dad's garage...sigh! He is a child of grand dreams!)
#Start designing robot with ds
#Finish and send cards
#Organise platter for kids xmas party on Friday
#Couple of loads of washing

Right I am not adding anything else as going the way I have been this list will still be in place friday....

Morning all!

Thanks for the mango yoghurt it was yumy MC (why do I keep thinking of rappers when I type your intials[hm])!
I'm glad you think as I do Mellie that parents eves are a bit . I felt like saying and please have one!
I am also having a 'Christmas? Yikes!' moment and need to get down to using my timer efficiently today (the fat fairy will be proud )

So my list is going to be mammouth:

morning routine
change sheets on my bed
unload/reload dishwasher
process washing
declutter kitchen(which also includes a corner 'office') in 15 minute bursts to get it DONE!
make stuffings( I bought a proper loaf last week to make breadcrumbs and it's still sitting there)
freeze stuffings
Do banking
Chase prescription
buy pizzas for tea
finish cards

Am hoping the window cleaner pitches up today so I can get him to do inside the windows too! (He normally does this in exchage for a couple of cups of tea!!)

Good luck everyone - take deep breaths and have a nice day!

Oh boy am I in need of an anti-procrastination day!!

Another one feeling a bit "rabbit in headlights" about Christmas too ... sudden realisation that dd breaks up from school in under a fortnight ....cripes ... just a week and a half to get everything done ....

Thanks for steps and delicious mango Mummyclaus. Good luck with your heavy schedule today ....I always find school plays/concerts rather draining as (although I am generally not prone to crying easily) when dd is on stage I tend to find my bottom lip wobbling dramatically and so have to find either a tree or a pillar to hide behind ....!!!

I'm still working my way through the list I posted on Monday [sigh] and am also behind with baby steps ... and have gone against all the rules and have started dramatic declutterings without having time to finish what I started, so things all in chaos here ....so still no time to respond to everyone individually ... so sorry ... but waves to

PA, Mellie, Optimistle, MiniM, DingDong HavinganR Pushme Grumpy Cadmum SBB Mullered WtheD Swan DidSM and the people I am certain I have missed!!!

Good luck everyone!

Forgot you YawningMonster!!!

X posted with yawning. I love your DS!!Agree that the fat fairy has been too long with no DC! Don't bust a gut just do little steps (says she who is fast being the biggest control freak in the west!).
Enjoy your day!

Hi SC - go back to the babysteps!!

Morning all.

Forgive me for posting and running but this morning is looking hectic.

Have had a rush order for my paid work (I like that phrase 'paid work' reminds me that all the other stuff I do is work too and despite what certain people think I do not spend my days watching telly and having a good time!) read it further up the thread but can't remember whose 'phrase' it was and no time to check but thanks to whoever it was

Plan for today is
Shiny sink
anything else will be a bonus

Bye

Hi Optimistic - yes you are quite right ... baby-steps are the key ...I've not fallen too far off the wagon ... laundry is up-to-date and meal planning fine ..sink is shiny ...

It's the hot-spotting and s&s & bedtime routine that's gone to the wall ...bedtime routine is MOST important one of all I reckon ...

Btw has anyone seen ShoppingVeggie?? Hope all OK [waves]

Must stop procrastinating on anti-procrastination day ... huge pile of filing and billing to get through .. oh joys ....

PMPSS Thanks so much for taking the time to post the washing machine link. I'll try another really hot run with vinegar while I'm out. I must remember to turn the dial back to 40 when it's finished - forgot last time and had to do a lot of stretching of wet washing when it came out.

I think DH is going to have to pretend to be a plumber at the weekend and see if it's something to do with the pump or filter.

Well, not much on list today apart from having fun with DS and getting some stocking fillers on line. Living room needs a quick tidy but will only take five mins.

I'll catch up tonight - and watch Spooks - got over excited yesterday thinking it was Wednesday!

Morning all,

This morning started well, but has since descended into anything but!

So far I have:

Sandwiches x7
Got DD2 out of bed early and to the bus stop in time for an early boat! - hard work, that one!!
Cooked meat for shepherds pie, which is now in the slow cooker.
S & S
Kitchen Cleaned
DW loaded and unloaded
A little essential ironing. (- school shirt for DS)
typed out a letter to the LEA, for perusal later!

I then got to work, sort of as on time as I normally manage on a good day, to discover that the builders have given me a new door! Lovely. I tried the key that I have been given and I am confused by putting a yale lock key into a Chubb lock hole. Never in a million years is that going to work! I have left my mobile phone at home, so can't phone anyone for help, so eventually I got hold of one of the builders, using a phone in the shop next door, and he has had to come and break in for me!
Now sat in the office and the work has not arrived, so I can't do anything!! What a waste of time! I think I will pack up and go Christmas shopping!

Later I must:

Collect DD3 from "school", on way to collecting DD2 from boat.
Finish making shepherds pie
Phone about naff hoover (still not got around to this.)
Washing
Ironing (Mount Everest is in danger of making a come back )
Some Christmas shopping
BUY SOME CHRISTMAS CARDS MUST DO
Make Apple crumble
Take DD4 and DS to the pantomime - Oh no I'm not! Oh yes I am!!! - only dropping them off, but going to see it on Friday with DD3 if she is well enough!

So not a lot of time for "house" flying today. I am feeling a bit bah humbug and that Christmas should be banned for everyone but my family, so that the shops are not so busy!

On that note I will scarper and see if I can get on with a little work before i give up totally!

Waves to YM, SC Mellie, Optimistle, MiniM, DingDong HavingaR Pushme Grumpy Cadmum SBB Mullered WtheD Swan DidSM and anyone else!
HAve a good day everyone.

Popped in earlier but didn't have time to post as DP was harassing for the computer to e-mail a job application.

He did point out that I "have ALL day to post on MN" (1st use of biscuit- v/excited)

DS napping early as was awake and ready for the day at 5am (I wasn't but never mind). So far I have:

Made bed
Got swimming stuff and lunch for DS ready
DW on
Quick tidy in kitchen

Before I go out I still need to

Get washing on
S & S (I used to do this when in the bathroom and it was great - what happened?!)
Tidy dining room/lounge (still all in one!)

YM Your son sounds like a poppet - I love him!

SC Just because you are no longer leading us doesn't mean you can go all maverick and start de-cluttering willy nilly you know!

MC Mellie OM and SC I have good news for you, myself and some friends have agreed that Christmas can be postponed this year. February is usually rubbish so we've gone for then - you see - panic over

Christmas in Feb sounds like heaven!!!

Yes, I don't know quite what has happened HavinganR ..; kept to my routines and started going to bed early and then everything exploded ...!!!! All that clean living did me in

Crikey PF - what a list - I think I would have given up after 7 rounds of sandwiches!!!! How do you do it????

Wow, this week has gone so wrong so fast! Had lovely weekend at my parents being taken care of, got back home late monday evening and haven't managed to sleep properly since. So am too knackered to do anything much (DD seems to have become insomniac). DD finally having a nap, and DS is being hypnotised by watching TV so I get a chance to try and catch up with this thread, and then the baby steps!

absolute must do list:
wash up
put shopping away (yes, from yesterday )
hide xmas present

it would be great if ... list:
re-read and do babysteps I have missed
soak fruit for xmas cake baking tomorrow
hoover kitchen/dining
do some laundry

Hopefully between me and CBeeBies I'll find enough to entertain the children while I get something done! Off to do the easy bit - read up what I've missed

All clear on the PIL front now - just came for DS's nativity. Take a huge box of tissues MummyClaus - DS1 was 'Jac y post' and took the children on a journey to Bethlehem. He sang a solo, I sat there blubbing and he frowned at me so hard he forgot the next line!

Today, in between school run, work, haircut and dog walking I have:
Made beds
Loaded DW (but not on)
Stripped PIL's bed
WM on
Washing hung - it'll rain now, just watch...
Popped in to school to dose DS1 up with cough medicine

Still to do:
Swish and swipe
Make up bed
Sew labels into new PE kit and DS1's hat and gloves
Hoover through
Clear ironing pile Eiger
Deliver DS's at school for final performance
Drink vat of wine

Yup - it's raining...