January Fledgling Flyers - The 15 minute mess removal squad

[droitwichmum]

Happy New Year!

This is the place for you if you have made a New Year's Resolution to get on top of the chaos in your home

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

Here you can find out what it is all about. Try to ignore the cutesy stuff - cute the regulars on here are not! We also take some of the suggestions with a HUGE dose of salt (look out for wearing tie up shoes in the house)

If you decide to register for the e-mail updates from flylady be warned: unless you choose the daily digest only option you will be innundated with e-mails throughout the day. I will post the links you need each day so you don't need to register on the site to join in.

Dive in and mark your place - we start on January 1st!

Right, FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS

I've destressed so much I'm in danger of doing nothing. Ds1 has gone back to school after two months of homeedding with broken leg.

Now today I NEED TO
Make beds
put new fuse in hoover and hoover
washing on
bleach in loos
change our bed (four days after home bless)
then make pizza dough for dcs' supper
sweep kitchen floor

Then Errands, olives, sesame seeds, oatmeal, more apples, library books back - find books on bats, gelada monkeys or any monkey, photocopy relevant pages in library, get money out,

Ring Bank
Then order
Printer
Weighing Scales
new swimsuit

Piano practise
read my book

Then pickup dcs at 3.20

MOrning all, didn't manage to get to shops last night so am sneaking on at work in a free period . I haven't managed to catch up with whole thread but have picked up on this body clutter malarkey. I have no wonderful tips apart from the fact i need to stop eating lard . Seriously, I quite like the sound of the body clutter steps weekly but i also think if i have another thread to keep up with my children will turn even more feral than they already are. SO there you are, i go awol for a week and then make a completely pointless point Everything's back to normal then.

sc thanks for doing the posting this morning.

om PAPERWORK

chaos oh my lord i can't believe you haven't been to sleep. I hope you have an ok day and manage to get some sleep tonight.

As far as flying is concerned. I must confess to doing very little so it only goes to show that without this thread I am nothing or rather nothing gets done!

List posting this morning though won't be able to report back until tomorrow:-

prepare shepherd's pie
washing x 2
DW on
general tidy
S/S bathroom
look at mission then probably not do .
Evening routine
Morning routine

Out of all of these the routines are most important because i have been useless lately and have really found myself slipping back into the mire. Those routines really do work.

Big massive waves to everyone on the thread. Hello to all those people who have joined since i went awol but whose names i haven't managed to remember yet!

Have a good day. Might have a sneaky peek in my lunch hour.

Hi everyone, good morning

Question from confused newbie: So yesterday I did baby step number 1 (sink) & today I've done baby step number 2 (get dressed to shoes). But then I was looking at StillCounting's list- it's a wholly different one. Do I just need to continue with the baby steps I'm doing independently & then gradually, once I'm done with the baby steps, I'll join in with everyone else?

As for the weight loss goals, so the goal this week is to build up the habit of drinking 1-2 litres water each day? Sounds doable. However, would it make sense to create a brand new thread for those of us who are interested in a baby-step approach for weight loss, in which thread we could make decisions about what the baby steps could be, how long each one would last for etc? Or should we just stick to doing it here?

Hi HWC,

Yes, keep doing the babysteps each day, then as you feel ready start decluttering in that week's zone. If it is already decluttered then you can attempt the missions, but take it steadily it is easy to overdo it and burn out. No more than 15 mins decluttering at one go.

The lists everyone posts are a mix of the above plus stuff we just need to do that day anyway, some people have been on here several months so further along in the process.

Weightloss - if the slim people don't mind I'd say keep it here, otherwise I agree with Ellie, my kids will wacth even more telly than they do now.

Morning Fellow Flyers [waves]

SC Thanks for posting the links.

Chaos Glad you found it. I can highly recommend chugging on diet coke to keep you awake. I guess it will be an early night for you tonight.

DH and DC1 are both in school today. We have thick fog and hte snow is melting slowly. DH said it was hairy getting into work this morning with all hte idiots on the road. He nearly came a cropper in the staff carpark which hasn't been cleared or gritted since the start of all this and is in a shady spot so the snow has never really gone away.

Morning routine done
Evening routine
Baby steps done
Mission done
Washing machine on done
Dry washing off the airers done
Folded washing put away done
Downstairs loo defumigated cleaned done
Build wooden train track for DC2&3
Bath DC 2&3 (IN THERE NOW)
Clear out under the stairs
Start on DC1's room
Meat out for tonight done
Take DC1 to swimming lesson

Can anyone shed any light on wht men when they wash up have to pile as much of the washing up on the draining board as high and precariously as they can, so that when you take an item off the top the whole lot collapses on the floor? . Also why they can't wipe the sides down properly or clean the sink DH sent me to bed early and did the washing up from dinner time, which was nice. Just made extra work for me this morning.

Also need to ass to the list to do, ring Kenwood and see if the they can send me a new lid for my food processor, which broke when above pile collapsed. Only had it since Christmas and have only been using it a week, since I did my kitchen

Mrs Gok - my tip for the drip dry washeruppers such as your dh (and me - after painful exp) is spread a clean dishcloth elsewhere on worktop to let excess dry on. In the mornng you can put it away...[slinks off back to lost sink territory]

sorry about your lid, amazingly organized of you to order a new one though

I have tidied kitchen - off to beds now

Shhh! having a sneaky wagon wheel and sit down while DC are playing with the train track

Morning routine done
Evening routine
Baby steps done
Mission done
Washing machine on done
Dry washing off the airers done
Folded washing put away done
Downstairs loo defumigated cleaned done
Build wooden train track for DC2&3 done
Bath DC 2&3 done
Clear out under the stairs
Start on DC1's room
Meat out for tonight done
Take DC1 to swimming lesson

Morning ladies

SC I too am a christmas fattie with 5 lb to lose to get back to my pre Christmas weight (and to be able to wear any of my clother ), 11lb to my pre-baby weight and 1 stone 4 to my ideal weight.

Have really lost the will this winter, even more so than usual this week as I have a cold/chest infection combined with being snowed in so no exercise at all for me. On the plus side we have run out of food today so that's got to help right?

Love the body clutter tips. Anyone got any hints for someone who does very well all day the habitually scoffs half a pound of cheese whilst making the evening meal?

ellie nice to have you back

chaos thank god you found it, but you must be soo tired

House is suffering as well this week - mostly waiting for me to feel a bit better to get back on top of it. Bathroom is happily fab though as I gave it a good polish on Sunday.

Anyone like a mid-morning biscuit?

Agree with MrsD and Ellie re WeightLoss steps. BTW if we call them healthy living steps no-one will mind I'm sure.
Swan - keeping busy will keep your mind off DS - hope he has a great day!!
PMPY - hope you continue to feel better..

So far I have:
Gone to yoga (then promply fell over twice in the now very wet snow! )
Morning routine done
Errands todo
Paperwork todo
Ironing todo
Drink water started

Better get cracking then...

Forgot to add...
Have folded 2 fitted sheets that were winking at me. (a la youtube video!) Honestly it was v. easy . That man made a mountain out of a molehill if you ask me. Also it was strangely satisfying.....
PMPY - put the cheese in a box at the back of the fridge and put stuff in front - trust me it works!

Morning routine done
Evening routine
Baby steps done
Mission done
Washing machine on done
Dry washing off the airers done
Folded washing put away done
Downstairs loo defumigated cleaned done
Build wooden train track for DC2&3 done
Bath DC 2&3 done
Clear out under the stairs
Start on DC1's room
Meat out for tonight done
Take DC1 to swimming lesson
Wait 1/2 hour on the phone to customer services at Kenwood for them to send a brand new lid done
Wait 1/2 hour on phone to get through to car insurance people to find out why the haven't taken the DD done (took it out of the wrong account [roll eyes] they had new bank details)
Start the dinner for tonight

looking at my list, I definitely got diverted onto a whole new batch of things decluttering tidying wandering around making piles of rubbish - sigh

DONE
pizza dough
mushroom soup
bleach loos
sweep floor

NOT DONE
beds
errands
orders

Out for errands now, giving up on house

Great, if the weight loss baby steps remain here that's simpler . I don't know about you guys, but for me it's helpful to not have to go to 2-3 different threads, better to have one thread with everything!

mmmango - I did manage to make it to work thank you. I walked a mile towards town and my manager picked me up from there on the main road. I had to leave at 7am which isn't so bad but ds (severe ASD) woke me at 3am and was wet and messed. He is 8 and this is very unusual for him but he struggled with the changes of routine at christmas then school was shut yesterday and he had to turn back in his taxi so all very confusing for him. So it was bath and change and wash bedding at 3am. ds didn't manage to re settle so that was it for the night.

ds school was shut again today and he seems to have coped ok. dh is between contracts so had ds and we all have just taken the puppy out for a walk to the castle. dd is at school today.

dh has tried to keep the house ok but to be honest im too shattered to care today. I'm sitting with a strong black coffee and mumsnet trying to decide what we can eat tonight that is easy.

Forgot to add...
Have folded 2 fitted sheets that were winking at me. (a la youtube video!) Honestly it was v. easy . That man made a mountain out of a molehill if you ask me. Also it was strangely satisfying.....
PMPY - put the cheese in a box at the back of the fridge and put stuff in front - trust me it works!

Afternoon ladies.

PMPY and Mrs GOK ?> Tempting us with mid morning biscuits ??.oh go on then, yes please. Chocolate and dunked ????!! Resisted til mid afternoon??well, ok didn?t read it til now, but hey!!

Chaos ? Well done on finding it. Hope today went well and you have managed to stay awake. Are you going to make the 10pm bedtime tonight?

OM ? Well done on folding the fitted sheets. I agree that the man makes a mountain out of it all and makes it look totally hysterical, but isn?t that just typical. I can imagine him getting a tape out to measure his folds. Any female would just fold and get on with it, surely!

Tibni ? sounds like a bad day! I think you deserve a takeaway for tea, or Dh to rustle something good. Hope you and DS sleep well tonight.

SC ?

Had a blue moon moment, or a revelation, or a monumental moment this morning when I discovered that there is a bottom to my ironing basket!!! For years I have been convinced it is like the ladies porridge pot in the fairy tale. NO there is a bottom and I found it!!!! I have since done 3 more loads of washing so the bottom has now got hidden again, but at least it was there for 5 minutes.

GCSE science exam done today by an incredibly stressed out DS, just due home from school, so will sign off and see how he has done!

Oh, by the way DH made it home last night and as predicted was very -?grumpy?tired. I walked on eggshells for 30 minutes, then he ate tea, had a wee toddy, and sat in front of tv. Luckily there was some football on, so he cheered up!
On going battle about the blardy bike now in the hallway. You would think we had enough room here for a sensible home for it??.getting beyond a joke!!! Still have one in one of the lounges, but second bike has done the rounds from lounge to bedroom to study to hallway. I think DH was joking when he said if we got heating in one of the sheds he would put it outside, then the cats would have a warm hide out too!!!! After 21 years of marriage I am beginning to think he might have some very strange ideas!!!

Right, definitely off now. See you all later.

Sorry about posting twice earlier - I wasn't thatexcited! Laptop was having a go - slow!
Hope you've all had productive days.

I managed everything on my list except Tesco's. Decided to do it tomorrow!

Evening everyone [reluctantly puts down the cork-screw and opens up the, er, Evian

Just saying hello here, will address body clutter in separate posts.

PA would your dh go for something like this? www.raleigh.co.uk/p_details.aspx?id=2575

or this? www.gardencentreonline.co.uk/Outdoor-Buildings-Outdoor-Storage-Tidy-Tent-Outdoor-Storage-In-Green/17 18-PD/default.html?

hope all went well with your ds's exam and well done with the ironing marathon

oh lordy Optimistic I'm just going to HAVE to look at that fitted sheet video now [harrumph]

Swan - you HAVE done loads - a perfect Fly list I'd say. And well done on home-edding your ds for 2 whole months - that's a real achievement.

Pushmepullyou thank you for the mid-morning biscuit carrot sticks! Hope you feel better soon.

BTW - I have a terrible habit of nibbling in front of the TV of an evening - have found patchwork or embroidery good distraction - pristine sewing projects and chocolate do not mix well!! (Depends on what you like doing of course ...if you watch TV and eat .... perhaps restrict TV ...or make rule just to eat at dining room table and no where else in house)....

MrsGok crikey - that's a list-and-a-half!!! Well done!!

that sounds like a tough day tibni - hope you get some repose this evening

Are you OK with baby-steps HelpwithCleaning?? As MrsDinky explained we are following a three-pronged approach:
(1)Newbies do baby-steps,
(2)Once baby-steps virtually automatic then you can graduate to that day's baby-step + decluttering for 15 mins in current zone, and finally
(3)Once thoroughly decluttered, you can maintain baby-steps + do daily missions and more detailed home cleaning.

We are all at different stages. I am repeating baby-steps for 4th or 5th time and STILL decluttering.

Hope you are enjoying the panto MissBennett (he's behind yoooou!!!)

Glad you had a better day today MMmango

Hi AmeliaJane - love the quote!!

lol WtD at "scrubbing the tin"

Hello to MrsDinky Elliepac Mini-Marmite Feetheart Sep1712 and everyone else

Keep flying everyone - just 15 mins at a time ....

Body clutter

Right ho, pls don't hesitate to correct me if I am wrong, but have done a quick count up and I think the majority on here favour keeping simple body-clutter tips on this thread, if nobody minds.

MrsDinky, your title is brilliant though!!! Let's keep it in mind in case we want to go to a separate thread later on.

If anyone objects or would prefer the 'healthy living tips' to appear elsewhere then please say now and don't be shy!!

Thanks for 'random generator' idea WhereChaos I like it!! As Optimistic says, prhaps we (you?) could instigate it once we have gathered all our body clutter steps together and posted them weekly for a month or so.

Totally agree with you and Optimistic that body clutter steps should be simple and in keeping with spirit of Flylady ie simple, realistic, focused, incremental etc etc

Thanks for the tip about the other thread Swan. If anyone wants to join it (and/or follow both), then here is the link: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/big_slim_whatever_weight_loss_club/889212-Daily-food-log-weekly-weight-loss-log -and-support-please

Loads of other threads active at the moment on Mnsnet, covering every sort of weight-loss strategy!

Sept1712 thank you for offer - we will ask as and when we run out! Don't hesitate to post your best ones though!

Back to post the updated list of healthy living tips. Thank you for your contributions everyone. Then we need to choose which ones (or all??) should appear when. Any ideas?

Healthy living/body clutter/weight-loss tips so far (in no particular order)

1. drink 1 to 2 litres of water a day (will include sassy water recipe) (Optimistic) and make sure you have a big glass of it everytime you sit down at the computer Mmango.

1. ring fence dvd or Wii time per week (we can refine this to specific times or days) (Pluto)

1. buy a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day (MrsDinky)

1. Eat fruit mid-morning instead of toast or a biscuit (Mrs Dinky)

1. no seconds, no snacks, no sugar for x days per week (HelpwithCleaning)

1. Eat five portions of fruit and veg a day (Optimistic)

7.Make low fat soup and eat it rather than chuck it (Optimistic)

1. Keep low calorie/low fat snack in your handbag (PositiveAttitude)

1. No s allowed! (Optimistic)

10. cut out alcohol completely or restrict to x nights per week (StillCounting)

11. Add power walking x X to your weekly routine (I am going to try and do 2 a week and then have a family walk at weekends) (StillCounting)

12. Eat an apple a day (Stillcounting)

13. swap carbs for pulses at the evening meal (and no carb snacks after that). (Mini-Marmite)

14. if you want to feel fuller for longer eat equal quantities of protein, carbohydrate and complex carbs (veg) at daytime meals/snacks. (Mini-Marmite)

15. Don' eat lard! (Elliepac)

16. When drinking water put a couple of cubes of crystalised ginger and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice in a mug and add hot water. Tastes good hot and just as nice cold which is often how I have it as I have forgotten it! (Feetheart)

17. only at defined meal and snack times and don't pick in between "Kitchen pickers wear big knickers"!!(AmeliaJaneAgain)

18.Write down what you eat. Sounds prissy but does help keep track. I've lost just over 60lbs and if I don't write it down I forget and eat too much, basically! (MissBennett)

19. Keep a couple of home-cooked low calorie pre-prepared meals (individual portions) in your freezer for when you are too busy to cook and are starving or when the rest of the family are eating chips!! (StillCounting)

Please let me know if I've forgotten anyone's tip - and please feel free to add in any obvious one's that we have forgotten!

Thanks everyone!!

OK last post of the night before my rear end becomes permanently attached to my office chair!! (not a pretty sight)

Hope you had a good trip Mummy We miss you!!

Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight WhereChaos PA - haven't thought of that porridge fairy tale in years!!!! - sure I have it somewhere in one of my old books I had as a child - will go and search it out....

Night all!!

Hi All

Just a quick check in as I've been (paid)working this evening and have to go back to it after DH and I have a cuppa together.

Been an upsidedown day as DS had to be picked up early from CM due to the snow so I'm doing my work this evening instead.

Tibni what a night for you and your DS. Hope you have a better night tonight.

Sorry, not able to catch up properly today, back tomorrow.

evening all. hope you all had good day. am tucked up in bed having a quick flick thtough although brain to tired to take anything much in. thank you for all the kind thoughts. Fell asleep in class twice today 5mins first time and 2 mins second but managed to get through rest ok and the nap helped. Brain is fuzzy and am off to sleep. Only up this late as napped for 15mins after tea.

HWC - i'm with sc. am starting back to babysteps again tomo. And i reckon i probably have about 6months worth of decluttering to do. I am not very good at routine so pick and choose an bit with which bits i am doing of the fat fairy's missions, babysteps i am doing to suit. eg. I cam swish and swipe until i have decluttered the bathroom and discovered the bath. Sink cureently has plants in it to try to save the them. New one each morning so they can have a soak before being put back to be forgotten.

right off to bed. Night youlovely hard working lot. have a good day tomo.

Working this morning so not much done on the Flying front however:

Morning routine - done
Walked/sledged to school/pre-school and picked DS up again after lunch
Braved going out in car for first time in 10 days to take DS to Tumble Tots and they weren't damn well there so went home and cooked!
DS and I made lamb stew, rice pudding and choc chip cookies. Feeling rather full now
15 mins decluttering in living room - can now see the coffee table top!
Mission - can't remember what it was so probably haven't done it but sink is shiny.

Early night I think, hope everyone gets a good night's sleep.

I'M BACK!!!

6 hours to get there yesterday and 4 to get home today but I made it. Thank goodness I'm not going to have to go to the office very often. DS really excited about me being at home next Wednesday and Thursday (nearly as excited as me)

Thanks for looking after the thread SC and welcome back ellie

Welcome on board Helpwithcleaning I can see everyone has looked after you in my absence . Re the babysteps don't try to catch up - just jump in from here. The sink shining is essential but otherwise just add the step I post each day.

Lots of waving to everyone - I'll do a round up tomorrow. Only good for a stiff drink and an early night tonight