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!

Got some whisky, honey and lemon if anyone fancies it? Port and brandy alternatively. For purely medicinal purposes you understand!

Hope your DS's exam went OK PA. Am dreading exams etc as DD grows up - I get so nervous, but don't want to pass it on to her!

tibni what a rubbish start to the day. Hope you have a better night tonight!

SC I am very impressed by the embriodery as a way to avoid snacking, but fear I may be too untalented for so creative a solution

Have managed to keep on top of dishwasher and washing today and have cleaned sides in the kitchen so could be worse!

Night all

Thursday night will be the new Friday for me; when I return to work next week I'm only doing 4 days. Getting some practice in this evening and enjoyed lovely dinner, a glass of red and series 7 of 24. DH and I are seriously addicted.

The problem is that the world doesn't stop with me... DS1 still has to go to school tomorrow and DH is working. I have booked Ocado to come between 7 - 8am and I still haven't got a shiny sink this evening. Thursdays will still involve ferrying to cubs and there seem to be an extraordinary number of parents' eves on this night too. Ah well, by this time next week I expect I'll be too tired to care that no one else is starting their weekend with me and I'll just want to snuggle up with my book.

My cleaner came today. She is an angel sent from heaven

Evening all! Well the Panto was fab - Bobby Davro and Micky Rooney of all people - two especially ugly ugly sisters and real ponies to take Cinderella to the ball!! And plenty of smutty innuendo. Also, Anthea Turner as the good fairy, resplendent in sparkly apron and feather-duster wand! Made me think of the fat fairy!

So I've done b-all else!

The risotto I put in the slow cooker this morning was a bit of a sorry disaster really - wallpaper paste would have been more appetising . Think it was on too long.

Haven't been on the Wii Fit but did walk across town twice to a meeting. Drunk limited water but having a glass now.

So good day but feel very tired! Off to bed now. Oh no I'm not.....Oh yes I am!

Hi ladies, sorry to interrupt, but I was just wondering if RubyRioja still comes in here cos I wanted to ask her something?

I am off to bed so just thought I would pop on and say good night.

Final list Quite pleased with my self today. Though didn't get a couple of biggish things done but hey! I have done a lot and the kitchen is still looking good and so is the DC2&3's room, so I am very pleased.

Morning routine done
Evening routine done
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 not done
Start on DC1's room not done
Meat out for tonight done
Take DC1 to swimming lesson done
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 done (was spag bol and I got the meat bit ready before swimming so all I had to do was to do the spaghetti when I got in)

And the best bit of the day

Order new american style fridge/freezer done

Will be here next wednesday

Good morning all!

Before I forget - hi nappyaddict. Sorry but can't help with whereabouts of rubyrioja - don't think we've seen her at all this month (or did she pop in once in a slightly different name?). Certainly not seen recently

You all did loads while I was gone. V productive. My house not bad when I came home mainly because Dsis had put DS to bed and tidied up like she always does

Babystep today is to make your bed. Wish I could but DH always goes back to bed once he's taken me and DS in the morning and only occasionally thinks to make it again

Last mission of the week - skirting boards.

Next week's zone is the master bedroom!

See you later - have a great Friday!

[Still Counting sticks head around door and relaxes ... .......all is well ... Mummy is back!! Hurray!]

Sounds like you have a lovely sister there Mummy btw ...glad you got back OK despite delayed journeys.

Hello NappyAddict might she be posting here as Ruby's return? MrsGok wow! what a list!!

Pluto that's v. good about your angel cleaner! Will be thinking of you next wk x

Hope you start to feel a bit better today PushmePullYou

Hi to MissBennett Feetheart WhereChaos MiniM and flaps wings at everyone else

Before work:
morning routine including s&s done
washing on
THEN make bed after it is aired - sorry - hate doing it immediately

After work:
mission in hallway (MUST sort coat stand)
15 mins master bedroom
15 mins home office
buy fish!

Um, what does everyone suggest about organising weight-loss steps in time for next week pls?? There's 19 so far. I agree that grouping them (as I previously suggested) is too complicated. Shall I just organise them in terms of sense/importance or pick 'em out randomly as WhereChaos suggested?

(Apologies to everyone here who ISN'T trying to lose weight. WE'll have this sorted shortly and then should just be one step a week so hopefully not too intrusive!)

Have a good day everyone.

Hi all,
Loving the fitted sheet business - the man in the video did seem a bit ocd about it all, didn't he? Maybe I'll start doing that in 2015 when I finish decluttering, etc.

tibni - hope ds is managing okay today, I can imagine it's really stressful for him. Hope the snow eases up and you can get back into a routine for him soon.

positive attitude - wahey! on the ironing front. Fingers crossed for you ds and his exam

Re: bodyclutter - noone's actually admitted to being slim, have they? I have baby weight to lose, but no rush as am bfing, so will pick up the healthy eating tips as we go. Have just realised I sat down at computer with no water, hang on...

Pushme - my sympathies, all sick here too. Is 2pm too early for a hot toddy?

Mrs Gok - amazing list! well done!

Another good day today, done morning routine, 15 mins decluttering. Sink is shiny and the bathroom is clean.

I just have to get on with this application form. It's not even difficult questions - why do you want to do the course, how will use the info in future, what experience will you bring... but I just can't seem to motivate myself to do it. Does the fat fairy have application form babysteps anywhere?

Morning!

MrsG I stand in awe! And I amd very envious of your new fridge

well, my turn to oversleep this morning!But not too bad as clothes hanging up (I know,sad but makes a difference!) so I managed to do VERY quick swish and swipe, prepare packed lunches and make porridge for breakfast as out of bread. All gone off and I'm finishing my coffee before I go - not much behind schedule for this morning.

Though haven't done any jobs yet.

Never mind, is much easier knowing if it doesn't get done this time it will come around again. Haven't done any additional rooms to the bathroom but all in good time! Bathroom is looking better!

Tonight I will:
-mission
-declutter bathrrom stool thing - haven't been in there for years so goodness only knows what I shall find.....
-menu plan and maybe shop
-catch up with Silent Witness!

See you later - have a good day everyone! Waves to all.

Morning all.
Getting back to normal in the Optimistic house - ie DC back at school and journeys relatively easy!
Next week I must get back on track with the zone cleaning and missions properly. It's all been a bit it and miss here since Christmas!
MissB - glad you enjoyed the panto!
MMMango - my tip is set your timer for 15 mins and see how far you get with the form! I always do this for paperwork as I absolutely hate it and so does my DH...
MrsGok - you are nearly eligible for a gold plated feather duster if you keep going at this rate!
DMummuy - glad you had a successful trip even though the journeys sound horrendous!
SC - I think just post one of the more general HE steps rather than the specific ones iyswim.
Pluto - very best of luck for next week - enjoy it!!

Right today:
Morning routine done
s and s done
Dw on done
Station drop offs done
Haircut
Tescos
Bottle bank
Ironing
15 mins in our bedroom - a bomb has gone off!

Have a good day all...
< OM leaves a pot of freshly brewed coffee on side...>

Morning everyone

Right, I'll jump right in & will make a small list myself:

STILL ON BABY STEPS
-5 mins 'hot spot' decluttering DONE (main 'hot spot' I identified is our bed, it took exactly 5 mins to clear it. Hurray!!)
-kitchen sink: clean & shiny DONE
-dressed (even shoes!, hair / face DONE

OK question to you more experienced ladies. How do you remember all this stuff? At the moment I realize its only very few things I'm doing (today's baby step was the 5 mins hot spot decluttering) but I expect that in a few days it'll get slightly harder to remember it all. I don't like the idea of putting post-its everywhere, DP will laugh at me (he already finds me funny with the kitchen sink madness). So how do you arrange your day in a way that doesn't mean your basic diary is filled with these things?

I've been doing 2 other things:

1. I haven't followed ALL the baby steps so far, I've skipped a few. This is just because some of them seemed slightly ridiculous & cute to me i.e. 'tell yourself a good thing how you look' or something like that>. So I've just been doing the practical ones which I've outlined above

2. I've also been (naughtily) following a few of the daily missions I got through email. So yesterday I hunted around the house & threw away a few broken toys. I also made a list of appointments I need to make & got on with actually making a couple! Finally, I decluttered for 15 mins under the bed which was VERY succesful.

I tell you, my house is in such a need of decluttering, these small steps have already been making a difference

Morning ladies,

Just a quick post this morning as I need to e heading out the door in 10 minutes and still need to get littlies out of the bath and dressed.

Won't be doing such a lot today but so far

Morning routine done
Washing in machine done
Clothes folded off the airers and put away done
Washing on airers done helpwithcleaning there is a baby step where you create a control journal and it all goes in there.

See you ladies later, sorry to post and run.

MrsGok lucky you! I would love one of those fridges but no space. At least a smaller fridge means less shelves to clean.

done
2 loads in w/m and drying on airer
Ocado shop unpacked and sorted
butchers
a lot of cuddling of DS2 who is being absolutely charming. He must know there's something up with next week.

to do

tidy kitchen

plan what to do in ole London town on Sunday. We're going up en famille so that I don't spend all day thinking about work. Anyone know of any good exhibitions at one of the big museums that would interest DS1 (aged 10)? He's into everything - easily pleased! We've done mummies, dinosaurs, moon landings and hands on at Science museum. Is there anything at the V&A for kids?

Buy supplies for my pencil case - makes school so much more fun!

I've been tearful today but this has been prompted more by the reports from Haiti. This is helping me get a lot of perspective on Monday.

Hi Everyone

Just trying to catch up with you all but you are all such prolific cleaners and posters!

DWM that must have been a long day for you! Glad you don't have to do it again for a while.

SCC thanks for putting the healthy living tips together and thanks everyone for thinking of them in the first place. I particulary like your use of "(Optimistic)" for OM's abbreviated name as I feel that word applies to all the tips for me at the moment but I will try to remember kitchen pickers wear big knickers every time I feel temptation coming my way! Maybe we (I) need to start posting what we eat as well as what we do...that would almost certainly motivate me to drop a few pounds !

Thought I had better put a list up for myself today as feeling tired and have a good book I want to keep reading!

S&S - done
make bed - done
make/clear bfast/lunch - done
take DS to library - done
tidy up downstairs
make dinner (in advance)
paid work (just a little while DS sleeps)
washing on - done
washing out
sweep floors downstairs
tidy tupperware cupboard
pack away food delivery
phone dentist

ok, better get on with it!

Pluto - how about the Imperial War Museum (Waterloo East) Children of the 2nd World War exhibition. Mine loved it when they were younger and we always try to persuade parents of our Y3/4 to go as it gets booked up for schools so quickly. Also National Gallery does children's 'trails' - ask at reception. It's free and only needs 40 mins or so.

Sorry you are feeling tearful. Switch News 24 off is my advice!

Morning routine done
s and s done
Dw on done
Station drop offs done
Haircut done
Tescos done
Bottle bank
Ironing
15 mins in our bedroom - a bomb has gone off!

Pluto just checked website to make sure I was up to date and the exhibition is called 'The Children's War' and is free. Also there is a Horrible Histories 'Terrible Trenches' exhibtion which costs...
HTH

Hi everyone. This really does move fast-only been away for a couple of days! Will catch up with it later when I have more time but just though id do my list seeing as I have been a bit lazy las couple of days.

So far today, have done-
morning routine
made the bed

eh thats it!

Still to do-
lunch dishes
dust the living room (and 15min declutter)
todays mission (and 15min declutter)
put away ironing.
declutter in kids room (it is v messy at the moment!!)

Hope you all have a nice afternoon.

Thanks OM Yep - the IWM is great. We've done the Horrible Trenches but he might fancy a return visit to do something else. He's reading Goodnight Mr Tom so it would fit in well Can't remember what they're doing in History at school this term...

Pluto - if you are planning to eat out before/after museum trip check out Money Saving Expert. Pizza Express were doing 1/2 price pizzas (and Millies Cookies doing 12 cookies for price of 6) Need to print a voucher for both but saved us loads last w/e when we went to Science Museum.

Pluto The nearest I get to taking mine anywhere educational is the Egyptian Staircase in Harrods Did go to Vand A for Graduate Fashion Week Colections for DDs Textiles - she's making a recycled dresss

Afternoon one and all,

Let's all just ponder for one lovely moment the fact that it is Friday .

Well didn't do too bad yesterday. Managed to achieve everything on list. I am not list posting today because it is friday and i have cba however i will say that my own personal mission this weekend is washing. I am so far behind it isn't even funny anymore. Things have been that bad that this week i have just had to keep re-washing the clothes we've all been wearing as have no idea where anything else is . So am planning to wash, dry, iron and put away all wkend long.

Haven't got time to say hello to everyone but just wanted to mention pluto i know how hard this weekend is going to be for you and i just wanted you to know i am thinking of you.

helpwithcleaning there is a control journal babystep later on in the month. I do have one that dreamteamgirl gave me which is a work of genius (she's my idol ) which i will quite happily let you have if you want (dtg hope you don't mind).

sc i rather think i quite like the idea of randomness as far as the weightloss steps are concerned. Keep us on our toes so to speak or out of the fridge because we'll have to have bigger knickers

ANyway am going to toddle off now and hopefully will get a lead over the weekend. Have a good one everyone!

Question: About baby-step number 6 (hot spots). Do I clear up the same hot spot every day for 2 mins? Or pick a new one each day? (there are many hot-spots in my house, I'm sorry to say ).

helpwithcleaning I have interpreted this as the following (as my whole house is a hotspot ):- i do one hotspot for 2 mins, if this doesn't clear it, i carry on with that hotspot the next day or until it is sorted and then move onto the next. Basically all i do is move round in circles because by the time i have cleared them all the first one is back again . HTH.

Right, DONE
exercise
supper in slow oven
some paperwork connundrum
some homework connundrum
walked dd to singing
no snacking
hoovered playroom
groceries whilst doing above connundrums

but otherwise...have to keep remembering tis Friday - thankyou ELLIE

now kids are in front of tv for a well earned couchpotato session
I am going to hoover upstairs
unload dw
reload dw
put away groceries including loopaper upstairs
remove muddy veg box from kitchen and fold
prep potatoes to have with goulash
OFF I GO

Evening!

with regard to the healty eating step i can plug them into my random generator thing from here and post sunday evening for the next week (cant always get on first thing mondays) If that would help. I can C&Pit in then hit f10, which would make it easier. Take a vote and let me know if you want me just to do that.

Havent done much today.
babysteps
dressed to shoes done
hells are us done
Uni done

and discovered that my old pin number doesnt work on the new card despite it suppoesd to. so it is either a pin number error or a memory on.

Despite tomo being family day i have a very long list of stuff that i have to do. Including a very big pile of stuff for the post office, the bank and overdue library books. Plus i need to see if i can get ds' glasses fixed. I also have the paperwork pile of doom to sort and file. I do not want anymore nights up searching for stupid bits of paper.