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Housekeeping

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February's Fabulous Fledgling Flyers

625 replies

droitwichmummy · 28/01/2010 07:24

Welcome one and all!

Here you can do any of the following:

  • repeat or start baby steps (again!)
  • repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

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

This is what it's all about - Babysteps each day to try to get some order back into our home with LOADS of support from our regulars.

So join in! We start this thread on February 1st, but you are welcome to dive in at any point in the month.

OP posts:
feetheart · 17/02/2010 09:53

Well done on doing the links DWM, for once I didn't wake up at silly o'clock!
Hope you have a good day.

teamcullen - decorating cake, more February birthdays? What are you doing? DD has requested a butterfly though it has to be chocolate cake with chocolate fudge icing (she is her mother's daughter )
Chinese banquet at work sounds intriguing

elliepac - glad you all had a lovely day, definitely a day to catch up and play with new toys

PA - must try the naan bread, sounds yummy.
Good luck with the embassy, bureaucratic nightmare! Hope DH isn't too frustrated by it all.

Good Babystep that I am trying to include - success varies though!
Mission will be adapted as don't have anything resembling a 'vanity unit'
Olympics will probably be ignored
So today:

  • Morning routine
  • 2 minutes hotspot
  • Hoover living room, landing and maybe a bedroom or two!
  • Make generic tomato sauce for dinner and freezer
  • Kitchen floor
  • Wrap presents for 2 of friends' DC
  • Lunch out with friends and their DC
  • Mission or two
  • Do stuff about imminent birthdays!
  • DS to swimming lesson
  • Evening routine
  • Bed by 10.30pm

Better get moving then!

droitwichmummy · 17/02/2010 20:22

Good evening! Bit quiet on the thread today. Hope you have all been having some time with the DC instead of flying

ellie so glad DD had a good birthday
PA hope DH got DD4s passport sorted. If he DID meet anyone at the Russian Embassy, it wasn't me (no idea where it is & in meetings all day)
teamcullen I'm impressed by the chinese banquet at work, decorating cake as well V productive
feetheart hope you enjoyed your lunch.
Lots of waving to everyone else out there.

Good day at my London office today. Don't see the people there very often so its nice to spend some time there. V relieved that I'm working from home tomorrow and DS is away - can have a bit of a lie in (cats permitting)
Quiet house - DH at work - so going to bed with DVD. See you sometime tomorrow...zzz

OP posts:
PositiveAttitude · 17/02/2010 21:16

Where is everyone today?

I have had a successful DVD day.

DH has just returned home after a trying day at the embassy. First, after doing a Rusian version of queuing for an hour (ie: everyone eying each other up and edging forward in a very unbritish queuing fashion) he was told that they would be closed for the day due to illness, but after talking to a security guard and gently getting him on side he was allowed in. Then had a three hour wait and a smiling man came and handed him a new Russian passport. He was supposed to be returning in 5 weeks to collect it, so that is good. Only one visit. We have learnt that the Russians are brilliant at making paperwork seem like really hard work, wanting everything in octuplicate and if one form will do make you fill in 20, but then they are also very eager to please you by bending theur rules "Just for you.....you do special thing for Russian child......we do this just for you!" We learnt to smile and make them think that they were just the best Russian person we had ever met and soooooooo helpful (A bit tiring when you have to do this continually when we were in Russia). Anyway, tactic worked and all sorted. No romance admitted to yet on Russian Embassy steps. (Actually only spoken about the RUssian guard, so think thats ok! )

I hope you ahve all had a good day. Feeling a little groggy tonight. Not sure if I am coming down with something. Early night as prescribed by the babystep and hopefully a good nighs sleep will cure all niggles.

See you tomorrow.

MrsDinky · 17/02/2010 22:08

I'm back, didn't sleep well last night and have had a busy day, so have officially had a day off from flying. Catch up tomorrow.

feetheart · 17/02/2010 22:11

All VERY quiet on here, obviously half term is taking its toll!

DWM - enjoy peace and quiet and DVD

PA - thank goodness you got it sorted. Hope an early night helps beat any possible lurgies

Pretty good day here:

  • Morning routine - mostly done
  • 2 minutes hotspot - done
  • Hoover living room, landing and maybe a bedroom or two! - no
  • Make generic tomato sauce for dinner and freezer - done
  • Kitchen floor - done
  • Wrap presents for 2 of friends' DC - done
  • Lunch out with friends and their DC - done and it was lovely
  • Mission or two - did door and bath panel
  • Do stuff about imminent birthdays! - done Found and ordered present for DD
  • DS to swimming lesson - done
  • Evening routine - still need to finishe washing up and sort sink
  • Bed by 10.30pm - if I get up and do above!
MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 17/02/2010 22:18

Evening ladies.

Today I took the 2 littlies to toddler group and then out to lunch with friends.

Sorted out a load more stuff to go up to the loft and got it up there.

Started to clear junk in the lounge so we will be able to start to use it.

Changed the TV in the kitchen/diner and realised that it won't work the way we want it to without a certain cable and we don't have the money untill the end of the month so had to put it all back again.

Shiny sink DONE
Washing up DONE
Washing x2, dried,folded x2 DONE

The littlies did NOT trash their room this morning, whoopie! But DC2 wet the bed twice last night so lots of extra washing

Night all, sweet dreams.

teamcullen · 17/02/2010 22:20

Good evening everybody.

Well the chinise banquet was more of a chinise taster day. My Tescos order came late and half the stuff didnt come.

So lunch was
Bo Luo pork chicken and noodles with prawn crackers.
stir fry vegetables
hoisin pork didnt arrive till too late

snack time
prawn toast
spring rolls
wontons
egg noodles
vegetables to dip
various sauce dips
fortune cookies

Feetheart- DS is the fussiest thing when it comes to cakes and things. So Ive got him a chocolate fudge cake from Costco and have just got sweets like smarties dolly mixtures and chocolate buttons to put on top.

He is home from Scotland now. He came in in a right sulk, tierd and hungry from the journey but seems to have cheered up a bit now. Ive just realised that I havent been the cash machine to get his money out to put in his card Hopefully he will sleep in tommorrow, Ill have to run up first thing before he gets up.

Well I got all my jobs on my list done and sorted out DSs bedroom, it just needs a quick brush in the morning. Going to put my dishes away now and go to bed.

See you tommorrow, very early after my run to the cash machine.

missbennett · 17/02/2010 22:42

evening all! DDs back so I get less time at the laptop!
Feeling a little better today but still spotty Hope you're not coming down with whatever this is PA? Glad you sorted out the embassy Where did you get the naan bread recipe from? Sounds yummy.
Have done very little - basic routines -which are easy to do even if under the weather and don't feel like I've got behind. Also washed the towels and they are drying now. DDs home, tea cooked and thats been about it for me- will try and do more tomorrow if feeling more like it. Am taking antihistamines for the spots but they make me more dopey than usual very dopey so had a little nap this afternoon
Hope everyone has a good night's sleep and see you all tomorrow.

PositiveAttitude · 18/02/2010 07:18

Morning all.

Up bright and early this morning to sort the cats out . Not too sure how I feel yet. I now wish that if this is going to turn into a full blown cold it would hurry up and do it, then I can ge over it quicker. Fed up of waking up each morning for the past week and feeling grotty.

MissB no rash, so I think you have kept your lurgy! here is the Naan bread recipe I used. I did a plain one, but it is so easy and successful that I might start being a bit more adventurous.

MrsD hope last night was a better nights sleep for you.

Waves to feetheart ellie sc DWM OM MM MrsGok and everyone else. We seem to have lost a few this month, I hope that is just due to the half term - see you all back soon???

Today I plan to

Washing x at least 4 loads
Hotspots dousing
Change beds x 2
According to DS we are cooking apple pie to go with a roast chicken.

Brain has stoppped thinking straight, so I am going to do a bit of wii fit, then read my book til others in the house are awake.

Have a good day everyone.

elliepac · 18/02/2010 07:18

Morning all. Had a lovely day yesterday doing absolutely nothing! Today i therefore have a big list that looks like this-
washing on
kitchen tidied and sink shined
general tidy downstairs
s/s bathroom
start our bedroom
ds friend's house for play and coffee
pay bills
tesco for bits and bobs

pa glad you got passport sorted. sounds like a nightmare.
missb glad you are starting to feel a bit better
teamcullen happy birthday to ds, i hope he appreciates your early morning dash and that cake sounds lovely.
mrsgok glad the littlies room is still tidy, i 'did' ds's on tuesday and it is still tidy but am not holding out much hope

big waves to everyone else. better go as i can hear dd's dulcet tones telling me she's awake (mummy being screamed at the top of her voice). have a good day!

DidEinsteinsMum · 18/02/2010 08:20

I'm not lost. I am trying to be good and not spend so much time on the computer. plus have enjoyed my books. Solving life issues and lesson planning. it has been blissful. but havent done as much re lesson plans as should so going to have to work doing some more tonight. Need to look at year 8 lesson plans next. Got a few bits to type up for year 7 and year 9, plus a ppt file to make for year 9 and one to finish for year 7. But hope to do that this morning.

hope all are ok. happy flying.
chaos.

droitwichmummy · 18/02/2010 08:36

Good morning! Today is Errand Day which is just as well as I need to go to the bank.

Liking the babystep today. Please read the link - it does help. Was it StillCounting who printed it out last month?

Mission is a bit of a sort out in the bathroom and more desk clearing in the office

Loads of Olympic stuff today (I know some of this has only appeared today as I have been checking )
Olympic declutterers this way
Closet challenges this way
Body workouts this way

That should keep you quiet for a while and while you are doing that the DC have a new Riley's Challenge to do.

I have the whole day to myself work so once 9am comes I am going to work for 45 mins each hour then do 15 mins housework. DH did well last night: I went to bed leaving the DW needing to be emptied and refilled expecting to have to face it this morning. Came down to find it done so that's a good start. WM is on, need to change beds once DH is up and do a pile of ironing. Also need to clean fish tank and whizz the vac round. wasn't going to do a list but that looks like an essay! OK - list then...
WM
ironing
change beds
vacuum
bank
fish tank
put washing away
10 mins kitchen
15 mins dining room
5 mins lounge
5 mins hall
5 mins landing
That should get the house back in some sort of order. Back at lunchtime for update

OP posts:
droitwichmummy · 18/02/2010 08:38

xposts DEM I'm impressed at your resolve and rather
Hope you have a good day (although a little concerned about life issues - you know where we are (((hugs))) )

OP posts:
teamcullen · 18/02/2010 08:39

Good morning all.

Happy Birthday James xxx

DS followed me down the stairs this morning at 7am, so my plans for a quick bank dash were floored. But not to worry, I had a bar of chocolate wraped up as a 100 Euro, so I told him that was in leiu of me going to the bank and he didnt seem to mind.

I made him pancakes for breakfast, so he is happy and feeling special. DS2 is also going out of the way to be helpful. He is now upstairs putting up his Green Day and Guns and Roses posters.

PA Your cats sound like my dog! Why didnt somebody tell me it would be easier to have another DC!

Im not in work today so I can get stuck in with a few jobs. here is my list of things to do before 1pm.

wash up breakfast dishes
washing machine on
5 miniute room rescue of all rooms
brush and mop
swish and swipe bathroom/downstairs toilet
15 miniute declutter under stairs
take DSs for a haircut
Go to bank
Buy birthday candles
Make sure DSs do their easyread

I cant think of anything else yet. I feel very tierd all of a sudden. I think I need o cup of tea before I start.

DidEinsteinsMum · 18/02/2010 09:13

DWM - not need to be worried. Just had to first dealing with the past. Am a bouncing smiling bunny having done that. Life seems so much better. Just nice to feel at peace with myself.

DidEinsteinsMum · 18/02/2010 09:16

seems i might need another coffee this morning I meant finish dealing with ...

I guess that is why i am happy to go back to being DEM.

MrsDinky · 18/02/2010 09:17

Aargh, just typed a long post, in comes DS and grabs the mouse (he likes to look at the emoticons at the bottom) - all gone.

Sorry, not going right through my round up again, but have read all your posts.

Yesterday DH had minor surgical procedure which went fine but means he has to be waited on hand and foot for a few days. Otherwise, a frustrating day. Bought some new curtains, took the old ones down, realised the new ones had dirty marks on, so the old ones had to go back up. Spent ages trying to phone makers of our woodburner about a part I ordered weeks ago to no avail, had to email them in the end. Also, decided to finish sorting the house insurance (our house isn't bog standard, so gets very complicated), took two hours, ended up with a splitting headache but got it sorted.

Body clutter - put a pound back on this week, so have decided on a drastic step, which I might need some encouragement with over the next few weeks, I have given up cheese for Lent. Cheese is by far my biggest diet weakness, I sometimes give up chocolate, but I don't eat that much of it anyway. Have slipped slightly once (DS dipped a breadstick in some soft cheese and poked it in my mouth, how could I refuse) but am determined to do it.

Home day today, so apart from preventing the DCs climbing onto DH, I am going to make a list, I haven't posted one for a while.

DW - emptied
washing x 1
Declutter bath toys, wipe down surfaces a la mission
Tidy up lounge which is a right mess
Sort out some financial paperwork
Cook curry for tea (PA might try your naan recipe)

Just been interrupted by the doorbell, part for the stove has arrived, just hope it fits!

See you later

feetheart · 18/02/2010 09:44

Happy Birthday to little teamcullen - hope he enjoys the cake and all the rest of the day
(Note to self - BUY CANDLES!!)

Sending 'getting better' vibes to PA and missb and anyone else who is suffering. Have to take DS to GP later as he keeps complaining about earache and I want to get it checked out asap as he rarely complains about anything. Is dosed up with Calpol and charging around as usual so not worrying much!

Watched Hairy Bikers make Naan bread last night, really must try it now, have bookmarked link.

Today's list:

  • Work - did over an hour before everyone woke up this morning
  • Morning routine
  • 2 minutes hotspot
  • Sweep kitchen floor after DD spilled most of a box of cereal
  • Hoover living room, landing and maybe a bedroom or two
  • DS to GP's
  • Bank
  • Mission - will invent my own!
  • Sort DH's present
  • DC to half-term gymnastics
  • More work
  • Evening routine
  • Bed by 10.30pm

Better get everyone dressed if we are to make it to GP's in respectable state!
Have good day everyone.

droitwichmummy · 18/02/2010 10:34

DEM glad you are ok I had just brewed up {smile]

Happy birthday James iiiii (those are meant to be birthday candles btw)

Back to work...

OP posts:
missbennett · 18/02/2010 10:40

Morning all!
As usual, you have all inspired me with your lists etc. I am feeling much better today though still itching and not 100% and have decided not to go into work but have day at home doing jobs etc and then hopefully make it in tomorrow to catch up before the weekend. Is a plan at least.....

PA glad you don't have spots and thank you for the naan bread link. Looks yummy and I might try at the weekend. We definitely think alike - I'm up before anyone else and plan to finish book and maybe do Wiifit before everyone else appears
MrsD I will join you in the cheese challenge if that is OK? I dojn't normally do the giving up thing but according to the Wii fit I have put on 6lbs since Monday . Suspect more roughage would help but cheese is a downfall of mine so I'll try.....
Happy borthday to teamcullen's ds - lucky boy with pancakes
DWM that is a bumper crop of challenges and missions - I will try and do some.....
feetheart hope the GP visit is helpful.
Waves to everyone else.....

Sad to say, I am thinkinjg about printing out the 11 commandments and pinning them up . They do make sense though.

Anyway, today I will.....
-get dressed and do morning routine
-update washing
-deal with pile on table - so please can this count as a hotspot and an office clutter mission?
-do tasks arising from above.....
-pay Guide checks into bank and a couple of other Guide admin tasks - errand day
-get DDs up and give them ollocking motivational talk about the following: state of their rooms, lack of homework, lack of thank you letters from Christmas , lack of thank you letters from birthday (DD1), lack of thank you letters to people who helped DD1 fundraise for last years' Mexico trip with Guides. I know I sound like a horrid mummy and I also know I should have made sure they did all these things before. BUT I have told them about stuff, paper for letters readily available and they are 17 and 14 for goodness sake! And the fact that their cousins don't write thank you letters is niether here nor there! We can pare down the list as they've seen some folk now and said thank you, but some must be done......so please does that count as a Riley challenge also

And if I do all that and still don't feel too bad I will go to friend's surprise birthday party tonight.

Good luck everyone with your days.....

droitwichmummy · 18/02/2010 10:49

I think pile on table counts as a clutter mission. Depending on its size it could be a hotspot or a room rescue

Riley's challenges are many and varied, you make them whatever you want. There is a link somewhere about teenagers - need to do some work now but will find it and post it this afternoon

OP posts:
pushmepullyou · 18/02/2010 11:07

Morning all

I'm not missing either. Just work getting more and more horrible and cutting in to both my flying and computer time!

Hi to all, nice to see you DEM. I always think of you as DEM and have to 'translate' your other names to myself so nice to have the name back

Hoping to be back to catch up later, but DD is halfway through a morning nap so if I don't get some flying done now I won't get chance.

List:

Coffee
washing
dishwasher

droitwichmummy · 18/02/2010 12:53

Lunch time check in. Managed some work thus morning but on a bit of a go-slow. Got fair bit done round house so not too bad

PMPY like your list - might adopt it

WM - load 3 on
ironing in progress
change beds stripped
vacuum
bank done
fish tank
put washing away
10 mins kitchen done
15 mins dining room
5 mins lounge
5 mins hall
5 mins landing

OP posts:
StillCounting · 18/02/2010 15:15

Hello all! Hope you are enjoying the holidays. Ours is going in a whirl! Can you believe it is Thursday already?

Very out of touch with this thread and no time to catch up in detail (will try and do so properly tomorrow) but just briefly:

MummyD - link-tastic!!! Especially the one at 5 in the morning ...!! Truly heroic!!
[Averts eyes from Olympic missions]

Happpy Birthday to mini-TeamCullen

Glad you are feeling better MissBennett

Hope you are not suffering too muchPA

Looking good DEM!!

Waves to everyone I have missed - sorry will catch up later ... got to go ...

DD is making a mess of the sitting room floor with Hamma beads helping me to sort out craft cupboard of doom.

Went against Flylady Rules and decided to do whole thing at once and it's eNORmouSE! Entire dining room table now covered in approx 1 foot of half-used glue sticks, crayons, tissue paper, felt tips, ribbon, string, paints, colouring books, craft kits and I just want to lay my head down in the middle of it all and have a long nap .

I also feel in need of a large plate of steak and chips but it's veggie day today and am on Lenten regime, and no alcohol either

Could kill a veggie curry with naan bread too

OK - moan over - once more in to the breach and all that ....

feetheart · 18/02/2010 15:51

SC - Hairy Bikers did an Aloo Gobi to go with their naan last night, looked lovely and is on our 'to try' list now

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