February's Fabulous Fledgling Flyers

[droitwichmummy]

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.

Hi 1981, Lulabell, giraffe (hag seems wrong, sorry!) pmpy, neenook, tibni and everyone else!

Fruitstick - I agree, even if there is a benevolent force in the universe it's incredibly unlikely to care whether or not I have a cheesegrater to replace the one I gave away last year, or whatever. But I am trying to err on the side of throwing stuff out rather than my natural hoarding tendency, and I have to admit it feels liberating.

Positive - at pigeons, and further at thought of the fat fairy sharing her thoughts with the whole office. Oh, and incidentally at sandwiches x 7, that would be my whole morning gone.

I got through my (admittedly very small) list. Out again tomorrow, but if I can get the floors mopped first, will call it good enough.

List for Tues:
morning routine (inc S&S)
hot spot - desk
mop kitchen, living room floors
15 mins declutter (entrance)
babystep
mission

Might have to start doing 15 minutes email a day too, am very behind...

X-post still counting, you sound on fine form and have made the points as I did to positive, only better. again at 3 bathrooms, I'd missed that bit!

"Ok, ok, I know I prioritise EVERYTHING over housework"

If they accept me on the course with my mediocre CV, it'll be about monitoring women's rights. It's just a few months, part time, but I haven't studied for a good decade, so will be challenging I think, in a good way.

...the same points as i did...

My thud at positive is her "dinner for plus three"!
I would have to plan for a week to cater for 10!!!

Evening all

Morning routine - done
phonecalls - done

• Supermarket - done
• go swimming - not done - which is annoying
• bank paperwork - this evening
• mop floors - done
• put washing load on - done
• put washing away - done
• a couple of hours of work - done.

Dinner is in the oven. All in all a good day. However, both DCs were at the childminders today so tomorrow might be more of a challenge!

giraffe I think we lead parallel lives. I barely manage to keep on top of things with a clingy baby. Luckily he's getting a little better at playing while I tidy up (although is going through an emptying and throwing phase)

You lot make me sound like a houssekeeping/cooking goddess! I love you all .
Reality is very different!

I get all flummoxed when I cook for just a couple now. I am used to huge quantities and am very much a chuck it all in, stir and hope for the best!
I only put that I did 3 x S&S because I very rarely get around to doing all three before running out the door for work.

Anyway, failed on the hoovering so far as DD3 unwell, so couldn't cope with the noise of the hoover - that's my excuse and I ma sticking to it.

Have a good evening all.

Come back Ellie

evening - a quick pop in before i am off to bed. this morning went fairly smoothly as i did my evening routine with the exception of ds getting up at 5.45 to scream at me grandad convinced him to go back to bed and dispite getting lost on the way i was early to the new school. It is going to be a challenging experience but has the potential to be rewarding. As i am also working a number of weekends it is going to be madness round here.
You are all doing really well. Keep flying.
Night!

Hi Ladies, happy February...

Won't be able to catch up tonight as I'm still doing paid work . Have to give a presentation tomorrow and I'm not sure I actually know what I'm talking about ...

Evening All

Got in about 6.30, so a long day. DC and I tidied their bedroom, then we did bedtime routine and DC2&3 went to bed. Supervised DC1's homework. Put together the shelves for the food cupboard and DH and I have put most of the food back in, there is just some odd bits to sort out now. Will need to source some cheap tupperware type stuff for storage. Will finish the niggly bits tomorrow but it is definatly looking better in there.

Every one seems to have been very productive today.

PA you need to get a plastic owl and stick on there or wrap a bit of razor wire round it or get a strip of pointy stuff, like they put on buildings.

I'm off for a mooch round and need to post a couple of threads to ask advice on parties and food.

Evening all

Have managed the paid work and morning and evening routines today, but not the kitchen floor or bathroom. DD is in bed now, which pretty much puts paid to my bathroom ambitions. Was planning to do it tomorrow, but will have to go on to work instead .

Have done some clutter clearing in the living room though, so that's all good.

Thanks for the new thread DWM and for taking us all on for another month! Glad you warned us about the sound on the link as I almost clicked it at work and probably would have blown mny hardworking cover somewhat!

SC Definitely up for the old office tidy. Can we make it next week though as I am out on site most of this week, so not actually going to be there to do it!

PA I am also of your mass catering skills. I am a pretty good cook, but fall down on time as we usually eat with DD, but don't get home until after half six so need to have something ready pretty instantly. It was cold roast beef and baked beans tonight

Much sympathy with fruitstick and hagiraffe with the clingy babies. mine will not tolerate kitchen cleaning under any circumstances as it needs her to be in her high chair and she is not a fan! Although I have found the last couple of weeks that she will clean the living room floor if I give her a wipe! again!

Mmmango The course sounds good, I miss the challenge of studying myself. When do you find out if you got on?

MrsD I am not looking forward to party giving myself. I am always rubbish at organising such things for myself due to a fear that no-one will turn up!

Hello to tibni, Talluhlabell, the very seperate Lulabelle (), neenook, 1981 and MiniM, as well of course as everyone I've missed!

Hello everyone - great first day of the month!

pmpy you have done loads today - the floors will still be there tomorrow
MrsGok 6.30 is about the time I get home most nights. Impressed by how much you have got done since then
MM no MNing for you tonight! Hope it goes well tomorrow
chaos are you in bed yet
PA a great day with DD3 being unwell to cope with
fruitstick leading the way! Shame about the swimming though - some days something has to give...
Mmmango course sounds really interesting. Let us know when you get on (no ifs allowed here )
SC how is that list going?
tibni!!! Happy decluttering
Neenook how is the washing mountain?
Lula at not being dressed at 11am on a Monday
Hello to everyone else - I really need to eat!

I've managed to get the washing machine and DW on, done 15 mins ironing and put DS to bed. Ought to do some paid work - 15 mins or so but also need to make sure I get to bed early - caught migraine yesterday just before it landed but still a bit spaced out today.

See you in the morning!

Evening ladies,
Day one and all is well!

Did a bit of a home blitz
Tackled the washing mountain - now down to just one full laundry basket, not two
Made beds
Polished school shoes for tomorrow
School uniform laid out and bags in hall
Stuck to Weight Watchers points allowance

Am off to shine sink and put last load of washing on.

PA have similar problem to your 'pigeon bottom' (!) except mine are seaguls warming theirs on my chimney pots

Morning & afternoon routines - done
Washing - done & hanging on clothes drier, radiators, towel rail etc.
Sink - shiny
De-cluttering - bag left out this am for Sally Ann pick up.
Mission - ah well, hopefully catch up tomorrow.

TO DO

bedtime routine
Watch last night's 'Being Human' on iplayer
Lust after Aiden Turner

Oops, just taking a sneaky peek! Thanks DWM

Night all x

Washing
Kitchen floor
Bathroom floor
Swish and swipe - done
Clear breakfast dishes
Tidy and hoover hall, wipe front door down
15 mins on each bedroom
Sainsburys shopping

Yay, all done! Can't remember when that last happened.

I am feeling super relieved about the parties being over. PMPY - I worry about no one turning up, alternatively (with DCs anyway) that every single one plus uninvited siblings will turn up and I won't have enough food, party bags etc. Also that there will be a mini riot, all of which is totally unfounded (so far).

PA - haven't laughed in this thread so much since your road mending saga a few weeks ago. Sorry! Air rifle? Just to frighten them off that is.

SC - unfortunately I dislike exercise so much that I'd rather do housework any day

MrsG - you are really going for this, good on you!

Better go, still need to sort out school bags etc. Mondays always seem to produce the most bag chaos in our house.

See you all tomorrow

Evening all have just waded through today's posts and am feeling despondent at the lack of anything in the Optimistic household compared to you lot!!
Have had a very tiring day at school - great fun but chaotic with TAs out again!!(I have lots of SN including 2 with full statements ) so feel like I've run a children's party times 100!

PA - you need spikes to stick on something above your dish we have the same problem with next door's doves and it does the trick!!Can't rest your bum on a spike after all can you??

FRuistick so glad Mr FS has a job now - what a worry for you. Hope 2010 is better for you.
Hag - lovely to see you back
ellie - where are you, we miss you....

Hi to everyone else...I must go to bed...tomorrow is another day...at least my sinks are shiny!

Dashes in, waves to everyone, busy but productive day, need to be in bed by 11pm, hopefully will be more talkative tomorrow.

Night night

Evening! Just enjoyed catching up....sounds as though everyone has been very busy and productive! I laughed at the pigeons!

Had a busy day at work and had to leave early to get back to take DH to doctor - he has nasty chest infection but hopefully should improve with antibiotics.

In addition, I have:
-done morning routine
-made tomorrow's sandwiches
-clothes out for tomorrow
-15 minutes Wii fit
-walked to the station and across town to work, then back again this afternoon!
-tidied the stairs and hall - looks much better though in need of a hoover but 'twas too late!
-shined sink
-done fairly well with points though 'had' to eat carrot mini muffin made by DD2 in cookery and biscuit made by DD1 with her Brownies!
-mostly done evening routine - just got to go to bed!!

However, I haven't done any decluttering had to go to church meeting and then my mum rang so got too late to start. Will try and do better tomorrow

Right, off to choose new book from my 'books to read' shelf.

[Creeping in late, wide awake, hoping Mummy doesn't notice the hour!! Do have a good excuse as had computer engineers working late in the "proper" office tonight and I've been ferrying soup and sandwiches back and forth all evening. Day off tomorrow so not too worried.)

Gosh, everyone has had a very good start to the month....

Hope your dh is ok MissBennett and that the antibiotics kick in soon. Well done on your list. Which book did you choose?

Hi Optimistic - sleep well - children's party x 100 sounds gruelling in the extreme

Bravo on completing your list MrsDinky and you've done really well today Fruitstick too. How did your dh get on today?

Neenook well done for conquering the laundry

Pushmepullyou - great - home office challenge next week then (although I should try and do a few 15 mins here and there in advance because window cleaner is coming soon and he needs to be able to walk across the floor yes that's how bad it is ...)

MrsGok - I'm impressed too!!!

Good luck tomorrow Mini-M

Sweet dreams WhereChaos PA - we'll just call you "Goddess" from now on (without mentioning the bird-bum-sticking!!) ) Hope dd3 feels better tomorrow.

Do you have any slow cooker recipes for braised pigeon by any chance ?

Course sounds great Mmmango - let us know what happens!! "Good enough" IS very good Fat Fairy practice btw and lol at your benevolent force/cheese-grater!

Waves to Feetheart Talulahbelle the, again, very separate Lulabelle and everyone else

btw tibni - I'll be decluttering in unision with you this month

Hope you've managed to banish the migraine Mummy and as for my list (a very pertinent question as it was, yet again, um, a tad unrealistic/optimistic - newbies please note!!!):

Today

Before work:
Shine sink done
Eat healthy breakfast done
Morning routine including dw & wm on, s&s, pick up Playmobil off the sitting room floor done
General shouty tidy round done (but at least everyone left early and/or on time )

After work:
Clean out gps - NOPE
Recycling - done
Tidy master bedroom done X2
15 mins decluttering in home office NOPE
French study done
Bank done
Quick supermarket shop done
Sort out laundry - um, sort of
Afternoon/evening routine done
Admin/peer at calendar/make appts - tomorrow
Power walk! - well not exactly, but I did go out for a 20 min brisk walk immediately after supper to return some DVDs if that counts ...

Sweet dreams fellow flappers ...

Good morning everyone

Today's babystep always provokes discussion - please note I am sitting in my pjs not even wearing slippers!

Today's mission is quite a big one although I might manage mine in 15 mins, not sure but if I can't face it today I am working from home tomorrow so can do it then.

I seem to have developed an ironing mountain so I'm concentrating on getting that down and everything put away today.

Have a productove day everyone - good luck MM!

Dressing gown and slippers here too

Mission not bad for me as hallway is tiny and reasonably under control, dining room is actually kitchen/diner and very few surfaces to collect clutter as anything on table has to be moved if we are to eat! Will finish off yesterday's mission instead by sweeping porch and buying new planter to replace planter full of dead sticks that has been sitting there since Autumn (plans to re-plant it never happened )

So list includes:
Morning routine
School run with extra PE stuff for DD who is doing 'Athletics Afternoon'
Work
Books to charity shop (DH had a partial clear out at w/e which is a HUGE, and rather unexpected, achievement)
Buy planter (cheap at local greengrocers at mo)
Various errands
Various phone calls
Get DD to do another 'sweetie tidy' in her room - going well and can see floor!
15 mins decluttering - office area
5 mins - DS's room
Afternoon/evening routines
EARLY NIGHT

MrsGOK - sympathies on mad busy month, February is going to be a 'challenge' here too! DD and DH's birthdays plus another 10 children's birthdays and 4 adults, my tenants are leaving so need to find new ones, prepare flat, etc AND my Mum is coming to visit. I may need wine and sympathy at times!

Love the idea of plastic owl to sort out pigeon problem - very tempted to Google it

Thank you for all your lovely comments about the pigeon problem. If I wrap something around it, will it affect the signal? . Also despite getting broom and poking said pigeon, i don't want to mortally wound the poor thing with a thing jutting into him!

Hey a fellow feathery problem Neenok. We can sypathise together.

PMPY - At risk of being very boring have you considered a slow cooker. I only work long days twice a week, but the last thing I want to do when I get in is start the cooking. With a slow cooker I put it in before work, get home to lovely smell and just dish straight up. So easy!

SC Braised pigeon in slow cooker such a good idea. I would probably need a few to feed the hoardes. Solution to all my problems! - VERY late night considering you are ahead of us by at least one hour too! Naughty, naughty!

MrsD + MrsB - > Me thinks you like laughing at my mis-adventures!

Sandwich marathon is calling,
So far I have S&S (only 1)
showered
fed the cats!
woken up
Probably in that order!

Long work day for me today, so not planning on doing a huge amount - well, honesty don't plan on doing anything other than survive until winetime this evening.
Waves to OM, Feetheart, Tibni, Mummy Tbelle and Lbelle, MM, FS, Chaos MrsGok and everyone else.

Good morning all! Thank you Mummy [relieved ) and good luck with the ironing.

Feel relatively bright and bushy-tailed this morning.

Day off here but I have quite a few chores and admin to do to make up for last week and will also be watching my diet closely as it is "La Chandeleur" here today - Belgian and French equivalent of Shrove Tuesday - pancake event at school in aid of Haiti later.

Today:
Make appts
Clean out gps (maybe tomorrow but keeping on list so I don't forget)
Tidy master bedroom 15 mins
Decluttering in home office 3 x 15 mins
Today's mission
French study
Washing
Admin/peer at calendar/make appts
One hour of still life (treat)
Afternoon/evening routine

WALK as much as possible!!

Have a good day fellow fledglings!!

x posts PA I know, I know and I wish I could say I will be going to bed early tonight, um, but I can't ...going out ...promise to get back on track tomorrow though!! Have a good day me duck (or should that be pigeon? )

Btw, for sceptics/newbies out there, I find wearing lace-up shoes (have just put mine on) quite effective on days when I am not working ....helps me resist the urge to curl up on the sofa and listen to radio 4! But there again, going to bed on time would probably work equally well!!

See you later!

Morning all!

PA laughing with you, not at you! Is just the sort of thing that normally happens to me!

stillcounting I chose 'The Water Horse' by Julia Gregson. Enjoyed the first 20 pages!

Morning routine now done and eating breakfast. Got to go early AGAIN

Don't know about mission - my whole dining room is a hot spot! I'll try and do a bit.....

Better go - am dressed though! I do like lolling around in pjs but also find I get more done if I'm dressed. But no lace up shoes - nice new black boots if you please!

Have a good day folks