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.

Have resisted Mumsnet all day in the hope of retaining some focus!

Mrs Gok - I know exactly how you feel. I hope you perked up during the day. DS2 is obsessed with emptying everything at the moment. I have put all the tupperware in one cupboard but he's not content with that. He emptied 2 kitchen drawers today. I would love to think he was helping me to declutter one drawer at a time but I doubt it .

Pushme - I hope you feel better tomorrow. Get thee to bed with some drugs.

Tallulah - I also need to sort my momentoes box. I bought some online from Emma Bridgewater but they are woefully small. Although maybe it is just the right size. Will fit first outfit, wristband, some cards, the parking ticket DH got while I was in labour and that's about it. Maybe it's for the best!

Wave to everyone else.

I've had a mixed but productive day

morning routine - done
Car MOT - done but failed being done again on Thursday.
Clean bathrooms - managed one of them - en suite is still disgusting as haven't got back into the swish and swiping yet.
DSs school place confirmed - done
paperwork - done
washing - done

invited nieces round today for homemade pizza as was determined to start doing more activities with DS1. He had little interest in making the dough and I did something very wrong with the kneading so it never got smooth. It did rise but was definitely not stretchy so had to go to Sainsburys at the last minute for some ready made ones

Kitchen looked like a bombsite but is now tidy, sink shined and I have a glass of wine.

I've realised maybe I need to do less tidying and more cleaning. I seem to tidy constantly after DSs but it never does any good. I'm constantly sweeping under the highchair etc but it's never ending. I tidy the toys away in the morning but they are strewn all over the place half an later.

I think I just need to do things once a day - what do you all do?

Phew - that was long.

Was going to go to bed but I'm now I've started the 2nd episode of Silent Witness on Sky +

tibni - very interested in 'rubber brush' - have 3 humans with long hair and 2 kittens in this house. The amount of hair that the hoover picks up is scary and I know it doesn't get all of it.

Morning routine - done
School run - done
Work - done
Books to charity shop - done
Buy planter - done and swept porch
Various errands - no
Various phone calls - no
Get DD to do another 'sweetie tidy' in her room - done and was able to hoover most of floor!!
15 mins decluttering - office area - no
5 mins - DS's room - no
Afternoon/evening routines - done/ about to finish off
EARLY NIGHT - going to bed soon

Bit of an odd day tomorrow as have funeral for elderly neighbour in morning then major trip to Costco with friend to get goodies for her DD's christening on Sunday. Life at both ends of the scale!

Night all

Hello everyone! V productive day again.

feetheart loads done today hope funeral is not too bad tomorrow
fruitstick I also rely on DNeice to entertain DS whenever I can - it really helps
pmpy whispers and passes migraleve
hag I'm also behind on missions but worki g from home for the next 2 days so I might get something done
Pluto - welcome! And at getting the DW fixed
Tallulah soooooo at going to OZ for 2 years
MrsD DS was always clingy (still is sometimes and he is 6 now BUT he is an only DC (see above for blatent use of 10 yo DNeice)
Neenook take a look at what you have done - loads! Everything else can wait..
chaos hope you are in bed and asleep. If you are up before me, mine is white with 1 sugar please!
tibni washing carpets and going to the gym?! Advanced flying or what
SC ironing pile is shrinking slowly - all DS's done and some of DH's. Will finish the rest tomorrow (probably )
Mmmango you've done well today. As you say, there is always tomorrow
MrsGok how is the art gallery on the stairs? You could leave it and pretend you paid an artist THOUSANDS to do it for you.
1981 we had snow yesterday - gone today though and not too cold. Thought I might get in the garden soon but that's a huge job. Perhaps I should flylady it?
Lula you might have done more than you think and please remember that some of us have been building up for months. It's not a competition, just do what you can/ I really struggle some days when I'm so tired after work that if Icould I would go straight to bed. On those days NOTHING gets done in this house
PA you win the 'quote of the week' competition!
missb hope you are getting some early nights to go with your early starts
OM just flap along a bit and see how you go - you probably do more than you realise
MM how did you get on?
Ellie if you are lurking out there please pop in to say hello; we miss you!
I think I got you all - sorry if anyone got missed.

I'm off to bed - past my bedtime but don't need to get up before 7 in the morning but I bet DS will be up before then

See you in the morning!

Hi all,

I am tucked up in bed now, with tissues and sudafed - the cold that has been threatening all week has finally emerged But I really do need to go to work tomorrow and write the training session I'm delivering on Thursday. I am as far behind as usual So I've dosed myself up and hope I'll be OK tomorrow.

Am very impressed by everybody's lists and progress. Afraid I have no words of wisdom about what to keep from babyhood - I either have all sorts of bits of rubbish juvenilia or I am very ruthless and get rid of stuff. Can't seem to find a happy medium but I do have most of their earlier certificates in one of those presentation folder things.

Not done much flying today - have done morning and evening routines, taken DD1 to band as DH not well enough, so haven't been to aquacise - but friend also had cold so couldn't go either. Lunches made for tomorrow and DD2 has informed me that she has to be at school tomorrow for 7.50 to go on school trip. She struggles to get there for 8.30!!

Night night all!

Been quite productive this morning.

done
1 load washing
morning routine
10 min hit on lounge
checked email

just off to make sandwiches and birthday cake before heading off to school at half past.

Have a good day all!

chaos I am in awe - making birthday cake before going to work

Today's babystep is a consolidating one so just carry on doing what we have been doing so far.

The mission is big one for me - the dining room has patio windows which I can't remember ever cleaning AND my ironing hill is leaning against it

Work from home day for me so a list today I think:
DW
Empty WM
Clear airer
check cooker empty
dressed
DS to school
wait for gas man number 1 to disconnect 1 cooker and connect another
wait for gas man number 2 to do the annual service
get DH up (9.30) so he can take BIL to hospital appointment
Ironing
Paid work
lunch
clean dining room windows
clear dining table (more of a hotspot)
clear cupboard in hall (another hotspot)
collect DS and DNiece from school
To shop on way home
Cook dinner
DW
WM
DS to bed
put ironing away
Collapse in heap

Still counting - agree about groundhog day

Chaos - am in awe, 5am starts sound brutal. Hope the new routine is working.

Feetheart, what's a sweetie tidy?

Mission today - what do you all do about walls? we have grubby patches by the doors that I've been lookin at for weeks.

List
morning routine
cobwebs/walls and sweep bedroom
declutter 15 x 2
mission
bathe baby
set up new mobile for baby

Morning all

Thanks for step Mummy. Loads of fingerprints on doors here too. Thank heavens baby step is a "consolidation" one. Your list looks a bit long and terrifying !!! More power to your elbow and all that!!

Mmango my ma used to wash down walls twice a year!! I just paint 'em once or twice a decade!!

Crikey WhereChaos - baking before work - that's amazing!! You've gone from owl to lark-dom in one fell swoop!! Well done!! I fear the transition is going to be a little more, well, extended, for me!!

Sorry you are all poorly in the MissBennett household. Here's to a speedy recovery and hope your bil is OK. Good luck at work today.

Feetheart - full marks for friendship today

Fruitstick - I deffo only tidy up toys once a day - usually just before supper as dd goes to bed pretty soon thereafter

HOpe you are feeling better PushmePullyou

Well done for keeping up HavingaG and to you too!! I love it!!

Pluto good news about the w/m and yes I have same battle with myself to get things done in the evening (one I usually lose I'm afraid). I unplug the telly 4 nights out of 7to motivate myself ...and it does help actually. My other mantra is "don't sit down until you finished everything" because I'm so ancient and weak- willed lacking in enthusiasm about housework that I tend not to get up again except to shamble off to bed!!

Talulhahbelle - how about tackling it the other way around and decide on one special storage box per child and then reduce the items to fit in to them? (It's a method I use reasonably successfully with dd's toys. Once they exceed the available storage: I know it's time to have a chuck out) Well done with your productive day yesterday.

MrsD well done with the walking. I hope to catch up today!

Hi to tibni and Neenook - demonstrating great organisational skills there yesterday

MiniM hope it went OK yesterday

Sorry - must stop scrolling and go to work but hi to PA our goddess tormentor of pigeons and everyone I've left out!!

Today

Before work:
morning routine including s&s, dw on, wm on done
gather papers for school meeting done

After work and school meeting:
guinea pig spa day, bathing, combing, blow-drying and pedicure + 101 clean of their abode!!
Tidy master bedroom 15 mins
Decluttering in home office 15 mins
Today's mission
French study
MOre laundry
Afternoon/evening routine
WALK !!

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go [whistling]

Have a good 'un everyone. See you tonight. R

Mordig! She said in a bunged up kind of way

Hats of to you wherechaos - how do you get going so early? I know if I could get up an hour earlier I might do more but I never seem to manage it! And cake before 6? Very impressive!

DWM good luck with your list - it looks serious!

PMPY hope the migraine is better today.

Mmango I was wondering about the sweetie tidy too - please tell us feetheart? I have images of small children picking up trails of sweets but that's a bit Hansel and Gretel so I guess I must be wrong!

I've done my morning routine and the dryer is on. DD2 has gone to school in time to catch coach DD1 is dressing and will be off shortly. There is NO WAY I can do the mission today! Our dining room is a conservatory and all windows. It is full of crap stuff all in front of said windows and is too big a job - especially for this time of year as I need to get outside to clear it out properly. Oh, and I have a suspicion that last year's fungus has returned! So if I get the table cleared it will be miraculous a good start

Better go, my porridge is cool enough to eat (ha, I am mummy bear and there is a fairy tale theme this morning!) and DD1 has looked pathetically at me and asked for a lift. She almost never asks so I will be kind!

good luck today everyone!

Morning Fab, fledgling, flyers.

Feeling a little better this morning, only awake twice last night.

Morning routine done
Afternoon routine
Evening routine
Washing in machine x1 hung up x1 folded and put away x1
Get back on top of the washing up
Finish food cupboard
Mission
Clean wall up the stairs
Toddler Group
Shops to buy DC1 birthday pressie

Couldn't clean the wall yesterday as he had used felt tip and biro so I need to get that special sponge thing from JML to do it as I ws scrubbing the paint off.

I'm off to get DC3 washed and dressed and then that's us out for the rest of the morning.

Have fun ladies.

Morning all!
After a horrendous couple of days at work I am off today! Yippee! Actually it wasn't that bad - children lovely, lessons fun just tooooooo busy and I was exhausted!
So today:
morning routine done
home blessing doing
supper thought about
phone calls done

Later:
organise myself for weekend away!!
organise my family for my weekend away
staff meeting (this I must not forget!)
No dining room as it is part of the kitchen but I have got a den that never gets done so 15 mins in there.

All this talk of baby mementoes is making me feel so guilty. My three have a babybook each and the odd thing lying around that I haven't chucked but nothing is organised! DS2s babybook is largely a work of fiction!!
Just keep the odd thing otherwise by the time they are teenagers like mine your house will be groaning under the weight of all the artwork etc!

See youn all later...

Quick check of where I am before I do some more paid work

DW done
Empty WM done
Clear airer done
check cooker empty done
dressed done
DS to school done and spoken to friend's mum about him coming for tea next week
wait for gas man number 1 to disconnect 1 cooker and connect another done
wait for gas man number 2 to do the annual service done
get DH up (9.30) so he can take BIL to hospital appointment done
Ironing done
Paid work started
lunch
clean dining room windows
clear dining table (more of a hotspot)
clear cupboard in hall (another hotspot)
collect DS and DNiece from school
To shop on way home sent DH on way back from hospital
Cook dinner
DW
WM
DS to bed
put ironing away
Collapse in heap

Not bad so far, at least all the ironing is done

Back later!

Morning everyone (just!)
Supply for today cancelled - but forgot to let me know. So unexpected day free
Very organised this morning - all calm in the neenook house, thanks to evening and morning routines. But still struggling with dressed before DCs as shower wakes them up
Have just put a soup in the slow cooker and dashing off to dance class (my weekly treat), will catch up with goings on and post a done list tonight!

Hi everyone,
seems a bit quiet today, hope you're all off being productive somewhere. Bit late here and dd1 had a late nap and is still full of beans - dp asleep already. I almost feel like leaving her to watch videos and going to bed

List
morning routine done
cobwebs/walls and sweep bedroom done
declutter 15 x 2 done both
mission - no
bathe baby done
set up new mobile for baby done but can't attach it to our idiosyncratic cot... will try to get creative with it tomorrow

Afternoon ladies,

PMPY - Thanks for the link. Very useful.

Update on pigeon pie ...... tried to have a serious conversation with DH last eveing about how we needed to do something drastic to make our house the least pigeon friendly in the neighbourhood. He sat with that glazed look that men get when you know thye are just agreeing with you so you shut up and then will deny ever having the conversation. Then Chelsea were playing football. He sat down with beer in one hand remote control in the other and guess what.......The most wonderful pigeon in the world obligingly, with perfect timing sat on the sky dish!!! After 10 minutes of DH leaning out the toilet window screaming at the lovely bird waving a broomstick ineffectively in his general direction he finally agreed that we "MUST SORT THIS OUT...SOON!!!!" Yeah, result. Couldn't have gone better if I had paid the bloomin pigeon!

Hope all you poorly ladies are feeling better today. A nice toddy and early bed tonight!

Today I have done precisely.....Nothing! well, apart from the basic essentials of keeping everyone fed. My plan for this evening is to do .......nothing! -love this face - its modelled on me by 9.30 each evening!

Oh I do have a plan actually. I have a cunning plan to get DH to sort the lightbulbs in the kitchen out (8weeks without kitchen lights is enough!) I know I could do this little job, but I need to stand right on the top of the ladder and I really hate it! Ceilings are really high, so DHs job. So tonight I plan to put the ladder out underneath them, which means that we won't be able to ge to the kettle to make a cup of tea. Then he will HAVE to sort them. All other attempts to coerce have failed. Beginning ot get to drastic action time!

Must dash, kids are home.

Catch up later if I can.

Ok for those of you in shock about bakig before 6am - it didnt happen. Got sucked into mn world for 15 mins then didnt have time. Did however do an extra load of washing.

My mum has taken ds to get his glasses fixed. Lovely mum's who help with school run but a little concerned about then with the snow that has fallen. Town that they have gone to often gets closed to in and out bound traffic due to weather. So watching out. Just had 10 mins to do a few online jobs but off to hit the bombsite formally known as the lounge and do cake stuff. Got alsorts to make it special for ds tomo as feel a bit guilty that he isnt getting a party. But round here it is about £200 per 10 kids and just too much money, plus we are away most weekends between now and may so unless it is after school -too tired-- it isnt going to happen. Will have to post a photo of this year's cake depending on its success. Will be earth and moon. or at least that is the plan.....

Catch ya later.

Evening,

Tried to get on here earlier, bu the time I had read the thread DD had manhandled me off the chair so she could do CBeebies.

So, no list today. Have managed usual SandS, washing, DW needs emptying, DS packed lunch for tomorrow is done, finished filing, dusted about half the surfaces in the dining room (there are lots, with lots of nicknacks, plus desk with lots of desk stuff, so takes ages). Also took down a lot of DCs old artwork from the walls.

PMPY - I bought this slowcooker last week

sainsburys slow cooker

It seems to tick all the boxes for me (right size, three settings, cheap), although it claims cool touch walls, which unless your definition of cool is too hot to put your hand on is a bit out. Looks nice too.

Mmango - damp microfibre cloth just the job for cleaning walls, I have been doing some of mine this week, also good for windows, window frames and just about any surface that is grubby. These are possibly the best cleaning invention ever IMO.

WCTR - hope DS has a lovely day. The cost of parties is frightening isn't it?

PA good luck with the lightbulbs.

DWM - wow, what a list, you'll deserve a nice glass of wine tonight methinks

SC - only toddler speed walking today, although got to go back to school later for PTA meeting, only 5 mins away but will try and set off early and go round the long way at brisk pace. No weight lost this week, however I have had a bad case of the munchies the last few days so not surprised really. Managing my water and 5 a day most of the time I think.

Got to go, DCs calling...

Evening all..
Had quite a productive day:
morning routine
home blessing(yeuch!)
washingdryingironing etc etc
made spag bol
made cupcakes
staff meeting
DS1 - driving practice
DD to extra French
No decluttering or missions - am going to try to catch up tomorrow...
Hope you all had good days.
PA - your descriptions of family life always have me laughing out loud (with you I hasten to add). Ever thought of writing a book?? Good luck with DH and the lightbulbs/pigeons.
Hi to all on the thread DWM WCR SC MRS D Miss B PMPY Pluto and all the others I have inevitably missed.
Special welcome to all the newbies.
Still missing Ellie....
Off to pick up DD from French, then DH, then wine methinks!!

Lousy cold coming now
Since picking up DCs have done:
2 lots of reading
Dressed a Viking cut out man in battle dress with DC2
Created a Saxon battle scene with DS1 in his Horrible Histories sticker book (7 and very bloodthirsty )
Practised Kihon Kata (sp) with DS1 in readyness for first martial arts grading at end of month.
No Flying
Big pile of ironing to do
But will do evening routines - after vegging out to mindless tv for a bit...
Night girls!

Evening all,

Only got time for a quick scroll!

OM - I am pleased you laugh with me at my surreal family life! I ahve to see the funny side or I would go crazy er !!

Update- I have a lit-up kitchen. Now no excuse not to clean all the crud off the floor that I couldn't see in the semi darkness! (maybe I will take the lightbulbs back out ??)
No-one watching TV tonight, so no pigeon update so far!

I am feeling very serene and happy tonight - and that is before the wine! I am dealing with 2 teenagers who are experiencing teenage love! AARRGGGHhhh!! They were both sat in the lounge earlier gazing into space with inane stupid grins on their faces. Life like this is far less stressful. The shower room is in constant use, though and we have started "booking" times!

I have managed beautifully to complete my list of doing nothing very well today! Tomorrow is another day and everything can wait til then.
Wine here I come.......anyone joining me?
(It counts as fluid and one of your fruit and veg too)

PA I also have a glass of wine and a Magnum Ice Cream to boot

Evening everyone, you all sound very productive - some of your lists are so long by the end of breakfast . PA I am in awe of your sandwiches.

Mrs Gok - hope you get more sleep tonight.
Neenook - loving the extracurricular activities

Both DSs were at childminders today but I've been so fed up of being trying to sort the house out - it's never ending.

So
Morning routine - done
Washing - done
Swim - done
Haircut - done
DS2s party invitations - done
Bit of work - done
Ensuite - done
Dining room windows - done

As DH is away I have made an executive decision to not do anything that I would just have to do again tomorrow. Toys aren't tidied, bed isn't made etc. Sssh, don't tell anyone.

Have a hectic day tomorrow so may try to get an early night.

Hello everyone. I am determined to get enough sleep tonight so starting round up early

fruitstick enjoy your peaceful, flying-free evening
PA the 2 teenagers in the lounge - are they both yours or 2 halves of the lovers? Either way I'd leave them to it and retreat for an early night with wine and DVD in bed
Neenook v bloodthirsty in your house today
OM loads of wine here for you
MrsD lots done in your house today as well
chaos hope mum and DS got home ok
Mmmango there is a lot to be said for string and sticky tape if all else fails
MrsGok hope you can get an early night
missb are you feeling any better tonight?
SC not all list done but good effort. I think I'm trying to cram in as much as I can on the day's I am home as on the other days I am out of the house for so long that nothing seems to get done

I know I posted a humungous list but it was more of a wish list than a definitely must-do one. There's always tomorrow
DW done
Empty WM done
Clear airer done
check cooker empty done
dressed done
DS to school done and spoken to friend's mum about him coming for tea next week
wait for gas man number 1 to disconnect 1 cooker and connect another done
wait for gas man number 2 to do the annual service done
get DH up (9.30) so he can take BIL to hospital appointment done
Ironing done
Paid work almost finished might do it now - actually it can wait until the morning
lunch done
clean dining room windows tomorrow
clear dining table (more of a hotspot) done
clear cupboard in hall (another hotspot) done
collect DS and DNiece from school done
To shop on way home sent DH on way back from hospital
Cook dinner done
DW on
WM done
DS to bed done
put ironing away tomorrow
s&s done
Collapse in heap yes

Not bad effort so off to bed - see you in the morning!

Oh so tired, have had a productive and busy day with 2 music groups today! Wanted to try them both out and compare - I have picked a favourite to go to.

Do not have the energy to write but I promise it would've looked impressive

Just wanted to say fruitstick Mmmmmmm magnum and PA prepare for the backlash of teenage love - what goes up must come down and I'm not talking about your pigeons.

I also have a DP that leaves the lightbulbs for weeks and I agree it is definitely his job and hardly anything else is.

Just got back from work so not much flying for me today bar the ubiquitous laundry! 7.5 hours of driving, 2 hours on site, three hours in the office, one angry client, 2 happy clients so on balance I consider that a win

Thanks for the slow cooker link mrsD. Nice and cheap as well, an essential in this house! Are they just for stews/casseroles or can you do other things in them as well?

NOT working tomorrow and my mum is having DD for a couple of hours so a big flying day planned for me!

Right, well I'm going to collapse in to a glass of wine! Night all, see you tomorrow for a flying extravaganza!

Evening all. Still snuffly and in bed with lap top as DH watching crap films on TV.

DDs in bed, or at least in their rooms.

Evening routine done and sandwiches made.

Nothing else.......but I am resolved that actually that is OK - the weekdays are fairly hectic and generally there is something on for 1 or more each night. So if I can keep on top of the basics, do some of the missions and perhaps manage some of the decluttering at the weekend then that will be the best I can do.....and I am definitely on top of the basics - mostly!

I had to order a book from Amazon for work the other day, so I added the Sink reflections one and the body clutter one - in order to qualify for free postage you understand Should arrive tomorrow so I'm looking forward to reading. I know it's all on the internet, but I do like the feel of a book - very comforting!

Enjoy the wine ladies. I'm not sure it goes well with sudafed but I'll be ready for some at the weekend!