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Housekeeping

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Fledgling Flyers - Mad as March Hares

620 replies

MiniMarmite · 26/02/2010 20:07

Welcome to the spring(ish) edition of the fledgling flyers.

Some of us will be flapping falteringly and others flying faultlessly towards making our homes look perennially spring cleaned!

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 March 1st, but you are welcome to dive in at any point in the month.

Hop along to reserve your place...

OP posts:
MrsDinky · 11/03/2010 10:15

Morning,

School run - done
Faucet toothbrushed - done
Appliances polished - yes, kettle, slowcooker and caddy that holds wooden spoons etc

Still to do

Make flapjacks
Make DD packed lunch
Take DD to pre-school for the afternoon
Dinner in slowcooker - chicken carbonara thing
Help at DS's school
School run, tea etc
Go to gym

DWM - yes, it's very annoying that they need three days to create a repeat prescription. DH lost his slip recently and sent in a note which basically said "the usual drug x please" thinking all the details (strength, brand etc) would be on their computer, receptionist phoned me up and gave me a right earbashing for not being more specific. Then you have to queue up for half an hour in Boots every time, before you find they haven't got it in stock. Grrr.

Swan78 · 11/03/2010 10:20

Hello all

Thank you for the mission MM I don't actually have a phone in my kitchen, so wiped the light switch and unit handles instead.
SR my busy day is Monday. I like MissB's idea of individual portions, as everyone eats at different times on Mondays and I think they are all getting a bit fed up with omelettes! Infact I've noticed DP sneaking fast food on Mondays, which is not good when we will be TTC in a few months!

Today I've decided to do the morning and evening routine and then spend the rest of the day sorting out the DCs bedroom. They have been doing really well with keeping it tidy, but I really need to throw out all broken toys, and I still need to find places for some of the big toys they recieved for Christmas!! wish me luck

aberita · 11/03/2010 11:26

Good morning (just about! - in fact, it's gone midday here),

Have had a hectic couple of days here as I've been busy working in the mornings and then the usual chauffeuring around of children to their activities, visiting friends etc in the afternoons. At least we've got school enrolment out of the way now and DD2 seemed to enjoy the afternoon. The children were observed doing different activities (catching a ball, standing on one leg, recognising numbers, etc) and we'll hear if there are any problems, otherwise we'll get the welcome letter from the teacher and long list of stationery, exercise books etc. required in the summer holidays.

Anyway, my flying has been sadly neglected over the last few days - I'm hoping for a work-free morning tomorrow so I can catch up a bit/restore some sort of order!

List for today:

Morning routine (which I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't even started - does it still count as morning if DD1 isn't home from school yet, I wonder...)
Washing
Mission
Babystep
Wrap presents for birthday party that DD2 and DS have been invited to this afternoon
Piano practice
Take DD1 to first communion class
Before bed routine

DD1 and friend are due home from school in about half an hour, so I'd better get cracking... so much easier to fly when the DC aren't around (and I completely agree with you swanriver about decluttering being much easier when DH isn't around!).

Fingers crossed for DD2's results, PositiveAttitude! Waves to everyone else.

swanriver · 11/03/2010 11:43

Optimistic we lost the remote this am, which meant there were no options! Cut down a lot of usual remote rage. (We don't usually watch telly in mornings - it is just my way of re-conditioning dcs in dh's absence - as he usually does cheery lark thing

Aberita your life sounds strangely familiar to mine - my husband is German, but he doesn't speak German to them sadly - I think we would have tried more bilingual approach if I'd been German ifysim in England or vice versa. Also have dd doing first communion, and novice pianist.
However, am not doing any paid work

Library stint went well, someone is now digging up my road, so unbearable is the racket I am departing asap to somewhere leafier.

aberita · 11/03/2010 15:37

Just dropping in quickly while I revive myself with a coffee - DD1 now at first communion class and DS and DD2 at party. Apart from getting my morning routine done (albeit not actually in the morning), I haven't made much progress with my list but still feel quite exhausted! DD2 is 5 going on 2 - I don't think she's left the terrible twos behind, in fact - and had a major temper tantrum as she decided she wanted to give her friend a different present than the one we'd already chosen for her. I'm enjoying the peace and quiet now while it lasts!

swanriver I think it's much easier to bring up children bilingually if the parent who's at home (more) speaks the minority language; I doubt the DC would be very fluent in German if we were living in the UK. As for paid work - I'm starting to wonder whether it's more stress than it's worth. I do enjoy it but end up having to work evenings and weekends far more often than I'd like - and also find it difficult to switch off as I work from home. Do you volunteer at the library? Our lives could have been even more similar - I was considering being a librarian at one stage.

elliepac · 11/03/2010 18:58

Evening all,

FInally a night when I can sit down and not have to worry about doing any work. Not that I haven't got any, I am just not going to do it .

Have slipped on morning/evening routines this week but have managed to keep on top of tidiness and washing up so not too bad. Mount Washmore is growing again though so have just put a load in and transferred another to the drier.

Am not list posting because there is nothing to post!

sc hope dd is feeling a little better

pmpy sending thoughts and .

Must go and finish dinner (shepherd's pie tonight). Glad it's Friday tomorrow but it will be a busy one. Obviously work but then over to Mum's for a couple of hours because DSB and his fiancee are going on a big adventure travelling for 6 months so going to wish them well and then home DC's to bed and then going out with work friend for meal, wine and gossip! Should be good!

optimisticmumma · 11/03/2010 19:05

Quick update from the optimistic household...DS2 has finally cracked and apologised for his remote attack! He now has his beloved ipod back but still not screens etc until he can be a bit more family friendly! 13 year old boys - just testosterone in skin!
harmony has been restored...for now!

As far as flying goes:
Paperwork - having finally got down to it!
Washingdryingwashingdrying - the saga continues!
Family supper - fajitas and about to commence!

Have a lovely evening all!

MiniMarmite · 11/03/2010 20:40

Evening All,

I'm writing this whilst watching Masterchef...I shouldn't multi-task as I just misheard one leg of lamb as 'one legoland'...!

MrsD I feel your pain about the cheese. I've decided today that I need to give up cheese and butter for a while. Not even 24 hours in and I'm finding it tough!

MissB well done on the this week's weight loss

DWM sounds like you had a really productive day yesterday, you must be feeling like you're back on flying form . All the best for your interview tomorrow, we'll be thinking of you.

SR sounds like a great plan for the party - cake and play is all kids want from a party really!

Hi Feetheart, I hope you are enjoying Masterchef too and that your meeting re flat goes well tomorrow.

I've got my fingers crossed for your DD's AS level results PA.

Big hugs to you and DD SC, I hope she has started to feel a bit better this afternoon/evening. We're really lucky with our veg box but even then I get a bit stuck sometimes, just got a huge load of parsnips today so will have to put my thinking cap on for something a bit different.

Glad family harmony is becoming restored OM and fajita's yummy, haven't done those for ages...I wonder how an 18 month would deal with them!?

Swan78 I am very impressed that you thought of an alternative mission today!

Really glad your DD's school enrolment went well aberita.

Mount Washmore Ellie, that made me LOL! I usually have several of those (although actually not too bad this week for once).

waves and hugs to PMPY, LPP, DEM, Jas and I know have missed a few .

OP posts:
MiniMarmite · 11/03/2010 20:46

Nearly the weekend, happy Friday ladies!

Our babystep today is to delete all the flylady emails if you have signed up for them. If not, then it is a chance to catch up or do something nice for yourself.

Today is our last day in the current zone, the kitchen for decluttering and the mission...don't worry, we'll be back here next month!

Have a great day.

OP posts:
pushmepullyou · 11/03/2010 20:51

Hi all

Just quickly popping on - not quite back in to things yet, but wanted to say thank you so much for all your lovely comments and concern . We haven't told anyone in RL, and it's so nice to feel supported - we have such a lovely thread here! Particulary big thank you to MiniM as it must be pretty raw for you still.

This is my 3rd mc too MrsD, so in some ways I am kind of 'used' to it, though that doesn't help massively just now. I feel a bit of a fraud in some ways as it was very early and not as physically traumatic as it could have been, although still obviously upsetting.

Found out today I am definitely on the board of our company as of next week, which is obviously great news, but I must admit I am hoping for a less eventful week next week!

Signing off for the evening with a consoling glass of wine and ripe camembert. Thanks again and I'll be back and flying high(ish) in the next day or so

pushmepullyou · 11/03/2010 20:55

Ooh, meant to say SC I hope your DD is feeling better

MrsDinky · 11/03/2010 22:04

Evening all,

MM - have decided on a compromise re the cheese, as it is disrupting the family menu options just too much, and I simply can't face another plate of pasta without parmesan. I am now allowing myself cheese as an integral part of a meal, but no nibbling of it when making DCs packed lunches, no crackers and cheese, no cheese sandwiches and no cheese on toast. That will be quite hard enough!

PMPY - I felt a bit fraudulent too, as all mine were only 6 weeks or so, especially the 1st time when I was devastated. I had fantastic support from the EPAU at my local hospital and also my occupational health nurse at work, for which I will be eternally grateful. Well done on the company news front!

Aberita - you are not alone my DS is 6 and can also still tantrum at the least bit of provocation. Not real rage but huge frustration when things don't go his way, tears, stamping feet etc.

SC hope DD is feeling a bit better tomorrow. My bodyclutter steps have lost their way a bit lately, but I have been to the gym twice this week.

OM - fajitas, yum, one of my faves, hope they were tasty.

Swan78 - hope your toy clearout went well. I need to do one again, the local NCT sale is coming up, trouble is the DCs are so aware of what they own now, I have to be very careful what I get rid of and how I go about it.

Off to bed now, see you tomorrow.

feetheart · 12/03/2010 07:04

Been up since 5.50am and have completely failed to go for a run so will update here and have a bath to make myself feel better.

Got quite a lot done yesterday partly because PC went stroppy and I couldn't do much work. Sadly I'm going to have to catch up at the w/e.

SC - thanks for asking about DS, he was delighted to be back at pre-school, he doesn't do inactivity

OM - at 'testosterone in skin'. Can I keep my 4 yr old please?

MM - did enjoy Masterchef and quite like the more flexible approach this year.

Aberita and MrsD - I'll take your 6 yr olds and raise you a just-turned-7 yr old DD who can still throw a mega-tantrum on occasions. Laid-back DS (who has only ever thrown 1 tantrum in his life and I was so shocked I just laughed) looks on in amazement and goes back to being Buzz Lightyear

Today's list:

  • Bath
  • Morning routine
  • 2 mins Hotspot
  • sort out childcare for DS for later as he has vetoed my plan
  • Minutes from School Assoc meeting
  • Stuff for Boot Sale - clean and mend posters, price an ad in local paper, print off posters and give them to people
  • Meet agent re flat
  • Dentist for crown
  • Afternoon routine
  • Cat to vet
  • Evening routine
  • Collapse in a heap again and watch Masterchef before an earlier night than last night!

That will do though bath now looking unlikely as time to get others up

aberita · 12/03/2010 07:56

Morning everyone,

Got back from school run 45 minutes ago and have been pottering around since then, so time to make a start on my list I think. Just tried to do today's babystep and was shocked to discover I had over 3,000 unread flylady e-mails in my inbox. (It's an account I only really use for flylady - I subscribed ages ago but rarely look at it.) Goodness knows how long it will take me to delete them all, but at least I've unsubscribed now. Maybe I should just delete the e-mail account...

pmpy Good to see you back. That's great news on the work front; I hope you're feeling OK (or OK as can be) otherwise.

MrsDinky and feetheart Glad to hear I'm not alone with the tantruming hardly-a-toddler-any-more; I'm often at a loss as to how to deal with her - she gets worked up at the slightest thing too.
feetheart I was wondering in fact whether you have slightly older versions of my younger two, as your description of your DS - "he doesn't do inactivity" - fits my DS to a tee!

Today's list:

Morning routine doing
Washing doing
15 min declutter in kitchen
Write shopping list
Food shopping for next week
Send invoices to agency
Catch up on e-mail correspondence

PositiveAttitude · 12/03/2010 08:12

Morning Ladies,

OM - Testosterone in skin! Love it. Definitely agree!! Aren't teenagers lovely!! I have to admit we do not do the "grounded" punishment like a lot of DCs parents as I feel as I am being punished then as much as them! We do the Mobile phone/Ipod/Computer thing too.
Get to that paperwork - It wont do itself!! (Although I am now going to keep quiet as I have a feeling that comment could come back and haunt me and bite me on the bum when I ahve to do all my financial paperwork in April.

Hi to SC and TC are you both mouse free yet? In my experience getting a cat increases the mouse issue. I do seem to acquire daft cats though. They are good at bringing them INTO the house, then dropping them and allowing them to run under the kitchen cupboards and the cat gets bored with his playmate before it is dead, so I then have to catch the horrible little creatures and throw over the garden fence! - Shhh dont tell the neighbours!

Hope SC's daughter is improving and getting back to feeling better.

Hi to MM MrsD , PMPY - good to here from you again, take it easy.

DWM - We use the lloyds pharmacy repeat service for our repeat prescriptions. All I do is pop into the local chemist when a repeat is due and it is ready and waiting. No waiting for three days and three trips into town!

swan78 Good luck with the bedroom!

Aberita - Glad the school enrolment went ok. Can they actually turn a child down for not being able to catch a ball and stand on one leg?
My ideal job would be to be a librarian, I just think I would be useless, cos I would want to read ALL he books!

SR - Sympathies abou the noisy digging of the road. I did get strangely used to it and felt as if I had gone deaf when it actually stopped...... although maybe I am just strange!

Ellie Hope you enjoy your day today. Sounds busy, but fun!

Right, well yesterday on the way to get the results I asked DD what she thought she might get, just so that I could gage how to react, if in doubt. conversation went along the lines of "If I get less than a "B" I will be disappointed, but I didn't actually do much work and I did rubbish in the exam!" So , she got a "C" and was devastated! Perhaps it will teach her that she cannot coast through life and always get A*s. Anyway a trip to Thorntons coffee shop and she was smiling again, but not helped by her brother arriving home ecstatic that he got a "B" in a GCSE science module after getting an "E" in his mock, just 2 weeks prior to the real exam! He had not even told us that he was getting the result yesterday because he was scared he would do rubbish and thought we might not need to know!

So an odd day yesterday and I felt as if I was walking on eggshells, but hopefully lessons learnt all round.

Sandwich marathon has been completed for the last time this week - YEAH!
Freezing cold here today.
Manic day at work today. Two deadlines with two different jobs to complete today. I feel as if I am on track and should have it all completed by lunch time, If its all done I plan a lunch out to celebrate!! But there is always the potential for it all to go horribly wrong until I press that last button, in which case it may be a beans on toast at 10pm!! But as little flying as I can get away with!

Have a good Friday everyone!

optimisticmumma · 12/03/2010 09:27

Morning lovely ladies!!
Well, a strange morning here as I have despatched DH to Scotland (can you guess why??) and DS1 to school not to be seen again until tomorrow! He is playing at a gig tonight followed by a taxi ride to his friend's house (a friend I haven't met as he lives about 20 miles away!) to stay the night with a lot of other not doubt adrenalin filled teenagers!.Tomorrow he has to get himself home via car/train in time for a family birthday do! Sounds fine in principle doesn't it? But as a Mum I've yet to discover how to be relaxed and trusting of my man/boy and not worry myself stupid! To be fair he has only let me down once and that was a good lesson learned but even so...
PA - I can't ground my DS2 as he spends far too much time mooching around as it is and it would be no punishment but I agree with you the mobile phone/ipod/laptop is the way to go!!
Feetheart - you sound like superwoman!!
Thanks MM for keeping us on the relatively straight and narrow.Think fajitas and 18 month olds sound like very stinky nappies!! MrsD your cheese plan sounds the way to go - can't help thinking of Wallace and Gromit!!Hi to everyone else!!

Today:
Finish paperwork
IRONING - please nag
Volunteer driving
visit friend who's had a knee op
Look at kitchen missions and do!!
Declutter kitchen cupboard - particularly baking one!

Have a good day. Catch up later!

MrsDinky · 12/03/2010 09:42

Morning all,

Morning all, just sitting here trying to decide whether to hoover or go to a friends house for coffee.....

Right, decided, off to the friend's house, see you later.

swanriver · 12/03/2010 09:50

OM A band - that's exciting!
Also we had a telly tantrum last nght of epic proportions (Stars Wars v. Dr Who in two sep rooms)- I just get so cross when what is meant to be family entertainment leads to fights (How come he got to watch two episodes?), refusal to sit at table for supper because "there's just one more little bit I have to watch".

We had no telly this morning, as we had to finish some homework that they were dithering over last night. I think they were relieved Ds1 was so sweet, heading off for some educational visit at another school, and asking me to wake him early so that he could get ready in plenty of time. Especially after last night's screaming fit. He seems to veer between mature responsible nearly grownup 9 year old, and yet yest he was like a tantrumming 6 year old. He sometimes seems so organised and sensible - I feel so proud.

PA yes a lot of eggshells, you sound v wise at negotiating them - But at least that's two exams done.

Today I'm off to do more party organizing, but the cake is made not iced yet though. Found some balloons whilst decluttering and some straws, that's a start

frazzled74 · 12/03/2010 09:54

i am going to join you if thats ok, as really need to organise my house,
today will hoover and dust downstairs, then organise kitchen cupboards. have got dinner in slow cooker and have promised dcs trip to park after school.

Stillcounting · 12/03/2010 10:57

A warm welcome to Frazzled74

Waves to everyone !!!!

(sorry - can't stop as a bit tied up here - in middle of massive FlingBoogie in main rooms - fed up of clutter)

Just wanted to say "GOOD LUCK" to MummyD - I think it is your interview today isn't it?

Apologies - meant to post earlier - but hope the day goes well - the collective power of the Fledgling Flyers is behind you!!

PositiveAttitude · 12/03/2010 12:37

Deadlines both reached! Yeah I am off to celibrate.......

See you all later.

Hi to everyone and welcome to Frazzled - love the name - that's me too, I just pretend to be positive!!

PositiveAttitude · 12/03/2010 12:38

Derrrrrrr!! Celebrate, I am trying not to be celibate, DH complains!!!!

frazzled74 · 12/03/2010 12:55

have hoovered and dusted, got side tracked in kitchen and have neatened up edges of lino that i fitted myself, badly, last month, have now had idea of swapping around fridge and tumbledrier to create more work top space, but am adamnt am going to do at least 1 cupboard!

MiniMarmite · 12/03/2010 13:12

Hi Ladies, just dropping by as I have just remembered that I am away tomorrow night/Sunday morning.

I'm happy to post Sunday's links on Saturday lunchtime and then do the round up as normal when I return on Sunday if that's ok with everyone. Alernatively perhaps someone could post the links for Sunday. Happy either way .

Back later, I'm making Chelsea buns as I have a friend dropping by later. Not made them before so a bit experimental!

OP posts:
swanriver · 12/03/2010 16:13

Yes Frazzled we try not to mention the f word too often
well done on kitchen
and on decluttering SC don't stop
PA

Children are now trying on their Star Wars outfits, and I already feel knackered after day in town finishing party bags craft stuff etc
Dh is back this eve so I need to create some semblance of order.

Ds2 room is v. tidy, and sheets changed
otherwise total muddle
bin emptied
morning routine done
eaten some of glut of veggies that no-one else likes (cabbage and leeks)v. healthy me!
shopped for party provisions and put away
what's for dinner? - tortelloni and veg, fish for dh later when he gets back

TO DO
dw
sink
rest of dd's room
our room
homework table
playroom
living room
hall, esp chest of lurking stuff helmets etc, too small wellies for visitors etc and check nothing important has been thrown in
lay table
plumbing

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