There's no fooling an April fledgling flyer

[MiniMarmite]

Welcome to the April edition of the fledgling flyers where shower screens are shiny and rain never stops play.

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 April 1st (no joke), but you are welcome to dive in at any point in the month.

Splish, splash, swish and swash along to reserve your place...

Evening Ladies

It has been a gorgeous sunny day here - lots of bbqing but not much flying!

PurpleWednesday sleep should most definitely be a priority if you're still up 3 times in the night, I remember those days very well (well actually they are a bit of a blur)!

Hi MrsD good to see you, I did lol at the giant tortoise story and thanks for the reminder to do my Ocado order!

Sluggy (hope you don't mind the shortened version) well done on all the marking, you must be exhauseted.

Ellie about marking! I hope you enjoyed your day in the garden.

Linzertorte you are very good to get on with work when you have a quiet couple of hours - I would have been tempted to put my feet up!

Teamcullen how exciting having a new washing machine (I realise this might sound sarcastic but I am serious ).

Hope you're ok DTG.

When is SC back?

Enjoy what remains of your evening.

Oh, I'm not looking forward to work tomorrow!

Morning Ladies

I'm hesitant to post today's babystep due to the effect it had on some of us last month! I will counter the effect with - you are all doing a brilliant job even if your house doesn't look quite like a 5* hotel just yet!

We're in a new Zone, the Master Bedroom for decluttering and missions...might be a good one for us Ellie after our confessions about our being a general dumping ground last week!

Two requests from me today - I'm away the weekend coming, would someone mind posting the links for Saturday and Sunday please? I think I'll be ready to hand over to someone else at the end of the month as I need to get back on track (and we're going on holiday for part of the month) so if someone would be happy to take over that would be great.

Have a good day .

Morning, coffee machine is on, tea is in the pot.

Having done this in the past i refuse to even click through from the first page. I am ignoring the babystep. so there.

Just about to leave to go into school to get rid of everything. ANd will go back to be to sulk/sleep for a bit later.

Hope you all have a lovely day!

Happy flying.

Morning ladies - just a quick pop in to say hello.

Am almost finished my morning routine and might actually get DS to nursery on time this morning, then off to the office to try to get some paperwork done that I failed to do on saturday because of computer crapness!

Have a nice day everyone. Slugbrains - good luck!

slugbrains you rebel you, not even looking at the babystep . Seriously though I hope it goes alright at school today. I know this has been a tough decision for you but hopefully today is the beginning of a fresh start for you .

Back at work this morning but rather down on numbers so far 8 staff stuck overseas including the head who is in SOuth Africa! All this means however is that there is going to be loads of cover and it is going to be a really tough week. One member of my department who is also an assistant head is stuck at his friend's villa in Spain. FLight re-booked for Wednesday but if that doesn't make it out, can't get anything else until a week on Wednesday .

Gotta go but just wanted to say that I am determined not to let the flying fall by the wayside this term. I can do both, I can do both and repeat ad infinitum.

AArgh, lost my post, hit the wrong key

Morning routine - done
Washing - 1st lot to put on line, 2nd lot to go on
Gym
Clean kitchen and bathroom floors
Shopping
Unpacking shopping
Gardening
DEclutter bedroom

School is done. bad but not quite as bad as i thought. going for sleep and then school run and later off out. Am drained but too be expected. night.

Morning everyone,

Just taking a break from work and reviving myself with a coffee. I really wanted to get off to a good start this week and do some decluttering and even the mission, but once again work is meaning that I'm still struggling to keep up with the routines. I think I'll have to adopt your mantra ellie - if you can do both, then I'm going to give it my best shot too! I haven't made a list for a few days either, which isn't helping; I've just remembered the DC still haven't sent a card for my dad's birthday (on Thursday)...

So here's my list for today (though am a bit that most things were probably on my last list about a week ago):

Routines
Write to bank
Invoice
Finish proofreading
15 min declutter in bedroom
Mission
Get DD1 to write birthday card (DD2 out this afternoon and DS can't write...)

Slugbrains Hope you manage to catch up on some sleep today!

MiniMarmite I think I'm probably still too much of a novice fledgling to take over next month, but I'd be happy to post the links for Saturday and Sunday.

Forgot to add, mm seeing as have been here since september , maybe it's time I took on some responsibility (I soulnd like my mother ). Will take over for you if no-one else wants to and everybody is happy for me to do it (think carefully ladies, not exactly a shining (sink or otherwise) example here!).

linzer remember I can talk the talk but don't always walk the walk, but if you can then I can . We shall motivate each other. I solemnly vow that tonight when I get in I will not collapse in a heap I will fly, in fact I will soar!!!!

my post button isnt working on some threads.

That sounds like an excellent idea ellie - I'm feeling more motivated already. Feel free to nag me if I seem to be posting the same to-do list day after day, don't seem to ever get my afternoon/evening routines done, etc - I'm also v. good at collapsing in a heap in the evenings... But we can do this!

Right, that's the talk talked - time to walk, or rather fly now as DD1 has decamped to the neighbours and the other two are out so I have about half an hour to catch up on my routine.

Hello Ladies

Just on quickly during a break at work, so no time to scroll and give messages. Sorry!!

Back to work routine today. I could very easily have sat down at 8am and not moved for the rest of the day. Went to do shopping and got into work, only to find that I should have been off today too! But I have used the time to catch up and get ahead of myself to help me with the rest of the term, so not too bad really.

Already done today:
2 x loads of washing sorted & folded
Sandwich marathon done - back to the grindstone!!!
Good S & S of wetroom
dishwasher unloaded & re-loaded.
Blazer mended - been meaning to do that for 3 weeks, but left it til this morning.
Weekly shopping
Work - while I should have had feet up and book in hand! [ggrrrr]

THis evening I plan to make up for my extra work and do .......... nothing!!

Will catch up properly later.

Well, survived first day back at work and now attempting to fly and work.

linzer have been in from work for 45 mins and have not collapsed in a heap. I have:-

tidied living room
tidied dining room
done washing up
wiped down kitchen surfaces
swept all floors downstairs

This evening I must:-

evening routine (think I have forgotten what that actually means )
cook dinner
bathe dc's
s/s bathroom
have a bath
mission (mm I am with you, I normally can't be bothered don't get time to do the missions but this is one week when I really neeeeeed to do it)

Have a good evening everyone. Will be back later for a proper catch-up.

Well done, ellie - you see, you can do more than just talk the talk! I would normally have given up on flying by this time of day, but you have inspired me to carry on flying this afternoon/evening. So far, I have:

Made chilli sin carne (I have resolved to start cooking properly more often rather than relying on leftovers/convenience-type food from the freezer)
Folded and put away all the washing
5 min room rescues in living room and kitchen
2 min hot spot
Laid out DC's clothes for tomorrow

I doubt I'll get much more flying done this evening as I still need to do some work, but I will at least take a look at my evening routine (which I haven't managed to do once yet ).

Well, not done too bad tonight:-

evening routine (think I have forgotten what that actually means ) doneithink
cook dinner takeaway
bathe dc's done
s/s bathroom done
have a bath goinginamin
mission notquite

Didn't get everything achieved because we had drama with DD at CM's, She ran into a doorframe just before i got there to pick up and has a lump the size of an egg on her forehead. She seems to be ok but NHS Direct advised to keep her sat still for a couple of hours. Ha, Ha, Ha! Spent two hours trying to get her to sit down, about 25% of that she would but at least it reassured me that she was ok! Plus had lots of work to do as have two members of department stranded so had to set cover work for them!

Am going to have a well deserved glass of wine and a bath. Seeyou all tommorrow!

Good evening everybody. Glad to see everybody survived the first day of term.

We have 3 teachers stuck abroad too Elliepac, including head teacher and deputy. Im awaiting News at Ten to report sightings of HT bracing the Bay of Biscay on a pedalo to get back to school! Honestly he is that bad. His poor wife must be pulling her hair out.

I also really need to make sure I do all missions this week. My bedroom is like the Bermuda Triangle, the only thing is, where do you find homes for all the stuff you have dumped there?

Its getting late but while DH is happily watching Liverpool win for once Im going to dust off my nightime routine, sort out things for the morning and shine my sink. Pin up morning routine and finish reading Harry Potter.

My diet has gone well for the first time today, partly because Ive eaten all of DCs easter eggs, although they have just came in with toast Must move before I cave in

Right Ladies, MrsDinky is back in business..

Today's list

Washing x 3 done and dried, just need to put away
DW emptied refilled etc
Toilet sink hinges scrubbed (following handy tip on another thread)
Bath and basin cleaned
Bathroom and kitchen floors cleaned
Kettle - polished
Gym visited
Shopping done and put away
After school routine, Beavers etc - done
DS packed lunch for tomorrow - done
Gardening - some done. Am re-potting all my herbs which have outgrown their containers.

Still intend to declutter bedroom a bit later.

Well done all of those who have survived being back at work today, with a special mention to Slugbrains for getting school stuff finished and PA for turning up on the wrong day...

PA - how on earth do you make sure everyone gets the right contents in their lunch box? I only have two DCs and still manage to give orange juice to the one who prefers apple juice, or marmite sandwiches to the one that hates marmite on a regular basis.

Linzer and ellie - I too am prone to collapsing in a heap in front of the telly of an evening, then regretting it the next day.

MM - thank you for all the excellent roundups, you have been doing a brilliant job.

We seem to have lost a few people over the last few weeks, I guess partly because of the Easter holidays (hope no one is stranded) - hope you are all OK out there if you are still watching, pop in and say hello.

I'm off to collapseinfrontofthetelly put away the washing.

Ooh, nearly forgot - proud Mum moment tonight, DS got his first badge at Beavers.

Sounds stressful for all you teachers! I'm full of admiration for you lot that work and fly and look after your DCs. But then perhaps things get easier when they're older than 2

H has DS tonight so I've done a good clean of the kitchen including giving the windowsills a good clean / reorganise. The end of the kitchen declutter is in sight! Just a couple of drawers left.

x-posted with Ellie and TC.

Hope DDs head is better soon Ellie.
TC my diet is in serious need of a kickstart .

Groan..

Have been acutely reminded today of why i need help flying...

One of my friends popped round briefly this pm. The kitchen was a tip and the dining room table covered in stuff [its the major hotspot]. I had chosen to sleepwhenthebabysleeps today due to the nocturnal nature of DD2 catching up with me. My friend is lovely, works full time, has her own DD, no cleaner or anything[!] yet always has an imaculate home.

Tomorrow I will try harder!

Evening Ladies

Well, my day in the office today and I was reminded how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends and colleagues - someone had even made a loaf of soda bread for me!

I did a bit of flying but I've gone a bit off-zone and cleaned out the fridge (emergency as a large Ocado order was imminent)!

Well done on your first day back those of you who went back to work today .

Sluggy I'm glad that returning everything to school wasn't too much of an ordeal and hope that you are being kind to yourself x.

Chairmum sounds like you have been busy, don't wear yourself out! Do you start maternity leave soon?

Ellie and Teamcullen my Mum was saying this evening that quite a few schools must be a bit short of teachers at the moment - sounds like it is true.

Thanks for offering to take over next month Ellie, that would be great...I'm also good at talking the talk (and I think you do more than you think you do)! Hope DD's head is better in the morning.

MrsD Wow, you have done loads today, well done and well done to DS too on getting his first badge .

Don't worry about some of the things still being on the list Linzertorte, you'll get there. Thanks for offering to post the links at the weekend, that's really kind of you. Wow, you and Ellie really sound like you mean business!

PA what a shame about work/day off - at least you're ahead now as you say and sounds like you had a good FLYing day too.

Sleep is important PurpleWednesday, good friends don't mind mess, and tomorrow is another day .

You're right MrsD, it is a bit quiet at the moment - probably the holidays plus having some good weather. and hope to 'see' you all soon.

Off to bed soon, good night.

Morning All

Today's babystep is about laundry. Things go very wrong in this house if I don't keep this one up!

We're in the Master Bedroom for decluttering and missions...now, where did that floor go?

Have fun .

Evening!
Feel like I've been away for ages! Have read through and caught up I think - sounds as though everyone has been very busy.
I made impromptu visit to my mum with DDs, who is OK though tired. Took her to church Sunday morning and she realised that actually she wasn't 100% and will be taking things easy this week!
Somewhat tedious trip there - had a puncture as a result of a pot hole but managed to get to the services, so we ended up there for two and a half hours waiting for the RAC - obviously very busy! But, the sun was shining, we could get a coffee and some chocolate and sit and read in the sun while we waited - so although it wouldn't have been my first choice for an afternoon, it wasn't as bad as it might have been!

Back to work today and been nonstop. Got through half my emails and caught up with stuff but rather weary now! No flying but routines in place.......Off to bed now.

TOday was tougher then i realised and am going to try to step away from the computer for a few day and sort things out. Need a bit of space and tonights relaxing activity wasnt so relaxing. Feeling a bit low, suspect it is just lack of sleep so am going to stick to the baby step bedtime rule and try to be asleep for midnight. At least i am tired enough to sleep.

Hi, I am stranded abroad in Eire, but not really stranded as at my mum's so I am really lucky. But children are missing about four days of school as available first ferry is not till Thurs. Our plane tickets were for Sat, and we hung on till then before re-booking, possibly a mistake but then had a lovely weekend with cousins camping and horseriding etc, so it was worth being stranded. Dh was back home last week so he isn't off work, so that isn't too bad.
Doing lots of flying in parents' house really noticing how usual squalor hasn't built up due to quite a bit of rescuing,
but being a single parent without dh is beginning to be quite tiring as well as dealing with relatives, and trying to sort out travel etc. Very much looking forward to giving kids to someone else to put to bed!!!Dh says he is getting bored adn lonely and cats are mental, so I think I can now hand them over for entire weekend when I get back to London.

Ellie, you must be exhausted, Teamcullen arf to pedalo and Bay of Biscay, MissBennett best wishes to to your mum, and everyoneelse haven't quite caught up, as it is the middle of night, and only just sneaked on to parents' internet.
See you in London