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...

Morning All

Today's babystep is about working on your control journal.

My routines are posted on my fridge but I might have to take them down because people look a bit when they see them! I do explain that I rarely get through it all!

Just two more days decluttering and doing missions in the Master Bedroom.

Have a good day.

Evening all,

Linzer - I taught myself to crochet by watching videos on Youtube. I did used to do it a bit as a girl but had forgotten all the stitches.

PA - thankyou for the IOW thread, just what I needed. Blackgang Chine will be right up our street I think, we like small, quieter theme parks, Have never been to Alton Towers and never want to! This funfair near us is bad enough, the kids want to go on bigger rides every time and I hate it all! Field of Memories sounds like a lovely idea.

Ellie hope you got something nice for dinner, that happens to me fairly regularly, I always fancy all the meals at the beginnig of the week when I plan the menus and yet a few days later, nope, want something completely different.

MM - poor MiniMM. Chilled cucumber chunks also good for sore gums.

OM - well done to DS's rugby team.

Waves at everyone else.

Well, I didn't do too much today, washing etc plus a few errands, DD at home all day on a Weds, we went to the softplay and the park. Been to the gym this eve so feeling virtuous. Off to bed now, night night.

MrsD - truely sucks about the debt! Dont suppose there is much hope when it comes back into court re the tax bill and winding up order. Tell me you have insider knowledge and it will be alright with pompy. DEM.

Morning everyone.

Sorry for those with stressed DH's, that sort of anxiety whirlwind can leave a lot of stress behind can't it or is that just us?

OM - well done to DS's rugby team, very exciting

MM - poor DS Chilled pineapple might have cheered me up yesterday too, might have to invest today!

Sadly list for today is identical to yesterday's as struggled to do much more than feed family and wash up in between bouts of horrific coughing. Also managed a load of washing but was too shattered to bring it in last night
So today:

• Attempt routines (including replacing yesterday's washing on line with today's!)
• Some work
• Fill in form for school
• wrap Dsis birthday present and post
• Early night

Even that seems ambitious, need 's and chocolate to get me through I think.

Morning all,

Thanks for your kind words optimisticmumma and MiniMarmite. I'm feeling a little more positive this morning, though I'm sure I'd be feeling even better if I'd actually managed an early night. I'm not feeling very motivated work-wise but am going to force myself to get through as much as I can this morning. Hopefully I'll have a little time for flying too, as DS and DD1 are both going to friends' this afternoon - I'll "only" be picking up DD2, her friend and friend's brother from Kindergarten today.

List for today:

Routines
Work
Ironing
Make dinner
27 declutter in kitchen
Mission
Early night!

Sorry to hear about your DS's teething troubles MiniM - I hope it settles down quickly.

Hope you're feeling better soon feetheart. s and chocolate are always good (especially in combination).

Good morning ladies,

Didn't make it back to report on lack of flying yesterday. Lovely walk through the daffodil field. They looked amazing. It was beautifully sunny, but unfortunately the wind was freezing, so I couldn't sit and relax, just kept walking. Well worth taking the time to do and came away feeling ready to face he world again.
No flying to report. Another day of manically trying to just about stay still!
Prepared a lovely chicken meal in the slow cooker yesterday - TOP TIP - plug the slow cooker into the wall socket. It does wonders!! If you forget this step you come home to soggy raw chicken and have to cook an alternative!

Linzer - Hope the motivation kicks in for work, it makes it so much harder if you have the CBA feeling!!

Feetheart - Take you time. You can catch up when you are truly better. Lots of TLC (Television, loving and chocolate in my books )

OM - Mr Fox got our rabbit a few summers ago. I am hoping to get another couple for DD3s birthday in June (will get after our holiday at the end of June) I love bunnies!

Waves to DTG, DWM MrsD MrsB ELlie PW & everyone else.

So far today I have:
Sandwich marathon
Cleaned Kitchen surfaces
Dishwasher loaded and on
Washing machine loaded and on
Lasagne meat in slow cooker - AND TURNED IT ON!

Day off work today, so a day of catching up here before governors meeting at education unit this afternoon.
I need to:
Hang out washing
Quick (ha ha!) trip to supermarket for a few bits.
Nice coffee and chat with best buddy who I haven't seen for 2 weeks cos shes been on holiday, so lots to catch up on!!
Hoover (oh no!! always on list!!)
A bit of cooking and baking and messing about with my lovely gadgets!

Right ... to it! .... or just a quick look at "threads I'm on" .... Commandment number 4 ......

Morning all

Keep going Linzer - apply the babysteps principle to the work and you may find you get through a bit easier!

Minimarmite - thanks for your supportive words as always . Sorry Minim is teething but lots of good advice on here.

Slugbrains - you've been through some really tough moments and made some big decisions - take care.

Feetheart - hope you feel better soon - so annoying when the weather's lovely and there's lots to do! I find doughnuts help!

Mrs D - well done on the gym! I have donw the first 3 weeks of 'Couch to 5K' but have come to a halt for now as DS1 has nicked my headphones and it is too difficult without. I did hoover his up, but he did leave them on the floor under his bed!!

So today:

Paperwork
Ironing - before we get buried
Supper
Bedroom 4x15 mins to catch up!!

That doesn't look much but it is believe me!!

Hopefully DH has landed now and can get back to thinking about work rather than travel!! It just shows how much we take air travel for granted doesn't it?

See you later. Big wave to everyone else on the thread...

x -posted PA.

I have mixed feelings about this particular rabbit...Her nickname was 'wererabbit' because she was the most beautiful looking but grumpiest, growliest rabbit you ever knew! Did you know rabbits growl??

Anyway - we were sorry she demised in the way she did but....

In our family rabbits go to join Peter Rabbit in the sky (courtesy of v. young nephew who suffered a similar tragedy when very young!)

We will catergorically not be getting any more rabbits!!!!!!(We have a friendly one left)

Morning all.

No time for a proper catchup right now. Was out from 7am - 10pm last night so nothing got done, so its catchup on the routines for me today.

I also have to :

• go to council tax office to take paperwork in
• buy some veggies
• toddler group
• take DS to nursery

Will catch up properly later!

Morning all,

Todays list

Swish and swipe - done
DW and WM - both on
Dusting in dining room - it looked awful - done
Missions for this week - none done yet but there's still time
Help at school this afternoon
Top up shopping - milk etc
BBQ dinner tonight, hopefully!

Slugbrains - I read the administrators report on Pompey last night, fascinating stuff, but depressing. The Independent yesterday reckoned they were going to offer the creditors 23p in the pound. Don't feel sorry for the rich ones, but there are so many small local businesses owed money too. Fingers crossed they can put it all behind them and storm the Championship next year.

OM - headphones are essential aren't they? I have just discovered that our library now allows you to download audiobooks for free, so I'm going to try that for gym listening.

Waves to erveryone else, see you later

Grrrrrrrr.....i give up. Crash landing ahead, seatbelts on....

Oh no, what's happening ellie? I've been waiting for you to come and tell us how you've been whizzing round the house this evening as I'm really struggling to motivate myself at the moment. I got my morning routine done for the first time in ages and caught up on the missions, but I think I've been resting on my laurels since then as the afternoon routine got neglected and my attempt at the evening one has been rather half-hearted too. I've been struggling not to collapse into a you-know-what and have forced myself to go and do the 27 declutter in the kitchen that was on my list, but I'm only about halfway there and will be up until midnight at this rate! And I really need an early(ish) night tonight after too many late nights recently.

Evening all,

Oh dear Ellie. Has ash got in your engine?

Linzer - you've been doing so well, don't burn out, go and watch a bit of telly and start again tomorrow!

Having said that, I have faltered at the point of going into the kitchen too (our computer is just outside the kitchen door, MN lures me in on my way to do the washing up).

Anyway, today

Swish and swipe - done
DW and WM - both on
Dusting in dining room - it looked awful - done
Missions for this week - none done yet but there's still time - done!
Help at school this afternoon - done
Top up shopping - milk etc
BBQ dinner tonight, hopefully - done
Ironing - done
Put out stack of clothes for charity collection - done
Bit of gardening - done
Washing up - well, I had one of those days were you don't get time to empty the DW until there's enough to fill it up again, in mitigation I have had a busy day, see above, every surface in the kitchen is covered in dirty dishes, better go and do it I suppose.
Night all

Oh dear Ellie I'm brasing myself. Head to knees, hands over the back of my head.

Plugging the slow cooker into the wall plug was a bit of a winner and meant that a yummy lasagne was ready for eating tonight.

Lovely day of pottering and no work.
Feeling so relaxed now I am nearly asleep .....- although crash position is contrary to sleep, so Ellie, come back and tell us what has gone so wrong!!

good evening to everyone. i assume you ahve all been watching the debate. I am flicking between that and the darts again.

See you all in the morning.

Evening Ladies

A tiring day here - trying to juggle work with a teething toddler (too clingy to go to the CM). I had a manicure and pedicure this evening and then watched Outnumbered so I can't complain really .

Thanks for the cucumber tip MrsD - funny you should say that as he ate loads of cucumber yesterday, he likes it but normally leaves it until everything else on his plate has gone! Did you have your BBQ this evening?

Slugbrains how are you going?

Sorry you have a bad cough feetheart I'm sure biscuits and chocs will do the trick .

Chairmum what a busy day yesterday, hope you had a chance to rest a bit today.

What's up Ellie, you ok?

Well, I'm about to post the links for Friday and then off for the weekend until Sunday night. Are you still ok to take over for Sat/Sun links Linzertorte?

Have a great weekend everyone and I hope you all get some sunshine where you are.

Good morning All, the end of another busy week for us all.

Today's babystep is a little more refining of our routines/control journals.

It is the last day in the Master Bedroom for decluttering and missions.

Have a good day and weekend and see you on Sunday night x

Evening!
Hope everyone is OK - sounds like we're all a bit 'end-of-the-month' ish and flagging! I am weary too - back to work - very manic and organising a conference for tomorrow and Monday (3 half day sessions) - so I will be glad when it is over

Guides tonight - all very noisy so have come home and indulged in a glass of wine, some Galaxy and Outnumbered

Right, off to bed now - early start tomorrow. No flying this week but my bedroom isn't TOO bad at the moment

Morning all,

Definitely flagging a bit here - though too many late nights haven't helped. However, DH is back today and he's very good at forcing me to go to bed at a reasonable hour so I hope to be ready and raring to go again by next week!

MiniMarmite Yes, that's fine; I'm happy to post Saturday and Sunday's links (and can do Monday's too if you like - not sure what time you're back but I know there's often a lot to do after a weekend away).
Quick question for everyone - would you mind if I posted the links on Saturday and Sunday morning (about this time) rather than the evening before? I'm hoping to have an earlier night tonight (I know I keep saying that...) and also we're an hour ahead here, which means I'd have to post quite early and don't want the posts to get 'lost' if a lot of people post afterwards iyswim.

Will be back later!

Morning!

I am happy for you to post whenever is fine by you, Linzer.
I forgot that you are ahead of us. When I read that you were late for bed on previous posts i would look at the time and think and then feel rally bad that i was not fast aslpeep. I now feel let off the hook! Thanks for posting the links.

MM have a fantastic weekend and thank you for all your postings

I over slept this morning, so not a good start! SO no time for my normal 10 mins on MN today.

Plan is to survive once more til wine o'clock tonight.

to everyone.

mm. AM ok. still some ups or downs. Getting there. Ds is improving and managing to chase up a lot of stuff. Had a lovely relaxing time yesterday. Have to fold and ironing the clean and dry mount washmore today. ds goes to his dad's tonight and that will mean i can chill and do in peace on saturday. Going out in the evening. I am going to sort and settle and try to get to an organised state ready for fully jumping back in at the strt of the new month.

Morning, whatever time suits you Linzer, I don't get to the computer till this time at the earliest anyway, thank you for volunteering.

Haven't decided what to do today beyond going to a friend's for coffee this morning, and the funfair this evening, the DCs are quivering with excitement. I'm not. See you later.

Back to messy London house from serene daffodil filled countryside but still to be home at last! Finally managed to book a plane that flew from Dublin, and avoided ferry, though out of pocket somewhat. Dh met us at Victoria and took half day off work to look after kids so I could have a sleep, which meant rushing around tidying yest would not have been v. tactful. Brief foray to Book Club last night to discuss Brooklyn..dh then a bit mffed I had gone out, so tempers frayed this morning
He has done wonders in garden, but still I need to do lots more work, lay turf, replant flowers - so feeling like there are loads of unfinished jobs here. Ah well, suppose it is price you pay for a lovely lovely holiday away and dcs were in heaven too!

Dcs at school,
so now LIST
put all laundry away
dirty laundry in heap from suitcases
winter uniform in loft
deep clean kitchen for 10 mins after 2 weeks of dh not quite cleaning it
more of same everywhere in house
go to hairdresser's - hair a fright

Hello!! I'm back - after a very convoluted trip away in terms of transport - too long and boring to set out in detail - suffice to say I don't want to get back in a car for a while!!

Hope you are all OK. I really missed all you lovely fellow fledglings!!

Have a very busy w/e ahead - lots of entertaining and catching up - and a mountain of washing - so apologies for not catching up with you all individually.

Will start Flying "properly" again on Monday.

In the meantime, just wanted to say how sorry I was to read your very sad news Dreamteamgirl about the death of your father a few weeks back. Sending my sincere condolences, positive thoughts and prayers over from here to you. I've been through it so I have a tiny inkling of what you must be going through. Take it steady as it can hit you harder after the funeral and all the contingent activity and visitors. Hope you are OK xxx

Have a great weekend away Mini-Marmite

DEM is that you? [Slugbrains]????

Huge wing flaps to (in no particular order)PA Elliepac Swanriver MrsDinky Optimistic Teamcullen Feetheart Linzertorte MissBennett ChairmumM Aberita PurpleWednesday PushmePullyou

Please forgive me if I've missed anyone or any other significant event ...

Will catch up asap! Have a fantastic w/e everyone. Looks like it is going to be a sunny one!

Right:

Eat and drink nothing but lettuce and water for the next 10 days (holiday food was too good and now the top button of my jeans keep popping off and flying across the room whenever I attempt to sit down)

Tackle explosion of make-up and toothpaste that occurred in my wash bag earlier this morning when my luggage got squashed [yuck]

Sort mountain of washing and start working through the loads

Hunt down dd's ballet clothes for tomorrow am

Early to bed tonight

Menus for Sat and Sun (friends coming)

Mammoth supermarket shop tomorrow morning

Cook

Evening all...
Bottle of white and bottle of red open with nibbles and dips! How does that sound?

Today has been quite successful:

Took friend out for lunch at garden centre - she is housebound after knee op.
Sorted DD out with random items for her practice D of E expedition this weekend.(emergency food pack, hiking socks, whistle , water etc etc
Conquered the Everest of Ironing

DS1 is now out at another driving lesson in preparation for another go at his test! I'm slightly anxious that he doesn't fail it again!!

Thanks for doing the links Linzer

I really must catch up with the whole zone thing this weekend while DH is away.

The coast sounds fab Ellie - don't let those grumpy teenagers get you down - at least you don't have to live with 3 of them!! (only joking)

Must go and do supper.