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...

ooooh wine and nibbles, count me in!

Me Me Me Me tooo!!

Ellie glad you are back to the land of normality today. Teenagers are lovely, aren't they!!!!!!***######!!!!!!
Only 3, OM - A doddle!! Only joking. Well done to DD on DofE. Sorry, meant to say that on other thread. Well deserved mummy pride!!

I have succeeded with todays target. I have survived and I declare it officially now Friday wine o'clock!! - Bring it on!!

Thought you might be lured on with the wine Ellie and PA.
DD hasn't done Dof E yet PA and I've just tried on her backpack . As she said 'It's meant to push you isn't it?' Oh God.....Ellie - are you impressed that I gave each of the 3 teachers who took 30 girls out to Pompeii a bottle of wine each as a thank you. They were so grateful I can tell you!!!

Evening all,

Haven't got much in the way of flying done today, but I did have a lovely - if noisy - afternoon, with nine children running around in the garden at one point! DH arrived back from his trip to Warsaw bearing goodies from M&S; we're also planning a trip to Bratislava this weekend as a big new M&S (with children's clothes and food!) has just opened there.

Welcome back, swanriver and Stillcounting! Hope you're settling back in OK. (I think I namechanged after you left swan - I was aberita just in case you're )

PA You must have thought I was quite a lightweight, talking about late nights if I wasn't in bed by 8.30 pm! I do like my early nights but even I can't manage to get to bed quite that early...

Slugbrains Hope you have a good evening out and a nice relaxing day tomorrow.

MrsDinky Hope you survived the funfair!

ellie Glad to hear you're feeling better about things today. I also find myself losing motivation as the week goes on as I tell myself I can start all over again on Monday. It looks like we'll need to give each other an extra hard kick towards the end of the week! (Btw if you are ever having a particularly stressful evening after you've taken over next month or aren't around for some reason, I'd be happy to post the link etc - just let me know!)

OM Sounds like you've had a very productive day. I wouldn't say no to another glass of wine - if PA and ellie haven't already finished off the bottle.

Waves to everyone else; I'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning to post the babystep!

Bugger, I just did a really long post and wireless went dodgy and lost it so I shall summarise instead:-

1. I like wine
2. I went to Tesco
3. Unpacked shopping, realised fridge was filthy
4. Cleaned aforementioned filthy fridge
5. Ate a Chinese takeaway
6. Can't go to seaside tomorrow as DH got to work
7. Having a BBQ instead
8. Am going to drink more wine and catch up with Jack Bauer and 24
9. Have a good evening

10. Have opened another bottle for you linzer

Byeeeee

Waves enthusiastically at SC, yep well spotted.
Am knackered. Dropped ds off 4hr round trip and snuck an hours skate at the rink. It was nice. I am shattered. Am going to sleep long and deep tonight. Which makes a change.

Morning everyone,

Today?s babystep is to add a swish and swipe to our morning routines.

No mission today as it?s the weekend. Hope you?re all enjoying some sunshine ? very as it?s still cold and grey here. I had to put the heating on yesterday, in fact?

MOrning everyone,

It is a beautiful day here and am about to get cracking so I can enjoy the sunshine this afternoon. As said last night, have had to veto idea of day out as DH has to work this morning but we are having our best friends and their 3 DD's round for a bbq so lots to get done before then. Particularly in the garden because they have a DD who has just started walking so have to make sure it is safe for her (my garden mirrors the chaotic state of my house). LIst looks like this:-

Clean and tidy downstairs (not that big a job as did some last night)
Washing ad infinitum
Make potato salad
Clean bathroom
Tidy garden
Skip trip
Prepare bbq food
Enjoy bbq with friends

I would also be grateful if you could put your collective thinking caps on for a thread title for next month. Will be back later with my own words on inspiration (I hope )

Thanks for the links linzer.

Have a good day everyone and slugbrains hope you had a good sleep.

Morning all - early start here as I had to drop DD off at meeting point for her D of E expedition. We got lost on the way - not a good start!! Then came back and did my 'Couch to 5K' so I'm feeling v. smug!

My list looks like this:

Drop off DD done
Cook breakfast for my boys done
Suggest nag DS1 into some revision (ended in usual row )done
Plant stuff I bought yesterday at garden centre
Buy picnic food for DS1 to take to rugby 7s tournament
Catch up on Zone/missions
Enjoy sun with DS2

See you all later...

SC welcome back, all this talk of rabbits from others, and now lettuce too. Linzer I knew it was you! food is not difficult to trace

It is a perfect day, but I have unaccountably come down with a headache, and my mediterranean granny black tights are too hot I NEED SOME SUMMER CLOTHES and summer legs too..

Most of yest accomplished, but not hairdresser. Dh has taken dc out, but deal is I am meant to be buying turf and compost [sigh]and relaying lawn.

So I better just GO.

Evening all,

It's been very quiet on here today - I assume you've all been out enjoying the sunny weather! The sun finally came out here this afternoon, but it's hardly what I would call warm yet.

Got quite a lot done this morning:

Morning routine (done by about 9.30 - a record!)
Shoes for DD1's first communion next month (we optimistically bought sandals)
Food shop
Bought birthday present for DD1's friend

But then had a slightly lazier afternoon - I did manage to get some work done and tackled the pile of washing, but that was about it.

ellie I've been trying to come up with something witty for next month's thread title involving flying and May, but I think my brain has switched off for the day. The best I've come up with so far is something along the lines of "fledgling flyers fluttering into May" but I haven't taken my thinking cap off yet.

OM I keep hearing about Couch to 5K - not sure what it is but it sounds like something I could do with! I think I'll concentrate on getting my house in order first, though (I'm very good at finding excuses as far as exercise is concerned!).

swan Must try and find a better disguise next time! My PIL actually live near Linz, where there's a very nice cafe that is home to the original Linzer Torte. Hope your headache is better now btw.

Wine is finished so I'm off to bed at a fairly reasonable hour for once! Night all.

Morning all, oops, should be in bed by now. Sat around watching telly all evening then started doing Ocado shopping and evening routine about an hour ago.

Had enough of the funfair now, DCs have been so worked up about it, we have been twice and pestered endlessly, also they have stayed up watching it out of their bedrooms till it shuts at 9 each night, yes it's that close to the house. Just know we're going to get pestered again tomorrow, even though I have been quite clear that we're not doing any more.

Not much Flying here today, still got to sew DS's badge on his beaver uniform for church parade tomorrow so off to do that now then bed.

Good morning,

Today's babystep is to read about how the routines developed. And to remember that we don't have to be perfect and are not expected to 'get it' in one month - which is a relief, considering that I'm coming to the end of my second month and am still nowhere near 'getting it' (although I'm getting there slowly, I think!).

Have a good day everyone!

Good morning, I've not been here in a long time and am failing miserable in my flying unable to complete baby steps! I was doing quite well but got stuck as still have not dejunked bookcase!!

Omg the funfair in ur garden that would be awful!

MOrning all and welcome back nettie .

Well,you couldn't get two more different weekend days, yesterday was gorgeous and this morning it is raining cats and dogs!

We had a lovely day yesterday, culminating in a relaxed bbq with friends in the sunshine. Not planning on doing much today, flying or otherwise. Bit of a tidy up this morning and then going to DMum's for a couple of hours this afternoon and that's about it.

Back later!

The sun has finally made it here! So we've decided to postpone our trip to M&S in Bratislava until next weekend and are going to the local wildlife park instead.

But first I need to:

finish ironing
get picnic ready
make chocolate crispies with DD2 and DS to take with us this afternoon, as we've been invited to our neighbours' for coffee (it's their DD's first communion this morning)

I also want to finish translating the Indian restaurant menu at some point today as I told the owner I'd have it done by the end of April.

DC now desperate to make choc. crispies so must go!

Morning ladies!

Welcome back nettie.

Ellie - we are the same: actually hot yesterday but raining today - I'm sure it wasn't forecast!Theraining started as soon as I hung up my last pair of boxers on the line . Oh well it can all stay there in the hope it clears up later!

Not going to do much today either:

prepare roast for later.
pick up DD
Eat roast - she will be starving
Iron
Try to do all zone/missions from last week

That's it!

Linzer - Couch to 5k is a graduated programme that gets you off the couch and running 5 k in about 9 weeks (3x a week)! It literally starts of with run 1 min, walk 1 min (x8). You do each level 3 times and move on. I downloaded an app for my iphone and it coaches me. If you could see me you would see I am no runner!
As far as flying is concerned I haven't got all the routines in 8 months!! But it is still better to try than not do at all.

BTW - I read a chat thread yesterday about a DH who had a 'go' at his DW for not hoovering under the sofa cushions and forgetting the dining room table even though she'd done the rest of the house and numerous other jobs too

She should come on here - that'll make her feel better!! Thank God I don't have an OCD DH!!!
See you all later...

Linzer you've made me feel all guilty - we have an M & S up the road and I don't appreciate it. Much rather have an Austrian cake shop

Who has a funfair out the window? - I feel your pain..dh just got out of taking them because it was raining. He took them to church instead.

Ellie glad you had your B&Q.

Am feeling post holiday collapse - couldn't wait for dh to take dcs away this morning and began to shake at suggestion that I take dd shoe shopping instead of have morning off.
Well not exactly off, I need to cook lunch and plant some more stuff and tidy mess as usual.

Optimistic I was horrified by that sofa cushions thread. Then I thought, if it was a man writing the thread about his crazed tidy wife who came back from work and started straightening things we would all have understood that..Still what was worrying about it was the way that he looked under the cushions!
Anyway dh and I have resolved to be nice to each other today.

LIST
kitchen
buy fish
put away ds1 clothes friend brought round
plant some stuff
get dressed
CHEER UP and feel less bleugh

Hi everyone, can I join in your thread? Just had a look at the first page and the babysteps stuff and it looks like exactly what I need as I constantly feel 'behind' with everything. Will have a go tomorrow anyway, when I think about all the stuff that needs doing it seems impossible, paperwork, house, going to tip, garden...endless.

Hi Biddy,
yes it's like a merrygoround that never stops to let one jump on
babysteps are much more doable

I really have been hopeless today, but
vaguely tidied kitchen
bought fish and food for a few more days couldn't quite call it meal planning
cooked lunch, laid table etc
let dh do washing up
took dd out at length to buy shoes, school socks and new shorts for ds1, and generally reconnoitre the shops without having to buy anything or feel harassed. Sort of worked out what I could buy if I wanted to, which is a start on grooming ishoos.
also swept up piles of leaves, and dust on terrace and in house.
hung out washed doormat
washed cat's bed
supervised violin practice

dh has enjoyed his day in charge clearly, as he has marked out a new flower border, most unusual. He has now gone off to buy some tonic water to have a G & T so he must be feeling mellow.

dcs are watching Zathura

Evening all,

Very relaxed day here with little or no flying done.SPent the afternoon at my mum's, have just put DC's to bed and am now to going to relax with feet up in front of tv.

Welcome to biddy, enjoy the thread. Babysteps are brilliant but there is no pressure at all some of us me have been her for 8 months and still not cracked it! Just jump on in and enjoy! It really does make a difference!

Still thinking on title for may thread. My best so far is....drum roll please....May's FLedglin Flyers: Flying around the Maypole. Not very inspiring is it?

sr if that is a hopeless day, I would like one soon please.

om and sr i too saw the 'clean under sofa' thread and actually went to check mine out of curiosity... think I could have fed the DC's for two days on various crumbs and also found various items had been looking for still didn't hoover though . Makes me thank my lucky stars for DH who doesn't give a monkey about the house but I suppose that causes all different types of problems .

om have looked at COuch to 5k myself...from the couch . Keep thinking about it but scared that running may actually kill me .

Big waves to everyone else, hope you've all had a lovely weekend pa sc slugbrains mrsdinky mm linzer (thanks for marvellous step posting btw) nettie missb and anyone else I have missed. .

Hi Ladies,

I hope you've had a lovely weekend in the sunshine, I'm just scanning everyone's posts quickly for a quick catch up.

Welcome biddy, just jump in with the babysteps and you'll be fine. Any questions, just ask .

Linzer thanks so much for posting the links while I was away this weekend, much appreciated.

just a flying visit tonight as I need to get an early night.

Happy Monday everyone!

I have a long day ahead of me - work all day and then teleconferences through the night but having most of Tuesday daytime off instead .

Today's babystep is a reading one for everyone who has signed up for the Flylady emails (but other could read something from the website instead).

Brand new week, brand new zone and we're moving to the Living Room for decluttering and missions.

Biddy (and anyone needing a refresher) here are some tips on decluttering.

Have a good day.

Evening all,

Welcome to Biddy, come on in, we are all in the same boat and it definitely helps to have this thread to provide akickupthebackside some structure.

Some Flying today, but really just normal cooking, washing, tidying, nothing extra.

Took DS to his Scouts church Parade today, together with service at local Evangelical Church (very Hallelujah compared to our High Anglican one), proud to see him marching along with all the others.

Then back to the funfair, which is now packing up and going, I do like having it here, but it is just SOOO exciting for the kids they are in a frenzy the whole time it is here. Not looking forward to when they are old enough to go on the grown up rides as they scare the life out of me, the dodgems is about my limit.

Hello everyone!

Haven't been here for a few days as I have had an exacerbation of PND so haven't felt like interacting much with anyone - even online...

Anyway, feeling better this pm so will start tomorrow afresh.

Today have managed to:

Sew brownie badges onto sash prior to the St Georges parade (DD came back soaked as it bucketed it down)
2 lots of washing
empty and refill dishwasher
Had an afternoon sleep
Have reasonably tidied the kitchen

DH is away tomorrow working in Scotland for the week so fingers crossed I keep my head above water untill Friday.

Mrs D - funfair sounds really great
OM couch to 5k sounds a good idea. I have to prioritise exercise a bit more
Biddy I've only been here a few weeks and it does make me feel more motivated to see everyone else working so hard, and having those "sod it" days when only a glass of wine will do
Linzer A huge pile of Austrian cakes would be ideal right now!
Nettie I've been a bit miserable in not being able to do the basic babysteps too, but I woke up his pm and realised that at least i am doing something everyday, even if its not as much as I'd like.

Waves to everyone and lets start the week with a positive smile - no singing "tell me why I don't like Mondays"!!

See you tomorrow,
I'm off to read the thread about cleaning under the sofa,

TTFN