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...

Hi, all! Very stiff today but off to aqua in a few minutes so hopefully that will loosen everything up. Or see me off completely!

PA Easter pilgrimage is an annual thing and the service in the abbey was fab - very relaxed but in an orderly sort of way - it does lift the spirits to attend a service where the church is full and everyone seems to be enjoying the event

Hope everyone has had a good day - certaqinly sounds like it.......

Before work I managed to:
-load of washing in machine
-make chilli (was for tonight but now for Thursday)
-wash up
-washing on line
-order music for DD1
-revision advice for DD1
-eat breakfast

I will (hopefully!) do mission when I get back if I can still move.

But am pacing myself for my week off next week when I want to try and do some serious decluttering and sorting! That's if DD2 gives me time to - her plans to do stuff with friends seem to be falling by the wayside so it looks like entertaining her will be top of the list

Sorry, meant to do nice individual comments but no time to do scrolling and will lose post.......do better when I open 2 windows but need to go now.
Have a pleasant evening all - waves towel

Evening Ladies

It was beautifully sunny here today .

DEM I'm sorry to hear you are leaving your PGCE, but it sounds like the right decision for the moment...thinking of you. Be good to yourself x.

MissB sounds like a wonderful pilgrimage and service.

Mummy I had forgotten that rolos existed! Yum! Doesn't seem to have done the trick though...where are you SC?!

How did you get on with your cupboard today PA? I did lol if you asked Eggie if you had beaten her today (scrambled or omlette)? .

Ouch Chairmum I hope those muscles are feeling better today.

Eggie I hope you and your DCs spend some enjoyable time with your uncle, how sad to know that it is probably the last time .

Welcome back PMPY, glad you had a good break despite the illnesses.

I have to join a meeting by telephone at 11 tonight . Never mind, I have a day off tomorrow .

and must remember to change my name back!

Morning All

Today's babystep is part of the evening routine intended to make the morning much easier.

As for decluttering and the mission we're in the kitchen this week...phew, time for me to venture into that kitchen cupboard again!

Have a good day

This morning I have not been beaten (scrambled or otherwise) by pa because i am up at stupid o'clock to finish packing.

Got to get going and finish packing and general tidy so that's it for me for a couple of days.

See you all on Friday!

I am scrambled this morning!!

Hope your break away goes ok, Eggie.

Seems to have gone a bit quieter on here for the past few days. Hope everyone is having a great time away, or busy.

MissB - How are the muscles today? I hope the entertaining of DD2 isn't taking up all your time. Take time for yourself too.

PMPY - Good to have you back. It looks as if you must have run round like a mad thing in your few hours alone yesterday.

I had another lovely day yesterday.
Trip to the bank
Cleaned out "my" cupboard! YAY!!! I found a box of chocolates,
Cleaned out the cleaning cupboard. Oh dear! 5 fly sprays, 6 kitchen surface cleaners, 3 shoe shine packs, 4 rolls of bin bags, ..... My shopping bill should be minimal for the next few weeks. My food cupboard has enough food for an army for a month, too.
I bleached (yes, sorry, MN dirty word, but it works and is wonderful )all the cupboard doors.
Then me, DSis, DD4 & DS went for a lovely walk in the spring sunshine along the beach and through a nature reserve. Came home exhausted, but feeling all tingly and "good" from a productive day.

Today, my big job, on top of the normal routines I intend to tackle a huge "box" of stuff that has been on my landing since we moved in 9 years ago

Hope you all have a good day.

Sandwiches for Dh have been done, so I am off with my book, to have the best hour of the day, back to bed!!

Morning all,

It's strangely quiet here again with the DC now back at school and Kindergarten and DH back at work. I'm sure I'll get used to it though.

I'm not going to do a list today as I'm expecting some work to arrive this morning, so will just see how far I can get with my morning routine and decluttering/mission in the kitchen. We're back into the swing of things straight away with a busy afternoon (English lesson at school, piano lessons for DD1 and DD2 and then DD2's friend over to play), but at least it's only a three day week.

Hope you have a good trip elliepac and that everyone else has a good day!

Almost forgot - it's aberita btw

Morning all!
PA enjoy your reading hour - am very !
Swimming seems to have eased things up a bit - definitely less stiff than yesterday

Is it me or is the mission a bit - says we are back in the living room and then says to go and shine faucets taps?

Today's jobs:
-go to work without eating second hot cross bun
-mission?
-I might be brave and take everything off the kitchen window sill and clean it

DD2 has a list of things she needs to do today so that should keep her busy and DD1 is back to the revision

Have a good day, all and linzertorte enjoy the peace!

Right the plan for today is to get ds out of the house and feel human. I fear it could be a major mission.

Then i think i need to get ds' clothes away.

babysteps.

[emerges from under bedspread]

Yes MissBennett the Fat Fairy seems to have her zones crossed - she must have inhaled too much furniture polish. Oh why oh why did you have to mention hot cross buns - I can't get them here - weep

Thanks for posting links though Mini and for lovely cuppa and thank you for bestowing the honour of your last rolo Mummy

proffers last half of Aero Easter egg in return ....

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays

Monday with dh wasn't so great because he was too stressed about work to really relax

However I did get loads of decluttering done (put 8 sacks of magazines out for recycling lorry) and 6 bags of ordinary rubbish.

And I managed to clear out my little storage room on the landing that had turned into a general dump [hurrah!]

Spent most of yesterday trying to whip the garden in to shape. Gloriously sunny atm. It was too nice to be indoors even though I still have loads of decluttering to do and must start getting ready for our trip. Going to have serious run at it between now and 5pm today when dd returns.

Today:
packed lunch and dd to pony "camp" done
morning routine inc s&s, wm on, dw emptied done
dye Barnet Fair done
Urgent e-mail done
Brief chappie who has come to de-rust and paint our railings done

To do:
Parcel for ma
Congratulations card for friend
General tidy up of sitting room again (sigh)
More laundry and ironing for holiday
Sort bed linen for visitors (coming after we get back)
clean/sort/chuck/wash make-up bag(s)- really do it this time instead of just listing it!!
more decluttering and reorganising in master bedroom drawers etc
French study
Empty about four carrier bags of miscellaneous junk

It's much easier/pleasanter to get stuck in to this sort of thing now that it is (a) light (b) I can open the windows (c) I don't have to wear three jumpers, a hat and fingerless gloves

Like the name change LinzerTorte. Gosh, your dc are back to school soon - Hope you get a bit of relaxation today.

PA you are on a roll! Well done!! Particulary for tackling cupboard of doom. Glad you had a lovely day yesterday too.

Have a great trip Elliepac

Hope your telephone meeting didn't go on too late last night Mini and that you enjoy your day off today.

Hi to DEM - hope things settle down for you soon

Waves to PushmePullyou - welcome back and sorry about the holiday - it's sod's law isn't it?

Hope Optimistic is enjoying Suffolk

Happy Flying and/or relaxing everyone!

Waves to everyone I've missed.

Right had better get back to it.

SC- if you have a bread machine it is possible to make them i have a bread machine recipie somewhere...

Had a relaxing day. chatted to a friend, whilst our kids played. Went to a lovely lake side playground, learnt a bit of science and enjoyed an april shower. A lovely day but now knackered.

At least it is a different kind of knackered to yesterday. i prefer this.

Tomorrows to do list:
put ds' clothes away
make pizza

Whoops. I failed to take it easy this evening. I was going to do the bare minimum to give myself more chance to recover but the undone jobs have been driving me mad so, since 6pm I have:

• made dinner
• cleaned kitchen properly including wiping down all surfaces (there was plenty of stuff stacked up
• emptied compost and recycling containers
• shined sink and hob!
• put DS's toys away
• mopped kitchen floor
• hoovered lounge
• cleared all hotspots
• put nappies on their every-so-often very-hot-wash

I've still got to:

• put dry washing away
• have a relaxing bath
• sleep!

Phew. I feel better now. The mess was getting me down more than the muscle aches!

Evening!
SC what sort of a place doesn't provide hot cross buns?! Please accept some virtual ones on a plate, warmed in the microwave Very impressed with your list. And !
And you too, Chairmum, very impressive!

I have
-been to work
-done routines
-cooked tea
-did pudding too - bread and butter one but made with malt loaf - rather yummy!
-done mission
-cleared off kitchen windowsill and cleaned it!

But that will be it as I've got papers to read for tomorrow and I want to go to bed a bit early. Have started reading 'The Little Stranger' and finding it a bit slow to get into as all the chapters are long - so I need a good stint at it and then I'll be away!

Flaps papers and waves goodnight

Evening all

Just flapping through on my way to bed. Back on the diet properly today, but accidentally ate rather a lot of left over chocolate .

No flying done except routines (too much paid work), but at least now they are routines iyswim.

My MIL has helpfully folded and ironed all my dirty washing and put it back in the drawers , so tomorrows big task is to go through the drawers and try to track it down!

Anyway, goodnight all, planning on flying higher tomorrow

Hi Ladies,

Linzertorte you had me all confused for several a moments then!

See you Friday Ellie x

PA great outcome on your cupboard! Well done!

Yes I think there was a bit of a mix up with the rooms today MissB!

Babysteps indeed DEM, have you got a treat planned for yourself for the weekend? Glad you had a good day today.

Yay, welcome back SC . Well done on recycling and cupboard decluttering.

Wow Chairmum, that's keen! I hope you are sleeping now!

Brave time to start a diet PMPY! I have no hope at the moment as there's chocolate everywhere. DS got so much (well for a one year old anyway) I think he will still be eating it next Easter! LOL about MIL, mine once took my (dry but) dirty washing out of the machine and hung it out to dry - she did comment on how effective the spin cycle seemed to have been!

I've just been sobbing over the embarrassing bodies programme about the little girl that needed a bone marrow transplant and feel emotionally drained now. Actually quite uplifting but so sad that she was dragged from pillar to post before finally getting a diagnosis (on the programme).

Morning All

Today's babystep is back to establishing the morning/evening routines and control journal.

Contrary to Wednesday's advertised schedule, we're still in the kitchen for decluttering and missions.

Have a great day - I think we'll see some sunshine again today, in the UK at least .

I love Reading what you have all been up to and at last I have something to report...

After three weeks I can finally see my bedroom floor even managed to change the bed and DH helped.

Going to Hoover before work! So chuffed.

Been busy sobbing just like mini over embarrasing bodies about charlottes story, such an incredibly brave girl and family.

Tomorrow i plan to

Get up
get washed
get dressed
get DC breakfast and dressed for nursery
go to work!
Put DC clothes away
go to gym
come home try nit to eat lots
go tobed after drying sink!

Hope you all have lovely day

Morning all. Slept pretty well for a pregnant woman (only 9 more weeks to go!) last night - must have been the hard work and then the bath! so I'm feeling ready to go today.

DEM - glad to see you had a nice relaxing day. I think you needed one!

Just routines today I think, and perhaps I'll catch up and change my sheets later. Maybe sort the toys with DS as he likes that activity

Have a good day all!

Good morning everyone,

Linzer - I thought someone esle had jumped on board yesterday. Hope there was not too much work yesterday.

MissB - Glad you are less stiff now. Hope DD1s revision is going ok. DD2 should be revising, but she has been away since Saturday, arrives back tonight and appears to be working loads starting from tomorrow. Must talk to her about geting a balance! I have got "The Little Stranger" sat on my "to read" bookshelf. DH read it for book club. He said it was ok, but not as impressed as everyone else in his "geek circle" (family euphenism for book club) Let me know how you get on.

DEM - Hope you are feeling human today after your relaxing day yesterday. Long may it last.

SC - Impressive list going on there! Are you beautiful and blonde now? Also dyed mine yesterday - in desperate need as was turning into my mum!

Chairmum - You go careful. It is hard to relax when you see things around you that annoy, but you must be careful. How much longer do you have to go? Dont expect too much of yourself. (Sorry, bossy side of me coming through)

PMPY - LOL at MIL ironing DIRTY washing!! Thats a novel way to tackle the washing. Ironed BEFORE washing.

MM - Thanks for posting the links. I am a bit confused this week, and have been sort of doing my own missions on the big issues around the house, using my time off work to blitz. (i know, very un-fat fairy!!) I will dive back into the fat fairy way next week when I am back at work and hopefully she will be less confused as to where we are!!

Nettie - Well done you! Hope you slept well in your lovely bedroom!

Feeling very smug pleased with myself here, too. That "Box" has finally gone. I have to let you know it was not a normal box. It was one that part of our sofa came in 9 years ago. One was used as a play house for DS and DD4, who were then 3 & 4, so you can now picture how big it was! A monstrosity on the landing. Full of 9 years of books and things that "Might come in handy", but is really just needing to be dumped. We have an enormous mountain of black bin bags for the bin men. We have also just received a letter explaining that the bin men will no longer come onto our property to collect the bins. They have always come across the drive, through our side gate, down the side of our house and over to the area where we dump all the bags. Now I am going to have to convince DH that it is his job. I realise that we are way behind the time living here and you have all probably been doing this for years, but I am not liking this change, especially not NOW????!!!!

DH off work today, so not planning to do a lot of flying. May tackle a bit of paperwork if everyone else is busy at any time. A regular input of washing in machine is needed, though. - Number 1 in already.

Not going back to bed this morning as DS has a dentist appointment, so need to stay up and awake!

Have a good day in the sunshine everyone.

Waves to everyone who is around, i am assuming some are off enjoying holidays away from home.

X-posts with you Chairmum, and you cleverly answered my question. 9 weeks!!! WoW. Are you feeling positive and confident about it all? DOnt mean to pry, just hope you are ok as I know it must be hard. GOod luck for everything.

PA - I'm not sure about positive. I'm not thinking about it too much at the moment but have lots of offers of help and support than, when the baby comes I am actually going to take up! I'm not too scared though as I've done this once, and I know I can do things better (in terms of getting non-baby things done and keeping DS happy) this time round as its not all new to me!

The decluttering and cleaning helps me feel a bit more prepared though, although I have learnt my lesson and take more regular breaks when I am doing stuff, even if it means going to bed a bit later!

Pleased to hear that you have RL friends who can come and help out when you need it.

(((((hugs))))))) to you and well done!!!

You sound really strong and loving. I am sure you will be fine!!

Morning!
PA congratulations on dealing with THE BOX!An inspiration
And chairmum take it as easy as you can - I think you are doing fantastically well.
Thanks for all the links, minim - I'm trying to revisit the babysteps again and keeping up with the missions so even if I don't get any much decluttering done at least things are vaguely straight!
Have done a load of washing this morning and off to work shortly. Hectic day but this evening I am going to make soup for tomorrow and do the mission. And maybe sort out the clean washing basket!
See you all later - sunshine here - 'tis good for the soul

Morning,

Sorry about confusing everyone yesterday; I should have said who I was right at the start.

It's a lovely sunny day here too and so I've just put the washing outside to dry and another load on. I'm now having some coffee before I start to tackle my list. In my defence, I've only just finished the translation and proofreading I had to get done by midday so haven't spent the last few hours getting sidetracked by the computer. (It has been known.) And I do get an extra hour this morning as DD1 won't be back from school till after 1 pm.

Stillcounting We can't get hot cross buns here either. Or decent sized chocolate Easter eggs - although everyone is very into colouring and decorating real eggs. Yes, we only get short Christmas and Easter school holidays here, but the schools make up for it by closing for nine weeks in the summer. I'm already starting to make survival plans.

pushmepullyou I also once managed to helpfully iron a pile of dirty washing when I was an au pair. And my MIL also has a tendency to iron everything in sight - I'm still trying to convince her that our underwear doesn't need ironing.

Chairmum I'm very impressed with your flying with only nine weeks to go. I'm not sure I was even moving much at that stage, let alone flying. Like everyone else says, don't forget to take it easy too.

PA Well done on the box! DH has countless boxes (albeit slightly smaller than yours) full of "stuff", plus files and folders full of old paperwork, etc. I don't feel I can pester him about it till I've got the rest of the house in order, though I do occasionally throw stuff out if I know he's never going to need or miss it.

Have just realised that what I thought was my first cup of coffee was actually my second and feel strangely cheated! No more procrastinating anyway; must make a start on my list:

Routines (30 mins left to get the morning routine done...)
Find, write and send birthday card to my brother
Buy present before party tomorrow (only found out yesterday that DD2 had been invited)
Write and send invoice

Ok, so having hit the ground instead of flying and run into the wall of life, i have had a dismal day so far and must now focus on getting up.

Garden tidy up
shop
clothes away
pizza
film night.