May's Fledgling Flyers: shed that clout May Flyers are out

[elliepac]

Welcome to the May edition of the fledgling flyers where we are going to merrily fly around the maypole, dusting as we go.

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

For those who are curious, these are the Babysteps, which we all hope will restore order in our homes and make our lives a little bit easier with lots of support (and chat, and wine, and a little more chat )

So please come and join us, old and new, from May 1st.

Morning all, new to MN, but been flying for a while, Hope you don't mind me posting here.
Career:
study for an upcoming exam done
do homework done
Health
Manage 7 hours of sleep done
eat healthy meals on time
drink 6 glasses of water +vitamin supplementation (self and baby)
home dvd work out done
jogging
positive thoughts and keep negativity at bay
self pampering
Parenting:
Minimum or no junk food/ limited TV time.
one to one activity
Relationship with OH:
cuddle time/ discussion/ twosome activity
Housekeeping:
cook healthy meals on time
Run dishwasher when it gets full
Laundry, one load washed, dried, folded and ironed
Pick up living room, quick vaccum, wipe kitchen counter and table.
Bathroom and toilets -once/twice a week
To do list:
Plan vacation

Good Morning - Waves to all & Welcome to new flyers!

PA & MissB Loved the millenium trilogy - so gutted I've read them all and no more
Well done PMPY great news, very exciting!
DM Hope vets visit OK
MissB you made me laugh - well done on clean knickers!
Linzer Sorry about the snails, hope they are not eating the plants in the garden now

Did not do mission yesterday so going for a double header now!

Today:
-Organise playdates for DS done
-shine sink done
-Missions
-Thank you note to friends for dinner on Sat
-Take car to Tesco & get valeted in& out - it's disgusting and on way to get DS from school yesterday WAHDad was collecting his boy - looked in my car & agreed it was foul. Mortifying.
-Take DD swimming

Have also started Pilates now & going to use the personal training I paid for 18months ago as well as signing up for powerplate - got a 'taster' on Friday, so that is my loving excercise sorted. All I need to do now is actually go!

Thats it - tried to stop by last night but nothing worked. Will come back this evening! Have a good day everyone!

morning

this morning hasnt quite gone to plan and i am feeling a bit flat.

However the plan is:

Apple cake tray bake
hoover and wash kitchen floor
cv rewrite
sort out stuff for posting
send important emails
write letter
sort out important online tasks/jobs;/things.

most can be done from the comfort of bed. A very appealing thought right now. I am feeling my training/exercise yesterday.

Hello everyone and welcome diva.

Been to vet this morning - Dpuss2 needs an operation so is booked in for a week on Friday. Vet found a large lump between her shoulder blades that was hidden by loads of fur (she's long haired). Not done much since home but she's out playing somewhere as if nothing is wrong.

Having lunch now then I MUST do some work, although now I think about it I have
put washing out
booked train tickets for London next week
got DS to school with scooter and bike lock so I could leave it there until home time and not have to push (or scoot!) it back at 3pm!
ordered new chest of drawers for DS's bedroom and decided to reuse his current one (which has a flip down top to turn it into changing unit) into a gardening-type store and potting bench
lasagne planned (and half cooked) for tea
humungous Tesco shop coming tonight

When I have done some work I need to
empty DW & reload
1 load in WM
bring washing in, iron it and put it away
remember to collect DS and DNeice from school
mow lawn

Have a good afternoon

Hi Ladies and welcome Diva

Well, after the mammoth hotspot clearing last night, the cleaners came this morning (phew) and all is relatively ok in the marmite household.

I think I need a to do list:

Washing on - done
washing out
tidy breakfast and lunch things - done
take DS swimming
prep dinner
iron DS's holiday clothes
start packing
find malt loaf recipe
write thank you card
plant spring onions
declutter some paperwork from hallway
check work email - done
shine sink
bed by 10:30

That will do for now!

Just checking in before I start on the ironing and decluttering. Busy morning at Toddler group but DC's now both asleep so feeling much calmer. Why do lunchtimes always include DS screaming and DD asking me 3000 questions? Makes me feel as if my head will expolode!

Morning routine done
What's for tea? frozen pizza
Ironing - 15 mins
Declutter in hall - 15 mins

Am impressed and in awe of all the long lists! DWM - hope puss is okay

Hello to everyone

Crikey this thread is moving fast - I can't keep up as usual

I've decided not to post on Tuesdays any more (Tues is the one day when I have six golden hours to myself) so I don't get stuck on the computer and end up frittering away the time. It didn't help much yesterday though as I started a creative project then got interruped by dh who was (a) hungry and (b) had a minor work crisis he wanted me to sort out

Am also in a grump because dh has managed to arrange to be away on three successive Sundays (business trips) [grrr] starting this week ...

Something mightily reassuring though about Mummy being reunited with her whiteboard so taking strength and inspiration
from that thought I will now go and resurrect sitting room and master bedroom and get the steps back under control.

A warm welcome to Diva Gormers and Intravenouscoffee

And huge CONGRATS to PushmePullyou on your promotion

Glad you are feeling better PA

about your mother and R4 Linzer!! I feel exactly the same

Hope your cat's op goes ok Mummy

Thanks for step Ellie and much needed dose of positivity

Hope you make inroads this pm DEM

Well done on exercise front Biddy I should be following your example - am only walking currently

Waves to MissBennett Chairmum Nettie Mini MrsDinky Swan Feetheart Optimistic and anyone else I have missed

Must dash - only 1 hr to get house back under control before ballet run

OK someone wise got some advice as to what bits of paperwork to keep from the pgce for if i go back to redo, and what to chuck. Am drowning under paperwork and need to shift alot.

As for the rest of it:
Apple cake tray bake
hoover and wash kitchen floor
cv rewrite
sort out stuff for posting mostly
send important emails done
write letter
sort out important online tasks/jobs;/things. done
Sort some paperwork done
Sort out brithday cards done

have also lost track of thread completely
did remember DEM hooray for doing paperwork
Biddy exercise
MrsD sounds like plenty to me
MrsB PA's accomplice
SC ministering

DONEthis morning
kitchen tidy and cleanish
piano pr
piano lesson
visit from elderly neighbour -v.nice to meet her properly
cheering call from sis
laundry batch

Need to
wash and sweep kit floor
supper?
ds to piano
ds to Beavers
Beavers help
confirmation present, think
clothes for smart do, think
plan Thursday (day off for dcs)
reschedule singing lesson for dd Friday or get ds to agree to take her as I'm away in Perth
more more more

think about who to vote for local (runway)issue preventing me from definitely going for first choice

Have good day everyone

Wooooaaaaaah, you lot have been busy. It's going to take some time to do the round-up later on!

Just finished work and about to do a revision class but...

dem as far as paperwork for pgce is concerned I assume you would be starting all over again. I would suggest keeping in one big file all lesson plans and resources that go with them. In another file I would keep any useful information you have had on issues such as behaviour management, AFL, learning styles etc. (I do mean useful, we got given some stuff that was crappy pie in the sky stuff that didn't work when faced with 30 stroppy teenagers). And that's it. ONe file for resources and one file for practical tips so to speak. Essays and stuff will change so no point in keeping that info.

HTH

Better go to revision class....

Thanks ellie that really helps.

New point on my list.
-Try harder to spell properly whilst online!

Afternoon,

dem it's my pleasure .

How come all it takes is one day of me doing virtually nothing and the place is trashed? Had late night at work last night so came home, ate and went to sleep and tonight I come home to survey the mess. Grrrrrrrr.
Not even going to get chance to do much tonight because it is swimming night so won't be 'in' until gone 7.

So far, so bad on the potty training front. Lots of wees on the floor and that's about it. DD is refusing to even sit on the potty. Will persevere for a while though, it may be that she just isn't ready. Will wait and see.

Have had a crappy day at work trying to convince lazy yet very bright 16 year olds that they cannot just walk into their history exam with no revision and get an A which is what some of them think. They think they know it all and make me want to bang my head against a brick wall. Grrrrrr.

Rant over, going to pick DC's up. Will be back later to catch-up properly.

biddy - spelling is over rated

Ellie - it is not trashed it is surface clutter. And breath, you live in a house not a museum. Kids are messy creatures.

Isnt that what alot of teenagers think. I did no revision for my gcses and did better in all but one subject then my predicted grades.

HI everyone!

Crikey this thread's moving fast - a bit like life here!!
Was working yesterday and this am so no time to post.

Welcome to Gormers, Diva (your list scared the wotsits out of me!!) and intravenous. You'll find there's often more chat than flying on this thread but we do try!!

Sympathies with MM and others who despair. I am too atm - Wedsnesday is usually my day for getting straight but my house looks like a bomb has hit it!! Arggh!
Miss B - LOL at your achievements... I nearly buried DS2 under the patio this am as he moaned about missing his early train!! Any more whinging and he can walk!!

This is really just a quick fly by as all 3 teen DC and I are off out to sing/watch/hand out programmes for the Messiah tonight and we must eat before we go. Am also hoping DS2 might have a shower put on a clean school shirt and polish his shoes

One thing I need from you lovely lot tonight - and I know there's a thread on this already but not all that inspiring - is ideas for an Election supper. I have 3x families coming over tomorrow so need to do a main for about 15.(kids/adults).
Already got : Jack Cheese Straws
Ukipper pate (DS2)

Any ideas????????

Ed Prawn Balls
Mince Cable (chilli?)
Gordon Brownies (obv!)
'Green' Salad (groan)

Sorry not seen other thread - should have a look before coming up with any more groan worthy ideas!

I've been on MN procrastinating for long enough; I need a list.

I'm also struggling to keep up with this thread today. Just wanted to say a) welcome divahome, and b) I feel your pain SC. DH has also just casually informed me that he will be going to Berlin on Sunday (I knew he was going, but thought it wasn't till Monday). I have no problems with him being away during the week, but do slightly resent it when he's away at the weekend. And it's Mothering Sunday as well here (where you are too, I think SC?). He said we could go out for breakfast on Sunday, but still... Grrr.

I know I'm B a bit U as it's only one day and I'm not a single parent who's on their own the whole time, but I just neeeded to vent! Anyway, back to the list:

Tidy up the chaos created by five under 9s (can't fob it off on DH as he's just phoned to say he'll be back late. Grr again.)
Hang up washing (which has been in WM for several hours at least)
Menu translation
Bed by 9.30

Evening,

I can't keep up either, also am trying to stay off computer a bit more, therefore not putting it on in the morning every day.

Biddy - I can spell words in my head, but by the time the message gets to my typing fingers it all goes wrong, gets worse when tired. That's my excuse anyway!

Linzer - shame about DH, you will have to make sure he makes it up to you some other time

DEM you are making me feel old talking about your GCSEs, "O" levels for me I'm afraid.

Ellie - early days on the potty training - I had the same with DS, but after 3 or 4 days of smiliar it just clicked, for wees anyway, poos took a couple more weeks, although we did have random accidents for a few more weeks. Hang on in there!

SR I am still undecided who to vote for, will be scuttling into the polling station at closing time at this rate.

Waves to everyone else.

Today I have:

Morning routine - done
Evening routine - done
Washing done - to put away
Sold my Phil and Teds pushchair thus liberating a large bit of space in this room - unfortunately the space isn't really usable for anything else, but makes room look bigger. Have been using it as an expensive clothes airer for the last few months.....
Cleaned kitchen floor (enforced due to DD spilling apple juice on it)
Still need to label up more stuff for NCT sale .

Night night all

Evening all,

mrsd I too am undecided on the voting business. Well done on getting routines done.

linzer what shame about DH having to be away, as mrsd says, he will have to make it up to you. DH completely forgot one year!
Good luck with the chaos!

om good luck with election dinner, no wonderful ideas am afraid . As said earlier, my house is a mess so I feel your pain!

dem words of wisdom as ever, you are right it is surface clutter.

sr another impressive list as usual.

sc about DH. I too was reassuringly comforted by dwm and her whiteboard!

mm wow, what a list! I take it you are going on your holiday's? Anywhere nice?

dwm about pusscat, hope all is ok! Yet another impressive list today. Smart thinking about the scooter, I like your style!

biddy well done on getting the exercise sorted. I am full of good intentions but never qutie get round to it! If it makes you feel any better, my car is a disgrace, Flylady should add it to the babysteps!

diva welcome to MN and to this thread.. Your list definitely wins list of the day!

chairmum only 6 weeks to go, wow, how exciting!

gormers does wedding thank yous mean you have just tied the knot? If so, congratulations . How did the hotspotting go?

intravenous a flying start . Hope you managed to get some sleep during the day or if not, ar least tonight.

nettie sounds like a busy day, I hope you are not too tired!

pa was the trip good? What did you have for tea in the end? I would have gone for toad in the hole i think!

missb your post last night made me howl with laughter. Am glad to hear you have clean pants .

Phew, I think that's everyone! Apologies if I've missed anyone. Everybody has been so busy, well done everyone! For those of you who haven't had such a productive day (and I include myself in that!), just remember in the very wise words of dem and I shall quote...

'it is not trashed it is surface clutter. And breath, you live in a house not a museum. Kids are messy creatures'.

Back to posts steps in a sec.

MrsD - am over 30 if it makes you feel any better...

come to think of it does mn update users profile ages or does that need to be done manually?

not rounding up simply cos my connection is down again and it is too complicated typing with one hand whilst using the other to ensure internect connector works properally. Sigh, not even fixable. I forgot to take pages off so that i can flick back properally.

Thursday's to do list:
school run
vote
laundry
clear floor, move bed, rescue phone and page of letter (yes i still handwrite my letters) from down back of bed
clear more paperwork
post office run
bank run
Tip/recycling run
School run
baking - apricot fairy cakes attempt 3
ds' reading and spellings
sit on computer and mn.
bed.

that is how i plan for tomorrow to work - especially the not turn computer on til jobs done bit...

have a good day to all tomo.
(waves at everyone)

Hello all,

Now we shine our sink, dress ourselves and think positively, we are going to look at Hotspots. This is an important babystep and one that can make a huge difference. Just 2 mins in one particular area where clutter accumulates (I have several, mainly on top of fridge and hallway table) every day makes things seem much more manageable. If incorporated into our daily routine, you will quickly see the benefit, promise!

Today's mission is [[http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlightPlan_Missions.asp here].

Happy flying everyone!

Oh balls, that link for missions above will not work, try this Mission. Been a long day!

hand ellie wine, big glass tonight?

Bottle tonight

Here is my update
Car - not done, still a pit
Front porch - stuff put away in shed that has been sitting there since DH emptied understairs cupboard , swept & mopped. Need some red stuff for my doorstep and it will be like new! Almost.
Hallway - vaguely done
DD swimming good, embarrassing tantrum about wearing a cardi afterwards not good. (I wanted her to wear it, she didn't)
DS - spellings done. Reading done.

(V. proud of DS today as he got a special award thing for bowling in cricket! If I have to put up with a cricket mad/rugby mad house feeling a bit proud makes it worthwhile.)

Linzer I agree - it's annoying when DH's go away on Sunday, I always hate it too!
OM hope your performance went well and you all enjoyed yourselves. Must be lovely to do something like this with your teens!
Ellie - Don't know how you do it! (Teach 16yr old boys that is!) Step DS just came round, doing his GCSE French a year early and had no idea when his exams were at all! Arrgh! If all else fails you could tell them what my A level history teacher told me which was 'make what you know go!'. - a stupid phrase, but it did stick with me! (meaning to string together a decent argument using what you do know, rather than just shoving down all that you know regardless, or panicking that you don't know enough. Long time since I was doing GCSEs though!

Off to catch up with babysteps now as forgotten to check & sure I should be moving on with routines now. Waves to everyone and wishes all a good nights kip!