June's Fledgling Flyers:"two flyers are "blooming marvellously" : here come the rest doing their flaming best"

[elliepac]

Welcome to the June edition of the Fledgling Flyers where we are going to attempt to restore order in our houses, chatting 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 June 1st.

Evening all,

DC's bathed and bedded, elliepac bathed and evening routine completed. Put DH's work clothes in the tumble on low setting, may be in trouble in the morning! Will just have to convince that the huge Sunday roast he ate has made his waistline expand overnight . Must be round-up time .

missb is a domestic goddess. But we already knew that . Your DD's sound wonderful

dwm has set herself a deadline in the form of the PIL's. Enough to send anybody into a cleaning frenzy, my mother (who only lives about 10 mins drive away) has a strict 2 hour rule...she must give me that notice or she will not be allowed over the threshold .

mm had a snooze, a lovely afternoon snooze mine was spent refereeing arguments!

toffeefudgecake is super busy proofreading but still managed routines. Whilst I wistfully wish for sunday afternoon snoozes, she is wistfully wishing for wine...not long to go now .

linzer see above...are you two the same person . Good luck with the work .

biddy flew in to say hello and promised her return in the summer holidays. We miss her and look forward to her return .

The rest of you were busy being mums, wives, flyladies and wonderful .

Back with steps in a mo!

x-posted with nettie who is supposed to be on holiday but the power of the fat fairy knows no boundaries and there she is, on holiday, sink (or fridge, depending on how much wine she's had, easy mistake to make ). Gold star for her .

The babystep for today is missions. Those of us who are seasoned flyers (well, have been here a while ) know all about these so nothing new there. FOr those of you who are recent additions, the missions focus upon the zone for that week and are intended to take 15 mins only. However, if you are super busy as I know some of you are, this is superfluous and just concentrat on getting those routines established.

The mission for today is here.

Have a good Monday everyone!

Evening! Thanks for the roundup ellie.

OK today's mission accomplished
tackle the ironing (she always thinks I have loads waiting to be done) half an hour done rest to do tomorrow (15 mins max)
DW on
wipe down cupboards and worktops in kitchen done
shine sink done
make DH sandwiches (see below) and mine
s&s on way to bed
bed on time (DH getting up around 4.30am - work by 6) going!

Back tomorrow with the next mission

i will still have the exploding head from hell tomo so will beg a fat fairy pamper pass and recover nurse painkillers in bed whilst ds is perswaded to make all his lego kits for me so we can check for missing pieces.

You have all been soo inspiring with you approach and dedication to do at least one bit that I am beginning to feel very guilty just looking at the thread. I am hoping it might shame me into putting the intentions into action

Happy flying tomo.

Fab round up Ellie!!!!

Just going to bed to have nightmares of bullet points and italics. Not much flying this evening, though I did manage to load the dishwasher and have struggled through my evening routine, so everything is ready for tomorrow. Have finished two large chapters to send off tomorrow. Loads to go still. Am soooo tired.

Ellie - It may be greedy of me, but I want the wine and the snoozes, in that order.

Good morning ladies

A very varied weekend for you all, I see.

Made me laugh about the MIL rule. I would need 2 months notice, enough time to move out and leave the country!!!!

Hope our Chairmum is doing well and will come on with some exciting news very, very soon!!

Ellie Oooops about the work clothes. When DH wore thick overalls for work, in our early marriage days, with no tumble dryer I was known to sleep on the overalls, so that my body heat dried them overnight. Now there's dedication!!!! (Or just a crazy wife???)

I have survived the weekend here.....just! Saturday night was the worst with drunken shannanigans resulting in me "rescuing" DD2 from the festival site at 4.30 in the morning! She had been insistant on not leaving a friend who was the one being a pain, so I wasn't cross with her. Serious talk with her "friend" yesterday morning and all well behaved last night and in home before 2am! (Friend probably thoughts changed from "you rock" to "you are off your rocker"!! )
I felt dead yesterday afternoon, so DH took DS and DD4 for a bike ride, I did soem food shopping then put my head down for an hour. I should have slept first I think, I had 3 things on my "Urgent" list and forgot all 3, so back today after work
Creeping around this morning so that they can all sleep. Hopefully everyone will be gone and house sorted before I get home from work this afternoon.

Deadline week for me at work. I need to produce a 14 page booklet, do printrun and post out 600+ before Friday. Last night I completed 8 pages, so loads to do!!

I cant remember who asked (May have been Linzer), yes I am off to Greece for the wedding of DHs good friend (DH is best man). Fly out next Thursday! Incredibly excited. First time we have all been away abroad, ever as a family. DD1 coming too! - And PIL are NOT (they were invited to wedding and threatened to come for a while!!

Plan for today:-
Get through it until wine time tonight! (not been able to all weekend as on driving duty throughout night, but plan to make up for that tonight!!)
I suppose I ought to put down that I need to work like a whirring dervish to get this deadline met!
Take a deap breath before walking through the door after work and not lose my temper with anyone if there is a mess left behind!

Off to tackle sandwich marathon and make lunch for the sleeping beauties, to be left for them to plate up and eat.

Oh yes, no cat poo this morning!!

Have a good monday everyone!

Morning all,

By some miracle we managed to be ready for the school run early today so ended up walking (DD2 and DS on their bikes), which has woken me up properly for once! It's back to hot and sticky here after a grey and rainy day yesterday (ideal working weather), but I'm hoping it won't get as hot as on Saturday.

So far I have:
Emptied DW
Made beds
Tidied up after breakfast
Deleted around 300 FlyLady e-mails (only approx. 2,500 to go now - I unsubscribed a month or two ago, but still have a year's worth of e-mails in my inbox)

Still need to:
Work
Shine sink (I think I need to go back to the beginning with baby steps. Again.)

Toffee Hope it's going OK today. I would be dreaming about soil nutrient balances if it was the kind of thing it was possible to dream about, but fortunately I don't think it is. Just keep thinking about that bottle of wine waiting for you when you've finished!

ellie Did DH notice about his work clothes? Men tend to notice v. little, I find (which made me all the more devastated shocked yesterday when DH said that yes, he'd noticed I was getting a few grey hairs but hadn't wanted to say anything - they must be more obvious than I'd thought!). No, Toffee and I are not the same person as she's still managing to get some flying done despite being snowed under with work, whereas I am failing miserably.

Back to getting distracted by MN work...

PA Glad you survived the weekend; you deserve at least a week off now! So you're another one with a deadline - that gives us even more of an excuse to have even more wine once everyone has finished. The wedding in Greece sounds like it will be a wonderful experience (yes, it was me who asked). One of my friends here is Greek and they have a house there where they spend every summer - am v. .

Really am going to do some work now...

Legoland good feeling stiff now though, too much white water rafting

Linzer commercialised yes, but rides pretty fun, queues boring, especially if your kids need a pee in the middle but we paid extra for a Q-bot which lets you jump the queue (v.immoral). That made all the difference to our enjoyment as I was there with three by myself, and I don't think I could have coped otherwise. Mini-Land amazing I could have spent hours just staring at all the miniature countries laid out in Lego - but unfortunately had to chase after various escapees. Also bring picnic, water etc as food too expensive. I would like to go again, to try some of the bits we missed.

Oh yes, and I'm now blessing house which is awful again, after leavign it to dh for 24 hours. Not that he's made it any more untidy, just that it seems worse when you come back to the same mess you left behind! And you are tired out....But he made the bed anyway -think cool fluffy white meringue effect after long hot day , dealt with kids and breakfast this morning.
Nothing else organised though...
overalls! PA
I used to iron things dry in desperation sometimes - we have no tumble dryer, or put the heating on full blast

PA are you hoping for a Mamma Mia Greek style wedding? Hope you don't have to climb a 1000 steps to church! will be fab.

Just waved goodbye to MIL who has been fantastic at helping me out this weekend. DH has struggled into work, still feeling rough. Have to email some work through today and was in a bit of a panic about how to get the time to check it first, but lovely mum at school offered to collect DS2 from nursery and take him to her house for lunch and to play with her son (who is at the same nursery). DS2 seemded very happy about this. I think he is getting used to me handing him over to people at the moment. Other mums have all been so willing to help me out - it's really touching.

Routines are still working well. MIL actually commented on how tidy my house is (she hasn't seen our bedroom, mind you), which is a first. Too tired to shine the sink last night, but did it this morning and then wiped down the kitchen windows with Windolene whilst DS2's porridge was cooking. Got that smug feeling again! (Am ignoring the multitude of bin bags outside the kitchen door, left over from DH and me both forgetting to put rubbish out on two consecutive weeks. That explains the fruit flies in the kitchen...).

In case I am giving the wrong impression of good housewifeliness here (aside from the bin bags, of course), you should know that we have piles of clutter piling up in the corners and on shelves, and a loft full of boxes of clothes, books, toys, etc, so we are far from being sorted. Our bedroom is in a sorry state, as it's the room where all the stuff gets chucked (have run out of room in the loft now). The good thing about Flylady is that I have stopped worrying about it all and am just focusing on the routines and missions, so I am feeling much more relaxed.

Have put away guest bed and put a load of sheets and duvet covers in the machine to wash, as Monday is my sheet-washing day.

Will try to do the mission later, after tackling this work. I hear there are three of us with deadlines now. We need to stock up on bottles for the party.

PA - another one who's doing publishing-type stuff. Can I ask what the leaflet is about? Glad to hear you managed to survive the weekend. The holiday in Greece sounds fab.

Linzer - hmm...dreams of soil nutrient balances...tricky...Glad to hear the work is going well.

OK, back to work now. Big breath. Focus, focus...

oh dear, a bit sidetracked by two long essential phone calls,

still, am at the wiping down with hot soapy cloth stage in kitchen myself included

Busy weekends again and lots of busy people.

PA - mine are 7 and 4 now but I am looking to using you as a role model for when they are older - not many festivals locally ATM but the idea of welcoming all sorts of friends etc into the house sounds great. Not sure about being eaten out of house and home though

Good weekend here - found new wildlife centre (mentioned on Springwatch) and spent all day there on Saturday and lots of jobs done yesterday.
Busy day so far as its the only full day I get (DD and DS at school/pre-school all day)
So far I have done:

• Run
• Morning routine
• Lots of stuff for school AGM on Weds
• 15 mins on DD's wardrobe - have evicted all fluffy toys and now have piles for charity shop, ebay, loft, etc. She has said fluffy toys to sort for her tidy tonight

Now need to:

• Shop
• Pick ups
• Roast dinner (forgot 'check menu-plan and get anything out of freezer' bit of evening routine on Sat night so ended up with pizz for Sunday dinner!!)
• DS to swimming lesson
• Boy cat to vet - DH's job
• Evening routine
• Bed at sensible time

One day I'll manage a proper catch-up with everyone.........maybe

Afternoon all,

On computer at work, so just a quickie!

Got into work today to discover that a colleague has not sorted out one vital bit of information that I need for my work, so deadline appears to be waived slightly. Almost done everything else, just front page to do, so dead chuffed, especially as I feel so asleep.
Toffee I produce a termly news magazine for a youth charity that I work for. Very proud of it, if I do say so myself, as its a national organisation and the local one I do is always well received by national HQ and shown to others as one to follow.

Swan Definitely up for the Mamma Mia, and am practising all the songs!!! Our friend getting married is Scottish, his wife, English, so I doubt there will be much Greek-ness, although it is a 3 day celebration!!

Feetheart - When I was a child my mum always had an "open house" and I always wanted it too. I think its good for the DCs to have people coming and going and sharing what they have. We often have people staying in a crisis and I am sure it has helped DCs to value what they have. Love having people around, but I also like my space and time to myself, so a balance is good. If you are relaxed its fine. If I get myself all wound up about the housework and whether everything is good enough it all becomes a nightmare. I love my mum and how she was, so hopefully I am doing her proud, too.

Also wanted to share with you all: Do any of you ever get a moment in time, where you feel slapped in the face with how fortunate you are, or how gorgeous your children are? I had one of those moments this weekend. I am sure it was lack of sleep or something, but hey, its good while it lasts!!

must dash abck to finish work.

have a good day everyone.

PA - I love your happy moment in time and yes, I get those moments too - usually when the children are asleep and I have a glass of wine in hand.

Have spent all morning proofreading and am going stir crazy now (stir crazy - one word, two, hyphenated...? Aargh!!!). Just off to get DS2 from kind mum and then to collect DS1 from school. Am hoping that I can continue to work this afternoon (might have to use the electronic babysitters).

I haven't done my weekly home clean, but I have at least done my bathroom mission and cleaned the loo bowl outside. Only took a couple of minutes and gave me that smug feeling again.

Forgot to have lunch!

My sink is shiny! I know this isn't a great achievement compared to what most of you have been up to, but I do feel a lot more positive now (not to mention the fact that the kitchen now looks a lot better). I shall add another baby step tomorrow...

PA Yes, I had one of those moments on Saturday just before the DC left for my in-laws - DH took a photo of them all in their sun hats and I just felt how lucky I was to have them (as well as guilty about spending the weekend without them).

feetheart I need to persuade the DC to part with some of their soft toys; they have one or two favourites, but the rest are just adding to the general clutter in their rooms.

Toffee It's great that you have friends willing to help out while you're so busy. One of my friends insisted on picking up DD2 and DC from Kindergarten today (despite the fact that she's also having them tomorrow so I can work) and as DD1 has gone over to the neighbours', I've unexpectedly been able to get quite a bit of work done this afternoon.

Nettie Don't go overboard on the sink shining - remember you're on holiday! Thanks for the postcard btw, which arrived today - DS will love the elephant on it as he loves going to the zoo.

Off now to pick up DD2 and DS and then over to the neighbours' for a birthday barbecue.

Never got to wash my kitchen floor at weekend. Going to tackle bathroom this evening and give my sink an extra shine to make up for neglecting it this weekend.

Hello everyone

Just dashing in and out

Have been lurking on here on and off since Thursday and have tried to read everyone's posts but keep being interrupted/or having to stop to do something else. Things slightly manic here (as I am sure it is with everyone else) as end of term and holidays approach.

My house is looking pretty good considering -there has been a definite improvement of late. I think the baby-steps have "finally" (after many, many months) become truly ingrained ....still have lots to do in office and basement but both are starting to look a wee bit less cluttered ...

Anyway, have to go again (Flying must be working as I have a wierd compulsion to tidy up the sitting room and do ironing) but just wanted to say "hi" to all ....

Will try and catch up with everyone's news tomorrow ...thanks to Elliepac's splendiferous round-ups I haven't lost touch with things completely ....

Oh, one thing I can remember from posts way way back down thread:

lol Optimistic re Sunday joint

Happy Flying everyone ...

Oh, nearly forgot, a warm welcome to Gentleness

SC tries to restrain herself from mentioning words "news" and Chairmum and fails

Evening all,

Phew, another Monday drawing to a close. busy day today.

Linzer - postcards arrived today, DCs were really pleased with them. Good idea using the envelope.

SC - that's good about your house, that's about how I feel too, most of the babysteps are ingrained (except the B!##y shoes), the clutter is certainly diminished a bit. Don't always manage the missions, but getting there slowly.

PA - yes I know what you mean about those happy moments, just had one separately with each of the DCs. DD has been trying on her new school uniform for Sept, all wiggles and smiles and look at me. DS, just walked him back from Beavers, he always bounces along very happily and he got a badge tonight, so even more bounce.

Toffee - I have been known to forget my lunch too, sometimes despite the fact that I have made one for the DCs, doesn't seem to do anything for my excess weight though .

Feetheart - where was your wildlife centre? I like Springwatch but sometimes a bit offputting as we are often eating while watching it (baby chicks doing projectile poos last week springs to mind).

SR - surely a bravery award is due for taking 3 DCs to Legoland with no other adult.

Ellie - thank you for your brilliant round-ups.

Waves at everyone else.

Today

School / pre-school run - done
Washing - done and dry before rain started - phew
Hoovered downstairs
Sainsburys shop - done and put away
Swish and swipe (did outside of bowl on Fri so not doing again)
Errands in town - done
Another settling in session for DD at school - done
Ballet/Beavers - done.

Lost DS at the Sports Centre, I went in toilet cubicle in changing rooms to help DD, he was playing with a friend, he thought we had gone off to the dance studio, luckily he knows his way round and went to reception, I had to be tannoyed [bad mother emoticon]. Awwww.

My book for making lists for next few days is really working well am feeling very organised with it.

Evening everyone!

Well, last history exam tomorrow and my psychic powers are not working so well on this one. The American West - I should get nick in . The vast pile of exam papers to mark has arrived. I have to do 20 before standardisation on Thursday. Tonight I am just going to try and get my head around the mark scheme I think! I've worked it out at 15 per day for the next 3 weeks. I am also desperate to try and ensure all the hard work I have done over the last couple of weeks is not in vain so have done routines today plus Beavers. Not holding out much hope though .

Here it is, the round-up . I am giving myself 15 mins and am starting work at 9 so if I don't get to you by then, please don't be offended, it is not that I don't love you, I merely don't have time to express it tonight (that's what I tell DH all the time )

Generally, we are all feeling the love for our DC's at the mo thanks to pa's lovely post earlier today, lots of warm, fuzzy moments being noted.

mrsd lost ds but found him again, got upset by projectile bird poo and informed us in great detail about her toilet cleaning, (outside of the bowl on Friday in case you missed it). She had a very successful day and is list maker extraordinaire .

sc is a rather positive flylady today. SHe is super busy but is beginning to feel the routines are ingrained...

Here is today's babystep reading Kelly's words of wisdom on calenders. Now, I know a lot of us are rather busy little bees at the moment and in my rather warped judgement, this is not necessary but feel free to ignore. Just make sure you keep on feeling the love for the sink .

The mission for today is here.

Happy flying!

Hello everyone. DH been hogging the pc but gone to bed now as 6am start again tomorrow. Hope he is quieter than today, I ended up going downstairs to demonstrate that I had not washed his work gloves along with his jacket, and that HE was the last person with the migraleve (day before) and I hadn't hidden them somewhere out of malice!

Been continuing with my mission so tonight I have:
finished ironing
15 mins room rescue in lounge (mainly because I had lost something which was in my work bag all along - sorry DS
WM on
DH cooked dinner

Still to do:
DW
make lunches for tomorrow
shine sink
s&s

See you tomorrow (wonders how Chairmum is doing)

Still here all, still pregnant.

Very very very fed up

40+3 today. Sweep on wednesday if nothing before then.

Hope you're all doing well. Might try to catch up tomorrow while DS is at nursery.