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.

Morning everyone. Another fabulous sunny day. I do love this weather.

Ellie - I love yr humorous round-ups! And thanks for the new thread. We will need extra support through the school holidays. On the subject of 'pride', from Flylady's website, I am quite proud that I have stuck to the Flylady principles for a month now, with help and encouragement from all of you on this thread. It's good to know we are all in the same boat and I don't feel so hopeless and fed up about the housework anymore. The routines definitely help. I find that I'm getting the basics done much more quickly now as I don't get distracted by other housework stuff on the way. And I am much more on top of the washing at last. But Flylady can't help me find my DS1's missing socks. What he does with them, I don't know, but I just have to keep ordering new packs.

Feetheart - your DS sounds very brave. I hope he enjoys all the attention he gets at school.

Nettie - love the new thread title. And glad to hear you also lack the 'sympathy gene'! DS1 is even worse. At the first sign of a sniffle, he always complains that he feels so ill that he can't possibly go to school. He tried this on this morning, but I noticed he managed to play a quick game of football whilst I was upstairs , so I was not
unduly worried about him and he went to school, grumbling all the way.

Didn't manage my evening routine last night, apart from the lunchboxes. Was doing really well with times, then DS2 had a massive nosebleed that went on for an hour (he'd fallen off his bike at nursery earlier - I think that triggered it). After we'd managed to get through an entire kitchen roll and transformed the kitchen into what looked like a murder scene (bloodstained tissues everywhere), we were an hour late for bedtime and I never really caught up. Fell asleep on DS2's bed at 10pm.

But the good thing about keeping to these routines most days is that there is not too much to catch up on (in terms of basic stuff I mean, not clutter). So this morning, I unloaded the dw, put DS2's bloodstained sheets in the machine (another nosebleed this morning - they're going to love him at nursery school today!), did a quick tidy in the kitchen, did a swish and swipe in the bathroom and suddenly everything looked respectable.

When I finally get to the end of this current load of work, I might spend a day catching up on all the missions I've missed. I suppose that's not exactly the point, but it's better than not doing them at all.

The other thing I might do when I get paid is book a one-off clean from a cleaning company. I have done this a couple of times and it's fantastic. Also, it gives you the time to catch up on all the other jobs that need doing. Has anyone else done this?

Must get on with work now. Have a lovely, sunny day everyone.

DEM just a quick pop-in, I am absolutely amazed that you are putting everything back in the right lego kt box. Beyond the call of duty? Once they are made, that's the only time pieces stay togthr if they fall off tough - Shelf display or they become universal particles.

I have found the entire contents of one playmobil box though [preen]except for icepick. I never do this unless I am passing toys on, then I get all particular about bits done proudly
library work
driving lesson

now cleaning -
15 mins off I go - in the kitchen

toffee and others - I am also lacking sympathy gene, except to kids where I am too sympathetic. Poor dh struggles on expecting nothing but sends me to bed the minute I am ill on the basis that I am an interefering old bat better out of the way.

linzer good luck with birthday party, hand holding on here always available. Have you made the cake? Alway source of calm satisfaction even if all else fails...
Have you a garden for games? Lucky you with summer birthday child.

kitchen is truly awful.
going to break into mini-tasks

breakfast
sink
recycling (new batch)
food recyling
dw put on
laundry hang out
ds project re-organise raw material
books back to playroom
water sunflowers on front porch - will start with that

With respect to Swan's question about whether Linzer has made the cake yet...Last birthday, DS2 asked me what sort of birthday cake he was getting, to which I replied, "I'm making it". His response? "Oh God, this is going to be the worst birthday EVER!"

did he like it in the end? I never let mine look at their cakes too closely or too long...

done
project sort out
food recyclng
recycling
laundry hang out
water sunflowers
books to playroom
table cleared
hall sort of cleared

still to do
breakfst and sink

breakfst things done
sink still yuk!!!!
off to pickup tra la

all flying cancelled this morning as i need to get a tetanus shot and i'm allergic to them

took the dogs (two labs) out last night about a mile from the village and got tracked by a mean and very aggressive coyote. it was trying to corral us into a really narrow area of track - v scary. so i decided that cross country was the safer option (loads of barbed wire and waist high prairie grass hiding millions of mosquitos) and basically had to get away from it. it followed us pretty much back to the village, barking and really territorial. so, no wild dog bites (this is not a rabies free country lol), but a good few snags from barbed wire and a wrecked pair of trousers and top, and some lovely mozzie bites. on balance, the better option i think. i assume it took exception to the dogs rather than me, but i wasn't about to test the theory. these things are supposed to be scared of humans...

so, got to go get a shot (and spend several hours being peered at in case i explode stop breathing or something) and then go to the police and report an aggressive coyote (they record sightings etc and can hunt and cull if necessary - there have been some quite nasty attacks in other places if they get de-sensitised to humans)

and then after that - i need to fly, as mil arrives tomorrow (eek).

it's one way to start the summer hols off, i suppose.

oh, and ds1 has woken up with one eye swollen shut. presumably a mozzie bite as well, so he's been dosed up with benadryl and is reading percy jackson from behind a cold compress...

gah.

(realises has completely failed to keep up with feetheart and her ds, as no actual casting involved hope he heals fast x)

Swanriver - only sorting the sodding lego cos of moving house. wouldnt be doing it otherwise...

Nick - sound horrific -if you dont mind me asking where in the world are you with coyotes?

Nick my life seems extremely boring [gulp]
you are very brave - sounds like something from Laura Ingalls Wilder, or Jack London If you can deal with that you can deal with anything

Feetheart waterproofing sounds a brilliant idea, after all that is the main problem with a cast. ds1 got water in his cast and it slipped off [aargh - it was all a saga)We were on holiday at time, so you are lucky to at least be near reliable care.

done
sink
another few pages of ds1's England project with him

ds2 is busy making flags, as he hopes to sell them in playground for 10p apiece and has almost immediately had a meltdown about size of his first flag.

also swept floor...plods on

now I need to remember the Brownie subs all £7 of it, or dd has told she will have to leave the group.

may go and make beds in search of loose change

Omg nick that sounds terrifying!! I hope you are after your tetanus and ur ds is ok too.

linzer how exciting and terrifying, hope birthday party prep goes well. Ds will be chuffed when he gets his postcard, he wants to go to the post office on his bike to post one back
swan brill lists
sc enjoy ur first day with no school tasks
toffee about ds saying birthday was ruined! (hides and whispers to toffee... Have cleaner once a week at least everything gets done properly once)
ellie thx for round ups and encouragement this month they have been brill

Up -done
dc and me breakfast -doing
dc dressed and ready for nursery-done
dh up so I can get ready-done
work all day-done home early ds got temp
weight watchers-done put on 1lb
clean sofas-nope
check smoke alarm-done
clean sofas-double no maybe tomorrow
get p&t on eBay-not yet
dinner of chicken and rice
no snacks and bed

dh bringing home trailer so I can fill full of stuff for skip so I plan to do that tonight so sofa cleaning and house rescue will have to wait!

Better go see you in July xx

Evening all,

I think I may need to start panicking sooner than expected. Had some more work arrive today, which will mean a few evenings at the computer as DD1 is only in school for another couple of hours altogether, and have also been asked to work on Sunday. I'd normally say no as we'd planned to go to the ILs this weekend, but it looks like DH will probably have to go on his own with the DC again. The agency has told me to be prepared for another busy couple of weeks, especially the week after next - which, however, is when will be on holiday.

I am so annoyed. They originally said that both magazines would be finished by the end of June and I told them that fitted in well with my plans as I wouldn't be able to work much in July and August. It's not the agency's fault - the client never sticks to its original deadlines - but I was so looking forward to having everything finished at the same time as school breaks up. I'll probably compromise by working this weekend but telling the agency I really can't take on much after that.

Toffee We have a cleaner who comes once a fortnight and it's a godsend if you can afford it. There are so many things to do on a day-to-day basis anyway (cooking, washing, tidying, not to mention work) but at least I know the house is basically clean (I just do a bit of hoovering, swish & swipe and clean up anything that's obviously dirty in between).

swan Hand-holding gratefullly accepted! I bought strawberries for the cake this afternoon, which DH has said he'll make, but otherwise I'm feeling very unprepared for the party. I must admit I'm just dreading Friday - we have to go into Vienna in the morning to pick up the new car and take my old one back and I know I'm going to be a nervous wreck (can just about manage the motorway drive to English friend who most inconveniently lives half an hour away, but otherwise never drive further than the next small town and have never driven in a big city).

Nick My problems seem quite tame in comparison with yours - hope the tetanus jab goes/went OK.

Nettie Hope DS is OK and have fun filling the trailer!

Must tidy up the tip masquerading as a house before I start work - no putting it off as cleaner will be here at 7 am tomorrow and I still haven't got round to putting everything back into the boiler room...

Hope everyone has a good evening - see you all next month!

Hope you are ok nick. heading to bed. night.

Hey ladies - I fell off the thread yet again. And here I am trying to jump back on the wagon again Hope you don't mind.

House is a tip, but I've been unable to do anything due to crippling Hyperemesis. I really hoped second time round would be different but nope, I ended up in hospital on a drip being rehydrated.
Anyway, I'm now on tablets which actually control the sickness somewhat, so am going to try getting back into flying again.

Evening Ladies

Sorry, I went AWOL - have been staying away until I could report some productivity in the Marmite Household!

Nick , how are you?

Ooh SC school holidays already, how lovely.

Ellie Thanks so much for guiding us through June, I didn't exactly stay on track but that's down to me .

Work sounds like a bit of nightmare Nettie, I hope it improves.

Love the new nickname Chairmum, very appropriate IMO .

Things are going ok here, we've been decluttering upstairs over the last week and gradually putting anything we want to keep but don't need right at this moment into the rented garage. Suddenly there is space in the drawers for clothes that actually fit and we don't have unused bulky items stashed down the back and sides of our cupboards. DH has been a trouper - lifting all the heavy stuff and taking it round to the garage after work every night. We actually might be able to fit 2 kids into this place for a while!

Evening all,

Am going to spend the next couple of sentences unashamedly being a proud mummy. DS got his report today within which there was not a bad word and lots of superlatives. I am so proud of him (although slightly concerned she may have wrong child as she said his behaviour was impeccable? .) In addition we also got his KS1 Sats results which are bang on the national average which is fab because in reception and nursery he was on an IEP and below average and his teacher says that it is down to his effort that he has made such progress. More importantly, it described him as a polite, gentle and loving boy who is a role model for others . TBH, even as a teacher myself, at his age, (clearly as long as he is making some acdemic progress, I am more concerned that he is trying his best and being nice to others so am going to treat him at the W/E.

Sorry about that...back to normal and round-up time .

mm is reporting productivity, a garage and a super trouper of a DH. We hope she is taking care of herself!

qod is back! Yay! Big waves all round. Is hyperemesis the posh word for super duper bad 'morning'sickness (i suppose i should know that but i don't . If so, that sucks but glad the drugs are working (despite what the verve would have you believe...they just make you worse apparently,,,he's clearly never been through childbirth, they made me muuuuuch better and qod too)...I digress (for a change)..going to digress again...did we know you are pregnant? if not . SOrry you have been so poorly, it is lovely to see you back and we will all give you lots of encouragement on the new thread.

linzer is busy worrying about work and birthday cakes...a bizarre combination but entirely necessary. If it makes you feel any bette, DS has got to the point where the exciting part of his shopping is choosing his birthday cake, he doesn't even expect me to make one anymore .

nettie had another busy day...hope DS is ok! Enjoy filling the skip...always quite cathartic I feel!

sr has a budding young apprentice on her hands, 10p a flag, you want to watch that one..he'll be able to make you the money for brownie subs .

dem listen to me carefull I shall say this only once...step away from the lego, find a bucket...chuck it all in there and voila, lego problem sorted . If that does not appeal....drink wine .

nick eeeeeek, coyotes...how scary. Hope you are ok and not too shaken up. I think i would have pooed myself! The most i ever get round here is a slightly scary pigeon with a squint .

toffeefudge hope DS2 is ok! Grand idea about the cleaning company...just need the pennies to do it. I think there are a couple of sneaky little monkeys on here who have cleaners linzer and nettie? We let them off because we love them and we are only jealous .

sc loving the use of the ellie vernacular . Hope you enjoyed the first afternoon of the holidays. I always really enjoy the first week and revel in the novelty of spending time with the DC's....5th week an entirely different matter .

And that's it...over and out for JUne. Well Done Everyone on a fabulous month, everyone has worked really hard and I think you are all fabulous ladies. Off to July I pop!

Think I survived

Nick - that sounds terrifying. Coyote, tetanus and mozzie bitten eye definitely more than a match for a dodgy tummy and broken wrist.

I'm also getting a little concerned about work and holidays as this will be the first 'big' holiday that I have had to work - DH only started up on his own last August and I started Sept time. Have a feeling I will be doing most of it in the early mornings

Didn't do too badly today and it didn't feel too manic:

• Hair wash me - done
• DC up and out - done
• Morning routine - not really
• Work, work and more work - done enough to do invoicing tomorrow
• 15 mins somewhere - did various 90sec bursts during tennis
• Ring DS's Tumble Tots and swimming lessons - done swimming (they have gone off to consult!), no number for TT so we are just going to show up tomorrow
• Email relative to let them know we are coming to 80th birthday party on Sunday - still need to do
• Afternoon/evening routines - sort of
• Bed at sensible time - maybe

Also did a few gardening bits so not bad.
Now need to water garden and finish kitchen before bed.

Thanks for the chat and support this month and a HUGE thank you to ellie for keeping us on track and making me smile every night
See you all in July

X-posted with ellie. Well done DS, what a lovely little boy, you thoroughly deserve your proud Mummy moment

Evening all,

MiniM - May I steal your first line? I have been AWOL due to lack of Flying and nothing terribly interesting going on.

I'm not going to make individual comments as I have been out all day and evening and still have stuff to do, but here's what I did today.

School run
Prepare picnic lunch for DD, DS and me
Take DD to park
Take DD to trampolining
Go back to school for Sports Day and stay for picnic lunch. Visit friend
Back to school for pickup
Home - too hot
Take DCs swimming
Tea for DCs and me
School for meeting about DD admission in September
Tennis club till 9.30
Home. Phew

Sports Day was great, DS won his egg and spoon race by a mile! DD did well in the toddler race, and I was middle of the field in the mum's egg and spoon. I vowed not to go in the Mums race after last year, which was UBER-competitive, and resulted in two
reasonably serious injuries (not to me luckily) but when I found it was egg and spoon rather than sprint I decided to do it. All the competitive ones turned up in trainers. Honestly.

Off to make packed lunches and make a to do list for tomorrow.

Ellie what a lovely report
Linzer very frustrating about the work, but you are already doing better than me managing hal-an-hour motorway driving, so be proud of yourself, you will manage Friday.

Now if dh is making the cake you have nowt to worry about for party

Just went to Beavers - it amazes me how the lady in charge managed to keep 20 6/7 year olds engaged week after week, it is a bit like giving a party I suppose, bt of craft/task, bit of running around, nice refreshments, and bob's your uncle

nettie sofa is resisting
hope ds alright

My sister had just rung to say my 8 yr nephew has broken his forearm, hit by a football kicked by his 14 yr brother It seems like it is just unavoidable breaking things just when you don't want to. I told her about waterproof cast thing - she is feeling v down about all the thngs he now not going to be able to do in hols kayaking seaside etc. It reminded me how quickly children do adapt to having a cast they just accept the situation; the strain is all on the parents in the end. So look after yourself Feetheart QOD congratulations - and down with the evil sick feeling

well, dh is calling me roadrunner and keeps making 'meep meep' noises every time i walk past , and the medical centre didn't have the single teteanus shot, so they've ordered it and will call me, so i got out of having to spend the day there (but was forced into the ignominy of showing my inner (very fleshy) thigh to the doc, who wanted to check the wounds. sigh)

good job they didn't keep me - dd2 had her pre-surgery appointment with the the eye doc (ellie, your pigeon comment made me spit tea over the keyboard - she's having squint surgery in two weeks ) and then i had to take dd2 to the dentist for impressions as they are muttering about braces.

then i got round to the house. i fear i will be up late this evening...

wm - third load on
ironing - taking over the world...
spare bedroom - needs dusting and bed making
dogs - need walking (lol)

but yesterday was a success for tidying and hoovering...

i've also spent the afternoon supervising a (failed) attempt to clean the inside of a didgeridoo... (like i don't have anything else to clean lol) dd2 wanted to play it, and whinged because it was dusty inside, so we decided the way to clean it was to get a tissue and poke it through with a broom handle. it's now stuck halfway, and we can't work out how to get it out before dh comes home ... it's completely blocked... any ideas?

(we've tried a few things - tipping rice down it (!) didn't work) - the only thing dd2 can think of now is to stick the garden hose down it full blast. but i've told her to wait for daddy - no idea if the paint is waterproof even, and i can't see us hightailing it back to oz for a replacement. i might start a suggestions thread

dem - we're in canada, in southern alberta on the prairie, it's very laura ingalls wilder here.

mrsd - i loathe the mum's race, even though i've been known to run a marathon or two. it's just unnecessary. hooray for dcs though

ellie - yay for ds. that sounds really encouraging, definitely. (but lol at wrong child - i actually asked the senco that when she rang me last year )

right, well, i guess i'll head over to july - it's canada day tomorrow, so i'm off to the community sausage and pancake breakfast, with hopefully collecting grandma from the airport and maybe evening fireworks in the mountains if all goes to plan!

Morning all.
ellie not sure if you ladies knew about me being pregnant. I'm due christmas eve great timing eh?
Have a SUPER whingy/stroppy DS this morning, so I'll not get overambitious with cleaning plans and say I'll do one load of washing up. With DS this way I'll maybe get to wash one plate

Happy flying everyone

Hi QueenofDreams - not sure if we've met before (I've only been on the thread for about three months). And congratulations! DD1 was due on New Year's Eve but arrived on Boxing Day (20 minutes earlier and her birthday would have been on Christmas Day).
It's actually quite a nice time of year to have a birthday - she's always off school, most people are off work, everyone is in a festive mood and I don't think she's ever had a joint Christmas/birthday present.

See you all on the July thread!