July's Fledgling Flyers : The dc's drive us round the bend, the school holidays descend, our sanity we will lend, and flying will be our friend

[elliepac]

Welcome to the July 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 July 1st.

Aaaaarrrggghhhhh

Really really want to be doing this, and really struggling.

Have bad anxiety which I am getting treatment for, but it has all gone a bit tits up atm.

This is my worst time of year (except Christams ) There is just so much to do and I am so crap at organizing myself, I find myself just staring into space like a rabbit in headlights panicking about all the things I should be doing.

I can do this

MOrning everyone,

Here, for wwww, are today's instructions (sorry they are late!).

Today's babystep is missions.

Therefore, today's babystep could be the mission.

Have a good day everyone!

No time for individual catch-up as am at work but just wanted to say to admylin and wwww hang on in there, just do what you can and do not worry about anything else....and that's an order .

Good morning ladies,

Another one here on computer at work . Just put it on and instantly received an email from boss, so calculating I have a few minutes before he walks into the office, unless he is emailing on i-phone, while walking down the road, but he's male, so multi tasking is a bit of a stretch, so I will go with the 5 minutes grace!

Firstly, Ad and WTWTW - We are all just like you. (well, I am anyway!) One piece of advice from me (Oh my goodness, me giving advice on housework!!!!!! ) would be to just take the one babystep at a time. If today, the only thing you do is to give your sink a wipe, then thats fine. And it doesn't matter how many days you only do that for, just dont expect too much of yourselves. Keep coming on here for reassurance and enjoy the banter. - far more banter than housework from me!

DH and I have had a arguement difference of opinion today. - I was right, he was wrong (of course)! Really annoyed me, but due to my raging rage and steam infested ears I did a manic clean of the kitchen before work. So spotless!!! (well, to that blind man again!)Dh now declaring that he needs to rile me into a temper more often to get the next room sorted too.

Right, thats used up a lot of my 5 minutes already. , so best say bye for now, will try to catch up later.

WtWtW - dont panic take a deep breath. The only reason i am getting so much done is I have things that involve emotions that i should really be dealing with. But as i dont like emotional issues i am physically busy. An doing stuff i actually like, but count as decluttering.

Ad - I dont envy you. tbh I am glad that my move has fallen through for now. Will give me more time to clear the junk.

As for me today is material decluttering and more ufo finishing

Ellie - my house is also one huge UFO but in the favour of baby steps I am trying to finish niggly things like sewing projects that have been abandoned half way through. Slightly more achievable imo

I have various tasks ahead today...

I think when I have done them I will come back here. [lies down on floor and covers self with large tarpaulin]

WWTwTA don't be scared by the lists, please. Just try and tackle one or two things that are scaring you and feel really pleased with yourself for doing them, and don't feel bad about the things you haven't done or should do. They are probably not as essential as you think, and can often be debunked or simplified. PORK PIE has a lot to answer for.

DEM I love all your completed projects!
Nick I love the prairie dusting!
MrsD sorry you are feeling down, I always think you are so organised on this thread, and am full of admiration for the sensible way you get through the day.
PAI am SO efficient when angry.

Awww, thank you SR, lovely kind words! Thank you too Nettie.

Today has been much better, I am greatly cheered up, very tired because I didn't sleep well as I was seething a bit, normal Flying service will hopefully resume tomorrow. Off to play tennis in a minute (in the drizzle), might pop back on later, otherwise see you all tomorrow.

Sorry going to end up making your heads spin again. Another crisis another new name. DEM.

Hi mak hope you ok. Don't panic wwwa

Let's all take a collective deep breath........

Aaaarrraaagh I need to go back to work! Two weeks off I'll either dc or me and dd so gribbly still! Dh had v important (yet useless, refused permission to expand 3rd time running [grr]) presentation and said he would rather stand up in room full of people than deal with dd! He has only been in for 10m all day and night and has now gone to stroke his boat!!

Visitors leave tomorrow, dbil has been fab, clearing up diswashing etc. Dsis 21weeks preg.

I have a lovely clean house (just sat down) and I have cleaned outside and inside of toilet bowl and sink! I'm blardy knackered and fed up!!

Aw well never mind, soft play tomorrow and big brother and bed beckoning. Waves to you all.

and exhale!!!

nettie, your toilet bowl is clean inside and out! you deserve a rest!

when dh gets like that, i remember something vitally important i have to do, out of the house, alone. and i leave him with whichever child he's been avoiding.

anger makes me clean as well. why is that? it's bizarre...

www - babysteps. and stick to 3 of them until the panic subsides, so, sink, dressed (to shoes) and one other? and a fifteen minute something or other during the day. can you do that?

Mostly ok. Lost the love for my normal mn hangout and mn in general. Its been going on a while. almost considering deregging but know that the minute i do i will want to come back. Want to be ingonito a bit. Its not that I care if people link new with old name. just more the fact that I can disappear into the faceless for a bit iyswim.

Fabric pile sorted. Haberdashery pile tomo. Also been working on ufo's and usp's. Not got as much done as would hope but sticking to the baby step of early night i am going to head to bed.

Nettie - i have one of those except he is ex. we are currently not speaking. telephone row. he has ds on hol and i am supposed to go join them for a day or two when collecting ds. No idea what will happen tbh. Right now as long as the boy is safe i dont care. I think ex has hump cos move has fallen through which means ds will still be 4hours driving from where he is.

Anyhow what I meant to say is your bathroom must smell lovely and fresh nettie must be a joy to use.

Managed to get to sports day in spite of lack of sleep yesterday. Then walked to Post Office to organise passport applications for DC. Very dopey by time I arrived home, but luckily DH was there so I went to bed and slept for two hours. Bliss. Gave myself that evening off work.

DS2's sports day today, then had four hours' work time booked. Needless to say, the house isn't getting looked after. Fell asleep twice today - once at 3ish, whilst working, and then again on DS2's bed this evening. Clearly not getting enough sleep as I'm burning the candle at both ends. Am working again now as I have a deadline this Friday. BUT did my evening routine first and washed some school shirts for DS2, who's run out of clean shirts already this week. So at least I have a shiny sink tonight and am all ready for tomorrow morning.

Glad to find out today that there won't be anymore work for several weeks after this lot. That means I can spend some time next week trying to sort the house out before the holidays start. There are 'hotspots' breaking out all over the place and the washing is piling up.

Ordered myself a timer from Amazon today. DS1 and I are going to share it - him so that he doesn't spend too long on the computer and me so that I can do my Flylady stuff.

Lots of people having a tough week -

MAK - sorry you are having a hard time. Hope things get better.

MrsD - glad today was better for you.

WWTA - sorry to hear things are tough for you, too. Swan gave good advice, which I'm going to follow myself. Thanks, Swan.

Have you all noticed how many men are making us cross (or furious) at the moment ? I mean PA, MAK and - who was it who cleaned the kitchen after row with husband? My DH accused me of being inefficient the other evening (he'd had a crap day at work and was taking it out on me)and I was so angry (considering I'd been struggling all week to keep the house running, look after two children and get my work done on time) that I left him to put the children to bed and walked out. That was so out of character for me that he was rather chastened when I returned and apologised. I always put the children to bed, so it was rather a shock for him too. DS2 whispered, when I got back, "Daddy doesn't know how to put childs to bed, Mummy."

Perhaps all that anger can be turned into cleaning power. (Alternatively, we could drown our sorrows and forget all about housework).

Linzer - hope you are enjoying your holiday if you happen to pop onto this thread

Gentleness - where did you go? Liked your name.

Hello to everyone - too many names to remember now.

MAK - i've de-regged twice... i've got about four names i use this time (but mostly this one as i can never be bothered to namechange - i use raksha and territorial mosquito if i want to disappear ), but was romy7 yonks ago, and madwomanintheattic for ages. i do miss the madwoman . hope you find a new mn hangout that suits. i only ever recognise you as DEM though, so do out yourself if i bump into you somewhere else! when are you supposed to be collecting ds? have you got a while to mull over your options?
toffee, i'm willing you to get through the week - this too shall pass, and all that!

today was grocery shopping day - so i'd better go and cook something before the hordes empty the cupboards...

MOrning all,

Work night out last night so spent lots of time trying to make myself presentable and then the ensuing evening went on forever and resulted in a return home at midnight, unable to sleep until 1 and general knackeredness today! Hence not getting on last night.

UNfortunately no time to do a round-up but wanted to say MAK hang on in there. You've had a tough time of late and really deserve a break! toffeefudge you are right when you say everyone seems to be having a tough time recently, i vote for the drown your sorrows option .

AM going to step post and run, back later for a proper catch-up and round-up. Things are going a bit pershaped at my end too. DS has been horrifically naughty at CM's and family is imploding (not immediate I hasten to add).

Onwards and upwards.

Today's babystep is an easy one to follow [http://www.flylady.com/pages/bbd14.asp read an essay]].

The mission for today is here.

What I will say is that a few of us appear to be struggling at the moment for a variety of reasons. Please remember that this is all about babysteps and that it is a little at a time. Don't stress about keeping up with other people, just do what you can, and remember that we are here for you to whinge at.

Have a good day everyone!

Morning.

At work and trying to take my mind off the fact that I need to go to the dentist in 10 minutes time!!! I thought I had worked through this phobia nonsense, but have been sooooo bad this time round. Sleepless nights, waking up in a sweat about it all, and this morning I ahve thrown up twice already. I ahve to leave time to stop the car and throw up before I get there. I hope she's gentle with me!!

No arguments this morning, so kitchen's its normal "homely" self!

I think that everyone who is still around is all stressed out with end-of term stuff (teacher and parent) and everyone else is away on their hols. SC, for example! In a couple of weeks time we will be more relaxed and enjoying the hols too.

Last year there was only 2 of us going through August (I seem to get more housework done when its the hols, I suppose because my paid-work hours are reduced,) so if it all goes quiet, can I encourage everyone to meet back up on the September thread. I am not saying dont have an August one, just that it may be me whittering on to my self!!! (enough to put anyone off!!)

I cant think straight about what need doing when i get home after work.
I will be putting a lasagne on and baking a cake.

Cant even think to type. I will come back and let you all know that i have survived, If i do actually survive the next hour of my life!

Time for me to get back in action on the flying front!

Work at home day today and sports day cancelled so my plan is to alternate 30 mins work with 15 mins of flying until 2.30 when I need to pick DS and DNeice up.

Did all the ironing at the weekend so none to do atm although my pile is still on the bedroom floor waiting to be put away
List for today:
2/3 loads of washing - to be dried in garage (think there is just about enough room)
empty DW and reload
put dry washing away
lunch (seem to forget this when at home)
rescue dining table
clean bathroom
shine sink

See you later

PA - just missed you, but I really hope the dentist visit went OK. It'll be such a relief when it's all over. Have you ever tried hypnotherapy? Can be very helpful with phobias. A friend of mine was cured of her fear of flying after seeing a hypnotherapist. CBT helpful too. And a Valium or a large drink also good.

Ellie - yes, it's tough for everyone at the moment. To be honest, I'd love to only have housework to think about for a few days. Life might be simpler. You are right, PA, it's the end of term and everything gets stressful at this time of year. I'm not sure if the holidays will be less stressful though.

DH is feeling ill and worried and taking it all out on me . Things aren't running as smoothly as he'd like in our domestic affairs, but I just can't do anymore than I'm doing. Was up till 2am this morning working again. At least I won't have anymore work till August now, so that will be a welcome break.

PA - I will definitely try to keep up with thread during summer hols, at least when I'm at home. So you won't be talking to yourself.

ah pa fret ye not, i will be here throughout summer holidays barring 10 days in august,it is the only time when i might actually get some flying done!

DWM!!!!! so good to see you!!!

I am boy free until tomo. ex txt this am to say ds want you today can it be tomo as planned. No idea when he was hoping ds to leave ex in peace for ex's 2nd week on hol. ds has school monday so must be back for sunday afternoon.

Feeling tired this morning. still ill, better but still it. it is really wearing me down. But not sick enough to see the doc. one of those things really.

PA I want an August thread, PLEAAASSEE say yes to and august thread

Ellie - we dont break up until 28th so have a few more weeks until the end of term yet. it is crazy. glad to have had a good few days break from ds. Although must learn to chill out abit when he is not here. I seem to try to kill myself being busy when he is away.

Morning all

Thank you everyone for being so helpful and friendly, I feel a bit like a gatecrasher as you all know each other so well.

NickofTime I remember you as madwomanintheattic

So far I am managing beds, swish and swipe, dressed, hotspots twice and day and am working on general decluttering and tidying.

My worst things are, the frigging sink, I find it so hard to be arsed to do it at night and yet get enormous satisfaction when I do. Also for some reason the evening meal gives me a major headache, I start to think about it about 3-4 o clock and my mind just goes blank, I am stuck in a real rut for ideas, then I panic and just make pasta or somnething out of the freezer.

WTWTW - and considering how many of us have to keep redoing the babysteps it should give you hope that eventually we'll all get there. just takes a lot of practise

(btw - you are not thread crashing, and if you are so am I)

Hello mum! Hang on in there, I'll be here in August as well

So far, so good here.

Done the work that has been hanging around for AGES . Just need to do a covering letter before getting someone else to print it all off and send it away.

As for the list:
2/3 loads of washing - to be dried in garage (think there is just about enough room) 1st load on airers in garage, 2nd load in, will not have to do 3rd
empty DW and reload
put dry washing away
lunch (seem to forget this when at home) MUST DO THIS NEXT
rescue dining table
clean bathroom
shine sink

off to forage in the fridge for food - back later

I shall say now there will be an August thread as I will really need it

dwm!!!!!!!!!! We have missed you so, glad to see you back posting and flying.

wtwtw as mak says it takes a serious amount of time to establish this flying routine. pa and sc started this thread in August...(nearly a year ago!), I joined in September and there are many others who have been here a very long time (sorry guys can't remember who joined when ). All you can do is your best. If you only manage to establish one habit this month of shining your sink then so be it but that's one habit established. If you could peek into the crapheap I call a home right now, you would realise that it really is about babysteps. In addition,please don't feel you are threadcrashing, just join in and we will soon know you as well .

Back to work .

I need a list i am procrastinating...

Tidy dining table and kitchen floor(ie put woodworking stuf away).
Chickens.
Patchwork table cloth.
Embroidery patches.
washing.
pack for few days away.

Why can't I have a list with
'Chickens.
Patchwork table cloth.
Embroidery patches'
on it?

DWM wanders off to empty DW...