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.

I'm moved!

It was awful, worst move I've ever done and 5 days later I'm still not unpacked. Ready to start the daily mission and shining soon though.

So ashamed - when we moved things in old flat it was so so dirty and dusty, very and I must keep on top of it all now we've moved into freshly painted and clean place.

Off to take painkillers, I have pain in all my muscles and bruises all over me from moving things around.

UFO's : Unfinished projects. you the things you start and abandon half way through

USP's : Unstarted projects* when you have a get idea, buy stuff to do it and never get round to starting so the stuff sits around forming clutter.

Am tired tonight. getting pissed off and drinking so will post picture tomo when i have found the camera.

MrsD - have suffered with cold sores for years. Feel like hiding away in my house for a week every time I get one. Then discovered that you could actually take pills for them instead of just smothering them in ineffectual cream! The pills are called Aciclovir and you can get them on prescription from the dr. Sometimes they stop the cold sore coming up at all, but at the very least they shorten the attack by several days.

Hi to a fellow Lakeland fan. I always get the impression that if I order enough products from Lakeland my house will be perfect. And I like the fact that you found a Lakeland catalogue from 15 years ago! Makes me feel a bit better about all the clutter in my house.

Did another 15-minute onslaught on our bedroom today. Slow but sure. Or, as Flylady says, babysteps...

Children are crying - usual bedtime routine. Where's the wine?

I have plenty, Toffee - please help yourselves, everyone. Sorry I missed out on that bottle when you finished your work, but I shall raise a belated glass to you now!

I love Lakeland too, but unfortunately their overseas deliveries rates aren't exactly cheap. Oh well, it stops me spending too much I suppose. They never used to send catalogues abroad (must check whether they do now) and I've never been quite organised enough to have one sent to me at my parents' address in time for my visits (my mum invariably informs me that she threw one away just a few days before I arrived) - it's never quite the same viewing products online, I find.

Nettie DS was v. insistent that he wanted to send a postcard to your DS from Italy, so it will be on its way tomorrow (I wasn't organised enough to take your address with me and couldn't check online).

QoD Hope your DS is better soon. It's been far too hot here as well, but at least the washing dries in about 5 minutes (v. handy as I had about 5 loads to do today).

PA It's not just a mountain of washing, it's a whole range... Sympathies wrt your MIL; as much as mine means well, I'm glad we don't live closer to my ILs - they are best enjoyed in small doses.

MrsD I always used to get rejected whenever I tried to give blood (my iron levels are quite low). In the end, I decided just to go along to give moral support and for the biscuits - I would still give a sample on the off chance, but was always rejected.

admylin The move must have been exhausting; hope you're settled in soon.

MAK So of your creativity and all your craft projects. I would love to be more creative but had to get my next door neighbour to teach DD1 how to crochet (she was struggling with it at school) as I didn't have a clue where to start.

Have done lots of washing, unpacking and tidying up but still feel overwhelmed by all the clutter. I think I may need to wait until school has started in September before I have a realistic chance of tackling it, however.

Good evening everyone

pa thanks for the talking to earlier! I needed it and have been quite productive. Sounds like you had a lovely day and doze!
linzer aw that's so cool! My ds found some batman postcards in a DVD and he wants to send them all to it ds. Tried to explain that not very picturesque.
toffee mrsd I love Lakeland too unfortunately or fortunately there is a shop not too far from
here. I generally come home or order online tons of lovely cleaning products that I use once (barkeeper friend for sink, black and shiny spray for worktops)and then they clutter up my cupboards forever!
admylin well done on getting moved (hides boxes of stuff still in garage nit unpacked from over 5 years ago.
mok hope you have ok evening thx for wine. I love all
your projects! Think you should sell them asChristmas presents.
qod hope son feels better soon
Good morning

linzer glad you had a fab holiday and internet free holiday
toffee aw your Internet idea sounds fab but i would not know where to start.
missb have lovely camp trip
ellie hope ds leaver assembly is lovely

this morning
dc to breakfast, dressed and nurseried-done
dh to hull-done
me to work-done
wm-done
dw-done
make bed-done
pick up dcs-done
bath and bed dc-done
try not to sit down and to set timer and get on with taking stuff outta the loft.- never set timer but made a little progress

off to watch the dreaded bb well I'm bored and what else is a girl to do

Waves to anyone I've missed

someone nudge me when you start the August on please!

I'm another one who is lurking but being taken over by RL and therefore has a house that is suffering.

Currently posting whilst copying 45 CDs for Yr 6 leavers. School Assoc did a Leavers Beach Party for them. One of the Mums, who is a professional photographer, took loads of pics. We want to give them a copy as a leaving present - party was last night, they leave tomorrow - EEK DH and I in competition in different rooms with different laptops to see who can finish their pile first

MrsD - DS left today and I blubbed unashamedly, as did his keyworker who is WONDERFUL.

Need to do dishes, shine sink and get to bed. Last day of school run tomorrow - hurrah

MOrning all,

Fell asleep on the sofa last night at 8pm. Shows how tired I am! So sorry for no round-up!

DS Leaver's Assembly made me cry....lots. I can't believe he is big enough to go to Junior School...I won't believe he is big enough to go to Junior School!

So, steps for today are Control Journal inspired.

The mission for today is here.

Have a good day everyone!

Hello all.
DS is still in a vile mood. His stomach seems to be better so can only assume it's the teeth doing it now. I relly am not managing to get anything done round the house as he's sucking up all my energy at the moment.

So yesterday I managed to do a little bit of washing up. That's it.

Today I will aim to
Finish washing up
wipe counter
clear clothes from living room
clean bath & sink

How much I'll actually get to do I really don't know. DS is supposed to be napping but is in fact awake up there and starting to cry (again) He is SUCH hard work atm, I just want my happy, smiley boy back. THis whingeing, crying, moaning, stropping bundle of misery is most unpleasant to live with at the moment

Hello ladies,

I'm not going to attempt to catch up with everything but I'm getting back on track (my house looks pretty tidy today as DD slept and DS played all morning ) and will try to post daily - it will be good for me

Hope everyone is doing well.

its been a bad day so temp name. picture as promised, is now on profile.
Netti - erm a lot of the projects are stuff for the "grownup box" or presents needed shortly or stuff generally needed around house -eg sunscreens and fly barriers. Havent even thought about christmas - well actually i have and will be starting them next month.
linzer - only reason i can do so much is that i was a nightmare child and this was the only way i could be tamed and mum went through a school system where these skills were taught and very high standards expected. It was a huge honnor when mum said she reckoned that i was almost as skilled as she is. She made her own wedding dress/ball dress and a lot of our cloths when we were little. I am the only one of three to be doing so much though.

Have migraine - no flying only surviving and laundry as been really rather remiss and now the wardrobe is bare and the kitchen floor burried.

Wahey! School's out for summer! .

Will be back later. Now the real job starts of trying to find my house again and restore some order .

Hellooooooooooooooooooooo everyone

Just a really brief update, no flying for me as I am on my scarey holiday. Though I did shine my mils sink this morning.

Feeling fairly anxious and panicky about upcoming parties but will just try and grit my teeth and smile a lot (not sure if it is possible to do both at the same time).

Nettiespagetti camping list is on this thread, hope it is of use.

Take care all, will try to pop in again.

Its amazing what a bit of sleep, some serious medicine and a coffee can do.

Am on my 4th load of washing. that which is dry 3 loads has been folded, the ironing pile is growing. Ds is still up but non-uniform day so can be organised for next week. His clothes are laid out already.

Kitchen is almost an one personality zone hope to leave it clean and tidy. can't shine sink due to the bleach aspect but will ask mother to kindly bleach it when i am out tomo.

Need to discover lounge floor - although not too messy and bathroom. The door is blocked open by clutter. not too bad when only girls and ds in house but there will be a man about later and need to be able to shut it. Also need to wash out the silk plant thingies and rescue the bath from being a large watering dish for several plants. shower isnt 100% accessible either. must clear that too.

WTWTW - hope scarey holiday isnt too scarey!

Ellie - yeah for school holidays. ds has another week of school yet.

It is at this time of year that I realise how much I love my job .

Am hoping to finally get caught up and also am going to try and properly fly for 6 weeks and therefore get the routines properly ingrained nearly a year after starting . I do know what I have to do...it's doing it that's the problem .

armedanddangerous has reunited her kitchen and resolved it's split personality and is washing out some thingies. She has washed..and washed...and washed. Fab day! Gold Star of the day I do believe.

wtwtw is on her scary holiday but is still shining the MIL's sink . I'm impressed. Good luck with the parties, hope they aren't too horrible! Try and enjoy the break .

chairmum popped by to say hello . Hope you and DC's are doing ok! Lovely to 'see' you. She is getting back on track but is still officially on flying leave so she musn't put too much pressure on herself.

QOD is having a tough time with DS. Hope he has calmed down a bit. Hope you are looking after yourself as well .

admylin has moved! Well Done on that in itself . Hope you are enjoying your new home and not tooooo stressed.

feetheart is snowed under at the mo with RL. Sounds like the Leaver's events were lovely .

nettie had a fab day yesterday!

toffeefudge sorry I didn't get back to you about the pressie, fell asleep stupidly early last night. FWIW (although probably no use now), I am honestly not bothered what my pupils get me, i don't even expect anything. The fact that they have thought enough of me to spend time/money on me is lovely enough. Although having said that, the 3 bottles of wine i got today were well received .

iwanttobelola wants nudging come August. Remind me and welcome

elliepac cares about nothing else other than the fact she has no work for 6 weeks!

Big waves to everyone else linzer pa mrsd om sc and everyone else. Am going to post steps in the morning!

feetheart - meant to ask - who won the cd making race yesterday?

Here I am, off on hols on Saturday and no packing done, for some reason I decided to do a really thorough clean of my bedroom instead. It is now clean but untidy, as I lifted everytgin off the floor to hoover and just dumped most of it on the surfaces.

DD was a right little madam all morning, was glad to get her off to pre-school this afternoon. All sweetness and light later though, we went over to my parents for tea, then got back and then went to the circus which has conveniently arrived on the green in front of our house. DS likes the clowns, DD likes the juggling, I like the big muscley Russian men in tight lycra....

AAD - love your photos, you have a real talent there.

ellie - hoorah for the end of term

Chairmum - hello!

QOD - how old is DS? We used to find the sachets of homeopathic teething remedies very helpful when DS was getting his teeth through and was quite foul.

Better go, tons to do.

Sorry mrsd i drank all the wine last night .

Morning everyone! Well DH has gone off to work thoroughly miserable that's he's the only one that has to leave the house, bless him!

Am planning on doing quite a lot today. The big plan is to get the house sorted over the next few days so I can get routines back on track next week. Downstairs isn't too bad but upstairs is a disgrace!

List looks like this:-

Washing on line
WM on lots
DW on
Tidy downstairs
Clean downstairs
Clean bathroom
Make a start on DS's bedroom (am going to have a proper clearout)

Think that will do for today. Am hoping to get all that done this morning and then relax with the DC's this afternoon.

Back with the steps in a mo!

Today's babystep is Afternoon Routines.

The missions for today is here.

Have a good day everyone!

Good morning

dh turn this morning and I slept in normally lie there awake wondering what to do. Ds was up and down all night.

Today

Dc to nursery am
off to see friend this pm
put next load of hand me downs in dd cupboard, cleared it out yest to make way for lots of lovely
new clothes.
3bags of baby stuff outta loft to give to friend
one bag of dd stuff to give to another friend
one bag for recycling
will do some more loft dejunking this evening all going well.

wtwtw thx for camping thread I will copy and keep. What size car do you have.
aad gosh sounds very busy. My df makes homemade cards absolutely beautiful but quite how she finds the time I'll never know.
ellie well done you made it. I hope you have a fab holiday
mrsd mmmm muscle Russian thighs..... The animal circus is in town next week but I'm do not sure how I feel about it. Maybe I'll wait for the muscley thigh circus

waves to qod feetheart chairmum linzer sr sc chairmum admylin and anyone else I missed

got to run get dressed to shoes should be at work
in 5m and still on sofa in jimmyjams

Hi everyone

mrD DS is 22months now. so far this morning he's seeming ok. Just hope it holds

yesterday I managed to do the washing up, clean counters, clean toilet and bathroom sink. Couldn't clean the bath as it's got some really strange texture. Despite copious amounts of cif and vigorous scrubbing the rings are still there. Humph.

Anyway, today I need to:

Do washing up
wipe counters
pack away laundry
tidy living room
hoover living room

Morning all,

I can hardly believe we're almost a third of the way through the summer holidays - "only" another six weeks to go now (although I've cheated by sending DD2 and DS to kindergarten, which only closes for three weeks).

Inspired by a book I read on holiday, I'm trying to do some serious decluttering as I am fed up of being surrounded by stuff. I am dreaming of shiny sparkly minimalism - which I sense is never going to be achievable, but I need a goal to keep me going!

I decluttered the outside of the fridge yesterday (the inside would have been better, but it's a start) so now just have two postcards, a shopping list/meal planner pad and Flylady's 11 commandments sticking to it (no excuse for overlooking the commandments any more).

Off to tackle our bedroom now; I'm trying to decide whether to vacuum pack my winter clothes or to be ruthless and get rid of some. Decisions decisions...

Mid-morning coffee break here and doing quite well.

Washing on line intumbler
WM on lotsdone
DW on done
Tidy downstairs done
Clean downstairs most
Clean bathroom
Make a start on DS's bedroom (am going to have a proper clearout)

Have also had a trip to the skip. One of many over the next few days I think!

Good luck with the decluttering linzer. I am trying to do the same thing here!

qod glad DS is in a better mood this morning. DD is 29 months and a real little madam some days so I do know how you feel, it just grinds you down sometimes.

nettie glad to hear the loft is going well!

Right, better get on with the bathroom!

Hmm, my mum has solved the mystery of the ucleanable bath. She reckons the enamel has come off so it needs to be re-enamalled. Yeah great - don't think the landlord with buy that one.

Not much done yet - feeling so tired. Must get up and do something!

First day of holidays here and off to a flying start!

I seem to get so much more crammed into my time when there are no time constraints.

So far today I have done 2 out of my 3 regular jobs, one for the last time til September! Back home just as everyone was emerging from teenager slumber (perks of teenagers they do like their lie-ins!!)
Kitchen cleaned to within an inch of its life. - Blindman would be proud!!
Homemade bread rolls made
Homemade Kensington buns made - Chelsea buns, but with chocolate and marshmallow instead of saltanas, hence renamed slightly. (DS said something like mums'e gone round the twist making Chelsea buns, they must eb the Kensington variety and name's stuck!!) - rather yummily yum, really!!
Overflowing enormous basket of ironing NOW EMPTY - just in case you missed that - ironing basket NOW EMPTY
Just had an hour reading book in the sunshine.
Now off to family fun day to colect DH, DD2, DS & friend and have a little look around as tomorrow I am there all day helping face[paint.

OH I could get used to these holidays. I could have a tidyish house by the end, too.

Hope youa re all having fun. Sorry for alck of messages recently, until today I felt as if my life was a whirlwind and I wanted to shout "let me out!!!"

Must dash, catch up more later. Mahooosive waves to everyone.