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.

Hi all

Just having a wee pause after two hours of French torture study.

DONE
-cleaned dd's jodhpur boots and hoovered her hard hat!! [this Flying thing is going to my head]
-morning routine inc dw + wm on (second load), s&s plus master swipe (master bedroom now restored to spanking good order) er, spanking bit not meant literally
-downstairs tidied, dusted, hoovered
-2 hours grappling with the gerondif and the imparfait
-located source of appalling smell in basement and (with the help of rubber gloves, bleach, a roll of bin bags and a sick bucket) dealt with a basket of ancient potatoes that had (somehow?) been forgotten about and turned to liquid [retch, barf, yuck] all of which tells you something about the state of our basement and my weak stomach
-located (with much muttering and protesting) something 'bright' for dd to wear on final day of pony 'stage' - was informed about this 10 mins before departure grrrr
-dd dispatched to stable

TO DO (today and over w/e)
errands:
-find and buy hanging files that actually fit my filing cabinet drawers and dispose of the two boxes of hanging files already bought that supposedly fit and are in fact 3 mm out of whack ggggrrrrr
-buy dd some horse-related spawn of the Devil [imo!] Playmobile for upcoming birthday
-buy some more bags of soil/compost
-try and find an old second-hand, tall wardrobe for coats

-continue home office declutter/sort/filing project
-watch dd's little end-of-week 'display' at stable
-aft/evening routine
-fish for dinner but no idea what exactly
-on-line shopping
-more laundry + ironing

Good luck with final furlong Ellie!!

DreamTeam - well done on your mercy mission and thanks for being so understanding about name mix-up . Agree, yes, I am finding that one of the added benefits of being on this thread is spending less time elsewhere on Mnsent!! (Well, most of the time!)

Admylin hope your head is better

MrsDinky I'm afraid my body decluttering efforts have been woeful this year ... MUST do better

Poor you Nettie that sounds awful - especially in this hot weather - here's to a speedy recovery x

Well done for battling through yesterday QueenofDreams and completing your list + extra!!

Good luck with chuck Swan

Waves to PA Feetheart Mummy (where are you?) Mini-M PushMe MissBennett Optimistic and everyone else I've missed ...

Hope you all have a good end to the week and those who are suffering, recover quickly ...

Oops have forgotten Wildthings Linzer Toffee and DEM

Have a great w/e everyone

SCI took mine for their first riding lesson yest (well it was dd's second - she'd been with her cousin before) nearby. Soo sweet to see them on their ponies, concentrating so hard. Hope they will manage a week in Eire at riding school thing.

don't worry about the potatoes, my dad's theory is that all smells depart eventually when the smelly things turn to dust - tis just a matter or time...

house looking tidier,
had another driving lesson

do have a feeling that a beautiful hot sunny week which should have been spent wandering around saying "hello trees hello birds" in frilly tops, has been spent by me complaining about various problems but then I suppose if I had done even less the house would have been quite frightful

Hi all - quite proud of myself for yesterday's work

So today's list:

washing up
living room shelf
declutter living room - 15 minutes
shine sink.

very very very hot today. Feel like I'm a melting block of butter or something. DS napping, I haven't had lunch yet, so dashing off to get a bite then will do washing up I think.

I've finished .

Bring on the wine!

well earned ellie!!!!!

Still poorly. taking it easy and mostly sleeping. have a break next week as ds at his dad's for a holiday so R&R is planned. right now am heading back to bed.

DEM you do that. Get yourself well again. I know how rough tonsillitus makes you feel. I used to get it every year without fail.

My SPD is really bad today, so I'll admit I've not done anything off my list. I took DS to the leisure centre for soft play this morning, and I think that's about as much as my hips could put up with for one day

Oh I have tipped bleach and boiling water into our bin though. it's not much but it's something!

Hello everyone. There is far too much going on here for me to keep up. But I hope you feel better soon DEM. And a big congratulations to Ellie!

Had a lovely day yesterday - lunch out with dear friend, nice food, bubbly, etc. Absolutely no work or flying done all day, apart from the basics (like the evening routine - if I don't do that everything falls apart the next morning).

No flying today either as I've been out doing chores or childcare all day. Trying to sort out passport applications for DC this morning (one form was rejected so have to do it all over again), then went to a friend's house with DS2 for the afternoon.

Both boys had their reports this afternoon. DS2 had such a glowing report that my mum (when I read excerpts over the phone) asked if she was sure they had the right child. As DC2 has a chequered history at school, we are all a bit surprised - but delighted. And lovely to see DS2's face reddening with pride when I read bits out to him.

DH home and he is taking over the DC now so I can work. Bye for now.

Evening all,

Admylin - yes we use a machine for the ice cream, have had it for a couple of years but only just started using it much, it's one of the ones where you freeze the bowl. The ice creams are yummy, and yes probably healthier in terms of less additives etc, but not exactly low in fat and sugar!

QoD - you take it easy. How many weeks are you?

DEM - you take it easy too.

ELlie - well done!

Waves at everyone, busy trying to watch unfolding events in Northumberland while typing, excuse any inaccuracies.

Today

Walk to school
Walk to pre-school
Walk home
15 mins tidying etc
Walk back to school for open day
Walk home
15 mins tidying etc
Walk back to pre-school for Sports Day
Walk home with DD for lunch
Take DD to charity tea party/shopping
Walk back to school
Home for 15 mins
Outside to meet bunch of neighbours on green for more cakes and gossip and kids to play
Home for 15 mins
DCs to Beavers for campfire evening
Back home at 8.30, DCs still up, DH away for weekend.

In other words have spent the entire day walking round town, chatting with other mums and eating cakes! Clearly not going to do much Flying, but hey, can't complain!

Wine.... wine ...... did someone mention wine????? Well done Ellie can I come and gatecrash the winefest?

You lot have made me feel so much better tonight, everyone seems to ahve done about the same amount of flying as me today.

Dhs interview apparently went fairly well, but ou never can tell with these things, can you. If he gets through this one, there are a couple more levels of interviews before he finally gets told whether he has the job, apparently, so still anticipating quite a wait.

right Tour de France is on ...... my evening fix of thighs while DH dreams of bike stroking, so off for the evning. See you all tomorrow!

dh's and dp's have a lot to be held responsible. having lived with a bike stroker, who obsessed about the tours i know how frustrating it can be. yet find myself turning the tour on to watch despite having split up from that particular ex for years now. Maybe it just says something about the state of tv...
although QI back to back last night was quite nice. feeling better now I have eaten and it has cooled done. must get back to minimal flying tomo. Amazingly sink is shiney but in a house with currently 4 grown ups that is thanks to someone else rescuing the kitchen. have a lovely evening, enjoy the wine and dont stay up too late watching the news.

admylin - you will get even fussier about shop-bought ice-cream once you start making your own
Have had an ice-cream maker for about 10 years (actually on my 3rd as burnt the motors out of the previous two due to excessive use ) Love home-made and am building up a nice repertoire. Think we need a recipe swap - currently have banana in the freezer and making rhubarb tomorrow. Family favourite at the moment is Mint Choc Chip though.

On that note I have to water the garden and go to bed. RL very busy, some Flying done but not much, far too hot. Did manage an hour in hammock in garden this evening, does that count?

Pre-school fete tomorrow then DD off to Woburn with Brownies on Sunday and I'm off to spruce up flat - cleaning in 30C will NOT be fun

Haven't caught up at all but waves enthusiastically at everyone.
Have a good w/e whatever you are doing.

Imagining ellie as one of those teachers on the MasterCard advert especially after her mammoth marking sessions! Have lovely weekend ellie you deserve it!

Hope everyone else has lovely weekend too

Well, I tried posting but it was swallowed up.
in short - pavements - hot
garden - good
house - cleaner
reports - surprising
ellie - at last!
dem - nice friend!
QOD - sympathy

children - never.. go to ....bed
husband - keeps buying pizza

i'm ba-ack!

so, mountains lovely, mil here (and lovely), and:

hall cupboard/ hall totallt decluttered and cleaned

floor found in utility room (can't claim credit for that - mil was laundering whilst i was at work)

if i can get over being the untidiest dil in history, the next couple of weeks might be quite productive on the flying front

Going away for a weekend by the seaside with friends so will be absent for a day or two. Have really lost control of the house now, but haven't any time to sort it out. Will be nice to lock the door on it and go away.

Have a good weekend everyone.

A quick hello and goodbye to everyone - I've been failing miserably at flying since school broke up and we'll be away on holiday for 10 days from tomorrow.

Still need to lots of packing and shopping for the holiday today - I've only packed the DDs' clothes so far, with their help - plus washing. I really don't want to get back to the house in the state it is atm, so I'm hoping to have a quick blitz today and will also try to stick to my routines as they make a big difference.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend, and enjoy your trip to the seaside, Toffee (the DC are impossibly excited about seeing the sea tomorrow).

A big well done to ellie - hope you have a nice relaxing weekend now; you definitely deserve it!

Sorry, no more time to catch up with everyone else but I may sneak in while we're away to see what you're all up to.

Morning everyone,

there's a certain spring in my step today and am determined to make the most of it. Fell asleep ridiculously early last night, I think I have been so stressed that when it all finished my body went, 'I'm an exam marker...get me out of here'. Didn't sleep brilliantly though, it was too hot!

Looks like it's going to be another scorcher here so am going to get cracking in a minute to try and catch up on housework before it gets too hot to do anything other than lay in the garden with the paddling pool. Am not listing posting as what i need to do is a simple whole house rescue...DH has tried his best but it's not the same IYKWIM.

Am not going to attempt a round-up for the last week, that is beyond my capabilities but will be back on form tonight!

linzer have a wonderful holiday. You've been working so hard recently, you deserve the break!

toffeefudge enjoy the seaside .

Back for steps in a mo!

Today's babystep is the power of 15.

No mission today as it is the weekend and too flipping hot anyway

Have a good day everyone!

Hi miss Ellie Good to have you back. ..... yes of course we have been well behaved and our houses are all show homes now!!!!

Its ok sc mummy is here!

Been lurking on and off, doing bits of flying - those bits that are semi-automatic now like doing the DW and putting a load in the WM every day (usually) but not much else. Having had a dodgy couple of months I have given myself the month off so I don't beat myself up about it. Today have done
stripped beds
4 loads of washing now mostly festooned around the garden
2 loads in DW
walked back from swimming (Dsis gave us a lift there as DH fishing)
measured DS in an attempt to get him some school uniform for September that actually fits!
menu-planned for tea (ff & chips + choc sponge, strawberries & cream creation for pud)
sympathised with Dpussx2 about the heat

Think that's it. Cool bath and early night in order I think.

Hello all!

Not doing much flying I'm afraid - it's too hot and I've been soooooo busy - work manic and home ditto

Just about keeping on top of the bathroom and kitchen. Dh has promised to look at the hoover but that was Wednesday and hasn't happened yet so I am very un-hoovered!
But we have all got clean pants, which is some small comfort

All out tonight - DD1 at a party, DD2 and Dh to see the new Twilight film and I'm going to have an hour's peace I hope and a cool bath before going out myself.

Then tomorrow we have got Guides and Brownies trip to the zoo. 2000 of them. Fortunately I'm not responsible for all of them

Roll on the summer holidays!

Well, my first round-up in a week and no flying to round-up! You ladies have been slacking . Having said that have no flying to report here either...too hot! have spent some fab time with the DC's after barely seeing them for the last few weeks. So have spent most of the day in the garden and paddling pool,couple of hours at best friend's house, playing with her DC's and now DNephew is sleeping over (the 17 yr old one who is like having a babysitter here ). With that in mind and the fact the weather is due to be cooler tomorrow here then I am planning on catching up tomorrow.....honest!

missb 2000 Guides and Brownies . I had to do a double take when i read that. I think life has been a bit manic for a lot of us recently but at least you've got clean pants, always helps I find with life's trials and tribulations...my worst nightmare is having to go to hospital in an emergency wearing my period pants (you may not admit it ladies but you do know what I mean ).

dwm glad to hear you have been lurking at least sc is struggling to function without her mummy. My mummy is in Crete and I find I am functioning much better without her. No random phone calls about random stuff at random times of the day although she did ring last night and had clearly been on the pop although when I asked her if she had had a sneaky gin, she vehemently denied it.....4 times...while slurring . I think I'm just jealous!

pa has been causing trouble as usual . Some people...you give them an inch and they take a mile . I would like to see photographic evidence of that showhome please because I think you might be telling porky pies .

linzer is off on her jollies...shall we take bets on whether she shines the sink while she's there. So far both nettie and pa have been on holiday and both have found the power of the fat fairy is everywhere! I reckon she will definitely shine sink and continue to put clothes out every night .

elliepac paddled, played, cooked and collapsed with cider (change is as good as a rest and all that....ran out of wine and couldn't be arsed to go to shop!)

Have a good evening everyone!

BUgger, what a poor showing...forgot to welcome back nick....welcome back nick. Glad to hear the mil visit is going well and i don't think you are the untidiest DIL in the world. My MIL (and i do genuinely love her) thinks nothing of coming round and cleaning my house whilst sniffing . Hope you are ok . ANy tales of coyotes or prairie oysters for us? .

BUgger Bugger, also forgot to wave to everyone else sr toffeefudge dem om www sc mrsd mm qod and anyone else i have missed.