Anyone up for a 'sort out myself / my house / my life for Christmas' thread?

[pleasenotmondayagain]

This has become something of an autumn tradition for me. You would think I'd learn from my mistakes, but no! Still, it worked, sort of, last year, so here I go again. Any company and encouragement welcome.

Never mind sorting out Christmas (although I intend to do that with my usual style and poncery chaotic approach) I need to sort out

(1) myself

I need to eat a healthier diet. It has been rubbish since the summer and my winter clothes are now tight.
I need to build some exercise into my week. I love the cold air and blue skies of autumn. Less the rain, but I can't have everything. Cycling to work would be a good start. Maybe even some C25K style running.
I need to go to the dentist, the optician, and the hairdresser.

(2) my house
I need to sort out the garden for winter. The view from my kitchen window is of dead bedding plants and soggy leaves. The shed door needs a lick of paint and the pots need to be put away.
I need a proper sort out and declutter. Targets are the loft, my (and the DCs) wardrobe, and the toybox-coffee table thing in the lounge that could contain pretty much anything and probably hasn't been opened all year.
DC2s room needs some paint. We took down some (baby) border / stickers a few weeks ago and the marks are annoying me.
I need to get a plumber in to look at a dodgy toilet. It is only a matter of time before I really regret not getting it fixed.

(3) my life
Paperwork is taking over my kitchen. Sort, file, or shred.
I need a system to deal with the avalanche of demands that the DCs school sends home in the run up to Christmas. Ditto clubs and their events. We're bound to miss something otherwise.
I'm becoming a real procrastinator and ditherer. I need to get a focus and be more efficient.

Anyone want to join me? I reckon with 8 weeks until Christmas, I should be able to fix those things that annoy me around the house, get on top of the domestic chaos, and shift 10 pounds in weight.

Me: day 1 WW complete! Even managed to avoid gorging on Halloween treats win win! Have bought another shiny new notebook and from today I am starting a journal/self care journal for all stuff about me me and me ....... everyone else gets 100% of me but I don't make the same effort for myself. Kids are a little older now so it's time to start taking some time back for me!

Christmas: bought bags for teachers presents so they are now finished! Need to sit down and write a list of what I have so far and what I need. Been buying bits and pieces as I have seen them so need to pull it all together!

House: today it's laundry day. Have loads to put away and a load ready to go in. If I manage anything else it's a bonus as DH off today so hopefully going out this aft if the rain ever stops!

Have a good day all.

I haven't even had time for a proper read and think but staying on board! This month is going to be horrendous tbh. Can see it being Dec before the dust settles. So I will gather ideas until then!

Well done halloumi . I failed to resist the Hallowe'en left overs, but I'm consoling myself with the argument that a 'mini' chocolate bar is not all that bad, and that two is not the end of the world. And I have been walking and cycling everywhere this week. I'm also making a conscious effort to improve my posture. My muscles are not in a good way!

My plans to sort out the garden have been held up by the weather, but I did a blitz on DDs bedroom last night and we filled a large carrier bag with clothes that are too small. Just need to find time to Ebay them now or take to a charity shop. I also sorted through the food cupboard to check for out of date / near date items. Slim pickings, but that's good.

Sorting life out. Ummmmm. Not much progress here yet, but I have a list of things to do at least, with phone numbers attached. Just need to pick up the phone and call.

Lovely to have the group motivation here

Ugh! Clearing away Halloween stuff and cleaning up after a party. I hidmoved various things around so half the house looks clear and streamlined and the other half has the over flowing ironing basket and charity shop bags.
Forgot to have lunch so now craving junk and after Halloween I’m surrounded by it! Off to force myself to eat something healthy ish

I sorted out the stationery box. That's not much but it was wedged with old, ugly Christmas cards - the kind charities send you for free, and birthday cards for 5 year olds (DC now late teens .

Also cleared a shelf of out-of-date travel and seed catalogues, what's on guides and takeaway menus.

Tiny jobs. But I did them.

I've just eaten DS2's bodyweight in mini chocolate bars.

1. cleaned out the car (not valet standard but have at least hovered up all the rogue raisins and pom bears)
2. have pinned down some dates for Christmas with those reluctant to commit so far in advance!

Had a friend come overnight on Tuesday. We drank our combined body weights in wine. So yesterday was a slow day! We did go up for an 8km walk which was lovely. Didn’t achieve anything else though.

Today I did Sainsbury’s and bought some bits for a friend’s 50th.

Then I was sitting here MNing and spotted this thread again and I got off my bum and started to tackle the utility room. DH regretted asking what I was up to as I made him shift a load of his tools into the garage. He moans his tools are all over the place but it is because he just leaves them lying about. He also moaned about the cold. Anyway one side is tidy and I managed to vacuum up all the dead flies and crap that were hiding and wash down the counter top.

Need to sort some laundry out now and hang some up.

Will feel that has been a good day!

I'll join in.

Me - I've lost 2.5 stone since April on SW but have lost motivation recently so reached a plateau. Still need to lose another 2.5 - 3 stone. As well as resisting the carbs I need to incorporate some more exercise into my day.

House - My ideal home would be quite minimal but I have two teenage DDs and a husband who are all messy. We have too much 'stuff' too, so always bits and pieces cluttering table tops or floors. I'm not sure I'll get to do it before Christmas, but I have almost 2 weeks off Christmas/New Year and plan to have a bit of a purge then.

Life - Lots of paperwork to sort out. I need to organise a new passport for my daughter. I also have to sort out a legal matter following my DFs death last year which I really need to get on with.

I'm poorly feeling sorry for myself no energy to do anything but really want to keep going.
My head is saying get on with it, my body is saying no chance.

I've just finished work, after a 6am start. Am having a lunch break then plan to blitz the whole house before DS1 returns from a trip away..

Period arrived yesterday which these days comes accompanied by extreme fatigue (luckily it only lasts for a few days). Early nights are only solution.

Did manage a yoga with Adrienne video this morning, which made me feel a bit better. And the Christmas cake is in the oven!

Oooh Christmas cake!! I hate eating it but the smell as it cooks is divine!

Mixed day today. A bit of admin, small amount of water, no wine. My body weight in Halloween sweets though. And no exercise - am injured. Going to have a massively early night. Last task for today - buy presents for the three birthday parties in November!

I REALLY need to wash the kitchen floor tomorrow. It’s revolting. And put away 2 ikea bags of laundry. And do some exercise.

Not had a chance to pop back to this thread.

The eating has been awful, I've just been so busy. I'm refocusing this weekend.

I'm doing 90000 steps a week, so fairly happy with that. We are up to 2 X 20 minutes walks per day with the puppy.

Beauty regime is improving and I will booked in with my beautician today for a wax, brows, lashes and nails. This usually motivates me to keep on top of the rest!

I've decluttered my bathroom, hired a new cleaner and started decluttering my bedroom.

This weekend I'm going to -

Sort DDs clothes, bag up and drop off charity shop bits and get some outfits listed for sale.

Get a few of my dresses on eBay.

Sort out the living room bookshelf.

Tidy the kitchen toy corner.

Christmas planning for work

Update the family diary. I'm going to look at a shared online diary.

Woke up early this morning and made my bumper list of all household and Christmas jobs that need doing by 24th Dec. Bit daunting but I'm just going to tick them off one by one until they are all done.

Me: have been doing well on the water/vits front, now determined to get back to running. Used to do a run on Sunday evening with a friend but have fallen out of the habit. Will text her.

House: feeling pretty good about the decluttering, took some more stuff to charity shop yesterday. Plus ordered new clothes for DS and a couple of folding chairs as we have family get together at end of Nov.

Christmas: have started Christmas shopping, all online so far. Which reminds me... DH and I usually book a day off together in early Dec to go 'shopping'. In reality it's an excuse to have lunch together, but we usually buy a few stocking fillers and some wrapping paper. Must arrange that or it won't happen...

Yesterday was productive!

Me: lots of water, shaved legs, glycolic peel face mask

My life: sorted laundry and a bag for charity. Folded/hung all of my clothes properly so they fit in drawers.

Can I join please?

I'm going really overwhelmed at the moment with everything I need to do so breaking it all down and taking inspiration from this thread might make it all a bit more manageable.

Me: weight loss, I want to lose around half a stone. I don't follow a particular diet but just try to stick to 3 healthyish meals a day.
Take my vitamins. Thanks for the reminders! Drink more water

House: every room needs decluttering and a deep clean. Wardrobes need sorting, kitchen and bathroom need painting, all cupboards and drawers need sorting 😔 The house doesn't look particularly messy but I know it all needs doing.

Family: meal plan for the week
Get homework done with the dc's

Christmas: buy wrapping paper and wrap the presents we've already bought

Study: prepare for presentation on Friday

To top it all off I've woken with a stinking cold, all I want to do is lie on the couch feeling sorry for myself

Can I join in.....
Households: need to look at direct debits and sort some better deals
Decorate (paint) lounge / dining room pre Xmas and get new curtains
Need to clean windows inside and the blinds
Rake leaves in garden
Paint garden fence
Personal: meal plan
Start diet (again) and work out how to stick to it
Exercise
Book dentist for family
See GP

I’ve had quite a productive weekend:
Cleaned & tidied up
Lots of laundry done
Food shop done
Halloween decks removed
Started to work out Christmas gift lists
Sorted lots of work stuff out
Went to an ace bonfire display!

Great thread!

I’m checking in after the weekend - went on an impromptu night out on Saturday night so no admin or anything got done....BUT a LOT more personal grooming was done between 7:30 and 8 than has been done for a LONG time. You get the idea.

Tasks for the week:
Label new uniform
Polish school shoes (I’ve actually done both of these already, I like to start with some things I’ve done to make it less daunting)
Start Christmas gift list
Make the final decision on whether I want an instant pot or just a new slow cooker
Find my address book
Order a big parcel of books from my favourite independent bookshop, to cover the birthdays until the Christmas order (this is a fun and cheering job as I get to think that I am fighting back against the capitalist monolith that is amazon).
Book some annual leave for Easter

Weekend didn't go as planned so starting the week behind.

Today I will -

Drink 2 litres of water
Do school newsletter
Tidy the bookshelf
Crack on with a blanket for neighbours new baby! She was born on Friday so need to pull my finger out and crochet.

I'm working from 7:30 - 6 so doing these bits around the kids.

De-cluttered Dd bedroom then my dsis came round with 2 black bags of stuff for her as she has been decluttering her dd room 🤨. Tidied the draw of doom though!! Big glass of water to start the day and I’m intent on sorting myself out and eating healthily. That and a ton of paperwork and decluttering to do today.

Back at work today but did manage a run yesterday evening. Slowest ever, but as haven't run for 6 weeks, not too bad.

Not in work tomorrow so will do some house stuff...

I had a 20 min break at work today and did LOADS of jobs! No exercise or water though.....

Yesterday:

Me: good day of diet and exercise
My house: finally packed away the sofa bed in our playroom so the children now actually have room to play
My life: filled in 2yr HV check forms

Aims for today:

Me: continue good habits from yesterday
My house: put away dds enormous pile of washing and find a home for the big box of hand-me-downs we just got from cousin
My life: buy stamps ready for Christmas cards