Remember Remember, Fledglings Fly through November

[DidEinsteinsMum]

Welcome to the November Fledgling Flying thread.

From the 1st of the month we shall be decluttering and taming the chaos using baby steps, missions and zones. A great big thank you to MrsDinky who looked after us last month.

We are not strict followers of the fat fairy and take some of the babysteps wearing shoes indoors with a pinch of salt. Also advise against signing up for the fairy's emails.

All are welcome, jump on board for one of our three methods of chaos attack:

1. Baby steps
2. Baby steps and 15mins decluttering in current zone
3. Re-inforce the baby steps and daily mission

This month the fat fairy is gearing up for the feastive period. So I shall also post the christmas mission for those who wish are brave enough to look.

In here the motto is:

*"No perfection! Do what you can, but be realistic about what you can do."

Happy flying.

Evening everyone

Only just got Amber to bed, tea made and the online shopping away, so not a stunning day here flyingwise today!

Congratulations ellie . Glad to hear the interview went well MrsD. Local flexible jobs are hard to find. mine is fab, but 35 miles away, which means I don't really see enough of DD.

Hope you are feeling better in the morning Ihate, and your ds too DEM. There seem to be so many bugs around at the moment. Linzer I am a bit better if it is DH with a bug as he tends to require less input from me . He is fab with DD when she is ill as well, but she tends to want mummy, which of course I wouldn't have any other way, but I do find it hard when she is all sick covered and drippy! Try my best to hide it from her as my mum is pretty rubbish with sick as well and I'm sure that is where I get it from and I don't want to pass my phobia on to my DD. It is the possibility of catching it myself that I mind. If I know it is something non-contagious I have no problem at all.

DD is still a bit pathetic and sorry for herself. She seemed fine this morning, and apparently was fine at her grans most of the day, but by the time I picked her up she was red faced hot and miserable . It doesn't seem to be a tummy bug, but is not quite right for a cold either. She is definitely intermittently in pain, but not terribly badly and she is a bit unclear about where it hurts. I think she may be teething as her cheek is very red. Hopefully she will be feeling better in the morning.

Hello to SC, OM, Dolanette, Nettie, Bob, namechange, swan and everyone else . I am shattered so off to bed!

hello everyone

mrsd glad interview went well. confusing one when you werent quite planning to work at mo! Hope whatever happens is good for you and yours
dolanette well done on playroom hotspot thats brill
ellie at your ds xfactor tour tickets
om a poor ds hope he gets over it soon. i have yet to meet a contractor who isnt chatty.
ihate oh dear a sick mummy. (unfortunately they never work in the real world!)
dtiwdah the abbreviation of this name really works hope you get an early night. hope ds gets better soon
sr lol at friends terrifying pictures (imagines harry potter style photos of demonic children.)
sc enjoy haircut. thx very much for drink
namechange i forgot mickey had those marvellous brushes.
linzer hope dh gets back homesafe and sound. im ok thx for asking just need a mahoosive case of PMT.
feetheart hope you had a procrastinating free day
pmpy another sick phobia but im a sympathy sicky too!

today have worked stuffed hundred of envelopes with bills
car fixed £700+ and late to pick up dc resulting in huge paddy by dd who was very annoyed not to be staying for late club and having pasta for snack
bathed dc and bed
made braised mince for freezer. (it was very hungry)

failed to
Order dd blind
christmas cards
christmas or birthday wrapping
amazon vouchers for dsis or dbro.

youse are all brill. wavesto everyone i missed. off to watch back toback charmed and feign sleep

Morning all,

Well, I would have managed an early night if DH hadn't inconveniently arrived home just as I was getting ready for bed! The girls were very excited about him getting back (you'd have thought he'd been away for three weeks rather than three days) and did their best to stay awake until he got back, but finally fell asleep about 10 minutes before he arrived (at 9.30 pm) so were impossible to wake this morning. At least they both have friends coming over this afternoon; DD2 can be very difficult to deal with when she's tired, but having friends over is always a good distraction!

Today's list:
Quick food shop done
Hang up washing
Morning routine
Mission
15 minute decluttering
Send invoices x2
Pay bills x2
Menu plan/make shopping list for tomorrow

pmpy I have the opposite problem - I don't mind being ill myself (though very rarely am), it's just other people! Like I said, I can just about cope with the DC, but even the thought of DH being ill is too much. Hope your DD is feeling better today, anyway.

Apologies for lack of personal messages, but I've been on the computer since I got back from the school run (am not going to admit how long that is!) so must get on.

Morning everyone. Thanks for messages. Hope you are all in fine fettle this morning and if not, that those of you who are suffering, and your dc, are feeling a bit better.

DD went off to school today looking very pale and wan. She's absolutely fine but lacking in sleep. For some reason I don't understand; she is resisting going to sleep atm, even though she is really tired. She was still awake at 9.30pm last night, then up again twice in the early hrs. It's like going to sleep is "giving in" and she is as stubborn as they come bless her! I remember doing this as a child so I can't really get too cross! I just hope she won't succumb to some bug or other.

No 'work' work today - it's dawning on me how little time there is between now and Christmas - and I've definitely got that old, familiar "rabbit in headlights" feeling.

This could go one of two ways:

(a) bury my head in the duvet and hope it will all go away

(b) breathe and remind myself that there is plenty of time to get everything done as long as I don't bury my head in the duvet

I'm not going to even attempt to post my list. It will take up the entire screen!

Hope everyone has a productive day as possible. See you later.

Thanks for encouraging posts and inspiration, this thread helped sooo much during my big summer clean and it is nice to see many still here

I should have stayed too but I thought I had it sussed/under control and organised but nooooooo....I will have to make a serious effort today.

Forgive me if I don't catch up/chat just yet as today I also have a poorly DS off school.

Back with list soon.

Feeling pleased that I managed to squeeze in an evening routine after MadMen, only took 10 mins to do it badly maybe that's the answer do everything but badly!

MrsD exciting!
Nettie LOL at hungry freezer
SC Advent is so-called for that reason [stern] that's when we prepare [shifty look from Swan]
No - I am not panicked. I have made a decision about the 9 godchildren, and so Xmas is done and dusted worrywise No-one likes stuffing. No-one likes cranberry sauce, no-one even likes Xmas pudding. Cake is made [preen]
I sort of know where the decorations are....after all I only put them back in loft in Feb..

Todaytodo
quick stab at routines say 5 mins max
walk to shop and buy new showerhead and new loo-seat V.IMPORTANT
make pie filling V.IMPORTANT
change sheets on one bed
tidy ds room
finish tidying playroom
wash all my jumpers

that will do for now

Swan more stern looks please until I have sorted out the godchildren, the nieces & nephews, the second cousins (who we are very close to) not to mention the five elderly relations who all live in different countries

[breathe, breathe]

Your Advent point is well made though (as is your cake ) and I can never really get in to the Christmas 'groove' earlier...

Yippeeee!!! It's snowing!!!

Time for a quick coffee break - which I don't feel I really "deserve" as I've only managed to hang up the washing and empty the dishwasher since I last posted, but I need a caffeine kick!

SC I am also starting to panic about how quickly Christmas is coming round, but think that if I spend enough time on MN it will all go away/sort itself out. I am trying to break my list down into very small steps to make it seem more manageable, but still feel like burying my head in the sand!
Your DD sounds v. similar to DD2, who also resists sleep - she is sometimes still awake when I go to bed, is obviously extremely tired the next day (even more prone to temper tantrums than usual), but still can't fall asleep at night. She was also very pale yesterday and complaining of a stomach ache, but insisted that she was well enough to go to ballet.

namechange Lovely to see you back; hope your DS is better soon.

swan A 10 minute evening routine sounds ideal. I have stopped including afternoon and evening routines on my list, which is not the spirit, but I am trying to stay realistic atm.

How exciting, SC! Although I find the novelty of snow tends to wear off after... oh, about a day.

I'm not surprised you feel like a rabbit in the headlights with all those people to buy for! Thank goodness my family doesn't go in for presents in a big way, I don't have a big family anyway, and DH takes care of the DC's and his family's presents. I also have no godchildren to buy for but do buy presents for DD1's godmother's DC.

My AM List

Strip beds
Sort Laundry into piles
Laundry in X 2
Fold all clothes in bedroom
Dust & Polish Bedroom
Clean Windows
Hoover Bedroom

Lunch

want to swap dh's Linzer? Mine hasn't bought a Christmas present in over two decades ....

Snow not settling unfortunately as very light and interspersed with sunshine ...lovely nonetheless

Yes, must keep saying that to myself, "small steps, small steps" ... keep being frightened off by big picture

My dd is now refusing to go to ballet too [sigh] - I'm sad because she's rather good at it (I know that sounds awfully pfb-ish but she does have natural aptitude and it's seems such a shame) To what extent do you think we should push encourage with sort of thing ie piano, ballet? I have no idea how strict or lenient to be. She's only 7 and goes to quite a strict/structured school. On the other hand, she's an only and needs lots of activities to fill her time.

[Sorry for digression from housework everyone btw - I must get off Mnsnet!!]

Hi to Namechange good luck with your list and hope your ds recovers quickly

Another flying visit (no pun intended :))
Managed to forget the 'anti' in anti-procrastination day yesterday so didn't get as much done as I'd wanted.
Need list for today, some of which may seem familiar

• Morning routine - done
• Meeting with Volunteer lady - hopefully resulting in very limited volunteering - done
• 5 min Room Rescues - DD and DS rooms
• Mission from earlier in week as did today's yesterday
• Kitchen floor (been on list all week )
• Go swimming - need to do something for me
• Food shopping and zap shopping
• Make macaroni cheese
• DS to swimming
• Label more of DD's stuff for Brownie pack holiday this w/e

If your DH isn't obsessed with buying Lego and Playmobil, I may well consider it SC. Seriously though, I can't complain about DH on the present-buying front - not only does he buy the DC's presents from us and all the presents for his family, he also buys the DC's presents from his parents as my PIL don't "do" shopping (MIL doesn't even go food shopping).

I've also wondered about how far to encourage the DC to start/continue activities. DD2 decided she wanted to give up ballet a couple of years ago but we encouraged her to continue; however, she still wanted to give up last year - and we decided she had enough on her plate with piano, dyslexia lessons and homework, so let her stop going. The only thing I insist on is piano, as my parents bought a piano for the DC a couple of years ago - DD1 sometimes says she doesn't want to play any more, but I think it would be a shame for her to give up now. As long as she doesn't actually hate it, I'm going to encourage her to continue learning for as long as possible.

Despite the fact that school finishes at midday here, I've come to realise that two activities per child per week are more than enough. However, so much depends on the child - and how many other children you have. A friend of mine has an 8 yr old DD (an only child) and does an amazing amount of activities with her; I feel exhausted just hearing about it! However, she's always said that her DD needs lots of activities and she does seem to thrive on it - she's very bright, does very well at school and generally seems very well adjusted.
Sorry, long-winded answer and I'm not sure how much help it is. Could refusing to go to ballet just be a phase with your DD? I remember DD1 refusing to go for a couple of weeks and I didn't want to force her, but she went back quite happily about three weeks later.

Must go and pick up DD1 and friend (DD2 and friend are already home and playing happily upstairs) - will be back later.

I'm back, thanks still

My hoover is broken - its newish sad

I can feel myself sinking - its not just the house sad

Are you ok, namechange?

Oh no Namechange - don't be - we're all behind you! It is a difficult time of year.

Do one small thing for 15 mins then STOP - pat yourself on the back and make yourself a lovely cup of tea or coffee and relax and forget about Flying for another day.

Thanks Linzer and Still - I don't know if you remember that during the summer when I did my manic clean - and I used lots of the advice from fly/on here to get back on top after having a MC - and I know I mentioned other bits of stuff I'd been through.

I've been very well and consider myself very lucky as reconciled marriage (this time last year we were seperated and at war) I starting running a mini business from home and studying part time with OU all great DH and DS great. But since half term (visit from Mum and hosting a halloween party) things have slipped and can't believe the utter kaos in this house. We have been poorly for the last week to varying degrees of onset/reovery with cold - I've had to cancel lots and house is just....its a monster. As for the gym and weight gain......

But most of all we too porrly really to do BD and its the right time and can't help thinking about the baby that would have been due in a few weeks time.

I sorry foe long moany post but thats all my stuff good and bad, I really do need to jump sstart myself - I am still looking forward to Christmas we've made lots of nice plans and lists of things to cook etc but today I am like this.

I will do the fifteen minute thing - my timer is spare room.

Thanks I am sorry I've not asked you all how/whats up I just thought I'd come on and do my lists.

Linzer no, dh won't come home with Playmobil or Lego (a rather endearing quality though that is) but he will come home with extremely noxious cheeses and very pungent exotic game that requires instant attention when you have 8 guests arriving in the next three minutes and you are cooking something totally different. He also has a well-developed aptitude for missing the laundry basket. All his dirty clothes land on the floor.

Thank you for that eminently sensible advice. I am hoping it is just a phase as she changes her mind so frequently! Plan A - I'm going to back off totally for a couple of weeks and give her some space and see what happens. Plan B - The ballet school we have chosen insists on the 'classical' stream having twice weekly lessons after the age of 7 and I think it's a bit much (with piano and horse-riding and homework). So I might investigating changing to a studio with a once-weekly class.

Have a good afternoon - sounds like you have a houseful!

'I just thought I'd come on and do my lists' I mean to get started and not sidetracked with chatter to start with...

FWIW SC we do two activities per week here. BEavers and swimming. We were doing three but it was too many and DS was getting too tired so we dropped karate as I think he only went for the social life, he wasn't particularly good at it whereas he is doing very well at BEavers and swimming.

This may change when DD becomes old enough to do that sort of thing!

I am not prepared in any way shape or form...but I WILL be.....

SC mine refused to go to Ballet at 6 after two years. I stopped, but that was because of all the other things she did, and I could see pressure was getting to her (and me) Tbh I think if she hadn't done violin she would have been happy to continue.
She was dancing to Swan Lake last night, and still had all the "moves" two years later. Whereas her brother dances like a lunatic Cossack

I would let her off this week, and encourage her to go back next week, and not worry too much if this week is a write-off. Oh dear perhaps it's a performance in which case you can't. Or bribe her till end of term then start afresh?

I did so love ballet. But I was toooo TALLL (tries in vain to stretch letters but fails)

Her brother has said he wants to do ballet again now . He did it until they introduced formal steps, then unfortunately it was felt [ahem] he was a bit disruptive when no longer allowed to fly around pretending to be aeroplane/rocket/firework [delete as appropriate]

Done
shower head and looseats bought
walked
routines
posted on telly addicts

Name my hoover makes me cry. It really does. It must be a very hard time for you thinking about things, give yourself a big pat on back for getting so far, and for giving a great Halloween Party too! I didn't manage that at all...

Namechange feel free to whinge on here. It's good to vent. I do it practically every day and everyone is really lovely!

Gosh, you have been through such a lot. I know from personal experience as do others on here that losing a baby can be absolutely devastating. It's natural for you to feel down about this right now. Don't beat yourself up about it.

It's also very hard to pick yourself up and get going with the house when you are all poorly. It really takes it out of you (and the house). If it makes you feel any better, I still haven't completely packed things away from dd's party in August!! So again, don't be too hard on yourself.

You've done really well starting an OU course and a new business - that is a lot to to manage as well as looking after a little one.

I think - like many of us on here - you have very high expectations of yourself and perfectionist tendencies - and we just have to let go of them and do what we can do.

Take care and give yourself a breather x

[Notice how I kept very quiet on the gym/weight gain subject? SC looks shifty and exits stage right ]