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.

OM I really hate to say this, but I was actually at Bath a decade after you (91-95)! But I didn't think our paths would have crossed as you have a son applying for university... It's a lovely city, isn't it - I have very happy memories of my time there.

I know Christ Church as well, as a friend of mine went there. I actually went to an open day there too, but more to accompany my friend than anything. I seem to remember it's one of the most prestigious colleges (probably a good thing I didn't apply!); it was certainly a different world visiting my friend there. She had a great time there, anyway - good luck to your DS!

Struggling this morning, hence on Mumsnet seeking motivation

have prelimary cleaned kit, but now have rabbit in headlights feeling about rest of house (and rest of kitchen which is HORRIBLE - children nearly back - help! Do not want this afternoon to degenerate into shouting and screaming mummy..

So fine tuning...
15 mins of worktops and floors
15 attacking hall
15 putting laundry away
15 clean out of fridge
assess food situation, and what I extra need to get for supper using existing supplies
sort out stationery and craft drawers to save meltdown later - scissors, glue, glitter, paper, card, sewing stuff
gloves and hats need a basket for them as they are already driving me potty

OM you make me feel young, I still feel I am the same as the student which went off in ...wait for it 1983! Just met neighbour with stroppy (messy, grungy etc)teen daughter today, said kind encouraging things to her re: being nice to stroppy daughter...I think I was thinking of your non-hassely approach obviously working out longterm (not that your teens may have ever been stroppy - I just thought you clearly never shouted at them...)

there! feel better now, will concentrate on those things.

have found hairdryer, measuringtape and some hats and scarves I had lost under all Xmas baking stuff
I think it's not going to improve

Thread has been busy here this morning, I see. I want to join in the chat, but have ds2 and MIL downstairs, expecting me to be visible, so had better be quick (I am putting the washing away at the moment ).

Managed to get ds1 to school this morning. School was open, but lessons were shelved in favour of playing in the snow, so he was happy enough. DS2 slept ALL NIGHT, so both he and I are much happier today. He is very lively, but I have kept him at home to 'convalesce'.

Spent this morning tackling the clutter from the dining-room cupboard. Every time I threw something into the binbag, DS2 took it out again, saying, "Ooo, that's very fun!" Have managed to throw quite a lot away though, which makes me feel good.

CBA to do a list today. It's just more of the same.

Quick messages (sorry!) -

Linzer - poor you, with all that work. Thinking of you! I sympathise.

OM - that's fantastic news about your ds ! You are fully entitled to your proud mummy moment! My childminder's daughter is in the last year of her course at Oxford and has enjoyed her time there very much. I really hope the interview goes well. Keep us informed. Gosh, I would be SO proud if either of my children had an interview at Oxford .

Feet - Christmas cake in oven! I'm impressed!

Waves to Bob, Swan, MrsD, Sylvia and Nettie.

PS Thank you all for your kind wishes about my Dad for yesterday. This is such a lovely thread.

Sorry, Deck, didn't mean to miss you out! Hope your ds went to school OK.

veg box has arrived so supper for next five days is:
Mealplanning done
Noodles with veg/beef
veg moussaka with lentils and aubergines
tomato and mushroom pasta bake with crispy bacon
butter squash and chickpea moroccan stew with couscous
sausage and leek and cheese sauce pasta bake /salad
Sat out at school fair supper tortillas with something - to buy...or some chicken from May in the freezer
SUN - lamb from freezer celeriac soup for supper, scrambled eggs & toast

things needing batteries next to battery box - now to find screwdriver??????

jams all in one place done
xmas baking stuff in one place done
baking tins in one place done
saucepan lids together done
craft drawers sorted out, and paintbrushes put together etc done
paper rationalized done
builder re: loo seats and ceiling light - booked
hall recycling binned
kitchen recyling outside
school stationery drawer - not done

xmas cats put together done
sheet music together done
dvds put away done
table cleared in playroom, some books rationalized, apple cores removed done

that's a bit better and will tackle worktops when they come in

Swan - I want to eat at your house this week . Congratulations on a VERY impressive and productive morning's work!

Mine is pathetic in comparison, but I have - at last! - cleared the clutter corner in the dining room (consisting of all the stuff we pulled out of the cupboard to make room for the new tumbledrier last week). Have now organised cupboard so that playdough/paints/make and do stuff are all in separate boxes .

MIL is sitting watching Cbeebies with ds2. She is a very good babysitter now that she is feeling better! Just off to collect ds1 from school.

You are all really so kind...Swan at you thinking I don't shout at my DC!! I personally think it gets easier when DC are teens, but I guess mine are all still on the straight and narrow (just about!!)

Toffee - I can't believe I have a DC who is even having an interview anywhere because I still think of him as being about..ooh..three!!

It's funny because DS1 has kind of self-raised!(I read that phrase earlier and is so applies to him!). He doesn't do panic or motherly input so from here on in is really is down to him! I didn't even get to read his Personal Statement until he asked for my card details so he cold send off his form!!
Not sure DS2 or DD will be as self sufficient...

As far as being the oldest bird on the thread think Sheryl Gascoine over Gillian McKeith please!

Sorry lots of is instead of it!

Today
-Morning routine done
-Wash our bedding done
-Make dinner for today done
-Make risotto for tomorrow done
-Make banana bread
-Dust lounge and dining room done
-Hoover through done
-Hotspots in hall/lounge/kitchen done
-15 minutes declutter in lounge done
-Evening routine
-Clean dd's windows done

I also removed two bags of recycling, two bags for the tip, one bag for the clothing bank from our big cupboard in the hall which I've been avoiding doing ever since I started attempting to fly, it now has two shelves of DIY stuff, one shelf of DS' school work which I've kept and the bottom contains DD's nappies and feeding supplies and a toy box full of her toys, it's still packed but less so and a bit more organised.

Blimey, Bob - that is an amazing day!

well done everyone you seem to have got so much done today

Today i have:
Found broom, shovel and grit for clearing paths and cars.
Been training
taken ds to swimming lessons
dealt with major meltdown
put ds to bed.
reheated tea and attempted 3 times to eat it having now finally succeeded.

i am going to head to be shortly but i think i can hear snoring which needs investigation

*bed not be

Crikey, it is a total whiteout here. Hasn't stopped snowing for 3 hours, and showing no signs of abating. Haven't been able to read whole thread as DH wants computer but here to say that I will be creating the new thread in a mo.

Will be back in full force tomorrow when I am hoping that resuming leadership will mean I resume flying .

Here is your link to the December thread....here

Am very excited about new thread.

Also on my list of exciting things tonight: make ds2's Playmobil advent calendar (yes, I did pay an extortionate price for it, but I ds2 really, really wanted it and we can use it every year ).

Branched out with recipes tonight and gave MIL a turkey meatloaf (I am getting bored cooking the same old stuff for her over and over again). She liked it, but doesn't want to try my next suggestion for something different, which is fish pie . Oh god, I am in a groundhog-day hell of sausage and mash, chicken casserole and shepherd's pie.

Oh gosh, December tomorrow!

Well done to your DS OM, how exciting, I hope he enjoys himself.

See you all on the December thread x.

Thats what i thought. I was just about to post the links for tomo How on earth is it December already

Ooh a new thread, how exciting - have just posted on it. Thanks for taking over the reins ellie - and thanks DEM for being a fabulous leader this month.

I did quite a decent tidy-up this afternoon (downstairs at any rate) so that I could hand the DC (who were ready for bed) over to DH when he got home, but I don't think he appreciated it. He wasn't in the mood for appreciating anything much in fact, and has just announced that he's going to bed. He claims that he's just tired but I suspect he's also sulking because I have to work all evening.

Oh well, enough moaning... just needed to get that off my chest!

Bob Am so impressed with what you managed to achieve today. I wish I could be as productive.

Toffee Unfortunately the DC cannot be persuaded to reuse last year's Playmobil Advent calendars - well, they've got them out but have also insisted on new ones.
I know exactly what you mean about the groundhog day recipe hell, although I am stuck in one of pasta and mini pizzas (I have given up trying to serve anything else to visiting children). I just couldn't be bothered today and opened a jar of tomato sauce to go with the pasta; needless to say, it went down better with DS's friend than a homemade sauce would have done. DD1 said "Never before has another child eaten the sauce!"

Well, spending time on MN isn't going to get my work done... just feeling a bit fed up and needed to get it out of my system before I get back to the pork ribs.

Pork ribs sound better than warm octopus from earlier on Linzer :)

Thank you DEM/DID for excellent leadership this month and thanks to Ellie for taking it on again over Christmas.

Reasonably productive today I think though list will reveal all:

• Morning routine - done
• Make Christmas cake - done and rather good it looks too (not that I'm going to touch it, yucky stuff)
• Transfer money - done
• Ring plumber - no
• WORK - done
• Book Morning coffee in posh 5* hotel for DH and I for Thursday. Haven't had much of a chance to just sit and talk recently due to illness, work, etc so going to take a little time out (and fill up on yummy cakes/pastries ) - don't need to book
• Fill in diary stuff - mainly child-related stuff into DH's diary
• Make pizza dough for dinner - no, pasta sauce from freezer with bacon bits thrown in much easier :)
• 5 min room rescues x a few - sort of
• Mission or two in living room - done
• Hoover living room, hall and stairs - no
• Catch up on thread and actually acknowledge other people - sort of

Have also put stuff in loft and got down advent calendars and Christmas colouring books from last year, done homework with DC, got DD to Brownies (well DH walked her there and friend walked her back), made and played Lego game with DS and now have to fill advent calendars and create space on kitchen shelf for them to live for next month (and do washing up ) before bed

Not bad, hopefully more of the same tomorrow then I will deserve cake-filled luxury of 5* morning coffee on Thursday

Night all

Am very of your morning coffee feetheart. DH and I did manage to get out for a child-free coffee yesterday morning but it was very rushed as he had a flight to catch, and our local baker's isn't exactly 5 star either!

Now do I translate one last recipe (lamb and pork kebabs in a sweet and sour marinade) or call it a night? Decisions, decisions...

Blimey its the end of November !!! where did it go. Thank you ever so much DEM i had a blast and my house had a plaster

om how exciting ds interview. I hope he does brill. I'm a polytechnic girl although they had just got university status as i joined them.
pmpy hope your dd feels better soon.
dolanette hope your ds is felling better too.
feetheart i love your 5star lunch with dh a fab idea. now thats a date night i could handle.

Dh to drop ds off at Montessori [too scared emotion]-done late
tidy house again-done
jo jingles with Dd-done
Opticians with Dd-done
Then home for lunch- had lunch in town
More tidying-done
Painting-done
Bed- here i am!

off to find the new thread a la ellie.

see you in december 25 sleeps to christmas. woop woop

Linzer I love the contrast between the sauce and the dreaded recipes, and I love dd's pronouncement (I think she's on your side there

All but one of my children rejected the noodles although they were of course delicious