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December's Fledgling Flyers: Christmas time, swish and swipe and wine, flyers sing to the fat fairy rhyme.

842 replies

elliepac · 30/11/2010 19:34

Welcome to the December 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 DEM/DID who looked after us last month and did a fantabulous job

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.

OP posts:
DeckTheIceWithDragonsAndHolly · 12/12/2010 14:22

right. i have had a restful day. (only just woken up) and will have to collect ds shortly from his contact weekend. As i am shattered from the meds and have slept all day i am aiming to finish the lounge clearing today. I have a plan, it is a bit like your plan Ellie:

Sunday (today) - finish tidying lounge
Monday - my room; lounge, hall, stair and landing carpet cleaning.
Tuesday - other bit of carpet cleaning, replace furniture on the bit washed monday, ds' christmas present to make, swimming lessons, hairdressers
Wednesday - ds' christmas present to make, replace rest of furniture, christmas tree up and decorated, tidy utility room and dining room.
Thursday - Ds' christmas present to make, dsis's christmas present to make
Friday - PANIC, Dsis' christmas present to finish making, ds' present to finish making. Wrap all up ready for saturday.

Saturday D-Day: christmas with the folks house and christmas presents for this part of family to be ready and done for then.

Weekend before christmas: Mum's bday present to make, great gran's present to finish making, material for commission to get, fun stuff with ds, packing for going away etc.

So i have a week of panicing because it was my bright idea to celebrate christmas with the folks a week early. Damm it i am going to have to learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes. But back in October it did seem like a good achievable idea at the time.

Plan right now. A very very very very large coffee and to get up.

mumtoblaire · 12/12/2010 17:52

Oh I can't believe it's only TWO weeks till Christmas! ARGH

Must get a move on. I only have next Saturday/Sunday to get everything I need bought and sorted. I hate working five days a week wish I could afford to drop a day a week, even a fortnight would be so useful.

Accomplished a lot this weekend.

  1. Got half of Dads, sister and niece Christmas gifts. That means everyone has at least one part so far.

Dad - done
Mum - half
Sis - done
Bil - half
Niece1 - half
Niece2 - half
cousin - done
Cousin -
Friend -

Kids - mostly sorted, still to wrap and get stuff for stockings(DH usually does this).

Dh - mostly got, stocking stuff to be got but he wants pants and socksBlushI keep throwing out the ones with holesGrinthe plan worked.

SUNDAY

Two loads of laundry done and over airer
Both kids bathed and ready for bed
dinner made/dishes done/kitchen clean and tidy - will mop floor before bed
All Christmas cards written, family ones posted, others in bag to take with me tomorrow for hand delivery

Back later to write more.

DeckTheIceWithDragonsAndHolly · 12/12/2010 22:10

Mweh. Nightmare car jounery with a major bump to car which has totalled a wheel rim and means that the car needs to be checked by a mechanic. Thus the week's planned to do list has already been scrapped and reconsidered. Might consider posting a new list for the week tomo but as it stands Monday's list is as follows:

pre school routine
school run
speak to garage about car going in
look about for a new wheel rim (cheap) prob from local breaker's yard
sort out making sure that car is road worthy
tidy lounge
tidy bedroom
Panic
School run
Ds' hair cut
dsis' christmas present - work on some more
Sleep.

swanriver · 12/12/2010 22:43

I think I'll return tomorrow - your lists look too frightening Wink

Ihatecobwebs · 12/12/2010 23:59

Hello all

Have spent this weekend washing, putting things away, doing housework stuff that hasn't been done while I've been away (vacuuming, bathroom etc), filling the "green bin" etc etc. Have put the bins out (council have changed our bin day which has upset my "routine"! - who wants to do bins on a Sunday??

Am about to go to bed now, having spent a pleasant evening quilting, so I'll be ready to start Flying tomorrow. First job is a List I think - how to fit everything into the next fortnight amidst the playgroup end of term stuff, DH Christmas "do", WI Christmas meal, attending a birthday party, and playgroup carol singing.

OK - so tomorrow's starting list
Morning routine
Get bins in
Get out the Christmas folder and update the plans for the next fortnight
Write the lists for the next fortnight

See where I go from there.

Will catch up on the chat on a break tomorrow.

Stillconfounded · 13/12/2010 08:11

Hi everyone

Ellie I guess it's a good sign that thread is quiet!!! Lots of Flying and Christmas prep going on.

I'm not around much during day today but happy to do links/round-up tonight if that helps. Good luck with your deep pre-Christmas cleaning assignment! You too Deck!

Swan (thank you - from lower down thread) it IS a consolation that dd is not the only child acting up atm. She was "on strike" all w/e but seemed happy enough going off to school this morning so grateful for small mercies ....!! Oh and thanks for horse linament - my bog spavins are murder in this cold weather Grin

Linzer I MUST draw up another reward chart because (a) I'm fed up of constantly reminding her "hair" "teeth" "homework" "gym kit" etc etc - so much better if she could just refer to written cues - here's hoping anyway.

Lovely to see you Ihate (I too love a bit of quilting of a winter's evening - nothing more relaxing in between the madness of Christmas social events.)

Oh no Deck sorry about your car. Hope you are OK.

Hi to MumtoBlaire I polish shoes with my dh's old underpants ... he wonders sometimes why I keep them under the sink Grin

Namechange hope your ds feels better soon

Mahoosive waves to everyone else.

Now, dare I post my "definitive" Christmas list yet or not? I don't want to scare myself too much...

Stillconfounded · 13/12/2010 08:13

Forgot to say Toffee enjoy your nit inspection!!!

LinzerChristkindlmarkt · 13/12/2010 08:38

Go for it, SC - you might even inspire me to write my own long-overdue Christmas list! I do have a list of cards to send and have been making good progress with that, but am slightly less organised as far as presents and food are concerned. Btw DD2 was very proud of getting a sticker yesterday for not having had any tantrums all day, so the reward chart has got off to a good start!

Not much in the way of flying to report here; I'm ploughing my way through my morning routine at the moment and feeling thoroughly bored. Blush We were out for most of yesterday at DH's work Christmas party - a cruise along the Danube with a puppet threatre, magician and appearance by Father Christmas for the children - so the house is as disorganised as ever, but I did get a few more cards and letters written in the evening.

Am lacking in energy this morning but must force myself to get on - the cold weather doesn't help (minus temperatures yet again and it's forecast to get even colder; someone told me earlier that it's supposed to hit -17 degrees by the end of the week!). Hope to be back later to report on progress!

elliepac · 13/12/2010 08:44

MOrning all,

Today's babystep is pick a mission and do it.

The mission therefore to help with the babystep is here.

Have a good day everyone. Will be back tonight when I have started my countdown to Christmas....DS's room tonight I think.

OP posts:
DeckTheIceWithDragonsAndHolly · 13/12/2010 09:01

pre school routine done
school run done
speak to garage about car going in
look about for a new wheel rim (cheap) prob from local breaker's yard
sort out making sure that car is road worthy
tidy lounge
tidy bedroom
Panic doing
School run
Ds' hair cut
dsis' christmas present - work on some more
Sleep.

Need coffee, alot of coffee. Straight into the vein might be useful.

Cant

Get

Moving Blush

swanriver · 13/12/2010 09:16

MumtoBlaire your present list a good reminder of what I haven't done yet...

my present list looks like:
dh - not done but he's given list of books he wants
mum - done
dad - not done
sis - not done
dfriend - sudden plan to give her Gosford Park
d godchildren x 8 - done but not quite tweaked who gets what
dcs done - still looking for roller blades for dd though
dcousin - done
DBIL?
DB - Downton
DSIL x 2?
secret santa x 3 for school - done x 1
teachers/tas/scout leaders - wine needs to be bought! x 1 done

Xmas cards - suppose about 10 distant left to do

swanriver · 13/12/2010 09:22

So weekly plan looks like (in run up to party /end of term)
Monday
big internet order of food/wine

finish dts homework Angry which they have announced they haven't done

Cubs/Beavers Nativity Play which I am on stage for Sad and will make dcs thoroughly overtired and badtempered...but still Xmas Smile

finish tidying/emptying playroom for party mode - put batch of toys in shed for now

sort out baking supplies and put in cupboard not box on the floor! Xmas Shock

okay I'm exhausted now - don't want to think about Tuesday...Xmas Blush Oh yes book MOT, and clear out car in prep for...

Stillconfounded · 13/12/2010 10:30

OK Linzer I'll go for it ...

[SC takes deep breath]

Definitive Christmas list & prep for guests:

  • clean oven end November done
make presents throughout the year (1 per month) made measly 2
  • buy rest (plus two birthday presents) Sept, Oct and Nov to spread cost done in Nov/Dec
  • make 1 crib figure per month throughout year laughs hysterically
-Christmas ?pic? of dd to put in cards done by November done -buy blotting paper, wrapping paper, ribbon, sellotape, parcel tape, gold pen, labels and ink cartridges done -wrap and post 8 parcels ? post on 1 December nearly done - only posted at w/e though AND STILL ONE TO POST -office decorations done -wrap 8 presents for office TO DO -wrap dh and dd presents + prep stocking for dd TO DO -wrap little presents for teachers/neighbours TO DO -prepare ?offering? for bin men, street cleaner, post man TO DO -buy stamps on-line done -write 1OO+ cards (some for office)and post on or around 7 December done half -wash clothes and iron for myself, dh and dd for 2 weeks (as if we are going away)will be finished Thurs this wk -order Christmas tree for delivery done
  • sort and prep 2 ?fancy? outfits along with jewellery, scarves, coat , shoes, bag, gloves etc done 1 only
-hair/nails/pedicure/facial etc as if going on hols ? 1 week before Christmas done hair only - forget rest -make Christmas cake November done -make mincemeat November NOPE -make conserves/jellies Oct and Nov made one only -make Christmas pudding on Stir Up Sunday NOPE have bought one on-line -make sure all linen sets washed, ironed and ready for bed-making for guests done BUT NEED TO BUY EXTRA PILLOW CASES -make 2 casseroles and 2 cannelloni-type dishes for freezer in advance of guests arrival TO DO
  • wash and calendre front of house linen 'nets' TO DO
-make 4 soups and freeze done one OTHER TO DO -make bath bombs TO DO -make almond paste TO DO -clean fridges TO DO -deep clean guest rooms TO DO -order turkey done -put up decorations TO DO SAT BEFORE XMAS -make 9 beds/prep rooms TO DO -make mince pies TO DO -on-line Christmas food shop TO DO -on-foot Christmas food shop TO DO -last final clean house TO DO -ice cake TO DO

Gulp

feetheart · 13/12/2010 11:17

SC - OK, now I'm scared!

Need to do similar list but am too frightened at moment - have done morning routine and am now going shopping. Displacement activity.....me.......never Xmas Grin

swanriver · 13/12/2010 11:49

SC I think you've done brilliantly, and if I were you, I'd buy the almond paste Xmas Wink. Make the mincepies when house cleaner, and casseroles too - I think the guest bedroom prey on one's mind so much but don't take that much time to actually do, compared with other problems Hmm

I've managed to get dd off to school (she was malingering) but kept ds2 (unfortunately he is also malingering I think) at home so that he is in good form for this eve and we don't have mega tantrum from sniffly overtiredness. Homework done
SecretSanta x 2 done

now ds2 is going to help me with internet food shop - he wants me to buy turk(ies), chicken(s) roast beef, Xmas Smile

DeckTheIceWithDragonsAndHolly · 13/12/2010 12:26

pre school routine done
school run done
speak to garage about car going in done
look about for a new wheel rim (cheap) prob from local breaker's yard
sort out making sure that car is road worthy being done by lovley mechanic
tidy lounge
tidy bedroom in progress Confused although only seem to be moving stuff about atm Blush
Panic DOING LOTS OF THIS
School run
Ds' hair cut - hair dressers is shut on mondays Blush
dsis' christmas present - work on some more
Sleep.

Stillconfounded · 13/12/2010 12:40

I'll join you in the displacement activity Feetheart as I'm off out now until 9pm (dh doing school run and supper/homework/bed routine which I don't feel guilty about because he is travelling rest of wk).

Thanks Swan you've cheered me up!! Thanks for much needed tips. WILL buy almond paste [what was I thinking?] and you're right about guest bedrooms. They need to be very spick and span because only have one day turn around between one set of guests arriving and the others departing (oh the joys of expat life). Go overboard on linen and soaps and what not to try and distract from holes in walls!! Also worried [pls don't think me completely barking!] because we have a "presence" on guest floor who comes and goes and he is around at the moment [grin!!] Should make for an interesting Christmas anyway [and I don't actually believe in ghosts!!]

Forgot to add to list "buy dd's main present" but know where and what it is and only have to pick up during this afternoon at some point.

See you later! Hope everyone has a good wk.

LinzerChristkindlmarkt · 13/12/2010 12:43

That is one scary impressive list, SC! It makes me realise how much I've been burying my head in the sand about Christmas, hoping that everything will take care of itself, which it won't of course. Must make a list asap - will add it to my list!

Post Christmas cards written so far done
Morning routine done
DDs to piano lesson done
Afternoon routine
Hang up washing
Ironing
Write more Christmas cards
Make Christmas list
Sort out travel insurance
Finish book for book club on Wed

optimistletoemumma · 13/12/2010 12:43

SC - that is a seriously scary list. Now you need to stop making things and buy them instead as that will cut your list in half!Grin

I am plodding away here as I still feel grotty - have put myself back to bed for an hour but I have:
swished and swiped
cleaned sinks in kitchen
bought a new xmas tree pot

Now I need to:
finish writing xmas cards
sort out DS2 birthday - it's on WedsShock
look at present list and finish buying
start wrapping
conquer mount ironmore

I am putting blinkers on until I have done that lot!!

Ellie - can I make a suggestion? You clean your 7 rooms in order of least used to most used on Xmas Day! That way your most used room is the cleanest on the day iyswim!

Waves to swan and deck- sorry about the car!Hi to linzer and feetheart

Stillconfounded · 13/12/2010 12:44

Deck lovely mechanic sounds useful guy to know Wink

DeckTheIceWithDragonsAndHolly · 13/12/2010 13:06

I have completely lost it. I have just decided to move the furniture in my bedroom. its going to be a bit more of a serious tdying up job then first thought.

swanriver · 13/12/2010 13:27

Done
big internet shop for party/christms type stockpiling Xmas Grin with minutes to spare before I lost my slot on Thursday! No christmas slots left at all, but that's alright, no so many people for 25th, just the 18th...

dcs have made some nice silver decs (highly flammable)
right going to tackle playroom now
and do some simple routines (ha!) can't go out due to presence of ds2...

ToffeeChristmascake · 13/12/2010 15:02

I need a panic emoticon. Haven't dared make a proper pre-Christmas list yet. Whilst I am out doing things (was being a 1940s district nurse at school this morning), the mess in the house seems to be spreading - it's like a mould that seeds itself and keeps on growing. I feel as if the only way I can keep on top of it is to get everyone out of the house for the day, but that is clearly not going to happen, so I shall just have to muddle on.

Have decided that I will not tidy up the dining-room table (which DS2 is using for his make and do) until we need it for Christmas lunch - that means I'll only have to tidy it up once, instead of several times Xmas Smile.

Have just had time to do lunch, throw DS2's wet bedclothes in the washing machine (a naked cherub climbed into bed with us in the early hours - I guessed correctly that that meant he'd wet the bed again!) and hoover the sitting room. There's a stack of stuff at the bottom of the stairs that needs to be redistributed. The television control has vanished completely Xmas Angry - why can't my family just put it back in the basket I bought for the telly controls?

Am also panicking because I haven't done my Xmas online shop and realise that I have probably missed all the slots now.

Time for school pick up.

LinzerChristkindlmarkt · 13/12/2010 15:40

Just back from piano lesson and kindergarten pick-up, picking up two of DS's friends and taking DD2 to a friend's house - I think I might open a taxi company. Now have about an hour to get on with my list before I need to set out again.

Afternoon routine doing
Hang up washing
Ironing done
Write more Christmas cards two more done
Make Christmas list
Sort out travel insurance
Finish book for book club on Wed 50 pages to go

Toffee Don't panic! I know that making a list seems scary but once you know exactly what you have to do (and possibly when), you can make a start on it - and I find that as soon as I can start crossing things off my list, I feel like I have things more under control (even if I still have a lot to do).

swan Good luck with the playroom. I'm taking the shutting-the-door-and-forgetting-about-approach at the moment, which is easier in the short term but not a recipe for long term success.

OM Hope you're feeling better soon; it's definitely a good idea to rest while you can.

DS has just come back up from the cellar wearing a pirate hat and fairy wings, and carrying ski sticks and an empty bottle of beer. Xmas Grin He's disappeared again now, so I'd better go and check what they're up to as there are rather worrying noises coming from the cellar.

swanriver · 13/12/2010 17:06

The playroom is quite tidy!
Linzer ds sounds adorable!
Toffee your ds too! keep calm and carry on! It's the Forties after all Wink I've had to leave dd to do her homework as she was in a total windup mood and I was verge of throwing her homework in the bin and writing an angry letter to her teacher Sad Ds2 and I are sitting on sofa idly listening to music and it's making me feel a bit better. I'm waiting for the next sqwawk from someone/somewhere..suppose I should press on with supper.. then the dreaded outing...
And then irritable husband will return home...Xmas Confused

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