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

[elliepac]

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.

Just back from school run and am slowly starting to defrost now - it is cold here today (-9° at the moment). DH's car wouldn't start so I had to drive him to the station, then took the DC straight to school as we would have been at the meeting point too late for them to walk, then spent a good 15 minutes scraping the ice off DH's car and manoeuvring it into the garage (which we share with four neighbours and there is really no room to manoeuvre, but I got there in the end).

Anyway, finally have time to make a start on today's list:

Bank done
Post Christmas cards done
Find photo of DC with Father Christmas done too late to send with cards
Morning routine
Make cake (brownies?) for friend's visit this pm
Menu planning
Make shopping list
Find, write and send birthday card
Find vegetarian Christmas dinner recipe (DH thinks I should have veggie sausages - I'll probably end up doing so at this rate)

That will do for this morning, I think.

MOrning all,

Again, sorry for lack of round-up but family crisis is continuing. It is nothing to do with DH and DC's, my DN (sister's) is in hospital due to self-harming etc and it has come to light that she is one very mixed up young lady. She is fine but there is a lot of upset and worry for us all.

Flying has gone by the wayside a little tbh. Have managed to keep downstairs presentable and have managed to complete CHristmas shopping bar one DN and DH. So all done apart from those two and the food shop which will be done sometime next week.

Will promise to be back in full force tomorrow when things have hopefully settled down a little.

YOur babystep for today is BEDTIME!. This is one many of us struggle with (not me, I hasten to add, I need to make myself stay up later ).

The mission for today is here.

Have a good day everyone!

Toffee I would have been angry..sometimes they don't have an "off" button. I think teenagers don't have a bedtime...only two more years of "putting" ds1 to bed I fear...
You've done an amazing amount and had a nice family outing too!

Ellie a cousin once confessed she had done this (ths was 20 years ago) she is fine now, what I didn't realise was that it is so addictive as a means of releasing stress - it seems abhorrent when you are not in that frame of mind...anyway I hope your niece can find an outlet, poor girl. I think my aunt should have realised it was a family problem not just her daughter's problem. Tension can build up in families in such an alarming way

Thismorning
go and buy glasses (still)
extra milk
papercups
present for singing teacher - I think olive oil/vinegar/jam parcel will be nice
retidy playroom RUTHLESSLY
hoover bedroom (still)
put out holiday coats so I can put school coats away and reduce stuff on pegs
ROUTINE (dw table etc, beds)

oh and everything really (cheerful feelings of being organised have now evaporated...)

Ellie - I'm so sorry to hear about your family's worries. Hopefully now it is all out in the open, your neice will get the help she needs.

Linzer - sounds like you had a tough and cold morning! And it was only 7.51 when you arrived home, you poor thing. Hope you have warmed up now. Enjoy those chocolate brownies.

Swan - thank you for saying you would have been angry too. DS1 was furious at me for being cross with him and claimed I was shouting at him. I know I wasn't because MIL is here and I'm too conscious of her listening to everything (quite a good thing in some ways, I think )! Anyway, I crept up and gave him a cuddle before he went to sleep, so we didn't end on a bad note.

Was woken up at 4 by lots of scuffling in DC's bedroom (could hear it on the monitor, which I still use in case they call for me). Went up and they were both motionless and fast asleep. Thought of SC's ghost . Went downstairs to have a snack, as by then my body thought it was breakfast time, and was later joined by DS1, who said he'd earlier been disturbed by DS2 climbing out of his bed and walking around before getting back into bed again. Argh! Is he sleep-walking? At least I know that it wasn't a ghost though.

We overslept this morning as DH had forgotten to reset the alarm after a nap yesterday evening. However, DS1 was in such a state of exhaustion and stress that I said he could stay at home today. He is just at the end of his teather with work and friendship issues at school, poor boy.

My list so far today looks like this:

Put recycling out done
Make sure DS1 takes party food to school not necessary - now we can eat it all
Remember presents and cards for teachers done
Am routine
Buy Xmas tree
Write and post Xmas cards
Finish wrapping presents
Hang Xmas cards up
Order turkey
Window cleaner???
Cancel direct debit
Visit friend to look after her baby smile
School run
Take Ds2 to playdate
Dinner
Put washing away
Crisis clean today or Sat (Mum here Sat PM)
Decorate tree with DC
Bedtime routine
Wine, Peep Show, bed.

Haven't done much because I interrupted my list to go into town and get my DS2's Christmas card (a nativity scene) colour photocopied to send out as a card to family. Warning: boasting mum moment coming up, but I can't contain myself ....It is just BEAUTIFUL! I can't believe he did it himself. Three women in the photocopying shop - one of them an artist - commented on it and couldn't believe he was only five. "He will be an artist", one said. I tried to be modest about it, but didn't do very well and couldn't stop beaming. Ooooh, am such a proud mummy!

As a result, I haven't made much of an inroad into today's list. Now I have to turf DS1 out of his bedroom so that I can finish wrapping (the Christmas cupboard is in his room).

done
been to shops again
bought some glasses, and indian snacks!
bought some more top up "goody" presents
found Downton for Brother, and then they didn't have the inside after I'd paid for it so will have to go back to get refund - was in too much of hurry to hang around Morrisons..

back to shops again now...it's nice to get out really..then afternoon hibernating with square eyed kids no doubt..

toffee I know exactly what you mean about ds1 - half time they are needy (and deserving of our sympathetic attention), and half time they are just plain demanding and need boundaries..difficult to know which way round to play it sometimes. Ds1 is good at doing chores, and lovely at chatting but sometimes just needs to leave us in peace and stop getting everything he demands.. Glad you are keeping ds at home and consolidating advantage.

dd's Christmas card was lovely...but nothing to do with Christmas ifysim as it was all Moomins...well done ds2 the artist

in danger of not getting anything done..feeling v v tired, stomach ache, and tense at thought of tomorrow's party...

so a little list
clean basin upstairs
hoover bedroom
unload dw

bb in 30 mins, cup of tea afterwards!

uh oh distracted again, think painkillers kicking in now, feel a bit better, going upstairs NOW.

MrsD - you are scarey. i was just wondering how the bicarb worked when i clicked through the thread.

I saw the doc earlier and got a lecture for not taking it easy and some antibiotics. In theory everything is on hold. In practice i am a mum and there is a mountain of washing that needs doing, plus furniture to go back. Half the furniture has gone back this afternoon. Although i didnt move most of it. Am resting now. And will get an early night. It will be a case of delegation amap. Its very very frustrating.

Wishing you all lovely weekends hope to be feeling better by monday. See you then

**

Once a scientist always a scientist! DEM I had a spell in my 20s when I was always getting it and was desperate, someone told me the bicarb was brilliant and why, I just had to see for myself. Hope you are feeling better. And you Swan.

I'm off out tonight with some of the mums from school which should be a gossipfestgood laugh.

Have made a stringent effort to limit screen time for DS today (still not too well, he has got aches and pains as well as his cold). We played board games and he helped make some mince pies.

DD arrived home from school with a mountain of arts and crafts she had made all term which are strewn all over the lounge . Never mind.

enjoy your evening MrsD but you are right once a scientist always a scientist.

Swan - thank you for your sympathy. Am very chuffed because I spoke to some TAs who deal with 'emotional literacy' (one of whom looked after DS1 when he suffered school phobia) and they are going to do some work with him and the boys in his class next term to help with friendship issues. Hope this will help him. Spoke to him about it today and he seemed quite reassured.

Madly busy day. Rushed off at 1.30 to meet friend and hold her adorable baby. Then up to school to collect ds2. Then dropped ds2 off for a playdate and bought Xmas tree. Then, just as I was digging up earth in the garden for a pot to put tree in, next door neighbour knocked and asked MIL if I could come round. I knew this would mean lovely long chat and bottle of wine, which it did .

DH arrived home to a distraught MIL who said she didn't know how long I was going to be out or who was going to pick up DS2. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Lovely DH calmed her down, assured her that i would be picking DS2 up (which I did) and cooked her dinner.

I need a break................

Re: list. I bought the tree. Will decorate it tomorrow. Will scrap everything else on the list except for wine and tonight's TV.

swan hope you are feeling better. What is tomorrow's party?

DEM hope you feel better soon.

Ds has been helping me prepare food for party by chopping mushrooms for fishpie and washng up - still determined to stay up late though

Party (ours! Toffee about 40 people or more - who knows?)preps a bit further advanced.
Have piled a lot of crap under playroom table and will drape tablecloth artistically over to hide
Fish pie ingredients cooked
Moroccan casserole cooked

sorted coats out
ironed clothes away
bathrooms cleane d er

also cooked supper for dh, fried potatoes for children earlier,

still need to wash up a bit, sweep floor, wipe surfaces, put a wash in and HOOVER

will start again tomorrow, early nght now.

Toffee poor you!!!! It must make you feel young and flighty again

Dem you can only wear a few clothes at a time! Utis really are a menace you need to rest or you might get a worse kidney infection.

MrsD well done on mince pies and night out. I desperately want to make mince pies with dd tomorrow, I hope hope she will share my enthusiasm and not do the surly bored look.

Am with DS2, who seems to have come down with a cold and needed Calpol, a fan and cuddles. He just said to me, "Mum, you are beautiful all the time", , followed by, "I love you as much as my yellow toy car."

No chance of sleep for the moment.

Swan - yes, it did make me feel young again, ie. without responsibilities. I think MIL was a bit at me absconding like that (dunno if she knew I'd been drinking too - she wouldn't approve of that at all), but DH was such a star and just took over. I haven't seen her since because I fell asleep with DS2 when I was putting him to bed.

Good luck with your party today!

Today's list:

Decorate Xmas tree
Decorate wreath and hang on front door
Reheat chicken casserole for lunch
Make sausage casserole in slow cooker
Crisis clean (especially dining room)
Put laundry away (this has been on my list since Tuesday )
Xmas card for Mum
Write more Xmas cards if time (doubtful)
Mum here

DS2 is still pondering his conundrum and said, "Mum, it's hard to know which I love more - you or my little yellow car."

Morning everyone,

Sorry for being such a rubbish leader this week but I will try to catch up with everything during the day today

Your babystep for today is a reading one. Nice and easy for a weekend.

Back later for a proper catchup. Sorry once again.

Good morning

Ellie sorry to hear dn is in hosp. Glad it out in the open, it can be so difficult to understand but at least if family know they can work on issues surrounding. I hope she gets help she needs professionally. You brill leader take care of you.
dem I love prescriptions for bed rest so very practical. Just get the servants to do all the washing etc and surely the full time nanny will look after ds every need
linzer candles and was it swan who has a bucket of water by tree "imagines soggy presents and Dd taking a bath innthe living room with her babies"
toffee good on you having some fun with friend.
mrsd loving the science. Does anyone have a thrush cure thinking about it. On an off for a year (tmi)

Right today's list

Not go collecting money for charity in high street. (so glad)
Get dh to take ds for haircut
Try and clean other sofa and chair.
Find a fancy dress outfit for party tonight!!
Tidy up house
Buy heater for conservatory so we can eat out breakfast in there!
That's about it! Still sitting on sofa in jimmyjams

Have lovely days stay warm

Ellie you are doing well. its tough when rl takes over. dont worry.

Nettie: thrush i was advised to cut out all sugary foods and to reduce carbs for a while. tbh i was surprised to get this infection as i always end up with thrush when i am run down.

i am bored and just realised that i left ds' snow suit in the car. which is now burried in snow, probably with the door frozen shut.

Morning all,

Snow falling heavily here, 3 or 4 inches so far. PIL were supposed to be arriving for the weekend (were staying with other relatives last night en route) and we haven't heard anything from them or been able to get in touch, which is a bit worrying. Also supposed to be going 15 miles cross country for a party tonight which will probably be cancelled anyway.

Had a good night out last night with friends, large amounts of wine were drunk but I did remember to drink lots of water before bedtime so feeling OK this morning. DCs didn't wake up till abou 8.45 .

Toffee - I feel your GRRRR, but good on you!

Nettie -you made me smile with image of DD bathing in Christmas tree bucket, that is exactly the sort of thing my DD would do.

Ellie - don't worry about us, concentrate on family.

Swan - hope the party goes well. I was AMAZED that DS got stuck into the baking yetserday, he used to love it but the last year or two has not been at all interested.

Stop press, PIL have been tracked down, they are at the other relatives house. DH is talking through the travel options with them now.

Deep snow here. Mum has had to cancel her trip here to see us . I was really looking forward to her company, but it would have been crazy for her to attempt the journey.

DS2 ended up sleeping in our bed after my post in the early hours. We did actually sleep quite well in the end and didn't wake up till 8.30. He's still poorly, so am about to brave the snow to get him some more Calpol. List today now looks like this:

Decorate Xmas tree
Decorate wreath and hang on door
Reheat chicken casserole for lunch delegated to DH
Make sausage casserole in slow cooker done
Put laundry away
Write Xmas cards
Tidy bedroom

MrsD - hope your PIL can make it and that your party goes ahead, although it sounds as if your snow is as deep as ours. Frustrating, isn't it? I know lots of people who were going away today, several booked into nice hotels as a treat .

Did - oops about the snow suit. Hope you are on the mend.

Nettie - re: thrush - what did said, plus Canestan pack from chemist (you can get cheaper, unbranded ones). You can get packs with pills too, which I took once. Cured the thrush, but upset my stomach whilst I was taking them. Eat lots of live yogurt to replace the good bacteria. And bathing in a salt bath eases the itching! . Hope you get rid of it soon - it's so uncomfortable!

Hope snow doesn't prevent your fancy-dress party tonight. What's yr outfit?

Ellie - you have enough on yr plate, please don't worry about this thread too.

Just checking in from my ILs, where we're spending the weekend. Quite a lot of snow here too, so the roads were very slippery for the first part of our journey but at least the motorway was clear. PIL took the girls out sledging earlier this afternoon while DH and I went food shopping and took DS for a long-overdue visit to the hairdresser's, but everyone is back inside now watching a Disney film (apart from me; I have an irrational aversion to Disney).

ellie Please don't apologise; you have more important things to worry about than this thread atm.

Nettie Enjoy the party and let us know what you decide to go as!

DEM Hope you managed to retrieve DS's snow suit.

MrsD I hope your PIL arrived OK if they decided to make the journey. Well done on the water - I never remember!

Toffee Sorry to hear your mum had to cancel her visit; I know how much you were looking forward to it. Hope your DS is better soon.

Have just remembered I brought the last few Christmas cards to write (the ones to be written in German, which I wanted to leave until DH was around), so will go and do something productive now! Hope everyone's having a good weekend and that the snow isn't causing most of you too much disruption.

Today's list:
Decorate Xmas tree done
Decorate wreath and hang on door done
Reheat chicken casserole for lunch done by DH
Make sausage casserole in slow cooker done
Put laundry away do next
Write Xmas cards do this evening
Tidy bedroom done by DH

Linzer- yes, I am disappointed that mum can't get here, but she is hoping to come down the week after Xmas, so that is not too long to wait. Hope you have a nice time with your ILs.

DS2 still poorly. Had a temperature of 102 at bedtime. Have been sitting by his bed whilst he tries to sleep. Think he might be asleep now....

Sorry to hear your DS is still ill, Toffee - I hope he (and you) still manage to get a restful night.

Not sure how well I will sleep tonight as I'll be on the sofa! DS has been coughing all day and has had an awful coughing/wheezing fit this evening. He's in our bed with DH, so there's no room for me - on top of which, DH has opened the window to help with the coughing and it's -7° outside atm so I'm not sure how well I'd be able to sleep in there anyway (I can't sleep when I'm cold). MIL has just helped me make up a bed on the sofa, which is so narrow that I'll risk falling out of bed if I try to turn over, but I'll probably still sleep better than DH.

I'd planned to write a few more cards this evening, but as most of the evening has been taken up with DS, have failed to do so. Also have a headache (but can't take anything as I get rebound headaches). At least DS is finally quiet now...