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.

"Helllooo" to everyone on the 1st of the month. Hope you are all OK.

A mahoosive thank you to DID for twirling us so gracefully through November! (It's those camel spins that made all the difference !)

And thanks to Ellie for new thread and volunteering to nurture us through the tricky month of December. [Pls note: much alcohol and wry humour will be required to guide us through Christmas prep, present prep, house prep, food prep, a million visitors, the in-laws and fraught travel arrangements!! Not much pressure there than ))

Totally Flytastic title btw!!

BORING ADMIN BIT:
Um, I'm sorry I didn't mention this earlier (with regard to running thread in New Year) but, is now a good time to say that we may be away for start of Jan? As dd is only breaking up from school on Christmas eve, she doesn't start back until Jan 10th and we may try and fit in a quick trip once our visitors have left. Not certain yet though. To discuss further ....And I'm very happy to run thread once I'm back or fit in any which way ...or happy to do entire Feb thread instead ... whichever simpler with highlighter system etc.

A warm welcome to PlentyofParsnips, Insanemumma and Daimbardiva.

Yep, Daimbardiva (and other newcomers if you are interested) have a look around Flying website but don't whatever you do sign up for the full indoctrination package e-mails. You will be inundated. Also, ignore the rather cutesy language and irritating acronyms. The underlying system is sound. The main principle is concentrating your housework in to short, sharp, focused bursts of activity and routines that will become second nature, leaving you to have more time to do what you really want (well that's the theory anyway!)

We are following a three-pronged approach. 1. Just follow the daily baby-steps to start with (which run with the month and then start again). 2. Then, declutter (you can't clean clutter). 3. Then once you have cleared out all you can, you can then start the missions. All you can do a combination of two or three. Just adapt the system to suit yourself. No perfectionism allowed! If you miss a day or two, don't try and catch up, just jump in where we are at. It will all come around again. And don't worry - we all have our good and bad days - it's just good to come on here and "share the pain" a bit!!

Optimistic I think I forgot to thank you for your extremely sound advice re: dc and extra-curricular activities way back on other thread. It's v. reassuring to hear wise words from someone who has been there, done it and emerged at the other end sane and unscathed!! Taking on board your advice and the advice from everyone else on here, we are definitely going to cut down!!

Yay! Welcome back to PA and Madwoman

PA that is fantastic news about the results of your op!! Yippeee!!! Am so happy for you!!! What a relief although huge ordeal to have had to go through nonetheless. Take lots and lots of time to get yourself back to normal ....can you have an "easy" Christmas this year?

Sorry to have been awol of late - combination of lots of 'paid' work + migraine + screen avoidance. Things slightly more organised in the SC household though. Got through the "arrgh, can't cope, have too much to do" phase and actually settled down to doing some of it!

Feeling chuffed today because in addition to 'work' work I have: hoovered downstairs, tidied and deep cleaned third floor, shined my sink and kitchen, done 2 loads of washing, 2 paniers of ironing, swished and swiped bathroom, tidied up landings and hall and am about to embark on a bit more tidying up of master bedroom before bed. We've had an early supper (amazing how much more I can get done when dh is travelling) and I'm all set to do more tomorrow!

Huge waves to Ellie, DID Optimistic Pushme Feetheart Mini-M PurpleWed MissBennett (hope you are ok?), Linzer, Bob MrsDinkyandlittlestDinkies Nettie Darts Namechange IhateCobwebs Toffee Dolanette and all newcomers and anyone else I've inevitably forgotten!

We can do it fledglings!! [exit SC cackling wildly and swigging brandy that's reserved for prune and armagnac preserve ...]

[Belatedly catching up with other thread ....]

Optimistic good luck to your ds with his Oxford interview!

And waves to SylviaP who I missed out earlier ....

Get timer using kitchen clock
Dishes mostly done some need a steep
Laundry in done
Dust and polish living room
Declutter corner of living room

Extra tasks
Bag up rubbish done
Wipe over all surfaces inc hob done
Decluttered Living room main area done

Feeling rather pleased with what I have done today....cos usually snow makes me inert!

hoover downstairs done
hoover upstairs done
Cleaned bathrooms done
Dusted downstairs done
Collected prescription for DS2 done
Managed to get DD to do some work done
Got down Xmas decs done
Washing x 1 load done

I have also tarted up my Christmas Chutney with Noel ribbon - how poncey is that!!!!!

Thanks SC for the good wishes re DS1. I just hope he can get there! At the moment he's insisting on driving himself and parking at someone's house. As you can imagine I'm not that keen as he only passed his test in July, but I guess we'll wait til Saturday to decide. DH won't be much help as he's off to USA on Sunday...

BIG wave to all on the thread and welcome to
daim

I went MIA in November due to a poorly BabyScout then an over two-week vacation back to my parents' house (in the States) -- can I rejoin for December?

shovel paths/ steps
clear b'fast stuff - done
dw - done
wm - done (one load... there are more...)
shine sink
5 minute room rescue a la mission (living room) - done but can't tell
check budget a la christmas mission
school council minutes
track down the lady who might have found dd2's glasses
call paed for appt for ds1 - done

dd1 ballet bag - done
dd2 brownie bag - done

and remembered a couple more:

call vet for appt (thin dog's jabs)
pack box of linens to take to other house (how posh are we? )

pa - i didn't realise it was still going, last thing i read was that they thought it was an infection or similar! goodness, what a long struggle for you - hopefully you can relax a little now and get someone else to organise the festivities whilst you regroup xx

oh, and:

nice cup of tea and a piece of lemon drizzle done

Of course you can scott. Jump on board!

bathroom - bath and sink ds has done toilet and shower are soaking in cleaner - must wash out tonight
landing done but needs hoovering
hall done but need hoovering
Move bag of shoes done
panic x6 done x5
Laundry - finish washing 4th load on, finish folding up to date, finish ironing, all away
get ds to finish writing his christmas cards, start making decorations just about to start, finish tidying his bedroom progress has been made.
Panic some more
Taming kitchen and kitchen sink delogated and almost done except floor
15mins in bedroom done
Dining room done
back half lounge done
move furniture from front end of lounge into dining room done
lay plastic sheet on back end of lounge carper done
Put rug on top ready for washing later done
get christmas decorations out of the loft done
run errands in the village done
ds in garden for half hour done
ds warmed up in bath done
Change calanders to December done all can find but expect i will have missed one somewhere

Clear lounge window sill and clear
move chair in lounge
tidy up the furniture in lounge

Sorry its another flying visit as must get tons done today as have already passed burnout threshold and might as well finish doing stuff tonight as wont get much done tomo anyway. will be back later hopefully
pu away the stuff in the boxes to be relocated from lounge
find advent calander patches

hmm computer is playing up but glad that it has only posted too early and move stuff about rather then losing it all. Hope you all have a lovely evening and had managed to some something - no matter how small- today.

Have just read through the thread - my goodness, it's busy on here. Welcome to Madwoman, InsaneMumma, Plenty of Parsnips, Daim and Scout.

I am so impressed on what a productive day you are all having. Have to admit that I went AWOL today. Took DC to school in spite of the snow. Had a friend over this morning and spent two and a half hours' catching up on news with her. Then, after lunch, went off to hairdressers to have my hair highlighted. Then went Xmas shopping. DH at home, so left him in charge all day .

I did manage to cook dinner for everyone when I arrived home .

Deck - thank you so much for all your hard work last month - you were a wonderful leader. Looks like you have had an amazingly productive day today, inspite of having your boy at home with you.

PA - I'm so happy to hear the tumour was benign. Make sure you take all the time you need to recover from the surgery and the shock of it all. It will be an especially happy Xmas for you this year, I think .

Namechange - so sorry you felt so overwhelmed this morning. I know exactly how you feel and 'crisis cleaning' really helps. Looks as if you had a very productive day in the end. Thank you so much for the Santa link, by the way. I did it for DS2 (5) and he was enchanted. We loved watching his face as Santa spoke to him.

Highlighter - so sorry about your boiler . Really hope it gets mended asap. Hope you have blankets, hot-water bottles and hot toddies at the ready for tonight.

Swan - glad gas leak was a false alarm. Always better to get these things checked out. I once had everyone running around in a panic because I suspected a gas leak - it turned out to be the smell of new paint .

Linzer - hope you are getting through that work OK.

Plenty of Parsnips - "it all falls apart if there's anything non-routine happening" - exactly! I couldn't agree more. That sounds just like my own experience. Sometimes even the basic routines we have set up for ourselves can't be followed. But the good thing about this thread is that we all expect/allow this to happen and encourage each other to keep going.

Bathtime and bedtime for the boys now, so had better go. Will try to resume normal service tomorrow .

nice hair, toffee

shovel paths/ steps - done
clear b'fast stuff - done
dw - done
wm - done (third load in)
shine sink
5 minute room rescue a la mission (living room) - done but can't tell
check budget a la christmas mission
school council minutes
track down the lady who might have found dd2's glasses
call paed for appt for ds1 - done
dd1 ballet bag - done
dd2 brownie bag - done
call vet for appt (thin dog's jabs) - done
pack box of linens to take to other house
walk dogs - done

stopping for lunch
have a lovely evening!

(have worked out that DEM is deck, and am loving 'stillconfounded' sc!)

Right, quick post from me. School Fair went fine, DH came home early from work and picked up the DCs from their classes to bring them to the fair so I could help (they don't like it very much and never want to stay long). He went home with them, I came home at about 5.30 to find DS in the bath and DH looking very hot and bothered. DS had got diarrhoea, apparently he had had a bit of an accident at about 3, hadn't told teacher, just went with DH to the fair and then home, went upstairs changed his clothes, "cleaned" himself up, and then it happened again at which point DH realised and sorted him out, but by then there was poo all over the place. Poor DS, he was trying hard to be grownup and sort himself out.

So, no school for him tomorrow, or probably Friday either, and just hope none of the rest of us catch it. I have been spraying Dettol liberally all over the place.

Need to get off and finish evening routines, waves at everyone, night night.

Right I am telling you now...63 posts IN ONE DAY...are you trying to send me to the nuthouse ladies although to be fair am half way there already what with children cooped up, DH cooped up and me trying to keep the peace. Is it wrong to consider walking DD to the CM's tomorrow to get a bit of peace considering I have already paid for the day?

Am now going to attempt a round-up of a fashion. If I miss you out I do apologise but you need to stop posting so much .
I am also looking at last post of the day only, so if you did something stupendous earlier, I once again apologise and offer you my congratulations and the congratulations of the thread by way of a .

mrsd had a fair, a poorly yet very grown-up DS, some poo and some Dettol. WHat more does a lady need?

madwoman crept in in a cunning disguise but we sussed her cos we is clever. Welcome back nick. Stupendous first day back. Prairie oysters anyone

toffeefudge went AWOL and swished her hair in what I thought was a very seductive manner . I do like fudge cake you know..it's my favourite .

did decided to have a nice relaxing first day off being in charge........not. Ridiculously successful day for her...in fact I do believe the gold star may go to her. She will have to wait and see though and contain her excitement, still a few posts to read through yet....

scout rejoined our merry band. We hope babyscout is ok. Lovely to have you back .

om has a super clever DS (forgot to say congrats yesterday) and tarted up some chutney with some ribbon. I wish all it took to tart me up was some ribbon

sc popped by and posted a typical short snappy post . Although also typically gave out some very sage advice. Newbies be aware sc is the font of all knowledge of fat fairyness and as such must be obeyed. She scares me a little . Am fine to carry on through January if needed btw.

daimbardiva joined but wasn't entirely sure what she was joining. (don't worry, I do that all the time, gets me in trouble ) Somebody enlightened her and she decided to join our merry little band....welcome

plentyofparsnips joined us (great name, one can never have too many parsnips on a SUnday lunch). Welcome, fantastic first day!

linzer is snowed under...both literally and metaphorically. Keep on going....you can do it .

sr paid homage to the miracle that is lunch making in the pa household. We should all do that every now and then. & pack-ups a day....I digress. SHe had a gas leak but she did not have a gas leak, she wanted to be cosy but she couldn't get cosy but she wanted to get going today and she got going today...success!

namechange has had a tough time but she garnered some much needed support from you lovely ladies . She managed to get a lot done however and I hereby award her the gold star of the day (sorry did )

feetheart requested irritating songs from nettie...did you have to .

highlighter is cold, super cold and we must all send her warm vibes.

pa gave us all some FANTASTIC news .

nettie gave us irritating songs . SHe is clearly more exctied that my childen are about Christmas. Can you imagine her poor DH with her and the DC's to calm down on Christmas Eve

insanemumma joined the madness...welcome .

elliepac ran out of steam whilst typing his round-up, tried to dig her car out and gave up and decided that she does like snow after all because the 2 ft of it we have here means no work again tomorrow .

Over and out. Wine and mince pies shall be liberally spread around the thread to celebrate the beginning of he festive month. I shall be back later to post links....

Thanks for the wine ellie. You should 100% definitely take your DD to the CM tomorrow without a second thought. You don't want to break her routine now do you??. A piece of virtual ribbon is coming your way....xx

Hello all

Can't believe it is December!!

DH is still away on work trip. But I feel I've actually doing more housework since he's gone!!
I think it must be the higher probability of visitors!!

Today
Tidied my bedroom and ensuite (as MIL needed to use our shower as her water gone due to bad weather)
Tidied playroom
Loaded DW
Put away some Laundry.
Fed cat, fish and DCs!
Night-time routine - tidy up and clean up day's mess!!

MrsDingDong Hope your DS is better soon.
PA So glad you got good news

Did someone mention wine?

Fabulous round-up ellie. I can't keep up with the thread at the moment (with all the posts and with all the flying that everyone seems to be doing); everyone seems to have been very productive today! You should definitely take your DD to the childminder tomorrow btw.

MrsD Hope your DS is better tomorrow and that no one else catches it (I get a bit manic about handwashing when any of the DC has a bug).

madwoman Thought it was you. (I think my attempt to do a "*, is that you?" thing failed - what was the name of that MNer who tried to name change but failed? Three letters, I think.)

Toffee I want hair I can swish. I keep getting it cut shorter and shorter though, which makes it less and less swishable.

Deck Wow, you've done tons today - well done you!

Nice to see you again Scout.

OM How long will your DH be in the USA for? Can I send a shopping list?

SC Glad to hear you're feeling more organised - you sound much more positive. If you have any positiveness, or indeed energy, to spare, it would be greatly appreciated. (A few more hours in the day wouldn't go amiss either.(

namechange Well done on doubling your followers on Twitter. Is it as time-consuming as it seems? I think FB and MN are enough for me!

If I scroll back any further, I'm going to be here all night - and I have been procrastinating long enough as it is. Glögg is calling (the recipe rather than an actual mug of it, unfortunately), so had better get back to work.

Am now wondering whether I might have overdone the smileys... the Christmas hats make them look much bigger somehow!

Well, several bouts of poo later, My hands have been washed to oblivion, whoever it ws tht had hand cream several time in their list today, I'm with you tomorrow. I keep tubes of it everywhere. Apprentice has finished, I'm in bed with the iPad, suspect we will be up in the night so off to sleep now.

Hello everyone and happy December

Haven't managed any flying here today I'm afraid - it has been a day of full on toddler wrangling! Have made lovely soup that was soundly rejected by said toddler and cleaned up a newly dead wren. Does that count?

Over 50 cm of snow here as well now, so looks like another toddler heavy day tomorrow . We only have one living room, thankfully reasonably large, but me DH and DD are already getting a bit sick of being stuck in it!

namechange try not to worry too much. I've been flying somewhat sporadically for a yearish now and although I've never really managed to get the house as I would ideally like my 'baseline' is much higher now so 20 mins of cleaning/tidying can return most rooms to a state of acceptability.

Congratulations to your ds1 OM, how exciting, I'm sure he will be driving, weather permitting....

Big hello to all newcomers and thank you to ellie for the shiny new thread! Waves to feetheart, SC, MrsD, Nettie, Darts, Ihate, Toffee, Dolanette and everyone else I've forgotten/cross posted with in the four hours since I started this post

I have just had the most wonderful stomp in the snow. The house still reeks of the boiled egg i cremated accidentally. so am going to have to clear out the rubbish into the bins. Should do one or too more things but thanks to the snow actually feeling tired despite mainlining caffine today.

For nettie:

Whos that coming on christmas eve? with a hat that's red and beard that's white? And eyes that sparkling in the dark moon light. I know dont you.

[fhat]

I'm back to link post so here they are for the day.

The babystep for tomorrow is the infamous lace-up shoes. THose of you who have been here a while know my viewpoint on this and opinion is divided here as to whether this works. It is entirely down to you .

The mission is here.

The Christmas mission is here.

Have a good day!

Thanks for the links, ellie. I may get round to looking at the Christmas missions next week.

Yuk at dead wren, pmpy - you were a braver woman than I would have been. A small bird (wren-size) flew past me into the house the other day, saw me and hid among all the shoes! I had to run outside and was starting to panic about it dying somewhere in the house, but luckily DS went in and frightened it out!

As I suspected - cross posts with just about everyone

Your poor DS MrsD. I hope you have a reasonably settled night and he is feeling better in the morning.

Nice hair Toffee I am booked in to have mine done on Friday, but am not sure whether i'll be able to get there at the moment!

Linzer, I think the smilies look fab

I really an going to have to try a bit harder with the flying tomorrow!

Evening ladies

We've got very little snow, but it is so cold - inside and out! DS cried on the walk to playgroup this morning because he didn't like the cold wind , but very little I could do, just keep him moving and cuddle him when we got there. DH has stayed at home again today, his boss said not to come in due to snow at the office (but doesn't it make it harder to get things done when they're underfoot ). FLYing has been limited in the cobweb house (cold always makes me very inactive) but have done ...

Morning routine

DS to playgroup
Washing up
Clean washing away
S/s
Make beds
Hotspot
15 mins in living room (so much to do and so few days to do it in!)
Phone for prescription renewal
Made soup for lunch
Collect DS
Lunch
Washing up
Something from the paper file
Worked on small bunting
Present making with DS
Did the advent calendar thing with DS
Make tea
Every one fed and watered
DS bedtime routine
Washing up
Shine sink
Clean Aga
Set breakfast table
Work on small bunting

SNOWBALLS

... must sleep losing plot