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.

Thanks, Feet. I didn't do anything yesterday though (in bed all day) and I want to keep the chaos at bay. I'd rather do a little today rather than wake up to piles of housework tomorrow. Glad you are feeling much better now.

MrsDD - hope you have a good journey home.

Hellooooo!!!!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas - was thinking of you lovely lot over the festivities and wondering how you were all getting on

Just pausing between one set of visitors leaving and another arriving. Mad hoovering and bed-changing and food prep is the order of the day. One of the challenges has been late nights [want to stay up and chat to my adult guests] combined with early mornings [very young dc to attend to]. Eyes currently propped open with matchsticks. Will be going to bed at the same time as dd tonight.

The house (even though I do say it myself) look marvellous for about two hours on Christmas eve and very early on Christmas morning. It has since become a complete shambles again ... in almost every room too ... [sigh]

Keeping going on strong coffee and cold Christmas pudding.

We will tehn be travelling for a few days then back from the 4th/5th ... Sympathies Linzer - we have long trip too - safe travelling to everyone who will be taking to the roads/railways/aeroplanes shortly.

At least snow situation here is easing - it was over 20 cm deep at one stage.

Hope everyone who was feeling ill is recovering and that you are all managing to find a bit of time for yourselves among all the festivities and general mayhem.

Sorry - not much time - but mahoosive waves to everyone -

* humungous thanks to Ellie for keeping us going throughout the madness of December

and a mahoosive THANK YOU for all your support over the past 12 months. I'm not there yet - (it took at least 5 years for this house to get in a pickle) - but thanks to all your help I am more than half way there.

***Wishing you all good things in 2011 if I don't get back on here before then!!!!

[SC swigs yet more of Darts brandy and steels herself to start hoovering stairs .... ]

Oops - forgot to mention

Am happy to lead thread in Feb unless anyone else wants to do it.

Also happy to do latter part of January but won't be fully operational again here until 10th.

Happy New Year Flying everyrone! [and I'm with you on teh paperwork and budget admin *Toffee]

Chocks away! [That should really read "chocs away" ]

Hello all! We arrived back at my parents' yesterday evening - our first flight was delayed by half an hour, but otherwise we had a very smooth journey. I couldn't quite believe how uneventful our train journey was and kept expecting to be told that there would be a bus replacement service for part of the journey or at the very least that we were sitting in the wrong carriage, but no - it was almost unnerving.

We've had a very relaxing day today; there were yet more Christmas and birthday presents to open this morning and I met up with an old school friend for coffee this afternoon. The DC are very excited to be here and even forgetting to quarrel, but I don't expect it will last. DH and I are going to London tomorrow, staying overnight while my parents look after the DC, so we have another 10 hours on the train to look forward to over the next few days (and are hoping our luck will hold).

SC A marvellous looking house is an impressive achievement and something I didn't even manage for 2 minutes, let alone 2 hours. I'm also impressed by how you cope with all your visitors; I suspect I would be a nervous wreck in your shoes.

Toffee Sorry to hear you're still not feeling too well; well done on getting so much done, though. I usually struggle to get through that much even when I'm feeling well.

MrsD Hope you had a good journey home. It's great to have GPs on hand to look after the DC, isn't it? I really appreciate not having to drag them out to the shops and can get everything done in half the time and with far less stress.

Must go and check what the DC are up to - the hall has been turned into a sports centre (basketball, skittles and archery ) thanks to my brother's presents.

Good morning all.
No flying here, still in guest mode. Ie clearing up behind myself but not real housework to do.

Ds is poorly with the asthma bug i had a few weeks ago.

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays and the family.

Feels bit more like a normal day today . I've been really enjoying the laid-back, not getting dressed till lunchtime approach we have fallen into so far this holiday. However I have to go up to my flat and welcome a new tenant this afternoon so need a bit of a list to get me out the door!

• Morning routine
• Print off paper-work needed
• Round-up keys, receipt book, bank card, etc to take
• Transfer money
• Strip chicken carcass and make stock
• Make something for dinner
• Take present to surrogate Granny up the road who was away when we took it before
• Get DC to start writing Thank You letters

More than enough.
Hope everyone has good day

Oh, Feet, thank you for the reminder about thank-you letters. Must get Dc started on that.

Feeling a lot better today, though I did still have a headache when I woke up and had to take Paracetamol. Feeling more energetic though. Did a lot first thing. I find I get more done if I go straight into my morning routine and don't stop until it's done. If I sit down and have breakfast and a cup of tea first, I seem to lose the battle.

Today's list:

Get washed and dressed done
Unload d/w done
Put white wash on done
Unload tumbledrier and put dry washing away done
Put rubbish out done
Swish and swipe in b/room done
Get children fed and dressed done
THANK YOU LETTERS!
Tidy bedroom
Put wet washing in tumbledrier
Wash our sheets
Put dry washing away
Tumbledry sheets
Make our bed
Take DS2 to play with friend this afternoon
Dinner - chicken breasts
Simpsons movie at 7.30 for DS1

Sorry, it is boringly detailed, but I'm trying to stay focused today.

Linzer - I'm so glad to hear you had a smooth journey. I hope you and your DH enjoy your child-free London break (am not feeling or anything!).

Ellie - do you want me to run the thread one month?

Still - glad your house looked so lovely for Christmas. Well done on coping with so many visitors, in spite of early awakenings from DC (had one of those this morning - grr). Glad to hear I have your company re admin and budgeting. Had a look at Flylady's tips on money matters yesterday. The language is even more irritating than usual, I have to say, but there is some useful advice buried in there. One of my missions this week is to collate all my paperwork, sort it out and file it.

Have started my Organised Mum budget book. I just like filling it in!

Did - sorry your DS is poorly. Asthma is horrible. Hope he gets better soon.

DS1 has just come in and said he has a headache and feels sick. Oh dear, not another sick person . DS2 seems fine. He has created a 'Christmas world' all over the sitting-room floor (railway track, Playmobil people, sequins and decorations) and stuck a notice on our window, saying 'Come and see this wonderful world'.

Hope you all have a good day.

Morning everyone. I'm with you feet, haven't been dressed before lunch for a few days! Today so far I have come quite close to murdering small children and a dh who is still in bed! I have however managed to pop some washing on, do some washing up and some tidying. This afternoon the dc's and I are going out for lunch with my oldest and dearest friend who is also ds's godmother. She lives in London so we don't get to see her very often but she is home for Christmas and am looking forward to it. I also need to tidy/ clean upstairs but seeing as lazy arse of a husband is still asleep will have to do later.

The babystep for today if anyone is interested is Make time to pamper. A timely one amongst all the Christmas madness!

Back later

Anyone got any good ideas about keeping leads organised? Am tidying up DH's side of the bed, which is mainly a spaghetti-like tangle of black computer leads. His idea of organisation is to shove it all in a plastic container under the bed, but the leads get all tangled up and usually end up sprawled all over the floor .

Hi everyone!!!!

Apologies for the loooooooooong absence. I am now feeling well, better than I have done for 5 months and ready to get back on track with life. I still get tired, but hopefully that will get better soon too. I am back to work next week.

Toffee, I got some of those twisty thingies, that go round sandwich bag tops, then coiled each one separately and wrapped a twisty thing around it. Then you can throw them in a plastic box shoved under the bed and they wont tangle. (in theory)

I hope you have all had a good Christmas.

I am now going to ahve a quick read through the thread, but will start next month with a clean slate and will jump in with both feet!!

Mahooooosive waves to everyone.

Hey, just thought, are darts and Mrsdinky around?
I started a darts thread last evening here was mega exciting last night, did you watch? If you fancy a chat about it hop over and maybe I wont go insane talking to myself for the next few days.

PA - how lovely to see you back here! I'm really glad to hear that you are feeling so much better. You have had such a difficult time, but hopefully you can now look forward to a happy and healthy new year.

Thanks for your suggestion re leads. What a good idea. I have some of those in the kitchen drawer, so will try that today. Can't rely on DH to put the leads back into the sandwich-tie things, but at least things will be a bit more under control for a while at least. Brilliant!

Glad to have been of a little use again, Toffee.

Hello.

5 min pause while waiting for new arrivals (who are late) which is just as well because have only just persuaded dd in to getting dressed and finished last of loo and bathroom cleaning. Was overcome by torpor yesterday.

Glad you are feeling better Toffee and Nettie

Toffee thanks for paper work tips - will be needed in new year and hope your ds doesnt have flu

Hope your ds recovers soon Did

Whey hey - grrreeeeeattttt to see you back PA!!!! So glad you are feeling better. Take it steady at work while you find your feet again x

Elliepac hope you have lovely afternoon with your friend. [Poss strategy re: your dh ......When anyone over-sleeps in this family atm - myself included- they get small handful of snow down back of pyjamas/nightie - works wonders ] Such a "refreshing" start to day!!!

Glad you got to your parents house safely Linzer and that you are having lovely time

GUILTY DISCLAIMER :
Thanks for kind words about my house looking good but feel a bit of a fraud because (a) it only lasted an hour or two (b) it was only looking good in usual context of holes in walls and unpainted plaster and bits falling off etc (c) lots of things shoved in roof and basement instead of thoroughly sorted
...Just thought I'd mention that

WILL START PROPER DECLUTTERING AGAIN IN NEW YEAR!!!!! and it looks like yet another diet beckons as well ....

Waves to all + Swan MrsDingDong Darts Ihate Mini Feetheart Optimistle Systems and anyone I've missed.

No time to read it all, but just wanted to place mark ready to try and rejoin in January

Hi to everyone!!

Hi and a tail end of seasons greetings to you all!

Have been ill with a very persistent cold/sinusitis/chest thing for over 2 weeks now hence the lack of posting. I hate my rubbish pregnancy immune system! Thank God I've had the flu jab.

Looking forward to getting started on a whole new flying chapter in the NY though With DS on the way and no realistic hope of any sensible maternity leave I will have to be super organised so I think the routines will be key.

Have had a quick scan through the thread and glad to see PA is feeling better. Hope all the other poorly people are feeling better too!

Oh lord SC mentioned the D word. Its banned until after new years eve. And in this house as 90% of new years resolutions are broken in the first week, wont be considered until the after the 7th to give it a chance.

Yep I am on the serious decluttering, organising and getting a proper routine fixed in as of the new year. No point until then though. But will procrastinate for the 1st. 2nd is plenty soon enough. I predict feeling fragile around the edges new years day.

Oh and i am hoping some common sense and good girlness from this thread transfers. I have been a bit lot naughty this christmas period. Fun but i really should know better.

Second half of list:

THANK YOU LETTERS nope
Tidy bedroom started
Put wet washing in tumbledrier done
Wash our sheets done
Put dry washing away done
Tumbledry sheets done
Make our bed done
Take DS2 to play with friend this afternoon done
Dinner - chicken breasts done
Simpsons movie at 7.30 for DS1 done

DS2 wide awake and reading a 'Yellow Moon' catalogue out loud to himself. Just about to put DS1 to bed. Am hoping both boys settle soon .

Hi Dreamteam and Pushme. Sorry to hear you have been so ill, Pushme. Lots of nasty viruses flying around at the moment. DH is very, very grumpy, which is a sure sign he is still feeling ill. At least DC seem well (DS1's complaints of illness earlier came to nothing).

Tomorrow -

AM routine, then drop DS2 off at friend's house to play and take DS1 to library. NB Return DVDs this time (usually end up paying a fine ).

PM tackle our bedroom again.

DS2 very, very chatty. Not a good sign. Must go and round up DS1 now. Good night all.

Hello everyone Have been out of action for a bit - H moved out under failry traumatic circumstances in October and I've been off work since then with stress/depression. Am beginning to feel much better and hoping to return to work in the new year. And will get back into the swing of flying!

However, I've been working very hard in the house and done a massive declutter - the charity shop is sick of me and I now have a lovely, clear sitting room, dining room and bedroom. It's so nice and really has helped me feel better.

Sadly, though, I have a dozen or so bags in the conservatory to sort through.........but at least I can close the door on them.

DDs are being fab and are helping with jobs and house work so we are making progress. DD1 is 18 in 10 days so party is being planned.

Haven't read through all the thread but will try and do better in the new year. :)

ooh welcome back MissB and DTG and you PMPY.

Any other lurking Fledglings out there, do come back and say hello!

good to be back - I have missed you all.

Hello MissB sorry to hear you have been feeling so down. Well done for the decluttering - always makes me feel better.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I am not realistically going to be able to get our loft converted before DS arrives. The main constraint is financial and no obvious let up on the horizon there!

So, with this in mind i have decided to at least try to declutter it so that if necessary I can sleep in it in its partially converted state (floor, carpet and velux window all OK, great big beam through the middle and door height of approx 1 m necessitating crawling!). Have taken three large bin bags of stuff to the tip so far and planning to get another couple of tip runs in tomorrow. I think there will be at least 10 to do to get the room anything like - it is literally piled to the rafters with the accumulated stuff of my adult life . Also requiring attention before March are 'the cupboard of doom', the bit of the kitchen that is under the stairs and the small cellar room/pantry that smells supsiciously of dead mice!

Hi DTG, PMPY and missb - so sorry to hear about your traumatic autumn but welcome back!

Lovely but busy Christmas here but have got back to routines a bit today.We have also had the lurgy - i had a very rare day in bed yesterday but read a lot of trashy books which was great!!!

We're off to the Suffolk coast with friends and family, as per usual, for New Year so...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

See you in January to deal with all the cleaning and clutter!!

Love to you allxxxxxm (sorry that's a bit unmumsnetty but I DON'T CARE!!!!!!)

Welcome back, MissB. So sorry to hear you have been having such an awful time, but I'm glad your girls are being so supportive.

Optimistle - glad you enjoyed your day in bed, even though you had to be ill first. Enjoy your new year celebration in Suffolk.

Have spent most of the evening settling DC. Just time to check MN and now am off to bed myself. Night all.

Aaaaaw, look at all the fledglings returning to the fold! Welcome back to my oracle dtg that's you , pmpy and missb. Sorry you have been unwell pmpy but glad you are feeling better. Sounds like you have had a tough time missb but it sounds as if you may be coming out the other side now .

It is that time where we have to start thinking about a new thread for the new year. I have no recollection what we said about January. I have clearly been crap over the last month due to one thing or another but am willing to carry on for January but if you are out there wanting to flex your fledgling leadership muscles now is the time to speak up!

Backayer!

It is Christmas Day in DS2's Playmobil world. Playmobil mum has just been given a broom (paintbrush) by Santa. Am a bit worried about all the gender conditioning that is clearly going on here. Playmobil Dad was given hats .

Ellie - if this stereotyping qualifies me as a Flylady, I'm happy to have a go at running the thread in January. Also happy to let anyone else do it if they want .