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.

evening all

welcome to InsaneMumma, Plenty of Parsnips, Daim. its brill here stick around
welcome back scout.
ihate how on earth is that a light flying day
huge waves to everyone.

lol at 63 posts and a crazyelliepac brill round up. i laughed out loud. Dh manages to calm me down xmas eve by plying me with our xmas eve champagne [hgrin] But he has no hope in the meantime.

had a mad busy day house looks like a tip didnt look too bad yesterday what happened??

Routines-almost
Work-dpone lots of proud of me
Put away clothes-done
Painting again [yawn emotion]-done
trip to new mega store Sainsburys if I cannconvince dh!-done its fab and i spent a fortune but all on dc so that makes it lots better
Laying out clothes!-done

i am mad mad mad tat the 1st dec has been and gone and i have no xmas decs up. Still have dust and ros of carpets.

lotsa dusty elfs eating pies in my house.

Anyho before i go off to sleep i would just like to say dem I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW who it is. [clever me emotion]

be back tommorrow for another festive rendition for everyone [hgrin]

oops im so excited i dont know whether its halloween or christmas woop woop.

ellie take dd to cm defo

Nettie - its in the boxes on the landing, help yourself

no its no good i cant contain myself

*I'm going be a hippopotamus by Christmas
The size of a hippopotamus or two
Don't want atkins , no weight watchers ploy
I'm gonna be a hippopotamus and enjoy

I'm gonna be a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
I'll have eaten all the mince pie,
as that's the easiest thing to do.

Morning Deck.

We have snow. LOTS of snow. And no heating. And no hot water.

The new boiler is HERE (hooray for Plumbase) and the plumber said he'd try to fit it today but I am sure he won't be able to get through as (did I mention) we have about 4 inches of SNOW here.

Brilliant roundup ellie. Getting some of those warm vibes - it definitely isn't quite as cold in the house as outside

We're not allowed Christmas here until after DH's birthday on 3rd Dec, but I did use namechanges link and my DTs were also enchanted (they are only 15 months) even though they don't really 'get it' yet.

Lots of birthday jobs today, as well as at least 5 hours of proper work work. And the poor dog has the runs though on the plus side the kitchen floor has been washed 4 times in the past 24 hours.

To Do
Work work
Sort and wrap DH's presents
Write DH's card
Do fingerpaint handprints for DHs card from DTs
Wipe paint from table, floors, walls and DTs
Take dog out (repeat as needed)
Starjumps to keep warm
Drink tea
Hoover in Living room
Mission
Persuade DH to put in offer on house (our dream house has been reduced by a big chunk! Cross fingers for me, ladies!)

Happy FLYing!

Morning all.

Thanks for decorating the thread nettie, don't we look beautiful this morning .

Have decided that am definitely taking DD to CM's. She's been up since half five, had enough of her already . So, dependent on snow, I shall be donning my coat and walking her through the winter wonderland. Assuming I manage to get her there I am going to crisis clean today but shall list post later.

Have a good day everyone!

Morning Ellie and everyone else. Good call ellie
Well the snow is now level with our front door so about 14inches. DC half made an igloo yesterday but being teenagers I think they left the snow shovel out which is now buried!
First job is to find it! Both schools shut and trains cancelled so another snow day.
I'm a bit worried about DS1 tbh. He is supposed to have a practice interview tomorrow but there is no way that's happening and I am still concerned as to how he's getting to Oxford too. Also my mum is supposed to be coming into Gatwick today which is still closed....

I think I'll make a cuppa and then come on with a list. Sorry to whinge.....x

Morning.

OM 14inches of snow we also have about 4 inches highlighter

Right the task today is to keep pushing on with house taming despite having hit burnout.
the list is as follows:

Dont kill ds
shove ds into school uniform despite protests
drag ds into school
make appointment to see the head urgently
have a very large coffee
dispatch the remains of what should have been a boiled egg
try to recover egg pan from the disaster
finish laundry (2ish loads left)
finish ironing
finish folding
pair socks
put away all clothes
Move armchair
tidy windowsil
clean windowsil
put up card holders and front windowsil christmas stuff.
finish sorting out the kitchen and dining room floors
wash both floors
wash rug

which is more then enough to be done today. will have to see how much i actually get done though. If that gets done then the only other thing i am going to do is christmas cards as i need to get them sorted. I also have a postal deadline for the 6th that i still need to finish making the christmas present for And its thursday already :(

We've got several inches of snow,school's are shut,all plans on hold. been up half the night with DS.

Was supposed to be going to 2nd interview for job today, will have to ring them up instead i think.

Back later

I shall continue with crisis cleaning today. But be starting when I get back from school shuffle and hope I dont fall run.

Breakfast
Washed and Dressed
School Run/Shuffle along in snow

Put dishes away
Tidy kitchen hotspots

Try to mend hoover, else I will have to buy another one its driving me crazy

That'll do for now.

Morning all

DH and DD (unprecedented) are still in bed so I have half an hour to myself for som mning work and flying!

Not much more snow over night, but the is probably a good thing as we have about 50 cm everywhere with drifts of over a metre down our lane. It is probably safe to say I will not be going to work (or indeed out of the house) today.

I am really going to try to be a good flyer today, so here goes:

paid work (3 hours min)
hoover stairs and entrance hall
clutter clear entrance hall and stair bottom
washing *2
putting away laundry 4 ish (oops )
make Christmas cake
make soup
online christmas grocery shop
Buy at least 3 online Christmas presents
Sweep kitchen floor

We are really late for school - my DS is putting his boots on for the third time, has got quite distressed as he needs four things, one of which I didn't know about and he obviously just wants to be like everyine else handing stuff over.

If the weather wasnt bad we would have got there on time but it has took me ages to find his snow boots and then he insisted they had his name put on them and a spare bag for his school shoes - I didnt know about this but feel completely inadequate and now my messy house is so disorganised we are late (he is putting his boots back on and his coat etc right now)

I feel so guilty.

Morning all. Thick snow overnight and am not feeling very motivated this morning because it means DP and DCs will be under my feet all day again. They were really getting on my tits yesterday. DS was in and out, in and out all day. Every time he came back caked in more snow and with several more teenagers in tow, so I didn't get the hallway done as it was buried under a mountain of soggy sweaters (no coats on any of them FGS!) and enormous soggy trainers. Meanwhile, DP was man-flu-ing all over the lounge so I didn't get that done either. So my list would be pretty much the same as yesterday and I'd probably end up frustrated again, except I've decided to concentrate on the kitchen instead They'll leave me alone in there except for the odd fridge raid.

pin up hair properly done - it feels rock-solid today, probably needs a wash
clear front steps delegated to DP (kill or cure )
put away laundry (shirts) done
hang laundry (sheets and towels) done
new load in (mixed cool wash) done
breakfast done
washing up
shine sink
wipe and sweep kitchen
HAND CREAM!

Later on I shall clean out the cupboard under the sink.

namechange - big hug, we are often late, but things got better once I accepted the worst - being late! Tension of getting ready ON TIME often made us later than we might have been. He's only little, school stuff never stops coming out of our ears, and I think when it's cold and horrible most important thing is that they are properly dressed for weather, not being on time. Please don't feel bad And as I've said before on another thread, hall looks like wild animals have rampaged through it first thing in morning when I come back after drop off.

Don't worry Namechange we all have mornings like that and you got there in the end -that's the important thing! And I'm sure many people will be late this morning with the weather conditions being what they are. Tomorrow is another day and all that!

Reward yourself with a hot coffee ...x

[SC takes deep breath and sets timer in attempt to be succinct ]

Fantabulous round-up last night Ellie! You should be published ...

BTW are you sure about Jan? Didn't mean to hint that you should do it ...we'll work it out between us ...

MrsD hope your ds is better today

Welcome back to Scout and hello to highlighter who I think I missed out of my list yesterday

lol at Nettie's hippopotamus song

Linzer yes I am feeling much more chipper thanks. Probably shouldnt say this, but it coincides with dh's current absence in Lisbon!! [Should I be worried???] I love the big lump dearly but crikey, it's so much calmer and stress-free when he isn't here. DD's behaviour improves by 100 per cent and I am much more focused somehow...

Right, times up! Must get cracking!

Very quick list as have to GET READY

• Morning routine
• Put on decent-looking clothes and not 5 layers of random warm stuff that I have on at moment
• Despair as don't have smart warm clothing (any ribbon going SC?)
• Coffee and cakes with DH in posh 5* hotel
• Scoff cakes in luxurious surroundings and chat with DH
• Wrap presents and dig out cards for party today and on Saturday
• Make food list for School Assoc 'Party in a box' idea
• Do labels for tea towel orders
• DS swimming
• Birthday tea for friend's DD

That will do, must get ready

Enjoy snow if you have it, don't kill DH/DC and wrap up warm

It's not your fault, Namechange. How are you supposed to know about spare bags for shoes unless someone tells you? Do something nice for yourself once you get back from the school run.

Heavy snowfall last night, so we have woken up to a winter wonderland . School's cancelled, DH can't get to work.

Have come back to bed because I have a terrible headache. Can hairdye give you a headache ? Or maybe it's having the heating on at night? Anyway, I have taken some pills and tucked myself up in bed with the computer, with the excuse that I can't get up until the pills start working (I have given everyone their breakfast first, so don't feel too guilty about it).

A bit worried about our food situation. I was going to get an online order tomorrow, but there's no way any delivery van can get through to us at the moment. Have done a quick check through our rather spartan cupboards and our fridge: we have boil-in-the-bag cod for MIL (x2), pasta, baked beans and tinned tomatoes. Also some homemade pizza dough. Am hoping the local shops are open, otherwise it's going to be a very restricted diet here for the next few days.

First task on my list this morning is to wash up from last night , but I'm not in any hurry to start on that.

Ellie - glad you took your DD to CM. Am surprised you even had to think about it! Hope you can have a bit of a rest/nap once you're home alone .

Highlighter - at your chilly house. Hope it gets sorted soon. What a rotten time for it to happen.

OM - this is the place to winge, don't worry about it! Hope everything works out OK.

Linzer - how is work going? (dare I ask?)

DS2 was in a strop and wailing because I wouldn't take him out in the snow straight away (am still in my dressing gown), but he is now sitting in front of Cbeebies with MIL. Thank goodness for both of them!

Hands over hot tea and paracetemol to Toffee and starts telephoning online supermarkets with sledge and reindeer delivery options ...

Feetheart? [[
www.notonthehighstreet.com/flourish/product/dotty_cotton_ribbon Any good?]]

OOohhh Snow here at last!! DCs off school, I ma on the sofa with a quilt and plan to stay here all day!!

Thank to for all the messages from all you lovely lot!

MrsDingDong, is that you, MrsDinky? Hope DS feels better soon. Well done on the interview, perhaps they will just give you the job if they cant see you today.

DD2 was at a friends house last evening when the snow started - 8 miles away. She ended up having to walk home at arrived feeling very ill at 2.30am!!
DH left home before 5am this morning to walk the 7 miles to work.

Yesterday I managed to go out to have a drink, but felt really shaky and did nothing else for the rest of the day!

My aim for today is to do a tea that we can all enjoy together. Toad in the hole with roast potatoes. Now, if I can manage to cook it, dish it up and eat it without needing rests in between, or a 2 hour rest afterwards it will be a big step.

Anyone who has been around for a while will, hopefully, understand that I am really not a pathetic wimp and this is just soooooo not like me!!
OM I now have far more understanding about DD3!! How on earth she lived like it (and far worse than me) for 2 years without getting totally depressed is beyond my understanding!!

DCs are all out in the snow, so I am going to watch the Apprentice from last night.

Back later, enjoy the snow!

Thanks, SC. The paracetamol is working, although I still don't feel great. And DS2 keeps lying outside my door wailing, so I think I will have to get up now.

PA - stay on that sofa! Glad you mentioned the toad in the hole - have realised that I can use up frozen cocktail sausages and make toad in the hole as well. So we might survive an extra day without a delivery.

It is hard having no energy to do anything PA. Enjoy being snuggled up. Sorry you have a headache toffee. Bed with a computer sounds like a perfect way for waiting for the pain killers to kick in.

I am also sitting bed with the computer. I have chocolate and caffine. But have managed to do some of the stuff on the list.

Dont kill ds just
shove ds into school uniform despite protests done
drag ds into school done
make appointment to see the head urgently done
have a very large coffee doing with the luxary of mn
Send the old shoes to charity shop and recycling done

dispatch the remains of what should have been a boiled egg blush
try to recover egg pan from the disaster
finish laundry (2ish loads left)
finish ironing
finish folding
pair socks
put away all clothes
Move armchair
tidy windowsil
clean windowsil
put up card holders and front windowsil christmas stuff.
finish sorting out the kitchen and dining room floors
wash both floors
wash rug

DH has just set off with BF to try and walk to th nearest supermarket to get some supplies. Normally about a 15 min walk but suspect it may take longer as snow is knee deep here.

Couldn't take DD to CM's in end as it is just too awful out there. Will try again tomorrow as I will be amazed if school is open. As said earlier, knee deep and no signs of abating.

So far have managed to:-

Washload on
Dryer on
Tidy/clean kitchen
Tidy/clean living room.

Now DH is out am going to attempt dining room and bathroom.

Hope everyone is ok.

Highlighter hope your boiler is being fixed today (we did without one for a few months when twins were two (that was five years ago!) and we went to bed with nightcaps on! - now wished I'd bought/hired one of those portable gas heater thingies for every room, as we couldn't put electric fire on more than one room at a time, because electricity kept tripping - and we kept thinking boiler would be mended next week and it wasn't

namechange hope you are feeling better now and not overwhelmed

PA just keep lying low and make wonderful plans - I think that's the only thing that helps when you can physically do things, soo frustrating though.

Santa's Gift Shop (for which we provide gift items and sell them at a £1- £1.50 profit)is a runaway success, so back to buy some more Wallace and Gromit mugs and stuff them with Quality Street/Teabags and wrap them in cellophane and ribbon! Children are absolutely loving shopping and wrappng and labelling for their relatives, hope relatives don't think it is rip-off...

It is fun selling things isn't it!

can't physically do things I meant

Oh yes and house still a mess I am going to grin about yesterday I was crying especially lwhen ds2 broke a glass (he couldn't find the cups because I had not unloaded dw over dd's homework, whilst I was trying to assemble a lentil moussaka, which dd then had a fit refusing to eat... Then dh had a row with me over moussaka...but he did eat it in the end and had second helping.

will keep trying that grin out, and pin my hair up too - what a good idea Parsnips