Fledglings dreaming of a FLY Christmas - December's fledgling flyers thread

[BlueEyeshadow]

Welcome flyers one and all, old and new, to the December thread! As the advent calendars go up, let's beat the CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) and FLY through Christmas into the New Year (or have a go at it, anyway...)!

We take a three-pronged approach (and a large pinch of salt) to the FLYlady system:

-babysteps
-babysteps and 15 mins' decluttering
-babysteps and missions

The website is here: FlyLady - if you haven't had a look at it for a while it's worth a gander as the design and layout have changed for the better recently.

Whatever you do, though, don't sign up for the emails or your inbox will be bursting within seconds. Or so I'm led to believe... I will post the links to the babystep and mission for each day (the first ones to follow this evening) and there'll be plenty of chat, , and along the way.

A big thank you to Darkness for leading us through November with so much fun!

Wow you lot chatter!

Hope you and ds are feeling better soon ouch

bird the getting up an hour earlier to work thing sounds like an excellent idea! Maybe declutter desk first so you are more motivated to get up?

ofm hope DDs concert goes well tonight!!

Impressive list mc

I've had a friend round tonight and DD is still refusing to sleep so I'm going to go in the shower, check my hair for nits then get an early ish night

Be back tomorrow!!

I like how nit-checking is now part of lauren's flying!!

Right, I have finished work and I Am Going To Bed

Before 10. This is a miracle. Flylady is working on me, obviously.

I watched some of her podcasts (flyladytv) this avo (wasn't interested in octonauts on iplayer ). I was so disracted by the fake backgrounds I couldn't concentrate on what she said. Also, I know she lost a load of weight and wrote a fly-dieting book, right? So I kept comparing her on different podcasts wondering if she was losing weight...

AAAnyhow - BED!

evening all....back from concert. All went well, and dd2 and 3 enjoyed it - and dd3 doesnt seem to have been too overwhelemed by whole event which is good ......
now very tired, so have only managed to finish tidying kitchen (which I had asked ds1 to do whilst we were out but clearly he considered that too unreasonable )
Now need to just update veggie order for Thursday then bed

tomorrow morning I need to:
remember to give DD1 good luck card and flowers
sweep(now I've found the brush LOL) and mop floors
reboot laundry
tidy bedrooms
S&S

here's hoping I've found some energy somewhere before then!

Then I have my full day at work, finishing at 5. My parents are coming up to see DD show and are arriving at 5.30, and we are leaving for show at 6.00 so will have to be another quick turn around. On the positive side DH is getting littlies from nursery/afterschool club and will then be here to do tea/bed etc...and Tuna Pasta is ready made in fridge - hoorah!

Will try to catch up with individuals on Thursday if I'm still alive!

Evening! I've been out all evening so now trying to do the round up and catch up with Masterchef at the same time...

ellie - concert yesterday sounds lovely! She also gets a gold star for flying while knackered. :)

Fuzzled was ordering a v stylish coatstand and her DS was demolishing cheese on toast.

ChitChat was jumping to hotspots so as not to spend all day on the internet... She managed the biggest hotspot in the house, which has to be worth something!

lauren was feeling paranoid about nits...

Bird was planning a quiet day pottering and pleased with what she achieved.

Kate was also contemplating hotspots.

Toffee had the definitive answer to dealing with them though...

Ouch was finding last month catching up with her - hope you're able to take things easy!

MC had filofax envy

OFM had her usual manic list! Glad concert went well and good luck for tomorrow.

justone was struggling with slow internets but has a shiny sink.

I'm sure I saw Linzer around here somewhere, looking for bucks fizz... maybe I imagined it though.

Here come tomorrow's links:

Babystep: laying out clothes the night before - this can be a life saver!

Mission: kitchen taps.

Wednesday is Anti-Procrastination Day.

---

Boys are at the childminder tomorrow so I'm trying to do my house bleugh as well as work. Not so likely to be perfect now I'm working though... You can tell how much work I've got on by the state of the house. Hey ho.

Morning all

On phone so no personals, but thanks to Blue for the roundups.

Today I hope to:
Clear floor in dining room
Lay away washing
Washing for DS
Towel washing
Sort out Internet food shop
Organise playdate for DS on Friday
Sort address and Christmas card list
Trip to tip with cardboard and junk from dining room
Work when DS naps

DH has promised me he'll take DS out for a few hours on Saturday so I'm booking that for my pre Christmas oven clean - I have the Lakeland goop and am planning to get the oven mate stuff that comes with a bag for the shelves; as it's all use and leave stuff I'll be trying to get other things done at the same time.
And I've cleared it with work that I'll work when DS naps on Monday/Wednesday and Fridays, but in the evening on Tuesdays and Fridays so hopefully I can start decluttering.

Still no further forward on starting my control journal though.

Ah well... onwards!

Thanks for the round-up Blue; I'm struggling to keep up with the thread atm, so it's invaluable.

Must crack on here, as we have the double whammy of my ILs and the cleaner here tomorrow morning (it's a bank holiday). Decluttering is the only solution to the constant tidying problem, so I really need to work on it before Christmas... esp. considering all the presents we'll need to find room for afterwards (it's DD1's birthday on the 26th) and all the spending stocking up I'll no doubt be doing in the UK.

Will be back later if once I've made some progress.

Morning all! Just a list as I'm on the phone but thanks for the roundup blue

To do:
Clean bathroom
Today's mission- will also do bathroom taps
Put up shower curtain
Playgroup this morning with 3 babies
Present wrapping tonight
Order online DDs party food to come on Friday

I'm pleased to announce I am officially nit free so am safe for my hair cut tomorrow! Just need to tackle remind mindees parents about further treatments/ combing now!

BBL with personals

Quick hello and got to run.

Having someone pop around for lunch

Which means

To do:

• school drop off
• Nursery stop to drop off information
• Quick trip to shops to get lunch, cakes and tea
• MANIC whip around the downstairs of the house (adopting Toffee's method of 'putting away' the clutter )
• lunch with friend
• playgroup with DS2 - my turn on cake duty
• school run
• play date for DS1
• tea for everyone
• bedtime routine
• organise clothes for tomorrow
• collapse in a heap with some

Right, this has got to be a quick one as heading out to PIL very soon.

I did terribly at flying yesterday as DH out all evening and velcro baby wouldn't be put down. And I'm out most of the day today so won't be here to do anything. I have managed to get the dishwasher going though, so that's quite good :) My mum is coming tomorrow as it's DS's birthday on Friday, but she's thankfully staying in a B&B down the road due to space issues here (she doesn't want to sleep on an airbed in the living room), so hopefully I should get some flying done while she's here :)

Lifeofkate - I like your phrase, 'velcro baby' . I have had two of those and never solved the problem of how to get things done at the same time as holding the baby. I did try using a sling whilst doing housework, but found it very difficult. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every new mum was appointed her own cook and cleaner for the first year?

Just back from the school run, as I stayed to wave DS2 into his second performance of the Christmas show. He wanted me to watch the whole show again and I was quite relieved when the teacher said there weren't any tickets left (I could barely even see DS during the show yesterday anyway).

Going to take some of DS2's old toys to the charity shop this morning and then buy some cheap stocking fillers, then am off out for lunch with a friend this afternoon. Flying is taking a backseat, but at least I'm decluttering.

Hope you all have a great day.

Morning. Feeling slightly more human this morning. Still going to need a ton of coffee to get everything done but breathing without it hurting is a definet bonus

Just recieved a large parcel through the post. Jumped in shower and ignored the doorbell. Postie found another package for us so now need to fetch that. Thankfully he only left it next door but it must have been frustrating as he knew we were home Uninterrupted shower otoh was lovely so not feeling guilty about ignoring doorbell

Right list for today:
drink lots of
remember to eat
tackle bathroom
dining room
utility room
laundry
make up swimming kit
take ds swimming (make sure he has a snack to much before as he refused breakfast )
bed early.

Hi all,
I'm back again! My once a month post to the thread!
Feel things are getting a bit on top of me again and need to start the lists and routines again, even if it is every other day.
Hi all, will catch up on everyone's posts later on, but very short of time today so let rushing commence.

To do
Washing in
washing out
new load in
morning routine - kitchen s&s, washing up, bathroom S&S, sweep floor both.
order shoes for DS (order shoes for me?? [wistful face])
sitting room 5 mins S&S
15 minutes pulling out cupboard to find out how to fix shelving
move LPs (yes I was born in the Victorian era) to cupboard (even if piled on floor)
Get out Christmas tree
Lunch with friends
Work

Later on
list of presents still to buy
read a joomla article on teabreak
5 mins of Joomla

Hey all, quick dash in...
thanks blue for excellent roundup.
Went to bed ON TIME last night, in fresh sheets, clothes laid out for the morning. Wonderful.

today:
got up 1/2 hour earlier than usual
made bed
s&s bathroom (but I use bio-D eco cleaner and had left some on the cloth from the day before and it smelled of vomit )
ds to preschool ON TIME!
washed up and put away
shined sink
made a call
fed DS2 his snack
sorted laundry, and put away the sheets which I hate folding
put load in dryer
made poster for preschool
decluttered 2 toy cars (ok not much but it's a start)
dinner out of the freezer

So doing well! now going to do some hoovering...

bb later

Urgh. This morning has not gone well. DS has hidden the car key. I have NO idea where so tidying is going to be more frantic than usual.

List so far:
Clear floor in dining room
Lay away washing
Washing for DS
Towel washing
Sort out Internet food shop
Organise playdate for DS on Friday
Sort address and Christmas card list
Trip to tip with cardboard and junk from dining room not until key is found
Work when DS naps

Food shop now then back to the searching!

Back again, that kitchen tidy was sooo long. Made pumpkin pie last night (and it is so rich I can't eat it without a major indigestion attack! ) and fell asleep, leaving lots of mess. Good grief!
Finally have whole morning routine done, but not sure how much time I will have this afternoon for LP moving thing!

Stuff still to do

sitting room 5 mins S&S
15 minutes pulling out cupboard to find out how to fix shelving
move LPs (yes I was born in the Victorian era) to cupboard (even if piled on floor)
Get out Christmas tree
Lunch with friends
Work

Later on
list of presents still to buy
read a joomla article on teabreak
5 mins of Joomla

Afternoon all, I don't know where the times gone today.

Lifeofkate I remember only too well DD being a velcro baby, she can still be like it now on occassions and shes 6!
Bird really jealous of your early night and clean sheets I went to bed early but went to sleep late
OFM hope you get through the day peacefully again
Waves to everyone else

Well I've had a traumatic morning, was run of the road by an idiot on the school run. Luckily no one was on the pavement that I had to mount and then spent 2 hours in local shopping centre getting more and more stressed. Have now however posted my parcels and bought wrapping paper and individual cards

Still to do today

• Wrap some presents
• Bedroom hotspot that didn't get done
• Clear away any reminents of DD and DHs birthday so we can get on with xmas
• reboot laundry
• Find dds xmas concert tickets that DH has 'tidied away'
• Sort out dds costume for tomorrow for school concert
• DD to karate grading (with a pep talk to concentrate)
• Find out all paperwork needed for school tomorrow
• Hoover throughout downstairs
• Go round emptying all bins as bin day tomorrow

But first lunch!

mc about your accident, glad you're all ok.
Nice to see you rowingboat

I've been so proud of myself today, got loads done! I broke the rules this morning and wore shoes in the house, but I think it did help me feel more focused. There is no way tho that I want to swear outside shoes inside on a regular basis so went and got myself some slipper boots :0) toasty warm and sort of shoes.

Tada:
Hovered bedroom
Dusted bedroom
Wiped down skirting boards in bedroom
Made builders coffee
Fetched ds from preschool
Did shopping
Made builders more coffee

This avo: dh is out tonite so I will get organised to put the boys to bed myself - find pjs, tidy their room etc. feeling super motivated in my new slippers!

Afternoon - MC - glad you are OK, that must have been quite a shock.

Abird - I have some lovely slipper boots that DH got me for Christmas a couple of years ago, the best slippers I have ever had and I think just the thing for Flying in. Even if they don't quite meet Flylady requirements.

Rowing - we still have LPs too, DH has got a turntable in the corner behind the telly, mine are all in the loft though.

Fuzzled - hope you found it.

Kate - DD went through a velcro baby phase, I remember it well, she would want to feed and feed all evening and every time I though I could put her down, waaah! I did have a sling but found there was very little I could actually do with her in it apart from walk around.

Better go, all behind again.

Ds is uber clingy atm. Not sure if it the events of the last couple of months, something new, end of term tiredness or him being a bit under the weather. I struggle with it alot as i am not a person who is overly keen on hugs

Right done:
2 loads of washing
finished christmas shopping
pick up parcel
Open parcel
pull face
and be completely thrown by contents of said parcel.
just about to pick up ds who I suspect is in no fit state to be going to swimming and will be putting him in front of the tv with a family ness dvd to watch. the ones are the best

Hope to tackle some more stuff later. Now that I am getting over the shock. Twas lovely but unexpected.

*old ones

Ooooh, what's in the parcel? Huh? Huh?

Tried to sort out boys room but they fought so much have given up, come downstairs, and sat them In front of octonauts

Got a couple of bits to get on with here I suppose. Could try to decluttering toys (sigh)

Gonna surf for a bit first!

Found the key!

And my to do list is now;
Clear floor in dining room
Lay away washing
Washing for DS
Towel washing
Sort out Internet food shop
Organise playdate for DS on Friday now moved to Thursday
Sort address and Christmas card list
Trip to tip with cardboard and junk from dining room
Work when DS naps

Will do Xmas cards when DS is asleep I think!

The was because i wasn't expecting the parcel. Some lovely people had sent a surprise through the post for me and ds. Looking forward to ds opening his at christmas. mine is going to be saved for now.

It was a huge surprise when i assumed the parcel would be mum's bday present that was ordered by my sister. Although it turns out delivery dates are such she is having it delivered there and will give to her herself when she sees her.

Ds is settled down with his ds game thingy. he seems perkier but not going to risk swimming. Hoping he eats something as he skipped both tea last night and breakfast this morning. Going to drink a large and set to wrapping up and sorting out. And tackling the giant laundry monster currently inhabiting the dining room

Blue - thanks for round up. How do you get time to fly keeping an eye on all of us??!!

Ouch - what a lovely suprise. You have some very nice friends!

Fuzzled - glad you found your key. TBH the state of my house at the moment, I'm forever losing my key myself, can't blame the DC!!!!

MC - how awful and scary! So glad you're ok.

ABird - FlyLady is really hot on shoes, isn't she? I prefer slippers to keep my feet warm

Rowing - Joomla article??? What on earth is that???

Toffee - I'm hoping my DC isn't upset that he'll have one performance with out either of us there. This is the first time he's had several performances. Was your DS ok afterwards?

lifeofkate - it's much easier when guests aren't actually in the house, doesn't it?!

To da list

• school drop off
• Nursery stop to drop off information
• Quick trip to shops to get lunch, cakes and tea
• MANIC whip around the downstairs of the house (adopted Toffee's method of 'putting away' the clutter so upstairs looks even worse )
• lunch with friend
• playgroup with DS2 - my turn on cake duty (dropped cakes off instead and enjoyed leisurely lunch)
• school run
• play date for DS1 - in progress - sitting on MN and watching them out of the corner of my eye!!!!
• tea for everyone
• bedtime routine
• organise clothes for tomorrow
• collapse in a heap with some

Chitchat - when I asked my DS if he'd minded me not being at the performance today he said, " A little". So he'd have preferred me to be there, but survived perfectly well without me. And I was able to go into town and do some secret shopping for his stocking, so he's benefitted without knowing. I would probably have agonised over this with DS1, but I'm a bit tougher second time around!

Had a long lunch with a friend (DH left her and their children recently , so she is having an awful, awful time), then did the school run, then came home to find DH working. There was definitely evidence of domestic work having taken place too ! He had even bleached the mouldy black bathroom grout (the result of too many wet toys left on the side of the bath). Inspired by him (and feeling a little guilty that I'd been out), I packed up all DS2's games and put them in the loft, which clears the top of his wardrobe completely, then packed up a binbagful of DS1's clothes that were taking up space in my wardrobe and packed them away in a cupboard. DH is now tackling our bedroom, which is very brave of him.

DS1 had an angry meltdown this evening, but admitted that he was exhausted later (when he'd calmed down and realised that we weren't all as awful as he'd thought), so needs some tlc and an early night.

Ouch - lovely that you received a surprise parcel!

WhoKnows - can you link to your lovely slippers or are they a secret? I really want a snug pair of slippers for the house - and it would, sort of, satisfy the Flylady requirement, wouldn't it?

MC - so sorry you had such a stressful morning. Sounds awful.

Bird - very impressed by your early night. I made myself go to bed at a decent time last night (lured by my new hot-water bottle), but I actually found it harder than ever to wake up this morning . Am going to persist, though, as I was going to bed at silly times.

Fuzzled - I lose my keys so regularly that DH bought me one of those key-finder gadgets. Unfortunately, it didn't work! No prizes for guessing what he'll give me for Xmas this year...

Blue - many thanks for the links and the roundup.

Fuzzled - I was also wondering what joomla is.

Apologies to anyone I've left out, but I've got to throw some food onto the boys' plates and get them in their beds.