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!

Ouch have just seen your cookie jar recipe link. Thanks so much for that! V. timely - dd and I are intending to try some out in the coming weeks.
Please let me know if you do any trial runs - interested to know which recipes work best.

oops - missed out Fuzzled too - hope you feel better soon

Ouch hope your ds feels better tomorrow also

OFM at the thought of putting six dc to bed!!

Just scanned the last 24 hours or so, wanted to send a hug to Abird, it happened to a friend of mine too, her 2nd and 3rd were only 18 months apart, they are 9 and 10 now and it has all worked out just fine, I remember how shocked she was at the time though.

Toffee - these ones, the pink ones on the left slippers

House is a pit as a result of spending all my time either Christmas shopping, at work or ferrying DS to and from his school performance the last couple of days, plus all the usual Rainbows, tennis (yes, my two were out playing tennis in gale force wind and rain this afternoon).

Got back from DS's show about an hour ago, the DCs have only just calmed down enough to go to bed, show was fantastic (Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat), cannot believe how professional it was, brought a tear to my eye. Anyway, DH is just unwrapping fish and chips and I've got cards to write so I'm going to get off the computer, see you all tomorrow.

Hi all,
just checking in.
Blue I think you asked about Joomla, it's kind of a blog-thingy which you can make into a website. The idea is that the website owner can update it themselves quite easily. Yawn really, but good for technophobe small business owners.

Toffee hi there. Good decluttering! Good idea before the onslaught of stuff at Crimby time

Ouch I hope your ear is feeling better. It sounds as if you have an infection in there and you need some antibiotics and ear spray - both should help.

Linzer big wave!

Hi to everyone!

It's been crazy in Scotland today, with schools closed early because of the gale force winds, so not the best flying day, but did manage most of my morning routine and a new wash load on.
Part of my list was going to Clarks to get DS some shoes in the sale, and try on some boots for me - got DS shoes, but didn't like the boots I tried - bargain though at £35, but too tight for my wide feet. Poo!
Got fairy lights for the tree - it is hysterical DS and DP did it, but I'm not going to fuss over it and be all perfectionist (much!)
Still haven't managed to move the cupboard around and won't have time tomorrow. Going to have to do it later - boo!
Better get on with my Ebaying and sock sorting.

Well Hello Strangers!!

This last week is always my busiest week every year! DH's birthday earlier in the week and DS1's birthday today, party on Sunday, visiting a friend an hour away on Saturday, work is busy busy busy and Christmas prep is still ongoing.

Flying has definitly slipped! Basics are even going downhill at the moment, I had to search for clean pants and socks for DS2 this morning and every room could do with a sort out.

I have pledged to make 2012 my decluttering year. I made some good starts these last few months but serious headway is needed if I'm to save the house from looking like an episode of 'Hoarders'. Seriously. Very seriously.

A bird I hope you are feeling a little calmer today. I posted on your other thread and I really have been there, less than 2 yrs ago. Things really do get better.

Sorry I won't do any more personals because I'll be here all night with the rate you lot have been gassing but fingers crossed I am back properly now.

Tomorrows list.

Up, dress, eat
School run
Craft with mindees
Put a wash on
Empty DW
Bring bin in
Dry clothes
Give Beavers forms in
Lunch/naps
15 mins in bedroom
School run
S and S bathroom
Sew badge on
Beavers run
What's for dinner?
Bath DD- she's filthy!

Evening all! I?m still nesbitting pretty much. I did hoover today ? I was so cold after typing all morning that I was glad of the exercise! ? but you wouldn?t know now? :(

Anyway, what else has been going on?

Linzer was up scarily early and Ouch hadn?t been to bed yet?

Ouch also inspired us all with cookies in a jar ? looks great! Hope you have a better night.

Lauren popped in with a list ? hope you had a good day.

Toffee was tackling hotspots. Glad the decluttering is going well. Hope your DS is OK ? quite a shock for him.

Fuzzled has dispensation not to fly with the flu ? have a , would you prefer lemsip or hot toddy?

bird has builders in ? never easy at the best of times. Keep looking after yourself! Routines sound like a good idea too.

OFM was heading for a very early night. Hope you get some good rest!

SC is feeling stressed ? , or ? ? but well done to her DD!

WhoKnows - glad the show went well.

rowing had a hectic day including shoe shopping, ebaying and sock sorting.

StNicks is nearly through her busiest week of the year ? well done on getting this far!

Links:

Babystep: is a reading one, but it?s how to declutter so probably worth it!
Mission: Mop the kitchen floor

Friday is declutter purse (handbag) and car day.

*
Tomorrow I have to go to the post office and drop off a cake for the playgroup Christmas fair, then in the afternoon we?ve got the school AND playgroup fairs. What fun. Anyway, better get to bed. See you tomorrow!

thanks stnicks for posting I so appreciate it, and to everyone else for hugs. No routines and have faild to go to bed on time. Still in shock but will be dropping by now and then till the mess gets too much to handle and I'm spurred back into action.
Still a bit weepy at the mo, so no flying here but well done on all your lists.

Flu. Still not flying although will have to do a washing.

Urgh!

morning all
fuzzled take it easy and hope youre feeling better soon.
well had a sort of semi early night, but feel no better for it today LOL am still totally shattered!
need to try to motivate myself though as we are out at dds show again tonight....so again need house presentable for babysitter and to try and persuade ds2 to go to bed early...
first need to manage to organise everyone enough to get to school and work LOL
BBL

Four hours' sleep . Will need coffee today.

Morning all just a fly by as am on phone and waiting for mindee.

It's DDs 1st party tomorrow, theres 31 children plus parents plus family and friend so have some preparation still to do:

Print pictures posters and signs
Make cakes
Collect birthday cake and matching party bag cupcakes
Wait in for party food delivery
Clean out car!!
Today's mission
Clean bathroom!!!
Wash and dry laundry
Put said laundry away
Bedroom hotspot
Front room
Hotspot

Might BBL!!

Lauren - good luck with the party
Toffee - here, have some of my
OFM - I'm not doing very well at early nights either, then DH managed to wake me up by getting up for some reason at 2am, grrr.
StNicks - good idea having a decluttering year, I am pleased with my progress but need to keep the momentum going.

Total routine fail this morning, I forgot to make DS's packed lunch last night, overslept a bit, then DS managed to tip over a whole cup of milk on the kitchen table which was still covered in all DD's craft stuff from yesterday, he was upset, I was cross because if we had cleared up last night it would have been much easier to deal with. DH stepped in and unloaded the DW and helped DD get dressed, so we got to school on time, but it has left me feeling grumpy. Although it is great that DD spends all her free time crafting, it makes so much mess everywhere, I just can't keep up, I am not very good at making her tidy up after herself, she slips away and leaves it all when my back is turned.

Today's list

Unload Ocado shopping which has just arrived
Have some breakfast (sacrificed the last of the milk to DS to replace his spilled cup so I missed brekkie)
Tidy all floors and vacuum round
Go and meet friend for a walk with her dog and coffee by the lake
Go for a run this afternoon
Take DCs shopping after school (DS has to buy Match Attax cards every Friday with his pocket money)
Early dinner for all as DH is going out
DCs to bed
Christmas cards and SKy+ all to myself for the rest of the evning.

Lauren - best of luck with the party!

WhoKnows - sorry you had a poor night's sleep as well. The milk incident sounds like an awful start to the day, especially when you are already feeling so tired and grumpy. Hopefully, the Ocado shopping delivery and tonight's SKY TV will cheer you up (hope you have some treats in that shopping ).

Today's plan of action:

DECLUTTER!

fuzzled - I hope you feel better soon
Bird - Thinking of you.
Ouch - Hope your ear infection is better, and you get some sleep!
Crinkled - your DD is clearly learning by example, well done!!
Beginning - I feel like you, definitely need the caffeine, although at least I had more than 4 hours
Lauren - good luck with the party!

A DFriend came over yesterday morning, and needed some TLC after suffering a miscarriage. Far more important to be a shoulder to cry on than try any flying.

Then had work in the afternoon, dinner in the evening and not in bed until 1 am. 3 nights this week of only 5 or 6 hours sleep is taking its toll. I feel exhausted.

So a tired new leaf for this morning.

To do list

Shine sink
Tidy kitchen
Wash 2 x bedding and remake beds
Sort and declutter 2 x boxes in dining room (from frenzied tidy up on Wed .
Hoover, sweep and mop
Buy 2 year old birthday present
School run
Iron 2 basket loads

Afternoon all

Sorry AWOL again - Went into school yesterday to sign new contract but other school matters got in the way. Got to spend the day helping out in classes instead and meeting people so was happy with that.

Today have been and bought a few bits to bolster DH and DDs presents and done weekend shop in a manic sainsburys. Been to Argos for some shopping who had none of the things I wanted in stock

DSis has been round so had a nice chat and am now of to volunteer for an afternoon and evening in a cold, wet, dark and muddy park - I have no idea why I do this to myself.

Have a load in the washing machine though so all is not lost on the flying front.

Back later - Can someone leave me some mulled wine or something in the naughty corner to warm me up - I think I'll need it!!

Feeling slightly better so managed to get a washing on. Think I will take DS out to the supermarket as he enjoys that and I can slump over the trolley

T'will also ensure poor DH gets dinner as I left him to fend for himself last night - and I went to bed.

Haven't managed to eat anything yet I'm not counting two mince pies as my throat hurts, but hoping some fresh air will blow the cobwebs away and make me feel better. Well fresh air and lots of cold & flu drugs

Was hoping to clean the oven tomorrow, but can't see it happening so I think a quick wipe down will be all it gets pre Christmas

Ah well, I need to go and find a hairbrush to try to sort this mop of hair out as I washed it this morning and then just blew dry it any old how. I now have wispy lions mane

Hi everyone, well done on all your busyness. Feeling a bit more together today, so I'll get there I hope. Sink is shiny, about to do some decluttering.

Should be moving but just want to go into hibernation mode. Really cba.

I have just been to Sainsburys for a few things and this Absolut Raspberri Vodka accidentally fell into my basket . I will be opening it in the naughty corner at about 7pm if anyone would like to join me. MC - I'm looking at you!

Glad to hear you're feeling more positive today bird and that you're feeling better too Fuzzled.

I expect we'll be having Glühwein again tonight MC so I shall leave some out for you.

ChitChatting So sorry to hear about your friend. Yes, there are times when FLYing definitely doesn't seem very important.

for you, Toffee - hope you can get an early night tonight.

WhoKnows Oh dear, that sounds like a stressful start to the day. I feel the same as you about craft supplies - great in principle, but the mess can get a bit much at times.

lauren Hope the party goes well tomorrow.

OFM Hope you've managed to get some rest today and that the show goes well.

DH has been working from home today - much as I normally complain when he does so, it's actually been quite useful today as he was able to pick up DD1 and DS while I was still teaching, and has just taken DD1 to her dyslexia lesson. DD2 and DS are off to a Montessori workshop in 15 minutes, and then the DDs have their piano concert this evening... and I've just remembered that DD2 still hasn't done any piano practice in preparation (she was too tired yesterday), so must go and remind her.

I have decluttered the craft drawer, and told my mum we're expecting. And the sink is clean.

Aaagh! Survived the school and playgroup fetes on the same afternoon and then got home to a very sniffy email from a client that has left me shaking with something. Rage maybe.

Just realised that I haven't had a cuppa all afternoon either - put the kettle on before checking the email. Grr!

Well done bird in this house the craft stuff it the last thing to be dealt with as it is soo ad

U ok? Anything you can do to sort the email situation out or is it just a case of cwhua (client with head up arse) ?

Thanks Ouch. Yes, I'm fine. Client has now sent a more conciliatory email and I think a lot of the sniffiness is down to language issues. Feeling a lot better now.

dd2 - toddler really has been pushing it today, all week really. I'm so sleep deprived it's unreal. Literally the nights that she has not been keeping me awake my oldest has been coming in the bed with bad dreams. So every single night this week has been a broken night.

And she is sooo loud, I worry about what the neighbours think.

Also recovering from loosing dd1 (4 years) at school gate today. I was just looking for a book in her school bag and for some reason she thought I'd gone ahead and left her - in the space of 0.5 seconds- and she ran all the way to the main road while I was looking for her in the playground. Thankfully someone intercepted her and brought her back.

Anyway, house is actually pretty clean and tidy although I haven't been doing it the fly-lady way.

No way can I go through all your posts now. But I did spot all the messages to abird and scrolled back to her post.

I feel for you so much. It's strange how something that is supposed to make us so happy can come as such unwelcome news. I was not ready for dd2 - with first child I wondered why pregnancy had to take 9 months it felt soo long, but with the second child 9 months was pretty much what it took for me to just get used to the idea.

I read your other post - you've really got your age on your side although it may not feel like it to you, you still have time to be young. And hey at least you know what you want to do with yourself, you have a plan to fit around a 3rd child. Anyway, I'm sure you'll be ok in the end, honestly everything really does happen for a reason, even though it may not be clear to us at the time, I really believe that.

Actually don't know what to do with myself now all is quiet - eat? Mumsnet? Iron? I dare not move in case she wakes up again....