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!

Elf - knitting is not one of my strongest skills. Was embroidering as a child and moved on to dress making and patchwork (machine only as have no patience). Dabble in knitting and crochet but much prefer stuff i make on the sewing machine. My excuse as the scarves are presents Been trying out this new wool type stuff that is more like ribbon then traditional wool. Tis brilliant stuff makes scarves in an evening. this stuff it makes scarfs that are ruffly and only takes 10 stitches per row with no casting on. Brilliant for quick lovely presents. As for mess there is a lot of crafting stuff in this house. It's in the office. Along with all the junk i can't face dealing with before christmas
I also have a large pile of mending and WIPs that need to get finished off. At one point I will have no outstanding WIPs and only one working project.

Ouch That looks lovely! What colour have you chosen for the scarves? I have about 3 boxes of WIPs!! Some very beautiful cross stitches in there too, which I really must finish at some point. I haven't sewn in soooo long, but used to a lot. I have most recently been doing cross stitch and knitting - even bought myself a knitting machine that I haven't worked out how to use, and haven't the space to pull it out until I finish decorating. Have toyed with the idea of crocheting but was shown how to soooo long ago that I can't remember any of it. Have never done patchwork though..... hmmm....

yep definetely a crafting thing this clutter Have made a plain black/grey/white, glittery 3-tone purple, and 3-tone brown, got a plain 3-tone purple and a glittery 3 tone brown left to make. But as each scarf is completed easily in a evening i have been sticking film on and doing whilst watching, or whilst ds is training. keeps me out of trouble although that is debateable

Up and out with ds to school on time done
ironing - 2 basketfulls done
folding done
clothes away about to do
make up ds' kit done and put into car
put boxes from bathroom into office
put rubbish out done
tackle utility room floor (which has still not been finished off blush)
Put ingrediants into bread machine for pizza base awaiting start button to be pressed
Coffee with friend
Make up pizzas and cook
get ds to write remaining cards for training and cards for school friends
ds to training
ds showered and in bed before 10pm
early night.
Finish off scarves done
Finish wrapping presents have in house done
Sort parcels for postage tomo Done amap.
Write last lot of cards in progress
Find missing address book so can send the 2 cards know have addresses for but can't remember.
Get two photo's printed
Retape stick done

Today is my last day minding and tbh I need a break! Lots of sick children, non-paying parent (who is now abroad ), and a truly cluttered and dirty house!

DS1 is off ice skating tonight and I'm going to try and get DH to do the honours and take him.

Tomorrows list.

Finish the washing
Buy some birthday cards
All clean clothes away
Clean bathroom
Collect DCs at lunchtime
Write and post birthday cards
Buy secret santa gift
Wrap and send secret santa
Get DS to write thank you cards

Saturdays List

Visit mum
Tidy my bedroom
Thorough hoover upstairs
Tidy understairs cupboard
Tidy hall
Thorough hoover downstairs
Mop kitchen

I really have got soo much housework to do that I'm feeling a bit depressed and overwhemed by it all. Still, I won't feel any better by not doing it so I'd best just get my head down and crack on with it.

Time to get some lunch before all the little darlings wake up so BBL!

Mum has the kids, so I'm settling down to do a couple of hours work. At some point must make dinner too. Then out this evening, and busy tomorrow... At least our bedroom is clean so I can collapse into bed happy!

I LOVE decluttering, chuck things out too much sometimes

grr- wasted nearly 2 hours sorting out an John Lewis online order including ktchen storage solutions, godchild pressies etc, only to find no pre-xmas delivery of storage at last minute, and then to cap it all, payment failed, and delivery on wrong day. Actually if the bank can confirm the payment has failed I'll be relieved as it is all scheduled to come at the wrong time, too late for posting on...

Right bank (after phonecall) has confirmed payment hasn't gone through, although funds are there.

So, given up on the organising presents bit for now, will have to tidy up after all.

StNick you deserve a medal.
Ouch I knitted some lovely ribbony cobweb scarves about two years ago, as you say they are delightfully quick presents! Unfortunately my mum has a tendency to look like Miss Haversham so I've had to stop giving her homemade presents especially if they are cobwebby.

another stretch of calls to find that order has gone through

well thank goodness for that, and the mini-freezer is coming on Monday, so that is exciting. And I suppose the rest of the parcels will trickle in slowly but surely...

And it's PICKUP TIME. 12 mins to put the clothes away.

Woohoo!! Job is finished...

Have also been to Aldi (mayhem!)
Iced cakes for DS1's school party tomorrow
Made pastry case for my "Work Christmas Do" - don't get one as I'm freelance, so DH and I have a nice dinner...

Unfortunately, failed to read the instructions on baking blind properly, so got the timing wrong and now have to go and collect the boys...

Ouch - I love the name World of Woolcraft! Now this job is finished I can get back to the embroidery I was doing for Christmas presents - one last bag to finish...

Yikes. Really better go!

Quick list update before heading out.

Up and out with ds to school on time done
ironing - 2 basketfulls done
folding done
clothes away about to do
make up ds' kit done and put into car about to do
put boxes from bathroom into office
put rubbish out done
tackle utility room floor (which has still not been finished off blush)
Put ingrediants into bread machine for pizza base Done
Coffee with friend done
Make up pizzas and cook done and eaten
get ds to write remaining cards for training one extra done and cards for school friends hahahaha
ds to training about to do
ds showered and in bed before 10pm
early night.
Finish off scarves done
Finish wrapping presents have in house done
Sort parcels for postage tomo Done amap.
Write last lot of cards in progress
Find missing address book so can send the 2 cards know have addresses for but can't remember.
Get two photo's printed
Retape stick done

Right will be back after 10pm. Hope you all have productive flying, non wanting to kill dc evenings.

btw swan who is Miss Haversham?

Ouch - don't you know Great Expectations . Get thee to the tv over Christmas time and all will be revealed!

oh ....just did long post that MN ate
In summary....not a good week in the overflowing house. Various dc ill, me ill...evryone exhausted and suffering from major end-of-term-itis....
BUT I have a day off paid work tomorrow so will hopefully catch up a bit....am hoping to do some wrapping, have last carol concert at 2.00 though so wont get much done.
really need end of term NOW....cant believe ours dont finish till next Weds
will try to be better FLyfriend and keep up with you all!

Sorry there is so much illness in your house, OFM . I hope you all feel better soon.

Swan - your dvd plan for your son's new friends sounds good. The last time I insisted that DS and his friend turned the computer off and actually talked to each other ended up with a rough and tumble that resulted in a broken toe (DS's), so I'm all in favour of computers and television again now! Boys seem to need social props more than girls do (especially those with SNs, probably).

Ouch - 9pm, 27 December, BBC1 .

So, what did I manage to get done today?

Get dressed done
Swish and swipe done
Hoover
Polish brass
Measure boys' photos for frames
DS2 - finish Xmas cards done
Order more Xmas presents online
Ring chemist to order repeat prescriptions before Xmas
MIL here done
PM:Xmas shopping (long list) done
Give blood and enjoy a rest and biscuit afterwards done
Make cookies for TA, teacher, wonderful childminder and very lovely school receptionist
What's for dinner? Reheated spag bol sauce from yesterday done
Bedtime routine done
Finish writing Xmas cards
Before-bed routine

Came home from shopping to find that DH had finally reattached the cupboard door in our dining room (it has been leaning against the wall since last Christmas!) and had also sorted out the messy dining-room cupboard and replaced all the rubbish in it with his office stuff . Very impressive!

Off to make another two batches of cookies now to put in cellophane Christmas bags for the teachers (Ouch - I decided it was cheaper to just make the cookies myself, rather than buying jars for the ingredients). Then will do more Christmas cards.

Am hoping both children will go to school tomorrow. DS1 only has to last until 12.15, so not long at all. He is making his stage debut as a dwarf in a panto competition. Not just any old dwarf, mind, but chief dwarf .

Must go and bake those cookies...

Cookies i made yesterday went down a storm. I had the jar in stock and only have one teacher who has worked miracles for ds.

Not here, ds is still in the shower after tears and tempers that he was too tired to get into it...

...30mins ago just going to kick him into bed.

Good evening!

DH is out on his work Christmas do so I?ve had a lovely quiet evening? Once the boys got to bed, that is. Some serious end-of-term-it is here too, combined with colds and coughs, which all led to lots of ?Where?s Daddy? I want Daddy!? ?I can?t go to bed without Daddy?? etc. Asleep in seconds flat once there, though ? fortunately!!

Better get cracking with the round-up:

ellie was nearing the finish line?

Lauren dumped a list -

Kate was finishing the Christmas shopping ? hope it was successful.

Toffee was flying at unearthly hours and had DC off sick, her DH did some impressive tidying and she was making cookies.

Bird benefited from an early night and the builder actually building! She confessed to loving decluttering?

Ouch accidentally spent time on MN and has been making scarves ? they sound lovely! Her DS got stuck in the shower though?

ChitChat was wondering about the relationship between crafting and clutter ? definitely holds true in this house!

Swan needed to put clothes away and was looking for the dongle? She was also battling online shopping. Glad it got mostly sorted in the end!

StNicks had her last day minding and was feeling a bit overwhelmed ? the power of 15 mins is the way forward! And ?

OFM has been having a tough week. Have some ! I hope the concert goes well and that you all make speedy recoveries.

Links for tomorrow:
Babystep: Won?t apply if you?ve done the sensible thing and not signed up for the emails?

Mission: Once again the Fat Fairy is demonstrating her all-seeing eye and she wants us to tidy our craft areas! Also flat surfaces in the bathroom.

Both DSs have Christmas parties tomorrow so got some extra time in the morning. Should really try and tame the house given it?s all gone to pot. Tempted to do wrapping or shopping instead though?

List update:

Up and out with ds to school on time done
ironing - 2 basketfulls done
folding done
clothes away about to do who was i trying to kid earlier?
make up ds' kit and put into car done
put boxes from bathroom into office done
put rubbish out done
tackle utility room floor (which has still not been finished off blush)
Put ingrediants into bread machine for pizza base Done
Coffee with friend done
Make up pizzas and cook done and eaten
get ds to write remaining cards for training and cards for school friends hahahaha
ds to training done
ds showered and in bed before 10pm done for 10 past
early night. hahahahah
Finish off scarves done
Finish wrapping presents have in house done
Sort parcels for postage tomo Done
amap.
Write last lot of cards in progress
Find missing address book so can send the 2 cards know have addresses for but can't remember.
Get two photo's printed
Retape stick done
Buy birthday cards done
Buy ingrediants to test brownie recipie done
Buy new socks, jeans and boxers for ds who has decided now is a good time to grow out of everything done
Sort out plate of food for ds' party at school mini sausages and sausage rolls cooked and about to plate up

List for friday:
Ds to school on time with present for teacher
check whether full day of half day and let teacher know letters aren't getting home atm is this a boy thing?
Brave nearest large shopping centre
Brave town centre to pick up last present
Spend evening with sewing machine and to be repaired/ altered pile.
find tip ex.
IF finish the mending/alteration pile then knit another scarf.
Bed to sleep before midnight and if possible 11pm.

Okay, still on phone (just much easier for me in the morning as DS won't let me bear a computer without dkydje£:&|€

Revised today's list because a disorganised parent has just asked me to collect her child from school at lunchtime. Bah!

So
Up shower dress
Breakfast all
School run
Give thank you present to beaver leader
Sainsbury's for thank you cards and birthday cards
Write above cards and post
Wrap secret Santa and post
Lunch, nap
School run
Give mindees their presents
2 loads of washing and hang them
4 massive baskets of clean clothes away
Dinner for mindee
Dinner for me and DH

I hope today is a successful flying day for everyone :)

Woot! Just had a call to ask if they can deliver early - at about 8am! Hell yes! And DH is going to go in late to work so he can deal with it

To paraphrase the late, great Hannibal Smith (aka George Peppard) - I love it when a plan comes together!

And delivered and put in room upstairs where we wanted it .

Good start to the day!

It's snowing here!!!!

Hopefully it doesn't stop me getting organised today though.

Yesterday's Ta Da list:

School and Childminder Run done
Sort out Nursery fundraising money done
Catch up with Flying thread done
Arrange babysitting done
Sort out clothes for Party tomorrow night done
Pack overnight bags for everyone for tomorrow night done
3 loads of washing done
Unload dishwasher done
clean up after breakfast done
reload dishwasher done
Go shopping for presents part done
Buy clothes rail done

Also managed to do
Buy new dress for (tonight's) party (surprisingly painless)
Bought warmer duvets for DSs
Help DH by typing for a few hours

Feeling very virtuous !!!

To do list:

Make porridge for breakfast done
clean up after breakfast
school run
Home Bleugh
extra last minute packing for overnight stay
make it into London after school
Party!!!

Just a list drop!

DPs grandad is having surgery on his brain today, and my mum has gone to Poland for a long weekend so I've got 4 dogs all weekend so list:

Bedroom hotspot
Clean kitchen and shine sink
Wash and remake bedding
Hoover
Walk dogs at lunch
Walk dogs after mindee goes home
Start cleaning mams house for her getting back...this will take the weekend, it's a big house and housework gets on top of them since I moved out!

I probably won't be back til Monday, so have a lovely weekend

morning all.
Am feeling much better this morning, and especially jolly at the thought of a whole 4 hours CHILDFREE on my own at home this morning ...does excited little dance....
However ther is soooo much I need to get done that I must be realistic and accept it isnt all going to happen in 4 hours lol
so....I am going to prioritise finishing the Christmas wrapping for DC pressies as this is especially difficult any other time! IF I have time left after that I will hoover and if by some miracle I am not running late by then I'll sweep and mop downstairs....

am going to induldge in a list of what I need to achieve by the end of weekend to keep me motivated:
POST christmas cards
Buy present for dd4 friends bady
MAJOR room rescue our room (tis very bad!!)
nag encourage dd1 and 2 to excavate their room(tis horrendous!!!)
Hoover throughout
sweep and mop floors
baking -more biscuits and cupcakes
parcel up baked goodies for teachers pressies
buy party dress for dd3
buy clothes for dd1
buy more trousers for ds2 (who has had another sudden growth spurt and now appears to only own calf length trousers )
buy required stuff for dc Christmas parties next week
trip to woods to gather Holly
FINISH forms for DD3 assessment
Double check ocado food order and amend as required
Buy nice basket to package up pressie for niece
Ice Christmas cake

right...that will do for now....hope all are FLYing well, will be back for individuals later, but wrapping now awaits!

holly I see you also have an inconveniently growing ds LOL
fuzzled yay for early delivery
nicknacks hope re-arranged day goes ok
chitchat enjoy the party
lauren hope the surgery goes well. 4 dogs sounds a challenge!

right....I'm going....wrapping paper here I come!