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!

Morning all!

Well I'm bright and breezy, but DS is choked with the cold, has only taken about 180ml of milk, a few teaspoons of rice krispies out of my breakfast, a spoon of calpol and has now fallen asleep cuddling DH's arm

Looks like the tree decoration in his nap time will not be happening - we'll do it tonight instead.

Don't actually have anything else planned for today - think it will be easier to tidy when DS is asleep!

See you all tomorrow!

Morning all!im at mums still and the house upon closer inspection is much worse than I first thought, it took me 2 hours yesterday to clean the kitchen so will post a to do list for today to keep me on track, they are back tomorrow so all needs doing today

Mums en suite

[bleary eyed and yawning] hello. Pantomine caused tantrum Never again is dd staying up later than 9pm. Have cancelled sleepover with her friend on Mon. She had a tantrum because the lady handing out sweets at panto managed to miss her, but really it was because she was tired I guess.

Dh has taken children to church with the xmas promise food, cue a lot of last minute caterwauling about gloves, misbuttoned shirts, anoraks which are too small etc...Ds now doesn't seem to have a coat at all, having lost his school coat in his locker? Or is it in his PE bag. Who knows?

So, they'll be out till 3pm park etc, and I now need to tackle all those things which I am meant to be doing...um what are they?

Todo
wrap last of to be posted presents
wrap some more minor children's presents and put under tree
sweep floor
yup, TIDY MY BEDROOM which is not a haven atm
change our sheets
SORT OUT PILES OF MISCELLANEOUS CLOTHES

Luckily it was only a local amateur panto - not a big event...(DH took them to Aladdin last weekend which was a professional production, and it was a fantastic success but I suppose I overegged things by thinking last night's might be fun too...just too long.

Ellie that is so great when a DH is a team worker!

Indeed it is swan. However, he is still in bed nursing a hangover at the moment so will have to wait and see re: today! I do forgive him however as he doesn't go out very often, only high days and holidays so he is entitled to a lie-in .

So far:-

Quick sweep round downstairs
Washing
Ironed
Tidied pantry

To do still:-
Dinner
Clothes away
More washing
More drying (sod the electric bill/environment, need for speed so drier will be on all day )
DC's Christmas cards which means me writing DD's. Wouldn't be arsed but she has loads so had better do it.
Sort out the sock pile of doom

Ellie - what a fantastic clear out you've had . Sounds like you are well on the way to being ready for Christmas.

Swan - sorry to hear about your DD's tantrum. They are so exhausting for parents, aren't they?

Fuzzled - sorry DS is ill. Hopefully over by Xmas?

Lauren - your lucky mum, coming back to a nice clean house.

Lovely, blue-skied, sunny day here, so DH and I are taking the DC for a walk into town. I'm sure they'll love being hauled off their computers and out into the real world. Hope to be back to tackle Christmas presents, cards and house rescue later.

This morning dd emerged from her duvet at 9.30. I asked her what outfit she wanted to wear (trying to be encouraging and get her off to church) You choose Mum, she said lugubriously. (appealing "cool" choices offered)Ahh, she said, Let me see, I think I'll wear...(long pause) PJs! She chuckled away at the thought of outwitting me, and at the idea of altar serving in pink pjs. Then dressed herself smartly and was in an excellent mood...

Done
washing*

cleared out fridge, to make room for veg
sorted fridge
emptied food compost, newspaper recycling
cleared surfaces in kitchen
wiped table
swept floor

Blimey lots of calm sounding people being productive.

I had more then an hours kip but it was rather broken as ds had got up by the time i went to sleep. Otoh I should be proper tired later and go to bed at a reasonable time.

Coffee needed and will then get on and tackle the remaining to do list. Do need to finish the christmas cards though and that isn't on the list

Ellie - amazing what you can get done with no work pressure. Wow about dd tidying up behind herself

Fuzzled - hope ds feels better

Swan - tired children and activities often end that way. Your intention was brilliant but they are surprisingly tired atm. Am glad that ds had a few days off school at the end of term just to sleep. He is in a stupidly good mood because of in.

Sorry for no more personals. Brain is on lack of caffine/sleep fail.

afternoon all
ellie various of my dc have done that odd being sick at night thing before - DD2 seemed especially prone to it - did it 4 nights in a row once I concluded it was sort of a low level bug....not bad enough to make her ill in the day ....who knows... hope she gets through tonight OK
fuzzled hope ds is better soon. bless him.
lauren sounds like you're doing a fab job at your mums house.
swan hope you have a productive child free few hours. LOL at alter serving in pink PJs!

right, well, all good here! managed to get up and organised enough for us all to go to Church - went OK...DS2 not too horrendous!
then home and early lunch as dd4 had to be whisked off to a party.DH has taken ds2 as well so I can at least get on with some stuff!
Hoover is fixed and have finally hoovered lounge, stairs,landing,and our room. need to do dc rooms next.
Then tackle mountain of washing....
however I have got the fire on in the lounge, and have freshly poured coffee an an orange and ginger muffin left over from yesterdays baking(having already sampled the choc brownies and cookies yesterday ) and am not feeling very inclined to get up yet LOL
will hopefully feel motivated any minute now....

x-posts ouch hello!

15 mins in the broom cupboard
saucepans soaking
dw on
another wash on
another load sorted of woollens/silks (that sounds exotic it'snot)
another load hung out

found two sets of fairy lights
stripped bed
decided not to wash the sheets till back log of other stuff cleared
found wellies at bottom of broom cupboard, and will attempt to put some PTA stuff in the shed walkingacross interminably muddy garden

this is what drives me NUTS.
I need the £1 stamps. But I can only find the normal stamps and the 10p stamps.
Yesterday I needed the normal stamps and could only find the £1 stamps. will check the hall of doom.

done
Ist class parcel wrapped, weighed and priced

swan i read that as "it' snot"

Right motivational list update.

To do list
Drink lots of coffee done
Cook cottage pie for lunch done
sort out plans for next week done
Help Individual with solving problems caused by microsoft No current swearing coming from that direction so hoping done
Shower and get up about to do
My bedroom
finish parceling things up
Laundry last load in washer
finish folding up to date and ironing
clothes away
Put up remaining christmas decorations started
Put new popper on ds' jeans popper found
Name new school trousers
Bathroom
Study
Mince pies
Chocolate chip cookies
Sort out plans for tomo weather checked, need to make phone call and get stuff ready

4 more!

Arses! Balls up my list for today as forgotten to do something important that needs doing for tomo. :(

Revised To do list
Drink lots of coffee done
Cook cottage pie for lunch done
sort out plans for next week done
Help Individual with solving problems caused by microsoft No current swearing coming from that direction so hoping done
Shower and get up done
My bedroom
finish parceling things up
Laundry last load in dryer
finish folding up to date and ironing done
clothes away ds been given his to do
Put up remaining christmas decorations started Will have to wait
Put new popper on ds' jeans popper found Can wait
Name new school trousers
Bathroom in progress
Study
Mince pies
Chocolate chip cookies
Sort out plans for tomo weather checked, made phone call to confirm
Find right material done and pattern can't find have had to make new
cut and apply material done
find sewing machine and machine on
mark for hand stitching
Hand stitch.
Put ds in a deep hot bath to soak in progress

I think i need a stiff drink.

oh, and I found all the lost Xmas cards....too late as I've ordered some more Dh had them in his study with the wrapping paper [grr]

Ds and I have been for a lovely festive wander round the shops in Ealing, enjoying all the stalls, and lights; a few more presents (for ds to give) and a hot chocolate to finish. Lovely

Still I don't seem to have achieved much today; possibly a bit more relaxed..who knows...
Dd in fragile mood again

fwine] a very good idea Ouch*. Also I need to cut some holly and ivy for good luck and make a festive candle arrangement.

No school wake up tomorrow WoohOO!

sorry folks that was meant to read I see there is no "festive" wine; perhaps wine is always festive
Now where is the [fgin/whisky] icon?? That's what we need!

To do list
Drink lots of coffee done
Cook cottage pie for lunch done
sort out plans for next week done
Help Individual with solving problems caused by microsoft No current swearing coming from that direction so hoping done
Shower and get up done
My bedroom
finish parceling things up done
Laundry last load in dryer
finish folding up to date and ironing right way out
clothes away ds been given his to do
Put up remaining christmas decorations started Will have to wait
Put new popper on ds' jeans popper found and just about to do
Name new school trousers about to do
Bathroom abandoned
Study
Mince pies done
Chocolate chip cookies done
Sort out plans for tomo weather checked, made phone call to confirm
Find right material done and pattern can't find have had to make new
cut and apply material done
find sewing machine and machine on done
mark for hand stitching done
Hand stitch. accepted offer of help
Put ds in a deep hot bath to soak done
try not to kill the occupants of the house fail
Come to truce with above sort of

Once i have done the three pairs of trousers i am going to head to bed as actually really tired and tomo is going to be a long day.

Hope you have had good days and may you have productive hassle free as possible days tomo.

monday's list
Check car over
clear out unwanted stuff
pack car
road trip
have fun
come home
sleep as it will be stupid o'clock

Hello - hope you all survived 'panic Saturday & Sunday'

Was being slightly optimistic yesterday in promising to read back through thread ...will do so as soon as possibly can ....hope I haven't missed anything exciting!!

Had busy but good day today

Managed to:

Have a lie in
Go to church
Have a rare Sunday shopping excursion (shops aren't usually open here on a Sunday (except for bakeries/butchers/florists/outdoor markets etc etc) - but they deign to open their doors a couple of Sundays before Christmas. Anyway managed to buy 10 of the 11 presents I was seeking in 2.5 hours flat which was frankly some sort of miracle.
Serve lunch (pre-prepped Friday)
Go to a drink's party
Supervise dd hwk
Serve supper (pre-prepped Friday)
Sort out my present cupboard and find all of dd's stocking fillers which I have stowed in there throughout the year
Do a load of washing
Prepare dd swim kit
And I am now busily making present labels while dh is ensconced with Brian Cox and quantum theory

Oh yes - have to repair dd's school coat before bed too

Loads to do tomorrow but dd doesn't break up until Friday lunch time so at least I have some child-free time.

I've no really need to panic actually. Finally dawning that Christmas in Brussels is much less stressful than UK variety. Dc have already had their main presents on 6 December (feast of St Nicolas) when you have the time to really focus on them and them alone. Most people eat Christmas dinner on eve of 24th and then relax on Christmas day (although we don't). They eat a lot of things like oysters and pre-prepared traiteur dishes. And if they choose, they can go to church from 6pm on Christmas eve. Shops generally wrap your presents for you. And few people send cards - and if they do - it's usual to send them during Christmas holidays so they arrive at new Year. So it's all a lot less frantic than cooking lunch, going to mass, supervising present opening, eating lunch etc etc all on Christmas morning/afternoon!!

Blue thank you for keeping going with the round-ups at this frantic time of year. Hope your ds1 is OK.

Tinselliepac I think someone's dcs on here had similar problem and an ear infection was suggested as they apparently get worse at night. Not sure though -perhaps others can advise. Hope your dd recovers soon though.

Swan someone described my house as 'cosy' the other day when I apologised for the toys all over the floor. I think that was a euphemism for messy.

Good luck with your long list Ouch

[Leaves mulled wine out for all who are n need]

Sorry no more personals but hope all the poorly dc on here are feeling better (or will feel better soon)

Huge waves to everyone!

Evening all! I?m sure it was only half past nine a minute ago, so I?d better try and keep it brief! Have we all renewed our spirits today??!

Ouch had done scary amounts overnight and was productive today too. Hope you have a better night tonight.

Toffee was finding her kitchen and dragging her DC away from their computers into the sunshine.

Ellie was amazingly productive yesterday

Fuzzled has a coldy DS

Lauren was finding it tough cleaning for her mum

Swan was tackling things while she had the house to herself and being driven nuts by stamps. Glad you had a nice festive wander. Shame about DD ? it?s hard when they?re this tired.

OFM has done hoovering and was going to tackle the laundry?

SC is appreciating unstressed Belgian Christmas ? that all sounds remarkably civilised! (DS1 seems OK at the moment, although DH seems about to be struck down by the lurgy we?ve all had? )

Blue - we?ve been to church, had friends (DS1?s godparents) round this afternoon, had a reasonably successful dinner and got all the presents for non-residents of this house wrapped? DH is off tomorrow but no idea how that?ll go ? depends on everybody?s levels of health!

Links:
Babystep: Another reading one?

Mission: We?re moving into the master bedroom this week.
***

Yikes ? need to get to bed. Night all!

SC my Dutch friend gives her children no Xmas presents at all! I don't think she even gives her husband one and he's English. She takes them for a lovely luxury holiday chez relatives in Holland though. And she gives all her English friends/teachers homegrown jam that she prepares very efficiently at beginning of Dec from fruit in freezer.

It must the fault of Dickens/German Royal Family perhaps....

I am feeling very pleased with myself because we are now well ahead. Xmas tree is up 2 weeks ago, and so this weekend I managed to wrap quite a lot of presents, which is also unusual in this family I think I've done most of the food shopping, just little delicious traiteury things to buy now (if I can be bothered) and I've resisted the temptation to give a party which usually tips me over the edge (well it did last year).

I have now attached the car key to a very long fluorescent green corkscrew fob in the hope that I won't lose it.

Have also sent some cards to long lost relatives.

Was rushed to ooh go yesterday with suspected kidney stones and spent today drugged up so apologies for AWOL. Wide awake now as can't get comfy in bed so gonna try to catch up. Did manage to get decorations up yesterday and two loads of washing done today so not a total write off