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!

swan My mum didn't believe in jeans either - I don't think I was allowed a pair until I was in my teens - and I rarely wore trousers (also my mum's doing I think, as I don't remember choosing my own clothes until I was at secondary school). Unlike you, however, I fear I am turning into my mother - I really regret never putting DD1 into a skirt or dress when she was little as she refuses to wear one now, haven't exactly banned jeans but wouldn't buy them unless the DC asked for them (they haven't), and live in dresses or tunics and leggings.

The hall is fairly well decluttered now (apart from the shoe cupboard); it was probably the room that needed decluttering least, but as it's the first room that visitors see I thought I would start there. Now off to prepare the last two English lessons of the year; I'll also be introducing the children to mince pies (not a huge success at the last lesson) and crackers (which went down far better).

Morning all just a list dump as I'm waiting on a mindee!

Playgroups are closed so quiet back end of the week with final mindee...both her parents are off now for christmas so she's arriving late most mornings at the minute anyway

To do:
Yesterday's home bleugh
Wash doors down
Wash sofas down
Washing/ drying/ putting away *3
Wash and remake bedding
Put DDs laundry away
Walk dog
Food shop?
Clean out fridge

BBL!!

Morning

flying I like your new name
ouch hope you get some rest today
swan hope hospital goes ok
Ellie you are brave attempting DIY before Xmas but sounds like a great success

Waves to everyone else

Well I didn't get any sleep until 4 am through to pain, indigestion and sickness so I have only just woke up. Today's plan is to get myself to toysrus and pick up dd's last reserved present then we are done abs an off to a wildlife park with dd using some groupon vouchers as a treat to dd for being so good recently.

That will no doubt exhaust me so we'll see if I get anything else done and mr tesco is bringing me my Xmas shopping tonight so that's another thing out of the way.

Have a good day everyone

Oh my!

Dining room done in quick smart time as I didn't procrastinate! I set my timer and did 15 minutes and then had 5 mins putting stuff away in the right place, then 15 minutes, then 5 for a coffee and 5 for putting away then a final 15 minutes and it was done!

There's a crate of stuff to go upstairs, but don't want to do that as DS is napping and I haven't hoovered as DS likes wandering in there clutching his little flaky, oaty bars so will leave until Friday before guests arrive.

Still need to clean upstairs bathroom, but I have a cunning plan! DH is in the bath with DS tonight, so I can deep clean toilet (nasty chemicals) tonight (as it's never really used unless we gave guests) then S&S on Friday.

I still desperately need to organise a shopping trip/list, but I need DH's input as he does Christmas day, so hoping he'll help me list tonight.

Last thing to do is my WAH job, but again that'll be done tonight.

Overall I'm pleased with my flying today, and may get more random stuff done tonight depending on how DS is doing. I've a feeling the doctor will say that I'm neurotic and a bit PFB about him, but he does seem to pant a lot and wheeze and he's banging his ears again (ear infection two weeks ago) so I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Having said that, he will now wake up and tear about like a demon as demonstrated by the Calpol adverts

Right, before DS stirs I think!

Well done Flying
Hope you are feeling a bit better MC i also have only just woken up. Ds has not been up for long either. I predict a late night tonight. if this carries on this week we will have a very civilised start to christmas.
Blue when was it you were unable to finish posting for the month and needed someone to take over? Was it the 22nd? Happy to oblige.
Whoknows nope wasn't in your neck of the woods, that would be a hell of a longer round trip, and a longer day. has however, considered doing this on a number of occassions and tried not to be so mad We were on the east coast ish

Ds is eating breakfast and watching tv.
I am about to drink a large mug of coffee and consider moving.

All getting a bit frantic in the toffee household! Trying to crisis clean, do the laundry, send last-minute cards and look after various visitors - and haven't even bought the tree yet . And, just to add to the stress, DH and I are working this afternoon, so I won't be able to do anything in the house. I feel like I need a whole day just to get the house ready, but we have stuff on every day, so that's not going to happen.

And I haven't had any time to keep up with this thread, so I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.

Hope you are all OK and more organised than me.

De-cobweb downstairs done
De-cobweb upstairs
Put screws back in bath panal done
Declutter under kitchen sink
Mop kitchen floor thoroughly
Wipe out fridge done
Clean oven done
Deep clean bathroom
Food shop
Fix branches on tree
Fill charity bag
Clean bannister done
Lay out xmas day clothes
Clean laundry away
Tidy boys room
Put wreath back up on the door (windy times) done
Net lights up
Hoover stairs
Dustbins out
Finish wrapping presents
Check xmas pud fits in slow cooker
Make trifle
Ice the christmas cake
Declutter dining room to make space for bigger table
Get xmas food out of all their hiding places
Prep veg
Clean beds for all
Change light bulbs
Deliver local presents
Hoover upstairs
Hoover downstairs
Dust downstairs

Have added as many as I've crossed off :(

Hi all

Sorry - Still haven't caught up with this thread despite Blue's wonderful round-ups

I seem to have caught Whoknows cold. Feeling rotten. Writing cards and wrapping last minute parcels then having to lie down for 40 mins then start again. Very bad timing!!

Added to that was playing in the garden with dd - trying to

Heating engineer has just arrived as our boiler is playing up. Dishwasher still en panne although new one supposedly arriving Thurs.

Dh (who was travelling all last week) promised to take some time off to help me today but when I last called he was at boozy lunch with colleagues ...

Heigh ho ...must soldier on.

Swan/Linzer/Blue my mother wouldn't allow jeans either (she eventually accepted cords). Funnily enough, I bought dd her first pair of dark blue jeans a few months ago...she was enthusiastic but declared them 'scratchy'

Good luck to all fellow fledglings who are feeling stressed (Toffee and must of us by the looks of it)/below par (MC)/or whose dc are ill (Fuzzled and StNicks) Sorry if I've missed people out -feeling a bit floaty and wierd for proper scrolling

Sorry to hear you are still feeling rough MC - awful at any time but a particular bummer at this time of year.

Huge, encouraging flaps of wings to everyone ...

[hands over dry crackers and ginger ale to 3inabirdsnest]

oops - bit I didn't finish about playing in the garden. Was trying to make snowballs with dd the other day out of meagre scattering of ice and fell heavily backwards on my coccyx So am hobbling about. DD asks me every morning - how are your "knockles"????

well I was starting to feel relaxed and festive - dd has emerged in a glittering silver dress (from last year, a little short but who cares) and pearls no less for today's party (unfortunately she has spoilt the effect by eating a bag of salt and vinegar crisps from sleepover just this minute so smells like a chip shop)

hospt appt went smoothly with only two children to chivvy

KITCHEN IS A TOTAL MESS but I will remedy that this afternoon I hope...
and we have been invited to an impromptu drinks with children this eve so that will be fun (leaving some with a babysitter)

SC the fact that everyone gets a bit frazzled this time of year on the thread is very cheering and is actually helping me relax That must have been very painful, and I hope you have taken lots of arnica and don't try and lift too many heavy things paniers.

Tbh I haven't really sent any xmas cards this year. If a few get done at the last minute or delivered by the kids to the neighbours I will treat it as a Xmas treat... The kids have sent soo many I feel absolved of guilt.
Nor have I baked a Xmas cake

done
I did attempt to buy some crackers from Oxfam but my card was refused I must remember I haven't bought them and actually buy some more.
two loads of washing
stripped ds1's bed
bought some colour coded folders to reorganise ds1's desk ( he was crying because it was messy - I feel SUCH sympathy with him so am trying to help)

Have had what ought to have been a nice morning but feel stressed up to my eyeballs and v with both boys but esp. DS1. :( Have dumped DS2 in his cot to see if he'll settle for a late nap, but he's just bawling his eyes out... CUrrently ignoring DS1, but better check on him in a bit...

Ice - yes it's 22nd we're away from. That would be great, thanks.

Oh, I'm glad someone else has admitted to feeling more relaxed by everyone else being stressed

I'm already feeling much better about my lack of preparation it's nice to see that other people get as stressed out as me rather than just seeing the finished result when everyone looks serene and trots out the age old cliché of "oh this, I just threw it all together" IYSWIM!

Still, I have succumbed and hoovered as it would only take a couple of minutes and thrown on a few loads of washing so I'm more up to date...

Having a break and a drink with DS watching CBeebies for a few minutes so I get peace and I can then change his nappy without screaming - either of us!

Yes there IS something relaxing (in a wierd sort of way) about knowing that Christmas is happening on the 25th whether or not cards have been sent or cakes made - a sort of "can't do anything more than I'm already doing now so let's make the best of what we've got" sort of feeling!! Quite liberating really ....and it is VERY reassuring to know that others are in the same boat.

It's like all those show homes one sees on the telly with perfect cream carpets and nothing out of place -when you know in reality the average person has piles of ironing dotted about and tights drying on the radiator. C'est la vie ...

Can't heelp kicking myself for all those days in November when I nesbitted instead of doing Christmas prep though. Still, what's done is done ....

So nice to be back on here with all you wise fledglings [sniff] [cough] [splutter] [rubs coccyx] [swigs cooking brandy]

I've just had a good look at the Flylady website and lots more little 'lightbulbs' have just pinged in my head. I'm really really determind to make 2012 my decluttering year!

Also in complete denial that xmas is on Sunday. House is passable but you know you just want everything done for the 'big' day... I don't know why but I do.

i am too chilled out to be panicing today. I have finally perfected CBA! And i am happier for it. Now if i can discover sleep and decluttering life will be perfect. I think it helps that the atmosphere here has greatly improved!

right must get on with that list. might start with some breakfast for me and lunch for ds

further dones
10 xmas cards - I do like to do them when I am feeling all festive and sentimental ...
recycling out
some clutter upstairs/downstairs and in my lady's chamber
craft box [I hate the sight of it away for today (if not for tomorrow)
wiped table
swept hall
hoovered playroom

Blue deep breath - sending you loads of positive vibes - I know it is so easy to feel in despair. It is difficult to remember xmas is for the kids as they cause so much trouble in the runup

[swigs posh sherry - thanks FlyingFuzzled and passes bottle to Blue]

Couldn't agree more about the cards Swan!

Which Christmas song did they sing as they were digging the Panama Canal?
"I'm dreaming of a wide isthmus."

What's white and goes up?
A confused snowflake.

Why would you invite a mushroom to a Christmas party?
Because he's a fun guy to be with.

[hic]

De-cobweb downstairs done
De-cobweb upstairs done
Put screws back in bath panal done
Declutter under kitchen sink
Mop kitchen floor thoroughly
Wipe out fridge done
Clean oven done
Deep clean bathroom
Food shop
Fix branches on tree
Fill charity bag done
Clean bannister done
Lay out xmas day clothes
Clean laundry away
Tidy boys room
Put wreath back up on the door (windy times) done
Net lights up
Hoover stairs
Dustbins out
Finish wrapping presents
Check xmas pud fits in slow cooker
Make trifle
Ice the christmas cake
Declutter dining room to make space for bigger table
Get xmas food out of all their hiding places
Prep veg
Clean beds for all
Change light bulbs done
Deliver local presents
Hoover upstairs
Hoover downstairs
Dust downstairs done
Wash glassware
Bleach WM

Added more to it as usual! BBL for personals!

Only guilt is making me pop onto this thread - that and the chaos surrounding me.

Spent this morning making more mince pies for school and dealing with a grumpy 2 year old, and then spent the afternoon at the school nativity service. Then had 2 incredibly grumpy, screaming DSs to deal with on the way home. Read them the riot act when we finally got home and warned them to go and play quietly because mummy was very upset with the way they had behaved.....

Sigh......

Can't face trying to prepare a to do list. Will just get a start and see what I accomplish and come back with a Ta Da list.

Thanks for the sherry SC !

Feeling slightly better now. It's not Christmas prep exactly that's getting me down, more the general manic levels of over-excitement...

Still have done no flying, but boys are at the CM tomorrow so will attempt house bleugh/rescue as well as wrapping and packing...

Evening all, how have we al been? Not ood by the sounds of it. Lots of hurt and sick Flyers and poorly babes I see. DD seems better but still has the runs so I'm changing runny nappies every hour and she getting a very sore bottom.

ChitChattingElf Sometimes a TaDa list is the most productive. To do lists can sometimes seem so daunting and you get disheartened before you've even started. Hope the DC's calmed down!

Blue Same to you- hope the DC's gave you a break this evening and enjoy the childfree time tomorrow. Are you away for Christmas then? Sorry if i've missed if you mentioned it, I've just seen you're not around from the 22nd.

DS2 is at a friend's house for a few hours, DH is on a late shift so he can watch DD in the morning whilst I get stuck in and DS1 can help or amuse himself, thank goodness!

Just about to pour myself a Baileys and wrap the last 3 presents!

By the end of tomorrow I hope to have at least 50% of my list done. In fact if I haven't I'm in serious trouble!

Apologies for all the missed letters- sticky keyboard!