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!

justone don't worry about hijacking this thread we do hijacks. Its what makes us us iyswim. Hope you feel better tomorrow. I am afraid I am going to be really naughty and skip blue's good habbit of daily round up. 1. I am knackered and have only just got in. 2. I haven't been sleeping properally and in need of a good night's sleep. 3. you lot talk a lot. and 4. God Jul! Happy Christmas! It's the 24th and thus now christmas in this house.

I will try to pop in tomo but realisically no one is going to fly on christmas day so I am going to refuse to post the babystep for the 25th I decree the 25th a do what the fuck you want and sod the bloody flying day!!!!!!

Right no mission as it is a saturday but it is family fun day so try not to kill the dc in the last minute panic and do something fun even just for 15mins.

babystep

oh no. DD woke up at 3am feeling sick. She is now in my bed and I'm wide awake downstairs on settee.Did manage to do all wrapping today though and popped to one small shop for last of stocking fillers.

Tomorrow I have a hairdressers appointment at local shopping centre salon first thing. Luckily I can walk across so no mad parking and I plan to just watch the mad shoppers rushing around without getting dragged into last minute panic buying.

Also wanted to say Merry Christmas to you all. You've got me through alot this year and always been there to dish out sympathy, wine and words of wisdom. You've even helped me to declutter and clean a little. So I hope you all have amazing christmas times and I look forward to more chatting in 2012 (and no doubt chatting with anyone thats around over Christmas and New Year.)

Oh dear, MC, I do hope your DD is better by tomorrow .

Had a frantic day yesterday, starting at 5am! However, I have finally completed my crisis clean and the house was tidy and festooned with decorations by the time my mum arrived at 3.30.

However, I still haven't tackled the laundry and may end up having to hide clean stuff in one big pile in our bedroom and dirty stuff in another . Off to do some last-minute shopping now.

I don't think I'll get a chance to come back here for a couple of days, so just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I wholeheartedly agree with those of you singing the praises of this thread - it is such a supportive and welcoming place to be.

I had a good evening yesterday too! Finally escaped to proper shops - on a deserted bus which seemed to race through non-existent traffic (and I was reading The Great Gatsby, so lost in that, I suddenly found myself on the outer fringes of civilization on a great glittering motorway all by myself with bus driver - who then looped back to Westfield chuckling to himself) Bought loads of clothes for ds1 from Father Christmas from men's depts (he is soo tall and now looks ridiculous in everything he owns except school uniform), a Turkey from Waitrose, some deli stuff, few last minute stocking fillers, presents for Brothers. Dh was a bit surprised when I returned at 11pm, as I think he thought I was just popping to Morrisons... Although it was a Lovely atmosphere on the bus too on way home packed with late night shoppers - nice old ladies etc, rather than drunken revellers... Dh was pleased to see the Turkey!

This morning I was determined not to get in a state. Bad start with the fresh air and exercise - twins fighting, ds1 can't find any clothes etc... Dh has taken kids to distant park - it took him nearly 30 mins to get them dressed ready and out of the house and then ds1 promptly trod in a dog mess..I could hear screams all down the road. I think the rot is setting in.

I am meant to be making a "special pudding" for tomorrow, separate from Xmas pudding, for it is just for us and the children...Something like Pavlova

I still have to make lunch for today though...and hoover up all the mud from children forgetting things at last minute and walking around downstairs...

MC admire you for getting your hair done (that has slipped off my Xmas list yet again) Hope dd feels better.
You have been brilliant this year coping with all the setbacks, and very many congratulations for getting through the PGCE and the new job offer for next year.

jingle enjoy lovely mum looking after you

Just popping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I hope that Santa is good to you all.

Guests here until Tuesday, so probably not going to fly again until Wednesday; although DH is only working on Thursday so no doubt he'll get in the way!

See you all on the other side!

Popping in to say Happy Christmas! May or may not be back on before the New Year...

Just prised the DCs away form the computer (Norad Santa Tracking ) and sent them out with DH for half an hour (so I can get all the presents out of the loft and into the garden shed).

House still looks untidy and yet I have been tidying all morning, getting there slowly. Upstairs is pristine, downstairs is a mess. Have done 3 loads of washing though.

DH went out early for the turkey to M&S, said luckily he was third in the queue because by the time he left the queue was right round the shop with only one person dishing out the turkeys and half the people having not brought along their printout. However he seems to think that is his work done, all he has done otherwise is wrap a few presents and leave wrapping paper, sellotape out all over the place, grrr. The DCs have spilt little shiny sequins all over the entire house, looks festive but they are start shaped and really hurt when you tread on them.

Never mind

I found the packet of reindeer food i bought last year and then lost. It actually says on the back " For santa's magic reindeer only and not for any other animal (however magical they may be!)

quick hello....
had enough now really....is it over yet LOL
anyone want a spare dh for christmas??????? roll on boxing day!
will be back to catch up better when sanity is re-gained!

Finally something good to report! Jumped out of my sick bed today (feeling much better) and straight in to all the Christmas prep.

Ta da:
send last parcel
decorate tree and rest of house
do all the final food shopping (dh heroically did other half)
sorted fridges/put food shopping away/arranged two huge fruit bowls
made stock with turkey giblets for gravy
wrapped a load of presents
kept dd occupied
made a humungous Christmas flower arrangement
bought one last present
watched carols from Kings
watched Tom and Jerry 'the night before Christmas'

To do:
fill dd's stocking
cut up huge white loaf for it to dry out overnight (for stuffing and bread sauce)
do any more food prep I feel able
wrap a few tiny presents
eat Fr Christmas's mince pie
early bed once I've finished roasting gammon

Humungous amounts of food prep still to do but finally in Christmas spirit!
Hope you and your families all have a fabulous couple of days together.

Thanks for gin Whoknows

[Offers cider in return - am currently cooking ham in it]

Jingles bells at IcecoldB Thanks for steps.

A warm welcome to LifeBegins

Thanks for looking after us Blue - brilliant round-ups - don't know how you did it what with this thread being so busy and December being such a busy month

Happy Flying to Flying

Swan my Barnet Fair also dropped off the 'to do' list this Christmas and my roots are showing. I might easily be mistaken for a druid if I stand too long under the mistletoe...

Oh no MC hope your dd is not unwell for the holidays...

Huge waves to Toffee Justonemore TinsElliepac Feetheart PA (great to have you back) Lauren Overflowing StNicks and all you lovely lot!

Happy Christmas!!!

oh dear OFM glad to hear someone else faltering ready for the final push

Anyway, first tranche of Xmas out of the way, followed by spectacular screaming fit from when I stepped in the spilt water from the cat water bowl (we are shoes off house) for the 2nd time, and couldn't fit everything on the worktops/ in the oven/ in the fridge...

My kitchen is too small for Xmas cheer boo hoo!

done
baked biscuits and dessert cake with dd
German Christmas Eve present ceremony and delicious festive supper - I hate having two festive meals to cook. Next year DH has promised he will cook it or allow me to serve soup and rolls.
some tidying

However, it is Merlin now, and apart from putting together the Hornby set tonight, I think the atmosphere should be a bit calmer now I will have drunk enough Prosecco to forget I am stressed-

SC wow a week's work in a day.
The giblets are looking at me, I think I will ignore them.

Hope your family day goes stupendously (is it lots of people?)

also dones
finally added some ivy to the polystyrene wreath
put PTA nailvarnish in the Shed
found that shop on the corner which sells EVERYTHING is open tomorrow!!!! well it turned out not to sell gelatine (trying to make lemon mousse), but you can't have everything

Whoknows and Ice
Happy Christmas. Ds2 keeps saying "so far this is the Best Christmas Ever" which is very sweet.

Ta-Da!

Tidied and hoovered upstairs
Tidied and hoovered downstairs (eventually)
Cleaned bathroom
Emptied all bins
3 lots of washing
Cleared kitchen counters (moved fruitbowl, biscuit barrel etc out)
Found crystal wineglasses and washed
Put all serving dishes through DW (have been in the shed)
Found and ironed Christmas tablecloth
Extended table and clean all the grot that had accumulated on the flip out bit (only gets extended occasionally)
Peeled sprouts/carrots/parsnips
DH peeled spuds
Made mince pies
Iced Yule log
Dressed turkey
Ate Chinese takeaway
Watched Norad Santa (a lot)
Got presents from loft into shed
Just got presents back from shed to kitchen
Sorted and put in bags all the presents for people we won't see till Boxing Day
Moved craft storage drawers out of kitchen
Watched Morecambe and Wise

Still to do - position presents, fill stockings.
Eat FC's mince pie
Watch Lapland
Go to bed.

Feeling a bit overtired now, sort of looking forward to it all being over, but never mind.

Merry Christmas!

Evening my lovelies. Well whatever is not done, wrapped, positioned and bought is not going to be now . Stockings are filled, presents are deposited (do you ever get the feeling you've spoilt them ) and wine is now being drunk.

Mum is here now. She is sleeping over tonight despite only living 15 minutes down the road. She is a widower on her own so this way she gets the best bit of Christmas Day.

Merry CHristmas everyone! See you in a couple of days. I hope you all have a wonderful time with your family and friends and that ofm regains her sanity .

My sentiments exactly, Ellie. What is not done now - you go without!

Just flying by to wish all you lovely lot the very best Christmas.

Is divulging a secret allowed on MN? I have been so very good for the past 2 weeks to keep a massive secret - its killing me! I want to burst!!! Sooooo, I will let you all in on my little secret....... tomorrow a certain question is going to be popped to DD3! I have absolutely no doubt she will say yes and celebrations will begin! I am so excited for her. Now, you are all sworn to secrecy. Just another 24 hours, then I can tell the world!

Oh how exciting PA

Well DD seems well today, think over excited and too many sweets whilst in the care of teenagers seems fine now.

Have lovely hair so won't look quite so bad on any photos. Bought DD an extra present that she didn't really need and been and visited family to deposit last of cards etc. Just need to wrap 4 presents as DHs present came today and deposit under tree and then off to bed. As I've been up since 3am I think I'm running on pure adrenaline. I hope all your dcs and you get lovely gifts and have a fantastic Christmas. Let's enjoy ourselves, we deserve it. I'm instructing you all to make sure you all take some time to enjoy it as well as making it special for others.

I'll be back between christmas and new year no doubt.

Well, I was just having one last quick check as to where Santa had got to, but I couldn't resist popping on to the thread, then I couldn't ignore PA - how exciting! Do come back tomorrow and tell us how it went!

MC - glad DD is feeling better. 3am is about when I got to sleep last night, so I'm shattered too, must go to bed.

just popped back too, my eyes are drooping, and I can't be bothered to do rest of washing up. Table is clear at any rate...

done
Santa has mysteriously filled the stockings - I tried to catch him at it but just missed him...there was a lot of creaking - oh dear and we forgot to put out any refreshments
blackcurrant coulis to go with ambrosia creamed rice for dcs tomorrow
Santa has also assembled a Hornby track - [Wow, I couldn't have managed that] and left a note in spidery writing

Dh has been pottering around too, but it appears we both bought FIFA 12. Rats. will gve as communal present to my 3 nephews in Jan.

Whoknows and MC and Ellie sleep well and hope your day is not spent assembling too many items...

PA Very Happy Christmas too! What lovely news.

Oooo exciting PA.

I feel asleep but now have to finish making a christmas present for tomo. I promise myself every year i am going to get them finished early. never seems to sodding happen though

As least i have some mood lifting music and have had two amazing days in a row just not flying wise Life is moving forwards here and antibiotics have made a huge difference. Amazing how bad you get with low level infection. Boxing day is going to seem awfully quiet when ds goes to his dad's.

Right happy christmas. I officially declare this thread dead to anything other then chit chat tomo. Anyone caught flying will be sent to the naughty corner!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

Well, ICB seen as you are such a hard task master, I would not want to disobey, so no flying here!

I got up an hour ago and have peeled all the spuds! What on earth is wrong with me? Who does that in the middle of the night?

Waiting now for the darlings to stir and descend.

HAve a good day everyone, I hope all the DCs are good and dont get too over excited. Sit back relax and make sure there is a in the fridge for this evening afternoon.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I haven't caught up with the thread properly, but did see that it looks like being an exciting day in the PA household today.

The DC have been up since 5 and came in in great excitement to tell us that Father Christmas had been, but fortunately didn't insist we got up with them.

Right, must get up. We're back at my parents' for Christmas so definitely no FLYing talk from me. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.