Procrastinators Ambling through Advent and Composing Christmas Lists

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

Welcome to our new festive thread ladies! I am sorry we do not have festive smileys to start off with!

Hey, found you! HMHB! Helloooo!

I've been quite non-listy, as DD is still super random it was getting me down how often I couldn't do anything on the list through no fault of my own, but the house is actually not dire, which is pretty awesome.
DD is 8weeks old now! Where does the time go eh?

Anyway, I need a quick list, she's asleep and I've an hour and a half til nursery pik up time.

• tidy front room
• sweep through
• dry pots
• shower
• wash pots
• take rubbish and recycling out

-- feed her when/if she wakes

Some mornings she sleeps right through til after nursery pick up and sometimes she's awake within half an hour of getting back. I'm sure we'll get more of a routine soon enough.

Hi Wasting - good to hear from you. Congrats on your newish DD. You are doing well if the house is not grim.

I was going to do a mercy dash today with DD and my Dad to get an emergency dress but I have found one in the back of the wardrobe that looks ok (Oasis purple satin pencil number) if other dress doesn't turn up. This means I can actually get some proper jobs done as the dress shopping didn't sound fun.

LIST

Dishy
Washing
DS to school done
Food shop
Dash to shops
Pick up DS from school
Make scrummy tea - chicken diner??
Take vits done
Take in some dry cleaning
Post stuff
Toy shop DONE though got to go back
Jewellers
Xmas party dress!!!!!!!!!!! emergency one found

Xmas
Remaining Xmas shopping - mainly for kids
Wrap and post more presents done more
Write xmas cards -started
Post xmas cards! posted some!
Get baby sitter for work xmas party DONE
Get kids to write xmas lists for santa DONE
Make Delia xmas cake DONE & ice!
Get xmas tree DONE
Do xmas decorations in house

Other stuff
Buy some nice clothes that fit and look nice done
Honey for teachers presents

Hey Wasting - aww 8 weeks already. Is she still at that lovely sleep on you for hours stage? Loved that.

HMHB - I did lie them down and they are fine :) But now I don't know whether to try them up again as the weather seems to say lots of bad weather still to come. May get out there with more string and see what I can do later.

DS2 had his Christmas show today, v cute. He mostly sat and played with a Thomas train but hey, he was there, not screaming and very occasionally singing

Tues:

• morning routine DONE
• DS2 school for show DONE
• Lunch & tidy up DONE
• DD nap Doing

• something productive...
• shopping coming (1-3) & put away (try and remember to give back lots of bags, we have tonnes)
• collect DS1, reading, etc + make cards for teachers
• DS2 home, check bag
• DS1 swimming
• DC & my tea & tidy up
• DC bath & bed
• no orch tonight, early night needed

Christmas:

• last few presents to buy; nearly done I think
• post letters to Santa DONE
• voucher for Nanny
• presents & stocking organising session; DONE
• Thorntons order for DH's family DONE
• DS2 teacher presents DONE
• DS1's teacher presents ready - need cards
• tree decoration with DD's name on DONE
• tidy mantlepiece pre-decorations; Started
• decorations up; Started; More done
• more string for reindeer needed
• string up for cards & put up the ever-growing pile
• what else?

Ongoing:

• book handyman in to clean gutters (& other jobs)
• order blind for kitchen side door
• pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
• watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
• clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
• get kitchen curtains dry cleaned
• family tree (scanning in old certs & photos & email new contact)
• tackle Areas of Doom;
• buy some frames that will hang on the wall & hang up as many photos as poss; need some sizes; Bought 1 to test no good, need to keep looking
• sort iPhoto on laptop... no luck yet
• big bathroom blitz really needed
• fill out Organised Mum calendar; Started

You aint gonna believe this. Just when I had resigned myself to old faithfull dress, the new dresses arrived. Hurrah. However, they are too small. I am not holding out hopes for replacements to arrive since the party is on Friday and it took over 1 week for them to get the dresses here by courier and there is no customer service line.

Dusting off the ol purple number. It makes me look like a bar of dairy milk but thats fine by me.

Dishy
Washing on
DS to school done
Food shop done
Dash to shops done
Pick up DS from school grandad doing
Make scrummy tea - chicken diner??
Take vits
Take in some dry cleaning
Post stuff
Toy shop DONE though got to go back
Jewellers
Xmas party dress!!!!!!!!!!! emergency one found

Xmas
Remaining Xmas shopping - mainly for kids
Wrap and post more presents done more
Write xmas cards -started
Post xmas cards! posted some!
Get baby sitter for work xmas party DONE
Get kids to write xmas lists for santa DONE
Make Delia xmas cake DONE & ice!
Get xmas tree DONE
Do xmas decorations in house

Other stuff
Buy some nice clothes that fit and look nice done
Honey for teachers presents

I have sent another email to KM. Likelyhood of another dress turning up by Friday is not great. Ho hum. Purple dress purple dress...

I have always loved you in purple HMHB.

Thanks Mini/mulled.

KM are not doing well. I cannot even contact them to swap dresses. I will have to just go purple. Stooopid people.

HMHB - that is stoopid, grr.

Tues:

• morning routine DONE
• DS2 school for show DONE
• Lunch & tidy up DONE
• DD nap DONE
• something productive...more decs
• shopping coming (1-3) & put away (try and remember to give back lots of bags, we have tonnes) DONE
• collect DS1, reading, etc + make cards for teachers DONE
• DS2 home, check bag DONE
• DS1 swimming DONE
• DC & my tea & tidy up DONE
• DC bath & bed DONE (except DS1)
• peel DS1 away from the tv...
• open some wine
• no orch tonight, early night needed

Christmas:

• last few presents to buy; nearly done I think
• post letters to Santa DONE
• voucher for Nanny
• presents & stocking organising session; DONE
• Thorntons order for DH's family DONE
• DS2 teacher presents DONE
• DS1's teacher presents ready - need cards; Cards done, take in tomorrow
• tree decoration with DD's name on DONE
• tidy mantlepiece pre-decorations; Started
• decorations up; Started; More done; Even more done :)
• more string for reindeer DONE
• string up for cards & put up the ever-growing pile
• presents for DS2 transport people
• what else?

Ongoing:

• book handyman in to clean gutters (& other jobs)
• order blind for kitchen side door
• pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
• watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
• clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
• get kitchen curtains dry cleaned
• family tree (scanning in old certs & photos & email new contact)
• tackle Areas of Doom;
• buy some frames that will hang on the wall & hang up as many photos as poss; need some sizes; Bought 1 to test no good, need to keep looking
• sort iPhoto on laptop... no luck yet
• big bathroom blitz really needed
• fill out Organised Mum calendar; Started

Tomorrow
Take vits
Take in some dry cleaning
Toy shop DONE though got to go back
Jewellers
Xmas party dress!!!!!!!!!!! emergency one found
Post dresses back to Karen Millen. Ah well.

Xmas
Remaining Xmas shopping - mainly for kids
Wrap presents for kids
Post present to L
Presents for CM
Write xmas cards -started
Post xmas cards! posted some!
Get baby sitter for work xmas party DONE
Get kids to write xmas lists for santa DONE
Ice Christmas cake
Put up xmas decorations in house
Honey for teachers presents DONE
DS to write xmas cards to friends done
Check food shop delivery on 23rd and add stuff on

HMHB - what a nightmare :( I'm sure the purple one will look fantastic though :)

Well I succumbed and wrote cards for DS1 to take, but only to the people who sent one to him or to people that he actually plays with and talks about - I haven't done the whole preschool like some loon parents.

Mega list needed today, DS1 is at preschool all day instead of his usual 11.30-3pm so I have a chance to get through some jobs as long as T plays ball.

Also discovered yesterday that DS1 is opening the nativity on Friday, so where I had assumed he would be standing at the back as a shepherd and so it didn't matter if he wouldn't wear his costume (he loathes dressing up) I now feel I need to make an effort to produce something that he won't reject. Argh. If my mother lived any closer I would be delegating, she is awesome at this stuff...

TODAY
All up dressed etc - DS1 and DH done Me and T still in pjs
DS1 to preschool - DH done
Unload dishwasher and clear up - doing
Fruit loaf into the breadmaker
Make pastry
Make mince pies
Make bolognaise for dinner
Waitrose order for Friday
Mealplanning until Sunday at least
Wrap MIL's birthday present and write card
Present sort while DS1 is not here
Airing cupboard and put away clean laundry
3 loads of washing (at least)

• towels
• bedspread
• soft toys and slippers

Remember to pick DS1 up at 3pm More...

CHRISTMAS
Post MN Xmas appeal parcel - done
Addresses - done
Write and post cards - Overseas ones done
Update budget spreadsheet
Check present list - done
Shop for remaining presents - two more needed plus a few stocking bits
Decide when to go and buy cheese - done - Saturday am
Make mince pies
WRAPPING
Make a towel headdress for DS1 for Friday

Hello all. HMHB, Purple is VERY festive, no fears. And Dairy Milk is simply delicious so I know you will still be very alluring!

Right, here goes on mega list too:

Today:

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Fill/Run/Empty DW
• Washing one load DONE, one more after school
• Hoovering
• Ebay - waiting for man to collect item. One more item listed to sell
• Ironing
• Order printer ink
• Order Christmas tree to collect Saturday
• Supermarket DONE
• Clean out fire
• Tidy horrid pile of papers
• Meal Plan for the next week DONE
• Pop into pub to check table for Xmas Eve
• Bathrooms
• On line banking/budget
• Chickens
• Dog
• Reading and homework with DC
• Make dinner

One off things this week/soon:

• Audio books for DC
• Work out outfit for 70's party
• Make Christmas Hats for DC at school DONE
• DH?s tax return
• Window locks - chased
• Cash back for old mobiles?
• Find supplier for Oysters DONE
• Musical instrument lessons for DS?
• Music downloads with vouchers doing
• Holiday Summer 2012 - insurance and car hire, pay deposit end Jan
• Booze run to France
• Call about tennis lesson
• Addresses onto computer
• Piano practice
• Time Machine for Mac to set up
• Choose photos for the wall
• Work out parental controls on Mac and Sky
• Life insurance to finalise
• Set up weather station
• Register with Anthony Nolan Trust
• Choose two outdoor lights
• Need Blu-Ray player ordered and Microwave and hard drive and camera
• Investigate beekeeping
• Study - major sort needed Sofa gone, can do now

Christmas

Decide venue DONE - at ours (as usual!)
Establish numbers DONE
Detailed food/shopping list Nearly DONE
Christmas Eve plan DONE - going out for dinner
Presents - list mostly complete, tot up what not ordered DONE
Cards and stamps to buy DONE
Wrapping paper and tags DONE
Addresses to find
Decs and lights IN LOFT
DC lists/letter to Santa DONE
Christmas Cinema trip Booked
Trip to DH's office for kids' christmas party now planned
Wine order
Boxing Day - go out/activity?

Ali - I feel for you re the panto outfit. My DS is also touchy about clothes and we bribed incentivised him with sweets. I recommend if he is a shepherd, tea towel on head, secured by headband, toy sheep, nick someones walking stick as a crook. put him in a dressing gown or stripy shirt and he'll be fine. Wishing you luck.

DS wrote his own cards - luckily he only has 12 kids in his class. he was very keen that the girls did not get lightning mcqueen xmas cards because they wont like them. I thought that was very thoughtful.

insanely busy at work today - which is why I am on here
To add to the insanity have ordered another KM dress as purple one was feeling a bit tight when I showed DH last night. Doubt it will turn up. Yes I am officially mad.

Tomorrow
Take vits done
Take in some dry cleaning
Toy shop DONE though got to go back
Jewellers
Xmas party dress!!!!!!!!!!! emergency one found
Post dresses back to Karen Millen. Ah well. forgot oops

Xmas
Remaining Xmas shopping - mainly for kids
Wrap presents for kids
Post present to L
Presents for CM
Write xmas cards -started
Post xmas cards! posted some!
Get baby sitter for work xmas party DONE
Get kids to write xmas lists for santa DONE
Ice Christmas cake
Put up xmas decorations in house
Honey for teachers presents DONE
DS to write xmas cards to friends done
Check food shop delivery on 23rd and add stuff on

Good luck with mega-lists :)

Ali - nightmare costume stress!!

Wed:

• morning routine DONE
• swimming with DD DONE
• DD nap Doing
• bath DONE

• lunch & tidy up
• pop to bank & get small chocs for bus ladies
• taking DS1 & friend to soft play
• DS2 home & check bag
• DC tea & tidy up
• DC bath & bed
• out to meal with other school mums (need cash for meal & sitter)

Christmas:

• last few presents to buy; voucher for Nanny
• DS1's teacher presents DONE
• tidy mantlepiece pre-decorations; Started
• decorations up; Started; More done; Even more done
• string up for cards & put up the ever-growing pile
• presents for DS2 transport people
• what else?

Ongoing:

• book handyman in to clean gutters (& other jobs)
• order blind for kitchen side door
• pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
• watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
• clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
• get kitchen curtains dry cleaned
• family tree (scanning in old certs & photos & email new contact)
• tackle Areas of Doom;
• buy some frames that will hang on the wall & hang up as many photos as poss; need some sizes; Bought 1 to test no good, need to keep looking
• sort iPhoto on laptop... no luck yet
• big bathroom blitz really needed; Started
• fill out Organised Mum calendar; Started

DS2 is fast asleep on me. Getting nothing done but snuggles are lovely :):)

Aww Ali, DD doesn't sleep on me really anymore, I miss it!

Dear god I am making slow progress...

JKS - T hasn't slept on me for ages, he is normally too wriggly and also just keeps trying to get a nipple in his mouth It was lovely, but I should have put him in his cot and got on with jobs, because then when I did try to get up he woke up straight away and so he's only had a half hour nap and now won't nap again... [own fault emoticon]

HMHB - I think you should buy a new dress in the january sales ready for next year to avoid the stress!!

TODAY
All up dressed etc - done
DS1 to preschool - done
Unload dishwasher and clear up - done
Fruit loaf into the breadmaker - done
Make pastry - not today, no lard
Make bolognaise for dinner - doing
Waitrose order for Friday - done
Mealplanning until Sunday at least - done
Wrap MIL's birthday present and write card
Present sort while DS1 is not here - no!
Wash bathroom floor - done
Find clean towels etc - done
Airing cupboard and put away clean laundry - some done
3 loads of washing (at least)

• towels - done
• bedspread
• soft toys and slippers

Remember to pick DS1 up at 3pm - DH doing More...

CHRISTMAS
Post MN Xmas appeal parcel - done
Addresses - done
Write and post cards - Overseas ones done
Update budget spreadsheet
Check present list
Shop for remaining presents - two more needed plus a few stocking bits
Decide when to go and buy cheese - done - Saturday am
Make mince pies
WRAPPING
Make a towel headdress for DS1 for Friday

Yey for the name Ali!!!! I haven't done mine yet. Let's see. Can I remember how?!

I have a feeling this is the same name as last year's.. Oh well. At least it is vaguely festive.

What a day, been mental here, but productive (I think - may change my mind when I look at and update my list below!)

DD is sooooo tired. Her darling teacher gave me the nod at the end of the day, so they are just sitting watching a film and then it's hot bath and cuddle by the fire (too big to fall asleep on me, but I will never ever forgo a yummy cuddle!)

And I'm done with Ebay, everything has sold (for now - wait for the unwanted christmas present bonanza after New Year!) Tee Hee. We can officially "afford" Christmas, just, well, we won't go overdrawn, enough to cover the presents, the food and the wine. Hoorah.

Today:

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Fill/Run/Empty DW emptied now running again
• Washing one load DONE, one more once DC in PJ's
• Hoovering DONE
• Ebay - waiting for man to collect item DONE. One more item listed to sell SOLD - just waiting for money
• Ironing DONE
• Order printer ink
• Get Christmas Tree DONE
• Supermarket DONE
• Clean out fire DONE
• Tidy horrid pile of papers not really done
• Meal Plan for the next week DONE
• Take DGodS's present to school DONE
• Pop into pub to check table for Xmas Eve
• Bathrooms DONE
• On line banking/budget DONE-ish but waiting for ebay money to settle
• Chickens DONE
• Dog DONE
• Reading and homework with DC end of term - forget it!
• Make dinner

One off things this week/soon:

• Audio books for DC
• Work out outfit for 70's party
• Make Christmas Hats for DC at school DONE
• DH?s tax return
• Window locks - chased
• Cash back for old mobiles?
• Find supplier for Oysters DONE
• Musical instrument lessons for DS?
• Music downloads with vouchers doing
• Holiday Summer 2012 - insurance and car hire, pay deposit end Jan
• Booze run to France
• Call about tennis lesson
• Addresses onto computer
• Piano practice
• Time Machine for Mac to set up
• Choose photos for the wall
• Work out parental controls on Mac and Sky
• Life insurance to finalise
• Set up weather station
• Register with Anthony Nolan Trust
• Choose two outdoor lights
• Need Microwave and hard drive and camera
• Investigate beekeeping
• Study - major sort needed

Christmas

Decide venue DONE - at ours (as usual!)
Establish numbers DONE
Detailed food/shopping list Nearly DONE
Christmas Eve plan DONE - going out for dinner
Presents - list mostly complete, tot up what not ordered DONE
Cards and stamps to buy DONE
Wrapping paper and tags DONE
Addresses to find
Decs and lights IN LOFT
DC lists/letter to Santa DONE
Christmas Cinema trip Booked
Trip to DH's office for kids' christmas party now planned
Wine order
Boxing Day - go out/activity?

Morning slatterns.

Good luck with the mega lists today. We have to be organised this time of year otherwise how will it all get done?

Well done on the ebay selling Anon. I don't have the time these days to do it. Hope you got some good sales.

Today
Take vits done
Take in some dry cleaning
Toy shop DONE though got to go back
Jewellers
Xmas party dress!!!!!!!!!!! emergency one found
Post dresses back to Karen Millen.
Remaining Xmas shopping - mainly for kids
Post present to L

Xmas
Wrap presents for kids - started
Presents for CM - bought
Write xmas cards done
Post xmas cards done
Get baby sitter for work xmas party done
Get kids to write xmas lists for santa DONE
Ice Christmas cake
Put up xmas decorations in house
Check food shop delivery on 23rd and add stuff on
Check what food we want to eat at xmas and buy ingredients
Plan some stuff to do for kids in holidays
Clear areas of doom started

Oooh I am excited about xmas party tomorrow -dispite dress issue. Am getting my hear done at hairdresses so at least I will have nice hair.

Can I join please? I have 3 Dcs (2 at school) and DD3 (nearly 3) at home. DD3 is much easier now so I don't have as much reason to not be on top of stuff but feel unmotivated need a kick in the bum and also have some medical issues including depression. On that dreary note, heres my list:

shower
school run
make sure girl's took teachers preasants
sort out access to internet banking
check balance wish I hadn't!
go for walk
drop preasents off to nursery

1 hour clean/tidy
put wash on
put clothes away
dry washing
write cheque to window cleaner
find hard key for car and cellotape to fob
write xmas cards and post
budget
wrap friends present and post
get Dh's presents out and wrap

If time (unlikely at this snail's pace)

tidy and clean car
wash car

Hello sweetsantababy (what is your "normal" name?!?!). Do come in and join us.

Great list!

Today:

• Up, showered and dressed DONE
• DC to school DONE
• General tidy, make beds etc DONE
• Fill/Run/Empty DW emptied
• Washing one load TWO LOADS DONE
• Hoovering
• Ebay - post last two items
• Transfer funds from Paypal DONE!!!!!!!!!!
• Ironing
• Order printer ink
• Order Christmas wine DONE
• Get Christmas Tree inside and decorated
• Tidy horrid pile of papers DONE
• Out for lunch (oh the joy of out for lunch!!)
• Pop into pub to check table for Xmas Eve
• Bathrooms
• On line banking/budget DONE
• Chickens DONE
• Dog DONE
• Reading and homework with DC end of term - forget it!
• Make dinner

hi sweetsantababy :)

Slacking on the posting here.
But have been busy today.

Thurs:

• DS2 to sch & home DONE
• DS1 first day off DONE
• Factory Shop for Christmas bits DONE
• Waitrose for lunch bits DONE
• friend over for lunch DONE & dw on
• wrap presents 'from' DS1 DONE
• new lights up x 2 DONE

• pack bits for party
• SN playgroup party (5-7, could get messy later on )
• DC home & straight to bed
• early night for me

Christmas:

• last few presents to buy; voucher for Nanny
• DS1's teacher presents DONE
• tidy mantlepiece pre-decorations; Started
• decorations up; Started; More done; Even more done; & even more lol
• string up for cards & put up the ever-growing pile
• presents for DS2 transport people DONE
• presents from DS1 to family DONE
• what else?

Ongoing:

• book handyman in to clean gutters (& other jobs)
• order blind for kitchen side door
• pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
• watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
• clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
• get kitchen curtains dry cleaned
• family tree (scanning in old certs & photos & email new contact)
• tackle Areas of Doom;
• buy some frames that will hang on the wall & hang up as many photos as poss; need some sizes; Bought 1 to test no good, need to keep looking
• sort iPhoto on laptop... no luck yet
• big bathroom blitz really needed; Started
• fill out Organised Mum calendar; Started

Done basically nothing today . Didn't get to sleep til 3.30am so went back to bed for 2 hours after school run, then picked up ds, had lunch and then went to toddler group. And have been sitting since collecting dd from school.

Need to
cook dinner
wash up
tidy downstairs
bath and bed dc
put wine in bags for teachers
sleep

Freaki - that is not a lot of sleep!

DD actually fell asleep at school today. She is that tired. Teacher was very sweet about it. Said she didn't want to wake her....

Well, there we go, another term bites the dust. We only have carol service tomorrow so that doesn't really count as school!

DH is out, so I am putting DC to bed early, having an omelette and going to bed early!

Hurrah.