There will be no soot in the Fledglings sacks as they FLY through December and into the New Year

[laurenamium]

If your house is a mess and you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, support and wine along the way.

This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in weekly designated zones of the house; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with more time to do other more interesting things instead! At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again anyway!

We advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's steps and routines using a three-pronged approach (dependent on the stage everyone is at):

• start or repeat baby steps

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

• reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.

[And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]

More info here on getting started and Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings. Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound (and you may discover a few of our subversions of the vocabularly along the way).

Many thanks to blue for leading the thread through November (and sc for such a good OP, which has been cut and pasted twice!) and I'll post the first babysteps and mission tomorrow evening.

All welcome!!

Already done
DD off to school
Washing put away
Another load put on
Quick tidy in DD's room
Tidied my underwear drawer (I honestly don't know how I get it in such a state

To do
Post parcels wrapped yesterday
Pack for tomorrow
Clean sink with toothbrush
Prepare dinner - shepherds pie
Take DD to library

It's Ok Bitchy - we have a pull down ladder and the floor is boarded up there.

done
More washing
Sorted DDs clothes
Tidied kitchen
Play room tidy

So ivedone bits of my list but not all.

Night everyone!

Have been trying to work with DS1 all morning. It's like wading through mud. We'd have it over with in an hour or so if he didn't prevaricate so much.

New cooker arrived this morning (old one stopped working a few weeks ago). We have bought the wrong type (built in instead of built under), so it will have to go back . What a palaver. Hope we can sort it by Christmas or we'll have to eat out on Christmas Day (hmm, nice idea actually....).

There are too many Christmas things coming up and I haven't done any proper shopping yet. My head feels a bit frazzled. All I'm really worrying about is the LEA woman coming next week to look at DS1's work.

School run beckons.

Hello eveyrone

[Glugs Nettie's mulled wine - great to have you back ! (And not just for the alcohol !!)]

A very warm welcome to comradeJing and GoinggoingGoth

Thanks for links Lauren nice to hear play house taking shape

Hope you feel better soon Engels and that your dss recover quickly Whoknows and Gossip

Sympathies x 50 on the prevarication front Toffee (love the new festive nn btw). It's reached that time of year here again where school exams and ballet demonstrations are looming and every ruddy activity (or piece of revision) is accompanied by dragging resistance, wails of protest, full blown crying (like tonight). As you say, it's all the running around beforehand that is draining: once they get down to the actual thing it takes no time at all!!

I'm familiar with the pattern of the term now and I know it will all be over and done with in the next fortnight (when they will be having a full week of games at school). At the same time I know the immediate overall stress is getting to dd and it's a lot for a 9 yr old to handle, but it took me every ounce of restraint not to lose it and shout this evening.

I dunno. I find this the single most difficult thing about parenting: whether one is being too strict or too soft. In the long run, I guess it's better to be the former than the latter [hardens heart].

Sorry for the rant! I'm feeling frazzled because the house is in a truly pitiful state and I'm behind with everything. Pathetic but can't seem to handle art acad and everything else. Laundry routine, meal plans, shopping plans, cleaning routines have all gone to pot. I need a miracle bolt of energy from somewhere to sort it all out. First of all, need to clear the sitting room so that Sinterklaas has a clear space in which to leave out presents tonight ....(yes it's that bad).

Feel badly too on the Flying front because had five huge boxes of toys ready to take to a charity and we have failed to do so before the deadline of 5th Dec. Stupidly relied on dh to drive me there (won't fit in my tiny car) and of course he didn't have time. Could kick myself for not organising it properly myself.

Nicknacks your list of things that needing doing in the house make me feel I am not alone!! (The only thing we haven't got is mildew owing to the force one gale sweeping up the staircase but cobwebs and dust we have a-plenty) Agree with Lauren that decluttering is priority before cleaner comes. Hope it works out well for you!

A very happy birthday to your dh Swan!! Hope you are having a lovely day. (And thanks for the cookign inspiration the other day - finally made my winter veg soup)

PA if you are lurking - hope house move went well and that you are settling in OK.

Big stonking wing flaps to Trazzles Lauren Feetheart PA Bitchy Mercury Castlelough Nicknacks Gossip Honu Justgettingonwithit Nightshade Blue Purpletoes Jdub Arses Kirk Ellie Madwoman¨Carpe Cranvery and Zebra and anyone else I have inevitably missed!!

It's so dark in this house I can hardly see what I am doing, but had better stir my stumps and try and do something productive before close of play...

Ah, well, as it's anti-procrastination day, I've got a fair bit ahead of me today...

I am in the middle of the week from hell, so will either be posting non-stop, or doing a Tasmanian devil impression in the background. The jury is currently still out whilst I drink my tea.

Dh is away, I have meetings every night this week, and am also trying to juggle the most-extra-curricular-activities-ever-children amidst it all. Case in point, we ate dinner in the back of the car on Monday, waiting for dd1 to finish her activity, which was the fourth event since 4pm.

To do:

Kitchen (pretty much in entirety, but it is all surface crapola)
Vacuum
Laundry (third set of wet bedding this week, inc duvet. Urgh)
Admin for meeting
Dd1 dance
Dd2 dance
Dd1 guitar
Meeting

No time for any other flying today.

I am at present unclear how to coordinate my meeting and the children various. I have asked dd1 if she can catch a ride home with a friend (she is checking today), but still need to determine whether I will a) take the other two with me and park them in the corner, or b) rustle up a last minute babysitter.

On top of all this, I ended up writing to the bank manager and saying 'heeeeeeeeeelp'. So I don't actually have any money for a sitter, but I may not have an option!

Am expecting a call back re work. One of my referees was called yesterday, so I should know in the next few days.

And we had a huuuuuge dump of snow overnight. Took the dogs out at 7am and it was beautiful. Am waiting for it to be properly light (and hoping for blue sky) so I can get some pics up on fb .

I'm in. Love being the first to post on a new thread unlike those slackers who waltz in 5 days late. I am going to be so brilliant this month .

Welcome to those who have joined us and a big welcome back to nettie.

No flying to report. Decorators in doing the hallway so dust reigns supreme and currently the smell of plaster is predominant.

Back later when I have had a nice cup of tea.

Like your style Ellie
Waves to all the new folk and all the old folk (that?s not sounding right!) and jumping, or more like falling back in.
For Blue for getting us through November and more for Lauren for volunteering for December.
I?ve been stuck on my back the last few days and depression over what?s happened, and that I can?t get our home sorted for Christmas, hit me like a ton of bricks the other day, and apart from the home ed, and daily listening to friend and all her woes, I stopped and stayed stopped and became JustNot GettingOnWithIt.
I?m re starting tonight, but it?s going to be a bit cursory.

Slides into naughty corner under vat of mulled wine, puts tap on slow drip, and opens mouth. A new career as December?s naughty corner drip tray is tempting!

madwoman pretty please put a picture up on here too... I want snow!

Err done lots. Drunk far far too much coffee so will end up doing loads more later. But decided to paint my nails so just waiting for the had to be redone nail to dry off so I have a full set of dry nails for bedtime. After which i will do the nails on the other hand because I hate being unable to do stuff and thus this way always have a hand to prat about on the internet

However, I have been procrastinating and probably need to fix that. Considering signing up to go back to school not sure yet. Need to consider finances and time demands carefully. Got the paperwork for credit transfer/course details downloaded earlier to look into it properly though.

We have snow bitchy . Just a dusting but snow nonetheless!

Still no flying to report although have done some washing as DD needs her nice dress for her costume for nativity.

Both DC's in bed. DH still out at work, outside bless him. It's unbearably cold here.

Well you could have sent some over the hills you know

Ds is in bed, nail varnish is all removed as i spoilt it again and cba to remove and refix. About to head into the garden for a nice freezing bonfire. I am currently munching my way through ds' sweetie box contents

Ducks in to dump links
*

Tomorrow it is babystep six: tackling hotspots . Definitely a good one!

Thursday is errand day

The mission is cleaning large appliances .

We are in zone 2 http://www.flylady.net/d/zones/zone-2/ the kitchen . For those who are up to detailed cleaning the detailed cleaning lists are http://www.flylady.net/d/zones/detailed-cleaning-zone-2/ here .

*

argh

We are in zone 2 the kitchen . For those who are up to detailed cleaning the detailed cleaning lists are here .

Today has whizzed and my to do and dones are few and far between (nursing poorly ds2). I think that if I at least put an hour in before bed, all will not be lost! A cuppa first though!

bitchy, I have blown it your way.

.

still no flying to report but have had lovely evening with BF who popped round for a coffee. Thankfully she is the kind of BF who I don't worry about coming round when the house is a shit tip.

Oh good god, please keep that snow away from Leeds! I'm setting off for hospital at 6am and it was already icy when I got home this evening.

I'm really hoping for just a light dusting at worst rather than the 5-10cm forecast

So, at hospital all day and night tomorrow and all day Friday means my ta-da is:

Stay alive.
Write Christmas cards.

Very much hoping its achievable!

Ooooo thank you Ellie

I have had a not very productive couple of hours. and i suspect sleep is the best step forwards and then massive amounts of coffee and chocolate tomo. to do list is looking a tad insane atm.

That's ok Trazzle. i don't want to share the snow it's mine. Allllllll mine

Hello! Checking in to say I'm still here.... I have a pot of mulled wine on the hob, a car full of party food and five Santa presents to wrap for our stay and play Christmas party tomorrow morning. I lost most of today and yesterday in this preparation. I don't expect to accomplish more than sweep under dining table and clear living room floor tomorrow! I like the idea of clearing hot spots, but no sooner do I get rid of a pile than another appears in another place.

Totally failed on absolutely everything. By ten am I was throwing up and I spent the rest of the day in bed, with intermittent trips to the loo. (TMI)

Am chugging dioralyte and feeling a little better, so will try for happy snow snaps tomorrow. groan.

I resemble that remark, Ellie.

Why am I sick when dh is away? Gah.

Phew - no snow in Leeds this morning. Thanks Bitchy!

Sorry madwoman I hope you feel better soon.

Hope you have a (relatively) easy commute to the hospital this morning Trazzles (well as easy as is poss when it's dark, freezing cold, and you could, I am sure, do with several more hours in bed! Hope you find little J in good spirits - and good luck with your day-night-day shift x

Oh poor you Madwoman. Hope you are feeling better today x And take it steady (not easy in midst of week from hell I know)

Jdub hope your ds2 is feeling a little better today too

And wishing speedy recoveries to everyone who is feeling poorly (and/or their dcs)

There's snow on the ground this morning and light flakes falling from the sky. Have been up since the crack of sparrows as St Nicolas has visited during the night and left presents (so as not to be out of step with her friends, dd gets to celebrate both St N and Christmas lucky girl)

Engels any offers on 5.30 am??? (That was when we heard "Slecht weer vandaag's" hooves on the roof apparently; even though she knows full well it is me who is bringing the presents - anything seems possible at that time in the morning I suppose!!)

All sounds very festive over at yours Kirk

Treble espresso for bitchy¨this morning methinks ...(I am attempting to give the stuff up atm btw - day three and I am crawling up the walls)

Good luck battling the plaster dust Ellie (Thank heavens for those sort of friends btw)

for Justgettingonwithit no wonder you are feeling low what with everything you've had to contend with (and are still contending with). Arf at naughty corner drip tray!! Could you just get one room looking decent for Christmas and stuff the rest by any chance?

Thanks for links Lauren

Right, I am knackered but had better get on with it (an invisible list this morning as I don't want to scare myself). [Desperateforcaffeineemoticon]

Have a good day everybody!!

Morning all! We had snow here yesterday but luckily it hasn't laid! DD was looking for the snowman, I think she thinks the snowman delivers the snow

Get well soon madwoman!

To do today:
Pay for rest of DD birthday party
Post office
School run *2
Get petrol
Walk dogs
Write party food list
Clean bathroom
Clean rubbish out if car
Routines
Put silvanians in loft

BBL!

Btw - for anyone who has dcs who are reluctant to shower on cold mornings - St Nic brought dd a shower radio as one of her presents - it works a treat!!