Making a New start, Stepping into the New year

[BlackCatinChristmasChaos]

Hi all, After a pretty rough ride last year (2012) I think I feel ready to start again with babysteps
So who's with me for the journey?

Old and new steppers are welcome!

Lets do this one small step at a time!

I know it's not fly-lady, nor in my home, but here is my TaDa list for the weekend:

survived the sub-zero adventure (wintercamp)
fed 11 scouts and 4 leaders 7 meals + snacks
managed to bring all my own and ds's stuff back
abseiled despite being terrified
had a barn owl and a harris hawk fly to my gauntlet
tried climbing and tried not to mind too much when my arthritis stopped me getting very far
tried caving and didn't mind at all when my arthritis stopped me getting very far
got a shout-out on camp radio from the scouts I'd been feeding!
our team came third in the scout leader's pub quiz.

To do:
unpack car
shower
sleep

Not doing:
unpack
tidy house
clean house

Will catch up on housework tomorrow evening and, because of flylady, there isn't much to do.

Hels they are brilliant Tada's

arti I am totally with you about the bedside table. I have 4 bedside drawers and they are full of shit, yet ontop is balancing everything I want to hand by the bed. I should and will at some point get round to getting it done

Hello to everyone else

We have had a productive weekend.
Tada's
christmas decorations are in the loft (and it is still January!! Yippee)
kitchen is sparkling
uniform all clean and ironed for the week
book bags and everything laid out for tomorrow
shopping list done
diary updated with all the school dates for this term

hope everyone has a happy week

NKU - it feels really good to have done it! I have lots that needs to be sorted out but I'm working in "bite-sized" chunks of things that don't take too long at the moment.

Hellesbelles- great tadas

NKU - seems you are organised to start your week unlike me!

NKU you are defo 20 steps ahead as my only new TaDa's are:

had shower - water ran away grey
unloaded car - all kit dumped in hall
had glass of cider and orange matchmakers while sitting in my jahmies - and no thermals or waterproof outers

ladies, the thing is last year the christmas decorations went into loft on the 3rd August!!!

Hopefully I will have time this next week to sort out all the mess in our car.

Oh My Word!!

Just off phone with DM and DF had said to her thatI need to sort out my tip of a house! Based on the cup and bowl in the sink and several items of DS's clothes on floor after late-night packing session.

And this is after having cub and scout meetings on Wednesday night (and prepping Thursday's tea after I got in after ten) AND tutoring for two hours then packing on Thursday night AND going straight to scout camp from work on Friday night.

What's annoyed me is that they have come into my house and helped me clean it so many times when, after a spell of depression, I have had dirty dishes everywhere, no clean clothes, piles of stuff on every step, unopened mail on every surface. Which I'm very grateful for but there has been a real difference in how I run the house - and what it looks like and then he says that and I just feel so demotivated now.

Oh Helles that's rotten, and I would be inclined to tell him so, I'm on your behalf. I'm afraid I have a very inflexible way of dealing with things like that - if my house isn't good/clean/organised enough for anyone's liking then they shouldn't visit. Ever. End of. I know that's difficult when family is involved though.

Not much to report here, another day of get up & dressed, get breakfast, keep DDs occupied, tons of laundry, meals, DW etc. I have sorted two shelves in wardrobe. Plus a little self pampering, face pack after my shower this morning.

It's finally cooled down to a more manageable level, we walked the dogs this evening - first time in a week. Opening windows is actually cooling the house down instead of increasing the heat via hot air. I just need to go round closing them now before I go to bed. DW is on, everyone else is asleep (apart from the dogs who I can hear playing in the garden) and I've had a quiet cup of tea after putting everything away.

This week I need to start applying oil to my feet, I've been to busy to notice that I have cracked skin on my heels and that's gotta go!

Hells, that's beyond irritating. Is DF utterly perfect even when busy? I'm also annoyed on your behalf! Sounds like you had a great weekend.

My ta das from the weekend

dishwasher empty and all put away
shiny sink
cooked lamb shanks and key lime pie for sat night dinner and Lincolnshire Poachers Pie yesterday to prove to myself I can cook before the arrival of DC1
2 loads of washing done
bathroom clean
bedroom still not tidy
unpacking still not quite finished

For today
Survive work (without punching the gossip mongers who think my reproductive status is any of their business) and get home despite snow predictions
Not have a nervous breakdown about 12 wk scan tomorrow
Nail the bedroom, eventually

Have a lovely day ladies x

babystep day 14

Morning all, just posting today's link, will try to pop in later.

Anyone got snow?
We have sleet or rain but other places not far from here have snow.

morning all.
hels I am sorry your mother has felt the need to pass that information on, she could have protected you from his point of view!! My mother felt the need to tell me that my dad cries himself to sleep about my weight!! (am a sixe 16)
I was livid. I think a firm response would be appropriate. something like "what good can come from you telling me that mum?"

sarah yay I didn't catch on that you are pregnant, congratulations

thanks for link chaos

today
british gas coming
food shopping
bathrooms ss
ironing

back later

Hi all, finally got time to catch up on thread gonna read through some of the more recent posts.

Sarah congratulations! hope all goes well at the scan tomorrow.

Adora Glad it's cooling down for you a bit now. I don't like it when it gets too hot in summer. T'is winter here at the moment. Still no snow where I live.

HellesBelles I am at what you DF said. Please don't let it get you down too much though. You are doing brilliant I have had (still have some days) depression so know exactly how hard it is to be motivated to do anything.
Please keep trying! {{Hugs}} Sounds like you have made great progress!

Arti working in bite size chunks sounds good to me! That book sounds good too, makes a lot of sense.

NKU Sounds like you are doing great!

Scout Hope everything is o.k. with you, are you back home now?

Waves to everyone else.

Sorry I don't do personals more often. It's just I'm on a home computer and it is shared with other members of the family so I don't always get a lot of time to post and when it gets late at night I'm a bit too tired to think straight.

Morning All!

Helles . My Mum can be extremely un tactful too so I think I understand! It can be really unhelpful. My Mum thinks that if you love someone you can say whatever you like to them and it's OK! ( She once introduced me to some friends as her "fat daughter" - I don't even think I was overweight at the time!)

Would it help to keep telling yourself that you are sorting/cleaning your house for your (and your ds, dh)'s benefit, not for their approval (or otherwise)?

I feel pleased at all the stuff I got done over the weekend but it was partly possible because I didn't have to work on Saturday. Now I have to get back into a work routine and I'm finding it hard - started by oversleeping!

Ta da's so far
breakfasted
made promised phone call
showered, wiped round bath/shower/sink window sill
dressed ( not to shoes though ) and hair dried
Off to make a cup of tea and find a bit of time for prayer before starting work proper.

Hiya!

We got back late last night. It was a last minute weekend away and we decided around 3:45 on Friday to go. We normally go to Stoke-on-Trent (for the potteries) in January/February. Last year we went in January and decided it was much better (better sales/deals) than February and suddenly realized this past weekend was the only weekend in January we could do it. So I made sure the washing up was done, rubbish was out, packed an overnight bag, SmallBoy's suitcase (he has a little wheelie suitcase he got in the US that he loves so we use that for his books, toys, sleeping buddies and nappies) and topped up the nappy bag and we left here around 6-ish Friday night. Lovely weekend away, some good deals on presents and now we're back.

My list for today:

Up and dressed
beds made
shine sink
wash dishes -- breakfast
wash dishes -- lunch
wash dishes -- dinner
wash pots/pans
put away DVDs
empty one bag from Christmas
put Lego instructions/diagrams into binder
clear off ironing board
clear out under ironing board
scrub stove
clear off counter by refrigerator
print some coloring pages (planets/stars)
email MiL
empty diaper pail & contents to bin
bottles to recycling (SB's job)
Toddle Waddle (?)
menu plan
grocery list
grocery shop
groceries away
Poundland -- salt shakers/vinegar pouring bottles
photo copy writing sheet
15 fling thing -- LivingRoom
15 fling thing -- Entry Way
15 fling thing -- Kitchen
shake cherry brandy
check vinegar cleaner
empty SB's suitcase & put away
empty box from Baker Ross & put away (have stored all Christmas crafts into box so now need to put it away)
empty trash bag of Brio
make some (space?) crafts with SB
make second batch cherry brandy
write letter to P
write out card to K&P (new baby), address card & post
order -- potty training potty & pants
order -- Religion books
order -- Astronomy books
Boots -- recycle batteries
prep slow cooker dinner
check arti's link
pack purchased presents into suitcase (which is to be stored at in-laws and will be going there this coming weekend)

Boots & the pound shop will only be if I go to town today. I'm not sure I will but I have them down as reminders that they need to be done. I need to ring the US for the religion books and I think it's Mountain Time (will double check) so can't do it until the afternoon.

I'm tired.

Hi ladies!

Not abandoning you all or the flylady, just have a sick ds2 here today so nothing really getting done. WIll do a bit of a crisis clean when dh gets home and hope that my good work doesnt go out the window!

Pink I hope DS feels better quickly.

Scout glad you had a good weekend.

Helles I like your number 3 Ta Da. I am a tad worried at present as OH, in am attempt to get away from the heat, wants to holiday in Punta Arenas. For those who aren't familiar with Chile that's just a short hop from Antarctica. While I appreciate it is stunningly beautiful my inner beach bum is trying to run for the hills.

Sarah hope your scan goes well.

I've remembered a scathing answer I used once with someone being über judgmental, goes like this-

Do you really not have anything better to do with your time?

Adora - don't you mean that your inner beach bum is trying to run the the coast?

NKU BlackCat Adora thank you!! I will let you all know how tomorrow goes.
I've left work early to ensure I escape the impending snow and managed not to lamp anyone so I'd say today was a success
Good luck all with your lists - scout your list scares me a little... extra good luck to you x

Not that bloody coast though Arti - it's freezing down south. I've just checked the weather for Punta Arenas and today's high, if you can call it that, is 17C, with a balmy 16C predicted for tomorrow, and those are summer temps. After that it gets cold.

Right, off to put my sheets on the line and russel up some lunch.

List update (deleting from the original list the things I accomplished at first posting) and a couple of additions for this evening:

shine sink
wash dishes, breakfast
wash dishes, lunch
wash dishes -- dinner
wash pots/pans
put away DVDs
clear off ironing board
clear out under ironing board
scrub stove
empty diaper pail & contents to bin
bottles to recycling (SB's job)
Toddle Waddle (?)
Poundland -- salt shakers/vinegar pouring bottles
15 fling thing, LivingRoom
15 fling thing -- Entry Way
15 fling thing, Kitchen
make some (space?) crafts with SB
write letter to P
write out card to K&P (new baby), address card & post (forgot to post it while we were out)
order -- potty training potty & pants
order -- Religion books
order -- Astronomy books
Boots -- recycle batteries
check arti's link
pack purchased presents into suitcase (which is to be stored at in-laws and will be going there this coming weekend)
email Senior Guides re: census and pizza lunch meet-up
post pictures from Toddle Waddle and email Mom & Dad that they're up

We didn't make it to town so the pound shop and Boots are postponed until tomorrow. I'll post the card tomorrow, too. Crafts didn't get done due to playing with trains and doing puzzles together most of the morning.

Scout you've made me dizzy!

Ta Das

Fed dogs
Located a few hotels with availability
Located flights on appropriate days
Made lunch, sandwiches and fruit
Maintenance was for WM
forced DDs to empty DW, reloaded after lunch
Currently watching DDs in pool,
Made tea for OH, don't know if he's drunk it - see above

Still to do

Harangue OH to agree or not to what I've found and book it
Dinner
Feed dogs
Put oil on my 'orribl dry skin

Oh, and well done to Sarah for not lamping anyone - you're a star

Agreed re Scout's list!

TaDa's:
first load in washer
weekly shop done and put away
backpacks emptied
washing up back up to date
collected jamie at home order from pal's house
dm/df told off - df confused because he had only said that ds's room was a tip!!!

Must:
Dry ds school uniform for tomorrow
Make sandwiches for this week's packed lunches
Move camping gear to spare room ready to go in the loft

Could:
Put camping gear in loft (so unlikely)
Go to bed right now (tempting!)

I have hit a wall. I'm sitting here watching Celebrity Apprentice USA, eating popcorn and surfing Pinterest. Someone give me a poke!

Can't be chewed - going to bed. Too tired to do anything.

Well done for standing up for yourself Helles I'm proud of you

Scout that wall you've hit is marked Finish Line, it's a clue, you've done enough for today enjoy your popcorn

I have also hit a type of wall, need to put clean sheets back on my bed, but OH is asleep - on the bare matttress, so I'm MNing until I decide to do dinner.