December already! Fledgings will sleigh the pre-Christmas clutter (and eat all the mince pies)

[GoingGoingGoth]

If 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 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 zones of the house which are designated weekly; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with loads more time to do someting more interesting 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!

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!

Thanks to BlueEyeshadow and SlimChance for the November thread.

All welcome!! And remember that December is the new January!

Keeping everything crossed for you Silly x

Good luck silly.

What distances does dd run dizzy? I hated school sport from about 13 onwards because even though I enjoyed it, I felt like I wasn't good enough for teams and would let the others down as the bitch capatin of the netball team reminded me when I had to sub . I wish I'd had teachers (or my parents) push me to try somehting other than the standard netball/rugby. As an adult I really love running and cross country. My family are so run of the mill normal/boring - no one does sport or musical instruments, or speaks other languages (except me - running and Dutch- and Dsis - Spanish guitar). We've had to marry some talent in (DH is ridiculously multilingual like all the Dutch and BIL speaks French and is a singer-songwriter).

Well done on blanket progress bitchy. Hope you got some sleep.

Rowing this is why I'm glad I don't have to worry too much about Christmas - we are at DPs in UK for the week and NYE here will be a low key affair (wine and scrabble, just me and DH).

Thanks for the great round up Goth. Sure there is someone else living in a family house (maybe feet?).

Plans for yesterday evening were thwarted by DS refusing to go to sleep so tree did not get decorated. I was rather snippy with DH who said "It's not my fault he won't go to sleep." (And it was my turn to do bedtime). Well no, DH, but you knew I wanted to get the tree done so you could either have done the tree or offered to take over bedtime instead of sitting on your ARSE as you have been doing all day! AND the only thing I asked him to do was clear his clutter from the kitchen, which he only did half of (after I stropped at him at 8.30 as I went up to try and settle DS for the nth time).

MEN!

Okay, end of moan!

Ta da
Up, dressed, breakfast,
Dealt with DS poonami

To do
Decorate tree
Christmas stamps, post cards, buy an extra packet of cards
Supermarket to get all the stuff DH forgot when he did the shop on Thurs, like fruit, tissues, eggs
Declutter dining table
What's for dinner?
MARKING!

Fingers crossed for you Silly

Today was a take two cups out of the cupboard for the first brew up of the day kinda day. Extra strong bitchy special brew kinda day. - Vat on the stuff on the naughty corner bar, I am happy to share now I am on my 5th cup of coffee for the day

Ta da
boil up hand warmers
Speak to school
fold washing
hang out latest load of laundry
look at ds' clock face and check quality of paint finish
internet admin
make sure ds is ok and fed
put some more cds from leaning tower of cds through clean and fix process
write shopping list
find amazon gift voucher that runs out tomo so MUST be used today.

To do
ironing
washing
paperwork

So the plan is 2 hours of paperwork and then to take an eye break to do some jobs. If ds stops being a limpet and lets me get.

Fingers and gingers crossed for you, Silly.

DS1 is refusing to go to school again . Honestly, I have run out of sympathy. At first, he claimed he was still ill, but when I threatened suggested extensive blood tests at the doctor's, he admitted it was anxiety now, not illness. Reminded him of everything he's learnt during CBT, took his computer away for the day, ranted at him, but all to no avail. I have spoken to my contact at the unit and she said this is really normal for children like him, but he needs to understand that he can't refuse to come in as it goes down as unauthorised absence. Have told him that, but he's still choosing to stay in bed.

Now late for work, as DH and I were going in to pack up lots of orders this morning.

On the scale of things people have to worry about, this is a minor gripe, I know. It's just so frustrating.

Flying-wise, I have put the emptied the kitchen bin and put all the rubbish out for collection.

Really must do some ironing today (how many times have I said that?).

Hmm, really should preview before I post.

Flying-wise I have emptied the kitchen bin... etc.

It is difficult and frustrating. toffee Good luck with getting everything parcelled up.

I am trying to write the paperwork i need to do. But I need to concentrate which is a bit of a nightmare when there is so much distracting noise. Landlord looking into blocked shower issue, builders drilling up the road, next door doing diy, ds bouncing around in a manner that creates noise that you feel you need to investigate ffs he has no voice and a temp and by rights should be curled up because despite the energy he is really not well enough to be going to school, tv on to try to drown out other noises so can focus but is only succeeding in giving me a headache. Combined with lack of sleep last night and too much coffee and I am feeling very cross and grumpy and very in need for cake. Which, as i am supposed to be on a diet, is very much out of the question. clearly the diet is going to hell today

Ta da
post office
supermarket
decided what's for dinner, meat and pastry out of freezer

next
Handbag, dining table and tree!

Morning all,
(Does anyone remember Dixon of Dock Green? Is that even a real thing? Am I dredging up fake memories?)
Better go for a lie-down!!
But first my home is horrendous but I feel quietly confident that I can sort quite a lot of it out (flying working?)
Toffee nightmare with your son! Have the school suggested any kind of support or half-way measures? Could he do any work at home?
Bitchy very impressed with the squares. You must be up all night or very fast!
Silly I hope your little man gets on ok today and stays the right side of the hospital (outside).
Sorry I now can't remember anything I wanted to write, but hi everyone!
So I am off to wash up for probably 15 mins
Then swish and swipe kitchen and bathroom
Get DS from school for lunch and changed for his school party
Go back and get my car from where I absent mindedly left it
Also need to Hoover hall and sitting room carpets,
wash k&b floors,
get tree out of bath and try to get it dry
For today will be sacking off the zone to sort out ds's room before collecting him and his friend - who may be crushed by falling rubble upon entering room if I don't
Feed he birds (but it's quite mild so they probably won't die if I don't do it immediately
Make a Thai chicken curry?!
Decorate tree
Post cards for crumby
So back soon ladies (are there any blokes on here)?

Dixon of Dock Green is a real thing, rowing but don't remember it - before my time. [helpful]

Anyway, have a ta da! list already:
House bleugh! On the right day!! First thing!!!
Caught up with admin
Emails
Sorted out parcels
DS1 party venue enquiry

Need to go to Post Office before picking up DS2 so mustn't get sidetracked... Back later. anyone?

Each square has 4 stages, each stage takes a set amount of time, and i am working with batches. so will do a batch through stage one, then do some at stage 2, then some through stage one and others through stage 3, then stage 2 and 4 as relevant. So progress sometimes looks like it stalls whilst other time it looks like it is flying. Each stage is btwn 15-20mins. So I can do a fair bit in the time it takes to watch and 1 1/2 hr film. paperwork procrastination

I remember Dixon of Dock Green (vaguely). I am old .

Sorry to hear about DS1 Toffee - hope he feels up to going in tomorrow.

Ta-da!

Christmas tree - finished decorating last night and put the empty boxes on the landing this morning to go back to the loft. Just a few more decorations to go round door frames today.
Clean cat litter trays
Run hoover round downstairs
Empty DW, wipe counters etc
Go to work.

I have invited friends round for coffee after work this afternoon, that really worked to spur me on to the hoovering etc this morning.

Today's Christmas task for me is also my Christmas day menu, so I can start buying non-perishables. I have to do the entire thing dairy free for my DF (allergic), and beef free for DM (paranoid about BSE) and roast dinner free for DS (fussy) which makes it a little tricky. DS just gets a plate of pasta. Your menu sounds nice Rowing. I am thinking brussel sprouts with mushroom/pancetta/breadcrumb topping, but that's as far as I have got. Need a dessert and canapes (we have those at 12, lunch with no starter at 3.30).

I've heard of Dixon of Dock Green but not a clue where I've heard it or what it is. How's that for helpful? Sorry.

ta da
morning routine, school runs
washing up
checked bank
sorted through outstanding paperwork
updated diary for Christmas programmes and appointments
took out more recycling
took out rubbish
wiped down countertops
one load of laundry done (and that's it all caught up. Not often I can say that! )
looked online to find Joseph costume for DS1's nativity (how I hate finding costumes - you'd think the school could just ask for donations of costumes and then KEEP them and reuse them each year - that's what our church did)

to do
finish shopping list for later this week (meant to do this last night but fell asleep)
finish meal plan for the week (feel asleep before finishing last night)
look up location of church that DS1's school nativity is being held at (yep, THAT's not a pain )
continue looking for wretched Joseph costume for DS1's nativity (have I mentioned I resent having to spend money on this costume that will only get used once??)
put laundry away (a couple loads worth from last night as well as today's)

There's more to put on the "to do" list, but I can't think of it right now. Not nearly enough coffee...

Hello everyone!

Ta da
Half the washing up (then DD needed feeding) but I'm counting it
Strip spare bed and wash sheets
Generally lounge tidy
Sort papers
Book 2 x Dr appointments
Call HV
Breakfast
Get DD up and washed

To do
Rest of washing up
Sheets from main bedroom
Lunch
Dinner
Go to shops
Mini cook up
Wash bin

Hope all goes well for your DS Silly

I am soooo angry right now, just found out my not so perfect but damn right sneaky fella has been smoking behind my back for months, I am furious. its not the fact that he's smoking its the fact that he has tried to hide it for so long, and that he's lied to me, i'm gutted.

Dixon of Dock Green was about a policeman wasn't it?? before my time.

Fingers cross for your DS Silly

Alice What size are you looking for? if it 6-8 yo I have one, if you pm me your address I will send it to you and you can send it back to me when you finished with it.

Ta Da
Morning routine
Packed lunches x5
Imprompt school run (wasnt my turn, but car share fell apart when my friend's dh took the car keys to work with him).
Cleaned Kitchen
D/w
T/d
Laundry x2
Tidied DS4/5 bedroom
cleaned sink
hoovered downstairs
tidied and decluttered cupboard under the stairs

To Do
Bank
Petrol in car
Dust downstairs
make stew for tonight
s&s x3
declutter computer room table

Gossip my DH did that on one of his giving up attempts, his whole bloody family knew/enabled. It's the secret that bugged me the most, not that I'm happy over the smoking.

rowing I always think of Dixon of Dock green when I put Morning all, can't remember watching it, but I know my parents did.

Toffee (hug) no idea what to suggest, and yes it is worth complaining about.

Bitchy , sounds like you are a one woman production line

Must stop chatting now, otherwise won't have anything to put tonight

Done
Beds
Dd to school
15 minute declutter in lounge
Washing up
Laundry rebooted
Paperwork! Done loads, stuff I've been ignoring for months
Rebooked DH's dental appointment (was an hour before DD's)
Washed & refilled bird feeders
Wiped down front of fridge

To do
Vacuuming (depends on when DH stops working in the lounge)
Litter tray
Mop floors
Prep dinner
Collect DD
DD to karate

DH must be feeling festive, he's lighting tea lights and we have carols on.

Ta da
Handbag and wallet decluttered
Finances
Wash on
Yesterday's wash folded
Lunch (pepper frittata!)
Fixed DS's book
Put photo in a frame
Finished writing Christmas Cards (except for one whihc I don't have the address for).

Currently Sorting out CDs with teaching reources on them from 2003 so I can throw the CDs away.
DS is NOT going to sleep upstairs (I think he did fall asleep in his chair for 10 minutes but then fell out so now he's back to howling again).

The dining table of doom continues - have a folder of stuff from our holiday this year. Need to sort out the finances for it and see what to save for photo album (and chase up prints - sure I did them online a couple of weeks ago!).

Then - TREE!

Sorry for lazck of personals - woman on a mission.

Ta da
Go to investigate why DS is making such a fuss
Clear up poo from bedroom floor
Strip DS (he'd already taken off his trousers and nappy but was stuck on the romper)

Happy days

Time for Christmas lights accompanied by Muppet Christmas Carol I think....

Sorry engels that mae me laugh. I am glad those days are gone.

I just suggested to ds we start a wish tree. He has issues communicating needs/issues sometimes so i thought it might be a good way to encourage him. Apparently by suggesting this I am crazy ah well I tried.

Paperwork has come to a complete hault ds has been fairly good this morning but it has all gone tits up since lunch so going to occupy him doing something he needs to be doing.

Due to today's discovery (discovering a lot of things lately, extra bedrooms, his smoking habit....), ive not done much flying, apart from get dressed with make up and make the bed. both of which were utterly pointless. im stopping at a friends tonight as i just cant face him yet with out wanting to punch his face for deceiving me. so its better for his face if i go, i will be back in the morning to sort kids out etc.

Hello all, aw sorry to hear your son refused school, Toffee. Last time I was here the CBT was working and things were looking positiive.

Ta dah
have been to the docs and have an airways infection so have antibiotics and off school till Wednesday at least. Did manage to stay in school for the first two hours.

Washed up all the pots when I got home from docs.

To do
Rest!

Glad to have been of service Bitchy

Gossip sorry to hear about DP. I understand why you're so upset.

Rowing not a figment of your imagination (but before my time - not that that's any excuse...the kids at school try that one when we start on Shakespeare!).

Toffee sorry to hear that DS is having a difficult day.

Ta da
Tree decorated. ,lights and all with 2yo monster running around. Definitely worth a this evening I think.
Present wrapped for DS's friend
Wash in td

Everything crossed for you Sillybilly

Buddha - Bet they would let you switch to the one this Sunday if you want to? I am going to stagger round as haven't been out for over a month - am relying on leftover fitness and the fact that I hope doubt DS will run the whole thing. I just have to be able to keep up with him as he hares off at the start! Might even be able to offer toilet stop, hot chocolate and cake afterwards if you do venture down here .

Engels - yes its me who lives in DH's family home though only been in family for 51 years when they bought it from new. There are positives to it i.e. we benefit every Spring from the beautiful tulips his dad planted and DC climb the apple trees his dad planted as saplings - we have photos of tiny apple trees somewhere :)

Everyone seems very busy. I seem to be busy with School Assoc related stuff but not much else - last week Christmas Crafts, this week disco on Friday so sorting out tickets all week as no-one pays attention to deadlines . Also have PoPUK in school all of this week and need to sort out programme for concert next week, find sponsors for programme and get it all put together. Why does it all come at once?

Ta Da:

• Disco tickets
• All up and out
• More disco tickets
• Washing out
• Order tattoos for disco
• PopUK CD orders
• Sort out what we have bought for DC for Christmas (and what I have bought for DH) Can now plan what else we need to buy.
• Lunch

To do:

• School to give out Christmas crafts and disco tickets (and no doubt pick up even more requests)
• Pick up DS -> home -> homework
• Washing in
• Pick up DD an hour later -> home -> finish decorating Christmas jumper for school on Friday
• Find list of categories for presents for DH and I (6 categories, buy from 4 only spend set amount)
• Make start on DS's Christmas jumper
• Dinner
• More jumper
• Ironing
• Online ordering of presents if needed

Best get to school then

Toffee I hope ds managed to get in for a little bit. Is there still time before school ends? God, I know that feeling soo soo well, just hoping the problem will go away if you put the covers over your head ( I am empathizing with ds here) Could you shower him with rewards if he goes in even briefly, or even at the end of the day just to show his face in the unit? I'm ashamed to say I feel like this about Beavers sometimes, and sometimes just being there for 2 mins is the only way to remind myself it isn't scary. Breaking the routine associations can help too (ie: just dropping in, so you can't feel you've missed your chance)

Anyway honking for you, as they say...I think it isn't about getting to school is it now, it is about the anxiety not the school.

Good morning counting money at church, 2 of us flu ridden and one 78 year old with diabetes! We had a good laugh about we how we would all be old grannies and still counting the money and never be able to get off the counting rota. Absolutely exhausted at moment but feeling just about contented.

Weekend consisted of roller coaster ride of near breakdowns and feeling a bit silly about getting in such a tizzyt. Drove ds1 to Rugby very early in morning to get him on school bus to Whitgift School. Ds1's team (C Team) won, he was over the moon, as last time he got left on the bench by mistake (oops) Then I had a long chat with neighbour whose baby is ill, then I hosted a Mulled wine stall at school fete, (forgetting LA LA that there is no kitchen there any more and no where to heat up said mulled wine cue frantic search of a camping gas burner (which I found by rushing round to a non-primary friend who must think we feters are nutters)

Followed by more driving out of my comfort zone to Kensington to take dd to a cousin meetup.

Sunday consisted of me collapsing after these minor exertions, and wailing that I couldn't possibly give ILs lunch as house was too untidy children too unhelpful and I felt too ill; dh taking ds2 to drama and supervising homework. Lunch turned out great, real fire, tidy house, children played badminton (they love visitors . Ds1 also went to Mass at 6pm with me after a row after laying the table at lunch. Really, as DH pointed out, I should have NOT done the mulled wine stall. Next year I will refuse.

Alice large rectangle of material. Brown trousers. Fold material over sew up bottom end of sides. Cut slice from top to make envelope neck opening. Dishcloth and string for headdress. Joseph.

Silly well done on the bin

Feet It is lovely to hear about the family house.