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!

Well, I'm not a granny, or anywhere near (DCs are 9 and 7) but I am old enough to have the same family set-up as you Alice.

Just - congratulations, I remember you posting about the pregnancy a few months ago, hope it's not too long before you can have some cuddles.

SC - glad the key turned up!

Well, another quiet day at home for me and DD. She is much better now, would probably have gone back to school tomorrow if it had been a week day. Got the boiler serviced, and a bit more Flying today (DD wasn't so clingy). Did my annual pre-Christmas deep clean of the cooker, Oven Prided the top and bottom ovens, put all racks including those of the hob and the filters from the extractor fan through the DW, all nice and gleaming now.

I am old enough to be a Granny (DS is 20) and had to go to the chemist to buy a test to find out if I was going to be one a couple of years ago. I bought him some "protection" afterwards!

Ta Da

• DD to swimming club
• Then straight to school for violin assembly
• Apart from a pair of PJs ordered last of xmas presents
• Started on 2 strings of bunting DD wanted me to make for schoolfriends whose birthday party she goes to tomorrow!
• DH to dentist (he is off back to Reading for evening out afterwards)
• DD feeling sicky so missed swimming #2 and had quiet evening just us girlies

lovely early night, not so impressed by the early start though. It's bloody freezing and i need to figure out why the central heating isn't working. or i could find an extra jumper and pull the covers back over my head and pretend it is nice and toasty and go back to sleep. Oh the choices.

At 6am on a Saturday (my only lie in day) I would of definitely pulled the covers back over my head and snuggled down Bitchy.
How warm to you like it?? My hubby has both windows open and the radiators off in our room, even at this time of year!! It has been known, that I have seen my breath and have ice on the inside of our windows in the mornings. The boys are the same, they all open their windows before going to bed!! Freaks!!

At night I like to cook, during the day I quite like to freeze. I couldn't sleep so lost a few hours in pinterest. which i am now regretting as I could have got up and been really productive instead of wasting time and now wondering how to do everything that I have suddenly decided needs doing today i suspect this is the fault of the coffee

Ta da
lose several hours on pinterest
internet admin type stuff
boil up hand warmers and figure out how many and which are missing
sort a kitchen cupboard out
discover the ironing board
do a full fry up for breakfast [yum]
make a batch of proper ie not instant coffee
wash out thermos so can have lovely hot coffee during my adventure today
have a cursory look around my room for the missing handwarmers
clear out my kit bag
start the ironing
put a load of washing on
folding
put bread dough ingrediants into bread machine for it to work its magic
collect laundry in laundry room

And now the fat fairy might roll her eyes and stomp her militant foot because I am just about to jump in the shower and get dressed

Ta da
Up, dressed, breakfast
DS packed off to MIL for a few hours so I could work
1 set of marking done

Off to pick up the boy now.

To da
Post last Christmas cards.
Sort out return of boots
hotpots - they are hideous again
wash on
yesterday's washing away
pay dentist bill
if possible do another set of marking while delegating babysitting DS to Disney

DH is currently working away in the garage sorting out the immense piles of crap that were evicted form the cellar last weekend.

BBL

Ta da :

Up earlier than usual because DS2 always wakes up earlier at weekends / on holidays
Breakfast - homemade pancakes and juice
Ironing
Unloaded and reloaded d/w
Washed up extra stuff by hand, dried, put away
Wiped down sink (not exactly shiny, but it'll do)
Wiped kitchen surfaces
Mopped up muddy footprints in hall
Put away ironed clothes
Put out kitchen bin and recycling
Swished and swiped in bathroom

About to have a bath and wash hair, then going out Xmas shopping with DS1. Also decluttering - taking a bag of unwanted clothes to the charity shop. Am going to sneak in a haircut for DS1 at some point (he will be rewarded with a trip to Costa Coffee if he goes). Oh, and am having my eyebrows waxed or, as I embarrassingly said on the phone when I rang to make the appointment, "trimmed" .

DH is working at home; DS2 is making a submarine out of Lego. It is, according to him, actually waterproof (I wondered what all the splashing in the bathroom was ).

DS2 has asked me to ask Mumsnet a question, so I will post it for him and provide a link here. Back in a mo.

Link here. Obviously fuelled by end-of-term-itis.

Have managed (for the first time ever)to get Dh to take not only one child but 3 to a birthday party. Under the pretence I am going to finish the wrapping off the presents!! He going to meet his mother there too!! Mil is a fantastic grandmother but a pain in the bum mil!! So 2 birds one stone!!

Think I might celebrate by quickly finishing the last two presents and then sit back and watch some midday tv..

Toffee I will ask my boys on their return regarding your son's question! I know one of them loves school!

Ta da
picked up ds
lunch
wash on
yesterday's wash away
emptied overflowing outside bin
washing-up

have ds for a while and just mustering the energy to tidy hotspots. Hoping to get some more marking done later when dh pops out with ds.

feel sad for my mil. We are in the uk for Christmas and Boxing day this year (we take turns spenidng Christmas is UK and NL). We live next door to them and Dbil and dsil live in the same city about 5 mins drive away.

Mil and fil are going to be on their own this Christmas as SIL's DB and GF are coming over for Christmas Day (SIL's DM passed away a couple of year's ago so he is the oi nly immediate family she has). They have not invited DMIL and DFIL to join them. Apparently they Re going furniture shopping on Boxing Day and this is the only time they can go because BIL is so busy with his new job

I think it's a bit mean of them. The years we are in NL for Christmas we always either go to ILs or they come to us. A few times BIL and SIL have been over at ILs for the morning.

Last year we went to ILs in morning, then they came to our for Christmas dinner in the evening (meant we could put ds to sleep and crack on with dinner). BIL and SIL went across the country to visit DSIL's brother last year on Christmas day and we all had dinner at a restaurant on Boxing Day which was really nice.

DH said he's going to have a word with his bro. I suggested to DH we invite ILs round for dinneron the Sunday and we always see them on NYD when we're in NL.

Family politics, gotta love em.

Morning all!

Another one old enough to be a granny several times over here ... although have a 10 yr old.

Alice your family make-up with all the different ages sounds fantastic!!! Bet you never have a dull moment ....!!

Goth very nice to have a child who appreciates good food! Like you, we could have had a 19 yr old if we'd been more "organised", and we were together (on and off) 11 yrs before we got married, so in theory, could actually have a 30 yr old!!

Well today I have delegated food shopping to dh (entertaining tomorrow) and have been wrapping, am wrapping, and will be wrapping some more: entire office staff + cleaners, my family (which is humungously large), dh's family (which is very small), numerous godchildren, token presents for friends, dd's presents for teachers + extra-curric people, some hand-made stuff for parish vestiare ladies, food gifts for neighbours and starving seminarian, blah blah blah... and blah! Going to need a trailer to take the bulk of it to the post office on Monday morning!

DD's Christmas photo has been done (with 'smiling' equine friend)

DD's Christmas nativity scene has been drawn (just need to photocopy it in office now) to enclose in all cards to great aunts etc.

Just want to get the parcels out of the house so I can walk along the first floor landing again without falling over cardboard boxes in the dark!

Good luck with the marking and the family politics Engels!

Bitchy you probably needed the calm/repose which Pinterest provides so don't be too hard on yourself

I'm with your dh Angry on the room temp I'm afraid, it has to be freezing to sleep and I feel physically ill if the bathroom is too warm in the morning. Dh on the other hand, likes it tropical! Enjoy your family-free time!

Hope your dd is ok Dizzy

Waves to Goth Blue Whoknows Swan Feetheart Toffee Honu Castle Pushme Stillwearing Giraffee Tossedsaladandscrambledeggs Sillybilly Just Silver Ellie and everyone else I've inevitably forgotton!

Keep warm and well everyone!

SC Trust me, I'd like a dull moment. A few in fact. sigh... what a miserable weekend.

Oh dear Alice

have some and a

SC thanks. I'm trying so hard not to let it get to me, but I am just trying not to scream at the moment. (D)H is taking the piss in a big way and I've had just about enough.

LINKS FOR 15 DECEMBER 2013

*
Babystep 15 is to make the bed first thing in the morning. I actually found this one easy (as long as DH isn't still in it) and even better DD does the same. By make the bed, I mean fluff and turn the pillows and throw the quilt back to air.

This week we are in Zone 2 Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room. Detailed cleaning list for those that can be bothered here

No mission's as it's Renew Your Spirit Day so try to relax....

December's monthly habit is Pampering.

Flight Plan for today.

*
No Christmas Holiday Cruise Missions today

SUMMARY

Evening all, been sticking to the Family Fun day here, quick trip to the library, followed by a couple of hours in the park. Was brilliant, it was raining, we had sticks, there was a hill and beech leaves, Dd was having lots of fun making dams and breaking them, plus jumping in puddles. Followed by long baths, pizza and films.

WhoKnows's DD is on the mend, and she has a serviced boiler and a very clean cooker

dizzy joined the 'we're older than you think' brigade and she's making bunting, sorry your DD ISN't feeling so good, such a shame over the swimming.

Bitchy had an early night but also an early morning . Did the central heating get fixed? I can't sleep in a hot bedroom, and as we only have ridiculous electric heaters in there, it doesn't happen often. But don't go as far as Angry's family with open windows!

Engels had a few hours break from DS, it's amazing what you can do when you have a few hours on your own. Hope your DH got rid of the immense piles of crap from the cellar, rather than try to rescue/sneak it back in.

Toffee had an early start due to her DS being an early bird at weekends
Like the idea of a Lego submarine. Will ask DD the question tomorrow, as she's currently entranced by Atlantis.

Angry well done re the party and MIL.

SC has had a very productive day, sounds like your present mountain could rival the Great Wall of China

Alice hope today has got better

Ta da
vehicle fixed
unreasonable friend not lost temper with
made self sicker fixing vehicle

Still to do

nothing but breathe because anything else is too much

Ta da :

Xmas shopping
Brows sorted
Shopping done
Lovely meal out with friends (thanks to MIL babysitting)

Bit of a panic in the end because the taxi was late and MIL panicked (after just 20 minutes) and got DS1 to ring us and find out if we were ok. DS1 had to calm her down. Not good for an anxious boy, but he coped pretty well. I am grateful to MIL for babysitting, but wish she could rein in her anxieties for DS1's sake.

Thanks to those who posted on DS2's thread. He has enjoyed reading all the replies and I think it's been good for him to see the variety of replies.

Off to bed shortly...

DD seems to be over whatever was making her feel off colour yesterday. She had a bowling birthday party to go to this afternoon and came back telling us she had won for her team by scoring two strikes!

Ta Da

• Finished the bunting
• Sent DH to PO to post Xmas cards
• Washing load in and hung to dry
• D/W on
• Washed pots and shined sink
• Wrapped the presents for Mum and Sister #2

I'm just feeling better knowing I'm not the only oldie.

ta da
morning routines
put away washing up from last night
load of laundry in the washing machine

to do
make "to do" list for tomorrow. now that will be long!!!
double check Christmas list for both gifts and food, and come up with one small list for the few things that are left
make cake

Right I FINALLY have a few minutes to tell you about Lapland!!! Does anyone care anymore?!

Got to the airport at 5am and greeted by someone playing carols on bagpipes! Departures hall filled with various characters handing out sweets etc. have had to tell J this is not normal! Slightly relaxed security due to an entire flight with oversized hand luggage and numerous medicines each!

Got on the plane with a huge bag each of goodies and colouring stuff etc. j was very excited to go on his first flight and was like a pro - didn't flinch at all! Lots of celebrities came too so we were serenaded by Chris Kamara, Denise Welch and many Emmerdale people plus the loveliest person ever off Holby City. Chantelle? A nurse?

We landed and went to a forest where they had reindeer- pulled sledges, husky sledges, an ice slide, etc and also barbecued sausages, marshmallows, hot chocolate. J and I went on a reindeer sledge but his feet were cold and he screamed blue murder the entire time we were there until he fell asleep on my lap. At the end I woke him up to see some fireworks and that was his fave bit of the day .

Then we drove in to the city (Rovaniemi) to a hotel where we ate and sang songs til Santa arrived. First of all he walked past the windows - J was stood on his seat (with assistance) bouncing up and down with the biggest smile on his face. Then they all queued up to meet him and got a cuddly reindeer. It was lovely. He looked very authentic and being the real Santa obviously he looked a bit different from his helpers here because he had a pattern on his cloak etc.

It was lovely to see. There was a blind girl just before Joe and he was helping her to feel his beard etc.

J was so totally chuffed. Beaming from ear to ear.

After that we went to the Arctic Circle where there's a little shopping village for souvenirs so just got a couple of things including apparently the world's largest reindeer for DD (which she loves) and then back to the airport and home.

Very long, very busy day but awesomely magical.

Right I FINALLY have a few minutes to tell you about Lapland!!! Does anyone care anymore?!

Got to the airport at 5am and greeted by someone playing carols on bagpipes! Departures hall filled with various characters handing out sweets etc. have had to tell J this is not normal! Slightly relaxed security due to an entire flight with oversized hand luggage and numerous medicines each!

Got on the plane with a huge bag each of goodies and colouring stuff etc. j was very excited to go on his first flight and was like a pro - didn't flinch at all! Lots of celebrities came too so we were serenaded by Chris Kamara, Denise Welch and many Emmerdale people plus the loveliest person ever off Holby City. Chantelle? A nurse?

We landed and went to a forest where they had reindeer- pulled sledges, husky sledges, an ice slide, etc and also barbecued sausages, marshmallows, hot chocolate. J and I went on a reindeer sledge but his feet were cold and he screamed blue murder the entire time we were there until he fell asleep on my lap. At the end I woke him up to see some fireworks and that was his fave bit of the day .

Then we drove in to the city (Rovaniemi) to a hotel where we ate and sang songs til Santa arrived. First of all he walked past the windows - J was stood on his seat (with assistance) bouncing up and down with the biggest smile on his face. Then they all queued up to meet him and got a cuddly reindeer. It was lovely. He looked very authentic and being the real Santa obviously he looked a bit different from his helpers here because he had a pattern on his cloak etc.

It was lovely to see. There was a blind girl just before Joe and he was helping her to feel his beard etc.

J was so totally chuffed. Beaming from ear to ear.

After that we went to the Arctic Circle where there's a little shopping village for souvenirs so just got a couple of things including apparently the world's largest reindeer for DD (which she loves) and then back to the airport and home.

Very long, very busy day but awesomely magical.

Sillybillybob That sounds like a lovely trip. Is there a link for this so we can see what it looks like? That would be fun to do with the DCS in future.

sc you could very nearly be my mum I'm early 30s...

Little flying today I think as I have charge off DD all day and she is a handful and a half.

I have a ton of presents to wrap this week.

DH spent the whole of yesterday angry with me about something but I've no idea what. Hope he's over it today as now much resentment from me as I had to change every single nappy yesterday (bar one which may have been the source of it all) even to the point he would tell me it needed doing but wouldn't try to do it himself. Livid.

Alice if you're on Facebook, there's photos on a page called

Joanne's When You Wish Upon Star page

It was amazing.