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!

Toffee you have done loads

Am so failing wrt making progress
with clutter

Tada I have done some bits but basics dw and wm and bin.

Just spent ages in post office as parcel force seem to be delivering everything there if not in rather than at a neighbours house. grr

Am rabbit in headlights at mo so much to do and 2 play dates at my house for lunch and tea tomorrow.

Hello all, had a better day today, shoulder has been at more of a dull ache rather than Sharp constant pain, neck has been the same, hip and back are still clicky though, hoping that it rectifies itself some how. I even have a ta da list

Went grocery shopping,
Put shopping away
Put pots away
Washed pots
Prepared tea
Collected all the rubbish from the entire house (it filled a bin bag...oh the shame )
Persuaded dp to nip to the shop for ds1s cooking ingredients tomorrow.
Got boys to tidy there room.
Did school runs etc as well.

Going to attempt to do more but first I am putting the heating on , Omg it is so cold.

andgiraffee similarly rabbit in headlights here and argh, don't talk to me about the post office!! Honestly thought I was going to expire in there today.

Well done re: humungous list Toffee

So p*ed off with dh just now. It is 20.15 here and dd hasn't eaten yet and she is totally zonked (everything late because of Christmas concert choir rehearsal). I was upstairs finishing parcels with dd beside me when dh walked in 20 mins ago and I asked him to "please just check pasta sauce I have left on low on stove and stir it so it doesn't burn". (We were just having pasta with bog-standard tomato sauce tonight for speed's sake; but sauce was good, made with care etc) And dh in his "wisdom" decided without consultation to take what he thought was a packet of his bolognese sauce out of the freezer, stir it in to my sauce and then pronounce that it "didn't taste right". Well no, because when I checked the bag it was a thai beef curry (which dd hates) - contents and date marked clearly on bag! Twonk! Italian pasta curry sauce concoction (yurgh) now in bin and we are waiting for a takeaway ... and dh has dripped sauce all over the kitchen of course in the meantime ... . He would just choose the night to do this when we are all tired and hungry and need an early night!

We then had a huge row about whether his dsis's parcel would get there in time for Christmas (we are flying part of way so sending parcels ahead) which ended in me telling him to pack it himself ... (I have done all choosing/purchasing/wrapping for -dsis-in-law and for fil and he was so uninvolved he doesn't even know what I have bought them). And I had already consulted post office about posting dates and it's fine if it goes by tomorrow afternoon. Argument not helped by him being zonked with fatigue and his ruddy mobile phone ringing every 10 seconds. I am bloody seeeeeething.

He can ruddy well stick tinsel where the sun don't shine

Ahhhhh, that's better

Copious glasses of on bar for those in need!!!!

x post

Glad you are feeling a bit less sore Gossip and you've done loads considering you are under the weather. One bin-bag full of rubbish from entire house doesn't sound that much to me so don't be too hard on yourself!

Forgot to mention one good thing - Christmas tree safely delivered and was given a discount on the grounds of being a long-standing customer and them not having exactly the right amount of holly and mistletoe ordered. It's still trussed up like a chicken though so must go and release it's bows ...

Ta Da
School run
Put away laundry
Tidied kitchen
Room rescue x 3
Posted letters
Coffee with friend
Looked after friend's DS (2yo) for 3 hours now shattered
Put lights around fireplace
School run
Made dinner
Tidied up
D/w
Beaver run
Dh has managed to irritate me within mins of coming in, currently I am hiding in another room. Before I strangle him!!!

SC breathe breathe I'm right there with you at the bar. H has been making me slightly crazy most of the day.

I have hardly gotten anything done today. It's been a day with one nativity in the morning, then a quick lunch, petrol in car, pick up a couple things at supermarket, and then on to another nativity for other DC. I'm exhausted now. DCs overtired and cranky and not listening.

Roll on bedtimes (ok one is already in bed, one to go).

I think on the grand scheme of things a twatty dh/dp or a frustrating flu virus in the christmas season I will always take the flu virus.
Spent most the day asleep. Will be heading back asleep shortly. I feel there is going to be a panic wrt blanketgate. eeeeeeek. let's hope the doc i seem tomo is nice and lovely and gives me something. Although my only encounter with her means that I am not likely to leave her office happy.

ARRGH

No Flying, Schhol Christmas Concert , interview -ok , migraine

BBL with links, but round up may be in the morning (after the dentist)

Sorry, SC

Ta da

Work,
School run
More work
Chemist
Dinner
Work

God, that's a dull list. However, I have achieved a lot. Tried to do extra work today because I seem to have two appointments at the dentist tomorrow .

Still haven't had time to catch up on the thread, sorry. Putting DS2 to bed now, then have to watch something with DS1, then hoping to watch a DVD with DH.

DS2 came out of school, complaining that all his friends are arguing with each other and his best friend told him he was annoying. They are all so ready for the holidays, poor things. (As am I!).

Just home from parents evening

Can hear dh trying to get ds to sleep upstairs.

Time for a glass of wine and some ast minute organising for Christmas show.

Sorry X post SC. Sounds like this is the season for our H's to drive us crazy!!

LINKS FOR 18 DECEMBER 2013

*
Babystep 18 is to read the 11 Commandments which isn't too twee.

This week we are in Zone 3 the bathroom & 1 other room. Detailed cleaning list for those that can be bothered here

Sneak Peak for this week's missions, today we clear out the medicine cabinet and 5 minutes put stuff away that has a home, but you stashed it somewhere quick prior to visitors IYSWIM

It's Wednesday so it's Anti procrastination Day Yippee!

December's monthly habit is Pampering.

Flight Plan for today.

*
Christmas Holiday Cruise Mission 13 is to mail all the cards we did yesterday. Last 2 for me

SUMMARY

Feeling better now I've had something to eat.

Angry had a brilliant Cub's meeting, so nice they appreciate you. I see it's your turn to have an irritating DH. But not for long as Alice's is in competition. Do you think there's a thread somewhere, with all our DH/Ps are planning whose turn it is next to be an arse?

Bitchy & Just both had rough nights, I find Terry Pratchett helps most things. So pleased you've got in at the doctors tomorrow Bitchy, a nice receptionist can make a lot of difference. You must be getting close to finishing the blanket, but then it's the putting together that I dread.

WhoKnows is getting her DCs back into the Flying routines, and I want to raid her food cupboard.

dizzy may not have put out many fires BUT got a lot done. Menu planning is a good job.

Gossip shoulder is still playing up , hopefully it will continue to improve. I know what you mean about other people's stories make you feel like you can't complain, but you can, that's what we're here for.

SC so pleased your cramps have gone. How did the Secret Santa go?
at DH's help with cooking.
So pleased you've got your tree ok.

Blue went in search of motivation. SC was right "the power of three, will set you free"

Toffee shouldn't need reminding that you've done something, that's a serious list. Typical that DH finds you on your few minutes on MN

giraffe has been chasing up parcels. Good luck with the play dates.

Engels had a parent's evening.

or in the naughty corner for those that need it.

Only about 45 squares short atm. not done anything on it in ages. Beginning to wonder if it will get done. Putting together isn't too bad but all those bloody lose ends that need fastening off. i will be panicking. Hoping to feel well enough to sit in front of a tv and crochet tomo, rather then just sleep.

Ta Da!
Some (not all) of the email stuff
Some more wrapping
Watched DS1's nativity play
DS1 back to school for disco
Cooked weird unsuccessful stew thing
Cleaned up kitchen
Dining room and sitting room hotspots.

Feeling oddly guilty because DS1 didn't enjoy the disco because "everyone else knew the songs". :( And just generally very tired and worn down.

Big waves to everyone and a bottle of on the bar.

Thanks for the round up goinggoth!

My Dp would fit right in ;)

Blueeyeshadow I will join you

Going to try and get on with more jobs now. sigh

and yes he is accepted to club arse... I was doing a mini mn whilest making tea and dp came in 'are you making tea or just messing round on the computer'

[Glugs Toffee's and Goth's wine gratefully]

Thanks for all the solidarity everyone! I feel much better having eaten too, and having watched soothing Christmas Sewing Bee on the telly, followed by Mary Berry ... . I realise now I should have just fed dd and not waited for dh in the first place, so it was my fault in a way despite him arriving an hour later than he said he would. Anyway, agree with Gossip, I shouldn't get fed up about such trivial things

[forms coven with Angry and Alice and tries to conjour up "anti significant-other irritation potion"]

Thanks for round-up Goth (especially noble when suffering from migraine - hope it shifts quickly). Forgot to wish you well for your interview today - hope you get the result you want!

Hope you feel much better soon Bitchy and more power to your crochet needles re: blanketgate!

Good luck at the dentist tomorrow Toffee

Engels good luck with Christmas show!

Alice think you deserve an extra tonight! Two nativity plays in one day must have been lovely but exhausting!

Waves to Just (who I forgot to wave to this morning) and eveyrone else!

Right, back to the wrapping ... got to do two more parcels before bed ...unfortunately

G'night all!

x posts

Oh that's disappointing after all your efforts Blue [Pours large glass of consolatory ] Surely it's a good thing they knew all the songs, no?

at Club Arse Goth and Andgiraffe

SC oh dear, you made me laugh with your tinsel/Dh comment

Oh I hate it when dh interferes with the menu/arrangements.

done
yesterday had SIL and two toddlers to tea
picked up two kids from school yesterday (fighting)
today

sent present to someone
bought a present for dd from the Boden shop
picked up a parcel from PO
driving
bacon and eggs for returning children

two nice chats on phones with rellies

tuna sauce for kids on pasta, and for the more sophisticated butternut squash risotto for supper
French homework

washing up
hung out washing

napette

had a slovenly evening not doing much really, quite relaxing need to conserve my strength for two carol concerts on Wed and Thurs

Club Arse Trophy

I hope that's been swished and swiped Goth .

I am sorry to hear that it's not just my DH who can be a right a*re! Though mine did apologetically phone to say he would be late home (he fears my wrath when it comes to dinnertime!)

Ta Da

• DD to school and stayed to listen to carol concert
• Washing load in and hung to dry
• Bins brought back in after emptying
• Scaled and reached the summit of ironing mountain (watching Ripper Street at the same time helped!)
• Fed DD and curled her hair before dropping her back round for school disco
• Tidied kitchen after DH cooked tea
• Lusted over Paul Hollywood and realised I have never tasted Black Bun despite being Scottish - though I am sure there is meant to be treacle in it!

Goth omg LOL'd at the trophy! That is brilliant. If only I could present THAT to him.

giraffe and Toffee they can't honestly think that's all you do all day is MN, can they? I suggest that you spend a day doing exactly that - just MN and sip . Then when they come home and see everything you HAVEN'T done, maybe the penny will drop. (or like most contenders for that coveted trophy, they'll just complain....)

SC and Angry You think they have a secret handshake and everything? I think H could see me vacuuming in pearls, gleaming house, tea cooking, and everything just perfect, and he'd still find something to complain about.

Argh!!! We are slowly getting in debt, I have squirrelled away all year to pay for Christmas, used my inherited funds etc. Hubby get a unexpected Christmas bonus I ask if I could use some to replenish my inherited money, I get a no but he want to use the same amount to upgrade his motorbike (nothing wrong with the one he got, which he plough money into) I could throttle him!!! Am I being unreasonable?

In fact. At the moment feel like going on strike, especially as nearly all presents were for his side of the family!
As I have explained to my family and we do token gifts only.