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!

Blue just seen your news. Such awful timing, not there there's ever a good time.

Can DH's Granny still drink, or is she on medication that prevents it. If not I think wine would probably still be ok.
Otherwise, how about something 'pampering', if she's going to be very poorly, something that will make her more comfortable.

:( blue

I have 6 squares to complete before i can piece the 1st blanket, and another 20 squares ish and I will have 2 blankets Thankfully only 2 squares are unstarted, 1 is in progress and 3 are nearly finished of those six because quite frankly my fingers are burning, my shoulders are sore and I am beginning to lose the will to live wrt these damn squares. Going to have a hot shower and will then put some laundry on before trying to kill off these last 6 squares. I want to be at a point of laying out and fastening off tomo. Consideing going out for a break if i can get the squares done. But tbh, i have so much other stuff that needs doing i might just have to do that instead. Will have to see.

ta da
blanket squares
still in pjs

Sorry to hear that Blue. We have also had news that my aunt and uncle (my mum's brother and his wife) are seriously ill, they are both in their 80s and have both had health problems this year. I'm not that close to them (live 400 miles away), but it is hard for my mum, especially as her other brother died at this time of year.

Anyway, my back is much better today. I went to a physio yesterday who spent a whole 90 minutes sorting me out for the very reasonable sum of £40 and I am feeling so much better (a little tired but that may have been because it was my work Christmas do last night). She did a thorough assessment (made me realise what an old crock I am!) gave me various exercises to do, advice about seating positions etc and a good pummeling. As a result I have had only low level pain today which has meant a more normal activity level.

Ta-da!
School run with a detour via the allotment on the way home (just to check it, no actual work).
Tidying, tidying,tidying (the endless tide of paper that comes out of school this time of year mainly)
email/admin sort of stuff
hoover round downstairs and stairs
Clean cat litter trays
Mop kitchen floor
3 lots of washing
Supermarket shopping (surprisingly quiet - had to go to two to track down DS's request for pudding on Christmas Day - Arctic Roll).
Too much time on MN
School run
More tidal wave of paper to sort out as a result
School bags all unpacked and put away (hoorah!)
Going out again tonight, just for a drink with some friends in town. Hoping the rain holds off.

Blue so sorry to hear your sad news. Maybe she would appreciate something for pampering - luxury bath foam stuff or similar (to aid relaxation)?.

Keep going Bitchy you are nearly there!

Swan the appts thing is exactly what I would do! I should be doing bedrooms like you - it will have to wait until tomorrow - top marks for yours though!

Goth I have just made exactly same exec decision.
Congrats on v.impressive ta da list!

All office presents and cards packed and delivered! Hoorah!

Term is over and teachers' presents have also been delivered thank heavens! Still haven't seen dd's report (we are waiting until dh gets home) but dd has already prepared us that her geog/history score is very low

And the classmate who made a present for dd for their Secret Santa exchange thing (or 'cacaouette' as it is known here) took loads of trouble to decorate a shoe box, make dd a personalised Christmas decoration and enclosed a little photo album (empty) that she is going to fill up with photos for dd throughout 2014!! Really touching!! So relieved we made an effort now - hadn't realised everyone took it so seriously!!

Right, off to study the takeaway menu ...

x post

Another stonking ta da list Whoknows Very sorry to hear about your relatives too.

Glad to hear your back is on the mend and enjoy your evening!

Ah [nostalgic thoughts] does artic roll still exist? Used to love it as a child!

Flying in on the back of schools out festive cheer.

It has, without a shadow of a doubt, the most difficult half term in my 14 years of teaching. Hence absence recently for which I offer my profuse apologies.

Despite this, I am almost ready for the big day apart from hours and hours worth of wrapping to do. House is as presentable as it is going to get . MIL is coming Xmas Eve/Day but luckily she is not the type to judge so am not too bothered. The only thing that worries me is that she is diabetic and has to eat at certain times so xmas lunch is going to have to be bang on time.

Not doing anything tonight and tomorrow am off visiting my auntie and uncle with dm, dsis and dc's so little flying there as well.

Will catch up with the thread asap. But lovely warm festive waves to everyone.

Blimey, SC, DS1 just bought a box of chocolates for his Secret Santa present .

Blue - so sorry to hear about your granny. It may give you a little hope to hear that my aunt was diagnosed with liver cancer eight years ago. She was told she was certainly going to die. Eight years later, she is cured and living life normally. I do understand, though, that everyone is different.

WhoKnows - glad your back is on the mend.

Bitchy - very impressed by your crafting. How lovely to get a homemade present.

I was put off making presents many years ago, when DH and I were going through a tough time financially. I made chutney and jams and planted bulbs in pots as Christmas presents for my family that year. It took bloody hours. I didn't get a single thank you and the homemade food was never touched . I was so hurt that I have never bothered since.

Ta da :

Visited poorly friend
Cut some more foliage on the way up to school
School run - much delight because it's the end of term!
Celebrated the start of the holidays by sharing a box of chocolates with DS2
Opened DS2's Xmas present to us (made us a candle holder - aww)
Decorated the house
Hung up DS2's Xmas cards
Cleared the debris off the dining-room table
Emptied DS2's lunchbox (don't want to find mouldy food on 6 Jan)
Dinner (another gourmet classic - frozen pizza, this time!)

Had a third-world problem tonight, when I managed to knock one of DH's Eric Ravillious prints off the wall when decorating it with ivy. The frame broke, so I had to confess to DH (who had already been grumpy with me for "going overboard with the decorating"). His response? "Stop ruining my Ravillious!" In the hierarchy of personal problems, that comes pretty lowdown, I suspect!

Computer is playing up, so if I disappear for a day or so after this post, that may be why.

Eeek, so bust watching a program about Roy Orbison I completely forgot the links.

LINKS FOR 21 DECEMBER 2013

*
Babystep 21 highlight's the Ask Flylady page

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

No missions, as it's Saturday so Family Fun Day

December's monthly habit is Pampering.

Flight Plan for today.

*
There are no more Christmas Holiday Cruise Missions, so just crack open the

SUMMARY

Engels saw a brilliant Christmas show and has amazing kids.

Merry & Dizzy are still being creative with their elves.

EustaciaVye has returned! and aims to multitask.

Castle is looking forward to the holidays.

Swan DS is a great singer, and not to shabby violin mime , I used to love rosining my bow when I played the violin (many many moons ago) always used to think of 'The Devil went down to Georgia'

SC appeared from under a stack of card and presents. Hands over Vit c and paracetamol to ward off illness. Hope the French trip sorts itself out

Toffee was a star Secret Santa, so lovely that you took the present in. And then the uber-list continues from yesterday.

Bitchy had good advice for bored children- get them working The end is in sight with the blankets as long as her fingers don't drop off.

Swan got to tidy DD's room as a reward

Blue has had some bad news

WhoKnows back is getting better thanks her physio, but not well enough to work on the allotment- why ever not Mmm Article roll, I'm sure I've seen it in Morrisons. So sorry to hear about your relatives

elliepac has had a difficult term, so we'll let you off being AWOL here have a large , I'm sure you'll not be the only teacher imbibing tonight.

Will do better with the round up tomorrow I think I'd relaxed a bit too much with it being the last day of school!

Today all I seem to have done is wrap presents!

In the morning after staying at school for Star Assembly it was DD's. She then finished at lunchtime and I had to take her into town to the cinema as it was the twins next door's birthday treat. After buying the last few bits it was home to more wrapping! But I only have DS and DH left to do.

Tomorrow Today we are off to see my mum then after staying overnight are having lunch on Sunday with some friends and Santa so no flying will be done until the evening when I need to pack for nearly 2weeks away!

Bitchy is not sleeping. She is going slowly mad. Rocking the strong pain killer mix tonight as a last result. cancelling fun plans for tomo and trying to be responsible. Which is really really hard when the plans would be so much fun, if a tad impractical.

Oh Bitchy hope you have been able to get to sleep!!

I have been awake since 5 worrying, I need to sit down and make sure I have got all the presents and check food for Christmas Day and eve!!

My house is a shit tip and I don't give a flying fuck because the Drs can't find any cancer in DS!!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Silly - I really do have something in my eye now (actually in both of them) That is fabulous, fabulous news
Happy Christmas to you and yours and may 2014 be everything you want it to be

Silly how marvellous! So happy for all of you

Great great news silly. What a wonderful gift.

Bah...p I sted too soon...what a wonderful gift for Christmas. Can't think of anything better.

Silly

And sorry about your news Blue
I found the best gift for a friend with cancer was one of those really cheap beanbag pillow things. He found it very difficult to get comfortable.

Oh Silly What absolutely fabulous news. The best Christmas present ever... I am so happy for you and your family that I have tears rolling down my cheeks

Morning all. Waves to lovely new people I haven't met before.

silly that is the most amazing news. I may just have a shed a little tear. I hope you and your lovely family have the most amazing Christmas ever. Much love to you all.

bitchy calm the fuck down dear.

I did read back the thread last night but can't remember any of it this morning. May have had a few too many last night in honour of end of term.

Humour me and let me have a proud mummy moment. Can't post elsewhere because somebody will come along and say how their DC is level 118a in reading DS is just average. DS has just done practice SATS and made massive progress in his literacy to the point where in a year he has gone from being way behind to being just above. I am so proud of him as he has always struggled and have posted here about it. He finally has a decent teacher and I am so so so proud of him.

So today:-
Quick tidy done
Washing up
Washing on
Out to visit relatives for most of the day.
Wrap 6 trillion presents in front of TV tonight

Have a good day everyone.

So happy for you silly

Happy best christmas ever!

Christmas just got brilliant, so happy for you Silly

Silly - that is the best news ever . I'm so, so happy for you. It's definitely going to be the happiest Christmas ever!

Ellie - I'm sorry you've had such a tough term. Congratulations to your DS and enjoy the proud mummy moment .

WhoKnows - I missed that your aunt and uncle are so ill . I'm so sorry.

dizzy - hope you enjoy your sociable weekend!

I am also a little the worse for wear this morning, after an evening out with a friend last night. Persuaded DH to bring me tea in bed this morning though .

For some reason, Firefox won't work on my computer (am using Explorer, which is annoying because it doesn't have my bookmarks and I just don't like it). DH did a scan on my computer last night, but it's still not working. He thinks he'll have to uninstall and reinstall it. The prospect of not checking MN every day is horrifying!

Lots to do today. Raining here, so we will be shopping and going to the dump in the rain. Really, really want to get the house tidy for Xmas today.

Incidentally, my description of my 'third-world' problem should have read first-world of course .

Happy Christmas preparation to you all.