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!

LINKS FOR 22 DECEMBER 2013

*
Babystep 22 is to build your Control Journal

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 Sunday so Renew Your Spirit Day

December's monthly habit is Pampering

Flight Plan for today.

***

ta da
not nearly as much as I should have, but it's been a bit chaotic here

to do
everything.

Honestly. The first day the DCs are home from school (and they need pretty much constant supervision), and they're hyped up for Christmas. A few IT related problems, people visiting the house, and general cleanup like laundry and washing up were about all I managed (and even then I didn't get it all done!!).

Tomorrow is going to be a blitz of cleaning in the morning while keeping a close eye on the DCs, and then with any luck a little baking with the DCs in the afternoon. Fingers crossed. And of course any baking with DCs is always followed by "cleaning the kitchen" - usually everything short of hosing the kitchen down.

Apologies for the forthcoming list.

Ta da :

W/M on
Cleared laundry bin - most into w/m pile, the rest into bag to take to dump (old blankets, odd socks, etc, that have been taking up room in there for the last year )
Cleared cupboard under sink
Dh mended leak under sink
Tidied cupboard under stairs and bagged up rubbish
Took bags of rubbish to dump, with recycling, broken bin and bag of old clothes
To garden centre to stock up on wood and coal
Took DS1 to have his hair cut
Helped DS1 buy his Xmas presents
Shopping
Visited MIL
Joined MIL and her friends in Xmas singsong
Went home
Unpacked shopping and put away
Delegated dinner to DH
Polished boots ready for Xmas dos
Put Xmas plant in DS2's room ready for DM's arrival on Xmas Eve
Found and cleaned candle holders
Put candles out, ready for Xmas Day
Put out scented sticks (cinnamon and orange - Christmassy smell)
Unblocked kitchen sink (which I had blocked up with candle wax)
Emptied d/w
Cleaned d/w with Buster
Put washing in tumbledryer and started second load
Growled whenever any member of the family came near me, especially if they asked me for anything
Washed up extra washing up by hand, dried and put away
Shined sink
Cleaned hob and blackened hotplates
Wiped kitchen surfaces
Wiped kitchen window sill shelf and tidied up (threw away dead Venus Flytrap)
Wiped kettle till it shined with microfibre cloth
Wiped down kitchen doors and skirting board
Moved Xmas boxes upstairs to DS1's bedroom cupboard
Dinner (cooked by DH)
Washing up
Ds2's bath, hair wash and bedtime

The worst thing is that there is still so much more to do . And we are going to visit old friends tomorrow, so there won't be any time then (although I'm glad of the break, to be honest).

Apologies for lack of personals. Will try to catch up soon.

OMG Toffee

Surely that's the biggest list ever!!!

Ta da
Went to Town for friends bday present, ending up buying a extra Xmas presents too.
Visited DS1 family!!
Put away laundry.
W/m x2
T/d x2
Re-ordered Christmas Dinner!
Visited friend

Dh did breakfast, lunch and dinner!! Lovely day off!

Successfully hit a rammed Aldi’s.
Dealt with bigot being racially abusive to some poor woman and child over where she’d put her carrots back. Sheesh.
Managed to get a tree, (currently nowhere for it to go.)
Lovely, slightly bored, pleased to have company horse, cuddled, scratched, scritled, and communed with for far too long, but definitely counts for renewing spirit.
Reduced swollen red hot infected nose with frozen peas!
Keeled over and slept
Dinner dinnered
Have to call friend (one hour max!)
sleep

Dear God Toffee I'm tired just reading the list!! I can't imagine how tired you must be!!!

SUMMARY

Well when I said tonight's round up would be better, I didn't expect Silly to provide us with such good news.

dizzy is visiting her DM and then an overnight stay, so should be AWOl for the weekend, before her 2 week get away

Bitchy has realised she is merely human and so requires sleep. Sorry your day didn't work out as you'd originally planned. I also can get a lot done in my pjs, it doesn't feel like work then, more a bohemian wafting round

Eustacia handed kids over to DH this morning as she was hungover After a pain au chocolate in bed she sorted her family room. (A reverse reward?)

elliepac DS's has made brilliant progress in the past year with his literacy. That is such good news. at Wetwang, wasn't 'Paul the Weatherman' the mayor there?

Toffee got tea in bed, very nice. Good luck with Explorer, I hate it. Hope DH can sort it out. Then she produced THE BIGGEST LIST IN THE WORLD!

Which poor Merry followed remember we don't compare.

OddSocks & Alice popped in.

Castle mmm gingerbread men.

Just is not having a good time of it, so sorry the meds haven't worked (yet) Hope you can work out some Christmas cheer. Good for you tackling a bigot.

WhoKnows did you have fun visiting FC? DH was supposed to take DD(9) but somehow forget

Engels was alternating jobs with film watching (sounds very Flylady) Good luck with the packing.

SC it's astounding how it being a holiday can perk DCs up. Especially if you are feeling under the weather.

Blue pleased you found a present for DH's Granny. Hiding clutter over Christmas is acceptable (refuses to think about box hidden under bed when my DPs visited in October )

Blueandwhite is still suffering from the lurgy (what is it with us this month?)

I embraced Family Fun Day, took DD to cinema to see Turbo (much better than I expected), we then put tree up then watched part of Lord of the Rings (I have the extended versions-it goes on for hours) I'm a bit wary of DD watching it as it's a 12, but she's reading the books. Then finished with Harry Potter (again she's read them) She gets fed up with me asking if it's to scary and should I turn it off.

To do list:
Sleep until lunch time
Internet adminy type tasks
find information for sending important email should have sent moths ago
Coffee cake cooling
sponge birthday cake filled and awaiting icing
sponge christmas cake filled and awaiting icing
dough for biscuits
laundry 4th load done 5th load just going in the machine
folding did a bit but need to do soooo much more
Ironing
mend ds' blind look at blind and swear cos it needs a trip to the shops try to figure out if possible to patch job it and finish it off after christmas
put clothes away
take recycling out
finish writing up calendar for ds
finish last two squares and put spares/in progress and remaining square wool away in progress
find needle for fastening off ends
find last presents from loft.
wrap up
write christmas cards
empty car out hahaha
Move art station to out of the way for christmas
bread dough ingrediants into bread machine
dw loaded and running
write shopping list
clear dining room table for mending blind as much as is possible
leave bread rolls out to rise
chat with exfil re plans for summer for ds
--Pull out all christmas bits and make up christmas stockings
fall asleep stood upright in shower
cook bread rolls
play hunt the cake boards and discover need to go get some
Make butter icing and royal icing ready for icing cakes.
lie down in dark room and be still, also know as attempting a nap
sort out some plans for tomo
ice christmas jule log
run up to the local shop and pick up more icing sugar and some cake boards
Empty dw and reload with cake making stuff, put on to run
start fastening ends off and piecing together blanket

Yes thanks goth, it was all very pleasant, warm, indoors and no queue.

SC - thank you for complimenting me on my Christmas organising, it is true that I am fairly sell sorted this year, but I would have to say that my circumstances are a lot more straightforward than those of many on the thread (small family, no travel till Boxing Day, job which is very part time, both DCs at school etc). Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Just - glad you got your tree and well done for tackling racism while you shopped.

Toffee well done you! What a list.

Bitchy - are you there?

Not much Flying achieved this afternoon. However I am pleased to say that I have not had so much as a twinge out of my back today, that physio is truly a miracle worker. Last time I had this I put up with it for years, trying all sorts of chiropractors, shiatsu practitioners, exercises, you name it. Why I never thought of physio I don't know.

I've got a fair bit to do over the next few days, but it pales in comparison to some of the lists being put up. I feel like such a slouch.

Right now I'm sitting here eating a few Ferrero rocher so that I can put the wrappers and the open box under the Christmas tree and arrange it so it looks like the DCs Christmas elf ate them. He has a sweet tooth.

So you can see how hard I'm working right now... eating chocolate. Hmmm... maybe I can make it look like he had some too.

Hello Whoknows I am about between tasks. Still doing stuff. sleep pattern is fucked so thinking i might just work til i crash and plan on sleeping til lunch or something. HAVE to get my list of stuff to be done by tomo tea time by hell or high water. So just ploughing on.

Well, good luck Bitchy, you certainly have an unconventional approach to Flying but I do admire your ability to just get on with it when you have to. I am in denial about the state of my house and when I am going to get on top of it, I may be on top of the Christmas stuff, but the normal day to day stuff is so out of control. We're off ice skating in the morning, which always makes me think of you. Given how competely crap I am at it and the very recent back pull I am not sure whether it's a good idea for me, so I may just be watching.

Watching sounds like a good plan tbh whoknows Backs are easy to hurt when skating - compression injuries from suddenly sitting down, twisting pulled muscles etc etc. Perhaps you could take some lovely pictures of the dc for them to use in some sort of christmas decoration? And no I am not trying to be negative about the skating just aware of being a responsible grown up atm and i guess it is tainting my view on things.

To do list:
Sleep until lunch time
Internet adminy type tasks
find information for sending important email should have sent moths ago
Coffee cake iced
sponge birthday cake Iced except piping
sponge christmas cake filled and awaiting icing
dough for biscuits Needs to cool over night
laundry 4th load done 5th load just going in the machine
folding did a bit but need to do soooo much more
Ironing
mend ds' blind look at blind and swear cos it needs a trip to the shops try to figure out if possible to patch job it and finish it off after christmas
put clothes away
take recycling out
finish writing up calendar for ds
finish last two squares and put spares/in progress and remaining square wool away in progress
find needle for fastening off ends
find last presents from loft.
wrap up
write christmas cards
empty car out hahaha
Move art station to out of the way for christmas
bread dough ingrediants into bread machine
dw loaded and running
write shopping list
clear dining room table for mending blind as much as is possible
leave bread rolls out to rise
chat with exfil re plans for summer for ds
Pull out all christmas bits for christmas stockings to double check it
fall asleep stood upright in shower
cook bread rolls
play hunt the cake boards and discover need to go get some
Make butter icing and royal icing ready for icing cakes.
lie down in dark room and be still, also know as attempting a nap
sort out some plans for tomo
ice christmas jule log
run up to the local shop and pick up more icing sugar and some cake boards
Empty dw and reload with cake making stuff, put on to run
start fastening ends off and piecing together blanket
first row of squares has been done
2nd row of squares is nearing completion

Just need to finish applying the fondant icing to the christmas cake and then I am going to attempt sleep.

Right done more stuff that isn't on the list above as well as stuff that is. Cba with a ta da list as it is now a new day, even though I am about to head to bed via the shower as icing sugar really does get everywhere. Need a to do list for tomo:
blind as much as poss
kitchen
lounge
clear spare for art centre to be moved and do so
move blanket stuff
bicuits
last load laundry
folding
ironing
clothes away
evening out
blanket piecing together

most important bits on there. anything else will figure out. time for sleep. night night

Morning
Can someone check to see if I have changed my duvet later?
Only important job today. I hate doing it.

I wish we had elf on the shelf. My dds are 9 and 7 so it is a bit late to introduce it. We are going to see Santa today though :)

Alice...it's a touhg job but somebody's got to do it (ponders ge1tting an elf next year).

To do
shower
pack
coffee with ILs
Drop off presents to BIL
adjust car seat and hoover out dh car
reply to emails
find my light grey tights. where the chuff are they?
2 more loads of washing
hoover
make banana bread
tidy! Would like to come back to a half decent house!
sure I can fit in another episode of doctor who...2/3 of the way through series 3!

EustaciaVye I only just introduced it this year, my youngest are 7 nearly 8, all the kids love it even the 16yo checks out what it has been up to (and then looks at me as I have gone insane!) Have a great visit with Santa.

To do.
1hr of Crisis clean
S&S
Sort Sock basket
Make Gingerbread house and deer!!
Visit rellys!!

Morning all.

Busy morning this morning doing lots of flying-esque action....in my pj's. Because I am a proper rebel me.

This afternoon dc's and I are going to decamp to bf's for the afternoon as DH is having his annual friends round for a drink and put the world to rights afternoon so I am getting out of the way.

Ta da:-
Washing on
Dryer on
Hoovered downstairs
Cleaned dining room
Cleaned kitchen

To do;-
Mop floors
Washing away
Find the floor in our bedroom

Managed to get the food shop done last night. It was surprisingly quiet and am pleased it is done with. Just the wrapping to go now.

No time for personals. Back later.

Hi everyone!

Waves to Goth and Gothcat!

[still bewildered by concept of Elf on Shelf] [old fogey emoticon]

Whoknows take care of your back this afternoon

Bitchy Glad you caught up on some sleep! Good luck with finishing Blanketgate!

Toffee and Bitchy and Castle and everyone else, I am truly in awe of your ta da lists!!!

Alice [Ambassador you are spoiling us ) Arf at Ferrero Rocher snaffling

Castle Oh you poor thing posting at 4am!!!! Boy yes - sympathies over trying to do too much in one day - will someone please remind me next year that I need to ring-fence two complete days to wrap office presents!!! Bet your home-made cooking will taste delicious btw - you can't appreciate the taste/smell as easily when you have been slaving over it all day!

Btw - those of you who have made gingerbread houses, or are just about to, are you using the Mary Berry recipe? Intending to do one with dd - if I have the strength - and once have crossed the essentials off my list - but slightly daunted by prospect.

Just at horse and respect for standing up to bigot

Big waves to Engels Blue Honu Dizzy Angry(nowMerry) Ellie Pushme Feetheart Eustacia Swan Silly and everyone I've missed

Taking it steady, as feeling a bit hot/wibbly and dizzy. So annoying. Fortunately appetite not affected . And dh has promised that he will be at home for at least four or five hours today which is great. Just slowly ticking things off the list.

Keep going everyone!

I once my gingerbread house from scratch, it was wonky and that annoyed me. If I can be arsed I buy the ginger bread bit from ikea or similar kinda thing to deocrate. A lot of stuff here only gets made from scratch because of all the fecking allergies. I have yet to put together the grape/raisin/currents etc free mince pies (yes it is possible to get them to have the same texture and taste but no it doesn't always happen. still nice though)

Blanketgate is on hold atm. Today is sort the house for birthday party tomo panic day. And as it a grownup's party and I am not needed I shall hide and tackle blanket gate tomo If i haven't done it over night when i can't sleep.

ta da
Clear space for art centre to go
move art centre
clean sideboard which is now free.
put christmas cakes on it
internet admin type stuff

Coffee, shower, wrapping and moving presents, dealing with laundry are the next bunch of stuff to tackle.

Ta Da:

*Iced the gingerbread men (first time ever icing anything!!!!)
*Baked and assembled Victoria sponge
*Packed overnight bag
*Assembled food/wine hampers for mammies
*Delivered to DMil
*Left kitchen in a state!
*Showered, dressed, mad dash...!

Plans have changed due to sad news. My friend's 4mo (twin) has been sick since birth and passed away yesterday. Funeral tomorrow (very fast!) so I am coming back from Dublin for that with DH and them driving back to Dublin again on Christmas Eve.
Which means an extra day/night to sort laundry/pack/wrap presents....thankfully, as have been trying to do far too much at once.

SC I made two batches of dough. One was from the BBC.co.uk and one from odlums.ie. Despite crumbly dough once it had chilled in fridge I got quite good results. Mary Berry is the queen though - go with her recipe! Dough can chill for a week or so in fridge. I recommend splitting the task up a bit. Dough one day, bake another and assemble, then ice!

Castle oh your poor friend (and you) - what awful news - 4 mths . How dreadful for them and especially poignant at this time of year . Safe travelling x

Castle and Bitchy thanks for gingerbread house advice. Good to know I can do it stage by stage. No where near starting yet.

Bitchy good luck with everything you have to get done!

Ta da:
Laundry sorted and on
Lunch cooked/served/cleared up
Dw
Quick veg run from outdoor market (dh kindly drove me)
Florist run (to buy hyacinths for decoration)
Christmas side-table sorted (looks wonky but will have to do)
Clambered on ladders to put holly on top of pics
Lights on tree
Candles and candle-holders cleaned, sorted, filled and distributed
Persuaded dd to clear her homework table (much protesting involved) [sigh]

Tried to persuade dd to help me hang cards and do a bit of baking but she is refusing outright because dh has gone off to do an hour's work (supposedly an hour anyway) in office and she wanted to go with him but he needed some alone time to focus on writing difficult letter. [SC gives up on visions of harmonious happy family fun time and carries on wading through list alone.] Really disappointed with dd's selfish behaviour [sigh].