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!

Today went quite well really

I cooked a Christmas esque roast dinner of duck/roast potatoes, parsnips turnips cherry sauce and kale stirfry, which seemed to make everyone in a very good mood and used up a lot of vegetables which might otherwise never be eaten...

Dh and dd have had enough of dancing for the next few years (Dh said to me...If only they had spoken occasionally, it would have been perfect... I agree..I find ballet quite a tiring artform to watch for hours on end...However he said it was fantastic, brilliant, magical, just a bit too long...

Such a rainy stormy day here, not really a day for going out. Nice to watch it from indoors.
Children solved their problems and had a nice chat/played Wii together
I posted two new parcels and wrapped another to post later tomorrow

Cleared a path through my bedroom. There are four piles in there now. Sheets. Clean clothes. Christmas pile. And rubbish. Also managed to put all the underwear/socks back in the drawers, medicines out of reach and pile the bedside reading somewhere else so I could dust the bedside table eventually. A start.
It is still terrible in there but as we aren't having visitors staying I feel eventually I WILL GET THERE...

I turned off Abba and we are now listening to the Goldberg variations and dh is playing (wearily) Malefitz with ds2. Ds1 is looking forward to watching Jane Eyre at 8.30. Dd is very very quiet after her afternoon out.

Evening all.

Made it safely to UK - got over on the ferry before they shut the port at Dover down. Wind is howling, so glad we're tucked up in bed.

spent this afternoon wrapping all my presents a nd realised I've left at least one thing at home somewhere in my wardrobe...but only something small!

next few days will be pretty full on with friends and family so my excuses if I'm n I t back much.

merry christmas to you all!

Swan sounds like you had a productive and cosy family day!

Tomorrow my aim is to get away for 3 hours shopping in the morning, and just pick up some last minute presents locally.
Buy some marzipan fruits.
Buy some flowers.
Picnic lunch of soup
iron festive silver tablecloth
do some knitting
watch festive film in the afternoon
play board game in the evening round the tree
listen to classical music
take children for a winter walk in afternoon to pre-empt boredom

Now you can relax Engels, all hard graft over! So glad you got back to UK safely. Enjoy next few days of being looked after I hope.

LINKS FOR 24 DECEMBER 2013

*
Babystep 24 is to add Swish and Swipe to the morning routine. Can't believe this isn't earlier in the month.

This week we are in Zone 4 the Bedroom. Detailed cleaning list for those that can be bothered here

It's Tuesday so time to plan.

Sneak Peek for this week's missions, today's mission is tidy away the "stuff" kicking about in our bedrooms. For anyone who wants to Wednesday's mission early (as you may be busy) it is to dust the bedroom furniture.

December's monthly habit is Pampering

Flight Plan for today.

***

Erm Goth you forgot the tradition. Christmas day is fuck the fat fairy, and all flying other then minimum washing up/clearing up the paper type stuff is ignored. I know exactly what the fat fairy can do with her miltant boots if she thinks I am even considering flying on christmas day. life is too fucking short for that crap.

Will someone come and change my bedding?

Sounds like everyone has had either a fun or a productive day, with some great lists posted!

Engels I'm glad you got back to the UK safely. Have a lovely Christmas at home.

Swan I would love to see The Nutcracker! It's on my bucket list! It sounds like you are organised and all set for a harmonious Christmas - good for you!

Waves to everyone else, am on my phone!

Ta-Da:

*3 hour car journey.

*Attended very sad Mass of the Angels for perfect little baby. They had the lid open on the tiny coffin. Was so heartbreaking.

*Dinner, nap, visit DMiL, run errand for DSiL... home, open ....

*Reboot laundry....

To Do:

• Laundry
• Pack
• Wrap

SUMMARY

Toffee's back was playing up yesterday, hope it's getting better.

Merry finished her gingerbread house. Did you go see Frozen?

WhoKnows's DCs decorated her Christmas cake yesterday,

SC at the inquisition over the glycerine. Sorry you are still feeling poorly, and that it alters your plans.

Bitchy had an evening off! Then then 3 hours sleep, don't know how you do it. Don't you dare NC (at least during December ) I like the "fuck the fat fairy" day but I had been expecting you to all check in

Eustacia I like the idea of a haven of loveliness, I guess the sideboard is everything you'd hoped. Prepares to apply boot to backside re duvet!

JustGetting got a doctors appointment! How's the weather with you? It's not hit us yet.

Alice love that the elf decorated the tree with pegs. Wow at your DD's skating abilities.

dizzy 5.30am!

elliepac had a relaxing morning.

Toffee had a huge list!

Swan I take your 'A3 poster on Shakespeare' and raise it 'make something to put in an Egyptian tomb'. You WILL get there re the tiding, it sounds like you've made a big difference already.

Blue has too big a list to type up will remember that for future use
Hope your DPs arrived safely.

Engels got here safely! Phew.

Castle such a sad occasion, I've been thinking of you and your friend all day.

We're just about ready here and looking at the forecast for tomorrow I think it will be a case of 'tough' if we don't have it.

I fucking hate wrapping. 3 hours in and one stocking to go I have lost the will to live.

The answer is more wine ellie you know it makes sense!

watched Jane Eyre with elder dcs.
Couldn't help noticing all the housekeeping that went on in that film. Sheets folded, cooks, flower arranging. and of course MAIDS. And so little clutter

Can't be bothered to wash up.

Bed now; I am enjoying not having to wake up early for the next two weeks it is bliss!!!!

The fucking wrapping is done. By the time i got to doing the stuff in the stockings I am not entirely sure you could call it wrapped...more bundled up because I couldn't be arsed drank too much wine.

Ta da:-
Done the fucking wrapping - all 4 hours worth of it.

so after 3 hours sleep I was back up and getting organised for our time away

Ta Da

• flapjacks made
• suitcases and overnight bag packed
• squirelled presents from Santa in car boot
• DH wrapped my presents, emptied bins, swept kitchen floor and hoovered through downstairs
• D/W emptied and breakfast bits washed up
• car packed to the rafters with all the stuff and we were off

have spent a lovely afternoon with my cousin and his family and tomorrow we head further north to spend xmas with The Boy for the first time in a few years so I cant wait!

I also can't be bothered to do the washing up, Swan. Your day today sounded so lovely, by the way.

Castle - that's so sad . I'm sure it meant a lot to the parents that you were there.

dizzy - oh, you poor thing, coping on three hours' sleep. Hope you have a good journey tomorrow.

ellie - hmm, am a bit envious that you have done your wrapping, to be honest. I was so proud of myself for packing the stockings early that I haven't done any wrapping since, so now I have to do it all tomorrow.

Bitchy - sadly, Christmas Day seems to be one long day of Flying, in my experience - all that preparation, cooking, decluttering of wrapping paper, washing up, etc.

Eustacia - nope, sorry!

Goth - thanks for the links and round up. The mission is apt, in my case, but probably won't get done.

Glad you beat the storm, Engels. Have a Happy Christmas if we don't see you before.

Still have so much more to do here , but at least the major stuff is done. Won't bore you all with my 'to do' list. DM arrives tomorrow lunchtime, trains permitting, so I have the morning to finish wrapping, tidy up and prepare a casserole.

Very windy here. DH saw a wheelie bin blown over a while ago. Hope it's improved by tomorrow for all those travelling.

Off to bed now. Night all.

Didn't go to the cinema in the end. Ended up giving out cards and chocolate, popping in to see friends, 3 hrs later arriving home pooped!

Gingerbread house is still under construction but if someone can explain how I can take a picture with an iPad and link it, I will share a picture when completed . Looks awful but the kids are enjoying it.

Awake at this time of the morning as having a slight panic about how much needs to be done.

Food wise I want to do the
Honey Glazed Ham
Trifle
Vegan Christmas roll

Then tidy house
Shower ds x4
General clean

Deliver Xmas prezzy to BF

To all be done by 12 as Having 13 for lunch this afternoon.

Yes, losing it as have tidy/ clean house twice on my to do list!!

Merry - I am wide awake too. Weather woke me up and cough. prevented me from getting back to sleep.

Toffee - my wheelie bin has blown over. I will send Dh to sort

Goth - I am going to make my bed as soon as Dh gets out of it!

My kids were really ratty last night. I think they are. already overtired. Not sure what to do with them today tbh but feel the need to get out of the house.

Morning all. I am hoping today will be a lovely relaxed family day. Whether it pans out like that is another matter. Plans are to do final tidying etc this morning and then cinema to see Frozen. We then have presents to drop off and then home for dinner, film and relaxing.

Have a lovely day everyone. Back later.

Plans here are:

Go outside and put trampoline back - it has flipped over, knew we should have taken the net down - two fence panels down as well, one ours, one next doors.
Finish tidying and move stuff out of kitchen to make room for table to be expanded
Sort out fridge to make room for fresh food
Take delivery of fresh food (fingers crossed)
Prep veg etc

I think we need to get out of the house for a bit too, DH is off work and he cannot bear spending a whole day at home (the DCs and I are usually happy to do so). Not sure where though. At least the weather has calmed down now. I would like to think we will do dinner, film and relaxing tonight but am sure that as usual there will be a discussion about which film to watch, it won't be one I want to see and I will potter round the house while they all watch some kids film.

I think we may go to town to see the xmas lights, have a costa, and soak up some festive vibes.

elliepac - enjoy Frozen. I have heard it is good.

Scared to look outside at our trampoline whoknows! Sorry about the fences. Hopefully tgey can be fixed rather than need replacing.

WhoKnows That was one of the first things I checked this morning - is the trampoline still in the back garden? It is, thankfully. I had big cement blocks holding down the legs, so I would have been shocked to see it go, but you just never know, do you? The netting is still intact. Surprisingly, the neighbour's fence is still up as well! It literally sways in the wind, so I was fully expecting to see it on the ground, but no, it lives another day.

I most likely will not be checking in later - DH will be here to visit with the DCs until tomorrow (will be an interesting and possibly stressful 24 hours), and he doesn't know this NC. I'd like to keep it that way.

So I hope you all have a Happy Christmas and I'll be back late Christmas Day, after he's left.

Have a Merry Christmas - don't get so wrapped up (see what I did there? ) in the prepwork that you don't take the time to enjoy the holiday!!

You all have such lovely plans .

Merry - hope the lunch for 13 goes well. You are very brave!

DS2 is very excited that it's Christmas Eve, which is a contrast with DS1, who doesn't even care that it's Christmas. He has had a small Lindt chocolate bear for breakfast, as it was in his advent calendar . Normal rules of eating have clearly been suspended for the festive period.

Was going to have lunch ready by 1, but I suspect DM won't be here by then (she has to get two trains to get to us and they are all delayed), so may do it for dinner instead.

Have a long list to get through this morning.