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!

Who was it that threw away the crap Christmas scented oil, was it you Toffee? I've had this one this year Cinnamon Apple and it's been fab, really lovely Christmassy scent, I got it from a local garden centre.

Evening all. Just popping by to wish you all a fabulous Christmas despite the circumstances some of you find yourselves in.

As whoknows quite eloquently put it earlier on, I love this thread and I love you all.

Special mention to silly. That is so tough. Much love to you all and especially Joe. Chin up.

Merry Christmas x

DCs are trying to go to bed but keep reappearing to have another quick look at Norad Tracks Santa. Excitement is at fever pitch. I'm on stocking duty, theirs go on their beds so it is nerve wracking.

Sympathies whoknows. Just about to try and put mine to bed. Fingers crossed.

see this is where i am glad of two things: ds doesn't and has never believed in FC sad i know ; and the fact that he has sleep meds. he crashed out and was fast asleep. We have already arranged that christmas morning starts at 9am, so there will even be a lie in.

Otoh I am still working on blanket gate and I reckon it will be about 4am when i get done, could be much later then that though. It is slow progress atm.

Merry Christmas everyone

SUMMARY

So many late night/early mornings today

elliepac fucking hates wrapping. who doesn't hope you got your relaxing family day.

Bitchy is still working on the blanket, try to get some sleep sometime.

Swan got maid-envy after Jane Eyre

dizzy only got 3 hours sleep but is organised for the trip away, hope you have a great time.

Toffee has done the major work, so sorry your DM couldn't make it, at least you can make the January visit special.

Merry had 13 for lunch today!

Eustacia had overtired kids.

WhoKnows had to straighten her trampoline and fence panels.

Alice have a Great Christmas, hope things go well with DH.

SC is still poorly but DH is helping.

Silly has a poorly J, so pleased he's back home.

Gossip hope the sky was clear for Santa.

Just got to the GP, hopefully the antibiotics will ease your nose.

Blue's DP arrived safely. She will be imbibing large amounts of mulled wine to relieve her cold.

Dd has been in bed for over an hour and is still awake! I'm waiting for the snoring to get the last bag of presents out and fill her stocking.
DH has decided to bleach his hair

Just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and hope you have stress free days with willing helpers.

Mission for tomorrow - Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Bitchy - I think Norad Tracks Santa could be what finally makes DS twig, he is obsessed with countries and maps etc and I could see him thinking, hmm, Santa only spent two minutes in the whole of Moldova. Going up to check on them both in a minute.

Hope J gets better quickly Silly.

Just nose sounds painful! hopefully the antibotic kick in ASAP.

Had a brilliant day, family were on good form, plenty to eat and drink, kids playing monopoly or cards most of the afternoon Near on perfect! .

I have cooked off the Honey Roast Ham and Mushroom and Hazelnut Roll

Cuddled up and watched film with Dh, while dc tried to get to sleep. Still waiting for one to fall, have set alarm for 2.30 so presents can be delivered.

just want to wish you All a very Merry Christmas , and thank you for welcoming me onto your thread.

Whoknows Santa can stop time!! My dc excepted that as an answer! .

Merry may have to match you with the alarm, DD is still awake.

I have just put him down by my side of the bed, in hope of calming him. He is panicking that he won't be able to get to sleep and FC will not deliver!! Bless him.

DS is still awake too. Santa is in Austria so DS had better get to sleep soon. I am about to go to bed, have left DH fully instructed as to what is to go where.

Angry - I muttered something about having a lot of elves to help out. I am crap at make believe!

I remember being laid in bed as a child trying to will myself to sleep.
I've a couple of items of laundry I'm going to put away, see if she's awake.

Nope, still awake.

We've just brought all the presents down from the shed to the kitchen and the bloody cats are going mad, it's all going to be ripped open at this rate.

I'm kind of looking forward to the day the DCs are too excited to sleep... DD is still too young to understand and DS has been too poorly to stay awake the past 2 years. Tonight he wanted to go to bed at 4.45

Still, Santa's already been to ours and I'm just messing on here because i'm too excited to sleep.

And partly also because DS has just been sick...

I'm kind of looking forward to the day the DCs are too excited to sleep... DD is still too young to understand and DS has been too poorly to stay awake the past 2 years. Tonight he wanted to go to bed at 4.45

Still, Santa's already been to ours and I'm just messing on here because i'm too excited to sleep.

And partly also because DS has just been sick...

Whoknows - give cats a box if you have one. Ours LOVE a good box, first one in gets to pounce on the other one at will

DH has just gone up to retrieve stockings and come down for his phone to use as a torch as DD's stocking seems to be hidden (not helped by the fact that she has a high sleeper!)

Happy Christmas to fledglings one and all - I hope you all have the best day that you can (with special wishes for those finding themselves in less than perfect circumstances) and that Santa is kind and generous, the food is good and the company better.
Thank you all for just being great

silly. Hope things work out for you today.

Oh blimey silly hope DH is ok.

Blanket gate. shit shit shit shit shit

Good idea Feet, they've got a bit bored of their last box, time for a new one. I just went upstairs and then heard one of the cats shreiking, she had caught her claw in the locked catflap poor thing. Anyway, they've calmed down, the DCs are finally asleep and DH has just cone to get me back downstairs cos he can't work out whose presents are who's.

Afraid I'm not done, and am a total disgrace to fly lady, but Happy Christmas everyone.

I have lost the christmas stockings. Oh bollocks. I would turn to the vodka but it wont help blanketgate nor the antibiotics. Oh poo.