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!

Dh and I have had a good morning clearing out some nooks and crannies (okay, that will be the entire landing and downstairs hall
a rocky start, but I think he suddenly started to enjoy the satisfaction of empty floors.

Just heading back to the dreaded playroom/office/laundry room to continue sorting it.

Bob it will be unforgettable. So glad you are doing it.

Dizzy another 80 lengths

Push enjoy the Playmobil era whilst it lasts, so sad mine are no longer interested

Toffee I think you are right, it is a toy to start that gets used a lot. I have always held out, due to the fate of the icecream maker and pasta machine . However, Feet as icecreammaker extraordinaire, I think you might pass the test.

I have one of those days with lots of stupidly little things that just take forever to do.

Ta da
Training
ds to school
Pe kit to school
Book meeting for tomo
Send a load of information to various people by the mighty power that the internet
Wonder wtf i have done with the notebook with important information in

I love our bread machine. It always bread to be made that would be very difficult to get hold of in the shops (oat/rye based with very little wheat in it), and the dough is amazing when turned into a pizza. Sadly to say I only use the dough program, but i have a whole book of recipes somewhere and you can make cakes and all sorts in a bread machine not just bread!!!

Can I join please I am surrounded by mess and on mumsnet to avoid housework. There is a pile of wet washing in a bowl since 11.00, groceries to unpack, slow cooker to get on, chrsitmas cards to write -

Hi giraffes pull up a pew

Pick a job, set your timer for 15 minutes and dive in.

Then set it for another 15 minutes and have a break.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Thanks silly slow cooker on, phew. Right, Kitchen now .

Am stepping away from mumsnet ...

well for 15 minutes at least

Welcome giraffes - maybe try the power of three

1. Breath - highly recommended :)
2. Slow cooker - food is always a good priority
3. Something else

Babysteps is the way to go. Ignore mad lists from some people on here and just jump in and find out which bits work for you - with me its mainly the chat :)

Thanks for bread machine recommendations, I had been looking at the Panasonic one as the reviews seem good. Hopefully it won't be a fad as we have been making bread by hand for quite a while but can't get it ready for breakfast (or when DS is at school and I can't be bothered to knead it )

Sillybilly - I didn't mention a thing. Fingers, toes, legs, etc crossed for you.

Swan - very impressed that you remembered about the ice-cream maker. Been making a lot of sorbets recently due to DH and his need for low-fat stuff. Two lots of strawberry over the w/e due to reduced-end-of-day market strawberry excess. Can't wait for January as Seville Orange sorbet is DEVINE.

Right need to spend next 20mins before school run searching for advent calendar bits. We filled it up to 5th but did it late Saturday night and didn't have time or inclination to look for bits that we have hopefully bought throughout the year!

Hi all,
Ok getting somewhere here. Have made the curry - hmm! Still not sure, but it is supposed to be served with coconut rice so that might be the making of it

Toffee I'M sure having you makes all the difference to your friend. Fingers crossed she is one of the people who can make a recovery or just fight it off and get on with life. She has a lot to live for by the sounds of things.

Giraffes I know and completely relate to the panic. I'm Just back on here myself and am finding flying quite a comfort. Just knowing you have done a lot more than you think by making a list is nice.

Ooo! Found the tax disc in my coat pocket (numbskull emoticon)
Now dismantling the shelf, but now confused as it could be swapped for a much tattler bookcase. Dp is not happy - he hats his stuff being moved and is an inveterate hoarder.

[Runs in and out] [Takes running jump and dives in to large vat of Bitchys special brew ... aaahhhh.... that's better ]

Hellloooooo!!! Oh dear, lost track of thread and it's only Day 3!! Big waves to eveyrone though and thank you for fab round-ups and summary Goth!!

And hope everyone who is feeling below par is starting to feel a bit better!

Sillybilly another one ignoring the trip too! [stifles excitement]

A warm welcome to Giraffe!

Bugger and well, bugger! Having a bit of a problem here in that I am trying to organise Christmas, and can't find my vital Christmas organisation file because the home office is too messy .

Have also been offered another book to edit but subject matter is tortuous and the deadline is ...wait for it ... Christmas of course! Do I accept it or not? Could really do with the readies ... yarrggghhh!!

Enthusiastic but slightly hysterical wing flaps to everyone!!

PS Will be needing that escapism tonight thanks Swan

Errgh - crossing out went wrong there ...

anyone?

Cheers, SC!

Just heard that the computer has had ANOTHER hard drive failure. This is absolutely ridiculous and causing major hassles with work. [sobs] Do not need this right now.

Feet - we have a Panasonic breadmaker and absolutely love it. Has been in constant use for about 6 years and still going strong.

Welcome to Giraffes and big waves to everyone else.

Oh yes, flying. Um, well, cleaned up the sitting room after the boys burst a beanbag everywhere at some hideous hour of the morning!

Have achieved a lot in the playroom/office -- but not go to the laundry section yet

floor is hoovered
books straightened
big box of cr**p thrown out
under sofa cushions hoovered
table in there cleared
new drawers filled up with odds and sods
emptied another kitchen cupboard (an empty cupboard is always good isn't it?)
maps put away
paint stuff put away
airfix put away
stationery in stationery drawer

SC depends whether you think you have too many other demands or whether in fact it might come as a relief to do less of the er ahem other stuff (the stuff that is boring and repetitive and takes us for granted) You sound like someone who thrives on a editing task.

Ds1 is watching Rugby at the Saracens ground with his school this eve (no idea what that is, but it sounds convincing) - house feel oddly empty - dear me empty nestitis and he's only 13!

Homework continues to be utterly tiresome. Ds2 also has spellings to learn from his Springboard thingy. The more he has to do, the less interested he is in any of it. Will try him on French now.

Parents IL arriving tomorrow from abroad.. Dh in state of mild tension. Luckily they are staying in a lovely hotel. Very elderly so cannot cope with our noisy house. Hotel is next to V & A which is perfect for them, as they love museums etc.

Evening all.

Small yet satisfying ta da here:-
Tidy downstairs
Washing up
Swept floors
Dc's have tidied bedrooms
Dinner

To do:-
Mark 32 sets of exam papers. My Year 11 top set are lovely but they are very bright and write loads so it could take some time.

Big waves to everyone as must get on with marking.

Ta Da
Get Dressed (after waking up over a hour late)
Breakfast
Hair dresser for ds2/3
DS2 & friends to school
DS3/4/5 to school
(Hubby did packed lunches & d/w)
S&S x3
laundry away
w/m x2
t/d x2
stripped bed. (washing new xmas duvet as copied Who and bought the sameone off Amazon)
27 boogie
D/W
Drop money off for my son's friend at school, as he forgot it.
tonight dinner in slow cooker
drink my water & having lunch
Beauty appointment for eyelashes and brows
Doctors appointment (on second lot of antibiotic but feeling much better today)
Chemists
school run
Homework DS3/4
dinner
Christmas bedding on Our bed
put up Elf Door (explained to the children, how it links our house and the North Pole together, have made a miniature bottle of fairy dust to leave outside the door tonight).
Hubby tidied up he is earning bonus points at the moment

Took DS2 (for some 1 to 1 time) to a ceramic evening. It was lovely, had an image of a fire in the corner, Christmas music playing, mince pies and hot chocolate, while we made things for Christmas.

Off to have cuddles on the sofa with dh and watch Ripper Street.

Waves to everyone.

Well done!

LINKS FOR 4 DECEMBER 2013

*
Babystep 4 is to put up post it notes with reminders. I've never done that, I think it makes the place look cluttered!

This week we are in Zone 1 Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room. Detailed cleaning list here

Sneak Peek for the week's missions, today's is to wipe away fingerprints etc on the dining room walls.

Wednesday focus is the Anti-procrastination Day this is when I do my paperwork.

December's monthly habit is Pampering.

Flight Plan for today.

*
Christmas Holiday Cruise Mission 3 is to Clean & Fling; to just go through the house and get rid of things before they become a Hot Spot

Ok, off to do the summary.

SUMMARY

Had a few night owls last night, but hopefully won't miss anyone out.

Swan had 4 hours at parents evening last night. And then spent a day de-cluttering. Hopefully you enjoyed your 'me' time at home not empty nest, see the positive and your DS had fun at the rugby. Hope the IL visit goes well. Would love to go to the V&A, can't get DD past the Natural History museum.

Pictures has been busy writing letters.

PMPY is another one suffering from the lurgy.

Dizzy has been inventive with her Elf!

Sillybillybob is organising thermals for nothing in particular

Toffee has printed out the routines and means business!

feet & Angry both have huge lists

rowingboat has Christmas/in law stresses. I'm happy we're 300 miles from ours. And another huge list.

Bitchy had a fiddly day! but at least all those jobs are now done

giraffeseatpineapples has joined us! come on in, not saying we'll get your house tidy, but hopefully you'll have some fun.

SC popped in, and sounds like she'll be doing a boring book before Christmas think of the money

Blue has computer troubles (you're not running NatWest are you?)

elliepac has a small but satisfying Ta-da list and deserves a round of applause as she's she's facing 32 exam papers

And finally, I've finished my weekly bleugh and made more paper snowflakes with DD they are addictive Hope the "Fledgeling tooth curse" is over as at the dentist tomorrow.

Evening everyone

Ta Da
Some Christmas shopping for DC
Bought playmobil storage from here (mine is the rainbow tower on the 6th photo down). It's a decluttering dream

still feeling rubbish. Have a prescription for antibiotics but haven't managed to pik them up yet so they're not doing much good sat at the chemist!

Goth - DH is at the dentist tomorrow! This tooth lurgy is catching .

Thanks for the links and the round-up. Am doing my best to keep up with routines and missions at the moment, so I'm not too behind at Christmas. I like the idea of putting up decorations over time, instead of in one mad rush as usual.

Pushme - sorry you are feeling rubbish. Hope the a/bs sort it out quickly.

Everyone is very busy! There are some impressive lists up there.

Managed to keep up with the routines today, apart from getting the ironing done. That is always my downfall. Will catch up on that tomorrow. Off to bed in a minute.

I stuck to babystep 17 last night

i feel like death

Morning all! Everyone seems very busy!

Very grateful for round-up Goth because I still haven't caught up with thread properly.

Sorry you are feeling rotten Pushme. Hope you feel better soon.

Good luck with the marking Ellie!

Glad you are feeling better Angry and top marks for impressive long list!

You are being a very good friend indeed Toffee Hope you are on the mend too.

Arrghh about computer and bean bag malfunctions Blue! Both very frustrating!

Thanks for helpful thoughts re: book Swan. I've decided to ask for an extract and will make a decision based on how horrible it is or not (as I've been caught out before - being asked and paid to do an edit - when the book concerned actually required a total re-write). Would love an ice-cream maker but I must confess to having already written off two!

Sympathies over dhs and their attitudes to house clearance. I tell myself it would be so much easier to get this house decluttered and renovated if I had a totally free rein, without dh's need to control everything - and then dh points out that most of the clutter is mine !!

Hope your pils visit goes well. Lucky them next to the V&A!

Have had a mixed but busy few days. Bit of a worrying talk with head-teacher about dd's progress on Monday night. She is doing OK academically in most subjects but two, but her anxiety/lack of self-confidence is escalating (think I might pm you if I may Toffee please).

Did mahoosive 5 and a half hour sort/declutter of upper floors on Monday morning and unbelievably, it doesn't look much better for it . Also did clearing hall mission which does look a lot better.

Yesterday was spent shopping for feast of St Nicolas on Friday, buying food, chemist run, stationery shop, x 4 loads of laundry, attending school mass, changing beds, cooking, hwk supervision, and, in the evening, having our neighbours over for drinks.

Also spent a good hour looking (belatedly) without success for an advent calendar in the shops (I am a horrible mother and insist on a Nativity scene). But, like a miracle, one turned up in the post for dd from her godmother.

Today ta da:
morning routine inc wm, dw, rabbits, s&s
rang building company to complain/enquire about endless construction noise
write shopping list

To do:
put away ironed clothes
HOME OFFICE
yet another desperate attempt to try and find house control file and Christmas organisation file
examine Christmas budget closely
on-line shopping
supermarket shop - veg for next few days

Doesn't look a lot but home office is putrid. SC leaves thread with words ringing in ears "why, oh why, didn't I do it BEFORE?????"

Have a good day everyone!!

[Hands Bitchy morning coffee ...]

Started the day with some driving and an argument with DH about how to wrap a sandwich. He is a control freak about food looking attractive rather than splodgy [grrr]

House looking tidier though, from yesterday.

Need to buy DH a birthday present today for tomorrow.

todo
ironing
sleep
unpack veg box
discard old food from fridge in utility
Beavers helping
think of something for supper - macaroni cheese with shredded Kale?
download new Kindle book
SLEEP. I am so tired was up too late yesterday and two glasses of wine have made me feel dreadful today.