Deck the halls (or the wine) as the Fledglings head into December.

[GoingGoingGoth]

Huge thanks to Blue for leading the thread throughout November (and to SC for such a copy and paste-able OP )

If you are struggling 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 wine and cake along the way.

Flylady link is here

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 something 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!

It's up to you, but 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):

1. start or repeat baby steps

1. repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

1. 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!

Three key points to keep in mind:
(1)No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine
(2)You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
(3) It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

If you are new; then trying to spend 15mins decluttering daily and doing the babysteps is a good way to start. Some of us (mentioning no names!) can have scary looking lists but don't let that worry you! Do what you can, anything is better then nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

If all else fails, a + the power of three technique + a bit of support on here can work wonders!

Oh and don’t let it put you off if we appear a bit cliquey – some of us have been on here for years – but all lurkers, intermittent returnees, oldies and newcomers very, very welcome!

ta da
send important email no# 1
forget what important email no#2 was
Move big pieces of furniture.
Start putting stuff back on the shelves

Morning all!

Overdid it a bit with housework and defrosting the freezer on Thurs so paid for it yesterday, spent most of the day on the sofa and was in bed by 8.30!

Today am feeling stronger and pottering round the house

ta da
washing up
wash on
emptied kitchen, bathroom bin and plastic recycling
swept kitchen floor
tidied kitchen, folded washing

to do
hoover lounge
put washing away
Lounge hotspot
Further pottering

right now, it's imported mince pie time

Ta da
washing away
hoovered lounge
wash2 on
hung up wash 1
up and down stairs a few times putting things away
read the grinch to ds for the first time (our christmas penguin Rusty likes to leave ds things from time to time - grinch this morning and a special owl pillow just for him...to stop him nicking my pillows!)
chicken out for dinner tonight

Well today has been a rather frustrating day. I have a ta da list to rival the length of last week's sat list. But I do not feel like I have actually achieved that much. Very frustrating.

Today has been draining. DS1 has been alternately manic and vile. Frayed tempers all round and exhausted nerves.

The tree is up though, and resulting shedding of (plastic!) pine needles has led to the whole of downstairs being hoovered. I also managed to slightly lessen a few hot spots this morning.

Today was the usual trip to the Art Village, as it's our last craft day there tomorrow and we know it's going to be knocked down we have continued painting on the walls. It's been a lot of fun.

We also went to the library this morning, next year will be it's centenary (it's a Carnegie library) so the council are doing some sort of promotional/celebration film. DD was asked if she wanted to take part in a 1915 school recreation. The "teacher" came from the Scotland Street School Museum which we will go to at some point. DD started off grumpy, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm also back on the knitting again. (Grr 2 sticks bad, 1 hook good)

Goth.

Didn't get a huge amount done - just general tidying, made some cake, and spent time visiting with MIL and some friends and playing with dcs. Good day all in all.

SC - we had a thunder-snowstorm just before DS was born, it was incredibly dramatic, lightning and blizzards at the same time (it was dark, just to add to the effect). DMIL had been to stay (DS wasn't due for another couple of weeks) and DH was due to take her back to the station 10 miles away, it started just as they left the house. They arrived back 30 mins later saying they had only got a mile up the road which had become completely blocked and she had to stay another night. I remember sitting there and hoping I wouldn't go into labour as the nearest hospital is in the same town 10 miles away. My waters broke the next day, it was a bit close for comfort!

*Alice that pie sounds delicious, I agree about trying new foods, I tend not to because I do all the shopping and gravitate towards stuff I like. A couple of years ags I was chatting with DD about which foods we all liked and disliked and she commented that I didn't dislike anything (not true, I am quite fussy) and I realised it was an illusion created by me doing all the shopping and cooking. Every now and then I take the DCs to the supermarket and say we all have to try one new thing, sometimes it will be fruit, sometimes something in a tin, sometimes meat, sometimes sweets.

Not much Flying, I was at an OU tutorial most of the day, but I have just wrapped up DB and DSILs presents as we are seeing them tomorrow for the last time till after Christmas.

I've been in my nightie all day - tidying tidying tidying

We put dd's room back together and took the opportunity to exchange her wicker chest with ds2's chest of drawers - which meant I was then able to do a thorough sort of ds2's drawers, pull out his bed, hoover under it, find lots of horrid moth caterpillars [ugh] in the carpet and applecores

Also did lots of washing and sorting of clothes
found many unused Xmas cards from last year
collected together all the unused wrapping paper from last year

sorted my bedroom cupboard, hung up clothes

boys all went to Football Match (Brentford) with their Dad - which turned out well but slightly enraged me because I was hoping today was going to be a day of SORTING.

However, I'm sure I got more done without them.

When ds1 came back he moved dd's single mattress downstairs for me
Ds2 remade his bed with clean sheets

Two and a half BIG bags of rubbish

and cooked very delicious pasta with tomato, broccoli onion chilli and ham for supper

Also had a minor row with dh over lack of food in fridge at lunchtime, boys getting ready and various other boring petty things!!!! Lazy children, entitled children and messy children are getting us both down!

Omg - you have reminded me I need to find some presents for BIL and nephews tomorrow as they are coming to lunch and then going off for Xmas to foreign climes. I promised I would buy a Bob Dylan album and Napoleon bio - oh dear...perhaps I can send it during the week...

And you have all reminded me that I have presents to finish making before tomo evening. So I need to focus on that this morning, get it done so there is no stress tomo. This afternoon is taken up with a competition for ds but as i made up the kit yesterday there is not much to worry about it, especially as the weather seems to have warmed up a bit again

done
BIL to lunch - cooked risotto, lamb and roast potatoes, followed by choc/cherry pudding

Christmas tree up and decorated by ds2
ds1 to Mass

presents still not bought though - will have to drop them round next week sometime

my cold seems to be getting more and more annoying - now I on the sneezing and wheezing stage although my voice has returned so I can sing carols

tidying roundup
bedroom very tidy, just needs hovering
kitchen untidy piles of home ed stuff everywhere
utility piles of washing
bathrooms - clean and tidyish
dd's room tidy
ds2 room tidy
ds1 room untidy
landings - still covered in a fair amount of junk
hall - ditto and far too many scarves and miscellaneous bits of paper
front room - looks good but lots of clutter everywhere hiding behind the tinsel!

LINKS FOR MONDAY 15th DECEMBER

Babystep 15 is to make your bed when you get up. THIS one I do even if DH is still in it

Monday is Weekly bleugh day

This week we are in Zone 3:The Bathroom and 1 Extra Room detailed cleaning list is here

Today's mission is to spend 5 minutes wiping down the pedestal and floor around the toilet. PLUS 5 minutes with a bin bag collecting things to throw out.

The Launch Pad is here

Christmas Mission 11 is to bake any gifts that need doing.

Well the mission is the weekly essential one with boys in the house.

no will to live this morning, out this afternoon and evening. Will be collapsing into bed very shortly.

Too right, Bitchy

Today has also been interesting but we all survived. I have made a sock reindeer and the Christmas cards are also done.

See, I'm still being lazy. Although I did make pancakes for the dcs this morning for breakfast... does that earn me some type of badge or something?

Crazy schedule again this week.

Definitely badge worthy alice

Up half the night with ds who has a temperature. Took him to gp and no sign of throat, lung, ear infection. Think he's a bit constipated. So sofa day here and praying his well enough for nursery tomorrow.

Ta da
dwas#1 done and hanging up
wash#2 on
Early gp visit
chat with mil
folded yesterday's wash

not aiming to do much else. Rainy and grey outside.

Have just been doing a science experiment with ds2.

Magnesium in vinegar followed by Magnesium set alight (it burned with a surreal white light )! Quite exciting. Trying to explain the Periodic Table to him starting with the alkali metals and then the alkaline earth metals..sadly the chemistry kit didn't have pure sodium or potassium in it I wonder why

Otherwise have written some Christmas cards (but as usual I cannot find the uptodate addresses of most people I usually phone)

and driven dd to school with her Stratovolcano (a terrifying concoction of newspaper and plastic bottles like some sort of Medusan head)

Dh has gone out to a business lunch and ds2 is now watching telly whilst I consider how the afternoon is going to go - still have terrible cold so not really in the mood for rushing around but may have to venture out at some point on various errands.

I remember doing that at school Swan - very exciting. Have you tried any flame tests with chemicals?

There are some fab youtube videos for that though swan

Have fallen into a pre-Christmas blackhole. I've written so many Xmas cards that I have neck ache and keep looking longingly at the osteopath opposite our house. Have also ordered a very lovely dress for my birthday party early next year, but am keeping that a secret from DH .

Finally managed to get someone out to look at our boiler today, after weeks of it switching itself off. It needs a new part and is going to cost a fortune , but at least we'll be warm for Christmas. Luckily, I'd ordered the dress already (priorities ).

Swan - am very impressed at your Chemistry lesson with DS. Fantastic!

Well, this morning didn't go quite to plan because I got sidetracked into trying to replicate a Christmas decoration I saw (reduced to £2 each!) and thought "I bet I could make that"...

This afternoon has been about swimming lessons for the boys and cooking. Need to go and do the dreaded hair washing now though. If I'm not back later, send in a rescue mission, somebody!

It may have been a while since I last shined my sink properly, but I've missed you all. (As has my house.) I would love to rejoin you if that's ok.