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!

And he was Welsh Secretary at the time, the turnip ... .

I had the not pleasure of meeting him once when I worked in publishing. I was a lowly editorial assistant at that time and he looked at me as though I was something that had been scraped off his shoe ... . Ho hum.

Ha, I feel even more justified in laughing at that clip after your experience of him, SC. DH has a T-shirt with the Welsh national anthem on it (think it was a Christmas present from my parents one year ) and I think of John Redwood every time I see it!

Linzer it will be fine once I get there I am just being a grump.

A relaxing morning has been had sorting out stuff from the meeting last night. Until the moment when I realised I had forgotten last night that yesterday I put some money in my bra to keep it safe and had no idea what had happened to the money. Queue slightly panicked search which eventually turned up the money in the tangle of bedding of the bed i had not made At which point I went offs and went to soak in an epsom salt bath to try to ease achy muscles. and right a rather scary to do list

Anyhows the ta da list looks like this:
write document A resulting from meeting
prep stuff for planner for 2015
upset the printer
reprint the pattern for blanket gate no#2 blanket 3
hunt for the paperwork telling me where and when I expected tonight
take bed apart and look for some missing christmassy bits and bobs
put clean sheets on bed
1st duvet through washer
2nd duvet in washer
plan essential stuff that is needed to be done this weekend
put ds' kit in bath to de stink
find template pattern for finishing off a project with deadline of friday evening

to do
print maps for tonight
get poshed up
wash pillows
make up bed
Send a whole heap of emails.

Linzer I'm sorry, I somehow missed the bit about your dd's friend's mum. How very very and even worse (if possible to be worse) at this time of year somehow. Awful age to lose a father too (although any age is dreadful I know). Certainly puts one's problems in to perspective. I'm sure jsut your very presence and listening ear will be a good form of support to her.

Congrats on your productive day Bitchy and ha! at bra stash!! Have a great time tonight!!

I have been reasonably productive today so far, honest. I just keep popping on here because I keep coming up to print out labels for parcels and look up missing addresses in between wrapping sessions and not because I am Msnetting- really oh no--

Tree has arrived Currently stashed on terrace! Decided my nieces can help us decorate tomorrow!

Thanks, SC. I remember you being very helpful when I was in a similar situation quite a few years back, when a friend of DD1's lost her father. Similar in some ways as the fathers were the same age and both left behind 10/11 yr old DDs, but these are much closer friends and it all happened so suddenly that it's come as a huge shock to everyone. DD1's friend's father had cancer so it wasn't unexpected, although obviously still tremendously sad and he'd had years of suffering beforehand too. You just can't compare of course, but I think the shock is so much greater this time round.

I am also popping on here in between writing Christmas cards and chauffeuring the DC to friends and activities, so have really not spent the whole afternoon MNing - honestly! Tis nice to chat in between, though; it's only now that I realise how much I've missed this thread.

Our Gp generally let you ring up for results. Ds is due some blood results later this week beginning of next (bloods taken last fri) Today the receptionist rang to make an appointment for ds to have a "routine check up" I questioned whether ds had to go as he doesn't do well at doc appointments and with a whole heap of camhs stuff next month I want to protect him a bit. If he has to be at the appointment it wont be until after chirstmas. It is only bad if you have to be called in for results. So now I am left worrying over christmas that something is wrong with ds. Which is just fucking marvelous because despite all of the happy smiley crap you will see me trying to convince me it is marvelous he is away I actually fucking hate it when ds is away and it makes me slightly paranoid that something bad is going to happen anyway. So there are tears. I am supposed to be leaving for this stupid meal in 5mins and I am left to worry over christmas. Really NOT impressed!!!!

LINKS FOR FRIDAY 19th DECEMBER

Babystep 19 is to read the testimonials

Friday is clean your purse/car day

This week we are in Zone 3:The Kitchen

Today's mission is to mop the bathroom floor and then to do a 27 fling boogie (where does she get the names from)

The Launch Pad is here

Christmas Mission 15 is to have a 5 minute sit down with a to celebrate doing all the Christmas missions and so being perfectly ready (or in my case, swig the as still not quite done

Just a quick post and run

Done
Did all my errands
Did a bit more cake icing
Made chocolate brownies for school tomorrow
Made tablet

Will catch up tomorrow, hope everyone is having a good day.

Evening all.

So sorry to hear about DD's friend's father Linzer, what a dreadful thing to happen.

Bitchy - I imagine it is a real conflict of emotions having to spend time apart from a DC on a regular basis, I guess the me-time is very little consolation. I hope the test results aren't anything to worry about but I totally see why you don't want it hanging over you.

Well, a busy day. Last day of term, last piece of homework finally handed in, last cards given out - much grumbling amongst mothers of Yr6 boys at the school gate this morning about how they'd all left it to the last minute and really wanted to do them because it was their last year. In between I went to work this morning, finished at lunchtime and went for a swim. Picked up DCs and talked over complex arrangements for dropping off 6 or 7 boys in another town for Scouts outing, eventually someone else took DS, for which I am grateful as it was a late one and DH is out tonight.

Ta-da!

Swept and cleaned kitchen floor
Finalised massive Ocado order for tomorrow (don't want to have to pay for a slot next week)
Finalised organic veg box order for next week
4 loads of washing, second and third in dryer together
Dinner and walk DS to his friend's house for lift to Scouts, called in on DD's best friend for half an hour on the way back.
Watched a film with DD while she wrapped her presents
Sorted first load of washing
DCs to bed (very late)

Tomorrow is a lazy morning, might tackle the ironing mountain, then off to see Santa at lunchtime and the ILs arrive for the weekend late afternoon. Which is handy as we have our work Christmas dos tomorrow and Saturday.

Shall I tell you what has been particularly irritating today? DH hasn't lifted a finger towards any of his Christmas shopping (which all has to travel back with the ILs on Sunday). I have been reminding him. He left work an hour early today and did the whole lot in an hour. I wish my family were as easy to buy for! Mine takes weeks!

Bitchy - my DS1 was called back for blood-test results a few weeks back: it wasn't anything sinister, but he was low in Vitamin D and iron, so needed supplements. So just because the GP wants to see your son following the test doesn't mean it's anything terrible, honest. In fact, if it was something to worry about, I doubt that the surgery would leave it till after Christmas. I hope your social evening goes ok - I completely 'get' that feeling when you're not feeling up to putting on the sociable mask though.

Linzer - so sorry to hear about your DD2's friend's father. That's so sad.

WhoKnows - blimey, you've been busy! You deserve your lazy morning tomorrow.

Goth - am intrigued by 'made tablet'. Presumably you haven't just rustled up a homemade Apple or Android model?

SC - not as slim as I once was, sadly ... Well done on getting tree sorted.

Managed to wash my hair using a jug and a kettleful of hot water . Had to skip the conditioner, so it's a bit wild, but at least it's clean. Still no sign of the plumber. Wanted to take DS2 out to see 'Paddington' tomorrow, but will now have to stay in all day, in case the plumber turns up, which is maddening. DH will take him instead, but I'm sorry to miss a chance to get out of the house.

Wide awake now, thanks to my lie in this morning. Time to catch up on MN .

I ended up in A&E instead of being sociable. All is fine in the end just another funky fibro symptom. But twas a bit scary when I was driving across. Bet the meal was fabulous too Thanks for the reassurance about ds toffee I think it is more I am having a low patch due to a bad fibro flare up and everything becomes a major catastrophy.

Sorry about the plumber being a pita :( hope you can get everything sorted and you can escape.

Oh, Bitchy, how awful! You are having a rough time . Completely understand about poor health (and the stress of dealing with SN's issues) making everything more worrying.

Still wide awake, but will regret this tomorrow.

Medical staff were absolutely amazing. And it is nice to know what has caused this (ie not scary stuff just fibro stuff iyswim) In some respects it is a peace of mind that is invaluable. Even if it came at the cost of a good meal. Mind you I could have happily had the peace of mind in a different manner. So basically it is rest rest rest in mind for me. But I have a hectic Christmas eve planned and ditto boxing day. Expect to find me fast asleep in the corner on the 29th content from Christmas celebrations with ds

I also will regret this. I am in the office tomo morning [fool]

Glad the medical staff were so reassuring, Bitchy. Hope you get to sleep soon and can cope at work tomorrow.

Four hours' sleep, then woken by DS1 who spent the next hour telling me about VPNs. Phoned plumbing company who say plumber will be here today or tomorrow.

Hope you got up for work ok, Bitchy.

Four hours' sleep, then woken by DS1 who spent the next hour telling me about VPNs. Phoned plumbing company who say plumber will be here today or tomorrow.

Hope you got up for work ok, Bitchy.

Sorry for repeat post. Computer turned itself off midway and I didn't realise it had posted.

I'm not really here; I'm desperately trying to get my last remaining Christmas cards written before I leave to collect DS in 40 minutes. There's no collection (or delivery) here on Saturdays, so I really need to have everything in the post today. As last posting dates don't seem to exist here, I'm in denial about the fact that I may well be posting them too late anyway!

Ta da
supermarket
made banana bread
wash#1 in td
sorted through purse and handbag

Chucking it down here.
Watching the snowman and the snowdog with DS who "helped" me make the banana bread.

Will certainly be on to let you all know when DC2 arrives toffee

What a pain having to wait around for plumber toffee - hope it gets sorted soon.

Sorry to hear you're having such a rough time bitchy

Come on baby!

Finally, after nearly a year, a draft statement for DS has dropped onto the doormat.

Glad you were helped by A&E Bitchy, with the news about it today it's good to hear a positive story.

Fantastic WhoKnows. Now you just have the job of going through it with a fine toothcomb. I used the information sheet on statements from SOSSEN, which is the one they gave us at the workshop, I think.

Afternoon!

I'm not really here either!

Hope everyone surviving pre-Christmas stresses!

Sent about 8 parcels today and another 6 this morning (thank God they are done and out of the way!! I always always underestimate the time they take.)

Was up until early hours (second night in a row) finishing off stuff but am still terribly behind on cards. Got all the important ones done and sent though. And teachers' presents and cards (they've all worked so hard I felt I couldn't not do something ifyswim).

Had so little sleep recently I feel quite hyper! DD leven worse (hope she is oK as she went to school looking white with fatigue this morning) and dh of course has already entered in to his usual pre-Christmas madhouse period at the office. Have barely exchanged 3 words with him for days as he is always dashing off out somewhere or taking a call; and is generally very stressed and grumpy. Cannot rely on him to help with any Christmas prep at all. And he's travelling early next week too [sigh].

On a positive note: my cleaning lady took pity on me and sent her daughter around to help me clean today. We have gradually worked our way down the house all morning and it looks considerably better. Even more positive, I mistakenly thought her daughter wasn't a very good cleaner (she always does the office in a bit of a slip-shod way when she works with her mother) but it turns out that when flying solo, she is absolutely brilliant!!

We have moved furniture around and reclaimed space for the tree, so I feel things have moved on a bit!

Bitchy poor you; hope you are OK. Not a nice way to have to spend the evening but glad you are reassured. Agree with others that surgery would not leave you hanging over Christmas if anything seriously awry with ds, but can totally identify with the worry!

We've all got our fingers and toes crossed for you Engels!! Tipping it down here too btw (really 'wet' rain ifykwim)

Toffee what a bore about the plumber; but I know good ones are like gold dust so on balance probably worth waiting for, but tedious in the extreme!

Whoknows ha! re: your dh and present-buying! Dh just the same here but even worse in a way as he leaves it all to 3pm Christmas eve almost as a matter of pride which I find intensely irritating!! (Plus he can do so because I've bought all the ones for his family that need sending anywhere) grrrrrrr.

Goth your Christmas cake sounds like it is going to be a work of art!

Linzer I had a distant recollection that something similar had happened to a friend of one of your dcs when I was writing my last post to you; but daren't mention it in case my memory was faulty (or I had the wrong fledgling in my mind) . How awful ... to have two families lose parents and young children bereaved

Waves to Swan Blue Alice Greymalkin and everyone I've mised!

Got to gird my loins and make seven beds now before my db and his family arrive [sigh] (one extra because dh has flu and is snoring like a trojan-- so sleeping separately atm).

[3 more to make after that when my dsis1 and entourage come next week!!]

Please be honest, do you think it will be acceptable just to leave them the linen and ask them to get on with it themselves? Feels a bit mean because they'll be tired from their trip but they always say "don't go to any trouble". Feel like taking them literally for once as they are not the most, shall we say, easy or appreciative guests even when I go to great lengths.... . Plus it all involves moving actual beds around and one of us sleeping on a pull-out etc. They never host themselves (small flat) so don't 'get' what it involves ... and db lives on another planet anyway ... Urrgggh.... .

Disclaimer: obviously don't expect one's own family to be appreciative exactly (wrong word!) but a small thank you occasionally would be good - bit of a history to this throughout the years (will spare you the details)!!

x post!

Yay Whoknows!! That's excellent news!!

Tbf the surgery have no choice about letting us hang as ds is away and as they are currently insisting that they have to see him after christmas is the earliest possible time. I have actually been officially advised to put in complaint and change GP. which seems a little extreme plus there are the better of the two GP surgeries in this area.

Got to work and survived work in one piece. But am currently sorting out for working tomo and sunday as extra shifts so hey ho. Early night tonight then can't wait

Good job with all those parcels SC

Good luck with the rest of the cards Linzer

Fingers crossed the statement is what you want Whoknows

toffee hope you can get a good night tonight