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!

Pssssssssst

Hello

Just tiptoed out of bed, trying not to disturb sleeping guests, to turn on dishwasher (4th load of day) which I forgot to do earlier; otherwise won't have any cutlery for morning

Thanks for all words of support. This thread a life-saver as ever!

Have a lovely w/e everyone!

Toffee can't believe you are still without plumber! I know I said a good one was worth the wait, but totally unacceptable to leave you for this further length of time without hot water partic n this weather. Can you get a new one? Take a poll down your street and ask every neighbour who they use maybe??

[SC tiptoes back to bed]

Sorry to be MIA. Between appointments and school meetings and programmes over the last couple weeks, I have literally gotten nothing done around the house. I spent Friday and Saturday madly catching up, and today is a relax day. Pyjama day (declared by the dcs) and pancakes for breakfast. They're wathcing television now and I'm MNing.

Hope everyone is doing well. Will have to read back a little to catch up.

Ta da
emptied all bins, changed and wiped down outside bin.
finances/receipts
mending clothes

Playing the waiting game. 39 weeks here today and so ready not to be pregnant for much longer. IF baby follows DS's schedule then it shouldn't be long, but who knows - I was a 2nd child and my DM had to be induced.

To do
supermarket for leisurely last minute shop - it's nowhere near as crazy as in the UK over here!

Sorry, haven't caught up on thread. My brain feels rather fried. I keep obsessively wiping down surfaces, sweeping the floor, putting things away thinking that I could go into labour any time and then be home with a newborn and a stranger (kraamzorg) in my house!

Engles you are allowed baby brain at 39 weeks. Take care.

Alice I did wonder where you were, I was half expecting to hear you's been buried under a pile of Christmas decorations

Done
Changed bedding, mattress & pillow covers,
added a lovely thick blanket under fitted sheets and changing DD's quilt to her winter one.
Sunday lunch (be of a novelty as we're usually in the Art Village)
Washing up
Got DD to use up remaining royal icing on some spiced biscuits
Finished Christmas cake -Ta dah!

To do
Ironing
Dry laundry away

Goth Nearly, but not quite! I managed to pull myself out of the pile by the tinsel rope. Very nice cake there!!! My dcs don't like icing, so we have a boring cake with nothing on it.

Alice the icing is the only bit DD does like, she's already eyeing up the snowmen. DH will eat it, but there's other things he prefers, so it's mine, all mine mwah ha ha!!!!!

LINKS FOR MONDAY 22nd DECEMBER

Babystep 22 is building your Control Journal

Monday is weekly bleugh day

This week we are in Zone 4:The Master Bedroom Detailed cleaning list is here if you're a glutton for punishment

Today's mission is to spend 15 minutes throwing away any rubbish in your bedroom, magazines, old perfume etc.

The Launch Pad is here

No more Christmas Missions!

ta da
10hr day at work
make 2 different cakes
ice the cake that has to be done hot
2 loads washing
iron mount iron more
fold most of mountclean
move furniture
cook up sausages for easy cook breakfast
speak to ex and ds
put whole heap of stuff away
make some important phones.

Now about to follow up those phone calls with emails and head straight to bed.
Another 12hr day tomo. Roll on the 24th when i have a day off.

still continuing with the no Xmas theme here...

I decluttered and sorted all the drawers in the kitchen (stationery and home ed stuff I mean - okay a few Christmassy napkins)
made a big box of Christmas type stuff cutters, marking pens, recipes, craft stuff if anyone ever shows any inclination stuff I had already I mean
did a Marie Kondo type assassination of drawer contents

although as SC has pointed out several times she clearly DOES NOT HAVE CHILDREN and therefore would not see the point of 3 sets of coloured pencils and five pencil sharpeners (which I definitely do need

got rid of several bags of bumpf and put all the books back in the right places (this is mostly a home ed problem)

earlier made soup

took ds2 for another triathlon - I km run, I km bike and two lengths of pool (all gym and pool)

went to Homebase and bought dh some succulents to plant up a teal planter with, also some silver candles and a set of drawers for home ed sorting

went to Mass with three children

ate lots of sauerkraut!! and fried onion speck and paprika to ward off illness

Well done on the decluttering and no-Christmas theme, Swan. I was doing quite well at ignoring Christmas until DS2 got tired of waiting and started making his own decorations and hanging them up everywhere.

Blimey, Bitchy, it makes me tired just reading your list . Good luck with your long day today.

We spent the day in London yesterday, meeting friends and seeing a play that their daughter was in. Lovely to see them and to see their daughter doing so well. It was a long day though and I was exhausted by the end.

Miraculously, the downstairs of our house is looking fairly tidy. I'm hoping to keep it that way, as we have my very tidy next-door neighbour coming in to feed our cats over the Christmas period.

Long 'to do' list for today, but first - .

I see everyone is too busy for MN today...

ta da

Fed three cats (ours and next door's)
Washed using kettle again (sigh) and squirted dry-hair shampoo on hair
Invites for BD party (can't back out now)
Cleared out fridge
Ocado delivery - put away
Emptied all household bins
Put rubbish out
Unloaded/reloaded d/w
Wiped kitchen counters
Various meals and snacks for myself and DC
Dropped DS2 off at friend's house
Errands in town
Dropped off first few invites

After this tea, am going to plough on with last-minute wrapping. Thought I'd finished but there's always something more. Then need to stick up a few decorations, post invites and chase the plumber yet again.

Got almost all the wrapping done yesterday evening.

Today we've had a manic morning visiting friends. It's incredible how much noise 4 over-excited small boys can make!! Then we had lunch out with a different set of friends, braved Clarks sale and came home. Didn't get any school shoes for DS1 so got to decide if I can face the Start Rite factory shop or bite the bullet and pay full price

Can't believe you're still chasing the plumber, Toffee!

Done:
Posted final Christmas cards
Paid work
Sent invoices

Hmm, doesn't look particularly impressive. Did fit in a coffee with DH (at a cafe in town) between the two paid jobs, though - managing to have child-free time during the day is quite an achievement, I think.

Blue We had three small boys here yesterday - but I left them with DH and spent the afternoon with four slightly older girls and their mothers; much more bearable noise levels!

Toffee of your day in London; I wish we were close enough for a day trip.

Just to let you know we weren't in the city today, and I will pop back later to post links. Feel a bit shook up at the news.

I'm not surprised Goth, I did think of you when I heard, what a terrible thing to have happened.

Have just read about it Goth - my heart goes out to all those affected.

I have a rotten cold. Sod's the law, last childfree day for 2 weeks tomorrow, mby which time baby bloody better should be here. Well, maybe it will make me have a proper rest day.

ta da
Short trip to children's farm to get some air
washing up
one load of washing

LINKS FOR TUESDAY 23rd DECEMBER

Babystep 23 is to add an Afternoon Routine to your Control Journal

Tuesday is Planning day

This week we are in Zone 4:The Kitchen

Today's mission is to spend 15 minutes tidying your bedroom. Put things away that don't belong in there.

The Launch Pad is here

Hi I have completely fallen off the flywagon but heard about the Glasgow tragedy and thought of you Goth.

Glad you are ok Goth it is a shame for the families involved. :(

Ta da
12hr shift
various txts and emails

Now finished for christmas But have a whole heap of christmas prep type stuff to do. But for now the alarm clock is going off and I am going to have a lie in.

Night all

Goth - so sorry to hear the news. So sad and shocking .

Just popped in to check you and loved ones are ok Goth. Very relieved to see you are, but what a truly godawful thing to happen, esp only a year or so after helicopter crash.

Just about hanging in with the entertaining/visitors here (have an easier day today because they have all buggered off to Ghent for the day) but not finding it altogether easy. Am more tired than is helpful (for some reason).

Love my db very much but I do find him and his family quite demanding. My db shouts down people with views that don't tally with his own; he never listens, is a bit of a bully (albeit a very entertaining one!) and I don't feel I can really be myself in my own home. It's a bit wearing. Plus the physical work in this house (up and down stairs constantly) is quite demanding. NOt helped by dh being totally exhausted from work and his father taking a turn for the worse.

Still, it is lovely to have my nieces here and hear them play their various instruments and dd is having a whale of a time. They are leaving tomorrow when the last two (third arriving tonight )guests arrive. More bed changing to follow ... .

Let's just say, I don't think we will be doing this in the same way next year ... !!

Big feathery waves from (as ever) the Christmas Grinch!!!

Toffee I am tempted to say that if that plumber doesn't arrive by tomorrow I am personally going to get on the Eurostar and seek him out ....!!!! You can't possibly have Christmas without hot water!!!

Sorry you are ailing Engels take it steady!

Good to see you Mercury!!

Had better get on so apologies for no more personals. Need to prep something large and substantial for supper!! Big feathery waves to everyone I have missed.

Goth so glad to hear you and your family are okay. Such devastation for those families involved. I can't imagine how traumatic it must have been for the witnesses as well.

Oh SC never mind you jumping on a train to hunt down toffee's plumber. It sounds like you need a fledgling intervention to help you. You are clearly not resting enough which is why you are exhausted although anyone doing what you are doing would be exhausted. PLease please find an moment where you can go on strike for half an hour. Even if it is a sit down with a locked door and a brew. Half an hour with just you, doing nothing. You are making me want to drag myself over to just give you a hand. Look after yourself.

toffee kick up a stink! I hope you manage get it sorted before christmas.

Today I am resting. Burn out.

SC Goodness, I hope you get a bit of down time in there somewhere! Holidays are to be enjoyed, not to wear you down to a frazzle!