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!

SC - I agree with the others - you need some rest! Not easy when you have so many visitors, however. Maybe you could feign a headache and go to bed for a couple of hours one afternoon...?

The plumber fiasco drags on. It has really got me down. They had said, yet again, they would call me yesterday when the plumber received the spare part he's waiting for. Of course, they didn't. When I rang, they told me that he still hadn't received the part, but it should be in today and they'd ring me. By now, I was panicking so I did get firm (which I don't find very easy) and insisted on speaking to the 'manager', but was put through to a 'supervisor', who sounded as disinterested as the original person I spoke to. He said that the part would arrive by 24th at the latest (ie nine days after ordering!), which is the first I've heard of it. I begged him to at least send the plumber round to sort out whatever he did to stop the bloody boiler working (was working before, just cut out now and again), but to no avail. I can't seek out another plumber because they are all fully booked - it being Christmas and all that - and they already have my £100 deposit so they have got me over a barrel. Am so miserable about it.

Managed to get DS1 to the drs this morning, so that was an achievement. Afterwards, spent some time with DS1, who was keen to show me his latest ciphers. It is all quite beyond me, but it makes him happy.

(DH is sitting next to me, eating, and it's really setting my teeth on edge. I can't bear the sound of people eating, especially when I'm already stressed).

Anyway, whilst I wait (fairly hopelessly) for the plumber to ring, I am blitzing the sitting room and hanging Xmas decorations up. It will be completely decluttered and cleaned, ready for MIL's pre-Xmas lunch with us tomorrow (not to mention our neighbours's visits to feed the cats over the Xmas period).

Thank you everyone I can't tell you how lovely it is to come back to this thread and read all your lovely comments!! As usual, all you lovely fledglings keep me sane!!

I am tired (and having lots of visitors is the curse of being an expat really) but I am more worried about dh who is utterly exhausted. Also, with living abraod and everything, it is really nice to see everyone - it's just there is no getting around the cooking and cleaning and bed-making will suggest hotels next year and suffice to say, some guests are a lot easier than others!! My db and family live in small flat in London so don't have visitors themselves which means they don't have any concept of the work involved.

Did have a small bit of time to myself this afternoon - at the cardiologist's just now. (Have ongoing prob with wierd rhythm.) Had annual exam and work out on exercise bicycle. Bit embarrassing because [anyone of a delicate disposition please look away now [grin[ one is half naked pounding away on a bicycle attached to electrodes, norks flapping in the breeze... (Sorry for tmi!!) Bit of a boost because all my results were quite good, and I had somehow increased my fitness capacity. I said I was very surprised and my consultant said (in thick French accent) "nut az soopreeezed az moi!"

Bitchy luv - thank you but think you have more than enough on your plate by the looks of those lists and those long shifts... Good you are taking it easy today!

Toffee thank you too - next set of visitors a lot easier/more helpful and easy going so on the home strait now ....

How utterly depressing about plumber...can you track down the supplier yourself by any chance? Or try camping outside plumber's premises tomorrow morning!! Good luck with it!! Give 'em hell!

Big waves to Alice (hope you are enjoying the season of tinsel and elves - really really admire the way you are always so positive and making the best of a difficult situation) and everyone else!!

Right, off to cook and mash some spuds for topping for humungous fish pie ... which was planned for Christmas eve but decided to make today instead (didn't have time to get in more supplies). What I am going to cook for eveyrone tomorrow I have no idea. What do you all eat on Christmas eve???

SC Poor you, it all sounds quite exhausting. Strangely enough, we had far more visitors when we lived in London than we do now; my family haven't been to visit us for years as they don't really "do" travelling.
Glad to see you're keeping your sense of humour, though; I had to laugh at the image of you on the exercise bike and the consultant's comments.

Toffee I'm not surprised you're miserable about the whole plumber situation; I can't believe how long it's dragging on. And just before Christmas too; really not the best timing.

Bitchy Hope you can get some rest today.

Goth Glad you're OK; was so shocked at the news, what an awful thing to happen.

DC broke up today ready for Christmas tomorrow - I find cramming everything into one day a bit strange, as it's business as usual (shops open etc.) in the morning and then everything happens (tree goes up, presents brought by the Christ Child, etc.) late afternoon. We tend to have more of a British Christmas, as I find it more relaxing.

SC Thanks, but trust me, I'm not. I vent just like everyone else, get in a funk.

I promised the boys that tomorrow was strictly Christmas baking and games, so that's my agenda for tomorrow. Guess that means I'll be needing the by evening.

I have been up a grand total of 3hrs today. I already have a is it bedtime feeling yet.

guess that sleep was needed

Guests still not back so having a bit of down time atm! And searching for a relatively recipe to prepare to feed the five thousands tomorrow ....

Linzer that's funny you should say that, because I always consider a Belgian Christmas much easier than a UK one (where we used to have church, lunch, presents all in the space of about six hours) whereas here the dc presents are largely sorted on the 6th (save for a stocking and a few other bits and bobs), "midnight" mass is at the family friendly time of 6.30pm on the 24th and everyone buys oysters and seafood from a local traiteur for supper afterwards! Sorted! (We still do mainly a UK Christmas though for our sins!)

Hwr, as with you, it is a work day here tomorrow and dh will be beavering away in the office until at least 3pm. I do like the idea of putting the tree up on Christmas eve though I have to say!

Alice in that case here's more supplies of for later!!! And you always sound really positive to me!!

easy recipe that should have said

SC - second all those telling you to rest! As for Christmas Eve meals, we always go as simple as possible. When I was growing up it was always pizza, but we generally have a selection of nibbly bits and a bottle of fizz!

Really hope you can get somewhere with the plumber Toffee - do you want a gang of fledglings to come and give 'em hell en masse??!

Linzer I always think of you confusing Austrian children with the British Christkind coming early with the tree.

Today we have survived the shops and lunch out (2 days in a row!! Must be mad...) and the boys have had their haircuts. There's all kinds of stuff I should be doing, but I'm hiding while it's temporarily quiet!!

and for all in need.

x-p Glad you're getting some downtime SC and I think the oysters/seafood sounds an excellent plan (although maybe not the oysters and maybe not the day after fish pie)...

Oh and DH is working tomorrow too, though hoping to be home in time for Carols from Kings on the radio.

Oohhh yes [joins Blue in her hiding place] always love Carols from Kings!

Will deffo keep food tomorrow simple (thinking something with large salad content and fairly plain given full Christmas dinner the next day) and think we might be passing on the oysters this year (I can only down one or two having drunk sufficient alcohol not to mind the texture!!)

Glad you are rested Bitchy [hands over freshly pressed and laundered pjs and hot water bottle]

Big waves to one and all!! [Leaves on naughty corner bar for much needed sustenance throughout the evening ....] [And ginger and lemon grass tea for pregnant fledglings!!]]

Speaking of whom .... any news from Castle???

Very happy now .

Rang the plumber again and was told they were still waiting for the part. At this point, I gave up on them and rang round other companies. Finally phoned British Gas, who sent round an engineer within 15 minutes, who has promised to come back tomorrow with the spare part . Then had the satisfaction of telling the other company not to bother coming.

Can't believe how miserable this fiasco made me. I think it was the lack of control that really got to me. But am now looking forward to a bath and hair wash tomorrow afternoon.

You going to put in a complaint Toffee? Glad you are getting things fixed.

Ta da
hoovered downstairs
1 load of washing
washing up
got playpen out of cellar, cleaned, set up
emptied bins
supermarket

come on baby! 39+2.....still time to put in an appearance before the 25th!

.

Well, that was a mixed day. I had provisionally arranged that DS could meet his friend and DD hers today. DS's friend was sick, so we tried to (unsuccessfully) to arrange to go with some other friends instead, including DD's friend, but then DS threw a strop and said he wasn't going if it was only us and DD's friend. We ended up having a massive argument with us both saying we wished I'd sent him to holiday club instead. However, we calmed down very quickly, went to the country park by ourselves (DD's friend couldn't come either, just as well I think) and had a lovely afternoon playing games, running around and drinking hot chocolate. Stopped for some last minute shopping on the way home and have been having a tidying frenzy this evening. Oh and the DCs got into an argument about who should have the top bunk for Christmas Eve (now resolved). We have had some lovely snuggly Christmas book reading tonight which was a good end to the day.

I changed the DCs beds today. In DD's top bunk I found about 20 teddies, one doll, three cardboard boxes, one plastic box, numerous items of clothing, a set of Playmobil, a card game, a set of story cubes, two notebooks, two reading books, a dressing gown, a bow and arrow, various pens, a pair of scissors I've been looking for for a week, some loo roll inserts and a spare duvet cover. It's too high for me to see into unless I go up the ladder so I hadn't realise so much was accumulating. Silly girl.

Anyway, response to draft statement has been fired off, so I don't need to do anything more with that till after Christmas. All my wrapping (and the DCs) is done. All food shopping is done (turkey and veg to be delivered tomorrow). House is passably tidy, but will clear the kitchen out more tomorrow. Going to go and do a little bit of food prep. now and enjoy a hopefully less up and down day tomorrow. DH is working in the morning, then we're all off till the New Year.

Bitchy - not sure about complaining. I can't imagine it will do much good and I certainly don't expect to get my deposit back.

Engels - ooh, exciting! Looking forward to the good news.

WhoKnows - the contents of your DD's top bunk made me laugh! How does she fit?

Sitting room has been thoroughly decluttered and decorations put up. Kitchen and dining room are tidy too. It actually all looks quite respectable .

Fell asleep during 'Homeland' and have come to bed early. Can't believe it's Christmas Eve tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to NOT having to cook the Christmas dinner this year.

Toffee surely you've got to get your deposit back after they've messed you around so thoroughly for so long! So glad it's getting sorted though.

WhoKnows you've made me feel much better about the stuff DS1 hoards in his bed - it's not nearly that bad!!

I have moved some hotspots around so it looks better even if it isn't properly sorted. I think all the wrapping is done, so tomorrow is all about getting ahead with the cooking, and will have to hoover again.

LINKS FOR WEDNESDAY 24th DECEMBER

Babystep 24 is to Swish & swipe in the bathroom every morning. I'm always amazed that this isn't earlier in the Babysteps

Wednesday is Anti procrastination day Good job as it's Christmas Eve!

This week we are in Zone 4:The Kitchen

Today's mission is to dust in the bedroom. Thursday's is to change your bedding (WTF) and Friday to go to bed half hour early with a good book.

The Launch Pad is here

Thank you for all your kind words. We're lucky in that we've not been directly affected but it has shaken up everyone we know. My heart breaks for all the families involved in this, I used to work in a local authority for a couple of years with the refuse section, I can't imagine the impact on the crews.

I've kept busy today, 3 trips out to Morrisons, Locavore (by bike, was lovely) and finally to drop off some baby leg warmers off at the Handmade Gallary.

We then had some friends round this evening, which is why I'm only just posting. Was a good evening playing games.

Toffee am crossing everything that your heating is fixed tomorrow.

Hello lovely ladies. I know I am a bugger for buggering off. But it is Christmas and I love you so please forgive me.

I promise to be a good flygirl in the New Year. For now i am going to post inanities for a few days and wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

goth I too thought about you in light of the tragedy in Glasgow. My thoughts are with your city.

engels where the hell has the time gone. I swear it was only yesterday you announced you were pregnant. I am excited for a flybaby.

linzer wooooohooooooooooooo. You are back. That is awesome.

Big waves to whoknows bitchy sc toffee alice and everyone else i have missed.

Busy day today. I am quite prepared this year which leads me to believe that stbxh was the unorganised one not me....honest. Presents to deliver, veg to prep and other random stuff to sort. Dmum has gone away to duncle's for xmas and we have the house to ourselves which is just divine. Stbxh is staying tonight. Things have been better recently and we decided it would be nice for the dc's and the mil and sil are coming for dinner tomorrow. Dd is really struggling with the split at the moment, almost a delayed reaction and she seems really unhappy. She knows we aren't getting back together (we are definitely not, I am much happier without as harsh as it sounds) but she says the only thing that will make it better is us getting back together. Makes me sad to see her so upset but don't really know what to do/say. Any advice appreciated and in return i promise not to go awol again...honest.

Oh and I love the fact I can go awol. Then post and unload my worries which are nothing to do with flying and know that they will be read. I feel better already.

And i forgot to say hello to blue and mercury.

Apologies to anyone else I have missed...have only scrolled back through a few days.

British Gas engineer has just phoned to tell me he's on his way with the spare part . Am so looking forward to having a bath!

MIL is here for her Christmas lunch today, so we are going to pretend it's Christmas Day and the boys will get some presents to unwrap. I have made it easy for myself by buying chicken (she doesn't like turkey), ready-made bread sauce, ready-made stuffing and packet gravy. Oh, and ready-made apple pie for pudding (nobody likes Xmas pud).

Have a lot to do afterwards as I need to pack for our visit to my Mum's. I'm glad I've wrapped all the presents already. No late-night packing this year.

Morning all,

I need a to do list for today:

3 loads of washing
Empty wastepaper baskets and find bin bags for wrapping paper in the morning
Hoover
Quick bathroom clean
Veg prep when it arrives
Finish dinner cooking timetable when turkey arrives
Deliver a present to DD's friend
Iron tablecloth (should add Find tablecloth)
Move unnecessary stuff out of kitchen (slowcooker, pen pots etc)
Wash crystal wine glasses as they haven't been used for a while
REferee DCs arguing over the Ipad.

Ellie - good to hear from you, I haven't got any wise words I'm afraid, but it sounds as though you are both doing your best to minimise the impact of the split on the DCs and I'm sure that will pay dividends in the long run. I was talking about this with friends recently and those whose parents had split as children said that it does get easier, especially for those that were relatively young (as yours are) when it happens. Even the one whose mum lurched through mental health problems with a succession of different men all through her teens has come out pretty unscathed.

Toffee - fingers crossed!