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!

I need this thread this month. Must stop just lurking and procrastinating and actually post some lists.

Ta Das so far:
Put a wash on, put the wash that I washed overnight in the tumble dryer
Put beef in red wine casserole in slow cooker
Cleaned bathroom sink and loo
Packed up my lunch for work (made a big batch of butternut squash soup yesterday)
Supervised DS2 trumpet practice while eating my breakfast

I always start well at the beginning of the month...

Good morning all!

Dd has gone to school with baby-sitter), I'm at work dressed in proper office clothes for once and dh went to Riga at 6am but has just phoned me from the airport saying all is chaos (there are austerity strikes here every Monday now for the forseeable future so traffic is more brutal than usual, and it's normally very brutal indeed) so hoping he will be back any moment (but probably not knowing him as he will go circuitous routes to get there if he has to).

Yay Dizzy good to see you!

A warm welcome to Skinny (Another one who tries to keep sink clear at all times, and sploshes white industrial vinegar on it every couple of days to keep it shiny but not necessarily every day. Personally, I find keeping up with laundry mountain more important to the smooth running of everything as opposed to a shiny sink, suggest adapting the system to suit yourself!)

Toffee well done to ds1 for getting to Caffe Nero again! And glad nowt serious with ds2's eye!

Well done on the baking front Alice!

Congrats on the deep cleaning Bitchy which is what I should be doing and good luck with the rug cleaning! (I dread that post-visitor washing pile btw, so good luck with that as well.)

Thanks for links Goth including Christmas ones!

Where did 36 weeks go Engels ? That was quick! Those superbly organised lists of yours have a definite feeling of "nesting" about them if you don't mind me saying so!!! . Good luck with it all!

St Nic arriving at school on Friday! (Rather dreading the appearance of Zwart Piet it has to be said (even after yrs here I'm still shocked) and particularly excruciating as one of dd's best friends is Rawandan and I'm usually sat next to them and I can't help looking at him through her and her parents' eyes.)

Blue well done on the chucking out (and don't worry it always looks worse before looking better!). Good luck with re-jigging your routines!

Big waves to Greymalkin (Oh dear, can you give me another clue? I'm as thick as two short planks emoticon). Can only think of two caffeinated drinks and still wondering ... .

Vivacia well done on operation deep clean/decoration prep!

Big feathery waves to everyone else! Right, 9am is approaching. Just time to make a cup of tea and start!

Have a good start to the week everyone!

x post Welcome back Jemima! Don't worry, we all dip in and out. And I for one am always posting but not necessarily Flying!

Sorry Greymalkin!! brain has just clicked in to gear!!! (evidently takes a long time to warm up these days!!) Just realised who you are. Pls ignore my post below!! Oh dear ...

Swan btw - just read your posts on other thread! How exciting!! Congratulations to your ds2 on his audition! Incredibly courageous of him! Can't quite imagine you as one of "those" stage mothers somehow (smile] but you deserve ten amerit awards for queueing for four hours or so!! That's dedication!

Marking spot, been away for the weekend, back later.

Stomp, stomp, stomp. Hello, I'm back if you will have me

Hello! May I sign sheepishly back in please?

to do
Type up as much as possible of Xmas quiz
Book meet-the-meerkats experience (my birthday present! :o)
Wash bra!
Hang out bra
Drop DD's lunchbox at school on way to work

Hi all

Jumping back in!! Got lost on the November thread as we all got ill. Started with the usual cough and cold but spent all of last week with all 4 of us battling a lingering tummy bug!

We are all on the mend now but it has opened up my eyes to hygiene again - bleach and anti bac wipes are my new best friends and they come round the house as I go now

As I result of this I am edgy (suffer with anxiety and depression) and I can't seem to sit still now - I spot something to do/clean and I would rather just do it than sit and stare at it! This is a vast improvement on 6 weeks or so ago when I just sat and watched the chaos take over. Think my meds are well and truly kicking in as motivation has never been my strong point now I have loads of it

ta da
Beds made
Living room windows cleaned
Living room doors & sills wiped
Next load of washing ready to put in
Kitchen work tops cleaned
Shoe rack decluttered
December budget sorted

to do
Hang load of washing up (put prepped load in)
Washing up & sink shine
Mop kitchen floor & damp swish hall floor
Put away shoes rejected from shoe rack
Exercise class tonight

Phew think that's today wrapped up! Have a good one everyone!!

Well, I've had a free "winter check" of my car at Halford's this morning. Popped into the toy store and picked up a few items for Christmas. Tidied up a little.

Just relaxing a bit, then going to organise my shopping list for an online delivery later this week.

I have things going on all week, but I'm trying to make sure I still have time each day to relax a little and just enjoy the holiday season, rather than run myself ragged.

No sneaking back in ladies, stomp in heads held high and then collapse in the naughty corner. (We have comfy cushions, bar, coffee machine, nice selection of teas, cakes and alcohol)

Not sure if I'll being doing daily update tonight as I think I have a costume to make for DD for tomorrow!mthe things you miss when they're off sick.

Done in no particular order
Beds
Windows
Rubbish/recycling out
Dry laundry away
S&S
Vacuumed flat
Tidied shoe rack
Cleaned wall behind shoe rack
Library
Delivered Art Village magazines to local cafés
Washing up
Bit shopping

To do
Collect Dd
Make 2-3 phone calls
Dd to karate
Get shopping I forgot this morning
Dinner
Washing up & SS
COSTUME (sob)
Price up commission for baby leggings

BBL

Morning.Today has not gone to plan so far I have overslept, put in a complaint for a quite frankly shockingly packaged parcel, rung student loans, rung the doc and found out that was a waste of time, spot treated the rug, sorted ds' kit for tonight, and about to go put some potatoes on for some mash for tea. In the meantime I have ds to training and rug washing plus chemical removal from carpet left to do on my to do list. Not my favourite jobs and frankly this picture sums it up:

Ok then stomping back in with my big clod hopper boots and walking straight to that coffee machine in the naughty corner

Thanks for the welcome and the feedback :)

Inspired by you all I am going to go and tackle the sink and kitchen. I do find that leaving clothes out the night before makes my day start much more smoothly so might try and plan five outfits for the week.

Ta Das after coming home from work:
Made dinner
Supervised instrument practice and tested spellings
Ironed uniforms for tomorrow
Started preparing chicken and leek pie for dinner tomorrow
Washed swimming kits after DS2 and DD's swimming lessons

To Do
Put rest of laundry away
Tumble dry swimming towels
Put another load of washing on
Tesco delivery due any minute
Pack my lunch for tomorrow (more of my butternut squash soup - hurrah for batch cooking!)

DD has brought some decorations home that she made in Brownies. They are dropping glitter on the carpet. It is going to be a loooong December.

Hope your DS is OK Bitchy

Type up as much as possible of Xmas quiz
Book meet-the-meerkats experience oops forgot again
Wash bra!
Hang out bra
Drop DD's lunchbox at school on way to work

Bitchy I didn't see the thread you are referring to but I hope your DS is ok :(

LINKS FOR TUESDAY 2nd DECEMBER

Day 2 and I almost forgot to do the links!

Babystep 2 is to get dressed to lace up shoes. I understand the thinking behind that but it's another one I don't do. (Not setting a good example here) However if it gets you in the right frame of mind..

Tuesday is Planning day

This week we are in the Lounge, Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room

Tuesday's mission is to choose your own mission WTF? Crotchet & tea Actually just set your timer for 15 minutes and do something that needs to be done in the area of Zone 1. If you need to vacuum, dust or do a 27 fling, go for it! Take the time to just get something done.

The Launch Pad is here

Christmas Links

Holiday Control Journal

Christmas Mission 2 is to spend 15 minutes decorating somewhere (Alice probably can skip this one )

Ok just seen Bitchy's post, hope your DS is ok.

Poor DS, Bitchy . I hope the school is dealing with it (assuming it happened in school). And I know what you mean about Xmas - it can be very difficult for some children (not to mention, adults).

Will have to read and run as I have loads to do before bed and because, frankly, this spacebarstickingisdrivingmenuts! I'm so fed up of banging the spacebar. My contribution to MN is going to be severely curtailed until it's sorted . But I'll still be reading.

Have you tried shaking it upside down toffee ? I find that sometimes helps to dislodge crumbs that might be lurking and causing it to stick.

Ds was fine once he had ranted and raged at me and I had guessed (totally by accident as was actually being flippant) what had happened. Then it all came pouring out. And i shall be dealing with the incident tomo

I used to love christmas preps and stuff now I just dread it. It is so much hard work emotionally it never feels like it is worth it :(

Good morning! Hope everyone OK.

Save for usual morning & afternoon routines, rubbish & recycling and a bit of ironing, Flying yesterday just didn't happen I was at work for five hrs, then survived usual school run and ballet scrum and then it was hwk supervision/reasonably healthy supper/ bed. I was too tired to do anything else for some reason.

Weather is cold and miserable and grey here. It barely got light yesterday and it looks as though today will be the same.

Ta da:
morning routine inc, dd's packed lunch, rabbits, wm, s&s, dining room table hot spots

To do:
more parcels
banking
sort three appts
HOME OFFICE
chemist run
laundry
on-line shopping
make soup
change beds

Doesn't look much but home office could take weeks! Being realistic, need to get it in to a state where I can fit in my wrapping and card writing station and so that things, if not pristine, are reasonably accessible and can be sorted thoroughly (ie paper by paper, file by file) at a later date.

Toffee have a look here It looks like compressed air might possibly do the trick??

Bitchy sorry to hear that there has been another incident at your ds's school and hope they are supportive in dealing with it tomorrow. Glad to hear your ds was OK (eventually) but sorry you are having to deal with all the fall-out/stress. Sympathies wrt Christmas angst too x

Thanks for links Goth!

Good to have you back Inadaydream (glad you are all feeling better now and motivation has returned!)

Hi to Fuzzpig and arf at meeting meerkats

Waves to Feetheart been wondering where you were !!

Waves to Jemima, Oneskinnychip Alice swan whoknows Engels Blue Castle Honu and everyone else I've missed!!

Had better get on ... .

Morning DS has been waking at stupid o'clock every morning for almost a week. 4:15 this morning! Managed to get him to go back to sleep for just under an hour before he was up again.

Sorry to hear about you DS Bitchy, hope he isn't too hurt and school back you up in dealing with it. I went absolutely ballistic in a shopping centre once when a child old enough to know better spat in my baby DSs face last year. I got the rage and it was not pretty.... So, don't blame you for being cross at all.

Got lots to do today, mostly errands in town and general tidying. I might even get the mission done too!

But Hark! the herald, the coffee pot calls....

Morning SC, sounds to me like you did loads yesterday!

There are quite a few fledglings on here always who seem to get so much done. Most days, I only get the basics bare minimum done, hardly ever get onto missions and I rely on my fortnightly cleaner to do most stuff. I have a lovely, but infuriatingly messy and careless DH and a very destructive toddler. So I never seem to be on top of things...