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 managed to drive to Richmond Common today - a feat of daring for me...only because the Boxing Day Traffic was so quiet. We met some friends and shame and lack of buses pushed me to drive. It was fine. As most things in life are if you try harder

Adoring my sheepskin boots. Friend with fancy walking boots said her feet were freezing. I love outdoors when I am wearing those boots - they have been the best Christmas present ever.

Ds1 had to stay at home because he refused to sit next to his brother on the car journey I think we have outgrown our existing car which is a very old Renault Scenic or else we need to do what dh suggests...always take public transport to avoid these scenes..

Otherwise a good day, fresh air exercise children behaving slightly better than they were yesterday evening [triple hmm] and dd enjoyed talking to a girl on our a walk (friend's daughter)

Christmas went quite well - Mass, lovely present giving Father Christmas/am but deteriorated after 4pm as dh and I both had indigestion after consuming too much of those Christmas dishes that the dcs refused to try (stuffing, red cabbage, sprouts, hot mustard and flaming pudding!)

Castlelough when is baby due? Is it two weeks or less?

Engels hope you are okay

Goth thank you for the thread and hope you had a lovely pj day. I think we are having another one tomorrow from the looks of it

castle I'm almost too scared to ask whether the car seat is for a relative who is coming to visit...

All is indeed well with the little Trazzles, thank you. DS had a routine MRI last week (a year post-treatment) and we get the results in January.

I'm increasing my work hours to a 3 day week in January and so will no longer have a spare childless day for housework so really need to get organised. DS is now full time at school. DD is almost 3 and I have a lovely new kitchen to keep clean. Turns out Belfast sinks look so beautiful in magazines because no one actually uses them

Hello trazzles ! Lovely to see you!

Sheepskin boots sound divine swan - where did they come from? (link? ). I bought myself some sheepskin slippers last month and they are so comfy and necessary when I got to the stage that I couldn't put my slipper socks on

We had a lazy Boxing Day, just the 3 of us. Especially good after yesterday's shenanigans. FIL was very mature and basically didn't talk to any of us (me, DH, BIL and SIL) only the DGC. I don't know what he told or didn't tell MIL but apparently she told DH that he should "show his father some respect" (I didn't know this till we got home, good as otherwise I would have to have said something). Ironic since I was the one who called him on his selfish behaviour on Christmas Eve rather than DH. Still, when FIL isn't talking to us life does seem a bit calmer and quieter so silver linings...

We mainly stayed indoors but had a short walk. Picnic tea (cheese and biscuits etc!)

I have just been very grinch-like and taken down the Christmas tree and most of the decorations. Mainly because I can't imagine having to do it next week if baby arrives (which I think it will). Now I can carry on making house presentable. The only thing keeping me doing the washing up religiously every day atm is the idea that the baby could arrive tomorrow and I'll have visitors and strangers in my house for the next week (kraamzorg, mw, family!).

Ta da
Tree and decorations down
1 wash done and away
washing up
swept kitchen
emptied bathroom bin
chatted with DM and skyped best friend

LINKS FOR SATURDAY 26th DECEMBER

Babystep 26 is to be aware that you are not behind in the Flylady system. It takes a month to establish a habit 18 months and counting for the early nights

Saturday is Family Fun Day

As it's the weekend there are NO missions!

The Launch Pad is here

Trazzles car seat is for my little baby - due to arrive in 10 more sleeps....!!! It is now the cleanest car seat in the country . Glad things are going so well with you.

Swan your day sounded lovely, as do your new boots!

Engels You are truly organised and impressive!!! Sorry to hear DFiL made the day difficult.

Thanks for links Goth and hope your pj day went well!

Ellie hope you are enjoying your movie night? I'm eagerly awaiting Downton Abbey Christmas special.

I am castle. So far....Santa Claus the Movie..Grease...New Years Eve and now Four Christmases. All schmaltzy shite but very enjoyable schmaltzy shite. Turkey leftovers eaten. Wine and chocolates on the go. Was worried I might feel lonely on Boxing Day on my own. No need to have worried. It is bliss.

Oh castle I am absolutely flipping overjoyed and bloody delighted for you. HOORAH!

And lots and lots of impending congratulations to you as well Engels xxx

Morning fledglings, how are we all?

Every time I check the thread I expect Castle and Engles to put up a ta da list that simply says 'had baby'! Fingers crossed for you both and sending you

Ta da so far:
Major Declutter of kitchen drawer, matched up plastic pots with their lids, chucked odd ones, culled tea towels, wiped all round the drawer and re packed. So pleased with it I took a picture for you!!

Dishwasher
Fed cats and mini-malkin
Started culling magazines on sofa

Mini-malkin got so many lovely new toys for Christmas that I'm planning on having a cull of all his old ones. I can't cross the living room without kicking or tripping over his stuff!

Ta da!

Very impressive, Grey!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. We have snow here - but it only came yesterday. It would have been nice to have had it a day or two earlier in time for Christmas as it looks lovely (and we haven't had enough for it to be a nuisance), but DD1 was quite excited about it snowing on her birthday.

We've just taken down most of our Christmas decorations and the tree as I didn't think I could face coming back to them all in early January, and I'm now doing some last-minute packing.

Just wondering whether anyone would be interested in a copy of Fly Lady's book (here, but it's a slightly older edition with a lovely pink cover ). I decluttered my books a month or two back so now have a huge pile in the cellar - have managed to pass a few on to friends, but no one seems interested in Sink Reflections. I'd be happy to pass it on if anyone would like it, otherwise I'll take it to Oxfam (have already packed it - it's come to something when the easiest-to-get-to charity shop is a flight away!).

Linzer I'd quite fancy a look at it, but would be happy to post it on to someone else once I'd read it.

Started Flapping again today (not sure if it's full on Flying)

Done
Beds
Laundry on

To do
Get Dd outside for a walk today she's not been out for a week

ta da
check weather like a manic person
send a whole heap of emails and phone calls about
Have a minor nervous breakdown
give ds his christmas stocking presents

to do
pack stuff for road trip
breakfast and up
sort car stuff for in worse case senerio
Consider checking sanity

No problem Goth, just PM me your address and I'll get it in the post to you next week.

Grey I'm looking forward to that ta-da list! Will have to wait til am on laptop to see your photo!

Ta-Da:
Breakfast in bed!!!!

Am quite astonished DH managed tea on toast on the Aga (we put in a 1940s reconditioned electric to new house) and he managed without me showing him how! It is a lifesaver as our worktops (and therefore gas hob) won't be put in for another 2 weeks and I haven't figured out the double oven at all (manual missing in the general new house clutter)... and we haven't yet bought a kettle or toaster - I am waiting to face the sales....

And thanks Trazzles for your excitement!!! :-))))

To Do:

1. Laundry x several loads...

1. Sweep out new hot press and try to organise some of our clothes in there, as we have no wardrobes in the new house yet, and no money to put in wardrobes for 6 mths or so. The cheapie Argos rails I bought keep falling down .

1. Have DH figure out how to put isofix base into the car and trial the maxi cosi on it!

1. Repack hospital bags.

1. Feed 2 and 4- legged residents and generally keep on top of what has already been achieved here!

To Do:

1. Laundry x several loads...

1. Sweep out new hot press and try to organise some of our clothes in there, as we have no wardrobes in the new house yet, and no money to put in wardrobes for 6 mths or so. The cheapie Argos rails I bought keep falling down .

1. Have DH figure out how to put isofix base into the car and trial the maxi cosi on it!

1. Repack hospital bags.

1. Feed 2 and 4- legged residents and generally keep on top of what has already been achieved here!

Sorry for double post grrrrrrr

Morning all (afternoon here already!).

Has been snowing all morning here. Waiting for it to stop so we can go outside with DS.

Tucked up under a blanket watching CBBC panto with DS while DH snoozes on the sofa.

Other than that, no plans for today (though would love to add "Had baby" to my ta da list!).

Right, I am about to head out. I am due back around 9pm but might not get back online until 10pm. I will come back and let you know I am safe. But I am fully stocked with heat packs, and snow chains etc so don't worry too much. Also only travelling on main roads today.

Safe travelling Bitchy!! Take it steady!

Great to know you spent a lovely Christmas in your new house Castle!!

And great that you enjoyed boxing day Ellie - I was wondering how you were getting on.

Bracing walk in Richmond Park in furry boots sounds wonderful Swan!

And great to have you back Shannara and Trazzles!!

Brilliant that ds is now in full time school Trazzles news that literally brought tears to my eyes!!

Very impressed and by your organisational skills Linzer and Ëngels in that you are ready to take the decorations down having only got mine up but can understand the reasons why.

Congrats on thoroughly good declutter Greymalkin that is one of my many jobs for NY too

Big waves to Toffee Goth Alice Honu Mercury Nicknacks Feetheart Pushme Jemima Fuzzpig and everyone I have missed!!

Had a really lovely Christmas as possible (and dd certainly had a lovely time with her aunt and friends!) given that fil is seriously ill and they have upped his morphine so dh is feeling very down. We had a lovely time with our guests though - now all departed save for dsis1.

DD made us laugh during the Queen's speech when she described the Queen's Christmas tree as "très vulgaire" One of her aunts has bought her a space-hopper (do you remember those in the 70s???) and she has been happily hopping from room to room and even managing to eat various snack meals whilst sitting on it! We've had her sledge out today though as it is snowing here!! The snow is a bit wet but it has been coming down consistently and as it is due to be -5 here tonight, it may yet settle.

Dh has flown off to visit his df and dsis today for a at least five days (he's gone earlier than planned because of the seriousness of the sitauation) and dd and I hope to be following shortly if we can find a flight that isn't too extortionate and can find a hotel room that isn't booked (fil lives in one bedroom flat) and they live in part of France that celebrates NY very exuberantly so hotels packed full (and v expensive too).

Also partly staying behind (obviously) because I am battling a migraine and feeling really tired post-guests and need to organise the house a little more before leaving (it has exploded again and there are piles and piles of bed linen to launder) and partly because we are not sure it is a suitable environment for dd as fil rather distressed at times. Sil says it definitely isn't a suitable situation for dd but would like to be there for dh as he is the sort of person who is rarely down or despondent but he is finding this (understandably) very difficult. Dsis may head back to UK with dd yet to leave me free to go - we are just trying to decide.

Heigh ho!! May not get the chance to post again so hope all you lovely fledglings have a very happy and healthy and peaceful New Year!! Here's to Flying High in 2015!!!!!

And good luck to Engels and Castle - will be thinking of you both xxx

Tally-hooooo!!!!

that 'obviously' below should have had 'because of dsis1' - sorry to bore with tedious arrangements!!!