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!

Ooh yes, quite forgot my
dones
great day at a Home Ed workshop in Science museum with some old and new faces. Ds2 again had a wonderful sociable time chasing other children asking science questions and playing the Launchpad afterwards with several others.
lots of energetic walking
painter came and started painting dd's room and tackling the damp chimney breast

roofer is coming tomorrow. will just have concentrate on the fact that horrid as building work is at least it will all be over in a week which is more than most people can say. And dd will have a lovely fresh bedroom with new paintwork instead of a tatty blueberry coloured bolthole festooned with clutter. I have put all the clutter in sacks and hope she won't ask for any of it back (0ld school photos, artwork etc) so that I can quietly put it in the loft.

Dd is sleeping in our room atm which is a dosser's paradise. Mattresses and clothes everywhere.

Have done nothing Xmas related. Except two stocking fillers. Luminous shoes laces and an egg timer which changes colour.

I lied we have local road closures due to snow and ice. Not really surprising with the roads involved. Snnoooooooooooow. We need a snowman emoticon!

Swan the egg time that changes colour sounds epic!

LINKS FOR TUESDAY 9th DECEMBER

Babystep 9 is learning how to declutter for 15 minutes a day and to add a 5 minute room rescue to your morning routine.

Tuesday is Planning day

This week we are in Zone 2:The Kitchen

Tuesday's mission is to wipe down the kitchen worksurfaces. Just move stuff like kettles and microwaves, don't start clearing sides as it should only take 15 minutes.

The Launch Pad is here

Christmas Mission 7 is to work out your Christmas budget. I guess FL is not a fan of Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

Welcome Pippa, pull up a comfy chair and help yourself to Don't try to do too much at the start. The thread starts fresh every month (as do my routines)

Got DD's window done fairly successfully, the plastic stuck to the tape, but the tape wasn't great at sticking to the window frame, so it's had added staples. You can see the breeze pushing at the plastic, but it's made a huge difference cutting out the draught.

Swan it must be difficult trying to even think about Christmas when you are expecting builders. It will be all worth it.

Bitchy where abouts are you? (don't worry I'm not going to drop in) We had a covering of hail yesterday, but no snow. I may walk up to the viewing point in the park tomorrow to see if there's snow on top of Ben Lomond It's 29 miles away, but we get a good view and it has been the only snow we've seen in the last 2 years. DD is gutted, we move to Scotland but it hardly ever snows in Glasgow.

Northwest. There are some high spots and bendy steep roads which can get closed just because of ice let alone snow. I don't expect it to last It is not cold enough yet. We need an extended period of cold before this sort of weather hits if we want it to stick. Not looking forwards to the gale force winds they are predicting for wednesday.

Glad there's no snow here! Just about keeping on top of the laundry and kitchen and that's about it.

Evening all! Just tbought I would catch up with the thread before sloping off to bed.

Thank you Swan Toffee and Bitchy - your words are very comforting and wise re: dd (as ever!). Thank heavens for this thread.

Think I would be pretty crap at home educating; can't even sort basic revision without losing my patience - so take my hat off to those of you who do it every day.

All much sunnier (thank heavens) this evening though as she was chosen to dance with a boy at ballet and she is always on better form having expended lots of physical energy. I also called in to the 'fritkot' on the way home and bought chips to go with our cold chicken bribery always works wonders.

Safe driving Bitchy!

Toffee sorry to hear the furries are causing extra stress. Have you tried posting for advice on the litter tray topic? Don't know much about cats but presumably you have tried lots of climbing poles and fishing type 'thing on a string' games and getting them to work for their food a bit (hiding it around)? Again, apologies if I am suggesting patently obvious strategies already tried. And congrats on your humungous list today - certainly looks like lots of Flying to me!

Swan Science museum exped sounds absolutely fab. So great that ds2 is making good friendships.

Good luck coping with roofers and painters! It will be worth it having it all spick and span before Christmas! Hope they don't leave you with too much mess to clear up.

Re: the self-motivation thing - well that is a huge thing that your ds1 has become more autonomous when travelling/singing/reading - congrats to you both - those are hugely important skills.

Think I need to step back and look at the bigger picture - as dd is doing a lot better than she used to. It's just that we seem to be constantly behind the curve, so it's hard to spot! And distractability element doesn't seem to have improved much. Did manage to get her interested in a news report tonight though about a 2, 500 yr old Eyptian mummy (14 yr old boy)whose sarcophagus was recently opened up in a Chicago Museum. Need to do more ofthat kind of thing - trying to bring the academic/theoretical to life.

Apart from that, just about kept up with washing/cooking and bought a few more presents on-line.

Finding the (reduced) budget hard to stick to this year Goth (thanks for links) but it must be done somehow.

G'night all!

Morning all, I've been lurking for a few days, been ill :(

Just about managed to keep up with basic stuff, all Christmas cards written and presents wrapped, just a few more to get and then done.

I sewed a new pillow case for DSs bed yesterday using some if DHs old shirts he was throwing out. I've never tried appliqué before but had a go; it's no master piece but I enjoyed doing it.

This mornings Ta da list:
Washing machine on
DW loaded
Cats fed
Dinner planned, ingredients out
Bins out

Taking DS out to a play place this morning with a friend and her DD then I have DHs accounts to go through or should I save that for anti procrastination day? Oh the irony

today to do
pay roofer
do something towards Xmas
(okay yesterday I booked some tickets to Eire from the 28th-2nd - a start)
ring carpet people in Eire re: large rug to cover stone flags
supervise ds2 doing phonics (he is supposedly doing them now)

um...well...car needs cleaning out
need to book MOT
buy some Christmas cards???

[buries head in sand again]
excuse - have been up all night with cough...

Took a day off and headed off to my fabric and wool shop which requires a hour and half drive to get to. Good food was had and everything needed got. Although i still feel like death and don't want to do anything. The weekend is starting to catch up with me.

Hope you shift the cough and feel better soon Swan

SC you confused me? I had wise words re dd recently? happily to take credit but not sure i have done anything that deserves credit. The others have been full of far more wise words recently.

Alice where are you? Come back we need tales of enjoying christmas! it balances out all the screaming here especially as you get sn kids find it hard too COME BACK!!

Well done on the pillowcase project grey

done
roof is fixed YAY! and gutters cleaned out

however I have fallen out with John Lewis in attempt to get ds1 the right size school coat but they don't stock bigger than a 38" and no-one will explain to me whether this is a generously sized 38 or a mingy stingy 38 in which case it will be too small. As his 38 jumper is way too small atm...

I hate them I hate them I hate them, but I had to order the wretched 38 or he will freeze to death.

rung school to complain and they said the 38 fitted their PE teachers. who admittedly are muscular and broadshouldered...

Now in state about cooking parents supper. and tidying house.

And also have to drive to back of beyond to pick up dd in filthy car.

LINKS FOR WEDNESDAY 10th DECEMBER

Babystep 10 is all about the power of 15 minutes. You can do anything for 15 minutes, especially if you know you'll be stopping when the timer goes.

Wednesday is Anti-procrastination day

This week we are in Zone 2:The Kitchen

Wednesday's mission is to get a toothbrush and scrub the kitchen sink taps.

The Launch Pad is here

Christmas Mission 8 is a choice of either:

1. Preparing the guest room, or wherever they will be sleeping. Check linens (sheets, towels etc) are ready and if you know of certain needs that your guest will have prepare a list that will help you keep those in mind.

1. Take 15 minutes today to get your serving dishes, plates and silverware ready. Take a look at what you have, what you want to use and try to get these items ready.

Swan Yay re roof, and fingers crossed that DS's coat fits

Bitchy what did you get? ? I have limited space for my yarn stash so have to vicariously enjoy others. Hope you've battened down the hatches for tomorrow, we've had it quite blowy today. DD has been clinging on to DH both on the way to school and back. I don't think she'd blow away, but she wasn't so sure.

Grey pictures please? Not tried appliqué yet is it fiddly?

SC I'm sure you are doing marvellously well with DD, sometimes you are too close to a situation to see the steps you have made. Reading about Engles and the potty training reminded me of how I used to despair over my DD (especially as she was 8) but I had completely forgotten about it.

Blue keeping on top of laundry is a major achievement at this time of year.

Thanks Goth, true enough, especially as we have to wash DS1's entire bedding every morning. [mutters] wish the people from the enuresis clinic who said no pull-ups would come and do the laundry [/mutters]

Yay to roof, Swan.

Courage to SC.

Pillowcase sounds good, Greymalkin.

I am ridiculously happy to have made a very basic scarf and one and a bit wrist warmers in crochet. Again no masterpieces, but they qualify as Things that I have made. :)

Flying, er... what's that?

done
parents to supper, food cooked, all v relaxed, and my Dad even managed to enjoy talking to ds2 (who is very loud and exhausting if you are deaf) about aeroplanes/aeroplane disasters

picked up dd and her friend, very long drive but that went well too, dd's friend extremely funny and good company

ds1 saga continues (although not this evening) but had several phone calls to his science teacher about the Foundation paper versus the Higher. He needs to do the work and I need to make him do the work - Newtonian indeed (energy transfer)

dd is suffering from terrible sinus so tomorrow she is not going in. She sneezed nearly 100 times this evening but at least that means tomorrow we don't have to get up at 6,30am. (or wash her brown tights - she only seems to have one pair

Am sucking strepsils but my cough is driving me mad at night - neither chocolate or cough medicine makes any difference. Then when I wake up it has gone - very odd - only to return later in afternoon or when I take exercise.

Bitchy thought of a whole shop of fabric as long as it is not John Lewis

Evening.

Yes, all people who have completed craft projects ... we want to see the pics!!!

Have been probed, pricked, pummelled and scanned all day!
Spent morning at medical appt. Had another one in the afternoon.

And a meeting with head teacher this eve.

All went reasonably well but house looked extra shabby/cluttered/tattered/worn/mismatched upon return. The thought of adding decorations on top is a tad depressing frankly... !!

Glad driving and parents supper went well Swan and that gutters sorted! Hope coat saga ends well too! And look after that cough! (As it gets worse as day goes on, do you think it could be an allergy rather than a virus, perhaps exacerbated by builders/paint?) Hope your dd feels better soon too.

Glad I am not the only one with a loud and exhausting child. DD tends to get an energy surge just before bed and currently, we either get a 'ballet/jazz hands/songs from the shows' type performance or a run-through of her entire folder of Christmas carols

Another ditto wrt Newtonian energy transfer. DD needs to do more work. And I need to get her to do more work; but she needs to do this autonomously . She also needs to get more sleep. Not terribly surprising information.

Bitchy just meant t'was a comfort when you said 'children can be a nightmare' down thread! Enjoy your stash!

Greymalkin sorry you have been ill and hope you are on the mend. You've done well to write cards/wrap presents whilst below par.

Congrats on the crocheting Blue!

Thank you Goth I know you are right. Parenthood is a marathon not a sprint and I know I need to relax and drink more gin take the long view And thanks for Christmas missions; am finding them pretty useful/relevant this year.

Dh has been out at a business dinner tonight, so I went to bed at the same time as dd around 8.45pm and of course, now he has returned, I've woken up and am wide awake ... . Had better do something useful like write Christmas cards or something ... .

Big feathery waves to all fledglings!

But but I was goooooooooood. I only bought 2 balls of wool just enough to finish a project (well only needed one ball I think but 2nd was for being sure as can always use the other ball).

Swan it was not John Lewis bloody fabric rip offs It is part of a chain but the one that is local is no where near as good as the one which is a drive.

Ah SC it had me worried. I like to try to remember advice I give and for the life of me thought I was going mad

Just to make all the crafters there is 1 double storey building with just fabric and a whole separate building just for wool. And they do rather a lovely line in fabulous food too. It is rather a fabulous place.

Sorry can't do pictures as the projects are incredibly identifying.

Ah flying. Flying is on hold as I broke myself cleaning the carpets this weekend. I am so sore and tired I couldn't even manage to hold a hook earlier and moving (once i sat down) was not even an option. I am not planning to do anything flying wise for the rest of the week. I have to as there is a minor issue of a party here at the weekend and there is not furniture in the lounge yet. :(

bitchy I will remind you that you asked alice to come and regale you with tales of Christmas !

sc and goth - totally true about being too close to your own child to be able to be subjective sometimes. Give me 30 teenagers who are not mine over my own 3 year old any day. Other people's children are always easier!

Hope appt with HT goes well sc

Welcome pippa !

Well done blue - I have never knitted anything (though my Dsis2 has just got into knitting so am expecting baby booties to arrive in the post any day now for Christmas from the other side of the world!).

Hope everyone who's feeling ill or with ill DCs feels better soon, grey and swan

toffee thought about putting a Christmas tree in a playpen?! Some friends told me that's what they did to protect their tree from marauding toddlers (though guessing kittens would be a bit defter at scaling the sides!). When we had a kitten a million years ago we had to make sure there were no baubles or chocolates on the lower branches and the rest survived.

Yesterday's ta da
supermarket
bottle bank
garden centre for decoration supplies
popped into shopping centre
Christmas wrapping - DS, DH and ILs
washing up
meat out freezer for dinner
paper recycling out for collection
emptied outside bin
2x washing

DS had a good day without nappies at nursery - one accident when he didn't get there in time. Fx for today!

Today's ta da
DS off to nursery
Made a Christmas decoration! (will post before and after pics in a minute!)

To do
put yesterday's washing away
change our bed
washing
mw appt this afternoon
weed front bed if it stops raining
Hang wreath on front door and lights inside/outside
Finish Christmas wrapping/Christmas eve box and make sure EVERYTHING is clearly labelled in case baby is here/I'm in labour so they're DH-proof
Pop into town for a few bits - maybe haircut
Reply to emails from friends
Write cards/wrap a few more parcels

BBL!

From this...

...to this!

Engels please do. I like Christmas in December. I don#t like arogant teachers and teaching assistants that tell ds that Christmas is fun and he has to enjoy it when the 'fun' activities actually cause him distress due to sensory overload and his experience of it is not fun. Yes you enjoy it, but understand this is not everyone's experience and stop downgrading his opinion just because it is not the same as yours. This year has not been so bad but last year was an absolute nightmare.

We don't do anything Christmassy at my school because we're international so cater to lots and lots of different faiths and cultures. The show I am usually in charge of at the end of term which I'm incidentally still getting emails about even though I'm on ML is great fun, but no mention of the C word!

ta da
made bow to go on door wreath and hung on door!

Not so bad in Secondary school here either Engels But primary school is a whole heap of festive fun activities. Most kids really enjoy them but a few find them incredibly difficult. I am not asking them to change them but to understand he can not manage them. His teacher is good this year and he has been pulled out of a number of activities. We have been working on his communication skills but we had a bit of a fail. Progress in hindsight but I had hoped unrealistically for more. Which was totally my fault and is now fixed but does highlight why he is not telling his teacher or school about the bullying he can't, but he can now tell me which a year ago he couldn't so we have progress. Frustrating progress but progress non the less. And I need to have a rethink about my expectations of him, because it is them which is wrong and not ds' actions. He has worked hard to achieve what he has.

Sorry Xmas is so difficult for your DS, Bitchy. It was just the same for my DS at school. His request for his birthday this year was that please, could it just be a normal day like any other with no 'fuss'. Really, I don't understand why some teachers don't 'get' it that for a significant minority of children the sensory stuff and change is a nightmare.

Engels - that's very pretty . Thanks for the tip about the playpen, but it's long since gone and I'd actually rather not bother with a tree this year. DS2 and I are planning to make an alternative crafty tree that the kittens can't get at.

ta da

B/fasts for DC and kittens
Swished and swiped in bathroom
Tidied bathroom surfaces
Washing on
Unloaded and reloaded d/w
Wiped kitchen counters
Emptied kitchen bin
DS1's teacher here
Maths and History with DS2
Lunch

I need to prepare DS2 for his filling on Friday. He couldn't go through with the injection last time, but needs to try again this week. Am going to look out helpful videos - any ideas welcome.