Festive building work, house moving and fledglings flying. Gotta be the December thread.

[CantSee4Looking]

Morning

It's December. Are you ready for this?
festive cleaning, decluttering and then the required throwing about of sparkly stuff in the name of the holidays? No? Yeah neither are the rest of us. But let's do this.

So we sorta follow the Fat fairy and her fly lady system. We have adapted to suit lifestyles and sometimes roll our eyes at the fluffiness of the website but we do:
1. 15mins decluttering
2. Missions and Zones
3. have a naughty corner bar but someone else can decorate it this year

All the links can be found from the launch pad

But as it is the 1st of December It is babystep 1. This one looks easy. Shine your sink.

missions are here

The zone is zone 1 which is the porch, dining room and hallway. 15minutes folks, 15 minutes. get that decluttering done.

Tuesday is planning day

And just for the crazy people Christmas missions are here

the 1st Christmas mission

Oh yeah, the disclaimers:
long running thread, regulars been here years so can seem clicky, we're not. Newbies are always welcome we just as you to be respectful

Lauren

this is the one dd and friends will be attempting

And this is the template

Noted on telly prog the other day that some people strongly advocate use of royal icing for joins and others are firmly in the home made caramel camp!
Got the impression that the 'glue' is key and that long cocktail sticks also necessary tool!

SC ooh keeping the roof on always makes me feel so much better When I feel very gloomy about the house and my own organisational skills I just remember the joy of having the roofer mend the chimney stacks last year which took SOOO long to organise, and try and recapture that blissful feeling

what about giving up on fish pie and just having boiled potatoes, fish fillets poached and some green salad? I always think fish pie is to feed the 5000 when you are prepping in advance or else something to freeze in batches, not something to slave over for intime family supper, unless of course you are having a guest in which case perfect dish. Please look after yourself and don't get overtired.

Editing is all very well, but a cousin who edits/trans for free (very good cause, memoirs of older person to do with the Ba...word) said she has begun to feel a bit exploited and badtempered about it. I have a friend who often tries to get me to edit her stuff (for free) and I just feel advice is one thing, editing is a proper paid job. in this case I gave my advice and it didn't go down well

Thanks Knitting!

I remember you going through that chimney upheaval last year!

Yes, was already half way to thinking that we may be dining on "deconstructed" fish pie this evening like those "deconstructed" crumbles you see on Masterchef, but no where near as fancy!

[What is it with all those trails of crumbs and smears and blobs and dots and foams and shards of roasted fish skin? [I lead a sheltered life.] ]

Obsessed with fish pie atm because it = white sauce which = calcium = dd growth spurt!! DD doesn't drink much milk so always trying to think of different ways to get her to consume it!

And yes, those were all the thoughts that were going through my mind about the editing too (about the potential to feel a bit exploited and grumpy) although one of the pros would be that I would receive training in the newer types of type-setting technology which is something I need should I take it up again "properly" and I've always be interested in learning. As you say though, there is no such thing as a "light edit". Must ponder ... .

Good luck with all the party prep!

Glad you had a lovely day cant!

thanks for the links sc...I'm not a very accomplished cook (this is an understatement) so I was considering one of those packs where you just stick them together. Is that cheating?

To do:
ds hospital
mindee to school
wash kitchen floor a la mission
Hoover stairs
Have 5 children round for tea
2 hour round trip to take DP to his home town
Put DS cot bed together (if possible on my own)
Flop with a takeaway

DS appointment was a waste of time, they just wanted to make sure I was happy for him to have an MRI and to let me know they'd booked for his eye test!

Not cheating at all Lauren; blimey I was doing well if I was washed and dressed when dd was a baby never mind doing fancy cooking! (A friend regularly uses the Ikea one)

How frustrating about hospital but good all set for tests!

Safe driving!

[Right, having downed sufficient coffee, I really must close the screen and get back to choring and chauffering duties]

friday is clear out purse and car day

baby step

missions

Decluttering in the kitchen

launch pad

sorry they are a bit late today

nope, specialist school has turned down ds2; I'm relieved as it was too far away anyway - and he had wrong profile for it. But would have helped enormously with his dyslexia/dyspraxic bits! Only one other specialist school to consider, and I suspect that is the wrong one too.

lazy day here, ds2 took himself to and from football with some complaining, Sister was in the wrong place so we didn't meet up afterall just chatted on phone,

made: Bolognese
ds2 had friend round for 3 hours, so I was really just keeping an ear out for them (in the train shed again) Friend very polite, ds2 a bit bossy and kept trying to steal friend's technology!

I've been looking at Sarah Raven#s Gingerbread House recipe (from a book) she says it will take the weekend! Honestly, what with stringing cranberries and spraying artichokes silver...there really will be no time to worry about the housework will there Dh just told me proudly that I can get Bahlsen biscuits from the local Polish shop for 69p when they cost 1.50 in Morrisons.

[totters in wearily]

Survived ballet run but it wasn't half cold, dark and wet walking dog in park; took refuge in pet shop and chatted with amiable African grey parrot; was very relieved when dd finally emerged.

Got home and changed and realised I've been wearing navy blue pyjama bottoms all day by mistake (instead of my standard M&S navy blue wide leg trousers) and pjs are at least a couple of inches too short [must have looked a right loon].

Very cheering end to day though as dd full of beans now holidays are approaching (although she thinks she has failed Latin exam) and she was v. entertaining doing horribly accurate impressions of teacher adjudicators - which I shouldn't encourage - but she has the mannerisms/accents/speech patterns down to a tee! (In fact her impressions are so accurate that one wonders if she actually focused on any of the exam papers at all .)

Hope remaining school has something to offer ds2 Knitting!

Once cooked entire Christmas dinner from Sarah Ravens 'Christmas book' (that silvery one) and it was quite the worst Christmas dinner we have ever had (and we pride ourselves on being reasonably competent cooks in this household). All of the quantities and timings were completely off. Had better add "imo" to that in case her lawyers are circling ... .

[Places bedtime snifters on naughty corner bar for all of those in need]

G'night all!

Laughed out loud at you wearing your PJ trousers all day today, SC .

Amazing that you remember DS2's gingerbread house last year, by the way. It was from a kit from Asda - I can highly recommend their kits, Lauren, but they sell out fast.

I agree with knitting that editing and/or proofreading is hard work and deserves pay. You have enough to do, SC, without taking that task on too.

Had a bit of a mad morning because DH felt too ill to manage the school run. As I was about to leave for work, I had to leave him to make alternative arrangements. Another mum picked up DS2 and brought him home after school, whilst DS1 stayed at home because he only had a half day anyway (it was his last day of term). He was delighted. I asked him to keep an eye on his poorly Dad - so he went straight back to bed and slept till lunchtime.

DS2 had a friend home after school, which DH had to manage because I was at work. I was, perhaps, not quite as sympathetic to all this as he might have liked, having coped with being ill and still having to look after kids countless times myself. However, I did miss my lunchbreak and come home an hour early, so I could take over and make dinner.

Fell asleep on the sofa after DS2's friend had gone home and slept till 10pm. DS2 was very happy he'd had extra hours on the computer, instead of going to bed.

I have been absolutely hopeless about the school Xmas stuff this year. Neither of my children have done any cards for anyone and I only agreed to help at the school winter fair when I was badgered about it by one of the organisers via email . I can just about cope with work and home life, but the demands of school life just feels too much.

Toffee I do sympathise with the Christmas thing. In past years I've felt 'it' ( that Christmas zing ) but can't this year. I think working & moving piles of chaos from one room to another takes its toll. I remember in reception & yr 1 we handmade cards for every single child in the class. Now I can't even remember to buy any

Yeah, the novelty of making your own cards and baking cakes wears off, doesn't it, Still?

However, I have made a list of chores for today and it includes buying Christmas cards. Am also tackling the huge pile of washing that has built up over the past week .

Christmas zing isn't always there. tbh Christmas has felt more of a chore than something to be enjoyed the last few years.

Managed to twist my knee when I tipped over on my ankle last night.

I have a long list of things to do which include getting a birthday card and present for a party tonight. I also want to make microwave fudge. And I also need to dye my hair. Not feeling the love today tbh.

Linkies

Saturday is family fun day.
No missions because it is the weekend
Christmas missions, and catch up at the bottom for those interested
Babystep 12
Launch Pad

Hot flushes and parcel packing is not a good combination although for once I am actually doing the Christmas mission on the day it is set

Dh is finally home but exhausted

DD has post-exam fatigue

All feeling decidedly zing-less here (and I love Christmas generally!)

Stressed out by extended family "issues" this year - not like us at all as we are generally very close - makes you realise how late parents held things together; more than one appreciated when they were alive.

On a brighter note: dog is very relieved to be reunited with his true beloved ie dh

And oh yes to the horror of having to move piles of chaos from one room to another Stillwearing totally totally agree with you about that! I have been doing that very thing most of the morning. [Stares at yet more boxes of sewing materials that will have to be moved from sitting room upstairs to make way for Christmas stuff]

Hope your knee is ok Can't [proffers cold compress] and hope it won't stop you from enjoying the party tonight.

Hope your dh is feeling a bit better Toffee and that the washing pile is diminishing!

How is the greenhouse construction going Knitting? (I don't know why, but I am somehow hankering for you to have it up by Christmas day, filled with pointsettas and Christmas roses and forced hyacinth bulbs!!)

If it's any consolation, not one Christmas card has been written by any one of us here yet... .

Perhaps I should go and buy some "proper" tangerines. Their scent usually makes me feel a bit Christmassy.

Waves to all in the coop!

Just catching up with the thread. Nothing achieved whatsoever except a little home ed yesterday! Still knackered. Still focusing far too much on Christmas presents instead of actually doing anything useful.

Trying out my festive namechange.

Waves to Fuzzypudding (I shall definitely be singing "Fuzzy" instead of "Figgy" tnow!)

Should have included winter flowering jasmine in that list below btw, but not sure if it needs a greenhouse ... oh well... vicarious gardening is better than none at all!

Still wrapping (and doing laundry when I remember)

Our winter flowering jasmine has never been inside a green house and is ok.

knee is officially fooked. nothing has been done as a result. But building work has made significant progress. so there is a chance of hope...

Hi all!

Having a lovely day here, have been and sorted the horses this morning in the snow and DM has DD for a sleep over so me and DS are cabinned up for the night all cosy

I have sorted DS nursery too while he napped so his rooms looking lovely! No plans either apart from Christmas wrapping when he's asleep and trashy X factor tv!

Sending Christmas cheer to you all!

Good afternoon everyone,

Can't how much longer are the builders in for? Hope your knee is better soon

Fuzz - love the festive name change

SC - hopefully your DD can relax and bit now exams are over. I couldn't help but smile at your pajamma excursions!

Toffee hope the job is still going well. It sounds as though your DH has had an almighty reality check at what being a full time parent/home organiser involves

Knitting - we made a ginger bread house a few years ago and one day found the cat licking all the icing roof tiles and window panes off!

I'm going to cheat and post yesterday's Ta da list as I'm so proud of everything I achieved:

Took DS to nursery
Drove across town in rush hour to collect a parcel for a friend
Caught cat and took her to vet for booster vaccinations
MAMMOTH sort out of the dining room:

• filing of important paperwork
• sorted all sheet music out
• gathered up enough paper recycling to fill an entire sack
• found permanent homes for various items
• filled two boxes of random crap to take to charity shop
• emptied small cabinet of random crap Took DSs overnight bag to MIL Took said boxes and cabinet to charity shop Took eBay parcel to post office Took car to car wash Washed up filthy pots and pans Folded and put away four loads of washing Gathered up all the boxes and packaging deliveries have been arriving in, broken up into the recycling Dishwasher Ordered a final Christmas present online Home brewing: *washed and sterilised six bottles *bottled peach wine (bloody hell its good!) *racked demijohn of tea and raisen wine (also bloody good) *washed up dirty demijohns and other equipment Went to bed early as DS was staying with MIL

Today I have:
Slept in til 8:30 (huge lie in!)
Wrapped all Christmas presents
Wrapped birthday present for a party DS has been invited to
Collected DS from MIL, stayed for a catch up
Hand washed bras x3
Boil washed cleaning cloths and tea towels
Washed DHs suit
Washed woollens
Hung up all washing
Dishwasher
Stripped and remade two beds
Threw out out of date wine making supplies
Emptied a kitchen cupboard, threw out clutter, re homed all my wine making equipment into cupboard

Feeling really happy and productive

Well done grey

?

winter jasmine doesn't need a greenhouse (I hve it on a northfacing wall and a dark south eastern wall) SC but the polyantha kind does (white flushed pink florist's kind) Hellebores (Christmas roses) tend to survive outside, although they get a bit raggedy, but there are definitely Mediterranean roses that bloom in winter in a protected cool conservatory. Poinsettas survive in my kitchen...for a bit.

I have found some Christmas candles from last year, a wreath made of foam dd painted and decorated with ribbons a few years ago, and Delia Smith's Xmas cooking, thank goodness for that, was convinced I had decluttered it.

grey what a mammoth list, such a relief to get all those things done and creative things too, what an inspiring post.

Toffee hope dh is feeling better, sounds like a very good compromise that ds1 was able to miss last half day, nothing happens then...Also possibly a relief to see just how you would manage if and when he is ill.. Next time hopefully he will be the one to struggle through not expecting you to sort things out, but at the beginning the social network is more difficult to manoeuvre through if he is not used to it.

Well, dh went to a Bookfair and came back with books he is very pleased with, ruins of Edinburgh was one...He has spent the day poring over purchases and cataloguing them, not quite what I had in mind for Christmas prep, still a very calm atmosphere followed by Thai Takeaway resulted...

Feeling really quite tense about EHCP problems though, and added to this is vague shadow in my mind that tomorrow we are going to Handel's Messiah with my parents (a compromise for not being able to decide on what musical to go to!), I do hate live entertainment although I am sure I will enjoy it when we are there..Just the stress of travel, meeting people at wrong entrance, being stuck in your seat, random frets and irritations not taking into account sublime music and Christmas cheer

Ah sunday. day of pamper, spirit revilatising etc etc

launch pad

sneak peak of the missions for next week

We will be in the bathroom and one other room for zone three

Babystep 13

Can't sleep! Did no Flying, just wrapped some presents yesterday. We went to the St John Ambulance church service (DCs started Badgers recently) which was nice.

Today it's book club for DD and then Beavers for DS in the evening. Got various crafty things in mind for the time in between. I also need to remember to take heaps of stuff to the library which should clear up some space. We are still nowhere near ready to decorate which is rather depressing but I just can't get the energy for more than one day at a time!

Can't sleep either. But am clearly tired as I read you post wondering what the fuck I had done this time