Fledglings fly into December to party hard.

[HillsBesideTheSea]

Morning.

Tomorrow is December 1st which means roll call for the fledglings and shiny new thread. It might seem a bit clicky but it is because it is a long term thread, park your arse in the naughty corner for moral support, natter and various delicious goodies. Oh and smidge of housework too.

We follow the flylady system HOWEVER we adapt it to suit the circumstances of our lifes and sometimes we ignore the slightly more fluffy/bonkers babysteps --because we can and there ain't no one the boss of us

How you have been doing the links = fine
how I have been doing links = NOT fine

that help?

Pops head in.

Time for some virtual I think Hills!

Waves to Zoo! You alright chuck?

Klaxon! I have finished my Christmas cards!

However, they're not posted, and it's quite cold....

I haven't written any cards for years. Far too lazy. Oh apart from the occasional one I guess but as a rule I don't.

Gah I am so disorganized it costs so much money. New baby and Christmas chaos is an unfortunate timing clash! Seriously need to be better at, well, all of it.

I have put baby in sling and we are going to Badgers now but via town to pick up changing bag. Will take buggy too. I've put a wash on but that's it

Have you looked at YNAB Cag? It stopped us being disorganised with our finances.

Great that they have located your bag Cag! Have a good time at Badgers!

Very well done re: cards Callmecordelia I've barely started mine yet! Argh! Think office presents/cards are going to be in the NY (which is much more customary here anyway).

Agree it all costs a fortune though [sigh]

Haven't tried it but I have heard good things! I'm on the frugaleers threads which has definitely made a huge difference overall it's just things like not being organized enough to, say, pack a lunch or snacks and therefore buying food out, running late and needing taxis (although that is better just because it's a faff with car seat), buying replacements for things I've lost etc. So frustrating. I am going to start with writing all bills in the diary next year, recently I started putting in all the income which helped but I am continually surprised by regular direct debits FFS.

On the bus, bought a ticket on my phone as left it too late to walk down to the shops to get cash out which would've been nice fresh air and exercise but nooo I can't get my act together.

And of course this would be entirely moot if I were organized enough to actually sort out our bloody bus passes. I am entitled to a FREE one due to my disability FFS!!! But have I sent the form? Have I heck.

I also very nearly left the house in my slippers

Pops head in too and waves to everyone. Thought I was feeling better today so went out for lunch with friends. Ate about an eight of my pizza and could eat no more.

Afresh ds1 will be 29 at the end of the year. I am so old! I guess I wasn’t that old when I had him but still.

I’ve written cards but not sent them. Had them with me to post after lunch but lunch was longer than I thought and I didn’t want to leave ddog on his own too long. He was howling when I got back ☹️ . Anyway I’m now thinking it will be better to take them to the UK and post them there.

Tada

Dog to groomers
Stats revision
Mini shop
Lunch with tap friends (though that’s not really a tada, is it?)

To do

Pack stuff for UK
Ddog to vet
Load dishwasher
Continue sorting maths files to reduce clutter
Phone Touring Secours
(Does anyone else have an irrational dislike of phoning people?)

Feel like doing

Sleeping!

Ta das
Daily routine
Put wreath on door!
Decluttered in ds room
Decluttered and dusted office desk
Swish and swipe toilet

To do
Make dinner sweet and sour stirfry (from a jar so easy peasy!)

Have got everything ready for dd Christmas party tomorrow - presents for teachers,crisps for the buffet and Christmas jumper for dd to wear.

This time of year is expensive and exhausting! (Bah humbug)

Longtime I don't like phoning people either -I don't mind once I'm actually on the phone but I always put it off!

sc its been meh.ds STILL not better.gp gave us note for school statimg hes very slow recover basic illnesses and will req work at home for 10days after illness so at least were covered .they go org all his missed work to do over xmas hols.he got try go in tom.but near faint rwice on the slow hour long stroll to get lil zoo n return home.we still gave treacherius ice on field need cross to school
Ive had dental abscess that part drsined yest but feels like go in for second go....(sobs)
My house is bombed
I am be buried alive by washing
Xmas is galloping towards me and im rabbit in headlights

Oooh and on the age thang i am early forties.agree 30s are fab.forties are less so for me seem be starting to fall apart

Staring at headlights in total solidarity with you Zoo from deep within our collective washing piles. And while we are at it let's have some and a and a crafty swig of .

here for anyone else in need!

It must be so continually worrying for you with ds still so poorly. And hard to cope with when you have been suffering yourself with that abscess. Take it steady. One can only do what one can do - and good enough is good enough - and even "not at all" is good enough when you are ill or your ds is ill .

Sorry if you have already tried this and I am talking through my hat (as usual) - and I know the NHS have very fixed protocols about referrals to paediatric consultants etc - but could you beg your gp for another appt? DD went through a bit of a growth spurt/fainty stage but your ds's continued fainting sounds really debilitating (sorry if you have already explained this down thread and I've missed it). Hope the doc comes through for you anyway x

I am going against all of Flylady's advice and doing eight things at once and have worked myself up in to a right tizz.

On the positive front - I have found a box of presents that I had misplaced and have persuaded dd to try on some new clothes which look lovely and they fit!

On the not so good side, I still haven't found my address book and as I have looked all over the home office without success, I think it may be in the boudoir [gulp] [wibble]

In the meantime, we also have a laundry crisis of epic proportions. I have no idea quite why because all I seem to do is washing, but people will keep on wearing clothes fhs [harrumph]

Good luck at the vets Longtime I hope the outcome of the tests is good for your dog x

Wow you sound incredibly well organised for the [school/nursery?] Christmas party Foxes [doffs hat] Hope you and your dd have a lovely time!

Your definitely allowed to be disorganised with a new born Cag take it steady! You are doing great!

Encouraging wing flaps to everyone else!

[SC turns towards boudoir and feels slightly weak at the knees]

Right, I'm going in ...

Thanks Zoo!

First 15 mins boudoir = DONE!

[5 min pause then going back in]

If I am on the thread next September/October and procrastinating and God forbid still whinging about sorting boudoir, please feel free to either (a) hand me a weapon with which I can shoot myself or (b) remind me in no uncertain terms that I had better get off my lardy arse and get it sorted as it will make my life in the run up to Christmas infinitely easier

Ta da
Finished the Christmas cards
Made Christmas cake
Put wreath up

Didn't wash kitchen floor or change the beds, but tomorrow is another day.

sc i will not be offering wespons(pacifist) nor do i have right tell you get orf bum n sort things as id be biggest hypocrite ever in history on mankind
I will however congratulate 15 mins down the mines with 🍰🍰🍰🍰and

callme you sound waay more in it than me.can i come spend xmas at yours if i promise not to bring my rabble and do some chores

Of course! I've massively over ordered the food, because I'm always worried about not having enough leftovers for sandwiches. So there's plenty for one more.

I'm quite an organised person, because it makes me feel more in control. So I had things like my Christmas Ocado slot booked in October, and maximised my double up nectar points for free cards, decorations and booze. I have a Christmas spreadsheet and budget.

I have always loved Christmas. I got married and left home relatively young, and I loved doing Christmas in my own home and it's just never stopped. I try and host the family one day to take the pressure off my parents, and I theme it. This year it's Mexican on Christmas Eve.

DH didn't have Christmas celebrations at all as a child, so he just accepts whatever I say is a Christmas tradition. He has a sense of wonder about it, and a feeling of being lucky to have found me so he can have all these things (tree, lunch, presents, Christmas day walk, lazy boxing day, Christmas sandwiches - everything) as an adult. Last year it was just the four of us on Christmas day, and he said it was the best Christmas he ever had.

That's my motivation. DH. And making sure the children have an upbringing that's the opposite of his in absolutely every way.

"If I am on the thread next September/October and procrastinating and God forbid still whinging about sorting boudoir, please feel free to either (a) hand me a weapon with which I can shoot myself or (b) remind me in no uncertain terms that I had better get off my lardy arse and get it sorted as it will make my life in the run up to Christmas infinitely easier"

SC have you not been saying this for years already? I swear I remember you saying this even back to the era when Ellie and Swan were posting

I have stuffing balls to make tonight. I don't want to.
I have things I need to put in the loft tonight. Again I don't want to
I have laundry I need to do. Nope don't want to

Sharp pointy stick be needed. TIA

-----)
(Gentle prod rather than pointy stick for hills
callme aw thats so lovely
Please adopt me

Thanks Zoo.

It's like any job isn't it? If you are doing it for someone who's truly appreciative, it's always easier. DH is appreciative about Christmas, and has been for 15 years now, so all my adult life I've been trying to make it special for someone who thinks everything Christmassy I do is wonderful. That's quite motivating, even if I hadn't been keen on Christmas to begin with!

Right! I need to stop being soppy on here and get ready for our night out. Problem is DS is not going to sleep.....

Ps i like soppy