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

afresh something he ate perhaps! had any sprouts of late?!

Right ds is asleep and dd is watching tv so I need to crack on!

We have stockings downstairs and still do them even though dcs are 28, 26 and 18! As they always include chocolate they have to be kept well out of the way of ddog.

I forgot to say to Cag that we have Netflix and absolutely love it. I rarely watch “ordinary” tv (with the exception of Strictly and Blue Planet). We have a family one with five slots. This is great for us as there are five of us all living in different places (well dh is here around half of the time) and makes the price per person really cheap. Well it makes it exceptionally cheap for the three dcs as we pay the subscription 😁. We are also watching the Crown Sc. Thought I’d wait to watch it with dm. The accents though 😮

Good luck to everyone with Christmas preparation and flying today.

I have no idea what I've spent on Christmas but we have definitely cut down. Partly as I've been less organized so didn't get much in advance and then keep shopping as I normally do!

Trying to catch up on housework today but it's really just the basics. I also sifted out some next size clothes that might fit Cagletini.

Off to an autism soft play thing later and I hope to pick up my new diary as I am itching to fill it with all the finance stuff and term dates etc.

Thanks for Netflix thoughts BTW! I will get a free trial in new year I think. Will just be an individual account as it's only for my iPad, our TV wouldn't be compatible I think. We mostly watch DVDs and cbbc/pop. But I love anime and I know there's plenty on there as well as lots of other stuff I like.

I got sucked into looking through a box of old photos of my grandads today...it was sort of decluttering as I needed to finish looking through them so I can give them back to my mum tomorrow!

Fnished the rest of my list and cleaned the kitchen Windows / doors so pretty good really.

cag we like Netflix too. We have been watching the big bang theory recently and dc (and dh!) love dinotrux and paw patrol.

I'd quite like to watch the crown actually do you recommend it sc?

The Crown is fantastic. I'm saving the second series for Christmas week. I practically inhaled the first one. I found it compelling.

Might start watching it now then!

We have Netflix and LOVE it. Also have Amazon Prime. Can’t speak for older kids but it is great for young children ( although it’s parental controls don’t seem brilliant which is something we will need to look into for the future).

Not watched the Crown yet. Currently binge watching Grey’s Anatomy on Amazon and have a couple of things lined up for after that. I like Designated Survivor and think I would get into Mindhunter if I gave it a go again.

Had better put something about flying I guess ...

Am experimenting with short to do lists - i’m Sure lots of you can relate to having ridiculously long lists which are doomed to fail. Today’s plan was laundry catch up and dealing with Xmas cards that needed posting.

Ta da:-
Laundry in better state
Most cards needing posting written
Rough plan made for this week as DH was off work

To do:-
Calendar check (if time)
More laundry
Few more cards needing posting to write
Need to wrap a present to post

New year’s resolution will be something along the lines of being more organised and generally calmer like it is every year .

Sorry that bit about being good for young children was me referring to Netflix.

Foxes Yes, like others, I can thoroughly recommend the Crown. Love the historical content and the casting/acting is brilliant!

So sorry that you and your family will be having a hard Christmas too this year without your late gf

I am on short lists too Toostressy; they are all I can seem to cope with currently and they definitely help!

Hope your ds can sleep off whatever is ailing him Afreshstart.

Left early from office lunch to make it in time to help with school mass where, very sadly - monk that does Jimi Hendrix impressions was absent - shame! Really miss English carols at this time of year... .

Came back and wrapped more presents but needed to lie down for a bit because sitting for long periods is causing Olga the ovarian cyst to protest.

Up again now and tackling the laundry. DH and I both behind with everything so it doesn't look as if we will be on manoeuvres tomorrow either. Bugger it, what will be, will be.... .

That's all useful thanks :) not worried about controls at present as they aren't allowed on my iPad anyway so it'll only be if I want to sit down with them IYSWIM. Whereas TV is free access really.

Got my diary! Glad I registered my paperchase card as I got a great discount.

Health visitor coming tomorrow so really need to tidy up. Cagletini is still asleep in her buggy as we just got in but I just want to sit down

Ds near fainted getting ready fir school so got day off for his birthday.today school finishes at 12 so i being bad mum n let him stay home today too.he had zoo tycoon from cex for his xbox 360 so play that last night with lil zoo(whi obsessed with giraffes) had loads books and a watch to accompany tv for his room.just a basic dvd one which as we have freeview downstairs its literally just for xbox and watch dvds the girls wrinkle noses at(dinosaur related etc)

DP was off am and we got cake and picked up couple bits -one for dd1 and one for her partner...
Still need get dp gift sorted.still not sorted dd1.nothing wrapped- most still in cyberspace en route
Dd1 came pm n mad goose chase try source kibble for kitts....carbonelle only has fold hill cat kibble.anything else goes straight thru and even mix slowly other brands wont work.source at home bargains its not been there 3weeks.down to last handful...googled stockists n visit couple places.outdated info.3rd attempt at garden centre didnt stick it but ciukd order in...hurrah!twice price of home bargains(where its dirt cheap tbh) so still a win win even tho can only order 8box minimum.thatll last the three of the a month or twofingers x there to collect thurs
Lil zoo xmas party at school today.due to rising allergy concerns no crumby lists and you get stuck bringing in things your kid dont eat.each child brings a pack up with snack/treats normally frowned upon added.waaay more practical and avoids our default seperate bag with her foid in/feeling bit excluded sometimes...

ADVICE WANTED-dd2 has trouble deetinguishing motives/sarcasm.she never gets invited trips town etc from school "mates"she bought gifts(thoughtful ones) for around 8people at school.took in last week and has only got a bar of choc yesterday(thrown at her whikst others git chocolate and hand warners given nicely to them.shes utterly heartbroken as thought they were all her friends.the onky friend shes truly got is autistic and from primary school as dd2knows where she stands with her.all very blackk and white iyswim but dd2 wantsgo town wirhout adults and this girl only wants go local park n row shops without her mum...
Every one speajs to her is instantly classed her friend and within a month they move on.she got friendly one my curch friends girls but thats dried up after she wiuldnt do something she rigidly thought was wrong(long story) and a trip to town was scuppered as she set time to go and then got hysterical when they want change that and bring a friend.academically shes within normal limits but socially drowning.i not good at these kinds of things(anxiety) so i dont know how to help her.as shes got older she stands out more as being different/very demanding of my time/very set way if doing things.suggestiins welcome

afresh lil zoo wakes on entering her room so we always hang stockings on outside her door.hope your ds is ok
cag dd1 raves about the crownhavent got roundto it yet myself
bower sounds like a rough few years.glad you pullee out other side now
foxes you ok seeing grandads pics?

Sorry for the long ramble
I really have to make a start.apparently theres a rumor xmas is a comin'

Your poor dd2 zoo I have no advice unfortunately. My eldest only 9 and a boy so we only just getting in to some friendship issues ourselves. We had tears because kids slagged off the football team he supports. He needs be a bit thicker skinned i think!

I don't feel qualified to give advice really. I struggled socially, and just muddled through. I thought I'd found friends in the sixth form - I was sadly mistaken.

Ta das from yesterday

• most of the vacuuming, will finish today
• three loads of washing
• dusting
• cleaned bathrooms

To do

• put away washing
• wash kitchen floor. I think I say this every day, but I'm going to do it today, put the shower curtain down and then whip it away just before MIL arrives tomorrow.
• meal plan
• go out for lunch by myself while DS is at his nursery party

Tomorrow I might be in need of gin for that visit. I'm making a complicated dessert so I can be in the kitchen a lot. We are LC with MIL for excellent reasons, and we both find her difficult.

Watched first two episodes of the crown last night and loving it so far so thanks everyone!

zoo sorry to hear about your dd and her so called friends , that sounds very unfair . I don't really know what I would do tbh. There isn't much you can do other than support her I guess.

Yes it was actually nice looking through some photos yesterday although I did have a little cry when I found a picture of me at about age 1 sitting on the sofa with my grandad and he's looking at me with the most wonderful expression on his face. I'd like to keep that one so will ask my mum if that's ok then give the box back later.

To do
Daily routine
Planning
Declutter bedroom
Mission
Swish and swipe toilet

Ahh! I ve done it again. Was trying to shorten post and ad thing came up and now lost it all.

Poor Dd zoo could you set up with girl from church again? Does she understand changing plans make DD anxious?

Yesterday was busy. Had enjoyable time at school very relaxed and classroom all sorted for next year. It looks fab because we have themed it. Kids will be excited when they see it. Tidied my room for 45 minutes speedily. Met two of children so had hugs and a nice chat.
Ta Das.
Went to garden centre. They say 50 mile one might send the artificial one through which I will try and do today. In meantime I bought a real tree as not many left and lady looking said it was fourth place they had been and no trees left at other three😳 so didn't want to take risk.
Bought a present of bit expensive shower gel for son 1&3 so they have something to unwrap and their friend I bought a hip flask and some beer pack of three Christmas ones. Some paper and planted hyacinths for friend. Lovely pot. I will sneak and leave at front door. I was going to make her a basket but it was there and meant job done. Would have liked one myself. Then😳 I bought some bulbs which said 20 p and they were in bags. Turned out they were £1 a bag but still a bargain and took them anyway. Also some at £2 a pack. Hadn't got around to planting any earlier and last year at school planted them late and they were still up in time. Purple and pink tulips and lots of hyacinths. Love them.
Home, had steak( blame Saturday kitchen for that purchase on Saturday) mushrooms and sweet potato. Then off to quiz. We came fifth 😧 we had a different score. Other team didn't mark music round properly so another 9 points joint second.cup of tea and straight to bed. No sink shined as dishes still in it! Slopes off to naughty corner.
Now lazing in bed but need to get up and try for appointment in the 8 am scramble. Very wheezy and coughing so need medication upped and renew prescription. Forgot to try chemist yesterday. Might phone there too.
Plans today
wrap presents
Write three cards for church,missed off 😳
Vacuum sitting room.
Put tree up, excited!

Wash dishes.
Put two loads washing in.
Make cake for son 1, others don't like fruit cake much, used to not now.
Wash kitchen floor, filthy because of rain. DH did it last week 😳
Craft project for two little girls at church.
Enjoy film / Christmas music while doing tree.

zoo, no real advice I’m sorry . Is it worth speaking to school / GP / school nursing team to see if there is any support available or advice / workshops etc. I realise that funding for all these is very thin on the ground and that might not be an avenue you want to go down. Just if things are getting worse whether you want to consider trying to get some support / assessment in place.

Well New Year’s resolution definitely needs to be to go to bed earlier and therefore get up earlier. Had disorganised morning today purely because I did not get up early enough.

DH off today so he has taken girls to school which leaves me 30 mins to do a morning routine so must get on. DD2’s nativity play this afternoon .

Zoo see if your library or you can get hold of this book. my go to book for dealing with ds' aspieness

Going to be honest I had to brutely sit down and go through motivations with ds. Literally this person is being friends with you because this. Hard, almost heart breaking but a year or two on and he makes way better choices and actually has some good friends now.

Gotta head into work but happy to answer questions in more detail this evening when back if it would help.

Shes not diagnosed with anythinghills do tou think thats something we need to be looking at?

bower as dd2 13 its an awkward age all round n whilst kids in question at church know shes a bit "different" they are also 13 and have lots friends who are easier going....

I need start getting a grip
Place bombed
Nothing wrapped

Tiday i need to turn the tide as ds is home and the girls break tomorow.ime the xmas run up they either love each ither or want kill each other( past boxing say move deffo into kill kill kill(or at least wind up to the max) mmodeswhich requires lots supervision to prevent full on war as dd2 will attack if sufficiently agrivated and shes a touch rotund she could literally flatten scrawny ds and lil zoo also very slim built

Think someones stolen my xmas spirit

I am on a shocking go slow.not good given amount needs be sorted....think i got overwhelmed by my to do

I am going to attempt deep clean front room and wrap what presents have arrived before pick up lil zoo

Any pointy sticks need to be super douper sharp and in my direction

< pokes zoo with wooden spoon >

I have ridicuolously busy day today. Just back from kids christmas service then out again at 12 for medical appointments, need pick up meat for christmas dinner blah blah

Woiden spoon afresh is that sharpest item at yours?your better poking me a finger(you seem relatively sharp)

I am celebrating- the tv remote zoolets use has resurfaced after a month long absence...(we have two controls as they have tedancy spill crap on theirs n have wait it dry out to wor k.they also lose theirs.mine is the sacred insomech as never lost nor wet((yet)).ive spent last month hunting ut diwn.was under recline sifa(pulled out loads times but it awkward bits crap can catch on and go with sofa iyswim...ive emptied down back said sofa.4 biro.3teaspoons and random bits paper with drawings on..
Behind sofa(am i only one stashes RBC behind sofas?)i have triumphantly brutally binned 4 carrier bags with if crap ive no idea why i was storing " just in case".this means from clearing effectively one of the four walls if front room ive accrued a binbag if crap.2 carrier bags of waste paper and washing up plus stationery

Dare i continue admitting ir will i be evicted from thread for gross slothernlyness??
abd mad at myself its got this bad

I am genuinely sure it's no worse than mine zoo

Managed to get up in good time but also had half an hour extra as HV was late. Cagletini has put on 10oz in a week :o and she noticed I had lost more weight too so feeling quite good about that!

Not so much done as planned. Lots of phone calls as DSCs' nan did pass away last night :( in all honesty though they are relieved that she is at peace now, and their mum was with her at the end too. I am seriously impressed with DSS who was telling me everything he is sorting out. Not sure if DH will be needed or not so just going to carry on as normal here.

Washing is on, other stuff put away/sorted for further washes, Caglets are getting very quick at putting washing up away now ("cos we work as a team mum" says DS).

Not sure what to do now but I have a sweet potato in the oven for lunch (will have with feta and spring onion yum).

cag
For cagletinis gain.your loss.loss of step gm.

cos we work as team mum nice one

Can i have some of that lunch?

I cant believe been a year in 21st my dad died.my sister(dont get along with really) text me yesterday.as the plan gather everyone and pick up his ashes to scatter never got off the ground in the summer(conflicting holidays etc n he wanted be scattered great yarmouth so was agreed during clement weather was best) shes collecting him from undertaker on 21st and taking him home to hers at xmas.first time last year he wasnt there...

Ah bless you zoo I am sorry that must be so difficult xx

Cagletini had a nap and I managed to make the most of the time since I am not in need of a nap myself. Finished the chapter I was reading (crappy thriller I started ages ago but nice to have been reading again this week), put another wash on, washed up, sorted a few bits for recycling, sorted a few bags out and got out some games to clean and pack away with silica gel sachets. Also did the warm up from the postnatal exercise DVD - did this for the first time last night and it wore me out (literally just the warm up bit so less than 10mins) but it was better today.

Need to sort out a visit to hometown too as a family friend offered a lift but it was totally unexpected and now I'm not sure we can fit it in due to having various appointments so I'm stressing (well I always find something to stress about don't I).