Fledglings Flying Festively - the December Flylady thread

[TooStressyForMyOwnGood]

[santa][santa][santa][santa][santa][santa][santa]
A warm welcome to the December (dare I say Christmas?!) Flylady thread. This is a lovely friendly thread where we loosely follow the Flylady system (see the Flylady website ) in the hope of having organised homes and lives.

We are a long running thread but always welcome new members; the more the merrier .

The new slimline structure seems to work well so I will stick with that. I will leave some links in this OP and then some quick links in the daily posts. Please do familiarise yourself with the Flylady website, especially if you are new. The Flylady is (understandably) keen that people do look at the website.

On the website there is information for beginners. You can also sign up to the Flylady emails but we would advise caution as there are hundreds of them.

We post our achievements (ta das) and our to do lists and any other general chatter about life / flying.

Information on getting started: www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/

The launch pad is also a good starting place:www.flylady.net/c/lp.php

Fly stands for Finally Loving Yourself. The general idea is that short bursts of tidying / organisation are more achievable than marathon efforts. Flylady advises 15 minute bursts is effort but you can tweak this to fit your own circumstances.

Be kind to yourselves, jump in where you are and be careful not to crash and burn! Especially at this time of year.

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A daily summary (which should update automatically every day) is available on the Flylady website at flight plan here.

The link to the current zone and missions is here.

Re. zones, do what works for you. I don’t always stick to the zones myself and do what works best at the time, with varying degrees of success!

daily focus

missions for the week

Flykids mission

I’m sure I don’t need to tell anyone that it is getting close to Christmas so there are holiday missions here.

December’s habit is usually pampering yourself but has not uploaded yet; I’ll link it tomorrow.

beginner babysteps.

The best place to look for an overall summary is the launch pad.

Happy flying everyone.
**

Also a huge thank you to SC for a lovely November thread.

Oh no hills. Ouch! I did mine a couple of months ago. Wrist knackered. Ankle improved but also tore ligaments, shoulder badly bruised. Don’t put your head in the wardrobe!

Well not much flying here. Making several masks at the moment. Won the last quiz of the year.

Still have no 💦 downstairs and extension leads for electric. Using Everhot and enjoying it. Made casserole Pheasant in Calvados and 🍏 on Sat. Sunday Lamb Henry. Monday left over pheasant just popped in to reheat. Today don’t know but need to order 🦃 I usually do it by 2nd. Haven’t been going home that way and DH was only home a few days. Ran out of time on Saturday. Shut at 12.
Everyone seems super busy. I realised that it was only 15 days to go. I have half a kitchen and a dining room table covered in boxes of kitchen stuff.
Need to buy new pans.
Christmas shopping ...food.
Ditto presents. Went to farmers market where I bought home made chocolates for four people. Delicious. Really wanted Alpaca set of scarf, hat , gloves and dropped hint at DH although we said no gifts. They were so soft and gorgeous colour☹️
I need to get up. ———————————> please someone.
I just need to get to end of term then mad tidy.
Need to buy a tree. We attempted on Saturday but not very good. Going to Lakes on Saturday as they have good ones at Hayes. We are buying a fake one after always having real. Need to clean sitting room before then.
Working on day off so someone can go to their child’s nativity. Might get morning if lucky but plays on so all hands on deck. Aaaaarrrrggghhhh,!

Flylady...barhumbug!

Mincemeat plait. Short crust pastry rolled into rectangle mark into thirds with eye. Put apple slices,Bramley, down middle third. Mincemeat on top. Diagonally mark out a sixth on edges then wrap by putting alternative pastry pieces so it makes plait on upper middle. Brush with egg then into oven till done. Lovely with custard or good vanilla ice cream. I usually make with left over mincemeat in January.

Can also fold through good vanilla ice cream for another dessert. Or make custard ice cream.

Wardrobe is gone, disassembled and by the front door ready for the tip!

Having second thoughts with what it will be replaced with. But as the floor is a disaster atm, I have time to think.

ta da
fish fed
ds to school
Burnt pan back on to boil with salt.

to do
work miracles on the floor
figure out what going to do about the storage situation
Laundry
make soup

Custard ice cream bower?! Tell me more!

DS didn't want go school today and I end up have practically dress him and take h with me on lil zoo school run as couldn't trust him not go back to bed/not get ready he the had multiple panics so I barely had two words with lil zoo.he NEVER kicks up like it when dp can take him in(severe separation anxiety focus on me) I got really pissed off and threaten not walk him snore n have go by self if kept it up(he doesn't step outside front door alone despite being 13 week today) not my finest parenting hour

Then rang lil zoo school on way back from drop him(ok drop her bottom hill aftercross fields as she's year 6 so don't actually get near office)the year 6 did a grow a pound(use pound buy/make things to sell at profit) and was so successful they having pizza hut for Xmas party food.i asked what lil zoo ment eat as can't have cheese/dairy...so what can't she have?erm the pizzais there nothing else pizza hut sells she can have??well she's not big on pasta with just tomato sauce and at just turned 11 how would you feel watch everyone else eat pizza?(didn't say that but felt like I should ve)I've offered make her pizza with appropriate cheese etc.apparently a teacher's checking allergies and will contact me in due course.WTAF ..you would've thought check who can't have it BEFORE agree to that option

And whilst I'm ranting I've just discovered school play by years 5-6 is Thursday 630pm,Fri pm(in school hours) and Monday 630pm which mean I'm expected trail over a pitch dark field on hour round trip to trail back and fetch her.i can't stay and watch as can't leave D's or can I take him in as he can't cope crowds or noise.dp is working those nights and there's no one else to take her.ffs

zoo . Well done on wardrobe progress Hills. Bower, you are making me hungry . Thanks for good wishes for friend foxes. Yes it is Tesco who we are with and certainly round here they let you give stuff back.

Hope everyone else is ok.

Ta da:-
Tea prepped
Laundry not too bad
Have started some wrapping

Quick update:
Spent most of morning at cardiologist's (again) with dh. All absolutely A1! Which is good! Even A1 after holding breath for 2 mins!! He is going to have a 24 monitoring test in early January just to make sure but she doesn't really think there is a need for it going by today's results. So everything still a mystery!! Now to explore digestive route; next stop gastroenterologist and liver man (even though liver enzyme tests all A1 too) ... . It's looking more and more like it's stress but who knows ... . The good thing though is cardiologist and doctor both went through the things we had come up with (in desperation) that we thought it could be such as lyme's disease, myocarditis, green monkey disease (just kidding) and they both went through list and said "no" "no" and "no" so at least we are reassured on that score - and neither seemed overly alarmed about what it could be based on blood tests etc - so feel happier overall.

Sorry you had such a tough morning Zoo
Lovely recipe Bower!
Aw at your dd being most excited about pkt of crisps Foxes that's so lovely!
Sorry to hear family relations stressful and difficult Hills. Funnily enough I had a difficult falling out with one of my sister's over the summer and we haven't spoken since but we are going to have to before Christmas I think, so huge sympathies to you

Agree with everyone else about Christmas being ages away and then - yikes - all of a sudden it is there staring right at ya!

Sil and entourage still here. Dh has reverted to "I don't know how to describe it but how he is when his family is here" ie annoying. I am bone tired because I am worried dh is going to have another attack at night so can't sleep/on tenterhooks. Cardboard box gate still not completely resolved (had unexpected guest for supper last night and I felt so embarrassed serving up supper with cardboard boxes and piles of laundry lying around; he must have thought me a right minger

Really want just want to sleep but got huge lists of things to do though ... heigh ho

Hang in there everyone! Small steps and breathe ... Mahoosive waves!!

I've developed a horrible cough and a mild cold which had dampened my enthusiasm! Putting my energy into managing the basics and work so not much actual progress. I've got the afternoon off now - when I've warmed up maybe I'll get something done...or maybe I'll have a nap...

[hands over paracetemol, menthol inhaler, fluffy fleece to KingsScorn] take it steady and hope you feel better soon (that is meant to be a honey and lemon drink and not a brew!)

Well I don't currently have a bed, ds doesn't currently have a bed (it has my bedding on it) but I have moved the furniture in my room around. Just have to sort the massive pile of wtf?! from the floor, and rescue beds/bathroom access. Not sure I will get to ikea for furniture purchasing tonight. I have lego to deal with and furniture in the lounge to put back. But it will be the first job tomo if I don't get that far today.

zoo that sounds crap, your poor dd I hope a solution is found.

Sc glad your dh is okay for what sounds like the most important stuff, hopefully the mystery will be solved soon but it must be exhausting for you all.

I can't stop long because I have an unexpected 45 minutes without the dc (dd at after school activity and ds gone with dh for a hair cut) and I need to do something useful (haha!). I had two choices, make chocolate cakes to use up some buttercream icing I had left or go for a run as I didn't manage to find the time at all last week. I picked cake , oops .

IKEA sounds stressful hills hope it goes ok!

As soon as I saw your choices foxes I picked cake

SC so pleased all major bases are ok.annoyed for you being reduced to little more than skivvy status,I know he's happy to have family there but still you aren't there to slave for everyone's needs
Hills hope things improve lovely.families and Xmas can be horribly complicated.my sister and i barely speak and certainly don't get involved each others lives at xmas./other sister hasn't spoken in over 2/ years as I'm waaaay to common after married a bank manager

Ds has a bed, I have a bed, there is access to the bathroom. Early night no ikea. Will have to go first thing (ish - depends what time I wake up)

Anti procrastination 1 day early or -6dayslate-

I ORDERED the turkey Yeah! Not too late. Getting a bird from near Keswick. He even told me which farm. I love local country butchers. £10.50 per kilo for a free range bird. I was so worried I would be too late. If I could hold my nerve I would go to the other larger butchers and buy a half price one on Christmas Eve. Get my gammon there.
Also went to see kitchen fitters. Will be finished by the 21st as they are closed.Funny, Becky, very funny! No water till next week, maybe Wednesday.
So tired. Worked right through apart from a wee stop and a very quick cuppa. Kids kicking off left right and centre. Counted four by 9.30am then two more in our class at 11 30. Teacher and I had one each...lovely!
They cant cope with all the excitement and out of routine re plays etc.

So fly lady ...no bloody flying today. I feel like I have flapped my arms from Scotland to Lakes. Might disappear there tomorrow as negotiated for this week/next week. Depends on painter but thinking i could leave early do Ambleside and Windermere. Dare I go to Lakeland, to check out pans of course? Really wanted to check out Gretna Gateway or Newcastle first but two birds etc.
If I could get to Hayes I could do rest of shopping there. Tree, smellies, plants, food stuff. Lunch at Lucy's mmmmmm. Hole in the wall hmm choices. Child free day bliss! Bet bestie is busy otherwise she could come.

*Hills8 Wow who stuck pointy stick right up your Ask no questions! you have done some flying today. By concorde.

SC Bummer. Would get boxes and RBC here too at least you have table mine is still full of kitchen stuff.
ZOO is there no one who would either sit with DS or take DD two and fro.I would gladly do it for any of my friends. Sorry you had tough morning.
Kings Also have cough going for chest x ray. Think it is asthma cough but had it since September. Comes and goes. need to up the vitamens. Hope you are better soon.
Foxes what a list.
I vaguely remember making egg custard from scratch and freezing then mixing then freezing not sure if I had actual recipe or made it up. I think I also used double cream was long ago when I had children living here. Many moons ago!
Gammon and eggs for tea. going up to pester Bestie about her new grandson what a bloody greedy friend she is! She has GD 16, (DS1) GS 7, GS 3(DS3), GD 7mths (DS1), GS 5 days(DS3) and two step GC - SGS& SGD.(DS1) only two sons, middle not produced any she knows about but fantastic uncle.
I haven't got any I do mind hers sometimes as surrogate granny. Suggested by GS & when he was three.

Don't forget to grab some time to yourself if possible. Today someone stated that could only happen when locked in the toilet...needs must!

HILLS More than some. We have to be grateful for small mercies.
You have a bed.
I have water upstairs and down the garden if not freezing.

IKEA before xmas brave woman.

Hello all. Eeek Bower, you have reminded me we haven’t ordered a turkey.

Big wing flaps to SC, good to hear DH getting checked over again, Kings, Hills, zoo, foxes and everyone else.

Hope you’re ok Cag; not heard from you in a while.

Links for December 12th
Beginner baby steps here
Launch pad here
Holiday mission here

More info available in original post at top of thread.

Just popping in to say thanks for kind words.

Bower your posts make me cackle; think you must be fantastic surrogate granny! How you are putting up with protacted kitchen fit so patiently I do not know!

Fab list Foxes! And cake!

Yay to freshly made beds Hills one in boudoir here piled high with yet more random crap!

Zoo here's to a better day tomorrow!

Toostressy/Bower must order turkey too!

Zone 2 the kitchen.
The cupboard ...well yes fly lady I have some but someone nicked the doors so I won’t be cleaning them. The painter is cleaning the drawers which are up ended in the middle of the floor so I will leave that to him. I will concentrate on the pampering session thank you very much. Last week I had my hair washed and cut and this week I will be getting my feet done. I may soak them for a bit.

My sink is very shiny thank you very much. It just isn’t connected so no I won’t be washing up in it or wiping it. So glad it is the kitchen I can swan off guilt free tomorrow. Best friend is visiting a relative but is wishing she was coming with me. Baby is gorgeous she only has 58 photos though. Poor show! He is a week old tomorrow.
She has her tree up and presents wrapped at the bottom. I am rapidly going off her as a best friend.😝

SC I am not very good because I don’t understand Mindcraft. I am good at Lego though.😉 and I like broccoli.

Foxes made me laugh thinking she would like the peace and quite of a run then discovered she chose cake! I would chose cake any day. I did running when I accidently found myself going to a competition. I practised for 3 maths and hated it , found it boring and would rather be riding my horse. Then it was cancelled because the river was flooded and deemed to dangerous to cross.🤬

Cosied up in bed with a mug of tea and a Jacobs Club.😬

Have been quiet due to panic cleaning for workmen this week

SC so glad to hear that it seems to be nothing too serious so far.

I am thoroughly enjoying my Prosecco calendar. I don't miss those manic last few weeks of primary school stressy, the amount they pack in is amazing!

My own DD (now in Secondary) seems to have volunteered for everything possible in the last two weeks - it's still less than primary school, but the lack of information from her is not helping. EG, she's volunteered for a Secret Santa but can't remember if there is a price limit and for another school-wide initiative despite not knowing quite what it entails. I don't know where she gets it from

Tomorrow is lookjng a bit lively, so may not be on until tomorrow night (unless everything runs to time, wipes tears of laughter away ....)

Freshly made bed SC? oh no, it was beds that had the boxes/clothes dumped on top of them made free for bodies to crawl in.

My back is sore today. Today is the day of moving all the furniture. Ikea trip to purchase 1 unit of furniture, trofast unit to be rebuilt, lounge rug hoovered and turned, sofas and other furniture returned to lounge. May traffic be sensible, Ikea not bat shit crazy and things go as smoothly as possible. And hopefully there will be a tidy bedroom (mine all mine) and a tidy lounge by the end of the day.

Hi guys just marking place as I’ve caught up. It’s been quite a mixed bag here really. Started new dose of ADs today (increase by 50%) so a bit spacey. Got lots done yesterday though, DS’ room is done, just needs a bit of tidying and it’s far from perfect but he’s really happy. Laundry caught up with too. DH did the undercoat on DD’s room today. I’ve been finally ordering lots of Christmas presents.

Well my panic-cleaned kitchen and (f)utility look nice. Must try and keep them that way now.

Lots of laundry and present-buying to do here. And my most hated job - wrapping. I am a terrible wrapper. I should only buy square or rectangular gifts.

Hope the meds work well for you Cag. Hills tackling Ikea at this time of year surely deserves a medal or something or take your pick.

I am out tonight and won't be back until late. I hope the journey home is via a branch of the golden arches and it's millionaires latte [santa]