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Festive fledglings flying through December - the Flylady thread

889 replies

TooStressyTooMessy · 30/11/2019 15:03

Welcome to the December (dare I say the Christmas?!) Flylady thread. This is a really lovely thread where we loosely follow the Flylady system (see the Flylady website ) in the hope of having organised homes and lives.

Every day I will post a link to the launchpad which has everything you need for that day if you do want to follow the system strictly. Plenty of options to follow the system more loosely as well :).

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 not to 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!

Any newbies are very welcome Smile.

**
Flylady also does Christmas missions which I will link to each day. They are really useful and nearer the time she does super missions which help you if you have not managed the regular missions. They are just there to help and as Flylady says... do not worry as you do not need to catch up, just jump in where you are Smile.

Link to the holiday cruising is

here

December’s habit is usually [[http://www.flylady.net/d/habits-of-the-month/december/
pampering yourself]] which is much needed this busy time of year. This can be as simple as taking two minutes to have a cup of tea, if long pampering sessions are unachievable.

The website will update to the December missions etc in the next few days so I will link it again if it is different.

*
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 [[http://www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions 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!

daily focus

missions for the week

Flykids mission

beginner babysteps.

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

Happy flying everyone.

Please note that while there is lots of information on the website, from a security point of view we would advise caution with putting any personal details in or downloading anything.

Also a huge thank you to Ghoulette for the November thread.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
20
TooStressyTooMessy · 10/12/2019 19:24

Thanks marvelous. zoo, thank you so much for your really lovely worlds. I shall keep reading them!!

We did the opposite for dinner tonight Tinselette as I am trying to use up what is in the freezer so we had an assortment of freezer food.

Ahh that sounds lovely of you to your friend Bower.

Big wing flaps to everyone else.
DD1 our at school event so trying to get DD2 ready for bed now so that hopefully she is in bed by the time DD1 gets back later.

OP posts:
foxessocks · 10/12/2019 20:44

Hi everyone! I have read everything but don't quite have the energy to reply at the moment, bad headache most likely brought on by the stress of after school meet up with friends which resulted in us having to ask the staff to help us find our lost dc 😱 is there any worse feeling than when you can't find your child?! It's hideous, not the first time that it has happened to me but the first time I've had to ask for help. I was just in a full on panic as was my friend Sad we found them obviously! But aaaarrrrgh I'm still having flash backs!

Please send soothing vibes my way...

Sorry for me me me post! And absolutely nothing to do with flying either but what else is new Grin

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 10/12/2019 21:01

Stressy, well done for holding the line on plans. Marvelous, I didn't realise you'd homeschooled too - there seem to be a lot of us about on housekeeping threads!

I spent all morning in bed and feel a bit better for it. Wrote a list of Christmas decorating and stuff to do, and a list of unavoidable Christmas cards. Some well-timed dark chocolate at about 4.30 gave me second wind, and I've got some writing done, the lights up in the music room window, the christmas hats down from the loft (and 3 children's dressing gowns in the box underneath them decluttered!), dinner cooked and DS3 into bed.

DS2 suddenly found his tidying mojo at 9.30pm last night, cleared his floor, did 2 loads of washing, started filing his notes, wrote a list of the consolidation he needs to do this week and got his economics reading done. I am astounded! So tonight, while he walked the dog I got an extra Ta Da of hoovering upstairs and the bins emptied.

Now my headache has come back and I'm taking more painkillers and going back to bed!

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 10/12/2019 21:04

Ah fox, sorry, cross-posted. So sorry that happened, it's awful when you can't find them. I think we've probably all been there! Strong cup of tea and some paracetamol?

TooStressyTooMessy · 10/12/2019 21:25

Oh goodness foxes, that sounds horrific Lly stressful BrewCakeGin. Although you were panicking, you were able to think straight enough to ask for help Flowers.

Grin at unavoidable Christmas cards Willow.

OP posts:
TooStressyTooMessy · 10/12/2019 21:26

StarStarCrown SmileStarStar

Launch pad

Christmas missions

‘We get there in the end Gin’

StarStarCrown SmileStarStar

OP posts:
Sistercharlie · 10/12/2019 21:55

Oh no Foxes hope you are ok [proffers fluffy fleece and steaming cuppa] your stomach does that awful]

Ta da cont'd/...

4 loads washing done and half td and half hung up
fed wms again
filled dw again
cleared one desk of doom in home office yay!
cooked lemon and lime drizzle cake and a bean-heavy meat-light chilli
long blustery dog walk at lunch time followed by bowls of soup all round
class rep admin - 1.30 hr
quick trip to doc to pick up prescription and then to chemist
45 more mins tidying office of doom
started to set up Christmas wrapping station [santa]
3 on-line return parcels wrapped up
e-mails to siblings
ordered some vests and long-sleeved t-shirts as this house is freezing!
very last Amazon order (I hope) books for birthday presents
located Christmas cards and boxes of wrapping stuff [santa]
fed wms again
tidied dossier and put neatly in one big flat box
finally found pension details that I'd been looking for and put neatly in one big box
tried on the Treggings and they were ok!
have also finally found a decent pair of navy trousers that fit my rotund shape after searching for weeks and weeks
served supper and cleared up

Turns out dd was eating all that food yesterday because she has some sort of cold/virus. She had to come out of an exam and come home because of severe headache behind eye and shakiness. She looks awful! Really gutted for her because she will probably have to take them in Jan now and they will be hanging over her all holiday.

Well done for sticking to your guns Toostressy! The force of the fledglings is with you Smile

So sorry you are ill I've; school run must have been a struggle Brew

Funnily enough Tinselette one of Simon Schama's (think it was The Embarrassment of Riches) was on my paperback critical path many, many moons ago ... .

Sorry headache is back Willow

Great list Marvelous and well done re: run!

Bower you and your bf have such a lovely relationship Smile hope she recovers soon

Hope your day went ok as it could in circumstances Zoo and that ds enjoyed his pom-pom making Flowers Congrats to your dd2 on her weight loss (and well done to you too for providing all the healthy meals and snacks!).

Just watched Boris doing his Love Actually election broadcast on the Beeb. I know I shouldn't bring politics on the thread but I am gobsmacked and not in a good way .... . Shock God I feel old ... .

G'night all

Sistercharlie · 10/12/2019 21:59

Sorry was interrupted there ...

Foxes meant to say that your stomach does that awful lurch when yo lose a child, like descending in a very fast lift

Thank you for links and the encouraging "We will get there in the end" Toostressy it really does help! Xmas Smile

Feel a bit more chipper tonight because I have actually stopped dithering and started to make some proper inroads. Still very behind but at least things are moving forward in the right direction, albeit very slowly ... !

Waves to everyone I missed! Sleep well fledgings!

TooStressyTooMessy · 10/12/2019 22:11

Oh no SC, your poor DD Flowers.

Thanks for the encouraging words and yes, for all the fledgling support Grin.

‘We will get there in the end’ is what Tinselette said about Christmas and I thought it was so encouraging it deserved to be the motto for the Christmas thread Xmas Smile.

OP posts:
ExpletiveFairylighted · 10/12/2019 23:11

That is a good motto for the thread.

Glad you were able to stand firm with parents Stressy, real progress for you.

Foxes - you poor thing. We lost DD in crowded Covent Garden when she was about 10, I remember the feeling of complete panic.

SC - is the dossier stuff all done now? What a slog for you.

Willow - yes, this thread has always had quite a high proportion of parents of DCs with SNs, mine aren't home edded but DS is at special school with an ehcp, DD is dyslexic. I was on this thread during the horrendous slog to get the ehcp and got a lot of support here.

Busy day at work, home, dinner (consisted of toasted cheese), took DS to football in gales and torrential rain. He loved it, I stayed in the car watching iplayer on my phone, drinking hot chocolate and writing cards. Then home for a shower and we snuggled up in my bed together to watch telly for an hour, he is feeling much more chilled now mocks are over. Not much Flying, but essentials are done.

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/12/2019 06:07

foxes I lost lil zoo once.she was 2.loved to walk so I let her out of buggy in our local bus turned my back a sec looking at a coat for D's and poof she was gone (normally not type wander off) I completely freaked at realisation two exits-one to outside,other into shopping centre.i had James Bulger flashbacks as ran thru store trailing other three.she was right by the exit to centre play peek a boo with an old lady.i died a thousand deaths and aged considerably that day..(I also lost dd1 aged 4 in supermarket,I was with a friend and she had 4 kids.im still not sure what happened except by time I noticed she was gone there were a few moments of panic then loud ringing tannoy announcement that could zoo please come to customer services..she was with one of the others and I've always drummed into mine find a staff member if we in shop and lose me and tell them my name.god,I was so proud of her that day!!)
I'm sharing this as you aren't alone.ime most parents do it at least once(or twice in my case as clearly I didn't learn first time around!!)

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/12/2019 06:08

*BHS not sure why phone turned that to busConfused

marvelousways · 11/12/2019 06:50

morning all.
I had a rubbish nights sleep for some reason....too many thoughts zooming round my head! Still, I'm up now and have coffee!
stressy hope bedtimes went smoothly
foxes It is a really horrible feeling. I have loast various of mine at various times (that makes me sound rather careless, but I have 6 dc and they are all older now so it was over several years, so not quite as bad as it sounds!)
willow yes, there do seem to be a few home edders past and present on these threads. DS2 sounds like he was very productive! Hope the headaches better.
sister poor dd , hope she feels better soon and isnt too down about the exam situation
expletive snuglging in bed watching telly sounds the perfect end to a busy day
zoo indeed we have all been there. I think I have lost each of mine (6) at least once!

ok....todays list
get dc dispatched to school (in progress!)
text ds1 to wish him luck in his job interview today (he's in Amsterdam)
short run
shower
s&s bathrooms
load dishwasher
wipe down kitchen
tidy ds2 bedroom
washing into dryer, dry load away
work
late home from work today
Dinner - no clue what!
tidy kitchen
paint wax layer on fireplace
hoover stairs and landing

still havent done any of the kitchen missions, doubt they'll happen today though!

mostly just need to stay positive today and not get bogged down with work, home or Christmas stress!

Happy FLYing all Grin

HungryHazelEyes · 11/12/2019 07:11

I hope everyone who's sick gets feeling better soon. I was going to name you all, but it seems there's quite a few of you!

I've been working lots (got more hours this week at 2nd job - lead up to Christmas in retail). But managed to do ironing, dinner cooked for multiple nights, made caramels (Christmas gifts), picked up gift card for DD. Grocery store stop done (twice!) To pick up a couple forgotten things.

That was all tonight, but it's late here now - it always seems I can't go to bed early the last couple weeks before Christmas. I did get some Christmas cards written in today (on my lunchbreak), just want to get done caramels wrapped individually to add to the package to send overseas (back to UK). I have resigned to the fact I'll probably miss the cut off date, but I'm not going to stress over it!

While at work I ordered a couple gifts from Amazon (I know, I should have been working, but it was so dead I would have been sleeping). I feel like I accomplished something today - and happy I have my closet full again of ironed clothes.

foxessocks · 11/12/2019 07:36

Thanks everyone! I feel better this morning (despite ds being in my bed most of the and doing huge snotty sniffs in my ear for what felt like most of it Hmm)
I've had a few moments in the past but never had to get staff involved, the poor man was nearly in tears himself! Dd was completely unbothered and didn't know what all the fuss was about when we did find her, her and her friend had managed to find a hidden from view bit behind a pillar so we thought we'd searched the whole place but there was this one little spot we didn't realise was even there!

I do indeed feel like I have aged ten years . Not leaving the house today 😂

Tinselette1940 · 11/12/2019 08:56

foxes happened to me with ds when he was four. In sports centre. Utter panic.

marvelousways · 11/12/2019 16:43

evening all
My last, late meeting at work was cancelled so I got home unexpectedly early - bonus!

Ta da's
get dc dispatched to school (in progress!)
text ds1 to wish him luck in his job interview today (he's in Amsterdam)
short run
shower
s&s bathrooms
load dishwasher
wipe down kitchen
tidy ds2 bedroom
washing into dryer, dry load away
work
quick morrisons shop
home
dusted lounge

To do:
Dinner - no clue what!
tidy kitchen
paint wax layer on fireplace
hoover stairs and landing

right....off to think about dinner.....

TooStressyTooMessy · 11/12/2019 17:44

Hi all. Sorry was at work all day and now off to see DD1’s Christmas play Xmas Smile. Will catch up later.

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 11/12/2019 18:36

Enjoy stressy

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/12/2019 18:36

Oh and HOMEMADE CARAMELS??

LivingInLaputa · 11/12/2019 18:40

Crappy couple of days mental health wise

Distracted myself by making Christmas cards! :o Vaguely productive I suppose Hmm

Still don’t feel remotely festive, would quite like the next two weeks to be spent sleeping

Festive fledglings flying through December - the Flylady thread
marvelousways · 11/12/2019 18:59

laputa love that card! Its a tricky time of year, that can take its toll on our mental health. look after yourself.
stressy hope play goes well

dinner has been done (thank heavens for left over lasagne in the freezer!)
kitchen tidied and dishwasher on
strairs and landing hoovered.
just need to sort firplace....think it needs another coat of chalk paint before the waxing though...

in a rare spirit of friendly co-operation dd4 is currently helping ds2 with his German homework in the kitchen. long may it last!

KTCluck · 11/12/2019 19:50

Hi everyone. Eventually got caught up with with the thread. There have been some impressive TaDa lists over the last couple of days!

We had an early start to clear upstairs for the carpets / sofa to be cleaned and so we were ready to leave the house as soon as he arrived. DD has been tired and grumpy most of the day, so I am also now tired and grumpy, but have managed to flop on the dry sofa while DH does bed time. Christmas wine has just been delivered and it’s taking a lot of will power not to crack a bottle open. I would definitely regret it when my alarm goes off for work at 5:30am!

Ta Da:
Upstairs cleared of all small furniture etc, most piled into the bathroom or onto our bed.
Upstairs thoroughly hoovered and dusted
Sink and loo cleaned (couldn’t get near the bath or shower)
Wiped mouldy patch on wall that I’d uncovered when moving the furniture
Clean clothes put away
Downstairs tidied and hoovered
DW set off and benches wiped
Big grocery shop then visited relatives while waiting for the carpet guy to finish
Fridge and larder cleaned
Shopping put away
Rough meal plan
2 loads of washing
Cuddled grumpy DD in front of the tv and tried to encourage a nap. Failed.
Few errands
Put upstairs partly back together - carpets are still a bit damp so most stuff can’t go back, but have cleared our bed and put DD’s back together.

I must write some Christmas cards out and need to clear the living room of toys. I usually encourage DD to do some herself but it was definitely a case of picking my battles today!

Glad to hear some of the poorly folk are feeling a bit better. Hope it isn’t flu you’ve got Ive. Such a shame for your DD to fall ill during her exams SC. Hope she feels better soon.

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/12/2019 19:54

SC* how's the patient?hope you haven't succumbed
I've hoping today's a better one for you lovely
KT fab list!
Laputa that's the cutest card!you really are very talented! how's school going for DD and is D's enjoying his alone time?

KTCluck · 11/12/2019 20:14

Oh yes, love the card Laputa!