Festive fledglings flying through December - the Flylady thread

[TooStressyTooMessy]

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 .

**
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 .

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.

Morning
DS had a good day yesterday
Now back to Xmas...
He spent the morning at his dad's gaming giving me 3.5 hrs of Xmas wrapping.i looked the pile Amazon boxes and I tell you,Santa's elves would e wept at the taskahead!!having had years experience at wrapping around kids I consider myself a speed wrapper.i managed 85 presents(lots were just little bits). I've completed around 3/4 of the piles.i need the confirmation emails from Amazon from DP to check what still to come in order to work out a few of he gifts recipients.still need acquire "fun fairy lights" for lil zoo and a node ring for dd2 so a trip to town is potentially on cards tom

Also need blitz the house today

Dd2 downward spiral continues.worst panucattack yet had mewalking her round block in pouring rain/dark at 7pm as she needed some air.poor lamb was trying eat and tight throat sensations got better of her again.referral to camhs has been made,having bloods today at 740,so I really need her upandcrack on!!

SC good luck
I've god bless Amazon for all your needs

*nose ring...

KT willow SC and anybody else I may have missed, thank you. I actually got a call back today and they want a second interview, with a 30 minute test that I am absolutely terrified of! That will be Friday on my lunch break.

I did get all my treats ready to go, all organised and most will be gone by this weekend. I swept the floor a couple times tonight (toffee makes a mess!) And managed to bake the cake after my works Christmas party (we were home before 8:30pm). The rest of the week I'll be busy working both jobs so not really any flying going on and you may not hear from me for a few days.

I have yet to start wrapping presents, but have most of them bought. I know I have to get a couple more things, but until I pull everything out, I won't know for sure.

foxes some people are just down right rude, they may have forgotten what it was like to be in that situation. This time of year is awful for rudeness, it's like they're so focused on present buying and stressed out that they forget how far being nice can go. I really hope that makes sense to you as it's midnight here and I'm needing to get to sleep! I hope today will go better for you.

Thanks everyone and good luck for your second interview hazel

Don't have to leap out of bed this morning because no school run hooray! The dc are watching TV but I will need to get up fairly soon for work (love working from home I can be at my desk in seconds!)

I would also like to do some baking today or tomorrow and get dd bedroom tidied. Dh now thinks ds will have to stay in dd room for Christmas so they are going to need some more space in there. At the moment I've just been piling up ds clothes and toys in the corner!

Zoo that is a lot of presents wrapped , well done you!!! I only have to do dh ones but must get them done as I have a habit of leaving until last minute. Dh has done all the dc ones already but still needs to do a few family ones.

We bought the kids some bath bombs from lush and the smell has seeped into all their other presents I'm hoping it hasn't tainted their chocolate I've moved them now into my wardrobe so my clothes smell of it instead (it's quite a nice smell just strong!)

Enough of my ramblings! Have a good day everybody!

Well done on the second interview Hazel, glad it's Friday not after Christmas. Your toffee sounds fabulous. I think I will make some fudge at some point, did some a few weeks ago and it was lovely.

I really need to start wrapping too, it has got easier now the DCs are older and Santa doesn't have to be totally secretive. I think DD may have been nosing while I'm out of the house, she asked for one thing in particular, which I have got but is hidden separately (in my car boot) to everything else due to it's awkward shape (multi pack of Pringles!) she keeps asking has Santa remembered.

Dentist for her this morning, WAH for me this afternoon, tackling the bathroom, putting a few things in the loft and checking my food shopping lists are today's priorities. However I have a snoozing cat sprawled over my lap so it might all have to wait a bit longer.

Morning! Wow everyone has been so busy!

Foxes sorry you encountered the grumps. I’ve had the odd shopping trip like that where I’ve felt I could just burst into tears. It’s awful, and so frustrating as DD is generally really calm and well behaved when we are out, if she’s making a fuss it’s because she’s tired. I always want to run after whoever has said something or looked at me wrong and explain this . I’m definitely in the sympathetic smile / supportive comment or mouth shut camp.

Zoo your poor DD. It must be so stressful for you. Can’t offer any advice but I’m thinking of you and you sound like such a lovely mum.

Willow I totally get the frustration of having DH under your feet. I hate if I’m expecting to be at home in my own and it turns out he’s off too. I mean, I quite like him, but he has a habit of messing up my plans

At least the test is soon Hazel. Not too long to stew over it.

SC you can only do what you can do! You too Too!

Today was supposed to be my blitz the house day. Best laid plans may be spoilt as I’ve kept DD off nursery with a cough and temperature. She’s fine in herself and I would have happily sent her but they are quite strict with temperatures. Not allowed there within 24 hours of calpol and I was worried they would send her home and then she wouldn’t be able to go tomorrow. That’s when I’m doing the xmas food shop and I really want her there. It’s their Christmas party today so it’s a shame she’s missing that but all the running round probably wouldn’t be great for her temperature and cough.

I’m determined to plod on though - if Ive can get so much done with a newborn and other kids I can definitely still be productive with one toddler.

So today’s aims:
Remaining cards written out (made some progress yesterday and DH is posting the ones that need posted on his way to work)
Wrap final present - a hamper and I’m unsure quite how I’m going to do it.
Clean oven (I use Koh cleaner so doesn’t take too long and no smell)
Clean DD’s pram and put into storage . It takes up half the hallway and we only ever use the little one in the car if any.
Shopping list for tomorrow
Ironing that I didn’t do yesterday.
Sort finances - I’ve been buying left right and centre and need to work out what I have n’t got left / transfer savings etc.
Finish last few cards that we made yesterday until DD lost interest.

Ta Da:
Washing on
Cards given to DH
Cup of tea drank

Best get going!

What ho peeps!

Oh no KTCluck hope your dd is ok and that temperature etc is short-lived! Arf at "I quite like him, but he has a habit of messing up my plans grin" same here wrt my dh!

Good luck with the interview test HungryHazelEyes knock it to 'em! Bet you are popular with your friends/colleagues; all those treats sound delicious!

Ta for motivational chocs Zoo
Sorry your dd2 is still finding things tough going . I hope she will be able to relax a bit now over the Christmas hols. Crikey! 85 presents?! You should win some sort of speed wrapping award!

Foxes you may already be aware but be careful with Lush bath bombs and small dc! I found out to my cost that some of them make the bottom of the bath very slippy indeed!

Good luck at the dentist Expletive

Lovely and mild here today! Went out with the furries feeling very stressed and overwhelmed (downstairs is in total and utter chaos - it's going backwards in terms of being guest-ready ) furniture is being moved - gardener pressure hosing the terrace - dogs swirling - chap trying to sort terrace drainiage involving leads going through hall etc)- and came back feeling much more chipper! Drove to beautiful park with gorgeous trees instead of pounding the streets and feel much better for it and furries are calmer. So I thoroughly recommend a bit of tree-hugging for anyone feeling the pressure .

DD is going off shopping with her mates and has just left without coat or having had breakfast (I despair!). I am panicking slightly about her presents because she is getting (very very £££££££) semi- private specialist riding lessons for Christmas (which is what she asked for) but I haven't got a lot else for her except a few books, a mug, fluffy socks, pjs and some earrings and a particular bar of chocolate she wanted (and a relative from UK is bringing her the charcoal shampoo she likes that I can't get here). I was going to buy her a casual day dress (she has two dresses for going out at night) but she won't tell me the sort of things she likes and I daren't guess because I always get it wrong. She just says she's not bothered about presents and is looking forward to Christmas dinner ... .

Right, had better crack on. Too many things to do to write down!

NOTE to self: do not forget to collect prescription!!!!

Waves to Toostressy and everyone else! Good luck negotiating all the madness fledglings! We will get there in the end!

I agree with everyone else foxes. Comments like that are so unhelpful and say more about the person them.

Well I have been stressed about Christmas, massively behind on laundry, not done food shop etc. Will be up late tonight doing online food shop. Had been feeling grumpy (and still do a bit!) but having gone into work in the hospital today has been reminded me that these really are little stresses compared to the big things people are going through. I will try to remember that and will still probably fail miserably as actually if kids and partners aren’t happy then that is still very stressful at times!

ktcluck that's exactly it! I wanted everyone to see when we were outside in the carpark afterwards how ds cuddled me and said "sorry mummy" ...he was tired and overwhelmed and I don't blame him! (We'll ignore the fact that he then had another tantrum in the car and then eventually fell asleep half way through shouting!)

He's been doing a lot of hitting and kicking recently which isn't an issue I had with dd although I know it's common. It's making me feel a bit unsure of my parenting in general though. I've found myself getting very wound up by him and I know that I need to be very calm so that he sees losing your temper isn't going to solve anything. But it's hard!

Ps ktcluck hope your dd feels better soon

sc thanks for the tip re lush bath bombs , we've never had them before, eek! I was trying to find something a bit more environmentally friendly than the usual bath stuff I get for the dc. Was it you that slipped on it btw or your dd?!

Re Xmas presents for your dd, what you've got sounds lovely, I think it's so easy to worry about these things but on the day itself it's all forgotten nobody is counting up gifts (my thing is trying to make sure my two have equal quantities but dh did point out to me that they never ever count their presents so it really doesn't matter and if they do start counting their presents they'd need a stern word about being grateful!!) That said, could you perhaps get her a gift voucher for a new dress - has she got a favourite shop?

Sorted out dd bedroom but I think the baking will wait as the dc are actually playing nicely and quietly so I don't want to disturb them, if they hear me baking they will want to help!

Bless him foxes its hard being 3! Our 3 year old ds is starting school nursery in Jan, five days 9-3. I will be lost without him! But i also know that getting things done will be much easier!

Ta da

School run and shit
Few bits from shops
Sent an email
Cancelled a food shop
Washed pots
Washed and sterilised bottles
Stashed few bits of presents bought this morning
Washer on

I need slipper socks / cosy bed socks for dc1. He is 11, shoe size 4. Kids ones seem to be biggest size 12-3, and all the ladies ones are well clearly ladies ones! Any ideas people?

Don't know if any good I've but I was looking at the personalised socks on Solesmith for dd (you can get your dogs' photo printed on them! ) and they do some lovely hand knitted ones for all sizes but they are a bit steep price-wise but soft slipper socks are less expensive here. See men's slipper sock boots bottom right from £16.00.

These navy ones from Next £10
here

or various here

Aw both of your 3 year olds sound lovely I've and Foxes!

Foxes we both slipped (on separate occasions - we had a surfeit one year!) I fell forwards and nearly knadgered myself on the taps but thankfully stopped myself in time! Dd slipped getting out but again recovered herself. I don't know whether it was just a particular type of bath bomb (think they were lavender-esque/pinky purple/sparkly) but they seemed to leave a very slippery/oily sediment on bottom of bath!

That's a good idea about the voucher thank you Foxes but I was a bit worried about her not having enough things to actually unwrap ifyswim. However, I have since found some things that I had bought during the year that I had stashed away and forgotten about . Organised as ever not!!!

Wise words Toostressy and indeed we should count our blessings!

Christmas tree has arrived! It is standing on newly Karchered terrace as I am not ready for it inside yet

Presents and cards for another set of godchildren done.
Sofa covers washed and drying on radiators.
Pastry made (first set mince pies for freezer).
More cards written.
Last two parcels sent.

Foxes DD has recently been through the hitting stage and I found it hard too. It’s always been with frustration. I think Wes re getting there but I agree it’s hard to stay calm and not get wound up.

SC if things are looking worse rather than better then that means progress!

Too I also work in a hospital and I agree it’s very sobering at this time of year. I remember fighting back tears last year, leaving to start my Christmas leave as a charity were arriving with gift bags for parents who’s children would be staying in . It really does put all the little minor things into perspective. Still doesn’t stop the stressing though!

DD’s temp has remained a little on the high side and she’s been a bit off her food but is otherwise absolutely fine and currently has her dad playing hide and seek while I have 5 minutes peace and a bath. I’ll be taking her tomorrow and dashing straight to the supermarket so if she does go down hill I’ll at least have that bit sorted!

I got the oven and pram cleaned as planned (oven almost a disaster - in true cluck style I raced in impulsively unscrewing the door to find I’d unnecessarily unscrewed the latch part and it dropped inside to an inaccessible bit meaning I had to completely take the door off and try and fix it. Added a good half hour on ).

Half the cards are done and I’ve started assembling the hamper. I’ll finish when DD is in bed. Shopping list is written.

I also did a thorough clean in the hall way, cleaned the microwave and the cupboard fronts in the kitchen.

Ironing was a non-starter. Meh.

It really does put all the little minor things into perspective. Still doesn’t stop the stressing though. That is it in a nutshell KT.

SC, I was going to suggest a voucher then saw foxes had beaten me to it!

Aww a snoozing cat on your lap sounds lovely Expletive.

Great news on second interview Hazel.

Glad your DS had a good day yesterday zoo. Sorry to hear DD2 struggling so much.

foxes, I’ve talked about it before on here... I can totally relate to not feeling confident in parenting. In fact it is the one thing above all else I wish I could change about myself as a mum. So I have no advice but do have sympathy. It’s very hard when they bite etc.

Ive, hopefully the socks that SC linked would suit.

Big wing flaps to everyone else.

Well I have a Tesco delivery booked for tomorrow. I have until 23:45 to do the online shop for it. Thankfully DH has started tea but I also have a load of school related shit to sort as it is the last day of term.

In theory I should be able to sit down with a glass of something and do a leisurely online food shop while thinking festive thoughts with a Christmas movie in the background. Sadly that would have been much more achievable if I had done the online order weeks ago and was not now up against tens clock.

Tomorrow I have to get the cat ready to go to the vet while also getting the girls to school as quickly as possible to get back to get cat in car and to vets. I am NOT looking forward to tomorrow morning.

We will get there in the end!

the clock not tens clock!

Well, I haven't done the bathroom, the loft or the shopping list . Did manage dentist x 2 (separate hygienist appointment), WAH, changed two lightbulbs, depooped litter trays, helped DD with an art project, quick food shop, bought new vent hose for tumble dryer (old one has split so lots of damp air getting out), general tidying.

Sounds as if you did a lot though Expletive!

Just checked Tesco order out with 2 minutes to spare. Phew!

Going to take a couple of minutes to relax then look at teacher gifts for tomorrow then need to go to bed.

Launch pad

Christmas missions

‘We get there in the end ’

Just climbing in to bed (1.15 am here)
Physically very tired but my mind is racing as there is still so much to be done!
6.30 am start as it is results/report day/ last day of term tomorrow.

Ta da cont'd/...
made leek and potato soup
dw on and emptied again
four more loads of washing done
more cards done and one letter written and all posted
unpacked new plates and glasses
chemist and cashpoint run
picked up DD
a few presents wrapped
had 30 min meeting about new role in office
various e-mails/texts with friends/family to sort arrangements
animals' presents bought
nagged reminded dh about wine order and other things
extra speedy supper served and tidied up (frozen veg burgers and salad)
rubbish and recycling
wms set for early morning
dw on ditto
kitchen surfaces and bin wiped down with Dettox
searched and found more presents
sorted out presents in to various categories
wrote list for morning

Toostressy I did a similar rushed on-line shopping order yesterday; relaxing it was not! Cost a fortune and I still forgot tomato ketchup! Well done for getting yours done and dusted!

KTCluck and Toostressy good luck with your busy mornings tomorrow!

Waves to Expletive and everyone else!
G'night all!

I keep getting chucked off.Nipped onto computer before I head for bed.
I have written about three or four posts which get lost as I am about to post...IPAD. So annoying.

Everyone is very busy and no doubt not flying as much as we should be.Me too.
I was out with about thirty people tonight singing around the wards of the hospital some patients that were well enough joined in.It makes you think! Some patients very poorly on oxygen etc. But we certainly cheered a few ladies up. The nurses appreciated it and a couple of male doctors joined in on their way past.We were issuing chocolates too.
I think I have finished the shopping.Have about four cards to write posted ones have gone and two letters.Been to Lakeland and a certain supermarket where I bought a book next one in series. Butchers, back home, hospital, pub, home and DH went to bed shortly after while I stayed up to wrap presents. Vacuumed the carpet and gave a tidy to the sitting room and lit the fire. Ready for bed now. Some cleaning and organising tomorrow. Need to put up a few decorations.Tree went up on Monday. Cleaned all the dresser so a few decorations on there...lights. swag etc.
Pat on the back with those with little ones as it so much work and they get EXCITED! I think I will be wrecked by Christmas.
BF has a chest infection. We finished wrapping all the presents unless more have arrived.Took her to her GP and to visit one of her clients that she was worried about.Dropped her off for an hour while I nipped out for prescription which was just as well as it isn't on repeat but it was so it leaves me without an inhaler for Christmas Day and beyond and I am coughing the last few days. Hopefully they will have sorted it before Xmas. One of the boys has a sore eye. The one whose house we are going to for the meal. DH went to organise the fish platter today to be told he was too late I so wanted to say "i told you so" i told him when we were there two weeks ago to order it.
Will catch up on todays posts. Will try to get on here tomorrow.

Hi all.quick checked thru
I've o got navy and grey big socks at Aldi for dd2.theyre wooly looking and not especially girlyshe's sleeping in them at mo.will take a pic as soon as I can...
Hazel 🍀🍀🍀for test
Kt(I think,cants scroll well on phone) hope DD ok for nursery and you get shop done in peace
SC gifts sound lovely for dd2.just wants the Xmas dinner - a girl after my own heart!

Mad here yesterday
Girls declared needed gifts for today for friends
Lots schlep around for lil zoos
Got couple presents wrapped
2loads laundry done
Made gingerbread stockings and iced friends names on ready girls decorate
Trek shop dd2 after-school sort her gifts
Dd1 drop D's birthday gifts and chat a bit
Supervise lil zoo decorate her cookies
Help her wrap gifts(painfully slowly and as I'd got gift bags unnecessary really but she was keen to do it)
They finally got dinner at 830
Get dd2 thru nasty panic attack
My dinner 945
Help her wrap gifts and decorate cookies as still in bit of tizz
Didn't sit down til 1130

Awake half hour and been catch up on MN threads

Must get up and get on

Todo
Blitz house(dd2 bringing friend home as school ends 1215 and friends mum refuses her be alone in house so has nowhere else to go)
Get final gifts from town
Wrap gifts
Manage D's whilst "strangers in camp"
List goes on but must get started