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.

^he of long face and whiskery chin° you really must stop talking of DH like that SC
I've finger,eyes etc crossed it will pass by morning.you had more than fair share bugs this winter..(lil zoo had strepsil 10pm for painful throat.that can sod off n better not go after dd2.last 2 Xmas has had bad colds/throats and been miserable...
Bower I cannot begin to imagine how scary thosefires must be to live with.sending hugs and prayers for your family
Been awake since 2 with today's list of things to do whirring.i never finished yesterday's..

I had mountain my lil pony on gumtree.yesterday teatime had call from mum I know who is mentioned it to ask around anyone interested in buy dirt cheap or I ditching to chazza as so much and getting in bloody way!her benefits gone monthly 2months back n got nowt for 5yr old daughter yet and could she possibly have some of it but pay on 31st when money comes in as struggling adjust from weekly payments and literally has £10 in purse til then once top up meters.shes coming collect it this afternoon.shes no idea how much stuff shes getting!!a neighbours offered a toy garage for her son with cars from her outgrown grandkids so that'll be presents sorted(and I've literally freed up a cupboard in girls room of doom.whoo hoo)
If I can't resettle will get up 430 n plod on with promise of a nap if time at some point

How everyone's doing ok!

Giving up and getting up...

Good morning all! Wow, that went quickly! Giving up and getting up here too Zoo ( re:dh! .

Aw that is so lovely about giving away the toys! The lady concerned will be delighted! As will her dc. On the subject of charitable acts, I appear to have invited a stray Colombian and a stray Tunisian to Christmas lunch. Dh raised half an eyebrow when he found out and said he is going to look for a stray Iranian and re-form the three tenors.

To do:
marzipan the cake
write dh a list
delegate silver polishing to DD
tidy boudoir [groan]
last of the cards
wash towels
calandar bed linen
final tweek of decorations
make stuffing and cook ham
make pastry and second batch mince pies for freezer.
continue wrapping!

Have to fit Mass and dog walk in there too somehow, had better get going. Very dark, wet and murky here though and that's set to continue unfortunately.

Forgot a ta da yesterday: rearranged all plant pots on terrace.

Have a productive day everyone!

Ta for links when you are so busy Toostressy! We will get there in the end!

Tada
Cats fed
Bleach lav
Wash on
Locate items stashed for Xmas in many bags dotted around house and put into crates washed up yesterday(appear gone heavy handed on the Xmas themed tortilla crisps and bought cheaply from heron foods-- cakes...)
Cleared dining table from sea bags,sorted contents
Cleared under table(lil zoo and D's tend put their Xmas stash on and under unused chairs at back to prevent necks being broken Xmas day)
Cleaned oven -im not one for plugging products but I follow Mrs hinch on Instagram and she uses elbow grease cleaner on her oven.i bought some(£1 shop thinking if fails,no Biggie) oh.my.goodness! Revelation moment!I do clean oven little and often as hate caustic soda type products preferring use those wire wool type balls and hot soapy water/touch scouring cream but not for the glass door so it struggles come up nice.i sprayed it and rubbed with sponge scourer and the filth coming off.i was like wow.repeat and scrub a few times and I have a SPARKLING glass door

Another kitchen cupboard sorted and noted what needs replenishing
Wash in dryer,more in

Onwards and upwards ladies,we can do it!!

Baking cupboard cleaned out.located source sticky mess- golden syrup squeeze bottle fell over and lid went askew.wiped everything that got caught in it.noted what need for Xmas baking
Sorted final kitchen cupboard
Sorted thru herbs and spice jars(wiping them as went),noting necessary replacements
More wash in drier,more on

Just have job to do later then tomorrow it's basic windiws,sills,surfaces,cupboard fronts then keeping eye on state of floor!!

Living room needs decent seeing to,but first pitstop for breakfasts!!

Jesus. I still have sore throat and ears. No pineapple here except Tescos orange lemon and pineapple squash which probably contains no actual pineapple

SC the film adaptation would be a blockbuster I’m sure . Good luck with today’s epic list, you’re on the final stretch!

Bower hope your family are ok.

Ive you can be excused from wrapping if you aren’t well. Hope you’re feeling better this morning. I’m great at recommending the 5 minute trick but not always grey at doing it.

Zoo I can’t believe you’ve cleaned the oven before I’m even out of bed.

Expletive I think too much mulled wine was well deserved. I enjoyed the darts last night.

So DH has given me a lie in this morning but I’m getting up in the next few minutes as the to do list that seemed totally achievable yesterday is now weighing on my mind and seems longer:

Up and dressed
Beds made
Wash in
Dust whole house
Vac whole house
Clean floors (kitchen and downstairs loo need some more thorough attention)
Clear shopping bags / parcels / wrapped presents from hall and living room
Bread milk and Prosecco from shop (the essentials )
Clean bathroom
Help DSis for an hour or two
Take delivery of relatives dining table and chairs to increase seating capacity for Christmas dinner (we are having 8, table only seats 6 so clagging a round one on the end with one flap down). I’d totally forgotten about this and have no idea what time it will arrive as my DDad isn’t great at sticking to any sort of plan.

I’m delegating the table delivery and shopping to DH (May regret it SC) but I’m tackling the rest myself while he keeps DD out of the way.

Family arriving from 2 so I really need to move! Wish me luck!

Oh cross-post Ive to get you through the day

Ty kt

I did manage to get quite a lot done yesterday. Caught up on washing except the man childs (not in the basket, not getting washed) Biggest two dcs bedrooms tidy, surfaces clean, floors hoovered, bedding washed and back on. Dc3 bedroom half tidy, half hoovered, bedding washed and back on (need finish this today)
Also tackled the craft drawers in the kitchen and binned a load of stuff. These drawers were leaking all over the room from the front and back! Moved boxes from xmas decs and some random crap like a baby swing, old pram and rocking horse to make more space downstairs

Smallest two dc are fed and changed. Dc3 sprawled infront of youtube. Dc1 and 2 still sleeping.

Ta da

All dc dragged from pits and fed / feeding
Iceland shop ordered for tomorrow
Wash on
Pots washed

Morning everyone.

That’s a great list for yesterday Ive. for today.

Good luck with everything you have to do today KT.

for oven cleaning zoo. How lovely to give the toys away too and bonus that it is also decluttering .

Very kind of you to have extras at Christmas SC.

Bower, how scary for your cousins. The fires seem so frightening and uncontrollable.

Loved your post Expletive; it sums up this time of year and all the things to do plus mulled wine!

Loving all the seasonal posts on here .

Had really lovely time at panto. First half was desperately trying not to fall asleep just through dim lighting and tiredness. Ice cream at the interval did the trick (both DH and I said it must have had magic or caffeine in it!) and was much more awake and it was so lovely to actually sit and relax and r joy watching something.

Still at in laws now so trying to take advantage of the time to write lists. DDs now both saying Christmas itself will be very boring as it is going to be just us so will have to see how that goes .

Ta da:-
DD1 washed and ready
DD2 in bath
All had breakfast

Last night I made a list of all food shopping still to get (perishables basically) and put it in rough logical order. I will either be shopping for this late at night or in daytime with two DC with me so need an organised list!

Have started list of cards and presents still to give out.

Started a Tesco shop for after Christmas

Right, need to hurry DD2 up. Back later.

Morning all! So much achieved on here yesterday, I am in awe. Bower, hope cousins have made contact.

I took yesterday off altogether. The Pie Incident tipped me over the edge into what DH is terming my Annual Christmas Meltdown. Apparently it happens every year, when I get totally overwhelmed and afraid of it all going wrong and it being my fault. I have no memory of this from one year to the next. Anyway, yesterday was it (2 days later than usual, apparently) and I ended up sending DH sniffly WhatsApps from a coffee shop while dropping tears i to my (disgustingly sweet but mercifully free due to points) hot chocolate. He came and rescued me, bought me a Waitrose moussaka to replace the pie and put me back to bed for the afternoon. No Christmas stuff got done, but the world didn't end either, so I can start again today with equanimity.

However, it appears to be nearly 10am and I'm still in bed!
To Dos

• walk dog and deliver last Xmas cards
• open all windows for half an hour
• get kids to strip their beds and wash them
• hoover whole house
• wash floors
• clean bathrooms properly
• remind DH I'm not going to wrap my own gifts and he needs to get on with it.
• roast beef for 6.30pm
• remember that too much mulled wine gives me a headache...

DH did say yesterday that I have wrought wonders in our bedroom and I am very pleased with that! It feels much better and will feel even more so by next weekend when all the Christmas gifts hidden in here are gone!

I'm still in bed too. Woke at 3.15 to go to the loo, took a while to get back to sleep (cat walking on me didn't help) but slept till half an hour ago. Catching lunchtime train to London with DD for an event so need to get up and get going.

Bower - thinking of you and your family, it sounds horrendous out there

Willow - glad DH was able to rescue you.

KT - darts was brilliant wasn't it, I went to bed after Fallon's win.

Right, up I get.

Note to self - don't leave mince pies in the oven and go off and do present wrapping in a different part of the house!

They're not burnt just well done.

She has posted a map and advice from the Firefighters. No personal so don't know where she is yet. Looks like she got out though there was a photo of the roof of her car and the smoke billowing up from behind nearby trees. Must have been scary.

Well we were up early and I did an hour tidying then shower and dressed to catch train to Edinburgh hmmm. That is where it went wrong no trains. Couldn't get on the bus as full and taxis were promised but we waited for a while then gave up. So putting away all that doesn't belong downstairs. Wrapped last three presents. will put all that away and tidy then dust and vacuum and make last cake. It is all weighed bar the sugar, butter, flour. Shouldn't take long then three hours in bottom oven. Might put my feet up and snooze for half an hour as I didn't sleep well.

Thanks everyone. Just scrolled back and read posts. Just read that they got the little S* that torched a car and set fire to miles and miles of bush. All those poor people and animals. 70 houses gone last night. Wouldn't like to be in his shoes. I don't know yet whether she got the horses out. Might have just had to let them go and hope they got out themselves. Family all worried about her so I don't think she has managed to contact anyone yet.

Willow Of course your melt down has nothing to do with the fact that he doesn't do enough.And PIE gate! I nearly had one yesterday a melt down. DH saved my pie, I just ate it. He had to have a sandwich as he ate his pie yesterday.

Cover the mince pies with icing sugar or cream foxes, they'll never know!

Sorry, will catch up properly later. Waves to all and mince pies for the naughty corner!

FML

I do not feel well

Why why why

bower sorry missed your earlier post, hope all ok

I've sorry you've been so poorly that's really not nice at this time of year , I really really hope you feel better soon

My mince pies have already nearly all been eaten so there was no time for any icing but they obviously weren't that bad!!

Going to use up leftovers tonight and make a Spanish omelette for dinner

Then early bath and bed for the dc, they've had two late nights in a row and ds especially is exhausted, he's best asleep on the sofa. We've watched deck the halls this afternoon, I love that film

Aw,I itchinv to have time for that onefoxes and elf!!

Tada
Morrison's for certain bits.was bloody zoo with very little good will to all men(think lots tutting and swearing) you would think shops shut a week way some trolleys were being stacked.ive never seen so much cream being bought in all my days!!left D's and lil zoo home which was good job given all pushing and shoving.poor dd2 had panic attack...
Luckily walk home us beautiful and quiet thru nature reserve and that perk her up for round two.
Local shop area.heron foods and Waitrose for naicefree from bits
Cold things away
Lunch
Rang friend about ponies.shes dropped with flu and don't want us near to get poorly.she sounded awful.had staggered to put slow cooker on and was let DC destroy the place hopeful be start feel but better by Xmas Eve to pull it back.i offered drop stuff round in next few days on doorstep if she don't want risk giving it us(which tbh is rather she didn't)
Tackled boy dungeon
Pulled everything out under midi sleeper,sweep and returned what's ment be there neatly
Relocated rest stuff appropriate homes/bin/recycling
Swept rest floor
Will do polishing,windows and wash floor tom as part home bleurgh
Girls room of doom
Remove pony stuff and stack on landing
Found letters to Santa from years ago at back the boiler cupboard it was in.zoolets cracked up at their spelling/handwriting!!
Cleared lil zoo side room,incl under bed.filked binbag(I don't even know how?!)and 2cartier bags paper detritus and plastic bottles
Help dd2 sort desk/under bed
Swept main bit floor
Will do windows,surfaces and wash floor tom
All bins emptied into big bin for collection tom
A recycling to outside bin
Littertray scrubbed
3loads laundry done,4th near ready drier
Nice hot shower

Now I feel bit perkier/cleaner will put rest shop away/sort Xmas god box into cupboard understairs-

Planning to do face pack and pedicure with dd2 tonight.hands very bad again so be lashings cream in twice during course of evening

Tea tonight-little ones get choice pasta and veg with cheese or cereal and fruit

Obviously I don't have Cartier bin bags(carrier stupid phone)
And food box,not god box

And I thought I was doing well with my Costco binbags, no way am I at Cartier standard

Cooked tea, need to wash more dishes. And do the food shopping, although we have the essentials (turkey, bacon and sausage for pigs in blankets - everything else is extra)

OK, going to read properly now.

That's ok foxes. I haven't caught up much with today's news on here.

Ta Da
Dining Table visable
decs all finished gave up on one set Bah Humbug
Cake ready to come out soon. Presents delivered to some at church forgot cards in other handbag.
House looking tidier

Cartier bin bags .

Glad she has posted something Bower

Oh no Ive .

Glad you took some time for yourself Willow. I can totally see why there is an annual Christmas meltdown.

Glad mince pies worked out ok in the end foxes.

Waves to Christmas and everyone else.

Waiting for DD2 to fall asleep then going to sort yet more laundry.

Launch pad

Christmas missions

‘We get there in the end ’