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.

Cor blimey; hello all! I hope everyone has had a really lovely day and I hope it's not too late to wish all Fledglings and families a very, very happy Christmas! 🌲🌲🎁🎁🎄🎄🎄🎅🎅!

I also wanted to say thank you to Toostressy for running the thread during this frantic period of time (not an easy task!) and I definitely see you all as friends too so hear hear Expletive!

This is literally the very first moment (never mind minute!) I've had to myself since 6.30 am this morning. Today was very seat-of-the-pants and was quite testing in various ways. My sister was a star! Thank heavens she's here! It generally went well though apart from someone who is being rather difficult and completely dominating proceedings but we don't know how to get him to desist without seeming rude or making him feel unwelcome because (a) he's had a hard time health-wise of late and (b) I don't think he is aware that he is being so boorish.

All in all quite a good day (if a bit intense!) Christmas dinner was lovely and all went generally quite well! Very early start again tomorrow - catering X 3 meals all over again - so must go to sleep now.

Funniest moment: didn't have time to wrap "puppy's" present, but she is so intelligent, she went and found it totally unprompted in my office and came down the stairs with it (squeaky toy) while we were all unwrapping our presents

Same to you I've!

Glad you have your Turkish delight Tinselette!

So sorry about that lovely young man Bower it doesn't get easier

Huge (somewhat weary) waves to everyone! Only five more days to go

Merry Christmas everyone! It's still Christmas day here (just about). I have been doing my best to catch up with the thread the past week or so, I've just got caught up! I have been so busy working (40hrs one job, 20+hrs 2nd job the last couple of weeks) DD has been awesome and has been very helpful the last few days. She wrapped most of my presents for me (So no need to stay up until 3am- which is normal for me), she got the ham going in the slow cooker Christmas Eve (I prepped it for her before I went to work), made rolls with DH, made rice krispie treats, shaped with Christmas cookie cutters and iced with homemade frosting she made. She roped DH and DS into decorating the rice krispie treats as well, they turned out very good. It was nice to get home from work and not have to lift a finger! 2nd job will die down, although I have been hired on now as permenant, not just seasonal, so that should help us financially.

Sorry the last post was a me post! Laputa sorry to hear about the bullying, hopefully your approach will work and the newness will calm down soon. bower sorry about the loss you had within the last year, it is very hard to adjust to that kind of change. Sorry to hear about the young ones being overwhelmed on Christmas, hopefully they'll do better now it's over.

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas, mine was fairly relaxing, although I didn't get to watch any Christmas movies like I was hoping. I did dye DDs hair, then had to bleach and scrub the bath afterwards as it stained it- got it all off though! I'm off the next 2 days from both jobs so hopefully I can get stuff done around the house that I have neglected.

I know I missed others and may have got names mixed up, I have been following (trying to anyway) and trying to get some flying done, but not always succeeding). TooStressy thank you so much for keeping up with the thread and adding the links every day, I don't know how you do it!

I'm now falling asleep so should turn off the light (almost midnight here). Goodnight!

Morning SC, hope it's not too frantic already today with all your guests. Hazel, excellent news about the permanent job, but do try to sit down today and tomorrow or you'll wear yourself out! 60 hour weeks are properly punishing (and I was in my 20s when I last did that regularly!). Bower, I'm sorry the memories are bittersweet this year.

I'm up and running and Flying already - DW is running again and the washing is drying. Coffee and Christmas cake for breakfast (what? There's fruit in it!) before I try to wake all the teens (and DH) to go to FIL's. Needless to say, DS3 has been up since 6am playing with his new toys...

willow Christmas cake for breakfast sounds excellent! Plenty of iron in the fruit. Drink orange juice with it to release the iron.

Morning fledglings. ( You are probably asleep Hungryhazeleyes if you are behind us in terms of time). Coffee beckons

Morning all,

Hazel - I struggle a bit to remember who is who on the thread at times too, some
months its very chatty and I fail to keep up at all but its like Flylady, just jump back in. Were you on this thread a few years ago? I seem to remember someone who lived a similar time zone distance away but can't remember their name.

SC - well done, and for your sister.

Willow well done for getting started again so early. I got up about an hour ago. made a cuppa and came back to bed. Must get up though, we are off out visiting today and need to be on the road by 10. I cooled yesterday and DH cleared the table / put DW on, but I spent another couple of hours in the evening getting everything put away, washing done, DW rebooted, leftovers sorted which I'm glad I don't have to do this morning.

Morning! Enjoying a lazy morning with brioche and tea while DD plays nicely with her new toys (willow I may also consider Christmas cake).

I’ve just set the third dishwasherload of Christmas lunch / supper things off (we only have a slimline DW and DH used every plate, bowl, pan and tray he could lay his hands on yesterday. It was delicious so I’ll forgive him. There’s another few big items to go in a fourth load, and I’ve just hand washed the final lot of non-DW stuff. The kitchen now looks pretty clear and back to normal.

Plan for today:
Final dishes
Couple of loads of laundry
Vacuum downstairs
All presents away.
DH can take the borrowed and table back if they are wanted today. If not he can at least put them in his van out the way.
Visit a relative
Relax!

Back to work tomorrow, but just for one day.

Hope you all manage to enjoy some calm after the storm. SC sounds like you still have a lot to do. Hope all goes smoothly!

Morning everyone!

Good luck today SC .

Hazel, you sound super busy with work and I hope you can have a little rest as the others have said.

I have done nothing yet today. Need to go and sort breakfast now.

I didn't get up til 930!!!!!😱😱😱😱
Think caught up on some sleep.dd2 now full of cold,chest hurts cough etc.at least she wasn't too rough yesterday
Dd1 due shortly for present swap .she's doing a proper visit tom,everyone's back at work cept her so we can have a nice but time tog❤️its raining herebut I need fresh air so will take stroll out to local Tesco express as no bread or milk(we could survive til tom without either tbh,but I need stretch my legs as sat round in pjs all day yesterday)
I need start thinking where we go put all the zoolets gifts....

I have opened all windows. A few chores then cold meat lunch. Washmore is piling up. It can stay there!

Yo ho ho 🎅

Ta da

Wash on
Dryer empty
Any new clothes put away
One bed stripped for wash after spillage
Pots washed
Bottles washed
Pancakes for breakfast
One worktop clean and clear
2 bags rubbish out

Yesterday was good. Busy but good. However the man child was a massive dick last night and has been told so and we are now back on crap terms. I am wearing my game face and cracking on for the dc. He is rotting in bed. Nuff said.

Are you Santa or a pirate ive :o

But uggggh at manchild 😡😡😡 sorry he’s spoiled things. That sucks.

Lazy day here, DH not terribly well anyway (meds related not contagious) and heavy rain! We’ve tidied the living room now I just want leftovers in a baguette.

Popping in to send some festive love to all of you lovely fledglings! Ive had a bit of a tidy up and am planning to start flying properly again tomorrow.

Glad you managed to have a nice day until man child spoiled it Ive.

Thinking of you with all your catering today SC.

Glad you got a lie in zoo .

Good to see you managing to get back on MN Tinselette.

Sounds as if a lazy day is a good plan Laputa.

In theory we are having a lazy day. In practice DDs do not do well with lazy days so we will see.

Ta da:-
I went for a run. Wet and miserable but much easier than being at home with bored DC .
We have eaten lunch.

To do:-
Stop DDs bickering

Mercury hi .

Also forgot big ta da:-
Skyped my parents with DDs

A pirate / santa / mum / maid / referee , thats me

I'm having a PJ day myself today as I've gone down with the cold virus and went back to bed this afternoon. Currently cooking our traditional Boxing Day Nigella ham in coke in the pressure cooker!

expletive no it wasn't me, I didn't even know this thread existed, or anything about fly lady back then.

I slept until 10:15am today!! I must have needed it. I do have a load of laundry going, but I'm having more of a lazy start. DD got loads of gift cards so wants to go shopping. Might need a second cup of coffee before we go.

I do want to sweep and so a quick mop today, but dishes are mostly caught up. Need to find homes for chocolates so they're not cluttering up my countertops. Dinner is at our house tonight (in-laws coming over) but just leftovers so minimal prep to be done.

Oh I’ve what a jerk he is. Why can’t men see that their behaviour ruins things for everyone. DH thankfully behaved . He had to go to Morrison’s for something for one of the boys and discovered more lobster and scallops so he was chuffed with himself but I didn’t have time to cook them so still in fridge. We transferred everything on Christmas Eve except some of the food and took that in the morning. Dropped BFs presents 🎁 off on the way a quick swap because we needed to get Turkey in. We were 15 minutes late so wasn’t bad. Sorted turkey super quick. I stuff under the skin then wrap bacon 🥓 over. Shoved in oven and then had a coffee and a catch up with DS1. He had finished off tidying the sitting room though the bike looked a bit odd in the dining room. He had two bikes stolen around November. They broke into his shed for the second time. It is an old brick shed. One bike was brand new. So now he keeps the replacement in the house. His house is lovely and so tidy. His brothers hadn’t seen the new kitchen and dining room so quite impressed. When DH went to collect DS2 I sorted the fish so we ended up with a platter like DH wanted( don’t know why) and everything was nearly ready. DH had prepared all the veg while DS1 let me watch last Apprentice as I had missed it. So very laid beck. DS3 whisked the cream while I did the potatoes and whole dinner went really smoothly. We opened gifts after the pavlova before cheese. DS3 didn’t want one of his which was a let down. His older brother said “Why can’t he just accept things.” He was the one we always find difficult to buy for. DS2 was drunk/ sorry lacked sleep. It didn’t explain the word slurring. One of them always turns up worst for wear! They work in catering and hospitality so finish really late and then the staff often sit down for a drink together. I think he might have been in the village pub. DD did a video call last night. They are having a great time and she looks so well and healthy. Really fresh faced.
Tired out today and got up late BF and her DH arrived as the walked down. We cut the cake (my breakfast) which I hadn’t finished icing. Note to self next year ...get all cakes iced earlier.

DH fell asleep this afternoon and I have come for a lie down because I had just gone on mum’s net and dozed off hitting myself in the face with it!

Well I think we all need a pat on the back because “ We did it.”
Our other favourite saying “ All fed, no one dead.” Not even from the defrosted lobster. It seems like we mostly had a good time.

*Toostressy” thank you so much for running the thread this month🌟💐 when you were so busy too.

Zoo What a palace for those cats. Can you see the TV or is that for them🤣 ? DDs cat watches TV.

Ta Da
One load of washing.
Dish washer filled.
Vacuumed all downstairs and stairs and hallway.

Boudoir still a tip. Tomorrow’s challenge.

CCwe had that yesterday and today. I cooked it on Christmas Eve. Yum. I wanted a PJ day but then friends arrived. I have the razor blade throat. It will be all that mixing with people at the damn supermarket.

Hazel I know a home for those chocolates. We didn’t get any bar four lovely seahorses. I also slept in. Shattered.

We got there in the end !

If anyone wants to have a read here is a link for all the Christmas clean up missions. They are old ones but I think the missions stay pretty much the same each year round. I will carry on putting the Christmas missions links on each night too as I can’t quite remember when Flylady starts the clean up missions.

Please don’t feel (as thread leader ) that I am saying people should be doing these now. Flylady herself makes it very clear that the dates are flexible based on your own traditions. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed with Christmas, it might help to have a read through. At this time of year I am usually filled with an optimism that next year I will be more organised for Christmas so I do find them useful.

Lots do not involve any clearing away of decorations. I have done some of the first one today which is putting away wrapping paper. Can’t do it all but tidied lots of it. Made me feel a lot better.

Launch pad

Christmas missions

‘We got there in the end ’

Thanks Toostressy. It makes sense to put wrapping paper, ribbons etc.

DH received a text from one of my sisters. It says she got a fit bit that he should get me one and her sister in law has lost 10 kilos. Then he replied as she hasn’t been well( said Dd) as part of her reply she mentions it again. I ‘m a size16 granted. I can easily walk four / five miles without problem. GP sees me regularly and never mentioned that I need to lose weight. I realise I am overweight to what I was years ago and after I had DD I lost a lot of weight. This is the sister that lives on the other side of the world. Just wondered how you would feel? She is also not believing that I sent a birthday card and now a Christmas card. I got DH to post it on purpose because I could remember about the b’day card as I was very stressed at the time. I don’t really know what to reply so I haven’t.

Clearly yesterday's lay in was in last night's sleep quota too.bugger...

Need start clearing place up today,reached point tripping over new things start get on my tinseltits...

Is she always so thoughtless Bower? Sounds like my sil who causes offense and then covers it by saying she was just having her say/ saying things as she sees then - grr. I'm sure you are fit. I don't know what she's thinking regarding the cards. Text is such a difficult and bald method of communication, especially for so for those with a tact deficit.

Just woken. Can't feel a cold coming on. Fancy porridge for breakfast this morning.

Bower I'll send the chocolates your way - I'm eating way too many of them! Also, I wouldn't worry about a reply - she couldn't have been taught the saying "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Are you close to her, as in talk to her a lot? If not, I wouldn't let it bother you and tell your DH to let her know it's none of her business (my phone wanted to put "Viagra" instead of business so made me giggle!). If you are close to her, tell her yourself! If you and your GP aren't fussed, she shouldn't be either.