Festive Fledglings Flap Frantically Towards A Calm, Clutter-free Christmas!

[SingToTheSky]

OK so clutter-free is a bit ambitious. But anyway, all welcome to join us for a jolly holiday thread, in which we very loosely follow (or at least half-heartedly mention now and then) the FlyLady system of housekeeping.

I’ll be posting links and reminding us all of various tasks up until Christmas Eve, for those who want to follow the system - and if it’s like previous years there will also be some specific extra missions to help us prepare our homes for Christmas. However, we really are just a bunch of frazzled Mumsnetters who will be very happy to welcome you along for chat whether you follow the system or not! We discuss housework, sure, but a whole lot of other stuff too.

We will also continue with the Keep Calm Corner, in which you’ll find various diverting questions, memes etc.

And finally a huge thank you to Foxes who did a fab job of running the thread for the first time in November! 💐

I love "When A Child is Born" Sing, I'm old enough to remember it from when it was released. DD's school choir sang it a couple of years ago, beautiful. Fairytale of NY sadly is like nails down a blackboard to me but it's DH's favourite .

Very cheesy, but I love a harmony, so some of my favourites are

Finally - love a bit of Mariah at Christmas

SUrrounded by tier 3 here too. But well practised in it and waiting for you southerners to catch up It is not that bad when you get adjusted. Better than lock down. Not real life but tbh nothing really is atm.

Tutor was good and helped sort the issues, i understand better than i thought but was a case of wood for trees iyswim. And when combined with utter exhaustion and stupid pain levels was just too much. Thankfully pain killers have kept levels lower.

Gotta got out and pick up a prescription, return some baking trays, and will probably get some more frozen cherries If i am lucky i will get an early night. But there is a good chance of getting stuck in a motorway cos it is christmas init and shopping...

The one i fell out with has slept and in a really good mood which helps. But am leaving them to hot up their own tea so they will have either remembered when i get home, or have forgotten. But if they never get the chance to have to remember stuff then they will lose the skill and worst that happens is that tea is late. So yeah INDEPENDANCE

You all sound like you are in a mix of bugger, meh and wtf about tier three. Hope it is not to hard on your mental beings. Yay on productive days, boo hisses on idiot blokes, and hand in there for all that need

Ooh absolute classics there ED 😍 I love a harmony too, the other thing I’m a total sucker for in music is a key change. A spine tingly key change. Aaaah

Just had a fantastic dinner cooked by DH - slow cooked chicken in a white sauce with ratatouille and sweet potato mash 😋 loads of leftover chicken and sauce which I’m just sorting for a pasta bake tomorrow. I know that if I just put it all in the fridge as it is, I’d not want to bother tomorrow 😳

That it's the alpro 3pk one,get it various places.lil zoo loves it

We are clinging to tier two "by the skin of our teeth" according local news no idea how as case loads are rising and all adjoining counties tier 3.makes me highly suspicious tbh how the make these decisions.i was sure we would be going up...

Lil zoo announced on way to school has been given 4 gifts various friend's...cue panic as I'd not got anything in

Trip pick up dd2 meds from pharmacy
Pop in mini Tesco express next door as she was panicking and needed a drink(water)
Walk thru nature reserve on way back,then off to local shipping area hunting for suitable options for lil zoo friends
Ended up in 4shops I came home with a 6pack Xmas pencils with Xmas erasers on ends,6pk of hot chocolate in a box(all different flavours),candy canes and fun flavoured lip salves in multi pack.bit random,but I don't believe in spending huge sums on whole friendship groups at xmas.it just gets above what we can afford

On travels saw multiple ambulances and fire engines.sun was very low in sky,I think it caused a nasty crash (not uncommon here)

Was exhausted and stuff by time I got in
Made lunch
Had 20 minute nap
Not got energy or motivation to crack on
Loads to do,D's birthday tom

I'm fed up of being so bloody stiff and exhausted

mrstidy good to hear from you. Last day of term was today here and I'm very much looking forward to no school run tomorrow!!

Dinner sounds lovelysing!

Oh zoo stiff necks are horrible, could you try a warm compress or something? Have you got one of those teddies that go in the microwave?!

We had fishcakes for dinner and the dc ate the lot, I wasn't sure they'd like them so that was a result (they weren't home made ones I might add but last time we had them I'm sure they didn't eat them).

Ta das
Dh collected dd as he got home in time
Finished work (I wasn't particularly productive today tbh)
Dh cooked dinner and hung washing up
Dinner stuff cleaned away, dishwasher on
Washing put away

Xpost glittery sending you strength and totally don't blame you for hiding in your bedroom after that day!!

woolly I like the idea of making Xmas someone else's problem.where do I sign up for that?!I'm getting too old and have too many plates threatening to topple without festive stress and anxiety!
Foxes hurrah for empty plates.ds loves a fishcake.lil zoo doesn't how was DS in the end without his party?(think I missed any update there)

Still sat here doing nothing

I hate getting into this level of tired/exhausted/unmotivated/depressed/whatever the Dickens this is...I missed my get up and go.it can't have gone on holiday with covid regulations...must have either dissolved or just plain vanished...

By the way did anyone hear a little girl was missing this morning?has she been found?

The movie was a bit hit and miss sing - I wouldn't say very suitable

Zoo this is a sign that you need to slow down, make yourself comfortable on the sofa for a day or two, and have guilt free R&R session. I hope you get your mojo back soon.
Woolly what a day, even a fire! I completely sympathise with printing debacles, I usually have similar experiences. Large cup of coffee your way! ☕
Sing I am glad you had good heart to heart with your DH.
Tidy great to see you! 👋

Ta da:
🎉LOLx2
🎉 Extended bathroom S&S
🎉Went for a walk

Still to do:

• hoover downstairs
• rotate DW

zoo I'm not even sure I gave an update tbh 🤦‍♀️ he was a little bit disappointed at first but I told him we'd get some party food tomorrow in and do our own little end of term party. He was happy with that idea!

Hiya all, sorry I haven’t been on the last few days. The DC had their last day of school yesterday, when we got to school I realised I’d forgot the money they needed for Christmas dinner so had to drop that off after (meaning I was up and down to the school 8 times yesterday🙄). Today was the 1st day of homeschooling, it was an absolute struggle if I’m honest. DD couldn’t concentrate, DS1 wouldn’t sit still or listen to me and DS2 was clingy. As soon as DH walked in the door I handed them all over to him and took myself up for a bath!.

Thanks for all the support regarding FIL, he’s still being an arse. SIL has phoned DH saying he’s ruined Christmas, they always spend Boxing Day as a family and she told FIL DH would be fine with isolating with them for 2 weeks. She’s never been in a relationship and has no DC, and sometimes I think she doesn’t realise that DH can’t just think about himself and has to think what’s best for his family!. FIL has told DH to ‘grow some balls’ and stand up to me, he believes I’m stopping DH from seeing him and can’t get his head around the fact that DH has made the decision himself. FIL is in his 50’s, in good health, has a partner and will be with her and his daughter, it isn’t like it’s he’s on his own or it’s his last Christmas, we will have the chance to spend it together next year🙄. DH has told him he’s not spending Christmas with FIL, he’s spending it with his family and he’ll give FIL the benefit of the doubt that he’s being like this because of the difficult times we’re in, but if he carries on he’ll cut contact. It’s just a shame because it makes me look like I’m stopping DH from seeing his family, but we just want to spend it as our own little family.

I’ve read through all the posts, but have forgot a lot of what I need to say!. Just want to say great news about negative tests, not sure if your DS’s has come back yet sing, but hopefully it’s negative too!.
Also sherin I don’t think we’ve ‘met’, but I just want to say there’s no judgement here, I had DD when I was 17 and we live in a council house, DH works but I don’t because we can’t afford the childcare. Please feel proud of yourself, we all have different paths in life and there’s no reason to judge anyone for it. You sound like an amazing mum and have done brilliantly getting out of an abusive relationship. Take all the time you need, I hope you come back and update us all on how you’re doing when you’re ready.

Sorry if I’ve missed anything important!. Just put the little one to bed and DH is bathing the big 2. I’m going to create a home learning plan for tomorrow, hopefully will be smoother than today.

No test result here yet. Bit frustrated, mainly because of DD1 and just wanting to know what to put on my Christmas to do list.

She’s not too upset about the staggered start thing. I am confused about the mass testing thing.

Sorry about not having the results yet sing, I hope you get them back soon. What’s happening with mass testing?

Something about secondary schools testing everyone in a bubble if it pops because that means people can stay in school

Sorry didn’t mean to post a blunt response I got confused and hit post 😂 have just tracked the test and it was delivered yesterday although no clue what time. Aaargh.

Oh my gosh, my new blanket. Was a present from family friend what we each need (she’s kind of an extra mum/auntie!) and I chose this. It’s been a revelation. I’ve never spent more than about £8 on a blanket as I just get fluffy throw type things. This, however, is actually warm. Game changer. I have never had a warm blanket before. Who knew?! 😱🥰

I’ve just googled it sing, apparently it isn’t compulsory. But surely you can get false negatives, could it cause cases to rise?. It’s so confusing.

I seem to have missed half a sentence - friend asked what we each needed for Christmas. 🤦🏽‍♀️

The Caglets’ pressies will be wrapped and labelled by me (we often see these friends on Christmas Day itself if not another nearby day, but can’t this year and instead she has very kindly ordered some gifts direct to us!) but given the no heating situation (still no response from HA...) I felt somewhat justified in not waiting to use this one! I feel a bit silly for never having thought to invest in a decent blanket before TBH, given how I ache more when I’m cold

I’ve been in mindless scroll mode this evening, TBH, I think I’m just getting anxious about the results arriving. Not even the result itself but worrying we’ve somehow registered it wrong or something I know I’m just being silly really but I suppose it’s just because I can’t plan anything. I know many are in the same situation though!

I’m not sure if it means kids who don’t have consent still stay home whereas those who do the test and get negatives can go back to school? It would be a bit pointless otherwise. DD1 will be torn as she would be annoyed to miss school again but is terrified of the test. She was annoyed that DS needed a test so I was reminding her a lot that she was just lucky her own symptoms (coldy etc) weren’t enough for a test as she clearly has the same bug he does 🙄

sing the organisation of the whole mass testing thing will be huge, i dont know how they expect it to happen in Jan! Kind of feel it will end up like the school tier system that never actually happened ...

No worries sing! I hope the results get back to you ASAP!. The blanket looks amazing, definitely worth having it as an early present. I might have to invest in a warm blanket. It does seem pointless if you can go back without getting tested. It all seems very rushed and not well thought out.

Kids are all in bed. DH and I are making a plan of all the Christmas food we need to buy. I got a lot, but still need to get the last few bits and bobs. I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve next week.

It does seem to have come round really quickly all of a sudden! I’m glad we got the bulk of the present planning/shopping a bit earlier this year but I do still feel like I haven’t relaxed and enjoyed these last few weeks and especially with the isolation this week - it’s hard for all of us though isn’t it, when there is so much uncertainty! It’s not a normal Christmas, it’s hard to relax enough to enjoy the festive stuff I find.

DS did randomly announce earlier though: “I think this will be the best Christmas ever because we all have to spend more time together” ❤️

I totally can’t see how it will work that I can only hope all this will at least lead to a much faster response in the event of another pandemic, as they can hopefully use a lot of the same protocols having seen what works and what doesn’t.

Hoping to watch lampoons tonight! Turns out DH hasn’t seen the Christmas one. I’ve never seen any of them!