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! 💐

Sing just remembered about your cushions ( saw a cushion in one of those little A5 magazine catalogue) and I have some from Dunelm and buy covers for them so have several sets and change them when I fancy a change. There are also some good covers on eBay where some experienced sewers make them. I had some lovely Morris ones from there. My friend said she always buys some in January so when everything goes down on Twelfth Night she has something new to brighten up her lounge.

Power of three
Vacuumed downstairs.
Made DBuilder and mate a sausage sandwich and coffee.
Washed up

To. Do
✅ fed hens
Post overseas cards.
Dust sitting rooms.

gently pokes ———————>foxes well done on the Christmas shopping.
I am having to push myself this morning. I could easily have a nap.

Lazy day here. Still waiting for boiler people. Kitchen survey person should be here some time in the next three hours. Caglets made cakes from a kit lurking in the cupboard, with added chocolate 😋 and DS has still been doing some work but we are leaving some bits for next week. Bit gutted at the wasted money from the last couple of days - £4 late cancellation fee for yoga yesterday (that I could have actually gone to as the boiler people never showed up) and £8 for today’s parkour 😖 not great timing. I feel a bit behind on the Christmas prep too as I wanted to sort some things too like decorations etc (and I will definitely look in dunelm for cushions thanks bower 😍) and now I’m all flustered at the change of plans. BUT I can’t deny a forced day to slow down and all chill together is probably just what we needed.

Woooo well the kitchen surveyor guy came round and said it’s easy to take the cupboard unit out so a dishwasher can go in the space!!! This is actually going to be life changing 😄

He did say we need a small plumbing job to get the right feed as at the moment we’d have to plumb it into the hot water not the cold so I need to look into finding a plumber. Argh. Adulting. Help! 😂

KCC mixed spice and ginger ale Xmas smells to me

I've clearly overdone it.im not good at recognising I cannot push thru like I could earlier in the year.im exhausted and very badly depressed.strugglimg move or motivate
Was gone 2 me n girls fell asleep.mustve heard alarm and turn off fell asleep again.woke at 8 and mad rush getlil zoo to school

Scoutcat disgraced himself poo on myoven gloves yesterday evening.smell made me gag so much I couldn't do it.dd2 eventually bag up offending mess and Dettol spray.smell lingered dreadfully

Unmotivated, exhaust ed and hurt all over

KCC - it's all about the spices for me, cloves, cinnamon etc. I have this reed diffuser at the moment www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk/shop/products/christmas/christmas-gifts/home-fragrance-c/diffusers-c/winter-wonderland-festive-wishes-reed-diffuser-180ml.html

Also love the smell of a real Christmas tree.

Willow - I haven't been taking any pain relief for the finger as it only actually hurts when I press something with it, but its probably a good idea so I'll give it a few days of ibuprofen. It might be broken, DD did similar last year and hers was but all they did was give her a splint and a note to get off PE so I'm not going to get it x-rayed I don't think. Luckily I kept the splint and it fits me - I tried strapping it with physio tape but it got wet and dirty in no time with all the handwashing.

Ooh ED we have a squires just down the road, might have a little wander to look at the decorations there too. Stupid question but can you then seal it for next year? Maybe with new sticks (those are cheap to buy)? I must say I’ve been pleasantly surprised how much scent I get from the diffuser I bought the other day, I just randomly catch a really strong whiff of it.

I’m sort of relaxed but also just knackered and not very motivated as we all feel very blaaaaargh. And no, still no boiler people. Must dig out my fluffy socks.

Need to check if DD1’s done her maths homework too 🙄

Zoo please just rest as much as you can today xx

They usually have a stopper so I guess you could, I think spare reeds are fairly cheap.

Just wondering how dark it is where you are? It was nearly dark at 4 pm and is pitch black now.

Pitch dark now. I took this photo just after 4pm here (Hampshire) we had a stunning sunset

Oh thank you ED lovely photo. It was much darker than that here. Just shadows within shadows if you know what I mean. At 4:30pm I would not have been able to see to walk down the garden. Must remember to shut hens door later.

I am now watching Kirsty channel 4 at 5pm with a large mug of tea and a hot, fresh scone. I might have dropped off and missed the end of the film on 5 as I came to I was dreaming about scones. DH put the kettle on so I quickly made some scones and we are scoffing them with black currant jam followed on.
Love Kirsty’s programme at Christmas.

It got dark quite early here because it tipped it down.

I'm hiding in the dining room because H has just sworn at the pizza - I suspect he misjudged the shoving the moving-tool underneath it and either everything fell off or it all crumpled up. However, he is now sieving the semolina to go back in the bag so presumably we are back on track...

bower your home always sounds so cosy when you describe what you've been doing

Sing oh that's frustrating about late cancellation fees stuff like that always plays on my mind but in the words of Elsa you just have to let it go (I am always saying this to myself about stuff 😂) can't change it and there's nothing you could have done about it. Sounds like a nice day you've had 😊

Zoo so sorry you're feeling depressed I hope you managed to relax a little bit today.

ED beautiful photo!

Ta das for the day
Lots and lots of online Christmas shopping
Collected dd from school (had to stop for ds to have an emergency wee on the way 😱 )
Put ds wooden castle together for him which took ages, didn't go well and then he didn't even play with 🙄
Helped dd and ds do some pictures on the computer
Hung washing up
Loaded dishwasher
Cleared fridge out as there was a few things lurking!
Dh has put outside Xmas lights up
Tidied ds bedroom a bit as it couldn't get in it!
Put all the washing away
Put another LOL on for the morning
S&S bathroom
Tidied living room
Unpacked dd school bag

We went on a lovely christmassy walk round the village before dinner, the kids had so much fun looking at all the lights, some amazing ones around this year! Got home and made the kids fish fingers for dinner. We are having takeaway and I can't wait.

X post merry hope the pizza had survived!

Hi everyone. It’s been a bit rainy here today but not awful. DM took DD to soft play so I walked the dog for his first walk. I’ve also made a plan of Christmas activities and films to do every day this month. Today we did a Christmas tree Pom Pom push which DD loved, tonight we’re watching rudolf the red nosed reindeer and the highway rat.

wooly it is so complicated isn’t it! I’m not sure what we’ll do yet, it’s all dependant on how we all feel closer to the time but I have no real plans yet. Sorry about the weather and the long journey! But the waistcoat sounds ace, well done on getting it finished!

bower glad to hear that you got warm! You’re so lucky to have snow! I’d love to have some this year, although preferably before the baby comes I’m not sure I want a newborn and snow!. I did manage to get a few hours in, but did get a nap today so I’m feeling well rested. Glad to hear your tea was lovely, I’ll try not to be jealous of tea in bed!. It gets pitch black here at about 4!.

sing I’m glad to hear Cagletini is feeling better now. We have the same issue with deliveries/people coming to the house but I’m the opposite, so I’d be ‘7 Mulberry House, Maple Road’ instead of ‘7 Maple Road’ it drives me insane!. I’m glad the kitchens survey went well, hope the boiler people have come!.

Sorry you’re feeling worn out foxes, I hope you start to feel better soon. Well done on the Christmas shopping. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your christmassy walk!.

I’m sorry you aren’t feeling the best zoo try and take it easy for the next few days.

That sunset is gorgeous ED

I haven’t done too much flying today. I did a bit of a Hoover as the dog sheds a lot. But that was about all I could be bothered for.

We have HEAT! Sort of. Boiler is back on, parts have been ordered, they also left us a couple of mini fan heaters as the boiler keeps giving up. Hopefully the proper fix will be in the next few days.

I need to dig out my piano books. Excited about meeting my first pupil tomorrow but a bit nervous as it’s been a while! I’ll probably go into town after, if I can be organised about it. I might put a wash on in a bit too.

I need to Hoover too as it’s my job tonight.

I am resurfacing again. Have been quite settled in the past few days, just getting on with my routines. Did no flying today though..

Sing do you teach specific grade? Hope your lesson goes well!
I remember you saying you like playing Beethoven. I decided to give his sonatas a crack, and it made me think of you ☺️

Hey mc nice to see you! Yay for Beethoven 😍 I don’t teach a specific grade, I used to help teach up to grade 6ish when I worked in the music school as a teen, but then when we started home educating I offered lessons to beginners. I haven’t actually played piano myself for most of this year 😩 I need to sort out getting my new piano but it also involves getting the old one out of the house and that’s just effort I can’t face before Christmas!

ta da
🎹left message with nursery
🎹home ed
🎹spoke to author I do typing for (made note to ring her on Christmas Day as she’s shielding and will be alone)
🎹LOL
🎹took delivered packages upstairs (haven’t sorted them though)
🎹wrote home ed plan for next week! Already! Woohoo!
🎹looked into a college option for DD1
🎹confirmed tomorrow’s lesson with pupil’s mum
🎹spoke to visiting kitchen surveyor
🎹looked into some other textbooks to use
🎹discussed plans for visiting home ed meet with DD1
🎹signed up to product test
🎹spoke to visiting boiler dude
🎹hoovering

Now watching Miranda with DH and DD1.

Foxes that is a lovely thing to say. It is also cluttered. I would like to get it to a stage that is cosy but not cluttered. I still have a bit of card stuff out when I should put it all away.

Ta da I posted all the cards to Australia and New Zealand today. I posted the Scottish ones and a couple of local ones. I need to write a couple to nieces and a nephew. Then I am finished the posted ones. I will try and do the church ones for Sunday. Even half will be good. We exchanged a lot there so about twenty.

Sing good to hear about new pupil. DDs DP’ mum used to teach and had a downstairs loo. She used to put a pile of flannels in a basket and another for dirty ones. So easier to wash and better hygiene wise especially in these times. Just a tip to keep you and your family safe.
Glad to hear you have some heat. Dimplex heaters are cheap to run and put out a lot of heat. The radiator type on wheels.

MC good to hear from you. New baby at Christmas how lovely. Don’t forget to look after yourself maybe a vitamin supplement about now to keep you healthy. Dried apricots have lots of iron and make a good snack.

Merry I hope the pizza went well and not too much🤬

Zoo hope you get some rest . Sorry you are a bit blow

Ta Didn’t. Forgot to dust the sitting room. Never mind as I usually do it on Saturdays anyway. Will need to wash sofa covers too. If I move card stuff and give it a good clean DH might get the boxes and tree on Sunday.

We did another litter pick and got a black bag full.
Night all.

Great news about the boiler sing and good luck tomorrow.

Nice to see you mc!

Great going with the cards bower

I’ve got a bit of a cold I think, I’m sneezing loads and my eyes are watering like mad. My nose is blocked too so I’m struggling to fall asleep, at least the lack of sleep lately is preparing me for having a newborn😂

Hello all. It's taken me a while to catch up with the thread.
Sing sorry to hear about your boiler, but I'm glad you have some heat now.
zoo I hope you're doing better now.
bower a full black bin bag?! That's a lot of rubbish to pick up. People are disgusting pigs sometimes.
Sherin make sure you take care of yourself and get lots of rest. Drink plenty of water and nap when you can to fight the cold.
Hello mc good to see you on here again.
foxes a Christmas lights walk is a great idea! We usually drive around here though as it gets so cold. We bundle up in blankets and listen to Christmas music (much to DHs disgust).

We've had a busy few days, mostly full of work though. DC had vacuumed and mopped, and we rotated the dw tonight. They had also done a LOL too.
We had a crazy morning when I discovered the hamster was out of his cage! DD found him within 5 minutes, but he had chewed up a stadium seat that was brand new, never used. He had been out a while. He was found in a cupboard. That was too much drama for me!

Busy weekend ahead. Both DD and I are feeling better now, so thinking she may have had a cold and I just needed rest (& need to avoid gluten).

😴 Night all! 🍒👋

Hazel at least you found him we lost ours once. My cousin from Australia found him...inside the sofa. The boys were thrilled and I was relieved he was still alive. We reckon he survived on the crumbs from the kids he was missing for a week!

I used to take mine for a drive too, on the way home from whatever activity they were at in the city. We would go a different way home and they would count them competing with each other.

My DCs are no longer interested in walking round to see the Christmas lights . I still love them but it's not the same without the DC. Once when they were about 4 and 2 it snowed heavily and I pulled them round the streets on their sledge looking at the lights and singing .

Right, need to get on with some stuff. I am sitting on the sofa in the sunshine with no inclination to move.