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Fledglings Continue Carolling - December thread 2: the one with Christmas Eve Eve and beyond!

327 replies

SingToTheSky · 23/12/2020 11:54

Hello all, here’s an overflow thread as we’ve all been a right bunch of chatterboxes. I’d love to pretend that’s because we’ve all been doing even more housework, but, well... no. I think it’s probably because we’ve all found support with each other - I’m taking this opportunity to thank you all for a lovely December, it’s got me through a lot of stress and boredom and loneliness during isolation especially! 💖

Any newbies or lurkers - do join in! We are a long running thread with lots of regulars and we might seem cliquey but we honestly love having new Fledglings join us. I’m posting FlyLady links for a couple more days and then we will be back to Proper Flying Resolutions in January!

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IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly · 30/12/2020 11:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly · 30/12/2020 11:21

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

SingToTheSky · 30/12/2020 11:36

I think it’s the cry of my spirit animal woolly (sloth obv. Or maybe something that “plays dead” when overwhelmed... possum?)

KCC bonus fact: the top search that came up as I googled whether possums play dead was “do possums have 13 nipples”. Every day a school day. 🤔

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Dancingtomusic · 30/12/2020 11:47

That sending you a massive, massive hope you are ok. Its a big thing to process. Squishy hugs with lots of snacks sent.

Strawberry lovely snowly photo!

Sing weldone for doing brain work.

Bower I agree, cant people just take thier waste home and big it? Sigh.

Hills do you use your bujo journal every day? I keep seeing pages I could do to help me control my life.
(My life is like sliding down a helter skelter....with no direction other than keeping the kids clean and fed.
I lack direction and this Christmas I forgot so much. Even day to day planning if feel like trying. I have been writing down recipes that have worked.)

Woolly wow 4 loads of laundry. Bet you feel great getting it done. Hope the clothes dry soon.

Dancingtomusic · 30/12/2020 12:02

Zoo yay great negative test results!

Mc hope you are ok after your fall?

Hazel hope you get some rest.

Ed Hope you are ok? Its a crazy time of year and the change from Christmas to New year is a odd time. Be kind to yourself, sending you a hug, Christmas films and chocolate.

Foxes i am planning to take my Christmas things down...bit by bit..or it will feel very bare. Especially as Little fraggle has said she never wants the Christmas trees to go - as she loves them soo much.😳

Ta das
Quick 30mins trying to put some things from christmas away.

  • things for recycling
-pack away gift wrapping plastic
  • tidy junk corner
  • did not lms as whinging big fraggle.
-sitting room looks better...a long way to go before it looks as even nearly tidy.
  • quick blast round kitchen. It looks abit ok now.
  • lol x1 so far...many to go.

Must do

  • unearth dining room floor. If you tried walking over it to open the blinds...you would fall.

Big 🍒🖐everyone!

HillsBesideTheSea · 30/12/2020 12:13

Dancing How i use my bullet journal now is different to how i used it when i started. When I started I was over enthusiastic and was looking in it multiple times a day. Now i look at it once or twice a day at best. But i find it is very useful because it is there when i need it. I don't have a digital calendar system so that aspect is crucial to me. The sleep tracker is also essential but I will skip days. I do find the act of writing down helps to lighten the load on my brain and helps me keep on top of things, and not bits of paper that I can lose. Let me ponder and see if i can come up with a better explanation about how I actually use it.

Woolly go head and do January. It is for the best. tbh I think i was hoping that someone else would volunteer but also know that taking your turn so to speak is important for keeping the thread going so was willing to do if it did not suit anyone else. By the looks of it January is going to be a bit bumpy here so crack on thread leader GrinWink

StrawberryFries · 30/12/2020 14:22

Afternoon everyone, no snow today :(. There’s still some snow about, but there hasn’t been anymore. I do feel a bit disappointed that it’s come after Christmas though, it’s much more exciting when it comes before Christmas!. I’m slightly on edge about the briefing coming today, I’m really not sure what I’ll do if schools close again. I was lucky last time that my eldest was only in nursery so I didn’t need to do any real education, but now she’s in reception there’s a lot more to do. I’m just not sure how I’ll be able to fit homeschooling in and still entertaining the younger 2. There’s nothing much I can do though, so just need to power on!. The DC settled themselves last night, I’m not sure which one woke up but they got themselves back to sleep and didn’t wake anyone else up!.

bower that’s awful!. I was taught the same and I teach my kids the same, keep it on you until there’s a bin!. That sounds awful about the Lake District, I can’t believe people would be that rude!. I went to the beach in lockdown and the litter was terrible, people had made picnics and just left all their rubbish lying around. There were bins a minute walk away!. I hope you’ve managed to get your prescription!.

sing fries that taste of strawberry! I’m not sure if you’ve ever dunked McDonald’s fries in their strawberry milkshake but that’s what inspired it. It’s delicious!. I hope you manage to find out a way to balance course/work with DH in the future. Sorry about the lack of sleep.

Thank you mc, ouch! I hope the slip didn’t hurt you too much.

Hi zoo, thank you!. I hope you managed to enjoy your Christmas. How on EARTH do you get so much done?!

Thanks hazel! Well done on getting the tree down!.

Congratulations THAT! Take your time to process everything, I imagine it’s a huge shock. Sending you lots of hugs and I hope you can find the time to really process it.

Thanks wooly we’re very lucky to have such thick snow, we haven’t had much in recent years. The parks are full of kids sledging or making snowmen, it’s lovely after the year we’ve had. Well done on all that planning!.

Thanks dancing! Brilliant list!

I decided to actually do some flying. I have a chest of drawers in my living room, as well as a tv cabinet and they get very messy. I decided to empty them all, give the insides a good clean and find a place for everything but I’m currently at the ‘it gets worse before it gets better’ stage and am questioning why I decided to do this😂. I’ll do the mission whilst I’m doing this and give everything a good dust. I also need to tidy my room, I’m very embarrassed to admit that I haven’t tidied the wrapping paper up from when the DC opened the stockings on my bed Blush it’s all just in a heap on the floor, as well as a few selection boxes!. I really need to get my shit together!.

I thought I’d add my own little thing to the KCC, I am terrified of Opossums!. I have a recurring nightmare that I open my curtains at nighttime and one of them is staring at me. I don’t know how it started as I’ve never seen one in real life and didn’t even know they were things until I was a teen. The kids dad (now ex) used to send me videos of them posing as videos of something else so I’d click on it and there would be an opossum. There’s a reason he’s an ex🙄.

Right I must go! The big ones are arguing about something!.

SingToTheSky · 30/12/2020 14:35

Wow what a dick of an ex strawberry! I used to have recurring dreams about swarms of crabs after I stepped on one on the beach.

Oddly enough we had McDonald’s delivered yesterday and I dipped the fries in chocolate milkshake as DD1 always does it 😂😳

I forgot to say I booked like four tesco deliveries for next month so that’s up to date at least. Not filled the baskets with proper shopping though, it always feels a bit pointless until nearer the time. But I really should figure out a list of things we would basically buy every time like cucumber and milk. There is a shopping list function on tesco where you add everything in one click but it can’t be edited ATM so all I have is a random one called Christmas 2016 😂. When it works I’ll make use of it.

Just had a nice chat for an hour with a friend on the phone.

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HillsBesideTheSea · 30/12/2020 15:26

The new tiers lists are out. Basically if you were tier 2 you are likely to be tier 3 tomorrow (although there are a few areas jumping straight to tier 4. If you were tier 3 you will be tier 4. If you are in tier 4 you are staying there.

I am going to be furloughed again. Although that will allow me a bit more time to get the house under control...ish.

Just waiting to figure out what the heck is going on with schools

SingToTheSky · 30/12/2020 16:46

Yep just read exam years have an extra week off and then the rest go back a week later. So 18th jan start for DD1 now, not 11th (she’s year nine). Couldn’t figure out if that’s zero, one or two weeks of online learning before or just extra time off IYSWIM. Not that she got set much anyway, I will probably give her some maths to do regardless.

Oh well, longer away from the bullies I suppose.

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Stilllivinginazoo · 30/12/2020 17:12

that explains why you've been so exhausted lovelyhow's manchild feel about this?

Well we will be in tier 4(not unexpected)
Ridiculous primaries still opening,and secondary going back couple of weeks ain't going to do jack s*.proves new strains in charge given the number that dropped in lil zoo class and given mental strain on all zoolets/me she will NOT be returning whilst it's all so virulent...

House semi straightened,all zoolets clean and hair washed
Nice brekkie and gift opening
Dd2 had massive meltdown.lack alone time and the change freaked her badly.she cried and went bed an hourwith a huge 5ft teddy she had asked for!
DS clingy and hyper stressed,he's finally gone set up PS4 and play upstairs for a bit
Lil zoo awaiting dd2 to finish going thru stuff now calmed down with me so we can continue watching call the midwife Xmas special together

Simple tuna/vegan ham salad wraps at lunch
Haven't fix oven door yet,but go try microwaving jacket speed for D's n lil zoo dinner.shes not big on skin however you cook it,so not going to stress over that.high chance will refuse to eat it,but feel need try offer variety...

Hope everyone's ok.xx

HillsBesideTheSea · 30/12/2020 17:15

Ds' school had none exam school years on home learning from 4th so I would imagine that it would be online learning. I am sure there will be a flurry of emails from the stress over worked teaching staff tomo morning or if our school is anything to go by, tonight.

SingToTheSky · 30/12/2020 17:29

I feel so awful for teachers having to navigate all this. Changing goalposts all the time! 😭

I’m not sure if DH has told DD1 yet (I’m hiding upstairs with Audible for company) - she wasn’t too fussed about starting on the 11th but an extra week on top might be upsetting. It just feels like being back in lockdown but even more insular thanks to crappy weather. I must make the effort to go for a walk again tomorrow.

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Bowerbird5 · 30/12/2020 18:19

I thought the Secondaries would be closed for a few more weeks as I am still getting email from Unison.

We have gone from Tier 2 to Tier 4.
That’s the boys not working again. Ahh we bought the beef today planning on only us and DS3. I imagine two more unless DS2’s lodger returns then he (DS2)can’t come. I am having enough difficulty with very heavy frosts and freezing temperatures. My prescription came in yeah!
Strawberry that is really mean of your ex.
I used to have two possums outside my bedroom window. There was a tree about two feet from the window and at dusk they used to run up and go into the roof space I never let on to dad as I thought he would ‘get rid ‘ of them. I can remember meeting an opossum when I was little about three or four. It was white and on a tree trunk rail. They don’t worry me but I hate rats so understand your fear.

Bowerbird5 · 30/12/2020 18:21

Hills I think that was a good explanation about the use of your bj.

HillsBesideTheSea · 30/12/2020 19:25

Thanks bower.

I think what i was meaning is that my bujo is like a security blanket. I use it to keep track of the important things, but equally refer to it to keep on track. So whilst i don't look at it constantly, i open to record what is needed to be remembered, or to check what i need to do (usually the night before or when i am stuck for tea ideas because that meal bingo thing really has been an aid sometimes). There are a few just for the fun things, and a few things because i am trying to develop a habit in the long term, or make sure a project gets completed. This is what i was trying to get my brain to formulate earlier Dancing hope that helps.

Basically make the bujo work for you. I have tried productivity trackers, they worked the first month, not the seconded and then dropped it. Don't be afraid to try something, but equally when you have don't be afraid to say that doesn't work for you. It took about 6months for me to figure the system out for me to get it to work, there are a couple of half empty spreads because lets be honest life happens/things didnt work. And that is ok. just remember that it doesnt have to be perfect.

HazelNuttyElf · 30/12/2020 19:39

that thinking of you lovely. Congratulations on your news, even though you're unsure of how you feel about it.

Sorry to hear about further restrictions for you all (it seems, anyway).

Mc3209 · 30/12/2020 20:19

Dancing, Woolly, Strawberry it was mainly my pride that got knocked 😬

Re higher Tiers, this too shall pass. We will get there in one piece, promise.

Ta das today:
🎉 Downstairs, stairs and upstairs hoovered
🎉Home bleugh finally done
🎉Bedside table sorted out
🎉Floors mopped

Tomorrow is the last day of 2020. Whoop!

TheUpholder · 30/12/2020 21:50

Hi everyone. Mostly caught up with the thread in my lunch break today but ran out of time to post so I’ve probably forgotten most of my personals.

Fantastic news on the negative tests Zoo. Such a relief for you all.

Wow, lovely news That! Flowers. Absolutely understandable to drop a uni module. We all know you’re superwoman but you don’t have to do it all.

Hope the bruised bum and bruised pride are recovering MC

Rest has slipped my mind so big waves to Sing, Hills, Bower, Woolly, Hazel, ED, Lisette, Chic, Foxes, Merry, Tidy, Sherin, Strawberry, Spring, Dancing, Isaw and SC (glad you popped by!)

We are joining tier 4 too. Felt rather grumpy about it earlier but I’ve had a word with myself and I’m going to embrace a quiet, laid back new year with DH and DD with no pressure to go anywhere or do anything or see anyone. I have 5 days off work - tomorrow and new years day will be fun/relaxing/decluttering wine and chocolate. Then it’ll be decorations down, back into a routine, health kick and planning (ha!) for a new year.

Thanks for volunteering to do January Woolly (and you too Hills)

TheUpholder · 30/12/2020 21:53

Oh several Amazon parcels arrived today, from a big order I did after reading a thread on here. Storage baskets and more glass jars for the larder, a glass pen, an electric candle lighter (game changer!) and some new charger cables. I seem to have somehow ordered a 10ft one Grin. It’s fabulous.

Dancingtomusic · 30/12/2020 22:44

Hi Up 🖐
I understand how you feel, I like what you said about embracing it with a quiet new year with no pressure to go anywhere or see anyone. Its true.
Oh and a 10ft charger cable sounds brill !

Hills - you explained it brilliantly Star. I can see myself using it as I am more a pen and paper girl. I am so forgetful so I think the trackers will be extremely helpful.
I like the bingo meal planner idea.
I liked alot of the pages from the video you sent. It made alot of sense to me. It might be a game changer. I could write names of books I love and films I really enjoy.
So much....twirls....!

Ta das
⚡packed car with stuff to return to supermarket.
⚡waited for my brother to help me jump start my car as it had a flat battery again outside my house.
⚡Got to 3rd supermarket carpark and flat battery again damm. (desparate for a wee.) Thank god my brother came to the rescue and jump started the car again and I could race home!
⚡Wiped all shopping down.
⚡Put shopping away.
⚡Got dinner cooking - turkey burgers in the grill.
⚡Thrown rubbish in big bin.
⚡Tidied up in garage cardboard.
⚡Tided hallway shoes
⚡Tidied Swept kitchen floor
⚡tidied and put away bags of stuff in dining room.
⚡put my bike and empty shopping bags in the boot of my car.
⚡folded dried clothes while i wait for cooking burgers
⚡ate late dinner as fraggles whinged around me as it was past thier bedtime.
⚡fraggles hungry so made the hot milk and cereal.
⚡tried to settle fraggles to sleep- it took forever and I nearly lost the will to live !
⚡ the fraggles look so cute asleep.
⚡feel guilty I have not spent more time playing with the kids.

Stilllivinginazoo · 31/12/2020 05:59

dancing you will always feel guilty about something you did or didn't do with fraggles.remember they love you regardless and tomorrow's always another day!
Hillsgiven how much things have changed at chez zoo in 12 months I deffo need built a bujo.not just to remember appointments etc but to give routine/framework "comfort" .appreciate all the efforts to explain and the links if examples

Well lil zoo was given half a spud with vitalite and d.f cheese,chopped cucumber and tomato and slice bread n vitalite cut triangles.ate veg(her favourite) and bread(comfort food) about a forkful potato and cheese and some grapes and cashew milk.ds loved not having cheese sarnies and veg sticks again and wolfed his down!I shall tentatively continue attempting a mix of knows,loves and less so elements to see what happens.....

MrsTidyHouse · 31/12/2020 06:18

Surprised to find that this is now Thursday and I haven't posted since Monday. I've continued with kitchen clear-and-clean. Which gradually spread through utility and into living-room. Need to see an end to the untidiness today or else I'll start getting twitchy.

Today's to-do:
Cook to tidy fridge and keep kitchen warm.

Gut out understairs cupboard
Find a diary for 2021 for school stuff.

Swop duvets for max tog.

Order new duvets if necessary.

Put on laundry. Tumble dry while LOLs are on.

Put away everything from hot cupboard.

Eat chocolate. Don't order more

THATbasicSNOWFLAKE · 31/12/2020 07:47

Morning Brew

Thanks for all of the kind words. DP is in a similar place to me i think.

We are now tier 4. Primary school open. I so wanted it to shut Sad Finding the whole thing very stressful.

Determined to get some kind of clean / tidy going on today as be nice to start the new year in less mess.

Stilllivinginazoo · 31/12/2020 08:38

that it's ok to feel like that for both of youFlowers

I intend take tree down today,I like it gone before new year

Lil zoo hoping everyone wants stay up to see it in tonight