Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings Flying into the Festive Season

729 replies

ExquisitelyDecorated · 30/11/2021 22:18

Well here we are, December is upon us and we are settling in for the winter. We aim to follow the fly lady system, it does work if you follow it, but many of us have found that it works better if you combine it with an additional decluttering system to speed up that process. Flylady is more of a maintenance system, some combine it with other systems such as TOMM. Links at the end of the post.

These threads have been running for years, many posters have been here for a long time but new Fledglings and returners are always welcome, just jump in and ask if you don't understand anything.

Experience has taught us that these threads are only loosely about housekeeping, they are more about keeping good company and looking out for one another. So we have the naughty corner fully stocked with cushions, blankets, hot water bottles, comforting drinks and snacks, with a few sausage rolls and mince pies in a nod to the season (gluten free, vegan etc all catered for).

A few of our abbreviations and sayings:

BRC = box of random crap
Mount Washmore = out of control laundry
CHAOS = can't have anyone over syndrome
LMS / DLMS = lose my shit / didn't lose my shit
It's all gone a bit Pontypridd - it's all gone pear-shaped (some sort of spellcheck error)
No Fledgling Left Behind - there is always someone here to lend a listening ear, whether you want to have a grumble, let off steam, or just feel a bit behind or out of sorts. We recognise that many people have a lot going on in their lives, caring responsibilities, work, health conditions, general family life

So, with that, I will pop a couple of links to Flylady pages here:

www.flylady.net/ - homepage

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/ - getting started

We suggest you do NOT subscribe to the emails, unless you want a very cluttered inbox. Ask here instead.

www.flylady.net/d/cruising-through-the-holidays/ - seasonal stuff

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Slowchimes · 16/12/2021 11:55

Xpost RedSquirrel oh I am very Envy. Please buy me an Eccles cake! Grin I used to love shopping in you know where with my parents at this time of year. Brings back very happy memories Smile Hope it is not too busy and you can take it steady!

Ohhh what I would do for some sharp & creamy Lancashire cheese and a Carr's table water biscuit! But looks like , sadly, it was the right decision not to attempt to visit family in UK again this Christmas given the latest news from France. It was very costly and complicated with the extra testing before, but now it will be virtually impossible! I feel so sorry for everyone whose Christmas plans are disrupted again.

Slowchimes · 16/12/2021 12:03

Thank you Sing I've missed everyone too! ❤

Good luck re: appt!

Right (girls loins) I am going back in to my office to confront the wrapping station!

Haha re : strategically placed baby bath Stillfestive Grin

Slowchimes · 16/12/2021 12:05

Oops! That was a bad typo Confused

Girds loins - NOT girls!!!! That would be weird.

StillFestive · 16/12/2021 13:25

Thankfully the roofers working didn’t disrupt me at all SC other than a bit of noise. They quite literally went over my head although I did make the odd cuppa. Very pleased it’s done though. Will no longer take my roof for granted Grin. I now want cheese and crackers too. Not fussy about the variety. We love having you back here to chat by the way.

Wassailing I am most definitely up for the big fledgling bed. As long as you all don’t mind that I’ll take up rates a lot of room and there may be some huffing and puffing while I try and get comfy and also some impressive snoring. Your DH is right and you do need to look after yourself. Christmas will happen. Any nice bits you can do sat down? Can any of the DC help with wrapping? I used to love helping DM wrap up my sister’s things. Would be faaaar less enthusiastic if she asked me now.

Sorry your ears still aren’t right Sing. Your new job sounds fab with the flexibility of hours.

Enjoy your shopping Red.

I made a start:
👶 baby bath cleaned
👶 made a start organising the washed baby clothes into drawers and cleared a bit of crap out of her room. Haven’t found the Moses baskets sheets yet.
🧺 wet washing hung up and next load in with the timer set (currently nowhere to hang it, really need to get the TD sorted!)
🛌 boudoir tidied
🛌 half of DD’s room tidied
🍲 easy lunch of beans on toast
🍽 DW emptied and breakfast/lunch things in
🛁 s&s
👗 clean clothes out away

I’m thinking write out some cards and do another 10 mins each in DD’s room and the baby’s room, then I should have time to put my feet up for an hour before the school run. Quite happy with my achievements today and don’t feel too worn out.

SingToTheSleigh · 16/12/2021 13:46

I do feel really lucky with the work hours. :) I would like to try and get into a bit of a routine with at least a couple of set mornings where I always work or something, so I’ll think about that after Christmas. I’ll need to do it with uni too as otherwise that will likely get pushed down the priority list each week. And TBH, although DS is still doing plenty of work in the eyes of the council, I do know he’s not done nearly as much as he could this term because it’s all been so hectic while I get used to the job. So I need to think about that too.

Appt was good, annoyingly our combined earnings are just below the threshold for me to not need to visit the job centre - my tuition earnings don’t count apparently! I’m now resting partway home.

po3.3
❗️Finish walking home via tesco for boughten lunch
❗️Make sure DS is dressed warmly for ice skating
❗️Finish document feedback and email it

Stilllivinginazoo · 16/12/2021 14:23
HalfHolly · 16/12/2021 14:30

DH forgot to put food bin out for collection 😡😡.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 16/12/2021 17:04

You have my full permission to poke him with a pointy stick, HalfHolly. What a nurk.

Glad you have achieved some stuff StillFestive and found time to rest. Sc, "minds on higher things"? Those minds would be for the high jump here! Suggest you do the bits you want to for Christmas and anything missing is passed off as "sadly, not enough time with only one person doing it" .

Zoo sorry your day has gone to shit and you got ganged up on. 😢.

There were definitely more personals, but I've forgotten them.
@HazelNuttyElf have you vanished under a pile of home-made goodies?

Mc staying mostly on top of the house and managing work, a small person and gearing up for Christmas is definitely winning at life.

Ta da:
❤️ Finished making chocolate mousse
🧡 Remembered to put baked potatoes in 😳
💛 Set table with good china, cloth etc
💚 Had lovely lunch with Mum, she brought crackers and profiteroles - double pudding!
💙 Had a big sit down
💜 Cleared table and put the DW on and the table cloth in the WM
❤️ Did last bits of decorating of the study tree
🧡 Put ribbons up in the living room to hold Christmas cards

Now resting again and considering some sewing and perhaps a small nap.

HillsBesideTheSea · 16/12/2021 17:11

You know those days. Today is a those day. I have a thumping headache coming on, and still a huge crap ton of things to do. I don't want to. I want the people to piss off out the house because they are driving me crazy. But i am helping no you are not, i just need to ask a question i have answered that question 6 times it is not going to change and you will ask it another 6 because you dont need the answer now and will forget by the time you do need the answer, Are you not going to well i was trying to but PEOPLE!

I am going to run an errand up to sainsburys - they have some lovely elderflower and strawberry tea. I am going to hope the people are out of the way by the time that i get home. And then i will do tea and set the alarm for stupid o'clock. and threaten a slow painful death by bleeding ears due to LMS if they are as noisy as drunk dinosaurs again tonight

So much that needs to be done. Not enough done. Knee is very sore and still full of fluid so going to speak to the pharmacist whilst out. Suspect it will be a doc thing but would like to avoid if possible. But it has been really bad for over a week and nothing I have tried has helped, instead getting worse. So it is time for questions.

Slowchimes · 16/12/2021 17:15

Tea break!

Only have bloomin' well lost my VERY IMPORTANT master list of all master lists!! Spent two hours looking for it and decided I couldn't waste any more time on it so wrote it out again - to the best of my ability - have a nagging feeling that I have missed a couple of crucial things/people off it though! FFS!

NB 'Tis entirely my own fault for not tidying up more beforehand!

Oh no Halfholly does that mean you will have to live with it over Christmas?

Sorry about the meeting Zoo, not nice to feel ganged up on [hands over new shiny avocado with vinaigrette all delicately slice and laid out on plate with mozarella, finely sliced ripe tomatoes and a few basil leaves on lovely oval white plate].

Sing you are doing brilliantly with the work and yes, good idea to ring fence days so you don't neglect your own stuff which always gets pushed to back of queue.

Another great list StillFestive roofers should have been making you cups of tea though! Hope you find the missing sheets for moses basket! Those faddly ones always go missing! Have they crawled to back of cupboard where you keep bedding? Or are they in one of those vacuum storage bags maybe? I fancy baked beans on toast now!

Feeling a bit spaced out this afternoon but have dosed myself with Vit D and zinc and hope I can power through!

Hang in there peeps! We can do it [wibbles] yes we can Grin!!

Slowchimes · 16/12/2021 17:28

x posts

Thanks Wassail that made me cackle Grin [Makes notes for Christmas]. Indeed, if anyone complains that Christmas isn't quite as, er, polished this year I shall reply "sorry, had my mind on higher things!" Grin Lovely that you have spent quality time with your ma. But your splendid list looks a bit too long for someone who is supposed to be taking it steady, so good you are heading in direction of Fledgling bed! Smile

Oh Hills that all sounds very testing indeed. And sorry that your knee is giving you such grief. I can really sympathise with the crap ton of things needing doing and not wanting to do any of them. Even worse for you when you are in pain Flowers Enjoy your escape to Sainsbogs and your well deserved tea break.

Elderflower tea sounds really nice. I tried out some sloe gin last night that I have bought for presents for two friends. I thought I was terribly clever finding it over here, but once I had tried it, I wasn't so sure Grin

HalfHolly · 16/12/2021 18:30

Yes indeedy - a month of food waste 😳

Stilllivinginazoo · 16/12/2021 19:32

Halfwhat a rottingcabbagehead...
Sc I lose lists ALL THE TIME.drives me bonkers.i swear age is making it worse hereSad
Wear I suspect you maybe doing too much again...
*Rinse thoroughly all parts
*Wipe dry
*Wipe over hob and glass doors wipe shine spray
Pull down box of random kitchens things
Scrub top cupboard
Wipe out side box
Put back
Wipe cupboard front,side and underneath
*Clear surface
*Wash up box of oils and vinegars
*Wipe over oils and vinegars
*Clean behind microwave tiling
*Wipe surfaces over
*Dry
*Quick snack
*Wipe over coffee,hot choc etc jars
*Wipe over popcorn maker
*Wipe over plate rack on side
*Wash up plates etc
*Put oils and vinegars back
*Put plate rack and plates back
*Wash up herb box
*Dry
*Wipe herbs and put back

Stopped for today,but looking shinier and tidier

Lil zoo and D's fed
Feel the need for a cheese sandwich soon..

ExquisitelyDecorated · 16/12/2021 23:32

@Stilllivinginazoo

My PCR came back negative.

OP posts:
Slowchimes · 17/12/2021 02:06

Very good to hear that ED , hope you are feeling a bit better.

Crikey there is nothing like an angry clean Zoo! Bravo!

I am awake, with my mind whirring about all manner of things.

Slowchimes · 17/12/2021 02:09

Meant to say, "oh no" HalfHolly is there any other (legal) means of getting rid?

Redsquirrel5 · 17/12/2021 02:35

Oh that’s great ED bet you are relieved.

Stilllivinginazoo · 17/12/2021 04:13

ed thank goodness results are back and everything's ok.x

Sodding insomnia club AGAIN

TheHoneyBadger · 17/12/2021 04:17

Insomnia club here too Zoo - I've been awake since 2.30am Hmm

Congrats on your result ED - I too have gotten a negative after having to isolate.

I have been long awol trying to deal with illness and work and the usual. Officially school holidays now so could someone please pull my bootstraps/big girls knickers up to sort this house out? I've been trying to get myself into gear but failing.

Hope everyone is doing ok. Way too much to read to catch up I'm afraid.

StillFestive · 17/12/2021 05:18

3am wake up here.

Welcome back Honey. I’ll pull up your bootstraps but you can sort your own knickers Grin. Happy Holidays!

Is there room to squeeze DH in the bin Holly?

Hurrah for negative ED

That is impressive rage cleaning Zoo

HalfHolly · 17/12/2021 06:51

Non insomniacs beginning to appear now (waves to sleepy insomniacs) Morning HoneyBadger

No, no way of getting rid of waste until two weeks' collection. I think he's a bit addled at the moment and he is very sorry.

I need coffee ☕☕☕☕

Stilllivinginazoo · 17/12/2021 06:52

honeymust be something in the sir,same wake up as me!
FestiveGrin
Tada
Cats fed
Wash on
Wash up pile ceramic dishes that live above microwave
Wash up utensils that live there too
Clean top microwave
Return to usual homes
Wash in drier
More in
Shop list written
Wake dd2 for meds
Get ready for shpp

ExquisitelyDecorated · 17/12/2021 07:49

Morning all,
Well I slept better for not being half alert to phone pinging with a covid result but I feel properly full of cold now, bunged up and coughing but don't feel unwell in myself. So will continue to keep away from other people as much as possible. DD wants me to take her to nearest big town for Christmas shopping, I might just drop her off and sit in the car with a coffee.

Honey - welcome back, glad you've survived till the end of term.

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 17/12/2021 08:03

Online bank froze me out- need contact bank when opens FFS
Luckily had few pounds in account to get bread,milk etc.
Annoyed will have go again tom/later once can get at funds in other account.grrr
Shop put away
DS woken and eating(he's coming with me do a prescription drop at doctors)
Woke lil zoo- not feeling it,and tbh with current news I not fighting with her.email school for both girls as dd2 still really unwell mentally

Slowchimes · 17/12/2021 08:30

Yargh! I can't believe that it's Friday already!

All I have done so far is emty dw, fill wms and walk dogs and I have a to do list as long as my arm (and à couplé of legs! Grin)

But I did use my insomnia to good effect and sorted Christmas grocery delivery for 23rd! Yeah!

Also, still haven't found mega list, so tentatively using new one!

Good to see you Honeybadger!

Hope you get bank sorted Zoo

Have a productive day everyone!