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Housekeeping

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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
IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 17/12/2021 09:25

Great to see you Honey

SC sorry about your list, and rather concerned about you being up so late, given you're an hour ahead of the UK.

Zoo FGS, it never rains but it pours, does it? Hope the bank can be sorted out quickly. Sorry Lilzoo has run out of oomph for the term and DD2 is still not mentally well. 💐

ED very glad it's not Covid, but hope the cold goes soon. Sitting in the car with a coffee seems like the best idea.

DH has gone to take FIL for his memory assessment. FIL is diligently reciting the Greek and Yiddish alphabets to prove he is capable of managing his own affairs, while still being locked out of two bank accounts and unable to understand why the milk he bought 3 weeks ago is now cheese.

Ta da:
❤️ Provided Emergency Origami Assistance during "fun" Mandarin lesson that caused tears and panic
🧡 Managed to ring the surgery and get DD a phone call this morning and a fasting blood test on 7 Jan
💛 Spoke to DH, who is very tense. He just wants help for FIL.
💚 Froze the chocolate mousse I made yesterday
💙 Breakfast
💜 First LOL into dryer

SingToTheSleigh · 17/12/2021 09:45

Morning lovely people.

I am in a mood this morning. Yesterday was lovely (took DS ice skating and caught up with lots of home ed families) but the evening was full of epic joint/muscle pain and back to wheezing. You’d think I’d actually skated but nope, just the walk home from the job centre (which I didn’t even do all of, as friend picked me up from tesco before we got DS from home). A lovely festive reminder that no, I can’t manage regular stuff like normal people without paying for it for hours/days after.

/end self indulgent whinge

po3.1
❗️Finish current puzzle
❗️Breakfast
❗️Put laptop on and work out what needs doing

SingToTheSleigh · 17/12/2021 09:45

Good to see you honey 💐

TheHoneyBadger · 17/12/2021 10:12

Don't tell anyone (this isn't the internet or anything) but in my illness and result waiting and general run over by a bus'ness it has been quite some time since I actually had a bath and washed my hair Blush I think that better be first on my list.

My po3 (which might take all day):
-have a bath and be reborn as a human being
-hang out washing that has been in wm since yesterday when I managed the energy to put it on but got no further
-empty and reload dw
bonus round -do something else to make progress on kitchen

SingToTheSleigh · 17/12/2021 10:26

Love the idea of the bonus round. My hair is also overdue a wash and detangle, no judgment here :o

Right. Seriously Sing. Get. Up.

😭

TheHoneyBadger · 17/12/2021 10:50

Yes, the bonus round should come with a reward. And for the bonus of opening the Christmas port early and having a glass: put away the pile of clean washing on the kitchen dresser.

The kitchen chair is nearly empty - there may be things on the behind the door so who cares dresser that have been there since summer.

Current motivator is that my hairdresser is coming on Monday.

Sing let's be clean haired chore achievers together!

SingToTheSleigh · 17/12/2021 13:15

Ooh rewards are always good :o

Work hours complete - still some stuff I want to do though so I’ll get a bit of overtime in. Last maths lesson of the year done. Had to mute’n’cough several times 😷 but got through it. Also have been making a list (and checking it twice 🎅🏻) of what I want to achieve over the holidays in order to prepare for the next term to make tutoring, home ed etc all go smoother. Much planning, organising, list writing, digital decluttering etc needed!

po3.2
❗️Eat something
❗️Read a document
❗️Project planning

Slowchimes · 17/12/2021 13:59

Meant to say earlier, sorry you are feeling rotten ED and Zoo and Sing and Hills Flowers
And Redsquirrel - I am sure there are others I have missed - hope you all feel better soon!

HoneyBadger take it steady Flowers

I am feeling better today, just "normal" tired and achey Grin

The morning that was meant to be spent writing cards has evaporated. Got sucked in to dd studio apartment dramas (dh and I had previously agreed a policy of largely leaving her to sort herself as that is what leaving home is all about right?) but things have gone a bit pear shaped with unreliable electrician, Internet provision, IKEA deliveries, insurance, and a key that doesn't work, so she needed someone to vent at a bit of support Wink. Not that my suggestions are met with any enthusiasm because of course I know nothing and have never ever had any experience of renting apartments before, or managing properties, oh no Hmm

Slowchimes · 17/12/2021 14:00

I'm definitely up for a bonus reward scheme btw. Please can it involve cake?

HalfHolly · 17/12/2021 20:03

I have tidied my office after a days' work. More presents wrapped. Settling in to watch French movie.

Bins emptied. No home bleurgh done this week. Will try tomorrow in daylight. Need to deliver presents tomorrow.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 17/12/2021 21:11

Oh SC teens really do know best, don't they?

Have survived day. Ta da:
❤️ Finished embroidering DS2 & GF's Christmas card
🧡 Washed my sparkly Christmas top
💛 Ran, emptied and reloaded DW
💚 Hung up some Christmas cards
💙 Kicked myself for watching Sort Your Life Out with DD last night, as she started emptying her bookshelves into the garage and now I have a large box full of stuff to sell / donate
💜 Lurched to the end of term with DS3 - he had a lovely progress report, as did DD 🥰
❤️ Watched Muppets'Christmas Carol with DS3 and DD, with hot chocolate and popcorn, as is traditional on the last day of term for the last child still in school. This year, I stayed awake for Fozziwig's party, but slept right through the Ghost of Christmas Future
🧡 Had end-of-term takeaway burgers for tea
💛 Watched a bit of Discovery with DH

FIL got through the memory test, although plenty of problems were evident. They have asked for a brain scan, so they surely think something is afoot. As ever, he was rude, difficult and hurtful to DH and DH has come home to switch his phone to silent and send FIL to voicemail automatically. FIL believes he has no needs, but it is up to DH to support him if he does. DH has had enough.

Tomorrow I need to start Christmas in earnest - make chestnut stuffing, wrap gifts, make labels.

But tonight, I have a glass of 🍷 and am going to read A Christmas Carol.

SingToTheSleigh · 17/12/2021 21:23

Feeling quite rubbish and wibbly. Tired I think, when I think about it it’s been a pretty crazy term! Forgot about scouts, luckily I checked messages just in time.

THATlittleCRACKER · 17/12/2021 21:59

Ffs

The kids keep passing a bug around

One has been off school poorly three times (not three single days but chunks) this month

The baby has now got it

So have i

And its christmas in like a week

Where is Bernards Watch ⌚

merryhouse · 17/12/2021 23:22

When I was little we spent several years on the trot (hm, bad choice of phrase there) with at least one person unable to eat Christmas dinner.

YesTaDa
took Other Plastics into Tesco's special recycling
returned bottle of cider bought for S2's stocking three hours before he announced he was giving up alcohol...
walked into town
got glasses loosened (they were fantastically stable, but they did actually hurt)
took dead pens into Ryman's
bought presents for The Girlfriend and a nibling
bought stamps (though not Christmas ones because they'd run out ffs)
got booster jab
walked home
via Tesco for salad etc and a fancy cordial for S2's stocking
made pies, did some washing, wrote some cards
choir practice - voice still weird, and also not liking high notes which is not great when I'm supposed to be singing O Holy Night twice on Sunday

TaDa
got up despite headache - either direct result of jab or because of appalling sleep which was probably result of jab
exercise class
made shortbread for Girlfriend's parents
posted parcel for H's sibling
finished writing cards (except for neighbours)
almost-firmed arrangements for seeing some siblings
watched next two episodes of Alex Rider

Stilllivinginazoo · 18/12/2021 05:13

Honey brush hair?(runs fingers through tangled mass) no judgement here either
That dear I ask what type of bug?why do DC share these thing but not toys etc😤I must admit there seems more germs around this year and harder to shake off too...

Bank sorted
Boots still no pharmacist/shut/window says no lft left anyway
Try another pharmacy who kindly puts sign no lft in front counter when big q can't see til near front.ffs
Third attempt trailing around find pharmacy open that has some had two codes,came out 4 boxes as was asked how many DC do you have and when I said 4 she gave me 4(she didn't ask all still live at homeWink)
Put in prescription request for dd2 meds
Kitchen blitz continued
All cupboards stripped,cleaned,check dates and restacked
Cupboard under sink now pride and joy of tidy
Windows,frames and vents all cleaned
Light fittings cleaned,couple bulbs changed
Chunks floor scrubbed (under t.dryer was revolting as crumbs, at kibble etc gets under it)
Last Amazon deliveries wrapped
Washed girls Xmas chazza hauls and wrapped
Usual feeding and multiple laundry loads
DS birthday stuff wrapped ahead 16th today
Dd2 made banner,first time I've not done it but her and lil zoo printed out memes they've made/he loves so it's different to usually D's us X age written on it and drawings things lives or quotes current fave shows etc.hes growing up,and this reflects it!
Need get up shedloads to do,been awake since 3.thoyght I'd broken insomnia .clearly not...

THATlittleCRACKER · 18/12/2021 06:10

The worst type to have these days it seems zoo a cough and cold. Not covid. Negative tests. Feel like need to print test results onto everyones clothes for when people are glaring at them for coughing ffs.

Up just after 5 with coughing baby. Hes had half of his milk and gone back to sleep. Hes only having about half his usual amount. I really want him to get rid of the cough. He is too tiny for this shit.

I have bought i think 90% of gifts. Wrapped about 25%.

Kids have two days left in school. I am going to wrap everything before Christmas Eve. I am. Honestly.

Ta da
🌲 fed baby
☃️ took flu meds
🎅 made cuppa

THATlittleCRACKER · 18/12/2021 06:13

Hope your ds has lovely day zoo 🥳

I'm so behind on the thread. What have i missed. Have we had any babies.

Stilllivinginazoo · 18/12/2021 06:37

Not that I'm aware of that
I'm not much help recapping I can't even remember who I am cos fucking insomnia!!
Hazel been MIA tho.guessjng life got crazy,and first Xmas in new home etc❤️

Tada
Cleared up furballs- one hall floorother stair CARPET(joyous)
wash in
Fed cats
Harpic lav
Swept living room floor
Wrote shop list
Woke dd2 for meds/to go shop
Empty (overflowing) bathroom bin
Tidy behind living room door(gathers debris,plus bits from migrate across

TheHoneyBadger · 18/12/2021 07:59

Glad others are being impressive. I failed at my po3 despite it being totally lacking in ambition.

Very weird sleeping pattern. Yesterday I woke up at 2.30am after 4 hours sleep then slept again for a few hours in the afternoon. Managed less than 4 hours last night.

Achievable po3
Take dog out
Make coffee
Put on lol.

Let’s see what actually achieving a list feels like.

Slowchimes · 18/12/2021 08:02

Morning all!

Oh no That that sounds tough going, hope you all recover soon, especially littlest! Don't think you have missed any babies being born, just general Christmas madness and seasonal illness. Brew

Zoo Whoohoo! Happy Birthday to your ds! Cake
Sixteen years is quite a milestone! Smile
I hope he has a lovely day!
Amazing blitz clean btw! 🎈

Hands over warm scarf and jar of honey to Merry! Hope your voice recovers for Sunday! Brew

Wassail glad your fil is getting brain scan and hope rdv comes through quickly Flowers I love chestnut stuffing! Have ordered two vacuum packs of chestnuts this year to have with bacon lardons & brussel sprouts.

Hope you feel less rubbish today Sing

Halfholly love a good French film too. We re-watched Les Emotifs Anonymes the other day. Very sweet and funny!

I am defeated this year and waving white flag. Too much to do. Would have been able to pull it off twenty years ago, but energy levels not what they once were.

Anyway I am taking the day to see my (injured - resting) friend with the long face, sort builders, distribute Christmas presents etc. I will probably return to more chaos [sigh] I can't really spare a day but there we are. And need to see if chuffing contractors have gone awol again because no one else is checking.

Hope everyone has a productive weekend!

Slowchimes · 18/12/2021 08:04

X posts

Good luck with your list today HoneyBadger but go steady if you are not sleeping much Flowers

SingToTheSleigh · 18/12/2021 08:22

Ooh what French movie half? Thanks for recommendation SC I’d not heard of that

Should still be asleep. Didn’t sleep till gone 4 Hmm between coughing and headache and being a bit wired.

DH is volunteering all day. So a quiet day at home for me and the younger two.

HalfHolly · 18/12/2021 08:47

Went to bed early and didn't watch it sing but I I'll tonight. It's a thriller called Cache or hidden.

TheHoneyBadger · 18/12/2021 09:36

Thanks Chimes - sounds like you might need to do some assertive delegating.

Sorry you're poorly and not sleeping Sing

Happy to your ds Zoo

I've actually exceeded my list.

Tada:
Took dog out
Put lol on
Unloaded and reloaded dw
Bit of a tidy up of kitchen crime scene
Chopped veg an started a bolognese type affair.
Made coffee

Now having my coffee and mn'ing whilst the onions and carrots and spices sweat.

Maybe I'll brave looking at the launchpad

SingToTheSleigh · 18/12/2021 11:16

Added both films to my list thanks. I’ve liked the female actresses in other films.

Very lazy start to the day. Shame rowan is missing the last dancing but I’m really struggling the last couple of days.

Can’t believe it’s a week till Christmas. I’m mostly ok mentally at the moment, but I can’t deny I’m not feeling festive at all!

po3.1
❗️Check out a couple of websites
❗️Take painkillers
❗️Move washing into dryer

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