Fledglings Flying into the Festive Season

[ExquisitelyDecorated]

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

Can’t see that occurring any time soon tbh 🤣 poor sod just has a tiny room with no more space to display models. Need something engineering related.

Turned a tough day around watching the strictly final. Must go to bed now though.

Stillfestive very exciting about imminent arrival! Whoop whoop! Hope you can get some r&r tomorrow!

Didn't settle til 1 am.awake at 330
Seems that's my sleep quota for tonight...

Oh dear Zoo I have been awake twice since midnight but just for short periods. Woken with things whizzing around my head.

Festive you sound super organised. I’m glad everything has come together for you. When is your due date? DSis was due twice on 24th. One was 27th and other 4 th Jan🙀 hope you find sheets. Extra are always good in early days.

Honey post as much as you like. I think a lot of us use this thread to have someone to off load to so feel free you are in good company.

Sing oh no! Poor DD1.

Hills hope the people behave today. You mean you can grow out of Lego?

That deep breaths to keep you going although not over baby that😫during nappy change.

Hazel gather you are super busy.
SC how is HOTLF?
Merry it does always seem worse when we hear bad news around Christmas. Sorry for friend and DH.
ED lots of info about Christmas cooking on Everhot site.😄
Wassailing you seem to be keeping up with all the festive things.

Marzipan left for 24 hours is best but not crucial. Vodka brushed over to make it stick. Sherry can be used. Royal icing with a drop of glycerin in make less likely to break teeth. Wide ribbon at base hides any messy bits. One colour over top of other looks good otherwise large shell piping hides any less than perfect finish.

To do
Finish writing church cards. Think about two small gifts for special people.
Mass
Delivering food bags.
Lunch.
Painting Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Knit more rows of last scarf, past half way now and need to finish and donate.
Window walk.
Pub for a drink.
Tea- something light if DH happy to make Roast earlier. I have small lamb cutlets/ 1/2 guard of honour. Otherwise new potatoes and veg.

Cheery waves 🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋 to anyone missed or lurking. Felts pointy stick so much gentler poke.

Sorry for all the non-sleepers; I woke up unaccountably at 5.59 and have been downstairs on the sofa with WillowHound since. He is snoring contentedly and I have made the mistake of reading the Observer and Twitter and am now in a fizzing rage with the government.

Sing so sorry to hear about DD1's wrist. Hope the restting etc goes quickly and pain is reduced for the poor thing.

Red thank you for cake icing tips! We never had Royal icing when I was growing up, due to tooth-breaking nature of it. I think it's a little bit softer made with aqua faba rather than egg white (although I'm running out of things to do with chickpeas! There's only so much homemade hummus a Fledgling can freeze).

Merry I'm so sorry to hear of worrying news about your friend. 💐

Hills GROW OUT OF LEGO? I don't believe that happens (although that may be because I am the remaining Lego fan here and I have "inherited" all the DC's Lego).

Sing there's nothing for it, you're going to have to dig a basement as a Lego Room Of Requirement 😁.

That hope people are a bit better today. Glad it's not just me that misread StillFestive's post.

StillFestive good luck getting things done today. Don't work so hard you exhaust yourself and the small one makes an appearance.

Hazel hope you are having a lovely time.

Today, I think, is last-push day. To do:
🎁 Marzipan cake
🎄 Wrap for my sister's family
🎁 Wrap for DM and DBro
🎄 DH to collect last Tesco order 1-2
🎁 Wrap last alcohol gifts from there
🎄 Consider wrapping for Dd
🎁 Prep food and things for Christmas with FIL tomorrow

Best get going. Is it too early to marzipan and cake?

red I wish I'd had at least a chunk of little naps😭
Gave up at 5 and got up

Tada
Fed cats
Wash on
Completely clear and scrub dining tableleave soaking little bleach and wash up liquid to get off the dye for 20 mins
Sweep under table
Sort two chairs at back of table so tidy(sadly stuff stacked on those as not in use and backed against a wall>
Rinsed table extensively to remove bleach/soap
Now washed and dry,started wrapping the clothes from chazzas girls picked last week.ran out of tape ...aaaargh
Check master list and make sure things ringed as stocking fillers are in seperate box.rest have a bag each of bits(each has different wrap paper so I can dispense the disaster of labels falling off!)
I keep thinking oh I could get X,y,z.i must STOP
I promised myself this year was the one no one was getting crazy amounts(in past dad has bought a frenzy of stuff meaning incl wrapping choc coins etc they've has silly amounts (50+) bits to open,and it's been an overwhelming frenzy of paper strewn everywhere and nothings really appreciated because it's opened and on to the next thing plus over half never sees light of day after a day or two as wasn't asked for/wanted/gauged as something they'd love correctly and it adds to the bloody mess.THIS is why we live in cluttered carnage as over the years it's built up around me til I can't move for it...)

There are many things I can see they'd love(books,games etc) but NO

Anyhoo.even of that

Dad had contact + case at work on wednesday.he can'tseem say same thing twice.we PCR weekly .then we do lft sometimes.no one wears I mask/only i wear a mask/everyone wears a mask...it make it difficult to trust him and his judgement(he went Birminghamto see his hairdresser who moved 4years ago,and he don't trust anyone else cut it).he admits if not I'll he would prob go to work if had covid...
Anyway,I said I didn't want him here Friday(day off) Saturday

wassail get cake tucked up in marzipan!!

*Roasted chickpeas with smoked paprika,garlic and rosemary or even just salt and pepper (super healthy kids has lush BBQ flavour recipe for them)
*Lightly crush boiled cubed sweet potato and squash.add chickpeas,sauted onions and thyme.fill wraps,top grated cheese and bake
*Chickpea "tuna"sandwiches(lots recipes online)
*Chickpea and red pepper risotto(either add nut butter or cheese at the end)
I could go on,but don't want to bore you

Zoo i am also now avoiding Amazon. Yesterday i sat and totalled up what i had spent on each DC and now wish i hadn't, at least i know now why my bank looks so sad. Always get bloody carried away! I need a couple of small bits for toddler DS and that is it. NOTHING else.

Baby slept better last night, i kind of did except for when my nose wouldnt work for breathing.

Dc4 seems to have recovered. Dc3 and 5 look a bit rough. Baby smiley but the odd cough.

What ho peeps.

Me and hound the younger are just back from a bakery run. ( Dh has let her get away with murder so I am doing remedial training.) Leaves feather light croissants, baguette and currant loaf on naughty corner bar for everyone to help themselves. Fills coffee pot. Squeezes oranges for juice.

I am dreading today. So much to do. Need carbs to power through!

Everyone who can work from home is being asked to do do so here, but is allowed one day a week in office. Nursery & primary schools have closed a week early. Secondary schools are already operating hybrid system. Mask wearing mandatory for dc older than six. In-person education being maintained for dc with SN. They haven't mentioned tertiary education yet thank heavens. (Don't think dd could handle it shitting down after utterly crap final year at school, especially last few months.) Sports events taking place without spectators. We have been asked to limit social contacts to minimum and have them preferably outdoors, and indoors we are being asked to test in advance and limit numbers. Catering/hospitality sector curfew of 11pm. Things may get tightened up after next consultation on 22nd, to align more with France and The Netherlands who have stricter measures in place atm. Authorities expecting Omnicron wave after Christmas. Expat Christmas travel, especially for Brits, all in chaos. Rules about transiting through France very unclear!

Must get on 《wibbles》and write last cards and do some wrapping. But first, need to unload dw and load wms.

Great lists Zoo & Red!

Zoo oh dear about "d" p prioritising haircut.over birthday walk with ds on b'day. No wonder you are livid! I am on your behalf. Wow to 17 carrier bags of clutter!

Red HOTLF still lame and on box rest which he hates. We've done everything we can until vet rtns Wed. Enjoy your painting!

I use glycerine bought in little brown glass bottles from chemist to soften royal icing (with lots of lemon juice to reduce sweetness). They look at you funny when you ask for it, as it is only used for suppositories here

Sing how is dd this morning?
ED hope you slept OK without too much coughing
That hope stomach bug situation calming down and you are all feeling better

Have a good Sunday everyone!

Shutting not shitting (but it would be shit if they shut!)

X post That aw at smiley baby despite cough 💕
Hope the rest of you recover soon.

I’ve tried to be reserved for DD this year, but as I got a complete bargain for her main gift (nearly new second hand so quarter of the price I was expecting) I did buy a couple of small things I wouldn’t have done otherwise. Have since discovered my DM has spent more on her than I have and I’m a little worried where it’s all going to go - we have a big family who are very generous at Christmas . Definitely no more buying happening here!

We had a lovely Moroccan lamb tagine with chickpeas and apricots last night Wassailing (actually that really should have gone on my ta da list too, first time I’ve cooked in ages). Happy wrapping, and good luck with dealing with FIL and Christmas prep.

I’d have been furious Zoo, poor DS . I see the helpful stage was short lived. I’m impressed with how much you’ve done already on so little sleep. No hope you manage a nap.

Ah yes, I used vodka last year and completely forgot, thanks Red. I think I’ll marzipan today and ice tomorrow then. I have some ribbon for the bottom, ready rolled white fondant icing (not a fan of royal) and I think I have some red and green to do some sort of design.

Hope all goes well with DD’s wrist and they can get her sorted today Sing.

Ta Das:
😃 up, DH fed us
😃 LOL in
😃 DW set off with last night’s tea things.

Going to have my morning cuppa while DD plays with her dolls (I have to regularly coo over them and ask to hold them ) and then make a start on the rest of the baby organisation I think. Then cake when DD is out at the party. Cleaning as and when I feel like it, and mostly delegated to DH. Happy Sunday everyone.

Cross post SC. at your typo. Sorry to hear you’re entering tougher restrictions although I suspect we’ll be going the same way soon. Does it take any of the pressure off over Christmas or not really change any of your plans?

Forgot you asked about due date Red. Not due til first week in January but having a c section between Christmas and new year. I don’t feel like she’s going to wait until she’s supposed to though - happy either way to be honest as as much as Iove the idea of knowing the date and it being nice and chilled, I am also done with heart burn and struggling to breath and move!

SC are you secretly thinking of icing suppositories? 🤣🤣

Zoo I was reading too quickly, what an UTTER ARSE kids' Dad is. How does he manage to cock things up three times as often as he gets it right? Perhaps it's his superpower 🤔.

I thought I was ready to get moving but then just reading Stills list from yesterday wore me out. Maybe near full term pregnancy is a good pointy stick?

I’ve walked the dog, made coffee and drank it lol. I’m listing drinking it like it’s part of a po3 at this point.

Po3.2
-gather and put on to wash a load of neglected cardis and jumpers
-gather spare hangers to dry them on around the house
-clean sink (full of pasta and noodles that I’ll get the ick removing thanks to ds)

Thanks for reassurance about being the limpiest gazelle on the thread. Glad we’re not strict.

@IWasWillingToGoWassailing

SC are you secretly thinking of icing suppositories? 🤣🤣

One way to get a sugar hit I guess? 🤷‍♀️

One way to get a sugar hit I guess? 🤷‍♀️

Yep Sugar hit by the most direct route, straight to the business end!

Stillfestive thankfully no, it means my plans are much less fraught this year without travel, or visitors, or both! It's just that everything else is a bit fraught here currently (mainly 2 building projects). It should also mean that I am on top of Christmas prep, but for a variety of reasons, I am struggling this year.

So HoneyBadger you are definitely NOT the limpiest gazelle on the thread! (If you want proof, just look at my sitting room!) And we'll done for wool wash!

Things going slowly here.

For the about the first time ever I think, I truly understand Flylady's command to slow down and focus.

This year is hard. I am finding it harder than normal. And I am not a fan of Christmas in the best of years. but this year I am really oh it can just fuck off and I'll take a normal day

To do
crowd control the people
all the things

ta da
got the meal planning board sorted for the first time in farrrrrr too long
Figure out when meat needs to be taken out of the freezer for defrosting.

Well done Hills - I've never really mastered meal planning and don't even cook a proper meal every day now that ds is old enough to make himself noodles or spaghetti or eggs etc.

Tada:
-wool wash on
-manky gross starchy ick cleared out of sink
-sink soaked in bleach water then cleaned - though I'm resoaking and will do it again to be sure.
-some clean washing put away (plenty more to go)

To do in the kitchen:
-Keep putting away clean washing as part of tidying kitchen
-Tidy other parts of the kitchen than the laundry mountain end
-clean work surfaces and hob
-hoover kitchen floor
-mop kitchen floor
-Clean kitchen window and sill

Hairdresser works in the kitchen so it's kind of the key room. Have to come through living room to get to kitchen however and that is a bombsite too.

Ho hum.

honey we have back door leads into kitchen
Sc wia
Sh someone here had balls to say we need do X,y,z.i hate the feeling of impending disaster and not a hot I can do to slow/stop it(except in my own family)

Tada
Shopping at coop(incl 25 min walk each way)
Pop Waitrose for bits couldn't get,and to acquire cute silver birds with flaming Katie's in back for D's(he LOVES them)
Shop away
Clean under dining table-
Pull front chairs out
Remove repeatedly wet sketch pad and add recycling as mould spots
Remove stray shoes to hallway
Remove rubbish,recycling,liberate cat toys
Wipe floor over
Tidy behind living room doir-
Move exercise bike
Wipe skirts etc and return
Tidy D's bird feeding supplies(no where else to store)
Remind him put some out(had blue tits on suet pellets and his favourite robin "legs"(here since. Baby and unusually long legs hence the name) came for dry mealworms❤️❤️❤️❤️
Attack girls room
Brave under lil zoo bed-
Drag out stray shoes
Bag rubbish kicked under there
Multiple belongings
Dusty missing legwarmer located!!
Multiple amounts sweetie wrappers
A cat claw or toe nail(too revolted to inspect closely!!)
Get them sort multiple bags hanging up.lil zoo parted 2 that don't use/damaged so things fit better on back door
Grab floordrobes and shove in laundry baskets
Mop floor on hands and knees
Wrap last presents

Currently up to 5lol
Last ones in drier,need triage what next of the mountain to go in
DS and lil zoo eaten
Time for me and dd2

To do
Rest living room
Hallway
Bathroom

Morning all. Or not. Feels like it as I didn’t wake up properly till almost 10! 😳 Clearly needed the sleep though. Then we were waiting around a lot to find out what was happening for DD1. She’s going tomorrow morning for covid test then the reset under GA assuming it’s negative. She’s just dozed off again, I think her friend might be dropping by to pick up her stuff (she was meant to after skating yesterday but obviously it all went a bit wrong) but I’m leaving her to sleep.

I’m torn between wanting to do stuff while there’s no reason to be out of the house etc, and thinking that we should make the most of the enforced rest (although it’s not me needing to rest obv!). But tomorrow it’ll be tricky to get anything done with DH at the hospital all day so I really should crack on with what I can now!

po3.1
❗️Get dressed and brush hair so I don’t look a total state when friend arrives
❗️Move laundry on - probably have enough for one more wash too
❗️Check what DH managed to get in town yesterday before his shift and update the Christmas note accordingly

Afternoon all,

It has gone bloody cold here. Just went out to the car to sort out the contents of the boot (I declutter into it and when it's full sort it into tip, charity shop, rags, etc) and my poor hands are frozen. DS and DH have gone to see Spiderman and I have to take DS to football shortly, need to wrap up warm. Also need to finish my cards tonight, got the bulk of them posted yesterday but a few more still to write, plus local ones.

po3.2
❗️Room rescue boodwa - it’s in an awful state even by usual low standards
❗️Talk to DH re what still needs doing
❗️Book new year tesco delivery and attempt to change a different slot time

sing I can't see my bed,unlikely will I til after presents are opened now!!(shuts door and try not think about it)
Ed it's been foggy here all day and really really cold

Tada
Pull out 2seat sofa under window
Sweep out crumbs/dust/cat toys
Lift back flaps of recliner bits and sweep out crumby bits/remove cartons,wrappers etc 😤
Pull out 3seater one and repeat(no wrappers etc that side as where I sit mostly)
Sweep main bit of floor

Hallway
Empty shoe rack
Sweep behind
Shoes returned in pairs
Put wellies out front
Sweep rest floor
Stomp wellies at side house remove mud,tip upside down to remove detritus and spiders!
Return in a row
Sort thru coats/bags
(Check no festering lunch remains in bags!!)
Sort some letters off floor,crap to recycling and things need dealing with in neat pile
Wipe floor over on hands and knees with floor wipes

Bathroom
Clean bath thoroughly
Clean sink
Wash floor on hands and knees
Littertray empty and spray cleaner,wiped and left to dry
Do littertray in D's room too

Bag up remaining rubbish
Get DS to empty bottles/cartons pile I found in hallway/girls room/dumped in D's room and pop recycling

Note we now have equivalent to around 25/30 carrier bags for black bin.my big one was half full.luckily a neighbour lives alone and has very little so happy me to use his.i also had ask next door couple add a bit her bin(just her and granddaughter but as works shifts they not there much as g.d stays elsewhere when she's at work as does nights)
Managed get everything into a bin,but lids are all up a bit!!
My 11/2 hours might sleep Well and truly caught up with me I feel dreadful but knew I still won't sleep whilst list is so big of to dos

More washing done,loads more to do!

Has a Fry's creme bar and some water

Time to work on D's scarf whilst watch TV for bit

You're all getting so much done! It's been a weird sort-of-not-a-Sunday here, I think because we're not doing a roast at tea time.

Ta da:
🎄 Cake marzipanned
🎁 Marzipan fruits made with leftovers - I had a lovely time, and DH has asked that they go on the centre of the cake 🥰
🎅 DH made butternut squash soup for dinner
🎄 DH did last shopping round - Waitrose for things Tesco didn't stock and collected the Christmas Shop from Tesco.
🎁 Then DH went into the same Tesco for all the things they swore they hadn't got 🤷🏼‍♀️
🎅 DD continues to empty room into garage in piles. I think she's having fun.
🎄 DS2 popped round and was finally persuaded to sort out some stuff in the attic room that is preventing the spare bed being opened. 3 boxes went home with him, 2 precious boxes for us to keep, lots of paper for recycling and stuff for the bin.
🎁 I did more wrapping - finished the GFs, wrapped DD in her entirety (so to speak), all of DH bar one and FIL.
🎅 Found large piece of material for my DBro's gift (will need two people to wrap it) and agreed what we're doing for DM. Christmas could actually happen on this basis, if Father Christmas doesn't mind naked gifts this year.
🎄 Sorted out food to take to FIL tomorrow - freezer stuff in red bag to grab, fridge stuff all in one part of fridge, cupboard stuff in shopping bag.
🎁 Precooked stuffing and pigs in blankets so they only need warming up tomorrow.
🎅 3 x LOL including our mattress and pillow protectors and bedlinen.

I have had enough. Can't possibly do anymore today. DH can make the bed!