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

And thank you for translation Merry!

Waves and whinnies back to HalfHope

Thank you enormously for thread summary RedSquirrel very kind!

V. happy to hear about Not Girlfriend getting a promotion Iwillwear

Sorry if I have missed any thread babies - congrats to all the mothers of fairly recent arrivals on here - and No.6 is bloomin' amazing That! How you keep all of those plates is indeed incredible!

Hope Cagletini is enjoying nursery Sing and you feel that you have a little more time to yourself.

Very sorry to hear your dd is still in NZ RedSquirrel but glad she is OK. And sorry you have hurt your shoulder [passes over virtual embrocation] but hope it doesn't stop you from enjoying lunch out tomorrow! Have fun! How is retirement going generally? I know you found it hard to make the final decision... but hope you are enjoying life a bit more now ... and can look forward to green shoots in greenhouse

I did cook various meals today and did approx three hours of admin office work. I also walked to supermarket and found I had forgotten my purse so had to walk home again and then lost the will to do grocery shopping ... but have just remembered supermarket shut tomorrow ... bum.

An imperfect start on Day One but may as well accept I am not going to be executing this month perfectly anyway so good enough will have to be good enough.

G'night all!

PS Redsquirrel will track back to end November in that case. I didn't see it; an entirely serendipitous visit this one [for me I mean!]

Morning!
SC very happy to see you! 🥰😘

Somewhat bleary eyed - went to bed much earlier than usual last night too as it had been a long busy day. Space day was SO SO GOOD!!! Both the actual venue/event and just being with friends all day - felt like the Before Times 😅🥰

The stars have aligned to give us a relatively easy day today, but there is lots of stuff I should really be taking the opportunity to get done.

po3.1
❗️Reply to WhatsApps and see if colleague wants to swap back again (she was going to attend panel for me today so I could represent us at a different charity’s coffee morning, but that’s been cancelled)
❗️Take meds and eat something (getting dressed isn’t even priority right now 🤣)
❗️Write myself a list of things I should try and get done today

Morning all,

Just off to work, will drop in with some links a bit later. Yesterday turned out to be a busy day, did manage a bit of decluttering though.

Morning!

SC how lovely to have you back! The initials in my username should lead you to who I was previously. It is bittersweet when children move out, isn't it? We are so pleased they are spreading their wings, but where is our tiny person gone?

I was so excited by the new thread yesterday I forgot my Christmas name change, and I thought of this one in January and have been saving it since then! Must get out more.

This morning, we have snow! Just a tiny bit and it's already melted on the concrete, but I am starting to feel Christmassy. Maybe.

Good news late yesterday that the parts for DS2's car have arrived, so they just need to find time to fix it. Could be a fortnight.

I think it's Thursday.
To do:
❄️ Morning routine
🥶 Hot breakfast!
❄️ Print Christmas letter, get overseas cards out
🥶 Write letter and wrap parcels for lovely friend, get them on their way
❄️ More research - have managed to streamline my process and am feeling very efficient
🥶 Make pastry for MFCP (Mummy's Famous Chicken Pie) and mince pies
❄️ Construct pies as above
🥶 Foot Physio at 2.30
❄️ Flu spray for DS3 at 4.10
🥶 Collect DS2 from client 1 and run to client 2 between 5 and 5.30
❄️ Cook & serve pies
🥶 Collapse in heap and watch Sort Your Life Out.

I have written my list but seem to be struggling to get on with it. I’m not doing panel (I could have asked for it back but TBH I am so tired I am happy to lose the hours for today!) so there’s other stuff I can get on with. Need to decide if I’m going to a park meet - it’s cold which isn’t great for me but it’s nice to see people.

DD1 has her first ever detention today 😳 most of the class didn’t do a homework and apparently it was meant to be 15 mins after school yesterday but she didn’t realise apparently so it’s now 30 mins today 😳

Struggling to get going today.

po3.2
❗️Send a message re English tutoring
❗️Look up local (temporary?) ice rink prices/times etc and see if we should fit in a trip before end of term
❗️One bit of work with DS and get him to look up something that came up at the trip yesterday

Morning everyone and what a glorious morning it is.

Had a disjointed nights sleep and was awake between 2-3:30 but had long stretch to 9:20 so feel ok now for going out. In true unflylady style I haven’t thought about what to wear. Dress is in wash. I have lots of skirts but after wearing one on Sunday that wouldn’t do up I am not sure which will do up. The waist line has expanded!

Need to print a couple of cards then take them to post to Australia and New Zealand. Will buy stamps for others and do them this afternoon.
Might make some local ones tomorrow as I found a lot of papers in magazines. So really it will be classed as de cluttering😃

Great to catch up with your news SC😀 it is hard when they move out but good to know you have made them into the person they are and they feel confident to go out into the world.

I seem to have made more mess in the sitting room so need to put the pile of craft magazines away now I have sorted through them.
Will pop in when I come back from lunch...can’t remember what I ordered yet I can remember what I ordered DH. I am either having turkey or sea bass he is having ham. I can remember the other courses smoked salmon and Xmas pudding for me and cheese board for DH. The chess board there is amazing, pity I can’t have it. They wrap up the extras for you to take home😀
I must blitz the two rooms once the cards are done. DH has said he will get the decs down tomorrow. We never put them up this early😀

Hobbycraft have two types of crackers for filling yourself for £5.

Welcome back SC! . I’m formerly Up/KT. I’m pleased you’ve joined us for December as I love hearing about your Christmas prep.

Interested in your flavoured vodka Hills. DH used to dabble in various homebrews and gins but he’s never done a vodka. He did once make some lovely vimto wine which he miscalculated the strength of and alas proved too drinkable one sunny Sunday afternoon pre-DD. It was not pretty

Hurrah for car parts willing (or perhaps Wassailing?). Hoping there’s some MFCPs left for the naughty corner.

Zips you say That? I will be keeping my eyes open for those!

YesTaDas:
🏠 submitted evidence for insurance claim. Tarpaulin is still hanging on in the high winds and we don’t seem to be getting any wetter internally 🤞. Only one additional slate seems to have moved and is now balancing rather precariously in the gutter…
👶 car seat washed down
🎅 over half of the Christmas wrapping done.

Tadas today:
👶 early ante-natal appointment attended and all good

House is still a shit tip apart from the living room so must crack on trying to restore order. Back later 👋

Slowly slowly getting things done. Very slowly. Thankfully the things my friend has let us borrow for scout camp seem to fit DS so I don’t think we need to buy anything.

po3.3
❗️Write a list of potential Xmas purchases as I didn’t get that done the other day
❗️Check work email
❗️Complete November maths invoice, add up all tutoring income and report on UC site

po3.4
❗️Get dressed 😳 so I can look vaguely decent when DS I picked up for a park meet shortly (I am giving it a miss myself as need to rest)
❗️Make work call I’ve been procrastinating over 😳
❗️Online Xmas shopping for bits and pieces

So, today is Thursday, which is Errand Day

The mission for the day is to declutter your entrance oo-er

Today's babystep is Get dressed to shoes or at least slippers. This really does help me.

Oo-er indeed ED 🤣

DS is being collected in 20ish, really should get on with stuff but at least I’ve eaten lunch. DS is doing English because he can’t remember what his chemistry homework is. Then once I’ve made my call DH and I will look at Christmas shopping online since the older two won’t be here.

Morning.

I have a thumping headache from lack of sleep and adjusting to new windows/heating situation. We have gone from everyone complaining about being too cold to turning down their radiators

There have been words. I will have help tomo. Charity shop runs, tip runs, shopping runs. I am going to get some tentative help today (as much as ability will allow for tasks needed). And ds got a Negative result so I am booked for a walk with a friend later. Maybe tonight i will be able to sleep before 4am.

Lunchtime check in as the busy bit of the day gets going!
Ta da:
💖 Morning routine
🧡 Kitchen sofa hoovered, with throw and cushions (with freshly washed covers, no less) back on
💛 Bit of research
💚 Christmas letter finished - waiting for it to print
💙 Saw DM
💜 DD's last birthday present arrived (phew)!
💖 LOL put into dryer
💜 Music room window polished of puppy nose prints, window sill cleaned of paw prints
🧡 House Christmassed a bit - scented wreath up in hall, wreath on door, lit-up village on clean music room windowsill
💛 Bit of decluttering of entrance - shopping bags out to cars, autumn wreath back up to loft etc.
💚 Bin emptied and disinfected (my least favourite job)

Must now take painkillers for filthy headache, and head out for physio. Suspect the car will want defrosting still!

Tada
Finally chose gift for kids dad from them(leather bracelet with rings on it with each of their names on it)
Ordered games for dd1 and husband
Took delivery of books for zoolets
Spent a lot if time online looking at other gift ideas
Knitted more of scarf
Quick tidy living room- sweep floor/clear crap building off table
Lots reassuring texts for dd2 and D's whilst struggling at school
Remember feed cats kibble (D's job at lunchtime for so long it's not on my to do til they becoming annoying!)
Take DD to boots after-school with swollen earlobe.useless ,blaming her piercings(which have been there ages) for causing allergic reaction(how when titanium?),so onto other pharmacy..advise was heat it to draw it,see g.p if it gets hot,has fever/flu symptoms(I'd assume antiseptic cream would be called for,otherwise I could've save myself the walk.sigh
Chat lil zoo head of year 530-640(she clearly has no regard for work hours when trying to get students best support possible💖)
Faff on phone
Fix tea for lil zoo and ds

The whole afternoon was lovely.

We arrived a little later than we wanted but we were stuck behind a tractor and trailer for about 10 miles.
It was 12:30 for 1 pm. We were greeted with a glass of delicious punch.
Through to the dining room.

Smoked salmon which was on a potato salad type cake. Soft bread roll.

Sea bass fillet on a little cake of red pepper, tomato, prawn and potato and garnish.

Christmas pudding with oat cream

Coffee with a miniature mince pie and a peppermint dark chocolate.

Entertainment of a singer and a guitarist and a time to join in.

The decorations were lovely too.

I printed 14 cards this morning. They are a bit tacky still. I am pleased with the way the design has come out. Room to write a message at the bottom.

Think I might address them all just now.
Might make a few papercraft cards tonight.

Hello all! [Waves frantically back at everyone!] Thank you for yet more lovely 'welcome back' messages and sympathies over dd's departure. She is here tonight as it happens scoffing contents of fridge as she has important mock exam tomorrow . And thank you for kindly identifying yourselves; it is harder to recognise you in your masks

Ta for links ED!

I haven't covered myself in glory today as I totally lost it with dh who is already stressed and tired. I felt really horrible afterwards and I have apologised tonight.

Basically I did a mega-clean this morning (incorporating missions 1 and 2) prior to a friend coming over for a socially distanced lunch in the parts of the ground floor that dh hasn't taken over. I then nipped out to supermarket which took me longer than it should because it started snowing rather dramatically and idiots drivers who didn't slow down were skidding everywhere.

Anyway, when I got back dh had come home from a dog walk and messed up the communal bit of the sitting room I had just cleaned with wet shoes, wet socks, masks etc thrown on floor, and by traipsing snow and grit across the hall tiles and in the cloakroom and by letting the wet dogs on the sofas!

He had then eaten all the cheese that I had earmarked and laid out for after lunch, and the pears and walnuts that we were going to have with them, and had torn off and eaten one side of the fancy loaf which I had walked to the bakery specially to buy this morning. This is despite me telling him that I had a friend coming for lunch, warning him about it last week by email, and reminding him again yesterday and this morning. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. And plus ca change!

He had also given one of the dog's a bone and then let it sit and eat it on the sofa [eugh] , had taken one of my best serving dishes off the side and served the other dog some kibble in it [eugh again] , and then had dumped a load of books and cables and the contents of his trouser pockets on the clean table cloth on the dining table, which I hadn't yet set.

He somehow managed to achieve all of this in the time it took me to buy ten items at the supermarket and drive back through snow! [you have to laugh or you will cry emoticon]

Anyway, once I had LMSBigTime made my displeasure known he redeemed himself a bit by rushing out and buying more bread and cheese but honestly. I know must of his mess is caused by him being in a rush and packing a lot in to his day and his mind being on other things, but as I said to him, I could pack a lot more in to my day if I left a trail of mess for everyone to clear up after me while I did everything !

I guess it serves me right for being a "woman what lunches" today. First time in a while and it was lovely to see my friend who was on very good form so it all worked out ok in the end but it reminded me of the last time (over two years's ago now) I tried to host an elegant dinner and one of the dogs ate paprika crisps and then proceeded to fart loudly under the table so I should know better!

This evening I have mainly been making soup, dog-walk no.2, laundry and doing admin for project meeting next week and avoiding putting the oven on because I haven't clean it for so long that it smokes horribly [Notes to self to sort before Christmas.]

Great new nn IWasWillingToGoWassailing. Hope your headache has gone and, er, did you mention the word "puppy"!!!!!!!!???????!!!!!
PS I very much need to watch a prog called "Sort Your Life Out!"

Hills hope your headache has gone too and glad to hear ds ok!

[Waves back enthusiastically] tarpaulin and high winds doesn't sound like a good combo StillFestive hope you are ok? And well done for having done over half the Christmas wrapping! That is very organised indeed! Many congrats on your pregnancy and v happy to hear ante-natal appt went well! PS Are you sure you haven't mixed me up with someone else as my Christmas prep is usually frantic very rushed and late!

Hope your lunch went well RedSquirrel and well done re: card-making!

Another day ticked off and no decluttering or proper tidying achieved. Time for an early night and renewed effort in the morning!

Sorry for rant (no change their either!!!! ) and sleep well everyone!

(Digs husband-shaped hole where SC's new patio is going 😉)

That would infuriate me - I'm particularly protective of my pantry provisions when guests are expected.

x post [sorry again for essay, will try to keep it short from now on]

RedSquirrel hurrah for lovely lunch and artistic endeavours!

Great list Zoo! Good to hear Lil Zoo's HoY still very supportive.

Hope walk blew the cobwebs away Hills!

Thanks Halfhope ... he has form!

I am so glad you had a lovely lunch Red. Worth being trapped behind a tractor.

Snowy with ice up here SC. I have Yak Trax for my hiking boots to get around. Lovely carols plating on Classic FM now.

I've named changed to something more festive 🎄🎄🎄

TaDa
recorded exercise class (Steve is on holiday)
LFT negative, ten days after I apparently had a closeish contact (phew)
walked into town
bought Christmas cards, didn't find advent candle (church shop inexplicably shut, cathedral shop ran out) decided against particularly uninspiring selection of Advent Calendars in Oxfam and Fancy Shop
bought unexpectedly-necessary s towels, and birthday treats for S1, in Tesco
wrapped cardboard box containing frying pan and treats, using up ends of paper
found carrier bag large enough to hold parcel
made spag bol
decided to try sticking cloves into an ordinary candle so opened Ordinary Candle drawer and discovered an Advent candle . As gently curved as the ones on the Ring but unlike last year's actually legible
lit candle to burn yesterday
did crossword
went to choir practice

TaDidn't
any ironing
packing for the next few days

It did SC twas snowing wet heavy snow so got soaked through. But it was nice to be out. I now have 3 sets of bread dough rising and a home made badly apple strudel in the oven.

Should probably get the dishwasher reloaded and run the washing machine again but just taking 5 mins to sit down and watch the snow.

SC how exciting to see you on here again! I do often think of you and how you're getting with your renovations. It sounds like your DH tried to redeem himself, but allowing wet and mucky dogs all over sounds grim and I would be fuming too!
hills enjoy watching the snow, I can watch it for hours!
merry what is an advent candle? I've never heard of one and feel like I'm missing out!
Red your lunch sounds so posh!

Ta Das:
🎄 wrapped a present for the work gift exchange we are doing on Monday
🎄 had DS vacuum the area in the living room where the tree is going
🎄 finally put our tree up, not yet decorated as DD was working. We'll decorate it tomorrow night since she's off
Ummm, that's it for today!

Yesterday I went through the fridge (although there is still something in there that needs to come out but haven't got the stomach for it right now) 😳
I got all the handwash dishes washed, dried and put away. DW rotated x2.

I have been working btw, not just sitting doing nothing. At work I cleaned my work space. Tomorrow I'll try to get rid of my old phone, we upgraded and now there are 2 phones on my desk, the old one is huge! I just want to move it to the back room, which also needs a good sort again.
I did take down the autumn decorations today, but still need to get the Christmas ones up.

🍒👋 to everyone