Festive Fledglings are Flying into December

[EspeciallyD]

Welcome, everyone!

Here is the December 2022 Flylady thread. We use her system to get on top of our housekeeping and our lives and families and, mostly, it works. By all means have a look at her website - www.flylady.net/ but don't sign up for the emails if you value your sanity, she sends hundreds!

The system is very straightforward. Starting one thing at at time, you build up morning and evening routines to keep things on an even keel daily. Then you add a weekly structure to get various jobs done:
Monday - quick whizz round the house cleaning
Tuesday - planning day
Wednesday - anti-procrastination day
Thursday - errand day
Friday - clean out your car and handbag / date night
Saturday - family fun day
Sunday - renew your spirit
Then, through the month you have a weekly cleaning focus Zone so the whole house is mostly cleaned every month.

It can look overwhelming if you've never tried ot before (and even if you are 19 years in like me have), so go slowly, do what you can.

Two important things to remember are:

you are never behind. Just jump in where you are and do something
you can't clean clutter, so if you need to run round with a binnag once a day for the first week / month / year then it's ok to do that.

I'll be posting links to the Launch Pad every day, which you can click on to find basic tasks, Zone cleaning, daily focus etc.

There's also a Flylady app if you like ticking things off on your phone.

Although this is a long running thread with many regular posters, all are welcome, if you are curious about the Flylady system or just fancy joining in the chit chat while you go about your daily life please join in, also ask if you don’t understand anything.

Thanks all! Ooh yes very close to yours pompom belated happy birthday to you!

Have had a jolly fun day so far - woken up in the night by the bunny being scrabbly (I slept downstairs as DH was looking after Cagletini in our bed), then have had a limpet-like Cagletini with me and just wrestled a Covid test out of her. Feeling verrrry sleepy and the plan is mostly watching some favourite movies. Will order something yummy for dinner and have pudding with the late evening tesco delivery!

Damn Mumsnet ate my post 😠. Flying is going ok but I'm struggling with everything else. Got an expected boot up the butt and decluttered some things to a family who lost everything in a house fire 🔥

Congratulations on your pregnancy 🤰 UNP

Thanks for the reminder about non barcoded stampsHills that's another thing on my to-do list. I guess the new ones will come back with the king's head 🤴 on them which will feel strange

Loved the baking 🍪 pics Willow

Your cat 😸 is so cuteED. Thanks also for the reminder about posting dates 💌. I must get my Christmas cards written and sent off. Just one of many jobs I'm procrastinating

Lovely tree 🌲 picHazel. I don't want to out myself with a pic of the tree which I finally decorated last night (meant to do it a week ago) but here's a pic of a hand knitted bauble I bought from a craft fair last year

Happy birthday Pompoms 🎉

PomPoms baby and toddler party sounds like a lot of hard work. I gave myself until McToddler is 3 before I will dip my toe in the whole toddler party scene. I have just under a year of sanity left!
Perry how is Cagletini doing? It's worrying when they are ill.
Bluebells that's a very pretty bauble 🥰
ED love the cat photo, so cosy! I am very impressed with your social calendar. I am usually good for nothing come 9pm and either doing numb scrolling or catching up with some work. Very rock and roll lifestyle 🙃

I am planning to do a tree this Saturday, and then some salty dough baking/craft thingy with McToddler on Sunday. Trying to get into the spirit.

Went a bit rogue and did a quick home bleugh yesterday.

I feel like I am in a different time zone with insomnia. I have to up getting ready for work in just over an hour 😭

Oops, sorry, forgot to post earlier. Too busy defrosting the car for work. It was a stunningly beautiful drive in today (half an hour across country, rolling hills, fields, tree lined roads all sunny and frosty).

I did a half hearted clear out of the fridge last night, didn't end up writing any more cards but did have a nice evening out with friends and did post the cards I had written the night before. This is definitely one benefit of having teenagers rather than toddlers. It's not all socialising BTW, my forthcoming "nights out" include a parents evening, an AGM, picking DS up from uni and a couple of fitness classes. Also a couple of carol services.

So, today is Thursday, which means it is Errand Day. The flight plan is here

www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0

and our mission is to Shine Our Sinks.

🎄shined the sink
🎄swish and swipe
🎄made Christmas cards with kids
🎄made a vat of soup
🎄made bean stew for two nights
🎄ironing

No errands as I'm too scared of the cold to go out

ED definitely easier to get things done when you have teenagers vs toddlers!

YesTaDas:
🍬 worked all day (10 hrs as usual)
🍬 stopped by 2nd job to check the schedule and did a little bit more shopping (gifts and decorations)
🍬 cooked quick and easy dinner
🍬 wrapped a present
🍬 made centres of truffles, put them in the freezer
🍬 shower and bed

Ta Das today:
🫖 work
🫖 cooked breakfast for dinner, DD joined us, along with a toddler she's watching for a few days. She was the one I wrapped the gift for last night as we don't think we'll see her again before Christmas. She loved her present!
🫖 DS & DH rotated DW
🫖 I wiped the countertops down
🫖 switched the tablecloth (toddler made a mess!)
🫖 just finishing up my cup of tea so I can take a shower and go to bed
Last night I kept waking up due to my nose being stuffed up, almost moved to the couch!

🍒👋 to everyone

Morning all,

Very, very cold here (and the whole UK I think). It was -6 when I was driving home last night. The car was extremely iced up in the morning and I couldn’t find my scraper so ended up using a giftcard from my bag and got frozen fingers. It was starting to ice up again when I left work at 4. I remembered I had one of those foil windscreen covers in the boot last night so I have put that on, will see how well it worked in half an hour.

This morning I have shined my sink, mainly scrubbing the plug (it’s one of those big strainer ones) as it had got very tea-stained, cleaned the induction hob (no one else bothers wiping it) and the door seals of the dishwasher.

Today is my day off, I am going to take DD to the station at 8, go to zoom yoga class at 9.30, the optician at 11 (this will take ages as its sight test and contact lens checkup, my prescription is complicated and I need new glasses so lots to discuss).Then tonight it’s DH’s work Xmas do. The house could badly do with a bit of Home Bleugh too. Oh and the cards, must write those.

Today’s Flight Plan www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0

Our mission is to wipe the top of the fridge-freezer down and deal with any dust bunnies in the corners of our kitchen ceiling. Been a long time since I’ve done either of these, will need to get the mini stepladder out, I need to change a bulb too while I’m up there.

After 5 attempts to log on on Wednesday, four yesterday and two this morning and DH watching the match I am trying on here.

Busy week but lovely.
Monday- Emergency dentist. Crown
Bought stamps.
Then went to butcher who was cooking pie. Bought pie slices. Bought lamb shanks
Completed another baby/pram blanket for Ukraine.I found three squares of blue after completing the bed blanket for 3+ year old. So I have been knitting random stripes and blocks of colour to go with them to make another blanket.Then crocheted around the edge. Will try and post some pictures sometime.
Cooked pie through.Baked potato and veg.

Tuesday -DH went walking and I had house to myself and decided to spend one day doing Christmas things. Sat and made loads of cards.
Weighed all fruit for Delia's Christmas Chutney x 2. Wrote address for all abroad cards.Posted cards. Made Lamb shanks.

Wednesday - DH picked my fiend up while i got sorted and showered and dressed. Bought her here then I took her to Flower Club Christmas Lunch.!0:30-330pmOh what a lovely day we had.I missed it last year as I was ill. We arrived in good time after driving on a lovely sunny but very cold and frosty morning. Up motorway for a few miles then into country with the sun shining on the frosted long grasses by the road side, so pretty. Quick look in the shop.Had coffee and half a small spiced scone on arrival, more coffee then shown into the room where Chris the flower arranger spent about 1 1/2 hrs showing us how to make festive display. lots of banter and after the first wreath made from twisted ivy (for free) a waitress brought in trays of mulled wine or spiced apple juice. Sipping mulled wine while watching someone demonstrate Christmas arrangements that you could do is definitely a new high! After 5/6 arrangements and lots of banter he raffled off ( everyone got a free ticket on entering) the flowers. Then toilet and dining room.Lovely round tables with beautiful cloths and small arrangements and crackers. My first course was Smoked salmon Mousse, Melba toast and salad, then turkey stacked slices with a slice of stuffing more turkey and a tiny pasty tartlet with cranberry sauce. Roast potatoes and a dish of mixed vegetables. Followed by Christmas Pudding (homemade )and brandy sauce. The whole meal was superb, beautifully presented and the waiting staff were fantastic. Nothing too much trouble. We had such a great day we didn't want to go home and Chris was there to ask any questions near the end though he should have gone home by then. Can't wait till the next visit.Took friend home. Had a boiled egg for tea.

Thursday- Gardening Club. Made chutney. DH potted it.
Drove over to pick same friend up and drove 20 minutes to a lovely Country House Hotel. I had pear, sheep cheese and walnuts with salad garnish. Then salmon with asparagus and vegetables. No pudding as all creamy. We weren't there as long so I had J2O. 12:15 -330pm. Choir came and sang for 45 mins. Very good.Took friend home. This is what being retired is for! Snooze for 20 mins after getting home.Sausage sandwich, late.

Friday- Supposed to go to art class but S was ill so I had to do a full day in the Market. Bloody freezing despite wearing very thick tights then very fleecy, old jogging bottoms. Damart vest (for emergency cold weather, I have two), polo neck, Christmas sweatshirt. Two scarves, shooting coat ( I don't shoot but bought it in a sale in Scotland)wax jacket style. lined boots and a hat. It was -1 when we left at 10am. Sat and crocheted. Lunch. Pakora Burger.
Not much given. Beautiful knitting and large crocheted blanket for double bed plus small ones. Stopped at a customer's shop for an item and he would let me pay. Bless him I gave him a hug I will make him some cake next month or maybe mince pies or shortbread. Then went to Poundland meant to go to B&M but Poundland first so tried there. Bought everything I needed...who would know! We are putting out lanterns tomorrow night, lighting a Village Tree and carols, mulled wine and Mince pies. So I have one lantern with St. Nicholas in the snow, one with a Post Van with a tree in form of Driving Home for Christmas. Car from customer.Third to be decided. Then two just with a battery candle. I am gouing to sweep the path and group them three at the front and three at the side door. Maybe on log slices for added height and effect.
Posted two more abroad cards and six Scottish ones. Feeling smug. Have two Scottish ones too post to sister's, debating a cheque.I never usually have all the posting done by this time.Sushi and prawn salad.

Sorry for such long post but who knows when I can get back on.

Loving the photos, the news(so glad the washing pile is finished Willow) and the people popping back in. Congratulations on Mc Very tiny. Our first two were 2 yrs and 8 mths between and it was ideal. DS1 was so lovely by then. Hope all goes well for you.
This has worked much better than IPad.Budge over DH, on a daily basis!

Yes it worked. Also lost two posts yesterday and today am.

Red it sounds like your busy doing lots of Christmassy things! I love it 😍
willow I think a celebration is in order for finishing DS'S washing! 🥳
ED that's a lot on your to do list!

Last night I went to see the Nutcracker ballet with MIL. It's our annual event. We watch that, then go have some pie. Last night DH, DS and DD joined us for pie, it was a lovely evening.

Today's plan I'm not so sure on. I may take DS to the nearest big town to get his Christmas shopping, but we're supposed to get snow today. Nothing yet though.
I also need to make my truffles and caramels, I have a couple orders I need to have ready by Wednesday 😱
I'm currently drinking my coffee while I decide whether to go or not. I guess I should check the hourly weather!
Tonight is DHs work Christmas party. That's always fun!

Afternoon all, sorry to have been AWOL, its been a busy weekend.

@HazelNuttyElf I had never seen the Nutcracker till this year, I went to a livestream of it from the Royal Opera House at our local cinema last week, it was lovely.

@Redsquirrel5 everything sounding very festive for you this week. I have been drying logs for the fire in the EH.

Hope everyone else is OK. It is bitterly cold and frosty here, I am about to go out to Sainsbury’s and might wander over to the local church as they have a Christmas Tree display. DS has had proper snow in the Cotswolds, he has sent me some beautiful pictures this morning, proper Christmas card stuff.

Bloody cold here too, we’ve had snow but thankfully not enough to settle.

Having a rather boring day, DH and DD1 are out and I am

Oops 🤣 oh well less annoying than losing a post I suppose.

I am home with the younger two. Cagletini is better now but DS is unwell again (a chesty cough this time). I am just pottering about really with a little housework and Christmas shopping online again. Nearly sorted now although haven’t thought of much for DSS’ GF yet.

Need a power of three to keep me motivated this afternoon!

po3.1
❗️Change bunny litter
❗️Clear up some rubbish including some unsalvageable stuff from the freezer (it’s been emptied as its replacement arrives tomorrow and they’re taking the old one away to recycle) and general mess from the living room/kitchen
❗️LOL

po3.2
❗️Add to DW and switch on
❗️Sort the rest of DD1’s advent calendar
❗️Sort some of Cagletini’s books into another box (Kallax baskets fit an awful lot of picture books in but we now need a third! Should probably weed out some less good ones at some point but not today)

Oh wow, congrats on McMini UNP! That’s lovely news. Well done on still managing some flying.

Glad you are feeling better Hazel, how’s Dobby now? I did indeed get the tree up although I’ll be honest, it’s taken me the whole week to get it all perfected, batteries in various lights, and the boxes etc put away again. Looks very cozy though. MiniUp is rather excited by it and keeps trying to eat Rudolph’s nose off a bauble.

That food sounds amazing Red. What a lovely festive week you’ve had.

Very belated happy birthday PomPoms.

Im finding my new work role very full on and have spent a few weeks feeling I’m failing to keep
on top of it, the house, parenting and myself. This week has gone better though. I’ve cut myself some slack, met up with some friends, and got organised again. Caught up at home, booked time off for the school Christmas performance and had a nice chilled weekend with DH and the girls. It was my work night out on Friday and DH’s last night.

Ta Das today:
🎄 half the house tidied
🎄shit loads of laundry and ironing
🎄downstairs hoovered
🎄living room cleaned thoroughly
🎄nativity costume, Christmas jumpers etc sorted
🎄got DD1 started making some cards for family
🎄added various events and appointments to diary and discussed childcare etc with DH

To Do:
🙄 DD1’s reading and homework
🙄 finish tidying (dining room and landing have accumulated crap that I’ve tidied from elsewhere)
🙄finish putting the clean laundry away
🙄strip and remake our bed
🙄bath the DC
🙄 feed the Christmas cake. Will decorate next week I think. When is an acceptable time to cut into it 🤔?

I feel ready for the week ahead I think.

Perry you've been busy! I hope DS feels better soon.
Up Dobby is doing much better, he's really settled in now. Coco actually enjoys playing with him now, unless it's early and she's just waking up. I guess she is like us and needs a little time to wake up fully!
It's so exciting for babies & toddlers, seeing their faces light up when they see the tree, lights and presents!
You've done a lot. Well done for starting to get back into a routine with going back to work.

YesTaDas:
🍬 decided not to take DS shopping, after contemplating for most of the day!
🍬 made a batch of caramels, tried out my new thermometer (digital) to compare it to my regular one I use - I didn't do it the way I normally do so they turned out a lot of chewy than normal. DH will still eat them though!
🍬 Dipped the milk chocolate orange truffles and finished that batch
🍬 went to DHs works Christmas party, had fun, won some prizes, then went to ILs and spent some time there before coming home again - they fed DS and had him and the dogs there while we were gone
🍬 cleaned up the kitchen a bit as I left it a right state! Rotated the DW and wiped the countertops

To do today:
🍫 handwash dishes so I can work on truffles and caramels
🍫 dip dark peppermint truffles
🍫 dip peanut butter truffles
🍫 make Oreo truffles
🍫 make more caramels
🍫 grocery list
🍫 grocery shopping
🍫 chat with mum
🍫 put up more Christmas lights
🍫 watch Home Alone

I'm still drinking my 2nd cup of coffee and it's almost 11am. I'm not so sure I'll get everything done today, but the movie WILL happen!

Mouth watering here at all the truffle talk hazel I wish I was good at doing that stuff 😋

Oops, I got a bit ahead of myself and started cleaning the freezer as I thought it was on my power of three 🤣 oh well at least it’s underway. God though it was quite grim in there. Hoping the drawers can fit in the DW.

po3.3
❗️LOL into dryer
❗️Go through stuff in freezer bag and see what is ok to use and chuck the rest
❗️Go through Amazon wish lists and delete lots of stuff (I tend to keep all my ideas for presents/home ed resources etc on there even if I’m not buying from there IYSWIM so it’s really out of control and not making shopping easy!)

Argh lost my post

@Upsadiddles yes is it ok to eat xmas cake before Christmas Day???
Thanks for the birthday wishes, I'm still celebrating in my head.

🥶lovely playing in snow with kids and made a snowman
🥶watched the snowman
🥶fed port to the cake
🥶put Xmas lights up outside
🥶made a cheats roast dinner with mash and sausages
🥶cleaned bathroom

Considering 3 yule log cakes have entered this house and none have survived. Yes yes it is.

Busy day in the kitchen. Still working my way through cleaning the fridge. Because cleaning the fridge when it is half full and the shelves are glass and need warming before plunging into hot water and i am lazy so they drip dry means it is taking a while with various levels of jenga/tetris going on in the fridge.

Tomorrow is going to be another long day in the kitchen. Trying to blitz through all the christmas cooking. Biscuits, bread goods, cooked in advance stuff that gets just hotted up Christmas morning to save on oven space.

would currently like to curl up and sleep but have a batch of stuff that needs rolling out and cooking tonight. Thankfully i have re-enforcements coming to help as ds is no use atm. He doesn't like the fuss of christmas so avoids literally as much as possible. Now eating the biscuits? He is the end of Jan clean up crew.

Just popping on because I am a muppet who had caffeine at 8pm and now can’t sleep 🤣

Still, quite pleased with what I got done today especially considering period pain etc. Power of three really does help at times!

Cagletini did have a little play in the snow in the garden after dark - hoping it will remain tomorrow so she can really enjoy it. I have staff meetings all morning but I think that’s it in terms of actual scheduled stuff. DD1 has the first half of her art mock though.

I am a bit sad as I had planned an impromptu solo shopping trip to a city I love, as I would kill for some alone time which has been severely lacking this term! But I realised it isn’t worth the risk between snow and train strikes. I’ll go to a nearer town by bus instead, it’s not as much of a novelty but at least it’ll be a day by myself!

I may not even be able to get to a meeting on Tuesday, kind of hoping it’s postponed if others also can’t get there. Gah.

Ta Das:
🍬 handwash dishes washed
🍬 peanut butter truffles dipped
🍬 dark chocolate peppermint truffles dipped
🍬 caramels made and wrapped
🍬 video chatted with mum
🍬 Oreo truffles centres made and frozen
🍬 towels washed
🍬 handwash dishes washed again and countertops wiped down
🍬 watched Home Alone with popcorn

Trying to get to bed at a reasonable time tonight. Tomorrow will be a busy day at work 😴

🍒👋 to everyone, hopefully you're asleep now Perry

@HazelNuttyElf that all sounds amazing and I feel very lazy in comparison