Festive Flying with the Fledglings

[ExpensiveDecorations]

🎄Welcome to the December Flylady thread, this is a long running thread with many regulars but newcomers and returners are all very welcome. We love to chat as well as looking after our homes.

Do NOT sign up for the Flylady emails - your inbox will end up very cluttered!

There is an app that you can customise to suit your schedule and home but I haven’t tried it, others on here have, you can customise it and use it for notifications.

There are Baby Steps for starting out, add one thing at a time to start good habits and routines.
There are 5 zones that we will rotate through, don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!

Daily missions: each day of the week has a different mission.

• Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
• Tuesday: plan & play
• Wednesday: anti-procrastination
• Thursday: errand day
• Friday: clean car & purse out a week. It's also date night (with your significant other, or friends, or yourself!)
• Saturday: family fun day
• Sunday: renew your spirit

Common acronyms we use:

• LOL: load of laundry (we aim to have lots of laughter too)
• Mount Washmore - multiple LOLs
• DW: dishwasher, not wife
• LMS: lose/lost my shit
• DNLMS: did not lose my shit
• BRC/DRC: box/basket/drawer of random crap

I'll try to update links every day, although it could get a bit hectic as we proceed through the month.

Links are below 👇 if I happen to not add links in time, they do update at midnight for you. Ask if there us anything you understand - our motto is No Fledgling Left Behind.

Launch Pad (the heart of the system): https://www.flylady.net/d/new-links/
Zones (different weekly focus areas of the house): https://www.flylady.net/d/zones/
Baby Steps (these build up into daily habits): https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/
31 Beginner BabySteps | FlyLady.net
https://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps
Flight Plan (daily summary of the relevant parts of the system) http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0
Festive Flying http://www.flylady.net/d/cruising-through-the-holidays/

ED I have no idea when they are working on the house! They were supposed to be done with it by the end of last week, then it moved to Wednesday of this week. When they don't even show up when they say they will it's hard to believe anything they say.
The house is still in shambles (not as bad, but bad enough). I can't plan anything on my Tuesdays off as I don't want to be in the middle of making my truffles or caramel and have them start dust up! It's frustrating! 🤬
Enjoy London, are you doing anything exciting or fun?

Santa I hope DD feels better soon. It's so much harder when they're younger to get things done in the lead up to Christmas, especially when they're ill and only want you! I hope you can get something worked out and not run yourself ragged trying to do so I've done that myself many times it's really not worth it

pompoms how is everything with H at the moment? It'll be nice to get some time alone to get things done, it's always helpful

FiveCows I love drinking my coffee by the tree. It only happens on my days off (I don't get to sit and lounge before work or I'll be late every day!).
Today I'm trying a new coffee that was in my secret Santa for at work, 🤢 I'll stick to my own! I'm going to have to dump the other half of my coffee. DH can take the grounds to work with him, he had his eye on it anyway!

dragons I'm so sorry you're so poorly, and tech stuff not cooperating doesn't help either. Merry Christmas and a better New Year to you too, I'm hoping we'll get to see you before then, but understand if you're not able to!

Right, best go dump this nasty stuff and make a delicious cup of coffee instead!
I'll be back with my to dos.

@Searchingforsanta that illness sound absolutely awful for all of you. Can you just enjoy watching tv on the sofa with her?

@HazelNuttyElf thanks so much for asking. Everything is great. Just normal really. I definitely think the very low dose Prozac is the answer for my pmdd and that has really helped our relationship.

I'm absolutely zonked out after a 4 child Xmas craft play date at my house. Everyone has had a lovely time but I'd like to lie down in a quiet room for the rest of the day. Alas we are off to a family Xmas party now with friends. I'm actually looking forward to it really whilst also wanting to go to bed.

Mmmmmm, a delicious cup of coffee ☕️

Ta Das this week mostly consisted of wrapping presents and walking into the house after work to see if anything was actually done.
We do have our new oven hood up, electrician came yesterday so it has power, and we put the cover on it so it looks beautiful!
Not wanting to cook most nights resulted in us eating out or picking up food.

To Dos this weekend:
☕️ spend time with MIL today making fudge, snowballs and no bake cookies
☕️ laundry, lots of laundry
☕️ make more truffles (although I need to buy some more supplies first)
☕️ make more caramels
☕️ grocery shopping
☕️ wrapping presents
☕️ get spare bedroom ready for DD (although I have no idea if painting will happen this week..)

Tonight we are all going out to a dinner and a show at the local high school (not the one DS will be going to next year, but their rivals in the next town!). I'm looking forward to it!

pompoms that's great that the Prozac is helping in multiple ways!
I do get your torn feelings about going out vs staying in. It'll be fun and worth going out, maybe come home a little early so you can go to bed! Best of both worlds. What was the craft the DC were doing? Not too much to clean up afterwards, hopefully?

Tada
🎄 managed to get a quick wash & dressed
🎄 wrote a list for the household stuff and a list for Christmas stuff
🎄 cleared the dining table

@cosypompoms I've mostly sat with her this morning, even when oh got back from football this afternoon and he sat with her so I could get some bits done, I have just done a few bits and then had a sleep on the sofa ! I'm full of a cold and had quite a few disturbed nights sleep so we're all pretty exhausted! Hope you got a little bit of rest in between the Christmas activities ! What were the Christmas crafts ? So happy that the Prozac is helping with pmdd ❤️

Thanks @HazelNuttyElf , I've got a big list of lists 😂 I'm going to just do small stints of prep and hopefully it'll all get done without the Christmas burn out ! . I've crossed off any food type gifts so we won't be baking anything this year . I may change my mind depending on how the week goes ! I can completely understand how the house stuff must be so frustrating! It's horrible when you can't plan the day and you're on edge waiting for people ! Your evening sounds fun - enjoy 🥂

Rant incoming..... Finally settled dd2 in bed after her being attached to me for most of the day , thought I'd just do half an hours wrapping to get it started - I spent that half an hour looking for the stitch wrapping paper that I bought 2 weeks ago and the tape dispenser that always lives in the same space in the cupboard and couldn't find either of them! Started crying , gave up and poured myself a g&t 🙈 first mission tomorrow is to find the wrapping paper and tape dispenser!! I've got some wrapping paper from last year but I'm so frustrated because I specifically bought the stitch wrapping paper for her ! I know I've had a rough few weeks with illnesses and finishing the course but I get so bloody angry at myself in these situations! Anyways , 1% club , g&t then bed - tomorrow is a new day ❤️

I am lurking but not posting as I am not following fly lady at the moment. Unpacking a house these days and cleaning as I go (cleaner did not do a good enough job before we moved in, which I am annoyed about).

I've already unpacked and set up our bedroom, bathrooms, kids' bedroom, and coat/shoes cupboard. Ended up Marie-Kondo-ing ALL clothes.. I don't think there is enough wine to get me over that activity.
Tomorrow will aim to finish unpacking kitchen and setting up a utility room.

Fingers crossed I will get my washing machine on Monday, followed by dryer at the end of next week.

Tada

🎉 found the tape dispenser - dd1 had 'borrowed' it but didn't return it 🤦‍♀️

To do
⛄️ drink coffee and find the stitch wrapping paper !!

How's the move been @DomesticElf , sounds like you're progressing with the unpacking ! Fingers crossed for the washing machine - did you find a laundrette?

Morning 🌄 everyone 👋
I've loved reading all your TaDas and Christmas preparations, sorry that some of you are poorly and hope you feel better soon 💐
I've been floundering in the naughty corner, been keeping up with the laundry but that's about all I've managed.
I gave up ToDo lists because seeing everything that I hadn't managed to accomplish made me feel rubbish.
But today I have a BIG THING (for me, anyway ☺️) ToDo.
I bought a Vax months ago and have never got round to using it.
I spilt a fizzy drink on my bedroom carpet a few days ago, I put a towel on top to mop it up but didn't bother cleaning it, now it feels like a 80's night club floor 🤑
So today's the day I'm going to use my Vax. Hope it actually works because it's too late to send it back.
I have another big ToDo which will happen this week. After 10 months we finally got the huge horse feed bin out of the house (DP has built me a haybarn and feed store at the field), so my big shoe rack will be going into the utility/downstairs bathroom. Which means my front entrance won't stink of horsey footwear anymore.
I'm having (my 3rd) hand surgery on the 2nd of January, so I'd like to get as much done in the house as possible before then.

Morning all. Have been hiding out in the naughty corner this month but I need to stop procrastinating over many many things. I am not ready for Christmas Eve in a week!!!

It’s going to have to be a power of three day, and I’m hoping I don’t burn out super quickly.

po3.1
❗️Breakfast
❗️Order meds
❗️LOL (will put non-tumble-dry stuff on first)

Searching I am planning to be unpacked and set up by Christmas, hence chaos. There is a few weeks overlap with our previous rental, so I ended up doing two loads there and just ferrying wet clothes to the new house to dry. Let's say I won't miss this period.

Cherry oh let us know how the Vax goes!
Sing sending motivation vibes your way.

Thanks elf all the best for your house moving chaos 💐

po3.2
❗️Try and make an opticians appointment
❗️Finish uni chapter/relevant week which I was meant to be on several weeks ago
❗️Move laundry into dryer (changed my mind about what to wash first) and put another LOL on

I FOUND THE STITCH WRAPPING PAPER!! It was in oh's car which he looked in last night ...... I don't need to comment on that any further because there may be some language attached to it that shouldn't be used on a Sunday 🤣

Tada
🎄3 gift hampers completed and wrapped
🎄 washed & dressed
🎄 living room tidy (I left it in a state last night after getting upset over the tape and wrapping paper 🤪😂)

To do
⛄️ washing , washing and more washing
⛄️ get out clothes for the week , there's only me and dd2 at school as my eldest 2 broke up on Friday
⛄️ more hampers to put together
⛄️ double check I've written all of works Christmas cards

Oh is cooking the Sunday dinner today , then he's bathing dd2 which he said would get me at least half an hour to start wrapping dd2 presents , then I'll have another half an hour once she's in bed .

Good luck with the uni work @SingSongVerilyTheSky !

@DomesticElf it will all be worth it , then you can relax and enjoy a less chaotic Christmas ❤️ at least you've managed to get the washing sorted so that's one less thing to worry about !

Hope the Vax is good @CherryogDog ? And yay for the storage solutions!! Is there much recovery time for your hand op ?

po3.3
❗️Figure out what still needs buying for Christmas (and 2nd Christmas a few days later with adult DSCs and partners)
❗️Print a blank planner for the next couple of weeks and put stuff in
❗️Shower and changed for carol service

Elf that sounds stressful, hopefully things will settle down for you just in time to enjoy Christmas.
Santa yay for finding the wrapping paper & tape!
Cherry good luck with the Vax. Hopefully it'll get the stain out 🤞
Sing I hadn't realised Christmas Eve is in a week, thanks for that! <buries head back in the sand>

My to do list for the weekend changed.. I had forgotten I agreed to go to the next big town to find a nice gown for SIL. She will be getting married in the courthouse soon and she wants to buy a nice dress for the occasion.

YesTaDas:
🍬 made fudge
🍬 made snowballs (little white candies)
🍬 made no bake cookies (all 3 with MIL at her house)
🍬 got ready to go out for the evening
🍬 went to the high school for dinner and a show, it was so much fun! Even DH said he enjoyed it 😱
🍬 did some sewing repairs to some pieces of clothing

I don't know what time I'll get home today, but doubt it'll be very early. More than likely we'll be gone all day, even though I have so much I want to do and very little time left!

Tada
🎄 2 more hampers made up
🎄oh bathed dd2 which means most of her wrapping is done 👏👏
🎄ordered a few more gifts
🎄wrote final gift list (hoping to collect this tomorrow if dd2 is well enough for school)
🎄write Christmas food shop list

To do
⛄️ shower
⛄️ iron clothes for tomorrow
⛄️ wash jumpers and bras

Ooo sounds like a nice afternoon @HazelNuttyElf

@SingSongVerilyTheSky you're pulling out some amazing po3's today !

TBF writing the power of three doesn’t always mean I actually get them done 😩🙈🤣

I didn’t manage to fill in the planner I printed but otherwise all good and I went to a lovely carol service. Back to the uni books now!

So I didn't get home until 6pm, I left the house just after 9am. It's been a long day!
We're about to start working on dinner, DH is going to grill some pork chops on the pellet grill, while I cook some veggies and creamy mushrooms.
I plan on wrapping some more presents tonight. I would like to have them all wrapped before Wednesday, but who knows if that'll happen 🤷‍♀️
I'm done buying though! Woohoo!

Ooof, sorry, gone AWOL again. I had a nice day out in London on sat with friends (shopping/drinking/eating) and was out all day yesterday too. Day off today but have just had to soend half an hour finishing a bit of work I didn't get done last week and am going out for the day again shortly.

So today we are into Zone 4 the master bedroom ("boudoir" 😀). Our mission is a 27-fling-boogie, ie chuck out anything you can see that doesn't belong in there.

The Flight Plan is here http://www.flylady.net/c/fp.php?tzm=0

Haha @SingSongVerilyTheSky , you do get a lot of them ticked off though ! How did your uni work go?

@HazelNuttyElf did you get some presents wrapped ? Well done for finishing buying ! I've still got things to get - losing 2 weekends to a poorly dd2 has definitely not helped the Christmas prep!! How was your day yesterday?

Busy days @ExpensiveDecorations glad you're enjoying your days out !

Tada
🎄work
🎄dd1 dentist
🎄taken and collected dd2 to and from MIL (still isn't well enough for school)
🎄tea (Sunday dinner leftovers)
🎄wrapped 2 more hampers and checked I've got all works cards for tomorrow
🎄10 minute tidy downstairs

Flying has gone out of the window and I'm procrastinating all of my jobs by looking on my phone - it's like I search for something to switch off my brain but I can't switch off my brain because I've got a never ending to do list, a vicious circle! Being absolutely shattered from having dd2 sleeping in our bed whilst she's been poorly hasn't helped though . She seems a lot better this afternoon so I'm hoping she'll stay in her own room tonight - I'll be grateful even if it's only a couple of hours decent sleep 😴

To do
⛄️ A very small session of wrapping - literally 15 mins just to chip away at the pile
⛄️ evening routine

Uni work went very slowly to be honest! And got none done today as I had an appt, Christmas shopping and an event to go to. Knackered now and only just about to have an oven pizza!

Well, day out also turned into evening out, I am going to have to sack myself as thread leader at this rate .

Today we are supposed to be decluttering our accessories, earrings that have lost their other half, old belts, hats etc.

Santa I did get some wrapping done, Sunday night AND last night! All of MILs presents are now wrapped, I just have one more of DDs, FILs, DH and DSs all too wrap still. I do want to make some caramels today and some more truffles for gifts. Who knows if any work will be done on the house today, although it'll just be the ceiling in the kitchen, if they do show up. 🙄 so nothing would be able to be made in the kitchen.
How is DD feeling today? Did you get her to sleep in her own bed last night?

Sing that looks like a busy day! Don't forget to make time for rest too! Can you carve out 30 minutes or an hour for uni work and another hour for "me time" today? Does it help to have a set schedule or time for that or is it best to do it when you feel like working on it?

ED I think you are doing a great job leading the thread. It's a very busy time of year with lots to do: social events, shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking etc. On top of regular life: work, cleaning, school, illness etc.
A day and evening out sounded like the perfect day, I do hope you enjoyed yourself 😊