Fledging flyers - December's messaholics anonymous meeting place

[droitwitchmum]

Everyone welcome, newcomers and old(ish) flappers alike!

Here you can do any of the following:

• repeat or start baby steps

• repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

• reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering

As Christmas is approaching I will also be posting Christmas missions.

I'll post links early in the morning on the relevant day while I'm making the coffee and brewing tea. There might even be toast...

Good luck!

just about survived. Knackered. Ds in a much better mood today which has made a huge difference. treating myself to an early night and off to bed about now.
Hope all ok.

Hi everyone, just checking in from Counting Towers on my way downstairs from (finally) putting dd to bed ... and plying dh with paracetomol ....

DD is now also showing symptoms and I am in two minds about whether to cancel our house guests (family of four) this weekend who are supposed to be arriving Sat and leaving following Wed. The mother is one of my best friends so I was really looking forward to seeing them all. Also, they are on a very tight budget and I promised them they could stay. On the other hand, dh, who is usually very enthusiastic about visitors and is really, really poorly, and always thinks of others and not of himself, has (very unusally) suggested I cancel. Can't decide what is for the best!! Divided loyalties and all that ...The state of the house isn't helping ...

Had a brief moment of elation today when my eleven parcels to cousins and god-children were carried off to be posted (always vow I will post them on 1 December but have never managed it yet!) but then I made the mistake of turning around and looking at the rest of the house!!!

WtD - so sorry that you are (v. understandably) feeling a bit low and that you are not getting the support from the school that your ds needs. Francophone education is way behind the UK (generally speaking) when it comes to special needs. It's also cultural I think as they have a very rules-based, conformist "one size fits all" approach ...Do you know where to go to get ds assessed? (Licensed pediatric pyschologist??) I'm speaking from a position of huge ignorance here but you might find things a bit easier (if Belgium is anything to go by) once you get the correct bit of paper with the correct stamp on it .. As it happens .. my French teacher is a Breton ... will be seeing her next Monday and will see if she has any info to offer ....
And what a dreadful time of year to have all that hassle with your cards. Oh well, I suppose it is a good excuse to avoid eating the oysters!! Take it steady x

Swan - lol at "snotty but frisky". Hope DS2 recovers soon! And I very much approve of "vague tidying" and hoovering up the centre of the room as per Fat Fairy's instructions (glad it's not just me.) DH is traditonally always ill at Christmas without fail. He doesn't usually allow himself to be ill except during major holidays, but this year, he's mis-timed it by a fortnight!!! Congrats on your long list and thanks for tip re: meal planning. I'm going to revert to easy stuff like baked beans/sardines on toast/ and fruit from the bowl this week in an attempt to claw back some time.

And your list is also very impressive too MrsDingDong - hope your meeting went well - it's always sad moving on isn't it, especially from somewhere where your dc have been happy and formed strong attachments ...I can't advise about cats I'm afraid because I've never had one, but gps are definitely low maintenance and friendly for dc (although individual temperaments can differ of course) try and pick two sows that are already 'together' in the cage (a reaonable chance of them getting on once you get them home) and try and make sure that at least one of them seems fairly calm/interested /not too neurotic. Then once you get them home, they need to be left alone for a bit in peace and quiet to get used to their new environment and thereafter, you can started approaching them very tentatively and gently twice a day with offerings of carrots and leafy green veg (carrot tops and chervil good) until you establish a rapport!! Sounds harder than it is!!

Oh no MrsGrumpy rest that ankle and don't try and Fly too soon (at least it's a good excuse to sit and write Christmas cards!!) Hope you recover soon and many happy returns to yours ds for tomorrow.

DSM How did today go? How are you doing?

All best wishes to Cadmum. My mother's house positively gleams and she is in her eighties ... she always makes me feel inadequate so you have my sympathies ..

Gosh tibni you are busy! Congratulations on your job and ds's performance (bless him) and hope your dd had a lovely birthday

SSC I'll be stepping along-side you and going back to Fly basics in January too ...

Only half way through scroll ... but have to go ... back soon

Apologies for continuing Guinea Pig interjections ...

SBB they only smell if you don't clean the cage out (every 4 days or so) and I have mine on cat litter pellet thingies which also cuts down on possible odours but I don't think I would be happy with the gps in a child's bedroom. I don't know why exactly ... they are not nocturnal .. and mine make me laugh because they do have a self-regulated set "bed-time" at 11.30pm ... but they are quite large and lively when not asleep ... I suppose it's because my dd would distract them than the other way around!!

If they are going a bit 'feral' why not bring them in to join you every evening ... ... I put them in a sort of huge rubber round "tray" thing (bought at garden centre for putting plants in/on) which has about 4inch high sides and we bung a bit of hay in the bottom and add a ramekin of water... and from there we pick them up and stroke them and hand feed and brush them etc and let them have a little run. If you keep doing this night after night, they will soon settle down. One of ours goes to sleep on dh's lap!!

PF lol at your ever expanding Christmas list but well done for tackling the ironing mountain! Hope you had a good evening last night...

Well done on your mega-lists Mellie and bravo to your dh too

Flaps wings madly at everyone I have missed ...

MiniM I think that might be you!! Hope you are recovering from your cold x

No Mummy I haven't forgotten you!

Thank you so much for tips on Flying while working. I especially like the one about getting the dc to help ...

Wanted to do separate post to ask you about January thread ...

You are an absolutely amazing Fledgling-thread-leader! It takes quite a bit of effort to post so consistently and efficiently every single morning (including weekends) - never missing a day - and to keep on top of this ever-expanding thread.

Are you happy to continue or do you want a rest??

Thanks SC! Following a foray into retail hell this am to finish xmas bits and pieces, the guineas are now proudly occupying an indoor cage - we may have to move now in order to aquire a utility for them to live in.

I need a (gentle) kick up the pants please. Was doing well, really motivated and loving being organised, but it all seems to be sliding away from me. Had a rubbish afternoon too and can't get my head back into it again - did buy an organiser today though - was all set until this afternoon. Probably just need a quiet night and will regain control tomorrow

SC thanks for doing the round up for me

There seems to be a growing movement towards continuing in January. I am happy for someone else to take over from me if they want, otherwise I will carry on for another month

PS Am loving the festive smilies but there isn't one for the biscuit

Good morning everyone. Coffee is on toast will be ready in a minute

The babystep for today is a good one. Just wich DH would do it) he's usually up last

Here is today's mission. Scrubbing bathroom sinks and counter tops today

Have a great day

morning all,

thanks for coffee mC looking forward to toast .

haven't got time to scroll up and down the thread but wanted to say welcome back to tibni wtd and dsm. and i hope things get better for you soon wtd no words of wisdom am afraid (that's what we have sc for ) but am thinking of you.

not much flying done yesterday but did manage to maintain sparkling downstairs by doing some washing, dw and general tidy up. Still haven't tackled pantry (can't remember who said they wanted a pantry...must clarify it is really c glorified cupboard under the stairs but because it openes into my kitchen i reserve the right to call it a pantry) or our bedroom. Please nag.

only 3 days to go at work but I suspect, on yesterday's evidence will be a tough 3 days as the little darlings are rather hyper. even normally good classes are very excitable. tonight it is DS's school choir concert. this is the first year he's been in the choir and i couldn't make it to his christmas concert (although he was only a villager and apparentyl you couldn't see him so didn't actually miss much ) so i am really lookin forward to it. I suspect there may be over emotional mummy tears in my eyes .

mc you have been a fantastic and reliable leader. i would love to carry on into january. if you need a break i will takeover (scared emoticon) but would equally love you to carry on as i suspect i would be useless

Me to (keen emoticon!) - MC you have been fab and I would love to carry on in January. Am feeling more motivated this morning, but loads to catch up on....

Morning ladies,

Away from MN for one day and there's Christmas smilies!! How exciting!

Mellie, now don't you go and get all organised. I am using you as my marker. While you are as dis organised as me with cards and presents I feel ok. If you get sorted I will be thrown into a panic!

SC - Hope your lot get better soon and recover in time for the festivities.

MC - I am going to start the babysteps again in January and try to get more on top of things again.

The road is still closed ] and I am still avoiding ALL eyecontact with the neighbours!

I managed to break the new light in the still unfinished wetroom yesterday. Hopefully that will all be finished before Christmas.

YES! I think I have managed to use all the new smilies in this post! YEAH!!

Long day at work today, so a very short list of jusst coping and reaching bedtime not too frazzled.

Good luck everyone, have a good day and don't get too cold!

MC- Sorry you were not supposed ot get a but a (swap with Mellie!)

It would be great if you carry on, if you don't mind. You are so good at chivvying us all along and putting up with total slovenliness apathy randomness!

Morning all

need lots of coffee this morning as over excited birthday boy was up at 1.30am wanting to know what time he could get up, sent him back to bed till 6.00am.

Yesterdays to do list;
Wrap Ds1's birthday present (he's 9 tomorrow) done
Make Christmas dinner shopping list done
Write Christmas cards done
Print out photos for calendars kids are making for gp's for christmas do today
Read up on babysteps etc nearly done
Read through 'Sat & Sun' posts on this thread done

Probably wont get much done today as Ds2 hasn't gone to nursery today, he has a nasty cough and a temperature so we are both lounging on the sofa watching cbeebies.
It's so typical that the kids catch something at this time of year, hope evryones dc and dh's are feeling better soon.

Positively festive I had a same hoover problem, it wasn't sucking properly until eventually it wouldn't suck up even the smallest speck of dust, felt extremely daft when hoover repairman asked if the filters had been changed recently, I don't read instructions either preferring the 'try it and hope for the best' approach to electrical appliances

Swan I do gift hamper type stuff - pamper hampers, gift baskets, nappy cakes, towel cakes etc have only been doing it 'professionally' for a few months, after my boss told my whole department that it was a 99% certainty that our contracts would not be renewed next Easter I decided to 'jump ship' and set up on my own, a very scary decision and hopefully the right one!

right I really had better get on, plan for today;
Finish yesterdays list
Fold clean washing
If ds2 has a nap will watch Harry potter and the half blood prince sort out the overflowing letter rack

Waves at everyone

Just got home from work, ready to start 'catching up' only to find that the fish has died and the dog has emptied the kitchen bin all over the floor - and rolled in it for good measure .

So so SO fed up!!!!

Hi everyone

Just checking in from Ward 14 and trying out the Christmas smilies

MummyClaus you have been far too good at running this thread and so we all want you back!!!! Like Melli I'd be happy to step in/assist but equally would love it if you returned in January. You decide what's best for you.

SBB Oh dear ... we need PushmePullyou aka Mrs Doolittle ... about your fish though

ooohhh errrr Grumpy I do like the sound of your hampers Mrs I'd love to do that sort of thing ... did you teach yourself or go on a course or something? Hope ds2 recovers soon, dd borderline ill here ...so kept her at home again as precautionary measure...

PF lol at your 'variety pack' of smilies

Mellie congratulations on your shiny ground floor and for getting back on top of everything and hope you manage to quell the little angels until the end of the week... I am disqualified from dispensing words of wisdom as my flying has been a bit turbulent of late to put it mildly ... but there is always Camus ....

Feeling a bit disappointed as have cancelled my house guests for the end of the week. Doc says dh will need at least another 7 days to recover - he has full blown flu - the shakes, the aches, bad tum, the works. My friend was very understanding but nonetheless feel I have let her down ... heigh ho ...and was so looking forward to seeing her ...

So in survival mode here but still shining sink, doing laundry and tidying and a bit more present wrapping ....and trying to do bits here and there to keep on top of things ...

Take care everyone x

I found it difficult to get started today after dcs went to school - think all the Xmas events are draining my lifeblood...and ds1 is still at home with his broken leg

In the end just had to blindly throw myself into housework, whilst starting to make supper at same time just so I didn't get bored...
DONE basic routine
dw
breakfast dishes
worktops
washing load
dry washing upstairs
swept floors
made most of supper

then a xmas mission - booked a pantomime

Presents I've ordered have started arriving so beginning to feel I could actually sit down and organise wrapping and labelling, and even definitive stocking filler piles.
Veg box for this week has also arrived so need to get to grips with menu planning for Xmas week or all that cavolo nero, kale to the uninstructed - will be wasted. Dh certainly won't eat it...

It is so terribly cold outside - just feel like snuggling up with kids and never going outsde again to any social engagements - unless someone gives me cashmere underwear

Stillcounting - I have to say I always heave a sigh of relief whenever my houseguests can't come, unless of course I have already prepared all their meals. Could you re-arrange a spring visit?

Still to do
turn off the telly (just back from school production with two dcs in it - we are exhausted - it was so good ds1 said he wanted to go second showing on Wed)
get kids to do some collage cards for gps
15 mins room rescue in kitchen when I've had a cup of tea

Hi Swan - freezing here too - might need an ice axe for the downstairs lav

Well done on getting through your list - it does take extra willpower when the weather is so cold & everyone is stressed and/or ill

I normally do sigh with relief when house-guests can't come ....our house (unrenovated with holes in walls) is not exactly visitor friendly ...but in this case I was really looking forward to seeing them (former best friend who has moved away) but definitely right decision sadly.

How is everyone else doing?

Hot toddies all round tonight ...

Evening all,

I have 3 mins to post, before I need to go and get something out of the oven (rock cakes, made with DCs, yummy).

Didn't really make a list today, went to school carol concert at local church this afternoon, and spent this morning virtuosly shopping locally for the ingredients for this chutney

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8028/apple-and-cranberry-chutney?pager.offset=20

which I plan to make tonight. Yes, I know cranberries are not likely to be local, but I did buy them in our brand new high street greengrocers, not Sainsburys. We also have a new "making and doing" shop, so bought some jars there, vinegar from health food shop.

Sorry, no individual mentions tonight, house looks like a tornado has gone through it and I am very behind, hope to catch up tomorrow.

ps we had flurries of snow coming out of church this afternoon, lovely.

I think I have fallen off my broomstick (I certainly don't feel like I have been flying well since Halloween)! Today I found a bag of self-raising flour on my side-board.

I think that says it all really!

Will report back later this evening when I have rectified the situation a bit!

Hope all is well with you all xxx.

Dear me, I've only had the weekend off MN and already I've fallen off the "threads I'm on" link. I had to go looking for you all in general topics. This probably tells you something about the distinct lack of flying chez Pluto.

Thanks for the working and flying tips MC As I have to get up and shower before DH leaves the house at 7am I've been used to an early start throughout mat leave. You are right though - just getting out of the house in the morning for the school run is an achievement although I did manage to hang about a ton of washing before 8.20am today.

done
all Christmas cards
tidied in baby's room
laundry washed and drying
tidied in DS1's room
huge trawl through Ocado sorting out the ultimate list I can shopping from when I return to work

to do this week
collect parcel from sorting office
get present for nephew
pack for visit to in-laws
wrap all pressies
decide what we're eating with all our trimmings on Xmas day (don't do turkey as there's only 3 of us plus 10 month old)
Srart organising going back to work / 2010 control journal / diary

I will definitely need to keep flying in the new year so count me in.

Pluto I found this for you (and other flyers with babies)

Back in a bit

evening everyone,

actually had quite a nice day at work today mainly because i resorted to 'easy' activities so a lot of poster making/documentary watching. i think this will now be method of survival for the rest of the week apart from my poor year 11's who, on the last day of term, a week before chirstmas, i am giving a test too. mwah ha ha ha ha (evil).

we went to DS'c choir concert tonight which was beautiful, cue big lump in the throat at certain moments. (proud mummy emoticon).

As far as flying is concerned, am managing to maintain downstairs and bathroom through doing usual routines. The rest is going to have to wait until the weekend.

pf rest assured my lovely, there is absolutely no signs of christmas cards/present shopping/wrapping going on here. . Continue to mark away.

mm i still remember the day i found a bottle of ketchup in my bathroom . Good luck with the rectifying, if anyone can get back on board it's you.

big waves to everyone else on the thread, hope you are all alright and not drowning too much in xmas stress.

mrsdingdond mmmmmmmm rock cakes. Am always so envious of those of you who can bake. i really am not a domestic goddess in the cooking department (or the cleaning department or, for that matter, in any department ). weathermen say we are due some snow here at the end of the week. as long as it comes when i don't have to leave the house i am quite excited.

sc it is absolutely freezing here too. it's one of those night where i say to myself i must remember to get ready 10 mins earlier in morn to de-ice car but i know already I will have forgotten by the morning. hope DH is feeling better soon. it always puts so much pressure on one adult when the other one is ill. hope you are looking after yourself as well. Sorry about your house guests, my closest and dearest friend lives at the other end of the country from me and i cherish the time we do get together but i am sure your friend will understand and you will have a lvoely time when you do see her. in the meantime nothing beats a good natter on the phone. and just for you 'in the depth of winter i finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer'. .

swanriver i always wear cashmere pants, don't you .

sbb sorry you are having such a crappy day...Sc we need a strong hot toddy for this one!

mrsgrumpy hope ds is feeling better soon. you're job sounds lovely but you must be busy at this time of the year.

x-posts with pluto and mc. An impressive list today pluto and thanks for the link there are some good tips on there mc.

apologies for random 'and hello to everyone else in middle of post ' should have been at the end...could blame dodgy keyboard but suspect it was my fault.

SC just about keeping my head above water. Have huge pile of assessments to mark tonight and a pile of tests tomo. better now ds has settled down a bit. Going to mark and then bed as have been up since 3.30am
hope all is well with you

Mellie You have managed to make a very panicked person - I nearly said lady, but DH would be hysterical if he knew! very, very happy! I need to walk through the town tomorrow to get from work to the hairdressers. I have a cunning plan of leaving work early and wandering through, buying all my stocking fillers on the way! In reality I know I will be late and will have to run from one end of town to the other, arriving with my hair looking frightful and not a present in sight! I'll let you know how I get on. I think I am abandoning cards again this year. I could say that it is on ethical grounds due to the waste of card, but in reality I am sure you realise the reason.

Rock cakes..Yum are they for general consumption? hint, hint!

I am planning on a cooking/baking creating presents and edible decorations on Friday, which is the first day with most of the DCs home. I love planning these things and getting them all done! We have planned:
Stained glass sweet decorations - anybody else do these they are so effective and brilliant!???
Fudge
Coconut ice
Marzipan animals
truffles
Shortbread

I will get some nice pretty, useful small storage boxes and make up some little gifts for some of the older aunties/uncles. After that I will feel more prepared I hope.

Evening everyone, Waves to everyone on here, see you all tomorrow.

Just popping in to leave some tree shaped biscuits! All those lovely welcome backs and then I disappear again! Trying to fly but a bit grounded - everyone bar me has sickness bug- fab!
Try again tomorrow and sleep well all.