Hi Joni! Sounds like you're a bit frustrated with your list and how much is getting done. I can relate!! I've been working on getting the inside decorations done for almost 2 weeks now, I just can' tseem to do it. Our tree has been up and decorated for a while (though looking a little rough because of kids and cats playing with it and our fake tree looks quite fake!) But, the rest of the stuff is very slow to go up.

 

I replied to your Thanksgiving thread finally. Not sure if you have time or want to go back to general but just thought I'd let you know. A bit of an update of sorts. I started working on my December drill thread as well. Gotta get this house in shape though the only get together we have is some couples from our bible study on the 17th and it's not Christmas related. I do have lots of desserts to make for different things though.

 

Hope you're doing well!

Sara!  I didn't see you there 'til I went back to delete my lists.  One of those things where I kept my list up on the screen and then just hit "reply" to update it so the in-between post never showed.

 

I'm trying very hard to avoid general altho it's tempting.  I don't know why I have such a hard time keeping up when I have 3 hours a day with nobody here but me.  You'd think I'd have everything DONE!

 

Our fake tree looks pretty fake too.  It's year #4.  I still wouldn't get a live tree again tho.  Just not worth the hassle, fighting, and my husband breaking out from his pine allergy. 

 

Timer going off on broiler, altho I think it's not working.  Another chore to add.  My thermostat in my car's not working and I had to take a box to FedEx this AM - no matter how much I try to take care of all the little everyday stuff before December, other stuff crops up.  Our washer/dryer are both on the edge too.

 

Better go up and take care of that before I burn the chicken I'm broiling to a crisp.  It's been marinating for 4 days - we grilled Saturday and this is the leftover we didn't use up that we were going to eat for dinner another day this week but we keep eating out or eating frozen pizza.  Dinner just seems like an extra chore that's easy to skip.  So much for not eating out!

 

I'll try to check general later today or tomorrow.  I'm happy to hear from you!  BTW I understand wanting the house nice on Christmas even without company coming.  It's just nice to feel like it's clean.  Unfortunately I can't seem to get it really clean unless we're having people over!

 

Gotta go

Hi Joni, no rush! It's nice to hear from you :)

 

Ah, don't beat yourself up for eating out. I can imagine you're crazy busy! For some odd reason, we eat out less in December even though we're more busy and on the road more.I think because there's more dinners out at people's houses, I have the energy and ideas for other suppers so I don't feel like we need to eat out.

 

lol, I know what you  mean. I say I want to get all of this stuff done but until the day before people are due to show up, I just can't do it. Even with the daycare kids here, my house is not being picked up or cleaned as much as it should. augh

 

Off to add more to my list. Nothing to update cause I've done nada this mornign besides the usual morning routine and cuddle with a sucky Carly who napped on my lap while me and D watched a movie.

Hi girls.

 

I was bad ordered pizza yesterday but enough for two days of no cooking. 

 

Had Kate home again today.  Just to watch her.  Don't that she is on this Singulair.  Reading about it scary.  I want second opinion.

 

You can tell I'm in panic mode.  Only read latest post.  It is ok Joni we are doing that too; it is crazy busy now. 

 

Carly ahhh.  Bet she is warm and snuggly though but clingy kid hard to get anything done.

 

Ok I sound like that woman from Central now; remember her Sara? The one who talks in short form who seemed a little nutty?  from Kitchener.

lol, hi shoot, what's her name. Anne!!! I'll start calling you Anne.

 

 

mmm better not lol.  Yea that is her name. 

 

Tomorrow in am going to old age home to see Kate's class sing but will be home by lunch.  I may need to do drills for panic drills but maybe need to keep computer off ah we'll see.

Short form is fine Serene!  I'd do it if I needed to.  You'd probably rather I do LOL.

 

That is funny you say "even with the daycare kids my house is not being picked up" Sara.  OM my house wouldn't be picked up at ALL if I had other people's kids here all day.  Extras mess and less time to clean it!

 

December's always been such a bad eating-out month for us .  That's amazing how you can avoid it now.  I think we get used to spending money on everything else associated with Christmas and then lose track and say "what the heck."  We eat out now because it's easy so one less chore (esp the cleaning up) but also because it's a family thing and feels Christmassy and is a nice way to end a shopping trip or whatever. 

 

Speaking of, I'm taking Braeden and Chane out to eat tonight with just me (different feeling than with both parents - different dynamic I guess) - we are going shopping right after school.  Just for them to buy presents.  They've saved up their own money and have a few gifts left to buy - they bought most on Wednesday at the school's "Secret Santa" shop where volunteers help them shop for their parents, etc.  I'm not going to be shopping for anything tonight (altho I do have two errands but short ones) so I won't get impatient or irritated with them while we're out - I hope!   I've been sooo on the edge with them lately, esp Chane.

 

I've declared today a "no Christmas" day (except for our shopping trip tonight) - I'm not touching anything that has anything to do with Christmas.  I'm being pulled in too many different directions and need to focus.  Tomorrow will be a big Christmas day - Scott is gone for a Woodbadge meeting so if I can get things done around here today, I can relax with the kids and finish our candy cane reindeer, reindeer dust, gingerbread train, wrapping the gifts they buy, finishing decorating, etc.  I really need to keep that stuff separate from regular stuff or I end up in a real mess.  Need to focus on putting away laundry, doing paperwork, and picking up somewhat today.

 

Gonna update my list.  Glad to see you both are alive and well :-)

 

 

 

Friday:

 

 

• 100-pickup
• Our laundry away
• Dry bedding, wash/dry new bedding
• Pay bills, stamp, mail
• Update checkbook PRINTED STATEMENTS SO FAR
• File papers from bedroom
• Write checks for yearbooks
• Buy chicken
• Make chicken barbecue for tomorrow
• Febreze
• Finish going thru toys
• Clean out car/unload cleaning supplies/put away cleaning supplies
• Sort out tub in office
• Do Brae's room incl tub in my room
• Empty wastebaskets
• B - up, dressed, hair, teeth, socks, shoes, eat, slippers, homework, backpack, to school
• C - up, bathed, bfast, lunch, teeth, hair, socks, shoes, slippers, backpack, to school
• After school snack
• Check backpacks
• Drop off prescription
• Email Dad re: leaves
• Email rancho? re: FedEx
• Deposit checks - get Sheila's check out of car - check on Meemaw's check THEY WILL CALL ABOUT MEEMAW'S CHECK
• Wash mophead/rags
• Start glucosamine for Mowgli
• Calendar - Janet 1/8, 2/11 (times?) CHECK THIS, THESE DATES DON'T LOOK RIGHT, 12/11 Mrs. Small
• Sweep kitchen/dining room
• Clean out Josh - run in living room
• Vac carpets and ceramic
• Shopping trip
• Call re: IV

 

Red - Christmas

• Fix tivo?
• Return Timberlands
• Make chicken barbecue at some point
• Halloween stuff in attic SCOTT DID MOST
• Make final timeline
• Gifts for Scott's office ALMOST DONE - 4 NEED CURLING RIBBONS, ALL 40 NEED SCOTT'S SIGNATURE
• Sort thru all small gifts, package s's
• Cookie dough - 8 batches choc chip MESSED UP ONE DOUBLE BATCH THO, STILL NEED TO BE BAKED
• Brownies - 2 double batches
• Check calendar for week
• MON - Write down vac info, pick up while C is at school
• Febreze daily - try to get smell out of our room!
• Filing
• 27 fling daily
• Put toys in attic ONES THAT ARE DECLUTTERED SO FAR ARE IN ATTIC
• Sort out toys to give away WORKING ON THIS
• Freecycle icicle lights
• SPCA - FOUND SOME OTHER SHELTERS INSTEAD PLUS A GIRL AT WORK MAY BE ABLE TO HELP
• Find candy cane piece
• Lights on tree
• Jac shirt info
• Clean out car
• Call about jacket DONE
• Work on decorating inside of house DID MOST, A FEW MORE LIGHTS
• Photos for bookmarks CHRISTMAS
• Photos for albums CHRISTMAS
• Keep bedding washed
• New laundry done and put away
• Get R/C theater tickets - $20
• Groceries GOT SOME, NEED TO FINISH
• Candy cane reindeer
• Start wrapping, at least friends and teachers
• Kids' chores
• Make Christmas lists w/kids
• Pay back 1/2 for gifts
• Tub in office
• Wastebaskets
• Quarters
• Deposit checks GET OUT $400
• Uniform patches
• Get tri-levlen prescription filled
• Finalize lists
• Unpack wrapping
• Add each item to list as it comes in
• Figure out what wrapping supplies I need
• Take bags to Dad's PUT ON CALENDAR FOR TUESDAY NIGHTS
• B's nails AGAIN
• Tue - C - gymnastics
• Tue - Speech homework
• When is gymnastics over?  Call Y
• Note to school w/C
• Santa shop Wed eve - get cash
• Pick up candy canes, pipe cleaners, floral wire
• Finish lights outside
• Swags outside
• Finish inside lights
• Finish stapling skirt onto village table
• Fix C's lights
• Thu - work
• Work on Brae's stuff
• Pick up packages from Mom's house I THINK I GOT THEM ALL?
• Contact Amazon re: books CHRISTMAS
• Help Scott pack and ship Little Tikes mountain PACKED (NO HELP FROM ME THO), NEED TO TAKE TO MOM'S TOMORROW TO SHIP
• Finish popcorn - make notes, envelopes, stamps, tape together, drop off popcorn, popcorn from Carrie
• Tue - Cub Scouts
• Tue - Westwood Drive
• Paperwork
• Checkbook, bills
• Add thank you note and taking cookies to Westwood Drive to calendar
• Mon - C to Donavon's, pick up at 5 
• Order valances WEBSITE KEEPS CRASHING!  NEED TO CHECK COUNTRY STORE IN MALL INSTEAD
• Check lists to see what else needs to be bought, ordered
• Books from library
• Finish advent calendar
• Check menu, adjust
• Move gifts out of garage - sort by person somewhere?!
• Measure/record
• Find Little Drummer Boy; Father Christmas; Waitresses - anything else?
• Cobblestone, night sky for village DONE, LOOKS AWESOME, NEEDS TO BE NEATENED UP (EXTENSION CORD MOVED, STAPLED AROUND EDGES)
• Put up miniblinds
• More CDs from library
• Return library books
• Sat - kids' allowances
• Take kids shopping
• Pack for cleaning job; unload after PUT AWAY SUPPLIES
• Pay Toys R Us? WHERE IS THIS BILL? ALSO AMAZON?
• Add sunglass case, phone case, backscratcher, projector, sweats
• Ask Andrea re: school $$
• Reindeer dust
• Coordinating dishtowels?
• Slippers/quarter on calendar
• Food drive on calendar SENT IN FOOD, MONEY FOR FAMILY
• Card to Lisa
• Game BID NEED TO CHECK TOMORROW TO SEE IF I WON
• Wash mophead
• Put marshmallows, corn syrup on list for next year's "Making Christmas"
• Ask Scott to boot computer for tomorrow
• Email Sarah re: Friday
• Move gifts out of garage, sort by person somewhere?
• Lemon cookies
• Check for ABCD day
• Call Sylvester w/800 # for prescription
• Call for new phone
• Call JC Penney re: bras
• Call FedEx re: package
• Put conditioner on grocery list
• Angels?  Beads? NOT THIS YEAR
• Glucosamine for Mowgli
• Kids - water
• Good deeds
• Declutter/organize:  red cabinet, junk drawer, coat closet shelf, paper area and papers around house, brae's stuff, toy cabinet 1, toy cabinet 2, toy cabinet 3, remaining christmas stuff, cleaning supplies under hall sink, hall bathtub (wrapping supplies)
• Pack snack for Brae for field trip
• Buy slippers for C
• Get eyebrows done early next week CHRISTMAS
• King Kong dominoes?
• More twinkle lights?
• Yearbook checks $15 each
• Email Margaret once toys are done
• Breakfast with Santa form - fill out and send back with one of the kids
• Find out about Meemaw's check

Red - Christmas

• Fix tivo?
• Return Timberlands
• Make chicken barbecue at some point
• Halloween stuff in attic SCOTT DID MOST
• Make final timeline
• Gifts for Scott's office ALMOST DONE - 4 NEED CURLING RIBBONS, ALL 40 NEED SCOTT'S SIGNATURE
• Sort thru all small gifts, package s's
• Cookie dough - 8 batches choc chip MESSED UP ONE DOUBLE BATCH THO, STILL NEED TO BE BAKED
• Brownies - 2 double batches
• Check calendar for week
• MON - Write down vac info, pick up while C is at school
• Febreze daily - try to get smell out of our room!
• Filing
• 27 fling daily
• Put toys in attic ONES THAT ARE DECLUTTERED SO FAR ARE IN ATTIC
• Sort out toys to give away WORKING ON THIS
• Freecycle icicle lights
• SPCA - FOUND SOME OTHER SHELTERS INSTEAD PLUS A GIRL AT WORK MAY BE ABLE TO HELP
• Find candy cane piece LOST IT AGAIN THO
• Lights on tree
• Jac shirt info
• Clean out car
• Call about jacket DONE
• Work on decorating inside of house
• Photos for bookmarks CHRISTMAS
• Photos for albums CHRISTMAS
• Keep bedding washed
• New laundry done and put away
• Get R/C theater tickets - $20
• Groceries GOT SOME, NEED TO FINISH
• Candy cane reindeer
• Start wrapping, at least friends and teachers
• Kids' chores
• Make Christmas lists w/kids
• Pay back 1/2 for gifts
• Tub in office
• Wastebaskets DID UPSTAIRS ONES
• Quarters
• Deposit checks GET OUT $400
• Uniform patches
• Get tri-levlen prescription filled
• Finalize lists
• Unpack wrapping
• Add each item to list as it comes in
• Figure out what wrapping supplies I need
• Take bags to Dad's PUT ON CALENDAR FOR TUESDAY NIGHTS
• B's nails AGAIN
• Tue - C - gymnastics
• Tue - Speech homework
• When is gymnastics over?  Call Y
• Note to school w/C
• Santa shop Wed eve - get cash
• Pick up candy canes, pipe cleaners, floral wire
• Finish lights outside NEED TO REDO SOME EXTENSION CORDS, SCOTT NEEDS TO REPLACE SOME BURNT OUT LIGHTS, OTHERWISE DONE!
• Swags outside NEED TO DO ONE MORE FOR SLED WHEN IT COMES DOWN FROM ATTIC, OTHERWISE DONE!
• Finish inside lights MAYBE ONE MORE COLORED STRAND IN FAMILY ROOM BUT THAT'S IT!
• Finish stapling skirt onto village table
• Fix C's lights
• Thu - work
• Work on Brae's stuff
• Pick up packages from Mom's house I THINK I GOT THEM ALL?
• Contact Amazon re: books CHRISTMAS
• Help Scott pack and ship Little Tikes mountain PACKED (NO HELP FROM ME THO), NEED TO TAKE TO MOM'S TOMORROW TO SHIP
• Finish popcorn - make notes, envelopes, stamps, tape together, drop off popcorn, popcorn from Carrie
• Tue - Cub Scouts
• Tue - Westwood Drive
• Paperwork
• Checkbook, bills
• Add thank you note and taking cookies to Westwood Drive to calendar
• Mon - C to Donavon's, pick up at 5 
• Order valances WEBSITE KEEPS CRASHING!  NEED TO CHECK COUNTRY STORE IN MALL INSTEAD OR CALL AND ORDER OVER PHONE
• Check lists to see what else needs to be bought, ordered I THINK ONLY CUB SCOUT GIFT CERTIFICATES AND VALANCES?
• Books from library
• Finish advent calendar
• Check menu, adjust
• Move gifts out of garage - sort by person somewhere?!
• Measure/record
• Find Little Drummer Boy; Father Christmas; Waitresses - anything else?
• Cobblestone, night sky for village DONE, LOOKS AWESOME!!!!
• Put up miniblinds  I DON'T THINK THEY WILL FIT
• More CDs from library
• Return library books
• Sat - kids' allowances
• Take kids shopping
• Pack for cleaning job; unload after PUT AWAY SUPPLIES
• Pay Toys R Us? WHERE IS THIS BILL? ALSO AMAZON?
• Add sunglass case, phone case, backscratcher, projector, sweats
• Ask Andrea re: school $$
• Reindeer dust
• Coordinating dishtowels?
• Slippers/quarter on calendar
• Food drive on calendar SENT IN FOOD, MONEY FOR FAMILY
• Card to Lisa
• Game DIDN'T WIN, FORGET ABOUT THIS
• Wash mophead
• Put marshmallows, corn syrup on list for next year's "Making Christmas"
• Ask Scott to boot computer for tomorrow
• Email Sarah re: Friday
• Lemon cookies
• Check for ABCD day
• Call Sylvester w/800 # for prescription
• Call for new phone
• Call JC Penney re: bras
• Call FedEx re: package
• Put conditioner on grocery list
• Angels?  Beads? NOT THIS YEAR
• Glucosamine for Mowgli
• Kids - water
• Good deeds
• Declutter/organize:  red cabinet, junk drawer, coat closet shelf, paper area and papers around house, brae's stuff, toy cabinet 1, toy cabinet 2, toy cabinet 3, remaining christmas stuff, cleaning supplies under hall sink, hall bathtub (wrapping supplies)
• Pack snack for Brae for field trip
• Buy slippers for C
• Get eyebrows done early next week CHRISTMAS
• King Kong dominoes?
• More twinkle lights?
• Yearbook checks $15 each
• Email Margaret once toys are done
• Breakfast with Santa form - fill out and send back with one of the kids
• Find out about Meemaw's check
• Figure out cub scout gifts MINI GOLF GIFT CERTICATES FOR DEN, CUPS WITH CANDY FOR LEADERS
• Lowe's project
• Cinnamon ornaments