Another daily project

[Solosunrise]

Last year there was a lovely long running thread about doing one thing a day that you've been putting off, or just to enjoy the cumulative effect of one extra daily 'thing'.
I'd like to start again, if anyone would like to join me.

Today, I have pulled out a drawer of a little used bureau cabinet, got rid of what is junk, and wiped the drawer out and organised what's left a bit more neatly.

[Peridot1]

Hello all! Got back from a week in sunny Greece yesterday. Read 6.5 books in 7 days! My favourite holiday activity!

Had a bit of a long drive today to go and get the dog from her holiday. She was staying with our old dog Walker/sitter and had a lovely time. Five hour round trip though.

Still got most of the unpacking to do. And most of the washing. Although had one load done and hanging out before 8am.

this afternoon’s task is to empty a suitcase. And I also want to de-cobweb the outdoor furniture and put the cushions back on the sofa set. I’m planning on continuing in holiday mode this week other than the bare minimum!

[Peridot1]

Wishing you well with your doctor appointment @SummerLobelia. And how exciting re yourboy and his fiancée @Solosunrise.

[SummerLobelia]

Afternoon. Thanks for good wishes.

Nothing conclusive as per results as yet and more tests required. [shoulders slump].

More blood tests tomorrow plus an ultrasound.

I am hoping though that as nothing is leaping out with neon lights that this is a good sign.

I have tomorrow off as well so plan to just chill. DH keeps trying to get me breakfast in bed but I keep getting up and inititate conversations about the skip.

Greece @Peridot1 I am very envious. :)

[SummerLobelia]

I'd love to know some of the books you read @Peridot1 . I am a bit tired of my book club reads right now which have been earnest of late. I have gone bookclub rogue by reading the Twyford code by janice hallet as an amusement and am really enjoying it.

Reading Libby and the Parisian puzzle to the Dcs right now and we are loving it. It is about a jewel robbery and is set in Paris so ticks all my boxes!

[Peridot1]

@SummerLobelia - the books I read were:

Where The Crawdads Sing (was re-reading this one and finished in plane on way over)
Never by Ken Follett
Old Rage - Sheila Hancock
The Couple at No 9 - Claire Douglas
Silver Sparrow - Tayari Jones
The Heights - Louise Candlish
Greenlights - Matthew McConaghy

Also read most of The Dilemma by BA Paris on the flight on Monday and finished it yesterday. Am about to start Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

i know what you mean about book club choices. When I was in a book club years ago we always picked a typical summer beach holiday read as our summer choice for a bit of light relief.

[Bemyclementine]

We've had a morning out today, my daily project is to empty the car and put everything away rather than having it kicking around the house for ages.

[SummerLobelia]

Thanks so much @Peridot1 I really need some new books and have not heard of some of those!

Today- final day of the skip.

I also wrote a tick box list for the Dcs to do each morning - a couple of simple things that will help. They have to;

• make their beds
• put dirty clothes in hamper
• empty their bedroom and bathroom bins
• water their plants as required and tidy their floor
• a separate individual chore for each of them- such as putting breakfast dishes into dishwasher or cleaning bathroom sinks.

They often do lots of other things as well but I thought about trying to make these things automatic and a habit. DS1 has inherited his father's hoarding tendencies so I am hoping to try and counteract this somehow! I have also gotten into the habit of just doing everything because it is quicker and easier and I am usually on a schedule of some sort. That's not healthy for anyone!

[Solosunrise]

Hello! Sorry for the slumped shoulders @SummerLobelia! Disappointing not to get straight answers but hopefully no news is good news.
I like the sound of your tasks for the kids. Good habits being developed, rather than chores :)
@Peridot1 your holiday sounds great and i approve of your book choices. Loved 'Crawdads'. Currently reading a Stephen King myself, alongside the self discipline book (which is helping)
@Bemyclementine my car can resemble a skip at times. No longer kid crap but I end up with work stuff and clothes. Flylady recommends taking crap out when you leave the car every time (should not be hard but I tell myself all sorts of stories about now being not the time, or I'll do it later. Ridiculous!) I am going to do it forthwith!

Our people arrived safely and we're having a lovely catch up! People coming and going all day long - bit like old times. Lovely to have a big old cuddle. Facetime is good but not that good! DIL to be is a delight and has even charmed my mum. So we're all happy though I admit to being a little weary (poor old girl!)
Big family dinner out tonight 😊

I hope you're all having a good day!

[SummerLobelia]

evening all!

The skip was picked up today. DS1 and DS2 were in the garden at the time and I looked out the window to see them running down the road yelling; 'MUM!!!! They are stealing our skip!!!!!'.

I had to explain that this is what was meant to happen. . I confess I laughed so hard.

@Solosunrise I am so glad your DS and DIL arrived safely and you are all together. . So lovely. :)

My test results are due at the end of the month I am told. I am feeling a bit better though.

Crawdads is now on my bedside table. Plus a visit to see the film next week with a couple of girlfriends so I had better get cracking on it!

Hope everyone is having a lovely day.

[Solosunrise]

That made me laugh @SummerLobelia Kids are so funny sometimes 🤣

It's too 'ot 🥵

I have watered my geraniums (with watering can) and cleaned cat litter tray.

I cleaned my car out slightly too well yesterday and then had to borrow ppe from a colleague as I'd left myself short 🙃

I now having a nap because we're eating out tonight!

[RunningKatie]

I am away so doing nothing useful except relaxing and watching the sea. Also drinking the odd wine and reading books.
The dc are running us ragged of course!

[Aria999]

Sounds perfect @RunningKatie hope you are having a lovely time

[Bemyclementine]

I dobt feel like I've achieved much, but I have been keeping on top of things. Such as - washing drying and putting away after a beach morning, emptying bags, car of spades etc. Properly away. Makes such a difference.

[Peridot1]

Morning all. I’m in the not achieving much camp too at the moment. Keeping up with washing and putting away and that’s about it really.

Did go to collect a picture I was having framed yesterday and it’s up and looks amazing.

Keeping up with watering plants in pots and in the new bed we planted. Although the deer have had a good go at some of those so not many flowers left. We have also been watering the very expensive turf we had laid in June. No hosepipe ban here yet and only watering that section and not every day. Just enough to not let it die. The other half of the garden is dry and brown and crunchy.

I did get some admin tasks done on Friday.

Very lazy day planned today. Have a nice Sunday all.

[Peridot1]

@SummerLobelia - did having the skip make a big difference?

[SummerLobelia]

Morning!
@Peridot1 I thinkl the biggest difference the skip made was to my equilibrium as we have SO much to skip it has not made too much of a dent. BUT, I broke the back of DH's resistance to a skip and we will most likely get another one very soon. So it was very successful.

Also- and this was a last minute decision we skipped the ancient double bed in the spare room. We have moved a sofa bed in so we can accommodate guests if desired (never really desired by me as I am anti social) and we will turn it into a play room for the DCs which will serve to clear out their room of toys and give them more space. So that is exceptionally pleasing to me!

There are real differences starting to be made now and I am certainly feeling alot more at peace with the house.

[Peridot1]

That sounds really good @SummerLobelia. It sounds like your may finallyDH see the benefits of having less stuff. Gaining a playroom for the children is an excellent result.

[Solosunrise]

I hope you're having a lovely time @RunningKatie!
We've been to the beach today, and a free art exhibition which was actually pretty cool!
Three cheers for everyone keeping on top of stuff, and @SummerLobelia feeling at peace with your home is wonderful!

I'm looking at a pile of crap that needs putting away.

And my patio needs weeding. That's enough for me today.

@Boybandfacedfannyfart hope you're ok!

[DownNative]

This summer I've:

Built decking
Taken old sink out
Installed new sink
Updated coat cupboard
Built shoe storage furniture bespoke for coat cupboard

Plan to update and improve storage cupboards as well as update kitchen by painting cupboard doors as well as fill in moulding to modernise it.

[Solosunrise]

I'm impressed,@DownNative! Well done!

I'm mostly trying to maintain my routines around my lovely guests.
They are easy company and are doing their bit. Cooked for us all tonight so DH and i washed up.

[Peridot1]

Glad you are having a nice time with your DS and his fiancée @Solosunrise.

I’m not sure what I’ve been doing!

on Monday I took a bag of clothes to the charity box at Tesco. Also had a box of bottles to put in bottle bank as we missed collection when we were away. Monday afternoon I went for an overdue smear test.

yesterday I washed the extra bedding DS brought back from his uni house and changed his bed. Also went through a drawer in my room and cleared out some long sleeved tops so have another bag to go.

Cleaners are in today so this morning is a general tidy around and I want to give the utility room a good sort out. And this afternoon I may do some ironing. It’s piled up again since our holiday.

[SummerLobelia]

Morning. Not much achieved here but I washed the sofa covers for the sofa bed. DH is tasked to put it back together today while I take the Dcs bowling.

[Solosunrise]

@Peridot1 I'm not sure what I've been doing Solidarity, sister. I find the days all blend into one! When it's busy I really have to stop and think!

Lovely storm here at the moment. Just finished work, and we're all just having a bit of a sit with TV and various techy things. I think the young 'uns are x boxing

Was bowling fun @SummerLobelia ? Not done it in years!

[DownNative]

@Solosunrise

I'm impressed,@DownNative! Well done!

I'm mostly trying to maintain my routines around my lovely guests.
They are easy company and are doing their bit. Cooked for us all tonight so DH and i washed up.

Thanks! To be honest, it needed to be done YEARS ago! 🙈

[SummerLobelia]

Evening. Thanks @Solosunrise the bowling was fun! We also ordered nachos and then went for hot dogs and burgers.

Tomorrow we are going to the cinema then lunch. I am trying to get the Dcs off their electronics. The cinema is a short bus ride away so I am thinking of having a 'bus adventure' which really means I can order a glass of wine as well. . Thankfully both Dcs still think a bus ride is a bit of an adventure.