Daily Project round 8

[SpiritOfEdna]

A brand new shiny thread. Whether you want to do one extra thing a day, or a brain dump of what you have to do this is the place.

Mother seems to be on the mend. She was fairly bright yesterday though she was telling some tall stories so i think she's using her clever brain to make sense of what's gone on since last year. I read about it and it's called confabulation. Bless her little soul. I'm trying to explain it to my brother because he will try to correct her ( he's autistic and can only handle the absolute truth) And that upsets both of them.

I have mostly mastered touch typing so today it's going to be all about mastering excel. But first, going out for a late breakfast ( and the tip)

Big hugs to all 💐

Morning all.

Happy Sunday.

Glad your mum is a bit better @WinterFrogs.

I would say it will take time with the counselling @autumnangel - and you may not gel with the first person you see.

Quiet day here planned. Putting kitchen etc back in order after dinner guests. All went well until I realised I had invited one guest for today not yesterday…… messed the dates up. Lesson learned - confirm the day not just the date! Thankfully she found it funny as she did similar to me last year and left me standing at the bottom of the drive waiting for her to pick me up.

My day will be doing some laundry, emptying and reloading the dishwasher, putting glasses etc away, starting a packing list for my holiday next week and making a start on packing things away for the painting that starts just after I get back. Today’s task will be clearing out a basket that is full of magazines and books and blankets. And maybe a quick cull of some of the cookery books in a bookshelf.

Hello all, a weary hello at the end of an exhausting weekend! We did loads at PIL's house - three big bags in the bin, three big bags of assorted food and items to a lady on Olio, big pile of charity shop things (sadly the three nearest were too full and not taking donations), various other things donated to friends and neighbours. This morning we filled our car to the brim and set off home again. Spent most of the afternoon at the care home helping them organise all the stuff we had brought, including their TV and DVD player. They seem happy with how things are going and rather appreciative of what we've done done, which is nice.

@WinterFrogs very glad to hear your mum is safely away from the hospital for the time being!

Hello to everyone else.

I think my non negotiable is making sure breakfast things are cleared away so they're not staring at me when I have lunch, and then lunch ditto for dinner!

A productive yet exhuasting weekend @SingleThreadJoiner2 !

I like your non-negotiable.

Duvets for me today. Yesterday we hedged the bush down to 4 foot and it will look better I think. More light to the surrounding trees for a start. Tomorrow I need to cut up the branches for either firewood to a neighbour or to be taken to the tip. That will be an all-day project at least.

Hello!
It's raining heavily here out of random grey clouds in an otherwise clear blue sky. Very odd! Gotta love English weather!

@autumnangel I hope the counselling went well. I was lucky and found a very good one when i needed it ❤️

I did not do much that was useful yesterday in the end. But we did have a lovely breakfast out and a trip to the tip. And a WhatsApp conversation with DS mother in law. DS and his wife are staying with her ( we all live in different countries) and she sent a load of photos. She's so lovely! We mostly communicate with google translate.

My current self would have appreciated my past self getting prepared for the week, but I had quite a lazy afternoon. Feeling refreshed for it though.

I am off to have a shower and 'get dressed to shoes' (slippers) then I shall write a list. Working this afternoon so I would like to have got my act together.

I hope you are not too shattered @SingleThreadJoiner2 That sounds like a very productive weekend!

Sounds like a very producing weekend indeed @SingleThreadJoiner2. Hard getting through it all at the moment but it will be so much easier to have them close by.

Hope you get the duvets done @FourSeasonsLobelia.

Happy list making @WinterFrogs!

I had my quiet day yesterday although it seemed to involve a lot of dishwasher emptying and reloading. I did clear out the basket which was full of magazines mostly Waitrose and Ocado. I kept them for recipes but as all are on line I think and I have way too many cookbooks anyway I put them straight into the recycling.

Today’s list:

• dishwasher/kitchen
• walk
• clean cooker (last time to have to clean the gas cooker as it’s being replaced tomorrow with an induction one - yay!)
• clean lights over island unit
• laundry
• book ironing
• cull some cookbooks
• do my packing list

Have a good day all.

I had a haircut on Friday - a very drastic change - I had about 6 inches chopped of the bottom and something other than a plain bob - did anyone notice? Nope. Good job I have a very thick skin 😃 Back at refpilates on Saturday and back into normal routines this week with gym etc hopefully as feet/legs/hips are all back to normal.
today

• i brushed the floors yesterday, so we have accumulated piles of rubbish everywhere so will get some hoovering done
• book in a carpet/upholstery cleaner to do the sofa and beds - but will do that when sibling away in a couple of weeks and I've been paid
• I need to food plan but working through what is in the freezer/cupboards
• more interviews today (sob) just one
• had a reminder to book an MOT for my car - will do when I've checked the mileage
• I am busy snipping bits of clay off from one of my favourite jumpers.

I have got lots of to-dos for when i get paid 😄2 and a half weeks to go
Have a good day all, SoE

@autumnangel I'm glad it made you smile at what must be a very hard time for you.

@Mumtobabyhavoc She was playing it for laughs but I was a bit taken aback! My 9 year old has also worked out that it's me, so it's just DS who is 7 and just starting to lose his teeth who still believes. Needless to say they have also sussed out Father Christmas....

Today I combined a run with posting a Vinted parcel and getting school supplies for DD1 - apparently a glue stick and whiteboard markers are essential for Y7. I also ended up buying her the same WH Smith Shatter Resistant ruler that I had in 1991 - time flies!

Not much done at the weekend as we were running about with football training, maths tuition, birthday present shopping, dropping and picking up from said birthday party and on Sunday out for five hours at the girls' football tournament - it was all I could do to make sure everyone had (reasonably) clean uniforms for Monday before we fell into bed.

Hi again all.

I bet your hair looks lovely @SpiritOfEdna !💇

Duvets are now done. . I am very pleased and they smell so lovely. they are hanging up on our bannister as some of the feathers are still damp and clumped together so we will leave them there with the airflow and shake them hard later this evening.

Sitting for a bit then I am going to tidy the house. Tomorrow is dedicated to cutting up the shrub so I will do inside activities today.

DS1 was unreasonably delayed in working out about the tooth fairy @SydneyCarton . DH and I had huddled conversations about making sure we told him before he started Senior school but thankfully he asked me first about the Easter bunny, and when I confessed was silent for a good 20 minutes then wailed 'But what about SANTA???!!!'.

Hope everyone has a good day. x

Washed the cushions from the dining chairs last night. Except I over-filled the machine so they came out damp but no cleaner. Trying again tonight with just 2 at a time.
Cleaner due tomorrow so we need to do the fortnightly stuff move. Everything that has been left on surfaces gets dumped on the spare bed. It's a joy.
Dc2 has lost a tooth today, the tooth has gone in a tooth fairy pillow but at this stage I hope it's just a money making racket as they are 12.

Just popping in to say, Hello 👋 and applaud everyone's busyness. 👏
Have had a sore throat and sinuses almost a week now and chalked it up to the wildfire smoke that settled in,
but it's pretty obvious today that I'm sick. 😢
It's only been a month since we got over 2 weeks, or so, of what I presume was Covid. 😤 And dc aren't even in their class yet. School for them is still over a week away (or 2...I had better check the date!).

Since Saturday I have:
Removed keepsakes from baby's drawer to keepsake bin and mentally noted what is next to donate. I will have to do a shop for some tops, bottoms and jammies.

Noted what I can donate from Havoc's drawer.
Vacuumed and cleaned the bathroom including floor and mirror.

Massive laundry load yesterday. Am trying ro do laundry every 2nd day now to stay on top of it and am now throwing all our clorhes in together to simplify. Before it was my gym clothes, Havoc's and baby's clothes wirh my pj's. It was too many separate washes.

Put Halloween costumes into a box for play. Ordered dc's new costumes (just now) from Amazon.

Sorted one of my mum's extended health coverages by reading policy, contacting provider to reset password and find out what is needed to get coverage for some equipment; contacted equipment provider to book appt to test out equip; contacted 2nd ext health to reset password and need to do same. After new equip is paid will cancel one of the insurances as coverage is poor and expensive. This was all/is long overdue. I just have not had the mental capacity to do it. iykyk

Am just going to put some laundry into the dryer then get ready to go on an errand.

Hope everyone is having has had a good day. (Just noticed most of you are now into the evening.). 🙂

I’m sure your hair is lovely @SpiritOfEdna but it is infuriating when you make a big change and nobody notices!

@RunningKatie - I end up doing that when the cleaner comes too. Although now I just have someone every two weeks to do the bathrooms so it’s less of an issue. And I really try to keep on top of tidying. With varying degrees of success!

@Mumtobabyhavoc - that sounds like a lot achieved if you are not feeling well. Hope you feel better soon.

I got quite a bit done today so feeling a bit pleased. Have been trying to sell a food processor on FB marketplace and decided to give up and just give it to charity so have arranged a collection for Thursday which prompted me to do the cookery book cull and sort out some clothes for a bag. Will also do a quick cull of the book case in the spare room. Cleaned the cooker and the filter for the extract fan. And then realised just how dirty the inside of the over mantel was. And washed some more of the kitchen units. Did some laundry. Took some cushion covers off and washed them - they are going to charity too. And started sorting out my holiday packing. And packed up some returns to take to post office and even put them in the car so I don’t forget them.

DH has gone to a meeting so I am chilling with a glass of red wine.

Hello everyone, gosh this thread does move quickly! Saturday was a success with BIL and FIL ticking off almost all the jobs I had lined up for them including putting up a shelf, resealing the shower as it had been leaking, fixing the fence, putting up a keysafe and showing me how to charge the camera. They are more than happy to help so I’ll likely start another list of things they can do. I had a full day out yesterday with my niece and nephew and have been at work all day today so I haven’t managed to get much done since. I’m working tomorrow but I have a list ready with things I’d like to get done when I get home.

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about my own mortality and what will happen when it’s my time to go. I’m only 40 but very aware now that doesn’t really mean much. My affairs are all a bit of a mess to be honest. Bank accounts here and there that I don’t use and several pensions that could all come together as well as lots of unnecessary paperwork. The amount of clutter I have is also quite something and I don’t want to leave all this for someone else to sort so I need to make a start. I would also like to put together a notebook with all details of important info such as who my gas / internet etc is with along with account numbers etc so everything is in the one place.

Anyway a lot to think about as usual and my head is buzzing. I’m not looking forward to the 5am alarm!

Good for you @autumnangel Your in-laws sound lovely. ☺️

Dropped on a NB/baby var seat at a charity I really like. I have 2 pack N plays as well they might want.
Ordered Havoc's birthday cake.

Picked up a rotisserie chicken and some other things for an easy dinner as well.

I am drooling over those cakes @Mumtobabyhavoc

You had such a busy weekend @autumnangel ! That's a big list of things to do as well, and every one so important.

Today I have to do;

• cooked breakfast DCs. DC1 is on medication that affects his appetite so I have started trying to get a solid breakfast into him before school as he simply does not eat the rest of the day... and it's GCSEs year! Today will be a chicken, lettuce and tomato burger and half a jacket potato with cheese and sour cream. I certainly could not stomach it at 7 am but he seems to be handling it. I clean the kitchen while it is cooking and am enjoying the kitchen being all sparkly before we leave the house
• School run
• Swim with a friend
• Book myself into a lunch for later in the month and pay
• Shrub cut up. Larger pieces of wood to the neighbour and leaves to be bagged for the tip
• Stir fried tofu and chinese rice for dinner

If I get through all that I will be pleased!

Hope everyone has a lovely day.

You sound like such a lovely mum @FourSeasonsLobelia I could easily eat that breakfast! 😋 How are you doing your stir-fried tofu? Using a sauce? It feels so good to get things done early! I feel like I've won the day when I do. Hope ypur ds is ok. 🩷

I'm all 🤬 with the typos in my posts. I have to be so careful. I was told the iPhone 15 is glitchy with the keyboard, so it's not me. I was at Apple about a month ago for the problem, but obv it isn't fixed.

(In case my last post didn't make sense...)

Has anyone used a balloon inflator? I bought one, electric, but haven't opened my Amazon boxes yet. 🙄

Good morning.

@autumnangel what lovely in-laws you have ❤️
I see this time of year as new start - I think we've touched on it before on this thread. It's a little cooler here today but also bright and sunny, so I am feeling inspired and more energetic about getting some things done.

Those cakes @Mumtobabyhavoc 😋

In honour of this thread and @FourSeasonsLobelia's shiny kitchen, I have just cleaned the bathroom. I've also applied the cat's flea treatment so he's left home. Poor fellow!

I still have not filed the papers but i have booked all the appointments. I have also paid my window cleaner and my mum's online. Have done the washing machine too.

I bet your hair looks great @SpiritOfEdna. I prefer people not to notice mine. The worst is 'what have you done to your hair?'. Got a lot of that as a child.

My garden needs a bit of tlc. I might just ask my friendly gardener if he can spare me a morning.

I must go! Best wishes to you all

Currently on my way back from holiday and catching up on this thread. We’ve been up since 2.45am UK time (early flight from Europe) and have managed to navigate from Heathrow around the tube strike. I have been putting together a big list of jobs and things I want to achieve whilst we’ve been away and am looking forward to being back home and sleeping in my own bed. Also seeing senior and junior Petaldogs who I pick up this afternoon from the dog home boarding. Sounds like you’ve all been so busy!
@WinterFrogs how is your mum doing?
@autumnangel you are doing so well with everything.
How have the feet recovered from your trip @SpiritOfEdna ?
Have a good day everyone!

Morning all.

Yummy cakes @Mumtobabyhavoc!

I definitely couldn’t stomach that breakfast so early @FourSeasonsLobelia!

@autumnangel - lovely that your FIL and BIL were so helpful. I’m sure they feel they are helping your DH by helping you. I’m just back from my walk and thought of you while I was out - I was listening to a lovely podcast by Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley called Dig It which I’m really enjoying - they talk about everything and anything. Someone asked them about grief and they spoke about it for a bit - Zoe Ball has had a hard time losing people and dealing with grief. Don’t know if you would find it helpful to have a listen. Zoe also said she had read some good books on grief and she would put them up on her Instagram page I think. I’ll keep an eye out and let you know the recommendations if you’re not an Instagram user.

I’m waiting for the guys to come and deliver and install our new induction stove. Need to get in behind the old one and give it a good clean once they take the old gas stove out. I think it will be pretty disgusting as there is a gap between the back of the cooker and the wall where bits of food have fallen down. I thought they were due at 10.15 but DH has just informed me it is between 10.15 and 2.15 which is a bit of a pain as I need to go out. Don’t trust DH to clean it all to my standards! And he can’t bend anyway.

Today’s list:

• dishwasher- on
• walk - done
• arrange for ironing to be done
• laundry
• put laundry away
• tidy utility room and vacuum and wash floor
• sort some more packing

Have a great day all.

Morning - what a productive weekend - baby steps @autumnangel and those cakes! @Mumtobabyhavoc . The GNiece left her phone in the car last night when walking the dogs so I guess my tart comment hit home. Back in the gym this morning. @petalpower - my feet have definitely recovered, and are wanting to go out walking again 😄I can't believe how early it gets dark now and in the mornings too and it's gone COLD bbbrrr!
Today

• coffee pods recycling
• get the drill out so I can trail the garden plants up the wall more - they have sprung up!
• water indoor plants
• more careful snipping of clay out off jumper and towel
• must stop raging at 't'internet' - I can't find anything I've searched for eg you used to be able to do A levels of an evening - for all kinds of reasons - working in the days, in my case re-sits! - are they offered any more, nope, not in my big city, it's all online.
• I have got to tidy my bedroom
• download a pattern to create a Japanese knot bag, lol I might sew along with the Sewing Bee tonight

That's all for today, as usual started this at 9am this morning and it's mid afternoon 😄, have a good one, SoE

Edited for typo

I like the idea of trailing plants up a wall @SpiritOfEdna

Good luck on the stove @Peridot1 !

@Mumtobabyhavoc I am using a sauce for the tofu. This one attached. It's cheating I know but i add extra onions and red pepper strips. With the tofu I do it a couple of ways- battered like chicken nuggets for the Dcs (they used to love it like this, but it's been a while and they now know what tofu is...i.e. Not Chicken... so we will see...) then dusted in flour, salt and pepper then shallow fried for DH and I.

I have dealt with about a third of the cut down shrub so will finish it off tomorrow. I was meant to be out tomorrow but the event was cancelled so am relieved, frankly.

One of our cats goes mad when we flea her @WinterFrogs . I can't figure it out at all. It does not seem to hurt putting the droplets on, so why is it?! Our other one just makes clear she is willing to exchange flea treatment for some dreamies. She's a clever one, that one.

www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/uncle-bens-original-sweet---sour-sauce-500g?utm_medium=cpc&cmpid=cpc&catalogId=10241&utm_content=shopping&productId=111304&utm_campaign=20333793068&utm_custom2=759-449-0952&storeId=10151&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoP_FBhDFARIsANPG24M4Ax6BQ6xvnGYWH3hbCikvdQCFFbU-5dICRX2Tn-CKXitZIUk09K4aAsWOEALw_wcB&utm_custom1=&langId=44&utm_source=Google&krypto=RdWbDsP2b3i8Q8iz4OLCWawqAhos1CAphfYDghQBEjYWHPLipAU0jR4nJte6mWbqQHR02gd0vIWnC%2FDidU0fU1c7haiC2WAoIyfKje0WCLEsIZ9V6WDVzKUG9CeAc%2Fkhwyb6%2BgzwjP1AqU%2B1%2BnfaX1u%2BDwwq%2FQ0AvGOeK7xjGH9y%2Bds7Hmoh4ERocxnxOYXeSZrZ1RAxFNYKqCiXy%2Fv%2FXOX6diL3NYzvFeaA4xiYEuE%2BMMWcTjY%2FeWLZ%2FNgTOK9i2o15b9e2hwURkw2Xyqtziv77aDGUwLeRIq64lT4FPpFPks8HR8vRvxtNC9dGNF%2B6de8jJFFbqf17f0TpVSNQzMrEUETjQ95YfTBVInIcmudJdAxTnCeQsNXSmX5NjoE0IO6bUxMXo8XUSN%2F4Vc7umSOu0vqCbjvyMW9HiD%2BUa80%2FsHOidTYvW%2FI%2BlUrAPfO42IBW5vBS1Ahf3%2FdTaGGC6flf3TquSBV61aV0DegoYGvMfoygjezP4CyRntWbRWlZCMSMBEkjnVEgkt9B8Cy5IqPho1tTxSGtP6Ru8zAlMP4%3D&ddkey=https%3Agb%2Fgroceries%2Funcle-bens-original-sweet---sour-sauce-500g

ooooh that link was larger than I thought it would be!!

SpiritDoggo goes mad when she has the flea treatment you put on the skin, but since we swapped over to the tablets she just eats them with no issues, well, when hidden in peanut butter 😄. Think it's the almondy-smell that drives her mad. SpiritDoggo is in the dog house today - she ran off when she was being walked and disappeared. She was found sitting in the spot where I usually park on her evening walk.

Cakes look amazing @Mumtobabyhavoc
Definitely have cake envy here.

I'm taking 5 mins in the garden before starting dinner. I've got to get someone to take a reasonable photo of me for work. Obviously not a single one exists as I am the family photo taker.
I also need to do a food shop and walk ddog before Bake Off and/or Sewing Bee. I hate a scheduling clash!

@FourSeasonsLobelia my mum used to make a sweet and sour sauce for ribs. I remember it was a simple recipe. I googled this:

www.daringgourmet.com/best-sweet-and-sour-sauce/