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Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Daily Project Round 9

908 replies

SpiritOfEdna · 07/01/2026 09:29

Hello!

New thread for when we are ready.

Happy New Year, Happy New Thread

Whether you want to do one extra thing a day while the kettle boils or a list helps with a kick up the bum to Get Things Done - all welcome.

@Aria999 @autumnangel @WinterFrogs @crivit @FoolShapeHeart @FourSeasonsLobelia @mumofoneAloneandwell @Mumtobabyhavoc @Peridot1 @petalpower @RunningKatie @SingleThreadJoiner2 @SunnyViper @SydneyCarton

OP posts:
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38
Baital · 22/01/2026 08:05

Oh, and laundry.

Always bl**dy laundry!

FurForksSake · 22/01/2026 10:24

Morning! I have put away my laundry, it’s been a couple of weeks. I’m terrible at living from piles on the bedroom floor. Cleaner is coming in a minute.

Need to do some tidying of storage tomorrow if my back and body agree!

Peridot1 · 22/01/2026 10:59

Morning all.

Just back from PT session.

It’s been eventful already today. Our rubbish bins were stolen from the end of the drive last night - ours, our next door neighbours and another house further up the road. DS messaged from the train to say he hadn’t been able to pay for his parking at the station as the app wasn’t working so could I drive down and pay at the machine. No. No I cannot. I did however pay it on the website….

Car came back from mouse-check yesterday. No mouse found but evidence there had been one. Garage were lovely and didn’t charge. I did say I hoped I hadn’t left them a new friend!

Results of audio-vestibular tests back. Balance issue seems to have been from vestibular migraines. Otherwise all good. Hearing worse than they would expect for my age. Is probably affected by my tinnitus. Which apparently can be caused by high cholesterol or high blood pressure. So need to book blood tests.

Going out shortly with DH for a quick lunch and test drive a car.

Need to hop in shower now. Have a good day all.

SunnyViper · 22/01/2026 11:09

Baital · 22/01/2026 08:05

Oh, and laundry.

Always bl**dy laundry!

@Baital I feel your pain. I’ve just put a load on for the second time as I left it in overnight and it has started to smell. Since moving, my machine has a smell that I just can’t get rid of. I’ve tried the machine cleaners, run bleach cycles and it improves for a while and then just comes back. I might end up just getting a new one but it seems a waste as there is life left in this one yet.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 22/01/2026 16:37

Sunny, do you leave the door and the detergent drawer open after use? Doing so helps them dry out. Also, drying out the gasket with a towel.

SunnyViper · 22/01/2026 16:49

@Mumtobabyhavoc yeah I leave it open. It’s only been an issue since we moved over summer. I’ve wiped all the gaskets with anti mould treatment, I run a bleach wash every week and I’ve used several different brand washing machine cleaners with nothing having a lasting effect.

FurForksSake · 22/01/2026 16:51

Have you taken the drawer out and cleaned under it and down the holes?

Mumtobabyhavoc · 22/01/2026 17:39

SunnyViper · 22/01/2026 16:49

@Mumtobabyhavoc yeah I leave it open. It’s only been an issue since we moved over summer. I’ve wiped all the gaskets with anti mould treatment, I run a bleach wash every week and I’ve used several different brand washing machine cleaners with nothing having a lasting effect.

Ugh. It it colder and/or damper where the machine is now? Once mould starts you often can never get it out. Experiencing this. 😔

petalpower · 22/01/2026 17:42

I’m ok thank you @WinterFrogs - just busy with life stuff and not getting round to posting!
I was wondering about your car @Peridot1 . My car had another mouse nest in it when it went back to have the brakes looked at (after only one night at home!). The garage suggested putting poison down as if the mice chew the electrics it’s a big and expensive problem. I’m not keen on poison for many reasons, mainly because of Petaldog, so we’ve put down several Little Nipper traps baited with peanut butter. Caught two mice on the first night but none last night.
Took Petaldog to the vets today for his yearly vaccinations and health check. Also had a little lump checked out on his side so waiting for results on that.
Trying to catch up on Traitors as I started watching it last weekend on catch up tv but think I’m running out of time before the final tomorrow night.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 22/01/2026 19:26

I agree to no poison. I used sticky boards with a blob of PB in the centre. Caught two and never a problem again. 🤞
(Also checked perimeter for any entry points and covered all holes. )

petalpower · 22/01/2026 23:11

We’ve got an open cart lodge style garage so absolutely no chance of blocking mouse entrance points @Mumtobabyhavoc ! The perils of rural living!

Daily Project Round 9
petalpower · 22/01/2026 23:25

The photo is the same style but not our actual garage!

Mumtobabyhavoc · 23/01/2026 00:37
Mickey Mouse Love GIF

I'd agree! 😂

SpringingIntoSummerLobelia · 23/01/2026 06:39

Hi all,

Yesterday ended up being a quite crazy day so not alot 'happened' but our cleaner did come so that was wonderful.

Today I have some ironing, and I need to get some storage boxes.

WinterFrogs · 23/01/2026 07:51

Hello! A thing just popped up on my phone feed about keeping rats away using cotton wool balls soaked in peppermint oil. I wonder if it works with mice. Allegedly it messes with their olfactory system which they use for navigation and they don't like it so they go elsewhere.

I do like those garages @Peridot1

Lovely to 'see' you @petalpower and best wishes to Petaldog.

Do you stay in the house with the cleaner or leave her to it @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia ? I've only ever been a cleaner and never actually had one. I am bad enough when the window cleaners come- feel very exposed with near strangers in or around the house. I'm quite friendly otherwise 😎 I was always quite astonished the amount of personal stuff and paperwork clients left about. And the one that left five pound notes poking out of unexpected places - suspect to check if I was honest but it irritated me.....aaand she's off 🤣 clutter, money traps, towering piles of stuff that fell over when I dusted around it, stuff that had nowhere to go, mountains of washing up and cluttered draining boards before I even started, playing tetris with trying to put mugs away in crammed mug cupboards and then having to pay for a mug that fell out and smashed when I opened the cupboard. And being criticised when I couldn't get the place clean enough to match their expectations. I may have flounced out of that job 🤣 Long time ago anyway but I'm scarred I tell you 👑 I can cope with grot, filth even, just not clutter. That particular client was unusual though.
So I really like the fact that you lovely lot tidy up for the cleaner 💕

I'm getting up now to have a bit of a declutter round these parts. Can't have the pot calling the kettle black 😒 I have normal levels of cutter and they still annoy me.

@WideOpenBeaches you are a 🥷 for your volunteering ❤️

How is it Friday already? @SingleThreadJoiner2 I didn't have the Wednesday feeling like you did (🫂) but I believe Monday was Blue Monday where post Christmas and bad weather blues tend to catch up with people.

@SunnyViper do you use laundry liquid or powder? I always use powder and have never had a problem with smell. Also I don't use fabric conditioner. Could be correlation not causation but I just thought I'd mention it as my mum's got a bit niffy and so did a couple of care clients' machines and they all used liquid.

The wind is blowing the rain sideways here once again, but it's mild. According to the late lamented Michael Moseley, it is very wholesome to go out in the rain and breathe in the ionised air. The mud at the stable yard is causing havoc with my knee though. Swings and roundabouts I guess!

Have a great Friday everyone 😀

WideOpenBeaches · 23/01/2026 08:09

Nice garage @petalpower 😉

Thank you for your support in my volunteering @WinterFrogs A room goes quiet when I mention what kind of volunteering I do.

Even women…😥

So I need to tidy up. Cleaners are coming ☺️. Also strength training class.

Got friends for supper tomorrow so a bit of cooking later.

I had 2 jobs for January and I have not started either!

  • purchase fabric and make a loose cover for a chair. I made a version in calico last year that took me 3 weeks of blood sweat and tears. Calico version complete with paper labels still on the chair…
  • repaint my downstairs loo. Same colour but a more washable paint. The water marks around the sink area are dreadful. I would make a start but see above for guests coming tomorrow.

How do others cope with their procrastination? I have a lot of unresolved issues around the house that need doing that take up a lot of headspace.

WinterFrogs · 23/01/2026 08:58

It's mad about people going quiet isn't it @WideOpenBeaches? These things need to be discussed more than less, though every individual will have their own reasons of course.

I am not sure I can help you with procrastination but you are on the right thread for a lot of solidarity and some shining examples.

I am good with doing busywork but the important papers I need to address for my mother have triggered an anxiety that is only soothed by doing 'doing' jobs, preferably out of the house. I also have a job I must do which requires being dressed in ten minutes time and ready to leave. I will get it done, but can't concentrate on anything else, and the anything else is currently knawing at me. So here I am on MN.

So don't look at me for hints today 😫

Peridot1 · 23/01/2026 10:28

Good morning all.

That sounds like a very determined mouse @petalpower! Really likes your car. Our cars just sit in the driveway so no hope of getting rid of mice in the vicinity. We are rural too. We do have a garage but it’s full.

@WideOpenBeaches - your volunteer role is definitely to be commended. It must be quite hard at times.

@WinterFrogs - some people definitely should not have cleaners. A good reliable cleaner is worth their weight in gold so once found should be cherished.

I woke up late this morning after being awake in the night so am a bit behind.

About to help DH in gym deciding where cross trainer will go as it’s being moved this morning. Then usual kitchen/dishwasher etc. Change my bed and wash bedding. Then I have an appointment this afternoon to go and look at curtain fabrics. And I want to move stuff from hall to gym.

Have a great day all.

SpringingIntoSummerLobelia · 23/01/2026 11:06

Morning all.

Just dashing in and out to answer our esteemed @WinterFrogs question.

We do stay in for our cleaner- she arrives at 6.30 am on Thursdays! That's the time that suits her as she has another job as well doing dinners in a school. So she has often seen me in my pyjamas and comes upstairs after people have gotten out of the shower. She is most definitely worth her weight in gold. DH has had her cleaning our (his) house since 1994! I sometimes say to her that the only reason I am not divorced is because of her- as DH is extremely messy. She does not clean anyone else now- our job provides her with an annual Spain trip with her family so it's an extra that she enjoys she says. (I hope she does- I'd be bereft without her). She is exceptionally tolerant of our clutter. I often say to her 'If anything looks too traumatic to deal with please just avoid it'. She always laughs at me. She's also not a fan of spiders so she doesn't clean in the ensuite where our resident Very Big Spider is. She was most apologetic about that at first, but we don't mind. We love our spider and love her, so any work-around is just fine. Smile

I agree with our (also esteemed) @Peridot1 that some people should not have cleaners. I have heard before about people 'setting traps' with money laying around. How insulting.

Love to all. Thanks

Peridot1 · 23/01/2026 11:12

I don’t think I have ever been called esteemed @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia! I will bask in that for a while I think! 😄

WideOpenBeaches · 23/01/2026 11:28

Yes @Peridot1 you'd think that the fact that Camilla supports these charities would open things up a bit more.

I will shut up now (on that subject anyway!)

SingleThreadJoiner2 · 23/01/2026 13:30

Hi everyone

@WinterFrogs about duolingo - it's very cleverly designed to make you feel you need to log in and engage twice a day (for extra points), you need to not lose your rank in the leaderboard, not lose your streak, etc etc. Maybe a calmer and more rational personality type than me could shrug all that off and just dip in and out as wanted, but that's just not me 😂😂

A couple of the things I listed on WhatsApp were picked up yesterday - result! I also met my PT - a bit sore today but really pleased to see my fitness and strength are not rock bottom, given I last properly exercised before my 6yo was born...

Pork for dinner is marinading in the fridge. Now will set a fifteen minute timer for a general tidy, and then back to work.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 23/01/2026 13:48

Trying to get back to sleep... but just want to say Don't use peppermint. My neighbour did this. Mice laughed. Invited friends and some moved to my place. It took 6 months to be free of them (caught 2, but there had to be more passing through).

mumofoneAloneandwell · 23/01/2026 14:25
Happy Will And Grace GIF by HULU

Oo I relate to this mice chat

lived with them when dd was a baby - I am still traumatised from that time 😂😂

apparently chocolate works well as bait?? Sorry, they’re horrible, you feel you can’t relax 🥺

Duolingo omg, I had a several year streak but let it go. They changed the way you learn, you used to be able to pick and choose which aspect you were going to learn and it was a really useful tool

now it’s just a gamified poor version of its former self

I’m actually back on it now to try and learn Spanish, but it’s solely at my own pace and not the main resource I will be using.

just checking in, apologies for not tagging everyone. Trying to be off social media but will start after the traitors tonight

glad to hear peridot that you have a diagnosis! So glad it’s something less scary than initially thought

❤️❤️❤️ to all of you, you fabulous bunch

Baital · 23/01/2026 15:31

Thanks for the warnings about Duolingo, I was about to start (new year and all that)! Maybe I should look for a different approach, I already am a slave to Finch but at least that's for self care 😁

But breaking news, comrades, I have finished cleaning the oven in a totally spontaneous cleaning decision!