Stepping our way through Autumn old and new steppers welcome

[BlackCatinchaos]

Hi all, I have been absent for a little while. Don't know about you but I could do with a new thread --for a kick up the bum--

All welcome.

Just jump in where you are, this thread is about doing a little at a time to step our way towards organisation and a clean tidy home.

Visit flylady for inspiration (will link in a mo)

No hard and fast rules here just a bit of motivation required!!

Anyone want to join?

Oh zoo I don't know what to say.
I suppose it gets it out the way though if they all not well at once --tries to look at the positive side--

Adora we used to have a stairgate at the bottom of the stairs but we --sold it to make some money thought she was getting old enough to have a bit of freedom. DD is now taking the mickey though--
We still have one on her bedroom door though so she is safe at night. Her bedroom is on a separate stairway to our bedrooms so she can get upstairs in the daytime and we leave the gate open in the daytime.
She is nearly 4 now though. I guess there comes a stage where you just have to loosen the reigns a bit.
DS was 3 when he fell down the stairs and got concussion. I guess I will always worry about stairs.

Anyway I am feeling o.k. today (FX) so I might manage to get some tidying etc done.

Zoo hope things are calming down now, how are Zoolets doing today?

Cats' one of mine got a mild concussion with the stair gate, so I know it's not some kind of miricale invention. And yes, at nearly 4 we need to stop treating them like babies and grow an extra pair of hands and eyes to cope with them but they'll certainly keep you on your toes at that age.

Well, DDs are packed off to school
Dogs fed
My sheets in WM
I'm having breakfast now

im a jibbering wreck,so sleep deprived i cant sleep

nerves shattered

hope this night mare is over very soon

place descedted into a total craphole

im past caring

Don't worry about the house, You and the kids are the most important.

PM me if you like.

Zoo

You will care again once you've had some sleep. You will sleep again once the Zoolets are over their virus. Zoolets will get over their virus. In the meantime, try to have a cup of tea and think calming thoughts. Do you have any specific things you revert to when stressed? If so, use that. Mine is to visualise myself in a certain place. Do you have a window with a nice view, or garden, you could look at for a few minutes? Do you do breathing excersises? That also helps me, breath in deeply and slowly through the nose and then out even slower through the mouth. If you like essential oils then a drop or two lavender, sage or Neroli on a tissue, or in a bath, works wonders for calming the mind.

Be kind to yourself.

I need to remove embroidery (name tags) and someone has nicked my stitch picker. So I'm using a steak knife. Can't help thinking it looks ridiculous

Me again,

After my morning routine I whizzed around cleaning because the estate agent should have been here at midday. Note, should have.

Vacuumed everywhere
Cleaned bathrooms
Cleared and cleaned kitchen
DW on
WM on
Made all the beds
Put pile of ironing out of site
Tidied up recycling, so it doesn't look like a pile of bottles and cartons.

I'm going to have lunch now, then I'm going out for a bit before the school run

How's everyone else doing? Zoo are the Zoolets any better today?

hi guys!

zoolets are still just laying there sleeping.crackers x1 yesterday.i gave some more this am.they have just asked for somemorethey have had aching legs with it too

ds hasnt been sick since sat pm,the girls since 3am monday

dp text last night he has aching limbs and can barely move with exhaustion and feels sick
he doesnt live in though so i worry bout him from a distance!

ive manage dto kip for a couple hours in the night and again during today

still very anxious and cant eat though

flying still not happening

i will need hauling back onto the wagon and some major dust busting when this is finally over!

thanks for the blanket cats

Zoo DP has quite likely picked up the virus, but he's a big boy who can look after himself, so try not to worry. If it's that norovirus I've been reading about then everything seems to be following the right course, IYSWIM. My DDs had it last year. It will pass but takes a while to shake off.

I'm dashing out on school run now, will check back later. Try to keep yourself hydrated and rest, do you have any fav or relaxing music?

Feeling tired and sleep deprived this morning. DD woke me at 5.30am.

House is constantly going from Tidyish to chaos on a daily basis. DD is old enough now to keep going upstairs getting more and more toys down so I have to try to get some back upstairs without her kicking off.
Still have lots of decluttering to do.

zoo hope everyone is getting better now.

Adora Sounds like your doing well at cleaning. I remember cleaning for viewings as we only moved house a couple of years ago.

Might pop back in later.

Thanks Cats, haven't done so well today though. I was feeling stressed this morning so I had a bubble bath, but my peace was shattered. We live close to a military firing range and they started up just a few minutes after I stepped into my bath. Heavy artillery is not the most relaxing background noise, especially when it makes the house shake, so I gave up and went out.

Just a few Ta Dah's

Morning routine
DW emptied
WM on
E-mailed friend
Attempted to relax, gave up
Ran some errands
Met OH for lunch
Dentist
School run, then had to buy chicken for the dog
Back home, cooked chicken, cleared garden and watered plants and trees
Brought dry washing in
Diner

Cooked rice for the dog
Sent OH out to feed dogs
Cleared kitchen
Chilled and 'fridged dog's chicken and rice for tomorrow
Corralled DDs into bed
Made tea
Cleared DD's lunch bags for the morning
E-mailed teacher
Collapsed on the sofa.

I was tired before I started on that lot because of tremors over night. I'm hoping for lot's of deep sleep tonight.

Zoo how are you and Zoolets doing?

Morning campers!

Sounds like have had an awful time of it zoo, hope everyone is on the mend now.

I went into work on Monday, so I have today off to make up for it, which is really handy as we are away for a couple of days so I can spend today packing while the DC are at childcare!

What i REALLY want to do, is make the cupboard to go in the dining room, but i don't think i have any time for flat-pack fun today Instead, i think i need for a list to keep me focussed!

• get DH & DDs out of the house
• eat breakfast - facon & egg toasted sandwich currently being rammed in mouth
• go back to bed for more sleep
• wash & dry DC clothes - in WM
• wash & dry our clothes - in basket
• wash & dry bath towels - unlikely to happen tbh
• find, check, update & print holiday packing lists.
• find suitcases
• pack
• do quick/easy meal plan for while we are away
• book Tesco's delivery for when we get back
• have a shower, wash hair & get ready to go out this evening

Hello Bessie

Looks like a do-able list, especially the third item. I'm of you facon and egg sandwich. All I had was toast and copious amounts of coffee

Anyway, my morning routine is done and dusted, had a shower, WM on, need to do a bit of general organising before heading out to the dentist - again. Had an e-mail from the school librarian, DD2 has (allegedly) not returned a book. In the past she has returned books and it doesn't get logged, so I've had to replace the book she returned. Now they are saying she may not be able to attend that school next year, so I'm going back to what I did last year. I bought all the reading books they needed for tests.

at the librarian adora - buying all the school books sounds costly & cluttery Have you had any viewings yet?

I have done quite well sticking to my list & any distractions have been of the tidying/decluttering kind, so all good.

• get DH & DDs out of the house
• eat breakfast
• go back to bed for more sleep
• wash & dry DC clothes
• wash & dry our clothes
• wash & dry bath towels - in progress
• find, check, update & print holiday packing lists
• find suitcases
• vacuum downstairs
• eat lunch
• drink 3 mugs of chocolate horlicks
• pack - about 80% there
• do quick/easy meal plan for while we are away - in progress
• do quick/easy meal plan for when we get back - in progress
• book Tesco's delivery for when we get back
• have a shower, wash hair & get ready to go out this evening

Bessie hope you had a nice evening out.

Ta Dah's for the day

Watered plants
dog's fed

Dashed outside to close gate after friend sent a text saying there was a puma roaming round our way. The went upstairs to see if I could catch a glimpse, no luck tho.

Dentist didn't happen, she cancelled
Cleaned hob
DW emptied & reloaded
WM on twice, clean stuff hung out
Spoke to estate agent
School run
Got petrol
Back home
Drinks
DDs went in the pool while I watered other plants
Dog (Teddy Bear) wanted a cuddle so snuggled up to me
Dinner
Cooked tomorrow's packed lunch, DD1 made guacamole to go with it
Cleared away
Loaded DW
Sent OH out to feed dogs
DW on
Chilled food put away in fridge, DD1's on top - must remember that for the morning so I pack them properly
Tea, TV on for a few mins.

Hi guys, my house is a sh*t tip right now. Really need to kick myself up the backside!

I think some timer work may be called for.

Adora about puma !!

I have managed 15 minutes in the living room. I then gave up and sat on my bum for a while.
Keep bursting into tears. Have spoke to mum on the phone. Don't want to put a downer on this thread (see bereavement).

I think I'm gonna go out and have another go at housework later.

on a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions right now! Sorry if I am rambling.

zoo how are you all now?

Cats don't worry about rambling, the roller-coaster feeling is normal.

well done on doing 15 minutes, but don't beat yourself up about the housework.

apparently the puma is still roaming around, was on our street earlier. Whilst I am thinking OMG it's a PUMA I would love to catch a glimpse of it.

my morning routine is complete
sink is shiny
bathroom also shiny
DW emptied and on again
WM on

I'm popping out soon, so I'll check back later

well done cats for making a start

my place is a major bearpit-ive just completely lost control of routines and MH so hoping tomorrows another day and time for a pointy stick up my own bum!maybe

dds are bickering and yelling at one another-they are definataely on the mend
ds is improving but not as fast as them

i have spoken to gp today and it has been decided we neednt wait for another 3-4 weeks ,as he has spent just 4 days in 4 weeks 100% ok he is being referred to hospital to see a peadiatrician,and possibly have investigations done

school has been on he phone moaning again about his attendance and can bugger right off

A PUMA!

i got very excited when saw a fox in a local bin when i was a teen

Ah, Zoo don't you just lurve the sound of siblings bickering after they've been ill?

Yes, we have a real live, giant puddy tat style, puma in the 'hood. Still haven't seen it though.

Not a lot of flying done here today, spent the day mooching and lunching with OH as he's on business again at the weekend.

at the puma! There was a report recently of a lion being seen in a field, but it turned out to be a cat!

I have seen a fox in my garden - 2pm on a Saturday afternoon!

About 10mins away from our holiday destination, DD1 was sick all over herself & the car seat. She was sick 3 more times last night & again this morning She is absolutely fine in herself & made it quite clear she was hungry so we have been feeding her dry Cheerios one by one so slowly as we can!

So our plans for family swimming & trips out have been shelved This morning DD1 & i are going on an adventure to find a launderette. DH has been sent out to buy something bland for lunch.

bessie Hope DD1 is feeling better now. Have a good holiday.

Had a better day today. This morning was spent with my family (mum and brothers) and this afternoon I took DS out shopping for DD's birthday presents.
I think it took his mind off things for a while. He is finding it all a bit hard so I think I will need to get school to keep an eye on him.
Everything was in our local newspaper for a couple of days which made it a bit harder although it kind of made it real!
For anyone who has been through grieving before you will know that you get a feeling of disbelief when it first happens. I think I was in shock for a couple of days.

Trying to look to the future for now as it will be DD's birthday soon.

Hope you & your family are ok cats - I've not had a close family member die (my GPs are still alive!!) so have no real idea of what you are going through, but do try to look after yourselves - it's very easy to not eat/sleep & drink too much in these circumstances xx

Are you doing much for DDs birthday?

adora is the puma still at large?

zoo when is DS being seen? I guess it's not surprising that he's taking longer to recover given how poorly he was a few weeks ago, but good that the Dr is taking it seriously & getting him referred.

DD2 (not DD1, that was a typo) is fine in herself, but was sick again at tea-time today - strange & lucky that it happened back at our holiday apartment & not in the crowded pub we went to for lunch where she ate loads! She was obviously in denial about still being poorly as she was demanding pudding straight away(!) & so will be on enforced reduced rations for the next couple of days. If she's sick again tomorrow, she can't go to nursery on weds (48hr rule), which means DH or I have to take a day off work & we are starting to run out of holiday!

Cats

Yes, it is very much disbelief in the first few days, be patient with yourself and don't expect to feel normal in a matter of days. When my father died it was surreal, almost like it was someone else's parent who had passed away.

Bessie I hope DD2 gets better quickly

Not much flying here today.

Up too bleedin' early to take OH to the airport
Shopping
Back home
Fed dogs
Put shopping away
WM on
Drinks, then cooked lunch
Roped DDs in to help empty DW and put shopping away
Watered garden while DDs swam
Dinner
Dogs again
DDs are now in bed, almost everything is done. Need to empty DW and reload, we had fish for dinner and I don't want to wake up to those plates. Packed lunches are halfway done, just need to add tuna and chop some salad in the morning.

Puma is apparently still on the prowl and I still haven't seen it.