Mad Fledglings March through the Spring cleaning

[BitchytheGreat]

So here we are, March already.

So for those who don't know the fledglings is a long running thread. Some of us seem clicky but that is because we have been chatting on these threads for nearly half a decade makes everyone feel old we quite like fresh blood though so feel free to jump in and join us.

Three key points to keep in mind:
(1)No perfectionism allowed - this is harder than you would imagine
(2)You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
(3) It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night - accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

If you are new then trying to spend 15mins decluttering and the babysteps is the most. Some of us Bitchy can have scary looking lists. One word of advice ignore them. Do what you can, anything is better then nothing, and don't judge yourself against others.

Sounds awful Just. can your insurance company not offer any assistance? (sorry if dumb question)

we have had sleepover. kids up at 5am. I am hiding...

Just, how awful.

Just - I'm so sorry. It must feel never-ending .

I second feetheart *Just, No feeling guilty about feeling down. most of us would have snapped and been in a mental institution by now under the circumstances. For justifiable reasons.

Wtf happened to my bold sorry did not mean to shout and scream all that. just the names.

I'm sorry i am having one of those days and I really really need a ta da list.

ta da
ds through bath and de stinking.
negotiate way through breakfast
strip ds' bed and in washing machine
sort and count shrapnel
ds to check trainers and pe shoes (pumps/plimsoles/whatever your region calls the damn things)

right off to take ds to buy new school shoes.

Just on this beautiful sunny day you must be thinking why oh why do have to deal with all this yet again and having to keep calm for the sake of others when you don't feel up to it.

Well, here things have been a bit better than usual. We had guests, so two adult dinners in a row (although they were staying round the corner in a b & b) and today dh has taken them off to Kew Gardens (magnolia fest I am sure)
with two children. Ds2 has predictably been rather difficult and had to be left behind with me, or the whole expedition would have foundered, and we are tired from clearing "dinners" but it is nice to talk to some "grownups" for a change, a real tonic to have old friends (although I don't know them well) in the house, and to hear about life in Europe! all allotments, dogs and education just like here I do think we bring up children slightly differently though.

Our magnolia is looking stupendously beautiful, it is only sad that underneath it is a pile of assorted rubbish that I haven't got round to dealing with [grrr] Dh's old friend when he saw the milk bottles we never bring in (our outdoor refridgeration system reminded dh how when he was 20 had lived in a similar fashion (this was in Hamburg mind you)

done
two tasty foodie dinners in a row
went to bed early last night at 10.30 and read newspapers very civilized and Saturday nightish
yesterday I took the 8 children from my group to first Reconciliation Service
Today I sat in Mass with the same 8 children, which meant Not taking my own children to Mass which was vaguely irritating, but still, I do enjoy looking after other children more than my own sometimes

Now I have to take ds2 out somewhere, where I don't know but I've had enough of Sochi to last a lifetime.

Just checking in, have had the lurgy this weekend (and am milking it to get DH to help round the house more)

Well done, Goth. I'm sure you need a period of convalescence .

Swan - that sounds like a lovely, sociable weekend.

ta da

Breakfast
Long walk into town
Swimming lesson for DS2
OU study whilst DS2 swimming
Long walk back through town
Bought lunch
Studied some more whilst DS2 dug up more old tiles from under a fallen tree
Home for lunch
Persuaded DS1 to get dressed and come out with me
Walk to local park with DS1
Put washing on

About to help DS1 with his homework. Then am going to ignore the big pile of ironing and have a nap...

Im pooryl and feeling sorry for myself ( I think I'm destined to be a in a depressive state ) But then I read just's post, that awful and feel wuite humbled. Ive never had to deal with anything remotely like that so just hope you are gettin the help you need.

blue "equal quantities by volume eggs, flour & skimmed milk and Yorkshire pudding always rises like a dream!" Thanks for that! I will make a note of it!!

just oh that sounds horrible. We had a sewage backup once in a flat that was in the kitchen and living room everywhere and it was just vile. Luckily all our furniture and such was old and tatty anyway so not a huge loss. I hope things are looking up soon.

I've made cherry muffins and chocolate muffins today with the DCs, and now have a chicken roasting for supper. Had some friends over earlier for coffee, while the DCs played. Nice relaxing day, although the DCs are now arguing while putting a puzzle together.

Achieved
fabulous long walk around the local woods and finding the Earth cache (geocaching)
Poppy seeds bought (lost original ones for school garden so have had to buy replacements and cross fingers that they will be the right ones)
Shopping done
Summer clothes found in wardrobe and an hour in the garden

To do
something nice for dinner!

done
solved problem of ds2 being intensely irritating by taking him for a long walk round the neighbourhood and he was charming
beautiful spring twilight
cooked supper
did RE homework and Science Homework with ds2
finished off dd's project, or rather she read it out to me after doing the last bit herself (she made a life story cushion..I would say it was all her own work apart from the idea of making a cushion!)

German friends have gone back to Germany, I dropped them at the station, felt proud of myself for driving people to the station, not usually what I would volunteer for (only my own family are allowed to survive my driving!)

Boys watching Top Gear
Dd has told me she has washed her uniform herself for tomorrow

otherwise I have done nothinghouseworky today, except notice how dirty the house is but still I am lucky to have it.

It's monday. it's home bleurgh day.

babystep 10

missions

Ta Da Yesterday Part 2

• Washed pots and numerous utensils DD had used to make tea
• Wiped down cooker top, all worksurfaces and door fronts (went on a bit of a mission!)
• Swept kitchen floor

Today we took a walk up to the Uffington White Horse then DH went down the pub to watch the rugby. DD and I planted up our veggie seeds (some inside and some out) plus bought some flowers for the front that we shall plant tomorrow

Ta Da (today)

• Walk in the sunshine
• Trip to garden centre
• Plant up seeds
• Go for a run with DD on her bike
• Wash pots and shine sink
• Supervise HW and get bags ready for school tomorrow
• Laundry load on and hung to dry

Just - so sorry to hear you are having continued sewage problems. Bet you wish you could just move house and be done with the place!

Eustacia afraid we’re uninsured and almost impossible to get any now.

Thinking I’m sorry you’re feeling down. It’s all relative. Doesn’t matter what the ‘reasons’ are, no one chooses to be down.

Swan very impressed with your dd.

Dizzy I'd love to but not an option. Want to move life, too.

Thanks for all the understanding, it's all absolutely draining and some of the reactions in r/l to the fact things aren’t getting better, aren’t helping.

Spent the day clearing the worst of the solid material and retching from the smell. You’d think I’d be used to it by now. Managed to get a sewer cover up, and tip some of the worst into it, which speeded things up a bit.

Neighbour with Alzheimer’s wanted a bit of reassurance that it wasn’t about to happen to her, and doing it quietly reminded me that a whole generation went through wave after wave of destruction in the war, and survived it.

Listened to friend who went to a party last night and is therefore automatically unhappy today. , but sorry this is how it is for her.

Strange day all round.

Tomorrow is a motivation to work day. If the wrong thing gets said I may have problems not being motivated to kill.

Morning all. Apologies for absence. I have been super busy at school preparing for time off.

Today is Op day. Got up early to have breakfast and am now nil by mouth. At least 1 night in hospital but home tomorrow if all goes to plan. Fingers crossed.

just don't you ever come on here and apologise . You have had a huge amount thrown at you that would break most people and yet you are still standing and strike me as an amazingly strong lady.

Big waves to everyone else. Will pop back later.

Hope it all goes according to plan ellie.
Get ready to REST and take it easy when you come home - we will shout if there are lists that do not involve reading, watching trashy TV and quiet contemplation:)

just

good luck ellie

Morning, still porrly but least we have all slept through

Dont think I will be doing much flying. I am only ill with a cold, its one of them 'hot' tingley in the nose and eye types. Cant believe how much it has sapped me.

Good luck Ellie.

Just - words fail me, so sorry you're going through this again. Hope things take a turn for the better today.

Ellie good luck
Just horrible. And I hope you tell everyone at the work motivation tomorrow what your life is actually like atm, show pictures of the situation.

done
driven ds2 to school
printed out some homework

otherwise, nil. About to get ready to count money for church. Cleaning lady is arriving shortly. It is sad to see what carnage we wreaked on all her efforts on Friday.

Parents' eve for ds1 this evening. I know what they are going to tell me already. Lazy and distracted in everything. But he is such a lovely boy, greasy hair and all, that I am going to count my blessings. Discussing possibility of getting a tutor for him on Sat mornings to try and beat some science and Maths into him; Dh just put his head in his hands and just said we cannot do more academic reinforcement what with demands of ds2, his job and family life as a whole. The irony is ds1 is just beginning to come out of his shell socially and enjoying school for its social life, talking to acquaintances on Facebook, playing football with them (on Facebook) He seems to like all the subjects and enjoy lessons It is almost as if he has only just started to think of academic work as an end in itself, atm school is something stimulating, but he has no interest in following up what he learns there.

Ds2 is of course quite different and keeps telling me about Erosion and discussing world faiths Anything to keep your parents chatting to you.

Ds2 woke up at 5am to watch Paralympics. We are back needing to take the fuse out of the telly methinks... Not good for his temper, by 8am he was distinctly testy.

Ellie good luck with op, will be thinking of you (you know you have to post here as soon as it's over )

just sorry was in me, me, me mode yesterday. You are an incredible woman, I admire how you manage to cope with all the shit that keeps coming.

Feeling more human today, but DH still did school run & took some recycling out.

Done
Packed lunch
Reboot laundry
Made beds
Windows
Dry laundry away
Small amount of ironing (5 things)

To do
S&S
Hang out laundry
2 job applications
General paperwork
Get dressed
Prep veg for dinner
Make casserole for tomorrow
Take out rest of recycling
Litter tray

BBL

Morning fledglings.

Fingers crossed everything goes to plan ellie

I am in decidedly good mood this morning. Drunk too much coffee already and only had 2 cups. Ds is in a calmer happy mood so that helps. Don't worry you are safe from a hugemongous list as I have work later.

ta da
strip bed
put bedding on to wash
sort out various issues wrt ds for school
find a load of information for df
chat to dm
put 2nd load of washing on
strip ds' bed
find all laundry and collect ready to go in machine
air house
find to do list and cross stuff off master list.
Take my bed apart

Blueeyeshadow - please can I have your beetroot and chocolate cake recipe. DH has just presented me with bloody beetroot from the garden and cake is the only thing I am going to do with it as throwing it out as unfit for human consumption will upset him
Also bitchy if you get a chance please could I have your oat loaf recipe for the bread maker, I have been coveting it since before I got a bread maker :)

Need to get lots of little annoying jobs done today:

• All up and out - done
• Bed stripped - done
• First load washing done and out, second load in - done
• Stuff on Freecycle - done
• Important letter
• Cheque for 10k entry
• Some work
• General tidy up and hoover round
• Ring carpenter
• Ring handyman
• Renew railcard
• Defrost freezer in garage
• Order hanging basket sunflowers for Mum and us as they sound nice :)
• Second stage of orange liquor that I put into cupboard and forgot about
• Make toad-in-the-hole batter for dinner
• Do a round up at some point before too much else happens :)

Hope Monday is good.