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.

fridays' daily focus is to clean out car and handbag thinking

It is a nice novel change as Dm specialises in that non helpful critical way of doing stuff normally. Seems she is in a good mood or something

Coming back as I always dream of being organised :-) I do religiously shine my sink every day and that has helped enormously, I find getting up in the morning and knowing that it is all clean and tidy a big boost.
Inspired by the thread I have put away a pair of boots that have been down by the side of the bed for three months since arriving from ebay and being too small for my fat calves.
Laundry is on but that might be it for today as I'm poorly.

Well thats outed me as not always readin the links bitchy though I did read the room rescue - people are comming panic cleaning style on the website the other day (it was only a bloody playdate but knowing the childs parents and their house I felt compelled to work my arse off out of pride)

blue hello..are you from the no clothes thread? welcome

Love the fact that you played Playmobil school with your DD this morning, SC

Glad you have DM helping today, Bitchy.

Thanks for volunteering for May, Goth.

Welcome back, Blueandwhite .

Am completely exhausted after walking non-stop for about two hours this morning.

Ta da

Breakfasts
Found smart tee shirt and jeans for DS2 (party wear, so didn't want threadbare)
Reminded DS2 to make card for his friend's birthday
Bath and hairwash
Wrapped present for birthday boy
Walked to birthday party and dropped off DS2
Walked bloody miles into and around town
Bank
Library
Popped into loo at library, looked in mirror and realised I'd forgotten to put any eye make up on - looked as if I hadn't slept for a week
Realised I actually hadn't had very much sleep (5 hours)
Bought goodies for DH's birthday at Waitrose
Lugged shopping all the way back to party
Collected DS2 and walked home
Hid more presents for DH in DS1's bedroom
Discovered Ocado shopping had been delivered whilst I was out and was defrosting on the kitchen floor
Put shopping away
Allowed DS2 to eat birthday cake for his lunch (really didn't have the energy to argue)
SAT DOWN
Ate Waitrose sandwich and drank much-needed

To do

Wrap DH's presents
Remind DS2 to make DH's card
Do all the washing up
Clear and wipe surfaces
Ironing
Put laundry away
Put washing on
OU work

Very tempted to have a nap first though. I'll be more productive then, won't I?

Afternoon

Just having 5 minutes before friends arrive, (they were supposed to be here for 2, which usually means arrive around 3)

Done
Beds
Window
Dry laundry away
Library
Farmers market (beer & cake)
Quick tidy up
Washing up

Just another (hug) here, wish there was something I could do to help.

BBL

Afternoon all. Have done lots of errands this morning and lots of pruning and weeding this afternoon, which is all to the good.

Beer and cake sounds good, Going

Sounds like and needed in general, so will stock up the naughty corner bar - carrot and parsnip cake anyone? :)

Today's positives!

done
taught 8 children catechism class and it went alright this week
bought some groceries
dh made lunch
managed to send ds1 off to collect a violin book from Kew (and made him take exercise in process)
managed to get dd to take responsibility for ringing her own friends up to organise meetups!!! She rang friend, and went out
listened to Messiah and danced around to it singing complicated variants
talked briefly to neighbour

toffee that is the sort of idyllic in 10 year retrospect afternoon, which is completely exhausting in reality I'm soo glad my children don't go to parties anymore [rueful] Your Dh is in for a lovely birthday. Mine would be v jealous of all your efforts.

oh no boys crying now...

Quick post as I exhausted and ready for bed.
Just I can't believe everything you are contending with at the moment. I really hope today has been ok for you.

I feel that I have achieved a lot today:
Hung washing out
White wash done
Beds changed
Bathroom cleaned
Soup made
Car emptied of rubbish and hoovered
Pile of washing done
Laundry sorted and put away by dp
Dw stripped down and cleaned by dp
Meal planning done
Food shopping done and put away
Bins changed
Dusting done
Downstairs hoovered
Dcs taken to the hairdressers
Dds homework supervised
Bag emptied of masses of paper
Lovely afternoon/evening with dcs and dad

Sending wing flaps to all. I am off to collapse into my nice clean bed.

Swan - I hope you're right about DH's birthday. At least I've tried!

Ta da

Two-hour 'nap' - much needed and very restorative
Reminded DS2 to make DH's card (he didn't)
Did all the washing up
Cleared and wiped surfaces
Dinner
Persuaded at least one child to eat stewed apple
Admired DS2's Lego computer, complete with Lego mouse
OU work
Bedtime routine - DS2
Telly time
More washing up
More OU work

Going to do another 15-minutes OU work now, then off to bed. Up early tomorrow to get DS2 to a swimming lesson. Looking forward to getting 30-minutes to myself to study whilst he's in the water.

Oh shit sorry, i lied about posting the links earlier. I fell out with my hair which wasn't cooperating but it meant that i forgot

So sunday's daily focus is to renew your spirit. This could be something like locking the family out of the bathroom and having a hot bath with a book, going for a walk in the countryside. Just something for you to chill/rebalance yourself ready for the week ahead.

No missions as it is the weekend

And the contriversial babystep 2: shoes on one

As for me. I am still coughing and totally wiped from the exhaustions and fun from tonight. Tomo I am staying in bed my renew spirits sleeping until my body decides is no longer needs sleep and the refusing to get out of bed until i need to collect ds. Tomorrow is my compulsory day of rest.

Despite list, most of today has actually been cutting up and removing huge pile of tree branches, running round after endless gas men, and dealing with pee’d off neighbours.
They’ve finally turned off the flashing lights and gone for what’s left of the night. All I need to do is manage to wind down, renew spirits and sleep.

And that was that.
so for now it's get as much paper work done as possible while people are sleeping still.
Leaves loads of for all.

Think you'll need some of Bitchy's special strong coffee today, Just. Sorry you had so little sleep .

Have put the washing on and done breakfast. DS2 is busy making a Lego phone and seems to have forgotten he has a swimming lesson this morning.

Just drinking my tea, then off to get dressed. Another long walk ahead of me, as DH is still unwell and I don't want to wake him and ask for a lift.

Will do some OU study by the pool.

Hope you all have a good day.

My focus of the day is to shout less and count to ten more.

Every single room here has something needing doing to it. Even the stairs.

Ta Da's
Got minis washed, fed and watered
Half emptied DW
First load of laundry on
Pooch fed and watered

To do
Floors
Clean laundry off side in kitchen and away
Bring in laundry off the line that I forgot I put out yesterday
Finish emptying DW
Walk Pooch
Take stuff off stairs and put away
Put away coats that MrPP has been hanging on the kitchen door
Clear away MrPP toast crumbs

What I really want to do is leave house. Shut the door. Go off for coffee and cake. Come back to house. House is miraculously clean and tidy.

Happy Sunday everyone

I am a bad bad girl. I've neglected things due to personal life exploding in a chaotic mess. (in a nutshell - the STBXH that I separated from due to abusive behaviour approximately 10 months ago has in the space of 3 weeks "met" a woman that he has carried on with online for over 2 years - so, yes, while we were married and together - and even though we hadn't even yet discussed divorce, he asked her to marry him, and he will be living with her and her 3 preteen children, even though he can't cope with our 2 primary school age children). It's all so Jerry Springer-ish, isn't it?

Annnnnyway, I'm back and god knows since I obviously have no control over the train wreck that appears to be my life, I will make an attempt to control my household.

I'm currently cleaning the kitchen while dealing with skirmishes between DCs. I'll be back later to post a list.

Morning

Had a lovely relaxing evening out watching film + eating over at friends last night. DD so exhausted on return that she could hardly make it up the stairs to bed.

Up late this morning but it's such a glorious spring day that I can't stay indoors any longer. Out to plant seeds (late) and spread horse manure!

Ta for links Bitchy rest up well!

Peanut¨I think you should take yourself out for coffee and cake! Go on girl!!!

Hope you get some study time at the pool Toffee

Glad you survived yesterday Just; hope today can be a little more restful for you - take it steady!!!

That's an amazing list you got through yesterday Mercury hope you get some time just for yourself today

Waves to Swan Blue Goth Thinking101 Blueandwhite and everyone else!

Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

x post

Alice how horrible for you to be going through all that - it must be so difficult for you and your dc to cope with - chin up and hope at least being on here will help with the domestic chore aspect of things as it's sometimes helpful in these sort of circs to just keep going step by small step. Am I allowed to say it sounds as though you are well shot of him though? And please don't call yourself 'bad' when you are the one that is keeping everything together for the dc in v. difficult circs. Try and look after yourself too

Alice you are far from bad. I think that getting to grips with things in the home can help you feel in control and give you a feeling of confidence that you can tackle anything and everything.

Have just taken coffee break, and am about to tackle last of what was the huge pile of tree branches, blocking gas peoples access to kitchen flu, as I reckon it's late enough to start making noise on a Sunday. Sorry neighbours.

Alice you aren’t bad, you have inevitably suffereded what happens in such circumstances. He’s quite clearly an arse, if it’s all right for me to say that. Keep your chin up. [Flowers]

try these instead!

sanschoc the boys only know we're separated, thankfully. he sat here for 2 hours the other day during his "contact" visit, going on and on about her and her kids that he is going to be living with. I kept telling him to stop talking about it in front of the boys, but he is all "oh they're not listening." No consideration for their feelings at all. He (and his dingbat nasty sister) were posting pics of him with her kids and talking about their engagement on FB, so that's how my adult daughter found out her stepdad was engaged to someone else (that none of us had ever even heard of - well kept secret, she was) while still married to her mum. It was not nice - she wants nothing to do with him now, so he's submarined that relationship as well.

"well shot of him" is an understatement! Feel free to voice that opinion - heaven knows I've been saying it in the last couple weeks! Thankfully, he's out of town this week "spending quality family time" with his "new stepfamily" and missing two contact visits with his own DCs, which I refuse to reschedule. All about priorities, isn't it?

Anyway - today I've just (ta da) cleaned out a couple kitchen cupboards and tossed anything out of date . I'm sad to say there was a fair bit. But on the up side, more room in the cupboard!!

I'm tempted to get a few new pieces of furniture in - a wing chair (I love them!) and a new bed for me both to go up in my room.

Today will be "update, reorganise, and make my house MY home!" as I decide on more decluttering and how to get rid of extraneous "stuff."

sans I'm a bit jealous that you're planting seeds (presumably veg garden??). I would LOVE to get a good garden started, but don't have a clue where to begin. My back garden literally just needs to be ripped up and cleared out. I think most of my money over the next year will be funnelled into redecorating the whole house and garden and solicitor's fees. If I put it all in savings, he'd just ask for some of it when finances were disclosed as he saves nothing. So might as well use it wisely in the meantime.

Morning! Just a quick pop in here will try to catch up properly later

I had a pretty productive day yesterday, even managed to get out in the jungle garden to start clearing it. Went out for the evening to a friend's which was lovely but resulted in a very late night so I'm mainlining caffeine at the moment to keep awake

So far today
Ta da
Up and dressed
Swish and swipe
Put on yet more laundry
Bake soda bread
Clear up kitchen

to do
Go meet friends for lunch
Take DCs swimming
Ironing
15 mins declutter
Admin
Organise ourselves for work/school tomorrow

Hope you all have a good day

Serves me right for being absent for a few days that you all jump thread!

The second half of the week was fairly unproductive bar the usual, washing up, feeding, laundry and carting DD about though I threw in late night cake baking (sorry Toffee ) on Thursday night for taking to school on Friday.

Yesterday we went to London and spent the entire day (7 hours) in the Science Museum. DD loved it though her legs and feet (and ours too) were feeling it by home time. We had a lovely Chinese meal before catching a late train home. She was up at the crack of dawn today filling the kitchen with smoke as she burnt the toast she was making to a crisp!

She had Forest School on Friday and they were allowed to "mud surf" so from the knickers outwards her clothes were COATED in mud . They have taken 2 days to dry out so I now need to take them outside to brush off the dry stuff before everything gets thrown into the washing machine.

feeling bit bleugh this morning, and suddenly feeling pretty rabbit in the headlights about all ds2's needs and problems...nothing like a Sunday morning with an ASD child screaming at you that they have no friends, they can't possibly do homework etc etc they hate their siblings, to bring things into perspective We really need to do something about sensory diet, ABA, music therapy, calm household blah blah blah. Dh and I have kept calm, siblings have been fine

ds2 has written a poem about a blind (household object)
ds2 has got dressed
dd has got dressed and dh has taken her to buy stuff for two projects, one of which is that dreaded Cell (third child to get it, and has big dreams including styrofoam ballsl)
I read a lovely gardening book last night called a Gentle Plea for Chaos

I have managed to trash the kitchen making a chicken pie with homemade pastry, but I suspect no-one will eat it. Dh has already rung to say he and dd are having a sandwich out. Ah, well pie making is very enjoyable.

Ds1 is being sweet, but not moving much beyond orbit of his bedroom and fruit bowl, nor do I think he doing any homework, which he should be!!!!

I need to get dressed - I feel a bit brighter now! Will just have to breathe and accept that life is not necessarily perfect.

waves to Alice you are really doing a brilliant job, [your breathing must be much better than mine] you know that?? Seed planting is one of the loveliest things I know to cheer oneself up, and the kids love it too.

PS. AliceI have two local friends dealing with extremely crappy and selfish exes who appear on surface to be lovely and caring and have moved on swiftly to inv)ent new lives for themselves, whilst leaving their wives to do all the hard stuff (as well as having to be nice about them to the dcs) For the record both my friends are doing a fantastic job moving forward and have the reward of their children's incredible respect for them.