Fledglings flutter vaguely into August - summer mode continues

[BlueEyeshadow]

Ok, so stealing Einstein's OP from last month, summer mode hereby continues.

This means:

1. You are still welcome to join and post
2. If you want there to be links and no one has posted them, feel free to post them.
3. As technical thread leader I shall be hanging out in the naughty corner bar when I am around, and there'll be other people in and out too, I'm sure.
4. We'll still answer questions for anyone wanting information on the fly lady system and support each other. It's just a little more relaxed.

And with that, bring on August and yet more crazy pants school holiday stuff...

You polished the slide?! That's amazing :o :o

Morning, Lovely sunny blue sky day here this morning but typically the local forecast for the weekend itself is not great I've just about kept my housework up to schedule this week and the house is not looking too bad nearly ready for the long bank holiday weekend. Need to give the place a hoover round and some other bits and bobs.

I am popping by to confess! I have had loads of child free time today and I have done precisely sod all with it! I will regret this later.

Hi all!!
I have been doing the bare minimum in terms of flying over the last few weeks and it is becoming increasingly apparent (ds1 couldn't find an ironed tshirt this morning ) so I really need to get organised before the dc go back to school.

We have been decorating our living room over the last couple of weeks and it is beginning to look homely for the first time since we moved into this house 6 months ago.

Today I have tried to begin getting organised. I have:
Washed and dried two loads
Put away laundry
Hung new curtains
Cleared the hotspot on the microwave
Emptied bins
Put photos in a frame
Attended a fun day with dd and ds2

Toffee dp and I are going to start watching Stranger Things this evening on the recommendation of my brother.

< runs in to list dump and place mark until catch up tomorrow)

Ta Da
Shed loads of admin type stuff:

• phoned up three removal companies for updated quotes
• filled out solicitors paper work
• posted said paperwork and other letters
• online banking, budget and bill paying
• nursery paperwork completed and returned
• updated archery club records

Decluttered two box files of old papers Dishwasher x2 loads of laundry washed, dried, folded etc Cleaned and repacked beach tent from our outing yesterday Pre-course reading for University started

Night all, will catch up properly tomorrow

Mercury - hope you are enjoying 'Stranger Things'.

Just back from a few days staying with my mum. Great not to have any housework to do (apart from washing up). And lovely to come back to a tidy house. Now I just have to tackle the unpacking and washing. Also need to start getting school uniforms ready for back to school.

But, first, I think a cup of tea and a bit of MN is called for...

Back from fab holiday, but slightly wilting at the thought of all the unpacking and back to school prep to do. But DH and I have a bank holiday to ourselves tomorrow as boys are with ILs. But have to spring the kitten from clink first, so he may be too needy to let us do much. Hey ho!

Morning.

Thanks for the French goodies Blue I'll hustle away my glass of wine like a squirrel hustle nuts and save it for tonight. How was the holiday?

We had the luxuary of a lie in this morning. ds stayed at my Mum's last night so me and dh could have a rare evening down the pub. House is so quiet ha. He's coming back at lunch. dh is making me breakie so i'm gonna jump in the shower. I want to plough through some chores as i have fallen behind this weekend we are off out this afternoon too so its morning or never.

Signing in with yet another confession of no achievements whatsoever...

I have loads to do and can't seem to actually do any of it. Seems to be my theme this August!

BTW I have a bag of black 'n' red Wine Gums in the cupboard thanks to this thread! [leaves within reach on naughty corner bar]

This article popped up on my newsfeed. Decluttering and Mental Health

Ugh, panicking with the last week of the hols at the moment. Making lots of lists (and wasting too much time on the wrong threads in MN). Will catch up later. I am actually ticking some items off the to-do list today for the first time in a while

< wipes away croissant crumbs from chin - thanks Blue > Good afternoon everyone, hope all UK based fledglings are enjoying the bank holiday.

Cag - did you find your glue gun? and there is nothing wrong with taking time to rest when it is needed.

Still - looking at all you ta-da lists is making me feel exhausted! Re 'sandificated' little people fresh from the beach, did you know that talcum powder is incredible at getting sand off skin? Apply it liberally to sandy parts and brush off with your hands and all the sand comes away with it. We have had three trips to the beach this summer and it has never failed me.

Mercury - yay for nice homely living room! Does your new home feel like 'home' now?

Celeste - Our DS stayed at my MIL's last night so we could have a lie in today - neither of us woke up until after 10am; it was sheer bliss!

Cotswold - hows that list shaping up?

< waves to Toffee, SC, Einstein, Dogs, Honu, Feetheart, Ellie and all other old and new fledglings >

I don't have a huge amount of productivity to report, just about keeping up with all the usual laundry and tidying routines really.

My MA course starts in October and we have a staggering amount of reading to do before then. I spent almost £200 on amazon on text books this week (ouch). I think the only way I'm going to keep a level head and get it all done, is to quickly establish a solid daily routine for the four days a week DS is at nursery where I set aside specific time slots for study.

I have a habit of procrastinating around the actual starting of studying, once I get into it, I'm fine. However, I tend to busy myself with house work and cleaning rather than getting down to the work I should be doing!

How exciting to be starting an MA, Grey. What are you studying?

Cag - good article and especially relevant to me today because...

I decuttered our bedroom! Finally decided that the effort it took to navigate my way round various piles on the floor could be better spent actually tidying it all up, so shut myself away for several hours to tackle it. Three bagfuls of rubbish and two charity bagfuls later, I was finally able to hoover and mop our floor.

Unfortunately, I also discovered patches of damp on one wall, which could explain why DH's asthma is getting worse. He was blaming it all on the cats, but they're not allowed in our bedroom. I suspect treating the damp will help a lot.

Have also started a diet today, as my weight has been gradually creeping up (probably not helped by my sedentary job) and I want to nip it in the bud before it gets any worse. Am hungry now , but trying not to give in to it and just keep drinking water or eating fruit. It doesn't help that DS2 is eating some very delicious-looking crisps next to me on the sofa.

Hi all!

[Waves to Blue and everyone and dumps more French goodies on naughty corner counter top for all to share!]

Blue bet SJ was very very happy to see you! Always love the post-holiday reunion with the furries!! -Furry one here -always comes back from dog-sitter a much better behaved hound which leads to obvious conclusion that we are v ill disciplined owners--

Hope all UK based fledglings have enjoyed good Bank Holiday!

How exciting about your MA starting soon Grey!! Good luck with all the reading! And I assume your ref to removal companies means that you are finally moving! If so, "whey hey!" and many congratulations to you! So glad because you have been through such awful stress with it all!

Mercury hats off to you - you have done miracles to move house and be decorating and getting it to look homely - all with a new baby!! That is amazingly well done!!

Great time had by all down south (despite slight uneasiness on my part when we gathered for firework displays... . Lots of very overt security about. First time we have had our bags searched before going to the beach!) DD had brilliant time snorkelling with sil. Lots of cleaning/clearing though too. Unfortunately, back now protesting loudly again (following v long rtn drive) so can't sit down for very long to catch up with everyone!

Although, I did do a quick scroll down thread and was almost sure that I saw a bat (but could be rosé withdrawal) . Also, did I see mention of Still slide polishing and Toffee knob polishing??? If so, good to see that all is well in the world!!!

Lovely to be back in the fledgling fold ! Cheery wing flaps to all! And pls excuse me if I have missed any important news - will catch up on tablet once in reclining position again! [Grrrrrr]

As for Flying ...house one level up from complete pit-dom! (But at least we don't seem to have worn many clothes on holiday so washing pile thankfully smaller than anticipated) But sacrum really hurting now so have to return to bed now despite dd having exam at 8.20 am tomorrow morning (yikes). Should be with her chivvying ... but v difficult when I can hardly walk!! She will have to come up to bedroom for me to test her! Soooo frustrating!! Again

Fortunately, left uniform washed for rabbit-sitter to iron whilst away so that is ready. As is her school bag which I de-crumbed and Dettol-swiped before departure. School shoes unpolished though. Ho hum!

Apart from dd's two re-sits, start to school term is relatively easy. Half day Thurs and first full day Fri, which should allow us to get back in to the early nights/early starts pattern as we have been going to bed very late recently!

BB tomorrow to catch up properly, depending on state of spine!

x post Toffee¨

Sympathies on the dieting front!! Have been trying to do the same and failing

Caglio I'm yet to get my packet of black and red wine gums. Anyway if i did they certainly wouldn't have a lifespan to live in a cupboard

Grey We had grand plans for a long ly in too but it was such a lovely blue sky sunny day i felt bad wasting it in bed so got out at a measly 08.00. Good luck with the study. I know what you mean about studdy procasnation. I was a fool to myself leaving it all to the last minute when i was at uni.

Toffee that sounds like torture. Crisps are my weakness!

Todays ta das

washed dishes
emptied kitchen bin
made beds
done some more laundry
bleached downstairs loo
general tidy up
made tea
washed dishes

Just about to bath ds. Will give the bathroom a once over whilst in there. Then ironing this evening. Goodbye lush Bank Holiday. Thats the last Bank Holiday until xmas now, yeah?

celeste - yes, sadly, that is the last BH till Xmas . I was thinking the same thing.

Morning all!

Yeugh! Back to early starts this morning! Lovely day though which helps a lot! Just a slight whiff of autumn - dare I say it - in the air today.

DD gone to school for exam re-sit [bites knuckles]. Only glitch was a bit of a sock crisis ie we couldn't find any but eventually dredged up one school pair. Where on earth do socks go to die I wonder?

First task of day - order school socks and tights on-line - tick.

Also ordered first tranche of school books (70 Euros spent in the blink of an eye blink and this is for a state school.)

Back in dreadful state but need to eat breakfast first before I can tolerate pain killers. Then going to try and walk a bit. Then book sessions with physio. Loads to do but frustratingly incapacitated!

Hope everyone has a good day!

SC lovely to see you back. So sorry to read you are still in a lot of pain. Dp is also still struggling with his back, he naively did a couple of sessions of physio felt better and then stopped going

Grey I am rather jealous of you starting an MA. I would love to do one eventually. Enjoy the reading.

The house is beginning to feel more homely, but sadly is very chaotic at the moment. I have loved having the older two dc at home, but I'm now looking forward to getting them back to school and getting into a routine again. I only have a couple of months of maternity leave left so really need to get my act together.

Today my main aims are to tackle the out of control washing, buy the last couple of back to school bits and get the dcs uniforms labelled - wish me luck.

Good luck with it all Mercury! [encouraging waves] I am with you in spirit triaging the laundry! Hope you can make the most of your last weeks of maternity leave and squeeze a bit of time in there for yourself too if humanly possible!

Sorry to hear that your dh is still suffering with back pain too - it really is debilitating - I have been silly as I have done exactly the same as him and tailed off the physio appts too

YY to getting back in to a routine! I normally mourn the end of the summer holidays and feel sad about dd going back to school - but this year's has seemed very long indeed. Summer holiday always 9 wks here and dd had two weeks virtually "off" prior to the end of term - one for exams - and one for revision. So the summer has seemed endless at times!

Very strange though now that we are no longer doing the school run! Suddenly have loads more time on my hands!! Just can't profit from it fully at the moment [rushes off to ring physio]

Hope everyone is enjoying the last few days of the holidays in the UK or wherever they may be!

And thanks to the chat on here about Bank Holidays etc (thank you Toffee and Celeste) I am going to recline this afternoon and update the calendar and write in all the important new dates between now and [whispers] Christmas.

Aside: is it me or are there loads more "early" threads on Mnset about Christmas this year? I love Christmas, and I understand the need to budget and be organised (particularly if making presents etc) but I don't remember everyone being quite so anticipatory (if that's a word) before!

Um, obviously it's a word, meant if that's the right word

Can I creep back in for the eleventy millionth time? I'm so chuffed you are all (still!) here beetling away while I mess about getting on top of everything for a few months and then slink off into the depths of chaos as it piles up around me.
I was lured by the summer mode title ;-) so have lurked a few times, and now need to post to hold myself accountable. Again. Sorry!
It's madwoman. Still in Canada. Have gained an additional kid - not a baby lol, far too old for that- so now have four teenagers to keep up with. And I am going to stalk Grey totally as I start my MA next week. Properly. In a university and everything. And I'm mildly terrified.
So I have a week to instil good habits and find the floor so that my head is in a good place for the next big adventure. And to help me keep it together while reading, studying, fretting, etc. And you lot do it every day and make it look easy, so if I hang around long enough hopefully I'll move from feast/ famine to an actual routine, although I still draw the line at motivational post-its.
As it's not even midday here I am planning on spending most of the day at it to set me off to a good start. First day of school so I have the next 5 hours free before the dance class madness starts. And I also want to put at least one evening meal in the freezer every day this week to build up stocks. 'Stocks' currently means a bag of heirloom tomatoes to make sauce with at some point, and one of a pizza multipack bought by a random child when I was away for the weekend. Stocks are definitely limited.
Sc - I have my shiny new planner. It's a thing of beauty and I'm scared to defile it...

Welcome back, pont. You have your work cut out with four teenagers and an MA to do. I am jealous of the MA and the shiny new planner .

Morning,

Sequential yes i've noticed the increasing amount of xmas thread on mn and indeed on fb. I think for some people September is the countdown. I however think not until fireworks night have been done and dusted can xmas be allowed to be whispered.

Yesterday i did no chores other than the daily essentials as it was far too nice to be stuck indoor cleaning the kitchen so me and ds spent most the day in the garden. I have checked the forecast today and its sunny spells, some rain showers, and a better chance of celeste cleaning the kitchen

The machine is doing its thing and I am playing with a mad hopping kitten, god, he's full of beans!!! He'll crash soon enough!
I need to straighten the house a bit, we sort of crashed last night ourselves after a long weekend.
I have very high ceilings (and furniture) so I must incorporate dusting up there as well at least once a month. They're still building around me so the dust is everywhere!
I also must mop the floors :)
The nutter has crashed and purring next to me.

Waves to pont

at mad hopping kitten, 8. Ours is currently at the vet recovering from being "done". He wasn't allowed breakfast, then was put in a box to have nasty things done to him, and to top it all off, the noisy boys are coming home this afternoon! He was very Not Impressed this morning.

The last few days have been gardening, laundry, errands, admin and general post-holiday catching up... But thanks to super-whizzy name stamper, I have got all the new uniform labelled in no time flat. Also have white fabric pen for naming black shoes - genius!

Now to enjoy last hour or so of quiet...