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Flapping calmly through lockdown: Fledglings April 2020. Welcome to the Keep Calm Corner!

999 replies

LaneBoy · 31/03/2020 10:28

Hello all!

Thank you for joining us, please note if we seem cliquey it’s only because it’s a long running thread - everyone really is welcome!

Welcome to (probably) the most bizarre Flylady thread yet... in which we are attempting to impose/maintain some kind of order in our homes, while also many of us are adjusting to working from home and homeschooling the kids for the first time too! Not to mention the anxiety around health and accessing food!

Of course, normally the opening post would talk about banishing CHAOS - Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome - but now we aren’t allowed anyone over anyway :o so, let’s just try and make our homes nicer FOR US. We are spending more time than ever in them, so let’s make them really wonderful places to be, our own safe little nests for our families.

Flylady routines might just help us get through this crazy time, by giving us a little structure to work from when all else is unpredictable - but as usual there is no right or wrong here. All of us follow it only to the extent it helps us - we can take ideas and make them work for us. And the key principle is, YOU ARE NEVER BEHIND. I feel like that is even more evident now, with so many of these outside pressures and commitments suddenly gone, and frankly the days rolling into one!

This is potentially a great time to declutter. Of course, Flylady suggests 15 minutes a day - but perhaps in these unprecedented times we will all do more! But we are all busy getting into our own routines now that school is out, and work too for many, and we’ve lost a lot of the outside structure to our lives. There’s no right or wrong here, we just have to try and adapt.

Links wise, I’ll just post the launch pad, and will add reminders about zones too. If anyone has Flying questions, please ask!

Star The Keep Calm Corner Star
The lovely SC came up with the brilliant idea of the Keep Calm Corner last month - this is a daily post with things to make us happy! I figured each monthly host can make this their own, and I’m a little worried my taste in art and music would not be calming to most Blush:o so for this month, the KCC will consist of:
Star Some memes - either funny (we all need a laugh! Warning though - some will likely be unsavoury :o) or thought provoking/relaxation based. Do PM me (here or FB) if you have any you want to add!
Star A daily “ice breaker” type question - obviously answering these is entirely optional, and don’t say anything that will out you, but if you want to join in and create some extra conversations on the thread then treatment, we can all get to know each other better! Again, if you think of any questions please PM!

Thank you for settling in, and of course thank you to SC for making March such a lovely thread. Thanks And lastly, a huge thank you also to our key worker Fledglings, who are doing an incredible job of keeping things running! Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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LaneBoy · 04/04/2020 18:57

If people can’t be arsed to do their own laundry then the money certainly should go to those who kindly do it for them :o

I am so sleepy this afternoon! I’m going to help make dinner soon just to force myself to wake up a bit.

OP posts:
Slychomping · 04/04/2020 19:02

Cont'd/...

Forgot to ask if you have recovered Givemeacall hope you are feeling much better

Expletive famous bluebell woods officially closed here this year Sad as they attract too many crowds. Police are giving out on the spot Euro 500 fines apparently.

That I'm so sorry about your half-sibling Sad Flowers
Bloomin' well done for handing essay in (how the blazes did you manage that as well as everything else Star Star Star!?. By heroic effort I imagine! Star Star Star You very much deserve a relaxing holiday but doubt that is on the books?!)

Lane always wanted a marble run and bought dd a beautiful wooden one when she was little ... incredibly tasteful ... not cheap either .... did she play with it? ... did she heck Grin Grin Your mother's figurines are incredible btwè

StrawberrySundae I favoured garden over ironing today too! Blush

Willow and We3kings dog is younger of two lh daschunds - both adopted - but her background is a bit "mixed" ie about as far as a pedigree as you can get.

Wow Cineraria you have been Flying really high Star Star! And noted about Madrid itinerary as and when Smile!

Forgot to wave to Strawberry Chic Honu Shannara Hazel and everyone else!

Sorry if I have missed anyone out! I have got lost while scrolling! Time for dinner (cold chicken, rice, salad) and just about to open a bottle of [red]

Cheers everyone! Have a lovely evening!

PS Will be off sm tomorrow but back early next week!
Mahoosive waves to one and all and keep safe fledglings!

Wine Wine Wine

Slychomping · 04/04/2020 19:05

Oh gosh, heavens, I know what I have forgotten ...

Chic did Carlos Acosta appear the other day? I didn't see your reminder until too late and I am a huge fan!

LaneBoy · 04/04/2020 19:13

Enjoy your SM break sc 😘

Thanks for all the lovely comments about my mum’s dolls BTW!

OP posts:
Slychomping · 04/04/2020 19:13

Sorry Chic have found your post now, so I can look for myself Blush!

Bower you are very good to be still carrying on your Lenten abstinence(s) in current circs! I'm afraid I capitulated re: Wine and Cake as soon as lockdown was imposed. [Total wuss emoticon]

Slychomping · 04/04/2020 19:15

Righ back at ya Lane Grin
[can't find emoticons on this old machine!]

Waves to all fledglings! Enjoy the rest of the weekend (well as much as poss in current times) xxx

Stilllivinginazoo · 04/04/2020 19:49

I can confirm that quesadillas made using bread and sandwich toaster were very successful!!

KTCluck · 04/04/2020 20:21

Aah Zoo that all sounds so positive, glad DD2 is calmer and hope it lasts for her.

SC I also revoked my no-chocolate-and-cake-until-lent pretty sharpish once lockdown began Blush. Bower you have put us to shame!

DD fell asleep on me at 6:30 and I’ve successfully transferred her to bed (minus teeth cleaning and getting any pjs on her). Not sure how long she’ll stay there

Ta da:
✅ tidied and wiped kitchen after tea
✅ returned living room to a living room rather than a play room.

Didn’t manage the rest of the floors but they’ll wait until tomorrow. I’m normally desperate to get everything done first thing Saturday so we can relax or get out and about and there’s nothing hanging over for going back to work on the Monday. There’s no rush during lockdown! I must admit for all the anxiety about people’s health, economic worries, missing family and friends, cabin fever and plain old boredom, I’m quite enjoying the slower pace of life and having much more time to play with DD. It’s easier to say “yes I’d love to play dolls with you”
at the minute rather than “ok, just for a minute once I’ve finished X and before I do Y”.

LaneBoy · 04/04/2020 20:30

Aah that’s lovely KT 💕⭐️

Yay for toastie quesadillas! I should try and use ours - mum brought us her old one a while ago.

I ended up making dinner entirely while DH washed up. First time I’ve managed to cook an evening meal in a few weeks I think so I’m pleased. And it’s yummy (one pot chorizo pasta). DH served up though as lifting heavy pots is a struggle at the best of times 🙄

Still haven’t discussed a timetable with DH! Really should have done that while cooking.

OP posts:
ExpletiveDelighted · 04/04/2020 21:02

It's not quite the same without the OP's posts but can I refer all those of you with sandwich toasters to this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/2585361-pancakes-in-the-sandwich-toaster-Ive-died-and-gone-to-heaven

LaneBoy · 04/04/2020 21:14

Ooh thanks!

DH is just turning the tuff tray into a target for bean bag throwing tomorrow 💕 Cagletini is having fun helping!

I absolutely must get on the damn exercise bike tonight 😳 I have stagnated all day

OP posts:
HungryHazelEyes · 04/04/2020 21:44

Thank you for the well wishes, my face is back to normal, was very bizarre, but glad I have no more super sensitivity.

Yesterday was a full 10hr day at work, but I did vacuum the floor, swept the tiled floor and mopped. Since we're not having the cleaners come into the office it's down to us to keep it looking good. It was looking pretty bad, but now lots better. I felt like I had a good workout as well!

🐣Did our daily walk at the local walking path this morning.

🐣Made my list for the grocery store. I was going to try the pickup option (no delivery here) but the next slot is tomorrow afternoon and we need food in for tonight's dinner!

🐣Not done much else, other than getting some of my Easter decorations out.

I'm really wanting a nap right now but should probably go grocery shopping first.

bower sorry to hear about your cat, hopefully the meds will work so surgery isn't needed.

I have seen Sia in concert in Vegas, she really puts on a good show with her dancers. I've also seen Drowning Pool in a small venue close by. They do good as well, although DH was acting like an idiot for part of it so put a dampener on the event for me.

Hello to everyone else 👋 hopefully I can have more of a ta da list completed later.

HungryHazelEyes · 04/04/2020 21:49

Some pictures of our local walking path (right next to a river) I hope these pictures show up. A couple of pictures from last night, one from this morning.

Flapping calmly through lockdown: Fledglings April 2020. Welcome to the Keep Calm Corner!
Flapping calmly through lockdown: Fledglings April 2020. Welcome to the Keep Calm Corner!
Flapping calmly through lockdown: Fledglings April 2020. Welcome to the Keep Calm Corner!
ExpletiveDelighted · 04/04/2020 23:13

Great pics Hazel, stunning scenery. I particularly like the snow streaked mountains.

HungryHazelEyes · 05/04/2020 00:31

Thank you expletive I do love how close the mountains are to us.

I got a little more done this afternoon;

🐣Grocery shopping- a lot less people in the store now, thank God! But some were still too close for my liking.

🐣Swept outside- got rid of leaves and pine needles.

🐣Put the cushions back on the swing outside.

🐣Shook out the door mats that were outside.

🐣Refilled the bird seed feeder. I don't think I put any in there last year- oops.

🐣Will soon be getting dinner started, DH is headed home from work so will grill steaks tonight, I'll saute some shrimp as well as mashed potatoes and roasted butternut squash. Yum!

LaneBoy · 05/04/2020 00:49

I got a Tesco slot!!!

Signed in at midnight and the delivery slots - for April 25th - we’re already all gone, so I got a click and collect one. Not ideal but DSS did say the other day he’s happy to collect for us if we need, it’s not like we are asking him to do the actual shopping. Still an 80 item limit so I just added loads off my favourites list and will edit again in almost 3 weeks Hmm

OP posts:
Cineraria · 05/04/2020 01:14

Well I definitely have to get the toastie machine down from the loft now, with We3's cake recipe (thanks for that and sorry I forgot to thank you in the previous post) and Zoo's quesadillas. My two love rainbow drops, Zoo. They had them in their Christmas stockings.

What a beautiful area you live in Hazel! I really like the tree and clouds photo.

I was going to say that I haven't seen any artists/groups live as I'm not very interested in listening to music at all but then I remembered I went with DH to see a group he liked not long after we had met although I can't recall the make and he is asleep now. It was at the O2, I think, so a big concert and was an interesting experience. I do like seeing people play instruments though, I find it fascinating to watch talented hands perform any skill.

Wishing your cat a good result from the medication, Bowerbird. I'm glad things are looking more promising for her than they did yesterday.

Yes, SC, it's the SS Montefiore one. I think I enjoyed it a lot at the time but I don't remember much about it now. I read it during mealtimes when I was pregnant with DS1 and struggling to eat due to nausea and indigestion, so that's mostly what I remember now! I should read it again. It sounds very hard for children in your area not to have a decision on their exams yet. I was glad for those taking their exams here to have a decision made early on for what their options were.

Today's ta das:
S&S, dishwasher unloaded and reloaded, beds made, food preparation and cleared away
Swept downstairs
Tidied away toys
Then mostly in the garden for the day, where we built a raised bed kit and set it in the ground. It surprised me by turning up yesterday as did the boys' new bed. I thought both wouldn't arrive until lockdown is over. DS2 was determined to help and insisted on holding the screwdriver with DH, stamping on the edge cutter with us and then got their little wheelbarrow out to cart all the bits of rock, cocrete and tiles we dug out after lifting the turf to the spot we were collecting them. The last bit was very helpful but otherwise having him help does slow things down a bit even though it is fun.

LaneBoy · 05/04/2020 01:15

Also persuaded DH that yes we are going to have a routine during lockdown Hmm he was a bit unconvinced at first but TBH the kids need it. I do think generally we are decent parents (like the course leader said 😅) but we absolutely suck at routines, and having grown up like that myself I really want to break the cycle for them. This is a good time to work hard on the home stuff while we aren’t rushing around to meetings or taking the kids to activities or whatever. So we are doing it. Flexible for bad days sure, but ignoring the idea completely is going to make us all much less physically and mentally healthy if we carry on much longer! I don’t mind that we’ve taken an easy few weeks while ill but we are all as well as we can be now so time to crack on. Wish me luck with the planning conversation tomorrow Hmm might see if we can sit on the bench together in the garden and make a plan.

I’ll catch up in the morning once I’ve posted links and KCC! Night Fledglings.

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 05/04/2020 06:22

lane good luck with planning🍀🍀🍀🍀
Hazel that view is STUNNING!!

well I say with dd2 and ordered birthday stuff(16 on 13th April) Amazon stuff won't be here til middle of may,some of the clothes end April.yet to have an estimation on make up from superdrug.shes upset,I am very upset.ive promised her once we out of lockdown she can have anything she wants from the shops but as it stands she is only 15 and unlike all her friends there no trip to pizza hut to hang out with them,no presents.nada
i may also have ordered myself some wool

Today's plan
Tidying
Gardening
Baking

Stilllivinginazoo · 05/04/2020 06:23

*tears shed

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 05/04/2020 06:28

Morning all

zoo the idea of this new platonic household seems to come up more and more each week! Glad dd2 cheered up a bit

bower good news on the cat

expletive i also had to iron hama beads yesterday, you have no idea how close i was to doing it without the paper!

sc that is insane that you have to keep all the school stuff! Ty for essay praise, i would love a holiday but i doubt anyone will be getting one of those any time soon!

lane well done on Tesco slot! Fwiw when i got mine i had randomly logged on and boom there were just several middle of this week when there had previously been nothing for a fortnight so i do think they are putting them on here there and everywhere so worth keep checking. We have one large and one small supermarket in walking distance, ten mins to small one and 20-30 to large depending if have any dc in tow. Its the heavy things that are hard to get though isnt it

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 05/04/2020 06:30

zoo that is really very crap about dd2s birthday presents, this was my worry about my dds birthday but we were ok, probably just in time tbh, fwiw something i bought dd on amazon had a delivery date of a week after her birthday but arrived ON her birthday

LaneBoy · 05/04/2020 08:05

Morning all!

Launch pad

We are moving into Zone 2 - the kitchen!

Missions

Detailed cleaning list

It’s Sunday (I think 😂) so Renew Yo’ Spirit. Surely more important than ever at the moment - TBH I think that should be a daily target not weekly!

OP posts:
THATscurryfungeBITCH · 05/04/2020 08:11

zoo i just ordeded few bits from h&m if thats any good for dd2? Delivery is 6-9 days

LaneBoy · 05/04/2020 08:32

😊😊😊 TKCC 😊😊😊

Here we have:

  • a useful reminder about scheduling
  • a random pun that came up on my FB memories
  • a list of useful tips for anxiety during this weird time

Today’s question, inspired by the chat yesterday (I’m really loving how much discussion there is! 😍) is: Do you follow any particular sports and teams/athletes etc? Do you play any yourself? (Obviously some details could be outing so don’t say if you don’t want!)

Personally I am a fairweather sports fan... if the Olympics or the football World Cup etc are on then I’ll watch it but otherwise I’m just not fussed. I really tried to like football when I first met DH but I don’t really “get” it and now I’m just glad he has his older kids for that :o sometimes they’ll go to matches either at the local town or Wembley/Stamford Bridge but season tickets have never been a thing 💸💸💸

I wasn’t sporty in school either, running around was frowned upon in my family Hmm but if I were fitter I’d really love to try a just-for-fun netball club or something as I was quite good at shooting.

Flapping calmly through lockdown: Fledglings April 2020. Welcome to the Keep Calm Corner!
Flapping calmly through lockdown: Fledglings April 2020. Welcome to the Keep Calm Corner!
Flapping calmly through lockdown: Fledglings April 2020. Welcome to the Keep Calm Corner!
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