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

[LaneBoy]

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!

The Keep Calm Corner
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 :o so for this month, the KCC will consist of:
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!
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. And lastly, a huge thank you also to our key worker Fledglings, who are doing an incredible job of keeping things running!

Love the Queen meme, Lane, we've been saying all week it feels like the period between Christmas and New Year, only with less cheese.

I love classical music, as long as the composer begins with a B 😂. I love Brahms's Mass in B Minor, Bach's Brandenberg Concertos, Beethoven IX and Berlioz's Requiem. Ok, so Gershwin and Carl Off rather spoil the pattern, but actually what I like is classical with some oomph. If I must listen to Vivaldi's Four Seasons, I like Winter best. I suppose it's the heavy metal of classical music!

Haha willow I screenshot a quote on another post the other day where someone describes it as being like the week between christmas and new year minus the chocolate oranges!

(And then I started craving a chocolate orange.)

I was listening to a spotify playlist called Epic Classical last week, the Apprentice/Romeo and Juliet was on that. I like classical but am not very knowledgeable, I tend to like the accessible well-known stuff.

Good morning,

I really love the flower talk on here and all the pictures. We had a lovely walk yesterday up in to the hills. We saw donkeys and lambs, and some very pretty views. We live in a village, so just walked out the door and followed the roads that go up.

This morning, I have been feeling a bit complacent and lazy. The house for once is in a pretty good state (for me). Living room is a bit messy but that's cos DD is playing in here, rest of the house is fairly tidy on the surface. So I didn't know where to start and had a strong urge to do nothing today.

But then I thought of this thread, and clicked on today's lists and I feel motivated again. There's nothing like a good list! So I've now put the bedding in the washing machine and I'm going to work through the blessing routine, as far as I can between playing with DD.

Thanks for the motivation, ladies.

Oh, and I know nothing at all about classical music but do occasionally listen to Radio 3 in the car for a calming journey. I just never remember the names!

Braved supermarket.got challenged taking dd2(who won't let me leave her side) by very arsey security guard" you only allowed one person each house to shop" I told him I can't leave her home because if MH and I've left a 12yo looking after my ASD son so best I can do.he start moaning again.i said "can we go in or now" he nodded reluctantly...and this was at fucking WAITROSE

I really wanted just go home and hide and dd2 now extra anxious.

Still no tuna,but have cucumber,cereal,a little frozen veg,veggie sausages,k.roll,wraps for lunch etc.things looking more normal.only flour is still totally empty in there(staff said think everyone's baking for something to do) pasta was dearer brands,not all variety frozen stuff.other than that was pretty much well stocked

Home,frozen/fridge stuff wiped
Made very breakfast(toast all round)

Need wipe and put rest shop away,then at least sort front room,if not home bleurgh.
Dd2 retreated back to bed as exhausted to point tearful.i said she can have an hour or won't sleep tonight
Little ones playing PS3 so should be able get on uninterrupted for a little bit at least

Someone deliver the pointy stick in my direction please. I have to send in my amendments to DS's EHCP and I have been putting it off for days, it's so depressing. I know I can do it (this is the 3rd time round and if I can manage DLA and PIP forms I can do this).

Zoo - sorry you had so much hassle at Waitrose again. What a nightmare.

-----------------------)

^There's a pointy stick Expletive but it has a rounded end! So it 's more of a very, very gentle shove ifyswim!

Still haven't caught up but came on to say that I LOVE the description of this time as the week before Christmas and NY but without the cheese/choc oranges That is genius! It certainly does have the same "what day is it?" feeling (if one can block out everything else).

Take care everyone. Dh is worried about the business if this goes on for a while (which is looking likely). He is therefore heroically working and pushing and driving things forward. Unfortunately that means there is more admin ... so I'd better go.... .

Waves to al!

No Flying today except s&s, empty dw and two lols on.

Zoo is there a pass or something you could obtain from SS (or whoever it is - sorry don't know UK system) so you could show people like officious Waitrose bloke so you don't have to keep going through the same awful questioning

Zoo that's dreadful of the security guard. I think it would tip me over the edge if that happened here.

Lunchtime check in:
💖DW rotated and put on again from last night. Kitchen silting up again already
🧡 S&S
💛 LOL
💚 both bathrooms properly scrubbed and family bathroom tiles bleached
💙 Me bathed and another cup of coffee to keep things going
💜Both bathroom floors swept on my hands and knees with the dustpan and brush - I'll mop later
🖤Using-up sort of lunch of broccoli and stilton soup with a few slices of red leicester
💖 Email from the OT offering DS3 an online Zoom appointment this Wednesday replied to with vigour, biting their arm off!
🧡 DH reminded to make cheese sauce for the lasagne as he has Opinions on cheese sauce, so he can make it 😂.

Now, finally, sitting down to write about Scottish Marriage Customs and dower / dowry (obvs). What else would I do on a Monday?

ta da
✅various emails sent: therapist, support worker, and the most important one - quiz answers 😅
✅family walk, I also broke off for a speedier extra lap of the lake, which tired me out but definitely revived me
✅remembered all my meds at the right time!!! I’ve forgotten my afternoon dose several times lately
✅put out a gift for someone who was dropping something off for us
✅managed not to lose temper with grumpy DD1

Still haven’t showered. #gross

Just had a late lunch of a can of soup (I was in that “hungry but can’t make simple decisions” mood so it took a while) and some mini muffins the others made from a kit. Will go and be hygienic and then maybe read for a bit in the garden. The sun can dry my hair.

Jim is my fave. I adore Mark Heap, I’m a big fan of Spaced and Green Wing! And I’ve loved Tamsin Greig since Black Books :) I do love Martin too though. Sadly DH hates the show so he wouldn’t appreciate me expressing my frustration with SHIT ON IT!!! 🤣

Oh marvellous. Cagletini has just fallen asleep. Sod it I might have a nap too TBH. I’m shattered for some reason.

ta da
✅showered, washed hair, shaved legs #winningatlife (although I also shampooed my hair twice by mistake so 🙄)
✅sat very briefly in the garden and read, but the sun hid behind clouds so it was cold
✅got the Caglets to clear the shoes - got a bag of stuff for charity, some (dance/school related shoes) packed in DD1’s room, and a small suitcase with other stuff. We now have one tub by the door with one pair each (plus Cagletini’s wellies) which leaves sooo much more space. It’s not like we need other shoes right now.
✅resorted board book box so it’s accessible again (want to do rotation with her little shelf in the living room as she has plenty of books)
✅sorted a box for DSD and gathered various things she left behind in the rush to move at the start of lockdown - shoes, clothes, toiletries, all sorts 😂
✅made sure Caglets put their clothes away and that DD1 actually bothered doing what I asked in her room 🙄🙄🙄 she has not been my favourite child today 😂🤔

DH did a bit more clearing up in the hall too. There are boxes I could go through to sort toys etc but nope not now!

It must be hard having to take children to the shop with you at this time. I'm sorry that people are adding to the hassle with funny looks and grilling.

It's been a rather pleasant day for the fluffy house:

❤ washed bedding - though still have to put the bed back together
💛 tidied lounge
🧡 vacuumed
💜 Played Easter Bunnies with DD in the garden - we hid shells (seashells) for one another to find and drew maps to them with chalk on the paving stones
💛 dusted downstairs and bathroom
💙 wiped down glass in the back door - hadn't done that in ages
🖤 Took DD for a cycle round the park
💚 emptied bathroom and bedroom bin
❤ Made tea - chorizo and chickpeas casserole
🧡 Washed dishes

Now we are all watching Big Hero 6. DD is giggling away, which is lovely to hear. I'm putting together a shopping list for tomorrow.

I don't listen to classical music, although when it comes on while watching a movie etc I do enjoy it. I do have the pirates of the Caribbean theme tune as a ringtone on my phone though, not sure if that counts!

🐣Skyped my mum today, very short and depressing though as she wanted to know if she should pay for her funeral now and plan songs etc 😢 she's asking all us DC so we have a say apparently.

🐣Took care of my nails while skyping. I painted them with nail growth serum to give them a break from gel for a few days.

🐣First LOL is about to go into the drier, going to have to re-wash a load though. DH thought it was a great idea to have DS put a load on the other day. I'm not so sure he adds the detergent 🤔

🐣DS is working on schoolwork (no break here, already had spring break) and DD said she already got a tonne of work top do for the week. Both are doing it online and teachers are available to chat with them. Means I don't have to do anything as far as teaching goes.

To dos;

📌Another LOL or two.

📌Ironing.

📌S+S.
📌Vacuum.

Not sure what else I can be motivated to accomplish today, but will have a look at links to motivate me.

strawberry those socks look so comfy.

lane I'm pleased to hear you're feeling better.

zoo the way you were treated was awful, I do wonder if a doctor's note of some kind would be helpful.

Hello to everyone else 👋

Sounds like you’ve had a productive day lane and willow

Expletive hope you got the EHCP sorted. I agree that this is exactly like the non-week between Christmas and New year.

Zoo and Giveme sorry about the supermarket judges. People are really getting on their high horses without using their common sense.

Sorry to hear of business worries SC. Hope your DH isn’t running himself (and you!) into the ground but manages to get sorted.

Rest of Ta Das:
✅ s & s
✅ washing pegged out
✅ Nice walk with DD and DH
✅ bit of ironing
✅ DD’s bedroom tidied
✅ stopped standing order to childcare account and cancelled the automatic payment to nursery
✅ 20 mins on exercise bike
✅ tea plates washed and kitchen / dining room cleared up
✅ ran hoover over downstairs
✅ started a shopping list for supermarket first thing in the morning.

I’m now having a relaxing bath with the remnants of last night’s wine before putting DD to bed. I feel like we are starting to get into the swing of things and have a reasonable routine going but I’m half way through my time off

I love the speckled socks, strawberry. Twenty one pairs! You must have lovely warm feet. You have done a proper heel too. I like knitting socks but usually cheat and do a heel like a commercial sock, which doesn't last as long. Do you have a favourite pattern or like trying different ones each time?

I love the flower pictures, Expletive. Violets are so pretty.

I don't have strong preferences on classical music, really. I might like something while I'm listening to it but don't really remember it enough to say I like it. I sometimes take advantage of the washing machine's spin cycle or other noisy event to switch Spotify from their choice of Doc McStuffins/Bounce Patrol/Frozen songs to play a playlist of classical music by a specific composer. The boys both like music a lot and play much better together if there is music on. Today as I read the question, we were actually listening to a Bach playlist which got through the first four pieces before I had a request for Toddler Fun Learning's Prehistoric Animal Brigade, so that was quite successful. Actually, if I hear music I like and look up what it is, it quite often turns out to be by Bach.

Your children must have looked very cute like that That. I think if I tried it deliberately, there would be all kinds of spillages preventing it but sometimes it happens accidentally as I often buy something that's a bargain in a few sizes for DS1 and then the smaller one gets handed down to DS2, plus boys' clothes aren't very varied, so they almost always have navy cords, a grey jumper, a stripy t-shirt etc.

How awful about your piano teaching teacher, Lane. That was a dreadful thing to do. It must have caused a lot of upset.

Sorry to hear about your shopping trip, zoo. that sounds horrible. No wonder your DD is tired now.

Ta das (joining in with the rainbow hearts as they look so nice):
❤ Usual dishwasher emptied and filled, S&S, beds made.
🧡 Dark, light and delicate lol washed and dried outside. Some folded
💛 Nappies from yesterday's laundry made up and put away.
💚 Our bed stripped and remade
💙 Fresh towels in bathroom
DC's shoes sorted out (snap Lane!) Cleared all DS2's size 22 and 23s out into bags for charity, DS1's 9/27s into a bag for storage and his old 7/24 wellies and jelly shoes out for DS2, along with his proper sandals in that size to make do until the new ones arrive. I guess we might not really need the jelly shoes this year. We have a lovely park nearby that had a big but slightly rough floored paddling pool in its playground area and we would normally spend a lot of time there in the summer with picnics and the Potette!
💜 Set up mushroom kits. DC eat loads of mushrooms so thought it would be fun to grow some at home as they are enjoying growing their veg seedlings but finding it a bit slow
🤎 Swept floor downstairs

I put shop away then frittered day away on nothing in particular.feeling anxious and overwhelmed.dd1 return to work.shes no better(peak flow still 280 instead usual 400)but doc says as long don't drop below 200 he's not got an opinion(then need go a+e)so she felt had no choice.worried silly for her,and for fiance who has scarred lungs
I think combo today's shop trip and Boris in hospital...in my head somehow he was in charge,strong and would tell us what to do to get thru it,and now he's very poorly...
I feel so frightened and tearful for zoolets.so scared I cannot write down in case it somehow makes it happen
Even typing this making me cry...

In other news, I made Bolognese with carrot,lentil and parsnip puree from freezer by adding fine chop mushrooms as the "mince /texture" garlic,onion,t puree and dry oregano and basil.speed it was inhaled I think it was deffo a winner!!

Dd2 had call from CAMHS they basically told her try work on sleeping and keep up try do self care.she came off phone asking why they bothered to ring as she's do better try sort herself than ideas they offer,which are basic at best....

Hoping tomorrow's a better day,meanwhile dd2 just get out shower so need dish up dinner and then veg front TV

Hope everyone's had a good day.x

Zoo if it helps at all , Chris Whitty has recovered and is back in post and personally I think he is a safer pair of hands than BJ. (Not a Boris fan but obviously wouldn't wish cv on anyone and wish him a speedy recovery.)

Also, the news out of Austria is looking a wee bit more optimistic tonight as they are planning to emerge (in stages) from lockdown. I know it is hugely worrying but this will also be the case in the UK eventually.

Hang in there You are doing a fantastic job of looking after/feeding your brood and you deserve some down time for yourself!

Wow everyone has done so much today and I've achieved very little.

✔️ Scrubbed oven
✔️ some windows done
✔️ polished DC rooms
✔️ S&S
✔️ had a bath
✔️ shake n vac upstairs then hoovered
DH oiled the worktops on 1 side of the kitchen will swap everything over tomorrow and do the other side.
Spent 2 hours on phone to SIL 🙊
Put the tent up. We've decided on a living room camp out tonight though and we'll sleep in the tent tomorrow because it's a bit too chilly for DS4 me.

Now sat watching honey I shrunk the kids. Didn't get round to decorating the eggs today either so we'll do that tomorrow.

Cineraria yep it was a bit weird at the time, I really needed the money as well. It was my first job (teaching younger kids on saturdays) and I loved it so much. I used to feel so sad every time I went past the building the music school had been in :( I think he had a nervous breakdown tbh. He’d been such a mentor to him, I’d planned (as I was already with now-DH by then) to ask him to play at our wedding :(

Hazel I love a lot of film music! Actually I realised I forgot to thank sc for posting that piano medley from Pirates towards the end of March - it’s funny I don’t like the films at all but the music is fantastic. Oooh that’s another vocal piece I like - parla piu piano from the godfather (which I’ve never even watched!) 😍

Zoo I empathise. Boris now being in ICU has really rattled me - it makes it so much more real. I’ve not been in denial at all but somehow it’s like it’s even bigger now. Logically I know they’ll be being more careful and also TBH he is in a high risk group, he is not representative of the rest of us, but you still expect our leaders (whether we even like them as people and politicians or not) to be ok :(

He’d been a mentor to me I meant. He was my first piano teacher, since I was 10

Oh dear. Just seen the news about Boris in ICU. Pretty frightening given he was standing up and clapping on Fri.

Can't get MN to behave this evening, it keeps telling me I have a bad connection, so I'm rather writing this blind.

Final Ta Das
❤️ Bathroom floors mopped
🧡 Lasagne made
💛 2hrs of writing on Scottish marriage law and naming traditions (I know how to live)
💚 2 more LOL
💙 Humanities hwk with DS3. Hysteria ensued.
💜 Tea and custard creams to get over the horror.
🖤 Told by online school that Ofqual say DD won't be awarded a grade for GCSE computer science, she can just sit it next year because she's a year ahead 🤬
❤️ Got DS3 to do online Kung Fu
🧡 Got DD to do ditto (little happy dance - she moved!)
💛 Everyone fed
💚 About 6 loads of clean washing sorted and handed out.

Very discomboberated by the PM going into ICU this evening, although I'd been hearing rumours all day that he was sedated and on oxygen. I don't like the man's politics, but I'm very sorry for his various wives/ girlfriend and children; and the perceived power vacuum at the centre of govt worries me. (Oops - typo - govt initially came out as gove there!).

Going to try to go to bed now.

Oh hazel just reading back properly and I’m so sorry about the phone call with your mum, that must have been pretty depressing. 💕

I think some of them must have had quite a high viral load too if it was going round the govt so much.

Also although he did the clapping thing he has looked really rough throughout, rather than it being a sudden turn. I think they’ve just not been upfront (understandably) until now when they’ve had no choice.

DD about to watch some of HP #8 with DH while I try and get the toddler (who had a very late nap and is being very funny and sweet but VERY AWAKE 🤬) to sleep 🙄