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Housekeeping

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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:
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117
Stilllivinginazoo · 13/04/2020 20:05

Welcome aboard mrslindor

Well little ones are fed and watered
My dinners cooking
Planning an evening with dd2 and I veggin out watch her fave TV shows on laptop and enjoying last few hours her special day.x

Bowerbird5 · 13/04/2020 20:07

Great news zoo and good about the camera. Ducklings gorgeous and on that note...we were out for a three mile walk and as I usually say hello to all and sundry apart from neighbours on one side I shouted lovely day to man who lives in a caravan near a wood. I also said we admiring his hens the other day and said I was down to one. He only said I could have some and said he didn’t want anything for them as he has too many. So I didn’t think that was fair so I said I would do a deal with him so I am going to bake for him over the next few weeks in return for three hens. They are black banties so I get one tomorrow and two more next week. I am going to make a Barm Brack tomorrow for him. It was also nice to meet him as I have wondered who lived they. I did meet a lass there last year but he said she has gone. I met his friend Peter as well. They were both having a rest and a beer.

Ta da
LOL
S&S
Tidied kitchen this morning.
That’s it. I didn’t even make bed. I was going to strip it but didn’t and can’t remember why not. Tomorrow will do now. I saw the violets today they weren’t out the other day. Wood anemones out too and I looked up at the tree and it had a beautiful blue sky behind the white blossom. DH saidbet you haven’t got your camera so I must charge it and take it this week. It would make a lovely spring birthday card.

Bowerbird5 · 13/04/2020 20:14

We will be distancing I was about 6m away today. He is going to catch one in a box and I will collect it from the gate at around 6 pm.

That I had a 6 mth old at my 21st and spent the day in bed with flu. I remember crying at one point because I felt so miserable. I didn’t have an 18th because my parents thought 21 was the age.

givemeacall · 13/04/2020 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bowerbird5 · 13/04/2020 20:25

Welcome MrsLindor. We are a friendly bunch.

I won’t be doing the bathroom because of the situation. I might sort the toiletries as they are in DDs room. I could sort them in order to be used for anything half used. I don’t throw any outor declutter them they will get used eventually. I did donate some when the floods were on I used them to start toiletry bags with essentials like soap, shower gel, body lotion, hand cream and added purchases of toothbrushes and paste, face cloth, pack of tampons and gave them to a parent at school who was organising sleeping areas in the church. Bless her she went out in the middle of the night and opened up then contacted the local radio, police, fire station and rescue groups. She had about twelve turn up that night and more in the next few days. She pleaded for sleeping bags and was inundated including some shops who sent them from camping trip.

Bowerbird5 · 13/04/2020 20:31

Giveme I know I couldn’t believe it I bounced all the way home. He was chuffed that I am going to bake for him. He was really surprised at my suggestion but when I started to name cakes and told him I am quite a good baker so he could have some with a cup of tea or with his bait while he was working he started to think it would be good. They are such sweet hens. He did offer me a rooster but I declined as the neighbours will complain.

KTCluck · 13/04/2020 20:55

Yay for the hens Bower and baked goods sounds a fair trade

Zoo what a gorgeous girl, and that smile says she’s enjoyed her day and you pulled it off. Well done on the present finding.

Lane how cute are those ducklings!

Amazing list We3

Welcome MrsLindor, glad to have you on board.

My final ta da list of the day:
✅ rest of ironing and clean washing put away
✅ bag packed
✅ overnight oats and some healthy snacks sorted for tomorrow. Found some soup in the freezer so I’m off the hook there!
✅ DW and dishes done
✅ benches wiped
✅ quick hoover downstairs
✅ alarm set for tomorrow Sad

Going to watch the new extra episode of Tiger King then heading up to bed ready for my early start.

I obviously will be posting a bit less now my annual leave is over (although aiming to still catch up daily, and I’m only actually in for one day then it’s my usual day off anyway!), but I just wanted to thank you all for being such lovely and supportive company during my 2 week experience of proper lockdown. It’s been so helpful having you all to witter away to. I love reading about your little triumphs (and stresses) and you’re all dealing with the current situation so well. ‘See’ you all in a day or two Grin

Bowerbird5 · 13/04/2020 20:57

Right do you lot want a laugh?

I gave the cat her medicine then got up to get some paper to clean her ear taking the cat with me. Did that then fed her. Wash a bowl out in the sink because we had some pavlova for pudding. Went back through and pick up bit of pavlova from sofa and ate it. Thought I had dropped a bit. Chewed it ...it was cat litter. Went and spat it out rinsed mouth three times and spat it out and now eating dark chocolate to get the taste out. It does not taste like pavlova! 😝Bet yous lot are laughing now.

Bowerbird5 · 13/04/2020 21:00

Oh yes Zoo lovely looking girl and glad she enjoyed her day. It will be one to talk about when she is older.

givemeacall · 13/04/2020 21:17

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaneBoy · 13/04/2020 22:14

A very warm welcome to MrsLindor! :)

Bower euwwww! But yay for hens, how lovely is that!

Aww KT hope work goes ok! Don’t worry if you can’t keep up, you are always welcome and don’t need to namecheck etc 💐

I am feeling somewhat drained. Managed a very short walk in the dark - must do that as a family at some point and look at the stars!

Big conversation had with the Caglets about plans to keep our minds and bodies healthy. They do understand but DD1 just looked really miserable all day TBH. Going to type up the rules tomorrow hopefully and check they’re happy with them before printing. And laminating obviously :o

I should probably get with the programme and actually watch that tiger king thing. My newsfeed is full of memes about it!

OP posts:
ExpletiveDelighted · 13/04/2020 23:08

Evening all,

Welcome MrsLindor, always nice to have new people on the thread.

Zoo - I'm so pleased DD2's birthday went well, she will have some memories to treasure there.

Foxes - I did A level French too bit very rusty now as I find out when DD asks for homework help. I have been doing Latin on Duolingo for about 6 months and the French has definitely helped with it.

KT hope work goes OK, post when you get time.

Lane - poor DD1, it's hard and more so I imagine for her with having only started at her school so recently.

Bower that's lovely about the hen/baking trade, it's so nice when something like that happens by chance.

More baking again here today, rhubarb and custard blondies. The sweet stuff has got to stop or we're all going to pile on weight. Bread only for the rest of the week. It's so enjoyable though. To make up for
it I also made leek and potato soup, both from the allotment (as was the rhubarb). Went for a walk in the woods, the bluebells are nearly fully out now, gorgeous.

Tada!
Cleaned out another kitchen cupboard
1xLOL
Tidying various random places

Tomorrow is a work day for me (at home) but will also plan to do a few jobs in between.

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 13/04/2020 23:22

Welcome MrsLindor and good luck back at work KT. See you when you resurface (also waves to Stressy in absentia ). No Fledgling Left Behind.

Bower yeuch to your cat litter story. Reminds me of the time my sister handed my Dad a bit of green pepper out of the paté, that she didn't like... turned out to be snot! 🤢

Brilliant Lockdown Birthday pulled off there, zoo, well done. Celeste looks so pretty and happy. Sorry to all of you who "shared" special birthdays with your DC, whether you intended to or not!

Lane, I completely here you on keeping bodies and minds healthy while also dealing with miserable teens. DS1 here is sliding into the pit again I think, and I am about to receive my Bad Mother badge for DS3, who has eaten 15 creme eggs in 3 days and says he never wants to see one ever again!

Not many ta das today, but I did manage:
♥️ DW rotated, twice
🧡 2 x LOL and clean stuff put away
💛 Sausages defrosted for tea
💚 Dog walk
💙 Finally persuaded laptop to stop buggering about and install windows updates.
💜 Got DS3 and DD to do online Kung Fu
🖤 Emptied the compost caddy into the compost bin
♥️ Sorted out the kitchen bin including the last uncollected food waste 🤮
🧡 Cleaned the toaster and crumb trays. I swear crumbs breed in there
💛 Did some actual family history for me and found my 8x great grandfather's birth in North Yorkshire in 1709.

Give, hope you are feeling less dizzy and sick and get some sleep tonight. You too, zoo. I'm off to bed!

Stilllivinginazoo · 14/04/2020 05:29

willow sleep is highly overrated!!I'm sure by next year memory will have faded and creme egg consumption will return
KT good luck at work
Give me poor poxy boy
Lanecan I ask you share your rules?(once agreed)healthy habits aren't coming easy D's/lil zoo
Ed I quite happy eat your baked goods for you so you can still benefit from a therapeutic perspective
Bower don't think will ever see Delia making litter pavlovaGrinyay for henny penny getting some new friends!

Apologies if I've missed anyone as tricky scrolling back on phone.

I need shop today.i wish I didn't have to..

LaneBoy · 14/04/2020 08:13

Morning folks.
Launch Pad

OP posts:
IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 14/04/2020 09:04

Morning Lane - thanks for links. I hate scrubbing bathrooms, but needs must etc.

No ta das so far except
♥️ Hauled my increasing bulk out of bed
🧡 Made very strong coffee
💛 Ate 2 HCBs.

To dos
📌 DW rotate and on again
📌 Bathroom cleaning
📌 LOL
📌 Batch cooking - make lamb stew stock from Sunday's bones and shepherds pie from leftover meat
📌 Tesco. Ugh. Have run out of fresh veg and meat-alike for DS1
📌 Bed changing for DS1
📌 Get out on my bike (bottom allowing!)
📌 Hoover and do kitchen and bathroom floors.

Actually, looking at that list I might need to shove some of it into tomorrow!

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 14/04/2020 09:07

Morning all Brew

Ta da

💚 dc all up fed dressed
💜 pots washed
❤ bottles washed
💙 1 worktop cleared and wiped
💛 dc 3 and 4 bathed
🧡 kitchen bin out
💚 recycling out

givemeacall · 14/04/2020 09:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bowerbird5 · 14/04/2020 09:27

Willow yuk That is worse. Often see the kids pick and eat theirs at school🤮

Just to let you all know it was a completely clean bit of litter but definitely doesn’t taste like pavlova. Serves me right for eating crumbs from where I was sitting. It didn’t really register I just did it. Never again.

Gorgeous morning here. I have been up to do cat and came back to bed with a big mug of tea now consumed. My other room will be the boudoir as it has got messy all
Ready. Clothes need put away. LOL needs doing and one in the machine ready to put out. I need to put away a large Really Useful Box full of wool that I brought down as BF is making a doll for her granddaughter and needed hair. She has done a brilliant job. She has accessories such as a pirate patch, wellies with a picture of PP on them and a hat so far. It has fastenings for little fingers to learn. She keeps sending update pictures.

Plan for today
Get up
Put wash on
Hang out first wash
Put box away after quick look for any suitable DK wool/ acrylic.
Put away washing
General tidy of boudoir
Paint shed door, whenever sun gets on it.
Plant out a few plants over wintering
Sort out ramp in chicken coop
Lunch
Make soup
Walk
Tea and coffee cake
Write down plant order
Prepare something to eat later involving left over lamb, might make biryani.
Collect chicken. Need to think of names.

Bowerbird5 · 14/04/2020 09:30

Glad to hear you are feeling better giveme perhaps a gentle walk if DS is up for it or some yoga( which I haven’t got around to yet) and ease yourself back in.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 14/04/2020 09:46

Doll sounds lovely bower

Glad your feeling better giveme

Ta da cont

💜 bath scrubbed
❤ kitchen swept

givemeacall · 14/04/2020 09:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 14/04/2020 10:05

giveme youtube zenden yoga or cosmic kids

LaneBoy · 14/04/2020 10:06

🦋🦋🦋 the keep calm corner 🦋🦋🦋

Today we have:

  • sage advice about housework :o
  • a thought about a common motto Hmm
  • useful reassurance about bad feelings (this is the kind of thing the therapy I’m having is based on and it’s what I try and practise with the Caglets)

Today’s question: What were your favourite/least favourite subjects at school?

Mine was always maths really, I loved it from very young and have a fond memory of Dad explaining the Fibonacci sequence to me when I was little as it came up in Donald in Mathemagic Land which was a video I watched endlessly! In fact when DD1 was born my friend found a copy of it on DVD for us :o

I struggled with science and I’m only really enjoying chemistry now as DS is into it and I’m understanding it more. History I liked at primary but found it really dry and dull at secondary - the focus was all about evaluating sources and not really learning about what happened.

I like English literature as well especially in Year 9 when we had a fantastic teacher, we did Twelfth Night that year and it was the first time I enjoyed Shakespeare! I regret not doing it at A level in college but I enjoyed what I did (psychology law and lots of maths).

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!
OP posts:
givemeacall · 14/04/2020 10:11

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