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!

zoo at your siblings!

Rabbits! 🐇

(We need all the good luck we can get this month, I feel)

Morning all. In answer to the ice breaker, I have one sister and one brother, both quite a bit younger than me - their schoolfriends often didn't know I existed until they came to our house, and people frequently assumed one of my parents had been married before.

I like that fridge label, Lane. I think I might have to make one myself. We're doing better this week with timetabling snacks like I used to when the DC we toddlers - 11am and 4pm and not at other times! And a snack goes with time outside, at least for DS3.

So, 1 April. I can't find an April Fool in the Guardian and it feels a bit inappropriate looking.

Ta Das so far
☑️ Got out of bed! (I am so stiff after yesterdays exercise)
☑️ DW rotated
☑️ Strong coffee!

To dos for the rest of the day
⚠️Exercise (so I don't seize up!)
⚠️ LOL
⚠️ S&S
⚠️ Sweep kitchen floor
⚠️ Open windows for half an hour
⚠️ Get chili out of freezer
⚠️ Online coffee with DMum and DSis
⚠️ Build a compost heap as outside time
⚠️ Downstairs hoover while DH walks the dog 🐕
⚠️ Actual writing. I need to JFDI and I'm not sure why I'm avoiding it
⚠️ Journalling - I think this period is going to be historically important and I want to write down how it feels while I'm living it. I'd encourage you to do so too, and to ask your DC too, as we will all be experiencing it differently

Right. On with it. 🍒🙋to SC, zoo, that, Stressy (in absentia), Chic, giveme, fluffiest, KT, foxes, ED, Hazel, Bower apologies to the names that have undoubtedly fallen out of my head this morning.

Morning!

Glad you’re starting to feel a bit better Lane, don’t push yourself too hard. Love KCC this morning. I have 2 younger sisters who I’m very close to, a step sister I’m pretty close to, and 3 step-siblings I’m not so close to (get on fine but wouldn’t see each other outside of family gatherings).

Hazel at the earthquake

Too take care of yourself over the next few weeks and hope the change in work situation goes ok for you. There’s murmurings of redeployment for us so I’m trying to enjoy my 2 weeks leave as much as possible as not sure what I’ll be going back to.

Gorgeous blankets Zoo and Expletive. I’m no good at things like that. Too impatient and not good at following instructions / patterns. I’ve been doing a lot more drawing with DD the last few days and have surprised DH and myself as I’m better than I remembered. Not an artist by any stretch but it’s been nice to be creative as I rarely am in ‘real’ life.

SC absolutely no need to feel guilt for having a good day. It’s what we should all be striving for! Good days are going to be different to what we’d usually consider a good day at the minute but I’m definitely trying to appreciate the little things.

DD has only just woken up. I needed that lie in and hopefully she’ll be in a better mood.

Ta Da:
✅ orders some clothes and birthday things for DD, as well as a birthday gift for a relative

To Do:
✅ get my bum out of bed
✅ home bleurgh upstairs (trying to stick to my usual routine
✅ sort another birthday gift
✅ missions
✅ some ironing before the pile topples over. Probably going to shove some of it in the wardrobes - pointless ironing frequently worn stuff for us to sit in the house!

Have a good day everyone!

I already have an April fools planned for DH but I'm going to do the leek one as well.

I have one brother who shares the same mam and dad. He's a year and a day younger than me and we are definitely the closest. I get on really well with his wife as well and he gets on really well with DH. They also have to sons who are only 1&2 years older than my eldest. It was quite funny when they were younger and I only had the two of my own but also had my nephews out with me, people would ask their ages and I'd rattle off 2,3,4,5 and then I'd also be quite obviously pregnant and people would look at me like I was barmy 🤣. I also have 2 half sisters. 1 shares the same dad and is 8 years older than me. We don't see each other all that often. She often says she will come to one of the DC birthday parties or something and then just doesn't show 🙄. My other half sister shares the same DM and is 10 years younger than me.
I pretty much brought her up for the first few years of her life. She slept in my bed, if I wasn't at school I'd have her because my mother and step-dad would be in the pub. When she had chickenpox I had to stay off school to take care of her. They would go off on holiday and leave her with me, I went to her parents evening. Then they moved her to Greece and she's lived there ever since. So we were super close when she was tiny but obviously not so much now just because of distance. The boys love her and her boyfriend and we all love it when they visit but it's not the same as having her near. I also technically have a step brother (dad remarried) and a step sister (mam remarried) but I have nothing to do with them. Jeez that was long sorry 😂

Totally forgot my replies to people now other than SC that's a fab list!

I fell asleep on the sofa last night and I'm so stiff this morning. It's becoming a habit now I actually can't remember the last time I slept in my bed.

I'm going to the supermarket today. Not sure wether to do more than one supermarket today so I need to go out less or just do one today then go again in a few days. There's no way I can manage a week on just 80 items. There's us 6 plus I've not need shopping for a fortnight so we are low/out of pretty much everything, then I'm shopping for my DGM and a neighbour as well so it's just not doable.

I'll stop wittering now as this is a long post. Have a good day everyone

Zoo it's this pattern attic24.typepad.com/weblog/trellis-stripe.html but in different colours (the colours are taken from the Attic 24 hydrangea blanket). Last year I did one in the sweet pea colours

As for me, one brother, close in age, we don't see each other often due to distance, busy lives, different lifestyles but we do get on. Must give him a ring.

Willow - I am journaling, I usually do brief notes in my bullet journal but have upped the level of detail considerably at the moment. Trying to take lots of photos too, obviously mainly home and garden, kids and cats, but also when I go out for exercise. Took one of the queue at the supermarket the other day.

willow we are doing diaries,by time zoolets have kids could be useful for GCSE coursework in history🤣

Ed that's something very special

I'm torn as to whether we should be wiping down shopping,and with what...

Dd1 has gone big Tesco near her and was refused entry as old only til 9(was ok 830 last week) she explained she's signed off severe asthma/steroids and partner has scarred lungs...they SENT HER HOME TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE she just scrabbled round hunting for a prescription...
I get there are those try cheat system,but she's terrified of being in shops once things get busier and her anxiety is rocketing.
She's now in the vulnerable queue waiting to go in,lots old people giving her evils and gossiping she's not old.shes on verge of tears
I think all supermarkets should set same hours aside,it's very confusing to know who can shop when as some do NHS staff times,some whole mornings only certain days...I go pm and hope best to big shop(Waitrose) and have heard staff question why I not alone to each other.i want to shout I have ASD kid at home I can't bring as he don't get the whole keep away from others bit so his 12 year old sister has watch him and dd2 anxiety won't let me leave her,plus I don't drive and can't carry it all...

DS word of the day is dunderheadedism foolishness or stupidity

Good morning all,

Thank you for the links Lane, I do find Flylady website a bit baffling to navigate. The links make it a lot easier.

As for the lingo, I'm guessing LoL = load of laundry? I haven't got S&S yet.

❄ I have one sibling, 2 years younger than me, who is a transwoman. We get on ok, but it is difficult. She doesn't use womens spaces and doesn't believe Transwomen are women but still wants to transition. I worry a lot that transition is going to damage her health permanently. But she knows I love her and want to be supportive, so we muddle on ok.

I'm off to a good start this morning: beds are made, my washing machine is on and I've put the bin out for collection. I'm kind of dressed head to toe, but my toes are dressed in slipper boots and my legs in clean joggers. It's that time of the month, and I want to be comfy.

To-do list
⚠️ wipe away plaster splatter in the dining room
⚠️ Organise medicine into one tidy basket
⚠️ Plant flower seeds with DD
⚠️ Clear away plaster rubble and dust on the patio

Don't know how much of that I'll actually get done because I have a 4 year old to look after, but I'll do my best!

S&S is swish and swipe, fluffiest - once round the loo and the sink in any bath / cloakrooms to keep them acceptable particularly if you have sons !

More Ta Das
☑️ Hoover downstairs
☑️ Exercise
☑️ Set up fb messenger group to call DM and Dsis
☑️ DS3 and DD in lessons

Swish and Swipe info :)

Will finish catching up shortly! Thank you all for engaging in the KCC so far! Yay 😀

Tada
Everyone fed
Got properly dressed

*swingball

We're going to still do a bit of schoolwork over the holidays I think as it keeps them occupied. I usually have a daily plan on a calendar of what we'll do each day with days out and stuff but obviously can't do that. My lot don't entertain themselves very well so I need to have some sort of structure.

Got DH with 2 April fools 🤣

Morning. I wrote a post for the other thread yesterday went to post but in the meantime three more posts had arrived and poof it had gone!

A big thank you to SC for running the thread so well in such difficult times and I loved the links.
Lane you are a star for stepping up to do this months.

Yesterday
Did S&S, did an hour in boudoir and managed to make more mess than there was as reorganising a box under the bed. So have to sort that today. Vacuumed bits I could see.
Made lamb roll for lunch and Stovies for tea which we haven’t had for years. DH enjoyed them and we have enough for one roll each today. That lamb cost £13 so had a lot of meals from it that to the person who picked it and doesn’t know a shoulder of lamb from a leg. It was boned and stuffed apart from the shank.
Will probably have fish tonight.
Cleaned fireplace and stove doors and vacuumed including cobwebs. Didn’t move sofa because we did that about a fortnight ago. Need to do sofa when cat isn’t sleeping on it.

Watched movie on 5. It is an escape for an hour and 3/4.
Went for a walk afterwards and although cold at first soon warmed up. Did a round trip of three miles saw two brand new lambs, umbilical cord still bloody. Slept well.

I haven’t been to the supermarket but can understand the feelings.

Welcome Fluffiest I too lurked for a while as I had been stung by some on another thread. Your safe in this corner. I wouldn’t like to meet some of them in real life on some of the other threads.

Cherry 🍒 waves to all the fledglings and hope you have a good day today.

Morning me darlins'! Hope everyone ok!

Weirdly, over here, this is the day you have to try and stick a drawing of fish on someone's back without them knowing, and when they become aware, you shout "poison d'avril"! . I could explain the origin but this post is long enough as it is

LOVE your KCC selection Lane - just regretting the fact that we don't have any leeks . And we could all do with one of those fridge notices here!

Really interesting to read about everyone's families!

Hazel that is so sad about your sister .
And how scary re: earthquake! .

Hope you are able to manage to have your counselling Givemeacall

I am youngest of four. Two sisters, one brother. Scattered in UK. All v strong personalities. We have our tensions (and three of us in various combos have fallen out at various times) but in general we are very close. Two are very creative/artistic and a bit impractical. One is hugely objective focused and competent. And I fall somewhat between those two positions! One of my sisters is honestly the most unselfish, kindest, bestest person we all know (we all agree on this btw except her! ) And it is great having older dynamic sisters with verve and energy because you don't dread aging! I also have ridiculously huge numbers of first cousins!

Really great We3kings to have a brother close in age whose DC are close in age and you all get on, including sil. Thats the dream scenario I think! Lovely about your younger half sister too. Also very nice to have family to visit in Greece!
Good luck at the supermarket today! I'm not surprised you can't survive on just one shop per week with so many mouths to feed and with kindly helping others too!

Foxes/Lane only a very few shortages here; supermarkets seem to have bounced back or buyers have calmed down!

Zoo Sorry to read about family schisms and your dad
Oh that's awful about your dd1 at the supermarket and the difficulties you have been experiencing. You'd think people would have the wit or imagination to realise that some younger people are vulnerable and not everyone is able to shop alone [anger].

I am mainly washing down food packaging with Dettox spray as it is non-tainting (ie good for fridge and anything you transport fruit and veg in). You have to leave it on for a couple of mins to be effective, then wipe off with hot water. I am washing all fruit and veg thoroughly under plain cold tap water and drying. All house taps/handles/surfaces etc are being scrubbed with scoring pad, laundered j-cloth, hot water and dilute Dettol. And for personal items like glasses, keys, handbag strap, and car door handles, steering wheel and window button thing , I am using Dettol wipes (not very eco, I know) but I am using them currently..

Showing my age, but I remember a couple of teachers in prep school using the term "dunderhead"!

Ooh that blanket is amazing Expletive! I love the stripes! Do you use them like regular throws and blankets on beds/sofa etc? If so, your house must look really welcoming and cheery!

KTCluck that's great you are enjoying the drawing!

Willow yes I really must start writing a diary! I meant to during Brexit but didn't and I musn't fail again! I looked at Guardian for the same reason, thought it might be the goats wandering in Wales story, but then realised I'd seen that a couple of days before! Good luck with overcoming temporary writing block!

I had to look up Muaya Thai Lisette and at cone of shame!

Thinking of you Toostressy

Impressive flying Zoo. Hope DD’s shopping trip goes to smoothly for her after her stressful queue situation. People are so quick to judge.

Good start Fluffiest

Ta Da:
✅ all washed, dressed and out for a brisk breezy walk round the pier and harbour.
✅ LOL
✅ upstairs dusted and throughly hoovered
✅ switches and handles etc anti-backed
✅ bathroom cleaned (I always do this as part of my home bleurgh but did a more thorough version this morning - toothbrush round taps and plugs etc.)
✅ upstairs bins emptied.
✅ some piles of crap cleared

To do:
Clean front door
Sort pile of crap on hall unit
Hoover downstairs and under sofas.
Meal plan
Birthday gift

It’s far easier to crack on when DH is home to entertain DD!

Not a lot done this morning other than LOL which DS3 helped me sort and put on, sweep downstairs and dishes.

Big 2 have done some work. DS3 has watched bedknobs and broomsticks and helped me make potato peel soup for lunch. I've just went to blitz the soup in the blender, turned it on too fast and it went everywhere 🙈. We were going to have toast with it (because the bread is frozen) but soup went in the toaster and I can't clean it out.

Continuing from below/got interrupted ...

Meant to wave to Bower Cineraria Honu Chic and anyone else i missed!

I am working today [groan]. Did empty dw, s&s, and put two loads of washing on before I started though. We are having chicken and salad sandwiches for lunch.

Funny bit> Can't remember if I already mentioned this or not .. but I embarrassed myself during a loud telephone conversation in French (loud because my friend in the country was outside and it was windy etc) by getting muddled and literally shouting down the phone "you miss me lots I know" instead of saying "you know I miss you lots" Total beginners error too. Ruddy mortified. DD overheard and was collapsing with laughter though so at least she was entertained for a bit .

Really lovely bit> dd has received the most beautiful postcard from one of her bfriends (a postcard divided in to four pics of them together) with such a lovely "missing you" message on it it made me cry ... .

Gorgeous blankets. Well done both of you.

Thanks for the link ED I am going to note that bloggers she lives not too far from me. Was considering going to Yarndale I have been to the one at Sedbergh. Some of the felters went to Yarndale a few times. The Woolfest won’t be on this year. We exhibited our work two or three years running. There is masses of gorgeous wools there as well as felting stuff and ready to wear things people have made. It started off as a small local event from a small committee including a felting friend. It has grown to a two day show that attracts people from all over the world. Live sheep and goats of lots of breeds and a few which are sheared and fleeces sold. Spinners and weavers demonstrating and some smaller work shops available.

Answer to Question.
I have three sisters. I am the eldest then I had a little sister who died at 10 days old and never came home. We were living in a country where the hospital was fairly basic. Mum felt if she had gone to Australia for the birth then a CS might have been given. She felt if Baby M had lived she would have been brain damaged. It still upsets me at times. I think mum was quite depressed afterwards. Mum didn’t want to risk another baby. We moved to two countries and then to England and on holiday my mum conceived and nine months later my squally sister was born. She cried a lot. Seven years between us. We get on ok but she can be bossy and difficult even her daughter visiting recently voiced this. Then we moved back and two more sisters arrived on is about nine and a half years younger and then youngest is twelve years younger. I get on with her the best and looked after her for a while when dad was busy and mum was in hospital for quite a while. Next sister and youngest live in Scotland three hundred miles from us and middle one in Australia. She also lived in Italy for four years 2 in Rome. She has no children unfortunately and is slim, fit and a health freak and often tells me what to do. She is the one that said I should get a fit bit. So she rubs me up the wrong way sometimes. Other two have five kids and three kids.
We have lots of first cousins thirteen and lots of family all in OZ.

Better get cracking, on lazy streak today.

Meant to say earlier Lisette re: Muay Thai

And potato peelings soup We3kings? They say that's the most nutritious bit and I always have loads of peelings! What else goes in there please (when you get a min, no rush)?

Oh that's so sad about your little sister Bower

Oh SC that made me LOL🤣 I’m sure she misses you too. She won’t mind.

We3 oh no. I think I might have cried at that point considering the way things are. Grill for toast?

Zoo that was an awful experience for your DD. People should be kind to each other at the moment.

Mumtalked about her quite a bit and we all felt we knew her. We put her name on mum’s gravestone. Dad didn’t have one his ashes were scattered in the Moray Firth, Scotland as requested.