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!

Aww, lovely pup SC. Is she a setter of some sort? I have put off making soup until tomorrow, there was leftover macaroni cheese to eat (it's a hard life).

Thinking about north facing / seaside hardy plants, KT, my DGM (on the North Norfolk Coast, so south facing but on the sea side and therefore both salty and windy) could never get rid of wild geramiums and wild fuschia!

Right. Going to do some actual writing now and put some more stuff in the loft where I can't see it.

Favourite toys I had a baby doll which my sister destroyed when she was about five. I was heart broken even though I was getting a bit old for her. A monkey large which I got when I was four and I still have and Big Ted my gran bought me. My dad made me a bear when he was in hospital when I was about three. It has always been the family joke as he put the ears on the side rather than the top. Those three have been aacross the world with me.
Anything to do with horses. I wanted a Sindy horse and got DD one because I never had one. The main thing I wanted was a train set as a friend in Windsor had a massive layout in their loft.

Lunch ready be back later.

Right, finally caught up fully since yesterday. Can’t believe we are on page 7 already 😂 April is definitely a two-thread month minimum!

Cross posted re errand day lisette 😅 hope the exercise goes well.

@Strawberrycreamsundae thank you for flower identification! Lovely to hear from a lurker, you are of course welcome any time! It’s nice knowing others are following along :)

I think I’ll actually pay more attention to flowers in the park this spring if that’s where I’m limited to walking for now, normally that kind of thing passes me by completely, but I guess this way I’ll notice a lot more as things change in my daily route!

Glad you found us cineraria :)

Really interesting about the potato peeling soup. It is good for you, with the extra nutrients, and sometimes I do leave the spuds unpeeled if I make leek and potato soup!

Period pain sympathy fluffiest I slept with a hot water bottle yet again last night - think DH is getting sick of fetching them for me, while the virus was at its worst in the first week I was sleeping with my face on them as pain relief (tonsils/ears).

Bower I think you’ve been here longer than 1.5 years - I’m sure I remember you already being here around the time Cagletini was born? That was October 2017 :o

Give please don’t feel bad about doing learning stuff with DC even in the holidays. Nursery age it’s just like playing for the most part anyway. And to be honest it’s not like easter holidays are going to be anything like a normal break anyway. It’s not like you’d be keeping them in to do work instead of going out on day trips etc!

I’ve not quite decided what we will do over the holidays. DD1 will have school stuff to catch up on. Normally we would take a home ed break in the holidays - most of their clubs run to term times anyway. But again, it’s not like they have other stuff to do as an alternative. So I think I’ll probably give DS some work to do as well, while otherwise focusing on a Big House Tidy Up and getting lots of craft time hopefully. And gradually approaching some kind of routine - thanks for sharing yours sc that’s really inspiring! I just don’t know what to do re sleep/waking up times etc yet. DD1 has to take her melatonin break soon so usually that means anything goes, but also it’s surely more important to make her get up... Argh.

KT I loved the series Sex Education! Made me laugh so much. And cry a couple of times too!

Also loving the plant, craft and pet photos, keep them coming! We have no pets. Although the mice on the decking are fast becoming like pets. I have named them after big names in psychology - Freud, Milgram and Zimbardo!

Willow blimey at your FIL! 😳😱 And sympathy at the well meaning advice from mothers. Sigh.

I think meme is pronounced to rhyme with dream sc - anyone know for sure?

Loving all the answers about toys. SC wooden blocks are another favourite of mine, one of the few things I did keep from childhood (with a damn good scrub) - Cagletini has loads as we added to them with new ones when the older two were little. It’s funny to see how the colours have changed over the years! I had some Barbie/Sindy as I was given them, but I was never keen, much to my mum’s annoyance (she loves dolls of all kinds - she used to make dolls, I’ll try and get a photo). I preferred cuddly toys, I had loads of dogs especially.

Not achieved anything much today so far, distracted by cramps, damn uterus 😡

Where is that?

Love the mouse names lane. You sound like a psychology expert. You don't fancy writing a 2500 word essay on abnormalities for me do you? 🤣

I pronounce meme like dream as does every one I know but I wouldn't trust us geordies to be pronouncing things properly 🤣

I just remembered I had all of the my little ponies and the house thing for them I absolutely loved them. DS3 loves my little pony as well. He had a my little pony lunch bag for school (at his request I wasn't trying to make a statement or anything) but he started getting a bit of stick for it and asked for a 'boy' one. I use it now for work and also get a bit of stick lol.

Sorry for everyone struggling with period pain ☹️

Thanks for the garden assistance. Will have a look at those links SC and make a list of what I need to buy. It’s definitely a lazy day today but planning some gardening tomorrow if the weather allows.

I hear you on the clothes decluttering front. I had a similar problem and chucked all the stuff I was trying to slim into into a case. I did lose the weight, bought some new bits as a reward and never touched the case so they all went and then the weight went back on. It’s hard to do, but it feels so good having a smaller wardrobe made up of things you like wearing without all the other crap weighing you down. I’ve never missed anything I’ve got rid of, and shop for clothes much more ‘mindfully’ now.

Love the mouse names Lane. Taking me right back to my psychology A level

Favourite toy was a fabulous dolls house. I think my DM ended up sticking it in a skip when she had a big clear out along with lots of other toys. Was looking to see if I could get the same one for DD - worth hundreds now (so that’ll be a no! ). Loved my barbies too. I was also desperate for a mr frosty (was it willow who said that?). I don’t know anybody who ever got one but I bet they were hugely overrated!

Tinned crap for lunch here too We3, with some token cucumber on the side for DD.

DD has just fallen asleep. I’m going to read the gardening links and relax. I’ve achieved zero since my last post.

Haha! Yes, I did psychology A level. Absolutely loved it. Had a place at York uni for a psychology degree but had a total panic last minute, it all just seemed to scary. I had no idea at the time that I was autistic/had ADHD, but I think I instinctively knew I would have really struggled in many ways. I do regret it although obviously not completely as life would have taken a very different path and I wouldn’t have my lovely Caglets now!

I wish I had something to study now though. I did get halfway through an OU degree (including acing a maths exam when DS was only a couple of months old) but got too ill to continue and once you drop out too much you can’t continue!

DH may be able to access some courses free as a carer, which would be great for him even if I’m a little jealous - but TBH I am now the one able to work on my fitness (lockdown aside obv) when he has lost that entire side of his life (was a keen runner, ran a home ed PE class etc before his health declined) so really I guess we’ve just swapped for now!

I want to study something, someday though. He’s unlikely to ever be able to work in a regular job again (conditions are degenerative) and I was just starting to think about preparing to find something in the next couple of years once we have worked through the crazy life circumstances we were dealing with before the pandemic. I would need to find an actual career though somehow?! I am qualified for nothing, and jobs like retail (or the library which is what I worked in before I got ill) would be frankly impossible from a physical health point of view. It’s a thinker!

Have you looked at futurelearn Lane? There are loads of free, short courses in a variety of subjects. Might give you an idea of an area you’d like to study more deeply?

That’s a good idea. I think I did sign up to one but then forgot 😳 I very much need external deadlines and targets 😳 but really I have zero excuse at the moment so maybe I should look at doing something next term - good example for the Caglets too.

Career wise the things I am particularly interested in are occupational therapy, or something based around autism/ADHD/sensory processing anyway. Or some kind of psychotherapist (which my own therapist did, in all seriousness, say I should consider) - possibly specialising in working with autistic adults or something.

Here are some photos of dolls my parents made - mostly mum. She would make the figures with a putty type thing and then dad would make rubber moulds for them (we had an entire extra fridge, unplugged, for this purpose!) and they’d be cast in resin. Then mum would make the costumes based on different historical periods.

Those figurines are exquisite Lane. Great suggestion from KT. Cast the net wide and then home in on something.

My lovely neighbour sent a vat of lentil and veg soup to us ❤️❤️❤️❤️

School work is done - hats off to homeschoolers the world over.

We are working on ds's scrawl handwriting. He's attempting joined up....

I had a Sindy doll as a child. She was an archaeologist who rescued people and she had a very tidy dolls house.

Thanks for the pacing yourself advice, and thank you SC for your kind words.

I've spent the morning scrubbing all the dust and plaster splatter off the walls in the dining room. Took ages but the air feels clearer now. Then we had lunch and a walk around the park. I've washed the dishes and watched DD put on a puppet show for me. We're on leftovers for tea so I'll be taking it easy for the rest of the day.

@LaneBoy I nearly went to York Uni too, 12 years ago but changed my mind and just got an admin job instead. But this September, I am starting an English Literature and Creative Writing degree at a Uni close to home. I can travel there and DD starts school in September so it just feels like the right time. I'm really excited about it. Just hope that schools will be running in September!

@IWillWearTheGreenWillow, are you an historian? Is that what your writing is for? (Sorry, if that's too personal a question- you just sound really interesting)

I collected sets of cats, dogs and horses when I was little. Think they were called Pets in My Pocket. Absolutely loved those, oh and the terapine (can't spell it- little mini turtle creatures) set that came with Kinda Eggs in the 90s.

Ohhhh I had those terrapins! I can still see the very specific shade of shiny green! :o

Funny that it was York uni for you too. Similar year as well, I would have only been a year or two before I think. It was lovely but so far (I lived in Greater London). Love the sound of the degree you are doing! I’m thinking similar - I now live near Gatwick and I’m thinking Sussex or Surrey would be best if I ever do a degree.

In other news I just had my phone appt and have been discharged by the psychiatrist, woohoo!!! She’s happy with my progress and that we’ve got the meds dose correct, so after she gives me my next prescription the GP can take over and I’ll only need a yearly review with her, plus blood test/ECG.

TBH I’m not truly out of the woods MH wise yet - I think in a way this lockdown is giving a false sense of security because of how simple life is, but equally it’s giving me lots of time to relax and hopefully work on things (like sorting the house) that will make life continue to be simpler afterwards anyway! And really, I never particularly clicked with her, I only needed the referral to see if I did have ADHD and have the opportunity to try meds if so - and I’ve got that now. In terms of actual MH stuff I am better off with my therapist (who is a psychologist with vast experience working with autistic adults, that is why I chose her) and my GP who is brilliant.

So there is my happy thing for today :o I’ve already emailed the news to our support worker who can put it on the progress report thingy she’s doing. Which reminds me I need to get the Caglets to fill in a “voice of the child” thing.

Hello everyone, what lovely welcomes! You have made my week 💐
I have lurked and followed for a long time, I think I’m probably a good bit older than most of you but seem to spend a lot of time trying to keep the house tidy - my DH is definitely the opposite of tidy 😡, though he claims he knows exactly where everything is. That did stop him spending nearly an hour looking for a specific object 😀
I’m retired so have little excuse for not having everything up together!
Today I have instead spent time faffing around in the garden rather than tackling the ironing, definitely more enjoyable.

*didn’t not did

Sorry you’re feeling crap give and nice idea with the flannels! See, they’re learning something. Card skills. Maybe. :o

Yay glad you’ve posted again strawberry! :) Sorry about the messy DH.

I feel a bit brighter today but am still curled up somewhat uselessly on the sofa with cramps. Not even been out for a walk today, trying to get some air via open windows! Cagletini has had far too much telly as well but meh.

DH got a little mouse shelter thing (along with bird food etc) while he was in the shop today (essential shop I might add! It was mostly food for us, plus candles in case of blackouts) - he set it up on the decking with a fatball inside, they’ve already used it! It can be their little experimental lab :o

I need to make sure I do a steam inhalation later as I was too tired last night - think I was dozing off with Cagletini before 9! I don’t put anything in it, I think just the steam helps - certainly noticed a massive general reduction in chest infection type issues in the last year since I started using the steam room at the gym. Sitting over a pot of boiled water with a blanket over my head really isn’t the same though :o

Card skills? I meant care. 🙄

SC thanks that geranium link,think I may have a go!
Lane wasn't that due hand in essay today?hope she's ok,I've pm her

Camhs call was awaste of time for dd2 (no surprise)
Made half a strawberry jelly and added last old pack grapes
I still haven't done the mould,but have sorted 3loads washing

Dinner tonight for little ones-chickpea and carrot pasta with d.f cream cheese.jelly and fruit

Me and dd2- roasted chickpeas with salt and pepper,roast carrots,broccoli,peppers and green beans.bread

Really flat today,I must do my best pull up,but not helped tbh by camhs and being told my use of language isn't helping (instead everyone having some anxiety so we are not alone managing it,I SHOULD be saying some people etc.camhs inform me I'm catastrophizing and making them all feel unsettled)cheers for that when you go send me an email(which 3hrs late haven't) with links explaining anxiety and have no other words wisdom to offer a mother whose child is so overwhelmed and unmotivated.camt sleep,not eating much and has be certain things,no schoolwork done, frequency of panics are often,outbursts of tears and angry words alternative with silence.....

Enough,of complaining.i should know by now they haven't funds,staff etc

Must go fold last load as now dry and put away before start dinner

Lane as a card shark 🦈😎

Golly, what a lot of lovely chat!

SC I get a lot out of making the blankets for WH, they are a great community (we talk a lot and now have meetups too) and support each other both with our crafting and life in general. A bit like the Fledglings!

Well, I inspired myself to walk to the bluebell woods to see if they have started coming out yet and yes, the first fee are just starting to appear. I also saw so many ither trees and shrubs bursting into life and bumped into a friend so we had a quick chat from about 10m apart.

Bower was it you who mentioned speedwell? I love all blue flowers and let it roam fairly freely in the garden but am strict about removal at the allotment.

Did a bit of work, I normally work full days Mon-Wed but am spreading across all 5 at home. Planted a load of seeds. Cleaned all front door furniture and lightswitches/door handles between front door and bathroom. Doing the whole house handles etc every other day or so, we're hardly going out now apart from exercise so not as worried.

Favourite toys - I did love lego but it was all freeform, we just had a big box of it, I never knew actual kits existed. Also my teddy and Sindy dolls. And my marble collection.

Must add card sharking to DS’ home ed curriculum :o

That’s reminded me expletive the other toy I desperately coveted was a marble run! I got the Caglets a plastic one when they were little and then we “upgraded” to a Quadrilla which is now packed away for Cagletini.

Just did the clapping for the NHS, group call to DSDs to wish them happy birthday (just quick, they are both exhausted keyworkers!) and going to put a movie on soon. DD1 is most aggrieved at this and is saying the movie looks rubbish but tough shit. :o

I’m so so bored today - feel really restless and frustrated but no energy to actually do anything!

toy as child. Dragging a chatterphone around for hours,neighbours toy cars/pedal car as preschooler.moved onto a set bricks,only ever made houses exactly same over and over.loved colouring.had sindy doll and tiny tears(which only play with if ment could push park in pram and push it on swing for bloody hours.my poor mum must've been bored rigid!)

Clapped at window.loads clapping cheering made me smile
Had dinner
Wash up
Wipe all surfaces and tables
Now sat watch crap in TV with dd2.about dig out crochet

ahh I love the bluebells. My DM used to take us to the bluebell woods when we were little.

The marbles reminded me I always wanted that game that one kid in the class always brought in on the last day of term when it was toy day. You put a marble on the start and then had to get it through a little course at the end over little bridges and things.

Just done the pub quiz again. My DGM played along this time as well and she beat us despite there being 2 of us and only 1 of her.

The clapping was fab again we even heard some ships blowing their horns and we are quite far from them where we are.