We may be in our lockdown cages but our wings aren’t clipped! Flapping Fledglings Flying Amicably Through April, thread 2!

[LaneBoy]

Just opening the new thread while I have a chance! All welcome here, join in with the housework chat, the keep calm corner and general ramblings about life in lockdown!
Any of us have been here a long time so we may seem cliquey but it’s never intentional - newbies and returners are always welcome.

I shall stick with Megiddo and the Megidettes (feat. Megahound) for now. Makes me sound like a 1950s girl group, updated for the Dance Generation . And I will still answer to Willow, because I'm not actually sure about junking that one either!

I've managed to lock myself out of MN on my phone because I can't remember my password. Will put fixing this on today's To Do list 🤦‍♀️.

Bower, I love your description of being a Mum too. Reminds me of why I did it.

KT enjoy your days off and happy lockdown birthday to DD for Monday! I've always loved the idea of running a boutique B&B, except the actual work involved. Ditto a bookshop.

Hazel, sorry to hear people didn't value your lovely baked goods and treats. I think as a (first) world we've got so used to food being cheap that many people don't see the value in the good stuff. They think it should all be cheap as chips (as it were). I remember my DDad being astounded at how little of my income could be devoted to food, compared to when he and DM were first married and you paid rent, food, petrol (in that order) and then pretty much ran out!

Expletive, you're getting so much done! I wish I could be as productive, particularly around exercise like gardening and yoga. I am rubbish at scheduling things like that in when I can hide in another century. Hope DS is enjoying virtual Scout Camp. And I meant to ask - you said your DD was doing swimming via Zoom - do explain?! I have visions of her propped over a stool a la Milly Molly Mandy "swimming" in the air! Being a jeweller sounds like a brilliant job.

That, it's always the people that ruin the dream job, isn't it? I was an excellent accountant, many years ago, but the office politics nearly finished me off. The lovely thing about self-employment is that I don't have to worry about anything like that.

Lane hurrah for paid work and also for the sorting out process. Good luck finishing it off!

zoo, we are all very worried about you. Hope you are still afloat.

I got very little done yesterday after about 10.30 as DS3 had his OT appointment (which was brilliant, again) but then I spoke to an old and dear friend who has had some terrible health news that cannot, now, end well for her. We are all reeling and I crawled into another century for the day, and a couple of glasses of wine in the evening to make it go away. DH held the fort. Trying to get up and get on today as she is being very practical about things and I have to take my cue from her. I suppose the positive, if you can call it that, is that the news has brought our friendship group from school, 35 years ago, back together with a vengeance and we are all online communicating with each other again.

Thanks Lane I do need to do some if not all of it. I have been in the garden too much. I will dedicate an hour at least today. My left side of the bed needs sorting and stuff piled up waiting to be put away. The trouble is I don’t think I have anywhere to put it.

My children are all grown now so I do miss those times. I do remember some difficult times too. It wasn’t all plain sailing.

Sorry to hear about your friend Megiddo, how sad for you all. A silver lining to be in contact with old friends though

I must move and do something productive but can’t seem to move from the sofa...

Ok third attempt at 🌍🪐 tkcc 🪐🌍 as it keeps disappearing 🤬

Today’s scroll of FB has provided the following:

• a new wine Donald Trump would approve of (I’m sure I don’t need to add this but ☠️⚠️ DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME ⚠️☠️)
• a couple of days late for his birthday but a list of some phrases that Shakespeare supposedly coined. I actually have this on a notebook which I don’t want to use because I like it so much 😳
• a useful reminder based on the hierarchy of needs - it’s really ok to just focus on the basics right now, we don’t have to learn a new language and perfectly decorate the house, none of that stuff unless we actually want and feel able to!

Today’s question inspired by the great playwright himself: Do you like going to the theatre? Seen anything good, and is there anything particular you’d like to see?

Most recently mum took me to see The Man in the White Suit which was pretty funny - Stephen Mangan was the main character and he was brilliant. I haven’t been much since having the Caglets. Before the toddler arrived we saw a fantastic small production of Kiki’s Delivery Service (based more on the book that inspired the anime) - really clever puppetry and use of a small space with no stage (it was on the floor with seats round three sides). I did also take the Caglets to see Operation Ouch Live, that was fabulous and we met Chris and Xand at the stage door after!

In terms of what I’d like to see, I’m not super into musicals (enjoying the chance to see some free on YouTube now though as they are just so expensive!) but I’d love to see funny ones like Book of Mormon. I also wish I’d had the chance to see Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time as I loved the book.

Sorry I've been AWOL for a bit. I don't even have a good excuse other than I've been reading a lot so every time I have a spare minute I've got my nose stuck in a book.

First week back 'at school' went ok. We finally seem to have a routine going that works for everyone. Everyone is getting up a bit earlier than they were so they're fed, dressed and the place is tidy in time to do PE with Joe at 9. We then do an hour or so of schoolwork but something they can all do together so we've put on a play or they do drawing, Lego even just playing shops so DS3 gets a bit of counting in. We then go off for our daily walk around 11. We play left, right, straight ahead so every time we come to a juncture kids take turns to pick which way we go. We've been to interesting places including seeing a little drug dealing! The DC were non the wiser though but it was so obvious me and DH were in no doubt. It's not at all unusual round here though. I timed the walk so that DS4 was getting back into the routine of sleeping around lunchtime as his naps were getting later and later making bedtime a nightmare. We then come back for lunch and it's back to schoolwork around 1. Again not necessarily sitting doing worksheets, we made an obstacle course in the garden one day which they all loved, another day they all picked something to research and make a fact sheet about DS1 chose Mario, DS2 cars and DS3 motorbikes. DS3 joins in until snack time (3pm) then the big two come back and do some of the actual work work they have and work until 4. Then we start dinner which the DC have been taking turns to help with. Then just our usual evening routine. So we've had a good week but we're all tired today so we're having a slobby PJ day and no flying will be done. House has been kept on top of this week and washing basket has been empty everyday thanks to the weather. I'm sure today will set us right back but i don't care. Sunday is always our 'cleaning' day anyway.

Now I've written all that I've completely forgotten today's question and my replies 🤔

Do hope you got your shopping sorted zoo.

👋 to everyone and I promise I will try and keep up and not disappear again.

Oh the question was about the theatre 🤦‍♀️ apart from panto (which I love) I've only been to see the little shop of horrors. I do want to go more. I'd love to see rocky horror, grease, wicked, hairspray, the Harry Potter plays and I'd probably enjoy many more that I've never even heard of. I love a musical and often have the music from various ones playing. Definitely putting theatre trips on my bucket list.

I'm in a supermarket queue, having weakened on my once a week only stance.

I LOVE theatre. In my single days I used to go into London and meet friends and get tickets for whatever was on at the cheap ticket booth in Leicester Square. It needs more organising now with living further out and having DC but I still go when I can. Musicals mainly, I go with DD or with friends anything from West End to Am Dram. I always thought I hated panto but having been persuaded by DD to go to a big professional famous people one a couple of years ago I am converted. On my wish list currently are Come from Away, Hamilton and Phantom of the Opera having watched it on youtube last week. Favourites include Joseph and Wicked. I had a pj morning today watching Love Never Dies on Youtube, enjoyed that too.

Oooh we3 I saw little shop of horrors too, must have been over 12 years ago as pre kids. It had Sheridan Smith as Audrey, she was amazing (I’d had no idea until then that she could sing!)

I was still in a really crappy mood, annoyed by ridiculous things on FB (perfect lockdown mummy on DH’s side of the family blah blah blah 🙄) then went into town for my meds and they didn’t bloody have them 🤬 they’d ordered the wrong kind, despite a note on my file clearly saying “Matoride NOT Concerta” 🤦‍♀️ She was very apologetic but it is frustrating - Concerta caused a PoTS relapse earlier this year and I can’t risk that again so they’ve had to order the correct brand. Back I go on Monday! 🙄

Pretty much all our shopping arrived too so that’s good. No room in the freezer though oops 😳 So I can’t freeze half the bread products as planned, and a couple of things were short dated so we are trying to think around that.

Popped into B&M again and got a few household bits, some foody bits that I hadn’t ordered, and some totally non-essential craft supplies.

Not a great day here in the fluffy house. Bathroom toilet broke last night. The cistern isn't filling up properly. DH went to B&Q this morning for parts and has been working on it all day but it still isn't working. We do have a downstairs loo so things aren't too desperate.

DD has been grumpy and shouty all day. Which has made me irritable and short with her, which makes her more grumpy and shouty. We've been to the park to try and reset our moods but it hasn't really worked.

She's playing with play doh now so I think I'll wash the dishes, it might smooth my nerves. I oddly quite enjoy washing up if I can set my phone up on the window to watch youtube vlogs as I work. It's like a little bit of justified 'me time' in the day.

Theatre - I've only been a handful of times but I always love it. I've seen Wicked in Manchester. Cats and Joseph when I was little. I saw an am-dram play lastv year in a tiny local theatre with no set, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Once the play got going my imagination filled in the blanks and I would love to go again. I'll add it to my 'when this is all over' list in my head.

Zoo we are concerned for you but I know you might be reading our posts and this morning the thought came to me that you might not be posting because you didn’t want questions about what went wrong.

How about we just go on as normal and no one will ask you anything? You can just post about the zoolets and other things. We’ll just shut it in the shed along with anyone else’s ‘things we don’t want to talk about’.
You have become a great friend to many on here and we miss you🌈🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Exactly that bower x

Just finishing watching Love Never Dies. Oh my gosh. I was expecting it to be a bit of a chore to be honest as I’ve loved the Phantom music and thought nothing could live up to that, but I’m blown away TBH

As for Flying, well since my trip to the pharmacy I’ve not done much other than sorting laundry while watching. DH and the Caglets have worked on Project Furniture Rearrangement

Well said bower

Yes, ditto what Bower said hope you are ok Zoo

Saturday is now home bleugh day so that I don't disturb My Liege And Master At Work so I have ... ta da:
collected up glasses, mugs, plates, papers, shoes, dog toys, cables, various items of clothing and put away properly or put in dw
cleaned silver
polished chandeliers (which sounds very posh but are old bronze numbers from a manky fleamarket)
dusted cupboard
polished all wood furniture
thoroughly dusted all of downstairs
thoroughly mopped all of downstairs
cleaned telly and sorted all the unruly cables
cleaned downstairs loo and basin and changed towel
emptied all recycling bins and cleaned
cleaned kitchen sink and all surfaces
cleaned kitchen tiles and stove
cleaned kitchen bin
brushed and mopped kitchen floor
emptied all bedroom bins
emptied dw
cleaned telly
collected up all mugs and plates
dusted radiators properly (we have those old ones which have gaps and I never noticed before that they haven't been dusted properly by our cleaner in what looks like 20 yrs)
dusted stairs with hoover pipe attachment thingy
hoovered stairs
mopped stairs - this is a long job as we have lots and lots of stairs
cleaned shower doors
cleaned bathroom sink and loo
cleaned and polished all mantelpieces and window ledges
cleaned 3 other lavs and sinks dotted about house
polished all mirrors
also did one dog walk
and four loads of laundry
distributed loo rolls around the house

I am averting my eyes as I run past the ironing pile though It is so large it is teetering!

Also did on-line shopping order for end of the month (restrictions have been lifted a little and they are no longer asking people on their website to keeps slots exclusively for elderly and disabled) however, we are still going to avoid them as much as poss, as we can walk to several small shops and small supermarkets from where we are, but thought that one medium sized order of heavy and bulky items like tins, bottles, laundry liq, cleaning products, etc and some frozen food would keep us going for a good while and help to preserve my right wrist (which is busted) and dh's back which are both suffering a bit atm.

We were all gathered around the tv here late last night (with beer) as we waited for gov announcement about the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions which is being managed in three phases, each of which were explained in the three official languages; so the whole thing took ages and ages but dd insisted we sat there and listened to the entire thing!

It was stressed that social distancing and testing and the wearing of masks are all very much part of the lifting of restrictions and if the transmission numbers rise again, we will have to take steps back and restrictions will be reintroduced. They are training up a load of track and trace personnel who will be whizzing about in cars and visiting people with symptoms.

From 4 May we will be allowed to go out in groups of 3 - yay - so we can go out for a walk all together!

And some companies will be returning to work with masks and social distancing measures in place (dh has decreed that office will stay shut at least until end May as home-working is going well) and fabric shops will be open as everyone will have to wear a mask in public and there are local initiatives going on wrt mask-making so that the top grade ones are reserved for those on the front line. Face masks will be mandatory on public transport.

More shops and services will open on 11 May but not ones where social distancing measures aren't possible ie hairdressers.

And dd DD was rather perturbed about phase 2 starting 18 May (hopefully!) because she is waiting to see if she will return back to school before the end of June (end of academic yr here) wish she desperately wants to do!

And although they have said that primary and secondary school lessons will be restarted for a maximum of 3 grades, in small groups of 10 pupils per class, with a minimum of 4 square metres per pupil, and that last year of primaire and last year of secondaire will be two of the grades going back, they haven't specified the third, so she is still on tenterhooks! So she was very upset last night as she is contemplating going through to September without seeing any of her friends And they still haven't said what is happening about end of year exams.

Bars and restaurants and cafés are remaining closed for now (which is a huge deal as they are the life and soul of this country tbh) and what is happening with things like summer travel and children's sports and organised activities during the summer still have to be determined.

We will be allowed to visit wreck2 from 18 May but not allowed to stay the night. (This makes sense for a country this small but wouldn't work elsewhere.)

Heigh ho. The basic conclusion is that normal life will not resume for a good, long while I'm afraid.

KCC
Really interesting hearing about everyone's dream jobs!
I loved working with horses (although Bower I found foals to be right buggers ) when I worked at a racing stud briefly) but really I would like to be children's author and/or illustrator or something creative which involves sitting in a shed alone in the garden for long tracts of time!

As for theatre, like going to the see the odd Chekhov or Shakespeare and saw some wonderful productions at the National years ago, but don't really like musicals.

I am so sorry about your friend Jigolo

Your routine sounds fab We3kings like you, it has taken us all a while to get in to a good one!

Glad you are ok KTCluck

Got to go because we are having veggie burgers for supper and I can smell that they are nearly done!

Mahoosive waves to all fledglings!

Left off my post the most important bit We3kings which is to say that you are doing amazingly well sticking to a routine with four dc, as are all of you with larger families! [Doffs hat to you all]

I am very sorry you are missing your mum so much Giveme and that you are worried about your gps

Hazel I would definitely want to visit your sweet shop!

Glad you got your shopping in Lane! That's so crap about your meds though!

Sorry lost the thread, just popping by briefly but be back later properly. Really hope to hear from zoo soon

Hi all :)

Not fully caught up yet - I’m trying to sometimes leave phone/iPad in another room sometimes, today I left both upstairs while we’ve had dinner and watched BGT after.

But give just saw you got discharged from counselling, I’m so glad things are good, well done! ❤️

Main achievement since earlier is that I introduced DS to his 6 new learning apps replacing (for now) the others - he can be quite resistant to new things sometimes but it went ok, I think.

The Kallax is dismantled and in DD1’s room for now - this completely threw me and led to me saying to DH please tell me if you change plans as I don’t like unexpected things!!! But it has worked out as now the living room is nearer being sorted. Tomorrow’s aim is to get enough of our room cleared that we can rebuild the Kallax and start putting the games on there.

Many, many BRCs have been created/added to in the last few days 😳 but then some have been sorted too so it’s not all bad. It’s just one of those situations where it’s impossible to do one thing fully at a time so it’s all being moved around and done in bits and pieces.

Oh one bit of good “news” - DS randomly said “When this lockdown stuff is over... can we keep the schedule?” 😱😱😱 YAY! We explained how it’ll be a bit different as we will add their clubs etc back in but yes we do want to keep it and we are trying to use this time to get used to the basics. :)

Wow, what a list SC! You must be shattered! Glad to hear restrictions are being lifted a little.

Give sorry you’re missing your DM. We are lucky that mine lives close so I’ve briefly chatted to her when she’s passed on a walk but can’t wait to give her a cuddle.

Good to have you back with us We3. Your routine sounds like it’s working well.

I also have a few perfect lockdown mummies on Facebook Lane. It’s irritating but I know the reality behind the facade for one of them and I think she’s very insecure. It’s a shame as she’s lovely in person. How annoying about your meds.

Fluff I’ve had a number of shouty days with DD in the last few weeks. It’s awful and you feel so bad afterwards but toddlers are so frustrating. Especially stubborn ones! If it gives you hope DD has been a dream today and yesterday. She’s reverted back to angel just as quickly as she turned into a terror.

We miss you Zoo. Hope you and the zoolets are well and you’re just taking a break.

KCC: I loved the theatre as a child but as an adult I’ve barely been. The last time would be seeing Dirty Dancing in Manchester which was a surprise from DH as I love it. He would deny it but he enjoyed it as much as me

Ta Das:

✅ downstairs hoovered and floors mopped
✅ downstairs dusted
✅ TV screen cleaned
✅ DD’s little table scrubbed
✅ various bits of random crap rehomed
✅ dining table and chairs wiped down
✅ dishes
✅ benches, hob, fridge front wiped
✅ glass in kitchen door cleaned
✅ s & s
✅ birthday card posted
✅ LOL
✅ clean washing away

We went out for a short walk but otherwise have been lazy. Lots of TV and playing indoors with DD. I’ve seen lots of photos from friends elsewhere in the country enjoying the sun but it was chilly here.

Hope you’ve all managed to make today feel like a Saturday.

Evening all,

A much less busy day for me today. I got up at 6.45 as the cats were pestering me (they usually pester DS but he was in his tent in the garden). Then stayed up to help him sort his papers (he has a Saturday round) and stayed on the sofa to watch Love Never Dies (Sat am seems to be my best chance for uninterrupted viewing). Lane I loved it too, the ending . I saw Sheridan Smith in Joseph last year, she was the narrator and stole the show. I thought she was great but I could also see that Joseph purists might not have liked he very full on style.

SC thank you for sharing all your updates on lockdown changes, it was fascinating to read. I wish we had some plans in place.

Meggido - thank you, I do prioritise my hobbies over my housework to some extent. Swimming online is basically circuit training which the club does every week normally before one of the pool sessions. No actual swimming. They are doing it 5 niggts a week now.

Bower - loved your description of parenting. Although I went back to work after both mine were born I had an unexpected year off when they were 4 and 6 due to redundancy and it was lovely, many happy memories. Hard parts too but it's so important to treasure the happy memories.

Tada!
Fed cats
Sorted papers
Watched film with tea and toast
Got dressed
Supermarket
Lunch
Pottering
Bed stripped and sheets washed/dried/replaced
An hour or so at the allotment
Chinese takeaway for tea
Telly/crochet
Another failed attempt to view satellite chain

Hi,
After saying I would do boudoir I haven’t and I have been outside nearly all day. We had toasted sandwiches for lunch. WellDH had left overs. Last night we had haddock and I googled a recipe. Used BBC recipe basically it was tin of tomatoes, onion, aubergine, garlic, pepper and basil make sauce then place fish to cook in sauce. DH raved about it. So he had the sauce on toast and toasted fajitas. It was delicious.
I have grouped all the left over pots together to make watering easier.
Planted a few, cut back quite a lot and DH planted then.
giveme sorry to hear you are missing your mum. Can you speak to hear frequently?
Sc what a list. DD is expecting a lift from level 4 to level 3 in NZ which means they can move once. Agree about the foals if they decided they were going to kick you then your legs could be black and blue with bruises. They were so cute though.
Lane I love the theatre but DH isn’t keen. I would love to see Phantom of the Opera. It is a long time since I have been. There was a performance of Scrooge in the village hall just after Christmas. A man who died left some money for the whole village to see a performance and a light supper provided. What a wonderful gift.

Sadly a man in the village died today. He was well known in the village and in business. He was a lovely man a true gentleman.

Sunday the day of rest tomorrow. We have a small piece of pork for tomorrow.

Morning campers.

DH got up early with DD this morning and brought me a cuppa in bed so I’m enjoying some peace. I need to get up soon and go to the supermarket for stuff for a roast and some party food for DD’s birthday tomorrow. It’s my second trip this week but I’ll be getting some supplies for PIL too so don’t feel too bad.

Other than that I need to catch up on laundry. I want to go to bed with everything sorted tonight so that we can have a completely fun day tomorrow.

Expletive it’s good that you prioritise your hobbies. You’ve made me realise I haven’t really got any .