August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!

[SingToTheSky]

Hello and welcome to the (slightly early) August Fledgling Thread! Join us for housework chat and a ridiculous amount of non housework chat too.

We follow (supposedly) the FlyLady system, which helps you gradually build up a set of routines. This month I won’t be putting regular links on, but there will be regular references to whatever the current zone and daily focus is. Please ask if you need any further info!

Here are some links to get you started (but don’t sign up for the emails as you’ll get inundated!)

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/ - a set of little tasks to gradually add to your day - some are a bit twee so pick and choose what you want!

www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions - this updates weekly with a set of five specific tasks for the weekly zone - worth checking for ideas! I will try and remember to remind us what zone we are in. It changes on a Sunday and we will be starting with Zone 1, the entrance/porch/hallway, and dining room if you have one.

www.flylady.net/c/lp.php - this contains links for most other things so is a good place to check if you don’t know where to start

It looks like the focus of the month for August is LAUNDRY - getting into the habit of a full load washed, dried and away each day.

Also I was bored a while back so I put together a little glossary of the many weird and might-seem-a-bit-cliquey terms. We have been going a long time but we always love newbies - hopefully this list will help you settle in.
KCC - the Keep Calm Corner, invented by our lovely Fledgling SC back in March, where the OP posts nice diverting links, memes, questions etc to distract us from the pandemic.

Ta Da - instead of a to do list (which is of course welcome too) we often post our achievements, with accompanying jazz hands, in order to celebrate the positives, however small they seem! Sometimes if we want to share an embarrassed giggle/commiserations we also post a ta didn’t - the stuff we didn’t get done. Oops.

BRC - Bag/Box of Random Crap. These are usually formed when we are panic tidying and shove anything in “to sort later” which is also known as a stash and dash.

Power of Three or PO3 - the idea that if you’re feeling really unmotivated/overwhelmed by your to do list, you just choose three things to do, and then post when you’ve done them.

Cherry Waves - borne of a typo of “cheery waves” this is now - to the extent my autocorrect just changed it again - often how we sign off. You may also see it in emoji form! 🍒👋🙋🏻 (😷 for socially distanced waves!).

Haughty Corner - this is from a typo of the naughty corner - the virtual hangout spot where we hide from housework and eat virtual snacks.

Future Friend or FF - the idea (apparently coming from The Organised Mum Method) of doing something to make life easier for yourself in future. Includes things like choosing clothes for the next day, getting bags ready etc.

DLMS - didn’t lose my shit - in other words, somehow stayed relatively calm despite a stressful day!

SS/S&S - Swish and Swipe - this is one of the key parts of the morning routine, a quick once over of the bathroom.

And a few basics:
LOL - load of laundry
WM - washing machine
TD - tumble dryer
DW - dishwasher
HSL - hallway, stairs, landing

And finally, for any Fledglings old or new who are trying to lose weight in lockdown, here’s our new body clutter banishing thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3975886-Body-Clutter-Be-Gone-The-Fledglings-Weightloss-Thread?pg=1

I’ll stop waffling there. Welcome one and all, a huge thank you to KTCluck for steering us through July while also working, and away we go for August! 🍒👋

Morning,

I'm not really watching anything at the moment, sitting on the patio till late every night because its so hot.

Tada!

Watered garden, tidied kitchen, put washing on, filled in medical forms, scanned and emailed, flopped.

Feeling a bit silly on two counts...

1. I overestimated how early I needed to leave (although that’s better than underestimating I guess and it’s quite nice having a few minutes in the park to eat my breakfast!)
2. I was so pleased with myself for being organised and leaving on time... but forgot to take my meds. FFS.

Both of these things are going on the “need to figure out” list with possible solutions to these frequent problems!

that

Zoo you’ve been a machine again. Are you sure I can’t tempt you to mine instead of That’s? It’s 19 degrees with a refreshing sea breeze here and I need some of your motivation.

Hope you got back to sleep and the summerhouse remained dry Bower

Enjoy yoga Sing!

Too absolutely book the cinema with no guilt. You need time to yourself. I’ve sent DD to nursery today and I’m off work, just so I can get some bits done and have some me time. We’ve had a busy few days, and we are off on her belated birthday trip tomorrow so I need some downtime.

Yesterday was full on with most of the day spent at the country park and in my Dad’s garden. I managed making the beds, s&s, LOL, emptying of the dishwasher and a half tidy before bed.

Today’s ta das so far:
✅ beds made
✅ DD deposited at nursery.
✅ Grocery shop
✅ quick visit to DGM with some shopping for her
✅ LOL in
✅ frozen shopping away
✅ made a start on sorting the kitchen while the kettle was boiling
✅ relaxing breakfast of crumpets and tea

Today’s plans:
Originally I was going to be super busy, finish the paintwork in the downstairs loo, blitz the house, do some decluttering etc. However motivation seems to have up and left, so I’m going to have a pottering sort of day. 15 minute bursts hopefully including
📌 rest of shopping away
📌 finish kitchen
📌 a bit of gardening
📌 kitchen zone work
📌 ironing
📌 pack for tomorrow
📌 sort out some of DD’s photos/mementos and order her next photobook
📌 some episodes of my current series

Slight spanner in the works in that DSis has a doctors appointment and is dropping DN off for a hour, and DH who couldn’t get the day off now thinks he’ll be home at lunchtime to ruin my peace and quiet

KCC:

As child I watched my Moondreamers and Maple Town VHSs over and over. Can anyone remember those?

Weather - sunny and hot with a refreshing breeze and then a beautiful sunset. Or a really good storm when you’re all cozy at home.

Current series - halfway through The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. Didn’t think I’d like it but I’m really enjoying it. Right, must move and get my first 15 minute burst done before DN arrives. Later fledglings.

that dare I ask which one has been put in cellar? is dp classed as a child
Up machine,alas no.but a 430 headstart with only couple hours sleep on everyone else means by 3pm I'm like a zombie,productive and zoo do not go together in the pm

Tada
2nd coat on 3/4 of third wall.i AM going to run out of paint
Once that bits dry I can put bed back with help dd2 and shuffle furniture around to do some last wall.its unbearable up there but if I can complete what ever paint I have I can accept a stop

Also
Empty bathroom bin
Scrub toothpaste out sink
Clean bath
Wash out cat bowls upstairs
Empty both littertray,scrub and disinfect

Disinfect kitchen sink

Yoga was lovely! Hard work in places. To my surprise the taxis were fully booked (not usually an issue but I guess fewer drivers atm?) so not there to greet DD1’s support worker, will only be about 15min late though and this time we are all in the garden anyway so I can catch up when I arrive. In future I think the plan is that they work together alone (walks in the park etc) so I won’t feel any guilt not being there! At least the garden is a bit more presentable - DS learned to mow the lawn yesterday :o

Sorry everyone I have been following posts but never quite caught up until now.

Friday I did grocery shop.
Saturday we went for a walk with the boys then to my DGM for a takeaway so not much done in the house.
Sunday I painted h/s/l. Took a few coats so not much else done.
Yesterday spent most of the day playing board games with the boys and ignoring the mess. Then took DS2&3 to football last night.

So far today
🦥 made bacon sandwiches for breakfast
🦥 straightened sofa cushions

That's it really. Watched a film with the boys then reheated pizza for their lunch and just going to get them yogurt and fruit for after.

We now have a second film on so still ignoring the mess. Finally managed to book a national trust place for tomorrow and then realised that's because everyone else knew we were predicted thunderstorms 🤦‍♀️ we'll still be going for our picnic regardless.

Forgot KCC (the ones I can remember)

Used to love a film I had on video called the last unicorn. I thought it was a channel 5 video but thinking about it channel 5 wouldn't have been out then (now I feel old 😂) so maybe channel 4 🤔

Love the hot weather. Actually I can think of something I love about all seasons but if I had to pick one for ever it would be summer.

We have just finished the 3rd series of the sinner (such a let down after the first 2) and started something called the dirk gently holistic detective agency yesterday which has to be the weirdest thing I've ever seen.

Afternoon all! It’s a slow day here. I thought it was meant to rain today but it’s still scorching!. I feel really bad keeping the DC at home on hot days so when DH gets home from work and it’s a bit cooler we’ll go to the park for a big walk. Currently debating baby names in my head, did anyone else feel like they got the one and then completely changed their mind?. I’m struggling!. Lovely DH put some water in the fridge for me and the DC so it’s freezing now. And he filled the ice cube tray up! SIL wants to visit later, we might walk the dogs together (socially distanced of course) but she’s recently had an argument with her girlfriend so feeling really down in the dumps. I might suggest she comes over now and we can have some time in the garden. Does anyone else feel like they’re trying to fill their days up as much as possible? I’m going to be happy when the DC go back to school and nursery because at least that will give us something to do!. On the topic of schools, does anyone’s DC go to breakfast clubs, are they going to be on in September?. DS1 will need to go to one before school but not sure if they’re still happening. Haven’t seen anything about them closing on the info booklet I got from his school.

I hope you got more sleep bower

sing I’m dreading the teen stage, so far all mine love playing together and with me and I don’t know what I’ll do when they’ll rather be on their phone!. Is there anything she’s interested in doing that might get her off her phone?

KCC I’m currently watching a few things, married at first sight Australia with SIL and MIL (we zoom call after to discuss), That 70s show and Call the midwife by myself to prepare myself for another birth!.

zoo where do you get your energy from? Look at you go! You can come and live with me if you’d like, I don’t have the sea or anything like that but you can have your pick of the spare room or the caravan to live in!.

sea it’s much better to overestimate how much time you need than underestimate!. Will you be okay without your meds?

ta da
Got me and boys dressed
Made beds
S&S
Fed and watered animals
LOL
Made breakfast
Saw DH off to work
Went through DS1’s starting school booklet and did some friendship making activities
Sorted out edges in garden
Picked up dog poo
Let chickens out for a run
Put sprinkler on for kids to play
Made snacks
Did some painting with the boys
Made lunch
Called SIL
Got DS1’s uniform and made him try it on (had a cry)
Planned meals for the week

Oh howl I forgot to say I have 4 boys. It's a nightmare trying to pick a name when you've already used up 3 of the options isn't it.

My DC school aren't doing any breakfast or after school clubs when they go back.

Well I'm sat in the garden with DC chatting to my neighbours so still sweet FA done.

Autism support meet done, she was lovely and we mainly spoke about routine. Then did maths with zero stress from DD1 😱 I’m chuffed, the manipulatives and frame really seem to have helped her understand it so far.

Plenty of stuff I should be getting on with but it’s too hot!

It’s awful chins we’ve also unintentionally created a sort of theme with the boys names. We have one that fits into the theme which we like and another that we love but is sort of out of the theme!. I’ll have to see what’s happening at the kids school. I have a few days off on his first week back but then will need to work out my hours.

That’s great news sing!!

Glad you enjoyed yoga Sing.

Semi-productive day but can't remember what I've done. Baby brain hasn't been kind to me!

Ta da
Laundry on (laundry is the only habit I have sorted, along with "tidy up as you go", which stops house being complete chaos)
Bathroom

I'm not good on all the other habits!

Later:

decluttering
painting the woodwork

Hi everyone, I've been working this morning, then had to do over time due to some urgent stuff being sent over about five minutes before I was meant to finish and then I've just had a phone call which went "I know you've finished for the day BUT..." I have to say I told them to email it to me and I'll look later because I'm now sitting in my bedroom with the air-conditioning unit on and my book (trying to ignore the dc shrieking they are putting on a circus, why does the heat not slow them down?!)

I've been trying to work out what on earth to have for dinner in this heat, I don't want anything! Decided on some sort of vegetable / potato bake which can be grilled so haven't got to have the oven on for too long.

All my personals have gone out of my head now because I was interrupted by the kids having a big fight

We are watching Schitts Creek at the moment, it's very funny , I'd recommend it

I need to get some energy to finish sorting the kids toys and clothes into their new storage. Sigh. And they are fighting again!

I'm also sat thinking about what to do for dinner in the heat foxes. I was thinking about steak but the DC don't eat steak so I'd still have to stick the oven on for them.

We have hot dogs tonight, the rolls are currently defrosting! I had a really nice lunch of leftover roast chicken fried with pepper, chopped avocado, salsa (left over from tacos) and grated cheddar 😋 so I’m not sure I’ll want much. Might have some of the ice cream at last though, I’ve not opened it yet 😇

double D's has the last unicorn on dvd!!

Sing yay for yoga and D's getting maths sorted!

Foxes I REFUSE put oven on

sing I put DD,not D's.bloody phone...

Forgot to add had chat Sen support services and they've chase up mediation.zoom meet date set 9th sept to challenge lea school placement for D's
Also she's go find out why taking so long get DD "seen" by camhs medic and what's happening with D's ASD statement,as we were told 6-8 weeks pending and that's now passed.she was also talking about weighted blankets
Anyone use them/have any views?both girls like wrap selves in soft blankies when upset/need comfort

FFS DH had £20 nicked out of the cash machine as he thought it wasn’t working and went to use the next one. 😰 He’s gutted. Glad it wasn’t more that he took out.

Dinner problem solved, not as healthy as your lovely sounding dinner zoo, we've ordered pizza . But yes hotter tomorrow so I'll have to think of something for then! Sing dd keeps asking for hot dogs at the moment, but food shopping not arriving until Thursday. Oh well I'll worry about that tomorrow! (Wait for my inevitable post tomorrow moaning about dinner 😂)

Sing oh that's horrible ☹️

Oh Sing some people are horrible. Hope CCTV catches them.

Been having a day of WFH interspersed with odd jobs today. Really struggled trying to concentrate at my laptop in the heat, I ended up fetching a big plastic tub in from the shed and filling it with cold water to put my feet in, lovely, concentration picked up after that. I really don't like this weather (34° at the moment, at least its not as humid as yesterday.

Took DD to the orthodontist, her braces had more or less disintegrated, she has been carefully removing broken elastics and jagged bits of wire. Hopefully she will be having them removed in September. Popped into M&S after for a few bits, lovely and cool, then watered allotment on the way home before starting work.

Howl - it's not all bad with teens. Mine are fairly easy going and it's nice that we can all go out whenever we like now without everyone having to tag along, DD has been into town with a friend this afternoon. They do spend a lot of time on their phones but then so do I. They don't need childcare which is a blessed relief after juggling with work for so many years, it has been lovely this summer just getting up and going to work without having to do anything for them at all first. I no longer have to pretend to like kids TV. I know it could still all go pear-shaped though.

Right, better go and start dinner, football and swimming for the DCs tonight and both need lifts. Activities are getting back to pre-lockdown levels now.

Oh, quick public service announcement from me. DD and I have both had tick bites in the last fortnight, on our ankles, we have both been walking in local woods, they were very tiny but easy to remove with a tick remover, please remember to check yourselves carefully when you've been out walking in grassy / foresty areas.