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! 🍒👋

I am in the naughty corner. Work, back to school stuff, it has all piled up. Just making a to do list. Yesterday DD accused DS of procrastinating, she must have been reading Flylady.

Bower - I bought an Instant Pot on Black Friday sale a few years ago, I love it. It has a slow cook function as well as super quick pressure cook, timer and keep hot functions, a yogurt setting (I make yogurt and use it for proving yeast doughs) and best of all you can saute in it to brown and soften before setting it onto slow or pressure cook, no separate pan needed. I also use it to make jam and preserves in.

We have a mobile wood-fired pizza van here too, it comes twice a week and parks up about 400m from our house, draws quite a crowd especially in nice weather but there is lots of space (grass area). Lovely pizza.

Zoo - I'm sorry, I don't even have words, but I am making a special comfy spot in the naughty corner for you with cushions and comforting drinks. Not under the patio.

KCC - volunteering. When I was a student and in my first few years of work I did volunteer practical conservation work. I can lay a hedge and build a drystone wall (well, probably can't lift the stones any more, not much call for the latter down here in the SE). I have been on many committees over the years, currently swimming club.

(((((((((( zoo )))))))))) we have missed you lovely. I’m sorry things are so crap. I hope DD2 gets her information soon and that just maybe the new term brings some kind of normality even though it’s so different. That mask rule is ridiculous too!!!

That love the clean/dirty label idea thanks!

Meg well done for helping FIL that sounds like a frustrating day.

I have no plans for today other than getting through it really - DH is leaving for a hospital appt soon, which is a long journey, DD1 has agreed to watch the toddler while DS and I have his zoom meeting at 2.30 as DH might not be back by then.

🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼

It’s Friday folks! Clean out those handbags and cars.

KCC what’s your favourite drink?

I mostly drink water at home TBH. I am quite fussy and don’t really like tea unless it’s got sugar in, and, erm, confession time, I have never actually tried a cup of coffee 😳 I don’t like the smell or coffee flavoured things (I was given an iced coffee by mistake once and it was one of the few times I was brave enough to complain!). I like juice/smoothies and Pepsi max/dr pepper but don’t usually buy them for the house so just have them when out. I don’t like wine, beer or cider or most spirits. I like the odd cocktail like sex on the beach :o and blue lagoon, purple rain type stuff. And as I’ve mentioned before I think, Malibu and coke and Archers and lemonade :o

Sorry it's so hard at the moment zoo

Instant pot sounds interesting, I think I'd like one of those 🤔🤔

This week has been crazy busy but today at least has been quieter, been to the park this morning but afternoon at home. I need to do some housework and / or cooking / baking. Especially as I've just finished my book so no excuse 😂

Feeling worn out though.

Favourite drink, gin and tonic, although a cup of tea is equally as good I also love a latte from my new coffee machine!

I think I would prefer a cup of tea in the morning though 🦊 G&T for afternoon evening unless a red hot day then I if at a wedding or something I might have one. Like other spirits too. Occasional whisky, used to drink vodka, like a Singapore Sling especially in Singapore at the Raffles Hotel best place to drink it.

I love a hot cocoa in winter. Whisky toddy for a cold. I like wine will drink red, white occasional rose if offered. Prefer red but find it too heavy in the day. Bit fussy about where they are from but have been persuaded by others. No wine buff just prefer Australian, NZ and French.

So this morning has gone a bit pear shaped. However I now have new fit note, appointment for BP and health check and smear test booked.
Plus GP phone call booked about continuous cough.
Pizza ordered but not coming to our village ( someone putting false info on our village site) but are going to DS2 so we ordering for there.

Ooh yes I do love a good hot chocolate. I don’t usually make them at home now, just have one very occasionally in a cafe and it has to have a lot of whipped cream on top :o I must have not had one since February. My favourite is the seasonal “Black Forest” one at Costa 😋🍒

I can’t get motivated today - we’ve just been lazing around! DH is on the way home from his appt now, really hoping it was useful. Well done for making your appts bower I’m overdue for my smear actually but wasn’t sure if I should have it when most doctors appts weren’t running! 🤦‍♀️

Hopefully once he’s back and we’ve had DS’ zoom appt, DH will be doing some maths with DD1 (it is definitely his turn) and I really need to study.

Zoo lots and lots of hugs your way. That's tough, I am sorry you are in a tough spot right now.
Meg your lists are impressive.
Bower enjoy pizza!

Work has been a bit busy today (but of course I will find way to check MN )

Ta Da today:

• LOL
• S&S
• A bit of bleurgh.

KCC Favourite drink - usually red wine. I miss it. Sing I am impressed you never had a cup of coffee before! For me it's a staple, a life line, which I gave up for pregnancy (all or nothing kinda gal here, taking no risks whatsoever with this pregnancy).

KCC - a few. Love a good cup of tea, strong with a tiny bit of milk. The occasional coffee or hot chocolate. I'm very partial to diet Coke (but not regular), and enjoy a gin and tonic. I also love plain tap water.

My dad finally gave up telling me not to worry, as I’d “grow into” wine and coffee. I’m 33, I’m really not worried about it 😂

I am in a mega slump having had the zoom call (with a power cut in the middle 🤦‍♀️) - it was good as usual but I’m knackered and CBA to do anything. DH didn’t have good news at the hospital either really, they’re going to try some weird injection and nerve burning thing 😳 but no surgery is possible given his other conditions. So that’s all a bit gloomy really.

ah, coffee.... a uni friend once described it as "[merry]'s lifeblood" Nothing fancy, just medium roast medium strength filter, unadulterated (though I have been known to go for cappucino if they're faffing about with ridiculous machines). I was introduced to it when my sister came home from her first term at university and announced that we needed coffee in the house. I was 13 at the time. I think I was self-medicating, because (for a long time I assumed coincidentally) that was when my migraines stopped being so bad or so frequent. I have occasionally given it up - for lent, and during my pregnancies - and always get a withdrawal headache on the first day. Overdosed on it once - that was Interesting.

But I start my day with a cup of tea.

Alcohol: beer. I like wine but beer is my go-to. Sherry, ginger wine, g&t or martini&t for an aperitif, whisky or Bailey's for a nightcap.

We had espresso martini a couple of weeks ago, which was nice.

Oh God I’ve not posted in a while. Will catch up later. I’ve had a couple of days being quite upset. I’m really struggling with DS1 going off to school, i feel like turning 5 is a big step into being a big kid and not a little kid anymore and I’m not coping with it very well. I just wish he could stay tiny forever and I feel quite weird about there being a new dynamic. So I’ve just been crying to DH who thinks I’m a nutcase and he’s still only 5😂.

Oh howl 5 is still tiny i promise! wait til he's taller than you!

Aww howl 💐

I’ve still achieved nothing at all. Trying to make a big decision we’ve been putting off about nursery. Her place is still available (no cost) and the obvious thing is to send her again, as the three hours a day would give a lot of time and space to hopefully get other stuff done. But it’s not as simple as the journey is pretty hard unless she goes in the buggy. That sounds ridiculous I know, but DH’s health is getting worse by the day, and while mine is improving I actually find slow, stop and start toddler pace walking really hard (it’s to do with blood pooling in my legs). So I’m not actually sure if overall we’d be more shattered and struggling. But the guilt at her not going is huge. She cried a lot before but I think she would get used to it and with all the restrictions there’s not a lot of other options for socialising. The manager isn’t very approachable either so I don’t really feel I can have this discussion with her. I miss our family support worker who at least would have been a go between for us 😳 aaaargh I don’t know.

sing do they only offer the hours 3 per day?

Many settings will do 3 blocks of 5, or two 7.5 hour days

💐 for you zoo
howl he is still little, but they do seem to grow up fast.

KCC my favourite drink is water (not bottled though as it always tastes bitter to me). I have my coffee every morning, I need it! Tea, when I'm back home in UK. I love wine (sweet, Moscato), Bailey's, tequila rose or white Russian when relaxing at home or camping, hot toddy when I'm sick with a cold. I do love a margarita when eating out at a Mexican restaurant.

No flying yet today, I'm wishing I could go back to bed for a couple of hours but I'm at work 😫 DC are home on Fridays and have a chore list for today, hopefully they get it all done so there's not as much to do this weekend.

Oh sing that is so hard. Can anyone give you/ her a ride to nursery? I do believe in socialising toddlers as it aids them in development. Like learning how to share and can pick things up from other toddlers, like new words or whatever.
They do have toddler bikes with handles on a well, so she can sit on a "bike" but you're pushing her along at your pace, so a little more grown up than a buggy.

Sing do you know any other parents from that nursery in your area? Perhaps you could arrange some sort of car pool?

Sing - in those circumstances I'd probably be using the buggy, provided she's willing. I know half of MN would be tutting and saying their DC were walking 5 miles and back by the time they were 3 but we each do what we need to and it won't turn her into a lazy non-walker. My two both used the buggy a fair amount till they were 3+, it made my life easier, didn't do them any harm longer term.

Thanks all. She’s in that awkward in between phase where she’s not wanting to go in the buggy but isn’t reliable with walking! Unfortunately with lockdown she’s not really had much chance to walk further than the park, so she is getting exercise but it’s more roaming around than getting from A to B. I think TBH it’s too late to turn down the place (without epic guilt 😳) so maybe we just need to try it. They do have other sessions so we could rearrange to a couple of longer days in theory, not sure what current rules are re bubbles and such.

ta da
✅stretches in the morning
✅zoom meeting

Rest of the day was shit so no achievements since. Tomorrow will be better hopefully.

Meant to say, she does go in the buggy sometimes still, but hates it and has got used to not needing to - at the start of lockdown she was in it just to get to the park and then walking home, but then ditched it, so it’s only the odd time she goes in it to town or Asda when bribed with a park visit after. Not sure if she could be bribed to go to nursery in the same way :o

We will have to try it though I think, between current health issues and covid restrictions she’s not really getting much entertainment!

OMG I’m crap at flying lol. I’ve done nothing today the weathers just been so crap and horrible we’ve had a movie day. I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with school yet because I am in no way ready to get myself together!!. I’ve decided to let myself have the weekend off as I’ve had crap sleep lately and just feeling meh and then I’m gonna get flying on Monday, new weeks new me. How autumnal is it feeling though! I love this weather for cosy days.

sing I’m a bit like that with friends. Some of my friends are happy for the kids to have play dates again and the adults keep their distance a bit so I was looking forward to thinks being normal again but then when others aren’t comfortable it can be quite frustrating really.

THAT cheese and potato pie is a staple here, we put lots of onions in it. It’s my favourite for rainy days!

Sorry things are so stressful zoo xxxxx

KCC I have a Malibu when I go out, love it!. At hime you can’t beat a cuppa, lots of milk and 2 sugars!

sing are there toddler clubs nearby that are a little closer so she still get to socialise?? Or friends with kids similar age? Maybe give it a go and it’s too much look into something else

howl Awh bless u. I think 5 is still litte! 8 is when I noticed a difference in the kids in my familt

I’m still up :(. DC1 has woken up and is on the sofa with me after having a nightmare. He won’t go to bed now for a while. I’m watching them reading festival vids. I went to reading not long after having DC1 and it was great am sort of reliving it lol. Tomorrow isn’t meant to rain so might go to the park or something.

KCC I drink bottles water,occasional hot chocolate
Volunteer- used go help reception classes with phonics plus reading with year 1+2
Community/junk food cafe at our local church for couple years til DS cracked

Sing things sound very hard lovely.id chuck her in the buggy.ds was still using it sometimes til he was too big to!as a non driver you do what's necessary.bugger what anyone else thinks!sending hugs and 🍫

Howl I'm with that once they taller than you they aren't little anymore!

I can't remember rest of personals,so big wing flaps
Did 3loads wash yesterday
Chip away at front room
Cleared and scrub dining table
Returned multiple belongings to owners rooms
Found floor
Our dvds away
Looks moderate presentable...

So tired and unmotivated I had lots little breaks.must try and do more today

I've kept up with laundry, everything else a shambles.

zoo sorry you / dc are finding things hard right now, be kind to yourself

sing i would perhaps speak to nursery about doing different sessions as if you could cut the amount of walking down it may be a) easier on you and b) more tiring for cagletini making her a more willing buggy passenger

Being kind to myself is not a zoo speciality...

Tada
Wash on
Fed cat that's been yowling and chew my elbows half night
Glossing my room
Realised no milk for D's,on last load bread,so pop heron food.NO CHUFFING BREAD.FFS.zoolets are on limit today as im not pratting around going elsewhere hunting for it
Wipe other bits bought
Put away
Wash in drier
More on
Breakfasts
Wash up

I could very easily go back to sleep but state of place won't improve whilst I'm sat on my arse

Dd2 has discovered "forest,stay focused" app.she completed 3/4 of a 3part module in history for a level.shes got little bit left then a second 3part module and that's history sorted...English is extensive,and we've still no idea when we will hear about third subject.be absolute piss take if she's expected complete all coursework for that before school starts..