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Housekeeping

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August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!

962 replies

SingToTheSky · 30/07/2020 12:29

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! 🍒👋

OP posts:
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SingToTheSky · 04/08/2020 14:11

I just went to the gym :o :o :o it feels great to have that back again. It was blissfully quiet.

I don’t think I’ll get any more housework done today (I put a wash on earlier) but I’m glad I’ve got two things done that I was, for totally different reasons, quite anxious about!

OP posts:
Homeismyhappyplace · 04/08/2020 14:25

Yay sing so happy that you got to go! It's amazing what a bit of me time does for you Thanks

That I try not to read much about covid, my inhaler is on the shielded list, I'm on 400mg and the advised shielded category is 500mg so I am borderline. I am acknowledging that it's happening but pretending that it isn't close by otherwise I would tie myself up in knots with worry. I'm happy in my own little bubble , one positive from it is that I've kicked my ass into gear and lost some weight . I personally , thankfully don't know anyone that has had it . I am hoping the kids can go back to school in September because I am not a great teacher Grin

Stilllivinginazoo · 04/08/2020 15:51

that we have had a really hayfevery time fullstop this year.ds sneezes and dd2 gets watery eyes hasn't been able to smell anything for a couple months she's so blocked up!!
SingStarre the bank
Bower you are on a total roll lovely,well done
Meg I too need pics of labels/label maker.dd1 sent pic her cupboard with neatly labelled jars pasta,rice etc.i need her organisational skills desperately...
Double is it a good book?think that's on my Amazon wish list!

Book in progressjust finished crimson petal and the white,I've a stack I ordered on a whim so must pick another and try and take time to read each day.i struggling switch off from the stress and chaos here currently

Lil zoo camhs assessment went ok.theres concern for her capacity with literal stuff and feelings.very high anxiety and expectations of herself.needs a team review and may be referred ASD assessment
DS steadily unravelling at concept ehcp has placed him to a school for sept,over an hour away by taxi.its happening over my dead body,mediation needs sorting,school are responsible for his learning from 1st sept,but refusing any contact meeting til 15th and I'm struggling get lea to fill in the gap
We won't talk about dd2,cept to say I've been a verbal punch-bag all morning as stressed at meet a friend for walk in local park this afternoon.im tired.tired tread on eggshells,tired try hold everyone else together when I've got no one help hold me up and no time to myself to recharge...

Tada
Couple bags random crap sorted
2LOL done,dry and put away
Made banana coconut muffins with 2stray almost black bananas
Phone meet with camhs was 2HOURS
Lunch for all at 130
Fell asleep and dd2 screech at me we had go to meet friend.id not agreed to that,a hell breaks loose..
Camhs team rang regarding dd2 now she's out,the anxiety group will not be regrouping as not "covid safe" so they looking to re engage her to do video callsthat's go be a fun chat to have with her

Mc3209 · 04/08/2020 16:05

Zoo sending you all the strength and virtual hugs.

Sing check you out, exercising and conquering your to do tasks!

I've got zero motivation for housework today. Still at work at the moment, but running out of steam here too. I might just park myself on a sofa for the evening when I get home.. can't even go for a walk as it's raining mercilessly.

(A very modest) Ta da for today:
🎉Made the bed
🎉Ate breakfast at home

I am reading Greek mythology to my belly at the moment, bed time story style. Felt a bit like a tool at first, now got used to reading out loud 😂 Don't know if this whole perinatal education has any truth in it, but wouldn't hurt to try. If anything, it will refresh my own memory!

Mc3209 · 04/08/2020 16:20

Bower I need plant advice. I pruned my indoor ficus few weeks ago and now trying to water propagate the cuttings, but so far I only got about 5mm max of new root growth over past 3-4 weeks. I am thinking of just popping them into soil and hoping for the best as I am a little worried they will rot standing in water. Or am I just being very impatient?

MrsTidyHouse · 04/08/2020 16:31

Thank you for flowers and kind words. It means so much. It gave me space in my head to think this morning.

Heavy rain all day, so gardening was not possible. Got stuck into laundry -
clothes off pulleys into hot cupboard,
First load on to pulleys
Second load into machine
Hung up as soon as wash finished.

Found a rawlplug for whiteboard on wall, now securely fixed.

Had a rummage around in the dining-room-that-isn't, and I don't think it's as bad as I first thought. A good sort and tidy will help me see what needs to be done.

Phoned re hospital video appt, which I didn't want to do, and they changed it to phone appt quickly and with no fuss or asking why.

Short break, deleted unwanted podcasts.

Office tidying - found a stack of letters that had piled up in a rack for attention, then had been neglected. Much of them will be easy to deal with, once I've read them through.

Cleared a few more inches of the kitchen table. Cooked sausages for DS and self.

And now I've got my feet up. Read the Education Department letter on going back to school next week. It's amazing how many words they use to say so little.

Hoping to clear DS's keeps off the Big Table this evening, upstairs to his cupboard. Then I'll have the Big Table back. Which will immediately be covered with all the shoeboxes of pencils and pens and suchlike while I find a safe place for them in a cupboard. I swear they multiply in the dark.

xmummy2princesx · 04/08/2020 17:17

Evening all! Not dun much 2day just had a lazy day. I ordered a swing set 4 the garden 4 the kids and it came and it was all broken so have had 2 send it back I am fuming!.

Gr8 news about yoga sing

bower sum ppl r horrible on here aren’t they. I try 2 stay off a lot of it! My DM was 38 when she became a GM and my nan was 40!

I’m sry 2 hear ur not having the best of times tidy I also don’t have a dining room just a table in a kitchen :)

My hayfever has been bad 2 THAT Ive barely been out the house cuz of it

zoo I’m glad camhs went okay. I used 2 go 2 camhs was rly lucky that didn’t have 2 wait 2 long tho. Waiting lists r awful now.

That’s great sing!!

KCC I’m currently reading the goblet of fire! Have read the Harry Potters loads of times but wanted 2 start them again. Rly enjoying it

ta da
❤️Logan awake at 6. 1 hour with him
🧡Woke up Sullivan
💛Gave Sullivan his milk
💚asthma and eczema routine
💙Breakfast made (fromage frais with mashed mango on scotch pancakes)
💜Got dressed
❤️Got boys dressed
🧡Brushed teeth
💛Made beds
💚S&S
💙Washed up
💜Dried
❤️Put away
🧡LOL
💛Laundry out to dry
💚Ironed
💙Made snacks for me and Logan (sultanas)
💜Put Sullivan down for a nap
❤️Logan did fly kids challenge
🧡Exercise
💛Gave Sullivan his milk
💚Drank Sum water from my bottle
💙Planned dinner (salmon and haddock fish pie)
💜Decluttered
❤️Sorted out my hotspot
🧡Made lunch (cheese and tomato muffins and a pear)
💛Put both boys down for a nap
💚Went for a walk
💙Washed up
💜Dried and put away
❤️Binned things on dining table
🧡Put stuff away
💛Fed Sullivan formula
💚Snack 4 me and Logan (pepper sticks and hummus)
💙Meal planned
💜Prepared dinner
❤️Put leftovers in bin
🧡Played with DC
💛Warm milk 4 Logan and CBeebies to wind down formula for Sullivan

EasilyDelighted · 04/08/2020 18:24

Hmm, reading. I think we talked about this a couple of months ago and I may have said I was plodding my way through Where The Crawdads Sing. Well, still plodding, about half way now and on the verge of giving up, it's getting worse as I progress. The best book I have read recently was The Radium Girls about the young women in early 20thC America who worked painting luminous watches and aircraft dials with radium, the horrendous illnesses they suffered and their epic fight for justice, it was a great read but quite upsetting.

Tada!

Mainly work today, but at home and it was a nice day, not too hot so I set up at the patio table and have been out there all day, which has been nice. Managed to tick off a few small jobs too.

Booked weekend away
Ordered school trousers
More swimming club comms (start back tomorrow)
Swish and swipe
Emptied bathroom bin
1xLOL (about to go and sort and iron).

Bower - I definitely need to get to a showroom, there is one in Newbury which isn't too far from us.

SingToTheSky · 04/08/2020 18:53

Yes I think I asked the same question when I was thread host in April 😳 I know what you mean about having a book you’re plodding through - two of the books I finished this year I’d been reading for MONTHS 😳

That’s a shame about the crawdads book, I’ve heard mostly rave reviews, but then there were a few others that didn’t get the hype. If it’s not right it’s not right!

My next planned read is to finally attempt wuthering heights. I’ve never been great with classics (adored Jane Eyre and have read a few others) but the lady I type for was talking about a few books she liked including cold comfort farm which apparently I’ll enjoy more if I read WH first. I quite like having an outside suggestion on what to read IYSWIM, so it’s the kick I need. The other one she recommended, as she was reading it herself, was Diary of a Nobody, which was a bit non-eventful but funny in places.

OP posts:
Doublechins · 04/08/2020 20:32

Rest of my ta-da's
☑️ had teams meeting with DS4 tutor
☑️ chat with neighbour
☑️ helped DS3 do his journal and bigs did theirs too
☑️ checked bank balance 😬 roll on payday!
☑️ sorted bigs lightbulb (well half sorted still need to connect it to their Alexa)
☑️ finished ironing
☑️ made dinner. Just fish cakes/chicken burgers from the freezer. Need to do a big shop but 👆 payday...
☑️ dishes
☑️ Aldi
☑️ nice long bath

We're having another movie night with the boys camped out in the sitting room. Watching the new Will Smith one atm I think it's called Gemini man.

Zoo I've just realised that actually I don't think it is a true story (although sadly some people are living it day after day). It's gripping but heartbreaking at the same time 😔

Homeismyhappyplace · 04/08/2020 21:39

Tada

🎉Cleared up from lunch
🎉Went outside with dd2 in the garden for a couple of hours, picked blackberries and then practiced peddling on her bike - she's so good at her balance bike so once she's figured out peddling the stabilisers will be off !
🎉cooked tea
🎉put clothes away
🎉got ds ready for football training and also tomorrow's kit out for his match
🎉baked cookies with the girls
🎉 cleared up the kitchen from tea and baking
🎉hoovered living area, dining and kitchen
🎉folded dry washing from maiden and put in allocated rooms
🎉put a LOL in the washer ready to go on in the morning
🎉wrote shopping list and a uniform list that I can check through tomorrow/ Thursday

I'll be going up for a wash and to read my book soon, all that running up and down the garden this afternoon with dd2 has tired me out 😂

Night everyone

SingToTheSky · 04/08/2020 21:43

Command strip users can I have your opinions... would they hold these up? Is it more secure the more you use?

None of them would have anything heavy in them - things like little Lego models, pop vinyl figures etc. And it wouldn’t be stuff that was taken on and off so no pressure put on the edges etc.

August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!
August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!
August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!
OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 04/08/2020 21:44

Also can you put the strips horizontally or do they have to be vertical 🤔

OP posts:
TheUpholder · 04/08/2020 21:53

Phew, lots to catch up on!

I’ll attempt my personals but I know I’ve forgotten some already...

Princes re school, DD starts next September and we decided which one we want her to go to around a year ago. It’s easy here though. Small town, only 3 primary schools to choose from and they don’t tend to be oversubscribed.

Tidy glad you’re feeling a bit more positive than earlier. You really do sound like you’re doing so well. Like Zoo says, you will see a difference if you just keep plodding on with it.

Bower I read that exactly in Sarah Milligan’s voice. You made me chuckle.

That yes yes to hay fever.

Home (and KCC!) I’m currently reading one of LJ Ross’s books. They are easy to read crime ones set up in my neck of the woods. I love that I can picture the places in the stories. I’ve only got one left to read after this but she brings them out quickly.

Sing as thread leader you get to decide whether you’ve fulfilled anti procrastination day, but I’ll act as judge if you want? Yep, you’ve done it

MC I’ve no idea what the secret to getting up is but let me know when you find it Grin. I think Zoo’s right (you’ve been very wise today Zoo!), you’ve just got to get up with no messing about. I got better at it when I went back I work after mat leave as I had no choice, and tried to get sorted before DD woke up at 5am, I’m sure yours will be a much better sleeper. Feeling the benefit of a leisurely productive morning before leaving for work spurs me on too. I still only manage it 2-3 mornings a week though. Other days I’m racing round like a madwoman with no flying achieved.

Today was a good morning though:
✅ yoga
✅ DW emptied
✅ checked for LOL - didn’t need one Shock
✅ beds made
✅ sorted some admin for nursery
✅ booked one of our planned August trips (planning day? Completed it mate)
✅ loaded DW and shone sink before bed

Off tomorrow, catch you then fledglings 🍒👋

SingToTheSky · 04/08/2020 22:05

Excellent verdict, thanks upholder!

ta da
🏋🏻‍♀️LOL
🏋🏻PHONED BANK 🏆
🏋🏻‍♀️healthful breakfast
🏋🏻walked to town, via asda (first time since compulsory masks) for cash and water bottle
🏋🏻‍♀️GYM 🏆
🏋🏻quick wander in town including taking photos of storage etc
🏋🏻‍♀️Homestart phone call while sitting in the park
🏋🏻shower followed by new moisturiser (decided not to try the body brush when it’s a “cleaning self after being out in the virusy world” shower!)

The shower must have been about 4pm and I’ve done pretty much nothing since!

ta didn’t
❌buy the vitamins I need

No clue what tomorrow will bring, DH might have to go to the walk in with DSD if her back is still awful so I don’t want to make any plans really. Need to finish the tesco order now. Sigh. Daily life is boring the crap out of me ATM 🙄🤣

OP posts:
Mc3209 · 04/08/2020 22:36

Sing re command strips, they can only be used vertically as the force needs to go directly downwards to stay secure, even if it is slightly at an angle, ie when whatever you are trying to hang up is not perfectly flush with the wall/in parallel to the wall, the forces are not going directly down and pull the glue off (which is part of the design as that's how you take them off the wall without taking the wall with you). I've only been hanging relatively light photos/framed pictures. Honestly not sure about the shelves (they look awesome by the way! I love the idea). I'd probably check the weight specifications on the command strips first and see if it agrees with the weight of the shelves... Now I am curious and going to look that up.

Upholder it makes me feel a bit better I am not the only one rushing around in the morning ☺️

xmummy2princesx · 04/08/2020 22:44

double movie evening sounds luvly x

upholder thank u will look in2 it. Dnt want 2 think about him growing up thi :(

💚Bathed both boys did eczema routine and brushed teeth
💙Bedtime stories
💜Asthma meds
❤️Showered myself
🧡Washed down bath
💛Took off makeup
💚Brushed teeth
💙Washed sink down
💜Wiped bathroom floor
❤️Put laundry in laundry basket ready for tomorrow
🧡Washed up from dinner
💛Dried and put away
💚Wiped kitchen surfaces
💙Wiped kitchen floor
💜Shined sink
❤️Put away kids toys
🧡Straightened our blankets and pillows on sofa

Mc3209 · 04/08/2020 22:44

Sing apparently the heaviest you can put up with strips (versus hooks etc) is 5 lb. I didn't know that. And there are different strips for different weights. This one is the 5 lbs one I found: www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/products/~/Command-Easel-Back-Picture-Hanging-Strips/?N=5924736+3292205088+3294529207&preselect=5583838+3293786499&rt=rud

So my To Do for tomorrow:

  • Get a start on those photos in the hall.
Stilllivinginazoo · 05/08/2020 07:59

My days peaking already
Not much sleep.so low keep crying
Cat did a squipper and step in it trailing poo down stairs(only carpet in house) and across living room.
Had wake dd2 help hold said beast whilst I attempt get remnant poo off leg/foot/between toes
Triggered panic attack as I woke her up...
Cats now de popped and sit window glaring and chewing between her toes
Dd2 just had screing fit at me
Dd1 carpet cleaner us busted and no where very local has one I can buy so scrubbing stair carpets in cards later today once dd1 done Tesco shop

Can I just go sleep and not have to wake up???

THATbasicrebelBITCH · 05/08/2020 08:04

SadBrewFlowers zoo

SHIT night sleep here thanks to teething baby

Urgh

Homeismyhappyplace · 05/08/2020 08:06

Morning everyone, sending BrewBrew to those that need it.

Thanks for the recommendation upholder, I've noted down the author.

I've had a shocking sleep, I couldn't get to sleep , then dd2 came wandering in at around 4, took me ages to get back to sleep then woke up at 630 with a runny nose (sorry tmi) so I've got up to take my antihistamine - my hay fever hasn't been bad this year so I'm not sure why it's flared up today . I know a few of you mentioned you were suffering yesterday, maybe the count is really high.

Tada
Washer is on

I've written my to do list , it's mainly revolving around ds football this evening, we've got to leave about 430 and won't be back until 830 so I need to make sure he's fuelled and hydrated throughout the day because if I don't remind him, he hardly drinks anything and ends up with a migraine.

Better get on and start prepping lunch (beef casserole , mash , roasties & veg 😋) going to try and get a few things ticked off before exercise at 9 .

Homeismyhappyplace · 05/08/2020 08:10

Thanks aww zoo , that is definitely not the best way to start the day. I'm sorry you're having a tough time - please be kind to yourself ❤️

That I miss the baby stage but I really don't miss the teething , it isn't nice when you can't do much for them.

TheUpholder · 05/08/2020 08:17

Morning. Not much sleep here either, just one of those nights where I couldn’t switch off. Strong coffees all round eh.

Zoo I have no words Flowers. Hope the day improves (it can only get better really can’t it).

Ta da:
✅ beds made
✅ LOL on
✅ everyone fed
✅ DW emptied

To do:
📌 phone bank
📌 breakfast things in DW
📌 hoover everywhere
📌 clean bathroom
📌 dust upstairs
📌 empty bins
📌 bit of decluttering/clearing of hotspots
📌 make a list of where needs a lick of paint everywhere as the house is starting to look a bit tired
📌 post a card

Planning a walk/play in the garden with DD and have an appointment later on this afternoon. Back later 👋

THATbasicrebelBITCH · 05/08/2020 08:30

And i just burnt my toast

Twice

Fuck off Wednesday Angry

Stilllivinginazoo · 05/08/2020 09:18