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 all. It is Wednesday, which can indeed fuck off. Anti procrastination if you want to, otherwise, meh. Sorry FlyLady 🤷‍♀️

KCC - given the amount of aaaargh on the thread 💐 I am changing today’s question a bit. It now has two parts:
1. What’s really annoyed you lately?
2. What’s made you smile lately?

Thought part one might be a bit cathartic at least :o

Mine is

1. The fact I bought a basket for towels in the kitchen and within a day it was being used for fruit instead (so most of it could be hidden from the toddler who would eat ten apples a day if she could) without actually thinking, oh hang on Sing probably bought that for a reason. Can I not just have one thing that actually lasts as what it was meant for?! 🤬🙄
2. Watching The Middle, a US comedy about a family of five. I’d seen season one a few years ago but now it’s all on Prime so I’m rewatching from the start. It’s even more relatable now with 3 kids and absolute chaos and the tiredness and forgetting stuff and never getting much peace! So funny. DS saw a bit where the mum says how hard it is being a mum, and he said “at least it’s not hard for you” - I didn’t really know what to say to that 🤐🤣

🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱

sing i would take it as a compliment, you must make it look easy

Probably because I walk away when I get stressed TBH 😳😂 pre lockdown the pub saw a LOT of my money.

I am a frazzled mess so I’m not sure anyone else would agree with DS 😳

Having a discussion with DH about how to manage stuff, since the caglets aren’t down yet (unusual for DS, DD1 and her friend were up till 6ish 🙄). What I haven’t said yet is that the main thing I really need is for him to start looking after himself properly (both mentally and physically) - it’s killing me trying to carry him as well as the general family stuff 😑

sing hard conversation ahead,but vital if you are to stay upright 🍫

I am all those memes today

1.everybody having no insight or motivation to get off arses and help even when can see I'm exhausted,in pain,at breaking point when 99% problems are them dropping belongings,mess etc as they go.also them expecting me to be excited/happy to do stuff/go long walks when I'm exhausted and want time by myself which is currently non existent

2.ermmmm.will need think hard for that one

2.we have a mummy hedgehog visitingher belly droopy and is accompany by two tremors sometimes
And I think we now have starling fledgers to add to cacophony of sparrows,tits,blackbirds and a robin who has longest legs I've ever seen

How did teenies become tremors?

Tada
Wash on
Fed cats
Harpic lav
Water plants on kitchen sill
Water all flowers outside/top up sledge which is principle bird bath/scoutcat drinking spot
Fold washing from yesterday and put away
Chase cat around try wipe poo off her
Wake dd2 and face barrage abuse to help hold said cat whilst I wipe back leg/between its claws
Hunt for evidence poo prints
Spray disinfect spray on carpet
Clear up obvs poo prints
Scrub hands
Toast crumpets,mountain of
Wash in drier
Had plan wash loads my stuff dd2 ranting desperate need for hers-3half loads
Add some D's stuff and put on load 1
Ask dd2 move meds scattered on multiple surfaces,war breaks out.moves laxido nothing else and storm upstairs
Ask when rest be moved
Head bitten off "FFS later " ends conversation
Angry polish living room
Wipe lower floors disinfectant
Write shop list for dd1
Wash up
Rearrange food cupboards so new stuff goes to the back,date check perishable bits/dry fruits and nuts for what needs using up next
Remind dd2 next door was working last night and "turn that fucking racket DOWN"
goes back up again sec I leave room
Multiple death threats under breath
Angry clean bath and sink

If 'rona wasn't so prevalent I'd be packing bags and run off to join circus

Oh and huge Tesco don't have any carpet cleaning solution.FFS.....

Tada
🎉prepped lunch
🎉hung out the washing
🎉exercise
🎉breakfast
🎉casserole in the oven

Mil is coming over in about an hour so I'm about to jump in the shower and get everyone ready . Also have a sink full of pots to sort before arrival!

1. Dp is doing lots of overtime, we're trying to make a buffer in case the s**t hits the fan with the economy. It is great that he's taking all the overtime on offer , but, when I've 3 kids that have been home since March , I've actually run out of ideas of how to keep things fun and light hearted , and running the house single handed, the whole situation I find quite overwhelming!!

2 Even though I've moaned about it - having the kids at home makes me happy 😂

Still catching up on the thread, I’m not being a good hostess sorry 😳 I’ve not even moved since previous post other than to scoff cereal (healthy eating not happening today clearly). I should at least put yesterday’s LOL in the dryer FFS. I haven’t even watched anything (planned on some more of The Middle to cheer me up) as I’m too grumpy 😳

I have almost forgiven Cagletini for waking me up at 5.19am (she’s slept since but I couldn’t) as she’s done some good counting with her puzzle :o and then told DH that no, he couldn’t change her nappy unless he said please 😂

I need to make sure I do something today, I might just pop out for a bit as I’m too achy from the gym to exercise properly but I’ve recently realised that it takes longer to recover if I stay in and don’t move at all. I might go to the next town as I can get my vitamins there instead and sit in the pub. I could take my course stuff as last time it was easily quiet enough to study in peace, but my head is not in the game and I just want to sit and have a quiet cold drink. I am craving caffeine like crazy, unsurprisingly 🙄

We didn’t have the rest of the conversation as DS came down. So this probably means the subject will be ignored for a bit longer. Sigh.

Hi sing you're doing fine as hostess. I've been awol from thread - very sorry. Caught up with things here.

Ruddy Wednesday - we are back in lockdown up here in my area of NE Scotland as of 5pm tonight. I've cancelled my dental checkup tomorrow as it's not absolutely necessary and I'm a bus user living more than 5 miles from the surgery.

I love 'the Middle' but God I hate the house decor!

1. What’s really annoyed you lately?

The numpties who went on a pub crawl while symptomatic and waiting for Covid Test results meaning that my local area is now back in lockdown

1. What’s made you smile lately?

You can view 10 years of exhibitions interactively on the Museum Bornemisza website. It's an art museum in Madrid which has its permanent collection and exhibitions online. Current exhibit is on Rembrandt. You can click on the pictures and 'walk' around the exhibition. I've been there two or three times and it's one of my favourite museums.

www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssenmultimedia/virtual-tours

www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssenmultimedia/virtual-tours/immersive/rembrandt-and-amsterdam-portraiture-1590-1670

If you have VR glasses you can use those or just view ordinarily.

The kitchen in 'the Middle'. arghhh. It's the green and the white railings.

I haven't watched 'the middle' , must try it , seems as though it popular you you lovely lot .

Tada
🎉everyone showered and dressed
🎉cleared breakfast pots and table
🎉another LOL
🎉finished making the lunch and MIL visited and ate with us, I am now stuffed. I prefer a lighter lunch and bigger tea because I want an afternoon nap after a big lunch 😂, but when the kids have activities, it's better for them to eat a big lunch and have something lighter for tea.

Relaxing with the kids until 3ish before I start again. I want to clean the kitchen and hang the washing out before getting myself and ds ready and making tea. We've got to set off around 4.30ish. No zone work today, I feel like I've been rushing around all day just doing the basics 🤦‍♀️

meg you go girl
Lisette i have no words about covidiots
Home kind wordsto yourself my dear,you are doing great.we all have days where feel going round in circles getting no where fast sometimes!!

I had yet ANOTHER set Strong Words with dd2 at lunchtime.she is cross I'm threatened tech free time for all,based on her complaining other two get virtual unlimited time at mo Vs her having be off by 8pm.i pointed out they're off at night,and neither grasp the just an hour or two notion.all or nothing,and I've not got energy time etc at mo to police them constantly.shes ment be off begorev8pm as scrolling doesn't help with evening panic attacks whereas colouring,playdoh/mohdoh, scratch art etc do
I LMS and drag us all out for a walk.the cool cloudy day transformed into humid bright sun whilst put leaving me dizzy and lightheaded/breathless but at least I got change scene and chance regroup myself a little
She retreat to room to play devices.other two did sane so I cracked on muttering angry cleaning.i will get on top of things and plot a decent routine for all before weeks out!!

Tada
Acquire carpet cleaning solution at local corner shop
Scrub stair carpet best I can with breathlessness, palpitations and dizzy spells.were no obvs poo prints,but I couldn't just let it be.it smells 1000%better,slightly less grubbyand I removed best part two handfuls cat floof despite hoovering two days ago
Whilst had gloves on disinfected littertrays

Bathroom
Clean windows/mirror
Clean sill,radiator and bath skirt
Wipe tiling
Clean shower caddy with toothbrush and elbow grease spray
Wipe bath and sink
Zoflora floor
Smells bit overpowering to me but much nicer than essence of cat bum and fusty plugholes....

Three loads washing done- one dry fold and put away,one need wiring bit more to complete drying prices.last load into drier soon

Lisette I think we are in the same city!

I am still eyeing up my to do list...:

• tidy up the living room: dust and hoover
• quick S&S kitchen/bathroom
• LOL

• I'm not originally from here but I suppose a lot of people move into the city. It's fairly international. I do like it here! Here's hoping schools go back next week....

Zoolets eating,mines in oven
Dd2 has put rubbish in big bin and had a shower

For now she appears to have removed the pole from up her arse

Last laundry I did today has been put away
Proud of myself for not just be a bad tempered grump bag all day and achieving Sod all

Lisette I am also not a local originally, but I am pretty much settled here (fingers crossed for a permanent contract in 2 years' time when my current one runs out. Work in a hospital, so hopefully pandemic wouldn't affect contract renewal for the worse). Schools should still go back next week as planned, but things are changing constantly, so who knows what's going to happen.

Zoo I am glad to hear you are feeling more rested. Sounds like you really needed "you time". Maybe a glass of🍷or ☕ in order?

I should really get on with my to do list.

I work in one of the Unis Mc so I've been working from home since March.

Anyway I'll have to up my housekeeping game again. The place is looking so scruffy. Sounds like you did a good job with the stairs zoo

Glad you’re feeling revitalised Zoo.

I managed to pull myself round with a strong coffee this morning, had a semi productive day, and have now hit a wall of exhaustion and I’ve headed up to bed.

✅ s & s x 2
✅ dressed and out with DD on her bike and to the park by 9:30. Glad we went early as it got super busy as we were leaving.
✅ easy lunch of fishfingers and oven chips
✅ hoovered and mopped downstairs - not my usual day for that but it was icky.
✅ rang bank
✅ set DW off, wipes benches etc
✅ bleached grout in bathroom as it was looking pretty pink. Didn’t clean the bath or shower screen though.
✅ dusted and hoovered upstairs
✅ baked cupcakes with DD
✅ ignored the zones and decided to randomly blitz and declutter my dressing room while DD played. Pulled out furniture to hoover, sorted some bits for charity shop, decluttered make up etc. It’s looking much better but I’m now a bit sneezy.

The exhaustion then hit, so we’ve had sandwiches and too many jammy dodgers for tea and I confess to having left a mess downstairs.

KCC - Something that annoyed me... DH late in from work tonight, came in to find me on my hands and knees sorting the dressing room while DD was having my life pulling things out as quick as I was putting them away. He was in a rush to get out for a run and in a bit of a grump so stood getting all agitated, pacing and sighing that he couldn’t get into the bedroom to get changed because I’d put some baskets in the doorway to clear space (the dressing room is tiny). I gently suggested that as I was busy and he is an able bodied adult, perhaps he could move them himself, at which point he pushed them along BACK INTO THE ROOM. It was difficult but I DLMS, just muttered through gritted teeth perhaps he could have moved them along the landing in the opposite direction and not where he could see I was busy . Such a small thing but he’s so frustrating when he’s in a rush like that (pretty sure there wasn’t a deadline for heading out for his run) and he suddenly becomes like a toddler. Aah that rant was cathartic

Made me smile - he has redeemed himself and when he realised how shattered I was got me flowers while he popped to the shop, ran me a bath, brought me a hot chocolate to enjoy while he did bedtime and he prepped my overnight oats for work tomorrow. If he straightens downstairs up before he comes to bed he might even find a place in my good books

Oh, sorry about local lockdown Lisette. Frustrating!

That’s a good turnaround from DH upholder!

My evening can be summed up with a single word.

TEENAGERS. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

I have so much I should be doing but I’m in a hideous mood and can’t focus on a single bloody thing. So I’m just going to post my list and write the day off.

🤬yesterday’s LOL in dryer
🤬did some stretching before I got up properly, and then looked at some other ideas as it might be a good daily habit
🤬vaguely useful discussion with DH
🤬buggered off to the next town where I browsed a few shops and bought some dried fruit, a tiny plate for earrings and a decent mask
🤬DLMS purely because I’d managed the above instead of staying home
🤬wrote a couple of messages (counts as anti procrastination as one I’d been putting off)
🤬arranged to meet friend tomorrow
🤬still DLMS despite teenage PITA

I fell off the thread sorry, just marking my place as I lost you all, will catch up tomorrow hopefully, got a bad headache so I'm going to have an early night I think!

Oh yes and I forgot
🤬ordered some command hooks etc (not for the display frames yet but other house stuff - if they work out I should be able to solve quite a few house issues!)
🤬helped look for dobok which had somehow gone missing despite doing regular zoom classes for months!

DH put proper hooks on DS’ door to hang the laundry bag on, and got him to then do some of said laundry, and took him to TKD. He loved having his first proper lesson since March 😍