Pumpkin spice and ghost abound, fledglings flying through the crazy

[HillsBesideTheSea]

Right for this seasonal thread of the Fledgings, I invite you to pull up a comfy chair around the fire pit and pour yourself a mug of something that you fancy.

We loosely follow the flylady system and her babysteps. But we have our own spin, our own abbreviations and have been around for far longer than some of us would like to admit. If you are new to these parts welcome in, we'll get you up to speed in no time. But we have rules, yes rules!

Rule 1: No fledgling left behind.
life happens. If you fall off the thread, jump back when you are ready.

Rule 2: If you wouldn't say it to someone else, don't say it to yourself
Be kind to yourself, the world is still crazy, and life happens. Just do what you can, when you can.

Right that's the rules now for the fun part. Acronyms and autocorrects!
Amongst others (and there are others but we'll have to explain as we go along)
It's all gone a bit ponty pridd - tits up, pete tong, wrong etc etc we get to thank auto correct for this
WOW wash out Wednesday - humps days often don't go to plan and get washed out
LOL round these parts it is load of laundry

Urm... Yeah about that fire pit and comfy chair... Dibs on the big floofy one with fluffy blankies... Last one in brings the marshmallows!

So the average-90min meeting turned out to be 2h40 🤣 oh my word though what a lovely bunch of colleagues I have. I’m still feeling a bit daunted about how much there is to learn but I guess that will last a while!

Also managed to keep Cagletini alive and vaguely entertained, and the floor man has filled the hole in the floor. He’s back shortly to put sealant under the French doors.

I only recently remembered I also have a maths lesson online at 2. No peace for the wicked 😬

po3.2
❗️Eat lunch - glad DH randomly picked me up a sandwich on the milk run this morning
❗️Find my notes from the meeting as I misplaced them when I moved rooms for the floor man
❗️Get PC set up for maths

Can't help I'm afraid, zoo, but I've noticed that since my Little Go In Hospital I get panic attacks very easily when my heart rate goes up, my chest hurts, my breathing goes funny and I can't make words happen.

This morning has been a bugger. In theory, I got up, sorted out paperwork for ECG at hospital, spoke to DS2, went and got ECG done, bought pickled eggs.

Actually I:
🤬 Got up, had breakfast, split my lip, bled everywhere due to blood thinners
🙄 Tidied up for the cleaner coming
🤬 Spoke to DS2
🙄 Went to hospital. Met a jobsworth at the door who found my being unable to saninitise my hands and change my mask for a disposbale one simultaneously to be An Issue
🤬 Presented myself at Cardiology. No one had any record of me.
🙄 Lovely cardiology nurse found I was actually meant to be in Outpatients because when they'd booked "an ECG" they meant an echo cardiogram.
🤬 Went to outpatients. Who said "are you sure? Shouldn't you be at cardiology?"
🙄 Useful admin lady at outpatients found my record and confirmed I would be there. Sent me round to the waiting room where I went through "what are you here for? I've got no record etc etc" again with the nurse
🤬 Had echo cardiogram
🙄 Could not hand in patient funding form I was told they would not see me without... BECAUSE IT NEEDS EMAILING TO THE SECRETARY
🤬 Gave up, left (paying ,£3.50 for 50 mins parking)
🙄 Went to Tesco, awarded myself sneaky Costa hot chocolate, split my lip again, got blood down my jumper. At least the jumper is rust-coloured.

I am supposed to be arranging the printing of some work for a client this afternoon, but I think I'm going back to bed before I damage something probably me.

willow what a lees than fun morning lovely

Think it must be ,in part, a "certain age" thing we have
Hills as try get app doc for even obvs complaints virtually impossible I shall heed the advice of rest and recover where I can.my last attempt to get seen for pain and sweeping in finger joints ended in phone call informing me probably arthritis.take paracetamol if it's really painful

Bloody hell willow what a day 😫 💐

Floor is sorted. Maths done. Internet being a pain again and Cagletini kicked off partway as she wanted a cuddle 😭 just got piano at 5 and then I’m done for the day other than admin. For now though I just need to stop I think.

Sorry people are having tough days.

I've been doing my course (been doing some training courses on mental health and brain functioning type stuff lately) and applying for a government funded course on leading behaviour and culture in schools. It seems like my brain is still active and wanting to learn and tbf I'm doing fine at work and on top of my work load etc. That seems to be it though. Doing fairly crappily at self care in terms of food and drink and taking care of the house beyond the basics of laundry, dw, keeping the cupboards stocked and minimal hygiene.

Just don't have spare.

I need my batteries charging. Desperate to get away and see friends in teh sunshine.

Sounds like you could do with a health check up Zoo being breathless definitely needs checking.

A lot of us seem tired at the moment perhaps it is Coronavirus fatigue.

I must have done something to my back yesterday as it was hurting after a while today. Damn.
Sorted out the A frame and other pots etc near it. A few bits in greenhouse.

Lunch was salad wrap, mug of tea and a piece of ginger cake with rum. We ate in the Summerhouse because I haven’t been in there for a few days must make sure I do before winter.

Yesterday - six lols washed and up on pulleys. Everything else out of hot cupboard and into wardrobes.
Kitchen tidy enough that I could go up ladder and reach two blown wall lightbulbs and replace them.

Remembered that I had a small lamp buried under a mess of things, Dug it out, found a bulb, and popped it on top of a wall unit to tbrighten a gloomy corner.

Swept up leaves in back garden.

Dropped ipad, now has a spider's web radiating out from one corner.

Today - a bit weary from yesterday's exertions. Had some kind of epiphany in my sleep about understairs cupboard. Got up and pulled out the stacked melon boxes and put the LOs' craft stuff in a corner of the living-room. Reduced contents of six boxes to three.

Then emptied some household items out of my bureau drawers and into the boxes, eg spare bathroom accessories, lightbulbs, etc.

Now I can use the bureau for home and garden type magazines. And sort the garden tools that end up in the utility because I get too tired to put them in the garage. Keep only houseplant tools in house. Try that tomorrow.

Sounds like you have got a lot sorted MrsTidy both mentally and physically.

I have been lying in bed watching a Hoarder’s programme. It is interesting to hear their stories.Woman was 88 and son 56 grieving but I don’t understand the food and packaging thrown in the corner the smell must be horrendous and surely mice or worse get in there.

The other thing that I am sure must be upsetting is everything gets thrown in the skipsurely some could be recycled. Was it Sarah Beeny that put people’s possession into a warehouse marked out in rooms. If that could be done and the better stuff sorted surely they would feel better about helping a charity. Tonight’s the 88 year old mum had loads of clothes but all clean looking and on hangers just lots of them. Obviously the stuff in son’s room were foodstuff throw would need to go out but a lot of hers was in boxes. Seems awful if it goes in landfill if it is ok. Watching does make me want to clean and Declutter.

How are you all?

Red. I often wonder if people relapse after these massive changes. And I hate the programmes where the aim seems to be to fill the skip rather than declutter the house, if that makes sense.

I remember one series I found particularly interesting, where the families' houses were emptied and they had to live for a number of days with the absolute minimum. I think that tech was banned as well. Then they decluttered in a warehouse. Was that the same thing? Teenagers would find it very hard, but younger children seemed to benefit greatly.

tidy you've got loads done
Red hope your back feels better

I jinxed my sleep pattern by mentioning it I think.last two nights I've woken up loads
Morning meditation done,time to get up
Expecting a parcel todayso I can't do school runs/have to wait in so I'm hoping to be productive as I'm stuck here

I have been busy trying to catch up over the last few days.
Sing well done on your first meeting, sounds like it'll be a good fit for you. I'm glad to read that cagletini is feeling better
zoo I'm relieved to hear your sleep is improving. I'm no use on your other ailments though, I'm sorry.
willow you've been through a lot, it sounded like you had a rough day 💐
Red lovely to see you back on the thread. I do get your thoughts on why they throw things away, I also don't understand why they throw a perfectly good table away (and then have to buy a new one). Unless there were mice on everything and it's contaminated, perhaps. I haven't watched a hoarders show in a while.
tidy you've been busy clearing the clutter. That hoarders show sounds interesting too, is it based in the UK?

Ta Das Tuesday
🦇 Hair cut & coloured
🦇 gel on nails (Halloween design) toes & fingers
🦇 sheets washed & put back on bed
🦇 rotated DW
🦇 ordered Halloween costumes (3 out of 4, DD still needs to choose one)
🦇 relaxed lots - probably a bit too much
🦇 Skyped mum
🦇 used the smoker for the first time to cook pork loin and it was delicious 😋
🦇 got my clothes out ready for tomorrow

I have enjoyed my 4 day weekend, but back to work tomorrow (Wednesday). I was able to get painting done in the house, there's still more to do, but the more pressing jobs got done. I haven't done much laundry though since Saturday, oops 😬 and I did manage to finally go grocery shopping!
🍒👋 to everyone, especially those I've missed

👋 good morning to you zoo I was still typing so didn't see your post. I hope you don't have to wait long for the parcel, but can also be productive 👻

Morning!

Once again I’m feeling totally pants this morning. Arms still hurting from the sanding on Sunday 🙄 DH did the rest of the skirting last night though, and he’s about to sugar soap the windowsills and radiators. I really need to make sure I go to bed earlier when possible, although at least I did lots of good prep for a new topic in maths before I got distracted with a new type of puzzle on my phone.

Morning sing/scream
Tada
Cats fed
Wash on
Harpic lav
Wash up
Wake dd2 for meds
Wash retrieved water bottles
Wipe dining table
Chop peppers and tomatoes for lil zoo pasta salad(left over pasta from last night) and chopped pepperami added too
Rummage in fridge something nutritious for dd2,opt hummus and peppers in a roll
Find suitable bars to add to lunches
Retrieve caprisuns from freezer to keep it all cold and suit need for icy lunchtime drinks
Make sure everyone ate
Wash up
Chivvy DD to get ready (stressing as I can't walk them and lol zoo ready and hop up n down)
Remind D's to put down kibble for scoutcat and check bird feeders

po3.1
❗️Paint radiators
❗️Get dressed
❗️Teach maths

Morning! Dashing on with massive to do list
🍁 Make vegetable pasta sauce
🕸️ Mostly assemble aubergine and chicken parmigiana (that's two different dishes, I've not gone mad)
🍁 Defrost white sauce chicken base for dinner
🕸️ Make menu plan
🍁Nip to Tesco for mozzarella DH forgot
🕸️ Phone call at 10am
🍁 Hide in 19th century Bucks for a bit
🕸️ Measure office chair and order new gas cannister for up-and-downage
🍁 Take DS3 to tennis, come back to pick up DD, collect DS3 from tennis
🕸️ Hide.

Think that's it. 🍒👋 all round!

I could have sworn I posted on Sunday, but it apparently got lost in the ether. Sorry so many fledglings are struggling with fatigue. I have woken up this morning with a case of the can’t be arseds so it’ll be little bursts of activity for me. Had my flu jab at work yesterday. Touch wood other than a sore arm but I’m feeling ok.

Sorry to read about your friend Willow

Ta Das:
🧙‍♀️ school run
🧙‍♀️ beds made
🧙‍♀️ LOL sorted although it hasn’t made it in to the WM yet
🧙‍♀️ DW emptied

Aiming to:
Tidy living room, landing and DD’s room which are looking chaotic
Clean manky bathroom and de-pink the tiles
Hoover upstairs
Do a bit of ironing.

Have a couple of appointments this afternoon either side of the school run so it’s this morning or never. Urgh.

Maths done. Still need to do homework but having a brain break first to do more decorating stuff. Also was brave and checked some group chats (work appears to be very social indeed!).

po3.2
❗️Play Pyramix as requested by DS
❗️More sanding
❗️Chemistry and maths with DS

Willow what an absolute pain at the hospital. No wonder you needed a treat. Maybe a straw with hot drinks for a day re lip. Ouch.

MrsTidy sounds similar maybe they got the idea from Sarah Beeny.
Yes, I wonder if the people fall back into old ways. I was brought up in a house with parents that went through the war and sometimes also living with Gran and Aunt when back in Scotland, house large enough for all. Aunt kept string, buttons, plastic bags, paper, envelopes etc to use. I realised I also did this and it did account for less space in the kitchen drawers. I try not to do it. I do have enough thread and buttons to last me the rest of my life as I took some of her hoard. The house was clean and tidy though just kept them in order in boxes within a box. She was a great knitter and knitted for lots of people and their children. Even able to make up patterns. She made tiny DS3 the tiniest, sweetest cardigans when his clothes were too big.

Also lying in bed as back seems better here. DH has gone walking with DS1 he did bring me tea, toast and then coffee. DS1 brought me Co codamol.

I have caught up with recent pages and we seem in similar moods. I hurt my back moving potato bags I think. Ate some last night. Lovely. We have tomatoes, strawberries, broad beans, runner beans, lettuce, courgettes, cucumbers, peppers, chillies and black currants from our garden this year. Had potatoes and broad beans with fish last night and apple and blackcurrant crumble.

It’s been a long afternoon!

DS has done his work (bare minimum this week and probably next TBH, while I adjust to work and we are decorating etc). All woodwork is sanded. I have a rough plan for who needs to do what this evening. All hands on deck!

po3.3
❗️LOL
❗️Make/find and send homework
❗️Relax with a puzzle

po3.4
❗️Order meds
❗️Check chemistry invoice and email centre manager (DH has found her some funding - it’s a non profit 🥰)
❗️Read

🙋🏼‍♀️Great Po3 👍

Goodness not many people here. I have only run stick Dyson over sitting room and bit you can see in dining room.
DH left me from 10am until 6:30pm. Got one text about 4:45 to say back at the car. He never ceases to amaze me. Ok I have been alright but equally I might not have.

Watched Rich House, Poor house. Syrian family both doctors and their lovely girls. One was so upset at the thought that the mum would find it difficult every week that she cried.
The other family were lovely too mum works hard in a school office and encouraged eldest who had recently completed his degree. Really close family.
I wonder if they are restricted (by the programme) in how they spend the money. When counting it mum mentioned it would be enough for a holiday. I think I would book a cottage somewhere and maybe tickets to something for the next holidays.They seem to all spend a lot on food. Shopping in farm shops and the others shopping in small local shops that most people wouldn’t be using. Lovely to treat people but 90 on Take always for one night for five is ridiculous and I doubt many mums who constantly budget would do that.

Had a sleep for a little while about 6. Back is swollen more today. Declined making a cake for this Friday as couldn’t imagine being able to ice it. I couldn’t stand for long today. Damn. So stupid of me. Neck is bothering me too. Trip to Osteopath I think. Bet that has gone up in price.

Apparently I lost track of time?

Hills- i have put healthy home cooked food in the naughty corner. All lovely and hot.

Red- i love reading what u have written. My fingers are in pain so cant type much. Hope you back is ok now? Dont do too much.

I hvnt been on here today as we had a incident on the way to school today. A car reversed into 2 children- one was my ds. Thankfully both are unhurt. The driver never saw them. Both kids were holding their parents hands and thats how each parent yanked their child to safety. The reversing car sustained damage as it reversed twice towards the children. Ppl were trying to get it to stop. I have spent the day in shock. Both my kids have cried at school. I am thankful no children were hurt.
To keep my kids safe tomo i am going to have to put them into breakfast club - i am so sad as I love my kids.
I will have to pick them up later when all the mad ppl are not around.
I am exhusted from worrying
.my body is trying to shut down.

Waves to everyone. Finds darkened corner to faint in. Feeling overwhelmed

Oh Dancing that's dreadful. I'm not surprised you feel faint, you are probably still in shock. It's excellent news that DS is unharmed, but it's the What Ifs that get you as a parent. Can you have something nutritious and sweet (maybe a milky drink?) and sleep til tomorrow?

Hills I confess, I love it when hours pass while I'm studying cos it means no-one's disturbed me, but sometimes there is Fall Out as a result. Hope you are ok.

Scream all hands on paintbrush!

Red so sorry you have hurt yourself, hope an osteopath can help. DS2 had an online appt with a physio today (he's hurt his back and can hardly move) and it apparently started with "I really need to see you in person...". Well, dur! He has that appt next Tuesday now, we just all need to keep.him going til then.

👋 to everyone. I suddenly realised it was after 10pm and I'd not come back.

Ta da:
❤️ Tomato and fridge bottom pasta sauce made (4 tins of tomatoes, needs LOADS)
🧡 Telephone counselling - I now understand that my brain won't go because I am still not well, and I've sustained a psychological shock. I am so horrified my (comparatively young) body has let me down I don't have the extra mental capacity to process that AND do things like spelling. This also explains why I keep bursting into tears over nothing.
💛 Dealt with emails etc
💚 Had tinned tomato.soup and fingers of bread and butter for dipping, for lunch. Now I remember why I give it to the DC when they are a bit off-colour
💙 Saw DS2, who turned up to pick up his asthma prescription. Since his peak flow is 700 despite a shocking cough, I'm not sure their diagnosis is right...
💜 Had a 90 minute sleep...
❤️... Followed by a restorative hot chocolate 😁
🧡 Assembled gammon parmigiana for DS3 for tea, loaded and ran the DW
💛 Took DS3 to tennis
💚 Collected DD from school and dropped her home
💙 Went to Tesco, bought vegetables, took them home
💜 Went back out to collect DS3 - all in under an hour
❤️ Fed DS3 a bowl of cereal as he changed his mind about tea
🧡 Made chicken and pesto pasta bake for me and DH
💛 Brought the washing in off the line that I hung out at some point earlier.
💚 Served and ate tea
💙 Assembled and baked chicken parmigiana and aubergine parmigiana
💜 Cleaned up kitchen with DH.

I've definitely had enough and I'm going to bed. Tomorrow I have the repeat pulmonary angiogram CT scan, and have to fast from 11am 😭.