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!

Morning everyone. I'm feeling a bit bleugh as I had a nightmare and couldn't get back to sleep. 3.25 am. Ugh. Just basics I think. And coffee. Lots of coffee.

Well done baby those and well done on you for making money from decluttering. Oh gosh, it always looks awful when doing a declutter. The storm before the calm, so to speak.

zoo for the period pain. Happy belated birthday to lilzoo.

hazel enjoy your pumpkin patch visit and party. You never said what you are dressing up as. (Unless I missed it?)

stillup which rooms are you having redecorated?

🍒👋🏼 to everyone I missed.

Close up pic of my Japanese tree. Gorgeously vibrant.

yup that's beautiful🥰
Dancing tbh mine wouldn't care,but that's cos they are quite happy getting muddy etc a bit feral.some Halloween crafts or baking instead perhaps?

I am finally up,toast eaten and sit back to the fire looking at the absolute shit tip of two days shop,birthdaying and running around doing everything BUT cleaning.It Is Not Pretty

Yup I have tree envy that’s beautiful!

I’ve woken up with that “I have too much to do and I’ve been procrastinating too much” feeling of dread. Ugh.

Yup that acer is gorgeous. I think you must be in a different part of the UK from me, as our red acer is pretty much naked now. The green ones (that grow red in the spring then change) are still leaved.

Dancing the weather is filthy here too - I've just offered DS3 a snorkel to walk the dog! 🤿🤣

Hills sorry house deadlines loom and there is no slack.

Up ooh painting. Do you start on Monday? What sort of colours are you thinking?

Hazel I know Hallowe'en is a much bigger thing in the US, but don't wear yourself out! Hope you enjoy your party.

Scream I trust you will be spending the day reclining on your lovely new sofa 😁.

Zoo sorry about the period pains. Glad Lilzoo had a fun birthday and was happy with her ultimate purchases. Is the new furniture in situ already, or is it Bedroom Changing Weekend?

Those glad BabyThat has rediscovered his sleeping mojo and the selling stuff is going well. It really does make it messier before you get tidy, though.

Mc is McBaby turning one about now, or have I lost count?

Foxes, MrsT hope you have both survived half term!

This is the end weekend of halfterm for DS3 as nd the middle weekend for DD. DS3 wants to Do Hallowe'en so tomorrow we are having Hallowe'en Tea (which seems to involve my spending a lot of the afternoon baking) and his friend from Infant School is coming over. You know how all children have that friend that makes them take their brain out? Yes, it's that one. He can "only" come 2-6 😭. I am bracing for impact, like Mrs Banks when the gun goes off in Mary Poppins.

I got rolls for lunch and a walk that took twice as long as usual because of pain/tiredness/aching etc

Tomorrow we are apparently having a Halloween buffet at teatime so I've got thinking cap on.
So far-
Mini peppers cut half add cream cheese and fork across to give illusion of mummy bandages.add edible eyes
Witchy fingersbread rolled out thin and roll up press flake almond on end for nail,add cuts for knuckles
Poss spinach choc chip muffins
A dip of some kind
Marshmallow and fruit kebabs
Possibly biscuits...

I had intended just do carved peppers stuffed couscous,cheese and veggies and baked...oh well!!

yup the colour of your tree is gorgeous! Most of the trees around here are naked now, which means leaves everywhere! I do love autumn and the colours everywhere. I am going to be a witch. I bought a black corset & skirt set, I bought a really fancy light up witches hat and I have a purple cape from when I was Sarah Sanderson from Hocus Pocus. I'm excited to dress up! Like a little kid 🤫

hills I'm glad I didn't miss your reasoning. Are the others helping you at all with getting the house ready? I did remember you are having builders come in, but didn't know when. I really wish I could snap my fingers and send you on holiday and make everything be done, but we all know that's only in our dreams.

willow only 4 hours with that friend?! It'll feel like a lifetime if any of DS'S friends are anything to go by. I'm sending you 💐🍫☕ and for when it's over 🍹 to forget everything 😆

zoo a Halloween buffet does sound fun, although a lot more work than you were planning. Maybe get the zoolets in the kitchen to help you, my DC enjoy helping in the kitchen though and sad DS isn't here to help me this morning (he's helping grandpa make Enchiladas - that's what he wants to contribute to tonight). He'll be here later though, after the straw maze & pumpkin patch.

scream I hate that feeling. Maybe today is a timer sort of day, don't forget to take breaks every 15 minutes! (And enroll the help of the others).

dancing sorry it's pouring outside. If they like that sort of thing in the mud, dress them up with waterproof gear and have fun - it'll wash off if they get muddy. If not I'm sure they'll enjoy doing things inside, where they'll stay clean and dry. Pinterest have lots of indoor ideas for Halloween if you need ideas.

I've had my 1st cup of coffee. About to have my 2nd, then it's full steam ahead getting food ready for tonight.
Hopefully be back later 🍒👋

Hazeloh outfit sounds great!

I gave myself grace to rest for a bit as I felt so rubbish
Put shop away
Sat chatting with girls over which horrid want to try later
Lunch
Nap

Slightly better fettle so-
Wash load 1 in
Found living room floor
Sorted piles from floor into belongings,and odd bits rubbish/recycling
Swept said floor
3carrier bags rubbish plus kitchen bin bag put out into back garden(dd2 has been slacking one her only tasks- put rubbish in big bin as my shoulders dislike lifting things higher than waist level)
Sweep kitchen floor
Wash into drier
Load 2 on
Tidy fridge

*worst still
*Asked for or bloods shed

Good luck with pumpkin carving zoo! I have only got as far as hollowing out the two I bought, carving has not yet been undertaken. Glad DD2 finally did her job!

Hazel your costume sounds amazing! Hope you feel great in it.

We have been shuffling furniture and have moved the Trofast from under the stairs into the living room to accommodate DH's ever-growing vinyl collection. He is also cleaning the fishtank, which appears to be taking days and days

Can I come for Halloween tea please Zoo? Sounds fab! Hope the pain has eased.

Your costume sounds amazing Hazel.

We are creating a nursery in the box room
That was previously my dressing room Yup, then having the boudoir and DD’s room painted too, as well as the hall/stairs/landing and also the sitting room. Painter is starting Monday and hopefully all done by friday 🤞. We’ve also replaced the ancient bedroom furniture that was temporary when we moved 5.5 years ago so we are in chaos currently.

We’ve gone for a beige in the sitting room Willow, pale grey for the hall etc, mustard yellow for the boudoir, light blue for the nursery (no gender stereotyping chez Up) and DD has selected baby pink “and rainbows and unicorns” for her room (as she now subscribes to every gender stereotype going ). Hope you’ve survived DS’s friend.

Hope you’ve had a nice day with the DC whether you decided to go pumpkin picking or not Dancing.

Ta Das:
🎃 paint bought, just one shade to decide on and go back for through the week
🎃 sorted party present, DNLMS while negotiating with DD what was suitable to wear, and survived the soft play birthday party.
🎃 DH dismantled and got rid of the wardrobe and huge chest of drawers (beyond donating to anyone) and sprayed mould spray about
🎃 de-cobwebbed and hoovered where the furniture had been
🎃 both of our clothes moved to a dress rail downstairs
🎃 packed up everything we don’t need for the week from the boudoir and ex-dressing room
🎃 carved pumpkins and cleaned up mess
🎃 collapsed in a heap

Still more to move and clean tomorrow but it feels achievable.

Those colours sound lovely, Up. We have a sort of golden mustard in our boudoir too! How lovely to have new furniture - ours was MFI new 22 years ago and now has to be moved rather gingerly 😬.

DS3 is now making us burger and chips, to expand his frying cooking repertoire!

The friend is not coming til tomorrow... The anticipation alone is terrible.

willow I remember MFI units!
My dbro had one in his room and I swear if you sneezed in there after a fair few years it rattled and threatened collapse

Disputes a plenty over What To Watch tonight.dd2 now very anxious and not feeling it for Nightmare on elm Street which lil zoo desperate for.expecting tears/tantrums

Two lol dry and put away,another in drier
DS and lil zoo fed and watered

I'm going to eat soon
Not picked up the knitting needles
I have started next week's meal plan tho

I appear to have done absolutely nothing today other than ordering tesco. The ear pain isn’t as bad now thankfully but it’s still feeling really pressured and I can’t hear properly or stand up much 🤣

Sadly I have heaps to do tomorrow regardless. Help.

Scream-
Glad to hear the ear pain is getting better. What is the new sofa like to sit on?

Zoo- hope you watched a interesting film. Loved you halloween inspired food. Its great you are going to meal planning - what things are you going to make?

Willow- goodluck with ds's visiting friend!
Did you bake cakes this year?
I might make cupcakes. Didnt get to do crafts but might try tomo.

Yup- Kids prob would have loved the mud but dh didnt want to. The rain was falling like someone was emptying a bath.
Hope you have had a good saturday.

Up- lol we stayed away from gender stereo typing with both dc. Dd announced at 1.5years that she loooves pink! Which then moved onto an obbession of pink and unicorns 🤦‍♀️.
Up can you share photos of the colours pls- I am thunking of painting the bottom parts of hall and stairs with a wipeable and strong wearing paint. Currently its all matt cream and every scratch and scuff shows up and cant be wiped off.

Tada-
-Cleared the stairs- nothing allowed to on them now- stairs look huge- no more trip hazards.
-Bannister looks lovely now 20 coats and stuff have been removed.
-Washed and dried all uniform
-Lol and dry dh stuff
-Bit by painful bit wipe and find homes for the stuff on the kitchen counter tops. Done a 1/3.
-Take photos of dc, off the cabinets
-Wipedown kitchen table- so nice now its clear and useable. New chair seatpads look lovely.
-Wash and dry 3 items everytime I went into kitchen.
-Write shopping list essentials running out.
Shouted at dh for losing his temper with all the 'stuff' in the utility room. I told him its 'normal' for families to have 'stuff' build up as we have kids- and that its next on my list of area to sort- and that his reaction is not normal.

Todo-
👻Hang all uniforms up in sets. And put away.
👻 unload dw and reload
👻breakfast
👻get kids dress and out for walk in woods
👻figure out how to travel 1.5hours to collect my new chairs.
👻figure out how to do my shopping without car 🤦‍♀️
👻visit dad- he misses us.
👻do pumpkin carving
👻possibly visit aunt
👻oh goodness- forgot I would have to cook something.....argh....i need to meal plan.🤦‍♀️

☕ in the naughty corner for everyone.

Morning all. Feeling quite grateful of the clocks changing today. 😴

Thanks dancing the sofa is sooo comfy! It’s got recliners as well so more than enough space for all of us atm. I’ve ordered a couple of snuggly throws to put on and bring a bit more colour to it.

Really must get up. Can’t believe half term is over

po3.1
❗️Dressed, meds, breakfast, ear stuff
❗️LOL
❗️Clean weekly planner board which has been unchanged for the last two weeks 😳

Wait. The clocks changed. So when i was woken at 7 was it really only 6 or actually 8

Dancing if you're pumpkin carving can you turn the flesh into soup? Quick, and makes clearing up quicker! You've done a huge amount there, you should be very proud.

Hope you got a film agreed zoo. DS3 is making noises about Muppets' Haunted House, which I think I can deal with 😁.

Scream hope you can find some energy to do what is needful today.

I'm still in bed, we have trained DS3 to bring tea and brioche on Sundays 🤭.

To do:
🎃 Reassemble hoover and hoover our room and spare room
🎃 Get DH to shampoo those carpets (he's on a roll!)
🎃 Hardboil 4 eggs for devilled eggs
🎃 Make pizza mummies
🎃 Make smoked salmon and eyeball bagels for lunch
🎃 Console DS3 when his friend inevitably blows him out later. He has stopped responding to hails.
🎃 Do Something with the utility room, which has silted up with crap again.
🎃 Build some more lego bus
🎃 Tidy boudoir
🎃 Make finger-furters for tea!

@THOSEcobwebsareDECOR

Wait. The clocks changed. So when i was woken at 7 was it really only 6 or actually 8

It was actually 8! You got a sleep! 🥳

The film's watches last night were
Happy dead day
Carrie

DS couldn't sleep,then had tummyache(probably because he couldn't sleep)
dd2 had a bad night.
I had IBS at 5am
think I got 2hours in short naps
I've run out deodorant
I stepped in a furball with bare feet
I need go shops and PISSING down

My day can only improve,right??

Fingers crossed zoo it’s only up from here! 💐
po3.2
❗️Tidy landing with Cagletini as it’s become a death trap
❗️Find diary and write the week up on the board
❗️Mini room rescue in boodwa - rubbish laundry and books

po3.3
❗️More boodwa room rescue (general tidying)
❗️Tutoring admin (invoice and file share)
❗️Book dance and parkour for the week

There were no volunteers so I took the liberty: nov thread

Oh thank you Hills. You've done a brilliant job on October, are you sure you want to do November too? The end of the month has sort of snuck up on me.

Oh, Hills, sorry, I'd have done it, I haven't read the thread for a couple of days and hadn't twigged it was time for the new one. If you want me to take over I don't mind.

Thanks hills definitely can’t take over November here, I am beyond overwhelmed already 😳 October has gone really quickly!

LOL is drying and DD1 has put hers on, they’re about to do the pumpkins.

po3.4
❗️Help prep crayons for melting
❗️Bit more tutoring admin
❗️Check plans for today and with DD1 for various things in the diary