Fledglings summer holiday and fly their way through August into tidy organisation.

[HillsBesideTheSea]

Welcome to the August Thread for the Fledglings. This is a long running thread, some of us have been here from the start, we have had many posters come and go. We love when new people join us. We just request that you respect the thread community and understand that familiarity can make it seem clicky sometimes. There are inside jokes, there are phrases and terms we use specifically that others would not use in the same way. If we confuse you, ask. Someone will always explain - although these days the glichiness of the new platform means you may have to wait til someone wanders by as we are not quite as active as we used to be and the summer holiday always sees a quieter thread because people are quite rightly enjoying their selves instead of chores. --We encourage enjoying yourself, housework is not your life!

Now the formalities are done, lets me explain: we loosely follow the Flylady system. We DO NOT advocate signing up for the emails, experience tells us flylady is a little email happy and you will have more than you know what to do with.

If you are new to the system start with the baby steps. These are designed to get you into a routine so you know longer think about doing the chores they are just habit. Set time, set day - do the thing. We do recognise that this is not a good system for quick decluttering and many of us in the past have combined this system with other systems for getting the heavy duty sorting out and cleaning out done. We don't judge.

And lastly my favourite part of the threads - the naughty corner. This month the naughty corner is decked out with a pool, deck chairs sunshade and what ever cool drink and calorie free treat you need to survive the chaos. It is the perfect place to park if you need a chat and 5 mins from the kids, to restore your spirit on a Sunday or if you have been super active and need a break. You will notice we are a chatty bunch and don't stick to topic.

We start a new round of baby steps on the 1st August. If you join us mid way through the month you can jump in where we are, or start from the beginning as you chose. The babysteps repeat each month, and Flylady says that you are NEVER behind.

Good morning all, I have had a wonderful week away camping. (albeit tiring as I never sleep well on camping mats). Back now and back onto it with the house. Kept up with the 'tent work' whilst I was away making sure living area was all tidy etc (helped that if I didn't wasps would arrive - so I was obsessed with keeping that clean!)

Today's to dos
Start the washing marathon! (aiming to put away once dry)

Hot spot the dining table

Tidy the corner of the garage where the camping stuff goes before unpacking the car.

Unpack the car slowly making sure all goes away properly!

dancing I am okay, I have been really busy!
On Tuesday it was lots of running around: got DS registered for the next school, took him back to school shopping, went grocery shopping, then later went to another store to get a few bits and pieces we needed for the camper. I did manage to spend a couple of hours in the kitchen and got it back to a good standard. I wiped the cabinets and countertops down, put everything away that was out of place, handwashed dishes, rotated DW.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday I worked as usual, but Thursday we loaded up the camper with the food, clothes etc we need for camping.
Friday after work we buried and loaded the final things in the camper and took off camping!
We are currently in the campgrounds, they have natural hot springs feeding into the pool and hot tub. We will be going in there today for sure. These campgrounds are pretty condensed, people are loud and we have decided this will be a day trip destination, not for camping! It took us an hour to get here last night, going slow, with a camper, so it will not be a long drive for a day trip.

Sorry I rambled on a bit. I know I wrote a post out on Tuesday, clearly I never did post it!

Ditzy I'm also curious about the type of renovating you're helping with!
dancing I'm jealous, I want to go to the beach, we don't live near any beach here. The last time we went to a beach was in 2016 when we went home last 😪 I hope DHs driving wasn't too bad in the end.
really there's so much involved with camping isn't there? It's easier now we have a nice functioning camper, and I know there's a lot more involved with tent camping.

blooming there really is. I would love a camper an or at least a trailer tent eventually so that most stuff stays 'packed!'

Afternoon all, sorry to have been AWOL for most of the month, I have been reading along and Flying sort of.

We have been away twice, once for a week and once for a long weekend but are home now for the rest of the holidays (unless we get spontaneous urge to go somewhere else). Bit of a calm before the storm feeling at the moment with A level and GCSE results pending plus uni and college for the DCs, a lot to think about. Today’s topic is student bank accounts.

I have done a bit of decluttering today, took an Ikea blue bag full of stuff to the charity shop (to be honest I wanted an excuse to drive to the shops instead of walking). Now sitting in the shade in the garden half-heartedly menu planning and listening to a pretty awful live band playing in the pub garden up the road. Dire cover versions.

DS and I went to the beach yesterday, we are about 45 mins drive from the nearest ones. We went to see friends (one of his school friends and his mum who I am friends with), they live right on the beach and it was lovely. Fortunately she had a portable sun umbrella.

Struggling with the heat. I have just put foil on the window of the side door in the kitchen which has the sun glaring onto it. Everhot is off for the time being.

Baysteps
Launch pad
Missions sneak peak

I have been playing the empty toilet roll game. I broke and just cleared out nearly 30 of the fuckers. And may have just had a rant about people being slobs and not being able to do the basics.

People are saying that yes things need to improve. It probably won't happen but at least i have had chance to vent.

Mostly today I've been melting. It's too hot for me. Did get up super early to do the home blessings before the heat hits.

Dancing and Hazel it's a bungalow, very neglected. I'm not going to be involved with most of it just helping now and again when I can.

So you're the toilet roll pixie in your house Hills must be frustrating to be taken for granted all the time.

Really glad you had a nice time. I love caravanning but you couldn't pay me to camp in a tent any more

It is not just the being taken for granted, it is the fact that I am resented for doing it also.

Today has been a rough day here.

Sounds like you can't win Hills. What are you supposed to do, live in squalor?! I hope those you live with can start to show a little more respect for the time and effort you put into keeping the place nice

Sending sympathy @HillsBesideTheSea

Thought I'd just pop by and report that my cats melted again today but they seem to have revived now and will no doubt be nagging for the breakfast at 6am

Despite the heat and spending a lot of time lazing in the shade it has been a moderately productive weekend. I decluttered two bags of stuff to the charity shop yesterday so I had an excuse to drive to town instead of walking and DS has helped sort an Ikea bag full of his old toys and games to take next time I go. I have tasked the DCs with cleaning and sorting some collectibles to put on Ebay while I'm at work this week.

hills that's a lot of loo roll! Hopefully the people will start to help you more, especially with the little things like that!
ED your melting cats are gorgeous 😍 I love your outdoor furniture too
Ditzy I'm sure the people you've been helping really appreciate the extra set of hands, even if it doesn't seem like much.

Ta Das:
👙 made it home from camping
👙 put things away from the camper that needed to get taken back into the house
👙 2 LOLs
👙 gave dog a bath
👙 all taken showers

We all got a little sunburnt while swimming, we had a lot of fun though.
I still have to figure out lunch for myself tomorrow, as well as my clothes. I'm really tired though, all the swimming (well, just being in the water) has worn me out! I'm planning on an early night 😴

Monday is home bluergh

launch pad
missions
babystep

Lovely kitty ED

Ta-da:
🧸 Glue broken part back on toy
🧸 Contact phone company to reinstate the mysteriously missing credit balance
🧸 Tidy up
🧸 Shopping list
🧸 Decluttering

Planning a lazy afternoon today 💤 I was up late last night watching hedgehogs snuffling about in the garden

I called in re-enforcements and will be getting some hours of rest bite this month. One person is doing their best to help but really has no clue unless it is spelled out step by step one step at a time. The person causing the problems out of spite is sulking in their room, because i am mean evil and couldn't possibly understand their suffering. yeah sure, we'll ignore the dislocated joint i currently have. I clearly have no concept of pain (and yes i read the narc thread nodding at stuff, whilst also being grateful she is not as bad as some)

Tuesday is planning day
August's habit is laundry

launch pad
missions
babystep

I hope that you are all having the bliss of the weather breaking and some cooler weather

Yesterday was a full day of work, but it's county fair week here, so lots of food booths and rodeo. We went to the moto rodeo last night, and will go again tonight. It's 4 wheelers and dirt bikes competing in a rodeo, instead of horses! DH doesn't like the horse rodeo (they have that the rest of the week), but we have a camping trip to get ready for anyway.

To Dos:
☕️ cook DH his eggs for the week
☕️ clean washer and dryer
☕️ wash bedding
☕️ take DS to his hair appt
☕️ deep clean both bathrooms
☕️ redo gel on my nails!
☕️ meal plan
☕️ grocery shopping/ grocery pick-up
☕️ wash Jeep

I'll see what I can get done. DS did have an optician appt, but she's off sick this week so had to reschedule (now have to wait another month 😱)

Ditzy I'm jealous of your hedgehog! I miss seeing them like I did growing up. Here if you happen to see a hedgehog in the wild, it's probably someone's pet that escaped!
hills can you go get your dislocated joint put back into place? I hope you're able to get sorted soon

I'm going to finish my 1st cup of coffee and get started on my list. My nails can take a while so even that list might be a bit ambitious!
🍒👋 to everyone

Joint has been put back(was done about 2 weeks ago), but it has no range of movement and no strength - like at all... Any use brings the pain back really quick... It is what it is. Time will heal and it is a case of respecting that.

Ah I see hills that makes sense, hopefully recovery doesn't take too long for you.

Ta Das:
🧺 cooked DH his eggs for the week
🧺 washer cleaned with a clean cycle, got all the gunk out of the crevices
🧺 bedding in the washer (left a pillowcase out accidentally so that will go in with the next wash 😳)
🧺 dryer emptied and cleaned out thoroughly
🧺 fronts of washer and dryer wiped and shiny again
🧺 took DS to his hair appt (then picked him up later)
🧺 2nd LOL in washer (along with the runaway pillowcase)
🧺 called the bus garage to see where DS bus stop will be (he goes back to school next week!)

I haven't had my 2nd cup of coffee yet 😱 I'm going to go make it right now and sit and enjoy it (almost 11:30am)

Lovely cats ED. Everhot on eco and both ovens turned down, bottom on 50. Hot plate on lower too.

Hazel sounds like you are having a great time.

Hills hope you feel easier movement soon and that the people step up more to help you.

Well today I am doing a happy dance!
I decided to tidy my wardrobe and after sorting most of my clothes into sections( coloured coat hangers) I got the jackets out. One was either my mum’s or aunts ( both had a black and white small checked jacket) and I decided to try it on to see if it still fits as I have only worn it once but it might be ok for church. On trying it on I put my arms down my sides and realised there was something in a deep pocket. I put my hand in and to my delight it was two boxes, ring boxes, I then pulled them out. It was only the ring boxes for the rings I lost about ten years ago. My grandmother’s engagement ring and my mum’s engagement and eternity rings. I have been so upset about losing them and not only because of sentimental value but also guilt as they are worth quite a bit. I have just realised it was my gran’s birthday yesterday. I actually had a little cry. I have looked and looked all over the house for them. I put them away when DH had let a telephone engineer in my bedroom alone when my rings were out in a dish. I came home from work and furious that he left an unknown person in my bedroom but had to be subtle( don’t like accusing but also have learnt to be less trustworthy of people) so I must have put them in the pocket of the jacket. Although I have checked the wardrobe I never thought to check the clothing.
Went up later to tell BF. It has made my year! Safely put somewhere I will remember. I need to get them valued again. Need to write a will so DD can have them.

Getting through boudoir mess gradually.

yesterday

cleaned kitchen doors and drawers
vacuumed
did about an hours ironing
two loads of washing plus one Ukraine wash.
wiped window sill where it rained in.
made bed with clean, ironed, cotton sheets and pillowcases.
Vacuumed hall
vacuumed sitting room

Today
Decluttered some of bedroom
put away washing
vacuumed
separated some magazines so I can check through tomorrow

Just have a small area to sort through and find room to put stuff.

Yes yes I know, I know. 2am on a work night, and today's babystep is the early bedtime one. Details here

Wednesday is anti procrastination day
launch pad here
missions here

August is laundry month

Red lovely to hear about your rings 😀

Back to school tomorrow. The excessive heat has been replaced by steady rain so that the weeds are growing back overnight, and yesterday I noticed that one of the main roads to the school has temporary traffic lights and queues of traffic. So, back to normal, then.

On the plus side, all school uniform still fits, LB has new glasses, both LOs vaccinated during holidays and no side-effects, and yesterday I discovered that the tv I bought three years ago has a dvd slot in the side. LG watched Moana. I might cancel Netflix...

Laundry and paperwork today.

That's so lovely about the rings Red, you've made me feel all emotional ❤️.

Ditzy we have hedgehogs too, we feed them at night and have deliberate gaps in the fences. I have released two into our garden after they have been cared for by the local rescue. Here is one of the cats checking one out.

Weegie - we are often on holiday this week not a million miles from where you are judging by your name. It always seems strange to see the DC starting back at school when ours have a few more weeks to go but I think your system is better as ours often miss the best of the weather by the time they finish in late July.

Tension is mounting a little here with A level results due tomorrow morning.....

But we have been decluttering, DS is more than happy to get rid of old toys and books at this point, he is growing up fast. I made a bit of an emotional declutter at the weekend, my mum had given me some of my childhood books years ago, my DCs never showed and interest and they have been cluttering a shelf for probably 15 years. They are still in reasonable condition but not worth anything much so I donated them. I loved them as a child but time to let them go now.

YesTaDas:
🏍 de-limescaled both bathrooms
🏍 bleached and scrubbed both toilets
🏍 bleached the grout in both bathrooms (floor tiles)
🏍 cleaned mirrors in both bathrooms
🏍 Swept hardwood floors
🏍 redid gel on my nails, finally (I still haven't done my toes though)
🏍 2 LOLs of towels
🏍 went to the county fair again to watch the 2nd night of moto rodeo
🏍 rotated DW
🏍 wiped down countertops
🏍 scrubbed my sink and made it shiny again 😇
🏍 emptied bins throughout the house

I didn't get to go grocery shopping. I still need to complete my list though, but we're going camping again this weekend for DHs birthday (he turns 40 next week!)

ED I love your picture, your cat clearly knows to keep its distance from the prickly visitor!
Weegie back to school for us is next week, it'll be nice to get back into routine, although DS isn't ready yet! Or so he thinks anyway.
Red it's lovely that you were able to find those rings. Hopefully you'll remember the safe place you put them now

Back to work I go today, but I don't want to! <stomps feet>

Going to be honest Hazel i don't want to either. I forget i am no longer a teenager and can get in at stupid o'clock and still function.

Red really glad that you found the rings again.

We have a lot of young badgers around here, it is not uncommon to encounter badger butts bouncing down the road. They can be quite comical if you catch them when they are not expecting it. Unfortunately it is also accompanied with the usual high road kill rate as they really have no fear or understanding of the traffic

Ds has to go register with college next week, can't believe how fast September is approaching.

ta da since midnight because i am making that the defined starting point of the day because sleep pattern is fucked and i am not complaining

make 3 loaves of bread
sort 2 loads of washing
sort out the plans for the week
sort out the plans for training tonight - yep doesn't impact the affected joint but having to rely on a lift which is frustrating being fiercely independent
sort out tea
bath and hair wash
stalk the results page and conclude my maths was right and the last exam result released early so next week is results week for the other exams.
realise i am slipping into bad habits and forgetting to eat
seriously consider a nap
prep for cleaning out the fish tank -yep going to be challenging
In the process of watering plants so they can be repotted