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.

We're back from camping again. We went to our usual location, the first time with the new camper. It was so nice, not feeling super dirty while we were there. It did rain, mostly Friday night, but that cooled things off a little and settled the dust.
I've already taken a shower, washed hair, body scrub, defrosted, and applied self tanner. Will rinse the guide colour off soon, before going to bed.

When we got home I watered outside plants, neatened some of them up, and put everything away from camping.
I also washed 2 LOLs, loaded DW, sorted out fridge, took rubbish out. I have also got my lunch ready for tomorrow.

DS starts school tomorrow morning 😱 he'll start at Junior High! I had him get his clothes out ready, something I still need to do. I'm looking forward to having my Tuesdays to myself again 😳 I do feel bad thinking that, but I don't have to worry about anybody else for a few hours!

shannara it's good to see you on here again.
hills you ordered DS a mouse?! Please say it's a computer mouse, because that wasn't what originally came to mind 🐁
really out sounds like you're making progress with decluttering
Red I'm hoping you were able to fall back to sleep
ED well done to DS, 🤞 for DD next week

I'm sorry if I missed anyone. We are having a BBQ at our house for DH next Saturday. His birthday is this Wednesday. I have so many weeds to pull and things to trim outside! I plan to do a little every day. He wants a really easy cake though, so that won't take long.
I have lots to sort and tidy this week, inside the house too!

Thanks Hazel. Your camping trips sound lovely.

Red we have a stable door and French windows in our kitchen, the French windows are always open in summer but we rarely open the stable door, however if it gets really hot having both open lets a nice breeze through. But the sun shines full through the stable door in the middle of the day, I ended up covering its window with foil in the heatwave as the temp in the kitchen was 27° and I have bought a blackout blind for it now. EH had to go off entirely for a few days. We normally keep top oven on 200, bottom on 100 and hotplate on (simmer plate off).

Sounds lovely ED. We only have a small kitchen window and top of the stable door is nine panes to let light in. Cupboards L shape with dresser on the back wall and a slim bookcase for cookbooks.😁

Been investigating on internet but really must get moving. Bathroom focus for home bleugh and then boudoir. One basket of ironing to do. Will aim to put it away afterwards now I have sorted wardrobe and one chest of drawers. Mainly RC piles to sort and get rid of today. Then dust. Need one of those hoarder programmes to motivate me.😂

🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋till later.

@DitzyBluebells a day of nothing is something which can be very much needed, and will often count for renewing your spirit.

@EquallyDivided , @Redsquirrel5 does the ever hot have that stupid control feature that prevents a pot from boiling and maintaining a boil that seems to be so prevalent in many modern cookers. Ban of my existence that.

@Redsquirrel5 hope you manage to get your tech issuses sorted. I assume you have tried up-dating and the usual turn off and on again. I hate technology sometimes.

@BloomingHazel the camping trip sounds lovely, hope you get the garden done ready for the party.

Sorry for everyone I have missed. Whoever thought getting rid of the number of posts viewed so you can view the whole thread was a good idea was wrong. I will try to pop back later with more personals, I have been a terrible thread leader this time around.

Ds is back today, it is indeed a computer mouse. His died just before he left - lots of strong emotions. College reg here, bus pass for the college bus is £300 for the year, and as they say does not cover the costs, just a contribution. Which is a whole heap of fun, but would be nearly that every 2 months to send him on either the train or public transport so yeah. There are perks of living in the middle of nowhere, just not public transport perks.

I've scrubbed down the bath/shower. It must be a long time since I last did it because there were cat foot prints along the back of the bath and there hasn't been a cat here since I looked after nephews cat about 4 months ago 😳.

I've made celery soup. Wanted to go shopping to get various bits and pieces and some parmesan cheese to go in soup, but lock on gate has jammed so I couldn't get out of the garden. Waiting for DH to come home and fix it.

Repotting cacti and pruning sage bush this afternoon.

I'm playing catch-up today after taking a day off yesterday. Not feeling very motivated this morning either! Have all day free to get things done though.

PO3.1

💚 Wash and dry laundry #1
💚 Yoga
💚 Lunch

First PO3 done and some digital decluttering. Second LOL in the washer.

PO3.2

💜 Bath
💜 Washing up
💜 Bins

Today's ta das

Kids school shoes bought 👍
Bathroom cleaned 👍

Now to cook tea.

ta da
banking
post office
get soaked to the skin
not crash in the batshit flooded roads with no visibility headlights and turn signals people, they are there for a reason, please use them!

Ta-da's:

❤️ Exercise done
❤️ Tea made and eaten

Settling down to watch a film next

PO3.3

🧡 Laundry #3
🧡 Make beds
🧡 Sort out clothes for tomorrow

Your local drivers are a bit of a nightmare Hills 😱

Tbf @DitzyBluebells the water was coming up out of the drains and even at 30 on the motorway it was really bad visibility wise, and we had localised flash flooding earlier because the amount of rain that fell so quick. But indeed some of the twatty driving was and is simply down to twatty drivers. I may not be suitable to be around kids, religious folk and some of sensitive nature when driving due to my colour descriptions

Ds is home. Hoping for better sleep tonight.

<pokes head out of naughty corner>

just popping in briefly to say hi 👋

Fabulous you found the rings Red

Sorry you’re struggling at the minute Hills.

It’s all been a bit manic here. No major flying, but I’ve been plodding on with my routines and just about keeping chaos at bay. We’ve had various family events, days out, work has started on our built in wardrobe, and I have a job interview soon for the promotion so I’ve been working on that. Two weeks before school starts again and then I can take a breath and try and get my life sorted before mat leave ends.

hills rainy conditions and lack of headlights are an awful combination and rampant here. It gives me the rage!
Ditzy you've been busy, what film did you end up watching?
miss I hope you were able to get out of your locked garden in the end!

Ta Das: (short list as I worked)
🌳 warmed up leftovers for dinner
🌳 signed the papers DS brought home from his first day of school
🌳 hacked at the poplar tree in the back garden. I hate it. It's huge. But it'll cost thousands to have someone cut it down, it's massive 😫 it's bigger than the 3 pine trees around us! I really just neatened it a bit by cutting the off shoots off
🌳 planned the next few weekends, to make the most of the summer

To do:
😴 finish filling DW
😴 take a shower
😴 go to bed

I have a lot to do tomorrow, mostly out in the garden, finish hacking on that tree, as well as pulling weeds.
So much to do, so little time.

Oh, there was something I read on here (I don't remember the thread now), that rang so true. The PP said anyone who cleans up messes are careful not to create them in the first place.
For example, someone who doesn't mop the floor isn't going to care if there's mud on their shoes, yet the person who mops the floor will remove the muddy shoes to begin with so there's no big mess to clean.
Same with brushing teeth, if you clean the bathroom, you're likely to be careful about not leaving toothpaste splatter in the sink, unlike someone who doesn't ever clean it.

I don't know why I hadn't thought of that before, but it made so much sense to me!
Anyway, I just thought I'd share that, especially if anyone is frustrated by other people you live with!

Thanks Up and everyone else about the good wisHes about my rings. So pleased every time I think about them. Yes, in a safe place behind grandma and grandad’s photo.

Hills - it is scary how people drive when conditions are so bad. Glad you are safe if a little shaken.

Hazel- that doesn’t account for DH though. Walks mud into the kitchen. I get him to wash the floor, one of the few jobs he does in the house.

Well after a very slow start I cracked on all day.

😄ironed pile of washing and duvet cover.
😄dusted chest of drawers, ornaments and shelf.
😄removed everything from round table.
😄sorted shoe boxes under chest of drawers.
😄dusted flower fairy lights and bird cage, shabby chic.
😄tackled dad’s old trunk, it houses shoes. Decluttered lots of shoes and boots keeping only good as new and planning to buy myself one pair of gorgeous boots this year.
😄vacuumed

plan for today.

one load of wash to go out
part load of ironing
dust chest of drawers and bedside cupboards.
sort 3x Bcrs and find home for contents or Chuck.
dust top of wardrobe

🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋to everyone.

monday is home bluergh - ugh

launch pad
missions
babystep

Ta Das:
🍒 got dressed
🍒 straightened hair
🍒 took DS to school

Now sitting down drinking my 1st cup of coffee before I cook DHs eggs. Lots to do today.

hills ummmm, it's Tuesday! You really are having a rough time of it! I really don't want to relive my Monday at work again, that was rough!

Dropping by with some ta das:
😇 cooked DH his eggs for the week
😇 mattress & pillow protectors in hot wash with small white load (currently in dryer)
😇 sheets in washer
😇 laundry room rearranged, it now looks even bigger!
😇 rotated mattress
😇 grocery shopping list written
😇 meal plan done for the week
😇 chatted with mum
😇 makeup on
😇 been airing out the house, it's cooler this morning, but will soon need to shut the house up again 😪

I'm about to take the dog to the groomer (to get her nails trimmed and anal glands expressed).
Then I'll plan what else I'm doing!

Sorry about that. Tuesday is planning day for those that need that. Thankfully the rest of the links are ok I hope.

Pain levels are high, concentration is low. I would quite to eat by own body weight in chocolate today tbh.

It was Candyman Hazel an old horror film

Hope you feel better soon Hills

Good luck for the promotion Up

Oh for once I was ahead of FlyLady I did my planning on Sunday. Sorted out a delivery. Didn't get much else done but tomorrow is another day.

hills sorry to hear about your pain, I hope it goes away soon.

More ta das:
🛌 mattress protectors & sheets dry and back on master bed
🛏 ceiling fan in master bedroom wiped down
🛌 DS'S sheets washed and back on his bed
🛏 master bedroom dusted
🛌 main floor and stairs vacuumed
🛏 main floor sprayed with carpet freshener
🛌 3 other LOLs done/ drying/ washing, including towels
🛏 dog taken to groomer for nail trimming and expression

Another hour before I go pick up DS. I have to take him shopping for school supplies (paper etc) as I'll have the complete lists by then, as well as grocery shopping.

Ta Das:
🪣 mopped floors in kitchen, dining room and entryway

Hmmm, apparently it was just the one ta da!
I'm about to leave to pick up DS, so it will be a bit before I'm back on here
🍒👋 to everyone

Final ta das:
🐞 picked DS up from school
🐞 took DS school supply shopping
🐞 went grocery shopping
🐞 one more LOL (2 sleeping bags that have been in the laundry room for about 3 months )
🐞 put the happy birthday banner up for DHs birthday tomorrow
🐞 chopped on the tree, got all the offshoots cut
🐞 pulled weeds in the firepit area with help from DH & DS
🐞 took the cuttings and weeds to the tip
🐞 Watered my plants outside. I've killed one of my dahlias though by over watering, so sad 😞
🐞 about to cook dinner, DH will be smoking the steaks, I'll be sautéing the shrimp, and there's salad to go with it. I'm currently sipping on a glass of wine, it tastes so good after a full productive day 🍷

Back to work tomorrow for the rest of the week. So minimal flying will be done, other than pulling weeds and tidying up the back garden.
🍒👋 to everyone, sorry I posted so many times today, I hope I didn't break mumsnet!

Tada from yesterday.

🐌Sorted 3x BRC - took a long time as lots of different things in bags. Cleaned out a box to put cards in. Saved cards from my children as they are such lovely cards, some funny (DS1) and the ones from my big birthday. Most of them now in a box from TKMaxx although I suspect there will be some in the ‘craft’ room too.
🐝Dusted top of small wardrobe. Checked boxes for contents. I have four hat boxes so checked and dusted each.
🐝dusted chest of drawers and ornaments, CD player plus tv.
🐝hung washing out and did another load.

Ta didn't

I didn’t get the ironing done which I had planned to do first.
So the messy bit in my boudoir is less and all near the the door. Shoes are boxed and ready to go. I am going to try and get some money for them at the vintage shop. I would like to sell them for charity if I can as most vintage from gran/ aunt. I thought I would wear them but haven’t. I might put the mottled dark green pair back. A couple of pairs of boots can go to Ukraine. I had my eye on some last year and didn’t buy them but plan to this year if I get rid of the others. I am trying to change my wardrobe this year. Less and better quality on some things. I plan to gradually slim down my clothing... could do the same with my body.

Last night we had onion, courgettes and jar of Lloyd sauce with a pack of lightly smoked salmon and herbs from Lidl mixed through at the end of simmering time with pasta. It was delicious and DH is starting to get the menu planning of days as Tuesday is fish. He cooked as I was still decluttering. I was cross to find he had thrown out the last Christmas card from my mum and then tried to deny it. He also said he got it out of the coal shuttle which is another lie as I emptied it the other day and there was just some paper for burning on top since. It was with his birthday cards so I know he threw it out. They were in his room. Why do they lie. It really 🤬me off.
I made a lemon cake and we had a slice of that for dessert. Watched George Clarke...love George. Then Dalziel and Pascoe then bed.

Ta Do
Ironing
Market today
Hope to visit friend, will take some cake for afternoon tea.

Have a great day. Make the most of the rest of summer.
🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋🍒🍒👋🍒👋🍒👋