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Housekeeping

December already! Fledgings will sleigh the pre-Christmas clutter (and eat all the mince pies)

999 replies

GoingGoingGoth · 30/11/2013 19:04

If you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat, support Brew, Wine and Cake along the way.

This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in zones of the house which are designated weekly; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with loads more time to do someting more interesting instead!

At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again!

We advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's steps and routines using a three-pronged approach (dependent on the stage everyone is at):

  • start or repeat baby steps


  • repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone


  • reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.


[And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]

More info here on getting started and Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings. Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound!

Thanks to BlueEyeshadow and SlimChance for the November thread. Thanks

All welcome!! And remember that December is the new January! Grin
OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/11/2013 19:08

Thanks Goth and thanks Blue and SC for last month.

pushmepullyou · 30/11/2013 19:10

I'm in Smile despite a resounding null points for November!

Dd's 5th birthday party today. 30 4 and 5 year olds rampaging for 2 hours. So so tired now!

DorisShutt · 30/11/2013 19:30

Can I creep back in? I'll leave Christmas pud on the bar?!

My house is a hell hole, my enthusiasm is about nil, so if you could all kick me up the arse it would be much appreciated!

ToffeeWhirl · 30/11/2013 19:37

Welcome, Doris. We are good at administering kicks up the arse, but there is a naughty corner if you want to relax and put your feet up for a bit. There is usually a fully-stocked bar in there.

Blue and SC - thanks for running the thread so efficiently between you last month.

And thanks to Goth for starting the December thread.

Ta da :

Lunches
Washed up
Forgot to take box of clothes to charity shop (duh!)
Visited friend in town
Took DS2 to have his hair cut
Took DS2 to a cafe for cookies and hot chocolate
Shopping
Cooked healthy meals for both boys and managed to persuade DS2 to eat a clementine (am on a quest to increase his poor fruit and veg intake)

Have been out most of the day, so have done very little Flying Blush.

GoingGoingGoth · 30/11/2013 19:43

LINKS FOR 1 DECEMBER 2013

**
Babystep 1 is the infamous Shine Your Sink. Personally, I find once this has been done it doesn't need repeating every day week, the key for me is to make sure all the pots are washed/dried & away and the sink dried off. It is so nice not to wake up to a cluttered kitchen.

No mission as it is a Sunday and Renew You Spirit day

December's monthly habit is Pampering. It is so easy to forget about yourself especially in the run up to Christmas.



Off to look for the Christmas missions and to do round up.

OP posts:
DorisShutt · 30/11/2013 19:50

Just a quick query, I've sorted the sink out today already and the draining board is clear... apart from a thermos flask which is dripping dry.

I'm know the idea is to have a clear/clean area each night, but what do you do with things that don't dry or need to be left out?

GoingGoingGoth · 30/11/2013 19:53

Holiday Cruising Mission 1 is to spend 15 minutes decorating something.

Hmm To my DD's consternation, I refuse to put my tree up until much later in the month it's just collects dust but I think I'll use this time to prepare something, maybe this Paper Snowflake

OP posts:
GoingGoingGoth · 30/11/2013 19:55

Doris what do you mean? Can you give examples. Sorry it's probably me being thick.

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/11/2013 19:58

We leave stuff to dry on the drainer every night Doris, it's only a few things as we have a DW. Then in theory they get put away in the morning and the sink and drainer shined then, in reality they tend to get left till the next load of washing up needs doing. But doing it in the morning is fine I think.

DorisShutt · 30/11/2013 20:04

Well, I have a wet thermos flask dripping - which FlyLady says is a no no.

Other times it's a bit of Tupperware which doesn't go in the dishwasher but after washing it drips from the edge and I end up with a manky cupboard unless it's air dried.

I just wondered if it's only me that can't always have a clear sink/drainer.

ToffeeWhirl · 30/11/2013 20:26

I don't have a clear sink/drainer every night, Doris, and I certainly don't shine the sink every night. I am just happy if I manage to load the dishwasher and switch it on.

GoingGoingGoth · 30/11/2013 20:32

SUMMARY

Dizzy has had a very busy day, and is off to watch rugby with DS & BIL for DH's birthday treat. Was it an international, or were you stood at the side of a muddy field?

Angry is hopefully having a wonderful child and pain free evening.

WhoKnows has to fit studying around DD's rehearsals and performances. Hope it all went well.

Toffee and I have both been suffering the after effects of alcohol and were left to sleep it off. not together, that's a different type of thread Toffee then had an afternoon with her boys and got them to eat fruit!

SC I know what you mean about the level of consumption, I just can't imagine drinking the amount I used to. On the plus side it's cheaper, and I get tipsy at a level that I don't get hungover the next day. Hope your DD feels better soon, and your DH you did give him a black eye after that comment?

Welcome back to Doris and pushme who is recovering from Dd's 5th birthday party today. Wine?

As you can imagine, it's been a sad day here. We didn't even see the news until lunch time, but saw they needed blood donors, so headed into the city. DH can't give because he's recently had an operation, so he kept DD occupied when I went to the drop in centre. I'm pleased to say lots turned up to donate.

OP posts:
GoingGoingGoth · 30/11/2013 20:34

Doris I don't fuss about that stuff, as long as the plates and pans are away.
DH would leave washing up until the next day, and it find that so disheartening.

OP posts:
CallingAllEngels · 30/11/2013 20:55

Oops, massively x-posted on the old thread.

Maybe this month I will actually read the FL stuff (rtaher than just chatting and posting lists).

Goth I was so shocked to see the news today. Well done for going and giving blood.

1Madhouse · 30/11/2013 20:55

Could I please join. ??? Always read and feel inferior as to how much all the people fit in. Recently became a sahm with a 1 yr old and 14 yr old at home. Various step children are here and an old dog and lots of building work going on at home. Manage to have a relatively !! Tidy house but not always clean. Must try harder must try harder !

GoingGoingGoth · 30/11/2013 21:43

Mad welcome aboard! We're quite a friendly bunch (honest).
The main point is we don't stick exactly to the Flylady system, you do as much or as little as you can. The. Fat fairy says it takes years to make the mess, and that you can't fix it all at once.
Don't dive straight in as you are more likely to get fed up. Start off following the Babysteps and then add in the other bits as you feel up to it.

Engels I love your dress. The 40s/50s look is just so classy. I'm a big fan of Hell Bunny which has that look with a bit of a gothic twist.

OP posts:
CallingAllEngels · 30/11/2013 21:58

I'm trying to build up the courage to get a swing dress Goth !

I do have a beautiful 50s style dress that I wore to the school prom last year and no one could believ it was me. Would be killer with a big petticoat under it.

I just wish I could wear these things to work everyday - the heels would kill me. I wore a pair of earrings to school last week for the first time in ages ad I had a shocked student telling me how nice I looked!

I need to break them in slowly...next week - make-up!

BitchytheGreat · 30/11/2013 23:42

Morning.

Insane crazy weird day here. Started off worse then yesterday but improved by lovely strangers who went above and beyond with customer survice and some good people with good advice. Plus a night out.

Right now I am about to crash. face first into my bed. No flying done today, but left the house at 8:30am and didn't get back (other then a quick dump and grab) until about 15mins ago. sleep is the only thing i want!!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/11/2013 23:57

Evening all,

Nice relaxed day here, although didn't get off to a great start, took Ds to hockey, he declined to wear his base layer under his top (he did have a bodywarmer so thought he would be Ok) but he got so cold he made himself feel ill and we had to leave a bit before the end. Hopefully a lesson learned for next week.

When we got home DH had to go to work, we had a lot of things to do at home so decided to stay in and get on. Had a good tidy up of the DCs room and stripped the beds, meant to do some cleaning too but got distracted. DS was super helpful with the tidying, DD was not. Made lunch then spent the afternoon cooking, trying to use up some of the things from the veg boxes, struggling a bit with getting anyone to eat a lot of them TBH, lots of squashes which are hard work to prepare and none of us like except as soups/base for sauce. So, made soup, lots of tomato sauce, chopped, blanched and froze a giant turnip, then DD made some brownies. We have switched to only getting a vegbox every 2 or 3 weeks plus salad/fruit/milk/butter/eggs weekly which is working well on the whole though. Still got half a savoy cabbage and some fennel to try and use though.

We then went to town after dark to look at the lights, DS finished his Christmas shopping, DD started hers. Tea in front of Strictly, baths and bed with new Christmas bedlinen for the DCs.

Honu · 01/12/2013 07:27

Up and ready to say hello nice and early on the 1st, only to find 20 messages already! Thanks again to all thread leaders who keep this going - it helps my sanity and keeps me grounded.

The bits of my house that are not covered by stuff are reasonably clean, but I am slowly drowning under Things That Need Sorting - especially atm paperwork and Christmas.

The fat fairy doesn't help by expecting you to decorate already - not yet, pleeeeese. However, this year I am attempting to write 3 cards per day, started about a fortnight ago, as if I leave it till the last minute all they say is something like 'best wishes/love/other appropriate phrase from Honu and MrH'. This way I feel I'm actually communicating with the people I am posting to. Don't always make the 3, and there will probably be a panic at the end, but the 'completed' pile is steadily growing.

Sillybillybob · 01/12/2013 07:40

Hello! My to do list...

Get out of bed

Grin

AngryBuddha · 01/12/2013 08:32

Well my blinking headache ruined our plans for a child free Christmas shopping trip and meal out. But did manage a take away and World War Z.

Have Woke this morning feeling worst. Supposed to be off to Rugby, followed by tree planting with the Cubs. At the moment struggling to get out of bed. Brink I will stay here for a bit and blow both out, if I can get cover.

I only started to feel really rough ie achy body and headache since taking the antibiotics I am wondering if it is those!!!

Of course me not on form. Means the house is in chaos!!!

Sorry for the me me post and the self pity! But meant only to make my place.

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CallingAllEngels · 01/12/2013 10:17

whoknows sounds like a lovely Saturday (except DS getting cold).

angry sorry to hear you're not well.

honu sounds like a good approach - my cards are still loking at me from another room!

bitchy hope you had a good sleep.

DH is off doing DIY stuff in the garage once he finds his tape measure whihc he has put down somewhere and forgotten where that somewhere is so I am in charge of DS today. Right now Bambi is babysitting while I MN. Will take him out to playground shortly.

BitchytheGreat · 01/12/2013 11:03

Delicious sleep when I finally crashed. Woke before my alarm rolled over and went back to dosing. Just about to get up. Currently suffering cba but coffee and breakfast will help and then I am going to be strict with myself and just get on with the paperwork sorting and filing.

BitchytheGreat · 01/12/2013 12:31

ta da
piss about on the internet
1 load washing in machine
remove body from bed where it was happy and comfortable and get breakfast.
waste more time on internet whilst pottering in room.
gather laundry at bottom of stairs ready for getting through washing machine

I will have to confess i have yet to get dressed, and i still want to crawl back into bed. Next job more coffee showers and clothes and then perhaps the wish to sleep will be less persistant?

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