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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Happy New Year, January's here, fly with the fledglings to get clutter clear

822 replies

ToffeeChristmascake · 31/12/2010 22:26

Welcome to the January Fledgling Flying thread. A very big thank you to Ellie, our intrepid leader, for guiding us through the frantic Christmas month.

We are not strict followers of the Fat Fairy and take some of the babysteps - such as getting dressed to lace-up shoes - with a pinch of salt. We also strongly advise against signing up for the FlyLady emails.

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's tips on restoring order to our homes, using one of the following methods:

  1. Babysteps
  2. Babysteps + 15 mins daily decluttering
  3. Babysteps + daily missions

Following the babysteps helps to establish daily routines and build a weekly plan.

This month's motto is: You can't clean clutter! See here for Flylady's advice on decluttering.

If you are overwhelmed by the mess in your home, start with just one thing: shine your sink.

And if you need to sort out the house after the New Year revelry is over, a crisis clean is what you need.

Back shortly with tomorrow's babystep Xmas Smile.

(With apologies to Ellie for plagiarising some of last month's intro')

OP posts:
Stillchuckingit · 13/01/2011 08:24

Morning my lovelies

I'm not going to post a list today and get stuck on Mnsnet

I spent far too much time lurking on house thread yesterday too Swan

Also spent a lot of time cackling over http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1122481-fuckety-someone-help-me-i-think-ive-really-offended-someone-well-theres-no-thinkabout-it this thread - the bikini story

List is long and time is short so I had better get on

Hey Chairmum great to 'see' you!
Can't believe your lo is already 7 months old! That is such a lovely age (still deliciously plump and portable and no tantrums!!) Good luck with the decluttering!!

Ogre I'm so sorry to hear about the sad loss of your uncle. Hope you and your family are OK.

SC jumps up and down back at Nettie sounds like you are having a tough time currently - mahoosive waves

Linzer I am going to load some R4 podcasts on to my shuffle thingy right now before I tackle my list today!! You never know - I MIGHT even get to like cleaning [schock] Thanks again for info.

Ogre and Feetheart sympathies over house 'ishoos' - similar here. Holes in walls, creaky old, unplastered walls etc. Can't really improve it properly until underlying work has been done which we can't afford atm. Feel as though I have been camping here for last 8 years ... and it really does get you down. Still, foulest of weather here currently (freezing rain), so very glad to have roof over my head, such as it is!!

Toffee and Feet good luck with "surrendering completely to fat fairy" just promise me you won't reach for the tan tights ...

And mahoosive waves to my old mucker PA, Optmistle, Ellie Lair ihate darts Pushme Bob madwoman Systems Arabella and everyone else

Right, if you see me back on here before end of play today, please feel free to flame !!!!

Have a good day fellow Fledglings!

Stillchuckingit · 13/01/2011 08:26

oops link went wrong

if you fancy a laugh - bikini story
here!

Stillchuckingit · 13/01/2011 08:32

Oh just two minutes more procrastinating before I forget Grin

have been meaning to ask those of you who bought a Wii fit last year

are you all still doing it on a regular basis or was it a one-hit wonder?

do your dc still use and like it?

was it worth the money?

has it helped you lose weight and get or keep fit?

There was an article in one of the papers yesterday about a woman losing considerable weight simply through the use of her Wii so I just thought I'd ask.

LinzerTorte · 13/01/2011 08:45

Good morning,

I decided to time my morning routine today - 1 hour and 15 minutes! (I did get sidetracked a few times, admittedly, but only by flying-related things.) That's getting on for a third of my morning - I definitely need to work out how I can be more efficient. I haven't even started on the decluttering and mission yet (I know I'm only supposed to be doing one), but at least I don't need to cook dinner today as there's plenty of pasta and sauce left over from yesterday. DD2's friend had said she would like pasta and tomato sauce, but then refused to eat any of the sauce I'd made - grr.

Nettie Don't worry about the card being late; DS was thrilled with it and keeps going round saying "Ho ho ho"!

Ogre So sorry to hear about your uncle. Even if it wasn't unexpected, it still comes as a shock when it actually happens.

Chairmum Welcome back, lovely to see you again. I always think of you whenever I go past the cake shop in Cambrian Place!

Toffee I've added water and vitamins to my morning routine (to my afternoon and evening routines too actually); I really have to force myself to drink a glass of water (it usually takes me several hours) as I never get thirsty and could happily survive on tea and coffee and wine.

Almost halfway through the morning now, i.e. halfway through my child-free time, so must get on with my list:

Morning routine done
Get girls' clothes ready to pass on to friend done
Mission
Decluttering
Finish letter
Revise weekly to-do list
Post thank you letters
Afternoon routine
Pick up DS's friends to come and play (NB take clothes)
Thank you letters x5
Write note to teacher re next week's English lesson
Evening routine

optimisticmumma · 13/01/2011 08:46

Morning all...

Ogre - so sorry about your uncle. I'm glad you revealed who you are to Chairmum(welcome back) as I was wondering!!

Toffee/Feetheart - it was me who was trying to do Flylady to the letter (though not control journal). Had a blip yesterday as I felt so ill but I'm going to try to combine both days today!!

SC - I always imagine you in a rather lovely, but holey country house with loads of land!! Hopefully when the weather cheers up your house will suddenly feel better too!!

Today:

Morning routine done
Mumsnetdoing
Supper - sausages/mash/onion gravy
Clean out fridge
Put bits and bobs in the loft
Put away laundered clothes that are piling up in my bedroom Blush
Meet friend for coffee Grin
Errands
Organise myself for pupil (one to one after school - poor thing!!)

That'll do for now - going to read bikini story!!

LinzerTorte · 13/01/2011 08:52

SC My friend's DH accidentally whacked his DS over the head while playing Wii Fit golf - and that, I'm afraid, is the extent of my Wii fit knowledge (not very helpful, I know). He has lost a lot of weight recently, but I think it's more due to a change of diet than Wii Fit.
Enjoy the podcasts (and possibly even the cleaning!). Grin

OgreTripletsAreSoCute · 13/01/2011 09:01

We bought a Wii Fit in November, we do like it but is hasn't got used as much as I had thought it would, however I did start back with it this week and am plannin to find regular slots once my new routine with work has settled down. The DCs like some of it, but not as much as they like Mario Karts!

systemsaddict · 13/01/2011 09:41

Feet we bought our house from people in exactly your situation, PIL had sold it to them cheap (when they had unexpected twins I think!). We think the house is amazing and I could never work out why they moved out but she said it had never really felt like their home, was always their mother-in-law's house to them really.

Didn't quite manage before bed routine last night - usual dispiriting bedtime struggle followed by depressed slump on the sofa - but after I woke up I did do 20 minutes tidying and felt really energised this morning. I think if I at least do something each evening it will convince me eventually I do have the energy for a BBR.

feetheart · 13/01/2011 10:32

Right, Day 1 but absolutely NO TAN TIGHTS (or shoes or fluffy, icky, saccharine language :)) OM hope today is a bit better for you.

Chairmum - welcome back, 7 months, it can't be!! I agree with SC its a lovely age though DS was already far too mobile by then - he could propel himself across a room using the back of his head and his heels Shock

Quick list as want to get on:

  • Go through Babysteps and see which ones I am doing and which ones need more work - done and quite surprised at what is now done automatically :)
  • Morning routine - done in full plus second lot of washing on
  • Work - bank recs from yesterday plus few extra bits if time
  • 5mins in each of DC's rooms so I can then...
  • Hoover upstairs
  • Bathroom floor
  • 15 mins decluttering - 'drawing' basket in kitchen
  • Mission - should do worktops
  • Kitchen floor - need to teach bl**dy cats to wipe their feet Angry
  • School for intro into Maths for Parents of Yr3 and 4 course. It is all SO different from the way I was taught Confused

Waves to everyone in the hope it will make up for lack of personal messages :)

pushmepullyou · 13/01/2011 11:05

Hello all

Sorry to hear about your uncle ogre and welcome back chairmum

I am a bit rubbish this morning - have spent most of it sitting in a chair trying not to be sick! I guess the blooming stage is definitely over! Feeling a bit better now so off to try to find something bland to eat and see if that helps at all. Could do with organising a bit of flying whilst I'm in the kitchen though.

A nice easy list for today...

Unstack and restack dishwasher
Washing on (probably * 2)
Clean washing away
Clear kitchen surfaces and wipe a la mission
Chop veg for spag bol
Eat something
Sit back down!

swanriver · 13/01/2011 12:50

sofar
bought more paint pots
did bit of music practice
saw friend for coffee and ended up bursting into tears over state of house HmmFriend has offered to come round and give me advice, but now too scared to hear it!

ridiculous! I must try not to give up so easily...

feet my uncle moved into my grandma's house, and his wife changed everything that had been blue to pink! It was the only way she could make it her own. We all missed the blues terribly and some of the grandchildren could hardly bear to set foot in the house afterwards...just shows the power of the status quo (is that the word I mean?)

ToffeeChristmascake · 13/01/2011 14:16

Oh, Pushme, I remember the sickness coming back too. It will all be worth it in the end, but it's horrible when you're going through it. I tried nausea bands and ate ginger biscuits. Can't swear that they helped, but it made me feel more in control.

Chairmum - welcome back to you and your lovely chubby baby! Please can I have a virtual cuddle? . I found it practically impossible to keep up with the housework when I had my babies, but then I hadn't found Flylady then...

Linzer - I never get thirsty either, apart from for that cold yellowy liquid DH pours me at around 6pm Wink. I'm always telling my DC to drink, but am not setting a very good example myself.

Nettie - sorry for the panic. Glad to hear that proper Flying had a good effect and that I'm not struggling with this in vain.

Ogre - you never forget favourite uncles. People who are nice to you when you are children are always special. Are you able to go to his funeral? If he has a partner still living, or children, could you write to them to tell them some of your happy memories? I think it really comforts people to hear memories like that.

Still - will check out the bikini story later. Does Flylady honestly tell us to wear tan tights? I shall have to search on it. (Needless to say, I shall not be doing that!).

OM - are you going to join Feet and me in our challenge then? Smile

Systems - don't despair! It's all small incremental changes with Flylady and you start afresh each day. I fell asleep with DS1 the night before the boys went back to school because i was so tired. Woke up at 3am Shock. Nothing was prepared for school - lunchboxes lost, clothes in various wardrobes, socks hidden. I had to creep round the house trying to find everything without waking everyone up.

Swan - I'm so sorry you have been feeling so low about your house. I know the feeling. It is so frustrating to not have enough money or time to improve things. Small changes sometimes make all the difference though. And getting away from the house helps too!

Feet - You are off to a great start! I must check the babysteps too. I think I do all the things I want to do automatically, but there might be things I've forgotten. Well done on your morning routine!

My list looks like this so far:

Get dressed done
Swish and swipe done
Empty d/w done
Put washing on done
Breakfast for the boys done
Eat something good for me, take vits, drink water (often forget my own b/f so it would be good to do this for a change) done
School run done, but late Sad
Errands - bank, library, PO, chemist done
15-mins declutter in our bedroom (kitchen doesn't need it)
2 mins on hotspots done - longer than 2mins needed though
Tumbledrier on done
School run
Dinner: chicken casserole
D/w on
Put dry washing away done
Boys' bedtime routine
Lay out clothes
Empty lunchboxes; freeze water bottles; put some stuff (eg fruitbars) in lunchboxes
Check book bags; sign any forms
Tidy sitting room
Shine sink
Wash face, moisturise, brush teeth
Go to bed at decent hour

The above list doesn't include stuff like ongoing washing up, putting plates away, making MIL's lunch and so on. Tidying up the hotspots definitely helps the look of the place (did the kitchen and the very messy dining-room table). And I'm relieved that I've done the washing and put it away. I'm not going to attempt another load though.

It all takes time though and I can only keep up with it all because I don't have any work at the moment. Still don't see how you get it all done if you're working full time ( Ellie and others who are working out of the house - I don't know how you do it).

OP posts:
arabella36 · 13/01/2011 14:35

Hello everyone, and very sorry to hear your news ogre

My list for today:

Put away baby's laundry done
Load dishwasher done
Unload dishwasher
Make dinner(1st find recipe for things in fridge! chicken breasts/carrots/peppers/mushrooms)
Washing machine and tumble dryer for 1 load of washing
Make my routine tables for the fridge door
Some grocery shopping done
Bring baby to and from nursery done
Pick up passport form
Reorganise 2 kitchen cupboards

Stillchuckingit · 13/01/2011 15:48

Ogre Thanks for Wii information.

Keep it coming everyone. I'm trying to decide if we should invest or not. (I'm very porky currently.)

Linzer well I suppose accidentally whacking your offspring over the head while "Wii-ing" can be classed as exercise ...

R4 Ipod download worked a treat today btw - thank you - really helped me get through the laundry.*O And, thanks to your v. clear instructions, I didn't have to ask dh or the young turks in the office how to do it!

Toffee no - just kidding about tan tights!! It's the way I imagine the Fat Fairy ...what with the denim tabard an' all ...

Respect btw! You are really ploughing through your lists atm!

Poor you Pushme that sort of nausea is awful - really debilitating and gets you down - hope it improves soon. Eating loads and sleep was my only cure ...trouble is I've continued that regime beyond pregnancy hence my current Michelin man look

Optimistic no - sadly - I live bang in the middle of a big city although I do have reasonable town-size garden complete with squirrels. I dream endlessly of "land" [drool emoticon] with trees, veg and more animals. The bit about the holes in the wall is true though!! And I agree, it is the bad weather that is the problem. It's a lovely house in summer (if you can ignore the absent decor and bare walls and floors). It barely got light today however.

Save us a bit of sausage, mash and gravy tonight pleeeeeeasssee - one of my absolute favourites!!

Hope you are feeling better btw

Nettie don't panic!!! You CAN do it!!!!

Right, well I've been steadily working (to music and civilised R4 podcasts) my way through my list and have done reasonably well. Weedled dirty laundry out from suitcases, under beds and bedroom and bathroom corners and coaxed it downstairs in to the laundry of doom where it was then triaged in order of urgency. Some of dhs' socks put up a fight but I managed to quell any unrest. Upshot is I have 18 piles of laundry to wash!!!!! Shock Confused I'm heading down there again right now ... I may be some time ...

Mahoosive waves to one and all Grin

Dartsonwednesdays · 13/01/2011 16:57

Hello, everyone.

I am keeping up with the flying stuff, but I don't get much time at the moment to post (and socialise....)

But, despite a truly chaotic fortnight, I am still smiling, although I finally succumbed to the viruses floating around.

Except at the awful bus driver who pulled out in front of me, even though there was no-one behind me Angry I didn't hit him, but it was close.

And although I haven't caught up with everyone's posts, I am so sorry for you Ogre, my uncle died in early December and I wasn't able to get to the funeral. It was expected, although my mum was in denial. Simply, I will miss him.

Anyway today I have completed:
morning routine
morning shower
work (leaving 20 mins late)
collect kids from school (mine + 2)
completed washing
loaded dishwasher
had a cup of tea Smile

To do:
feed dcs plus dd's friend (she's diabetic, makes dinner interesting!)
dd and friend collected to go to Guides (make sure they take bags plus subs)
feed dp and myself
ds to wash, dress and bedtime reading
collect dd & friend; deliver friend to home on other side of town
lunchbox prep

Aaaaannnnndddd flake!

Tomorrow, ds has a party after school, I already have present, card, but need to wrap said item. I can drop dd off at mum's for tea, so gaining a precious hour for myself to do some bits I need to get done.

I also need to decide what to do for a party for ds for his 7th birthday soon.

I also want a new nickname, with Darts in it somewhere, maybe just "DARTZ" it'd be easier to type.

swanriver · 13/01/2011 17:27

Done
taken ds2 to play football in park (and he played nicely with someone he usually has a fight with Smile mud is a great leveller Grin
picked up dd from athletics
ds2 homework
ds1 has done his I hope, and I supervised his violin
scones
piano lesson (me)
only another week of builder painting hall/stairs and landing to go!

todo
communion meeting tonight
make fishcakes for kids from last night's leftover salmon/salad
dd's homework
attempt to sort out clothes which I can't take upstairs (due to wet gloss everywhere)

swanriver · 13/01/2011 17:30

SC I took some post holiday laundry to the laundrette in desperation as I have no bannisters now to dry the 18 piles on Shock

swanriver · 13/01/2011 17:34

Darthroughtheheart? maybe for Feb Wink or Dartzvader? or even...DartsIsRelaxing?

[sorry Blush.]

ToffeeChristmascake · 13/01/2011 18:04

Was just about to update on here when DS2 decided to try drinking some touchable bubble mixture Hmm. He spat some of it out because it was disgusting, but also said some went down. I have no idea how much he consumed - or why he did it Confused. He was sitting right next to me at the time. I can't find anything on Google about whether it's toxic or not. He's coughing a lot and drinking water. What would you do? (He can't have had much).

OP posts:
ToffeeChristmascake · 13/01/2011 18:32

Finally found it on the internet - it's non-toxic [massive relief emoticon]. It tastes disgusting because it has a bittering agent added to it in case of daft children like mine deciding to taste it.

He has stopped coughing and is happily drawing a picture with MIL. He wants his dinner.

Back after dinner with the post I was going to do at 18.04.

OP posts:
Dartsonwednesdays · 13/01/2011 19:13

Hi Swan, love the names, although at the mo it's going to be more like Dartsisflaking....Grin

I've just managed to get most things done (except lunchboxes) but just caught a glance at the trailer for the new Thor film....nice bod the bloke has Blush

ToffeeChristmascake · 13/01/2011 19:24

Right, crisis over and dinner has been eaten.

Still - Shock at 18 loads of washing!

Welcome back, Darts.

The rest of today's list looks like this:

School run done
Dinner: chicken casserole done
D/w on done
Put dry washing away done
Boys' bedtime routine starting
Lay out clothes
Empty lunchboxes; freeze water bottles; put some stuff (eg fruitbars) in lunchboxes done
Check book bags; sign any forms done
Tidy sitting room
Shine sink
Wash face, moisturise, brush teeth
Go to bed at decent hour

Haven't done the 15-minute declutter. It really is too difficult to fit in, no matter what Flylady says. I haven't stopped all day and if I do it now the children will go to bed late and be too tired to wake up tomorrow morning again. Also, DH and I want to escape to the pub tonight and get some time together for once (making the most of MIL whilst she's here to babysit), so if I do the declutter now we will have to delay going out. Maybe I could do half an hour tomorrow.

Both children are driving me maaaaaaaaaaaaad. So many demands and complaints from both of them. It will definitely do me good to get out.

Back with babysteps.

OP posts:
ToffeeChristmascake · 13/01/2011 19:32

Tomorrow's babystep is to choose a mission and do it.

Friday's mission is here.

Friday is the day to do paperwork and miscellaneous stuff.

Do your normal routine on Friday night so that you are ready for Saturday, which is Family Fun Day in Flylady's book (not always that much fun in this house Wink).

OP posts:
ToffeeChristmascake · 13/01/2011 19:41

PS: Flylady also suggests you declutter your car and purse on Friday. And remember that Friday is Date Night, even if that means putting the DC to bed early and staying in with a bottle of wine.

OP posts:
ChairmumSupermum · 13/01/2011 20:21

Evening all,

Since I've been away STBHX and I definitely decided not to try to get back together and things are going well in that department, but I am well and truly a single mum, hence the importance of flying just to get through all the jobs alone!

toffee I've been taking vitamins alongside my anti-depressants and they've really been helping, but I do need a reminder! And I'm very bad about drinking too, to the point where I don't get thirsty, just dizzy when I am feeding DD!
Glad the bubble mix was non-toxic!

feetheart I'm really going for it too - its so easy to get bogged down in life and I'm just fed up of living in clutter hell! And I bet your DS moving at that age made life, erm, interesting :)

Stillchucking 18 loads of washing!!!! Poor you!

I've done my routines today, and am contemplating some decluttering (did some this morning already) but I think I'll actually just go to sleep early.

Night all!

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