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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:
ToffeeChristmascake · 17/01/2011 23:12

Final list:

15 mins declutter in our bedroom done
Tackle kitchen junk drawer did 15mins ironing instead
School run done
Put dry washing away done
Empty lunch boxes done
Dinner done
Bedtime routine done. Both boys in bed earlier, but DS1 is still awake and sitting next to me on sofa. I need 'stay in bed' powder too, Nettie Wink
Evening routine done
Bed at decent hour intending to do shortly

The house is looking presentable and the routines really are becoming second nature Smile.

Back in a minute with a quick round-up.

OP posts:
ToffeeChristmascake · 18/01/2011 00:09

Time for a quick round-up:

There has been lots of decluttering going on in the Fledglings' houses recently - it has even extended to gardens and sheds Shock.

Ellie is coping with poorly DH, poorly Mum, full-time work and children. And she Flies too. Huge respect!

Lair went awol after a tough week, but is back on track this week. (Welcome back!) She is planning a skating party for DS, but is worried that parents will think their precious ones will end up in A&E (actually, it is Lair who will end up in casualty if she keeps banging her head against that wall Wink).

Ihatecobwebs - has had a migraine and is doing her tax returns (could these be linked?), but is back with another awe-inspiring list today.

PA is now so good at the Flylady routines that she doesn't even know she's doing them. She is hiding in the bedroom tonight, as she has discovered that she is the only living person in a house of zombies Shock. (You may need to check out the zombie-plan thread, PA).

Nettie is getting ready for a holiday Envy (will you be taking your Danielle Steeles, Nettie?). She really was inspired to Fly today (today is The Day!).

Linzer's DD was off school sick today. Quite rightly, she was very concerned about how many chocolate frogs she should take in to school to share tomorrow. Linzer's planning for the English lesson she's teaching had to be shelved whilst the issue of the frogs was discussed. Very, very important.

Still is too busy working to Fly. RL does get in the way of Flying, no matter what Flylady says. Her DD is happier about going to school now Smile.

Swan cleverly used cunning and firmness to cajole her reluctant DD to go to school. She has a very beautiful mantlepiece Envy. She has been decluttering today and was last seen on top of her wardrobe.

OM is enduring the stress of tax returns and had a humdinger with DH about paperwork. The good thing about this is that it spurred her into action. Her DD is ill Sad - hope she gets better soon.

Darts has been having tecchie problems with the computer, but managed to get back to tell us all that she has been sticking to the routines and can see results Grin.

Arabella is settling her baby into nursery and preparing to go back to work. And still Flying!

Feet is slavishly following Flylady's routines this week (as am I) to see if she notices an improvement. She hs been decluttering drawers, selling stuff and eating bagels.

Bob is fed up after spending all last week clearing the garage. She should be proud of herself though, especially after all she went through recently with DD.

Pushme is in the later stages of pregnancy and feeling really rough, poor thing Sad. Hope you are managing to rest as much as you need to, Push.

Ogre went AWOL thanks to RL getting busy. Like Lair, she is planning a party for her DC at the weekend.

Systems had a lovely tidy house for her friends' visit, so thinks maybe this Flying thing is working. Like me, she is decluttering her bedroom (15 minutes a day is having good results for me, Systems).

Welcome back to Chairmum, mum of DS and chubby seven-month-old baby. She is doing fantastic Flying, as well as adjusting to life as a single mum.

Several newbies have gone AWOL, although they may be lurking...So, waves to Droitwichmummy, Sweetandtenderhooligan, Camdancer, Bessie26 and Dolanette. Haven't seen MiniMarmite recently, either.

Back in a minute with tomorrow's routines. And huge apologies if I have missed anyone out).

OP posts:
ToffeeChristmascake · 18/01/2011 00:14

Tuesday's babystep is one that I definitely need to follow: set a specific bedtime and follow it.

The mission for tomorrow is here.

Tuesday is a free day. The routine reminders are here.

OP posts:
NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 18/01/2011 06:41

Good morning everyone. Great round up toffee

Combined with dh's cuddling and snoring and Dd wanderings since 5.30 i am wide awake and having a coffee. Im already shouty mum Sad and have taken Dd kitty hostage. It is very noisy now due to Dd having huge tantrum cos I a meany! [Grr]

Anyway yesterday I did check smoke alarms and got dh to iron ds clothes for Montessori.

Today I will
Try not to throttle my 2yr old
Dw
Wm
Td
Drop ds off
Swimming with Dd
Hairdresser with Dd
Dejunk conservatory
Sort out memory box
S/s
Evening routine
Stovies or bangers and mash for tea
Gym

Not too bad.

Have a lovely day everyone

LinzerTorte · 18/01/2011 07:35

Morning all,

Fab round up, Toffee. Smile

Nettie I am also a mean mum as I made DD1 walk to school this morning even though she complained her school bag was far too heavy (it was actually even heavier than usual). But if she hadn't walked, then DD2 wouldn't have walked... I don't mind driving them if it's pouring with rain, but it's a slippery slope otherwise. Oh, and I am always a shouty mum in the mornings. Blush

DD1 went back to school today, complete with frogs and a variety of other sweets . I tried to get her involved in a spot of decluttering yesterday, but it was a complete waste of time. We emptied out the box of dolls and dolls' things, put them into two piles (DD1's and DD2's) and DD1 carefully looked at each item before she decided she couldn't part with it ("I love them all so good"). We got rid of a grand total of two soft toys (we had three identical ones - freebies from a Kinderhotel), so that was well worth the 25 minutes we spent on it. Hmm She announced that she had a "good idea" - she would keep everything but not buy any more. DD2 then put all her dolls back into the box while I was supervising DD1's homework/catching up on missed schoolwork before I had a chance to tell her we were decluttering. (I suppose I ought to be grateful for her sense of tidiness).

I often read that you should try to involve children in decluttering but it's absolutely pointless here - they refuse to get rid of a single thing! My solution is to declutter their things in secret, put anything that I think they won't miss in a bag in the cellar and if they don't ask for it for a few months, it can go. (Well, that's the theory; in reality, the cellar is overflowing with plastic bags full of tat.)

Today's list (much the same as yesterday's):

Baker's done
Morning routine doing
Mission
15 minutes decluttering in other room x2
Order new contact lenses
Revise weekly to-do list
Plan English lesson
Recycling
Afternoon routine
Thank you letters x3
Decide which weeks in the summer to send DS to kindergarten and fill in form
Evening routine

optimisticmumma · 18/01/2011 08:42

Morning all...
Great round up Toffee - thanks for doing it, it must take you ages!!
Well DD still here - very poorly with temperature, sore throat etc etc. Like PA we are playing musical flu here! Unfortunately in the mix are A2 modules for DS1 and Controlled Assessment (grr) for DD so not straightforward! Hey ho!
Nettie/Linzer - if ever you feel you really are meany mums (which I'm sure you're not, just normal mums) read some of the stuff by Anna Chua (sp) on Chinese tiger parenting - that should make you feel better!!Wink

Today:
morning routine doing
Prep chicken casserole
washingdryingironing
PAPERWORK Shock Wink Blush
Put Xmas stuff in loft Blush
TEACHING!! (pm)

Think that'll have to do as I only have 3 hours this morning...

See you all later!!

swanriver · 18/01/2011 10:42

I'm going to post and run today...

paint buy (after much discussion about the exact state of matteness silkiness with painter - apparently paint is not what it was Wink

dw unload
reload
second wash - hang out to dry
hoover bedroom
piano practise as I've now found my music in ds2' bookbag Grin

dd's room is all changed and now has a wardrobe (from the landing Shock spurred on by Nettie's tantalising mention of fitted cupboards - I realise that poor child needed somewhere to hang her clothes Blush of her very own.

Maths workshop at school at 1.50
buy food for this week's menu - tonight is fajitas made by ds1.

4 bags of rubbish outside SmileSmile from yesterday decluttering.

feetheart · 18/01/2011 10:43

Very quick one as need to spend decent amount of time working today - the cunning plan being that if I can get everything up-to-date it will then take much less time each week to keep it that way and I will get more time for me :o

Toffee - thanks for fantastic round-up, have used that instead of reading back to save time today Blush
I have kept up with the challenge, even washed bathroom ceiling yesterday (not that hard as bathroom is tiny) so things are moving forward.

Lair - will post on other thread if I have time. If not - brilliant 'party' idea, I would let my just 5 yr old go like a shot (and he has prior form at A%E - broken leg, broken wrist, etc!) and I would expect to drive him there. That way I could come too, help out a bit and let DD have a go (with me paying for DD and me) Hope you are able to sort things out - step away from the wall :)

Personal revamp has well and truly started as last night I got my hair cut off Shock I started growing it when DD was born (nearly 8 years ago!) but I'd had enough and felt it looked frumpy, grey and witchy. I now have a short bob thing at the front and a very short cropped bit at the back. Biggest surprise was that I probably don't need to get it coloured as I was still naturally dark underneath all the highlights/dyed bits/grey.
I love it, DD is very unsure and DH and DS are saying positive things :)

Today:

  • Morning routine - done and washing HUNG OUTSIDE (for first time in about 3 months)
  • WORK
  • Hoover downstairs and DD's room (as I can now see enough floor to hoover - result :))
  • Scan and email tax return to accountant
  • Print out DD's homework
  • 5 mins in DS's room
  • 15 mins decluttering in DD's room - I'm building myself up to tackle all the craft stuff on the top of her wardrobe
  • Mission
  • More work once DH gets home

That had better do, so much for a quick one Hmm
Huge waves to everyone.

LairOfTheDetermined · 18/01/2011 10:51

I have computer virus that is causing the computer to play up. its a nightmare. have to cancel cards used online too. So going to be a long week. If i dont get back its not because i dont want to.

swanriver · 18/01/2011 10:55

Linzer it is lovely that your dds enjoy their toys so much though! and clearly don't just hoard them, but play with them.

Ihatecobwebs · 18/01/2011 11:46

Morning
Have been fairly productive this morning. DS up, dressed, fed and ready to go without having to raise voice at all - amazing!

Morning routine done
Make lunch for DH to take to work done - BUT he forgot to take it grr
Walk DS to playgroup done
Major clean of DS room done - all toys and boosk sorted and put away (baby toys put in bag and hidden in cupboard to see if he notices Wink, cardboard boxes put in recycling (he keeps everything if he can and there is just no more room in there), decobwebed, cleaned ceilings and walls, cleaned window, dusted, cleaned furniture, skirting boards, vacuumed, turned mattress, made bed, gathered rubbish and binned
S/s done
Make beds done
Washing in machine done
Clean washing away done
Rr living room and vacuumed again done
Washing up done
Wash duster - in soak now
Wash vacuum filter - waiting til I've done the duster
Order prescription done
Phoned elec board done, but they won't talk to me as its in DH name, so I told them they would have to wait until Saturday
Cup of tea, slice of cherry cake and MN - doing
WI paperwork
Lunch for me
Allotment to see what greens we can have for tea
Collect DS from playgroup
Go out for walk with DS while the sun is shining
Play with DS
Filing
Paperwork item
Cook tea
Hotspot
Tea
Bedtime routine
Evening routine
Computer finance stuff
Playgroup paperwork
Handwashing
Sort elec bill stuff ready for DH to phone on Saturday

Linzer - I have a similar problem with DS. He doesn't want to get rid of anything, including the packaging toys come in. I have gathered up some of the baby toys he doesn't play with anymore and put them away to see if he notices. If he doesn't I will probably give them away. We also have problems with favourite clothes that no longer fit. I bag and hide these as well. Loft has a growing number of bags of clothes, toys etc - will need to make some decisions soon, before we run out of room up there.

feetheart · 18/01/2011 13:15

Ihatecobwebs - same problem here with DD, packaging and all, and she is nearly 8 so there is a LOT of stuff Shock Not sure how old your DS is but just wait till you get into Party Bag territory - a nice bag of plastic tat every few weeks Hmm
Our loft is also crammed but my ebay mission for this year (and it may take that long!) is to sell as much as I can and use the money for a sunshine holiday - good incentive for everyone :)

List so far:

  • WORK - done lots, just need DH here now
  • Hoover downstairs and DD's room - done

Still to do:

  • Scan and email tax return to accountant
  • Print out DD's homework
  • 5 mins in DS's room
  • 15 mins decluttering in DD's room - I'm building myself up to tackle all the craft stuff on the top of her wardrobe
  • Mission
  • More work once DH gets home - see above

Lunch then some Flying I think.

feetheart · 18/01/2011 14:18

Oops, completely distracted by Anthony Worrel-Thompson webchat.
Only 45 mins to finish everything off!

ToffeeChristmascake · 18/01/2011 14:26

Feet - congratulations on the hair! It sounds lovely. And well done on your Flying achievements too.

Am having a bit of a self-indulgent day today:

Morning routine done
Tea with friend done
Two hours in hairdressers having highlights (a Christmas present from my mum) done Smile
Surprise lift home from friend done
Lunch done

Oops. Don't seem to have done much Flying this morning. Will try to catch up later. However, the house is looking very presentable at the moment.

Waves to you all and sorry for not doing any more personal messages, but have to get ready for school run in a minute. Back later.

OP posts:
swanriver · 18/01/2011 17:46

Cobwebs I managed to clear my bedroom today, it'sjust as difficult chucking one's own stuff too you know
Two big bags of toys/aeroplanes that someone in the family will want, but not just yet, that's the frustrating thing. Cousin is planning to adopt a two year old, and my brother's baby is only a week old...so I feel I must keep them for now (on the other hand will a little girl want aeroplanes? Who knows, she may be an amazing engineery type...)

hoovered and deep cleaned and threw another 4 bags of rubbish out of bedroom
put all garden design stuff/clippings under bed - chucked quite a lot though
found loads of stationery
sewing stuff in sewing box
books in bookshelf

it is pretty obvious isn't it when you start to tidy, and you wonder why you didn't do it all before....

Possibilities emerging for NY of different days of week for different activities.
ie: Monday - garden day - get back all my planting expertise, read books, clippings etc, plans
Tues - sewing day/shopping/menu day, finish those BLASTED CURTAINS (and the ones for dh's study)
Wednesday - Piano and deep cleaning day (procrastination cancels them both out quite well Smile
Thursday - cooking day for anything more creative, jam cakes, freezer stuff
Friday - go out and enjoy the world day

will try and see what happens, only till 2.30 anyway, then prep for kids, and child care starts...

just rambling...
Toffee and Feet ah lovely hairdressing, not tackled the [bad]hair for a long time
Toffee glad you had a lovely day

LairOfTheDetermined · 18/01/2011 19:04

Swan - I agree it is very hard clearing out stuff.

I have so much i need to get shifted. A huge number of boxed of stuff that needs to be ebayed but no computer i want any financial information near atm. But that is stuff that i have got rid of from ds' stuff. I think i am going to have to be strict and cull. Although i am reluctant to get rid of my degree text books as ds devours science information books. But it is storing them and the longer i keep hold of them, the more out of date they get. Though as they are already nearly 10years old i dont suppose it will make much difference now as they are already of little value to anyone other then me anyway. Its a catch 22 situation a bit.

This week has completely over taken me with activity that takes me out of the house and has me running around like a headless chicken. Last week was over taken with a migraine. Need to get a grip of the rest of this month. Need to get things under control.
I think i need to follow the lead of the wise others on this thread and strictly follow the wisdom of the fat fairy and see if i can get this sorted. I am hoping this is the realisation of out of control that is actually the start of control being established.

LairOfTheDetermined · 18/01/2011 19:15

Arrrgh i swear my brain has been hijacked never mind the sodding computer.

Grin and Yays! for new haircuts

Shock at all the long lists

at all the very determined people who are kicking January, routine and clutter into touch

Blush at my complete inability to keep up.

elliepac · 18/01/2011 19:33

I will join lair in gazing in awe and wonder at the amount of decluttering and huge list writing that is going on here plus feet decluttered her head, now that is serious dedication to the fat fairy Grin. I am just about managing to keep up with thread and am hanging on for dear life as far as flying is concerned. However, what I will say is that before I took this up I would very often get to Friday and not have a clean pot to cook with, or a clear floor, or a clear worksites e and that hasn't happened for ages so it must be working in some haphazard fashion! Life still rather hectic here. Dh ankle a bit better and he went back to work today but is now suffering. Suffering from huge lack of sleep. Our neighbours moved out at the weekend ( rented property, quite a High turnover) but somebody, we think the landlord, was in next door( semi-detached) making a vast amount of noise cleaning last night at about 1 in the morning until about 3 Shock. if it happens again tonight I will not be held responsible for my actions! Got to go and finish dinner. Sorry for lack of personal messages, brain not functioning too well!

Ihatecobwebs · 18/01/2011 19:54

Quick update before I have a bath before DH gets home.

Morning routine done
Make lunch for DH to take to work done
Walk DS to playgroup done
Major clean of DS room done
S/s done
Make beds done
Washing in machine done
Clean washing away done
Rr living room and vacuumed again done
Washing up done
Wash duster done
Wash vacuum filter done
Order prescription done
Phoned elec board done
Cup of tea, slice of cherry cake and MN done
WI paperwork
Lunch for me done
Allotment to see what greens we can have for tea done
Collect DS from playgroup done
Go out for walk with DS while the sun is shining done
Play with DS, made a model race car done
Filing
Paperwork item
Cook tea done
Hotspot done
Tea done
Bedtime routine done
Evening routine - doing
Computer finance stuff
Playgroup paperwork - doing
Handwashing
Sort elec bill stuff ready for DH to phone on Saturday
Finally put up curtains in porch done

PositiveAttitude · 18/01/2011 19:57

Hellooooo all Grin

State of the family: DH coughing spluttering, insisting he is "fine", but driving me mad!! He is doing a stock-take at work tonight until about 1am, so an evening of sport free TV for me YAY!!! Smile
DD1 - is really poorly, hundreds of miles away and just keeps texting me - because I cant understand her squawks on the phone, saying she just wants a hug from me!! Oh I want to go up and mummy her! Sad
DD2 has been bundled out encouraged to go to her boyfriends so that I can give my eardrums a break from her coughing. Wink
DD3 is zombiefied and panicking that she is going to fail her course because she has had to have time off college.
DS is zombified (even more so than his normal 14 year old stance!)
DD4 is fine, and so am I!! ANd yes, OM, exams here, too for DD2, DD3, DS and DD4.

Managed to do some shopping after work today, but have done nothing since.

I have a bad day brewing tomorrow as someone at work has got himself in a bit of a mess with his work and i have the feeling he is planning on taking me down with him. He even had the nerve to phone me at home and warn me he was going to have to tell someone "we" had made a mistake!! I am totally in the clear, as long as people listen to where my job finishes and his starts! GGGrrrr!!Angry I have been summonsed to a meeting with him tomorrow. Could be a 5th of november meeting!!!

Yet again, I ahve just had a quick read through the thread. there is so much to keep up with now!!

Have a good evening, Smile

Stillchuckingit · 18/01/2011 20:09

Wot Lair and Ellie said!!

Envy of everyone with swanky new haircuts too!!

Have done no Flying again today other than basic routines (working instead) so nothing to report Blush and dh on the road again.

Good news though is that I have found a new "fortnightly ironing lady" and she is coming tomorrow for 3 hrs. Yipppeeee!! (The last one left to have a baby). I know it sounds extravagant but I always have a lot of office linen to do + being an expat we are constantly having guests which = loads of bedlinen + dh gets through about 11 formal shirts a week and other bits of special 'uniform' for his job. So I've decided to go for it!!! As ironing is one of the the things I hate most in the world and yet I still have a shallow, perfectionist yearning for beautifully pressed piles of clean linen, I don't care about giving up luxuries to pay for her.

Brilliant round-up Toffee

Hope your family recover soon PA

OM and Linzer hope your dds are feeling better today

Descending once more to laundry room of doom to sort it out for tomorrow !!

Waves to one and all!

LairOfTheDetermined · 18/01/2011 20:35

Ok i now have ironing lady Envy

NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 18/01/2011 20:57

pops in and brings some mocha for all the mean mummies out there.

Today i have

Try not to throttle my 2yr old-suceeded
Dw-done
Wm-done not enough for a load Shock Shock
Td-done
Drop ds off-done
Swimming with Dd-done
Hairdresser with Dd-done
Dejunk conservatory-nope
Sort out memory box-nope
S/s-at 3.30pm
Evening routine-nope
Stovies or bangers and mash for tea-nope sausages 4 days out of date so it was freezer fare Blush
Gym-nope

had two naps today Blush is it just dc getting up and my lack of proper bedtime? who knows. Confused

Im going to hit the hay in an attempt to deal with work better tomorrow.

sorry for lack nonmentions. be back tomorrow with renewed vigour im sure Grin

OgreTripletsAreSoCute · 18/01/2011 21:27

I need an early night too, I was so tire last night that when I went to bed it was like that over-tired thing that kids get, I was awake till after 2. Have been trying to get the DCs to go to sleep earlier too, we usually leave them about 8pm to put themselves to sleep, they play for a bit and then go to bed, but the gap has got longer and longer and 9.30 is becoming a regular occurrence, it is getting very difficult to get DD up in the mornings. But, DH is out, I have got a few things to do and I am craving half an hour in front of the telly before bed.

Anyway, today managed

DCs to school without shouting - done
Work till 1pm - done
Sainsburys for weekly shop - done
Put shopping away - nearly done
Hoover downstairs - done
2 x washing - done
DD to ballet - done
Evening meals - sandwiches all round - done
Packed lunch x 3 - done
Phone calls, various - done
Ponder how on earth I'm going to get from Hampshire to Yorkshire for Uncle's funeral at 10am one day next week and the implications for school runs etc -ongoing

Feet - well done on the haircut, I'm going the other way, had it all chopped off to be practical after DS was born, have spent the last two years growing it back, it has good days and it has bad days, but it is nice to have a change. Thank you for reminding me about party bags, was going to do those tonight.

I also have a DD who won't throw anything away, any scrap of paper she has drawn on, any old bit of tat from party bags, clothes that are miles too small. She says she's saving it all for her babies!

PA - hope all goes well at work tomorrow, try not to kill anyone!

Toffee - thanks for brilliant roundups

Waves at everyone else.

LinzerTorte · 18/01/2011 22:26

No early night for me tonight - I've just finished work and it's now almost 11.30 pm here.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with DC who refuse to part with anything. Amazingly enough, they agreed at the weekend that they no longer need all their Playmobil 1-2-3 things (for toddlers) so I've packed it all up to pass on to a friend tomorrow. I will be hiding the bags until then, however, just in case they change their mind.

As usual, work arrived while I was out picking up DD2 - why can it never get here in the morning when I'd actually have time to do it? I did manage to get some of it done this afternoon, however, as DS was out at a friend's and the DDs both had friends over so I saw very little of either of them.

Will repost my list in an attempt to shame myself into getting more done tomorrow when, like Nettie, I hope to be back with renewed vigour. Grin

Morning routine done
Mission done
15 minutes decluttering in other room x2 done 1x
Order new contact lenses
Revise weekly to-do list
Plan English lesson more or less done
Recycling
Afternoon routine half done
Thank you letters x3
Decide which weeks in the summer to send DS to kindergarten and fill in form
Evening routine no

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