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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

If you're house is cluttered and you're Mad as a Hare, join March Fledgling Flyers and get it all square

942 replies

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 28/02/2011 09:21

Following on from the February Fledgling Flyers thread, welcome to March. This is the thread that follows the Flylady website (loosely) for getting your home decluttered and your housework into routines, whilst dispensing tea and chat freely.

A big thank you to PushMePullYou for leading us through February ably assisted by ToffeeFudgeCake. We had a huge influx of new posters as well, which was lovely, anyone else who is lurking, please say hello, you will be very welcome.

We have a fairly relaxed attitude to Flying 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.

If you are overwhelmed by the mess in your home, start with just one thing: shine your sink. It's amazing what you can achieve by just doing a bit at a time!

OP posts:
ColdHeartedBitch · 04/03/2011 14:13

TODAY:
Lie in done
put load washing on done
eat done

PLan for rest of day:
load washing to dry
another load washing on
cross fingers that new bra doesn disintegrate in washer and dryer.

training - depends on the bastard headache. Will be increasing dose of meds tonight as suggested yesterday. Thus successfully achieving nothing other then sleep this weekend :( poor ds has been really good about letting me sleep. I have barely seen him all week. it has been nice to seen him and gran get on so nicely not always case

Stillchuckingit · 04/03/2011 14:14

Having a quick break as have managed to complete worst of admin and ...OOOhhhh, oooh ... what do we have here ....a vicarious Lakeland shopping opportunity no less ...

Well, Toffee

I love these they never leak. Have just bought some actually in preparation for Lenten diet/soup-fest.

this is very good too

Swear by this

Of course I have to include [[
www.lakeland.co.uk/sink-brite/F/C/cleaning-protecting/C/cleaning-protecting-clean-kitchen/product/22478 this]] in the list even though I've no idea if it's any good or not!!

Systems oh yes well done on - "maintaining the gain" - something I always struggle with - vital to keeping motivated

Colourarc looks like a perfect list to me!

Congrats to Simone and LilQueen on their productive days

Good luck to Rhett Snot Molly and Funambulist with their respective chores

Swan mutual Carnaval costume day sympathies!!

Everyone seems to have had a very productive week ... yikes ...I need to catch up ...

Stillchuckingit · 04/03/2011 14:15

xposts CHB save a seat for me in the naughty corner for this evening ....

ColdHeartedBitch · 04/03/2011 14:18

Will be putting some Wine in to chill for later. Help yourself if i have gone out. In this house date night = childfree training night. I know how to live Hmm

funambulist · 04/03/2011 15:02

MrsRhettButler even Flylady agrees that getting enough sleep is important.

Simone glad you're having a better day. Well done on ticking so many things off your list.

Cobwebs Shock What a long list, you definitely deserve a treat.

Linzer enjoy your date night.

Systems fab decluttering. You're an inspiration.

Alice Grin Very impressed that you had all that done by 8am. What time did you get up?

Molly Yum! Your DH is very lucky.

My done/to do list

Sort out DS1's Oystercard at Post Office. Done
Take DS2's photos to Post Office and make sure they comply with requirements. Done
Swish and swipe upstairs Done
Put away dry washing Done
Prepare for class I'm teaching this weekend. Have made a start
Buy a birthday present toyshop didn't have the toy birthday girl has requested so that's going onto Monday's to do list
15 mins declutter
5 mins x 2 hotspot Done
Clean kitchen hob Done
Check DS2's maths work Done
Fill in DS2 passport form

Almost time for pick up so I think I'll take some paperwork with me.

Looking at the babystep today, to put Flylady instructions on post-it notes, I wondered what parts of her system you all find most/least helpful? I've never done the post-it notes one. Far too embarrassing. But I do find having anti procastination day on Wednesdays sometimes gives me a much needed shove with tasks that I've been putting off.

NickNacks · 04/03/2011 16:07

Afternoon all!

Had a major tidy up and clean through downstairs last night and this morning in time for a parent visiting. Fingers crossed- i think it went well.

Then took DD to clinic- good weight gain.
Then popped into Sainsbury's to get snacks for tonight.
Did school run
Home now and kids doing homework (out tomorrow so best get it out of the way).
DS1 drop and then collect from beavers
Get fish and chips treat for tea.
Home, kids in PJ's and then friends coming over for a long overdue catch up!
Need to write a long list for tomorrow- make sure i make the most of 6 hours child and husband free!

Sorry for the quick drop in, and probably won't get back on later, but will catch up with you all tomorrow!

Happy FLYing!

NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 04/03/2011 17:17

Good afternoon everyone,

i am so top of the thread and the laundry and the housework, that i just dont know what to do with myself. Wink For those who dont remember or who havent heard me fess up before but i have a weekly cleaner. Once a week tackles cleaning and ironing. But this week she did not turn up..have sinking feeling even though she advises to the contrary that she will be leaving us soon Sad

anyway as a result, today has been a tad hectic.

dc nursery
s/s
bed made
d/w and t/d on
downstairs swept, hoovered and mopped.

thats it???? so why feel so hectic.???

yesterday my long awaited for wardrobes were installed and promptly filled last night. They are beautiful. i am in love!

nothowever in love with dh who after me speding a whole week catching upon laundry,filled the basket in one fowl swoop and had the ordacity {sp} to laugh when i had a rant about it! I was in such a mood that i didnt dare grace the thread with my grumpy bumpy Angry face.

I did glean

feetheart having a tough old time in midst of clutter not befitting her loveliness.
sc is running off to a cottage with dd.(wish i had cottage to run off. DH started back working all time from this week. After 11 years you think i would be used to it, but in actual fact makes me feel quite lonely and a bit like a single mum. (which is not fair to him because he does try)) oops sorry i digress. Have a lovely time, hope you get to catch up with your dh soon.
fun I did a bit of decluttering and missions when i started. The missions made me feel like i was making some real headway in grime.
toffee well done for managing to get some work done yesterday. I dont know how any of your manage to work at home as well as look after dc. I tried and failed.
perhaps hope chicken pox dont last too long
linzer hope you had a lovely 5 hours to yourself yesterday.
cobweb you are my allottment princess, i shall come to you when i finally get started on my garden.

Humungous waves to everyone, got to check up on todays activities on thread later. DH home and ive got to make some lunch for everyone.

Brew
LadyInPink · 04/03/2011 17:28

he-he nettie my mil is so similar which always makes us laugh. She will ask us to walk up the stairs with our feet right to the extreme edges so as not to wear out the carpet in the middle. Also told my DH not to do a poo as she had 'just cleaned the loo' - think i may start a thread about mad things that we have been asked to do/not to do Grin

NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 04/03/2011 17:41

perfectly reasonable request lady stair carpets are very expensive Grin

i did ask my ds to try and widdle in the toilet but that didnt work Grin

swanriver · 04/03/2011 17:48

decluttered train track, children's books and jigsaws to dear lady round the corner Smile
rescued kitchen somewhat from project piles
tidied playroom
swept floors
unloaded dw

talked at length about ss schools/banding test results/sets/rejections/acceptances/waiting lists with various people (it's like Eastenders, and I can't see the saga ever ever ending - gsces, a levels, university, jobs)

admired several neighbours' children's lovely WBD costumes all home grown if not sewn Wink you don't need to sew Toffee a few safety pins is all you need!

dd at friend, boys are playing in newly tidied playroom

I still need to make supper

Nettie yay for wardrobes, it only seems recent you ordered them and that was a long wait if I recall Shock I love love love hiding throwing organising clothes in my wardrobe.

Ds2 is giggling next to me, (now even louder when he read that Smile waiting for the computer - arrgh no chance of honest play in this house..
Mummy am I allowed to go on computer now [querulous little voice, very polite, for once Hmm

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 04/03/2011 17:57

Toffee you've got to try this foil and parchment just saw it in a magazine today. Back later.

OP posts:
Toffeefudgecake · 04/03/2011 18:16

LadyInPink - Grin at your MIL's requests! Would love to hear more.

Nettie - can't say I am being very successful at combining working at home with children at the moment. I think I may have managed half an hour today Sad. Congratulations on your new wardrobes (maybe you need new clothes to go in them? Wink).

Swan - well done on the successful Flying. .

Still and WhoKnows - thanks for the fab Lakeland tips! I have the soup bags already - very useful - but I think I will definitely get the oven cleaner, as our oven has never been cleaned is in a bit of a state. (PS: the last link didn't work.)

Fantatic flying from Nicknacks, Fun, Molly and Colour.

Have done quite a bit of home-ed stuff with DS1 today and kept up with my routines, so the downstair's doesn't look too bad. Bathroom is sparkling, thanks to swishing and swiping (one of the best Flylady tips, I think). Can't really blame lack of work output on children today, as I spent an hour and a half catching up with a friend Blush.

Anyone having the recommended date night tonight? Not us Sad. Just Wine and telly.

Got to go and cook. DH phoned: very fed up with his long commute on several trains, thanks to car still being at the garage. Wants food as soon as he gets home.

Toffeefudgecake · 04/03/2011 18:18

Thanks, WhoKnows!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 04/03/2011 18:24

Have just posted and MN went offline and lost it.

HAs anyone seen the Space Shuttle/Space Station fly over this week? Should be a good night for it tonight, due at 7.39 pm from West to South over Southern England. Probably within a minute or so for the whole country, it only takes an hour for it to get to Australia [mind boggles emoticon]. All the timings are on the NASA website.

OP posts:
ColdHeartedBitch · 04/03/2011 18:24

trick an mner told me for getting boys to pee in the toilet. Put a few Cheerio equivalents (any own brand will work). Then tell said boy that you bet they cant pee on them. They float when soggy and flush away. So hygeinic. Cures ds from sloppy habbits very quickly. Have to repeat every now and then to remind. Also works on older (grown) boys too. They just cant resist a pee challenge.

NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 04/03/2011 18:42

chb brill idea! I bought one of those balls with faces but Dd keeps taking it out and playing with it [yuk]

Might work as long as Dd doesn't fancy a snack!?!? [eeeewwww] Grin

missjulie · 04/03/2011 20:27

Had a hectic day!
Took DD to playgroup for the first time! What an experience! Been shopping, visiting friends, walking, chatting, giggling!
Did a little flying - hoovered, dishes, sink shining, load of washing, bla bla bla, that's about it!
Need a big kick up the backside!
Hope everyone is ok and had a good day, shall be back later to read the thread! x

snotdroolanddirtybums · 04/03/2011 20:46

woo i made it! Grin

i managed to get the most of my list done with an additional bathroom and kids bedroom cleanup but still have the laundry to put away. ds1, 2 and 3 are in bed but not asleep yet. so gonna make a cuppa and get stuck into that chore.

who knows: no plans here tonight either Sad dp is on call all week so prob not see much of him. hes out on a few at the minute. And Grin at you and your 1950's housewife style, think id have rather pleasantly kicked him up the but told him to order something Smile

CHB: thats a good idea, like nettie i too tried the balls with smiley faces and ds3 has a ball obsession so didnt work out too well and they went to the bin! im fighting a losing battle on the aim front as im out numbered here!might give that a wee go.

NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 04/03/2011 21:07

snot give it a wee go hen ;-)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 04/03/2011 22:30

Evening Fledglings,

Beautiful weather here today (at last), a cold wind, but sunny all day, and warmed up a bit by mid afternoon. Our lounge gets full on sunshine in the morning at this time of year, having invited friends round for coffee at 11 I had a bit of a panic when I realized that not only was it very untidy but every speck of dust was on full show in the sunshine, as were the fingerprints all over the windows, the crumbs on the carpet, aarghh. Managed to get it reasonable but did have to resort to the old get a box, throw all the toys in it and hide it in another room strategy rather than putting it all away properly.

Saw the Space Shuttle go past, DD has been studying space this term, so she has liked seeing it this week.

Anyway, what have the rest of you been up to?

Linzer blimey, that?s an early start, even for you! Envy of Date Night in Vienna, I?m more likely to get date night in Basingstoke Sad.

PA ? oh no, should have gone to Specsavers moment for you in the car today. Was rather inconsiderate of your neighbour to change the houses around though.

Alice decided she was going to have to hide the puter (we call it that too) if she was going to get any Flying done

SC is still doing a very busy work life balance juggling act

Molly I also have a list notebook, don?t always keep it going but I find it is far better than a control journal for me. Enjoy the cinema.

Swan had a very busy World Book Day dress up to do foir her DCs this morning, thank goodness our school doesn?t do this

Funambulist has reminded me that I need to do the DCs passport forms, thank you

Simone had a bad start with running over the contents of the dustbin, but things improved with the cooperation of school

At this point we realized that Alice hadn?t got round to putting the puter away as she was back to impress us with a considerable list of things done by 8am, I?m lucky if I have made the DCs breakfast by 8am Envy

Colourarc thanked everyone for their motivational posts, I agree that it really helps

Systems yay, a first in the Systems household, 4 simultaneous clutter free rooms! What a good feeling.

Snot posted a mega list today

Cobwebs ditto

Simone came back sounding more cheerful (pizza here tonight too)

MrsRB requested a kick up the bum, which was duly delivered by Simone

LilQueenie has been having an Ebay session, excellent, decluttering plus making money

Toffee came along asking what she should order from Lakeland thus giving us all the chance to go and drool over the Lakeland website for a few minutes, I can see the money I saved by haggling my car insurance today disappearing again pretty quickly.

CHB ? hope the head permitted you to get to training, nice that DS and Gran have been enjoying each other?s company

Funambulist ? my most useful Fly things are Swish and Swipe the bathroom, one load of washing a day and put out your clothes the night before. These are probably the only ones I maintain virtually without fail.

Nicknacks is eagerly anticipating her six hours of freedom tomorrow

Nettie is on top of her Flying and everything else, well done. Hope the cleaner doesn?t leave you, what a pain. DH did similar to me with the laundry this morning, I wanted to get some coloureds washed but only had half a machine load, decided to put them on anyway, went upstairs half an hour later and he had filled the basket with about another half machine load, grrr.

LadyinPink ? haha at not using the loo because it has been cleaned! My loo would be a whole lot better if my lot would show some consideration and only go at school or work but no, they all have to save it till they get home, very unreasonable.

MissJulie took DD to playgroup for the first time, a milestone, and a sociable day all round by the sound of it

Snot ? came back to tell us she had managed the mega list, well done!

Right, off to bed in a minute, night all

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 04/03/2011 22:33

Saturday

Babystep Write Down What you hear - those negative thoughts that keep creeping in - banish them!

No Mission on a Saturday but here are a few reminders to keep you going for Saturday

Reminders

OP posts:
ColdHeartedBitch · 05/03/2011 01:54

As usual for a friday night/ sat morning I am not going to get the early night thing but I did get training and had a surprisingly lovely evening.

Ds decided to make himself pudding tonight and i have to admit to being impressed with his determination - even if i needed to help him a bit.

ColdHeartedBitch · 05/03/2011 04:56

Ds got up at 2am ish and would appear is up for the day.

Fuck.

tired grumpy ds + tired grumpy CHB = shouty yelly nasty day.

There will be no flying.

NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 05/03/2011 07:20

chb that sucks and I've been moaning to myself bout Dd getting up at 6! Hope you get some chill out time at some point today.

Dh working today. So I think I'll take kids somewhere and fly if I've got any energy when I get back!

Need to Hoover and mop upstairs and tidy!
Declutter bedside cabinet
Declutter top of chest of drawers
Sort out some of dh clothes
Stare at ironing mountain Hmm

Dc quarreling already Sad

Hope you all have a lovely day.

whoknows brilliant roundup thanks Smile

NettieISroundlikefiggypudding · 05/03/2011 08:05

They have an official flylady calendar in states

www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_calendar.asp

Just thought I'd try and do a link.

www.sproutonline.com/sprout/games/

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