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Housekeeping

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Part 2 - If you're house is cluttered and you're Mad as a Hare, join March Fledgling Flyers and get it all square

414 replies

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 17/03/2011 22:30

This is the second March Fledgling Flyers thread, all newcomers are welcome.

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.

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.

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:
swanriver · 21/03/2011 18:24

Off to Cubs now,
I've done SIL and baby niece till 2.45, ballet, singing, football and a smidgen of homework [aka bellowing at lazy child)

No Flying though! house is seriously disorderly.

Think there is some soggy lasagne for supper from yest..but otherwise Hmm

Scouts pickups x 2 yet to go - probably not long enough in the house to argue with dh tonight Grin

LostInTheBlackHole · 21/03/2011 18:37

Today's list:

washing 1 load doing
sleep all day Blush but done
Take ds out for an hour walk/bike ride done
wipe down car and polish
Clean windows inside and out
check emails and clear junk done
read emails erm.... this evening's job me thinks.
sort out stuff for tomo
ds' reading done some so can be counted as done unless he choses to read more
find ds' pe kit that he brought home when not needed to and has been lost in the house somewhere. Hmm

funambulist · 21/03/2011 18:44

Apologies for my late arrival today and absence over the weekend.

After receiving a number of whole year emails seeking costumes for a school production that DS2 is appearing in, I questioned him closely. DS2 then admitted that he too required a costume. Unfortunately, although we have, over the years, acquired a huge number of different costumes, this was one we didn't have. Said show is this Friday. Shock

So I decided to postpone tidying the house in favour of tracking down something that would do. I spent the whole morning in our local shopping emporium and after much searching managed to get a few bits and pieces that I can put together. I also managed to collect DDs First Communion dress and some black clothes for another school thing which DS2 is in. School sent a letter about that one so I knew about it.

The shop that I'd ordered DD's dress from didn't have it ready, so gave me a voucher to have tea or coffee plus a pastry in the restaurant while they sorted it out. I had a good book with me so had a lovely half hour. Smile

So not much time to sort out the house today, but I feel more relaxed for having got the shopping mostly out of the way and DS2 and DD are very pleased with me. Smile

done

dishwasher unloaded and restacked
shiny sink
DD's communion dress
DS2 costume (mostly)
DS2 black clothes
Bought easter chicks to put on cakes
Houseblessing (sheets, hoovering, mopping)
hot spot x 1
washing on
dry washing put away

to do

swish and swipe Blush
hang out washing
declutter/mission
Rest of houseblessing (bins (partly done), magazines, dust, polish)
hot spot x 2
lay out clothes (done DS2 and DD, just need to do mine)

Ellie sorry that you've had a tough time, I hope things continue to improve.

swanriver · 21/03/2011 18:55

Back again.
Can I face tidying kitchen in the 15 minutes before dh appears? Or shall I try and get dd to do her homework.
Unfortunately I can't have any Wine because of all the driving Hmm
[closes eyes and tackles kitchen worktops, ignoring crunching underfoot]
LOL Funambulist I love the "questioned him closely" Smile

Cobweb you'll miss him too!

LadyInPink · 21/03/2011 20:02

Okay never managed to clean master bedroom as remembered I hadn't made DH a anniversary card. We make our cards and tailor them to that years material (8 years = lace, bronze or salt Hmm Confused). It's tomorrow so had to make it today. I chose a combination of all 3 eeek.

You won't see me tomorrow cos having a day off. House looks pretty much up together so won't feel guilty. DD is going to a friends after school so can have a leisurly lunch.

lost loved the t-shirt folding clip; gotta give that a go!

Ihatecobwebs · 21/03/2011 21:01

Hmm, quite a lot to be caught up on tomorrow I think. Chatted with friend when she brought DS back, so a bit more of afternoon drifted away, then have been doing things with DS this afternoon and before bed, so list has been at a standstill. Add to that long phonecall from DM, and I'll just have enough time to do the Musts on the list before I head to bed.

Morning routine done
DS to playgroup done
DH packed and out of door done
Washing on line done
Clean washing away done
RR kitchen done
Food bin and recycling bins in done
Cup of brew done
Check website to make sure shop sells stuff I need done
Look up missions done
Shopping done
RR kitchen done
RR bathroom done
RR DS room done
RR bedroom done
WHBH done
Collect DS done
Activity with DS done
S/s done
Make beds done
Zone cleaning/decluttering
Zone mission
Garden
Bin in done
Washing on airer done
Cook tea done
Tea done
Bedtime routine done
Evening routine done
Playgroup paperwork - must get some done tonight so I can bank tomorrow
Our finance
Item from paper file
Check bills done
Washing in machine done

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 21/03/2011 21:47

Evening everyone,

A busy day here but not much achieved Confused.

School run - done
Stop at school for 20 mins after drop off to plan for lunchtime gardening club - done
Walk home with friend and stand chatting in the street for an hour - done (excellent exchange of gossip)
Washing - done
Ironing - 15 mins done
Make pizzas for tea - done
Early lunch - done
Back at school for the club by 11.45 for club - done
Stayed to help with reading - done
DCs home change and at Sports Centre by 4pm for basketball - done
Sit and chat with other mums for an hour - done
Back home, cook pizza, feed DCs, change DS, off to Beavers - done
Sainsburys shopping - done
Pickup form Beavers - done
Clearing kitchen - half done

Just for a change upstairs is tidier than downstairs, I never seem to reach that elusive goal of having the whole house tidy for more than about 10 nanoseconds.

Anyway, let's see what else is happening Chez Fledglings

Linzer has finally managed to place her Lakeland order! Now we just need Feet to finalise her friend's taps

Nettie managed to get the day of the week right

SC - welcome back, glad you survived your trip

Cobwebs managed a visit to Lakeland too [envious]

Fun has been having fun trying to sort out a school costume at short notice. "Questioned him closely" made me laugh too, exactly the sort of thing that would happen to me and DS who tells me NOTHING about school.

Toffee has been modelling the latest White Stuff clothes for all our enjoyment, another [envious]

Swan has had a busy evening of cubs and scouts too

Lost brought us some interesting links, I must say it only take me about 2s to fold a teeshirt, but it never comes out as neatly as that.

Lady has been making an anniversary card for her DH - have a lovely day tomorrow.

Cobwebs - your description of DH and the ever increasing pile of washing up reminds me of an episode of Butterflies (are you old enough to remember it?) - when Ria just gives up on the washing and puts a new tablecloth over the whole lot of it on the table and carries on.

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 21/03/2011 21:49

Tuesday

Babystep Control Journals

Mission.

OP posts:
MrsMcJnr · 21/03/2011 21:57

Couldn´t believe it when I saw today´s mission, I stuffed a whole load of things under the bed last night safely out of the DC´s reach, I´ll tackle that tomorrow!

funambulist · 22/03/2011 00:01

Whoknows do you find that boys tell you nothing and girls everything? Certainly the way it works in our house. Smile

I loved Butterflies, particularly how bad Ria was at housework and her poor long suffering husband who patiently endured the inedible meals she cooked.

Lady impressed by your anniversary cards. I can see how you would do the lace bit but how did you manage bronze and salt? Confused

Stillchuckingit sympathy with your First Communion clothing dilemma. I have bought DD a short sleeved dress but have a pretty white cardigan to go over it. I haven't thought about my outfit yet. Hoping to be more svelte by then, though I haven't done very well today with my free pastry and attack on a tube of Pringles this afternoon.

This eveing I left the DCs watching Wonders of the Universe on i player (educational therefore counts as good tv) and went upstairs to do the under the bed mission with The Archers on. The beginning of the 7pm news to the end of The Archers is 15 minutes so very handy for timing missions.

Under the bed were two large wheeled containers, that have whatever hats and accessories we aren't currently wearing, so mostly Summer stuff; lots of very dusty shoes and a fearsome amount of dust.

As usual I got in too deep and after pulling out the containers and the shoes dragged the bed back from the wall and sprayed multi-surface cleaner over the blanket of dust which I then rolled up with kitchen roll. Believe me a duster would never have coped with it.

Soggy globs of dust got everywhere and I cleaned the floor around the bed several times. After half an hour I hadn't even reached DH's side of the bed and the room is now pungent with cleaner (wish I'd picked one with a more subtle smell.) I think that tomorrow's mission has to be completing the job, unpleasant as it is, as now I've actually seen the carpet of dust hiding under the bed I feel compelled to deal with it.

The trouble with Flylady is that it does have a way of bringing things to your attention that take far, far longer than 15 minutes to deal with!

I long for the day when I will just have to maintain my tidy home rather than discovering new horrors each day.

to do

swish and swipe done
hang out washing done
declutter/mission done
Rest of houseblessing (bins (partly done), magazines, dust, polish)no more done due to dealing with under the bed monsters
hot spot x 2 done
lay out clothes (done DS2 and DD, just need to do mine)no, got distacted by watching The Killing on i player and DH now in bed.

Plus

tea for DCs and separately for us.
ironed DS2's karate kit
sorted out DDs PE bag for the morning
sorted out DCs swim kit for after school lessons

LostInTheBlackHole · 22/03/2011 04:50

Morning,

Just grabing my first coffee for the day. Need to leave in less than half an hour. The morning runs so much better when i actually get everything organised the night before. I am so not a morning person.

To do list:
washing 1st load of the day on
make sure that ds' pe kit ends up going back to school
wipe down car and polish
clean windows inside and out
write in ds' reading record done

Good flying days to you all.

LinzerTorte · 22/03/2011 05:02

Morning all,

Will be concentrating on work and just keeping my routines going today, but hope to finish the job I'm working on in the next day or two so that I can get back to Flying with a vengeance. Grin

SC We had exactly the same problem with first communion outfits last year. DD1 had a sleeveless dress with a little jacket to go over the top (but it looked much nicer without the jacket) and, assuming that it was going to be warm in May, I also bought a sleeveless dress with a little bolero-style jacket. Big mistake - it was still quite chilly in mid-May so I ended up having to wear a completely different outfit and DD1 wasn't able to take her jacket off at all (which was a real shame, as the dress underneath was lovely). My only hope is that I'll finally be able to wear the dress (it's still unworn) at DD2's first communion next year!
Thanks again for your help with my Lakeland order btw.

funambulist That's a great alternative for when I mislay my timer (a frequent occurrence; it's MIA at the moment, in fact) - listen to an episode of the Archers and add a few minutes onto the end to make up the 15 minutes!

Stillchuckingit · 22/03/2011 07:46

Morning all

A very Happy Anniversary to LadyinPink and her dh!! Hope you have a lovely lunch.

Thanks for the solidarity over Communion attire dithering...

Linzer You are up extremely early today!! Hope you can put your paid work to bed quickly.

Same here re communion. Have ordered dd a sleeveless dress and she happens to have a white bolero and a cardigan already from previous events which still fit. The dress looks much better without so hoping for good weather.

Funambulist Sympathies...I am also hoping to be svelte by then but only have 7 wks to go ... arrrghhh!! Good luck with your under-the-bed mission today.

Thanks for round-up and steps Whoknows

[SC bows down in awe and wonder at the amount Ihate got done yesterday!!]

OK ... the wretched day has arrived. I can procrastinate no longer. Time to tackle the home office ..not feeling very inspired because despite best efforts, I seem to have managed to upset both dd and dh this morning ...and I'm already behind and haven't started morning routine yet ...heigh ho ...

Today:
grapefruit for breakfast done
upset everyone done Sad
1 phone call
1 e-mail
morning routine inc dw on, wm on, s&s, boudoir swipe
tidy drawers and put away ironed clothes
5 min tidy up downstairs
prep more laundry
office laundry
START DECLUTTERING AND SORTING HOME OFFICE
hem tracksuit bottoms
go for walk

Feel like going back to bed.
Please administer kick up bum!!

Humungous waves to all ...!

Toffeefudgecake · 22/03/2011 07:52

Good morning.

Lost - that is shockingly early!

Linzer - You too, although I know you have a time difference. I'm with you on the plan for 'basic routines and work only'.

Was up till a silly hour this morning, finishing a chapter and emailing it off to work. At least I now start today with that one out of the way. Then DS2 woke up at an equally silly hour this morning. I slid into bed with him, hoping to catch a few more minutes' sleep - only to discover he'd wet the bed. Ugh.

My mum has said she'll come down to stay and help out from Thursday, which is a real bonus. It means she can do the school run and look after DS2 on Friday, when I'll be panicking trying to meet the deadline. And she can also help me get the house back into some sort of order again Smile.

So far today:

done:
B/fasts
Washing up

Er... that seems to be it Blush.

Off to tackle hair and face now - that will take some time Wink.

See you all later.

Toffeefudgecake · 22/03/2011 07:54
elliepac · 22/03/2011 09:34

Morning all,

Well after having said I would try again come Monday, I have been struck down with a nasty stomac bug and was off work yesterday and am still off today. Having said that, I am starting to feel a little better so might get something done this afternoon.

ladyinpink Happy Anniversary.

Noted from the round-up that linzer has sorted her Lakelnd order. Wooohooo.

Also noted that lost was up doing crazy things at crazy times - nothing new there then Grin.

Back later. Am going to have a snoozw.

funambulist · 22/03/2011 09:51

ellie hope you feel better soon.
lady happy anniversary.
toffee well done for having got some work done already.
stillchuckingit good luck with the home office today.
lost just realised the time you posted Shock That's what I call making an early start. It must feel like mid afternoon to you now!
linzer good luck with work today.

I had a good start to the day with a text from DS2's teacher to say he'd passed his latest music exam. DS2 will be really chuffed when I tell him.

done

hotspot x 1
swish and swipe up and downstairs Shock hardly ever get this done in the morning!
washing on
various texts and emails

to do

shopping list
menu plan for the week
big shop
petrol
additions to DS2's costume?
mark DS2's english work
dry washing away
vanquish dust from under the bed (completion of yesterday's mission)
library book for DS2
lay out clothes for the morning
sort out tea
remember to bring cheque book to swimming to pay for badges and next term's lessons.

Hmm quite a long list. Better get going!

feetheart · 22/03/2011 11:03

Going to start with a short list:

  • Morning routine
  • Work - bank recs as rather behind!

I FINALLY GOT TAPS SORTED :o
Got OK from friend (with no comments, questions, prevarications Shock) and went to B&Q and spent £500 of her money last night (on my cashback card :)) on complete bathroom including floor tiles. So also need to

  • Text tenants to let them know when order is coming
  • Text builder re above and sort out when he can finish the job

Right...........SAGE

NettieSpaghetti · 22/03/2011 12:04

Good afternoon Blush

Yesterdays list

Dc and dh up and tidied up-done
Dd sick cleaned up-done
Dw empty refill-done
Wm on-done
Td empty-done
Dc bedrooms tidy-nope
Family day out to castle park-done lovely too
Dh and ds to dentist-done

today having serious case of CBA. have so far managed to get dressed. ds to montessori. dw on, bathroom s/s, trip to post office to post dsis nephews welcome to the world present. eaten slim fast meal interspersed with crisps and cakes!!

anyway just going to read up on how you all getting along (hoping you will spur me onto action)

bbl

applegeek · 22/03/2011 12:41

DAY 1 of my FLY lady stuff, looking forward to trying it :)

NettieSpaghetti · 22/03/2011 12:43

PROOFREADERS BEWARE [BLUSH] sorry Grin

cobwebs hope you have a good week without dh. jealous of lakeland visit. is that the one at windermere you went to. I visited a year ago and forgot that lakeland was there Blush Angry at me.
sc glad someone feels the same about travelling, i used to be able to drive all over the uk on hardly any sleep and now i struggle to get from a-b and back. glad your trip went ok. Shock at gp pedicure!! is that a bit like the fish one? Grin good luck with home office today
linzer well done on solving your lakeland problem. Ive just made a lakeland list from their gardening catalogue!
lady happy anniversary hope you have a lovely days and lovely danish pastries too Grin
toffee must have a look at white stuff Shock at school fashion parade. (once school is assigned must find daggy mums corner for school drop off.Hmm) What a fab mummy you have coming alog to help. hope you get it all done and dusted.
swan good plan avoidance is as good plan on the argue front.
lost well done on your list, you are doing so brill, i think you are going to have to move out of the naughty corner Grin sticktly against folding in this house. maybe one day Grin have fun at skating so early in the morning
fun sounds like a fab monday ever so slightly Envy of your half hour book reading. loved your dust bunny dealings under your bed. hope you manage to finish them off today. well done to ds with his music exam
whoknows brill list yesterday espcially with all that tooo and frooing and helping and chatting Grin thanks for round up. Used to love butterflies but all i remember is the lovely theme tune and wayward sons. i think they should bring it back. Grin
mrsmcjnr typical, do you think fly lady was watching Hmm
ellie hope you start feeling better soon. have a lovely energising snooze
feetheart brill news on taps. phew! oh and good luck with that yukky sage.

Huge waves to anyone ive missed

Right now i have caught up with you all and see how well you are all doing, im going to post myself a list to be completed before pick up at 3.

lunch for dd
tidy living room
tidy dc rooms
move washing on
strip and remake my bed.

That will do i'm going to try and get back after pick up to update my list as definately need motivation.

NettieSpaghetti · 22/03/2011 12:44

welcome applegeek jump right in. Grin

Stillchuckingit · 22/03/2011 13:07

Lunch break (office going veeeeerrrrryyyyy sllloooowwwllyyyy)

A warm welcome to Applegeek

Oh no Ellie - sorry to hear you are unwell - tried to find daffodil emoticon for you but they have all disappeared ....so handing over <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.be/imgres?imgurl=www.shuvodin.com/images/adorable-pink-flowers.jpg&imgrefurl=www.shuvodin.com/index.php%3Fmain_page%3Dindex%26cPath%3D103&usg=__Age9KiJwQJoeMag90ucY-vUceZg=&h=300&w=301&sz=56&hl=fr&start=25&zoom=1&tbnid=WgMjmfkk_6x-EM:&tbnh=162&tbnw=163&ei=d56ITdu9KsafOsbkuaYO&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dimage%2Bbunch%2Bof%2Bflowers%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:fr-be:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADRA_en%26biw%3D1259%26bih%3D850%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=313&oei=cJ6ITcv8HZKBswbHvcWxDA&page=2&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:25&tx=100&ty=124" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these instead Get well soon!

Congrats on the taps Feet

Sorry to see your dd is still ill Nettie ...no wonder you are feeling tired

Heigh, ho, must crack on I suppose (said without enthusiam) Waves microfibre cloth forlornly ...

Stillchuckingit · 22/03/2011 13:08

Oh Nettie sorry - see that was yesterday's list. Hope your dd is feeling better today!!

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