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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Remember, remember the fledgling Flyers: dusting, and decluttering a lot..

935 replies

DarknessSoothes · 31/10/2011 16:35

Come one come all, fledgling reunite. 1st of the month and we survived the fright. Bonfire month and lets burn though the housework to prepare for the festivities of December.

As from the 1st we will be babystepping, mission and deep cleaning our way out of the C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome).

For newbies and those who need reminding here is the principles behind the babystep system.

The basic is this:

  1. Do the babysteps.
  2. When you do the babysteps with consistency add in the missions
  3. When you are doing the babysteps and missions as a habbit tackle the deep cleaning.

This thread is a mishmash of people at different stages. The lists can look long, but look carefully, some of us are reposting lists and parts of lists from day to day.

Our motto is this: Do not strive to be perfect, Progress is progress and anything is better then nothing and my personal favourite part of the fly lady system is you are never behind, just jump in and start from where you are.

So on that note here we go. With much thanks to Ellie who lead us with amusing roundups last month.

Day 1: Babystep 1 - How to shine your sink

Mission here - this will update overnight ready for the early fledglings

Tuesday's reminders are here: It's planning day

And for those of you who are eagerly awaiting christmas here is the flylady's crusing into christmas page. Personally i did some of this last year and done some this year and it does take a chunk of the stress out of christmas.

Well now that I have suitably scared you, see you all tomo!!
WinkGrin

OP posts:
Toffeefudgecake · 19/11/2011 20:54

Thanks, Swan. I hope so. Smile

BlueEyeshadow · 19/11/2011 22:38

Done no flying today, but both boys and I have had our hair cut! DH took the boys home again once they were done so I could have a nice relaxing time. :) Almost makes up for the disturbed night and missing my lie-in this morning...

Lauren - congratulations on your graduation, glad you had a good day.
Toffee - hope the party goes well; sorry, no idea about the cakes!

Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow!

DarknessSoothes · 19/11/2011 23:03

Sunday is pamper yourself

babystep is laundry

Happy darkness. Grin

OP posts:
Toffeefudgecake · 20/11/2011 00:33

Well, have decided not to use second batch of fairy cakes. First batch are fine, so luckily I have plenty.

I have just finished icing the birthday cake. I'm actually quite pleased with it. The igloo bit actually looks like an igloo! I've added some Club Penguin figures and little trees to turn it into a Club Penguin world. I don't think I'm going to be able to allow any of the guests to actually eat the cake after all this work.

Just have to wrap the pass-the-parcel package and then am off to bed.

Night all.

Toffeefudgecake · 20/11/2011 09:35

DS2's 6th birthday party today. 3 till 5. Went to bed at 2.30am (according to tradition) but couldn't sleep in because my brain is buzzing.

The kitchen looks like it's been ransacked by burglars.

Whyohwhyohwhyohwhy did I think this would be a good idea?

LadyInPink · 20/11/2011 09:42

Hope the party goes well Toffee and well done on the Club Penguin cakes Smile - they sound fab! Penguin biscuits are an inspired idea too.

Am in agony after my PT session on Friday, the trainer has killed my legs and they are so sore and wobbly i can barely walk - and i bloody paid him to do this to me too Shock Have also booked in advance to see him again this coming Wed and the following Wed

On a good note DH and I took DD and a friend to the orchestra last night which was lovely as they are both learning piano and there was a piano concerto as one of the pieces

DD has a party to go to over lunchtime today and I may take her swimming if my legs feel up to it after that.

Need to go through her spellings
Finish Mathletics homework
Practice her violin (she has already had her piano lesson this morning)
Go through her drama lines for tomorrow

See you all tomorrow Smile

laurenamium · 20/11/2011 12:08

Hiya!

Good luck with the party today toffeefudge it sounds fantastic!

Have fun revising swan and linzer Wink

LinzerTorte · 20/11/2011 12:19

That's great lauren (about your DD sleeping through, not the hangover Wink) - fingers crossed it continues!

Hope you recover soon, Lady - I'm sure it will be better next time and it will all be worth it in the end; just think how fit and healthy you're going to be!

Toffee Hope the party goes well. FWIW I wouldn't have used the second batch of cupcakes; it's highly unlikely that anything would happen, but you just don't want to risk it.

Have had quite a productive morning - DH took DD2 and DS to church while I worked and DD1 revised - so we're going to reward ourselves this afternoon by going ice skating and trying out our new skates. The house is in a state, but I'm trying to ignore it. It will have to wait until this job is finished (which I seem to remember saying last time Blush).

slightlycrinkled · 20/11/2011 13:27

Oops - sorry Darkness - I think I promised to do linkies in your stead ..??? last night.

Apologies - didn't forget - but w/e has run away with me!

Sleep well!

Toffee Hope everyone has a fantabulous time today!! All your preparations sound absolutely terrific! (vicarious excitement emoticon)

Lauren ahhh at your lo sleeping through! Hope you can do the same tonight!

Very well done on the exercise front Pink

Linzer good luck to your dd1 for the test and to your ds1 Swan ( it's usually me demanding tartare sauce in this household btw Blush) Well done on 'encouraging' your dd to prevail with violin... on very shaky ground with dd and piano currently

DD supposed to be starting revision for first ever set of proper internal exams but we haven't got far. She's so easily distracted [sigh]

Glad you have a bit of an opportunity to be pampered Blue

(I should be doing mine today but haven't managed to get there in between preparing dd's speech for school which she has failed to do, typing it out, translating it in to two languages with help of dh, forcing her to rehearse it under threat of heavenknowswhat, encouraging her to do rest of homework, wrapping presents, sewing on name tapes, washing and ironing uniform for week, assembling clean swim kit, dressing her up for party, driving her to party ... preparing for builders tomorrow ...bickering with dh (!), ironing own clothes, going to church, and cooking and preparing Sunday lunch which has become Sunday dinner, and so it goes on ad infinitum ... don't know how all of you with more than one child cope! I must be doing something wrong ... Will try and fit walk in there somehow, no excuses)

Huge waves to everyone else ....!!

laurenamium · 20/11/2011 15:03

Mmmmm what I would do for a Sunday dinner!

Just had a phone call off my mam and I'm having a tumble dryer delivered tomorrow for a graduation present Grin so DP is working off his hangover by rearranging the garage Wink

DarknessSoothes · 20/11/2011 18:16

Tis ok SC but not sure what state I will be in tomo so if you can pop the links on if they don't appear.

Absolutely shattered. Been a busy wkend and have a 3am start to the day tomo. Will be a long day too. Just off to bed. So here are the linkies:

monday is home bleurgh day

missions

babystep is a reading one

Right hopefully will be able to sit down long enough to catch up with everyone on Tuesday. Have a good week!

OP posts:
NickNacks · 20/11/2011 18:43

Good evening everyone.

I'm sorry I have been a crap flyer and thread participant this last week or so. I pledge to do much better this week.

Congratulations Lauren on your graduation and lucky lady getting a new tumble dryer.

Toffee I hope you DS had a lovely birthday and party. Top marks for baking cakes yourself, I'm a hire it out to other people sort of gal! :)

I'm not minding until 3pm tomorrow aside from a parent coming to sort paperwork for new mindee. I will hopefully get lots of flying done tomorrow. Ha ha!

Washing
Wash sofa cushions
Mop kitchen
Clean bathroom
Fill DH hospital forms and post them
Post off DC school photo orders
Call CM friend about course
Pay school trip away deposit for DS

The school trip that DS has been invited on is for a long weekend next yr. Am so happy as he really wants to go but its my birthday on the Sunday and I'll be sad. Oh well i'm a big girl I'm sure I'll cope!

De-cluttering has stalled a bit in this house- anyone else the same? I have no problem sorting the stuff out but it all sits on the landing causing a hazard for weeks on end whilst I decide what to do with it.

Also am I the only one on this thread who wonders what all your houses look like? I mean, in comparison to mine I wonder what you call clutter and is my 'tidy' house the same as your 'pig-stys'. Something to think about!

laurenamium · 20/11/2011 19:04

I've also thought that nicknacks, I would love to have a nosey!!

swanriver · 20/11/2011 19:20

SC this week I think I have managed with more than one child, by following expedient

  1. Not working
  2. Not ironing anything, man or beast, or uniform item
  3. Not providing Sunday lunch or dinner (went to cafe with two, and dh prepared beefburgers (homemade) for supper, one of his pet obsessions, he can only cook three things actually [okay that was mean shot but still....he spurned my leftover butternut and fennel pork stew on Friday night]
  4. Retail therapy as form of child amusement
  5. Missing church to go to a car boot sale, which turned out not to be on Confused
  6. Letting dh wrestle over 3 pieces of homework
  7. The twins have no homework at weekends.

But, as Dh has pointed out [we have had ds1 homework hell again over "civilization" I don't know what to write, I don't knoooow whaaat to wriiite" anything anything as long as you spell civilization right

It is GARROW's LAW tonight woohoo. And bonus is that twins have been playing shops together quite nicely. After buying a cash register.

Toffee I so felt for you at 9.35, after just reading your post now, I hope it is all over, and you are rejoicing that it is over and a great success Smile I find parties soo stressful but for some reason I give them.

swanriver · 20/11/2011 19:42

Nicknacks Everytime I can't find swmming things, or sellotape or even a simple envelope, I know it is because of all those other things that MIGHT COME IN USEFUL are cluttering up my life..
Anyway today I was proud of myself for finding some acrylic paints for craft and some paintbrushes in the right place, and three children's bibles (different versions of the stories) where I thought they were.

Ds1 is now driving both me and Dh completely batty. He is not doing anything we ask, and keeps sneakign off to read the Film Encyclopaedia. Mum, Mum, I am tired...

Dd is building a church out of Jenga bricks Shock

NickNacks · 20/11/2011 20:01

Oh I forgot to mention that DH, DC's and I also made our christmas cake today, ordered the last of the Xmas presents and went to costco to purchase the last of the non-perishables. So proud the xmas flying is going so well!

So thats...

Turkey ordered
All presents bought
Oven cleaning company booked
Table presents bought
DS1's birthday presents bought
Birthday party booked and invites sent out
Cards bought/ paper bought

Just need to

Write cards
Wrap presents
Buy DH's presents (but i know what i'm getting)
Book online food shop slot for perishables
Wash sofa covers
Buy crackers
Put up tree and decorate house

slightlycrinkled · 20/11/2011 20:33

Will do Darkness Sweet dreams ...

Hats off to you Nicknacks for being so on top of Christmas prep ...

Tis very kind of you to say so Swan [beast most relieved not to be ironed I should think Grin ] but I shouldn't be complaining. Most of today's panic was my own fault - lack of forward planning - and [referring to *Nicknack's earlier post] a sea of clutter that means everything takes twice as long to find/do!

Also, when dd as only child goes out to party or to play at friend's house -we do get a total break unlike most of you!

butternut/fennel casserole sounds yum btw

Nicknacks my home office definitely qualifies as PIG STY. Bordering on Aggie and Kim levels of hideousness. YOu would be shocked I think. Desk in front of me as I type this is piled high with four inches of "stuff" covering every surface: reference books, directories, kitchen roll Confused two empty tins of Canada Dry Confused, a ball of wool Confused some electronic toothbrush replacement brushes Confused + a sea of papers. Rest of room = stacks of cardboard boxes, old computers, carrier bags containing heaven knows what, various items of clothing, another desk completely covered in tat, floor barely visible ...

(The rest of the house isn't as bad although cellars will get that way again if I don't pull my finger out. I have v. clean bathroom & kitchen (but kitchen cluttered) but most of you I think would be horrified by state of some of the worst areas ...)

Perhaps some "before" and "after" shots on profile would be a source of terror motivation but I'm too much of a wimp ...

Having written all of that down I think I might just spend 30 mins in home office removing some of worst excesses ...

Enjoy your Sunday evenings everyone

Wine and large pillows ready for Toffee when she can finally relax ...

Waves to all!

Toffeefudgecake · 20/11/2011 22:49

Well, it's all over. Thank you for thinking of me, everyone. The party went well, but was as stressful and worrying as these things always are and I can't say I really enjoyed it. Dh said if I did another one next year, he would leave me Shock. MIL annoyed me intensely by fretting unnecessarily. For example, she insisted that one boy hadn't had a present in pass the parcel, but he had - and I know that because every child had a sticker to wear as well as a chocolate when they unwrapped a layer; she also fretted about DS1 not being fed (he wasn't hungry); and worried about DS2 getting cold when he was running around without his shirt on at the end of the party (because he was too hot!). However, the children seemed to have a great time and I especially enjoyed seeing my oldest son joining in and helping out with the younger children. DS2 was very relaxed as we had kept the numbers small (he hates large parties) and only invited his closest friends. I was a bit sad to see my cake demolished, but I have taken photos to remember it by Sad.

Linzer - I threw the second batch of cupcakes away. I agree with you - it wasn't worth the worry.

Swan - I am indeed rejoicing that it is all over - as is my DH. Like you, I find parties stressful (see above Wink), but actually enjoy the planning and preparation. This is probably the last children's one I will give (planning to take DS on a trip with a special friend next year instead, as he'll be seven by then), so wanted it to be a good one and really went all out. Never again!

SC - thank you for the large pillow Smile. Unfortunately, my stepmum has decided to come and see us tomorrow and she isn't someone who understands that houses can get messy sometimes, so I have to clear up all the party mess before she comes. We didn't hold the party here, but we have brought all the mess back with us and there is a lot of debris left over from the preparations. It all has to be cleared up by 11am tomorrow morning, in spite of me being out from 815 to 9.30 (DS1's CBT appointment). Can I hang onto that pillow until I can use it tomorrow night, please?

Yet again, I don't have time to catch up with the thread. I need to crisis clean before bed. I really think I'll just have to scoop it all up, throw it into our bedroom and lock the door tomorrow.

BlueEyeshadow · 20/11/2011 22:53

Ugh, nobody wants to see this room - the spare room/study/dumping ground/hell hole! I just realised how bad my stationery drawers are by looking for envelopes - all I could find were hideously tattered jiffy bags. Hmm The rest of the house varies - dining room is one big craft/art hotspot at the moment and probably will be until January!!

Anyway...

To do tomorrow:
School/playgroup run
Fill up car
Phone calls re newsletter
Drop newsletters off x2
Post office
Buy envelopes
SHred old bank statements etc
Boys to make cards for step-MIL
Try and get decent photo of them together with smart hair!
Clean laundry away

Sigh, not a lot of flying on that list. A lot of irritating pottering around with little jobs in the car, all in different directions though. Hmm

BlueEyeshadow · 20/11/2011 22:58

Sorry, got sidetracked and forgot personals!

Toffee - glad the party went well. Hope you get a chance to recover!

Waves to all. Night!

Toffeefudgecake · 21/11/2011 01:35

Thanks, Blue.

Have finished my first batch of crisis cleaning. The kitchen looks a lot better, mainly because I have done what I said I'd have to do and tipped a load of clutter into a box to hide somewhere Blush.

I fell asleep whilst singing a lullaby to DS2 tonight (he woke me up to finish the song), but I'm wide awake now. If you push through the first wave of tiredness, you get a second wind, I find.

However, I really must get some sleep now.

Night all.

DarknessSoothes · 21/11/2011 05:05

Good Morning. been up an hour already. No flying here today. Off to a different town a couple of hours a way in a mo and will be there all day and a good chunk of the evening. Mucho coffee is needed today.

Hope you all have marvelous days!!!!!

Hope you are ok today toffee post party and crisis cleaning.

OP posts:
PositiveAttitude · 21/11/2011 07:05

Just popping head in the door to say that I wont be around for a few days because we are off to Wales for a final round of interviews and medicals . SHould be back on Thursday.

HAve a good week. Smile

LinzerTorte · 21/11/2011 07:44

Good luck PA, hope it all goes well!

Have a good trip, Darkness.

Toffee Glad the party went well; you must be very relieved to have it out of the way. I suspect I'll be using your crisis clean method in a couple of days as I just don't have time to tidy up before the cleaner comes on Thursday.

NickNacks Yes, I have the same problem with decluttering - all the stuff I decide to get rid of usually ends up in the cellar, where it stays for months on end. The lack of charity shops here doesn't help, as I really don't like to throw anything away unless it's actually rubbish.

SC The speech preparation and rehearsal all sound very familiar - DH ended up writing DD1's speech for her and we eventually agreed that she could read it out as it was obvious that she wasn't going to be able to speak off the cuff (she also claimed that everyone else in her class had read out their talks). Hope your DD's goes well!

Remembered late Saturday afternoon that we're taking the morning snack into kindergarten on Wednesday (bread, cheese, fruit, raw veg, etc. for 20 children), by which time it was too late to send DH shopping go shoppping as the shops are closed on Sundays, so I'm going to have to do it this afternoon with the girls after their piano lesson - I can't afford to let it eat into my child-free time this morning.

Talking of letting things eat into my time, I must stop procrastinating and start work. Smile

laurenamium · 21/11/2011 08:53

Morning!

Glad the party went well toffeefudge! Hope you got lots of photos!

To do today:
Weekly home bleugh
Hoover
5 minute room rescue kitchen
5 minute room rescue my bedroom
Painting tots with 3 toddlers Hmm
Wash up/ dry/ put away/ shine sink
Put clothes on eBay
Collapse in a tired heap

Be back later Grin

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