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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:
NickNacks · 28/11/2011 18:21

Many thanks for the salt dough recipe- practically the same as the playdough we made today.

Do we have the only school in the country which is still open on Wednesday? Probably!

Move tree done
Wash on done
DW on after lunch
Lunch done
Plug stereo in and charge ipod done
Hoover downstairs
Mop kitchen
Make playdough with mindees done
Wrap some presents done one but will do more later
What's for dinner?
Txt a shopping list for him to get on way home
School run
Add branches to tree
Hmwk with DCs
Get boys to fill bookcase
S & S
TD on and hang wet washing

Have't got as much done as I'd like so will be a busy evening. Be back when I'm all done.

LinzerTorte · 28/11/2011 19:19

The DC are all in bed and quiet, so I have the house to myself now as DH is in Berlin for the next few days. He's just given a presentation in front of 500 people - rather him than me!

Downstairs is relatively tidy and I don't have the energy to do any more tonight; I'm just going to prepare tomorrow's English lessons and then try to have an early night. Whether or not I manage it is another matter...

Blue I hadn't realised it's the year of the translator - interesting article, thanks for linking to it. How frustrating about the work. As I'm sure you know, just because a job is urgent it doesn't necessarily mean that the client will send it to you as a matter of urgency, so fingers crossed it materialises soon. If it's any consolation, I'm now work-free again (the proofreading coming up later in the week shouldn't take longer than a day) - although as far as the state of the house is concerned, that's not necessarily a bad thing!

DarknessSoothes · 28/11/2011 19:48

Nicknacks ds is in school on wed thank fuck although we have nativity play hell in the afternoon sobs I am going to be very glad for the weekend this week. And for a change I have a quiet one planned thank fuck i am getting too old for all these crazy hours at the weekend Although i think i might go training fri night just because i will need it to relax and beat the shit out of something other then clutter and dust bunnies.

I am not going to up date the list atm. Cba and had an escape break earlier. However, back to doing stuff now that i am chucking ds into bed in 10mins.

OP posts:
Toffeefudgecake · 28/11/2011 20:27

Quick update:

House once over (hoovering, polishing door knobs, emptying bins, etc) done - but took much longer than Flylady's hour
Ring chemist re DS1's medicine done
Shopping - buy stuff to make sausage casserole in slow cooker done
Cook tonight's dinner and bung in slow cooker done
Room rescues - sitting room, dining room, DS2's bedroom done
15-min declutter in our bedroom nope
Hang our bedclothes out to dry on line done
Text friend re playdate on Wed done
Text childminder re babysitting done
Wrap MIL's presents done
Organise Xmas wrapping paper, cards, etc. nope
School run - collect DS2's friend to come home with us done
Dinner done
6 - 7pm Ocado delivery done
Put shopping away done
Washing up done
Reward DS2 for good behaviour at bedtime and through the night - Club Penguin done

The house is looking good downstairs and I'm trying to keep it that way. The children's bedrooms are acceptable. Our bedroom is a tip Sad, but I'll keep working on that.

Hoping that DS2 will settle down easily again tonight (with more bribery reward incentives Wink), so DS1, DH and I can enjoy the latest download of 'The Walking Dead'.

Yet again, no time to post personals - sorry.

DarknessSoothes · 28/11/2011 21:35

Right just popping in a list update. Going to be a late night as my brain is in a mess and won't sleep anyway. Hmm

So here goes List update:

Wash carpet in hall
Wash edges of carpet on landing, and in lounge.
Move all furniture out of study into central dry area of lounge.
wash carpet in study
Put down plastic cover in empty part of lounge
stain treat rug
wash rug - requires vax so doesn't matter carpet cleaner returned
return carpet washer
Wash some laundry 5 loads of quick wash sofa throws all done now 2nd load proper washing on
tidy ds' room
folding up to date
put ds' clothes away
remove old nail varnish nail varnish with glitter in it is a bitch to get off.
repaint nails
30mins decluttering in my room
new plan of action
pop out to see friend for a break
get ds to do his homework
ironing up to date
rescue burnt pot
put out bins and recycling

Planned to do:
put furniture back into hall and lounge
declutter utility room
finish laundry tackling
put my laundry away
tackle my bedroom
and anything else that gets in my way between now and being ready to sleep.

OP posts:
DarknessSoothes · 28/11/2011 21:39

Linkies as i suspect a few of you might like them ready for the morning:

tuesday is planning day

missions

babystep is a weekly pamper mission

right got more stuff to do. laters.

OP posts:
laurenamium · 28/11/2011 21:46

Well done on those lists darkness and toffeefudge!

Congratulations on the tidy downstairs linzer

Wine all round I think Grin

Well DP is at his Grandads and bedding down on a sofa for the night! DD has been really good and asleep since 7 so I've got some more online christmas shopping done and had a friend round for a catch up Smile maybe being on my own on a night won't be so bad after all!!

I managed to get my lists done throughout today apart from conservatory, that's going to be on my list for a while I suspect Blush

Big waves and Wine for all that want some! I'm off to sleep!

Makingchanges · 28/11/2011 21:55
  • Wrap DDs presents done except for Toy Story Jessie that I have hidden so well I can't find
  • Wrap DHs presents Done
  • write on cards and put up birthday banner for DD Done cards will do banner when DD gone to bed done
  • Library books back - tomorrow
  • E-mail 1st volunteer job about availability this week. Done
  • Check online re job updates done
  • Ring a school re visit and application tomorrow
  • Print out job bumff for 3 jobs I have seen done
  • Buy cake for DH and DD. We didn't see any of the party one from Saturday so they are having a joint choccy one on DDs request done
  • book meal for tomorrows celebrations with extended family done
  • Email 2nd volunteering job re training in December done
  • Email supply agency re availability or lack of this week Done
  • Book graduation tickets for my graduation tomorrow
  • Book photos and gown for graduation
  • Sort photo frames out for DDs school photo to give to gps etc for xmas presents tomorrow
  • buy lots of batteries!!! done
  • Apply for job went to visit on Friday tomorrow
  • Sort through the 8 large boxes from Amazon Black Friday (whoops) done DHs birthday present needs to go back but otherwise all good.
  • E-mail 2nd supply agency re update on registration Done they are waiting on paperwork from me, they have been waiting 6 weeks as they didn't tell me I had to send it. Really at supply agencies at the minute. An added bonus of getting a job would be I could tell the supply agencies what I think about them
  • Locate a book for next book club round tomorrow
  • Ironing pile in spare room nope
  • Sort out letter to Santa for DD nope
  • Update diary of dates that are scattered on pieces of paper around house tomorrow
  • Sort through the under stairs hotspot tomorrow
  • Weekly Shop Done tomorrow
  • Weekly meal plan tomorrow

Not done too bad today and I think I was overestimating how much Icould get done in one day. Will carry this list over to tomorrow.

Night all

swanriver · 28/11/2011 22:21

[swoons at MC efficiency and Nicknack ability to pick up 5 more children from school as well as existing]

done
supper cooked
homework supervision x 2 (minimal today, apart from writing across dd's sheet, DD does not understand fractions. We gave up on them after five questions of me supplying the answer. I have wooden fraction board but it makes no difference to her philosophical understanding of it.Hmm
ballet run
Scouts run x 2
sent ds1 on run too Grin to return his football medal to sports centre (they lend it)
more uniform washing

a bit of bickering with dh and the evening is complete Grin
fair bit of wrangling with ds2 this evening too in my attempts to stop him watching too much telly
Ds1 is constantly eating too. I am now locking fruit away, he ate five apples as well as normal meals today Shock On the other hand I can't talk as I ate a small box of Turkish delight today, some salted almonds, some cheap stollen from Morrisons (horrid) and several cabbage dumplings

swanriver · 28/11/2011 22:27

Linzer Clever Dh! But, According to one of our catechists who gives (business)presentations to a multinational company, getting 10 children to pay attention in a catechism lesson is much more taxing on the nerves Grin so I suspect your lessons as a much a test of courage as his presentations.

I must go to bed, haven't achieved much today compared to you lot Grin

BlueEyeshadow · 28/11/2011 22:28

MC - you seem to be making pretty good progress to me!

Glad you've had a good evening Lauren.

Linzer - I don't know if it's an official year of the translator or if it's just something dreamt up by the Grauniad!

Is anyone brave enough to take over the thread for Dec? I know asking is often considered to be volunteering, but we're away for the whole of Christmas and New Year so although I could do the beginning of the month, I'd rather not...

DarknessSoothes · 28/11/2011 23:37

Am happy to carry on next month. Its helping my motivation. Although you might want someone a bit more efficient with round ups who makes sense occassionally HmmGrin

OP posts:
Fuzzled · 29/11/2011 06:10

DS running a temperature last night - almost 40 degrees! So awake at odd intervals last night to check on him

Nesbit to flying for today - bit of washing for DS and the dishwasher needs putting on, but I need to put my feet up!

Will catch up later when he hopefully naps and hopefully do some personals as I've been very lax and phone oriented lately.

feetheart · 29/11/2011 07:06

Hello all, am still here, RL getting in the way of MN time though!

Flying limping towards December.
Decluttering a bit but Need To Do More - Whoknows you are my role model and I need to copy you more rigorously.

Need to get everyone up and out then work and reading at school.
Will try to get back on at some point

LinzerTorte · 29/11/2011 07:23

Morning all,

Didn't quite manage my early night, but it wasn't as ridiculously late as the previous two nights so I'm feeling relatively awake this morning.

WM is on. Now time to restore order!

laurenamium · 29/11/2011 08:32

Morning all! On my phone so just a list today:

Wash up/dry/shine sink
Washing/ drying
Today's mission
Nursery run
Walk dog
Sweep and mop kitchen
Clean microwave
Hoover
Laundry away (from today's washing)
After DD has gone to bed:
Put clothes away from in conservatory (find them a home!)
Risk assessment
Start December newsletters

Have a nice day everyone!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 29/11/2011 09:13

Quick post - massive amount of cleaning and tidying done yesterday plus logistical nightmare of an evening coped with including homework, get DD from school later than DS, feed them, get DS to Beavers, organise someone to drop him off back home, make packed lunches, see to babysitter and get hair and make-up all done to head out for the night by 6.30 .

Off to work now, back later.

swanriver · 29/11/2011 09:14

off to work now in library till about 1pm

todo
put out cardboard recyclable veg boxes! all three of them Blush
find some tights???may give up and wear boots

all calm this morning, ds did piano, dd made a birthday card, ds1 consented to wear his jumper to school and his scarf, and take a bottle of water Hmm usually refuses all these things
dh did most of the morning organising kind man, only got stroppy about lack of underpants (ten pairs drying) and liked my suggestion of a toy horse for his neice in Berlin (usually rejects all toy suggestions as he knows better, Germany being toy nirvana)

Toffeefudgecake · 29/11/2011 10:21

Morning all. DS2 only called out once at bedtime and DH called back to him to settle down - not a peep after that! However, he did call for me in the night and I ended up sleeping with him. Still, one thing at a time. At least if he settles at bedtime, that makes the evening less stressful for everyone else.

It's the anniversary of my Dad's death today (three years' ago). I'm thinking about him a lot, but, to be honest, the best thing I can do is keep busy. So, I have a long list, including all the things I didn't do yesterday Blush.

Am routine - w/m on, unload d/w, reload with b/fast stuff, wipe surfaces, 2mins on hotspot, swish and swipe in bathroom, make beds, tumbledry wet clothes
Polish brass door handles (just because it makes me happy)
Ironing
Get ready for going out
Take MIL out for lunch (her 82nd birthday today)
Call in at optician later to get DS1's glasses mended (if I can find them)
Collect DS2 from school
Take boys to their grandmas for birthday tea
DS2 finish thank-you cards
Reward DS2 for good bedtime
Bedtime routines
Before-bed routine
Bed at decent hour

That'll do for now. Hope you all have a good day.

LinzerTorte · 29/11/2011 10:34

Thinking of you today, Toffee.

Must dash as I have six children to pick up and teach, but I'll try to come back later to catch up properly with everyone else.

BlueEyeshadow · 29/11/2011 11:00

Yay! Job came through. Phew! :) now got an excuse for flying to take a back seat, but will have to get on top of routines again...

Fuzzled - hope DS better today.

Makingchanges · 29/11/2011 12:49

Fuzzled hope DS better
Toffee also thinking of you. Keeping busy is a good idea.
Blue Yay for job. Very good news.

OK its DH and DDs birthday today so we had to get up early and do pressies before school. Decorated the lounge and left a huge 6 badge on the table for DD to come down to this morning and she loved it. She has gone to school wearing the badge so I'm expected damaged polo shirt this evening. Off out for a meal with DH, DD and In-laws tonight too so whould be a nice evening.

Finishing off yesterdays list today

  • Library books back
  • Ring a school re visit and application done visit arranged for Thursday PM
  • Book graduation tickets for my graduation
  • Book photos and gown for graduation
  • Sort photo frames out for DDs school photo to give to gps etc for xmas presents tomorrow
  • Apply for job went to visit on Friday tomorrow done
  • Locate a book for next book club round
  • Ironing pile in spare room
  • Sort out letter to Santa for DD
  • Update diary of dates that are scattered on pieces of paper around house
  • Sort through the under stairs hotspot
  • Weekly meal plan
  • pick up parcel from post office done
  • post job application done
  • Set up DDs new toy before we give it to her this evening

No much actual flying to do though

BlueEyeshadow · 29/11/2011 12:58

Toffee - sorry, missed your post earlier cos I was on the phone. Thinking of you.

swanriver · 29/11/2011 14:58

Toffee that's very hard for you. And your mum Sad Hope you can do something today that reminds you of him and happier times together.

done
morning till 1pm at school. Then, had impromptu vist from old friend so we had a nice lunch with the rest of the cabbage dumplings. Tomorrow is the Strike Day so feeling suprisingly unstressed at thought of children home to messy house...Confused something to do with school routine I reckon that just makes me stressed?
Have booked in a visitor here for dd tomorrow morning Grin and hope ds1 can catch up wth homework tomorrow too.

Now to return to that internet Xmas "basket" and make some decisions.

laurenamium · 29/11/2011 17:12

Hoya all just checking in off my phone!

toffee I hope today has been bearable and you kept busy with mum!Sad

mc I hope you have a fantastic night! What a special joint birthday Grin

swan glad you aren't too stressed, I have mindees at different times tomorrow because of the strike, I'm going to be all out of sync!

I love Christmas shopping its my favourite Grin

List is going ok, I won't repost as would just be a repeat, just need to Hoover, wash kitchen floor and paperwork, not sure how paperwork will go though I'm feeling pretty flaky and tired, maybe a bath and early night instead Grin

BBL

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