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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

April Fledglings Fly into Spring, Get That Clutter into the Bin

803 replies

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 29/03/2012 22:47

Welcome to the April 2012 Fledgling Flyers thread. Come and join us for a bit of chat and a lot of housework (or possibly the other way round).

A huge "thank you" to SanguineChompa for leading us through March

If you're house is a mess and you are strugging with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) and S.T.U.F.F. (something that undermines family fun) then this is the thread where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of chat and support along the way.

We advise not signing up to receive the Flylady e-mails as you will be inundated! All the information you need will be linked here on a daily basis. Feel free to browse the Flylady website as well, links below

From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's tips on restoring order to our homes, and as we are all at different stages we will be using one of the following methods:

  • repeat or start baby steps
  • repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone
  • reinforce babysteps and do daily missions if you have finished decluttering.

More info here and here!

All long-standing members, intermittent returnees, lurkers and newcomers welcome!!

OP posts:
scattyspice · 14/04/2012 14:46

Oh dear trying good luck. When DD had her party at home I did not encourage the Mums to stay (they are 7yos though so no need). Much easier to 'supervise' kids without their parents present!

Been to swimming lessons. No football or dancing so kids at a loose end (can't wait to go back to school Shock). Might drag them to the veg shop Hmm.

ToffeeWhirl · 14/04/2012 15:57

Trying - hope the party is going well. Almost worth going through it because it's such a relief when it's all over! Thanks for your encouragement about getting a dog Wink. Will bear that in mind!

Scatty - dragged my DS2 to the greengrocers too yesterday (you can tell it's the end of the holidays and we're getting desperate). Offered to buy him any fruit he wanted, but he claimed (very loudly and so that everyone could hear) that he hated ALL fruit and wouldn't touch any of it and all he wanted was a packet of Skittles Blush.

MC - good luck with your applications. I hope you get some good news soon. Also hope your DH cheers up!

Have looked into cancelling our holiday, but Ryanair's small print says they won't give refunds, so we'll have to go or lose the money. My feeling is that this gives DS1 a goal to aim for and will hopefully galvanise him into working to overcome his anxiety. DH is not so optimistic.

Have dropped DS2 off at a friend's house and DS1 is busy on 'Minecraft' with his best friend, so I now have time to do a crisis clean before one of my dearest friends arrives this evening. Also have to prepare dinner.

Hmm, may need a Brew first.

BlueEyeshadow · 14/04/2012 17:07

Trying - good luck!

Toffee - yes, this Easter hol seems to have been going on for a very long time! I hope the programme works well for your DS1 and that the holiday does give him something to aim at.

Scatty - only one more day to go!

Family fun. Hmm Well, we had a family photo session this morning but the boys were so completely uncooperative we had to give up and book it again for next week. DH was particularly upset about it so the rest of the day's been rather tense. The boys have trashed the garden, DS2 nearly ate a poisonous berry and even Wii bowling wasn't much fun as DS2 in particular wouldn't concentrate... Now they're all watching Cars - there've been a lot of DVDs this holiday! - and I'm about to put a pizza in the oven.

Makingchanges · 14/04/2012 19:11

I have a headache, a house full of children, DH is still a grump and so I'm opening the wine. Technically i'm not allowed it as it makes me ill but I NEED it or I'm going to blow a fuse HmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmAngryHmmHmmAngryHmmHmm

thewaffler · 14/04/2012 22:18

Hope that everybody is enjoying their saturday's and managed to get the cleaning done before guests arrived, and once arrived, guests were well behaved?

My day thus far - typed on normal keyboard which allows for more waffle than normal....

Our family fun day also started with a very uncooperative child, this time a swimming lesson with dd, i'm still in with her as she's only just 2, all the other kids seem to have got the hang of it, mine still screams 'out out, shower shower, bye bye water' as soon as we get in the pool and clings on for dear life, some weeks are better than others, i dare to say that she sometimes likes it, but today was not one of those days, her mood and general grumpiness, which i could hear echoing around the swimming pool started within approximately 10 seconds of getting in. Am looking forward to the time she can go in unassisted and i can sit behind the class with a coffee and muffin.

on return from swimming, decided to get out of the house to give dh chance to start on the neverending hall, stairs and landing project, thought would be nice to take kids for a walk, but was up on the tops, and icy icy cold, very windy and started to sleet and hale, not a good combination.

Got home to discover that Mrs Welsumer was definitely no longer well and therefore had to be despatched, FIL stepped up to do the deed, DH no longer quite so alpha male about it all following disastrous attempt last time, believe it went ok. Feel bad that had kept her going for a number of days, and would have been kinder to do it at the start of last week, but had hoped she would improve. Rather selfishly, am pleased that i don't have to hand feed her, (gip gip gip) as my watch was going to start on Monday if she had improved, although to be honest, am not sure i could have brought myself to do it, even in a life and death situation, would have been far too shaky. Luckily, am not too attached to our chicken, the bird phobia has helped on that one, am not some hard nosed cow, i had to take two days off work when our cat died a couple of years ago, but chickens were bought for production purposes, so am sad that will no longer have Mrs Welsumer's nice brown and long eggs and she was a sweet hen (from an appropriate distance). Rather stupidly, had chicken for dinner (not Mrs Welsumer) and DH made a comment about it which put me off

DH has indeed come up trumps and started with the undercoating of the neverending hall stairs and landing project. Got quite excited as this is monumental and months and months in the making, therefore decided to jump in to help to speed up process and then remembered within approximately 1 minute of picking up the brush, that i hate painting and that it is far more exciting then it looks. I think that i will stick to helping in the form of taking kids out to give him space to do it.

That's it for now, hope you all have good sundays

sanguinechompa · 14/04/2012 22:46

[Delivers late snifters on a silver tray to all who have had a bit of a trying day ...]

[Stands by with large bottle of paracetemol for MC for the morning ...Grin]
Hope your evening got better and good luck with applications!!

And that your day improved too Blue! Your post reminded me of why formal family portraits are becoming increasingly rare in the chompa household Grin

Great that you are keeping positive about the holidays Toffee

Hope you, the dog and your ornaments have survived your guests visit Trying and that your dd had a lovely day

Scatty I must confess to loving the laxness of the school holidays and absolutely dreading the return of the school run, homework battles, battles over bed time, return of extra curric activities etc etc but I guess that's a typical pfb post. I'll probably feel differently tomorrow when I'm in the midst of hot-cross bun making (with an emphasis on the cross!!) Can't decently postpone any longer ...

Ouch MummyNickleby that really sounds painful. Take it steady.

TheWaffler >"I just want some fecking paint on the walls" Oh how I hear you - and then some!!!!! (Could do without the holes too!!) Great news about chicken ... getting quite worried every time I log on ...

Whoknows sorry to hear you have such a full work load. Sorry if this sounds facetious - not intended - but have you tried writing your dh a list? Sometimes (just sometimes) this works where persuasion doesn't.

Honu (my ability to concentrate went out the window post-childbirth although dh argues it was never really there in the first place)

Bitchy congrats on completion of mahoosive list yesterday

Humungous waves to everyone else!

We actually succeeded in having a family fun day today which mainly involved slobbing about (dd recovering from bruised shoulder and neck following a bit of a hard fall out riding yesterday so going gently). And I wasn't holding out much hope following my "date night" yesterday evening - which consisted of a curry and a dvd with dh in front of telly - and ended precisely five minutes in to the film following an urgent call from an American client ...oh well. Today made up for it though - just played Pictionary and watched Grand National (sad about two dead horses though Sad) and The Voice interspersed by badminton on the lawn in our pyjamas (probably traumatised neighbours). No Flying done whatsoever. It was great!! Wink

sanguinechompa · 14/04/2012 22:56

x post

Oh no MrsWaffler I spoke too soon ...!!!!

RIP Mrs Welsumer [sniff] [sniff] Wishing her lots of golden corn fields to scratch about in in the sky [sniff]

Well done to your dh re: undercoating.

sanguinechompa · 14/04/2012 23:23

Mrs Waffler? Confused Sorry!!

thewaffler · 15/04/2012 07:20

Morning! sc you can call me whatever you like Well its early doors and for the first time in a week, haven't been woken up in middle of night, hurrah hurrah, I feel almost normal

No plans today other than keeping kids out of dh way so he can get some more paint on the walls

NickNacks · 15/04/2012 09:20

Oh what colour are you painting the hall landing and stairs if I may ask waffler? I'm just about to embark on that very project but our stairs and landing are up through the middle of the house do no natural light and I was hoping to stay away from whites and creams due to a) the state of the walls and b) I'm a CM and so children's handprints/general muckiness are constantly being wiped from my walls. Actually that brings a third requirement c) it must be washable paint. :)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 15/04/2012 09:53

Morning,

Sunday's Babystep is consolidating our habits.

Also this week we incorporate making the bed into our routine if we are not doing it already.

OP posts:
MadameMessy · 15/04/2012 10:24

Hi all, sosorry I missed so much, our internet is dodgy at the moment so am just on my phone (also dodgy)
will catch up today.

BitchyInTheCorner · 15/04/2012 11:31

Good morning.

yesterday was a write off here.
Alarm went off, Turned off alarm thinking just 5mins more. Woke up 4hrs later and late for collecting ds. Blush Thankfully roads were clear and I was only 15mins later then arranged. cue one sulky stroppy ex brilliant to have ds back. Was forgiven for not having a perfect wii fit room beccause 1. his room was immaculate and precisely how he likes it and I normally refuse to do, 2. you can see significant progress in my room and 3. I think he was glad to be back.

Ta da
So far today has been a case of up and out to try to sort out equipment for training. (2hr round trip)
Back to ingrediants into bread machine.
Remove yet another pair of trousers that are too small.

To do
Retape stick
turn dough into rolls
eat lunch (rolls)
laundry on
Go to game.
Get ds showered and ready for bed post game
tea (pack up for ds of more rolls? which an be eaten in car on way home?)
lay out ds' clothes for Monday
make sure ds' bag is ready for monday
Make ds' lunch.
EARLY NIGHT.

Tbh it has been a mixture of the fact that I have consummed way too much coffee but also because I actually hate it when ds goes away for so long and have to keep myself busy.

sanguinechompa · 15/04/2012 11:58

Morning all

A sort of "trying to get ourselves back in to work/school mode" morning involving chasing dd around the house with large net and "persuading her" in to the bath followed by full hoof, ear, mane and tail inspection/last minute ironing of uniform and gym kit/shoe polishing/examination of weather forecast to see what to wear/tentative investigation of what is growing in the bottom of the school bag (normally do this end of term but heigh ho) hopefully followed by a bit of family fun this afternoon ...

TheWaffler good to hear you have caught up on shut-eye

Bitchy aw - enjoy your reunion!!

Huge waves to Nicknacks MadameMessy and everyone else!

Whoknows Thanks for links. I hereby promise to be back on here tomorrow following the baby-steps properly (and as we are mid-month think I may have to double 'em up Blush)

Enjoy your Sundays everyone!!

swanthingafteranother · 15/04/2012 12:12

Haven't read thread properly, as onlyjust returned from Ireland and parents/sister/cousins

but we are getting two new kittens this afternoon from a friend's litter!

and the house is a mess, and I have to make a Norman castle with ds1 by next Friday...that's about it really!

Dh has taken twins to church but ds1 had such a strop about his socks that I stayed behind with him...so we could both have a nervous breakdown together.

Nicknacks sorry you are n't feeling well...was that today or yesterday or the the day before...I lost three days of my holiday feeling awful this month..Sad

swanthingafteranother · 15/04/2012 12:28

Alright, have made my first attempt at tidying mess. (Dh has been here since Wed without me)

done
newspapers in recycling
breakfast in sink
table wiped
attempts at galvanising ds1 abandoned (he woke up too early, had a sock strop and has now gone back to bed Hmm
organised kitten pickup - Dh is now buying cat litter, and new litter tray
bin rinsed and back in cupboard
suitcases removed from hall (to living room Blush

todo
dig out cat basket from back of cupboard
put clean laundry upstairs
avoid confrontation with ds1 luckily not back to school till Tues, and just popping tomorrow for rehearsal...
BUY ds2 new school shoes!!!! and dd wants new summer uniform, but that is not strictly necessary, she is just demanding navy dots instead of pale blue ones as apparently the new style is slightly different Angry Why she wants to look like everyone else is beyond me...?

swanthingafteranother · 15/04/2012 12:29

.. new supplier's style

swanthingafteranother · 15/04/2012 12:33

O, SC hope dd is alright after that riding fall Sad I was very impressed by one of the children we met on holiday who was an expert trampolinist (at 9) explaining to us that he had been taught to tuck his neck and curl himself into ball if he ever fell off trampoline - ie: damage limitation if you do fall, rather than just expecting to n ever fall.

right must crack on, I always feel slightly more motivated when I come on this thread!

scattyspice · 15/04/2012 12:36

Hi all. welcome back swan.

Woke up with sore throat/sinus headache etc. feeling bleugh Sad. Rain/snow Shock showers here so everyone a bit flat.

Dh has suggested a trip to cinema to see Pirates. We never go to cinema due to cost and DDs refusal (fear of dark/ villans). However DS hugely excited and can't think of anything else to do so we're going for it Smile.

After that:
pack school bags
iron uniforms
make lunchs
find recorder
PE kits
Thank you letters
nit check (sigh)
laundry
etc

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 15/04/2012 13:41

We went to see it on Monday Scatty when it was chucking it down with rain here. Quite enjoyed it, DD (6) was a bit scared that they were going to lose the parrot, but happy by the end. DS enjoyed it.

OP posts:
MadameMessy · 15/04/2012 16:36

Too much for me to catch up on Blush
List for today
dw done
wm done
scrub ensuite done
Sheets on to dd1s bed
Iron uniform and shirt
dry washing away
Roast dinner in oven
bins done
wash windows and tv done
hotspots done
so productive day so far. Will be back later and try to catch up again :)

BlueEyeshadow · 15/04/2012 17:18

In the final throes of cooking a roast dinner atm. Today has been intermittently awful but still. I have remembered bread for the morning and DS1's book bag is ready. Got to remember DS2's snack and we'll be good to go back into term time! Woohoo!!

ToffeeWhirl · 15/04/2012 17:34

Swan - good to have you back. I missed seeing you on the thread. Did you have a nice holiday in Ireland? Glad to hear that you are having kittens (but not the metaphorical ones Wink).

Bitchy - how lovely for you to have DS back home Smile.

Blue - you sound very happy about the new term!

Madame - another one preparing for school, I see. DS2 doesn't go back till Tuesday, as it's an INSET day tomorrow. DS1 isn't going back at all, of course.

Scatty and WhoKnows - I really wanted to take DS2 to see 'Pirates', but he refused. He doesn't seem to like going to the cinema, which is such a pity, as it's a great way for a parent to treat their child whilst having a bit of time to sit down and relax.

DS1 decided to stay on at his friend's house today Shock, so we were able to have a proper trip out: we took DS2 out for a ride on a steam train, then had lunch in the station cafe in front of a roaring fire Smile. Didn't get the usual panicky phone call from DS1 until nearly 4pm, so he had done very well. He's exhausted now, but pleased with himself for coping, I think.

Next week, I will be focusing on pushing his boundaries a little more, getting him to practise his relaxation techniques and loads of distraction in the form of keeping him very, very busy, even if it's at home. Hopefully, he won't have time to feel anxious!

Right, have to get on with chores now .

To do:

Put washing on (a bit late, I know)
Ironing, especially school shirts
Make dinner (gnocchi)
Wash up and tidy kitchen
Bathtime (ought to wash DS2's hair, but not sure I can face it - he makes such a fuss)
Bedtimes at decent hours

swanthingafteranother · 15/04/2012 18:32

oh dear, just read my own list of things to do, and realised I have got waylaid and failed to buy ds2 school shoes, again. Will just have to spend one more day in the wrong size Blush

however! Ta rah!
Dh was seized by desire to make a Norman Castle with ds1 (obsessively sharpening the palisade into little points with his scissors, although both ds1 and I couldn't be bothered) possibly because he couldn't stand the thought of it hanging over him all week when he gets back home from work so first bit of structure accomplished.

Kittens settled in and seem very relaxed (they have come from a house with four kids, and building works/grand piano)

Dd has seen her friend

Otherwise it is freezing cold here, despite sun, I am unable to get warm except by wearing my coat indoors as Dh won't switch heating on moan moan moan- and there are clothes absolutely everywhere.

Scatty I love that summing up of films in general, "dark/villains". She is so right. Hope she is a convert, sometimes I think we expect children to go much too young. I was amazed to see how many young children were taken to HP and Deathly Hallows.

sanguinechompa · 15/04/2012 18:36

Evening all. [clinks wine glasses with Blue Cheers!!]

[Wafts spicy hot-cross bun aromas around naughty corner. They are finally in oven - just made it on last day of holiday (phew) - after lots of proving/resting periods. Will distribute when ready with lashes of butter ...]

Yay! Welcome back Swan. We missed you!! Hope you managed to have a good rest with the family (unlikely with dc I know but hope a bit of a change if not exactly restful) and good luck with restoring the house to order. And thanks for enquiring about dd's fall. Teacher insisted she got back on straightaway afterwards (thank heavens) so she ended the day on a good note so no psychological scars - and shoulder and neck, although slightly bruised, aren't remotely painful today thank heavens.

Sorry you have been hit with a virus Scatty Here's to a speedy recovery!

Great that your ds1 had a good day Toffee

Huge waves to Messy and Whoknows¨ hot cross bun smells more intense - time to get sugar glaze ready ....