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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledgling Flyers Olympic August thread.

688 replies

BitchyDragons · 31/07/2012 04:01

Ok so not the wittiest of titles but this month we have the Olympics, holidays, return of football season and heading into the new school year. It's going to be a busy one...

Firstly thanks to Blue and Ellie who kept us on track last month! Thanks

Right, most of you should know how this works. It's a three pronged attack.
Phase one: The babysteps master these and you will be working like clockwork.
Phase two: Adding in Decluttering this will help you keep on top of the amount of stuff contributing to CHAOS.
Phase three: Missions Targeted activities to keep the chaos at bay and starting the deep cleaning.

The golden duster of Flying is stage 4: deep cleaning. This is for most, unrealistic and should only be considered once you have completely decluttered. PA might achieve this simply by virtue of some extreme life decluttering. Although I probably won't recommend her method.

Now for those of you who are completely lost, lets rewind a bit.
CHAOS: Can't have anyone over syndrome. Yep you know that state where you are embarrassed to have play dates fucking hate that phrase or people pop in unexpectedly.
The fly lady approach works by breaking the house down into tiny activities which you do repeatedly yep sounds bad written like that but bare with me and then build up into a routine that becomes habit and you stop thinking about it no really, you do.

Clearer? Yeah ok. I have probably lost you but there is loads of support and help on this thread. If you are confused then ask. However, as this thread starts on the 1st on August I refuse to post the first babystep until later today.

This thread comes with a warning: For those of you who have not yet encountered my leadership of the thread. Be afraid, very afraid aware that I have a rather unorthodox approach and that things can get a tad unpredictable. Starting with a namechange. So who?s on board this month?

Oh and spot markers can help themselves to a magic eraser and ensure there are no marks on the thread for the start of the month. Let?s start as we mean to go on

OP posts:
Trazzletoes · 06/08/2012 17:02

HEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!! On way home with DCs from an afternoon out, I receive a text from an old schoolfriend asking if she can come over tomorrow with her 2 DCs. I dearly want to see her - it's been ages. Despite knowing me since she was 11, she doesn't know what a total slattern I am.

Where do I even start with the house? WHERE??!! At the moment I'm running round like a headless chicken accomplishing nothing. The entire downstairs needs doing. I cannot have someone in in this state but I want to see her so much ARGH!

elliepac · 06/08/2012 17:18

GrinGrintrazzletoes we've all been there, that's why we are here! Being an expert in this I would advise the following.

  1. I don't know how big your house is but can you shut off some rooms so you don't have to bother with them. I always close my dining room and shove crap in there.
  1. Make sure designated rooms are tidy, hoovered, bins emptied etc.
  1. Clean bathroom. Quick swish around, bleach toilet, clean towels out, mop floor.
  1. Quick tidy of entrance hall.

Most of all remember that she is coming to see you NOT your house. You do not need to have a show home, she will not care.Smile

ToffeeWhirl · 06/08/2012 17:25

Trazzle - you need the Flylady crisis clean.

MC - I've been thinking about you and wondering how you're getting on. I hope things are getting easier...

Castle - I did my house bleugh! How did you get on?

WhoKnows - that looks like a productive flying day - and you have fitted in a trip for the DC too! Impressive!

dizzy - well done on the laundry. Mine is still sitting, unwashed, in the machine from this morning Blush.

SC - have a happy holiday Smile.

Bitchy - that looks like a trying day. I couldn't help grinning at the 'constant noise coming out of DS's mouth' though.

I did the home bleugh! Then took DS2 and his friend out for a picnic and runaround. They were brilliant - ran around playing and left me to read Grin. Came home to a houseful of boys and dogs, as DS1's best friend had brought his dog home from their walk. It seems that whenever you have one thing it is naturally doubled, ie one boy soon becomes two; one dog becomes two, etc. DH looked a bit shocked to be greeted by so many children and dogs when he arrived home.

DH and I are celebrating our anniversary today so MIL is babysitting again this evening. I think she has just about recovered from her Saturday late night Blush.

Off to do dinners and get then get ready.

ToffeeWhirl · 06/08/2012 17:26

X-posted, Ellie .

NickNacks · 06/08/2012 18:19

Ta da's

Bake a cake for mindee
Hoover downstairs
Reboot laundry
Plan activities for the week
Declutter understairs cupboard
Tidy our bedroom
S and s
Tidy sitting room
Dust sitting room
check windows for leakage

Not bad considering I was minding two littlies today all all so just had to snatch a few minutes here and there to get it done. A quieter day tomorrow so will have a better stab at flying.

toffee Enjoy your anniversary meal :)

Bbl with more personals.

Flyingwithoutwings · 06/08/2012 18:52

Ta dah:
4 loads of washing (inc towels & bedding)
DS bedding changed
Swish & swipe
Sink cleaned
Dusted
Vacuumed.
Tidied DS's toys in lounge and his bedroom (mammoth task!)
Donated 4 carrier of DS clothes and 1 bag of books

To do:
Ironing and / change our sheets

Off work this week, annual leave to watch Olympics. Grand plans is to declutter my side of bedroom at least.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 06/08/2012 19:03

Have completed a deep clean of the DCs bedroom as well as home blessing, 2 lots of washing, which miraculously dried on the line despite heavy showers, and getting soaked at the NT property with the DCs (only stayed half an hour). When we got back they asked to have popcorn and a DVD, as they had chosen Horrid Henry the Movie it wasn't too hard to motivate myself to leave them to it and do the deep cleaning.

As well as the Flying spree, I am on several missions with the DCs this summer. One of which is greater participation in the Flying (this applies to DH as well). So we all cleared the kitchen table together after tea. Another one is improving the DCs woeful use of knives and forks, which is producing a great deal of stress but I am determined.

Trazzle - get a carrier bag and shove every bit of paper that is lying around in it. Hide in a cupboard/car boot/wherever. Repeat with toys. Run the vac round the middle of the rooms, give the bathroom a quick clean, clean towels out. Wipe any visible parts of kitchen counters. Job done.

Happy Anniversary Toffee

MC - I decided to kick my diet coke habit last week after reading a thread about it. I have switched to fizzy water with a squirt of lemon or lime juice, also tomato juice with lime, salt and pepper, yum. I don't think I was too addicted but it was definitely becoming a habit. I am also switching to decaf tea.

pushmepullyou · 06/08/2012 19:27

Need to make myself clean the oven with dangerous chemicals but cba as have just got back from work

Right, I'm going

BBL

NickNacks · 06/08/2012 20:42

pmpy I always remember you as having our first (at least since I've been on here) thread baby, a DS I think? How old is he now? :)
I don't envy you cleaning the oven, we get a professional in each November to do ours ready for Xmas!

lauren how's your prep for the EYFS changes going? I've had my training but really should pull my finger out to get my paperwork in place.

pa a friend of mine is in the UAE at the moment and having to partake in monthly 'visa runs'. He says it's quite funny as they drive to the border and the officials literally tell then to run to the first lamppost and back before stamping them back into the country. Most amusing!

ellie I hope you're enjoying the rest of your hol.

Ok so tomorrow I'm swapping children with a mum from school. She's getting my ds1 over for her ds1 and I'll have the two ds2's here for the day. I'm also minding a little one plus Dd so they will keep me busy.

Otherwise my list is...

Declutter cereal cupboard
Declutter understairs cupboard
Dust sitting room
Daily wash load
Clean out fridge
Sort through kit tub

Plus my usual routines should be enough to keep me busy. I like to complete my lists so will keep it achievable!

Have lovely evenings everyone! Good night.

NickNacks · 06/08/2012 21:24

I've posted a thread about my dull kitchen bin problem in good housekeeping if anyone can advise... :)

pushmepullyou · 06/08/2012 21:41

Ooh, I'll go and have a look in a minute.

Yes, I have a lovely DS Smile he is 17 mths in a couple of days, I can't believe it Shock

Will be back a bit later with personals but the oven is soaking in bags and I'm posting a quick list update to inspire myself

Ta-da
Two hotspots (on top of Ikea shelves and top of fishtank)
Routines
Room rescue living room
Oven cleaning started
Mission

To-do
Finish online shop
Rinse oven bits
Take sausages out of freezer
de-flea cats *2
flea spray living room
Washing on
empty dehumidifier

BitchyDragons · 07/08/2012 00:28

Drained. Been a long trying day.
Training for ds helped calm him down a lot. Seems when he goes into free fall like that the best thing that i can do is to take him training. Wish i had known this before the weekend it would have been an easy and pain free fix.
I have also been training. i hurt but have regained a lot of confidence i had lost so that is good. the coach change seems to have been a wise move.

insane day tomo and wed. so will flit past with links.

Tuesday is Planning day sort out those meal plans, calendars and get things planned.
Baby step 6
missions
Declutter for 15mins in the kitchen zone.

Hope you all have good tuesdays.

OP posts:
castlelough · 07/08/2012 02:26

Late post Blush

Well I downloaded the Flylady Home Blessing podcast on iTunes (free) and have finally completed an entire HB in one go! Well done to you too Toffee Smile .

Also got some decluttering done and some laundry today.
My parents delayed their visit until tomorrow which bought me some time. Nicknacks good luck with your crisis cleaning and enjoy your
visitor!

Gnite :-)

castlelough · 07/08/2012 02:28

Blush sorry it is Trazzle who has the crisis cleaning and the friend - good luck with that!

pushmepullyou · 07/08/2012 06:33

Morning everyone Smile

I lost the will last night and failed to either finish my last or come back and see you all so today's list lloks like this ...
To do
Rinse oven
Flea spray house
Washing and putting away
Tidy/clear toy cupboard
Hotspot clear of kitchen shelf
Put away online shop

Hope you have a nice time with your parent castle aand you with your friend trazzle
Good luck for the next couple of days bitchy
Hope you had a lovely meal toffee
Good to have you back mc hope you're feeling a bit better now

Big waves to ellie sc lauren engels and everyone else I've missed

Trazzletoes · 07/08/2012 07:09

Thanks all! Haha, today my list looks like this... CRISIS CLEAN!!!!! Then (hopefully) have fun afternoon with old friend.

Kitchen is now reasonable, play room will be tidied, living room door shut... Downstairs toilet will only take 2 seconds, hall might take a little longer as that's where our computer desk is (ie. worst hotspot ever!). I have until 1pm... Have lovely days, all, and thanks for the tips!

BlueEyeshadow · 07/08/2012 07:44

Hope you have a lovely day Trazzle. Remember the power of 15 mins!

Boys wouldn't go to sleep last night, woke up at 6.20 and consequently v grumpy this morning. Going to be a loooooong day with lots of Brew I think.

To do
Mission
Egg boxes back to shop
Charity shop dump
Laundry
Try to offload newsletters

Waves to all and leaves vat of Brew on the bar.

ToffeeWhirl · 07/08/2012 09:47

Morning all. Aiming for an easygoing day today Hmm. DS1 has fallen out with his best friend which is not good. Am hoping they can sort it out, but DS is such a rigid thinker that if someone 'lets him down' he puts them in the category of 'non-friend' and that's that. Adult intervention will be required, I suspect.

DH and I had a nice meal out, although DS1 did rather spoil it by ringing us every five minutes to make sure we were all right .

The cleaner is here on Thursday, so I need to declutter today or she won't be able to get to any surfaces. Our bedroom could do with some work too. Also want to do some more home-ed planning, but that's more fun than work. Oh, and we need some food.

Hope you all have a good day.

laurenamium · 07/08/2012 10:13

Morning all! I don't have time to read all the way back to thursday so I'll just catch up where I can and jump back in!

To do:
DD laundry -one washing one waiting
My laundry
shine sink
today's mission
cleaned counter tops
Clean kitchen floor
Dust as failed at home bleugh yesterday
Put DD blankets in loft
Walk dogs
Shred
Get rid of dead flowers
pick up dog poo
Declutter my room for 15 minutes

nicknacks I have pretty much got all of my paper work sorted now [geek emoticon] but it took me hours to get it right and it really set me behind with the other things I normally do. I spent July using them for my LJs to get used to it ready for September- but I dont have any EYFS aged children in the holidays so we swap LJs for scrap books and I get a paperwork break Grin

Fantastic news for you and your DH ellie Smile

Good luck with the crisis clean trazzles!

laurenamium · 07/08/2012 10:17

also nicknacks do you do summative obs? I have transferred the ELGs to a sheet for highlighting and notes, it's quite lengthy but I've put one in each of my mindees LJs. Obviously we all work differently but would be happy to email you the document if it's going to help you save time!

Makingchanges · 07/08/2012 10:24

Morning all

I've had brekkie and just having my cuppa before I get started.

DH working from home today so needing dd to be quiet so I think some time at the park will be good for her.

I've also taken a black bag upstairs and I'm going to clean the sheets and attack the main bedroom today, 15 mins isn't happening for this room as we just untidy as quickly as I tidy.

Also

  • dry clothes in washer
  • dd to karate
  • paperwork shredding
  • declutter at least one of the main clothes drawers in bedroom
  • craft with dd
  • write list for packing for holiday

That will do for now

Honu · 07/08/2012 13:15

MN ate my post yesterday and I didn't have time to redo it. Brief resume .....

Toffee and Feet early morning dog walks not just enjoyable but essential for my sanity.

Whoknows HOW did you manage to get addicted to decluttering? This is the hardest (and most necessary) by far.

PA Hope bus not too awful. AM NOT envious of heat.

Aagh - DH calling. BBL

Scruffybear · 07/08/2012 14:05

Righto, for once, going to see if posting my list makes me achieve more things on it! achievements from the rest of you are v motivating!

To Do

play school visit
buy bread and milk
Drop money round to friends house
Birthday card for dad/grandad from DDs
Bolognese for tea
15min declutter in kitchen
Washing on,dried, away
Clothes for tomorrow
under sink
Check food plan for week
Clear car out or wait for anti procrastination day since this has been on list since time began
Hot spot firefighting, today try to do so without eradicating dining room table hot spot and creating new bottom of stairs one
Sneaky viewing of cycling combined with playing farms with DDs

Right, time is precious, nap time for small whirlwind troublemakers so window of opportunity is here NOW.

MsOnatopp · 07/08/2012 14:24

Oh I've had a shocking 2 weeks. I'm back to square one with the house. Had a low day yesterday so woke up determined to sort it all out today.

Hello everyone

Trazzle How familiar that sounds! Hope you got it all done and are enjoying your afternoon with friend.

BlueEyeshadow - hope your grumpy boys have cheered up a bit! :o

Bitchy Are you Witchy in disguise??

SO!

done
Go to post office
Put a load of washing on
Start tackling mountain of dishes Blush

To Do
Sort load of washing out
Put away clean and dry laundry
Make dinner
15 mins in lounge tidying
Tidy up after dinner
5 mins in bedroom
Pelvic Floor exercises - don't forget this!!

WisteriaWoman · 07/08/2012 17:02

Hi
Does anyone have a control journal I can copy. I've tried looking on the web and can't find anything that I like! I'm love flying and see the value of a control journal but I seem to be stuck when it comes to writing one. Hmmm
HELP!
Thanks -
off to tidy - new neighbours coming over in two hours.... and I'm in CHAOS