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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 · 07/08/2012 17:10

Hello!

MsOnatopp I know how you feel too! I had an operation in May(!!) and wasn't allowed to do housework for a couple of weeks after that, and then the whole entire house has gone to pot. We can get back to it though! We can. Yes...

BlueEyeshadow thanks for the tea this morning, it was most definitely needed!!

Well, to summarise, my friend was scheduled to come at 1pm... having cleared the kitchen to a reasonable state last night, I came down this morning to find that DH had kindly covered it in all kinds of detritus... thanks for that. This with, last night knowing the state I was in, and that I also had to make the last photobook (see above!) by last night's deadline he, er, went for a run and then watched tv.

Trying very hard not to be bitter about this and reminding myself that he works hard of course I don't and deserves some down time as well. I don't understand men.

So, kitchen re-sorted and I managed to get the hallway clear (thank God for cupboards) the downstairs toilet clean playroom tidied just before friend arrived at midday instead! (She had forewarned me! But as a result the vacuuming didn't get done!).

Was very lovely to see her though, and I'm taking this evening off and designating it to be a date night.

Crisis cleaning is no fun, so this has again reminded me exactly why I need to get my bum in gear and start actually properly following the routines. I umm and ahh all the time and never get the routines set in stone. I MUST!

Wisteria feeling your pain!

NickNacks · 07/08/2012 18:57

Quick drop as I want to finish my list today.

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

That would be fab if you don't mind lauren Although I know in principle what I need to do, I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to start with the changes TBH. I'll pm you.

Will be back later when fingers crossed list will be done.

:)

holler · 07/08/2012 18:58

Busy bees the lot of us!
I went to bed in a foul mood following a day of toddler tantrums, dreading today but I've actually been productive. Kept the list short and DD was at nursery for the morning which always helps with productivity levels!

Now for:
some paid work
hoover and mop kitchen floor
hoover and clear hall (is tiny, 2 minute job)
eat hideously expensive dinner (foolishly popped into farm shop. DH is out, so thought I'd treat myself. A takeaway would have been better!)

(I'm also addicted to decluttering! Watch out DH Wink)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 07/08/2012 19:59

Well, minimal Flying today, been at work all day, but great excitement as one of our postboxes turned Gold today and we've just been out to take photos of it.

Back later.

Makingchanges · 07/08/2012 20:06

Yes Whoknows DD wants to take a trip to town to see the Gold Postbox from Jess Ennis. Could pop there and back easy enough but she wants to catch a tram there, go to the town centre seaside and post box, then another tram to shopping centre for cinema then two trams home. Won't even entertaining cutting the journey time in more than half (and cost) by taking the car. Hmm

Anyway, bedroom has been partly decluttered, although also managed lots of tv watching, some online shopping Blush and some child mediation. DD has also been to karate and I have washed all the bedding so not too bad a day. I could have done more if I had tried harder.

laurenamium · 07/08/2012 21:17

Hi all! I'm feeling terrible so going to list drop, do a quick catch up and go to sleep!

To do:
DD laundry
My laundry
shine sink
today's mission
cleaned counter tops 3 times
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

Hope you are okay and had a good park day with your DD mc!

I have emailed you nicknacks Smile

Hi scruffy I don't think we have "met" yet!

Hope today has been productive for you msonatopp, I know the feeling of falling off the wagon! It's the weekends that get me!

I don't have a control journal wisteria as I use the cleaning lists and things I use for my Childminding instead so I'm no use!

Glad you had a lovely afternoon trazzles! And well done on getting the crisis clean done an hour early too!

Honu · 07/08/2012 21:50

One small thing - I have lost another pound of body clutter. Oh so slow... but all in the 'slow but steady' principles of flying.

Trazzletoes · 07/08/2012 22:04

Yay honu well done!

WisteriaWoman · 07/08/2012 22:20

Well, I did a quick tidy round and the new neighbours arrived for what I thought would be a quick drink - 3 hours later they staggered home! So much for getting the laundry / ironing done this evening but it was fun all the same.

If anyone is body -de cluttering I was sick last week and lost an astonishing 4 pounds overnight. BRILLIANT! But TBH I prefer the NHS couch to 5km website for serious weight reduction.

Still hoping someone can come to my aid with a control journal....

BitchyDragons · 07/08/2012 22:29

Wisteria - will get back to you re control journal tomo but too tired atm.

Wednesday - stop procrasting and just get it done!

babystep 7
missions

OP posts:
pushmepullyou · 07/08/2012 22:44

Hi everyone Smile

I've done most things on my list (I think, too tired to scroll back and check Blush ) apart from the toy cupboard, which realistically isn't happening tonight!

Think i am going to bed tbh, big financial meeting at work tomorrow - very stressful and could do with a good night's sleep if possible.

PA hope your exhausting day has gone OK and all visa issues are resolved. It must be so stressful and I really feel for you. I'm sure it will all start to feel a bit less overwhelming from here on in Smile

Well done honu I am quietly getting fatter this month. Really need to apply myself more!

mc you must be near me - but I think i knew that already if I cast my mind back Smile

Hope DS manages to make up with his friend toffee

Hi to whoknows, bitchy, ellie, lauren (hope you're feeling better in the morning), holler, nicknacks, trazzle, blue and everyone else I've missed.

Scruffybear · 07/08/2012 22:50

Hi all

Well, am rather pleased with myself, definitely better than most afternoons. Although I'm not striking through anything hot spot related as I think I may just have luke warm ones elsewhere...
Also have identified a problem of too many items that i need to keep away from toddler DDs that don't really have an obvious place to live. Ie, dog lead, the painting and craft stuff, the camcorder. More plastic crates perhaps, whoopee

Off to bed now to consider whether I could find a way to get addicted to decluttering...I wish

Ta dah

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

Scruffybear · 07/08/2012 23:02

Oh and laurenamium, we haven't, big waves back! I will pay close attention to your posts as you clearly manage to fly and childmind, Envy oh to be as organised....

Makingchanges · 07/08/2012 23:04

PMPY I know I am close with OFM and one other person on this thread. Is it you? I am in Sheffield. I used to leek near Meadowhall and I think that was similar to someone else. Confused I can't remember, I've been off this thread too long.

Ok my kitchen and cooker is sparkling and my recycling has been done. They weren't on my list but I put some music in and got the urge to clean.

toffee I hope DS1 has sorted out his problems with his friends.

bitchy I hope being tired means you get some sleep tonight.

Right back tomorrow for either a day or cleaning or a day of pounding the streets of Sheffield Hmm.

Night all

pushmepullyou · 07/08/2012 23:08

I work just by meadowhall so it's probably me. I think Ellie is Yorkshire-based as well (may have made that up!)

ChitchatAtHome · 07/08/2012 23:12

Hi everyone!

Well 2 days at the Olympics have completely shattered me and my DSs. Yesterday was an evening session, Women's Hockey, and today was Men's Hockey. DSs were so fabulous, really proud of them.

Was meant to be a slow start yesterday as we weren't due to head out until 3.00 pm, but I had listed a bed to sell and on Sunday night was contacted to buy it and they offered to pick it up Monday lunchtime. Problem was the bed was our 'bedrobe' as I was getting my bedroom sorted out. Only recently got the wardrobes put into our room and hadn't got around to getting all my clothes into them as they were in such a jumbled mess in the spare room. Cue mad rushing around Monday morning to get everything off the bed, and pull it apart for collection.

But it was the incentive I needed to start the sorting. All the clothes got sorted into:
-Neatly away in wardrobe
-1 box into storage
-1 basket of ironing
-1 small basket of 'mending'
-1 basket of children's clothes to be got rid of (probably via ebay)

The papers and other stuff just got moved out and then back into the room, so that's a job for the next few days, and at least I've got some room to manoeuvre in the room - the bed was far too big for the room. Need to get the room ready for a dear friend to spend a few nights with us from Friday so there's my next incentive.

A quiet day planned, will try to work out a list tomorrow. So many things need to be done that I can't even begin to work out where I start.

BlueEyeshadow · 07/08/2012 23:21

Evening all. Today was interesting, as expected.

Boys ended up not going out somewhere they wanted because they wouldn't stop fighting. After much wingeing and "It's not fair!!" we had quite a nice morning, played a few games, baked biscuits etc. As a result, my list went out of the window, but I did still manage to dump the charity bag.

Tomorrow is work and house bleugh day, with the boys at the CM so hopefully more will get done.

Big waves to all and, Linzer (if you're lurking) - I passed. Now BlueEyeshadow MA, MITI Grin

Trazzletoes · 08/08/2012 07:14

Hello! I'm in Yorkshire too! (not Sheffield though...)

WisteriaWoman · 08/08/2012 07:51

Bitchy - thank you re: control journal.
In spite of late night, heavy head (thanks to excessive drinking with new neighbours) I"m dressed to shiny shoes and ready to action.

off to empty dishwasher before family gets up

Flyingwithoutwings · 08/08/2012 08:24

Congratulations Blue Grin

Flyingwithoutwings · 08/08/2012 08:26

Morning all.
Plan for today:
Start decluttering one of my wardrobe...
I think that alone will take 2 days Sad

Also going to try a different gym class at lunchtime: RPM (spinning). I hope I survive Wink

laurenamium · 08/08/2012 08:52

Morning!

Quick list dump before mindees!
Baking with mindees
Walk dogs
Put DD blanket in loft
PUt laundry away
Routines
Clean kitchen floor
Dads for tea
Make banana loaf
Clean microwave

scruffybear I wouldn't look to closely! I only childmind part time so it's very rare I do a long day and on long days flying takes a back seat! I have no idea how people who work long hours keep on top of everything! And the rooms children and parents aren't allowed in (bedrooms) are terribly cluttered as they are always the last things to get cleaned! Wink

ToffeeWhirl · 08/08/2012 08:59

Congratulations, Blue (what is the MITI bit? ).

Well, DS1 seems to have made up with his friend after all, as he spent the day there yesterday and then stayed for a sleepover as well Grin.

I have taken the dog for a walk in the drizzle and DS2 has had breakfast and is now watching telly, so I have a chance to do things. No energy though, as I'm still feeling achey Sad. Am getting fed up with it.

Busy this afternoon, as some friends are coming over and we are dropping DS2 off at his friend's house and then going for a long walk on the Downs, if the weather improves Hmm.

Must get house ready for the cleaner tomorrow.

Hope you all have a good day.

holler · 08/08/2012 09:29

wisteria sounds like a good night! Very jealous, as I could do with one of those!

Any ideas for entertaining toddler DD? She's 18mo and a lovely, wild thing. I'm pg and just want to lie on the sofa eating cake and reading in peace. We need a compromise :D Took her to the farm shop yesterday so she could look at animals, and managed to spend £stupid on a top up shop, so will be avoiding that today!

I've cleaned the kitchen and mopped the floor (I am so lazy about this, but trying to be good in the new house!)
Hoovered downstairs and tidied
DW on

To do:
Paid work while DD at nursery
Wash on
Yesterday's laundry away
Unpack boxes/bags in study (not many, but they're full of random crap that we need, but that has no obvious home).
Old sheets to tip recycling centre
Bag to charity shop
Clean bathrooms
Empty car of crap

castlelough · 08/08/2012 10:03

Morning everyone

Have my parents staying again tonight, so flying will be minimal - just routines! And cooking for them....
Hope things go well for everyone else today.