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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

It's September so the Fledgings Fly, as we wave our clutter bye bye

805 replies

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/08/2012 21:22

Welcome to the ongoing Fledgling Flyers thread for September, thanks to Bitchy who kept us posted through August.

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 me anyway, somewhat unrealistic and in theory you don't need to worry about it until you have finished decluttering that's never then. Just do it if you want to.

Now for those of you who are completely lost, lets rewind a bit.
CHAOS: Can't have anyone over syndrome. We've all been there

The fly lady approach works by breaking the house down into tiny activities which you do repeatedly until they become habit and don't feel like chores any more. The house is split into zones, each zone is tackled for a week before moving on and comes round again at the start of the next month.

There are lots of experienced Fledglings on here, hence lots of advice and support and chat about anything except housework some days. the main thing is that you can post any time you like even if you haven't lifted a finger around the house that day because with Flylady you just pick up again the next day and off you go again.

We advise against signing up for Flylady emails as they can lead to a great deal of clutter in the Inbox, each days steps will be posted on this thread to save you having to find them yourself.

In the meantime here is a link to the Flylady website for anyone who would like a browse.

Getting started Remember - don't subscribe to the emails!

OP posts:
laurenamium · 26/09/2012 20:11

Hi all!

I like photos in albums too bitchy, you've reminded me I need to get some more printed off!

I have took DD horse riding today Grin she loved it almost as much as I did we are definitely on track to get her a pony at the end of next year Grin

I've crossed everything off my list and now I'm going to relax before an early night!

Mymumsdaughter · 26/09/2012 20:17

Bitchy wow what a list. I love photo albums so much nicer than a screen to look at memories. Have fun Strictly and thanks for new thread start up. I think I will wait til house decluttered fully before getting kids involved - secretly hoping if there is a place for everything they will put away as they go.
Waves and wing flaps to everyone else (can I wing flap or is that presumptious of me having only been back a month) Thanks everyone for all the support and encouragment

laurenamium · 26/09/2012 20:19

Flap away mymums Grin

BitchyDragons · 26/09/2012 20:35

"secretly hoping if there is a place for everything they will put away as they go." Hahahahaha sorry but hahaha. IF ds put his stuff where it lives, and it all has a home, this house would pretty much be tidy. Mind you it is the attitude that makes my blood boil more then the mess. Angry

And he won't bloody go to bed AngryAngry Bedtime was over 1 1/2hrs ago Angry

Can you tell ds is winding me up tonight?

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 26/09/2012 20:40

all done and feeling ok. x

OP posts:
IWipeArses · 26/09/2012 20:47

Evening! Awesome list Bitchy. Grin I love photo albums, don't have any, bit ambitious for me. Blush

rowingboat, well done on the hotspot, I've squelched a couple of those this week, it's very satisfying isn't it?

BitchyDragons · 26/09/2012 21:03

Glad you are ok Whoknows. Rest up and heal properly. Take ALL the advice about lifting etc, and remember that even if you think you feel you are ready before the date given, there is a good reason for following the date. and don't go moving a wardrobe because you got bored

ToffeeWhirl · 26/09/2012 21:21

WhoKnows - glad the op is over. Good that you have your priorities sorted and are on MN before the day is over Grin. You have only one thing to do now - REST!

Bitchy - Another one here that loves photo albums, though I haven't compiled one for several years. Sleepless DC here too, by the way.

Well, DS1's finger has turned a beautiful shade of purple and blue. No writing for him for the rest of the week. He thinks this means he can just watch DVDs, but not being able to write doesn't mean he can't dictate work to me .

The house is, generally, a comfortable mess at the moment, but I am managing to keep on top of the main areas of clutter. The dining-room table is lost under piles of home ed books and DS2's make-and-do stuff, so that is a lost cause. However, I have managed to keep up with washing up and putting away today, have cleaned the cooker surface (twice), swept the floor and done one load of washing.

Have a hair appointment to look forward to tomorrow afternoon (colour): a chance to relax and drink hot chocolate.

Mymumsdaughter · 26/09/2012 21:28

Bitchy I can dream - is he in bed yet - it is so hard when they don't go to bed.
Toffee hope ds is better soon
Whoknows glad you ok ans remember to rest properly - you will probably get fed up with us all reminding you!
Thanks Lauren

BitchyDragons · 26/09/2012 21:32

Thankfully he is fast asleep. We have had manage behaviour issues tonight so I am not sure why I was surprised that he was yo-yo child. Hmm

I hope you are lucky Mymums. I suspect that becaue it is only ds' stuff that has a home for everything atm and there are loads of other clutter he is not seeing the point atm. Perhaps when total declutter is achieved he might be more perswadeable? Although if he is anything like me he will be a messy toad.

Mymumsdaughter · 26/09/2012 21:52

Bitchy that's it is n't it showing them how to do it and hoping they learn by copying. Glad he is asleep!

BlueEyeshadow · 26/09/2012 22:06

Glad you're OK WhoKnows and hope you will heed all the advice about resting!

As predicted, got no house bleugh done today, but have at least got the 3 baskets of laundry put away. Has been v frustrating and made me v grumpy, but hopefully tomorrow will be better...

Waves to all. Night!

Mymumsdaughter · 26/09/2012 22:45

Hey blue you put the laundry away -more than me- today I did tackle hot spot

pushmepullyou · 26/09/2012 22:55

Oh feck, just wrote a massive friendly post full of personals, cat jumped on the laptop and lost it

So the abbreviated version...

whoknows glad the surgery went OK, hope you're not feeling too grotty

Bitchy that's quite a list Shock,

swan I should be able to reclaim some of her sick pay through her personal injury/loss of earnings claim, but she doesn't want to claim it even though it's in her contract. I'm pretty sure it's a misunderstanding but anyhow will have to talk to an emploment lawyer tomorrow,

sc glad you've found your flying mojo - I am exactly the same with good days and bad days

mymums I do find it helps having a place for everything, but it is not a faultless system as it does rely on you putting everything in its place Grin

Glad DS has an unbroken finger toffee

Hello Lauren, blue, arses and everyone Smile

Right, off to do the links and go to bed

pushmepullyou · 26/09/2012 22:56

Kickboxer I love Which - but it makes me feel very old Grin (has saved me a fortune though)

pushmepullyou · 26/09/2012 23:07

Tomorrow is Thursday 27th September and the babystep is to think about what you're having for tea before teatime I know quite a few of us mealplan and I think that (along with good laundry habits) this has probably been one of the steps that has made most difference to me. it was particularly lovely tonight to come home and remember that I'd got all the ingredients for beef and mushroom stroganoff.

Thursday is errand day My errand will be going to the doctors.

We're still in the living room and the mission today is dusting decorative items Way ahead on this one at the Doolittle house - we've been doing nothing but dust all week Grin

laurenamium · 27/09/2012 07:24

Morning everyone! DD slept through last night Grin only the second or third time ever!! So I'm feeling very refreshed and ready for my longest and busiest day at work..just a list dump apart from to say I'm glad it went ok whoknows!

To do:
Walk dogs
School run *3
DD and mindee to playgroup
Butchers for a pie for dinner Smile
Routines
Shred
Paperwork

That might be all I have time for...BBL!!

MsOnatopp · 27/09/2012 09:44

Hey all. I wandered for a week again. See, it's not just housework that I am un-organised with. Even the internet and forums. How?!

Bitchy that is the most terrifying list I have ever seen to bring such a smile to my face. Bloody well done!!

Lauren oh I'm so pleased you had a good night. It's hard having disturbed sleep never mind constantly! :)

My house is so tidy for me, this is unreal :o Even had friend drop in yesterday with no warning and was not the slightest bit embarrassed! Take that CHAOS :o :o

To Do
15 mins at filing
swish and swipe
dishes
dinner
tidy after dinner
quick tidy of house while DS has bath
study

ToffeeWhirl · 27/09/2012 10:13

DS2 complained that there was a cobweb on his plate this morning. He was right Blush.

Hmm. Maybe I need to brush up on my Flying skills.

laurenamium · 27/09/2012 12:47

Grin at cobwebs on plates toffee!

So far today has been hellish! Its a good job I got that sleep in! Since 8 this morning the following has happened...

Small dog escaped and was brought home by older children on their way to secondary school

The wheels fell off the brand new double buggy on the school run I'm not a good buggy assembler

Big dog ate my dinner

Little dog pood in the playroom Shock and DD picked it up and brought it to me! [disclaimer: little dog has NEVER pood in the house before]

I feel like someone is playing fortunately, unfortunately with me today! Grin

I'm slowly working through my list, DD and mindee are both asleep so I'm going to recover and find something to eat!

laurenamium · 27/09/2012 13:00

My offroading pushchair has a flat tyre...how long is it until tomorrow?!Angry

BlueEyeshadow · 27/09/2012 15:44

What a catalogue of disasters Lauren - hope your day improves!

MsO - yay to kicking CHAOS in the butt!

Ta da!
School/playgroup run in hire car w/o feeling like a learner again!
Work
Paid loads of bills
Booked onto exciting talk/event thing
Window cleaner been so done insides to match
Aldi shop & stuff away

Should really be catching up on house bleugh but DS2 is hooverphobic so been typing blog post on teeny tiny phone keyboard instead!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 27/09/2012 17:35

Feeling much better today thank you, although still very tired,

OP posts:
elliepac · 27/09/2012 17:47

Just quickly flying through as work is a bit mad but wanted to say to whoknows that I am glad you are ok and make sure you rest.Smile

I also wanted to share what is wonderful news for usSmile. Those of you who have been here a while might remember how my amazing CM lost her twins within half an hour of them being born (22 weeks) a couple of years ago. So with that and 3 mc she has had a terrible time. Well, today she has given birth to a beautiful baby boy and there is no-one who deserves to be a mother moreSmile. I am so happy and after a crap week at work it just reminds me what is important in lifeSmileSmileSmileSmile.

madwomanintheattic · 27/09/2012 18:18

Dusting. ok. I can do that.

I did the thinking about the evening meal a week ago, as dd1's school is having a spaghetti fundraiser. Is that cheating? Grin

Soldiering on slowly here. I think I'm making headway. Fits and starts as ever.

Aw, Ellie, that's lovely!

In other news, I've had a random chunk of glass wedged in my heel for over 3 weeks, and I finally got the damn thing out last night. It was huge! So, I am a happy bear today.

Soothing restful vibes for whoknows, and a small titter in Lauren's direction