If your 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, support and wine along the way.
This little-and-often system is designed so that you can follow a series of steps and routines each day (which gradually become second nature) in weekly designated zones of the house; defining and minimising housework - which in theory should leave you with more time to do other more interesting things instead! At the same time it is intended to reduce that panicky "rabbit in headlights" feeling when you are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once. No problem if you miss a day or two; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again anyway!
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.
From the first of the month, we will be following Flylady's steps and routines using a three-pronged approach (dependent on the stage everyone is at):
- start or repeat 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.
[And if you are really enthusiastic and have finished decluttering - you can go on to detailed deep cleaning in each zone.]
More info here on getting started and Flying lessons. Here's the launch pad for more experienced fledglings. Don't be put off by the barf-tastic language of the site - the underlying system is sound (and you may discover a few of our subversions of the vocabularly along the way).
Many thanks to blue for leading the thread through November (and sc for such a good OP, which has been cut and pasted twice!) 
and I'll post the first babysteps and mission tomorrow evening.
All welcome!!