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Housekeeping

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FLYing through March: Fledglings Assemble

671 replies

SilveryMoon · 28/02/2013 20:10

Welcome to the March Fledgling FLYers thread

... where we (loosely) follow the step-by-step Flylady housekeeping system (in our own, unique, relaxed style) with lots of and chatting along the way.

This little-and-often system is designed so that we 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 us 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 we get when we are overwhelmed and everything needs doing all at once.

To avoid being inundated with details, we advise not signing up to the Big Tent

We are in the process of 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.]

Flylady site here

Don't worry if you are behind; just jump right back in and it will all come around next month again anyway!

All the links for the babysteps and missions will be posted here every day and we'll all be here to cheer each other on.

Thanks to SC and Blue for leading us through January and February and for the brilliant OP I've just cut and pasted .

Let's get the old dust balls rolling for March!

OP posts:
BlueEyeshadow · 15/03/2013 11:28

Where is everybody?

Hope everyone's having a good day. Total chaos at school this morning because of Red Nose Day colliding with school trip. Miscommunication all round, some kids in uniform for theatre, some in mufti, some in a mixture...

Will attempt to do the bathroom later. Am currently waiting for a job to come in so hanging around the computer.

WhereChaosTheoryRules · 15/03/2013 12:45

Been having problems getting online blue mn seems to be down alot today!

ellesabe · 15/03/2013 13:47

I'm here! Not much to boast about again today though I'm afraid...

Tada
Showered, S&S and dressed
Dress kids
Washing machine on
Eat breakfast
Read stories, watch Peppa Pig and change nappies all morning
Eat lunch
Put kids down for nap
Wash up
Watch the news

To do
Tumble drying
Pack dd1 off to friends for the afternoon
Watch One Born (had probs with 4od last night)
Tidy up the bomb site that is the living room
Celebrate the return of dh
Put my feet up while dh baths the girls
Eat dinner
Guilt-trip dh into washing up
Shine sink

On the plus side, I feel SOOOO much better today. Antibiotics are amazing :)

mrsbugsywugsy · 15/03/2013 14:27

well I had a productive morning, but now dd is screaming and I got ready to go out then realised that i have what look like bleach stains on my top.

ta da
up and dressed
breakfast
make bed
tidy living room
washing
shine sink
decluttered cutlery drawer

to do
pick up prescription
post office
make dinner

ellesabe · 15/03/2013 19:31

Ahhh, after having had dd1 all afternoon, my friends went to the chippie on the way back! No cooking for me tonight :)

AND they washed up before they went home...

Feeling very lucky and well looked-after today.

SilveryMoon · 15/03/2013 21:51

Well, it has been a very quiet day here! Hope that means everyone has been relaxing in a nice hot bath after all the work you've been doing this week Wink

Blue Had a manic morning at school what with red nose day. Hope it settled down. My ds's school didn't sell red noses. I sent in a clearly labelled envelope saying there was 50p in there for their own clothes day and £1 for a red nose. The boys came home saying that the school said they weren't selling them and he'd have to go to Sainsbury's. They kept the £ though.
Chaos Had been having trouble accessing mn today. You haven't pissed of HQ have you Wink Grin
mrsb had a productive morning but then realised she had got bleach stains down her top Sad I hate that! Angry
elles had a fish dinner and her friends did the washing up. Send them my way!

Not much happening here today. Work was much better than it's been for a while, had a nice day with the children.
Drove dp into London for a works do tonight, butmade loads of mistakes coming home, wrong exits etc at roundabouts and I ran a red light Blush (was on a minor road at a crossing, but no one there luckily) I really don't like driving in the rain.
I am expecting a call from him in about an hour to pick him up. Not looking forward to a 40 min drive in the dark........fingers crossed he can get a lift or does what normal people do and get on a train.
After that, took ds's to football training but when we got out of the car, ds1 said he didn't want to do it in the rain. Thank God, so the 3 of us went to Pizza Hut for dinner and then came home and watched Peter Pan.
They've just now gone to bed, so I'm going to get into bed and read my book for a bit.

Tomorrows List (in the hope it will keep me motivated)
Up and make beds
Get breakfast
Shower and dress
Swish and swipe
Feed cats
Clear breakfast
Rubbish out
Run to shops too get friend's ds a birthday present
Wrap said present
Menu plan for the week, shopping list
Food shop
Drive to Portsmouth for friend's ds's party
Come home
Clean litter trays
Polish/dust
Glass shelves, mirrors etc
Change bed sheets
Hoover
Mop
Ironing
Make week's sandwiches and freeze
Boys homework
Wipe out fridge
Laundry
Sort dry clothes
Non iron away
Cook dinner
Clean kitchen
Clothes out
Shine sink
Bed.

Will probably spread that bad-boy over the entire weekend. Tis a lot for 1 day I think.

Will just get links for tomorrow, then off to bed.

OP posts:
SilveryMoon · 15/03/2013 21:57

LINKS FOR SATURDAY 16th MARCH
babystep 16 is to look at your inbox for an e-mail from flylady and read it. Most of us will be ignoring that as we do not recommend you sign up for the e-mails.
No mission because it's the weekend Grin
daily focus is family fun day.
flight plan which is our basic routine.

And finally, just a quick reminder that the habit for the month is getting dressed to shoes there is mixed feelings about this one, so whatever suits you.

That's me done, see you all tomorrow.

OP posts:
Engelsemama · 16/03/2013 08:00

Can't believe we are halfway through the month already!
I am lurking with the lurgy and trying to Fly while the family fights the flu.

To do
Sort out yesterday's washing
Do a load of washing
Bring extra chair downstairs
Tidy hotspot
Washing up
Get out for a walk
Entertain parents over from UK
Drink copious amounts of cough medicine
Buy shares in Kleenex
And breathe

NickNacks · 16/03/2013 08:43

I am enjoying a lovely lie in even though DH is at work. DS1 and 2 have taken dd downstairs with them and kept her amused and fed her breakfast. :)

Long list today in my phone 'notes' which I love because I delete them off as they are completed. A mixture of work, housework, children related and decluttering.

About 25 things on there today so will update on the amount left at the end of the day. :)

superfluouscurves · 16/03/2013 11:20

Morning everyone

Hope everyone is OK!

Glad funeral went well Nettie

Sorry eveyrone still suffering with the lurgy in your household Engels including your good self

Thanks for links and good luck with your long list today Silvery and well done re: brave London driving

Well, having finally emerged from bereavement, illness, and got on top of the very worst of the resulting mess (although loads more "underneath" stuff to work on) I am announcing a new start as of yesterday: Fly-wise, diet-wise, health and exercise-wise, decluttering-wise and general self-discipline/creative-wise!! Really hate this feeling of being out of control and not on top of things; never seem to get to the fun bits because the drudge work hasn't been done.

[Blast of trumpets ... drum roll]
Yes, the second half of March is now the new January ...Blush!!

(I realise I am stretching the definition rather Just Grin)

Going against Flylady ethos and doubling up on baby-steps and missions and really trying to make progress through my own lists before Easter (only two weeks to go - yikes)!! Very happy that the master bedroom is next week's zone (I think that's right isn't it? - can't quite work it out from missions/sneak peak) as need to get on top of that definitively - it's been a mess for months. And as, confusingly, it's a bedroom we don't sleep in (unless dh or I are ill) and we use for "dressing" because it's near our only bathroom - then it's important for it to function.

Made a good start this morning by sending dh and dd off to the office: dh is going to do admin and supervise dd's exam revision - she has end of term exams all next week. Happy to delegate the stress of that for a bit tbh - hwk-time all this week has been stressful.

Like Nicknacks going to crack on now and post achievements (hopefully) at end of day ....

Jdub had to buy vit D supplements this morning - no sun just snow here!

Glad you are feeling better Ellesababe

Big encouraging wing flaps to everyone!!

Jamillalliamilli · 16/03/2013 14:49

Apologies for just lurking but I?ve been falling out of bed each day (often literally!) and keeping going ?till I fall back in (much harder to manage!) 17 hours later most days, but in honour of it being Saturday we?ve stopped for lunch (a novelty for me) and to wave to everyone and wish the unwell better.

SC stretch away, whatever works! Grin Good luck.
Eleven days left here in ?miracle creation? before insurance cage locked and builders descend on what is supposed to be a totally stripped out shell to repair, and ?bedinshed? is cluttered (with shiny sink and mirrors!) and heaving with boxes, so absolutely everything is being stretched here.

superfluouscurves · 16/03/2013 15:50

Oh crikey Just- apologies- I had forgotten temporarily that you were up against that horrendous deadline. 17-hr days sound really tough ... can you get anyone in to help (such as the friends you are always helping! I know the wrong kind of help can be even worse than none though!!)

Sending you energy and strength and lots of Brew through the ether ....you can do it!!!

SilveryMoon · 17/03/2013 01:54

Hi. Very quiet today.
Didn't get in til late (a life seems to all of a sudden found me) so apologies for lack of links but I will post them first thing.
In the meantime, no missions on the weekend. Sunday is renew your spirit day so do something nice for yourself. I'm going shoe shopping.
Babystep 17 is think about what time you go to bed. Make it early, make it consistent. Do this one we all need our rest.
Keep the routines going today.
Will be back in a few.

OP posts:
SilveryMoon · 17/03/2013 08:47

LINKS FOR SUNDAY 17th MARCH
babystep 17
daily focus
flight plan

So, I didn't get anything on my list done yesterday so all has to be done today. Sad

OP posts:
GoingGoingGoth · 17/03/2013 10:27

Morning all(?)

Woke up with another stupid headache (bloody sinuses) so a very slow start today, in fact not planning to do much at all.

Done
Beds
Facial steam

To do
Extract Dd from book & insist she has breakfast
Put dry washing away
Laundry on
Windows
Loaf in front of tv MN
Prepare dinner
Wash up &SS

mrsbugsywugsy · 17/03/2013 12:09

morning!

thanks for links etc.

not been doing much this weekend as we have visitors staying. last night a friend babysat dd so I went out for dinner without her.

I bf on demand so dd decides when I get to go to bed.

issimma · 17/03/2013 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

superfluouscurves · 17/03/2013 13:51

Sympathies Goth sinus headaches are the pits, hope steam does the trick!
Glad you had good nights out Silvery and MrsBugsy
Issima I'm with you - state of my house doing my head in too!

(Dh and I had another set to about this yesterday eve (the underlying, unfinished state of the house that is) - rather tense overnight - but we have managed to come to an agreement this morning that hopefully will work in short term.)

Very quiet on here atm - hope everyone is ok

Yesterday ta da:
cleaned kitchen
quick supermarket shop + fish shop + cheese shop (latter at request of dh (sigh))
chemist run
hwk (revision for exams) supervision (took up quite a bit of day)
made garden soup from all the ageing vegetables in the fridge that otherwise would have to be thrown out
finished sewing dolls quilt and pillow
laundry: school uniform, ballet clothes, tennis clothes, wool wash x 2.
paired 30+ pairs of dh's clean socks
managed a paltry 15 mins of boudoir decluttering
posted on here about sewing pattern for cosmetics bag
watched England lose the rugby
didn't exercise but did reasonably well with diet
watched film in splendid isolation having rowed with dh and went to bed far too late

To do:
morning routine +dw + wm+ rabbits
church done but have to go again tonight for various reasons
hwk (revision for exams) supervision half done
chase dd around the house with large net until cornered - dunk in bath and scrub thoroughly done
seafood salad for lunch (bought from traiteur)
baking??? (dd is going through a hollow leg phase)
more laundry: another wool wash, brown wash, bed linen, dd mixed white wash, red/wine wash
pay on-line bill
clear bed in boudoir (we don't sleep in)
clear top of dh's chest
finish sewing dolls fitted sheet, dolls pillow case, dolls quilt
dye Barnet Fair
phone a friend
roast chicken with root veg for supper
evening routine
pack up parcels (on line shopping returns)

Enjoy the rest of your w/e fledglings! [Scans horizon to try and spot where everyone's gone]

BlueEyeshadow · 17/03/2013 18:13

Hello all. Been another tense, argumentative kind of day here but DH has finished assembling boys' new bedrrom furniture so have spent the afternoon putting their stuff away in it. Should massively improve storage issues.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 17/03/2013 18:44

Evening all,

I'm here, just haven't had much of interest to report this week, spent all my spare time on OU work.

Dull, dull day today, spent most of it at the local Sports Centre. DH took DS to a party this morning so I took DD swimming, she then wanted to stay and have lunch and go in the softplay, so I spent an hour in the cafe on my own. Then home for about 2 hours and back for DD's ballet class (extra class due to exam being next week) and a chat with the other mums, then 45 mins to kill in the cafe again waiting for swimming lessons to start. Then swimming lessons (yawn). On the plus side, I managed to get DD's hair into a beautiful bun (It is shoulder length, so tricky).

Also feeling tired as I got a wrong number phone call at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep for ages, then DS got up at 5.30 to watch the Grand Prix and managed to wake me up.

Net result = no Flying.

SilveryMoon · 17/03/2013 19:20

Evening all
WhoKnows Has been spending the week on her OU work. Jealous of all the coffee shop time today Wink
Blue has had a tense day with her dh - sorry to hear that, hope you can work through it soon.
Sc That is one mammoth list!
issimma sending positive vibes to you and hoping you have a better day tomorrow.
5to everyone else

Well, managed to get loads done today because dp helped Shock
The ds's have had a horrid day, constant whinging all the time is driving me crazy!
I really need to work out how to remain calm, but that noise!!!!!

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 17/03/2013 19:25

No, really, don't be jealous Silvery, it's freezing cold, full of screaming kids and the coffee is horrible. My two are revving up into full on noise now as well.

SilveryMoon · 17/03/2013 19:28

LINKS FOR MONDAY 18th MARCH
Right, we are starting a new week, so new zone. Exciting times Smile
First up though, today's babystep is to read the 11 Commandments here can be useful to look at every now and again.
We are in zone 4 this week: The master bedroom.
here is the sneak peek for the week - list of missions
detailed cleaning list if you want it
daily focus for Monday is home blessing, the link should update in the morning.
flight plan

OP posts:
SilveryMoon · 17/03/2013 19:29

Ah, not good then Who Hope the dc's settlke down soon. Mine are in bed and we're just about to have dinner. Wine cheers

OP posts:
ellesabe · 17/03/2013 20:51

Am determined to do a better job this week now that I don't have the excuse of a throat infection any more!

Tada
Have a lie-in :)
Showered, dressed, S&S
Made packed lunch
Put away laundry
Ate and cleared up breakfast
Went to church
Decluttered and cleaned bathroom cabinet
Organise spare bedding boxes
Cook and clear up dinner
Send emails

To do
Finish watching Legally Blonde Blush
Drink some hot milk (rock and roll)
Shine sink

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