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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

FLYing through April: Fledglings Spring into Action

604 replies

GoingGoingGoth · 31/03/2013 17:38

Welcome to the April 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 is 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, Blue & Silvery for leading us through since January and for the brilliant OP I've just cut and pasted.

OP posts:
ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 10:36

Swan! Wonderful to have you back. I missed your presence on the thread. So glad to hear you have a sparkly new kitchen and kittens!

Castle - that's a great idea about DS keeping a kitten blog. I'll suggest that to him. I completely understand your anxiety about letting your cat out. I didn't get that at all, but now I have this little thing, I'm worrying myself. He won't be let out for months though (if I ever pluck up the courage), so I don't need to fret about that yet.

DS1 slept with the kitten last night and didn't get a lot of sleep. I think he was just too excited and worried about the kitten. He's exhausted today and I'm encouraging him to go back to bed later and catch up.

Kitty is very noisy! He is chatting non-stop at us and has started exploring upstairs. He's a very feisty little thing. He is incredibly sweet and has the bluest eyes. Even my DH, who never wanted a pet in the first place, has been won over. DS2 is still holding out, but I'm sure he'll weaken in the end.

Just about to start morning chores, hopefully (unless kitty has other ideas).

Hope you all have a good day.

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 10:37

Oh, and not a sign of my cat allergy! It's amazing. Grin

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 10:46

Urgh. ds is at least in a calmer-ish mood this morning.

ta da
speak to ex
doctors
3rd loads of washing on
label new shoes
sort out new med routine for ds - adjust paperwork school have stupid red bloody tape that gets arsing everywhere
Eat coffee cake
drink coffee
sort out ds' kit
load and put dw on to run
take down Easter decorations that someone else decided were a good idea, promised to remove but completely abandoned Angry
sort out paperwork for CAMHS
5mins decluttering in my room
Oatbread mix into bread machine

I think another drink might be the order of the day. time to break out the decaff coffee...

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 10:49

SWAN!!! Not the same without you!!

GrinGrinGrin

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 10:53

We should have a 'welcome back swan' party, CHB!

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 10:57

Bloody brilliant Idea Toffee - make cake is on my todo list today too.

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 11:16

Grin Grin Grin

What time shall we have the party, CHB?

All invited! Swan - you are the guest of honour!

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 12:26

ta da
speak to ex
doctors
3rd loads of washing on
label new shoes
sort out new med routine for ds - adjust paperwork school have stupid red bloody tape that gets arsing everywhere
Eat coffee cake
drink coffee
sort out ds' kit
load and put dw on to run
take down Easter decorations that someone else decided were a good idea, promised to remove but completely abandoned Angry
sort out paperwork for CAMHS
5mins decluttering in my room
Oatbread mix into bread machine
ds' duvet on to wash as it got very wet last night
clean benches down
turn dough into small rolls and put into oven
first of the duvets in washing machine for it's spring clean
hot soak in bath
10mins in my room
tape knee
remove nail varnish
find phone charger and charge phone
internet stuff
sort my training kit ready for tomo
hand washing

Whenever you think is best Toffee trying to get a lot of basic stuff sorted so will go with the majority on this one.

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 12:30

Hmm, start at five?

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 12:32

Sounds good to me. How is ds and the kitten doing?

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 12:48

Both have flaked out after their rather lively first night Smile.

What sort of cake are you making us?

inthewildernessbuild · 22/04/2013 13:36

I'm here to WORK not have fun...Blush but thank you for the lovely welcome BlushFlowers SC and Bitchy.

okay... I have done some plodding organising. Not much but phoned some blardy paperwork chasing up for ds1 and dyspraxia
phoned rubbish co
paid gas bill
started tidying ds1's room

Unfortunately I feel unbelievably tired today, and a slight feeling a panic at all the stuff I need to get done before the children come home and make the mess even worse...
Also there is no food, as usual Sad[useless]
unless I suppose I could make a chicken casserole now that Dh is absent or shall I call it chicken cacciatore to make it sound better Hmm I remember a cc discussion on this thread a while back Grin

toffee very good move to let ds sleep with kitten. I always slept with kitten for first few nights, I think they find it very scary being alone at first in new house, unless there is two of them!

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 14:09

ta da
speak to ex
doctors
5th load of normal washing on
label new shoes
sort out new med routine for ds - adjust paperwork school have stupid red bloody tape that gets arsing everywhere
Eat coffee cake
drink coffee
sort out ds' kit
load and put dw on to run
take down Easter decorations that someone else decided were a good idea, promised to remove but completely abandoned Angry
sort out paperwork for CAMHS
5mins decluttering in my room
Oatbread mix into bread machine
ds' duvet on to wash as it got very wet last night
clean benches down
turn dough into small rolls and put into oven and cool
first of the duvets in washing machine for it's spring clean
hot soak in bath
10mins in my room
tape knee
remove nail varnish
find phone charger and charge phone
internet stuff
sort my training kit ready for tomo
hand washing
30mins more decluttering in my room
empty upstairs bins and put ds' and bathroom bins to soak in disinfectant
take out the recycling
Hand wash batch 2
update my calendar, ds' calendar and my diary
take delivery of some 'light reading' zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
move plants from study upstairs
Move plants from upstairs to lounge
put dead orchid out of it's misery
sort some clothes to go out just have to find the confidence to let go of the 'fat' clothes now
play hunt the cup of coffee
3rd load of handwashing

LPlateFlyer · 22/04/2013 14:31

Hi Swan! Good to see you.

Tada:
3 x loads of washing

And that's it.

Quite pathetic really.

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 14:34

Will you still have the energy for a party, Bitchy? Shock

swan / wilderness - yes, I agree about the kitten being scared - although he seems to be making it his own remarkably quickly! I like the way he finds places to tuck himself away and sleep (first shoe rack and now underneath the sofa).

And I never have any food either, but that's because I have given up thanks to my fussy family, which has put me off cooking for life Sad.

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 16:23

ta da

speak to ex
doctors
6th load of normal washing on
label new shoes
sort out new med routine for ds - adjust paperwork school have stupid red bloody tape that gets arsing everywhere
Eat coffee cake
drink coffee
sort out ds' kit
load and put dw on to run
take down Easter decorations that someone else decided were a good idea, promised to remove but completely abandoned Angry
sort out paperwork for CAMHS
5mins de-cluttering in my room
Oat bread mix into bread machine
ds' duvet on to wash as it got very wet last night
clean benches down
turn dough into small rolls and put into oven and cool
first of the duvets in washing machine for it's spring clean
hot soak in bath
10mins in my room
tape knee
remove nail varnish
find phone charger and charge phone
internet stuff
sort my training kit ready for tomo
hand washing
30mins more de-cluttering in my room
empty upstairs bins and put ds' and bathroom bins to soak in disinfectant
take out the recycling
Hand wash batch 2
update my calendar, ds' calendar and my diary
take delivery of some 'light reading' zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
move plants from study upstairs
Move plants from upstairs to lounge
put dead orchid out of it's misery
sort some clothes to go out just have to find the confidence to let go of the 'fat' clothes now
play hunt the cup of coffee
3rd load of hand washing
folding
ironing
pick up ds' prescription
speak to ds' teacher about new med side effects
re tape knee
get an need action file sorted
start putting paperwork into above file
wrap a present and put in envelop in prep to go
sort through pile of paperwork no# 1
30mins work de-cluttering my room

Starting to get very grumpy now. People are getting in my way and not seeing there is a system and I can't find the important paperwork.

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 16:28

(not that you should be in the naughty corner with a list like that).

Smile
ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 17:07

Welcome back, swan!

Castlelough · 22/04/2013 17:10

Yay!!!! Inthewilderness!!!! Wink
You're back! I've really missed you!
So glad to gear you have the coveted utility room and a sparkling new kitchen with garden access! Envy (and kittens, obviously! Grin)

Ta-da:
Work!
Planted sunflower, chive & rocket seeds Smile
All dolled up for the Swan Party!!! Grin

Castlelough · 22/04/2013 17:13

I propose a toast to all Inthewilderness and all the other lovely fledglings! I've been popping in and out of the naughty corner mostly for almost a year now! [cheers]

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 17:17

Ooh, champagne! Thanks, Castle Grin

May our sinks never lose their shine Smile

BlueEyeshadow · 22/04/2013 17:17

OOOoooooohh! Party!! Welcome back Swan/Wilderness - don't know what to call you??! Glad to hear of your home improvements, and that you've all survived them.

And an epic Bitchy list day - getting back to normal!

Today I have mostly been making beef rendang from scratch. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Had better be worth it. Should have just bought a jar of paste

Does this still work? Bear

ToffeeWhirl · 22/04/2013 17:43

Very odd day today. Can't get into my normal routines because of kitten demands. However, have now managed to put washing on and dishwasher, unpack stuff from weekend, spend an hour chatting and playing with DS2 and put dinner on. Phew.

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 17:50

ta da

speak to ex
doctors
6th load of normal washing on
label new shoes
sort out new med routine for ds - adjust paperwork school have stupid red bloody tape that gets arsing everywhere
Eat coffee cake
drink coffee
sort out ds' kit
load and put dw on to run
take down Easter decorations that someone else decided were a good idea, promised to remove but completely abandoned Angry
sort out paperwork for CAMHS
5mins de-cluttering in my room
Oat bread mix into bread machine
ds' duvet on to wash as it got very wet last night
clean benches down
turn dough into small rolls and put into oven and cool
2nd of the duvets in washing machine for it's spring clean
hot soak in bath
10mins in my room
tape knee
remove nail varnish
find phone charger and charge phone
internet stuff
sort my training kit ready for tomo
hand washing
30mins more de-cluttering in my room
empty upstairs bins and put ds' and bathroom bins to soak in disinfectant
take out the recycling
Hand wash batch 2
update my calendar, ds' calendar and my diary
take delivery of some 'light reading' zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
move plants from study upstairs
Move plants from upstairs to lounge
put dead orchid out of it's misery
sort some clothes to go out just have to find the confidence to let go of the 'fat' clothes now
play hunt the cup of coffee
3rd load of hand washing
folding
ironing
pick up ds' prescription
speak to ds' teacher about new med side effects
re tape knee
get an need action file sorted
start putting paperwork into above file
wrap a present and put in envelop in prep to go
sort through pile of paperwork no# 1
30mins work de-cluttering my room
sort through pile of paperwork no# 2
clear the top of the bookcases on the landing
Take 2nd batch of recycling out
find the thank you notes from Christmas Blush
sort through the contents of a CD-ROM.
30mins de-cluttering of my room

Right tea break. pasta and something is the order from ds so that is easy to do.

CHBitchy · 22/04/2013 17:57

some one fancy explaining to the newbies about my lists?