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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

August is when the fledglings party, and perhaps do a bit of flying, maybe.

746 replies

BitchytheGreat · 01/08/2013 00:54

Roll up, roll up to this special birthday month for the fledglings...

We are going to attempt to keep the dc happy, whilst flying. No mean feat in the month of holidays and adventures.

Rule 1. yes even in a birthday month we have rules
It is not about perfection. A little is enough, no really.
Rule 2.
You are aloud to spend time doing fun things, don't regret them or feel guilty.
Rule 3. This one is a fat fairy rule.
you are never behind, jump in where you are

So newbies if you are reading this you are probably thinking wtf?! This is a wonderful system designed by the fly lady. in days gone olde one fledgling had a dream about the fly lady in which she was a fat fairy, thus the thread nickname fat fairy was born. Just so we don't confuse you like Wink
Anyhows, this month it is Bitchy's turn to lead, and perhaps this should come with a warning. She has her own unique style of leading but don't let that scare you off, the fledglings are luffsly and generally far more sane then the bitchy one Grin just be aware of bitchy's special brew. Terribly high in caffine and can sometimes be found in the naughty corner. Which reminds me, the naughty corner if for those who are struggling for whatever reason or those just in need of a stiff drink.

So this flying thing. It has three stages:
stage one: the babysteps. these build a routine. some of them are contriversial, and some a little wishy washy seem a little less significant. But most are really good.
Stage two: babysteps and missions one the routines are in place the missions are designed to help you tackle tasks room by room. These room by room approach is helpfully referred to as zones.
stage three: the mythical deep cleaning stage yeah lets just ignore that, none of us have got to the point where we have not only decluttered but got in control of the chaos Grin

Oh yeah CHAOS - what the fat fairy calls "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"

That clear as mud? good. Let's Begin....

OP posts:
Castlelough · 11/08/2013 00:01

Hmmm so much for the ironing... Grin

Jesstryinghard · 11/08/2013 01:06

I'm actually awake thinking about all the shit that needs to get done tomorrow Confused

saturn · 11/08/2013 08:26

Morning all Smile

Hope you get done what you need to get done today Jess. Power of three and 15 minutes seems to work well (says she who didn't follow her own advice yesterday Confused

Castle - look at positive side - at least you have clean clothes Grin

I've managed to tidy up all the mess I made yesterday and now starting morning routine. List from yesterday has been discarded - just sticking to baby steps for now!!! At least some things get done that way...

BitchytheGreat · 11/08/2013 08:28

I am awake. Not through choice and not due to the alarm clock. In theory ds and i should be leaving right now. In practice I am still in bed and there is packing to be done. I am not moving from this spot until coffee has been drunk. Then i will happily fly like a crazy person but until the coffee is drunk i am not moving!

OP posts:
Jesstryinghard · 11/08/2013 08:37

Bitchy glad to hear someone else as militant about caffeine as I !! Hahahaha
Saturn what is the power of three ??
Hope everyone has a great day xx

ToffeeWhirl · 11/08/2013 08:50

Am delegating Flying and childcare to DH and going out for the day Grin.

Hope you all have a good day.

Steamedcabbage · 11/08/2013 10:49

Good luck getting away Toffee Saturn and Bitchy!! Have good days all of you ...

Hope Velma has turned up Saturn! (And sorry to lead you astray in search of retail therapy!! Grin)

And thanks for fab round-up Bitchy!!

Jess you can do it!!! (Not sure about official meaning of power of three, or where it came from etc, but think it is something to do with choosing three small achievable things from your priority list and powering through them - which will give you confidence/energy/motivation to continue. Ruthlessly put everything else that needs doing out of your mind and focus on the three priority tasks (they needn't even be priority tasks actually - just three tasks that will make you feel better once they are finished. Maybe choose an easy one and two horrid ones) . Then stop and take a break and possibly look at next three. Theory is same as Flylady's - break up your long stressful list up in to small manageable bites!! Sending encouraging thoughts and Fledgling power to your elbow!

And good luck with everything you have to do by Monday too Whoknows (wedding sounds lovely btw)

Waves to Castle Goth Trazzles Honu Just Feetheart Ellie Blue Engels Mercury PA Asheth and Jdub and everyone else I've forgotten!

Absolutely zilch to report here. Boring housework awaits (as ever).

Jesstryinghard · 11/08/2013 11:03

Aww thanks for the help
Steamed cabbage

ZingWidge · 11/08/2013 11:11

we put in an offer for a house yesterday.

We'll know tomorrow afternoon if we got it or not.
It's the first house in 4 years that could even be considered, but it's more than that. I can tick every criteria for the first time ever.
we have to have it....

prayers & fx please everyone....we need all the help!Smile

ZingWidge · 11/08/2013 11:13

sorry haven't caught up on thread.
will do today as I need to keep distracted.

good luck all of you!

GoingGoingGoth · 11/08/2013 11:53

Just popped in to kick Jess Grin

Trying to embrace the renew your spirit ethos here, about to go for a walk in the park, DD will be on her bike learning to balance, so maybe that relaxing.

I've downloaded the Striiv app to my phone (after lurking on another thread last night) which turns it into a pedometer and linked it to MFP. I WILL get myself back into my routines

Hope you all have a great day.

GoingGoingGoth · 11/08/2013 11:53

Crossing fingers for you Zing

BlueEyeshadow · 11/08/2013 12:02

Fingers and toes crossed, Zing!

Back home, WITH the car, had the best night's sleep we've had in ages. :)

Toasted success this morning with bellinis for breakfast as the boys are still away. Grin May not get anything else done now today...

Party later??!

GoingGoingGoth · 11/08/2013 14:18

Blue so pleased the car retrieval went well (and the good night's sleep)

Back from the walk, was fairly successful re the bike, she's starting to find her balance.

Just having a Brew while Dd does the final bit of painting on her pyramid, it's a sand/paint mix, so I expect to find everything gritty later! But she's having fun, and not expecting me to supervise.

Jesstryinghard · 11/08/2013 18:28

Zing I'm
Crossing everything for you !!

Goinggoinggoth that's so sweet of you to think of me and I think the cyber kicking worked wonders !! I've had some
Seriously productive 15 minute sessions today !! Washing up all
Done cooker cleaned properly for first time
In a criminally long time loads of laundry done some
Tidying :)))) well pleased :))
Hugs to all

Castlelough · 11/08/2013 23:57

Ha! I am laughing at your post Saturn : at least you have clean clothes ....

After almost two hrs of ironing I have just stopped, as I realised... ahem... I have NOT been ironing the clean laundry!!!!!!! FFS!!!

Must quickly clarify that I DID renew my spirit today by attending a lovely mass and going on a scenic hike with a friend!

Just having a midnight feast all by myself - DH at work. Ham sandwich Grin. I will get back to MFP tomorrow soon ....

Zing best of luck with the house offer!

Hope everyone else enjoyed their days xx

BitchytheGreat · 12/08/2013 07:51

Oh dear castle So frustrating. Hope you enjoyed the midnight feast.

I have about half an hour before my car heads off for its mot and i find out yet how much more money it is going to cost me this year :(

Whilst my alarm clock is shouting its snooze alarms at me I thought I'd better get the links up.

Monday is home bleurgh day.

Babystep

Missions - we are in the bathroom and office weird random combination but whatever she is being militant about the shoes thing again

OP posts:
ToffeeWhirl · 12/08/2013 09:19

Had a very relaxing and lovely day out yesterday, but today it's back to earth with a bump. So much to do! Hopefully, will bbl with a 'ta da' list.

BitchytheGreat · 12/08/2013 09:41

ta da
1 load washing on
car to mot
service sewing machine

the master list for week
check my training kit
run machine over pinned blanket edging - about to do
sewing in name tapes of uniform (only had to buy new t-shirts and shoes but will get shoes nearer) 1 down 5 to go
finish the sock monkey that got put on hold ages and ages ago because he lost an ear
finish making top - on sewing machine atm!
finish pattern mock up
make new pattern mock up
unpick alternative pattern mock up and check measurement
put my clothes away
finish crocheting blanket
sort all my paperwork out
banking
pair the socks :( i fucking hate this job!

OP posts:
Steamedcabbage · 12/08/2013 10:23

Morning, same as Toffee really - loads to do
Still appear to have "sweating sickness" .. no idea what it is, sore throat, ear ache, fatigue, slightly dodgy tum, cough, nausea, feel like you have a temp but don't ...just generally feel really ick. But best way to deal with it I have found is to ignore and plough through- in the middle of home bleugh so appropriate really Grin

Trying to be patient with dd who, now she is not at the stables, seems to be glued to one screen or another so I have got her hoovering (wicked mother emoticon). She is having to earn back the money it cost to buy new riding gloves, which she had for precisely a week, and yes one is already lost ....grrr

Ta da:
morning routine inc wm, dw, washing dried overnight, rabbits
rushed around house finding things for craft project for dc who are coming over later
supermarket list
dealt with last night's laundry
half home bleugh
cleared hall of various detritus
dining room table hot spot

To do:
charge gsm
finish other half home bleugh + clean kitchen
craft prep
supermarket shop
recycling
write card and wrap present for baby-sitter who is going back to USA
have second shower of day and gussy myself up a bit
play date - baking, crafts etc
prep "goodbye" tea for baby-sitter
evening routine
collapse with Wine

Good luck with your long list Bitchy (hope sock money reunited with his ear very soon Grin)
Think that might be a sign that you are not meant to be ironing at the moment castle but taking it easy on yourself instead Smile
Well done Jess Grin knew you could do it!
Fingers and toes crossed for you Zing
Pyramid sounds brill Goth
So glad car retrieval a success Blue bellinis no less ...
Waves to Saturn Whoknows Feetheart PA Asheth¨Engels Just Honu Trazzles Ellie Mercury Jdub and eveyrone I've forgotten

iamadoozermum · 12/08/2013 10:52

May I join? I've been fluttering for some years now (even have an actual Flylady t-shirt to try to inspire me) but trying to sell house has upped the ante somewhat.

Estate agent coming tomorrow so today's tasks are:
sort master bedroom (currently can't get into wardrobes or round DHs side of bed because of clothes waiting to be sorted)
Vacuum
Clean bathroom (very messy as have done DIY in bathroom all weekend)
Tidy kitchen
Take kids out for a run around as they are tearing up the house!

Jdub · 12/08/2013 11:09

Another late good morning here!
Just about to start work (at work!)
In a rush to get out this morning, so house in abit of a tip when I left, and likely to get worse throughout the day, so a mini overhaul will be my evening's work this evening! Although I did show it the hoover yesterday! I might shake wet mop in its general direction today!
Happy Monday xx

ToffeeWhirl · 12/08/2013 11:34

Welcome, iamadoozermum. I had no idea there were Flylady tee-shirts Grin!

SC - sympathies on DD being glued to the screen. Same here. It's a constant battle. And sorry too that you are feeling so icky. It might be a virus, I suppose...?

Happy Monday, Jdub.

Good luck with your master list, Bitchy.

I have a 'ta da' list, so am going to reward myself by sitting down, drinking coffee and reading the first 'Moomin' story to DS2 Smile.

Ta da :

Breakfasts done
Dressed, hair washed, face repaired
Put rubbish out
Put food out for recycling
Online food order
Phoned bank
Booked plumber
Attempted to weigh DS1 but bloody batteries have failed Angry

Have to tidy the house and find / buy food for the boys. DS2 has a friend coming over at 1.30 and staying for dinner. Why do I invite children for dinner when we have no dinner even for ourselves? Confused

BitchytheGreat · 12/08/2013 11:44

ta da
2nd load washing on
car to mot
service sewing machine
mend trousers which were next to sewing machine
1st load of washing folded

the master list for week
check my training kit
run machine over pinned blanket edging done but it needs redoing!
sewing in name tapes of uniform (only had to buy new t-shirts and shoes but will get shoes nearer) 1 down 5 to go
finish the sock monkey that got put on hold ages and ages ago because he lost an ear
finish making top done
finish pattern mock up
make new pattern mock up
unpick alternative pattern mock up and check measurement
put my clothes away
finish crocheting blanket
sort all my paperwork out
banking
pair the socks :( i fucking hate this job!

OP posts:
ToffeeWhirl · 12/08/2013 12:54

ta da 2 :

unglued DS2 from screen
read half of 'The Moomins and the Great Flood' to DS2
room rescued sitting room
delegated muddy floor wiping in hallway to DS2
hoovered downstairs
unloaded and reloaded d/w
planned lunch and dinner
bought stuff for above at corner shop
swept cobwebs off window box

And - good news - received a cheque from the cat breeder to refund us for our poor kitten. This means we now have the money for our next kitten Smile.