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Housekeeping

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Fledglings don't makes resolutions in January, they fly through the babysteps.

966 replies

BitchytheGreat · 31/12/2013 21:50

So here it is the dreaded January thread. The thread of resolutions and good intentions for the year that you are lucky if you see through to the end. Welcome to the start of 2014!!

A quick note for newbies, this is a long running thread. We do like new blood around here. However, we do ask you to be respectful that for a lot of us just getting off our arses is not going to help and to avoid suggesting this. We all know life is more complicated then this. So here we do things a little differently. A little bit of flying and a lot of chatter and moral support. Feel free to jump on board and join us in flying.

For those who are new to fly lady she recommends a three step program:

  1. Get those babysteps into a habbit
  2. Get rid of the clutter.
  3. Get that deep cleaning done.
Don't worry if you think you not doing it right but not getting up to it. Some of us have been here for years and we are still decluttering. Because clutter has a nasty way of multiplying if you take you eye off it, especailly if you have kids.

Fly lady ethos tells us a few things that I want you to remember:
No perfectism this is harder then you would imagine
You are never behind just start where you are and anything you do is progress.
It didn't get into a mess overnight, it won't get tidy over night accept it will take time to get on top of things and you will be happier.

So jump on board and lets get started.

Oh and I forgot the proper introductions. "I'm Bitchy and I shall be your guide to the fly lady system for January" better buckle up as things normally get a little crazy when it is my turn to take control. good luck Grin

OP posts:
SallyFinkelstein · 01/01/2014 20:59

Hi, I would like to join please. Although I may be a sporadic poster as one of my resolutions is to be more 'present' with DH and the DC's, so not on my phone/lurking on mumsnet.

I know the flylady basics and still get the emails but haven't been following properly since before DC2 (and he's now one) but I have kept up a few things, most importantly that just doing a few mins of housework is better than none, which was a huge thing for me to learn and I still slip sometimes. Have had depression for 8-9 years now and although things are far better than they were, small things can still seem insurmountable at times.

Tree came down yesterday and had a quick tidy up and hoover round, we then had to call insurance company last night as water tank was leaking but agreed for them to come out today as was late and DC's asleep. Woke up in early hours this morning and felt hugely relieved and happy that house was fairly presentable and wouldn't have to feel embarrassed letting plumber in today. So want to keep that and build on it, maybe even aim for pride rather than just lack of embarrassment.

Lovely DH bought us a new vacuum cleaner today to replace my much loved Henry Hoover who sadly is much battered after being 'borrowed' by SIL (and now makes my house smell like wet dog and mould when used), so hopefully that will help. Worryingly I had to empty it twice earlier, despite the whole house having been vacuumed yesterday. I also got a steam cleaner for Christmas which is fab.

Need to seriously declutter, we moved in the summer and the whole house needs doing up in time as is liveable but a bit old and neglected but decorating is much harder with so much stuff about.

Anyway this is super long and Sherlock is about to start so must stop boring you all and go reclaim the tv.

SallyFinkelstein · 01/01/2014 21:04

Oh, I did manage to shine my sink today, more by luck as the washing up bowl was catching drips on the landing and I happened to be standing next to the sink earlier and thought "why not?" But I'm counting it anyway. I also hung up coats and tidied shoes when I came downstairs earlier so am cheating counting that as today's mission.

Also played with vacuumed whole house and DH washed up while I was feeding DC2 at bedtime.

CallingAllEngels · 01/01/2014 21:05

C'mon! Shakespeare, Elton John, James Macavoy AND gnomes? GENIUS!!! Grin

So, about 5 minutes after I posted, heard DH walking out of DS's room then DS crying. Seems the little blighter really doesn't want to go to sleep. So he's currently dancing round our lounge in a non-sleepy fashion.

Recording Sherlock to watch later as DH is watching something else and we're going to rewatch the 1st and 2nd series first.

Night night all.

DontstepontheBaubles · 01/01/2014 21:09

I like Gnomeo and Juliet too.

Hello Sally.

Castlelough · 01/01/2014 21:25

To Do:
*Tidy bedroom, unpack suitcases, and light lovely Yankee candles I got over Christmas)
*Shine sink
*Relaxing bath & bed

FleeBee · 01/01/2014 21:37

Please can I join? I'm at my parents until Saturday & have left my home in a frightening tip! I need help to get some order.
I'm married with 2DC & struggle with depression which impacts on the house. Looking forward to getting stuck in when home again.

WhispersOfWickedness · 01/01/2014 21:38

Woah, a lot to read! Have had ILs here all day or I would have been on earlier.

About shining sinks, I do think it is a symbolic step mostly. I think it is supposed to represent a clean start, and also encourage you to get started on the rest of the kitchen as you can't just pile plates up in a clean sink. I also think it represents what fly lady is ultimately trying to make us do - do not let the fact that it is going to get messed up again stop you doing it in the first place as the best way to get something clean is to do it very often, a little bit at a time. If you clean it and then someone messes it up with breakfast, it will take you less time to clean it up the next time as there will be less dirt on it. Also, it sets a good example to those around you, if DH makes breakfast on a dirty surface, he's likely to leave it that way, if it is on a clean surface, he's more likely to want to return it to it's original state, as it becomes his responsibility, rather than everyone who has made it dirty - it becomes nobody's responsibility then. My DH is the messiest bugger known to man, but flying definitely still makes him take more responsibility for tidying up his crap, as it passes responsibility for mess in our home to him rather than divided between the two of us and thus easier to blame on the other person. I think I might have been reading too many of flylady's emails Blush

I don't really 'do' resolutions as I just break them, but if I did, I would definitely be following NickNacks lead and putting more sex on the list :o Two DC under two definitely put the brakes on things for a few years, we have been starting to get back in the swing of things lately, but have had a spate of illness recently which has put it on the back seat a bit. Will try and start the new year as I intend to go on by making my intentions known to DH later, but only after Sherlock Hmm

About DC's eating habits, we have always been quite relaxed about it all. As far as we are concerned, it is our responsibility to provide them with food, and theirs to eat it. Even when they were tiny, if they didn't eat what was given, we didn't pay any attention and didn't offer an alternative as we assumed they weren't hungry. DS is going through quite a fussy stage, but we're still the same. He used to eat virtually everything, so he's still offered virtually everything, the only thing we know he doesn't like at all is mushrooms and we don't offer those. It probably seems a but harsh to some, but it works for us, we don't have any food battles round the table.

Just want to wish the best of luck to those of you TTC, it is a really tough time and I really hope 2014 brings wonderful new little people into your lives :)

Dizzy - really sorry to read about your difficulties with your DH, we are all listening if you need to talk, it has been so lovely to find such a supportive bunch in this group :) Thanks

Eustacia - it was me after an android app, thank you, I will let my friend know :)

Ok, so, my ta da list is not quite so impressive as yesterday's :o
Made beds
D/W twice
Cleaned kitchen surfaces several times
Swept kitchen floor
S&S
Tidied DS bedroom
Tidied living room this evening
Wrapped up parcel to send tomorrow (as my anti-procrastination mission, one thing in it is a birthday gift from August Blush)
I didn't manage the mission today as ILs were here from 11 and they didn't leave until 5pm, so I wasn't mad enough to be outside washing my front door in the dark :o

I have also put a step on my app to update this thread every day, I definitely need the motivation as that is a key part of why I don't keep on top of the house :(

Anyway, sorry for the mammoth post! Hope you are all having a lovely evening :)

ToffeeWhirl · 01/01/2014 21:43

Welcome, FleeBee and Sally (love that film, by the way).

Online shopping order scrapped because all the deliveries are booked up or too expensive
D/W reloaded by DH
More washing up done by me
Ds2 in bed at relatively decent hour

Just taking a hot chocolate up to DS1, then going to bed for an early night. No slovenly behaviour allowed tomorrow, as DS1 has his best friend coming round for the day and so I need to be up and dressed by a respectable hour. Am hoping I will get some Flying done whilst they are busy playing with Lego.

WhispersOfWickedness · 01/01/2014 21:46

X-posts as I took so long with that reply Blush

Welcome to Sally and Flee :)

Sally - I have a Henry, I love him :o I got one of those little handheld cordless dysons for Christmas (I asked for it, it's not DH being an awful husband :o ), I actually asked for it as I have just got a new car that I want to keep pristine but I have used it for so many things in the house already, the car has not yet got a look in :o

ToffeeWhirl · 01/01/2014 21:50

Whispers - interesting to hear from another fledgling who is so relaxed about food with DC. I was the same until professionals started fretting first about my DS1's weight, then about DS2's weight. Both boys are officially underweight, but it is not for lack of food on offer and I can't force them to eat. I was very skinny as a child and my mother despaired of me, so I assume it's genetic. And, actually, DS2 has just had a growth spurt, so that probably explains why he's so skinny at the moment.

I like your NY resolution, by the way Wink.

WhispersOfWickedness · 01/01/2014 22:11

Toffee - yes, I have to say that we are very fortunate in that we have never had weight concerns with either of our DC, they are both very average in height and weight, which definitely makes it a lot easier to be blasé about their eating habits. Their sleep has never been affected by food, or lack of it, so we haven't felt the pressure to 'feed them up' before bedtime like I know other friends have felt with their DC.
I can certainly see where the pressure for some to make sure their DC aren't hungry comes from, we are fortunate not to have had that pressure. I breastfed exclusively until I BLWed both DC, so I don't know if that has something to do with my mindset - I never feel like I had 'control' over what the DC chose to eat, so there wasn't a leap of faith that I had to make later on over handing over that control to the DC. Not sure if that makes any sense, but I do feel it's relevant!

pushmepullyou · 01/01/2014 22:17

Happy new year everyone Smile

A somewhat belated start from me as I am very a bit hungover Blush. I did shine my sink yesterday in anticipation of not feeling up to it today though Grin

Big day of decluttering and a bit of deep cleaning planned for tomorrow. I feel tired just thinking about it but it must be done or I am going to really struggle to stay in control of the housework once I'm back at work next week. Father Christmas was rather too generous i this house and there are far too many toys!

My DC are horribly fussy too, although DD has improved a bit since she started school. I am quite good at not making a fuss about it but am guilty of cooking seperate meals on occassion particularly during the week when I am tired and can't face the whinging and complaining.

WhispersOfWickedness · 01/01/2014 22:17

BTW, just thought I'd mention that this is about the only parenting 'thing' that I feel I am getting vaguely right, I am rubbish in lots of other ways :o

WhispersOfWickedness · 01/01/2014 22:22

Just realised it is 10.20... My plans for the night might have to wait for another night Hmm Blush

RueDeWakening · 01/01/2014 22:51

My sink is shiny (ish) and 3 loads of washing have been washed, dried and put away today. Yay! I even washed the breast pump bits before I need to use it, it's in the steriliser waiting for me :o

WhispersOfWickedness · 01/01/2014 23:09

It's ok, DH was on the same page, so we have started the year as we mean to go on and set the bar quite high GrinBlush
I am sorry, this is far TMI for a thread about housework BlushBlush

WhispersOfWickedness · 01/01/2014 23:10

Must remember never to alert anyone I know to this thread BlushBlush

ToffeeWhirl · 01/01/2014 23:12

Grin at Whispers. This thread would be far too boring if it was all about housework.

AliceinWinterWonderland · 01/01/2014 23:29

Finally got all the boxes out to take down the tree and realised it's 2330. Do I want to do this now? Hmm

MerryBuddha · 01/01/2014 23:48

My to do list went out the window as I have spent the majority of the day looking for £600 I misplaced (forgot where I hid it. Had all the boys bedrooms out and tidy, 3 bags of rubbish gone. Thankfully I found it (after 4 hours of worry).
Also went to the shops to buy DS1 ski sock and gloves, he is off to Italy on Saturday (lucky bugger). Ended up buying much more Confused, a bit of a sucker for "mum" and a sweet face.

Loved Sherlock tonight!

GossipWitch · 01/01/2014 23:49

I'm back after me and dp just blitzed the lounge/diner after spending nearly all day playing diablo with dp (Im such a kid sometimes) dreading just the kid company when he goes back to work.

I'm liking all of those who want more sex as a new year resolution, I think I have just hit my peak, which is unfortunate for dp as hes not always in the mood. I'm sure the tables will turn one day.

And those with fussy eaters, I always thought that my brood aren't generally that fussy. However after a few times eating at friends houses etc I found that actually yes they are ds1 has a list as long as his arm, he doesn't eat chewy meat i.e. anything not processed thinly sliced or chicken. Over cooked veg, melted cheese, he now avoids toffee and chewing gum due to braces and will only eat bananas for fruit. Ds2 doesn't like sausages, cheese, spicy things, fish and baked beans, ds3 doesn't like any type of pasta but is a tryer and will try anything. So as you can imagine if I tried to avoid everything that they didn't like id be skinny trying to find something everyone liked, so I basically give them a few choices on there plates load up what they do like and minimise what they dont. For example toad in the hole ds2 will get 1 sausage and ds1 will get 3 ds3 will have the most mash as he loves mash and ds2 will make up for his sausage with broccolli. Mission but it works and as a result ds3 will at least try most veg, even pinched my lettuce the other day! And ds2 ate spicy sausage on Xmas eve without pulling a face Grin

Thanks for the well wishes re ttcing, done a test earlier and was neg, I knew it would be. I do have these Angus castus tablets to take that might help apparantly.

Right off to shine the sink before playing more diablo with dp.

Ooohhh and welcome all the newbies, I used to be really clean, tidy and organised but then I got depression and everything just went bad! So I've been in and out of flylady threads for the last 3 years. And I've got a bit better in regards to house work would still spend the day not doing much, but I feel a tad more motivated here. So welcome Grin

MerryBuddha · 02/01/2014 00:02

CallingallEngles can I be the first to wish you a Happy Birthday!

Toffee to my understanding, some Mners were playing Thread Bingo - start a joke thread. Unfortunately some new(don't know how to play the game) or malice posters started posting some real nasty ones. Julie a new moderator, gave a warning, got some backlash and She then hit the red button, which meant people could not post (unless on an app). Caused a massive uproar last night!!

My hubby would have a heart attack if my resolution was to increase our sex. My drive has always been higher than his. I try telling him, he is lucky, but he gives me 'I am not a piece of meat' look Grin.

Castlelough · 02/01/2014 00:02

Whispers GrinGrinGrin

Well I managed the power of 3 this evening. Late starting but...

  • my room is tidy and swept- and the next load of washing is waiting by the wm for the morning. *Sink is shining *Bath is run and Yankee candles are lit. Water is WAY too hot...just waiting!

Hmm so rarely run a bath. Would be a great way to declutter all those bath products!

StillWearingOddSocks · 02/01/2014 00:05

merry - phew! You must have been frantic. Glad you found the dosh!

So many of u taking down your trees - I leave mine until the bitter end 6 jan.

gossip did u shine ur sink? It's the one baby step I can never do. I can never face it. I would try & post a pic of how awfully disgustingly full it is...but don't know how to do pix lucky for everyone reading this thread

Had a lazy day & am finally going to get round to some tidying - minus sink!

I do love this thread. It does make it easier.

MerryBuddha · 02/01/2014 00:15

StillWearingOddSock yes! frantic! feeling sick and a bit dizzy with worry. I just couldn't remember moving it. Panicking that I might of accident thrown it out, when tiding or something!!! Though had no memory of even going to that draw.

Finally remembered that when we went to the Panto, I had decided to hide it! What a plonker!!!