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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Cruising towards Christmas and the New Year - it's the December Flylady thread.

658 replies

CotswoldStrife · 30/11/2016 09:58

Ho, ho, ho - welcome to the December Flylady thread. We'll be following the Flylady method and enforcing order on our houses. Feel free to join in. The monthly focus for December is pampering Xmas Grin

I'll be posting links to the daily missions, daily focus and the zone cleaning - don't worry about the detailed zone cleaning if you haven't already decluttered, Flylady recommends decluttering first.

You can probably already tell my personal level of dedication to the internet, not the house as I've looked up the Christmas smileys specially. No washing up was done in the making of this post.

I'll post the first December links tonight!

OP posts:
Muppetslikecoco · 15/12/2016 15:25

Gowgirl do you mean shining the sink? I think the idea is that waking up to a clean shiny sink in the morning is a good way to start the day off on the right foot. So if everything else is up in the air, cleaning the sink is the first thing you do.

I don't literally 'shine' my sink. I just take it to mean wash, dry and put away all the dishes.

Gowgirl · 15/12/2016 15:28

muppetslikecoco that makes more sense I often have to rinse a cup out first thing, not the best start to the day!

PurpleDaisies · 15/12/2016 15:44

I've cheered up a bit after a cup of tea and a bath (plus some wonderful painkillers). The good news is the garage can't replicate the problem so I don't immediately need glad spend the best part of £400 on a new fuel pump. It might go again but I'm crossing fingers if won't be until after I start working again.

The living room is much better and I'm now tying some raffia Christmas decorations I've never put up into some string to maid a garland. It's not strictly on my to do list but it is sort of decluttering and it's fun. Smile

I can't wait to redecorate our kitchen (at least a year or more) because I have a horrible plastic sink with stains that never come out.

celeste84 · 15/12/2016 18:22

Hi all,

Not much chores done here today. I was pleased i managed to hoover round the house today. I have been in town getting one or two last pieces of xmas shopping this afternoon. Really want to get it finished off tomorrow just need to go to the garden centre. Then next week I can do the pre-xmas cleaning blitz of the house.

ta das

made beds
washed dishes
hoovered all rooms
made tea

Just gonna wash up the dishes and then plonk ds into the bath. Its never ending eh!

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 15/12/2016 19:54

Hi everyone, Purple, glad you have had some good news re. car.

How is Christmas so close????!!!!!!!!

Had a great day at work today. I often hate my job but when it's good it can be really good and even my boss was smiling. Overcome with Christmas spirit?! Xmas Smile. Plus have got some studying done. Just got back from work and trying to get DD2 to sleep while DH does tea.

To do:-
Encourage reluctant DD2 to sleep
Laundry - just realised we go away tomorrow for the weekend so must get on top of it
Make a plan for child free morning tomorrow so I don't waste it!
5 mins decluttering
Hopefully an hour's proper studying
Investigate how dire the Xmas card situation is!
Drink Wine which DH has got against our planned money saving budget of no alcohol Monday to Thursday at least we made it to Thursday

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 15/12/2016 19:56

Ooh forgot did pick up an Xmas card for DH and stocking fillers for DDs on my way home (try to take advantage of anytime out of the house without children to shop!) so Xmas shopping wise am not doing too badly - just need to make a list of stuff still to get.

foxessocks · 15/12/2016 20:15

Doctors appointment yesterday was okay, no questions really answered but am feeling better anyway, think it may be anxiety related possibly (chest pain). Anyway - physically the GP was satisfied I am ok so a bit of a weight off my mind!

DS was very unsettled last night so I'm feeling really tired today. I have only been doing the basics recently and really feel like I should try and get back into missions and decluttering...

ta das
DH hoovered downstairs
Dishwasher on - twice!
Washing hung up (washing machine seems to be ok at the moment)
Wiped kitchen sides down
Made dinner
Made smarties cookies with dd which she loved, also did painting with her which I usually say no to because of the mess (it's easier in the summer when we can do it outside!) but am trying to make sure we have time to do things together just us two when ds is asleep - that was my priority today and I'm glad I made the time to properly enjoy spending time with her.
Room rescue upstairs bedrooms
Tidied toys in living room
Went to the shop to buy a new bath mat because the cat wee'd on ours!!
Took rubbish out to bins

Bathroom is a bit of a state and I'm really behind on laundry due to washing machine issues so I guess that's what I'll be doing tomorrow when dd is at nursery.

Hope everyone is having a good week - I haven't properly caught up on posts from today, sorry my post is very me me me today!

Newchick · 15/12/2016 20:37

Ta das here...

Sink shined
Kitchen floor swept
5 mins hot spots
10 mins bathroom cleaning
15 mins decluttering kitchen cupboards
Plumber came and fixed bathroom loo, yippee

Stilllivinginazoo · 15/12/2016 20:49

Overslept.panic stations and frayed tempers but all got school on time!!
Had dp underfoot so not much cept laundry done am
Pm sat knitted to "black" dark purple jelly babies fir dd2 schoolfriend's for Xmas(to be accompanied by a bag the sweet variety)
Lil zoo n D's go comic making club Thurs night so they get bought home after that,giving me time finish knitting.sewed up whilst dd3 in shower.nice see her smiling!!she posted photos on Instagram(not to any groups friends are in who could tell)

The carols last night was soul soothing-we sang on green by church and vicar basically told story of Jesus birth(pub a street away so we had the "birth' in their car park!!kids encouraged come dressed up lil zoo n D's were sheep (cotton wool stuck onto mask we made that came down like an eye masj .dd2 wanted be Angel so construct halo out tinfoil and paper wings) after back ti church for last few xarils then there were mince pies and tea coffee mulled wine(biscuits and sqyash /milk fir kids)and a Xmas banner carol comp voting Sunday school came 2nd.mums n tots was first with away in s manger-animals stuck in pic stable and all kids faces round edge.s.school did lil donkey collage)a very nice evening,tho lil zoo was tired as we got back for bowls of stew at 730(norm she in bed then due to her 530am starts!!)

Muppetslikecoco · 15/12/2016 21:55

Today has not gone well. But the minimum got done. DS threw his hat out of the pram earlier so I need to pull one out of thin air by 7:00am Angry

Ta da
Load of laundry
Sink shined
DC had a bath
Living room tidied
Counters wiped
DS put to bed

To do
Pack nursery bag
Set out my clothes for tomorrow
Brush teeth and go to bed

PurpleDaisies · 15/12/2016 22:56

I've got the car back which is great and managed to get a few more bits sorted for Christmas. We finally have some decorations up (tree hopefully Monday) and I've only got a few presents to get.

I'm not thinking of what I didn't do-ta da's are...
Unloaded dishwasher
Tidied living room
Collected car
Did some decorating
Put away finished with decorating equipment and tidied porch
Ate a very nice burger out with dh
Ordered some bedside tables and Christmas books
Had a very nice bath
Decluttered the magazine rack, inc last year's Christmas radio times

PurpleDaisies · 15/12/2016 22:58

Your nativity play sounds fab stilllivinginazoo. We've got carols by candlelight at our church on Sunday evening. I can't wait-I was singing carols in the bath this afternoon.

CotswoldStrife · 16/12/2016 00:42

One more day of school - I can't wait! Every day this week has required numerous changes of clothes and items to find, buy and take in. Will catch up tomorrow morning! Links to follow.

OP posts:
CotswoldStrife · 16/12/2016 00:42

The daily summary for Friday (also available on the Flylady website at flight plan which should update automatically each day.

**

Baby-step no 16 - read Flylady’s emails (can be numerous, don’t feel you have to sign up and if you do, delete regularly!)

We are in Zone 3 this week: the bathroom and one other room

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 3.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 3 is here

Mission for Friday 5 minute declutter mission

The daily focus for Friday is: declutter your handbag and car/date night

The monthly habit for December is pampering!

Current Super Cruise Christmas mission

OP posts:
Muppetslikecoco · 16/12/2016 07:40

Well today has gotten off well.

Everyone dressed
DS bag packed
Washing machine on
DS taken to nursery

To do
Make the beds
Finish laundry
Pack for night away
Get DN breakfast
Collect DS after lunch

Stilllivinginazoo · 16/12/2016 07:56

Well done muppets
So yesterday I overslept.today I gave up at 420 and knitted a snowman with earmuffs and a scarf before zoolets got up(well like zoo saw me knitting as she rises just after 5!)
I may fall asleep by teatime as been awake since 2 have had 3-4 hours sleep!!
Tadas
Made snowman
Fed cats
Fed zoolets
Wash on
Pack ups made
Made wrap paper (draw on lining paper)and wrap jelly babies made yest along bag sweetie namesakes
Bath wipe
Sink wipe
I may attack under D's bed shortly n see we can do anything with his RBC collection before school!!
Zoolets break Tuesday, go back on Thurs

Stilllivinginazoo · 16/12/2016 07:58

Forgot to add glad you OK foxes
purple good to hear car is OK.keeping fingers x for that
Sure u had things to say other people but can't remember what!!Xmas Blush

PurpleDaisies · 16/12/2016 09:47

Morning!

After being a bit paranoid about the car not starting, it purred into action this morning to take Mr Pig to the vet (another routine tooth filing) and I'm currently in mcds with a dirty breakfast feeling very positive about the day.

A (mainly) fun to do list...
Finish (!!!!) Christmas shopping
Wrap presents
Buy a tree with dh (his last day of school before Christmas-he went in in a very fetching Christmas jumper today) and decorate it
Make chocolate gingerbread cake

(Also buy sandpaper, clean out pigs, washing, food shop and paint skirting boards but the rest is fun).

foxessocks · 16/12/2016 10:10

purple your to do list sounds really fun, I'm jealous!
Thanks zoo

Another bad night with ds - not sure if it's because he has a bit of a cold or a tummy upset from his rotavirus vaccine earlier in the week but he has been grumpy and unsettled for the last few days and I'm so tired!!

Ta das
Dishwasher emptied and loaded
Sofa cushion covers all in wash (a lot of baby sick this week!)
Rubbish out to bins
Washing up
Tidied living room toys up after dd decided to get everything out two minutes before we left for nursery this morning...
Quick room rescues upstairs

To do
Clean bathroom
Take some recycling to bins when I pick dd up
Post some Christmas cards
Write a couple more Christmas cards for dd nursery staff
Food shopping online / Meal plan

I've woken up with a cold - again - and we're meant to be going out tonight as well, my mum is coming over to babysit so I hope I improve as right now I don't feel like it!

Sweepingchange · 16/12/2016 10:27

Morning all!

Still pretty much the same here! DD struggling in to sit exams every morning, back every afternoon. She doesn't have to be in school next week save for a few hrs on Mon and Fri. Dh and I taking it in turns to soldier on, but then having intermittent relapses! This particular flu is certainly a v nasty one. We keep getting the what dd calls "cotton wool legs"!

Anyway, owing to the above, I've taken the bull by the horns and cancelled some of our social engagements next week (both hosting and attending). I thought it better to do so earlier rather than later. And although I hope to be considerably better by then, I still feel so rotten at atm, that I would rather not chance it (or infect others just before Christmas). When to doc this morning who said (a) they can't do anything because it's a virus (fair enough) and (b) to allow at least another week for recovery from this particularly strain. V disappointing but there it is.

Anyway, glad to see others are ploughing through their lists - well done everybody!

Foxes bloody well done for getting yourself to doctor (not easy to put yourself first when you are breastfeeding and looking after a toddler I imagine) and I'm glad the outcome was good and, most importantly, you feel less stressed. Hope chest pain is not still lingering mastistis though.

Purple so glad to hear that you got the car back!! Fingers crossed for Mr Pig x

Still love the sound of home made wrapping paper, jelly beans and knitted snowman!! Carol service sounds lovely!

Gowgirl more explanation re: shining sink theory here. Personally, I'm a bit "meh" about it because I have a dw so sink isn't usually an issue. I just keep it clear and slosh industrial vinegar on it from time, to time, which seems to keep it shiny. For me, the more important issue is to be on top of laundry, because if we don't have clean clothes to put on in the morning, I find it v v stressful and one's day is stuffed to some extent from the outset. So this is something I put more of an effort in to although currently failing to tackle Mt Washmore. Anyway, the point is, that I think it is helpful to find your thing ie the thing that is most important to you, that is central to keeping the household flowing well, if that makes sense. Sorry for rambling!

Toostressy Enjoy your weekend away!

Big waves to Honu, Newchick Muppets Cag Celeste Afreshstart et al

Sweepingchange · 16/12/2016 10:28

Argh - inadvertently left Cotswold off the list - sorry! (Particularly when you are doing such a sterling job of posting links during madness of Christmas prep!!)

CotswoldStrife · 16/12/2016 10:45

I am more than happy to not be a on a list, the week has been a testing time requiring up to three different outfits a day for DD, money, cakes, cards, treats for school, Christmas jumpers, present shopping, blah, blah, blah. I am being fuelled by almond croissants and cappuccinos from Greggs, DD has had a few days without Calpol and Otrivine now, woo hoo!

Better get out and get a last few presents for her while I still can - we finish school today, yay! Looking forward to the break!

You're all doing very well (younger posters may need to ask their parents about that one ...)

OP posts:
user1481884830 · 16/12/2016 10:45

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PurpleDaisies · 16/12/2016 11:36

Ooooh, did we have a troll?

Muppetslikecoco · 16/12/2016 12:24

It was an obviously fake go fund me link Hmm