Neat and clean in 2017 - it's the January Flylady thread

[CotswoldStrife]

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcome to the January Flylady thread, where we try and maintain our nests in good order by following the Flylady method. We'll post links each day to the Flylady website for the babysteps, daily focus and extra missions in the current zone. The habit of the month is shining your sink (or whatever other place in your home motivates you).

If you are just starting, Flylady recommends decluttering the weekly zone before doing the detailed cleaning and not to do too much at once!

All are welcome, so feel free to join us anytime.

Evening all - still trying to catch up but how awful about the caravan Fly. Talk about determined, they went to a lot of trouble there.

I am back home, no longer in fluffytowel central with lots of stuff to put away and bags to go to the tip. Also noticed a mistake in today's links no wine tonight so tomorrow's should be better

Links next, I'm going to iron the last few bits of uniform and PE kit for tomorrow and then hopefully get some sleep. Sleep has not been easy in the hotel, I don't know why!

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

**
Baby-step no 4 - write a morning routine on post-its we generally ignore this one

We are in Zone 1 this week: the entrance, front porch and dining room

Spend 15 mins decluttering in Zone 1.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list (if you are at that stage) for Zone 1 is here

Mission for Wednesday put away any coats, shoes and mail from the entrance of your home

The daily focus for Wednesday is: anti-procrastination

The monthly habit for January is shine your sink

Holiday Clean-up Missions are here day 10 if you wish to do them (last day, woo hoo!).

Thanks for links Cotswold. Welcome to yet more new members!

Instanthit, thanks, yes I have started to list my routines in an app and it is surprising how much more efficient it makes me . Very much a work in progress though.

Fairly productive day although DD2 a challenge. She can be so, so lovely but is also destructive and I really need to do some more reading of parenting books! Trying to read 5 mins per night.

Sitting down now writing essay but am not being very productive . Combination of being tired and knowing I need to finish at midnight so I can get to sleep.

I'm wondering now if I should write routines down too but I have a feeling is spend more time writing stuff down than doing stuff!

I'm going to try and get back into following some of the missions and decluttering today. I see we are in the front porch which is good as I've got bagfuls of stuff in there to be taken to the charity shop so hopefully I'll do that today. Anti procrastination day as well so finish my tax return perhaps?! Purple there is literally always something more fun to do that tax returns but at least you have your figures ready to go...I don't!

Ds slept badly again so I've been pretty much awake since 4am. Consequently I'm still in bed with ds sleeping next to me and dd playing in her bedroom but I'm going to have to move soon as she wants her breakfast. I'm going to struggle with the getting dressed bit today I think and I usually always get straight up and dressed in the morning. Just so tired!

foxes I can recommend the toy Henry Hoover's! Very realistic

zoo my seven year old is very messy eater, on the table, on the floor, on his clothes, on his face .... I have no cures

Big two DC are back at school today. DC3 still suffering with cough. DC4 currently asleep in pram.

All I've managed to do so far is get the four of them up fed and dressed, make two packed lunches, do school run and pick up dds meds on the way back. House a tip. Want to de-Christmas today

Hi ive fallen behind already with my cleaning plans how do people find the time when working full time.

To dos
Clean kitchen
Wash clothes
Sweep out guinea pigs
Use up sausages for tea

You're not behind basset, just make a new plan starting today. It takes time and life goes get in the way. Beating yourself up doesn't make anything any better.

My to do list is almost the same as yesterday having had a pretty unproductive day. Never mind-making a jobs list is one less job to do.

Well I'm about to head out for a wintery walk with the kids and abandoning all the housework! I will drop the stuff off charity shop on the way though so that's something at least.

Ta Da So Far (in last 15 min)

Dryer empty
Dryer reloaded
Washer reloaded
First lot of pots washed
Steriliser on
Kitchen bin emptied

Just done first 2017 school drop off, now on my own as DD and DH are at school and work. Have bags ready to go to the tip, house resembles that of the Clampits but need to dump first to make room for new stuff! Probably doesn't help that I've just come back with a flour sifter from the chazzer (charity shop, should just stop buying).

DH is determined to lose weight this year, and as well as baking for DD this morning I peeled and chopped him a carrot for a snack. Then went to Greggs and got myself an almond croissant and large cappuccino

We are never behind, bassetmum, although rescheduling is allowed

I have followed Flylady for years on and off, regardless of whether I have been off work long term sick, working or SAHM as now, it's my attitude that makes the most difference. I spend far too long reading t'internet and put it ahead of most tasks (hence the horrible house when I'm at home all day on my own). The 15 mins timer is really good at keeping me focused on the job in hand and years ago I also read about 'little minutes' (in the Messie Manual) which is doing jobs while you are waiting for the microwave to ping or the kettle to boil - some things take far less than you think they do and can be accomplished in these little minutes. Rather than another round of Candy Crush or similar (pick your own distraction here ....)

Flywax can you try a Facebook appeal with the cctv images?
Rotten luck and you still achieved tonnes. I'm impressed.

Sinks are shining here 😊

I also read about 'little minutes' (in the Messie Manual) which is doing jobs while you are waiting for the microwave to ping or the kettle to boil - some things take far less than you think they do and can be accomplished in these little minutes.

I didn't realise this had a proper name! I do "busy breaks"-four minutes at a time while the adverts are on during something I'm watching. It's absolutely amazing what you can get done.

Addingt to my list

Dryer empty
Dryer reloaded
Washer reloaded
First lot of pots washed
Steriliser on
Kitchen bin emptied
Recycling out
Last bits of shopping away
Last pots washed
Two worktops clean and clear

Now feeding ds watching kitchen nightmares with a

I'm at the feeling hopeless because it never ends no matter how much you do stage. I just feel like I can't meet everyone and everything's needs.

It was non stop getting everyone ready this morning and I ended up at baby group wearing DPs jumper (considerably too big for me. But enough self pitying now.

Ta da
Laundry washed and in drier (bedding for WHB)
Swish and swiped bathroom
Breakfast and washed up pots
Made beds
Wiped counters
Everyone dressed
Baby group
DN cream applied x2 (this takes soo long)
Put all the coats away and folded up pushchair
Made lunch and cleared up
Put DN to bed
Emptied the bin
Swept kitchen floor

To do
Get DS to sleep
Clean the dining room table
Try and get crayon off radiator

Poor house has been neglected the past few days so catching up today.

Ta da
Got dressed!!
Unloaded dishwasher
Loaded breakfast items
Wiped down kitchen
Hoovered kitchen and dining room
Put in 1 load of washing
Planned dinner

To do
Dust living room
Hoover living room
Hoover sofa
Make bed
Put on drying
Put away laundry from yesterday
Wipe down bathroom
Make dinner
Load dishwasher and turn on
Bath and early night!

Ta das
Dishwasher on
Lunch made

Didn't manage to drop off stuff at the charity shop this morning so already failed at the first task I set myself!! Had a nice walk in the rain though!

DD is watching a film now but ds has fallen asleep on me so unless I can try and move him and keep him asleep I'm a bit stuck. I had high hopes for today but it isn't really going to plan!

I've also just seen a pair of jeans I wanted heavily reduced in the sale and only my size left so the longer I sit here the more chance of me accidentally buying them and I already got stuff in the sales, I don't need anything else!

I always try and do bits of cleaning in short bursts too, while I'm making dinner I tidy up as I go whenever I get the chance. Also while dh is reading dd her bedtime story I usually tidy some of her stuff before it's my turn to read. It really is surprising how quickly I can tidy when I haven't got much time! If I have loads of time I barely get started!

Hi all!!

Tadas
Fed cats
Wash on

As I did hallway last week and daily quick pick up of coats/shoes back in box its still tidy(faints with joy)so nice walk in when I've been out to calm and order --rather neck snapping trip over a doc martin,courtesy dd2,or other bags on school days.nice not see school coats treat like sodding doormats trampled all over++

I digress,
Thought I'd attack hell hole in kitchen-have a side that's total disappear under sea of crap.I've spent 4hours on it-clear all off.clean surface then go through it.lots if it cake tins/kitchen stuff just stack upand now very dusty that all got rewash and found homes fir it all.I now have 3 clear plastic boxes in corner if unit housing mugs,eggcups etc. All neat n tidy(ridiculous lack storage in my kitchen)means cat goes walkies I not wash clumps cat fur off things repeatedly!! Feeling really pleased with self

I did it in 4x 1hour bursts

In between ive-
Clean bathroom
Took zoolets out with bikes
Hotspot dining n coffee tables
Made lunch,clear away straight after
Made dp some banana oat muffins as working til teatime Tom now and likes nice treat to look forward too.plus if very busy and doesnt get time breakfast a cheeky muffin and coffee keeps him going(residential mental health worker,)

I now going to check all pE kits sorted
Clean school shoes and lay sort out uniforms (back to school tom)
Then it's supervising baths and help hair washing (even ds has long hair)

Only downside is as you make decluttering in roads, you realise how much crap you have as it seems even more untidy/cluttered when there's a nice tidy bit!!

Cotswoldalphabetty my distraction of choice

Oh and took dd2 orthodontist for xrays/moulds be done

So inspired by this thread! It's motivating me to do littlle bits like putting breakfast pots in the dishwasher before leaving this morning. Took a minute and will be so nice to get home to study kitchen!

Ta da
Breakfast pots as previously mentioned
DD and I put of the house to school and work
School dinner money account topped up
Next bill paid

To do
Dinner
Xmas decorations down (have been attempting this for a couple of days)
Clean kitchen after dinner
Go for a run

That'll do for now.

Pe kits on bags (good job check,D's had 2tracksuits,both his,in his bag)
Shoes cleaned
Uniforms located

Now for the dreaded hair washing/bathing zoolets!!

Ta das
Bathroom swish and swipe
As I couldn't declutter the porch and my dining area is decluttered I polished the table and chairs instead
Rubbish out to bins
Laundry on, some hung up and some put away
Upstairs room rescue
DD tidied her toys up downstairs with no prompting!!

The anti procrastination of tax return hasn't happened yet, I did start but then dd wanted to play duplo with me. Can't really concentrate anyway so will try again later!

I've been a bit tired for no specific reason today. I am very thankful for having batch cooked so tea was an easy microwave job.

Ta da's
Sorted out car insurance
Decluttered purse and bag
Dishwasher on
Proper cleaned bathroom which was grim (damn you hard water)

To dos
Clean out guinea pigs

I'm really sorry but I can't quite keep up with everyone's posts so forgive me if I don't respond to people. I did catch fox and her tax return though and I know exactly what you mean and although I have an accountant to file for me, getting the information together is a bit of a nightmare and all of December I was procrastinating and worrying and worrying and procrastinating. I finally sent it off to the accountant on 29 December! I always end up having to chase him too

Ta-da this morning:
Put DS's school clothes out for his school start tomorrow
Cleaned bath

Have had a cracking headache for the last 2 days and I can't seem to shake it off. I fear it's turning into a migraine. Lack of sleep, tiredness along with the shock of going back to work and the work stress.

Ta-da this evening:
Picked up M and S clothes order for DP on way home
Put wash away
Put another on
Cooked dinner
Sorted out money for after school clubs
PE kit ready
School bag ready

To-do
Update YNAB
Polish DS's school shoes
Put my clothes out for tomorrow
Put dishes away (I've been doing this for the last 2 nights and it does make a difference)
Tidy living room
Hang washing out

Well, my entrance and hallway haven't been touched yet, but my bathroom is sparkling ! Broke the rules, what a rebel ! Christmas is back in the loft, after a bit of a chuck out session. Sinks still shiny