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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings Fly back to school & work, September 2017, decluttering along the way ...

870 replies

Sandycarrots · 31/08/2017 17:17

Hello, it's time to brush the sand off our feet, empty out the suitcases, sharpen our pencils, polish our lace-up shoes, and get stuck in to the September 2017 fledgling Fly thread!

This is where we attempt to declutter our homes and follow the 30-step wisdom of Flylady (minus cutesy barftastic language and a surfeit of e-mails) with lots of chat and support and mutual motivation (and Wine of course) along the way.

Fly stands for Finally Loving Yourself (cheesy but there is merit to it). The general idea is that short bursts of tidying / organisation are more achievable than marathon efforts. Flylady advises 15 minute bursts of effort but you can tweak this to fit your own circumstances.

As usual we will be following a three-pronged approach - and don't worry - we are all at different stages. (Some of us are still stuck at the decluttering stage after quite a few years Blush):

1 - repeat or start baby steps (again!)

2 - repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

3 - reinforce babysteps and/or do daily missions

And those of you who have decluttered and are really enthusiastic can throw some detailed cleaning in to the mix as well!

More info available here, here and here.

Your choice whether or not you sign up to the Flylady e-mails, but we advise caution as there are lots of them!

Helpful pointers: No perfectionism allowed! If it took a while to create the current C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) in your home, then it will probably take a while to reverse the situation (you can't clean clutter!). Small steps are the key! And you are never behind: just jump in where you are at!

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 22/09/2017 20:18

Good to see you Cotswold! Hope the school tours go well! I am definitely with you on planning the time I have a bit better - oh and my meal plan has totally gone to pot as well! Good luck with your forthcoming busy week!

Awesome list Zoo, especially after such a difficult start to the day Star (See you in haughty corner for some choc cake!!! All welcome!!)

Profitez Cag! I would hunker down until Tues if at all possible!!! You've done amazingly this week btw!

Toostressy would have happily swapped sewing swim badges for ironing!! Hope all behind you now though and swimming lessons went well (very virtuous of you to go on a Fri night too).

Einstein I wear trainers at home for same reason - wooden stairs here are a bit treacherous! Well done for getting through your ironing too!

Spudlet you deserve to feel virtuous after that! Especially as it sounds like you have your hands full!

Afreshstart is that the Lakeland one? If so, have heard very good things about them.

Feathery wing flaps to everyone else! Links coming up!

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 22/09/2017 20:22

Well it's Friday night again and boudoir, although looking better, isn't hugely better despite 45 mins spent on it today, plus a couple of missions, plus x 3 lots of 15 mins spent on it earlier in wk. I despair. I think the clue is in the fact that downstairs is looking fairly ship shape ie everything from there has been dumped upstairs. And so it goes on ... heigh ho... I'll have another go next week!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and gets as much r & r as humanly possible!

G'night all!

*

The summary for Sat 23rd is available on the Flylady website here under "Today" and via the flight plan which should update itself automatically on a daily basis.

Baby-step no. 23 for Sat 23rd is here. Add a post-work, post-school, afternoon routine to your day.

It's our last day in Zone 4 tomorrow: The Master Bedroom, Bath, Closet (September 17-23) (if you do zone work at weekends that is!) here.

Spend 15 mins decluttering the current zone.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 4 (if you are at that stage) is here.

FYI we will be in Zone 5 next week, Zone 5: The Living Room, Den, Family Room (September 24-30).

No missions on Saturday because it is the weekend! Yay!

The daily focus for Sat is family fun (if humanly possible).

The monthly habit for September is the before-bed routine: here.

Flykid's challenge: here (hopefully continually renewing itself).

Daily reminders (which should also update themselves automatically)
here.

*

OP posts:
foxessocks · 22/09/2017 20:48

Thanks for the help with my carpet everyone! Google wasn't particularly helpful no but perhaps I'll try the cornstarch thing...

YesEinsteinsMumDid · 22/09/2017 21:43

ta da
persuade ds to go to school - he has a bad throat and is very tired this morning
take my time to get going.
pack ds' stuff
ironing
folding
clear area for building work tomo
drop ds off (was a lovely drive but damm the evenings are getting shorter)

I feel like shit, 50% or the roads I wanted tonight were closed due to very much needed road works so it was a longer journey that normal. My ear is bad again and there is nothing I want in the house for tea as I haven't had chance to restock the freezer with grab and go meals. So tea is a bowl full of frozen prawns. Cold/frozen prawns are surprisingly good for sore throats.

GingerIvy · 23/09/2017 01:31

Goodness, lots to catch up on!

Got a fair bit done today, even though we'd been planning to go to museum. My stomach wasn't cooperative, so ended up home instead.

Along with regular household tasks, today was "plan ahead" day for home ed stuff. Printed off lots of worksheets for over the next month, as we're trying to do daily worksheets to get the boys into self-starting a bit. They like lots of seasonal stuff, so quite a bit of Autumn/Halloween themed maths and such.

I'm hoping to clear out my hallway cupboard this weekend. Stuff in boxes for the last year in there - need to go through and see if I can get rid of any of it!

Spudlet · 23/09/2017 08:07

Afreshstart Can you let us know how you get on with the airer please? I really struggle to dry washing on wet days (no tumble drier and we can't have the heating on all day) and I've considered one of those but the reviews are so mixed I just can't decide. People seem to either love them or hate them.

Afreshstartplease · 23/09/2017 08:33

Of course

It isnt a lakeland because didnt want to spend that much. Its a beldray, £50ish.

We do have a tumble dryer but there are six of us and my washer is faster than the dryer, plus we have an ever increasing amount of non dryer friendly items!

I feel like shit this morning
Head ears and throat all hurt
Baby ds up at 5 very unsettled with teeth

GingerIvy · 23/09/2017 08:50

Afreshstart Sorry you're feeling poorly this morning. Hope both you and little one are better soon.

I have a tumble dryer. No room in our flat to hang anything up to dry and while we have a clothesline outside, there are four flats here and it's usually in use. Much easier just to use the dryer.

I'm slowly working through my winter prep and stock up. I tend to stock up on certain groceries as well as nonperishables so that in the winter if the weather is awful or the dcs or I are ill, we don't have to trudge to the shop for things. Tends to make it less stressful for me.

Going to brave that cupboard today and clean it out this afternoon.

Stilllivinginazoo · 23/09/2017 09:47

What time shall we send in search party if you havent returned from ccupboard ginger?
afresh more Brew
I am on a go slooooooow...

CotswoldStrife · 23/09/2017 10:07

Good morning everyone! I am stocking the naughty/haughty corner with lots of coffee and croissants, cake and prosecco today to celebrate the anniversary of my birth!

I intend to consume plenty of the same at home in support of the fledglings today Halo Also very kind of Strictly to arrange to have the show on all night tonight so I have something to watch while I drink the prosecco Wine

Cagliostro · 23/09/2017 10:19

Aww many happy returns cotswold! Cake

Sleepy today and only just had breakfast. Sugars went a bit wrong last night, still getting to grips with this stuff.

Planning to take it as easy as possible. When does the nesting instinct kick in? Hmm

Sandycarrots · 23/09/2017 10:23

Whey hey - Happy Birthday Cotswold [hangs up virtual bunting in haughty corner] Cake Gin Glitterball Cake Gin Flowers Glitterball
Hope you have a lovely day!

Afreshstart sorry you are feeling rotten and your ds is suffering with teething. DD and I are hunkering down here - we have the same symptoms as you.

Going slow here too Zoo (in fact I am quite glad I am ill in a way - because I felt so tired yesterday - glad there is a proper reason ifyswim)

Good luck with the store cupboard GingerIvy!

Oops - got to go - back later to finish personals

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 23/09/2017 10:28

Didnt spot you were ill sc feel better soon
cotswold happy birthday!!
cag about 3wks before i dropped i was scrubbing stair skirting biards at 4am adamant it mattered yeh of course baby will notice that

Sandycarrots · 23/09/2017 11:12

Personals continued ... sorry about that, new neighbour popped around ...

Thanks Zoo it's just a cold but bit of a bummer because we have lots on today

Think your nesting instinct has already kicked in hasn't it Cag judging by your mahoosive busyness of late?? Smile Think mine was around 38 wks. Got obsessed with hooks and handles. Haven't wielded a power drill since (although need to start again now!!). Take it steady with the sugars and everything x

Afreshstart lots of threads on heated driers via Mnsnet search function - main verdict seems to be favourable - also advice on folding.

GingerIvy forgot to say- hope you are feeling better today.

Ditto Einstein hope you are feeling better too.

Good luck with tackling carpet Foxes!

Waves to Spudlet and everyone else!

Have to go and run a stall at school second hand clothes sale this pm [groan]. It was supposed to be my own stall but I have been roped in helping elsewhere (which I am happy to do tbh as organising my own stall would have taken much longer) but regretting decision because dh only home for a few hours today - and dd and I have stinking colds - but can't back out now so please save me some prosecco for later.

OP posts:
GingerIvy · 23/09/2017 11:33

zoo I haven't started quite yet. Plan on doing it after lunch. I'll post afterwards so you know the dust bunnies and clutter haven't spirited me away! Grin

Cotswold Happy Birthday!! Cake

Cag I think nesting kicked in the last month for me. Hope you can get some rest today.

Sorting through some home ed sheets, while jotting down tasks I need to get done over the next few weeks when I think of them. And drinking coffee. Lots of coffee.....

Cagliostro · 23/09/2017 11:33

Ah that's not nesting sc just idiotic scheduling on our part and bad timing of appts etc :(

Problem is our house is so untidy that a bit of random nesting-related cleaning is really rather pointless.

Hope all the poorly Fledglings feel better soon. Speaking of which I must book my flu jab. Not looking forward to that due to side effects, but needs must.

I am not getting properly dressed today at all, I have started jotting down Christmas ideas (and the odd thing we have already bought). Because obviously that is the most productive use of my time

GingerIvy · 23/09/2017 11:41

Cag We're waiting for the "invite" for the boys to have their flu jab. Not looking forward to the screaming, even for the nasal spray (sensory issues). Last year, when the nurse was administering it, the GP had to come into room to check we were all okay. Suspect he thought we were killing someone, with all the shrieking. Hmm And now they understand why I will not bring them in to their flu jab clinics - I hardly think it's helpful for all the other children to hear that before they get their jabs. We schedule a separate appointment instead.

Oh, I love Christmas - have already been browsing Pinterest (the black hole of Christmas ideas!!!! I can get lost for ages in there!). I have already picked up a couple presents and hidden them. Grin

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 23/09/2017 11:57

Happy birthday Cotswold! Lots of Brew for poorly people and belated Stars for kind children Smile.

Ta da:-
Morning routine
Lots of time spent in cafes and dance lessons

To do:-
Lunch
Food shop
General stuff

YesEinsteinsMumDid · 23/09/2017 15:10

I am not able to get on and be productive because of where the building work is happening - right in the middle of the main through route. So I am enjoying my upstairs kettle (for hot water bottle making to save on bad knees) and my secret coffee making stash. I am crafting and watching tv whilst chilling out on my bed. It was the only way forwards today but I will need to pop out later and run a few errands so ready for tomo's adventures.

Cagliostro · 23/09/2017 17:34

Just me back for a rant! I haven't achieved anything which is fine as I wasn't planning to. But I still feel absolutely shit TBH. I really really hate DH working lates on days like this. Legs aching (stealing hot water bottle idea as too tired for bath), can't even contemplate dinner yet. Blaaaaaah

YesEinsteinsMumDid · 23/09/2017 17:50

Sorry you are feeling so bluergh.

YesEinsteinsMumDid · 23/09/2017 18:12

Glass fibre for insulation is the work of the devil. that is all!

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 23/09/2017 18:47

Hello all, well it has al gone wrong here as both DDs started playing up to the extent that DD2 is now in bed and I'm waiting for her to go sleep and DD1 is watching Strictly by the skin of her teeth downstairs. Not the end of the world of course but a bit rubbish as had been looking forward to us all sitting and watching it together as a nice thing. Ugh. Hope for better things tomorrow.

Ta da:-
Tea eaten
DH tidying up after tea while I deal with the kids

To do:-
Snap out of my grump. I really wanted to watch Strictly!!!
Get DD1 some milk
Laundry
Before bed routine
Possibly some decluttering if time

Also grumpy as risked it and ordered something online for school for DD1 which arrived today and it is far too big so that means a trip into town to sort next week.

Feel better for a rant Smile. Hope you felt better after your rant too Cag.

Big wing flaps for all and thanks for all the links SC.

Sandycarrots · 23/09/2017 22:46

Good evening one and all! Sorry to hear that its been tough going for many fledglings today. Here's hoping for a good night's sleep for everyone and a better day tomorrow!

Feeling a bit crumped myself tonight although school sale went well in terms of fund raising; utterly knackering though. Basically only saw dh for 1.5 hrs before he flew off again and dd's cold seems to have got much worse (she is feeling fairly wretched) so just adding to collective grump I'm afraid.

Apart from saying "cheers" to Cotswold Gin (hope you had a lovely day - see you in the haughty corner later Wink!) I hope you will forgive me if I post links and catch up with everyone in more detail tomorrow!

Hope those of you who are feeling grumpy/below par/ailin/stressed have relaxing Sundays ....

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 23/09/2017 22:47

*

The summary for Sun 24th is available on the Flylady website here under "Today" and via the flight plan which should update itself automatically on a daily basis.

Baby-step no. 24 for Sun 24th is here. Introducing the bathroom "swish & swipe"! Highly recommended!

Tomorrow will be our first day in Zone 5: The Living Room, Den, Family Room (September 24-30) (if you do zone work at weekends that is!) here.

Spend 15 mins decluttering the current zone.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 5 (if you are at that stage) is here.

No missions on Sunday because it is the weekend!

The daily focus for Sun is renewing our collective spirits. Do something for yourself that lifts your mood.

The monthly habit for September is the before-bed routine: here.

Flykid's challenge: here (hopefully continually renewing itself).

Daily reminders (which should also update themselves automatically)
here.

**

OP posts:
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