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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:
Mumofazoo · 05/09/2017 08:05

Good morning everyone,
I'm impressed that you all manage to stay awake passed 10 Grin
It's a very wet day here again.
sandy I didn't like rooibos when I first tried it but as I'm not allowed caffeine I tried it again and now I love it.

Ta da
Dishwasher emptied
Dishwasher loaded
Breakfast done
Both boys up and dressed and on the mini bus to school, without any meltdowns
Youngest dd dressed and ready for school

To do
Take youngest dd to school
Basic cleaning as not much to do

Roll on tomorrow when eldest dd goes back to school. Ive got 15 minutes now before we walk to school so time for a quick cuppa.
Hope you all have a great day Smile

RosieposiePuddingandPi · 05/09/2017 08:48

Morning everyone Smile

SC I started drinking rooibos last year and hated it but T2 do a really lovely blend of it that I now treat myself to. And Casper the rabbit is a chubby white lop who rules over the living room Grin I don't think he's best pleased that DS is on the move.

We had a v rough night last night with hourly wake ups again so today is off to another slow start but I need to get moving as we're off to a museum with a friend today and the house needs some attention before we go.

Hope everyone has a good morning Smile

Cagliostro · 05/09/2017 09:05

Morning all! Best of luck today to all those starting school and such.

Don't have pupil today as I thought so no rush but should still really get up and dressed. First tasks (after breakfast, I am starting to get hangry!) get the towels dry, get dressed (not to shoes, sorry FlyLady), get tomato and cheese sauces out of freezer so I can do lasagne tonight.

It's definitely going to be a challenge getting into this new routine. Sigh.

Super happy SC to hear DD has embraced self care! Brilliant! Great for her self esteem as she grows up and hopefully it'll be easier to gradually give her more responsibilities in the house. So exciting about English class too!

I have totally forgotten what else I meant to say/comment on, except Envy at Gromit shop (love him, although Feathers McGraw is my favourite) and :o at Chuffin Ritz and at Newchick's description of 'literature' (having worked in a library with an 'adventure' section I know just what you mean!) :o.

DS is super hard work already today. Hmm

Afreshstartplease · 05/09/2017 09:21

Was up from 2am til 430. My need tea. I made one this morning and the milk had gone and it had floaty bits Sad i was so annoyed i never made another!

Ta da

Me and 4 dc up fed dressed out of house for 830
Two packed lunches made
Two dc dropped at school
One load washing dry
Recycling out

Now. Where is the mo' fo'in marmite Angry

YesEinsteinsMumDid · 05/09/2017 09:29

I would be more impressed if I could get to sleep at 10pm (or before midnight) 2am it was last night. It is hard in the mornings. Tomo is going to hurt bad. Now, small matter of needing to leave in 2mins and shower, breakfast and clothes needed. Must fly.

SC you are supposed to complete list - fuck who knew. WinkGrin

Sandycarrots · 05/09/2017 09:53

Afreshstart >"Me and 4 dc up fed dressed out of house for 830" I always find that understated line in your ta da list hugely impressive Star Star Star Star (one for each child Wink)

Cag similar slow start for me too today - meant to be meeting friend for post holiday catch up but her son has tonsillitis - so I now actually have to do some Flying Grin Lasagne sounds yum! And bloody well done persisting with the new routine Star

Cag/Einstein The more I reflect on it the more I think dd's sudden leap forward is partially motivated by a typical teen girl's wish to be the same as everyone else down to every detail, not to be embarrassed by your parents having prepared something in the wrong way, not to have to engage unnecessarily with ones parents and not to be seen to be engaging with your parents Grin But hey - don't get me wrong - I am embracing the changing positively and whole-heartedly! Grin Brew without floaty bits.

Mumofazoo and RosiePosie thanks for more rooibos info (Mumsnet is great for hearing about these things; will definitely seek it out now; hope it has reached here!)

Rosie Caspar sounds lovely! I have a cream lion-head with lop ears. Her "partner" died last year and I was so worried about her being lonely, but she has really come in to her own and seems almost happier alone which goes against all current advice.

Mumofazoo very dank and grey here today too sadly. Congrats on impressive list so far.

Encouraging wing flaps to everyone else.

Off to chore!

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 05/09/2017 09:54

x posts Einstein Grin Grin

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 05/09/2017 09:57

Oops - tea without floaty bits was meant for Afreshstart!

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 05/09/2017 09:57

Have a good trip to the museum Rosie

and good luck to all sleep deprived fledglings!

OP posts:
Afreshstartplease · 05/09/2017 10:53

Ty for the non floaty tea sc

Ta da

Me and 4 dc up fed dressed out of house for 830
Two packed lunches made
Two dc dropped at school
One load washing dry
Recycling out
Clear up post breakfast
Breakfast pots washed

Afreshstartplease · 05/09/2017 11:49

Ta da

Me and 4 dc up fed dressed out of house for 830
Two packed lunches made
Two dc dropped at school
One load washing dry
Recycling out
Clear up post breakfast
Breakfast pots washed
Bottles washed and sterilised
Washing machine on
Lunch for small dc made

mermaidsandunicorns · 05/09/2017 12:36

Inspection passed fine despite ds2 having a meltdown ten minutes before and chucking my cup of coffee on the floor. Grabbed next doors window cleaner when he came round and he's cleaning my windows now. This has entertained my children more then any activity I've done over the summer!

Afreshstartplease · 05/09/2017 14:03

Well done mermaids I dunno how people cope with inspections frequently it would drive me nuts.

Cagliostro · 05/09/2017 14:10

We have only had two I think in 9 years. In a way I would have preferred more in the sense of forcing us to keep on top of things but they are, shall we say, very "hands off" LLs.

I am very tired today and the hangry feeling hasn't shifted. Dyed the caglets' hair though and it turned out ok for a first attempt. Done fuck all else. DH had a weird online interview video screening thing today for a new job, he's now at work.

Hoping they can play out a bit as it's the neighbour's last day of summer holidays today. So we will be properly jnto 'back to school' tomorrow and hopefully getting a bit more done.

TIRED

Cagliostro · 05/09/2017 15:29

Crikey it's all getting very full on the diary. Just had a message from a new health visitor asking to, well, visit - much earlier than I remember with the other two, as they've changed policy apparently. Also been sent another hospital appointment so that's three baby related meetings next week! 😱 Plus DH starts running his sports club again, DD has a poetry workshop, there's a HE social meet, ballet restarts, and we have our great nephew's birthday party. As well as the clubs that have already got going again after the holidays. Gaaaaaah. Why couldn't half this stuff happen in the holidays 😂😂😂

Cagliostro · 05/09/2017 15:30

Oh and DH'a half marathon on the Sunday, to which I have to take the Caglets along a bit later so they can do their 1 mile kids run. WAAAAAH help.

Afreshstartplease · 05/09/2017 15:32

cag i never had a hv visit before the birth of dc1, 2 or 3. Four weeks before dc4 was due one rocked up at my door to go through safe sleeping and information on feeding....

foxessocks · 05/09/2017 17:14

afresh Grin / cagHVs are a law unto themselves I think! I've had some lovely ones but sometimes they want to do home visits and other times they want me to go to them and it's always somewhere different!

Ta das
Daily routine
Cleared out some of dd old clothes and shoes

Nothing else done other than clean up several spillages! It's ds birthday today but he is still a bit snotty so we've taken it fairly easy. I am also completely exhausted , nobody ever tells you that stopping breastfeeding makes you feel like this, I totally forgot about the irritability, feeling miserable, tired, sore...hope it doesn't last much longer. Think my milk is starting to go.

Sorry that was a bit of a miserable post!

YesEinsteinsMumDid · 05/09/2017 17:30

Ah don't worry about it foxes life happens ergo sometimes miserable posts happen.

I have had a crappy day, I am in a crappy mood. Ds is in a stroppy mood - still fighting the tidy bedroom battle. God help anyone who gets in my way for the rest of today. Blush

Cagliostro · 05/09/2017 18:14

I have days like that. Managed to claw it back today and don't feel so crap now but it's purely down to luck (or possibly the scone, clotted cream and jam...) - some days it just goes from bad to worse!

Happy birthday foxcub (where the heck did the time go?!) hope he's feeling better soon. Cake

ta da
Maths/spellings
Dyed caglets' hair and miraculously didn't fuck it up OR cover the house in dye
Looked up info for SIL
Renewed railcard
Supervised Prodigy maths time
Lasagne is in the oven (not all made today as I defrosted batch cooked sauces)
Stopped Caglets killing each other ⬅️ Biggest achievement of the day right there

Cagliostro · 05/09/2017 18:15

Oh and have had some laundry on the go. I need to figure out when to fit in towels as it might throw my system out.

Living room and kitchen a bomb site and want to tidy up before mum gets here tomorrow

Sandycarrots · 05/09/2017 18:26

Hi all, hope the day went well for mini-fledglings starting (back to) school!

I have a church meeting tonight to sort out the new "term" volunteer rota. As I am an hour ahead of most of you and they have a tendency to go on for a long time (5 mins on how to spend the entire budget and three hours on what colour this year's tablier should be Wink) , I am going to post links for tomorrow now in case I am back v late.

Have a good evening everyone!

The summary for Wed 6th September 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. 6 for Wed 6th is here. Learning about "hot spots" ie those areas of clutter that start as one or two items, which then start smouldering and turning in to large blazing piles which need "putting out" on a consistent basis. Newcomers: think of it like Mayor Giuliani's zero tolerance policy in NY in the late 90s.

We are in Zone 2 this week: The Kitchen.

Spend 15 mins decluttering the current zone.

When you have finished decluttering, the detailed cleaning list for Zone 2 (if you are at that stage) is here.

Wednesday's mission is: here. Toss anything past sell by date, or that you do not like or use, out of your fridge.

[Anyone else think these kitchen missions are getting a bit "old" now and urgently need updating?]

The daily focus for Wednesday is anti-procrastination. Do something you have been dreading!

The monthly habit for September is: www.flylady.net/d/br/2017/09/01/september-habit-1-new-habit-before-bed-routine/ the before bed routine.

Flykid's challenge: www.flylady.net/c/flykids.php?tzm=-120 which (hopefully!) updates itself!

Daily reminders (which should also update automatically) :www.flylady.net/d/launch-pad/tuesdays-reminders/.

"Know your limits and do a little each and every day. Before you know it, your home will be de-cluttered and you will have your life back." ~FlyLady

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 05/09/2017 18:30

Great news about the inspection Mermaids Star

Sorry you are feeling so rough today Foxes Flowers

Bum, just realised I am going to miss GBBO tonight and I can't record it here ...

OP posts:
Sandycarrots · 05/09/2017 18:32

Happy Birthday to Foxcub!

OP posts:
Newchick · 05/09/2017 20:16

2 days into term and still trying to get my head round it....

Tadas -

Sink shined
Kitchen floor swept
5 mins hotspots
30 mins decluttering in master bedroom. Books all now cleared up from my side of bed. I got quite teary-eyed at the sight of the EMPTY corner on the far side of my bedside table. It is so beautiful! I have just scrunched myself up and am sitting in it 😁 I may never leave... oh hang on Bake Off is on ...