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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

May our houses be uncluttered ...the Fledgling Fly thread.

698 replies

Shadycorner · 30/04/2019 11:37

Welcome to the thread where we (loosely) follow the Flylady housekeeping system here to combat CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome) with a load of wine, chat and mutual support along the way. Quite a few of us have been on here for a while, so for that reason, we may seem cliquey, but we really aren't, and all newcomers, lurkers, returnees, regulars, and intermittent regulars are very welcome!

Every day I will post a link to the activities for "Today" which summarises everything you need on a daily basis if you want to follow the system strictly, but we tend to adapt it to suit our individual circumstances, homes and energy-levels!

Please note that, athough Flylady is keen for us to check in to the website, we've recently had a few concerns wrt security, so although there is lots of useful info on the site, it's best not download it or put any of your personal details into the website for now.

More information on getting started available:
here (containing baby-steps!) but please don't hesitate to ask if you have any further qs.

There are 4 levels for Flying:
-Baby steps - good for starting a routine and overcoming the perfection crippling effect
-Baby steps and missions - basic routine + more in depth tasks
-Baby steps, missions, and deep cleaning (if you are at that stage).
You can't clean clutter so don't consider this one if you need the next level.
-Flying combined with a decluttering system (kondo/unfuck etc etc) let's be honest fly lady is good for routine but not so quick with the decluttering results sometimes.

There is NO wrong or right way of doing this, it is about adapting the system to suit your life circumstances, which will be different from someone else's, and don't be put off by the barftastically twee nature of the Flylady site, the underlying system is sound. Feel free to ignore any step or routine that doesn't suit you or your home! No perfectionism allowed!

And when it all gets too much: come and take a seat by the fire in our specially adapted "naughty" corner where you can enjoy virtual Cake and Wine and lots of support from fellow fledglings.

More info follows ( but again, please note we advise only looking at the pdfs and not downloading them ):

** launch pad (general info) here

** daily babysteps pdf (ignore the ones that don't suit you or your home) here

** week day missions (some fledglings find it easier to do them at weekends) here

** info about zones (explanation of how zones work) here

** weekly zones (a rough weekly guide to which area of the house we are tackling currently, again adapt to suit yourself) here

** daily focus (helpful guide to allocate a certain day for a certain task) here

** deep cleaning lists pdf (only attempt when you have decluttered as you can't clean clutter!) here

Good luck and happy Flying one and all!

***

Also, a huge thank you to Toostressy for running such a lovely April thread Flowers Cake Gin Halo

***

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
ExpletiveDelighted · 17/05/2019 10:07

Two years since either of mine did SATS but DD looks back at it as the best week of her years at primary school (she loved that school).

ExpletiveDelighted · 17/05/2019 10:10

Sorry your work are being so difficult Ive. You should really have a risk assessment but I know a lot of businesses tend to ignore such things.

I am in such disarray. The window fitting is all done now, but all the stuff we had to move is all over the place, perfect for a big clearout but where to start? Aargh.

foxessocks · 17/05/2019 10:46

I've that's terrible, I agree they should have done a risk assessment for you by now!

Sc well done for tackling the journey. Thanks re dd. She hasn't moved off the sofa at all Sad

No idea whether to do any of the baking I had planned or not...if everything gets cancelled it might get wasted. Hmm...

Ta das
Cleaned bathroom fully!
Two loads of washing on
Daily routine
Wrapped all of dh presents

To do
Work (which I couldn't do yesterday due to IT problem but really need to find some time today!)
15 minutes kids bedrooms
15 minutes bathroom
Bag, purse , car
Possibly baking?!

Determined to keep my routines going despite being exhausted, otherwise I'll feel worse.

foxessocks · 17/05/2019 10:47

Can totally relate Lisette to routines! Grin

ChicCroissant · 17/05/2019 10:51

Quick hello, have bought more dryer sheets to try on the mould! Will report back later!

Cagliostro · 17/05/2019 14:08

Hello you lot. Just on way home having grabbed lunch (still spending far too much on food 😳). The museum focus group was great and productive, Caglets loved it too which is a relief as they were grumpy about going!

I’ve declared it a non school day and we will just have to do their iPad apps (which are done on weekends too) and then focus on tidying but I am really achy. So not expecting much and certainly failing in my (totally unrealistic) target. But must channel flylady and remember it’s far better than nothing!

Lisette1940 · 17/05/2019 14:27

New mop! Concentrating on bare minimum flying. Gliding I'd call it.

May our houses be uncluttered ...the Fledgling Fly thread.
lostlobster · 17/05/2019 15:05

We’ve just cleaned out the spare room ready to start getting to work on the nurseryGrin

Bowerbird5 · 17/05/2019 16:46

Welcome lostlobster. When are you due? We like babies on this thread. Cags obliged last year.Grin

I couldn't post yesterday and eventually gave up.

Sorry to hear you are still unwell SC.
foxes could you make something that you can freeze if it turns into something nasty re DD.

Cags you are doing really well with the other class just go to that and enjoy it.
I am deliberating about a trip and whilst it seemed a good idea at the time now I feel very anxious and might not go.I haven't booked yet but they need to know asap. Know one I know is going and I have never been on a group holiday before. It is through church but I would be helping with teens. Am I mad?

Not much done as I have hurt my back so been off. DD has planted all plants under some instruction and the bed looks really lovely. Next year should be amazing. Been using summer house a lot to -read-/declutter magazines. Have caught up on washing and dried easily as sunny until now. DD is packing to go off on her travels again. She has been up there most of today.

Bowerbird5 · 17/05/2019 16:48

IVE meant to say that is very uncaring of them.

lostlobster · 17/05/2019 16:55

@Bowerbird5 I’m due the 9th August, we’ve just decided on a name as wellGrin

TooStressyTooMessy · 17/05/2019 16:59

Ive, I agree that is really not good. Bower, re. trip, I guess it depends what the teens are like! Do you know them?

Exciting re. clearing out spare room lostlobster Smile.

Hope DD feels better soon foxes.

Ta da:-
Home bleugh
Spellings with both DDs

Cagliostro · 17/05/2019 17:22

Not going to ballet. So so much pain since we got home I’ve been curled up on the sofa (luckily baby slept a while). DD is very understanding (or at least just resigned to it).

One of the things we will get support with (we are having an “early help plan” which is like an intervention thing mostly to help get DS accepted by CAMHS for ADHD assessment) is getting the Caglets into the Young Carers charity.

Very glad DH got oven pizza for tonight

foxessocks · 17/05/2019 19:17

bower I made cheese straws (again!) in the end which can definitely be frozen and ginger cake which is usually good for at least a week.

I was planning to make more but tbh seeing how poorly dd is I'm not convinced we'll have any visitors Sad she hasn't eaten a thing until supper time she ate a tiny bit of toast and had some Calpol for her headache and temperature and now she's being sick again. Poor thing. And I feel sorry for dh as we had a lot of plans this weekend for his birthday.

Hope your back is ok bower and hope your are ok cag Sad

Ds has toast for his dinner bless him. We are having something beige from the freezer Grin

Stilllivinginazoo · 17/05/2019 19:46

Oh no foxes that's scuppered birthday plans.poor DD.snot can make them sick though is she's very snotty.once temp and headache ease hopefully she will feel betterfingers X she keeps that bug to herself

Lostlobster welcome
I've that's beyond pants.hows the every helpful "d"pine had his moment.lasted near 48 hrs then reverted.its our anniversary today.hes working and there are not even cards to mark it's passingI did get a new cooker and dryer in last month so can't complain really...
Wish you were round corner,I'd come clear up and make you something nice to eatFlowers
SC good luck with trip with pup
Cag take it gently lovely.hugs to you and caglets

I've had crummy day.felt tired,breathless and dizzy all day.we did a 7mile walk at local reservoir with D's yesterday which cause me stiffness and pain in shoulder and hip and felt way tireder than j would normally..who knows that's anything to do with it.got physio tuesday
All fed no one dead day

I'm having trouble getting into MN,and no notifications of the thread

Stilllivinginazoo · 17/05/2019 19:48

*dp.mine

As every phone has mind of its own as to what I type and what it posts

Stilllivinginazoo · 17/05/2019 19:58

Btw I've lil zoo response to how's sats going was meh,so assume weren't too bad.tbh her school have been a breath fresh air regarding the stress on pupils to do well compared their old primary which nearly gave dd2 a breakdown making her do after-school clubs in maths four times and constant saying these tests affect rest of your lives!!for lil zoo worst part was a picnic at park near school as reward all pm.she was bored rigid and not a particularly social bunny!!

Bowerbird5 · 17/05/2019 19:59

Oh Cags that is the charity that I want to volunteer in when I retire!

So sorry you are in so much pain however you can always use that as your excuse to not go back to that swim group, every cloud and all that!
We've had poached eggs on toast. Houdini's offerings. DP of DD has had one of my fish cakes as well.DD never eats eggs as vegan but she ate two tonight.She said as she had rejigged the chicken pen again that she thought it would be ok.Smile

Toostressy No, I don't know anyone. No one from our church seems to be going. There are two trips one with parishioners and one youth group. The youth group take the people who need assistance like wheelchairs. The youth group are from 16-22years.I probably could go down to meet up with some beforehand I think as some have a gap year at Castlerigg, Keswick so not too far for me to drive to for a day. I have only ever holidayed with family. Never went on girly weekends. DH has been on the phone and I checked his schedule and he is now going to be at work then so that is that as I have chicken and cat to consider.Hen not so much as once a day feeding is enough as she has hanging things. Cat is old and needs looking after and feeding about four times a day. So decision made and maybe go next year.

Shadycorner · 18/05/2019 00:34

Hey all!

Foxes I'm so sorry your DD is no better. That is absolutely rotten luck for your dh and for you all. I hope you have a better night's sleep tonight and DD feels chirpier in the morning bless her.

I've that is extremely shoddy of your employer. Do you have any union representation?

Cag glad museum visit went well, sorry you are in such pain tonight though.

Expletive glad worst of window work is over! Same here re: pimary school. We all miss dd's terribly. It was so much more than a school. The education was great but far more than that, they focused on a child's character. And they were a great support to me as an outsider.

Glad the summer house is already being enjoyed Bower! Sorry to hear about your back.

Lisette wish I was better at routines! Well done with the mega mopping!

Zoo sorry to hear you are feeling so rough too. Hope you can rest up a bit this weekend. Happy anniversary too (although sorry it was less than romantic!).

Well done re: nursery prep Lostlobster. Very exciting!

Waves to Toostressy Honu Hills Mog Shannara Chic and loads of fledglings I've inevitability left off the roll call!

Thanks for all the encouragement re: the driving! It took me until about lunch time to work up the courage and I drove very slowly but I got there eventually. (It didn't matter when I arrived thankfully as the focus is the overnight bit of training.)

Went to pick up DD from a friend's house at dinner time and there were other mothers there and we all ended up chatting for rather a long time in the garden and had an unexpectedly nice evening.

The only other thing I achieved today was I made soup and did two loads of washing. Finally starting to feel a bit more human and not coughing so much.

OP posts:
Shadycorner · 18/05/2019 00:38

🌼 Launch pad link here containing flight plan for Sat.. Best to refer to it, rather than download.

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 18/05/2019 08:06

Testing...

Stilllivinginazoo · 18/05/2019 08:15

Phew,couldn't get in earlier,then once could I couldn't post!!

SC glad you seem be picking up
Foxes hope DD is a bit perkier today,and you didn't have a bad night sleep
Cag hope you are more comfortable/in less pain today

I was asleep by 10 and apart D's beg sleep near me at 11 I slept til 7!!hope I feel slightly more alive once get going than I did yesterday

Lil zoo has ballet class this morning
DS continues some schoolwork over the weekend to keep routines otherwise he's a tricky customer on Mondays
I need to menu plan and write list for food shop tomorrow,so should check weather for week before I decide on lots stew/casseroles for a heatwave and salads on freezing wet week!!
I need to up my nutritious snack game too as we resorted to biscuits etc during ovenless times and it's stuck and yesterday I offered lil zoo something healthier and I got a screwed up face and reach for biscuit tin....
Talking lil zoo I see she was active on Instagram last night indicating sneaked her tablet again and dd2 has look at browsing history and she's back on wattsapp and has joined year 6char which she is in categorically not allowed on
Fun times here this weekend if add on new revision schedule for GCSE mocks

TooStressyTooMessy · 18/05/2019 08:17

zoo BrewFlowers.

Well done on drive SC and thanks for links!

Also struggling to get in or post. Wonder what’s going on. If I’m not on much this weekend that is why.

Big wing flaps to all.

Shadycorner · 18/05/2019 08:52

The site is being wierd ATM isn't it. Very odd. Not sure I entirely trust the security.

Only just getting up now as woke at 7 with mahoosive headache (not drink induced sadly) got up but had to go back to bed. Dh driving back from UK and is asking what he should bring back with him as he's near a Sainsburys (are Sainsburys any good any more?). Told him to bring gammon ham if he sees one as we can only buy here at Christmas. Oh and some lime marmalade! And a swede (as they feed to cattle here, you can't buy them in the shopsSmile

Must force myself to get moving. Have an overwhelming amount of things to do!

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 18/05/2019 09:26

Hope I’m not jinxing it but I’ve had no MN issues yet.

Pain flare worsening. I’m not going to be able to volunteer this afternoon at all (it’s all manual handling). Aaaargh