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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

***

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Thread gallery
11
TooStressyTooMessy · 18/05/2019 09:28

Thread here about people struggling to get on to MN.

Shadycorner · 18/05/2019 09:36

Thanks Toostressy I feel slightly reassured as it seems to be a server capacity issue rather than anything more sinister. But still, it doesn't exactly inspire confidence does it.

Take it steady Cag and glad you are feeling a bit better Zoo

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Bowerbird5 · 18/05/2019 10:21

I keep losing the page and getting the ...I accept message again and again.Annoying! I couldn’t get on Thursday.

Back better lying down so went back to bed with a cup of tea then DD arrived with another so just getting up now. Lazy me.

Plan for today

Plan to tidy kitchen.
Get DD to do shower so no bending.
Might do shelves.
Sort washing.

That might be enough for me to manage.

Sorry to hear that Cags.

I do have a theory to why we need flylady. Most of us either have health conditions that interfere with flying, are pregnant or have toddlers. Or messy teens🤫

Hope everyone has a good weekend. DD is off tomorrow😢

Stilllivinginazoo · 18/05/2019 11:19

Marmite,teabags,walkers crisps are all often missed by expats on threads SC?

Stilllivinginazoo · 18/05/2019 11:25

Cag is there anything that helps when you get this much pain.anpther person I need live round corner from to feed up and help.if you and I've were near I could move in locally.or would that be too stalkerish??

Thanks for link stressy glad not just me and by insolent phone causing problems!!

Bower is this the continuation of trip she started

Lil zoo been ballet,I've pop shops

Lisette1940 · 18/05/2019 14:28

I can have guests for three days max.

After that I turn into an antisocial harridan and want my routine back.

IVEgottheDECAF · 18/05/2019 17:54

Guests. Urgh. No thanks.

Thanks for all the kind words. I have 5 weeks til i requested to start mat leave, partly would like gp to just sign me off but doubt itll happen.

Dp has been hit and miss. Suppose i cant expect miracles.

Yesterday i did quite a good clean and tidy downstairs, swept and mopped etc. Then everyone came home and messed up. I give up.

Today i have done the minimum. Picked up some shopping and done my tax credit renewal online. Of course all fed and none dead.

Sorry to hear you are in pain also cag Flowers

Zoo i would not complain about helpful stalking

Bowerbird5 · 18/05/2019 23:09

zoo Yes you are right. They had to come home last December. So they setting back off to where they were before and hope to stay 6 months. Visa has been running out but they could go to NZ and then go back as tourists. I will worry about the flight.

Didn’t do shelves but I did the rest and we watched a film this afternoon. Made vegan Nachos for tea.

Shadycorner · 19/05/2019 00:16

Evening all! Bit cream crackered after very full day so just leaving 🌼 launch pad link here containing Sun's flight plan (best just to look at it and not download) and see you all tomorrow! Sleep well fledglings!

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Shadycorner · 19/05/2019 06:00

Thinking of you today Bowerbird Flowers ; wishing your dd safe and inspiring travels.✈

I can get the Marmite and the teabags here now Zoo (couldn't originally when we were first here) and can get all sorts of crisps but not necessarily Walkers! DH returned yesterday with his haul (and collected "puppy" on way back thank God) saying that "the food in the UK is ludicrously cheap". I know none of you will think that, but it is in comparison to here ifyswim where supermarket prices are shocking. (Whether that will stay the same after Brexit or not, dunno.)

Gp definitely worth a go I've

I'm with you on the guest front Lisette. (Expats' punishment.)

Still feeling a bit grim with this virus but trugging on. Hoping to make progress in boudoir today.

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Stilllivinginazoo · 19/05/2019 06:02

Thinking of you today bower as DD flies off to foreign climes

Somebody left their notifications on and I have been kept awake by it going off...I am tired and grumpy already!!(goes without saying I can't turn bastarding thing off)

Shadycorner · 19/05/2019 06:02

How wierd, that posted itself! Was going to say, wishing everyone a peaceful Sunday. Remember to do something for yourselves that you find rejuvenating fledglings!

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Lisette1940 · 19/05/2019 07:35

It IS expats' punishment! The working/school week is just too busy for us to have guests too. We used to be able to juggle but not now with a kid. Lesson learned. We had intended for someone to stay for a weekend but that turned into 5/6 days when they booked.

I hope you are feeling a little better I've. I'm really disappointed that your workplace isn't more supportive.
Flowers Cags

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/05/2019 07:51

Breakfast anyone?

May our houses be uncluttered ...the Fledgling Fly thread.
Stilllivinginazoo · 19/05/2019 07:53

Tada
Cats fed
Wash on
Bleach lav
Littertray and bins
Apple and blackberry muffins in oven
Menu plan finished
Need write shopping list
Trip to town for cat food on the game plan for today,hence the lure warm baked goods dare I say with a little dairy free spread? to entice zoolets up

Shadycorner · 19/05/2019 08:52

Those muffins look delicious Zoo! You've got the hang of your new oven I see!

Enjoyed some English lemon and lime marmalade here! Smile

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Bowerbird5 · 19/05/2019 09:29

Damn should have here first instead of reading top threads. Bet those gorgeous muffins have all been snaffled.

Thanks for kind words re DD it will be hard as she has been home so long and we have been doing lovely things together. She has been back and forth to boyfriend / partner but still saw her every week.

Debating whether I will be ok for school tomorrow but if I don’t go I will need GP to sign me off and getting an appointment is not easy. He usually rebooks me but due to Christmas I haven’t seen him. I really need to find out how to access Apps. DS2 would know but hardly seen him due to work.

Plan today
Last wash for DD forgot to put on as BF and her hubby took DD and I to pub for drink. BF is DDs godmother and helped look after her in first year while I continued at college. Her boys treat her a bit like a sister.
Wash kitchen floor, which is filthy near cats bowl. Get DD to do that bit.
Mass
Lunch with DD then take her to boyfriends.
Choir
Back to feed DDs cat and feel 😔 I’ve set myself off now.

Zoo has done half a day’s work already 😀 I used to be like that.

TooStressyTooMessy · 19/05/2019 09:54

Morning all. I seem to be ok getting in here this morning.

GP seems worth a go Ive. Even if they don’t sign you off you are no worse off (except for the hassle of going there of course).

Mmmm yes I hope there are some muffins left.

Ta da:-
DD2 at an activity. I am here waiting for her to finish so have 45 mins to myself. I have brought the calendar!

Cagliostro · 19/05/2019 10:04

Well done for calendar planning stressy! I often sit with a notebook lately to plan home ed stuff in quiet moments, even when I disappear to the pub on my own!

Still in epic pain. FFS. Not really sure what to do and trying not to freak out about this being a long term thing. It usually isn’t though. I need to do some damage control (hot bath, eat better etc) but as my MH is really through the floor at the moment I find it harder to dig myself out of the hole!

HillsBesideTheSea · 19/05/2019 11:49

But if you don't try cag the risk is sliding further into the hole.

Everything hurts this morning. After a week of stupidly long days I can't sleep, even though I have had the chance. So stupidly tired. Everything hurts as I skipped pilates to sort stuff at home. I should know better really. I have a crap tone of stuff I need to do. Nothing I want to do. And seriously saying fuck it and just doing the stuff that takes me out of the house. Blush

I am going to crawl downstairs make some breakfast, have a coffee and take some pain killers strong enough to get me through the worst of today. And hope tomo is an improvement on motivation and life.

HillsBesideTheSea · 19/05/2019 11:51

Actually that is a lie I had nearly 10hrs sleep last night, just lingering tired and emotionally drained from the week. Howe the fuck did I get 10hrs sleep and still feel like I got hit by a truck? That decides it Hills, no people and gentle destress stuff all the way today. Sod all the chores except laundry. Clothes are needed for tomo Hmm

ChicCroissant · 19/05/2019 12:23

Still sharing a laptop here so not getting on much at the moment! Muffins look delicious, zoo.

Will attempt a proper catch-up later. Need to take DD shopping for stuff (for her) and she's not very happy about it.

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/05/2019 15:10

That is deffo way forward hills
Stressy well done on preplanning

The muffins are just 250mls sr flour(just measure into jug)and mix in TSP baking powder.make a well
Add 2tbsp oil
2tbsp sugar
2tbsp milk (I use almond,but have made with cow's milk when not for lil zoo)
And either 2mash banana or a pot apple puree
Add spice or vanilla if desired and mix the wet bit a couple times then fold gently as little as poss til flour just mix in.at this point I added handful frozen berries and stir couple times..makes 6 muffins.cook at 190 oc(170oc fan) 20 mins...
As need no scales and made in jug I can do it in under 5mins and then appear the mum hero

Managed town,incl sainsbo and Aldi
Trudge home drag bags
Dump bags,lil zoo and D's and head local shops with dd2 for df stuff(sainsbo in towns just a small one,no cheese and minimum choice milks which more expensive than our local Waitrose!!)
Back home shop away
Lunch
Just finished eat,I think I'm dead,except pain in neck/collarbones,back,hip etc indicates I am indeed not...

Rest day
Wash uniforms
Make a dip for tomorrow's lunch
Make dinner
Ignore rest chores and poss soak under hot shower...

Cagliostro · 19/05/2019 16:00

That is indeed the risk hills I just find it so hard to know where the line is. Both physically and mentally. I am not in a good place Confused.

Shadycorner · 19/05/2019 21:26

🌼 launch pad link containing Monday's flight plan best to read it rather than download!

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