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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Autumn leaves and a clean sweep: it's the October Fledgling Fly thread (2019)

617 replies

Slowchirp · 30/09/2019 13:27

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, or sign up to the (many and frequent) e-mails (but your choice as some fledglings find the latter helpful).

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 Cakeand 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 and here

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

*

Last but not least, a huge thank you to ChicCroissant for running such a lovely (and busy!) September thread Flowers [cake[ Gin Halo

*

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Tidyhomewannabe · 07/10/2019 12:28

Good luck with the uni work I've !

In that 15 minutes, I discovered that I have a piece of kitchen worktop that I haven't seen for a while !! Celebrating a small victory today !!

DaveTheGhost · 07/10/2019 12:35

I’ve hes terrible, I agree!. You’ve got a lot of stuff done today!

Bower I try and have bubble baths and have some time to myself. His parents have both passed away unfortunately, he was an only child and no grandparents or anything. So it’s only my family that see the kids.

Tidyhomewannabe · 07/10/2019 14:28

Tada
Lunch
Washing hung up
Next wash in
15 mins on paperwork (sorted work, children's stuff and all boxed up ready for the loft) 1 work box left to sort then I'm fully on top of it all !! Really happy with this, I'm not sure what to focus on for the rest of the month.....

I've spent most of the afternoon playing schools, reading stories and singing nursery rhymes with dd2, she's tired out now and relaxing watching in the night garden so I'm going to grab a quick coffee , prep tea and maybe tomorrow's lunch (veg soup) which I'll cook the same time as tonight's tea (sausage & mash)

Hope everyone is having a good day !

Slowchirp · 07/10/2019 17:54

Thank heavens the builders have gone! Yay! They worked very hard but I am very pleased to have some peace and quiet now!

Worked all day (huge client project on atm in office and it's all hands to the deck) and went for walk and made endless cups of tea and coffee... and measured things and did the bins and recycling. No other Flying.

Catch everyone later!

OP posts:
Bowerbird5 · 07/10/2019 18:35

Had to reply to an email that took ages. Went to friend's house for coffee and cake.

Have bloody asthma now. can't stop coughing. Bought some stuff for next couple of days. Bought b'day present.
No more flying. DH has made tea just about to eat.

LivingInLaputa · 07/10/2019 19:04

Therapy was amazing. Hard work. I cried a bit 🙈 she read the psych report and is not happy and wants to support me fighting it if I want, but I’m waiting to see what happens with meds first

Also went to the doctor with DS and got his referral sorted, so that’s one job done

Stilllivinginazoo · 07/10/2019 19:04

Dave I can't believe their dads such an arseAngry

Seen dd1 today and been IKEA.randim storage tubs and kitchen items boughtfew bits for D's room acquired incl fluffy small(washable) rug,cushions,succulent prints and frames,laundry bin,waste paper basket...girls got bins too,so no excuses for mess (delusional of course, but I can dream)
Was lovely to enjoy time with her and mooch thru shop without do moaning why need that/how much longer?Grin
She off to get a puppy tonight,fiance very excited as they've always had dogs.hes a cross German shepherd/collie and pics I've seen are adorable.dd never had a dog before

Lisette1940 · 07/10/2019 19:44

This image was created by Gemma Correll for Evernote. Sums up me at home Grin

Autumn leaves and a clean sweep: it's the October Fledgling Fly thread (2019)
Tidyhomewannabe · 07/10/2019 20:14

Grin I can relate to that listelle!!

Zoo jealous that you went to ikea , love that place ! Puppies are hard work but so cute , please post pics when you have some !

Laputa really happy for you that therapy went well today , glad you've got support against the report Thanks

Sc we're weighing up the cost of extending vs the cost of moving - the thought of having builders here for months puts me off ! Have they fully finished now ?

Waves to everyone else

Tada
School run
Homework & reading done with all 3 kiddies
Tea cooked
Veg soup cooked
Dd at dance
2 x washes done
1 lot hung up
Younger 2 are in bed
Oh has put the boxes in the loft (dining room is slowly looking better!)
Toys tidied away

To do
Blend soup
Hang washing up
Finish tidying the kitchen
Pick dd up from dance

Thank goodness it's nearly bedtime!

Bowerbird5 · 07/10/2019 22:59

Great list. Tidy
I haven't done any more. DH made tea and I let him wash up because he let me wash after cooking the other night. Fairs Fair after all I would hate him to miss out or think I was one up on him!

Been to quiz and we came last. Half my team were on holiday. What sort of a reason is that! How dare they. Last month it was work and putting up wallpaper. They better be there next week.
So off to bed and get cracking tomorrow.DH did the bin the other day so will leave that until Friday. Need to clean chicken out tomorrow and do something kitcheny. I clean a kitchen at the project the other day and it is bigger than mine.

Laputa glad you had some support. Anti procrastination what spell is this?
Lisette love it.

Right I'm off to bed.

Slowchirp · 08/10/2019 06:11

🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

Baby-step no.8 for Tues 8th Oct: here

Launch pad link: here

🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

OP posts:
Slowchirp · 08/10/2019 06:30

Good morning all! Wow there were some busy people on here yesterday! Well done everyone!

Lisette I need to pin that up somewhere! Grin

Tidy fantastic list! Top marks for dining room clearance! Builders will be here at wreck2 for next five years on and off I reckon! Parts of it date back to 1730 and we are discovering all sorts of interesting issues! Not least putting right previous owner's attempts at renovation! He, managed to replace roof at wrong angle causing A frame to become wet and rotten! Twonk.

Bower go steady with the asthma! Give Henny Penny a handful of corn from me!

Zoo puppy!!!!!!! Grin Hope your dd1 knows what she is in for!!!! Grin

Laputa glad session was helpful!

Oh I don't know I've I've always thought baldness might be quite efficient in the mornings...if not a bit chilly.

Waves to Davethegost and Elloello and everyone else!

Went to bed at 8pm last night and slept almost straight through! Still feeling lots of joint pain which is tiring. Must jump in shower before builders arrive! Sunrise imminent!

Have a good planning day everyone!

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 08/10/2019 06:38

Morning
Lisette that is my kind of map
Laputa a positive day for you.im so pleased things went ok.xx
Tidy great list
Bower how dare your team be off galavanting.words should be saidWink

Lots going on here this week,D's has his wellbeing cafe to attend today.he has initial appointment at unfamiliar orthodontist on Thursday morning,so we will have to head down and scope it out tomorrow morning to reduce his anxiety a little...he may not accept it in which case we go on the two year wait for dd2 orthodontist team who are brilliant and he is very familiar with both staff and building as accompanies dd2 every visit (and she's back there next week)Thursday pm he's got camhs.meetinvg O.T at a garden centre.dp n I will be there,in the background(we dripping him off) could be great/could be disaster.at this point who knows?but she thinks he needs a push.lets hope her professional judgement is sound or it could be like push him over a cliff....

Tada
Wash in
Cats fed
Littertray and bins
Tidy freezer
Clean out fridge
Wash in drier
More on
Find home for some half my IKEA bounty

Stilllivinginazoo · 08/10/2019 06:39

SC dd1 has no idea.....

Slowchirp · 08/10/2019 08:02

OOohhh I really hope it goes well for your ds on Thursday Zoo . Garden centre sounds like a good idea if it's airy and not too crowded; have all fingers and toes crossed for him x

OP posts:
Slowchirp · 08/10/2019 08:39

Well the builders arrived before daybreak Shock while I was still in the shower. Coffee and chat has been done. I wonder what horrors they will uncover today!

Wish me luck, I am doing a full house clean . (I really shouldn't be sobbing, I know it's really really pathetic of me because I am sure some of you would jump at the opportunity to clean without littles around! It's just that my joints are quite painful currently (yet to discover why) and this is the opposite of Flylady step by step ...it's a full on , every room, 8 hr job, blah....thought we had found a good cleaner but her mother is ill so she's no longer available so I need to crack on.)

Zoo I feel this may be a day for the rusty medieval pike Grin

Had better get going! Have a productive day everyone!

OP posts:
TooStressyTooMessy · 08/10/2019 09:10

Hello all, just popping in while I have internet! Hello to new members and BrewCake for anyone who needs it. Good luck with cleaning today SC and thanks for running the thread. Currently in a cafe for quick coffee to take advantage of free WiFi! Will be back once Internet improves.

Bowerbird5 · 08/10/2019 09:59

Hi Toostressy cafe for wifi sounds good combined with coffee and me time Smile

I have just had a bit of a browse around Flylady and found some new bits she has added or I have never noticed before 1of the 2.
Print off journal reminders which could be useful although we do not wash our car every month. As soon as we wash it it is dirty again because we live in the country so muck from the roads or and especially this time of year the tractors are whizzing up and down the road bringing the crops though they must be almost done now. Tractor tyres fling mud on your car and always, always when you have just washed it.

Lovely bright morning here and the wind has dropped from bending tress over to just fluttering the leaves.I am off down to the summer house in a minute to plan my day. I think we will stay home today and get some garden jobs completed by the winter.

IVEgottheDECAF · 08/10/2019 10:05

stressy you need Cake with your coffee!

LivingInLaputa · 08/10/2019 10:47

Today shall consist of waiting nervously for the psychiatrist to phone me. I am a nervous wreck TBH.

Best get on with home ed stuff (I’ve already written out some maths for them but haven’t made them do it yet) - DH is at an appt himself today so I can’t delegate and/or hide

LivingInLaputa · 08/10/2019 10:48

I’m sure normal people can probably get on with other stuff while waiting for a phone call, but NOPE. Anxiety central. It’s like, all my focus is on that one scary thing and I can’t focus on anything else.

Tidyhomewannabe · 08/10/2019 10:58

Sc the thought of having builders for a few months makes me anxious never mind 5 years ! Hats off to you, you are either very brave or a little crazy 😜 good luck with the house clean !!

Ta da
School run and shit
Dishwasher emptied
My bed stripped
Washer on

My ds's school has a family support worker who runs different workshops , I've been able to attend them this year with dd2 being at nursery and I've found them really interesting! Today's session was about how to manage children's outbursts, all about how the brain works etc loved it, wish I could study this subject further, I find it all fascinating and I do think they're making me a better parent .

Lots on today, including dd2s preschool jabs Sad I am not looking forward to that !

Bowerbird5 · 08/10/2019 11:14

Also waiting for a phone call I feel your anxiety Laputa I am too so browsing on the net. Really need to get up and do something.I want to do the garden while the weather is dry and sunny but frightened I will miss the call. I missed it twice the other day.

Sounds good tidy.

Right I have decide i will do a tidy up and clip back near house with door open. I don't want DH to answer as he will probably give them a piece of his mind.

Tidyhomewannabe · 08/10/2019 11:58

Laputa I'm the same when waiting for a phone call . Hopefully they'll call soon .

foxessocks · 08/10/2019 12:40

Laputa you're definitely not alone, I do this with anything that makes me anxious, I kind of "freeze" and then after it has passed I'm then cross because I've wasted so much time!

Sorry haven't caught up with the thread properly, just having a quick lunch then back to work. Brew