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Housekeeping

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Fledglings flying into the Roaring Twenties! January 2020 Flylady thread, all welcome.

999 replies

LaneBoy · 31/12/2019 22:15

Welcome to the first Flylady thread of the decade! This is a friendly ongoing thread where we follow (loosely. In some cases, very loosely. Blush) the Flylady method for sorting out our homes and lives!

Newbies are always welcome here! It’s a long running thread so please don’t worry if we appear cliquey. There’s a lot of chatter and support for all sorts of things, alongside the housework stuff.

Over recent months we have agreed that big lists of daily links aren’t necessary - on a daily basis I will post (if I remember... it is maybe 18 months since I last hosted so please forgive any screw ups Blush) a link to the launch pad, which is where you can access the information for that day - babysteps, missions, daily focus etc. But if you’re confused about anything, please ask!

Check out the website too - but we suggest not signing up for the millions of emails.

Information on getting started here.

The great thing about Flylady is that you jump in where you are. Everything you do is progress. Don’t worry about not “keeping up”. Any achievement, however small, means progress.

Anyway, huge thank you to Stressy for running our very busy December thread! Thanks

And... HAPPY NEW YEAR FLEDGLINGS!!!

OP posts:
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ExpletiveDelighted · 08/01/2020 07:25

I haven't tried any of those Foxes - I use bar soap in the shower, Aldi Dw tabs and Aldi powder in a cardboard box for laundry. I was thinking of trying the DW tabs when my current lot run out, maybe not. I don't like the bathroom spray, it leaves a sticky residue no matter how much I try and wipe it off, the glass cleaner didn't clean glass very well and the washing up liquid is only ok, not great. Kitchen spray and loo cleaner are ok though. I might refill my bathroom sprayer with the kitchen one I think.

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 08/01/2020 07:27

Morning all!

Thanks Hazel, zoo and others who suggested breaking missions up into tiny bits. I think part of the issue is that the morning and evening routines are secure in my head but missions I still have to look up, so it feels like a step too far! I'll start with today's hob mission, although DS2 made chili chicken noodles last night and it's a right state. He's cracked washing up after, but not wiping the hob and worktops.

Zoo, hope your DD has calmed down. I hate it when my children panic, it's so hard to try to help without taking over. Our DD has food issues that get worse when she's upset and it's hard keeping her on an even keel.

Sorry you didn't get the job, Hazel, but it sounds like you might not have been able to take it anyway due to pay issues. Good luck with the second application.

Excellent Ta Da lists there from everyone. Foxes, who triumphed in the Great Bath War? Big wing flaps all round.

Today is my birthday, so I'm doing the minimum I can get away with and finding some time for me! I finally got brave and put pen to paper on my bullet journal for 2020 on Monday, so I shall spend some of this morning sorting that out I think and not noodling on MN at all . This afternoon is science and French with DS3 and probably long multiplication again.

IWillWearTheGreenWillow · 08/01/2020 07:36

foxes, Expletive, We3 I think the efficacy of Splosh depends on how hard your water is. Ditto ecover etc. I love Splosh's business model, but we live in one of the hardest water areas in the Uk - socks go crunch if I line dry them - and the products just don't work. Ditto Lidl own brand cleaning stuff. I have regretfully concluded that I have to use specific non-environmentally friendly products if the house is going to be clean. This extends even as far as one Cif product for bathroom cleaning over another (actifizz is rubbish) and only Tesco 100% limescale remover lavatory cleaner etc. I can get away with Lidl laundry powder, but need Fairy liquitabs for the DW or everything gets a light powdery coating. It's very boring.

One thing I do do is get a man in to clean the oven. I spend £60 twice a year for two ovens and a grill and it's all done with elbow grease and soda crystals so there's no nasties in there. £120 is about 2.5hrs of my professional time and I'm supporting a local business, so I can justify it to myself in that I couldn't clean the ovens that fast!

ExpletiveDelighted · 08/01/2020 07:39

We3, there were quite a few student midwives, nurses and physios on my human biology module. I dropped biology at 14 (I did o levels not gcses) - I don't use it directly in my work but I always felt it was the one that got away.

ExpletiveDelighted · 08/01/2020 07:43

Willow - good point re splosh, we are also in an extremely hard water area. Maybe I need to boil the water I use to dilute the products to get rid of some of the hardness.

Stilllivinginazoo · 08/01/2020 08:05

willow happy birthday!
My dd2 also has trouble eating once stressedbut silent reflux/GERD makes this much worse.such a worry.she didn't sleep much/well.not sending school today,but deffo tomorrow or it will be too hard get her back in I think
Foxes I've discovered elbow grease,and it did a treat on my ovengood luck orthodontistand whoo hoo winning tea in a comp!(enjoy)

All this talk of midwifery we need more pregnancies/extra babies on threadGrin

Tada
Cats fed
Wash on
Cleaned out/tidy fridge
Tidy freezer
Bins and littertray
Sweep kitchen floor
Breakfasts
Wash up
Wipe surfaces
Wipe cupboard fronts
Wipe dining room table

Strategicchoring · 08/01/2020 08:35

Good morning all! Just listening to the news and wondering what I have woken up to: although Sky news saying ballistic missiles could be an escalation in order to de-escalate ie face-saving. Although they may take out a senior American or Israeli I guess. Here's hoping not. Someone seems to have done good work and sat on Trump so his tweets are relatively conciliatory overnight. Men, eh?
Bower you should have a word with them all.

So sorry about your father Hazel that must have been especially tough going so far away and over Christmas this year Flowers.

How exciting about the potential new job! You can do it! Keeping fingers crossed it all works out for you!

Good to hear ddog ok. It is so difficult keeping them still. Could he be caged at intervals with nice toys and some blankets?

My DD missed a lot of school because of disabling period pain at one point; she would faint and vomit too, it was awful for her. She's much better now she is on medication although it took two goes to sort it out as first lot didn't work. Although my joints seemed to be a bit crumped atm, I am physically SO much better since my womb was evicted last year! It's totally cured all digestive issues never mind gynaecological ones! Do not envy those of you having to put up with horrors each month. Flowers. Totally unfair what some women have to go through. Always feels unfair too when DD (and so many other girls) have to sit exams when suffering when boys sitting same exam are not troubled by it at all. Hopefully in years to come, there will be more recognition of this.

Hope your dd2 is feeling a bit better this morning Zoo! My "bible" that I keep wittering on about, "Decluttering at the Speed of life" by Dana K White has a very good detailed section on clothes sorting. I wish I had more patience but I don't get on with Kondo or Kondo folding. Good luck with it all! And enjoy your time with dd1 today. I hope she had a good b'day!

I do need a structure when Flying but the zones don't match my house at all, so I go way off piste at times. I like the routines and the daily focus best! Missions are a bit hit and miss even after all of these years and I tend to do them (if at all) all at once when doing that particular room ifyswim but I have a lot more time than you Willow with only 1 teen and very few hrs working and a cleaner Blush . Basically, if we have a scrubbed kitchen and bathroom I'm ok! Although messy boudoir is driving me nuts recently! Thank heavens none of us sleep in it!

Hope you got some sleep eventually Lane! I think power of three was introduced to thread by Hills originally wasn't it? I could be wrong though.

Midwifery such a fantastic thing to study We3kings!

Bit late but here's a replacement Brew That

No idea about ceramic hob Rachael sorry. (amazing ta da list btw Star), but to the person who asked about bathroom cleaning products (sorry can't scroll any further down) I am a big fan of industrial clear vinegar and use bicarb for stains on bath.

Had better get on. In have a school meeting soon and prep for that took up a lot of my time yesterday. And like someone else on here (sorry can't remember who!) I also spent a lot of time looking for things: purse, some papers, and a key as house still not got back to normal yet!

Ta da so far:
dog walk
dragged tree on to pavement Sad
brushed floors and swept up pine needles
emptied dw
hung up overnight washing
prepped today's tray bake for lunch (school half day here) sausages, thyme, potatoes, butternut squash, onions, splosh olive oil ready to shove in oven later!

To do:
shudder>continue GCCU2020> tedium!

Have a good anti-procrastination day everybody! (Note to self: boudoir!!!!!!!!!)
🍒👋

Strategicchoring · 08/01/2020 08:38

Happy birthday Willow! 🎂🎆🍾

KTCluck · 08/01/2020 09:17

Wow, 66 posts since I was last on! You’ve all been a busy bunch. Fab lists!

Yay for the appointment Chic, that must be a weight off your mind.

Rachael I use Koh cleaner, it’s amazing on the oven and on glass. I use it on everything. The only other cleaning product I have is bleach for the loo (not very eco friendly I know, but definitely an improvement on the wipes and different potions for different areas I was using 6 months ago). I don’t have a ceramic hob and haven’t tried it on pans though.

Zoo sorry your DD is still struggling.

Willow I’m another one who tends to do missions while the kettle is boiling or im cooking, and I do the ones I’ve missed on a Saturday morning when DH takes DD out for a few hours and I do a blitz.

Lane I weaned DD shortly before she turned 2. Her understanding was really good so I told her in the morning that the boobies were broken and we would just have to have cuddles and water instead. She cried a little through the night but I just kept saying “oh no, they’re broken” and she accepted it. She still sometimes tells people mummy’s boobies don’t work anymore nearly a year on though Grin.

I’m sure there were others I was going to reply to but my brain can’t keep up this morning, so I’ll just wave to the rest of you.

Was at work yesterday and had to stay late so only the absolute basics were done. I did manage some exercise in the morning though!

DD had me up at 6:15 this morning, so I’ve been quite productive, although she’s now decided she’s tired, wants to lie on the sofa watching TV, and I absolutely have to be right next to her. I can live with that.

Ta Das:
Beds made
Got DH to sort his floordrobe Hmm
Upstairs dusted
Bathroom cleaned
Cleared the hot spot on top of bedroom drawers
Decluttered a box of randomness in our room
Washing in
Last night’s and breakfast dishes in DW
Did the tap cleaning mission while making my cuppa

To Do:
Hand wash a couple of non-dishwasher proof things
Washing in dryer
Vac upstairs
Mop bathroom floor
30 mins ironing
Make a couple of lasagnes - dinner, one to PIL and leftovers for work
Hoping to do a thorough sink shining and wipe the cupboards as per the missions.

Not sure what to do with DD today. It’s been very windy but looks like it’s dropped so hopefully we’ll get out for a nice walk.

KTCluck · 08/01/2020 09:31

Good luck with job 2 Hazel! Sounds like not getting the first one was meant to be!

Happy Birthday Willow hope you have a lovely day FlowersCakeWine

We3kingsoforientareandabump · 08/01/2020 10:01

Happy birthday willow.

So many posts this morning I can't keep up so just a big well done to everyone.

I haven't done much other than feed DC, clean up after, make sure everyone was dressed with teeth done etc. and stick a wash on.

Had to take DC3 to speech therapy and am now on my way to work.

Best thing about today is the house was tidy when I left and nobody will be in before me so I know it will still be tidy when I get home 👍

Trying to think what I can do that I've been putting off. I need to book asthma review for DC3 but that is going to be tricky until I get my car back. He also needs a repeat prescription putting in for his inhaler so could do that but again tricky without car 🤔 I need to pay my childminder but I can't really put that off so don't think that counts. I'm sure I'll think of something.

Ooh another win for today I've managed to straighten my hair and have my full face on 👍

LaneBoy · 08/01/2020 10:11

Morning folks. Tried and failed to get back to sleep after meds.

ta da
✅discussed today’s geography with DH a bit, not totally decided the plan yet though.
✅saw a post on FB about some free ed psych sessions, emailed them (first come first served so fingers crossed)
✅arranged to meet friend after the BF group on Friday :o

Need to get up properly (I tried sleeping in DS’ room as our room smells like Deep Heat that DH has been using 🤢🤢🤢) and get my first power of three done properly.

It is not going to be a productive day.

OP posts:
LaneBoy · 08/01/2020 10:12

Happy birthday Willow!

OP posts:
TooStressyTooMessy · 08/01/2020 10:17

Happy birthday Willow Smile.

I have an extra day off from work today. Great in theory... I still have bits to do that nobody will cover though so have spent half an hour on work stuff this morning. Feel obliged not to waste the extra time so doing home bleugh.

Ta da:-
Morning routine
Hoovered
Bags to charity

To do:-
Brew
Check laundry
Clean bathrooms and kitchen - I know they are not part of home bleugh but I can’t clean the house and leave them so I always put them in.
Half an hour decluttering hallway (Organised Mum method is in this zone today) - we have an area for keys, hats and stuff that I will look at.

I feel your pain re old computers Expletive

ChicCroissant · 08/01/2020 12:56

Happy birthday Willow Cake

Running around like a mad thing today! Got everything done that I needed to though, and got a (hopefully pleasant) social thing to go to this afternoon. Better pile on some makeup and get out shortly!

TooStressyTooMessy · 08/01/2020 13:06

Meant to say earlier, great that you got a date for your procedure Chic.

Ta da:
Home bleugh
Hallway decluttering

rachael12345 · 08/01/2020 14:27

Sc - many thanks for that compliment , it's so nice to have someone notice all my hard work!

Weaning - I had a beautiful book for my dd 'nursies in the morning' or something similar - amazon. I also handmade a social story which was a blooming labour of love unlike babe 2 will get one of these! Then I got out sewing machine and stitched up all my pj's or wore polonecks to bed lol. She was v nearly 3. So upsetting all round however...
She did sort of self wean as it did slow gradually until only every 3 or so days .
Also she was with child minder a couple of full days per week m age 1 but we hadnt reduced milk at all at that point and both my body and her needs adjusted v v quickly and without really any difficulties. I've told this recently to a couple of first time mums who were worrying about pre work/nursery weaning - your supply is amazing and it will be fine 😉

Not even fluttering here today as I'm am complete shattered with period return post partum - and babes first birthday. Awake at 5.39 2nd day running.. blooming stressy dd... tears and rage about school - think she just realised that that's it for her, school everyday until she grows up - God it seems cruel doesn't it!? I think I would home school if I could but just don't have the energy atm. Be interested to hear from those who do.

Had a nice slow morning out in town - solo coffee and wrote baby diary (hopelessly behind with this) while he slept , v contemplative, contacted previous counsellor as I feel could do with restarting this.. . Baby group then nice lunch out with dh. Followed by big barnie with the same. God my hormones and emotions are all over the shop. He's also deeply irritating 😀😀😀😄😄 growl.

This week feels like such a transition point. I'll be glad a couple if weeks into term and all settled down again.

Going to have v brief sofa snooze or im likely to growl at dd as well - and then she will roar right back at me !!! Ah the fear..
I'll get her to help me make a chocolate cake for lo birthday - just a little bit for him! - That will cheer us both up .

rachael12345 · 08/01/2020 14:29

Foxes - if you get your oven done I will too. It's one of those things my mum would think was horribly lazy / flash/ definitely not the done thing. But what a treat! Ostensibly it dh job but it's prob been a couple of years since he did it...

LaneBoy · 08/01/2020 15:22

Not doing so well with power of three as got the opportunity to go out with DH for a while so grabbed it! Very very very rare. And we still spent the entire time planning household/home ed/routine stuff.

ta da
✅took dry laundry upstairs (even putting the wet stuff in the dryer seems beyond me today)
✅phoned nursery - settling in session booked for Friday!!!
✅phoned school to try and sort out a load of faffy things... including the fact they have put our address in wrong 🙄🙄🙄 I’m really trying to feel positive about the school but several little things are annoying me already! 😳
✅useful planning session with DH, mostly house and routine stuff but we made some good decisions I think
✅almost finished making some more geography sheets for DS (had run out of paper)
✅messaged friend about possible chess club for DS

Decided to do batch cooking over the weekend. I’m making three dinner things that the Caglets do actually eat, and we are going to have set days we always have them. Particularly club nights. So it’s not a full meal plan but hopefully but create a bit of a routine we can come to rely on.

I’m like you foxes in that I rebel against imposed things. But I need a bit of structure too. 🤦‍♀️

We are also going to not even think about bedtime routine yet. Just focus on the mornings and see how nursery affects little one’s sleep/feeding routine. Still going to the support group on Friday though to talk it all through.

OP posts:
foxessocks · 08/01/2020 16:56

Thank goodness I'm not the only one!! That's it lane I need routines but I also hate them at the same time 🤷 I think I just don't know what suits me best that's the problem... basically why I keep trying different"methods" all with the same result. Essentially sometimes my house is quite tidy and organised and sometimes it's a complete and utter pigsty. Oh well!

Sorry haven't kept up too well with all your messages but in short - Elsa Vs Spiderman was cut short due to ds crying - dd is quite a dramatic person even without pretending to be an ice princess. I think the power went to her head. Spiderman was scared.

Professional oven cleaning is definitely on my to do list - I'll keep you posted!

Flying wise - today with no rules in place I decluttered 3 toy baskets and a bookshelf - think I need to go back to basic decluttering. Less stuff makes the cleaning easier.

Lovely alpaca walk and afternoon tea as well. I feel quite refreshed!

LaneBoy · 08/01/2020 18:31

Aah thanks for the weaning thoughts. It feels complicated compared to how it was with DS (DD I mix fed for 8 months so didn’t have this issue). Day after his second birthday I just said no you’re a big boy now and he toddled off and that was it. We’d gradually got down to only one feed in the morning anyway.

Cagletini is, errrrm, very different. She’s much more verbal (both the older two had speech delay) but just does not give a flying fuck about reasons if she’s not getting what she wants :o she is absolutely delightful but she’s also incredibly demanding. I cut out day feeds (ended up with mastitis and the hormone change made me scarily low so I’m reluctant to go cold turkey) so now it’s just very late bedtime through to first thing. I can’t really unpick which to cut down first for various reasons. I absolutely suck at routines (am autistic and recently diagnosed ADHD too), due to the health stuff we aren’t doing well at things like getting her out in the sunshine instead of staying in with the TV on, and I’m totally overwhelmed at the thought of fixing this issue! Really hoping nursery just tires her out enough to nap earlier and then she can go to bed earlier too - I think if that happened I wouldn’t even be that bothered about weaning yet.

Re home ed rachael totally happy to chat if you’d like. I suspect this time of year is really tough on little ones at school after the excitement and exhaustion of Christmas, darker mornings etc. Blah. Horrible time of year. We took ours out when they were in year 3 and year 1 as both were unhappy. Don’t plan to send Cagletini, we didn’t actually plan to use nursery either but things are hard at the moment and we are just hoping it gives us a little breathing space to get everything else sorted... maybe?!

Sorry about first post partum period - ugggh I do not remember that fondly. And happy birthday to little one!

ta da
✅printed geography for DS, got him to do it
✅brief study with DD1 for French
✅put washing in dryer. Literally just now so I could finally write it. 😳

ta didn’t
✅take afternoon meds. Oops.

DS is looking very virusy. Achy fever etc. Had plans to get the Caglets collecting things in the living room (board game pieces/cards etc that have been mixed up, yes it’s that much of a mess!) as we are going to move a shelving unit upstairs next week but it’ll have to wait now.

I WILL make time to write my journal today.

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 08/01/2020 18:32

KTmummys boobies are broken 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that's sort thing my eldest would've said!!
Mine all self weaned around 2ish lane we just let them go when they were ready,but that's not for everyone!
Foxes tea sounded lovely

Well I've had a mad busy day
Dd1 came(loved Mrs hinch journal and mug I got her with all you need is tea and the love of a dog on it)
We went into town.i bought mini step ladder at home bargains,along a couple fridge tray organisers,baskets for my room and various cleaning products
50p or less,boots,h+m(I got 3pairs of jeans!go me spending money on myself)wilko.then onto to retail park for the range,home sense and then b+m.finally another retail park I bought lightweight walking boots for myselfand frames for photos I've been meaning to sort and a plastic drawers unit
My haul includes lots storage,a pic for my room,hooks and tubs to hang things on insides of cupboards,a lazy Susan for some of my huge spice/herb selection...I am literally sadly EXCITED to start organising things!!

For now tea- quesadillas with pesto,mashed black eye beans,(sort of) salsa,and little cheese for little ones.lots lettuce and cucumbers on side
Dd2 in dreadful state again.i emailed school and head learning will see her on her return and establish how they can support her.as always they've been utterly amazingunlike D's school so I am and will continue to be truly grateful!

Today's complement was to an exhausted looking polish lady serving in £shop.she had beautiful silver nails and her face literally lit up afterwards and she smiled.priceless

Right I need make those quesadillas...

ExpletiveDelighted · 08/01/2020 19:02

Lane my weaning story is similar to Rachael's. I went back to work when she was 9 months and had never had a bottle. She drank cow's milk from a cup at nursery and continued to BF at home till she was 2yr9months. My supply coped fine, although I remember when she got a tummy upset at 2.5yrs and went back to BF and no solids for a few days that was very hard work! In the end I noticed she was no longer asking, just me offering out of habit and feeding times were shorter. I decided to go with "don't offer, don't refuse" and it was all over in a couple of weeks.

Back later.

rachael12345 · 08/01/2020 20:04

Weaning hormones etc - just rememembered (that's a good typo I'll leave it!) The awful lows - God i had totally forgotten. . Felt like I was losing my mind! I went to see acupuncturist / Chinese doctor / specialist in women's health and her help was amazing - used a cream, some herbs , needles, perked right up. Totally reccomend it.

rachael12345 · 08/01/2020 20:06

Zoo - you're not a saddo. Your home will look amazing and these things are important. Think of the happiness ypu are spreading to yourself and your family - most important