Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread

998 replies

KTCluck · 30/06/2020 21:50

Welcome all fledglings, newbies and lurkers to the July 2020 flylady thread, where we try and follow flylady’s system to keep our homes in order and our lives organised. We are a friendly bunch and like a bit of a natter, amongst posting our ‘To Do’ lists for accountability and celebrating our ‘Ta Da’ lists no matter how long or short. No fledgling is left behind, just jump in and join us wherever you are at - whether you are a lazy slattern living in chaos or a fully certified domestic goddess wanting to keep up the motivation. Most of us flit between the two depending on the day. The threads tends to be a supportive corner of MN, and we readily provide listening ears for woes and rants when needed.

Flylady is a system based around morning and evening routines, with babysteps to get you started and a daily focus, such as planning and family fun day. There’s a weekly home blessing (or ‘bleurgh’ as we prefer) which is a basic clean to keep the house ticking over, with short bursts of decluttering or deeper cleaning in weekly zones once you are ready. Flylady also suggests short missions each day. Feel free to adapt the system to make it fit in with your life.

Link to the launchpad is here (I hope) and the baby steps are here. From the launchpad I like the ‘flight plan’ for a reminder of the routines, and ‘sneak peek of the week’ for a list of the week‘a missions. You can sign up for emails, but be warned, you will need to regularly declutter your inbox!

As thread leader for July I have taken possession of the thread pointy stick —> for anyone in need of a sharp prod of motivation, but I’ve also set up a chilled quiet naughty corner, complete with comfortable day beds, a gentle sea breeze, and unlimited fruit platters, ice creams and cocktails to any fledgling who is in need of rest and recuperation or is just on strike. No partners or children allowed.

I’ll also try and keep the ‘keep calm corner’ (KCC) going. Originally introduced by our lovely SC, it’s a little daily dose of respite we’ve been using to help us get through these strange times.

I’ll do my best to keep us all motivated and flying throughout July. On work days I may appear with the larks, or not crawl in until the end of the day so apologies in advance if I’m late with links.

We start tomorrow in zone 1 (hall, porch, dining room). Here’s the missions. Habit of the month is ‘swish and swipe’ which is a daily 2 minute wipe of our toilets and sinks. Tomorrow is anti-procrastination day where we tackle those tasks we’ve been putting off.

Anyway, enough waffle, July we are coming for you! shortly, I’m just checking the naughty corner is ready

OP posts:
Thread gallery
71
squanderedcore · 06/07/2020 08:41

Btw, meant to say, sorry other menfolk being dickish Angry

Lisette1940 · 06/07/2020 09:09

Oh SC that's the entirely right thing to do, to not go so as to help shield others. You are doing your bit.

KT that's a great KCC question. I'm having a think about it. I think it might be something my Gran said to me. She said I reminded her of her late sister Annie ( who died in her twenties from TB) and she told me I was lovely person. It was just what I needed to hear as a child.

Stilllivinginazoo · 06/07/2020 09:32

that words fail me but angry passive aggressive in these circs work as would get heavy fry pan to back of the head
Brew and chocolate Cake in naughty corner for you and lots sympathy

Well I had horrific evening.dd2 had spent most conversation yelling at me yesterday.ds join in snapping.i LMS and lay down without my tea.cye dd2 burst into tears and cry for an hour.then felt better and wanted food/everything to be normal

Stilllivinginazoo · 06/07/2020 09:41

New day,new week so shifted my sorry arse...

Tada
Fed cats
Harpic lav
Wash on

Music on
Help dust
Sweep floor

Second load folded and handed to dd2
More in drier,more in wash

Girls room of doom
Open door,look in,back out
I'm not feeling brave enough for that level of carnage

Littertrays poo picked and sprayed
All rubbish in big bin
Recycling all in big bin too

Stilllivinginazoo · 06/07/2020 09:50

Oh,and motivational Monday quote🤣

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
LittlemissAWOL · 06/07/2020 10:41

Your home sounds lovely bower.

Nicest thing anyone has ever done for me would probably be my DGM who looks after my DC for me so I can go to work. There's no way I could afford childcare for 4 so without it I couldn't work and our lives would be very different. She absolutely loves having them and I don't think she really knows how much of a help she is. My DM moves abroad when I was teen so and my DGM is more like a mother to me really. She does lots for me and if I ever need motherly advice it would always be her if turn to. I love her to pieces 💕

Ok so today's ta-da's
🌹 DC fed just a Nutella wrap as couldn't really get in the kitchen from where I'd pulled everything out on my painting mission
🌹 went round and put everything back that I'd moved when paining and general tidy. Encouraged DC to help a bit
🌹 S&S
🌹 emptied all bins
🌹 hoovered H/S/L
🌹 hoovered and mopped downstairs
🌹 dishes, DS1 dried
🌹 cleaned kitchen worktops
🌹 cleaned tables
🌹 LOL
🌹 cut grass at the front as it was getting ridiculously long

We haven't done any schoolwork today. Lots needs printing and new printer won't arrive until tomorrow so may just leave it until then.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 06/07/2020 10:45

awol i had a similar relationship with my DGM, unfortunately she passed away 9 years ago and only ever met two of the DC.

I can't think of anything nice anyone has done for me. I'm sure people have done things but i can't think right now.

DD is already fighting school work. Oh joy.

JigoloHarMegiddo · 06/07/2020 10:51

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

LaneBoy · 06/07/2020 11:25

Morning all. Just about. Anxious this morning 🙄

Home ed planning going well though. DS hasn’t actually done any work yet today, DH having an extra lie in, I can’t really be arsed to motivate him! But there’s not much to do this week. Really glad we are winding down and many things have been completed.

I’ve put the dryer on again and need DH to sort out the washing machine (it leaks a bit and the tray that catches it needs changing!) before I can put the wash on. I did sort a few bits from the kitchen again though. I’m glad I’m following the zones this month, it’s making it a bit easier just to know where to start, maybe just maybe FlyLady was right all along 🤔😂

ChicCroissant · 06/07/2020 12:02

DD is having one of her rare low motivation days today, I'm going easy on her. She's ahead or on target for most of the schoolwork (they generally have to earn a set number of points) so she can have a slow day (if it's followed by a harder one later in the week Grin )

I've done a stretch class this morning (ballet) so feeling like I've achieved something. Will have a coffee before lunch and plan the afternoon out.

LittlemissAWOL · 06/07/2020 12:39

So DS4 has drawn over some of the bits I've glossed, with liquid eyeliner. 😩 I remember now why I never bother decorating.

I've hoovered and mopped again. Water was disgusting even though it was the second time I'd mopped that morning. Mop head is new. Any tips on how to mop a floor so it's actually clean welcome.
Have also cleaned shower glass with pink stuff and since I had it out did hob with it too. Hob didn't need cleaning as just done yesterday and not used but pink stuff gets it nice and shiny.
Made DC lunch (tuna sandwich, satsuma, frube, mini roll and cheesestring). Washed dishes and DS2 dried.

I'm now playing with play dough with DS4 enjoying the peace and quiet because the others are engrossed in the Lorax.

xmummy2princesx · 06/07/2020 12:53

Finally back wiv my mum 2day and I’m chuffed!! The boys r so happy and weaning has been going well!

meg it seems the advice has even changed since I weaned Logan!

lisette I grew my hair in lockdown not sure whether to cut it again tho.

Thank u for the ideas lane!

KTC I was thinking about doing it that way (I think that’s Baby led weaning) I just used the Heinz stuff with Logan but want 2 b healthier now and actually make it myself. Will try with sum big chunks

I’m sorry about ur DH bower they’re being shits lately aren’t they!. Ur home sounds luvly

Thank u hazel

THAT I’m sorry to hear about that he sounds like a teenager!

The nicest thing any1 has dun 4 me was when I fell pregnant with Logan I was rly young nd my family were all vry worries and didn’t rly consider how I felt. An aunt of mine spent the day with me making sure I was okay talking wiv me about my options and when I decided 2 go thru wiv the pregnancy she came 2 every scan and was even waiting there thru the birth. She gave me all her kids old toys and clothes so I didn’t have to pay for much. She’s rly close 2 both the boys now.

sc u r deffo doin the right thing!

Sorry u had such a difficult night zoo

AWOL that’s annoying about the eyeliner!

Ta Da:
❤️Got dressed and kids dressed
🧡Made beds
💛Made breakfast
💚Washed up
💙LOL
💜Hung laundry out
❤️Scrubbed oven top
🧡Mum came over
💛Made lunch and had it all together
💚Planned week ahead
💙Vacuumed upstairs
💜Mopped living room and kitchen
❤️Dusted windowsill and skirting boards
🧡Polished windows
💛Changed bed
💚Emptied bins

xmummy2princesx · 06/07/2020 13:05

Oh and I also picked up the boys meds

LaneBoy · 06/07/2020 13:56

Amazing list princes!
AAAARGH at the “redecorating” with eyeliner awol :( I’m not thinking f decorating the walls in our living room yet as we still get the odd masterpiece 🙄

I’ve just done an hour (with breaks) of my futurelearn course, I have maybe 5 or so hours left to finish by Thursday afternoon 😳 and then I’ll crack on with my counselling skills assignments.

I’ll try and do more later but I’ll go and see how DS is getting on work wise - I at least need to read to him as I’m the one with the kindle book! But maybe he’s done everything else...

LittlemissAWOL · 06/07/2020 17:01

So this afternoon we walked to the post box but we've done little else. I made the DC sweet corn and Cous cous fritters and washed up from that but the dishes are still sitting on the drainer and I've now got the dinner I was supposed to make yesterday on so at some point I suppose I'll have to dry the dishes or I won't be able to sort the next lot.

Is it you that uses instant ink lane? I get a free 2 month trial of it with the new print but no idea what it actually is or how it works.

LaneBoy · 06/07/2020 17:15

I bloody love instant ink awol basically your printer is connected online and it records how many pages you print, which you can check on your account. We did have 100 pages a month (3.49 I think) but have now upgraded to 300 at 7.99. You can rollover pages as well so if you don’t use them all you can save them for a couple of months. Then if you go over you pay per 10/15 pages.

You then never pay for actual ink. Because it’s connected, it knows when you’re getting low, and sends replacement cartridges without you having to ask. So no dashes to Tesco when you run out, they do it ages in advance - we’ve had our next cartridges for several weeks and the old ones aren’t actually empty yet.

The other cool thing is that because it’s per page, they don’t actually care if it’s full colour or black and white. So no more worrying about printing photos and using it all up etc.

Sorry I sound like a rep don’t I 😂 I’m not on commission I just really like it as it’s taken all the stress out of printing 😂

squanderedcore · 06/07/2020 17:21

Thanks everyone, your comments make me feel much less guilty about lack of church attendance!

Sorry for lack of personals! Have headache plus a bit more filling to do before I can stop for the day.. Dogs bit barky and restless so need to take them out too as dh has two more client calls. Also need to make dd something soft to eat after dentist. Argh have done zero flying today.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 06/07/2020 17:58

I have instant ink too. I had a month free trial first then i randomly got given another 4 months! I have also ended up with two lots of unopened cartridges and my next lot have been dispatched!

squanderedcore · 06/07/2020 17:58

Meant to say Hazel dh spoke to US client earlier today who said wrt 4th July; "we've been doing quite well without the Brits for approx 240 years ...until 4 yrs ago" Grin

merryhouse · 06/07/2020 19:26

sc to be fair, we've been racing them downwards...

TaDa

s&s x2
took stuff out of freezer
exercise class (did pause early, but not as often as I might have done)
fed S2 early
wiped shower cubicle
shopping including 2 yellow-sticker pineapples at 25p each
made ice cream with one of the pineapples
made curry
emptied compost bucket (twice - pineapple tops are bulky Grin)

having triangulated a marriage and two deaths around her birth I am now pretty confident in my gggrandmother's parentage - yay!

squanderedcore · 06/07/2020 19:32

Too true Merryhouse!

HungryHazelEyes · 06/07/2020 19:48

SC 😆 at DH client! Take it easy today, your body is probably telling you not to do so much.

THAT sounds like I might need to show up there with my shovel (after 2 weeks of quarantine of course)! DH would be lucky to not end up under the patio by the end of the week. To not go into work today would be a pretty serious reason to LYS and I would be surprised if you haven't already.

lane you do sound like the perfect spokesperson for the ink. You should send them an invoice for promoting them 😆

I know I've had lots of nice things happen to me. The way everyone around me here (ILs, friends and coworkers) rallied around to make visiting mum and dad possible when my dad was dying, and then a month later when he had passed away. Everyone helped cook for DH and DC, pick up DC when needed, was available to help in any way. My coworkers had all pitched in and got me a $100 gift card to help out with expenses as well. It was very touching. None of my own family helped out, other than mum. It's eye opening.

HungryHazelEyes · 06/07/2020 19:53

Oh and no ta das yet today as I'm halfway through my work day. Plan for tonight is BBQ chicken thighs for dinner (hopefully they're still good) along with butter garlic pan fried Brussels sprouts. We are also planning on moving the camp trailer to the front of the house again since DH is done working on it. He had to redo the floor in the bathroom in there since it was rotting.

Tomorrow we plan to get the pool set up and filled between appointments for the DC. We would normally have had it up for a few weeks by now but the weather hasn't been consistently hot until now.

HungryHazelEyes · 06/07/2020 19:57

princes it's nice being able to get together with family again isn't it?

AWOL in my house all mopping of floors is done with a bucket of hot soapy water and a cloth, hands and knees to clean it. I used to use a mop but one day noticed a bunch of dirt it missed.

squanderedcore · 06/07/2020 20:15

Thank you Hazel that's really lovely about your US family.

That sounds fascinating about your family historyMerry; Megiddo is the expert on here.