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Housekeeping

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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
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Stilllivinginazoo · 05/07/2020 07:36

Morning

Not a great sleep and I'm tired but the furry overlords are calling!
Scoutcat was 10 yesterday,so got lots of fuss
Dd1 bought deckchair with fiance and sat garden chat for an hour

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
Bowerbird5 · 05/07/2020 08:44

Zoo ahh Scoutcat is gorgeous. Great idea about games and Pictionary ideal.

Merry being a bit thick headed yesterday meant I forgot to thank you for details about breadmaker. Bread is one of the things that means DH has to go out to shop. We can last a month otherwise but milk and bread needed. When we first had the new kitchen put in there was nothing on the worktops which I enjoyed for a couple of weeks but now we have quite a few which meant DH had an excuse for not getting one. Since we lost the cat it means we could put it away where the cat food box was. It obviously has to be out while using unless I could make space in the baking cupboard. I am looking at Lakeland ones at the moment.

SC discovered church open for Mass today. Have you been? I am not sure about going.

Had a good nights sleep but my head still doesn’t feel quite right. I meant to have steam inhale bowl last night but then forgot. I do feel a bit sinusy this morning so will do it later.

Meg nuisance about beds.

Brought a cup of tea back to bed as. Woke at 7:30am and went out to shed for a wee. Managed to last all night. Very unusual as I was up three times the night before. Need to get up soon as builder coming at 10am to finish floor yeah. He is going to cut some stone flag for my planter as well bless him. Bathroom looks much bigger...without the toilet 🤣😂🤣 hoping to get paint from trade paint store this week. Need to paint the shelves in gloss too. Then I can put everything back after about five months. SC feel for you trying to live in worse situation. I do remember when we first did this house but much smaller than yours. Also Coniston but parts were liveable you just had to watch for all the cables, pipes, tools etc.

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 05/07/2020 08:53

Ffs catching up again ....

Ta da

❤ Dcs 3, 4 and 5 up, fed and dressed
🧡 Dc5 down for nap
💛 Some wet washing on radiators (had to turn on as tooooo much washing)
💚 Made playdough
💙 Added to Asda order
💜 Ordered socks, undies, pjs for dc
❤ Ordered forgotten birthday card
🧡 Stripped dc 4 and 5 beds

LittlemissAWOL · 05/07/2020 08:56

I did it again! Was up until 4am watching TV (gogglebox this time 🙈) kids woke me at 7.30 to say my bedroom window was nearly blown off. Jesus they weren't kidding. I completely forgot they were open. Have managed to get them shut but they're definitely damaged and can never be opened until I have £££ to replace 😩

After my ride awakening I thought I may as well crack on so
🌬 cleaned hob
🌬 LOL
🌬 cleaned Cutlery drawer (with DS2 help)
🌬 now cleaning out one of the kitchen cupboards with help from DS2&3. It's the one where I keep spices, baking stuff, pasta and lots more so plenty to sort through

LittlemissAWOL · 05/07/2020 08:56

I did it again! Was up until 4am watching TV (gogglebox this time 🙈) kids woke me at 7.30 to say my bedroom window was nearly blown off. Jesus they weren't kidding. I completely forgot they were open. Have managed to get them shut but they're definitely damaged and can never be opened until I have £££ to replace 😩

After my ride awakening I thought I may as well crack on so
🌬 cleaned hob
🌬 LOL
🌬 cleaned Cutlery drawer (with DS2 help)
🌬 now cleaning out one of the kitchen cupboards with help from DS2&3. It's the one where I keep spices, baking stuff, pasta and lots more so plenty to sort through

LittlemissAWOL · 05/07/2020 09:52

DC ditched the cleaning to go and have cereal and strawberries and I thought that would be the last of my help. DS2 has come back and asked if he can still help 😮 so together with my little helper we have more ta-da's
🌬 cleaned another cupboard out
🌬 cleaned oven. I usually use of the box cleaners and leave overnight but I'm making a roast today so couldn't. I've used fairy liquid and a scraper and I can't believe how well it's come up.
🌬 cleaned microwave which was shameful
🌬 DS cleaned and refilled tea/coffee/sugar

We've now started another cupboard

LaneBoy · 05/07/2020 10:03

Oh no awol!!! 😱

Can’t believe it’s been 5 months bower!

I was awake early today and have done nothing with that time. Just CBA! I do hope I can do a little decluttering in zone 2 though. I think I’ll try and just stick to the zones as a bit of inspiration for the next two weeks to make sure I still get rid of a few bits. Then it’ll be summer holidays and I won’t be stressing about home ed for DS or checking google sodding classroom for DD1 (although we do need to decide what if any revision DD1 needs to do 😣). Then we will have more time and energy to do more... hopefully...

I feel like I need a to do list today or I’ll get nowhere :(

📌submit prescription request online (need DH to show me how as not used new system before)
📌print author’s book, write covering note, possibly phone her (I meant to post during the week)
📌finalise and print penultimate week of home ed schedule!!!
📌bit of decluttering in kitchen
📌try and draw something, ANYTHING!
📌futurelearn course work
📌email counselling skills tutor
📌put last of laundry away (give caglets’ stuff to them)
📌email ACEs leader
📌possibly set up habit tracker and food diary page

I’m tempted to add more stuff as I can think of a million things I should do but even the above is most likely over ambitious 🙄

Actually I’ll add
📌watch at least one episode of Better Things WHILE I RELAX AND DO NOTHING ELSE

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 05/07/2020 10:04

Still trying to catch up

Zoo sorry you having such a crap time atm and Shock at the man in your garden!

AWOL sorry about the window Sad i am a bit Envy at your helper!

As predicted by zoo the reopening of pubs resulted in the man in my life becoming an utter twat and i am quite honestly disgusted in him. He needs to keep out of my way.

I am angry cleaning.

Ta da

💛 Quick bath
💚 Sorted dry washing
💙 Washer on
💜 Sun is out so washing on line and heating off
❤ Recycling out
🧡 Windows open

KTCluck · 05/07/2020 10:05

AWOL it might be worth getting a price for fixing the window. We had one in our old place that had got damaged and couldn’t be easily opened or closed. I can’t remember exactly how much it was but I remember being pleasantly surprised and it didn’t take him long. It was a small local firm that did it. Impressive flying for this time on a Sunday morning!

Games sounds a good idea Zoo and gorgeous cat.

Bower I don’t envy you having to trail out to the shed in the middle of the night. Hope you have an indoor loo again soon!

OP posts:
JigoloHarMegiddo · 05/07/2020 10:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

LaneBoy · 05/07/2020 10:29

Should mention from my to do list, it’s not the whole book I’m printing! Just what she’s read to me so far, 3.5k words, as it’s the end of a section. 22 pages double spaced though - glad I have Instant Ink! 😂

I’m feeling a bit over sensitive today. Why does lockdown have such an impact on confidence?! I am also grumpy because McDonald’s aren’t delivering breakfast it seems. Rude.

I’ve got started on my list though so that’s something.

JigoloHarMegiddo · 05/07/2020 11:03

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

LittlemissAWOL · 05/07/2020 12:56

McDonald's breakfast is back on the 8th lane.

Tbh kt DH can fit double glazing so he may be able to fix it. His track record for fixing broken things means this may be done sometime around Jan 2023.

I probably could hire him out meg but he's money mad so I dread to think how much he'd charge 😂

So we got a few more kitchen units cleaned out before lunch then I made the DC tuna sandwiches, grapes, cheesestring, frube and cake. Once I'd finished eating their scraps 🙈 I found myself abandoning the kitchen for upstairs where I
🌬 S&S
🌬 took bath mats up and swept floor (still need to put clean ones down)
🌬 took curtains down in our room to wash
🌬 stripped our bed. Hoovered and flipped mattress and remade.
🌬 dusted and polished our room
🌬 cleaned windows and mirror in our room
🌬 hoovered our room

I'm now going to have a wardrobe sort out which is madness because my kitchen is upside down but I'm bored of the kitchen for now 🤣

xmummy2princesx · 05/07/2020 14:05

Thank u ktc. Glad 2 hear dh had a good night.

Beautiful cat zoo

Oh dear about window awol!

lane I can’t wait u til maccies r doing the breakfast again!

Sorry I haven’t caught up wiv every1. Feeling quite sick 2day think I haven’t been drinking enough water!. Thanks 4 kind words about ex. He’s tried 2 call me a lot 2day but have told him I will talk later. Just rly annoyed as he was the 1 who broke it off and is now acting like the victim.

LaneBoy · 05/07/2020 14:45

thanks 😄 🍔🍳🥞

glad I got a bit of decluttering done earlier as I have a sicky headache again. My own fault this time (always get them when I’ve missed a few propranolol) - hoping I’ll feel better enough to do some of my course soon, I only have a few days left before the futurelearn one expires!

LittlemissAWOL · 05/07/2020 14:48

Have now moved from sorting clothes to glossing. I hate painting but I just got the urge to do it so I'm running with it

LaneBoy · 05/07/2020 15:10

It’s crazy how even though we’ve had more than three months of lockdown I still get the panicky “OMG I need to get xyz done before a new week starts” feeling on the weekend. 😂

I am fit for nothing so I’m retiring to bed with iplayer for some comedy! And reminding myself that nothing on my list is actually must-be-done-today urgent. Ideally I’ll get the HE plan done later but it’s mostly there anyway so it’s not a huge problem if I don’t add anything.

Lisette1940 · 05/07/2020 16:30

I've managed to book a haircut for 23 July. Not my usual hairdresser but it's local and doesn't involve a bus ride. We are just about to open wine 🍷🍷 while cooking dinner. I have done no housework today save for reorganising a kitchen cupboard. Ds has had his first garden playdate as per Scottish lockdown rules. It was great for him and his pal. And relax.

Lisette1940 · 05/07/2020 16:32

No real life Mass here yet. I've taken to communing with God while running. She doesn't seem to mind. ✝️

THATscurryfungeBITCH · 05/07/2020 19:05

The twat level here is VERY high 🙄

Stilllivinginazoo · 05/07/2020 20:25

Oh dear that
Is it time I socially distanced at yours with a spade and a decent alibi?
Hope twatty mctwat face has hangover from hell and DC are being extra noisy

"D"p has had weekend off and not bothered see zoolets

Laundry mountain been in progress today
Made choc chip banana bread with dd2

Not much else to report except lots frayed tempers -dd2 has been in foulest temper all day,D's is agitated and keeps snapping and lil zoo engaging in a even my breathing is getting her goat kinda day.im clinging to final fringes of my temper.i may lose it before days out.only time will tell and if everyone takes things down a few notches
I suspect they're angry at absent parents and full time one is copping the slack as usual

Tea time for me now

Meg dare I ask about how the mullet looks

I would pay good money for a small helper

merryhouse · 05/07/2020 20:32

TaDa

s&s x2
lol
washed up
did rest of ironing
made bed
washed up again

found another strand in the family connections of my great-great-grandmother, but no closer to finding out which of her grandparents' children is her parent...

LaneBoy · 05/07/2020 20:59

FML. Thankfully headache eased a bit after I sat with my feet in warm water with a cold flannel on my neck. Felt like a right tit but it seemed to ease the pressure a bit, hurrah for internet life hacks (Nando’s helped too! 😳😂)

But then after the cheeky takeaway we had to do a bit of crisis cleaning as I noticed ants ON THE WINDOWSILL in the downstairs loo. WTF. We’d had to put stuff down under the front door a few weeks ago but I was at a loss on this one until I noticed they were getting in through a little hole by the window that may have been from the blind the previous tenant had up. Sorted for now with a medicine syringe and various cleaning products but I’m a bit overwhelmed and sad because I hate stuff like that, and feel like a Not Proper Adult because I’m a bit shit at keeping on top of all the cleaning stuff. Bah.

I really want a nice homey house and I’ve been thinking about what needs to change for that, you know how some homes just feel all cosy and warm? Ours doesn’t.

LaneBoy · 05/07/2020 21:05

Also I’m sad as I had to chuck the cute little drawers I bought when we moved in - one of the few “nice” things I bought tbh! I thought they’d be ok not being “bathroomy” as it’s not like they’re in the shower with steam damage etc. But they’d gone a bit manky at the back and I hadn’t realised :( they’re basically to keep pads etc in for any visitors (I don’t use them now and DD1 keeps hers in her room) so I don’t want nothing there at all...

Should I go for this as a replacement? :o

Fledglings prepare to fly their lockdown nests and jump into July - join us for the July FlyLady thread
THATscurryfungeBITCH · 05/07/2020 21:08

Omg lane i want one. Mine live in a drawer in the bathroom. Couple of weeks ago they were discovered by the 3 year old who emptied two full boxes of tampax down the loo. On top of his steaming shit. Angry