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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!

962 replies

SingToTheSky · 30/07/2020 12:29

Hello and welcome to the (slightly early) August Fledgling Thread! Join us for housework chat and a ridiculous amount of non housework chat too.

We follow (supposedly) the FlyLady system, which helps you gradually build up a set of routines. This month I won’t be putting regular links on, but there will be regular references to whatever the current zone and daily focus is. Please ask if you need any further info!

Here are some links to get you started (but don’t sign up for the emails as you’ll get inundated!)

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/ - a set of little tasks to gradually add to your day - some are a bit twee so pick and choose what you want!

www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions - this updates weekly with a set of five specific tasks for the weekly zone - worth checking for ideas! I will try and remember to remind us what zone we are in. It changes on a Sunday and we will be starting with Zone 1, the entrance/porch/hallway, and dining room if you have one.

www.flylady.net/c/lp.php - this contains links for most other things so is a good place to check if you don’t know where to start

It looks like the focus of the month for August is LAUNDRY - getting into the habit of a full load washed, dried and away each day.

Also I was bored a while back so I put together a little glossary of the many weird and might-seem-a-bit-cliquey terms. We have been going a long time but we always love newbies - hopefully this list will help you settle in.
KCC - the Keep Calm Corner, invented by our lovely Fledgling SC back in March, where the OP posts nice diverting links, memes, questions etc to distract us from the pandemic.

Ta Da - instead of a to do list (which is of course welcome too) we often post our achievements, with accompanying jazz hands, in order to celebrate the positives, however small they seem! Sometimes if we want to share an embarrassed giggle/commiserations we also post a ta didn’t - the stuff we didn’t get done. Oops.

BRC - Bag/Box of Random Crap. These are usually formed when we are panic tidying and shove anything in “to sort later” which is also known as a stash and dash.

Power of Three or PO3 - the idea that if you’re feeling really unmotivated/overwhelmed by your to do list, you just choose three things to do, and then post when you’ve done them.

Cherry Waves - borne of a typo of “cheery waves” this is now - to the extent my autocorrect just changed it again - often how we sign off. You may also see it in emoji form! 🍒👋🙋🏻 (😷 for socially distanced waves!).

Haughty Corner - this is from a typo of the naughty corner - the virtual hangout spot where we hide from housework and eat virtual snacks.

Future Friend or FF - the idea (apparently coming from The Organised Mum Method) of doing something to make life easier for yourself in future. Includes things like choosing clothes for the next day, getting bags ready etc.

DLMS - didn’t lose my shit - in other words, somehow stayed relatively calm despite a stressful day!

SS/S&S - Swish and Swipe - this is one of the key parts of the morning routine, a quick once over of the bathroom.

And a few basics:
LOL - load of laundry
WM - washing machine
TD - tumble dryer
DW - dishwasher
HSL - hallway, stairs, landing

And finally, for any Fledglings old or new who are trying to lose weight in lockdown, here’s our new body clutter banishing thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3975886-Body-Clutter-Be-Gone-The-Fledglings-Weightloss-Thread?pg=1

I’ll stop waffling there. Welcome one and all, a huge thank you to KTCluck for steering us through July while also working, and away we go for August! 🍒👋

OP posts:
Thread gallery
53
EasilyDelighted · 30/07/2020 13:41

Thank you Sing I'll be back later Flowers

THATbasicrebelBITCH · 30/07/2020 13:58

Place marking and testing name change .....

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/07/2020 15:52
foxessocks · 30/07/2020 17:16

Hi everyone!! Thanks for the new thread and thank you for July thread KT hope I'm right and it was you...it's been so long since I checked in I've slightly lost what's going on so sorry!

I've been working in the office rather than from home this week (I work from home even pre covid, it's not a new thing!) I was covering people on holiday, it's been a nice change of scene but clearly flying has fallen by the wayside! It's not looking too messy because the kids haven't been here they've been looked after elsewhere 😂 but it does need a clean definitely. I've got the day off tomorrow but I fear it will be too hot for cleaning and I'll be running back to the air-conditioned office (with the kids too!)

Hope everyone is ok, I just go because my sausages are burning !!

HungryHazelEyes · 30/07/2020 17:20

Thank you sing love the name change!

xmummy2princesx · 30/07/2020 18:52

Thank u 4 the new thread sing

TheUpholder · 30/07/2020 19:55

Checking in with a shiny new name.

Thanks for the new thread Sing with your equally shiny name.

I like yours too That. I still can’t stretch to ‘bitch’ but could manage ‘rebel’ Grin

Hi Foxes (you remembered correctly Wink). Hope you saved the sausages.

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/07/2020 20:31

KT thanks brilliant leadership in july

Sing thanks new thread

ChicCroissant · 30/07/2020 20:34

Is it that time already - sneaking in to the new thread Blush

foxessocks · 30/07/2020 21:15

Did I miss a memo about name changing?! I'm all confused now, shows how awol I've been Blush

Sausages didn't burn but they were disappointing Sad

Doublechins · 30/07/2020 21:24

Wow must be a name for name changes ( I promise to not go awol this month 😉 😂)

Took the SC for a walk this afternoon then home to make a roast dinner and HM rice pudding. Bathed littles and that's it!

Have a few things to sort for DS4 birthday tomorrow though so will have to motivate myself t some point.

Doublechins · 30/07/2020 21:25

The day for name changes 🙄 fat fingers

merryhouse · 30/07/2020 21:34

I posted today's list on the old thread, but I need to add

  • set washing machine to come on tomorrow morning

hoping it won't wake S1 at 4am; tomorrow is set to be hot and sunny so I want to take advantage before anyone lights a barbecue

MrsTidyHouse · 30/07/2020 22:31

Lovely shiny new thread!

After yesterday's stress, I woke up feeling mentally restless and unsettled. Someone on the previous thread mentioned their complicated bubbles, sorry, I don't remember who, and it sounds very tiring just trying to figure it all out. I'm trying to put it all to one side for now, to take each day at a time, but it's hard time. The CBT sounds interesting.

Anyway, my routine is going reasonably well until early afternoon, when I try to control the paperwork. Today was really really slow, including a couple of discussions with DH to decide how to store previous tax years. Even at this speed, I should get caught up over the next week.

Found small notebook of things to get done tucked in the back of a diary. I write lists, lose them, rewrite a bit differently, never manageto sustain any effort for more than a few days. I'm determined to break this habit before school starts.

Doublechins · 30/07/2020 22:52

Well balance bike built and presents/balloons/cards out.

Don't know what planet DH is on. First 'when did you get his balloon' erm we had a whole conversation about it when I bought it.
Then 'when are we getting his cake?'
That would be the cake that we bought on Monday. You were there when I got it. We chose it together!! 🙄

HungryHazelEyes · 31/07/2020 02:13

Thank you KT for July's thread, you did well with the links especially with being so busy.

Was at work all day so no flying really. I just picked up a few pool toys from on the ground from the DC. Dishes were done today as well, so that's something that was done!

So DS freaked me out a little bit last night (he tends to talk in his sleep sometimes) well last night as I was getting ready for bed he came into the bathroom (sleep walking - a first for him!) And said it sounds like someone is killing everyone. I thought I heard him wrong so had him repeat himself. That's what he said! So I reassured him that no one was killing anyone and to go back to bed!!!

He talks really softly when he's sleep- talking so I knew he wasn't awake. It was just strange.

Anyway, it's a heat wave here, my phone says it's 98°f! At least it's a dry heat though🌡

Stilllivinginazoo · 31/07/2020 06:09

hazeldd1 went thru sleepwalking phase.terrified me as stated without blinking and said some pretty odd stuff with very quiet voice that had no idiom.glad it passed within few months!continued to sleep talk...I do still occasionally too apparently,dd2 sleeptalks also,so much be genetic!

Happy birthday littlechin

JigoloHarMegiddo · 31/07/2020 07:45

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Stilllivinginazoo · 31/07/2020 08:30

Beautifully organised meg

Wash hang up to dry

martakeithy · 31/07/2020 11:45

Hi all,
Singtothesky thank you for stepping up and I love the new name, very positive and uplifting (not a pun). Liked Laneboy too, was like a country roadman, but with hedges. Smile
Upholder respect to your very excellent, upholding in July. It was inspired. Smile
I really haven’t managed to do much in the zone, even declutter. I think I will consider the zones as a suggestion and focus on decluttering and swishing for now.
With teething and lack of sleep, I struggle to just keep on top of general tidying, laundry, shopping and cooking and having any kind of social life.
My washing machine keeps showing error codes, which I have been investigating. I think there is a problem draining?
Have asked my mum to come over this afternoon (she's my bubble) so I can check the hoses aren’t blocked (Waaaah, no fun at all) and the sink overflow is clear. Then it’s call someone to look at it!!
Also still need to get the strimmer out for DS’s Harry Stile’s mop head, so she can hold the Bab whilst I make a start.
I really want to enjoy the babby while she is this size and not be ignoring her whilst I scrub the grill pan.
I might just do zone 5 next time it swings around
Hope everyone has a bit of sunshine today and 5 minutes to enjoy it.
Going to do a quick bookbug with Bab and try to get an early nap with her.

Dancingtomusic · 31/07/2020 12:19

Hi Sing, thank for the shiny new thread.

Thank KT for the lovely thread in July. I got a chance to read it a few times and then my fraggles would come running in so I never got a chance to post. I have been trying to do fun things activities with the fraggles and sometimes go cycling and we loved it.
Unfortunately the housework has been neglected. So this month I am going to try get back onboard housework.

Hope you all are keeping well.
Fraggle one is calling me....
Cherry waves to everyone!

SingToTheSky · 31/07/2020 12:40

Morning all! Last day of July so I’m not officially hosting yet (wasn’t sure if our lovely July host wanted to sign off etc?) so y’all better enjoy your last day of freedom before I crack the whip.

Hahahahaha. As if. 🤣

Thanks for the name love - I’m sticking to a theme 😉 I was considering MessageMan but that would have the same issue of people assuming I’m a male MNer 🤣 loving the other NCs too! It wasn’t meant to be a Thing foxes don’t worry, I think it was just a few of us felt like changing.

I’ve done very little so far today other than get DD1 to do maths. Now I’m braving the pub as the local open on Wednesday. Bit nervous as it’s a lot less “anonymous” than the others I tried IYSWIM? I don’t normally feel at all self conscious going to the pub alone. But it’s been a long time! Think of the peace and quiet though...

OP posts:
xmummy2princesx · 31/07/2020 13:33

Lots of name changes! Struggling 2 keep up lol. My area has just been given a warning about a second lockdown :(

THATbasicrebelBITCH · 31/07/2020 13:39

I am literally on the outskirts of the huge area where lockdown has been tightened again today! Strange as so many friends / family are in it and we are not

JigoloHarMegiddo · 31/07/2020 13:52

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