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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:
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cleanermam92 · 06/08/2020 18:03

Aw thank you merry, I’m cleaning for a big shopping centre currently only part time but really flexible hours so when both DC start school I will be able to up my hours. DM’s doing great with the counselling and even Dgran is involved it’s great!. I’m from the NE but live in the WM now the DC call me Mom!

sing I’ve been lurking for a while and there’s been loads of name changes so thought I’d join the club! And thank you! It’s great I feel so much better for it. I’m glad you had a nice day, I’ve been out with a few friends and their DC and it’s just been lovely feeling a bit back to normal

Mc3209 · 06/08/2020 19:50

cleanermam That sounds like a great set up!
princes You take care of you, lovely. Flowers
Sing It's good to get a bit of normality, it is the luxury to be enjoyed.

Ta Da list for today (in no specific order):

  • Kitchen S&S
  • Bed made
  • Dry LOL from yesterday folded
  • Started to look into photo frames for the hallway
JigoloHarMegiddo · 06/08/2020 20:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

TheUpholder · 06/08/2020 21:08

Princes hope a SM break helps and hope to see you back here when you’re ready.

Welcome back Cleaner, well done on the new job.

Merry I’m north east too.

Zoo sorry about ‘d’p. Awful what little thought he’s given to you and the DC, but I really feel you’ll have an easier life without him. Well done on kitchen painting. Hope the hips aren’t punishing you too much.

KCC - current ear worm is The Weeknd, blinding lights. I quite liked the song but I’ve had the chorus whirring round in my head for the last week and it’s wearing a little thing.

Dancing decluttering is hard, but once you get going it gets easier and you’ll be on a roll. Have you read Marie Kondo’s book or watched her series on Netflix? I didn’t follow her methods exactly but it definitely inspired me to do it properly. Bower you sound like you’re doing great getting rid of the schools stuff.

Anyhoo, I’m off the bed. Back tomorrow fledglings

TheUpholder · 06/08/2020 21:11
  • Wearing thin. Not thing Hmm.

Meg SIX LOLs is not a total strike!

SingToTheSky · 06/08/2020 21:57

This evenings ear worm was bye bye love by the everley brothers?! 🤷‍♀️

I am so sleepy I feel like I’ve wasted the evening. I’m so so glad I got out of the house for a long time though. Definitely got some vitamin D!

ta da
🔥communicated with charity to check info for meetings
☀️got DS to do more laundry
🔥socialised!
☀️walked to town
🔥bought storage baskets and shorts for DS
☀️reading (finished TOMM book)

ta didn’t
❌have any useful conversation with DH
❌buy vitamins despite being in a town centre for the third day in a row! I looked in Boots but they didn’t have one of the three I needed and my brain couldn’t shift gear and decide what else to buy for the 3for2 (despite the fact I clearly could’ve just got a second box of one of the others)

Sigh. I’m hoping the achiness is more from today and not due to the gym still as I want to go back soon. But this level of fatigue is also making it hard to get anything else done. Life is a permanent balancing act and it’s very frustrating!

OP posts:
Dancingtomusic · 06/08/2020 22:35

Hi Cleanermam (waves)

Up - thanks I haven't seen Marie Kondo programs or you tube videos but I will definately go watch it now. I need motivation.
I took the kids for a bike ride and picnic at the park. To help tire them out and the go to bed at a reasonable time.
I am so glad they are asleep. If I have to hear my 5 year old whinge and moan at me allday again....i do not know how I will make it through another day.

cleanermam92 · 06/08/2020 23:21

It is brill mc I haven’t worked since I had my eldest so feeling much better. It’s nice to have that extra money too.

Aw thank you meg! I feel well popular with you all remembering me I was sure you’d have forgotten who I wasGrin

Thank you upholder!

Is your book the organisation mom method sing? How do you find it?. I’m sorry you’re feeling fatigued, I hope it goes soon! I’ve found mine gets like that when my diet is really poor.

Hiya dancing! :) picnics and bike rides are the go to here too lol. I love to tire them out!

KCC good thing going by sugar Minott is stuck in my head. Not sure why as I haven’t heard it in ages!

Okay, my attempt sticking to the fly plan...
ta da
✅Made beds
✅Morning skincare routine
✅Kids and I dressed
✅Made blueberry pancakes for breakfast
✅S&S
✅LOL
✅Washed up from breakfast, dried and put away
✅Cleaned kitchen surfaces
✅Dropped DC off at mums
✅Went to work
✅Picked DC up from mums
✅Gave raw veg and hummus and a snack
✅Took off work clothes and put in laundry basket
✅Did 30 mins of educational activities with DC
✅Sorted through my emails cancelled some accounts I have
✅Made salmon fish fingers for tea
✅Washed up and put away
✅Did 30 mins educational activities with DC
✅Gave DC fruit yoghurt snack
✅Bathed DC and got ready for bed
✅Put DC for bed
✅Wiped down kitchen surfaces and cleaned floor
✅Cleaned hallway floor
✅Hoovered living room floor
✅Dusted
✅Hoovered and cleaned down sofa
✅Shined sink
✅Had a bath
✅Evening skin care routine
✅S&S

I’ve become a bit of a clean freak since lockdown happened so I dust and vacuum every nightBlush

HungryHazelEyes · 07/08/2020 01:54

zoo, sing and more (I think) sorry you have had some bad days lately. Hopefully things get better soon (and that you enjoyed your day out sing

I've been busy the past few days (other than at work) so have only just been able to catch up, so sorry there aren't more personals. Welcome back cleaner

Tuesday we had lots of little appointments so other than my bedding getting washed there wasn't much flying that day.

Wednesday I had DS mow (after I LMS) I felt really bad, he's just really missing his friends and having a hard time right now.

Tonight (Thursday) I will have dinner to make and I really need to clear up in the kitchen.

🍒👋 to everyone!

HungryHazelEyes · 07/08/2020 05:01

Wow cleaner that's an impressive list!

I did a little tidying up after work tonight in the kitchen.

⚽️ Put some things away that had been washed but just set on the counter instead of put away 🙋‍♀️ it was me 🤦‍♀️.
🥅 Finished loading DW. There is almost a full 2nd load ready to go in already, but won't until tomorrow, oh well.

⚽️ Put out hot spot on kitchen table, actually filed papers that needed to be filed.

🥅 Played football with DS and DH.

I still need to get my clothes out for tomorrow but already got my lunch ready. I'm ready for the weekend!

Stilllivinginazoo · 07/08/2020 06:41

cleaner welcome back!

I have given myself til 830 to complete tasks then I'm collapsing in fetid heap to sort routines/menu plan not move much

I am not a liver of hot weather
Roll on winter

Stilllivinginazoo · 07/08/2020 06:41

Oh and KCC
Dream on by aerosmith

EasilyDelighted · 07/08/2020 07:12

Morning all, a12345b

About to get up and get cracking before the heatwave descends, not looking forward to it one bit. It got unpleasantly hot here yesterday. But I've got a cat lying on me nuzzling my arm, she likes a morning head rub.

Welcome back Cleaner, great news about the job.

KCC - annoying = the forecast heatwave here.
Earworm - It's a hard knock life from Annie. Someone used it as a put down on a thread yesterday and its been playing in my head ever since.

THATbasicrebelBITCH · 07/08/2020 07:16

Catching up

Welcome back cleaning I am going back to work in September (part time) after 18 months of sick leave / maternity leave / furlough. I am a bit scared at the prospect of getting myself and the smaller dc out of the house for 730 twice a week while trusting the other two to make it to school 😬

Enjoy your sm break princes

Zoo your man child doesnt need HMO he can go in the garden .... new patio?

THATbasicrebelBITCH · 07/08/2020 07:22

dancing my 7 year old is getting really BORED and being really a pain so i feel you! I might dig her bike out and try and teach her to ride it ....

I also need to chase up the delivery of dc2s school uniform which i am sure said 3 days but now cant find where it said that Hmm

Stilllivinginazoo · 07/08/2020 07:46

that I'd quite like a patioGrin

Tada
Cats fed
Wash on
Harpic lav
Wash up
Wipe surfaces
Disinfect kitchen sink
Sweep lower floors
S+s
Sort three BRC
Wash hang out to dry
More in
Tidy hall(sort shoe heap,pick up costs knock on floor,empty various bags dumped)
Sweep floor
Wipe floor over

I am pleased to report dd2 got up after Alexa alarm woke rest of them.shes taken meds,done morning stretches and can eat in ten minutes!!

JigoloHarMegiddo · 07/08/2020 07:47

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

Mc3209 · 07/08/2020 07:58

Morning everyone! It's Friday! Whoop whoop!

It must be so tough keeping kids entertained with all the restrictions. Hats off to you, people.

I hoping-hoping-hoping it doesn't rain over the weekend, I really want to sort out the garden. The hedge is starting to look like a jungle, and I am pretty sure there are new species of life in there by now.

To do list for today:

  • order photo frames for the hallway, and whilst I am at it, sort out few physical photo albums. I find it sad that I hardly ever look at the hoards of digital pictures we have, I like actual photo albums to hold and flick through.
  • LOL
  • S&S bathroom and kitchen
  • Hoover and mop the floors

Let's see what the day brings.

TheUpholder · 07/08/2020 08:57

Morning!

A better day than yesterday already as I have a ta da list Grin

✅ kitchen sorted
✅ LOL
✅ living room tidied
✅ emergency ironing of uniform
✅ beds made
✅ s & s
✅ made it to work on time despite leaving a bit late and by some miracle without running out of fuel

You can keep the badge Meg, you’ll earn it back anyway in no time. Alas I cannot use the heat as an excuse. Slightly lower temperatures and a refreshing breeze where we are, and the heat doesn’t bother me. I feel I should have been born into a Mediterranean climate. Having said that it’s much hotter this morning in the city and the walk from the car park has been a little hard going.

Well done to DD2 Zoo.

I’ve arrived at work so will have to leave the rest of the personals til later. I’ll drag myself through today (with a few extra ear worms thanks to you lot) and then I have a whole 10 days off work. Woohoo! Hope you all find a shady spot to get you through.

TheUpholder · 07/08/2020 09:01

Oh, missed yoga and tidying DD’s bedroom off my ta da list. They are my proudest achievements of the morning, I’m not letting them go unannounced Grin

Bowerbird5 · 07/08/2020 09:22

Morning all.
Just about to get up feeling very tired this morning yet I went to bed at a reasonable time and slept most of the night.
I can see the top of the table in the dining room. I admit I didn’t do as much yesterday. I am fed up with sorting school stuff. There was some other stuff too so put some of that away.
Spoke to my sister but we both avoided the elephant in the room. She loves her gift which finally arrived.
Went to BF last night to help her moved a very large sofa out of her house. It took a while and we had a couple of drinks with them. Only house I have been in. DH has been to DS 2 who is still off work. And had to have another test not sure why I think their company are asking for one then days at home and second test. So far everyone negative except the one that triggered it.

Have to face paperwork and a medical ( phone call) at lunch time.

Going to try and do dining room. I washed the kitchen window yesterday so might do the dining room and sitting room ones today.
We have carrot and walnut cake this week.

Will try to get back later. Need to read back for Tuesday /Wednesday someone asked a plant question so need to find who and what. I got interrupted at the time, sorry.
See everyone later. 🍒 🌊

Mc3209 · 07/08/2020 09:39

Upholder that is a seriously impressive Ta Da list and it's not even 10am yet!

Bower that was me with a plant question. I pruned my indoor ficus few weeks ago and now trying to water propagate the cuttings. After almost 4 weeks in water (which is changed regularly) cuttings only have 5mm of roots max. I am tempted to pop them into soil already, as I am worried they will rot.. am I being too impatient?

Looks like you have a busy day ahead. ☕☕☕🥐 Hope you feel more energised as the day goes on ☺️

SingToTheSky · 07/08/2020 09:50

Morning all. Off for breakfast as a family so a quick post from me!

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Friday is clear out your bag/car. And date night if such things are possible.

KCC
If the pandemic suddenly completely disappeared, where would you go first?

I think I actually would go jump in the pool. I know I could go swimming but it doesn’t feel quite normal enough yet.

Or I’d arrange some kind of home ed trip with loads of friends!
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

OP posts:
ChicCroissant · 07/08/2020 10:22

Good morning, I've just been reading through the last week of the thread - that'll teach me to get behind Grin

KCC - ooh, not sure - maybe on holiday? All my FB memories this week have been about last year's holiday.

zoo I'm quite liking tremors = teenies. We were watching a hedgehog last night in our garden, it had quite a turn of speed. Sorry to hear about the further issues with your DP, the uncertainty makes things harder than they need to be. You need someone you can rely on and fall back on.

home I also love having everyone at home, DD now doesn't want to go back to school! She likes working in a less-rushed manner on schoolwork.

Sing we all need a bit of time and space to ourselves, even women who make motherhood look easy like yourself Grin I used to body-brush, always towards the heart is how I remember it.

I've had my coffee, better get in the shower and start the day properly. It's going to be a hot one so good for laundry!

SingToTheSky · 07/08/2020 12:01

Haha chic I’m still amused by the idea of making motherhood look easy 🙈

Went for breakfast and it was lovely, only slightly awkward that we were once kindly asked to stop the caglets walking around! Oops 🙈 there was not a single other person there which made it easier, and Cagletini (who hadn’t been in a restaurant for several months even before lockdown) was pretty good really and sat and ate her food but it’s still too long for her to sit down! Just had a quick stop at the park and now walking home so slowly I can write this post 😂 which is agonisingly slow in this heat 🥵

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