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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! 🍒👋

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SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 11:58

Was the panic attack yours or DD2? 💐 I really wish the DCs would help you more. Is there anything that would make it more feasible? Like for DS carrying stuff could you invest in a decent strong backpack or something so he’s not carrying shopping bags but could fit a few things in (even if not the heaviest). They need to take some of the weight (literally and metaphorically) off your shoulders - they are all old enough and you can’t keep doing everything my lovely 😰

Tidy I sooo relate to the losing motivation!!! Let’s all keep each other on track with baby steps (our own baby steps I mean, whatever suits us, rather than the sometimes bizarre 31 steps of flylady. I just rebel against that sort of thing 😳)

Sorry I’m all out of personals somehow, I have read though! Last night did not bring much sleep thanks to the heat and of course being so hot meant the toddler wanted milk a lot too 😑 at least I dozed until 9 and then watched The Middle for a bit so mentally I feel ok today! Annoyingly DH has an online meeting at 2 so I’m not sure if I can go out myself, depends how long it is. I have a list of things to do in town but it will also involve a very cold drink in the pub! But we also need to tidy up the garden a bit for tomorrow (DD1’s worker is visiting here first) and this week’s maths focus is algebra so I need to prep for that when the iPad is charged up. And I must defrost my legs for yoga tomorrow! 😳

PO3.1
❗️Put up safety catch on medicine cupboard with DH
❗️Get him to read the mind map again (as I added lots after first showing him) - we did discuss a couple of ideas last night though
❗️Read a bit of my book

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

It’s Monday! Home bleugh day! Yaaaaaay.

Missions for the week!

KCC - what’s your favourite kind of weather? I’m guessing it’s not scorching heat for most of us 😅 I like spring type weather best. I don’t do well in either very cold or very hot weather as they cause flare ups TBH, and in autumn I don’t like the fact it’s getting darker. I’m just a fussy bugger 😳😂 I like sunny-ish but a light breeze and fluffy clouds!

DH not keen on the heat either. He just said “All I did was shave and now I’m sweating like Boris Johnson on a lie detector!” 😁

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Right, best get on or my PO3 isn’t gonna happen!

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 13:23

PO3.2
❗️Discuss mind map with DH properly (he’s now reread it and made notes!)
❗️Make and print basic algebra stuff for DD1 (I will be using the same manipulatives I made for DS, but DD1 needs more structure so I am making sheets to go with it)
❗️Take my meds with a massive mug of water and just sit and breathe while I decide on my own plans for the rest of the day (as distinct from worrying about everyone else 😂)

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merryhouse · 10/08/2020 13:38

No idea what I've done over the weekend. Appreciated being in the north for one thing (MIL four hours away was melting and didn't dare set foot in the conservatory). Spent half Sunday afternoon ironing, hoovered most of upstairs. Made mulligatawny. S1 made pains aux raisins but I had no input into that.

Oh yes, rang for two weddings. Guidelines are to ring only three bells at a time (which isn't going to sound particularly festive even before you factor in not being used to ringing at that tempo) but because we are a four-person household we rang four before each wedding and then two other people joined us to ring all six afterwards. Took a photo of us all wearing our masks Grin Got stopped on the way out by bride's parents to say how lovely it was to hear the bells. Added bonus was getting paid for it!

S2 asked if we could play cards after dinner yesterday. I suggested Mah-jonng but nobody wanted to remember the rules. We played Newmarket and then poker which I have never played before. Drank weird chocolate orange liqueur which H got for Christmas - S2 didn't like it but S1 who doesn't like alcohol said it was ok.

Consequently left all the washing up till this morning.

Made sandwiches (S2 is out again)
Walk round the footpath
Washing up
Exercise class, shower etc
s&s upstairs
put wash on
made lunch

ToDo
make interim shopping list
go shopping
make chilli
put recycling bin out
hang washing
face up to emails and report

Today is my dad's 89th birthday but I haven't sent anything because he's got vascular dementia and I don't think he'll notice. Should probably send my sister something for hers in three days' time.

howlathebees · 10/08/2020 17:21

Hiya, had a lovely but busy day today. Met up with Dmil and went to the local country park with her the kids and the dogs. Both the dogs are able to be off lead now which I’m chuffed with. Then we met DH at the pub for dinner when he finished work. Playing in the garden now and have got a sprinkler on the kids and myself. Really struggling in this heat, my neighbours have seen me in my bra and pants much more than I’d have liked!. Will be back with personals and my ta da

SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 19:23

It’s definitely wear-as-little-as-possible weather isn’t it 😂

I ended up going to the next town over again just for some peace and quiet. Except it was neither peaceful nor quiet, and wearing the mask was even more horrible 😳🥵 (still better than staying home being continuously badgered) - I really need to make my trips out in the mornings, and for the next couple of weeks not expect to be able to relax in a pub if it’s mon-wed as of course more people were there for the special offer.

I had hoped to sit with DH’s list in response to my mind map (this is just how we need to work now - no time or energy to discuss it together properly so it’s just quick snippets of conversation and passing paper back and forth, it felt a bit like a friendly long distance chess game! Such is family life with zero childcare 😂

I do feel like we are coming up with a few solutions though so later on I will write out the first few we can set up.

I haven’t done any studying or work work today either 😳

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SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 19:25

Oh and I meant to say that is so cool about the bell ringing!

Right now I am sweaty and gross and in need of a leg defrosting so I’m off for a shower

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howlathebees · 10/08/2020 19:29

THAT it’s lovely having a boy house isn’t it! So much fun.

Thank you upholder! I’d love to be by a beach now I think. The kids really want to go but I’m just worried about how busy it will be.

I’m sorry to hear you didn’t have a good night zoo, seconding what sing said can the DC help out at all?

Thank you meg

merry wedding bell ringing is one of my favourite sounds!

I love the middle sing! Lots of people were at the pub by me too I think eat out to help out has got everyone out!.

We’re home now, kids are in bed even though they assure me they shouldn’t be because it’s still light!. I’m ordering the DC’s uniform. DS1 needs proper shirts and a tie because he’s going to big school. I’m feeling very emotional and very grateful I’ll have another baby in the house soon because it’s seem like my others are growing up way too fast!

Stilllivinginazoo · 10/08/2020 19:38

wearing as little as possible weather pants and vest tops are all the rage here.dd2 goes one further bikini top and pants!!

Well two coats,applied to two walls,along with paintwork on those two got a coat white

SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 20:25

PO3.3
❗️Do maths with DD1
❗️Be my future friend and get completely ready for yoga tomorrow (including looking at bus times etc and I need to find my gym card as it’s not in my wallet!)
❗️Write out the getting-in-control ideas I’ve had so far as they’re all just swimming round in my head.

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TooStressyTooMessy · 10/08/2020 20:44

Glad you understand the Roald Dahl thing Sing and foxes!

Welcome back howl and congratulations on baby and job Smile

Ahh those rooms and Kallax look so lovely foxes. Well done.

Great news on dance lessons Sing.

Star for use of elbow grease ED.

So desperate for some real blocks of child free time to declutter. Feels as if there is stuff everywhere, especially in the girls’ rooms. Not going to happen until September and then of course depends on what happens with schools. On the plus side things feel much less fraught without home learning to deal with at the moment.

Ta da:-
Started some holiday homework with DDs. Is fun stuff so although there was some whinging it was minimal.

Zoom classes. Monday has become our zoom day which includes an exercise class for us all.

Calendar check.

15 mins worth of work for job.

Tried to book Peter Rabbit 2 at cinema but it is delayed until Christmas now because of Coronavirus. While booking saw that Inception is showing for its 10 year anniversary. I absolutely love the film. Have seen it so many times but never in the cinema. Wondering if it would be wrong to book to go myself one night next week. DD1 very encouraging. DD2 will be less so as she is not the easiest at bedtime. Will think on it.

To do:-
Finish bedtime
Tidy kitchen
Put away laundry... maybe Hmm.
Possibly sit and watch telly but always feel horrendously guilty doing this as feel I should be doing something else Confused.

TooStressyTooMessy · 10/08/2020 20:50

I missed the last page!

Lovely to hear about bell ringing merry.

Favourite weather: definitely not summer! Thankfully it has been cooler here the last couple of days at 25-26 degrees. I have two favourite ones. Most favourite is snow. Second favourite is a crisp autumn day.

SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 21:18

Definitely go stressy! A couple of hours where nobody can interrupt you - you definitely deserve that! Fledglings order you to go and NOT to feel guilty about it :o

Maths was actually ok. Needing to sort the toddler out now 🤔🙄 so haven’t done my other tasks yet.

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TooStressyTooMessy · 10/08/2020 21:25

Thanks Sing Grin. I’ve just had a look and the tickets are dirt cheap (think cinemas are really struggling atm Sad). Will pick a good moment to suggest it tomorrow!

SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 21:32

Yay for cheap tickets! I agree though they must be struggling - it is shocking how cheap ours are, almost half price! I was planning to rush to see something before the mask rules came in but since you can take it off in your seat I will wait - there are a few things I’m interested in but not sure I can fit in a visit just yet. A couple of friends have said they’d be happy to go but TBH I am perfectly happy seeing films alone, I’ve done that with anime before when DSD was away at uni!

Right must check bus times and stuff for tomorrow. I WILL be my future friend.

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TooStressyTooMessy · 10/08/2020 21:35

Well done on being future friend! Yes, not sure if I put it on here but I did take DDs to the cinema not long after it reopened. Very cheap and I was very impressed with how clean and organised it was.

Stilllivinginazoo · 10/08/2020 21:46

stressy do it!you deserve a break!!

SingToTheSky · 10/08/2020 22:49

ta da
☀️towel LOL
☀️helped put up safety catch (bit of a fiddly task)
☀️vaguely discussed things with DH throughout the day and wrote some proper ideas down between us
☀️finished my book
☀️finished making the maths things for DD1
☀️went out to buy vitamins and look for some other things
☀️shower/defrost/hair/moisturiser
☀️maths with DD1
☀️future friend for yoga! Bag packed, bus checked, alarm set etc

Going to try and sleep now as alarm set for 7.15 and another at 7.30. I’m so often awake then but actually getting up is a different matter 😂 I need to leave at 8 in order to have a leisurely walk (set to be 25deg by 9am so don’t want to rush!) to town, get cash out (needed for cab home as we have a visit) and get the bus that will definitely be on time - I will then just sit outside with my kindle. I’m starting wuthering heights :o

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howlathebees · 10/08/2020 22:59

It is definitely wear as little as possible weather!. DH is loving it😂

zoo you make lovely food! And well done on the painting!

Thank you stressy! Definitely try and get away for one night next week!

kcc my favourite weather is probably spring too. To be specific about 20 degrees with a breeze! I do really love spring!

ta da
Got me and boys dressed
Made beds
Made Breakfast
Fed dogs
Fed chicken and collected eggs
Saw DH off to work
S&S
LOL
Prepped picnic lunch
Walked dogs and kids to park
Washed up picnic
Bathed DC
Put DC to bed
Cleaned cupboards
DH Cleaned fridge
Home bleugh
Collapsed

EasilyDelighted · 10/08/2020 23:25

My favourite months are May and September, warm but not too hot, lighter evenings, gorgeous colours everywhere.

Merry - our parish church is about half a mile away and I heard the bells being rung last night for the first time in ages, lovely to hear.

I'm struggling to keep up with personals, just about keeping on top of chores. Up early seems to be the only way ATM.

Bowerbird5 · 11/08/2020 02:55

Aargh! Just woken then the loudest clap of thunder. Lightening and now torrential rain. Weather girl said 3pm but she was out by nearly 12 hours. I am hoping summerhouse door is shut to as I hadn’t put flower pot there. It needs a slither off where the door has swollen. Ooooh more lightening. Scary. Hope the young girls ponies are alright. Ours would have been shaking with that loud clap of thunder. Bet I can’t sleep now.

Off to read your posts. I got some of home bleugh done, 3x LOL.

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/08/2020 04:29

bower hope you got some more sleep

Fore AST even hotter here today(33)
Lil zoo woke me 230 saying wide awake,not been sleepyet.which naturally woke me fully so I now been checking news)scrolling SM
May give up and get up soon

SingToTheSky · 11/08/2020 07:59

Morning all. Not as much sleep as I’d planned because DD1 was in a bit of a state and got in a worse state as she was only allowed a little extra time on her phone. It honestly strays into addict type behaviour sometimes and we don’t want to completely cut her off from it but it’s so hard to manage. I think we will have to make this a target of the help sessions she’s starting today, assuming her worker asks what we’d like to work on (DS’ helper did last week). It feels insurmountable especially when there’s not so much normal life for her to take part in ATM, but it’s so unhealthy for her to be lying in the dark on her phone for hours, she would honestly do it all day if we let her. I’d even prefer it if she was spending more time on video games (in the living room) than this but she’s barely even interested in those anymore! :(

Gah!!! Teens. Anyway. I’m dressed and will leave very soon for yoga which I’m excited about.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s Tuesday which means planning.

KCC - what are you watching lately?

I’m watching the Middle as I’ve mentioned. Recently watched There She Goes on iPlayer which was very moving. And I still need to watch the rest of Better Things which is funny!

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Stilllivinginazoo · 11/08/2020 08:18

sing lil zoo cannot control phone use either.she is a bloody nightmare

What are you watching
With lil zoo call the midwife
With dd2 complete boxset of bewitched
With D's supernanny u.s

When I get time to myselfI started the sinner on netflix...

Stilllivinginazoo · 11/08/2020 08:21

Tada
Cats fed
Wash on
Strip wallpaper off one wall
Wash hung out
Paint said wall coat one
Make banana coconut muffins
Wash up
Quick tidy front room
Retidy shoe heap at bottom of stairs

Drag everyone up as im not having them marauding around waking me in middle night cos slept in and aren't tired
Breakfast - cereal bars,milk and last grapes cos I am already approaching CBA..

THATbasicrebelBITCH · 11/08/2020 08:24

Zoo you stripped a wall by 830am. Please do come and live with me.