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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings Flying into the Festive Season

729 replies

ExquisitelyDecorated · 30/11/2021 22:18

Well here we are, December is upon us and we are settling in for the winter. We aim to follow the fly lady system, it does work if you follow it, but many of us have found that it works better if you combine it with an additional decluttering system to speed up that process. Flylady is more of a maintenance system, some combine it with other systems such as TOMM. Links at the end of the post.

These threads have been running for years, many posters have been here for a long time but new Fledglings and returners are always welcome, just jump in and ask if you don't understand anything.

Experience has taught us that these threads are only loosely about housekeeping, they are more about keeping good company and looking out for one another. So we have the naughty corner fully stocked with cushions, blankets, hot water bottles, comforting drinks and snacks, with a few sausage rolls and mince pies in a nod to the season (gluten free, vegan etc all catered for).

A few of our abbreviations and sayings:

BRC = box of random crap
Mount Washmore = out of control laundry
CHAOS = can't have anyone over syndrome
LMS / DLMS = lose my shit / didn't lose my shit
It's all gone a bit Pontypridd - it's all gone pear-shaped (some sort of spellcheck error)
No Fledgling Left Behind - there is always someone here to lend a listening ear, whether you want to have a grumble, let off steam, or just feel a bit behind or out of sorts. We recognise that many people have a lot going on in their lives, caring responsibilities, work, health conditions, general family life

So, with that, I will pop a couple of links to Flylady pages here:

www.flylady.net/ - homepage

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/ - getting started

We suggest you do NOT subscribe to the emails, unless you want a very cluttered inbox. Ask here instead.

www.flylady.net/d/cruising-through-the-holidays/ - seasonal stuff

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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ExquisitelyDecorated · 30/11/2021 22:21

With thanks to Hills for guiding us through November 🎁

OP posts:
HalfHope · 30/11/2021 22:38

Thanks Hills for leading two months and thank you too ED for leading December astride your Everhot.

HalfHope · 30/11/2021 22:39

😁 It will keep your bahookie toastie in this weather

HalfHope · 30/11/2021 22:40

*toasty I meant

HillsBesideTheSea · 30/11/2021 22:46

Thanks ED

SingToTheSky · 01/12/2021 00:04

Thanks ED

Thank you hills for seeing us through the previous months!

December. Eek.

HalfHope · 01/12/2021 00:22

At least we'll have the shortest day and then it will get brighter ( clutches at straws). Stuff to do tomorrow - must start with proper breakfast

THATlittleBANGER · 01/12/2021 06:28

Happy december! 🌲☃️🎅🐧

Ty for threads hills & ed

IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly · 01/12/2021 07:08

Rabbits! Trust you all have your advent calendars to hand.

Thanks, Hills, for two months of epic thread leading while your house was literally being torn apart around you.

Thanks ED for taking on December while the rest of us hide under the stairs trying to finish the wrapping!

Off to do Advent Breakfast with the Willowettes.

Stilllivinginazoo · 01/12/2021 07:44

Morning all

I am an adult(allegedly) woman who knows the months of the year,but December gallops at me.AGAIN

Epic holding us up hills during massive upheavels at yours.Star
Edthanks for new thread

THATlittleBANGER · 01/12/2021 07:51

Anyone remember the tv show bernards watch? I need that watch ....

SingToTheSky · 01/12/2021 08:00

Morning everyone, pinch punch and all that.

Older two have opened their advent calendars but that’s the only nod to Christmas so far! The living room is passably tidy so if the Caglets want to put the tree up tonight they can.

I will be unlikely to help much as I’m already achy and today will be tiring - looking forward to it though, we are off to the observatory for home ed space day!!! 🪐 First proper home ed trip in forever.

Must get ready as we are walking down to tesco to jump in a friend’s car - need to get lunch bits.

po3.1
❗️Quick shower and dressed
❗️Get bag/coat ready
❗️Timesheet

SingToTheSky · 01/12/2021 08:01

Ha I remember that that!

Ooh just realised I’ve not changed my name. Must dash

SingToTheSleigh · 01/12/2021 08:02
ExquisitelyDecorated · 01/12/2021 08:10

Morning all,

Willow - you sound further on than me with your Christmas presents, haven't finished buying let alone started wrapping. Advent breakfast sounds intriguing, usual grab a bowl of cereal on the hoof situation going on here. DD has opened her advent calendar, DS is at school and decided to leave his here and catch up at the weekend.

Right, better go, need to drop DD at school. I've got a day off work today and have plans for Christmas shopping and decluttering. Back shortly with some links.

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 01/12/2021 08:40

Morning - just coming in to mark my place in the December naughty corner. Just staying on top of mount washmore and dw and keeping food in the cupboards currently but maybe I will manage a little bit of flying come the holidays.

Hope everyone is well.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 01/12/2021 09:02

I may not keep up links all the way through the month, things are looking busy, but let's start with babysteps

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/

Today's babystep is to shine your sink.

The zone is dining room, hall, porch. Today's mission is to sparkle up your dining table and chairs www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day, do something you have been putting off www.flylady.net/d/daily-focus/daily-focus-wednesday/

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 01/12/2021 09:39

that watch or a time turner would be great! Hope you manage to get what is needed to be sorted done that

The people have had to cancel their trip due to covid this weekend. No one has it, but they might have been exposed. And the new variant has made the people cautious wrt travelling and all the people exposure that comes with it.

I am grateful that I was actually expecting it. The people have asked what i need as my plans have been messed up. I have said to be left to get on and people to run errands (tip/charity shop/food shop) etc. I am hoping we can get tidy enough to get the decorations up this weekend. So I need to get moving.

PO3
Breakfast and clothes
check email address for family zoom this wkend and confirm to person organising
ring college

ta da
hunt out a job advert for a job interested in. Squeak that deadline is the 3rd. And i need to really hustle butt on it. Need to consider locality very carefully based on fuel, travel and wage etc.

StillFestive · 01/12/2021 10:24

Thanks so much for November’s thread Hills, you’re good to us doing two in a row. Good luck if you decide to go for the job!

Thanks for the shiny new December thread ED Good luck with the Christmas shopping.

Space day sounds fun Sing, enjoy it.

YesTaDas:
✅ Insurance claim submitted (temporary roof repairs were done so we are at least watertight in theory - more high winds forecast though).
✅ Dug out elf and wooden advent calendar.
✅ bit of tidying upstairs

Ta Das this morning:
✅ DW rotated
✅ clean washing carried upstairs, next load on
✅ beds made
✅ tidied and decluttered fridge
✅ did 5 minutes tidying in utility room

Plans for rest of the day
🖊 must stop procrastinating and clean the car seat. I got a far as moving it yesterday and taking off the hood Blush
🖊 wrap some Christmas presents with a crappy Christmas film and a bag of lebkuchen for company
🖊 upload photos of damage to insurance website
🖊 do some sort of token effort at cleaning, somewhere. Anywhere!

Redsquirrel5 · 01/12/2021 10:42

Wise idea Hills
You did a great job last month despite the chaos and the people!

Thanks ED for starting the new thread.
Glad the roasties were good. That FB page has some great tips. Not sure about the all night cooking of the bird though I just follow my weight chart and add half an hour for late arrivals, under cooked legs as we are having a full turkey as no turkey saddle due to lack of workers on the farms locally.

Zoo I think I need to correct first cake as during the night remembered it was Mary Berry. It just popped in my head about 4:30am!

Annoyingly I have lost my Lino cutting tools. I have found everything else but can’t find the tools which are in a very small box. So will have to go and buy some more. Hoping DH is willing to venture out. Snow has gone but maybe back. Several thousand still without electricity in the Lakes and Alston and some of Northumbria and Yorkshire. Coniston have the hall open and Mountain Rescue calling on some older people in between shouts.
Shame about the car.
DS1 garage picked it up and said right off as damaged chassis (bent) and other technical stuff. He is going to ring BFs DS1 who is top mechanic and Manager as that is where he bought it from and hope he can find something for him. He hasn’t had it long about 2 years. Damn drunk driver.
Plan to make and write cards today. The partridge looks quite good though it was slightly too big so feet are missing. Teach me to measure area first before drawing.

Slowchimes · 01/12/2021 10:48

Ahem. Hello. How are you all doing?

[Collapses at foot of Mount Washmore.]

Just temporarily sliding my bop and mucket back in to the naughty corner for this month if that is OK with everyone?

Had a difficult summer and wreck one has (literally) gone to the dogs. And have thought about Christmas but apart from asking dd to order tree, have done absolutely nothing about it as yet, as house too untidy and out of control: all laundry & cleaning systems have crashed in to the ditch. Going to be like turning around a giant tanker to get it half decent for 25th. Someone please tell me I can do it as I have lost the fledgling faith... !

Having said all of that...will be lovely to catch up with all of you guys and find out how all of you are doing? Smile

[Just going to post this and then out to office lunch so see you all later!]

Mahoosive cherry waves to all!

Slowchimes · 01/12/2021 10:57

PS Forgot to thank thread leader ED Flowers

HillsBesideTheSea · 01/12/2021 10:58

SC!
Fucking amazing to see you. You CAN do this. At least there won't be the travelling of the masses. Hope everyone is well.

Ds has to have a pcr again

merryhouse · 01/12/2021 11:03

Ooh SC hello!

Did all the tasks I wrote about on Sunday. Bumbled through Monday and Tuesday.

ToDo
make more coffee
hoover downstairs
make lunch
make pot of tea
hang washing
make tuna pasta bake (use up broccoli stalk)
set oven
iron Monday karate outfits
put away basketful of towels ironed at the weekend Blush
?? maybe hoover upstairs, make S2's bed Smile
prepare water bottles
put key and coins in coat pocket
get changed
karate class
eat dinner, watch Hawkeye

Neighbours have had to cancel mulled wine gathering again, but given the weather that's probably a good thing (plan was to have a brief meet outside...)

HalfHope · 01/12/2021 11:19

Hello SC - hope dhorse doing well (and other family). We missed you.

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