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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
8
Stilllivinginazoo · 18/12/2021 11:27

DS opened his gifts
Cleared up paper
Breakfasts(incl banana skin scratching birthday boy into it)
Zoolets PCR done ahead visit dd1 to see D's/cut and dye dd2 hair

TheHoneyBadger · 18/12/2021 11:32

Washing hung out.

Bolognese type thing done and just has to simmer away and add mushrooms later.

DW filled and on.

Apologies if I over post today - I am trying to get myself back into at least poking my beak over the edge of the nest mode. I remember at one stage I had the whole house fit for visitors (albeit non judgemental ones). School holidays are my golden opportunities but I was too knackered at half term. Hope no one minds my sporadic attendance and failure to keep up with thread on a consistent basis.

THATlittleCRACKER · 18/12/2021 12:16

honey i could have written that myself

Flowers
IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 18/12/2021 12:37

Honey you are very, very welcome to post as much as you need. This thread is for support.

It's apparently four and a half hours since I got out of bed, but not much to report.
❤️ Dry washing taken off airer
🧡 DS3 talked down from screaming hysteria about the LFT he needs to do before we go to FIL's on Monday
💛 Tesco shopping order reviewed in light of what we actually want to eat over the Christmas period
💚 Agree to add GF things for my DM to our Tesco list, if she can add mini-pizzas to her Iceland list 🤣 for us
💙 Plan food for taking to FIL on Monday (I'm not eating anything that's been stored in that house)
💜 Lunch.

Next: make chestnut stuffing and freeze.

Zoo happiest of happy birthdays to DS.
That so sorry the baby is poorly too. Christmas will occur whatever happens.
SC hope you manage to chase down the builder!

SingToTheSleigh · 18/12/2021 12:58

I love a busy thread. We are glad to have you back with us 💐🤩 I totally get you about needing to post to keep oneself going - hence some days I have a silly number of power of three lists!

Speaking of which, I have finally moved, dosed up and put the dryer on. Now out of dryer sheets oops.

po3.2
❗️New LOL*
❗️Take packages upstairs and check them while Cagletini (I see I put her actual name on my previous post, ah well! I’ve mentioned it before I think) is distracted by the Irritating Yellow Sponge
❗️Try and work out what still needs doing for Christmas prep

*Note how on better days I’d have put this on the same line as moving previous wash into dryer… on bad days I have to break it down even more than that 🤣

SingToTheSleigh · 18/12/2021 13:28

The list is LONG. 😳

Redsquirrel5 · 18/12/2021 13:30

Just zipping while hiding in the bathroom. I had the iPad in hand when I went in here to collect towels. Roped DH into housework and he is DOING it! Ta bloody Da.

Lovely to hear from you Honey 🍯 this term is the worst!

P of 3

Wiped all kitchen cupboards.
Wiped table and decluttered.
Watered plants.

Pof3 bathroom.
Cleaned toilet
Cleaned basin
Cleaned shower tray and drain🤮 I think I am the only one here that does this. DH is allowed.

Sorry baby ill and you too That.

Sing yes and it is a lovely name I had one at school and it suits both.

Going to have to go out for black paint and hopefully lights. The Range. Was hoping to go to small town for Oxfam present for friend. Might get her something else.

SingToTheSleigh · 18/12/2021 13:37

Oh well. Best get other stuff done anyway

po3.3
❗️Order meds
❗️Check and write down dates of tesco orders
❗️Phone friend

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 18/12/2021 14:30

PO3
❤️ Chestnut stuffing made and frozen
🧡 Sausage casserole into the oven for tea
💛 Sat down with a cup of tea and a mince pie.

Just girding loins for Presents.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 18/12/2021 14:37

Afternoon all,

I woke feeling very chesty and grumpy and coughed a lot while I was still in bed. But decided to get up at about 9 and feel much better for it, I think being upright is far better for my lungs as I've hardly coughed at all since then, just a couple of tickles, far less than yesterday so hopefully I'm on the mend. Been doing gentle chores and writing cards, have also walked to the postbox for fresh air.

Tada!
Feed cats
Fetch milk in
Swish and swipe
Sort out and chuck all the empty shampoo etc bottles from the bathroom
Washing on
Washing to dryer
Another washing on
Fiddle with Sky box, delegate to DH
Write Christmas cards
Get dressed about an hour ago Blush
Walk to postbox (maybe 200m) with cards
Make cup of tea
Check time for Strictly later
Starting more cards while watching darts

OP posts:
merryhouse · 18/12/2021 16:25

TaDa
up at a reasonable (for Saturday) hour
tea, coffee, breakfast, remembered VitD
finished washing up from last night
sliced and froze loaf H made
wrote addresses for S2's cards (his writing's not bad nowadays but I'm a creature of habit Grin)
walked to postbox with cards - half mile each way, misty and cold
ate lunch
took call from S2, at Girlfriend's, asking if he'd left certain ingredients behind - yes, the pot appeared to have been put back in the box - H claimed responsibility
took small pot of ingredients across town
used the journey to practise singing which seemed fine
washed up from lunch
whatsapped neighbour about parcel in plant basket

H had an email from old friend about another old friend seriously ill in hospital - definitely won't be out for Christmas, not prepared to say after that Sad

ToDo
keep eye on whatsapp messages re parcel
cut salad and rolls for bacon sandwiches
watch disappointingly-reduced Strictly
don't eat too much shortbread Grin

H is listening to a tenor he has recently discovered - Freddie De Tommaso. Notable lack of straining.

Maybe I should do some ironing...

HillsBesideTheSea · 18/12/2021 17:30

Does anyone have the pointy stick?

THATlittleCRACKER · 18/12/2021 17:45

Ive lost it in the chaos i call home hills

merryhouse · 18/12/2021 18:22

poke poke

(I did some ironing, so everyone else must do something too)

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 18/12/2021 18:25

No pointy sticks this close to Christmas, Hills, peace and goodwill to all Fledglings!

I have Started The Wrapping - about one third done.
💚 DS1 & GF
💙 DS2 (partly) & GF
💜 DS3

Still to do:
🎁 DD
🎁 DH
🎁 My sister and her family
🎁 DM and my DBro
🎁 FIL
🎁 4 x Father Christmas

HillsBesideTheSea · 18/12/2021 18:53

Unfortunately if I dont discover some energy and motivation Christmas is not going to happen.

ta da
Pop out to shops to pick up some ingrediants
Be grateful that tea was planned to be the very lazy and quick bacon sandwiches.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 18/12/2021 19:09

I managed to go into town (by car even though it's only half a mile level walk) and buy some bits we needed. Went at 4 to be there as it got dark and see the lights, just lovely. Now flagging for a bit. DH is making pizza in the little wood-fired oven and I'm settled down with a Lemsip to watch Strictly.

OP posts:
StillFestive · 18/12/2021 20:24

I have a pointy stick here Hills, but I’ve been using it to keep DH on the straight and narrow all day so it’s worn down somewhat (he’s been a busy bee and done lots bless him, and is rewarding himself with alcohol free lager as he’s decided it’s to close to due date to risk a drink). Bacon sandwiches were a good call.

Hope you have a better night coughing wise tonight ED.

Has DS enjoyed his birthday Zoo?

Hope lurgy is abating That. Alas no baby here yet, but I’m hoping she gets a move on. She’s not allowed to come tomorrow as I still have some things to sort but come Monday I will be all ready and zen-like I’m sure. Then she is welcome whenever.

Honey post as much or as little as is helpful. Some days I write multiple posts and at other times I go AWOL for a few days. Well done for over achieving.

Great wrapping progress Wassailing. Is DH feeling any better about PIL?

Waves to SC, Sing, Merry, Hope, Red, Hazel, Dancing, and I know there are others I’ve missed. Too epic a post to risk losing!

Ta Das:
🎄 Christmas is done, all presents are sorted into piles ready for distribution, all cards are posted including DD’s homemade ones which we finished this morning.
👶 Moses basket is set up, protected from the cats and is just waiting on a sheet. Still can’t find them anywhere. I’ve ordered some now so they’ll turn up in the next drawer I open.
🛌 sorted some crap in our room
🛌 dusted and cleaned the window in DD’s room which is now immaculate and I’m considering banning her from it.
🎄 retrieved Christmas mugs from storage and gave them a wash. I’d forgotten all about them.
👶 hospital bags for me and baby finalised and in the car. DH has also done his.
👶 put away some more baby clothes
👔 ironing pile completely demolished and everything hung up. Have washed and ironed all DD’s uniform so it’s ready for the new term when I’ll have a newborn Shock
📦 DH has put some bulky things into storage in the garage, cleared the dining room which tends to be his dumping ground, and moved some heavy things out of the way in the baby’s room
💰 he also went to the shop for last Christmas bits/bread and to the post office
👔 LOL done
🎁 3 x birthday presents all ready to go tomorrow

Tomorrow’s list:
🖊 deliver birthday and some Xmas presents
🖊 rest of baby clothes away
🖊 wash pram hood and apron which I forgot when I did the rest
🖊 remove bouncy chair cover and wash
🖊 whole house needs hoovered and hard floors mopped. Will be roping DH into that.
🖊 possibly decorate Christmas cake while
DH takes DD to a party or sit with a tea and biscuit

Actually, question for bakers as I can’t remember what I did last year. How long a gap do I need to leave between the last ‘feeding’ and the decorating? And am I remembering rightly that I should leave a day between marzipanning and fondant icing?

I feel like if I can get all that done then it’s just keeping on top of laundry, dishes, tidyness and bit of home bleurgh until baby arrives. DH finishes work for 4 weeks on Tuesday so will be able to take on the majority of that too. Keeping DD occupied is going to be the hardest challenge!

THATlittleCRACKER · 18/12/2021 20:33

still you sound so organised, i am in awe! ⭐

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 18/12/2021 20:35

Don't DO that, StillFestive! I read your list for tomorrow as starting "deliver baby"!!

You are supposed to let the marzipan set before you ice, but I rarely have that much time 🤣. Although we use glacé icing not fondant, so that might make a difference.

Hills, Christmas is as Christmas does from here on. Hope you get some of what you need done.

I might go and wrap for my sister before I go to bed.

THATlittleCRACKER · 18/12/2021 20:43

wassailing! I did too!

StillFestive · 18/12/2021 20:57

Haha, sorry Grin. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself. She’s not allowed to come tomorrow! .

I’m feeling organised now That, after feeling completely unprepared and chaotic for the last few weeks. Things seem to have clicked into place. Very different to last time where I went in completely unexpectedly with my bags not quite packed and with the house a tip to come back to. I was mortified as I’d planned on cutting my toenails and shaving later that afternoon, so I was rather unkempt Blush. Which reminds me I should probably add those to tomorrow’s list!

SingToTheSleigh · 18/12/2021 21:43

Sometimes I quite enjoy that bit in the lead up to Christmas where you just go “oh, fuck it” and anything you haven’t done will just remain not done! :o

I may be heading for that point sooner than usual. It’s all gone a bit arse over apex here - DH was just finishing the morning santa shift (charity thing in town) when DD1 showed up with her friends having fallen on her wrist at the skate park. It’s broken and she’s got to have it set under GA hopefully tomorrow, otherwise Monday. They’re only just heading home now.

po3.4
❗️Move laundry on
❗️Try and rescue the living room again
❗️Decide DS’ main present. FFS. This is what happens when you run out of room for Lego!

HillsBesideTheSea · 18/12/2021 22:51

Wait til they grow out of lego Sing Wink

Slowchimes · 19/12/2021 00:35

Stillfestive you are a Flying inspiration! That list is epicl Star Star Star

Sing what a day you have had; hope your DD is ok poor thing, broken wrists hurt a lot! And the shock is horrid Flowers

HoneyBadger use the thread in the way that helps you best, sending you power to your elbow Smile

Merry so sorry about your DH"s old friend; very Sad at any time of year, but particularly so at Christmas. Flowers. I will look up Freddie de T. I am deeply in to French mezzo sop. Marianne Crebassa ATM.

I can't find the pointy stick either in the mess here and having done a lot of driving today, I have now lost my glasses, sheesh, what am I going to lose next?!

Unfortunately if I dont discover some energy and motivation Christmas is not going to happen

I hear you loud and clear Hills same situation here. I am seriously lacking both ATM Blush Flowers

DH said casually this evening that he was looking forward to Christmas as an opportunity to stop work, eat a nice meal and have a sleep with the dogs. He has been working v v hard so I get that he is looking forward to a well deserved break but for the rest I confess I thought "gosh, yes, how nice to be able to think of it just like that!" Confused

ED you did v well to get that list done when you are ill! Hope cough abates tonight.

Well done re: wrapping and stuffing Wassail

Great that DH is stepping up Redsquirrel!

Hope DS and you all had a lovely day Zoo!

Waves to That, Half Holly , Hazel and everyone else I've missed!

Bit of a frustrating day but at least I got away for a bit and spent time with HOTLF Smile I am physically tired but mentally awake though if that makes sense because I am thinking about everything that needs doing.

G'night all!