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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:
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ExquisitelyDecorated · 31/12/2021 08:22

Morning all, well in that case Hills how about you do Jan, Half can do Feb and I'll be on standby for March if we need a volunteer?

OP posts:
ExquisitelyDecorated · 31/12/2021 08:27

New system for the New Year could be just what I need to get my backside in gear. Jan is looking like quite a stressful month here, DD has got her GCSE mocks starting next week and is in a right tizz, she thought they started in the second week of term but checked last night and they are from the first day back. Plus two family birthdays and I haven't done my tax return yet .

OP posts:
THATlittleCRACKER · 31/12/2021 08:52

First day back seems harsh ed!

StillFestive · 31/12/2021 09:32

MiniStill arrived safe and sound and so far is a very chilled and easy baby, until the early hours when she does not want to be put down 😴. Recovery is a bit more painful than I remember from last time but I think that’s my own fault as I overdid it a bit yesterday I think and didn’t stay on top of the painkillers. We are home and I’m under strict instructions to rest today while DH does everything. Not a problem Grin. DD is also very keen to help, a little too keen…

So I hope you didn’t mind but I’m going to sit with my feet up sipping peppermint tea and living vicariously through your tada lists Smile.

Shinychestnuts · 31/12/2021 10:37

Aahhhh huge congratulations to you and your dh on the birth of your baby daughter Stillfestive! FlowersCakeBrew

Glad to hear that everything went OK.

[Why isn't there a champagne emoji on here?]

Good that you are taking it very steady today!

[Rushes to naughty corner with footstool, fluffy blankets, champagne on ice, chocolate, a large bowl of spinach salad, a triangular pillow, and a bowl of seasonal fruit.]

HalfHolly · 31/12/2021 10:38

Yep I'm up for February - already thinking of awful puns for thread title. Hills will help get my bahookie in gear in January, if she is okay with doing January. Would love to know the tweaks.

HalfHolly · 31/12/2021 10:40

Ooh lovely newborn squishes - welcome MiniStill. Glad you are on the sofa Still - don't move - we'll clean around you.

Shinychestnuts · 31/12/2021 10:53

Sorry you are still suffering with lack of sleep Zoo which must be awful Flowers

Thanks Sing - yes education very important - but should be time for chores too - I've given up asking though! Smile

Thank you very much to thread-leading volunteers! I'm a bit late but was going to throw my hat in so happy to provide back up as and when.

Intrigued by your honed Flylady Mark 2 Hills!

Good luck to your dd with her exams ED .

We are all very industrious today. Dd revising mahoosively for exams starting next week.

Dh and I are in the office doing office admin, tying up year end stuff, doing final bit of tax return.

Our young visitor has very kindly gone to shops to get supplies for starter and pudding for tonight. (And I am popping out in a bit to pick up main course.) Beautiful sunny mild day here!

Love the sound of your Hogmanay stovies Halfholly!

Waves to everyone!

HillsBesideTheSea · 31/12/2021 11:12

Still congratulations!

Zoo are you on top of your iron/vit b and vit d levels? I think i remember it was you who was struggling to sleep cos their iron had got low?

I will just caution you that this year i have been wrestling with a lot of the issues that have come up on the thread and finding that the answer to tidy is not the tidy but the why and the mind. So it is total realism and practicality that is thrown in. But there will be links and more of a return to "lead" thread for January. And I promise to sit in the naughty corner quietly if it gets too much. I will set up the thread later but first I need to deal with the laundry and the kitchen and tape the fuck out of my wrist because I am hyper-extending it in my sleep and it fecking hurts!

Ieatmarmite · 31/12/2021 12:21

Hi. Can I join you? I really need to get on top of household things and I hope a thread like this will help me keep on track. Thank you.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 31/12/2021 12:31

Hurrah for MiniStill's safe arrival and being mostly an easy baby, @StillFestive. Huge congratulations 🥳💐🤱. Glad to hear DD1 is being "helpful".

Sing take today slowly.

Things a bit up in the air here today. I want to start the new year with clear decks and a plan but my head is full of glue and my sister is threatening to visit, having come directly from her in-laws to my DM's house. I cannot make either of them understand I am NOT SEEING PEOPLE this Christmas because I am still ill from the PEs, still have a ghastly cold and am worn out by socialising. Yes, even for a coffee for an hour. Being blunt has not helped, they just agree between themselves that I don't really mean it.

FIL's assessments yesterday were a partial step forward. The SW agreed he did not have capacity then back stepped and said actually, not enough evidence because we cleared the fridge on 20 December and FIL said he'd never eat OOD food or use OOD meds (bollocks wouldn't he). He has just been on the phone for another hour because the stupid bank site won't let him in, insisting he's doing all the right things while DH can see him randomly clicking things and entering the wrong numbers in the wrong places via Teamviewer. He is also adamant he will not have any help with anything (except DH, daily, obvs) because people will tell him what to do. Like wash, and eat real food and not wallow in filth poisoning himself.

Aaagh. I'm off to look at stationery and organising systems to make myself feel better. Hills I look forward to your new Flylady system.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 31/12/2021 12:33

Hi @Ieatmarmite of course you can join us! Lovely to have you. 2022 will absolutely, definitely, be the year we get our arses in gear and on top of our houses. Honestly.

HillsBesideTheSea · 31/12/2021 12:50

Wassailing open door "sorry we are not able to recieve visitors" close door.
It will feel mean as hell, especially the first time, but sometimes it is the only way to stop people steam rolling you!

Welcome Ieatmarmite. we will be starting a new thread for the new month, but feel free to chat here today, and follow the link to the new thread later

SingToTheSky · 31/12/2021 12:59

Welcome marmite! :)

Wassail that is very frustrating about your family running roughshod over your perfectly reasonable boundaries 😡

I was awake till gone 5 for some reason. So far I’ve done nothing except foil art with Cagletini.

HalfHolly · 31/12/2021 13:14

Hi Marmite - welcome. I'm not doing any flying today. I am preparing for my annual bath. I'm going into the new year clean and pampered!

Mc3209 · 31/12/2021 13:15

Still congratulations on birth of your daughter! 🎉🥳🥳 Don't even think about thinking about housework! Cosy newborn snuggles on the sofa with painkillers, drinks and a remote control all within reach.

Stilllivinginazoo · 31/12/2021 14:31

marmitewelcome

Well so much for "d"p making an effort,today he's claiming has "bit if a sore throat" lft negative but don't want help with shop "just in case"
Headed out 720 for town with dd2.picked up D's replacement headset for PS that was waiting at Argos,acquired more masks as some have disappeared and we have some that are start fall apart from washing and finding way into TDalong some cleaning stuff,a clock for living room wall and some small canvasses for lil zoo practise with her oil paints before committing to use a bigger one

Stilllivinginazoo · 31/12/2021 14:33

*ps phone says I've walked 10 milesShock

HazelNuttyElf · 31/12/2021 16:31

congratulations still 👶🥂🍾🍰 lots and lots of rest for you!

Welcome marmite
hills I am excited to see your plan, it sounds a lot deeper than just "use the loo brush"

I need to get this house better organised, starting with filing. I have written down all the things I want to change in my life, everything from getting back on track with keto, to setting a budget (keeping track of expenses like we used to and sticking to it!), to being better organised both at home and work. For lack of a better term, yes they are my new years resolutions, but I really do hate that term for some reason. Probably because they always fail and I don't want to fail.

wassailing you have every right to tell people no, that you want to be left alone.
zoo 10 miles!! 😱 and don't get me started on your "D"P. Tell your DC they are more than welcome to stay up, but you need your sleep, if you don't feel up to staying up.
Sing just rest and put your feet up, have a nap and enjoy the family.

My plan for today is to take the tree down (I'm sad about that, but DH has been asking about when it's coming down ever since boxing day) I do like to start the new year with a clear and clean house, so it must come down today 😔
I need to start sorting some paperwork out, but not sure how far I'll get.
We're staying home tonight, could have gone to ILs, but the roads are really bad, lots of snow and drifting, and we just don't feel like going anywhere 🤷‍♀️
I want to do something with the DC, but not sure what yet.

HillsBesideTheSea · 31/12/2021 16:56

p.s. you are allowed to say no stop the crazy Grin

HalfHolly · 31/12/2021 17:37

Waves to zoo and Hazelnutty - my tree is still up. Usually I have it down but this year I'm waiting for the 2nd of Jan.

What walking zoo - make sure you are getting your vitamins and eating well ❤️

HazelNuttyElf · 31/12/2021 17:41

zoo I also agree with Holly & hills remember to take care of yourself so you can take care of others (although they're at the ages where they can start to take care of themselves a bit more and help you out) 😊

HalfHolly · 31/12/2021 17:48

I know this is early in the night but I would like to take a moment to thank ED for leading the thread for November and December when we were all up to our eyes. She holds down many different strands of important stuff and has helped us glide towards the end of the year. All this despite being regularly 'catted' by her two furry overlords and surviving Reno work, work work and various teen-related organising. All with Covid going on in the background like all of us. 👏🎊🎆

Now we move to Hills's thread where we gain speed rapidly flapping for take off into the New Year 🎊🎊🎆🎆 Thank you Hills for what you are about to unleash on us - innovative flying freshens things up - and for taking on January 2022 thread.

🗑️🛏️🍳🛁👚🏡🏘️

Stilllivinginazoo · 31/12/2021 18:00
ExquisitelyDecorated · 31/12/2021 20:40
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